The Season’s Must Haves

CHUNKY BIG BANGLES : Simply Ravishing !

Bangles as a fundamental Indian accessory have changed its look and appearance. Bangles in all shapes and colors have made amazingly bold come back this season. It’s time to pamper your wrists with chunky big bangles. Bangles inspired by African culture like made of wood, amber or bone with bright color inlays are very much in these days. Coordinate bangles in multi color and which do not match your outfit. Contrast is the biggest style mantra, not only with colors, but also with shapes and designs. Big metallic bangles give the outfit a stylish look while bonze, wooden and bone have an unruly look.

Do keep in mind not to wear too many thick bangles. If the thickness of the bangle is 2 to 3 inches then don’t wear more than two. One thing you must stay away from is trying to match all gaudy colors of your outfit on your arm or creating a pattern. Don’t wear too many metal or glass bangles.

For evening wear, surround your wrists with crystal and beaded bracelets. Mingle bold, clashing colors on your arms with pastel summer colors.

Another set of bracelets and bangles, ranging from metallic to lucite to candy to beaded, even crochet! Dress up that simple outfit with these darling wristlets. Captivate, stand out, be different...

• Wooden bangles

In addition to the basic brown color [as shown in the above pic], you can also find coloured and carved wooden bangles that you can match with any kind of outfit..

I simply loooove these :

• Choco Machine

Chunky bangles - They look expensive, but surprisingly, they're very cheap!

• I'm Girly

Plastic , Chunky bangles with diamond pattern

Perfect Beach Cover Up

Perhaps I'm a little late to the party on this trend, and maybe you're going to think "Jeesh, that was so five seasons ago, what's wrong with this girl?" Anyway, I want an embroidered, knee-length Mexican tunic. In fact, I want like five of them to wear on all days that I am ever at the beach. They're just so fun. They scream "I am having a good time," and they easily and prettily cover up the bits you don't want people to see when you're jumping up to buy the Choco Taco that probably formed those bits in the first place.

Bra Size Chart

Around 75% of women are wearing the wrong size bra, this figure may seem high however the body is constantly changing and you should check your size at least every 6 months. Choosing the correct bra size is extremely important the wrong size can cause any manner of problems including bad posture, neck and backache. A properly fitted bra is comfortable to wear and, ultimately, will feel as if you are not wearing a bra.

Here's a chart for your reference :

2008 Latest Hairstyle

[Image borrowed from hairpedia ]

Handbag Designer Spotlight: Nivaldo de Lima

Nivaldo de Lima has created quite a buzz with his intricately handcrafted handbags. Run out of a small family workshop in Mallorca, each of Lima's designs are made with the utmost care and consideration.

Known for classic styling with a modernistic twist, his approach to designing came from the unusual partnership of photographer Louise Bobbe. Bobbe's city flavor and Nivaldo's classic instincts melded together to create timeless, coveted creations. His recently launched online store will surely garner the attention of many urbanites looking for a cute and functional bag.

More from Nivaldo de Lima :

Nicole Kidman’s July 2008 Vogue cover

As predicted by many sources, it is official that Nicole Kidman has landed the cover of US Vogue’s July 2008 issue which was potographed earlier this year on the set of Baz Lurhrmann’s latest movie, Australia, by Annie Leibovitz.

While Vogue’s Photoshop experts would have been hard at work to create images that look positively idyllic, the portraits take my breath away. Well two of them anyway.

Check out the behind the scene video at Style.com’s Vogue section and get your eye candy (Hugh Jackman joins Kidman in some of the shots) in the 16 page spread in the magazine.

Trends: Addicted to Accessories!

I have, I must admit, a bit of a jewelry addiction. I’m like a cat with a little bell around my neck - my friends can always tell exactly where I am at any given time due to excessive charms and bangles jingle jangling. Despite said addiction, I rarely buy into jewelry trends or invest in new styles, preferring my eclectic collection of hand-me downs, charms from my travels and vintage gems.

I have been, however, entirely seduced my A/W’s very grown-up and elaborately jeweled trend. A clear reaction to summer’s light-as-air ethereal aesthetic, these serious jewels go hand in hand with new tailoring, structure and twisted Sunday- Best dressing .

Lindsay Lohan as Marilyn Monroe in "The Last Sitting"

I've been biting my tongue all month about this project. Paul Starr , our legendary celebrity makeup artist, told us he was working with one of his favorite muses, the infamous, Lindsay Lohan to turn her into Marilyn Monroe for NY Magazine.

We had to wait until the images to came out to talk about it, but you can imagine our excitement when we heard the editorial spread was a recreation of the famous 1962 series shot by Bert Stern known as "The Last Sitting"

Cheap Beauty

Looking your best doesn't have to cost alot of money. Here are some frugal tips and freebies to keep you looking your best.

Dry Hand Tips: Dry skin plagues most of us, especially in the winter time. If you are suffering from dry skin, use a hydrating lotion on your hands. You should also apply lotion and wear plastic gloves when washing dishes. The warmth of the water will help the lotion to absorb better, leaving your hands soft and supple.

Bath Tips: In ancient civilizations, they used milk in their bath water to soften their skin. You can try this trick, too. Use powdered milk in your bath and see if your skin feels any different. To exfoliate your skin, use a mixture of grapefruit and salt. This will remove dead skin cells and clean the pores.

Face Care: Beauty products today, even those that say they are all-natural, contain preservatives. The skin on your face is far too delicate for the harsh additives in many of these products. Instead, wet your face with warm water and apply honey. As a facial exfoliant, try raw sugar. Gently rub it in until it dissolves and then rinse.

Keep a bottle of witch hazel under your bathroom sink. It is a natural toner for the skin and costs less than the name brands you find in stores. A sliced cucumber from the fridge will reduce the swelling of puffy eyes in the morning. Instead of expensive makeup removers, use olive oil and a cotton ball.

Hair Care: Chemicals can build up in the hair from thermal styling, hair sprays, and everyday activity. Mayonnaise has long been touted as a natural hair and scalp conditioner. Or try using pure natural olive oil on your hair for shine and to de-frizz your mane.

After you shampoo and rinse your hair, pour a cupful of diluted vinegar through your hair. Rinse thoroughly. Apply conditioner and rinse. Be careful not to get the vinegar in your eyes!
The best beauty tip is drinking plenty of water. Drinking eight to ten glasses of water every day flushes out your system. It is like an internal shower for your body. Water removes impurities and gives a natural glow to your skin.

An Outerwear Classic: The Peacoat

When its time to shop, what style should be at the top of your list if you’re looking for classic versatility? The Peacoat, of course. Peacoats have been perennial favorites for years - and with good reason. The cut of a peacoat is flattering on virtually everyone, they come in colors and textures of all kinds and they range in price from bargain basement to half-a-monthly-mortgage-payment.