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Submitted by: Chris Impeterelli

These are strange new times. No longer do we need to actually send mail, get cash, pay bills with a check, or worry about getting lost thanks to recent advances in technology. In most cases, we need not even go to the store in order to buy the things we need. But when it comes to things like slippers, how does a person have any idea that they will get what they were looking for?

One of the biggest risks involved with online shopping is that you don t get to actually see or touch what you are buying. Oh sure, you can look at the nice new slippers on the computer screen. Maybe they will put them on someone s feet so you can get some perspective on their size and make sure people aren t trying to sell you a pair of slippers that wouldn t even fit a small child, let alone you. But at the end of the day, do you really know how those slippers will feel on your feet or if they will even really fit.

After all, not all companies size slippers, shoes, or even clothes in the same manner. What is a medium to one company might very well be a large to another. So, who is to say that the slippers will fit even though they are supposedly in your size? This is why you need to be sure and check out the return policy of any company before even browsing through their fabulous selection of slippers. If they don t allow returns, move on to a company that does.

Companies need to be reasonable and expect some mistakes on both sides where sizing is concerned. A reasonable return policy that allows people to return merchandise that has been tried on but found to be unsuitable or just plain not what the person thought it would be when buying it originally. Be sure to find out who is responsible for shipping costs in the event of a return. Most companies will have a reasonable time limit attached to their return policy so be sure not to decide and return those slippers six months after you decide that you don t want them!

Shipping costs should also be investigated before even shopping for your slippers. A good many companies will offer free shipping for purchases reaching or exceeding a minimum amount. Still, some retailers may try to mask high prices by selling slippers at seemingly low prices but charging high shipping costs. Understand the shipping policy and what it will add to the price of the slippers you are looking at so that you know the true price of the slippers before adding something to your virtual cart. By looking before you leap, you can still find a great pair of slippers at bargain prices by shopping online.

About the Author: Slippers Info is an information site that contains links, a directory and other

Slippers Information

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By Jennifer Beisser

It seems that everywhere you look – grocery aisles, restaurants, farmer’s markets, your hotel pillow – you’ll find chocolate. I’m not talking about a 99-cent candy bar, but premium, all natural, gourmet chocolate. It’s all the rage and with more science linking health benefits to eating chocolate, one can argue it’s now good for you!

This attention on premium chocolate has elevated it to star status on ‘hot’ restaurant menus around the country, usually paired with a wine recommendation. So how can you replicate that experience for your next dinner party? We asked Chef Richard Kaplan, founder of artisan Brown Paper Chocolates, for his tips when selecting a wine to pair with gourmet chocolate.

Dark Chocolate

* Dark chocolate, red wine and high-grade ports all have comparable properties, causing the tannins naturally found in red wines to enhance the sweetness in chocolates.

* Fruit in some red wines brings out the bitter undertones and smokiness found in higher-grade dark chocolates. To properly match them, look for a higher cocoa content (55% to 62%) used in well-made chocolate to pair with a big, forward fruit red or aged, vintage port.

Milk Chocolate

* Milk chocolate has a very sweet creamy profile, rather than the stoutness found in dark chocolate. Pair milk chocolate with a cordial to enhance the inherent sweetness, such as an orange liqueur. You may also try a cream cordial with some bite like a whiskey-based drink or white Russian.

White Chocolate

* White chocolate has a sweet and unique, nutty creamy profile. It nicely pairs with a full-bodied sparkling wine or a lighter, less cloying dessert wine such as Eiswine, Berenauslese or Muscat Beaume de Venise.

So how does this work in real life?

Here are a few flavors from Brown Paper Chocolates paired with appropriate wines.

* Dark Chocolate with Pistachios, Cointreau, Dried cherries & Orange Peel – pair with a full bodied forward fruit red such as Cabernet, Zinfandel or aged Port

* Dark Chocolate with Almonds, Aged Tequila & Ancho Chiles – pair with a full-bodied, less fruity, earthy style red such as Syrah, aged Tawny Port or Madiera

* Milk Chocolate with Cashews, Caramel, Jack Daniel’s & Fleur de Sel – pair with a creamy after dinner cordial such as Bailey’s Irish Cream

* White Chocolate with Pistachios, Caramel, Coffee Liqueur & Citrus Peel – pair with a full-bodied yeasty Champagne

* White Chocolate with Lavender, Chervil and Pimms No. 1 – pair with a full-bodied brie on plain toast and a light sweet wine such as Muscat Beaume de Venise

We learned so much. Thank you Chef Richard. To learn about other chocolate flavors or to place an order with Brown Paper Chocolates,, please visit them at BrownPaperChocolates.com. YUM!

About the Author: ChefsLine is the culinary hotline connecting you to top chefs for on-demand cooking advice and instruction. Visit us at

chefsline.com

or call 1-800-977-1224. We can’t wait to bring out the chef in you!

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