Jewelry Trends

There’s no argument from me that Manolo Blahnik is absolutely the best known shoe maker in the world thanks to the girls from Sex and the City, and his heels for the girls are absolutely amazing. So it should be no surprise with the rise in men’s fashion that Manolo would soon be making shoes for the boys. According to UK Vogue the collection is quite small with only six pieces that include a somewhat out-there leopard print sandal.

Manolo says of the collection;

“There are some simple sandals in beautiful materials, and a few classics – with a twist. I thought it was time to bring back some colour into the male wardrobe.”

The other two pieces we’ve seen so far include an open toe shoe that’s blue, and a bright red suede Oxford brogue. We can’t wait to see the rest of the collection to see more of the flair that Manolo will be bringing into our wardrobes.

The Kilt has been the target of many a joke and ribald comment for more years than it can probably remember!

But is it fair for it to be the butt of so many jokes?

After all, not only is the Kilt a recognised fashion item in it’s own right, it’s also more importantly a world recognised symbol of a country and the fierce national pride contained within!

Many a soldier has shuddered and shaken in fear in centuries gone when faced with a Scottish Warrior, kilt swirling in steadfast defiance of normality, broadsword or other razor sharp lethal weapon cutting huges scythes in the air as he charged.

Indeed, many fields of war were won purely by the arrival of Scotsmen dressed in their tradional tartan kilts. To many, the knowledge that the wearer wore nothing underneath was cause enough to panic! Add to this the ferocity of such a warrior and not many would stand up in front of them.

But ever since those heady days of hand to hand combat and battles fought face to face, some of the mystery and folklore of the Kilt remains. Ideas that you can only wear a Tartan Kilt if you are a member of that clan still abide today, wrongly in many cases.

Maybe this stops some people wearing a kilt?

Or does the fear of society’s view of a man effectively wearing what many still describe as a skirt also play a strong part?

But then what of those men among us who are recognised as being the manliest of men? Does wearing a kilt reduce their appearance and reputation at all? Famous celebrities such as Sean Connery, Billy Connely, Ewan McGregor or Mel Gibson?

How many women did – and still would – swoon clean away to see Mel Gibson walking towards them, kilt swaying in time to his steps? I strongly suspect – most! It would not be a swoon induced by dislike or scorn neither, more of one where they’re opinion has been enhanced as to the character and strength of the man involved.

I had the great pleasure of wearing a kilt many, many years ago when I was 6. The occassion was as a Page Boy for my Uncle and Aunts wedding. White ruffled shirt, red and blue tartan kilt with sporran and shoes. the only thing missing was the Dirk. For some reason never suitably explained by my parents, they seemed very nervous of letting their 6 year old offspring walk around with a small dagger shoved into the top of his sock! Spoilsports!

Even now, looking back at the old black and white photos – yes, it WAS that long ago – I get a thrill of seeing myself dressed like that.

Why?

Because it was different, unique and – dare I say it – I looked damn good! (I seem to remember it made a huge impression on my fellow official for the occasion, the bridesmaid called Candy, a curly blonde haired girl a year older than me. I have a misty memory of her asking her mom why i was wearing a skirt!)

A kilt nowadays plays a much larger part. Beyond the more well known kilts of Scotland with their heritage of history behind each unique Tartan design, comes the Kilts of Ireland and Wales in family crests or solid colors.

With society relaxing it’s own strict and nonsensical ideas of what is right and what is wrong, more men are coming to wear kilts, enjoying the uniqueness and freedom such a garment gives.

It is now more common to attend company dinners, awards and opening nights and spot one or two men dressed in kilted splendour.

Indeed, a whole new industry is beginning to grow – assisted by the internet with it’s ease of ordering and choosing – where new styles, designs and ideas of the traditional kilt are being tested and reworked.

For example, you can now buy kilts in camo pattern or kilts with pockets either side as opposed to the standard requirement for a sporran.

As for me and the kilt – as I get older and less worried about what other people think of me, the thoughts do stray to when I was 6 years old and how proud I felt dressed in such regal splendour. With the hot weather getting hotter each day a cooling breeze would certainly be more welcome as well!

Now then, where did I put that sporran and dirk?

All about waxing your eyebrows.
Waxing is a quick and relatively easy alternative to plucking your eyebrows. Most beauty experts recommend getting your eyebrows waxed professionally but that can be expensive – up to around $10-$15 dollars depending on the salon. If you are confident and then here are some tips for waxing your eyebrows yourself.

Start by prepping the eyebrow
Brush the brush into place with toothbrush or clean mascara wand, so that their natural shape is neatly defined. Next, apply an astringent such as witch hazel to anesthetize the skin under the brow. Discover your natural brow shape by standing several feet away from a mirror, and following these simple steps

The length of the eyebrow
Hold a ruler parallel to your nose, and level with the inner corner of the eye, to work out where the brow should begin. If your eyes are close together, make the gap between the brows wider. If your eyes are far apart, don’t wax the start line of the brow too much so that they are closer together. Mark the correct point with a dot.

The curve of the eyebrow
You can assess where the highest point of the curve/ arch should be by holding a ruler from the edge of the nostril past the outer edge of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and up to the eyebrow. Mark the spot with a dot.

Now line up the dots in a gentle arch to draw on the ideal shape of the eyebrow that you want to achieve. This will give you a guideline to go by when applying the wax. You should aim for a smooth arched brow that tapers slightly at the outer ends.

What to consider when applying the wax
I recommend that you buy a professional waxing kit – basically a jar or tub of wax which can be warmed up in boiling water and applied with a small applicator or spatula, and (usually muslin) removal strips. Each product varies slightly, so be sure to read the manufacturers directions carefully

Warm up the wax to optimum temperature and use the small spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to the growth. Make sure that you only use a small amount of wax on the spatula to avoid the wax dripping when it is applied. Apply wax with the hair growth under the eyebrow, (i.e. in the same direction that the hair grows in). Be careful a little goes a long way and make sure to avoid letting the wax dry

The hair removal process
Never wax above the eyebrow, only shape from below. Waxing from under the brow will widen your eyes and help to get the line even. This will make you look younger and much more glamorous if done correctly! As soon as it is applied remove the wax against the hair growth, (i.e. in the opposite direction that the hair grows in). This is done by gently smoothing a piece of cotton muslin over the waxed area, pulling the skin taut with one hand, and pulling the muslin off with the other.

It is a good idea to take a little hair off at a time, especially if you have fairly this growth. You will be surprised how much difference a little hair removal will make to your appearance.

The final step
Any straggly hairs left over after waxing can be easily plucked out using a set of good tweezers. Apply a soothing balm like tea tree oil onto the area afterwards. You should avoid direct sunlight, acid based facial treatments, and liquid makeup for several hours.

To give the gorgeous new eyebrow shape emphasis, use an eyebrow pencil or tinted brow shadow to subtly fill in any gaps, and even out the natural color tone. Congratulations you have successfully waxed your own eyebrows!

The most important part of the human body is not only the heart but also the eyes. The eyes give exposure to the world of lights and colors. Losing the power of the eyes, a person sinks to the bottomless pit of the pool of darkness. They need intensive care against all infections. Glasses and contact lenses provide the required care for the eyes. They correct optical problems and improve the vision of the eyes. However, glasses nowadays suffer a setback as an out-of-date fashion in the presence and popularity of contact lens.
Contact lenses are exclusively meant for medical problems of the eyes. Injury to the optic nerves, hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure are among the considerable factors that cause eye problems and infections like glaucoma, cataract, trachoma, acute conjunctivitis, color blindness and watery eye. Far or near sightedness is the most common problem of the eyes. The utility of lenses has extended beyond vision improvement to fashion statement.
Correction of an eye problem is not only the purpose of wearing contact lenses with people of the modern times. Today’s youngsters do not mind spending on colored contact lenses for the enhanced and engaging look of their eyes. Lenses have eclipsed glasses in sale and use. A craze with style conscious persons, colored lenses vary in a range of style and design. Wearing contactlens of a suitable color is a fine tune to one’s facial look. Bored of the same look, party animals and fashion junkies wear different colored lenses to flaunt impressive images of their personality.
It is always advisable to choose and use contact lenses after the instructions of an optician. Not all sorts of contact lenses suit a particular condition of the eyes and the eyes are a delicate part. If you are among those who wear contact lenses for the well-being of their eyes, you had better consult an optician. The same is a recommendation for you even if you use colored contact lenses for look enhancement. Another fact that needs a consideration when you purchase a pair of colored contact lenses is checking which color suits you the best.     
Either of glasses and lenses have their own advantages and disadvantages. Glasses may be the second choice in present times; they are more flexible in use than contact lenses. Glasses can put on and lifted off the eyes whenever you wish. Unlike lenses, eye glasses can be kept anywhere. They do not need special treatment for their protection from possible damages. The only one disadvantage that using glasses involves is difficulty in handing them in crowds. In this case, contact lenses are safer and more comfortable.
There are certain instructions on how to keep contact lenses when they are not in use. They should not be left open in the atmosphere. Rather keep them in a box filled with a good cleaning solution so that they remain moist. Some instructions are also there to be followed before and after you wear lenses. Contactlenzen make a cover on the eyeballs to protect them from dust and dirt from all sides. If you are a first time user of lenses, you need some tips on how to use and wear them. Contact lenses no doubt, are a bit more expensive than eye glasses, yet they are much in vogue and demand.

Louis Vuitton handbags are the most popular brand name which is discussed among the women. I have never met any woman till now who have not heard about this company. They make the finest bags in the market and are of high demand. Even though costly, the material of the bag is long lasting and worth the price.  Their new collection for the year 2009 is out and people are swarming in the stores and online to purchase their favorite piece. The hand bags produced by this company are of high standard and used by many celebrities. You can find replica handbags nowadays which are exactly a copy of the original and affordable for the layman.

It is not easy to build up a reputation among the crowd and Louis Vuitton handbags have achieved this position through years of hard work and dedication. They used the best materials and the right stuff blended in unique and trendy styles to produce their bags. They had the best collection in the market and eventually people got attracted towards this company. After years of striving and hard ships, this company reached a position where they are unbeatable. The worst part is Replica handbags came into existence and it became difficult to distinguish them from the real ones. People often purchase the imitation ones without knowing the difference.

This company entered the market by selling luggage items. Now they are the leading designing people in the world. Marc Jacobs is their designer and the brain behind the new collection of 2009 which will be available within a few months. It is hard to miss Louis Vuitton handbags and be prepared to purchase them as soon as it is launched. When you spend money, make sure that you buy the original piece and do not fall for replica handbags. Sometimes you can find durable bags in the artificial ones but might not be worth the amount you spend and you cannot own a branded piece.

There are many tips available on net which will help you to identify Louis Vuitton handbags. They are made of the skin of crocodile, camel or lamb and are very expensive. It is smooth and soft to touch and will not tear off fast like replica handbags. The stitching of a real piece is perfect and you will not be able to point out even a flaw.  There will no hanging threads or irregular stitches seen on an original bag. There will be a logo which is placed on every bag to make them authentic. The logo will be same for every bag and there is no difference in the shape or size. They do not give discount offers and allow whole sale purchases on their bags.

Louis Vuitton handbags are a secret desire of every woman. They are ready to spend money to purchase an original piece of this company. Keep these tips in your mind and order your piece so that you do not purchase replica handbags. It is a symbol of pride and honor to carry a Louis Vuitton handbag around in the town.

Depending on which news source you turn to today swine flu is either behind us or just about to decimate the world’s population. Whatever eventuates its influence on the public’s psyche is undeniable, and accordingly the fashion industry is jumping onto the bandwagon. Introducing swine flu chic; the one fashion trend we hope you avoid more than double denim.

If one bit of swine flu chic has risen above all else it is undeniably the sudden prevalence of ‘designer’ face masks, with the none-too-subtle ‘oink!’ face mask being the most obvious. I can’t see these taking off on the streets of New York or Melbourne, but won’t be in the least surprised if to see them on many a face in the Far East, particularly Japan.

There have also been more subtle influences of the pandemic-that-may-never-be upon fashion; take COACD’s handy tips on avoiding swine flu all, mixed in another set of pictures in their continuing exposure emerging model talent. Model Brendon’s face may be obscured, but it’s an image that makes an impact.

SOME people would dread being seen at the beach in their swimmers but for Sydney student Nathan Connor it may be his ticket to the big time.

Connor, 20, from Roseville, a nephew of former Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, was on a family holiday last month in Antigua and was lying on a deckchair, clad in his Speedos, when a model scout approached him.

“I was with my mum and my mate and this guy comes up and asks if I had ever done any modelling,” he said.

“He said I should come and see him in New York, and we had already planned to visit there on the way home so it all worked out.”

Connor was soon being feted by some of America’s biggest agencies and was snapped up to star in the Abercrombie & Fitch summer 2008 catalogue. “My mates have already started to give me a ribbing about it,” he said.

Connor, who studies commerce at Sydney University, said modelling would be a fun way to earn extra cash, but his big goal was to represent Australia in long jump. His father, Keith Connor, who represented Britain when he won the 1984 Olympic triple jump bronze medal, is head coach of Athletics Australia.

Proud mum Jane said her son was always the shy type. “Growing up he never wanted to be the centre of attention,” she said.

“It is just strange to think one minute we were on the beach on holidays and the next minute we are in New York and everyone is telling him he is going to be the next big thing in modelling.

“I am sure the teasing from his mates and his sister, though, will stop him from developing an ego.”

Does dry skin cause wrinkles? No, this is a myth.
Some causes of dry skin are:
Cold weather and low humidity

Central heating can make air dry which can cause dry skin.

Aging – Lower estrogen levels, thinning skin, and the fact that our skin can not produce enough oils are some of the reasons our skin is more prone to dryness as we age.

Dry skin affects people who have skin type I or II more frequently.

In some cases dehydration, malnutrition, diabetes, eczema or low thyroid hormones can cause dry skin.

 
Treating dry skin:
When you shower use lukewarm water and don’t take long showers or baths.

Apply moisturizer while skin is still damp to seal in moisture.

Use mild soap and avoid perfumed soaps.

Use a humidifier at home.

Avoid skin care products that contain alcohol.

Don’t wash your face too frequently.

Use moisturizers which contain emollients. Emollients, such as urea and mineral oils, soften skin and provide a barrier to keep moisture in and harmful agents out. Your moisturizer should also have lipids (fat or waxes) such as cholesterol, lecithin or glycerol.

Dry skin can cause flaky and rough skin. To get rid of the layer of dead skin use a gentle exfoliant containing alpha hydroxy acid or beta hydroxy acid.

Wear sunscreen.

Apply moisturizer frequently.

Ponchos have come down from the high plains and back into high fashion on to the catwalks this season.

Women’s fashion ponchos featured strongly on the catwalks this season.

Gone are the heavy, horse-blanket style ponchos of yesteryear, replaced by delicate fabrics and sexy styles that complement every body. Fashion ponchos hide a multitude of sins.

Whether you choose silky, sheer and sexy, or embroidered ethnic style, the poncho can be adapted for all sizes and all occasions.

Your fashion poncho can be thrown over a pair of jeans for a chic, casual look, or dress it up with a glittery brooch over your favorite little black dress for night time style.

The hot fashion trend straight from the catwalk was the shabby-chic boho-style fashion poncho, ornamented with embroidery, beads and sparkles. Or the casually elegant cashmere poncho, perfect with your favorite jeans.

Ponchos also come short and long this season. The chic little shrug-style poncho clasped or tied on the shoulder in soft knits and delicate lace was featured by many European designers for spring/summer. Also featured were longer, asymmetrical fashion ponchos in a rainbow-bright display of colors and patterns.

Whatever your look for this summer, there is a women’s fashion poncho to suit.

As we all know the hottest fashion trend for feet this summer is women’s flipflops.

No, I don’t mean the rubber thong variety flipflops. I mean groovy, embellished flipflops, or slides, for the ultimate in casual chic.

Along with the ethnic, boho look that was the hot pick on the catwalks this season, flipflops, thongs, or mules, whatever you wish to call them, are the perfect choice. The boho look (or “urban urchin” look as I prefer to call it), with its glittery and colorful embroidery and flowy soft skirts, is the perfect accompaniment for a pair of upmarket, way cool, flipflops.

And don’t be alarmed, but rubber HAS made a comeback this season, but by way of jelly-strapped, candy colored flats, featuring plenty of bows, beads and glitz. The top shoe designers are also featuring women’s flipflops with a low heel in a rainbow of bright, summery colors.

How To Wear Women’s Flipflops With Style

No self respecting fashionista is going to be caught dead in her flipflops without a perfect pedicure. If you’d rather pay for your new sandals over a professional pedicure, do it yourself.

Fill a bowl with warm, soapy water and soak your feet for about 10 – 15 minutes each. A few drops of peppermint oil will give your feet a beautiful burst of vitality, or try lavender oil or ylang ylang for relaxation.

While your feet are still damp and warm, gently buff your heels and soles with a pumice stone to remove dead skin cells. Then rinse in cool water and apply lashings of your favorite moisturizer. I prefer a thick, lanolin-based cream for extra oomph. If you’re not out to impress anyone at bed time, apply an extra layer of moisturizer and put on a pair of cotton socks overnight.

French manicured toenails are hot right now. Get yourself a French manicure kit for saucy, sexy toenails or go all out with magenta red or soft pink polish.

Then you’re ready to display your new tootsies to the world. Grab your favorite flipflops and get out there girl!