It’s likely that most fashionistas out there don’t place Sears at the top of the list for cutting-edge fashion. In fact, it’s quite likely that Sears isn’t anywhere to be found on such a list. However, the department store, well-known for its “softer side” advertisements, is introducing a new line of men’s clothing that we have to admit has caught our attention. There are no pictures as of yet (and to be fair, we’re not expecting much in terms of cut and style). What makes this new clothing line so interesting is the material that it will be constructed from.

Starting this spring, Sears plans to debut a new line of suits that will be called EcoGir. The line is said to be made for “fashionable males” (we’ll believe it when we see it — none of the fashionable males that we know would ever buy a suit from Sears) and made from 100% recycled materials. The noteworthy material that will be used for the creation of these suits is plastic chips from soda bottles. It is estimated that approximately 13 2-liter soda bottles will be needed to get the material for one suit. EcoGir suits will be able to be washed in your home rather than having to be taken to the dry cleaners. These will also be rather affordable for suits, costing only $150 each. While these certainly won’t be the most fashionable suits around (after all, they will basically be 100% polyester), it’s still fascinating to hear about the continuation of green trends in fashion, particularly in such a mainstream store. We look forward to seeing similar lines from more stylish sources in the future.

There’s nothing that we women love quite as much an item of clothing that is both fashionable and comfortable. That is why we love Velvet by Graham & Spencer. The line started with a very simple concept: that a T-shirt could be fresh, flattering, and feminine all at the same time. The resulting creations were soft, sensual, and an immediate hit with fashionistas. Found in trendy, upscale boutique shops around the world, Velvet has expanded to encompass a broader range of fashions, including the recent Velvetmen line. Velvet clothing is all manufactured in Los Angeles and can be found for sale on their website, velvet-tees.com, as well as in major fashion capitals the world over.

Browsing their collections on their website, you’ll see beautiful colors and sleek designs. There are very few prints in the Velvet line — instead, the designers have focused more on texture and detail. The clothes have a casual elegance but are still quite feminine. Both the tops and the dresses can be dressed up or down, making the pieces a versatile addition to your wardrobe. Our favorite tops are the Sallyanne and Moira styles — both look like they would be perfect for a quick day-to-night switch. We also love Keriam in the dress collection; it’s a great LBD that we would love to add to our wardrobe.

The men’s collection is still small at the moment, with only five different shirt styles available for sale. However, we do like the clean, simple lines and crisp colors. They still look comfortable enough that even the less fashionable of our male friends would enjoy wearing them.

If you have never had the pleasure of taking a romantic gondola ride around Venice, now might be the time. Italy has always been one of the more affordable destinations in Europe despite its incredible charm, ancient landmarks, and vibrant culture. I have often heard it said—and agree—that Italy is one of those countries that people want to visit time and time again. Each city has a distinctly different flavor, so visiting Venice is an entirely different experience, for example, than touring Rome. Everything looks and feels unique from city to city –the architecture, natural surroundings, cuisine, music, and people. While Italy is known for its leisurely pace and a culture where enjoying a fine meal, strolling to the market, and chatting along the way, are not hurried—some cities like Rome are more prone to hustle and bustle of tourism and business than, say, the region of Tuscany, home to cultural centers like Florence, home of the Italian Renaissance.

Tourists visiting to Italy should keep the pace of life in mind—especially if you are planning to go during an Italian holiday. Italians love holidays, and nothing is more important than relaxing, celebrating, and being with family and friends. Tourists quickly learn that this means organizations cease to operate—this includes banks, galleries, and shops! Here is a list of Italian holidays visitors should note:

• January 1–Capodanno (New Year’s Day)
• January 5 and 6–Befana (Epiphany)
• Lune di Pasqua—date changes yearly–(Easter Monday)
• April 25–Fiesta della Liberazione (Liberation Day)
• May 1–Fiesta del Lavoro (Labor Day)
• August 15–Ferragosto (Assumption Day)
• November 1 and 2–Ognissanti (All Saints’ Day)
• December 8–L’Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception)
• December 25–Natale (Christmas Day)
• December 26–Santo Stefano (St. Stephen’s Day)

Also note that when a holiday falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, it often carries over to Monday or Friday! If you have local friends to spend time with, these days are some of the best for visiting Italy. If not, just remember that you may not be able to enter some of the landmarks on your list of must-sees (though many monuments are amazing to view from the outside alone). One more recommendation for visitors to Italy is to consider renting an Italian villa versus staying in a hotel. This will keep you in a real neighborhood where you can really get a taste of the local culture in each city you visit.

I always thought only rich ladies got plastic surgery, but a recent encounter with my 42-year-old neighbor has almost changed my mind. She works as a plastic surgeon’s assistant. I have known this lady for about two years. She is normal in every way (average appearance, middle-class income, and nice)–with the exception that she’s excessively tomboyish. When the Superbowl was on several weeks ago, for example, I could actually hear her yelling—including bouts of both cheering and cursing—from my place a few doors down.

Why am I telling you about this lady? Well, she clued me in on some shocking information. First, she has had at least two plastic surgery procedures performed. And secondly, she informed me that some procedures are affordable for people like her and me. (By “people like her and me,” I mean people who look relatively plain, are not hideously ugly, nor atrociously rich—and by no means glamorous or high-maintenance.) We ended up talking about common procedures. I’m just going to share what I learned, and you use this information as you see fit. Here’s the nitty gritty:

• Breast augmentation: The cost ranges from $5K to $10K, but could be more depending on where you live and how famous your surgeon is.
• Breast lift: This procedure is for those who simply need a little help fighting gravity in the chest area. It costs about $4 to $9K, again depending on where you are located and who the surgeon is.
• Forehead lift: This one was a surprise—it is very, very common and costs $2K to $8K. See, I could actually do this one.
• Liposuction: This can be done all over the body. The cost could be as low as $2Kto $5K for the outer or inner thighs to $3K to $8K for the abdomen. Many patients apparently request a combination of areas, but these price ranges are for individual areas.
• Tummy tuck: The cost ranges from $5K to $10K—it can get pricey because this procedure is often combined with liposuction.

No one is saying that I am sprinting to the local plastic surgeon to get my breasts, forehead, and tummy fixed. But I am a little surprised at the costs—I thought they were much higher. In addition, the fact that my neighbor works in an office and feels safe doing the procedures just kind of made me realize—hey, this stuff isn’t just for glamorous movie stars who get plastic surgery in Orange County and Hollywood. Apparently, regular people can enhance their appearances through plastic surgery too! If they so choose, of course. That’s an interesting revelation for this normal girl.

Anyone who follows the lifestyles of the rich and famous knows that celebrities are big on charity. Whether they are passionate about issues or they simply want a tax break (we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, but we know not everyone is actually the angel they appear to be for the press), having a celebrity throwing their weight behind a cause can mean a big boost in donations for related charities. Regular people love the celebrity lifestyle — that’s why there are so many shows and websites devoted to the things they say and do and wear. For those who want to be a little bit more like their favorite actor or singer or model, supporting a cause that they support is a way to feel like you have something in common with them while also doing something that you can feel good about.

With so many deserving charities out there, it can be difficult finding a way to attract the celebrity support that they want. One organization, Tag the World, has taken an interesting approach to this. They have had jewelry designer Michael Barin create five different dog tags to represent five different causes: children, cancer, animals, Africa, and green. The term “dog tag” is a bit of a misnomer, as these sterling silver necklaces each have a beautiful and elaborate open design that is meant to symbolize the heart of the cause. The proceeds from the sale of these tags will be donated to related charities. This organization has already attracted some celebrity support, and we look forward to seeing these lovely tags around the necks of some of the hottest stars around.

It doesn’t matter how much you have. Who can resist free goodies, especially when they are worth a bundle? That’s what the presenters at the Oscars used to look forward to each year when they receive their gift bags from the Academy. These highly-coveted bags were packed with goodies worth up to $100,000. What kind of items could be found in these treasure troves? Everything from iPods to stays at five star hotels to watches worth thousands of dollars.

Why is it that companies would want to give away such expensive products to celebrities, considering that they’re generally more than wealthy enough to pay for them? The companies actually see this as an affordable form of advertising, as a celebrity spotted with one of their products can spark a huge rush in sales. Giving away a product to a celeb is less expensive than a nationwide ad campaign, and the results can sometimes be much more rewarding.

However, as of 2006, the IRS declared that these bags counted as taxable income, leading the Academy to discontinue the presentation of these bags. Instead, for the 2007 Oscars, presenters were given carbon offsets from a company called TerraPass, as well as an offer to have their carbon footprint calculated. While not exactly the same as the swanky swag of the past, you have to give the Academy credit for taking a more green approach to things.

For those of us who are both shoppers and collectors at heart, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of obtaining a new piece to add to our collection. Sure, the economy might be going south and times might be tight, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t indulge in our hobbies every once in a while, right? The key is being a discerning collector — only buying the pieces you really want and the ones that are really worth the money. That way, you can have a collection that you truly enjoy rather than one that you’re not sure that you invested wisely in.

One of the more popular collecting arenas these days is the world of entertainment memorabilia. Whether it’s the musical artists that you grew up listening to, your favorite movie to watch over and over, or the sports team you cheer for season after season, many of us love owning a little piece of whatever it is that has brought us so much enjoyment. One of our favorites sites to shop for entertainment collectibles is American Royal Arts. This dealer specializes in fine art collectables that relate to entertainment. From stunning publicity photos from the Wizard of Oz (who didn’t grow up loving that movie?) to signed artwork of golf sensation Tiger Woods, the selection of pieces on this site is truly awe-inspiring to browse through. The nice thing about fine art collectables like these is that they are something we’re happy to display in our home or our workplace, rather than just being an item we admire for a few minutes and then shove on the back of a shelf or inside a closet, never to be heard from again. Besides, these are purchases that we can just pass off as home décor, right?

One of America’s favorite shows has returned to the airwaves. That’s right, music fans (and train wreck fans), American Idol is now in its eighth season! The show couldn’t come back fast enough for us. We have to admit, the fun of American Idol isn’t just watching it for us — it’s discussing the contestants with like-minded fans. Which singer performed best? Were the voting results fair? Who deserves to win it all? If you’re looking for a place to talk with other fans about the show, we recommend Idol Fan Forum, a great website for viewers to discuss the hits and misses on the popular show. It appears that this season, the website will include recaps of each episode of the show, perfect if you’re one of those people who has trouble keeping track of the contestants’ names or remembering who sang which song.

The show is mixing things up this season by adding a fourth judge to the panel: singer, songwriter, and record producer Kara DioGuardi. The results shows will drop back down to half an hour in length, something that we haven’t seen since season five. And there is a promise to focus less on the embarrassing auditions and more on the genuinely talented singers that stand a real chance at being crowned the next American Idol. There’s also talk that we will learn more about these contestants than we have previous ones: more about their personal history, dreams, and aspirations. That could be a good thing or a bad thing, in our opinion. While it’s always good to feel a little more like the singers are real live three-dimensional people, our favorite element of the show itself is, of course, the singing. It’s the core of the show, after all. Hopefully, any changes this season and in future seasons won’t serve to detract from that.

Do you know what I love? Discovering that I can afford luxurious things. I recently visited a tanning salon and spa—and guess what—it was completely affordable. Do you know how excited I am about this? Well, if you could see how hot I look right now, you would understand. Sorry—that sounds immodest. But it’s true–tans make people look attractive, thin, and healthy—and that’s exactly the effect this visit had on me!

For over a year, one of my close friends has been going to this salon called Planet Beach. They recently had a special (which they are still having); my friend gave me a coupon, and I finally went for a visit. My only regret—I should have done this much sooner. Planet Beach is the largest spa franchise in the world—they have 360 locations. You can tell because they clearly know what they’re doing. They have really state-of-the-art equipment and tanning methods like Mystic Tan (spray-on tan). I visited the location nearest my current humble abode in West LA. For readers in my area, this branch is located at 12203 Santa Monica Blvd. It is one block west of Bundy Dr. in the heart of West L.A. They have three levels of free parking.

So, I walk in and sense they must be doing aromatherapy—the place not only looks, but also smells exquisite. The attendant was really polite and told me about the different tanning beds: lay-down, stand-up, and the one I finally chose–the massage bed. Do you have any idea how nice it feels to lie down on a massage bed? If not, suffice to say you really should give it a try. My skin is still tingling. They also offer facials, skin care, and hydration therapy there. I am going to try each service.
If you want to try out any of these services, now is the time. The salon I visited is offering 3 Free Tans or 1 Free Spa Session. Coupons can be printed at http://www.westlatanning.com/coupons.html. I truly recommend it–I am so glad I visited!

The decline of the dollar has made European travel frustratingly expensive! For any of you who are unwilling to just sit back and accept that you’ll never again be able to make an exciting, exotic trip abroad—I have a suggestion: start researching Cape Town.

Cost and exchange rates aside, Cape Town a must-see tourist destination. This city is the most popular destination for visitors to South Africa—and there are many reasons. The natural surroundings include mountains and breathtaking views of both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The infrastructure of the city is well-developed, and there are several natural landmarks in the area. The most famous of these is Table Mountain, which branches into Table Mountain National Park. This is located at the end of the City Bowl. Tourists can take a cable car to the top of the mountain; however, hiking up is also an option. Chapman’s Peak Drive is a narrow road that links Noordhoek with Hout Bay—tourists drive along it to soak in unforgettable views of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby mountains.

Many tourists come exclusively for Cape Town’s beautiful beaches. Each beach has a different setting and atmosphere, and it is possible to visit several in the same day. Get ready though—the Benguela current from the Southern Ocean makes the water along the Atlantic coast very cold! False Bay beaches are on the Indian Ocean side of Cape Town–and tend to be about 15 to 20 degrees warmer. Both coasts are equally popular, though the beaches along the Atlantic Coast are more lively with restaurants and cafés, including the well-known strip of restaurants and bars at Camps Bay. Close by, visitors travel to Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town to see its colony of African penguins. This is also a popular destination for surfers, as this city hosts the yearly Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition.

Cape Town is an excellent city to visit—both for experienced travelers or those taking their first trip abroad. It is a navigable city close to every kind of destination tourists love—beaches, mountains, fine dining, and great shopping. Anyone interested in visiting Cape Town or other destinations in South Africa might want to take a look at a site like LuxExperience, which offers local tour packages in the region.