AP9 Articles

AP9 Essentials Brings Spring Runway Styles to Your Closet

As the new season approaches and temperatures stay above normal during winter, it’s easier for consumers to start thinking about spring fashion, reports AP9 Essentials, a leading discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®.

There’s good news for those who want to look in style but also save money. The adaptable jersey and thin knits that have been in vogue during the fall and winter can be used again during spring of 2007. And to add to those savings, members of AP9 Essentials can purchase new items, fresh off the runways, by using their money-saving benefits at major retailers all over the country.

Two main trends govern the world of fashion for the upcoming season: one has a futuristic edge, with lots of metallic elements and sleek forms. The second one has a sweet touch, more feminine and soft. AP9 Essentials gives you some fashion highlights for spring ’07:

--Layering separates. The layered look allows you to combine both big trends easily. You can wear sleek, male-shaped pants with a floral silk shirt and a cropped jacket (yes, this style still rocks, no matter the season).

--Rainbow-like hues. Color and more color is what designers added to their ’07 collections. The idea is to make a statement with accessories full of color, or to stand out with one piece in a vibrant hue while the rest of the outfit is subtler.

--All about the details. Dig up your trench coats or make sure to get a nice one, with delicate touches or a splash of color. Trenches are back this year, and they can be the magic touch to make a simple jean and t-shirt ensemble a look that catches everyone’s attention.

--Nothing more feminine. The dress is a key piece for ’07. It’s back for winter with tights and long coats, and it’s a major element of next spring’s look. Pick your favorites among floral styles, long and simple, short and cute, multicolor or solid. Dresses are appropriate for day and night, as well as for the office or a more casual place. It all depends on the fabric and the style.

--Hemlines hiking up. Teenagers and twenty-something women will be happy to hear that mini- and micro-skirts are no longer a total no-no. Short skirts are part of the spring wardrobe, and the rule of thumb to wear them is: the younger the girl, the higher the hem.

--Pants lovers. Pants are not forgotten this spring. The skinny pants are not going anywhere, although the wide-leg jeans and pants are also well received. The suit pants are a must-have, as are jackets and pieces with a slight masculine style.

Take these guidelines, and mix them up according to your personal style. The rule for this year is to break the rules, make your own combinations, and shop around for timeless pieces, reports AP9 Essentials.

AP9 Essentials Helps Job Seekers Navigate the

It may be cliché, but there really is only one chance to make a first impression. That’s why AP9 Essentials, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, wants to help its members dress for success when interviewing for jobs. Members can also get tips on how to maintain an image that will help propel them up the ladder — once they’ve reached that initial rung.

AP9 Essentials members may take advantage of their money-saving benefits whenever they need to by logging on to DealPass.com, an online portal for Adaptive Marketing membership programs.

Interviewing for jobs can be pretty daunting — especially for all the “first timers” out there. Whether it’s right or wrong is clearly open to debate, but the initial interview can make or break a job candidate’s chances. AP9 Essentials understands this reality and offers members tips on how to make that first impression count — and perhaps more importantly, make it last. AP9 Essentials offers the following five tips on dressing for success:

-- Dress to attract — not to distract. Look businesslike, but try to show some style too. Don’t look so corporate that it seems… well, boring. Instead, aim for an ensemble that appears well-coordinated, highlighted by a tailored jacket or suit.

-- Stay ready at all times. Once the overall interview process has begun, appointments may start coming in buckets. Be ready. Have at least three outfits (traditional business or business casual, if necessary) pressed and ready to wear.

-- Play the game. Even though it has been argued that “Clothes don’t make the man” (or woman), in an interview environment they might. Just like carefully tailored jackets and suits, think carefully about shirt selection. There are no precise rules, but consider wearing long sleeves. Bare arms may send the wrong message — regardless of gender.

-- Dress for the job you want. This can be sound advice even after a job offer has been tendered. To look successful, look the part. Buy the best quality garments you can afford, and make adjustments to move towards the next goal. Dress and act in terms of “career” — not just “job.”

-- Walk the walk. Think in terms of the platitude, “Confident, not cocky.” Exude confidence in terms of dress, physical appearance and overall attitude. Smiling never hurts, either. In interviews and on the job, project an image that says, “I belong here.”

Knowing how to dress for success is just one of the many helpful hints and saving benefits available to AP9 Essentials members. So dress the part, and always look sharp. It’s that much easier with help from AP9 Essentials.

AP9 Essentials Gives Tips for Keeping Jewelry Sparkling Clean

For most women, finding the perfect piece of jewelry to accessorize an outfit can be more time consuming than choosing the outfit itself. AP9 Essentials, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, recommends regular jewelry cleanings to keep each piece looking polished as well as keeping you looking your best.

Millions of women are guilty at one time or another of cleaning the house, washing dishes, cooking and doing many other things that wreak havoc on jewelry. AP9 Essentials advises that jewelry should be considered an investment. Properly caring for your pieces will extend their wearable life as well as give that special touch of elegance to your wardrobe.

AP9 Essentials offers members-only discounts on jewelry, clothing, fashion accessories, personal care products and so much more. Members simply log on to DealPass.com to access their benefits. In addition to receiving up to 20% off of today’s fashion must-haves at nationally-known department and retail stores across the country, AP9 Essentials offers the following tips for easy jewelry clean up:

--Gold. Dip gold into a bowl of water and a small amount of dish soap. Rinse with warm water and buff with a clean cloth until shiny. Never use abrasive cleaners.

--Silver. Pour a small amount of silver-polishing on to a clean towel and smooth over silver. Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a clean towel. Never use abrasive cleaners, and never wear silver into a pool because the chlorine will damage the piece.

--Diamonds. For a quick shine, clean your diamond ring with toothpaste and a toothbrush. The toothbrush will allow you to get in between the prongs on your setting and the toothpaste will make your ring shine like your pearly whites. After cleaning, rinse the ring thoroughly under warm water and pat dry with a clean cloth.

--Pearls. Pearls can scratch easily so the best way to clean them is by using a mild soap and warm water. Dry them with a lint-free cloth and make sure they are completely dry before putting them away. Never use abrasive cleaners, household cleaning products containing ammonia, or harsh detergents.

In addition:

--Check jewelry for loose stones before cleaning. Cleaning could dislodge an unfastened stone.

--Always remember to plug the sink while cleaning jewelry so the piece does not go down the drain.

This article was brought to you by AP9 Essentials.

AP9 Essentials Provides Summer Hair Rescue Tips

A summer of sun, chlorine, wind and surf can take a toll on hair. Fortunately, there’s ways to combat the frizzy, drabby, dried out symptoms of summertime hair problems. AP9 Essentials, a membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, says that damaged hair can be prevented and even reversed with gentle treatments at a reasonable price.

By simply logging on to DealPass.com, AP9 Essentials members can save on a range of products and services that keep them looking their best. With discounts of up to 20% on purchases such as apparel, eyewear, sportswear, fashion accessories and of course, health and beauty aids and treatments, AP9 Essentials members can enjoy significant savings every day of the year.

AP9 Essentials suggests these tips to bring life back to summer-stressed hair.

-- Protection from the sun is key. Hats or caps are an easy way to cover hair and even prevent sunburn to the scalp.

-- Try a leave-in conditioner on days when swimming for long periods of time. This will help protect hair from salt and chlorine damage.

-- Limit exposure to hot hair treatments such as blow dryers, curling irons and straightening irons. Try air-drying hair or use a leave-in conditioner before using a heat-producing tool.

-- Drinking water helps hair and skin stay hydrated.

-- Avoid hair care products with alcohol or formaldehyde as they can dry out hair. Consider shampooing every other day, as shampoos can strip moisture from hair, but continue to use a daily conditioner.

-- Schedule regular hair appointments to combat split ends and frizziness. Consider a shorter style for faster drying time and easier styling.

-- For longer hairstyles, wearing hair in a ponytail, braid or similar knot can minimize frizz and other damage.

Taking the time to protect hair from summer stress will help minimize long-term effects. If hair is severely damaged, a stylist should be able to find the right regimen to correct problems. Helping members look their best without having to spend a fortune is the driving force behind of AP9 Essentials.

AP9 Essentials Gives the Skinny to Parents About Back-to-School Fashion for Teens

It’s back-to-school season – a time to say goodbye to the lazy days of summer and hello to early mornings and tight schedules. Parents are rushing from store to store purchasing essential items like school supplies and the latest fashion trends – all while trying to stay within a reasonable budget. Parents who are members of AP9 Essentials, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, have a less stressful time with their back-to-school budget, because they can save 20% on gift cards to most popular retailers in the nation.

AP9 Essentials members can simply log onto DealPass to take advantage of their money-saving benefits. With the budget anxieties out of the way, the next concern is trying to find a happy medium between what you think is appropriate to wear to school and what your teenager feels is appropriate. Tastes and styles seem to differ between parent and child. And what starts out as an innocent shopping trip with the kids can instantly turn into what feels like World War III.

AP9 Essentials provides some helpful tips on how to minimize tensions this back-to-school shopping season:

-- Make peace, not war. Now is a great opportunity to have a discussion about school fashion trends with your children. Give your kids a chance to voice their opinions, listen to them, decide where you might be willing to negotiate, and equip yourself with plenty of patience. If you both have an underlined agreement prior to shopping day, you can steer clear of any embarrassing and tasteless arguments in the dressing rooms later on.

-- Set rules and limits. Once you’ve talked with your children and established some ground rules, make sure they have a clear picture of the Do’s and Don’ts of this year’s buying excursions. Clothes with inappropriate statements, pants that are way too big, and particularly revealing shirts or skirts are a big red light for most parents -- and for most schools’ dress codes. This could be a bit difficult given the current fashions so provide them with other options. Kids need to know that you value their opinion as much as you need them to understand that you prefer long-lasting and sensible clothing over this year’s hottest trends.

-- Take advantage. Once you both find some styles, colors or materials that you both like, take full advantage of the opportunity. If they lean towards t-shirts that have a favorite band or singer on them, together with faded jeans, stock up on both things. Get the most out of your agreement by teaching them about the quality of materials or fabrics, especially on shoes and everyday clothing like jackets, since children are usually only concerned about what is in style. Stress the fact that you are on a strict budget and that you won’t be running to purchase new shoes every three months.

-- Walk a hallway in their shoes. Remember how awful and low you felt each time your parents purchased something you didn’t like and made you wear it to school? Don’t do the same to your kids. Peer pressure can be very powerful at school, and clothing allows kids to identify with others and, at the same time, express their individuality.

In addition to savings on gift cards for major retailers, AP9 Essentials offers exceptional discounts on the purchase of eyewear, health and beauty aids, fashion accessories and home decor.

AP9 Essentials Offers Consumers Valuable Tips to Keep Hair Healthy and Shiny Throughout the Summer

When spring and summer come, most people rush out the door to enjoy their surroundings and the long-awaited warm weather. While sun block is a priority for sun worshippers, members of AP9 Essentials, a leading discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, know that they have to protect their hair as well, and use their benefits to do so.

AP9 Essentials benefits include, among others, savings on personal grooming, from the latest hair care products and haircuts, to shampoos and other salon services. Members take advantage of their money-saving benefits whenever they need to by logging in at DealPass.com.

Members can use their benefits to save on haircuts and trim their hair every 6 to 8 weeks, the appropriate timeframe to protect hair from split ends and dryness. Along with that rule of thumb, AP9 Essentials recommends some simple steps for taking care of your hair and scalp during the months when the heat is on:

For women:

*Give your hair a break from the hairdryer during summer, especially if you have oily hair. Heat stimulates the scalp, which boosts the production of oil.

*Read the ingredients on the products you normally use. During summer, you might want to use those that are designed to “replenish,” since those products add moisture to the hair.

*Restore the moisture to your hair by dabbing some deep conditioner treatment or cream from the ends up. Pin it or wrap it in a plastic bag or shower cap, and sleep on it or leave it for as long as you can. Aim for at least an hour.

*Use a clarifier shampoo to remove toxins from your hair, such as chlorine and even silicon residue from your daily shampoo. Since clarifiers are very strong, it’s best not to use them more than twice a week.

*Before hitting the beach or pool, apply a "leave-in" conditioner, and wear your hair up in a knot, bun, ponytail or braids.

For men:

*Apply a conditioner before going out in the sun, to prevent static electricity in your hair.

*Don’t overuse gel or other shine products to control frizzy hair. They contain silicone and can coat your hair after just a few uses.

*Wear a hat whenever your head is exposed to the sun. Hair can get sunburned just like the scalp.

*Protect your scalp. A sunburnt scalp is not only painful, it can also lead to flaking, which could be mistaken for dandruff.