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I just finished watching the movie “White Chicks”.  One of the funniest scenes in the movie is when one of the Wilson sisters run down the dude that snatched her red Prada purse. There’s no question that designer handbags are all the rage these days.  They are a must-have accessory for fashion-conscious women around the globe, and can be seen gracing the arms of such diverse consumer groups as Japanese high school girls, European supermodels, and powerful American executives.  I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter so much which designer bag you actually own — simply being in possession of one is enough to get some attention these days. Although there are lots of designer brand names out there to choose from, I’ve found that I like Prada purses the best.  Prada purses come in many different styles, including messenger bags, pochettes, handbags, and backpacks.  They are made from a variety of materials, but the most recognizable and popular ones are manufactured from soft black nylon with leather straps and metal hardware accents.  And of course no offering from this design house would be complete without the inverted triangle logo. If you think Prada purses sound rather simple, you’re right.  That’s probably why I like them so much.  I own one of the messenger-style bags, and have to say that I’m very impressed with it overall.  First, the bag is so classic and versatile that it goes with any outfit that I wear.  It looks equally as fabulous with a weekend ensemble consisting of jeans and a sweater as it does with my regular workday business suits.  Not many other designer handbags give you that much flexibility in choosing your look.  A second reason that I love my Prada purse is because of its durability.  Let’s face it:  with other designer bags, you have to be extremely cautious about such things as the weather, spills, and stains.  For example, I know a few women who refuse to carry makeup or pens in their designer handbags for fear of ruining the lining if a cap happens to fall off.  I really wouldn’t have the energy to be constantly vigilant about what I’m putting in my handbag, and think that kind of behavior sort of defeats the purpose of carrying one around.  With my black nylon Prada purse, I never have to worry about such things.  The material is naturally stain-resistant and is very easy to clean.  After nearly two years of constant daily use, my bag looks as good as new.  Finally, I recommend Prada purses because they are a good value compared to other designer handbags.  Sure, there are all-leather offerings in Prada’s lineup that retail for more than a thousand dollars, but those are the exceptions rather than the rule.  The nylon bags and backpacks are all very affordable — comparatively speaking, of course.  I was able to buy a Prada purse and a matching wallet for less than the price of most other designer handbags alone.  So if value is as important a factor in your purchasing decision as the quality of the handbag or the name on it, then I suggest you consider going with a Prada purse.  Hopefully, you’ll end up enjoying your new bag as much as I’ve enjoyed mine!   (0)

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Ahhh.  Nights in white satin,  never reaching the end; letters I’ve written, never meaning to send….  Such are the haunting and wind-blown words as sung by The Moody Blues.  It was 1972 (though the Moodies had been doing their genius thing for eight years by then).  Our Dad was driving us to the elementary school where we would wait for the school bus to take us to respective regional high schools.  The crooning swoon was only matched in intensity by the swirling snow outside the truck.  I was hooked.  And so were, evidently, many others, for The Moody Blues melodious and mystical chant made it to number five on the charts. The Moody Blues were one of the top bands for the years that saw rock and roll turn to a reflection of and a quiet or noisy rebellion against the movements of the seventies—the Vietnam War, the assassinations of our most righteous and spiritual of civil rights leaders, and the religious and international upheavals.  The Moody Blues kept us sedated and passionate, with “The Story in Your Eyes” and “Every Good Boy Deserves Favor.”  They kept us alert and engaged, with such numbers as “I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band” and “Steppin in a Slide Zone,” the latter of which hit the charts (the top of the charts) in 1978.  And they allowed us dreamy romance with songs like “The Story in Your Eyes,” “Driftwood,” and one of the most popular songs of all time, of course, “Nights in White Satin.” To those of us who grew up in the seventies, indulged in the most brilliant of music and lyrics, the Moody Blues are legendary rockers…along with The Who, Dylan, The Stones, and many more.  And so they may not be all that remarkable for the x-ers or the babies in generations to follow.  But, wait.  The Moody Blues are remarkable in one more way: they are STILL, after thirty-plus years, performing, cutting albums (well, burning CDs, blah, blah), and being played on the air.  Their concert tickets are on sale as we write and you read this, and if you are very lucky, you can acquire a coveted Moody Blues T-shirt.  Then again, if you are as devoted a follower as us hippy throwbacks, you can go to ebay, do a search, and get their original LPs (that black vinyl disc stuff), their posters (of them then and now), and their new CDs!!! “And I love youuuu…Ohohhhahhhh….”  (0)

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My sister is a Paris Hilton wannabe. I make this statement affectionately, perhaps even admiringly. She’s a beautiful girl known for her intelligence, motivation and talent. Sadly, early in 2004, she was in a horrendous car accident and her life was reduced to ruins. A one-ton truck made an illegal left turn in front of her. The vehicles collided and the jaws of life were used to rescue my sister from her demolished vehicle. She suffered a broken back, shattered kneecaps, broken arm and ankle and a brain injury. Life as she knew - as we all knew it - was thereby officially over. Since that time, my sister has become what she termed ‘a walking car accident’. Our whole family has been shaken and very nearly destroyed by this catastrophe. Many times I’ve feared that my sister would take her own life as her condition seemed to worsen and her future seemed to grow darker as the months passed. Though it may sound trivial, the one thing that has really helped my sister through these dark days, is her obsession with Paris Hilton. Despite her accident, my sister is very beautiful and many people have commented on her resemblance to her fashion icon. This of course pleases her to no end. Although Paris has limitless funds at her disposal, my sister is truly a genius when it comes to putting together the hottest outfits, without spending a fortune. She recently revealed that many of her best buys and most commented on accessories were purchased at discount stores such as Walmart and Giant Tiger at a fraction of the price! Her shopping prowess does not stop at buying clothing for herself. To aid in her recovery, she purchased an adorable chihuahua puppy a few months ago. Obviously, she named her Tinkerbell, in honor of the one-and-only Paris Hilton! Tinkerbell would definitely give her namesake a run for her money, for she has nearly as many hot little outfits as my sister does! What is more, many of these are matching outfits complete with carrier bag, so that little Tink can accompany my sister on all of her shopping excursions in the height of style. Paris would be so proud! Thankfully, my sister’s likeness to Paris Hilton stops short of her acting ability, if you can call it that. Although, my sister does own and enjoy all episodes of Paris’ adventures in ‘The Simple Life’, even she draws the line when it comes to movies such as ‘House of Wax’, much to our relief! It’s very interesting to observe how famous individuals can influence us in our everyday life. In the case of my sister and Paris Hilton, this influence has been positive in that it keeps her motivated and interested and distracts her from her pain and suffering, at least for a little while. It’s also sobering to think about the influence these individuals can have on young people, when their lifestyles are less than exemplary and their choices cause harm to themselves and others. (0)