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Hot Off the Runway: Two Tier Wedding Gowns for 2012

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Friday, October 28th, 2011

If you are wondering what will be the freshest new look for spring 2012 wedding dresses, the wait is over! The most unique style which was showcased for spring is the two tier wedding gown. It is a completely new silhouette, very different from the mermaid dresses which have reigned supreme in recent years. Learn more about the intriguing new two tier bridal gowns, and discover if one might even be perfect for your wedding.

I have always found it fascinating how a new silhouette or style can take hold simultaneously in the collections of many different designers. Do they all get together over champagne cocktails one afternoon and decide that the two tier gown is the new “it” style? However it happens, it certainly has happened in the case of the two tier wedding dress. You will find versions of this style in the 2012 collections at most of the major bridal houses. It can be a tricky style to wear; the key is to find one that works with your figure, rather than against it.

There are several approaches to a double layered skirt on a bridal gown. In some cases, the upper layer is a separate piece of fabric (attached at the waist, of course), that is allowed to float freely over the full length tier underneath it. The top tier can be as short as a pert little peplum, or as long as a mid-calf skirt. The designers were generally showing both tiers made from the same fabric, although there was a lovely vintage inspired dress at BHLDN that had a wide lace trim on the top tier, giving it a strong visual separation from the lower tier. At most of the designers, however, the visual separation was achieved by giving the top layer a bit of extra volume.

Speaking of extra volume, the key to wearing a two tier gown is to find one that does not add extra fullness where you need it the least. A short peplum, as seen at Marchesa, Junko Yoshioka, and others, is a great way to emphasize a small waist. It can help to create an hourglass figure on a bride with a fairly straight shape. However, curvy brides should steer clear of the short peplum, as it adds fullness to the hips. Gals who want to trim their hips should opt for longer tiers, such as the gracefully curved flowing tier skirt seen at Carolina Herrera. A long straight veil will make a nice counterpoint to the double layered gown. Try it with a jeweled comb for your bridal hair jewelry for an elegant detail.

The other way that two tier wedding gowns are being shown for 2012 is with the top tier tucked under, creating a small bubble. Christos showed several gowns with this silhouette, which is an interesting mix of slender and full on the bottom. The bubble peplum would definitely have to hit you at the exact right spot for this style to work. Some designers showed the bubble draped lower, such as Rivini, which is a bit less dramatic and fashion-forward, but also easier to pull off. Romantic bridal jewelry will be a wonderful accent for these feminine wedding gowns.

The new two tier wedding gowns for 2012 are a very interesting new direction. They may take a little while to get used to (at least for me), but they feel very fresh and unique. If you are a bride-to-be, why not take the leap, and try on some of the hot new double layer bridal gowns? You might just find that a two tier wedding dress is twice as nice!

Bridget Mora loves wedding fashion and has written hundreds of articles about wedding trends, bridal jewelry, design, and style. Read more of her articles about weddings in the wedding planning books she has written for Silverland Jewelry.

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Categories : Fashion

Amazing Superfoods for Beautiful Skin

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

Whoever said that beauty comes from within was spot on. Scientific lotions and potions may be great, but superfoods can give you the glowing, beautiful skin you have always wanted. The best part is that it is all natural. You don’t have to worry that the cream that will tighten your arms will dry out your face, or that the serum you use for wrinkles by your eyes will cause a breakout on your cheeks. Start incorporating these superfoods into your diet, and watch the lines disappear and your complexion glow.

EGG WHITES

Everyone knows that egg whites are high in protein, but it is a lesser known fact that they also produce collagen, the connective tissue makes skin look smooth and soft. The immunity boosters and zinc in the egg whites helps to keep skin young, vital, and firm. If someone is deficient in zinc, there will never be enough skin care products in the world to bring back their youthful glow. An egg for breakfast in the morning, or even scrambled into a dinner casserole, will promise vast improvements.

POMEGRANATE

Pomegranates are another one of those superfoods that we all know are healthy, but we aren’t quite sure why. A glass of pure pomegranate juice is loaded with antioxidants that will help to keep your body healthy and young, but do not ignore the actual fruit. The pomegranate seeds are packed with ellagic acid and punic alagin. Ellagic acid is a compound that fights the damage that occurs from free radicals that we are exposed to on a constant basis. The second is a nutrient that boosts your body’s capability to preserve its existing collagen.

WATERMELON

Watermelon seems to have gotten a bad reputation for being just water and sugar. However, if you want that healthy, dewy complexion, eat as much of this superfood as you desire. Mixed in with that sugar and water is Vitamic C, Potassium, and Lycopene. This combination of antioxidants helps your body to regulate the balance of water and nutrients in the cells of the body. Of course, hydration is the key to vibrancy and youth for every part of the body, not just the skin.

BLUEBERRIES

Blueberries contain more antioxidants and fiber than another food on the market. A half a cup of blueberries per day can provide protection from all the hazards your skin may experience due to free radicals, sun exposure, stress, and even over-exercising. This does not mean you should skip out on the sunscreen when you go to the beach, but it does mean that you are drastically reducing your risk of wrinkles and loss of firm skin.

GREEN TEA

One to two cups of green tea not only prevents premature aging, but it can also reverse the effects that are already there. This fabulous brew boosts your metabolism, fights off free radicals, and prevents the appearance of brown spots and sun damage. Its secret is in the “catechins,” one of the most powerful anti-aging compounds. Green tea is an afternoon pic-me-up and an anti-aging superfood. It does not get much better than that.

COLD WATER FISH

Unfortunately, some of us have skin with those red patches that makeup can just not seem to cover. Who would have thought that fish was the answer to balancing out Rosacea, Psoriasis, and Eczema? Eating a 6 ounce portion of sardines, mackerel, or salmon six times a week will provide your skin with the necessary Omega-3 fatty acids that strengthen the membranes of skin cells and hydrate them in the process. Within just a couple weeks of eating the fish, you will notice a drastic difference in the appearance of your skin.

OTHER

While these are the most prominent superfoods for beautiful skin, there are many other foods that help to bring back that youthful look. Throw some of these into your diet for an extra boost.

Spinach
Kale
Broccoli
Whole Grains
Carrots
Beans
Nuts

The most important thing you can do for yourself to defy age is drink plenty of water. Coffee, tea, soda, and any other beverage may satisfy that thirst, but nothing is better for your skin than good old-fashioned water. Help yourself look and feel better by enjoying these superfoods on a daily basis and washing them down with several glasses of ice water.

Cindi Lewis writes for glossy.com a skin care and beauty products online retailer.

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Categories : Diet and Fitness, Skin Care

Tags : Diet, Fitness, Skin Care

MAC Holiday 2011 Swatches Ice Parade Palette

By Carleenp · Comments (1)

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

The 2011 MAC Holiday Collection, Glitter and Ice, and Ice Parade are now available! I ordered a couple of items that particularly interested me to swatch. This post takes a look at the MAC Ice Parade Snowglobe Sultry Palette. The packaging for the Ice Parade collection is rather interesting. The look is futuristic and modern, with white cases that include a fluid filled globe of glitter on the top. Mine had a pretty big air bubble in it, which I’m not sure was supposed to be there. I’m still undecided on whether I like it or not. The below photo is not really the best representation of it, but you can see the air bubble in the fluid on the top. In any event, it is sort of fun to play with, and I do generally like the Sultry Palette eye shadow shades.

MAC Holiday 2011 Swatches: Ice Parade Sultry Palette

Below are swatches of the six shades in the sultry palette. I like all of the shades, but the lighter shades were a bit low on pigment in my opinion. I had to put them on rather heavy to show up for the swatches in the photo. Still, I am generally happy with them. The photo is taken inside with flash. The weather here is terrible right now, so once we see sun again, I’ll make some new swatches in natural light.

The MAC Glitter and Ice and Ice Parade collections will be available through the holidays. It includes some great gift items and everything comes packaged in festive gift boxes to make gift shopping just a bit easier. There are some really pretty individual items in the Glitter and Ice collection as well that I think I might like better than the palettes. I’ll have more on that as I get a hold of more items to look at. A Glitter and Ice collection photo is below.