Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Canadian dollar pares gains after soft GDP data
TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar weakened against the U.S. currency on Tuesday after data showed Canada's economy unexpectedly contracted in November for the first time since May as oil and gas extraction declined sharply.
Canada's dollar slid to C$0.9992 shortly after the release of the GDP data by Statistics Canada. Earlier it had firmed to C$0.9966. On Monday, the Canadian dollar finished at C$1.0028 to the U.S., or 99.72 U.S. cents.(Reporting By Jon Cook; Editing by Jeffrey Hodgson)
Monday, 30 January 2012
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Plus Size Bodies, What Is Wrong With Them Anyway?
Photographer: Victoria Janashvili
“The statistics and photos in this article have had a global impact,” says Tulin Reid, Executive Marketing and Creative Director of PLUS Model Magazine. “As a plus size fashion magazine we are thrilled with the results as it expands the conversation that we have monthly between advertisers, designers, readers, and the modeling industry.”
Some of the statistics include:
- Twenty years ago the average fashion model weighed 8% less than the average woman. Today, she weighs 23% less.
- Ten years ago plus-size models averaged between size 12 and 18. Today the need for size diversity within the plus-size modeling industry continues to be questioned. The majority of plus-size models on agency boards are between a size 6 and 14, while the customers continue to express their dissatisfaction.
- Most runway models meet the Body Mass Index physical criteria for Anorexia.
- 50% of women wear a size 14 or larger, but most standard clothing outlets cater to sizes 14 or smaller.
“The response has been overwhelming,” says PLUS Editor-in-Chief Madeline Jones, “We have received messages, emails and support on our social networking sites from all over the globe. Women simply want to be validated and desire to have equal options in the fashion world. We are not advocating an unhealthy lifestyle; health is not determined by a size or what you look like. I’m pretty sure there are many unhealthy models on the runway during NY Fashion Week.”
This has not only touched plus size women, but women on the other end of the size spectrum as well as men, hospitals, eating disorder organizations, yoga outlets and much more while the article continues to spider the globe.
PLUS Model Magazine continues to rally and express the thoughts of its readers, the confident plus-size woman.
China's Yu breaks 500m sprint world record
The 26-year-old, who competed for China at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, clocked 36.94 seconds at the Olympic Oval facility to become the first woman to break the 37-second barrier.
The previous world record of 37.0sec was set in December of 2009 at Salt Lake City by Germany's Jenny Wolf.
It was the second world record in as many days here, after Canadian Christine Nesbitt broke the 1,000m world record on Saturday.
Yu earned the sprint world title at the end of the weekend's four races with a total of 148.610 points, just edging defending champion Nesbitt who finished with 148.630 points.
China's Zhang Hong was third with 149.700 points.
On the men's side, South Korea's two-time sprint world champion Lee Kyou-hyuk was dethroned by Stefan Groothuis of the Netherlands.
The Dutch skater emerged from the four races with a total of 136.820 points with Lee second on 137.000. South Korea's Mo Tae-bum was third.
Two other speed skating world championships are on the slate for 2012 -- the all-around worlds at Moscow February 18-19 and the distance worlds at Heerenveen in the Netherlands March 22-25
Country Superstar Carrie Underwood to Perform at Nordstrom Symphony Fashion Show on February 28, 2012
This year marks Nordstrom’s first time producing the fashion show since opening a store at The Mall at Green Hills in September of 2011, as well as Carrie Underwood’s first performance at the Symphony Fashion Show. Guests will also have the opportunity to get a closer look at the featured fashions after the performance and fashion show at an exclusive boutique inside Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
Proceeds from the Nordstrom Symphony Fashion Show will assist the Symphony in reaching more than 95,000 people through free community concerts; bringing world-renowned artists such as Yo-Yo Ma, Bela Fleck and Emanuel Ax to perform for local audiences; providing barrier-free music education to thousands of students across Middle Tennessee; and supporting the work of today’s leading composers.
Underwood, a 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville recording artist, is a current GRAMMY® Award nominee and a five-time GRAMMY® winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry. Since her debut in 2005, Underwood has amassed more than 14 million in album sales and has placed 14 No. 1 singles on the charts.
Saturday, 28 January 2012
Valentine's Day Done Right
The SettingMany women want Valentine’s Day to be special so you are going to need the right setting. Put a fashionable slipcover over your couch, chairs and bed. (Fashionable slipcovers can be found at Sure Fit Furniture Solutions). Strategically place some candles on your coffee table, in/around your tub and next to your bed. Add flowers and burn a large scented candle. Now you have created a perfect atmosphere to host your Valentine’s Day.
Chocolate Women love chocolate. The Nestlé Noir is a revolutionary wave shaped chocolate bar that compliments one’s palate and creates a new in-mouth experience. The Nestlé Noir tablet has been formed to optimize the zones of contact and heat transfer points in the mouth. This decadent chocolate is available in five flavours: Nestlé Noir Eclat Caramel, Nestlé Noir Intense, Nestlé Noir Eclat Noir, Nestlé Noir Eclat Sublime, Nestlé Noir Eclat Miel Amandes.
Jewelery Jewelery is an obvious gift that women never tire of. The key, however, is to select the right jewels for your woman. Diamonds are a given. David Mamane, CEO of MyJewelryBox.com suggests any of these traditionalist gifts for that special woman on your list: Diamond Studs ($925), Tennis Bracelet ($980) and/or a Solitaire Diamond Necklace ($775). Any of these gifts are bound to make her smile and keep her happy.WineOpen a bottle of Elysium, a red ribbon and the finest chocolate dessert you can find. Elysium is made from the Black Muscat grape with a rose and litchi scent and is especially appropriate for Valentine's Day. Pair Elysium with a dark chocolate dessert - or accompany your dessert with some Essensia, made from delicious Orange Muscat grapes (known in Italy as Orange Blossom Muscat). This is best paired with chocolate desserts containing almonds, peaches, apples or apricots.
EscapeFor the gift of a relaxing BB escape, you can try a 'Getaway Gift Card' from BedandBreakfast.com which can be used at more than 4,000 BBs across the United States and Canada. There are no fees, no taxes, no expiration or blackout dates. Instant online buying means that you can give a no-strings gift that offers complete flexibility. Buy and instantly print your customized BB gift card, complete with your personalized message and choice of design. You can even upload a photo of you and your lady right onto your gift card.
Bonus PointsIf you really want to melt her heart this Valentine’s Day - spread some much needed love to abused animals. You can show her your sweet side and 'adopt' an animal on her behalf from Farm Sanctuary (farmsanctuary.org). Sponsorship 'adoptions' start at just $10 a month.
Last MinuteIt’s Valentine’s Day and you haven’t gotten her anything yet? Never fear - Giiv.com allows you to send a variety of gifts instantaneously via text message, 'saving your ass' and your relationship. Simply select a gift – a bottle of wine, bouquet of flowers or a 60-minute massage, for example – and enters in your lady’s cell phone number with a personal message. She will instantly receive a text message with a gift code to redeem in store or online.
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