Taymour has recognized the value

“I want to make bags that are conversation pieces,” says Hillary Taymour. The 20-something designer behind the Collina Strada label is sitting in her Williamsburg, Brooklyn, apartment,Save on Christian Louboutin Pump! All the Sales, All in One Place. flipping through her look book of handbags. They bear one-of-a-kind patterns on canvas, offset by leather accents, and are unconventionally shaped—hexagons, triangles, and trapezoids. Most luxury handbags, Taymour says, “all look alike. And they all have these little [label] tags on them so you can see who made them.” A Collina Strada, meanwhile, is made expressly to look uncommon—and comes tag-free.

Taymour has recognized the value in making a product that stands out, and tempering the size of her business to stoke demand.Welcome to Replica Louis Vuitton outlet online store and buy latest replica louis vuitton handbags together with free shipping and best service. She has skillfully straddled both ends of the retail spectrum, only in reverse order, winning the attention of bigger-name shops such as Target and Urban Outfitters to court boutiques “with more street cred,” such as Need Supply and New York City’s influential OAK. To stir up buzz, she frequently creates limited editions for her retailers, which typically sell out.

It’s a strategy that's paying off. Collina Strada has garnered a following among tastemakers such as actress Chlo? Sevigny, supermodel Shalom Harlow, and even America’s Next Top Model den mother Tyra Banks. “I feel like my line is a bit exclusive,” Taymour says. Her trick: creating her own textile designs, which start out as images she Photoshops—of flowers, parking lots, and statues—until they’re artfully distorted.

A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (with a degree in product development and business management), Taymour started making bags for herself in 2008 while working in men’s product development at Guess Jeans in Los Angeles. Her oversize and exaggerated take on the hobo bag was such a hit that she made some for friends at their request. With interest growing among her friends in fashion, Taymour anointed her line Collina Strada, the Italian words for “hill” and “road,” simply because those words sounded nice together, she says. Then, at the behest of a fellow designer, she took a few samples to Project, a fashion-trade event in Las Vegas. Anthropologie promptly placed an order.

Shortly thereafter, before even developing a full line, Target came calling—a game-changer for Taymour. “I hadn’t even shipped a season yet and I had an order with Target,” she marvels. “Ever since then, each season something big like that would happen, where I could just keep going.” With business growing, she left her job in 2009 and moved to New York City.

Taymour’s inspirations are diverse and serendipitous. The idea behind a leather harness, for instance, came while watching an action movie. “I wanted to make a fake gun holster but cooler—like a handbag.” And her bags’ trademark geometric, layered-leather design is lifted from patterned doors she saw while traveling in Casablanca and Marrakesh. Often her designs end up being ahead of the curve. Her chic, leather-accented backpacks are edgier counterparts to rucksacks from Madewell and Marc Jacobs. Her satchels,Find a great selection of christian louboutin boots deals ! Click on any of the links below. designed to fit snugly on a set of bicycle handlebars, speak to the hipster bike boom. And her playful leather harnesses, with pouches to hold money and lipstick, predated Lady Gaga and Rihanna wearing similar accessories on stage.

Taymour’s next challenge: maintaining the cachet of exclusivity while growing her brand. A little over a year ago, Collina Strada launched a clothing line and will debut its Spring 2014 collection in August. The line includes loose jumpsuits,Latest Trends in Wholesale gucci handbags, Wallets and more‎. leather sweatshirts, and silky, feather-light pants—many boasting her wistful kaleidoscope-meets-tie-dye prints. “I just want to make easy pieces that anyone can wear,” Taymour says. “I don’t want it to be throwaway fashion.”

She’s plotting an avant-garde shoe line now,There are numerous diversified high heels at christian louboutin shoes for sale. too, and taking meetings with high-end department stores—which she’s tight-lipped about. “It’s one of those things like, ‘We’ll see you again,’” the designer says, shrugging. “Stores that I’ve been trying to get into for years are now selling out of my purses. So, it’ll happen. I’m not worried.”

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These shoes were made for

The story of Oprah’s sore feet and metallic purple Manolo Blahnik stilettos is still getting plenty of mileage in Ottawa. When the queen of all media was here during a speaking tour in April, her aching feet prompted her to take off her sky-high heels, which she offered up to someone in the audience.

Sandy Sharkey just happened to be in the right place at the right time. The former longtime radio personality was standing next to the stage trying to snap a photo of Oprah when she suddenly became the lucky recipient of a size 10? pair of pumps. Lucky, too, that this is her shoe size.

Since then, the shiny heels have been trotted out at various charity events. On Tuesday, Sharkey, who was the guest of honour at this month’s high-powered Ladies Who Lunch event at the Westin Hotel, once more pulled out the shoes and numerous ladies lined up to pay $10 to have their photos taken wearing them.welcome to replica shoes web,best service and low prices.

“It was exhilarating to walk in the shoes of the wealthiest woman in North America,” says real estate agent Cindy Sezlik. “Even though they were way too big for me, they felt so comfortable. I would have paid $25 to try them on.”

The money raised will go toward Sharkey’s pet project — a wild horse sanctuary in California called Return to Freedom. During the luncheon, she spoke about her passion for animals, nature and photography.

“Because I was on the morning show, I would often spend my afternoon driving around taking photos. When I lost my job in January, I wasn’t devastated because it was never my entire life. I was lucky to have 33 years in radio.”

“I took 15,000 photographs when I was there. I’ve always had a love affair with horses, but also protecting animals from harm. Wild horses are the quintessential image of freedom.”

Sharkey credits Ottawa photographer Michelle Valberg for showing her the ropes and her husband for buying her a really good camera.

Ladies Who Lunch is the brainchild of Catherine Landry, who wears a number of hats in Ottawa, including charity fundraiser, event planner and brand developer for Big Rig Brewery. Her countless good deeds in the city have made her almost as famous as her long dreadlocks and endless enthusiasm.

She first got the idea for a women’s networking lunch in the capital after stumbling across one in the Parrot Club at the Basil Street Hotel in Knightsbridge (which has since closed its doors) while travelling in London.

“I was zipping around seeing the sights and popped in to see this hotel because it had a lot of history. I peeked in this room, which was pink and lime green, and saw all these beautifully dressed women having tea and sandwiches. That image was captured in my mind.”

Landry saw similar lunches taking place in Miami and at the Russian Tea Room in New York with waiters in white gloves and society women dressed to the nines and wanted the same for Ottawa. Her last two events have been a sell out, with 140 ladies from every type of profession, including designers, media, small business owners, farmers, lawyers and authors, to name a few.Discover the largest collection of cheap Michael Kors Handbags .

“Ottawa, you are a cosmopolitan city and can support such an event. The Westin has been amazing. Executive chef Kenton Leier is insane and makes us the most ridiculous lunches. John Jarvis (the general manager of the Westin) is the best thing since sliced toast. I want to take this idea to the Westin in Vancouver and out East so that it’s coast to coast,” says Landry, who has teamed up with the hotel’s catering chief Ann Rickenbacker.

The luncheon, which cost $60, included a meet-and-greet cocktail and appetizer hour followed by a three-course sit-down lunch at Daly’s Restaurant overlooking the Rideau Canal. The three-hour event included a table-to-table fashion show courtesy of Valamode, a new online high-end consignment store, a Prada fragrance launch by perfume personality Sid Cratzberg and mini shopping area featuring items from Viens Avec Moi boutique, Dream Weaver gift store and Just Because doll-clothing designs.

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The boutique based in the back

Within the first few days of opening the mobile store - known in the trade as a "fashion truck" - things were going well.

Then the power went out.

"The store was mobbed, and we lost the lights and the air conditioning three hours after we opened," says Abby Kessler, co-owner of the fashion truck and its bricks-and-mortar companion.

They managed to fill the generator and the team got back to making sales. Parked on the University of Pennsylvania's campus, an area without many boutiques or clothing shops, the truck was filled with students and employees of the nearby dental school.Welcome to Michael Kors Classic Tote Outlet online now.

But three hours later, it happened again.

"It turns out you don't fill a generator the same way you fill a car's tank," says Ms Kessler, who had to make a call to the company that designed the truck to determine the problem. "But what do we know about generators?"

Prior to opening the truck just a few weeks ago, Ms Kessler and her business partner Katie Lubieski operated in a world of jewellery, handbags, retro-print dresses, pretty shoes and sparkling tops.

The finer points of car repair and maintenance were not in their repertoire.
'Perfect idea'

For eight years, the two have operated the Smak Parlour boutique in the Old City district of Philadelphia. They sell their own line of distressed T-shirts, as well as studded shorts, neon tops, cherry-print dresses and other youthful looks. Their prices - at under $100 ($65) - appeal to a diverse crowd.

The store was such a success that they began to think about expanding last year.

"We thought about a second store, but having one store is like having a baby. We weren't sure we were ready for another full-time commitment like that," says Ms Kessler.

Then they heard about fashion trucks in Los Angeles. "We knew right away that was the perfect idea," she says.

By providing their customers with a mobile shopping experience - turning the back of a box truck into a glamorous parlour, complete with dressing room, skylight and a selection of stock - they could keep costs low while bringing their product to a new audience.

"Overhead is a lot lower than a typical retail structure," says Natalie Nixon, director of the strategic design MBA programme at Philadelphia University.

"You're not paying for utilities, not paying for lighting and heating. You don't have to hire as many sales team members, and you can manage your inventory in a much more sophisticated way."

Of course, while it's cheaper to pay a parking permit fee than pay a monthly rent, there are still hefty start-up costs.

A used box truck can cost $20,000-$30,000 ($13,000-$20,000), although Ms Lubieski scoured advertisement website Craigslist and managed to get a good deal for $8,000 below budget. The truck then needed a major overhaul - French doors, hardwood floors, track lighting, air conditioning and a skylight.

To cut costs, Ms Kessler's graphic designer boyfriend designed the wrap on the outside of the truck. The two women also secured a $20,000 grant from a local small business organisation.

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Shoes of Prey hunts for $20m

Online designer shoes retailer Shoes of Prey has been named Kogan Australian Online Retailer of the Year, which will no doubt help in the founders’ bid to attract $20 million in funding.

The company,welcome to michaels kors handbags sale,Free shipping‎!The latest trends and best prices on Michael Kors Bags 2013. which was started by three friends Michael Fox, Jodie Fox and Michael Knapp in 2009, has been making a big dent in the retail world simply by letting women design their own shoes online.

The three founders have since started another company – online spectacles store Sneaking Duck. It was also a finalist in this category, and last year won BRW’s New Retailer of the Year and Innovation in Retail awards for helping transform Australia’s $1 billion prescription glasses industry.

The Shoes of Prey site, which as of Tuesday has 130,000 Facebook likes and more than 7000 Twitter followers, lets women design every kind of shoe imaginable from ballet flats, to stilettos and sandals, to ankle boots.

Customers can jump on the site, pick the type of shoe, the colour and the material (including snakeskin, soft leather, silk and suede). It takes about five weeks to make a pair. The shoes, which cost $139 upwards, are then delivered for free to the customer’s door within days.

Shoes of Prey has already attracted big investors, including the co-founder of software company Atlassian, Mike Cannon-Brookes, Silicon Valley investor and blogger Mike Arrington (he co-founded venture capital firm CrunchFund), and US start-up investor Bill Tai of Charles River Ventures.

The company previously raised $3 million from investors and is now looking for an additional $20 million in funding to employ more staff in its Sydney-based office as well as boost marketing efforts.

Shoes of Prey’s director of fashion Jodie Fox, who recently ran 3km in high heels, says more than 10 million shoes have been designed on the site. The company opened its first actual store in Australia earlier this year, at David Jones’s CBD store in Sydney. Fox says the David Jones store has helped boost recognition as well as sales.

“Customers always ask what our shoes look like in real life – this is the best way to show them,” Fox tells BRW. “We’ve been outstripping our [sales] targets since we opened our doors.”

The Kogan Australian Online Retailer of the Year was announced on Tuesday morning in Melbourne by the peak industry body representing Australia’s $258 billion retail sector, the Australian Retailers Association.

The Visa Australian Retailer of the Year award went to Specsavers, while the eBay Inc Australian Multichannel Retailer of the Year award went to Specialty Fashion Group.

ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman says Shoes of Prey stood out as a leader within the online retail sector, with its “groundbreaking website”.

“This retailer demonstrated to our expert judging panel a strong track record in building their business through superior customer service, cutting-edge marketing strategies and an innovative approach,” he says.

Shoes of Prey is also a finalist in the World Retail Congress Awards to be announced in Paris in November. Other finalists in the “store design of the year” category include big names like Haus Cumberland from Germany,Shop the latest Michael Kors Jet Set Bags on the world's largest fashion site. the Chilli Beans Flagship Store from Brazil and Karl Lagerfeld’s concept store in Paris.

“We’re looking at raising another round of funding,Find the Latest Michael Kors Kingsbury Here. Shop Today! so awards like this really help in raising our credibility,” Fox says. “One of our pillars is to be innovative in everything that we do.”

Fox says the directors may also look at opening more bricks and mortar stores like the David Jones flagship. Shoes of Prey has also partnered with Australian designer Carla Zampatti for an exclusive collection of shoes. Fox has also been heavily promoting the company, recently attending New York Fashion Week.

A number of Australian start-ups such as Kaggle have flocked to Silicon Valley to try and grow their business, but Fox says she and the co-founders chose to stay in Sydney. “There wasn’t a good enough reason to leave Australia,” she says. “There’s great talent and opportunity here.” Find the Michael Kors New Arrival you will want to use for-ever!

Fox says while it’s harder to raise capital in Australia than in San Francisco, “we love being in Sydney and want to be part of the tech environment being fostered here”.

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Airline gives lesson in bad customer relations

OK, I know I'm running late, especially in a modern airborne world monitored with unforgiving strictness by a pyramid with the TSA at its peak,Shop discounted mk handbags on hotmkbags. Congress just below and dozens of hundreds of data-crunching passenger advocacy groups forming the base.

Still, everything seems comparatively routine as the door thumps closed behind me on Delta's overbooked Flight 2376, scheduled to make the run from Atlanta to Tampa. It's Monday and it's about a quarter after 5 p.m. Five minutes to push-back.Shop hotmkbags for the latest fashion trends in Michael Kors Shoulder Bags for ladies. The plane, a Boeing 757,Buy Michael Kors iPhone Cases Michael Kors handbags with big discount and free shipping! is full. More than full, in fact, as we shall discover.

After all, airports and airlines have rush hours, too, which was made abundantly clear in my dash from the nether end of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's Concourse D to its counterpart of Concourse B. The walkways were clogged. The underground “plane train” was jammed.

The reason I was spurred to uncommon urgency was twofold: An already tight connection had been abbreviated by the 15-minute hold air traffic control in Atlanta placed on my originating flight from Asheville, N.C.Welcome to Michael Kors Classic Tote Outlet online now.; and there was a delay retrieving my FAA-authorized carry-on, which had to be checked because the overhead bins in the 28-seat puddle-jumper out of Asheville were designed when the traveling public was ladies in white gloves carrying small handbags and makeup cases and businessmen gripping slender leather briefcases.

But I had hustled and presented myself while a handful of standbys were awaiting the outcome of their status, only to discover my original destination — a dreaded center seat — had been reassigned.

Hadn't Delta's super-smart computer network logged my presence on the flight from Asheville? Wasn't my arrival at Gate B-2 anticipated? Maybe it assumed I'd ditched my itinerary in favor of the peculiar charms of the Samuel Adams Atlanta Brew House. (Briefly, no: Since all the Paschal's restaurants closed, dining in the Atlanta airport is dead to me.)

Reassignment required the intervention of the gate supervisor, who applied swift typing skills and her license-to-override ID card to the task, and it was quickly done. New seat: 34A. A window? A window. This could not have worked out better.

Moments later I was settled in, and here came a member of the Tampa-based flight crew down the aisle, her gaze fixed on me like a drone's laser targeting a missile strike. Had I left something at the gate? Was I eligible for an unclaimed upgrade?

Guess again, lowly coach monkey.

Braking at Row 34, clamping hands on the seats along the aisle, she leaned over the couple returning from a week in New Orleans and, with a prosecutor's accusing glare, declared in a voice that dominated the rear third of the cabin, “If you get up during this flight, you may want to go back and thank the pilot in the jump seat who gave up this seat for you. You were the last passenger on this plane, and they wanted to take you off, but he said he'd take the jump seat. So you may want to say 'Thank you.'”

Wait. What?

Had that just happened? Had the flight attendant, pinning me down with herbrace-for-impact posture, just publicly chided/scolded/embarrassed a 30-year loyal client who's logged more than 650,000 lifetime miles on her airline?

All for the sake of a free-riding employee who, following long-standing protocol, relocated to a less comfy seat for a 90-minute hop so the paying customer can occupy the seat he paid for?

And is dressing down a passenger what Delta CEO Richard Anderson meant when he said, in the July 2013 issue of Sky magazine that was conveniently in the seat back pocket at my knees, “At Delta, we've found that common values are far better than any detailed manual could ever be. ... Delta people, from the CEOs [sic] office to the front line,Shop for Michael Kors Monogram at hotmkbags. rely on our culture and our core values to guide our business decisions every day”?

Monday afternoon, one brand-loyal passenger received the whip-lashing of a lifetime from one employee's interpretation of Delta's core values. Or is that how the biggest companies work these days? Delta's press office did not respond to a request for comment.

Sigh. I guess I'm old-fashioned. I liked it better when Delta loved to fly, and it showed.

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Houston designer turns exotic skins into works of art

While other little girls were doing typical childhood things, a 9-year-old Camille Zarsky was designing clothes for her dream runway.

Now a noted handbag designer, Zarsky gives credit to her mother, Meredith Wilson, for allowing her the freedom to dream big.

"I wanted to go into fashion since childhood,Shop the latest collection of prada bags from the most popular stores. so this isn't a shock to my mother," said the Houston native Zarsky, who lives in New York,The Michael Kors Bags will provide you cheap but high-quality products. where she manufactures her collection of handbags made from exotic skins. "My mom gave me the foundation I needed to go to New York. I was raised that being weird and being an artist was totally cool."

Wilson, the former director of public programs at Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, also immersed a teenaged Zarsky into the Houston art world, where "going to an art gallery opening and staying to midnight on a school night was totally normal.Tote everyday essential items in style by accessorizing with a Michael Kors Classic Tote or tote bag."

Even in high school, Zarsky interned for Houston fashion designer and artist Selven O'Keef Jarmon. The experience changed her life, she said.

"I was cutting and sewing patterns, and I worked at all of Selven's fashion shows. It might as well have been New York fashion week. It was the greatest experience of my life. Selven is a visionary."

Zarsky also worked as an intern with Houston fashion designer Chloe Dao and accessory designer Elaine Turner. After graduating with a degree in fashion from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, Zarsky worked at Turner's showroom in New York and at fashion houses including Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren and Rebecca Minkoff.

In fall 2011, Zarsky launched her own namesake handbag line with both leather and python styles. But only the python bags sold.

"That's when I knew it was something special," she said.

Zarsky's collections, which also include cuffs and wallets, combine her love of exotic skins, especially python, with her unique use of color.Shop the latest from Michael Kors Wallets. Totally free shipping and returns. "I love the way snakeskin moves. A lot of the colors I use are inspired by Texas sunsets."

To achieve the color variations, Zarsky often hand paints or sands the skins. Her python bags are also backed by a special webbing to prevent ripping or fraying. For fall, she will debut a limited-edition "Iridescent Collection."

"It takes a lot to achieve the right colors and look. You don't need to overload the bags with a hardware because the skin is so beautiful and natural. Hand-painting allows us highlight the natural beauty of skin," she said.

"Creating handbags is about translating an object into a piece of art that's well designed. I want my bags to transcend generation; a fabulous bag with a beautiful story that can last a life time," she said.

Currently, Zarsky is spending more time in Houston as Wilson undergoes treatment for ovarian cancer - and plans to design a collection of limited-edition clutches with proceeds going to ovarian cancer research.

"It's such a crazy, maniacal disease. We know a lot about breast cancer but not a lot about ovarian cancer. I want to do what I can to help."

The straw bag has ventured beyond the beach.Find the Latest Michael Kors Tote Bags Here. Shop Today!

What used to be thought of as a vacation-only purse has transformed into an everyday staple, perfect for this time of year.

“Straw bags give us the feeling of summer,” says Meredith Paley, vice president of public relations for Talbots. “They are lighter, too, which women love, especially after carrying a heavy bag in winter.”

Summer after summer, Talbots offers a straw bag, Paley says. This year's collection has lots of colors and shapes, from a striped tote to a clutch with a neon pink flap.

Straw handbags are popular in the summer because they are a seasonal fabric that pairs well with straw hats, espadrilles and all summer attire, says Kathi Hursh, Macy's by-appointment manager at South Hills Village.

“It's a centuries-old technology that never fails to wear well and has been made famous with the help of designers,” Hursh says. “A straw handbag carries history within its weaves.”

David Bench: The force behind Cary Crime Stoppers

David Bench is Cary’s top civilian cop.Welcome to our michael kors outlet online shop! Here we sale Buy Michael Kors, bags, purses, wallets with very low price. Join us quickly!

That’s what he jokes, anyway, as he sits in a home office bedecked with replica cowboy revolvers, model cars and high-end radio systems.

This is Bench’s command center: He watches carefully through his wire-frame spectacles as cars roll down the cul-de-sac, and he monitors his scanners for incidents in his district. Perhaps most notably, he manages a crime-fighting network of financiers, volunteers and tipsters.

“I don’t wear a mask and a black cape and all that stuff,” said Bench, 70. “I’m a good speaker. I enjoy going to Rotary clubs and Kiwanis clubs.”

The native of Syracuse, N.Y., is chairman of Cary Crime Stoppers, a local nonprofit that has had a role in some of the town’s closest-watched investigations lately.

An anonymous call through the Crime Stoppers hot line helped Cary police nab a suspect in the March fire that caused $500,Michael Kors Outlet Store provides you 64% OFF Wholesale Michael Kors Messenger Bags.000 of damage to Cary Parkway.

A Crime Stoppers tip was part of the investigation of a 2010 murder.

And the group already has paid out $3,200 for information this year, putting it on track for a record-breaking year.

“Once Crime Stoppers tips come in, it’s kind of a snowball effect ,” said Bench, who lives in central Cary with his wife.

The son and grandson of police officers, he doesn’t credit himself for his group’s recent success. Crime Stoppers still runs much as it did when Bench took the helm a decade ago: Callers dial 919-226-CRIM and are routed to the Cary Police Department.

The tipsters don’t have to give their names, and they never appear in court, Bench said.Guarantee High quality replica watches supply, Thousands of luxury designer cheap replica watches that compliments your Style.

If the tip leads to an arrest or conviction, Bench and his board tally up a payout of anywhere from a few hundred bucks to $2,500, depending on factors such as the severity of the crime and the contraband seized – drugs, most often.

Bench traces his interest in police work to his childhood days, watching his father handle police duties in the Syracuse courthouse.

He’d spend afternoons at the radio, waiting to hear that his pa was heading home. Later he would become an expert in telephone systems, and he has always parked himself at the edge of police and civilian culture.

A 26-year resident of Cary, he remembers local Police Chief Pat Bazemore from her days as a DARE officer, and by now he knows Cary’s radio codes as well as most any officer. Between Crime Stoppers and his constant vigilance, Bench is pretty well known around Town Hall.

“Something goes down on the scanner that’s anywhere near his neighborhood, usually I get an email.The Cheap Michael Kors Bags will provide you cheap but high-quality products. He’s a little bit like a reporter,Welcome to buy christian louboutin shoes from our online store.” said Capt. Don Hamilton, with the Cary Police Department.

It’s hard to say whether the force will hear more or less out of Bench after he leaves the chairmanship of Crime Stoppers in December. His schedule freed from fundraising and networking, he may just have more time to watch his window and listen to the scanner.

In his absence, Bench hopes the group pushes harder to get its name out. As the police department has tried to broaden its public face, so too might its civilian supporters. Cary’s Citizens Assisting Police group also has seen growing popularity in recent years.

“Everybody wants to be a cop or fireman,” Bench said. “You guys got the glory job. Nobody wants to be the telephone man.”

Louis Vuitton travel guides hit London

Luxury travellers looking to add to their collection of coffee table city guides may want to hit bookstores in London,I can't believe I ever shopped for Michael Kors Leather Handbags elsewhere. where shelves are now stocked with Louis Vuitton's latest, limited-edition travel books.

Illustrated by Japanese artist Natsko Seki, the London guide renders sites like the Tate Modern and Regent's Canal -- sites chosen because they express the "spirit of London," she said -- in her signature style, which super-imposes hand-drawn sketches and colors on top of still photographs.

Explaining the modus operandi behind her images, Seki said in a video: "In my mind it was as if I was creating a 3D city with everyday scenes like somebody walking their dog and the passers-by turning around to look."

Other editions of Louis Vuitton Travel Books released this month include Paris, illustrated by Congolese painter Cheri Samba, New York done by French illustrator Jean-Philippe Delhomme, and Easter Island, interpreted by American artist Daniel Arsham.

Meanwhile, Starwood-owned hotel chain The Luxury Collection also launched its own series of travel guides covering Italy, Argentina, India, Spain, Greece and the US for the well-heeled traveler.Welcome to buy christian louboutin shoes from our online store.

In partnership with top-end publisher Assouline, the collection of guides features commentary from star chefs such as Mario Batali and Jose Andres and is illustrated by Vanity Fair and GQ photographer Francis Mallman.

Louis Vuitton Travel Books retail for a,45. The London edition is now available at the brand's New Bond Street location, while the four books been releasing via Amazon and elsewhere since early May.

As the old song might have it: Louie, Louie, oh baby, brands come and go.

It’s not quite that bad for Louis Vuitton, but the French vendor of swanky handbags, shoes, jewelry and other fashion items is losing some of its shine.

While LV remains the world’s number one luxury brand, Prada and Gucci are rapidly gaining ground, according to a new global brand report by Millward Brown Optimor as reported by Bloomberg.

Vuitton, part of the LMVH Group that peddles other highfalutin stuff like Moet & Chandon champagne, Dior perfume and TAGHeurer watches, now has a brand value of a mere $22.7 billion. That’s down 12 percent - bagloads for this sort of thing - from a year ago. It managed to keep ahead of number two Hermes, which held steady with a $19.1 billion brand value.

But the world’s fashion snobs are increasingly adorning themselves with Gucci and Prada wares. Gucci surged 48 percent to $12.7 billion, earning the number three spot, while Prada soared 63 percent to a brand value of $9.45 billion, ranking fourth.

It seems that Vuitton’s rivals “are better managing the trade-off between exclusivity and affordability,” Bloomberg writes, citing the report. Another factor:

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The rankings were part of Millward Brown’s broader set of global standings called BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brand. Apple topped all at $185 billion, followed by Google, IBM, McDonald’s and Coca-Cola, in that order.

Luis Vuitton ranked 29th overall, just ahead of Samsung, which surged 51 percent in brand value to $21.4 billion. Facebook tallied 31st, having plunged 36 percent in value to $21.2 billion (click here for a full set rankings).

Rolex, Chanel, Cartier, Burberry, Fendi and Coach rounded out the Top 10 luxury companies. For some reason Wal-Mart didn’t make the luxury cut (although they finished a solid 18th among all global brands, at $36.2 billion). I think I’ll still buy my classy socks there.

Leaked report points to LVMH secret operation on Hermes

LVMH, the luxury goods company headed by Bernard Arnault, undertook a secret operation to build its controversial stake in Hermes, its smaller French rival, according to a leaked report from France’s stock market regulator.

The report, “vigorously contested” by LVMH, added an incendiary new twist to an acrimonious battle between the two companies.

The dispute erupted when LVMH announced in October 2010 that it held 17.1 per cent of family-controlled Hermes, which floated in 1993, in apparent breach of regulatory thresholds to declare stakes of 5, 10 and 15 per cent.

It triggered an inquiry by the regulator AMF and the filing of separate lawsuits by 176-year-old Hermes, famous for its scarves and bags, as it fought to fend off the unwelcome intrusion by LVMH, whose brands include Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Dom Pérignon champagne.

LVMH, which now owns 22.6 per cent of Hermes, has always maintained that its intentions were friendly and that it had not intended to acquire the stake,Discover the largest collection of gucci handbags for women. saying it opted to take shares instead of cash to avoid paying a big capital gains tax bill on Hermes equity swap derivatives that it held.

Mr Arnault, chairman and chief executive, told shareholders at LVMH’s annual meeting last month that the group had ended up with the stake “in an unexpected manner”.

But according to a report prepared for the AMF’s sanctions committee, leaked to Le Monde newspaper,Welcome to buy christian louboutin shoes from our online store. LVMH first considered acquiring shares from Hermes family members and on the open market. Instead, it mounted an operation from 2007 under which it used a series of subsidiaries and banks to acquire equity swaps in tranches adding up to 12.2 per cent of Hermes but which did not individually exceed 5 per cent and which were “undetectable by the public”. These were later converted into shares.

The report said the earlier acquisition by LVMH of a 4.9 per cent stake in Hermes in 2001-02 was completed via vehicles in Luxembourg, the US state of Delaware and Panama that were not detailed in the group’s consolidated accounts.

In a statement, LVMH, which has always maintained that it acted within the law in its use of equity swaps,Welcome to Michael Kors Handbags Outlet online now. said it intended “to vigorously contest the conclusions contained in this report” when the group appears before the AMF’s sanctions committee on May 31 to defend its actions. It insisted it would prove “the absence of any wrongdoing by LVMH towards the law and [AMF] rules”.

The AMF said in October last year that it had found evidence of “wrongdoing” and asked the sanctions committee to decide whether to impose penalties on LVMH. On Sunday, it said it had “no comment on a file which will shortly be examined by the sanctions committee”. Hermes also declined to comment.

Patrick Thomas, Hermes’ chief executive, said last month that the company had discovered “damning” evidence, leading it to take legal action against LVMH. It filed two suits last year that are independent of the AMF inquiry.

LVMH filed a countersuit alleging “slander, blackmail and unfair competition”.

The Hermes legal action suggests that it does not believe the AMF’s final decision will go far enough in forcing LVMH to give up or slash its shareholding.The Cheap Michael Kors Bags will provide you cheap but high-quality products.

The AMF has said that France’s rules on stakebuilding were “badly formulated”, and its recommendation to include equity swaps among instruments that count towards shares had been ignored when France tightened its disclosure rules in 2008.Welcome to our michael kors outlet online shop! Here we sale Buy Michael Kors, bags, purses, wallets with very low price. Join us quickly!

The LVMH stake has left a free float of less than 7 per cent in Hermes, since the Hermes family controls the company with a 72 per cent share and a corporate structure that makes it virtually impervious to take over – unless the family itself were to disunite.

THE MAN IN THE WOMAN'S SHOES

Award-winning actor and director Mikel Murfi is set to tour his one man show The Man in the Woman's Shoes to 17 venues across Ireland this May, stopping in Roscommon for a performance at Roscommon Arts Centre on Friday 3rd May.

The show was commissioned by Sligo Arts Office and the Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo as part of the Bealtaine Festival. Beginning in 2013 Mikel traveled to meet with older people across county Sligo to gather stories. Tales emerged of characters who lived in Sligo town and county - characters who likely live in every part of Ireland. From the memories, tales and experiences gifted to him, Mikel has made a show that brings these stories back to the people who told them in the first place.

It's October 1978 and Pat Farnon has some business to do in town. It's a ten-mile round trip and it's no joke when you have to do it walking, it in a pair of women's shoes.You will get compliments on how elegant these replica hublot watches look. As he makes the trip from his little cottage to town and back again, Pat Farnon meets little marvels along the way. Funny,Looking for replica breitling watches? If so, why not come to this store! tender and at times downright daft,why christian louboutin shoes so popular in uk? The Man in the Woman's Shoes is a charming encounter with a man who has a boundless enthusiasm for life.

Speaking about his experience making The Man in the Woman's Shoes, Sligo native Mikel, says, "I was commissioned to research a play with different groups of older folk and then to bring that work back to them, to perform the play for the various groups I'd met by way of sharing their creativity and hopefully also documenting their lives. It's my way of honouring the wisdom and tenacity and most of all the gentle good humour in all of the people I met while creating the work. I hope that I've somehow captured the spirit of these people in the play."

Mikel Murfi is an actor and director who has worked on some of the most celebrated Irish theatre productions of recent years. He directed B for Baby by Carmel Winters for The Abbey Theatre,Take a look at these imitation wrist watches for sale online, which are one of the best cheap replica watches in USA. which won an Irish Times Theatre Award for Best New Play and Enda Walsh's The Walworth Farce and Penelope for Druid, winners of Scotsman Fringe First Awards. Mikel won an Irish Times Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Walsh's The New Electric Ballroom for Druid. Mikel worked with over 50 people from active age groups across Sligo to create The Man in the Woman's Shoes, including The Catalysts Writing Club, Cliffoney and Ballintogher Active Age clubs, Forthill Men's History Group amongst others. Mikel then performed the show in various venues in Sligo, places as diverse as St John's Nursing Home, day care centres,One of the most popular ones are fake watches, cheap rolex watches illegally produced copies of authentic Rolex watches. parish halls and the Hawk's Well Theatre.

Dominic Campbell, Artistic Director of Bealtaine said, "Mikel embarked on a remarkable journey last year to make this gorgeous piece of theatre which was performed back to the people that inspired it in Sligo. We know it has relevance to audiences of all ages across the country, and are delighted to be bringing this beautiful play to venues nationally this May."

Bealtaine's line-up for May 2013 will see hundreds of theatrical, cinematic, craft, photographic, choral, dance and other events taking place across Ireland, giving people a chance to celebrate creativity as we age, inviting them to "Grow Happy!" - the theme of this year's festival.

Chrysler Unveils "Imported From Detroit" Workwear with Carhartt

The Chrysler brand and Carhartt this week launched a limited-edition "Imported From Detroit" work wear collection that pays homage to the spirit of the Motor City, and serves as yet another reminder of the effectiveness of Chrysler's turnaround branding campaign sparked by the 2011 Super Bowl commercial featuring Eminem.

Debuting at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week, the collection includes shirts, jackets and pants that are individually hand-numbered, 100-percent Made-in-America, and reflect iconic Carhartt styles with exclusive design detailing such as blacked-out hardware and leather brand labels.Massive range of Castelli Cycling clothing and Castelli clothing accessories available .

"The pairing of the Chrysler brand and Carhartt is another example of how we are continuing to champion the energy created from the 'Imported From Detroit' campaign," stated Saad Chehab, president and CEO of the Chrysler brand. "Carhartt shares Chrysler's respect and appreciation for hard-working Americans."

Indeed, Carhartt,Superb range of Garmin Cycling products at Wiggle, the online cycle, run, swim & tri shop. a premium work-wear brand that is more than a century old, is headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., near another company whose employees know all about the value of "hard work" — Ford, Chrysler's cross-town rival that has staged its own comeback lately.

The Chrysler collection is available exclusively on Carhartt's website and Carhartt's Sullivan Center Store in Chicago, and includes a "Detroit jacket," "chore coat,Sean Yates quits as Team SKY Cycling coach ." "active jacket," "mechanic shirt" and knit skull cap in designs for both men and women. So no replicas of those nifty choir robes donned by the gospel singers in Chrysler's Imported From Detroit TV campaign with Eminem.

Chrysler has been a bit off-and-on about sticking strictly with Imported From Detroit imagery and themes since the smashing success of its initial spot in the campaign, "Born of Fire," aired during the 2011 Super Bowl.The Whole Specialized Cycling Team is a non-profit Junior and U-23 development program. But the effect of the resulting repositioning has been such that the Chrysler brand has boosted sales with a lineup of only four vehicles, and the Chrysler Group under CMO Olivier Francois was just named Ad Age's Marketer of the Year.

And that's something anyone would want to wear on their work-shirt sleeve.Women's Canada Goose Solaris Parka make a great warm, dry and comfortable and above all.

Workwear is all about precision tailoring such as ponte dresses, high waisted trousers, pencil skirts and blazers all in a chic shade of navy. Peplum tops are a wardrobe essential too - coming in a variety of colours and textures, we love the lace peplum top in black or cream. To add a little print to your wardrobe, browse the stunning collection of winter florals which can be dressed up or down for smart or casual.

For the home, Elegant Twist introduces a rich palette of plum and grey with softer muted heathers and tinted greys. Architectural printed wallpaper, mirrored screens and carriage clocks all aid the flamboyant feel of this story, whilst tongue in cheek accessories such as the weimaraner cushion add an element of eccentricity.

Brimming with catwalk inspired fashion, this season Next has the best in the latest women's, men's and children's trends - with stylish clothing for the coming season being showcased in stores and online. Love what you see? To enjoy the AW12 and Christmas collections, click onto at next.co.uk for new arrivals for the coming season.

10 Most Sexually Charged Women in Gaming History

It's no big secret that women are often represented in gaming as buxom, outrageously dressed, sexual icons. After all, look at gaming's major target market; teenage boys. And generally,SKY Cyclingmoncler coats what occupies a teenage boy's mind? If you said homework and respecting their parents, you're not even in the ballpark.canada goose parka jackets Or should I say boobpark?

Of course, I'm talking in sweeping generalisations here. Men are a diverse, ultimately unpredictable bunch, as are women. However, sweeping generalisations are what video game designers, publishers and marketing execs deal almost exclusively in. Which is why, when games are being produced you'll often find that the female characters within them are given strong sexual charges. After all, that's what the guys who are making the game think we want. Are they right?

I'm not here to argue whether it's right or wrong, I'm just here to perpetuate! I had a think back over my long career as a male gamer and cherry picked some of the female characters that I'd say are some of the most overtly sexually charged on the market. Yeah… so you know, you might want to take your jacket off.

So, without further ado, let's get down to the shameful nitty-gritty, shall we?

Lush, colourful patterns ranging from bird-and-floral designs to kaleidoscopic and abstract prints adorned the feminine creations in the MATIS line, including fluttering, long-sleeved dresses, sheaths and draped-backed tops.

Tailored two-button blazers were featured in rich shades like coral and mustard,Garmin Cycling and Matis put his unique spin on the ever-popular peplum by creating sexy peek-a-boo effects with lace details along sleeves and top fronts.

Amid the sea of colour was a rich range of greys, from a snakeskin-printed wrap dress to a succession of separates, including short-sleeved tops, blazers, shorts and pants shimmering in sequins.

Within hours, Matis returned to the runway, opening the presentation of his signature collection with richly coloured, intricate Moroccan-tile mosaic prints and kaleidoscopic patterns adorning sleek blazers, slender pencil skirts and fanciful dresses.

The standout in the signature line was the range of slick, embossed prints. The textured pattern was showcased on everything from sexy cropped black bustiers and a vibrant mustard-hued jacket paired with a flirty pleated skirt, to the show-stopping final number: a full-length peplum dress boasting a plunging neckline.

Day 3 also featured a presentation from Whitney Linen.

2nd edition of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Trophy from Oct 21

The second edition of All India Sahibzada Ajit Singh Hockey Champion Trophy will be organised by the Sports Council of Ludhiana at Pirthipal Singh Hockey Stadium at Punjab Agricultural University from October 21-27. For the first time, the matches will be played under flood lights during the seven-day tournament, and the prize money will be Rs 8.5 lakh.

Giving this information, Olympian Ramandeep Singh Grewal, vice-chairman of Sports Council of Ludhiana, on Sunday said the final match would be telecast live on DD SPORTS.

In the men’s category, eight teams will take part. They are Indian Oil Mumbai, BPCL Mumbai, ONGC Mumbai, Air India Mumbai, Indian Army, Punjab National Bank, Punjab and Sind Bank, and Namdhari XI.The cream suit featured a fitted, canada goose parka with a zip front and a matching skirt . In the women’s category, four teams will participate. They are Central Railway, Gwalior Academy, Chandigarh XI and Rail Coach Factory.A new residential www.cheaphotcostume.com in china school equipped to international standards .

The matches will be played on a league-cum-knockout basis.

The winner in men’s section will get a prize of Rs 3.How to Spot authentic moncler coats Coats?5 lakh while the runners-up will bag Rs 2 lakh. Similarly,Plain knee length kurtas with straight pajamas and canada goose parka jacket looked elegant and wearable. in women’s section, the winner will get Rs 1.25 lakh, followed by Rs 75,000 for the runners-up team. The winning women’s team will also get Prof Nirpjit Kaur Gill Memorial Trophy.

Olympian and chairman of Tournament Organising Committee Hardeep Singh Grewal said, “The opening ceremony of this tournament will see a cultural programme from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm on October 21. Punjab Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal will be the chief guest while Punjab Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Baldev Singh Dhillon will be the guest of honour. Olympian and MLA Pargat Singh will preside over the function. During the closing ceremony on October 27, Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaaj will perform live.”

Stasi (formerly Bolger) wins 4th USGA Women’s Mid-Am

A former standout South Jersey athlete made history on the golf course Thursday.

Meghan Stasi,The cream suit featured a fitted, canada goose parka with a zip front and a matching skirt . formerly Bolger, won her fourth title at the 26th U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Stasi, 34, of Oakland Park, Fla., joined Ellen Port as the only four-time champions of the Women’s Mid-Amateur with a 6-and-5 victory over Liz Waynick, 52, of Scottsdale, Ariz., on the 6,062-yard, par-72 Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio.

Stasi, an Eastern High School graduate, also won the title in 2006, 2007 and 2010, and became the 16th golfer to win the same USGA championship at least four times.The annual Santa Rosa Island Triathlon showcases area's support for running, RadioShack Cycling and triathlon competitions.

Other notables to achieve the feat include Ben Hogan (U.S. Open), Jack Nicklaus (U.S. Open), Bob Jones (U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur), Mickey Wright (U.S. Women’s Open), Carol Semple Thompson (USGA Senior Women’s Amateur) and JoAnne Gunderson Carner (U.He presented his work through the outfits moncler coats,and shirts of colours counting blue, green, dark green and sky blue.S. Women’s Amateur).

The record for the most titles in the same championship is six by Glenna Collett Vare Port, the 2012 USGA Senior Women’s Amateur champion, claimed her fourth Women’s Mid-Am last year. She lost in the third round of this year’s championship.

“Never in my life did I think I would be here right now,” said Stasi. “So I’m so appreciative to everybody… It’s a very long week for all involved, and you really just have to stay mentally and physically prepared. A few matches were very grueling, but I just stayed on top of my game and hoped for the best.”

The 6-and-5 margin matched the largest for a Women’s Mid-Amateur final, joining Cindy Scholefield (1987) and Sarah LeBrun Ingram (1991).

The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, for female golfers 25 and older, is one of 13 championships conducted annually by the United States Golf Association, 10 of which are strictly for amateurs. The competition began last weekend with 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying, with the low 64 scorers advancing to match play that began on Monday and concluded with Thursday’s 18-hole final.

“It was definitely slow with the putter,” said Stasi of her early struggles. “I was fortunate to hit the ball where I wanted to. I was actually over-reading a bunch. I had many opportunities on the front to make a couple and didn’t. It was a long front nine, but made some great (putts) on the back nine.”

Stasi, a member of the victorious 2008 USA Curtis Cup Team, wound up winning five consecutive holes to close out the match.

A 9-foot birdie at the 10th hole put her 3 up, and back-to-back concessions for birdies on Nos. 11 and 12 pushed the margin to 5 up. She punctuated the victory with a winning bogey-6 at the par-5 13th hole.

Stasi had similarly closed out her semifinal victory over Laura Coble of Augusta, Ga., on Wednesday by winning six consecutive holes (Nos. 8-13).

Two days earlier, Stasi was on the verge of being eliminated when she trailed Lynne Cowan by five holes with six to play in a second-round match. A remarkable rally – one of the best in the championship’s history – propelled Stasi to victory in 21 holes.

The No. 2 seed from stroke-play qualifying was taken to the 18th hole by local favorite Kelley Nattoli (2-up win) in the third round, and on Wednesday morning she was challenged by a feisty Andrea Kraus (2 and 1) before beating 2009 runner-up Coble in the semifinals.

Stasi was asked if she was destined to hold the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Trophy again after pulling out that improbable victory.

“I still had four matches to go,” said Stasi. “I felt great after that match. (But) I had to get ready to play again. I’ll obviously think about that round later today. I haven’t been able to think about that round and what I did because I just had to stay focused all week. Just something came over me and I just continued to play well.”

Stasi’s father, Mike, has been on the bag for all four of Meghan’s Women’s Mid-Amateur victories,How to Spot authentic moncler coats Coats? and has worn a different colored USGA-issued caddie bib each time.

“I had a white bib, a blue bib, a yellow bib and now a red bib,” said Mike, who will turn 62 next March. “Once you get the first one that is really something, to say you are a USGA champion. Just building from there has been great. It’s special.”

Body was loaded onto CST train at Pimpri or Chinchwad

The abandoned trolley bag found at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus with a woman’s body stuffed inside was loaded into the general compartment of the Pune-Mumbai Sinhagad Express either at the Pimpri or Chinchwad railway stations, a Government Railway Police (GRP) officer said.

The bag had been found on platform 9 opposite the general compartment of the train, which is the fourth compartment from the engine.The rates may perhaps moncler jackets for sale Armstrong many 7 connected with his Expedition p Italy blog titles. The said compartment was opened for passengers at both Pimpri and Chinchwad on its way to Mumbai, the officer said.

GRP personnel stationed at Pimpri, Chinchwad and Pune railway stations have been asked to check Close Circuit Television (CCTV) camera footage to trace the persons who boarded the train with the trolley bag.

The Sinhagad Express arrived at CST at 10.10am on Wednesday.CCTV footage from CST captured two medium built men get off the train at around 10.15am and dump the red coloured trolley bag.This unique routing-capable mapping product is designed for Garmin Cycling. GRP personnel noticed abandoned trolley bag 30 minutes later.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the woman might bepregnant. However, the post-mortem reports from JJ Hospital rejected this possibility but clarified that the cause of death was strangulation.

The trolley bag with the body of the 30-year-old unidentified woman was found by Ashok Nikhale, head constable of the CST GRP. He was patrolling the station premises when he found the bag after which he informed senior police inspector Surendranath Deshmukh. The GRP have registered a case of murder and further investigations are on.

Still, success didn't come overnight, or with just a law. Campaigns promoting the ban targeted both the public and airline passengers, and the country has put an institution in charge of enforcement. It also has provided alternatives for packaging, and leaders lead by example. Each month everyday Rwandans join leaders in cleaning their respective communities.

"We work very closely with local government institutions,will be warm along with canada goose expedition parka sporting spyder Moncler jackets. with police and others," Mukankomeje said. She noted that the government also contracts with a private company to help with enforcement.

"We package in bags done in cotton, biodegradable materials like banana, papyrus," she said. "Every country has to check the best option for its people and bring them on board."

Haiti's Environmental Minister Jean Vilmond Hilaire did not respond to questions on what alternatives the Caribbean nation is considering and how it plans to enforce the ban, other than notifying customs agents and importers about what products are banned.

Lamothe, the prime minister, said the crackdown is aimed at protecting Haiti's coastlines,This is a 100% canada goose jackets,we don't have anything that's 100 percent. shores and what's left of its mangroves. He acknowledges that the country has "a massive garbage issue" and environmentally toxic material clogs "95 percent of our sewage system, creating mass floods in poor neighborhoods ... that is costing the state more than $50 million a year if we had the means to clean up."

The action scenes are well wrought

As the summer blockbuster season draws to a close, the Ocean’s 11 of action movies is back with new stars, better action, and a lot of hilarious awkwardness.

Nearly everyone is back for this second installment of the greatest gathering of muscular grandpas of all time (I know they’re not all grandpas but some of them have to be). Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Jet Li, Terry Crews and Randy Couture all return as the titular mercenaries. They also have a new member, Bill the Kid (Liam Hemsworth), who functions largely as a plot device. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis also return for more screen time and a chance to join the ass-kicking.

The legend known as Jean-Claude Van Damme comes on as the villain who is aptly named Vilain. No that is not a typo, that’s really how it’s spelled. He is also a really bad guy. I’m not kidding guys; he’s so bad that he is a Satan worshipper. We are told this when he shows off his Satan goat tattoo, which his henchmen also sport.

Chuck Norris also shows up briefly as a “lone wolf” to save the day. His appearances throughout the film are unintentionally funny, mostly because of Chuck Norris’s severe lack of any acting skills. They also play the theme from The Good, The Bad,A new residential study kung fu in china in china school equipped to international standards . and The Ugly whenever he shows up which makes no sense since he’s never had anything to do with any Sergio Leone movies.

As the movie begins, finds our heroes still in debt to Willis’s CIA operative Mr. Church, who needs them to recover something from a downed plane in Eastern Europe.Large white sequins and golden beads LIVESTRONG Cycling covered the front of a dress. He also forces one of his agents, Maggie (Nan Yu) to accompany them on the mission. They find what they’re looking for but are ambushed by Vilain and his henchmen. Things go bad and one of their number is killed. They also find out that the item they recovered has information on the location of five tons of weapons grade plutonium which Vilain plans to dig up and sell on the black market.which quickly Garmin Cycling hunting not practical and unsafe. Don’t these bad guys know that nuclear war means they won’t ever be able to enjoy that beach front property they will probably buy?

After burying their fallen comrade, The Expendables go after Vilain to stop him from selling the plutonium and to get revenge. Much badassery ensues as well as some super goofy humor.

The humor I speak of involves any scene showing the Expendables interacting and palling around. Though it feels forced and weird most of the time it’s very entertaining to watch and it’s one of the joys of the film. These guys are all legends and even if they’re not the best actors, they’re still some of my favorite people to watch in a movie.

As I just said, this film is not about the story or the acting, it’s about kicking a lot of ass and doing it with style, and director Simon West is up to the task. He’s been hit and miss in his directing efforts (Con Air, Tomb Raider, and The Mechanic) but he’s a serviceable action director and it does show here.

The action scenes are well wrought, using less quick cutting and shaky cam than in the original. Everything is shot so that it’s clear what’s happening and to whom it’s happening to. There’s a nice Jet Li fight scene, almost like a shout out to all of his kung fu movies, before he inexplicably disappears for the rest of the film (and doesn’t come back).Monclering is an excellent kung fu training way to spend the getaways experiencing. The gunplay throughout is nice as well.The Cycling Jersey also reflected the level of detail the designers put in. There’s nothing quite like seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger blast fools away with a huge gun while driving through an airport in a Smart Car driven by Bruce Willis. It’s also a lot of fun to see them talking smack to each other.

The vehicle elements are spectacular too. The Expendables’ seaplane has been upgraded with a particularly badass peripheral. Overall the film shines whenever people are being shot or things are blowing up.

When you go to buy your ticket to see The Expendables 2, you’ll know what you’re going to get. There aren’t really any surprises and the movie doesn’t do anything new but it definitely delivers on the promise of seeing all of your favorite action heroes duke it out on screen in a badass manner. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

How to cook the perfect chicken kiev

Chicken kiev is a dish so rooted in the psyche of the 1970s that it may surprise some to realise it was quietly oozing butter before Abigail had even sent out the invitations. Its exact origins seem to be missing in action behind the Iron Curtain. My 1990 copy of The Cooking of Russia, for example, asserts it was "in fact only created about 30 years ago for the opening of the Moscow hotel in Kiev", a "fact" repeated by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in his River Cottage Meat Book, but a little more research suggests this isn't quite the case.

A Ukrainian hotelier quoted in the New York Times dates it to 1819, while the Russian Tea Room cookbook credits it to "the great French Chef Carême at the Court of Alexander I" and the food historian Vilyam Pokhlebkin believed its decadence typical of the last days of the Tsarist regime. A mention in the Chicago Daily Record in 1937, in relation to that city's Yar Restaurant which was owned by a former officer of the Imperial Army, is about as far back as concrete evidence seems to go.

Whatever the history, the kiev became a staple of Soviet catering (Intourist brochures apparently warned tourists of the danger it presented to the diner's clothing) and had its glory days in this country in the 70s and 80s. The first chilled ready-meal to be marketed by Marks & Spencer, it was a Friday evening treat in our household. As Simon Hopkinson and Lindsey Bareham note in The Prawn Cocktail Years, it has since "disappeared, almost without trace, from the tables of good restaurants, ... along with ... beef stroganoff and trout with almonds" a victim of changing culinary fashions.

The combination of crisp fried chicken and molten garlic butter green with herbs may be a lethal one for school uniforms, but it's well worth a few minutes with the Vanish. Supermarket versions have a certain nostalgic charm, but if you want to experience this "decadent" dish in all its pomp and glory, make your own. You won't regret it.

Chicken
The authentic dish, according to both Hugh and Simon and Lindsey,While Ralph Lauren hoody of what Americans might call knickers, is made with a chicken breast with the wing still attached. It's unclear why – Darra Goldstein suggests in A Taste of Russia that it's simply to allow it to be "outfitted with an aluminium or paper frill to look fancy", which frankly isn't really my style.LangenCanada Goose jackets 50 off mens parka online Shop. It also means some crisp breadcrumb coating goes to waste.All the outfits were authentic moncler coats with white tights. Usually I'm a fan of meat that looks like meat, but if it's just for show, then I'm not going to bother.

Jesse Dunford Wood,The hunter in the bow does the fjallraven while the hunter in the stern controls the boat. head chef at the Mall Tavern in Notting Hill, is one man who doesn't believe chicken kiev has gone out of fashion. He's famous for his take on the dish, which wraps chicken around a ping-pong ball of garlic butter to create a sphere which,will be warm along with authentic canada goose jackets sporting spyder Moncler jackets. he reports, has caused diners to complain that they didn't order the scotch egg. It certainly looks impressive, but, for me, it's too much of a deviation from the kiev of memory – I want something chicken breast-shaped, bone or no bone.

What's Going On?: 'Big Harry' race set for another run

Doug Renz was lucky enough to find a hero in his father, Harry Renz. But he's done much more than simply remember his dad — he's made sure that others remember him, too.

One way Renz has paid tribute to "Big Harry" is through a memorial scholarship. Now in its eighth year, the Harry W. Renz Jr. Memorial Scholarship has provided more than $10,000 to college-bound students.

Last year, Renz took another step in keeping Harry's legacy alive by laying out a 5K (3.1-mile) cross country course at Lakeshore and Al Rollins parks; he also started a race in honor of his dad, who was a Rotarian and helped start Dalton High's annual invitational track meet.

Well, the "Big Harry" is set for another run at 6 p.m. Thursday at Lakeshore. If you'd like to participate in the race, there's no set fee, but donations will be accepted for the scholarship fund. (Renz said it will be the year's biggest fundraiser for the scholarship.)

Sounds like a great way to get moving, help out and honor "Big Harry." Questions? Call (706) 529-8386.

And here's a look at what else is going on:

Georgia Tech fans have enjoyed a nice spring.

The school's softball team won its third Atlantic Coast Conference title in four seasons, while the baseball team won the ACC title on Sunday, despite entering the tournament as the No. 8 seed.

Well, Yellow Jackets fans can congratulate each other on all things Tech at 6 p.m. Tuesday as the school's 2012 Coaches Caravan makes a stop at The Farm Golf Club in Rocky Face. Football coach Paul Johnson,Hunting from a canada goose cheap jackets is easier in a two-person watercraft. men's basketball coach Brian Gregory, women's basketball coach Machelle Joseph,Hunting from german militaria is easier in a two-person watercraft. athletic director Dan Radakovich and broadcaster Wes Durham are all scheduled to attend.Velvet pumps and Christian Louboutin Shoes had large bows on the back.

Light snacks will be served and a cash bar will be available for this free event, but fans must register by visiting ramblingwreck.com/caravan. If you have questions, write to gtclubnwgeorgia@gmail.com.

Summer holidays and baseball go hand-in-hand, and while the Atlanta Braves have struggled mightily of late, local folks have some extra incentive to make a trip to Turner Field over the next few days.

Dalton's own Mitchell Boggs is in Atlanta starting today as the St. Louis Cardinals play a three-game series with the Braves, the only time this year they're making this visit.All the outfits were authentic moncler coats with white tights. Today's first pitch is at 1:10 p.Designer cheap canada goose collection carried a strong graphic element.m., with game time set for 7:10 p.m. both Tuesday and Wednesday.

Up to their necks in fashion

Fashion's tastemakers and trendsetters started packing up on the final day of New York Fashion Week Thursday as shows began in London, followed by Milan and Paris.canada goose jackets But as the runway previews of fall looks continue in Europe, some early trends have emerged. The most popular looks to grace the runways last week include leather, military- and menswear-inspired tailoring and an overall sultriness that finds its allure in the mystery of the woman sheathed in high necklines and leather leggings instead of bare skin or overt sexiness.

Some of the best looks at Ralph Lauren's show on Thursday were borrowed from the boys in a collection plucked from a closet of a British aristocrat. The eveningwear silhouettes were simple, jazzed up with jeweled collars — often with a high neckline.Every people wants to buy authentic north face jackets but with best quality.

"There's a real practicality to the season in New York. There's a lot of clothing that women will want to buy and wear," said Ariel Foxman,Our cheap canada goose generally gives all variations of lower price canada goose parka, editor of InStyle magazine. "I'm not seeing big,authentic moncler coats are publicly considered as one of the best bodies warmer to keep warm in cold weather days. strong trend messaging. It's not ALL about colorblocking or ALL about military."

But one thing the stylish shopper will need is a new coat — could be a leather trench, an officer's jacket or a tweed blazer — but outerwear was the big story after many cycles of daytime dresses.

"It's interesting that in this mild winter there is so much outerwear,Men's authentic moncler jackets is the the necessary coat for any handsome man in both spring ang autumn ." said Foxman. "This idea of what fall and winter should be doesn't go away."

Brandon Holley, editor in chief of Lucky magazine, liked that a single outfit could have the toughness of a military look combined with a prim lace collar.

Attention was also drawn to the face with turtlenecks, which plays into the covered-up sexiness.

"Sexy to me is an attitude or mindset," said designer Prabal Gurung, whose show was a top draw here. "There's nothing sexier than confidence this fall."

Well, there is all the leather, which sometimes was tough looking but otherwise soft and buttery like the best pair of gloves. Holley said she sometimes spots the trends by what the front row is wearing by the end of the week.

Vivienne Westwood shows Red Label collection at London Fashion Week

Vivienne Westwood shows her latest Red Label collection at London Fashion Week, a line she describes as looking "British" no matter the inspiration.

At her London Fashion Week on Sunday, the designer used T-shirts to highlight the plight of people made homeless around the globe due to climate change.

Models showcasing the designer's Red Label Autumn/Winter 2012 collection wore the specially-made shirts, alongside Westwood's signature silhouettes.cheap canada goose

Sharp tailoring, a perennial Westwood feature, was seen in dresses, trousers and jackets. Long Edwardian jackets were Saville Row-inspired, whilst checks, tartans, wool and mohair stayed true to the Westwood look.authentic moncler jackets

The designer said the collection always fitted into her distinctively British style, despite taking in a broad range of influences.authentic north face jackets

"Whauthentic moncler coatsat we do is always British, even if we're inspired by Africa or the North Pole or whatever and so you've got these really fantastic clothes," she said.

"Very, very flattering and very lively because they've got all this influence from other places but they still look British.

"It's just a way of putting things together and it's a certain don't care attitude about clothes.canada goose parka"