Online Shopping Brokers

Shopping for a Warm Mouse - ValueRays Infrared Heat Computer Mouse, Mouse Pad & Heated Computer Keyboard

2009-03-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

Just when you thought you had it all, something new and better comes along. ValueRays infrared heat heated computer mouse, heated mouse pad, heated computer keyboard pad and heated mouse hand warmer blanket will keep you toasty warm by providing an energy-efficient and cost-effective source of heat when you are using the computer.

Don't wait until your fingers are frozen stiff to place an order. Contact ValueRays today and get the warm mouse and mouse pad computer accessories delivered to your door with free shipping and no sales tax.

Infrared heat heals. It provides deep penetrating heat to sore muscles, aching joints and relieves cold hand pain. Just 20-30 minutes of infrared heat daily produces positive results. For more information, visit http://igmproducts.com and http://valuerays.com.

Vote Online: IGMproducts at Start Up Nation

2009-03-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

Click the link below and cast your vote for IGMproducts and Shopping Brokers at Start Up Nation. It's just a click away!

Please click the above picture and vote for our start up company on Start Up Nation. Voting deadline is March 31, 2009. Thank you!

http://www.igmproducts.com/

We specialize in Ergonomic Heated Computer Aids.

Made in USA Forever keeps your mouse hand warm

2009-02-07T15:25:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for Made in USA products to keep your hands warm, look no further. The Mouse Hand Warmer is American Made and can be found on Made in USA Forever!

Do you sit and work for long hours sitting in front of a computer? Does your mouse hand ache with pain from the cold? If you answered yes, then you should click here to read more about the Mouse Hand Warmer at Made in USA Forever!

Amazon helps keep your cold mouse hand warm this winter

2008-11-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

There's a lot of chat online these days about COLD MOUSE HAND. And, Amazon.com may just have the solution. The Mouse Hand Warmer uses NO Electricity to keep your mouse hand covered by a warm, fleece blanket as your mouse your way to Nerdom or Geeksville!

Available online at Amazon.com.

FREE SHIPPING

Etsy.com for cool computer gadgets for cold mouse hand

2008-10-23T00:23:00.000-07:00

The Mouse Hand Warmer is featured on Etsy.com. Shop Etsy for handmade, unique and novel products. The Mouse Hand Warmer is constructed of a warm, fleece fabric. It's hand washable and has a non-slip surface. It can be used alone or with a standard sized mouse pad. Any size mouse fits inside the mouse hand warmer with plenty of room for movement. Click Here for more details.

Mouse hand warmer mouse pad blanket on eBay!

2008-10-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

Shop eBay and save money this holiday season. If you are looking for the perfect gift for the difficult-to-buy-for computer geek in your life, look no further. The Mouse Hand Warmer is available at eBay.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is a mouse pad blanket for your exposed mouse hand. It keeps your mouse hand warm.

Yes, people who use the computer suffer from the cold mouse hand syndrome. And, the folks at IGM have solved that problem!

Click here for more details & FREE SHIPPING!

Mouse Hand Warmer solves the cold mouse hand problem

2008-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Oprah & Doctor Oz.... help us solve the cold mouse hand problem!

Searching for an answer to define the "cold mouse hand" syndrome, Oprah and Doctor Oz were sent an online letter. We haven't heard back from them, and if/when we do, you'll read about it here.

Here's what we wrote:

Many people may not be aware of a condition called "Cold Mouse Hand." It affects computer users who work using a computer mouse. It's not carpal tunnel and shouldn't be confused with other mouse hand medical conditions. I believe the "cold mouse hand" problem is a fairly new discovery.

I started using a computer in the early 90's, and I owned and operated an ecommerce site for over 12 years. My work required me to sit in front of a computer using the mouse. A/C offices, fans, drafts and chilly weather would cause my mouse hand to get so cold my finger tips would become numb. The only relief to the cold mouse hand was to stop working, and that was not an option. I tried pulling a sweater over my mouse hand and wear fingerless gloves to keep it warm and that didn't work. I bought computer gadgets that promised to keep the mouse hand warm, and they were either non-ergonomic, caused pain, or were too small.

In February 2007, after suffering from a cold mouse hand for many years, I decided to obtain a provisional patent for a "Mouse House Hand Warmer" to address and fix the problem. But, I was still too busy operating my business to do anything with the patent.

In May 2008, I sold my ecommerce site and decided to research the cold mouse hand problem to focus on a solution. I was surprised to discover the problem was experienced by many people.

In June 2008, I made a Mouse Hand Warmer using blanket fabric, tested the prototype, and it worked. The Mouse Hand Warmer was born! I don't suffer anymore from a cold mouse hand.

If Doctor Oz finds the mouse hand syndrome, not carpal tunnel, but the "cold mouse hand" problem, an interesting, new topic, please ask him to shed some light on this mysterious computer geeks' situation. If you look for little inventions to address new problems, I will participate by sharing the problem and the solution with your audience. I hope you find this story and it's solution unique and worthy of a discussion topic.

Mouse Hand Warmer at Amazon, Etsy & IGMproducts.com

2008-09-14T15:11:00.000-07:00

If you are one of the many computer users who suffer from a cold mouse hand all winter, a solution has arrived. The Mouse Hand Warmer is a new product being introduced this year by i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. The price is $19.95 and it includes free shipping. If you buy directly from the manufacturer, there's no sales tax, too.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is available online at this locations:

Amazon.com

Etsy.com

IGMproducts.com

It's a perfect gift for any computer user. If you sit for long hours at the computer with an exposed mouse hand, you'll agree, a cozy blanket is the solution to a cold mouse hand.

Online Shopping - IGMproducts.com

2008-08-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

New Merchant added to ShoppingBrokers.com! IGMproducts.com is now offering ShoppingBrokers.com's shoppers FREE shipping and NO sales tax on orders placed online.

Click here for more details: IGMproducts.com

Click here for Mouse Hand Warmer! A new product just in time for winter computing and gift giving. A great gift idea for all the computer geeks in your life! A warm fleece blanket to keep your mouse hand warm.

Mouse Hand Warmer - Geek gadget shop online

2008-08-09T19:11:00.000-07:00

IGMproducts.com is launching a new site and a new product just in time for a shift in the weather and holiday shopping worldwide. We'll post photos and purchase opportunities here as soon as they are received. We're looking forward to being one of the only online resources for the new Mouse Hand Warmer.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is new, and there's nothing like it on the market. Here's details directly from the manufacturer:

$19.95 price includes Free USA Domestic Ground Shipping & Sales Tax!

The perfect gift idea for computer users.

Keeps your mouse hand covered by a warm blanket. Constructed of a warm polyester fleece blanket material with a non-slip surface. Fits standard mouse pads. Hand wash and air dry.

Instructions: Slip a standard sized mouse pad inside the Mouse Hand Warmer. If using a wireless mouse, the net front provides a clear optical connection. When using an USB connected mouse, slip the cord through a small slit opening made in the center front net. Easy to keep clean by hand washing with a mild detergent and air drying.

Made in the USA.

The Mouse Hand Warmer is an inexpensive way to keep your mouse hand warm during chilly weather or whenever you feel your mouse hand getting cold. A drafty air-conditioned office makes for an uncomfortable exposed hand if you sit and work all day at the computer. During the winter, a draft or drop in temperature makes your mouse hand cold, too. Sometimes fingers get numb due to the cold air. Keep your mouse hand warm inside a cozy blanket.

The idea for a Mouse Hand Warmer came about after spending many years working long, late hours sitting at a computer. When your mouse hand gets cold there's really nothing you can do to warm it except stop working or cover it with a warm blanket. That's why the Mouse Hand Warmer was created.

No wires or cords to get tangled on your desk top. The Mouse Hand Warmer is a contemporary, modern, techie-looking desk accessory in neutral colors of gray fleece with black and white trim. The pouch measures about 12" x 12" with a wide front opening to get your hand into and out of the Mouse Hand Warmer with ease. Fits most mouse sizes, from a standard small mouse to a large ergonomically shaped mouse.

Mouse Hand Warmer is a registered trademark and patented product made in the USA by i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. For more information, for distribution or wholesale orders, please write by clicking on the Contact Us located at the top of each page at IGMproducts.com.

FREE SHIPPING & NO SALES TAX

Dangerous curves ahead

2008-08-02T12:32:00.000-07:00

ShopBop

TOO much flesh can be an issue for swimwear designers focused on less than reality, writes Sharon Krum.

ON Miami Beach there are two kinds of coveted oceanfront real estate. The first involves luxury hotels with spectacular views, while the second can be acquired via a day with a plastic surgeon: think C or D cup. Hollywood might have pioneered the surgically enhanced starlet but Miami stands out as the land of implants. (And it feels like no one is exempt: even the surf and the palm trees seem bigger on top.)

A model in Luli Fama
So seeing them on many models during Fashion Week's 2009 swim fair, held last week at South Beach's Raleigh Hotel, shouldn't have been a surprise. But for an industry that favours ironing board-shaped runway models, it was.

It was also a slight dilemma for designer Nicky Zimmermann, who with sister Simone was in Miami to show their Cruise 2009 collection, the only Australian label on the 15-designer schedule.

"We look for more editorial girls (and found them), somebody who can walk and wear fashion and not look catalogue," Nicky says of casting the show, later seen by buyers from Barneys, Saks and ShopBop, and editors from Vogue, Elle and InStyle.

"It's important to us that we don't cater to that. We don't want to show ourselves as a commercial brand, but as a fashion swim brand. It's more fashion than swim, and that gives us a really good point of difference here." It was Zimmermann's second appearance on the Miami runway. "Last year ... it cemented our credibility both editorially and with buyers," says Simone.

Styled by Tamila Purvis, the collection showcased vivid prints (diamond, feather, florals, Russian scarf), sharply cut swimwear and contrasting silhouettes: a babushka print triangle bikini paired with an oversized babushka shirt dress; a black bandeau spider bikini under a periwinkle maxi dress. While bikinis boasted frill or stud detail, resort wear included a drawstring playsuit, jumpsuits and harem pants.

"It was very cohesive, the colours worked very well together," says Andrea Tocco, an associate buyer for Barneys Co-op. "It's what a lot of girls want: feminine, colour, design. What worked was there were pieces you could wear out and to the beach."

Judging by the size of the trade fair taking place simultaneously with Fashion Week -- 350 exhibitors, 2000 lines and buyers from 39 countries -- swimwear and resort wear is booming. Buyers cite an increasingly fashion-conscious consumer, even possibly global warming, for this.

"A lot of people have started doing swim brands," says Nicky Zimmermann. "But (the demands are) extremely specific. It has to be cut well, it has to have beautiful colours, function and aesthetic have to be equal."

For Zimmermann, sales in the US have doubled in the past 12 months, while stockists Barneys, Bloomingdales and Saks are about to roll them out into more stores. "Australia is still our biggest market, but in the next two years we are thinking America and Australia will be even," Nicky says.

Miami is the perfect place for a fashion week dedicated to swimwear. Despite the small celebrity quotient at the shows -- Anna Kournikova, Dennis Rodman, Carson Kressley, Billy Zane -- it's a city that crackles with sexual energy, people who love to show skin (typically tanned, plumped, nipped and tucked), love to party, and has weather so hot you can't think of anything but the beach. (You could spot the out-of-town, maxi dress and gladiator sandal-clad editors by their sunburn. They misjudged the severity of the heat.)

Directions from the runway for 2009 revealed that while floral prints were present they were not ubiquitous; geometric, striped and tribal prints were popular, and in terms of colour a ripple of Pucci pink and purple was in the air.

"There was a trend towards Ikat prints and less of the typical Hawaiian florals and obvious aqua blue," says WGSN's senior editor Catherine Bell. "The silhouette was more Brazilian (small) and with a low-back one-piece. With cover-ups there was a lot of volume, whether shorter to the hips or long."

Bell cites Tibi's collection of floral and tribal print swimwear for "great cutting and placement of prints on the suits" and Zimmermann because "the styling was great, it was definitely a show that stood out", while also giving high marks to the Brazilians.

"In Brazil, swimwear for us is fashion," says Benny Rosset, designer of Cia.Maritima, who showed bikinis, one-pieces and cover-ups in art deco, tie-dye or animal prints in bronze, magenta, orange and lime.

"In the US, if a woman has a black bikini this year she might have it for the next five years," he explains. "In Brazil, the women have to have a different bikini every season, like clothes and shoes. This is what I am trying to change."

While fellow Brazilians Poko Pano showed polka dots and stripes, and ANK favoured animal prints and stripes, Spain's Custo Barcelona did bikinis in ethnic motifs, metallics and devore velvet, while Christian Audigier for Ed Hardy added embellishment to their signature tattoo print.

Asked why he thinks beachgoers might want some bling on their four triangles, Audigier says simply, "they want to be seen". For theatrics on the runway there was Red Carter with a tuxedo vest one-piece and British label Pistol Panties with a Swarovski crystal-encrusted monokini. Leave it to Diesel to ditch the (blissfully airconditioned) tents and show their collegiate-inspired collection on a runway built over the hotel pool.

With the heat and humidity testing every hair-smoothing product known to woman (and failing, frankly) the after parties proved the best place in town for some cooling cocktails. Just a few blocks away from the tents at the swim show, Australia was also waving the flag, with Anna & Boy, Zimmermann, Jets, Seventh Wonderland, Rochford Australia, Seafolly, Moontide, Bond-Eye and Billabong Girls all present.

"Every hour is booked," says Simone Zimmermann of their appointment schedule. "We made a decision about two years ago we wanted to be strategic about where we were selling," she says.

"We didn't have control for a while and we took it back. In making that change, we selected buyers who understand our brand and therefore customers who understood our brand." (There is also talk of a Zimmermann store in the US, probably New York first.) For Anna & Boy it was their first time at the tradeshow.

"We felt we should commit," says co-designer Anna Hewett. "We have had some pretty positive feedback from Barneys and a few biggies. The fact we design all our own prints has had a great response from buyers."

Six-month-old Sydney brand Seventh Wonderland decided to make the swim show its launching pad for its deco-inspired swimwear. "We needed people to understand the direction. Zimmermann and Anna & Boy do directional swimwear; we want to have our thing," says co-owner Carlos Aviles.

One notable sighting in Miami was Simon Lock, IMG Fashion Asia-Pacific managing director, there to see how the event might be replicated in the Asia-Pacific. "There's been a huge growth of the resort business in Asia-Pacific," he says. "Not a lot of buyers from Asia-Pacific come to Miami, so there is an opportunity to establish an event to service and support designers in the region.

"The key to its success in Asia-Pacific would be basing it in a resort environment," he explains. "Combining the glamour and sexiness of the shows in a resort location."

And where might that be? "You have to look at where people will travel to. We do have a Miami in Australia: it's the Gold Coast. Certainly Phuket, Thailand and China have amazing resort properties. Australian swimwear has a real point of difference, it's really fashionable, and this could be an opportunity for Australian designers."

ShopBop

August Is the Season For Travel Bargains

2008-07-31T19:28:00.000-07:00

Expedia USA

by Arthur Frommer

It's late July, the very peak of the peak season, when every bed, seat and berth is supposed to be full.

Thanks to the heat, all of Las Vegas, including Caesar's Palace, is cheap in August.But travel falls off sharply toward the end of August (when many school years have already commenced, and children have returned to their homes from camp or vacationing). And even on some earlier dates in August, softness is found in travel bookings, and bargains begin to emerge.

Last-Minute Cruises
I find many top opportunities listed on VacationsToGo.com and the other big cruise discounters, even to such places as Alaska (www.frommers.com/destinations/alaska). Here are five last-minute openings:

Aug. 18 and Aug. 25 aboard the Island Princess, seven nights in Alaska, $535.

Aug. 10 aboard Holland America's Vaandam, seven nights in Alaska, $605.

Aug. 29 aboard the Carnival Spirit, seven nights in Alaska, $599.

Aug. 14 aboard the Carnival Victory, four nights from New York City to Canada, $449.

Aug. 30 aboard the Carnival Liberty, seven nights to the Caribbean, $479.

Last-Minute Vegas
Travel to Las Vegas (www.frommers.com/destinations/lasvegas) always slumps in late August and early September because it's beastly hot there, convention activity hasn't resumed after the summer hiatus and no large groups are coming to this city of big meetings.

Late-summer bargains announced on the newsletter LasVegasAdvisor.com start with rooms for as little as $19.99 at the off-Strip-but-quite-serviceable Palace Station Hotel. And right on the Strip in late August and early September, you can enjoy weekday stays at the Tropicana for as little as $39 per room per night, the Excalibur for $50 per room per night and at the cushy Luxor for $65 per room per night. You'll get the best rates if you register with various hotels directly on their Web sites and invite them to e-mail their best offers to you.

Last-Minute Barbados
The extraordinary Best of Barbados (www.frommers.com/destinations/barbados) program, flagrantly subsidized by the Barbadian government, offers its very lowest prices in September, when one-week air-and-land packages start at $326 per person from Miami, using Bayfield House Hotel.

Remember that prices shoot upward by $100 to $200 the moment October arrives. All the major tour operators - Liberty Travel, Vacation Travel Mart and Cheap Caribbean - offer these rates and feature them on their Web sites.

Gas Rebates
And finally, keep in mind that most accommodations search engines - such as Hotels.com, BookIt.com and BedandBreakfast.com - are giving valuable gas rebates to people who book a weeklong, late-summer stay using their services.

By late August, the cost of vacationing declines all over the U.S.

Macy's Featured Products

2008-07-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

Macy's

DKNY Women's White-StrapChronograph Watch

Price $165.00

__________

Lucky Brand Silvertone Peace Sign Earrings

Price $25.00

__________

Macy's employees raise money for Martha's Village

from The Desert Sun

Employees of Macy's at Westfield Palm Desert held a fundraiser and food drive benefiting Martha's Kitchen and Village and raised enough funds to pay for more than 19,000 pounds of food, officials said Friday. The funds were raised as part of the company's “Bag Hunger” campaign, according to Donna Paul, group sales manager Cosmetics/Fragrances.

Paul, who chaired the campaign, said that as a result of the fundraiser's success Macy's donated an additional $2,200 to the local food bank, which helps the Coachella Valley's needy.

Store officials presented representatives of Martha's Kitchen with a check, as well as the donated food items, during an employee rally on Friday, officials said, adding that every $4 equals a pound of food.

Macy's makes its way to Pearland

2008-07-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

Shop Macy's
HUGE Savings & FREE SHIPPING!

Macy's - Macy's - Macy's

July 31, 2008 through August 12, 2008
Hurry and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity while it lasts!
Receive Free Shipping on Jewelry or Watch Purchases of $125 or More!

August 7, 2008 through August 10, 2008

Enjoy extra savings of 20-65% off
plus FREE SHIPPING on jewelry or watches at Macys.com!
This sale is valid for three days only!

_____________

Retailer sees fast-growing town as a smart place to plant a store
By DAVID KAPLAN, Houston Chronicle

Macy's
• Stores: More than 810, with 50 in Texas

• Houston-area Macy's stores: 17, including Pearland

• New Macy's store: Pearland Town Center, Texas 288 and FM 518

• Grand opening: Wednesday

• Employees: 140

• Size: 140,000 square feet

Like other major retailers faced with a weakening national economy and slumping sales, Macy's has been forced to close its underperforming stores.Most recently it announced its store in Sharpstown Center was closing.But when the chain sees a plum opportunity to open a new store, it's not going to pass it up.

The Pearland Macy's which opens Wednesday, is one such opportunity.The town's population has exploded over the past several years, and the retail market generally is considered to be underserved. The store's opening in Pearland Town Center marks a further coming of age for Pearland. Residents in the area will be getting significantly more retail Wednesday when, in addition to Macy's, other stores will open in Pearland Town Center. Dillard's will debut this fall.

Catering to locals
At Texas 288 and FM 518, Pearland Town Center is an ambitious mixed-use lifestyle center that combines fashion retail, restaurants, office space, apartments, a Courtyard by Marriott hotel and a 22-acre lake. "We couldn't be happier," said Carol Artz, president and CEO of the Pearland Chamber of Commerce. "Now we'll have selections for all walks of life, and it's exciting.""It will stop some of the economic bleeding which took place in the community in the past," Artz added.The Town Center makes Pearland even more of a retail draw for area residents south of the city, including those in Lake Jackson and Angleton, she noted.

Closer location
Until now, a Pearland resident who lived near the Pearland Town Center and who wanted to shop at a Macy's had to drive about 20 miles to the Galleria, First Colony Mall or Baybrook Mall, noted Gary Hudgins, Macy's regional vice president.

The new Macy's won't be in a mall, a departure for the Houston area. The only other Houston-area Macy's not in a mall is the former Foley's downtown. Department stores increasingly are choosing big town centers and mixed-use developments for their new locations. The mall is less of an option.

"We're not seeing any enclosed malls being built, except for the rare instance," said Michael Beyard, senior retail fellow at the Urban Land Institute."Big department stores still need to grow and by necessity are looking at town centers which, when large enough, are the 21st century version of the mall," Beyard said.

The entire department store sector has been struggling in recent years, however, and now even high-end department stores like Nordstrom are having a tougher go of it, noted Dan Skoda, managing partner of D & R Consultants and former president of Marshall Field's.

Trying to stand out
Skoda is impressed with some of Macy's recent moves, including its plan to install FAO Schwarz toy store departments inside a few Macy's initially and possibly at many more of its locations in the future.

"It's more like what department stores used to offer before the discount big boxes came along — big children's departments and big toy departments," Skoda said. "Anything Macy's can do to differentiate themselves and bring newness and excitement is a plus," he said.

In a recent report, JPMorgan analyst Charles Grom noted that Macy's is facing "tough macro conditions" and that even the luxury segment of department stores is having to get more promotional. In 2007, the company had net sales of $26.3 billion, down 2.4 percent from a year earlier.

The positive side
On the positive side, Grom wrote, Macy's remains "a solid, free-cash flow generator, and potential increases in input costs down the road could be more than offset from higher private-label penetration in new Macy doors" and "better-than-expected synergies realized from consolidation efforts."

The Pearland Macy's aims to meet the needs of Pearland families by devoting significant space to young men, juniors, children and infants departments, said Melissa Steiner, the store's general manager.

All the essentials
The store will carry all the essentials, as well as "a focus on what's fashionable, colorful and fun," Steiner said.The 140,0000-square-foot Macy's store has a clean look and is designed to be easy to navigate.

Pearland Macy's will have a home accessories section with brands such as Martha Stewart, Ralph Lauren and Hotel Collection; a bridal department and an e-Spot, a consumer-electronics vending machine that offers iPods, Cannon digital cameras, Samsung camcorders, Bang & Olufsen headphones and more. The Pearland store will not carry furniture.

Relatively new brands at Macy's include Ed Hardy, Kensie and Sweet Pea. Beginning this fall, Tommy Hilfiger will become a Macy's exclusive.With corporate offices in Cincinnati and New York City, Macy's operates more than 810 department stores under the Macy's brand and 40 under the Bloomingdale's name.

There are 17 Macy's in the Houston area.

Chosen for appeal
The developer of Pearland Town Center is Chattanooga-based CBL & Associates Properties. The more than 700,000 square feet of retail space in the town center is 85 percent leased, and 70 percent of it will be open Wednesday.Other soft goods retailers in Pearland Town Center include Barnes & Noble, Gymboree, Aeropostale, Ann Taylor Loft, Forever 21, Hot Topic, Zumiez, Brooks Brothers Country Club and Eddie Bauer.The Town Center will also contain office space, 300 luxury apartments, a 110-room hotel, a big lake and a walking trail. Pearland was an appealing spot for such a project, said Michael Lebovitz, CBL's senior vice president, chief development officer, because it is "a fast-growing city with excellent demographics in an underserved market."

10 ways to travel for less

2008-07-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

Expedia USA

Loyalty programs,
vacation home rentals and price shopping among ways to save!

By LYNN SELDON For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Erik Torkells, former editor-in-chief at Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel, offers these 10 tips to save money on travel:

1. Consider buying a package deal.
hotel), can be major bargains. Torkells says that, to fill rooms and seats, hotels and airlines will resort to rock-bottom prices. For obvious reasons, they don't like to publicize these rates, so they sell a certain number of rooms or seats to companies that bundle them in packages. He naturally recommends www.budgetravel.com. Find other good package deals at ajc.com/travel.

2. Rent a house or apartment, particularly for a family or group.
An easy one-stop Web site for home and apartment rentals is www.homeaway.com. If you're intrigued by house-swapping, here are three Web sites: www.homeexchange.com, www.homelink.org and www.intervac.com.

3. Negotiate!
Few price quotes are non-negotiable anymore. Ask if there are unadvertised specials or if the hotel can do better. Play up whatever you bring to the table — you're with a group, for example, or you visit often. Instead of a lower rate, you may end up with free parking or an upgrade. While www.priceline.com is now a full-fledged booking engine, it's most valuable for its bidding system. Another site, www.biddingfortravel.com, has examples of successful bids. Torkells says those looking for a cruise should check out www.cruisecompete.com.

4. Keep shopping, even after you've made a reservation.
Prices for car rentals and hotels fluctuate, so never give up sniffing out a better deal. When you locate one, snap it up and cancel the old reservation.

5. Make your weak dollar go farther.
Visit countries where the dollar still goes relatively far, such as Argentina and less-touristed parts of Mexico.

6. Whenever possible, book directly.
If you see a low rate elsewhere, ask the hotel to match it. Torkells has found that, wrong as it is, hotels are nicer to guests who seek them out than to those who come via a third-party booking engine.

7. Use the meta search engines (and other smart Web sites).
There's no one simple way to track the best fare or rate down. Torkells recommends starting with www.kayak.com and www.sidestep.com, which scour multiple Web sites for flights, hotels, cruises and car rentals. Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia are good for getting a feel for what's out there, though Torkells notes they often don't search all airlines and they may tack on service fees.

8. Sign up for loyalty programs, especially those for hotels.
Hotels will often treat you better simply for being a member, even if you only stay one night. Also, members can choose to receive e-mail newsletters that will always have the best deals. Hotel loyalty programs can quickly lead to free nights.

9. Travel at the last minute, if possible, for the best deals.
Torkells says the best places to find last-minute deals are at the airlines' Web sites and at Expedia.

10. Don't get nickel-and-dimed at hotels.
Some add charges like checked bags, Internet service, phone calls, breakfast and fitness centers. Torkells likes mid-range hotel chains like Hampton Inn (www.hamptoninn.com) that don't charge for parking, Internet, breakfast, and other "extras" that more expensive chains often add to the bill.

Zappos vs. Piperlime: A head-to-head

2008-06-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Posted by Molly Wood
CNet Reviews

I am a big and vocal fan of zappos for all things shoe. Huge selection, decent (if not bargain) prices, and free shipping. Returns are dead simple, and my love for zappos has, at times, bordered on actual zealotry.

So, when the Gap Empire introduced Piperlime, I wasn't buying. It seemed like a zappos rip-off with a more yuppie-friendly design scheme, and even though I'm a Banana Republic card holder and Gap Empire devotee, something about Piperlime just didn't work for me. Plus, they gave me the Web site hard sell--a constant barrage of coupons and insinuations that my BR outfit just wouldn't be complete without some Piperlime pumps. Feh.

But this weekend, I had a little bit of a Piperlime revelation, thanks to, well, my child. See, he won't wear shoes. In fact, if you put anything but Robeez on his delicate little tootsies, he shrieks and growls and moonwalks until you remove them and set his soles free. So, a friend told me about See Kai Run shoes, which have a more flexible sole than the standard Old Navy fare, and might be more palatable to Mr. Picky Toes. When I googled them, Piperlime had them for less than Zappos, with the same free shipping. Plus, checkout was super easy, since I could use my Gap Empire log-in and get all my saved info, just like I do at Zappos. I got to wondering...could Piperlime be better!? I decided a super-scientific evaluation was the only way to go. Let's begin.

Price
I found the See Kai Run shoes at Piperlime on sale for $25, down from $38. zappos had a much bigger collection of See Kai Run shoes, but they were all $42, with nothing on sale at all. These Naturalizer Memento wedges are $59 at zappos and $55 at Piperlime. A quick scan seems to suggest higher prices at zappos across the board, and Piperlime has a much more price-conscious presentation--"great finds under $75," or "Fantastic finds under $100" under handbags.

Plus, according to recent reports, zappos no longer matches prices from other retailers and has stopped offering free overnight shipping. Now, both Piperlime and Zappos offer the same free four- to five-day shipping, although Zappos will often "upgrade" you to two-day shipping. However, the price discussion leads directly to...

Selection
zappos may be more expensive, but it's also the source for all kinds of designer brands that Piperlime simply can't match. Piperlime doesn't carry Badgley Mischka, Cole Haan, Marc by Marc Jacobs, or Marc Jacobs, for that matter. There's no Baby Phat, no Michael Kors, no Stuart Weitzman, and absolutely no D&G Junior. Then again, that keeps Piperlime's ratio of $500 shoes versus $50 shoes on a much more realistic plane than Zappos.

Even where there is brand crossover, though, Zappos has many more options. There were 27 choices in the aforementioned See Kai Run brand at Zappos and just 8 at Piperlime. And while Piperlime also offers handbags, Zappos has taken its shoes-and-bags formula and branched out into accessories, electronics, sunglasses, kids' clothing, and even watches. Mission creep? Maybe, but amazon hasn't gone wrong with its one-stop shopping approach.

Ease of use
zappos has been on a bit of a marketing spree lately, announcing its rollout of the new categories mentioned above, along with plans for a redesign that will make the site substantially easier to use. They haven't given a date for that redesign, though, so for now: my GOD is Zappos a pain to navigate. They know it, so I don't want to go on too much, but it's just a weird, kludgy, crowded little site that feels a bit like a tiny little boutique crammed with an entire Macy's worth of goods. You strongly sense that you might stumble upon something fabulous, but you've got to be willing to spend a whole Saturday there.

Piperlime, on the other hand, has the clean design of all Gap Empire sites, and once you get past its standard useless splash screen, makes excellent use of the left-hand nav to promote within appealing categories. Choose from "The weekend shoe," "Fabulous flats," "Designer favorites," "Fantastic finds under $75," or by category or brand. Here, the lack of selection feels more like something you can wrap your head around, and you have the sense that you'll find what you're looking for.

But design alone isn't enough, and Zappos has a killer feature that Piperlime can't touch: the user reviews. At Piperlime, I can sort by Featured, Price (low to high or high to low), or What's New. At Zappos, I can start out by determining shoe type, heel height, size, width, and color, or just hit "Sandals," where I can then drill down by all the previous categories, plus "new," "name," "low price," "high price," and the Holy Grail: "popularity." That one click gives me the most highly rated shoes in the category, and they're rated by the people who actually bought and wore the shoes. BOOM.

I can't tell you how valuable this one thing has proven to be, over and over, when it comes to ordering shoes online. I've ordered shoes half a size too big, thanks to Zappos, and had them fit perfectly. I've rejected adorable flats when five people in a row said they were miserably uncomfortable. Anyone who orders shoes or clothes online knows that fit is the ultimate crapshoot, and zappos user reviews take so much guesswork out of the ordering that I'd bet it contributes to a much lower instance of returns overall.

Customer service
Piperlime has matched Zappos on free shipping and free returns, but zappos has bought the love of women everywhere with the free overnight shipping...that it no longer offers. It's definitely a blow to the brand to discover that some of its most customer-friendly features, like free overnight shipping and price matching, are gone. Still, I ordered running shoes from Zappos last week, and they were here within two days. I can't say much about Piperlime in that respect, as I just placed my first order today. I did, however, get an e-mail that said the shoes should arrive within seven business days. I'll tell you one thing: if it really takes seven days for those shoes to get here, Piperlime won't be beating out Zappos anytime soon.

But as I said, zappos best feature is not just its customer service. It's its actual customers--the ones who take the time to review shoes and offer tips as to sizing, fit, and comfort so you can actually buy with confidence. It'd take a lot of mistakes and mishandling of orders to undue the value of that community.

The verdict
So, winner? Well, I only have four categories in my little head-to-head, and I seem to have ended in a tie. From a purely emotional standpoint, I'm still a zappos fan, because I think the idea of customer reviews for shoes is sheer, unparalleled genius. But check back with me in a week or so to see how it goes with the kid-shoe adventure. Piperlime is coming up fast from behind.

Target moving into high-end women's cosmetics?

2008-06-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

by Brian White
Filed under: Products and services, Target Corp. (TGT)

Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) is a retailer that's been known to find and feed customer niches better than any other discount retailer. From its bright store colors to trendy and chic items in several departments, the retailer has shown WalMart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) that it can indeed compete. And, very well.

One of the more interesting product niches that's been explored recently has been higher-end women's cosmetics. When six beauty products rack up a retail bill of more than $200, you know there's something to be celebrated. No longer are Dillard's Inc. (NYSE: DDS) and Macy's Inc. (NYSE: M) the exclusive way many women buy those extremely lucrative cosmetic products with the hefty profit margins. Nope, Target's moving into the arena aggressively from all appearances.

Target is now stocking upper-end cosmetic brands like Clarins, Kiehl's, Origins, Bare Escentuals and Bumble and Bumble. Although the retailer's move was studied this past Tuesday, it certainly was no April Fool's joke. But do these brands care that the positioning Target will provide will undermine the premium brand luxury awareness and hefty prices at department store partners?

Many of these brands say they have no relationship with Target ; therefore, Target's source may be the gray market. They are free to do that, but perhaps Target is just testing the waters of luxury cosmetics before making an official plunge in most of its national stores. Not so strangely, the experiment could easily work with Target's unique position in the market.

Online Shopping - Graduation Gifts Most Likely to Succeed

2008-05-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

Whether she's into Yoga or an obvious Fashionista, decide the award your girly grad deserves and say "congrats" with an authentic designer handbag for the Class of 2008. You know she really wants a designer purse this year! And, she's all grown up and wants something special.

Shopping Online SAVES YOU MONEY! No travel time or gas to buy! Shop from the comfort of home 24/7!

All the girls are carrying a new purse to their new job. Your little graduate dreams about a new designer handbag. There are many styles and designs to select in price ranges from under $100 to more than $500. It's up to you. Whatever you pick will be a hit. Some of our favorites are Tano bags, Melie Bianco handbags, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro handbags, Gucci Bags, Prada bags, Fendi bags and many more. And, they are all on Sale! See the coupon codes below and start saving on your graduation gifts for that special gal in your life.

Shop the Sale Section. Take an extra 10% off!

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Shop Final Clearance. Deep discounts. Plus get an extra 20% off!

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Graduation is here! She wants a REAL Designer Handbag! Have fun shopping! Here's a series of Graduation Tid-Bits we found amusing and thought you might, too!

Bad Graduation Gift Ideas
by Andy

A Briefcase: Oh, thanks Uncle Frank. You getting me this briefcase ensures that I’m supposed to work the same 9-5 office job that you've worked for that last 25 years while complaining about it and cheating on my wife with my secretary. (Sorry Aunt Jane)

“Planet Earth” on DVD: Am I that hard to shop for? How long did it take you to pick this out at Wal-Mart? Do you think that all I do is get high and watch the Discovery Channel? Well guess what, I DO!

“Planet Earth” on VHS: What? There’s like 20 tapes. Get out of my sight Grandma.

Money: What am I supposed to do with this? It's only four dollars.

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All Sorts of Graduation Ideas
from My Expression

Graduation Party Ideas
The Traditions of Graduation Party -Traditions are the lifeblood of every college. Traditions connect the students to the past of the college while at the same time preparing them for the future. From the historic to the contemporary, traditions can express a spirit of unity and create a sense of community while providing for loads of fun.

Graduation Planning Checklist - Its Graduation time! You’re planning on hosting a graduation party and you want it to be unique and exciting. Planning any party can be overwhelming and many things can go wrong. So, to be on the safer side, you need to come up with a graduation planning checklist to keep things from bouncing out of control.

The Do’s and Don’ts in the Graduation Party - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and what better excuse to throw a party! Spring is that time of the year for graduation invitations, announcements and gifts. Etiquettes and manners form a very important part of our being social animals.

What To Wear on Your Graduation Day - For 12 (in some cases more) seemingly never-ending years, you obediently went through the schoolyard quarrels, your first boy-girl party, your first date, the Prom, and now finally what you’ve always been waiting for – your Graduation day! This time you’re going to be wearing an outfit that your parents will finally approve of – a gown and a cap ...

Decorating your Graduation Party - So, its graduation day and you’re all set to host a special theme party. Yes, theme parties are fun and a whole lot easier to decorate! Half the fun of hosting a graduation party is decorating the party. You can decorate your room, your lawn, you table, and even your guests! You can turn graduation caps upside down and fill them with balloons or flowers ...

Graduation Speeches Etiquette - The graduation ceremony confirms each student’s quest for knowledge. Traditionally, the ceremony will include a graduation speech that seeks to put each and every students hard work (in some cases, not so hard work) into the perspective of their future. Yes, most of us have heard one or more graduation speeches either as spectators or as graduates ourselves ...

Graduation Gift Ideas - The date is fixed, and the invitations and announcements have already been given out. So, the day has finally come for you students to cry and to cheer and to leave your school or college halls forever. Yes, graduation day is indeed one of the biggest days in everyone’s life. After years and years of hard work, your efforts have finally paid off. You’re happy but ...

Chance to Promote Your Business with Graduation Open House Invitations - Do you plan to host a graduation open house for yourself or one of your children? It may not seem like it could work, but you can actually promote your business when you have an open house. You can start the promotion with something as simple as mention that the open house is being hosted by your business. This will definitely ...

Graduation Announcement Tips, Wording, and Special Poems
Graduation Announcement Wording Tips - Graduation is an important time in life, and should be announced properly. Stationary with crayons and graduation caps on it is an appropriate means of announcing a child graduating from kindergarten. A photo announcement is a nice keepsake for loved ones who are being invited to the graduation ...

Graduation Announcements Wording Ideas - So, you’re graduating from high school or college and you’re busier than ever! Your last year of college is filled with thousands of events and activities that you have never even tried to attempt during your college years. From sending out resumes and applications to asking for letter of recommendation, you have loads ...

Do it yourself Graduation Announcements - A great substitute to printed graduation announcements are announcements that you print by yourself on your personal computer. Not only are these ‘Do-it-yourself’ graduation announcements a lot more economical, but they can also be equally colorful and creative. Start of by using plain white card stock or even plain white paper ...

Sending Graduation Announcements - So, its graduation day and its time to let everyone know that you are a proud graduate. Now that all those seemingly endless years of toil and hard work have finally paid off, it’s finally time to celebrate. First things first, start by sending out graduation invitations and announcements to all your near and dear ones. Most colleges and high schools ...

Graduation Invitations in General and the Etiquette
Graduation Party Invitations - Planning the Party - Everyone who has played a role in the life of the graduate should be sent an invitation to the graduation party. It is understood by most that tickets to commencement are limited, however an open house allows for everyone to congratulate the graduate. - Invitations - You can choose informal themes, such as a backyard ...

Graduation Invitations Etiquette - There is a very good reason why people call graduation ceremonies ‘commencement ceremonies’. This is because graduation does not mark the end; it marks the beginning. Graduation is the achievement of all goals, and rewarding the graduate for his or her hard work is a must. Graduation time is the time to invite friends and family together for an exclusive ...

Choosing Graduation Invitations Theme - Whether for you or a friend, Graduation day is one of the most joyous and welcomed occasions in any student’s life. It marks the end of your educational journey that can sometimes seem to be an endless and intolerable journey. Graduation is a once in a lifetime event, so give this event the honor and prestige that it truly deserves. The very first ...

The Traditions of Graduation Cap & Black Color in Your Invitations - When it comes to graduation invitations or stationary there are some traditions that are still observed by most people. In the majority of samples that you look at while shopping you will find that there are graduation caps in the majority of them. This is simply an obvious choice of décor since it is an invitation for a graduation ...

Graduation Invitations Theme
Casual Graduation Party Ideas - If you want to throw a wonderful party for that special high school or college graduate in your life, don’t assume you have to spend a fortune and put together some very elegant get together. After all, your graduate has already worked very hard to achieve this accomplishment and now just needs some time to relax and unwind. That’s why sometimes a more casual ...

Throwing a Cocktail Theme Graduation Party - Graduating from college is a major accomplishment and is definitely one of the best reasons to have a celebration. However, too many graduation parties are all the same. If you want to throw an amazing party, then you’ll want to take a creative approach with your graduation celebration. One idea is to celebrate with a cocktail theme ...

Throwing a Party for Valedictorians and Summa Cum Laude Graduates - Graduating from high school or college is a huge achievement, but if your student is graduating with honors then that achievement is even more deserving of a special celebration. No ordinary graduation is going to be sufficient. Background on Graduation Honors - If you’re not familiar with all of the “honors” terminology, then ...

Black, Red, and Green for Graduation Invitations - Graduations are one of those major milestones in life that deserve not only to be recognized but also to be celebrated. Whether the student in your life has just earned a high school diploma, a bachelor’s degree, or an even higher degree, you’ll want to find a way to show him or her just how proud you are of their hard work ...
Ideas for a Formal Graduation Party - When we think of graduation parties, sometimes we have the impression that all of them are just full of young people drinking too much and playing loud music. And sure some graduation parties would fit that description pretty well, but that isn’t your only option if you’re planning a celebration for a special student in your life ...

Feng Shui Graduation Party Ideas - Celebrating a graduation is a big deal. The family wants to show their pride at how well their student has succeeded. The student wants to know that he or she has done a good job by achieving this important life goal. When you’re planning something this special, then it only makes sense that you should take into consideration every possible way of ...

Creating Tassel as Embellishments For Your Invitations - If you want to create a graduation invitation that is sure to get the attention of those you invite you can do a lot of it yourself. It can be fun to add your own personal touch to it, even if you order the actual stationary and then create a tassel as an embellishment. Everyone associates a tassel with graduation, so this can be a fun addition! If you ...

Clip-Arts for Graduation Invitations - Do you want to add some fun and uniqueness to your graduation invitation but you aren’t sure what may or may not be appropriate? If so, you aren’t alone. The fact of the matter is that there are a lot of fun or original things that you can do; you simply need to infuse your own style into it and get creative. Anything that you can imagine can generally be created ...

Personalize Your Graduation Invitations with Special Inspirations - A graduation invitation can be just a graduation invite, but there are some great things that you can do to add your personal touch and make it interesting and even inspirational to those that you send them to. There is nothing better than sending out invites that have been infused with your own personal style, whatever that may be ...

Differentiating Masculine & Feminine Invitations Theme - Because both men and women graduate from high school as well as college there needs to be a way to differentiate between invitations that are more appropriate for men and those that are more appropriate for women. This is not to say that there aren’t invitations that are appropriate for both genders, but if you want something that ...

Seasonal Graduation Invitations
Show Your Patriotism with Patriotic Graduation Invitations Theme - Over the last couple years the patriotism in our country seems to have been renewed and this includes the young, the old, and everyone in between. If you are graduating from high school or college why not share your patriotism with others with a patriotic invitation theme? Why go drab when you can serve to inspire those that ...

Graduation Photo Christmas Cards - Are you graduating early? Many students that graduate early, graduate in the winter months, which is a great opportunity to do something different with your graduation invitation. You can not only send an invite to all those that you would like to attend your graduation ceremonies; you can send a Christmas greeting at the same time by enclosing a Christmas card with a photo ...

After The Graduation
Sending Graduation Thank You Cards - So, your graduation day has come and gone, the ceremonies were amazing, the graduation party was brilliant, and above all, the graduation gifts were super cool! The graduate is happy, the graduate’s guests are happy, everyone is happy. But, after the ceremony, party and gifts comes the most daunting part – sending out ...

Graduation Photo and your Scrapbooking Project - Honoring the graduate is one of the most important parts of the graduation ceremony. If you’ve organized your photo albums over the years, then everything should be up to date. But, if you are like most of us, then you’re family photos are probably piled up in boxes in the attic. Since you are going to be graduating pretty soon, now ...

Career Guide After Graduation - Transitioning out of college can be both, an exciting as well as a scary experience. There are newer and tougher challenges to face, unwritten laws to be followed, unexplored opportunities for progress – and humiliation – in every nook and cranny. While recent graduates and most other college students are preparing themselves to become experts ...

Reunion Graduate Party Planning - Once you graduate, you only get to see you friends every ten years at each reunion! So you want to have a fun reunion party this time and not a boring formal one? Planning for your reunion would mean coming up with a special plan or an idea for the party. From the decorations to the food and particularly the entertainment, your graduate reunion party ...

Online Shopping: Celebrate Memorial Day with American Fashion Designers

2008-05-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

Use coupon code MDS08 for an extra 20% off. Click Here!

Celebrate Memorial Day in style and take an extra 20% off all the American Designers at eFashionHouse.com. We owe a lot to the European influence when it comes to fashion. Yet, the American Designers produce an image we call, "Home." People like Ralph Lauren, Liz Claiborne, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Melie Bianco and Elaine Turner pave the way for upcoming American fashion influence.

Designers like Tano Bags, BCBG, Coach, Dooney & Bourke and Brighton bring a sense of American style and unique image to their collections. We honor all the American Designers this season and celebrate with them for Memorial Day 2008.

Whether you are looking for a new handbag, wallet, tote or leather shoulder bag, you can find a perfect American Designer Handbag for an unbeatable price. But don't lose sight of the true meaning of Memorial Day. We celebrate in honor of many people who have died in military service protecting our country. It's really about honoring our heros.

Yes, we are addicted to fashion, and we admire the creative design process. We are always seeking a bargain, and we shop online for the best deals we can find. So, get ready for Memorial Day with a celebration of American Designers at an additional 20% off, and remember our heros who lived their lives to make America our home.

MORE ABOUT Memorial Day
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (observed in 2008 on May 26). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it was expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. It is also traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer by many, for many schools are dismissed around Memorial Day.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers place a U.S. flag upon each gravesite located in a National Cemetery.

Many politicians and community leaders give speeches at community gatherings on Memorial Day.In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national Click it or ticket campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The USAF "101 Critical days of summer" begin on this day as well. Some Americans use Memorial Day to also honor any family members who have died, not just servicemen.

Flags flying at Fort Logan National Cemetery during Memorial Day 2006.Memorial Day formerly occurred on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date, although the significance of the date is tenuous. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed a lot to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died. Some of the places creating an early memorial day include Charleston, South Carolina; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; Carbondale, Illinois; Columbus, Mississippi; many communities in Vermont; and some two dozen other cities and towns. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day, honoring the Union dead, and the several Confederate Memorial Days.

Decoration Day, c. 1900. "You bet I'm goin' to be a soldier, too, like my Uncle David, when I grow up."According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic.

The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.

General Logan had been impressed by the way the South honored their dead with a special day and decided the Union needed a similar day. Reportedly, Logan said that it was most fitting; that the ancients, especially the Greeks, had honored their dead, particularly their heroes, by chaplets of laurel and flowers, and that he intended to issue an order designating a day for decorating the grave of every soldier in the land, and if he could he would have made it a holiday.

Logan had been the principal speaker in a citywide memorial observation on April 29, 1866, at a cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois, an event that likely gave him the idea to make it a national holiday. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year; the date was chosen because it was not the anniversary of a battle. The tombs of fallen Union soldiers were decorated in remembrance of this day.

Many of the states of the U.S. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day, due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army and also because there were very few veterans of the Union Army who lived in the South. A notable exception was Columbus, Mississippi, which on April 25, 1866 at its Decoration Day commemorated both the Union and Confederate casualties buried in its cemetery.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967 . On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. The holiday has endured as one where most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season" (similar to neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday).

Online Shopping - HUGE designer fashion sale!

2008-05-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

Online Shopping - HUGE designer fashion sale! Biggest Tano Bag Sale "Only" Online! Addicted to handbags? Here's a sale you don't want to miss! Purses to Blog for at big online price cuts - Budgets that work for you! Budget Shopping Online - Huge Designer Handbag Sale at eFashionHouse! In today's tight budgets, there's always hope for online bargain hunters. Click here to enjoy a huge Sale on all your favorite Designers like Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Coach, Tano bags, Murval, Melie Bianco, Elaine Turner handbags, Pietro Alessandro and many, many more! For more information. Whether you love leather or just want a new purse to tote around town, you must see the sale currently in progress. The Sale Section is marked down plus use coupon code OFF10 for an extra 10% off. The Clearance Section is as low as possible plus use coupon code OFF20 for an extra 20% off.Enjoy designer handbags and accessories at unbeatable prices. Plus, guaranteed lowest prices for Tano, Elaine Turner, Murval and Melie Bianco. Click here for details.

"Hello, Summer! - Isabella Fiore Puff Enough Celine Satchel"

2008-05-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

"Hello, Summer! - Isabella Fiore Puff Enough Celine Satchel"

The picture does not do this bag justice. It's absolutely gorgeous and that's why we posted it here for you to see. Click here for more details.

Online Shopping - BeautiControl

2008-05-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

How To Get The Most From Your Beauty Supplies
from One Stop Treatment

When it comes to taking care of your hair, you only want the best. That’s why it’s important to buy the right hair care products for your hair type. Too often we are tempted to buy only the most expensive products only to find out that they aren’t the right ones for our specific situation. And with so many products on the market these days, who knows which ones will work best for you? That’s why it’s so important to talk with a professional stylist and get their thoughts about the best products for your head of hair. These stylists are trained by the product manufacturers and can recommend the best solution given your situation. Too often people go and purchase expensives solutions online and expect them to work wonders, when all they really do is worsen the situation. And that can turn into damaged hair and money down the drain!

In talking with your stylist, you’ll likely find there are a few things they will recommend for your situation. The first is most likely a good hair shampoo or conditioner. This is the foundation of good hair care and it’s important to get the best one for your specific type. We’re fortunate that there are so many great companies on the market today that we can get access to unreal products at great prices.

Another good product to have is a good flat iron. If you have curly hair, you know how important it is to not skimp on this luxury. I would recommend that you purchase the ones that are recommended by your hair stylist. A cheap one can do nothing more than damage your hair and create unnecessary stress for yourself. And most of the time, you are way better off buying one that’s a little more expensive. In my experience, the majority of the cheaper ones on the market will last probably 1/4 the time of a quality one, like CHI flat irons. Having a good straigtener is an expense that you definitely can justify!

Finally, for those who want to curl up your hair, a good investment would be a curling irons. Again, since it’s one of the primary tools in your arsenal, you want to buy one that will last awhile and have some longevity. Look at the name brands and choose one that will fit your goals and your price range. And if you can’t decide, you can try your local salon for their suggestion and solution. LIke I mentioned earlier, your stylist is the one that’s best equipped to suggest a tool for you, so don’t hesitate to ask him or her.

Those are the tips and the basics of hair care products. Hopefully you can use these to keep that great hair looking fantastic!

BeautiControl Blog: Spa Your Ma For Mother's Day

2008-05-01T21:39:00.000-07:00

BeautiControl Blog: Spa Your Ma For Mother's Day

Second- hand style - Online Shopping

2008-04-26T09:37:00.000-07:00

Shop Vintage Online at LuxuryVintage Online Store

Smart shoppers can find everything from boutique children's clothes to designer handbags at area thrift stores and consignment shops

By CASANDRA ANDREWS
Staff Reporter

Long before talk of a looming recession and belt-tightening became the norm, those looking to save a few bucks, or a few hundred, shopped in second-hand stores. These days, businesses that sell used goods aren't just for folks stocking up on work shirts or college students looking to furnish a first apartment.

Even a few stylishly dressed ladies who lunch have been seen browsing the racks of local thrift stores and consignment shops. That's likely because they know there are some excellent deals to be had on brand-name apparel if you're willing to shop often and early. On a recent trip to a Goodwill in West Mobile, the children's section was stocked with several barely worn smocked outfits, Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren sleepers, sweaters and shorts, plus separates from Gymboree -- all priced at 99 cents each.

Spotted on another rack was a men's cashmere sweater for less than $4. Formal gowns were priced at $17.99. Besides saving money, people have another reason for shopping at second-hand stores. It's also good for the environment, since you're recycling when you purchase clothes that have already been worn. Besides, where else can you get a wedding dress for $19.99 or less? And spending money in stores that benefit charitable institutions helps the community and the agency you do business with.

From Fairhope to Tillman's Corner, there are dozens of thrift stores and consignment shops in the area, selling everything from boutique children's clothes and barely touched toys to designer shoes, handbags and suits. Carol Shoemaker, 45, of Mobile, has made a hobby of scouring area thrift stores with her husband. He looks for collectibles and clocks. She's picked up a fully-beaded wedding dress for $1, plus many pairs of trendy shoes her children love.

"My teenagers freak out when I bring home Timberlands for 50 cents," she said of the nearly new footwear she's purchased for pennies. Standing inside the back room at Penelope's Closet last week, Shoemaker said she's been hunting for great deals at second-hand stores for at least eight years. "It makes your money go further," she said, "And it's a good way to furnish your home." Shoemaker said Penelope's Closet is one of her favorite places to hunt for bargains because it supports a worthy cause. Money raised in the midtown store supports Penelope House, a home for battered women and their children in Mobile. "It's fun and you meet people," Shoemaker said of her shopping experiences. "There's something new every time."

While most second-hand stores stay open year-round, other businesses confine their sales to particular seasons. Several groups in Mobile and Baldwin counties present children's consignment sales twice a year, in the spring and fall. At those events, hundreds of sellers bring in their children's gently used clothing and then share the proceeds with the group or individuals hosting the sale.

There are also more than half a dozen consignment shops in Mobile and Baldwin counties that strictly sell clothes and other merchandise (toys, bedding, books, shoes, nursery accessories) for children. Lori Fuller owns Pass It On, a children's and maternity boutique in Daphne. She opened the business almost four years ago and has more than 600 clients who sell merchandise in the store.

"Kids just outgrow stuff so quick, so they don't wear it out," she said of clothes for youngsters. "And you don't want to pay full price for something." Another benefit to buying clothes that have already been laundered, Fuller said, is that you know the item probably won't get smaller: "They've shrunk to whatever size they're going to shrink to so you know it's going to fit your kids." Rebecca Teel, a frequent customer at Pass It On, said she couldn't believe how much items for children cost when she began preparing for the birth of her son, Zane.

"I had sticker shock," she said, placing a used Bob the Builder book on the counter as she began to check out. "It was overwhelming." Teel said what surprised her most was that children's clothes cost just as much as outfits for adults. These days, she and 19-month-old Zane are frequent customers at the consignment shop, searching through mounds of toys, and racks of shoes and clothes at least once a month. "I come in here regularly," Teel said. "I buy a little bit of everything."

Meet the newest designer to go green for Target

2008-04-25T20:24:00.000-07:00

Rogan Gregory

Target Target Target Target Target Target Target

Rogan Gregory's GO clothes mix high fashion with eco-friendly material

from MSN BC
By Maya Singer

When Target announced in January that Rogan Gregory would be designing a collection under its GO International banner, the response from the green community was a resounding: huh? After all, Gregory has, especially under the auspices of his 100 percent organic Loomstate brand, emerged as one of the fashion industry's model citizens of sustainability. Retailers such as Target, meanwhile, boast reputations a little less sterling — to put it mildly.

Cheap duds designed to be worn a few times and tossed aside may delight the trend-obsessed, but for those in the eco-know, so-called "fast fashion" is an affront to all the less-is-more values held dear by proponents of conscious consumerism. Those folks cheer initiatives like Loomstate's T-shirt recycling extravaganza, which kicks off next week in cooperation with Barneys New York and the Sundance Channel show "The Green," but Rogan for Target had them scratching their heads. "It's complicated," says Gregory, in effect summing up the oxymoronic conundrum of shopping green. "In order to make any real impact, you have to reach the mass market. Sustainability can't be a cult taste; it can't be a luxury. And Target has been a great partner, in fact, because they pull this whole organic thing into the mainstream."

In other words: Cool your jets, greeniacs. Rogan's GO clothes incorporate healthy percentages of organic cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo, making the collection something of a landmark in the drive to convert fast fashionistas to the eco cause, whether they realize they're being converted or not. Here, Gregory talks Target and drops a few clues to the environments obsessing him most at the moment.

Q: Given your commitment to the green movement, were you at all wary about collaborating with Target?

Gregory: I knew that I'd only do a collection like this one if I had guarantees that it could be done in an ethical way. I'm against the idea of just, you know, adding more stuff to the world. But Target is smart, and the way this project has worked out, they've initiated one of the largest, if not the largest, runs of certified organic cotton ever. That, to me, is a real achievement—not only does it mean Target now has a system in place for perpetuating its commitment to organic clothes, but because of their clout, it also shows other mainstream retailers that sustainability is a realizable ideal.

Q: Has the experience with Target encouraged you to introduce a lower-priced version of Rogan?

Gregory: I've always wanted to do a lower-priced line. The way I've justified my prices on Rogan is that I only make a few of each thing, I make them from the best materials and with the best people, and if you wear a pair of jeans for four months straight, like I do, then the cost averages out. But not everyone approaches their wardrobe that way, and not everyone can afford a pair of $100 or $200 jeans. My sister's an academic, and over the years that I've been designing, she's asked me, "What are you doing? Who is this for? Is this an art project?" Maybe the most gratifying thing about having the collection out at Target in May is that I know my sister will be able to go into the store, and for $100, walk out with a bunch of stuff.

Q: It seems as though you've been hitting on all cylinders since snagging the CFDA Award last year. There's the Target collection, and this Loomstate project with Barneys and "The Green," plus the everyday workload that goes along with designing Rogan, Loomstate, and A Litl Betr. I'm assuming you aren't getting on the surfboard much these days.

Gregory: I'm probably going surfing tomorrow, actually. But, yeah, I'm busy. There are a couple jewelry collaborations I'm not quite ready to talk about yet, some plans in the works for a fashion week something or other, and then the big project right now is that I'm opening my new store in May.

Q: What should shoppers expect?

Well, the space is automatically spectacular — the building itself is kind of a landmark. It's got character, and inside, there's 20-foot ceilings. I'm doing the whole thing in black, reflective surfaces, very clean and cool. I like that mix of the old and the new — soulful modernism, I guess I'd call it. I think I love designing spaces more than I love designing clothes, to be honest. So I've got a lot of projects, but the store, that one's kind of my baby.