The Quest for the Perfect Handbag

By: Christabel Biella

Handbags Collections at eFashionHouse.com

No matter how many handbags we own, there is always the quest to find that perfect handbag. It is a quest that rarely gets fulfilled. There are frustrations that we can sometimes have with our precious everyday buddies that quite frankly piss us off. The top 5 frustrations with handbags are:

1. They are a vacuum for dirt, hair, old chewing gum and crumbs (even though you have never used the handbag for a plate before).

2. When the mobile is ringing in a densely populated potentially embarrassing place (e.g. silent train packed with commuters, important meeting at work) the bag seems to want to hide the phone and bury it in the most awkward place possible in order to maximize time taken to retrieve the ringing phone and then letting the phone stop ringing after you, red faced and flustered have retrieved the phone.

3. Handbags tend to be quite possessive and clingy. If you ever try to move your worldly possessions from one to another new bag, the older bag will hide an Important Object from you in attempt to keep your loyalty to it. Unfortunately though it means we end up panicking and never finding Important Object for months. Sometimes to be extra sneaky, the old bag will hide the object in a hole in the bag lining so that you think you have lost the object for good. (A bit like when Carrie thinks she has lost her Carrie necklace in Sex and the City).

4. Like cats, they don’t like being cleaned.

5. They don’t appreciate the fact that they are too bulky to store neatly. They enjoy the chaos of jumbling around in the space that you put them; whether it’s under the bed, at the top unreachable shelf of your wardrobe or on a coat peg.

There are 5 key criteria I believe that need to be met for The Perfect Handbag:

1. Has to fit in half the contents of my house for when I am staying at the boyfriend’s house, or on an expedition around the city.

2. Has to be soft and willing to expand if necessary to fit in a lot, or shrink back to normal size for the leisurely activities of shopping or meeting up with girlfriends!

3. Has to look elegant and pristine at all times. Even through rain, wind and sun.

4. Needs enough pockets for quick and easy access to the following items: mobile phone, travel card, iPod, make up, chewing gum, tissues need I go on?

5. But most importantly it has to fit in with my style and look the part.

Source Taken: www.articlesfactory.com

Wholesale Handbags - Your Search For The Right Supplier

By Scott Nichols

AANETA designer purses messenger bag beige leather designer handbag 632 SAMPLE SALE ITEM at DesignersLA

Buying wholesale handbags, while not necessarily a breeze, should prove not to be too difficult. There are many wholesalers out there who are capable of providing retailers with adequate supplies of quality handbags at moderate prices. Convenience and reliability in the process of delivery is your other consideration, besides quality and price, when choosing the right vendor or merchant to purchase wholesale handbags. Additionally, the supplier you choose should be capable of meeting the requirements of discriminating clients.

Wholesaler Track Records

Before purchasing wholesale handbags from a particular supplier, check on the history of the wholesaler. How long have they been in the business of selling wholesale handbags? Is the enterprise financially stable? Do they care about the quality and workmanship of the wholesale handbags that they selling? If you yourself are not yet very experienced in purchasing wholesale handbags, choose a supplier with a track record of no less than 10 years. That should at least assure you that their products are of proven quality.

Be discriminating yourself in your choice of supplier for wholesale handbags. Remember that you are choosing from a pool of thousands of prospective sellers in the market. One route you can take is via the Internet. There are online enterprises, such as wholesalemart.net, that specialize in supplier dealings. Created by Wholesale Buyers, wholesalemart.net counts some of the biggest U.S. companies in its roster of manufacturers, so being part of the list is justifiable cause for a supplier to be pleased with themselves.

Ensuring the Quality of the Wholesale Handbags

Your choice of supplier of wholesale handbags can’t be independent of your choice of handbags to buy and retail. The quality of the bags should be evident. At the very least they should good enough to be displayed as merchandise with pride. The design of the bags themselves and their functionality are also prime considerations.

Wholesale handbags can range from the very cheap to the exorbitant designer handbags that sport such signature names as Gucci or Coach. The handbags can be found in a variety of places, including discount outlets, department stores, wholesale warehouse clubs and specialty stores. The Internet is one other place to check out wholesale handbags. The World Wide Web is abuzz with a gamut of sites operated by vendors out to sell their wares. Wholesale handbags happens to be one of them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

California Love

Alice in wonderland didn’t have the advantage. She, poor thing to carry away all the tempting treats that were within arm’s reach had only a pair of apron pockets after the nasty spill.

If only she knew Efashionhouse and Internet. Moreover the Designers of LA whose bags come in various colors, styles and finishes that is perfectly suited for urban adventures.

The DesignerLA features designers of LA who have their unique styles that would give you choices of handbags from work to party. They offer Hobos to shoulder bags for everyday hauling for the moms. Glamorous handbags are definitive styles that make style statements for the wearer, be it a clutch or small handbags.

Alexander Zar brings for us designer purse in white leather with mosaic mirrors shoulder hobo. 3D mossaic mirrors and details to the front of this bag make it a real knock out. Made of the softest thick Napa Italian leathers available. Alexander Zar puts his designs to work for us

AANETA DESIGNER HANDBAGS are large leather motor cycle designer purses. They are made of soft Italian leather and are available in a variety of colors. There are lots of pockets and zippers. Double handles are woven at the edges. Fringed leather strings hang from the bag. Inside is fully lined. Extra zip pockets are inside and out. Detachable shoulder strap. If only Alice had a motor bike.

BCBG designer sling handbag with soft chocolate leather that would have done well for Alice in any glamour event. Extremely soft chocolate leather with a flap over weighted ring and a magnetic snap top closure. The bag has fully lined interior with one zippered pocket and multiple open pockets.

Alice would have loved this treat from BELLS & WHISTLES. The designer zoe clutch bag with metallic floral print on suede has silver leather edge trim and purple lining. The top has a flexible metal frame closure.

Look and touch, Alice: the textures, trims and feel of suede, string leather and buttery soft leather that is cut to perfection. This is just the beginning. Wander into Efashionhouse the designer handbag wonderland and find treats and treasures by designers you would love to own.

She would be hatter mad not to get one.

Person Alexander Zar

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How To Find A Cheap Designer Handbag Today

By: Tori A Hewitt

DesignersLA.com: Authentic Handbags & Accessories – eFashionHouse.com

Every woman wants a designer handbag. Designer hand bags are stylish and beautiful as well as durable and prestigious. However, most women just cannot afford the price tag that accompanies these designer handbags. For those of you who cannot afford to spend a mortgage payment on a designer handbag, there are inexpensive alternatives to the expensive designer handbags that we all covet.

One of the best ways to get a real, but cheap designer handbag is to shop the seasonal sales. To stay in the design game, each designer must release a new collection of designer handbags at least twice a year. This means that the old designer handbag collections are cleared out at reduced prices. A wise shopper keeps a keen eye on the sales and shops accordingly.

In conjunction with the clearing out of the old, there is the introduction of the new. Many designers and the stores that are contracted to sell their products will sell the styles from the new collections at reduced introductory prices. This is a great way to pick up a trendy, new but cheap designer handbag.

Shopping around can yield some great deals. Many designers sell the excess from their old collections to clearance houses who then sell them to the consumer at a fantastic price. This means that you, the consumer, can snatch a real but cheap designer handbag for hundreds off the original price.

The internet is another place to hunt for cheap designer handbags. Clearance sites and online auctions are always offering quality but cheap designer handbags, both new and used. Thrifty shoppers pick up authentic but cheap designer handbags at dime store prices.

The online auction site eBay has one of the most extensive selections of new and used designer handbags available on the web. You now have access to an entire world full of cheap designer handbags with the click of a mouse. Designer handbag collectors look for great bargains on this international marketplace and usually find great deals.

Although the internet is a great place to find cheap designer handbags, it is a largely unregulated marketplace. Auction sites and small online boutiques are not always as honest as they seem. You may purchase one thing and receive another from a dishonest seller. Because of the rampant dishonesty of online merchants, reputable dealers often provide a certificate of authenticity with the product. Online auctions allow you to communicate with the seller to ask as many questions as you can that will provide you with the information and assurances you need to make a good purchase. Sellers often provide an array of pictures for bidders to look at, but if you are still unsure, ask the seller for more pictures or pictures of a particular feature.

Source Taken: articlesbase.com

Fashion Trends For Women Accessories: Handbags

By kirsty semple

Trendy Designer handbags from designers of Los Angeles

Bags are seeing the same fashion trend as boots: a classic shape with an extravagant twist. Animal print, especially crocodile skin is finding its way onto simple shapes, bold colours are adorning the classic cut and otherwise unassuming bags are finding themselves in the limelight having had a glam makeover.

Day bags. This season sees the quirky twist of the oversize bag. If you can carry this off (excuse the pun) then go for it, if the bulky bag is too much for you then the oversize clutch bag can give daywear a glamorous lift. Faux fur is also an alternative to the bulky bag whilst giving you that must have luxurious style. Bags are no exception to the other trends of the season, metallics, vivid colours especially purples and animal print are all represented on the catwalks.

The contrast of simple and extravagant does not bypass bags either, where casual styles are accented with luxurious detail. Chain is a big look this season, chain handles or just as decoration on the bag itself, glitzy cabochon beads are adorning the corners of neutral coloured bags, distressed leather is being given new life with studs and fabrics are mixing different textures together for a new kind of love. For the retro look bead bags with trailing fringes. If going for the bold colour look then stick to the block of colour with a bag matching the outfit.

Evening bags. There is a renewed trend for the clutch bag, again in metallics, colours and animal print. The minaudiere, or tiny bag is also a trend and can be matched perfectly with metallic ballerina shoes.

If the clutch bag is not for you then shoulder bags with chain strap can be carried leaving your two hands free. Or for carrying overnight things there are some great barrel bags available in this seasons colour trends.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

The 3 Most Commonly Used Fabrics in Designer Clothing

Designer apparel has become extremely popular over the past decade or so. It was always popular but recently we have seen an overwhelming rise in popularity from this industry. To get the best of the best in designer clothing, choose pieces that incorporate these 3 fabrics into your choices:

Silk
Silk has always been associated with luxury and wealth. There’s something about silk that makes you feel important and when you wear an authentic silk piece, your confidence level goes up a couple of levels immediately. There’s just something about the way the silk hugs your body that flatters every curve, regardless of your shape.

Silk is used for a variety of fashion related pieces. It can be used for skirts, dresses, blouses, scarves, pajamas and lingerie. There are a number of manufacturers who have taken full advantage of the benefits of silk. Some of the designers who have been recognized for creating unbelievable silk designs include Prada, Chanel and Roberto Cavalli. These world renowned designers offer only the best of the best when it comes to their designer clothing and their customers are always happy with their purchases.

Purchasing authentic silk items will benefit you in a number of ways. Not only will it look better because the quality is higher than other materials (or materials that are only 50% silk and 50% other materials) but it will also last longer. A true piece of silk is likely to last twice as long as the “knock-off’ materials. In addition, silk is said to be one of the most comfortable clothing fabrics on the market right now. The sleek, luxurious feel of silk on your body will outweigh the cost in a second. Now you can justify paying twice as much.

Satin
Satin, although usually classified in the same category as silk has a few very distinctive features. Silk is made from insect larvae and is made of small, fine threads. Satin is shinier than silk and usually incorporates some kind of silk fabric into it but has a dull back. Silk is shiny on both sides so you feel the silk against your skin. Satin is perfect for those who don’t like the glossy finish against their body and prefer something a little softer. Generally, satin is slightly shinier, but for the most part, the two are hard to tell apart just from looking.

Like silk and cashmere, there are many designers who have decided to incorporate satin into their magnificent designs. Some of the most luxurious satin gowns have come from prestigious designers like Versace and Valentino. Unlike silk and cashmere, satin has become a very popular material in shoe design. World renowned footwear designers like Nine West have decided to use silk.

Cashmere
Cashmere is known for its long lasting comfort and unbelievably soft appearance. It’s one of those materials that when you see someone wearing it, you just want to touch them because the material looks and feels so incredibly soft. Cashmere is one of the most popular materials in designer clothing because it provides so many benefits. Like silk and satin, cashmere is also long-lasting, comfortable and pleasing to the eye.

There are many designers who have taken full advantage of the popularity of cashmere. Some of the prestigious designers creating cashmere pieces include Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and Christian Dior. These luxurious designers are definitely the ones to look for if you’re shopping for high quality, stylish designer clothing.

The world of fashion can be a little undermining. Designers have clued into which materials are popular among consumers but realize that they can’t sell their items for low cost if they’re made from this authentic material. So here’s a secret to help you out: Some designers advertise their items as cashmere when in fact they are only partially made of the material. This way, you think you’re getting a deal because you can’t believe you just bought a cashmere sweater for $29.99. Well let me tell you something – nothing good comes for free. Look at the tags on these items and I guarantee you the product isn’t 100 percent cashmere.

Article source: articleworld.net

Carrie's purses are towering triumphs in 'Sex'

By Olivia Barker, USA TODAY

On TV's Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw inspired women to think outside the boxy bag and instead pick up purses shaped like horse heads and telephones. In Sex and the City the movie, she's getting them to grab something monumental: the Eiffel Tower.

Since a publicity shot of Carrie embracing Mr. Big and clutching a purse shaped like the Parisian icon was released in the fall, Beverly Hills designer Timmy Woods has sold about 150 of the bags showered with Swarovski crystals at $3,000 a pop and another 1,000 purses without stones for $450 each.

CELEB STYLE: Get that fresh 'Sex and the City' look

The movie may be stuffed with more blatant status bags from the likes of Fendi, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada, but the Eiffel Tower's triumph is evidence that four years after the show wrapped, Sex can still sell fashion that's quirky and in contrast to the other characters, consummately Carrie. (Remember nameplate necklaces and saucer-sized flower pins?)

And, like so much of Sex style, it serves a narrative purpose.

"It's a great wink and homage to Carrie's experience in Paris" at the end of the series, says W accessories and jewelry director Brooke Magnaghi. She envisions "die-hard Carrie fans are buying this. It's kind of a fun memento."

Woods, the woman also behind the horse and telephone bags, created the Eiffel Tower purse made from acacia wood four years ago as a valentine to her adopted city. (She has an apartment overlooking the tower.)

"I really wanted it to be very surreal," a la Salvador Dali. "I wanted it to look like it was emerging out of the clouds. Then I decided it should glitter." (The version studded with 6,300 Swarovski stones takes nearly two months to make.)

Last summer, Sex costume designer Patricia Field walked into Woods' showroom and asked for the tower tote. Woods had no idea how it would be featured until a friend saw the publicity still on the Internet. Available on her website and on Field's, as well as at Macy's New York Herald Square location, the model is among Woods' top five all-time best sellers. She's been making wood purses for a dozen years, and her current catalog boasts about 100 styles.

"(Carrie) can get away with carrying a funky little bag like that," says Samantha Durbin, editor of FabSugar.com. "It's cinematic. Everyone dreams of Paris. It kind of has that romantic feel to it."

Gloria Shulman bought her Eiffel Tower purse, the sparkly "major one," a month or two ago after spying the photo of Sarah Jessica Parker holding the original one.

"It was so darling, and she is such a trendsetter," says Shulman, 60, who owns a Beverly Hills mortgage brokerage — and three dozen other Woods totes, including the horse head. "I don't want to say I copied her — I'm little old for copying — but I enjoy seeing what the latest trends are."

When Pam Price carried her Eiffel Tower to a recent luncheon in La Jolla, Calif., someone thought she had stolen it from Parker, asking, "Where did you get that?"

"I bought it," Price replied; along with a horse head model, the tower sits among her two dozen-strong Timmy Woods collection.

"A lot of people think it doesn't open," says Price, 65, a writer and editor in Palm Springs. She manages to squeeze in the essentials: a credit card, $10 bill, tube of lipstick, business card and set of keys.

"You're not carrying your office with you," Price concedes.

But, then, how much time did Carrie spend in an office?

From LA to NYC Graduating Fashionistas Speak Out!

No matter which continent or sea coast, fashionistas speak out. Designer fashion is a must for the new graduate. Blog comments show your little girl is grown up. She wants an authentic designer purse. Shopping online is your best choice for a new designer handbag. 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!

Use Coupon OFF10 at
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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 ...

Forget the flowers! Mom wants a new designer handbag for Mother’s Day

What mom really wants for Mother’s Day is a new designer handbag so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom easy with free shipping.

Sky Valley, CA (PRWEB), April 24, 2008: Gone are the days where shopping for mom meant a pretty floral arrangement or a box of her favorite chocolate. Today’s moms are more interested in trendy or classic designer handbags, so eFashionHouse.com is making shopping for mom a little easier with free shipping for Mother’s Day (May 11).

Named Best of the Web by People StyleWatch for below retail priced designer handbags and recognized by About.com as the top of three online retailers of off-priced Chanel, eFashionHouse.com has all the designers and styles moms want. From handbag darling Elaine Turner, to couture legend Chanel, to American staple Coach, eFashionHouse.com offers the latest in designer handbags for all budgets.

"It’s not only fashionistas that want the latest designer handbag all the time, today’s mom is very hip and wants to carry a nice leather handbag as well" said Anna Miller, eFashionHouse Owner. "To meet the needs of our clients, we now carry handbags that are age-friendly…meaning most of the designers we carry cater to women of all ages who simply love fashion."

Not only does eFashionHouse.com, and its five fashion ecommerce stores (BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet and ValueBags), offer a wide variety of authentic designer handbags but they guarantee the lowest prices online for Tano, Melie Bianco, Murval, Elaine Turner and Pietro Alessandro. Plus the site offers a layaway plan that allows its clients to pay over time and still get the bag of their dreams.

If you still don’t know what to get mom, here’s a couple of hot selling bags that are sure to make her smile (and maybe even giggle with glee):

• COACH Hamptons Cream Large Tote – 26% off
• ELAINE TURNER Andie Platinum Distressed Leather Satchel – 24% off
• Tano Bauhaus Leather Tote – 21% off
• Gucci Brit Medium Tote in Brown – 26% off
• Yves Saint Laurent Downtown Tote in Cream – 21% off
• Vintage Chanel Quilted Lambskin Shoulder Bag – only $499

In addition to huge savings on brand new, 100% authentic designer handbags, shoppers will receive free ground shipping from April 24th thru May 2nd on purchase over $100 with coupon code MD08. Plus there is no sales tax on all purchases worldwide.

About eFashionHouse.com
Anna Miller is the President of i-GlobalMall.com, Inc. She operates the website http://www.efashionhouse.com/ and sells high-end authentic designer handbags and accessories at off-retail prices. EFashionHouse.com was named Best of the Web by People Magazine StyleWatch for Discount Designer Handbags and Purses. eFashionHouse.com should not be confused with any other website selling a similar product or using a similar name. EfashionHouse.com is the home of five fashion ecommerce stores: BrandsBoutique, LuxuryVintage, DesignersLA, ItalysOutlet, and ValueBags. Anna is considered an Internet Pioneer & Ecommerce Entrepreneur. She’s been reselling Designer Merchandise online since the early 90s. eFashionHouse.com has an extensive Press Page and a Fashion Blog Network. Visit the site for more details.

Fashion on a Budget - Designer handbags, clothing and shoes

By Woody Lee

There has been a lot of talk about the economy lately and the forecast isn't looking too good which means it's time to start looking at ways to tighten the budget and cut back on the things you don't absolutely need. Though the thought about going without might seem grim at first, there is a silver lining when it comes to shopping. Just because you have less to spend on fashion doesn't mean you have to stop trying completely, following is a list of tips that help the budget fashionista in all of us keep looking fabulous.

Clothing
I thought starting off with the most obvious wardrobe item was a good way to kick off the list especially since a lot of us have already started thinking of spring wear, plus shopping for clothing on a budget is often the easiest. Although no one likes to worry about the economy, one positive result is retailers know that consumers are holding onto their money tighter than before, so they are more willing to hold sales and make higher decreases to entice consumers to spend. Here's a great way to take advantage of dropping prices but still come out with the stuff you want:

Be a savvy sale shopper: I already mentioned how you might notice more sales and promotions from retailers in an effort to boast slow profits, so as a savvy shopper it pays off to know when your favorite store is holding a 'secret sale' (join a mailing list or befriend the sales staff to become a VIP), end-of-season sales (household names like Banana Republic and Macys hold seasonal sales where items are 40% off), watch for the buy-one-get-one-half off type of coupon sales because you can buy the non-sale item you've been eyeing and get another item half off.

Shop online: Even the most experienced shopper can find it daunting to keep up with the sale schedule at their favorite stores which is why shopping online has become so popular. Gone were the days where you weren't sure of your size or if something looked good, most online shops allow for easy returns. But it's better to know the types of clothes you look good so you won't have to mail back a bunch of returns. The best part about shopping online is that often times you can find the same brands at cheaper prices because an online retailer doesn't have to pay for retail space. If you don't believe me, I found Rachel Pally dresses at 50% off at DesignersLA.com or check out ShopBop and click on the 70% off sale section (you'll be amazed at what you see). Plus if you sign up for your favorite e-tailers email list, you'll get even more savings with sale announcements and coupon codes sent right to your inbox. What's easier than that?

Invest in classics: Though sale shopping can result in a ton of savings, to really save money try not to buy something you won't end up wearing just because it is on sale. Sure a designer label pink suede skirt at 80% off is a great deal but if it's hot outside or pink suede isn't in style when the weather cools, you've wasted money that could have been used toward something you'll wear again and again. Trends are always fun but invest in a couple of classics that can take you through an entire season. I'm thinking white wide-leg pants and a yellow dress but you can pick your favorite spring staples.

Vintage: If the thought of secondhand shops scares you than you haven't been shopping at the right vintage store. Vintage can be ultra-hip and you'll be surprised to see what you find in the right vintage store. Make sure to find one that offers items in good condition and reasonable prices (some are actually expensive) and go hunting for shift dresses, capris and 50's style blouses that have been seen in all the fashion magazines. Plus there are even some great online vintage shops (JillsConsignment and LuxuryVintage) that carry amazing stuff in awesome condition.

Handbags and Accessories
It doesn't matter if there are tough times or not, fashionistas are constantly on the lookout for bargains on designer handbags. The good thing is that a good designer handbag has a much longer run than designer clothing because if you invest in the right designer purse or designer jewelry you can wear it for many months as opposed to changing up your clothes due to trends and weather conditions. And even though designer "it" bags cost more than ever, the average designer label handbag costs $2k, I've done my homework and found ways to score a hot designer bag, designer jewelry or accessory from Prada, Gucci, Tod's, Chloe, Anya Hindmarch, Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Burberry, and even Chanel at up to 70% off retail. Don't believe me, see for yourself:

Shop online: As with shopping for clothing, shopping online for designer accessories can really pay off. Unlike clothes, you don't have to worry about how an item will fit because most reputable sites will list the exact measurements and provides photos from all angles so you can see exactly what you're getting. Since online retailers don't have as much overhead as say a big department store (it's hard to find a designer handbag in a small boutique), they are able to offer substantially more savings for the exact same purse. I recently picked up an authentic Chanel handbag at for 50% off retail at eFashionHouse.comand the selection is endless. Based on my budget (and a little bit of principal) I would never pay full price for a designer handbag because I know if I wait for the "it" bag craze to die down, I'll visit my favorite site and get the bag 40% off. You can also shop for brand new designer jewelry from Chanel, Gucci and others at more than 60% off.

Wait for end-of-season sales: All of the major department stores mark designer handbags off toward the end of the season an although it's nice to carry a bag as soon as the season starts, if you can hold out, you can find what you're looking for. But if you plan to wait for these sales, make sure you are the first to know because inventory goes fast and is usually sold out the day a sale starts (if you miss the boat, visit the discount designer handbag web sites who sell authentic bags at a discounts year round).

Out with the old, in with the new: If you are as much of a handbag lover as I am than you probably have a couple of designer handbags lying around that you haven't used in a while which means you can afford to get rid of them. If you sell these unused accessories on eBay or to a consignment shop, you can have some extra money to spend on the designer handbag you really want. Try it out, it won't hurt as much as you think.

Vintage: More than even clothes, vintage designer handbags, jewelry and accessories (wallets, scarves, etc.) can not only save you money but even outlast many of the trendier bags. Sites like LuxuryVintage sell authentic Chanel handbags in amazing condition (little to no wear) for as low as $400 and since Chanel handbags are timeless, this is a small price to pay for a bag you can wear for years to come.

Don't be a snob: In addition to the luxury leaders like Marc Jacobs and Prada, the handbag heyday has allowed for smaller labels like Elaine Turner, Tano and Pietro Alessandro to make a name for themselves. Often made from the same high end materials as couture fashion houses, it's easier than ever to score an ultra-soft trendy handbag, like the Elaine Turner Paige Python Frame Bag or the Alex Tote, for a fraction of the cost of an expensive designer label.

Cheap Chic: We usually don't like any handbags that fall into the $15-$40 range but we have to say that lines like Melie Bianco and Murval are quickly making us change our mind. We wouldn't recommend spending your money on a bunch of cheap, poorly made handbags but if you want the look of the moment handbag, than Melie Bianco will probably have it. Visit DesignersLA.com and be amazed at how Melie Bianco manages to make such stylish and gorgeous handbags at such unbelievable prices.

Shoes
There is not a lot of advice we have on shoes because we think that most savvy shoppers (who are women at least) have this category covered but we'll include a couple of pointers just in case you need a refresher:

Invest in a good pair: Shoes are quickly becoming like designer handbags in the fact that they are wildly expensive and there are now a ton of "must-have" styles. Christian Louboutin is the leader of the pack, followed closely by Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blanik but finding a pair of these beauties at a discount can be pretty tricky but not unheard of. If must have another pair of shoes (to add to the 30 you already have), than try to invest in as much shoe as you can afford. Maybe we walk a lot but we've found that investing in a good pair of shoes (leather upper and leather sole) can take us a long way.

Online: There are a ton of online sites selling only footwear and it's sometimes hard to go through them all but the one good thing about so many choices is that there is more competition which means that price points will be lower. We haven't found a ton of online sites that we like to shop at for shoes because we tend to shop for more high end brands (goes back to that investment thinking) and there aren't a lot of sites that sell expensive shoes but one place I have found luck at saving money is eBay (yes, eBay). I would never purchase a designer handbag from eBay because there is no way to guarantee that you are actually getting an authentic designer handbag but shoes are less likely to be knocked off. But be prepared to search often because the selection is limited however you can find some amazing deals (brand new Lanvin flats for $200 or Prada heels for $100). So brush up on your bidding war skills because wining a pair of Manola Blanik Mary Janes is harder than actually walking in them.

Sales: Like clothes anddesigner accessories, the best and easiest way to save money is to know when your favorite shoe store is having a sale, but the early bird gets the worm in shoes sales because if there is one thing women have in common its shoes.

So although a slow economy can be a huge drain on your wallet, just remember that looking good doesn't have to suffer a recession as well. Become an experienced (and smart) shopper and you'll ride out tough times with the shirt on your back.

Woody Lee is a free lance writer, blogger and fashion addict living in New York City. She loves fashion, she loves high quality designer handbags, and she absolutely dislikes paying full price.

L.A.'s Melrose Heights: Destination District Aspires to Be More

by Andrew Asch, Retail Editor
Apparel News, January 11 2008

A wave of high-profile boutiques opened shop in Los Angeles’ Melrose Heights neighborhood in December, and to many, it looked like they made the best real estate choice.

The shopping district, located west of Fairfax Avenue, abounds with smartly designed boutiques representing star designers and some of the world’s most popular fashion brands. With a concentration of top-tier stores, the street’s status as a premier retail strip seems assured. But veteran Melrose boutique owner Gordon Morikawa said that even with all of this retail might, Melrose is falling short of its potential.

“[The street’s] landlords might be looking at this place as a new Robertson, but it’s not,” said Morikawa, who has co-owned Xin boutique at 8064 Melrose Ave. since 1999.

While commercial rents have been steadily increasing—some say perhaps tripling—since 2005, the street has yet to make the leap to become a shopping district where groups of shoppers hang out, similar to Robertson Boulevard or Rodeo Drive. Instead, Melrose Heights retailers say they are faced with enticing shoppers to make special trips to their boutiques. Encouraging destination shopping is tough.

The extra effort might make for a sweeter reward, according to Tarina Tarantino, who runs a self-named jewelry and accessories boutique at 7957 Melrose Ave. The destination customer is more likely to make a purchase. Yet Melrose Heights can improve if it becomes more pedestrian friendly by offering more cafés and crosswalks. “It is annoying to have to walk two or three blocks to cross the street,” Tarantino said. Morikawa said he hopes a few street improvements, such as crosswalks and perhaps more trees providing shade, would make shoppers more comfortable walking on the street. To make it a reality, he plans to dust off the moribund Melrose Heights Merchants Association, which has been inactive since 2005.

In 2002, he and other neighborhood merchants formed the association to petition Los Angeles City Hall. First on their shopping list was to give their strip of Melrose Avenue a new name. Melrose Heights might appeal to press and consumers, they thought. The merchants succeeded in getting their new moniker. The same year they enlisted Los Angeles–based public relations company People’s Revolution to spread the word about this new area.

They were successful again, and the street experienced a spike. Later, more brand-name retailers started moving onto the street, beginning with Marc Jacobs in 2004.

The first item on Morikawa’s 2008 “to do” list is to organize meetings with the district’s retailers. The next step might be working with local government to get help with city projects, such as getting more crosswalks on the street. Other projects include planting more trees for shade and better street aesthetics and perhaps posting signs in the area to mark it as a special retail area.

Defining the district

The street’s merchants already have the tools to make their area more than a destination, Morikawa said. He defines Melrose Heights as Melrose Avenue between La Cienega Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. The district does not include Melrose Place, a quiet street behind Melrose Avenue that houses boutiques of iconic designers such as Oscar De La Renta and Carolina Herrera, Morikawa said.

Since 2004, Melrose Heights has blossomed into a Los Angeles address for a wide variety of celebrated streetwear and fashion labels. London-based Paul Smith opened a boutique on the 8200 block of Melrose Avenue in December 2005. At the other end of the fashion spectrum, Los Angeles–based streetwear brand Crooks & Castles opened a store on the 8000 block of Melrose in December 2007.

The attention by the high-profile names has made commercial rents skyrocket. Since 2005, the street’s rents increased from more than $3 per square foot to more than $8 in the past month, according to Jonathan Ahron, managing director of the retail-services group for the Los Angeles office of real estate business Charles Dunn Company.

The good news for the area’s retailers is that the rents may have stabilized.

According to Chuck Dembo, a veteran real estate executive, the street’s rents are settling down to $6 to $7 per square foot. “I don’t expect it to go much higher,” said Dembo, a partner in Beverly Hills–based Dembo & Associates. Rent increases might have plateaued because the economy is slowing down, he said.

If so, that makes Melrose Heights more economical than Robertson—but a step up in price from the nearby shopping district of West Third Street.

Landlords of Robertson’s most popular blocks asked for $15 to $25 per square foot in 2007, according to a study released in November by Beverly Hills–based Sachse Real Estate. Rents for stylish West Third Street ranged from $4 to $7 per square foot.

The other names on west Melrose have the wherewithal to make the thoroughfare into a fashion mecca—albeit a diverse one. In December 2007, streetwear skate brand DC Shoes opened an activewear emporium at 8025 Melrose Ave., and New York fashion label Foley & Corinna opened a 1,000-square-foot store at 8117 Melrose Ave.

For fans of high-profile fashion brands, the street offers flagship stores for labels such as Adidas and Miss Sixty. Art-driven fashion line Betsey Johnson has a store there, as does daring lingerie line Agent Provocateur.

The street offers smart independent shops such as Xin, Creatures of Comfort and Madison. The street also is an address for BCBG Max Azria, as well as the Los Angeles outposts for French brand Diabless. The street’s specialty shops are anchored by Ron Herman at Fred Segal, one of the stores that pioneered Los Angeles’ fashion-boutique scene.

With all of the retail history and spectacular brands on the street, Morikawa said that retail traffic should be more bustling.

While the street enjoys a steady stream of tourists, many of them have been attracted to the area by Fred Segal, Morikawa said. Yet Melrose’s heavy car traffic also may drive pedestrians away.

But the heavy traffic might benefit retailers in other ways, said Charles Dunn’s Ahron.

“[Retailers’ signs] are billboards for the drive-through traffic,” he said.

Morikawa said that the street’s merchants are capable of building more retail traffic on Melrose. “It’s being acknowledged as a great street,” he said. “It’s up to the merchants to make changes.”

On Sale NOW! Marc Jacobs Stam Bag at eFashionHouse.com

Hollywood Starlets love the Marc Jacobs Stam bag. Here's Hilary Duff carrying her favorite Stam.

The Stam Bag has chunky hardware and quilted leather, but it was just a bit too much money to make the purchase until now. I never really jumped on the Stam bandwagon. Many people did not realize that the ‘regular’ Stam was actually huge. It could really overpower you. So for all the Stam lovers that wanted a Stam with a more compact size, Marc Jacobs introduced the Marc Jacobs Quilted Little Stam Bag also known as “The Kid”. The Kid features all of the Stam’s characteristics, in a smaller size, including quilted metallic grained leather, golden brass hardware, and a removable chunky chain link shoulder strap. The top sports a gusseted frame with an oversized kiss lock closure, just like its big sister. The dimensions of the baby Stam are 11″x 7″x 4″ (while the regular Stam is an overwhelming 16″ x 11″ x 6″).

Whether you are looking for a large size or the smaller version. Never pay full price for a Marc Jacobs Stam bag. You can buy them at below retail prices at at eFashionHouse.com.

Designer creates BCBGeneration out of two more youth-oriented lines

BCBG Max Azria is combining its BCBGirls and To the Max lines to create one lower-priced line starting this season. A capsule collection will be unveiled next week with a full collection to follow at WWDMAGIC in February. Prices will average around $88, almost half of the average price of a BCBG Max Azria contemporary piece. "With BCBGeneration, I look forward to offering an underserved consumer, regardless of age, superior fashion at competitive prices," Max Azria told WWD.

Ready-to-wear, dresses and outerwear, as well as footwear, handbags, small leather goods, belts and watches will be available at Bloomingdale's, Macy's , Dillard's, and specialty boutiques for fall 2008.

[Source: WWD & SHINY STYLE ]

BCBG designer sunglasses. Fashionable wire-rims from Paris-born Max Azria give you good style and good attitude. Polycarbonate lenses offer 100% UV protection.

BCBG designer handbags soft tan leather satchel designer purse. Extremely soft tan leather with a flap over weighted ring and magnetic snap top closure. Measures approximately 15 W x 5 H with a 5 inch depth. The metal and leather strap measures about 18 inches with a 10 inch drop. Fully lined interior with one zippered pocket and multiple open pockets. A leather BCBGMAXZARIA tag is sewn on the outside and interior of the bag. Guaranteed authentic. Comes with sleeper bag.

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More About BCBG
BCBG
BCBG = bon chic, bon genre

BCBG Max Azria from nymag.com The Label In the last sixteen years, Max Azria has added fifteen brands—including BCBGirls, To The Max, and Hervé Léger, which he acquired in 1999—to his BCBG empire (named by his wife, Lubova, for the French phrase bon chic, bon genre—Parisian slang for “good style, good attitude"). And just this year he showed his first collection under his name alone. Although the “exclusive” new Max Azria Collection is carried in only a small fraction of his 340 worldwide boutiques, its undone linens, ruffled faille, and loosey-goosey shirt dresses received a tepid reception compared to the more familiar (and playful) embroidered linen frocks and slinky silk dresses in the spring 2007 BCBG line. The Look A master of distilling everything cute and wearable in seasonal trends—be it wistful baby-doll dresses in 1989, suede and layered tulle skirts in 2000, or origami-treated pieces in his past two collections—Azria puts out nearly 4,000 styles per year. The Designer Born in Tunisia in 1948, Azria moved to Paris as a teenager to study acting but ended up designing womenswear. Upon moving to the States, he started a concept store called Jess, selling his own affordable French fashions to Hollywood starlets before launching BCBG in 1989, which has expanded into shoes, handbags, sunglasses, swimwear, a line of fragrance, and menswear.