Couture Central

The holiday season is coming around, so that means it’s time to start getting together your gift recipiant list and start figuring out what gifts you’re going to buy. For many people, gift cards are a favorite and of course just like with any gift there are some gift cards that are better than others. Many of the gift cards that are available most people have heard of but there are a few that may surprise you. If you’re looking to avoid the post office this holiday season, consider sending E-gift cards.

Below is my list of the Most Wanted Gift Cards of the Holiday Season for 2010.

• Gilt Groupe E-Card
• Loews
• Home Depot
• Victoria Secret
• Southwest Airlines
• American Airlines
• Amazon.com
• Bloomingdales
• Macy’s
• Four Season’s Hotel
• Ritz Carlton Hotel
• Barney’s New York
• Nordstrom’s
• Visa
• American Express
• Spa Finders
• Best Buy
• Williams-Sonoma
• Travelocity
• iTunes
• Sephora
• Harrods

Mariah Carey & Nick Cannon just announced on the Today Show they are expectinga baby in the Spring. Rumors have been swirling for months that Mariah is expecting a boyin April. Mariah did not want to go into much detail about her exact due date; she only mentioned she was still early in her pregnancy. Mariah went on to say during her Today Show interview that she suffered a miscarriage 2 years ago; that is why they have been so secretive about her pregnancy.

Michelle Obama has received a tremendous amount of attention for her sense of fashion even before assuming her title as The First Lady. Michelle did not receive the most positive attention at the events following the inauguration. We will never forget that dreadful Jason Wu gown she wore at the Neighborhood Ball. Today, we are taking to celebrate Michelle Obama bringing the glamor back to The White House; we are very excited to see Michelle Obama’s style continue to evolve. This week we were especially impressed with her total look; even her hairstyle looks fabulous and it frames her face perfectly!

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This week, news surfaced that ex Mouseketeer and pop sensation Christina Aguilera and her music producer husband have separated and filed for divorce. They have one child together Max Liron Bratman who is 2 years old. Apparently the two have been separated for approximately 4 months. Jordan was spotted at an attorney’s office Wednesday, obviously he must have been preparing for the divorce filing TMZ recently reported that allegedly Christina Aguilera was unfaithful to her husband. Neither camp is saying much, except for the fact that they are both commited to raising their son Max. As we rap up 2010 Christina Aguilera and a whole host of other celebrities are looking forward to their single status to ring in 2011.

Kanye West is known for being a talented musician and producer, and perhaps for his eccentricities. Over the last month, Kanye West has become a total fashionisto with his trend-setting fashion; we could not pass up the opportunity to give him kudos for his look. Of course Kanye has always had his own great sense of style, but he looks more comfortable and confident than ever.

We love his use of colors, accessories, and how unpredictable Kanye’s fashion selection can be. He’s a man comfortable in his own skin and he believes in his fashion choices and that’s what we love more than anything.

Perhaps performing at the VMAs helped put many things in perspective in his life. We think he realizes everyone is over the whole Taylor Swift drama, it wasn’t a big deal in the first place. We applaud Kanye for rising from the ashes and coming out on top as usual. More than ever, his fans can feel his explosive energy that he puts in his music in his fashion. We are hoping to see Kanye create a fashion line.

If you’re the true fashion fanatic who wants everything top of the line, you must enter the world of exclusive shopping clubs or “invitation only shopping”. There are three websites that offer members access to fashion from some of the world’s hottest designers at reduced prices. These websites are selling second rate designer fashions like many retailers. They are offering fashions that are fitting of the quality that many of Hollywood’s elite are wearing. I bet many of A-listers shop on these websites. These websites come highly recommended by fashion magazines such as InStyle Magazine. If anyone is interested in becoming a member, post a comment with your email address, and you will be personally invited to these sites . There are also invite links available for some of the sites. I have personally shopped at all of the sites, there is a rating for each site. Enjoy!

Rating System:

******= Excellent; timely deliveries, excellent selection, fabulous deals
****= Good selection; decent variety; good deals
***= Decent selection, lacks variety, worth checking out; good deals
**= good merchandise, “an okay place to shop every blue moon”.

*= Check out every once in awhile for a good deal.

• Swirl *****
• Rue La La *****
• Billion Dollar Babes***
• Beyond The Rack*****
• Gilt Groupe *****
• Invite Link for Gilt Groupe
• Haute Look ****
• Editor’s Closet ****
• Ideeli*****
• Invite Link for Ideeli
• I Shop Fem ****
• The Top Secret ****
• DD Push ****
• Regents Secret **
• Gomatta Girls ****
• Catwalk To Closet ****
• Beyond the Rack *****
• Glamlist ****

All of these sites sell men’s, women’s, and childrens clothing and accessories, on occasion they are known to have some decor for the home. Gilt Groupe has added Gilt City to their collection; a new site to experience the best of some of the metropolitan cities in the U.S. We’ve seen VIP passes to awards shows, top rated restaurant experiences, and more!!!

For fans of the show Dancing With the Stars, new controversy brewed this week. Last week Michael Bolton’s dance was referred to as being one of worst of all of the seasons he expressed his he wanted an apology issued by judge Bruno Tonioli. The show producers did not force Bruno to issue an apology to Michael for his rude comments; however, Michael was invited back to the show this week to sing instead of dance. Supposedly, it was never planned this way because Michael was a last minute replacement for “Britain’s Got Talent” singer Susan Boyle (who was suffering from health issues the day of the performance). Everyone anticipated there would be an apology issued to Michael Bolton, but nothing was displayed publicly. Even celebrities such as Kirstie Alley have expressed their discontent over Tonioli’s disrespectful comments. Michael also shared that he made a special effort to fly his elderly mother in for what he thought would be a fabulous event; WHAT A DISASTER!

Perhaps the former Princess of Pop Britney Spears still has some star power and a little extra money left over from her crazy shopping sprees. Yesterday, Britney decided she wanted to take her kids on the Dumbo ride at Disneyland. If you can imagine security was also securing the area for Britney. It’s a tough break for the hardworking park-goers who had to wait to take their children on the Dumbo ride until Britney was done..
Maybe she’s looking to distract us from her latest scandal involving an ex bodyguard who is suing her. On top of this, there’s supposedly wedding planning going on.. We will see what happens, so far Brit does not have the best record when it comes to marriages.

I love to travel, a lot, and I love to learn from other fellow travelers. Instead of following a guide book, I enjoy meeting people along my travels and pick up tips, tricks, and recommendations where to stay and what to avoid. This is the aim of the 2010 Couture Central Travel Spectacular Survey, to learn as much as possible from great travelers and maybe pickup some recommendations as to where to go on my next trip.

The survey take less than five minutes to fill out, the results will be posted here on Couture Central in the near future. All personal information will be keep private, this is just another way to learn from savvy travelers and budget hunters.

Today, throughout news media and twitter it was announced that Rich Cronin, ex-lead singer of boyband LFO (Lyte Funky Ones) passed away on September. Rich Cronin was famous for writing some of the most popular songs of the late ’90s such as “Summer Girls” and “Girl On TV”.

Rich Cronin’s death was associated with complications from acute myelogenous leukemia (a condition he was diagnosed with in 2005). Rich went through remission two times during his struggle; he became an advocate for the cause and created the Rich Cronin Hope Foundation.

In Rich’s last years he was featured on VH1’s Reality Show Mission: Man Band (a show that featured former boy band singers who wanted to revitalize their careers). Rich also released a solo album called “Billion Dollar Sound” which can be found at iTunes. Between 2006-2008 Rich was a member of a rap duo with Doug Ray, they called themselves Loose Cannons.

In summer of 2009, Rich reunited with his bandmates Devin Lima and Brad Fishchetti for a tour. The reunion was short lived, the band broke up once again. The moments that Rich shared as a member of LFO were priceless to him.

Services for Rich Cronin will be held at 10 a.m. on September 13, 2010 in St. Joseph Church in Kingston. Burial will be in Vine Hills Cemetery in Plymouth. If fans care to leave messages please view his obituary on the. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Rich’s foundation. Donations can be made in Richard’s name to the: Rich Cronin Hope Foundation c/o Eastern Bank 108 Main St. Kingston, MA 02364.