Archive for January, 2010
As one of Canada’s largest municipalities and the convergence of several major international routes, the city of Mississauga is home to numerous opportunities sure to thrill any shopper. From tackling some of the country’s biggest malls to window shopping at specialty stores on the street, Mississauga shoppers will find all that they need for a successful day of power shopping. Here are a few of the many different alternatives Mississauga offers for the enthusiastic shopper.
Meadowvale Town Centre: Meadowvale is a small community located within the larger boundaries of the Mississauga area. For those who want to take advantage of great shopping beyond the crowds to be found in the city proper, Meadowvale Town Centre offers a variety of stores and a distinctly pleasant atmosphere. The site offers five different beauty salons as well as a cobbler and engraving specialist. Clothing stores include Dome, Crazy Lee’s, and Cavery Fashions.
Sherway Gardens: This huge mall will be sure to delight any fan of big city shopping. The stylish building encompasses 500,000 square feet of space which contains over 240 retail stores. The sleek modern exterior is perfectly complemented by the beautiful gardens, fountains and skylights of the interior. This mall claims to be the safest and cleanest big shopping experience to be found in the Greater Toronto Area. Fans of upscale and mid grade stores alike will find their favorites in Sherway Gardens, which is home to Holt Renfrew, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Lululemon. In addition, shoppers can find department store stalwarts such as Sears and The Bay as well as upscale boutiques and goods shops such as the Pottery Barn.
Square One. The largest mall in Mississauga rivals in size almost every other mall in Canada with over 1.6 million square feet of retail space. This mall is truly a unique experience; aside from the many shopping opportunities, it houses several community clubs and even a church! The shopping experience includes a huge food court as well as many other established restaurants, and of course the selection of over 350 different stores and boutiques. Shoppers can find stores at Square One that are unique in Ontario, such as jewelry experts Swatch and La Swiss. Shop for ladies’ fashions from well known names such as La Senza and Sirens to top of the line boutiques including Hamiko Collection and Jacob Connexion. Banana Republic, the Gap, Guess? and Tommy Hilfiger are also represented inside this huge mall.
Shopping in Mississauga truly offers an amazing variety of opportunities and experiences. From the small town feel of village centres to the organized bustle found in huge shopping malls, there is an experience perfectly suited to every shopper.
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We all know that when a bride to be has already spent practically twenty years planning her wedding before she even knows who the groom is, the image that she dreams of is how she will look on her wedding day. Every little detail counts and is carefully pondered upon before making the all important wedding decisions.
The first part of the dream is “The Dress”, the wedding gown, her day, her style. The selection of the wedding gown is one of the most important items a bride to be must decide upon. The dress no matter what the style should always be a selection that the bride to be feels elegant and beautiful in. Whether a bride envisions herself in a simple white gown, a lacy gown or a bright pink gown, the bride’s attitude in the dress is what makes that bride an individual and beautiful bride on her wedding day. The selection of the wedding gown should always remain fun and as stress free as possible, buy what makes you feel beautiful.
Now that the dress has been chosen, you have been measured and the all important deposit has been made, you are committed to “The Dress”, you need to finish off your bridal look for your wedding day. This is where all of the little details that you hem and haw about for hours come together to make a magnificent and magical combination of the perfect bride! The shoes, the garter, the something old something new and last but certainly not least, the bridal jewelry!
The bridal jewelry that the bride to be decides upon should coordinate with the wedding gown she has selected to wear for the big wedding day. Keeping in mind the style of your dress, the bridal jewelry selection must be made with as careful of attention to detail as when choosing your wedding gown. The bridal jewelry chosen by the bride should finish off your look and bring the entire ensemble together.
Some suggestions to follow as to the style of dress you are wearing to match the style of the bridal jewelry you will wear follows.
Open Backed Dress – When wearing an open back dress, adding a bridal jewelry lariat is a great way to add the final detail to show off your beautiful wedding gown. A bridal lariat is a piece of bridal jewelry that the bride wears around her neck like a normal necklace; however; the back of the neck will have a longer dangling piece of jewelry to finish off the look. Depending upon the piece of bridal jewelry, lariats can be purchased that are adjustable, which will be a better fit for any bride with a backless dress. Another great way to show off a backless dress is a bridal jewelry choker or bridal jewelry collar with a hanging jewel embellishment in the back. Bridal chokers have become a very modern and popular choice for brides that want an edgier bridal look and feel that still embraces the classic and elegant bride.
V Neck Dress – When a bride is wearing a v neck style wedding gown, Y- drop necklaces are a very nice touch for bridal necklace jewelry. The Y- drop necklace takes the same angles as the v neck wedding gown line. Bridal chokers are also a great selection for the bride that is wearing a v line dress. The choker gives clean lines and does not distract from the v neck style of dress. Regular simple and double strand necklaces also work very nicely for this style of wedding gown, as they provide a simple but elegant style that compliments the v neck.
Square Top Dress – For the brides that select a very traditional square top wedding gown, simple single strand and double strand bridal jewelry necklaces are a great way to finish off the neckline. They bring contrast and attract the eye towards the cut of the dress. For a very clean lined look, bridal jewelry chokers are the most perfect style of bridal jewelry necklines for the square top dress. The bridal choker has become more and more popular as the years pass, now with so many options available; brides are finding it easier to select the perfect bridal jewelry choker that fits the style of their gowns.
The Sweetheart Gown – The sweetheart gown style of wedding gown is accessorized nicely with a y – drop necklace, as it follows the line of the top of the wedding gown. Also with this style of gown, bridal chokers go nicely, as well as pendant necklace and simple round necklaces. The sweetheart gown is such a nice choice; the bridal jewelry that you select to wear with the gown should always compliment that neckline.
Strapless Dress – When a bride wears a strapless gown, there are many options for the bridal jewelry necklace. A bridal jewelry choker is such a great way to compliment the line of the top of the dress. A choker brings a symmetrical and parallel line, and adding a sparkly pearl or swarovski crystal bridal jewelry choker or collar with a strapless gown is so elegant and sophisticated. In addition to the bridal choker, simple pendant necklaces as well as single strand and multi-strand necklaces make great choices for the strapless style wedding gown. Wearing a strapless gown draws much attention to the shoulders and neck region, so wearing the perfect bridal jewelry that looks spectacular with that line of dress is very important for your bridal look.
Halter Top Dress – The halter top dress calls for a certain type of bridal jewelry. A dangle backed necklace or lariat are perfect for this line of wedding gown. The attention is drawn on the front and the back, making use of the entire wedding gown to compliment your bridal jewelry. A halter dress also looks beautifully pulled together with a y drop necklace or pendant necklace. The y drop necklace was just about made for this style of wedding gown; the y drop centers the entire look and feel of this type of gown.
Off The Shoulder Dress – When wearing an off of the shoulder dress, any style of bridal jewelry necklace works. A regular single or double strand necklace can frame out your entire bridal look with simplicity. If you choose to wear a bridal jewelry choker, that brings the eyes up to the face with ease as it finished off your bridal look. Y drop and lariats work great with the off the shoulder dress. Depending upon how much of your back shows, a lariat can look elegant from behind when standing at the alter, and a y drop necklace really brings focus to the bride with this gown. What ever style you choose for this line of dress, you cannot go wrong.
One Shoulder Dress or Asymmetric Dress – With the asymmetric gown, it is best to choose a great bracelet and pair of earrings, as a necklace will look unbalanced and unnatural. The one shoulder dress is a bold move; wear a bold bracelet and glamorous earrings.
Scoop Necked Gown – When wearing the scooped neck gown a simple one or multi-strand necklace is perfect. A necklace such as the simple one to five strand bridal necklaces will frame out the top of your wedding gown perfectly. A bridal jewelry choker is also a really nice selection for this style of dress. It is a simple and even topper to the scoop neckline, a great selection.
Whatever your dress selection, choose bridal jewelry that makes you feel gorgeous when you put it on. Your bridal jewelry is your icing on the cake and the selection of the bridal jewelry is just as important as the selection of the gown. Your bridal jewelry will be bridal accessories that you cherish for a life time. You will never wear your wedding gown after the big day, but you can wear your bridal jewelry when ever you want to. Wearing your bridal jewelry is your memory to the most special day in your life. What ever your bridal jewelry selection, look spectacular on your wedding day because you waited for this special moment for a lifetime!
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Over the last 10 years there are so many things that have changed in the jewelry business, some of them for the good of the industry and others to its detriment. The internet has accelerated the transference of information and made products readily available. National chain stores have changed their business models to become more aggressive and today’s consumers have altered their buying habits accordingly. Industry veterans suggest that 10,000 privately held stores could close over the next 7-10 years. Simply put, the jewelry business isn’t the same as it was 10 years ago and independently owned jewelry store owners need to respond quickly. With this article, I hope to offer advice on how to overcome the many challenges that independents will encounter.
Today’s consumers can be categorized as value or experience driven. The value driven consumer rarely cares about the image of the store, the brand name of the products, or the service after the sale. He/she is concerned about one thing and one thing only and that is “the lowest price possible”. The internet is best equipped for this type of customer and has done a great job of servicing them. The attraction for potential internet consumers may be the value and the anonymity of comparing products and prices without human interaction. Some people have told me that they feel obligated to purchase after spending time with salespeople at brick and mortar stores, this adds undue pressure to make a quick decision. Spend thrifty consumers can also be methodical decision makers and require time to feel good about their decisions; the internet offers this while brick and mortar stores do not. Generally speaking, a retail store’s operating expenses represent a high percentage of their overall revenues. They simply have to sell their diamond and jewelry for more – competing with internet retailers on price and shopping leisure becomes a difficult task. So in turn, independently owned stores have lost market share every year for the last 9 years. In fact, the retail independents have shown only modest growth of 2%-5% per year while internet retailers have grown 25%.
The experience driven consumer is largely concerned about selection, convenience, brand image, availability, and service. Recognizing this are the national superstore chains, including Jared Jewelers, Helzberg, Bailey Banks & Biddle, and others like them. These companies are building bigger and better stores with millions of dollars in inventory bursting out of the showcases. Every possible jewelry choice is available and their customers don’t have to shop anywhere else. In addition, they are placing a greater emphasis on training their employees than they have in the past. The days of receiving second rate advice and service at national chain stores are becoming a thing of the past. This is something that independent retailers have always hung their hats on: they can no longer say that you’ll only get great service at privately owned stores. All of this is made possible by an aggressive plan to take over a market previously controlled by mom and pop stores, and then investing in that plan. The independent jewelry store can’t offer the same size product selection because they don’t have the finances. The chain stores have better real estate, better product selection, and more money for advertising.
You could say that the internet retailers have opened the door for the chain stores by fragmenting the marketplace and putting independents on the ropes. Recent growth by chain stores and internet retailers has placed independents in a bad place. They can’t sell their jewelry at the same price as the internet retailers and can’t afford to offer the same product selection as the chains. Without careful planning and adjustments in their business model independently owned stores could border extinction. There are some that would strongly disagree with this outlook and think that it would be impossible for it to happen. To that I ask one question…”When was the last time you purchased home improvement items from a mom and pop hardware store?” Or “When was the last time you purchased electronics from a mom and pop electronics store?” These stores existed until the consolidation of their industries occurred. It simply took longer to happen in the jewelry business, but I assure you that it will continue to happen. The future for independents seems bleak but there are things that can be done to assure their healthy existence in the industry.
Taking back market share is going to be a very important part of the process and this should start with the internet. Most independents have done nothing to create a presence on the internet; I’m amazed to hear that some jewelers don’t even have a website. I think this is largely due to their reluctance to embrace a business practice that has taken so much from them. An example of a well-done internet jewelry website is http://www.rokstok.com The internet retailers have grown quickly because they haven’t been challenged, it’s time for the independents to step up and create a much more competitive environment for internet retailers. The area most needing improvement is the sale of online diamonds and engagement rings. Margins of course, have dropped considerably on loose diamonds because of the availability of aggressively priced goods. Independents have a real problem accepting the notation of selling diamonds for much less than they have in the past. In order to succeed, they’ll need to understand that diamonds can be sold for more in a store and less online. Why not do business with both types of customers and take back some of the market share previously lost to competitors. Putting together an effective website involves more than listing jewelry on web pages. Content is very important as well as search engine optimization, I recommend hiring an SEO specialist before hiring web programmers. They’ll give valuable insight on how to create a successful website.
Dealing with the superstores takes a different approach and a lot of courage. Most independents will never have the funds needed to compete on the same level as the superstores. That’s not to say that they can’t hold their own and carve out a good living. It will require choosing a jewelry category that is possible to dominate or own a large piece of. Dealing with the chain store advertising budgets, inventory, prime locations, and trying to be all things to all customers will be next to impossible. I think the store owners that’ll be successful will leverage their passion and strengths in certain product categories and attempt to own that market. I’ve owned a retail jewelry store for 13 years and witnessed the deterioration of the market for privately held stores. I’m also experiencing first-hand the problems faced by my counterparts and vacillated over the proper course of action. I’ve decided to stay true to my passion and continued to promote my bridal and diamond business. I know in the end that it’ll be the right decision because I have a good chance of creating a strong presence in one product category. This presence will be hard to take away from me and I should always be able make a good living. I hope that all independents can do the same, but it’s obvious at this point that it will take courage and commitment.
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This time of year all high street and designer stores are launching new ranges and ‘collections’ of all sorts of products and goods available to everyone on the high street. But what womens boots to choose? What to buy? With so much choice on the high street a little help is needed!
With the Autumn/winter season coming up the fashion collections in high street stores are very oblique towards the colder season concentrating more on coats and boots and with the weather how it is maybe it is a good thing there is such a choice available!
With the hot new look at the moment being jeans tucked into mid high boots, this creates a fashionable and sassy look with the comfort of being warm in the harsh weather conditions of the UK. Team this look up with a turtle neck and sparkly accessories to create the perfect look to dress either up or down, use a small clutch bag and matching necklace to maximise the outfit for a classier look, or tone down with an oversized bag and corresponding belt to create a casual and laid back look.
Throw those stiletto heels away and grab a pair of womens shoes or boots with a stacked heel, these will be all the rage for the coming season and have already hit the catwalks! These add just the right amount of masculinity to any outfit while keeping feminine tones evident. If this look seems to be a little too manly for you, why not team it up with a delicate bag and girly accessories to add more femininity to the look.
When wearing smock tops and t-shirt dresses, add shape to the outfit by co-ordinating a wide belt around the waist to add curves and to make the waistline evident, also add a patent black oversized bag will create the perfect feminine look for any occasion. Wear this look with patent black shoes-boots and block colour tights to give your outfit the perfect dose of wow for the chilly season ahead!
Fringes, straps, buckles and embroidery are all fashion must haves for this season. Fringed suede boots, jackets and bags, embroidered shoe-boots and court shoes can all make the look complete. Use embroidery and detail wisely and sparingly with plain dresses and jeans, too much detail can often be overpowering and look off-putting and create the wrong look. The detail on shoes, boots and accessories and will make you look and feel visually stunning!
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Handbags and purses are the ultimate fashion accessory. They serve the dual purpose fashion and necessity. Today’s fashionably forward ladies have embraced this fashion accessory with open arms and miss no opportunity to flaunt them with pride.
This has been en-cashed by the various reputed fashion houses across the world. The talented designers come up with their innovative ideas and amazing details on the designer handbags trying to make each piece unique and highly fashionable. The fashion handbags industry gets the additional boost with the celebrities promoting and flaunting the bags at all high profile functions and award ceremonies. This has prompted people to take serious notice of this fashion accessory.
The reason I believe makes the handbags and fashion accessories so very popular is the reason that they come to serve a purpose along with giving you that perfect look. You get handbags and purpose of every kind and variety. You can pick them up in accordance to your outfit. The best thing about the fashion handbags and purses is that they never compromise on the quality. The details encrusted are bang on. The quality of material used is nothing but the best. This is also the reason that they come with price tags that are beyond the rich of normal middle class people. But that doesn’t cause any dent in the popularity of these.
Some of this fashion handbags and purses are a piece of jewelry on their own. There are ones with gems like diamonds and rubies and various other expensive stones studded on its body. You also find fashion handbags where expensive metals such as gold and platinum have been put to use only to adding to their beauty and charm. They are believed to be a symbol of elegance and class and the high society ladies take great pride in owning them amongst their collections.
The men also aren’t deprived from these high end fashion accessories. All the reputed fashion houses come up with their own range of men’s fashion bags. These bags try to keep both the style and masculine factor alive in their designs. Like the ladies handbags and purses, the men’s fashion bags too are very popular amongst the fashion forward men. It’s surprising to see that the fashion bags have exploited the region of travel bags and laptop bags. With these bags you can mix business with style and pleasure alike.
The genre of fashion handbags is evolving and growing and spreading its roots on every part of the world. You get every design and color that you can practically think of and in any material you prefer. The best place to buy them is the online stores as you get to see the designs, read the reviews and pick the one that suites you the best. You also get amazing discounts when you buy these online. You can also visit the stores of these famous fashion handbags and buy them in person.
