Wipro to make life beautiful for men

BANGALORE: Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCL) has lined up a slew of launches and brands for the second half of this fiscal to push its personal care portfolio. WCCL is set to enter the market for men’s personal care products, extend its Santoor soap brand to more products and launch the brands of Unza, a Singapore-based FMCG firm it bought in 2007, in about 10 more countries by the end of this fiscal.

“We are launching a new men’s personal care brand Romano from the Unza portfolio in India this month. This will be an end-to-end brand, including shaving products, perfumes, body-and-face washes and hair-care products. This will be a premium brand, targeted mostly at the young executive,” senior vice-president Anil Chugh said.

Earlier this year, WCCL launched the women’s personal care brand Enchanteur from Unza. Mr Chugh was of the view that Romano may not face much competition because of the fragmented nature of the market and the fact that no men’s brand is present across the personal care segment.

The men’s grooming market is pegged at around Rs 800 crore. The Wipro arm, which posted sales of Rs 1,520 crore in 2007-08, will also leverage Unza product formulations to grow the Santoor brand. “Santoor is already very strong brand in the country and we will be introducing new products for skin care—shower gels and head-and-toe lotions,” Mr Chugh said.

Men's Spring Summer Fashions 2008

Safari looks, event dressing and bold colours - not to mention fabulous hats - are some of the emerging men's fashion trends for spring/summer 2008.

Upscale Canadian men's retailers Harry Rosen held a media preview at their Bloor Street headquarters in late January to preview men's fashion trends for spring and summer. In particular, they drew attention to ten top trends to watch for:

1. Rat Pack styling (think bow ties and porkpies)
2. Specialty jackets (inspired by technical sportswear and the safari trend)
3. Washed sportshirts
4. Shorts
5. Spectator wear (so you can look sporty without actually playing a sport, apparently)
6. Event dressing (as in lightweight, light-coloured jackets by the likes of Etro, pictured below, for summer weddings, art gallery receptions and theatre openings)
7. Neutral suits
8. Punches of colour
9. Summer denim (10-12 oz fabric is out; 6-8 oz weights are in)
10. Accessories (belts, wallets and especially bags: the omnipresent manpurse, or "murse", pictured below)

It's clear that men's fashion trends for 2008 closely mirror some of the key women's trends:

• Safari: For women, this is being interpreted in two ways: literally, with animal prints like leopard, zebra and giraffe; and more subtly, with garments like cargo shorts, safari jackets, colours like putty, clay and sand, and detailing like multiple button-flap pockets. Men almost seem to be channeling a new Indiana Jones chic (well, there is a new movie in the works!) with pieces like the Parajumpers black waxed cotton pilot jacket... not to mention those sexy leather messenger bags.
• Metallic: For summer 2008, women are showing off their curves in chrome bathing suits and glittering sequined numbers, and ornamenting more everyday looks with shiny, sparkly metallic jewellery. The more restrained variations on this look involve metallic-finish accessories and shimmery fabrics like shot silk. For men, it's not so much a shimmer as a sheen; even office shirts and suits have a reflective glow to them. And while the boys aren't wearing flashing silver-coin earrings and necklaces (yet!), high-gloss silver-coloured metal is everywhere; tie clips and cufflinks are resplendent, and there's even shiny hardware on the shoes to marry up with the gleam of a polished belt buckle by the likes of Prada or Dolce & Gabbana.
• New Look revival: Audrey Hepburn fans are going for classic pearls and the Little Black Dress. For the guys, the classic straw and fabric hats of the '50s are back with a vengeance and slight updating. Harry Rosen suggests going for a Goorin Brothers trilby or porkpie (pictured below), possibly in plaid, for the Brad Pitt look. There's also a return to the classic elegance of English-style dressing – possibly in an Italian reinterpretation – in items like the gorgeous matte brown jacket by Brunello Cucinelli that's just right for the executive on the California vineyard vacation.
• The psychedelic palette: Madras plaids and the vivid '60s spectrum aren't just for girls. For men, we have Lacoste shirts in canary, pale orange and baby blue, and sorbet stripes from Boss, Victorinox and Ermengildo Zegna. There are also fun-coloured ties (polka dots are back!) from Ted Baker and Robert Talbott, pictured below
• Boyfriend dressing: Looking at some of those cute hats (Like the Goorin trilby made of grosgrain ribbon, for heaven's sake!) and the yummy candy-coloured shirts, it's hard to imagine that the manufacturers don't know about this particular trend. Some of these pieces may be vanishing from closets before they've even been broken in... sorry, boys!

Clothing Solutions For The Shy

In a society where strange things appear every second, it's understandable if most of us turn out a bit shy when it comes to shopping. The popularity of intimate apparel, for example, has increased, and despite its obvious benefits, sadly enough, some of us are still reluctant towards it. Plus size clothing has also been a bit of a problem until recently. Fortunately, it has stopped being one, as more items and models are available with each passing day.

The diversity of available intimate apparel is huge. However, in spite of that, it seems that the number of women who feel comfortable about owning and wearing it is sadly quite small. Sometimes it's a problem of being comfortable with one's self; sometimes it's a matter of shyness towards one's partner. Either way, inhibitions do exit. An unsatisfactory level of self esteem usually stands in the way of self expression which is, at the end of the day, exactly what intimate apparel is created for.

Feel free to shop around until you find what fits you best. Even when you do, remember to keep variation as part of the program. Sticking to one fabric or style exclusively may not be such a good idea. Refusing to try on new things might keep you away from things that made you feel incredible, and you'll never even know what you're missing out on. Always remember that a special occasion is not necessarily a must. Sure, you can bring out your special intimate apparel for an anniversary or Valentine's Day, but simply spicing up things on an ordinary night is never a bad idea.

Plus size clothing has become widely available in the past few years as well. Especially when special occasions were in question, finding something up to date in the right size was quite a hassle. However, producers and retailers have finally gained a new understanding for the fact that meeting such demands can only be beneficial. As a result, very diverse plus size clothing can now be purchased, especially online, and the fabrics and colors are trendy.

Shopping online for such items is especially resourceful since you can save all the time and energy it would take to see an immense number of clothes in actual stores. Be sure to look closely online instead of just skimming through, until you find something that suits your taste. The size should be a close fit, instead of something that hangs and wobbles. No matter what item of plus size clothing you choose, you should keep in mind that it's supposed to be something that brings out your positive features and hides the negative ones. Any figure can seem appealing when properly dressed. Intimate apparel can do wonders for your personal life. No matter how shy you are, as long as you look around for a bit, you'll be sure to find something that suits you and your moods. And as far as plus size clothing is concerned, enough models are now available on the market. We cater to the most diverse and sophisticated tastes, so you should consider us among your top choices.

Mens Fashion: Know about Shopping

Fashion and clothing shopping has always been seen to be a women's domain, something in which men until recently have not taken an active interest.


However for men, fashion and the pursuit of couture has always flitted in and out of favour. Think of the highly preened men of 17th century Europe with their puffed sleeves, lace collars and powdered wigs. Today men once again are interested in looking good, with roll models like David Beckham who enjoys shopping and has his own stylist - it is not 'girly' to want to wear cool clothes and be individual looking.


Having said that most men do not lust after fashion as obsessively as their female counterparts and this reluctance to hop aboad the fashion bandwagon has meant that large name retailers are having to reconsider their investment in their range of male clothing lines as men are simply not spendign enough money on clothes. Towards the end of 2001, 'The Acadia Group' in charge of some of the biggest names on the high street, including Topshop and miss selfridge, was to close the male departments of some of their biggest stores.


The managing director of Acadia claimed simply that "men are not spending enough". Furthermore "we are unable to cater to a market that just isn't interested" his point was fairly obvious -. If you don't shop then we will focus on those that do.


However the Christmas holidays of 2001 was a bumper time for male fashion shopping, a stark contrast to the views expressed by Acadia as shops reported an increase in takings from their male departments


It seemed suddenly there was a rise in the number of males keen to spend their dosh. But why?


The trend can be attributed to many things including an increase in men's style magazines and the changing patterns in the way designers are catering to male customers.


Homme and GQ are among the biggest selling magazines in the UK with FHM alone overtaking the sales of many women's monthly magazines. As FHM et al increasingly feature fashion in their pages, they are unintentionally encouraging more men to adopt an attitude towards fashion, something they have not being previously forced to do.


Designers that originally designed for women only are beginning to introduce lines for men while high street giants such as Benetton and Gap now have extensive male sections.


Who knows how long the trend will last, but for the time being it seems we have seen an end to the time when women use to shop and their partners had no choice but to stand around. The industry's changing attitude with the help of the media means that now while your partner shops, you can simply nip over to the male section to do some shopping of you own.

Men's Skin Care - Solutions to Common Men's Skin Care Problems

Men's skin care - Avoid embarasing blemishes and other unsightly men's skin problems by using these solutions to common issues men have with their most public feature.

Does your skin nick easily, burn and/or get red and bumpy after you shave?
Many men, including myself, find that shaving goes more smoothly when using a glycerin or aloe-based shaving cream or gel. Not only will these types of products soothe your skin, but they will allow your razor to glide across your face. For best results massage the cream or gel into your beard. And, of course, always shave with the grain first then, if necessary, you can shave against it. Finish with a soothing aftershave balm or your daily moisturizer. Note: stay away from alcohol- based aftershaves; they will only irritate your skin.

Do the dark circles under your eyes make you look like a raccoon?
Dark circles under the eyes, which are actually broken blood vessels under the skin, are caused by several things. Most of the time it is an issue of heredity. Other causes are booze, cigarettes, and caffeinated drinks. But it can still be contained with topical products. One of my favorites is vitamin K cream (such as DDF Nutrient K Plus) and there are other creams that contain caffeine (such as ZIRH Restore Herbal Eye Cream that are also effective. So if you have tried everything then it could very well be an iron deficiency, in which case you would want to see a doctor.

Do you know your skin?
Get a facial. Go to a reputable spa and ask the esthetician (the gal who is giving you your facial) to analyze the type of skin you have as well as the condition it is in. She will be able to make recommendations specifically suited for you. I will say that this was invaluable to me since I now have a regime that is perfectly suited for my skin type.

Blackheads anyone?
Again, get a facial. Or you could try a cleansing mask. The more effective products are typically made of clay. Be sure to follow the instructions for best results. You don't have to use these masks all over your face either; you can target your problem areas. If you have a more persistent problem with blackheads, check out my aticle Blackheads - Battling This Common Skin Problem.

Do you have oily, breakout prone skin?
If you use regular soap to cleanse your skin--stop. Soap strips your skin of natural oils, and your glands react by producing even more oil. Try a gentle foaming cleanser or milk cleanser if this problem is mild. If you need something stronger you could always try a cleanser or spot treatment with salicylic acid and beta hydroxyl. You may also want to use an oil free moisturizer. Note: although benzoil peroxide is a common and effective treatment for breakouts, it is also drying to the skin and can increase oil production.

Listen, we all like to go out now and again and throw a few back. So what can you do to keep your face looking fresh even though the rest of you doesn't feel that way?
It should be no surprise that drinking (alcoholic beverages that is) takes the moisture right out of your skin, which is why you look sallow the morning after. One way to avoid this is to keep up on your daily skin care regime of cleansing, toning and moisturizing. It will help keep your skin soft and replenished. And make sure to use a stimulating eye gel in the morning to keep the bags at bay. At least once a week use a facial scrub or exfoliant. This will slough off dead skin and help you look more radiant.

Are you keeping those lips kissable?
No woman wants to smooch a couple strips of sand paper. Keep those things moisturized. My favorite lip balm is Jack Black Lip Balm SPF 25, Intense Therapy.

http://mensfashion.about.com/od/groomingface/a/FaceTips.htm

How to Turn On A Beautiful Woman – 3 Powerful Tips To Start Making Her Feel Attraction To You

Most beautiful women are approached in one way or another all the time by men. A beautiful woman is often approached several times a day by men who are interested. That 'desirable' women including rich women, beautiful women, and famous women, are used to being treated like queens.

It's really no fault of theirs, even very handsome men are notorious for acting arrogant. It's part of being human. We can all become spoiled easily if the right combination of circumstances arises In this article, you will discover 3 powerful tips of how to turn on a beautiful woman so that she can start feeling attraction to you. Here are the tips:

Step 1:
1) Start with something STRONG, not WEAK. When a guy finds a girl interesting, he usually turns into a ball of nervous mush. Then, he usually makes the mistake of letting the woman KNOW that he's nervous and weak. Don't do it. Do something STRONG. Challenge her. If she thinks that she's cool, make fun of her. If she's smart, argue with her a little. If she's doing something, tell her that you could do it better. When you PUSH a little, and show some BACKBONE, she'll push back. That's your sign that the GAME IS ON. Remember, If you just chase after her like the 100 other average guys that have been bothering her this week, you will just be another boring, predictable face in the crowd.

Step 2:
2) Keep the TENSION UP. One of my favorite concepts is "Never let the line go slack". This means that once you SPARK the "chemistry" or "sexual tension", you need to KEEP IT UP. Just because she starts doing things that hint to you that she's interested, doesn't mean that it's time to STOP. Quite the opposite, actually! Turn UP the volume a little. It's working, so do more! Sexual Tension is so important that I've actually devoted an entire "language" and way of thinking about it.

Step 3:
3) Tease Her. The word "tease" has a couple of meanings. One of the meanings has to do with doing things that are slightly annoying to get a response from someone. The other meaning is subtly different and has to do with drawing out a response that you want by doing certain things that indirectly trigger it. Do both of them! If you're about to kiss her, wait until your lips are so close that you can almost feel her...and then STOP. Pull away, and smile. If you want to know how she feels about you, say, "You LOVE me" in a condescending tone of voice, and see how she responds. If she says "NO I DON'T!" in an exaggerated, mocking way, then she probably DOES "love" you. Teasing is fantastic. Do more of it!

http://www.ehow.com/how_2214110_start-making-her-feel-attraction.html

Dating Articles: Show, Don't Tell

Here's a news flash: Most women are more interested in experiencing your redeeming qualities rather than hearing about them. Besides, a little mystery is always a plus when it comes to developing any worthwhile relationship. Trust me: You'll win major brownie points if you can find creative ways to show, not tell, her what you're thinking and feeling, and there is nothing more rewarding than an approving smile offered by the apple of your eye.

The following tips on things to show, not tell, will help you win the heart of a woman without showcasing yourself with distracting advertisements and colorful packaging that exhibit all of your bells and whistles.

Don't brag about your worth

Women do not want to hear how much money you make or the inheritance your great great great grandfather left you in his will. If anything, boasting about your salary or your material accumulation -- such as your house, yacht or a high-class luxury vehicle -- gives the impression that you may be lacking in other areas or overcompensating for the areas you feel insecure about. You can not buy a woman's heart with material things. You must win her affection by showing her how much you will be able to enhance her life through the art of surprise. Outrightly speaking about money also implies that she can not attain such things on her own, which is a dangerous assumption to make. Lastly, you never know who you may be talking to; just think of how you would feel if you found out she made more money than you.

Show her by: If you are truly interested in winning the heart of a woman, simply show her how much you would like to add to her life with some of the things you can afford to give. You can do this by sending her gifts out of the blue -- that is, gifts she may not be able to afford on her own or simply hasn't taken the time to get for herself. Take her on dream trips or places she has yet to visit. Show her that she can rely on you if need be by picking up the tab on meals or an occasional bill. Rather than talking about the house, the yacht and the car you own, take her for a spin around town; plan a romantic outing on the lake; better yet, invite her over for a glass of wine. While she is there, give her the grand tour of your big, beautiful home. The trick here is the element of surprise, which ultimately goes much further than being forewarned about your assets.

Don't tell her about your character traits

Discussing your character traits -- like your sense of humor, athleticism, political beliefs or work ethic -- may not get you the results you're hoping to attain. Your good qualities are definitely things to show, not tell. You may as well get a big white board, list all of your characteristics on it, tie it to a pole and walk around with it. When a potential car buyer goes to a lot, the salesman can run an entire list of features to his customer in an attempt to get the vehicle off the lot. However, the customer probably won't purchase the car until they've had an opportunity to get behind the wheel and experience the car for themselves. If they aren't interested to begin with, they won't bother getting in the car for a test drive. Believe me, it really wasn't the list of features that got them behind the wheel; it's what they saw.

Show her by: Show a woman just how funny you are. Let her see your political stance through discussion among friends, the political candidates you choose or even your community involvement. If you have a big heart under your hood, let her rev it a little. Show her you are healthy by inviting her to work out with you or dine at restaurants that serve healthy cuisine. She will see your best qualities in how you treat her as well as through your interactions with others. Your true essence is always revealed in time, so there is no need to tell her what she will eventually get to see -- unless, of course, all that you claim to be is inauthentic.

Don't tell her how desirable women find you

Bragging about your sexual capacity and how women seem to find you irresistible serves as a big lady repellent. One, it gives the impression that you are on the hunt, aiming to fulfill your calling as a woman pleaser. Two, it will appear as if you are under the impression that you are a commodity most women can't live with out. To you this may seem advantageous, but to a lady it shows that you are selfish and have very little concern for her feelings. There are very few women who want to compete for a man's attention, so it would be silly of you to put her in that kind of position without her consent.
And lastly, when referring to your exes and how alluring they may have thought you were, keep in mind that you are no longer with them. Therefore, it would definitely behoove you to refrain from discussing details about relationships that have failed, as it may cause a woman to think twice about what you claim to be. Remember: show, don't tell.

Show her by: Instead of prattling on about your exes as a means of proving that other women find you desirable, allow a woman to see with her own eyes just how tempting you are and show, don't tell. Women catch on pretty quickly when it comes to seeing how much women stare and flirt while the two of you are on an outing. Seeing how you interact with these women in her presence can also win you points, especially if you introduce her each time you are approached by an ex or an eyeing female. Hopefully, you should know to be respectful enough to mingle with them in a non-flirtatious, platonic fashion, especially while in front of her. The ultimate goal is to show her whether or not you are able to compose yourself in a dignified manner, not how many females you beat off with a stick. Trust me, they are always watching.

Don't tell her how much of a family guy you are

If you are looking to settle down and you want a woman to get a sense that you are interested in building a family, it is not necessary to tell her you are a "typical family guy." To be truthful, this is not a trait that a woman could be attracted to through the act of self-proclamation. This type of profession would sound a lot like a childish attempt to gain the affection of a woman. This is something she must learn for herself.

Show her by: If you are serious about letting her see how much of a family guy you are, start by giving her a natural glimpse into your interactions with your family. You may also try getting her involved with some of the traditional events that your family hosts. If you are a divorced parent, introduce her to your children (when the time is right, of course) and let her see how they respond to you in a relaxed environment. It wouldn't be such a bad idea for her to somehow witness the sacrifices and the responsibilities you partake in on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. She can then make her own assessment as to whether or not you can be the head of the household you claim to be.

showing off

Most guys have a tendency to oversell themselves like high-priced merchandise when dating or trying to win the attention of a woman. Men need to start relying on their own abilities to attract through their actions rather than their words -- which 9 times out of 10 sounds a lot like hot air. Impressing a woman with all the characteristics you think make you an asset to a relationship may have you sounding like nothing more than a conceited salesman attempting to sell a superfluous insurance policy. Show, don't tell. It will definitely pay off.

http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_150/192b_dating_advice.html

Dating Very Attractive Women

Let's be honest. In the 21st century, good-looking women have the world -- literally -- by the balls. For Very Attractive Women, men are panting puppets, sex is available on demand and money flows from male wallets in a never-ending stream of avarice.

Without lifting a finger, Very Attractive Women enjoy lives that most people can only fantasize about.

For men, the lure of Very Attractive Women is obvious:

They are arm candy

They boost male self-esteem

They increase a man's status among other males

They heat a guy's sexual juices to the boiling point

They're just damn good to look at

But Very Attractive Women have their dark sides as well:

They can be shallow, self-centered and self-absorbed

They are generally takers, not givers -- and they have absolutely no conscience about sex-ploiting the male gender

They think they have gold-plated vaginas

They expect men to slavishly cater to them

They are experts at sexual manipulation and revel in the control they have over men

They auction the use of their bodies to the highest bidder they can attract

Their appeal is their appearance, not their sparkling personalities

They can be bitchy and arrogant

They can be psychologically unstable

They may not be loyal, moving to the highest bidder

They are very, very expensive

Despite these drawbacks, Very Attractive Women are what most guys are looking for. But since these women are constantly bombarded with male attention, they can afford to be highly selective about the men they date.

The result?

In picking male companions they choose money first and looks second (or preferably both, like a Brad Pitt or a Tom Cruise).

But what if you don't have extreme good looks or lots of cash? Is there any hope? Is there any way to get one of these hot babes on your arm? Maybe. You just might be able give yourself a decent shot if you're willing to make a couple of shifts in your dating strategy.

There's a famous Seinfeld episode where the perpetually-frustrated George Costanza decides that in order to stop living like a loser, he should act out the opposite of what his natural instincts tell him to do. So he walks up to a stunning blonde and says, "Hi, I'm George. I'm unemployed, and I live with my parents." The woman likes his refreshing honesty and goes out with him.


The key to success with Very Attractive Women is to be different . But most guys don't have a clue.

When confronted with Very Attractive Women they:

Cater to their every whim

Try to show off with expensive cars, boats and other toys

Pay for their attention with free meals, entertainment, trips, and jewelry

Smother them with phone calls or cards

Gush over them with compliments

Get territorial by trying to lock down the relationship too soon and sequestering them away from the attention of rival suitors

Act overly jealous and suspicious

Turn into insecure, wimpy puppy dogs and settle for crumbs of attention

In other words, act like any other guy out there in the dating world.

But the truth is, Very Attractive Women are hit on 24/7. They've heard guys telling them they're beautiful a zillion times, they expect to be pandered to by the male population, and they're used to having men slavishly crawl after them with their wallets wide open.

To a lot of these women, this is old hat, boring -- they can get it any day of the week. What they're not looking for is another typical guy with the same old routine.

So if you want a chance at Very Attractive Women, you're going to have to do something different.

How can you pull this off? Here are a few examples:

Treat her like she's nothing special
Talk to her like you would any other person. Don't act awestruck by her looks, don't gush out compliments and never stare at her with lust. Reduce the intimidation factor. Be debonair. Seem aloof, as if you don't care about her looks. Whatever you do, don't assume she doesn't want to talk to you.

Don't hit on her
This is what she expects from the typical guy, so just make like you're ignoring her. This is a great technique to use if you run into Very Attractive Women on a routine basis at work, a coffee shop, or a health club. If you don't give her any attention -- while openly paying attention to other women -- she won't be able to stand it because you'll be the only guy within a hundred miles who isn't drooling over her. With luck, she'll be intrigued. Avoid pickup lines at all costs.

Tease her
Very Attractive Women can sense fear and insecurity the way a moth smells pheromones, so be light, fun, and entertaining. Boyish charm can take you a long way with these women -- many of the great-looking guys they date can be seriously personality-challenged.

Talk about her interests & passions
Stimulate her mind, as other guys probably don't. Show interest on her intellect. Make her comfortable. Play on your good aspects, and not your looks -- but don't lie to impress her.

Don't compliment her
Don't put her on a pedestal; she's used to hearing praise. If you do give her a minimal compliment, follow up with something off-putting. For example, "That's a nice dress; my sister has the same one." This says she has good fashion style, but that she's not entirely original.

Tell her she's not up to your standards
Tell her you'd like to ask her out, but she's just not up to your usual standards (watch her jaw hit the floor). If you really want to throw her, steal her thunder and tell her that you think you should be just friends.

Wait a little while to call her
If you get her phone number, wait at least a week to call her -- and then tell her you'll try to fit a date with her into your schedule.

Don't push for sex
She knows she's got the goods, so when you're out with her, she expects you to be a horndog. Make her wait. It will drive her crazy.

Run hot & cold
If you haven't gone out with her yet, be extremely friendly, and follow it up with a period of aloofness. Or date her a couple of times, then drop her cold (with every intention of starting back up again). She'll be stunned.

keep her guessing

The idea is to keep her off-balance, intrigued and guessing -- make her want to spend time with you just because you're so different from any other guy out there. Just remember: Don't let your guard down and start going wimpy on her -- the very second she thinks she's in control of you, it's all over.

So by being different, by bringing a little refreshing change into the life of Very Attractive Women, you might be surprised -- it might just be the breath of fresh air she's been looking for.

Sure, it's no magic charm, and it's certainly not going to work every time. Trying to score a date with Very Attractive Women is definitely a numbers game. But all it takes is one, and if you pull it off, you're going to be in for the sweetest ride of your life.

http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_100/138c_dating_advice.html

10 Beautiful Women Who Are Way More Intelligent Than You

Run for the hills, lads! They exist!

No but seriously fellow man-people, a beautiful yet intelligent woman (heh. I said "yet") is something that deserves our worship as much as our apprehension. You see, beautiful women don't need to be intelligent. They'll get along just fine in life saying "O RLY?" at everything you say, as you confuse them all the way to the bedroom and mount them just as they figure out, to their horror, what the frick is happening. So, when a woman defies convention by being both hot AND thinking your vast array of chat-up lines based around the model "do you have any (insert nationality here) in you? want some?" are about as amusing as being smashed in the vagina with a wet paper bag full of piranhas, it can be befuddling and in extreme cases, downright embarrassing.

Thus, I have fought tooth and nail, both to find out what that expression means, and to collate information on 10 such examples of these women. Gentlemen, if you ever see one of these women at a bar and become possessed with the desire to try your luck, be forewarned that it's going to take more than your boyish charms and your rapier wit to get any of these women into bed - it's going to take intelligence. Or enough Rohypnol to kill a manatee.

Mira Aroyo

Mira Aroyo is a rare, multi-talented gem of a woman hailing from deepest, darkest Bulgaria. Not only is she a member of the brilliant British band, Ladytron (whose album "Witching Hour" I consider to be a must-listen for all of you), but she is also a model. Oh, and she also has a PHD in Genetics from Oxford University. An appealing combination of man-friendly traits - Mira is the kind of girl who can rock out with the band for your friends, pout for you in private, and acknowledge with a reassuring brand of scientific authority that it's not your fault you are going bald.

Mira Sorvino

Semi-proving that I have a fetish for women named "Mira", Mira Sorvino represents both the 2nd Mira on my list and also a disgusting overachiever. Mira graduated "Magna Cum Laude" from Harvard University with a degree in East Asian Studies. Note that I write "Magna Cum Laude" whilst laughing to myself, because my tiny male brain's automatic reaction to the words "cum laude" is to say "haha. cum laude" under my breath, belittling the massive achievement that "Magna Cum Laude" actually is. Mira is fluent in Mandarin and is apparently an excellent singer.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki

A mere 1 year my senior, Severn already has an epic list of accomplishments long enough to cause my testicles to spontaneously retract all the way up to my eyeballs in humble acceptance of how pathetic my life is compared to hers. Yale graduate and daughter of renowned geneticist and environmentalist David Suzuki, Severn is a member of Kofi Annan's Special Advisory Panel and has been awarded so many accolades that I've almost gone full circle and have ceased to be impressed by it.

Natalie Portman

Apart from being an accomplished child and teenage actress, Natalie Portman - now all grown up at age 25 and well within the socially-acceptable moral threshold for me to masturbate over - is as beautiful as she is bright. Fluent in Hebrew and English with conversational ability in a smattering of other languages (including Japanese), Portman also attended top Ivy League institution Harvard University, where she graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2003.

Liya Kebede

From humble beginnings, superstar model Liya Kebede has blossomed into an inspirational role model to make all of us look at the floor and kick our heels in guilt at the fact that we do sweet frick all for the well-being of others. When not strutting down the catwalk draped in Gucci, Louis Vuitton and D&G, Liya Kebede campaigns for social awareness in her role as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. In 2005, she was awarded the UN Day Award and gave this speech as part of her acceptance. She is also head of a self-named foundation to improve the health of mothers and children around the world.

Vanessa Mae

As a violin player myself, Vanessa Mae's story simultaneously amazes me and fills me with envy no matter how many times I read it. Whilst she had the benefit of significant financial backing from affluent parents whereas I had to fashion my first violin from saliva and ripped up pieces of old Chinese newspapers, it is undeniable that she was an extraordinarily talented musician as a youth - having performed with many of the best orchestras in the world well before her 20s. Whilst I look upon her adulthood goal of "sexifying" Classical music with obvious hype-machine-induced cynicism, it doesn't stop me from wanting to be on her.

Queen Rania of Jordan

Whilst many royal women are renowned for their philanthropic activities (a convenient, royal byproduct of being bored shitless and having loads of money), Queen Rania is different. She's hot. In addition to being hot, Queen Rania has quite a brain sitting beneath that multi-million dollar crown. Born a plebian like the rest of us, Rania graduated with a degree in Business Administration and worked at jobs for Citibank and Apple, before becoming all royal by marrying king Abdullah bin Al-Hussein in 1993. With this new-found Real and Ultimate Power, Queen Rania has made her mark on the world with her involvement in several core economic and welfare-related issues including best practices in the field of microfinance and the incorporation of Information Technology into schools. She is also a foundation board member of the World Economic Forum and lends her time to countless other charities and initiatives.

Carmen Kass

As a supermodel, Carmen Kass probably has to deal with a lot of stereotypical assumptions about her intelligence. For example, you probably wouldn't peg her as the kind of girl who excels at abstract, strategic board games. In fact the only game I know that supermodels excel at involves shitloads of cocaine, a parrot that can recite lines from "Ferris Beuller's Day Off" and seventeen buckets of fake semen - but I do keep rather eccentric company. Anyway I digress. Apart from being a model for the likes of Dior, Prada, Gucci and Chanel, Carmen Kass is also the President of the Estonian Chess Association. This isn't just some meaningless, honourary title because she once touched a chess board and the Estonian Chess Association shat their pants and threw money at her agent - she actually kicks arse at chess, plays in tournaments and allegedly prefers a quiet game of chess indoors with friends as opposed to those clichéd supermodel parrot / fake semen parties.

Sabrina Houssami

Sabrina Houssami is Australia's proud entry into the Miss World 2006 contest. Whilst Miss World is usually a depressing, conveyor-belt sushi ride of vacant, wide-eyed women saying the same "world peace is like totally awesome!" judge-friendly speech over and over again, I'm expecting good things from Sabrina, and I'm not just talking about her tits in a bikini top. Sabrina is a mere 19 years old but has already won many accolades in the fields of public speaking and debate. She was a member of the New South Wales champion debating team of 2003 and this year she was a speaker on the winning team of the Goodwill Week Great Debate. She is pretty much everything I look for in a woman - that smouldering yet mysterious Middle-Eastern look and the assertiveness to tell me when I am completely full of shit. Which is all the time.

Ada Lovelace

I know, I know. You can't sleep with a dead woman. Legally. Ada Lovelace is the only dearly departed (in 1852) member of my list, but no less deserving. Ada was trained from birth to be a maths and science genius thanks to her mother's fear and suspicion of hippie, liberal arts types - which was brought on by a nasty breakup with Ada's poet father, Lord Byron. Ada is well known for her contributions to and English documentation on Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. Ada, with her mathematically-inclined mind, suggested to Babbage to write a plan on how his machine could be used to calculate Bernoulli numbers. This plan is now regarded by historians as the first computer program ever written.

Closing Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed my terrifyingly frank foray into the world of women who are just way better than any of us. Perhaps I've instilled in you a new-found appreciation for the female of the species. Perhaps I've rekindled your interest in personality and intellect over attributes that are merely physical.

So. Which one do you want to BONE?

Source: http://archive.yongfook.com/2006/06/29/10-beautiful-women-who-are-way-more-intelligent-than-you/

Quotations About Beautiful Women

These quotations about the true sources of beauty go beyond hair and makeup. Cultivating personality, attitude and charm is as important as your appearance.

These quotes from beautiful women like Sophia Loren and Gloria Steinem show that though taking care of your appearance is important and healthy; the true source of beauty comes from within.

These quotations about what makes a girl gorgeous are divided into three parts: quotations about beauty and personality, quotations about beauty and age, and quotations about beauty and self-image. Plus, one bonus quotation about beauty and attitude at the end!

Quotations about beauty and personality

"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express." (Sir Francis Bacon). What makes a girl gorgeous is more than her appearance, size and shape. Her personality is her true source of beauty.

"It's beauty that captures your attention; personality which captures your heart." (Unknown)

"Some beautiful things are more impressive when left imperfect than when too highly finished." (La Rochefoucauld). This quotation about beauty and personality supports the idea that imperfection can make a woman more attractive – which has been proven by research.

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a like from within." (Elisabeth Kubler-Ross).

"Charm…it's sort of a bloom on a woman. If you have it, you don't need to have anything else; and if you don't have it, it doesn't much matter what else you have." (J.M Barrie). Part of being charming is making others feel accepted, loved, and respected. Charm is a true source of beauty.

Quotations about beauty and age

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age." (Sophia Loren).

"It has been said that a pretty face is a passport. But it's not, it's a visa, and it runs out fast." (Julie Burchill). Your appearance isn't a true source of beauty, because it inevitably changes and fades.

Quotations about beauty and self-image

"A better self-image doesn't pay the rent or cook supper or prevent nuclear war. Feeling better about ourselves doesn't change the world by itself, but it can give us energy to do what we want and to work for change." (Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century). A great self-image not only makes a girl gorgeous, it energizes her to follow her dreams and passions.

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical." (Sophia Loren). Feeling good about yourself is the connection between beauty and self-image. The more comfortable you are in your own skin, the more beautiful you are.

"Self-esteem isn't everything; it's just that there's nothing without it." (Gloria Steinem).

One last quotation about beauty and attitude:

"Why hope to live a long life if we're only going to fill it with self-absorption, body maintenance, and image repair? When we die, do we want people to exclaim, 'She looked ten years younger,' or do we want them to say, 'She lived a great life!' " (Unknown).

A beautiful woman doesn't have to choose between living a great life and looking ten years younger – but living a great life can lead to looking ten years younger. Now, that's beautiful.

Source: http://beauty.suite101.com/article.cfm/quotations_about_beautiful_women

12 Things Men Should Do, But Don't

At some point, every man has sought out and implemented new ways to improve his life. However, for every improvement made, there are also many other potentially helpful things we don't do -- often without any logical explanation. For example, asking for directions is a classic example of something that used to be very difficult for us men to do; of course, since the invention of GPS and online maps, this is no longer such an issue. Whether it's out of habit, laziness, or fear, here are some modern-day examples of things men should do, but generally don't:

1. Use coupons
Sure, we all have visions of old ladies holding up grocery store lines with bunches of coupons, but in reality, this is something men should be doing too. Nearly all big retail outlets offer coupons at some point, and electronics stores, multi-purpose stores (like Target or The Wiz), grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels often serve up unbeatable deals.

Why we don't: Let's be honest here. We don't use coupons because we're too lazy to look for them, and also because we don't want to look cheap. Period.

Why we should: Who wouldn't like to save some money now and again? Considering that the only catch is having to scan the local newspaper or fliers left at our door, it's inconceivable that we should not start doing clipping coupons. And besides, the more you save on things like groceries, the more you can spend on beer and electronics.

2. Get regular check-ups
We usually visit doctors and dentists as a last resort, when that sprained ankle has swollen to the size of a grapefruit or that toothache can no longer be ignored. But every man should get checked out regularly, if not for STDs or illnesses related to aging (heart and prostate diseases especially), then at least in order to lead an all-around healthy life.

Why we don't: Most men know two things in this area: What we don't know won't hurt us, and most pain can be walked off or put up with.

Why we should: Stupid pride and fear can keep you from spotting and eradicating small problems before they become serious. Besides, hitting on nurses is fun.

3. Follow a recipe
Cooking in general should be every modern cosmopolitan man's goal, but more importantly, cracking open a cookbook and following a recipe is something every man should be able to do. If not for the impression you can make on women or the simple and tasty meal ideas, then at least to be able to control exactly what you're eating, and how it's prepared.

Why we don't: No matter how good or easy a recipe or cookbook may be, most of us men know that it's much easier to just order food, or get married.

Why we should: Most books are so simple that monkeys could cook up a four-course meal, so there's no reason you can't make every meal at home a winner. This is especially helpful if you're trying to start a new relationship on the right foot, or if you're tying to spice up an older one.


4. Maintain your stuff
When is the last time you cleaned the inside of your car? What about the outside? Ironed your shirts lately? And what about those shoes? Shouldn't you get them shined? Exactly. The list of our maintenance failures is never-ending, and while it can be difficult to keep up when we're busy, this is something we really should do.

Why we don't: It's easier to hope these things will start fending for themselves, which is another way of saying that we're lazy and that ironing shirts is about as exciting as watching a game of lawn bowling.

Why we should: If you can't maintain things, why buy them in the first place? Besides, if you care for the things you buy, they'll not only look and perform better, but they'll last longer, too, saving you money in the long run.

5. Read the instructions/owner's manual If you look around your house for them, you'll discover that the manuals to your electronic devices, car and appliances have probably never been used (that is, if you've even kept them).

Why we don't: Who needs a small multilingual booklet to tell them what to do? And anyway, they're impossible to decipher half the time. Is the use of ancient hieroglyphs really necessary to explain the features of a DVD player?

Why we should: Hooking up your surround sound system properly allows you to watch movies the way they were meant to be watched: loud, and in your face.

6. Do laundry properly
Most of us have good intentions when it comes to washing our clothes. We want to do it regularly and properly, but we have trouble following the instructions on the label and somehow still end up mixing colors and whites, piling our clean clothes with the dirty ones, and never ironing the items that need it most.

Why we don't: Everyone knows that doing laundry sucks, which is why we often go by the motto, "the faster it's done, the better." This attitude is obviously the main culprit.

Why we should: If your clothes look sloppy, dirty or wrinkled, you will not make your best impression on others, particularly in professional settings.

7. Engage in foreplay
Women love foreplay, but most men consider it "beating around the bush," literally. It's hard to see why, really. I mean, most of us love lingerie, and we can enjoy teasing, touching, role-playing and licking, but somehow we're still obsessed with just getting things done.

Why we don't: The equipment is there for a reason, so why postpone the inevitable? I mean, how many appetizers can you sample before the main course? This is especially true for those nights when you're tired, and all you want to do is get on with the show.

Why we should: If we indulged in more foreplay and took the time to get our women revved up, the ultimate result would be that much sweeter.

8. Throw away old belongings
Every man has a favorite shirt, hat or pair of shoes. These are always difficult to part with -- even if an item doesn't really fit into your grown-up wardrobe, it's easy to believe that "there's still some life left in it." But why do we keep all those old baseball cards? Or the ticket to every single concert we've ever attended? What about those Mad magazine receipts from 1987? These are all examples of old, unnecessary things that we should really learn to just throw away.

Why we don't: When our official biographer turns up, all of our junk will be considered priceless. And what if one day, probably the day after we throw it out, we really need that old copy of TV Guide with Bob Saget on the cover?

Why we should: Most of the useless crap we hoard does little besides collect dust and take up potentially useful space.

9. Watch less TV
Even if the first thing you want to do when you get home is plop yourself down on the couch and zone out in front of the TV, think of how many other things you could do if you watched less of it. You could, for example, get the exercise you always talk about or even read a book. These might not sound like thrilling alternatives, but really, how many times do you need to watch the West Coast Customs guys install an X-box in the back of a car on Pimp My Ride?

Why we don't: No matter how slim the pickings, most of us have an undying hope that we will find something great on. In fact, no matter how awful, we know that with time, we'll find a game, movie or show worth watching.

Why we should: With so much crappy reality programming these days, watching a lot of television can truly feel wasteful. This is especially true in the summer, when reruns rule the day and warmer weather calls for more outings.

10. Check the expiry dates on food
Are you afraid of opening your fridge door? If so, you're not alone. That awful rotting smell you fear is something common to many men's refrigerators. And while a lot of that has to do with our laziness in clearing out old food, the problem starts earlier. Many of us never bother to check the expiration dates when shopping for products like cheese, milk, juice, and meat.

Why we don't: Because grocery shopping, like doing the laundry, is often a royal pain the ass, we're often speeding through it and unfocused. It also doesn't help that most of us are preoccupied with the idea of picking up women at the supermarket.

Why we should: Staving off food poisoning and salmonella wouldn't hurt anyone. And we might save some money if we didn't have to throw out half the contents of our fridge two days after buying it.

11. Leave household plumbing and electrical work to professionals
Would you trust yourself to remove your appendix? Then why do you think you can rewire your home? Sure, that leaky faucet or faulty fuse box looks easy to fiddle with and repair, and yes, it's your house, but honestly, what the hell do you know about these things? Let's face it: Most of us regular Joes are not Bob Villa, and even though it hurts more than anything to have to call in another man to do the job, leaving it to the pros is something we should all do.

Why we don't: Like territorial animals, most of us have a hard time watching another man fixing our problems and having all the fun involved, too.

Why we should: Nothing kills a weekend like flooding the basement, except maybe electrocution. For the safety of your family and your home, you should let the experts take care of any problems that arise.

12. Not be mesmerized by big breasts
At this point in our lives, the sight of big breasts should not be such a big deal. Let's face it: even excluding personal experience, most men have been inundated with images of breasts. So what's the big deal? You'd think that by now, we'd be so used to it that it would barely register. Why does the sight of large squeezers completely paralyze us, even for that brief moment?

Why we don't: Because they're breasts and they're big... a certain respect is due, after all, especially when you consider how often we daydream about them.

Why we should: Even smaller breasts deserve attention. And frankly, the power large breasts hold over us is starting to give men a bad name. Remember, in the battle of the sexes, we must reveal no weaknesses.

Article : http://www.askmen.com/fashion/austin_100/128d_fashion_style.html

Must-Own Dress Shirt Colors

Move away from the white shirt and add a blast of color to your wardrobe by incorporating these fine colors to your sartorial repertoire. If you know your AskMen.Com Style Bible, you already know the various shirt styles every man should own. So let's go a bit further and breakdown the must-own dress shirt colors for this year. Keep in mind, however, that adding color does not, under any circumstances, allow a man to ever wear a pink shirt. The pink dress shirt has had its time and there shall not be a 16th minute of fame for this silly-looking color on a man.

Classic blue

The classic blue dress shirt allows flexibility without the drollness of the white shirt. Best of all, the classic blue bridges the gap between formal and informal simply in the way you wear it. Pair it with a red tie and you're ready for a political office. A dark gray or black tie lends formality and strength to your look. Go blue on blue with a sharp blue suit and tie for a continental look or leave it unbuttoned, sans tie, for a casually modern appearance. In short, this is the shirt you should always pack when heading out of town.

Gray

This sombre color outdoes classic blue in seriousness because it tones down any suit or sport coat it's paired with. If you thought a black three-button suit looked sharp with the classic blue, you haven't truly entered a room until you wear this gray number from Ted Baker. The gunmetal black buttons also allow you to wear it with a neatly pressed pair of black trousers and modern lace-up Oxfords for a touch of casual elegance.

Black

The most underrated dress shirt color is black. No other dress shirt color besides black allows you to wear it with jeans, khakis, suits, and tuxedos while always looking your absolute best. By the way, let her wear it the morning after as you fix her breakfast and you'll wonder why you've been wearing white all these years. In the end, however, this shirt was made to be worn with a muted charcoal tie under a gray modern-cut suit with black monk-strap shoes.

Mauve

OK, let's get something straight right away: Mauve is not pink. The only time a man should ever have his hands on a pink garment is when he's helping a woman out of it. Got it? Good. Now back to the topic at hand; this is the perfect pastel-colored dress shirt and every man should have at least one of these in his closet waiting for that moment to subtly brighten any occasion. Now, once again, and all together now: Mauve is not pink. And this one is from Zegna, which makes it very, very good.

Article : http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends_200/230b_fashion_men.html

How To Wear Novelty T-Shirts

Believe it or not, having a novelty T-shirt or two in your clothing lineup can be fashionable and fun. But while most "mature" dressers see these quirky shirts as more suited for college-aged guys and slovenly couch potatoes, don't write them off just yet. Though T-shirts displaying ambiguous sayings and witty puns should be avoided in general -- as you'll surely recall from reading the AskMen.com Style Bible -- those novelty T-shirts owning a vintage, retro appeal can bring a stylishly entertaining aspect to any man's weekend wardrobe. That is, of course, if the guy wearing them has the distinctive sense of style needed to pull the look off. And that's why, as purveyors of fashion and fun, we offer you this tutorial on how to wear novelty T-shirts.

PalmerCash"A Diamond is Forever" T-shirt

A novelty T-shirt that invokes a nostalgic, iconic brand adds an interesting depth to your wardrobe. So opt for something like this "A Diamond is Forever" T-shirt and get the best of both worlds. Guys see one thing, and women hear another. And therein lies the beauty (and enjoyment) of this novelty T-shirt. With a nod to a legendary saying and the legend himself, this retro-looking T is zippy and ironic; but that also means it requires a modern touch to achieve an age-appropriate outfit. Thus, add a sharp track jacket, like this one from Armani Jeans, to balance its overall look. Together, the shirt and jacket allude to a suave, hip sense of humor the ladies will love and the guys can appreciate.

HiveTees Storm Troopers T-shirt

Legendary status has been assigned to Star Wars on many levels; its contributions to filmmaking are unequivocal and, oddly enough, it can have much of the same impact on your weekend wardrobe. For example, should you wear a vintage Storm Troopers T with a modern cardigan, like this one from Banana Republic, you'll have a sophisticatedly hip outfit that's one part geek and one part chic. It's a look that's perfect for a lunch date or an afternoon of running about. Thanks to the distressed look of the shirt and the preppy appearance of the cardigan, these two items come together in an up-to-the-minute outfit that will have fanboys everywhere noting your unique, fashionable approach to style.

PalmerCash Championship Kickball T-shirt

Shirts that allude to our athletic prowess in old-school recreations, such as kickball, are always a suitable option for weekend wear. Paying homage to a recess classic, the Kickball Championship shirt makes a smooth, unexpected option for hanging out with the guys. It provides a casually hip T for the sports-minded Joe. And really all it needs to round out its laid-back appeal is a sharp pair of jeans.Take this shirt and couple it with a pair of 7 for All Mankind jeans, for instance, to burnish the streetwise charm of the shirt and the jeans. Wearing these two items together, any guy can easily hasten back to his glory days when he was something of a playground legend.

Trunk Ltd. Kiss Concert T-Shirt

If you want to create a rock-star image one Saturday night, then pull out all the stops by wearing a classic rock T-shirt with a modishly contemporary blazer. The juxtaposition of the old-school music and the new-school design will establish an urban, sophisticated symmetry. Consider, let's say, wearing a Kiss concert T with the Ben Sherman "Artist" Two-Button Blazer: While individually the two pieces already own a sophisticated, edgy appeal, collectively they fashion a chic outfit custom-made for a night on the town. If you put the two together, you'll exude a fashion-forward, bad-boy image that riffs off an overly confident sense of style.

PalmerCash Hamm's Beer Vintage T-shirt

When we think of beer, we think of good times and good brews. Especially those brands like Hamm's that got us through college and our early 20s. So, give props to this all-important brew and your ever-improving casual style by donning a shirt that advertises your affinity for great beer and cool fashion; and you can definitely up the shirt's impact by adding another classically modish piece: a leather motorcycle jacket. Armani Jeans offers an urbanely chic model to complement the retro appeal of the Hamm's T. The two pieces are a tough combination that is street-smart, handsome and a stylish throwback to two things men truly love.

Article: http://www.askmen.com/fashion/trends_200/234b_fashion_men.html

Now, designer accessories for men!

Gone are the days when accessories were meant only for women. Now, from rings to ear studs to elaborate neck pieces – there is a whole range of designer accessories made just for men!

Everyone loves to show-off at some point of time, irrespective of sex. The male peacock is a prime example - it dances with its plume wide open to woo the female. In humans, whilst females have access to a lot of fashion accessories, males aren't so lucky. For them, it's the same old stuff - shirts, trousers, ties, belts, goggles, wallets and shoes; nothing else!

It's not as if fashion jewelry for men does not exist. It does, but you'd have to either settle for the crude, sub-standard stuff available locally, or stick to the conventional "precious" jewelry made of diamond and gold. Indian men now have a choice. They can flaunt their masculinity in ways they never thought possible.

Thia , the brain-child of Ketan Jhaveri, a self-made entrepreneur is India's pioneer in steel jewelry and steel accessories for men has a new range that comprises chunky pendants, rings, bracelets, wrist-cords, keychains, cuff-links and money-clips; all very macho and stylish. With pure stainless steel as the base, they create designs that showcase a theme.
He says men can experiment with different kind of accessories and they have an array of choices…

1. Paua's which are brilliant, multicolored and oh-so-fragile shell, found only in the shallow-waters off the coast of New Zealand. Expertly mounted onto pure stainless-steel, the eye-popping range of pendants, bracelets and key chains.

2. Rings which are simple, chunky, and bereft of any precious stones, thereby enhancing their appeal to even those men who feel effeminate when wearing a ring.

3. Money-clips which is a fashionable accessory for those living the high life.

4. Cuff-links a classic symbol of style, elegance and power.

5. Bracelets. Yes, men can now wear bracelets. No, it won't make them look sissy. Quite, on the contrary.

With the fashion industry and its all time boom male accessories are just getting more and more in vogue internationally. Even men in India have already caught-on to the concept of "fashion accessories". It is no longer the exclusive domain of females and designer jewelry will just add to this craze. So all you metro sexual men who are not afraid of being different and dressing with élan, come out of your closest and flaunt your new look!

Beyond jeans - Grab the hot denim trends this fall

Hard to believe that it's only July and we're already talking about fall clothing lines. As many of you fashionistas know though, many designers have already started rolling our their winter lines. I, for one, can't stand the thought of talking about sweaters and tights quite yet, so we'll ease in to it with a happy medium; denim.


Some top, high-end designers like Kippys, Pierce Jeans, and REOSTARR are flooding the market with their denim wares already, and whether it be jeans, jackets, or purses, its denim all the way. Some are even doing a throwback to the 80s and rocking out with rhinestones.


Kippys specializes in denim, leather and fur. Again, I have a hard time imagining leather or fur when it's a sweltering 90 degrees outside, but I can stomach denim; plus the awesome belts that go with it. In addition, Hollywood thinks Kippys is pretty hot too; just ask Elizabeth Hurley and Madonna, both of whom have sported their belts.


Rhinestone roses, hearts and celtic chains run across the pockets and legs of some of their jeans. Their belts come in a variety of widths from 1/2 inch wide to 4 1/4 inches wide and are embellished like no others. With crystal colors like Padparadscha, Heliotrope, and Volcano, who can resist this clothing line?

Another hot denim designer, Pierce Jeans, is rocking the simple and sophisticated look that only denim can bring to the casual girl. Carrying denim in dark, dark blues to upbeat reds, Pierce has it all covered. Their fall line includes both the revised, higher waisted jean with the slimming leg as well as the trouser jean that has become so popular. Featured in hot fashion magazines as well as being worn by the likes of Teri Hatcher and Eva Mendez, Pierce Jeans has secured themselves in the hearts of hot Hollywood fashion icons.


REOSTARR is taking another avenue and meeting those with simple and those with rhinestones half way. If their denim isn't plain, it has patches and strategically placed holes. Of course, no pair would be complete without their signature star on their pockets. Whatever they do, Hollywood loves them too! Natalia Livingston was seen wearing them at the "Into the West" premier and have been seen in magazines from Lucky to People.


All across the land, denim is loved by many. These are just a few examples of what some of the high-end denim designers are doing this year and I'm sure that other designers, like Lucky, Levi, and Seven will be sure to follow. While you're out picking up new notebooks and pencils, whether it be for yourself or your kids, pick up a pair of these great jeans and you'll definitely be on top of one of fall's hottest denim trends.

Fashion trends in 2008: The 50's is back

The world of fashion is constantly changing, more and more designers are looking to the past for inspiration; what's old is new, and nowadays fashion is shaped by all the cultural influences from around the globe. The past continues to be the inspiration for the future but more than ever, designers are concerned about where fashion and beauty trends originate. The styles and trends you will see in 2008 will inevitably reflect modern interpretations of past designs, while also keeping an eye on emerging global trends in beauty and culture.

A fashion conscious person never misses the fashion trends for the year to come. If you are already reading this article, this means that you are interested in what to wear in 2008. Do you like the fashion of the fifties? Well, you should, because it will come back in 2008 and that entire craze will be in style again. As a matter of fact, this trend of the 50s comeback has already started before 2008, so you are at least a bit familiar with the concept. Such items as high heeled pumps, slim skirts, large belts, and loose blouses with puffy collars and sleeves appear to be becoming all the rage once again. It appears that the days of butts hanging out of low-rise jeans are ending and a more sophisticated look is returning to the mainstream.

Here are some of the latest staples of your wardrobe should be: * A slim skirt * A wide belt * A great fitting pair of slacks * A fitted jacket * Shaped t-shirts * Wrap blouses and dresses * Metallic accents including grey metals and gold * Denim items

The colors that are dominant for the style for 2008's spring and summer are the grey, black, red, white plus yellow. This color is a problematic color that does not suit with everything, so it must be worn with great care. Use these colors to add to your classic wardrobe in unique ways. However, next year, dare to wear yellow and see how it looks.

The accessories must match also the outfit. The oversized bags are still in style, while the super huge earrings and necklaces will compliment the overall clothing. The jewels may be made of plastic or more natural materials such as wood or even clay. These can be ethno influenced and create a great effect on the entire apparel, making the body look small and giving an interesting perspective.

So, are you ready for spring and the summer of 2008? Get your wardrobe ready for this year's style and buy some great new trendy apparel online or in the stores that you usually visit. For those who love to shop online, i recommend to visit Designer Clothing Shop like StyleRunway.com and feel free to browse from their wide range collection of designer items. Now you know what to hunt for, just go and get them.

Celebrities and their clothing lines

Fashion and celebrities work hand in hand, either of them is incomplete without other. Celebrities rely on fashion to become celebrated and plug in the social circuit whereas fashion uses celebrities to brand their products, they are like two sides of the same coin, both have mass appeal, everyday reach and a quotient of unprecedented glamour attached to them. To give an example a brand of jeans wore by a celebrity becomes a hot cake within hours on the internet shopping sites. People dream to be dressed like celebrities and they take pride in identifying and imitating their dressing style. There are thousands of Blogs which features garments apparels wore by celebrity and the look alike available in the online stores; if at all the brands are unreachable for the common public. Celebrities have become the trend makers of the 21st century.

Magazines bank on the information of what the celeb would be is or was wearing at particular event. Parties are being organized to exhibit flashy makeup and different looks of the celebrities which become trends for the coming season. Celebrities clothing lines are the outcomes of exploiting publics obsession with particular celebrity style. Celebs with distinguished style of their own (at time even those who do not have one) can license their name to product lines and earn millions. The articles talks about few of the most famous celebrities who have successfully introduced their clothing lines.

Celeb clothing lines go way back to 1970s with Arnold Palmer, famous golfer of that time. He introduced his clothing line for the golf clothes. One of the Charlies angel Jaclyn Smith, following footsteps of Arnold palmer introduced her line of womens clothing for K-mart which has become number one selling brand because of its low prices and exquisite statement attached to it. As a matter of fact she has become more famous today because of her clothing line than her acting career. Puma signed up supermodel Christy Turlington's and introduced NUALA line to encapsulate her her love for yoga and fashion style.Currently some of the celebrities making mullah out of the same strategy are Paris Hilton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Jessica Simpson. Style icon Sarah Jessica Parker has taken fashion to newer heights. In 2007 she launched her own low priced high fashion line Bitten exclusively at Steve & Barrys stores. The key concept behind the label is Fashion is not about just luxury. The collection comes in sizes 2-22 and majority of the pieces cost less than $20. Sarah says "It's really, really important to us that it be good, feel good, have a life, that it make a difference in your life and that you have money left over to live."

Paris Hilton can do anything, the heiress puts her name on everything one can ever imagine be it fragrance, bags, jewelry, clothing and you name it. She launched her clothing line teaming up with vision of comfort and affordable but an average person would find it expensive. The collection encompasses tight jeans, colorful satin tops, t-shorts with portraits of Paris on it. The cheapest items are the T-shirts which start from $34. They are sold at Kitson Boutique (where else?) in LA, her favorite place to shop. Twisted seam skinny jeans which Paris wore while returning from Jail can be bought for $88 while the pink ribbon which she wears for the mini mouse look is available at the boutique for $68.

Jessica Simpson collaborated with Camuto Group to launch her Princy clothing line, the Simpson brand was licensed for a record $15 million, the largest celebrity fashion advance in history. Camuto said, "I think Jessica really is America's sweetheart and I think her fans will grow with her. There is an opportunity to make this the hottest brand out there." The brand includes denim in the price range of 59 to 99, knit tops from 24 to 58 and jackets from 69 to 89. Jennifer Lopezs clothing line is called JLO with sales in billions every year. The line has trendy pieces with youthful appeal at reasonable prices. Her new brand Sweetface is targeted at the higher end market featuring bejeweled clothing and fur laden pieces.

Another icon taking the fashion world by storm is the ultra-trendy Gwen Stefani who achieved world-wide success fronting the Ska-punk pop band. Her personal style is mix of Skater punk and 1940s glamour. She launched her clothing line L.A.M.B (Love Angel Music Baby- all things she love the most in the world) in late 2004. L.A.M.B includes pieces priced in the range of $100-$300 with her signature style including bikini tops, Rasta-inspired colors, low-slung pants and bum flaps. The collaboration of celebrity and fashion strategy would continue to achieve exponent of style and business and we will continue to see celebrities exploiting their brand strength to boost their bank balances and ego trips.

References

1. www.lamb.com
2. www.oprah.com
3. www.people.com
4. www.niralimagazine.com
5. www.brown712.com
6. www.kidzworld.com
7. www.parentdish.com
8. www.thinkfashion.com
9. www.businessweek.com
10. www.seattletimes.nwsource.com
11. www.Jenniferlopez4u.com
12. www.morphthing.com
13. www.8notes.com
14. www.demicouture.ca

Where should waistline be this season?

Fashions most startling move this season is the high waist line. This trend started off with a catwalk shock and initial resistance followed by head-long rush, at present we are rushing towards a belted high waistline trend. Fashion world has not one, but various waistlines; it changes its position here and now to evoke new comprehensions of emphasis. Designers are hiking the waistlines this season, so if you are in the mood of showing your pretty thongs, curtail the idea till another season. The waistline is returning to womans fashion after T-shirt dresses and empire tops.

Designers such as Alex Perry, Karl Lagerfeld, Donna Karen and Valentino have garnished their fall 2008 collections that exploit true waistlines. Even brands such as bebe, BCBG, Isaac Mizrahi for Target and Banana Republic are following trends set by the designers and are coming up with high waist and nipped waist versions. Brazil Summer collection 2008 saw high waist trend in pants, skirts, denims with nervures and draped blouses. Anastacio JR revisited 80s with super high waists, shine and wildcat skins.

High waistlines are especially suitable for hourglass figure, or if you wish to portray that figure then grab this waistline trend before the line slips away. New York fashion week spotted Bill Parcell on the runway wearing pants above his navel with an easy furry. Gucci Head Tom ford said The low slung hip hugger look was just waiting to be cast aside. The fashion world is rapt with how high Bill Parcells wears his pants and it's time to raise waistlines for men and women." Whereas Womens Wear Digest Senior writer Noah Sensahuma said We are firm believers that the Parcells Waistline is here to stay, not only does the look juxtapose maturity with sexuality, it also creates an accessorizing renaissance. Sales of belts, sashes and braces are poised to rise as quickly as waistlines."

High waistlines were in glorious fashion during the early 1990s. During 1940s and 1950s modern glamour in the form of tightly fitted cigarette skirt showing nothing but womanly seduction was being flashed by fashion houses such as Dior, Chanel, Vionnet, Louis, Lanvin, Fath and Givenchy. Farah Fawcett and Charlie's Angels accentuated the high-rise, wide-leg jeans during the late '70s and early '80s. In spite of the earlier acceptance and popularity of high waist in the fashion circuit, it has taken quite a while for the trend to catch up again. SJP and Tom form, head of Gucci said they would be happy that finally the high waist trend has been embraced by the masses. In May 2002 fashion bible Vogue declared low-rise styles as dclass.

Courtesy: www.zimmer.csufresno.edu

This season waistline will be emphasized by a belt, a bow, a tied sash, or just nipped in. Belts will be narrow unlike last seasons corset belts, giving slender and sleek effect to the high waist. Cigarette skirts, dresses cut drum tight with narrow knees, dolly skirts with belted waistlines, belted evening gowns in silk and chiffon will explore the womanly waist this season.

References

1. www.signonsandiego.com
2. www.nymag.com
3. www.guerillasports.com
4. www.theage.com.au