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    February 28th, 2010adminFashion News

    There has been an increase recently in Americans’ obsessions to look and feel better. Reality makeover programs such as “Extreme Makeover” use cosmetic surgery to erase signs of aging or to change the size and shape of specific body parts. However, for some people, invasive procedures are not an option.

    Many are afraid to undergo surgery because of the risks or the expense that is often associated with these cosmetic procedures. Fortunately, there are now products that can be used in the privacy of your own home for a fraction of the cost, are more convenient and offer great results.

    For years, those searching to get rid of fine lines and get that healthy glow went to a physician for microdermabrasion, a treatment where dead skin cells are removed with tiny silicon or aluminum-oxide crystals blown against the skin using a hand-held device and then sucked up with a small vacuum. Costing about $1,200 a visit, the procedure was not easy on the wallet. But there’s a new generation of at-home alternatives that allows you to get similar results within weeks. Creams and serums that contain Retinol (pure vitamin A) exfoliate the skin, giving a more youthful appearance. Those who want to go a step further can now buy their own high-tech beauty treatment system, a microdermabrasion machine, at a cost of $79.95 (www.sharperimage.com).

    Some women are unhappy with the size or shape of their bust. They might have always wished they were a cup size larger so that their clothes fit them better, or they may have noticed changes in their shape after childbirth. Regardless of the reason, many of these women are afraid or unwilling to undergo the pain associated with implants. Others are simply not willing to fork over the average $5,000 cost for surgery. Now there is another option available, a system that is clinically proven to grow a woman’s own natural breasts about a cup size without surgery, pills or creams.

    These are just a few of the do-it-yourself at home beauty treatments that are easier on your wallet, provide you with more control of your looks and can be done on your own time. To find out more about these treatments, log on to their Web sites or try the procedures yourself for the ultimate proof. – NU

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  • scissors
    February 24th, 2010adminFashion Accessories

    High Heels, High Hopes, and the Role of Fashion Design Schools

    The fashion world has long been filled with glitz and glamour. The ramp for models is always long, dramatic, and well-lighted. The walk is certainly a walk for fame, fortunately for aspirants but sometimes leading to a walk for shame. Who is behind all these promises and/or even breakdowns? No less than the fashion designers.

    What, exactly, does a fashion designer do?

    Basically, with streaks of talent, creativity, and sensitivity, fashion designers, as if influenced by Rumpelstiltskin, craft accessory and clothing sketches. They usually concentrate in one nature of accessory or garment such as women’s or men’s apparels, swimwear, lingerie, children’s garments, handbags, and even shoes. They, sometimes, lead the groundwork of the creation and promotion of their creations.

    Famous fashion designers prefer to be self-employed and they cater for the request of their clients. Some cater to high-fashion department stores or to specialty stores. They establish fashion statements by setting the colors, silhouette, and type of materials that are worn each season.

    There are also some designers who are employed by manufacturers of clothes. These designers just adapt fashion statements set by other designers for the market. However, there are small manufacturers who just purchase or copy designs.

    Both designers sketch unique garments and follow certain trends in fashion. Likewise, both need assistants who should get used to the fast-paced schedule of the fashion business.

    In detail, these designers execute the following tasks:

    Draw their unique designs.
    Create patterns for sample garments.
    Choose textile and add-ons (accessories).
    Apply tailoring and basic dressmaking principles along with draping techniques and flat pattern works.
    Fit and alter the completed product, if necessary.
    Set-up a fashion show.
    Compare the performance of the merchandise against the competitors.
    Keep self up-to-date of latest fashion trends thru magazines and other fashion shows.
    Have frequent trips to fabric showrooms to keep self updated of latest type of fabrics.

    Actually, fashion designers can be categorized as follows:

    1.Lead or Head Designers
    They take care of the executive and creative tasks.

    2.Assistant or Apprentice Designers
    They usually make patterns and sample garments. They may also teach sample makers how to make patterns and designer garments.

    3. Specialty Designers
    They coordinate with other designers about special lines of garments.

    4.Costume or Theatrical Designers
    They usually create costumes used in theater and movie productions on a contractual basis.

    The foundations for their creations are their knowledge, skills, and abilities honed in fashion schools and trainings in the long run.

    Basic Design This refers to technical know-how included in the creation and use of technical blueprints, drawings, plans, and models.
    Idea Production This is the ability of designers to approach problems creatively and resourcefully.
    Dynamic Learning This is being able to analyze implications of new information and materials at hand.
    Operations Scrutiny This is considering requirements of products to execute a design.
    Uniqueness This pertains to unusual cleverness vis–vis trying situations.
    Harmonization This is being able to having good coordination with others.
    Visioning This is being able to see how an organization works under real conditions.

    The talents and skills of these artists are really important in the fashion industry. The work requires an eye for a striking creation and business management. Thus, aside from the portfolio of their usually creations, formal education help these designers acquire the secrets of the trade in this business. In fact, graduation from a college or school that provides training on fashion and design is highly recommended in the industry, to keep incoming designers updated on the advent of new techniques and technologies.

    However, some leaders of this industry view vocational training schools and community college as more capable of producing competent artists because these institutions work along with clothing industries.

    Vocational schools provide trainings in sketching, draping and grading, pattern making, garment construction, textiles and trimmings, costume history, principles of design and color; and how to plan and market seasonal fashion lines.

    High school students inclined in fashion and design should finish basic courses in arts, sewing, mathematics, speech, English, and business.

    Usually, vocational institutions provide a two-leveled program with certificate that is consonant to the degree in Associate of Arts. For those who want to enter the fashion field immediately, a first level certificate of proficiency is provided. The next level of proficiency, the second-level requires a greater time of completion. But upon graduation, artists are considered competent enough to aim for positions as Assistant Designers. After all the necessary formal trainings and specializations, those who have the guts and high hopes spin gold fabrics!

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  • scissors
    February 22nd, 2010adminFashion News

    As we all get older we seem to lose that youthful glow that we once had. There are many factors fighting against us to keep our youthful looking skin including, sun, wind, the foods we eat, or the lack of hydration our skin so desperately needs.

    Quite a few skin care products can help us keep our skin looking better than ever, however, without proper skin care treatment, all the skin care products in the world will not help. To look your best and provide your skin with anti aging skin care you should turn to natural skin care and all natural products.

    Lets begin by first looking at your overall daily routine. You need eight hours of sleep, stay out of the sun as much as possible, use a good all natural moisturizer and above all else drink plenty of water. It is recommended in order to have youthful healthy looking skin the best anti aging skin care starts with eight glasses of water per day.

    Exposure to the sun makes our skin dry and weather beaten. If you must be out in the sun, use sunscreen and moisturizers for natural skin care. Read the label, though, you do not want any product that has any type of alcohol in it; alcohol will dry the skin causing it to age as well.

    One of the best skin care treatments you can add to your anti aging skin care routine is the use of moisturizers. Our skin loses water constantly and if you are like most people you do not enjoy drinking gallons of water in order to keep your skin hydrated. This is the reason you should use moisturizers every day. You should apply an all-natural moisturizer to your face before you apply any type of make-up.

    When you are searching for the best anti aging skin care, you will of course look for anti aging products. The best products for skin care treatment that aid in anti aging are ones that include antioxidants. Antioxidants aid our skin by protecting the collagen and the elastin that we need to keep our skin feeling firm and supple.

    The overall thing to remember with all skin care treatment including anti aging skin care is that what you put into your body will show on the outside. You should eat a proper diet and healthy foods. Eating well-balanced meals and nutritional foods will give your skin a healthy glow especially when you remember to drink plenty of water.

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  • scissors
    February 17th, 2010adminFashion Accessories

    There are lots of people who can tell you a thing or two about fashion designer schools. They may be right- fashion schools may not add up to your talent at the end of the day but you see, the other face of the coin might also be true. That is, fashion schools would not only keep you informed, you will also get to enhance your talents and special interests.

    The truth is, having the talents is not enough. You need to be properly trained to get this talent on the right track. One good way of doing this is to attend fashion designer schools.

    Like with everything, you need to find a school that can provide you with all the stuffs you need while justifying the bill of their curriculum.

    There are a number of things you should be considering in your choice of school. Among them are: cost, services and curriculum.

    The cost, both the initial and the extra charges, is probably the major consideration among aspiring talents. Fashion designer schools are few and they can’t be simply accessed in every city. That would mean extra baggage on your part.

    How much it costs to attend a fashion designer school, you ask. Well, this cant be answered concretely with figures since these vary from one school to another. Also, this issue is largely dependent on many factors including the popularity of the fashion designer school, the spectrum of services it offers and the facilities it has.

    It’s good if you are not bothered with the cost of the school. Sadly, most of us tend to be practical when dealing with things. However, this does not suggest that one should dive fast on the least expensive school you can get your hands on. There are also dangers in this. Remember that with lower price, the quality and the services of the institution suffers.

    Now, that leaves you only to choosing between a well-performing school with high tuition fee or a mediocre fashion designer school with much lower price.

    Whatever your choice is, you have to spot on the balance. Find the one which can give you the best of both worlds. Surely, there are those fashion designer schools that chose to put income as secondary and exchange this for the main aim of fostering passion in fashion designing among their budding artists.

    The services a fashion designer school should also be taken into thought. These factors cover the job placement services to graduate students, a number of scholarships, a well-performing teaching staff and the general competence of the institution.

    Last on your list of consideration is the curriculum the school offers. Keep in mind that you went to a fashion designer school to learn. If a specific school can only provide you with the things that you can learn by other means then the purpose of entering would be spoiled. Secure to it that you are well supplemented with the ideals of the program.

    Formal training must be the real aim of any curriculum. This then should be combined with a good mixture of theoretical approach plus the application of the learning earned from classroom setting.

    The basic offers among fashion designer schools are fashion basics, modeling, sales marketing and fashion merchandising.

    These are just some of the many factors that you can first consider reflect on so that you would arrive to a final choice of school that you will be contented with.

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  • scissors
    February 16th, 2010adminFashion News

    By the end of this article, you should have gained enough new knowledge on this subject to be able to explain its main points to another person.

    Most women would like to change the size and the shape of their breasts. And while the cosmetic changes are easy to achieve and reverse, if needed, breast augmentation surgery is not for everyone.

    Surgical breast augmentation is a substantial investment of time and money, it has a lot of strength consequences and the fallout can never be entirely predictable. All together, these factors can make breast augmentation a last resort for those who want to change the size and shape of their breasts.

    There are numerous alternatives that women can try to advance the shape of their breasts before resorting to surgery. These breast enlargement techniques scope from breast enlargement creams and pills to easy breast enlargement exercises that tone all of your upper body.

    Breast enlargement Creams and Lotions

    This typeface of breast enlargement is not the most effective when worn on its own. When combined with pills and exercises, breast enlargement creams can yield substantial breast size increase.

    Breast enlargement creams act in beautiful greatly the same way that the breast enlargement pills do. Typically breast enlargement cream contains a mix of herbs along with mild chemicals that stimulate the lump of fat cells in the breast without budding fat cells on other parts of the body.

    Breast enlargement creams have other cosmetic effects, as they make the breasts firmer and more smooth, enhancing the complete look and feel of the breasts.

    PUERARIAN BREAST CREAM (For Breast Reformation & Firmness)
    Feeling Full & Firm by using PUERARIAN BREAST CREAM

    This amazing cream is excellent for breast firming and enlargement. Various studies confirmed that this product has a high success for enhancing women breast. All Skin Type

    Ingredients: Pueraria Mirifica and other herb extracts

    Direction: Use once in the morning and in the night. Apply onto breast area and massage for 3-5 minutes until it is fully absorbed.

    Precautions: Not recommended for pregnant women, feeding mothers or women diagnosed with medical conditions of the breast.

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  • scissors
    February 9th, 2010adminFashion Accessories

    Do you have a love for fashion? Whether you make your own clothes or fashion accessories or if you regularly find yourself giving fashion advice to those that you know, have you ever thought about a career in fashion? If you havent, you may want to take the time to do so. Despite the common myth that a career in fashion is one that is difficult to obtain, it is more than possible with the right amount of willpower and the need to succeed.

    When it comes to having a career in fashion, many individuals wonder exactly what they can do. The good thing about fashion is that there are a number of fashion focused jobs and careers out there. Some of these jobs involve working for someone else, like another company, but there are also opportunities out there where you can start your own business and be your own boss. If you would like to know more about some of the many careers in fashion that you may be able to have, you will want to read on.

    One of the most popular and sought after careers in fashion is that of a fashion designer. Fashion designers are individuals who design clothing and fashion accessories, like jewelry or handbags. Many fashion designers start out small by making clothes and fashion accessories for themselves and their friends, but many later decide to start selling their own fashions. What is nice about being a fashion designer is that you can continue to make your own clothes or you can hire a manufacturer to do it for you. You may also want to think about selling your own clothes either locally or online.

    Speaking of selling the clothes or fashion accessories that you may have designed, that leads to another fashion career. One other fashion career that you may be interested in is being the owner and operator of a fashion store. Fashion stores come in all different size, shapes, and styles. There are some fashion stores that focus on a particular type of clothing, like elegant eveningwear, and others who offer all different types of fashions for all different individuals, like men, women, and children. You also have the option of selling your own designs, if you are fashion designer, or buying other designers products to sell inside your stores, whether they are online stores, offline stores, or both.

    Another fashion career that may be of interest to you is a fashion consultant. Fashion consultants are individuals who advise or consult with their customers on the latest in fashion trends. The clients of fashion consultants are often ones who are unsure about what to wear for a new job, a job interview, an elegant dinner, a wedding, or another important event. If you have a love for fashion, enjoy keeping up with the latest in fashion news and trends, and enjoy giving fashion advice to those that you know, you may want to look into a career as a fashion consultant.

    Another one of the many careers in fashion that you may want to look into is one that is relatively unique. Each year, thousands of fashions shows take place in the United States. While a select few of those shows are able to make it on the national news, not all are that popular. Did you know that many local stores and fashion designers have their own local fashions shows? They do, but many do not realize that they can or have the time to plan a fashion show and this is where you can come in. You can make money as a fashion show organizer. Fashion show organizers often target local fashion stores and fashion designers to explain the many benefits of having a fashion show to them. As a fashion show designer, you may be in charge of making the show run well. This often includes booking the fashion show space, designing the stage, hiring the models, and so forth.

    As you can see, there are a number of different fashion focused careers or jobs out there for you to choose from. What is even more amazing is that the above mentioned fashion focused careers are just a few of the many that exist.

    PPPPP

    706

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  • scissors
    February 9th, 2010adminFashion News

    Because of tradition, abdominal exercises are often executed in long sets of 50, 100, or even 200 repetitions. Friends even turn it into a contest:
    - “I did 4 sets of 200!”
    - “Really? I did 6 of 300.”

    Who would get the best results from their abdominal exercises in this scenario? No one. Here’s why.

    Long sets of abdominal exercises are not optimal if you want six pack abs. It’s basic physiology: muscles grow better on heavy, medium-repetition (about 8-12) sets. Would you train your chest using 4 sets of 200 repetitions? I thought so. Abdominal muscles are no different, and they need to grow if you want them to show.

    But let’s say you can do 12 crunches. Do you stop there (since sets of 8-12 work best)? Of course not. You need to make the crunches harder by increasing the weight you lift every repetition. But how? By positioning your arms differently. Following are 3 arm positions you can use with all abdominal exercises to make them harder and more effective at building six pack abs.

    1. Arms along your sides. Can’t get any easier.

    2. Arms crossed across your chest. Intermediate difficulty.

    3. Hands behind your head.

    4. Arms overhead. Can’t get any harder
    without adding external weights.

    5. Arms crossed across your chest, with some external resistance (a plate or a heavy book, for example).

    So, keeping with the crunch example, once you hit 12 repetitions with your arms along your sides, start your next set with your arms crossed across your chest.

    Again, once you can do 12 repetitions with your arms crossed across your chest, start your next abdominal exercise set with your arms overhead.

    Once your can do 12 repetitions with your arms overhead, you’ll want to use some form of external weight (dumbbell, plate, dictionary, etc.). You can hold it across your chest (some people feel more comfortable that way) or at arm’s length, overhead. The same principle also applies to all abdominal exercises: when you hit 12 repetitions, increase the difficulty by changing your arm’s position.

    Next time you’re about to start a set of 200 crunches, try crossing your arms across your chest. See how many repetitions you can perform this way, and how the burn in your abdominals feel. Then drop me a line at my website below.

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