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Do’s and Don’ts of Summer Fashion Trends

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Let’s start with some reassurance. Fashion is fluid, so you can experiment and still keep in step with this summer’s fashion trends. In the last few years, colors and patterns have moved away from the traditional beauty standards. All body types can be fashionable, and all colors and patterns can work, too.

A Few Golden Rules

  • Dress for your body type. If skinny jeans look bad, go for a boot flare.
  • Mix up warm and cool colors. Try grey and peach together. The designers are doing it.
  • Keep the blouse and change the accessories to save money while changing your look.
  • Read the fashion magazines to get some fresh ideas

A Few Gentle Warnings

  • Don’t be discouraged by media influence. Be yourself and leave celebrity style to the celebrities.
  • Don’t let others define you. Cool women’s clothing comes in many designs.
  • Don’t forget to accessorize and buy some fun summer shoes.
  • Don’t wear a bikini if you look better in a one-piece swimsuit.

Who Makes These Fashion Rules?

Although the designers set the tone for the season, fashion and style are up to the individual. If you put it on and you feel good in it, then chances are you’ll look great. If you try it on and you feel uncomfortable with yourself, then chances are you’ll look not so great. This summer’s fashions cater to the super feminine and the tomboy. No need to squeeze into a mold. Break it and be yourself — wear the fashions that look good on your body and your personality type.

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Vintage Fashion: Do’s and Don’ts

LONDON - DECEMBER 06: Shoppers search for fas...

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Everyone loves going down to the local vintage shop or second hand store and searching for those preloved fashionable items. For those of us who has never shopped or worn vintage before there are a few ‘Do’s and Dont’s’.

The Vintage Trends website has more than a few items which you could add to your growing wardrobe, it can also be an asset to the beginner vintage shopper.

Don’t over vintage: Don’t create an outfit purely consisting of vintage clothes. Break it up with a few modern items as well. It will make the vintage piece stand out and look truly unique.

Do go for the simple pieces: A rather simple looking headscarf or shapeless dress could make the corner piece of your vintage wardrobe.

Don’t forget the sizing is different: Vintage sizes are different from today’s so before you rush home with your new dress or pants try them on in the store. It’s always tragic when you get home and it doesn’t fit.

Do alter your pieces: A vintage piece won’t always work as it is, and will sometimes need to be altered. A lot of the time a piece will need to be brought ‘back to life’. An experienced seamstress or tailor will be able to repair them.

Don’t wear incredibly dated clothes: Certain eras in fashion will be always considered classics but don’t over do it. A classic look can be quickly worn out.

However you wear it, as long as it works for you and feels comfortable it is sure to be a hit in your own wardrobe.

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Fun Hollywood Trends: Dressing The Part

One of the most interesting Hollywood trends going around right now is that people are dressing their pets up in really cute costumes and outfits. There are a wide variety of popular Hollywood celebrities that are currently utilizing this trend, making already cute pets even cuter by dressing them up in a myriad of different ways.

Hollywood Pet Costuming Trends

Alyssa Milano has a dog named Peter Pan, who she has been seen dressing up like the dog’s namesake. Paris Hilton also has a dog that is named Peter Pan, but she dressed her dog up like a little baby duck. Tori Spelling dressed her entire family up as bumblebees for a photo shoot, including the family dog. Even Martha Stewart has been seen dressing up her pet dogs. There is no shortage of incidences where a famous celebrity dressed a companion in pet costumes for photo opportunities or simply for fun.

Celebrity pets are not the only pets getting in on the action. Pet costumes are becoming increasingly popular among pretty much everyone with a pet, primarily because they come in so many different styles and sizes. You can dress a pit bull up in a tutu or a Chihuahua in a motorcycle jacket. There are costumes to suit every pet and every owner, regardless of size, shape or personality. There are even costumes for rabbits, cats, ferrets and other small animals as well, depending on what you are looking for and the specific look that you are attempting to achieve. If you have a pet, why not get in on the action too?

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Patterns, Colors and Fashion mixes of 2011

2011 is the year of mixing patterns and colors! Here are several great ways and ideas on mixing patterns and colors with patterns together to have the greatest look in the office.

Mixing colors is a great way to make your look bold and fashionable. Colors that go together well like Blue or yellow, or pink and orange are a great way to pair an outfit for a night out or a day at the office. Designers Tory Burch and Vera Wang are two of the top designers of today that mix and match patterns in their lines of clothes.  Other colors that go together well are Rich caramel, gold and burnt orange, as this was a designer favorite at popular Mercedes-Benz Fashion week.

Silvers, blacks and yellows in any matching pattern looks stunning, weather it’s in swim-wear or a new set of curtains. A classic take on the Indian style are golds and bronzes paired with rich colors such as blue or purple. Lemon yellow goes fantastically with a grey floral or leafy print. Classic grey prints with bright bold colors are an essential office look for spring 2011.Animal prints and Floral prints are still very much in style, and are a rich, lush add on to any Decor or outfit. Bold print heels are a sexy add on to a little black dress, and Floral patterned Jewelry goes well with breezy sundresses.

Pairing colored animal print accesories with plain colors are a fun way to spice up your outfit. Celebrities like Ashley Tisdale and Demi Lovato are fans of adding bold prints to their outfits. Knit-patterns, Crocheting and lace patterns are also coming back into style.

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Media Influence On Fashion And Style Trends

The media has always had a major say on the fashion industry, from when Marylin Monroe wowed the industry to the “Rachel haircut” from the friends era. Media has had a major stake in fashion trends and has also helped “make or break” several fashion designers. Many Celebrities from movies, magazines and even TV can influence the type of clothing we wear, to how we cut our hair. People want to look sexy and glamorous, so they tend to emulate the style icons they idolize. Some Fashion designers can even say that they got their start by being influenced by greats like Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn. Sonny and Cher were big style icons back in there day, and the Beatles started a wave of Euro-enhanced fashion that to this day still has a following.

When Charlie’s Angel’s first made it’s debut, Farrah Fawcets waves were a huge hit, inspiring women to feather their hair for years. Even figure skaters inspire fashion looks from the blunt bob of Dorothy Hamel to the wild, fun looks of recent figure skating Olympic star Evan Lysacheck. Elizabeth Taylor was one of the most successful Hollywood stars to produce and sell a signature sent that is still popular with women today. Classic looks that are sexy and glamorous are at the for-front of fashion today, and many women model their looks after it. For example, hit TV show Mad Men has started a 60′s era housewife style craze that has women wearing dresses and pearls with heels to cook, and men wearing suits and slicking back their hair.

Happy Days and the Mary-Tyler-Moore era also inspired looks in their day from leather jackets and hair like the Fonz to dresses with floral prints and aprons. We often want to imitate those who have a better lifestyle than ourselves, and for some people, imitation is the highest form of flattery. Fashion industry has blossomed into even forming it’s own tv shows like “Top Model” or “Project Runway.”

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Fashion Trend Forecasting

Models on the runway for Ed Hardy Fashion show...

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Have you ever wondered how fashion trends are determined or even how they are predicted? Well most fashion trends are actually predicted through a process called fashion trend forecasting or analysis.

Fashion trend forecasting is a process through which fashion experts or forecasting companies analyze fashion history, current trends, and consumer and retail trends. This information is complied and used to analyze as well as predict fashion trends.

Additionally, some fashion forecasting involves seeking out new styles, techniques, and color schemes created by designers and determining based on consumer purchases and fashion history whether these new styles will be successful.

Fashion forecasting is typically completed over a year in advance and is used by many fashion industry experts or by designers and retail businesses to determine new fashion lines, what to purchase and carry in retail stores, or to consult when designing new lines and accessories.

Fashion forecasting focuses on predicting clothing styles, popular colors for each season, and determining what types of accessories consumers will purchase. This process can influence fashion trends and fashion selections available in retail stores.

So how are these services accessed? Usually fashion forecasting is provided by companies who specialize in this and other fashion services. However, fashion trend reports can be purchased from some online companies. These reports are provided to individuals based on the same process and analysis which is then used to predict future fashion trends.

Research has indicated that fashion forecasting is still a relatively new field, but one that is developing quickly and being utilized extensively. This indicates that this field will continue to be utilized leading to its own influence on fashion trends and the fashion industry.

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Spring Makeovers For Your Inner Spaces

Spring is coming!  The air is fresher, the sky is bluer, and the hint of warm days and gardens hover as we walk outdoors.  Make your interiors as sunny and blissful as the outdoors without spending a lot of money.

Several interior designers were asked for ideas to bring spring without breaking the bank.  Dee Elms, of Terrat Elms in Boston suggests, “The best thing to do right away is open your windows to let the fresh air in.  Get rid of the heavy down-filled comforter and buy a new duvet in a cool spring color or light woven cottons for the bed.  Add beautiful new shams for your pillows–on the bed and in your living areas.  Change out all the dark colors and prints that go well with winter and make you feel cozy.  Paint your walls and change up the accessories around the house by adding a lighter, brighter color to your surroundings.  Bring fresh flowers indoors and add new plants to your living space.”

Michael Crowley, of Venezia Design in Boston, adds, “Like my grandmother said, do a good spring clean.  Sweep away winter!  Rearrange the furniture, get a new accessories, like a new rug.  Change the appearance of a room with brand new lampshades.  Change the white silk shades to something colorful, or with a funky trim. One of my favorite tricks is to buy ornamental curtain rods, and place them close to the ceiling.  I have a 10 by 10 room at home and the room has much more height and presence now.  You can elongate and deepen any room this way.”

Another really great lift for a room, according to Crowley:  “A white ceiling is a waste.  If you add colors to your ceilings, the light changes in the room.  If you don’t use your ceilings to create (a glow) inside, it’s a lost opportunity.  Paint is so inexpensive.  For $30, you can give a room a new appearance.  If you don’t have time or money, paint an accent wall. You’ll create something new and exciting.”

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Finding the Best Clothing Deals Online

Online retailers make it possible for consumers to purchase high quality designer clothing at low prices. Getting the most for your money, however, means knowing how to find the best fashion deals online. Follow these guidelines to help ensure that you have a good online shopping experience.

Compare Prices

The Internet makes it very easy to compare prices. Instead of driving all over town to determine which store has the lowest price on an item, you simply open your browser and compare prices side-by-side. Comparing prices is one of the best ways to ensure that you get a good deal on the items you buy.

Compare Shipping Prices

The price of clothing sold online isn’t always the final price that you end up paying. That’s because many online stores charge shipping fees. Note, however, that some online retailers offer free shipping. This can make a big difference when you purchase several articles of clothing. Include the price of shipping and handling when you compare prices to make sure that you are really getting the best deal.

Review Return Policies

Reviewing the site’s return policies will ensure that you understand whether you can return items easily. If the clothes don’t fit well, then you will want to return them without much hassle. Some online retailers make this process much easier than others. Some even pay for return shipping.

Use Reliable Websites for the Best Deals

Using reliable websites will help you find the best deals online. www.offers.com, for instance, gives consumers up-to-date information about the best deals on the Internet. You can also use the site to find coupon codes that will save you a lot of money on orders from popular retail sites.

When you follow these guidelines, you are certain to find the best deals on the Internet. By shopping online, you not only get to compare prices easily, but you also get to save time and money by avoiding crowded retail stores.

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Fresh New Styles in Nail Color for Spring

An example of a French Manicure, acrylic nails...

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Spring nail colors offer a world of possibility. Think of your nails as natural accessories. Colors from a butterfly’s papillon palette—bright yellows, greens, oranges and pinks—shot with cool tropical turquoise and aquamarine, punctuate our dark winter color fix.  These colors feel like warm sunlight filtering through sugar eggs in your spring basket.  Nail color for spring continues to include dark, gray and edgy looks—but sunglasses-bright colors take center stage.  Spring hues, with scarcely a demure or old-fashioned pastel–without neon–are what we want.

This spring, coat your nails with the brightest orange and take a drink of sunshine. For extra zest, use nail pens—little dots, watermelons, ladybugs, daisies and updated French manicures will let everyone know your gloves are off!  Nail art pens create anything you can imagine: Lady Ga-Ga poker-face hearts or Bollywood Wedding styles.

Moon manicures, combined with Blade Runner–like fantasy forms allows futuristic perfection while echoing the Manchurian opium den or trekking through Tibet.  Use clear bright pink stains of color as base, using accent colors of navy, persimmon, grass green and yellow.  Or use your imagination:  you will be inspired by new styles and shapes and the possibilities for elongating your already beautiful hands.

The look of talons, too beautiful to maim, with bright colors and precise geometry is now, and you are the chicest chic:  Buffy-the-Vampire-Slayer fashion returns.

1980s “over-the-top” and “Time After Time” glamour is fresh and updated.  Skin is soft, moisturized and well-tended.  Tousle your hair a bit and wear moonstones in silver!  Nails that aren’t your mother’s airbrushed are peeking out from long sleeves, wishing for spring fashion and weather.  Using foils and up-to-the-second nail techniks, you can create incredible new styles: lacy, mandala-like art, muraly-looks, a montage of modern or “biker chic”!

Matte nail polishes and metalics—along with nudes like you’ve never seen them before—continue to sell from last season fashion.

Natural nails are always chic, and the look of strong, healthy, buffed to sheen keratin is something that Jessica Vartoughian, “the first lady of nails” recommends to everyone.

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Your Beauty Resolutions List

New styles and fashion makeovers, along with dedicated work on your beauty to-do and resolutions list, goes a long way to achieving goal of the best year ever.

Smile more. Smiling is free and an easy way to look beautiful. Porcelain veneers perfect your smile, boost your confidence and confirm your decision to smile now. Pearly teeth deserve to be seen all the time. Get rid of your serious demeanor by Memorial Day!


Exercise five times per week. Does your exercise routine need a makeover? Pursue outdoor fun if going to the gym seems boring and dreary. Or ask for a better deal when your gym membership comes up for renewal. Go to the gym, sign up for new classes—like Zumbaa—and have more fun each time you sweat away last night’s dessert.

The truth is, gyms want your business. If your excuse for avoiding new fashion has anything to do with losing 10 pounds, stop procrastinating. Throw out your black clothes and select brilliant new styles and colors by summer. No need to “dress 10 pounds thinner” if you lose 10 pounds!

Facial fillers. If you’re looking for a new way to get a brand new look, consider facial fillers. Dermatologists recommend using facial fillers earlier in life to avoid the formation of deep lines and wrinkles. For example, everyone has folds from the nose to mouth—your nasiolabial folds—but these tend to get deeper with age. Frown lines, little laugh lines and other tiny imperfections that you’re aware of go away in a single visit to the dermatologist.

Facial fillers that include hyaluronic acid plump up the folks and make you look younger. Wearing cosmetics and getting makeovers at your favorite department store inspires you to try new styles and colors. Facial fillers last about six months.

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