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Experience Ted Dekker

I am a voracious reader whose appetite for reading material spans the many genres. However, my favorite is fiction, escapist fiction. Lately I found myself wishing for more Harry Potter . . . but J. K. Rowling finished the series with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and it was pointless to wish for more. I even considered rereading Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings or perhaps C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, both of which still sit on my bookshelves. I was craving fantasy. A younger sister, also one of my trusted reading buddies, had earlier introduced me to Ted Dekker, a New York Times best-selling author originally known for his Christian fiction; and I had enjoyed a number of his books. For my birthday she sent me Ted Dekker’sTHR3E, a psychological thriller, and his The Circle Trilogy: Black Red White. The latter, three fantastic “adrenaline-laced epics where dreams and reality collide,” satisfied for a while my hunger for fantasy. We wait now for the fourth in the series, Green, which will be both a prequel and a sequel, to be released in September. In the meantime, in addition to my other reading, I have been enjoying more of his earlier works my sister sent me.

—TED DEKKER is known for novels that combine adrenaline-laced stories with unexpected plot twists, unforgettable characters, and incredible confrontations between good and evil.—

Below are just a few of his novels I recommend you read.

THR3E

By Ted Dekker

ISBN 0-8499-4512-7

Imagine answering your cell phone one day to a mysterious voice that gives you three minutes to confess your sin.If you don’t, he’ll blow the car you’re driving to bits and pieces. So begins a nightmare that grows with progressively higher stakes. There’s another phone call, another riddle, another three minutes to confess your sin. The cycle will not stop until the world discovers the secret of your sin.

THR3E is a psychological thriller that starts full tilt and keeps you off balance until the very last suspense-filled page.

THE CIRCLE TRILOGY: BLACK RED WHITE

(The Complete Trilogy in One Epic Edition)

By Ted Dekker

ISBN 978-1-59554-532-9

Fleeing assailants through an alleyway in Denver late one night, Thomas Hunter narrowly escapes to the roof of an industrial building. Then a silent bullet from the night clips his head and his world goes black. When he awakes, he finds himself in an entirely different reality—a green forest that seems more real than where he was. Every time he tries to sleep, he wakes up in the other world, and soon he truly no longer knows which reality is real.

Never before has a trilogy of this magnitude—all in hardcover format—been released in an eight-month window of time. On the heels of The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings comes a new trilogy in which dreams and reality collide. In which the fate of two worlds depends on one man: Thomas Hunter.

BLESSED

By Bill Bright and Ted Dekker

ISBN 0-8499-4312-4

The young orphan boy was abandoned and raised in an Ethiopian monastery. He has never seen outside its walls—at least, not the way most people see. Now he must flee those walls or die.

But the world is hardly ready for a boy like Caleb.

When relief expert Jason Marker agrees to take Caleb from the monastery, he unwittingly opens humanity’s doors to an incredible journey filled with intrigue and peril. Together with Leiah, the French Canadian nurse who escapes to America with them, Jason discovers Caleb’s stunning power. But so do the boy’s enemies, who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Jason and Leiah fight for the boy’s survival while the world erupts into debate over the source of the boy’s power.

In the end nothing can prepare any of them for what they will find.

“A fast-paced thriller of apocalyptic dimensions. The book will move you to wonder . . .” —Charles W. Colson

A MAN CALLED BLESSED

By Bill Bright and Ted Dekker

ISBN 08499-4380-9

In this explosive sequel to Blessed Child, Rebecca Solomon leads a team deep into the Ethiopian desert to hunt the one man who may know the final resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. But Islamic fundamentalists fear that the Ark’s discovery will compel Israel to rebuild Solomon’s temple on the very site of their own holy mosque in Jerusalem.

They immediately dispatch Ismael, their most accomplished assassin, to pursue the same man. But the man in their sights is no ordinary man. His name is Caleb, and he is also on a quest—to find again the love he once embraced as a child.

The fate of a million souls rests in the hands of these three.

Dekker’s is fiction at its best. His books contain all the elements that make for good reading, among which are larger-than-life characters, suspense, intrigue, romance . . . . Deciding to try any one of these novels will leave you wanting more. So enjoy!

Visit www.teddekker.com

Written by Lee L. Peoples

Tomorrow Is Another Day

For too long we have been a country that has had too much, so much that whole government agencies have gotten together to decide how to dispose of our excess. That excess has been useable produce, overproduced goods, and even an excess of money when we were as a nation free of debt. From the first immigrants who came to this country, the English, Spanish, and so on, to now, we have had the attitude, “Expand, expand, expand.” With this attitude we have wasted and polluted our land, run through our resources, and have found it impossible to live with the native inhabitants as well as each other. The big wide America has become a place somewhat filled with despairing people who have lost their homes, their jobs and their hopes, causing us to take pause and assess our expansive approach.

We have been members at a feast. Our tables have been filled with a variety of delicacies to choose from. We have had man and beast. We have had mountains and deserts. We have had land and sea. We have expanded our borders imperialistically and with the same attitude of expansion to incorporate other countries and their resources. Our table is spoiling and we cannot stand to put the meal to our lips. We can no longer engorge ourselves on a rotting meal, causing some to open our eyes and take pause and others to unsuccessfully revive the feast. What can we preserve? What do we need to toss? We can preserve nothing forever. We need to ration and allow what is fallow to breathe and replenish.

Individuals have taken limited dollars to buy unnecessary items packaged in commodities that will be discarded. Not even 100 years ago would people dream of buying packaged meals but would cook their own from scratch. Not even 50 years before that would people dream of buying clothing from the store. They would sew their own. We have had so much money that we’ve forgotten how wasteful it is to purchase items we could make ourselves, given the expertise. It takes less for me to bake my own bread and prepare my own meals than it does to purchase these items in the store. I begin to take breath in slowly during the few minutes of kneading bread. As I breathe in the aroma, I forget to run here and there to accomplish nothing while expending time. My car is allowed to rest, and I can put up my feet.

We need to realize that time is also a resource that we waste because we believe we will live forever. We waste our health, believing that the vitality we experience today will carry on into the future no matter what we do. We deceive ourselves when we do not recognize that everyone will age and will need the help of another. Some of us blindly carry on our lives as if no one else exists until we end up being forced to depend on others.

There is a natural law of the universe that nothing is permanent and nothing is lost. Animals live to procreate and die. Their flesh and bones decay and turn to dust, and new life springs forth from that dust. Whatever is lost ultimately returns to earth in some form or another. However, we have found a way to discard materials that do not break down and therefore scar the land; but everything will ultimately come to an end, even heavy duty plastic. This earth will come to an end some day, a few billion years in the future. Life as we know it will not exist within a few million years. Even microbes will not exist much beyond that, but the earth will go on until it is absorbed by the sun, which will also fade away.

The God that we believe in may appear as the light we experience upon arising only to diminish some day. We could understand that while we live, we pass away. What will we leave for others? What will we leave for another day? What can we salvage from our table? What must we allow to decay?

Whatever you are experiencing today—whether it is prosperity or the lack thereof—take a breath. Life as we experience it is only temporal. Therefore, this too shall pass and tomorrow is another day.

By Lisa Trimarchi

Celebrity Fashion Influences

Who influences your style of dress? My style is influenced by such superstars as Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, Nicole Richie, and Mary Kate Olsen. I love the combination of eclectic, bohemian, and chic. It is just who I am. However, do I typically invest in L.A.M.B. pieces or Dior? Nope. I am a gal who loves sales and adores 2-for-1 specials.

Fortunately, our day and age is all about affordable imitation. Instead of hitting Bloomingdale’s for Seven jeans, these days I walk into Forever 21 and spend less than 15 bucks for a pair of low-waisted skinny jeans. My loose, summer bikini cover-ups aren’t Juicy Couture; they are Target brands. While I choose to avoid paying $200 for jeans (especially if I can find these jeans on sale at Kohl’s); I will fork over the same amount for a shopping spree. For $200, I can find two pairs of heels, some tanks, jeans, and possibly a new vest to wear over those tanks.

It is important to realize that as much as you crave the exact pieces that, say, Kim Kardashian wears, you must be realistic about your finances, your lifestyle, and just what makes sense. I enjoy having money left over after I hit the mall. This means that I must keep in mind that imitating celebrity fashion, my own superstar icons, can be done for less. It also means taking a trend and making it your own. Lindsay Lohan is commonly shown wearing leggings as pants. Do you have the body shape to do so? If I decide to wear leggings, I prefer to wear them under a dress or skirt for a casual feel.

So instead of imitating, let’s focus on inspiration and being influenced by our Hollywood trendsetters. Fashion shouldn’t just be guided by who wears what; it is a state of mind and should also be guided by your emotions. Do you pick up that yellow sweater because a tabloid showed Blake Lively wearing it on the streets? Or, did you smile and feel the joy of a bright color when unfolding it from a shelf? Be true to yourself and embrace the various influences surrounding us. Just make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Imitation may be the best form of flattery—just be sure to look like yourself in the process.

Josie Goldberg, the Sassy Russian Jew: Shaking Up Reality TV and Taking Controversy to a Whole New Level!

Josie Goldberg is a sassy Russian Jew who’s raising eyebrows in the realm of reality television. Having appeared on Farmer Wants a Wife, she was voted off the show’s second episode and insisted on receiving her parting gift before leaving the property—that episode was by far the most memorable of the season. It was interesting to learn that Josie is bold, audacious, and tells it like she sees it both on and off screen. Josie Goldberg went from rejection to success with Playboy, and has scored other reality show appearances. But wait. She has a few more tricks up her sleeve.

The sassy 26-year-old currently resides in Westwood, CA, and is scavenging for Mr. Right. Millionaire Matchmaker is her mother’s favorite show; in pursuit of that elusive engagement ring, and to please her mother, Josie appeared on that show, too. And without a second thought, Goldberg ruffled another set of executive feathers, and has sifted through the “jerks” in hopes to one day (soon) marry a rich physician, have his children, keep his home, and oh yeah . . . still make her mark in Hollywood.

Reality TV is centered in controversy. From the shows The Biggest Loser, America’s Next Top Model, and Wife Swap to American Idoland So You Think You Can Dance, we’re fascinated with the idea of peering into somebody else’s life. Can you think of one reality TV show, including The Bachelor, Nanny 911, Survivor, etc., that doesn’t show controversy or conflict? Voyeurism is far more interesting than looking into our own mirror. Josie has skipped through the yellow brick road of reality TV, angering hosts, fellow contestants, and sponsors . . . and her filter remains off!

How did you get on Farmer Wants a Wife?

I was 24 and I was in graduate school to become a teacher. I was having problems with my professor. I was so miserable I hated life. At that time I was dating a physician whom I met on JDATES.COM. He was always putting me down. My goal in life was just to get married to a doctor, settle down, have his children, and live happily ever after. He was very cheap. He used coupons, wouldn’t let me take a shower for more than 20 minutes. I started telling him I was too young and I deserved more. He ended up cheating on me. I went on JDATE and wrote about my experiences with him. It caught the eye of a big casting director. They called me in to CBS and asked me to be on Farmer Wants a Wife.

I remember the show very well, and I particularly remember your episode. It was at the town hall meeting, and people from that town were making the decision to cut a contestant off the show. You ended up being the one to leave. But you had me on the floor in stitches because you refused to leave until you got your parting gift. So please tell me more about that episode.

Well, in the Russian Jewish culture, when you are asked to date for marriage and things don’t work out . . . I left everything, I went to the farm, I broke two pairs of shoes, my watch broke, I worked for four days on the farm [receiving only] minimum wage . . . I believe the man has to say, “I’m sorry you’re not for me,” and buy you a present and send you off. In the Russian community, when you milk the cow, you have to give a present and leave. He didn’t sexually milk me, but he milked my time, my emotions. This is like a business deal. This is like working for a company. They give you money to come out for your time spent, a little advance, and they send you off. I look at getting married as something serious. I was pissed after I was embarrassed in the town hall. I wanted respect.

What was your opinion of the show?

When I was on the set and got eliminated, I told the executive producers there was not a show without me. The executive producers were so annoyed with me. But when it comes to love and marriage, it’s war.

1. “Jewish Women are underrepresented in the soft porn industry.”

2. “I’m Josie Goldberg and I’m the next Anna Nicole Smith and I’d like to know who rejected me?”

From Josie’s mouth to our ears, she muscled her way to the key decision makers at Playboy.

What happened next after Farmer Wants a Wife ?

After Farmer Wants a Wife, I remembered the photographer who shot me for our cast photo had suggested I shoot for Playboy. I tested but they sent me a rejection letter. I called up Playboy Studio West and I said, “I’m Josie Goldberg. I’m the next Anna Nicole Smith. I’d like to know who rejected me.” I was just pushing random buttons (extensions) and actually got ahold of somebody who could help me. This man on the other line told me, “No one has ever done this before, but I just found out the editor thought you were okay, but Holly doesn’t think you are Playboy material.” I told him that I wanted to go up the chain of management. He said the only person I could call was Heff. He wished me luck and he hung up. So one of my friends gave me the number of the Playboy Mansion and I called the secretary, Mary. I told her my story. I told her to tell Mr. Heffner that Jewish women have been underrepresented in the soft porn industry. I only want to be rejected by Hugh Heffner. She promised to send my pictures to him. Soon after that, I tested forPlayboy and became a Cyber Girl, and eventually “Cyber Girl of the Week.”

What’s next?

I was in Fox Reality’s Battle of the Bods, which was really fun. It’s about girls rating their body parts, a feature film [where I made a cameo appearance]. Now I have a couple of projects in the works. I’m hoping to get my own reality show. Eventually I’d like to shoot for Maxim.

I am a 5’10” Russian beauty, and I am voluptuous. And I think the reason Anna Nicole was so good was because it made big women like me feel sexy. You don’t have to be 100 pounds just to feel good. You don’t have to be anorexic. You can feel comfortable in your own skin. And as long as you feel good about yourself, that’s how other people are going to perceive you. And I plan to work in Hollywood for the rest of my life!

Visit Josie Goldberg athttp://www.myspace.com/cybergirljosiegoldberg.

Interviewed by Kaylene Peoples

Romantic Luxury Travel at European Castles

Fairy tales and castles are the basis of many a childhood fantasy. Recreate those fantasies and discover the enchanted world of royalty and fine living at one of the many luxury castle destinations available throughout Europe.

Today royal families are few and far between, but there remains a romantic lore and mystique surrounding the lifestyle of kings and queens, lords and ladies, who lived hundreds of years ago, and rightfully so. These wealthy and prominent individuals vied with each other for power and prestige and built lavish homes to showcase their wealth. Since most royal descendents cannot afford to maintain a castle as their private home, adventuresome travelers who are looking for the best in luxury travel can experience the romance of the days of yore by planning a luxury vacation getaway at a castle that has been restored to five-star expectations and beyond.

And true castles these are, huge rambling buildings adorned with gargoyles, towers, turrets, and steeply sloped roofs. The old castles, built in the centuries before electric lighting, feature expansive windows that give unparalleled views of carefully manicured lawns and ornate gardens fit for a modern king and queen. For those who are seeking a vacation that provides royal treatment, what better place to find such luxury than at an authentic castle retreat?

The ultimate in romantic travel, luxury castle vacation venues are available throughout Europe. The best feature the latest in modern amenities such as on-site spas while offering traditional royal amusements like horseback riding and custom hunting and fishing excursions. Typically, on-site dining is of gourmet quality, served in elegant surroundings of the ancient formal dining room. Travelers who vacation at these luxurious imperial residences should understand that they are also contributing to the preservation of these magnificent historic treasures for future generations.

Castle hotels in Ireland offer world-class accommodations and five-star service. These castles, surrounded by hundreds of acres of private grounds, are ideal for those who are seeking a quiet luxury vacation. Spend time in the formal gardens or wander the private grounds for peace and solitude. Irish castle vacations have particular appeal for golf enthusiasts. Top-rated golf courses abound in Ireland, plus some castle resorts offer a private golf course as well.

For those who desire the ultimate in privacy, smaller Scottish castles may provide the perfect luxury vacation experience. Nestled in scenic locations, fully restored estates dating back to the 1500s that have been renovated to five-star standards are available for rent by the week or the month. Although smaller than the castle hotels, these estates boast a dedicated full-time staff to cater to the guest’s every need and provide a perfect hideaway in a historically romantic setting.

Germany is the ideal location for travelers looking for a romantic locale. The famed Romantic Road that winds its way through southern Germany from Wurzburg to Fussen through historic architectural districts is one of the world’s most popular tourist routes, especially in summer. Instead of joining the throngs of tourists on the Romantic Road, experience romantic German castles firsthand on the German Castles Road, which extends from Mannheim on the Rhine River to Neckarzimmern in the Neckar River Valley. Here luxury-minded travelers can choose from dozens of elegant five-star castle hotels.

Southern Germany is, of course, famous for mountain views. There are elegant castle hotels nestled in picturesque Alpine locations that will take a visitor’s breath away each and every day. For those who are wine enthusiasts, look for a castle hotel in the Rhine River wine country.

No matter the setting, expect the best in discriminating personal service and the finest gourmet dining fit for royalty at these luxury German establishments. Experience the feeling of history that is embodied in the surrounding castle walls that is available nowhere else in the world. Whether you are seeking a quiet retreat or a bustling continental hotel environment, there is a luxury German castle hotel to meet your needs.

“A man’s home is his castle” is a phrase that’s been around for a long time. When you are ready to leave your castle for a vacation at a European royal castle, the best advice is to consult a travel company that specializes in luxury travel to help you find the exact location that meets all of your needs and desires.

Written By Justine Richards

Las Vegas’ Shows for Kids

Las Vegas is all about the many beautiful attractions and spectacular shows to see. It has many children’s shows that make kids dream to see this beautiful city. There’s no room for boredom when kids visit Las Vegas. The city offers them so many spectacular shows, exciting activities, and beautiful sceneries. Las Vegas is also well loved by kids. Consider some of these tourist spots when planning to bring your kids to Las Vegas:

Area 51

Area 51 is one of the most popular Las Vegas attractions for kids. It is the most popular secret air base on the planet. Area 51 also accommodates UFOs and alien bodies discovered from the Roswell. Roswell is where the New Mexico flying saucers crash. Engineers of alien spacecraft have a lot of stories which tell of several sightings of foreign and unknown flying objects in the night skies. This somehow carries guests to investigate the town of Rachel, Nevada. This town is located at the Extraterrestrial Highway.

Rachel is also visible to the Area 51 Research Center. Furthermore, inside is also a nice little cafe named the Little a Le Inn. This is more known as Groom Lake and Dreamland. It was considered to be the image location of the stealth fighter. Additionally, this unpopular air base is also nestled into many dry lake beds in the location which gives numerous testing facts for high-safety developed aircraft.

The Azure Mermaid Show

The Mermaid Show is an underwater fantasy story told via mermaids and mermen every Wednesday to Sunday evening on the hour. The Olympic medalists of synchronized swimming perform in the water every time. Their choreographed movements always amuse the audience.

This show is adjacent to the Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge at the Silverton Lodge. It houses the 117,000 gallon aquarium. This huge saltwater tank has over 8000 tropical fish and pretty corals.

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

The Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World is a sporting goods store offering all kinds of wildlife settings. This is somehow the same with a native history museum. They would also find a fighting bull moose, a lion’s pride, a two story giraffe, and a bear’s den.

There is also a boating and fishing area. There is a makeshift ocean with realistic sharks, whales, and other underwater animals floating overhead. There’s also a live bass saltwater tank and some smaller aquariums around the store that fill the outdoor motif. Kids who love the outdoors will love to see this place.

Bugsy Segal Memorial

The Bugsy Segal Memorial is found in a small grotto behind the Flamingo Hilton Hotel. There is a plaque placed within which is dedicated to a man who enthused the formation of Las Vegas. However, this Los Angeles mobster occurred while Flamingo Hotel was still under construction. Furthermore, that man decided to buy the unfinished property, and from there its history started.

China Ranch Date Farm

This ranch farm is a wonderful natural oasis located at the Nevada – California boundary. It is filled with western history amidst the small working farm. It also provides an unusual collection of fresh grown dates and yummy baked goods.

The large date palms wearing women’s skirts are a sight to see. The clear colored petticoats keep the birds at bay and away from the visitors. There is a short walking path leading to the palm grove.

After the tour, you can stop at the gift shop which sells fresh chocolate chip date cookies and date nut bread. It is near Death Valley from Las Vegas and the location near the farm has plenty of discarded mines and scenic cliffs.

The Old Spanish Trail is also nearby. It is a historic Tonopah & Tidewater railroad bed. There’s also a natural Tecopa hot springs near the ranch where people from different places spend some time to relax.

Written by David H. Urmann

September 2009 Face of the Month – Arshiya Parmar

Arshiya Parmar is a model who moved around a lot. Born in the capitol city of New Delhi, India, at age six she moved to New Zealand. At age ten she lived in Australia, and at age 12 she finally settled in the United States in California.

What does your name mean?

Well, apparently Arshiya is a Persian boy name, but my parents didn’t know that when they named me. It means a gift from the sky . . . too bad for them it’s a gift you can’t return.

What’s your secret talent?

I can out hula hoop anyone!

Something weird about you . . .

My hazel eyes change color in the sunlight. Indoors they look brown but outdoors they can look green.

Your biggest fear?

Mazes. I’d freak out if i ever got lost in one.

Something embarrassing?

I’m addicted to the History Channel and the Carl Sagan Cosmosseries.

Something you’ve always wanted to try?

I’ve always wanted to ride an elephant. They’re HUGE, but kind of cute, too.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Acting in a soap opera would be amazing. I grew up watching “The Bold and the Beautiful,” and it would be surreal to be a part of that.

How would you describe yourself?

I’m a dork, I’m cheesy, but I love it.

Who’s your secret crush?

It’s not so secret. It’s Jon Stewart because he’s goofy and witty as hell.

Who do you consider the epitome of beauty?

Definitely Catherina Zeta Zones. She’s regal yet sexy AND a brunette!

August 2009 Recap and Ash Gupta Studio 838

August was a fruitful month for Ash and Studio 838. creating campaign images for the launch of eco-conscious clothing line Degree Six, as well as a shooting model/actress Kim Smith whose face and figure have been featured for Victoria’s Secret, Mac and Jac, Abercrombie & Fitch, Harper’s Bazaar, and Andrew Marc. Smith also took part in two of Paul Marciano’s Guess? campaigns back in 2000.

And young Hollywood was never too far with Kevin Zegers, who is starring opposite Hilary Duff as Clyde Barlow in The Story of Bonnie and Clyde. Jennifer Lawrence will be starring in Guillermo Arriaga’s directorial debut, The Burning Plain, opposite Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger, also on the studio shoot deck.

Ash was also busy shooting the cover and pictoral for international editions of Maxim Magazine, and the first part of an experimental photo-couture project with designer Maggie Barry, as well as a progressive, ethnocentric fashion editorial for Desi Club, which will complement shooting Miss India, Ami Vashi. A unique subject includes the steamy shoot with two of Paris’ most prominent art dealers at one of Los Angeles’ most famous residences. Also photograped was Russian “it” model, Kira Dikthyar.

Ash conducted productive meetings with Ursula and more of the “Deal or No Deal” girls. To top it all off, there was a celebration with an end-of-season private party at Ash’s residence, rounding out a fairly warm August.

Fashion for Women – Selecting the Right Clothes

Shopping for women’s apparel has never been this good. The selections are getting wider and better, with so many different styles, designer labels, and off-the-rack outfits available for women of all sizes, shapes, and ages. The most important factors that women consider when buying fashion are still style and color. Comfort, fit, and designer labels are also significant factors that are considered in purchases. When choosing styles, women are now looking for apparel that they can wear both to work and to socialize. Pantsuits, skirt suits, blazers, and the classic white blouse are favorites in the office, while off-the-rack outfits and jeans remain popular for casual wear.

When shopping for fashion, it’s important to know how to pick the right clothes for you. Merely copying what is touted as the current trend or what is “fashionable” will just make you a fashion victim. A wardrobe that is fashionable but still fits your lifestyle, your age, and your figure will be the best. Try to get a good mix of trendy and basic apparel, so that you won’t have to update your wardrobe every time a new fashion season comes along.

One of the hottest niches in the fashion industry is designing and marketing fashion apparel for teens. This is due to the fact that teenagers account for billions of dollars spent each year on clothing and accessories. Anyone will agree that teenagers are habitués of shopping malls, and discount apparel shops as well as designer outlets are picking up healthy profits from teens buying trendy outfits every season. Tank tops, athletic wear and sports shirts, short skirts and low-rise jeans are very popular items. Trendy clothes that sell at reasonable prices are hot for teenagers, and merchandisers who give them value along with great fashion benefit the most. As a result, stores like Wal-Mart and Target get more teenage sales than outlets like the Gap.

Denim wear continues to be an all-time favorite, especially for teens. Jeans, jackets, skirts, and shorts are hot as ever. Jeans now come in an assortment of styles, whether it’s slim fitting, low-waisted, or bootleg designs. As with all other fashion apparel, different styles are suitable for different wearers. For example, teens who want to appear more svelte-looking usually prefer low-rise jeans, while women with fuller figures like relaxed fit jeans for a sleeker look. Petite women with slim figures go for slim and snug designs, either with a tapered cut or boot-leg cut.

And denim doesn’t come in just blue and black anymore. Jeans are now made with colors ranging from the usual blue and black to light brown, red, and ochre. You can even find jeans with military-type designs and colors, like khaki and olive green. One of the factors that make jeans popular is the fact that they can be worn with almost anything. Jeans can be coordinated with jackets, shirts, peasant tops, blouses, or almost anything else you may find in your closet. Teenagers often love to decorate their jeans with embellishments like beads and crystals to give them more flair and individuality, as well as to make a personal statement. Along with a complementary jacket, a shirt, and a pair of trainers, this outfit remains one of the favorites among teenagers.

Written By Syahrul Azlan Idris

Eco-Friendly Fashion Footwear: Cruelty-Free Fashion Shoes Every Woman Must Have This Fall/Winter

Most Vegan women like myself dread the thought that over 35 million beautiful, intelligent animals are killed just for their fur or leather (and that’s only the wintertime!), but that doesn’t stop us from being every bit as stylish as our carnivorous counterparts. Except for the fact that we only want cruelty-free fashion, we have the same desire to collect dozens upon dozens of sandals, sneakers, loafers, flip-flops, knee-high boots, and other footwear for our shoe wardrobe. Ten years ago, this would have been a challenge, one that would seem almost impossible, as all vegan shoes practically looked the same.

Nowadays, finding cruelty-free shoes isn’t as hard as it sounds. Now more than ever, companies are beginning to cater to those with a cruelty-free fashion sense and are now offering a wider variety to choose from. As this trend continues to emerge, the only challenge you will have is figuring out how many shoes you really do need. You’ll have to begin asking yourself how many of them do you really love, and how many fit well, complement your fashion style, and are versatile enough to serve multiple purposes.

Here are 5 fall/winter fashion shoe styles to help you create a cruelty-free shoe wardrobe so all encompassing, so perfect, that no matter what the occasion is, you’ll have just the right eco-friendly shoe.

1. One pair of weather-protective footwear

If you could only buy one boot in your life, an eco-friendly, air-seal range boot like the 14-Eye Boot from Vegetarian Shoes is the one to go with. If you spend a good amount of time outdoors, go with two pairs. Air-seal range boots sporting steel-tipped toe and a sole made from rubber tires will provide you with that everlasting quality you need and want.

2. One or two pairs of fashion boots in a medium or dark neutral

These leather alternative boots are classic enough for work-wear, yet sexy enough to add an edge to jeans and an everyday tee. Top-of-the-calf boots with a flat heel are one of the cold weather season’s hottest looks, but are surprisingly in demand even as the weather grows warmer. For those of you who love the Engineer boots, but want something a little more fitted, the Biker boots are perfect! When you’re feeling a little “rebel,” wear them as biker boots. When your style is more classic looking, just take off the buckle, instantly providing you with simple, comfortable boots that go with everything.

3. One pair of chic looking boots

Almost knee high boots like the Aurora give you a chic look with straight skirts and classic-cut trousers. They can be worn with bare legs or opaque winter stockings. Plus, they work well with formal and near-formal wear; they add sophistication to jeans, and instantly dress up a denim skirt and cardigan like nothing else can. You can also get the same look with Alta style that is only 11″ from the top of the shoe to the bottom of this eco-friendly fashion footwear. The upper is made from the highest quality synthetic micro-fibers while the lining is usually comprised of extremely soft synthetic micro-fibers or fleece.

4. One pair of neutral-colored casual boots for the weekend

A woman can never go wrong with classics such as the Amy boot. Your weekend casual cruelty-free boot should have an extremely soft and flexible sole, making it extremely comfortable for all day wear. Make sure your casual eco-friendly boots’ exteriors are made of “leather,” like synthetic micro-fibers, giving you that stylish look, while the interiors are made of a soft cotton lining and a generous foot bed that will accommodate your feet.

5. One pair of attractive non-leather sneakers

The fall is the perfect time to run around the track at your nearby park and enjoy your surroundings. Whether your eco-friendly non-leather sneakers are made from hemp or synthetic micro-fibers, they go well with your tracksuit, yet are hard working enough to perform at the gym. The best athletic/sporty shoes are the pairs that have an extremely supportive EVA sole and a thick padded tongue.

If you follow the above tips, you will create the perfect eco-friendly fall/winter women’s fashion footwear wardrobe, that no matter what the occasion is, you will have the perfect non-leather shoe. Remember, no one can have fashion without compassion.

Written by Sarah Kubersky