Coupon Use Continues to Rise and Consumers are Reaping the Benefits at CouponMom.com

Coupon redemption in the first hal women's jackets f of 2010 increased by 7.9%, and consumers saved nearly $2 billion with coupons during this time frame, a 37% increase over pre-recession levels, according to NCH Marketing Services.

"Consumers have realized that coupons are real money," said Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, "By using our strategic shopping strategies, a family of four can save over $6000 in a year, and our members are saving every time they go shopping."

Nelson has been called the "the rock star of the recession" by the Washington Post, and was also recently named one of the "Top 10 Women in Money" by AOL. She has taught millions how to save with coupons on Oprah, The Today Show, and CNN, and in the Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping and USA Today. Her book, The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting your Grocery Bills in Half, stayed on the New York Times' Bestseller List for five weeks this year and membership on the Coupon Mom web site has jumped from 180,000 in early 2008 to more than 2.6 million members today.

Coupon usage is definitely on the rise and companies are offering great deals to get consumers to buy. Savings are available not just at the grocery store but at all kinds of retail stores.

"A consumer can save money with coupons at the drug store, in restaurants, on pet supplies and in home stores, as well as in craft stores and clothing shops, " said Nelson, "It's all about being a smart shopper and planning ahead."

Nelson says consumers can find coupons several ways - online at CouponMom.com, in newspaper flyers, entertainment books, shopping mall websites, and in catalogs.

A mother of two, Nelson launched CouponMom.com nine years ago to show consumers what weekly sales and savings were available, to save them time, and of course, to save them money.

92% of shoppers have changed their grocery shopping behavior in the last two years according to Deloitte and Harrison Group, due to the uncertain economic climate. Shoppers are now more price-conscious when buying food and other retail goods.

Here are some of the Coupon Mom's favorite ways to "Strategically Shop":
1. Plan your shopping trip and make a comprehensive shopping list.
2. Compare prices for your common items at a few nearby stores and cherry-pick the deals if necessary.
3. Study the stores' sales circulars and use online resources like ours to find the best sales.
4. Stock up on common items when they are at rock-bottom prices.
5. Maximize your coupon inventory. Buy multiple copies of the Sunday newspaper.
6. Sign up for your stores' loyalty cards.

September is National Coupon Month, since the first handwritten Coca-Cola coupon in 1886, Americans have been using coupons to save on everything from groceries to clothing to entertainment and all categories in between. With coupon distribution and redemption at historically high levels, be sure you take advantage of these savings today.

For more information on Coupon Mom, go to http://www.couponmom.com. Media inquiries, contact nanette(at)burkehollowmedia(dot)com or 615-776-4230.

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Tricks, Treats, and Pics at Pippin McGee’s Halloween Photos for Acadiana Outreach

Pippin McGee Children's Furniture Store is hosting their annual Kids Halloween and Fall Pictures taken by Buffy Masey, on Saturday, October 30th from 1 to 4 pm, at their retail location on Ambassador Caffery Parkway, with all proceeds going to Acadiana Outreach.

Acadiana Outreach, based in Lafayette, LA, is a social enterprise that provides opportunities for those less-fortunate in the community and helps them get back on their feet, through "hand-ups" not "hand-outs." They rely heavily on local support from individuals and companies, like Pippin McGee, to help fund their efforts at getting families and individuals not only food, clothes, and shelter, but back to providing for themselves.

Pippin McGee is a Lafayette, LA-owned children's furniture and room solutions center opened in 2005. Kim Crouchet, owner, says, "It has always been my aim to find ways to give back to the community. It was part of my business plan from day one and making a diff women's coats online erence has always been part of my personal philosophy." In addition to the Halloween Pictures, Acadiana Outreach partnered with Pippin McGee on past projects, such as the Back to School Supplies Drive and Spring Clean and Donate Drive, as well as helping Outreach families in need of children's furniture. In addition to a full service room design center, Pippin McGee also offers everything from convertible, all-wood baby cribs and triple bunk beds to colorful loft beds with tents and slides.

Jill Meaux, the Director of Community Relations for Acadiana Outreach, "is thrilled to be working with Pippin McGee on a worthy and fun fundraising cause that will benefit the hundreds of children helped through various programs, including the Acadiana Outreach Lighthouse Shelter for Women and Children." Buffy Massey is the local photographer that has been helping with these events for the last several years and has become a local favorite because of his ability to get the kids to smile and have fun.

This fun, family event will be at Pippin McGee's new, larger location at 3814-B Ambassador Caffery Parkway. Along with Halloween pictures, there will be cookie decorating stations, hand print art booths, and an in-store scavenger hunt for prizes, for the children to participate in.

Door prizes, coupon sales and candy finds will help make the event fun and enjoyable for all ages. "In today's economy, giving back has become a little more taxing," says Jill Meaux, "but Pippin McGee continues to be a great partner with us and helps make some serious needs a reality."

The picture taking sessions will be from 1 to 4 pm, and are $5 a piece, with 100% of the proceeds going to help as many as 15 families currently residing in Acadiana Outreach's Lighthouse, as well as hundreds more in the community. Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes to take pictures in front of a festive Fall background.

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Debenhams Reports Women Have Christmas All Wrapped Up

Debenhams has revealed that over 80% of presents under the Christmas tree are selected, purchased and wrapped by women.

A new survey from the department store revealed that most women buy the majority of Christmas gifts (http://www.debenhams.com/christmas ) for partners, children, grandparents, neighbours, friends and even themselves, plus stock up on expertly-wrapped standby unisex gifts such as wine and chocolates for unexpected Christmas visitors.

Debenhams spokesperson Michelle Dowdall commented: "While tradition states that the male is the head of the household, when it comes to Christmas shopping, women clearly wear the trousers.

"Whilst novelty gifts or boxes of chocolates may be a surprise for wives and mums on Christmas morning, the majority of women have already chosen or even bought the gifts they receive from their loved ones.

"When women are Christmas shopping they know exactly what will make themselves and their partner happy. Men seem a little less certain and often seek advice or guidance, which is why as a result of this survey we have briefed our army of personal shoppers to know exactly what to ask to help men find that perfect gift for their partner."

In a survey of 1,000 pre-Christmas customers, women came out as the seasoned shoppers, planning ahead of the crowds to purchase the perfect gift for every family member, putting thought and effort into each present.

Some admitted to buying gifts for themselves as early as September and presenting their husband with a receipt and present to put away until December. Others wrote wish lists for their partners, knowing that the gifts would appear under the tree come Christmas morning with little or no added surprises.?
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The survey showed that 69%?of women chose presents for their partner based on their own ideas, whereas only 21% o women's coats f the presents were?based on a specific item their partner had requested, and 10% were impulse buys.
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Men seem to be relying on their partners wish list when Christmas shopping, with 49% choosing directly from the wish list, 37% using gifts their wives had bought and given to them and 11% impulse buys. There also seems to be a clear tendency that the older the man gets the more he follows the wish list.
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Michelle Dowdall continued: "In December we see men walking around our stores?clutching on to wish lists as if they were winning lottery tickets, whereas women are much more adventurous and find inspiration as they go along."
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The study found that men tended to choose 'safe' Christmas gifts for her (http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10001_165614_-1 ) such as lingerie, perfume gift sets (http://www.debenhams.com/beauty/fragrance ), jewellery and premium cosmetics, yet women included cosier items such as jumpers, coats and slippers on their wish lists.

About Debenhams:
Debenhams is a leading department stores group with a strong presence in key product categories including women's and men's fashion, kid's clothing, Christmas gifts for men (http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_10001_10001_165615_-1 ), home, perfume gifts and health and beauty gift sets (http://www.debenhams.com/beauty/gift-sets ).

Debenhams is the second largest department store chain in the UK.

Debenhams operates 167 stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Denmark, comprising 154 full department stores and 13 Desire by Debenhams stores, which is a small store concept featuring an edited product range. Debenhams also has 60 international franchise stores in 23 countries. Debenhams online store can be found at Debenhams.com, where shoppers can find out all about the latest products to reach Debenhams's via Debenhams TV.

PR Contact:
Carie Barkhuizen
Debenhams PR Manager
33 Wigmore Street
London
W1U 1QX
020 7408 3298
http://www.debenhams.com

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Designer Clothes: Top 5 Tips for Going Casual by DolceFugo.com

DolceFugo.com - Recent years have seen a tremendous increase in demand for casual designer clothes. Certain dress codes are becoming a thing of the past and even in the most conservative dressing environments, a loosening of restraints on what is appropriate can be easily observed. Designer clothes shops and manufacturers have largely shifted their focus towards a wide variety of semi-formal or informal types of clothing.

And while, as a result of certain democratization, designer clothes are being embraced by more and more people every day, the mass culture of their application appears to be very much lagging behind the rapidly growing market supply.

Mens designer clothes seem to be much more of a problem because men in general tend to be confused and bewildered by their rapidly growing dress options. Some men would, indeed, be quite content within the confines of a strict dress discipline for almost all occasions so as not to be too much at risk of style fail. But as womens designer clothes show, there are also significant advantages to having seemingly unlimited options of casual styles. Designer clothes tend to look more sophisticated and tailored but casual designer clothes are also comfortable and often a little more daring. Men just need to keep a few basic things in mind when it comes to dressing casual:

1. Remember that casual clothing is supposed to be more permitting or more comfortable than formal wear. This also concerns the size or general fit. Make sure to allow a bit more room in a casual garment than what one would allow in a proper-fitting formal suite.
2. Casual clothing is also supposed to be a bit more fun. Some men like to abuse this notion by wearing fifteen different shades of orange at once. Such extremes are of course to be avoided. Sometimes subtle things like opening a button on a shirt can make a world of difference in the way an outfit looks. Experimenting with daring colors and f fashion coats lashy designs should be approached with caution and balanced out by simple backgrounds.
3. The most perfect casual combination is probably a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. A blazer or a sport jacket can be added to dress it up a little for the evening.
4. Any sport wear, particularly sport footwear, is almost always too casual for anywhere outside a gym or a training facility. Casual clothing that is inspired by sport wear, like polo shirts for example, does not fall into this category of course.
5. Casual style allows for a more liberal use of accessories. Excessive jewelry, particularly gold, tends to make men look a little overbearing. Silver is a much less imposing and hence more appropriate alternative. Precious and semi-precious stones are also a very risky territory. But a fun and color-appropriate pocket square can really take an outfit to the next level.

For more information on designer clothes and our publications please do not hesitate to visit us at DolceFugo.

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LandsÂ?End Chooses PeopleComeFirst to Manage Learning, Learning Content, and Development

Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com)

Critically Acclaimed Author Kevin M. Weeks Celebrates the Independent Publisher

Publishers Marketing Association (PMA) lists The Street Life Series by Kevin M. Weeks in Publishers Weekly's February 26, 2007 Fast-Growing Small Publishers edition. Being listed in this edition of Publishers Weekly is indeed significant for a self-published author, because Publishers Weekly's worldwide circulation reaches writers, printers, distributors, and retailers. This is one of several accomplishments this year for Author Kevin M. Weeks. He was also inducted as the Best New Urban Author of the Year 2006 by the YOUnity Guild Top Advisory Board and named the January 2007 Author of the Month by C&B Books Distribution. When asked how he felt about his recent achievements as an independent publisher, Mr. Weeks smiled and commented, "I am on my way to becoming the 'James Patterson' of Urban Fiction."

Author Kevin M. Weeks is a member of PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association and YOUnity Guild of America. Thanks to these types of organizations, self-published authors have a voice and presence in the publishing industry. Founded in 1983, PMA's mission is to advance the professional interests of independent publishers. PMA serves book, audio, and video publishers located in the United States and around the world. Its voluntary board of directors is representative of PMA's varied membership. The benefits of membership are cooperative marketing programs, education, and advocacy within the publishing industry. For more information on PMA, visit pma-online.org.

YOUnity Guild of America was established and conceived in 2003 to scout, induct, honor, award and recognize the top professionals of African American and Multicultural literature, music, technology, film, and theater. A voluntary Top Advisory Board of 100 active members inducts The YOUnity Guild Award Winners of Excellence each year. YOUnity Guild of America members are readily featured at Disilgold.com and recognized globally and synonymous with members who support the Disilgold 5 Principles of Success Formula: Dedication, Quality of Business, Professionalism, Integrity of Service, and Commitment. YOUnity Guild of America is founded by Heather Covington, Black Family Channel's "Literary Living" television hostess and best-selling author. For more information on YOUnity Guild of America, visit Disilgold.com, which is abridged for "Diamond, Silver and Gold."

In addition, Kevin M. Weeks believes that being an independent publisher gives an author greater flexibility in focusing on what the author feels is most important. He is a proud supporter of the Awareness Magazine (AMAG) Intern Program. The AMAG Intern Program is a youth program, which builds skills in graphic design, web design, marketing, reporting, journalism, and public relations. Authors and companies can make donations and/or contributions by visiting awarenessmagazine.net. Also on February 16, 2007, he signed up for a recently announced Xlibris publishing service called "Set Your Own Price (SYOP)" and reduced the price of his novel in order to pass the savings on to consumers. This type of entrepreneurial spirit not only saves book lovers money, but also enables Mr. Weeks to continue to support a worthy cause.

Believing that independent publishers have to be innovative every day in promoting their work, Kevin M. Weeks designed his first magazine print ad which will be featured in an upcoming issue of Black Issues Book Review. Also, you can see his internet banner ads in rotation on websites such as XXLMAG.com, KING-MAG.com, UrbanMecca.com and EURweb.com. In a Debut Author Exclusive with Kevin M. Weeks, Heat Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com) her Covington states: "Appearing on EURweb.com, millions of fans can now put a face to the author's book cover everyone has been talking about lately. For Kevin M. Weeks, he's slowly becoming one of the most intriguing household literary names. . ." We agree with Ms. Covington, because Kevin M. Weeks' passion and ambition to succeed are beginning to pay off. When you see his slogan, "It's all about Urban Fiction," know that independent publisher Kevin M. Weeks is only a click away.

To read the entire Debut Author Exclusive with Kevin M. Weeks by Heather Covington, download the January 20, 2007 edition of DisilgoldSOUL Literary Review Magazine at Disilgold.com or download an authorized reprint from PRWeb.com.

Book Description from the Publisher:
Kevin M. Weeks introduces a new series of steamy, suspenseful, and realistic drama from the streets. In the novel, Teco Jackson joins the Strictly Business (SB) Crew and gets the alias Homicide from the SB Crew boss, Mujaheed Bashi Fiten. When Bashi promotes Homicide to be his right hand man, Homicide gets into a major power struggle with the only female and toughest SB Crew member, Gail Indigo Que, a.k.a. GQ. Living an eventful life from cars, women, and money seemed promising for Homicide until there is a major take down. After getting out of jail, Homicide's mission is to find out where Bashi disappeared. Back on the streets of Philly, Homicide hears lots of talk about Bashi's whereabouts and the names of those who are involved. Will Homicide and GQ set aside their differences to discover the truth? Now Homicide is on a binge to find who snatched up his boss and to pay them back in a way that no one would ever think. The street life, is it suicide or murder?

The Street Life Series * by Kevin M. Weeks
Is it Suicide or Murder?
Trade Paperback: Retail $15.99; 1-4257-1104-9; 189 pages;
Cloth Hardback: Retail $22.99; 1-4257-1105-7; 189 pages
Publication Date: September 2006
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
Distributors/Wholesalers: Ingram; Baker & Taylor

How to purchase the book: Online at CBBooksDistribution.com, Xlibris.com, barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com, booksamillion.com, ecampus.com, powells.com, bookdepository.co.uk, other online bookstores, or request a copy at your local bookstore.

Tearsheets may be sent by regular or electronic mail to Xlibris Marketing Services. To purchase copies of the book for resale, please fax Xlibris at (610) 915-0294 or call (888) 795-4274 extension 876.

Xlibris Corporation
Marketing Services
International Plaza II, Suite 340
Philadelphia, PA 19113-1513

For more information, contact Xlibris (888) 795-4274 or http://www.thestreetlifeseries.com

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2entertain Announces Release of the New Eddie Izzard DVD

2entertain has announced the release of 'Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story' on DVD. The DVD features a feature length documentary which shows clips from Eddie's comedy shows, such as 'Dressed to Kill' and 'Sexie', alongside backstage moments as Izzard brainstorms his latest comedy act from scratch.

This new Eddie Izzard DVD gives the viewers insight into the much loved comedian's life, and will be available on DVD and from iTunes from 22nd November.

Director Sarah Townsend revisits Izzard's remarkable life by weaving a multi-layered tapestry around Eddie's own confessions to the camera. Insights come from charming childhood home movies, enlightening vintage street-comedy footage, and friend and celebrity interviews including Robin Williams and George Clooney.

There's also Eddie's father, whose career took the family from Yemen to Northern Ireland amid the troubles, now musing on the impact of those moves, and on his son's youthful fascination with his mother's stockings. Ultimately, there's the openness of I Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com) zzard himself. He frankly ponders past paths, and even confronts the comedy truth-in-advertising controversy that demoralised him into a three-year retreat from his free-associating stage comedy.

Eddie was born in 1962 in South Yemen and began his comedy career in 1987. Since then Eddie has appeared in his own comedy shows, TV programmes and movies. Eddie Izzard is perhaps best known for his energetic approach to comedy and he fashion sense, which often includes women's clothing and full make-up. Eddie's comedy shows can be a little bit different as he speaks French fluently and often performs large sections of his shows in French.

Eddie has 8 comedy shows which have already been released on video or DVD, and was voted the fifth greatest British national comedians by Channel 4 in 2010.

Believe: The Eddie Izzard Story is a documentary giving an incredibly moving portrait of one of the most celebrated artists of modern times.

About 2entertain:
2 entertain is the largest UK-owned publisher of DVD and digital content exploiting TV content globally through DVD, Blu-ray and through digital formats including downloads and apps. 2 entertain includes Demon Music Group, the UK's largest independent record company which produces CD, Music DVDs and digital downloads. In 2009/10 2 entertain returned profits of ?38.2m.

2 entertain is a wholly owned subsidiary of BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm of the BBC. The company exists to maximise the value of the BBC's assets for the benefit of the licence fee payer and invests in public service programming in return for rights. 2 entertain is part of BBC Worldwide's Home Entertainment division, one of the company's six core businesses.

For further information or review copies, please contact:
Emma Jonathan
2 entertain Video Ltd
33 Foley Street
London
W1W 7TL
020 7612 3146
http://www.2entertain.co.uk

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Best Makeup Remover Cloth EpiCleanse Now Available at Balanced Life Research

The chief executive officer at Balanced Life Research yesterday announced the company is now offering the popular EpiCleanse makeup remover cloth at discount prices. The EpiCleanse facial and makeup removal cloth effectively gets rid of blush, lipstick, base and mascara using only water. The product works well for men and women and it's not harmful to the skin.

EpiCleanse has been rated as the best makeup remover by many different people throughout the world including professional makeup artists, celebrities and housewives. The product is incredibly easy to use as it only requires water. The user simply saturates the cloth with water and wipes it across the face to remove the makeup. After the task is complete the cloth is washed normally with soap and water and placed on a towel rack to air dry.

As with many new products there are a lot of people who have submitted reviews after purchasing and using the top makeup remover Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com) and most of them have been exceedingly positive. In fact, some people have been calling EpiCleanse 'practical' while other reviewers have said it is a 'miracle' product for women.

"I bought epicleanse after reading so much about it on Facebook. It seems like all of my friends were sharing links and saying how amazing it was that I just had to try it. And I'm glad I did. The only thing I have to do to remove my makeup at night is to wet and rub it on my face and I'm done and ready for bed." – Janice Owens

People who suffer from acne or sensitive skin can also use the EpiCleanse cloth as it is not dangerous or harmful to the skin in any way. It works just as well on dry or oily skin and for people who have combination skin. EpiCleanse is also perfect for travel since it can fit just about anywhere when it's dry and it doesn't require anything to make it work.

Soft Surroundings Launches New iPad App

Soft Surroundings, a leadin women's coats g multi-channel retailer committed to providing stylish and comfortable clothing, home décor, and the latest in beauty and treatment to women of all ages, maintains its dedication to providing an extraordinary shopping experience with the launch of a new iPad application.

The Soft Surroundings Catalog iPad app is an all-inclusive shopping solution, combining the ambience and flow of the Soft Surroundings catalog with the interactive experience and features of the Soft Surroundings website, all with the ease and convenience found in a mobile app.

Customers will enjoy an interactive approach to viewing and shopping Soft Surroundings products, with the ability to interchange the color of selected items with the touch of a finger, access new product videos, and share favorite products with friends and family through email or Facebook. Additionally, customers utilizing the iPad app will be able to access a sneak-peak of upcoming catalogs, view product reviews, and experience other web-exclusive content not available in the traditional catalog.

"Shopping with Soft Surroundings is really all about the experience," according to Robin Sheldon, President. "That's what our customers have always expected from us, and that's why we are so excited by our app's special features and ease of shopping we know they will love. There are even buttons to click on to change colors and see videos of our product in motion!"

Customers can download the Soft Surroundings iPad application from iTunes for free by searching for "Soft Surroundings" and installing like a standard iPad application. Once the app is downloaded, customers can enjoy another easy and innovative way to shop with Soft Surroundings.

About Soft Surroundings: Headquartered in St. Louis, Soft Surroundings is an upscale tri-channel retailer of women's apparel, home and beauty items. Having experienced record growth in its catalog channel, Soft Surroundings opened its first retail location in St. Louis, MO in November of 2005, followed by additional locations in South Windsor, CT, and South Barrington, IL. Soft Surroundings is currently expanding its retail division nationally to meet the needs of its many devoted customers. Visit Soft Surroundings online at http://www.softsurroundings.com.

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New Summer 3 Pack from Nardo’s Natural Organic Skin Care for Summer Travel and More

Women, men, and kids on the go will love the new Summer 3 Pack from Nardo's Natural Organic Skin Care.

This skin care travel kit contains Bug Repellent, Face Wash, and Lip Balm. Best of all, the products are free of alcohol, parabens, synthetic preservatives, chemicals, dyes, fragrances, and artificial coloring. The organic products are packaged in an eco-friendly drawstring cloth bag… great for weekends away, camping, boating, beach days, travel, outdoors and more!

Here is information on each of the three products:

1.    Nardo's Natural Bug Repellent (1 oz.) keeps mosquito bites away – without chemicals. The all-natural blend includes Neem Oil, Lavender Oil and Citronella Oil. Just a few sprays of this fresh-smelling organic bug repellent across your body and you'll keep the insects away when it's time to play!

2.    Nardo's Natural Citrus Face women's coats Wash (1.8 oz.) is great for all skin types. The foamy cleansing agent is packed with essential vitamins that promote softer, healthier skin. The herbal infusions of purified ingredients are hypoallergenic and cleanse deep beneath the skin surface. The citrus provides natural astringents to tighten and tone the skin.

3.    Nardo's Natural Citrus Lip Balm (.15 oz.) is a unique blend of Organic Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and Natural Beeswax that helps protect your lips from harmful UV Rays and the fierce elements. The citrus is naturally extracted from lemon and orange peels. Contains no artificial flavoring or FD&C coloring.

The kit is available for $24.99, from http://www.NardosNatural.com.

About Nardo's Natural: Nardo's Natural is a family owned and operated business located in Clearwater, FL. Products are hand-blended using premium organic ingredients. The company provides a safe alternative for daily skin care and offers products ranging from moisturizers to scrubs, lip balms and more. Learn more at http://www.NardosNatural.com.

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NPD Reports On Apparel Sales for The First Half of 2011

The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, released the results of the apparel market sales from its consumer tracking service for January through June 2011. Results show that while overall apparel market dollar sales have increased this year versus last, sales in certain market segments were down.

For the first six months of 2011, total apparel market dollar volume sales posted an almost three perce fashion jackets online nt growth rate. Within the wearer segments, men's apparel sales grew 4.6 percent and women's apparel sales were down 0.8 percent.

"The apparel market numbers were starting to look good again," said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst, The NPD Group, Inc., "However, the women's market is dragging, and women may continue to 'shop in their closets' and make concessions in favor of their family members' needs."

Within the categories by wearer segment there are some standouts. In the men's apparel market, sales of tailored clothing rose over 11 percent and sales of men's dress shirts rose over three percent.

"Men are in the need/replenishment cycle, as well as a 'dress-for-success' mindset," said Cohen, "Younger and the more 'experienced' men are buying apparel to replenish their worn-out items and, perhaps more importantly, buying wardrobe items that will separate them from the competition in the workplace."

Women's apparel, while suffering an overall decline of almost one percent had some categories that posted growth. Dollar sales of dresses, suits, and sheer hosiery are all in positive territory for the first half of 2011.

"While women for the most part are foregoing their own wardrobe needs, they are picking and choosing from categories that might have a benefit in their professional lives," noted Cohen.

Across the total apparel market, average retail prices rose six percent during the first half of 2011 versus the first half of 2010. Prices in the men's apparel market rose almost 8 percent, while prices in the women's apparel market rose three percent.

"Rising prices along with their impact on the consumer has gotten a lot of attention over the past six months," said Cohen, "The price pressures have come from throughout the supply chain and ultimately are passed on to consumers. But I think these results show that consumers have been accepting of those price increases."

"With all of the recent economic distractions, I am concerned about their effect on consumers," said Cohen, "Traditionally, July is not a strong retail month but going forward it will be critical for retailers to gather some momentum for retail's 'big' second half."

About The NPD Group, Inc.
The NPD Group is the leading provider of reliable and comprehensive consumer and retail information for a wide range of industries. Today, more than 1,800 manufacturers, retailers, and service companies rely on NPD to help them drive critical business decisions at the global, national, and local market levels. NPD helps our clients to identify new business opportunities and guide product development, marketing, sales, merchandising, and other functions. Information is available for the following industry sectors: automotive, beauty, commercial technology, consumer technology, entertainment, fashion, food and beverage, foodservice, home, office supplies, software, sports, toys, and wireless. For more information, visit http://www.npd.com/, or follow us Twitter at twitter.com/marshalcohen and twitter.com/npdfashion. Become a fan of Marshal Cohen at http://www.facebook.com/npdmarshalcohen and watch more on NPD's YouTube channel.

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United By Blue: Stylish Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas

As the holiday season approaches, United By Blue (UBB), an ocean-friendly brand of apparel, women's coats is gearing up for a season of eco-friendly gift-giving.

Environmentally Friendly Materials Are Only a Start

There are a lot of environmentally friendly products on the market. You've got your organic cotton socks, you've got your bamboo furniture, and your artisanal glass reusable water bottle. And as the holiday season approaches, more shoppers than ever are on the hunt for eco-friendly gifts that will leave a lasting impression on their loved ones.

UBB, a Philadelphia-based brand of ocean-friendly apparel, believes that using environmentally-friendly materials in their products is a great first step to sustainable gift-giving, but it's only the beginning. "At UBB, we believe that each product shouldn't just be environmentally friendly, it should do something that's environmentally-friendly," says Brian Linton, the company's Founder and Chief Trash Collector. It's why UBB associates every product sold with the concrete action of removing one pound of trash from oceans and waterways around the world.

"When you give UBB, you give actual, concrete environmental action. You give the good deed of removing one pound of trash from oceans and waterways around the world," says Mike Cangi, UBB's Director of Cleanups. "And because all life on land depends on the health of our oceans, UBB products aren't just blue gifts, they're green gifts, too."

Taking Eco-Chic to a Whole New Level

The cause-conscious clothing brand sells organic cotton t-shirts that are a great holiday gift idea for those looking to give eco-conscious gifts and for those looking to give a unique and fashionable gifts.

UBB draws inspiration from vintage nautical motifs and forgotten beauty. "Some of our best selling products feature bicycles and windmills, emblematic of an era gone by during which some of our activities were a bit kinder to the planet," says Linton.

"We understand that the environmental mission doesn't mean anything without a product that people actually want to wear, so we use only the softest stonewashed slub cotton for our shirts and 100% sterling silver in our jewelry," says Alli Blum, UBB's Director of Marketing.

When UBB designs embrace environmental themes, they do so artistically. "One of my favorite shirts from the winter line is our Support Sustainable Seafood shirt, which reminds me of Cannery Row in Monterey, California or Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle," says Blum. "And because our products combine design with doing good, we expect it will be one of the top Christmas and holiday gifts of 2011."

A Great Gift For Everyone

Because UBB offers t-shirts in both men's and women's cuts, their vintage-nautical inspired shirts are great gift ideas for the always-hard-to-shop-for husbands and boyfriends just as they're great holiday gift ideas for women and girlfriends.

"You don't have to be a die-hard environmentalist or ocean advocate to want to sport the UBB look," says Cangi. " You just have to want to wear a super soft t-shirt with a design you won't find anywhere else."

Because their products are so versatile, UBB expects to see them at the top of many gift guides this holiday season.

"UBB products make it possible to look and feel great while you're taking a stand for our world's oceans," says Linton. "And we look forward to seeing many gift-givers spread the Blue Movement this holiday season."

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American Apparel Launches Lip Gloss Line

American Apparel will be offering nine shades of lip gloss, a colorful addition to its palette of Made in USA beauty products.

The nine lip gloss colors fe women's jackets ature equally colorful names, evoking an array of facets of the American Apparel experience. From Legalize LA--a bright red lip gloss using the slogan of the company's call for immigration reform--to Pantytime--an apricot-toned pink lip gloss named after American Apparel's yearly celebration of all things underwear--these brand themes are complemented by fresh shades that flatter a range of women and a range of looks. The offering includes its share of natural tones, nudes and bold color.

"We worked on the formula until we had a non-sticky application that moisturized and felt great on your lips. These are colors for everyone. Over the last few months of color trials employees were eager to see them and try them on, so we got to see how they performed on many different complexions. We're really happy with how pretty and natural they look on everyone," said Marsha Brady, a creative director for American Apparel.

The rave reviews of American Apparel's first beauty product, the nail polish line called "Nail Lacquer," spurred the company to set an even higher bar for their lip glosses. Sourced and developed with a Los Angeles-based, vertically integrated family-owned business, who shared American Apparel's commitment to manufacturing excellence, the formula for American Apparel lip gloss does not disappoint. The collaboration produced a petroleum-, fragrance-, mineral oil- and cruelty-free gloss that requires only one application for long-lasting color.

"We're excited about our growing beauty category. It's been a dream for many of us here to offer a modern, sexy, high-quality cosmetic line with the same manufacturing principles we use for our made in USA cotton basics and we've done that here," said Dov Charney, CEO and founder of American Apparel.

American Apparel lip gloss is priced at $12 per tube and will be sold at American Apparel stores worldwide as well as online. The rollout of the lip gloss will begin in 50 select American Apparel stores and will quickly expand as the production run increases. The full color palette, ingredients, and photographs can be found in the American Apparel Online Store.

About American Apparel
American Apparel is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor, and retailer of branded fashion basic apparel based in downtown Los Angeles, California. As of June 30, 2011, American Apparel employed approximately 10,000 people and operated 254 retail stores in 20 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and China. American Apparel also operates a leading wholesale business that supplies high quality t-shirts and other casual wear to distributors and screen printers. In addition to its retail stores and wholesale operations, American Apparel operates an online retail e-commerce website at http://store.americanapparel.net/.

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Wasatch Small Cap Value Fund: Looking for “Fallen Angels” and “Orphaned IPO’s”

Jim Larkins is a value investor surrounded by growth investors. "Most of my Wasatch colleagues try to ow women's coats n the highest quality small cap growth companies in the market. Given the volatile nature of small cap companies and the significant number of companies that stumble, our research team regularly presents a tremendous opportunity set for me as a value investor. There is a market inefficiency that exists when a growth stock becomes a value stock and we can exploit it."

"I try to find great companies that hit a rough patch or a bump in the road. They become 'fallen angels' for one reason or another," said Larkins who has worked on the $181 million (as of 12/6/11) Wasatch Small Cap Value Fund since its inception in 1997 and has managed it since 1999. Wasatch Small Cap Value Fund(WMCVX) invests primarily in small companies with market capitalizations of less than $2.5 billion at the time of purchase. Larkins looks for companies whose stocks he believes are undervalued but have significant potential for price appreciation.

Larkins also looks for opportunities in IPOs with good stories that have fallen off investors' radar screens after the initial hype of the IPO. "We look for good companies at a time when other investors are not paying attention. This frequently occurs within the first couple of quarters or even the first couple of years after going public. The Street moves on to the next deal and at the first sign of trouble, some really good companies get abandoned by the crowd. "

In the following Q&A, Larkins discusses a few of the "fallen angels" and "orphaned IPOs" that he is following closely.

Q: How do you define a fallen angel?
Our definition of a fallen angel is a company that achieved success and then faces a crisis, regulation, or event that causes a near-term disruption to their business. We want exposure to great long-run growth names at times when no one else sees the opportunity. We look for long-run growth opportunities that have hit a bump in the road—not the end of the road. Ours is a contrarian approach to exploit an inefficiency that happens regularly in the markets due to short-term challenges. Many of the best growth stories owned at Wasatch have spent time in the value fund after stumbles as they were on their road to greatness. .

Q: Give us some examples?
One of our favorites is the women's clothing retailer Chico's (CHS). Chico's was a Wall Street darling until about 4 years ago. They had a remarkable same store sales record that didn't miss, year after year. But then they over-expanded and struggled with inventory systems and technology that was not as good as people thought it was. The economy didn't help either, especially for their upscale, middle-aged client who saw the value of her 401k decline. Chico's named a new management team, invested in new systems, and improved their stores. Now customers have come back. The company has other positives with a new intimate apparel store called Soma and the recent purchase of online retailer Boston Proper, all thoughtful extensions of the company's expertise targeting upscale woman customers.

Skechers (SKX) is another example. The company is known for affordable family shoes, but the stock is depressed because of a foray into the toner shoe fad – Skechers invented the Shape Up Shoe – that ultimately burned out. They were caught with too much inventory and the stock tanked. The upside is the company was able to reposition itself as a legitimate athletic shoe provider. For example, they've been able to offer an ultra-light-weight shoe at a time when demand is growing. They moved from a $30 to $40 price point up to shoes in the $60+ range. And they are able to use their great distribution and international presence to now leverage that reputation.

One last fallen angel I'll mention is Bridgepoint Education (BPI). The entire for-profit education sector was under pressure due to congressional investigations and new regulations related to student loan funding. Bridgepoint was launched by former Apollo executives to offer a lower price point for working adults seeking a college education. They modified their recruitment methods, implemented the new regulations and are now attracting new students and growing their base. They produce good profits and cash flow and are buying back shares.    

Q: You also invest in IPOs that have taken a hit post-offering. Why?
We actively screen for IPOs that have cracked. These are stocks that come public and then trade below their offering price. One of the advantages of being a "value guy in a growth shop" is that we take a look at and know most of the good companies that are coming public. These young companies can be fragile in the way they are traded by Wall Street. Analysts and investors are still getting to know the company and understand the business model. When some companies face their first public bout of adversity, investors will frequently sell and step to the sideline. I have the advantage of having longer-range institutional knowledge about the company from our growth research which allows me to identify some of the companies whose long-term prospects are still attractive but whose stock declines may represent real small cap value.

Q: Name a few examples of "orphaned IPOs."
Body Central (BODY), a fast fashion retailer with lots of stores in the Southeast, saw its valuation fall on general concerns about the economy and retailers. The company came public at $13 and is now trading at $21.43 (@12/7/11). The company briefly broke the deal price shortly after going public which gave us the opportunity we wanted to start a position at an attractive price. We saw an opportunity for the company to grow at an attractive pace from 200 to potentially 500 or more stores. Their stores appeal to teens and young adults and, with low price points, and we think the demand will be stable even in tough economic times. .

Another abandoned stock we like is Westco (WAIR). They distribute fasteners for the aerospace industry. They came public at $15, but are now trading in the $13.00 range (@ 12/7/11) as investors worried about defense industry cuts and the Boeing 787 production schedule. Yet Westco has good management, a 10-year track record of growth, and a really nice niche. The Boeing 787 now has a backlog and is flying and Westco has excellent exposure to this 787 production. We think they will perform well in the coming years at the aerospace cycle heats up.

Q: What's it like being a value manager in a growth shop?
In the long run, we are all trying to find great investments for our shareholders. By managing a value fund in a growth shop I see subset of value names that I believe is unique compared to other value managers. The potential return of buying names that are fundamentally long-run growth stories at value prices is very attractive. You capture not only the effect of a correction in valuation but the compounding impact of long-run earnings growth. Sometimes it takes some thick skin to buy the "scratch-n-dents" of the growth world. But I buy many of the same companies other Wasatch Funds have purchased in the past. I believe they're good long-run investments that have just hit a rough patch.

Special Notice: Fee Reduction.

On November 9, 2011, the Wasatch Funds Board of Trustees and the Advisor agreed to a reduction in the advisory fee for the Wasatch Small Cap Value Fund from 1.50% to 1.00% effective January 31, 2012. Additionally, the Advisor and the Funds executed an amended and restated expense limitation agreement, wherein the Advisor contractually agreed to an expense limitation of 1.50% on the Wasatch Small Cap Value Fund effective January 31, 2012, and continuing through at least January 31, 2013.

Past performance does not guarantee future results.

About Jim Larkins
Jim Larkins is a cum laude graduate in Economics from Brigham Young University. Before receiving an M.B.A, also from Brigham Young, he worked in the technology sector as a systems consultant for Accenture and for Pinnacle Microa, a start-up technology firm where he gained valuable insight into smaller companies. At Wasatch Funds, he puts this knowledge to use researching small cap and micro cap companies.

About Wasatch Advisors?
Wasatch Advisors is the investment manager to Wasatch Funds?, a family of no-load mutual funds, as well as separately managed institutional and individual portfolios. Wasatch Advisors pursues a disciplined approach to investing, focused on bottom-up, fundamental analysis to develop a deep understanding of the investment potential of individual companies. The portfolio managers employ a uniquely collaborative process to leverage the knowledge and skill of the entire Wasatch Advisors research team in making investment decisions. Wasatch Advisors is an employee-owned investment adviser founded in 1975 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Contact Information:
Jody Lowe: 414.322.9311 / jody(at)lowecom(dot)com
Gene Podsiadlo: 801.983.4169 / gpodsiadlo(at)wasatchadvisors(dot)com

__________________________________________________________________________

Investing in small and micro-cap funds will be more volatile and loss of principal could be greater than investing in large cap or more diversified funds. Investing in foreign securities entails special risks, such as currency fluctuations and political uncertainties, which are described in more detail in the prospectus. Investments in emerging markets are subject to the same risks as other foreign securities and may be subject to greater risks than investments in foreign countries with more established economies and securities markets.

An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus, containing this and other information, visit http://www.wasatchfunds.com or call 800.551.1700. Please read it carefully before investing.

Small Cap Growth Fund Top 10 Holdings as of Sept. 30, 2011    

Security Name    Percent of Net Assets
Copart, Inc.    4.32%
CorVel Corp.    3.61%
DFC Global Corp.    2.60%
Huron Consulting Group, Inc.    2.52%
HEICO Corp., Class A    2.44%
Allegiant Travel Co.    2.09%
Body Central Corp.    2.02%
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.    2.00%
Skechers U.S.A., Inc., Class A    1.98%
Corporate Executive Board Co. (The)    1.96%
Total    25.40%

Portfolio holdings are subject to risk and may change at any time. References to specific securities should not be construed as recommendations by the Fund or its Advisor.

?2011 Wasatch Funds, All rights reserved. Wasatch Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ADI). ADI is not affiliated with Wasatch Advisors. Gene Podsiadlo is a registered principal of ADI.

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Stylish Plus Size Outerwear, Jackets & Blazers from eloquii by The Limited

Spring is around the corner, but that chilly winter weather isn't over just yet. Nothing is worse than having a smart new outfit covered by ill-fitting coats and bulky jackets, just to keep out the cold. Plus size outwear that hides curves instead of accentuating silhouettes is a thing of the past. The new plus size clothing line, eloquii, has a wide selection of fashionable, well-cut coats and jackets, along with blazers and scarves, to keep women with curves warm all through the season.

Bundle up with the Classic Camel Coat, with lovely cuff details and insulating tan fabric that radiates classical chic. The gorgeous, double-breasted black Military Coat is a wonderful toasty warm addition to any professional woman's wardrobe. When spring draws closer, eloquii's selection of designer plus size jackets, such as the Signature Bomber Jacket, are perfectly all purpose for work and weekends. At work, project your classy professional image with the Modern S fashion coats eamed Blazer, tailored perfectly to enhance your natural waist and curves.

eloquii's colorful and eye-catching accessories can be perfectly paired with their plus size jacket selection both in the winter and the spring. The Nordic Infinity scarf has a beautifully woven fair isle design that will always bring winter style to mind. The sequin scarves, which come in a wide array of colors, can be matched with any style of jacket or coat to bring that finishing touch to a wardrobe.

Sacrificing fashion for comfort will be a long forgotten concept with eloquii's extensive collection of wonderfully warm outerwear. Whether it be a sharp outfit for work or something swanky for the weekend, eloquii by The Limited is guaranteed to have a wonderful wardrobe selection for every height and shape, to bring all the right attention to your beautiful curves.

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iHangy Lets iPhone / iPod Lovers Hang with Their Apple Devices All Day Long

High school students, college coeds and young professionals who can't live without their iPhones and iPods can now keep constant tabs on their technological addiction with the new iHangy. Backed by OnTrion, the manufacturer of premium mobile phone batteries, the iHangy comes in two varieties, a necklace and a keychain, both of which include a touchpen. iHangy is designed to hang securely around the neck or to attach to clothing, bags and purses so that one's iPhone / iPod is always within easy reach. The product line is compatible with the iPhone 4S, 4, 3GS and 3 models as well as the iPod Touch, Shuffle, Nano and Classic.

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, an estimated 12 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 14 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds now own an iPhone. Based on 2010 U.S. Census data, those figures add up to approximately eight million iPhone owners in the U.S. alone among those younger age brackets. Moreover, an Apple spokesperson estimates that 300 million iPods have been sold since the product was launched 10 years ago. Of those, 45 million of have been purchased in the last year (July 2010 to June 2011).

All of that adds up to a lot of young adults with an Apple smartphone and/or music / video device attached women's coats to their ear on any given day. But with price tags for the newest iPhones in the several-hundred-dollar range and the iPod Touch trailing not far behind, misplacing, stepping on and breaking or outright losing one of these high-tech gadgets can be financially devastating.

A new product by OnTrion, the manufacturer of OEM-quality mobile phone batteries, keeps consumers' investment safe at all times by securing their Apple device to their body. The iHangy necklace appeals to fashion-conscious young women who want to make a statement with their accessories. It comes in pink, white and black color palettes to coordinate with any outfit. For the young men or non-jewelry female fans who are addicted to their iPhone or iPod, iHangy also comes in a keychain variation that clips to their belt loop, backpack or purse.

For more information on how to remain hands free while keeping constant tabs on an iPhone or iPod, visit http://www.ihangy.com for product information. The iHangy is available for purchase worldwide online at http://www.ihangy.com

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CONTACT INFORMATION:
Balneet Kochar
13650, TI Blvd., Suite #309
Dallas, TX 75243
(877)676-0877
http://www.ihangy.com

ROAR Shirts, A Trendy And Fast Growing Apparel Company, Speaks Loudly To Superstar Artists and Consumers Alike

Mega-superstar artists such as Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney and Toby Keith make ROAR shirts their brand of choice on their network television appearances and in concert. They and millions of Americans have discovered in ROAR a fresh and innovative edge that captures the resilient spirit of the times.

Located in the heart of the Los Angeles fashion district, ROAR was founded by Deepak Vasandani, the son of Indian immigrants. He realized a passion for design at the age of 7 when he had a tailor make him a suit with his specifications.

Deepak began his career selling t-shirts in flea markets as a teen-ager where he visualized a grander future. His breakthrough happened when he was not having a particularly good day, and on a break, he walked past another vendor selling small sculptures of animals. His gaze fixed on one of the pieces, a black panther baring its fangs in a posture of invincibility. The roaring cat spoke so loudly to him that he purchased the statute. Its symbolism grew into action to move forward with his life with a bolder spirit and the courage to challenge the status quo and not compromise his convictions. ROAR was started while he was a student at FIDM in Los Angeles. Today, ROAR is available at Buckle, Macy's, Amazon and specialty boutiques throughout America.

"Enough excuses. Get it done." These words are inscribed on each and every piece of ROAR clothing. They embody the forward-thinking, go-against-the-grain spirit that has made ROAR one of the best untold success stories in contemporary American fashion. This essence is captured in every detail of ROAR from the design table to the moment that last button is fastened before walking out into the world.

The ROAR formula is based on the belief that today's young adults want a more distinctive and bolder edge in their everyday affordable fashion than the predominating uniformity found elsewhere. The ROAR Manifesto on the tag attached to each shirt reads: "To deliver newness; to ensure that quality and comfort go hand in hand; to deliver real value."

To get it done, ROAR basically turned upside down the model of how clothes are designed, manufactured and sold. ROAR offers twelve collections every year, delivering dozens of new styles each month. To do so, it cut in half the production time from design to delivery, notably sixty days in total for a woven garment or thirty days for a t-shirt. ROAR works with its vendors to find innovative ways to continuously upgrade and streamline the manufacturing process and shorten the production cycle. Some major chains, including Buckle with close to five hundred stores nationwide, recognized how "new arrivals" translated into their guests coming back with greater frequency. ROAR's fresh approach soon hit a nerve, and success made other converts.

Each ROAR shirt for both men and women is a statement of discovery of nuances and details that meld together to make a statement that stands apart from the ordinary. On the fabric alone, the choice of using a more expensive cotton with a higher thread count or blending with five percent Lycra to give extra stretch translates into a refined sense of comfort. Washes, distressing and woven imbedded patterns give added tonality. The distinctive ROAR look draws from a rich palate of customized graphic possibilities. The crosses, fleur-de-lis, winged flourishes, printed words and tribal symbols that adorn Roar clothes are custom hand drawn by R women's coats OAR design artists.

"Discovering what works and what's right has been a growth process, but it is a far more rewarding than the pursuit of simply making money and expanding sales," Deepak concludes. "The most important factors in my company's success have come as a consequence of learning from some of my biggest mistakes. Our society is bombarded with so many negative messages. 'Don't take a risk.' 'Don't go against the grain.' 'Don't roar.' We need to get over that mentality and move forward. We make our clothing for people who think differently and who are not willing to settle for the ordinary."

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Website: http://roarusa.com
Celebrity clients: http://www.roarusa.com/media.php
YouTube sampling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRMDNzfCz00

Community Partners in Action Awarded CHEFA Grant

Community Partners in Action (CPA), a nonprofit organization committed to building community by providing services that promote accountability, dignity and restoration for people affected by the criminal justice system, was awarded an $8,750 grant from the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) as part of its Not-for-Profit Grant Program. The grant will be used to support CPA's Resettlement Program, which provides a range of transition services that assist women as they return to the com fashion jackets online munity after incarceration.

"We thank CHEFA for their support and recognizing the critical role our Resettlement Program plays in helping women rebuild their lives after serving time in prison," said Maureen Price-Boreland, Executive Director for Community Partners in Action. "This grant will allow us to provide clients with rent assistance and security deposits while they work to regain employment and make positive choices that will reduce their chances of recidivism."

CPA's Resettlement Program assists women across Connecticut with making a successful reentry into the community following incarceration. By working with clients before they are released, CPA's Resettlement team is able to help clients develop a plan for reentering the community. Following their release, Resettlement connects clients with necessary resources, including: food, shelter, clothing, education, medical services and emotional support. CPA's Resettlement Program also operates transitional housing which provides clients a safe, supportive and stabile temporary home.

To learn more about or to support CPA's Resettlement Program, visit http://www.cpa-ct.org.

About Community Partners in Action
Established in 1875, Community Partners in Action (CPA) is a nonprofit organization committed to building community by providing services that promote accountability, dignity and restoration for people affected by the criminal justice system. For more than 135 years, CPA has offered a wide range of programs for adolescents and adults, helping clients to develop transferrable skills and work towards a successful re-entry into society. To learn more about Community Partners in Action, visit http://www.cpa-ct.org.

About Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA)
CHEFA recently announced $1 million in grants to 23 nonprofit agencies throughout the state. CHEFA is a quasi-public agency created by the State Legislature to help Connecticut healthcare and educational institutions, and other not-for-profit entities obtain tax exempt financing. CHEFA is self-sustaining and receives no taxpayer funds. For more information about CHEFA, visit http://www.chefa.com.

NAPW Bronx Local Chapter Kicked Off their First Meeting with Introductions and Created a Board

The NAPW Bronx Local Chapter gathered on May 24th for their first professional networking meeting at the Royal Coach Diner on Gunhill Road, Bronx, NY.

Christlean Alphonse, Bronx Local Chapter President, kicked off the Chapter's first meeting by welcoming everyone in attendance.

"I'm excited about the turn out for our first meeting," Christlean said. "We had twelve enthusiastic members in attendance and one guest and we're all ready to connect and grow professionally."

Pink balloons were draped over the chairs along with pink table cloths to allow members to share and place their products and information. At the start of the evening, members had the opportunity to meet each other for the first time over light refreshments. The atmosphere was open and friendly and members talked about their businesses and interests.

Christlean introduced herself and shared why she joined the NAPW and embraced the role of Chapter President. She also invited members introduce themselves and to talk about their vision for the Bronx Chapter.

Christlean introduced herself as an entrepreneur who specializes in telecommunications and energy solutions for small to medium size businesses. She then asked several members to give five minute synopses of their businesses, enterprises, and backgrounds.

Robin Smalls is a Gospel Recording Artist and Educator with Groove City Entertainment, LLC. She shared a gift of song with the members and patrons of the restaurant. Ms. Smalls owns Robin's Music Studio, which specializes in production and music education. Ms. Smalls will be sharing her gift of song during a fundraiser for cancer research on June 27th. Many members were enthusiastic about the event and are planning to attend.

Crystal M. Cutler is the President at Glory Financials, LLC, which specializes in real estate investments. She is also an Independent Associate and Small Business Specialist at Prepaid Legal Services, fashion jackets online Inc./Legal Shield, Inc. Ms. Cutler talked about the importance of pre-paid legal and for those members who signed up at the meeting received tickets to an off-Broadway play. Two members signed up on the spot.

Next, members discussed the volunteer board positions.

Sherice J. White of SamIrene Enterprises volunteered to be the Chapter Secretary.
Idalia I. Giraud-Matos had volunteered to be Co-Secretary and is an Administrative Assistant for the NYC Department of Education, which specializes in Education. She is also a Certified Holistic Health Care Coach.

Sophia Anglin volunteered to be the Chapter Event Coordinator. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse at St. Barnabas Hospital, an entrepreneur and a community activist.
Bettina Compass will be the Chapter's Charitable Event Coordinator. She is the Owner and Massage Therapist of Compass 2 Relaxation.

Lorrie-Nicole Wellington volunteered to be the Treasurer. Her areas of expertise include financial analysis. Her professional title is Marketing Coordinator at Official Payments, which specializes in Electronic Payment Processing.

Once positions were filled members agreed that meetings will be held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at a location in the Bronx and special events will be held on Saturdays with given notice. For future meetings each member will have the opportunity to take the stage and talk about their business endeavors. The Chapter will be looking for guest speakers who will be invited to share knowledge and expertise on pertinent subjects.

The next meeting is to be held on June 27t at Tosca Bar and Restaurant in the Bronx, NY.
The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) is the largest and most recognized network of female professionals. NAPW provides a forum where women can interact, exchange ideas, educate, network, and empower. NAPW Local Chapters allow members to maximize their experience through meetings, networking opportunities, and professional events.

For additional information regarding the NAPW Bronx Local Chapter and/or NAPW please visit http://www.napw.com.

Follow NAPW on Facebook and Twitter.
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Fall’s Designer Fashion Shows Add Style To Reality Television

The scope of reality television covers topics ranging from coupledom to crime, and in between these contrasts of love and war await an array of programs dedicated to the world of popular fashion. Every year, hopefuls intent on creating the next line of popular designer handbags or models vying for the chance to promote the latest trends by top designers Chanel or Gucci find a home on reality television. Today, Rodeo Drive Resale, online retailer of fashion designers Louis Vuitton, Hermes and more, takes a look at three shows packed with personality and luxury style.

1)    Class Is In Session: On August 24, former Fendi and Yves Saint Laurent model Tyra Banks will premiere the 19th season of the popular series, America's Next Top Model. The show, in which women compete for a chance at entering the modeling industry, is getting a fresh spin, as America's Next Top Model: College Edition will feature participants who have enrolled or completed some form of advanced education. In addition, the show will be more interactive, as fans of the show will be able to vote on their favorite model through social media.

2)    Get Ready To Rock: Across the pond, Styled to Rock hits UK television later this month. The 10-part series, executive-produced by pop star Rihanna, chronicles a group of young British designers competing for a chance to create a stage outfit for 24-year-old singer. "I've always loved fashion," Rihanna confessed in the show's debut trailer. "Fashion has helped shape me into the artist that I am today." The "Umbrella" singer will also offer nuggets of advice along the way, and will be joined on camera by Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts, British designer Henry Holland and stylist Lysa Cooper, who will serve as mentors to the 12 competitors.

3)    There's No Place Like Home: Returning to television on October 9 is House of Style, the popular fashion series which first premiered on MTV in 1989. During its 11-year run, the show highlighted notable designers such as Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Betsey Johnson as well as young stars that would go on to be major Hollywood players including Will Smith and Winona Ryder. Though the show has been gone for quite some time (it ended in 2000), it returned for a single episode in 2009, and MTV promises its 2012 reboot will offer viewers even more Style than its predecessor. "The idea of the new House of Style is that it runs on all of our platforms. MTV is a fully multi-media company. You'll see it on television, on the web, on our aps," said Dave Sirulnick from MTV. "Not a lot of people are looking to consume 20-minute television shows on their phones. At least not yet. We want to make it really accessible for our audiences. Pieces will get windowed on to television, with the notion of the ability to a longer form programming style. The documentary is a long form piece."

As Top Model unveils its latest season, Rihanna lends her talents to the small screen, and MTV revives one of its mor fashion jackets e popular shows among fashion lovers, fans of reality television should rest assured that, no matter which program they choose, they will be watching in style.

Rodeo Drive Resale (shopRDR.com) has built a reputation of providing amazing deals on handbags, clothing and accessories from the top designers of upscale fashion. The company offers a 100% guarantee of authenticity on each item sold, and works daily with a network of clients looking to buy, sell, or for consignment of their luxury goods. ShopRDR.com loves high-end fashion, and believes finding a high quality, classic piece should be an easy, enjoyable -- and most importantly -- hassle-free shopping experience. For the finest in Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, St. John Knits, Christian Louboutin, Tiffany & Co. and more, visit RDR online at http://www.shopRDR.com or call 1-888-697-3725.

Also find shopRDR at:
Facebook: facebook.com/shopRDR
Twitter: twitter.com/shopRDR
YouTube: youtube.com/ shopRDR
Pinterest: pinterest.com/shopRDR

Rodeo Drive Resale (shopRDR.com)
1-888-697-3725
service(at)shopRDR.com

Alo M1004 Men’s Short-Sleeve Colorblock T-Shirt - 15% Discount - No Minimum

Alo M1004 Men's 4.3 oz. Short-Sleeve Colorblock T-Shirt, regularly priced at $24.82 is now on sale for $21.09 with no minimum from 9/02/12 thru 9/09 at Crooked Brook.

The M1004 is made of 4.3 oz., 100% polyester birdseye knit jacquard with contrast insets at raglan sleeve seams for mobility. This T-shirt has cover stitching along armhole seams, double needle stitching throughout and a self-fabric collar.

The M1004 T-shirt wicks moisture away and an anti-microbial treatment that fights odor-causing bacteria. The Colorblock panels on the M1004 help to accentuate embellishments such as a printed or embroidered logo.

Polyester performance T-shirts help improve physical performance by supporting the body's natural temperature regulating mechanism. Unlike cotton T-shirts that trap moisture and become heavy and clingy, polyester performance T-shirts pull perspiration away from skin and transport it to the surface of the shirt, where it evaporates rapidly. They work great in hot weather, but they're also a great choice in cooler temperatures, since they won't become damp and chilly like cotton shirts can.

Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL
Colors: White/Grey/Slate, Black/White/Grey, Grey/White/Slate, Leaf/Slate/Grey, Navy/Grey/Orange, Pacific/Grey/Navy, Red/Grey/Slate, Royal/Grey/Navy, Slate/Grey/White, Steel Blue/Navy/Grey

About T-Shirts

The t-shirt evolved from undergarments used in the 19th century, through cutting the one-piece "union suit" underwear into separate top and bottom garments, with the top long enough to tuck under the waistband of the bottoms. By the Great Depression, the t-shirt was often the default garment to be worn when doing farm or ranch chores, as well as other times when modesty called for a torso covering but conditions called for lightweight fabrics.

T-shirts, with and without buttons, were adopted by miners and stevedores during the late 19th century as a convenient covering for hot environments.

T-shirts, as a slip-on garment without buttons, originally became popular in the United States when they were issued by the U.S. women's jackets Navy during or following the Spanish American War. These were a crew-necked, short-sleeved, white cotton undershirt to be worn under a uniform. It became common for sailors and Marines in work parties, the early submarines, and tropical climates to remove their uniform "jacket", wearing (and soiling) only the undershirt.

Named the t-shirt due to the shape of the garment's outline, it soon became popular as a bottom layer of clothing for workers in various industries, including agriculture. The t-shirt was easily fitted, easily cleaned, were made in various colors and patterns and inexpensive, and for this reason it became the shirt of choice for young boys.

Basic t-shirts are staples in the promotional products industry and it is important that vendors understand their client's budget and needs right from the start. A vendor's presentation should always include at least three levels of basic T-shirts so customers can see and feel the differences. 50/50 t-shirts are a great value; their low price and durability from the blend of cotton and polyester make them a customer favorite. However, 100% cotton t-shirts offer the softness and comfort many customers want for their promotional pieces. When looking for a substantial and ultra soft t-shirt, 100% ringspun cotton t-shirts are the way to go.

Although the most popular method of printing t-shirts is screen printing, Crooked Brook t-shirts are printed using Direct To Garment Printing (DTG) which is the process of using inkjet printers to print an image directly onto t-shirts without the use of screens like with screen printing, which requires a lot of setup e.g., creating screens for each color. In addition, DTG printing uses eco-friendly, water soluble ink, unlike some screen printing methods that layer Plastisol (a suspension of PVC particles in a plasticizer) on top of the t-shirt. The only requirement for DTG printing is for the image to be high resolution, resulting in photograph quality printing with no setup fee or minimums for custom t-shirts.

About Crooked Brook

Crooked Brook is a unit of the atelier division of an art studio that offers full service apparel design, pattern making, sample making, private-label small lot production, direct-to garment printing and embroidery. Since 1989, they've built a strong reputation of providing top-notch apparel designs, patterns, fit and production samples for many brand name catalogs and retailers, as well as wardrobe and costumes for movies, television and theater.

All Crooked Brook branded garments and accessories are proudly made to order in the U.S.A.

In addition, Crooked Brook offers:

Chef knives, custom and made to order men's and women's chef coats, casino, spa, resort, hotel, chef and restaurant uniforms as well as alumni chef jackets for the Culinary Institute of America. Custom and made to order men's and women's embroidered lab jackets, uniforms and scrubs for nursing, medical, dental, scientific, engineering, technology & healthcare professionals.

Custom and made to order apparel and accessories for men, women and children, including but not limited to: suits, shirts, Hawaiian shirts, pants, vests, dresses, skirts, gowns, jeans, boxer shorts, martial arts and yoga outfits.

Sewing buttons and fabric by the yard: Ripstop, Organic Cotton Twill, Gabardine, Seersucker, Denim and Supima? Gabardine.

Promotional products, items, decorated apparel and accessories, such as; jackets, hats, fleece jackets, polo shirts, fleece blankets, sweatshirt blankets, shirts, hoodies, golf shirts, t-shirts, tote bags, sweatshirts and aprons that can be customized with the following apparel decorating methods:

Embroidery
Embroidered Patches
Tackle Twill
Appliqué
Direct to Garment Printing (DTG)
Sublimation

With a design studio in New York City, (the fashion and gastronomic capital of the world) and a production facility in Utica, New York, they've garnered international brand name recognition as the maker of the "World's Highest Quality Chef Jackets?".

Crooked Brook ships worldwide. Hours of operations are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST, seven days a week. Reach them at (315) 733-1992 to learn more.

Ducky Doolittle Will Offer Three Workshops at the Museum of Sex in October

The Museum of Sex is excited to welcome back sex educator Ducky Doolittle for three unique workshops at the Museum in October. Author of the book, "Sex with the Lights On: 200 Illuminating Sex Questions Answered," Ducky has spent the last two decades working in the field of sexuality and she is a certified emergency room Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Counselor. Ducky will be teaching the following three popular workshops in the Museum's Aphrodisiac Bar:

POP HIS ROCKET
We'll be straight up with you. This is a blow job class. Super fun and loaded with tips and techniques that will blow his mind. So sit down, prepare to be titillated and have a great time. And while you are there, having a great time talking about blowjobs with Ducky Doolittle, prepare to be transformed in other ways as well. With more than 20 years of sexual research behind her, Ducky has proven men are sexually deeper and far more beautiful than the world gives them credit for.
Date:         Wednesday, October 10, 2012 @ 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:     Museum Aphrodisiac Bar
Cost:         $25.00
Tickets:        http://museum.museumofsex.com/ai1ec_event/pop-his-rocket-october-2012/?instance_id=5658

GIRL 'GASM
Oh la la! Women are a deep pool of pleasure and Ducky Doolittle is here to teach you how to swim. She will demystify the female body, from erogenous zones, to the vulva, clit, G spot, female ejaculation, pelvis muscles and even anal pleasure. Together we'll compare ancient Eastern knowledge, current scientific data, personal discoveries, tips & techniques and send you home with a wealth of orgasmic knowledge and resources. Walk away understanding why some touches deliver amazing stimulation and how to draw deeper orgasmic responses. This workshop is for women and lovers of women.
Date:        Thursday, October 11, 2012 @ 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:     Museum Aphrodisiac Bar
Cost:         $25.00
Tickets:        http://museum.museumofsex.com/ai1ec_event/girl-gasm-october-2012/?instance_id=5657

SEX TECH: THE JOY OF SEX TOYS
As far back as 500BC we have evidence of phallic factories in Greece. They were exporting dildos all across the Mediterranean and using olive oil as a personal lubricant. In China th women's coats ey boiled a tubular plant to harden it into a tool for sex play. It was called The Cantonese Groin. Ben wa balls (yes, the kind you may have read about in 50 Shade of Grey) Have been around for centuries in all parts of Asia. But sex toys have come a long way in our age of personal electronics. So what is the best sex toy? For you, for your lover, for the two of you under the covers? We'll you on a guided tour of the very best products; their history, design, healthy & wellness, hygiene factors, affordability and orgasmic potential.
Date:        Thursday, October 18, 2012 @ 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:     Museum Aphrodisiac Bar
Cost:         $25.00    
Tickets:        http://www.mosexstore.com/browse.cfm/event-sex-tech-10-18-12/4,596.html

About the Museum of Sex
The Mission of the Museum of Sex is to preserve and present the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality. In its exhibitions, programs and publications, the Museum of Sex is committed to opening discourse and exchange and to bringing to the public the best in current scholarship. The Museum's permanent collection of over 15,000 artifacts is comprised of works of art, photography, clothing and costumes, technological inventions historical ephemera and an extensive multimedia library. With a newly redesigned Fifth Avenue retail store and a sexy aphrodisiac bar, the Museum of Sex is constantly evolving and has no plans to slow down. http://www.museumofsex.com

For more information contact:
Jim O'Shea
212-689-6337 ext. 125
joshea(at)museumofsex(dot)com

Diamond Nexus Hosts Milwaukee Ladies Night Event On Oct. 19th, 2012

Ladies are invited to the Aloft Hotel in Milwaukee from 7-10pm for a night filled with pampering with free spa stations set up courtesy of Roots Salon and fashion displays from Fred Boutique.

Diamond Nexus will also be offering women 30% off their full collection of stud earrings. Miss Pole fitness will be donating a six week class giveaway. Ladies will receive complimentary champagne at the door and sweet treats from Neufangled Desserts.

"We are so excited to be hosting a ladies night here in Milwaukee. There are going to be some amazing giveaways and games planned that will also be on site with proceeds benefitting the Susan B. Komen Foundation," stated Christina Waller, Diamond Nexus Event Coordinator.

"As a grand finale, we will be drawing for a Grand Prize Winner, who will receive a complete makeover package for two. This includes two people getting an entire day of luxury, with spa and salon services from Roots, clothes from Fred Boutique and jewelry from Diamond Nexus," commented Waller.

Aloft Hotel is located at 1230 Old World 3rd Street in Milwaukee, WI. The event runs from 7-10 pm and admission is free.

Diamond Nexus was founded in 2004 with the purpose of bringing to the public the powerful benefits of the lab-created diamond simulant revolution. They have over 250,0 women's jackets 00 customers worldwide that have awarded them an "A+" rating with the BBB, and are the ninth largest online jewelry retailer in America according to the 2011 IR500 list. For two years in a row brides from The Knot have selected them as their Best of Jeweler. Diamond Nexus currently has two retail locations: their flagship store at Woodfield Mall in suburban Chicago, Illinois, and a second store at Mayfair Mall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 2009 the company was named the official jeweler and crown maker of the Miss Universe Organization as part of NBC/Universal's "Green is Universal" environmental initiative.

Donald Carroll Named MVP Health Care Ultimate Game Changer

As part of MVP Health Care's fall brand campaign, MVP asked the community "Who Inspires You?" and received more than 150 nominations and 40,000 votes in our quest to find the Ultimate Game Changer. The contest—which was looking for people who make a significant difference in their communities by making them better, healthier places to live—concluded with an event on Saturday, November 10, honoring the top ten finalists and naming the Ultimate Game Changer.

Donald Carroll of Batavia, NY is the grand prize winner in the Ultimate Game Changer contest. Don, who is battling inoperable cancer of the stomach and esophagus, was not able to travel to Clifton Park for the event, but was there in spirit.

Don, who was orphaned at the age of five, said that the kindness of family, friends and strangers deeply moved him as a child and young adult, motivating him to "pay it forward" by sending local kids to summer camp, raising money to buy underprivileged kids toys and clothing at Christmas and funding college scholarships at Genesee Community College.

"I strongly believe all of us become who we are because of life experiences and the way we react to those experiences," Don said in a statement read by a friend at the event. "We can pick up the ball and run with it, or we can fumble our way through life. I chose to run."

Don and his former sixth grade teacher, Jerry Foster, who nominated him, have each won $1,000. Jerry plans to donate his prize money to the cancer support fund established to help Don with his medical and other financial obligations.

"I nominated Don because I've had the opportunity to see him grow from a quiet, shy sixth grader to a humble, compassionate man," said Jerry, who taught Don at Oakfield-Alabama Central School in Oakfield, NY. "I know of no one who believes more in 'paying it forward' than Don. I have always believed in Santa. His nickname is Don."

"All of the game changer finalists are examples of the kinds of everyday heroes MVP wanted to celebrate," said Denise Gonick, MVP's President of Operations. "Don's story, especially, is wonderfully inspiring. Despite all the hardship in his life and, now, his illness, Don has never stopped giving back and paying it forward. It's a reminder that wherever you are, whoever you are, you can make a difference."

At the awards dinner, MVP also celebrated the winner of its employee game changer contest, Laura Robinson, a team leader in MVP's Customer Care Center in Schenectady. The company's internal contest recognized employees who embrace working as team, go above and beyond to deliver excellence, make a difference in other employees' day-to-day lives and inspire others through their roles at MVP. Laura won an iPad loaded with wellness apps.

The Ultimate Game Changer Contest invited kids age 13 and over and adults in New York and Vermont to nominate someone they felt is making a significant contribution to their local community.

"We loved the 'game changer' theme because it resonates so we women's coats ll with our Generation Go brand," Gonick said.

MVP's Generation Go is about helping kids and families get moving, eat better and have fun. Find out more about Generation Go and see photos from the Game Changer awards dinner on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MVPGenerationGo.

The top 10 finalists in the Ultimate Game Changer contest were determined by online voting at http://www.MVPgamechanger.com and the winner was chosen by a panel of distinguished judges.

MVP would like to thank the judges:

•     Sara Wiseman, Promotions Manager at Radio Disney;
•     Jodie Fitz, healthy food blogger and creator of the Price Chopper Kids Cooking Club;
•     Todd Scheske, a pro cyclist, who started the MVP Health Care Elite Cycling team back in 2002;
•     Joy Dubin Grossman of RunVermont;
•     Gary Gait, lacrosse legend and coach of the Syracuse University's women's lacrosse team; and
•     Abby Wambach, Olympic gold medalist and five-time winner of the title of U.S. Female Soccer Athlete of the Year.

###

About MVP Health Care
Founded in 1983, MVP Health Care is a community-focused, not-for-profit health insurer serving members in the states of New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. Through its operating subsidiaries, MVP Health Care provides fully-insured and self-funded employer health benefits plans, dental insurance, and ancillary products, such as flexible-spending accounts, to more than 650,000 members. For more information, visit http://www.mvphealthcare.com.

Give Them a Hand: Preventing Workplace Hand Lacerations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 250,000 serious hand, finger and wrist injuries occur in the private industry annually. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also estimates that approximately 111,000 workers with hand and finger injuries lose days away from work annually - second only to back strain and sprain.

Hand injuries are no light matter, especially in industries where hand tools play a predominant role in the day-to-day operations of a business. In fact, OSHA statistics indicate that more than 10 percent of all on-the-job injuries involve the use or misuse of hand tools. While hand tools are common, many workers do not appreciate the possibility of injury when using them.

Researchers at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, in collaboration with colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health, conducted a study of occupational acute hand injuries. The risk of a hand injury was significantly elevated when working with equipment, tools, or work pieces not performing as expected, when using a different work method to do a task, doing an unusual task, being distracted, and/or rushed.

When addressing the task of reducing the risk of lacerations, employers should consider two elements: the tools and the person using the tool. While the use of tools, such as box cutters or utility knives, can and does heighten the risk of injury in the workplace, it's most often the worker's behavior that contributes to the injury. Nothing can replace solid training with hand tools to help prevent future injuries, as well as an attitude of vigilance when enforcing workplace safety.

To begin, employers and managers should ensure that the workplace environment has been made as safe as possible. Equipment and products should be inspected for sharp hazards on a regular basis. Managers should also eliminate, pad, or guard edges and surfaces that present a risk to employees. Above all, good housekeeping and organization should be maintained at all times.

When it comes to tools, employers and managers should also do their homework when it comes to providing hand tools to their employees. Workers should be provided with a variety of hand tools of which they can try out. After a trial period, employers can get feedback on which tools operate the best and those that were not as useful. Employers can then make informed choices on which tools will be most functional in the workplace.

It's also important for employers to consider what personal protective equipment (PPE) will be most suitable for workers. For instance, managers should provide employees with suitable sheaths or belts for those workers who need to move around carrying knives. Additional PPE for those working with knives include footwear, gloves, gauntlets, and aprons.

The third piece of the puzzle to a safe workplace is the employee. Worker behavior, training and understanding of hand tool safety is imperative to reducing incidences of injury. Firstly, it should be clear to workers which knives are the proper choice for cutting operations. Additionally, all employees should receive at least basic training on the correct way to use, carry, store, clean and maintain a safety knife. Knives should be kept sharp and regularly inspected for damage or wear. Above all, other implements should not be substituted for the use of a hand knife, and safety knives must be maintained in accordance with manufacturers' instructions.

Safety Knife Tips:
Select the right tool for job. For tools equipped with a guard, ensure it is in place and working correctly
Choose tools that fit the hand and body and are comfortable to use. Discard broken tools. Use tools correctly - push knife away from body. Keep hands and/or other body parts away from the point of operation. Use a tool box or tool belt to carry tools and keep sharp or pointed edges away from body
Avoid using excessive force or awkward postures when cutting with a knife.

When accidents do unfortunately occur, responding to the injury in a timely manner is, of course, mandatory. But first, employers need to take a little inventory to ensure their first aid services are adequate and that the proper training has been provided. First aid training courses should include instruction in general and workplace hazard-specific knowledge and skills. OSHA suggests that when setting up first aid services within a company, it's a good idea to appoint a person who will be responsible for choosing the types and amounts of first aid supplies, and for maintaining those supplies. The first aid contact should ensure that first aid supplies are adequate, reflect the kinds of injuries that occur, and are stored in an area where they are available for emergency access.

When it comes to first aid treatment for hand lacerations, the person treating the injured employee must first protect themselves against infection through contact with the injured employee's bodily fluids. Any equipment, clothing or surfaces contaminated with blood must be cleaned by a person train women's coats ed in the proper cleaning and disposal methods per the company's bloodborne pathogen transmission prevention policy.

For treating minor cuts, the cut should be washed with mild soap and water. Direct pressure should be applied to stop any bleeding. Follow up with an antibacterial ointment to coat and protect the wound. Once the wound has stopped bleeding, cover it with a bandage that will not stick to the injury. Based on the severity of the wound, outside medical treatment may be required.

Employers concerned with providing their employees with the most effective cutting tools should seriously consider purchasing one of the many available styles of safety knives.

Chef Uniforms The Importance of Looking Professional

In today's modern world, getting a job as a cook may or may not be hard. Of course, that does depend on what type of job you would be interested in and what type of degrees the company is interested in. Whether you work in the neighborhood McDonalds or the state bank, you usually still have a uniform that you must wear. Take a chef's uniform for instance.

For example, when you go to a restaurant and see the chefs cooking they are usually wearing a pair of white pants with a white lab coat and one of those long white hats on their head. No, they do not wear uniforms just to look funny, but because it is a requirement! It is a time-honored tradition, and every chef wears his or her chef uniform with pride. After a chef gets the job at the restaurant that he had wished for, the first thing that is talked about is the uniform that he or she is required to wear. It is always white, and always prestigious.

Depending on where you are hired to work, the restaurant may supply your uniform for you or you might just have to buy it. One of the reasons that you might be given a uniform by the restaurant would be because it may be specially made for employees. It might have the restaurant name, sign and maybe even the motto. Another reason for the employer to furnish chefs uniform is to make sure that all the uniforms are the same. You can't go out somewhere and buy something like that. Usually the chef's uniform and the waitresses' uniform's will be similar in a way, but will have their differences.

If you are planning on being a chef, always make sure that your chef's uniform stays clean. It is very unsanitary if you washed your uniform every two weeks knowing that you are around food the whole day. If you are a chef and you come out of the kitchen to go use the restroom wearing a uniform that has Wednesday's mashed potatoes and gravy that someone ordered, you are not going to be driving people to the restaurant.

The same rule applies to wearing a chef's uniform that is stained. Customers have a certain image of a chef, and a stained and dirty chef uniform does not fit the picture. The only thing you will be driving them towards is their car so they can go as far away as possible from your restaurant. This is definitely going to be a problem, your restaurant will not get that much business and it might even possibly go out of business.

Your chef's uniform is not the only thing that you should make sure stays clean. The restaurant itself has a great impact on your business and amount of pleased customers you have. This is also another way to either have the ability to attract customers or bugs. Keep the restaurant clean for the customers and the employees.

A chef uniform was designed with a purpose. The jacket is double breasted, so it can be turned inside out if there too many stains are on it. The jacket itself is made out of a double layer of cotton so it can insulate the chefs' body against the incredible heat from the stove or from the spill or splatters that may occur throughout the day. The cloth covered knotted buttons can handle a lot of washes and the frequent bumps with the hot pots and handles and heavy equipment.

Even the pants to a chef's uniform have a purpose other than being completely unattractive. The pattern on the pants of chefs uniform is called hounds tooth. It is a tiny black and white square pattern and it is great for hiding stains of any kind.

In past kitchens of the past, a chef would wear a neckerchief to catch the sweat that would pour off of them in the sweltering kitchens. Today, they are worn for aesthetic reasons. They give a chef uniform a more finished look.

The traditional chefs hat is called a toque blanche. It is the most distinguishing feature about the chef uniform. Chefs uniforms were originally gray, and made of regular material.

They can be traced back to the eighteenth century. Chef Careme, a famous chef of the time, decided to redesign the uniforms of all chefs. He designed them in the color white, thinking that it denoted cleanliness. He made them double-breasted and made of cotton. All of these idea were his. The hat sizes were originally made according to the position of the kitchen help. The chefs wore the tall hats and the rest of the kitchen cooks wore the shorter hats. A true torque has one hundred folds in it and has been rumored that because chef Careme could cook eggs one hundred different ways.

The traditional chef's uniform is a standard women's coats online for the chefs' profession, but it is not a law. As far back as the mid 1980's, chefs have been wearing their own form of clothing. Some chefs frown on these new-style uniforms as non-professional. They are proud of their chef uniform, and have worked very hard to be able to wear it.

Years of hard work at the culinary academy and then years of back breaking work perfecting their art have earned them the right to be critical. It is more of a respect feeling that they have toward the uniform and all that it signifies to wear it. They feel that by changing the uniform, it is defiling it in some way.

A chef's uniform is a very special article of clothing. Some feel that those who change the design of their own uniforms are somehow dishonoring the memory of the chefs before them that had dedicated their lives to creating culinary masterpieces. The time tested chefs uniform will continue to be the standard dress for all chefs, but there will always be rebel in the mix.