Rabu, 31 Maret 2010

Gold shoes for piano recital

Last weekend my daughter had a piano recital and I needed to get her some new shoes. I really did not have time to shop around and went to the closest shoe shop which turned out to be John Lewis. My daughter, who is only 4 by the way, picked out a pair of gold shoes from the children’s wedding shoes section and wouldn’t take them off after trying them on. I got her a pair of bridal socks to go with her shoes but she was not interested in wearing any socks just her gold shoes. She wore a floral print dress and her gold shoes and won best dress at the recital. It just reminded me how versatile metallic gold is and made me think that I simply must get myself some gold sandals this summer.
gold shoes

My daughter played "Buttercup and Diasies" and "London Bridge".  And for those of you wondering how a child can be playing the piano at such a young age then check out the Suzuki Method.  The suzuki method is a method of teaching music by numbers developed by Shinichi Suzuki.  Following are some books on the subject you may find useful.

Studying Suzuki Piano: More Than Music - A Handbook for Teachers, Parents and Students (Suzuki Method International)

Ability Development from Age Zero (Suzuki Method International)

You know how sometimes you are concerned that children would grow out of clothes and shoes without having worn them much?  Well rest assured these gold shoes are being worn everyday as she jumps into them the moment she gets home and it does not matter where we are going these days, she puts them on.   Apart from the fact that they are gold, my daughter says they look like ballet shoes which is even more appealing I think.

Selasa, 30 Maret 2010

Graphic dress meets minimalist look

When you think of graphic dresses you usually imagine bold designs, retro prints and vintage dresses from the 1970’s. Here are some graphic dresses from Calvin Klein’s spring summer 2010 collection which are simple, minimalist and chic. These dresses remind me of the art of Batik which involves the use of wax and a dyeing process followed by the removal of the wax to reveal stunning designs and colours.


The organic shapes and light-reflecting neutrals are simply appealing and classic and are gorgeous summer dresses perfect for those summer barbecues and that exotic summer caribbean holiday. Complete the minimal look with Munique's handmade leather sandals.

Senin, 29 Maret 2010

Choosing bridesmaid dresses

Gone are the days when bridesmaid dresses needed to look identical, which is great as your bridemaids will come in different shapes and sizes. Though I do know some people who factor in shape and size when choosing bridemaids as they want their bridemaids to fit into a certain dress.  But that is certainly not necessary these days.  Now bridemaids can wear different style dresses as well as different coloured dresses.  Here we see Carrie's bridemaids in Sex and the City all wearing different colour dresses and different style dresses with the only similarites being in the necklines and shoulders and sleeves to some extent.



So you can opt to go with a colour scheme for your bridemaids dresses or a style theme or neither just as long as your bridemaids are wearing dresses that flatter their bodyshape are looking radiant to be photographed.   It's easier when a bridesmaid feels that she is looking her best for her to smile for the camera.

For instance a floral theme for a spring /summer wedding can include a combination of skirt suits, strapless cocktail dresses and halterneck dresses.

floral print dresses


halter neck dress


floral skirt


floral bustier top

Be guided by bodyshape when choosing your bridesmaids dresses.  Remeber uniformity does not have to be same dresses but similar bridesmaids dresses along a unifying theme be it colour,  print or even floral or flower wedding necklaces. 

Wedding shrug

Getting married?  This ivory wedding shrug is the perfect cover up for your wedding dress if you do not wish to reveal too much skin at the altar or as an extra layer for those chilly spring summer weddings.  If you are attending a wedding, long sleeve shrugs are the ideal accompaniment to those strapless cocktail dresses or sleeveless cocktail dresses.  While this shrug looks like lace, it is actually a crochet shrug and is available in several colours making it ever so versatile to slip over your cocktail dresses and still look smashing.  Shrug is available in gold, silver, black and ivory.

Click here for the perfect wedding necklace.

Sabtu, 27 Maret 2010

Cocktail Dresses Sale

cocktail dresses sale

With the summer behind us, it's time to gear up for the upcoming schedule of cocktail parties-Galas, Ungalas, Mini-Galas, Masquerades, and Homecomings. There's lots of activity beckoning in the months ahead and half the fun of the party is in getting there.

Are you ready?

While some events may be truly formal-white tie, black tie, long gown-most will require the more versatile cocktail dress. Shorter (upwards from tea length) and usually made of satin, silk, or chiffon, though the fashion police won't arrest you if you're wearing something flattering, flirtatious, and fun.

Flattering is the key word. You need to know that you look good. You need to feel that you look good. Otherwise, you'll be pulling at your hair, dabbing at your nose, and hiding out in the loo most of the night. And what's the point in that? You're out to have a good time.

Looking for the right dress should be fun, too. Your favorite magazines are a good place to start. Get a sense of what's out there this year and pick out some styles that you not only like but that you know you'll look good in. Remember, models and photographers are going for the unusual circumstance. Something truly eye-catching.

But you live and party in the real world, not caught in one-split second of unique film perfection. Think about it. Will your friends admire your selection or see it as too much? Will you be comfortable in something outré for the duration of the party?

cocktail dresses sale

The same rule of thumb goes for movie and television styles. What you see on the screen may plunge more deeply or rise higher than is acceptable for a social gathering. And screen actors and models for the most part adjust their body size to the camera's eye, which adds at least ten virtual pounds. You don't have to starve yourself for a dress.

Reality Check

Find out what your friends plan to wear before you buy. Let their consensus-and your budget-guide you. Don't put yourself in debt for the sake of a party. There will be other events and dresses, so if you're shopping on a shoestring, look to consignment and thrift shops, which frequently have one-of-a-kind, beautiful cocktail and party dresses.

Otherwise, it's time to hit the malls, the service-oriented local stores, and your shops on line. There are advantages to each, and if you have the time, sample each outlet.

The mall gives you an array of department stores and smaller chains to choose from. You have a variety of sources all in one place to see and compare. Make a day of it and you'll begin to narrow down the options. Try your favorites on. Keep notes so that you'll remember better what you saw and how you felt about each dress. Take pictures.

Even if you fall irrevocably in love with a dress, it's better not to buy on the spot. Love can prove fickle, even where satin and silk are concerned. And it's all too easy to pledge our hearts to an exciting hemline that on reconsideration proves unworthy of that first flight of fancy.

Don't overlook the road less traveled outside the shopping centers. Although it is becoming harder and harder to find the small, locally owned shops that used to dominate Main Street, they do still exist.

Their advantage? You'll probably find a selection of carefully chosen fashions, cocktail dresses that don't populate the cookie-cutter mall stores. You'll have more of a one-on-one connection with the sales people, maybe even the manager or owner, who are well versed in their stock and are ready to assist you in your quest for the right dress.

Beware, though, of commission-based clerks who have their own best interests in mind instead of yours. If you look in the mirror and are aghast at what you see, take the sales assistant's declaration that this dress is "definitely you" with a grain of salt...and move on.

The Internet has definitely changed the way we shop. Online browsing makes it easy to view literally hundreds of possible dresses at our convenience, without the hassle of driving, parking, walking, all within the time frame of a store or mall's hours. You can shop in your pajamas. In the middle of the night or before breakfast. It's easy.

Most online stores have reasonable exchange policies, though you may have to pay a restocking fee. Still, that's good to know, just in case that impulsive click of the mouse brought disastrous results.

Shopping With Friends

That afternoon at the mall with your best friend or the gang can be a lot of fun, but not necessarily as productive as you'd like. After all, your dress is not as important to them as it is to you. They will ultimately (whether they admit it or not) become bored with the all-about-you theme of the day.

So expect some side trips into the video store, the candy shop and food court, and maybe even an unexpected movie. They are your friends, but they have other interests besides your all-important dress. They may encourage you to buy something, anything, just to get it over with and get on with the day.

cocktail dresses sale

They may tell you what they think you want to hear about the totally inappropriate pink frou-frou gown, rather than the god's honest truth. Or they may deliberately misguide you, coveting the dress for themselves or maybe even wanting to look better than you. Friends are human, too. Accept their failings, and don't let it cloud your judgment.

Accessorize

To paraphrase, no dress is an island. You need more than just that cocktail dress to have a complete outfit.

Shoes. Jewelry. Evening bag.

Unless it's a fifties-themed party, it's not necessary to have everything match exactly. That said, this year's fashion trend is a moderate return to the blended look of complementing accessories. Good taste rules.

In general, you'll want your shoes to pick up on color and/or fabric within your dress in order to coordinate your overall look. This gives you freer rein to have your evening bag reflect or stand out from the ensemble.

Again, jewelry should accent, not overpower. Two pieces, three max, whether they be necklace, bracelet, earrings, rings, or hair accessories. One good piece of advice that dates back decades is to take one final look at yourself before you leave for the party and take off one piece of jewelry.

We have a tendency to pile the pretties on at the last moment. Including perfume. But keep fragrance to a minimum. You may adore the way you feel when drenched in the latest scent-sation, but trust me, others may not share your devotion. You'll be up against an array of bouquets, allergies, and those who just don't like sniffing your trail.

Undergarments are part of accessorizing. Bodices fit better over a good, quality brassiere. And despite what you see on the street and in the movies, it's usually considered poor form to display bra straps, hooks, and underarm support at an upscale party.

Also, the dress shouldn't be so snug that it bunches over pantyhose, waistbands, or other bumps in your tummy or derriere. And if the dress is unlined and on the sheer side, you may want to reacquaint yourself with that lacy slip at the bottom of your dresser drawer.

It's a wrap. Always bring a shawl, velvet jacket, or lightweight cape with you-just in case. It is difficult to regulate temperature in a public space occupied by a large group of people. Someone is always going to be too hot or too cold. Don't let it be you. If it's too hot, you can ditch the wrap. If it's cold, you're prepared.

cocktail dresses sale

Now Have Fun

You've picked out the right cocktail dress, accessorized wisely, and enjoyed the journey. Now you're ready to go. Banish those last minute nerves and question marks. It's time to have fun. Go for it, girl. It's your night. Your time to fly!

Maureen A Martin is a playwright, feature writer, and journalist not unfamiliar with the trials and tribulations of galas and fundraisers.

Silver Cocktail Dress

silver cocktail dress

What special events do you have coming up? Is someone who is very important to you taking you somewhere special, or do you find that you have a special occasion where you need to look your best?

This is where looking into the charm and icy grace of white cocktail dresses can come in, and when you are in a place where you love being able to move forward with a style that most people would not dare wear, this is something that you need to look into. Take some time and take a look at the different white cocktail dresses out there; there are plenty of great styles and chances are good that you will find yourself in a place with a dress that will really suit you!

silver cocktail dress

When you are looking at how you are going to find the right white dress, make sure that you look at your skin tone. If you have a very warm skin tone, you might be best off with a white dress that has just a little touch of beige or gold to it; this can keep your skin from looking to dull.

On the other hand, if you have a lot of pink or even blue to your skin, think about finding the iciest white that you can. White is a color that can be worn by just about anyone and when you are ready to find out more about what you can wear, this is something that is important to keep in mind. Wearing white can be wonderfully formal, and it can give you a certain important elegance and grace.

If you are interested in wearing a white cocktail dress, it is going to be important to look at design and what you love. For instance, if you are someone who has a love of the classics, you will find that you are in a place where you need to look at the simple white cocktail dress, which is the white counterpart of the little black dress.

silver cocktail dress

This is a perfect dress for just about any occasion, so take some time, and make sure that you find the one that is going to suit you. Another thing that you might enjoy is a dress that has been trimmed with silver in some way. A little bit of silver edging and or even a silver design on your white dress can turn it into something that is perfect for the occasion.

Do you like the idea of a long dress or a short one? There is a call for all lengths at this point, and you will find that you can learn a lot just by looking around. While super short skirts are not in, a skirt that comes in above the knee is certainly appropriate. You may also love dresses with full skirts that come down to tea length or even below; this can be a perfect way to get the look that you are after.

silver cocktail dress

Take some time and make sure that you browse through the white cocktail dresses that are available online. They can help you create the sensation that you are after.

Jumat, 26 Maret 2010

Inexpensive Cocktail Dresses

inexpensive cocktail dresses

Some of you, like myself, might have thought that the cocktail ring was just a dying trend, soon to be phased out like banana clips and saddle shoes. But such is not the case! In fact, cocktail rings are more popular than ever and have been seen decorating the digits of celebrities near and far! In fact, the latest trends for spring all involve bling. So by all means let's all "bling into spring," with big, sparkly baubles!

inexpensive cocktail dresses

The fun part about cocktail rings is that they are a very versatile piece. Whether you are a pretty-in-pink Paris Hilton type, or an urban-chic diva like Alicia Keyes, cocktail rings can be worn for practically every style you're hoping to achieve. For you glamour girls out there, cocktail rings come in glitzy metallics with big, Swarovski Crystals. For the boho-chic chick you can scourge the streets for cocktail rings with large, natural stones. Sometimes you can see the quintessential boho-chic donning the cocktail ring in earthy gemstones like amber or jade. Perhaps you are a punk-rocker girl who shines best in florescent colors, suspenders and Chuck Taylor's, then snap up a plastic cocktail ring bedazzled with rhinestones.

inexpensive cocktail dresses

The cocktail ring can also be quite versatile in price. I have seen them in lower-end retail shops for as inexpensive as $4, while a creative designer piece can range anywhere from $80-500, depending upon the designer of course. Also don't be afraid to peruse your local vintage shops, where you're sure to find antique cocktail rings with beautiful filigree inlays and unique designs.

inexpensive cocktail dresses

Either way, you can't go wrong with the cocktail ring. It can be worn with an outfit as simple as jeans and a t-shirt, or with a matching cocktail dress (how appropriate)! It has been worn by the cast members of Desperate Housewives, Paris Hilton, Heidi Klum, and Nicole Richie. So keep your eyes open ladies, and shop around!

Yellow Cocktail Dress

yellow cocktail dress

If you have a special occasion coming up deciding what to wear and the fear of being under dressed or over dressed can be very daunting. A great option is to wear a cocktail dress. Cocktail dresses are highly versatile and can be worn to a variety of different types of events. From formal events such as proms and weddings to less formal events such as office parties or a night out with the girls, a cocktail dress can be dressed up or down with accessories making them suitable for many different occasions.

yellow cocktail dress

Cocktail dresses come in a variety of different shapes, sizes, lengths, colours and styles. When choosing a cocktail dress one of the most important factors to consider it the length. When most of us think about cocktail dresses we will think of a dress which stops just above the knee however there are variations which are shorter and longer. Anything below the ankle however is classed as a ball gown. It is important to familiarise yourself with what the current fashion is that season and then find a length that is on trend and suits your body shape.

yellow cocktail dress

Cocktail dresses now come in a beautiful array of materials including satin, silk and chiffon. Depending on how formal the event is you are attending may have a big impact on the material you choose however most dresses can be dressed up or down with accessories such as jewellery, handbags and fascinators. The shoes you choose will also make a big difference to the overall look of your dress particularly if you opt for a shorter style as they will be more noticeable.

When it comes to choosing the colour of dress there are many options. If you want a dress that you will be able to use time and again then you cannot go wrong with a little black dress. Every girl should have one in their wardrobe and you will be amazed how often it comes in useful. If however you want a dress with a bit more colour in it then you need to consider the season. In the summer months then light fresh pastel colours such as pale pinks, blues, greens and yellows will look great. Whereas in the winter months then warmer colours such as browns, crimson or dark blue will be more flattering.

yellow cocktail dress

Cocktail dresses are however only one of the types of dresses available and there are many other styles of occasion wear to choose from such as prom dresses, ball gowns, party dresses, day dresses and evening dresses. No matter what the event is you are going to the most important thing is that you feel comfortable in what you are wearing. Try to leave yourself plenty of time to do your research and find the perfect dress.

Kamis, 25 Maret 2010

Dressing for a job interview

What to wear for that all important job interview can be such a dilemna at times. But it needn't be if you follow a few simple guidelines. Keep it neat, simple and tailored and go for classic looks like this navy ladies pinstripe jacket which can easily be worn over a shift dress or with a crisp white shirt and knee length skirt or long trousers.
pinstripe jacket, navy pinstripe jacket, ladies pinstripe jacket
Pinstripe is a classic material that never goes out of fashion. Ralph Lauren as pictured below used pinstripe in his spring summer 2010 collection so this is a trend that never goes out of fashion but is constantly being re-invented.

ladies pinstripe trousers, ralph lauren spring summer 2010 collection
photo from http://www.style.com/

Certainly not suggesting that you wear this top on an interview but just making the point about the perpetual trendiness of pinstripe as you want to look current but not overly fashionista.

Dressing for an interview is probably one of the most important moments of power dressing that there is. Cliches like first impressions count, your first impression can be your last impressions, you have one chance to make a first impression are so appropriate to this moment when you first enter a room with an interview panel and they start assessing you even before you they start questioning you. Sad to say but the interview can be won or lost from this point and not because the panel is fickle but because the time and thought taken in putting yourself together for that interview is the first reflection of you the interview panel gets of your suitability for the job in terms of attention to detail, dress code and more importantly how serious you are about getting that job.

men's pinstripe suit, interview suit

men's navy pinstrip suit

Wear a simple crisp white shirt with your pinstrip suit or a another suitable plain coloured shirt.  If your jacket is already patterned like the pinstripe then stick to a plain shirt so that you are not wearing too much pattern to distract the interviewers from the job at hand which is to get to know you better and evaluate whether you are the best fit or one of the best fits for the job.  If they are distracted by your appearance it may be all they remember about you. 

red tie
red tie
wine tie, wine coloured tie
wine tie

Go for a red tie or wine coloured tie which many politians wear with a dark suit as red draws attention to the lips and they want people to listen to what they are saying so too you want your prospective employers to listen to what your have to say.

Power dressing for ladies
Ladies; to be taken seriously for the job especially when you are competing with male candidates, you must be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with them and be counted.  Don't over feminize your appearance by exposing cleavage, wearing short skirts or clothes that are obviously too tight.  Stick to knee length skirts or trousers.


jewellery pendant "mermaid"

You do not want to be wearing fashion accessories that dominant your outfit. Add a touch of femininity with unobstrusive stud earrings and simple pendant necklaces as shown above which are small and tasteful. Other feminine touches could be the use of a well matched scarf used as a belt in your trousers.   Choose fashion accessories that balances your interview outfit and do not overpower your look.

Personal grooming
Attention to detail from your head down to your socks, stocking and shoes is imporatnt.  Get a haircut, wash your hair, apply make up, wear shoes appropriate for the outfit in terms of colour and style. Avoid worn out shoes or get the heels or your shoes changed if they are worn out. There is nothing more annoying than the tick tock sound of ladies heels grating as they walk because the heel needs replacing.   These are the little things an interview panel remembers but you want them to remember the big things about you which relates to your qualifications, experience and suitability for the job.

brown leather handbag

Handbags and briefcases
Ensure that handbags and briefcases also look the part and are not suffering from wear and tear. Ladies no no animal print bags please!!!! While I love giraffe print handbags, the interview room is not the place to show off your keen fashion sense.  Keep it classic and conservative and go for quality leather handbags in black or dark brown.

brown leather briefcase

Dressing for a job interview is only half the battle, the other half is about what comes out of your mouth.  To help you plan, prepare and perform in the interview invest in books on interview questions and answers and search the internet for interview tips.


Knockout Interview Answers: 52 Brilliant Ideas to Clinch Your Dream Job (52 Brilliant Ideas)



You're Hired! Interview: Tips and techniques for a brilliant interview