365 days in the year and why can't they all be fashionable? Here's my new years resolution, a fashion blog a day, . . .so get ready!
Here's your bonus, because the clock hasn't struck midnight yet and the ball hasn't dropped.
BONUS FASHION TIP: It's always better to be FASHIONABLY dressed than UNDERDRESSED. Although, our culture is hell-bent on destroying formality wherever it may be found, it's better to make a statement. Strike a blow for elegance and refuse to wear jeans to the next social event that you attend.
1. VALENTINE'S DAY. The lives of ten people in Los Angeles intersect on Valentine's Day. Directed by Garry Marshall, this film is star-studded: Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Bradley Cooper, George Lopez, Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Garner, Emma Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Jaime Fox, Topher Grace, Shirley McClaine, Taylor Swift, Taylor Lautner, just to name a few, . . .take a sneak peek at the preview.
SEX AND THE CITY 2.
2. THE BOUNTY HUNTER. A bounty hunter learns that his next target is his ex-wife, a reporter working on a murder cover-up. Soon after their reunion, the always-at-odds duo find themselves on a run-for-their-lives adventure to Las Vegas. Starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston.
3. SHUTTER ISLAND. Drama is set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding on the remote Shutter Island. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Michelle Williams, and Mark Ruffalo.
4. ALICE AND WONDERLAND. Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice) attempts to work his gothic magic over one of the best loved stories of all time... Lewis Carroll's 'Alice In Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There', which first told the story of a young girl, who after following a rabbit down a hole, is transported to a strange world. Whilst the disney version of the tale relied on sweetness and light to delight the audience, Burton fans can be sure to look out for the same cartoon traits as earlier masterpiece 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'.
The traditional tale has been freshened with a blast of girl power, courtesy of writer Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast). Alice, 17, attends a party at a Victorian estate only to find she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of snooty society types. Off she runs, following a white rabbit into a hole and ending up in Wonderland, a place she visited 10 years before yet doesn't remember.
Among those who welcome her back is the Mad Hatter, a part tailor-made for Johnny Depp as he collaborates with Burton for the seventh time. "This character is off his rocker," Zanuck says.
Aussie actress Mia Wasikowska, 19, best known for HBO's In Treatment, has the coveted title role. "There is something real, honest and sincere about her," Zanuck says. "She's not a typical Hollywood starlet."
There is the usual Burton-esque ghoulishness (Helena Bonham Carter's Red Queen, whose favorite retort is "Off with their heads," has a moat filled with bobbing noggins), but Zanuck assures most kids can handle it. "The book itself is pretty dark," he notes. "This is for little people and people who read it when they were little 50 years ago."
5. DEAR JOHN. Dear John is a three part book that starts out with 23 year-old John Tyree, an army enlistee.
The Prologue starts of with the ultimate question, "What does it mean to truly love another?" John Tyree watches as he relives every memory, emotion, and touch while falling in love with Savannah Lynn Curtis.
Part I John as a little kid struggled with finding the balance between himself and his father. While on leave from the Army, he meets Savannah. She goes to UNC Chapel Hill in North Carolina and is in Wilmington, NC to work for Habitat for Humanity. They become quick friends after John dives into deep ocean water in order to retrieve her fallen purse. At a bonfire, with wild college students, John meets Savannah's friend Tim Wheddon. John quickly learns of how inviting and mature Savannah and Tim really are. After the initial meet, John and Savannah meet again at the beach where he teaches her to surf. They then quickly more than just friends. At the end of John's leave, Savannah meets with him at the pier. She mentions that she thinks John's distant father has Asperger's. Asperger is a developmental disorder which would explain why John's dad is distant, has the same exact schedule and conversation everyday, and is fairly only interested in his gigantic coin collection. After having this conversation, John quickly gets mad and accidently hits Tim right in the nose, breaking it himself. Savannah and Tim forgive John for what he did. Before he departs, he promises Savannah he'll marry her when he completes his deployment.
Part II, John comes home on leave and him and Savannah spend a very close night together while at one of the empty project houses for Habit for Humanity. Savannah writes him a letter, beginning with Dear John, that promises her love to him. John is very excited to come home to Savannah; however, due to 9/11, John feels the duty to reenlist in the Army. After years away from each other, Savannah writes John another letter. It starts with Dear John and ends with good-bye.
6. THE RUNAWAYS. The Runaways (Neon Angels) is based on lead-singer Cherie Currie's book 'Neon Angel' - a reflection of her experiences as a rock star, but also delivering a strong anti-drug warning to teens and others. David Bowie's "Space Oddity" serves as a metaphor for the narrative-- a slow countdown, a surreal but spectacular rise to fame, then alienation and burnout - a long long way from home.
The movie chronicles THE RUNAWAYS from 1975 - 1977; formed by teenage girls living near Hollywood, CA., and heavily manipulated by their manager Kim Fowley as 'jailbait rock' (all the girls were 16 or younger when the band recorded their first album). The band ultimately succeeds on their own merits as musicians, becoming the first all-girl rock-band to ever break into the world of arena-filling hard rock acts.
The movie focuses on the band's formation, and their meteoric rise to fame. Their first single, 'Cherry Bomb', gets some attention in the United States, where THE RUNAWAYS' U.S. tour hits major venues (Cobo Hall, with RUSH) and sleazy rock-clubs, often pairing them up with The Ramones, Cheap Trick, Tom Petty, and other popular 1970's rock acts. But 'Cherry Bomb' and several other songs from THE RUNAWAYS' first 2 albums become huge hits in Japan -- and their arrival for a set of shows there in 1977 is like Beatle-Mania. The band is overwhelmed by the Japanese reception. Almost prophetic, THE RUNAWAYS' last big hit song in Japan is 'Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin'.
Cherie is initially thrilled to be in the band, and lives the rock star life. She pushes the edge -- and their records sell well, generating lots of media controversy and hype. But during the tour of Japan, her personal life disnintegrates, and she burns out -- ultimately leaving The Runaways when they return to the U.S. The bass player (Jackie Fox) quits too, leaving only Lita Ford, Joan Jett and Sandy West. Joan Jett has decided that rock & roll is her life, and that The Runaways is her 'family'; she is upset by Cherie's decision to leave, but knows that decision is best -- for Cherie.
THE RUNAWAYS' success was earth-shaking in rock music -- changing the rules forever. But with the successful 5-girl lineup no longer intact after the Japan tour, their future was dubious, at best. Lita Ford (guitar) and Sandy West (drums) still think the band can make it big again, so they persevere with Joan Jett.
7. IRON MAN 2. With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances -- and confront powerful enemies.
8. THE STORY OF BONNIE & CLYDE. An account of the career of the infamous and notoriously violent bank robbing couple and their gang. Starring Hilary Duff as Bonnie. Yes, you read that right. To be fair, The Story Of Bonnie And Clyde is not technically a remake of the classic Warren Beatty/Faye Dunaway film, but comparisons are unavoidable. Per Variety, writer/director Tonya Holly's film is "a new adaptation" of the story behind Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow's romance.
9. PRINCE OF PERSIA. Set in medieval Persia, the story of an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Which is why after the prince was tricked by a dying Vizier to unleash the Sands of Time that turns out to destroy a kingdom and transforms its populace into ferocious demons. In his effort to save his own kingdom and redeem his fatal mistake, it's up to the prince and the princess to return the sands to the hourglass by using the Dagger of Time, which also gives him a limited control over the flow of time.
10. NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A re-imagining of the horror icon Freddy Krueger, a serial-killer who wields a glove with four blades embedded in the fingers and kills people in their dreams, resulting in their real death in reality.
KNIGHT & DAY. An action-comedy centered on a fugitive couple (Cruise and Diaz) on a glamorous and sometimes deadly adventure where nothing and no one – even themselves – are what they seem. Amid shifting alliances and unexpected betrayals, they race across the globe, with their survival ultimately hinging on the battle of truth vs. trust.
In just one week, the 2010 awards season will kick off with the People's Choice Awards at L.A.'s Nokia Theater. Cue the ball gowns and weepy acceptance speeches! Unlike its ceremonial cousins the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, the winners of the People's Choice Awards are chosen by, well, people just like you and me—the fans! With categories encompassing television, music and film there are sure to be some Crushworthy stars walking the red carpet, and we've tracked down a few of them already.
We'd probably be remised not to begin with your favorite "Twilight" stars in attendance. In addition to Kellan Lutz, newly single Taylor Lautner will have his firm butt firmly planted in a seat as he vies for the Breakout Movie Actor award as well as best On-Screen Team alongside "New Moon" costars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (who, sadly, have not been confirmed yet to attend).
Taylor will have some stiff (and buff) competition in the form of Ryan Reynolds (and, no, they're not competing for Best Abs) in the On-Screen Team category. The Canadian cutie is nominated not once but twice for his turns in "The Proposal" with Sandra Bullock and as Wade Wilson in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" with Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, will.i.am, Dominic Monaghan and Daniel Henney. And it doesn't stop there. It seems the PCA nominators enjoyed Ryan as much as we did this year, also recognizing the actor in the Movie Actor and Comedic Star categories.
Country star Carrie Underwood will also be gracing the Nokia Theater hoping to complement her new engagement ring with a People's Choice Award for best Female Artist as well as best Country Artist.
With so many of our favorites nominated ("Glee,""Vampire Diaries," "New Moon," "The Hangover,""(500) Days of Summer" and "True Blood") we can only hope the attendee list continues to grow!
Every successful vacation starts with a packing list and luggage that's right for the trip. By drawing up a packing list, you can prepare ahead of time and have the confidence of knowing you are unlikely to leave anything important behind. Having a vacation packing list will allow you to stay organized, and hopefully prevent you from packing items that you don't need on vacation or are too heavy to carry.
I recommend that couples divide their vacation packing list into three categories: His, Hers, and Ours. If you're going on a trip of any length, you may find that having three suitcases — his, hers, and ours — and a carry-on with mutual valuables — is the way to go. OUR HOLIDAY PACKING LIST ITEMS
A vacation packing list is especially important when you're traveling to a new place for the first time. While most items left behind can be secured elsewhere, you may not have the time or budget to shop for them on your vacation.
It's unlikely you'll need everything on this A-to-Z packing list, but I've tried to make it as comprehensive as possible to help you get organized. Obviously, the same vacation destination may not call for both a bathing suit and gloves or mittens...but you never know. It may occur to you that I've left jeans off the list. In tropical climates, they're too hot to wear. In Europe, they're too informal. But if you're going to some place casual, pack a pair. Good luck, and happy packing.
In the worst-case scenario, your luggage disappears. Forever. But if you have a copy of your vacation packing list on you — or leave a packing list with a trusted friend or family member while on vacation, you'll have a complete record of any loss.
Tis the season to GIVE and RECEIVE. Shop TONIGHT (Dec 17th) at the House of Petro Zillia for all your holiday Must-Haves with Paris and Nicky Hilton. Help the ones that really need you by shopping and having fun with the two hottest fashionistas in LA. Do you have fashionistas in the family and have no clue what's in style? Petro Zillia has you covered from the pickiest fashion maven to your own company holiday party- they are right on trend with mix and match layering that is to die for!
Step into 2010 in style with these great looks, from knits to basics, they'll have you struttin' in style. So come join us for a night of fun, fashion, and friends at the House of Petro Zillia tonight.
LONDON – Forget the animal-unfriendly fur coat and the painted-on pants made from polluting petroleum-based products. A runway show in Copenhagen on Wednesday aimed to show that "green styles" — some of them stitched in fabrics made from recycled agricultural or industrial waste — can be just as fashionable.
Held at Copenhagen's Opera House — across the Danish capital from where delegates from 192 countries are gathered to hammer out an agreement aimed at stemming global warning — the display brought together 20 designers from five Nordic countries and representatives of such retailing heavyweights as H&M and Barneys.
Designers each presented two looks made from organic cottons and silks, polyesters made from recycled plastic bottles or new fabrics made from waste left over from industry and agriculture.
Never heard of Crabion? It's made from byproducts from the crab industry. And Ingeo? It's made out of corn scraps and can be made to mimic the smoothness of silk or the glossy sheen of PVC. Ditto, Milkfiber, which, you guessed it, is milled milk: from the powder left over from boiled milk, more precisely.
"It was an exercise to show that you can replace traditional textiles with innovative new ones that are being made in mills in Japan and Italy and that are less polluting," said Stine Hedegaard of the Danish Fashion Institute, the organizer of Wednesday's display — which doubled as a design contest. A jury of fashion insiders judged the show's 40 looks and attributed a prize of 50,000 kroner ($6,720).
Finland's Saara Lepokorpi took the award for an asymmetrical cocktail dress in muted gray tones with what appeared to be panels of ruched silk, though organizer Hedegaard said Lepokorpi made her two looks from organic wool, Ingeo and Milkfiber.
"They were really nice materials to use and I intend to use them again," gushed Lepokorpi.
Other looks included an oversized, joker-collared wind-breaker in a green and black print that mimicked graffiti tags and a cocktail dress in iridescent purple with a strappy bodice that looked like the model was getting a bear hug from an octopus.
"The fashion industry is full of good ideas and creative people, people who are always ahead of time," said Denmark's Australian-born Crown Princess Mary, who delivered the prize. "It is an industry that picks up on and mirrors the developments in our society."
The show attracted nearly 700 guests, Hedegaard said.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Fashion designerTom Ford is best known for reinventing the house of Gucci in the 1990s and more recently, launching his own Tom Ford label.
But Ford has shifted gears in recent months to movie directing and his debut "A Single Man" begins playing in U.S. theaters on Friday after a run in festivals earlier this year.
Based on Christopher Isherwood's novel, the film starsColin Firth as a man who can't bear to continue living after suffering the tragic loss of his lover.
Ford spoke to Reuters about the movie, his switch from fashion to film, and his idea of "enhanced reality."
Q: How does filmmaking compare to fashion design?
A: "Filmmaking is a totally different expression. Fashion for me is a commercial endeavor. Filmmaking is an artistic endeavor and a commercial endeavor. Working on 'Single Man' was the truest expression of anything I've ever created. It had nothing to do with fashion."
Q: Still, you had to get someone to give a fashion designer money to make a movie. How did you do that?
A: "You don't. You pay for it yourself, which is what I did. We had financing set up, but then the Lehman Bros. crash happened. The people who were investing money pulled out in early September when we were already in pre-production."
Q: What brought you to the decision to finance it?
A: "I was talking to (billionaire businessman) David Geffen, who's a friend of mine, and said: 'David, I'm trying to decide if I should just use my own money but everyone keeps telling me that's dumb.' He said: 'Invest in yourself. It's always the best investment.' I realize I'm very, very fortunate to have that ability."
Q: Exactly how much did you put in?
A: "All of it, so I know exactly how much. We worked with the union ... and the maximum you could spend was $7.2 million dollars and we came in below that."
Q: Julianne Moore was the first actor on board. How did you convince a triple Oscar nominee like her to sign on?
A: "I've known her for a long time. I've dressed her. We're friends. At one point, I said something to her about being sweet to consider this part. She said: 'I'm not sweet. I like the script. I wouldn't do this if I didn't love the script.'"
Q: You had someone else in the lead before Colin Firth.
A: "Colin was my first choice, but he wasn't available because he was going to be shooting 'Dorian Gray.' So I cast another actor but when our production schedule moved, he dropped out. Colin was wrapping 'Dorian Gray.'"
Q: He won best actor at the Venice film festival. Now there's talk about a shot at an Oscar. What do you think?
A: "He absolutely deserves an Oscar. We shot this film in 21 days, shooting night and day and Colin's in every single scene. He has an ability to show an enormous amount of what his character is thinking or feeling without moving his face -- just telegraphing it. That was very important for this character."
Q: Every person in this movie is drop dead model gorgeous -- like they could appear in one of your fashion campaigns.
A: "Honestly, I didn't even notice it was populated with beautiful people. Although Colin's character is going through what may be the last day of his life, so he's struck by beauty everywhere. I believe in a kind of enhanced reality. A long time ago, movies used to be that way. If I were working in a different era, I would have had to have been at MGM."
Q: How so?
A: "Alfred Hitchcock -- and I'm certainly not comparing myself to him -- everything he did was stylized and every single person was gorgeous. It was enhanced reality. Style without substance isn't worth very much."
(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte and Patricia Reaney)
Taylor Lautner is to be the next hot man to strip for Giorgio Armani adverts, according to reports from many media outlets.
The Twilight hunk is tipped to follow in David Beckham's footsteps to become the body for the Armani Exchange range.
The move will be particularly pleasing for the 17-year-old's millions of fans, who will now get a chance to see Taylor in just his pants.
Rumour has it that Taylor has already negotiated a multi-million dollar contract to advertise clothes and the brand's fragrance.
But Armani are apparently holding off from announcing the news until Taylor turns 18 in February.
Tis the season to GIVE, not to receive. I definitely believe in that motto and try to do my best. I always go out of my way to make sure that I even GIVE to those who are less fortunate than me. I typically choose a little girl and a little boy off the ANGEL tree (my cousin Michele and I think it's important to always enclose clothing items, gloves, a scarf, and a hat, along with whatever toy(s) that the kids request.)
But if you are running out of ideas this holiday season, remember it's not about the price tag, it's about the thought that went into the present.
Here are a few of my favorite things:
VOLUSPA CANDLES. Voluspa means "bringer of wisdom" or "goddess of wisdom" in tales of ancient scandinavian lore. Voluspa candles have lavish fragrances, rich, unique and sultry, even when mocking the most simple scents. Voluspa's wax formula is inspiried by traditional candle-making formulas handed down from the classic european candle makers. Voluspa's wax has a buttery texture and and soft density which lends ideally to heavy fragrance concentration and an even, consistent burn. Voluspa candles use the most innovative fragrance concepts blended with fresh unique design. Fine Fragrance. Exclusive wax. Luxury candles. www.voluspacandles.com.
TEAVANA PERFECT TEA MAKER. The Teavana Perfect Teamaker creates the perfect cup of tea for tea lovers on the go. Just add loose tea, 16oz of hot water and steep. Drain the tea by placing it onto your favorite mug. Prepares two 8oz cups of tea. This time of year Teavana also offers gift sets for tea lovers. My favorite is Apple Lemon Pomegranate & Fruit Bomba Green Tea mixed. Delish!
LOGITECH WEBCAM. Have a loved one deployed overseas? Are you across the country from your family? Why not give them a webcam to keep in touch. With modern technology, a webcam can even keep a long distance relationship alive. Easy to install software and easy to use on most desktops and laptops. So enjoy the comfort of seeing your loved one in real-time.
THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES. Do you know someone who is searching to better themselves? Especially when it comes to love? The 5 Love Languages was recommended to me by a close personal friend who cares about me deeply. The first night I received this book, I devoured 55 pages in one sitting. It enhances relationships with not just the one you love, but parents, friends, colleagues, etc. We all speak different love languages and being educated on it, can only make the world a better place because we can relate to one another. A definite recommended read, whether you are single, married, divorced, or widowed. At the end of the day, all we need is love. Love is all we need.
LOVE LETTERS. For the hopeless romantics in your group, why not give them a book of Love Letters. This is also a great gift for a new couple that just is celebrating their first Christmas together or for a couple who has been together for a long time and needs to re-kindle their love. I was recently at a client's house and noticed her books of love letters and I began to thumb through them. I definitely don't own any of these books but I would definitely appreciate the person to would purchase them for me. Inside the first book that I glanced at, the man in her life at that moment even wrote on the inside of the book a little love letter to her. What is more romantic than sincere words from the person you love? We all remember Carrie reading the book of Love Letters in the Sex and the City movie, . . .all together now, "how romantic".
VICTORIA SECRET. I will let you in on a little secret, . . .you can never go wrong with a gift certificate to Victoria Secret. If she is a lingerie lover, like myself, they have definitely grown in their girlie, frilly lingerie lines. If she is more conservative, they have some of the coziest pajamas and robes out there. And if she is athletic, they have an amazing line of sportswear. Any store that sells lingerie, pajamas, sportswear, and not to forget perfume is a wonderland for females.
MARTINI GIFT SETS. Three 5oz Martini Mixes, Martini Lemon Drop, Martini Mandarin Orange, and Martini Green Apple - paired up with 2 Martini Glasses! A fun and unique gift for the Martini lover!
SPORTS TICKETS. Know a sports fan who is a diehard NFL, NBA, MLB fan? Why not get them a couple of tickets to their favorite teams game against a rival? The best way to pull off this gift is to buy a 6-pack of their favorite beer and enclose the tickets in an envelope and wrap. They will be so surprised that you actually took the time to buy them something personal like that and the beer is to celebrate when they see the sweet game they scored!
DIAMONDS ARE A GIRLS BEST FRIEND. A heart shaped border of crisp clear diamonds outlines an impressive collection of black diamonds 1/4 carat (ctw) in this fancy and heartfelt necklace crafted in 10 karat white gold. A beautiful piece at the right price with free shipping. Also available with blue diamonds or a matching ring. (http://promo.myjewelrybox.com/CMs/MC0025.html)
LONDON (Reuters Life!) – Luxury goods group Burberry said its Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey has won the 2009 Designer of the Year prize at the British Fashion Awards.
Burberry also won Brand of the Year at the ceremony held at The Royal Courts of Justice in London on Wednesday night.
Bailey said the 153-year-old British maker of raincoats, fashionable clothes and accessories will continue to show its Burberry Prorsum womenswear show during London Fashion Week.
Burberry, which runs 122 retail outlets, 255 concessions, 90 franchise stores and an e-commerce business in over 25 countries reported better than expected second-quarter revenue forecasts last month, helped by demand for handbags, leather goods and snoods.
It said it expected to open about 15 mainline stores over the full year, at the top end of its previous guidance.
Bailey has previously been recognized at the British Fashion Awards with the Menswear Designer of the Year award in 2008 and 2007 and with the Designer of the Year award in 2005.
He is responsible for the design of all Burberry collections and products, as well as all advertising, corporate art direction, architectural design, multi-media content and overall brand image for Burberry.
For the Sports Water Enthusiast. Vivitar's DVR850 Video Camera is sure to make a splash. Seriously. Throw it in the sea. It's waterproof! Whether your fellow likes to Jet Ski or scuba dive, he'll be able to capture all of the fun with this gnarley toy; $99.99.
For the Foodie. Forget the cookbooks this year, men like to be men behind the grill. He'd be thrilled when you gift him with this stainless steel barbecue set; $25.
For the Business Guy. Sure, he's got a million ties. But does he own a totally awesome one that was designed by Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland? We don't think so! Help him stand out in a room full of suits with English Laundry's Crossbone Tie; $59.99.
For the Watch Lover. Once he sees that you've given him a fine way to display his collection of Rolexes and Movados, he'll definitely know what time it is—time to buy you something nice! $49.95.
For the Smooth Operator. This masculine (check out the wooden packaging!) shaving kit by Every Man Jack has everything to keep your beau kissably smooth; $20.
Keep these 10 fashion items on hand and you'll be ready for any special occasion, from winter formals to holiday parties. All it takes are a few dressy basics to mix and match your way to glamorous party success!
1. THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS (LBD). It just doesn't get any better than a perfect little black dress for party wear. The newest (and most flattering) length falls modestly right below the knee. Satin, velvet, jersey and crepe are some of the best fabrications for this style.
2. BEADED BLOUSE. Head-to-toe beading is too much, but a sparkly top is festive enough to stand on its own. An embellished cardigan looks especially fresh right now. Pair with black trousers or a straight skirt, pull back your hair and slick on red lips for a classic party look.
3. GREAT TROUSER. A wider-leg pant is the perfect special occasion partner for sexy tops and jackets. Choose basic colors -- black and winter white are faves -- and festive fabrics (velvet, satin, crepe).
4. DRESSY WRAP. A beautiful shawl does more than just look good: it can cover bare shoulders, too. Embroidered styles go great with basic strapless dresses; velvets and fringed pieces add richness to separates. Stick with a shawl in approximately the same fabric "weight" as your outfit (you wouldn't want to pair a heavy velvet piece with a gossamer gown).
5. PERFECT CLUTCH. Complete your outfit with a sophisticated clutch bag. Look for clean lines with subtle details (like gold or silver hardware) to get the most mileage. Some styles have short strap to go over your shoulder or a loop to hang around your wrist, but holding a dainty bag in your hand is still the chicest way to go.
6. AMAZING HEEL. These high-heels will go with everything from pants to little black dresses. Added bonus: unlike sandals, where you have to worry about your hose seams showing on the toes, mules have covered toes so sheer hosiery looks great!
7. VELVET JACKET. The dressy jacket is a staple because it classes up everything from simple white blouses to plain black trousers. Burn-out and embroidery are two finishes that add interest; look for traditionally rich velvet colors like black and burgundy.
8. BEAUTIFUL BLING. If you can swing it (and there are plenty of good buys out there), real diamonds are the only way to go. Hoops, drops and studs are all popular styles. Just pair your earrings to your updo (the more pulled back/up your hair, the longer the earring).
9. A LITTLE SHIMMER. Dust sparkly powders in pink or flesh tones wherever you want more attention: bare shoulders, cleavage, etc.
10. SEXY CAMISOLE. Looks great bare or under a jacket. Pair with a dressy skirt for special occasions or toughen it up with faded jeans for daytime.
We're giving you the chance to have an exclusive first look at the new poster for 'Sex and the City 2' here.
Returning in their starring roles are Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon.
Speaking about filming the movie, Parker said: "It's a great privilege to be spending time again with this beloved cast and crew and to be filming in New York City.We look forward to the next few months of this adventure."
There's still six months to go before Sex And The City fans will find out what happens to Carrie & Co.
But as the film's stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall continue to film the eagerly anticipated sequel, the movie's producers have released a teaser poster to whet the fans' appetite.
While Parker, 44, evidently looks good for her age, studio bosses have made the actress look even younger in the digitally-enhanced image.
In a photograph taken of the star in September, they have smoothed out the skin on her face and body and accentuated her bust for the ethereal-looking poster.
In the shot, Parker looks super chic in a stunning white Halston Heritage dress, $525 gold Mykita & Bernard Willhelm's Franz Limited-Edition Aviator sunglasses and Solange Azagury-Partridge necklace.
And of course, Parker's transformation into Carrie Bradshaw wouldn't be complete without a pair of fabulous shoes and bag - this time a £1,975 pair of Christian Louboutin Pigalle gold sequinned heels and a gold Chanel clutch.
However, the poster is lacking Parker's co-stars Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon and Kristin Davis.
Accentuating the gold, Parker's high heels, clutch and sunglasses have been 'blinged' up, while her multi-coloured necklace has been literally turned into gold in the poster.
Following the huge success of the first movie last year, filming began on the follow-up in New York in September.
As you would expect from SATC, the film's four leading ladies are back in fabulous designer outfits, which will no doubt spur many a trend in 2010.
Parker, who became the mother of surrogate twins Tabitha and Marion in June, admitted the timing of making the sequel could have been better.
The actress, who also has a seven-year-old son James with husband Matthew Broderick, said: 'Nothing can really describe what it's like to have two new little girls.
'It's been very different than when James arrived, since our family expanded in an untraditional way. We didn't plan on having two, but were doubly blessed, and it's been just wonderful.
One would prefer to be held 24 hours a day, and the other is already suffering from type A issues.
'It's been amazing but complicated because of my current work schedule, which I have enormous regrets about.'
While little details have been confirmed about the plotline, Parker and Nixon were spotted filming in Morocco in October.
It looks like Cattrall's man-eating character Samantha Jones may finally settle down after the actress was spotted wearing a wedding dress on location in New York.
Teen star Miley Cyrus, who has a brief cameo alongside Cattrall in the film, confirmed Jason Lewis was returning as Samantha's ex-boyfriend Smith Jerrod.
In the sequence, Samantha is dismayed to see Miley wearing the same dress as her when she attended a premiere of Smith's movie.
As well as potentially settling down, there is speculation Samantha - who turned 50 in the last movie - may be going through 'the change'.
Paparazzi taking photographs of the cast filming in New York earlier this year zoomed in on her script, which apparently sees Samantha asking her assistant to pick up more hormone pills.
Among the rumoured plotlines for the sequel is Carrie's marriage to Mr Big (Chris Noth) will run into trouble, including the mogul suffering into financial problems as a result of the current economic crisis.
It has been rumoured the couple may have or adopt a baby together after several stars, including Katie Price and Victoria Beckham reportedly auditioned for he role of an English nanny.
Also back for the sequel is Miranda's husband Steve Brady (David Eigenberg), Charlotte's husband Harry Goldenblatt (Evan Handler) and the girls' gay friends Anthony Marantino (Mario Cantone) and Stanford Blatch (Willie Garson).
Among the stars making cameo appearances in this year's movie include Penelope Cruz, Liza Minnelli and British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili.
The first Sex And The City movie saw Carrie and Mr Big finally tie the knot in City Hall after the commitment-phobe jilted her at the altar of a lavish over-the-top ceremony at the New York Public Library.
Last year's film was well received with both critics and audiences and grossed $412million in worldwide box office.
Soon you may not have to be an A-list celeb, department-store buyer or magazine editor to get a front-row seat at a fashion show. As the luxury and fashion industries continue to struggle with sagging retail sales and consumers' diminishing interest in $2,000 It bags, designers are looking for alternative ways to show their wares. And more and more of them are turning to the Internet for a bigger audience and to shrink their overhead.
"The cost of a fashion show has become prohibitive," says David Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren's marketing chief. "And because of the economy, fewer members of the press and buyers are making the trip to New York to see the show." The result is that many designer-initiated brands — including the less-expensive lines, like Donna Karan's DKNY, that are presented during New York Fashion Week — are rethinking the traditional fashion show. This fall the British designer Alexander McQueen made a splash by live-streaming his Paris show on his website. The season before, Louis Vuitton live-streamed its show on Facebook. And Lauren is the mastermind behind a new initiative to present his company's brands in virtual fashion shows as opposed to have-to-be-there runway extravaganzas.
On Dec. 11, Rugby, Ralph Lauren's collegiate brand, will show its holiday collection in an online fashion show that Lauren calls a mix between Harry Potter and Rock Band. Instead of walking down a real runway, the models will be walking on a treadmill in an office with a green screen behind them. Once the clip is produced, a virtual backdrop will be superimposed so that it will look as though the models are walking through New York City or a college campus, or jumping off flying books. The idea, says Lauren, is to bring a cinematic feeling to the brand's advertising images. And instead of the company's spending $1.5 million on an audience of approximately 700 members of the fashion press and department-store buyers, the virtual show will cost less than $50,000 to produce and is expected to attract more than 40 million page views.
One advantage to replacing the traditional biannual runway show — which features clothing that won't be available in stores for another six months — is that designers can close the six-month gap between the show and the products' availability. Ideally, consumers who watch a show online would then be able to click on a product they see and buy it immediately. "Now we can serve the industry and our customer simultaneously," says Lauren, "which is critical to the survival of this industry."
Historically, high-end fashion brands have not fared well when they've relied solely on virtual fashion shows. In 1998, Helmut Lang made a statement when he replaced one season's runway showing with a video recording of a show that went up on his website and was distributed to editors on discs. But the reaction was lukewarm, and the following season Lang returned to the runway. More recently, brands like Viktor & Rolf and Yves Saint Laurent have experimented with online shows.
Next spring Polo Ralph Lauren is planning virtual shows for its less-expensive Lauren line as well as its children's line. But the company isn't ready to present its most prestigious line, the Ralph Lauren collection, online. "It's certainly up for debate," says Lauren. "It's making us think differently about how we show our product and how we can show the Ralph Lauren collection."
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens is not always the model teammate, but from now on, everything he does will be model behavior.
That's because the often verbose pass-catching enthusiast signed a contract with the Wilhelmina Agency this week. Owens said he was approached by the firm, which was founded by former supermodel Wilhelmina Cooper and has offices in the model-friendly cities of Los Angeles, New York and Miami.
Seeking to capitalize on Owens' popularity, the agency will represent him in future endorsements and sponsorship deals in the fashion and personal care industries.
"Well, I'm always putting my hands in and feeding into something," Owens said. "When you've got some good looks like myself, you've got to take full advantage of it."
Owens got another bit of good off-the-field news recently when VH1 decided to pick up his reality show for a second season.
All is not peachy for the symmetrically-faced one, however. Owens' Bills are 4-8 on the year.
Your holiday shopping is almost complete. You've picked out something for your mom, sis and auntie, your dad and grandpa are all set and you've found the perfect gifts for your nieces and nephews. But what about Buddy and Fluffy? They need more than a bone and catnip under the tree.
We're thinking of getting our canine princess this flower accessory so she can look as chic as Michelle Obama over the holidays. Shop for it now—as well as more fab presents—read below.
1. FOR THE TRENDY PUP. Michelle Obama made brooches the accessory of the year. Now your pup can hop on the trend with Muttropolis' flower accessory, which velcros right on to the collar; $16.
2. FOR THE SPORTS KITTY. Does your cat cuddle up with you on the couch during playoffs? Then the furball should adore Cats Rule's Football Cat Scratcher. Each sturdy lounger comes with a bag of certified organic catnip; $23.95.
3. FOR THE PINK PUPS. If her pup already has a diamond collar, pink leash and pastel sweater, what's next? Juicy Couture Scottie Plush iPod Speakers, of course. It's the most stylish way to have a four-legged dance party; $68.
4. FOR YOUR FOUR-LEGGED FOODIE. While you're perfecting your pecan pie, bake your pooch a decadent treat, too. Pawshop's Organic Double Carob Chip Doggie cake mix brings a delicious cinnamon scent to the kitchen; $6.99.
5. FOR PUP'S FIRST CHRISTMAS. Remember when Charlotte brought the diaper genie to the baby shower in Sex and the City? Well, consider this Puppy Pad Cake the four-legged version of the tiered gift of all gifts; $89.98.
Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Stacy 'Fergie' FergusonThe ladies of the the new movie Nine, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz and Fergie, rocked the red carpet on Wednesday night (December 9) for the Los Angeles premiere of the forthcoming musical.
Taylor Swift straight hair is a result of the Taylor Swift new haircut. Taylor Swift straight hair is a major difference from her usual long, curly locks. The Taylor Swift new haircut gives curly heads like me hope to have Taylor Swift straight hair ourselves.
We all recognized Taylor Swift at the CMA rewards by her wavy blonde hair. Remember CMA Awards Winners 2009 and Kanye West? Now Taylor Swift straight hair is her hot new look.
The Taylor Swift new haircut features bangs blown to one side with straight hair framing her face rather than her usual curls. What do you think of Taylor Swift straight hair versus her usual waves?
I like to wear my hair both ways. I find Chi hair products work wonders. I wrote an article recently about beautifying your hair at home. Check it out at It's A Hairy Situation for great tips. Do you prefer to wear your hair straight or curly?
Here's a video of Taylor Swift straight hair with the Taylor Swift new haircut as well as some shots of her curly locks.
Do you always end up with the wrong sizes, styles and colors? Tend to always buy the same designs, colors and shapes? Not sure what to give your favorite fashionista? How about a day of shopping with a personal shopper? No matter what your budget, Celebrity Fashion Stylist, Toni Ferrara can accomodate your favorite designer pocketbook too. Starting at $375 for a closet clean-out or $400 (for 4 hours of her expertise shopping, clothing not included), or for your loved ones who want to live like a celebrity, try the "DAY IN THE LIFE OF YOUR FAVORITE CELEBRITY". This VIP shopping package begins with a complete assessment of your fashion needs & style goals, then you'll be whisked away in a luxury town car to a day of shopping designed exclusively for you, with your own personal shopper, Celebrity Fashion Stylist, Toni Ferrara. You will be treated like a Hollywood starlet and receive complimentary champagne, private dressing rooms, professional retail service, and all the attention you deserve. At the end of the day, be prepared to feel fabulous & look like a star!
All inclusive day of Celebrity VIP Treatment
Closet Consultation
Individual Shopping List
Personalized Itinerary of shops, boutiques, and stores
Complimentary Champagne
Private dressing rooms
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Lots of personal attention
Total Hours 8 hrs (shop til ya drop, literally)
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Why buy a gift certificate for a personal shopper? Toni Ferrara will guide you through a shopping trip to make it fun, fast and fruitful. Your stylist will ensure that every article you buy represents money well spent. Working to your budget, they'll show you how to buy quality items, mix designer with high street and classic with fashion. Toni Ferrara & Company are not affiliated to any specific brand, which means that they will offer independent advice and can protect you from pushy sales assistants whose eye tends to be more on their commission! See how your new purchases work together and come away with the confidence to shop until your drop!
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