Neuaura Shoes: Vegan Luxury

Neuaura, the vegan and eco-friendly shoe brand, offers a range of uncompromising fashion footwear to animal-friendly customers. Their shoes are an epitome of sohphistication and style, making it a must-have for every wardrobe. And the best part is, whether its their classic riding boots or suede pumps or chic flats, everything is made without using any animal products, at the same time without compromising on quality or style.
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Nominated for the 2010 Veggie Awards for the best shoes, Neuaura shoes is the brainchild of Arti Upadhyay. Born and raised in the US by very religious and spiritual Indian parents, Arti has played a major part in launching many successful national footwear brands for the last eight years, and has learned first-hand how to create fashion-forward, quality vegan footwear that is both animal friendly and more environmentally friendly.

She founded NEUAURA because she is a vegetarian who also believes in a fashion-forward lifestyle. Over the years she has come across many women like herself, who were looking for fashionable, high-quality animal-friendly products.
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Neuaura shoes do not contain any leather, fur, silk, wool, shell, or pearls. No animal by-products are used during manufacturing and/or finishing processes.
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Neuaura has once again proved that style does not mean harming animals. Style, quality and ethical treatment to animals can go hand-in-hand. We love their shoes!!!!!



Priced between $75-225, you can buy Neuaura Shoes online at:
http://www.neuaurashoes.com/ (US customers)
http://www.fashion-conscience.com/ (UK customers)
http://www.neoncollective.com/ (UK customers)
Their shoes are also available at select stores in US, Canada, Europe (Austria, Germany, UK) and Asia (Japan), visit their website for more details.


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Best Dressed Women 2010

VOGUE MAGAZINE’S BEST-DRESSED LIST

Best Dressed of the Decade – Kate Moss
Vogue style director Alexandra Kotur commented, "No one has had more influence for the past decade on the way women have dressed than Kate Moss."
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The Bombshell – Blake Lively
Gossip Girl's Serena van der Woodsen, aka Blake Lively, makes it to the Vogue's Best Dressed List as the Bombshell, with her style choices. And she even was crowned cover girl of Vogue's special edition best dressed issue.
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Screen Siren – Marion Cotillard
French women and style are synonymous, and it won't be surprising if a French woman makes to the Best Dressed List.
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The Independent – Michelle Obama
The First Lady's has created quite a stir in the world for her fashion sense and canny style. She experimented against the usual blacks and blues of the capital steps. "She mixes the practical with the vigorously stylish and cardigan always handy" says Cathy Horyn of the Times.
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American Beauty – Jessica Biel

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Street Cool – Alexa Chung
British model-turned-TV-presenter Alexa Chung has won her admiration from the world's top fashion critics for her 'schoolgirl meets grandma' chic and is not the first time that she is listed on Vogue's Best Dressed List.
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Haute Bohemian – Sarah Jessica Parker
When the word Sarah Jessica Parker is spoken the first thing that comes to mind is stylish. Though her recent Sex and the City movie did not really make the fashion critics happy (and I totally understand why, the movie was a downer in terms of style), the lady still gets a listing on the Best Dressed List.
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Conscious Chic – Liya Kebede

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Free Spirit – Carey Mulligan
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New Classicist – Shala Monroque
Shala, the fashion writer, Editor-at-Large for Pop magazine and blogger has impeccable taste and am glad she was on the most fashionable women's list. Her style is classy but she doesn't shy away from strteching her boundaries. I love how she accessorizes with stand out pieces to add a touch of pizazz to some of her looks.
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The Visionary – Lady Gaga
Kotur says about Gaga, "What she has done is so wonderful in that there’s a spotlight on her and she’s opened up the vocabulary."
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Image Source

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Kobi Levi: Art with Shoes

A graduate from Bezalel Academy of Art & Design, Jerusalem, Kobi Levi crafts unusual designs for his shoes, each one of which is hand-made in his studio.

His recent collection is bizzare, but with a lot of creativity flowing into it, and they sure are interesting. Kobi says, "I see these shoes as wearable sculptures. It is important to me that they will be real shoes and not sculptures or toys".
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The design below is a chewing gum shoes, Kobi says "With ‘chewing gum’ I wanted to capture a frozen moment in everyday life - so a high heel shoe was born by creating a sneaker that looked like it had stepped on chewing gum."

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Born in Israel, Kobi Levi has his own workshop where he creates his fantastic shoes. His designs absolutely wearable though they seem to be like ones you will never be able to walk in.

Do you like them?

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Autumn Winter Colour Trend

Stylish Workout
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Casual, Cosy and Stylish: Work the Look

Going casual does not mean you'll score less on style. Casual and stylish can be synonymous if you work it right. With winters round the corner, dresses and skirts may not always be practical and layering becomes important to keep yourself from cold.

But that's the best part, you have myriad options to dress up for the winters and layering can be so much fun!!!!

Lets check out some of the stylish ladies who worked out the casual and chic style to their advantage.

Olivia Palermo
Olivia Palermo, the ever stylish American socialite, model and actress, worked out a smart all black look, while keeping things basics. She added finesse to her ensemble by mixing textures in wet-look skinnies (its an absolute no no if you are not lean), a sleek blazer and shaggy gillet. A tan structured classy clutch and Chanel pumps added a subtle colour pop, and completed the look just perfectly.

Claudia Schiffer
Claudia likes to keep things basic, she is usually sported in a very casual yet uber stylish ensemble. It works best because of the practicality yet not loosing on the style.

She was spotted in a dark jeans and sweater ensemble, on which she added a colourful scarf for the Parisian chic and a pop of colour, and stylishly roped a tan belt on the waist. Her satchel was both practical and stylish and perfectly complemented the look.

How to create these looks:
A classy accessory: simple and chic works very well for a casual yet stylish look
- add a pop of colour through a scarf (French women are known for their style, and a scarf is one of their best accessory)
- a simple structured clutch or smart tote or satchel can updo your look. But remember too keep it simple.
- A dark ensemble can become interesting through a pop of colour. Add it through your accessory like shoes, scarf, bag, a statement necklace
- Layering is great to get the style and keep you warm. A warm knitted sweater layered with a smart blazer or a jacket is good for any look.

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Bibhu Mohapatra at NYFW - Upcoming Designer

A star in the making, Bibhu Mohapatra, recently showcased his Spring 2011 collection at New York Fashion Week and we must say we were impressed with his collection. Born and brought up in India, Bibhu has worked with the likes of Halston and J. Mendel under Gilles Mendel.

For Spring 2011, Bibhu put a swingin' 60's spin on classic dresses and separates by adding giant, white-rimmed and oversized sunglasses and colorful caps. His collection contained several architecturally structured pieces that were chic, stylish and wearable.

There was something charmingly retro about some of the garments themselves: an amethyst satin cocktail dress featured large, bubble-like inlays, and a smock-like trench in crisp white could have been swiped from a Jackie O exhibit at the Kennedy Center. The color palette was soft, tones like grass, stone, dusk, plum, and black, which were feminine and mysterious.

The dresses felt feminine but still fresh, and with crisp origami folds wrap-around belts, would be perfectly suited to a chic work setting.
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Bibhu’s label launched with his first collection during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. The Bibhu Mohapatra collection is currently sold at select boutiques around North America including Bergdorf Goodman. In January 2010, he was awarded the “Women’s Apparel 2010 Rising Star Award,” by The Fashion Group International.

We love his collection, which was fashion forward yet feminine, wearable and youthful with a chic element to it.

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Celebrities' Preferred Hair Salons

We all know how important our hair are to us. Hair is one outfit you will never take off, take back to the shop or leave at the back of the wardrobe. Your hairdo can make or break your look irrespective of how you dress. So we find out the Hair Salons (in US, UK and India) that the style conscious celebrities visit for getting those sexy locks.
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(l-r) Hilary Duff, Cameron Diaz and Mischa Barton at Byron & Tracey Salon in LA, US

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India
b:blunt Hair Salon in Mumbai is a chic space to get your hair cut while sharing space with some of the celebs. The salon is frequented by some of the who who's of Bollywood celebs including Preity Zinta, Aamir Khan,Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal. Adhuna Bhabani Akhtar and Avan Contractor are the hands behind the beautiful looks given to these gliterrati, but their other stylists are also well-trained and experts to take care of your styling needs.
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Mad O Wot Hair Salon, a store cum salon run by the funky Sapna Bhavnani is another famous hair salon visited by the likes of Bipasha Basu, John Abraham, Koena Mitra and Yana Gupta. Her colourfully messy, delightfully named salon, Mad-O-Wot, is tucked away in Bandra, Mumbai. Contact: +91.(0)22.652.902.88.


United Kingdom
Andrew Barton Salon in Covent Garden London belongs to one of the Hairdressing Industry’s most experienced and highly regarded figures Andrew Barton. Some of the biggest stars include the clientele list of this salon including Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, The Olsen Twins, Kylie Minogue, Elle Macpherson. Contact: +44.(0)20.7112.5998
Special Offer: Make a booking before October 1st, 2010 and get 30% off on your first hair appointment, quote '10YY' when you book to avail this offer.


United States of America (USA)
Byron & Tracey Salon is one of the most popular hair salons among the Hollywood Celebs. Their clients include: Fergie, Cameron Diaz, Mischa Barton, Hilary Duff, Ashley Tisdale. The salon is located in Beverly Hills, LA. You are sure to spot some famous face in this celebrity packed salon. Contact Number: +1.310.276..440
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Neil George Salon in Beverly Hills, LA is listed in Elle 2010 America's Best Hair Salon list. The chic, open space has welcomed the likes of Reese Witherspoon, Heidi Klum, Kristin Cavallari and Angelina Jolie. Contact Number: +1.310.275.2808
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Kristin Cavallari coming out of Neil George Salon

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Garren New York Hair Salon is a very plush 3,500 square foot space at the Sherry-Netherland Hotel on 5th Avenue with sweeping views of Central Park. This salon's client list includes Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy. Garren, the celebrity hair stylist who runs this salon also has long counted designers Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui among his legion of fans. One has to usually wait several months for Garren's signature, razor-sharp layers and ultra-precise short cuts (think Isabella Rossellini), but a handful of more accessible stylists on-staff have less-dense booking calendars. Get your haircut ith Garren himself (costs over $700) or book Brian Devine or Jason Quinn known for their skillful and creative work-of-art. Costs vary between $105-$305. Contact Number +1.212.841.9400.

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You can also try Hiro Haraguchi Hair Salon in NYC located on prestigious 57th street and Madison Avenue in the historic 1929 Fuller Building along with PRADA, Coach, and numerous fine galleries.

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Eliza's Eyes, is the best place to get perfectly shaped eyebrows. Eliza Petrescu is New York's eyebrow shaping guru with a client list that includes JLo and Oprah Winfrey. Eliza costs $120 first visit/$88 follow-up. An "e-ssociate" costs $85/$65. Contact Number: +1.212.757.0702

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Key Looks from Spring 2011 Runway

Spring 2011 Collection was presented by the designers at the New York Fashion Week. The Collections were amazing with lot of colours, mutes, floral prints, feminine silhouettes and chic detailings.

We present some of the key trends and key pieces from designers - Victoria Beckham, Rebecca Taylor, Jason Wu and Donna Karan. Loved the playful, lovely and exciting pieces from Donna Karan, classy pieces from Victoria Beckham.

Victoria Beckham Spring 2011 Collection:
Gorgeous hourglass cocktail dresses, classic silhouettes, chic detailing, muted hues of blacks, greys and white and unexpected flash of brights was how we'll describe Victoria Beckham Spring Collection.
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Rebecca Taylor Spring 2011 Collection
70s glam was seen on Rebecca Taylor's runway Spring 2011 Collection. Bright hues were skillfully muted with nudes and peaches. Polka dots, prints, harem styled pants and breezy fabrics were feminine and Springish. Lots of tan was added by way of accessories to toughen up the girly look, in a muted way.
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Jason Wu Spring 2011 Collection
Explosion of cuts and colours, prints, monochromatic looks, ruffled edges, brights (purples and fuchsias) and styles borrowed from stylish eras of 40's and 70's was the Jason Wu's collection.
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Donn Karan Spring 2011 Collection
A refined young Parisian lady having fun with colours was what the Donna Karan's collection spoke out loud. Floral, tiered skirts and dresses, in multiple shades of ocean and turquoise blue. Scarves, belts, coloured platform pumps were used for creating a truly Parisian look and the result was absolutely lovely.
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Key Takeaways from the Spring 2011 Collections:
- Stock up on Bright Colours in next Spring (they're in even for the winters)
- Team your brights with nudes, nudes are huge this autumn/winter and would be your wardrobe staple even in the Spring/Summer 2011.
- Monochromatic looks were seen in runway collections of most designers. Wear a printed skirt with same hued bold t-shirt or girly top.
- Platform closed-toe pumps and high heels- wear them in nude (for lengthening legs) or bright colours. No blacks please.
- Lots of prints: look for 70's style like florals, polka dots.

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Gossip Girl: GET THE LOOK

Leighton Meester in Booties
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Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester (Blair) was seen fliming for the episode in NYC. She looked uber stylish wearing Marc Jacobs Gilded Sunflower Top and Alice + Olivia High Waisted Skirt.
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Get the look:
Marc Jacobs Gilded Sunflower Top for $455.04; Jean Paul Gaultier Mini Skirt; La Diva Lauren Handbag for $105.00 and Ash Honey Lace Up Heeled Ankle Boot for £139.00
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Leighton Meester in Céline

Leighton Meester was spotted wearing two tone nude Céline shirt dress with nude ankle boots while arriving at the set of Gossip Girl. To set off her neutral outfit, she added another colour in the mix by wearing red trim Balenciaga sunglasses and a red Celine box bag. Casual, trendy and chic, she looks perfect.
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Get the look:

1) Nude Shift Dress for $140

2) AJ Morgan Boom Rectangular Sunglasses for $20

3) Style&co. Ambitious Convertible Crossbody Bag for $28

4) Nine West Bag

5) Civico 10 Milan Bootie for $59.95

6) Madden Girl Revva Bootie for $59.95

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Beauty: La Roche Posay Sunscreen Review

La Roche Posay - Anthelios XL (Fluid)
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It can be a huge disappointment when you do a lot of research to find a good product that is recommended by the experts and it does not give good results.
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That is how it feels when you buy La Roche Posay - Anthelios XL Sunscreen. It is claimed to be one of the best sunscreens, for even the sensitive skin, as it provides perfect protection against wrinkle causing UVA rays and harmful UVB rays. It has a special chemical called "Mexoryl" that protects the skin from sun damage and is found in only a few sunscreens in the world. Many dermatologists and beauty experts recommend this product.
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On the functionality front, I don't doubt the product as it has all the right ingredients to protect the skin from harmful sunrays, has high recommendations and is from the famous French beauty label LaRoche - Posay. However, on usage part this sunscreen is a total disaster. On application, it leaves white flakes on the skin (which looks like you have dandruff all over the face), no matter how carefully you apply it. Moreover it leaves a very prominent white cast that looks very fake. It takes a lot of time to blend with the skin even if you blend it with your regular moisturiser and then apply it and it still leaves white flakes on the skin. To add to this problem, it also makes the skin look oily.

One good part about this sunscreen is it does not cause breakout even on oily skin, like most other sunscreens. Overall would rate it an average product because of the flakiness. Ultimately, applying a product like this is a pain and you don't want to look like you have a painted face.
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Victoria Beckham Nominated Best Designer Brand

Victoria Beckham's brand nominated for the Best Designer Brand of the Year by the British Fashion Council. Posh is one of the most stylish women of the world and her design label re-emphasises the fact.
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In a short span of time, her designer brand dVb has been so popular that not only celebs are donning it (Leightin Meester, Robin Antin, Blake Lively, Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria Parker to name a few), but her hard work has finally paid off as she has been nominated in the said category. The other designers who have been nominated in the category are: Burberry, Mulberry, and Pringle of Scotland.
Congratulations Posh!!!!
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Victoria Beckham

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Katherine Jenkins in Victoria Beckham's Fall 2010 Dress

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French Secrets: Beauty and Style

What makes the French woman tick? It's their attitude to nutrition, beauty and accessories. French women are naturally sophisticated. They are inherently chic and their sense of fashion revolves around personal style. They do not slavishly follow trends if they are inappropriate to their figures or lifestyle.
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Understatement is key, never too much of anything. This also applies to food. The French indulge in a little of everything, satisfying the taste buds and keeping cravings at bay. The key to French women's beauty is the check on their weight. If a French woman happens to see an additional kilogram or two on her bathroom scale, she will do whatever is necessary to force the needle back where it belongs. They tend to keep their weight steady, no ups and downs and eat all kinds of food in small portions.
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When a French person diets, it is rigorous; green tea and a bowl of berries for breakfast (to up the protective antioxidant levels), lean white protein for lunch and dinner accompanied by leafy green vegetables. Do this every other day, until the desired weight loss has been achieved. Alcohol is avoided, and water with bubbles is reserved for special occasions, as it can be loaded with sodium (which causes fluid retention and high blood pressure) and depletes magnesium (which regulates blood pressure, promotes muscle tone, is needed for protein synthesis and counteracts negative effects of stress hormones in the body). Seasonal dieting is de rigueur, and body prep starts before Easter, so the French are in the best shape possible for the summer season. This totally makes sense.
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When it comes to beauty, the French take care of their skin – it is the starting point for everything. They chose products that suit them and have both morning and evening routines. Performance and efficiency is paramount – extra radiant skin with the smartest products ever. They say that the French women spend on skincare is total of the women in Germany, Britain and Spain put together. French women start using anti-wrinkle and anti-ageing products at the age of 15-19, and continue to do so.

As for makeup, the starting point is clear radiant skin (achieved naturally or through imperceptible enhancements such as natural concealer), luxuriant glossy lashes and plumped lips – nothing too extravagant, but always shades that are above all flattering to the wearer. A red lipstick is a must-have in every French Women's wardrobe!

For the French, makeup imparts a certain sophistication, provocative yet contained. In the evening, they totally understand the inimitable power of seduction of red lips.

The key to French beauty is to remain true to yourself. The antithesis of the American Barbie doll, but rather a combination of European sophistication and natural allure.

Beauty shines through attitudes, gestures and expressions, it comes out of fashion and a love of luxury.

French style is a long process of learning – the French woman knows how to dress, how to be noticed when she enters a room and leaves just the merest trace of fragrance in her wake. From their teenage years, French women start to develop a certain chic and personal style. It is all about the nuance. Simply emphasizing the best features, and letting imperfections fade into the background. Each woman adapts her look according to her needs, tastes, desires and moods. Fragrance is the final touch, used to enhance and beautify personalities, rather than trying to become someone else.
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What really sets French women a part from the rest is their sense of style, and not necessarily sense of wearing the hottest trends. Style and fashion are two different things. Style is more of how mix clothes to present your personality and not to mention your best features.

So there you have it, no fragrance on this earth will morph you into Audrey Tatou or Vanessa Paradis, however, you can certainly adopt some style references for the upcoming season from Catherine Deneuve and the French makeup.
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Audrey Tautou and Marion Cotillard

Article Source: Nicky Blog post The French to the Rescue

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PIG MODELS FOR JEWELRY

jeThe fashion world is stretching its boundaries for bringing in creativity and differentiation and this time its the Russians who have really stretched the boundaries. Russia's Vogue September 2010 Issue features a PIG modelling a line of precious jewelry (can you believe it, a PIG not a pretty girl!!!!!).

A glamorous piggy is all made up with mascara on its lashes and nail polish on hoofs wearing expensive jewelry. The Vogue sure must have got attention with this stint, but readers might not relish the idea of expensive jewelry modelled by a Pig. It sure is humourous but coming from a fashion magazine it seems more like a silly idea. You like?
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