Doesn't Hurt to be Beautiful: 2011

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Wardrobe Staples Worth the Investment

There are a few wardrobe items that spending more money means you'll end up with a substantially more comfortable, flattering, or long-lasting garment. I'm not suggesting that you drop outlandish amounts of cash; many of the the items on my list can still be found for substantial discounts at places like Overstock or TJMAXX. But when you're shopping for the following five things, it will serve you well to consider quality and fit above cost.

1. Shoes

There are many reasons why expensive shoes are worth the indulgence, but my big two are comfort and longevity. In my experience, it's much more likely that cheap shoes will cut into my feet, cause blisters, irritate my bunions, and generally provide poor support. Furthermore, well-made shoes can last several seasons as long as you show them some TLC. Have a cobbler fix any rubbed-down heels or soles before the shoes become unwearable.

2. Handbags

Like shoes, a well-made bag can continue looking good for several seasons, and it's much less likely to suffer from ripped straps, broken hardware, and fussy zippers. Don't go all out for a bag that's made to get dirty — a cheap canvas tote does just fine for the beach — but a stylish clutch in a color that matches a lot of your going-out wear or nice everyday leather bag should serve you well for quite some time.

3. Coats

A good-quality coat can last for several seasons, as long as you don't purchase anything too trendy.

4. A Dress You Love

Whether it's the "little black dress" or a bright-red stunner, this should be something that looks great on you and you can always count on when you need to look awesome...something that's versatile and can be accessories different ways to look different.

5. Good Jeans

I don't care if you think your butt is weird, you don't like your thighs, or you feel like your inseam is outlandish. There are so many companies making different cuts of jeans now, you should be able to find a pair that fits and flatters you. Like other items on this list, properly cared for jeans can last for years. That said, don't think this is an excuse to pay $300 for jeans. There's a difference between paying for quality and paying for a brand name. Hello Nordstrom Rack!

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Animal print never goes out of fashion.

If there’s anything new, it’s purely a matter of interpretation. The question isn’t about “should you” or “should you not” own an animal print. Every fashionista must own at least a piece of this print be it a dress, a top, a pair of shoes, a scarf or a bag. The question therefore is – how do you make it right?

Don’t be too matchy

Choose only one large part of your outfit that’s wild. For instance, if your top is a leopard/tiger/zebra print, let the tights/skirt/pants be non-animal. If it’s your dress that has the print, then let your shoes be plain black or nude. You don't want to look like you are going on a safari.

..unless it's with accessories

If you feel the urge to go matchy, you can do so on your accessories provided, they don’t clash. For example, if you wear leopard printed boots, you can take a tiny purse in leopard print. If your tiger bag is with considerable size, you can take a pair of tiger print stilettos.

Tone it down

If your outfit is too wild, tone it down. If you wear an animal print mini dress, you can tone it down by wearing a single-colored-cardigan over your dress in color that blends well with your wild print. If you wear a leopard print tights, for example, you can tone it down by wearing a knee length boots in color palette that blends but suppresses the strongest shade of your animal print.

You can never go wrong if you take only a single item of animal print, either for your top, bag, shoes or scarf, while the rest of your outfit is entirely a shade of black or white.

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Shoes to Flatter your Figure

Choosing the right shoes is more important than just matching your outfit. Certain shoes have the ability to elongate your legs and flatter your figure for a thinner appearance.

Heels will Make Your Legs Appear Thinner

The heels don't have to be terribly high, but there's no doubt that if you want to appear slimmer, a bit of a heel will help dramatically.

Pointy Toe Shoes will Help Make Legs Appear Longer

If your legs look longer, they will also appear thinner - and shoes with pointy toes will help make your legs seem longer. So, even if you think your legs are long enough, if it's a thinner appearance you're after, try a shoes with pointed toes.

Match Your Shoes to Your Hose, Tights, or Pants

Matching your shoes to your hose, tights, or pants will help your legs look thinner. Avoid wearing light-colored hose with dark shoes and a dark skirt. Nude colored shoes are a great summer investment for pairing with skirts and dresses.

Opened-Toed Shoes

Shoes with an open toe or high heeled sandals will give your thighs and calves a slimmer appearance than a closed-toe shoe will.

Avoid Shoes with Ankle Straps

Shoes with ankle straps will give the appearance of shorter legs and, as discussed above, longer seems thinner whether it is or not - so skip the ankle straps if you want your legs to look slimmer.

Wear Slingback or Backless Shoes

If you wear backless or slingback shoes instead of pumps, your legs will look thinner and longer.

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Sunday, May 29, 2011

How to Wear Acid Brights

If you are wearing bright-colored accessories, such as shoes or a bag, wear them with basic neutrals such as a white or black top and jeans or a simple white dress so the accessory pops and becomes the focal point of the ensemble.

For wearing brightly colored separates without looking or feeling like a clown, pair bold separates with nude shoes and subtle or no accessories.

When wearing an acid-bright piece with jeans or trousers, opt for dark indigo denims, so the look is clean, or crisp white pants, which is fresh, modern and summer-y.

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

Appropriate Wedding Guest Attire

Look closely at the invitation, it usually specifies the formality of the event. Nothing is worse than showing up to an event inappropriately dressed. Here is what I have found is the typical school of thought when it comes to appropriate wedding guest attire for women:

Informal Daytime: Short dress or suit (business attire OK for morning weddings)

Informal Evening: Cocktail dress

Semi-Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit

Semi-formal Evening: Cocktail dress

Formal Daytime: Short dress or suit

Formal Evening or Black-Tie: Long or dressy short cocktail (beading, glam accessories, wrap)

Ultra-formal or White Tie: Long gown, extra glitz (furs, diamonds, etc.)

Do's and Don'ts:

Don't wear white because it competes with the bride. There are plenty of other colors available.
Don't wear black or sequins during the daytime.
Don't worry about wearing the same colors as the bridesmaids or mothers. You can't possibly coordinate with everyone in the wedding party.
Do wear something feminine and appropriate, out of respect for your hosts. Clubwear, overtly sexy clothing (see-through, etc) doesn't belong at a wedding. If you have to ask if it's appropriate, it probably isn't.
Do use good judgment if the invitation doesn't specify the formality of the event. A soft floral dress for daytime or a little black dress for evening (after 6 p.m.) will take you almost anywhere.

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Saturday, May 7, 2011

Finding the Right Jeans for your Body Type

Since the posting Favorite Jeans, I have been getting many questions about what jeans are good for each body type. Step one: identify your body type.

Here is a very helpful guide for identifying your body type:

Regular: This body type is not common. Shoulders and hips are of equal width, with little waist definition. Bust size is average, rib cage large, waist not marked, flat butt, and thin legs. Tend to gain weight in the abdomen, thighs and love handles, and tend to have a little pot belly. Click here to find out what jeans work for a rectangular body shape.

Pear Shape: Rounded hips with defined waist. Full rounded hips and bottom. Narrow shoulders and small bust. Tend to gain weight in bottom and thighs and are prone to saddle bags while their stomachs remain relatively flat and their waists small. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to camouflage a large rear end. Click here to find out what jeans work for a pear body shape.

Hour Glass: Balance of curves and angles, straight shoulders, defined waist, curvy bottom. Bust and hips in proper proportions. Shapely legs and usually fine boned. Weight gain is usually in the love handles, stomach and thighs. Even for this "ideal" body type, it's not easy to find the best fitting jeans, as you will see in the link that follows. Click here to find out what jeans work for an hourglass body shape.

Inverted Triangle: Broad shoulders, medium to full bust, average waist, narrow hips and shapely long legs. Weight gain usually is apparent in the stomach, midsection, breasts and arms. Rear usually remains flat and thighs slender. The best fitting jeans in this case may require handling optical illusions! Click here to find out what jeans work for an inverted body shape.

Full Rounded: Round body with fuller shorter waist, wider rib cage, rounded neck and back. Lower hips and slender legs. A great deal can be done to find the best fitting jeans for an oversized rear end. Click here to find out what jeans work for a full rounded body shape.

Diamond: Narrow shoulders, small bust, broad hips generous thighs and slender calves. Click here to find out what jeans work for a diamond body shape.

Source of this information: www.jeans-and-accessories.com

Sunday, May 1, 2011

6 Tricks to Appear Thinner

Many women would like to look a few pounds lighter and with some clever dressing you can do just that. Some of the best ways to dress thinner include; wearing flattering fabrics, choosing the perfect fit in both clothing and lingerie, keeping the silhouette simple, dressing in monochrome and highlighting your smaller areas.

1) Wear shoes that elongate your legs

Everyone always looks slimmer in a heel. However, there are some that are even better than others. Try a simple nude or skin colored shoe. This gives the optical illusion that your leg is actually longer, because your skin blends in with the shoes. Try to avoid ankle strap shoes (unless it's nude) if you have short or thick legs. The ankle strap gives the illusion that your leg ends at the strap, thus making it appear shorter.

2) Wear fabrics that flatter

You can appear slimmer simply by choosing to wear flattering fabrics. The fabrics I am talking about are the ones that don't cling to your body, but drape nicely over it. Silks, softly structured fabrics like stretch denim, and wool blends can hide many small flaws. Lightweight knits can work well, but avoid heavy knits because they have a tendency to add bulk. Avoid flimsy fabrics, shiny fabrics and all Lycra fabrics. Lycra fabrics only tend to look good on very toned bodies, because they cling to every curve of the body.

3) Moisturize

It's amazing what moisturizing your skin can do. Not only does it prevent your skin from aging, it makes it smoother and tighter looking. There are many skin firming products on the market that actually work. I stick with Bliss' FatGirlSlim or basic cocoa butter lotion.

4) Get the fit right

This is an obvious one, but still needs to be addressed. Different brands run differently, and sometimes even different styles within the same brands do as well. Many women buy based on psychological size rather then buying what fits them. To look slim you need your clothes to fit nicely, you don't want them to cling and you don't want them to hang off you like a sack. You should be aiming for a nicely tailored look. If have real difficulty getting a good fit, buy the size up and have your clothes altered to fit perfectly.

5) Draw the eye to your smallest points

By highlighting your smallest points and playing down you fuller regions you can make yourself appear slimmer all over. This will vary from person to person, but most people are slimmest through the top of the ribcage, wrists and just below the knee. Having hems or details in these points can be effective.

6) Dress in monochrome

Those in the fashion world know that dressing in monochrome has a powerful impact on how slim you appear. Wearing black from head to toe has the most potent effect, but any color worn head to toe will make you look leaner then a mix of different colors on top and bottom. So if you want to wear light, or bright colors, consider wearing them consistently in the one line.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

How to Look Great Without Makeup

There are times when makeup just isn't an option... you are either in a rush, traveling, or unequipped with your favorite products. This doesn't mean you can't still look great, and here is how:

Skin Care / Perfect Skin.

A good skin care routine is an absolute must to be able to get perfect looking skin without makeup. Exfoliating, cleansing, toning and moisturizing are a few essentials whether you decide to wear makeup or not and so is wearing sunscreen. Aside from these recommendations, you should also include additional rituals that are meant to help you look your best depending on your age. Steam facials might be particularly useful in your teen years, while a retinol cream is beneficial if you are trying to fight skin aging. Homemade facials, when chosen properly, can also help you get a more radiant skin naturally.

Emphasize your facial features.

When it comes to emphasizing the eyes, curling your lashes is a simple and quick solution. This simple gesture will open up your eyes while also emphasizing your eyelashes, even if you don't wear mascara.

Shape your eyebrows.

The shape of your eyebrows will also influence your overall look, so make sure they are properly groomed. It's a good idea to have your eyebrows plucked or waxed professionally initially to ease your efforts and ensure the best results.

Minimize under-eye circles.

Not using concealer can be a real challenge for those who want to correct dark under eye circles. However, there are plenty of options you can use to diminish this problem naturally. Although cucumber slices and tea bags are two popular homemade remedies that are used to solve this problem, some say that a low temperature is the secret to get rid of dark under eye circles and puffiness. Therefore, cold water or even an ice cube can be an effective solution to solve this problem relatively quickly.

Choose flattering hairstyles.

A good hairstyle can be just as important as a flattering makeup style. A hairstyle that flatters your face shape can hide a lot of flaws by changing the main points of interest or by creating all sorts of optical illusions. Do your best to find the hairstyles that most compliment your features and you will be one step closer to the desired look.

Wear colors that flatter your complexion.

A sensible clothing style is also essential in order to look great in spite of wearing no makeup. Paying attention to the color choices you make is extremely important. The right pop of color along with a few accessories can do wonders for your overall appearance, not just your face.

When all else fails... resort to sun glasses!

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Friday, April 15, 2011

Drinks for Dieters

4 oz. Chardonnay – 90 Calories

4 oz Dry Champagne – 105 Calories

6 oz. Rum and Diet Coke – 65 Calories (1 oz. Rum, 5 oz. Diet Coke)

6 oz. Vodka and Soda – 65 Calories (1 oz. Vodka, 5 oz. Soda Water)

10 oz. Bloody Mary – 180 Calories (2 oz. Vodka, 8 oz. tomato juice, Dash of Tabasco and pepper)

7.5 oz. Gin & Diet Tonic – 115 Calories
(1.5 oz. Gin, 6 oz. Diet Tonic)

12 oz. Guinness Draught – 126 Calories

12 oz. Bud Light – 110 Calories

4 oz. Cabernet Sauvignon – 90 Calories

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Friday, April 8, 2011

Are you getting enough sleep?

We all need our beauty sleep. So how much sleep do we really need?

According to sleep experts you’re getting the right amount when you are able to get up easily, stay alert throughout the day and then go to sleep easily at night. The right amount of sleep can vary from person to person, says psychologist Dr. Joseph De Koninck, president of the Canadian Sleep Society. “It’s a bit like your height or the size of your nose, it’s something that is most likely genetically determined.” Everyone is different – some people feel rested after 4 hours while others may need 10 to feel good.

De Koninck also says that if you need an alarm clock to wake you, you probably aren’t getting your ideal amount of sleep. “You’re interrupting your natural sleep needs. So if you require an alarm clock you should go to bed earlier.” Once you adjust the time you go to bed to suit your sleep requirements you may not need an alarm clock to wake you on weekdays.

Here's a trick to find out how much sleep you require to be fully rested:

On a non-work night, go to bed at your regular time and set your alarm as you would for a normal work day. Wake up, turn your alarm off, and go back to sleep. See how many hours you keep sleeping. That is the amount your should add to your regular sleep routine.

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Friday, April 1, 2011

Eye Makeup for Your Eye Shape

Determining eye shape is just as important as choosing the right colors for your coloring. Depending on the shape of your eyes you should choose different colors and ways of applying eye makeup. Learn how to determine eye shape and apply eye makeup for each eye shape.

Eye Makeup for close-set eyes

If the space between the inner corners of your eyes is shorter than the width of one eye, you have close-set eyes. So your aim is to make your eyes look further apart. To create the illusion of width, you should emphasize the outer corners.

Apply light eyeshadow from the inner corner of your eye to the middle of your eyelid (from lashes to browbone) to widen the space between the eyes. Keep small highlight color in the inner corner of the eye.
Extend the darker eyeshadow to the outer corner of your eye from lashline to browbone.
Use the most intense color of eyeshadow in the outer corner.
Use eyeliner to draw a very thin line along the upper eyelashes. To bring the attention to the outer edge of the eye thus making your eyes appear further apart, apply eyeliner so that it becomes thicker near the outer corner of your eyes (both top and bottom). You should draw the line as close to the lashes as possible.
Use mascara in the outer corners of the eyes.
Widen the space between the brows by plucking. Extend the brows with a brow pencil line at the ends.

Eye Makeup for wide-set eyes

If the space between the inside corners of eyes is wider than the width of one eye, you have wide-set eyes. So your aim is to reduce the space between the eyes to make your eyes look close together. To bring eyes closer together, you should emphasize the inner corners by using darker colors in the inner corners.

Reduce the space between the eyes by applying dark eyeshadow in the inner corner.
Apply the lighter eyeshadow to the outer two-thirds of the lid from lashline to browbone.
Use eyeliner to draw a very thin line from inner to outer corners on both upper and lower lids.
Pencil eyebrows a little closer to the nose. Don't extend eyebrows out at the ends

Makeup for prominent eyes

Prominent eyes which set far forward in the face tend to dominate the facial features.

With special makeup prominent eyes can be made less obvious:

Apply dark eyeshadow over the entire lid and extend eyeshadow into entire eye crease
Use a highlighter under the brow to lighten and lift.
Use the eyeliner to minimize the lid
Apply plenty of mascara to emphasize top lashes.

Makeup for almond eyes

These are the most common eye shape. Almond eyes are characterized by upswept outer corner. Almond eyes considered the classic eye shape and therefore if you have almond eyes you can easily experiment with various eye makeup looks.

Apply light eyeshadow on the lid from lash to brow. Use neutral eyeshadow.
Apply dark eyeshadow of the same color on outer corner of the eyelid.
Blend light eyeshade under the brow for highlighting.
Use eyeliner on the upper lid to make almond eyes appear large. If you want your almond eyes look more round, stop eyeliner before the outer corner of the eye.
Apply mascara on upper lashes with emphasis on outer corners.

Makeup for small eyes

They are proportionately smaller in comparison to the rest of the facial features.

Apply light shadow on the eyelids.
Apply medium-toned shadow in the creases.
To give the eye more prominence, apply highlighting shade under the brow
Line upper and lower lids with soft-colored eyeliner to enhance small eyes.
Apply black mascara on upper lashes.

Makeup for hooded eyes

If you can't see your eyelid, you have hooded eyes. To enhance hooded eyes:

Apply lighter shadow in the inner corner of the eye and on the brow bone .
Apply medium or dark shadow on the crease and hooded area.
Line upper lid to open the eye.
Apply black mascara to upper lashes.

Makeup for round eyes

To elongate round eyes and make them appear more almond-shaped:

Apply medium eyeshadow on the eyelid up to the crease.
Extend the shade to the outer eye corner and continue down along the lower lid.
Use darker liner to line top and bottom lid. Extend eyeliner out and up beyond the eyelid at the outer corner.
Apply mascara for top lashes only, more on outer half.

Makeup for deep-set eyes

You have deep-set eyes if you can see some of your eye lid in the outer corners of your eyes, but this section of eye lid narrows as it gets closer to the inside corners of your eyes. If you have deep set eyes:

Apply light or medium eyeshadow from the inner corner of your eye to the outer to bring deep set eyes forward
Apply dark color on the eye crease
Use eyeliner on upper lids
Use mascara on top lashes only.
Raise the brows slightly by penciling in a little above the born

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

How often should you weigh yourself?

Many popular weight loss plans, such as Weight Watchers, do not recommend weighing yourself daily. Instead, they recommend stepping on the scales once per week or even less frequently.

Our weight fluctuates somewhat from day-to-day, and daily weighing can lead to discouragement and potential diet sabotage if you see a higher number on the scale than you saw the day before. Most diet experts believe that a once-weekly or even monthly weigh-in is a more accurate reflection of weight control progress.

But a group of doctors who studied obese and overweight adults who were trying to lose weight as well as overweight adults who were trying to prevent weight gain found that those who weighed themselves more often lost more weight and prevented more weight gain over two years than those who weighed themselves less frequently. Contrary to the advice given in many popular weight loss regimens, this study suggests that at least some people can benefit from the accountability brought on by daily weigh-ins. Potential advantages of daily weighing include recognition of slow patterns of weight gain that may not be immediately apparent and the chance to modify lifestyle habits before the total weight gain becomes extreme and difficult to control.

The personality of the individual dieter likely plays a role in deciding how often to weigh oneself. If you're easily discouraged, daily weighing might cause you to give up your attempts if you don't see rapid progress. On the other hand, if you crave control and feedback, daily weighing might satisfy more of your needs and fuel your motivation.

Whatever weigh-in frequency you choose, keep these tips in mind when stepping on the scale:

1. Weighing yourself first thing in the morning is usually best. Because of variations in food and fluid consumption, we often "gain" different amounts of weight throughout the day.

2. If you're weighing frequently, remember that daily fluctuations in weight are common. Just because you're heavier today than yesterday doesn't mean your weight control program isn't working. Don't become a slave to the numbers.
3. Monthly variations in weight are also common in menstruating women.

4. "Plateaus" in weight loss aren't necessarily bad. If you're exercising a lot, your weight may remain constant for a time even though you're still decreasing your body fat content and getting healthier.

5. Finally, cues other than the numbers on the scale are equally important. How do you feel? Are your clothes getting looser or tighter? Do you feel stronger, healthier, leaner? Your own perceptions can be the most valuable tools to help you track your weight control progress.

Source: MediceNet.com

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Friday, March 25, 2011

How to be Photogenic

Secret No. 1: Turn partially sideways to the camera, planting one foot in front of the other. Point your toe to the camera and place your weight on your back foot.

Secret No. 2: Pull head forward slightly to minimize any appearance of a double chin.

Secret No. 3: Hold arms slightly away from your body. This keeps upper arm flab from flattening out and therefore appearing flabbier (much like thighs do when one sits on a couch).

Secret No. 4: Pull shoulders back, chest forward and gently suck stomach in. Be careful not to suck stomach so far in that your ribs show, thereby causing those who later see the photo to cluck to themselves in a bemused, sing-song voice, "She's sucking i-in."

Secret No. 5: If you can get away with it without looking like a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Girl wannabe, try the look away trick. To do this, look away from the camera, then turn towards it, breaking into a smile just before the camera clicks. Your smile will appear fresh, not frozen. This trick takes practice behind closed, locked doors.

Secret No. 6: When taking a photo it's also important the photographer does not snap the picture from below. This adds another 20-50 pounds to the 10 pounds automatically and annoying added by the camera. Ever have one of those photos where you are thinking, "Do I really look like that??" - chances are the photo was taken at a lower angle.

More tips on looking 10 pounds thinner in photos:

Use objects you are holding to your advantage by placing them in front of parts of you you'd prefer to hide. A purse or corsage in front of your belly. A jacket slung over the shoulder.

Check out Spanx hosiery. The very modern version of the corset, Spanx are famous for making women all over the world appear 10 pounds thinner. (Don't invest in the panty hose, like most hose, they tend to tear and these are pricey).

Fake tans will make you look and feel skinnier.

It's not just black that makes you look thinner. Wearing an entire outfit of just one color will do the trick as well, whether it be white, beige, brown, blue or red. One color tends to elongate your figure.

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

How many calories in Sushi??

We are all dying to know....

Based on eating a FULL ROLL

, here is the calorie & fat info:

Avocado Roll

Calories: 140
Fat: 5.7 g

California Roll

Calories: 255
Fat: 7.0g

Kappa Maki (cucumber roll)

Calories: 136
Fat: 0.0 g

Spicy Tuna Roll

Calories: 290
Fat: 11.0 g

Shrimp Tempura Roll

Calories: 508
Fat: 21.0 g

Salmon & Avocado Roll

Calories: 304
Fat: 8.7 g

Tuna (Maguro) Roll

Calories: 184
Fat: 2.0 g

Eel (Unagi) and Avocado Roll

Calories: 372
Fat: 17.0 g

Endame (1/2 cup)

Calories: 100
Fat: 3g

Miso Soup (no tofu)

Calories: 40
Fat: 1.3g

Seaweed Salad (2oz)

Calories: 70
Fat: 4.0 g

Wasabi

Calories: almost none, and no fat

Rice (1 cup)

Calories: 240
Fat: 0.4

Source: http://www.sushifaq.com/sushi-calories.htm

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Sunday, March 6, 2011

9 Ways to Wear a Scarf

If your outfit is lacking in style, just throw in a scarf. Scarves add flavor and flair to almost any lacking look. Many people shy away from wearing scarves simply because they do not know how to wear them.

Here's how:

1) The Bandana-like Scarf

Fold the scarf in half, corner to corner.
Lay the triangle on your chest with the point facing the floor.
Wrap the other ends around your neck and tie.

2) The Headband Scarf

Put your hair in a temporary ponytail, leaving a few pieces down on the sides of your head to go under the tie.
Take a square scarf, hold two opposite corners and roll the ends to form a long skinny hair tie.
Place the middle of this tie at the crown of your head (where you would normally place a plastic headband) and tie a tight knot at the back of your neck.
Then let your hair out of the ponytail and you are ready to go.

3) The Looped Scarf:

To create this looped effect, a long rectangular scarf must be used.
Lay the scarf across the back of your neck and let it hang, but leave one side slightly longer than the other.
Take the side that is longer and wrap it around your neck, moving it around your head in a counterclockwise motion.

4) The Shoulder Shrug

To achieve this look you will need a scarf that is quite wide as well as long, so that it can expand to cover the shoulders.
Loosely drape one end across your shoulder and wrap the material clockwise around your shoulders.
Remember to keep the shrug loose while you wrap, almost creating a wide boat-neck overthrow.

5) The Neckerchief

For a less casual look, try a scarf tied around your neck as a neckerchief.
Fold the square scarf diagonally, just as with the bandana.
Tightly roll the material to form a long, skinny tie.
Tie the scarf around your neck with one simple knot.

6) The Draped Scarf

Use a long rectangular scarf.
Lay the scarf across the neck with the center at the middle of the back of the neck.
This look is perfect for casual outfits, updating simple styles.

7) The Shawl

For the shawl, you will need a large scarf, almost comparable to a small blanket.
Place the middle of the scarf high on your neck and let it drape around to each shoulder.
It should be touching your frame all the way from your neck to just below the elbow on both sides.
The excess material should then cascade over your arms to the mid thigh.

8) The Scarf Belt

For this look, it is best to dress in basic solid colors and choose a bright bold scarf to act as your belt.
Fold an oblong scarf horizontally to the width of your choice, then tie the scarf in a knot or bow at the waist-line.
You can place the tie at the center of the waist, but rather slightly to the right or left side and let the ends hang.
Try loosening the belt and tying it in a knot just above the hips to elongate the waist.
Wearing it with a basic dress really makes a difference.

9) The Purse Tie

Tie your scarf to the base of the handle on your purse to add a little something.
This look is best, with over-the-shoulder purses.
You can carry the same purse all week without looking bland or boring or taking all the time and trouble to jostle all your lipstick, sunglasses, money and mascara from one purse to another. Just change up the scarf tied to your handbag, and you can have a new look each day without all the hassle.

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