Archive for February 16th, 2006
Be my Valentine
Daily Citizen-News
Traditional gifts like chocolate and roses remain a popular buy for your sweetheart
By Daniel Bell
Dalton Daily Citizen
Amber Brown says her favorite Valentine memory is from when she was in college and her boyfriend — now husband — drove 10 and a half hours overnight to surprise her with breakfast in bed.
“I was depressed because I didn’t think I’d be seeing him that year,†Brown, of Dalton, said. “But he had arranged with my roommate to get into my apartment and he woke me up with food from Hardees.â€
Since most people do not have to cross state lines to impress their significant other, they get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day by exchanging the traditional gifts: flowers, candy, jewelry — and bright red stuffed gorillas that sing “Wild Thing†when squeezed.
More adventurous shoppers turn to the Internet when looking for unique gift ideas.
“My boyfriend and I always try to buy each other something strange. It’s almost like a contest to see who can out-do the other,†said Jessica Roberts, a Dalton State College student who does “about 75 percent†of her shopping online. She would not say what she bought her boyfriend this year, but said she uses google.com to do her searching.
A Google search for “Valentine’s Day gifts†returns 41 million hits, with links to most anything someone would want to purchase.
Clever online shoppers can design their own teddy bears (vermontteddybear.com), name a star after their sweetheart (www.starregistry.com) or send their loved ones a “pajama-gram†(www.pajamagram.com).
Those who have yet to buy something for that special someone need not worry. Most sites offer one- or two-day shipping, so there is still time to get a gift by Tuesday.
Anyone looking for last-minute traditional gift ideas should not have trouble finding something local.
Gloria Neal, owner of Davies Gifts and Jewelry on Thornton Avenue, said Feb. 14 is one of the productive holidays of the year for her business, second only to Christmas, and the most popular items are heart-shaped pendants.
Neal said many people end up waiting until the last minute.
“The busiest day (in the store) is the day before Valentine’s Day,†she said.
For those buying for someone with a sweet tooth, one of the most popular gifts is candy, while many people enjoy receiving a heart-shaped box full of sweets.
“Chocolate is what people give,†said Irene Wheat, owner of Irene’s Cake and Candy Supply on Walnut Avenue Wheat said her business always increases a little around Valentine’s Day.
And what would Valentine’s Day be without red roses?
“We go through about 300 to 400 roses around this time,†said Kelly Gowin, floral designer at Dalton Florist on Melrose Drive. A dozen roses at Dalton Florist costs about $70 to $75 and is the most popular floral gift, according to Gowin.
“Most people give flowers with chocolate, or with jewelry,†she said.
Then again, some romantic-minded people think food is the quickest way to the heart.
“You want to win a woman over? Cook her a special meal and serve it in candlelight,†advises John Jones, a Dalton resident who has been married 20 years. “I fix something special for my wife every year.â€
For those who want to go out for dinner, the Dalton Depot on Depot Street plans to offer a special Valentine’s Day menu and discounts on lobster, while Little Rome on North Third Avenue in Chatsworth will make couples a heart-shaped pizza.
Another way to pamper the one you love is with a day at the spa. AOG Aesthetics, on Burleyson Road, offers 20 percent discounts for Valentine’s Day and throughout the month of February.
Still, Brown says the gift does not matter as much as the time and thought put into it.
“I know it’s a cliche, but it really is the thought that counts,†she said. “All we want to know is that you care. The harder it was for you to find the right gift, the more we appreciate your efforts.â€
February 16th, 2006
Sand advances at Iia Sophia company
Monticello Times
Fashion jewelry company Iia Sophia has promoted Holli Sand from advisor to unit manager.
Sand has earned this level through personal sales accomplishments and by motivating others to achieve success. This promotion offers her the opportunity for special benefits such as additional commissions, overrides, monthly bonuses and jewelry certificates.
Iia Sophia, formerly Lady Remington, is a direct selling opportunity offering fashion accessorizing through personalized home shows. For further information, call 1-800-487-3323.
February 16th, 2006
Global Sources to Release China Sourcing Report on Costume Jewelry Manufacturers at The MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas
SYS-CON Media
By: PR Newswire
LAS VEGAS, N.D., Feb. 15 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Global Sources will release China Sourcing Report: Costume Jewelry at booth SP23726 at the MAGIC Marketplace in Las Vegas, Feb. 21-24, 2006. The report features China’s costume jewelry manufacturers and their products, and is designed to help importers to make better-informed purchasing decisions.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030303/LNM011LOGO-b )
Based on in-person factory visits and interviews with management, the 111-page report profiles 61 mainland China manufacturers of costume jewelry. It also provides product and pricing forecasts for bracelets and anklets, chokers and necklaces, earrings, rings, and brooches.
Other China Sourcing Reports available at Global Sources booth will include:
— Children’s Wear — Denim Garments — Hats & Caps — Knitted Fabric — Luggage — Slippers — Women’s Undergarments — Watches
Samples of Global Sources nine monthly sourcing magazines, including Fashion Accessories, Garments & Textiles and Gifts & Home Products, will be available to qualified importers.
Visitors can also register at its booth at the MAGIC Marketplace for Global Sources’ China Sourcing Fair: Fashion Accessories to be held April 15-18 at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong.
China Sourcing Reports ( http://www.globalsources.com/astj/costumejewelry ) are part of Global Sources’ sourcing and product information services, which include Global Sources trade magazines, Global Sources Online, Global Sources Direct and the China Sourcing Fairs. For more information on any of Global Sources products or services, please visit booth SP23726 at the MAGIC Marketplace or online at http://www.corporate.globalsources.com/ .
About Global Sources
Global Sources is a leading business-to-business (B2B) media company and a primary facilitator of two-way trade with Greater China. It provides sourcing information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers.
The company helps its community of more than 479,000 active buyers to source more profitably from complex, overseas supply markets. With the goal of providing as many effective ways as possible to advertise, market and sell, Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in 230 countries.
The company offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing services in the industries it serves. Suppliers using its four primary channels — online marketplaces, magazines, trade shows and direct online sales — are supported by its advertising creative, education programs and online content management applications.
Global Sources delivers information on 1.4 million products and more than 130,000 suppliers annually through 10 leading online marketplaces and monthly magazines, more than 100 sourcing research reports, and 14 China Sourcing Fairs and other trade shows. Buyers send more than 5.8 million inquiries annually to suppliers through Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com/ ) alone. Global Sources Direct is the company’s new initiative that helps suppliers sell online.
In mainland China, Global Sources has a 25-year track record and 1,400 team members in 44 locations. Its services are backed by 35 years experience as a trade magazine publisher, 14 years as an organizer of trade shows, and 10 years as an online marketplace operator.
February 16th, 2006
Jewelry Exchange Has Record Valentine’s Season
SYS-CON MediaÂ
By: Marketwire Â
TUSTIN, CA — (MARKET WIRE) — 02/15/06 — The Jewelry Exchange, the nation’s leading independent jewelry chain, announced that their 2006 Valentine’s season was up 14.5% from previous years, and had broken company sales records.
A spokesman attributes the growth to a variety of new jewelry designs that were created by their in-house team of artisans. The top selling items this holiday period included the company’s exclusive “Circle of Love(TM)” pendant, and their platinum ring with 1-carat of Perfectly Matched(TM) diamonds. Additionally, a new “Floating Heart(TM)” pendant was popular in a variety of sizes and price-points.
The Jewelry Exchange is a direct diamond importer and manufacturer, providing consumers with savings of up to 80% off of regular retail prices.
The Jewelry Exchange has locations in Tustin, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, Detroit, Seattle, Houston, Cleveland, Tampa, and Denver. The Jewelry Exchange is the largest private importer of diamonds in America, and has over 30,000 loose diamonds in stock. The Jewelry Exchange was also recently named one of the top 25 jewelers in America.
For more information, call 1-800-441-0715 or go online at www.jewelryexchange.com.
February 16th, 2006
