Best Man Wanted. Must Be Rush Fan

A man without a woman is like a pistol without a hammer, wrote Victor Hugo. But a romantic comedy without a female lead, well, that’s just a fine bromance and now Hollywood business as usual, as most recently demonstrated by “I Love You, Man,” a fitfully funny comedy that owes much to Judd Apatow, the king of such sublimated man-on-man affairs. Though Mr. Apatow isn’t officially credited, his DNA is all over this bromance, which stars Paul Rudd as a wuss who mans up by befriending a guy’s guy (Jason Segel) whose masculinity is so secure he wears Ugg boots and shorts to walk his wee dog.

Though he shares the soft-body profile of the typical Apatow hero — a gentle belly swell, the suggestion of an A-cup — Mr. Segel has butched up somewhat to play Sydney Fife, a surprising object of platonic affection for Peter Klaven (Mr. Rudd). The last time Mr. Segel appeared on the big screen was in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” in which he played the feminized hero, a man who cries over his broken heart.

In that film he’s so coded female that his new (female) love interest jokes, “I can see your vagina” when he balks at jumping off a cliff into the ocean. Here, though, it’s Mr. Segel who plays gender police and deploys the requisite gyno-joke by affectionately telling Peter to take his tampon out, guy-speak for chill.

Aussie made products vanishing from shops

“THIS is Australian,” says the salesgirl. “See here on the label? It says ‘Designed in Australia‘.”

She is holding a leather handbag and letting me see only the top half of the label. The bottom half is obscured by her red-nail-polished thumbnail.

I look at her. Her thumb moves.

“Made in China,'’ says the label.

She laughs. I can’t tell if it’s a guilty or an embarrassed laugh.

“All our stuff’s made in Australia, to an extent,'’ she says. “I mean, most of it’s made in China - but we’re a wholly Australian company.

“It’s all designed here.'’

We’re in Pitt St Mall in Sydney at 2.45pm and I’m conducting a little experiment: If I wanted to spend my $900 stimulus payment locally, could I find Australian-made goods worth buying?

Will I end up with nine pairs of ugg boots? I hate uggs.

In every shop, I ask if there are any Australian-made goods.

On every occasion I’m greeted with some degree of awkward throat-clearing or defensiveness.

“Oh, yeah, I know what you’re saying,'’ says one saleswoman. “I like to spend my money here too.'’

Staff tell me there’s no Australian content in Hype, Witchery, Nine West, Esprit, Just Jeans, Oroton, Emporio and Strandbags. At Surf Dive ‘n’ Ski, they’re selling green-and-gold thongs bearing the names Surfers Paradise, Bondi, Cottesloe, Maroubra.

All made in Brazil.

How about the flower stall?

“Ah, these ones are Singapore orchids - from Thailand,'’ says the florist, holding up flowers so blue they’re almost neon.

Laughing with an apologetic air, she adds: “Some of the others are from Africa.'’

In the 19 stores I visit, only seven have any Australian-made content - that’s 36 per cent. Only one, Jurlique, is all-Australian.

A shop named Glue has an Australian-made Backstage dress for $119.99.

Portmans has a healthy stack of local clothes and at Soul Pattinson pharmacy, there’s Le Tan, Sukin skin care and Nude by Nature makeup.

At Sussan, everything’s made in Asia except the nail polish and the lip gloss.

Then I get to Borders and it seems a gleaming ray of hope.

Of 28 books on the new-release shelves by the door, only five are printed overseas.

It’s an array of Australian-made words. Even the latest books by British authors Jeffrey Archer and Alexander McCall Smith are printed here. I’m delighted to discover such a beacon of localism, right here in the American chain store that locals love to revile.

Borders can’t be that bad, if even the foreign books are Australian-made, can it?

But that situation exists only because of protectionism: a long-enduring ban on the parallel importing of books, which the Government is now considering axing because it keeps prices artificially high.

So in this little shopping strip we have a perfect encapsulation of the Australian economy.

There’s a bit of manufacturing, a bit of protectionism, a fair amount of free trade - and an awful lot of embarrassment.

“We used to make it here but it’s just too expensive now,'’ one young salesman informs me. “It’s all Australian ideas, though.'’

And that’s the crux. It’s just the reality of our modern economy, right? Australia is no longer really about making things. Manufacturing is 9.2 per cent of our gross domestic product. Mining is 10 per cent.

Agriculture is 2.6 per cent.

We’re a services-dominated nation: retail, finance, law, tourism, education, transport, construction, hospitality.

The Pitt St shop girls are the economy, even when selling Singapore orchids from Thailand.

So why all the bashfulness?

Well, here’s one reason: The shop girls know as well as I do that it’s very hard to be sure about the conditions in those Chinese factories or Thai hot-houses. Are they as good as in Australian factories?

Do the workers get holidays? Are they paid fairly?

AussieBum underwear founder Sean Ashby is still horrified to recall the time he visited a Chinese manufacturer who wanted his business.

The showcase factory was clean, brightly lit and staffed by apple-cheeked employees taking regular tea-breaks.

Then he saw the real factory out the back: dirty, dark and stacked with bunk-beds.

That’s one of the reasons it’s cheaper to manufacture offshore. That’s why Ashby keeps his production in Sydney.

And that should be the issue that concerns us. I don’t care if products are made in Bangladesh or Bankstown as long as they’re made by people treated decently.

We can’t make everything here, or stand alone against the tide of globalisation. Protectionism won’t protect us forever.

But we can be inquisitive about what we’re importing. We can look beyond the embarrassment and think about how things are made.

We can read labels and ask questions in shops.

I haven’t spent my $900 handout yet. Turns out half the ugg boots are made in China anyway. What a relief.

Obama inauguration: Will the ‘H’ word get a mention?

From all parts of America, the Obama pilgrims have been on the move to witness his inauguration on Wednesday.

And like all pilgrimages, it’s not without its hardship.

Clutching their feel-good optimism from warmer climes, they have been jetting and bussing in to face the sober reality of frigid Washington.

On a night flight from LAX, passengers let rip with a roar as the plane left humid Los Angeles twinkling behind them.

But travellers have been weighed down with mundane matters, not just considering the impact of the weather but the demands of security which has seen a number of everyday items banned.

The need to remember to leave the backpack, umbrella and thermos at home is just the start. Travellers are also considering questions such as can we get by without the kid’s stroller? Maybe Ugg boots were a better option than the leathers? How hellish will the Metro journey from Virginia or Philadelphia be? Does a choice have to be made between seeing Obama’s swearing in and getting a good spot to view the subsequent parade?

AdvertisementJudging by the evidence on the ground, Ugg boots are the footwear of choice for a lot of Obama’s army.

For a large number of inauguration-goers, it’s less a mission than a field trip. Teachers, with apparently hawk-like peripheral vision, are a regular sight in DC herding school kids. Their commands seem to consist of “Stop!”, “Wait until we all get there”, “We’re not going that way” and “what did I tell you…”

For the record, the items that are banned along the parade route are: Firearms, ammunition, explosives, aerosols, packages, coolers, thermos flasks, backpacks, big bags, laser pointers, animals other than help dogs and bicycles.

Banned on the Capitol grounds in addition to those prohibited items are: Umbrellas, alcohol, strollers, all signs and posters.

The biggest suspense about the inauguration is whether the “H” word will get an airing.

Today, during a rehearsal outside the Capitol, the ground announcer referred to Barack Obama’s initial rather than his full name.

There are those of the Voldemort school of thought who believe Obama is: “He who must not have his middle name named”.

Representative Steve King of Iowa, a Republican, found Obama’s earlier decision to allow “Hussein” to be used as “bizarre” and a “double standard”, Politico reported. “Is that reserved just for him, not his critics?”

Politico said that King had previously told AP that the middle name was among the reasons Islamic terrorists would rejoice at Obama’s election. King also predicted that al Qaeda would be “dancing in the streets” if Obama were elected.

Obama’s victory and inauguration means a great deal to many African Americans.

A California woman, Tamela, was taking her husband and two toddlers to the event. She helped get out the vote for him - the first work she had done for a political candidate.

Then there was a guy spotted in McDonalds in Los Angeles. Scraps of meat and bun were slowly hardening on his plate, forgotten about as he was glued to a Larry King programme on Obama’s train trip on Saturday. He pointed it out to a passing mate and the two exchanged congratulatory fist bumps with pride in Obama’s achievement lighting their faces.

Obama is having something of a Diana affect on stately DC.

The man’s pictures are everywhere, a radio station has renamed itself Obama FM. The Newseum drew a lot of visitors today to a showcase of special sections and front pages on Obama in US newspapers.

Podiatrist: Ugg Boots Do Uggly Things To Your Feet

At more than $100, they’re not cheap but they’ve become a must have — especially for teenage girls. What many Ugg lovers don’t realize though is, according to one podiatrist, the flat, shear ling lined boots are actually bad for your feet.

“They keep your feet warm in the winter and summer. You don’t have to wear socks with them, that’s the main reason I bought them,” said Crystal resident Angie Peterson.

“They’re comfortable,” said Minneapolis resident Amanda Weinkauf.

They’re a major fashion trend that hasn’t gone out of style yet in Minnesota.

“I think they’re ugly,” said Weinkauf.

That doesn’t stop thousands of women and girls from wearing and loving the Ugg boots.

“Very comfortable, they feel like pillows on your feet,” said Peterson.

However, podiatrists warn the shear ling boots are actually hard on your feet.

“The biggest problem with them is the fact that they have no support. They’re completely flat on the bottom,” podiatrist Dr. Kari Prescott.

Doctors say that lack of arch support can lead to foot and leg problems.

“If you don’t have external support, all the muscles in your legs, really from the knee down, can become achy, sore. Some people refer to that as shin splints,” said Prescott.

A foot condition called plantar fasciitis, or heel spurs, may also happen. Slipping in an arch support can help.

“This provides some curvature and it’s not ideal,” said Prescott.

And even forewarned about potential problems, Uggs wearers still love their boots.

“No, I’d probably still wear them,” said Peterson.

“I’d still wear them,” said Weinkauf.

“It’s always fashion over practicality, isn’t it?” said Prescott.

Ugg Australia said they’ve been in business for 30 years and haven’t had complaints about their classic flat shear ling Uggboots hurting feet. They say the boot sells so well because it is comfortable.

As for arch support, Ugg Australia said they have 140 styles coming out for fall ‘09 and many of those do have arch supports in them. They said they also are adding outer support and added comfort features to the classic cheap Ugg boot.

Doctors say flat shear ling boots can actually be harder on feet than high heels because they’re worn for longer periods of time. And it appears Uggs are recession proof because they remain a top seller.

Ugg boots bad for your feet?

These boots weren’t made for walking – Ugg Boots that is.

Uggs, Australia’s famous luxurious sheepskin winter boots and similar products may actually cause foot problems. Podiatrists are seeing the negative effects from this sheepskin footwear. For example, check out this recent article in the UK’s Now Magazine.

Many podiatrists stress people with different pronation in their feet (whether they are flat footed or have normal or high arches) will wear out shoes differently. Seems like people with pronated feet (flat footed) should shy away from Uggboots.

“In flat footed people, Uggs, because they are so soft with little support, will wear out quicker and more severely when compared to people with higher arches,” said Jaqueline Sutera, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.

Sutera also offers advice to those would want to wear Ugg for the look, but who still want to show their feet some TLC, “Limit use to about four hours daily. So for the ‘look,’ wear the heels or cheap Ugg boots, but then change to commuter shoes or orthotics when you leave the office and commute home.”

Jackets, jeans and Ugg boots just the ticket for Obama’s inauguration

It’s a weird feeling getting privileged access to an event you have no personal connection with.

In the case of the inauguration, I couldn’t help but feel a bit of a fraud - a stray ink spot on a parchment of history.

While a couple of million Americans snuggled up in the Mall and thousands more thought themselves lucky to be allowed to squeeze into standing sections further down Capitol’s hill, the media pack, including quite a few foreigners, had a perfect view of all the famous political leaders from seats a few dozen metres away.

The only section closer contained a number of ordinary folk but in their midst were people with names like Beyonce, Samuel Jackson, Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Don King.

Getting to that media seat involved being exposed to both hyper and lax organisation.

First an email accreditation had to be swapped for an actual ticket at a Senate building. I couldn’t go through the security at one entrance because it wasn’t done for visitors to do so. I went through another and then was left to wander down a few corridors to find the room I was supposed to get to. I then went out a different entrance but that was fine.

AdvertisementToday I had to find the green security gate at a Senate building - as opposed to blue, silver and orange gates for other ticket-holders. But while there was a sign showing the way for those colours, green was missing and inquiries brought blank looks from security guards. After finding the right gate and passing through a security check, fellow ticket holders and myself had to wander around a few more corridors without direction until we found another security check.

We were then allowed onto the west front of the Capitol but were told to keep our tickets visible. Ushers were placed about every 5m. We were passed on to one usher who checked our tickets, then sent to the next one who checked them again and so-on. After passing through four groups of ushers we finally made it to the media section. And yet once there the seating numbers on the tickets were not enforced. I didn’t see numbers on the seats. We were also told to keep the tickets handy because they would checked - but they weren’t.

The event itself was interesting for what was emphasised and what wasn’t.

Although the dignitaries were dressed for the occasion, there was no dress code for the people. The official information guide recommended only dressing appropriately for the weather. This meant that for the inauguration of the President of the United States, most people turned up in jackets, jeans and trainers or Ugg boots.

Military/security groups are honoured and their appearance emphasised. Deference to anyone in a uniform is virtually automatic and good manners are flourished at every opportunity.

The downtown areas in daytime have been largely food and alcohol-free zones. There’s been a few hotdog/snack bars in the Mall but mostly punters have had to hunt down decent food and drink a few blocks away. Today was especially trying. A lot of people got up before dawn to get to where they wanted to be and many had been dissuaded from taking bags with supplies of any sort. They had to sit or stand through paralysing chill for three hours before anything interesting happened.buy cheap ugg boots .

NINTENDO’S EXPECTED CHRISTMAS GIFT

As analysts scramble to put the retail sales numbers of America in order, they’ve already concluded that overall it was a terrible performance. Three products stood out as the most popular this season: Nintendo Co.’s Wii, Amazon’s electronic book reader Kindle and the unisex sheepskin apparel Ugg boots, reports The Los Angeles Times.

Once it becomes clear to consumers that an item is popular and might become scarce; they flock to it. “If people think it’s going to be rare and in short supply, they’re more apt to make it more of a priority,” said Dan Butler, vice president at the National Retail Federation.

The Wii is cited as the big hit because it appeals to everyone in the family, and readily accessible to any level of gamer. The Wii and DS combined sales figures are set to break the 2008 record of most systems sold in a year.

While the big three outshined the popular teen novel “Twilight,” Amazon.com reported they sold enough copies of the book to top Mount Everest eight times.

There is a group mentality to buying the same or similar product, but also in the retailers themselves. They often contrive sold-out status to lure customers back with the promise of “more product” in just a few days.

While these facts are illuminating, analysts are already sure this shopping season was the poorest in decades.

“One or two items don’t make a season,” said Marshal Cohen, of NPD Group, a research firm often cited in Nintendo related sales news.

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Give Bush The Boot - It’s Not the First But It Is the Bloodiest and the Best

Adelaide based game developers Champagne for the Ladies and I Love Biscuits have teamed up to create Give Bush the Boot - the bloodiest tongue in cheek Bush booting game to date. Who wants to play a game where you defend Bush from flying boots? Or hurl the same ugly shoe at him again and again with no visible effects? We all want a chance to dig in the boot and more importantly we want to do major damage with an extensive range of footwear!

Champagne for the Ladies producer Holly Owen says “The game is based on two basic yet fundamental principles- you can never have enough shoes in your wardrobe and you can never have enough blood in your games.”

I Love Biscuits senior programmer Michael Bubnick cheekily adds, “The thing about our game is that it manages to educate and entertain. I believe education should have equal billing next to entertainment. Where else can you learn about shoes from around the world? Besides a website devoted to teaching you about shoes from around the world, I mean.”

But seriously, why should Iraq have all the fun? Now people the world over can Give Bush the Boot ! Give Bush the Boot allows players to choose from a collection more extensive than Imelda Marcos’s. Whether it’s fashionistas’ Louboutins in Paris, astronauts’ moon boots on the moon or ugg boots in Australia, take aim and fire! Don’t just hit your mark, make your mark! Couture footwear isn’t just over priced, fabulous looking and difficult to walk in- it’s deadly too! Use it to inflict a bruise, break his nose or hit a major artery.

If your skill, stamina and desire for revenge are worthy, you will have the chance to give Bush the ultimate boot by throwing the holy grail of footwear - Dorothy’s magical red slipper. If your will is good, your arm strong and your aim accurate you will annihilate the half-wit president and hear the classic Wizard of Oz line, “But what would you do with a brain if you had one?”

Give Bush the Boot is the perfect source of light entertainment for those still whiling away the last few days in the office before taking a well earned festive break.

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Rachel Bilson: Grocery Gal

Following a big night out on the town, Rachel Bilson was spotted taking care of her day’s errands with a trip to her local Los Angeles grocery store on Tuesday (December 16).

Bundled up in a black hoodie, colorful wool beanie cap and gray Ugg boots, the “Jumper” cutie followed the grocery run up by taking her pet pooch over to her mom’s house for a quick visit.

As previously reported by Gossip Girls, Rachel spent last night playing host at the D&G flagship boutique opening on Robertson Blvd.

Benefiting The Art of Elysium, the high-profile event drew out stars including Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, the Madden brothers and Lauren Conrad, among others.

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Elizabeth Davies: These resolutions will stick

I’m not even trying to lose weight for the New Year this time around.

Never mind that I’m waddling into 2009 about eight months pregnant, so weight loss is pretty much an intangible dream right now. The reality is, I’ve lived through New Year’s resolutions long enough to know that wanting to lose 10 pounds in January isn’t the same as actually doing it.

Of course we want to lose weight for the New Year. We’ve spent so long gorging on cut-out cookies and veggie dip that the idea of nothing but brown rice and fruit actually sounds appealing. The problem is, healthy food tends to lose its appeal far sooner than junk food does. Hence the reason we’re back to wings and dip by the Super Bowl.

The problem with most New Year’s resolutions is that they’re way too big-picture. Sure, we want to be 15 pounds lighter by swimsuit season — but that’s really hard to envision when we’re decked out in turtlenecks and Ugg boots, shoveling our latest gift from Mother Nature.

And yes, it absolutely makes sense to balance our checkbooks regularly, make it to church every Sunday or set aside a few hours a week to help out at the soup kitchen. They’re all worthy goals. But the problem is, we have to actually change our regular habits and carve out time for the new stuff.

Then there are the vague resolutions: “I vow to be a better friend.” Or the resolutions that are out of our control: “I resolve to get a raise at work.”

Last year, my husband and I — both task-oriented individuals — made a point of setting up very specific New Year’s resolutions. Things like “We will spend every Tuesday night together” or “We will go out to dinner by ourselves once a week.”

For a few months, it worked. Our friends were amazed that we managed to get out on weekly date nights. Then, sometime in early summer, the baby sitter couldn’t make it. Then we got sick. And before we knew it, we had to wrack our brains to remember our last, honest-to-goodness date.

With a new baby on the way, I know better than to assume date nights are going to resume anytime soon. But there are a few resolutions I can make for 2009 that I’m fairly certain will hold:

I resolve to enjoy every last piece of chocolate that heads my way.

I resolve to partake in Sunday afternoon naps as frequently as possible.

I resolve to be back at the gym six weeks after having my baby. This one is actually easier than it sounds — the gym has both child care and showers, the two things a new mom wants most.

I resolve to shamelessly devour at least one gossip mag every six weeks, while I’m getting my hair done.

And finally: I resolve to spend at least one day in my pajamas, eating pancakes for lunch.

That’s more than a resolution in my book: That’s a staple for sanity.

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Retailers feeling rather Scrooged

Retailers have a haunted look these days, but it’s not because of a visit from the Ghost of Christmas Past.

When the Dow Jones industrial average hovered above 10,000 during most of the decade, and homeowners felt flush with equity as home prices soared, holiday shoppers spent freely on the latest hot electronics gadget or highbrow apparel brand.

Now, as shopping malls and retail stores desperately gear up for a burst of post-holiday clearance sales – tomorrow is being billed as the second Black Friday – it appears certain that the $300 billion U.S. retail industry will ring up its worst shopping season in decades.

Consumer spending fell for a fifth straight month in November – the longest weak stretch in half a century – while incomes fell and layoffs mounted, government data showed yesterday. The climate is expected to get worse before it gets better.

And economists keep lowering their holiday predictions. Michael Niemira, chief economist for the International Council of Shopping Centers, now expects sales at established stores for November and December to fall 1.5 percent to 2 percent from the year before – making it the weakest holiday season since at least 1969, when the index began.

“It’s been pretty miserable,” said George Whalin, a retail analyst with Carlsbad-based Retail Management Consultants. “Maybe Wal-Mart and Costco and a few little niche retailers here and there will do well, but it’s been pretty much what people expected. Consumers just aren’t spending as much as they did in the past.”

As a result, one of the big worries for retailers is what to do with the mounds of items they still have to sell.

In Christmases past, stores could rely on a surge before and after the holiday to help save the season. But this year, it was virtually over before it began as stores had to slash prices on holiday goods as soon as they hit the shelves.

Stores had a good start, fueled by bargain buying, but sales soon flattened. For the last weekend before Christmas, total retail sales nationwide fell 5 percent from a year earlier as winter storms kept people home, according to research firm ShopperTrak RCT.

Now many retailers are hoping the next few days, beginning tomorrow, won’t just be about returning merchandise. Once again, they’re offering deep discounts and “doorbuster” specials designed to entice bargain hunters and gift-card recipients for a final shopping splurge.

J.C. Penney, which is opening its doors at 5:30 a.m. tomorrow, is offering more than 100 doorbuster specials – twice as many as last year. They include apparel for as much as 60 percent off, 50 percent off electronics and 70 percent off jewelry.

Consumers can even sign up at jcp.com to get a free wake-up call from the department store on their mobile phone.

Toys “R” Us circulars in newspapers today are billing the day after Christmas as the biggest after-holiday sale, with deals that include race-car sets originally priced at $81.99 for $19.99.

Upscale retailer Neiman Marcus is offering online shoppers up to 40 percent off select items on its Web site, including UGG boots and Alice & Olivia sweater dresses. Similar discounts also will be available at stores tomorrow, according to the Web site.

“These are real sales,” Whalin said. “Department stores like Neiman Marcus don’t mark things up to then mark them down, and they rarely mark down. So there will be good stuff to be had out there.”

Alexandra Kearney and daughter Alex, who were picking up last-minute gifts Christmas Eve at the Bloomingdale’s at Fashion Valley mall, said they plan to return after Christmas to look for a few select items – bed linens and that elusive discounted pair of True Religion jeans.

“The deals have been good,” said Kearney, a La Jolla resident. “Hopefully the deals will be better because they have to bring the spring merchandise in.”

Still, Whalin and other experts note that most consumers have yet to be swayed by discounts. If 70 percent off before Dec. 25 didn’t make people splurge, will even-bigger deals afterward do the trick?

George Belch, a marketing professor and consumer-behavior expert at San Diego State University, doesn’t expect consumers to head in lemminglike waves to shopping malls in the coming days.

“There has been a fundamental shift in consumer behavior,” Belch said. “People look at these things and say: ‘Do I really need it? I may want it, but do I need it?’

“At the end of the day, I don’t see post-holiday sales pulling retailers out of what has been a pretty dismal retail season.”

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Fashion Shop Announces New Winter Fashion Handbags

Winter handbags are setting the standards in style as cold weather blows down from the North and we dress warm for Winter. Thankfully, ladies winter fashion is the new way to dress and impress with a variety of celebs showing us all that simply because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t raise the room temperature.

Watford, Herts (PRWEB) January 7, 2009 — Madonna, Riahanna and Gwyneth Paltrow are just a few of the leading ladies who have been spotted wearing fur coats, warm boots and matching handbags as they stay warm while taking to the streets and shopping in style.

Whether it’s all real or faux, fur is back in fashion for keeping us comfortable and cosy when the weather’s freezing cold and it looks as luxurious as ever.

This season fur coats and snow boots are the must have items for everyone’s wardrobes with Emu and Ugg boots leading the way, but when it comes to carrying your essentials, a stylish winter handbag is a must have for strutting to the shops or relaxing in style around holiday ski resorts for a self indulgent session of après ski.

Whether you’re looking for the Tardis or a tiny handbag for a night on the town, there is a handbag for every occasion that will match your fabulous new snow cheap ugg boots and help you to wrap up warm for the season.

So once you’ve found the perfect fur lined winter coat, some cute snow boots with a scarf and gloves to match, a hat is also a good choice, but what really sets the ladies apart from the girls is a fabulous hand bag. So small, but oh so essential, a great handbag is the biggest statement you can make about your winter outfit.

Seen: These boots were made for winter

For the past month, a tall, comfy pair of boots has been de rigueur for those tromping around outside in December’s record snowfalls. Now, the heavy-duty footwear has doubled as blade-less ice skates on the sidewalks, courtesy of the recent freezing rain.

Whatever their role, ugg boots have come a long way from the days when Moon Boots were all the rage. Those marshmallow-like clodhoppers may have looked hip in the early ’80s, but we’re happy to leave them there.

While are-they-still-trendy-or-are-they-passe sheepskin Uggboots from Australia still bedeck plenty of feet, we’re happy to see a range of fashionable leathers, knits, faux furs and duck-styles walking Madison streets, and keeping those toes toasty.

Boots: The perfect platform for sole expression

Women wear boots in Florida for several reasons — few having anything to do with chilly weather.

We wear them because they look good and feel good. Because they go with just about everything. Because they put a certain strut in our stride, lend a little sass to our attitude. Because they’re sexy.

If it’s cold outside, so much the better. If it’s not, we compensate by wearing cooler clothes with our toasty boots — and cranking up the air conditioning.

“Women feel more fashionable in boots,” says Paige Blackwelder, an owner of the Tuni boutique in Winter Park. “They feel it really adds a fashion edge to their outfit.”

The range of ugg boots styles is huge this winter, even in Florida, says Aimee Lippencott, Nordstrom’s eastern region fashion manager. But the one boot everyone should have is tall, sleek and black with high heels, she says.

“It’s a classic — sophisticated, versatile. You can wear it with jeans, under pants or with any style skirt,” she says.

And if you keep your boots, hosiery and skirt all the same color, “it really elongates the legs,” she adds.

Best-selling styles at Nordstrom in Orlando’s Florida Mall include equestrian-inspired boots by Cole Haan and Franco Sarto, peep-toe ankle boots by Sam Edelman and the ever-popular, sheepskin-lined Uggboots, which now come in a variety of styles and colors.

Uggs are also popular at Bloomingdale’s at the Mall at Millenia, as are Oxford-inspired lace-up booties, especially in shades of purple, says spokeswoman Jamie Habanek.

Booties in all shapes, colors and heel heights have been the hands-down winner at Tuni, says Blackwelder. “Especially those with peep toes. The open toes make them more Florida-friendly.”

A calf-length boot with a low stacked heel by Poetic License is proving popular at Shou’Ture in Winter Park.

“It looks great over jeans and with pencil skirts,” says Willow Shambeck, the boutique’s co-owner. “And the garnet color is a big trend at the moment.”

Fashion boots fall into these four general categories:

*Classic. In black or brown leather, suede or stretchy microfiber, these lean, knee-length ugg boot come in a range of heel styles and heights.

*Trendy/chic. These include shoe-boots and ankle-boots, most with high heels, in leather, suede or exotic skins. Colors include rich shades of purple, red and green, or shimmery metallics. They look elegant with same-color hosiery, trendy with contrasting tights. Ultra-trendy are over-the-knee boots.

*Trendy/casual. In leather or suede, these styles have lower heels and a chunky or slouchy silhouette. Most are earth-toned and embellished with straps, buckles, fringe, tassels, laces, buttons or fur. Great with tights, leggings or chunky-knit socks.

*Sporty. Inspired by military, motorcycle, Western, equestrian, hiking and apr�s-ski styles, these boots, mostly in nature-inspired colors of leather or suede, have flat heels and straps, buckles or laces. A natural with denim, leather and tweed.

“Boots add zest to your wardrobe,” says Martinette Mitchell, personal shopper at Nordstrom in Orlando’s Florida Mall. “Boots allow you to express yourself, whether you’re going for a classic or trendy look.”

Boots fans can even look forward to wearing a version of their favorite footwear this spring.

A best-seller, predicts Blackwelder, will be the bootie-sandal — an unusual hybrid that features an open, thong or gladiator toe and a closed, ankle-high back.

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The Nintendo Wii(TM) and UGG(R) Australia Dominate Holiday Shopping Lists

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, Dec 18, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — With only six shopping days left before Christmas, shelves are getting bare and hot ticket items are harder to find. Based on statistics from NearbyNow, the popular local shopping service that provides online and mobile solutions for consumers, retailer Nintendo and UGG boots company are giving retailers something to smile about.

Analyzing shopping trends from over 500 cities across the US, NearbyNow has determined that specialty retailers such as GameStop, The Walking Company, and Bath & Body Works continue to lead the pack in reserved items. Retailers like American Eagle Outfitters, J Jill, Hot Topic, and department stores such as Sears, Dillard’s, and Bloomingdale’s have increased product requests.

NearbyNow’s holiday shopping data shows how consumers use the Web to research local purchases and is compiled by monitoring the most requested items across hundreds of cities and local shopping areas across the country. The most recent information indicates holiday shoppers are seeking out winter-style boots and shoes, along with anything Wii(TM).

The Wii Fit(TM) with Balance Board for Nintendo Wii(TM) is in very high demand throughout the Midwest and Southeast, as are a variety of women’s and kids UGG(R) Australia boots and shoppers in the Northeast and Southwest are looking to stay warm with anything UGG(R) and the Southwest also favors the American Eagle Outfitter’s Mallory Boot. Hot Topic leads the searches in the Northwest with the Men’s 3OH!3 Splat Slim-Fit T-Shirt, followed by the Sasha Duvet Cover Set by Roxy and the UGGBoots.

Ugg boot fatigue, gay wine, Lily Allen’s almost boob, Hermione Granger denies her millions

AARGH! I’m so sick of seeing women flapping down the street in these misshapen, rain-sodden monstrosities, sliding their feet along the pavement with great concentration, not daring to lift their feet because the footbed’s all wonky and they’re having to walk on the leg-part.

I’m not against Ugg boots per se (I have a nice pair of Uggboots myself - black, woollen with duffle coat toggles - which I use as slippers), but I do resent the fact that they’re not rainproof and seem to bend out of shape after a week.

The next time I see some poor lass schlepping down the street in these I may not be able to help myself manhandling her into a Clarks shop and buying her a pair of wellies.

Guide to Choosing Cheap Ugg Boots

Cheap ugg boots can be found if you are willing to take the time necessary to look for them. Because the look and feel of ugg boots is very popular right now, finding places selling them for less than full retail price will be a difficult and time-consuming task. Add to this the fact that it currently is prime boot selling season and the difficulty of the task is compounded. If you simply have to have a pair of ugg boots right now, the only things you can really do are search for stores offering sales on these items or search the Internet for outlets offering discounted prices. Check out the special deals on cheap uggboots here.

Stores, whether they are actual physical locations or on-line stores, likely will not be holding very many sales until the holiday shopping season is in full swing. What that means is that right now, cheap ugg boots may be difficult to find. In a few weeks, especially if stores are not reaching their sales quotas, you likely will see more and more incentives and offers to entice shoppers to open their wallets and spend some money. Again, retailers are savvy and whether or not they actually put this style of boot on sale is something that cannot be predicted. Plus, waiting for these boots to go online courses for educators might cause another problem for you. If sales of these boots are brisk, you might find that when you are finally ready to make your purchase, stores could be out of stock on this popular item. If you do happen to find a pair on the Internet, make sure you have a clear and verifiable shipping date available before you finalize your purchase.

Another potential Internet source for buy ugg boots are the various auction-type web sites. Enter the style and color you desire and your size into the search engine to see if anyone has a pair being auctioned off. Of course, if you find a pair, and the price on the starting bid is right, that does not mean the boots online courses for educators yours. You will have to wait until the bid period expires until you will know for sure whether or not these boots will be arriving on your doorstep. Do not forget to factor in the cost of shipping into your price. You might just end up paying full price after all these issues are dealt with.

Now if you do not care much about getting a boot that is has pure Australian sheep skin on the outside and one hundred percent pure, warm and comfortable wool on the inside, then you should have no trouble finding a pair of imitation, but nonetheless cheap uggs. ut online courses some imitation brands look so good that other people may not ever know that your boots are fakes. Taking this path ensures that you can still appear fashionable without putting a dent in your wallet. Your feet will know the difference, however. They will feel hot and sweaty and they will stink terribly when the boots are removed.

Last minute shoppers rush to finish line

wonderful, our traffic has been wonderful, customers are in a great mood,” Pavelka said.

And the recession of 2008 did not fail to produce a hot, must-have item, either. It wasn’t a toy though. It was an item of clothing that seemingly no teenage girl could live with out.

“It’s Ugg boots. You can’t keep Ugg boots in the stores. They fly out the door,” Pavelka said, referring to the shin-high boots that have roll-down wooly tops.

The boots are so ubiquitous, nearly every girl in Newtown was sporting a pair at Newtown High School’s hometown football game last month.

In some towns, high school girls favored the roll-down style, while others adapted the rolled-up look. Either way, it was Uggboots they were wearing — one of the hottest fashion trends in years.

“The caffeine has been flowing as well,” said Pavelka, who stopped by the busy food court and paid a visit to the McDonald’s there.

He talked about the season’s other hands-down winner: electronic games. They have dominated Christmas lists since the 1990s.

“Electronics are hot for the younger folks. They like the Xbox. They’re buying sweaters and accessories,” he said of the teen and young adult crowd.

There were many bargains to be had. More than a few stores had signs that said “clearance” or “50 to 70 percent off.”

That was good for U.S. Army Pvt. Albert Barnes, of Oxford.

“I got a good deal at Godiva chocolate,” said the young soldier, dressed in his fatigue uniform.

He said he had just returned from training in Missouri and was home for the holidays.

“I’m ready for Christmas,” he said, toting a bag of merchandise.

Leighann Urban of Stratford was carrying her bags as well, with her boyfriend, Mike Eavis of Bridgeport, alongside.

“I didn’t want to wait until the last minute but it just worked out that way, with money and everything,” Urban said.

But it didn’t hurt.

“Everything is on sale,” she said, smiling.

Some industries grow and profit despite the recession; others don’t

The really dismal year is showing up on the bottom line of many public companies.

But some businesses are growing revenue and earning profits, despite the recession. These industries are more insulated from the downturn or even benefiting from consumers clinging to their wallets, such as discount stores.

Others, for whatever reason, are simply bucking downward trends in their own industries.

Reviewing the stocks of several public companies in the Ventura County region revealed a mix of outcomes that are trickling through the local economy.

Take Goleta-based Deckers, maker of ugg boots, which keeps opening stores, including a location last year at the Camarillo Premium Outlets. While a majority of retailers are struggling, Deckers revenue keeps growing. The company boosted its outlook for full-year revenue growth after a record third quarter.

Its a performance that begs comment, which Chief Executive Angel Martinez provided with the release of the companys earnings.

We continue to see robust full price selling for our uggboots brand throughout our retail account base, which is particularly rewarding given the difficult macroeconomic environment, and further underscores the strength of the brand, Martinez said in a statement.

The companys other brands also are selling well.

While retail is taking a hit, industries hurting the most are in natural resources, housing and financials, according to Joe Magyer, senior analyst for the Motley Fool.