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This casual outfit is from 2 weeks ago when we had our first snow in our area ( a short one), and Bogdan and I went to Ikea for a small update in decoration category for Holidays. I don't know why I chose white jeans in a day like that, all I know is that I loved the blue-white-grey combination :) and I couldn't wait for a sunny day to wear it. For the first time I got to wear my Supra sneakers along with a white sweater, skinny jeans, masculine grey coat, and these statement bracelets received from Lumiere Collection.com 




                                                                          Bracelets: thanks to Lumiere Collection/ Here
                                                                          Coat: hanks to Sheinside/ option Here
                                                                          Sweater: Dockers
                                                                          Jeans: Mango/ similar Here 
                                                                          Sneakers: Supra/ option  Here  and Here 
                                                                          Bag: Cynthia Rowley/ another great one Here
                                                                          Sunglasses: courtesy to zeroUV

Lately I have an affinity for pastels, blush colors and lilac in particular. I don't like to play favorites( because I love all the colors) but I couldn't resist to this great combination of light lilac and camel. This idea combination came into my mind when I received this two level pants ( thanks to Choies.com). To articulate these colors even more, I added a burgundy bag and one of my new DIY necklace from "Bittersweet Colours Accents "collection. The vibrant pink color against the camel top is like icing on the cake :) don't you think ?




                                                                               Leather coat: Kenneth Cole/ option Here
                                                                               Top: Cherokee
                                                                               Bag: Innue/ similar Here
                                                                               Pants: thanks to Choies.com/ Here
                                                                               Shoes: Aldo/ option Here 
                                                                               Necklace: DIY, made by Bogdan and I

December 7, 2012
Sears accused of misleading public on Craftsman line


The best tool for the job is apparently a black marker. Sigh.

See Also:
The Softer Side of Sears (Musical Tribute)
Our Pillars of Retail Strength

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In addition to changing demographics, rising divorce rates, and a poor economy since 2000, there's also the following.

October 9, 2012
As Protestants decline, those with no religion gain


For what it is worth, I'm a nonbeliever in a great many things. The resilience of the economy? The claims of politicians? A one true religion? You name it.


Candy Mountain



Got kidney?

See Also:
Skepticism

Source Data:
St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart

Long-Term


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@#$%!


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@#$%!

Short-Term


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@#$%!


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@#$%!

Let's take it back to 1984 yet again.


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@#$%!

See Also:
40.8 Million Missing Jobs

Source Data:
St. Louis Fed: All Employees: Total nonfarm

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny


More federal power statism being exerted into the role that many believe ought to be reserved for the "Several States." I find myself thinking on just how the rEpublican right, and the social conservatives, both whom should support Washington and Colorado on this will ultimately come down.

WASHINGTON — Senior White House and Justice Department officials are considering plans for legal action against Colorado and Washington that could undermine voter-approved initiatives to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in those states, according to several people familiar with the deliberations.

Even as marijuana legalization supporters are celebrating their victories in the two states, the Obama administration has been holding high-level meetings since the election to debate the response of federal law enforcement agencies to the decriminalization efforts.

Marijuana use in both states continues to be illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. One option is to sue the states on the grounds that any effort to regulate marijuana is pre-empted by federal law. Should the Justice Department prevail, it would raise the possibility of striking down the entire initiatives on the theory that voters would not have approved legalizing the drug without tight regulations and licensing similar to controls on hard alcohol.

Some law enforcement officials, alarmed at the prospect that marijuana users in both states could get used to flouting federal law openly, are said to be pushing for a stern response. But such a response would raise political complications for President Obama because marijuana legalization is popular among liberal Democrats who just turned out to re-elect him.

“It’s a sticky wicket for Obama,” said Bruce Buchanan, a political science professor at the University of Texas at Austin, saying any aggressive move on such a high-profile question would be seen as “a slap in the face to his base right after they’ve just handed him a chance to realize his presidential dreams.”

Federal officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter. Several cautioned that the issue had raised complex legal and policy considerations — including enforcement priorities, litigation strategy and the impact of international antidrug treaties — that remain unresolved, and that no decision was imminent.

The Obama administration declined to comment on the deliberations, but pointed to a statement the Justice Department issued on Wednesday — the day before the initiative took effect in Washington — in the name of the United States attorney in Seattle, Jenny A. Durkan. She warned Washington residents that the drug remained illegal.

“In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance,” she said. “Regardless of any changes in state law, including the change that will go into effect on December 6 in Washington State, growing, selling or possessing any amount of marijuana remains illegal under federal law.”

Ms. Durkan’s statement also hinted at the deliberations behind closed doors, saying: “The Department of Justice is reviewing the legalization initiatives recently passed in Colorado and Washington State. The department’s responsibility to enforce the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged.”

Federal officials have relied on their more numerous state and local counterparts to handle smaller marijuana cases. ... {Read More}

Looking forward to the debate that will without a doubt occur. Casting my vote for the States Right contingency. But undoubtedly a sticky wicket. Perhaps for both sides.

Via: Memeorandum

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All things being equal, the odds of being laid off in a given week are currently 360 to 1. Employees haven't been this "safe" since the dotcom bubble and the housing bubble. Hurray.

Every nonfarm payroll worker gets a chance to play this game each and every week. Households with two workers get to play twice. It's just like playing Powerball. The odds are so much better though!

At 360 to 1 odds per week, the chance that a single worker can go 5 years without a layoff is 49%.

(359/360)^(52*5) = 49%

The chance that both workers in a two-earner household can go 5 years without a layoff falls to a much lower 24%.

(359/360)^(52*5*2) = 24%

That poses a serious problem for households which require two incomes to make the mortgage payments. Who thinks banks factored this math in when making the mortgage loans? I sure don't. Sigh.

And lastly, I strongly believe that we will return to the blue median trend line at some point in the not too distant future (and quite possibly well below it). Factor in that I've been a permabear since 2004. Your opinion may vary.

Disclosure: I've seen the unemployment lines twice in my life, which is pretty much par for the course. Look how many times I dodged the bullets though.

See Also:
Sarcasm Disclaimer

Source Data:
St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart

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I don't see how it is possible to blame all of this on the hurricane.

See Also:
Extreme Initial Claims Danger v.25

Source Data:
St. Louis Fed: Initial Claims
DOL: Initial Claims

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny

Marco Rubio when asked if homosexuality is a sin handled the question like a real professional politician. While saying his faith considers it a sin he went on to say there are a whole bunch of other sins as well. I guess an affirmative but without actually saying the words "I consider it a sin", or answering simply "yes." He added that from a policy position while his faith informs him on decisions he doesn't go around pointing fingers.

... "I can tell you what faith teaches, and faith teaches that it is. And that's what the Bible teaches ... but it also teaches that there are a bunch of other sins that are no less. It teaches that lying is a sin, it teaches that disrespecting your parents is a sin, it teaches that stealing is a sin, it teaches that coveting your neighbor and what your neighbor has is a sin," Rubio said. "So, there isn't a person in this room that isn't guilty of sin. I don't go around pointing fingers in that regard."

On a personal level, he said, "I'm responsible for my salvation, and I'm responsible for my family's and for inculcating in my family what our faith teaches. And then they'll become adults and decide how they want to apply that in life."

Regarding his choices as a lawmaker or, presumably, candidate for other office, Rubio said, "As a policymaker, I can just tell you that I'm informed by my faith and my faith informs me in who I am as a person. But not as a way to pass judgment on people."

Rubio, who gave a speech at this year's Republican National Convention on the same night Mitt Romney accepted his party's nomination, often is considered a possible contender for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination — giving his remarks further importance than they might otherwise have.

Rubio has a mixed voting record on LGBT issues in his short time in Congress, having received a 47% ranking from the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT rights group, in this Congress. Beyond his votes, he has opposed same-sex couples' marriage rights and recently recorded a call in support of the National Organization for Marriage's election efforts in 2012.

Of his Wednesday comments, though, HRC Vice President for Communications Fred Sainz said, "It's a shame that Senator Rubio falls outside the mainstream of the majority of people of faith who view supporting equality for LGBT people as an extension of their faith. ... {Read More}

It would have been refreshing if Rubio had simply said no and let it go at that. But of course preserving the support of the socons is all important in a rEpublican party that seems sometime to be informed more by faith than by reality or reason.

Via: Memeorandum

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Liberty -vs- Tyranny

Bill Clinton is urging the "faithful" not to be too discouraged with what they see going on in inept Washington DC as discussions continue in an attempt to broker a deal between rEpublicans and dEmocrats to avert the fiscal cliff. During his lecture session he played coy as to whether Hillary would make another run for the "Crown" in 2016.

The Hill - Former President Bill Clinton sought to strike a comforting tone Wednesday, telling a lecture audience they shouldn't "get too disgusted" by ongoing budget negotiations in Washington.

"Don't get too disgusted by what you see — they're doing a little dance now," Clinton said, equating the two sides to sumo wrestlers circling one another in the ring. "I'll be very surprised if they don't do a reasonably acceptable deal."

The president made the remarks, reported by the San Jose Mercury News, at De Anza College's Flint Center as part of the 45th Annual Celebrity Forum Speakers Series.

Clinton said a deal would be struck, but that it must include Republicans allowing the Bush-era tax cuts to expire.

Clinton was also asked about the odds his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, would make a presidential bid of her own in 2016. Clinton called his wife "the most gifted person in public service in my generation," but played coy about a possible bid.

"If I did know, I wouldn't tell you," he said.

My prediction on both... Congress and the President ultimately agree on a deal that continues to kick the can done the road thus passing the problem to a different administration and Congress to resolve... Hillary is most certainly putting on her running shoes. Oy Vey!

Via: Memeorandum

There is nothing I hate worse than bragging on myself. Beyond ironic statement as there is this whole blog thing going on, I know. But that is a post for another time.

I however, have no problem bragging on those that I know.

So as I get ready to do some heavy duty Christmas wrapping this weekend, I thought I would share two wonderful and very different gift wrapping options by people I just happen to know.

First up we have my college friend Keely. Girlfriend is a mega talented graphic designer and her house is always amazing (which you know I love). She gives Martha Stewart a run for her money and the cherry on top - she's funny. Really funny. Enter her Snarky Gift Tags.

These are right up my alley as there is nothing I love more than a smart ass comment to go with my holiday cheer. Check out her Etsy store and buy these suckers up before they are all gone.

Secondly, I'm lucky enough to know Carrie Kiefer. She is my cousin's wife (so my cousin-in-law?) and half of the Ampersand Design Studio. Carrie's talent is just beyond - you should have seen her wedding. And to top it off, she's just about the sweetest girl around. She and her partner are making major waves with their prints, their fabric and their all around killer talent.

Their printable gift tags were featured in the best gift guide ever, To & From, that I mentioned last week.


Two great ways to add some major style to your packages this year.

So was I right or what? I know some pretty talented people! Have you wrapped anything yet? Have you bought anything yet?

And btw, thanks for all of the great advent advice, you all are the best!!

As I promised you yesterday, here is the outfit that I wore at Bogdan's and I first jewelry exhibition. In my characteristic way I combined bright colors, as this oversize orange blazer and top, with patterned wide leg pants and, of course I couldn't wear as accessories anything else than one of our colorful DIY creations, the "colorful comets" necklace. Nothing spectacular but for sure was comfortable and most of all colorful, the way I like it. I hope you like it too!



The winners of the  zeroUV Giveaway are: Iris Truta and Vanda!Congrats!! I'll contact you soon for more details about the prize.

                                                                        Blazer: Coldwater Creek/ option Here
                                                                        Top: Divided/ option /Here
                                                                        Bag: vintage
                                                                        Heels: Nine West/ similar Here
                                                                        Necklace: DIY made by Bogdan and I
                                                                        Pants: Body by Victoria/ another great option Here 

November 21, 2012
Macau grapples with booming casino economy


Good thing we know better!

December 4, 2012
Olive Garden parent cuts view on restaurant sales drop