“Marlene Dietrich. She wore a top hat and a tux and made it look like women’s wear. Fantastic.” Robin Maillett, Niantic, Connecticut | “Katharine Hepburn personified that wonderful tailored look of the 1940s.” Sandi LoConti, Mahwah, New Jersey | “The crazy color compositions of Andy Warhol inspire me most.” Sarah Sudar, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Growing up watching movies like Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and Sabrina, I found my role model in Audrey Hepburn. Her clean, classic style reminded me to keep it simple. What could be more perfect than the little black dress?

ASHLEY ATKISSON

Vista, California

My mom and my grandma taught me that fashion is 50 percent what you wear and 50 percent how you wear it. You can make a potato sack look good if you combine it with confidence, a smile, and a really cute pair of shoes.

STEPHANIE GALLAGHER

Salem, Massachusetts

I try to follow Coco Chanel’s motto: “Before you walk out the door, take one thing off.”

LESLEY MINTON

Willoughby, Ohio

Carrie Bradshaw, baby!

CHARLENE AVALOS

Littleton, Massachusetts

My toddler. The fearlessness with which she combines colors and patterns, never worrying about what’s in or what others might think, inspires me to do my own thing as well. We only live once. Why not shake things up a little?

RACHEL LORBER

Brooklyn, New York

I look up to Lauren Hutton for being true to herself. When she started modeling, she was told to get the gap between her two front teeth fixed, but she refused. That gap, along with her beauty and grace, made her the fashion icon she is today.

DEDE GERBER

El Segundo, California

Parisian women. I lived in France for two years, and they had a major impact on how I dress. Their simple sense of style and use of accessories, like beautiful scarves, still influence me today.

NADINE LOMAKIN

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Katharine Ross as Elaine Robinson in The Graduate. Her skirts, boots, sweaters, and hairstyles were very basic but incredibly chic and timeless.

CHRISTINA CARR

Syracuse, New York

My unborn baby. Never in my life have I wanted to show off any rotund features, but the joy and excitement of carrying my first child makes me proud to have a giant watermelon belly. I care less about wearing designer pieces and more about embracing what this new roundness represents.

JENNIFER TOYOHARA

New York, New York

Edie Sedgwick, with her cropped hair and dramatic eye makeup, could turn the simplest dress into a fabulous, head-turning ensemble. And that, to me, is the definition of a true fashionista.

NATALIE REID

Simpsonville, South Carolina

My love for fashion was definitely influenced by my dad’s style. He wore gorgeous suits and was never afraid of color–think a gray flannel pin-striped suit with a lavender French-cuffed shirt and a deep purple paisley tie. He had the ability to be conservative, classic, and trendy all in one outfit, without ever being over-the-top.

LORELEI A. VARGAS

Yonkers, New York

Franco, an elderly gentleman from a small hilltop town in southern Italy. Every day, he wore the same beautifully tailored, classic wool-tweed sport coat. He always looked attractive and appropriately dressed.

CATHERINE TIEMEYER

Venice, Florida

My grandmother Joyce. She loved mixing chunky cocktail rings with bohemian head scarves and flouncy dresses. She was beautiful because she didn’t care what others considered “fashionable.” She wore what made her feel good.

JESSIE COUBERLY

Santa Cruz, California

[BOX]

“Diane Keaton in Annie Hall. She proved that a woman could be feminine without frills, plunging necklines, or punishing shoes.”

JENNY VIGGIANO

Deltona, Florida

[BOX]

“Pippi Longstocking–pigtails, brightly colored tights, and big, comfy shoes.”

WENDY PINIZZOTTO

North Attleboro, Massachusetts

Stray balloons can drift into high-voltage power lines, where electricity can arc across the tiffany jewellery balloons, cause short circuits, burn wires, damage residential and business equipment and interrupt service. These outages can last for hours and may lead to inoperable stoplights causing traffic problems; lost production time for customers; pose potential public safety obstacles or even cause injuries.

“If the power goes out, of course, we’ll restore service as quickly and as safely as possible,” said Cecil House, SCE senior vice president, safety, operations support and chief procurement officer. “But these are preventable power outages that unnecessarily drive up costs, which are passed on to customers. We want customers to enjoy Valentine’s Day and encourage them to properly dispose of metallic balloons by not releasing them outdoors.”

The number of metallic balloon-caused power outages in California has increased alarmingly in recent years, going from 243 in 2000 for SCE to 569 in 2008. During the same period, SCE customers experienced more than 3,200 metallic balloon-caused power interruptions. These types of outages spike every February around Valentine’s Day with 55 outages occurring last February. Customers should keep in mind that a metallic balloon released in their neighborhood can drift, knocking out power in communities miles away.

SCE recommends these simple safety rules for handling metallic balloons:

– Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon–or any foreign object–tangled in power lines. Instead, call SCE at (800) 611-1911 and report the problem.

– Keep metallic balloons indoors, and never release them outside.

– Never attach metallic streamers to any balloon–latex or metallic.

– Never bundle metallic balloons together.

– Be sure to secure a helium-filled balloon with a weight heavy enough to prevent it from drifting away silver cufflinks. (It is unlawful to sell metallic balloons without a string weight.)

– Never go near a downed or dangling wire. Anyone finding downed or dangling wire should keep others away, and they should contact the police or fire department and call SCE at (800) 611-1911 for assistance.

More information on safety and a host of other topics can be found at www.sce.com.

About Southern California Edison

An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is the largest electric utility in silver money clips California, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

LinkShare’s retailers rely on the network’s affiliates to promote their brands and products to online consumers. To help its merchants overcome the current economic challenges, LinkShare distributed a series of e-newsletters to its members which included past shopping trend data as well as industry “best practices” on how to tiffany jewellery maximize online sales. Network retailers and affiliates are urged to offer special Valentine’s Day values to entice increasingly reticent online shoppers.

Past data shows a significant spike in clicks, orders and sales within the categories of flowers, gifts and jewelry the three weeks prior to the February 14th holiday. In addition, a recent study commissioned by LinkShare revealed that retailers offering value pricing, promotional incentives and leveraging a wide variety of partners to engage online shoppers will experience increased success as the economy forces consumers to become more aggressive when looking for deals.

“Valentine’s Day represents a great opportunity for online retailers,” said Yaz Iida, co-president, LinkShare. “Today more than ever, merchants need to start thinking differently about how they approach today’s increasingly cautious consumer. We are finding that incremental, strategic changes in the way retailers reach out to shoppers can make a big difference. Brand loyalty is under assault — merchants that give consumers a reason to be engaged are going to come out winners.”

Within the LinkShare network, retailers in the jewelry category saw a sales increase of 76 percent during last silver cufflinks year’s Valentine’s Day period. This year, in an effort to grab the attention of online shoppers, network jewelry merchants are offering special promotions — and have started advertising early.

“As an online jewelry store, Valentine’s Day represents a significant source of our annual revenue,” said Paresh Vadavia, Affiliate Program Manager, Ice.com. “And, with consumers tightening their wallets, it’s more important than ever for us to be part of a network that helps promote our brand as well as helps keep us current with consumer buying behavior. This information is critical in keeping our loyal consumer base engaged with both our company and our products.”

In addition to the jewelry industry, flower retailers typically see a tremendous increase in orders around Valentine’s Day. In 2008, LinkShare’s network of floral retailers saw a 149 percent spike in orders in late January and the days leading up to February 14th.

“We are aware that the economic climate means consumers are changing their shopping patterns,” said Chris McCann, silver money clips President of 1-800-Flowers.com. “Through the LinkShare network, we recognize there are two kinds of shoppers — the early planners and the procrastinators. Armed with this knowledge, we have been able to target each of these groups in a way that engages their individual shopping personalities. The ability to identify and connect with our online customers is so important in establishing brand loyalty.”

In addition to the standard Valentine’s Day gift categories of flowers, jewelry, gifts, and food & beverage, LinkShare predicts an increase in “gifts of experience” this year, as the romantic holiday falls on a Saturday. This means retailers specializing in travel should benefit from weekend getaways; these merchants should capitalize on this opportunity by offering online shoppers special promotions as incentives.

Yes(R) is a sensuous and original gift idea for you to share with your partner that will tiffany inspire and enhance your lovemaking – an intimate gift that you can discover together. This award winning natural lubricant range is the only certified organic range of intimacy products in the world with a Soil Association certification and promises pleasure, purity and performance.

A new study* has revealed that lubricant use during sexual activity alone or with a partner contributes to higher ratings of pleasurable and satisfying sex – something that those who have already discovered Yes are happy to confirm.

Yes water-based, with its exceptional silky natural texture, is condom compatible, while Yes oil-based gives longer lasting intimate lubrication and can also be used as a luxurious massage oil. This hypoallergenic range is free from parabens, hormones, skin irritants and will not stain.

Yes(R) are offering you the opportunity to try both the water-based and oil based products in 25ml bottles, plus two pre-filled applicators that are romantically wrapped in an organza bag, with scented rose buds and hearts, for just GBP9.99 including P & P (a saving of GBP5).

Personal Lubricants are for everyone!

It’s not only condom users and menopausal women who feel the need for some extra lubrication. Most women, at some stage in their lives, suffer from some degree of vaginal dryness, including some women on the contraceptive pill, anti-depressants and anti-histamines. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or who have had a hysterectomy can also do with some additional lubrication. Tiredness, stress and even using tampons can alter a woman’s natural lubrication.

In the heated rush of getting to the ‘goal’ of penetrative sex, foreplay is often neglected, with women not having enough time to produce their own lubricating fluid – this is another time when Yes can help to increase the satisfaction and comfort levels by simulating and stimulating natural lubrication.

Yes is a gift which every sexually active person can enjoy. The Yes team receives many Yestimonials (http://www.yesyesyes.org/testimonials.htm) from deeply satisfied customers of all ages including this one from a 24 year old man: “My girlfriend picked up some Yes at a trade show and we both love it. It is so much fun to use and feels so nice for both of us and is truly pleasure enhancing.”

Another enthusiastic customer has been ordering multiple packs as gifts for all her family: “I am ordering cufflinks YES for my niece for her honeymoon, for my two daughters, my sister and anyone else I can think of. I know they will all love it as much as my hubby and I do!”

Recommended by healthcare professionals

Yes is a dual product that can enhance your most intimate encounters and at the same time is therapeutic, with the water-based version restoring the typical pH-balance to the vagina and helping to control thrush. Yes protects, nourishes and moisturises intimate tissues and is safe for hormone sensitive conditions, with many healthcare professionals such as gynaecologists, breast and cancer care nurses, psychosexual therapists, menopause experts and GPs recommending it to their patients, in recognition of its purity and efficacy.

If you decide to discover the joy of Yes this Christmas, you will definitely want more YES, YES, YES for Valentine’s Day!

Visit the Yes(R) website http://www.yesyesyes.org to order online, to find out your nearest stockist or order by phone on +44(0)8456-44-88-13.

EDITORS NOTES

Business Success Story

With three and a half years of research and product development behind them, Sarah Brooks and Susi Lennox launched YES in 2006, initially selling on-line and then in 2008 moving into the retail sector.

This rapidly expanding international business has enjoyed huge success with a growth of 7% month on month, a tremendous achievement, sustained even during this recent time of recession.

The dynamic partners’ ethical approach to business was recognised this year when they won The Triodos money clips Bank’s Small Ethical Business of the Year Award 2009, sponsored by Ecover in association with The Times.

* NEW STUDY ON LUBRICANT USE referred to in the release:

Carried out by the Centre for Sexual Health Promotion, Indiana and involved a study of 2453 women with ages ranging from 18 – 68.

Mary Christensen joins us now from Iowa. Thanks for being with us, Mary.

Ms. MARY CHRISTENSEN (Resident, Iowa): Good morning.

NORRIS: Could you describe this bracelet for us? What charms are on it?

Ms. CHRISTENSEN: There probably are 20 charms on it. There is a circle with a palm tree in it, with Aloha, Hawaii on it. There’s a slice of cheese with Swiss on it. The charm that really led me to the search is a heart-shaped charm and it says Bob loves Ruthie. There are a couple of other charms on the bracelet that has what are appeared to be children’s names and birthdates. And I thought maybe with that information, I could find someone.

I did locate a Bob and Ruthie in Seattle, Washington. But it wasn’t them.

NORRIS: Now we also tried to help Mary find the bracelet’s owner. We asked silver rings our listeners to email us if the bracelet sounded familiar to them. And to confirm that this is the right bracelet, we asked them to name two charms that were not mentioned in the commentary that aired.

And we received an email with the right answer. It came from a woman named Jennifer Shrecht(ph). And Jennifer is also with us on the line. Hello, Jennifer.

Ms. JENNIFER SHRECHT (Bracelet Owner): Hello.

NORRIS: And you’re joining us from?

Ms. SHRECHT: Olympia, Washington.

NORRIS: Okay. So what was the winning answer, the two charms on that bracelet?

Ms. SHRECHT: One was a musical staff, and the other a duck that opened with enough room for an aspirin.

NORRIS: Jennifer, what is the story behind this bracelet?

Ms. SHRECHT: Well, my friend heard the piece air and called me, she knew that my silver bracelets husband’s name was Mark. And about what year he was born and that he had a sister named Marcy(ph). And just on the off chance, she said, you should listen to this.

So I listened to it online. And at first I heard that Bob and Ruthe with an E, and thought, hmm. That could be. And then they said Marcy who was born in 1972 and I thought wow, that’s a really big coincidence there. And then they said Mark and his birthday and I just got goosebumps. I knew it was Grandma Ruthie’s bracelet.

NORRIS: Now, speaking of Grandma Ruthie. Mary and Jennifer, I’m going to ask you to hold on for just a minute because I think we want to bring one other person in on this conversation. Stay tuned for just a minute.

Ms. RUTHE HARSHMAN (Bracelet Owner): Hello.

NORRIS: Hello? Is this Ruthe Harshman?

Ms. HARSHMAN: Yes?

NORRIS: Hello. This is Michele Norris, calling from National Public Radio. This is not a pledge drive or a fundraising call. I do have someone, however, on the line who would love to speak with you. Mary?

Ms. CHRISTENSEN: Ruthe?

Ms. HARSHMAN: Hello.

Ms. CHRISTENSEN: My name is Mary Christensen. I live in Iowa and 20 years ago, I was silver cufflinks flying back home from Europe. And by accident, someone put something that belonged to you in my luggage. Do you remember missing something after a trip to Europe 20 years ago?

Ms. HARSHMAN: No, but I was there 20 years ago.

Ms. CHRISTENSEN: I have something very precious. I’m sure to you it’s filled with memories. I have your charm bracelet.

Ms. HARSHMAN: How did you find out? For heaven’s sake. Was there two bracelets?

Ms. CHRISTENSEN: Yes, there it is. There is another friendship bracelet. I’m sorry I’ve had them for 20 years and I didn’t know where to send them.

(Soundbite of laughter)

Ms. HARSHMAN: And they meant nothing to you.

Ms. CHRISTENSEN: No.

Ms. HARSHMAN: The world to me.

NORRIS: But Ruthe and Mary, this is Michele. I’ve been listening to the two of you catch up. I’m silver money clips going to let you two continue this conversation. But at this point, I think I’m going to back out on this.

Ms. HARSHMAN: Thank you very, very much. This is unreal. Thanks.

NORRIS: That was Ruthe Harshman, who will be reunited with her charm bracelet after 20 years. We also heard from Mary Christensen who found the bracelet and Jennifer Shrecht who reunited them all.

You can hear the original commentary and see a picture of the charmed bracelet at our Web site, npr.org.

1. PURPOSE: This Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Directive provides policy regarding the provision of medical identification (ID) bracelets or pendants containing pertinent medical information (allergies or diagnoses) that would be valuable to emergency health care providers.

2. BACKGROUND: Symptoms of common ailments can be misdiagnosed by responders to an emergent situation involving a person who is unable to communicate. Prompt and accurate diagnosis is essential to effective treatment. The use of an ID bracelet or pendant is a standard way to provide this information to health care providers in a situation where the individual cannot communicate.

3. POLICY: It is VHA policy that ID bracelets and pendants must be available, silver money clips upon appropriate request by Department of Veterans Affairs clinicians through Prosthetics Service, for veteran patients whose pertinent medical information would be valuable to emergency medical care providers.

4. ACTION

a. Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Director. The VISN Director is responsible for ensuring that all facilities within the VISN are issuing ID bracelets or pendants, as appropriate.

b. Facility Director. The Facility Director is responsible for ensuring that local systems are in place to provide enrolled and otherwise eligible Veterans with appropriate ID bracelets or pendants in accordance with this Directive.

c. Facility Chief of Staff. The Facility Chief of Staff is responsible for ensuring that electronic consults silver pendants to Prosthetics Service are in place for use by clinicians to request ID bracelets or pendants when such devices are indicated, and that clinicians are educated about their availability and appropriate use. The consult must:

(1) Specify the information to be engraved on the device. This can include, but is not limited to: food and drug allergies, diabetes, seizure disorder, and metal fragments in the body.

(2) Specify if an ID bracelet or pendant is required. d. Chief, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service. The Chief, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service, is responsible for ensuring that:

(1) The ID bracelet or pendant is purchased in a timely manner according to all pertinent regulations and policies.

(2) In addition to the medical condition, the Veteran has the option as to what personal information is to be included.

5. REFERENCES: VHA Handbook 1173.2, Furnishing Prosthetic Appliances and Services.

6. FOLLOW-UP RESPONSIBILITY: The Chief Consultant, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service silver earrings (113), is responsible for the contents of this Directive. Questions may be addressed to 202-461-1800.

7. RESCISSION: None. This VHA Directive expires February 28, 2014.

Michael J. Kussman, MD, MS, MACP Under Secretary for Health

DISTRIBUTION: CO: E-mailed 2/25/09 FLD: VISN, MA, DO, OC, OCRO, and 200 E-mailed 2/25/09For more information about US Fed News contract awards please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, US Fed News, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.

At its stop on Gurley St., hundreds of attendees welcomed the Capitol Christmas tiffany Tree photo: courtesy Kim Webb

This year, Arizona was given the honor of providing the nation’s Capitol Christmas Tree. The 65-foot tree was donated courtesy of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest headquartered in Springerville, AZ and will be presented to Congress on November 30th, after a national tour.

After departing the Show Low-Pinetop area on Tuesday, the Capitol Christmas Tree delivery money clips caravan made stops in Fountain Hills, Prescott Valley, and finally in downtown Prescott at 5:30 pm. The tree was wrapped in sheeting for protection, and the large crowd on Gurley St. were encouraged to sign it.

The City’s special events manager, Becky Garvin arranged for the tree to come through Prescott. “As a former state capitol and the place where many great Arizona politicians have addressed their constituents, it felt right to have the tree come through our town.”

Follow the tree on it’s way to Washington D.C. by visiting the Capitol Christmas Tree website pendants For more information please contact: Sarabjit Jagirdar, Email:- htsyndication@hindustantimes.com.

Geffen Records will release the all-star original motion picture soundtrack cast album for NINE on December 15th in the digital marketplace, and on December 22nd in the physical marketplace. The Ron Fair Remix of “Cinema Italiano” sung by the Oscar-nominated Kate Hudson marks the actress’ premiere as a recording artist. The song is one of Yeston’s exclusive new compositions for the film. In support of the album, “Cinema Italiano” (The Ron Fair Remix) will be released as a digital single on December 8th and has been serviced to clubs, online and retail. The track, “Unusual Way,” introducing new Geffen Records artist Griffith Frank, will be serviced as a focus track for various promotional tie-ins.

NINE follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal cufflinks crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his mistress Carla (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse Claudia (Nicole Kidman), his confidante and costume designer Lillie (Judi Dench), young American fashion journalist Stephanie (Kate Hudson), the prostitute Saraghina from his youth (Fergie), and his Mamma (Sophia Loren).

The soundtrack album summarizes the story of NINE as indicated by the tracklisting: 1. Overture Delle Donne (Female Ensemble) * 2. Guido’s Song (Daniel Day-Lewis/Guido Contini) * 3. A Call From The Vatican (Penelope Cruz/Carla) * 4. Folies Bergere (Judi Dench/Lillie) * 5. Be Italian (Fergie/Saraghina) * 6. My Husband Makes Movies (Marion Cotillard/Luisa Contini) * 7. Cinema Italiano (Kate Hudson/Stephanie) * 8. Guarda La Luna (Sophia Loren/Mamma) * 9. Unusual Way (Nicole Kidman/Claudia) * 10. Take It All (Marion Cotillard/Luisa Contini) * 11. I Can’t Make This Movie (Daniel Day Lewis/Guido Contini) * 12. Finale.

The soundtrack album will also include four bonus tracks: 13. Quando Quando Quando (performed by Fergie) * 14. Io Baci, Tu Baci (performed by The Noisettes) * 15. Cinema Italiano (the Ron Fair Remix performed by Kate Hudson) * 16. Unusual Way (performed by Griffith Frank).

NINE was written for the screen by Michael Tolkin and Anthony Minghella. The movie is based on the original stage play, book money clips by Arthur Kopit, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston.