The Pastel Obsession

 Funny enough my obsession with pastels didn’t start years ago. When I was a little girl and as one would expect, being pink all the way was just fashionable. On the contrary. As far as I can remember, I never had a thing for pastels until maybe two years ago. Pastel colours became “millennial pastels” and suddenly it was everywhere. Shades of lavender, soft pink, butter yellow and powder blue. Brands created an identity around it, soft pink walls became essential to interior designers, the pastel palette rocked fashion and street runways. Yes, even today, I am, and I feel confident saying we all are, still very much obsessing over it. It’s not over, and I feel it’s going to be here to stay…

Yes, there is something soft and ethereal about these shades, could also be a spring-summer staple. These shades also remind you of all good things cool and summery, like ice-creams, sorbets and candies. Other than you might expect, it doesn’t make you feel like an Easter figure in the wild, but it lifts your mood, and makes you look rather sophisticated.However, no matter what trend you are following you will see a lot of pastel colors as well. Some believe the innocence of pastel colors is only for warm and sunny weather. We know these shades have made their way into this Fall/Winter color trends with quite a bit of focus with the beautiful Fall and Winter Collections.

CRAFT ON FINGER TIPS

Make-up just got extended to the nails too! Nail art is the latest in thing in the fashion world, and is taking it by storm. 'Nail art' refers to the art of decorating the nails of a person using various kinds of materials available in the market for the same. Today, technology has made it possible for one to flaunt the designs of one's choice on his or her nails. Nails are now not only layers of keratin, but have evolved into the ultimate means to express one's creativity. Previously, a manicure or pedicure, coats of nail polish or henna were all one could do with one's nails. However, that is not the case now. In today's times, the art that one can flaunt on one's nails is limited only by one's imagination. In other words, nails have become a vast canvas, on which one can express one's creativity in whatever way appeals, out of the wide range of options available. People are now trying to match their nails to the colours of the season or the colours of their dress. Nail art today is all the rage everywhere, and is the must-do for all kinds of places schools, colleges, offices, weddings, parties, or just for at an outing with friends.

Modern nail art is believed to have its origin in Japan. Nail artists known all over the world, like Eriko Kurosaki, Junco Ogava and Michiko Matshushita, are Japanese. In ancient India, nail art in the form of designs with henna were very popular. Some Indian tribes were also very famous for their unique nail decorations. Nail art has become very popular the world over in the last decade or so. Be it on the toes of one's hands or one's feet, nail art has emerged as a fashion statement. Simple nail art can be made at one's home. There are several nail art studios that have come up all over the world, which one can visit for more elaborate and professional designs.

Commonly, nail art is understood to be painting the nails. However, in fact, nail art encompasses a wide range of

alternatives. Painting on the nails can range from flowery and geometrical ones to highly creative, funky ones.The process of painting the nails is an elaborate one, and gives the best results when performed by a skilled nail artist. First of all, the nails are cleaned and the dead skin and cuticles around the nails are removed. Thereafter, a base coat of paint is applied on them, usually of white colour, so as to ensure that the design shows up prettily. In some cases, if a natural look is desired, no base coat is applied. A coat of activation polish is applied on top of this, which ensures that the design dries quickly. Finally, the required design is painted on the nail. Bright colours like silver, gold, red, blue, green, and black are preferred over lighter colours. Digital nail painting is the latest innovation in the area of nail art. It has made it possible for any kind of picture that the client wishes to be reproduced exactly on the nails. Under this process, the design is scanned into a computer. After the activation coat is applied on the nails, the client is required to put his or her hands into the machine, the design gets printed on the client's nails in the exact reproduction of the original. The application of a clear coat of varnish over the design ensures that it lasts for a considerable period of time. Some people have been known to decorate their nails using different kinds of embellishments. These decorations can be anything from glitter, beads, feathers, stones or flowers, and are glued on the surface of the nail. Precious or semi-precious embellishments can be made use of. Tiny stickers are also available, which can be creatively utilized to make an attractive design on one's nails. Piercing, nail piercing is another form of nail art that is very popular in today's times. It refers to the act of piercing the nail, in a fashion similar to the piercing of any other body part, and wearing a piece of jewellery in it. Acrylic nails are a perfect way of making one's nails appear longer and more beautiful. Artificial nails made of acrylic material are stuck on the natural nails of a person, giving it a longer appearance. These nails can be smoothened and given a brush of polish, which makes it look extremely natural.

To nail it down, there is no doubt about the fact that the preference and incidence of nail art growing by leaps and bounds, in all across the globe. In spite of the rising popularity of nail art as a form of artistic expression, it still remains the women's prerogative. It has not become as popular with men. Nail art has not remained restricted only to hip teenagers and college goers, but is being increasingly preferred by middle-aged women as well. Working women prefer nail art in sober colours and designs. Before getting nail art done, it is necessary to choose a reputed nail art studio and nail artist to ensure that the process is completely hygienic and safe. It is also necessary to check whether all the paints, embellishments and jewellery used are in compliance with the health and safety standards laid down in the area in which the studio is located. If these few simple precautions are religiously followed, there is no reason why you cannot have your nails looking all glamorous and fashionable, and play safe and healthy too!

GREEN FASHION

“We all moan and groan about the loss of the quality of life through the destruction of our ecology, and yet every one of us, in our own little comfortable ways, contributes daily to that destruction. It's time now to awaken in each one of us the respect and attention our beloved Earth deserves." The fashion industry often gets a bad rep when it comes to being environmentally friendly. However, this is beginning to drastically change with the fashion industry going green in so many aspects. With green cosmetics, magazine articles, and clothing, the industry that is often accused of being so wasteful is turning their act around. When the message of the importance of 'going green' has reached almost all walks of life, could the fashion industry be far behind? Evidently not, what with 'Green Fashion'  a terminology that encapsulates the gamut of environment-friendly practices. So be it the use of eco-friendly fabrics that necessitate less energy and water or non-toxic vegetable dyes, recycling previous years' ensembles into a whole new fashion collection, to say nothing of jewellery fashioned out of waste paper.

            "Sustainable development" has become a buzzword in the present times due to the emergence of various social & environmental concerns. Increasing pollution from vehicles and industrial units, deforestation, excessive use of chemicals, plastic, metals and other non-biodegradable material, expanding landfill sites are leaving devastating impacts on the environment. Extensive use of natural resources and superfluous production & use of man-made articles along with tremendous waste generation is adversely effecting the environment. This has intensified the need to minimize the environmental damages and make the earth a better place to live not only for the present generations but also for the future generations.. Its relevance in the Fashion industry is because of the highly unsustainable nature of this industry. Fashion Industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It is the second largest water-consumer of all the industries of the world. Trends like global operations, fast fashion, increasing disposable incomes, increasing consumerism are intensifying the social & environmental concerns with respect to the fashion industry. An interesting area of research is to emancipate the role of technology integration in the fashion industry and its contribution in the emergence of an ethical and green fashion value-chain.

                                 The very latest in green fashion isn’t the $20 organic cotton jeans at Kmart or the hand loomed hemp/silk blends on the runway at Fashion Week.. Wouldn’t it be nice to wear custom dress shirts, dresses, shirts, skirts and other garments made out of an eco-friendly kind of fiber? Unknown to a lot of people still, many big brands in the fashion industry are already going green with their different clothing lines made out of natural materials. These men’s, dresses and scarves, to name a few garments are composed of fabrics that are made out of soy bean, hemp, coconut, pineapple leaves, and even bamboo. So many celebrities have become a major part of the going green factor as to protect the environment, they could be one of the most looked upon role models. There are few eco- friendly designers whose designs include beautiful dresses made completely out of recycled materials like newspaper and boxes. Other more “wearable” items were simply made from organic threads. The shows not only focus on clothing, but models were treated to eco friendly make up and hair products as well.

            Green Technology, Strategy and leadership for clean and sustainable communities, discusses strategies for green and clean living. The Business Green informs about Fashion industry signing up for a green makeover. All of us should live life like "look fabulous live well, do good. Computer technology plays an important role in the strengthening and reinforcing the sustainability efforts and is specifically directed to the contribution of computer technology for bringing in social & environmental. When the fashion world is in danger, it is best to protect the residents by being environment friendly and going green instead. When you plant a tree, never plant only one, plant three one for shade, one for fruit, and one for beauty. Going green with our clothes is a very helpful way to lead to a healthy surroundings and to decrease wastes products without compromising on fashion and comfort, appearances and style. So go out and shop for some eco-friendly clothes.

TRINKET ERA

“The jeweler allows me to wear the sapphire blue lake on my finger, the emerald green leaves around my neck, and take the citrine sunset with me wherever I go.  Jewelry has become my daytime link to nature in an office with no windows.  And if I have to work late, there's nothing like diamond stars and a pearl full moon against an onyx night sky,” said Astrid Alauda. Women go crazy over every piece of jewelry that’s is available. Whether you are a history buff or simply seeing handmade beaded jewelry worn by your favorite actresses, it is hard to look at the jewelry from the past and not take a look at the handmade jewelry that was worn then. While a few of them look unbearably clunky and old fashioned now, some would look right at home on today's top fashion catwalks and expos. Jewelry, in all of its forms, has had a strong effect on the world and the fashions that were based off of it.

       Early in history, jewelry was a mark of status of some sort. Perhaps the only people who could wear it were of religious importance, or perhaps they were the only people who could afford it. It’s a fact that though the handmade beaded jewelry from the early eras seems primitive to our eyes, it was still crafted with care. For instance, the twisted torques, close fitting necklaces that were worn by the Celts, was often a sign of both manhood and wealth.

Later on, jewelry was a mark of privilege and leisure; it was a show that not only could you afford to feed yourself and your loved ones, but that you could spend a lot of extra money on beautiful things. For instance, in many parts of Europe, there were sumptuary laws that forbid people of a certain class from wearing things that were too extravagant, whether that was cloth, jewelry or special leathers. Often though, people would ignore these rules and the fact that they had to pay a fine was also seen as a mark of status and wealth!

During the Victorian age in Europe, handmade beaded jewelry started taking the shapes that would be very familiar to those of us who wear jewelry today. The Victorian era had a very strong interest in death and funerary arts, though, and this was often eerily represented in so-called mourning jewelry, where people would snip hair from their departed loved ones and weave it into lockets, broaches and rings. Sometimes this jewelry would get very elaborate and it could be quite beautiful, especially when different shades of hair were used.The beginning of the twentieth century saw the beginning of costume jewelry. Costume jewelry, far from being as cheap or as disposable as the name implies, was actually meant to be jewelry that complemented one particular outfit. Various precious metals and gems could and often did go into the production of costume jewelry.

           Today, we are experiencing a real renaissance as far as jewelry goes, and whether you love fine handmade beaded jewelry or simply love adorning yourself with something new every day, take a look and see what sort of impact the right piece of jewelry can have on you!Feel sexy, alluring and provocative! Discover custom handmade jewelry designed to enhance your individuality and compliment your beauty. Go now and indulge yourself with affordable uncommonly unique Handmade Beaded Jewelry.

Given the fact that jewelry has played such a role in human history, it is no wonder that handmade beaded jewelry makes such an important appearance in our myth and legends as well!

COMFY FEET!!

Women’s flip flops have come a very long way in recent years. They are available in a variety of styles, colors and designs, and they have become a huge part of many women's wardrobes .Flip flops are even commonly seen in the work place these days! The designs of flip flops have become so flattering that they are now suitable to wear with dresses, skirts, slacks, and jeans. They perfect with a pair of shorts. Flip flops come in a wide variety of styles and designs. Some have heels, and some are flat. Some have the traditional rubberized soles, while others are made of leather, wood, plastic, and a huge variety of other types of materials.
          Flip flops are very flattering when worn with Capri style pants. In fact, it seems that the Capri style pants are what made flip flops more attractive to women. Designers were forced to sit up and take notice. They finally realized that women will not be content with the same old - ugly - style flip flops that were available for years in a one-size, one-style fits all fashion. Today, women want their footwear - even their flip flops - to be fashionable and stylish - and designers have answered that demand!
   Many famous designers now have flip flop designs out on the market, and there are shoe companies that specialize only in flip flop sandals. Because each woman has an intricate style of her own, many of them even decorate their flip flops to make them even more stylish and unique.Flip flops are not as cheap as they once were either. Of course, you can still find the old style of flip flops and purchase a pair of those for less than three bucks, but the more stylish - cute - flip flops cost quite a bit more. Some women even pay upwards of $100 for a pair of flip flops - and flip flops by famous designers go even higher!
Aside from the overall appearance of the shoe, many flip flop designers have taken more of an interest in comfort and support when it comes to flip flop designs as well. There are many styles of flip flops on the market today that feature arch support. The thong that goes between the toes is often made of the softest leather to keep the material from rubbing blisters between the toes as well. Comfort, support, fit, style, and design are all factors when new flip flops are made today!
         Fit is something that was never important in the past when it came to flip flops. Women had a choice between small, medium, large, and in some instances, even extra large. Today, quality flip flops have actual shoe sizes so that women can get a better - more comfortable fit. This is revolutionary in the flip flop world - kids and men still have to settle for small, medium, large, and extra large in most cases, and their choices are very limited when it comes to flip flops.Flip flops are seen everywhere you look - everyday. Women even wear flip flops in the winter. They are easy to slid into to step outside, or even to make a quick trip next door or to the store. Many women even use flip flops as substitutes for house slippers - because they are comfortable, and they serve the purpose without making a woman's feet too warm.We expect the flip flop to evolve even more in the future. The renewed interest that women have shown in these types of shoes will ultimately drive designers and manufacturers to give women even more of what they want - before the competition does. We definitely haven't seen the last changes in womens flipflops! Keep an eye on the flip flop section at your favorite shoe store to see what the designers have in mind for us next!

HANDBAGS IMPECCABLE STYLE

“Carry all” can mean just that when it comes to handbags this fall. Handbags are women’s best friend they cannot just live without it no matter who or what is in or empty. Gone are the days of small leather bags, where women could think of only a black and a brown. Glamour meets functionality in the latest range of bags in the city. Big handbags are in very much vogue right now. Bigger is better for today's busy woman, who needs to tote around everything from lipstick to a computer. They are spacious and come in eye-catching colours vibrant purple, indigo blue, metallic green, pastel pink white and red and exclusive in the city. "Our customers love the big handbag trend for fall, they are not so much brand conscious" said Shinoy from a local bag store. As fashion is exploring to a vast extent people feel, aside from bags being a great help in managing all the things you need to carry around, it is a great accessory. Whether you are dressing up or down, a handbag can help an outfit come together. It has ranged to an extent that you always want your handbag to match your outfit. If you were wearing pink, you used your pink handbag. If you were wearing green you used your green handbag. If you only had a brown handbag and a black one, you knew that putting a brown handbag with an outfit that has black in it. For the stylish and fashionable woman, there is nothing like having beautiful big handbag that would go with her outfit for the day. Whether it is after a day at work or spending time at the gym, there is a handbag that fits every occasion. “An oversized bag offers a fashionable look, and it is practical because there's room for everything women need throughout the day essentials like wallet, phone and keys, plus extras like bottled water, a wrap or a change of shoes.” said Anupama Madan an MBA aspirant. Jute bags was dominating in the city but now leather bags got in hold as they are long lasting and comfortable to carry also they can cuddle up anywhere. People are not so keen on branded bags they are inclined towards the style of the bag not even a second thought of the price. When a girl has got baggage she needs to carry it in style. “I like bags that are stylish and would go for something that's light weighted and comfortable so it doesn't hurt my shoulders. I love big bags that have lots of inside compartments, so that I can put specific items into each compartment.” said Angeline Martina B a college student. When shopping for a bag, I think women should consider how they plan to use their handbag in addition to considering the style of the bag. Some women include a clutch or wristlet inside the big bag that has important items they can pull out of the big handbag easily. And it's smart to carry a small cosmetics bag, so you don't find lipstick smeared on the lining. As long as you can carry the handbag comfortably and have access to everything you need, you're probably in good shape. At the end of the day, women need their style to transcend time, place and activity. Big bags are perfect for every event from a night on the red carpet to a girl’s day out. 

BACK TO ROOTS!!! HAIR TRENDS

In an era where fashion changes every day, there is a need to appear well groomed at all times. Women have always been image-conscious, and now men are increasingly following suit. Constant visit to the salon and heightened interest in personal care products is an ample evidence of this trend. Many of us can probably still remember the first time we got our hair ‘trimmed’ or ‘cut’ at the local beauty parlour. The concept of “hairstyling” was alien to us then, except for the few who had sampled it on trips abroad or were privy to ‘specialist’ hidden away somewhere. Things have come a long way since then. Today, most of us know and demand a certain level of quality, variety and skill in the way our hair is done. We know about layers and blow-drying, bobs and fringes and perhaps even about symmetrical and asymmetrical cuts. We know about the use of colour have probably tried highlights and even considered extensions. The fact is, hairstyling has come a long way over the last decade or so. Hairstyling has become a range in the fashion scene among. Girls and Boys of this city have become so hair conscious. ”Layers, feathers, razor and trimmed cuts is the most adopted style among youngsters of both the sex,” said Aruna a senior stylist at a local beauty parlour. With the summer heat soaring high people prefer to keep it trim yet stylish. Hair colouring has reduced from what it was in the city but did not disappear; Streaks is dominating in the colouring process than a dip of the whole hair. Youngsters always want to try something different every season, like Vibin George, had curls last month and now with a different avatar of straightened hair.” Perming has disappeared and rebonding of the hair is lot more ruling in the City”, says Latha a senior hairstylist at a local beauty parlour. When cutting the hair, one has to ensure that the cut reflects each nuance of wearer’s personality, but still sticking on to the latest hair do. Putting a style to a cut requires a certain amount of sensibility, as again one has to choose between whether the hair to look sensational or real. Whatever the style it has to sync with ones character.” I am very demanding when it comes to hairstyling and cutting, i would prefer layers because it looks good on me and makes my hair look voluminous and it suits my personality, I think it is the current hair trend so I am with the flow”, declares Anupama Madan, 23 year MBA aspirant. Stylist can no longer dish out the same five haircuts that they have picked up by watching other stylists, nor can they get away with not-so-great imitations of pictures in magazines. Customers are getting more and more discerning and salons and stylists that don’t keep up will get left out quickly. Even today, most people prefer going to a ‘safe’, tried and tested hairdresser that someone has recommended. Experimentation is a risky proposition for most clients.