月別アーカイブ: 2015年12月

The minimalist trend – and its “less is more mantra” – defined trends in 2015, with muted color patterns, clean lines and simple shapes. Consider that a palate cleanser for what’s to come in 2016.

Runways previewing 2016 collections have dropped some not-so-subtle hints that 2016 styles will be big and bold, albeit feminine. Traditional springtime English garden florals will get juxtaposed with black lace for a grunge edge. Louis Vuitton and Balmain shows are ruffling fashion, with the lady-like detailing proving popular on cheap wedding dresses and blouses and skirts.

Here’s a preview of 6 trends in store for 2016.

BOLD STRIPES

Stripes are a perennial fashion trend. But the more common dainty Breton stripes we see appear in spring are being usurped by wide, colorful stripes. This structured ponte top has nautical navy stripes that are subtle in scale, but is popped with wider ribbons of lime for a fresh take on the striped shirt staple.

RUFFLE UP YOUR WARDROBE

From bold, all-over flamenco ruffles on tea length wedding dresses to subtle ruffles at hemlines, the feminine detail is a designer favorite for 2016. We love how the soft ruffles on the sleeve and at the hemline transform this shift dress into a unique, statement piece that comes in sapphire, pine or black.

JEWELRY THAT MAKES A STATEMENT

A statement necklace has the superpower ability to transform an entire jeans-and-T-shirt outfit or add a “wow” factor to a shift dress. Anthropologie is one of our favorite places to go shopping for unique, statement pieces. We’re loving the Bainbridge Layer Necklace with mixed textures and four strands of beads that harmoniously blend mixed metals, blue hues and cream, marble-like stones.

NEAT PLEATS

A little bit preppy, dainty, knife pleats are re-emerging for 2016. Loft has a darling take on the trend with a pleated flippy dress in burgundy with long sleeves and a flattering drop waist. For a fashion-forward combo, combine burgundy with a bold, azure blue accessory for an unexpected color palette.

MARLED KNITS

Designers like Jason Wu and Michael Kors have been previewing pretty marled knits in their 2016 collections. Start the New Year off in style with a marled knit sweater dress that’s classic, but chic. Polish off the look with heeled booties and a jolt of color – like a burgundy purse and swipe of lipstick.

MOODY FLORALS

Floral patterns blossom every spring. This year, they are less soft, more moody. Find delicate florals mixed with lace details on blouses and dark backgrounds on dresses. Have year-round flower power in your wardrobe with the graphic floral hues set on a black canvas with this short-sleeve floral sheath dress. Wear with a black moto jacket to give it extra edge.

For some Boxing Day means eating leftover ham and friendly games of backyard cricket. For others it’s a regulated bloodsport where ruthlessness is the only option. By that we mean the annual Boxing Day sales, which can have the tendency to turn even the mildest of people into a frenzied monster. And it’s easy to understand why it happens. Sales tend to whip up strong reactions – from fear of missing out to uber competitiveness – all of which can lead to making poor decisions. That purple bejewelled fedora at 50 per cent off might seem like a good idea at the time, but mostly, well, it’s not.

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To help with this we’ve pulled together the ultimate ELLE girl guide to surviving – and thriving – the summer sale season.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Take cues from fashion girls who will happily spend hours trawling through runway shows, street style pics and shopping websites to hone in on what you really love, where to buy it and where you’re going to get the best price. This includes shopping like a ninja online – this includes making wish lists on your favourite stores and following your favourite brands on social media to get a heads up on upcoming sales and offers .

DO A STOCKTAKE

This is important. Take a long, hard look at your wardrobe and figure out what you actually need – remember a bargain isn’t really a bargain if you didn’t either need or absolutely love it. Do you have ten striped shirts but only one pair of jeans? Need a dress for your cousin’s wedding next year? This is a great time to plug the holes in your wardrobe.

BUY THE BASICS

Make like ELLE fashion news coordinator Claudia Jukic and stock up on the everyday items that you’ll use over and over, but don’t necessarily love spending loads of money on.“I always buy swimwear on sale – you can find cute ‘kinis and it feels better to spend less money on something with very little fabric … ditto lingerie,” she says.

LOOK FOR CLASSIC ITEMS THAT WON’T DATE

You can’t go wrong with classic, non-trend driven items that you will wear for years to come. Look for things like trench coats, crisp white shirts and tailored trousers. As Dee Jenner, ELLE style editor says of her sales strategy,“I try not to impulse buy. Things like cashmere, coats and a great bag are always going to be a good investment so I know I’m making the right decision.”

ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU CAN ALSO USE THE SALES AS THE CHANCE TO BUY SOMETHING YOU WOULDN’T NORMALLY

We don’t mean somethingridiculous,but if you were keen try a pair of fur lined shoes or a tutu during the year but couldn’t quite stump up the cash for something so … dramatic… and you spot them on sale, this is your moment. Or at least to challenge yourself a little, sartorially speaking. As ELLE digital contributor Ruby Jones says,

“I usually try to see them as an opportunity to buy my favourite item in a seasonal colour I would NEVER usually choose, this way I’m also encouraged to wear more colour.

“For example, last year [I saw] a pair of orange suede Altuzarra heels on sale for like $300 bucks. Obviously I bought them and now I proudly strut around in orange suede heels that are amazing. “

TAKE A FRIEND WHOSE OPINION YOU TRUST

The kind of friend who will tell you to put the unflattering (but such a bargain!) culottes down, and is not the kind of enabling friend that will encourage you to spend a week’s rent on a pair of shoes.

MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE SALES ASSISTANTS

Obviously this takes some pre-sales ground work, but being on friendly terms with the staff in your favourite stores can go a long way toward getting first dibs on the good stuff or at least an honest opinion.

LISTEN TO YOUR GUT INSTINCT

Try and remain calm in the face of a rack of half-off shoes and think about what you really want to buy, and what will inevitably be a regrettable decision. Your gut instinct will tell you to put down the drop crotch, acid wash, asymmetrical pants. You should listen to it.

EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST

A lot of bad decisions could be avoided had you had you eaten a decent breakfast beforehand. Hangry is not a happy place for shoppers.

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A bride has spoken of her joy after her “miracle” babies were able to be bridesmaids for the Christmas wedding she had dreamed of.

Natalie Whitefox walked down the aisle with little 16-month-olds Heidi and Halle by her side, just months after giving birth to the twins doctors said would be impossible when both her fallopian tubes were removed.

Against all the odds, the girls survived and alongside their big brother, Harry, were there to watch as Natalie and husband, Ros, exchanged vows just before Christmas.

Natalie said: “The day was absolutely perfect and I still have to pinch myself that it really happened.

“For such a long time I never thought I would have any more children, so to have the girls by my side on one of the happiest days of my life was beyond all my dreams.”

In January 2013, Natalie was told she was suffering an ectopic pregnancy and needed a major operation to remove her final fallopian tube and what she thought was a single seven-week foetus.

The 27-year-old hairdresser had already had her other tube removed after two previous ectopic pregnancies, and four miscarriages and believed all her chances of having any more children had been cruelly snatched away.

But just 24 hours after the operation to save Natalie’s life, doctors detected a tiny heartbeat.

Miraculously, just before the surgery, the tiny embryo had travelled through to her womb. And it wasn’t just one baby – Natalie was pregnant with twins.

Mirrorpix

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Little angels: Natalie with her twin girls

She said: “I was stunned. It was the best news. We had gone from believing we had lost our baby to discovering we were having twins. We had no idea how but somehow our babies had survived. I just sobbed and sobbed but this time they were tears of happiness.”

Natalie, from Hunsworth, West Yorkshire, was just 18 when she was diagnosed with endometriosis, which affects the lining of the womb.

She feared she would never be able to carry a baby to term so was overjoyed when she gave birth to son, Harry, now five, in October 2010.

Natalie needed further operations but she and partner Ros Whitehead, 30 , a data analyst, would not give up hope.

But over the next two years Natalie suffered two heartbreaking ectopic pregnancies, losing both babies, and resulting in her first fallopian tube being removed.

Determined not to give up, Natalie and Ros went to see a fertility specialist in December 2012, who carried out tests to see if they were eligible for IVF on the NHS.

But a month later, Natalie suspected she might be pregnant, and a test revealed her greatest wish had come true.

Read more: Miracle baby who was so small her dad’s wedding ring fit on her wrist celebrates first Christmas

A few days later, Natalie was sent for a scan. The sonographer couldn’t find the baby and the next day, Natalie was admitted to St James Hospital in Leeds after suffering severe stomach pains.

Scans showed the pregnancy was ectopic and she needed more surgery to have her second fallopian tube removed.

Natalie says: “I just felt like my world had fallen apart. I just wanted to curl up into a ball and never open my eyes again. But 24 hours later blood tests revealed that despite the fact that my last fallopian tube had been taken away, I was still pregnant. Somehow the embryo had travelled through into the womb.”

But despite being told there was a strong chance Natalie could miscarry, she went on to have Heidi and Halle in August 2013, by a planned Caesarean section. Heidi came first, at 4lb 7oz, and Halle soon after, weighting 5lb 0.5oz.

Natalie, whose wedding was held at a West Yorkshire country hotel, said: “We have been through an emotional roller coaster over the last few years, and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have two beautiful little girls as bridesmaids.

“The day was absolutely perfect. We couldn’t have been happier. It felt like all our Christmas’s had come at once. We feel so blessed to have three beautiful children and it meant to much that they were there to help celebrate our very special day.”

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A grumpy Lacey almost ruined Jed’s valiant efforts for a surprise proposal on One Tree Hill.

But it was clearly meant to be, and the couple was married in a short and sweet ceremony on the beautiful Tutukaka Coast, with family and friends travelling far and wide for the big day.

The celebrant was late, but the weather was perfect – and Lacey’s dad even wore a suit.

We’ll let her fill you in on all the details…

How did you meet? Jed and I met at university in 2009. We had quite a few mutual friends but didn’t manage to cross paths until our third year when my friend and Jed’s flatmate invited me around to their house for a “red card” party.

Tell us about the proposal: Jed is incapable of keeping secrets so I always thought that I would know when he was going to propose because he wouldn’t be able to hide it from me. However, he fooled me by buying the ring, calling my dad for permission, and proposing all in the one day. I was at work so he could resist the urge to text or call me.

He picked me up from work and said he had been cooped up inside all day and wanted us to go for a walk (not unusual – Jed doesn’t cope well being inside all day). Long story short, I had had a very stressful day, I was a bit grumpy, I insisted on doing the grocery shopping and didn’t pick up on his not so subtle hints to hurry up at the supermarket. When we got home I still didn’t notice how quickly he unpacked the shopping while hurrying me to change into exercise gear.

We then left the house to get in the car – I was still grumpy and said something about driving to go walking and how silly that was. We fought through 5:30pm Auckland traffic to get to Cornwall Park. We power-walked up to One Tree Hill and under an overcast sky, howling wind and the threat of rain, Jed asked me to be his wife. I never saw it coming! We then ran all the way back down the hill to the car to call our families.

Location of wedding: We got married at Matapouri on the Tutukaka Coast, which is north of Whangarei. My dad lives there, it is the place I call home, and Jed and I have spent many summers swimming and fishing up there. We wanted to showcase this beautiful part of New Zealand and it was the perfect place for our wedding. Our ceremony was at Otito Reserve and the reception was in a massive marquee at the Matapouri Hall.

Andrew Noakes and Jo Dixon

Friends and family came from all over the country for the wedding.

Describe your wedding day: The whole day was spectacular! It rained for most of Friday (not a surprise for September) and we were very worried about having to turn our outdoor wedding into an indoor wedding, and to floor our 10m x 20m marquee. But we woke to cloudless skies on Saturday and it remained that way the whole day.

I got ready at my family home with my closest family members and my two bridesmaids while Jed and his family and friends set up our marquee and ceremony. He also managed to fit in a round of golf, too! Our ceremony was short and sweet, we said our own vows and tried to personalise everything. Our guests enjoyed nibbles and drinks and lawn games while we had our photos taken back on my farm. We had an amazing band (who also played at Jed’s 21st), and after all the formalities were over, we danced the night away!

The plus size bridesmaid dresses: My dress was a Stella York design from Brides Corner. It wasn’t the type of dress I was expecting to wear on my wedding day, but as soon as I put it on, I did not want to take it off and I knew that it was the dress for me.

The flowers: I used the amazing team at Mint Floral in Whangarei. I knew absolutely nothing about flowers so I gave Jasmine a picture of what I wanted from Pinterest and she recreated it perfectly.

Highlight of the wedding: Oh, there are so many, I don’t even know where to begin! The amazing weather was definitely one of them, as well as all of our guests travelling so far (99 per cent of them had to travel for our wedding, some as far south as Dunedin and as far north as Samoa). We had a barbecue the night before and brunch the day after so that we had plenty of time to catch up with everyone.

Probably the thing that I loved the most was that our wedding was very personal to us (from the rugby and dog cake to the table numbers to hand-built bar leaners to the wording in our ceremony) and it was also a very family affair – my dad collected all the food for the caterers, my brother was MC, my mum helped with getting ready on the day, and Jed’s family were amazing at setting up the entire marquee exactly how we wanted it.

Jed’s mum made our “Mr and Mrs” banner, our table runners, and an enormous bowl of punch for everyone to drink. We had a family friend make our signing board and hand-paint all our table numbers. Another family friend made our cake and a family friend runs a restaurant that caters weddings as well.

One other thing that sticks in my mind is my dad in a suit! My dad is a farmer, he lives in stubbies and swazi shirts. I’ve never seen him in a suit in my lifetime and what’s more, he led me to believe he was just going to wear a shirt and jeans with his gumboots, then he steps out in the latest suit AND tie from Barkers!

Was there any drama? We initially thought the weather was going to cause trouble but the only issue we had was that our celebrant was late. She got the time mixed up and was 45 minutes late to the ceremony. But it’s true what they say – on the day, it really doesn’t matter!

The honeymoon: We spent a lot of time with family and friends in the lead-up to the wedding and a couple days after the big event. On the Monday, we headed up to Paihia for two days of relaxing. We will go on a proper honeymoon in March next year – so far Hawaii or the Galapagos Islands are our top choices.

Your photographer and favourite photo? We used friends of my dad’s – a husband and wife team – and they were amazing! I love all 858 of our photos but the one of Jed and I at the front entrance to the farm is pretty amazing.

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The rules of wedding etiquette are constantly changing, making it difficult for modern brides, grooms and guests to find up-to-date and correct information. That’s why we launched#MannersMondays, a series in which we ask our followers on Twitter and Facebook to submit their most burning etiquette-related questions. Then, with the help of our team of etiquette experts, we get you the right answers to your biggest Big Day dilemmas. Check out this week’s question below!

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At my new job, I am being mentored by a colleague I have known in a professional sense for many years. He has been terrific and really helped me inthis transition. Problem: his daughter is getting married in a couple of months — a black-tie affair. I’ve been told my wife and I should expect an invitation. But we don’t know his daughter and probably won’t know many people at thewedding. Is it tacky not to go? Would it be tacky of me to ask others at work, including our mutual supervisor, if they intend to go? Frankly, I’d prefer not to go but my colleague is a terrific guy and I’d hate to tarnish our relationship. – David B.

Amber Harrison — Wedding Papers Divas’ resident wedding and etiquette expert — is here to help us answer this week’s question. Here’s what she had to say:

Congratulations on the new job! The fact that your mentor considers you close enough to invite you to his daughter’s wedding speaks volumes. Creating a wedding guest list is a long and deliberate process that requires a lot of compromise all around. While you are not obligated to accept the invitation (though, you are obligated to send a gift), it sounds as though your presence would be meaningful and demonstrate your support for your colleague and his family.

If you have a conflict and are unable to attend, you can send your heartfelt regrets once you receive the invitation. If you choose not to attend because it is inconvenient, there is always the possibility of hurt feelings that may put your relationship at risk. Either way, asking other colleagues about their plans is a sure way to stir up trouble. It is quite possible you are the only one from the office invited and discussing that could lead to a variety of awkward situations for both you and your mentor.

If you decide to attend, try to enjoy a beautiful event with your wife and make sure you are open to new experiences – you very well may have the opportunity to meet some new and interesting people!

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A young Wellington fashion designer has come a long way from not being able to sew on a button two years ago.

Rebecca Tannant, 24, won the top all round excellence award at New Zealand Fashion Tech’s 2015 graduation showcase last month.

Her collection of black Victorian-inspired bridal gowns was the most expensive product in her class, with a retail value of $3000.

Winning the top award was a shock for Tannant, who said the calibre of her classmates’ work was very high.

“It was a complete shock. I was happy with my collection, but I worked so closely with everyone else in the class and saw all the work they were putting in, too,” she said.

Despite getting hands-on experience with fashion only when she started her diploma two years ago, Tannant has always loved fashion.

“My mum told me I’ve always wanted to do fashion and I would draw little wedding dress online when I was young.

“I’ve always been creative, I don’t want an office job, I want to make stuff.”

Tannant won the award for her final assignment of the diploma, creating a mini collection in six weeks.

During the research phase of her collection, she became smitten with Victorian fashion, particularly the mourning attire.

“I found the clothes really beautiful and extravagant with their big fans and umbrellas. I loved the detail in it, so I went from there.”

Her original plan to do traditional white wedding dresses was squashed when the cost of white lace was prohibitive.

For Tannant, who describes her style as “rocky, but not goth”, working with black fabric was her way of expressing her own style.

She is now figuring out what to do with the cheap bridesmaid dresses, which are taking up space in her wardrobe.

“I don’t want to part with them because they’re my first collection, but I can’t just wear them any old day.’

Tannant is looking for a job in evening or bridal wear in Wellington.

Her goals for her career in the fashion industry are relatively low-key.

“I don’t want to be the next Trelise Cooper. I just want to have my own little shop, where I can make pretty dresses.”

COMMEMORATIVE gateposts commissioned to mark the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton are dividing opinion in Bucklebury, according to national media reports.

Rustic wooden posts resembling railway sleepers topped with carvings of acorns were recently installed in the Duchess of Cambridge’s home village of Chapel Row in Bucklebury parish. The 10ft tall gate posts mark the village’s famous daughter’s marriage to Prince William in 2011.

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An inscription on one post, says that it is “to commemorate the wedding of Catherine & William” and gives the date of the wedding in Latin. The other says: “Welcome through one of the historic gates of Bucklebury.”

The village became the centre of a worldwide media frenzy at the time of the royal wedding and the births of the couple’s’ children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Back in the spotlight, the reports suggested that the posts had divided opinion and ignited a “ferocious debate” at a recent village coffee morning.

One villager allegedly branded them an eyesore and called for them to be “ripped down and turned into firewood”. Another complained that they did not fit in with Bucklebury and its history.

The chairwoman of Bucklebury Parish Council, Wynne Frankum, would only say that the posts had generated mixed feelings. Mrs Frankum added that they had been given planning permission and that the parish council had not held a meeting since they were installed.

Lynda Tillotson, the owner of interior design store L Interiors in Chapel Row, said the royal wedding was a wonderful thing to commemorate and that someone would always have an opinion on aspects of village life.

The posts, in South End Road near Hungerford Lane, were commissioned by the owner of the Bucklebury Estate, Willy Hartley Russell.

Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News, Mr Hartley Russell said that the national press reports were unsubstantiated and that the posts were an attractive commemoration for the royal wedding.

“I don’t know anyone who is against these gateposts,” he said. “They’re a fitting and appropriate commemoration of the royal wedding. The parish council wanted to do something to commemorate the event and I took it on to do something which we thought was appropriate.”

Mr Hartley Russell said that Bucklebury and Bradfield parish councils had raised no objections and that no one had commented during the planning process. He said that the posts had been designed by West Ilsley green oak furniture-maker Marnie Moyle using local materials.

“I hope they will be greeted with an appropriate welcome. The parish has done nothing apart from produce some mugs to mark the event.”

He added that it wasn’t every day that a local girl married the heir to the throne.

Three acorns adorn the Middleton coat of arms and were chosen partly because the family used to live in The Avenue, amid one of the oldest oak forests in the country.

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A bride learned devastating news just 24 hours before her wedding. The bride, Milly Simmie, says she thought she was the picture of health before a fall from a horse that resulted in a “routine” X-ray. However, following the X-ray, Milly was told that a radiologist wanted her to come back for a CT scan due to some things that were seen on the X-ray reading. Milly was told that there was nothing to worry about and that the CT was just to be on the safe side.

Despite the doctors calm approach to the issue, Milly was told a few days later that she had 40 tumors in her lungs and five in her liver. A biopsy was performed, and the results came back the day before her wedding day. The news was not good. Milly was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), and was told she likely had two to 10 years to live. Instead of allowing the diagnosis to get her down, Milly went through with her wedding and says that the newlyweds will work through the diagnosis together and that she won’t take her condition lying down.

The Daily Mail reports that a bride, 29-year-old Milly Simmie, was all set to marry her dream man, 30-year-old Alistair, before learning devastating news about her health. The young woman from England fell from her horse, which resulted in a trip to the doctor. At the time of the fall, Milly complained of pain in her collar area, and doctors performed a routine X-ray to determine if something was broken during the fall. However, what they found was shocking.

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Milly Simmie shared this wedding photo on her Just Giving page. [Image via Just Giving]

The young woman who claims she thought she was in perfect health before the fall learned that she was suffering from a rare form of cancer and that the diagnosis was likely terminal. The blushing bride was given two to 10 years to live just 24 hours before her wedding, and her life was forever changed. However, instead of allowing the diagnosis to get her down, Milly says she was determined to just “enjoy the wedding” and not think about the diagnosis until after her dream wedding.

“I just wanted to enjoy the wedding and then learn more about the EHE.”

With just 24 hours to her wedding vows, Milly informed her guests and six bridesmaids of her diagnosis but told them that the wedding was still going to take place. Milly says that her friends and family were very supportive and that the wedding went just as planned aside from the new bride forgoing the wedding reception dances due to fatigue.

“Alastair was understandably upset but we both just wanted to enjoy the day. My bridesmaids were amazing, they worked so hard to make sure everything came together. The guests just wanted to have a really good day, as I wanted them to.”

As for Milly’s new husband, Alistair, the newlywed says that her new husband is supportive but obviously upset. However, Milly says she will fight this disease to the best of her ability and that she doesn’t plan to fight the cancer laying down.

“I have vowed not to take my condition lying down. I’ve always been very positive and delimited — now more than ever.”

As part of her bid to get better, Milly will be the first patient from the UK to undergo a revolutionary treatment in the United States. The treatment is less invasive than treatments available in the United Kingdom. Milly’s treatment is scheduled for early next year, and Milly says in the meantime, she is swapping “biscuits for broccoli” and is eating as healthy as possible in a bid to heal herself from the potentially terminal disease.

Read more at http://www.sheindressau.com/green-bridesmaid-dresses