BEST OF THE WEEK

Ornamentation

Time Inc. Digital Studio

Why We Love It
While this opulent look owes a lot to the exoticism of the Far East, it is a testament to modern technology with its incandescent fabrics and intricately woven details.

How to Wear It
Worn head to toe it's highly dramatic but probably too theatrical. One standout piece paired with a solid is a more likely choice. If your tastes are even simpler, the embroidered ballet flats or earrings will do quite nicely.

Photos: left, Miu Miu; right, Marni

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How to dress for your shape

Clothes are more than just pieces of fabric. They are a way of expressing our personality and our feelings. It's easy to fall prey to dressing for a trend rather than your personality. It's better to fall prey to at least dressing for your shape...

From voluptuous vixen to lean machine, we're all different, and we all suit different clothes. What suits your best friend may not necessarily suit you. It's important to understand the different body shape categories, so you know which one you fall into, and can start dressing in a way which flaunts your best assets.

The main body shapes are; apple, pear, strawberry and rhubarb. Whilst this may sound like a fruit bowl, these are the basic building blocks to dressing for your shape!

Apple shape

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  If you're an apple shape, you're the most rounded of all the body shapes. Your hot points are your slender yet shapely legs. You are also likely to be in possession of a voluptuous and completely natural chest which you will have for the rest of your days.
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  Apple figures tend to have quite chunky arms, but usually very slim wrists.
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  If you have an apple shaped figure you usually gain weight around your tummy, and you don't have much of waist.
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  That last bit might not sound so good, but there are many ways of creating a waist, for example:
  Wear tailored jackets and coats that nip in at the waist.
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  Go for A line skirts, as they make your hips look curvier, which makes your waist look smaller in comparison.
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  Wear thick belts around the waist, as they clinch it in, giving the illusion of a tiny waist.
  Invest in a corset - a good corset can take up to 6 inches off your waist.
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  Apple figures should wear V-Necks or wraparound tops, as they break up your torso, and make the most of your cleavage.
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  You can also wear pencil skirts to show off your shapely legs.
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  The apple shape should avoid wide leg jeans, as these make your legs look bigger, making you appear top AND bottom heavy. Instead, wear straight or boot-cut jeans, as these flatter the legs most.
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  To avoid the dreaded "muffin top", wear mid-rise or even high-rise jeans to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette.
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  Most importantly, apple figures should avoid clingy tops, as they may ride up - or else choose clingy tops that are long in the torso.
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  Also avoid polo necks, as they make you look top heavy. You want to emphasise those curves, not add extra bulk.

Pear Shape

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  If you are a pear shape, it basically means you carry your weight on the bottom part of your body, like your bum and thighs. This means you tend to have a smaller chest. You also have curvaceous hips. Your best parts are your tiny waist and slim arms. Because you're slimmer on top, you probably want to keep the attention focused on your upper body.
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  Pear shaped people look good in A line skirts, as they skim over hips. Another tip is to wear heels, as they lengthen and slim legs. Wedge heels also balance out thicker calves. It's also a good idea to invest in waisted belts, as they draw attention to your already slim waist, and create more of an hourglass shape.
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  It's also a good idea to wear eye catching earrings and necklaces, as they draw the attention up.
  Pear shaped girls should avoid wide leg jeans, as these make your legs appear wider than they are. Your perfect jeans are bootleg jeans, which you can wear with boots underneath, which makes your legs appear longer and slimmer.
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  Pear shaped girls should not overload on short skirts, especially if you have chunkier calves. Instead, high waisted pencil skirts are very flattering, as they show off your waist.
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  You should also avoid smock dresses, as they completely hide your top half, and usually show off your legs, which may not be your most flattering. If you want to wear a floaty smock dress, wear with black leggings, as they will make your legs appear a little slimmer.

Strawberry shape

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  If you have a strawberry shaped figure, you probably have a wide back and wide shoulders. It is very important that you dress properly if you're a strawberry shape, as some clothes can make you look more masculine from the back - unless, of course, you want to look masculine from the back.
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  The main hot point of the strawberry figure is the full cleavage, which should be showed off with V-Necks or wide scooped necklines. As well as showing off your cleavage, these types of tops also soften your shoulders, balancing out your whole torso.
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  Strawberry shaped gals usually have slim legs, and these are showed off best with fitted skirts, or straight leg jeans. Ideally, team skirts and jeans with heels to lengthen your legs even more.
  As a strawberry shape, you probably gain most weight around your tummy. This means that you don't have much of a waist. You may want to try wraparound dresses, as these accentuate your waist, giving you more of an hourglass shape. Also, wearing thick belts around the waist brings your tummy in, creating a more hourglass shape.
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  Strawberry shaped gals should avoid polo necks, as they make you look top heavy. Also, try to avoid heavy wool sweaters, as these add bulk to your tummy.
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  Also, make sure you have a properly fitted bra, as this can dramatically change the way clothes look on you. If you're not comfortable with having a bigger cleavage, try a minimiser bra, as this will make your chest appear smaller.

Rhubarb shape

• The rhubarb shape is very simple to explain. Just like a rhubarb - straight up, straight down. This can also be referred to as a rular figure, or a boyish figure. Very slim legs, long torso, and a relatively small chest.
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  Rhubarb shaped girls should go for short skirts or shorts, which show off slim legs. You can also go for skinny jeans, which will show off your nice long legs. As with the figures that have a wide waist, you can also benefit from a belt round your waist, as this will give the illusion of a waist. Because the rhubarb shape can get away with pretty much anything, you can wear jumpers with horizontal stripes, as they will flatter you, and make you look a little wider, but without adding bulk.
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  Rhubarb girls should avoid full skirts, especially the long kind, as they will drown you. Also, very baggy clothes will simply emphasise the lack of curves.
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  Push up bras can also come in very useful, as they will make your bust look bigger, evening you out a bit more.

Hourglass shape

• The final figure I'll mention is the hourglass figure. Think Marilyn Monroe, or Dita Von Teese.
  Hourglass figures have a full chest, small waist, rounded hips, and tend to carry weight on the legs.
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  If you have an hourglass figure, opt for sweetheart necklines, as they flatter your bust, and draw attention away from potentially chunky arms. Wear cropped jackets which nip in at the waist, as they emphasise your already small waist.
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  Don't be tempted to hide your curves under baggy clothes. You have the figure, so flaunt it!
  Heels are your best friend, and will make legs appear slimmer and longer.
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  Your perfect jeans are, as with most figures, boot cut. The darker the colour, the slimmer the effect, so try black jeans teamed with heels, for that ultimate slim leg look.
  
  

When Should I Throw Out Mascara?

Mascara is one makeup product in your bag that you want to keep tabs on. It's a breeding ground for bacteria. Most mascaras with a tube & a wand have an antibacterial agent in them that last about 6 weeks making you safe for at least a couple months & likely safe up to 4. You risk eye infection the longer you keep the product. If you notice the smell changes or the texture changes, throw it out. It's not worth it.

BEST OF THE WEEK

Are You Washing Your Hair Correctly?

Ever wonder why it's always recommended on shampoo bottles to "lather, rinse and repeat"? I'd always assumed shampoo companies were trying to get people to use -- and therefore have to buy more -- shampoo.

Not so, according to About's new hairstyles guide, Kendra Aarhus, (check out her site). In her article, "Lather, Rinse, Repeat: How to Wash Your Hair," she explains the first lathering is meant to cleanse the scalp, and the second is to cleanse the hair (aha!). Kendra's article is a must-read.

2009 Fall/Autumn Colour Trends from Pantone

Autumn (Fall) is a favourite season of mine, the cold is coming back and it's easier to start dressing in layers again without breaking out into a profuse sweating fit not unlike one achieved with a vigorous workout (well at least it seems like that in the Southern Hemisphere). That's enough of talk of sweat; what we're really here to talk about are the colour trends for 2009. Today's come courtesy of Pantone who have just released their color interpretation of the Autumn/Fall 2009 fashion trends.

The colours themselves reflect the tough economic times with a selection of an appealing pastel palette devoid of any of the overpowering statement tones we have seen in the past few years. The move away from the statement colours will help the clothes age at a slower rate and will help provide a safer purchase to allow a little more wear from your wardrobe during these times of economic instability.

The selection stays true to form of the past few years with a definite nature inspired overtones, but take a definite downshift from spring's richer resort holiday inspired colours. Noted in the report is even though the palette is diverse with a broad spectrum of colours they should still hold up to create a cohesive combination, which we guess is up to the designer.

Kani Ladies Rocks

I stumbled across a rather cool website today called Kani Ladies they sell sexy urban clothing for women at affordable costs so I thought I would share it with my fellow bloggers. The clothes and brand are rather unique and have a funky young feel to it - they sell World Wide!

A Bit About Kani Ladies:
Launched in 2001 Kani Ladies has evolved into an independent urban fashion label that caters to young women. You can also check out their blog - a lifestyle and fashion blog with all a girl needs to know.

You can check out the latest in Fashion, Beauty, Gossip, Music, Well Being and Kani Ladies: kaniladies.blogspot.com

Make sure you check out thier cool funky website today: www.kani-ladies.com

Draping - yes its a trend!!!

Why We Love It
When strategically placed, it's a gift from the goddesses to every woman—the Grecian formula for figure flattery ensures sensuality while masking insecurities. Plus, in this frantic world, draping demands you move with a hint of stealth.

How to Wear It
Choose fabrics with weight as well as motion (you don't want fluttering). Matte jersey is perfect since it flatters with understatement. Minimal draping works for day. One-shouldered or shoulder-to-shoulder folds are the easiest options. If you want to accentuate your curves, look for draping below the waist.

Photos: left, Derek Lam; right, Carolina Herrera

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BEST OF THE WEEK

Celebs That Are Getting It Right

City Love

Why We Love It
So unrepentently hard-edged, it's aimed at living it up in the dead of night. If leather, metalwork and shine don't seem overly romantic, that's because the effect is deliberately predatory.

How to Wear It
It all starts with black—and can end there too. Color only works when it's deep and saturated. Skinny jeans are the key piece. If looking tough isn't the real you, your little black dress adorned with a chain necklace or a studded heel can confidently take you anywhere without your having to pretend you pulled up on the back of a bike.

Photos: left, Narciso Rodriguez; right,Proenza Schouler

Men’s Inspired Shoes

It’s Hip & Chic! Men’s Inspired Shoes Are All The Rave With Designer ANYI LU

Camilla-$395-A take on the gentlemen’s classic spectator, the Camilla is distinctive style for the well-heeled woman. Made in luxurious high-shine patent leather, this lady like shoe is a polished addition to dressy or casual occasions.
Available in classic eggshell and black, blush and brown, navy and black, or chestnut and black.

The Hayden Shoe is a chop off the old Oxford shoe block. This slender, form-fitting bootie is a sexy updated version of the traditional Oxford. Detailed with delicate leather lacing, brass-studded tassels, and gold metallic piping. The Hayden is a unique twist on tradition.

Italian shoe designer ANYI LU is polishing up this season with menswear inspired looks as spotted on the Fall 2009 runways. From the sexy version of the Oxford, to a ladylike take on the gentlemen’sSpectator shoe, ANYI LU shoes are a luxurious way to combine superior fit with style.

ANYI LU is available at Nordstrom nationwide. Please visit www.anyilu.com for more information on this fabulous brand!

BEST OF THE WEEK

Bit of Inspiration: Floral, Animal, Dip Dye and Wildlife

Is It Bad to Wash My Hair Every Day?

I get this question a lot: I have oily hair, is it bad to wash it every day?

Answer: Ahhh, the oily hair conundrum. You've probably heard that if you can make it a few days, your oily hair actually stops looking oily, but I don't really believe it. As someone with oily hair, I've never made it more than a couple days without washing or sprinkling baby powder on my crown to soak up the oils (oh how I love that trick).

Most experts agree that it's safe to wash hair daily with a mild shampoo (if you have dry hair, you can go as long as a week without washing, lucky you). Concentrate on washing the roots because it's your scalp that's oily, not your hair, according to beauty expert Mitchell Barnes in the March 2007 issue of Real Simple magazine. Contrary to popular belief, you do need to condition oily hair, just leave the conditioner to the bottom two-thirds of hair. Conditioner on roots will only help weigh hair down more.

Not shampooing daily can leave hair limp, however, so I suggest sprinkling a bit of talcum powder along the roots and crown or using a dry shampoo like Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder.

If you insist on washing daily, try this trick I got from Harper's Bazaar a few years ago: Apply conditioner first only to the bottom third of hair (if you have oily hair, don't use conditioner on the roots, it will weigh hair down). Keeping the conditioner in, apply shampoo to the roots and lather up. Rinse everything off. "Your roots will be lifted, but the rest of your hair will retain its shine," says Arsen Gurgov, a stylist at Louis Licari salon and the originator of this great tip.

Jump, Jump, Jump!!

Don't be afraid to give it a try, as you can see from these four images you do a lot with it!!!

Convert your jump suit into a funky day outfit to a sexy chic evening outfit

Images That Caught My Eye...

BEST OF THE WEEK

Fur Accents

Time Inc. Digital Studio

Why We Love It
It's not exactly the moment for a full-length sable. Ostentation is out. Coziness, in. A touch of fur offers just enough warmth and fuzziness.

How to Wear It
One piece at a time is plenty. Our favorites are the shawl or loose collar and the vest. Note: The faux pieces are amazing.

Photos: left, Salvatore Ferragamo; right,Burberry Prorsum

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