Who needs to go to a retail store to try on clothes and then gaze into a carnival fun-house mirror?  Now you can do if from the privacy of your own home.

There’s a new shopping application, sponsored exclusively by JCPenney, that enables consumers to try on clothes and buy them right from home.

This new “virtual dressing room” gives shoppers the ability to try on clothes and link to JCPenney’s jcp.com to purchase their favorite clothing selections right from their home.

Hearst Magazines Digital Media and metaio, a leader in augmented reality applications, recently announced the world’s first markerless augmented reality online shopping experience on Seventeen.com

Kristine Welker, vice president of sales and marketing for Hearst Magazines Digital Media states, “The application is a true breakthrough in online product visualization, as clothes are automatically overlaid on the consumer`s real-time video image through their webcam. With the help of our exclusive retail partner JCPenney, the virtual dressing room makes online shopping easy and viral: with a simple wave of a hand, shoppers can select, rate and share their top picks with friends via Facebook or email, and even purchase the items directly from jcp.com.”

The new simple to use, online shopping application was created in Adobe Flash, and combines four popular technologies: augmented reality, motion capture, social media and eCommerce.

Here is how it works:
(1) the application detects the shopper in front of his or her webcam at home
(2) the shopper selects the piece of clothing
(3) it overlays the selected piece of clothing to see its style
(4) users can then link to jcp.com to purchase their selections or send to friends via e-mail or Facebook.

This is the first instant online dressing room, where the fitting of the clothing happens automatically and within the live-video stream.

The advantage of this new shopping application is that shoppers don’t need a marker or an upload of a still image.

Shoppers can quickly try various outfits by simply pointing at the icons within the app to scan through the digital catalog of
clothing pieces, enabled by motion capture technology.

For additional information, please visit Seventeen.com

In recent years, there has been a subtle but important trend occurring in the retail shopping industry.

The demographics of Americans who use coupons has definitely evolved.

Money saving coupons are no longer being only used by scissor-happy elderly women, who commence their snipping when the Sunday newspaper finally arrives on their doorstep.

A recent study by Inmar Inc. has revealed that coupon usage has actually increased by 17 percent in 2009. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, based on the lingering global recession.

But one fact that was intriguing, affluent as well as younger buyers, are using more coupons that any segment of the population.

Recognizing the increased popularity of couponing, the founders of the popular coupon website and iphone application Coupon Sherpa, are promoting Coupon Month, which is set for September.

To celebrate Coupon Month, Coupon Sherpa has created a new website www.ilovecouponmonth.com.

Even though the traditional Sunday newspaper is currently the most common method of finding coupons, they are no longer limited to just paper alone.

There are currently numerous online coupons with codes for Internet purchases and mobile coupons that can be scanned directly from a phone.

The ILoveCouponMonth.com site offers shoppers helpful, money saving tips about getting the most out of coupons, information about couponing trends and the history of coupons, and resources of places to find different types of coupons.

In addition, the new web site also has a section called 30 Days of Savings Tips, offering informative nuggets like How to Effectively Use a Coupon Binder System, Rules for Pairing Coupons with Sales and The Anatomy of a Coupon.

Co-founder of Coupon Sherpa – Luke Knowles was quoted, “The idea of National Coupon Month is to spread the word about the different types of coupons and inform consumers on the many ways they can save money with coupons.”

Knowles believes that coupons can not only help the average family save from $500-$1000 each year, but they can also help shoppers become smarter by being aware of their favorite products’ prices, and encourage consumers to watch for sales and get double and triple value from coupons.

Happy shopping!

Vail, Colorado is a year-round tourist mecca offering visitors a plethora of outdoor pursuits, ranging from skiing and snowboarding to hiking and golfing, in addition to providing lively nightlife, fantastic food and luxury boutique shopping.

Nestled high in the mighty Colorado Rocky Mountains, life in Vail is centralized in historic Vail Village.

Opening December of this year, now you can be at the heart of it all and stay at the new Four Seasons Resort Vail.

Four Seasons Resort Vail is located in European-style alpine community of Vail Village and features a contemporary American West style and includes a distinctive roofline plus numerous balconies opening to the great outdoors.

Four Seasons Resort Vail lodge offers accommodations that are truly inspired by the great outdoors.

Each of the 121 luxury suites and rooms has its own easy-to-light gas fireplace for a romantic and cozy evening.

The 121-room resort, which also includes a Residence Club and Private Residences and a full-service, dedicated Ski Concierge to ensure guests maximize their time on the slopes.

Hotel guests are literally just steps away from Vail Village’s numerous chic shops, bar scene, chef-owned restaurants, arts festivals and events – and don’t forget the world-class slopes that offers skiers 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of skiable terrain.

After a long day on the slopes or hiking the Rockies, try the 11,000 square-foot Spa at Four Seasons Resort Vail and enjoy restorative treatments for bodies stretched by physical activity and skin challenged by high altitude conditions.

The Spa’s massages, facials and other treatments include natural and locally sourced ingredients.

Lovers can pamper themselves in Romantic couples’ suites that are equipped with whirlpools and fireplaces, offering private retreats.

For those who enjoy a good swim, the Resort’s outdoor, saline pool is heated year-round and is free of harsh chemicals

The Four Seasons Resort Vail pool is a wonderful location to just relax in deck chairs by the large stone fireplace, or soothe your tired muscles. As the weather cools, try the Four Seasons signature Haut Chocolate.

The new Four Seasons Resort Vail offers its hotel guests a fine dining option at Flame Restaurant. Try moth watering char-broiled steaks and chops flavored with house-made rubs and sauces.

The Flame Restaurant also offers local specialties that include local buffalo and elk.

“Vail has so much to offer, whether it’s spending all day on the slopes, indulging in spa treatments and enjoying fine food, strolling in the Village, or joining in the excitement of Vail’s many festivals,” says Hans Willimann, general manager of Four Seasons Resort Vail. “At Four Seasons, everything is planned around creating the perfect vacation for families, couples and friends.”

For additional information, please visit: Four Seasons Resort Vail

The cardigan sweater has made a big come back and are as popular as ever. Cardigans are this season’s most popular item and a staple in every man’s closet.

A cardigan is basically a type of sweater (or jumper) that buttons, zips or even ties down the front.

Cardigan sweaters are a classic alternative to a standard blazer or sports coat. You can also mix and match cardigans with tees for a hot look – perfect for any occasion.

Knitted cardigans were named after the 7th Earl of Cardigan. During the Crimean war, he was the first British officer to cross the Russian lines in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade.

the 7th Earl of CardiganHe and his officers wore fur-trimmed or braided woollen jackets to keep them warm in the harsh Crimean winter – they actually looked very different from today’s knitted cardigans.

The garment we now call the cardigan was worn in the British Isles and France by the 17th century.

Bolivars is a NYC-based luxe knitwear line, that was created by leading designer Lucho A. Bolivars.

Lucho hails from New York City and has worked diligently in creating his hand-made Latin infused collection over the years.

By infusing his culture into his designs, Lucho has created a clothing line that is both versatile and offers comfort.

Each fine cardigan sweater is handmade with alpaca, wool and/or acrylic.

According to Lucho, “Bolivars if for the progressive, self-made individual who consistently pursues his own destiny, lives by his own rules, and never compromises for mediocrity. Lucho A. Bolivars craves comfortable clothing that looks good and fits even better.”

cardigan sweaters by Bolivares are great for your all-around style, comfort and wardrobe. Bolivares Cardigans start retailing at $219.

In addition, Bolivares is currently working on expanding its fashion line, and planning to add pants, jackets and t-shirts for Spring 2011!

For additional information on all Bolivares products, please visit: http://bolivares.com/main.html

Visitors to the Mexican coastal city of Mazatlán savor award-winning cuisine amid a scenic backdrop.

Mazátlan has been known as the “The Pearl of The Pacific” and renowned for its fresh seafood straight from the deep blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Now, Mazatlán’s rich culinary tradition spotlights authentic flavors with gourmet flare, and is being served up by acclaimed chefs and world-class restaurants.

Travelers can also explore the region’s diverse culinary landscape with visits to colonial town haciendas and tours of Mazatlán’s brewery and a century-old blue agave distillery.

Culinary Tours Whet Travelers’ Appetites
For hands-on gastronomic adventure, a variety of new tours please the palate while serving up unique glimpses of Mazatlán’s history. One of the most popular is the Vintana de los Osuna, where visitors explore the 130-year-old Los Osuna Blue Agave distillery and plantation. Located in the mountain village of La Noria, the expansive estate was settled by the Osuna family soon after their arrival from Spain in 1864. Daily walking tours take guests through the agave fields, where plantation guides explain the growing process and demonstrate how the blue agave is harvested. Visitors then tour both the ancient and modern distillery, sample agave juice, visit the estate’s wine cellar and enjoy final tastings of blue agave at the Los Osuna Bar.

Mazatlán is also home to the Pacifico Brewery, where visitors are led through the bottling plant, distribution operations and quality control labs of the fully operating beer brewery. The Pacifico museum and tasting room is located at the top of the brewery’s tower. Here, guests learn about the brewery’s origins in the city’s early European influence and enjoy multiple tastings, surrounded by breathaking 360-degree views of Mazatlán’s scenic coastline and vibrant historical center.

Bounty of the Pacific
Set along 16 miles of golden-sand beaches, it’s no wonder Mazatlan enjoys an international seafood reputation. The coastal waters here teem with Pacific sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dorado. The city also boasts the largest shrimp fishing fleet in the Pacific, and fishermen are found every morning selling their catches of the along the oceanfront malecón promenade. Visitors can savor fresh seafood like plump shrimp and ceviches with conch, octopus or crab meat in outdoor markets or beachside palapa huts.

In Old Mazatlán, the city’s lively historic district, charming sidewalk cafés offer al fresco dining and haute gourmet flavors against a colorful backdrop of neoclassical architecture. A favorite among locals and visitors, Restaurant Pedro Y Lola serves a mix of fresh seafood and international specialties as guests enjoy free outdoor jazz concerts from nearby Plaza Machado in the heart of town.

The luxurious, beachfront district known as Zona Dorada (The Golden Zone) offers world-class cuisine and ocean views at premier restaurants like La Cordeliere and Angélos. Award-winning chefs here create signature dishes that range from chargrilled octopus to hearty marlin stews, lobster in garlic sauce or grilled red snapper. Located just north in the area known as Nuevo Mazatlán, The Seafarer restaurant features an international menu and waterfront dining along the cosmopolitan Marina Mazatlán. Nightly music performances feature smooth jazz and soulful blues ensembles. For a more casual atmosphere, travelers head to Gus y Gus, also overlooking the new Marina. The open-air restaurant offers authentic Mexican fare and a lively bar with nightly entertainment.

Taste of Regional Tradition
Located near the foothills of the Sierra Madres, Mazatlán also boasts rich regional cuisine. The fertile valleys here offer plenty of lush pasture for livestock to roam, producing tender cuts of pork, lamb and beef.  Local dishes also spotlight native spices and fresh ingredients harvested from neighboring farms. Among the region’s specialties: tender Mazatlán steak marinated in a spicy red chile broth.

In Old Mazatlán, La Tramoya is a favorite for hearty and authentic Mexican meat dishes. Olas Altas Steak House spotlights a fine dining menu of steaks, seafood, tapas and Asian-fusion cuisine created by Mazatlán Best Chef Award-winner Ken Simon. Diners enjoy a romantic ambiance in the restaurant, housed in a lovingly restored private home that is more than a century old. In Nuevo Mazatlán, the elegant Sr. Pepper is known for its refined atmosphere, succulent steaks and sophisticated wine list.

Just outside the city, picturesque colonail villages and mining towns offer a taste of the area’s rich heritage amid panoramic mountain views. In quaint restaurants like El Meson De Los Laureanos in El Quelite, dishes are prepared in the honored custom of generations past. Travelers can savor handmade pork tamales, enchiladas sprinkled with grated queso cotija and pozole, a flavorful pork and hominy stew.

For more information about Mazatlán’s culinary highlights, visit http://www.gomazatlan.com.

If you are looking for the ultimate trip experience to the edge of the globe, then consider Kensington Tours to Antarctica.

Kensington Tours is proud to have been named one of the world’s best adventure travel companies by National Geographic Adventurer and when it comes to the ultimate luxury adventure travel, it doesn’t get any more exclusive than this trip!

Kensington Tours’ exclusive luxury eco-friendly camp offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences into the untouched heart of Antarctica’s interior.

Tour guests at Kensington Antarctica are given the rare opportunity to experience the beauty of this awe-inspiring landscape, without harming these gorgeous surroundings due to the camp’s ZERO impact policy, while being guided by accomplished polar explorers and enjoying the amenities of this refined camp.

Kensington Antarctica is the only camp of its kind.   “When it comes to once-in-a-lifetime travel,” says Jeff Willner, founder of Kensington Tours, “this is the real McCoy.”

Kensington Antarctica is only accessible via a private jet from Cape Town, South Africa. The sustainable camp is perched on top of a 200 foot icefall and is the very first of its kind.

The camp has a ZERO IMPACT POLICY, meaning there is carbon offsetting for flights, it is solar & wind powered, serves locally sourced food (from South Africa), and all waste is removed and dismantled every season.

The camp is furnished in the old world opulence of African safaris, the tents are heated and spacious and include all modern conveniences. The main living area is comprised of two large, dome tents (fusing traditional materials with cutting-edge technology) which house a dining room, library, kitchen and communications area.

The camp has only six sleeping tents, each one shared by two clients, to ensure an intimate experience for every guest as well as personalized service from our five accomplished polar explorers/guides. Gourmet meals are served by an acclaimed chef.

Rarely offered experiences at the camp range from the astonishing to the adrenalin inducing, setting this trip apart from the ordinary.

Bespoke adventures include: kite skiing, rock and ice climbing, abseiling into crevasses, 4×4 adventures to the coastal ice barrier or to one of the science bases, a flight to the South Pole as well as access to a 12,000-strong colony of fearless Emperor Penguins and their hatchlings – one of the most rarely seen wildlife events on the planet.

The Antarctica season runs from late November through January when temperatures average a mild 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

Departures for the 2010-2011 Season include:

• 1 Day Trip from US $9,635: 1 departure Nov 29, 2010
• 5 Day Antarctica Explorer from US $ 24,900: 1 departure Dec 17, 2010
• 5 Day Antarctica & South Pole from US $ 48,990: 1 departure Dec 17, 2010
• 8 Day Antarctica and Emperor Penguins from US $ 45,050: 1 departure Dec 8, 2010
• 11 day Antarctica and Emperor Penguins from US $ 48,075): 2 departures Nov 19 & 29, 2010
• Private and custom departures can also be arranged through Kensington Tours

For additional information and reservations, please visit Kensington Tours

High fashion is a timid beast.  Tastes and trends can change on a dime.

One day pencil thin Twiggy-like models are all the craze.  Then in a blink of an eye, full-figured women are stealing all the fashion headlines.

Superstar celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Beyonce Knowles and Jennifer Lopez many times get more attention for their derrieres than they do for other, more important issue like …. talent.

Many women are now clamoring for that extra-padded booty look and there’s a increasing trend for undergarments that can put a little more junk in her trunk.

Booty Pop has been riding that craze and offers a brand of underwear that offers women a boost to their buttocks. It seems like the days cramming into girdles to reduce the size of their butts, maybe long gone.

If you ever catch one of Booty Pop’s late-night infomercials, you will notice the advice of “forget about doing endless squats – and cosmetic surgery, who can afford that?”  The commercial continues with several models who dance around in tight fitting jeans, showing off their cabooses.

The popular Booty Pop panties are helping women who are rear-end challenged try to get the look that’s very popular in Hollywood these days.

Of course, there are some very expensive options out there, such as butt implants but the Booty Pop panties quickly provide the desired look in a pair of  jeans they desire.

Business is booming for Booty Pop and the company is planning on sales of around one million pairs of padded underwear this year.

But there is other competition out there.

It’s been reported that lingerie retailer Frederick’s of Hollywood, the Booty Boy Short is the company’s No. 2 top-selling shaping item online.

Earlier this year, Victoria’s Secret has introduced its own product, named the “Bum Booster”

For additional information, please visit: http://www.buybootypop.com

The name Dom Pérignon has become synonymous with luxury, class and social stature.

When you are looking for that perfect gift, only a Dom Perignon champagne product will express that only the best is meant to be.

Take a look at the ultimate Dom Pérignon Vintage Champagne Gift Set. This champagne gift will be beautifully presented and gift-wrapped.

The Power Trio is a sleek, black wooden case containing a fine bottle of Dom Perignon Vintage 2000, one bottle of Dom Perignon Rosé 1998, plus one bottle of Dom Perignon OEnothèque 1995.

Dom Perignon Vintage 2000 Dom Perignon is produced only in the finest vintages from grapes that are grown on 100% rated vineyards.

Grape fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. At blending, Richard Geoffrey, Moet’s Senior Winemaker, has decided to combine 55% Chardonnay for its fresh fruity flavour and structure with 45% Pinot Noir. The combination was chosen to add both weight and richness.

Dom Perignon Rosé 1998 Conditions suitable for making Dom Perignon white vintage but does not guarantee the production of a Rose.

The unique pale salmon colour is achieved by the addition of still red pinot noir wine to a blend of still wines made from pinot noir and chardonnay. The pinot noir wine must be of exceptional quality.

The inclusion of chardonnay is important to the character of Dom Perignon Rose, a vital ingredient in producing a wine of perfect balance.

Dom Perignon OEnothèque 1995 Dom Perignon occasionally releases small quantities of the OEnotheque wines when they reach a peak in their quality.

The original bottles are kept undisturbed in the Hautvillier’s cellars. These wines offer a rare opportunity to experience mature Champagne aged in perfect conditions.

For more information, please visit: Dom Pérignon

The beautiful Cinta collection of luxury rings by John Hardy, showcases pieces that are individually inspired by a single unique gemstone.

Featured iconic pieces within this ring collection are luxurious Cinta Shell Rings, that are each created by combining shell with a precious gemstone. This extraordinary combination means no two rings will ever be the same.

Cinta, which means ‘Love’ in Balinese, is the name of John Hardy’s one-of-a-kind collection. While traveling around the world, Creative Director and Head Designer, Guy Bedarida finds unique gemstones that are truly captivating.

From each precious gemstone comes the inspiration for each masterpiece. The creation begins with a gouache water color drawing, traditional in French Haute Joaillerie.

Bedarida then combines the precious gemstone with organic natural materials such as bamboo and shell to create a one-of-a-kind piece that is unique and luxurious. Cinta Shell Rings are iconic in this line of one-of-a-kind pieces.

The combination of shell with precious gemstones means each ring is extraordinary in its own way as no two shells in this world are the same.

Cinta 18K Yellow Gold Marble Cone Shell Ring with Turquoise (10.52 ct.)

Cinta 18K Green Gold Marble Cone Shell Ring with Gold South Sea Pearl (2.99 ct.) Blue Paraiba Pasion Topaz (0.09 ct.), Peridot (3.61 ct.), Green Sphene (2.78 ct.) and brown Diamonds (1.58 ct.) Pavé

Cinta 18K Yellow Gold Marble Cone Shell Ring with Jade Lavender (12.04 ct.), Iolite Stone (6.05 ct.), Amethyst (4.27 ct.) and brown Diamond (1.18 ct.)

To see all the fine jewelry from John Hardy, please visit: http://www.johnhardy.com/

The OptiShot Simulator by Dancin’ Dogg (www.dancingdogg.com) is the ultimate in home golf simulation.

Golfers of all ages are going wild for the OptiShot Simulator ($399.95) by Dancin’ Dogg, the ultimate revolution in virtual golf.

Countless hours of fun, the easy-to-use system lets casual and diehard hackers play replicas of world-renowned courses without ever leaving home.

A plug-and-play interface connects with Windows computers and requires only 8-½ feet of swing space.

With your own golf clubs, now up to four players per round can compete with one another by hitting real balls, foam balls or no ball at all.

OptiShot Simulator provides club defaults that should work very well for most golfers.

Patented Dancin’ Dogg technology uses infrared sensors on a durable swing pad to accurately record your club head speed, face angle and swing path.

The Optishot Simulator offers three different modes for users to try.
1. Practice Zone
2. 3DD Golf Simulator Mode
3. Tiger Woods Mode

The result of playing the OptiShot Simulatoris a true-to-life experience for golfers that will make want to try it again and again.

For additional information on the The OptiShot Simulator, please visit – Dancin’ Dogg