Just wanted to repost a Facebook note that a friend of mine put up on her Facebook handbag shop Krisylane… Visit her Facebook  page to browse for the bags…

meanwhile… here is her “Spot the Fake Balenciaga” article…

Hi Ladies,

For newbies or veterans in Balenciaga, If you are to analyze the authenticity of this bag from pictures alone, what do you think? Please take a look at the following pictures.

City SGH in Outremer.

Now take a closer look at the following pictures of City SGH in Sanguine.

See any difference?

Now let’s analyze major differences:

Overall

At a glance :

Leather – Both looks veiny and supple
Color – Both looks very true to its name
Hardware – Both looks silver and bright
Stitching – Both looks very well stitched, even spaces.

Now take a closer look at these comparison pictures below: (click on the pictures to enlarge)

Bales

“Bales on Sang has more of shape “rounded” than Outremer. Take a closer look as Outremer is bended rather “square” in comparison to Sang.”

Buckles — take a look at the pins

“Pins width size, is thicker in fake ones.”

Leather tag

Product code in leather tag

Mirror

In conclusion from the above pictures of City SGH, SANGUINE is deemed as authentic, whereas OUTREMER is confirmed as fake.

Considering the pictures are alarmingly similar, it is frightening to know the differences between authentic and fake is now closer than ever.

The above comparisons are not all there is to it, you can only tell 80% from pictures.
In reality, you should be able to smell and touch the leather, feel the hardware – is it heavy? or does it feel light ?

As I am sure Balenciaga is aware of this problem, as a fact they keep adding new features each season — whether that be additional coding or different kind of stitching in their bags.
This practice is common in houses of luxury designers from Chanel to Loewe – so as to maintain authenticity and stay ahead in the market.

Only a handful of those who have been collecting handbags for years may well know the difference each season brings.

Now I am not asking you to go back to your wardrobe, become paranoid and check for each bag you bought. But I hope you do your homework before you buy anything.

Feel free to share this, as it’s better to be informed than to know little or nothing at all.
I hope it is useful for your next purchase.
If you wish to contribute or add more, do let me know. There’s always room for shared knowledge.

“It is better to be good at one thing, than to be an average at everything”

Thank you to a dear friend, for her curiosity has inspired me to write this piece.

Cheers,

Christine Ho

“Thanks to Christine for letting me repost this” — ZounZ

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The Apple iPad is more than just a gadget… it is quite the accessory to have these days…

But what happens when it starts affecting fashion??

The iPadsuit, iTee, iDress and iBAP happens!!

The iPadsuit by Mohan Custom Tailors has a pocket inside large enough to fit the iPad..

iTee & iDress are 100% Australian made & designed by iClothing. iPad inspired or Kangaroo inspired??

iBAP (iGotaBigAssPocket) by OhNo!Doom.. “Does my ass look big in this???”

So which is your iPad fashion preference?

I’ll just have the iPad thanks!

Who/what do you look forward to in Transformers 3?

Or are you not interested anymore?

Who was your favorite Transformers 2 character ? Want them back?

Sam Witwicky — Shia LaBeouf

Mikaela Banes — Megan Fox

Captain Lennox — Josh Duhamel

Or the Robots

Optimus Prime

Bumble Bee

Well.. we know now for sure that Megan Fox will not be coming back for a third time… Director Michael Bay announced that there will be a new female lead for the movie…

Rosie Huntington.. the Victoria’s Secret model will be replacing Megan Fox…

Who do you prefer?

I was reading an article by Ben Parr on Mashable.. It was on π (Pi) Day!

π (Pi) is the mathematical constant that has helped school children and mathematics professors determine the circumference of a circle based on its diameter for centuries. The constant starts with 3.14 and continues forever (as it is an irrational number). Many math geeks celebrate the famous math constant (and mathematics in general) on every 14th of March because that date represents the first three digits of Pi.

Google even made a special logo for the day!

So what did you do on π (Pi) day? I totally forgot about π (Pi) in the first place… Gave it back to my math teacher right after i graduated.. hahahahahaa…

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I read a ReTweet by @kirstiealley of a tweet by @mystic_gemini82 :

and I thought we could all take a poll… Answer truthfully…

[polldaddy poll=2896407]

So, for those of you having snoring problems here are some FAQs:

What is snoring?
Snoring is a breathing noise that occurs during sleep. It usually occurs when a person is inhaling as opposed to exhaling, the source being the vibration of the tissues in the throat. The noise is produced by the soft palate, vibrating against the back of the throat or the base of the tongue.

What causes snoring?
Modern medical science has discovered that snoring is often related to physical obstructive breathing during sleep. This physical obstruction occurs when the muscles of the palate, the uvula, and sometimes the tonsils relax during deep sleep and act as vibrating noisemakers when the air of breathing moves across them. Excessive fatty tissue in the back of the throat as it narrows into the airways can also contribute to snoring.

When do people snore?
Some people snore all night, every night, while others only snore when they first fall asleep or when they sleep on their back. Some people only snore when they take medication, or when they have a cold. It doesn’t matter where, when, or how-you can be sure that the snoring will bother someone other than yourself.

Do women snore?
Yes, women snore too. Almost everyone snores at one time or another. The likelihood of snoring increases with age. Approximately 30 percent of American males snore at age 30, and nearly 40 percent of all Americans snore by age 50. The population of American is approximately 290 million. About 50 percent are over the age of 50, which means there are more than 58 million snoring Americans over age 50. Interestingly, it was found that snoring is almost twice as common in men as in women, but that still leaves lots of women “sawing logs!”

What are some ways to avoid snoring?
Ways to avoid snoring:

• Lose weight. Even being 20 percent over your ideal weight can cause snoring.
• Avoid alcohol before going to bed. Alcohol relaxes the body even more than usual, so you’ll snore more.
• Avoid taking sedatives. Anything that relaxes the tissues around the head and neck will make snoring worse.
• Stop smoking. Smoking causes mucous membranes to swell, which narrows the air passages.
• Sleep on your side.
• Consider getting rid of your pillow. It only elevates your snoring levels.

Hope this will help solve your snoring problems… if not… Consult the doctor.. blogs are just for reference

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This year I have heard more about recalled products than ever..

Don’t get me wrong, I think that a recall is a show of responsibility by manufacturers! It may be a big issue that the products are already out there in the market, but its going to be a bigger issue if a recall was not done!

The biggest recall buzz was the Toyota case.. Over 2.3 million vehicles in the US alone! more around the world..

Then came Honda with over 700.000 cases…

The latest that I came across is a recall by P&G, not vehicles this time, but Pringles…

Procter & Gamble is voluntarily recalling two flavors of Pringles chips to protect consumers from potential exposure to salmonella.

The recall only affects Pringles Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger potato crisps and Pringles Family Faves Taco Night potato crisps.

P&G initiated the recall in response to guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to the food industry to recall products with the ingredient hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors Inc. because of the risk of exposure to salmonella.

Salmonella is a common food borne pathogen that can cause severe illnesses, including fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. There have been no reported cases of salmonella-related illness to date related to these products.

The recall affects the taco-flavored chips with a “best by” date of March 2011, April 2011 or May 2011, and the cheeseburger-flavored chips with a “best by” date of February 2011 or April 2011.

P&G recommends discarding the affected product and is offering a refund or replacement coupon to consumers

So make sure you STOP if you POP any of those recalled Pringles!

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According to my wife.. if you are born to people like Bill Gates (Microsoft), Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway), Lakshmi Mittal (ArcelorMittal)… Then you are literally born to be a billionaire…

But if you aren’t then according to Forbes you need to first answer these questions to see if you have what it takes to become a billionarie:

Why Go Big At All?

Mapping out your long-term goals for the business is critical before you decide to kick growth into high gear. Aiming to sell out in a few years? Fine. Suffused with competitive desire? Okay. Just want to be left alone to trick out your product, with little care for the bottom line? Stay small.

Can You Tolerate and Manage Ambiguity?

Successful entrepreneurs can see through a jungle of conflicting data. The chief operating officer might want to expand into Asia, but the chief marketing officer thinks the move is premature. “There’s no obsessing over irrelevant details,” says Kane. “Highly successful people have a laser focus and the ability to compartmentalize.” If ambiguity doesn’t grind you to a halt, then you might have what it takes to go big.

Are You Willing To Make Tough Decisions For The Growth Of The Company?

Sure, your sister and college roommate helped launch your business, but they may grow less useful as the business outgrows them. If you’re not comfortable supplanting (or firing) them, stay small.

Do You Like Speaking In Public?

Companies of any significant size need a public face. Entrepreneurs who thrive on public performances–weekly meetings, shareholder gripe sessions, even television interviews–have an easier time than those who prefer to stay out of the spotlight. If public speaking isn’t your forté but you still want to grow, find a confident substitute who can sell your story.

Are You A Consensus Builder?

In most cases, the bigger your business, the more input you need from those around you. That means being willing and able to marshal consensus. Entrepreneurs with a my-way-or-the-highway mentality should think about staying small.

Can You Delegate?

The bigger your business, the less time you’ll have to interact with your employees. Clearly you can’t know what’s going on in every department all the time. If you can’t delegate, forget about growing.

Can You Deal with Isolation?

Being a billionaire can be lonely. “Friends” appear out of nowhere, and authentic relationships are harder to develop. Balanced billionaires can sniff out parasites and cultivate a loyal inner circle of people they trust and enjoy.

Chasing billionaire status–and not courting misery along the way–is as much about knowing thyself as it is about knowing how to nab new customers or manage inventory. Who knows? Maybe a modest $100 million would be a better fit.

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Here is top 10 based on Forbes:

#1 Carlos Slim Helu

$53.5 billion

Telecom, Mexico.

Telecom tycoon who pounced on privatization of Mexico’s national telephone company in the 1990s becomes world’s richest person for first time after coming in third place last year. Net worth up $18.5 billion in a year. Recently received regulatory approval to merge his fixed-line assets into American Movil, Latin America’s biggest mobile phone company.

#2 Bill Gates

$53 billion

Microsoft, U.S.

Software visionary is now the world’s second-richest man. Net worth still up $13 billion in a year as Microsoft shares rose 50% in 12 months, value of investment vehicle Cascade swelled. More than 60% of fortune held outside Microsoft; investments include Four Seasons hotels, Televisa, Auto Nation. Stepped down from day-to-day duties at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on philanthropy.

#3 Warren Buffett

$47 billion

Investments, U.S.

America’s favorite investor up $10 billion in past 12 months on surging Berkshire Hathaway shares; says U.S. has survived economic “Pearl Harbor,” but warns recovery will be slow. Shrewdly invested $5 billion in Goldman Sachs and $3 billion in General Electric amid 2008 market collapse. Recently acquired railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe for $26 billion.

#4 Mukesh Ambani

$29 billion

Petrochemicals, oil and gas. India.

Global ambitions: His Reliance Industries, already India’s most valuable company, recently bid $2 billion for 65% stake in troubled Canadian oil sands outfit Value Creations. Firm’s $14.5 billion offer to buy bankrupt petrochemicals maker LyondellBasell was rejected. Since September company has sold Treasury shares worth $2 billion to be used for acquisitions. Late father, Dhirubhai, founded Reliance and built it into a massive conglomerate.

#5 Lakshmi Mittal

$28.7 billion

Steel, India.

London’s richest resident oversees ArcelorMittal, world’s largest steel maker. Net profits fell 75% in 2009. Mittal took 12% pay cut but improved outlook pushed stock up one-third in past year. Looking to expand in his native India; wants to build steel mills in Jharkhad and Orissa but has not received government approval. Earned $1.1 billion for selling his interest in a Kazakh refinery in December.

#6 Lawrence Ellison

$28 billion

Oracle, U.S.

Oracle founder’s fortune continues to soar; shares up 70% in past 12 months. Database giant has bought 57 companies in the past five years. Completed $7.4 billion buyout of Sun Microsystems in January; acquired BEA Systems for $8.5 billion in 2008. Studied physics at U. of Chicago; didn’t graduate. Started Oracle 1977; took public a day before Microsoft in 1986.

#7 Bernard Arnault

$27.5 billion

Luxury goods, France.

Bling is back, helping fashion icon grab title of richest European as shares of his luxury goods outfit LVMH–maker of Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon–surge 57%. LVMH is developing upscale Shanghai commercial property, L’Avenue Shanghai, with Macau billionaire Stanley Ho.

#8 Eike Batista

$27 billion

Mining, oil. Brazil.

Vowing to become world’s richest man–and he may be on his way. This year’s biggest gainer added $19.5 billion to his personal balance sheet. Son of Brazil’s revered former mining minister who presided over mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce got his start in gold trading and mining.

#9 Amancio Ortega

$25 billion

Fashion retail, Spain.

Style maven lords over Inditex; fashion firm, which operates under several brand names including Zara, Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius, has 4,500 stores in 73 countries including new spots in Mexico and Syria. Set up joint venture with Tata Group subsidiary to enter India in 2010. Betting on Florida real estate: bought Coral Gables office tower that is currently home to Bacardi USA.

#10 Karl Albrecht

$23.5 billion

Supermarkets, Germany.

Owns discount supermarket giant Aldi Sud, one of Germany’s (and Europe’s) dominant grocers. Has 1,000 stores in U.S. across 29 states. Estimated sales: $37 billion. Plans to open New York City store this year. With younger brother, Theo, transformed mother’s corner grocery store into Aldi after World War II. Brothers split ownership in 1961; Karl took the stores in southern Germany, plus the rights to the brand in the U.K., Australia and the U.S. Theo got northern Germany and the rest of Europe.

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So on the 6th February 2010, Facebook celebrated their 6th birthday!!

And the site still shows no sign of slowing down…

Last year, before Facebook’s 5th birthday, Mark Zuckerberg wrote:

“Tomorrow is Facebook’s 5th birthday. This is a happy occasion for Facebook, but much more significant to the Facebook team is the fact that over 150 million people around the world are using Facebook to connect with the people in their lives. Facebook was founded in 2004 to give people the tools to engage and understand the world around them. We are glad and humbled that so many people are using Facebook in this way.”

I wonder if he made a birthday wish for an extra 250 million facebook users in 2009, cos if he did, then his wish came true..

This year Mark said:

“Today we’re celebrating our sixth birthday, and this week there will be 400 million people on Facebook. Just one year ago we served less than half as many people, and thanks to you we’ve made great progress over the last year towards making the world more open and connected.”

Happy Birthday Facebook!

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How many of you know where the black box is located on the plane? Or whether the pilot sits on the left or right side of the cockpit?

Well the newly re-branded Kulula airlines of South Africa, has the plane’s anatomy clearly marked out as the plane’s graphics..

What do you think of this?

Its definitely informational…

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