月別アーカイブ: 2017年4月

Women have traditionally considered watches as functional timekeeping instruments. To change this perception, luxury timepiece brands started to introduce the concepts of fun and fashion in recent years by offering customisation and modularity options for their watches. And these options are simple to use and reasonably affordable, too.

Brands now allow customers the option of buying additional watch straps for their timepieces. With just a simple push, users can change the straps to suit any occasion at their own convenience. Traditionally, one would have to get the boutique service staff to swop straps using a specific tool.

Take Swiss watchmaker Baume & Mercier, for instance. In 2012, it rolled out a patented mechanism that allowed consumers to change their watch straps for its Linea collection without the use of a tool. All one has to do is to flip the watch over, click the hook open, dislodge and swop the current strap for a new one — all in a matter of seconds.

At international watch trade fair BaselWorld this year, Blancpain introduced the Villeret Quantieme a Phase de Lune watch for women. BaselWorld is one of the two annual international watch trade fairs, where the biggest brands showcase their new designs for the year.

A simple, classic watch with a moon phase indicator, the Villeret Quantieme a Phase de Lune is equipped with catches at the back of the leather strap. It requires, again, a simple press of the catch to change the strap.

But the watchmaker takes things a step further by offering consumers the opportunity to buy the same watch with a set of five interchangeable straps in different colours and materials.

The same concept also applies to French luxury house Boucheron’s Reflet watch collection. It uses an invisible clasp — patented in 1944 — for customers to change the straps according to various occasions and their mood. It even has 70 different Reflet straps — in both leather and fabrics — to choose from.

PERSONALISED TOUCH

Personalising a watch is not a new concept. Back in the days when people carried pocket watches to tell time, many of these timepieces were made to order.

“Bespoke pieces and customisation were right at the heart of the watch industry 200 years ago,” said Michael Tay, group managing director at luxury watch retailer, The Hour Glass.

“It’s just that customisation is more visible these days because of the greater influence of fashion on the watch industry,” he added. “It’s easier for people to change straps, since manufacturers incorporate built-in spring bars. Even the biggest klutz like me can do so easily these days.”

Tay cites the example of Hublot, a house brand sold at The Hour Glass, and its One Click strap. There is a button between the lugs — depressing it unlocks the strap, and a new one can be attached with literally one click.

The whole idea of personalisation, especially the ability to change straps, appeals mostly to women, said Tay.

“They are drawn to the fact that their watches can and should match their shoes and bags, and also what they wear,” said Mr Tay.

The proliferation of such options, said Tay, has led to an effect on sales. While consumers may not be tempted to buy a brand new watch quite as often, they do come back for additional straps.

Without revealing the exact increment in sales, he reckons that about three clients out of every 10 return to acquire straps after their initial watch purchase.

With luxury brands pulling out all the stops to excite women, it can only be good news for female consumers.

Bank officer Julia Chen, 35, finds the concept interesting. She said: “It’s a very attractive option for me. I will be more inclined to buy a watch that offers different looks. It is more value for money, too.”

The introduction of such quick-change strap options and colours has also helped smartwatch makers more appealing to a female clientele.

Major players such as Apple, Samsung and Huawei have made strap-swopping an easy affair.

One of the newest entrants to the smartwatch scene is Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer, which has upped the ante with its Connected Watch Modular 45 set.

The Connected Watch Modular 45 set lets customers choose the strap, lugs, and case before buying a watch. Additional lugs, buckles and straps in a range of different colours and materials are also available for separate purchase. The set also comes with a mechanical watch option — customers can decide if they prefer wearing the smartwatch or a regular watch.

“Thanks to customisable options, a timepiece can become a fashion accessory, matching trends and the outfits or even emotions of the customers,” said Amelia Sillard, vice-president of Tag Heuer South-east Asia. “You can wear a rubber strap with your connected module in the morning, and a diamond piece with a leather strap and a mechanical module at night.”

Women tend to shun tech products since gadgets are generally designed with men in mind. Positioning a smartwatch this way attracts women, and Sillard noted that the “modularity is indeed a plus for those who are keen to customise their timepieces”.Read more at:cocktail dresses uk | prom dress shops in london

From belly dancing to mortgages, women will be learning new things and having fun Saturday, at Camano Center.

The ninth annual Women’s Expo offers 90 vendors offering products and services; from artists and real estate to medical care, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 29.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to reconnect with friends and community,” said Karen Conway, coordinator of the show, which is a fundraiser for the center.

Vendors will fill the halls and the outside patio, she said.

“It’s a great, feel good event,” Conway added. “It’s great to have all the people passionate about providing services and product lines for women all together in one place. There is lots of laughing going on.”

Attendees all receive a complimentary tote bag and an event passport and they are encouraged to get 20 stamps to get five free raffle tickets to put into the drawings of their choice.

More than 40 businesses will offer raffle drawings through the day.

Attendees can buy extra raffle tickets to better their chances of winning.

Free chair massages will be offered by Serenity Massage and there will be photo booths for capturing memories of the day.

Amigos Mexican Restaurant is offering a Martini Bar on the back patio and Adin Collver will prepare two delicious lunch choices – chicken salad croissant sandwich or a fresh vegetarian panini complete with Utsalady Farm pesto – starting at 11 a.m.

The 2nd Chance Thrift shop will have a full boutique on site with clothing, shoes, accessories and home decor that have been saved specifically for this event.

“The treasures are unbelievable,” Conway said.

Chef Kristopher Gerlach of Camano Island Inn will offer a cooking demonstration with Island Harvest Farm and Laurie’s Boutique presents a fashion show showing off spring garb, starting at 12:30 p.m.

LuLa Roe will be on stage in the afternoon showing combinations of leggings and tops for all body types.Read more at:red carpet dresses | cheap prom dresses

Have you ever been in a situation where you fancied a guy like mad but just couldn’t get him to acknowledge your presence? Well, you’ve probably been trying all the wrong tactics. These surefire tricks will make all the cute guys sit up and take notice of your hotness!

Smile more and make eye contact

If you have been practicing the resting bitch face…drop it. While a snooty, poker faced expression may look cool on a fashion week front row, it is guaranteed to scare away all men. According to research by Nicolas Guéguen of the Université de Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France, smiling at a guy and making eye contact with him gives a guy an unambiguous signal that you would be open to knowing him better. Men are not good at deciphering mixed signals so you need to look at him and smile for about a couple of seconds so that he gets the idea. Tip: make sure your pearlies are white and not yellow! Research has found that shiny white teeth act like a mating aid!

Wear red

Red has long been the colour of love and passion…think Valentine’s day. And now, research by the University of Rochester, published online in the Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, says that the colour red makes men feel more romantic and passionate toward women. Red also substantially increases your sexual attractiveness in a man’s eyes. Lips are a big draw so red lipstick is a winner. This reaction to the colour is a primitive response that has also been recorded in other primates in the animal kingdom.

Style your hair

We kid you not! A survey conducted by a popular website revealed that 89 per cent of men notice a woman if she has nice hair! According to the same survey, straight hair was the most popular followed by curly and a chic up-do. Greasy, unkempt hair was a big no-no. So even if you think you rock the messy hair look, make friends with that bottle of nice-smelling conditioner on the night you want to snag a man. Also, don’t neglect the rest of your grooming. Countless studies have shown that men are attracted by how good a woman looks, so make an effort to dress well, wear makeup and smell good. You can work on your inner beauty later!

Work it alone

If you want guys to notice you, make sure that there are times when you are all by yourself. Men are intimidated by gangs of women and you can be sure that he is not going to be able to muster the guts to approach you when you are surrounded by your women friends. Engineer situations where he can catch you alone and be approachable while you are at it.

Be body confident

Men are drawn by confident women who know how to play up their best assets. Work on your posture and walk because he is only going to turn his head and stare if your sexy, long-limbed strut can catch his attention. Draw your body up, throw back your shoulders and walk into a room like you own it. Even the way you perch sexily on that bar stool can make a difference in the way he reacts to you.Read more at:grey prom dresses | cocktail dresses

The American Cancer Society’s annual Celebration of Life Fashion Show takes place on Friday, April 28, Hyatt Regency Monterey. All of the people modeling are local cancer survivors willing to share their cancer journey to inspire others and create awareness in the community.

The guest speaker at the Celebration of Life Fashion Show is Marilyn Getas-Byrne, a well known television anchorwoman and Carmel resident.

“It is an honor to be the keynote speaker for this year’s fashion show,” Getas-Byrne said. “I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 and am now a “Hero of Hope” for the American Cancer Society, class of 2017! It’s a long, hard journey to battle this disease, so to be in the presence of so many other survivors, or “thrivors” is an absolute privilege.”

The theme for this 23rd annual Show is ‘When You Wish Upon A Star.’ It includes a silent auction, raffle and luncheon. Community support provides funding for research, education, advocacy and patient services. To date, the gala event has raised more than one million dollars for the American Cancer Society.

This year, Salinas residents Sam and Shirley Lavorato are being honored for their long-standing and unwavering support of the American Cancer Society. Their dedication and community involvement have truly made a difference in the life of many people battling cancer. The Crystal Hope Award is being presented to Ed and Rosa Boutonnet for their extraordinary commitment and many contributions to the American Cancer Society.

Fashions on the runway are provided by Chico’s Boutique, Epiphany Boutique, Girl-Lee Boutique, Head Over Heels. Loes Hinse, Khaki’s of Carmel, Men’s Wearhouse and Gymboree.

Cancer strikes one out of every three Californians’ in their lifetime, which is why the American Cancer Society is committed to fighting cancer. Nearly 14.5 million cancer survivors in America will celebrate a birthday this year, in part due to the efforts of the American Cancer Society.

The doors of the Monterey Hyatt open at 10 a.m. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.acscelebration.org. The cost is $110 per person and seating is limited. Past luncheons are still recalled a fun yet inspiring moment important to share.Read more at:royal blue prom dresses | black prom dresses uk

One’s wedding day is a time to shine, and these days brides increasingly are choosing to cap off their wedding ensembles with shimmering accessories for their hair: pearl-studded combs, vintage rhinestone hair clips, crystal-beaded headbands.

“After the bride’s veil comes off at the reception, all eyes are on the bride, and jeweled hairpieces add to the glamor,” says Corrine Crocker-Luby, owner of Tiffany Juliet House and Corrine Weddings in Glastonbury. The options range from decorative combs accented with feathers or rhinestones to beaded or pearl headpieces and halos that echo the embellishments of a bride’s gown.

“We show the brides hairpieces when we show the gowns,” says Mariella Garofalo-Perna, owner of Mariella’s Bridal Shop in Rocky Hill. They include headpieces designed with crystals, rhinestones or pearls, beaded headbands worn across the forehead and tiny jeweled pins to tuck into the hair.

Kristin Davis, store manager at Stylish Impressions Bridal Shop in Farmington, says choosing the right hair accessory depends on how a bride plans to wear her hair.

“We are seeing half up, half down hairdos that lend themselves to clips on either side,” Davis says. “It is a beautiful look. But really we can work with any hairstyle the bride is comfortable with.”

While many hair ornaments have a decidedly vintage look, she says, “we are also seeing a glamorous Hollywood look — think feathers and silk flowers.”

Garofalo-Perna says the design of a bride’s gown is also a factor. If a gown is simple, a bride might want to have fun by adding a jeweled headband, “or another bride will match the beads in her dress with pearls and crystals in her hair accessories. We like the hairpieces to also coordinate with the necklace, bracelet and earrings the bride is wearing.”

Hairstylist Kelly Bologna at Beauty on the Avenue in Glastonbury says that with an “up ‘do, carefully placed jeweled hair ornaments add dimension to the bride’s hairdo.” She says when brides wear their hair braided — whether fishtail, waterfall or pull-through styles — hair ornaments can be pulled in between the braids as a focus. “There are even hairpieces that have jeweled ornaments in them that we can flat iron into the bride’s hair for her special day.”Read more at:long prom dresses | short prom dresses

(Photo:MarieProm UK)Getting yourself waxed is like eating spinach. You do not always like it, but the results are amazing. While you cringe in the salon, thinking that there is nothing remotely enjoyable a lot of other things cross your mind. Can you relate to these?

1. You convince yourself that the first few times she pulls the hair out is going to be painful and that you are going to be immune to it after some time. You may think that you can even listen to some music or take a phone call. However, in the end, you realise that each trip is just as painful as the last.

2. And sometimes when you go pretty long between your waxing schedules because it was winter or you did not have the budget, you feel like you are the hairiest person on earth. You just feel too awkward even to open your pants and lay out your legs for a wax. And if there is somebody else in the room apart from the professional, you know that you just won’t do it. Here are a few tips to soothe irritated skin after waxing.

3. And then lying on your back with your knees apart is not so comfortable as well. While it could be a romantic one when you are with your partner, but just the thought that you will have that molten lava in your body makes you feel horrible.

4. You think that since you are paying a bomb, no hair should be spared especially when you are doing chocolate wax. You think you should just carry a microscope the next time to the salon to ensure that there is no ounce of hair left on your body and your skin feels nothing less than velvet.

5. Even though waxing takes just 20 minutes, you feel that it is the longest beauty ritual of all time. It is like that never-ending, long, journey you wish just ends.

6. And if you have done a bikini wax and see a bright red skin in the sensitive area down there, the only thing you wonder is why you ever made the decision. You think you could have done without getting the bushes removed.Read more at:evening dresses

(Photo:prom dress shops)Ethical beauty isn’t a new concept, but many of us don’t know where to start when it comes to being more eco-friendly.

One way you can contribute is by giving your beauty routine an overhaul. There are some simple yet effective ways that you can make your regime a little more environmentally friendly

1. Ban the beads

Greenpeace demanded a ban on all plastic microbeads last September because of the alarming amounts of pollution they are causing to our oceans. Plastic microbeads were often found in many budget high street shower gels, scrubs and exfoliators. These tiny plastic microbeads are not only harmful if caught in your eye but they are also poisonous to fish and marine wildlife.

To help the environment, use natural exfoliators instead. Look for ones that use sugar, walnut or coffee.

2. Pass on the palm oil

Palm oil or vegetable oil as it is also widely known is found in many beauty products from shampoos to lipsticks.

This natural ingredient may seem innocent but in fact the extraction and production of palm oil is contributing to mass deforestation in Eastern Asia. This in turn has resulted in devastating loss of life of orangutans and tigers with the threat of their extinction ever paramount. Odylique is ranked as one of the top three skincare brands that chooses not to use palm oil in their skincare or cosmetics, alongside Dr Hauschka and Lush

3. Mind the packaging

Buying from brands that use recyclable and sustainable packaging is another way you can reduce the damage you could do to the planet. There is a growing trend for brands to use biodegradable packaging that is less harmful to the environment.

4. Go organic

It goes without saying but natural and organic ingredients are the gentlest to incorporate in your daily skincare routine. The damage to your health and wellbeing of using a cocktail of artificial ingredients which are commonly used in mainstream beauty products – has yet to be fully understood. Using natural ingredients is literally picking the wholesome bounty of Mother Nature and applying it to your skin, without being concocted artificially in a lab using a variation of parabens and preservatives.

Odylique’s Co-Founder, Margaret Weeds comments: “Much of what we apply to our skin is absorbed into the body so it makes sense to cut down on your toxic load and ‘feed’ your skin with wholesome organic ingredients.

“Buying organic encourages more plants to be grown organically which is better for the environment: fewer pesticides and herbicides and greater biodiversity.”

5. Save water where you can

We are all told to keep our showers below five minutes and limit the amount of water we use in our baths. Try turning the shower off while you lather up or switch to having a shower rather than a bath a few times a week.Read more at:MarieProm UK

Last week I went to see the latest Power Rangers film. As a kid, I had always been a massive Power Rangers fan – I watched the back seasons, read the comics, created a team with my friends at school and even made my own power-morpher out of cardboard. And as a queer person who grew up in a “straight” culture, you can imagine my excitement when I read online that the newest yellow Power Ranger was going to be gay.

There have been 133 Power Rangers to date, and 4 per cent of US citizens identify as LGBT, so the odds are there should have been at least five LGBT+ Power Rangers by now. And considering that the original blue Power Ranger, played by David Yost, claimed that he left the show because of homophobic bullying by the production team, they owe it to the LGBT+ community to step up and make amends.

I went to the cinema with high hopes – the director called the yellow Ranger’s “coming-out” scene “pivotal”, after all. Finally there would be a cute girl who the yellow Ranger falls for, I thought, just like there have been so many heterosexual romances in Power Rangers in the past. So you can imagine my disappointment when her “queerness” was left so ambiguous that you could have easily left the cinema thinking she was straight.

This ambiguity would be fine if it wasn’t the norm – after all, you don’t see every straight character screaming about their sexuality from the rooftops. I’m not saying that I think all queer characters should be loud or “obvious” about their identity, whatever that means. But the problem is that this ambiguity around queerness isn’t an isolated incident – and when it happens all the time, it just implies that queer identities are better off hidden, and so are queer romances.

It’s the same with JK Rowling claiming that Dumbledore was gay all along, or LeFou from Beauty and the Beast supposedly being Disney’s first gay character – the creators and directors of these stories claim that they’re gay so that they look progressive, but onscreen they present their queernees in a way that is so ambiguous their sexuality is left open to interpretation.

It seems to me that companies are trying to get the best of both worlds here – they’re trying to look progressive offscreen, but being careful onscreen so as not to upset any super-conservative, homophobic members of the audience.

Because let’s be real for a second here: if supposedly “queer” characters openly stated their queerness, some parents wouldn’t take their kids to go and see the film.

We all remember the uproar over the Finding Dory advert, where two women with short hair stood next to each other and half the internet was up in arms about a supposed “lesbian” couple. It’s happened time and time again – from the Teletubbies to Doctor Who to Noddy.

The sad truth is that queer characters will cause some parents to boycott films. And that leads to an inevitable loss of revenue for the film companies involved.

That’s why I’m fed up of creators and directors claiming ambiguous “queer” characters to make themselves look good. Because if they really cared about LGBT+ representation, they would take a cut to their pay-cheques, and stand up for queer rights.

Instead they’re claiming to support us while doing the worst thing possible: hinting that queer identity does exist, but that it needs to remain closeted. I think that does more harm than good, and I’d rather they didn’t insult queer people by claiming to care about us in the first place.Read more at:long prom dresses | prom dress shops uk

(Photo:long evening dresses)The Sharjah Ladies Club is gearing up to launch the fourth edition of Ebriez Fashion Exhibition (Ebriez), which will commence on Apr.27 and run for three days until Apr.29 at the Club’s Kunooz Ballroom.

Ebriez 2017 will not only bring boutiques (approximately 30 this year) under one roof and give every woman’s style a big boost, it will also provide a platform for aspiring as well as established fashion experts to network and exchange ideas.

A special corner at the exhibition is being allocated for the sale of pre-owned designer handbags which have been donated by women from across the UAE. The proceeds generated from the sale of the luxury bags will go to The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), the Sharjah-based humanitarian initiative launched by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of Sharjah Ladies Club and Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation.

“One of Sharjah’s foremost fashion events, Ebriez has been designed to meet women’s needs for fashionable couture, bags, accessories, jewellery and gifts seeking both commercial and boutique brands. This fashion exhibition is a unique concept in Sharjah and the UAE; an exclusive and luxurious space where female fashion enthusiasts get together every year to express creativity, and celebrate their love for style,” said Duaa Al Mahri, Head of Corporate Communication at SLC.

“Also, SLC’s commitment to social responsibility finds expression in Ebriez’s charity collaboration with The Big Heart Foundation. Year after year, an increasing number of women put their most charitable and fashionable feet forward in their pursuit of contributing to making the world a better place. This year too, women across the country have the chance to donate their bags, whose entire sale proceeds will support TBHF’s causes.”Read more at:cocktail dresses

(Photo:orange prom dresses)After being told she had only six weeks left to live, Madison Humphrey didn’t think that she would make it tomorrow. But today, she is the spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association and has won titles with National American Miss and Miss Ohio Teen.

Humphrey, a second-year media communication and women and gender studies major, said her life changed when she received mail from the National American Miss program.

When she got the letter, Humphrey shared that she was in a very dark place in her life. Due to her struggles with an eating disorder and depression, she was a little skeptical about the pageantry world.

“At first I was like, pageantry is not my thing, and then I looked into it a little more and how it suddenly transformed people’s lives,” Humphrey said.

Learning about how the program helps girls to build their self-esteem and confidence encouraged her to go to the free open call.

“I just kind of fell in love with the way it made me feel,” Humphrey said. “I stepped on the stage one time and have been addicted ever since.”

She said it was a relief to step on stage for the first time. She felt like she didn’t have that burden anymore and could raise her voice.

“The thing that really helped me build my confidence was realizing that I could share my story of my recovery and inspire other people,” Humphrey said. “That’s really empowering to me and, from there, I’ve just my built confidence and felt comfortable with myself.”

She shared that, at first, people were very doubtful of her. She wanted to prove that she could do it.

“I was determined to go out there and give everything I had,” Humphrey said.

Although she didn’t win anything the first year, the next year she won Miss Ohio Teen Spokesmodel. She said that pageantry has changed her life into something completely different. She didn’t have confidence before, but pageantry has opened her up and changed her life.

Humphrey said pageantry didn’t click for her at first; rather, she fell in love with it over time.

“I guess just being in such a dark area of my life, it just gets so exhausting being so down on yourself and not believing in yourself,” Humphrey said.

Her biggest struggle was just accepting the problem since, for the longest time, she didn’t want to recover. She realized that her eating disorder didn’t have to define her.

Now, she is the spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association, through which she has traveled to different events. This year she will be visiting Indiana. She has also spoken for the River Centre Clinic and attends its event every year to speak on its behalf.

In her second year of National American Miss, Humphrey has won first runner-up talent, first runner-up academic achievement, third runner-up top model, fourth runner-up actress, most recommendations, Miss Spirit of America and placed sixth overall in Miss Ohio Teen out of 100 girls.

Humphrey has also competed in the Ohio pageant for three years and won second runner-up overall in 2016. She has won Miss Ohio Teen photogenic, academic achievement, Miss Spirit, Miss Spirit of America, most recommendations, portfolio, first runner-up spokesmodel, first runner-up, Most Promising Model, second runner-up casual wear model and third runner-up actress.

At the StarJewel Showcase in 2016, she won the Regional Teen title and won the national overall title in May.

Humphrey said it’s more than just winning the pageants.

“If you’re just going to wear the banner and the crown, that doesn’t matter,” Humphrey said. “With me, it’s all about going out there and using the pageantry as a platform to talk about eating disorders and raising awareness about these issues.”Read more at:grey prom dresses