In most major cities in the world, there is an active and highly profitable shadow economy in phony consumer goods that generates (in some estimates) upwards of 500 billion dollars a year. If have ever been down to “Counterfeit Alley” in midtown Manhattan, you have seen one of the biggest counterfeit marketplaces in the world.
While many of us spend our waking hours lusting after the latest fashion designs from our favorite designers, there are a lot of people out there who purchase knock-off or phony items without fully appreciating the consequences.

I recently read a book called “Knockoff”, written by a fellow named Tim Phillips. It was an insightful read, with a number of interesting and often disturbing ideas presented. I was particularly interested in the section he devoted to the trade in phony luxury items such as designer handbags. These days, it seems I can’t go anywhere without seeing somebody carrying a fake Prada or Gucci purse. Personally, I have always resisted the urge to purchase a counterfeit purse. I have avoided the temptation mainly because such an action only undermines an industry I have grown to love. When one considers the price of some of the higher-end purses, it should come as no surprise that some people purchase fakes.
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The stars of “Sex and the City” made the world safe for shoe lovers everywhere with their unapologetic obsession with famous footwear designers like Jimmy Choo and Manolo Blahnik. So if you follow in their footsteps, foot-care experts say you should make sure to get your feet measured before buying your next pair.

A survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association found that 66 percent of Americans do not have their feet measured when purchasing new shoes. In fact, 34 percent said they have not had their feet measured in more than five years, and 6 percent admitted they last had their feet measured more than 30 years ago.

Every day, we put a tremendous amount of pressure on our feet, with an average day of walking bringing a force equal to several hundred tons upon them. Additionally, our feet are open to more injury than any other part of the body.

Even if your feet are not giving you any trouble now, you should still consider comfort and fit when purchasing shoes. Here are some shoe-shopping tips from APMA.
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January – Garnet

The Romans named this deep-red stone granatum, or pomegranate, because of its resemblance to the fruit’s rare, jewel-like seeds. Symbolizing faith and courage, garnets are believed to intensify affection and nurture the imagination.

February – Amethyst

A symbol of peace since ancient times, amethyst was once used to decorate the British crown jewels. Believed to promote tranquility, the stones are revered for their soothing characteristics.

March – Aquamarine

Named from the Latin words for water and sea, aquamarines were once worn by sailors to protect against seasickness. Today, the translucent blue stone is a symbol of courage and everlasting youth.

April – Diamond

During the Italian Renaissance, diamonds came to represent divine love from the translation dio (God) and amante (love). Today, diamonds remain the ultimate symbol of everlasting devotion.

May – Emerald

Due to its rich green hue, the ancients equated emeralds with spring and prized them as symbols of rebirth. The vibrant stones are believed to quicken the intelligence as well as the heart.

June – Pearl

According to Arabic legend, pearls are formed when dewdrops fill with moonlight and fall into the ocean. The world’s oldest known gem, pearls are believed to promote prosperity and long life.

July – Ruby

Believed to promote balance in love and all spiritual endeavors, the ruby is not only the world’s rarest gemstone, but also the one many consider to be the most passionate.

August – Peridot/Sardonyx

Ancient Romans called peridot the “evening emerald”, since its vivid green color does not darken at night. Once believed to drive away evil spirits, the stone is still considered a symbol of good luck.

September – Sapphire
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Corsets and Waist Reduction

By wearing a tightly-laced corset for extended periodsa practice known as tightlacingmen and women can learn to tolerate extreme waist constriction and reduce their natural waist size. Tightlacers usually aim for 40 to 43 centimetres (16 to 17 inch) waists. The Guinness Book of World Records records two instances of women reducing to 15 inch waists: Ethel Granger and Cathie Jung. Other women, such as Polaire, also claim to have achieved such reductions.

These are extreme cases. Corsets were and are usually designed for support, with freedom of body movement an important consideration in their design. Present day corset-wearers usually tighten the corset just enough to reduce waists to dimensions that range from 18 to 24 inches.

Corsets and Corset Comfort

Moderate corset lacing is not incompatible with vigorous activity. In fact, during the late nineteenth century, when corset wearing was common, there were sport corsets specifically designed to wear while bicycling, playing tennis, or horseback riding, as well as for maternity wear.
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