http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for givenchy Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:42:49 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/givenchy http://www.artwoo.com/article/givenchy-perfumes-top-five-fragrances http://www.artwoo.com/article/givenchy-perfumes-top-five-fragrances#comments Sat, 07 Oct 2006 00:27:08 +0000 givenchy gentlemaneau de givenchycyclamenhot couturedefinitelyvetiverpatchouli http://www.artwoo.com/article/givenchy-perfumes-top-five-fragrances Givenchy Gentleman, Eau de Givenchy, Givenchy Pour Homme, Organza, Hot Couture, Amarige and many more.

Givenchy Gentleman was introduced in 1974, and is one of the older fragrances by Givenchy suitable for men. Gentleman is very definitely a fragrance, which will take some time before you can get your head wrapped around it. It is recommended for daytime wear, great for the office, but it would also be acceptable as an evening fragrance. Givenchy Gentleman cologne contains the following notes: TOP NOTES: Tarragon, Cinnamon, MIDDLE NOTES: Patchouli, Vetiver, BASE NOTES: Civet, Russian Leather.

Eau de Givenchy for Women was introduced in 1980 and is considered a soft, floral scent. All the fragrance notes are pretty evident but they don't over power your senses. The dry down is well blended, but there are distinct notes of lily and jasmine, with the jasmine continuing to get stronger with wear. The woody, musky base notes are light and soft. Eau de Givenchy perfume is perfect for daytime wear and contains the following notes: TOP NOTES: Bergamot, Spearmint, Fruity Notes, MIDDLE NOTES: Muguet, Jasmine, Rose, Cyclamen, BASE NOTES: Moss, Sandalwood, Cedar wood, Musk.

Givenchy Pour Homme cologne is a fairly new creation by Givenchy and was introduced in 2002. Givenchy Pour Homme is light and cool, as well as sensual, long lasting, warm, and addictive. The scent is woody and fresh with green herbs, balms and spices. The citrus top notes are still noticeable but it dries down to a spicy base that has reasonable lasting power. Givenchy Pour Homme cologne contains the following notes: TOP NOTES: Cool Grapefruit, Mandarin, Violet, MIDDLE NOTES: Lush Fruits, Exotic Spices, Floral Notes, BASE NOTES: Warm Woods, Vetiver.

Organza perfume for women was introduced by the design house of Givenchy in 1996. Organza is classified as a sharp, oriental, woody and flowery fragrance. This feminine scent possesses a blend of honeysuckle, amber, nutmeg, vanilla, and gardenia and is recommended for daytime wear. It's warm, graceful, and very well blended. The bottle of this fragrance is just as elegant, as the perfume itself. This fragrance is rich and very different, a blend of flowery aromas with honeysuckle and gardenia gently sweetening its sultry base of nutmeg vanilla and amber. Organza perfume contains the following Notes: Honeysuckle, Amber, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Gardenia, and Iris.

Hot Couture perfume for women was launched in 2000. This well made fragrance by Givenchy is a floral, oriental fragrance that is wonderful for evening wear. The raspberry note makes its way through the veil of amber vetiver and magnolia with a subtle touch of pepper. It has raspberry and amber notes, mixed with pepper, although raspberry dominates at first, the pepper and vanilla mix in to make it a perfect fragrance. Like a rare couture gown, this fragrance is an original, artful creation. Hot Couture perfume contains the following Notes: Raspberry, Amber, Vetiver, Magnolia, Pepper, and Vanilla. Find Givenchy perfumes and colognes on sale at http://www.perfumecenter.com/SR_121_D_Givenchy-Perfumes-and-Colognes.html

See more best selling Givenchy perfumes for women at http://www.perfumecenter.com/PL_D_121_G_15_-Women's-fragrances-by-Givenchy.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/nylon-stockings-for-the-heel http://www.artwoo.com/article/nylon-stockings-for-the-heel#comments Sat, 03 Mar 2007 14:27:04 +0000 nylon stockingsstockingirlgivenchycalvin kleinupscale clientelelingerie storemarket customers http://www.artwoo.com/article/nylon-stockings-for-the-heel nylon stockings for more than 40 years. This was after people found it much better to wear instead of those originally made from silk.

The discovery of nylon to be used in making stockings has proven to be much cheaper in production. This doesn't mean that silk has totally been phased out because there are still some companies in the world that make these products for the upscale clientele.



The majority of those that make nylon stockings continue making it in response to the demands in the market. Customers are happy that it doesn't run easily unlike silk and it easy to dry once it has been washed.

But nylon stockings are not for decorative purposes. It has an important function of keeping the legs warm and the heel comfortable when the person puts on the shoes.

Is there one brand of nylon stockings in the market that can claim it is the best? The answer is no because all of these manufacturers use the same fabric and it really depends on how much the woman can afford.

Take for example a pair of nylon stockings from Givenchy. It doesn't look that much different from one made by Calvin Klein. Both use 100% nylon and are stretchable.

The only difference between the two is the price. Givenchy costs $4.50 while a pair from Calvin Klein is more than four times for just one pair. If the customer doesn't have that much money, many will surely settle with the one that is much cheaper.

There are those who think that a pair of stockings with a little more style can drive up the price of a pack bought in the department store.

A pair of stockings from contrasting foot, seam and welt from Stockingirl.com" >http://Stockingirl.com, which is online lingerie store fetches for $22. It doesn't have to be this way when the customer can get the same item from My Divas Closet for just $10.

The different brands that sell these items gives people choices to get good value for money. Some companies even have promos every so often that will make the person save three or four dollars by buying three instead of just one.



The important thing then to remember when buying stockings is not only to look at the price but how comfortable it is on the legs. It may look good in the mirror but things can change when the heel touches the ground so it is best to walk around before buying it. Low Jeremy maintains http://stockings.articlesforreprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-aroma-of-a-perfect-perfume http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-aroma-of-a-perfect-perfume#comments Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:27:10 +0000 floral scentsfrench perfumesnew york timesparfums givenchyperfumelatin countrieshispanic american women http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-aroma-of-a-perfect-perfume perfume is about romance, about a nicely wrapped box from--or for--someone you love? When you think of perfume, do you think about the way it makes you feel, about the sensual pleasures of its scent, its color, the way its package is designed? Well, think some more, because perfume is also a business, and its clientele are one among the world's best-researched markets. There are about eight thousand scents in commercial distribution around the globe, whose composition is carefully protected by those who paid a lot of money to develop them.

Not only are their formulations carefully protected, but they're well-researched as well to make sure that they appeal to the right markets. Because the perfumes that sell in Asia, don't sell in the Middle East; Americans like different perfumes than the French. Strong scents don't seem to sell in Asia, and for that reason a number of manufacturers only distribute eau de toilette. In the Latin countries and the Middle East, people prefer scents that linger. The French are more likely to buy complex, plush, rococo scents; consumers in the US and Canada prefer sporty, innovative perfumes.

While Alain Lorenzo, president of Parfums Givenchy, explained to the New York Times, "The rule of thumb is richer scents are preferred by Latin and black cultures and fresher ones by European cultures," the lines aren't at all clear when it seems that vanilla scents sell well in all markets; Hispanic-American women prefer fruity-floral scents. Since each market is different, let's look at one in particular: Dubai. In 1999, this port of entry into the United Arab Emirates, imported $146 million dollars worth of perfumes and toilet waters.

Just under half (48%) came from France, with significant market share distributed between the USA (12.6%), Italy (6.8%), Switzerland (3%) and Germany (2.8%). France's domination of this market is telling; because among the 250 regional markets where French perfumes appear, the UAE ranks twelfth. Dubai shoppers prefer designer brands, and leading French perfumers--like Givenchy--will plan to release new scents in Paris and the Gulf, simultaneously; Christian Dior has more than 70 retail outlets across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (that include Dubai).

France's significance for Dubai, and Dubai's significance to France, is unlikely to shift in the near future, even though German exports of perfumes, beauty products, and personal care products have doubled in the past decade. German-manufactured cosmetic, toiletry, and perfumes have achieved a reputation for innovation, quality, and product safety. Taisha Grant writes about http://www.perfumefragrancecoupons.com/Coupons/BuyBeauty.html and http://www.perfumefragrancecoupons.com/Coupons/Perfume%20Emporium.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-nylon-stocking http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-nylon-stocking#comments Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:24:59 +0000 nylon stockingschristian diorconsumer reportsgivenchywear and teardriesscratches http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-nylon-stocking nylon stockings has not changed much since the 1960's and this will continue to do so as long as women want to reveal the lower portion of the body to the public.

Nylon stockings can either be cheap or expensive. The customer can get a pack from Givenchy for less than $10 in the market while those who can afford can get one from Christian Dior for almost double that amount.

Here are some answers to those who want to know a little more about nylon stockings;

1. Is it possible to ever get nylon stockings for free? The answer is no. It takes money to make more money and the only thing the customer can get is some dollars in savings should the company decide to have an offer that will make it reasonable to buy three for the price of one.

2. Is there ever a best time to buy a new pack of nylon stockings? The answer to this question is also no. The woman will just have to check on the ones at home if these are still in good condition or not before going to the mall to buy again.

This really depends on the frequency of use since nylon stockings such as the bag used to carry the wallet and stuff will have scratches due to wear and tear.

3. Are nylon stockings better than those made out of silk? According to consumer reports, the answer is yes. This is because it dries faster after it is washed and lasts much longer than those made out of silk.

4. Is it cheaper to buy nylon stockings online or in the store? This is a bit tricky but more people believe it is cheaper to buy this from a website. This is because more money is spent on gas and parking than having to pay the amount using the credit card even if the retailer will charge an additional $5 for the delivery.

Nylon stockings will always be needed regardless of the function. The individual should be sure on getting the right size because it will be hard to make a return if the transaction was done online. The existing pair at home should be used as a guide for future purchases. Low Jeremy maintains http://Stockings.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-nylon-stocking http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-nylon-stocking#comments Mon, 12 Feb 2007 04:27:05 +0000 nylon stockingsconsumer reportschristian diorgivenchytakes moneyanswer is yesbit tricky http://www.artwoo.com/article/free-nylon-stocking nylon stockings has not changed much since the 1960's and this will continue to do so as long as women want to reveal the lower portion of the body to the public.

Nylon stockings can either be cheap or expensive. The customer can get a pack from Givenchy for less than $10 in the market while those who can afford can get one from Christian Dior for almost double that amount.

Here are some answers to those who want to know a little more about nylon stockings;

1. Is it possible to ever get nylon stockings for free? The answer is no. It takes money to make more money and the only thing the customer can get is some dollars in savings should the company decide to have an offer that will make it reasonable to buy three for the price of one.

2. Is there ever a best time to buy a new pack of nylon stockings? The answer to this question is also no. The woman will just have to check on the ones at home if these are still in good condition or not before going to the mall to buy again.

This really depends on the frequency of use since nylon stockings such as the bag used to carry the wallet and stuff will have scratches due to wear and tear.

3. Are nylon stockings better than those made out of silk? According to consumer reports, the answer is yes. This is because it dries faster after it is washed and lasts much longer than those made out of silk.

4. Is it cheaper to buy nylon stockings online or in the store? This is a bit tricky but more people believe it is cheaper to buy this from a website. This is because more money is spent on gas and parking than having to pay the amount using the credit card even if the retailer will charge an additional $5 for the delivery.

Nylon stockings will always be needed regardless of the function. The individual should be sure on getting the right size because it will be hard to make a return if the transaction was done online. The existing pair at home should be used as a guide for future purchases. Low Jeremy maintains http://Stockings.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-nylon-stocking-and-panty-hose-for-your-woman http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-nylon-stocking-and-panty-hose-for-your-woman#comments Tue, 15 Apr 2008 20:20:04 +0000 nylon stockingsshirley of hollywoodpanty hosedream girlintimate apparelonline retailerscamisole http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-nylon-stocking-and-panty-hose-for-your-woman panty hose.

Those who wear something like is quite a tease, which really gets men, turned on. Some people think that it comes in a set but a closer look will reveal that it doesn't.

Most stores that sell intimate apparel sell the nylon stockings and the panty hose separately. This could be to earn more money from the business or it is really hard to make the two look good together.

The best thing to do when buying both is to try and match the color. This won't be a problem for women who will surely spend half an hour trying different outfits before deciding which one is the best to buy and bring home.

A customer for example can buy a camisole and thong set from a brand like Dream girl for $25 and then find nylon stockings from Givenchy for less than $10 to have a great outfit with that special someone. The colors available are in red, black and white so it will not be that hard to match.

Those who don't have a lot of money can go for a pantyhose from Velato that is $7.50. This comes in black, natural and taupe. The person will then find something similar in color from Shirley of Hollywood for just $4.50 that just proves that being sexy doesn't have to be costly.

The individual can find the matching pair online or look at those available in the department store. Should the individual like it, the customer can always come back for more when new arrivals are available.

Men who want to give this as a gift can check online retailers. The selections offered here may be similar or entirely different than those in the department store. It is a good thing that there won't be any problems with the fitting since majority of these is free size.

The person will just choose it from the site, pay for it and then have it gift-wrapped. When the partner comes home to the gift, that individual will surely love it and immediately put it on for the lover to see.

There is no right or wrong answer when buying the nylon stocking and the panty hose for the partner. It should just be comfortable for the woman and something both will like when this is finally worn. Low Jeremy maintains http://Stockings.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-nylon-stocking-and-panty-hose-for-your-woman http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-nylon-stocking-and-panty-hose-for-your-woman#comments Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:27:02 +0000 nylon stockingspanty hosedepartment storeshirley of hollywoodthong setintimate apparelearn more money http://www.artwoo.com/article/buying-nylon-stocking-and-panty-hose-for-your-woman panty hose.

Those who wear something like is quite a tease, which really gets men, turned on. Some people think that it comes in a set but a closer look will reveal that it doesn't.

Most stores that sell intimate apparel sell the nylon stockings and the panty hose separately. This could be to earn more money from the business or it is really hard to make the two look good together.

The best thing to do when buying both is to try and match the color. This won't be a problem for women who will surely spend half an hour trying different outfits before deciding which one is the best to buy and bring home.

A customer for example can buy a camisole and thong set from a brand like Dream girl for $25 and then find nylon stockings from Givenchy for less than $10 to have a great outfit with that special someone. The colors available are in red, black and white so it will not be that hard to match.

Those who don't have a lot of money can go for a pantyhose from Velato that is $7.50. This comes in black, natural and taupe. The person will then find something similar in color from Shirley of Hollywood for just $4.50 that just proves that being sexy doesn't have to be costly.

The individual can find the matching pair online or look at those available in the department store. Should the individual like it, the customer can always come back for more when new arrivals are available.

Men who want to give this as a gift can check online retailers. The selections offered here may be similar or entirely different than those in the department store. It is a good thing that there won't be any problems with the fitting since majority of these is free size.

The person will just choose it from the site, pay for it and then have it gift-wrapped. When the partner comes home to the gift, that individual will surely love it and immediately put it on for the lover to see.

There is no right or wrong answer when buying the nylon stocking and the panty hose for the partner. It should just be comfortable for the woman and something both will like when this is finally worn. Low Jeremy maintains http://Stockings.ArticlesForReprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-importance-of-online-perfume-stores http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-importance-of-online-perfume-stores#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2007 22:27:10 +0000 perfume emporiumperfume storesgapperfumesgivenchydepartment stores in new yorkchanel and others http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-importance-of-online-perfume-stores perfumes are bought online as well as in department stores. Many online perfume stores like Perfume.com, Perfume Emporium, ScentMonkey are completely devoted to selling perfumes. We have still the counters of Givenchy, Chanel and others in the great department stores in New York, London and Paris but online perfume stores are important too. And the two complement each other. They are both important for the future of the perfume market.

Yes, perfumes have to be tested and smelt. The woman has to wear the perfume and feel it on her and that is why department stores are important. However, online perfume stores are important too. Online perfume stores can offer large savings on your favorite perfume. Information on the perfume, their notes and effects is available: Also what type of woman the perfume is for as well as the views of other purchasers. Perfumes are an integral part of the whole beauty industry. We want to analyse beauty and we want to analyse then our perfumes. Online perfume stores allow us to do this. However the scent must be tested and that is why department stores and online perfume stores complement each other.

When we think of perfume stores, we think of the online perfume stores like Perfume Emporium, Perfume.com and Scentmonkey. A perfume store is a place to buy perfume but the great department stores with their counters of Dior are not stores. They are places to test perfumes and in that way they are not stores. Nowadays, perfume stores are really the online stores like Perfume.com which have filled a gap in the market and opened up the luxury market of perfume.

Indeed, a perfume store is a place where you can buy from all brands and select the perfumes you want and if we think of a perfume store, online stores like Perfume.com fit that definition. Here there is a wide spectrum of perfumes. And you have access to views from other customers on perfumes. Yes, views on perfumes are subjective. Some women like a certain perfume and then some dislike it. Some think a perfume is too flowery but others are able to catch a woody tone in the scent.



You can't beat the sheer luxury of department stores with their counters of Chanel, Dior, Guerlain and others. Yes you have to test the perfume and 'wear' it and the disadvantage of such online perfume stores is that you can't test the perfume You want to find the latest perfume and you want to test the perfume for yourself. The department store allows you to do this. Nothing beats seeing and testing the perfume for yourself.

However there are a number of advantages to counter this. Online perfume stores offer a wealth of information and they facilitate comparison of prices between perfumes. If a perfume is not available in your local store, it is probably available online. The list of perfumes in some online stores like PerfumeEmporium is massive and these stores allow you to trawl through the site searching for a suitable romantic perfume or a good floral daytime fragrance. Online perfume stores are up-to-date too and they offer a customized service. Perfume stores like Perfume.com. PerfumeEmporium and ScentMonkey cater for all tastes from the connoisseur in perfumes to the woman who simply wants to find a good daytime fragrance for work. Get all the latest in perfume know how from the one and only true source at http://www.AllPerfumeInfo.com. Be sure to check our perfume store page. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-world-of-womens-perfume http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-world-of-womens-perfume#comments Sun, 06 May 2007 21:35:00 +0000 first perfumeperfumessarah jessica parkeroscar de la rentaflowerbombfeminine scentgivenchy http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-world-of-womens-perfume perfumes are an integral part of the world of women's fashions. There are different perfumes for different types of women. There are different perfumes too for different moods as well as for different times of the day i.e. daywear and evening wear. If a 'look' is in fashion, there is a perfume to fit that 'look'. That is what the world of women's perfume is about!

Several online sites have a wide catalogue of women's perfumes. >From Sarah Jessica Parker's 'Lovely' to the new Prada perfume, there are different perfumes for different women and women's perfumes is a whole world that needs to be explored.

You can look through online sites and look at the new fragrances. You can discover the different notes in women's perfumes like patchouli and bergamot and 'see' also what the effects are. Still the woman must 'feel' the perfume and the department stores with the counters of Chanel, Givenchy and others are the places to really 'feel' and 'test' women's perfumes.

For a woman, the perfume appeals to the sense of smell and with the correct look, all is complete. In the world of women's perfumes, we have the girlish and the feminine, as well as the mature dark perfume. There are the floral perfumes and the more woody ones.

Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely perfume is a floral scent, which produces an air of wealth and sophistication. Angel by Mugler then has a powerful oriental scent. It is a powerful but soft women's perfume.

What is a good perfume for women? For some. it is a floral feminine scent. It is a great powerful flowery aroma like 'Flowerbomb', the first perfume from the fashion label, Viktor and Rolf.

It is a rich floral blend of jasmine, rose, freesia and orchids with a strong hint of patchouli. It is a real floral 'bomb' and in the world of women's perfumes, it is placed on the 'floral' side. 'Oscar' by Oscar de la Renta is a floral perfume also. It is a classic 'flowery' scent aimed for evening wear.

On the other hand, some women prefer the rich heavy scent of Guerlain's Shalimar. Shalimar by Guerlain, which was first introduced in 1925, is a perfume aimed towards the sophisticated woman.

Some women's perfumes are floral and feminine. Other women's perfumes like Shalimar aim towards the sophisticated woman. It has a blend of eastern spice and floral aromas. It is a classic perfume, a perfume that is ageless.

Oscar by Oscar de La Renta is classed as a floral or flowery perfume, which is meant for evening wear. Chanel No. 5 perfume as well as Lanvin's Arpege and Revlon's Incognito are women's perfumes that ooze sophistication and mystery.

In the world of women's perfumes, a woman must be comfortable with the 'look' and 'feel' of the perfume. She must be at ease with what the perfume stands for. Some perfumes stand for luxury and sophistication; others are aimed towards the romantic evening.

Different women's perfumes are made for different worlds and within the fashion area of women's perfumes, there are different distinct markets. Are you looking for a perfume for evening wear. Shalimar might be suitable but you might like a floral scent like 'Oscar' by Oscar de La Renta. Look through the world of women's perfumes and find the perfume that suits you! Get all the latest in perfume know how from the one and only true source at http://www.AllPerfumeInfo.com. Be sure to check our Women's perfume page. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-world-of-womens-perfume http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-world-of-womens-perfume#comments Mon, 19 Mar 2007 22:20:01 +0000 first perfumewomens perfumeperfumessarah jessica parkerviktor rolfoscar de la rentafreesia http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-world-of-womens-perfume perfumes are an integral part of the world of women's fashions. There are different perfumes for different types of women. There are different perfumes too for different moods as well as for different times of the day i.e. daywear and evening wear. If a 'look' is in fashion, there is a perfume to fit that 'look'. That is what the world of women's perfume is about!

Several online sites have a wide catalogue of women's perfumes. >From Sarah Jessica Parker's 'Lovely' to the new Prada perfume, there are different perfumes for different women and women's perfumes is a whole world that needs to be explored.

You can look through online sites and look at the new fragrances. You can discover the different notes in women's perfumes like patchouli and bergamot and 'see' also what the effects are. Still the woman must 'feel' the perfume and the department stores with the counters of Chanel, Givenchy and others are the places to really 'feel' and 'test' women's perfumes.

For a woman, the perfume appeals to the sense of smell and with the correct look, all is complete. In the world of women's perfumes, we have the girlish and the feminine, as well as the mature dark perfume. There are the floral perfumes and the more woody ones.

Sarah Jessica Parker's Lovely perfume is a floral scent, which produces an air of wealth and sophistication. Angel by Mugler then has a powerful oriental scent. It is a powerful but soft women's perfume.

What is a good perfume for women? For some. it is a floral feminine scent. It is a great powerful flowery aroma like 'Flowerbomb', the first perfume from the fashion label, Viktor and Rolf.

It is a rich floral blend of jasmine, rose, freesia and orchids with a strong hint of patchouli. It is a real floral 'bomb' and in the world of women's perfumes, it is placed on the 'floral' side. 'Oscar' by Oscar de la Renta is a floral perfume also. It is a classic 'flowery' scent aimed for evening wear.

On the other hand, some women prefer the rich heavy scent of Guerlain's Shalimar. Shalimar by Guerlain, which was first introduced in 1925, is a perfume aimed towards the sophisticated woman.

Some women's perfumes are floral and feminine. Other women's perfumes like Shalimar aim towards the sophisticated woman. It has a blend of eastern spice and floral aromas. It is a classic perfume, a perfume that is ageless.

Oscar by Oscar de La Renta is classed as a floral or flowery perfume, which is meant for evening wear. Chanel No. 5 perfume as well as Lanvin's Arpege and Revlon's Incognito are women's perfumes that ooze sophistication and mystery.

In the world of women's perfumes, a woman must be comfortable with the 'look' and 'feel' of the perfume. She must be at ease with what the perfume stands for. Some perfumes stand for luxury and sophistication; others are aimed towards the romantic evening.

Different women's perfumes are made for different worlds and within the fashion area of women's perfumes, there are different distinct markets. Are you looking for a perfume for evening wear. Shalimar might be suitable but you might like a floral scent like 'Oscar' by Oscar de La Renta. Look through the world of women's perfumes and find the perfume that suits you! Get all the latest in perfume know how from the one and only true source at http://www.AllPerfumeInfo.com. Be sure to check our Women's perfume page. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/antique-perfume-bottles-are-a-much-treasured-possession http://www.artwoo.com/article/antique-perfume-bottles-are-a-much-treasured-possession#comments Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:05:01 +0000 perfume bottleantique perfume bottlesdesigner perfumeempress eugenieyves saint laurentonline auctionswhich means that http://www.artwoo.com/article/antique-perfume-bottles-are-a-much-treasured-possession perfume bottles has become much more popular in recent times especially with the advent of such new and interesting markets as online auctions.The numbers of varied types of perfumes is undeniably huge which means that there is a need to carry at least those many different perfume bottles similarly. Essentially, these bottles serve to appeal to the client helping to sell the perfume and thus must be attractive and sure to catch the eye; consequently, it really should not surprise anyone that the perfume bottling business is huge and amongst the innumerable manufacturers of such bottles, the name of Pochet SA - a French corporation stands out.

Pochet SA Is A Most Celebrated Bottle Maker

If you have ever bought a bottle of Givenchy, Coty, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Calvin Klein or any other equally celebrated brands of perfume, there is a great chance that the perfume bottle has been assembled by Pochet which is a corporation that descended from Verreries du Courval and also Pochet DeRoche that have very many years of experience in producing glass and porcelain items. In fact, the first and foremost perfume bottle that contained designer perfume was commissioned by Empress Eugenie in the year 1858 and was the task of Verreries du Courval.

The means of making a perfume bottle changed and during the 1930's they began to be fabricated by machine and major part of the inspiration for such bottles appeared to come from Hollywood, while an organization named Lalique that was subsequently bought by Pochet had an excellent bottle that contained the 1932 classic fragrance named Je Reviens that on the whole resembled a skyscraper from New York and came in a package in a chrome finished box.

Another interesting feature of the perfume bottle is when the scent has been used and the fragrances are gone, the bottles, especially those from bygone days are items that are treasured even further than the scents that they held. In truth, if you are lucky enough to own an antique perfume bottle, you may well be the owner of a minor treasure that will fetch a fantastic price and which is much sought after by other bottle collectors.

So, the next time you go overseas ensure to inspect the numerous antique shops that may carry an antique perfume bottle for sale. Nevertheless, that is easier said than done because many of these bottles have an asking price in thousands of dollars, and pretty much prior to you purchasing one of these bottles, you had better not spend on something that is not to your liking, and if you cannot help but collect these bottles, do so with those that you find really attractive in that you can take pleasure from them for further years to come.

You can even find antique perfume bottles in places other than antique shops, and apt places to look for them include estate sales or auctions, yard sales, flea markets and also thrift stores and especially Internet auctions. Charlotte has a great site full of tips on discount perfume. Please take a look at http://www.perfume-discount-guide.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-top-perfumes http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-top-perfumes#comments Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:08:26 +0000 christian dior jadoreprince matchabellibill blass nude perfumeinsolence by guerlaineuphoria by calvin kleinperfume industrypaul sebastian http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-top-perfumes perfume industry has been manufacturing new scents regularly with just this idea in mind. The vast number of perfumes available make finding the right one a hard choice.

What Are the Most Popular Perfumes From The Past?

Some of the top sellers over the past several years include Pure Poison by Christian Dior, Euphoria by Calvin Klein, Black Orchid by Tom Ford, Insolence by Guerlain, and Black by Robert Cavalli. These perfumes have all been manufactured in the last four years and are high end perfumes, meaning they are not cheap - to purchase or to wear.

There are several perfumes that were manufactured in the 1950s that are still popular today. Wind Song by Prince Matchabelli is one such perfume. Estee Lauder is still a popular brand that sells very well. Givenchy by Michel Hy is another. One unique point about perfume is once it is a hit with the public, it can remain a hit just by packaging it differently.

So we ask, what are the top Perfumes Today: The top selling perfumes today are not necessarily ones that were made this year or last. They may have been made several years ago. For example, one of the best selling fragrances today is Amor Amor by the Design House of Cacharel. However, this perfume was introduced in 2003. The fragrance is a mixture of fruits, floral, vanilla, and the smell of the aromatic woods.

The Design House of Paul Sebastian introduced Casual in 1995. This is still a best seller today. With the flowery smell of jasmine and roses, the scent is one of a kind. Even though it was made over 13 years ago, this is still a very popular perfume.

Introduced in 2000 by the Design House of Christian Dior, Jadore is a perfume that is recommended for wearing to the office. The fragrance is very feminine and is an intermingling of rose, orchids, blackberry musk, and violets.

Introduced by clothing designer Bill Blass, Nude Perfume was launched in 1990. This is a floral scent as well. This perfume is a mix of floral with mosses which is the one that should be worn for those romantic evenings.

Another of the top selling scents is Hanae Mori which was introduced by the design house of the same name. This perfume was first available in 1995 and has an Oriental, yet woody fragrance. The use of patchouli and sandalwood are what make it have the distinctive smell and this perfume can be worn anytime.

Perfume is not a new concept by any means. The first perfume in the U.S. was scented water. This has been a number one gift for many years. Ranking right up there with candy and flowers, perfume is one of the most received gifts for holidays, special occasions, and birthdays. This is the universal language known the world over for giving to that special lady who you either want to impress or want to have something that says you think she is very special.Ed Terran is the pen name for the editor of a US bargains journal USA health and beauty products UK health and beauty products ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-essential-buyers-guide-to-antique-perfume-bottles http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-essential-buyers-guide-to-antique-perfume-bottles#comments Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:27:05 +0000 vintage perfume bottlesantique perfume bottlesperfume bottleebayauction sitesintrinsic valueoccasionally http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-essential-buyers-guide-to-antique-perfume-bottles perfume bottles is definitely a hot hobby these days. But collecting vintage perfume bottles is a whole lot more rewarding because of the intrinsic value associated with each piece. Thinking of buying a piece to start or augment your collection? Read on for some tips.

The first step is knowing the styles and origins that interest you. While books on antique perfume bottles are aplenty (there is no need to buy, just visit your local library!), I find the Internet most useful. Auction sites are excellent sources of information on what is popular out there, as well as the expected prices. Because they are antique, they tend to be expensive and having a good idea of the prices is important.

Secondly, what can one find antique perfume bottles? Begin by searching antique stores if you are a newbie. Most storeowners would be able to guide you on the age and origin of each piece. Compare what the storeowner tells you with your research note and you will know whether the storeowner is reliable. Auction sites like Yahoo! and eBay are good for bargain purchases but make sure you ask lots of questions and demand to see pictures of the bottle to ensure it is the real thing. You may also be able to unravel gems occasionally in garage or yard sales.

Thirdly, remember the brand of the perfume bottles makes a difference. As far as I know, perfume bottles manufactured by famous companies like Baccarat, Coty, Guerlain, Steuben, St. Lousis, Lalique, Galle are hot favorites of collectors. Manufacturers such as Lalique, Galle and Moser mark their perfume bottles. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether a bottle is the real thing just by looking at the bottom of theses bottles.

The overall condition of the antique perfume bottle is another critical consideration. It is obvious that bottles in good conditions (no marks, scratches, chips, stains or cracks) will fetch better prices. There should also be no blotches, discoloring or tear on the label. Nonetheless, being antiques (meaning old!), antique perfume bottles in perfect conditions are hard to come by. If it is a rare bottle, a minor chip should not be too devaluing.

Next, collectors are concerned about the contents in the bottles. Many collectors may wish to own antique perfume bottles that still contain the original scents. Indeed, perfumes that are sealed will fetch higher prices. But bear in mind that perfumes lose their freshness after 7 to 10 years, so some vintage perfumes actually stink! In addition, perfumes evaporate over time due to the alcohol content and there may also be residue in the bottles.

Last but not the least, let your glass shine! Give the insides of an empty perfume bottle an occasional scrub by filling in some water, followed by swirling lead shot or sand in it. If old perfume bottles are turning cloudy (a result of hard water mineral deposits), fill it with water and add a denture-cleaning tablet. However, do be very careful not to wet the label on the bottle. It's free! "Try" a Chanel Perfume at http://www.perfume321.com/ar/chanel_perfume.php Or, "try" a Givenchy Perfume at http://www.perfume321.com/ar/givenchy_perfume.php For even more free perfume information, visit http://www.perfume321.com now! ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/more-vacations-in-paris http://www.artwoo.com/article/more-vacations-in-paris#comments Sat, 15 Nov 2008 10:01:26 +0000 pharaoh ramses iiegyptian obeliskarc de triompheclimate variationsarchitecture pariswholesale marketplaceoceanic climate http://www.artwoo.com/article/more-vacations-in-paris
Paris has a steady oceanic climate. Variations are seldom making it a perfect site for more vacations. Summers are at 60 to 77 degrees, while winter is at 37 to 36 degrees. Regardless of weather, people come to Paris for more vacations to enjoy the different sites it has to offer. Here are some of them:

1. Place de la Bastille: This is a historical square in Paris, which was where the Bastille prison used to be before the "Storming of the Bastille." Because of its history, protests are often held here.

2. Champs-Élysées: This garden-promenade/ avenue dates back to the seventeenth century. It connects the Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe. More vacations in Paris will not be complete without a trip or two through what is referred to as the most beautiful avenue in the world. Shops, cinemas and cafés line the street. Because of its prestige, rent here is quire high too. It earns $1.5 million in yearly rent just for 92.9 square meters of land.

3. Place de la Concorde: At the foot of Champs-Élysées, this site was originally referred to as Place Louis XV, where a guillotine was set. Now, it has the Egyptian obelisk, which is the oldest monument in Paris. The obelisk displays hieroglyphics in praise of Pharaoh Ramses II.

4. Les Halles: The place was named after a demolished wholesale marketplace. It currently displays fountains, sculptures and mosaic in some sort of open-air pit. It is also the home of the wax museum Musée Grévin - Forum des Halles. The underground rail station has its central hub underneath Les Halles

5. Le Marais: A trendy and open district, Le Marais has a Jewish community, Chinese community, a synagogue, museums and shops and a burgeoning gay presence.

6. Avenue Montaigne: This is the high fashion strip and is right next to the Champs-Élysées. Luxury brand labels, like as Chanel, Louis Vuitton (LVMH), Dior and Givenchy, have several shops here. Renowned jewelers are also located here, such as Bulgari. The Canadian embassy is also located in this street.

7. Montmartre: Standing 130 meters high, this hill has the white-domed Basilica of the Sacré Cœur at its peak. The peak is also the location of a nightclub area. Many renowned artists had their studios in the community, such as Vincent van Gogh , Salvador Dalí, Modigliani, Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso.

8. L'Opéra: This refers to the area around Opéra Garnier, which probably has the most number of offices and department stores in the city.

9. Quartier Latin: This is the academic district, where several colleges and universities are located. There are shops and lively bistros all over the area.Author Hugh Parker Morevacationstv is a blog about vacation destinations and a great way to get there. to fin out the scoop on the buzz visit us by clicking mor vacations Thank you, Hugh Parker]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/dubai-spa-holidays-top-5-resorts-and-hotels http://www.artwoo.com/article/dubai-spa-holidays-top-5-resorts-and-hotels#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:29:22 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/dubai-spa-holidays-top-5-resorts-and-hotels The emirate has become well known as a playground for the rich and famous, with every conceivable luxury activity on offer. Shopping in the spectacular malls and souks, playing golf at championship level courses, and staying in the world's first seven star luxury hotel are all popular attractions for people on a holiday to Dubai. But for anyone who is after a real sense of pampered luxury on their Dubai holiday, a stay at one of the country's spa hotels or resorts is a must.

With top class facilities and an amazing range of health and beauty treatments, Dubai has some of the best spa resorts and hotels in the world, ranging from city centre luxury hotels to coastal resorts with their own private beaches. Here are five of the most luxurious places to stay on a spa holiday in Dubai...

One and Only Royal Mirage

Located near to the famous Palm Island, the One and Only Royal Mirage is an unforgettable place to stay on a Dubai spa holiday. It has a spectacular design, looking like an ancient Arabian fortress, and features 60 acres of landscaped gardens and its own private beach. The outstanding Givenchy Spa features a Hammam, massage centre, hair salon, temperature controlled swimming pools and private treatment rooms.

Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa

The massive Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa is in prime position on Jumeirah Beach. The onsite Elixir Spa has a private pedicure room, crystal steam fog room, Moroccan sauna, and a spectacular relaxation area with waterfalls, aromatherapy, music and herbal tea. The rest of the resort is just as luxurious, with a half dozen restaurants offering top class dining, numerous swimming pools and spacious rooms. If you are looking to take a spa holiday in Dubai, the Habtoor is hard to beat.

Grand Hyatt Dubai

While many of the leading resorts for Dubai spa holidays are located far outside Dubai city itself, the Grand Hyatt Dubai combines the best of both worlds -- a resort style hotel that is located in the heart of the city. The Grand Spa is one of the best in the country, with an indoor swimming pool, spa bar, relaxation rooms, massage rooms and a sauna. The private treatments and overall ethos of the spa are inspired by the principles of Zen, offering a truly unique experience to those who stay here.

Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort

With its Roman themed Caracalla Spa, over a dozen restaurants and on call butler service, Le Royal Meridien is a great place to spend a luxury holiday in Dubai. It is also one of the most openly family friendly Dubai resorts; with a children's club and babysitting facilities, you can keep the kids entertained as you while away the hours in the superb spa.

Burj al Arab

If you are interested in a luxury holiday to Dubai, the chances are that you've heard of the Burj al Arab. Standing on its own private island just off Jumeirah Beach, this hotel claims to be the first seven star hotel, and is certainly one of the most famous hotels in the world. It has a spa to match its prestigious reputation. The Assawan Spa and Health Club has a spectacular array of facilities; hydrotherapy baths, a solarium, oriental massage centre, 18 private treatment rooms and numerous swimming pools are just some of the facilities on offer.Peter Vasilou is a Dubai expert for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in luxury Dubai holidays, as well as holidays in Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Egypt and Southern Africa. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-the-rich-can-make-you-rich http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-the-rich-can-make-you-rich#comments Wed, 12 Apr 2006 05:00:26 +0000 smith barneycitigroupbrokerage firmchristian diorluxury goodslouis vuittonnet worth http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-the-rich-can-make-you-rich Citigroup Smith Barney suggests.

The brokerage firm gave this advice based on findings showing that the richest of the rich, who earn an average $302,000 (U.S.) or more per year, take up a disproportionately large piece of the money pie. Statistics from the 2004 Survey of Consumer Finances reveal that the richest 10 per cent of Americans make 43 per cent of earned income and own 57 per cent of U.S. net worth. By contrast, the poorest 40 per cent make only 10 per cent of the nation's total income.

"The rich are in great shape, financially," Citigroup analyst Ajay Kapur declared in a recent report, noting that the net-worth-to-income ratio for the richest 10 per cent of Americans rose to 8.4 in 2004 from 7.4 in 2001. "Furthermore, if the rich will be getting even richer in the coming years, this bodes extremely well for businesses selling to or servicing the rich, be it for example luxury goods, stocks or private banks."

To take advantage of this fact, the brokerage firm recommends to its clients that they invest in shares of companies that sell luxury items to the rich. For example, France's VMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, a luxury goods retailer whose lines include Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, and Givenchy, is one of Citigroup's top picks among luxury companies. The other is Swiss-based Compagnie Financiere Richemont AG, a retailer of luxury watches, jewelry, and gold and silver writing sets.

The Citigroup report claimed that over the last two decades, the rich have become the dominant drivers of income, wealth and high-ticket consumer spending in countries such as America, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

A number of factors are behind this trend, including a rising company profits, the high growth in assets, tax concessions by market-friendly governments, and improved productivity. In countries where these conditions prevail, the extremely wealthy have prospered, the report noted, whereas in nations such as France, Japan, and the Netherlands, official egalitarianism has kept the rich from becoming much richer during the same period. As long as neoconservative policies continue to hold sway, the world's capitalists will become wealthier yet in the coming years, as they continue to benefit from globalization and the increase in productivity.

Globalization and increased productivity improve the finances of top corporate executives and the lawyers and bankers who serve them. Other people in the top income tier are sport stars such as golf, football, and baseball players, music and entertainment icons, and fashion models, designers and celebrity chefs.

Citigroup concludes that the huge divide between income and wealth "helps explain some of the conundrums that vex so many equity investors, such as why high oil prices haven't slowed the global economy, why consumer confidence might be low yet consumption remains robust in the U.S., why savings rates are low, and why the dollar depreciation hasn't done much for the U.S. trade deficit." These concerns may vex the average income earner, but these people are not driving the retail market for luxury goods.

Although the wealthy are few in actual number, their purchases amount to a disproportionately large amount of all consumer spending, Citigroup said. And because this small demographic group is growing steadily richer, "they are happy to keep consuming." For example, middle-to-lower income Americans, who have a relatively larger share of their assets invested in their homes, are more influenced by a housing slowdown than the wealthy, who have a lesser percentage tied up. And since the wealthy are not influenced by factors such as high oil prices, weak consumer sentiment, or current account deficits, the risk attributed to stocks by equity investors may be overly high, Citigroup said.

As a result of its findings, Citigroup recommends investors purchase stocks in a basket of luxury companies, including Zurich-based private bank Julius Baer and Co. Ltd., jewelry seller Tiffany and Co., and Porsche AG, which features expensive sports cars. About The Author: J Schipper loves the rich http://www.qxt.com http://www.2qz.com/condo-cruise-ship http://www.condo-cruise-ship.com http://aircraft-charter-2006.info ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-risks-in-the-us-stock-markets-nobody-wants-to-discuss http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-risks-in-the-us-stock-markets-nobody-wants-to-discuss#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:44:53 +0000 stock market indexu s stock marketglobal stock marketcorporationsseven and a halfwhole lot of nothinghalf years http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-risks-in-the-us-stock-markets-nobody-wants-to-discuss
As of March, 2007, the major U.S. stock market index, the SandP 500 stands, at a notch above 12,000, below the 1,250 level it stood at seven and a half years ago. So over seven and a half years if your portfolio has tracked the SandP 500's index as most U.S. professional money managers aim to do, you have slightly less money, in absolute terms than you had seven and a half years ago. In terms of purchasing power, with the rapid deflation of the dollar, your same amount of dollars buys much less today. That's a whole lot of waiting for a whole lot of nothing.

And that's the good news.

The bad news is, as of 2007, the performance of the U.S. stock market is likely to become even worse for the rest of this decade. Why? For starters, check out the poor credit quality of thousands of American companies, many of which like the American consumer, seem to be overleveraged in debt.

Standard and Poors, a highly respected financial services firm that ranks the credit ratings of corporations all over the world, released a report on May 24, 2006 that declared a "Downgrade Potential Across Credit Grades and Sectors." Standard and Poors covers corporations based in Asia/Pacific, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the U.S.

This report stated that 85% of the corporations at risk for a potential downgrade in their credit rating (a rating that judges the corporation's ongoing financial viability) were based in the U.S. or Europe, with the majority (61%) based in the U.S.

A breakdown by sector looks even worse. 80% of the corporations at risk within the automotive industry for a credit downgrade, 88% within the consumer product industry, and 88% of the retail/restaurant industry were all BASED IN THE U.S.

And don't think that these statistics are skewed because the U.S. constitutes the largest percentage of the global stock market capitalization. According to a February, 2006 Forbes Online report, 75% of all publicly traded companies are non- U.S. based corporations.

But back to my opening statement:

When it comes to investing, nothing kills good returns more than nationalism. And nationalism rules at large investment firms.

To illustrate this point, it's not just the small cap stocks, but also the large cap stocks of foreign countries that don't trade on the stock exchanges of other countries. The overwhelming majority of clients at large investment firms don't hold some of the leading, most innovative, most well-managed and fastest growing companies simply because these stocks are not traded on their domestic stock markets. For example, Samsung, a Korean company that is a world leader in high-end electronic goods, and LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) a French company that is a world leader in luxury brand goods including Pucci, Fendi, Tag Heuer, Sephora, Dom Perignon, Moet and Chandon, Givenchy, DKNY, and Hard Candy do not even trade on American stock exchanges. And it's not just the American stock exchanges. These two companies don't trade on a lot of Asian stock exchanges either.

To buy them, you either have to open up a foreign trading account or purchase them through market makers that have been known to mark the price of foreign stocks up by as much as 15%. This means on a round trip buy and sell of the stock, you've lost 30% already. While mark-ups this high are generally rare, it does happen. And most times, because brokers don't do the research to discover what they're trading at on the foreign exchanges, they pay these outrageous mark-ups without even realizing that they are doing so.

Sure, your financial consultant may have recommended that you start buying heavily into foreign markets, so you may say that I'm wrong. But think about when this happened. After there was major instability in your domestic markets or before? Was it a pro-active or re-active decision? If it was a reactive decision, it's still better than no reaction, but still this means that there is no forward-thinking about these types of decisions at all. Furthermore, how is your financial consultant gaining exposure to foreign markets for you? Through crappy investment vehicles like mutual funds that get hammered with every correction or through investments in strong individual stocks? In addition, many times financial consultants at investment firms ignore outstanding companies merely because their firm does not provide analyst reports of this company for them to read.

When the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon reached a peak in 2006, I remembered reading an article that stated that money was beginning to flow back into the U.S. dollar for investors seeking a safe haven for their money. Articles like this amaze me due to the complete lack of understanding journalists have about certain economic conditions. Just as they keep telling investors that the U.S. markets are the safest stock markets in the world, they'll keep telling investors that the U.S. dollar is the safest currency to own =96 but that's an entirely different article for another day.

Want to truly find the safest havens for your money?

Then learn how to invest yourself for you are more likely to be led astray as long as you continue to listen to financial journalists or allow someone else to manage your money. J.S. Kim is the founder and managing director of SmartKnowledgeU=99, LLC. Please visit http://www.smartknowledgeu.com to learn the safest places to invest money and how to achieve financial freedom. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-risks-in-the-us-stock-markets-nobody-wants-to-discuss http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-risks-in-the-us-stock-markets-nobody-wants-to-discuss#comments Sun, 25 Mar 2007 05:47:57 +0000 stock market indexu s stock marketglobal stock marketcorporationsstandard and poorsstandard poorsseven and a half http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-risks-in-the-us-stock-markets-nobody-wants-to-discuss
As of March, 2007, the major U.S. stock market index, the SandP 500 stands, at a notch above 12,000 stands below the 1,250 level it stood at seven and a half years ago. So over seven and a half years if your portfolio has tracked the SandP 500's index as most U.S. professional money managers aim to do, you have slightly less money, in absolute terms than you had seven and a half years ago. In terms of purchasing power, with the rapid deflation of the dollar, your same amount of dollars buys much less today. That's a whole lot of waiting for a whole lot of nothing.

And that's the good news.

The bad news is, as of 2007, the performance of the U.S. stock market is likely to become even worse for the rest of this decade. Why? For starters, check out the poor credit quality of thousands of American companies, many of which like the American consumer, seem to be overleveraged in debt.

Standard and Poors, a highly respected financial services firm that ranks the credit ratings of corporations all over the world, released a report on May 24, 2006 that declared a "Downgrade Potential Across Credit Grades and Sectors." Standard and Poors covers corporations based in Asia/Pacific, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and the U.S.

This report stated that 85% of the corporations at risk for a potential downgrade in their credit rating (a rating that judges the corporation's ongoing financial viability) were based in the U.S. or Europe, with the majority (61%) based in the U.S.

A breakdown by sector looks even worse. 80% of the corporations at risk within the automotive industry for a credit downgrade, 88% within the consumer product industry, and 88% of the retail/restaurant industry were all BASED IN THE U.S.

And don't think that these statistics are skewed because the U.S. constitutes the largest percentage of the global stock market capitalization. According to a February, 2006 Forbes Online report, 75% of all publicly traded companies are non- U.S. based corporations.

But back to my opening statement:

When it comes to investing, nothing kills good returns more than nationalism. And nationalism rules at large investment firms.

To illustrate this point, it's not just the small cap stocks, but also the large cap stocks of foreign countries that don't trade on the stock exchanges of other countries. The overwhelming majority of clients at large investment firms don't hold some of the leading, most innovative, most well-managed and fastest growing companies simply because these stocks are not traded on their domestic stock markets. For example, Samsung, a Korean company that is a world leader in high-end electronic goods, and LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) a French company that is a world leader in luxury brand goods including Pucci, Fendi, Tag Heuer, Sephora, Dom Perignon, Moet and Chandon, Givenchy, DKNY, and Hard Candy do not even trade on American stock exchanges. And it's not just the American stock exchanges. These two companies don't trade on a lot of Asian stock exchanges either.

To buy them, you either have to open up a foreign trading account or purchase them through market makers that have been known to mark the price of foreign stocks up by as much as 15%. This means on a round trip buy and sell of the stock, you've lost 30% already. While mark-ups this high are generally rare, it does happen. And most times, because brokers don't do the research to discover what they're trading at on the foreign exchanges, they pay these outrageous mark-ups without even realizing that they are doing so.

Sure, your financial consultant may have recommended that you start buying heavily into foreign markets, so you may say that I'm wrong. But think about when this happened. After there was major instability in your domestic markets or before? Was it a pro-active or re-active decision? If it was a reactive decision, it's still better than no reaction, but still this means that there is no forward-thinking about these types of decisions at all. Furthermore, how is your financial consultant gaining exposure to foreign markets for you? Through crappy investment vehicles like mutual funds that get hammered with every correction or through investments in strong individual stocks? In addition, many times financial consultants at investment firms ignore outstanding companies merely because their firm does not provide analyst reports of this company for them to read.

When the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Lebanon reached a peak in 2006, I remembered reading an article that stated that money was beginning to flow back into the U.S. dollar for investors seeking a safe haven for their money. Articles like this amaze me due to the complete lack of understanding journalists have about certain economic conditions. Just as they keep telling investors that the U.S. markets are the safest stock markets in the world, they'll keep telling investors that the U.S. dollar is the safest currency to own -- but that's an entirely different article for another day.

Want to truly find the safest havens for your money?

Then learn how to invest yourself for you are more likely to be led astray as long as you continue to listen to financial journalists or allow someone else to manage your money. J.S. Kim is the founder and managing director of SmartKnowledgeU™, LLC. Please visit http://www.smartknowledgeu.com to learn the safest places to invest money and how to achieve financial freedom. ]]>