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Pool Friendly Fashion

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Friday, May 18th, 2012

Don’t Sacrifice Fashion at the Pool

A trip to the pool doesn’t need to be fraught with anxiety. This season’s hot new trends in swim wear accessories yield a variety that should complement every poolside sunbather’s style.

One of the more surprising hits of this season, along with the monokini and fringe-laden bikinis, is the chic and slightly throwback style of high-waisted bikini bottoms. The modern take on this vintage style is accented with clever contours to complement the wearer’s waistline. The top that goes with these bottoms can vary from standard bikini top to a halter style.

No matter what type of suit you choose, and regardless of whether you are strolling along the shoreline at one of your favorite beaches or are lounging at one of your friends’ above ground pools, you want to make your swim wear pop all summer long. How does one bring the heat while trying to cool down? Accessories, accessories and more accessories. By adding the right shoes, wraps and even jewelry, you can get the most mileage out of any style of swimsuit you may choose.

Kick up Your Heels When You’re Not in the Water

There is no rule that your pool shoes cannot be both functional and fashionable. By finding the right shoes to complement your swimsuit as well as keeping your feet happy, you will flaunt your style with ease and grace. You can select neutral chic wedges of varying heights or a flat flip-flop with a flower embellishment. A pair of classic, bejeweled slip-on sandals go a long way in supporting your pedicured feet on a hot summer’s day. If you like simple swim suits, select bright sandals or adorned wedges to add some excitement to your beach look.

Keep Your Swimwear Sassily Under Wraps

While it is wonderful to showcase your snazzy new swimsuit at the pool or the beach, there are times when an attractive cover up can come in handy. When taking a trip to the bar for your favorite beach cocktail, it is nice to slip on your shoes and a wrap in your favorite material – cotton, chiffon or even canvas are all popular looks – to make your way. You can choose cover ups for the top portion of your body or merely over your swimsuit bottoms. A slightly sheer tunic is a hot look this year that covers your body but still gives a sexy look. If you like a colorful look, consider a cotton patterned wrap. Avoid stripes if you are curvier; plus, bold, block patterns are more in style this season. Whichever style wrap you choose, make sure it complements your overall beach look. You don’t want to clash when you are trying to look your best in the summer weather.

Highlight Your Best Attributes with Sparkling Jewelry

Whether your taste in jewelry is simple, elegant or you prefer something brimming with bangles or beads, there is certainly something that will help you sparkle under the rays of the sun. While metal jewelry is in this season, consider going with a thin chain or earrings rather than a bulky necklace. Though chunky gold necklaces look great on the runway, they can get hot in the sun. They also leave unwanted tan lines. Consider bright, jeweled earrings to set off the color of your suit or thin gold chains for a classy look!

Pool and Beach Ready

Now that you have the fundamentals in order to shimmer at the pool, it’s time to head on out and enjoy the water and the sunshine while you make your own splash. There’s no need to overthink your suit style this year. Pick something simple and dress it up for the perfect 2012 beach style!

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About the Author: Carleen Coulter

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Categories : Bling, Fashion, Swimwear

Tags : Fashion, Swimwear

Change Family Heirlooms into Trendy Fashion Pieces

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Passed down from generation to generation in your family, heirlooms have sentimental and historical value. They remind you about past family members who you may have never met and the type of influence they had on the entire family that shaped who you are today.

Family heirlooms are slowly making their way into the latest fashion trends. Instead of having that heirloom stuffed in a box in the attic as it gathers dust, why not incorporate it into what you’re wearing today? It gives new life to your heirloom, shows how much you honor and care about your family and adds eye-popping appeal to your clothing.

What’s Considered A Family Heirloom?

A family heirloom is anything that’s been saved by an ancestor as it’s passed down from parent to child for generations. The item can be handmade or have a unique quality the ancestor believed could be of monetary value in future years. Common types of heirlooms include:

· Coins: rare coins no longer minted, silver coins, gold coins, collector’s coins

· Jewelry: pendants, brooches, gemstones, necklaces, cameos, wedding and engagement rings, religious jewelry such as rosaries and Jesus fish

· Photographs: family photos, war photos, special event photos

· Letters and Documents: love letters, official government documents, long-distance letters, war documents, maps, manuscripts

· Clothing and Fabric: handcrafted quilts, Oriental rugs, wedding dresses, drapery, knitted scarves, crocheted crafts

Types of Heirlooms Used For Fashion Statements

Jewelry

Jewelry is the most common family heirloom used as a fashion statement. Often, you only have to change the jewelry’s setting if it’s tarnished or broken. You can easily change a ring into a necklace, a pendant into a ring and a brooch into a hairpin.

By removing gems from jewelry, you can have them placed into the new metal setting of your choice. You can also take metal jewelry such as a Jesus fish and place it into a brooch to make a trendy fashion statement.

Coins

Ever thought of replacing those missing buttons on your jacket with small coins? Coins can be added as decorations on purses or as cuff buttons on men’s shirts. Coins can also be used as jewelry accessories like brooches and pendants.

To mount coins on fabric, the best way is to create holes through the surface and sew the coin in place. Carefully decide on which coins you want changed as not to ruin those that have a monetary value.

Fabric and Clothing

If you have the sewing skills and the time, you can take old family heirlooms of fabric and clothing and change them into fashionable dresses and shirts. The latest fashion trends of the season are bold colors, pastels and crochet pieces. Quilts, crocheted shirts and wedding gowns that were family heirlooms can be combined with vivid fabrics to make unique casual and eveningwear.

Before Changing Family Heirlooms into Fashion Statements

You’re probably now excited to dig through those boxes in your grandmother’s attic to find family heirlooms and change them into unique fashion statements. But before you do this, make sure other family members are fine with the planned changes you’ll make. Resentment and hard feelings can last a lifetime when people squabble over family heirlooms, so get the okay from everyone first.

You’ll also need to find out if the items have any monetary value. Jewelry and coins can become devalued if the settings are changed or the surface is marked. Contact a reputable jeweler or coin appraiser to study the item to determine its value.

Make a Trendy Appearance

Giving new life to a family heirloom can honor the memories of loved ones who are no longer with you. These heirlooms are to be enjoyed by family members, not sit in a box gathering dust. If you can change a family heirloom so it can bring happiness to yourself and to future family members, making the heirloom into a fashion statement is a worthy endeavor.

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Categories : Bling, Jewelry, Watches

Tags : Jewelry, Watches

Fun Beachwear

By Carleenp · Comments (0)

Monday, May 14th, 2012

If you are travelling to a beach destination this summer, you will want to pack light. That way you can focus on having fun in the sun instead of dragging your bags all over the place. With baggage fees going up all the time, it can get expensive to bring a lot of luggage. Luckily, if you pack right you can get by with just a carry on for quite a few days of beach travel.

Even if you have no plans to travel, beachwear does not have to be complicated. Having a few key pieces that will last for a few summers is important. Accessories are cheap and change with the seasons. Bathing suit styles do not change nearly as much.

Investment Pieces:
Swimwear should be an investment. Go ahead and spend more on high quality swimsuits, but make sure you buy separates. Having three to four different good quality separates will allow you to create many different looks that will take you through at least two summers of heavy wear.

Go for solid colors like black, brown, red or navy. Your best bet is to buy one pair of bottoms you really love and then get two different tops. For instance, a black pair of boy shorts will go with a variety of different styles and colors of tops. You could pair your boy shorts with a classic black triangle top or a red halter tankini top creating a variety of looks.

Accessories:
Inexpensive accessories can help you keep up with yearly trends on a budget. Sunglasses, for example, are an inexpensive option. If the trend is neon colors this summer, a bright yellow pair of sunglasses and electric blue nail polish with a classic black swimsuit will allow you to be on trend, but wear the same swimsuit as last year.

Cover-ups are also a great way to stay on trend. A good-sized scarf can play many different roles in your summer wardrobe. Tie it around your hat’s brim to brighten it up. You can also play with knots and shape when tying it around your waist.

Even things like towels and bags can keep your look on trend and still be inexpensive. If you stay under a certain price point for these items, you can buy something new every summer. Spending less money on these items is also great for travelers. If you leave your sunglasses by the pool, you don’t have to worry because you didn’t shell the money for designer sunglasses.

Convertible Dresses:
Dresses help you keep cool during the summer. You can also throw them over your swimsuit and go directly to a party while still looking fashionable. Convertible dresses are a great option if you want to have a variety of looks without making a significant investment in summer clothing. These dresses can even be used as a skirt under a tank top or tee shirt.

Functional Style:
If you are looking for items that will be functional while remaining stylish, flip-flops with hidden storage are a great option. They allow you to hide your car or house key, cash and credit cards inside the bottom of your shoe so you can leave your key ring and wallet at home or in the hotel safe.

When shopping for these flip-flops, make sure you buy a pair with a compartment that is waterproof and crushproof. One that has a hard plastic or metal insert is ideal so you know your items are secure.

John Villareal is a hotel and resort reviewer and, while he’s in between destinations, blogs for mauritiusholidays.com where you can find various Mauritius holiday packages – more details. In particular he recommends considering Royal Palm Mauritius as a great destination for the next time you travel.