In just the ten days since Xavier University received their first notification verifying the presence of the H1N1 swine flu virus on campus, 110 probable cases have been identified. This number includes students who currently have it, as well as those who have since recovered.

The Xavier University Emergency Response Tem as been monitoring the situation closely, posting updates to the school's website. News that 110 cases had been identified on campus was posted today. It was also indicated that 25 students are at the student recovery center at the Alumni Center, which continues to house students 24/7. All have progressed steadily, and some have been discharged.

In order to slow the spread of the virus, students who are diagnosed as probable for swine flu are required to either return home to recover or self-isolate themselves in the school's recovery center. This policy applies to all students "no matter if they live off campus, on campus or if tey have separate bedrooms."

When Crocs (NASDAQ: CROX) hit stores and the fashion scene in 2002, many were left scratching their heads. The plastic clog shoes were (and still are) hideous, and yet they were being snatched up from store shelves like crazy. Over the years, fans have touted the comfort of the clogs while the rest of the world just can't wait to be rid of eye sores. Well my friends, it looks as though the end might finally be here.

In 2007, Crocs boasted a profit of $168.2 million. But in just one year, the company found itself struggling with debt. It lost $185.1 million and cut 2,000 jobs, and its stock price dropped 76%.

Crocs now has until September to pay back the losses. But as consumers now show little interest in the $30 shoes, the company is left with a surplus. There is no demand for Crocs.

Speaking with the Washington Post, Damon Vickers, manager of an investment fund at Nine Points Capital Partners in Seattle, said:

"The company is toast. They're zombie-ish. They're dead and they don't know it."

If you're like me, you probably have sandals in a rainbow of colors to match various outfits during the warmer months of the year. Of those you probably have a favorite pair or two that you'd love to wear all the time, but just can't because they don't always match your clothes. To solve this fashion dilemma, I'd like to introduce you to the coolest new sandals available: Switchflops.

Switchflops are comfortable flip-flop style sandals that come with interchangeable straps. The sandals range in price from $35 to $39 depending on the style and come with two different strap sets. Additional straps can be ordered for just $12.

They're great for taking along on a trip too, because bringing extra straps instead of extra footwear takes up far less space in your luggage. The straps are easily interchangeable, and are attached with strong, quality velcro.

Barack Obama is making some rather big changes in the White House, but not all are political. Under the reign of George W. Bush, staff were required to wear a suit and tie at all times, including over the weekend. One former aide recalled an incident in which he was not permitted to enter the Oval Office because he was wearing khakis, and was instead yelled at by Bush in the doorway. Obama, however, is throwing out that old rule and has put in place a more casual dress code for the weekends.

It is said that over Obama's first weekend in the White House, his aides were unsure of how to dress. Some showed up in jeans, while others wore coats and ties. In order to address the confusion, Obama issued an informal edict for "business casual" on weekends.

Obama set the example himself, showing up for a Saturday briefing along with his chief economic advisor, Lawrence H. Summers, wearing slacks and a grey sweater over a white buttoned-down shirt.

Those who served in the White House under the Bush administration are understandly shocked by the new President's choice in apparel.

The Era of Fake Baking (Finally!) Comes to an End.

According to The Times, the bronze age is over. Fake baking, like all trends, is nearing its expiration date. The article's author cites celebrities including Victoria Beckham, Cheryl Cole, Daisy Lowe, Kelly Osbourne, and Alexa Cole as just a few examples of the previous postergirls for the Oompa Loompa look that have toned down their tanning. Why even Mischa Barton has admitted she hates fake tanners.

The US and UK's love affair with fake tanners reportedly began with Kate Moss and a "castaway" editorial that make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury and photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott shot for Vogue in 2002:

“We created a deep, layered tan on Kate, a look that was replicated on her in campaigns for Cavalli, Louis Vuitton and Missoni.” After that, says Tilbury, “everybody started doing it — but badly”. The backlash is going to be huge,” she predicts.

The trend for ridiculously high heels has reached an all-time, with the announcement this week that Christian Louboutin is designing a spike-stiletto with an 8-inch heel. For the past few seasons, Louboutin lovers have been tottering around in the designer's 7-inch heels.

One can't help but wonder how much higher the shoes can get. They're obviously not made for walking any great distance, no further than the car to the red carpet, and even that seems like it'd be a struggle. A friend to hold on to for dear life as you walk is a definite must for these shoes.

What goes up, must come down, and I predict the super high heel craze has reached its peak and will soon go down.

What recession? While much of the population is considering soup and grilled cheese for dinner for the forseable future, the well-off have these exciting new baubles to look forward to: Louis Vuitton has launched two new patented diamond cuts. One is a rounded-cut flower diamond, and the other is a pointed-cut flower diamond.

The LV diamonds have between 61 and 77 facets, and are set into various pieces of jewelry, including a necklace with 108 carats of diamonds retailing at $4 million. The collection has been named "Les Ardentes", which translate as "teh blazing."

Just as the LV bags and accessories have been cheapened by the shoddy knock-offs that are available on every street corner and every mall kiosk, you can be sure that somewhere, someone's already designing a look-a-like cubic zirconia version.

This month all you ladies out there can feel a little less guilty splurging on your favorite beauty products. The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there's certainly no shortage of special "pink" products that you can purchase while at the same time give money to a worthy cause.

If you're looking to go pink, while also maximizing your donation to a breast cancer charity, check out this list of the top pink products that we recommend:

Shower for a Cure
I love how Philosophy is always rolling out a new special edition flavor of their signature shower gel/shampoo/bubble bath product, and to support Breast Cancer Awareness they've come up with "Shower for a Cure". 100% of net proceeds from the sale of the pink ribbon shower gel will be donated to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Available for just $20 at philosophy.com, or check out your local Sephora.

Clinique Butter Shine Lipstick in Ribbon Pink
Every girl needs lipstick. This Sephora exclusive set includes Clinque's Colour Surge Butter Shine Lipstick in limited-edition Ribbon Pink, with a classy silver case. The cost is just $16.50, of which $10 goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

YSL Golden Gloss No. 7

No matter what country we're talking about, Fashion Week tends to bring out the most interesting and quirky new fashions in everything from clothing to shoes and accessories. The 2009 Spring Paris Fashion Week shows were absolutely no exception.

Of particular interest this year was the footwear. Killer high-heels are still the "in" thing, and that trend doesn't look like it'll be dying off anytime soon, despite a handful of models having fallen over on the catwalk. The hottest of the hot in super high heels are platform high heels that are nearly impossible to walk any great distance in. These are what are known as "taxi to table" shoes - the kind you wear only from walking curbside to your dinner table.

Another interesting new twist on the dangerously high heel craze this year are the intricately designed heels themselves. If you want your shoes to stand apart from the crowd, you have to try something different, and by that we mean something really out there. Check out a selection of funky high heels below. Is it just me or do some of them look more like artwork than something you'd actually wear?

Basso & Brooke (Spring '09)

Dior Fertility Goddess Heels (Spring '09)

John Galliano Swirly Metallic Platform Shoes (Spring '09):

Gucci Platform Shoes (Spring '09):

YSL Wireframe Heels (Spring '09):

While the trickle-down effect might not be working out so well in the financial sector, there is one industry where it is always in full-force: the fashion industry. What starts out on the catwalks in Paris or Milan quickly works its way into the closets of celebrities and onto the streets of Hollywood. Eventually, it makes its way down to the masses. One hot new fashion trend bound to make the trek from catwalk to your neighborhood is the dominatrix look.

The S&M variety of attire has been spotted on everyone from the Pussycat Dolls to Rihanna, Mena Suvari, Christina Aguilera, Madonna,Supermodel Agyness Deyn ,Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Paris Hilton, Fergie, Victoria Beckham, Charlize Theron, and even Gwyneth Paltron. With leading ladies such as these sporting the edgy look, there's no doubt that our favorite retailers will also soon be picking up on the trend, if they haven't already.