Saturday, December 12, 2009

2010 Party Trend

December is the month to party, to celebrate the festive season, the year gone by and the new year that will start soon.

For this party season, look from within this season's trends: colour tones from black tones to bright pinks to metallic greys, shine and bling, short and mini dresses, classic sheath, metallics, one-shouldered dresses and tops, super high platform heels (Victoria Beckham's style), animal prints, sequins and a key accessory piece.

No matter what you wear, make sure to use your girl power: frills, ruffles (Moschino), sheer fabrics (Givenchy), high neckline and beautifully draped sleeves. And emphasise the hourglass shape, i.e. focus on the waist while making your shoulders and hips look wider.
What to wear winter 2009-2010 party season?

Black

Balck is the party colour this season (has always been though) but this season it is the top colour in colour palette of every designer - they have used at least one outfit in black.

Little black dresses are the best bet, but not only staples they have a trendy twist. Pick one with one-shoulder or go strapless with embellishments or some bling.

We like Demi Moore's classic single-shoulder RM by Roland Mouret dress that she wore with peep-toe pumps at the L.A. launch of Roland Mouret's exclusive Rainbow Collection for Net-a-Porter.
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Don't want to go all black?
This season, dresses in two or more colours are hot, the combined look of two colurs looks fresh and stylish. This colour blocking trend has been with us for two seasons and hasn't lost its popularity.

Colour block black with the shades of red, white, metallics or even pastels. Natalia Vodianova wore a satin peach and black colour blocked dress during the Louis Vuitton Pret a Porter show as part of the Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010. This style would make heads turn to you, feminine, sophisticatd and sexy, it certainly is the way to party.


Natalia Vodianova at Paris Womenswear Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2010
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Bright Pink

One of the hottest colours and must have of this Fall and Winter 2009/2010 is Bright Pink. The various shades of pink were everywhere in the winter 2009/2010 and is a great pick for your party wear.
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Party in pink, the colour is feminine, sexy and fun and would create a bold and fashionable you. Choose from brights to deep pinks, close to fuchsia tone.

How to wear?
Pink can always be combined with other colors, like black, gray, and cream and also with neon palette.

A bright pink shift dress is a smart pick, you can wear it with a jacket in the day and for the night, just take off the jacket, and some accessories and you are ready to party.

We like the way Hilary Duff paired her Bright Pink sheath dress with a black jacket, look great on her. Paired with the nude shoes, she looks taller and sexier.
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Hilary Duff on the set of The Business of Falling in Love
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You can also accessorise with the bright pink colour to glam up your look this party season. Turn heads with a scarf, handbag, shoes or another accessory. Team your LBD with a pair of hot pink heels - grey is another glam colour for this party season and goes well with pink.


One Shouldered or Asymmetric Necklines

From single-shouldered dresses to tops and bikinis, asymmetric shoulder-lines have been one of the most raved about trends for the 2009 and are popular this party season too.

Showing off one-shoulder in a dress can be subtly sexy and interesting on the eye, and the possibilities for how to wear it are numerous. You can pick a sexy one-shouldered dress, or choose a smart one-shouldered top and pair it with slim fit jeans, high heeled shoes and chunky earrings.

For a dress, you can choose from a simple and even have a casual look or can go for a feminine and sophisticated style, or something more flirty and sexy, a style perfect for party wear.


High on the thigh

This season, the emphasis is all on your toned legs, not the cleavage. Super short dresses are THE THING to wear this party season. From Gwen Stefani, Naomi Campbell to Heidi Klum, all are sporting this trend. There are lots of girls who love short skirts. So cheers ladies and get excited, this is your time to wear those sexy skirts (see Jessica Stroup below) and hit the party circuit flaunting those gorgeous short pieces!

You can go short with high hemline, like Gwen Stefani in the black number, or can choose to show your neck like Sarah Jessica Parker in her L'Wren Scott jacquard minidress.
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Gwen Stefani at Sherlock Holmes World Premiere (left) and
Sarah Jesica Parker at Meet the Morgans Premiere (right)

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And the best way to wear them? With thigh high or over-the-knee boots.


2. Makeup trend for this party season

A good make-up can really turn heads, so make sure to pay special attention to you makeup this party season. From the make-up trends, matt skin is really popular this winter. Shiny is out, go for pale skin with natural tints, rosy cheeks (pink, pink-blue, peach to natural-tan hues). Make sure you match your blush with either your eyes or your lips.

Your lips should look tender and innocent. Winter 2009-2010 lip color palette range from slightly pink, violet, fuchsia to extremely pale, almost skin-fitting-hue.

Steer away from lip glosses or shiny lips. If you choose to go red on lips, keep the rest of the look simple and team it with colourless eyes. Go red in Gwen Stefani way.

Eyes are the most important part of this season make up trend. There’ll be two extremes for the eyes: smoky-smoky and almost naked ones. Bright colors fit paleness. And this season, keep aside your fake lashes, emphasis is more on the eye shadows then the long lashes. Compensate the lashes with shaded dark pencil at the out corner of the eye line. Thick black and brown eyebrows are in this winter 2009-2010, as they brightly contour the eye shadow.

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Monday, December 7, 2009

Food for Healthy and Shiny Hair

The main problems of unhealthy hair are stress, hormonal imbalance, digestive problems and inadequate nutrition.



Having a good diet comprising of nutritious food coupled with excersises that would de-stress you is a great way to ensure that you have healthy hair. And with that you'll also get a glowing skin as added bonus.

Deficiency of certain vitamins and fat (that's right, dieting is bad for your hair) cause hairfall. Girls (or guys) if you are on a low-fat diet you might be at risk of losing hair because fats are necessary for absorbing Vitamin A and E which are a must for healthy hair.

Moreover, you also need to ensure that you have sufficient intake of Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12's association with hair growth has to do with its assistance of oxygen transportation throughout the body. Hair, just like most body parts, requires oxygen to grow properly.

So if you are having a hair loss problem, it could be because of vitamin B12 deficiency. Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B12, are not stored in the body as easily as fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E and K. For this reason, it is important to ensure that daily recommended allowances of vitamin B12 are consumed each day. If this is accomplished, hair can grow much more normally and prevent hair loss.

Other essential nutrients are - Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, proteins and carbohydrates. Find below a list of foods which are rich in the above mentioned nutrients:
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- Protein: Beans or legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair.

- Vitamin A: pumpkin, dried apricot, carrot and spinach.Dark green vgetables lie spinach and broccoli are an excellent source of vitamin A (and also Vitamin C). This is needed by your body to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body's natural hair conditioner. Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

- Vitamin E: wheat germ, almond, avocado and coconut.

- Healthy fats to absorb Vitamin A and E: Cold pressed oil like extra virgin olive oil, mustard oil, and coconut oil. Omega 3 fatty acids like flax seeds and walnuts are also very good.
- Vitamin B-complex: Available in most food items rich in carbohydrates like wheat and rice.
- Vitamin C: berries (like amla), lemon, oranges and guavas (these have four times more Vitamin C than any other fruits).

- Nuts: Brazil nuts are one of nature's best sources of selenium, an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. Cashews, pecans, and almonds, in addition to walnuts, are an excellent source of zinc. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

An overall balanced diet of lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and low-fat dairy will help keep hair healthy.

EXCERCISE

Proper blood circulation promotes nourishment of the hair follicles and these result in hair that is healthier and more in volume. Stress is one of the biggest cause of hair problems. So excercising regularly will not only give you a fab body but will als help you relax and feel happy, and this combination will give you healthy hair.

Breathing excercises (particularly yoga) that boost blood circulation are good for your hair. A combination of brisk walking and jogging for 20 minutes coupled with some stretching would also benefit your health.

Image Source

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Sunday, December 6, 2009

BEAUTY REGIME FOR WINTER

Come Winter and the skin and hair become dull and lifeless. Freezing weather, lack of sunshine combined with exposure to heaters can be unkind to delicate skin and hence it becomes essential to follow a strict beauty regime and take care of your skin.

Some tips to keep your skin and hair in good shape:

- WASHING FACE: Washing your face with warm water twice a day would help to open and clean out the pores and that using cold water straight afterwards helps to close them again.

- MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE, MOISTURISE: Its absolutely essential during winter even for those with oily skin. The skin loses its moisture and becomes itchy, dry and lifeless. Therefore, use a good rich body crem to keep your body and face soft and supple.

You could add some almond oil to your bath water and soak in the water for a few minutes,that would leve your skin moisturised. Or else, try some good after bath body oil as its great for dry skin and does not make it greasy. I use Grapeseed Softening Body Oil from the 'Botanics' range of Boots. It comes in a spray and makes the skin very soft.

Aloe Vera gel or plant extract is also a good moisturiser. The plant is known for its healing properties against cuts, wounds and burns.

- BATHING: Do not use very hot water for bathing, as it makes skin dry. Use warm water instead, it will keep skin well moisturised and soft. Use a good creamy body wash, like Vanilla and Cocoa Shower Cream by Original Source. It smells great, cleanses skin and leaves it soft.

- EXFOLIATE: Exfoliating is a great way to get rid of dull skin and stimulate new skin growth. A good exfoliation will re-energise the skin, and get rid of the top layer of life less winter skin. Do this once or twice a month to keep yourself looking and feeling gorgeous.

Hip US brand Malin+Goetz has created a Detox Face Mask (£15 at www.liberty.co.uk) that is, literally, bursting with oxygen as it fizzes and foams on contact with skin to gently exfoliate away impurities, leaving nothing less than a radiant complexion (Source: Vogue).

- USE SPF: Just because the sun is not showing, you still need to protect skin from UV rays. Wear a cream or a sunscren lotion with minimum of SPF 15 during the day.

- CONDITION HAIR: Winter makes hair dry, frizzy and brittle. A good conditoner is a must for this season. To bring in shine to your hair, you could also consider washing them with mineral water (yah it sounds cazy, but it works). Also, trying washing with cold water, do not use hot water to wash hair. It would make them dry and brittle.

Dull locks can be revived with Great Lengths Anti Tap Water pH Regulator (£12 at www.greatlengthshair.co.uk) that is, fabulously, a "descaler" for the hair that breaks downs limescale build-up which can occur from inner-city hard water (Source: Vogue).

- Avoid HAIR STYLING that uses heat: During winters its advisable to limit use blow dryers, straighteners and curlers. If you have must use an appliance, condition your hair first - the sudden use of heat in cold weather can make hear weak.

Please share your winer beauty tips in the comments section.
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Laura Mercier Crème de Pistache

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Laura Mercier Crème de Pistache

Laura Mercier's Crème de Pistache, its Bath and Body Collection is completely delectable. It smells great and feels great on skin. The collection includes Soufflé Body Crème, Body Scrub and Honey Bath.
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The Soufflé Body Crème is rich and luxurious, leaving your skin smell great and moistured all day long. Just a little cream on the body and you will feel great. Unlike usual rich creams, it does not make your skin greasy or makes it feel too heavy. Just the right amount of moisture you require. The smell is great, it not just smells of pistacio but has hint of almond, praline, and hazelnut. Try it and you are sure going to love it.


The Body Scrub is equally good, it uses crushed pistachio shells for exfoliation, removing dead skin and leaving your skin soft and smooth. It smells great and is a great buy. Have been looking for a great scrub since long and this one is just perfect.


I haven't tried the Honey Bath, but have heard good reviews of the product. Its made from natural ingredients and they say 'it leaves the skin feel fresh and supple'.


At $46 for the body scrub, $40 for the honey bath and $55 for the body cream its a bit expensive, but it is good to pamper and indulge yourself in luxury. And for those who are looking for something to fit your budget, you must try the bath and body products from the skincare brand Naked, they are made from natural ingredients and are crueltyfree. Click here to know more about it.

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Monday, November 30, 2009

The Best of Despi Spring/Summer 2010 Swimwear

Its the first post on Beautify on Swimsuits. Despi's Spring/Summer 2010 collection is chic, classy and sophisticated, so how could we miss them on this blog?

Despi, the Brazilian swimwear brand is making waves in the fashion world with its sexy & classy designs in swimwear and their Spring/Summer 2010 are just irresistible. The Spring/Summer 2010 swimwear collection has 18kt gold detailing, inspired designs, beautiful colours and authentic Brazilian beach looks!

They say, "Subtly beautiful details like delicate elaborate beading enhance the classic look of Despi swimsuits, and the result is a dreamy goddess-like appearance. The fabrics and textures are always sensually soft, and the designs are carefully constructed so customers are able achieve that perfect-fit. With Despi Swimwear, you’ll shine in subtle sophistication, and with just one glance, your stunning appearance will leave them breathless", and rightly so.
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Sexy Plum

This plum one piece swimsuit with gold detail is chic and an absolute stunner. Love the colour and design, sure to soar temprature this summer.
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Shades of Green
Pictures speak a thousand words, look at the images below and you'll know what it means. The prett unusual and chic designs in green is definitely a mut-buy iyou're planning to hit the water this summer.
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In Rust
The one-piece swimsuit and the halter beaded bikini in rust is a stunner.
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Brazilian model Bianca Klamt Motta has done Despia's Spring Summer 2010 campaign.

Image Source
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Tiffany Diamond Statement

Make a statement with one of Tiffany's designs from their collection.
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EARRINGS

Look lovely in the beautiful dangling earrings from Tiffany, from left: pendulum diamond drop earrings, swirl diamond drop earrings and teardrop diamond drop earrings.
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Tiffany Key Pendants


Arent's these keys just gorgeous. Tiffany sure knows how to make keys look their best. Used as pendants, Tiffany has them in various styles from petals to heart key in platinum, titanium, silver, yellow gold, rose gold and diamonds.
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Beautiful Tiffany Pendants


Whether you choose the oval orange tourmaline medallion pendant with diamonds or the diamond and yellow gold locket, its sure too make a statement.
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Saturday, November 28, 2009

Shilpa Shetty Wedding

Finally Shilpa Shetty got married to her British Indian beau Raj Kundra. The ubiquity of her wedding talks on television and print has been a bit much, but we still can't miss the bride's and her friends' pictures on her wedding ceremony and reception.


Shilpa Wedding's Grand Reception

Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra's grand wedding reception was held at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai and, it goes without saying, was attended by who who's of the business and glam world.

For the reception Shilpa wore a sequineed golden Tarun Tahiliani contemporary lehenga, inspired by a dress, while the British businessman, Raj Kundra wore a black sherwani by the duo Shantanu and Nikhil.

I'd say I was disapponted by the bride, who didn't pay much attention to her groom. His sherwani was rather disappointing and we wish he would have worn something better. As for Shilpa, she certainly looked stunning. But considering it was her wedding, a more traditional lehenga would have been better suited for the reception. There's nothing like a demure bride. She's looking more like ready for an item number, than a bride.

Well it was their 'Big Day', so everything is forgiven.
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The Guest List

Shilpa Shetty's wedding reception was a star-studded affair with bigwigs Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan attending the wedding ceremony to wish the couple a happy life ahead. Let's see who wore what at the occassion.
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Shamita Shetty, certainly not the guest but family, wore a blue green Manish Malhotra saree for the reception. Weddings are the perfect occassion to bring our your blingiest saree, but this one does not work at all. The colour and the design both are a turn-off. Shamita, it was your own sister's wedding, you surely could have done better.
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Rani Mukherjee was one of the most well-dressed attendees at Shilpa Shetty's wedding. She turned in a lovely pink Manish Malhotra wedding and looked quite a stunner.

Rani Mukherjee at Shilpa Shetty's Wedding (above, below)
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Aishwaya Rai Bachchan attended Silpa Shetty's wedding reception with her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan (why is Abhishek always missing?). She wore a pink Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla pink anarkali, that she also wore back in 2007 at Bachchan Sandhya in New York.
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Aishwarya Rai and Amitabh Bachchan at Shilpa Shetty Wedding (above, below)
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Rekha attended Shilpa's wedding in her classic kajevaram style. I am already not a big fan of kanjevarams and this look is too blingy and passe for me. The drape does not look too good, too much jewelry with the already bright saree and the blouse looks bit ill-fitted. Rekha sure looks lovely despite everything though.
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Among the other high profile guest, the always flamboyant Vijay Mallya made a grand entrance at Shilpa's wedding reception at Hyatt in a black suit and smart smart shoes. Smart and Sophisticated, nothing too overdone.


Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Love Your Body: Parben Free Body Care

When it comes to skincare or skin products, natural is the way to go.

Even the big and famous cosmetic and body care companies use ingredients that cause cancer, kidney damage, headache and the list goes on.

I've found a company that uses all natural ingredients and does not even use parabens, SLS or petrochemicals in its products, the ingredients whichare found in the vast majority of toiletries on most bathroom. In fact they don't use animal derived ingredients, so you can be relieved that they are cruelty-free.
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Yes thats the name of the body care brand NAKED, strip down to the best raw ingredients and not to veil them in unnecessary chemicals or artificial colours. It has no synthetic ingredients and has atleast 97% of its ingredients natural.
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97% Natural, but What about the other 3%?
They say....

"The other 3% - is made up of miniscule amounts of synthetic ingredients to ensure safety and stability of the products e.g. the preservative system (like Benzoic Acid or Methylisothiazolinone) to stop mould and fungus growing after opening; binding agents like EDTA which stop unwanted chemical reactions and separation; and performance enhancers like anti-static agents to prevent flyaway hair. In many cases we reach 99.5% naturalness"





Crammed with gorgeous high quality botanical extracts and created with plant and mineral derived ingredients, Naked products range includes creamy, foamy body washes with tantalizing scents (like White Ginger and Minty Menthol), shampoos and conditioners tailored to your hair type (straight or curly, normal to dry, etc) as well as luxurious, soothing body butters, exfoliating scrubs and daily face washes.
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They're also all reasonably priced; most of the range costs £3.91, with none of the products costing more than £7.82.

Recommended Product:
Naked's Coco de Mer Body Butter, it moisturises your body making it soft and supple and leaving it smelling gorgeous.



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Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Winter Autumn Designer Picks at Bargain

Winter is approaching and its time you deck up your wardrobe with some stylish designer buys at bargain.

Lace, satin, embellishments, black, tailored, gold, shimmer are some of the key Autumn/Winter must haves.

BEAUTIFY'S DESIGNER PICKS

The Feminine Look
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Tailored
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Sunday, November 1, 2009

Best Dressed Celebs in October

Let's check out some of the best dressed celebrities in the month just gone by - October 2009.
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Gwen Stefani at 26th Annual Night of Stars Awards in NYC

Gwen Stefani looked absolutely stunning at 26th Annual Night of Stars Awards in New York City. She kept it short and simple and something about this look is just so perfect. Gwen gives us a refreshing change and honestly not missing the red lip look she usually dawns.

She wore a belted halter dress, a L.A.M.B. clutch, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and patent peep-toe pumps. She took a classic LBD and added a high-gloss belt, instantly transforming it into edgy leg-baring dress with high/low hemline that perfectly suits her rock-star style and adds a touch of charm.

Gwen looks great! She looks pretty and demure.
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Eva Longoria Parker at the Rally for Kids with Cancer in Miami

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Eva Longoria Parker wore an electric-blue dress and taupe pumps at the Rally for kids with cancer scavenger hunt at the Eden Roc Hotel in Miami Beach. The cobalt sheath does the perfect justice to her curves.
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Eva Longoria Parker at the Rally


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Reese Witherspoon at Avon events

Reese Witherspoon continues to delight with her always so perfect look. She chose to wear a black and white look at the Avon Foundation's - Champions Who Change Womens Lives.

At another event Reese Witherspoon and Avon celebrate the launch of her new fragrance In Bloom by Reese Witherspoon in Times Square, NYC on Wednesday. For the occassion, she wore a gorgeous red embroidered L’Wren Scott dress from the Spring 2010 collection.

Like her in at both the occasions. You like?
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Jennifer Lopez at the LA Premiere of 'This is it'

Jennifer Lopez chose a sparkly glittery black look at the priemiere of 'This is it'. She was clad hea-toe in Herve Leger wearing a beaded black dress, studded slouch knee-length boots, a big bracelet and black clutch.
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Jessica Alba - a casual look

Jessica Alba looked stylish in the casual ensemble while she was out and about in Beverly Hills with her daughter. Alba wore a sleep striped cardigan, slim fit jeansand knee-high suede bots, along with a hardware heavy black bag.
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Jessica Alba in Beverly Hills


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Saturday, October 31, 2009

Christian Louboutin Dresses Barbie

Shoe designer Christian Louboutin teamed up with Barbie to create a collection for the doll - My Year in Paris. Christian Louboutin gave Barbie doll a complete makeover on her 50th anniversary. He not only designed shoes for her but also revamped her whole wardrobe.

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My Year in Paris with Christian Louboutin will see three different Barbie - the jewel thief-themed Barbie (to be launched in December 2009, safari-themed Barbie (to be launched in February 2010), and Cannes Film Festival Barbie,(in May 2010). Louboutin's Barbie will be available at the price of US$120 for a set. All the three dolls will be packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes, which will be accompanied by four pairs of Barbie-sized Louboutin heels. Thousands of women would die to get a Louboutin pair, but here's our lucky Barbie who's wearing them (and not one but four pairs in each set!!!!).
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As part of the collection an album will be published, for which a whole city was created for Barbie, and not just any city but City of Paris. The images include beautiful pictures of Paris and a gorgeous doll-girl wearing Louboutin shoes and perfect clothing.
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Sure the pictures look good and the idea is interesting, but creating Louboutin clad Barbies for little kids sounds too materialistic. They're just small kids, wanting to play with their dolls, what do they understand about designer mania. And why make them understand at such small age? Hoity-toity women would be happy to but these Barbie for their kids. But honestly, spare the kids of these materialisms.

Instead of roping in Mr. Louboutin, some other publicity stunt, that would have benefitted society too, would have been a better idea.

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Jimmy Choo for H&M to debut on Nov 14th

Early in June H&M announced that Jimmy Choo will be doing a Collection for H&M. The collection will include handbags, shoes (of course), men's line of shoes and accessories and yes there will also be a clothing line to complement the accessories.

We're eagerly waiting for 14th November, as this is when the collection is debuting.
Read on for the collection preview.
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Jimmy Choo for H&M - Collection Preview


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For full collection preview, click here.

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Price Range?
- Footwear will run from $99-$129, with high-end models topping $299.
- Handbags will be priced from $59.95 to $299.
- Clothing line will have $69.95 tank tops and $249 suede one-shoulder dresses.

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Photo Courtsey: Shoe blog, Nitrolicious, Fab Sugar
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