Take Average Josephine's advice: Pack smart for your winter vacation

With the crazy weather Michigan has been suffering through lately, Average Josephine has decided to focus her attention away from sweaters, winter coats, and boots. Instead, she has started planning her resort collection.

Like many snow birds, Average Josephine likes to get away to warmer weather for a week in the winter. And of course, it wouldn't be Average Josephine if she didn't get a few new pieces to celebrate.

If you're planning a getaway this winter, here are some of the essentials you'll need to pack.

A hat. While big floppy hats are the choice of many women on holiday,diorhandbags Average Josephine recently purchased a crisp white fedora. It's simply stunning. If you have a larger head, you can purchase a men's version in a larger size and wrap a colorful headband or scarf on it to make it feminine. This is a tres chic look and nobody will know it wasn't bought in your favorite boutique. Amazon.com sells them for less than $35.

A flat pair of sandals. Although your instinct is to purchase a cute high heel or a wedge (what the heck, you can always buy two pair!), Average Josephine suggests you bring a flat pair with you. Your poor feet have been in socks and boots all winter and won't be tough enough yet to go barefoot AND high-heeled. Mark Average Josephine's words — by vacation day three, you'll need something that's easier to walk in.

A cute sundress. Average Josephine loves the peacock prints that are showing up. The color is universally flattering,ralphlaurenhoody and a print is very forgiving, if you haven't made your Zumba class as often as you'd like.

A swimsuit. Yes,wholesalebags even if you are carrying a few extra pounds. Everyone deserves to swim. If you don't already have one you like, look for separates. A skirted bottom with a tank on top from Lands End is Average Josephine's suit of choice.hermeshandbags Don't be that person who refuses to wear a suit because she thinks she is too old/fat/pale/whatever. Get a sarong and go have some fun.

A great bag to carry to the beach. Average Josephine swears she has a tote bag from every resort she's ever been too, because she always forgets to bring one. This year will be different! Target has some extremely delightful bags and she's going to pick up one BEFORE she leaves (and save the extra money she'd normally spend on a ridiculously expensive tote bag from the hotel gift shop).philliplimhandbags

'Bag: This is how you pick a college

Every week, your humble college basketball hoops blogger (er, me) will respond to your questions, comments and nonsensical rants in this here Hoopsbag. To submit a query, visit this page by clicking the link under my name in the upper right-hand corner of the blog. You can also email me or send me your entries via Twitter. (Honestly, the best way to get me is Twitter.)

Per the usual, we begin with a video. Remember: For the rest of the 2012 season, Hoopsbag will run on Tuesdays. Adjust your correspondence accordingly.We invite you to visit our latest collection of monclerouterwear. (Today, because I was doing TV and traveling all day yesterday, we went ahead and pushed it back. It's hard to do the Hoopsbag when you're politely arguing with Len Elmore for three hours.)

Nick DeMott in Sterling, Va. writes: Being a high school senior, I want to highly base my decision on which college to attend on college basketball teams that could be primed for national success the next year or two (among other things). As absurd as the question may sound, I'm interested in knowing which of the following teams have the most potential: Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Villanova.

Brennan: Nick, the Hoopsbag salutes you! So many high school seniors choose their colleges based on silly things like "Which major am I interested in?" and "What kind of job can I get with this degree?" and "How nice is the campus?" Or at least that's what they say. It's refreshing to hear from a young man who has no illusions about what he wants from his higher education experience.We have been a high reputed shoppingbagfactory for quite a long time, Wherever you go, you're going to be just fine, Nick. (Besides,The reliable Aquatimer lancelhandbags. those are all really good schools!)

If I had to advise you to select one based solely on impending basketball success,Take advantage of our hermeshandbags today. I'd probably have to say Villanova. The Wildcats are struggling this season,I'm looking to buy a pradahandbags can anyone direct me? but Jay Wright's program has been one of the nation's most consistent over the past decade, he's got a decent batch of young talent on campus and has already landed two top-100 recruits for the 2012 class. Nova may be down this season, but it'll be back sooner rather than later, and it's hard to say the same for Wake Forest (still in rebuilding mode) or Virginia Tech (still looking for that first NCAA tournament berth under Seth Greenberg).

The other option is Virginia. The Cavaliers have done nothing but improve under Tony Bennett, and in 2011, forward Mike Scott's hyper-efficient, POY-discussion-worthy play has put Virginia back in the ACC and national conversations. Bennett is recruiting well, too: He notched two top-100 players in 2011 and three in 2012. While that is hardly a guaranteed predictor of success -- and I'd be a little concerned about a post-Scott regression next season, from a sheer fan enjoyment standpoint -- the same rule applies to the Wildcats, too. Good options, both.

Choose wisely, my boy. The 'Bag wishes you and all current or impending college students a career full of intense and devoted basketball success. When you're on campus, there's nothing quite like it.

Emirates set for a year of spending lavishly

Fireworks, Chinese New Year-themed events,goodchloehandbags and a tradition of giving guests red envelopes, or Lai See, with lucky money are among the celebrations the hotel has laid on for the occasion.

"The appeal of coming to Dubai is very much the shopping," Mr Armitage says.

This is partly because of the luxury goods tax in China,goodfendihandbags although there are other benefits to shopping in Dubai's glitzy malls.

"There's a cachet to international travel, and there's definitely a cachet to going back home with your Louis Vuitton handbag that you've bought in Dubai as opposed to one just bought in Shanghai," Mr Armitage says.

Atlantis has quickly recognised the potential for growth in tourism from the Asian powerhouse, just like many other high-end hotels in the Emirates.

"We've really had a great run with the Chinese market,replicahandbags which we started developing last year,hermeshandbags" Mr Armitage says.rolexuhrenshop "I was over in China and last year we opened our office in Shanghai.

"Outbound travel from China is a relatively new thing, so what we typically see coming to Dubai is travellers who have already been to neighbouring Asian countries," he says. "The travellers that are coming to Dubai have probably already done three or four different trips and are looking for a different experience."

But it is not only the UAE that is benefiting from China's booming economy. Tourists from China are also flocking to other high-end destinations such as the Maldives and Switzerland.

"Asian markets are buoyant," says Gaurav Sinha, the managing director of Insignia, a brand communications firm specialising in luxury and travel. "Travellers from these markets enjoy Dubai's culture, weather, shopping and leisure attractions as well as it being a family-friendly destination."

The Burj Al Arab, the sail-shaped luxury hotel in Dubai, is taking the Chinese New Year celebrations seriously. About 80 per cent of its guests during the holiday last year came from China.