Glamorous Wedding Dresses

In 2009 that Hollywood starlet look is back to haunt Spring weddings. This means the fifties styles are back.
Fans of Project Runway will remember the glamorous wedding dresses and gowns designed by Austin Scarlett. He now designs gowns for the clothing manufacture Kenneth Poole. He designs these glamor gowns. Sequins and crystal breads are a signature part of Austin Scarlett’s dramatic work as are dramatic kick back pleats that hit the back of the knee. Scarlett’s designs feature glamorous bodices and have innocence yet erotic look to them that would make the wedding dress seem like it belongs on the cover of a romance novel.
The great thing about fifties style wedding dresses is that they look fantastic on every type of physique – short, fat, tall and slender. If your bridal party looks like they belong on the set of Hairspray then you might consider wearing this style.
The 50s style looks like a prom dress and is cut straight across, cinched in at the waist and then flared out in a wide circle skirt. The bridesmaid dress in this case is usually cut short right below the knees. Nowadays you can get this type of bridal gown in just about every color of the rainbow. For a more contemporary look choose pastel colors like sage or lilac. For a look that is more true to the 1950s choose stronger colors like royal blue or bright red and make sure you have the lip and eye makeup up to match.
If you love Disney you will love what they are doing lately which is creating bridal gowns based on six of their most popular fictional princesses including Snow White, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, Ariel from the Little Mermaid and Cinderella. The classic Cinderella dress in fact qualifies as being a starlet type gown. So does the gown that snow white wore. Both feature the off the shoulder type bodice and flared skirt that was typical of that era.
The glamorous colors for wedding dresses will also have a vintage flair this year. These colors for 2009 Hollywood style gown have a soft, muted vintage feel. Golds, blush pinks and ivory hues are the main colors.
Women have been getting married in red for decades in Europe and it is a trend that has finally caught on in the last couple of years here in North America. The red wedding dress is for the passionate, romantic and free spirit who is saying to the world “I am not afraid to be sexy.”
When done satin trimmed in black the red wedding dress has a Parisian flare. When trimmed in gold it is more East European or Russian. It is very Scarlet O’Hara and very Hollywood to wear a dress like this to your wedding.

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Japanese Kogal Fashion

As discussed so many times before in this blog Western fashion is very heavily influenced by what goes on in urban Japan. The equivalent of ‘it” girls in Japan are the Kogal girls. The word Kogal translates to mean “small girl child”

Girls who adopt this look conspicuously display their disposable income through unique tastes in clothing. They are like Asian California Valley Girls.

The Kogal Uniform is quite simple. It is usually platform boots,a miniskirt, lots of haircoloring (usually blonde and suntans induced by sessions in tanning beds. The looks also usually includes lots of designer accessories, skirts pinned hight and baggy socks that go up to the knees.

The Kogal look is very materialistic and Kogals spend much their time shopping. They love to sport their designer cell phones, Burberry scarves and Louis Vuitton handbangs.

The short shorts plus high heels is also very much part of the Kogal look. However so are crazy shoes in colors like chocolate brown. Wooden shoes are also very much a part of the look. The most ultra hip of chick wears granny sweaters and purls. The idea is that they are real pearls and not costume jewellery ones.\

Part of this style is also called the “Elder Sister” Style or One-Lei. The variation is to dress like a very flashy Hollywood celebrity like Paris Hilton in camouflage cargo pants, glittery t-shirts adorned with sequins and large gemstone cocktail rings.

In Kogaluc the prom queen look is also fetish zed and you see these girls dressed in tiaras, tiny jewellery and fluffy chiffon get ups that make them look like they would be more at home dancing in a high school auditorium after a graduation ceremony.

The high end of this style is called Home Gal. Home means “princess” in Japanese. These women dress like princesses no matter what they wear and the tiara is an essential part of their daily wear.

There are also many different more sub genres of this look including dressing like Jackie Onassis, dressing like a muse for Andy Warhol or dressing like one of President Nixon’s daughter’s in the seventies. Dressing in playful polka dots or in fabrics that look like fifties tablecloths can also be a hall mark of this style which is widely imitated by designers in the West as well.

One thing is that the make up is a lot simpler than is the case with Goth Lolita looks. The makeup tends to be very natural looking and powdery and there is not a great deal of eye shadow. The lips are often pale pink (think Pamela Anderson) and the eyes are often fringed with big black lashes. In order to accomplish this look the brows must be impeccably thinned and arched as well.

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The Japanese Lolita Look

By now we all know who Lolita is – she is the young seductress in the movie of the same name; the product of the imagination of the writer Nabokov who invented her as the original love nymph.

The Lolita look is very much in vogue right now and it originates in Japanese fashion where the look of the seductive young girl has been popular for well over a decade. Movies like Kill Bill and the anime cartoons like Sailor Moon have contributed greatly to the eroticism of the look.

There are two types of Lolita looks in Japan. The first look known as Classic Lolita has young women or attractive older women wearing dresses that are very much like ones that you would see girls from six to ten years old wear. This usually means some kind of above the knee frilly a line frock coupled with knee socks and shoes with buckles. Pink is a favourite color of the classic Lolita as is the fabric motif of bright, ripe red cherries.

The second style is called Goth Lolita or GothLoli and features the young nympho in darker colors such as black, greyand violet. The dresses are still short and school girlish but the flat little girl shoes might be replaced with high heels. With this type of look it is not uncommon to see hair pieces or pig tails added to the look. Velvet and satins are also common so the little nympho looks like she is about to attend a funeral.

There is almost always combination of black and white, often black with white lace and typically decorated with ribbons and lace trims. Skirts can have a crinoline or petticoat to add volume. As in mainstream Japanese fashion, over-knee socks or stockings are extremely popular. Black fishnet stockings and white or black tights are also common.

This look can also have a bit of a Victorian look including lace gloves, parasols, and lace head pieces. Bonnets are even worn to complete this look. The idea to be to look like a porcelain doll.

Hair color must be extreme as well being either black, white or a bloody crimson red.

Of course complimenting all of this is the very standard Japanese School girl look. Women of all ages have been adopting this look ever since Britney Spears wore it in one of her videos.

The style started as a youth subculture sometime around 1997-98 and became a well-established genre available in various boutiques and some major department stores by around 2001.

Although these looks may seem childish much older woman also in Japan also seem to be wearing them. It is also being adopted by woman of all ages in the West as well.

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Trends in Bridal Shoes 2009

This spring you are going to see all kinds of different trends in bridal shoes – some of them old and some of them newer.
A hangover from the past few years is going to be the blue soled Louboutin bridal shoes. You can also get these in red but the blue sole is most desired by brides because it symbolizes the “something old – something new” demand.” These shoes can be expensive but the styles are outrageously romantic. You can say his satin shoes are among the most luxuriant and romantic looking on the market.
Another trend that is back is for Elfin style bridal shoes. If you have an elfin style or Celtic style gown then you might be wondering what kind of shoes goes best with this type of dress. You can opt for an actual glass slipper which is basically a strappy shoe with a plexiglass high heel but some brides dislike the allusion to strippers that this shoe now has.
Shoes that look best with Elvin or Celtic style gowns are pointed high-heeled slip ons that have full coverage over the top of the foot or high-laced boots. You can find satin versions of these types of boots at Rivindell Bridal, which specializes in medieval and fairy tale style wedding fashions.
There are a lot of older brides in the world who are hoping to get married in more sensible shoes. If you want to wear truly comfortable shoes why not wear a pair of wedding sneakers that have been glitzed and glammed up with sequins and crystals. At Savvy Sneaks you can get runners and shoes that will shine at your wedding. They call them “wedding tennis.” They make them for flowergirls as well.
These also work for the bride that is way too tall for the groom. It also prevents you from getting too cranky because your feet are sore at the altar.
Running shoes are not a bad choice if you are getting married outside or in a nature. It is hard to climb up to the top of that cliff with a view in Chrian Loubuitin bridal shoes!
If you are getting married on a beach then you might want to consider investing in a pair of silver wedding flip flops. You can buy these flip flops in shiny faux leather versions or covered in velvet. There are also many versions of these that are made of silver leather and decorated with crystals and rhinestones.
You can find many different versions of the upscale silver wedding flip flop at Bridal People. Novelty flip flops that say “thank you” on the sole or that have Just Married written all over them also make great honey moon gifts for honeymooners. You can also get cheap versions of these shoes made out of cardboard that can be given out as favors to wedding guests.

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Fashion for your home

Here is some fashion for your home. Your TV stand is a focal point in the room. This Sanus JFV65e/JFBD1e Seven Shelf Widescreen Lowboy has an awesome Black Backdrop Panel. It has a three-shelf lowboy cabinet with a versatile, rock-solid design that supports any combination of AV gear. Beautiful espresso-finished oak veneers, fluted tempered-glass doors and extruded aluminum frames add to the contemporary style. You can order it on this site.

Japanese Ganguro Fashion

Black and white make up styles and clothing styles are very popular in the West and that once again can be attributed to a Japanese street culture look. The fondness for this stark and creative look is inspired by what is known as ganguro fashion which is found mainly in the arty districts of Tokyo like Shibuya and Ikebukuro districts of Tokyo. The look has been around since the late nineties and designers like Gwen Stefani have taken their cues for their own collections from this type of Japanese street culture.

The basic look consists of bleached hair and a deep tan which is not exceptional in itself except that most Japanese woman is born with jet black hair. Ganjuro stands for “black face” in Japanese and refers to the heavy black eyeliner and loads of mascara that is used for this look. The look is also often completed with fake eye lashes and heavy white eyeliner below the eyes.

A real signature of this look is a tiny glittery adhesive that is worn on the bottom rim of the eye. White lipstick is also common which gives the women that wear this work a distinctly sixties feel.

There are also anime characters (Japanese cartoon characters) that are based on ganguro. One of them is called Peach Girl manga. This refers to a famous anime character named Memo who claims that she came by her tan skin and blonde hair naturali.

One subculture spring off of this look is called Manba or Yamamba which means ‘mountain hag.” However the look is actually very glamorous.

The women who sport this look seem liek Birds of Paradize. There are rhinestones and glittery adhesives below the eyes and brightly colored hair extensions in colors like pink and violet attached to the hair. The hair may also have clips attached to give it more height or make it seem longer.

Women also put stickers right on their faces and they could be images from Buddhism or cartoon characters like Hello Kitty.

Dayglo colored clothing and brightly colored contact lenses are also part of the Manba ganguro fashion look. For the longest times it was very hip in Japan to wear a Hawaiin lei with your ganguro style outfit. Other outrageous accessories worn might include an entire stuffed animal hanging from your hip or neck, bells on your ankles or around your neck or giant fake hibiscuses.

There is one small distinction between Manba and Yamanba looks. Yamanba will have white make up above the eye only while manba ganguro practicitoners will boast it below the eye as well.

Popular magazines associated with this trend in Japan are Popteen, Egg and Ego System.

Ethical Origin Gemstones

Do you want to be really fashionable? Make sure you are wearing gemstones of ethical origins. A company called Brilliant Earth is selling these and many other r companies that sell gems are also following suit as the desire to buy gemstones that don’t cause war or hurt the earth in any way are growing.
Brilliant Earth has begun selling what are called Ethical Origin Sapphires. These are true deep blue sapphire stones that are sold respecting environmentally responsible principles and with fair trade agreements in place.
These stones come from such places as Australia, Malawi and Sri Lanka and then paired with gold or platinum (also eco free) to create a gemstone ring that has harmed no one. These types are a great alternative to the traditional diamond ring that is usually used to celebrate marriage.
One of the most ethical of the mines partnered with by this company is the Malawian one in Chimwadsulu Hill. These sapphires from the southern mines in that country are some of the finest in the world and also come in pink. All mining in that area goes towards supporting the education of children in the area and the workers are all locally employed.
The company also sells low impact (one the environment) blue sapphires from Sri Linka that also come in a stunning range of hues – from blue to pink. These sapphires are very sought after for everything from cocktail rings to engagement rings to wedding rings.
This company also sells emeralds. These eco-chic emeralds come from Columbia where the climate and other factors create incredibly bright green stones. They are famous for being so brilliant. This means they are going to cost a little more. That is what is one of the drawbacks of buying stones like this.
The emeralds are mined in the Andes Mountains of Columbia where they have been harvested for hundreds of years. No harsh chemicals are used to mine the emeralds and the debris produced from the mining process itself is confided to sediment and rock. The area is also isolated from the organized crime that has affected other areas in Columbia for decades.
Brilliant Earth emeralds are also mined using fair and profitable labour practices. Each employee gets room and board as well as a share of ten percent to the profits from their production. The mine also employs at-risk youth and helps support the arts in Columbia.
These emeralds, which are carbochons like diamonds are a fine alternative to blood diamonds and each one that is sold comes with a Certificate of Origin that guarantees that they are ethical. They also fit the trend in wedding rings lately which is to make brighter colored gemstones the center stone in a ring and then accent with diamonds. This type of approach to creating a wedding ring was also very popular in the Victorian era.

Fashion Fierce Baby Clothes

Want to dress your child in classic yet very trendy duds? Both Diesel and Ralph Lauren are going out of their way this year to create the ultimate in baby fashions but both of them are at opposite sets of the fashion spectrum.
Why not go for some classic Ralph Lauren Polo designs. Ralph Lauren tends to dress babies the same way he dresses adults – like they are about to leap onto a sailboat and coast off or leap onto a tennis court to play a few games. In fact one of the signatures Ralph Lauren Polo baby itemises a blue and white striped rugby suit
Your kid might also look cool in the Ralph Lauren Polo Navy Aviator which is a navy blue zip foodie with a standing collar and hood. Your kid will look like a little pilot about to take off in his own private jet. There is something about the Ralph Lauren line that is very “jet set.
Believe it or not Lauren also puts images like bears on his jumpers. The Ralph Lauren bear is a knock off of Winnie the Pooh but skinnier and a little older looking. It is the signature fashion fierce baby style for this designer.
One of the cutest of Ralph Polo baby items is the baby socks. He offers a cute blue and white striped set for boys and a bright pink and white set for girls. Of course all of these clothes have the respected Ralph Lauren polo emblem.
If Ralph Lauren is for the more preppie set Diesel is for more rockabilly or wilder set .The clothing line Diesel has been associated with biker chic or punkabilly chic for some time. Now you can dress up your progeny like they belong on the set of a Quentin Tarantino film.
Diesel makes jeans for kids and of course they fit just right and are faded in the right places. You can expect to pay about ninety dollars a pair for these.
Another cute item is the purple tie dye tights for little girls and toddlers made by Diesel. . You can also get printed t-shirts with three quarter length sleeves in pink and yellow.
The pink one is called the Treasure Box T-Shirt and is thick with the embroidery that is so much in fashion nowadays. The yellow version is a little tougher with tattoo like designs and goth writing on it about exploring the Antartica. These shirts go well with any of the famous brand’s jeans for babies including their short legged Busky Baby Jeans.
Diesel is probably the only company that makes a dark navy fur lined jacket for boys that is in the aviator style.

Luxury Travel Accessories for Babies

High end travel accessories are very fashion fierce this year. They have been trendy for some time in fact because they make you look so together, sleek and organized even if you are a really busy mommy.
One of the newest of toddler travel accessories on the market is the Sac Seat or Sac’s Seat which is a portable high chair. This is a slip on sac that fits on any type of chair. You simply drop your baby in the pouch. They are great because they allow you to take your baby anywhere. Basically you can just hang the baby like you would on a post as long as there is a high back chair.
Another great thing is the Baby Kosi Sack which is like a big sock for the baby that keeps him or her warm in the stroller or car seat. It is pretty swell and a cut above your ordinary swaddling blanket. It keeps your infant soft, secure and warm.
You can also buy changers which are extra large padded mats that have a place to store nappies. You can get these small enough to fit inside a diaper bag but they are also available as separate pouches that can be toted around.
There have also been a lot of innovations in the design of toddler mattress. The toddler travel mattress is usually part and parcel of some kind of travel bed kit or portable child’s cot that is made for travelling. These types o f bed are a safe alternative to placing your kid in a bed in hotel or any other kind of unknown sleeping territory. A toddler travel mattress simply gives the child a safe place to sleep in an unfamiliar environment.
The most sought after high end travel cribs look more like cribs – such as the ones by Koo Di Pop Up. These ones lie flat until you untie them and then they pop up like a tent to create a structure. Yet others look like playpens. These ones are quite modern and come in the color black. They also have very high sides that are made out of mesh. These types of pop up cribs and playpens for travel are very hip.
When it comes to choosing a proper toddler travel mattress there are plenty of options t. You can buy an airy inflatable mattress which turns into a flat disc once you let the air out. Once fattened with air they are very a very comfortable type of toddler air mattress for your child.
There is a style of toddler travel mattress called the peapod which is quite flexible. It has that modern clean design that would go very well with other designs like the iPod. It has a zipper pocket and the mattress is covered by a fold down design that pops up and twists in to a shelter for your toddler. When placed in its compact position this type of mattress is easy to transport as well as keep very clean. The sleeping pad itself is washable and the entire thing can be used for both outdoor and indoor adventures.

Wedding Ring Trends for 2009

If you are getting hitched this Spring there are several trends in wedding rings that are going to be very fierce.
The first trend is towards pearls. A wedding ring that has both diamonds and pearls will be sought after and the more the ring looks like cocktail ring the better. It is even better if you have a necklace and bracelet of pearls to match. The reason these are so popular is because the price of pearls has actually dropped in the past few years. The bigger your pearls are the more fashionable you will be as well. Also popular are the disk shaped pearls which are flatter and look like plates, especially as disc like earrings or as a bracelet.
You might also like wishbone shaped wedding rings. This type of ring shape crests into a point on the finger. The reason that it has a point is that it is meant to accommodate the really cool pear shaped and marquise shaped single large cocktail ring size stones that look so hip right now. These large single stones are very much complimented by the inverse V shape of the glamorous wishbone ring.
The wishbone shaped ring is usually between 5mm and 3.5 mm and very much in vogue because chunkier rings like this are definitely in style for 2009.
When buying this type of ring you might also want to make sure that the V does fit the fingering a way so that the point of the V does not dig into the fleshing any way. Usually this is not a problem if the ring is well designed but it can be a problem if the ring is quite thin as the thinner the metal the sharper it ss. To make sure it is comfortable by the thicker or larger wishbone shaped ring so the point does gouge the finger.
Wooden wedding bands are also very much in vogue. According to a site called Ethical Weddings one of the latest trends in eco weddings is the wooden wedding band.
You might be thinking that having a wooden wedding band is just as harmful to the environment as gold or silver one but the rings from Chicago Joinery are actually made out of reclaimed wood. This means that the wedding rings are made out of scrap lumber or wood. They are recycled rings.
These eco rings truly come in braided designs that look like hand wrought metal. The band like designs are pale wood rimmed with darker wood which gives them the impression that they have some weight to them. If made artfully they do a good job of emulating the look of metal.
Another reputable creator of these beautiful rings is Touch Woo Rings which are made from trees that have fallen over on land owned by an artisan in British Columbia.
If you are into green weddings then there is not much of a greener choice than to order yourself and your betrothed a pair of wooden wedding rings. It works well for that Green wedding!