Gucci's 2010 Cruise Collection

The first thing that strikes us about Gucci's 2010 Cruise Collection is the sense of retro-cool that oozes from the outfits. From a sporty black boyshort bikini, to a stunning floor-length gown with thigh-high split, it's almost as if the models have stepped out of a 1970s James Bond film and into the creative mind of Frida Giannini. The colour palette of black, white and navy means the pieces are geared towards being high-quality wardrobe basics; the cuts are sleek and body-conscious for a look that's simple yet sexy.Gucci's subtly retro-infused progression into 2010 is a natural follow on from their Spring/Summer 2009 collection, which featured similar seventies undertones but in bolder colours and prints.

Want To Be A Fashion Stylist

What a hair stylist does for your 'do, a fashion stylist does for your wardrobe!
It is the job of a fashion stylist to help a client figure out what "look" he or she desires and then help him or her get it. If a rocker chick is looking to tone it down for an interview,

if an aspiring executive hopes to look the part, if a politician needs a new image, or if a mom desires to reclaim a lost sense of style and sophistication, he or she might consult a fashion stylist.

Ultimately, a fashion stylist is an image consultant. Professionals in this line of work have a keen fashion sense that is paired with an equally strong ability to recognize the desires and individuality of their clients. It is no big secret: we come in all shapes and sizes, and we have various personalities and lifestyles. We all want to look good, but we all want to look...well, like ourselves. A fashion stylist knows how to help clients choose outfits and accessories to compliment body type and sense of individuality.

Becoming a fashion guru takes dedication, experience, and pizzazz. Most fashion stylists start out in the fashion industry - working in various positions, including retail sales, buying, advertising, and journalism. Our tip to stylist hopefuls: soak up all of the knowledge and experience of the fashion industry that you can. Whether you start out selling pantyhose at Macy's or picking up the fashion editor's morning latte, keep your ears and eyes open! Knowing and learning as much as you can about the fashion industry will only prepare you to launch your own dream career.

Another tip: get experience by offering your services to family and friends. Everyone has the cousin whose wardrobe is stuck in the 1980's. Help your cousin out and practice your consulting skills! Don't be afraid to believe in your talent, and be adamant about marketing your services - even from the beginning. If you work hard, continue to engage in fashion design training, and want it bad enough you will eventually get a chance to show what you can do. Seize and dress every opportunity in a pair of Jimmy Choo's!

Choosing the wedding ring

Traditionally, a wedding band was worn on the ring finger of the left hand because it was believed that the vein in that finger went straight to the heart. A wedding ring is a piece of jewelry which will be worn everyday of your life to signify your love and fidelity to your significant other. That being said, you want to ensure you choose the perfect ring, which can be difficult for someone who is inexperienced in this area. Luckily we can help you through the steps of finding the perfect wedding ring for the special person in your life.

The first thing to consider is the kind of metal you want for your wedding rings. Most wedding rings are found in yellow gold, white gold or platinum. These forms of metal vary in price and most likely this decision will be quite easy since most women already know what kind of ring they want.

The next step is choosing the stone for the ring. You will need to decide which kind of stone you want as well as the shape of the stone. Diamonds are still the most popular choice when it comes to stones for wedding rings however colored stones such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires are becoming more and more popular.

The last step is to find a reputable jeweler who you will be comfortable purchasing such an expensive piece of jewelry from. Perhaps it is best to use a jeweler who one of your friends or family members have already used and would recommend for you because of such great results.

If you are like most couples who are marrying, you will likely choose a diamond wedding ring. If you are doing so, you may want to keep the four C's in mind while doing so. The four C's are the diamond's color, cut, clarity and carat weight.

# Color ? Diamonds are available in number of colors and shades including white, yellow, green, blue and pink. The color range starts at D and moves through the alphabet towards Z. The scale moves from white to yellow as it makes its way through the alphabet.

# Cut ? The cut of the diamond is what gives the diamond personality. Diamonds which are cut well will be bright and sparkly, however diamonds that are cut poorly may end up looking dull and boring. Choosing and making sure the cut is perfect is a crucial step in the overall outcome of your wedding ring.

# Clarity ? An inclusion in a diamond is an imperfection inside the stone which will greatly affect the overall worth of the ring. The size, color and position of the inclusions in your ring affect the clarity of the diamond. You want to ensure the diamond has good clarity.

# Carat Weight ? A carat is divided into 100 equal parts (also known as points). Therefore a one carat diamond equals 100 points; half carat equals 50 and so on. When the diamonds are loose (before they are mounted on the ring), the weight is easy to determine, however, after the diamond has been mounted only a gemologist can determine the weight of the diamond(s).

Take your time when choosing a wedding ring for yourself or for your significant other. A wedding ring is a sign of your everlasting love to one another and is something that will be cherished for the rest of your lives.

Dressing for working women

You walk into a strategic business presentation with international clients wearing baggy jeans along with a tee which says "Vote The Next Time, Hippie!" or "It's Not PMS, It's You!" or worse," "Sorry For Being Sexy".

You might make an impression or even be asked out in the evening, but the crucial business contract is coming nowhere near you. While you try to be crisp and business-like, your clients are probably staring at the T-shirt which also says, "They're real, but the shirt is fake" and weighing the validity of your claims.

Choose the right style
Style faux pas cannot be excused, especially if your company's image depends on yours. As far as career clothes are concerned, they depend on your office environment, corporate culture and what tasks you perform. Your age and position in the office should also be kept in mind. Industries like hospitality, retail, and airlines, demand a specific uniform and formal dress code at all times. However, if the environment is creative, there is scope for personality. But creative doesn't mean sexy. It's important for women to never let clothes come in the way of their professional image.

Strategic planning of business clothes is like a business presentation. Think of yourself as a brand and the clothes like your packaging – especially if you represent your company and have to go out or meet clients often.

The easiest and perhaps cheapest way to manage this is to buy basic pieces to mix and match [without mixing fabrics arbitrarily]. This makes professional dressing much easier and also gives you a lot of choices.

A basic, tailored suit. Black is the best choice here, but also try brown, grey or navy. These colours give you more options as to what goes under it. The classic collared blouse would be perfect.
A crisp white shirt or blouse. A white shirt or blouse is always in and can be worn with anything. Combining it with a skirt or a trouser will make you look simple and elegant.
An A-line or pencil skirt that falls a little above or right below your knees. Choose A-line skirts for a larger lower body and a pencil skirt for slimmer hips. Both these shapes are classy.
A perfect cut and the fit. Simple, timeless styles are great on their own. As for the fit, the right clothes can flatter your body and boost your confidence. You can look great no matter what size or shape you are. The trick is to wear clothes that suit your body type and camouflage your trouble areas while playing up your best features. Clothes with clean lines, flattering shapes and well-placed hems manage to do just that.
Checks and pinstripes. Big, bold checks hurt the eyes and take away the sophistication of the cloth. Also, while horizontal stripes make you look wider, vertical make you look leaner. Pin stripes are flattering in black, dark brown or navy blue. But never wear the same pattern of a particular type from top to toe.
Colour and fabric
They play a huge role in giving an illusion of a perfect shape. Darker shades of colours like blue, purple and brown help to hide flaws while lighter colours like white, cream yellow add to your frame.

Latest trends
In India, as far as formal pants are concerned, women prefer charcoal-black, beige and olive-green. The material is usually imported polyster viscose fabric. While cotton linen is upmarket and will be more popular in the coming years, it’s not preferred by those who have to commute by public transport or need to move out often in the day. In linen, popular colours are off-white, black, beige and ash. They can also be teamed with off-white stoles.

Off-white cotton shirt, along with black trousers, is also an eternal favourite in India. The hem of the trousers is usually upto 18-inch wide with a straight cut. The shirt in crisp white cotton is either full sleeved or a deep incut sleeveless blouse. The length varies between 22-25 inches and the neck is usually V-shaped.

In the West there are more varieties in the form of linings or fabrics and an ample play with differently-shaped buttons, stylised pockets and zippers, in India it is kept simple because of the climate.

As for formal social gatherings, the clothes need to be graceful, yet not overly sexy. The colours here could be varied, but prints need to be sophisticated and styles chic. Here, a simple dress with one interesting detail is ideal. You can wear it without feeling conspicuous. But it's best to avoid a plunging or backless style.

Be comfortable in what you wear. Also, what you wear should make you look and feel good.No matter what the cost or the label, if the outfit doesn't flatter your body, forget it. You don't need it when you are supposed to come across as a confident, beautiful and intelligent woman with a style of her own.

Accessories
While in office, prefer shoes that are the basic pairs of black and brown heels [closed-toed with a 3-inch heel]. With formal evening wear - sling-back shoes [in silver, black or matt gold], evening pointed shoes [in bronze, gold and silver], classic evening pumps [with 1 1/2 inch heel in silver, gold or black], evening platform shoes [with a 2 1/4 inch heel] and the high heel sandal with the instep cut out and a peak-a-boo toe will never let you go wrong. For a better impact, you could always add other accessories like jewellery and purses without overstepping the formal-fashion boundaries.

Just because your colleagues don't dress professionally doesn't mean you shouldn't. You are judged not only on your work performance, but also on your appearance. However, despite these pointers if you are ever unsure about what can work for you, simply turn to the eternally elegant silk saree of the right colour.

No matter what the occasion, that's one outfit which will never let you down.

Wear your style

Ever long for that chic runway look: the designer clothing, funky sunglasses, and perfectly coordinated bag, shoes and make-up? And then you sigh thinking, you could never afford the unearthly price tags?

Make the right choice
Well here it comes, secret revelation time. Smart women know that it's the accessories that really make or break a look. A fabulous designer dress worn with the wrong accessories makes for a complete fashion non-starter. But contrary-wise,

a simple dress accessorised just right can make a strong style statement.
And the serious fashionista knows that while a designer outfit has a short shelf-life, designer accessories have greater style longevity and surprise, surprise cost less than the earth! Well you may still have to part with a limb. The fact of the matter is that every streak of hair colour, piece of jewellery, bag and belt, tell a unique story. It’s all in the design. So that understood, let's together go top to toe to understand what distinct messages your mode of accessorisation is giving out, and pick up a few tips on new ones on the way.

Hair colour and bands

Starting at the top, hair colour today is as much a statement making as say a pair of shoes, albeit more subtle. Your tresses not only frame your face, but also speak more of your personality that you might be able to frame in words. Hair colour options can be anything from feisty flaming reds to deep rich mochas to eye-catching streaks of blonde. While reds bring out the rebel in you, browns paint and air of elegance and classicism, and streaks of blonde just say, I'm experimentative, deal with it!

A retro flashback with a modern twist, headbands whether functional for day or crystal studded for night, add an elegant old world charm to an ensemble. The vintage air with a nod to cutting edge fashion comes together perfectly in the headband. Wear it with a shirt dress or out to party at night and make an adequate number of heads turn. A slick ponytail on the other hand in a non-fussy rubber band, spells pure pristine practicality.

Sunglasses and jewellery

Sunglasses are now a staple in every fashion conscious girl’s handbag, and they very rightly should be. Which other accessory gives one the triple deal of UV protection for the eyes, the ability to keep out the world from your personal space as well as make you look like a rock star!

Sunglasses range from everything retro and oversized, to the classic aviator style with graduated tints, tortoise-shell rimmed or trimmed with gold and crystals. When chosen with care, they can be nothing short of statement making. In that regard, oversized does not mean ill-fitted and buying shades should be done with patience, giving oneself enough time muse over the options at hand.

Retro bejewelled shades are for the dedicated fashion followers while aviators make for very individualistic adventurous style. The colours you chose as tints too tell whether you picture yourself on a yacht cruising in the Mediterranean or whether an African safari is more to your thrill. So pick wisely and say it right!

Big, bold and sparkly or subtle and classic, jewellery can be very personal to a woman. Some prefer the graceful fire of diamond solitaires, while others can’t get enough of crystal. Metal rings and hoops or crystal notes... Hoops, drops, studs or chandeliers, earrings are always telling tales… Be they big, oversized and flashy, or subtle and classic pieces, a piece of jewellery is a tattle-tale accessory. Chandelier earrings for example give that bohemian romanticism to a persona, while drops look feminine without being loud. Solitaires tell of a no-nonsense business woman or someone with a penchant for classic style.

While some love to highlight their ears and fingers, others can't do without a neckpiece or pendant and something on the wrist. Choose a look according to the physical features you want to draw attention to as well as the style of garment you’re wearing. Just never wear more than 3-4 pieces of jewellery together, unless you’re getting ready to walk down the aisle! And never wear more than one eye-catching piece. You don't want to look overdone and confuse the on-looker's eye, all at once.

Mobiles, belts and bags

A slim and slick sleek slider phone, a clam shell phone or a large camera and music phone, or any other, your cell phone tells a lot about you. Not only does it reveal your taste and style but also where your priorities lie. Whether music is closer to your heart or capturing moments makes you tick or whether you’re the no-nonsense business woman shooting email on the go to subordinates and clients alike. Forgo fashion when it comes to the cell phone and choose one that truly reflects your needs, and it will effectively be a picture of you as well.

Belts are fashion's latest obsession. While skinny and slick is the latest trend big and stylish buckles and tie-up ones are in as well. Just as other accessories, colour, texture and finish distinguish your style. A belt should always match your shoes and handbag or at least be in the same colour family. The natural waist is where belts are now sported and look best on shirt dresses and flowing tunics.

Bags come in more avatars than clothes now-a-days. Be it quilted, metallic, snake and croc skins, whether a tote, shoulder bag or a clutch purse, handbags are a surefire way to make a bold statement. While the multi-pocket likes of laptop bags and totes and satchels make a woman's day life more organised, clutches are purely for fashionable nights out. Wear snake skin [faux or for real] if you want to be in with the trend now. Or get your hands on crocodile skin prints if you really want to make it like the swish set. Metallics are now being reinvented all the time, and make for a trendy look in quilted and monogrammed styles. Embellished bags are also a hot trend with metal studs, gems and jewels adding up to mucho style.

Peep toe pumps or closed ones, with or without ankle straps, ballet flats and wedges or closed toe flats… shoes are the last of the weapons in your style arsenal. Whether worked over in raffia or crystals or built atop cork wedges shoes should be ideally coordinated with your handbag and belt and more importantly should always be comfortable.

So as I was saying… go get yourself a good dose of retail therapy with a clutch of the right accessories to spruce up your existing wardrobe and you can send me the thank you card later.

10 summer beauty tips

Hot temperatures and on-the-go kids can make it tough to stay stylish in summer. That's why you'll love these ten fast, mom-focused beauty and hair tips, which make looking good a breeze! Go ahead, customize them to enhance your personal assets and natural beauty. Then sit back and enjoy a beautiful summer.

1. Try a slick ponytail to accentuate your facial features. A deep-side part looks fresh and modern (and is easy to do when the kids are tugging at your arm!). To prevent flyaways, spritz with hairspray. Don't forget an easy-to-blend foundation with SPF to even out your skin tone and keep you looking polished.

2. Get a glow on by exfoliating. Keep a washcloth or buff pad at-the-ready for everyday use. If you don't have an exfoliant, make your own by moistening ½ cup of sugar with olive or sunflower oil. Use small circles to slough away dead cells and reveal new layers of skin. Or, try a mask of four to six aspirin crushed into a paste with water. Let dry, rinse and reveal the new you!

3. Beat the heat with a French braid that keeps your hair off your neck. Make the braid, leaving your bangs free. For a fun playground-to-party look, pull out small to medium chunky pieces from the braid and spray them with gel or hairspray and scrunch. Sweep bangs to the side and slip on a thin headband or tie on a piece of ribbon.

4. Protect your skin with a sunscreen with minimum 15 SPF. If you burn using SPF 15, go higher. Look for a UVA and UVB blocking ingredient such as Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide, Parsol 1789 or Helioplex. Apply a shot-glass worth of sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out, being sure to cover your chest, hands and ears. Don't forget a lip balm with SPF, too!

5. The messy bun that ruled the fashion runways this season is perfect for on-the-go moms! To get the look, apply a shine serum to towel-dried hair. Work it through to enhance natural texture. Next, use your fingers to rake hair back at mid-height or at the nape of the neck. Twist into a knot and secure with bobby pins. Don't worry about making it too neat – random ends sticking out are what make this style look relaxed.

6. Stay on-trend with pink lipstick. Pick a shade that complements your skin tone. Lighter pinks work on women with pink or cool undertones, and warmer pinks look best on skin with yellow undertones. A creamy lipstick formula will last longer than gloss.

7. For a mom manicure on the fly, remove chipped polish and moisturize your hands, rubbing olive oil on your cuticles before pushing them back. File your nails short and practical. Then whip on a light polish that won't show chips as much as a dark shade.

8. Try this trendy, mom-friendly twist on a basic bun: Make two side-by-side ponytails at the back of your head. Then wrap each tail around the other's base (hiding the elastics) to create a figure-eight bun. Secure to your head with hairpins and a few spritzes of hairspray.

9. Before you polish your toenails, pamper yourself with an Epson-salt and scented oil foot soak for 10 minutes. (Read a magazine while you wait!) Then remove dry skin from legs and feet with a homemade mixture of olive oil and kosher salt or raw sugar. Rub in an upward motion for two to three minutes, then rinse, moisturize and polish!

10. For natural-looking waves, massage volumizing mousse through freshly washed hair. Weave locks into a thick braid and allow hair to dry. When dried, gently finger comb to loosen into waves. If you have to time to blow dry, apply gel and then slowly blow dry while scrunching hair.

10 Hair Styling Tips and secrets

We all have bad hair days, there's no denying it.
But there are easy ways to make sure yours are few and far between.
just follow these simple hair styling ideas!

1. A healthy you means healthy hair
The top secret to healthy hair is to be healthy yourself. Drinking lots of water each day will make your hair shiny and prevent split ends - making hair styling far easier. Green vegetables and 'good' oils such as fish will also improve the quality of your hair, as will having plenty of sleep. Just like your skin, hair responds to changes in your lifestyle and even climate, so your hair style could need a bit of a health kick!

2. Find the perfect hair style for you
Starting with the right cut is the most important part of hair styling. It is your canvas for the Great Hair Day. Visiting a salon may not be cheap, but they will be able to style your hair to suit your facial structure, skin tone and lifestyle - and that's priceless. Your hair style should make you feel great, and making sure you feel confident in your cut is your first point of call.

3. Be careful with wet hair
If you wash your hair in the evening, make sure it is completely dry before you go to bed. Sleeping on wet hair will cause frizz and tangles - not a great hair style! Make sure you only use a comb in wet hair and not a bristled hair brush - bristles will break hair and cause split ends and flyaways.

4. Heat not always hair styling's enemy!
There are heaps of new products being released especially for protection against sun and heat damage. This is great news for having straight, luscious hair or that sun kissed look. Your hair style - and whole look - can be dramatically altered using hair straighteners or curling irons without damaging your hair's quality. It's not recommended every day, but can be awesome every so often when you need a bit of a change.

5. Long hair styles don't need to be boring
Long hair may get a bit of a bad rap in the hair style world, but eclectic fashion trends mean you can do more with it now than ever before. Give your long hair a new lease on life by trying creative up dos, knots, quirky pigtails and sleek quaffs. Many celebs sport long hair styles, so have a look through your favorite magazine for inspiration!

6. Try different hair styling products
Hair styles get bored of using the same things, just as we do. Your hair can become a bit "tolerant" of the products you use and need a change, so shake things up a bit with a new hair styling balm or gloss, or try a new shampoo and conditioner every couple of months.

7. Accessorize your hair style!
Barrettes, flowers and headbands are all back in, so take advantage of them! Simple hair clips can completely change your look - tie your hair style in with the rest of your look by using complementary colors and jewels. In summer, be fresh and funky with bright flowers. In the colder months, try headscarves and ribbons in warm colors. For the office, spice up your corporate hair style with subtle crystals or a classy hair comb.

8. Try a new color
If you're bored with your hair style, a new color can bring a subtle difference or a dramatic change. Treat yourself to this season's latest colors at your salon, and consider streaks, foils or even large portions of color to dramatize the look. Alternatively, try doing it yourself - most hair color formula's can actually improve the look of your hair style and improve shine health!

9. The dramatic hair style change
Having the same cut can make you feel weighed down pretty quickly. A striking change in your cut doesn't mean you should shave it all off - try some dramatic layers or a serious change in length to really stand out from the crowd. Your hair will feel lighter and sexier, and you'll feel more vibrant!

10. Spoil your hair
Give your hair style the chance to revitalize with a deep conditioning treatment or salon treatment. Lifeless hair is difficult to style, so choose an intensive moisturizing product and see the difference it makes to your look. Most hair stylists recommend a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week, and even a 3-minute treatment can be enough to give new life to your hair style!