Japan's Hime Gyaru Fashion

Japanese teens always have some out there kinds of styles. There are many different styles that each teen chooses to follow. One of the latest ones getting major buzz is the Hime Gyaru. From what I gather Hime means princess and Gyaru means gal.

What’s Hime Gyaru look like?

Complexion: slightly tanned to fair
Clothing Colours: mostly pinks and whites, sometimes red and black and any pastel colours, flower designs, etc. Almost anything frilly or lacy.
Hair: long-roll curly hair, sometimes bleached blonde or shades of burgundy, sometimes bee-hive hairstyle
Nails: fingernails caked in glitter and imitation precious stones.
Jewellery: Lots of bows (ribbons) and crystals or fake diamonds. Lots of jewellery, faux fur and lace. Brooches and bracelets designed like kitties, clowns and ice-cream cones.
Mobile phones: jewel stickers to make cellphones look like gaudy national treasures.
Shoes: Cinderalla high-heels, see-through stilletoes, shoes with lots of glitter or 3-dimensional flowers. Another playful version of the Hime Gyaru wear knee-high stockings and flat ballet-inspired shoes.
Other accessories: Lacy gloves, lacy or cutesy or over-sized ribbon head “gear”, lacy gloves and lacy umbrellas, lace cuffs (for wrists).

Bondage Dress

Trend Watch!

Lately in the past few months there have been many celebrities wearing the bondage dress. The dress is super tight and looks like you have been wrapped in a bandage. Unfortunetly it's not the greatest dress for all body types.

Golden Globes 2009

Last night was the Golden Globes. I noticed a lot of pale colours on celebrities and darker blues. There were also many that has ruffles and romantic, flowing gowns. Here are a few pictures thanks to JustJared.com

Vanessa Hudgens in Alberta Ferretti

Miley Cyrus in Marchesa

Even Rachel Wood in Elie Saab

Blake Lively in Nina Ricci

Beyonce in Elie Saab

Angelina Jolie Pitt in Atelier Versace

America Ferrera in Oscar de la Renta

Saving Money Tips

Whether you gave a lot or received a lot of money throughout the holiday season, you may want to start saving money. With the economy and stock markets taking a hit all over the world, money may be getting tight for some of us. It doesn’t matter your budget situation or the reason why, you can still look great and keep your style without spending a load of cash.

Tip 1: Used Clothing Stores

Honestly, there is nothing wrong with many second hand clothing stores. Look for quality pieces that are in good condition and that fit properly. I personally have this one used clothing store where I buy most of my jeans. Sometimes when I go, they don’t have anything that fits; sometimes that is the case. It’s all about luck. I recommend you take a look at used clothing stores near you; they may surprise you. The store I go to even sometimes has brands like American Eagle and Roxy. There has been a few times where I find jeans that would be worth five times more at a regular store.

Often used clothing stores will take your old clothes, if in good condition and even give you a small amount of money or store credit for them.

Tip 2: Shop Smart

Do I really need this? Do I have anything in my wardrobe to wear it with? Ask yourself questions. Sometimes I see something and think ‘oh my god I love this’ but the truth is I have enough jewellery like it or that I would probably never wear it because they are heels and I feel weird in heels. Thinking about it thoroughly sometimes can change your mind. If you need and want it bad enough, then get it.

Tip 3: Read the Flyers
Know what is on sale. If a store is having a sale on something then go! What are you waiting for?! See tip 2.

Tip 4: Opt for local or National when online shopping

Online shopping can be great but depending on where you buy from can influence the cost. If I was to buy something online from a U.S site I would have to pay around an extra $20 USD just for shipping it to Canada – not to mention dollar conversion costs. I would rather opt for ordering from Canadian sites where I can buy from and that offer much less shipping costs and that sell great things too. Know the policies of that online store and remember about shipping fees and dollar conversion costs.

Hope these tips helped!

Dressing for the Right Holiday Event

Sometimes certain holiday parties call for a certain type of dress code. Here is what you need to know.

Black Tie / Formal

A Black Tie invitation calls for formal attire. Men wear tuxedos, women wear cocktail, long dresses or dressy evening separates.

Semi-Formal
Semi-Formal or After Five means that tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses. An evening event (after 6 PM) would still dictate dark suits for him, and a cocktail dress for her. Daytime semi-formal events mean a suit for him and an appropriate short dress or dressy suit for her.
Business Formal is the same as Semi-Formal for him, but for women it suggests that women opt for more tailored dressy suits and dresses (nothing too slinky or sexy).

Cocktail Attire
Cocktail Attire means short, elegant dresses for her and dark suits for him.

Informal
Informal is often interpreted as the same as Casual but it actually calls for the same dress as Semi-Formal -- dark suits for him, short dresses for her.

Festive Attire
Festive Attire is usually seen around the holidays, with the mood of the party being Informal or Semi-Formal. For her, it means to choose looks with a bit of sparkle or (i.e. a beaded sweater with black pants, a red silk blouse with a black skirt).

Casual
Dressy Casual calls for dressed-up versions of casual looks. Jeans, shorts, T-shirts and other casual looks are not appropriate for Dressy Casual.
Casual generally means anything goes.

Eco Friendly Fabrics

We all hear about the benefits of organic, recyclable and eco friendly materials, but how much do we really know about eco friendly fabrics? Interested in learning more about them? Read below on organic cotton, bamboo fabric and fabric made with hemp.

Cotton Vs. Organic Cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics in the world. It has traditionally been grown with mass use of pesticides, chemicals, and water. The chemicals used in conventional cotton account for up to ½ of the worldwide pesticide use. Organic cotton is cotton that is grown without chemical pesticides. Fertilizers that are used include compost, manure, naturally derived mineral and plant fertilizers. Insect controls involve the use of beneficial insects and natural pesticides certified for organic crops. Organic cotton is also processed without oils, chemicals, and pesticides. Organic cotton feels softer, smells cleaner, and is less likely to trigger allergies. The sustainable farming practices used to grow organic cotton do not pollute groundwater, surface water, soil, or air.

Bamboo
Bamboo fabric is a natural textile made from the pulp of the bamboo grass. Bamboo grows quickly; it is biodegradable and is naturally regenerative. Bamboo is a fast growing plant, with shoots averaging 24 to 36 inches or more in a 24 hour period. Bamboo fabric is naturally anti-microbial, hypoallergenic and thermal regulating. It is also resistant to mold. After multiple washings, over 70% of the bacteria cultured on bamboo textiles are destroyed by the fiber. Bamboo breathes and wicks moisture away due to its porous nature. The fabric made from bamboo is extremely soft and comfy (I have bought bamboo jersey material and made some t-shirts to wear so I know this for sure).

Hemp
Hemp, a cellulose fiber is one of the longest and strongest fibers and therefore it does not require any pesticide, insecticidal or herbicidal use. Hemp does not exhaust the soil and enables sustainability by leaving the soil in excellent condition for any succeeding crops. Hemp is an extremely durable fabric, and it has eight times the strength of cotton. Hemp outwears cotton and other natural fabrics. Hemp is also more insulating, absorbent and improves with washing and wearing. I personally have never used or felt anything made with hemp so I am not sure about the feel.

There are a lot of stores and brands that are starting to make eco friendly clothing and bags. It can be a little hard to find these types of items, but it is not impossible.

2008 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Tune in December 3rd at 10/9C on CBS or check your local listings to see the show. Here are pictures

thanks to fashionism.ca for most of the pictures.