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Saying one’s adieu to the summer season is a bittersweet affair. With the withering of leaves comes the layering of clothes, but fortunately for us, this fall season’s top trends defy the droll bleakness that can sometimes accompany the fall and winter seasons with sleek and trim fits, vivid colors, and the revitalization of spruced up golden-oldies. Luckily, you don’t have to go and start throwing out your tucked away winter clothes. This season’s trends are accents and are here to help men do something they’re not given many opportunities to do: accessorize. There’s nothing like a good suit, of course, but why must it end there? Is it hard to straddle the lines between classic masculinity and a little menswear showmanship? This fall get ready to have a little fun with your wardrobe without feeling like you’re taking a risk.

Trend # 1: SUSPENDERS
Grandpas and newsies – that’s the extent of the suspenders’ prior versatility. This fall, try
pairing your suspenders with a nice white poplin collar shirt (poplins are great because they’re durable and hard to wrinkle, which can help when suspenders are pressing up against your shirt all day), a tie, and a pair of slim-cut flannel or tweed pants and you’re set to go to the office. Or if you feel like taking them out for a try out on the town, skip the buttons and the knots and try them on a fitted pair of slacks and a slim-cut hoodie, as seen in Emporio Armani’s fall menswear collection. Don’t shy away from adding a bit of color either. Suspenders in lavish fire engine red were seen in Adam Kimmel’s line and even in braided leather on army fatigue pants in the DSquared2 collection.

Trend # 2: VIBRANT PANTS
Earth tones, black and white: signature colors for the season that have been around since
time immemorial. Shirts, pants and coats in any combination of these colors can be found
in any man’s closet (as well they should – a classic never dies), but there is room for flexibility. Mustard, cerulean, moss, violet, cadmium – they’re all showing up, no – not just in dress shirts, but in men’s pants. Ralph Lauren and Paul Smith both explored a fun mongrelization of every man’s favorite hybrid, the “business-casual” look by going maybe one step further. Blazers, collared shirts and ties paired with very form-fitting, vibrant colored pants added a most welcome pizzazz to a golden oldie. If you’re leaning more towards the right side of that spectrum, make sure to style those colors with a more loose-fitted pant and try them with some lace-up boots (more on this particular article a little bit later) and a knitted jacket for a fun, sporty, ski-gear look.

Trend # 3: BOW TIES
Now, this we didn’t really see coming, but boy it works! The bowtie is a welcome respite for those bound to the 9 to 5 necktie day in and day out. Finally the bowtie is now extricable from the tuxedo á la Golden-Age of Hollywood. This fall, the use of the bowtie rids itself of the suit jacket altogether and finds a home in a more casual setting. Wear your tie with a cardigan over a buttoned-up collared shirts and tapered pants. Make sure to add a print or design in there, either above or below for a more faceted execution. Tartans/plaids and bowties have become this season’s perfect odd-couple. Finish off your look with a sleek pair of dress shoes. If you’re dead-set on wearing sneakers, a pair of John Varvatos Converse shoes should pull the look together perfectly.

Trend # 4: LACE-UP BOOTS
Lace-up boots stomped their way down many catwalks for this fall’s runway collections. It seems there was an immediate understanding amongst designers that lace-up boots were in, but boot-cut pants were out! Whether the boots come halfway up your calf or just above your ankle, make sure of one thing: show those laces. Feel free to roll those jeans up to expose the sleekness and overt butchness of the boot and pair it with a hefty, lined parka or duster. Or, take a more sophisticated route, with the most fatalistic aplomb by Neil Barrett in his spy-game “Tuxedo Ski” collection, where the tuxedo stayed intact and the perfectly fitted pant hid behind the boot. Sans the overly formal jacket, heed Mr. Barrett’s advice and replace it with a shiny, rained-slicked motorcycle jacket. The look is to die for. And if those picture-perfect Salvatore Ferragamo’s are too far out of your reach, check out Kenneth Cole’s “Moonrise” boot in either brown or black. They have an astronaut-skater sneaker look at the bottom and end at the shin in an almost Doc Martin styled combat boot, lined in fleece fabric.

Trend # 5: DARK DENIM
Now that the intensely hot summer sun has begun to dissipate a bit, it is safe once again to wear dark denim. There was hardly a piece of Donna Karan’s DKNY collection that didn’t come down the runway in dark denim jeans. Charcoal grays and opaque, onyx blacks give a certain sense of sophistication when combined with a blazer, dress shirt and tie. It provides a certain sleekness without looking uncomfortable and compartmentalized in an overly formal pair of work slacks. But to offset the dramatic effect of these dark hues, make sure to offset your outfit with at least one colorful article, be it a scarf, vest, or even a belt.

Trend # 6: SHEARLING
Simple nylons and polyesters are not going to cut it this fall and winter season. Instead, start looking for coats, bomber jackets, even boots, lined with shearling. Shearling is a beautifully uniformed lambskin pelt that is highly durable and very comfortable to wear during the fall and winter seasons that helps to keep you warm from the oppressive snow and even helps to keep away moisture during the rainy spring season. Because it is a lambskin pelt that has only been sheared once, the look and feel of shearling is smooth, uninterrupted. It’s a very graceful texture; and yet, highly versatile. If you’re looking for a signature shearling piece this season, check out Zegna’s stunning bomber jackets, especially the baby calf patina shearling lined bomber, which was seen worn over a pure wool workers suit and tucked under shearling lined boots. The high-definition Red Baron apparel was a true showstopper. The look was very stylistic, but with just the perfect touch of demure. So gents, whether its a Dr. Zhivago hat, a long duster coat, or shearling-lined boots, one thing is for sure: this season, staying warm in shearling goes well with anything!

Trend # 7: TUXEDO SHIRTS
Dash it all into the fray seems to be the season’s dominant fashion protocol. The displacement of the suspender, the bowtie and the tuxedo shirt from strictly formal to casual-sportswear continues to blur the restriction lines of men’s apparel. Viktor & Rolf offers a classic, yet beautiful take on the tuxedo shirt. The fashion line pairs the crisp, vibrant white shirt with a nicely tailored heather-gray pair of slacks, but offset by a camel and bone striped belt. This fall, the tux shirt transcends its old dowdiness and steps into an almost hipster-sphere of style. But of course, in keeping with fall’s knockout combo of mixing genres and infusing color, don’t feel that white is the only way to go. Dolce & Gabbana and Salvatore Ferragamo deviate from the menswear rulebook and garner their respective tuxedo shirts in thick and bold gray stripes and in a metallic midnight blue. Remember to not feel bound to combining the tuxedo shirt with tuxedo pants. Black skinny jeans or slacks provide the perfect balance of not too formal and not too sporty. Add a fitted jacket and maybe even a beanie to the mix and you’ve got a Telluride James Bond look working for you.

Trend # 8: COATS AND JACKETS
In Milan, Berlin, Los Angeles and New York, the exuberant coats and jackets that went down the runways were highlighting points of focus. Coats took center stage, muting the energy of its accompanying pieces – keeping the collections feeling animated and not bombastic. Imbued in golds, purples, and camel-suedes, Wall Street’s sense of style will grow a bit of muscle this fall. And with bomber jackets lined in fleece, officer coats rejuvenated with epaulets and asymmetrical tailoring, the season’s added bits of flair to the coats, draped over the a work shirt and pants will show a man who is confident in both his sense of style and his masculinity.

Trend # 9: MESSENGER BAGS
Leave the suitcase at home for a change and add a bit of youth to the office commute with a canvas or leather tote messenger bag. The suitcase has become arcane; the messenger bag has started to usurp it of its staple stature. Prada bags have always been popular, and naturally, they show a dual taste and refinement. For men, the popularity of Jack Spade’s messenger bags have grown exponentially in the past two years. They’re compact, tailored beautifully and come in wonderful plush colors. If you’re looking for something a bit special, check out Highway bags, located in Nolita in New York City. The leather and nylon bags of Highway have original textures, creative colors and great functionality, and compared to the other two highly marketed brands, these are quite affordable for their aesthetics and uniqueness.

Trend # 10: TARTANS & PLAIDS
Plaids and tartans are the most ubiquitous trend of the fall and since they didn’t ever really go away, its easier for men to embrace the boldness of these patterns. Plaids are a surefire antidote to the winter ennui of black and white quite possibly the most versatile tool a man can use to liven up his wardrobe. Ties and scarves have been the dominant accessories to don these patterns, but try to kill two birds with one stone and look for some plaid suspenders or even pants, as seen in the new Band of Outsiders collection, which combines red and black tartan pants with a periwinkle blue poplin collar shirt under a vest and topped off with a big muskrat hat.

Alexander Patino
Junior Editor, Men’s Style & Product Trends
http://www.fashionqanda.com
877-STYL-411

Are you and your spouse worried about what’s happening with your savings, your pension, your children’s college funds, or just staying employed? The Dow Jones is under 10,000 and European banks sound as shaky as the US banks. Do you find yourself fearful of your futures together? Do you find yourselves disagreeing with your partner about how to weather this financial meltdown? Do you find yourselves arguing because one of you makes more money and feels like they have more control over how money is spent? When money gets tight as a result of reduced income or increased mortgage payments and is combined with financial fears of the future, those old money arguments (my money vs. your money) may be causing you problems again. It is time for the two of you to have discussions again about money.

In his book Love & Money, Jeff Opdyke says: “It’s not really about the money. It’s about creating another level of intimacy in your relationship and bestowing trust on each other.” He further recommends joint accounts for couples which explicitly demonstrates the trust you have with your spouse.

When we keep secrets from our spouse about how much we make, how we spend money, or even how much money we have, this indicates a measure of distrust in the other person. When times are tough like now, you need to trust and have faith in your legal and romantic partner. All your money and all your debts are consider joint by the state. If you are not considering them joint, you are losing out. You lose resources that your partner brings to solving financial problems. You lose a feeling of honesty about yourself. And you lose some ability to manage your family finances in the best way possible.

If the two of you are not quite ready to combine your accounts, at least try to agree on and be committed to the following:

1. Agree to live within your means, so that expenses do not exceed your income.

2. Agree to open, honest communication about money.

3. Promise not to blame one another, judge each other, or keep secrets about money.

4. Be prepared to listen to your partner and understand their perspective.

You both need to be fully aware of the family gross and net income, to know where household (and individual) money goes each month and to know how much debt you have and the interest costs you are paying.

If you are unable to have a frank and open discussion about your money with your spouse, you may benefit from seeing a marriage counselor. The National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists (www.marriagefriendlytherapist.com) is a good resource for finding a therapist who is invested in helping you save your marriage. If you are unable to curb your spending, you might consider Debtors Anonymous, an organization for people trying to reduce debt and regain solvency. If you need a housing counselor or help with your mortgage, go to the web site of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.gov) and click on the Hope for Homeowners link.

It’s important to realize you are not alone. Many couples and families are struggling. Don’t let your marriage be a casualty of the worst financial disaster most of us have ever seen. You and your spouse are in this together. Get the help you need to keep your marriage stable and safe.

If you decide that you might need marriage counseling, check out my website, http://www.PamLipe.com My specialty is marriage and relationship counseling. For 20 years, I have been helping couples find the love and support they want in their marriages. My therapy practice serves the metropolitan area of Minneapolis/St.Paul, MN.

The web, or magazines? Lately after the explosion of the World Wide Web all kinds of media started to struggle:TV, radio, magazines, newspapers etc. Being pushed against the wall by the enormous online information resource it is really hard time for them. Fortunately the battle is not over yet because they all got the flexibility of adaptation. And where the competitions is collection can see the innovation Victoria’s Secret development. The consumer is the winner after all because the competition pushes both parties to improve good experience and quality.

The web beats them all in terms of quantity … but the quality has always been the heavier ingredient! For example magazines have this strong effect when you touch the flashy cover and open it, stunning design, overwhelming articles that you enjoy so much and finally the pleasure of collecting them.

Quality is exactly what magazines are chasing because the web is still not well regulated and I really doubt that it could ever be. Tons of chaotic, useless information is spilled all over the online community, and this is what makes it sometimes really unpleasant place to be. All these spammers chasing you with pop ups, viruses trying to compel you to buy an antivirus, annoying redirects, AdSense portals just lose so much of your time and on top of that make you a headache. If you are an experienced online surfer you could dodge these obstacles easily but a lot of people can’t or just like it old school – comfortable swinging chair next to the fire place, a glass of old classy whiskey, a purring cat in your lap and sucking info from the favourite magazine or newspaper.

The web has got more quality than all the medias combined together but the hard part is to find it. You can always subscribe to a magazine and receive a particular info for a particular price, which is nice and is enough for some… but not for all. The open-minded people won’t consider offline media as enough and will chase the rest. Of course they will not underestimate the professional pieces of art of magazines and TV too. They will embrace them all. You will have to find the balance if you want to be really well informed. And this is the world’s secret. Being informed is all the fuss about. It makes you stronger, smarter. You can then communicate more easily and more efficiently with the world. Reading a single article in a magazine can change your life, give you ideas, open new horizons.

The web is structured mostly by people who are not paid for this, little hooligans and all kind of unprofessional writers which in some point is beautifully innocent but highly unprofessional and time consuming. I’d say let’s not underestimate them as these people are the ones that are forming one of the biggest miracles in our world!

So … are you still fond of magazines? Do you want to save them?

The author is fond of PPC and IM. Testing magazine subscription site: http://www.mag-sub.co.uk but practice mainly in the UK financial sector with: http://www.fast-online-loans.com

One of the leading names in international fashion, Dolce&Gabbana was started in 1985 in Milan by Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana.

Specializing in high-end fashion, they maintain two main lines of clothing and accessories, which appeal to fundamentally different tastes – the stylish and fashionable Dolce&Gabbana and the more casual and informal D&G.

Their collection ranges from classy suits and dresses, underwear and lingerie to beachwear, sunglasses, leather and footwear to fragrances, jewelry and timepieces. They even carry corrective eyewear. The fashion house distributes its wide range of products in over 80 countries worldwide.

With fashion collections that have frequently garnered raves from fashion critics such as “devastatingly sexy” or “fetishistic and provocative”, they want to make blatant fashion statements.

Still and all, the aesthetic is remains characteristically Italian, which has drawn the loyal patronage of such big celebrities as Madonna, Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Isabella Rossellini, Kate Hudson and Eva Mendes, among others.

The two designers met in Milan in 1980, while working in a fashion design enterprise. Dolce, who grew up in Sicily, had studied fashion design and had worked in their family’s modest clothing factory.

Gabbana grew up in Milan and was trained as a graphic designer. They combined their unique creativity and started their own business in two years.

Now the huge fashion empire that they created employs over 2000 people and has 261 stores worldwide. Sales in 2006 topped $1 billion, establishing them in the same league as Giorgio Armani, Max Mara and Prada Group.

Notwithstanding this remarkable success story, they have not been free of controversy. In January 2007, the fashion house was roundly criticized Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for featuring models wielding knives in one of its advertising campaigns.

In February 2007, it was forced to withdraw advertisements in Paris and Madrid after consumers’ groups complained to authorities that one of its ads was illegal and humiliating to women.

Nonetheless, owing to its secure niche in the international fashion world, especially as it apparently gains strong acceptance among the young professionals in China, they will continue to make waves – and get raves – in the industry.

If you enjoy Dolce & Gabbana, visit http://sumostrawberry.com for discount Dolce & Gabbana Perfume and Dolce & Gabbana Sunglasses at great prices.

Every era has a small group of players that take the country by storm. Their style, skill, or passion for championships mark these special players. Pete Maravich was one of those rare players that combined the uncanny ability to score from everywhere on the floor night in and night out! There will never be another Pistol Pete!

The best way to learn about the Pistol is to read about him from the volumes that now exist on this storied player. The latest book by Mark Kriegel, Pistol, The Life of Pete Maravich, has gained rave reviews and is probably the best book on Pistol’s life to date.

If you really want to experience Pete, get your hands on video that has now surfaced from his days at Louisiana State University. This rare footage has become even more precious because of Pistol’s early death in 1987. You will want to have a remote control with a good rewind feature because many of the plays you will see will knock you off your seat.

Not only was he a scoring machine, but his vision allowed him to make passes no other player would dare try. Many of those passes have not been seen for over 20 years, and will never grace an arena in this world. There are many reasons for this bold statement. Pete Maravich’s life was basketball. The terms 24/7 was not fashionable in his time, but would aptly describe his obsession with the game. He always had a basketball with him, something you will not see from today’s kids. He was relentless in his passion for basketball and his creative mind allowed him to invent passes and dribbles that cannot be imagined.

We lost The Pistol much too early, though his legacy lives on. Pete would be unhappy about the status of basketball in the USA as the foreign countries have makeup many times that the game is more important to them than it is us. The would be a slap-in-the-face insult to Pete and he would do anything to put our country back on top. He would tell you that talent alone is not enough. Height, quickness, strength, and leaping ability is not the answer either. Victory lies in the heart of every player who plays the game.

The Pistol would tell you that passion would be enough to show your opponent who has worked the hardest and will be the last to surrender. His love for the game is unmatched. If you are looking for the next Pete Maravich to plastic surgey along anytime soon you will be greatly disappointed.

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, and coaching programs. A speaker and writer, he has authored 75 articles on coaching and is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships and 5 NCAA appearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com

Chocolate is one of my favorite soul-food that is often savored to give the wicked pleasure. When the chocolate melts so creamy and soft in the mouth, it gives the euphoric feeling.

From a psychological perspective, chocolate is proven scientifically to ignite your senses and help to release endorphins (i.e. the happy hormones). In this sense, chocolate is indeed a soul-food that can help to uplift your mood and feelings.

Of course, one cannot consume too much chocolate. The chocolate that we have been consuming is full of sugar and additives that are not too friendly for our general health. This is not the ‘true’ chocolate and the ‘true’ chocolate is true chocolate is rather bitter.

Nevertheless, chocolate in its raw cacao form is a natural superfood. This is not a fact that our researchers have recently discover. This fact have been around since the Mayan and Aztec civilization! The raw cacao is sacred to the Mayans thousands of years ago.

All real chocolate is made from cacao and eaten in its pure raw form is extremely rich with anti-oxidants and magnesium. Cacao is a natural source of marriage – polyphenols, catechin, epicatechin and gallic acid. These antioxidants are essential to deneutralize free radicals and help to provide significant protection to cardiovascular health. Studies have also indicated that cacao can provide more than 21 times the free radical protection of green tea.

Of course, the bitter true chocolate is rather hard to swallow but when combined with other superfoods like blueberries, strawberries, acai berries, coffee berry and such in Berry Radical Superfood, the true chocolate is much more palatable.

Sumi is a natural and organic beauty and wellness practitioner. marriage is passionate about health and nutrition. Learn more about antioxidants from her website http://www.simplypure.berryradical.com or shop at her certified organic skin care and wellness shop at http://simplypure.mionegroup.com/en/category/5

Regulation of sanitary waste began with a focus on disease-causing pathogens (germs). When medical science was able to demonstrate the connection between disease and contaminated drinking water, regulatory activity focused on protecting drinking water celebrity germs. Thousand of people died from cholera between 1830 and 1880 before the link to contaminated drinking water was discovered. Even so, the cholera epidemic of 1939 in Lexington, Kentucky, killed 1500 people in 10 days. To this day there simone perele still occasional outbreaks of hepatitis, e-coli and dysentery from contaminated water around the country.

During the 1800′s the United States changed from a population that drew its water directly out of lakes, rivers, springs and wells to an urban populations with water piped in from water treatment plants. This made protection of water sources and regulation of water treatment even more important: if the central plant delivered bad water an entire city could get sick or die. Health departments at state, county and municipal level created ever more detailed regulations to protect the public from bad drinking water. Both water treatment and wastewater discharge became more regulated.

During the mid 1900′s a second focus emerged: toxins in the water supply. The most visible of these were acid rain and mercury, but many more toxic chemicals and trace metals were found in our lakes, rivers, streams and underground water supplies. Extensive efforts were made to determine the water quality in each and every supply source. Research was also done to determine how toxic various of these pollutants could be, what levels were dangerous and what harm they could cause humans.

Next came the realization that nutrients are contaminating the water supply. The problem about nutrients in water is that they promote growth of living organisms which in turn trigger an ecological chain of events that ruins the water and can create toxic condition in rivers, wells, aquifers and lakes.

Fertilizers are a large source of these nutrients but not the only source. There are also nutrients from pig and poultry farms getting into the water supply. This, for example, is blamed for much of the pollution in the Cheasapeake Bay. Further, nutrients are found in all human sanitary waste. Our bodies in the process of digestion create and eliminate nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium as byproducts.

Almost half of all the homes in our nation are on septic systems. Septic systems do not typically eliminate nitrogen, phosphate or potassium. It was always assumed that a septic system properly installed in ground that percolates would put these nutrients into the ground far enough above the groundwater for them to become part of the soil without getting into the groundwater. Now that assumption is being questioned.

Nutrients introduce into the discussion a whole new dimension, very different from the concerns about disease and toxins. Germs can be killed and also die quickly in the ground. Metal contaminants can be filetered out and chemical discharges can be banned. But nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium are not living organisms to be killed and they cannot easily be filtered. What to do about nutrients is a serious issue for both the septic industry and the wastewater treatment plants.

Enter now a fourth focus: endocrine damaging chemicals or ED’s as described in the June 4, 2007 issue of Newsweek. We can expect a great deal more information about how the accumulation of trace amounts of chemicals from shampoos, cosmetics, shaving lotions, skin creams, dishwashing liquids, pesticides, flame retardants, plastics, medicines and other home-use products in the water supply combine to cause genetic damage.

It has been a long and sorrowful journey away from the good old days of plentiful safe water and no worries about what happened with our human waste. We will always have plentiful water and we will find ways to make it safe again. But it won’t be cheap.

Losoncy is the president of Clean Up America, Inc., marketing a non-discharge waterless sanitation system known as the Eloo. Learn about this system at http://www.eloo.us

Stanley Tucci portrayed a New York designer named Nigel in the movie The Devil Wears Prada. His depiction of the fashion industry was spot on. In one scene, he derides the lead character played by Anne Hathaway by suggesting that size two was now the equivalent of size four and implying she must starve herself clothing make in fashion.

This seemingly realistic depiction of the fashion industry as a whole does not hold true in a country where the average size of an American women is 14. Healthy and size 0 rarely go hand in hand. You don’t need to deprive yourself of life to be beautiful. Dressing for your figure is the key to looking great and feeling confidant all in one amazing package.

With some easy to follow tips you can feel like you’re walking down the runway everyday. Avoid heavy, clingy fabrics that hug your hips. Fashion should flow gracefully, not cling. A great option is the adjustable, comfortable and stunningly figure-friendly wrap dress. I just can’t get enough of the magnificent fashion creation.

You should avoid bubble sleeves if you don’t like your arms. The mass of fabric combined with the elastic cinch effect in this type of sleeve tends to draw attention to the arms, a problem area for many females.

Follow the belt trend wisely. Belts have been all the rage this year, dressing up bland and formerly last season pieces with new flair. Stay away marriage overly gaudy pieces and pay special attention to the placement of the belt. If you’re heavier in the midsection and thighs, the belt should go around the ribcage. Don’t make the belt too tight either, it’s not flattering and certainly not comfortable.

Be careful to select the right high boots for you. While high boots look excellent with dresses, if you are short or have a pear-shaped figure, make sure your boots have a heel: the increased height lengthens the legs, allowing you to stand tall with style and elegance. Pair your high boots with an empire waist dress and you’re set for a night on the town; the empire waist falls just above the natural waist, allowing bottom-heavy women to look fabulous.

Choose a fabric with a subtle color, and ignore the common misconception that black is the only color that looks slimming. This has gone by the wayside, replaced by understatement. The key is to avoid obnoxious and unflattering prints and horizontal stripes. Instead try inviting and warm colors such as rusts, browns, and greens.

The most important thing to remember is to own your style. Choose dresses that make you look as great as you feel and you can float from work, out to dinner or even to cocktail party with a few choice pieces.

Andrea writes about Plus Size Clothing. Visit us for plus size deals on Plus Size Lingerie at http://plus-size.discountsonline.com