Unique Clothing Company Launches New Online Store

UsTrendy (http://www.ustrendy.com), a fashion community dedicated to discovering designers and empowering consumers, recently launched a new online store that they hope will take their company to the next level.

Staying ahead of the curve in the fashion industry, which has a tendency to become quickly saturated, can be difficult. But Sam Sisakhti founded UsTrendy in 2008 with the intention of helping talented fashion designers break down barriers created by the industry's elite to women's jackets online make a name for themselves. And, UsTrendy views their new online store as a step in that direction.

UsTrendy's online shop offers unique clothing for both men and women. Each respective section—men's and women's—showcases a featured designer. This allows customers to browse their bios, blogs, and products for sale on the site. As for the store's merchandise, well, customers can find a wide variety of unique clothing due to the diversity of their designers.

One of the goals of UsTrendy is to place up-and-coming designers in the spotlight. When a designer makes it onto the site their products become available in the online store. This provides customers with an eclectic product list to choose from; everyone is bound to find something that fits their style. One particular area of the site where this has stood out has been their different indie-style dresses. Women who shop at UsTrendy are provided with thousands of indie dresses that they can find nowhere else.

UsTrendy (http://www.ustrendy.com) realizes the fashion industry can be saturated quite easily, but, at the same time, they're determined not to be bogged down by the industry's elite. By keeping their clothing alive and different with their various designers, UsTrendy is on a path towards success. If you're tired of perusing the same designers for something new, check out UsTrendy's online store. New products are uploaded on a regular basis by different designers, a recipe that is sure to keep any clothing line on the cutting edge.

For more information, visit UsTrendy.com, or send an e-mail to Sam(at)UStrendy(dot)com or joyce(at)ustrendy(dot)com.

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Smokin' Hot Model Search - Presented by Cougars & Co.

Cougarsandco.com, a dating and social networking site, is calling all cats to the runway for its Smokin' Hot Model Search. The month-long model search continues with a series of events including the Oct. 21st Little Black Dress Bash and pre-Halloween Fashion show sponsored by Cougarsandco.com, Scottsdale Nights and Mansion Group.

The Smokin' Hot Model Search celebrates confident, sexy women who are 30-plus years old, and who have dated someone 7 or more years younger. To be considered, women must create a free "model" p women's jackets rofile at http://www.cougarsandco.com and upload a photo. The deadline for model applicants is Oct.30.

"Our model search isn't just about choosing a winner," Shelli Netko, owner and founder of Cougars & Co. explained. "It's about the experience itself and the opportunity for some amazing women to come together and feel empowered."

The winner will be announced at the Smokin' Hot Fashion Show and after party on Saturday, Nov. 13. The woman selected as the Smokin' Hot model will receive a prize package valued at over $5,500 including a one year modeling contract with Empire Talent & Modeling Agency, a diva photo shoot with Images by Kay & Co. Photography, a Caribbean cruise, by Singles Travel International, and VIP table access, drinks and dining at some of Scottsdale's top clubs and restaurants.

Cougarsandco.com opened for business earlier this year, and six short months later it earned a spot on the "Best of Phoenix" - New Times list as "The Best Happy Hour Resource for Cougar Hunters 2010."

Originally launched as a socially networking site, cougarsandco.com recently was re-branded as a dating site with the cougar lifestyle in mind. "We take online connections into the real world with our signature and charity partnership events, parties, happy hours as well as getaway vacations," Netko commented. "We're very excited about taking the site to the next level in such a short timeframe."

Cougarsandco.com is a proud supporter of the Women's Wellness Center at St. Joseph's Hospital. Proceeds from the launch event, which will included raffle and silent auctions, benefited the Women's Wellness Center at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center.

For model search details visit Cougarsandco.com.

About Cougars & Co.
Cougarsandco.com. is a dating and social networking Web site where confident, successful, independent women meet younger men and take online connections into the real world. Cougars & Co. hosts events and vacations for members to attend and expand their connections. Cougars & Co. also offers a select line of clothing available on Cougarsandco.com.

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Christine Laure Selects Centric Software for Product Lifecycle Management

Christine Laure, the French fashion design and retail company, has selected Centric Software, Inc., to provide its product lifecycle management (PLM) system.

Christine Laure joins other Centric fashion-industry customers in France—including Longchamp, Groupe Overall (Dellalui, El Internationale), INTERSPORT France, and Le Coq Sportif—and solidifies Centric's position as PLM leader in the French fashion industry, according to Chris Groves, president and CEO of Centric.

Christine Laure, which sells women's clothing through 150 stores in France and a network of 500 multi-brand resellers, has purchased Centric's Calendar Management, Product Specification, Product Sourcing and Line Planning modules. The company will use the Centric 8 system to improve collaboration and productivity throughout its product development process.

"With Centric 8, our teams around the world can share product and design information faster and more accurately," says Jean-Marc Delattre, general manager and chief operating officer at Christine Laure. The fast-growing, family-owned company works with a global supply chain, with sourcing in Asia, and manufacturing in France, Asia and Africa.

Previously, Delattre explains, Christine Laure's product development process relied on myriad spreadsheets and e-mail messages. The company's growing number of product lines, across multiple seasons each year, compounded communication issues. "We needed to speed product development and production, while assuring the high quality for which our products are known."

Christine Laure chose Centric after careful research and evaluation, according to Delattre. He cites Centric's specialization in and understanding of the fashion market, as well as Centric 8's ease of use. "We can rapidly adapt Centric 8 so that each user—in each department—sees the information needed to do his or her job, but is not distracted by extraneous information."

He adds, "Quality is important at Christine Laure, and that includes the companies with which we partner. Centric is the right team to move forward with as we address the opportunities before us." Centric 8 will provide accurate, real-time information to support enhanced collection and line planning, and help the company's teams make faster, more effective decisions in the product development process, according to Delattre.

Centric's web-based Centric 8 suite will integrate with Christine Laure's Orliweb system from Cegid, the French provider of ERP and retail software solutions for the fashion and specialty retail sector. Orliweb is used by more than 700 brands.

"By selecting a PLM suite that clearly meets the specific needs of a fashion business, and partnering with a company with deep fashion-industry expertise," says Groves, "Christine Laure's team can concentrate more on the creative processes that enable them to deliver desirable, high-quality products to their markets, and drive their growth."

Centric Software, Inc. (http://www.centricsoftware.com)
Centric Software is a leading provider of product lifecycle management (PLM) solutions for makers of hard lines, soft lines, or both in the fashion and consumer goods industries. Centric 8 delivers easy-to-use functionality to manage critical, inseparable business processes – product development, sourcing, and line planning and profitability management – through a modularized system that implements and delivers value rapidly.

With Centric 8, companies cut costs and inefficiency, speed new products to market, drive margin improvement, and improve global collaboration and compliance. Global enterprises including INTERSPORT France, The Coleman Companies, Dellalui, KlimUSA, BassPro Shops, Bravo Sports, E1 fashion jackets online Internationale, Longchamp, Western Glove Works, and United Stationers use Centric solutions to achieve revenue growth, reduce costs and deliver trend-right products to their customers.

Centric is a registered trademark of Centric Software. All other brands and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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Lazarus Gallery at United Hebrew of New Rochelle will Exhibit Original Hooked Rugs

The Lazarus Gallery of United Hebrew of New Rochelle, a campus of residences and services for older adults, will present a new exhibit of contemporary hooked rugs from the Hudson River Rug Hookers group. Rug hooking is considered both an art and a craft and The Hudson River Rug Hookers have embraced the art of rug hooking using new methods and new materials. United Hebrew opened its gallery in the new nursing home and rehabilitation pavilion in 2009. The gallery is an inspirational space that was created to enhance the lives of residents, family members and visitors.

The exhibit entitled "Hooked on Art" will run from March 4 to May 11, 2011. An artists' reception will take place on Sunday, March 6th at 2:00 pm in the Lazarus Gallery at United Hebrew, 391 Pelham Road, New Rochelle, New York and will feature a rug hooking demonstration. The exhibition will be curated by Jodi Moise, president of JMC Art Partners of New Rochelle.

The modern day hooked rugs are a new artistic medium that has developed over the last quarter century. It expanded the traditional hooked rug with expressive possibilities using some o women's coats f today's most innovative studio techniques.

The Hudson River Rug Hookers, a contemporary hooking group of women, have been meeting in Croton, New York for 18 years with their teacher, Marilyn Bottjer of Eastchester. The modern rug hooker has found an alternative to simply pulling up loops of strips through the backing cut from wool fabrics. They are using other hooking techniques such as Proddy, punch hooking and decorative stitches translated into hooking stitches. Instead of the formerly obligatory 100% wool which is cut into narrow strips, they are recycling Tee shirts, felted sweaters, ribbons, metallics, yarns of all kinds, cottons, etc. They are appliquéing on patches, sewing on buttons and bows. Instead of using the traditional burlap backing which turns out to not be a very long lived material, the Hudson River group are using linen, monkscloth and rug warp. In addition to this art for the walls, they are also creating wonderful, usable rugs for the floor out of new wool and recycled wool clothing.

Called America's one indigenous folk art, hooked rugs were primarily made to satisfy a practical need to give the illusion of manufactured carpets to rural homes. The popularity of hooked rugs was due largely to the importation of jute burlap from the East Indies beginning around 1850. The loose weave of burlap provides an ideal and economical base fabric for pulling up loops of strips of fabric to form a pile on the top side. The designs of the first rugs were drawn by the makers using patterns and scenes from their daily lives. Later in the century, and up to the present, many hooked rugs were made with pre-stenciled and manufactured patterns. Colors in these early rugs were as varied as any painter's palette. Most early dyeing of colors was done with natural materials, with synthetic dyes expanding color choices later in the century.

As the 19th century came to a close, the popularity of hooked rugs waned as more affordable commercial carpets became available. Pockets of rug hooking continued with cottage industries throughout New England, and most importantly, the rugs made and sold through the Grenfell Mission in Labrador. The colonial revival period in the 1920's and 30's brought about another resurgence of hooking. Materials and tools were improved and more widely available. After World War II women, particularly, had more leisure time to spend hooking magnificent, finely shaded rugs which indeed seemed "painted with wool".

Today rug hooking is enjoying a great resurgence in popularity with many makers returning to the early ingenuity and resourcefulness of original rug makers. It has spread across the United States and into other countries. The contemporary rug hooker enjoys creating original designs and dyeing colors specifically for that design. While many are still used as rugs, they are now considered an art form for hanging on the wall.

About United Hebrew of New Rochelle: United Hebrew is a vibrant not-for-profit, non-sectarian, multi-service senior living campus serving the Westchester metropolitan area since 1919. United Hebrew offers a rich array of skilled and community-based programs and services that encourages and supports a life of dignity and spirituality and promotes the highest possible quality of life. United Hebrew serves over 600 clients daily in its campus facilities -- Willow Towers, a 126-unit assisted living residence; a 296-bed nursing home and rehabilitation center staffed with Burke Rehabilitation professionals; the 135-unit Soundview Apartments for seniors; a Long Term Home Health Care Program; and the AZOR Home Health Agency. United Hebrew which combines world class care with state-of-the-art features opened its new home in 2009. http://www.uhgc.org. For more information please call Linda Forman, Vice President of Community Relations, at 914.632.2804 x1224.

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Memorial Day: Honor Remaining 77 WW I Vets: Chateau-Thierry Recalled

When the last World War I veteran dies, a chapter of world history doesn't have to close forever. The 77 remaining veterans of the War to End All Wars--including just 15 Americans--are at least 105 years old; soon they won't be able to tell their stories of living in damp foxholes, mounting an offensive using ancient and deteriorating equipment and inadequate supplies--and altering the course of history.

But their stories and images will live on in a remarkable new book that will make sure this history is passed down: the saga of how in 1918 the American army turned back the German invaders along the Marne Salient, and especially in the village of Chateau-Thierry--and saved Paris from enemy occupation.

Part military history, part travel guide, part a collective memoir and photo album of hundreds of soldiers, and all heart, *American Battlefields of World War I: Chateau-Thierry--Then and Now* uses the actual words of soldiers and eyewitnesses, along with 285 photos (many 'then-and-now'), 58 drawings and illustrations, and 22 maps, to capture a moment that changed the world--the first time U.S. soldiers defeated a conquering invasion army in Europe.

Made up largely of the writings and photos of the soldiers themselves, the book makes real and relevant these accounts of nearly 90 years ago. Here, for example, a U.S. Army reporter describes the exodus of local refugees after the area had fallen behind German lines, as it looked to the approaching American soldiers:

"...Lacking animal friends to aid them, men and women tug at the traces of wagons or push baby carriages and wheelbarrows along; while others, with no means of transport save their own poor bodies, struggle wearily on afoot, burdened to the limit of their strength. Loaded down with whatever they were able to rescue--bits of furniture, bundles of clothing and food, bottles and casks of wine, chickens, canary birds in cages, kittens and puppies, etc...."(p. 78)

And in this passage that could have almost been written about today's Iraq, a soldier describes his brave company's response to inadequate fuel:

"Trusting to luck that the Model Ts would manage the few remaining miles without refueling, the convoy up-anchored and squeaked its way out of Conde-en-Brie. But luck played a dirty trick, for shortly after leaving town the head of the column encountered a steep grade. The gravity feed, coupled with the low gas supply, proved too much for the 1918 Fords; they took a look at the hill, uttered one or two despairing gasps, and died with their boots on. The men detrucked and in approved Doughboy fashion hiked the last four miles carrying their guns and a limited supply of ammunition."

Homsher's book, which can be previewed at http://www.battlegroundpro.com, has won high praise from several military historians. For example, Matthew J. Seelinger of the Army Historical Foundation and Editor of On Point: The Journal of Military History, said, "While invaluable to anyone traveling to France to view the battlefield up close, this volume should also appeal to anyone hoping to gain a greater understanding of America's role in the Great War."

David Homsher, a Korean War veteran and self-taught military h Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com) istorian, has had a life-long interest in the history of World War I. He spent over 20 years researching this book and made repeated trips to France. He is available for interviews through May 8 or after May 16. Journalists: For interviews and/or review copies, please contact the publisher, Battleground Productions.

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Kymaro Body Shaper Hot Reviews & Now Available With Bonus Offer at UBuyEZ.com

UbuyEZ.com, the website to visit for all the great products "As Seen on TV," is now offering a special deal on the KYMARO? Body Shaper. The KYMARO Body Shaper makes slimming down and toning up as simple as slipping on an undergarment. With the purchase of the KYMARO Body Shaper top in nude, customers may get the bottoms, a $40 offer, for the cost of processing and handling. Customers may also receive a set in black for the cost of processing and handling per item, with the purchase of the KYMARO Body Shaper set in nude.

KYMARO? Body Shaper is the perfect solution for women who are looking to smooth out the bumps and bulges that traditional undergarments leave behind. The KYMARO Body Shaper has hot reviews and comes in two pieces, top and bottom, eliminating the inconvenience caused by one-piece body shapers. By offering the tops and bottoms separately, customers can mix and match sizes so that a person larger on top than bottom, or vice versa, can still get an excellent fit simply by getting the appropriate size in each piece. One piece shapers do not offers this flexibility. In addition, unlike many of the most popular body shapers on the market, the KYMARO Body Shaper does not roll up on the edges. The KYMARO Body Shaper comes in six sizes, with a thorough sizing chart right on the order page, directing women to the perfect size for them. Every KYMARO Body Shaper is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee less shipping, processing, and handling. If the consumer wishes to return the top for a full refund, she may keep the shorts and black set for free Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com) .

The KYMARO? Body Shaper not only shapes, but helps with posture. Men are also finding the KYMARO Body Shaper a helpful aid for posture and bulge problems. One gentleman wrote in to say he was a transplant patient, and the KYMARO Body Shaper helped alleviate the back problems and post-operative bulges he was experiencing. The KYMARO Body Shaper can shave 2 sizes off of clothing size, and the material is comfortable enough to wear year-round under casual and formal attire alike.

"Comfort and support was our goal with the KYMARO? Body Shaper; the Kymaro body shaper designers worked hard to create a 2 piece Kymaro shaper that would work with every woman's body type," said Romy Fazeli, Kymaro President. "Whether you are hourglass, apple, or pear shaped, the Kymaro body shaper will work for you. "

The KYMARO ? Body Shaper is just one more of the numerous helpful health and beauty aids from Kymaro. In addition to the body shaper, KYMARO also offers curve control jeans that flatter fuller figures. The special denim weave contours the body and does what the KYMARO Body Shaper does, but in a jean.

"Jeans are a staple in any woman's closet, but it's nearly impossible to find a pair to fit you," said Fazeli, "The idea for Curve Control Jeans was to fashion a pair of jeans to hide any figure flaws without the need of a standard shaper."

KYMARO ? also has products to flatter the bustline. The KYMARO Bust Up Cups fit into any bra to create fuller, firmer looking breasts and lift a sagging bust line. The Bust Up Cups can even be worn with swimsuits as they're waterproof. This is the only insert on the market that has patented designed breathable holes, prevents sweating and molds and forms to the bust line. The KYMARO Backless Bra offers full coverage without any strap lines. The backless bra attaches with a special adhesive, but the bra is washable and reusable. KYMAROalso offers a line of eyelash extensions for budget savvy glamour girls. The KYMARO Glamour Eye lash extensions come in different collections, from plain to glitzy. Kymaro Fix My Roots comes in a full range of hair color and quickly and easily applies to the roots to match color in between trips to the salon. The special formulation bonds to the hair shaft with no flaking, but easily shampoos out. All the KYMARO products are available through UBuyEZ.com

UBuyEZ.com offers a full range of products that were first popularized on television commercials and infomercials. UBuyEZ.com brings products otherwise only available to a small subset of consumers to everyone with an Internet connection. UBuyEZ.com offers products in clothing, housewares, health & beauty, and exercise. The KYMARO Body Shaper deal is one of many offered by the website, and now available to consumers through the holiday shopping season. All products available on UBuyEZ.com are manufactured by BJ Global Direct.

About KYMARO?
KYMARO? A leader in heath, beauty, and spa essentials. KYMARO offers a variety of products, from shapewear to hair extensions and exercise equipment to bra inserts. Kymaro makes it their goal to provide quality products at affordable prices. Shop for all KYMARO products at http://www.ubuyez.com or call Kymaro at 1-888-KYMARO1.

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CompareCards.com Offers a Comprehensive Review of the Pros and Cons of the Victoria’s Secret Angel Credit Card

CompareCards recently posted a great write-up of the Victoria's Secret Angel credit card. The CompareCards.com blog helps consumers perform in-depth comparisons of credit cards while taking advantage of free expert card reviews and summaries.

Victoria's Secret is arguably the most recognizable and valuable brand of women's lingerie, undergarments, and other intimate clothing. But the store also sells a wide variety of other attractive and unique items including pants, suits, dresses, blouses, sportswear, beachwear, and accessories. Many customers, both male and female, want to know if the Angel Card is a value-adding financial tool and shopping aid. For that reason CompareCards added the Victoria's secret credit card to its long list of other credit cards reviewed and explained on the informative website.

Below are some of the highlights from the latest review:

•     The Victoria's Secret Angel Card

The Angel card offers $10 in rewards for every 250 points earned while using the card. Cardholders are also rewarded with up to six months of special offers that have a value of at least $100, plus special birthday promotional offers and access to all of the semi-annual sales and new products.

•     The Victoria's Secret Angel VIP Card

Those who earn at least 250 points with the Angel card earn an upgraded customer status, stepping up to the Angel VIP Card. Having attained that higher tier they not only get all the standard Victoria's Secret Angel Card benefits but they are offered additional perks like "Angels First" early access to sales and new items. The $10 rewards continue each time another 250 points is accumulated in the account. Cardholders additionally receive double rewards points earned on all bra purchases, free samples of merchandise, opportunities to attend exclusive Victoria's Secret makeover and beauty events, and Angel VIP customer service.

•     The Downside to the Victoria's Secret Angel Credit Card

But the APR for purchases is 24.99%, which is relatively steep, and although there is no annual fee for the card there are Tips: Find Street Fashion Online(may be you can find what you want on the oasap.com) quite a few restrictions and limitations. Since it is not a conventional credit card like those issued by companies like Visa and MasterCard, for example, it is only honored in stores that are within the Victoria's Secret corporate network. That makes it impossible to use the card to earn rewards points through outside, unaffiliated merchants. Plus, if a cardholder lets their account remain inactive for 12 consecutive months they have to forfeit all of their Angel Card rewards because they will automatically expire.

Chris Mettler, president and founder of CompareCards.com, helps to put this particular credit card into perspective. "There is no argument that Victoria's Secret is a great brand," he says. "But the strength of their brand is in their merchandise and customer service, not their credit cards or rewards program. Customers will most likely earn rewards or cash-back a lot faster by selecting a different kind of credit card with more generous options. There are some amazing rewards cards, for instance, that don't even charge an annual fee. So even if people enjoy shopping at Victoria's Secret they will likely come out ahead by carrying a better brand of plastic."

With recommendations that put the consumer first, CompareCards.com provides crucial information for consumers, students, business travelers and others looking for guidance on credit card deals and other personal financing issues. Visitors to the site can use handy tools to help manage their finances or select the best and most appropriate credit card for their particular income bracket, credit history profile, and individual preferences. There are also credit card specialists available via live chat during normal business hours.

About CompareCards.com
CompareCards.com serves as an efficient navigational tool in the ever-increasing space of online credit card offerings. Started as a listing resource for consumers, the site has expanded steadily and now serves as a multi-dimensional service for users to compare credit cards side-by-side and utilize additional functions to manage their credit. The site analyzes details on more than 100 leading credit card offers and has been mentioned in Business Insider, ETV Public Radio, CBS Money Watch and MainStreet.com. For more information, just visit http://www.CompareCards.com.