Sparkle, sparkle and more sparkle. That is what celebrities are wearing this season. From everything from a sparkling cocktail dress to a sparkling cocktail ring can be seen on the women of Hollywood. With the holiday party season among us, it seems that celebrities are once again setting the fashion trends with sparkling jewelry, accessories and clothes.

If you are heading out to a holiday party and you want to shine and stand out, do what celebrities like Ashley Tisdale, Beyonce, Jennifer Connelly and Heidi Klum do when stepping out and wear a sparkling cocktail dress that will draw the attention of everybody. When wearing your sparkling cocktail dress, remember that you want to look appropriate for the type of party or event you are going to and that you want to wear a dress that is modern and doesn't look like you just stepped out of the 80's. Keep your sparkling dress to a modern and sleek fit.

If you want to be more subdued this holiday season, you can still sparkle like the celebrities and keep it modest. Look for sparkling jewelry to add some drama to your outfit. Look for big chandelier earrings, layered necklaces, bracelet cuffs and bangles. Another way that you can add some sparkle to your outfit is to pair it with a great belt. Adding a sparkling belt adds just enough to an outfit to keep it trendy and hip. One of the celebrities' favorites for belts is Alexander McQueen. They are hip, trendy and add some drama to your outfit just like celebrities do.

There are a couple of other ways that you can add some sparkle to your outfit. Look for metallic colored shoes that shine. Add a beaded or sequined clutch or small handbag to complete your outfit and add just a hint of sparkle. There are quite a few ways that you can add sparkle to your holiday outfits this season, you just have to be creative like the celebrities.

The cocktail dress, now a staple of modern attire, began its life in the 1920s, when women attending parties with illegal alcohol needed something to wear that was festive, but less formal than an outfit that would be worn to a dinner. These early cocktail dresses resembled the flapper dresses of the time and were knee-length, made of fine fabrics and often heavily decorated.

How did the somewhat risqué cocktail dress of the 1920s morph into today's pretty, semi-casual, yet polite evening wear?

By the 1930s, the cocktail dress became more elegant, with more staid styles being invoked for an older crowd (all women were now part of cocktail culture). This decade saw the rise of the little black dress, and like today, it differentiated itself through cut and style, as well as quality. It was one clothing item no sophisticated woman could do without.

In the 1940s, the cocktail dress was largely a moot issue because of the war, but then became more exotic and varied as returning soldier brought goods and fashion influences, including those from Asian, back home with them.

The 1950s, however, were the true age of the cocktail, with a range of styles for women that were very body conscious. Cocktail parties and dressing for them became the height of fashion, both in public and in private.

In the 1960s, cocktail parties and the clothes worn to them became more casual. Fabrics used in cocktail dresses were less relentlessly expensive, and clothes often had a simple and more casual cut. In many cases, pants even became an option. As having a drink became more acceptable and less of a special event, the cocktail party faded from prominence in some ways.

In the ensuing decades, the cocktail party became a moniker for dressy events that were not formal, and the cocktail dress became shorthand for a festive, knee-length dress, usually worn by women who want to look great, but not over-the-top, for events like office parties and class reunions.

William Balfour, Jennifer Hudson's estranged brother-in-law, has been arrested and formally charged for the murders of Hudson's mom, brother and little nephew. Balfour is separated from Jennifer's sister and has a violent past. He has served prison time for car hijacking and attempted murder. He is currently in state prison due to parole violations. Balfour was taken back into police custody to be formally arrested for the Hudson family murders. According to a statement from Balfour's attorney, he "did not commit these crimes." Hopefully this whole situation to can be put to a rest and justice will be served so that the rest of the Hudson family can let the deceased rest in peace.

Everybody thinks that Angelina Jolie is the perfect woman. Well, after hearing Brad Pitt dish a little about Jolie, it came to light that she is missing one thing: culinary skills. According to Brad Pitt, the best thing that Angelina has ever prepared for him is "cereal." But I guess if you are millionaires, you really don't need cooking skills, because you can hire whatever private chef you want. The actor also goes on to say that that the couple is not shy about eating new things, although they are both really not good at cooking. They have feasted on crickets in Cambodia and goat in Ethiopia. Could you picture the perfect couple sitting there eating crickets together? It's just hard for me to imagine.

Fans of Taylor Swift have most likely heard her song, "Hey Stephen," off her Fearless album and know that Swift only writes about real people from her life. Certain sources say that this song is actually written about Stephen Barker Liles, who is in the country band Love and Theft. Swift and Liles met backstage at an event back in 2007, and the band has also opened shows for Taylor Swift. They never dated and according to Swift the song was written about a simple crush that she had at the time. According to Liles, they are good friends now. Maybe this will develop into more, now that the Jonas Brother is out of the way?

Source: www.people.com

Did you know that the first pair of jeans in 1873 were marked as work pants? They were the new, sturdy bottoms for laborers. You could get them in two colors: brown cotton "duck" and indigo blue. Strictly designed for men, it would take almost 90 years for these pants to turn into the fashion staples they are today. However, thanks to the baby boomers, by the early 60's, both men and women were wearing jeans for any and every occasion. Yet, even with all of the changes in their image, the same problem has always surrounded jeans. What is it? Finding jeans that fit properly and also look good.

Finding a pair of jeans that perfectly fits one's body and looks good is almost like searching for a needle in a haystack. Regardless of your size, height or sex, it is easy to go wrong. As a result, you can quickly go from looking "fab" to "drab" if you wear the wrong pair of jeans. Here are a few clothing rules to help you:

Go classic or trendy
Wear jeans that are either timeless or in-line with the current fad. Both will make you look current. Even if you can still fit into those jeans you used to wear 20 years ago, it's not cool to actually do it. It will make you look out-of-touch.

Don't be a stickler for numbers
Forget about staying within your prescribed size in clothing. Try on jeans above and below your normal clothing size to make sure you get a pair that fits. Clothes makers use models and different numbers for each size. So, a size 5 in Levis is not the same as a size 5 in True Religion.

Buy jeans that hide flaws
If you have a big belly, purchase jeans with tummy control panels. If you've got a lot of junk in the trunk, buy jeans with no pockets in the back. In other words, pick out jeans that hide figure flaws and flatter your body.

Pick a flattering color
If black makes you look washed out, don't purchase a pair of jeans in this color no matter how popular it is. These days, you can get a pair of jeans in every color of the rainbow. So pick the hue that looks best on you. It will be the color that makes your outfit come alive.

If you follow these rules, you'll look great in the jeans you wear. When you walk down the aisle at work, you'll be working it in a way that the creators of this attire never imagined years ago.

Australia is a country where pretty much everyone likes to be outdoors. So much so that Australians like their clothes and fashion to be casual and comfortable. Nobody wants to go to the beach in an overly designed dress or a restrictive pair of pants. Both men and women want casual fashion, and that's always been represented by each season's new designs. But, even while staying casual, Australian designers create innovative clothes with beautiful silhouettes, colors and patterns.

In 2009, this casualness is likely to continue with the following Australian designers representing the epitome of designing for comfort. Akira Isogawa uses natural fabrics - silks, cottons and vintage fabrics - to create soft and flowing dresses and skirts in primary colors. Isogawa likes black, white and red. He loves a layered look, with gorgeously embroidered skirts with long see-through vests worn over them or off-white, beautifully cut pants with a long-sleeve top with a tight bodice and flowing sleeves.

Lisa Ho specializes in cute, comfortable shorts paired with baggy tops and an equally baggy jacket, comfy pants or pretty, figure-flattering summer dresses. She's also famous for glamorous gowns worn by many of Australia's top actresses and entertainers. Her winter 2008 collection highlights browns and creams with, again, a layered look including raincoats, tight pants, pinafore dresses, sweaters and lovely gowns with elaborate designs and patterns in vibrant colors.

Saba designs both men and women's clothes that are quite simple in design, yet perfect in execution. This season, Saba's designs for women include brightly colored, simple t-shirts, simple short-sleeve shirts and even belts and clutch bags. For men, stripes and checks are in, with lots of khaki shorts and hats and woven belts - all designed with comfort in mind, yet with an eye for quality. Saba has been at the forefront of Australian contemporary fashion for more than 40 years and has influenced many of Australia's new crop of designers.

As you can see, fashion in Australia isn't likely to move away from comfort and casualness. Australian Fashion Week, which is held twice a year in May (in Sydney) and October/November (in Melbourne), is a fabulous time to check out Aussie fashion and Aussie designers.

Some time ago, I blogged about an unfortunate condition that affects thousands of Americans called SND or Short Neck Disease. Celebrities like Melinda Doolittle and Danny DeVito suffer from it. However, there is another common condition that equally affects Americans. What is it? It is LND or Long Neck Disease. Just as with SND, you must apply special clothing rules to manage this condition.

If you have LND, you know it. You have the best eagle's view of the lower half of your body of anyone you know. Collarless clothing scares you. And nine times out of ten, you've been called a giraffe at least once as a child. Because of these things, it's obvious that your neck is longer than the average Joe's. For this reason, you need to find a way to cut it down to size. Here are a few tips on how to do it:

Rule #1 - Pop your collar
Wearing your collar popped up is a re-emerging style and great for any LND sufferer. It will help cover up a portion of your neck and make it look shorter. So raise up your collar or buy a top with a high one.

Rule #2 - Wear neck accessories
Scarves,necklaces and chains work well with LND sufferers. Besides accentuating your outfit, they can give you the illusion of having a shorter neck. The trick is to wear them in a way that covers a portion of your neck. So, with scarves, do a back-to-front tie. With necklaces, buy chokers.

Rule #3 - Layer your collar-less tops
If you enjoy v-neck tops, don't avoid them just because you have LND. Instead, wear a jacket or shirt with a collar over them. This will lessen the long look of your neck and still allow you to wear your favorite clothing.

These are the rules for LND sufferers. Now, you SND folks can quit e-mailing me and complaining about that particular blog, especially you Mr. DeVito. I know you aren't the only man in the world with a short neck, and other folks, like me, have problems too. Hopefully, this blog will make you leave me alone and get back to making more funny movies.

What would a history of shoes be without mentioning Dr. Scholl's? Well, quite frankly, it would be incomplete. Dr. Scholl revolutionized the shoe industry with his unique shoe designs, which incorporated comfort and support into shoe designs that were also functional and fashionable. While nearly everyone has heard of Dr. Scholl's and his products, few people know who Dr. Scholl was and how he got started in the shoe industry.

Dr. Scholl's Biography
Dr. Scholl was born in June of 1882. His grandfather was a shoemaker, so shoes were in his blood. His entry into the shoe industry was as an apprentice to a shoe-repair craftsman. This position eventually led to a position as a shoe salesman in a shoe boutique. This job gave Scholl the opportunity to see how shoe designs of the day were negatively impacting the lives and health of his clients. This gave him the inspiration to create a line of shoes and shoe products that would be as therapeutic for his customers as they were fashionable.

After graduating from the medical program offered by the Illinois Medical College, Dr. Scholl established his own orthopedic manufacturing company. He invented and manufactured foot products that would ease the pain associated with both medical conditions and long hours spent in uncomfortable shoes.

Dr. Scholl's Shoes Are Launched
The original Dr. School's shoe line didn't launch until 1968. The original shoe and sandal designs were so popular that over a million pairs were sold in the first four years of production. One of the hottest sellers in this line was the original Dr. Scholl's Exercise Sandal. These sandals remained popular in the 1960s and 1970s, and they re-emerged as a favorite, casual shoe design in the 1990s.

Today, Dr. Scholl's shoes are still being manufactured. The rights to this shoe empire belong to the Shering-Plough HealthCare Products, Inc. However, the manufacturing license is now leased by the Brown Shoe Company. In addition to the original sandal and Dandy shoe designs, the Dr. Scholl's label is also attached to several fashionable dress and casual shoe designs including women's dress boots and men's loafers.

For all the fans of Grey's Anatomy, it seems that you will be losing another doctor from Seattle Grace Hospital. T.R. Knight, who plays George O'Malley, has actually asked the producers to release him from his contract and write him out of the show. Reports have stated that the producers will most likely grant his request, and Knight will be leaving Grey's Anatomy. According to a source close to the show and actor, Knight wants to leave the show because his storyline is going nowhere and he is not getting much screen time. If this story is really true and the producers to allow T.R. Knight to leave, what do you think will happen to George O'Malley on Grey's Anatomy? Will he move to another hospital? Will he die?

In case you haven't noticed, Oprah has gained some weight. Oprah has publicly come out and admitted that she has gained 40 pounds. Oprah says that she is "embarrassed," and then goes on to say, "after all these years, all the things I know how to do, I'm still talking about my weight." Oprah has always had weight problems and always fluctuated in size. If you were to look at her over the past years of her television show, you can see a heavy Oprah morph into a skinny Oprah and then back into a heavy Oprah. The cycle goes on and on. Why publicly come out about your weight and not just do something about it? I mean, the viewers of her show could tell that she was gaining weight. They didn't need her to come out and say it directly. This is no big surprise. Next year, Oprah will have more weight loss challenges and focus on weight loss until she loses the weight. Then a couple of years will pass (or maybe less) and she will have to come out again and state how she gained weight again!

Source: www.people.com

What a great time to be alive and retired! Baby boomer women are encountering a variety of products made specifically for their generation. Whether looking for shoes, clothing or other items, the baby boomer generation remains a hot target market for many new trend setting ideas whether it is in business, health or fashion. One of the top fashion products with which baby boomer women are revamping their wardrobes is the phenomenal Not Your Daughter's Jeans.

This unique, cutting-edge product called Not Your Daughter's Jeans are jeans advertised to have been designed for women with curves. Also known as the "tummy-tuck jeans," these unique jeans have a crisscross panel designed to minimize bumps and bulges in the abdomen area. While providing support in the abdomen area, Not Your Daughter's Jeans are made from a blend of 96 percent cotton and 4 percent spandex and are designed to provide a slimming, body-enhancing fit, while simultaneously lifting the buttocks and contours of the hips.

Whether someone is of the baby boomer generation or not, this unique product is definitely a great product to wear irrespective of one's size or age. Not Your Daughter's Jeans are designed to fit women from 2 petite up to plus sizes, and these jeans are definitely a great way for one to take advantage of a product that minimizes one's figure while lifting one's assets.

Although Not Your Daughter's Jeans targeted the baby boomer market, they have subsequently created a wide range of designs that appeal to all ages. The styles of the popular, tummy-tuck jean include: capris, skinny-leg jeans, boot-cut, flare-leg, retro-stretch trouser, stretch denim trousers, stretch tummy-tuck twills, sailor jeans, straight-leg, cords, slim-leg, palazzos, tuxedo stretch jeans with rhinestone embellishments and more. The tummy-tuck jeans by Not Your Daughter's Jeans are also available in blues, black, white, stripes and other unique washes. And of course there is a price for perfection with the trendy jeans ranging in cost from $98 to $132.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the pending divorce of Jodie Sweetin and her husband Cody Herpin. It appears that there is some new information that has been made public about their split. According to court papers, Sweetin and her husband are dead broke. Their house is in foreclosure, their water has been turned off in the past, and they have several other past-due bills. Sweetin is claiming that Herpin quit work when they got married and "kept finding one excuse after another for his failure to even attempt to find employment." They survived solely off residuals from Full House. There are also claims that Herpin threatened to take away their daughter from Sweetin if she left. Herpin denies these allegations and says that he was a stay-at-home dad and didn't know this was a problem. He didn't realize that when their water got turned off, that maybe he should get off his butt and get a job? This whole relationship seems like a mess, and the one person that you feel sorry for is their daughter.

Another split in Hollywood involves actor Chris Klein and his girlfriend of two years Ginnifer Goodwin. According to a friend of the actress, the split was "mutual and amicable." If you remember, Klein was dating Katie Holmes for quite awhile, and then just a short time after they broke up she hooked up with Tom Cruise. Now, Katie is married to Tom and has a daughter and seems to be happy. Maybe this breakup with Klein will have the same effect for Goodwin. She can meet her future husband now!

For a happy ending to this post, John Rich from the country group, Big and Rich married his longtime girlfriend, Joan Bush this past week. The couple had a small wedding in Nashville and kept it low-key -- just like their relationship. Wishing this couple all the best of luck and hoping they don't end like Jody Sweetin and her husband.

Source:
www.people.com

As the green movement in clothing catches on, more and more people are interested in doing what they can to be more sustainable in their clothing-related habits and activities. Many people realize that they can buy T-shirts or jeans made of organic cotton, but they do not realize that even shoes can be eco-friendly. There are companies that produce shoes that are eco-friendly and support a more sustainable future.

Eco-friendly Materials Used in Shoes
One of the most common materials used in environmentally friendly footwear is recycled tires. Car tires can be reused as a number of things from pavement to shoes. As one might guess, the materials in car tires make ideal outsoles for shoes. They are tough, provide good traction and are road-ready. Additionally, it is possible to use recycled car tires in the pedbed as well. The processes used for pedbeds turn the car tires into something softer, yet still supportive.

Other materials used in eco-friendly shoes include organic cotton for the lining, as well as suede produced in accordance with the highest of environmental standards. There are other recycled materials that can be used for the uppers as well. The important thing is to make sure that as much of the shoes as possible is produced in a way that is eco-friendly and that supports environmentally friendly practices.

Finally, many people forget that packaging can be a real problem. Packaging takes up a lot of resources. In order to reduce the impact of packaging, choose shoes that come in boxes made from post-consumer products. This way you will further minimize the impact of your buying choices on the environment.

It is possible to be stylish and eco-friendly. As clothing choices, including shoes, become more available, it is possible to replace the harmful clothing in your wardrobe with clothes that are greener and better for the environment.

Celebrities are showing more and more shoulder these days. As the weather gets a little colder, celebrities are covering up their bodies a little bit more and using the shoulders as a peek-a-boo body part. Reese Witherspoon was seen wearing a beautiful lace gown that had an asymmetrical shoulder. Rihanna was also seen wearing a wonderful one-shouldered dress on the red carpet. If you are not sure about the asymmetrical neckline, look to the other celebrities such as Nicole Richie, Megan Fox and Miley Cyrus who have been wearing strapless dresses on the red carpet. Both strapless and asymmetrical dresses make wonderful party dresses for the upcoming holiday parties that you may have.

Not all women like wearing knee-high boots in the winter. For those women, there are alternatives that will still be in line with celebrity fashion trends. They are called booties. These shoes almost appear to look like boots, but they stop at the ankle bone on the leg. These shoes can be worn with skirts and dresses or even with your basic jeans. There are several celebrities that are fans of the booties, such as Blake Lively, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Kate Hudson. If you aren't sure if booties are for you, check out one of the celebrities' favorite designers, Rock and Republic, to get an idea if they would work for you.

So, what's the favorite color of the celebrities this winter? It seems like purple is going to be quite popular among celebrities this year. It was popular back in the summer and is continuing into the winter season. Everything from purple shoes to purple handbags and down to purple dresses and purple sweaters. Reese Witherspoon, Rihanna, Kelly Ripa and Taylor Swift. Look for purple tones that are richer and deeper like plums and mauves, instead of pastel purples. If you really aren't a purple wearing person, why not try out a purple cocktail ring to add just a splash of purple?

The cardigan sweater is such a basic piece of clothing for both men and women that most people never even consider its origin, and if they do, most link it solely to the American children's program, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. However, the cardigan's origins are far older than that.

While the garment itself appeared at least two centuries earlier, the cardigan earned its name back in the 19th century, when the word was used to describe the knitted military jacket worn by the soldiers in the regiment of James Thomas Brudenell who was the seventh Earl of Cardigan.

Cardigans emerged into women's fashion in the 1950s in the form of the ubiquitous twin set, a light cardigan buttoned over a matching tank top. Sometimes, just the top button was buttoned, revealing the delicate sweater underneath. Other times, most of the buttons on the cardigan were buttoned, leaving one open at the neck to reveal just a hint of the garment below. Reverse cardigans, which buttoned up the back, were also fashionable during this time and were generally made out of light, expensive wools such as merino and cashmere.

In the 1970s, the cardigan became less stayed and experimented with color and texture, both in the knit stitches of the garment and in the types of wool used. Rougher wools, handspun wool and synthetic fibers were all a common part of cardigans, which were no longer confined exclusively to the twin set pairing.

Like all clothes in the 1980s, cardigans got big. Over-sized cardigans were popular over leggings and unitards and were sometimes even worn as sweater dresses. Bright colors and plaids were extremely popular.

Since then, cardigans have gone retro, with the 1950s style reemerging for women, as well as a return to the cardigan for men as part of an early 20th-century, professorial look that also favors tweeds, waistcoats, pocket watches and other old-fashioned touches. With the increasingly popularity of knitting as a hobby, home knit cardigans in an array of styles uniquely suited to their wearers are increasingly making an appearance. While the cardigan started as a uniform piece, the sweater is anything but that today.

For anybody who watched the television show, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, you know that NeNe was quite outspoken and definitely was seen as having an attitude. Well, it seems like maybe she should have kept her mouth quiet, because it is being reported that NeNe and her husband, Gregory, were evicted from the 5,000 square-foot house that they lived in on the show. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the couple was served with an eviction notice by Winwood Properties for owing $6,240 in past rent. The notice also states, "The tenant said they would move by Sept. 14th because they could no longer afford the house." NeNe is claiming that no one knows exactly what is going on and they are not having any financial trouble. I'm not sure what she expected, as she went on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and flaunted all the money, and now she's getting upset when things are being said about her. If you put yourself out there like that, you have to expect that your life is going to become public knowledge.

Who would you pick to play rocker Joan Jett in a movie? It seems that the producers of the new movie based on Joan Jett's life have picked Kristen Stewart. If that name seems familiar, it is because she plays the main character in the Twilight movie. The Joan Jett movie will have to be filmed in between the two sequels that are already set for Twilight, as Stewart has already committed to the sequels. The movie about Joan Jett will be about Jett as a teenager up until the time her band dissolved. I'm guessing that we will be seeing a lot more of Kristen Stewart on movie screens in the near future!

Source: www.usmagazine.com

If you have ever been called "four eyes," you know why it is important to have a perfect pair of glasses. The right ones can turn a geek into someone chic. Don't believe me? Just think about it. Everyone you know ups their cool factor at least one notch when they throw on a pair of black shades. It's just a fact of life.

So how do you pick out the perfect pair of glasses? You do it by looking at three things: color, face shape and function. If you focus on these three things, you will find a look that is great for you. Here's how to do it:

Color
Certain colors on frames will complement different skin tones. For example, if your skin has red undertones, you should sport frames that are pewter, amber or rose. Conversely, if your skin has yellow or blue undertones, you should wear frames that are orange, white, beige or honey. The right color of frames with your skin tone will make it "pop."

Face Shape
The frames you select should balance out your face shape. So, if you have a square face, you should war oval shaped lenses in order to soften your jaw line and forehead. Similarly, if you have a heart face, you should opt for rimless frames in order to de-emphasize your cheeks. Picking frames in this matter will help you avoid highlighting facial features that are extreme.

Function
Before you pay for a pair of glasses, it's important to assess your lifestyle. Why? You want to buy a pair of glasses that fits how you live. So, before you run out and pick up a pair of hot pink glasses that make you look hot, consider the fact that you may look odd at work wearing them. A rule of thumb to follow in this area is that your glasses should be acceptable for you to wear in every area of your life.

Ready to run to the nearest Lens Crafter? Or Order a pair online at Zappos? Good! Use these tips and you'll be able to get a pair of glasses that both make you look and feel good. It'll make you feel good about being called four eyes for the first time in your life.

If you think about men's clothing in Scotland, you can be forgiven if you're thinking mainly about the traditional Scottish dress - tartan kilts. After all, many of us grew up being told that Scotsmen wore nothing underneath their kilts, and, to this day, we're not really sure if that's true. Other than the famous kilt, though, Scotland is also world-famous for tweed. Tweed is a fabric that's made from rough wool that is woven into a distinctive pattern. Once old-fashioned and passé, tweed is now back in the forefront of Scottish men's fashion, primarily due to its durability and versatility.

Harris Tweed, the most famous tweed company in the world, has suddenly been inundated with orders from all over the world as men (and women) rediscover tweed. In Scotland, the land of tweed, it's no exception. Scottish men are remembering why tweed was so popular in the past and are adapting it to today's modern fashions.

Tweed is traditionally hand-woven and hand-dyed. In modern day Scotland, tweed jackets for men are now back in vogue. But, unlike before, where certain colors and patterns were acceptable, the designers of tweed men's jackets are now branching out. New twill patterns and colors are being seen on men all over Scotland and the UK. Traditional jacket styles are back, but so are more modern styles that are less fitted and even more comfortable. Tweed shoes are also being designed with companies like Converse getting in on the act.

Tartan, the other Scottish famous patterned fabric, also came back in style at the same time as tweed. Tartan, which is a horizontal and vertical striped pattern, comes in many colors. Specific tartans are also connected to specific 'clans' or families although, nowadays, it doesn't really matter if you're a member of that family or not. If you like the tartan pattern and feel cool in it, wear it. Unless, of course, you're not a member of the British Royal Family, in which case the 'Balmoral' pattern is out for you.

So, if you're a guy looking to be in fashion this winter and want clothing in a fabric that's warm, durable and fashionable, why not go a bit 'Braveheart'. You might not look as good as Mel Gibson but, then again, who does?

Can you imagine Tina Fey 30 pounds heavier? Well ,according to the actress and writer, her career only took off once she shed 30 pounds of extra weight. Fey says that she knew that she had to lose the weight when she saw herself on the set of Saturday Night Live as an extra in the background. She used the ever popular Weight Watchers program to lose the weight. Fey also states that she still watches her weight, but she has found "a happy medium" and is healthy.

Guess what *Gossip Gir*l star is pregnant? No, it's not a scandalous rumor like the ones on the television show. Kelly Rutherford and her husband, Daniel Giersch, are expecting their second child next June. The couple already has a two-year-old son named Hermes. It will be interesting to wait and see what she names her second child, as Hermes is not a very common name. She can put her second child on the ever growing list of uncommon and unusual celebrity kid's names.

All you Britney Spears fans, get ready, because she has announced the dates for her Circus world tour. The Pussycat Dolls are scheduled to be Britney's opening act for the world tour. The Circus tour will start on March 3 in New Orleans and will also have dates in London and other places across the ocean next summer. This is the first tour that Britney has done since her Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004. I'm guessing that this is going to be a quite popular tour for Britney as her fans have missed her. Also, her single, "Womanizer," is gaining a lot of popularity. There are many people betting that this is Britney's comeback and she is back better than she was before.

Source:

www.usmagazine.com

Last week the Chicago Sun Times had written an article stating that Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown were on a date together and looked to be getting back together. Well, this week, Whitney's rep has come out and stated that this rumor is "a complete fabrication." The couple is not getting back together, even for their daughter's sake. The couple divorced back in 2007 after being married for 14 years. Their marriage was quite turbulent, dealing with arrests and drugs throughout the marriage. These two should just stay away from each other, because they are a bad influence on each other.

There have been quite a few rumors flying that the girls on The View television show don't get along off camera. Well, Barbara Walters has spoken out against this, saying, "I don't know of any five women who get along as well as we do." She also goes on to say that the five women see each other outside of work and are very much friends. Even the conservative Elisabeth Hasselbeck gets along with the very liberal Joy Behar. Now, being a girl myself, I'm not so sure that I can believe this. How can you be friends with someone that you seem to disagree with so much? Shouldn't friends have common interests? Or are the hosts of The View made to fight and argue like they do on their hot topics section? That's more likely the case.

I'm not sure why Alex Rodriguez and Madonna ever denied the rumors of them dating, but it is rather apparent that the two are a couple. Rodriguez was seen at Madonna's concert in Miami the day before Thanksgiving. Although Rodriguez did spend Thanksgiving day with his two daughters and ex-wife, Madonna extended her Miami stay so that they also could spend the holiday together. After celebrating with his family, Rodriguez went off to Star Island, which is where Madonna was. I really don't know what Alex Rodriguez sees in Madonna, and from the reports about the divorce, she seems very strange about how she lives and raises her children.

Sources:
www.usmagazine.com
www.msnbc.msn.com

It has been said that the best way to ensure that your clothing is green is to not buy new clothing. Even organic cotton takes its toll on the environment. If you can get used clothing, that is actually the greenest way to go since you are not creating demand for additional resources by consuming clothing. But you do not have to go to a thrift store in order to get recycled clothing. You can attend a clothing swap and see all the shirts, dresses, pants and accessories that you can think of.

Clothing Swaps
As the economy starts to take its toll on household budgets, the concept of clothing swaps is becoming popular again. When you go to a swap, you take something you own and trade to someone else. There is usually a low fee for entrance to the swap (often between $15 and $50, depending on what is being traded), and you can trade what you have for whatever others are willing to give you. Clothing swaps work the same way.

You can bring your clothes to the swap and trade an outfit, accessory or separate for another. Often, what has become old and boring to you looks fresh and new to someone else - and vice versa. You can find some new clothing to fill your closet, while at the same time living a more eco-friendly life when it comes to your clothes shopping.

The idea of clothing swaps is starting to take hold in the green movement in clothing, because it promotes the recycling of clothing, rather than the consumption of resources and an output of pollution to create new clothing. And it can be a fun way to meet new people and to socialize. In some cases, clothing swaps have grown to include demonstrations of environmentally friendly beauty and personal care products (including makeovers), as well as access to organic food (including chocolate, cheese and wine).

Green clothing doesn't have to be new, and it doesn't have to be expensive. If you have something to offer, you can get recycled clothing at a swap.

With the holiday season upon us, many people will be dressing up for parties and gatherings and wearing their best outfits. One easy way to figure out what to wear this holiday season is by looking at your favorite celebrities and the fashion trends that they wear.

For a sophisticated look you may want to look toward Reese Witherspoon as your inspiration. Reese knows how to wear sophisticated and timeless outfits while still looking young and fresh. Try wearing strapless dresses that have a little flair to them. If you want, you can add a small sweater over the dress. Another choice would be to wear a wrap dress that shows off your curves but covers you up. Try pairing your dresses with simple jewelry such as diamond stud earrings and bangle bracelets. Add a pair of high-heeled pumps, and you are ready for your holiday parties.

For a more edgy look this holiday season look toward Rihanna for your inspiration. Not only does Rihanna keep your outfits edgy, but she does it in a way that makes her look put together and fashionable. Try some bold statement pieces such as a leather jacket or a short metallic mini-dress. Pick a lacy bustier top to go under a blazer with a short skirt instead of a plain camisole. You also want to pick out some bold statement jewelry to go with your holiday party outfit. Pick out big cocktail rings or chunky necklaces and big cuff bracelets. Although your outfits should be edgy and get you noticed, you don't want to make them too far out there because you still want to look fashion forward like your favorite celebrity. Remember to add the high heels or stilettos to the outfit to finish off the Rihanna look.

When dressing for the holiday season, you can easily try to look like your favorite celebrity, but you need to remember to add a little bit of your personality into the outfit. You can even mix and match; one night take on Reese's look and for the next party rock it out like Rihanna.

During the holidays, it's common for people to buy new clothes. Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties and New Year's dances make us all think about dressing our best. Yet, there is a dark side to it all. Around this same time, many of us decide to wear items that are, well, questionable. What are these items? Clothing attire that flaunts holiday designs and motifs.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a big fan of cute little turkeys, striped candy canes, happy Santa faces and fuzzy snowmen, but not on my sweater or skirt. It just seems that no one - not even Tyra Banks - can make this kind of clothing look good. So, there are only a few times you should ever wear holiday motif clothing, and even then, you need to follow a few key rules.

Rule #1 - Only wear holiday motif clothing during the actual month of the holiday. If you are still wearing a pair of slacks lined with turkeys in December, you'll look like you didn't do the wash for the week.

Rule #2 - Don't mix and match holiday motifs. A fuzzy sweater with candy canes matched with a skirt full of Santa faces makes you look like you either didn't take your meds that day or took too much.

Rule #3 - Your mood should be as festive as your outfit. In others, although "Angry Santa" was a hit on the big screen, it's not so delightful in real life. Don't walk around town (or the office) wearing a Santa hat and matching red sweater unless you are willing to be jolly.

These three rules will help you pull off all of those holiday motif sweaters, pants and skirts that your great aunt, mom and grandma gave to you. I won't lie and say you'll look smart. The truth is that you'll probably only look coordinated and festive - like a person happy to usher in the holiday season.

Bangkok, Thailand is the World's Hottest City. According to the World Meteorological Organization, Bangkok is the hottest city in the world because it doesn't cool down, even at night. I can vouch for that, as I've lived in Bangkok for almost six years, and yes, you can pretty much fry an egg on the sidewalk at midnight. Right now though, it's 'winter.' I put that word in quotation marks because winter in Thailand is not like any winter any Westerner has experienced. If we get 10 days below 80 degrees all 'winter,' that's a cold winter. We usually get three to four days and that's it. Even so, as soon as November hits, the Thais start buying warm winter coats and jackets.

Right now, in every Thai shopping mall and market, thick down jackets are on display. Racks and racks of stuffed down jackets, some even with fur around the collar. Thai girls and guys are lined up trying them on, while Westerners look on aghast that anybody could wear something that thick in 80-degree weather. I guess it's just what you're used to though. Thais grew up in extremely hot weather, and most didn't have air conditioning. So if it drops even 10 degrees, they're freezing. Yesterday, I watched three Thai girls arguing over whose hands landed first on a thick, black wooly sweater at my local department store. Meanwhile, I was swooning over spaghetti strap t-shirts, thinking how nice and cool I will be at the end of the month when I go to Phuket for a beach holiday.

Boots are also in vogue this month. On Saturday, I bought two pairs of cute silk flip flops while my Thai friend, Tua, told me today she bought a lovely pair of knee length boots. Boots? The thought of shoving my already par boiling feet into a pair of high, black leather boots fills me with dread. Tua, on the other hand, is now the height of fashion.

So remember, if you come to Thailand in winter, don't be surprised if you're sharing a cramped sky train carriage with Westerners in shorts, flip flops and boob tubes and Thais wearing polo-necked sweaters, long black down coats and boots. It's all in what you're used to, I suppose, but even six years living in Bangkok has not acclimatized me that much. And it doubt it ever will.

I used to think the only people with big stomachs were either overweight or old, but then the cut-off tops and low-riding pants came back in style. This new trend allowed me to see that a woman who's a size five can have both a belly full of stretch marks and or a gut. It's an unflattering look, to say the least, and worst of all - it's unnecessary. Why? A common flaw like a big stomach can be easily covered by the right kind of clothing.

Any woman struggling with a belly can minimize it with clothing. And no, I am not talking about a series of long, baggy shirts. There are certain types of tops, bottoms and dresses that minimize or even hide a belly. Here are a few you should look for:

• Wrap tops: The diagonal shape of the tie on these tops slim down your middle.
• Corset dresses: The band on these dresses give a big stomach definition and also pushes it in.
• Mid-waist pants: The height of the waist band covers a big belly and pulls it in.
• Tunic shirts and blouses: The length of a tunic will cover a large belly in a stylish way.

These four items are a girl's best friend if she is struggling with her stomach. They all flatter and minimize the stomach area. So, don't worry about signing up for that gym membership just yet. You can do it like everyone else in the new year. For now, just go on a shopping spree and pick out a few items that will flatten your stomach without any extra sweat.

How did the Cruise family celebrate Thanksgiving this year? It appears that Tom, Katie, Suri, Isabella and Connor spent Thanksgiving with their friends the Beckhams. The two families celebrated Thanksgiving Day together in New York City. The families attended the Big Apple Circus and also took a horse and carriage ride through Central Park. The Cruises and the Beckhams have been friends for awhile now, but can you imagine walking through New York and just seeing these two families hanging out together? I bet all the New York tourists loved that.

There have been tons of rumors circulating that the actresses on 90210 have eating disorders. When comparing pictures of actress Shenae Grimes before and after she went on the show, it does appear that she has lost some weight. In my opinion, she is too skinny. But she has gone on the defense and came out to say that she does not have an eating disorder. She told People Magazine that she is not too skinny and she doesn't have an eating disorder but does have a friend who has dealt with one for several years. Grimes claims she has been thin all her life and looks perfectly healthy in person. Well, if the camera adds 10 pounds, how can she look better in person? Wouldn't she look even skinnier?

Things must be getting rather serious between Jennifer Aniston and Jon Mayer. Jennifer has introduced Mayer to her dad, actor John Aniston. You always know that this is a pretty big step when you start introducing your boyfriend to your parents and family. The couple had recently split a couple months back and just rekindled their romance last month. We shall have to wait and see if these two make it or not.

Sources:
www.usmagazine.com
www.people.com

The most highly anticipated fashion show of the year is the red carpet at the Oscars. For designers it's a chance to shine, and fashion week aside, the most memorable fashion moments for fashion followers in the past 20 years have been Nicole Kidman in chartreuse Dior (high point) and Bjork and her swan apparel (low point for style, high point for humor).

It's a little early for Oscar fashion predictions, since the nominees haven't even been announced yet, but here's a rundown of potential nominees, and what I hope they'll wear in February:

Anne Hathaway: Anne Hathaway is my favorite Jersey girl (she grew up two towns away from me), but she's had a very difficult year. The wattage of her superstar smile has dimmed a bit, but surely winning an Oscar would give it a little more juice. If I were styling Anne, I'd put her in severe black Dior with a "New Look" silhouette; it would show off her alabaster skin to perfection, and John Galliano can go a long way toward helping anyone make the transition from girl to woman.

Angelina Jolie: I guess I'm into high contrast, but Ms. Jolie has the severe look down pat, so I'd like to see her sharp edges blurred a bit (anyone who's the mom to six kids and counting has to be a marshmallow at the core). I envision her in a 1930s-inspired, bias-cut satin Verrier gown (Ashleigh Verrier, protégé to Tim Gunn and one of New York's hottest young designers) in a pale celadon.

Kate Winslet: She's been seen at the Oscars in Badgley Mischka before to great acclaim, but in my opinion, the color could use a little tweaking ... Badgley Mischka, yes. Periwinkle, not so much. I'd love to see her in a soft cinnamon with a neckline that shows off her amazing shoulders.

Amy Adams: Amy Adams has that all-American look about her, which is why I'd dress her in "America's Favorite Designer," Ralph Lauren. There's a beautiful champagne satin party dress in his Black Label line that would look amazing with her coloring, but it's only knee-length. Surely she could make an impact this way by standing out.

The Fusion Fashion Show 2009 will take place in New York in March 2009 (exact date and location to be announced). It's a unique concept show where students from the two top fashion schools in New York City, FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and Parsons (Parsons School of Design) compete to win the crown of best fashion school in New York.

Each school will present a team of 15 fashion students showing their stuff to prove their school has what it takes to produce the best new fashion designers. The talent pool at both schools is enormous, and previous Fusion contestants include Chris Benz, Prabal Gurung, Miguel Pena, Alex Wang and Sophie Dahl. Fusion is also a great opportunity for models to get discovered, so if you're over 5-foot-7, hot and can walk the walk, whether you're male or female, heel it over to fusionfashionshow.com for more details.

Fusion's judges in the past have been seriously A-list names, including top designers like Richie Rich of Heatherette and Cynthia Rowley, Project Runway alumni Austin Scarlett and fashion journalists from Seventeen, Elle and more. (I'm trying really hard to get appointed as a judge so I can be ahead of the loop discovering the next Nanette Lepore or Ashleigh Verrier, but so far I've been unsuccessful.)

FIT has won the competition the past two years, so you can bet that Parsons will come down the catwalk fighting hard this year to regain the title. One competitor from each school also wins an award for best designer from their school, so there are enough accolades to go around for everyone. The creativity and innovation on display at Fusion can't be beat; without the commercial concerns evident at most fashion weeks, Fusion is more of a pure celebration of fashion. This year is the 10th anniversary of Fusion, so you can expect even more from it than usual. It's really a must-see show. Fusion has a page on MySpace and a group on Facebook, both of which have tons of pictures, so for more information on this great student design competition, check them out.

Fans of +The Hills +television show know how tumultuous the relationship of Heidi and Spencer can get. The way they are portrayed on the show seems like they have fights and disagreements rather often and that Spencer is controlling. Well, apparently that has not stopped the couple from eloping. Yes, Heidi and Spencer eloped to Mexico last week. And don't worry the cameras for The Hills caught the whole thing. But who didn't get to see the wedding? Heidi's family. Heidi's sister Holly and their mother are quite upset about the whole elopement and not getting to see Heidi get married. In fact, Holly and Heidi's mom didn't even find out from Heidi that she got married. They had to learn it from other people, including US Magazine that was there for the wedding. I feel sorry for Heidi's family. First of all she married Spencer, who wouldn't be my first pick in a man, and then they don't even get told by her. We'll all get to witness this firsthand when the 5th season of The Hills is on.

Something must be in the water on the set of How I Met Your Mother. First, actress Alyson Hannigan came out and announced that she was pregnant and expecting her first child in the spring. Now, her co-star on the show, Cobie Smulders, has announced that she is also pregnant. Cobie and her boyfriend, actor Taran Killam, are expecting their first child in late spring of 2009.

Another celebrity expecting his first child next year is Carson Daly. The talk show host will welcome his first child with his girlfriend Siri Pinter next spring. It appears that there is going to be a celebrity baby boom this coming year!

Sources:
www.people.com
www.usmagazine.com

Twilight, the wildly popular vampire teen romance novel, comes to the big screen as one of the most anticipated films of the year. Like all vampire stories, Twilight is absolutely about beauty, which means fashion matters whether you want to look like Edward, everyone's dreamy, undead boyfriend, or Bella, the lucky girl he falls in love with.

Because so much of Twilight takes place in high school, costume designer Wendy Chuck was sure to use the brands teens crave, featuring things like Levi's, Guess, Miss Sixty and G-star, while also mixing vintage pieces with new looks. Chuck has also worked hard to make sure that the wardrobe for the vampires enhances their otherworldly beauty, relying on blues and grays to give the film a consistently dark look.

But make no mistake, these vampires aren't Goths. Here the undead go for classic tailoring with colors and silhouettes that, while modern, also wouldn't be out of place fifty years ago.

All the vampires in the world of Twilight aren't as pleasant as pin-up boy Edward Cullen. This group of nomad vampires takes on an edgier look, while still avoiding vampire clichés of velvet and black. Earth tones and an edgier, mismatched look define the style of the nomad vampires, but their clothes are still simple.

For Bella, Edward's mortal love, Chuck made sure to include touches of delicacy to her teen wardrobe, adding flowered embroidery and other feminine motifs to her costumes. Like the vampires in Twilight, Bella's look is about letting her natural beauty shine through. Clothes in the world of this film are used to accentuate beauty, not create it.

Unlike many film looks, getting Twilight style for yourself is easy, because of the number of affordable, off-the-rack pieces that went into the design concept. That said, Edward has a few custom pieces and does dress up for Bella's prom, showing up in a Gucci jacket. Luckily, with Chuck's sense of style and the fantastic world of Twilight as a guide, you don't have to live forever to figure out how to dress fabulously.

Okay. You just got your invitation to the office holiday party. So now you are wondering what to wear. Good. At least you are thinking about it. But before you reach for that super, mini cocktail dress or glow in the dark suspenders, stop and think about it. What you wear at the holiday office party can affect your career - positively or negatively.

A holiday office party is just like the prom. The next day, everyone is talking about it. What's at the top of the food chain? Who looked fantastic and who looked a mess. Unfortunately, if you happen to fit into the latter category, your sense of judgment will be under question. Your co-workers and boss will wonder what made you think a low-plunging, 1960s, pink taffeta dress would look good on you or why you wore MC Hammer pants to a class event. So, here are a few tips. They are ones that will help you pick out the right outfit for your office holiday party.

Appropriate Attire for a Fancy Holiday Party

• black slacks with a blouse or tailored shirt
• black skirt with a glitzy sweater (silver/red/white)
• cocktail dress that falls to the knees
• tuxedos (fitted by a tailor)

Appropriate Attire for a Casual Holiday Party

• Dockers with a shirt or tunic/wrap top
• classic cut jeans with a sweater
• cotton or blue jean skirt with a blouse
• designer sneakers, loafers and flats

"No-no's" for any Holiday Party

• plunging necklines that reveal breasts
• see-through clothing
• mini-skirts or dresses above the thigh
• jeans with holes or rips in them
• overalls or other labor-like clothing

These suggestions, of course, are just helpful guides on what to wear at your holiday function. If you have a holiday party with a goofy hat or sweater theme, you should go with the flow. However, if not, these suggestions are ones that will keep you safe and off the gossip train at work. So now all you have to worry about is saying the right thing to the boss' spouse and not spilling a drink all over yourself. You know - the usual things.

The often-hated necktie worn by men, and in some circumstances women, has a long history. No matter how uncomfortable, confining or outmoded we periodically decide this accessory to be, the fact remains that neckties have been a part of male dress for thousands of years. Versions of the necktie as markers of male status even appeared in ancient Egypt, Rome and China.

Many also consider the necktie to have descended from the codpiece. Certainly, the necktie may be a more subtle bit of fashion, but it is, as detractors point out, no more useful.

The journey towards the modern necktie probably began in the 17th century, in the military uniforms of mercenaries who severed under the French banner. This began the fashion of a neck scarf worn by both men and women that most resembles today's cravat. Moving in the 18th century, the cravat was simplified into something known simple as a "stock." Exclusively worn by men, this was merely a piece of linen folded several times and wrapped around the neck and collar of a shirt. Stocks were generally white or black.

By the 19th century, increasingly elaborate versions of the cravat were back in fashion, but mostly for men. Fashionable men were constantly inventing and using new ways to tie their cravats, and the styles were often elaborate and sometimes, to the modern eye, absurd.

Beginning around the time of the Civil War, ties began to move towards the forms they take today, with bowties becoming wildly popular, and the ascot coming into fashion. The long, straight tie as we know it today was, however, a purely 20th century invention; it came about as the result of better fabric technology and understanding that allowed the fabric to be cut so that it would lie flat. These early long-ties were often hand-painted and sometimes absurdly wide to the modern eye.

While the 20th century has seen a range of tie fads in terms of styles, colors and width changes (skinny in the 60s, wide in the 70s), the long tie has become the dominant form of necktie, despite some men favoring the ascot or bowtie as a personal fashion quirk. The use of the bowtie has become standard in black-tie and white-tie formal wear.

For all you fans of Julianne Hough on Dancing With the Stars, you may be disappointed that she is not returning to the show for the next season. Hough states that she wants to focus on her music career right now and can't do that while she is dancing on the show. Hough has released a country music album and just released a Christmas album at Target stores this week. I know that Hough will be missed on Dancing With the Stars, as she as one of the most popular dancing pros on the show. I'm sure that you will still see plenty of her around promoting and singing her music.

According to reports from the BBC, Madonna and Guy Ritchie have reached a divorce agreement. The couple announced in October that they were getting a divorce among rumors of Madonna having an affair with Alex Rodriguez. The reports are stating that Madonna will keep most of her $500 million, even though Ritchie is entitled to share it. Also, their children, Rocco and David, will split time between Madonna's home in the United States and Ritchie's home in London.

Even though actress Reese Witherspoon has been dating actor Jake Gyllenhaal for the past year, she tells Parade Magazine that it is still too soon after her divorce to think about getting married again. Witherspoon states, "Family is all we have in life, but I don't know how I feel about marriage." I'm glad that Reese Witherspoon is actually one of the smarter celebrities when it comes to marriage. If her relationship with Gyllenhaal is doing well, why go too fast and possibly ruin it by getting married. I personally like Jake and Reese together a lot better than Reese and Ryan.

Source:
www.people.com

Everyone knows that science fiction film and television invariably spawn lots of t-shirts that are cool with geeks. ("Han Shot First" and "Republicans for Voldemort" are just two examples.) The sci-fi genre also has a lot to say about fashion -- both mainstream and the avant garde.

From high-tech fabric to body-hugging cuts, science fiction fashion often offers a viewpoint on where we think we're going. While the body suits in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century may look ridiculous to us as clothes, they're not much different than many high-tech outfits currently designed for running and other workouts.

But as much as science fiction fashion is often about the presumed future, it's also often about the now. The miniskirt uniforms in the original Star Trek are just one great example. Miniskirts were high fashion when Star Trek first launched on the airwaves, and clothing the women of the show in them wasn't just about giving the guys watching at home space babes to look at. The miniskirt was a symbol of the empowered woman.

Science fiction fashion also often speaks to the past, with many films and movies viewing space as a sort of wild west. Both Star Wars and the cult-hit Firefly followed this model and brought us characters dressed in waistcoats, long-suit jackets and fitted pants tucked into boots, in a way that proves all fashion trends manage to come around again in their own time. Meanwhile, the BBC hit Torchwood, features a lead character who always wears a WWII-era British greatcoat.

When it comes to science fiction fashion, Firefly utilized another popular trope, by viewing the future as a world with a distinctly non-western cultural influence. With that in mind, Firefly showcased bright colors and clothes based on many forms of traditional Asian dress including kimonos, sarees and cheongsams, all of which are increasingly seen influencing western fashion as Asian nations gain economic and cultural strength.

Science fiction fashion isn't just for geeks. Rather it can show anyone interested in fashion history where we've been, where we are and where we're going, although not necessarily in that order.

Can you see between the lines? No. I am not talking about the ones on a road or on a piece of paper. I want to know if you can determine when you should or should not wear stripes. It's a funny question, but one that begs to be answered. How do I know? I know because I once was a victim of line blindness.

I used to own a blue top that had horizontal stripes from top to bottom. I loved this top and wore it often, not realizing that it expanded my chest and shoulders in a way that made me look like a football quarterback. (Not a good look for a gal.) How did I find out the truth? I found out one day after looking at a picture of myself wearing it. Needless to say, I never wore that top again. It was an embarrassing lesson, but one that taught me a lot about fashion. Plus, I figured out after a long walk in the park a few days later that I wasn't the only one struck by line blindness. It is an epidemic sweeping America.

About 3 out of 5 people wear stripes the wrong way. It's really not anyone's fault. A symptom of line blindness is a tendency to fall in love with a clothing item or outfit without considering the direction of its stripes. A person might enter a store fully intending to select the right outfit, but quickly lose the battle. So here are a few clothing rules. They will help you see between the lines.

Clothing with horizontal stripes are great for:

• Widening narrow shoulders
• Bulking up thin or slender bodies
• Shortening up extra long torsos

Clothing with vertical stripes are great for:

• Narrowing extra-wide shoulders
• Slimming down bulky or overweight bodies
• Lengthening out extra short torsos

As you can see, these rules are simple ones. Basically, you should select clothing with stripes that stretch you in the opposite direction of your natural body line. It is one way that stripes will accentuate your natural physique in a positive way.

So, are you ready to go through your closet now? Don't wait. Get rid of those stripped items that make you look fatter or skinnier than you want to appear. It'll instantly improve your wardrobe and help you get over the disease of line blindness.

Another Hollywood baby has entered the world. Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz welcomed their baby boy into the world on November 20. The baby boy, who has been named Bronx Mowgli Wentz, weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. A rep for the couple added that both mom and baby are doing well and are healthy. I'm guessing that one of the parents likes New York for the first name, and the other parent likes The Jungle Book. I personally think that this celebrity baby name is not that bad, as there have been a lot worse and stranger names that celebrities have picked for their baby.

It appears that another celebrity baby is going to be joining Bronx. Tobey Maguire and his wife Jen Meyer are expecting their second child. The couple already has a two-year-old daughter named Ruby. There has been no official report on when the baby is due, but having seen pictures of the couple lately, I'm guessing that she is still early in the pregnancy and this will be a late spring baby.

Is Stephanie Tanner from Full House headed for a second divorce? Jodie Sweetin, who played Stephanie Tanner, has legally separated from her husband, Cody Herpin. Sweetin married Herpin back in July 2007 and gave birth to their daughter this past April. During her pregnancy, Sweetin was always talking about how great her husband was and that they were even working on projects together. Now, a short time later, Sweetin has filed papers in court to get a legal separation from him. Jodie Sweetin had been married before to a cop from 2002 to 2006. Her meth addiction led to the demise of that marriage. She has since been clean from meth, according to the actress. I wonder what the reason for this separation is.

Source:
www.usmagazine.com

Don't you love it when a Hollywood couple goes from being in love and saying they will be together forever to breaking up? The latest couple to do that is Paris Hilton and Benji Madden. The couple has broken up after dating for nine months. According to an inside source, the reason for the breakup was Benji was too controlling of Paris, and she wanted her life back. The inside source also states that "they will be friends forever." Benji had called Paris "wife material" in the past, and Paris had stated how much she loved Benji and could see herself with him forever. The best part of this celebrity breakup is that Paris Hilton was in Miami this past weekend where she was spotted hanging out with her ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos. How quickly she moves on!

In spite of the celebrity breakups, it appears that one couple has decided to take the plunge of marriage. Kelly Osbourne, the daughter of Ozzy Osbourne, has gotten engaged to Luke Worrall. The couple has only been dating for six months. We'll have to watch this couple and see if they actually get married, and then how long the marriage lasts.

In somewhat scary news, actress Jennifer Garner has obtained a court order against a stalker. According to reports at TMZ.com, Garner feels that Steven Burky is threatening her and her family. According to Jennifer Garner, "Mr. Burky has been stalking and harassing me. Sending packages and letters containing delusional and paranoid thoughts and following me around the country." Burky has been harassing Garner since 2002, but within the last year, the harassing has gotten out of hand, and she feels like she and her family are in danger. Jennifer Garner is currently pregnant and due to give birth this winter and also has a 2-year-old daughter. I can totally see why she would want to protect her family. Hopefully this whole situation can be resolved, and Burky can get some mental healthcare.

Source:
www.usmagazine.com

Miami Fashion Week will be held from March 19-22, 2009 at SOHO Studios in the Wynwood Art District of Miami. While those of us up the coast tend to think of New York as the fashion center of the United States, we can't forget that Miami is the gateway city for all of Latin America, and there are tons of fashion talent and fashionistas south of the border.

Miami Fashion Week was designed to cater to this enormous and growing market. It's the largest international fashion event in the United States with a focus on Central and South American designers and buyers, but the rest of the world is well-represented too, with fashion media and celebrities from such far-flung places as Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, India, Italy, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain and the United Arab Emirates attending. (I wish they'd had it back when I was in ninth grade, it would have made an excellent topic for my World Cultures report!)

There's much more to Miami Fashion Week than just fashion shows. Events will include seminars on topics such as trends, retail and apparel law, a buyer's salon for clothing, a similar marketplace for jewelry and accessories and, as you would expect from Miami, lots and lots of really cool parties!

Miami Fashion Week is also sponsoring several contests. There's a Student Fashion Designer Competition open to any student currently enrolled in a college level fashion design, management or merchandising program in the U.S. who's able to produce one full outfit for the showcase, which includes shoes and accessories. There's also an Emerging Designer Competition for Florida designers who have been in business from between 2-5 years, have their clothes sold in at least one retail store and are able to produce a full collection. Deadline for entry in these competitions is January 15, 2009, and winners will be announced on February 2. Since Miami is a lifestyle as much as a place, they're also planning a competition for interior and furniture designers, though details on that one are sketchy at the moment. For more information on Miami Fashion Week, visit www.miamifashionweek.com.

How does actress Melissa Joan Hart stay fit? Well, it appears that she has her hands full with her two little boys. She says that taking care of her two boys, Mason, 3, and Braydon, 8 months, is "a constant workout." She also says that with how busy they are she forgets to eat or doesn't have time, and with all the heavy lifting she is getting her exercise in. I wonder if this means that Melissa Joan Hart is putting acting on the back burner for awhile also. I don't recall her acting in anything in the past year. The last thing I remember seeing her in was a Christmas movie that was on last year in which she kidnapped Mario Lopez to take to her family's for Christmas.

Nia Vardalos, who is best known for her role in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and her husband, Ian Gomez, have adopted a little girl. The girl's name has not been released, and they actually adopted her several months ago. This is the couple's first child. They are just now speaking out about their experience for National Adoption Month. They wanted to bring attention to all the children who are currently in foster homes and need to be adopted. I really commend this couple for adopting a little girl that is actually from the United States and came from a foster home right here in the U.S.

For all those people that thought that this was going to be last season of the television show The Hills, you thought wrong. Star of the show, Audrina Patridge, has confirmed that the show is going to have a 5th season. Audrina also states that being able to film The Hills is getting harder and harder because many of the cast members are doing their own things and have their own interests. Audrina wants to pursue more movies, while Whitney now has her own spin-off show. Lauren is dating actor Kyle Howard, who has a contract with another show he is on and thus can't appear on camera. Lauren is also busy with her fashion line. In my opinion, they should just stop with this season, end it here and let these people move on with their own things.

Source: www.people.com

Follow the latest celebrity fashion trend by carrying about a handbag that makes a statement. This can mean a large tote handbag or even a smaller handbag that is a bold color, has beads or has a bold print. This season celebrities are letting their handbags speak for themselves. Choose a large, red, striped handbag like Blake Lively was seen carrying. Or you can go with a beautiful clutch that is covered in metallic sequins like the one by Be & D. This is actually one of the more doable celebrity fashion trends to follow because there are plenty of statement handbags that you can buy. Also, you don't have to be worried about it drawing as much attention to you as a statement top would. It's a more subtle statement.

Every woman knows that you can't go wrong with the little black dress. Well, celebrities are no exception on this one. You can find a little black dress popping up on every red carpet in Hollywood. Such celebrities as Charlize Theron, Kelly Ripa, Jennifer Aniston, Heidi Klum and Reese Witherspoon have all worn the little black dress and done it with style. When looking for your little black dress, look towards the celebrity style and find one that stands out a little bit. Maybe it's belted at the waist with a gold belt or has pleating in the front. Making your little black dress a little more interesting is a great way to stand out and still fit in at every event. This is a great time of year, with Christmas parties and events coming up, to invest in your little black dress.

One celebrity fashion trend that may take some more guts to pull off is the liquid latex leggings. These leggings appear as if they have been basically glued on to your legs. They appear to be leather but are actually latex. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Kate Moss, Lauren Conrad and Alicia Keys have all been rocking these leggings. But beware; these leggings are not for the ordinary, everyday person. They are for the person who wants to be noticed and get attention!

Stockings have a long history dating back to the 16th century and the creation of the first machine for knitting. With the advent of this early technology, stockings made of wool, cotton, linen, silk and other fabrics became wildly popular for both men and women. For men, this early hosiery was worn and on display until the early 19th century, but women's legs remained largely hidden until the early 20th century.

And the 20th century, of course, was when stockings and hosiery underwent huge transformations. The invention of nylon in the 1930s provided an affordable alternative to silk and an easier way for women, regardless of economics, to get a sheer look when stockings made of the material first went on sale in 1940.

Nylons, as stockings were universally called, became popular at a difficult moment in history, however, and all nylon fabric production was directed toward the war effort after the United States entered WWII. Women, eager to look like their legs were not bare, generally painted lines on the backs of their legs with makeup, pen or ash to mimic the seams of stockings of the time. It is a detail that commonly appears in films about the era.

After WWII, the stocking continued to evolve. Stretch nylon was developed, creating stockings that fit better and requiring manufacturers to produce them in fewer sizes, thus reducing the price. As hems rose drastically in the 1960s, tights became popular both for modesty and for the bold colors they were often produced in. These quickly dominated the market for comfort and ease of wear (no more garter belts). Soon, sheer stockings were also made using this model in the form of pantyhose.

Today, many women don't bother to wear any sort of hose or stocking, but when they do, the now-seamless pantyhose dominate. Separate stockings, both with and without seams also continue to be available but usually only at higher-end retail stores or online shops that specialize in retro fashion trends.

One person who I really respect for their healthy body image in Hollywood is Kate Winslet. Kate has said that she refused to use a body double or lose weight for her role in her upcoming movie, The Reader. The actress has had two children and admits that her body is not the same after having children and that she is not perfect, but who is? She goes on to say, "This is who I am and look at me not being perfect! I'm proud of that." Kate Winslet does admit that she tries to eat healthy and exercise but will not restrict what she eats. She has such a healthy attitude, which is refreshing among celebrities in Hollywood, as there are quite a few celebrities that will go on fad diets and starvation diets and do extreme exercise to fit into the Hollywood industry.

Joe Jonas from the Jonas Brothers band is finally speaking out about his relationship with Taylor Swift. Swift has publicly come out and told people that Jonas broke up with her over a 27-second phone call and dumped her for actress Camilla Belle, who he is currently dating. Well, Joe has responded with an official message on his web site, where he writes, "I never cheated on a girlfriend. It might make someone feel better to assume or imply I have been unfaithful but it is simply not true. Maybe there were reasons for a breakup. Maybe the heart moved on." He also goes on to address the 27-second phone call, writing, "I called to discuss feelings with the other person. Those feelings were obviously not well received. I did not end the conversation. Someone else did. Phone calls can only last as long as the person on the other end of the line is willing to talk. A phone call can be pretty short when someone else ends the call." He later states that he did try to communicate with Taylor, but his effort was not reciprocated. The main reason he wrote this message was to clear his name with his fans. I mean you can't have 12-year-old girls mad at you! It still is awful shady that he started dating Camilla Belle only days or so after this breakup.

Source:
www.usmagazine.com