Mixed Feelings

Believe it or not this is the final blog entry for my English class! Although I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, I also feel sad (well at least a little) that I probably will not write so much about my opinion ever again.

Doing about 30 entries for the last few months had its own ups and downs. I had absolutely hated the fact that I had to do 1000 words every single week on a specific topic in fashion. But by doing this I also learned so much about what’s out there in the fashion world while voicing out my opinions to you guys. I had looked at more store catalogs and bargains than I have in my entire life. Because of this I could see why the mannequins in the stores had a particular dress on.

Enough about my opinion on these blog entries…it’s now time for some fashion tips (like always)! As this is the last blog entry, I don’t want to go into a specific topic; instead we are going to go over some random tips that can make a difference in getting hired at a top notch company or being dumped by a hot girl/boy!

Fashion for Nerds has some valuable tips that are ideally directed for men, but these tips are useful for the women too (in case you don’t already know them!)

1. Ask advice from the right source: most women are experts when concerned about fashion; therefore you ought to go to them first. These women can be your girlfriends, best buddies or even sisters (not evil ones who will give you bad advice deliberately!), but definitely not your mom as she will agree with whatever you like.

2. Get rid of worn out clothes: these include your lovely pair of blue jean that has a small hole near the butt (from personal experience I know it can be hard but hey you can always get a new one!). Also clothes that have discolored after many washes/uses need to be thrown into the trash. If you really want to preserve some good dress then you should try out the new Tide.

3. Don’t reveal sweat: doing this after a heavy workout is totally fine but not at other times. Although you can get away with it by telling your friends that you just came from a long swim (not my advice but Zach’s (aka – Shirley!) from The Suite Life of Zach and Cody – Season 2 episode 45). This is probably not going to work always so the best bet is that you layer up with t-shits or undershirt so that your sweat is absorbed. Using a nice scent/cologne is always a good idea.

4. Electronic gadgets have better places: do you think that your new i-phone is really cool? Well you can show off that but not by wearing it on the belt. No matter how cool something is, don’t ever wear it on an outfit; it can only dress you down. Instead go for nice handbags/totes/office bags that can be used for different things.

5. Posture: all the above tips are good but a bad posture makes people not notice how well you are dressed. Standing/sitting up straight conveys the message that you smart, attentive and ready to get down to business. Well I don’t know about you but I you prefer being thought of as a smart person instead of a dull person.

Hopefully these tips help shape your lives for the better.

Have a merry Christmas and a wonderful year ahead!

Salon Style

I hate it when I get my hair styled at the salon and then try to do it myself back at home but it never turns out the same. Why can’t I do it just like they did it? This just isn’t fair. There’s got to be a special way they do it that no one else is allowed to figure out. Ha, no there isn’t. I found the secrets… They can’t hide them for forever. Nice try beauticians. But I’ve got it all figured out now. Ladies, hope these tips I found actually work for you!

How is it that the beautician can straighten my hair and give it volume at the same time? And why in the world can’t I do this myself? Well I found out just how to give my hair volume and be straight all at the same time. It all starts with the drying of your hair. Volume comes from the roots of your hair. So to receive this volume at your roots; start by blow drying your hair in the opposite direction in which it typically sits. After your roots are dry, use a brush to continue drying your hair. Finish straightening your hair with a flatiron. Keep in mind that you want straight hair not flat hair so don’t go overboard with the flatiron.

Want to have curly hair just like the salon stylists do it? It’s easy. The first step is to apply a curl defining smooth cream to your wet or damp hair. Next, use a diffuser to dry your hair. Start by drying your roots first. After your roots are dry, flip your head over and dry from underneath. This will allow natural curls to form. After your hair is completely dry, use a curling iron to add spiral curls randomly throughout your hair. Try to use a curling iron closest to the size of your natural curls. Once you are all finished adding curls, finish with hairspray so your curls do not drop throughout the day.

Everyone wants volume in their hair right? Can’t figure out how the stylist does it? Try this. The first step is movement. Separate your hair into 2-inch sections and blow dry them using a round brush. Make sure this brush is large for volume. Once your hair is completely dry, add just a little bit of hairspray all over. Next, fluff your hair with your fingers and then add those old fashion Velcro rollers to the crown of your head. Remove the rollers after a while and backcomb the rest of your hair. This will bring maximum volume to your hair! Try and stay away from extra firm hold hairspray.

I always hate it when I try and style my hair like the salon stylist does. Finding these tips will definitely help me when styling my hair. Though it may take me a couple tries, I think I will eventually be able to figure it out. We’ll see though. I’ll keep everyone updated on my hair styling trials. And any extras tips and/or hints I figure out I’ll be sure to let everyone know. Same goes for the rest of you. Good luck styling your hair! Have fun ladies!

It's not all about the red and green!

With thanksgiving out of the way it’s now time to think about Christmas festivities! Most of us focus on decorating the house, running errands and buying gifts. By doing all these we forget that this is the best time of the year to dress up pretty for the thousands of parties. The word “dress up” doesn’t mean that you have to wear only reds and greens in order to blend in with the crowd. It is true that reds and greens are colors associated with Christmas, but people forget to realize that anything looking rich or expensive will go well for the season.

The site Christmas Carnival gives detail descriptions on what can be worn for specific types of parties and events. Today we are going to discuss ways to dress for four of the many themed party or occasion.

- Dance Christmas Dress...these do not look like the ones that you wore to your high school prom. Christmas dance dresses should look like ones wore for arctic type weather is give the feeling of winter wonderland. These dresses work best if they are made up of velvet or pure silk fabric. Adding golden or silver embroidery will make the dress fabulous even if it is pink in color! The expensive looking fabric and workmanship make you look gorgeous even if you are not wearing any jewelry. Check out the lovely La Belle dress. By adding both the velvet and satin fabrics, this dress is perfect for a wedding or for a winter wonderland dance!


- Formal Christmas Dress...yes there are too many out there for this category but certain things just don't fit with regard to Christmas. I'm not asking you to go all red and green. Instead choose your dress carefully. Baby pink or lime green will not suit any holiday occasion like jewel tones (like purple, dark blue) which make you look bright against all the holiday decorations. For this type you can either go for lovely beading on the dress or you can just accessorize a plain blue dress with a long and sparkly earning. JC Penny has some pretty dresses that can be worn to just about any occasion!


- Christmas Eve Dress...going to church with family and friends? Then go for elegant looking not so revealing dresses or suits. These are things that are found at great prices at JC Penny. These dresses can work even if you are having a Christmas Eve party at a home. Or if you are one of those people who wear open presents soon after midnight, then go for lovely pajamas like the ones from Pajamagram. And keep in mind that this does not have to be only red and green...other colors like white, blue and even lime green can work.


- Fancy Christmas Dress...if you like dressing up crazy for Halloween then it would work during this of the year too! While men have different characters to choose from, women need to do creative things to make your dress unique. The regular options for fancy Christmas dresses are Mrs. Claus, and Mr. Claus helpers. But you can also dress up like Lou-Lou Who, Cindy-Lou Who, or as Martha May Whovier from How the Grinch Stole the Christmas. If you already have a character in mind but you are not able to locate the costume the check out Frank Bee Costume or Disguises to make your dream come true!

To read more about these tips click here.

Hopefully these tips will help to worry less about one more thing!

Have a fantastic and a memorable Christmas!

Coming soon...last entry from me (and probably from this blog!)…you wouldn't want to miss it!

Slim any extras

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas on the way, many of you may want to shed a few extra pounds before the Holidays roll around. Especially with that Christmas party invitation hanging on your refrigerator and that cute dress hanging in your closet. Does it still fit? Well I hope so, but if not I am going to let you in on 10 ways to lose weight fast just for this reason.

1. Make your own meals:
Counting calories is one way to lighten up but preparing your own meal will help you control portion sizes. Avoid salt and those bloating carbs. The meal is on you, everything is your choice. Try steaming instead of frying or sautéing.

2. Slim the portions:
An average restaurant plate may contain several servings of an item. This can easily add up to a day’s amount of calories. That’s a lot. Instead, limit yourself to one serving of those carb-heavy foods such as bread or pasta. A typical serving of pasta is about the size of a tennis ball and a serving of meat is the size of a deck of cards.

3. Eat Healthy Salads:
Avoid adding a lot of dressing to your salad. Instead add a small amount of a low-fat salad dressing. Try to avoid croutons, bacon bits, and salads served in a taco shell.

4. Add an extra workout:
Extend your workout by ten minutes or add an extra workout or two each week. This will help boost your metabolism. This can also help you shed water and obtain more energy.

5. Shake the salt:
Get rid of a bloated stomach by decreasing your salt intake. Keep in mind that many processed foods contain a lot of salt.

6. Lighten up your liquids:
Many drinks such as coffee drinks, soda, and sports drinks are just calorie-wasters. Avoid drinking those empty calories. Drink plenty of water… NO CALORIES!

7. Can the Carbs:
Beat the bulk by easing up of those foods loaded with carbs. Carbs indeed give you energy but in return they make you retain water. Instead, eat plenty of low-carb foods.

8. Skip the Spirits:
Avoid drinking calories. Hold off on the alcohol until you are in your party dress.

9. Try a Diuretic Drink:
Try a cranberry-based diet drink to help you shed some of that unwanted water weight.

10. Dine out lighter:
Making just a few substitutions to your order can easily cut calories. Hold the mayo and cheese on your sandwich or order thin crust pizza.

Try these diet tips and see if your party dress fits just in time for that party. I can’t say if any of these work or not. They wouldn’t be posted on the internet if some doctor didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. Hope they work for you though.

Beauty Trends

Need some different beauty suggestions? I do. I swear I do my make-up the exact same every single day. How boring? And how embarrassing? You all know me; I did some research once again. I found a couple ideas that, I myself, Miss boring, might just have to try.

Let’s start with the eyes. This season girls aren’t going completely out of control with their eye shadows. Just more towards the metallic side maybe. Gold eye shadow is a perfect color of this fall and winter. This color will give any girl instant glamour. Try a soft golden color on your whole eyelid and into the corner of your eye. Then work that metallic up to your eyebrow, getting softer as you go up. Gorgeous!! Now for your next date, work that metallic gold with a bronze metal eye shadow. Top it off with black eye liner and dark black mascara. Need to lighten up your eyes a little? Put a gold shimmer on the inside corner of your eye lid. It adds a beautiful touch and lightens up those glamorous eyes. Who has blue eyes? Lucky you, wearing gold eye shadow will make your eyes glisten in the light.

Now set aside your everyday black or brown eyeliner and whip out that fascinating blue. Don’t think you have to wear it dramatically. Maybe just wear the blue eyeliner on the bottom lid of your eye. This will be a perfect touch to a great outfit. Compliment that royal blue dress you have with royal blue eyeliner. Adding blue eyeliner to your smoky eyes will give your eyes mysterious depth. Give it a try. Don’t worry you brown-eyed beauties out there, you can wear blue eyeliner too!

I’ll let you in on a little secret. I know this spring's hot beauty trend. Red Lips!! Don’t be scared of the bright red lipstick girls are going to start wearing. I personally like it. I hate when you see a girl from a distance and her lips have faded into her face. Put some lipstick or lip gloss on, but make it red! You can easily pair your smoky eyes with red lips. That trend is always in style.

Another trend in style this season is rosy cheeks. Get out the blush ladies and apply. But of course you don’t want to make yourself look like a clown. So keep things like when it comes to blush. Adding just a little blush to your daily make-up routine will give your face some extra color. Making you not look so completely pale during these winter months.

Mod make-up is also in style surprisingly. Well, one thing I’d like to say, don’t overdo it. Cat eyes look good one some ladies. Add just a slight wing on the end of your eye. Try it, maybe it looks good on you. Charcoal eyes will look good on a lot of girls. This is one of my favorite looks. Another thing I really like is thick, dark eyelashes. Mascara is my favorite. Just make sure it’s not clumpy. That is not attractive at all.

I never thought fingernails could have their own beauty trend, well they do. This season’s nail art is wild and crazy. Step out of your comfort zone and get crazy girl! Apply that hot pink or deep purple. Add a little sparkle. Glue on those rhinestones. Give yourself a French manicure, but not with the traditional colors. How about hot pink and orange? Beautiful!

Now to be completely honest with you all, I will most likely not try all of these new beauty trends. I have gold eye shadow and blue eyeliner and even a red lip gloss. But I will personally stay away from the nail art. Not my thing. I want to hear your opinion on some of these new beauty trends!

Travel in Style (Part 2)

Choosing outfits for your vacation can be lot more easier than choosing accessories. This is because outfits tend to adapt to almost any situation if combined with the right accessories! Finding accessories that go hand in hand with your shoes and outfits mentioned in Part 1 is crucial. For this reason this entry is going to be about different accessories that can dress up or down an outfit. And to finish up "Travel in Style" just in time for holidays, we will discuss on how you can pack all these efficiently without having to discard anything!

5) Accessories...these can range from belts to handbags. Dress Me Now gives ideas on how you can make use of them without putting in too much effort.

- Scarves...two should do the trick. A neat looking thin casual scarf can add a personal touch to any outfit without overdoing it. These can be worn even while shopping in the mall. However a dressy scarf should to be chosen wisely as this will be your lifesaver when you have to go to an unplanned dance party. This scarf is short and broader but has expensive looking patterns and patterns like animal prints or metallic.

- Hats...can help in many ways. If you have to hurriedly leave the hotel room to catch the tour bus on time then this is how you hide your unwashed hair! Or you can use these to get stares from people on the beach. Another option is to go back to the Victorian era where women wore hats to show that they were of high status. As a hat can be used in so many different ways, it’s always easy to carry hats that fit every outfit. But common sense would prevent you as hats take up a lot of space on a suitcase. Therefore going for straw hats is the best option and these can be dressed up too. If you are in Hawaii you can add a nice flower to the side or if you are going to a tea party you can use a nice scarf to personalize them.

- Belts...you would probably heard more about these in the blog than anything else. They truly dress up an outfit or dress down as necessary too. If you have a lot of belts and don't know what to choose from, then let the shoes be your guide. By matching the shoes and belts you show people that you put more thought into your outfit. Also, adding a metallic belt to your suitcase can be handy at times!

- Jewelry...take as much as you want! I know it sounds crazy but since it is so small you can take almost all the jewelry you like and stuff them in between clothes. Depending on your mood for the day you can choose your jewelry.

- Handbags...come handy in any situation. Take something that is big enough (and stylish) to fit all your essentials. This includes your emergency contacts and supplies. A nice neutral colored bag can be carried almost anywhere. But having an extra tote is a good idea as they look casual and are easy to wash after being buried in the sand!

6) Time to Pack - One might wonder where you are going to fit all these items...but this will be really easy if you follow some rules.
* Pack at least one set of clothing for each day
* Make sure that all clothes can be co-ordinate if you want to change your clothes thrice a day
* Fold them neatly into suitcases... (gains more room in the bag and also reduces wrinkles)

7) And finally have fun!!!

More on everyday tips coming soon...

Before you Say "I DO"...

Seems like it’s out there somewhere in the future but it will come before you know it! And I bet most of you if you are like me would have spent at least 1 minute dreaming about your wedding and most importantly your wedding dress. Although people dream differently about their wedding set up, all of them (or at least the majority) dream walking down the aisle with a ballroom gown felling like a princess. But most people fail to realize that they are many options when going for a bridal dress that flatters your body shape while still looking like a princess (but not necessarily one out of the Disney world!).

According to Wedding Solutions.com, there are five distinct types of styles (or silhouette - bridal boutique lingo!) one can opt for:

A-Line - This is especially ideal for people with heavy bottoms and who are short. By having a defined waist and a natural cut, this style is appropriate to divert attention from flawed areas. Also, it can be worn to a backyard ceremony or at a church with doing appropriate modifications. Adding beads can give a formal look while lace can look heavy on A-line.

Empire Waist - Brides who do not want to draw attention to their waist or tummy fat should go for this style. This is also perfect for pregnant brides as the loose flow is comfortable to wear for the ceremony and reception. Wide sleeveless and v-necks are the best option while other variations also can adapt well.

Column - Not something that is to be worn by brides who want to hide their flaws. This dress comes down in a straight line that basically clings to your body. If you are proud of your curves then this is the best option. However there are some things that just don't work with this kind of dress: long, short or semi sleeves spoils the look and also this is something that shouldn't (or wouldn't be appreciated) if you are having a traditional church ceremony.

Ballroom - Wanna have a fairy tale wedding? Well then this is the dress you would want to walk down the aisle! These are ideal for any traditional/formal ceremony. It is also easier to play with different necklines, sleeves and waist styles without worrying about changing the magical look. Although most people can wear this dress, this is not typically for a short and slim bride as you will look disproportionate to the dress.

Mermaid - Just like a column style but with a little interesting pattern at the bottom! This is ideal for slender brides who can show their curves without regretting it 30 years latter! Nowadays people opt for a Mermaid dress because it looks more stunning and bold but it is important to think through it because you might not feel comfortable wearing such type of clothing if you are surrounded by conservative parents/relatives!

Hope this gives you an idea on what style to choose when "that day" suddenly seems really close!

To read more about this article click here.

More on fashion tips coming soon...

You're the Hostess!

Do you get to be the hostess for your Thanksgiving dinner? Lucky you. A Thanksgiving dinner requires a great deal of time a preparation. And I’m sure you want to be the best hostess around. Only thing I can assure is that your wardrobe is not exactly your type priority. What should you wear? If this dinner is at your house, you want to be comfortable. You are going to be running around like crazy trying to make things go just the way you want them. You’ll most likely be running from the kitchen checking the rolls in the oven to the bathroom making sure there is a roll of toilet paper ready. There is no way this could be done in anything but something comfortable. A dress is not an option, or heels for that matter. Try a pair of velour pull on pants with a light sweater in, of course, festive fall colors. This outfit will be comfortable to you and it will give your guests a good impression of your hosting skills. Or try a tunic sweater with s pair of comfortable dress pants. Don’t think you have to start the day off in this outfit by all means. If your one of those messy cooks, purchase an apron to wear while you’re cooking. Well, it’s your house don’t forget, you can always change into a more festive or dressier outfit after all your preparation is complete. But one thing to keep in mind, avoid any type of outfit that may get in the way of serving or last minute preparation. Droopy sleeves or long belt ties could easily get in the way and cause unwanted stress for you.
Don’t have any of these clothing items? I’ve come to the rescue and shopped around online and found just what you may be looking for. Yes, I kept in mind….your Budget. I tried to find the cheapest, yet in style clothing options just for you. Since Thanksgiving in only 10 days away!

OLD NAVY: Shop for velour pants here! You are in luck, only $15. These pants come in a variety of colors; grey, black, chocolate brown, pink, or navy blue.

Target: Find velour pants here too! $4…WOW! In navy or scarlet. Find a tunic sweater here too! Price range from $12 to $24. Variety of styles and colors available too!

I hope you find the perfect outfit for hosting your Thanksgiving dinner! I know you’ll look great! Hope everything goes as planned. Happy Thanksgiving, 10 days early!

Nike: New Releases

So what’s new at Nike this holiday season? Well of course athletic shoes. All you guys out there check out these new shoes from Nike. Nike is showing a new collection of basketball shoes, running shoes, and track shoes. Which ones are your favorites? Let’s check some out:
Basketball shoes:
· Zoom LeBron VI: $140.00
This Men’s basketball shoe is described as where “Quickness meets power for an unstoppable play in the Zoom LeBron VI Men's Basketball Shoe, the lightest LeBron shoe to date at 14.5 oz.”
Features of this shoe:
o "Unstoppable" stitched inside of shoe tongue
o Synthetic leather and mesh upper with Phyposite Technology for an integrated upper/midsole that delivers seamless comfort and support
o Breathable tongue inner-sleeve with a traditional lacing system

· Nike Air Zoom Flight Five iD Basketball shoe: $135.00
This shoe can be customized to your perfection. It is super lightweight and has a full-grain leather upper for a comfortable fit. This shoe also has a “full-length Nike Zoom unit for low-profile cushioning and lightweight performance.”

Running Shoes:
· Nike Air Max 360 III iD Running Shoe: $165.00
This shoe’s purpose is performance. This shoe has a full-length Max Air sole for maximum protection throughout the whole foot. The mesh allows for the foot to breathe and remain comfortable. This shoe can also be customized just the way you want it.
· Nike Shock Cog iD: $115.00
This shoe can be designed by you, for you. Choose any color you want. It’s all your choice. This shoe is a multi-purpose running shoe.
Track Shoes:
· Nike Zoom Miler iD Track and Field Shoe: $110.00
This shoe uses low-profile cushioning for lightweight performance. You have your choice of the waffle outsole, track spike, or cross country plate for performance and perfect comfort.
· Nike Zoom Forever iD Track and Field Shoe: $110.00
This track shoe is also lightweight for perfect performance and is made with mesh for breathing during those long races. For this shoe you also have your choice of color combinations or camouflage.
These are just some of the new releases that Nike is offering on their website. I am sure there are other amazing tennis shoes out there. Just check out Nike.com and find what you like. And lucky you, you have that super cool option of customizing your tennis shoes. Choose any color combination you want. How awesome is that? Check it out and see what you can come up with.

Meeting HIS Parents?

The Holiday season is soon approaching and many of you have yet to meet your boyfriend’s family, including me. My boyfriend has met my entire family and is very comfortable with them as they are comfortable with him. As for me on the other hand, I have not met my boyfriend’s family at all. And I am a bit on the nervous side for this holiday season. I want to make to right impression on his family but I am very unsure how to do this. I know my choice in clothing is going to say a lot about me, so I need to find the right thing to wear.

This is what I came up with. When meeting your boyfriend’s family for the first time you need to wear something cautious, nothing that would offend anyone. Wear your clothing conservative, don’t show too much skin. “No matter how rockin' your bod is, clevage and short hemlines are definite no-nos for this occasion!” But of course, make your outfit feminine. You can also express your personality through the accessories you add. But in any case, be careful. Overall, your look should say, "classy, future daughter-in-law" and not "I am a phase your son is going through."

Now that was just a simple overview of what to wear when meeting his family. Here are some more suggestions:

Wear a Dress:
You can wear a dress to almost any occasion. Unless, of course, you plan on playing any sports at this occasion. But choose a dress that is appropriate for the occasion and the location. Make sure your dress is a suitable length. You never want a dress that is too short, you know his mother would never approve. Pick a dress that fits your figure yet isn’t tight to your body. You want to look classy not trashy remember.

Do NOT wear too much make-up:
Many girls often feel like they need to load up the make-up when meeting someone for the first time. In all honesty, keep it simple; keep it natural, especially when meeting your boyfriend’s mother. You know how mothers get ladies; they like to see your natural beauty. Wear neutral colors on your eyes and don’t wear that eyeliner too dark. Apply foundation to even out your skin tone. Make yourself look presentable, don’t look like a clown.

Coordinate with him:
I don’t mean the two of you should wear matching sweaters, which would just be ridiculous. But compliment his style. If your boyfriend is wearing a suit, wear a more formal dress. If your boyfriend is wearing jeans and a polo, you can wear jeans and a nice top or sweater. So basically make sure the two of you communicate before you meet his family.

Accessories:
Add some unique vintage jewelry to your outfit. Wear a necklace or bracelet from your grandmother. Not only will this bring up a conversation with his mother but it will also show you can about your family too. And girl, show that fun, exciting personality with the handbag you carry. Don’t be afraid to carry a bright bold handbag. Add a little fun to that outfit.

I hope this will calm down your nerves a little. I know I have a better idea about what to wear when I meet my boyfriend’s family this Holiday season. Of course, as you all know, there is no way to avoid this nerve racking situation. Hope they like me! If you have any more tips, feel free to share. I would love more ideas! And Good Luck to all those others who get to meet their boyfriend’s family for the first time too!!!

Girls: It's your turn now!!!

Last week most of you would have enjoyed reading about the top five fashion mistakes men make. Well it's their turn now to sit back and laugh about things that we as girls screw up often! StyleTips.com has 13 disastrous mistakes women make on a day to day basis. We will discuss only five of the thirteen things listed at that site (guys get an equal share of laughs)!

- Short skirt and short top…wow nice choice. The statement opposites attract and same sides react is completely true in this case! It is common sense that wearing a short shirt and skirt will bring attention to your waist and thigh area. No matter how slim you are, the short shirt and skirt combination is going to make you look out of proportion. If you love short skits then go for tanks and shirts that fall near your hip bone on the contrary if you love short tops then go for full skits (olden day style) or plain old long jeans.

- Bulky shoes with nice dresses…I’ve noticed it too often. Usually these shoes are pretty but they are meant for denim clothing as the bulky shoe will go hand in hand with the thick denim jean. Any dress, whether it has floral patterns or not, has to go with an elegant shoe. Typically bulky and guy looking shoes are not for girls so adding that kind of shoes to an elegant looking feminine dress can be peculiar. If you absolutely love one (bulky shoe), then wear it to the near Harley Davidson convention at Milwaukee!

- More than one pattern…one thing I learnt from my interior decoration class was that I had to have only one focus piece in a room and then tie other things to it. Keeping too many focal points in a room is distracting to guest and even you. The same things apply to outfits. Patterns are lovely but choosing one is important. Never wear a plaid top with a jean with sequins and embroidery. By doing one pattern you capture a person’s attention to the intricate details in that pattern instead of letting their eyes wander around the other pattern.

- Orange tan...hard to admit. Usually girls with orange tans try to tell boldly that their tan is the best but deep inside they know that it is the worst possible tan to have. This tan is the result of cheap self tanners. Damaging your skin is the worst possible thing to do out of self denial. Either you don't tan or just close your eyes and buy an expensive self tanning lotion. That will help you in the long run.

- Panty lines...everyone has had this experience. Although some people are sensible enough to notice it before going out in the public, it can still happen. So if question if your panty line is shown then don't wear that outfit because you'll only be wasting other peoples time (I mean the crowd that’s following you around) while also running to hide your embarrassment!

Girls: hopefully these points will open your eyes to the realities of life...

To read about other fashion mistakes click here...

More on fashion...

Travel in Style (Part 1)

Gravy, turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies...all of us are craving for the long awaited thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. It is a time to travel to places we love to meet our loved ones. Whether it is an hour or 15 hours from home, it's important to pack just the right amount of clothing...and to do this efficiently it is important to ensure that certain rules are considered. Dress Me Now has 17 tips (some of which we will cover this week and next) that are crucial to travel in style…

1) Color scheme...although it seems simple, this is one of the things many people ignore. If you pack a pair of green pants and a nice blue shirt then guess what, people are going to tell you directly that you don't have a good taste for colors or they would pretend they are color blind. The color scheme is crucial to anything...think that this might be the last time you can choose a color for your clothing like selecting a color scheme for your house/room. This helps you because you will realize that painting the wrong colors in the room is almost unthinkable as you have to scrape the bad colors off, select a new color scheme, put more labor and finally waste a lot of money to get the desired look!

2) Separates...this is what is going to help you in any occasion. Tights and tank tops are life savers! If for some reason the temperature increases to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a tank top and a nice shorts or jeans will keep you comfortable. If you are slim and the tank top is long enough, the tights can substitute the need of bottoms. Also, tights come in handy when you have to layer during a cold day or when you need something longer for your dress. The key to selecting the colors is to have couple of neutrals and a rare color that goes well with your semi-formal dress. But remember don't go for all neutrals 'cause that's boring!

3) Fabrics…the key here is to go travel friendly. The worst fabric to take during a trip is cotton. No matter how stunning you look in cotton tanks its best if you leave them at home. You can easily substitute pure cotton fabrics with cotton mixed fabrics that do not crumple easy and still keep you comfy at the beach. Denim is always the best fabric to choose during travel and this comes handy for almost all your bottoms. Silk, crepes, and stretch nylon also do you well. They are not easy to crumple and also look expensive!

4) Shoes…can’t get enough of them. It’s always tempting to evacuate the entire closet for just one vacation, but face reality…your parents/significant others/family members would go crazy if you told them that. So to keep things under control, three shoes will do the trick. One flat/running shoes for walking, one platform heels or low-heeled shoe for a dinner at a nice restaurant and a high heeled shoe for unexpected high-end events. These shoes are not to be of a specific color the important factor here is to blend in with almost all the clothing that you are taking with you. Neutrals and hues of pink, purple, and brown work best.

More on Travel in Style coming next week…

Guys: Pay close attention!!!

Jeepman said: “I think that most guys just dress for comfort rather than looking sharp.” FireBird85 said: “I dress purely on the intent of comfort rather than looks.” Although these statements seem really weird and abnormal from a girls view point, I agree with them because we can hardly find places where guys do research to fix your fashion problems. It does make sense to wear comfortable clothing and accessories but at times comfort can also make you look like a ridiculous fool! About.com has an article on 8 Men's Fashion Mistakes to Avoid and today we are going to look at five of the most important mistakes...

- Socks and sandals...shouldn't be a surprise to many of you. Either you have done this mistake or at least you would have seen someone do it. Socks do feel good on a cold day and sandals help us save time by not having to worry about tying the knot in our shoes. But the outcome of that combination is going to be bad. If you badly want to wear sandals please don't stay anywhere near Indiana. But if you do like it here then get used to the habit of wearing sneakers while going to class. The extra time you put into tying your shoe lace will make you look more put together for the occasion.

- Ho, Ho, Ho Ties, Shirts, Shorts...truly they bring out the spirit of Christmas but avoid them unless you’re inside your house opening presents on Christmas morning. With new technologies evolving everyday it is hard to say no to a tie that lights up and sings Rudolph the red nose Reindeer when you press the reindeer’s nose. It is okay to enjoy the fun as long as you are not seen by anyone. These novelty accessories and clothing only make you look childish and ridiculous.

- Gym bag to office/interview???...Wow, if you do this then you should seriously find the definition for business casual/formal outfit. Unless you are a TA at a university don't even think about carrying a backpack. There are tons of options and styles for professional looking bags with many features that are found in a backpack. So instead of wasting your time looking for the most versatile backpack, go to stores that sell official bags and purchase one. They will help you blend in well with others in the company instead of being titled the "Gym boy"! If the situation is truly unavoidable, then carry bags that do not make a statement or advertise a sports company.

- Fluorescent, glittery shirts/suits...I really pity your date or even the person sitting next to you. With all the grasps and stares you might think that you are the man of the party but you are actually the fool in the party. These shirts, however glamorous they look on celebrities; they do not suit any guy. If you really want to look hot at a party, then go for a solid black dress shirt with a relatively new jean and that should take care of the job!

- Baggy clothes...One might wonder if you have a rap group. If they ask you don't hesitate to say yes to having a rap group because if you don't you are going to make the local headlines! Loose fitting clothes are comfortable but baggy clothes just make you sloppy. It won't hurt to buy a bigger waisted pant as long as you have a good tailor who will alter the sides.

To read more about this article or just about men’s fashion tips, click here.

Hopefully next time around you will not embarrass your girlfriend!!!

More on fashion trends...

Horoscopes

Are any of you really into reading your horoscope every single day? Some people truly are. I’ve heard of some people who pretty much live their lives based off of the horoscopes they read. I’m not sure if I actually believe in all this horoscope stuff. I mean what really is a horoscope in the first place? A dictionary definition of horoscope is, “astrological forecast: an astrologer's description of the personality and future of a person based on the position of the planets in relation to the sign of the zodiac under which the person was born.” Or “diagram of planetary relationship: the positions of the stars or planets relative to each another at a specific moment, especially the time of somebody's birth, or a diagram of these positions.” I mean really? Is this stuff really true? I’m not sure if they’ve got me convinced. Its just unbelievable that you can check your horoscope daily, you can check it for the week, or even the entire month. And make sure you know your sign or your horoscope might be wrong. Watch out people! Your task for the day… Check your horoscope by clicking here! Hope it’s not bad.

Feedback Please!

Ok, so all of you men out there please give me your input on what I should right about. Apparently you are not interested in different styles of jeans or any new fashion trends, which by all means I don’t exactly blame you. But as you can tell I am a woman here and I do not have the slightest clue what you guys want to read about. According to my English class, you guys don’t really care about fashion trends but we, here at fashion trends 101, continue to receive comments about how our blogs don’t appeal to the male reader. What on earth do we do in this awful situation? I know you don’t want to hear about hair styles and designer bags, but honestly what would you like to read? I can do research on fashion trends for guys if that’s what you would like to read about because I don’t know anything about guys fashion really. Give me some ideas people!! I need some serious feedback! Comment on my blog please!

And for you girls who read this blog… If you don’t want to read about things that are pretty or the new fashion trends, what would you like us to write about? Do you want us to write about certain fashion styles? Like preppy, punk, classy, sporty, anything like that? I want to know what you want to read about. Would anyone be interested in reading any health blogs? Or what about celebrities and their fashion? Or maybe a “What not to wear” blog? A fitness and weight loss blog could be an option. I need your input though. Our goal at Fashion Trends 101 is to write about things you want to read. We don’t want this blog site going unread each week because no one cares about what we are writing about.

So this is where you come into play. Leave me a comment. Give me your opinion. Tell me what to write about. Help me out! I would really appreciate any suggestions you, guys and girls, have!! Thanks!

You Can Never Have Too Many!!

As every girl knows, we just can’t go without more than one pair of jeans. If you are like me you probably own about 5 to 6 pairs of jeans or if you are crazy, like my best friend, you may own 10 to 12 pairs of jeans. I know ridiculous, right? But maybe you own several pairs and you get sick of wearing the same style. Well I have researched several different types and styles of denim jeans just for this purpose, since I wear jeans just about every single day in the fall and winter. These styles range “from basic blue to wide leg trousers to colored skinnys.” And like most girls… you want one of each. AOL’s Stylist helped me with this research and here are some examples of denim jeans for this fall.

First we have our skinny jeans. These jeans come in a variety of colors and washes. “Dark washed skinny jeans look the best and are the most popular.” Try to look for dark skinny jeans in indigo, navy, black, and dark greys instead of lighter washes. Another tip about skinny jeans is making sure you buy a pair that is comfortable for you to move around in. And please be able to zip them up!

What about those high-waisted jeans? Thank goodness this style is in. With the high waist of these jeans, no need to worry about having a plumber crack or a muffin top. Unfortunately these high waisted jeans make mid-sections look bigger and hips look wider. “High-waisted pants are great on ladies with flat tummies, long torsos and hourglass shapes.”

Straight leg jeans are another option. These jeans are cute to wear and are easy to run around in. You can never go wrong with this style of denim jeans.

Wide leg jeans or should I say mile-wide flare? This style of jean has made a huge comeback and seems to be extremely popular this fall. But keep this tip in mind when buying your new favorite pair of wide leg jeans: “The biggest key to making wide legs look flattering is choosing the right pair for your frame. If you are tall you can afford to go extra-wide with your flares, but if you're petite, a more modest leg will look the best. For pear-shaped gals, a flare that begins below the knee will balance out curvy hips.”

Boot cut jeans are best for those of us out there who are short! These jeans help balance curvy hips. They also work very well for women with a triangle or hourglass body shape. Also, choose a pair with a slight boot cut rather than a fuller bell bottom flare. The less the width, the taller you may look.

Don’t know where to purchase these styles of denim jeans? Here are just a few places you can begin to look for your new fabulous wardrobe.

Skinny Jeans: Lee $44

High-Waisted Jeans: Charlotte Russe $34.99

Straight Leg Jeans: Wet Seal $29.50

Wide Leg Jeans: Nordstrom $187

Boot Cut Jeans: Gap $49.50

Going Green...

The leaves are turning into pretty shades of yellow and orange. Television is going digital. Our 44th President is a African-American. Change is in the air...so what other time would be more appropriate to have an eco-friendly closet? Yep, thats right...any style of apparel or accessories can come in an eco-friendly form.

The idea of a green closet has not been around for a long time but people in the fashion industries are figuring out ways to make this possible. Bags, wallets, slippers are some common things that are already in the market. Along with them apparel for babys, teens and adults are coming out every day but they are hard to find and sometimes impossible especially for plus sizes. About.com talks about why Eco-friendly is so hot and the reasons why people should consider them...
- One of the important aspects of eco-friendly clothing is that it is good for our environment
- Can be expensive than regular fabric but lasts longer
- People who are working on these apparel have healthier working conditions
- Consumers health is also profited as harmful chemicals and bleaches are not used
- Natures beauty is reflected in the fabric making it look good even without other details
- Recycled materials and natural elements make you look more stunning than artificial fabric

All the points above are summed up very well by fashion designer Linda Loudermilk - "We aim to give eco glamour legs, a fabulous look and a slammin’ attitude that stops traffic and shouts the message: eco can be edgy, loud, fun, playful, feminine (or not) and hyper-cool.” With that being said its time to look at some green fashion items before heading out to the mall...

Butterflymama.com is one among the various shops that offer eco-friendly clothing and accessories. What is better than wearing a Country Meadow Dress on a warm day at the beach? This dress comes in either earth tones or in jewel tones for an affordable price. If you don't prefer wearing a dress to a beach then go for something close to the Morning Dew Top. Add a comfy shorts to it and you are ready for a comfortable, relaxed and lazy day near the lovely oceans or just in your backyard with nature on you! Add to that a nice Recycled Corduroy Diamond Patchwork Wanderin' Backpack which is also available in two tones. Right now this bag would be ideal to take your swim suits and sunscreens but in a few years this will be your lifesaver when you have kids that can get into the worst situations. The Fair Trade Peaceful Land Stone Necklace will accent any outfit and brings out the beauty of nature. To complete the look, add a Teerasoles Rainer and showoff your trendy look and boast about the fact that you are saving the environment at the same time!

Hope you start thinking about Mother Nature next time you buy a dress...

Too Much Candy?

Happy Halloween fellow bloggers! Now I’m sure most of you are headed out to some sort of Halloween party tonight in your adorable costumes. But as we all know, Halloween involves a special treat every year… CANDY! I would call you crazy if you didn’t enjoy this part of Halloween. Unfortunately, there really isn’t a plus side to eating Snickers, Reese’s, or M & M’s. Only a down fall….gaining those little extra pounds that no one really wants. I know that’s how I’ve been feeling this Halloween season. I personally cannot resist the tempting Reese’s cups or the peanut butter M & M’s. But deep in the back of my head, my conscience is telling me “DO NOT PUT THAT FATENING PIECE OF CANDY IN YOUR MOUTH!” What are some simple ways to get rid of those extra pounds you might ask? Well I have done some research and found some helpful tips that may help you lose those extra pounds this season.

According to AOL Health and Wendy Chant’s book “Crack the Fat Loss Code,” there are several different steps you can take towards losing some extra weight and boosting your metabolism. Some of these may come as a surprise to you.
Wendy Chant’s steps to “Crack the Fat Loss Code”:

1. Pig Out Every 18 days
What? She can’t be serious. I thought losing weight meant eating less, not more. Chant says that “Your body gets used to the way you eat, which means if you're eating the same amount of calories at every mini-meal every day, you'll hit a diet plateau.” This is why she says that pigging out every 18 days will change your metabolic rate. Wendy Chant also uses a very good analogy to explain this further, “If you think of your body as a fireplace, the more logs you add, or food in this case, the hotter and faster the fire will burn.”

2. Vary your environment
Chant says that people who live in warmer climates tend to have slower metabolisms. She suggests that you change your climate temperature throughout the day. If you live in a warmer climate, step out of the air conditioning and into the heat for a little while. And vice versa for those of you living in a cooler climate.

3. Eat every two to three hours
WOW! That’s a lot of eating throughout the day, don’t you think? Chant says that when you eat, your body temperature rises, which in turn makes you burn calories. “Chant says, citing a study from the University of Western Australia. So rather than eating three big meals a day, eat mini meals every two to three hours, keeping portions in check.”

4. Break Free from Stress
Yes, I can speak for many college students in this world. I’m STRESSED!! When you are stressed your body releases a hormone called cortisol. This hormone that you release slows down your metabolism. So common sense ladies, get rid of the stress!

5. Get the Wiggles Every Hour
Stop being so lazy, get up and move. Instead of taking the bus to class…WALK! “Just moving more throughout the day can prevent metabolism slow-downs and keep blood sugar stable, preventing weight gain,” says Chant.

6. Up your Fat Intake

Hold on a minute. I thought I was trying to lose fat. Please explain. Wendy Chant really means, up your healthy fat intake. What kinds of fats are healthy? “Like omega 3 fatty acids in tuna, salmon and flaxseeds and monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil, nuts and nut butters, all of which boost metabolism,” recalls Chant.

7. Spice Up your Meals
Want to increase your metabolism by 78%? As little as half a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cayenne can do just that. Goodness, that’s unbelievable.

8. Pump Up the Protein
“When you eat protein, your body burns five times as many calories as when you eat carbohydrates and fat. In the end, protein increases your metabolic rate by 36 percent. Choose protein you can chew like lean red meat, chicken, turkey and eggs, eating one gram of protein for every pound of lean mass you weigh,” claims Wendy. I would have never known.

9. Can Artificial Sweeteners
So basically, this means no more pop!! Drink lots of water girls! “According to research from Purdue University, 'When you eat them, you actually lower your metabolism which sabotages your weight loss goals,' Chant says.”

10. Pop a Daily Multivitamin
Add those extra nutrients like vitamin B12 and magnesium to help keep that metabolism regulating!

Well, now the question is… Are you really going to try these? My answer is YES!! These tips are so easy. There really is no dieting involved. How convenient is that? I suggest everyone tries Wendy Chant’s awesome steps to “Crack the Fat Loss Code!” Enjoy your Halloween candy!

What NOT to Wear This Fall!!

I’m sure you’ve read all our blog posts on “What to wear this fall,” but trust me darling there are a few things that you should NOT wear this fall. Sorry to have to break it to you like this, but some of you may need to clean out your closets and head straight to the mall. I’m just looking out for you ladies out there because I know none of you want to me fashion victims.

I was looking at a blog of what not to wear this fall and I found some sinple tips for this site. The blog had these four pictures posted and gave reasons why you shouldn't wear any of these outfits. I found these tips very helpful. They first metioned pictures one and two and commented on the sleeves. The sleeves in each of these pictures are long and very large. This specific type of sleeve is called the Dolman sleeve. And quoted from this blog is "not flattering on any body type." It is also said that this Dolman sleeve may add unwanted pounds to your body image. So ladies... Please do not purchase this sleeve on any type of dress, shirt, or sweater. Picture number three is a cute dress in my opinion. But unlike most of you I am only 5 feet tall so it wouldn't be so short on me. The problem with this dress is the length. Way, way too short. Especially for the fall. Girls, it's getting cold outside, cover up! And picture number four, I'm just not sure about this one. I mean the color itself is awful in my opinion, and those sleeves are just hideous. I can't tell if its lace or what those sleeves are made of.

I know there are all kinds of outfits out there that you ladies are wearing that you probably shouldn't. Just stand in front of your full length mirror before you leave the house and just ask yourself, "Is this really flattering to my body?"

Please clean out those “Fashion Don’t” items from your jam-packed closets and but some new fashionable clothes!!!