Clothing Shoes Accessories

There is a material that remembers the nobility, elegance and resistance: it’s the leather. For that reason, the furniture designs and decoration accessories use it as a basic material.

Leather armchairs, leather beds and other furniture items have a lot of styles and they match with wood and metallic furniture. Nowadays, for both styled furniture or rustic furniture, there are designs for everyone. Usually, the sofa is the star in the living room.

The most common colors are white, black and gray. Prices vary and, if the budget is limited, you can use alternatives (eco-leather, faux leather, etc), which cost half the price, and you can use the same design. If you have a white sofa, then you can add a bench with the same color and combine it with a black leather seat. Also, you can add table games, magazine stands and carpets.

For the dining room, you can also choose accessories with these materials. Wine stands, thermos flasks, maté gourds, trays and tea boxes are some options to choose from. And last but not least, the bedroom also follows this trend: the leather is in the bed, bedside tables and mirror frames.

Shopping directory: Leather

The commercial products that surround James Bond movies have a new member: Avon Products, Inc. has just presented a new fragrance for women who want to feel like a Bond Girl.

Gemma Arterton will be the face of the new fragrance. She plays the role of Agent Fields in Quantum of Solace, the upcoming Bond film. The chosen date is October 2008: the fragrance will be available for sale. It will coincide with the world premiere of the movie, which is the 22nd Bond film.

According to the British actress Gemma Arterton, the fragrance embodies everything a Bond Girl represents: “intelligence, sexiness and confidence”.

The list of commercial products related with the Bond films is really long. Handbags, keychains, lighters and sunglasses are some items the Bond fans can buy. Those items can be bought on Bond Lifestyle, a website focused on all things that surround the hero, who is now played by Daniel Craig.

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Shopping Directory: Key Chains

The rising platinum price has driven away the jewelry buyers around the world, but the Chinese demand is still important, due to the strong economic growth, Johnson Matthey Plc reported . (Johnson Matthey is a specialty chemicals company focused on catalysts, precious metals, fine chemicals and process technology).

In 2007, the worldwide demand for platinum jewelry fell by more than 3 percent to a total of 1.59 million ounces. Other recycled jewelry could enter to the market during this year, what would affect the market even more.

“We are quite bullish on the upside… the biggest issue that would make the price move to the upper end of our range would be further disruptions in South Africa, where the system is under strain. We see a relatively tight platinum market”, said Mark Bedford, director of precious metals marketing at Johnson Matthey.

On March 4, platinum went up to a record of $2,290 an ounce as a result of electrical issues in South Africa, which produces 80 percent of global platinum output. The Platinum price went up by more than 30 percent in 2007.

Visit Platinum Today by Johnson Matthey

Shopping Directory: Jewelry

When two big brands become one, it is almost always a great success in the fashion market. Nowadays, two sportswear & casual wear brands are together: Diesel and Adidas. They have joined forces to make a jeans line. The exclusive line has been for sale since February and there is not doubt about the acceptance of these jeans by people.

This collection, which is called Adidas Originals Denim by Diesel, includes jeans made of denim and they can be bought only in Adidas stores. Once the contract was signed (valid for four years), Adidas Originals Denim by Diesel was launched as the first collection.

Adidas Originals Denim by Diesel (for men and women) offers two different styles: casual and chic. Since February, the advertising campaign can be seen. The motto is “83 ways to successfully waste your time” by presenting playful, inspiring ways to encourage open, uninhibited self-expression and celebrate originality.

Several times Adidas has allied itself with other companies and designers in order to expand its brand. This spring, the Adidas by Stella McCartney collection was extended by launching a golf line. On the other hand, Y3 Adidas is still increasing its stores, with openings in Paris and Miami.

Official site

Shopping Directory: Jeans & Denim

A bikini for 10 Euros or some Prada sandals for 290 Euros. There are many differences between both items, but actually they are at your fingertips. The first one is for sale in the German online store H&M, while the second one could be bought in an Italian deluxe fashion website called Yoox.

The online clothing industry is not certainly a new phenomenon, although in these days, the market is much more mature as for clients and brands, according to Federico Marchetti, Yoox Group founder and adviser. Yoox is an Italian pioneer company in this market that sold a million products in 2007. It was founded in 2000.

According to Forrester Research, the online shopping in the clothing industry generated about 22000 million dollars last year to become one of the fast-growing categories in the online world (according to Nielsen, 36% of the Internet users bought clothes last year). In the future, the online clothes sales should reach 10% of global, according to the Forrester’s study.

According to some analysts mentioned by Bloomberg, although most of the stores consider Internet as an opportunity for the future, the Swedish store H&M seems to trust in the e-commerce to recover the title of first European store taken by Inditex. The company began to sell by Internet in 1998 (in Sweden), the following year in Denmark, in 2001 in Norway / Finland and, in 2006 in Holland. Last year, it arrived in Germany and Austria.

Shopping directory: Italian Jeans & Apparel

In the lingerie world, a revolutionary proposal exists: the first underwear collection with cosmetic properties. This underwear line contains aloe and vitamin E to moisturize the skin and protect it of the aging, oxidation and cellulitis. A comfortable way of taking care of your external and inner health.

The underwear is elaborated by the company “Vivesa de Igualada” (Barcelona, Spain). This clothing type is supposed to adapt itself to woman’s body, her rhythm of life and, at the same time, making the women feel attractive, elegant, modern, comfortable and protected.

The Belcor 649 line has natural cosmetic benefits that have been demonstrated with aloe vera and vitamin E, thanks to a new fiber called Novarel Aloe Antiox.

Aloe vera is considered a plant for health care and beauty. It is already known that it has beneficial effects for skin and it is often used in cosmetics. On the other hand, the vitamin E is an antioxidant agent that acts on skin cells and eliminates the causes of cutaneous aging.

Shopping directory: Intimates

It is an accessory that complements your style. This season, the hat is more important than ever. It is the accessory that comes since old times and adapts itself to give us personality for the day and the night.

Hats have been used widely from the past. Originally, it was used for sun or cold protection and later, as clothing for men and women. Nowadays, it’s becoming a common accessory (again). You can find leather hats, skin hats, cloth hats, fur hats and more.

During the French Revolution, they were used as symbol of freedom and before that they were associated with the upper classes and it was considered stylish, so it seems that they were not democratic.

There are simple hats and unusual hats. They are always a good way to look good.

Shopping directory: Hats

You are about to go out, and your look needs an extra-special touch. Why don’t you create your own accessories? It is probable you already have all you need in a locker. Try creating your own fabulous hair accessories.

Look for a couple of simple pins or brooches. If you don’t have them, it is easy to find them in any store, and they are very inexpensive. Then, take your nail polish collection and look for the colors you like. Paint the pins to create attractive hair clips. The nail polish dries in few minutes, so you can create accessories matching with your clothes quickly. And you can also paint the pins whenever you want, so you can change their appearance without buying more.

Once you have become an expert, you can try to make drawings. Find a cream color base and then draw “metallic” lines for a daring touch that will look nice in your hair. Or you can go to a crafts store and buy shiny stones, color beads or little shiny crystals. If you want a specially detailed appearance, then stick the stones over the nail polish when it is still humid on the pin, and finally allow it to dry.

Some large pins don’t work well with stones. However, they have much more space to paint designs on them. For example, you can try to paint black and white lines like a zebra by using a toothpick. Or you can choose a more glamorous option by using a silver nail polish and sticking a feather on it. The options are endless.

Shopping directory: Hair Accessories

If you are looking for a fashion handbag with an appropriate price, then you are looking for a Prada handbag. Usually, these handbags range from $500 to $2,000. However, there are also some Prada handbags for $10,000 or more. It is not a secret some Hollywood stars like to use these handbags. In fact, these handbags are used by people like Salma Hayek, Cameron Diaz, Kristen Davis, Scarlett Johannson and Uma Thurman. Singer Avril Lavigne and the Pope Benedict XVI also use Prada handbags.

Fortunately, there are some low cost Prada handbags or some available discounts. However, it can take you a certain time to find these handbags. You can find sport handbags, small purses, medium size leather purses, cloth handbags and leather handbags designed by Prada. They will cost $100 or more. Many Prada handbags cost around $1,000, depending on what materials they are made with and the size.

If you really want to have a Prada handbag, then you should really spend time on looking for it online. Most of the online stores will be able to send you the authentic and original handbags, directly from the makers. You will be able to find several styles: sports handbags, casual handbags and classic handbags in online stores. Many times these handbags are available with excellent prices.

Unfortunately, there are many Prada replicas on the market. Some stores try to sell replica handbags as real ones. For this reason, you need to be careful. Take time to examine the handbag and verify the material. All Prada “hardware” is antique brass. If you find hardware that is rusted, old, or worn, then it probably is not a Prada. Another easy way to check the authenticity of the handbag is by looking at the handles and belts: if it is a real Prada, then these should be made of the finest material (quality).

Shopping Directory: Handbags