Topic: Clothing

National Spelling Bee: 10 winning business words

In the National Spelling Bee’s 85-year existence, a wide range of words have crowned the winners – from science words like ‘crustaceology,’ to musical terms such as ‘soubrette,’ and ‘appoggiatura.’ The list of winning words also includes several that could slide right into the pages of this newspaper’s business section. In honor of the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee, here are 10 business words from past years that have determined the champion. Will this year’s winning word make the list?

How Peter Carl Fabergé is the Steve Jobs of bejeweled eggs

Google is celebrating the 166th birthday of Peter Carl Fabergé, whose ornate eggs made him the Steve Jobs of his day. But with eggs instead of consumer electronics. 

Jessica Simpson: New maternity clothing line to show off baby bumps.

Jessica Simpson says her a 'vintage '70s' maternity clothing line is for moms to proudly show off their "baby bumps." Indeed.

23 ways to save money on clothes

Americans spend an average of $1,700 per year on clothing and accessories. But there are plenty of ways to trim the bill and still look good.

Gideon Sunback zipper Google doodle: 10 great books about zippers

From picture books to history tomes, here are 10 books about zippers – an invention we couldn't get along without.

Save money with basic sewing skills

A ripped hem or loose button doesn't have to mean a pricey repair. With basic sewing skills, garments are mended in short order, which means they continue to be useful pieces of your wardrobe and save you from the expense of having to buy new ones.

New clothes won't make you happy...for long

Never buy clothes just for the emotional rush of having something new. Instead, focus on emotional boosts that have better long term outcomes.

When should you buy brand name clothes?

Almost every article of clothing you buy has a brand label on it somewhere. Does paying attention make you a "brand snob" or a discerning consumer? 

7 classic fashion mistakes and why we make them

In her new book 'You Are What You Wear,' Dr. Jennifer Baumgartner, tells us what our fashion mistakes say about us.

6 stories from a veteran flight attendant

In 'Cruising Attitude,' flight attendant Heather Poole shares stories from her years in the air.

Ali Wentworth: 8 stories from an inside-the-Beltway childhood

From her new memoir 'Ali in Wonderland,' the actress and comedian shares memories of her Washington D.C. upbringing and later life as a wife and mother.

Charles Dickens: His 10 most memorable characters

To celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens, here is a tribute to 10 of his most unforgettable characters.

Skip the dryer, save $200

Air drying your clothes instead of using the dryer will save you up to $200 per year. Here's how.

Here's exactly how much you'll save doing laundry in cold water

The numbers are clear: if you wash on hot, you’re dumping water and money down the drain.

After the holidays, so much to unpack!

The Monitor's language columnist on the usefulness of the suitcase metaphor.

Sweater vests from Rick Santorum: overpriced?

Sweater vests are available from Rick Santorum's campaign for a $100 contribution. But many stores sell sweater vests for less than $50. So where should true conservatives shop?

Rick Santorum sweater vest: 'What not to wear' or sleeveless genius?

Rick Santorum's sleeveless sweater vest has taken on a life of its own this week, even garnishing its own Twitter account. Candidates' sartorial choices many times take on special significance.

10 top etiquette tips for the social-media age

In his new book 'Social Q's,' columnist Philip Galanes offers suggestions for today's social quandaries.

Seven worst Christmas toys for kids

This year’s list of the worst toys is brought to you by plastics, those bright synthetic polymers that threaten to overtake the living rooms of middle-class parents. They can be classified into three categories: those that assault our senses, those that skank-ify our daughters, and those so bizarre they deserve a spot on late-night TV. Don’t be fooled. Many of these toys make great gifts, at least for someone else’s child, ideally someone who lives out of state. Here's my list of the Top 7 worst Christmas toys for 2011: 

Dunder Mifflin: 'Office' paper now real. Can it top these fiction-to-fact products?

Dunder Mifflin paper – the product at the heart of NBC’s hit comedy “The Office” NBC Universal – is now a real product. It's even on sale, $34.95 for a 20-pound carton, at online office supplier quill.com and the NBC online store. Manufactured by quill.com, the paper bears the Dunder Mifflin logo and slogans “Limitless paper in a paperless world” and “Quabity first." Dunder Mifflin paper is the latest in a long line fictional TV and film goods that turn into successful products. Will "The Office" office paper do as well as these Top 6 items?

Thanksgiving Google doodle turkey lays 12 Easter eggs

The Thanksgiving turkey on Google's home page comes with a full wardrobe. You can change the bird's feathers, hairstyle, and even footwear. In fact, by our calculations – keeping in mind that all of our finance and tech support staff have already left for the holiday, leaving us with an office full of liberal arts majors – Google's turkey has 2,985,984 possible combinations.

Among those, there are 12 secret combinations. Find the right outfit and – poof! – the turkey reveals several bonus accessories. However, discovering all 12 could take you longer than cooking a Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings. Fear not! We found each of the outfits so that you don't have to. Sit back and enjoy.

Five surprising facts from the new Steve Jobs biography

Steve Jobs, the man who put the "i" in technology, was a fascinating character who continues to inspire and confound. Why the black turtlenecks? How did he foresee (create?) the iPhone revolution? What was the secret to his presentation style?

Walter Isaacson's new book "Steve Jobs," which just hit stores, attempts to answer these questions. The 571-page biography released on Oct. 24 to glowing reviews. The author conducted more than 100 interviews for the book – including more than 40 with the Apple CEO himself.

Here are five of key excerpts.

Saggy pants ban is paying off for Georgia town

Saggy pants ban has been profitable for Albany, Georgia. Over one hundred citations have been written to people in violation of the saggy pants ban.

Dancing with the Stars: Can it help a career?

"Dancing with the Stars," now in its 13^th season on ABC, offers its celebrity contenders a huge amount of exposure – but not much of a career boost. Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis, bounced Tuesday in the second round, is likely to go back to her preshow level of popularity, as have most of the 160 "Dancing With the Stars" contestants. But a few have bucked the trend. Using the show's extraordinary exposure – this year's premiere netted 18.6 million viewers, nearly six times the highest ratings that DWTS contestant Nancy Grace ever got on her eponymous HLN show and more than double what DWTS competitor and US soccer goalie Hope Solo got in the Women’s World Cup final this summer – these five contestants have seen their careers take off. Can you guess who was tops?