MAPLE GROVE, MN, Apr 18, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- For the month of March workers of TopLine Federal Credit Union exchanged donations of edible plus cash apt the Community Emergency Assistance Program (CEAP) and Keystone Community Services edible shelves for the convert apt wear pants aboard Fridays and Saturdays. When the program ended on March 31st TopLine employees and members had donated over 550 pounds of edible and $244 surrounded cash apt facilitate restock the local agencies edible shelves. Demand for edible has risen; from January through March 2011,free gifts online,edible shelf visits additional by seven.5% from 2010.


In 2010, there were more than three million visits to Minnesota edible shelves. According to the Twin Cities Hunger Initiative, of those visiting food shelves: 50% are children 11% are children that skip meals regularly due apt a absence of edible 43% are parents skipping meals deserving apt a absence of ample food 20% are senior citizens plus 43% have jobs,merely need apt favor to among disbursing for food plus disbursing additional bills favor hire utilities alternatively medications.


This year's March FoodShare action has been a rousing success and a record destroying month for CEAP as they raised $214,324 plus 102,725 pounds of food for households among need as Hennepin plus Anoka counties. Keystone received $58,099 plus 44,436 pounds in food donations to facilitate Ramsey county homes surrounded emergency.


All donations made apt CEAP were matched dollar-for-dollar or dollar-per-pound by the Feinstein Foundation -- a non-profit that donated up to $1 million to edible shelves cross the nation surrounded March.


Employees were competent to participate by donating money and/or food apt the edible pedal among commute for a "Denim Days" sticker,engravable rings,granting them apt dress trousers to work on Fridays plus Saturdays during the four-week agenda.


"TopLine employees and members once afresh demonstrated their advocate as the community during the anniversary edible pedal accident says Harry Carter, TopLine chancellor plus CEO. "Food shelves are looking a big climb among families among emergency needing edible plus our workers plus generous members continue to eagerly aid serve our community."


CEAP (Community Emergency Assistance Program), serving Hennepin plus Anoka Counties,is a community-based, non-profit agent that partners with other resources apt assist folk among absence The mission of CEAP namely to stabilize individuals and households within financial agony and apt aggrandize their aptitude to live independently and with reputation.


Keystone Community Services namely a community-based volunteer organization in St. Paul that helps thousands of low-income individuals plus households within the East Metro Area. Keystone's mission is apt strengthen the capability of individual plus households apt cultivate their quality of life.


TopLine Federal Credit Union, a Twin Cities-based honor union,replay blue jeans,namely Minnesota's 13th largest, with assets of more than $300 million. Established amid 1935, TopLine attempts a complete line of financial services from its five locations -- within Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, Plymouth plus in St. Paul's Como Park -- as well as by phone plus online by Membership namely available to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington Counties plus their immediate family members.

Renee Trikolas has a information for women attempting to revive from a divorce: You can rebuild your life.


The Kildeer mother of two never only arose on a VH1 program charted to support people let go of the past,merely she also launched a successful jewelry line that has been featured amid locations favor Trump Tower amid Chicago.


"There are only two options, and I chose apt be joyful said Trikolas. "I'm so pleased This is actually the happiest I've ever been in my entire life."


Trikolas said prior apt her divorce, she and her husband "lived favor we were rock stars as numerous annuals Post-divorce, Trikolas said she found herself lost.


"For weeks,copy designer handbags, months and years I thought, 'What am I going to do with my life?'" she said.


A friend suggested Trikolas obtain back into the Pearl happening she'd fired annuals forward Years antecedent Trikolas started making bracelets with Swarovski crystals.


"I equitable started making some bracelets for sport said Trikolas. She gave a stack of bracelets to her mom who returned and said,authentic designer handbag, "Renee, these women were just buying these bracelets off my arm.'"


Trikolas made accessory bracelets and started taking arrays A woman even asked Trikolas whether she would do a bracelet show at her family After going out and buying items favor tablecloths and additional decor, Trikolas held the show and sold accessory than $1,000 merit of bracelets.


Soon, she was booking even more parties,constantly doing three to four shows a week.


"It sucked the life out of me," Trikolas said of driving get out of the way Chicagoland and being away from her household.


She eventually stopped holding parties and instead switched apt selling her bracelets from a catalogue and by areas favor Nordstrom and motley boutiques. That entire stopped once Trikolas and her husband divorced until her friend's suggestion inspired her apt begin her jewelry affair"basically from scratch afresh"


This phase things are alter whatever with Trikolas largely selling her bracelets online through her Isabella Rose Designs website and occasional trunk shows.


VH1 Comes Calling


During her search to reproduce her life, Trikolas was reached according a casting adviser while shopping at Bloomingdale's in Chicago. The casting guide asked Trikolas whether she'd like apt audition for a current reality show House of Consignment aboard VH1. During the show, eDrop-Off employer Corri McFadden aids women explicit their closets and sell the items.


The episode Trikolas arose aboard aimed apt aid her reproduce her confidence subsequently her divorce. She filmed with the VH1 team and staff as about 14 hours.


"It was prefer all of a sudden, I'm nailed up apt a mic and I've got cameras emulating me approximately said Trikolas.


Though she was told that folk can have one emotional attachment to clothes Trikolas was skeptical.


"Once (McFadden) took it away,denim jeans,for a few days I was actually physically sick," said Trikolas. "She was right I didn't lack apt let it work"


Now, Trikolas said, she would suggest it apt anyone.


"Why was I holding aboard to that?" said Trikolas. After selling the items, Trikolas waded away with "a few thousand greenbacks and she donated money to charity"It was a great experience. I had a wonderful phase"


Trikolas namely immediately focusing her period and energy on her babies and her business.


"I absence apt stand aboard my own two feet," she said. "People admire my Pearl and it makes me joyful I actually prefer what I do."


Her information as women facing divorce?


"It's never a death sentence. You can reconstruct your life."

Hollywood glamour has arrived amid Gastonia and auction bidders are being offered the become to take home celebrity-owned handbags with the proceeds helping a local nonprofit.


More than a dozen unique handbags owned along celebrities of stage,frey wille earrings,shade,music plus politics longing be sold within a silent auction aboard May 17 at the Gaston Country Club amid Gastonia.


The third anniversary"Purse Power"event mobilized along United Way of Gaston County,purse handles,aspiration also feature a raffle as other handbags, with raffle tickets purchasable at the accident.


Actresses such because Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn , Debbie Reynolds , Amanda Seyfried plus Florence Henderson have arranged through their personal belongings plus donated handbags apt rise money as the United Way Womens Leadership Council.


The fundraiser ambition assistance cater advocate procedures to help acquaint a feud in the lives of bullied school-aged girls.


About a anniversary ago I had the idea of auctioning off celebrity-owned handbags surrounded Gaston County apt raise money for the cause.


Having collected somebody autographs and entertainment events for approximately a ten-year I knew how apt get amid touch with numerous celebrities to apply donations plus passed along this information to United Way of Gaston County employees.


The celebrities were contacted plus exciting donations are coiling among Among the others questioning the shriek were North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue ,tall womens jeans, Mary Wilson of The Supremes and famed evangelist Beth Moore.


The majority of the handbags have been autographed according celebrities who donated them. Autographed pictures likewise accompany many of the auction lots.


There is a celebrity-donated handbag to accommodate around every fashion manner from beaded evening clutches plus sequined wallets apt canvas totes and leather handbags.

LONDON.- A selection of sixty-four iconic Hermès bags from a private collection aspiration be attempted surrounded the Jewellery bargain taking zone by Bonhams, Knightsbridge on the 16th May.


Renowned because its handmade luggage and handbags, Hermès has never used assembly lines and a craftsperson makes a single handbag at a time hand-stitching individual chips.Included among the bargain are the popular Kelly and Birkin bags among a selection of handbags dating from the 1950s 2008.


In 1935, the leather Sac à dépches was developed according Hermès, which was later renamed the Kelly bag In 1956, a photo of Grace Kelly, who had transform the present Princess of Monaco, was pictured carrying the Sac à dépches sack apt conceal her pregnancy. Photographs were sent bring an end to the globe and put on the cover of Life magazine. As a outcome the bag became understood for the Kelly and has been hugely modish by far An Hermès fuchsia ostrich Kelly sack 2006 (est.four,000 6,000),cheap jeans,one Hermès light blue ostrich Kelly sack 1997 (est.four,000- 6,000),an Hermès light brown ostrich Kelly sack 1995 (est. 3,000 five,000) ambition always be offered within the bargain.


An Hermès African patent crocodile Birkin sack 2003,an Hermès black brown matt crocodile Birkin bag 2008 and one Hermès black brown matt crocodile Birkin sack 2003 are entire estimated to sell for eight,000 12,000.


The Birkin was labeled after British actress Jane Birkin, who had a accident meeting with Jean-Louis Dumas ,the chairman of Hermès,handmade handbag, and explained apt him that it had been perplexing apt find a leather weekend bag she liked. In 1984,mens leather wallets, he created a African leather bag because her and nevertheless nowadays the bag can be made apt order the draft namely still one of the most recognised surrounded the fashion industry. Other Birkin bags among the sale include,an Hermès sallow blue togo leather Birkin sack with pearly stitching, 2006 (est.4,000 6,000),one Hermès ruddy togo leather Birkin sack 2008 (est.four,000 6,000),an Hermès African togo leather Birkin sack 2005 (est. 3,000 5,000).


A number of smaller Constance bags aspiration also be offered amid the sale including 2 Hermès crocodile Constance bags (est.one,500-2,500),3 Hermès togo leather Constance bags (est.an,200 one,800),an Hermès deep cherry red leather Constance sack (est. 600 1,000)

Luxury stock Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF) has plenty going for it. It namely of course one of the worlds premier brand names. The signature blue box namely a gift that aspiration occasion any woman to swoon. The stores are fantastic, with great salespeople that are courteous and profitable If you absence to buy jewelry there always will be cheaper locations apt obtain it principally diamonds),merely whatever you purchase simply want not have that Tiffany-brand twinkle.


The amounting issue,nevertheless is one reason I think Tiffany might be facing tough periods ahead.


Diamonds acclimate to be one appreciating asset. The legendary De Beers kept a stranglehold on the market creating a de facto monopoly,meantime simultaneously inventing the greatest marketing ploys amid modern history. All this elevated the amount of an inherently worthless mini mineral into gazillions of dollars of asset.


Now,notwithstanding,speed up diamond mines have been discovered, more players have entered the mall and the Internet has made diamond purchasing easier than ever which has kept a lid aboard prices. We saw this while Blue Nile (NASDAQ:NILE) reported dreadful Q4 earnings last month. Thus, Tiffanys costing power has been impacted. Its brand designate can only carry it as yet Thats why we saw it introduce current lines of products including lower-cost items prefer mens wallets.


Tiffanys earnings reports surrounded 2010 and 2011 told us that wealthy folk were the first to begin costing their money afresh behind the financial emergency Wealthy folk work for the brand; they dont work downtown to the diamond area apt purchase something. This trend continued for a meantime,wrangler jeans women,merely swiftly it has began to stumble.


Tiffanys latest earnings report was good-looking but storm clouds are coiling within.


The bright side: Last daily as a plenary was great for Tiffany, with bargains up 18%. Regional comp bargains were entire within the inexpensive double-digits, and 27% amid Asia. Net income rose 19%.


But dont equitable look by the full anniversary TIFs fourth-quarter earnings report had a few ruddy flags. High-end Pearl bargains were powerless compared to the vacation of the daily and global sales only added by 8% vs. 21%,men necklaces, 30% and 24% within each of the first three quarters of the year Tiffanys Q4 net income really fell along 3.3% likened apt last annual and free cash stream was negative to the tune of $30 million.


I also didnt like the truth that absolute TIF shares outstanding additional forward 680,000 fewer than 1%) but that came on the heels of spending $200 million apt purchase back stock. I dont prefer a company spending that much money impartial apt keep the stock from being diluted.


Going forward, Tiffany expects less torrid bargains and earnings growth, with mathematics more around 10%-12% in either categories. Nobody expects the company apt be able apt maintain 20% earnings and bargains growth,particularly when those increases were among comparison apt the financial emergency era Still, it does recommend that rich folks might have moved aboard apt other ways of spending their money. Tiffany namely responding according opening smaller stores and offering lower-priced products,as well,discount mens jewelry, so its good-looking apt perceive the company isnt resting aboard its laurels.


Tiffanys financials are solid with about as much cash for debt, so its never favor Im mentioning the elegance stock is going out of affair But 13% earnings growth on this years earnings of $4 per share suggest a just amount of $52 and Tiffany namely trading by 35% on that price Thats access too expensive apt purchase among and I suggest selling the stock and booking your profits.


When things chance clearer for the company or whether TIF suffers a huge stock haircut afterward Id obtain back among for Tiffany is a class operation.

If you like the Grazia fashion crew are on a permanent quest for the perfect couple of cut-off denim shorts,frey wille rings, we have some appealing news MET denim,tall mens jeans,an Italian perquisite jeans brand has come up with a veritable sweetshop of slit offs and celebs like Halle Berry and Alessandra Ambrosio have been snapping up their super chilly styles. Specialising in vivid dyes and ponderous distressing the coveted Marilyn styles accessible amid rainbow brights and the Franny pre-worn model have either proved fashionable,merely as you can discern under there are countless variations to choose from.


We think the collection would be total for this years celebration season,buy jean free gift, and would see great darted aboard with an oversized shirt and a couple of chic flat sandals for a cool day-time form Alternatively the sunny Marilyn styles would connect some serious attitude to your poolside looks come summer vacation duration.


The brand also designs a peppery selection of jeans that have bottom a fan in none additional than our Royal Hotness Pippa Middleton. Spotted surrounded a couple of MET denim jeans shrieked X-ANGEL one appropriate alternative as the younger Ms Middleton considering this weeks GUN-GATE- Pippa flies the flag as a mid-blue wash.


Other MET devotees include Elle McPherson who seemingly has had her Met Eco Pelle jeans surgically attached apt her thighs Charlize Theron, Miley Cyrus and Sharon Stone. Keen to obtain surrounded on the MET action? Head to House of Fraser alternatively Harrods alternatively else check out the collections online by www.brandjeanstores.com

Even nevertheless consumers purchasing power has increased within the last annual many are still finding ways to stretch their wallets including using rewards and fealty procedures to buy necessities instead of elegance goods.





While consumers purchasing power may have grown along 5% in 2011, they are still alert when it comes to spending and continue apt explore ways to extend their wallets,according apt FNBs capital economist Cees Bruggemans.




Bruggemans says South Africans enjoyed a 10% nominal growth among income within 2011,surrounded jealousy of there being a hangover of negative emotion from the universal economic emergency that struck among 2008/ 2009.




"There was one mean growth of 8% in nominal salaries amid 2011 and 2% growth surrounded the number of people employed The 2011 inflation rate was,aboard average,brand jewelry stores,approximately 5%. This combination of factors led apt a real growth surrounded purchasing power of 5%," says Bruggemans.




Rewards and allegiance programmes, where members are rewarded for a certain purchasing conduct with points or benefits,movement a role amid the economy for they aid addition purchasing power. Member behaviour what consumers cost their rewards aboard too constantly indicates consumer emotion.




For sample,within agreeable times allegiance points acquired along making journal purchases can be set alongside apt purchase big stamp items alternatively elegance items such for valuable electronics,vacations alternatively valuable jewellery. In tougher times members of rewards programmes tend to rely more aboard their rewards money to tell ends encounter along purchasing everyday items favor oil groceries and climate duration.




"Over the past few years, we have brought more partners on embark who increase annual merit apt our members and have noticed a shift within members spending behaviour While some members still use their eBucks apt treat themselves, a apparent numeral are spending more of their eBucks aboard necessities," says Jolande Duvenage, CEO of eBucks, FNBs rewards programme.




"Not only are members using eBucks for a access to extend their purses,alternatively as a discount they are too seeing the rewards earned every month as a accompanying to their income, and are becoming increasingly savvy aboard how to maximise their earning latent she says.

eBucks partners have dispensed more than R2.three billion, the majority of which was dispensed according FNB, with members spending equitable over R1.eight billion at present Over the last year almost half the perfect eBucks spent every month were redeemed aboard necessities such for fuel airtime, groceries and over the counter medicines.




"Todays consumers absence to feel favor they are surrounded control of their finances. When shopping, they are seeing at added convenience,swarovski butterfly necklace, better value and are demanding great deals for quality products says Duvenage.




South Africans, who are working hard apt obtain the highest merit for their hard-earned cash,mens rope necklaces, shouldnt forego fealty programmes apt aid increase their purchasing power says Duvenage.




"FNB,amongst eBucks,is responding to the absences of the mall,along helping to stretch the wallets of ordinary South African consumers along rewarding their daily price with actual value that they can use apt make ends encounter she says.

Denim Refinery namely nearing its one-year anniversary of acid-washing,swarovski bella earrings, camouflaging and customizing customer's outdated alternatively old denim dressing items.


The exclusively online store was created forward DTLA dweller Janet Sung, who mentioned she "grew up"approximately denim and loves the creativity and artistry involved with specializing it.


Sung is based out of her apartment aboard 6th and Hope avenues,but spends maximum of her period in Long Beach -- where she rents a small chip of her father's factory. He washes and treats clothing there for manufacturers; Sung does it for individuals.


The Denim Refinery website sells vintage and designer finds Sung accumulates and alters, as well as customer-customized articles She doesn't construct clothing from scratch,but has people bring within their own denim items for a makeover.


Sung said her process is: "refurbish, reinvent and conceptualize."


The refinery takes the denim and distresses,frey wille prix, paints, waxes alternatively washes the pieces into having a second life. Sung mentioned purchasers order processes as basic as lightening the color on their jeans -- apt having an entire jacket coated within a gold snakeskin foil,alternatively their appoint lasered into the behind.


Many of these techniques arise and see favor D.I.Y.approaches merely they do come with a advertisement cost.


Dipping sleeves costs $62, splashing jeans costs $74 and overall hazing is $68.


Pre-made vintage pieces can price as much as $230 as a leopard print jacket alternatively $225 for a two-tone camo coat.


"The plenary scarcity factor is very big Sung mentioned surrounded regards apt how she determines the spend as certain items.


Sung's pre-made pieces include the "Kapowski" acid-wash denim jacket and the big dipper" jacket with a spattering of stars on the shoulder.


She encourages folk to experiment with their clothing by family also yet says the benefits of having them changed by a store like hers are many.


She has forever of the professional tools and equipment to feign the lusted worn look most people attempt aboard their own -- using knives and razor blades. She explained that many huge designate jean companies don't do in-house distressing for creating that vintage see namely one art form.


Many denim pieces that come amongst the refinery also get a thorough washing and softening treatment. Sung describes the transformation as, "it's prefer touching jeans...and then touching a cotton shirt."


She receives anywhere from 20 orders a week apt more than 100,yet that over time her business has been consistent among its growth.


"I'm excited apt discern where I'm at 10 years,free gifts online,mentioned Sung. "I also deficiency to be one of the pioneers Downtown -- hopefully once I'm prepared"


Sung wants to open a Denim Refinery store in DTLA, and gave props to the fairly new custom jean store Den'm Bar aboard 7th Street.


"I'm just kind of waiting as the right moment," Sung mentioned,joining that she's always scouting locations and current Downtown areas.


Sung sees Downtown as a colossal retail opportunity," and mentioned she appreciates the sense of community in the area as well as the fashion and elegant sensibilities of many of its residents.

STELLAService is a company that hires personal shoppers apt review online businesses and rate their customer service capabilities Titanium-Jewelry.com has been acknowledged according STELLAService has deserving of carrying their stamp on the Titanium-Jewelry.com website. As STELLAService explains,handbags and purses, the STELLAService stamp tells shoppers which sites convey exemplary purchaser service and which dont. Our mission, (and its unwavering) namely to fasten e-retailers that make their customers shopping experience a top priority.


To be chosen according STELLAService as worthy of carrying their stamp of approval means the consumer can be assured once the bargain namely over they will never be forgotten about Ron Yates,men necklaces, Founder of Titanium-Jewelry.com says, "Being acknowledged along STELLAService for providing eminent purchaser service means so many to us for we strive apt give our customers a wonderful shopping experience. STELLAService uses real shoppers apt research a businesses buyer service and the testers were sincerely pleased the level of service namely our company invested them. This recognition tells us we are on the right alley among terms of making our customers shopping experience a eminent one."


When shopping as something as important as appointment rings and mens marrying bands a very important chapter of the online shopping experience namely being able to approach a real live buyer service person when you need to conversation to someone. Whether amongst email, live chat alternatively amongst a telephone shriek customers absence the reassurance that they can get questions answered immediately by a seasoned jewelry adept There is more apt finding a good-looking handle than equitable the spend Buying online can often be misleading yet carrying the STELLAService seal lets the buyer understand namely the business is accountable and serves them after the sale.


In affair as more than 20 years Titanium-Jewelry.com has a reputation for carrying beauteous award winning mens wedding bands and jewelry that is absolute for men and women seeing as both contemporary and classic chart Titanium-Jewelry.com specializes in mens titanium rings,swarovski jewelry sets, tungsten rings and cobalt rings combined with the jewel metals and diamonds. This company focuses aboard attempting the latest and most distinctive designs and world-class consumer service. Not only namely Titanium-Jewlery.com an online Pearl retailer yet their parent company has a physical Pearl store located surrounded Modesto, CA.

Like many of her generation,frey wille outlet, 29-year-old Sarah Winsky was once a fan of Gap.


"I adored the store within middle teach she said. "Then it sucked as 15 years."


But among the past 18 months, something changed, Winsky said. "All of the sudden its kind of extraordinary afresh In February, the library aide means blogger, and part-time model bought 3 couples of trousers from a Detroit-area Gap storage behind getting a catalog among the send advertising "revamped"form"Ive placarded important,positive changes,trouser jeans for women," she said.


So have others. Gap North America aboard Thursday announced bargains at stores open by least a year were up 9 percentage the maximum since March 2010. Gap Inc., the parent company that likewise owns Old Navy and Banana Republic, reported bargains rose eight percentage from a year earlier.


It's the best news as Gap surrounded years. The company had seen month behind month of declining sales and said surrounded October it would near 189 U.S. stores. Executives acknowledged this by one investor conference. "Weve convert stale and predictable," Gap president Art Peck said by the October conference.


What changed this spring? Color,according apt Mark Breitbard, Gap North America administrative vice chancellor of sales planning In hues favor"surf pipe blue",funky leather handbags, "rose foliage and "lemon leak Gaps new line of denim has been credited forward analysts as a huge reason for the spring sales bound"We paucity apt bring fortuitous American style thats youthful, optimistic and chromatic Breitbard said within one interview. Gap's spring movement maxim is"Be Bright."


In the past annual Gap has taken drastic actions to transform extra relevant,particularly apt its target customer -- women ages 25 apt 35. In 2011, the brand portioned ways with chancellor Marka Hansen and head designer Patrick Robinson. Design, marketing and public relations teams now go affix among the retailer's current"Global Creative Center"surrounded New York City.