Style Inna Fashion Lifestyle Tips & Trends

10% Discount on Fashion Boutique Handmade Jewellery

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Nov 2016 13:09:00 +0000

HEALTHY FRUIT & VEGETABLES

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 18:27:00 +0000

The health specialist advises everyone to eat more vegetables and fruit as part of our staple diet. But to do that we all must understand the yearly season they are available and understand the dilemma that the farmer goes through to deliver your fruit and vegetables to your store. Knowing the seasonal plan of availability of fruit and vegetables also helps with your shopping menu plan as the health authorities insist that we must consume 5 a day fruit and veg.

Tips

Consider making tomato sauce using left over tomatoes
Berries

For berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, bag them in a freezer bag, recipe use them in smoothies, jams, or serve them in ice cream, or fresh yoghurt

Herbs

One way to preserve to use is to blend them all together and place in a container into the freezer. Apply mixture as a marinade sauces, and dressings with your next cooked dish.

Apples

That go off, you could shred them and add to salads them into salads and part of coleslaws.

Bananas

A couple of cooking applications can be smoothies or banana bread

Cucumbers, Peppers, Radishes, and Carrots

Better the freshness of the better the results, when pickling

WHAT IS PICKLING?

In pickling, the process is about adding acid (vinegar or lemon juice) to a low-acid food to lower its pH to 4.6 or lower. (Measure with pH Strips)

Acid foods include all fruits, tomatoes, fermented and pickled vegetables, relishes, jams, jellies, and marmalades.

Quick Pickling of Vegetables

Slice them thin
Pour the vinegar and water into a measuring cup, add the salt and sugar.
Microwave for two minutes.
Place vegetables & garlic in a bowl then pour the hot vinegar mixture.
Leave to cool and then serve or chill in the fridge

The seasons

Spring - March, April and May

Summer - June, July and August

Autumn - September, October and November

Winter - December, January and February

How Crop Rotation Works

Crop rotation is used by farmers to control pests and diseases that can become established in the soil over time. The changing of crops in a sequence decreases the population level of pests by:-

· Breaking pest life cycles

· Disturbing pest habitat.

· Prevent the spread of plant disease

· Reduce insect infestations

· Nutrient Enhancement by certain plants that produce free organic soil conditioning

By rotating the crop you will also lessen the chance of the land becoming tired and drained of nutrients because of continual use of the same crops in the same place, hence the popular use of crop rotation.

Fruits and vegetables preservation and storing methods

Store fruits and vegetables separately
Root vegetables and onions stored together spoil more quickly
Trimming vegetables, remove rotten ends, leaving an inch to keep the vegetable from drying out.
Ventilate the bags of the veggies stored also, pack veggies and fruits loosely, whether in the refrigerator, as the closer they are to each other, the more quickly they will rot.
Almost all fruits and vegetables can be stored in the freezer, in small pieces on sheet trays, or in airtight containers, this includes herbs.
Garlic, onions: store at room temperature in a well-ventilated area
Cucumbers: store above 50°F, If refrigeration is necessary, limit to 1-3 days before eating.
Spinach: store as quickly as possible, Spinach likes the cold. 4 days
Potatoes: store in a cool (45°F to 50°F) and dark place, using perhaps a brown paper bag, so as to prevent the spuds from sprouting.
Bell peppers: refrigerate, as they will only deteriorate if left out of the refrigerator.

Carrots: snip the carrot greens to keep them from sapping nutrients from the carrot roots. Note, there is the option of storing the greens separately. Place carrots in a closed container with plenty of moisture, either wrapped in a damp towel, or dunk them in cold water every couple of days. 2 weeks
Tomatoes: store unwashed at room temperature in a well-ventilated area. A few days
Plums, peaches, and pears: store at room temperature. Ripening can be accelerated in a brown bag.
Apples: can be stored in the refrigerator or a cool, dark location.

BOUTIQUE | What is a Fashion Boutique ?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:52:00 +0000

Fashion Boutique for Women

To answer the question what is a fashion boutique?

Womens Fashion Boutique SovaCollection has emulated the style and fashion from the meaning coined from the French word “Boutique” (shop), which represents the small business shop that curates the products of fashion stylish designer clothing and handmade jewellery created and showcased to offer a touch of unusual pieces of quality made Jewellery and exudes the passion of something different in the fashion market place..

Our passion is part of the past designers fashion mind set, to innovate and emancipate the freedom of abstract art in fashion designing. Just as the shops of the 1960’s did in London, Carnaby Street and Kings Road, which were the centre piece of media attention that witnessed the transition of a new fashion generation era of fashionable stores of our time.

The Boutique is the fashion Mecca for new ideas, just as the fashion stylist movement for progressive ideas was started by Mary Quant who defined targeting marketing products such as the famous mini skirt, hot pants and thigh length boots, which she dominated in the Independent sector of fashion.

With Boutiques you culture the freedom of graduate young fashion designers to create avant-garde pieces to challenge mainstream fashion. Boutiques that are the platform for innovation and creativity,

Otherwise assimilated retail high street mainstream fashion tends to stifle young talented fashion designers from being imaginative and creative in thought and ideas for the next big thing.

The sixties symbolised liberalism and freedom of expression. We need to carry this tradition on and to help keep nurture individual innovation that Mary Quant and many other boutique styles in fashion created.

Boutique shops are positioned in the Independent sector market place, they specializes in small quantity one of garments, hand-made items; accessory crafted unique products, art crafted produced unusual T-shirts, stickers, and other Fashion Accessories.

Retail High Street Clothing stores are marketed differently to Fashion Boutiques, Retail stores are larger and their volume of stock are mass produced, compared to a Fashion Boutique that intentionally set-up their Boutique shops differently from mainstream high street shops, to create a unique niche in the market.

There shops are distinct in size and the clothes line and accessories they sell are special edition (one-off) designed and the volume of stock invariably limited due to the designer creativity being either from a collection or a one off line fashion line.

Either way for the shopper, this is the store to find clothing that is not on the high street, or part of the mainstream trend. It’s an Aladdin’s cave full of unusual styles for the discerning wearer to evolve a new style trend and to stand out from the crowd.

A Boutique displays prized garments that have been fashioned by the designer with the intention to convert those shoppers seeking the next big thing, with the benefit to the customer having the full attention from either the designer who created those beautiful pieces of art.

Although Fashion Boutiques are on the decline on the high street, just as the 60’s wave of Boutiques graced the streets of London, the few Boutiques that are out there still survives on the Independent Market, not competing against the big high street retailers, but by providing a clear market niche of what the customers want and provides a close relationship with customers.

Survival in the current market is positively assured, testament to this are seen in this news article I came across Independent Retailers (By Sean Hargrave).

PAYPAL PHISHING SCAM BEWARE

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Nov 2016 20:24:00 +0000

There has been an increase of late on the internet of criminal phishing activity of spoof emails targeting PayPal customers.

The email contains a link to a fake PayPal log-in website which obtains the customer details using a data capture program, including your username / password and security answer to questions, to enable access to your account. They are feeding of customer’s uncertainty when being approached by such emails. An example of such a phishing email is below:-

Although there is an official PayPal logo, tell-tale signs can be seen by the way the email starts with “Important we’re concerned that someone” and then the email leads you to take action by clicking on Log in to confirm your account, all to get you to open there the link that is a Trojan horse key logger program which will then install on your computer in order to gain access to your personal information from your PayPal account.

PayPal will never ask customers to disclose information by an email; all communication will always take place on the official website platform for PayPal and ONLY via a secure SSL (green padlock) connection and only when you are safely logged in, that any communication will take place. Other than that best advice is do not interact with a suspicious email and take the following action below-:

· At all cost DO NOT OPEN THAT LINK YOU SHOULD report it immediately by forwarding the whole email to the address below:-

Report suspicious emails to PayPal’s department spoof@paypal.com
More information about PayPal Community help Forum - http://bit.ly/2eorWMh

How to wash| Occasion Dresses |Embellished Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 17:58:00 +0000

Wash care

Always check the garment's care label instructions before starting. Remember that delicate items are usually less soiled than heavier-duty garments and require a minimum of handling during the washing process.

Hand washing may feel foreign to many of us as we are so used to having the use of a washing machine, although it still maybe the case with some people who do not have a washing machine, otherwise the instructions are still the same.

When it comes to our valued garments, wash care of garments can be can be somewhat confusing but the first place to find out is your local dry cleaner who can advise on your care label washing recommendation.

Dry Cleaning

A rule of the thumb that I use is that your treasured garments should generally be dry cleaned.

When you take an item to the dry cleaner, you need to be specific about your concerns and ask how the cleaner plans to approach cleaning your garment. As an extra precaution get them to test your garment before commencing.

To further calm your doubts, ask your dry cleaner if he has insurance, to cover reimbursement for damage or offers a guarantee. If not, you may later feel uncomfortable asking a small-business owner to re-reimburse £2,000 to replace your ruined expensive garment.

5 Steps | To Hand Washing your Evening Dress

Prepare Your Clothes for Washing

Prior to washing your garment, you will need the following items to wash and dry your garment.

Step 1

The bath is large enough to fit your evening dress or garment. Run a bath of cold/lukewarm water. Add a small amount of non-biological liquid detergent. Stir the water to dissolve the detergent until bubbles can be seen.

Step 2

Submerge the evening dress into water and gently stir it around to loosen any dirt. Hand-wash your garment lightly and do not let it stay in the water for a long period of more than a couple of minutes. Do not twist or wring the embellished garment.

Step 3

Drain the soapy water and refill with clean cold water. Gently stir the evening dress around to remove the soap. Repeat until the dress is free from soap residue. Embellishment can get tangled up with delicate fabric during washing, therefore try not to stir the dress around too much

Step 4

The best method to dry your dress is to air dry it. Zip up the dress and close all the hooks and buttons. Do not place it in direct sunlight because your clothing might fade and the sunlight will decrease the adhesive that your embellishment is attached to. Carefully turn the evening dress inside out and place in shady and breezy area flat on a clothes dryer.

Step 5

Keep your embellished garment in a place in your closet (wardrobe) where it won't rub against other articles of clothing.

It’s best to use a plastic cover over your garment to keep it safe from dust and to protect the embellished stones.

Keep the item separate from the rest of your clothes in order to keep it looking nice.

Spot cleaning Tip

Soft damp cloth
Tough stain or oil based then use a laundry detergent
Gently dab the area with the stain with your soft clean cloth, apply more detergent by rinsing cloth for tougher stains
Once the stain is removed place the garment on a towel to dry

IRONING an Embellished Dress

About ironing embellished clothing; “NEVER LET THE IRON COME IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH STONES OR THE FABRIC AROUND THEM”.

Before ironing, you will need to use a piece of cotton fabric that you place between the iron and the garment, to stop overheating and burning the garment denoted by a shiny surface.
Move the cotton cloth with the iron.
Keep your iron on medium heat and do not let the fabric or the stones get to hot...It will melt the adhesive and the stone will reposition itself and leave a not fixable glue smear.
Its best to iron the fabric as directed, but do it a section at a time. You will iron the front and before moving the fabric to iron the next area, let it sit for 5 minutes and cool down. This way you can be assured the glue if it did start to melt won't run or smear when the item is moved. If your embellishments are large do not put the iron on them even with the cotton fabric. You will have to go around them with the iron.

I hope you now have a better understanding how to care for your embellished evening dresses. When you give all the attention it needs, you’ll be rewarded with an investment that last a long time. Make your embellished evening dress worth it!

Summary

Never throw rhinestone embellished clothing in the washing machine, they may or may not survive.

Wash them by hand in cold water mild detergent
Rinse well
Don't twist or wring the item.
After washing place the dress on a clothes dryer and air dry (as illustrated).
Dry cleaning is not usually recommended for rhinestone embellished clothing. Check with your local dry cleaner some items may be able to be cleaned.

Style and Fashion Wearing a Mini Skirt

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:24:00 +0000

Mini Skirts and Mini Dresses

1.A-Line skirt
2.pencil skirt
3.mini skirt
4.micro mini skirt
5.maxi skirt

Alot is said that wearing miniskirts and their lengths is related to the age you are as to whether you look good or bad in them, you can’t put age on fashion, the media drum up surveys and decide that a section of supposed people have voted that women over the certain age should not wear miniskirts as it’s immoral. If women are confidant and feel happy to wear it, then the question is answered to the critics out there.

With all clothes, it's about wearing the clothes according to your body shape is what it's all about, make no bones about it, you still can be very young and still not have the shape to carry off wearing a mini or micro mini skirt.

It's knowing the balance of your body shape and dressing accordingly to show off your best attributes. Alot of times women get it right anyway.

But with a little subtlety, you can carry it off, such as wearing midi skirt; by wearing a skirt length just over the knees will accentuate your leg length especially if you are not confident with exposing your knees. If you have the calves shape them with a pencil skirt

A mini-skirt hemline is well above the knees no longer than 10 cm (4 in) below the buttocks

A mini dress is a dress with the same hemline as the mini skirt

A micro-mini skirt or micro skirt hemline is at the upper thigh level or just below crotch level.

Etsy are Allowing Mass Manufacturers to set up shop vs Handcraft Artisans

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 18:07:00 +0000

Since July 2005, Etsy was founded and is a peer-to-peer e-commerce website focused on handmade or vintage items and supplies, as well as unique factory-manufactured items.

These items cover a wide range, including art, photography, clothing, jewellery, food, bath and beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks, and toys. Many sellers also sell craft supplies such as beads, wire and jewellery-making tools.

All vintage items must be at least 20 years old. The site follows in the tradition of open craft fairs, giving sellers personal store fronts to showcase and sell their products.
For the past 2 or 3 years Etsy has been toying around changing the principle word of Handmade, by trying to sell the idea to prospective art craft people that they need to re-define the meaning of this to try and accommodate a bigger market share by bringing in the big money pocket manufacturers.

We all know how the wheel was built; trying to convince re-making the wheel by justifying working methods of the past is to my thinking a little lame.
We are finding more and more that pressure is being applied to companies that need to fulfil the company boards pockets every year as the market share from other competitive companies get more popular.

There has been a great increase year by year of long standing online store holders of Etsy deciding to up-sticks and leave, due to the increasing take over in the most popular Handmade Item store online by manufacturers (Asia Companies), flooding the stores with items that have been mass produced and holding superior stock holdings to slowly take over the store front and to force out the Handmade craft artists.

I would like to advocate for the Handmade Designer Jewellery artists out there because for what they are doing it's amazing and they deserve a higher platform to showcase their work for everyone to see.

Yes Etsy has been a great advocate for the handmade artisans, for the past few years, but I'm afraid they are turning to the bigger conglomerate and discarding the principle that they began their platform and abandoning the handmade fraternity.

It’s very strange, but many people may rebuff my comments, but why is it that the likes of Amazon have recently started to create a separate Market Place on their site dedicated to TRUE Handicraft artists.

HANDCRAFTED JEWELLERY

By SOVAJKJEWELLERY HANDMADE JEWELLERY

Fashionista the Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 21:16:00 +0000

WHAT IS A FASHIONISTA

Photographers Fashion Editors, Art Directors, Make-up Artists/ Hair stylists, Fashion Assistants, and Models

Trying to define what fashionista means is like getting lost in the forest and not seeing the woods for the trees. Versions of the definitions vary from:

"A person devoted to fashion clothing particularly unique or high fashion"
"A person not to be called a fashionista would be someone who obsessively follows trends"

Then there are other variations that sound out to the understanding of the fashion world,

"Real fashionista do not believe in trends, that type of person would be more correctly labelled a fashion whore, one that criticises everything they consider to be out of style or tack in their own eyes of judgement.

What is your definition of a fashionista? I know there will be an urban dictionary definition or Wikipedia, but what is your interpretation you should be asking yourself?

Fashion Terms - Fashion terms of the 60's at its height

Way out - Something so far out there, it's almost unbelievable

Far out - Cool

Groovy - very pleasing, wonderful

Hip / with it - Aware of what's going on Knowledgeable." I'm hip to what's happening." Something cool or groovy, "Those are the hippest love beads I've ever seen!"

Before that what Granny would have called it "the very latest thing my deer"

Modern Day Fashion Terms

Fashion - the currently accepted, prevailing style. (Vogue is defined the same way.)

Fad - a fashion that suddenly bursts into popularity

Style - a characteristic or distinctive form of dress that exists independent of fashion (hippie, Gothic, cowboy)

Classic - a fashion that retains general acceptance over an extended period of time

Design - a specific version of a style

Avant-garde - ahead of its time, comes straight off the runway

So where is this taking us? I have tried countless paths and felt I was travelling on a roundabout, finishing right back where I started. I did find another definition which gave a better clue as to what fashionista means.

A fashionista is a complimentary term used to describe an avid follower of fashion one working in or deeply involved with the high-fashion industry ( haute-couture - the creation of exclusive fashions), such as a fashion designer, fashion model, photographer, buyer, fashion writer, or wearer; a devotee to clothing trends and fashion.

So where is this taking us you might ask? Taking a trip back in time, the sixties was baptised as the period of Popular Arts (Pop Arts), which encapsulated great change in society due to the aftermath of the second world war, deprivation, shortage of material, textiles, housing shortages, the start of another war Vietnam and all the upheavals that transcended the events of this period.

Such a great change, whether induced by war or natural change in society, there is always a visual record of this change, depicted perfectly by abstract art expression artists such as Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol. Both these artists revealed their images of breaking away from conformist classical ideals in a time when great change was upon us.

Change is always the title for wondrous things to happen in a period of great happenings. The sixties brought to us the evolution of change, Pop arts were the conduit, and the result of recording this was through Art, Music and Fashion. Inspirational people sparked great change as seen in the music industry of the sixties, youthful, energetic and cult like.

Changes in fashion also sent out a message of self expression, signalling an innovative representative, who broke the shackles of proper and prim attitudes of the 50's and brought forth the concept of thinking "out of the box" to the shock & horror of the traditionalists.

Unfortunately though alongside these changes, you will always have consumerism fitting such individualistic attitudes and ideas into a pigeon slot and re-market it as a fashion style, a trend, a fad, and so on, until it's watered down to non-existence. The most powerful thing a fashionista does, is to drop an innovative idea like a bomb exploding its concept into the arena of the fashion world and to watch its rippling reaction spread with great cause and effect into the world of fashion.

Seeing people rushing around like, "leaves blowing in the wind" trying to encapsulate the latest fad, surprised by the reaction and the full force of something new being unfolded before their very eyes. The late seventies, eighties and nineties all had the same effect on people from the many ingenious innovators of the world of fashion. New music genres created by vocalist and bands. Paint artists taking the level of expression to new heights, with every passing year.

In its essence being a libertine in an already conforming society, needs one to change, to show what an eye for fashion is, to show the finer intricate designed detail, created in one's own image. To see what no other person can seen, to create an idea out of what is already available. But most of all to keep alive counter-culture fashion and idealism of self expression alive, because in the end it's all about attraction!

To coin a phrase "Fashionista" by Stephen Fried

To end this debate, I discovered the true owner of the birth name of Fashionista; his name Stephen Fried is an award-winning investigative journalist and essayist.

When Fried first used the tern fashionista on page 100 of his 1993 book Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia Carangi, he was referring to a specific group of fashion insiders - a.k.a. the 'non-famous people of Studio 54.

'I got tired of listing photographers, fashion editors, art directors, hairstylists, make-up artists, all their assistants, and models as the small army of people who descended on the scene,' Fried explained.

From that moment on as I mentioned previously, he dropped a proverbial pebble in the sea of the fashion world and created a monster of epic proportion.

Unknown at the time, he put in motion the wheels of the fashion world hierarchy as such the Fashion Councils to move quickly to own the outcome of defining the word Fashionista as it is know today. But the real originator should be credited its entirety form as knowing the real definition of the true fashion world entourage.

Official definition from the Fashion Council

The official definition of 'fashionista' reads ’a person employed in the creation or promotion of high fashion, such as a designer, photographer, model, fashion writer, etc. Also: a devotee of the fashion industry; a wearer of high-fashion clothing.'

Read more about the broader spectrum of what's happening in fashion industry Fashionista Online Magazine

Mood Bracelet Meaning of Colours

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 07:21:00 +0000

Meaning of Colour Bracelet

it's a fact that colour forms part of the way we feel, read the psychology behind the mood colour bracelet and the effect on our feelings.

Mood Bracelet Colour Meaning

Colours often have different meanings in various cultures, but the affect everyone has to specific colours are almost the same. Just by changing colour of clothes, or jewellery such as mood colour bracelets, you psychologically contribute to engaging change to your mood swing.

Different colours have an effect on everyone.

Natural Dopamine feel good hormone is released by the body when:-

Eating spicy, hot, icy, crispy foods
Eating/drinking sugary foods that boost energy instantly: sugars, chocolate, coffee
Thirsty Quench for water
Looking at attractive colours
Exercising different exercises boost your mood

Red the colour red is hot vibrant and full of life. It has a range of meanings from love of passion to fiery anger, it is intense and passionate, the colour genre ranges of red are:-

Orange an energetic colour and is represented by such attributes emotions such as creativity, preservation, regeneration, abundance, affection, warmth and sensuality, the colour genre ranges of orange are:-

Yellow represents the intelligence and as such is the centre of our being. Qualities of this spiritual mood are power, optimism, idealism, hope and charisma, the colour genre ranges of yellow are:-

Green is the Mother Nature colour, an emotionally positive colour, balance and harmony of emotions, makes this colour the quality character for love, re-birth, communication and nature, the colour genre ranges of green are:-

Blue Peace and tranquillity describes the Blue just like the calmness of the deep blue sea, there is a spiritual calmness about this colour and it’s soothing and symbolic of trust and harmony, the colour genre ranges of blue are:-

Purple has historically been associated to royalty, wealth and status.It also represents ceremony, spirituality, sacred wisdom and spiritual enlightenment, the colour bracelet when worn can be adorned in a different shade genre range of purple:-

Silver and the moon have an infinite connection to this colour, infused with a female energy, as denoted by various occult beliefs as feminine, mysterious and magical the meaning of silver is that of intuition, introspection and imagination, spiritual enigma, balancing of the emotions. Like the moon whose energy controls the rhythm of ocean tides, it has a soothing, calming effect. If silver is your colour then imagination and creativity is a trait of this colour, particularly in expressing yourself in writing and making speeches,the mood colour bracelet reveals the colour genre ranges of blue are:-

By SovaJKJewellery

Handmade Beautiful Unique Jewelry

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 10:37:00 +0000

Artisan Made Jewelry

Our artisan made jewelry, exude femininity and sensuality to help enhance the beauty and status of you the wearer.

Our Jewellery worn to embellish, enhance and to distinguish the wearer, beautiful unique jewelry, one off design styles to match with our evening wear garments.

Our jewellery is casual and elegant, stylish and graceful to wear in the office or an evening out with the hope that it will bring beauty to your heart, happiness and meaning to the gemstones.

We try to impose the collective artisan style of cultures such as Egyptian, Asia and Africa by incorporating colours shapes and individual styling to showcase our jewellery to befitting any occasion, whether it’s casual every-day, wedding bridal ideas or for a special event, our well-made quality handcrafted jewellery are artistic and versatile.

Affordable Handmade Jewelry such as gemstone necklace and earrings made from gemstones such as turquoise, carnelian, amazonite, chalcedony, coral, pearls, amethyst and agate.

Also Grey Czech glass Pearl Necklace, Bracelet, Earrings, Jewellery set

Complete your Wedding, or special occasion with this matching, beautiful Jewellery set- Necklace made with 8 mm Czech glass pearls with matching bracelet and pearl earrings.

Swarovski Crystal Earrings

Pearl Czech Glass Necklace Jewellery Set

For more Jewellery information about my products

SOVACOLLECTION

Jana Thomas

Online Shopping Banking Security

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 20:53:00 +0000

Since the broadcasting of the requirements needed for all website owners to ensure that they have applied the new EU cookie policy directive, the law which applies to how you use cookies and similar technologies for storing information on a user’s equipment such as their computer or mobile device changed on 26 May 2011.
I decided to input my experience into this article to help clarify how this and internet security affects us whilst conducting transactions to business online.
I have previously in the past like so many others out there have been a victim subjected to fraudulent act of being “cloned”!

I have since taken it upon myself to be more vigilant and more responsible about my personal details when online shopping!

By adding all the resources that are available at hand, I have reduced significantly the risk of security breach of my personal details when using the internet to conduct my online banking, online shopping or any other banking transactions online.

As a matter of interest, the statistics in the US and the UK have shown that year on year since 2011 of customers using online shopping as increased!
The biggest main feature for this is free delivery, ease and comfort of your own home, availability of products, the comfort of securing an item before you go to the high street store and better discount!
When it comes to the High Street and Online Shopping, both modes of shopping share the same feat when it comes to the use customer personal data!
There share the same collection of information such as address, contact numbers because either it’s used for delivery purposes or is used for statistic such as demographics (areas in the country by certain products)!
The issue for me is not the above, but because of either complacency or ignorance of our responsibility to ensure that we carry out diligent measures to protect our personal information.
It’s our responsibility so we must ask questions of our own conduct and act on them.
Before we can look at what we can do to address security of our data, I have summarised some of the computer terminology and services that in many cases seems like “mumbo jumbo” (confusing or meaningless subject), I hope to make things more transparent and easily digestible, to enable empowerment of your movement when using your data online.

We have read and it has been well documented on the website concerning the use of the Internet Cookie and more importantly the EU cookie law 2011 have made it compulsory that when customers are landing on websites, they are given the opportunity to either permit the use enabling a customer’s cookie to be used on that website or for it not to be used!
Not quite clear? Ok there are many more informed people out there who can explain as the mechanics of the Internet Cookie or as it well know HTTP Cookie and what levels and uses they carry out on the website!
Let’s step back from all that and try to look at this in a more digestible manner! You browse to a website, shopping, or just comparing prices, each time you enter a website you leave a footprint of your existence!

The whole point of cookies and the level of information they collect, are fine to a point, as without this mechanism websites wouldn’t function properly as they rely on your personal information to make your experience on their website an enjoyable one, hopefully leading to you as a customer to click through the website purchase a product!

The data that is collected and the use of this has been a question for a long time, hence websites have to show there Private Policy to explain what your data is used for and why!
This factor for me is not the issue, it’s the way your personal information is stored and for how long!
For a long time this factor of the storage of your data if kept for longer than necessary because a target for fraudsters, who have become adept in engineering ways to intercept and copy your most sensitive personal information.

Social Engineering - confidence tricksters

This is the art of manipulating people into revealing confidential information. Fraudsters are using every tick in the book to retrieve your sensitive data by conjuring up many ways to for you to innocently provide information that will lead to compromising your personal information and leaving you with either a debt or county judgement on your credit rating! Fraud, in most cases the attacker never comes face-to-face with the victims.

Typical scenarios of social engineering are those e-mails we often get, you know the ones! The offers that are incredibly too good to be true!

You know the answer, when something looks too good to be it’s more likely that it is!
Do not open and entertain, DELETE
Then there are some e-mails that centre the e-mail on emotional vulnerability, looking for you to participate in the scheme and getting a reward, but only if you can help by sending you bank details for the operation to be completed!
Again this is intended to work on your better nature and for you to drop your guard!
Please just delete and don’t entertain!
Watch out for the more ingenious methods that are now engineered and catching so many people out, simply because it’s designed to catch those of us that like to argue and dispute!

Don’t be in hindsight after the fact, do not entertain any e-mails that direct you to business websites to update you details for whatever reason, its FAKE!

No Banking establishment will ever ask you to send your personal banking details by e-mail, or PAYPAL would never ask you to do the same!
Never send your personal banking details or otherwise by e-mail via going to a re-directed link from an e-mail! This is designed to capture your details.
All the above cases are classed as “phishing scams”

Keystroke loggers- Keylogger Programs

Keylogger programs have gotten a LOT more sophisticated and a lot more common recently. These programs are hidden in other programs, and rely on infection (like viruses) rather than deception (like phishing).
Spyware is a type of malicious software (called ‘malware’) that scammers try to install on your computer.
In a sign of the growing diversity of phishing scams, a new e-mail combines social engineering tricks and HTML coding to defraud victims using a keylogging program that attempts to capture banking usernames and passwords.

All too often people are succumbing to clicking on links through curiosity and not knowing the consequences all too often ends with the prospective fraudster embedding their programs within your internet browser, only to be triggered when you browse to certain sites like online banking!

Being aware and using common sense should be used at all times when opening e-mails of which 90% of e-mails we receive are junk mail!
More than ever people are conducting transactions on the internet, either purchasing products or online banking.
When you are completing both types of transactions you are entering your personal details on websites pages known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which in a nutshell a page that is encrypts sensitive information.

Encryption is the conversion of data into a form called ciphertext that cannot be easily understood by unauthorized people, within this process is decryption which is converting encrypted data back into its original form.

When you logon to a website you should be looking at various things to ensure that the site you are on is SECURE!
You should look for the following:-
When you are about to divulge your information, checking that the website address has HTTPS before the address, indicating a secure web page, if not DO NOT USE IT!
Also you can confirm that the webpage is encrypted by the padlock sign in the address window!

Online Banking
If you are logging onto a bank website then I would ensure that the cards you are using has been registered via your bank to a service called verified by visa!
It’s a service devised by credit companies who got together to help devise a single point of verifying a card owner’s card by carrying out secure steps every time you conduct a transaction online. You create an account and setup your secure details, which you authenticate every time you use your card online. These steps come under a secure process by verified by visa, 3D secure, authorisation, and settlement (not all cards come under verified by visa).

Added Security for online banking

Most of the banks have adapted to a service that all customers should use as a must called Trusteer Rapport, It disables key logging and screen capturing of credentials and personal information used to perpetrate account takeover and cross-channel fraud. Additional protection layers stop endpoint infection via drive-by-downloads and automate malware removal from infected devices. And, Phishing of login credentials and payment card data is blocked while fraud teams are notified of threat activity and compromised credentials. Trusteer Rapport for Online Banking software can be installed on any end user platform including Windows, Mac OS and Virtual Desktops.

Personal Tips!

Before you start looking into the tips below, if you’re PC is running like car with its brakes on, very slow, or its performance has steadily worsened over time or you suspect that your PC has been attacked by a virus! Then I would seriously consider, setting your computer back to when you first had it, this will entail re-installing your operating system, Windows 7 or Windows XP or Vista.

You will need to copy your personal files, photos etc. to an external storage device, such as pen drives, burn the data to a CD /DVD or an external hard drive. Whichever methods you use ensure you copy ALL your files, as when you re-install the software you will lose everything that was not backed up (copied), when apply back a fresh install of Windows 7, XP or Vista.

As below suggests, where you have a clean install or you have kept the same, ensure you keep your antivirus up to date.

Antivirus Protection

Free version – you get what you pay for!

Paid version – Ensure when you choose an Antivirus package included in that package you have anti-spyware and firewall!

The company is well known, as you will have continual updates of any critical virus outbreaks
Good after purchase support
The package you choose will have incorporated e-mail security and child monitoring options, to ensure they don’t start clicking on un-wanted websites and answering spam e-mail.
Regular antivirus updates

Credit Card security – Do reveal to anyone your card details!

Change your card at the bank every 6 months; it’s a sure way of ensuring that you don’t get complacent with leaving your card details on many vendor sites for too long! A great tip I was given by the Police when my credit card was compromised!

Security on your PC
Delete the following as often as you can!
Delete your Temporary internet files!

1. Location is in your profile location on your PC, but if you follow below this will open up the files that are nested in the folder (not all the files will delete as you may have a program open that uses it!)

Windows 7, type in the run box below %temp%

Windows XP, click, start, run, type %temp%, then ok and the same folder will appear, delete all the files that will delete.

1. Deleting History files from your device

Internet Explorer open, click on TOOLS > INTERNET OPTIONS see below

Next click the check box – Delete browsing history on exit > Click the DELETE button

Check all the boxes as below to DELETE all relevant files that are saved on your computer that would otherwise be there to be exploited the longer they stay on your device!

Click DELETE to complete the task

Summary

You must complete the above actions frequently, as this is just some ways malware (spyware) get to nestle in those locations to carry out their fraudulent actions of collection your most personal details from your computer.

It’s a must that you have an antivirus that has anti-spyware and firewall

Ensure when you divulge your personal details that the web page is secure, padlock icon and HTTPS is front of the web page address

Do not open spam e-mails and click on any links!

Subscribe your credit cards to verisign firstly speak to your bank!

Dress Sense Tips – Women’s Fashion Clothing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 04:02:00 +0000

Dress sense applies to everyone whether we are considered to be slim or not, we all suffer dressing wrongly to compliment ourselves, it may be wrong length skirts, wrong colour clothing in contrast to our skin tone, flat heals instead of heal shoes. it's so important to know that slim people the dress sense code too, once you get the basics of knowing which underwear to wear that is comfortable and properly sized to your body contours, you will instantly feel comfortable, which will help you to have confidence to where dresses that will exude confidence and self-respect, because you will look and feel comfortable and confident, which is so important for one’s self esteem.

Look more into Shapewear products to help reduce those areas that you feel embarrassed or self-conscious about and get that self-confidence running through your body again. But out of all the troublesome problems in clothing the bra is the number one issue which you must resolve by getting your sizing right, see my article that will guide you to a better way of making use of the correct underwear.

Focus on what to wear instead of what not to wear! It’s the feel-good factor, when choosing the right clothes to fit you. You should feel good in what you are wearing. The most common misconception people have about dressing slimmer is they have to wear black. While black does provide an overall sleek appearance, it's not the only path to a svelte look. The first piece of advice, know that you are normal and everyone's body is different! Once you start looking at yourself through a less critical lens, fashion can be a lot of fun.

Here are her tips:

1. Go monochromatic
First off, wearing a monochromatic colour scheme is elegant and flattering to all body types, explains. Even wearing an all-white suit, for example, will look good on someone trying to dress slimmer because it doesn't chop up the body. The last thing you want to do is chop up your look with a different colour, which could make even a slim person look stocky.

2. Stop hiding behind baggy clothes
makes sure clothes fit you properly. Wearing clothes that are too baggy can easily add the illusion of five to 10 pounds to your frame and make it look as though you are hiding behind something, she says. On the other hand, wearing clothes that fit properly -- not too baggy and not too tight -- exudes confidence.

3. Add accessories
Accessories are a smart trick for looking slimmer. Adding bangles or a nice pair of Swarovski earrings is a great way to pull together a nice occasion wear, evening wear outfit and add a tasteful splash of colour to a monochromatic look. Accessories like a cute gemstone necklace or brooch draw the eye up, and toward your beautiful face.

4. Choose lower waistlines
when it comes to choosing the right pair of pants, your best bet is to stick with a lower waistline with a flat front and no pleats. A slightly lower waistline helps to elongate your look, she explains. Pants should be on the longer side so there is a nice break at the cuff. Boots will finish the look, lengthen the legs, and can add height and elegance, she says.

5. Bet on belts
Belts can also be a great tool when trying to accentuating dressing slimmer. Wearing a belt with a nice buckle lower on your hips will draw the eye to the belt and elongate your overall look, especially if the belt blends with your clothing colour. Belts can also help tie a look together, and are a very versatile accessory.

6. Skinny versus wide pants -- you can wear both
since skinny pants are still on the fashion clothing radar, there are ways to wear them and look streamlined. If you are going to wear skinny pants, pair them with a voluminous top or a long blazer. The same principle applies when wearing a wide-legged trouser. Pair them with a fitted shirt or jacket. The whole outfit shouldn't be completely voluminous or stick straight. But pairing one with the other makes it simple to dress both slim and stylish. If you are going to go with a skinny jean or pant, you can achieve a sleeker look with stylish boots worn over the pants.

7. Wear colour
Use bright colours wisely, since classic browns, beiges and charcoal grey looks good on everyone, just as bright splashes of colour as underpinnings to an outfit. Wear a rich magenta or deep blue camisole under a dark grey suit jacket to spice up your look without going over the top.

8. Flattering footwear
picking the right footwear is so important; choose boots as a no-fail option. Boots are flattering on everyone, and everyone can look sleek in a boot. If you are wearing a pair of jeans, just adding boots and a blazer will complete your outfit, and also be slimming. Heels, too, are slimming footwear, but stay away from ankle straps, which cut off the lines of the legs, she explains.

Wearing women’s fashion clothing stylishly that fits you well and that you are comfortable wearing, can help retrain you to appreciate your body.

After all, it's only when you are comfortable in your own skin that you can feel good in what you put on.

It is very important that the above tips can only be effective as long as you wear the right underwear that compliments your body. Wearing the wrong sized bra under a beautiful occasion wear dress will be ruined with a wrongly worn bra that will bulge and spoil the look that you are trying to attain.

Supportive Shapewear underwear will help to smooth and give a contoured shaping of your body when dressed in that favourite fashion boutique outfit you have spent money on!

Fashion Boutique Clothing

Accentuate Women’s Plus size for fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:47:00 +0000

Plus size women’s clothing

Although the recession is starting to slow down, the debate as to why some designers are reluctant to make Plus Size Clothes, this has been a long standing debate for many years. The recession has changed a lot of things in the clothing industry; changes that I think will be permanent!
Value for money in retrospect is not about cheap clothing, it’s about quality, style and value in combination.
The true fact is that plus size clothing is expensive, due to the amount of material needed to create garments.
But on the other hand some may argue, why is it then that when Sales are on, it’s always the small sizes that are left on the rail?
Although there are stores that provide a variety of plus size clothing, this in all honesty is not enough!
I don’t want to see the easy way out, by designers creating, drab looking, non- flattering, one size fits all culture!
I want to see more designers creating more beautiful cut, dresses, tops and coats that compliment and shape beautiful curvy women.
There’s a lot of advice and tips out there, on the subject of women’s body shape!
Since the 50’s women’s clothing size measurement were established and created a general chart size for women.
Also on-going is the argument about zero sizing, well publicised amongst the press and women lobbying against the cruelty of young models demeaning themselves to appease to agents, fashion designers requirements!
The negative attitude attributed to this has been highlighted by the need of more plus size models in the fashion industry by Lorraine Kelly, who recently advertised for new up and coming models to become part of a plus size supermodel campaign!
Statistics of recent have proven that the actual average size to date is size 16!
So why has this factor not been represented in the fashion catwalk industry?
The pros’ and con’s debate about this could go on forever as to why more curvy shaped women can’t walk down the more affluent fashion shows!
Setting aside this argument, I think it’s more to home in on women out there that require information to be more frequent and transparent as to what is available out there for them and easy access to good sound beauty and fashion advice and tips that are actually for plus size women and not just a generalisation tip, that questions as to whether this is applicable to me as a plus size woman!
There are a lot of women out there that have curvy beautiful bodies, all women out there needs to be advised more mentally and physically!

Emotional Support

Whether you are a woman in transition to lose weight, or happily contented with yourself or you fall in the category of being un-happy about their weight or your situation!
It’s so important to feel you have support from family, friends and people out there that are willing to help and make you feel empowered with the optimism to change things around or if you are contented to feel even more appreciated.

“Pay more attention to wearing correct fitted underwear”

Underwear

A number one let down for plus size women and it’s not your fault, it’s the fact that you are forced to wear miss-managed underwear due to a number of factors, hard to find in your size, never looked into getting correctly fitted underwear due to the confusion of the sizing charts of the manufacturers!
Whatever the reason, you need to do something about it!
There are too many confusing contradicting information out there that at times maybe one needs a rocket science degree, to unravel the actual facts!
The best advice is to get the best information applicable to you and once you have them, you will still need to go out and try until you get the best fit for your body!
To simply give in and adopt the one size fits all and be contented is simply not good enough for you as a person!

The Bra

There are no manufacturing standards for bras; there are so many methods and ideas to measuring yourself for a bra that it’s become a minefield trying to find a best practice for measuring for a bra!
All store departments adopt their own individual sizing for the production of their bras, so what do you do? You try to find the best method for yourself to obtain the correct measurement to fit the differing styles available on the market.
Wearing your bra incorrectly is massively broad scope amongst women, so be empowered with the following information to make a better judgement to gaining a better fitting bra!
Areas of support that are neglected and incorrect, the straps and the cup they have been highlighted as being straps too loose and the cups too small.

Basic Bra Measurement – you still need to find a professional at a specialist store to establish a better fit bra size, but the below is just a basic start that will get you on your way

Before taking measurement

Try to get a friend or family member to take the measurements for youStand up straight, don't slouch, lean your head back slightly to help give a better shape to your shoulders and breathe normally
Wear a bra that you feel most comfortable in, but make sure you don't wear over clothing, like jumpers etc.
Band Size

Make sure you are wearing a bra that is comfortable for you, for best results use a cloth tape measure and run it
around the rib cage just under the bust at the centre of where the bra strap sits. The tape measure should be
tight, but snug and comfortable, ensuring that the tape measure is flat all the way round and flat at the back.
Take the measurement and to calculate what your band this is either rounded up or down by 1 inch, so if you measure
34inches that’s fine, if you measure 33 2/3, round it up to 34inches.

Bust Size

Measure loosely around the biggest part of your chest, keeping the measuring tape level and then take the figure to
calculate the cup size.
Measure around the fullest part of your bust, as a general rule its level along the line of your nipples.
For those of women that have sagging breasts, don't worry! just pull them up by the bra straps, in order to
measure them at their fullest.
But if this is a difficult task, then ask a friend or your partner to help out.

Calculating

Most calculators vary greatly and are generally inaccurate. The problem with online calculators is that they can
add up to 6in or more to your bust size measurement
Take your measurements, Bust Size and Band Size and to do this:
Bust Size = +1 to +2in
Cup Size
Bust Size – Band Size = Cup Size in inches
Sample: Band Size 33 Bust Size 39
33 + 1 = 34 Band Size
39 - 34 = 5in difference
Cup Size would be 34DD approx.

Cup Size Chart

A woman with those measurements would still also try 34D, 34DDD, 36D. It's important to try different sizes to see what provides the best and most comfortable fit and support.
Remember that measurements are only guidelines; you need to keep try different bras to achieve the right fit.
The band needs to sit flat across the breastbone, it should feel snug and you should just be able to fit two fingers under the band. The cups should not have any breast tissue spilling out the top. The strap length due to some women that have bad body posture, you don’t need to adjust your straps to the same length on each side.
Underwire of your bra should press on the bone, not breast tissue. The underwire should sit on your ribcage, encasing your breasts but not digging into them.

Basic Bra Measuring Guide

Fitting a Bra Correctly

Tip - One method to confirm that the bra is the best fit is a simple manoeuvre that allows the breasts seat naturally in the cup of the bra.

After identifying a well-fitting bra, glide leaning forewards, allowing your breasts to fall into the bra, filling the cup naturally, and then fasten the bra on its loosest hook. When you stand up again, using your opposite hand to place each breast gently into the cup (the lift). You then run your index finger along the inside top edge of the bra cup to make sure breast tissue doesn't spill over the edges.

Fitting a Bra Correctly

Tip - One method to confirm that the bra is the best fit is a simple manoeuvre that allows the breasts seat naturally in the cup of the bra.
After identifying a well-fitting bra, glide leaning forewards, allowing your breasts to fall into the bra, filling the cup naturally, and then fasten the bra on its loosest hook. When you stand up again, using your opposite hand to place each breast gently into the cup (the lift). You then run your index finger along the inside top edge of the bra cup to make sure breast tissue doesn't spill over the edges.

Fitting a Bra Correctly

Back Fat - Body Briefer

Reduce flabby back rolls!
An incorrectly fitted Bra is a major factor in the appearance of your blouse looking bumpy because the bra isn't adjusted to your body contour!
Wearing a body shaper can prevent bra bulge! And also give your garments a smother lined look to your body.

Large Thighs - Shapewear or Hi-Waist Thigh Slimmer products

To make your thighs and legs appear smaller and shaped up, body-sliming underwear are an absolute must for your wardrobe. These fabulous underwear items configure according to your figure and make your over-chiselled thighs seem thinner than what they actually appear. Shapewear item make an excellent choice when you are planning to wear tight fitting outfits.

Muffin Top

Yes the dreaded muffin top, ok yes to reduce this exercise and diet will do the job, but if that is not an option then the next best thing for now would be to get either waist cincher Shapewear, Spandex Shapewear or Spanx Shapewear all are great products to help give you the lift and confidence you need to wear those clothes without the consciousness of knowing that those dreaded muffins spouting out all over.

Poor Posture

I think it’s easy to skate around this issue and incorporate varying exercise which may suit some but not all of you out there!
I recommend a long term progression of exercise that can be done in the comfort of the home and will benefit you mentally and physically. The below is a very useful way to give you added confidence and to tackle building your self-esteem with appreciating your body and doing something about improving your wellbeing.

Exercising

Both these items can be obtained from Amazon, the left is a book and the one on the right is a DVD, that both give great insight to Yoga for the plus size as there are not too many exercise routines out there that cater for larger people and understand that not everyone is a skinny person!
Tummy pooch
One of the most popular types of women’s slimming Shapewear, is the flattering and effective tummy control pants, ideal for use under tight fitting dresses, skirts and trousers to create a smoother stomach line that you want to attain to be confident wearing your clothes again.
N.B
Look out for these two companies that will give you good knowledge and a heads up to the products and understanding about bra measuring in better depth:
www.shapewear.co.uk
www.figleaves.com

Accentuating your body

Accentuating pertains to emphasising a part of your body you claim to be your best asset, such as your big blue, green or brown eyes, your thin waist, your curvy rear, your sharp feature face, your shapely chest, your legs!
Whatever the feature that stands out the best from you, work on emphasizing it in conjunction with the above changes above to give you a deserved make over!
Look how Kim Kardashian accentuates her best assets, be proud of who you are.

Some Tips

Wearing a belt the trick with big belts is NOT to add bulk – wearing it high on one side, cutting you in half diagonally gives you an instant tummy tuck. And wear the buckle on one side rather than on the front will de-emphasise your stomach. If you want to accentuate an hourglass figure wear a belt high on the waist.

Make-Up don’t forget make sure you use the right colour tone make up to accentuate the tone of your skin, especially if your eyes, lips and jaw line.

Clothing

As a plus size woman buying clothes that are stylish are few and far, but when you do choose a style that is available, steer clear of fitted dresses, which will do it’s best to not show your best assets to the full!
You will be best to choose a jersey material fabric, it’s flexible and you can shape the contours to your body better, giving you a much appreciated accentuated style suited to you.

Sample Jersey Style Dresses for Plus Size Women

Plus size Women’s Fashion Clothing

As a plus size women, when it comes to designing a more stylish dress one of the questions that hangs in the air, is whether women prefer to have a bolero, whether they prefer longer arms when wearing dresses, whether there is too much cleavage showing in the style of v- neck or low cut dresses or whether the length of dress is too short exposing the knee?
Please comment on this to help develop more of what you want to see in an Occasion Wear Gown (Dress), Cocktail Dress!

Advice to Shopping Online for Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 09 Sep 2012 11:39:00 +0000

Online Shopping for Fashion Clothes

Online Clothes Shopping

Not sure it will fit?
People contemplate whether or not the size and fit of each piece of clothing will be exact.
Because the standards of clothes sizing are confusing, many of you are resigned to walking the high street, from store to store figuring out what which dress will fit!
This mixture of the unknown makes it annoying that you establish one fit at a store, only to find that going to another store armed with the knowledge that you are a size 12, to find out that the clothes you are trying is size 14 that fits you?
Shopping for clothes online has one major setback, clarity in clothing sizes!
Women's sizes are not standard, most women are aware of this hence the sore feet and countless circuit laps around the shopping mall, building up a dossier of information as to what store, stocks their clothes in their size.
There are so many guides out there that advise about sizing!
There are no hard fast rules about this no matter what is said about it, it’s all down to the manufacturers description and instruction of how their garments are supposed to fit?
Online shopping should be hassle free if the information provided is viable and useful for you to make your mind up, but instead most people doubt and are worried as whether to commit to something that they are unsure that will fit them!
Clothing manufacturers tell women they have standard sizes but women know this is as untrue as "one size fits all!

Guide to Online Shopping for Clothes

Clothing Size

What have the clothing industries standardisation rules of sizing done!
Since it's inception from the 50's Nothing?

Times have changed since the definition of women's fashion clothes, sizing of the 1950's; and no one within the British clothing industry has made any effort to change the fact that men and women have physically changed?
Instead The United Kingdom has an existing standard for women's clothing BS 3666:1982, however this is rarely followed by manufacturers as it defines sizes in terms of hip and bust measurements only within a limited range.
This has resulted in variations between manufacturers and a tendency towards vanity sizing. Instead what has happened in the fashion industry is that Europe has become more aware of these changes and so has adopted to these the changes of measurement sizes and as a result we now have more of women's fashion Boutiques on the high street from Europe. Size ten in clothing for instance, gives a different fitting with the style you choose? Confusing?
Size ten in a designer fashion clothes will not be the same looking on women of size 14?
Retailers don't make women's fashion clothes to compliment people of different body shapes?

British Standard Clothing Sizing

This table shows the sizes as given by the British Standard.
British Standard 3666 - 1982 size designation of women's wear

Learn to measure yourself

Measuring for Online Clothes

To find your correct size you must learn to take your measurements correctly. This may mean a painful few minutes with a measuring tape, but the results will be worth it.
Use the charts and instructions on the clothing sites you visit to calculate your information and then select the right sizes for your current measurements. It's the best way to ensure that you'll get a perfect fit every time.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time Required: 2-5 minutes
• What do I need: a Friend for best result, Tape measure, Pen, Paper, all to be done in front of a mirror and your back to a wall?
Where do i start?
• Make sure you measure yourself in your underwear!
• Before making any online purchases, always check with the merchant's size charts and fitting tips.
• Check the method and instruction used by SovaCollection. From the fitting chart are measurement tolerances that give you a confident realist picture that tells you if you will fit into the chosen garments!
• As long as you have taken measurement of yourself, you not only have information about yourself, but it will give you a better vision as to whether you will fit into other websites clothing with similar size chart listings.
Fitting methods and measurements might vary slightly from one online merchant to another.

3D Body Scanning

Andrew Crawford, Director of SizeUK
Most High Street names in women's clothes - with the exception of a few, such as Primark - use the results of a National Sizing Survey (SizeUK) to analyze the average shape of their core customers, and then cut their clothes to fit.
Andrew Crawford, Director of SizeUK, said: 'SizeUK enables retailers to understand the distribution and overall size and shape profile of their target customers, to improve the sizing and fit of their garments and maximize the percentage of their target customers that can fit their clothes.
UCL is the leading UK 3D body scanning centre. Andrew Crawford serves as Director of the UK National Sizing Survey which measured 11,000 subjects using 3D whole body scanners to automatically extract 130 body measurements from each subject. This research was supported by most of the leading UK clothing companies. It involved collaboration with my colleague Professor Bernard Buxton, Jeni Bougourd of the London College of Fashion and Andrew Crawford of Bodymetrics. (The DTI state that SizeUK received more media coverage both nationally and internationally than any other project they funded.)
Subsequently Andrew was advisor to United States Sizing Survey (SizeUSA - collaboration with Dr. David Bruner of TC2) and also currently advising the Thai Government on a national sizing survey. I serve on the European Sizing Co-operation (a consortium of the largest European clothing companies) which is interested in standardising clothing size labelling in Europe, and in a pan European Sizing Survey.
I also collaborate with the Institute of Child Health (Dr. Jonathan Wells and Prof. Tim Cole) on the use of body scanning for healthcare applications such as epidemiology, the screening of children for obesity and growth defects.

Tips about Clothing Fabric Shrinkage, fabric bleeding

Typical website advice about wash care advice
The best way to avoid clothes that may shrink, fabric bleed, after washing a dress or top is to make sure you are check up on the fabric label of the garment you are interested in.
Dry Cleaning only is the best way, although depending on the make of the garment, it may not be feasible to do so, such as some evening dress embellished garments with crystal stones that will damage due to dry cleaning.
As a whole with dry cleaning you get a professional finish, Dry cleaning will keep most clothes from fading.
If you are looking for a fabric that will not shrink, you can look for rayon blend or a polyester blend, certainly spandex, Spandex may shrink in dry cleaning though.
If it's 100% cotton, it will shrink.
As a general rule, almost anything can be washing machine cleaned, if washed correctly, even wools and cashmere, which will shrink if, dried improperly.
Some fabrics will lose their "softness" (silks, cashmere) when washed as opposed to dry cleaning, in which case always read the instructions on the label for wash care of these items.
Always seek the advice of a reputable Dry Cleaner and you can also seek the advice at the link laundering & dry cleaning symbols.

Dry Cleaning & Hand Washing

Top Tips New Year Sales deals

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 20:37:00 +0000

When silly season arrives at the beginning of the year, mad crowds, and sore feet?? To save all the aggravation follow a few of our tips to stay ahead of the game, but mostly save the tiring trek around town having to miss out on those bargains?

Tip no 1
Call your favourite store - the best bargains always seem to get snapped up in the first few days so call ahead to you're your selected store and find out if they still have what you want.

Tip no 2
avoid impulse buying, do your homework and find out the marker prices, from all the catalogues, and other stores on-line?

Tip no 3
if it's going cheap for a reason haggle - look for the clues which give away which items the stores most want to get rid of and then haggle?

Tip no 3
Large electrical appliance stores sometimes use a price code to secretly tell staff which product models need to be sold as a priority to make way for new stock. The key to this code lies in the last digit of a price.
If the price ends in an eight for example £19.98, it usually means the particular model has been discontinued by the manufacturer.

If the price ends with seven, the item is usually clearance stock, so ask for a further discount. Even if the goods are discontinued they'll still be under warranty.
Remember?

Don't just grab items because you think it's a bargain?
Last years shoppers bought at least 580million worth of electrical gadgets which ended up collecting dust?Know your rights
You can return sale goods? No matter what stores may tell you? Signs that say "No Return on Sale Goods" are illegal and shops should reimburse the amount you paid, not the lower price it dropped to later in the sale. When you pay sale goods, your legal rights are the same as when you pay full price?

This comes under the consumer statutory rights?
For more information ConsumerDirect

Are you sure it's a bargain?
Don't presume sale goods are always cheaper. As long as they have been a higher price for 28 days within the last six months, stores can get away with saying they are reduced. The other loophole they exploit is that goods might have been at the higher price only at another branch such as their flagship Oxford Street store.
Finally Keep within your budget and if you think you will be going over budget, then speak to your Bank Manager beforehand to arrange a sensible credit limit?

Womens Fashion Colour Match Your Skin Tone

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:27:00 +0000

Skin tone comes in three categories, warm, cool and neutral

Jewellery Test

To understand what skin tone you have, there is a little test that you can do. To get a good idea, you must sit in front of a mirror with plenty of daylight around you.

This method is relying on your self judgement, but to get a more realistic answer, you need to compare yourself with jewellery, silver or gold.

If you find upon looking in the mirror that you are suited to silver, then you are likely to fall in the bracket of cool undertone.

If however you look at yourself wearing gold that you are suited, then you will fall into the bracket of a warm undertone.

The Vein Test

The universally method used is the vein test is good way to determine your skin tone. In daylight open and close your fist like a ball, a couple of times, to invoke raising your veins to the service in which you can examine your inner wrist. You should be now being able to visibly see what colour your veins are?

Veins that are mainly blue indicate cool tones, while green veins are a hint that you are warm toned.

If your veins are a mix of blue and green, it could be a sign that you are neutral toned. Very fortunate!

Compare with Celebrities

Below are some visual ideas from the world of Womens fashion that these celebrities surround themselves in, of which you can compare yourself too:
Example of Peach warm, fair to medium complexions - Renee Zwegweller, Tilda Swinton

Example of Pink cool, fair to medium complexion - Keira Knightly, Kate Winslet

Example of Yellow warm, fair to medium complexion - Cameron Diaz, Elle Macpherson

Example of Olive warm, medium to deep complexion - Peneoply Cruz, Halle Berry

Skin Tone Warm

Hair Colour – Brunette, Red and Blonde

Eye Colour – Brown, Green, Hazel

Skin Tone Cool

Hair Colour – Blonde Brunette

Eye Colour – Blue Violet, Grey

Skin Tone Neutral

Hair Colour – All colours

Eye Colour – All Colours

Skin Tone Warm

Colours complimentary to warm skin tone such as gold, beige, sage green or bronze. Softer tones are good like, peach, apricot or yellow.

Other colours that go well with warm tone are earth colours, rich golden browns and golden blond shades as well as auburn. Also you can use olive-green, yellow, brown, red ochre (shade of brown) & raw sienna (yellowish-brown) and raw umber (natural clay earth brown).

You will need to avoid any hair colour that has the word ash in it, also extreme hair colours like jet black, white, blue or violet.

Skin Tone Cool

True colours such as the range in Jewel tones, such as emerald green, amethyst purple, ruby red, topaz yellow, sapphire blue, tourmaline green, turquoise blue, pure black, pink.

In addition to these colours you can wear icy tones colours like light blue, light pink and light green.

Icy is very light, clear and cool, icy is NOT pastel, soft and not warm.

As a cool tone skin you should avoid colours such as beige, orange and gold.

Skin Tone Neutral

Fortunately this is a tone that benefits from being in the middle of all colours will look good whatever as indicated above.

Most neutral skin tones will favour one way or another depending on the individuals overall colour tone.

So while a warm colour may look ok on you, on the other scale if chosen a cool colour may look fantastic.

Selecting the right colours based on your skin tone can add so much to your overall appearance. But this is an overall appearance of eyes, lips, hair and of course a Womens fashion sense. The right colour can add an appealing appearance to your overall being, with a complimentary complexion. Whilst on the other scale, choosing the wrong colour foundation and fashion clothes can leave you looking un-balanced with your skin tone and the clothes you wear.

Womens Fashion Colours

Fashion colours are great to see on the runway by aspiring models, the beautiful tones and shades that differing material styles shimmer and shape by various designers.

The colours listed can be part of your wardrobe, part of your outfit and just as the models strutting their gait down the runway, you too can done the same colours and feel free in knowing that those colours will make your skin glow, will balance your overall ambience of cosmetics, hair and lips to give an overall picture of the new you.

Aubergine

Bright purples can be tricky, but muted aubergine is becoming universally accepted. It’s midway between warm and cool, so it suits warm yellow-toned skin, as well as cool blue-toned skin.

This shade looks corporate enough for work.

Grey

Dark grey is a fashion undertone shade of colour. Accentuating to the body, but still doesn’t make you look arid or pale in contrast.

Dove grey is gorgeous on warmer skin tones, and not as harsh as pure white. Grey tops look great with a red or pink lipstick to brighten up your look.

Red

Scarlet red, wow! Make a statement, red is the colour of passion, aggression and power, to be worn only by a handful of women.

But true red, which sits in the between tomato and cherry, is surprisingly flattering. Your best bet with red is probably a scarf or jumper, as such a strong colour on your bottom half can make you look larger.

Turquoise

Dark aquamarine shades. These colours work because they are the precise opposite to the pink in our cheeks, which, by contrast, they enhance; giving women a healthy glow. Red hair looks great when worn with greens and blues.

Putty Pink

The palest of putty pinks. This tone accentuates the natural glow in our skin, unlike pastel pink which only flatters certain complexions. This shade of pink also mixes easily with darker colours – perfect for a work blouse under a suit

Sunscreen effects on melanin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:21:00 +0000

Melanin is the substance that gives the skin and hair its natural color.People with darker skin; tend to have a higher amount of melanin.

By contrast, those with less pigment have lighter or fairer skin colouring.

Melanin absorbs UV and is thus a natural sunscreen, and is probably the reason that dark skinned people have a tenth of the skin cancer rate of fairer folks.

When fair skinned people are exposed to the sun, this stimulates melanin production in their skin, thus giving them a 'tan', but along the way causes lots of skin damage.

The two most common forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are found largely in fair skinned people.

Tanning and burning are caused by ultraviolet rays from the sun. These rays cannot be seen or felt, but penetrate the skin and stimulate cells containing a brownish pigment called melanin.

Melanin tries to protect the skin by absorbing and scattering ultraviolet rays. People with dark skins have high amounts of melanin and have greater natural protection from ultraviolet rays.

Blondes, redheads, and people with fair skins have less melanin and, therefore, burn more quickly.

As melanin is stimulated by ultraviolet rays, it rises to the skin’s surface as a tan. A tan is damage to the skin but may provide some protection against future sun exposure.

Individuals with dark skins such as olive, brown, or black are not immune to burning and skin damage caused by careless exposure to the sun.

Darker skin does offer more protection than light skin against sunburn and skin cancer.

Sunscreen Made Simple

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, and lets you know how effective the sunscreen is at blocking out the sun’s rays – called UVB and UVA rays. The higher the SPF, the more rays are blocked out.

contrary to popular belief, it has nothing to do with long you can stay in the sun without re-applying – in fact, no matter what SPF you’re using, you need to put more on at least every two hours.

Pale - you have very pale skin, burn easily and find it difficult to tan. You probably also have fair or red hair, and possibly freckles. If this is your skin type, then unfortunately you’re most at risk of developing skin cancer! You shouldn’t head to the beach without applying a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30, and skin experts say you shouldn’t leave the house without factor 15 on your face, even in winter. There’s no point in even attempting t tan – the only safe option for you is a fake one.

Fair - you also have fair skin and burn with too much sun, but you do gradually tan. You most likely have fair to medium hair and blue or brown eyes. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to develop skin cancer than almost any of the other skin types. You need to choose SPF 30 sunscreen if you’re planning to spend time in the sun, and at least SPF 15 for everyday use. If you absolutely have to tan, opt for somewhere between there.

Medium - You have light olive skin and tan reasonably easily, although you do burn if you spend too long in the sun. You probably have brown or green eyes. Even though you can tan, you’re still risking skin cancer every time your skin burns. Prevent this by applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 for everyday use.

Olive - You tan easily and only burn if you spend hours in the sun without protection. You probably have brown eyes and dark hair. You may think your tanned skin makes you exempt from skin cancer, but be warned – you’re still at risk. Use SPF 15 sunscreen if you’re planning to spend the day at the beach.

Brown - Your skin is naturally brown, and you have dark hair and brown eyes. In the sun, your skin darkens further, and you only burn if you spend absolutely ages in the sun. It’s unlikely you’ll develop skin cancer caused by the sun, but you could still face major wrinkling if you don’t use sunscreen. You can afford to go for SPF 15 or lower.

Dark - You have black skin, black hair and dark brown eyes. Your skin gets darker in the sun, but only burns after extreme exposure. People with your skin type rarely develop skin cancer caused by the sun, but it’s worth using sunscreen anyway to protect you from premature ageing. Sunscreen with SPF 15 if you intend to spend the day in the sun, or even lower for everyday use, will work best for you.

Tips for Avoiding Skin Cancer

• Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm – if you have to be outdoors, head for the shade
• Wear at least SPF 15 sunscreen and reapply every two hours – understand that a higher SPF indicates that it provides stronger protection, but not for a greater length of time, so no matter what SPF you use, you’ll still need to reapply at least every two hours
• The higher the SPF, the better the sunscreen is at protecting you from skin cancer and ageing. Make sure you’re using one that safeguards you against not only UVB rays, but also UVA – an often-overlooked type of ultraviolet light that scientist say does just as much damage
• Apply sunscreen everywhere – don’t miss your ears! And apply generously as you would a moisturizer – research shows that most people only put on half as much as they should
• Wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your face, neck and ears – sunscreen alone may not be enough to safeguard these delicate areas. Realise that sunscreen does not protect you completely on its own, so if you’re spending hours in the sun, throw on a loose, light-coloured t-shirt too
• Avoid sun beds, and resist the urge to sunbathe
• Remember that self-tanning products, tanning moisturizers and tanning oil do not contain any UV protection at all
• Whatever your skin type, don’t let your skin burn
• Don’t forget that harmful UVA and UVB rays can still get through the atmosphere and burn you even on a cloudy day
• The sun’s rays are especially damaging to children, so make sure kids are protected with sunscreen, hats and clothes at all times and keep babies out of the sun altogether
Some people argue that a high SPF will cut out too much Vitamin D, which the body needs. However, for fairer skinned people the skin cancer risk outweighs the benefits, especially since you can also get Vitamin D through your diet, according to the British Skin Foundation. They recommend sunscreen with a lower SPF to darker skinned people, who are more likely to develop Vitamin D deficiencies.
If you notice any worrying changes in your skin, or if a mole changes colour or shape, contact a doctor, who will refer you to a dermatologist if necessary.

Annexed

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin caner It can be destructive and disfiguring.

The risk of developing BCC has increased for individuals with a family history of the disease.

With a high cumulative exposure to UV light via sunlight, or in the past, were exposed to carcinogenic chemicals, especially arsenic.

Treatment is with surgery, topical chemotherapy, X-ray, cryosurgery, or photo dynamic theory. It is rarely life-threatening but, if left untreated, can be disfiguring, can cause bleeding, and produce local destruction (e.g., eye, ear, nose, lip). Basal cell skin cancer almost never spreads; but, if untreated, it may grow into surrounding areas and nearby tissues and bone.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) - Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common caner of the skin (after basal cell carcinoma but more common than melanoma). It usually occurs in areas exposed to the sun, and can generally be treated by excision only. Sunlight exposure and immunosuppressant are risk factors for SCC of the skin. The risk of metastasis is larger than with basal cell carcinoma.

Black Womens Fashion Eye For Colour

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:18:00 +0000

Make up for African American skin tones

Decades ago, cosmetics were mostly aimed at a fair-skinned market, leaving African American women with few resources. The foundations and powders that were available at the time often left women with darker skin with an unattractive, ashy undertone. However, in recent years, the cosmetics market has exploded with products geared toward women of all shades, no matter how dark or light the skin

African American women have a wide range of skin colours, from very fair to very dark. Makeup that looks good on light skin may not complement dark skin well, and vice versa. Plus, for the most flattering looks, women should take note of their skin's undertones, whether they're warm or cool. A lot of makeup mistakes can be avoided if you know whether blue, silver and lavender are your colours, or if you should stick to peach, gold and bronze.

Depending on your particular complexion, you might look great in Beyonce's makeup colours or you might look better emulating Gabrielle Union.

Whether your skin is shaded like Pam Grier or Whoopi Goldberg, you'll look radiant and beautiful if you first identify the undertones in your skin.

Black Women ranges of skin tone complexion

Rich ebony complexions usually have cool, almost blue undertones

Brown and caramel complexions have warm golden undertones

African American women who fall on the warm end of the spectrum will look fantastic in these colours:

Peach

Gold

Bronze

Orange red

Brown

If you're more of a cool complexion, stick to:

Blue

Purple

Silver

Pink

Blue red

If your skin is very dark and you've always shielded away from deep lipstick colours, you don't have to.

You can try a neutral look with a lip colour that closely matches your skin and top it with a light coat of clear gloss.

With such natural lips, you can put the makeup focus on your eyes.

Women with cool complexions can wear silver or charcoal eye shadow, while warm women can sport bronze eye colour and a couple of coats of deep black mascara for maximum impact.

Lipstick colour range for Black women

Choosing lipstick colours can be arduous at the best of times; to simplify this process requires you to be knowledgeable of your skin tone and complexion. The black skin tones range from light to dark and with this is a spectrum of colours running from light to dark. So with this in mind applying what your complexion is compared to the colour scale will help in identifying the colours that will suit your colour tone. You will be better armoured with what colour ranges with enhance your lips to the fullest.

Light – this is the lighter complexion of black skin tone, the following lipstick colour range will look good on you:-

Pale pink

Peach

Taupe

Red

Medium - medium skin toned women will look good in the following lipstick range:-

Red

Medium to deep pink

Bronze

Magenta

Medium to dark brown

Dark – This for dark and lovely rich skin tone

Deep red

Fuchsia

Magenta

Chocolate Brown

Bronze

Now that you have an idea of the colour ranges you now need to experiment at your Cosmetic Boutique store where there are testers. The colours are not tied down to lighter skin or dark skin, it’s just a guide. You may be pleasantly surprised how a colour range that belongs to a light tone or dark tone skin can actually embellish a look of beauty.

Black Womens Fashion

Black or brown tone skin with yellow or golden undertones

Choose bold primary colours

Black

True white

Blue reds

Royal blues

Fuchsia

Lemon yellow

Hot pink

Blue greens

Icy or cool-toned pastels

Emerald

Yellow

In general lighter skin tone women should avoid faded colours such as faded red or faded orange, it will look ok on you but , but you should venture a better range of colour spectrums.

Olive medium tone skin with yellow undertones

Choose bold primary colours

Black

True gray

Navy

Icy cool pastels will bring out the best of your features

Avoid shades of soft yellow, rose, mauves and soft pastels; they'll make you appear of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion.

Kids have a choice in Clothes - Family Tips & Advice

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:51:00 +0000

Children regardless girls or boys are dominated by consumerism? TV is a big part of the family, whether we like it or not, and more to that the games console is just as bad. Many years ago, this was not the case, well not altogether true? The only time parents would cringe was at Christmas time? It was a period known as us against them, consumer against retailer, well retailer plus children against parents? You might describe in depth of you disapproval, your "taut" stance, and your governance?

But all this is just a token gesture in the eyes of the warrior child? Because in the end, you gave a good account of yourself, but in vain? Because the onset is; Children will always be the victors?
Back to the future and the size of the war retail machine has increased so much aided by the spider web of the media, no use trying to wriggle your way out of it because we are swamped in it's consumer quick sand and the echoing voices from afar in your ears forever ringing and repeating the deafening screeching noise of "I want that", "can I have that, can I, can I “My best friend Mike has got Nike boots, can I have them? Janine has got the full set of Barbie house and friends, can I have it?
At one time you were safe in the knowledge that power belonged to you, you can choose you can dictate for a while.

Not anymore those good days have gone? to be replaced by a 3yr old sizing themselves up in a mirror or walking in those brand new expensive shoes you have just bought from the shoe shop; Trying to emulate you? Whether they are 3yrs old or 5yrs old, these kids self awareness has evolved much earlier than you think and the "dawning" of consumer madness already in them and flourishing?
Family Tips & Advice
Buy socks all the same colour. It will be less aggravating when your washing machine eats one, and you can't find a mate.
*Buy solid colour clothing items that can be layered and worn with a variety of other pieces. They can be worn more frequently without people thinking you are wearing the same item again.
*Avoid trims and other decorative elements that make the piece of clothing harder to blend with other pieces, and again, more noticeable when worn.
*When buying knitted items, look for strength and durability. The fabric should be more dense than loose, and the stretch should be limited.
*Keep away from trendy items if you want the piece of clothing to last several years and be passed down to another child.
*Look for clothes that can be enlarged as your child grows. Generous hems can be let down. Creases in the hemline can be removed with a little vinegar and a warm iron. The same is true for sleeve lengths with simple sleeves.
*Elastic in the waistband is easily adjusted and fits longer. It is also more comfortable. That is why you see most toddler clothes in this style. Use this when you can on casual clothes for older children. The same is true for adjustable straps for jumpers, overalls, play suits, etc.
*If you can, buy clothes slightly larger than your child. They will quickly grow into them and last longer.
*Don't go shopping without a list. Go through your children's clothes and see what they need. Write it down, and keep to it!
Your children have colours that they like, and look good with just as you do. Look through some catalogues with your child and talk about clothes. It may not be your favourite subject, but a little knowledge may help you avoid "buying mistakes" that sit in the wardrobe unworn.
Starting School
Whether your child is returning to school to start a new year or whether they are going for the first time, there are plenty of things to get organised and prepare for. Even children who love school may feel just a little anxious before going back so reduce any possible stress by being completely sorted and not leaving everything until the last minute.
Are you ready?
Have you thought of and bought or booked the following?
• Uniform
• Sports kit
• Shoes
• School bag and games bag
• Booked school lunches
• Lunch box and flask
• Snack box
• Waterproof coat
• Allergy details for the teacher
• Pens, rulers, pencil case etc
• Haircuts
• Getting together with another child in the same year before the start of term

Preparation
In the first few days your child will face new places, people, rules and relationships. This can be both exciting and frightening.
You can help by familiarising your child with their new environment before school starts:
• Make at least one visit to the school before your child's first day. If possible, arrange to show your child around their new classroom and
Meet their teacher. Take a look at where they'll leave their coat and lunchbox and show them the toilets, playground and hall.
• Talk about each place as you visit it. For some children just looking will be enough. But others, who learn more rapidly through hearing, will
Benefit from your descriptions.
• Find out about the daily routine from the teacher and let your child know what to expect. For example, many schools start with reading on the mat, the daily register and so on. Knowing what's coming next will help your child make sense of their day.
• Lastly, for your own reassurance you could ask the teacher what strategies he or she uses to settle the children.

Plan ahead
If the school has an evening for new parents go along and take note of all the items your child will need on their first day.
Shop for uniform and other equipment early - you're more likely to find things in the right sizes and you'll avoid the crowding of the last week before term starts.
Make the shopping trip into a special event for you and your child and emphasise they're choosing their grown-up school clothes.
The countdown
If your child's in holiday routine - staying up late and rising late - then one week before term begins change their schedule. Gradually bring their bedtime back to a time suitable for school nights and introduce more regular eating habits with meals at set times.
You may need to get into the term-time habit too. Write a list of all the things you'll need to organise, such as dinner money, snacks and lunches, gym clothes, reading folder and painting coverall. Stick the list to the fridge and tick each item off as you sort it out.
Involve your child in getting ready for their first day. The evening before term starts you and your child can work together to lay out their uniform, bag and snacks.
Last of all set your alarm early for the first day - even the most organised parents and children need extra time to get ready for the big event.
Your emotions
your feelings will guide your child's emotions. If you approach your child's first day with confidence that they'll be fine, using positive words about school and loving attention, their anxieties will be reduced.
Saying goodbye at school may be very emotional for you. But try to send your child off with a smile and a wave along with the reassurance that you'll be there to collect them later. Remember even distressed children settle very quickly once you're gone, so make your leave loving but brief. If you're particularly worried, most schools will be receptive if you want to phone in later to check your child is ok.
The end of the day
do make sure you're a little early to collect your child (This goes without saying?) at the end of the first few days - even a few minutes late can seem an eternity to a waiting child. Your child will probably be tired and hungry so a healthy snack and some quiet time, with or without you, will be just what they need after school.
Listen to your child. They'll probably talk about their day in their own time so avoid pressing your child, but do give them opportunities to talk to you.
Confidence building
By the time they reach school age, children develop an established sense of self-esteem. A child with high self-esteem has the confidence to try new things and make friends. A child with low self-esteem has a tougher time in all these areas, and needs extra help from you.
Maintaining your child's confidence
It's still vitally important for you to keep working at building your child's confidence throughout these years, especially as school life and friends may give it a sideways knock.
Suggestions
• Believe in your child and show it - let her know she's a worthwhile, lovable individual.
• Give praise and positive feedback - your child measures her worth and achievements by what you think of her. "Well done, that was hard, and you managed it" is music to young ears. Reassure your child that it's OK to make mistakes and that it's all part of growing up.
• Practise active, reflective listening - listen carefully, repeat what you've heard to make sure you understand and give positive prompts to encourage your child to continue.
• Acknowledge your child's feelings - and help her express them verbally.
• Criticise behaviour, not your child - it's very easy to fall into this trap, but too much criticism tells your child she's a bad person and is causing things to happen because of her own stupidity. This is very damaging if it goes on for a long time. Be clear that it's an action you're angry about or behaviour you don't like.
• Respect your child's interests, even if they seem boring to you - take a genuine interest in your child's friends, and what's happening at school, and comment to show you're listening.
• Accept any fears or insecurities your child expresses as genuine - even if they seem trivial to you, don't just brush them aside. If your child says "I'm useless at maths" say "You're obviously finding maths a struggle, how can I help you?"
• Encourage independence - encourage your child to take chances and try new things. Succeeding gives a huge boost to confidence, and sometimes your child will need to learn by her mistakes.
• Laugh with your child - never at her.
• Focus on your child's successes - swimming, music, whatever she can succeed at.

Are you helping or hindering?
"I told you so" You've warned your child she shouldn't walk across the carpet carrying a cup full of milk and her dinner. She does it anyway, but trips and spills it. It's tempting to say: "Now looks what you've done. I told you that you couldn't do it." Comments such as this make your child feel even worse than she does already for failing at something. Instead, try to give support by saying something like: "Oh no, you tried, but it didn't work.
Never mind. Next time you could carry them one at a time."
Talking about your child It's not only the critical things said directly to your children that can undermine confidence. If your child overhears you tell someone that "she's got two left feet" or "she's so clumsy" they might think you really believe this and feel it can't be changed.
Putting yourself down Things you say about yourself can damage your child's self-esteem. Children learn a great deal from copying adults close to them. If you overreact to situations or pressure, your child may worry that you really can't handle life's challenges. This won't set your child an example of a positive, optimistic attitude to life and how to handle problems.
Thoughtless remarks Think before you speak and choose your words with care - it's very easy to say something without thinking, then wish you hadn't. "You're so clumsy" or "Don't be stupid" can be said in an irritated moment when the cereal is spilled or an innocent question is asked. Too many negative remarks like this can result in children believing they're useless or stupid.
All the following can damage a child's confidence:
• saying you don't love them
• saying you wish they'd never been born
• insults or unkind remarks
• deliberately ridiculing things your child does or feels
• cruel teasing and sarcasm
• endless nagging
• aggressive shouting and swearing
Say "sorry" if you get it wrong
none of us are saints and we all sometimes say something and immediately regret it. If this happens, it's best to admit this to your child. Say: "I should never have said that. It was an unkind thing to say and I don't mean it. I'm just tired." Then have a cuddle and make up.
Bullying
Teasing, some fighting and falling out with friends is a normal part of school-age relationships. But if one child is constantly dominating another, this
Creates a bully-victim relationship Bullies and victims may be unconsciously drawn to each other. Bullying is a big problem for many children.
Parents need to be alert to signs their children are involved in bullying.
Bullies and bullied are both victims
A bully may:
• Tease or hit other children
• Demonstrate a lot of angry behaviour or displays of temper
• Defy parents or teachers
A victim may:
• Find it hard to join in with friends
• Be taken advantage of or teased by other children
• Show some helplessness or be easily upset
• Be timid, shy or different in some way
If you think your child may be a bully
• Teach him or her about respecting other people's rights - don't just assume your child will know this. Constantly stress how others feel, and
How important it is not to do things that make other people feel bad. Try to teach your child to treat others as he or she would like to be treated.
• Have firm rules that don't accept mean or nasty behaviour towards others.
• Teach your child to negotiate. Use role play to teach him how to ask for things he wants rather than forcing his will on others.
• Keep a record of bullying incidents. This will help to identify whether anything in particular is causing your child stress and setting him off.
• Don't use bullying tactics at home to make your child do what you want.
• Make sure you're positive about your entire child's good, cooperative behaviour.
If you think your child may be a victim of bullying
• Explain that bullies are children who may be upset or sad, perhaps because of unhappy events at home.
• Tell your child it's not his fault and explain that no one deserves mean treatment.
• Use role play to teach him how to handle incidents, examples include not showing you're bothered or upset by teasing, saying firmly you
Don’t like it and walking away.
• Explain there's no shame in just keeping out of the bully's way.
• Listen and talk, take the time to listen to your child's worries about the events in his day.
• Be alert to when things seem to get worse - you may need to intervene.
• Build self-esteem by finding activities your child can be good at.
• Always praise your child, especially for acts of courage.
• Don't overprotect your child; it may only make him feel more vulnerable and helpless.
• Is your child dominated at home by siblings, for example? If so, maybe he's used to being treated like a doormat.

What forms does bullying take?
• Verbal - calling names, sarcastic remarks and put-downs
• Physical - hitting, pushing
• Psychological - deliberately excluding from a group, spreading malicious stories
• Threatening - demands for money or toys

Summary
Most bullying takes place in or near schools. If the bullying is serious, you may need to report it to the school. Most schools have a bullying policy and should take clear steps to do something about your complaint. If you're not satisfied, go to the school governors or to your local education authority. If the bullying is very serious, some parents opt to move their child to a different school for a fresh start, or decide to educate at home.

All year round tips & tricks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:42:00 +0000

So you have just started to recover from the Christmas break disappointment of having to miss out on buying a popular present, having to greet the New Year with the ceremonial promise of the coming year's resolutions? Only to find out that your friend has dropped a word in your ear to tell you that they've just found an irresistible bargain at the clothing boutique for a cheap price and guess what you're too late to get there because it was a week ago that the sale started and so on??

When is this nightmare going to stop, Christmas, New Year, oh when will this ever stop?? Why are other people finding these bargains, whilst I find out via the magazine, paper, and media, only to reach to the store to be told ALL SOLD OUT???

Why do some shops place ads, fully knowing that the item you gazed your eyes on, you've set your mind on, will never be bought by you, because it was never available in the first place, no point in queuing, no point in being at the door first, because after the mayhem of getting to the item, it's gone, yes gone?? What you need to do is get clued up, wise up your shopping technique and get smart?? Instead of waiting till last minute to venture out, why not utilize the information below and plan a course of action well in advance for once??

January
Retailers cash in on New Years resolutions to exercise and get organised, so there are bargains on fitness equipment and office supplies.

February
Shops cut prices on boxes of chocolate a few days before Valentines Day to shift stock that's going out-of -date. Winter clothing also gets its biggest mark-downs now.

March
The first signs of spring means there are price reductions on gardening items, as well as holiday luggage.

April
This is when people are thinking about putting their homes on the market, so DIY stores encourage home-owners with mark-downs on paint and wallpaper.

May
Watch for bargains on white goods around the bank holiday

June
As the weather improves, retailers try to boost television sales with markdowns.

July
The summer sales are some of the best of the year. Summer clothing gets drastic price-cuts along with barbecues.

August
With summer warning, there are often bargains on out door furniture, with the summer holidays heading to a close. Retailers also offer bargains on school supplies and uniforms.

September
Sales abound on summer items such as lawn mowers and grills.

October
The newest toys for Christmas are hitting the shelves so shoppers can snap-up great deals while retailers make room for the latest crazes.

November
To cash-in on our desire to show off a sparkling home to Christmas guests, vacuum cleaners go on sale.

December
Yule-tide decorations, foods, cards, and toys get drastic markdowns as soon as Christmas is over.

The Dressy Androgynous look

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 14:45:00 +0000

Power Dressing - Androgynous Fashion Look 2007 - 2008

These days we're getting lazy with our work-wear. There isn't that many occasions which require we wear a full tailored suit with crisp shirt anymore. Most jobs today only require we look smart, which no longer means formal - a pair of black trousers and a neat top will usually suffice for the boardroom and some of us may get away with donning smart jeans or even (shock horror) a pair of flats to the office.
We've well and truly pushed the boundaries in the workplace, asserting our rights to wear skirts of all lengths, colourful tops and pretty shoes - but whatever happened to power dressing? With city slicking ladies leading the trend for fashionable work-wear, suits have quite simply become dull and promptly ditched in favour of more glamorous work-wear.
But a new kind of power dressing has emerged in recent months providing a stylish alternative to the classic work suit. The androgynous look has been keeping ultra-feminine fashion in check on the catwalk, seeing a trend towards nipped tailoring and bold, brash statement dressing - changing the way we dress for the office forever.

Whilst following all the current trends in the office is fun and fashionable, it also breaks the boundaries between work and play and like it or not, unless you work in the fashion industry, your boss will appreciate the smart and serious look rather than the ultra glam girl persona you may lead out of hours!

Power dressing may sound scary but it isn't if you carefully balance your look. Sometimes you might want to look fierce in front of colleagues and at others you might want to appear part of the crowd, so why not match your look to your work mood and start making big impressions through your clothes now that's power dressing.

Whether you've tried to win over a stubborn client or wanting to impress the rest of your colleagues with your ideas, the key is to choose clothes that ooze confidence. Feel confident as well as look it by choosing slimming styles that you feel comfortable wearing. Power dressing demands a fearless attitude which you'll never convincingly achieve if you don't like what you see in the mirror in the morning.

Choose trousers if you're unsure of baring your legs and leave the killer stilettos at home if you fear toppling over in the boardroom. Combine subtle pinstripe, slim leg trousers with pointed heels for a feminine, slimming look. Always wear high heels but opt for a chunkier heel rather than a stiletto for stability and a perfect, confident walk.
Pick jackets and blazers that are nipped in at the waist to create flattering curves and choose bold colours to wear underneath- weak pastel shades are the power dresser's major fashion faux pas; beige is anything but brave - choose an ambitious red or empowering orange.

If you're not sure about colour, embrace monochrome which is big business this season. Experiment with tailoring that features white lining and pinstripes, or simply add chic to a black suit with a thin white belt or bright crisp shirt.
Never wear anything too detailed or patterned when power dressing (you want to be bold - don't let your clothes steal the show). Choose straight, classic tailoring, smart, high-waist pencil skirts or trousers and find a style that you feel most confident and comfortable in.
Always keep accessories to a minimum choosing silver jewellery for subtle sparkle and a subtle leather tote or handbag to finish your confident, empowering and fashionably fierce look.

The Dressy Androgynous look

The androgynous look is a fun way to dress for work if your dress code forbids denim. You won't need to go all out to pull the look off as single elements of the trend will be just as effective.

Definition of Androgynous as used in fashion

As a 'look' of a female resembling a male. Popularized by actress Diane Keaton in the 1970's movie Annie Hall, and copied as fashion apparel. Kate Bosworth and Amanda Peet recently went androgynous at New York Fashion Week.

Celebrities & Fashion

Kate Bosworth and Amanda Peet embraced the menswear inspired fashion trend at the Rag Bone Runway Show in Bryant Park yesterday.

We love hearing all of our favourite celebrity fashionistas weigh in on the spring 2008 designs, and Kate had nothing but praise for Rag Bone's new line, saying, "I loved it! The clothes were easy to wear, effortless, chic".

Each piece you could match with something else [you own]. It was great." We all know how great Kate is at mixing and matching outfits.

Fashion Update - Overview

We at SovaCollection have noticed the shift in trends since the 80's that during the period of time fashion has been the fundamental time portal into the culture, popular art and the feeling of that given age. Whether you liked what was popular in mainstream at that time, it still left its mark forever embedded in people's memories.
Fashion as a whole is a "personal mode of expression", which was denoted by the hysteria of that time shown by the media, or by music that was popular at that time. We saw this as far back in the eighties, where the mode of feeling was innovative and experimental.

Health & Wealth of Gemstones

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 16:51:00 +0000

For thousands of years gemstones have played a part in all cultures through the highest orders of religion and Egyptian Pharaohs which in both cases have been well documented. The Egyptian High Priests believed in using gemstones to generate the properties of certain crystals to amplify the power within to a higher level. The Gemstone crystals most used in ancient Egypt was Carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, emerald and clear quartz.

This can be seen within the Jewish religion where in the Old Testament where Moses was ordered to create a breastplate (ephod), to be worn by a chosen high priest, in which within the ephod specially held gemstones to represent each of the houses of Israel. It was thought that God would communicate via his judgement through these stones to denote his instruction of orders to the children of Israel.

Thousands of years ago cultures such as the Egyptians and the Chinese long knew about the healing power properties of the gemstone crystals. Because of the secret knowledge of the use of the crystals, those that knew the practice were deemed very powerful and likes of the highest orders of religion and royalty knew this and as such ensured that they were kept close and the use of this practice made available to the rich and powerful.

Such examples of this practice are well known even to this very day:-

Chinese Acupuncture using crystal needles

Pranic healing no-touch energy healing

Ayurveda, Hinduism and Buddhism origin, using the art of Chakra to obtain the body and mind spiritual balance of life

The Mayans, Incas and native Indians also shared in the power of quartz crystals for healing on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. They also used crystals to diagnose diseases.

Most Gemstones are very old, sometimes millions and or billions of years old and have endured varying kind of miraculous traumatic force of nature, that was necessary to create them, such as earth quakes. For this reason gemstones are very powerful and by wearing them we can be near that power.

Learning more about gemstones and their properties, symbology and meanings can enhance our lives.
Healing Gemstones are spoken and described by many, but I have mentioned the most popular and the most powerful from centuries of old, scientific and religious.

Lapis lazuli - strengthens the immune system, also purifies blood, lowers blood pressure, cooling and soothing inflammation relief

Turquoise - aids in the absorption of nutrients, strengthens the immune system, aids the regeneration of tissue, and heals the whole body

Carnelian - Carnelian treats lower back problems, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and depression.

Emerald - Emerald helps in such disorders of the body major organs such as the heart, lungs and also the lumbar and muscular system, also helps in the healing of nose, eyes conditions and also aids recovery after an infectious disease.

Quartz crystals - Crystal can give physical help in treating vertigo ( it's widely understood to be the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving), chronic fatigue stands for chronic fatigue syndrome, long term tiredness, accompanied with two or more symptoms, such as headaches, joint pains. Chronic means persistent or long-term

Chrysolite (Peridot) - Peridot (Also known as) strengthens the immune system, metabolism and benefits the skin. It aids disorders of the heart, thymus, lungs, gallbladder, spleen and intestinal tract.

Topaz - It fortifies the nerves and stimulates the metabolism, helps to restore loss of appetite, healing of wounds and skin eruptions, gall bladder and the endocrine glands

Malachite - helps to lower blood pressure, treats asthma, arthritis and epilepsy. Of the body it aids fractures, swollen joints, travel sickness, vertigo, tumours, the eyes optic nerve, body organs such as the pancreas, spleen and the parathyroid.

Amethyst - helps to strengthen the will by overcoming the withdrawal symptoms of any of addiction syndrome, also help with headaches, sleeping disorder insomnia, arthritis, diabetes, pain relief and circulatory system issues

Hematite - It is said to aid in the improvement of blood flow, relaxes the feeling of tension and the pain of certain diseases, heals blood disorders and damaged body tissue

Jade - aids the body’s filtration and elimination organs by detoxifying and rebuilding itself. It is excellent for treating kidney problems and adrenal glands. The reproductive system, it helps in fertility and childbirth.

Garnet - treats spine Injuries and disorders of the spine, spinal fluid, spinal column, structure and composition. It purifies the major organs such as the heart and lungs. Garnet can also boosts the body’s immune system and lift the body energy levels.

Gemstones have been a sacred and meaningful to mankind since its discovery. Even as early as the time of the caveman, they picked up on these interesting stones and wore them as part of their tribal wear. There is something mysterious, so interesting that these stones provide us with a sense of power and that reason we are intensely attracted by them. We have highlighted the most popular and the most talked about gemstone crystals mentioned most amongst the religious and ancient cults and tribes throughout the century of time.

http://www.sovacollection.com/semi-precious-necklace/black-and-white-agate-necklace-jksova1003

I want to look like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:52:00 +0000

We decided to do a project on behalf of my wife’s niece, who had raised a quest that she wants to be a model!

She is 16 and has seen her mother as well as her Aunty Produce garments that are simply not on the high street and have been created and produced in house.

We began our quest by creating a storyboard and based her wishful end product on the celebrity that we thought that she looked similar too!

This celebrity is Rosie Huntington-Whitley

Well one can draw a breadth of optimism but this was a fashion project that we were going to wilt too!

The images enclosed are a summary of our final outlook to our own version of the most likely celebrity to favour our own little model Nicolette.

Photo Shoot Photos

Story Board

Compare and Contrast

In the end we were able to show our Niece how beautiful one can become whether you want to look like Rosie Huntley-Whitley or not, the outfit we designed and created did the rest!

About Us

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:49:00 +0000

SOVA Collection is a new concept to the world of fashion.

SOVA Collection started with a vision: to change the way a fashion house works, by bringing greater accessibility to individual design and production for occasional wear.

Founded by Kevin Thomas and his wife, considerable effort was placed into creating a key influencer network in fashion from all over the world. The best designs, patterns, materials and production technologies.

In bringing this to design, spectacular outfits began to emerge that combined the style, colour and varied materials in new ways that could only elicit desire and admiration from everyone.

But there was one other key element that finally led to the creation of SOVA Collection and that was the process by which these unique one off outfits were created. And that was the wearer.

To make the designs work, it had to be created with the wearer of the outfit at the very heart of the design process.

Over time, this process has been refined to a point where now almost anyone can become part of the SOVA Collection.

Working with your own design team, SOVA Collection will match the outfit to the event, create a design that tells the story you wish to tell and use materials from all over the world, all combined in an innovative way to ensure maximum comfort and practicality as well as looking spectacular. We call this fusion fashion, uniquely combining the event, your story and your feelings to create amazing results.

Because the wearer is fused to the design, each design can only be for them and no-one else.

But beware some outfits can be extraordinary and wearing them can be a real statement in its own right.

By being part of the SOVA Collection our fusion fashion will take you to a new level. Let them roll out the red carpet.

Dress Like a Celebrity

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:42:00 +0000

Womens Fashion Boutique, exclusive ready to wear, one off designer clothes

SOVA So Unusual So Unique For your eyes Only