One of the trickiest things about the art of costume design for movies and television is that it's not just about constructing fabulous garments or putting together outrageous outfits. The costume designer is also charged with putting together outfits that reflect the way real people dress and making sure they don't look like costumes.

Even for designers working in modern settings where this may seem no more complicated than a trip to the mall, the task is complex and requires making sure clothes fit the color palette of the film, look lived in and give the right subtle cues about a character -- from fit to style. Clothes that are too tight say one thing about a character; clothes that are too loose say another. And without a doubt, something perfectly tailored will help any character, and any person, project an air of success. The trick of costume design is often to figure out how to let the imperfections in a character's wardrobe shine.

For those designers working in historical contexts, the great challenge is to make clothes look authentic and not like costumes. One prime example of this was in Master and Commander, where the wool used to create military uniforms had to be distressed by exposure to seawater and salt in order to make the costumes look plausible.

Some costume designers take a different tact though, going more with what the audience expects to see more than what is historically accurate. The gowns worn by the emperor's sister in Gladiator are a prime example. Although they borrowed from ancient Roman fashion, they were very modern and looked more like Grecian-influenced casual wear and evening gowns than anything that would have been worn at the time. The audience was happy to accept this in the wake of other, more accurate costuming for other film characters. In fact, these dresses helped provide a point of access for viewers who felt they might not otherwise be interested in such a story.

What a nice girlfriend Jessica Biel is. She threw her boyfriend, Justin Timberlake a surprise birthday party. The party was a Super Bowl themed party held at the Roosevelt Hotel's exclusive penthouse suite. A source says that Justin had no idea on what was going on and was absolutely surprised. There were approximately 100 party guests, which included close friends and family. I guess he has a lot of close friends and family. It must be nice to throw such a lavish party for your boyfriend. I think that Justin and Jessica are the young couple's version of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. They both are rich and beautiful.

The former girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, Holly Madison, has quit her editor job at Playboy. Madison wrote on her MySpace page that she "quit for several reasons." She went on to say, "It got to be routine, which was sad for me, since I was initially so passionate about the job and the creative aspects involved." She also stated that working with her ex was "awkward." Holly has now moved to Las Vegas to be with her boyfriend Criss Angel and also said the job at Playboy didn't pay that much to commute to Los Angeles all the time. I can't see that a Playboy editor wouldn't be a high paying job. I don't blame Holly for not wanting to work for Hefner anymore, but I think the awkward reason is the real reason why she quit.

Carrie Ann Inaba, who is one of the judges on Dancing With the Stars, has broken up with her boyfriend of two years, Artem Chigvintsev. The breakup actually quietly took place back in November of last year. The couple met when Artem was a contestant on the other dancing show, So You Think You Can Dance. Carrie Ann is 15 years older than Artem. I wonder what this cougar's next prey will be.

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

If being neutral was a crime, some of you'd be in prison for life. Yes, I am talking about you. You are the person who buys everything in tan, cream or brown so you ALWAYS fit in and match. You probably are ecstatic now because you found out through that neutral is the new trend. However, before you start doing flips, learn the rules.

Yes, there are rules that apply to dressing in neutral. These rules are designed to help you use all of the colors that fit in this category to your advantage. They will help you avoid looking bland and washed out. So, ready to learn them? Here they are:

Mix Up Your Neutrals
Forget about buying tan in the same color and mixing it all together. This look will guarantee that no one ever notices you. Who are these no ones? They are your boss, significant other and any store clerk at Macy's. So mix it up! Wear creams with tans and make each neutral color stand out.

Add Splashes of Color
Add bright colors accessories or tops or bottoms with your neutrals. It will help bring out their color and liven up your outfit. Which colors should you go for? Think of orange, pink, yellow and blue. With a neutral offset, you can get away with wearing almost any color.

Go for Crisp Material
One of the worst things in the world to see is a pair of wrinkled, tan pants. The dullness of the color alone makes the outfit look worse. So, don't do this. Iron out your neutral clothing or buy material that doesn't wrinkle. This way you'll avoid looking like a haphazard professor.

If you follow these rules, the neutral you wear will work for you. You will look smart and stylish.

Staying fashionable in a recession seems like it would be impossible to do, but it is actually very easy. The key is to build a versatile base wardrobe with pieces of clothing that will last, that will coordinately easily with the other pieces in your wardrobe and that can be accessorized. Your base wardrobe will carry you from season to season and fashion trend to fashion trend and will allow you to quickly and inexpensively update your wardrobe each season with only one or two minor purchases.

The Base Wardrobe
Your base wardrobe is what will be the heart of your fashion statement. These pieces won't be show stoppers on their own, but they will provide you with the base on which to build a great looking and fashionable ensemble. Your base wardrobe will include a great fitting pair of dark denim jeans that are the right shape and fit for your body type, camisoles of various colors, a structured jacket in a neutral color, a pair of black dress pants, a black pencil skirt, a pair of black pointy toed heels and a collection of neutral colored pants and tops.

Jazzing Up Your Seasonal Wardrobe
Since your base wardrobe is constructed with clothing items that have neutral colors, you will jazz up your seasonal wardrobe by buying colorful accent pieces that have the colors that are "in" for the season. For example, if you are trying to update your spring wardrobe, you can buy scarves, tops or skirts that have pastel colors that are in this spring. These pieces can be used with your base wardrobe pieces to create a variety of new outfits that will look fresh, crisp and fashion-forward for the current season.

Accessorizing on a Budget
If you have pieces that will work for this season then you can upgrade or update your wardrobe by purchasing a few simple accessories. By adding accessories like a great pair of earrings, a necklace or a simple scarf, you can turn a basic outfit constructed from a tank top and a pencil skirt into an outfit that is appropriate for work, a night on the town or a beach picnic. The key is to select items that have colors that will work with more than one piece or outfit in your wardrobe and also make a statement.

It appears that *Britney Spears*' ex-manager, Sam Lufti is getting back at her for her restraining order. He has sued Britney Spears along with her parents, Jamie and Lynne, for libel and defamation of character. The lawsuit was filed with L.A Superior Court on February 3. Lufti has problems about what Britney has said about him and trying to take control of her. He also has problems with Lynne Spear's book, claiming that it has "false statements" throughout the book. It is apparent that Britney is doing so much better with her life now that Lufti is gone. I don't think that he will win this lawsuit, and it will most likely be thrown out. He just wants money and couldn't get it by taking advantage of Britney anymore, so now he will just sue her.

It looks like a near death experience for Travis Barker has opened up his eyes, and him and his ex-wife, Shanna Moakler have gotten back together. The couple was spotted holding hands at an event and Shanna is even sporting her wedding ring again. Barker told US Magazine that he couldn't be happier now that he is with his wife and kids. The couple has two children together and was married for two years. Do you think they will last? I say give it a couple more months or even years, and they will be back to their old ways and split up again.

Demi Moore is setting the record straight on Twitter. She stated that the rumors that the National Enquirer had put out about her and her husband, Ashton Kutcher, adopting a baby are false. The tabloid wrote that the couple had tried fertility treatments but with no success, so now that are adopting a baby. Moore wrote, "Don't ever believe what you read there," referring to The National Enquirer. Who cares if they want to adopt a baby? I mean Ashton is young and may want children of his own. Is that so bad? Why is it that every celebrity couple that doesn't have children is trying to have children or is adopting? You know, there are couples who don't have children!

Julie Taymor's Across the Universe, a retelling of the 60s using the music of the Beatles as if they weren't a superstar band of the age, was a constant battle between the director and the studio - to the point that she almost asked to have her name removed from the film. Controversy aside, however, the film is an amazing slice of life that celebrates the music, culture, conflict and clothes of the 1960s.

Albert Wolsky's costume design had to encompass the changing and conflicting aesthetics of the era, while also fitting into the heightened reality Taymor set out to create. This meant more than peasant blouses, bell-bottom jeans and crocheted hippie costumes. It also meant Wolsky had to be sure to include the earlier eras of dress that all this outrageous fashion was evolving from, which included the staid looks of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

While many costumes were created for the film, many also came from vintage shops and warehouses. Additionally, for a party scene featuring Bono from U2, several hundred pieces were borrowed from private costume collections. Here, the design took on a narrative feel, with all the costumes in the initial parts of the party sequence being constructed solely from black and white materials. As Bono's character takes the stage to sing I Am the Walrus, the party erupts in color with a sudden influx of multi-hued costumes and a range of special effects.

While the truly outrageous clothes of the 1960s are now a thing of fashion history, the looks showcased in Across the Universe continue to influence today's dress, which has remained markedly less structured than that of the first half of the 20th century. Flowing sleeves, attention to texture and the ubiquity of denim (even if we usually go for boot-cut instead of bell-bottom these days) are all continuing evidence that the clothes of the 1960s aren't nearly as in the past as we might think at first blush.

There are a lot of young woman and teenagers that look up to Nicole Richie for her style of fashion. She seems to have a laid back, yet fashionable, casual wardrobe, but then she knows how to be sophisticated and elegant for special events. She always has that slightly Boho-chic look to her clothing without looking too messy. Here are some ideas on how you, too, can look like Nicole Richie

Accessorizing is a must. If you have ever seen pictures of Nicole Richie, she has tons of accessories on any given day. Think over-sized sunglasses, chunky necklaces and bracelets, head bands and scarves, big rings and definitely scarves around the neck. She also seems to be always carrying a big handbag, sometimes a little too big for her petite frame. This large handbag from Marc Jacobs would definitely be a bag that Nicole Richie would carry.

When it comes your actual clothing, skinny jeans and black leggings are a must for your wardrobe. Also, another must are long maxi-dresses that go down to your ankles. Look for ones that have an empire-waist or a halter top and are flowing with a pretty pattern or print. For tops, Nicole seems to like looser tops that are longer. Look for longer blouses or fitted t-shirts to wear with the legging or skinny jeans. For more of a dressed-up Nicole Richie look, try a strapless short dress or even a long strapless dress with a floral pattern.

One thing that you can tell about Nicole Richie's fashion is that she loves shoes. She can be seen wearing high heeled pumps most of the time. These look great with the skinny jeans and leggings. For a more casual (and comfortable) look, Nicole goes for flat Bohemian-style shoes with embellishments and stones or flat boots like these Juicy Couture ones. For night time, keep your shoes interesting with bold colors, embellishments, high heels and interesting cutouts.

When looking for a posh and luxurious day spa in the United States, San Francisco is the city to go to. San Francisco is the home of Spa Radiance. This day spa offers a wide variety of affordable to extravagant treatments for everything from your face to your feet. If you are ready for a day of pampering and beauty then slip into some comfortable designer clothing and bring your credit card to this luxury spa.

Spa Radiance - The Basics
Spa Radiance can be found at 3011 Fillmore Street in San Francisco, California. This is a day spa that is open seven days a week. Monday it is open from ten in the morning until nine at night, Tuesday through Friday it is open from nine in the morning until nine at night, Saturday it is open from nine in the morning until seven at night, and Sunday the spa is open from nine in the morning until nine at night.

Number One Posh Treatment
Spa Radiance offers a great selection of beauty treatment packages; however, the number one posh package is the Grand Luxe Facial Package. This package include four individual treatments including Diamond Peel Micro-dermabrasion, a caviar eye treatment, a microcurrent disencrustulation and an LED light facial treatment. The cost of this extravagant beauty package is $750, but considering the ingredients used for this treatment and the results that you get, it's a bargain.

Spa Radiance Beauty Treatments
Spa Radiance offers facials, hair removal treatments, massages, pedicures and manicures. Their facials typically run between $115 and $200 and include the Organic Detox Facial, the Swiss Oxygen 52 Vitamin Facial, the Japanese Green Tea Facial and the Spicy Cacao Facial. If you are interested in hair removal then Spa Radiance can help you meet your hair removal goals with either laser hair removal treatments that range between $350 and $700 or wax treatments that range between $15 and $88. Finally, Spa Radiance is one of the few day spas that offer LED light treatments. These treatments can help improve the look of your skin and heal skin conditions such as light acne and rosacea.

Elton John's annual charitable Oscar party was the place to be after the Oscars. Victoria Beckham, Eva Longoria, Ben Stiller, Carrie Underwood, Kate Beckinsale and Chace Crawford were just a few of the stars who stepped out to attend John's 17th annual Oscar bash, which raised $4 million for AIDS by the end of the night. John even played "Benny and the Jets" for everyone, and in between all the fun, got serious.

"People are going through tremendous hardship," he said. "In this time of hardship, we are going to raise as much money as we possibly can."

Before the Oscars happened, however, it appeared Brangelina wanted to get away. Angelina and the girls were spotted shopping in Manhattan, while Brad Pitt took Maddox and Pax to Vegas for a boys-only getaway. They stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel, where Nintendo Wiis were delivered to their room, and then went to the MGM Grand to see the lions, the Cirque du Soleil's show "Ka," and In-N-Out Burger.

Brangelina's brood isn't the only one to take in Las Vegas. On February 12, several of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit models walked a red carpet before heading into LAX nightclub to celebrate the issue. Cover model Bar Refaeli, singer John Legend and models Melissa Haro, Tori Pravo, Jessica White and Kim Cloutier all strutted their stuff before partying the night away.

The SI models arrived in Vegas February 11 on the SI One, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 wrapped in an SI swimsuit issue image of cover model Bar Refaeli. She said that she found out her image would be on the airplane before she knew she would be on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

What's up next for the cover girl? Refaeli is very excited about a swimsuit line (naturally, for the swimsuit cover girl) with Hurley, and some of the profits from the swimsuits sold will go to charity. She also said she is in talks for TV appearances later this year.

If a casual girls’ night out is on your list of things to do, then toss on a black O’Neill tank with your favorite pair of 7 For All Mankind jeans. You can ward off the spring chill with a Gabriella Rocha trenchand show off your personality with a pair of sassy Charles David wedges! Don’t forget to throw your favorite Stila lip gloss in a ruched Francesco Biasia handbag before you run out the door!

See another outfit featuring this Gabriella Rocha trench!

See another outfit featuring these 7 for All Mankind jeans!

See another outfit featuring these Charles David wedges!

See another outfit featuring this O'Neill Tank Top

It’s hip to be square! Mr. Rogers certainly won’t be asking to borrow this Diesel cardigan! Pair it with this funky plaid (you do know plaid is HOT right now, right?) Ben Sherman button up, relaxed James Jeans and stylin’ Puma kicks and you just may keep strolling to strut your stuff!

See another outfit featuring this Ben Sherman shirt!

See another outfit featuring these James Jeans!

See another outfit featuring this Diesel sweater!

See another outfit featuring these Puma sneakers!

Well, it doesn’t have to be THAT lazy! Be ready for wherever the day takes you – from the gym, running errands, taking the kids to the park, even just hanging on the couch. This ensemble of an Asics lightweight jacket and t-shirt and Insport athletic style pants will pull you through any and all of it with ease. And don’t forget the core item: those kickin’ Puma sneaks!!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

If you count shopping as your cardio, we’re right there with you! That’s why this core whisper-light O’Neill tank, Ted Baker floral side-tie skirt and Kenneth Cole wedge sandals are as comfortable as they are cute. For your pop of style, don’t forget the trendy citrus Elliot Luca braided trim handbag!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

Keep it stylish and comfortable with a not-your-average white button down from HUGO Hugo Boss! Make it fresh by throwing on this trendy Diesel cardigan, 7 for All Mankind textured pants and spice up your look with funky, yet classy, Robert Wayne shoes. The office is definitely not the only place you’ll turn heads in this outfit!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

You know she’ll be checking out your outfit! Come prepared in this color block Betsey Johnson frock, classic but cropped Three Dots cardigan and those sassy core Charles David wedges we love so much! Tie it all together with a black Dooney & Bourke handbag and she’ll wish she dressed from your closet!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

Chill in style in the core relaxed James Jeans. A t-shirt is always in style and this one from Volcom is no exception. Throw on a Ben Sherman track jacket and some of the new classics - Converse by John Varvatos slip-on sneaks, and you’re all set for whatever your entourage is scheming for the afternoon!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

We know you want to look cute running all around town! It’s easy! Start with a classic pair of core 7 For All Mankind jeansand pair them with an incredibly comfortable Three Dots tank and a trend-of-the-moment Splendid boyfriend cardigan. Add some coveted Frye boots and turquoise tote from Nine West and you’ll be the envy of all the other grocery shoppers!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

Let your inner rocker free by taking the funky core Ben Sherman plaid shirt, pairing it with skinny black Diesel jeans and combat inspired Type Z boots. Tuck the jeans in and leave the boots a bit open for a look that’s so right now and well, let’s face it, a little 1989 – is anyone else hearing NIN playing in their heads? Maybe it’s just me. Throwing on this Modern Amusement jacket keeps this look current and really sets it apart!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

Drape yourself in this stop-them-in-their-tracks red Calvin Klein dress and core item Gabriella Rocha trench. Accessories are key to take this look from fun to fab! A bow-adorned Betsey Johnson clutch, statement necklace by Marc by Marc Jacobs, and the pièce de résistance, strappy Stuart Weitzman stilettos!

See another outfit featuring all the core items!

Whether you love it or loathe it, the bikini is a popular beach fashion staple. The basic body covering is apparent throughout history. A fourth century mosaic displayed at the Villa Romana del Casale in Sicily features women wearing simple two-piece outfits similar to today's bikinis. However, modern bikinis did not hit the commercial fashion scene until 1946.

Interestingly, two French designers, Jacques Heim and Louis Reard both revealed the risqué swimsuit concept within months of one another. Jacques Heim unveiled his creation, dubbed the Atome, first, but the revealing garment failed to make a splash. Louis Reard's version stole the spotlight thanks to his creativity and marketing shrewdness. Just days before the debut of his creation, the United States military tested an atomic device near the Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Louis Reard used the newsworthy event to his advantage and called his two-piece swimsuit the bikini.

The midriff-baring, high cut bikini was so controversial that even professional models refused to don it on the runway. Reard resourcefully recruited an exotic dancer to model the bikini instead. His fashion forward swimsuit was scandalous in the United States, condemned by decency groups and banned on some beaches.

The bikini finally gained broader appeal and approval in France during the late 1950s. Photographs featured Brigitte Bardot wearing a bikini in the French Riviera on many occasions. Bardot also famously wore a bikini in the 1956 French film And God Created Woman.

The pop culture fashion trend gained momentum in America thanks to *Brian Hyland*'s hit song "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" and the popular beach themed movies of the 1960s. Hollywood continued to bolster the bikini's appeal with memorable scenes in movies like 1962's Dr. No. In the film, actress Ursula Andress rises from the ocean wearing a white bikini with a wide belt securing a large knife at her waist. Halle Berry recreated the classic scene in the 2002 James Bond movie Die Another Day.

Designers continue to update the bikini with sexier styles and more conservative versions that provide additional coverage. With so many choices, the bikini is a great way to express a unique sense of style.

If you think about haute couture (high fashion), you're likely to think of Paris, France. Paris has always been at the forefront of world fashion. Clothing designed in France makes it all around the world in a matter of weeks, with similar designs soon showing up from London to Hong Kong. French accessories aren't any different. Accessories designed in Paris are big business and often affect accessories fashion for the rest of the world. In 2009, the must-have French accessories are handbags, or purses, as the Americans call them. French handbags are known all over the world. From Louis Vuitton and Chanel to Etienne Aigner and Yves Saint Laurent, to lower priced but still beautiful bags from the likes of Jerome Gruet.

Started in 1893, Chanel is one of the most loved handbag designers in the world. This year's Chanel handbags are gorgeous, many of them with the typical Chanel chain handle, and all of them with the very familiar Chanel logo. En vogue colors are gray, red and black with some beiges and pinks thrown in for a little splash of color.

Louis Vuitton designs luxury leather luggage and purses. The Stephen Sprouse collection is popular this year, with bags having either the traditional brown and cream Louis Vuitton design base then overlaid with enormous red and pink flowers or with brightly colored graffiti on the same Louis Vuitton background.

Yves Saint Laurent , another of the high-end bag designers, has some sweet clutch purses for 2009 that are designed to look like the front of an envelope, complete with stamp and postmark. Adorable. They come in black or ivory patent leather. In tote bags, Yves Saint Laurent has a similar design that they call the Y-Mail Patent Tote Bag. Priced at around $500, it's actually not a bad price for something so unique and so exquisitely made.

Jerome Gruet has a little shop in Paris that specializes in beautiful quality canvas bags with contrasting trims. Jerome Gruet bags are great for a woman who likes a larger bag, because she carries everything with her including the kitchen sink.

Finally, check out Catherine Zarzecki who specializes in small handbags and clutches. What makes Catherine Zarzecki stand out is all of the accents on her bags are made with semi-precious stones. In 2009, she's gone with red, black, blues and greens with some very special limited edition silver clutch bags.

Whatever your bag style though, you'll find anything you're looking for in Paris.

Most people do it in spring, but I like to do it in January. What is it? Clean out my closet.
I like to go through my closet and toss out or donate all of those clothing items that I either don't wear or shouldn't wear any more. There are fashion no-no's that don't deserve space - at least, in my space. Here's a list of my top three. Follow my lead and you can make room for more fashionable attire.

Excessively Tight Clothes
Forget about convincing yourself that you'll fit into those skinny jeans. Even if your New Year's Resolution comes true, you'll still only be able to fit a thigh into them. Let them go and move on to better and BIGGER pants.

Ripped or Holey Attire
Both men and women have a tendency to hold onto ripped or holey clothing. I'll just have to call you both out. Men, it's time to toss out that dingy, torn cotton shirt you wear on Saturday mornings. Replace it with a fresh new one that doesn't expose your nipples. Women, throw away those worn, holey underwear. You can purchase ones that are just as comfy with w-o-r-k-i-n-g elastic.

Fashion Misses You Bought Anyway
When you saw that $15 shirt in the store, you couldn't believe the price! You couldn't wait to buy it. However, on the long drive home you instinctively knew you made a mistake. You've been holding onto it ever since with the hopes of wearing it on a rainy day. Let it go. You bought a fashion miss that needs to be extracted from your closet.

Now that you know the three categories, don't dilly-dally! Pull out two big trash bags and face up to your responsibilities. Use one for items you plan on donating to charity and the other for the items that you plan on throwing away. Afterward, with all of the room in your closet, you can rush out and buy your first fashion "yes" of 2009.

It appears that Britney Spears is trying to get rid of the drama in her life for good. She has filed restraining orders against her ex-manager Sam Lufti and paparazzi-turned ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib. A source close to Britney told TMZ.com that Britney asked her father, who is the conservator of her estate, to protect her from Lufti and Ghalib, because she is afraid of them. She also hopes that both of them will be sent to jail for trying to take over her affairs and her money. Both of the men have been trying to get in touch with Britney even after her father took over as her conservator. The temporary restraining order now restricts Lufti and Ghalib from contacting Britney, her parents or her sons. The hearing is set for February 23. Hopefully this is Britney Spears getting the negative out of her life, and she can make her full comeback to a regular, sane person.

Singer Amy Winehouse got some bad news while she was vacationing in St. Lucia in the Caribbean. Her home in London was robbed. The burglars took guitars and music recording equipment from her house. Her neighbors are the ones that spotted the robbers and called the police, which arrived to find the front door kicked in. No arrests have been made.

Madonna will be taking her sons to New York City to live for right now. A London judge has given temporary permission to Madonna to take her sons, Rocco and David, to live with her in New York. Madonna's lawyers argued that the boys should not be separated from their mother and their sister, Lourdes, who is Madonna's daughter with Carlos Leon. The Evening Standard reports that the boys will most likely be going to school in the U.S. but will also split time with their father, Guy Ritchie, in London. Madonna and her family have lived in London for the past 8 years with Ritchie. This is going to be a big adjustment for the poor boys. Having to go back and forth from New York to London all the time. I really feel sorry for them, because when they live with their mom, she will be off smooching with younger men instead of spending time with them.

Source:
www.usmagazine.com

His name was David and I was intrigued by him. Why? Everything about David was perfect to me from his mind, style and swagger. As a result, when Valentine's Day rolled around, I wanted everything to be perfect. The only problem was I didn't know what to wear.

Not knowing what to wear on Valentine's Day is a common problem for most women. Even the most fashion savvy woman can get confused on this holiday. It has a lot to do with jitters and not knowing what the night holds. What should a gal do in order to look good on one of the most romantic days of the year? Here are a few tips:

Tip #1: Go with a splash of red
Forget about looking like a big red apple unless red is TRULY your color. Wear a red blouse, red rose or pair of red pumps. Then, mix it all in with other less bright colors. The red you wear should only accentuate your look - not overpower it.

Tip #2: Stay true to your dating style
If you and your beau go bowling every Saturday night, don't dress up in a ballroom gown on Valentine's Day. Unless you both plan on going out to a fancy dinner, stick to your usual dating style. Make whatever you wear special by spraying on a bit of perfume or wearing a red heart pin.

Tip #3: Keep it simple if you do dress up
Ever heard of the expression "too much of a good thing"? Meditate on it as you pick out your outfit for Valentine's Day. Outfits that include lots of hearts or red polka dots coupled with matching earrings and shoes look ridiculous. Therefore, select one signature piece to honor the day and keep everything else low key.

If you use these three tips, you will look fabulous on Valentine's Day. As for me, my Valentine's Day dilemma was solved with a snappy jean outfit and red t-shirt. It looked great together. Plus, David really loved it, which is all that really mattered anyway.

The world is full of great three- and four-star spas and resorts that the general public can take advantage of. However, there are a small number of exclusive spas that are so posh, luxurious and expensive that they only attract the wealthy and the famous. One of the most posh spas in the world is Spa V found inside South Beach's signature Hotel Victor.

Spa V
Spa V is one of the most expensive and luxurious spas in the world. It can be found inside the Hotel Victor, which is located at 1144 Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida. It offers about 6,000 square feet of treatment booths, steam baths, cool down rooms and workout areas.

Luxury Treatments
One of the most expensive treatments offered by Spa V is their Evian mineral water bath. This treatment submerges you in 350 gallons of Evian mineral water for a relaxing soak. The cost of this treatment is $5,000.

Special Treatments
Spa V specializes in European style spa treatments. One of their more famous spa treatments is their Hamman steam bath. This steam bath is co-ed and is similar to a traditional Turkish steam bath. The Hamman V costs about $250 an hour.

If you are interested in an exfoliation treatment and massage treatment package, you will want to try out the Work Me treatment. This treatment includes a body scrub and a deep tissue massage. It costs about $275 per hour.

Fitness
In addition to spa treatments designed to pamper and purify your body, Spa V also offers a state-of-the-art fitness center. The center offers the latest fitness equipment. This area of the spa is a great place to tone up your body and burn off calories you consume on your business trip or vacation to the South Beach. Remember to wear proper gym attire while using the fitness center such as athletic shoes and breathable workout wear.

Using Spa V
Spa V's services are relatively exclusive. In order to use the spa you have to be a guest at Hotel Victor. The rooms at Hotel Victor range from basic 300-square-foot rooms to a 4,000-square-foot luxury penthouse that has one of the best views of South Beach in the city.

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit models came to Vegas to walk a red carpet straight into LAX nightclub to celebrate the issue. The SI models arrived February 11 on the SI One, a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 wrapped in an SI swimsuit issue image of cover model Bar Refaeli. She said that she found out her image would be on the airplane before she knew she would be the cover girl for Sports Illustrated.

"I saw the plane and thought, 'It can't be that I'm on the plane and the cover,'" Refaeli said. "I thought that they chose someone else to be on cover and me to be on the plane."

She said she found out when her agent called her into his office for an audition. When she arrived, they slowly opened the door to reveal a large image of her on the cover of the magazine.

There were camera crews inside the office, and still, Refaeli thought it was a joke and could not believe she had made the cover.

"It was a terrible surprise," she joked. "If I weren't young, I would have had a heart attack."

Refaeli is not only the cover model for the issue but also the first Israeli cover model.

"It makes it that much more exciting," she said.

The models weren't the only visitors to Vegas - Chris Brown escaped to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino after his recent arrest for allegedly assaulting Rihanna. Brown reportedly checked in on Wednesday, February 11, and left sometime Thursday, February 12, according to E Online. The 19-year-old R&B singer holed up in an eighth floor suite and then left to meet with his mother, Joyce Hawkins. Since then, Brown has been hard to pin down - as has Rihanna, and there are no reports of her whereabouts.

From scandal to scrutiny, Jessica Simpson, who has been in the tabloids of late for allegedly gaining weight, is still going strong with boyfriend Tony Romo. According to People.com, the pair planned something romantic for Valentine's Day in Rochester, NY. Simpson opened for Rascal Flatts there.

Marc Jacobs and DKNY significantly cut down their guest list for fashion week, and Marc Jacobs even went so far as to - gasp! - cancel the after party.

No after party? That's reason enough to realize fashion weeks are greatly being affected by the economy.

DKNY cut its guest list from the usual 1,000 down to just 400. Four hundred people. That's it.

Marc Jacobs's list, normally 2,000, was cut to 700. Robert Duffy, Jacobs' business partner, also told papers there will only be "one or two celebrities." One or two celebrities at the Marc Jacobs show? At New York Fashion Week? That just seems so ... wrong. And did we mention no after party?

Okay, we understand the importance of cutting costs, but we can still mourn.

In addition, several publications are cutting back on sending editors to overseas fashion weeks. This year's fashion weeks all seem like they'll be a bit warped.

The red carpet is not the only thing red among the celebrities these days. Leading ladies in Hollywood are sporting red dresses all over the red carpet. Red is a timeless color, but in certain times it becomes more or less in fashion with celebrities. Anne Hathaway is one of the latest celebrities to wear a long red dress to a red carpet event. She even got edgier with her red dress with a plunging neckline. Other celebrities who have been seen wearing red are Scarlett Johansson, Lily Allen, Miley Cyrus and of course Eva Longoria-Parker, who wore her red gown to the Golden Globes. Red is a color that suites almost anybody and can easily be pulled off and at the same time gives your look some drama. If you want to follow this celebrity fashion trend, find a red dress that suites your body shape and show it off.

Spring is definitely coming fast, and you can tell by the way the celebrities are dressing. We are seeing more and more celebrities wearing spring-like colors such as pink, purple and yellow along with some spring-like prints. Large flowers, small flowers and even geometric prints are in fashion with celebrities this spring. Such celebrities as Nicole Richie, Blake Lively, Kate Hudson, Rosario Dawson and Julianne Hough are all wearing their spring prints early. When you think about this celebrity fashion trend, think about the spring time prints that you see on Easter dresses but in a modern and updated way. A great example of this is the dresses that Just Cavalli has designed. They show off the trend with the large flower prints and the spring colors. When trying to wear this celebrity fashion trend, just be aware that some prints will make you appear larger than you are, and you may want to stick to smaller flowers and prints if you are afraid of this. But if you are confident with your body, by all means wear the big bold flowers and prints.

Actor Chad Lowe is going to be a daddy. Chad's girlfriend, Kim Painter, is pregnant with their first child. According to Lowe's rep, "The couple is overjoyed and could not be happier." The baby is due in early summer time. Congratulations to this couple, but really does anybody in Hollywood ever get married first and then have a baby?

Ashlee Simpson is coming to the defense of her sister. Lately there have been all kinds of comments going around tabloids and blogs about how much weight Jessica Simpson has gained. Well, Ashlee has spoken out against all the bad comments by expressing her opinion on her blog, "I am completely disgusted by the headlines concerning my sister's weight. Since when did a woman's weight become news worthy?" She goes on to say, "All women come in different shapes, sizes and forms and just because you're a celebrity, there shouldn't be a different standard." Good for Ashlee, and she is totally right. Even if Jessica Simpson did gain some weight, why do people have to make a big deal out of it? I think every woman battles with her weight and self-esteem and since Jessica is human, she has the same problems and insecurities as the girl next door.

Hugh Hefner is not wasting anytime racking up more girlfriends after the exit of Holly, Bridget and Kendra. Not only does he have the 19-year-old twin girlfriends, Karissa and Kristina Shannon, but he has added a third girlfriend into the mix. Crystal Harris is the newest girlfriend. She met Hefner at the 2008 Halloween party at the mansion. There was one point in the past were Hefner had 7 girlfriends. I wonder how much he is paying these girls to be his girlfriends.

Sources:
www.people.com
www.foxnews.com

I was an eager 19 year old trying to get a job at a cafeteria. It was one of the few ways I planned on paying for my tuition. So, I dressed up in my best suit, pinned up my hair and tried to look responsible. To my surprise, during the interview, the personnel officer questioned my ability to endure a labor-driven environment. Initially, it hurt my feelings, until I finally realized that I'd worn the wrong thing. I'd overdressed for the job.

Wearing the wrong attire is a common problem with job interviewees. Why? Most people think wearing a penguin suit is the best way to impress a potential employer. However, this is untrue. Career counselors say that a person seeking a job should go to the interview dressed in the kind of attire they will work in. Therefore, if you want to haul wood for a lumberyard, you should go dressed in jeans, work boots and a thick plaid shirt. This attire will tell the person interviewing you that you are ready to work.

How do you figure out which attire shows you are ready to work a particular job? You accomplish it by doing a drive-by.Yes! Drive-bys are good for more than just checking up on a boyfriend or girlfriend. You can use them to see what the people at the company you want to work for look like on a daily basis. Just go by the place of business during work hours and watch employees come in and out of the building. Then emulate the best of what you see in the interview.

Well, I should tell you that I did end up getting the job at the cafeteria. However, it was as a cashier. It would be long time before I actually did any "labor-driven" work. Of course, I didn't mind, but the whole experience was a lesson for me. Now, I always dress for the job want.

If you know anything about China, you'd be correct in assuming most of the clothing bought by men and women in China is made in their own country. However, in the last few years, high fashion and designer brands have come to China and are becoming very popular.

China's annual Fashion Week is big news; last year more than 30 top designers showed their collections in Beijing. Chinese designers too are being schooled in record numbers as Chinese men and women realize China's more open society is allowing them to be more creative. High fashion with a Chinese-inspired flair is very popular with Western-style white wedding dresses accented with Chinese embroidery coming down the catwalk alongside Mongolian-style jackets and men's leather jackets decorated with traditional Chinese red.

China's women are also seeing an emergence of consumer freedom unheard of in what was once a repressive society. As Western designer brand clothing stores and bag stores open up in every major Chinese city, affluent Chinese women are visiting them in droves so they can have the latest DKNY bag or the newest Chanel shirt. Upwardly mobile Chinese men are buying Western designer suits and along with Chinese designed men's clothing made with a Chinese flair.

Add the new "Made in China" high fashion designers and Chinese men and women really are getting spoiled with choices. These new Chinese designers are educating people that it's possible to get haute couture or premium clothing from Chinese designers at less than a third of the cost of Western brands, because production costs in China are lower.

For Chinese designed women's fashion, check out Dorian Ho, whose Ho Couture high-end line of clothing is selling well in boutiques and showrooms in Europe and America. Ji Wenbo, the winner of China's most prestigious Golden Tripod award, is a Chinese men's fashion designer who's also making a name for himself in Europe as well as in China.

We used to call him "Mr. 1980's." Who? Me and the other folks at my old job. "Mr. 1980's" was our boss and from head to toe, he emulated everything that was fashionable in the year 1980. (Bill Cosby sweaters and all.) The only problem with this was that it was 2003!

It's been a while since I've seen my old boss, but one thing is for sure - he isn't the only person in America trapped in a fashion time warp. This trap is a common one that many people fall into, which keeps them looking old and out of step. If you're in a similar trap, you are sporting clothes that make you look like a perfect candidate for the TV show "What NOT to Wear." So, it's time for a change. Check out the following statements and rethink your wardrobe if you say any of them on a regular basis.

"Purple is my favorite color."
Yes. Purple is your favorite color, which is why people call you "Barney" and "Grape Ape" behind your back. It's time to expand the colors in your closet and break up the monotony. Understand that every color in a rainbow is beautiful and it's okay to wear more than one of them on your back.

"I can't find anything to wear in the store."
Really? Today, there are stores that cater to every size, shape and budget. So, there really isn't any excuse for you to walk around looking like a mess. If you hate to shop, get online and buy your clothes. You can kill two birds with one stone. You can find the clothes you like to wear with just the push of a button and avoid the crowds in the mall at the same time.

"I'm still the same size I was in high school."
No you're not. You are two sizes bigger, and you know it. Be honest with yourself and buy larger clothes. Your clothes will hang better, and you will finally be able to get rid of the elastic lines across your stomach. Also, clothes that fit tend to make you look smaller - and we all know you're the kind of person who doesn't want to look fat.

Did you see yourself in any of these statements? If so, change your words and clothes and then step into a more fashionable future.

Former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell is engaged after only dating the guy for one month. Halliwell just split from her boyfriend in December and is now engaged to another man. His name is Fabrizio Politi, and he is a yacht tycoon in Italy. According to reps for Halliwell, "There are no immediate plans for marriage as the couple is enjoying their engagement." Geri Halliwell also has a 2-year-old daughter, whose father is neither her ex-boyfriend nor her fiancé. All I have to say is she gets around pretty good. I mean why not marry this guy, he's rich and she doesn't have a job anymore.

It seems that we will be seeing much more of The City's Whitney Port. The Hollywood Reporter states that MTV has renewed The City for another year, even though the show is not getting good ratings. I don't know if anybody out there watches it, but I have only watched The City once, and Whitney shows no emotion. Her facial expressions are always the same, and it just seems like she is doing a bad job at acting on the show, even though it's supposed to be reality.

In slightly disturbing celebrity news, Evan Rachel Wood, who used to date Marilyn Manson, has now been romantically linked with actor Mickey Rourke. The couple attended a SAG awards after party together and were seen making out with each other before heading off to a hotel room together. Wood is 21 years old, and Rourke is 56 years old. Worst of all, Rourke played Evan Rachel Wood's father in the movie The Wrestler, which is how they met. I have to say that for how pretty Evan Rachel Wood is, she has some weird taste in men.

Sources:
www.usmagazine.com
www.foxnews.com

Staying fashionable in a recession is not difficult. All you have to do is be a smarter shopper. While there are many different strategies that you can use to keep your wardrobe versatile, fashionable and current, one of the easiest ways is to avoid paying full price for your clothing and accessories whenever possible. Bargain hunting is how you do this, and it can be a lot of fun.

Clearance Sales
You can get the best deals on seasonal items at clearance sales. The biggest clearance sales are usually scheduled near the end of the season when the next season's collections are stocked by retailers. At these huge clearance sales you can find great deals on everything from outerwear to accessories. However, while these seasonal events get the most press, they are not the only clearance sales you can take advantage of. Many stores have an area in each of their departments where clearance items are displayed. These discrete clearance sales are great for finding deals on everyday items like layering clothing items, accessories and accent pieces.

BOGO Sales
Another great way to find a deal on fashion items is to wait for BOGO sales. BOGO stands for buy one get one. These sales can be buy one, get one free, which basically gives you a 50-percent discount on each of selected items, or they can be a buy one, get one half off, which gives you 25 percent off each item.

Special Item Sales
The third option that you have for saving money while staying fashionable in a recession is to look for your special fashion pieces in item of the week sales. Many retailers, especially online retailers, have a tendency to feature a special item each week. These items are discounted between 25 and 40 percent. These special sales can help you keep your wardrobe in fashion without breaking your budget.

Selecting Your Bargain Items
The key to staying fashionable in a recession is to be smart about your purchases. While buying clothing and accessories at special sales can save you money, buying the wrong items can both kill your budget and keep your wardrobe from looking fresh. The key is to build a basic wardrobe that can transition from year to year seamlessly and then buy key fashion pieces each season at special sales events to give your wardrobe a current look.

There's a saying somewhere that anyone can be on a reality show. But with the Obama fever that's hit the nation, being connected to the First Family doesn't hurt either. Chicago-turned-LA hairstylist Johnny Wright, Michelle Obama's hairstylist, recently inked a development deal to star in his own reality TV show. It will be pitched to networks as a makeover series or a docudrama, following his "adventures" in styling, so to speak.

Wright signed the deal with 44 Blue, which produces A&E's "LA Gang Unit" and the Style Network's "Split Ends." Wright has styled Vivica A. Fox, Candace Bushnell and Rebecca Gayheart, but his Obama connection hasn't hurt his career. Wright also styled Mrs. Obama for her upcoming Vogue cover appearance, the Democratic National Convention and on several other ocassions throughout the presidential campaign. Who knows - maybe the First Lady will have a guest spot on Wright's show once his deal becomes a reality.

Tuesday night, actress Chloe Sevigny attended the opening of the Diesel Planet store in Milan, where it is men's fashion week, which was the perfect place for Sevigny to discuss her new men's line with the press. However, Sevigny's line isn't just a men's clothing line. It is a men's unisex line. Sevigny told Women's Wear Daily she will be in Paris after her time in Milan to showcase the line. "It's skinny, chain-y, stud-y," she told the website. But the actress turned fashion designer did not go into detail about how the men's line would be unisex and appealing to women. That's just something everyone will have to wait to see...and figure out.

And finally, finally, the paparazzi can no longer bug Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson and Josh Duhamel about when they'll tie the knot. The singer, 33, and the actor, 36, were married Saturday, January 10 at the Church Estate Vineyards in Malibu. People.com reported all the details: the bride carried a bouquet of white flowers studded with crystals and had 10 bridesmaids; the rest of the Black Eyed Peas, Kate Hudson, Las Vegas costars James Caan, Molly Sims and Vanessa Marcil were in attendance; after the ceremony, the reception was held in a tent lit up with lights and decorated as a forest. Congrats to the happy couple!

For those of us who were watching the presidential inauguration as keenly for the fashion as the politics, there were other reasons besides history to get excited. Not to minimize the enormity of the event, but as a fashion commentator who happens to be a hat lover, I was hoping Michelle Obama would opt for a fabulous, wide-brimmed hat.

Not that I blame her for her slightly more conservative but elegant choice of a bare head paired with a cutout lace dress and coat. It was still refreshing due to its color, which leant a hint of spring to the mid-winter proceedings. Because of her Ivy League education she has this perception of elitism to overcome, and for the First Lady, there are no fashion choices that are not fraught with political meaning. As much as I personally would have enjoyed it, she couldn't go into Inauguration Day dressed like a queen. Fortunately, there was a real queen on hand with no such constraints*—Aretha Franklin*, the Queen of Soul.

Ms. Franklin was on hand to sing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" on this extraordinary day in history, and while she did it she wore an extraordinary hat. Though it was not wide-brimmed (that might have made singing with gusto difficult), it was a stunning gray wool felt topped with an enormous bow and featuring rhinestone accents with contrast stitching. There's no doubt that there's a clamor for this hat in stores and online today, and I'm hoping fervently that it's only the beginning of an epic movement to return hats to their prominent place in fashion that's been a long time coming. Thank you, Queen Aretha, and maybe the next time you're in Mrs. Obama's company, you can put a bee in her bonnet about wide brims!

Animal prints are definitely in fashion with celebrities. Everything from animal print accessories, like totes and scarves, to full animal print dresses. Celebrities are going wild over these animal prints. Kate Bosworth was seen wearing an animal print t-shirt as she headed to the airport, while Nicole Richie sported an animal print scarf to a red carpet event. Lily Allen took the animal print to the extreme and wore a leopard print winter coat to add some drama to her outfit. Full-on animal print dresses have been seen all over the red carpet also. America Ferrera wore a black and white tiger print dress to an event, while Maggie Gyllenhaal wore an animal print dress to the Golden Globes. This is one easy fashion trend for everyone to follow. If you are unsure about the trend, which is actually a classic fashion trend, think like Jessica Alba and start out with a snakeskin tote. Or you can go even simpler and add a touch of animal print to your outfit with an animal print belt from Dolce and Gabbana.

It appears that the 80's are back. More and more celebrities are bringing back the 80's fashion looks in a slightly more modern way. Hayden Panettiere rocked the 80's look in her gold metallic mini-dress that she wore on the red carpet. While Jessica Biel rocked a full black taffeta dress that almost looked like it could have been wore to a prom in the 80's. Other celebrities such as Miley Cyrus, Kate Bosworth, Rihanna, Blake Lively, Kate Moss and Lily Allen are also bringing out the 80's fashion garb. When trying to follow this celebrity fashion trend, you have to be careful not to look like you actually belong in the 80's. Think updated 80's fashion such as sleek dresses with polka dots and fitted leather jackets. Leave the parachute pants and shoulder pads at home. You want to look in fashion and not like a total blast from the past.

So, why did Jennifer Love Hewitt exactly call off her engagement to her fiancé **Ross McCall**? According to Us Weekly, the couple's relationship was filled to the brim with "drama." According to sources, Hewitt was very needy and insecure and would bother McCall at all times. She had problems with him not being with her all the time and basically would start sulking and start fights all the time. But McCall tells the magazine that they "are working it out." The couple is still sporting their engagement rings. Since when did men start wearing engagement rings? The location of the wedding was set and the date of the wedding was for this spring time. We'll have to wait and see what happens with this couple, but if Hewitt causes that much drama, he just needs to get rid of her.

After recently getting some negative attention for hitting a gossip columnist, Kelly Osbourne is making celebrity news again. She has checked herself into rehab once more. According to her rep, "Kelly Osbourne has voluntarily entered a medical facility to address some personal issues." Kelly's mother Sharon Osbourne has also confirmed that Kelly is currently in rehab. No one is saying what exactly Kelly is seeking treatment for at this time. Could this be a ploy to get out of her arrest for assault and not have to serve time in jail? Sounds a little fishy to me, as celebrities seem to prefer to say they need to go to rehab than serve time in jail.

Better late than never news, Anne Heche, who if you remember once was linked to Ellen DeGeneres and then left her husband for her co-star in her television show, is now pregnant. She and her co-star from Men in Trees, James Tupper, are expecting a baby boy this spring. Anne already has a 6-year-old son with her ex-husband.

Sources:
www.usmagazine.com

While we think of women's suits as a product of women entering into the workplace, it's worth remembering that women's suit actually have a much earlier origin.

The first women's suits were outfits for horseback riding and appeared in the mid 17th century. Additionally, women's suits modeled on the designs of men's military wear (but featuring a skirt instead of trousers) were also popular for fancy dress parties and other festive, but not necessarily formal, social occasions at the time.

These suits often featured floor-length skirts that could be buttoned up or draped to make walking and riding easier while also maintaining a woman's modesty.

The suit was not just worn for riding, but also for traveling and any other activity that might be considered challenging. While these suits were significantly more ornate than today's suits for women, they were distinguished by their use of durable fabrics and limited (for the time) trim in an effort to make them more practical than other women's clothes of the era.

Suits took their next step in evolution in the mid-19th century, as practical feminine attire for women became important during and after the American Civil War. By the end of the 19th century, some women had started working in offices, and suits for them, as well as the walking suit for ladies of leisure, became prevalent.

In the 20th century, the suit became fashionable for ladies both in and out of the office. With suits being the dominant look for women in the 1950s and 1960s.

Pants as a part of women's suits did not exist until the 1960s, and even then these suits were considered more casual than skirted suits. It took two decades for such pants suits to gain wide acceptance as office attire.

Today, thanks to the business casual movement of the 1990s, suits are less a stable of both men's and women's wardrobes in most professions. However, a return to structured tailoring and an interest in retro looks has helped revive the suit for women as a fashion statement, if not a practical one.

One of this year's leading Oscar contenders is The Curious Tale of Benjamin Button, a heart-wrenching story that spans 80 years. While the film's chronology is explicitly bracketed by 1918 and Hurricane Katrina, large swathes of the film rely on passing historical references, music and, of course, fashion, to help the audience get its bearings. Jacqueline West is the lead designer on the film, and some of her costume sketches and early test photos are available on the film's web site.

West's costumes don't just help the audience locate moments of the film in time; they help to delineate character by emphasizing class, age (a constantly shifting ground between body and mind in the narrative) and occupation. One key dress even had its vibrant red enhanced electronically after filming to make it the centerpiece of a highly charged moment of romance and desire.

While all of the film's period clothes are delightful, perhaps the most interesting work comes in the costumes worn by Benjamin and Daisy. West has not just had to reflect decades of fashion evolution but also the evolution of personal style. Body conscious clothes for the adult Daisy who retains the sensibilities of a dancer even once she can no longer perform is just one key example, while blue remains a dominant color in Benjamin's wardrobe even after he is no longer wearing the peacoat emblematic of his service aboard a tugboat drafted into WWII.

Where the movie's costume design really succeeds is in the degree to which is makes sure its clothes looked lived in as opposed to costume-like. It's easy to imagine pieces in various character wardrobes as a favorite sweater or a dress worn so much it is no longer retaining its shape quite right. Even a series of pajama and robe ensembles worn by Elizabeth, while looking expensive, also look slept it.

West could be a major contender for an Oscar for her costume design. While it's less showy than the ornate work of a film like The Duchess, the tasks it was charged with in the film are, in some ways, more challenging, especially when the modern eye understands most of the clothes shown on screen. Certainly, it's a fantastic study in the vocabulary of wardrobe.

Iceland is probably known for its freezing cold weather more than anything else. Just because of its name, many people think it's a land made of ice and snow that never thaws. That's not exactly true! Iceland has seasons, just like anywhere else and, yes, people in Iceland do wear thick sweaters, jeans, scarves, gloves and down jackets. But they also wear modern lightweight fashion, just like in any other country and much of it is designed and made in Iceland. In fact, Iceland is known for its natural fabrics, handspun wools and handmade clothing - all of which are some of the best quality found anywhere in the world.

For true fashion, check out Icelandic fashion house Spaksmannsspjarir, which was created in 1993 by fashion designers Bjorg and Vala. In their newest creations, they use colors typical of Iceland's winters to create muted, yet beautiful natural clothing in flowing shapes and styles. Especially designed for women who are free-spirited and independent, Spaksmannsspjarir has a style easily recognizable as their own.

Chic raincoats are all the rage in Icelandic fashion, because even though it really doesn't get as much snow as you would expect, it does rain a lot! Most Icelanders will always have an umbrella with them. And don't forget the knitted wool hats and scarves, which are necessary for the wind.

In Iceland, you'll also see the famous Icelandic sweaters. Made from handspun wool and hand knitted, these sweaters and cardigans are usually designed in navy blues, grays, browns and off whites. With the traditional patterns around the neckline and bottom of the sweaters, Icelandic wool sweaters are true originals.

Another important fashion item is a sturdy pair of boots. Because Iceland does get a fair amount of ice during the winter, most Icelandic women will own several pairs of boots - but the small-heeled or flat kind, not the high-heeled ones you often see in the U.S. Staggering around in high-heeled boots on ice and snow would just make you stand out as a visitor.

For sheer drama though, you can't beat Iceland's Fashion Week, where Iceland's designers showcase their designs. It's usually held in odd places like up on a mountain or on a glacier, so Icelandic fashions look even more dramatic.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne are probably really proud of their daughter. Kelly Osbourne was arrested for allegedly hitting a gossip columnist last summer in a London club. Kelly was released on bail and is due back in court in March to face the charges. The whole situation involves the columnist Zoe Griffin and an article she wrote mocking Osbourne's boyfriend. Well, apparently Kelly didn't like the article very much, because she allegedly hit Griffin across the face after confronting her in the nightclub. Is this really any surprise to anyone? I mean just look at Sharon Osbourne and her behavior. Do you expect her daughter to be any different?

On a more serious note, it was revealed that Desperate Housewives *Marcia Cross*' husband is battling cancer. Tom Mahoney is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and is "responding well," according to a rep for the couple. The couple was married in 2006 and has twin daughters together. It's always sad when you hear anybody has cancer, and I wish them the best, especially since they have the young children at home to care for.

Singer Lilly Allen is now speaking out about how much she suffered when she went through a miscarriage last year. The singer actually was getting treatment at a mental health center where she stayed for 3 weeks. She says that she got really depressed and "it was a quite nasty time." Since then, Lilly has broken up with her boyfriend, who would have been the father of the baby. This is quite sad, and I say, good for her for speaking up about it, because there are many women who also get severe depression after they suffer miscarriages. It just goes to show that even though she is famous, she is still human!

Source:
www.people.com

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association officially votes on the awards given out annually at the Golden Globes. Unofficially, though, the ceremony is known as the first celebrity fashion show of the year. And 2009 definitely demonstrated the stars' abilities to deck themselves in their classiest clothes.

Among those with fashion-to-die-for: Kate Winslet, who looked sleekly chic in her perfectly fitted black gown (Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent). The only detraction: bonny Kate tended to tug at the top of her strapless dress. Demi Moore, attired in a white Dior that contrasted beautifully with her hair, continues to appear about three decades younger than she is.

And although she and Brad snubbed Ryan Seacrest, Versace-clad Angelina Jolie looked every inch the star in a draped gown. Special mention must go to Drew Barrymore, whose exquisitely fitted blue gown deservedly drew gasps of appreciation as she paraded down the red carpet. From her perfectly coiffed hair to her demurely clad shoes, Drew shone like a real star.

It almost seems cruel to comment on some of the truly bad fashion that showed up for the Golden Globes ... but it's irresistible. Standing out among the worst: Renee Zellweger, who for some inexplicable reason (temporary insanity?) decided to slip into a solid white bra beneath her sheer black gown. Huh? Another pitiful failure: Rumer Willis, who wore a badly fitting dress that looked as if it came from a yard sale (hint to Demi: please give your daughter a lesson in fashion!).

Then there's Maggie Gyllenhaal, a lovely girl who seems to have an unfortunate fondness for fashion errors. She began 2009 with her traditional lack of style by choosing a very peculiar print that had this volcanic eruption of fabric on her shoulder. Could someone please call in the fashion police for this hapless celebrity?

Last but not least: don't men have fashion advisors anymore? The ones on parade at the Golden Globes certainly didn't seem to. The one exception: youthful-yet-dapper Zac Efron, who chose a sophisticated tux-and-tie combo, which surely caused more than one young girl to sigh with envy at Zac's gal pal Vanessa Hudgens (whose gorgeous gown's elegance matched her boyfriend's charm).

If you are a celebrity, what do you do after you get married and have a baby with another celebrity? Apparently if you are Ashlee Simpson, you decide to work with your husband. Ashlee Simpson and her husband Pete Wentz will both guest star of an episode of CSI: NY. According to Entertainment Tonight, the couple will be playing "Bonnie and Clyde wannabes" on the episode airing March 18. I wonder if CSI: NY is trying to attract a younger audience with their appearance on the show. We'll see how good of an actor Pete Wentz is, and if Ashlee Simpson has improved any since her 7th Heaven acting days.

Could Pink and her ex-husband Carey Hart be getting back together? Us Weekly has reported that the two were seen kissing on New Year's Eve and then spent the whole weekend together. Well, the duo was spotted together again. This time they were arm in arm as they went on a jog together in Los Angeles. The couple got divorced in February 2008 after only being married for 2 years. Both Pink and Carey Hart have come out and stated that they are still friends even after the divorce. So, could this now mean they are more than just friends?

One couple that has officially broken up is actress Amanda Bynes and her boyfriend Doug Reinhardt. The couple started dating last year after Doug was linked with The Hills Lauren Conrad. According to sources, Amanda broke it off with Doug as she did not trust him and had enough of the relationship. I think we all saw when he dated Lauren on The Hills that this guy was not to be trusted. Good for Amanda!

Source:
www.usmagazine.com

Even this cold weather that we are having this winter celebrities are still rocking the miniskirts. Now, miniskirts always seem to be in style and then the next minute out of style. This has been the case for over 20 years now. Celebrities like Lilly Allen, Kate Hudson and Chloe Sevigny seem to be bringing the mini skirt back into fashion. Whether it's an actual miniskirt or a mini-dress, the short style is being seen more and more again on the Hollywood scene. If you want to sport this celebrity fashion trend but you live in a colder climate, try a mini-dress from Jean Paul Gaultier that has long sleeves but leaves little to the legs.

Other celebrities such as Mary Kate Olsen, Gwyneth Paltrow and Selma Blair are going for a much darker look this winter. They are wearing the all black ensembles with the touches of the Gothic accessories. Yes, we all know that Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen seem to have this trend down pat, but now it seems like they are setting the fashion trend with the black leggings, oversized coats and pointy black shoes. Mixing a sheer black, over-sized top with some black leggings and black heels will set you in perfect with celebrity fashion trend.

Another celebrity fashion trend that you can spot on the red carpets now is the cut-out dress. These dresses give little hints of the body here and there rather than showing off the whole package. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Jenny McCarthy, Christina Ricci and Ashley Olsen have all dazzled in cut-out dresses. This may not be a fashion trend for everyone, though, since cut-out dresses look best on woman who have the body to show off. If you still want to try this celebrity fashion trend, try to find a cut-out dress that flatters your best assets and go from there.

One of the more interesting stories when it comes to green business -- especially in terms of the green movement in clothing -- is that of Patagonia. Patagonia outerwear is famous for its quality and ability to keep you warm. And Patagonia offers more than just clothing that often includes recycled materials. The company also promotes an outdoor lifestyle centered on respect for the Earth through a range of product lines and initiatives designed to raise environmental awareness.

Beyond Green Clothing: Accessories and Surf Boards
Patagonia makes more than just clothing. The company also creates and sells camping gear and other outdoor items. One of the more interesting products developed by Patagonia is a line of environmentally friendly surfboards. It is no surprise that Patagonia is one of the first clothing and outdoor gear companies that come to mind when one thinks of "green business."

In addition to striving to create green products, Patagonia also tries to raise awareness of environmental issues. Patagonia's Web site and catalog include tips and information on environmental issues from overfishing to rainforests to genetically modified foods. The idea is that a company can provide a degree of moral direction in today's world.

Patagonia is also interesting because its moral compass and philosophy of sustainability extend beyond just making clothing and outdoor products and preaching about the environment. Among businesses, Patagonia was the one of the first to offer onsite daycare in the United States. Additionally, flextime is available for paternity leave as well as maternity leave. The idea is to create an entire corporate culture that values humans and the environment.

There are many companies that have since jumped on the green clothing bandwagon. And many more companies that are trying to show they can act in an environmentally responsible manner. However, it is worth noting: years before it was fashionable, Patagonia was including green practices in its fashions.

The Biggest Loser host, Alison Sweeney has given birth to a little girl. Sweeney, who also plays Sammy Brady on Days of Our Lives, welcomed Megan Hope Sanov into the world on January 11 -- only a couple of minutes before midnight. This is the second child for Sweeny and her husband Dave Sanov. They have a three-year-old boy named Ben. Thank goodness at least she named her children normal names like Megan and Ben. Now, if only she could get other celebrities to do the same!

Another celebrity baby was welcomed into the world this past week on January 6. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck also welcomed a little girl into their family. They have now revealed the name of their daughter to be Seraphina. They also have a three-year-old girl at home named Violet. I actually like the name Seraphina, as it's not too crazy like some celebrity baby names, but it is something that you don't hear every day. I have feeling we are going to be seeing this name a lot more now that Jen and Ben have used it.

One couple that won't be having any babies isAmerican Idol's David Cook and Kimberly Caldwell. According to a source, the couple broke off their relationship right before Christmas. A friend of the couple revealed the reason for the breakup, saying, "He (David) has a lot of options and wants to explore them. He doesn't want to be tied down." If that really is the reason for the split then David must think an awful lot of himself. He's not a bad looking guy, but he has "a lot of options?" What exactly does that mean?

Source:
www.usmagazine.com