Katy, TX (PRWEB) May 19, 2008 — When “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” hits movie theaters next week, it will be nearly 20 years since film lovers’ favorite archaeologist adventurer graced the big screen. In 1989, the same year “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” first appeared, Lifestyle Solutions Furniture was founded and it has been fusing function and comfort with style ever since. Now, as the fourth in the Indiana Jones series of Blockbusters is released, Home and Bedroom Furniture is also pleased to debut Lifestyle Solutions Furniture’s blockbuster line of signature platform beds and convertible sofas.

Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

After a hard day of wielding his whip, dodging boulders and taking on bad guys, even Indiana Jones would appreciate a good night’s rest on a Lifestyle Solutions Furniture platform bed. The infamous snake loather would also certainly appreciate the company’s innovative line of convertible sofas and futons, which Home and Bedroom Furniture has recently added to its inventory lineup.

A leading site for quality bedroom furniture at discount prices, Home and Bedroom is always on the lookout for affordably priced bedroom pieces that represent the finest in craftsmanship, and Lifestyle Solutions Furniture fills the bill. The company’s bedroom furniture groups include Retro, Cottage, Barbados, Martinique, Montreal, Tuscan, Zurich, Brooklyn and Rochester for international flavor and appeal that rivals Indiana Jones in the adventure department. What’s more, each bedroom piece is specially crafted to the highest standards of quality and design.

Home and Bedroom Furniture spokesperson Ben Weissman says, “We believe even Indiana Jones would like our joining forces with Lifestyle Solutions. The company’s convertible sofas and futons match his character in the ingenuity department, and its platform beds can position him high off the ground, where detestable snakes tend to lurk.”

Trying to find ways to save money for its customers, Home and Bedroom began a recession discount special on May 1 that was so successful that the company is continuing to offer it throughout the month of June. Leaving plenty of time to bring some Indiana Jones approved Lifestyle Solutions Furniture home. By using the discount code “beat-inflation” at checkout, Home and Bedroom Furniture customers will be treated to 10% off their entire purchase.

To see the company’s new line of Lifestyle Solutions bedroom furniture, as well as great values by Hillsdale Furniture and Fashion Bed Group, visit Home and Bedroom Furniture online at www.home-and-bedroom.com.

Product Description

Our Reversible Sheared Mink to Silk Coat will keep you warm and gorgeous-looking with its lovely, versatile design. This coat gives you two equally beautiful coats in one. One side features lush sheared mink outer, which reverses to a finely stitched 100% silk shell. With either side you will enjoy the elegance of a long-haired mink tuxedo front and cuffs. The graceful A-line cut of this coat comes together with four buttons and microfiber elastic loops, a set of each for either side. Features two silk-lined slash pockets (available on both mink and silk sides) and a curved standup collar with stays. 52″ long. Imported.

Search terms: Ladies Reversible Mink Coat, Women’s Fur Coat, Fur Coats, Reversible Mink Coat, Fur, Silk, Fine Furs, Quality Furs Coats

More info… ]]> http://theplanetfashion.com/mink-coats-womens-sheared-mink-reversible-coat/feed/ http://theplanetfashion.com/mink-coats/ http://theplanetfashion.com/mink-coats/#comments Sat, 10 May 2008 06:10:36 +0000 master http://theplanetfashion.com/?p=33 Grommet-Waist Wool Coat

Product Description :

Slightly retro-inspired wool coat has modern day appeal. Shirt collar,side pockets and back vent. Imported. Princess seams for shape Versatile ¾ lengthGrommet-detail belted waist for slimming fitFully lined for superior qualityBlack: Wool/Fur fiber; Dry CleanOther colors: Wool, Dry CleanMisses 37½? long

More info… ]]> http://theplanetfashion.com/mink-coats/feed/ http://theplanetfashion.com/jewelry-and-the-darkside-fashionable-gothic-jewelry/ http://theplanetfashion.com/jewelry-and-the-darkside-fashionable-gothic-jewelry/#comments Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:08:16 +0000 master http://theplanetfashion.com/?p=32 No, by jewelry and the darkside, we are not referring to Darth Vader�s dark side of the force. However, the idea of jewelry inspired by Anakin Skywalker, the Sith and his Emperor sure is tantalizing. Here, if you think more about the likes of Morticia Addams of the Addams family, then you�re on the right track. Gothic jewelry is the type of jewelry that the likes of her would wear: mysterious, brooding, yet elegant. Viewed this way, jewelry and the darkside certainly can go hand in hand.

Gothic jewelry, or darkside jewelry, as opposed to �light,� evokes images of the macabre and the preternatural: vampires, the dead and undead, spirits, black magic and the black arts. As such, artisans craft items that would appeal to a person�s dark or gothic side. There is an abundance of e-commerce websites and specialty stores whose emphasis is on jewelry and the darkside. In these places, a person will be able to find gothic jewelry such as pentacle pendants, gothic cross necklaces, spider-and-web piercings, and more.

Also known as pagan jewelry, gothic body ornaments are made from many types of materials, but they are typically available in gold, sterling silver and pewter. They may come plain or be encrusted with jewels. Many pieces of gothic jewelry have their roots in esoteric sources, such as signs and symbols used in ancient Egyptian lore or those employed in Celtic rituals. Other pieces of gothic jewelry are timeless icons representing the eerie: coffin-shaped rings, heavily ornate cross brooches, earrings shaped like the heads of howling wolves.

Slave bracelets, also known as handflowers or maille bracelets, are also popular examples of gothic jewelry. These look like chain mail, or pieces of woven metal. They are different from conventional bracelets in that they are worn not just on the wrist, but on practically the whole hand, and their intricate patterns are sure to attract attention. Bib and choker necklaces are also popular gothic accessories. Catalogues of gothic jewelry oftentimes include so-called �poison� rings or bracelets. These items have a small compartment where the wearer can presumably keep very small or fine materials, such as powder. Maille, chandelier or dangling earrings are also available to complete one�s overall look of mystery.

Gothic jewelry is easy to wear and can be used to dress up or dress down. They are easily available and the variety offered is endless. Because they depict arcane symbols and figures, gothic jewelry imparts a sense of mystery and secrecy. Popular among both the young and not-so-young, gothic jewelry may be dark, but not dreary; ornate, but not tawdry. In fact, it is just the opposite: jewelry and the darkside � a hauntingly beautiful combination.

About the Author

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of �How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.� This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

So you have an awesome magic trick you want to perform on
somebody. You�ve practiced it thousands of times, perfected it
in front of the mirror and now are ready to take your act to the
streets…ok maybe not the streets but to one of your friends or
family members. But wait….what are you going to wear??? You
say �What?, who cares what I am wearing?�.

Let me tell you something, image and presentation is everything, it is like
giving your audience the total package. What is the first thing
people see?? It�s you of course, this is your first chance to
make that great first impression on someone before even doing
your magic trick bit. You may think, I can wear anything to do
my magic trick and it will still wow them and you know what, you
are probably right, that is if you perform a great magic trick.
But you can take that to a whole other level, and that is with
your image. It�s like shopping for a car, you first look at the
look of the car, the one that looks better is the one you will
check out, even though the uglier car may have the same sport
suspension and high powered engine underneath its covers, but
you see what I mean.

If you are dressed in just your regular jeans and T-Shirt and
performing tricks, yes you will still probably get great
reactions, but if you stepped up your dress code a bit, believe
me, you will leave even a more lasting impression to your
audience. Think about it for a minute….think of all the great
magicians out there from David Blaine, David Copperfield, Lance
Burton, and the list goes on way beyond the people I mention
here, you have an image in your head when I mention these people
to you, right??? David Blaine, he wears nothing to fancy but he
is usually in a nice black collared shirt and black pants, that
gives him that mysterious look….David Copperfield, always
dressed up to the T for his shows. Now I am not saying go out
and wear a tux or your best suede suit to perform, but be aware
of what your are wearing, it can be the difference from a good
performance to a great performance.

About the Author

Dion Semeniuk is the owner of the popular online magic store, This is Magic! To receive 4 free magic trick videos and learn about performing other magic tricks, visit http://www.thisismagic.com

Wedding rings and bands aren�t just pieces of jewelry, they are a symbol of your love and devotion to each other. Remember, you will have to wear your wedding ring every day for the rest of your life, so the ring should not only be beautiful but also comfortable to wear and a true reflection of your style. So what are your options?

First you will have to decide whether you want identical rings for yourself and your beloved or if the bride and groom will have different rings, to suit their individual personality. Then you will have to decide on the material and style.

These days you can find a stunning variety of wedding rings and wedding bands. The days when a wedding ring had to be yellow gold are long gone. Titanium, platinum and white gold rings have become incredibly popular. The reason white rings are in fashion is because they look modern and go with virtually any outfit. Diamond solitaire rings, diamond solitaires with accents and/or other germ stones, and Celtic wedding rings are also currently in fashion. See comparison of <a href="http://www.man-wedding-rings-guide.com/diamond-bands.html">wedding rings styles</a>

If you�re looking for a top-quality ring that would look great for a long time, then a platinum wedding ring is the best choice. Platinum is an elegant metal, which is very popular these days because of its white, shiny look and durability. Platinum doesn�t glitter as much as gold, either, which makes it look very chic. The only drawback to platinum rings is that they are rather expensive.

White gold rings are another popular choice for modern couples. A lot of people prefer the brilliance of a white gold wedding ring, so white gold solitaires are very fashionable now. You can get 10K, 14 K or 18K white gold rings but, since you expect your wedding ring to last for many years, it is best to go with a better quality 18K white gold ring.

Titanium is a durable, strong, hypoallergenic and very light precious metal, which makes it great for wedding and engagement rings. It looks similar to white gold and platinum rings, but feels much lighter. Titanium is also less expensive than platinum or white gold so, if you are on a budget, a titanium wedding ring would be an excellent choice.

Celtic wedding bands are also very popular. They can be made of yellow or white gold, platinum, titanium or silver. Celtic rings feature elaborated knotwork designs in one or more colors. If you don�t want a plain ring, a Celtic style wedding ring might be a suitable alternative.

These wedding ring choices are the most popular todays - but bear in mind that you and your beloved will wear your wedding rings for many years. Ring fashions can change. So it is best to choose the ring that you really like and best suits your personality.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tanya Turner is a wedding jewelry expert and a founder of www.Man-Wedding-Rings-Guide.com, where you can find unbiased information about all types of wedding rings with pictures of most popular styles of wedding rings

Also popularly — though inaccurately — known as Claddagh jewelry, Celtic designs are appreciated for their intricacy and beauty. Numerous patterns of Celtic origin, such as the spiral and the cross, are used by jewelers in their creations. The Celtic spiral symbolizes eternity and is used abundantly in many Celtic jewelry items today. Just as popular is the Celtic cross, which pre-dates the Christian cross by about two centuries. The Celtic cross is thought to bring greater knowledge, understanding and the fortitude to deal with trials and adversities, as compared to the Christian cross, which is believed to protect the wearer from harm.

Claddagh rings and bracelets are two more examples of popular Celtic jewelry items that are replete with symbolism. Rings that have the Celtic knot design symbolize eternal and undying love; this is why they are exchanged by the bride and groom in present day wedding ceremonies � to signify their fidelity and never-ending commitment to each other. Such rings and bracelets are also given to friends as an indication of loyalty.

Necklaces and pendants are likewise integral parts of a Celtic jewelry collection. Depending on the wearer�s preferences, the pendant may depict the image of Celtic figures such as the ever-popular knot, spiral, Celtic cross, serpent or dragon. Such symbols have deep spiritual and religious meaning, and it is one of the main reasons why Celtic jewelry items are popular dress accessories today.

A person does not have to be Irish or Scottish or to have any other Celtic connection in order to appreciate Celtic jewelry. Whether given as gifts or maintained as personal keepsakes, these unique pieces can be enjoyed just for their beauty alone. But a little awareness of their meaning, as well as their place in history and tradition add to their air of enigma and allure.

About the Author

For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to visit www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of �How To Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off.� This concise, informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE report at www.morninglightjewelry.com.

 By STEPHANIE RAFANELLI - More by this author »

Day three of Milan Fashion Week, and the international style press hold their double espresso-scented breath as the most luxurious Italian houses - Versace, Fendi, Prada, Bottega Veneta and Gucci - unveil their winter collections for 2008/2009.

Whether hemlines drop from midi to maxi or acid colours re-fade to black, one theme is a dead cert: the lavish, ubiquitous and unapologetic use of fur.

While in the Nineties real fur crept off the London and New York catwalks in shame - following the high-profile “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” supermodel campaign led by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) - Milan has always revelled in the decadent display of animal pelts.

And in the past few years, real fur has crawled back stealthily into the collections of designers all around the world, including Britain. Celebrities - most significantly former PETA models Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell - have unashamedly sported pelted coats.

And where does vintage fit into the fur debate? The rights and wrongs of wearing fur coats from the Forties, Fifties, Sixties and Seventies is an ethical grey area.

Across the country, thousands of fur coats hang like guilty secrets in the back of wardrobes, passed down from grandmothers who wore mink and sable in good faith long before we started talking about animal rights.

Should we condemn vintage fur in the same way that today’s designers attract criticism for using pelts? After all, recycling an old fur coat means that no animals have to die today to satisfy our desire for this luxury look.

In the Italian market, fur is synonymous with glamour. Last year, Milan’s ‘fur fest’ reached fever pitch: Fendi’s £35,000 striped chinchilla and silver fox coat was made from 60 pelts; Gucci’s Lee Miller-inspired aviator jackets were edged with fur; and Dolce & Gabbana’s leopard-print gowns were teamed with dyed mink bomber jackets to maximise the glamour of Hollywood’s heyday. Spearheaded by the new bling generation led by J-Lo, Beyonce and P-Diddy, fur has been reinstated as the status symbol of the Noughties jet set.

In Paris last year, Balenciaga’s global nomad collection included fox stoles and distressed fur gilets, while in London Julien MacDonald worked with every conceivable animal from sable to mink, chinchilla and fox.

It seems autumn/winter 2008/2009 is set to follow the trend, with Caroline Herrera’s fur-trimmed hunting-inspired jackets and Camilla Staerk’s leather and fur separates in New York, and Roksanda Ilincic’s pinksashed furs in London.

The A-list has followed suit. Madonna, Eva Longoria, Linda Evangelista, Kim Cattrall, Jerry Hall, Lindsey Lohan and French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld have all worn fur in public.

We might secretly yearn for the oldfashioned allure, glamour and warmth of a fox stole or a Russian fur hat, but few of us can square our morals with an industry in which 40 million animals are killed every year for fashion - and that’s leaving the five-figure price tags aside.

In general, the British public believes in beauty without cruelty. Fur farms were made illegal in 2003 on grounds of offending “public morality”, and 93 per cent of people are against wearing real fur, according to a recent RSPCA poll.

Ever since green became the new black, fashion has become a minefield of complicated moral and ethical dilemmas. Eco-columnists and fashion environmentalists - from Katharine Hamnett to Anya Hindmarch - have emphasised the urgent need to recycle everything from bags and shoes to textiles and clothes. But they have been strangely silent on vintage fur.

PETA asks that vintage fur coats be donated to its animal rights organisation as educational aids. But the new “waste not want not” approach to textiles, coupled with the fact that vintage fur lasts up to 100 years, leaves fashion with a new dilemma. What is the most ethical thing to do with vintage fur?

Alex Barlow, a PR consultant for designer label Handwritten, is one of a new breed of fashion-conscious British women buying vintage as a guilt-free alternative to contemporary fur.

It’s also a more affordable one: vintage fur is up to ten times cheaper than a contemporary fur coat. “I am against real fur - in that I don’t approve of new garments being made from fur - but I am OK about wearing vintage,” she says.

“The animal has been dead for decades and that at least means I’m not part of the contemporary supply chain.” She’s not the only one who has this view. “Sales of vintage mink coats have rocketed,” says Annie Moss of Annie’s Vintage in North London.

“Many people see vintage as an ethical choice: a guilt-free, pro-animal rights, pro-environmental way of wearing fur.” THE Fur Council of Canada’s Fur Is Green campaign claimed that real fur is “natural, renewable, biodegradable and energy efficient”. In contrast, synthetic fur is made from plastic, produced with toxic chemicals and is non-biodegradable. The British Fur Trade Association found fake fur was responsible for 50 per cent of our toxic nitrous oxide emissions and that it takes a gallon of oil
to produce three fake fur coats. In response, the University of Michigan hit back with research suggesting that it took 20 times the amount of energy to make a real fur coat rather than a faux version.

While there is evidence to suggest that farmed and fake fur both cause damage to the environment, wearing vintage fur - which has already been processed - has no additional costs to the planet.

Indeed, recycling fur into reusable products can be seen to make environmental sense. Harricana in Quebec has been recycling vintage coats since 1994, turning Montreal’s old fur coats into practical hats, mittens and skiwear for Canada’s minus 40-degree winter temperatures.

“I think everything that is going to be thrown away should be reused, even if you don’t believe in the original product,” says Mariouche GagnÈ, the owner and chief designer of the company.

“I’ve recycled more than 50,000 fur coats in 14 years. It takes about ten animals to make a fur coat, so the way I see it, I’ve saved half a million animals by offering people an alternative.”

In Britain, celebrity tailor Julia Dee from Designer Alterations is one of the first to respond to the increasing demand to remodel vintage fur coats.

“We narrow them and make them contemporary with inspiration from the catwalk,” says Dee, whose clients include Yoko Ono, Claudia Schiffer and Elle Macpherson. “My clients get a customised fur coat that’s guilt-free and at a fraction of the price of a new one.”

She also recycles second-hand coats bought at flea markets. For between £40 and £100 you can buy a vintage fur coat and, with Dee’s sartorial know-how, you can be the envy of Milan fashion week - without the stigma.

For example, an Eighties black fur rabbit coat with shoulder pads makes the perfect copycat Balenciaga distressed sleeveless gilet. Dee’s team remove the sleeves and remodel the coat on a stand before turning it inside out and fastening it with a corset belt.

Twelve strips of rabbit fur will make you this season’s Marc Jacobs-inspired pom-pom fur bonnet - without the shame.

Alternatively, use the sleeves of an old jumper and some of the rabbit fur to make a version of Cacharel’s brown lapin gilet (£455 from www.net-a-porter.com). A baggy Forties brown striped musquash can be transformed into a chic winter gilet.

“A lot of vintage coats are distressed at the seams, but the fur is often good,” says Dee.

“You need to replace some stitches or work around the disintegrated bits, and it’s usually necessary to remove the rotten shoulder pads and re-line the coat.” (This season, Dee’s team is using fuchsia, yellow and lime linings to give a fresh, modern feel.)

Before you buy an old coat for remodelling, be aware that mink and sable can remain in mint condition for 100 years if kept in a cold room, but chinchilla fur is more fragile and can disintegrate quickly.

Musquash, squirrel, raccoon, New Zealand possum, North American grey fox and some types of rabbit are all considered wild fur - trapped as part of wildlife population control schemes. They have no vintage value, though they are long-lasting and are cheap to buy.

Leopardskin, though, even if it is vintage, is a no-no because it’s an endangered species.

Once you’ve found your vintage coat, you need to get it professionally cleaned. Animal pelts should always be kept in cold storage to maintain their condition. So how easy is it to recycle a fur coat? Furriers use special knives - not scissors - and because a coat is made from up to 60 pelts, all of which need to be cut around and re-sewn, it is no task for an amateur.

“The most straightforward thing to recycle at home would be a cushion or fur trim,” says Designer Alterations’ Josie Cowen. ” You can make it from the off-cuts or the bottom part of another coat. Just make sure that the pelt is laying downwards for a trim and frontwards for a collar. A practical fur cover can be made from attaching fur to an existing
tartan blanket as a backing.”

Environmental broadcaster, author and journalist Lucy Siegle agrees that there are potential environmental benefits to recycling fur, but is concerned by the connotations of wearing fur for fashion’s sake.

“Despite the practical case for recycling fur, the emotive politics remain,” she says. “If you wear fur as a fashion item - even if it’s vintage - there is an argument to say that to some extent you are perpetuating a taste for wearing real fur.”

Only your own conscience can dictate your actions. But if you’re still worried about the stigma of wearing fur, then turn your old coat into a warm winter blanket or cushion that will last for generations. It’s easier to sew - and at least you know your grandma would approve.

• PETA, www.peta.org.uk www.anniesvintageclothing.co.uk www.furisgreen.com The British Fur Trade Association, www.britishfur.co.uk www.harricana.qc.ca Designer Alterations, www.designeralterations.com

CHRONOTECH, one of Italy’s largest watch brands is fast becoming a popular fashion accessory and a “must have” for trendsetters around the world.

Infact, with so many brand-conscious young professionals here, the time pieces to be launched soon, is already set to make an impact.

They come in the Chronotech and Prisma Uno range and have two versions for men and women.

To launch the brand, there will be an 8 for RM8 lucky draw programme at selected watch retailers.

Eight lucky winners from any of the selected retailers will get to purchase a Chronotech watch for only RM8 (normal price– RM500). Customers will also stand a chance to win Chronotech t-shirts and mouse pads. This lucky draw is open to everyone, with no purchases required. What’s interesting is that every participant is a guaranteed winner and will walk away with an amazing prize.

The programme will run at Watchzone located at the Pavilion and 1 Utama, America Watch (Mid Valley) and Accurate Time (Low Yat Plaza) on Saturday (March 15) from 10am onwards and only until stocks last.

Detroit Pistons basketball star Chauncey Billups will be at Puffer Red’s in Ypsilanti on Saturday to unveil the “Puffer Red’s Limited Edition Forum” sneaker, part of a national Adidas promotion.

The shoe company is marking the 25th anniversary of its Forum basketball shoe, and Puffer Red’s, an apparel and music store in downtown Ypsilanti, is one of four retailers nationwide selected to be part of the celebration.

Rayvon Williams, the 18-year-old son of Puffer Red’s owner Eric Williams, designed the special edition shoe, which will be sold nationally.

Williams is a student at Lansing Community College, but will be starting at the Fashion Careers College in San Diego next year, after winning a scholarship in a fashion design contest. The shoe, which retails for $110, features the Puffer Red’s logo and bright, primary colors.

“Right now, there’s the ’80s style, all these multicolored designs,”Williams said. “That’s what’s hot right now. I took inspiration from that.”

Valerie Campbell, Puffer Red’s manager, said the colors in the shoe are representative of the style of Detroit, a market that’s always been strong for the Forum.

“The shoe is centered around Detroit,” she said, “and we like flashy, bright colors.”
The promotion on Saturday, which includes giveaways and games, is from noon to 8 p.m. Billups is expected to be at the store at 3 p.m. The Puffer Red’s Limited Edition Forum will be for sale, along with a coordinating cap and T-shirt.

Puffer Red’s was chosen for the promotion because it is one of only a handful of independent retailers that has sold the Forum since its release as one of the first leather basketball shoes. The store has been at the same location on West Michigan Avenue in Ypsilanti for 29 years, maintaining strong sales as a retail anchor for the downtown district.

Eric Williams said that he thinks that success is due to a combination of strong customer service, product knowledge and a selection that includes products that shoppers can’t find anywhere else. Although his store draws a lot of customers from Detroit, Williams said that Ypsilanti has been a good location.

“Downtown has always been great for us,” Williams said. “A lot of businesses have come and gone, but for us it’s always been good.”

For more information, visit: www.pufferreds.com.