Saturday, January 28, 2012

How to Be A Fashionista on A Budget?

As a fashion conscious person, you can't really afford to neglect having the best accessories to match your clothes, can you? You'll need to have the right kind of shoes and bags to match with the outfits that you choose for every occasion. However, this can work out to be very expensive for you. Thankfully, there are a few things you could do in order to look extremely stylish on a budget.

If you are really fashionable then you will definitely want to have a sizeable collection of shoes. The outfits that you wear for a lunch date with your girlfriends will be completely different from the ones that you wear to work or for an evening at a night club. The shoes will also have to be selected accordingly. Many ladies are tempted to buy the cheapest possible shoes in order to include as many as possible in their budgets but this is not always a good idea because the shoes might not last long. It is a good idea for you to pick up a few classic pieces that will last long and will never go out of fashion.

The internet offers many opportunities for fashion conscious people who are on a budget. You will be able to find an immense variety of shoes at amazingly low prices at online stores. Most online retailers carry a very large inventory of the latest designs. These stores are able to offer excellent prices because they maintain a tight control over costs. You will also enjoy the shopping experience on the internet because you will be able to shop at your leisure. The items you select will be sent to you within a very short while.

Make sure that you go through lots of fashion magazines and websites in order to find out what the latest trends are so that you can buy the most stylish footwear. The trend this year is to wear footwear in bright colours and metallic shades. You can wear cute strappy sandals in the colour of your choice for summer. Since you are shopping on a tight budget you ought to make sure that the coloured footwear you purchase really looks good on your feet and matches the clothes you have. You will be able to step out in style without spending a great deal of money as long as you use these tips to buy footwear.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

5 Top Tips To Choosing The Perfect Wedding Shoes

There are a number of factors to consider so here are our essential tips to help you find the perfect bridal shoes for your dream wedding day.

1: STYLE

Once you have chosen the beautiful wedding dress perfectly suited to your own personality and style, it is time to pick the right wedding shoes to match the dress. If you are having a summer wedding and dreaming of sun and blue skies, nothing beats the comfort and freedom of a pair of open-toed sandals.

Your feet will thank you allowing them to breathe in comfort. You may however prefer a more formal approach and choose a classic pair of ladies court shoes. If you are really unsure, think about teaming simple wedding shoes with an elaborate wedding dress, or vice versa.

2: FABRIC

Matching your shoes to your wedding dress is an exciting part of the selection process. Think about whether you are wearing a silk, satin or lace dress and match your wedding shoes accordingly. For part of the day you may only see the front of your shoe however you may be lifting your dress to walk (or dance!) and your guests will then see the back of your shoes. Going for some detail at the back can be interesting and eye-catching.

3: HEELS

The majority of brides will prefer to go for heels and it is important to pick the right heel height. We advise choosing a heel height that you are used to. And don't forget to consider your future husband's height, if he is a little on the short side, you may not want to end up taller than him! Once you have chosen your wedding shoes, be sure to take them to your dress fitting to enable the fitter to give you the perfect dress length.

4: WEDDING LOCATION

It is a good idea to think about the wonderful wedding ceremony venue you have chosen when picking your bridal shoes. Are they suitable for your venue? If you are having a lovely summer garden wedding, or even a fabulous beach wedding, it may be a good idea to invest in an extra pair of wedges or flats for when you are walking on the grass so as to avoid ruining your heels in the mud. This is also an idea for certain venues who may ask you not to wear stilettos so you don't damage the floor. If heels are not an issue, you may opt for an open toe shoe for an outdoor wedding or a more closed option for a winter wedding.

5: COMFORT

One of the most important things to keep in mind while buying your wedding shoes is comfort. Your wedding day will be a very long one spent on your feet from walking down the aisle, greeting guests, posing for photographs, cutting the cake, to standing up for toasts and even dancing the night away. Spending hours on your feet are difficult with even the most comfortable pair of shoes so think about comfort. Remember also your feet will swell over the day especially if you are getting married in the summer.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

How To Care For Your Woollen Clothing?

Anyone paying attention to current trends will know that there is an increasing demand for consumers to know exactly what we are putting in and on our bodies. Organic, preservative free, and natural are not just marketing hype: they reflect an innate human desire to be safe and warm. The ultimate in safe and warm are natural wool products, but many people feel intimidated by what they perceive to be as complicated care regimens: they're concerned they will shrink, felt or otherwise ruin a natural wool product by throwing it in the washing machine. In some cases, this is true, but it isn't as complicated as it may seem.

The key to caring for your woollen clothing is knowing exactly what you have, and what the best way to care for your particular natural wool product is. Many producers have developed manufacturing processes which mean items can be successfully machine washed on special woollen or delicate cycles, or even regular cycles in some cases. Always look for a care label, and if in doubt, hand wash.

Bear in mind that wool is a natural fibre. It is naturally breathable and may need less washing than your average synthetic item of clothing. If you remove your woollen item of clothing after wearing and air it, you may find it needs washing only a few times per winter.

If it does need washing, the primary dangers to natural wool products are excess heat, vigorous agitation, bleach or detergents containing bleach.

Water temperature is crucial. Hot water causes natural wool fibres to be damaged and dye to run. The ideal temperature is blood temperature (38 C). You should also bear in mind that letting water run onto your natural wool product may cause the fibres to matt. If you are hand washing, fill the bucket or sink with water before immersing your woollen item of clothing in it. Agitate gently, taking care not to rub it against itself. You are aiming to soak and rinse the dirt out.

The next factor to consider is detergent. Modern detergents are designed to break down dirt, but their alkalinity means they may also cause damage to your natural wool products, meaning they may wear out faster. Special wool detergents protect the fibres. These are readily available, but you can also use baby shampoo or castile soap.

To dry a woollen item, you simply lay it on a towel, then roll the towel and the item of clothing up to remove excess moisture, then unroll and leave to dry flat. Store somewhere cool and dry, with mothballs or cedar chips to protect against damage.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Wide Fit Women's Shoes

Wide fit women's shoes are increasingly available in the UK, across Europe and North America these days. In the past, if you wanted shoes with extra width, you had to get them custom made which can be undesirable due to waiting period as well as the elevated costs involved. As a niche, wide fitting footwear has steadily been filling up with products from major brand names. After all, not everyone has feet that will adhere to the basic sizes offered by many mainstream shoe brands. Those that have wider feet often know the difficulties when it comes to shopping for shoes. Commonly offered sizes don't fit quite right which removes a large chunk of variety for you to choose from when the time comes for a new pair of shoes.

Today however, some companies have seen the need for wide fitting shoes and do have a small line up of custom sized footwear for those in need. Having said that, the market is still in dire need of variety when it comes to off-the-shelf custom sizes. With that in mind, let us look at the most commonly requested wide fit footwear in the market.

Flats

Flats are the go to pair of shoes when you want something comfortable to wear. Flats often refer to ballerina slippers, or more accurately, ballerina slippers that have been beefed up for outdoor use. This style of shoe is most commonly used for casual settings. They are simple in design, comfortable and largely inexpensive. Some of the brands in the UK that carry wide fitting variants include Gabor, Ann Harvey, Comfort Plus as well as Highfields.

Heels

Heels are a perennial favorite and are often some of the best selling style of shoes for women. They are feminine, sexy and often add a few inches in height to the wearer. But they are also damaging to the feet especially as the years pass. It also damages the back, ankles, hips and knees. No pain no gain, they say, as many women are willing to pay the price for a pair of these shoes. UK brands that offer wide fitting variants include Lora Dora, Comfort Plus, Gabor and Touch Ups.

Wedges

Wedges are the answer to those that want the benefits that come with heels but don't want to have to deal with sore feet at the end of the day. This is because wedges have a heel that comes into full contact with the surface, unlike traditional heels. The end result is less pressure on the ball of the foot as weight is distributed more efficiently. The downside to this design is the fact that it loses the slim profile commonly associated with heels. Instead, it has the potential to look large and chunky. Some great brands in the UK that offer wide fitting wedges include Clarks, Orchard, Ann Harvey as well as Comfort Plus.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rugged Swiss Army Watches for the Adventurer

What do you give to the man who already has every piece of outdoor gear imaginable? How about something that can serve as both fashion as well as function! A watch that will withstand the weather on any adventure, but still look attractive when he is enjoying that post-climb beer with his buddies is both rugged and beautiful. Just like him. He is certainly a man of maps, compasses, sunrise and sunset. But, it can't hurt to be sure of the time when you're out in the wilderness. Even though he's sure he can tell the time based solely on the sun, he'll find a use for a stellar, masculine Swiss Army Watch. So, show him how much you appreciate his adventurous spirit, as well as his cunning fashion sense when you give him the perfect piece of gear. Take some hints from these beautiful watches that we love.

Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Maverick Swiss Made Quartz Red Bezel Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch

Classic. Stunning. Solid. This timeless watch will always keep you on time, no matter what adventure you are on. The round stainless steel case houses a black dial featuring silver-tone Arabic numerals at all positions except 12:00, 2:00, 6:00, and 10:00. Take this watch on a day hike, or a multi-week trek, and you'll stay safe, as your time is always sure to be known. Take it out on the town and you'll be seen as that rugged mountaineer who still keeps his finger on the timeless fashions. Rounding out the stylish, masculine design is a stainless steel red unidirectional bezel. Silver-tone luminous hour and minute hands, plus a red seconds hand keep you on time without sacrificing design. This watch screams sporty sophistication for an active life.

Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Original Swiss Quartz Black Dial Leather Accent Nylon Strap Watch

This classy timepiece is sure to look sleek with every piece of outdoor gear you own. Beautifully sleek in its all black design, the Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Original Swiss Quartz Black Dial Leather Accent Nylon Strap Watch will be the perfect addition to any outdoorsmen's packing list. Mostly black, with a subtle wrist size, this piece won't get in the way when you're climbing a big rock wall, or trekking through Nepal to the Everest Basecamp. Let this watch's timeless style tell everyone that you don't sacrifice looks even though you are committed to your adventures. Stay on time and out of danger with the Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Original Swiss Quartz Black Dial Leather Accent Nylon Strap Watch's stunning and bright hour and minute hands so you don't miss a beat.

Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Airboss Mach 6 Swiss Made Automatic Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

Set yourself apart from the crowd with this sophisticated and stunning watch. The black leather strap just screams solid and dependable, while the bright red face says that you have a sense of style and you are not afraid to show it. The Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Airboss Mach 6 Swiss Made Automatic Chronograph Leather Strap Watch is a boldly masculine take on the classic Victorinox timepiece. Put yourself ahead of the outdoor gear game when you approach that climb donning this awesome watch. So stay both on schedule and comfortable with this watch while you focus on tackling your next big mountain peak. So, treat yourself to the Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Airboss Mach 6 Swiss Made Automatic Chronograph Leather Strap Watch as your next big safety gear splurge. You won't regret it!

Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Infantry Swiss Made Quartz Brown Dial Leather Strap Watch

When you are feeling one with Mother Nature, you can really focus at the daunting physical task at hand. When your gear matches Mother Nature's beautiful colors, you'll feel almost as beautiful as she is herself. So bring the brown of the earth and the green of the tress to your own sense of style with the Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Infantry Swiss Made Quartz Brown Dial Leather Strap Watch. This solid piece of equipment is a subtle, but gorgeous combination of rugged manly style and attractive color and design. So let your sense of style flow naturally as you explore all Mother Nature has to offer, and get home before sunset with the Victorinox Swiss Army Men's Infantry Swiss Made Quartz Brown Dial Leather Strap Watch.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Designer Kantha Embroidered Kurtis

Indian embroidery and Indian dresses are popular the world over. Every state in India offers a different canvas of embroideries, stitches, and fabric, adding to the rich cultural heritage of the country.

In order to retain the rich heritage of Indian textiles and fabric, Indian fashion designers are trying to revive the ancient handcrafted techniques like Kantha work, block printing, Warli prints and many more. One such embroidery, Kantha, is extensively popular on Indian dresses like designer kurtis, sarees, home furnishing fabrics and scarves, which are mostly woven in cotton and silk.

Kantha work originated in Bangladesh and West Bengal and is considered as one of the most popular forms of embroidery practiced by rural women. Kantha is beautiful running stitch embroidery that has amazingly complex designs. The traditional form of Kantha embroidery was done on soft dhoti fabric and sarees, with a simple running stitch along the edges. Hence, any garment with decorative running stitch embroidered motifs along the border can be termed as a Kantha garment.

Earlier, Kantha work was only done on a limited range of fabrics like sarees, shawls, dupattas and quilts but now with more exposure to colors and fabric, the embroidery is used on other Indian dresses like men's and women's designer kurtis. The motifs used in Kantha embroidery on sarees, designer kurtis and skirts resemble illustrations of epic and folk stories, and ritualistic motifs like the running deer, dancing peacock, temples, hukkas, umbrella, pitcher, and vehicles like chariots, palanquins, elephants, horses and saddles.

Designer kurtis with multicolored Kantha embroidery are paired with leggings, dhoti pants and patiala salwar pants, and give a chic look to the wearer. Exciting elements and embellishments like beads, mirror work and sequins are added to the embroidered garment to enhance its appeal. Kantha garments are famous for their beautifully woven motifs like flowers, animals, birds and geometrical shapes. Some of the traditional colors like black, blue and red which correspond with the three aspects of nature--earth, sky, and space are used in Kantha embroidery.

Along with designer kurtis, sarees with Kantha embroidery have also emerged as winners in the fashion circuit. A woman draped in a Kantha saree not only embraces the age-old hand woven design but also looks classy. Accessories play a major role in completing the look. Indian Bridal Jewellery in the recent times has witnessed a major trend change. Gold and silver were the only materials used for designing jewelry in India, but with new development in fashion designing and jewelry designing, jewelry designers have experimented extensively with a diverse range of Indian Bridal Jewellery. Accessorize your Kantha designer kurti or saree with colorful, beaded, wooden Indian Bridal Jewellery and you're all set to make a statement for the evening party!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Dressing Up in Anarkali Salwar Kameez for Mehendi Ceremony

Indian weddings are famous across the world for their series of ceremonies, occasions and rituals, filled with a blast of colors and fun filled functions. In India, a wedding is a week-long affair, with plenty of functions lined up before the wedding day. Families of the groom and the bride come together and become part of the week-long extravagant events of joy and happiness. The big fat Indian wedding is all about getting decked up for numerous ceremonies like the sangeet, mehendi, cocktail party, and finally the wedding.

With so many functions lined up as part of the wedding ceremony, shopping for the wedding is always a tiresome affair. The shopping list for the bride and groom starts with an extensive wedding attire portfolio comprising Anarkali salwar kameez, angarakha suits, lehenga choli, traditional sarees, kurta, sherwani and Indian jewelry designs.

Some of the most important ceremonies that are conducted before the marriage day are the engagement ceremony or sagaai, the musical evening or sangeet, and the henna party or mehendi. After the engagement ceremony, one of the most eagerly awaited ceremonies that the bride-to-be and her young friends look forward to at any wedding is the mehendi and sangeet ceremony.

For the mehendi ceremony, the bride can choose from a wide selection of exclusive apparel, like the Anarkali salwar kameez, or kurta with a pair of leggings or patiala salwar; and add final touches by decking up in Indian jewelry designs to add the traditional touch. The mehendi ceremony takes place one or two days before the wedding day. As a part of the mehendi ceremony, henna is applied on the girl's hands and feet. Other women and young girls too adorn their hands with intricate mehendi designs.

The Bollywood movies, daily soaps on television, and music videos have popularized the mehendi ceremony and taken it to a different level of celebration. This ceremony brings together all the women under one roof, where the bride's palm and arms are decorated with the mehendi. Close family members and female friends of the bride also participate in this function, and the ceremony is accompanied with a round of singing and dancing.

Traditional designs comprising of baraat, dulha-dulhan, doli-shehnai are still very popular in mehendi artwork but contemporary Indian brides nowadays prefer either Arabic mehendi or zardozi and studded designs matching their wedding dress. The art of mehendi applying has seen new innovations in terms of using semi-precious stones and colored mehendi to match the bridal attire.

During the Mehendi ceremony, the bride needs to look beautiful and at the same time, feel comfortable in her attire. Anarkali salwar kameez with short sleeves or designer sleeveless kurta with leggings works well for mehendi ceremony. One can also opt for flowing shararas with heavy dupatta work, simple Indian jewelry designs and minimal make-up to get a mesmerizing look for the mehendi evening.