Category: Uncategorized

Tell Me Something Good!

Staff Writer

Today, I am feeling appalled. Appalled that while our media dedicates massive resources to the coverage of the excesses of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, the people of Haiti have been reduced to eating “mud cookies,” literally made of dirt; appalled that the words “ethnic cleansing” are still uttered in the present tense; and appalled that hardworking people face losing their homes because of the subprime lending mess. Globally, wealthy governments and industry leaders have the power to make a difference, but unfortunately, it seems that unless there is something “in it for them,” they choose not to.
In an era where

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Sex vs. Environment

Staff Writer

What is the world coming to? Have we finally reached the point where sex doesn’t sell (or at least doesn’t sell as well as it used to)?
On the one hand, there’s a history of product lines that have found success by partaking in what some might call morally-questionable advertising. Using campaigns based on little more than young women in little more than underwear (where did the actually clothes being advertised go). Not caring in the end if their ads are disparaged a bit on modest blogs such as my own because in reality the mere mention probably drives people (men)

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HOW THE STARS ALIGN

Staff Writer

Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.
«CHARLES DICKENS, ENGLISH NOVELIST
A dear friend of mine is a student of astrology—yes, horoscopes, how the stars align and how these lineups impact our lives. While I do not have much knowledge of these things, she occasionally imparts information to me about astrological matters I should be aware of in my life.
Recently, she informed me Mercury had moved into retrograde and my reaction was a somewhat sarcastic, “So?” She explained this is a time when communications can

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Sister Speaks

Staff Writer

I’m going to be a Big Sister soon! Well, that’s not entirely true, as I’ve been ‘big sister’ to Noelina, Ephra and Andrew for the last three decades.

I’m in the process, however, of being matched with a “Little Sister” through the nation’s oldest youth mentorship program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), headquartered in Philadelphia.

As I was walking the showroom floor at the PPAI Expo two weeks ago, I received a call from a BBBS representative informing me that she’d found a potential match for me. I paused and listened closely to the rundown of the young

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Fore!

Staff Writer

One of my favorite things about being an editor is that more often than not, real-life interests and passions actually intersect with what you are asked to write about. In this month’s magazine, I was happily immersed in the minutiae of political products and campaigns, which affords me the luxury to poke some fun at politics in the middle of my thousand or so words. I think, no matter who you are rooting for (or against), it’s good to try and see the lighter side of life. Next month I again get the chance to mix work and pleasure, namely, in

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Words To Live By

Staff Writer

I admit it, I love the man! At least I love those inspirational e-mails he sends out every week or so. Hi, Charley Johnson from SnugZ USA (I told him I would be blogging about him this week). Some of you may be receiving Charley’s e-mails. Don’t you just love them?

Well, the thing is, you can’t send a “self-help, live-your-best-life, seize-your-destiny” fiend thought-provoking, potentially life-altering quotations and not expect her to go bonkers!

I met Charley face-to-face for the first time at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas. (It’s important that I specified “face-to-face” because we had been e-pals of sorts

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The Hat-Pak

Staff Writer

No, this isn’t an updated version of Sammy and Frank’s bunch (Brat Pack for the younger readers), just a new product I happen to like. After finally having some time to sit down and go through business cards, contacts and products from the Las Vegas PPAI show, I came across the Hat-Pak sample I received. Just one of many diverse and unique new products, I might add.
I think one of my most enjoyable conversations came in the final hours of the show. Thinking that I’d seen it all and done it all over the first three days, I

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Model Tee

Staff Writer

Ever since I was a gawky teenager, it was clear that my arms and legs were just going to grow on their own, unhindered by the fact that the rest of me wasn’t exactly catching up. It’s okay. I’ve made peace with my wingspan. However, finding long-sleeve shirts that are actually long enough to compensate for my affliction is quite another story.

It’s not like long-sleeve shirts for mere mortals are THAT much shorter on me, but most hit an awkward point on my arm—not quite three-quarter length, yet still stopping short of my wrist. I’ve obviously put a lot of thought into

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Random Ramblings

Staff Writer

This blog is being written LIVE from the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas!
There’s so much to blog about, like the “Miss America” actresses that hoover outside the exhibit entrances (complete with red, slinky evening gowns and bejeweled crowns) directing conventioneers to a prominent apparel supplier’s booth to redeem a free shirt or the (little, old) lady that guards usage of the computers in the Internet Cafe like an angry hawk. Ahhh, sorry readers, but I’ve opted to take the high road and will instead highlight a selection of products in the famed New Product Pavilion. Perhaps, this is a topic more befitting of

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Live from Las Vegas

Staff Writer

8:37a.m. — Bright and early, here’s your loyal correspondent, blogging live from the PPAI Fashion & Accessories Show. Despite its 8:30 a.m. starting time, there’s a more-than-adequate turnout, though according to a few of my row companions, it’s considerably less than years past. The coffee hasn’t yet dispersed through my system, and I can kind of see how this could be that much more fun with cocktails instead.
8:41 — The lights dim 10 minutes late, and I can’t help but think of Marc Jacobs’ two-hours-overdue N.Y. Fashion Week opening. Good to know our industry can keep “fashionably late” from approaching diva-like proportions!
8:43

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