Consider it the designer scent for your designer sunday’s best.

Milanese fashion house has launched a line of laundry detergents, Aspesi’s detersivo (detergent) and ammorbidente (softener), so that fashionistas with deep pocket can now add whiffs of designer chic to their spin cycle. Marketed like perfumes, the detergents and softeners are named No. 1 (a whiff of exotic incense) and No.2 (a burst of floral euphoria), all bottled in cutely designed bottles designed by Dirk Van Dooren of UK superstar design group Tomato.

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Obama might have won hearts worldwide with his advocation of Change, making “change” the top buzzword as chosen by Time magazine for 2008. But my favourite has got to be “Staycation”– the concept of going on vacation by just staying put.

That, which is a sour alchemy of Stay and Vacation, Staycation was created in the US last year when soaring oil prices caused flight ticket prices to skyrocket. Expensive fuel cost also obliterated long cross-states road trips as the second best option. Many Americans packed away their suitcases and chose to spend their vacations at home or in nearby cities.

Contradictory? Not so. Noone said you actually needed to get away in order to take a vacation.

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Who would have thought? Straight-faced Colin Firth is quite full of surprises. Some bring a cringe, and some pretty green. For cringe, think of his blindingly sequined, bell-bottomed, deep V-neck one piece dance costume from Mama Mia. For green, Mr Darcy has joined the league of Hollywood green warriors that include Leonardo Dicaprio and Brad Pitt by co-founding an eco-lifestyle shop, Eco-Age, in Chiswick, London with his wife Livia Giuggioli, and two other partners. This 3 storied green shop offers apparel, interior decor, kitchen appliances, toys and furniture - all heavy with an eco-conscience.

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