A few rules to live (and shop) by
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BC-TS-SHOPPINGRULES:DE (936 words)
There's no shortage of advice during this commencement season, as half the world - including Vera Wang, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, Kerry Washington, Ed Helms, Stephen Colbert, President Barack Obama, Carson Kressley (!), Darius Rucker and more - seems to be giving speeches. Which made me think: What would I say if someone asked me to deliver such an address because sooner or later colleges ...

May/21/2013 03:41 PM

Creating party on your patio easy with summer finds
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BC-TS-PATIOGEAR:DE (648 words)
It's warm, the sun has returned and we're heading into the lazy weekends of summer, which means it's time to move the party outdoors. Whether you entertain on your front porch, back deck or patio, sprucing up your party place is always a good idea. It makes guests feel welcomed. Where to start? Here are some fun finds that are in stores now. - Once upon a time, I was a snob when it came to ...

May/21/2013 03:18 PM

Travel gift ideas for adventurous graduates
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BC-TS-GRADGIFTS-ADVENTURE:MCT (1677 words)
This time of year, you likely know at least one young person getting ready to tune into "Pomp and Circumstance" - or perhaps one who recently has tossed that mortarboard in the air. And whether it's your best friend's daughter, your nephew or your own child, you want to mark the occasion with a unique gift for the high school or college graduate. We're betting all graduates - whether they plan ...

May/21/2013 03:15 PM

Shop pre-Memorial Day sales to kick your summer off in style
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BC-TS-SHOP-MEMORIALDAY:MCT (568 words)
Who cares if the official start of summer isn't until June? For us, Memorial Day means sunny fun in the park, back yard barbecues, swimming pool openings and self-tanner season has begun. And, we're gonna need some new clothes for all that fun. We've tracked down a slew of stores getting a jump start to the May 27 holiday and offering deep discounts on summer staples, including bathing suits, ...

May/21/2013 03:14 PM

Shopping: Petite plates, retro jewelry and fresh bath products
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BC-TS-SHOPPING:DE (618 words)
FAB FIND: PETITE PLATES POLICE PORTIONS This plate from Slim & Sage won't just look pretty on your table; it's designed to help you control how much you eat. The porcelain plates are just 9 inches - the size of the average dinner plate in the 1960s - compared to today's 12-inch plates. Bigger plates mean room for more food and if you're part of the clean-your-plate club, that can be a big ...

May/21/2013 03:12 PM

Counter intuitive
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BC-TS-KITCHENTRENDS:OC (473 words)
When Los Angeles interior decorator Brittany Stiles set about remodeling her client's kitchen, she had to stay within the 300-square-foot footprint. But big ideas went a long way to make the small space feel spacious. Here are the ingredients she used to create a coastal modern kitchen. 1. ISLAND TIME "There used to be a peninsula that jutted smack into the middle of the kitchen and ate up so ...

May/21/2013 03:07 PM

Cruise Adventure Trends & Trips: Meet baseball legends aboard legendary riverboat
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BC-TS-CRUISETRENDS-BASEBALL:MCT (1691 words)
This summer, two beloved American pastimes and traditions come together when the 436-passenger American Queen hosts some of Major League Baseball's legends. MLB prankster Jay Johnstone, lefty pitcher Fritz Peterson, New York Yankee Ron Blomberg and 1969 World Champion Art Shamsky will bring their stories to the only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in the country. "We're Americans and ...

May/21/2013 03:02 PM

Straw bales used in unique gardening set-up
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BC-TS-TREND-STRAWGARDEN:MCT (710 words)
Vegetable gardening seems pretty straightforward: soil, seeds, sun, water and watch things grow. But then you go out to get things set up and that's where you come to realize the definition of "backbreaking labor," which puts a bit of a damper on your sunshine-and-rainbows dreams of a gorgeous, fruitful garden. But, heck, this is the 21st century, where there are apps for "that," and of course ...

May/21/2013 03:02 PM

Fashion trends: Pick your pleat
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BC-TS-WHOWHATWEAR-PLEATS:MCT (353 words)
Pleats have moved far beyond the realm of schoolgirl uniforms, if the fashion-forward looks on Alexa Chung, Zoe Saldana and Miley Cyrus are any indication. Not only do these pieces nod to spring's feminine trend, there's a pleat to please everyone, ranging from precise knife pleats for a preppy vibe to petite folds for those with more ladylike sensibilities. Ready to pick your pleat? Picks: - ...

May/21/2013 03:02 PM

Dressing for the journey: These top performers will get travelers from Point A to Point Z
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BC-TS-TRAVELWEAR:TB (1295 words)
A zip pocket is like a luxury hotel when you're traveling. If just one garment you're wearing has one, you can check in your ID, credit card and phone, then relax and enjoy the rest of the adventure. What you pack beyond that can shoot in as many directions as flights out of Heathrow, depending on your destination and itinerary, not to mention body type and tastes. But as fees climb and waits ...

May/21/2013 03:01 PM