Guests who attend the 'by invitation only' event will enjoy carefully selected wines from the Sonoma, CA wine region, sumptuous hors d'ouevres and the sounds of smooth jazz to make their shopping experience even more pleasurable. Those whose purchases equal or exceed $100 will receive a 'goodie bag' which will include such luxe items as exotic artisan chocolates from Vosges, fresh handmade soaps from the UK company, LUSH and Moet & Chandon champagne. Also that evening, a Silent Auction for a fabulous Ruby, Amethyst and Garnet necklace, bracelet and earring set designed and handcrafted by Juliet will be held. All proceeds from the winning bid will benefit The American Red Cross and their relief efforts for the victims of the recent Tsunami in southern Asia. The JulRe Designs Lovers Holiday and Men's Collections will also be available for purchase.

To attend, jewelry lovers must request an invitation via email to e-mail protected from spam bots or join the company mailing list online by February 5, 2005. Space is limited.JulRe Designs Exquisite Wearable Art is also available online and in their NY Showroom by appointment only. For more information, please visit their web site at www.JulReDesigns.com.

Baby pink polka dots on chocolate silk ? YUMMY! And that's just the tip of the iceberg.But the best part of all? This designer silk is offered every day at 30-60% off of retail.Primarily in the business of providing silk to the stars, this unorthodox fabric house also features an Artist of the Month, shining the spotlight on someone you might not have heard of before, or maybe someone you love that you thought was overlooked. Artists range from features on Johnny Depp to Charles Bukowski to Tom Waits, written by both well-known and lesser known authors. A real treat.Today is the first day of HYENA'S annual Labor Day sale offering 10-30% off the latest additions to The Collection.If you like nice things but you're bored of Rodeo Drive, get down to Hollywood and get in on Hollywood's Best Kept Secret ? a little online store called HYENA?long frequented by the industry, now open to the public...virtually speaking.We think you'll like it in the world of HYENA. Have a look around: www.hyenaproductions.com.

"I wanted to create clothing that is sophisticated, sensual yet versatile," she explains. The choice of fabrics for her dresses was evident: soft to the touch and luxurious on the skin. A graduate of Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC (FIT), Cordero has extensive fashion experience and has worked with the fashion elite: Versace, Calvin Klein, Gucci, Chanel, Oscar de La Renta, Narciso Rodriguez, and Anna Sui.A native New Yorker of Puerto Rico descent, Cordero realizes the importance of fun and practical clothing, which can take you from work to a night out on the town with ease.Future plans for "Cordero" include a maternity line. Who says expecting mothers can't be fashionably sexy...stay tuned..

They are both time-consuming, amateurish, and usually too expensive. Including company logos, photographs, or special typefaces could only be done with much work and considerable expense.Until recently graphic designers and advertising people ? the creative types who like pretty pictures and exciting graphics ? these people have been effectively shut out from producing economical vinyl banners for their clients. Digital Revolution has brought changesThe "digital revolution" has changed all that. Printing machines are now available that can print directly on outdoor (and indoor) grade vinyl in stunningly beautiful full color. That means a graphic designer can take the same files she uses for her client's magazine ad or company brochure, blow them up, and print them directly on a piece of vinyl.As a result, the catalog of available vinyl materials that can be printed on has exploded in the last three or four years, and the printing process has been perfected to the point where you can now print an beautiful full color image on a piece of virtually untearable vinyl with durable inks that will not weather or fade for many years.This opens up many possibilities for marketers, designers, trade show exhibitors, retailers, special speakers, and event planners.

Vinyl banners have several distinct advantages over almost any other advertising medium.First, they are FLEXIBLE, and very durable. That means you can carry your backdrop to an open house, trade show, or outdoor event. Just hang it over a table, or from readily available hanging hardware. Or if it is an outdoor event like a golf or slo-pitch tournament, attach it to the side of a building or an outfield fence. When the event is over, just take it down, roll it up, and you're ready for the next event.

Second, they are CHEAP. If you find the right supplier (www.tradeshow-display-experts.com) you can produce a banner for much less than any other suitable alternative.Third, they are BIG. An image can be stretched across several segments, and these can be stitched together. A banner does not have to be long an skinny. It can just as easily be big and square.

There is virtually no limit to the size you can produce a vinyl banner.Finally, they are EASY. Anybody with a little bit of graphic design experience can design a banner. And even if you have NO experience, the best online sources of vinyl banners (www.tradeshow-display-experts.com) provide you with instructions and design templates to make the process extremely simple.The next time you want to make a big, bold statement for very little money, consider doing it with a vinyl banner.When copying or reproducing this article, or parts of this article, please give appropriate credits to Richard Hendershot, www.tradeshow-display-experts.com.

Artificial flowers can usually be found at any craft store and sometimes even your local dollar store. Most flowers range from $1.00 to $6.00 a stem. Keep in mind that some silk flowers can get pricey, but they are usually large, high-quality silk roses. There is a wide range in colors and types of flowers in silk. Some people argue that faux flowers have no scent, thereby losing some of the mood that they want to create at a ceremony.

Use of perfumes or artificial scents can help minimize this short fall in compare to cut flowers. With a huge difference in price range, most believe that this difference is not worth the extra cost and time. 2. DurabilitySilk flowers have an amazing economical value. They will not break or wilt when being handled or manipulated into an arrangement or bouquet.

This could become a problem with fresh flowers, as they will wilt and discolor over a relatively short period of time. Artificial flowers can be made ahead of time which allows room to fix mistakes or the odd broken stem. This is also great when large volumes and long timelines for preparation are an issue. Silk flowers have a great shelf life. When your event is over, you can store your silk flowers as a keepsake and rekindle your memories of a good time and a job well done.

Silk flowers do have an amazing advantage in this area.3. Create same feeling/moodSome bride's-to-be or party planners fret about silk flowers looking fake. Some of this depends on the type of flower you chose. Today, silk flowers have looked more realistic than they ever have. Most flowers are easy to replicate and will provide you with a natural looking flower arrangement or bouquet.

4. AllergiesEveryone knows that allergies can be a pain. That's why silk flowers are ideal for people with allergies. People with these symptoms can have silk flowers in their home, while still enjoying the wonders of nature. No need to worry about that stuffy nose and runny makeup with silk flowers.Silk flowers are great for any occasion - weddings, birthdays, funerals and home and office decor.

Faux flowers are very easy to take care of, inexpensive and create the same positive feeling that fresh, cut flowers would. For on-the-go decorators, silk flowers are perfect for not demanding attention like real flowers.With all these advantages, silk flowers are defiantly an option in any special occasion or event in your life..

Their clothing was featured on the Playboy January 2000 cover, as well as in in Us Weekly, People, Flaunt, Interview, Oye, Essence, WWD, DNR, and the California Apparel News. They have done tour wardrobe for Stanley Clark and Ricky Martin. They specialize in silk beaded gowns and sexy dresses. They have done benefit fashion shows for Caring for Babies with Aids, the Susan G Komen Foundation and the Muscular Dystrophy Asc.Richard Bowman and Xavier Othon, a Design team and boutique since 1995, customizing in One of a Kind and off the Rack is located at 8248 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information contact 323-653-2170..

These organizations were selected for their long-term commitment to animals and the creative solutions they promote.Viva USA, a registered 501(c)(3) organization, conducts investigations of factory farms and provides the tools for people to adopt a vegetarian diet. Through their up-to-date documentaries and informative booklets, Viva USA makes a compassionate diet appealing and possible. Recently, Viva USA successfully lobbied for a ban on foie gras in California.ARME works directly with animals in need, rescuing dogs and cats and finding them loving homes. This 501(c)(3) utilizes television and Internet media outlets to expose the plight of abused animals and also coordinates annual food and toy drives for abandoned dogs and cats.SHAC is comprised of volunteers focusing on the infamous Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS), one of the world's largest animal testing laboratories. Five separate undercover investigations have revealed and confirmed that the lab kills nearly 500 animals daily in painful and unnecessary tests.

SHAC has effectively pressured HLS' financial supporters to abandon the lab.It is crucial to suffering animals that we act now to keep these animal advocate organizations functioning.Generous contributors to Auction for Animals, include:Drop Soulhttp://www.dropsoul.comBlossoming Lotus Restauranthttp://www.blossominglotus.comCandle Caf?http://www.candlecafe.comJoe Cariatihttp://www.joecariati.comLeaf Cuisinehttp://www.leafcuisine.comMegan Sewellhttp://compassionatee.tripod.com/id15.htmlRichard Pryorhttp://www.richardpryor.comShoes With Soulshttp://www.shoeswithsouls.comVEGBAYhttp://www.vegbay.comRest assured every listed item is cruelty-free and 100% vegan ? meaning you will find no leather, suede, wool, or silk in the clothing or shoe sections; no meat, dairy, or eggs in the food section; and none of the cosmetics have been tested on animals or contain animal bi-products. This auction is to benefit animals, and no animals were harmed in its creation!Auction for Animals provides a unique opportunity to shop and donate simultaneously! Like any other auction, only place a bid if you are prepared to purchase an item..

"I think everyone should be able to wear their own design. It's like fridge art, except on your shirt.".

It's amazing. It's magic.But it wasn't until I tried to learn a few magic tricks myself that I discovered the key to such effortless success. It didn't come from the words being uttered, or the brand of top hat being used, or the type of cape being flung ... those are just the props and tools of the trade. The success of the magic comes from something we don't see on stage ...

the endless hours of repetitive practice. Even simple slight of hand isn't really simple ... it is practiced and perfected before it is ever performed. The resulting trick performed to an audience must become seemingly effortless and automatic. It can be re-choreographed.

It can be reinvented. Yet, the success is in being able to do it over and over again; not in being able to do it once every third or fourth try. Can you guess where I'm going with this in how it relates to your business?You are the magician of your business, and your customers are your audience. They are the ones who pay to receive whatever you promise to deliver. Whether it is a magic show, a product, or a service, your job is to give your audience (customers) an experience they'll want to have over and over again.The goal of making it simple and easy for your customers and clients to do business with you begins with focused, rehearsed, and perfected behind-the-scenes work to achieve consistency.Give your customers consistency, and you'll solidify loyalty.

If you embellish with a few magic words and a prop or two, that's great - but if you aren't consistent, your audience (customers) won't be loyal enough to keep paying the entry fee to see your show, or buy your products and services. Many of us focus on the props - promotions, signage, advertising - yes, these things are extremely important to attract people to your services and products. But if you are not delivering consistency to your customers and clients who are attracted to your props, they will not come back for more. Roughly 80% of your sales will come from 20% of your customers. That's right, long-term success is in repeat business, not in pulling in new customers with gags and gimmicks only to have them leave after the first show.Build consistency into your business by remembering the magician.

An audience may be dazzled by the words, hats, and capes, but if the tiger doesn't disappear every single time, that audience won't likely come back to see a second show..

A holiday selection of evening bags adorned with her signature silk flowers were chosen specifically for the Wayne Brady show and included her most recent creations; the Lolita, Michelle, Rachel and the classic Tiffany."Appearing on The Wayne Brady Show has provided a wonderful opportunity for so many people to see and wear my creations," says Lauren. "I love making my handbags. The exposure to such a wide audience is an exciting way to share my passion. I was so inspired; I made a bag especially for Wayne Brady's wife Mandie and named it for her as well."Lauren's work has a glamorous appeal that can be dressed up or dressed down, worn with everything from blue jeans to an evening gown, with a white t-shirt or to a black tie New Year's Eve event. Her handbags also evoke a sense of femininity and delight attracting a long list of celebrities that include Heather Locklear, Sheryl Crow and fashionista Tyra Banks.

Lauren is convinced that a woman never gets tired of flowers. Her pieces inspire today's modern woman feel fun, flirty, girly and young. Give Lauren Scherr's Handbags and Accessories this holiday season and brighten her wardrobe as well her life. Visit www.laurenscherr.com to view the entire line..