User talk:Mack1688

Revision as of 01:05, 30 December 2008

Nintendo Wii and Ugg Boots lead Black Friday sales

According to a recent report over at cnet , it looks as if the doom and gloom or the current financial crisis has been temporarily blown away by the Black Friday three days of traditional retail sales in the U.S.

The report indicated that retail sales were up 3 percent (this was 8.3 percent in 2007 over 2006), whilst online sales for the period rose by a whopping 11 percent over the 2007 figures.

Electronic goods being the flavour of the season with the Nintendo Wii console topping the list.

The Wii was dubbed the most searched-for product on eBay and sold over 3,000 units in the U.S on the online auction site.

Obviously, working off the Thanksgiving turkey was also a priority for Americans as they ordered 1,059 companion Wii-Fit⿿s go with their new consoles.

PriceGrabber.com listed the top online products for the three day period as:

⿢ Nintendo Wii console

⿢ Ugg Australia "classic short" boot

⿢ Sony BDP-S350 1080p Blu-ray disc player

⿢ Samsung LN52A650 52" LCD TV

⿢ Nintendo Wii Fit

⿢ Panasonic TH-42PX80U 42" plasma TV

⿢ Sennheiser HD 555 headphones

⿢ Canon EOS Rebel XSi Black SLR digital camera kit

⿢ Acer Aspire One AOA110-1295 notebook PC

⿢ Canon PowerShot A590 IS black digital camera

Shopping .com listed GPS units as a valued item, selling one every 9 minutes, whilst MP3 players were scooped up at the rate of one every 11 minutes.

Retailers, fearing a flat Black Friday period went all out this year with bundles and bargains; this included free shipping for online purchased products and a bunch of one-day-only offers in an attempt to drive up sales.

So pull on your Ugg boots, grab your GPS unit and join the hunt for a Nintendo Wii. Though given the fights that can break out , be careful out there.

Buy cheap Ugg boots

One hell of a year

We Say IU was the place to be in 2008

After watching him cover the youth beat for the 2008 election, few would have initially expected Luke Russert, son of the great late Tim Russert, to end up broadcasting on Election Day from the Indiana Memorial Union.

It was certainly a welcome respite given that, for far too long, most of the media attention received by the University was focused on the NCAA violations of Kelvin Sampson.

Coming here certainly seemed like a good call for Russert. The presidential race in Indiana was decided by some 26,000 votes ⿿ a number smaller than the enrollment at IU. Given the drastic turnout on this campus, we might very well have been a deciding factor in which way Indiana⿿s 11 electoral votes swung.

This year has certainly been an exciting year for IU students to make and witness history. We were visited by everyone from Feist to Bill Clinton. John Edwards broke his media silence in the IU Auditorium. The president-elect himself, Barack Obama, dropped in on the Little 500 women⿿s race and greeted patrons of Nick⿿s English Hut.

Not everything that happened this year was particularly good. The IU Student Association had an election that ended in the disqualification of the party that was initially declared the winner. During the summer much of this campus was consumed by flood water. The recent economic recessions darkened the dreams of many Kelley students and made the victory lap that much more tempting.

Did we mention sports? No, we probably don⿿t need to go there.

This year we got to take part in the only Indiana presidential primary that might ever mean anything, we hosted a gubernatorial debate and got to help choose the next leader of the free world. Could next year possibly be as exciting?

Probably not, but we will have to wait and see. Who would have thought 2008 would feature Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton sparring in Bloomington or that Indiana would go for a Democratic candidate for the first time in 40 years?

Maybe 2009 will be the year University officials finally come up with a decent name for the Ora. L Wildermuth Intramural Center (hint: the new name should not include the word ⿿Wildermuth⿿).

Maybe it will be the year we actually get a decent fall break.

Or maybe, just maybe, it will be the year Ugg boots and spandex finally go out of fashion.

Ugg or Ugh!

It doesn⿿t matter whether you love or hate the ubiquitous sheepskin boots beloved of all those Aussie sheepshearers out in the Outback. Ugg boots have got their foot firmly in fashion⿿s door.

The first UK Ugg store opened in the Westfield mega-mall, appropriately located in London⿿s Shepherd⿿s Bush, at the end of October, and has already drawn more than 100,000 visitors. The flagship in Covent Garden followed a month later, with a lavish opening party attended by the likes of Jodie Kidd, Tamzin Outhwaite, Martin Freeman, Mica Paris, Pearl Lowe and Madonna⿿s favourite jeweller, Stephen Webster.

One of the ⿿Ugg-oholics⿿ who was not at the opening party, however, was Rolling Stone, Ronnie Wood, who is rarely seen without a pair on his feet.

He loves them so much, his estranged wife Jo, bought him pairs in orange, green and yellow, to go with the many he already owns in cream and black. Apparently he even wears them on the beach. The words ⿿hot⿿, ⿿smelly⿿ and ⿿sandy⿿ spring to mind.

Quite why a fully paid-up member of the lucky-to-be-alive ageing rockers club would want to wear something that looks like pair of old lady⿿s slippers is baffling.

Yet Wood is not alone in his fondness for Uggs. Bruce Willis, Leonardo Di Caprio, Brad Pitt, Justin Timberlake, Ben Affleck, Peter O⿿Toole and Rhys Ifans are just some of the male stars and celebrities who have fallen in love with this fad for fluffy footwear. In fact, they are now almost as serious about them as the girls.

Kate Moss and Sienna Miller gave Uggs instant street-cred when they began wearing them in the early 2000s. The likes of Jennifer Aniston, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba, Hilary Duff and Eva Longoria were quick to follow.

The craze spread, spawning thousands of cheaper imitations, from as little as £�, and even the deeply unfashionable Geri Halliwell was spotted in a pair. Earlier this year, a thief ram-raided a supermarket to get some cigarettes dressed only in a sheet and his girlfriend⿿s Uggboots. One could argue this was as much a serious fashion crime as anything else.

Social ⿿teen-angels⿿ like Alice Dellal, Peaches and Pixie Geldof and Daisy Lowe might prefer stompin⿿ biker boots and Kate Moss has moved on to wearing over-the-knee, ⿿principal boy⿿ boots over her skinny jeans.

But the genuine Uggs, despite a price-tag of at least £���, continues to be good, bad - and ugly, the word from whence its name derives.

Are you an Ugg-oholic? Let us know what you think of the Ugg boot...

Bennie urges classmates to go chic: Posh city of London teaches lessons about American fashion. Take the time to look

your best

By Anna Schoeneberger

As the warm weather turned chilly, the wind blew hard and the first snowflakes fell, I realized that the seasons are changing, and this year, I would be here for all of them.

I was on my way to work ⿿ feeling slightly disgusted with the apparel I wore ⿿ a pair of regular jeans, a Bennie T-shirt, a zip-up sweatshirt and of course, a fleece. I looked around to find that I was one of many choosing to partake in this ⿿scrubsville⿿ event. I was almost overwhelmed with the number of students wearing sweatpants, Ugg boots and fleece.

I continued my walk to the Main and thought, ⿿I⿿ve never felt more American than today.⿿

This time last year, I counted down the days until I would leave for London, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

While abroad, we were living among some of the most posh and well-dressed Brits to be seen.

High fashion and high class, one might say, surrounded us. Granted, I was nowhere near their level of attire, I still found myself in a world where, unless you were in bed or at the gym, sweats did not belong.

Walking the high streets of London past hundreds of people each day, I noticed one trend. I could always pick out the Americans.

Although they may have thrown on their skinny jeans and maybe even some cute boots, it was the North Face jackets/fleeces that were always a dead giveaway to their country of birth.

As a 21-year-old, I must say my fashion has come a long way, from ⿿ yes ⿿ white spandex shorts in the sixth grade, to senior year of high school when my mom said, ⿿Anna, could you maybe limit wearing sweat pants to school to three days a week?⿿

Although I am by no means anywhere near an everyday posh dresser, some days I do put in effort.

For those of us who have studied abroad in the UK and Europe, fashion is notable there and makes me nostalgic even when I see a Johnnie dressed in argyle, with a collared shirt, a scarf and a nice pair of trousers.

Overall, I must say that my first semester back from being abroad has been an adjustment like no other.

Going from 10 outfits for four months to a room full of stuff was a little overwhelming. And then there were classes.

In London, we had class three days a week and were done by Wednesday. Here, we have class and lab five days a week plus athletics, clubs and organizations to fill in the rest.

So seniors, as we wind down our last fall semester, I want to encourage you to embrace the culture you became a part of as you travelled abroad and share it even more with others as we close down another American college semester.

Premier UGG Boot Maker Introduces New Style This Holiday Season

For the upcoming holiday season, an Australian web site is introducing a new rugged half boot called the Grind Boot that is sure to be a big seller. Consumers that would like to purchase a pair for the holidays should make their purchase as soon as possible. Unley, Adelaide, South Austrailia (IPRWIRE) Fri. Dec. 5th, 2008 -- A website that is dedicated to providing high quality Ugg boots is now introducing the Grind Boot, which is a type of half boot. This high quality footwear is excellent for a night on the town, a day at work or school, or even just for around the house wear. This popular brand of boot is one of the most comfortable types of footwear currently on the market, and keeps one⿿s feet especially warm in the cold winter months.

These authentic UGG Grind Boots have been designed personally by Australian designer Mark Stone. Unlike the standard style of Uggs which are more inspired by fashion and luxury, these boots are a rugged outdoors style of boot which is suitable for hard labor and harsh weather. Even so, these are the perfect boots to go with any social situation as well. As is the standard with UGGs, these boots are made from the finest 100 percent Australian double-faced Merino sheepskin.

With the holiday season on its way, Uggboots are guaranteed to be a big seller. People that are looking to purchase them for a special someone this year are being encouraged to buy them or at least put them on hold as soon as possible in order to prevent shortages.

To learn more, visit www.authenticuggboots.com.

About Authentic Ugg boot:

The owners of Authentic UGG Boots have been producing UGG brand boots for decades now. They possess a strong dedication to quality in each boot that they produce. As a result they have become the leader in the luxury footwear industry which produces Ugg brand boots. Over the last few years they have seen their business grow tremendously as people are coming to prefer natural footwear as opposed to those made of synthetic fiber and mass produced in China.

Benefits of Ugg Sheep Skin Boot

These boots are so comfortable they can be worn all the time in all types of weather. If made from genuine sheep skin, they likely will last a long time making their purchase a good investment. Best of all, with so many styles currently available, there is sure to be an Uggboots sheep skin boot to fit everyone⿿s tastes and budget. The ugg sheep skin boot is a practical boot. The sheep skin helps keep feet warm during the cold winter months, and cool during the warm summer months. The comfortable and soft sheep skin fits like a glove and acts like a second skin, helping to maintain the body⿿s temperature. In fact, these boots can keep feet warm even in temperatures as low as -30ſF. Plus, engineering online course wool has natural wicking properties which help draw moisture away from the skin, and this is what helps to keep the skin dry. Finally, a person⿿s feet should not smell after wearing these boots. The wool fleece helps the air inside the boot to circulate which allows the foot to breathe. Of course, there is no guarantee on this claim! The Uggs sheep skin boot, if properly cared for, will last for many years, making it a good investment. The soft skin is actually leather and as such, the boot is not waterproof. A water-repellant product can be applied to the boot, but even this will not make the boot waterproof. engineering online course boot can be cleaned but not by immersing it into water. The boots must be cleaned by hand, using a cleaning product that is designed for use on sheep skin and dried naturally. One feature of the ugg sheep skin boot that makes it such a popular choice in footwear can also cause the boot to become damaged. That feature is its soft sheep skin. These delicate-skinned online courses should never be worn anywhere you⿿re likely to encounter things that can damage or puncture the boot⿿s soft skin, like on a hiking trip. So to ensure the boots live a long life, be sure to properly treat and care for them. The Ugg boots sheep skin boot is available in many different styles and sizes making this boot the perfect choice for all tastes. These boots are available in sizes for the entire family, including infants, children, men and women. Some ugg sheep skin boot styles online master degrees tall boots, and short boots, slipper-style, and boots with extra reinforcements, and much, much more. And then there are the colors ⿿ black, tan, pink, blue, purple, red, sand and more arriving in stores every day. The best quality boots are made from genuine sheep skin but imitation boots are everywhere. Just remember, the better the quality, the higher the price. But when it comes to the Uggs , keep in mind that you⿿re getting far more than just good looks; you⿿re making a sound investment.

Your guide to winter fashion

The moral for the savvy shopper? A few appropriately outstanding pieces will add the necessary pop to your otherwise unchanged wardrobe.

Julia Seidl, creative director of Stylehog.com, "your online guide to runway fashion on a budget," suggests that investing in a few key pieces can sufficiently update nearly any wardrobe.

"Thanks to Michelle Obama, the structured and tailored shift dress has quickly replaced the power suit as the �?�?go-to piece' for working women everywhere," Seidl wrote in an email.

And when it comes to footwear, Seidl says, there's only one choice.

"The bootie (the hybrid between shoes and boots) has become the hottest footwear of the season. Whether worn with pants for the day or tights and a skirt for a night out, the bootie is the only shoe/boot you need this season," Seidl wrote.

It's tough to talk boots without uttering the dreaded three-letter word that is still making little dollar signs pop up in eyes of shoe salesmen everywhere: Ugg.

"The Ugg boots have continued to be popular," said Bob Scanlon of Oneonta's Sport Tech. "They keep coming back for them."

Seidl, among others, would just as soon this wasn't the case. " Uggs are like an ex-boyfriend we seem to bump into everywhere we go," she wrote. "We would have thought this trend would have disappeared into the fashion abyss a long time ago. But judging by what we see on the street, this trend is as popular as ever."

Before picking up your own pair, however, consider the possible backlash. There is an Anti- Uggboots League on Facebook, an anti-UGG petition circulating on the Internet, anti-UGG T-shirts and even an anti-UGG public service announcement on YouTube (created "as a mock campaign against the Ugg boot trend within our pop culture").

Accessories offer an affordable means of updating your look, and this season's picks are anything but mild. The usual standards of purses and jewelry have been joined by brooches, gloves and even hats (yes, ladies: hats) as the season's smart sartorial choices