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Rachel Ray

How to Dress Like Rachel Ray

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Rachel Ray

For many years now Rachel Ray has been teaching men and women alike to cook great meals in a timely manner all on a budget. The foods she prepares are only topped by her infectious and bubbly personality. Because she is so down to earth and is easy to relate to for many women, there a growing number of women these days who want to dress like this food diva.

When dressing like Rachel Ray you need only think simplistic as she is one of the more down to earth celebrities on television today. Here are some tips to help you pull off the Rachael Ray look:

•    Tops: Ray like to be very versatile in this department. She can be seen wearing a number of different styles of blouse and equally in shirts with a light jacket over top. You can even go with a top that is long sleeved and a solid color as this is a staple in Ray’s wardrobe. She is very modest so when you choose your blouses and shirts don’t go for ones that show a lot of cleavage as Ray rarely does. Don’t go crazy with color either as Ray likes her solids.

•    Pants: Ray’s weight has fluctuated over the years so her choice in pants really depends on her current weight. When she is on the heftier side she seems to gravitate towards khakis and looser fitting pants but when she gets back into shape it is not uncommon to see her in some form fitting jeans. You can do the same and choose what is comfortable according to your weight. Just take come extra time and mix and match your tops to ensure you are looking your best.

•    Skirts and dresses: Ray has been known to wear skirts and dressed here and there. When you choose yours go for a looser fit as once again Ray stays on the modest side and doesn’t ever go too tight on really anything.

•    Accessories: To no surprise Ray is not really big on them. See can usually be seen in a nice conservative pair of earrings and maybe a necklace that is not too gaudy. Other than that, she chooses to accessorize with belts and a scarf from time to time and of course her apron that she wears on her show.

•    Shoes: Ray almost always wears heels, but never the super high kind. Her heels generally have an open toe and always compliment her attire. Choose your heels according to what you will be wearing.

•    Hair and make-up: Ray goes simple in both directions. When doing your hair, simply part it down the middle and brush it back. Use some volumizer to give it a little extra kick if you like. When putting on your make-up, be sure to go light and always go for that natural look that Ray always pulls off with the greatest of ease.

All that remains is for you to take some cooking classes and practice smiling as big as you can and as much as you can. Once you pull that off, the Rachel Ray look will be complete.

Christening

What to Wear to a Christening

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Christening

A christening is similar to the baptism ritual that is performed by Christians where water is used to give acceptance to a person in a church and is meant to protect that person’s soul from evil. The biggest difference is that a christening is lined up by the parents of an infant where a baptism can be for anyone regardless of age. Like a baptism a christening is an extremely important event for Christians and just the fact that you get invited is an honor in itself. So what should you wear to a christening?

A christening will usually take place in a church so you should dress accordingly. Just as you would not show up to a church on a Sunday morning dressed in shorts and flip-flops you should not dress down when attending a christening. Here are some tips on what to wear when you attend a christening:

•    Women: Women can wear a number of outfits similar to what they would wear to go to church. One can’t miss outfit is a nice pair of dress slacks with a blouse that is sophisticated looking and that may even have some frills on it. For shoes a nice pair of closed toe pumps will look rather nice and always accessorize moderately. Again, you are going to be in a church so dress that way.

•    Men: Men too can revert to what they would wear if they were going to church. A pair of dress slacks topped off with a nice long sleeved button down shirt is a sure fire outfit that can’t go wrong. You probably don’t want to go with a neck tie but if you think you might want to simply carry one in your pocket and see what everyone else has on. This way you will not feel out of place if you are the only one to have on a neck tie. At the same time if you see that most men are wearing a neck tie you can quickly go to the restroom and put yours on. Be sure that you are wearing black dress shoes with your outfit and leave the sneakers at home for the christening.

•    Kids: Even the kids should be dressed as though it where a regular church service. This means cute Sunday dressed for the girls with nice church shoes. The dress can be a cheery color like yellow and a nice touch is a matching color bow in their hair. Boys can wear slacks with a long sleeved button down shirt and should be wearing black church style dress shoes. This will keep them looking as sharp as the men and they will be more than adequately dressed for the christening.

Remember that a christening is a very important day for the infant and the family and the fact that they asked you to be a part of it is something to feel good about. Show them that you are glad to share in their happy day by doing your best to dress to impress.

Zombie

How to Dress Like a Zombie

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Zombie

Who hasn’t seen the classic movie night of the Living Dead? If you haven’t seen it, the movie features the ‘living dead’ or what are better known as zombies walking the streets in a quest for fresh brains. Once one of these zombies bit a living person, that person was quickly transformed into a zombie and they too began to roam the streets. Sound fun?

If walking amongst the living dead sounds like your sort of thing, here are some sure fire tips that will have you looking like a zombie:

•    Shirts: Since the zombies were simply the living dead, they really wore whatever they died in. But to truly pull off the zombie look you want to go with a shirt that is dirty and tattered as this will show that you may have once been buried, but rose again to eat some brains. An easy shirt to use to pull off this look is a white long sleeved button down shirt that is half tucked in and half untucked. Unbutton the top two or three buttons and wear a dirty tie, just be sure it is tied loosely.

•    Pants: Slacks do the trick here, especially with the button down shirt look. To get the authentic zombie look go ahead and tear one of the pant legs and tear it good. Be sure that the skin that will be exposed through the tear is dirty.

•    Shoes: A nice pair of dress shoes is the ticket and be sure that you leave at least one untied. Again, you have to be sure that the shoes are dirty and worn looking to give it the proper look. You don’t want to look grubby everywhere else and have sparkly clean shoes. Want to throw everyone for a loop, try wearing only one shoe. This gives the illusion that you lost one of your shoes rising from the grave, or perhaps because you were chasing down an unwilling brain donor.

•    Women: Alright those tips were certainly for the guys but there are surely ladies that want to dress like zombies too. Your look is even easier than the fellows. Simply get a nice looking sun dress or any other type of dress and make sure you get it nice and dirty. If you want to tear your dress in certain spots that is great and an easy tear to accomplish is a strap being sure to leave it dangle after tearing. You will have more skin showing than the guys so be sure that your flesh is showing its fair share of dirt. You can also try wearing only one earring as if to show that your trip through the dirt was not an easy one, or go with big hoop earrings that are mis-shapened.

•    Hair: The messier the better. This applies for both the guys and the gals. Get it good and tattered looking and hold it in place with some extra firm hair spray.

Now just practice walking around with your arms straight out in front of you and mumble a lot and your zombie look is complete. Just be sure to stay away from the brains, you don’t need to be that authentic.

Tanning

What to Wear Tanning

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Tanning

When you don’t have the time or the patience to go out and tan at the beach, or the weather makes it too cold to do so, a great alternative is to go tanning at a tanning salon. These salons have you lay down in a tanning bed and instead of having to spend hours in the hot sun you can get a great looking tan with just a few 20 minute sessions in the tanning bed. But when you are getting ready to go to a tanning bed, what exactly should you wear?

The whole idea to going to a tanning salon is to get tan. That said there are a good number of people that like to tan in the nude. If you are not comfortable with tanning in your birthday suit, here is what you can wear:

•    Tanning oil: The first thing you will want to wear is tanning oil that is specifically made for indoor tanning only. If you wear sun block that is meant for outdoors you will not tan properly so you need to be sure that you are using the right type of tanning oil. The tanning oil will not have any SPF in it so it is not to be worn when you do go to the beach as it will only help the sun cook and burn you.

•    Bottoms only: If you don’t want to be nude but also don’t want tan lines on the top, one option is to tan with your bikini bottoms or panties on only. Guys of course should either wear just underwear or a Speedo.

•    Entire bikini: If you don’t mind tan line then you can wear your entire bikini and this will give you the coverage you want and still allow you to get a tan over almost all of your body.

•    Goggles: You can buy your own or the tanning salon can supply you with these. They are very small and very dark and only cover your eyes but need to be worn to ensure that your eyes are protected from the rays that the tanning bed emits. You could opt for regular sunglasses here but keep in mind that you will then have those hideous looking sunglasses tan lines.

•    Towel: While you will not wear this you will need it when you get out of the tanning bed as you will work up a pretty good sweat by laying in one. Having a towel handy will make for a quick dry down once your session is over.

Basically when it comes to tanning indoors you can wear as much as you want to. If you are comfortable going in the raw then by all means do so. Don’t let the fact that someone else before you tanned in the nude disturb you as federal law mandates that all tanning salons give a good disinfecting to the tanning beds in between each client. The only thing keeping

Jesus

How to Dress Like Jesus

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Jesus

He goes by many names including, the son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, and Jesus Christ and whether you believe in him or not you have no doubt heard of him and know who he is. The stories from the Bible about Jesus are legendary. Jesus saved and healed so many and was then crucified to save the souls of all mankind only to rise once again three days after his death. More recently people have been seeing this symbol of Christianity in everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to grease spots on their driveways. And to think, such a powerful man had such a simplistic way of dressing, though he dressed normal for his time.

If you too would like to dress like Jesus here is how you can do it:

•    Robe: Jesus was known for his long flowing all-cotton robe. This is the typical robe that the average man wore back in those times in the Middle East. The robe should be white and should come down to about your calves or longer if you prefer. Remember not to go fancy here as Jesus dressed like the everyman of those times.

•    Footwear: Jesus always had on sandals. Every picture that depicts him shows this to be evident. Again, this was just the footwear of the time and though Jesus had great power, he was also very humble and dressed like everyone else. The sandals should be the kind that are simple and have straps that go up to the ankle or higher.

•    Accessories: Tie off the robe with a piece of ordinary rope and if you like you can wear a red shoulder sash as there are numerous pictures of Jesus doing so. Aside of that, unfortunately Jesus’ only other accessory that he ever wore was a crown of thorns. If you are dressing like Jesus to attend a costume party then you can further depict your character by making a fake crown of thorns to wear or by crafting a halo that can be worn over your head. Either head dress will get your point across. You can also carry a walking staff as Jesus often did. Two great props to further depict your character is to carry a loaf of bread and a fake fish as there are many stories in the Bible about how Jesus would feed many with only a single loaf of bread and one single fish.

•    Hair: To complete the Jesus look you have to have long hair. If your hair is short, consider a wig. Most pictures show Jesus’ hair as shoulder length and brown in color. Jesus also had a full beard and mustache. If you can’t grow one thick enough to look right again go with props. There are many stores that offer beards and mustaches that can be temporarily glued onto your face.

Remember, even though Jesus was the all mighty savior of man he never called attention upon himself. To truly pull off the look you have to look confident, yet humble all at the same time.

Seattle

What To Wear In Seattle

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Seattle

Seattle, on the Northwest coast of the United States is a city that is known for rain. It is reputed to be foggy and wet most days of the year. However, despite the fact that it is often overcast, actual rain accumulation is surprisingly not as high as you would expect. In fact there are cities in Florida which receive much more precipitation yearly than Seattle. In addition, the warm currents of the Pacific Ocean tend to protect the city from harsh winters, unlike its neighbors more inland. If you are heading to Seattle you should get some advice on how to dress.

Outerwear is essential in Seattle. If you are planning to go to Seattle in spring, winter or fall, you will want to bring along a raincoat and an umbrella. If you go in winter, plan to bring a waterproof winter coat and waterproof boots. Two pairs of gloves, two scarves and two hats are advisable also. By having the second of each, you can allow them to dry if they become wet and still be protected from the elements.

Summers are warm and relatively dry in Seattle. Bring lots of lightweight clothing, shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, summer dresses and the like. Sandals or comfortable shoes are also a good choice. Flip flops are a popular choice unless you plan to do a lot of walking. Bring along a sweater or long sleeved shirt for inside in case the air conditioning in public places makes it too cold.

Being health-conscious and environmentally concerned are two of the major passions for people in this area. You will find that many people are obsessed with eating organically and locally. Many such individuals will favor a look that is very laid back. Those who are extremely into saving the environment will often wear clothes made of hemp, organic cotton T-shirts with green messages on them or may also be advocates of shopping only for second-hand clothes. Such attitudes have an impact on the type of fashion you see locally.

The music genre “grunge” was started in Seattle. The grunge look is also very commonly seen there. If your look is best described as grunge you will find that the clothes you already own are perfect for Seattle.

Seattle is a city that offers much in terms of outdoor activities and sports. Therefore you will see a great number of people in sports gear almost everywhere you go. If you are planning to get outdoors in Seattle and get some exercise, choose appropriate sports apparel to keep you comfortable and dry.

The rather outdoorsy feel of the city, combined with the fact that there are many colleges and universities in Seattle means that the casual look is in abundance. Even many workplaces enforce a business casual guideline for dressing. This fits well with the West Coast mentality.

Pack your comfortable casual clothes and maybe a dressy outfit for a special evening for your next trip to Seattle and you’ll be all set for a great time.

The Fonz

How to Dress Like The Fonz

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The Fonz

From 1974 to 1984 Henry Winkler portrayed a character by the name of Author Fonzarelli, better known as Fonzie or The Fonz, on a show called Happy days. The Fonz was good with the ladies and as cool a customer as there could be and he made the catch phrase, ‘Ayyyy’ a household saying. The Fonz became so popular that still today there are guys that want to dress like him for Halloween, so how do you go about this?

The Fonz is a classic costume and is very easily replicated. Follow these simple instructions and you will look as cool as The Fonz this Halloween:

•    Jeans: The Fonz always wore jeans and there was never a time when he dressed in anything else; except for his jump suit that he wore while working on hot rods or his motorcycle. But for all intense purposes, he only wore jeans. When choosing your jeans for the costume go with a classic cut that are a good loose fit and make sure that they are blue jeans. Go just a bit longer as in length as The Fonz always rolled his jeans up at the bottom.

•    T-Shirt: This is the easiest piece of the Fonzie puzzle. Again, The Fonz never strayed from the formula and always wore a plain white t-shirt. The brighter the shirt, the better.

•    Jacket: Along with his customary blue jeans and white t-shirt, The Fonz always wore his brown leather jacket. His leather jacket had a collar that lay down at the top and the sleeves ended in an elastic fabric material. Occasionally he wore a black leather jacket so if you can’t find a brown one, a black one will get you by.

•    Shoes: The Fonz could always be seen in black work style boots. A pair of Sketchers will do the trick if you don’t have anything in your closet to fit the bill. The Fonz wore regular white tube socks with his ensemble so don’t go crazy with what you put on your feet.

•    Hair: For the most part, The Fonz wore his hair the same way every episode. To replicate his hair style you will need to get some ‘grease’ and slick down your hair totally. Then comb up each side equally to sort of form a duck tale on the top of your head. If you don’t have the hair of the patience for that looks you can simple slick it back to get the essence of the hair style.

•    Comb: Fonzie always had a comb on hand and frequently broke it out to comb his hair. Be sure to carry a standard black comb with you and break it out from time to time to get the full Fonz effect.

Once you have dressed up like The Fonz, you have to practice looking in the mirror and saying ‘Ayyyy,’ as well as constantly giving the thumbs up. Now if you can just fix a juke box machine with one whack, The Fonz transformation will be complete.

Oprah Winfrey

How to Dress Like Oprah Winfrey

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Oprah Winfrey

There is perhaps no woman on earth that is more beloved than Oprah Winfrey. Oprah has been helping people on her show for many years now and her style, grace, and generosity are matched by few. Also matched by few is her enormous success. Oprah was born into poverty and raised from the ashes to become the multi billionaire that she is today. With her enormous success and her willingness to help others, it is no wonder why so many women choose to emulate her and want to dress like her.

Dressing like Oprah requires style, sophistication and unfortunately some deep pockets as well. Here are some ways to dress like Oprah Winfrey:

•    Tailored suites: Ever wonder why Oprah looks so fabulous in her suits? It is because she has them tailored to be the perfect fit. While you probably can’t afford to use Oprah’s tailor, and who could, many dry cleaners offer a tailoring service and the prices are usually very reasonable. Even if you only get one suit that is custom fit, a nice tailored suit is great to have and will have you too looking your best.

•    Form fitting: Even if you can’t afford a tailored suit, you should choose a suit that is form fitting on you. Stay away from tapered cut pants as this will not give a very flattering illusion. While you need to stay close, don’t overdo it and go super tight. Oprah always looks great, but never would she be caught dead wearing anything that is too tight.

•    Wear grays: Oprah loves to wear grays. This makes perfect sense as gray is not as doom and gloom as black is yet it doesn’t scream out loudly like white does. What’s even better is that gray goes with almost anything you have in your closet.

•    Shoes: Oprah is a fan of the high heels. She has been seen wearing high heels that are just regular all the way to stiletto high heels. Choose the style and color depending on what it is you are wearing, but always go heel.

•    Accessorize Oprah style: Adding a nice broche or pin to your suit jacket is a touch that Oprah practices on a regular basis. She is also a big fan of designer handbags and loves chandelier type earrings filled with jewels that hang. Bracelets and necklaces when they are worn are typically on the gaudy side as well so feel free to go big in this area.

•    Hair and make-up: Go big with your hair like Oprah does. Don’t settle for flat hair, take the time to curl, curl, and curl some more. The more curls, the closer you will look to the Oprah image. Use make-up that compliments you skin tone and go for the natural look except for your cheekbones and lips. Here you want both to be noticed so don’t be afraid to use a little more in this area than you are used to.

Now all you need to do is get out there and help as many people as you can and the Oprah image will be complete.

Food and smoke

How do Clothes Absorb Smells like Food and Smoke

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Food and smoke

How many times has this happened to you? You go to your favorite restaurant and have dinner. On your way home you realize that your clothes now smell like what your main course was. Or even worse, you visit a friend who is a smoker and you are only there for a handful of minutes. When you walk outside and get into your car you are disgusted to find that your clothes now smell as nasty as an ashtray. Why is this? Why do clothes absorb odors?

Clothes can absorb so many smells and odors, some that are more desirable than others. The reason for this is that clothing is made of material that has somewhat of an absorption property. Just like a sponge will absorb water, so too will clothing absorb smells. Here’s what it depends upon:

•    Material: Have you ever noticed that some articles of your clothing absorb odors more than others? This is because of the different materials that the clothing is made up of. It also has to do with the way in which those materials are put together. When you sit down to eat a piping hot plate of pasta with red sauce and garlic all over it, the steam will be all over the place. This steam is also going to contain the odor of the dish you are eating and this is what gets absorbed into your clothing. Your cloths actually act like a net as the fabrics are very finely woven together and this allows some of the odor to pass through, but it will also catch a significant amount of the odor as well. This will literally have the odors, ‘stick’ to you clothing and make them just a bit damp, even though you may not realize it. Once the clothing is dry the odors are left behind for all to smell. This is how you can get that nasty B.O. smell stuck in the arm pits of your shirts if you aren’t wearing anti-perspirant.

•    Your chemistry: If you an individual that perspires quite a bit you will allow your clothing to be damp at many different points throughout the day. The damper your clothing is the tighter that net of woven fabric will be and thus the more odors that will be absorbed. Remember, once the clothing is dry the odors are left behind.

•    Environment: Some things stink more than others. That said, the type of environment that you are in is another reason your clothes will absorb odors. With food, if something is spicy or has a lot of garlic, there will be more odors produced. In your home, there will be more odors if you are a smoker or you have animals like dogs or cats. As your clothing gets whisked through the air by you moving around it will naturally absorb those odors in the environment. This explains why cloths seem to smell so much better when they are hung outside to dry. The environment is fresh air, flower, grass, and sun. That is what gets absorbed and thus it smells good.

Whether you like it or not, clothes will always absorb odors and all the cologne and perfume in the world can’t cover up certain smells. Remember, a cleaner environment equals cleaner smelling clothes.

School

What to Wear to School Non-Uniform Day

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School

It’s a non-uniform day at school, and you have the freedom to wear just about anything you want. So is that a good thing … or a bad thing? You have to admit that uniforms take a lot of the stress out of dressing for school. Just slap on your uniform, add a couple of accessories, do your hair and makeup, and you’re ready to go! But having to wear a uniform can also limit the personal expression you enjoy when you can dress the way you feel from head to toe. A school non-uniform day can be a bit intimidating, but with a little planning you can use it to showcase your true personality and have fun while doing it.

Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the morning of to decide what you’re going to wear. You’ll need some time to put together a look that looks “put together.”

Decide what sort of clothes personality you are. If you’re a girly girl, you will want to get out the skirts, dresses, cute shirts, cute shorts, and whatever is feminine and frilly. The more pink, the better. If you tend to lean more toward punk or goth styles, go with dark, somber colors and metallic accessories. Or maybe you’re somewhere in between, which is fine too. Have fun combining different styles to create your own unique look.

Start at the bottom. Decide what you’d like to wear on the bottom of your outfit, whether it’s jeans or a skirt. If you’re going to wear a dress, this won’t be an issue. School clothing should be somewhat casual, so save the sparkly, strappy outfits for your next party. Baggy pants aren’t in for girls, but your bottoms should not be so tight that skin is oozing out the top either. Skinny jeans are very hip right now, as long as they fit right. Wear clothing that is comfortable, since you will be walking and sitting in it all day.

Add the right shirt. Choose a shirt that complements your bottom piece. If you’re wearing jeans or a jean skirt, you can choose just about any top and it will look great. Be sure the colors coordinate. Don’t wear shirts that are too revealing. If your shirt is low-cut or a little short, layer it with a tank or cami underneath to solve the problem.

Pick a pair of cool shoes. If you’re wearing jeans, a pair of sneakers or sandals will work well. Skirts and dresses look better with sandals, ballet flats or low heels. Steer away from shoes with high heels unless you don’t do much walking at school and you don’t have gym class.

Add subtle accessories. Dangly earrings in interesting shapes and colors are a lot of fun, or go with some strings of pretty beads and a bracelet. If allowed, try a cute hat that matches the rest of the colors in your outfit. Don’t overdo the accessories though or you’ll look like a Christmas tree.

Match your hair to your outfit. Plan a hairstyle that goes with your clothes, depending on whether you’re looking sophisticated or more casual.

Be yourself! Don’t look like you’re trying hard to be someone you’re not. Dress in a way that is comfortable for you.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

How to Dress Like Maggie Gyllenhaal

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Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal has been doing movies since 1992 and has parlayed her talent all the way to becoming the girlfriend of Batman in the latest movie of the Batman saga, The Dark Knight. Gyllenhaal has described her own style of fashion as quirky and eclectic, but her sense of style is one that can easily be transcended for just about any woman who wants to give it a shot.

Here are some surefire tips to get you on the path of looking like Maggie Gyllenhaal:

•    Black dresses: Gyllenhaal seems to be a big fan of black so when you think about buying dresses to emulate her style think black. The dresses themselves can range from short sun dress style to longer and fuller dresses. Gyllenhaal has been seen in black dresses that have long sleeves, but see seems to like to show what she’s got and often wears dresses that expose her shoulders and just a bit of her cleavage. When you choose your black dresses, make sure you go with form fitting, but stay away from ultra tight.

•    Formal: When appearing at red carpet event, Gyllenhaal is usually seen in a darker colored strapless gown. If there are any straps it may be only one that sweeps over one shoulder. Choose gowns that show lots of skin in the back as Gyllenhaal often likes to give just a little tease out to all her fans.

•    Shoes: Gyllenhaal has been seen in several different pairs of shoes and is not really particular to one or the other. With her dresses she likes to wear black heels that are not too high but do have some lift to them. You can use those or also get away with a tasteful pair of sandals. Go high heels when you go formal. You of course want to go with black here no matter what style shoe you choose to go with.

•    Accessories: Gyllenhaal is not really that big on accessories unless she is at a red carpet event. When she goes to a red carpet event she goes all out. If you are being casual then simple earrings and necklaces do the trick, but if you are planning to go more formal, then you want to go with big hanging earrings and gaudy necklaces as well.

•    Hair and make-up: Gyllenhaal usually has an in-between hair cut, meaning it is not too long and not too short. Style your hair with a part to the side and use some type of hair product to give it some body. You can also add loose curls as she often does. When you apply your make-up be sure that you bring out your cheekbones. Gyllenhaal has great cheekbones and she uses make-up to highlight this fact. She also typically goes on the heavy side of lipstick to bring out her lips so you should choose a color, like dark red to bring out yours.

While you may never date Batman, you can achieve the look of Maggie Gyllenhaal with very little ease and preparation.

Sock

How to Darn a Sock

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Sock

A common thing to do once your socks have holes in them is to throw them out and go get new ones, but did you know that you could save money and your socks by darning them? This doesn’t mean to belittle the socks by yelling at them and calling them names, but it is a process in which to repair the foot wear and make them as good, if not better, than new.

Darning a sock is not simply sewing up the hole as this would cause the sock to be mis-shapened and actually create a bump with the end result being a nasty blister where the bump resides. Darning is however a sewing technique and before the time of mass production it was a fairly common practice. You too can learn this method of sock saving and save yourself some money in the process.

Here are the steps to darn a sock:

1.    Get your supplies: Before you start to darn, you need the supplies to do so. You will need a darning needle, the proper thread, and a light bulb. For cotton or synthetic socks you will want to go with embroidery floss and if your socks are wool then you will want to go with, you guessed it, wool. The light bulb will be used in place of what is called a darning egg, which you can buy if you want to, and will keep the hole supported and make your repair much easier.

2.    Prepare the hole: Pull the sock over the light bulb, or darning egg, and gently cut away any jagged edges that the hole may have. Be sure not to make the hole any bigger than it already is though. Now thread the darning needle and get ready to go.

3.    Sew parallel: Begin by sewing a few running stitches above and to either side of the hole. Then push the darning needle through one end of the hole and make one large running stitch to the other side. Repeat this process until the hole is completely blocked up with parallel stitches.

4.    Sew vertical: Repeat the process going vertically this time. Be sure to weave in and out of the parallel stitches. Keep going until the hole is completely healed up.

It is important to note that you should not use any knots in your thread. If darned properly, knots are not necessary and will only add discomfort to you foot if used. You also need to be extremely careful when using a light bulb as opposed to an actual darning egg as too much pressure can be the cause of broken glass and thus lead to you having to go to the hospital to have your hand ‘darned’ up.

The key to successful darning is to get right after a hole once it has formed. Don’t wait until the hole is too big to work with and remember the old saying, ‘A stitch in time saves nine,’ meaning catch it early and save yourself some time and trouble.

Jamie Pressley

How to Dress Like Jamie Pressley

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Jamie Pressley

Jamie Pressley is perhaps one of the most versatile actresses performing today. She has done roles that portray her as a ‘bimbo’ and roles that require her to be serious. In 2007 Pressly was recognized for her accomplishments when she won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on the hit television show My Name is Earl.  Off the screen Pressly is one of the most beautiful and daring when it comes to fashion. She looks equally as good in a dress for an awards show as she does when she is dressed in her more familiar jeans and t-shirt.

One thing she is not afraid to do is be different which makes her style a fun one to emulate. Here are some ways you too can be daring in your style:

•    Shoes: This is the best place to start because Jamie Pressly is known for her huge variety of shoes. She used her shoes to show her feminine side very well and is often seen in high heels and strappy stiletto sandals. When choosing your shoes, go funky with the colors. Pressly is always daring in this department and you should feel free to be as well.

•    Jeans: When not performing, Pressly is often seen in jeans. When you go for your jeans choose the kind that sit more on the hips, also known as hip-huggers, and go a little on the tight side if you are comfortable doing so. Pressly always wears hip-huggers that are tight but then again her perfect body allows for it. As often as she wears solid blues and blacks, she can also be found wearing all sorts of multi colored denims, so again don’t be afraid to get risky here.

•    Tops: Every once in a while you will find Pressly in a baby doll t-shirt, but more time than not the starlet will be sporting a tank top that is low cut and shows just a bit of her cleavage. Stay with lighter color tank tops and if you have the six-pack abs that she does you can employ the use of cropped tank tops as these are a favorite of hers.

•    Fancy: Even on the red carpet Pressly chooses to wear a dress that is cut to show off her shoulders and just a hint of cleavage. When you go formal, go with darker colors like grays and black and you can go full length or knee length on the dress as Pressly wears both. Don’t go too baggy with the dress as Pressly always wears form fitting dresses to her formal events.

•    Accessories: If you choose to accessorize, less is more. Pressly rarely wears anything other than simple earrings and a simple gold chain from time to time.

•    Hair and make-up: Do your hair in simple fun way whether it is long or short. Pressly does use quite a bit of make-up but applies it in a very tasteful manner. If you are not comfortable applying extra make-up have someone at the mall show you how to do it.

When mimicking Pressly’s style remember to experiment as much as you like, don’t be afraid to get a little funky, and above all else, have fun.

Raincoat

Buying Guide for Raincoats – Not all One and the Same

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Raincoat

Everyone needs a good raincoat for bad weather but many also like to have different styles of raincoats for fashion. When you consider buying your next raincoat there should be three things that should be taking into account. The first is what material you are looking for, the second is the style and length, and the third is zippers versus buttons.

Knowing what you are looking at and what you want goes a long way in determining what type of raincoat you will buy. Here is a further breakdown of the considerations from above:

1.    Material: Raincoats can be made of all rubber, all fabric, all synthetic, and a blend of any of the previous. The material you will want depends on what you intend on using the raincoat for. If you are going for pure functionality then an all rubber raincoat will keep the rain off of you much better than an all fabric raincoat but it isn’t something you would want to wear out or to the office. If you want a raincoat that will suite almost any occasion go with a blended material coat. While it won’t be waterproof, it will be water resistant and will also avoid having you look like a duck when you walk into your destination. Also keep in mind that some materials breathe better than others. If you are wearing a heavier material out when it is not raining and the sun is beating down on you then you will absolutely get wet, only it won’t be from the rain but rather your own sweat. If you are choosing a raincoat for show only, go with lighter materials.

2.    Style and length: When you choose the length of a raincoat you really only have to ask yourself how dry do you want be. If you buy a full length raincoat such as a trench coat, then your entire body will obviously keep dryer. If you go with a rain jacket then your upper body is likely to stay dry, but your legs may get damp. As for style you can really choose anything to your liking here. With raincoats you can go trench, poncho, button down, cuff, or even slicker. The best way to determine what you will want is to try them all on and make your decision from there.

3.    Zippers versus buttons: This does go with the fashion but also serves to the functionality of the coat as well. If you want to stay nice and warm on a really chilly and rainy winter day, then you will probably want to go with a zipper up raincoat as the zipper will help to keep more of your body heat trapped inside the coat than a button down coat will. Conversely, if you are stuck in the middle of a hot and humid summer shower a button down will serve for more breathability than that of the zipper up.

If you really like the look of raincoats and want to have one handy at all times then perhaps you should consider buying two different types. One for the times it is raining cats and dogs and the other for the times you simply want the coat to make a fashion statement.

French fashion

French Fashion Made Easy

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French fashion

Paris is the unquestionable fashion capital of the world. It’s no wonder that the women of Paris are some of the best dressed women on the planet. After all, they have to keep up their reputation of being beautiful and fabulous, right? Otherwise, they might have to move the fashion capital of Europe to some other, less illuminated European city. That, by French standards, would be positively tragic.

Women all over the world have spent thousands of dollars trying to look as put together and fashion-forward as a Parisian mademoiselle. For those with a little more cash at their disposal, they can go straight to the source and stock their wardrobes with one-of-a-kind pieces from French dwelling designer labels. Anyone can look French when dressed in head to toe haute couture.  But since most of us don’t have a six figure annual clothing budget, we have to get a little creative when it comes to recreating that ultra feminine look you see on the streets of Paris and in fashion magazines.

With a little bit of a padded wallet, you might even be able to hit up a consignment shop or thrift store and find an original Chanel suit or a Burberry coat. But the heart of French fashion is creativity and uniqueness. If you really want to dress like a French woman, it’s time to put a little bit of thought and originality into each ensemble.

Now, most of us don’t have an on-call live-in seamstress that can whip up our own personal designs at the drop of a hat. However, there are ways that every American woman can have a wardrobe full of French-inspired fashions that are all her own. Here are some tips on how to do so.

•    Make sure you invest in classic looks that are timeless. Trendy items are not typical to a French wardrobe. Choose classic styles and colors.
•    Know your body type and dress for it. If you have wide hips, downplay them by dressing the right way. If you’re a little overweight, focus on slimming techniques in your clothing choices.
•    Wear mostly solid colors, in neutral or dark shades. Bright colors do not always portray a French look, especially bright prints. However, if you want to interject some color into your outfits, do so with accessories, especially printed scarves.
•    Accessorize richly. Hats and sunglasses make for a great look. Scarves are an absolute necessity. Classic jewelry is also a chic touch. Be sure to invest in great shoes, purses and belts.
•    Classic tailored coats, A-line coats, blazers and shawls make the perfect French-inspired cover-up when things get chilly.
If you are lookin

Jeans

How to Care for Jeans

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Jeans

Jeans come in all shapes and sizes and nothing is more versatile when it comes to clothing. Jeans can be worn for just about any occasion and can be dressed up with a nice shirt or dressed down with a simple t-shirt. Jeans are even more popular these days because of the wide variety of colors that are available. Taking good care of your jeans will have you enjoying them for many years to come.

Because jeans are colored with indigo ink there will naturally be some color lost when you wash and dry them with your other garments. The best way to care for your jeans is to of course take them to dry cleaners, but this is too costly for most. With that in mind here are some tips to help you keep your jeans looking as good as possible:

•    Read the labels: All jeans come equipped with special care instruction sewn right in. Be sure that you read the labels as some jeans go against the norm and need to be washed in warm water as opposed to cold like most. Some jeans even say to dry clean only.

•    Don’t wash excessive pairs of jeans: Limit your jean washing to three or four pairs at a time. Because denim is heavy, too many jeans in the washer at the same time will diminish the effectiveness of the washer to clean the jeans. Instead of using more than three or four pairs of jeans, fill the remainder of the washer with lighter material clothing of the same color.

•    Inside out: This is perhaps the easiest trick to do. By turning your jeans inside out before you wash them you are lessening the impact felt by the jeans because of the washer’s agitator. This will help to keep your jeans from rapidly wearing down.

•    Be gentle: If you have jeans that have rips or holes in them use the gentle cycle to avoid making them any worse. Many jeans these days come pre-ripped and shredded and most of these will advise the gentle cycle on their care tags.
•    Avoid over drying: The more you dry denim the tighter it gets. Once your jeans are dry, take them out of the dryer immediately. Avoid over drying your jeans at all costs. Pay close attention to how long the dryer runs when your jeans are completely dry and make a note of the time so that the next time you will know how long to set the timer on the dryer for.

•    Avoid bleach: This sounds like a no brainer, but you would be surprised. Bleach can be found not only in the white plastic jugs these days, but also in many detergents. Bleach and jeans equals eighty’s music videos. If that is your goal, then go for it; otherwise make sure all forms of bleach stay far away from your jeans.

With proper care you and your jeans will look your best for many seasons to come. The only thing you will have to worry about is maintaining your weight so that you always slip comfortably into your favorite pair of jeans.

Liv Tyler

How to Dress Like Liv Tyler

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Liv Tyler
Liv Tyler has shown her grace and elegance for a number of years now on the Silver Screen; not bad for a kid who got her start on an Aerosmith video because her dad is Steven Tyler, lead singer. Liv Tyler has the uncanny ability to make almost anything she wears look fantastic. Her style is not a very tricky one to emulate and for that reason alone, many women like to dress like her.

Her simple approach to fashion makes Tyler all that more admired by women and dressing like her should be a fun endeavor. Here are some ways to get the Liv Tyler look for you:

•    Think jeans: Tyler can often be spotted in a great looking pair of form fitting jeans. When choosing your jeans never go tight as Tyler is indeed beautiful but never seems to feel the need to show off what she’s got. For the most part stick with solid color jeans but feel free to experiment here just a bit. Tyler wears the same size pants as her father and it has been reported that she often swipes a cool pair of rocker jeans from dear old dad.

•    Fun tops: Sky’s really the limit here as Tyler has worn just about every top with a pair of jeans that you can imagine. Go with frilly blouses that are made of lightweight materials or a nice tank top or even a nice button down shirt. Mix and match the color that looks best for you as Tyler really doesn’t have a preference and looks good in them all.

•    Dresses: Tyler also wears a lot of dresses that are casual and come down to the knees. With these she seems to prefer darker colors so go with browns and blacks.

•    Getting fancy: Tyler looks phenomenal on the red carpet and always wears a dark colored full length gown that is flowing. When dressing up for your big event, make sure to put your hair up but do so fashionably as Tyler usually shows up the award shows this way.

•    Shoes: Tyler is definitely not one of those starlets that likes to spend hundreds of dollars on one pair of shoes. Tyler can be seen in her classic Converse sneakers, flats, or even boots. She especially like the boots look with the fun dresses she wears while out and about.

•    Accessories: Like Tyler’s whole demeanor, she accessorizes very simply. Occasionally you may find her with a small gold chain on or some tasteful earrings, but that’s about it. When choosing your jewelry, think small and stay away from glitzy and flashy.

•    Hair and make-up: Tyler mostly wears her hair down and styles it very plainly. Style your hair but don’t take too much time in doing so. As for make-up, Tyler again is a less is more girl. She is often caught by the paparazzi without any make-up on whatsoever. When applying your make-up go light and go for the natural look.

While Liv Tyler’s style is easy to replicate, but her grace and elegance aren’t something you can just throw on; you’ll have to work at those.

Dwight Shrute

How to Dress Like Dwight Schrute

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Dwight Shrute

One of the most popular television shows in the last couple of years is The Office. One of the main characters on the show is Dwight Schrute, played by actor Rainn Wilson. Dwight works for the fictional company Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. Though he is one of the salesmen he continually tries to elevate himself to be seen as second-in-command to the office manager, Michael Scott. Dwight acts like a know-it-all, is relatively humorless, wants to be the boss of every one of his peers, and is quite gullible and is therefore often the target of pranks and tricks.

Dwight is one of the most popular characters on the show. His sense of fashion on the show works well to portray his nerdy nature as well as his hunger for authority, which he never truly claims. He has a unique sense of style that is easy and fun to imitate. Dressing like Dwight Schrute just takes a few simple steps.

A great place to shop for Dwight Schrute style clothing is a thrift or second-hand store. Dwight wears drab suits and basic shirts and ties and a thrift store would have just what you need to get his look.

When dressing like Dwight Schrute the first thing to get is a shirt. He prefers geeky short-sleeved, button down variety in colors such as mustard yellow, lime or olive green. To go with the shirt select a tie that doesn’t necessarily match the shirt. Dwight tends to go with mismatched items when he dresses.

The next important item is a suit. Thrift or bargain is the keyword here! Earth tones are big with Dwight as are off colors such as muted beige and gray and strange tones of brown and blue. If the sleeves are too short, that’s ok, that would fit Dwight’s style.

To really get the Dwight Schrute look you have to wear a pair of glasses. They can’t be fancy or with a designer label, they must be simple, preferably with simple frames and sort of an old school oval shape. You cannot get the Dwight look without the glasses!

Finally, when dressing like Dwight Schrute you have to get the hair right. Dwight does not necessarily have a full head of hair, but what he has is quite something! It’s somewhat unruly, looks like it needs to be cut, and is haphazardly parted down the middle. And don’t forget the sideburns. Dwight has sideburns that come down to the bottom of his earlobe. They’re not significantly large, but they are significant to his look. As far as hair goes, make sure you go sans facial hair. Dwight is always clean shaven.

Dwight Schrute, though a fictional character, is a popular guy with a huge following. Dressing like Dwight Schrute can be fun and funny. A few simple and inexpensive thrift store items will have you well on your way to looking the part of the Dunder Mifflin salesman.

1960s

Express Yourself By Dressing Like You’re from the 1960s

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1960s

Even today, we can’t get enough of 1960s fashion. The folks from the 1960s were so totally fabulous that they knew that the trends of the age would carry on for years to come. And they certainly have. Fashions trends from the 1960s just won’t die and that’s okay with us.
Unlike many of the previous decades, the 1960s didn’t see a single, overall style for the majority of the decade. The 60s were a tumultuous time in fashion as they were a tumultuous time in history. People changed what they were wearing significantly from one year to the next. Fashion was also determined by your social or political affiliations. The 1960s set the standard of how fashion trends change significantly from year to year.

To dress like you’re from the 60’s, make sure you opt for some of the following items.

– The miniskirt was a mainstay in the fashion world and took center stage throughout the decade. Therefore it is a very important item of clothing to wear for the 60’s look. The 1960s introduced the miniskirt which has since taken the fashion world by storm. To this day, the miniskirt is yet to die out. It merely fades away for a few years, but them comes back with a vengeance.

– Patent leather white go-go boots, paired with a mini-skirt was the ultimate threat. Historically, women’s fashions had been about modesty and propriety. However, they definitely said their final goodbyes in the 60s. Shorter was better in the 60s, especially for the younger generation. If you are looking for a hip 60’s look, go-go boots are a must.

– Another must-have is tights. Stockings with garters finally died in the 60’s and pantyhose, which resembled today’s tights, replaced them. They were so much more comfortable that they became an instant hit.

– Dresses were definitely still a popular choice for women in the 1960’s. Slim fitting sheath dresses that fall just below the knee were a hit in the early part of the decade and make a great choice if you are striving for that look. Stiletto heels and a pillbox type hat will complete the look.

– Another popular dress style in the 60s was A-line dresses. They were often paired with an A-line coat to complete the look. This ensemble is a perfect dress-up 60’s look.

– Interesting necklines on tops and dresses is also typical of the 60’s. Boat necklines, princess necklines, V-necks and decorative touches to the top of shirts, even ones trimmed with fur, are great choices for the look you are striving for.

– Trousers first became acceptable for women to wear in the 1960’s. This means tailored pants, capris, shorts and culottes matched with casual blouses are a great look to emulate too.

The 1960s were a turning point for fashion in so many ways. For this reason alone, it is a great era to adopt. After all, it’s time for 60s fashions to make a strong come back.

Houston

What To Wear In Houston

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Houston

Houston is a bustling city,  and is in fact the biggest city in the state of Texas and amongst the 5 biggest in the country. It experiences nice weather year-round and those living there have the luxury of not needing to worry about snow. The temperature greatly affects the fashion styles you see there. However there are many other influences also on Houston fashion. If you are going there it is important to know what to wear.

Houston is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other American city, with the exception of New York City. This fact impacts the way people dress in the city. If you are there on business, be prepared to dress professionally or at least business casual. Be sure to research the company you are visiting to make sure you are dressed appropriately. If the company has a professional environment, the choices are obvious: a suit for men and for women a skirt or pants suit with hose and dress shoes. If it is business casual, dig a little deeper to see exactly what that means. If in doubt, err on the side of conservatism. Houston is known for its conservative dress in the workplace.

For anyone heading to Houston on vacation, you will need to check the weather before you go. The winter has typical temperatures in the 60s during the day and 40s at night. Therefore it is necessary to bring along some warm clothes and a jacket. In the summer temperatures are up in the 90s in the day and 70s at night. Shorts, T-shirts, tank shirts and anything lightweight are perfect. Just remember to bring along a long-sleeved lightweight sweater also as indoor locations are air conditioned and you may be too cold.

If you are planning to attend a wedding, shows or other special events, be prepared to dress up. Houston is a city with wealthy neighborhoods and many people who are passionate about fashion. You will see individuals in designer outfits if you happen to attend certain events. Even many Houston restaurants will require proper dress, meaning no shorts or tank tops and often even a jacket for men. Certain nightclubs are also the scenes for designer duds.

Sports are huge in Houston. Almost every type of professional sports teams is represented. This tells you that the city is made of up a large percentage of people passionate about sports. If it is game time, you can bet that the style is team clothes and things like team jerseys, T-shirts, hats and jackets can be seen in every walk of life throughout the city.

There is a distinct college influence to fashion in Houston. Home to over 60 colleges and universities, there are more than 350,000 college students in the city. This means that young fashion trends, jeans, T-shirts and casual wear are in abundance.

One simply can’t forget the influence of the state of Texas on what to wear in Houston. Cowboy hats are prominent and are an accepted accessory in many places whether the wearer is in jeans or a 3-piece suit. So grab you 10-gallon hat and head out to a city that combines sophistication and the Texas lifestyle.