monfils le magnifique

on the list of "dream assignments" or things i'd like to do before i die: to spend some weeks photographing atp tennis players--specifically nadal and monfils--during the european clay court season.

however mercurial or frustrating his game and attitude can be to someone who roots for him, monfils is soaring inspiration for a photographer. the clay brings out the best in him and it shows in the shots...all the "flights of fancy" and falling to earth:

this was the point of the match, if not the tournament. it went something like: backhand-pirouette-belly flop-backhand-recover-rush the net-forehand volley-forehand volley winner. monfils secured the break... even melzer gave him a high-five. tho if memory serves...monfils lost the set?
may 30, 2009. photo via rolandgarros.com

monfils won in 4: 6-2, 4-6,6-4,6-1. photo via rolandgarros.com

i love this one, also taken during the melzer match, by award-winning getty photographer, ryan pierse. may 30, 2009.

more of pierse's award-winning photos here.

in the pink: round 3

nadal..in a speedy thrid round win over lleyton hewitt (6-1, 6-3, 6-1). may 29, 2009. via rolandgarros.com

i wish the fédération française de tennis had given the photographer credit for this one. it's one of the best photos i've seen all week.

though i like this one, too:

monfils reached the third round with a straight set win over victor crivoi, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. may 28, 2009. via rolandgarros.com

in the pink: round 1

nadal at roland garros. may 25, 2009. photo by jacques demarthon/afp/getty images.

nadal photographed during his first round match against marcos daniel of brazil. nadal won, 7-5 6-4 6-3. may 25, 2009.
photo: jacques demarthon/afp/getty images.

it took me a few minutes to adjust to nadal's look for the french: all that mardi gras color is a lot to take in at 7am on the monday of a long weekend. but the more i see it, the more i like it. it's bold against the burnt orange terre battue, and it photographs beautifully.

and it is actually very "paree"--think fauchon...

nadal's pink nike shirt will be the talk of the town for this fortnight, and it will be noted in virtually every feature article written at the tournament's conclusion, and again at year's end. fashion faux pas or not, nadal's sartorial decisions--cuts and color combinations that most players wouldn't attempt (or couldn't pull off), the precise fit of his garments and how he puts them all together--mirror his style of play and his approach to the game: audacious, studied, and unlike anyone else on the tour.

Smart Dressing - Style Tips for Curvy Women

Real women have curves and men love them too - Marilyn Monroe, Salma Hayek, Catherine Zeta Jones, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian are some of the most beautiful and admired celebs with curves. Women with hourglass figure are blessed, that's what they say - so girls if you have the curves, love them, its the most desirable shape on the planet.

Source

To top it off, BBC published a research suggesting that curvy women are cleverer. The American researchers used data from a study of 16,000 women, collecting details of their body measurements and their scores in cognitive tests, they found that those women with a greater difference between the waist and hips, scored significantly higher on the intelligence tests, and so did their children. This suggests that women with an hourglass figure are brighter and have cleverer children, too.

So on top of being sexy we can say that we are more intelligent than the skinny girls.

Salma Hayek

How to dress if you have an hourglass shape

These are some style tips for women with curves:

1. Wear well-fitted clothes - a top that is too big will only make you look bigger and sloppier and clothes that are too tight will also make you look larger.

2. Dress well inside - a well-fitted bra and shapewear will camouflage all your problm areas and is your wardrobe and confidence staple. If your bra does not fit properly, it can make you look terrible. Since most hourglass figures are well-endowed, a well-fitted bra is a must have for you.

3. Show off your waist - Celebrate, accentuate and exaggerate that great waist. A small waist is considered the very symbol of sensuality, so don't hesitate to show off your small waist. Drawing attention to your waist with a belt or a top with a fitted waist will accentuate this great asset.

Curvy Kim Kardashian and her sister

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4. Darker Bottom and Lighter top - Wear a darker bottom and lighter coloured top to emphasize your waistline and to minimize your curves

5. Buy tops that are fitted and shaped to the waist.

6. Wear short fitted jackets - Shorter, fitted jackets will flatter your legs and waist.

7. Buy well-fitted sheaths - sheath dresses often come with a deep V-neckline. It usually has a defined waist and a figure-hugging silhouette and is often in a lightweight fabric such as silk or cotton. They flatter curvy figures and look great. Even wrap dresses go well withcurvy figures.

8. Choose pencil or slightly A-line skirts - pencil skirt will show the ratio between your waist and hip measurement, giving you a sexy silhouette. Straight styles and certain A-line skirts could also be right for you, as long as they are fitted around the waist and hips.

9. Refuse to buy hipster skirts and trousers look for high-waisted styles - apart from this avoid ruffles and pleats as these will add bulk. Go for a streamlined shape to show off your slinky silhouette.

10. Belt whenever you can - A dress or a shit with a belt will cinch you in accentuating your small waist.
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Kim Kardashian

11. Shapewear - Never underestimate the impact of body-shaping lingerie. It can hold you up and in, strategically reduce or enhance your curve of choice and would hide all your bumps and lumps. Marks and Spencer has some great shapewear you can pick from.

12. Wear V-neck or scoop neckline - These necklines slim the neck and chest and will lenghten your neck and make you appear smaller and slimmer. They will flatter your figure.
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13. Avoid Elasticized Waistbands - they add bulk to your mid-section.

14. Boot cut jeans, pants with flared bottoms are for you - pants that fit properly will make you look slimmer, so don't try to hide those curves with loose pants to jeans. Instead pick well-fitted pants with flared bottoms or in boot cut style. They will balance your generous bottom and make you look slimmer. Avoid bottoms that are tapered and get narrower towards your ankles as they can make your bottom look large. If you want to wear the skinny jeans trend, go for slim fit instead. They are not very tapered and yet slim enough. Team them with some high heels to add height that would slim you down.


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Best Online Fashion Stores Directory

With millions of online shopping websites, it gets confusing to buy the item and even search them. To make your shopping experience convenient, I am creating this Online Shopping Directory for all your shopping needs - high street shopping, designer wear, budget, shoes, designers on sale.

This Directory would be regulary updated, so keep checking for new Shopping Destinations.


United Kingdom Online Shopping Stores

Beauty
http://www.zuneta.com/zuneta/ - A newly launched (1 Oct 2009) beauty boutique carries exclusive and cult beauty brands like Paul & Joe, Krres, Becca and Mario Badescu. They offer high end luxury and niche cosmetics products from the world’s best and most exclusive brands. The website is divided into shop, clinic and editorial sections. Advice from clinical experts help shoppers create a skin profile that will be saved on the site and makes choosing products suited to your skin type easier. It has focused the same attention to detail on quick delivery as its expert advice and choice of brands. They also offer free samples with every order.

http://www.hqhair.com/ - HQhair.com is the UK's leading online retailer of hard to find beauty make-up, fragrances, hair care, skin care, accessories and beauty appliances - you'll find everything you need on this beauty website. They have been at the top of online premium beauty since 1999. You will find almost all hard to find, hard to sniff, and very unusual niche brands on this website. The layout of the website is easy to read and navigate, so it's quick to find what you are looking for. It has their new and latest products displayed on the front page, which you can access more details from by clicking on the picture. It offers a wide range of brands, from a face cream at £125.00 a pot to a lip balm at £2.50. They also regularly run great value offers and promotions that give you a little bit extra.

http://www.boots.com/ - UK' most favoured beauty and pharmacy store also retails online, and with the same range and convenience. Whether you want to buy fragrance, skincare range, dental products, haircare range, shavers or makeup - everything is under one roof (digital roof!!!). Premium to budget brands No.7, Chanel, Clinique, Garnier, Estee Lauder, Loreal, La Roche Posay you'll find almost all brands here.

High Street, Budget and Designer
http://www.asos.com/ - The online shopping heaven, which stocks everything from shoes, clothes, bags, accessories, beauty and make-up to suit everyone's pocket from budget buys to highstreet to designer. Huge collection that is updated every other day, so you never go out of fashion. Their website is very convenient and easy to use and very friendly. The only thing is, be cautious when buying Asos own label items. They sometime don't exactly come in the same quality or shape as shown online. However, the other brands are not to worry about. Some of the hard to find, and not-so hard to find brands available on this website are: Chantecialle, Nars, Paul & Joe, Bare Escentuals, Moracconoil, Bourjois, Aveda, GHD, Dermalogica, Korres, L'Occitane, Urban Decay and Nars. If you are not sure what your skin needs or need information on any product, their Ask our Experts Section will help you and answer your queries promptly. Overall a great website to buy your beauty products.

http://www.shopstyle.com/ - ShopStyle makes it easy to search the best brands and the most stylish stores all in one place — by designer, brand, store, sale items, and price point. Its a unique website dedicated entirely to fashion letting women cross-shop thousands of apparel, shoe and accessory brands from big fashion names like Top Shop to trendsetting boutiques like Net-a-Porter — all in one place. They list their items from various websiteat one place, you you don't have to go searching at hundreds of website. Just this ONE will do, providing you the link to where the item is picked from. Isn't that great?

Designers at Bargain:
http://www.outnet.com/ - theOutnet.com has designer pieces (Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Fendi, Stella McCartney, Chole, Emilio Pucci, Oscar De La Renta to name a few) across the site with overall discounts of 40% to 60% off the original price and fantastic savings of up to 80% off on specially selected items. The items are authentic, and they offer returns. So you don't have to worry about the quality. And they also ship wordwide.

Designer Stores
http://www.my-wardrobe.com/ - My-wardrobe is an entirely fashion-focused web site, offering the latest in high fashion clothing, shoes, and accessories. The site sells current season's clothes, where items are added on a daily basis. They never sell last season's clothes at full price. The collection is geared towards women who enjoy and like to spend their money on fashionable clothes that are well priced, whatever their age. My-Wardrobe has a big range of designer labels available for sale online. They stock a good selection of jeans from Tsubi, Seven for all Mankind, 18th Amendment, True Religion and Earnest Sewn, pretty dresses from Gharani Strok, Ghost, See by Chloé and Cacharel, must-have bags from Botkier, D&G sassy shoes from Scorah Pattullo, Pedro Garcia, Dolce&Gabbanna and Beatrix Ong. You will also find Sienna and Savannah Miller's new label here, Twenty8Twelve.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/ - Net-A-Porter is the world's premier online luxury fashion retailer where you can find clothes, shoes, bags, accessories from over 100 designers that covers virtually all the luxury designers across the world. The website features high fashion from labels like Stella McCartney, Oscar De La Renta, Paul & Joe, Jimmy Choo, Elizabeth and James, Burberry, Dolce and Gabnana, Valentino, Zac Posen, Emilio Pucci and more. The website is easy to use and collections are updated every week, so you are sure to find the latest collection from who-whos of fashion industry.

Jewelry
http://www.astleyclarke.com/ - A website for fine designer jewelry shopping, It has a wide selection of precious and semi-precious jewellery from international designers, each item arrives wrapped and delivered via courier (same day for those in London). Ideal for the ultimate treat or gift, the only difficulty is choosing which piece to add to your list.

Lingerie
http://www.figleaves.com/ - This is by far the best lingerie store onlin. as amazing range in terms of sizes, brands and variety. The best part of shopping at figleaves is that they offer free returns. So if you don't like something, you can always return for free, isn't that amazing, especially since its lingerie? They have every style of lingerie - from bridalwear, unusual sizes through to nursing bras. Their website is very user-friendly, you can shop by brand, size, price, colour, style or occasion or, if you know exactly what you are looking for, they'll take you directly to it. You can choose from big name, modestly priced favourites like Wonderbra through to top of the range designer lines like Malizia by La Perla. What more could you ask? Figleaves is certainly the best online lingeie store.

Shoes
http://www.asos.com/ - Wide variety for all the women who love shoes from budget to high street to luxury, everything is there in this website. Read more on ASOS above.

http://www.javari.co.uk/ - Built by Amazon, this website offers a great variety of multi-branded shoes and handbags for those who love shoes. It offers shoes and handbags from high street brands (no luxury brands offered here) like Dune, Carvela, KG by Kurt Geigor, Nine West, French Connection, Skechers, Unze London and many more to suit all budgets. The website is easy to navigate and the range of products offered would serve all women needs.

http://www.office.co.uk/ - Women who love shoes sure know Office, the high street shoe retailer of UK. Both the men's and women's ranges encompass the whole style spectrum, from designer to sports. Their own label designs offer affordable yet directional fashion.

http://www.schuh.co.uk/ - The high street shoe retailer of UK is now also a multi-branded online shoe store offering from basics to the most unusual of shoes. Great place to buy your comfy shoes as they retail Nike, Adidas, Skechers, Havaianas, New Balance and more.

Unique: Create your own clothes or pick one from their styles
http://styleshake.com/ - StyleShake is a unique shopping website where you create your own individual and inspiring designs online and haveit delivered in ten days. It fun to create your own clothes and become your own fashion designer. You can also pickk from one of their styles.

Vegan Designer Stores:
http://www.neoncollective.com/ - Neon Collective is online vegan boutique based in the UK that sells beautiful designer shoes, purses and ultra hip clothing. Their fashionable goods are entirely eco-friendly: no animal-derived materials, no sweat-shop production and many brands have gone one step further by utilizing techniques such as recycling and carbon offsetting. And the best part is that everything is vegan so you don’t have to read labels or fine print.

http://www.mattandnat.co.uk/ - Who says luxury and style cannot be cruelty-free? Matt and Nat the luxury Bag store offers awesome bags that are 100% vegan, eco-friendly and cruelty-free. Made of the highest quality synthetic leathers – which are soft and supple, with natural variations just like leather – in one-of-a-kind designs, Matt & Nat brings the same attention to detail, stitching and commitment to fashion, as you would expect from a luxury label. Their chic, minimilistic and class designs are must have in your wardrobe. They also have stockists in USA, chck their US website: http://www.mattandnat.com/ for more details.

United States of America Online Shopping Stores

High Street, Budget and Designer
http://www.shopstyle.com/ - ShopStyle makes it easy to search the best brands and the most stylish stores all in one place — by designer, brand, store, sale items, and price point. Its a unique website dedicated entirely to fashion letting women cross-shop thousands of apparel, shoe and accessory brands from big fashion names like Top Shop to trendsetting boutiques like Net-a-Porter — all in one place. They list their items from various websiteat one place, you you don't have to go searching at hundreds of website. Just this ONE will do, providing you the link to where the item is picked from. Isn't that great?

Designer Online Store
http://www.net-a-porter.com/ - Listed in UK's list, their USA's website is equally great for luxury shopping. Girls if designer shopping is what you are looking for, then this is the website for you.

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/ - Saks is the 'it' name in luxury shopping and their online store is equally good if you are looking to shop designers online. Burberry, D&G, Alexandar McQueen, Prada, Gucci, Valentino, YSL, Proenza Schouler, Max Mara, Alice+Olivia, Escada, La Pera, True Religion, Zac Posen - you name it and they have it. Handbags, shoes, clothes, beauty, jewelry everything a woman wants. Easy to navigate and such huge variety that you'll think of what not to buy!!!!

http://www.shopbop.com/ - Shopbop is a premier online shopping boutique for the fashion-savvy female. Carrying everything a woman needs for her wardrobe from dresses to denim, swimwear to shoes, shopbop.com has over 100 different designer labels such as Alice+Olivia, Marc Jacobs, Thakoon, Juicy Couture, Seven For All Mankind, Herve Leger, Sergio Rossi, Catherine Malandrino and Diane Von Furstenberg. Shopbop.com has become recognized by consumers and the media as an excellent one-stop luxury fashion resource. Unique site features such as the How to Buy Jeans Guide, Look Book and Season Trend Previews are highlights on this easy-to-navigate site. Its your one-stop shop for designers that you would not find all at one place.


Designer Sample Sale
http://www.ruelala.com/ - Have you seen the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic or read the book Shopaholic takes Manhattan? If yes, I am sure you must have been eager to get to one of those sample sales where you can find your favourite designers at bargain - Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Marc Jacobs at upto 80% off. Isn't that crazy? Well I've found a store where your dream would come true. Rue La La is an exclusive, invitation-only online destination where Members discover premier-brand, private sale Boutiques, each open for just a brief window of time. Their membership is free but it's invitation-only. So if you are interested in becoming a member of this sample sale, just post your email address in the comment section of this post, giving a request and I'll forward it along [make sure to give your email ID].

Jewelry
http://www.abazias.com/ - This website has a huge collection of certified diamonds at great price. They are diamond wholeseller and a public listed company, so you can be rest assured of the quality. If you don't like anything from their ready collection, the website offers you the option to cutomise your jewelry. Abazias is great place to shop your diamonds and engagemen rings. They also have designer watches like Gucci, Movado at discounted prices.

http://www.lussori.com/ - Your haven for luxury jewelry, this website offers luxury watches and jewelry from brands like Chopard, Hermes, Piaget, de Grisogono, Harry Winston, Tara, Dior and more.

Lingerie
http://www.figleaves.com/us/home.asp - This is by far the best lingerie store onlin. as amazing range in terms of sizes, brands and variety. The best part of shopping at figleaves is that they offer free returns. So if you don't like something, you can always return for free, isn't that amazing, especially since its lingerie? They have every style of lingerie - from bridalwear, unusual sizes through to nursing bras. Their website is very user-friendly, you can shop by brand, size, price, colour, style or occasion or, if you know exactly what you are looking for, they'll take you directly to it. You can choose from big name, modestly priced favourites like Wonderbra through to top of the range designer lines like Malizia by La Perla. What more could you ask? Figleaves is certainly the best online lingeie store.

Shoes
http://ninashoes.com/ - If you're looking for sexy, stylish shoes then you have to visit this online store. It offers luxury and everyday glamour - satin, lace, great colours and feminine is how I will define their shoes.


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madonna, marion, and mondino...

i've been on a little madonna kick for a couple of weeks, ever since nikki, an instructor at my gym, threw a little "express yourself" into the mix for our ballet barre class. (one thing about nikki--she's about 4 inches shorter than me--and i am right around 5 feet--but her legs? oh, about 6 inches longer than mine. amazing.)

the "don't tell me" video, directed by jean baptiste mondino, with alex barber as dp, is an all-time favorite. a deceptively simple idea, the video deconstructed, but so stylishly executed: her on the automated walkway and dancing on the set; the second location, with beautiful big blue sky and way out west imagery; the third, with the fellas dancing in the desert; and then everyone on set at the end.

aaaand, i can't get enough of alex magno's choreography. i've dreamed about learning that dance, but so far, i've only got the last bit, the hip-shaking. ah well, it's a start.

***

i do love mr. mondino's photography; if i could figure out how to get indoor light to look like it does here (marion cotillard in the kitchen!), it would be an achievement worthy of the thesaurus: significant, magnificent, miraculous, monumental...and those words would still not be enough.

marion cotillard, photographed by jean baptiste mondino, for french elle's special "green issue" (feb 2009). via mondino's official site.

i adore this, too:

marion cotillard, photographed by jean baptiste mondino, for french elle's special "green issue" (feb 2009). via mondino's official site.

***
i've been picking up some interesting lighting tips via twitter, but if you can de-code the lighting scenario here, i'd love to hear what you think...

in any case, more of mondino here at the official site. they've curated the images nicely, so it won't take long to scroll through all the pages. unless you want it to...

some ultra-enthusiastic fan has created this site, if you want more, more, more. it's quite a catalog!

Wedding Jewelry

It’s Wedding Season – Pop-Culture Jewelry Hits from Celebrities

Wedding season is just around the corner and that means that all of the brides to be are going to be out and about shopping for their wedding jewelry. Statement jewelry is just as important as your wedding dress for spring/summer wedding style. Jewelry and color are playing major roles in the wedding trends for this summer.

With all of the celebrity engagements and weddings that take place throughout the spring and summer, women from all around will be looking to today’s pop-culture jewelry for ideas and inspiration.
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For instance, take Sarah Jessica Parker’s pearl earrings in the Sex in the City movie
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The pearl earrings for weddings is not only a classic bridal jewelry option, but an elegant one as well. If you really want your bridal jewelry to provide that hint of nostalgia for your weddings guests, then these pearl earrings will do it. Heck, even First Lady Obama wore them in the ‘80s when she and Barack Obama married.
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Talking of Michelle Obama, check out her love affair with pearls -
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Michelle Obama during a campaign rally (left) and with Queen Elizabeth (right)
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A pearl string is one of the must-haves in every girl's wardrobe. And this season pearls have become really popular. Pearls with diamonds go very well with especially wedding gowns. They're classy, stylish and speak of luxury.

Layers of pearls go well with both the classic romantic and the avant-garde bride. Bridal gowns with backless and plunging necklines are best jeweled with long layers of pearls in uniform or graduated sizes.

Ashley Judd wore pearls on Salma Hayek's April 2009 wedding in Venice -
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Ashley Judd at Salma Hayek's wedding

....... add some colour to your wedding
You can turn a classic look into something a little more modern simply by adding a splash of color. Lavish accessories with exotic gems, beading, pearls and a splash of color are very hot this wedding season. Elaborate necklaces with colored gems, beads, or crystals are very trendy. Another trend is flowers and rosettes incorporated into jewelry - necklace designs, statement rings and headpieces as they celebrate the freshness of spring and summer. The brilliant colors accentuate the dresses and flowers, yet stand out on their own as well.

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Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands

Talking of weddings, we can't ignore the most important - engagement rings and wedding bands. Ultimately, out of everything your wedding band and/or engagement ring is something you would wear for the lifetime. And every girl desires some extravagancy when it comes to their rings.
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left to right - Tia Mowry engagement ring and weding band, Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker's wedding bands, Jessica Nassi's engagement ring

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As far as the ring goes, the bigger and more sparkly the better!! However, these days many girls are opting for coloured stones with diamonds for their rings or wedding bands. I would, though, still prefer the traditional diamond ring (certainly with a modern touch, but something that is classy).
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Your engagement ring symbolise your love and choosing the perfect one can be really exciting. You can either buy a pre-set wedding band/ring or customise your own wedding band as per your choice and preference to bring in new meaning to your love. There are jewelry specialists like Abazias who can help you create your custom made engagement rings or wedding bands, using best quality certified diamonds in the size, shape and clarity you require. In addition to custom-made rings, they also have an excellent selection of pre-set engagement rings for those looking to purchase a finished ring.
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For very extravagant rings and/or eternity bands, you can check out Lussori Online Store. They have a range of luxury jewelry designers from Chopard to de Grisogono to H. Stern with their unique designs.
Tip: You want designer style, genuine diamonds but don't want to pay just for the brand? Then you can choose the design from a luxury brand and then get it custom made to suit your budget.

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Buy a WATCH FOR YOUR WEDDING - or a present maybe?

Most of us spend generously when it comes to wedding, after all its one in a lifetime opportunity. So why not buy a good watch, that would last a lifetime? Or ask (maybe hint) your spouse-to-be to gift one to you? Especially when you can get the luxury watches at great prices?
I am listing here some of the delectable watches that you can get for your wedding, and would certainly be one buy that you would cherish (luxury, but for different budget needs) -

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1. Cartier Roadster for $4197, discounted (not sure of the retailer)
2. Rolex Lady Datejust at 25% discount to retail price (genuine watch from a branded retailer)
3. Gucci Chiodo - Retail price $940, get at a discount for $676 (genuine watch from a branded retailer)
4. Chopard Happy Sport for $5334 (not sure of the retailer)

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Extra Details - the unique wedding jewelry ideazz...

Want something a little more current, but still fashionable with a little pop culture tied in? Take Katherine Heigl’s unique reception table idea. Heigl’s jewelry choices not only adorned her, but her reception tables as well. Each table had an ornate snowflake brooch propped within the wedding flowers on the tables. The brooch went exceptionally well with the couple’s Christmas themed wedding. What an easy way to add elegance to your table as well as create a little pop culture nostalgia at the same time.

Large, chunky earrings are currently the order of the day in jewelry trends, and you can find your perfect piece to go with your wedding dress. But make sure you balance your jewelry, to avoid being over-the-top. Large earrings calls for no or very subtle neckpiece.

Recently Lisa Loeb, the singer, married Roey Hershkovitz. She wore a pink wedding gown which she accessoried with an antique brooch at her waistline. Brooches are a simple way to pep-up your simple wedding gown or your ensmble. You can even wear it in your hair, like Aishwarya Rai did at the red carpet at Cannes.

Lisa Loeb

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As you can see, this year’s celebrity bridal jewelry is coming from all over the place. Whether it is the movies or the actual celebrations themselves, brides just need to do a little searching for pop-culture jewelry inspiration. You can start before the wedding with your engagement ring or come up with neat little ideas like using a brooch as a centerpiece. This wedding season, anything goes as long as it’s creative, fun and unique!

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"habits so hard to break, and so easy to make..."

my ipod resurrected this tune for me...
it suits the city today, a little moody, a little groovy...
enjoy...

Cannes Film Festival 2009 - Celebrity Styles

On May 13 2009 began the Cannes Film Festival, one of the biggest film festivals in the world. Glamour, styles, some hits and some misses and lots of movies all of this is associated with the Cannes Film Festival. The 62nd International Cannes Film Festival 2009 is exuding glamour and extravaganza, tht can be seen in the way the celebrities have arrive in their extravagant couture gowns. Let's look at some of the pictures of Cannes Film Festival 2009 Red Carpet Arrivals and more.


Eva Longoria Parker at Cannes Film Festival 2009

When it comes to Red Carpet events, Eva Longoria Parker sure is one who seldom disappoints with her style. And this time round also she looked fab in her enormous, swirly icy blue Atelier Versace Spring 2009 gown with intricate beading and shimmering train at Cannes Film Festival 2009. You like?
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Eva Longoria Parker at Bright Star Premiere (Source)

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At first I did not really like the swirly puffy Versace gown that she wore at Bright Star Premiere, but on scond thoughts now I am liking it. Considering her petite frame, this gown is quite enormous for her, but she managed to carry it off really well. Love the way she kept her neck bare and rest of the accessories simple, knowing that the gown is already a head turner.

Below are her pictures in a so-called casual do, lounging around at Cannes with husband Tony Parker. She sure looked evey inch stylish while lounging around at the beach in Cannes. What say?
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Eva Longoria Parker with husband Tony Parker

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Elizabeth Banks and Aishwarya Rai at Cannes - the New Best Friends?

Elizabeth Banks adorned the Hollywwod style in her red-hot Armni Privé Spring 2009 one-shouldered gown with long flowing train.
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Aishwarya Rai and Elizabeth Banks at Cannes 2009

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I am not a big fan of Aishwarya Rai's Red Carpet (and even off-carpet) style. And this time its no different. Aishwarya wore a white strapless Roberto Cavalli gown with a ruffled tiered skirt on the first day of Cannes Film Festival. The dress does not seem to be flatttering this Indian actress' figure. Plus I feel it looks more suitable for a bride than on a Red Carpet. I do love white on Red Carpet, check here for some pictures.

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Now considering Aishwarya's previous Cannes disasters (except last year of course), I would say she is looking far better. And I am also loving those pearl drop earrings that she is wearing.
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Now you see why did I say the new best friends? Not only were Ash and Banks seen together on the first day at the Cannes Film Festival 2009, the ladies were drawn together on the second day again at Spring Fever's Premiere.

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Surprise Surprise!!!!!!!!!

Look who is looking stunning? Aishwarya Rai's second day's appearance certainly makes up for her earlier Cannes disasters.

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Source

Ms Rai looks fabulous in Elie Saab's Haute Couture (Spring 2009) train gown at the premiere of Spring Fever held at the Palais Des Festival during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival (second day). The dress, the colour, the hair and the make-up everything is just perfect.

Aishwarya Rai with husband Abhishek at Cannes Festival on second day

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Beauty Remedies and Tricks

Fixing Brittle Nails
One of the main causes of Brittle Nails is dehydrated nail plate. Moisturise nails to make them stronger. Soak your nails in olive oil for about 3-5 minutes and then apply a moisture rich cream (Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream is a good option) to help your new nails grow stronger.

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Brighten Your Tired Face

Freeze one part of milk mixed with two parts of water to make its ice cube. Cover the ice cube with a cloth and gently rub it over your face. It will instantly brighten your dull looking skin. It is also a very good fix for sunburned skin. To provide relief in case of sunburned skin follow this procedure every two to four hours for about a week. It will also tighten your pores and stimulate blood circulation.

For Youthful Skin
Fresh fruit packs are best way to keep your skin looking youthful longer.
Papaya: Application of mashed unripe papayas as a face mask is an excellent way to prevent premature ageing that comes with constant exposure to the sun and it also helps eliminate dead skin cells.
Banana: Mash half banana and add 3 drops of olive oil (if this doesn't suit then use rose water) and beat it until the mix is smooth with no clumps. Gently apply on your face and leave it for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water and then for last rinse use cold water to close the pores. Banana pack is best known to keep away wrinkles and give you a youthful looking skin.
But these packs must be applied regularly at least one a week or fortnight since early age. If at 40 you will think your wrinkles will vanish with these packs, it won't happen.

Get Smooth Clear Skin
To get a glowing face apply an enzyme exfoliant once a week. It lightens and brightens irregular pigmentations, diminishing the appearance of dark spots and repairing sun damage. It's gentle enough for sensitive skin and will remove dead skin on the surface making your complexion clear and leaving a glow on your face. Tracie Martyn's Enzyme Exfoliant is a good exfoliant and is also Hollywood's favourite beauty secret.

Baby Soft Skin
To get baby soft skin, mix one cup of olive oil with two cups of sea salt. Take a hot shower and then gently scrub the mix into your skin before rinsing. It will make your skin baby soft!

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Revive Tired Eyes and Face

To look alive after a long night, pat concealer onto the inner corners of your eyes, under your lower lashes and next to your nose. Finish by swirling bronzer over your cheeks (or just dab little lip balm on your cheekbones to get instant glow).

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THIN OR SMALL LIPS?

Click here to know how to enhance your thin lips to give them that extra oomph.

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aiga: everybody dance now...

on the avenue, 164 fifth avenue... nyc. april 2009.

last month while running errands on fifth avenue, i was teased by a huge storefront sign: EVERYBODY DANCE NOW. i stopped outside just long enough to see that it was an AIGA exhibit, which was even more curious: what was the premier design association's interest in dance?

i was in too much of a hurry on that day to stop in--i hit the road again with only the tune stuck in my head...

i returned another day to investigate further: the exhibit is actually called "everybody dance now: 20 years of dancing in print" and is a retrospective of two publications, dance ink (1989-1996) and 2wice (1997-ongoing), published by patsy tarr and designed and art directed by abbott miller, a partner at pentagram.

there is, on pentagram's site, a tidy overview that puts both the exhibit and the publications into context to those of us who are not (yet) familiar with the work, and they have posted some beautiful photos from the magazines.

rob besserer, of the erstwile white oak dance project, photographed by duane michals for a 1996 issue. via pentagram.

flamenco star pilar rioja. via pentagram.

the picnic issue, summer 2002. via pentagram.

the merce cunningham dance company photographed by christian witkin for the summer 2002 issue. via pentagram.

if you are able to get to the AIGA national design center, you will see these and many more: there are 40 issues presented in succession, on accordion-style metal displays.

the 2008 issue, false start, featuring jonah bokaer. installation photo by harry zernike. via pentagram.

opening night party photo by federico rodriguez-caldentey. via pentagram.

i don't know if the displays were created specifically for this installation, but it is a wonderful way to experience and celebrate movement--there's symmetry and energy to the exhibit. there are also intact issues of 2wice for folks to peruse, but the ladies that were there when i was were too engaged with them to let me have a look. ah well, i wanted to go back again anyway.


if you would like to check it out, get there soon! it closes may 22. here are the deets:

164 fifth avenue (between 21st and 22nd Streets), nyc
gallery hours: monday through thursday: 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m; friday: 11:00 a.m–5:00 p.m.

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there is a wonderful quote from merce cunningham that adorns the walls of the gallery, and i've been thinking about it often since my first visit:

"you have to love dancing to stick to it. it gives you nothing back, no manuscripts to store away, no paintings to show on walls and maybe hang in museums, no poems to be printed and sold, nothing but that single fleeting moment when you feel alive. it is not for unsteady souls."

of course, one could happily argue that ms. tarr, mr. miller and all the contributors to dance ink and 2wice, have managed to defy this on some level, because they have preserved dance in another form for us to appreciate...

but the essence of his statement is striking...

i recently took a dance/stretch class at my gym with an instructor who encouraged me to take formal lessons. this felt like the scariest, greatest idea in the universe. i'm not sure there is anything that makes me happier or feel most like myself as when i can listen to music and dance around--not in any formal way, at all. i just do it. for hours. and i have taken classes here and there, but never really studied it. i wondered, for me, at this point in my life, what would be the point?

but the cunningham quote reminded me that "dancers" (and maybe this is truer for those who are not now and will never be professionals?) dance precisely for how it makes them feel.

the point need not be grander than that.

1,2,3...

fort greene. april 2009.

Celebrity Watch - The Chic Looks

Audrey Tautou - Classic yet Modern
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Audrey Tautou at Coco Avant Chanel Rome Premiere

(Source: left, right)

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Audrey Tautou, the French Actress who starred in the movie The Da Vinci Code, looks effortless chic at the Coco Avant Chanel Rome Premiere in her demure navy, black and white cutout dress. The silhouette of her dress looks very classy yet modern evoking innocence and youth. The black belt tied on her small waist looks absolutely gorgeous. Love her style. This French lady is also the new face of the iconic Chanel No. 5 Perfume.
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Isn't she looking much younger and fresh post The Da Vinci Code? Pretty and Lovely comes to my mind looking at her recent pictures. I even liked her in the Vinci movie, and her accent was so cute. What say?
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Camilla Belle

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Camilla Belle

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Camilla Belle, the 22-year old American Actress who starred in the movie 10,000 BC, looked absolutely stunning and chic in a white polka-dot minidress at the luncheon of recently opened Gucci store in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The stylish actress was head-to-toe clad in Gucci for the brand's launch. She cinched the waist of her chic dress with a wide patent belt, paired it with a matching black python clutch, accessorised it with Gucci black PVD twirl watch with black diamonds and added a pop of colour to her black and white ensemble with cherry-red Sofia pumps fom Gucci's Cruise 2009 Collection. Her look reminds me of Demi Moore in polka dot (navy) dress matched with red pumps atBerlin Film Festival, click here to view pictures.
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Polka dots are hot this season. They are so girly, flirty and perfect choice for spring/summer. I am absolutely loving the way Camilla has pulled the look together. You like? Leave you comments.
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Camilla Belle at Gucci Store Launch Bash in Brazil
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Source

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Later in the evening, she changed in a dazzling aqua-beaded cowl-neck blouse with embellished skirt (again all Gucci). This look is the same a presented on the runay from Gucci Fall 2009 Collection minus the shoes. Though I don't care for the dress much, esp the skirt, but Camilla is looking absolutely stunning.
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This girl seems to be a Gucci fan, she even wore Gucci at the premiere of her movie 10,000 B.C. Well, if I were to choose the brand ambassador for Gucci, Camill Belle would be my first choice.
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Julia Roberts - The Pretty Woman
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Julia Roberts at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 36th Gala in New York City

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This pretty woman is looking absolutely stunning in this chic white cocktail sheath by Dolce and Gabbana, which she topped off with a classic black cardigan (from D&G). Her tussled blonde locks and soft understated makeup adds style and chic to her look. I totally love this gorgeous lady and love her movies too.

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Victoria Beckham - The Classic Look

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Victoria Beckham catching a Flight at Heathrow, London

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Talking of chic and not mentioning Victoria Beckham would be a shame. Victoria Beckham, the 35 years old fashionista, is famous for her chic and classy style. The lady is always immaculately dressed, even if she's just coming out from a long haul flight. In the above picure (photographed at Heathrow International Airport) she is dressed to her best in a pair of skinny jeans, a black V-neck blouse, a chic black jacket with emphasized shoulders and her favourite Hermes Bag.
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Victoria Beckham is one loyal Hermes customer, she loves all things Hermes and Hermes bags are her fav for travelling. She is rarely not spotted in Hermes while travelling. I’ve always agreed that a handbag completes the outfit, and Victoria’s choice in bags does this well.
If you would notice the picture closely, you'll see that Posh was wearing flats inside the Heathrow Airport while coming out of the terminal, but while getting out from the airport she switched to a pair of stilettos. Well the lady has some fetish for stilettos.

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Victoria Beckham at LA International Airport

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Another airport look of Victoria Beckham at LAX, Los Angeles International Airport. She's looking impeccable as ever in the black satin tunic paired with black tights, YSL pumps, an oversized bag (am surprised this time its not Hermes) and a gold Rolex Watch.

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I really like her style - classy and chic, something that never goes out of fashion. Black is her favourite pick, mine too. You can almost never go wrong with Black.
'Victoria on what it takes to look fabulous like her: "Whether you've got £20 to spend in Top Shop or £2,000 to spend at Gucci, looking good isn't about money, it's about style - and style never goes out of fashion." ' (Source).

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Check out more pictures of Posh, dressed up for the airport. One thing common in all her Airport Ensembles, below, is chic and impeccability.

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(I had been thinking of writing a post on how to dress for the airport/travel in style, but for now we'll do with the below pictures of Posh)

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Image Source

Do you like Victoria Beckham's style?

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