On hand with some helpful advice, face of Littlewoods Ireland and our favourite style queen Caroline Morahan brings us her top picks from Littlewoods Ireland’s new Spring Summer collection and how best to achieve each look..

With everything from bold prints to candy-inspired sweetness, littlewoodsireland.ie is your one stop shop for all the latest fashion trends this season.

Check out some of Caroline’s stylish tips and top picks:

The Candy Shop (Ice cream and candy colours)

“Whether or not you’re a girlie girl, the candy colours that have come through this season are so delicious even tomboys will want to wear them. The great news is these soft shades (of strawberry, peach and lemon) look wonderful on our cool Irish complexions.”

“It’s a fact – a pretty dress puts everyone in a good mood! For those who feel a bit flat of chest, a higher neckline will help achieve a fuller look up front.”

In love with lemon – South Pretty Prom Dress, EUR54

“If a thigh high hemline doesn’t put you off, a 60s style mini dress is guaranteed to turn heads. Never team a stiletto heel with a hem this high – a wedge is much more demure.”

Thigh’s the limit – Love Label Lace Sleeve Detail Dress, EUR44

Whitewash

“There’s a simple reason white is a perennial favourite for summer – when done right it looks simply fabulous! But don’t ruin a great outfit with the wrong underwear. Dark flesh coloured underwear is preferable to white. So the first step has to be – sort out your smalls!”

“The gold trim of the South Embellished Hem Dress, EUR72 adds a glamorous twist to this classic shift dress. Team gold or nude shoes  with your white look to pull your ensemble together – white shoes would be overkill.”

Prints Charming

“Get your tribal groove on, have fun with florals or jump into some geometrics! Whatever you fancy, we’ve got a print to match this season so have fun and experiment.”

“Prints add a great edge to your run of the mill office dress. This geometric number will add some fun and colour to your office look.”

Print and File – South Print Shift Dress, EUR54

“Wide leg trousers are great for a laid back summer look and the tribal print gives an instantly funky feel.”

Out of Africa – South Printed Wide Leg Maxi Trousers, EUR39

Bright and Bold

“Not for the faint hearted, big and bright colours make a bold statement this summer. Vivid pinks, hot reds, kelly greens; they’re all here! You can colour block or wear them alone – either way prepare to stop traffic!”

“Colour blocking is a great way of keeping attention on your assets and if you are feeling a little self-conscious, wrap dresses  are a godsend to anyone who wants to look slimmer.”

Teatro Corsage Wrap Dress, EUR89

Black and Gold

“Evening wear is enjoying a metallic moment as gold shifts into the spotlight this summer. But it’s not the brash, all out bling of past seasons. Look for black dresses with subtle touches of gold. We’re not channeling Vegas here!”

“Don’t waste your money on a going out dress unless you feel great in it. This dress (South Necklace Dress, EUR44) is an instant ego boost for anyone self conscious about their body. The cleverly constructed pleats will do wonders for your tum.”

With over 40,000 products to choose from online and free 4 day delivery, http://www.littlewoodsireland.ie has you need for sassy Spring Summer style.

Primal Mist

“I’m asked constantly to describe the scent of Formulae Alpha and Beta,” said Zari Shir, VP of Marketing for Primal Mist. “My answer is always the same – it’s impossible to explain a scent, although many try. How would you describe the Mona Lisa? Imagine a pretty lady with a crooked smile?”

In fact, Primal Mist’s craftsmanship makes supplies exceptionally limited. However, a portion of its initial production of Formulae Alpha has been set aside to make free samples available to the public. Samples are available at www.PrimalMist.com or calling (888) 438-9520, while supplies last. A small processing and shipping fee apply.

“The Primal Mist fragrances can only be fully appreciated by personally experiencing them. Mere words do them no justice. Simply said, Alpha and Beta are sensual, alluring and captivating. Both are literally the most incredible perfumes I have ever worn,” Zari said.

These perfumes began with the linguistic analysis of excavated cuneiform tablets dating to the second millennium BCE. The tablets contained a detailed process of making perfume written by a woman named Tapputi. The ancient text mentioned two aromatics. Primal Mist combined these ancient era aromatics with modern essential oils and fragrances to produce its Alpha and Beta scents. This new line of perfumes also establishes Primal Mist as the newest American perfume house.

Primal Mist indicates the current production run will soon be exhausted due to intense interest and high demand. Production of lot 3 is well underway, while lots 4 and 5 have just entered the curing phase. Three new fragrances are in the final stages of development and should be released shortly.

Even more alarming is the fact that 70 percent of adults do not apply sunscreen regularly and more than one-third of the U.S. population reported experiencing sunburn in the previous year.(2) Moreover, sunscreen alone does not protect skin from the formation of UV-induced free radicals that can attack cells and lead to more serious skin conditions.

In response to these startling statistics, Vichy Laboratoires introduces Capital Soleil, a new full range of oil-free, allergy-tested sun care products that feature an advanced UV filtering system to provide broad-spectrum protection against UVB (mainly responsible for burning) and UVA (mainly responsible for aging) rays and employs a potent antioxidant combination of White Grape Polyphenols and Vitamin E to help provide cellular protection(3) and neutralize almost all types of skin-aging free radicals.(4) Non-greasy, water-resistant, tested on sensitive skin and family-friendly, Capital Soleil melds beauty and science for sunscreens that are as pleasurable and flattering to use as they are effective.

Dr. Ranella Hirsch, noted Boston dermatologist, provides expert advice and explains how to properly protect skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Q: When should you use sunscreen?
Dr. Hirsch: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF 30 be used year-round.

Q: What is the difference between UVB and UVA rays?
Dr. Hirsch: UVA and UVB are different types of ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. UVB is primarily responsible for sunburn. UVA light penetrates the skin more deeply than UVB does and causes tanning. Both are contributory to premature skin aging and skin cancer, so it’s critical to seek out broad-spectrum protection.

Q: What role do antioxidants play in sun protection?
Dr. Hirsch: While sunscreens provide the primary protective barrier to cutaneous damage, the judicious use of topical antioxidants can add an additional buffer.

Q: How much sunscreen needs to be applied to the face and body and how often should you reapply?
Dr. Hirsch: One ounce, or the amount needed to fill a shot glass, is considered to be an ample amount to protect exposed skin. Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours and more frequently if you are sweating or swimming.

This summer, protect skin with Vichy Capital Soleil sunscreen, which includes the following three products that are available at CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Walgreens and online at www.vichyusa.com.

• Capital Soleil SPF 50 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid ($24.50, 1.7 fl. oz.): This daily face protection fluid employs state-of-the-art technology for an incredibly transparent and non-greasy finish that is ideal for everyday use and under makeup. Just shake the bottle before applying to create the perfect emulsion that provides a virtually sheer consistency while delivering a potent antioxidant complex that helps to protect delicate facial skin from sun damage and skin-aging free radicals.
• Capital Soleil Soft Sheer Sunscreen Lotion SPF 60 ($29.50, 5.0 fl. oz.) and SPF 30 ($27.50, 5.0 fl. oz.) provide effective multi-layer protection from UV rays and skin-aging free radical damage. These fragrance-free, water-resistant formulas were developed for sensitive skin, and Capital Soleil SPF 60 is pediatrician-tested.

(1) The Skin Cancer Foundation, 2011
(2) The Centers for Disease Control, 2011
(3) Within surface layers of the skin
(4) In laboratory studies

Girl Scouts San Diego

The troops will have iPhones equipped with the mophie marketplace credit card case allowing them to accept payment on-the-spot and with the simple swipe of a card. The marketplace case is fitted with instant card-encryption capabilities which ensures that all data is secure the moment the transaction begins. Payment will be processed through Intuit’s GoPayment application and customers will sign a receipt via the touch screen, which will then instantly e-mail a record of the purchase to the customer.

“Introducing mobile payments will not only help the San Diego chapter of the Girl Scouts reach their sales goals but also demonstrate how this iconic organization is committed to growing with its members and community,” says Susan Schedel, mophie’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We hope the mophie marketplace will help the troops gain experience and knowledge about new technology and the value of credit, and that the program will also inspire entrepreneurs young and old to envision their business differently.”

“While I don’t have a credit card or an iPhone, I see my parents using both on a daily basis, and am really excited to learn more about them,” says Girl Scout Shelley Shinohara of Troop 3099. “We’re hoping that being able to use credit cards at our site sales will help us reach or troop sales goals, raising enough money to make a trip to San Francisco and cross the Golden Gate Bridge for a Girl Scout ceremony next year!”

While accepting mobile credit card payments is anticipated to increase total cookie sales, Girl Scouts San Diego is also using the new sales tool as an opportunity to teach girls about credit. The mophie marketplace will give girls in the troops hands-on learning about how credit cards work and provide troop leaders with a platform to teach the value of a dollar and how to save and be responsible with money and credit.

“As America’s leading financial literacy program for girls, the Girl Scout Cookie Program develops young entrepreneurs who gain valuable life and leadership skills,” says Joe Dee C. Jacob, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts San Diego. “The generous sponsorship from mophie helps us teach the girls the value of credit and also allows the community to be involved in the cookie program in a new and innovative way. We rely on the Cookie Program to keep Girl Scouting available and affordable for 30,000 local girls, and look forward to seeing the results generated by this new technology.”

San Diego troops will be utilizing the mophie marketplace this weekend at the following locations:

• Friday, Feb. 25 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Fresh & Easy located at 955 Catalina Blvd., Point Loma, CA 92106
• Saturday, Feb. 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fresh & Easy located at 955 Catalina Blvd., Point Loma, CA 92106

Kim presents a short film to accompany her signature fragrance and showcase her magnetic beauty.

Titled Naughty, the video reveals a never before seen side of the irresistible icon. Before Naughty launches, Kim will unveil behind the scenes footage of two other looks that were filmed, Sweet and Glam. To view Kim’s exclusive new videos, visit www.pickyourkim.com.  Viewers will have the opportunity to enter for the chance to win a picture of themselves and their valentine posted on Kim’s Facebook site and blog.

On the most romantic day of the year, every girl deserves to feel lusted after and fragrance is the ultimate seduction. Fragrance has the ability to enhance any look adding instant femininity and allure. Kim Kardashian’s trademark fragrance, Kim Kardashian , lets you star in your own romantic moment, teasing the senses with a deeply sensual aroma and feminine allure that captures Kim’s multi-faceted appeal, creating a lasting impression.

The sumptuous, floral fragrance evokes Kim’s trademark sultry style with crisp top notes, lush, floral mid notes and a rich, sexy drydown. Gorgeous, voluptuous florals reflect Kim’s captivating nature, while Jasmine, tuberose and gardenia evoke her femininity. Tonka bean, jacaranda wood and sandalwood add a warm, sensual base, representing Kim’s softer side.

“Whether you’re having a romantic night with someone special, a lavish evening out on the town or unleashing your inner vixen, Kim Kardashian is the perfect complement to every Valentine’s Day,” says Kim.

WHERE TO BUY: Kim Kardashian is available in four sizes, ranging in price from $16.00-$65.00, at www.pickyourkim.com, kardashianfragrance.com and select Macy’s stores nationwide.

The perfect complement to her fragrance collection, Halle by Halle Berry and Pure Orchid by Halle Berry , Reveal is a memorable fragrance that captures the spirit of classic glamour with a modern and sexy twist. A perfect balance of timeless sophistication and easy elegance, Reveal is truly reminiscent of what it means to be naturally glamorous – an intriguing blend of confidence, charisma, realness…with a touch of mystery.

“Reveal is an invitation for women to share their story, to reveal some parts of themselves that they have not yet expressed,” says Halle Berry.  ”It is a timeless fragrance that I think will make women feel beautiful and confident.”

“Halle Berry is one of Hollywood’s greatest treasures but despite her public persona, she remains an enigma. Reveal is about the mystery behind the woman; that indescribable quality that captivates and intrigues us,” says Steve Mormoris, Senior Vice President Global Marketing Coty Beauty.

The Fragrance

Created in partnership with Richard Herpin of Firmenich, this beautiful floral woody composition is a versatile scent with a unique signature blending classic sophistication with modern sexiness.

Reveal opens with a sparkling burst of naturally fresh, fruity top notes.  Halle’s favorite flower, the delicate and luminous mimosa, blends with undertones of peach, honey dew melon and red berries to create a sense of drenched lushness and sparkling radiance.  At its elegant heart, a soft and light floral bouquet of plumeria flower, iris blossom and neroli petals blooms on the skin, evoking utter femininity. The fragrance then settles on a seductive base of vetiver, cashmere woods and skin musk, delivering a creamy addiction that leaves an intoxicating trail.

Halle Berry comments, “Reveal has a perfect balance. Light and fresh, it becomes sexier and more mysterious as you wear it. The iris is a very special part of this composition. The scent of iris can be a bit dark or woody, but I decided to choose facets of it that make it feel velvety soft and airy.”

Top: Mimosa Flower, Juicy Peach, Honey Dew Melon, Red Berries

Heart: Iris Blossom, Plumeria Flower, Neroli Petals

Base: Vetiver, Cashmere Woods, Skin Musk

Perfumer: Richard Herpin of Firmenich

The Design

The Reveal bottle design is an exquisite vintage-style bottle with a contemporary twist. Taking inspiration from the art deco era and Halle’s own memories of a beloved object d’art, the flacon is curvaceously shaped like a four-sided teardrop, with ridges that make it beautifully tactile. The heavy glass is transparent to let the light golden juice inside shine through, and is topped with a jewel-like cut cap.

Equally as chic and refined, the fragrance box is embossed with ridges that echo the bottle shape, and is colored a sheer, yet warm gold to complement the juice within.

Designer: Jane Tarallo

Full survey results appear in the February issue of Consumer Reports on sale January 4th. The reports are also available to subscribers of www.ConsumerReports.org .

Among the survey’s other findings:

• Of the 20 percent of the population who believe they purchased a recalled product, nearly 40 percent responded that it was for food, almost 40 percent for a medication, and 24 percent for a product.
• Less than one quarter of Americans researched a product they purchased to see if it was recalled.
• More than half of Americans said they never or rarely filled out the registration cards that come with products.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least 124.7 million products were recalled last year and overall, recalled products were associated with 26 deaths. Tens of millions of children each year are needlessly exposed to unsafe products, toys, and foods that have been recalled.

“Time and time again we’ve seen incidents of recalled products including bassinets, window blind cords and toys, killing or injuring children,” said Don Mays, Senior Director, Product Safety, Consumer Reports. “Among the most effective steps to protect yourself is to get your name on manufacturer’s recall contact lists so that you can be notified when something you purchased is recalled. You can do that by mailing in product registration that come with many products or registering online.”

Many miss out

Regardless of their skepticism regarding the sources of safety information, a large majority of US adults felt that it was extremely important that consumers receive appropriate recall notices for medications and food. They appeared to be less concerned with notices connected to clothing and sporting equipment recalls. However, when it comes to recalls of children’s sporting equipment, people were nearly as concerned that parents get accurate safety information, as they were for children’s food and medication recalls.

While only 20 percent of US consumers were concerned that they personally missed a recall announcement in the past 3 years, some groups were more concerned than others. For example, concern appears to decrease with age. More than a quarter of 18 to 24 year old consumers were concerned they missed a product recall notice. This compares to less than a sixth of all consumers 65 years old and older. Parents of school and/or pre-school age children were also slightly more apt to be worried about missing such announcements than were other adults (26% vs. 19%).

Consumers were more likely to find out about product recalls from the news than any other source. Nearly two-thirds of those consumers who had experienced a recent food recall and a slight majority of those who purchased a recalled medication found out about the recall from a news report. Finding out about product recalls was somewhat more varied. While a plurality of those who purchased a recalled product were informed of the recall via the news, a sixth found out about the recall from the manufacturer and a little more than a tenth from family, friends or coworkers.

Recall Analysis

Consumer Reports analyzed all recalls publicly announced by the CPSC in its 2010 fiscal year which ran from October 1, 2009 to September 30th, 2010. Other information was collected from the recalls database on the CPSC’s website. Here are some highlights.

• Fisher-Price had the most recalls; five notices involved 11.38 million products. Various toys and high chairs were included.
• The largest single recall involved McDonald’s Shrek-themed glasses with decals containing cadmium. Twelve million glasses were recalled.
• Items intended for children represented 73 percent of recalled products. There were 177 recalls of children’s products amounting to 54.2 million items.
• Strangulation was the hazard most often associated with the recalled products. That danger was common to all recalls of corded window coverings and of children’s outerwear with drawstrings.

One the one hand shopping for close relatives is simple and a great deal of fun because they are people you really care about and people you know really well.

However, on the other hand shopping for close relatives can also be extremely difficult and stressful because there is the added pressure to select Christmas gifts your relatives will really cherish and enjoy. This article will discuss some of the aspects of this Christmas shopping situation to help shoppers find the perfect gift for their loved ones.

Most people really look forward to Christmas shopping for their close relatives. For them this is an opportunity to purchase a gift for a loved one that he or she is sure to enjoy and appreciate. They also look forward to shopping for these close relatives because they know them well and likely have a number of great ideas for what to buy. However, all of these great ideas may turn out to be a source of stress. For example, you may immediately think of five or six great gift ideas for a particular relative. The problem you may encounter is that you think each of the gifts would be absolutely perfect and therefore have a great deal of trouble deciding which gift to select. Purchasing all of the items may not be feasible in terms of your budget and you may be disappointed that you can only select one item from the list of ideas. This can create stress because you may worry about selecting the best possible choice.

Another problem which may stem from having a lot of great ideas about what to get a particular relative is you may not be able to find the exact item for which you are searching. This can be particularly stressful and frustrating especially if you know a particular item would make the perfect gift for your loved one but are simply unable to find the exact item you are seeking during any of your shopping trips. In this case you may become obsessed with finding this particular item. Not being able to find this item can be incredibly frustrating. This frustration can make the shopping a great deal less fun. It can also cause you to not see other items which would also be great gifts because you are so focused on finding this one particular item.

Even when you don’t have a list of gift ideas for a particular relative, you may experience a great deal of frustration during your Christmas shopping. This frustration may stem from being too concerned about finding a gift which your close relative will really cherish and appreciate. The pressure of finding a great Christmas gift for a loved one is so important because you do not want someone you care so much about to be disappointed by the Christmas gift you give them. Although this should not really be a concern because it is most likely your close relatives will all be thrilled with the gifts you select for them but it still caused stress for many people.

Another problem associated with shopping for close relatives is it may be difficult to select appropriate gifts for multiple relatives without worrying that the relatives will compare the gifts. Again, this is not a likely scenario as most people would not go out of their way to discuss the gifts they were given but it is something that causes concern for many. Some individuals will feel that it is not appropriate to purchase an expensive gift for one relative but not for others. One way to deal with this is to select one item and give similar items to all of the relatives. Although the gifts will not be unique or selected for each individual it is one way to deal with the possibility of the recipients sharing information about the gifts they received. One example of how to do this is to give an item such as a sweater to each relative but to personalize the gift by selecting different styles or colors for each relative.

Black Friday 2010

So, a week from today, the Friday after Thanksgiving, you will get the best deals, in order to celebrate the start of the Christmas shopping season.

Some retails chains even want to get a head start on this holiday. So Toys R Us will be opening on Thanksgiving.

Amazon is always known to have fantastic Black Friday deals. There will be deals from November 22 on, with new products added each day, for a whole week.

Walmart and Macy’s will also be trying to get early starts on Black Friday. Walmart also plans to sell the Ice Age Blu-Ray for $5, instead of the usual $20.

Best Buy will be selling the Nook E-reader for $99, instead of the usual $150.

Target will sell a 40-inch Westinghouse LCD HDTV for $298 (usual price is over $250 higher).

These are just some of the fantastic deals for this year’s Black Friday, but there will be many more to come!

]]> http://www.clubfemina.com/black-friday-2010-lcd-hdtv-250-cheaper-and-more-deals.html/feed 0 http://www.clubfemina.com/queen-of-rock-n-roll-to-launch-the-priscilla-presley-jewelry-collection-on-qvc.html http://www.clubfemina.com/queen-of-rock-n-roll-to-launch-the-priscilla-presley-jewelry-collection-on-qvc.html#comments Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:33:12 +0000 Margaret Walters http://www.clubfemina.com/?p=2587   [ Read More ]]]> Legendary style icon, actress, businesswoman, designer, author and mother Priscilla Presley is scheduled to introduce The Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection on QVC Monday, August 9 at 9 AM (ET).

“Stunning jewels have long been a healthy obsession of mine and I’m thrilled to create a collection that truly captures the stylistic essence of where I have been in life and where I would like to venture on to next,” says Presley. “It is my hope that this very special collection will add a little unconventionality and exquisite beauty to women’s day-to-day.”

Presley’s line was inspired by personal stories and experiences from her extraordinary life. The collection includes necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets with bold and glamorous designs that incorporate the icon’s signature rock n’ roll style.

“We are thrilled to welcome Priscilla to our family of celebrity designers,” said Diane Paccione-Rizzo, vice president of merchandising for QVC. “Her unique style and exquisite designs are sure to resonate with shoppers.”

The Priscilla Presley Jewelry collection will be available through QVC starting August 9 at QVC.com