Black Friday Predictions: What Should You Buy?

From toys to tablet computers, which items will be steals on Black Friday and which ones are worth waiting for until the holidays are over.

Apparel
After demand for a limited-edition Missoni line brought Target to its knees in September, it's clear that shoppers are showing a preference for inexpensive and accessible fashion.
On Black Friday, that could mean a virtual stampede over discounts for items like $50 cashmere sweaters or $10 jeans at department stores and discount retailers alike.

"Expect an explosion of sales," said Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail, a retail consultancy. "Department stores are not only competing with each other but with discount retailers," she explained.

And for consumers, that means there will be significant markdowns across the board — making Black Friday a good time to stock up on their favorites.

Since there has yet to be a "must-have" item to emerge this year, retailers may have to mark down their stock even further after Black Friday to keep consumers shopping, said Tom Julian, president of Tom Julian Group, a retail consultancy in New York. "Every mall store will be 30% off, but they will be 40% to 60% off later in the season."

But if there is an item you are particularly yearning for, don't hold off too long. In anticipation of slower sales, retailers have been limiting their inventory and may sell out of some items well before the holiday arrives. "They will run out of colors and sizes and on some things," Corlett added. So if it's that purple sweater you want, be prepared to head out on the day after Thanksgiving.

Computers And Tablets
The bargain-basement laptop has historically been the ultimate Black Friday deal. But this year, the tablet has stolen its thunder.

The tablet may be the hottest item this year, but finding deals won't be so easy. The popular iPad2's $499 price tag won't waiver — even on Black Friday — but it does leave some room for lower-priced models to make their mark.

Although Amazon's Kindle Fire has a lot of buzz, it's still pricey at $199, and don't expect that to change on Black Friday either.
But if you are willing to forgo a color screen and apps, the entry-level Kindle and lower-priced
Android tablets are really where the deals are, noted Steve Baker, an analyst with market research firm NPD Group. The Kindle 3G will likely be less than $100, while generic Android tablets could even be much less.

"We wouldn't be surprised to see a smaller 7-inch Android tablet selling for around $49 this year," added Olson.

And for those who are looking for a good old laptop or desktop, expect some rock-bottom deals. Olson predicts big-box retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart will offer an all-in-one desktop and a standard laptop with 15-inch to 16-inch widescreen LCD display and a dual-core processor for as little as $200.

High-definition televisions
Discounted HDTVs are usually one of the most coveted Black Friday scores, but since so many families upgraded their old standard-definition tubes for flat-screens already, retailers have notched slower sales this year, regardless of the deal.

"It's shaping up to be a muted season for TVs in particular," said Paul Gagnon, director of TV research at research firm DisplaySearch.

To bring buyers back, retailers are hoping some aggressive price drops will do the trick. "We fully expect to see the cheapest 42-inch LCD HDTVs in the $249 to $299 range this year," said Brad Olson, founder of Gottadeal.com.

Look for even better deals on smaller TVs, too, which retailers hope will entice some shoppers to upgrade the set in their bedroom or den instead, added Brad Wilson, founder of BradsDeals.com, a site that showcases daily deals on the web.

Gagnon predicts prices will be 10% to 20% lower than last year, but it may not stop there. "Towards the end of Christmas you'll see deeper discounting," he said.

Toys
After Toys R Us drew massive crowds last year with doorbuster deals like a $50 gift card with the purchase of an XBox 360, this year's toy deals are likely to fall short of expectations, said Jim Silver, editor in chief of TimetoPlayMag.com. Last year, "They were giving away money and that's not going to happen to the same extent," he said.

This time, retailers have reeled in their inventories to avoid those severe price cuts. That means even the season's hottest toys, like the LeapPad Explorer, will also likely be in short supply. "Have your kids make a list," Silver advised. "If they want a hot toy, buy it early."

Not only will those gizmos not be discounted later in the season, they could be sold out altogether.

Video game consoles
With no new "it" gaming console to drive sales, expect lower prices on older models this year, said Shawn DuBravac, chief economist and director of research of the Consumer Electronics Association.
New consoles tend to be released in five-year cycles, he explained, and we are currently in the middle of a lull.

A recent price cut on the Nintendo 3DS to $169.99 from $249.99 will likely mean particularly deep discounts on the older models like the DSi and DS Lite, noted NPD's Baker. Baker says the very best deals will be bundles on one of the older models with one or two games for $79 to $99.

Wii consoles will also be cheaper come Black Friday, as retailers aim to clear their shelves to make room for the new Wii U slated for next year. "Expect deals such as a Wii bundled with a $50 gift card for $149 this holiday season," said Gottadeal.com's Olson.


*Shop till your asses drop!

That's the retailers motto!

However, is it yours? Think about it.

I've neve seen it miss. Each year black Friday comes around with deals and more deals to temp folks into buying more than what they should. 

It's the American way right? 

Wrong!

What we should be doing is thinking about how we can stretch a dollor instead of buying things that we don't need, especially toys that kids will open and play with two or three times.

Remember it's all about the benjamins more now than ever, which means you the consumer need to think about if you want to give all of yours away to the big bad corporations.*



Diva's Nation
*Join The "Black Fiday Predictions: What Should You buy" Conversation*

DIVA'S NATION TOP ACCESSORIES FOR 2012!

ACCESSORIES! ACCESSORIES! ACCESSORIES!

Choosing the right accessories can make or break an outfit.  Here's our top must-have accessories for 2012.



EDGY-Jewelry

Nicole Romano Drake Chain Wrapped Dome Earrings Swarovski rhinestone chain wrapped dome earrings.















Eye Necklace

SOPHISTICATED-Jewelry

Pure pearl long necklace

Judith Ripka Melange Coin Pearl Earrings

















BLING IT UP-Jewelry

Silver "bling"  Flower Cuff bracelet

Fancy round and pincess CZ pave link necklace

FASCINATING FASCINATORS

BELT IT WITH ATTITUDE

Mulberry chain-trimmed leather belt

Nine West leather and chain belt

BAG IT WITH SIMPLICITY AND ATTITUDE

Miu Miu-Matelasse leather bag

Marc Jacobs-Hillier hobo leather shoulder bag

Stella MCCartney-falabella quilted faux leather bucket bag

TIME KEEPERS

Michael Kors sports ceramic chronograph watch

Marc by Marc Jacobs rivera crystal-embellished acetate watch

LEG IT UP WITH ESSENTIALS

Wolford sheer 15 denier tights














Spanx tight end control

Falke soft merino wool-blend tights

LEG WARMERS THE "IT" ESSENTIAL

Sonoma Life-ribbed boot topper leg warmer

Simply Vera Wang-fisherman cable leg warmers

We here at "Diva's Nation" love accessories!  It can add a special something or change an outfit all together.  This coming year accessorize with a "BANG" and have fun doing it!



Diva's Nation
*Join The "Diva's Nation Top Must-Have Accessories For 2012" Conversation

Young boy wishes to join Girl Scouts

Bobby Montoya is a 7-year-old boy from Denver. Unlike a lot of young boys, Bobby has no desire to join the Boy Scouts. Instead, he wants to be a Girl Scout.

We first saw Montoya's story over at 9news.com. The NBC affiliate reports that when the boy's  mother, Felisha Archuleta, tried to sign her son up for Girl Scouts, a troop leader told her no

Archuleta spoke with 9News about the incident. "I said, 'Well, what's the big deal?' She [the troop leader] said, 'It doesn't matter how he looks; he has boy parts, he can't be in Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts don't allow that, [and] I don't want to be in trouble by parents or my supervisor.'"

Reporters with 9News contacted  Girl Scouts of Colorado about Montoya's application, which prompted the group to release a statement: "Our requests for support of transgender kids have grown, and Girl Scouts of Colorado is working to best support these children, their families and the volunteers who serve them. In this case, an associate delivering our program was not aware of our approach. She contacted her supervisor, who immediately began working with the family to get the child involved and supported in Girl Scouts. We are accelerating our support systems and training so that we're better able to serve all girls, families and volunteers."


We placed a call to Rachelle Trujillo, vice president of communications at Girl Scouts of Colorado, for further clarification. She replied with this statement: "Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization, and we accept all girls in kindergarten through 12th grade as members. If a child lives life as a girl and the family brings the child to us to participate in Girl Scouts, Girl Scouts of Colorado welcomes her. Girl Scouts of Colorado respects the privacy of all girls and families we work with. When a family requests membership for their daughter, we do not require proof of gender, we respect the decisions of families."

So it would seem that Bobby will get his wish. Gender-identity issues are becoming more common, especially among young children--which makes it more likely that the policy of the Girl Scouts will face future tests in the months and years ahead.


*This is a hot ass mess!

First of all the parents should know better than to take this to the media anyway.  Second; the girl scouts are for girls, and not for boys.

It's sad that certain groups are put on blast just because a person is transgender and want to join. 
It's not fair and these whack ass parents should be ashamed of themselves!

At the end of the day, this child should be loved and nurtured by his parents, and not used as a spectacle just because his parents are media seeking whores!*


Diva's Nation
*Join The "Boy Wishes To Join Girl Scouts" Conversation*

Cain stumbling under glare of national spotlight

(AP) — Herman Cain is learning the hard way what it means to face the glare of the national spotlight.

After captivating Republicans hungry for an alternative to 2012 GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, Cain has made a series of stumbles that have left some questioning whether he's ready for the White House.

His words and actions have drawn more scrutiny since his rise in the polls catapulted him into the top tier of the race for the party's white House nomination.

But Cain has sometimes appeared to be in over his head. Consider what's happened over the past week:

—He suggested electrifying a fence along the U.S. border with Mexico to kill illegal immigrants trying to enter the United States. Cain later called it a joke and apologized if anyone was offended by the remarks.

—He said he would negotiate for the release of U.S. prisoners held by terrorists, then reversed himself and said he had misunderstood the question.

—He muddied the water on abortion. He told CNN that while he strongly opposes abortion, "the government shouldn't be trying to tell people everything to do, especially when it comes to social decisions that they need to make." He later issued a statement reiterating his opposition to abortion.
—Amid criticism that his 9-9-9 tax overhaul would force the majority of Americans to pay more to the government, he reworked the plan to exclude the poorest people and to allow some deductions. Backers of Cain's original plan had praised its simplicity, and carving out exceptions could erode that support.

Through it all, Cain has appeared unflappable. He chalks up the reversals to the breakneck pace of the race.

"In a couple of instances ... I misspoke because of the pace of the interview. I don't call it a flip-flop. I'd rather come back and explain to people what I really meant," Cain said Friday after an economic speech in Detroit. "It doesn't send mixed messages. It just shows that I'm willing to correct myself ... if in fact I need to correct myself for clarity. That's what I'm trying to achieve."

For those in the GOP still in search of a candidate to back, his rocky rollout on the national stage has reinforced the view that Cain, who's never won an election, isn't ready for the big leagues.

"I'm looking for someone that's electable and right now I don't think he fits into that category," said 60-year-old Gene Carkeet of Memphis, Tenn., who attended a recent Cain rally there but remains undecided.

Gwen Ecklund, Republican chairwoman in Crawford County, Iowa, said Cain "has had a bad week."

"I do think it made some people take a second look," she said.

Cain's stumbles come as the campaign of rival Rick Perry shows signs of renewed vigor.

The Texas governor has plummeted in public opinion polls as Cain has climbed. But Perry turned in a spirited and combative debate performance at a recent forum in New Hampshire and plans to detail his own tax reform proposal relying on a flat tax under which everyone would pay the same income tax rate.

Cain and Perry are competing for support from tea party groups and evangelical voters.

Ralph Reed, a Republican strategist who founded the national Christian Coalition and now heads the Faith and Freedom Coalition, said Cain is going through the growing pains that come with sudden national exposure.

"It's a learning curve for any candidate who moves from the back of the pack to front of the pack," Reed said. "You undergo the political equivalent of a GI tract exam ... where every word is weighed and chewed over and scrutinized."

Reed said that after months of jumping on every media appearance offered, Cain and his staff must now limit his exposure and hammer home carefully honed talking points.

That's a tall order for a man who has spent years as a conservative radio talk-show host, saying what was on his mind and scoring points for being provocative.

Whether Cain's willingness to retool his 9-9-9 tax plan will be seen as a strength or a weakness is an open question.

"I guess we'll see what the polls say next week," said Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform. Norquist had been critical of Cain's original proposal.

Not everyone is disheartened by Cain's missteps. Kay Godwin, co-founder of Georgia Conservatives in Action, said she is still solidly behind him.

''Look at Romney and Perry at the last debate. They can't even be civil to each other on a stage in front of a national audience," Godwin said. "At his core, Herman has the heart to save this country."


*Herman can't save a damn fly, let alone save America!

People say "your as good as you think you are."

Herman Cain Thinks he's the best man to save America from all the sh&t that America has brought on itself. 

"NOT!"

We all know that it takes alot more work to run a country than a pizza business.  Pizza is good eats, but it won't get you the republican nomination. 

At the end of the day this article proves that Herman Cain isn't the best man to run this country.  He has talked harsly about blacks, said he would electrocute illegals by electrifying the border fence, said something hidious regarding abortion, and then this ridiculous 9-9-9 plan seems to add more insult to injury.

Anyone that insults his own race, by saying "his secret service codename should be "Cornbread" and his use, often before white audiences, of phrases like "shucky-ducky" is a hot ass mess! He also claims that he likes to wear gold because it looks good against his "beautiful dark skin," and he likens himself to haagen daz's black walnut ice cream because he is, he claims, not just a flavor of the month."(per NYDaily News)

At best folks this sh%t is troubling because "shucky-ducky" is a nonsensical phrase often associated with uneducated Southern blacks. Cain's wish to be called "cornbread" is also troubling, since it can be viewed, like watermelon and fried chicken, as a stereotype applied to blacks. (per NYDaily News).

Herman Cain is a HOT ASS MESS!*





Diva's Nation
*Join The "Hot Ass Mess Heman Cain" Conversation*

Thousands join NYC protest against corporate greed

(AP) — From coast to coast and North to South, the Occupy Wall Stret protest against corporate greed that started out with a few young people in a lower Manhattan park grew to vocal thousands with weekend rallies in about two dozen states and supporters joining in from Canada and overseas.

Tens of thousands nicknamed "the indignant" marched in cities across Europe on Saturday. Violence broke out in Rome and dozens were injured.

Marches in the United States remained largely nonconfrontational, although dozens of people were arrested in New York and elsewhere when police moved to contain overflowing crowds or keep them off private property. Two police officers in New York City were injured and had to be hospitalized.

In Times Square, thousands of demonstrators mixed with gawkers, Broadway showgoers, tourists and police to create a chaotic scene in the midst of Manhattan.

"Banks got bailed out, we got sold out!" protesters chanted from within police barricades. Police, some in riot gear and mounted on horses, tried to push them out of the square and onto the sidewalks in an attempt to funnel the crowds away.

Sandra Fox, 69, of Baton Rouge, La., stood, confused, on 46th Street with a ticket for "Anything Goes" in her hand as riot police pushed a knot of about 200 shouting protesters toward her.

"I think it's horrible what they're doing," she said of the protesters. "These people need to go get jobs."

The Times Square rally lasted several hours before the crowd dispersed. Over the course of what was billed as "a global day of protest," city police arrested more than 80 people in demonstrations at Times Square, Washington Square Park and a nearby Citibank bank branch. Police cited violations such as wearing masks, criminal trespass, and refusing to leave the park at midnight when police warned them it was closed.

Police spokesman Paul Browne said one of the police officers hospitalized suffered a head injury, the other a foot injury. Two dozen were arrested when demonstrators entered the Citibank bank branch and refused to leave, police said.

Citibank said in a statement that police asked the branch to close until the protesters could be taken away. "One person asked to close an account and was accommodated," Citibank said.

Earlier in the day, as many as 1,000 demonstrators paraded to a Chase bank branch, banging drums, blowing horns and carrying signs decrying corporate greed. A few protesters went inside the bank to close their accounts, but the group didn't stop other customers from getting inside or seek to blockade the business.

Lily Paulina of Brooklyn said she was taking her money out because she was upset that JPMorgan Chase was making billions, while its customers struggled with bank fees and home foreclosures.

"Chase bank is making tons of money off of everyone ... while people in the working class are fighting just to keep a living wage in their neighborhood," the 29-year-old United Auto Workers organizer said.
Police told the marchers to stay on the sidewalk, and the demonstration seemed fairly orderly as it wound through downtown streets.

Sergio Jimenez, 25, said he quit his job in Texas to come to New York to protest. He participated in an anti-war march to mark the 10th anniversary of the Afghanistan War.

"These wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were all based on lies," Jimenez said. "And if we're such an intelligent country, we should figure out other ways to respond to terror, instead of with terror."
Throughout the country — from about 50 people in Jackson, Miss., to some 2,000 in Pittsburgh — the protest gained momentum.

Nearly 1,500 protesters gathered for a march past banks in downtown Orlando, Fla. Hundreds marched on a Key Bank branch in Anchorage, and declared it be foreclosed. In Arizona, reporters and protesters saw an estimated 40 people detained around midnight Saturday at a park just north of downtown Phoenix.

In Colorado, about 1,000 people rallied in downtown Denver to support Occupy Wall Street and at least two dozen were arrested. Nearly 200 people spent a cold night in tents in Grand Circus Park in Detroit, donning gloves, scarves and heavy coats to keep warm. Helen Stockton, a 34-year-old certified midwife from Ypsilanti, said they planned to remain there "as long as it takes to effect change."

"It's easy to ignore us," Stockton said. Then she referred to the financial institutions, saying, "But we are not going to ignore them. Every shiver in our bones reminds us of why we are here."
Hundreds more converged near the Michigan's Capitol in Lansing with the same message, the Lansing State Journal reported.

Rallies drew young and old, laborers and retirees. In Pittsburgh, marchers included parents with children in strollers. The peaceful crowd stretched for two or three blocks.

"I see our members losing jobs. People are angry," said Janet Hill, 49, who works for the United Steelworkers, which she said hosted a sign-making event before the march.

Retired teacher Albert Siemsen said at a demonstration in Milwaukee that he'd grown angry watching school funding get cut at the same time banks and corporations gained more influence in government.
The 81-year-old wants to see tighter Wall Street regulation.

Around him, protesters held signs reading: "Keep your corporate hands off my government," and "Mr. Obama, Tear Down That Wall Street."

In Massachusetts, Gov. Deval Patrick visited protesters in Boston's Dewey Square for the first time. He said after walking through the camp that he better understands the range of views and was sympathetic to concerns about unemployment, health care and the influence of money in politics.

The Rev. Al Sharpton led a march in Washington that was not affiliated with the Occupy movement but shared similar goals. His rally was aimed at drumming up support for President Barack Obama's jobs plan. Thousands of demonstrators packed the lawn in the shadow of the Washington Monument to hear labor, education and civil rights leaders speak.

Hundreds protested in the heart of Toronto's financial district. Some announced plans to camp out indefinitely in St. James Park. Protests were also held in other cities across Canada from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Overseas, tens of thousands nicknamed "the indignant" marched in cities across Europe, as the protests that began in New York linked up with long-running demonstrations against government cost-cutting and failed financial policies in Europe. Protesters also turned out in Australia and Asia.

In the violence that broke out in Rome, police fired tear gas and water cannons at the protesters who broke away from the main demonstration, smashing shop and bank windows, torching cars and hurling bottles.


*IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMINS BABY!




That's the headline for Wall Street and it's insidious greed.

We all know that Wall Street is all about the benjamins and it's always been that way for years.  It's no secret that banks, investment firms and many other greedy institutions have been raking in millions while raping the everyday American with lies and more lies.

From the start this country was built to accomodate the people from all walks of life.  It's where many people came to start over and live a prosperous life with their families.  However, after people started making money, and slavery came into play, then there came greed, greed and more greed.

As of now in today's society, what we have is a mountain of greedy assholes that continue to keep this country on lockdown. 

"Greedy bastards!"

It's sad how the everyday American has to struggle and fight just to bring home decent pay to feed their families while wall street continues to rake in billions all while raping the American citizens. 

How sad but more so, how tragic!

That's why we say it's all about the benjamins!*



Diva's Nation
*Join "The Thousands Join NYC Protest Against Corporate Greed" Conversation*

DIVA'S NATION TOP 10 2011 FALL MUST-HAVES!

Jackets
Varsity jacket-a revamped look on an old oldie!

Lace
Lace accented-a little sexy lace never hurts. Just don't over do it.
Tory Burch

Thread Social



Jeans (Denim)

Infuse great color into your denim life.

Red-Alloy

Blue-Nordstrom

White-Scervino Street Denim

A great Top

Animal Print-always keep animal print in your wardrobe.

J.LO-Kohls

Dress

Benedicta Dress-simple yet versatile. You can dress it up or dress it down.

All Saints

Shoes

Suede! Suede And Suede!

Pumps and color! Go crazy!

Alexander Birman Suede Pump with metal

Bootie

Get bootie licious with your boot!

JLo Kohls

Cardigan

Diverse and every so swanky! It's a must-have to for all seasons!

AG Adriano Goldshimied cashmere boxy cardigan

Jewelry

Go bold or go home!

Oscar de la Renta textured bracelet

Vera Wang oversized bead necklance

Judith Ripka bold earrings

Sunglasses

Hurray for the aviator!

Vestal Westerlies Aviators

Scarves

Love Quotes Linen Scarf from zappos-top off your ensamble with chic scarf.

*We all love fashion and can set any trend that we want. 

What's important to remember is to, do what works for your body.  Just because it's a trend doesn't mean it looks good on you.

The one thing about fashion is that we all have the freedom to be unique an diverse in any capacity.  We can mix, match, go bold, be sexy, or just do nothing. 

As you go into the fall season think about where your body is at the moment. Pick up pieces that are flattering to your figure and incorporate color to make a statement.

Remember, there are no mistakes in fashion, but there are mistakes in how you wear your clothes.

Enjoy!

Diva's Nation

*Join The "Diva's Nation Top 10 2011 Fall Must Have" Conversation*

Louis Vuitton spins candyfloss carousel

(Relaxnews)-Perched side-saddle on a old-fashioned merry-go-round, Louis Vuitton's belles for next spring came wrapped in broderie anglaise in baby doll tones of cupcake or candyfloss, as Paris' nine-day fashion marathon drew to a close on Wednesday.

Marc Jacobs, one of the world's most talked-about designers since he was tipped to succeed the disgraced John Galliano at Christian Dior, drew warm applause for what may be his swansong at Vuitton in the courtyard of the Louvre Museum.

Broderie anglaise, a type of embroidery with little eyelets edged in buttonhole stitches, was the keystone of the look, with innocent-looking, outsized daisies adorning buttoned-up blouse collars, skirt suits and dresses.

Baby blues and pinks, soft yellows and mint greens set the mood, except for a handful of greys or navies with bright white underskirts peeping through flower-shaped holes.

Backstage, Jacobs -- who conjured up saucy hotel chambermaids for his last Vuitton ready-to-wear collection -- told AFP he went this time for a look that was "soft, soothing, gentle, light, tender, feminine, airy, loving."

"A frosted sugary, sponge sugar type of feeling -- like wrappers on a candy," something "very naive and simple," summed up the New York designer, himself a tall dark, green-eyed figure dressed all in white for the occasion.

Ultra-light, frothy pastel organza was laid over white broderie anglaise, laser-cut lace or crisp georgette crepe, with fabrics layered up to four times to produce the desired effect, he explained.

Buttoned-up white blouses sat above softly swelling skirts, with short jackets nipped in at the waist, for a look that was innocently feminine, with delicate pointed heels and hair pulled back into chignons under thin tiaras.

The gently-puffed skirts fell just the right side of prim, skimming the curve of the hip before stopping at the knee or just below, accessorised with an obligatory Louis Vuitton bag, or sometimes a parasol.

While Vuitton's suits cut a often exaggerated, curvy figure, dresses fell from the bust in a demure empire line -- with "ease at the waist," in the designer's own words.

Louis Vuitton was the headline event on the last day of Paris Fashion Week, itself the finale of a four-week marathon that has taken the global fashion pack from New York to London and Milan in search of the hottest new looks for spring-summer 2012.

The week opened with a buzz of excitement at the prospect that Jacobs could be appointed at Dior, but the Paris house soon made it clear it would not make an announcement for weeks to come.

Jacobs made no mention of Dior, but he had a spirited line for reporters on the carousel motif, also used by Chanel in 2008, as "a metaphor for fashion," how it endlessly recycles and renews itself.

"It's good that there is no end! It's such a joy, it never ends."

The entire Vuitton show was over in a dizzying flash, as the 47 models slid one by one off their painted horses -- whose hooves were studded with an "LV" monogram -- took a turn before the audience and vanished.

Jacobs' last series of dresses, in sequined ivory broderie anglaise, was overstitched with ostrich feathers in fluttering blue, pink or yellow.

And for the fairytale finale, in a creamy ivory bubble dress cut high on the thigh, there was Kate Moss in a shimmer of fluffy white feathers, the icing on Vuitton's cake.


*Very interesting as Marc makes his exit from Vuitton to head up Dior (no mention when).

The concept of this Vuitton show is one that we have seen before. The eyelets and the peek-a-boo looks seem to come back, but in a different way. 

As for the candy colors; they will always be in fashion no matter what! We love, love and love them!

It's important to note, that while the show is a show, it's alot of hard work.  Marc Jacobs the hardest working man in fashion makes a statement every time he puts on a show.  He's serious, yet chic and playful with his designs. 

He has an unbelievable "it" factor that can't be touched in fashion. 

While many come after him and are at they're best, Marc Jacobs will always be the "GOD" of fashion and that is priceless.*



Diva's Nation
*Join The "Louis Vuitton Spins CandyFloss Carosel" Conversation*

Hispanic students vanish from Alabama schools

(AP) — Hispanic students have started vanishing from Alabama public schools in the wake of a court ruling that upheld the state's tough new law cracking down on illegal immigration.

Education officials say scores of immigrant families have withdrawn their children from classes or kept them home this week, afraid that sending the kids to school would draw attention from authorities.

There are no precise statewide numbers. But several districts with large immigrant enrollments — from small towns to large urban districts — reported a sudden exodus of children of Hispanic parents, some of whom told officials they planned to leave the state to avoid trouble with the law, which requires schools to check students' immigration status.

The anxiety has become so intense that the superintendent in one of the state's largest cities, Huntsville, went on a Spanish-language television show Thursday to try to calm widespread worries.

"In the case of this law, our students do not have anything to fear," Casey Wardynski said in halting Spanish. He urged families to send students to class and explained that the state is only trying to compile statistics.

Police, he insisted, were not getting involved in schools.

Victor Palafox graduated from a high school in suburban Birmingham last year and has lived in the United States without documentation since age 6, when his parents brought him and his brother here from Mexico.

"Younger students are watching their lives taken from their hands," said Palafox, whose family is staying put.

In Montgomery County, more than 200 Hispanic students were absent the morning after the judge's Wednesday ruling. A handful withdrew.

In tiny Albertville, 35 students withdrew in one day. And about 20 students in Shelby County, in suburban Birmingham, either withdrew or told teachers they were leaving.

Local and state officials are pleading with immigrant families to keep their children enrolled. The law does not ban anyone from school, they say, and neither students nor parents will be arrested for trying to get an education.

But many Spanish-speaking families aren't waiting around to see what happens.

A school worker in Albertville — a community with a large poultry industry that employs many Hispanic workers — said Friday that many families might leave town over the weekend for other states.

About 22 percent of the community's 4,200 students are Hispanic.

"I met a Hispanic mother in the hallway at our community learning center this morning, where enrollment and withdrawal happens. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. I asked, 'Are you leaving?'
She said 'Yes,' and hugged me, crying," said the worker, who spoke on condition of anonymity because she was not an authorized spokeswoman.

In Russellville, which has one of the largest immigrant populations in the state because of its poultry plants, overall school attendance was down more than 2 percent after the ruling, and the rate was higher among Hispanic students.

There's "no firm data yet, but several students have related to their teachers that they may be moving soon," said George Harper, who works in the central office.

Schools in Baldwin County, a heavily agricultural and tourist area near the Gulf Coast, and in Decatur in the Tennessee Valley also reported sudden decreases in Hispanic attendance.

The law does not require proof of citizenship to enroll, and it does not apply to any students who were enrolled before Sept. 1. While most students are not affected, school systems are supposed to begin checking the status of first-time enrollees now.

The Obama administration filed court documents Friday announcing its plans to appeal the ruling that upheld the law.

The state has distributed to schools sample letters that can be sent to parents of new students informing them of the law's requirements for either citizenship documents or sworn statements by parents.

In an attempt to ease suspicions that the law may lead to arrests, the letter tells parents immigration information will be used only to gather statistics.

"Rest assured," the letter states, "that it will not be a problem if you are unable or unwilling to provide either of the documents."


*Reading this article put a bad taste in my mouth because of the immigration problem anyway.

They should of realized sending this letter to families who they probably knew were illegals would cause an up-roar. However, I think they knew that before sending it.

We all know that immigration is a hot button topic around the world.  To some it's not a pleasant thing to talk about, because it's very sensative.  With that said, we must get it under contol if we want our country to function properly.

What this letter does, is put illegas in the state of Alabama on notice that the state knows who you are, and if by chance you admit, that you are here illegally; the state of AL can pretty much deport your ass.

It's the way the system has worked for many years and many want it to keep that way.*


Diva's Nation
*Join The "Hispanic Students Vanish From AL Schools" Conversation*