Custom

M ELISSA D'AGOSTINO, 32, of Germantown, uses hand-dyeing techniques to create her artsy women's-wear line. D'Agostino Fashion Textile Design also custom-made Philadelphia first lady Lisa Nutter's formal dress for President Obama's inaugural ball. Q: What's your background? A:I'm a graduate of Moore College of Art & Design. I was formerly a hand-block fabric printer at a textile-and-lighting studio. My textiles started as works of art and wall hangings, and the fabrics evolved into products I could sell.

WHAT WOULD a tax season be without confusion and last-minute changes? First up, a lot of H&R Block customers are irate about a snafu that will delay their federal tax refunds by weeks. For days, customers complained on Facebook that they weren't getting a clear explanation as to why their refunds were being delayed. As it turns out, there was a problem with returns that included Form 8863, which is used to claim two higher-education credits - the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

Susan Snyder is an Inquirer staff writer I have spent many New Year's Eves circling the block with an empty suitcase in my hand. My sister-in-law insisted. It's her custom, brought here from Mexico, to ensure happy travels in the year ahead. We had to wear red underwear, too, and eat 12 grapes, making a wish upon each one. But my sister-in-law, Azucena "Sid" Snyder, has brought me more than New Year's customs. Sid is one of the most generous and loving people I have ever met, and she has brought an intimacy, warmth, and strong sense of family to my siblings and parents, who at times lacked that closeness.

A lot of times, a design becomes irrelevant because the rest of the world moved forward while it remained unchanged. Take the clay-colored device many of us fiddle with every day: the thermostat. After stagnating for 130-some years, the device got an upgrade in 2011 with the Nest Learning Thermostat. Besides being easy on the eyes, Nest is smart. It self-adjusts after getting to know its owner's temperature preferences. When Nest came out, a lot of people smacked their heads and wondered why they hadn't thought of it first.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Thursday adopted new rules governing competitive electric markets that it hopes will encourage suppliers to provide more innovative products and will make it easier for customers to switch suppliers. Most of the changes brought about by the new framework will be invisible to customers. But the rules should reduce the frustrating administrative delays that required some customers to wait up to 45 days to switch suppliers. The new rules will shorten the waiting period and by 2015 should allow for instantaneous conversions.

South Jersey customers of TD Bank are advised to check their accounts if they recently used an automated teller machine in Medford that was found with a "skimming device" attached. Officials at the bank said they notified police Friday after discovering an ATM at the Stokes Road branch with one of the devices. The devices are not usually detectable by users, police said Tuesday. TD spokesman Gabe Weissman said Wednesday that the bank was contacting customers who might have been affected and would work with them directly to address and correct any issues as quickly as possible.

Size matters. Two New Jersey men from Burlington and Ocean Counties sued Subway on Tuesday after they said the fast-food company shorted them on their "footlong" sandwiches. The company issued a statement of regret from its corporate headquarters in Milford, Conn., but would not comment directly about the lawsuit. "For 47 years, customer satisfaction has been our top priority. We regret any instance where we did not fully deliver on our promise to our customers," the company said.

A DAM KAMENS, 42, of the Bella Vista section of the city, is chief executive of Amuneal Manufacturing Corp., a 30,000-square-foot design- and custom-fabrication factory in Frankford. His work is seen in high-end retail stores and high-design environments in New York City, Philadelphia and other cities. He joined Amuneal - which at the time made magnetic shielding - after graduating from college in 1993, and diversified the business. Q: How'd you retool Amuneal? A: We started out building and selling custom furniture.

There are stores full of exquisite bedding. But fancy sheets, duvets, and mattresses can sometimes fall short of our wish lists, in style, price, comfort, or all three. What if you could make your own? You don't need to be a professional designer, or even much of a sewer, to create one-of-a-kind bedding that looks as nice as the stuff of dreams. First, your existing bedding can be embellished with sew-on or iron-on appliqués, available in craft and stitchery supply stores. Writer and crafter Kim Ray offers suggestions on the website Doityourself.com.

B OOB TUBE gets a new spin Sunday with the debut of a bra-shop show titled "Double Divas. " We're sure you get the "double" entendre . "Our job is to really help women feel wonderful," said Molly Hopkins, co-owner of LiviRae Lingerie in Atlanta. "All you gotta do is bring out the sexy stuff. " What, is the Lifetime Network trying to lure male viewers? Not exactly. This is no "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. " Yes, judging from previews, some shapely knockouts will strut about in undergarments, but viewers will also see much, much bigger sets of challenges.