"You saved your weekly allowance to be able to buy authentic designer bags you’ve have long been wishing for. You even waited for a discount in the mall just to buy the said authentic designer bags. But what makes you so sure of the genuineness of the bags that you bought?

The newest line of Marc Jacobs handbags, fashionable Prada messenger bags and authentic Fendi purses all sound good, right? But what can be more devastating than finding out afterwards what you purchased in the mall aren’t the authentic ones?

The popularity of designer bags inspires a certain group of fraud to come up with imitations. We have to be aware of this modus operandi so we can avoid false products and save ourselves from falling victims.

Determining the genuineness of any product can be a little tricky, especially when this concerns designer bags but if you already know the basics, you will be able to spot a fake in just a few seconds.

One of the best ways to make sure that your new handbag is authentic is by looking at the bag per se. Designer handbags are popular and costly simply because of the fact that they are made from high quality materials. Examine the stitching. There should be no loose or missing stitches, the color of the thread should match the main color of the bag and the stitches should be evenly spaced. If the handbag is leather, the logo should be engraved, not just simply printed on the leather.

Compare and contrast. Inspect the bag from the authentic one displayed from stores in malls.

Never buy in flea markets, kiosks and unknown websites that offer and sell designer bags. Also don’t trust bags that come from countries like China and Mexico.

Check the names. Prada, for example, is a favorite. Make sure that the bag’s name is correctly spelled and embroidered. If it’s spelled “Frada” or “Parada” instead of Prada, forget it.

Most authentic bags come with an authenticity card, which has the manufacturer’s logo embossed on it together with the bag’s information.

Think twice. If the product offer is too good to be true, then it is. Let us face the truth that these designer bags are really expensive. Availing cheaper ones is the same as living as a copycat. Do you actually think a designer would give middlemen such great deals only for them to pass their creations to you for a cheaper price? Probably not!

Check the serial number. Not all designers put a serial number on their bags but many of them do. So have a look and see if you can find it.

These are simple yet helpful tips that can help you avoid buying fake designer bags. Be an intelligent consumer and make sure that you spend your money on the authentic one!"

By: Andrew Beene

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Aren't shoes great?they can give away so much about a persons character. These days womens shoes include something for everyone when it comes to fashion…and what better reason is there to updateyour wardrobe than a new upcoming season?

This year the the 80’s are making a reappearance! Get ready to wear soaring heels, t bar heels, platform heels, peep toe platforms in all those glorious bright shades…green is predicted to be the next popular colour...but don’t leave out pinks, citron, turquoise and neon’s…mixed with ink blues and black . Patent is still in this season too… The sky really is the limit when it comes to womens shoes. Here is a chance to develop a really up to date look with stylish heels.

Spring and summer are creeping up and this years hot sandals and pumps come with a particular attention to detail. There is no end to the amount of style you can add to your feet this season with a pair of womens sandals. For those with a daring streak try wearing sheer tights with metallic sandals as were featured in Missoni’s catwalk show during the Milan Fashion Week. Fringed and embellished womens sandals are still en vogue and sandals can be worn at any height…try flat jewelled sling back sandals which are promised to be one of the sexiest flat sandals of the season. For those needing some casual looks try Birkenstock womens sandals and flip flops or the ever versatile much loved and much disliked Croc!…take a look at the Sassari Crocs for a new view to the usually chunky Croc. Crocs also come in all the great bright colours of the season and there is variety for all the family and Crocs offer value for money. If you are blessed with being tall then a pair of ankle high gladiator style womens sandals may well be the shoe for you.

Ladies Wedges are still keeping up an appearance,they are more comfortable than a pair of heels….neutral, natural look wedge shoes are a good purchase this season.

Peep toe shoes and peep toe boots! The trend for peep toes is keeping up momentum and peep toes are still very very popular. Almost any ‘traditional’ womens shoes now comes with a ‘peep toe’ style including new peep toe boots and the traditional style oxford style peep toe shoes and boots. Prada featured a shoe/boot/sandal so whatever next! Peep toe shoes are an option for those who can’t bear to have their toes cramped up with the rising popularity of pointed stiletto shoes this season…as well as giving some ‘air-conditioning’ to the feet and toes!...and they are accepted for wear in an office environment.

Sneakers and canvas shoes are now found in many bright colours and are the new ‘in’ for the younger generation. Try Converse and Skechers for cute, up to the minute sneakers and canvas shoes offering an alternative style.

Just about every womens shoe type must now come in the ‘Mary Jane’ style. Again there is something to suit all…and not just the younger generation as was once associated with Mary Janes. Loafers, pumps, platforms, stilettos, peep toes and sandals all come in this timeless style and this trend of womens shoes looks set to continue.

Womens shoes really are a womans best friend but where does one stopdraw the line? In true Prada fashion Prada paraded a new totally original look for shoes this season featuring flower heels and looks that are almost impossible to describe....who will be daring enough to wear them?



By: Sharon Francis

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The historic price ratio of silver to gold shows that about 10 ounces of silver would buy one ounce of gold, a 10:1 ratio. Recently, the ratio is about a 50:1 ratio (with silver at $20/oz., and gold at $1000/oz.) As the silver to gold ratio returns to historic values, from 50:1 to 10:1, you may make over 5 times more money investing in silver, than gold!

More than all of the silver produced by the mines each year is consumed by industry, which leaves little to no room for substantial investment demand. A marginal increase in investment demand will drive prices sky high.

Most silver is produced as a by-product of mining gold, copper, zinc, or lead. Higher silver prices might not substantially increase the amount of silver mined each year. Consider, in 1980, when silver prices went up to $50/oz., less silver was mined than in 1979.

So watts this mean to the jewelry sector ?.Simple a huge increase in the cost of silver jewelry and with that will come a bigger demand by the general public.

Now this is were it gets tricky ,if you are a jewelry retail shop or a customer you have to be sure that the silver your selling or the silver jewelry item your buying is of the highest standard,98%fine silver is the best.It is quickly becoming the new fashion standard.

At present 90% of all silver is made to a standard 925%Sterling silver,which means it has a small amount of impurities added ,However for an investment this just isn't good enough .and it gets worse ,if you do buying trips for silver from lets say to Asian countries,the majority of silver in street stalls would not pass the assay test 925 that's because the manufacturer has added large amounts of copper or bronze with the silver in order to be able to sell it cheap.

There are no tricks to buying silver ,firstly you must establish a good customer relationship with a reputable manufacture or wholesaler.

Secondly he should be happy to provide documentation of were the raw silver comes from with a assay test certificate.

Thirdly try and buy silver that's Monogrammed,Customers love having designer name brands such as KDL,and you will find that if a manufacturer is name stamping his silver jewelry he has a reputation to protect.

So to sum things up ,Yes invest in silver jewelry ,but only in 98%pure silver ,wear it ,use it and wait for the price increase then you truly have a valuable asset ,you can even have it melted down and re sell the silver .Its a win win over gold .Even if gold increases in price it will not match the percentage profit that silver is now starting to return.

By: KDL Jewelry

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While men may still lag behind women with regards to how much they revere shoes, there is no doubt that the importance of good footwear is dawning on males. This has resulted in an explosion of interest in mens shoes with all tastes and desires being catered for. No matter the activity or the budget, there is likely to be footwear to fit and it can seem that the most difficult decision comes in selecting between a fair pairs and not actually finding a pair in the first place.

It is accepted that the size of men's feet varies greatly, especially in comparison to womens feet sizes and this has caused some difficulty in the past for manufacturers. No firm would choose to skimp on their product range if it can be necessarily avoided but the cost of making mens shoes to fit every size possible has made it impossible for many firms to consider. This has meant that many males were previously denied a full range of products but those days are long gone. Technological advances and distribution channels being improved greatly has made it more efficient for manufacturers to produce footwear for every potential size of feet on the market.

A growing market for mens footwear is undoubtedly sports. The get fit boom of the 1970s and 80s has never really went away and with the fears over obesity, there has never been more people encouraged to get pounding the streets, joining a gym or taking part in sporting activity. All of these people know that a proper pair of sports related footwear is essential to avoid injury and this has helped with the explosion in the mens shoes industry. Another great bonus has been the rise of the celebrity endorsement trend and this has seen men flock in the great numbers to buy the sports shoes that their sporting heroes wear.

Aside from play, there is also a pressing need to have a range of quality and credible footwear for the working day. Office fashion has become big business and the importance of combining the right shoes with a good suit has been realized by a great number of men. Equally, men working in the construction or electrical industries need to have footwear that will protect them during their daily job. A rubber sole or steel toe shoes may not be fashionable additions to a man's look but as they have the potential to save his life, it doesn't matter how they look. All of this means that daily job has caused an increase in demand for mens shoes.

Of course, men being men, they won't enjoy shopping for shoes, they'll want the job done to give them more time to watch sports with the "fellas". With the advent of online shopping, men have realized they no longer have to spend all day looking for shoes, they can do it all from the comfort of their own home. There are a number of shoe retailers who offer a wide range of footwear for men but none are better than the Shoe Annex website. Taking a trip to http://www.shoeannex.com and seeing the wide range of brands, sizes and widths available will be enough to please any man and allow him to shop with no fuss or hassle.



By: Jackie Johnson

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Handbags are quite a unique accessory. Not only are they an attractive accessory, they are also functional. Other accessories, such as earrings and necklaces, are nice to look at, but they don't serve a function other than their obvious aesthetic value. Handbags, however, serve a purpose other than just looking good.

The Forgotten Accessory

Of course, handbags only enhance outfits when they are fashionable and coordinate with what we are wearing. Unfortunately, many don't give thought to the impact their handbag can give on the overall image they project. Now, to get the most out of this functional accessory, it isn't necessary to have a different handbag to match every outfit. Women don't need to change handbags every single day. However, it does make sense to use handbags that complement your attire.

By being a savvy shopper and seeking out discount handbags, you can probably get more than one handbag for the same amount you would pay for one at retail. You don't need twenty handbags, unless of course you want that many. However, a few carefully selected discount handbags in a few styles and colors can help you accessorize your wardrobe perfectly every day.

Instant Wardrobe Update

Adding a new discount handbag or two to your wardrobe can be an inexpensive way to give your wardrobe a quick fashion update. One of the most cost-effective ways to introduce the latest trends into your wardrobe is to update your handbag. By investing in classic clothing and contemporary discount handbags, your wardrobe will always appear fresh and modern.

When selecting discount handbags to add pizazz to your wardrobe, think about the clothing pieces that you love to wear. Buy discount handbags that will work with several of your favorite outfits, so you will have an easy time coordinating the handbags with the things you wear most often. Additionally, make sure that you buy discount handbags that are very different from each other in appearance. Buying discount handbags that are so similar they can hardly be told apart won't spice up your wardrobe. Choose carefully to get the maximum style bang for your buck!

Let the Real You Come Through

Your handbag says a lot about you and your personality. Particularly when you work in an environment where you have to wear a uniform or follow a strict dress code, your discount handbag may be the best way to let your co-workers see the real you. Unusual prints and shapes are a way to let people see your creative side. Bright colors convey an air of confidence. A classic, timeless shape and fabric sends a message of elegance and understatement. What kind of mood are you in today? Let your discount handbag tell the story!



By: Tori A Hewitt

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