Jessica Simpson

How to Dress Like Jessica Simpson

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Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson offers classic American beauty that anyone can emulate. Men find her blonde hair, big chest and flirty outfits irresistible, while women appreciate her feminine yet approachable style. In addition to being a regular in the fashion magazines, she has made a significant mark on the fashion world by launching her own line of handbags, footwear, swimwear and other accessories.

To dress like Jessica Simpson, bring out the bows, ribbon and lace. This girl loves being a girl, and her feminine style reflects it.

Pretty dresses. Girly is the rule when Jessica dresses up. Her dresses are often tight to show off her cute hourglass shape, and short to emphasize her well-muscled legs. Lately she has also been wearing the season’s long and flowing maxi dresses, such as this vintage-inspired maxi number by Elizabeth and James Dooriya. To copy Jessica’s look, go for fun and flirty dresses in feminine colors such as pink, purple and blue. Florals are always a safe bet, and it’s just fine to show off as much cleavage as you dare. Jess may be the daughter of a minister, but she’s not shy at all when it comes to showcasing her best assets.

Interesting patterns and textures. Jessica Simpson enjoys experimenting with interesting patterns and textures, and recently announced she will be adding dresses to her fashion line for this reason.

Sky high heels. As the inspiration behind her own line of footwear, Jessica loves wearing sexy shoes. Her petite height makes her partial to high heels…really high heels. She is an expert at walking and looking great in wedges, platforms, stilettos and many other tall styles.

Flashy accessories. Jessica loves most any accessory. Big earrings, chunky necklaces, dangling bracelets, wide belts, designer handbags … you name it, this girl wears it. When accessorizing your Jessica Simpson look, having fun mixing up a variety of items. Large-framed sunglasses are also a necessity for shielding one’s eyes from the glare of the paparazzi.

Trendy casual. When dressing casually, Jessica loves to go for comfort.  Tracksuits designed by Juicy Couture are among her favorites, such as this Dog Crest Velour hoodie and pants set featuring a pink, silver and gold crest.

Go country. As a born and bred Texas girl, Jessica knows how to work western wear. She’s frequently seen in country garb (especially during the time she was attempting a career in country music), and vintage cowboy boots are a favorite. Her footwear line includes a healthy selection of boots fit for any cowgirl. Jessica also is known for looking smokin’ hot in Daisy Duke shorts, a must for her role as the country daredevil in the 2005 “Dukes of Hazzard” movie.

Pile on the hair extensions. Jessica has made hair extensions famous, and even admits to sleeping in them. She and her hair stylist, Ken Pavés, have been using the clip-on hairpieces for years. If you want to dress like Jessica Simpson, hair extensions can help you duplicate her long, flowing tresses with ease.

Pam Beasley

How to Dress Like Pam Beasley from The Office

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Pam Beasley

One of the most popular television shows in the last couple of years is The Office. Pam Beesly, played by actress Jenna Fischer, is one of the main characters on the show. Pam is the frustrated receptionist-turned-salesperson at the fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin. Pam is engaged to her coworker, Jim Halpert, a salesman at Dunder Mifflin. She is often the calm voice of reason in a workplace filled with drama. She is an understated, yet pivotal character on the show.

Pam is one of the most popular characters on The Office. Her simple attire and modest style help to show that though she appears unassuming, she’s actually a complex individual. Dressing like Pam from The Office is really simple for that reason. Just follow a few simple steps to get the look.

Pam’s office wear is very basic. You can start with a simple cotton button down shirt. Try for a simple pattern or a solid color. Make sure the shirt fits properly. Pam does not wear loose or baggy clothes. She seems understated but has a great figure and her clothes work to show that off in a very subtle way. You can find something like this at most women’s clothing stores or department stores such as Kohl’s or Macy’s.

On top of the shirt you can add a simple, cute cardigan. Pam often wears a cardigan in colors like soft pink or gray. In the winter you can wear a cozy turtleneck sweater instead of a cardigan. Add a Christmas brooch during the holiday season to add some extra Pam style to the outfit.

The next thing you need to dress like Pam from The Office is a modest skirt. Go for a basic color like gray or black. Make sure it fits! The skirt should come down to just below your knee. A pencil skirt would be perfect and can be found in most department stores.

Pam always wears pantyhose! It’s probably in the Dunder Mifflin dress code. So make sure you wear nude panty hose. Pair the hose with some sensible, basic dress shoes and you’ve almost completed the look.

One of Pam’s defining style elements is her hair. It’s basic medium brown and almost always worn in a half-up style. To get this look simply pull back your hair on both sides, leaving the back down and long, and put in a clip or barrette in the back to secure it. Leave the bangs long and out of the clip but tucked behind your ear. Don’t style the hair too much before pinning it up as Pam’s hair generally looks a little wavy and under styled.

Pam Beesly is a classic character with a super simple style that’s easy to duplicate with only a few simple pieces. Put them together in the right pairings and you can pull it off in no time! It’s easy to dress like Pam Beesly with the right outfit.

Squeaky shoes

How To Fix Squeaky Shoes

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Squeaky shoes

Have you ever heard the sounds of a basketball game in a gym? I don’t mean the cheers and boos from the crowd, but the squeaky sounds made by the players as their shoes move against the floor when they perform quick starts and stops en route to a fantastic three-point shot. It’s a sound synonymous with sports, whether it is basketball, racquetball, or indoor soccer.

These sounds are fine and most likely expected inside a gym, but what if these sounds emanate from shoes when they’re not wanted? Shoes that announce your arrival long before you arrive can be quite embarrassing. Who would want squeaky shoes while walking down the street or in a library? Maybe you think that’s just the way it is and eventually the shoes will lose their squeaky sounds after they’re broken in. You’ve probably never considered that there are intentional things that can be done to correct the annoying squeaky shoe problem.

Well you’re in luck, and you’re not the only person with shoes that sound like you stepped on a child’s toy. Squeaky shoes are a common problem and it’s caused mainly by two materials that rub against one another. There are both home-made and professional remedies for this problem.

First, the home-made methods:

Remedy #1: Super Glue
If you’ve identified that the heel is the cause of the noise, it likely means that it’s loose. Simply add a few drops to the inside part of the heel and hold it tight against the main part of the shoes until it adheres. Then allow it some time to completely dry.

Remedy #2: Baby Powder
Most shoes come with an inner sole. Lift the sole, sprinkle baby powder inside, and then replace it. Hopefully the powder will soak up any moisture that could be causing the sound.

Remedy #3: Paper Towels
Have you been out in the rain and stepped in a puddle? If your shoes are wet in any way they will likely squeak. If this is your situation, stuff your shoes with paper towels and allow them to dry. The damper they are the more stuffing they’ll need

Remedy #4: Silicone Spray
Just spurt the spray around the regions that are rubbing together. This works great and doesn’t cause damage to leather shoes.

If you’ve tried all of these solutions and nothing seems to work, it might be time to call on a pro. It might sound old-fashioned, but cobblers still exist and are ready to help.

Remedy #5: Take Your Shoes To A Cobbler
If the shoes are very old and the soles are worn, a cobbler can resole the shoes for you.

Remedy #6: Take Your Shoes To A Repair Shop
Sometimes the shank becomes loose in old shoes and causes them to squeak. A shoe repair shop can help.

So now there is hopefully no more reason to adjust the way you walk to avoid squeaky sounds or feel ashamed when your shoes are louder than you are.

Crayon stains

How To Remove Crayon Stains From Clothes

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Crayon stains

Crayon stains are the inevitable hallmark of having little kids in your home. Sooner or later a crayon makes its way into the washer and dryer or melts onto clothes in the hot sun. Nothing is more disheartening than to discover clothes that have been stained with crayons. No matter how your crayon stains happen, it is important to know how to deal with them so that they do not turn into permanent stains.

One of the trickiest parts of crayon stains is that it is a combination stain. You will have to deal with removing color and grease. Therefore multiple stain treatments may be necessary, however typically grease removal products should take care of both aspects. The main thing to remember when dealing with a crayon stain is to get started removing it as soon as you notice it. As with any clothing stain, the longer the crayon stain sits before you attempt removal the harder it will be.

The first thing you must do is to use a blunt knife or other fine-edged object to remove the excess crayon residue. Since the crayon is made of wax, you need to treat it as you would a candle stain. Place an ice cube on it to make sure it is as solid as possible and scrape off as much of it as possible.

In order to treat the grease portion of the stain, you will need to treat it as you would any grease stain. One of the best pre-treatments for grease stains is Dawn dishwashing liquid. Designed to cut grease, it can be applied directly to the stain and rubbed in. The item should then be laundered with the hottest water that is considered safe for the fabric. Another great grease-fighting pre-treatment is hand cleaner that is formulated for mechanics. The same technique is used when pre-treating using this type of product. For particularly tough crayon stains, pre-treat the stain with WD-40 before laundering the item in hot water, color-safe bleach and regular detergent. You should test check a hidden part of the garment first before using WD-40 on it.

After the item has been washed, check to make sure the stain is out. If it is not, do not dry it. Repeat the stain treatment or opt for a different stain treatment method and wash the item again. Be sure the stain is completely gone before drying the clothes. If your clothes have been stained by a crayon that made its way through the washer and dryer, make sure you clean out the dryer before you put the newly cleaned clothes back in there. The best way to remove crayon from the drum of a dryer is with WD-40.

Now that you know the secrets of removing crayon stains from clothes, you can rest easy when it happens. You surely won’t wish for crayon stains to appear because dealing with them is time consuming, but at least you know the tried and true methods to ensure your clothes are not ruined forever.

Communist

How to Dress Like a Communist

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Communist

Communism, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary, is a totalitarian system of government in which there is a single authoritarian power. The word “communist” conjures up many images from Karl Marx to Stalin to modern day North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. Though communism dates back as far as the 16th century, it’s communist leaders in the last one hundred years that come to mind with the word communist.

Communism is a controversial political idea but can be a fun and interesting dress style to try to emulate. Dressing like a communist takes some thought and planning but can be done with some simple clothing and hair.

There are many communists that one can try to imitate, though there is also just a general sense of style that one can copy to pull off the look as well. For this you just need a few basic things in order to dress like a communist.

One option is to find a plain military type uniform, either in olive, black or navy. A button shirt with a notched collar and matching pants will do the trick. Add a leather belt either around the waist of the pants or over the jacket around your waist to complete the look. Make sure you also wear military boots with this outfit and a matching hat with a brim or a military beret. All of these items can be found at a costume shop or at an army surplus store. You could also search the internet for these articles.

Another option when dressing like a communist is to try to reproduce the image of the communist leaders. With this look you would need a more formal coat or jacket with matching pants. This can either be something akin to a suit or a more formal version of a military uniform. As long as it’s plain and generic without military insignias, any of these will do the trick. Wearing a belt outside the jacket, high around the waist would work great with the formal look. Adding an overcoat or trench coat to either the simple or the formal outfit would help to complete the costume.

Many communists and communist leaders were known to have facial hair. Adding a moustache and/or a beard would really add to the look. And for your hair you could go with a wild unkempt look or a more subdued, slicked back look.

A common symbol of communism is a red star with a yellow hammer and sickle in the middle. Adding one of these to your outfit would make it look quite authentic, though could also add even more controversy to you costume.

The image of a communist evokes a sense of revolution and counterculture.  To dress like a communist could be quite controversial but could also be challenging and fun to try to imitate the look. Dressing like a communist takes a little shopping, thought and preparation but can be an easy style to duplicate.

Clothes swap

How To Organize A Clothes Swap

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Clothes swap

A clothing swap is a great way to get some new-to-you clothes, while not paying a penny. In today’s tight economy people are trying harder than ever to cut corners where they can and save money. For this reason clothes swaps are becoming more and more popular amongst groups of friends, neighbors, social groups and even churches. You can easily organize a clothing swap yourself to get some different looks for you, your kids or even the man in your life.

The first step to decide on the theme of your clothing swap. You may want to have a swap for any and all clothes. This works well if you are doing a swap with a smaller group or if you have a huge space. However, for the sake of organization, and especially if you plan to have a large number of people participating you may want to limit the type of clothes. You could choose a kids-only swap, adult clothes only, a seasonal clothing swap or even a specialty swap like Halloween costumes, formal wear or outdoor winter wear.

The next step is to choose the place and time. The larger the space you have available the bigger and better your swap can be. Try to find a community center, church hall or other area free of charge to hold your swap. Alternately you can hold it in your home, but limit it to one or two rooms only and give attendees limits on the number of items they can bring. Choose a time that works well for most of the people in your group. If you plan to do a swap amongst friends, a Saturday morning brunch swap may be fun. If you have a group of stay at home moms who are doing the swap choose a weekday and be prepared to have kids around.

The next thing you must do is set the rules. How many items can a person bring? Will you accept stained clothes? Do items need to be hung? Some general rules are sort of common sense but must be shared prior to the swap. All clothes must be laundered. Put outfits together. Don’t bring worn out, ripped or majorly stained items. The order of choice is next to be set. It may be determined by drawing names or by the number of items someone brought. If allowing one person at a time to choose, you need to remember that your clothing swap will take a long time. Only do a round or two of this method and then allow a free for all. You may want to log in the number of items a person brings and allow them to leave with that many or fewer.

Invite people to take part in your swap. State that the only way they can come is by bringing items to swap. Make sure you invite at least double or triple the number of people you would like to see show up. Keep in mind the types of people and the theme of your swap. If most of your friends have girls only, don’t invite the one mom who only has boys. No one will want her stuff and she will find nothing she wants. If you are having an adult clothing swap and most people you are inviting wear size 12 and over, don’t invite your friend who is a size 2.

Lastly, have a plan for leftovers. You will find at any swap that there are things that are not chosen. Allow those who brought such items to take them home again if they want. The remainder should go to Goodwill, a church clothes closet or some other non-profit group which could make use of the clothes.

Good luck with your clothes swap.

Iron

How To Iron A Crease In Pants

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Iron

Nothing looks crisper than a properly pressed pair of pants. Nothing is more evident of a lack of attention to detail than poorly pressed pants that have multiple creases. Knowing how to iron a crease in pants is an art that is becoming increasingly lost as more and more people opt for wash and wear. If you want to appear nicely pulled together and professional, without spending a fortune on dry cleaning, you need to learn the proper way to iron a crease in pants.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the right tools. It is very important that you have a firm flat surface on which to do your ironing. A soft bed is not going to work well. Ironing boards are a great tool to have in your home if you plan to do any amount of ironing. If not, you can use the floor or a cleared kitchen counter top. Just be sure to pad the area with clean linen that you have pressed to ensure that no wrinkles are transferred from the padding to the clothes you are ironing.

You should also have a steam iron as a dry iron often does not give as good a finished result. Spray starch may be needed if you have fabric that is not holding its shape well or if you prefer a stiffer appearance to your clothes. The last piece of equipment you need is a pressing cloth, which is typically a fine piece of white fabric to be put between the iron and the pants to avoid scorching or discoloration of certain fabrics from the direct heat.

Before you begin actually pressing the pants, you will need to lay them properly on the ironing surface. Hold the ends of the pants together with the seams touching each other. This will create a natural crease in the middle of the front of the leg and the back of the leg. This is exactly what you want to iron. Lay the pants on the table exactly as you have lined up the seams.

Place the pressing cloth on the portion of the leg that is showing and pass your hot iron on the steam setting over the pressing cloth. Pay close attention to holding the iron down longer than usual at the crease to create a crisp line. Move the pressing cloth as needed. When the top portion is done, which is actually the exterior side of one leg, lift that leg gently and place it out of the way so you can iron the inner part of the other pants leg. Again use the pressing cloth as you go.

When you have completed that section, pick up the pair of pants and turn them over so that the unironed exterior part of the second leg is now on top. Repeat the process as you did before. You may also need to lay the pants flat to iron the waistband and pockets, but this will not affect the great crease you have created in your pants. An alternate method is to use a steamer to press your clothes in which case you can often create a crease in pants while they are hanging.

Now that you know how to iron a crease in pants, you are equipped to make your wardrobe look like it has been professionally dry cleaned, without the cost of doing so.

MC Hammer

How to Dress Like MC Hammer

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MC Hammer

Back in the late 1980’s MC Hammer gave the rap world such familiar hits as To Legit to Quit and You Can’t Touch This. He was so popular at one point in time that it seemed impossible to turn on the radio without hearing one of his songs every hour. Even though his music is no longer all the rage, his whacky style of dressing still is. The way he dressed when he preformed was almost as entertaining as the songs that he sang.

If you want to dress like MC Hammer you have to be prepared to be stared at quite a bit. That was after all Hammers’ main focus, to draw attention to himself. Here are some ways to dress like MC Hammer:

•    Parachute pants: This is MC Hammer’s trademark. No matter what else he wore while he was performing, both he and all the dancers that were on the stage with him wore parachute pants. Parachute pants are typically tight on the ankles and waist and are loose and parachute looking in the legs. Hammer took his parachute pants so seriously that he actually had his custom made. You don’t need to go this far though as a vintage store will probably have some pants that will do the trick.

•    Jackets: There are no rules here except that you should go for something that clashes horribly with the pants. Hammer always seemed to have fun mixing and matching his jackets with his parachute pants. The jacket you choose should also be form fitting and if you have a physique like Hammer did then you can go shirtless like Hammer did. If you are not comfortable going shirtless, have some more fun finding a clashing t-shirt to wear under your jacket.

•    Flat soled boots: Hammer was always dancing when he performed and for this reason he had to wear boots with a flat sole. The boots almost always matched the pants in color and clashed horrifically with the entire ensemble. A good trick here is to find an old pair of boxing boots at a thrift store and spray paint them and add some glitter and or sequins to them. Now you have an affordable pair of Hammer boots.

•    Accessories: Hammer loved to be flashy with his accessories. Duplicate his flare by wearing big sunglasses that match your pants, but never your jacket and make sure to get plenty of thick gold chains that sport all sorts of medallions.

•    Hair: The last thing that will tie the entire MC Hammer look together is the hair. Hammer was famous for his fade. To get the Hammer fade, start tight and short on the sides of your hair and gradually fade up your hair so the end result looks like you have a flat head. Top it off with shaving a few lines in the side of your head and you are set.

While we all may laugh at how MC Hammer dressed, you have to admit he was a pretty good dancer considering the wardrobe he had on.

Underwear drawer

How To Organize An Underwear Drawer

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Underwear drawer

It’s time to get dressed. It’s a cold day, you’ve just showered, and the first stop is the underwear drawer. Then it hits you. You see a drawer or drawers full of underwear, sometimes so full the drawer can’t be closed. Different colors and fabrics are sticking out of the drawer in all directions while you stand there, shivering, trying to find something to wear. If this scenario sounds familiar then you need to organize your underwear drawer.

The first step is to dump out the drawer containing your underwear onto a bed. It’ll be quite a pile but don’t worry as there will be a method to attack this madness. Whether you’re a man or woman, think about categories and which piece of fabric fits best into a particular category. Some category ideas might include boxers, briefs, panties and sports bras.

One way to begin organizing is to examine each piece of clothing. Try it on. Does it still fit? Is it something that can be worn in the future? If not throw it out. Whittle down to what you actually use. The next step is to separate garments into two categories, work and non-work. For men these categories might blur and not take much thought but women might have more sub-categories such as work and non work bras, full coverage underwear, boy-cut styles, or thongs depending on the degree of coverage and the look that’s needed. Organizing by color is also another popular way to go.

Have different boxes and containers for different types of underwear. G-strings could be in one container while boxer briefs are in another. You may want to line the containers first with self-adhesive tape. Lining a container protects soft fabrics and increases their longevity. Remove the lids to the containers and place the entire container in the drawer.
Containers come in all types as well. If you’d like to place all undergarments of one type together in one container then that is a fine solution. Also available, however, are drawer separator options that allow you to actually place one piece of underwear in its own cubicle area. Some are spring-loaded which will enable you to conserve more space than ever by helping you minimize the space per garment.

How you place the garments in these containers is up to you. Folding is an option. This can keep your garments in good shape and increase your available space. To save space consider storing underwear one layer deep. This is also helpful in minimizing the time it takes to search for something you want. Bras can be folded one cup into another while certain very sensitive pieces, like delicate lingerie, might need to actually be hung up so details like lace won’t get damaged. If folding or hanging is not for you and too tedious, there’s nothing wrong with simply rolling your underwear into a ball and throwing them into the containers.

There are endless ways to organize an underwear drawer. As personal as underwear is, so are the ways they can be organized. No matter how you do it, just keep in mind that you’ll want easy access to what you’ll need.

Bruno

How to Dress Like Bruno

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Bruno

Bruno is a gay Austrian fashionista played by Sacha Baron Cohen. The character Bruno has been rejected by the Austrian fashion world and finds refuge in America, hoping to build a new level of acceptance in the country. He dives into the American fashion world and looks to find acceptance and fame.

Bruno is flamboyant and extravagant. From his clothes to his personality, he is about pushing social boundaries with people and causing extreme discomfort in those that he encounters. When dressing and acting like Bruno, remember that more is more and that to be out of control, obnoxious and flashy is to be Bruno.

Bruno’s clothing is just as bold as he is. To get the same famous shorts with suspenders look, find a pair of skimpy shorts that are bright yellow and have suspenders. You need to wear a bold printed shirt underneath the suspenders. Something that is brown checkered or similar will fit the bill. Next, find a hat that matches the shorts. Add combat boots that are either black or brown and you have the complete look.

Another famous outfit of Bruno’s is a bit more subtle, and that term is used loosely. He pairs tight leather pants with a swirl pattern, and a blue vest that is shredded at the bottom and around the arms. The neckline is cut to the mid chest area and is fitted like a corset with strings. Zippers run along the sides of the shirt underneath the arms. The vest is fitted and short, exposing the stomach. He wears a wide leather cuff to accessorize the outfit.

A feistier Bruno has been seen in animal print. Leopard is the animal of choice, and Bruno wears a tight fitting t-shirt in leopard print paired with matching briefs that are just a little bit too small. Remember that Bruno is proud of his body and not modest in the least form, and therefore likes to wear skimpy and tight clothing to show off his body.
Top off the look with a matching hat and matching ankle boots. The point is to be in animal print from head to toe.

Hair needs to be blond with a few shades of brown, and mostly blond in the front. Comb the blondest parts over your forehead and a bit over your eyes. He sometimes wears his hair in a Mohawk too. Remember that Bruno is a fashionista, so trim those brows and keep them looking clean. If you are up for it, wear makeup to enhance your polished look and make your skin look perfect. You will also need to shave all of your body hair: chest, arms, and legs.

Bruno speaks with an Austrian accent and flirts shamelessly with every man he encounters. His behavior is outlandish and inappropriate. If your behavior is cringe worthy, you’re on the right track. Watch the movie to imitate how he speaks, as this is one of the most crucial ways to act like Bruno.

Dressing up like Bruno is not for the shy or faint of heart. However if you are bold and tend not to care what other people think of you, this is a fun and liberating way to spend your Halloween. You can become someone wildly inappropriate yet wickedly funny, and everyone will appreciate the courage it took to be Bruno for a day.

Tina Fey

How To Dress Like Tina Fey

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Tina Fey

Tina Fey is the reigning leading lady of comedy. She has a unique sense of humor that we see in all her writing, producing and acting endeavors. From her beginnings on Saturday Night Live to her own TV shows and movies, she is in a category of her own as a women comedienne. As a writer, actress and producer, Tina Fey has become one of the most recognizable celebrities around, due to her successes.

One of the trademark things about Tina Fey’s look is her glasses. In fact, vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin received comments about her Tina Fey glasses, during the 2008 campaign. If you are looking to dress like the award-winning Tina Fey, the first thing you should get is a pair of glasses in that unmistakable Tina Fey style. If you are attempting a dressy Tina Fey look instead of an everyday one, choose contacts instead.

Tina Fey’s fashion style is very underdone compared to many other celebrities. She tends to dress in rather normal clothes and styles, which makes it easy for most anyone to pull off a Tina Fey look. Jeans and a T-shirt are a common ensemble for her. Is it important to note that she almost always wears a shirt with a flattering, low-cut neckline. To create a true Tina Fey look, opt for dark shirts with a V-neck, scoop neck or princess neckline. Fitted jeans are a must too for her casual look.

The colors she favors are typically dark. She often opts for black tops and dresses, although has also been seen in dark shades of other rich tones like purple, green and brown. She wears jewelry rather sparingly; saving conservative pieces for dressy occasions, though often opts for dangling earrings. She always carries a tiny matching clutch bag with her dressy outfits.

Whether you are looking to pull off a daytime or an evening Tina Fey look, one thing to bear in mind is that her clothes always show off her curves to their best advantage. To successfully dress like her, you will need to invest in items that are form fitting. If your form is not as fit as you’d like, you may want to invest some time in shaping up prior to donning such styles.

Another touch needed for a true Tina Fey look is the hair. Her do is never highlighted blonde, it always a rich chocolate tone. She favors shoulder-length and slightly longer styles. Bangs and a wispy fringed look make her straight hair appear often slightly tousled, which is a great look for her and an easy one to imitate. For special events, she occasionally wears her hair curly for a slightly different look. Keep makeup minimal too in true Tina fashion, with an emphasis on the eyes.

Tina Fey, one of the hottest celebrities around today, has an easy look to mimic. Her girl-next-door looks and style make for an affordable look to recreate for anyone who is determined to be a star.

Swimsuit

How to Properly Care For Your Swimsuit

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Swimsuit

Regardless of how you treat it, your swimsuit gets a lot of rough treatment. It soaks in chlorinated water for long periods of time. Abrasive sand rubs the delicate fibers. Harsh chemicals, oils and colors from sunscreen products are smeared on your swimsuit. It is exposed to hours of bleaching sunlight almost every time you wear it. This is typical abuse of a swimsuit by those who are careful. However many people do worse by not washing their suits after each use, throwing them in a hot clothes dryer and other abuses. Knowing how to properly care for your swimsuit will ensure you get as much use as possible from yours.

Every time, without fail, when you are finished using your swimsuit, you should wash it out. Treat it like you would underwear. You certainly wouldn’t wear underwear a second time without washing it and swimsuits should get the same treatment. In fact, if you are swimming in a chlorinated pool or hot tub, you should hand rinse the suit as soon as you take it off to get as much chlorine out of it as possible if you cannot get it to a washer right away.

It is important to hand wash or use your washer’s gentlest cycle to wash your swimsuit. The fabric used in swimsuits is delicate and can easily get damaged when thrown in a regular wash cycle. Another thing to avoid is washing your suit with towels or jeans. The suit should be washed alone or with other swimsuits which do not have metallic additions on them. This is to prevent unnecessary damage.

Use a detergent that is formulated for delicates when washing your swimsuit. Such detergents are designed to work well in cold water, which you should be using to launder your suit. Make sure all the detergent has been thoroughly rinsed out, as residual detergent in swimsuits makes bubbles in pools and hot tubs.

When your swimsuit is adequately rinsed, roll it in a dry towel and squeeze gently to remove excess water. Then lay flat to dry. You may also hang your suit to dry if it is of a material that will not stretch. Be sure to get it as dry as possible with the towel before hanging it.

When the suit is dry, store it flat in a drawer until the next time you need it again. Hanging a swimsuit for extended periods of time is not advised. Some other things to avoid in the care of your swimsuit include the following. Never leave your wet swimsuit on the floor or in a bag for an extended period of time. Mold may grow on it and ruin the suit. Never throw your swimsuit in a hot dryer. It will compromise the material in your suit.

By properly caring for your swimsuit, you can get multiple seasons of enjoyment out of it. Learn what to do and what not to do to keep it in the best shape possible.

Curry stains

How To Remove Curry Stains

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Curry stains

Curry is a wonderful unique spice that is typically found in Indian dishes. More and more it is becoming a widely used spice throughout the Western World also. An enticing combination of sweet and spicy, curry has an unmistakable taste that people either love or hate. The more curry you use in your cooking the spicier the taste becomes. It also turns dishes an unmistakable shade of yellow. In addition, if you happen to drop some curry spiced food onto clothing, it leaves a distinct yellow stain. Make sure you act quickly if you want to prevent that curry stain from becoming a permanent one.

Immediately rinse the stain in lukewarm running water to minimize the damage. You will see the stain rinsing through. Keep the stained fabric in the running water until no more stain reduction can be observed. The next step is the pre-treatment of the stain itself. If you have an item which can be washed in chlorine bleach, apply some of the bleach directly to the stain and wash the item in a protein-based detergent as usual and the stain should be gone.

For clothing that cannot be treated with chlorine bleach, alternate methods must be used. Delicate fabrics and colored clothing that have curry stains should be treated with a half and half mixture of glycerin and warm water. Put the mixture on the stain and work it in. Let it sit for 10 to 30 minutes before you wash it in an enzyme-based laundry detergent.

For stubborn stains, big stains, set in ones or stains on rugged fabrics, a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water is just what is needed. You can dilute the peroxide in water in a 1 to 6 proportion to a 1 to 9 proportion. Try the solution on a hidden part of the garment before using it on the stain to check for color fastness. Once you are satisfied that this bleaching solution will not harm your article of clothing, soak the article in the solution for several hours. Check on the progress of the stain regularly and when you see that it is dissolved, remove the item from the solution and rinse it before washing it in an enzyme based detergent.

As you are working at removing a curry stain one thing to keep in mind is to never dry the item before the stain is completely gone. If you pre-treat the stain and wash it in the washer, be sure to check that the stain is actually out before you proceed with drying it. If not, you will have set the stain into the fabric. However if you catch it while the item is still wet you can do a second treatment and wash using the same method or a different one.

If worse comes to worse and you find that you cannot remove a curry stain from an item of clothing, don’t be too disheartened. Just designate that item as your official curry making and eating clothes and be sure to wear it whenever you are at risk for further curry stains.

Leather

How To Stretch Out Leather

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Leather

Leather is one of the oldest materials used for clothing and shoes. It is just as popular and comfortable now as it was for the first people who ever used it. Leather offers so many advantages from strength to versatility to good looks and comfort. It also provides softness and stretch so that practically any leather can mold and adapt to a given shape, which is why leather shoes are so much more comfortable when they have been broken in. If you are looking to stretch out leather for maximum comfort there are a few things that you should know.

If you want to stretch leather shoes, there are professional sprays that can help you with the process. You simply need to spray the shoes with it and it will help the leather to adapt and stretch to the shape of your feet. You will need to wear the shoes however to get them stretched to the right shape. Alternatively you can buy shoe stretchers to put inside such shoes. This is a good investment if your feet are just slightly bigger than a certain size and you need to regularly stretch shoes. You can also stretch shoes by putting on heavy socks or even multiple pairs of heavy socks and wearing the leather shoes around your home until they stretch enough to be comfortable. Stuffing your shoes with any rigid item that pushes its limits will help to achieve the stretch you want too.

If you are looking to stretch bigger items like leather pants, shirts, skirts or boots, you will need to use water. While this goes completely against what we are usually told about caring for leather, you will need to completely submerge your leather item in warm water. While the item is in the water, knead the leather to make it as supple and workable as possible. Keep your item there for at least 10 minutes. When it comes out of the water you will need to put on your soaking wet leather and wear it around for a while. This gives the material the opportunity to stretch to your shape so that it fits you perfectly and hugs your every curve. In this way you can truly create a one-of-a-kind leather garment that is for you alone. Wear the leather for as long as you comfortably can in order to preserve the new shape you introduced to it.

The alternate method for stretching out leather is to go to a professional leather shop or in the case of shoes to a cobbler for professional stretching. Such people have the equipment necessary to achieve what you are looking for without the extra work on your part. However, you will have to pay for this service. It typically takes 24 hours or more.

Get your beautiful leather that doesn’t quite fit out of the back of the closet. With a little ingenuity and time you can stretch the items you haven’t worn in a while. Before you know it, you’ll be slipping into a sexy leather look that is just perfect for just about anything.

Beer Belly

What To Wear To Camouflage A Beer Belly

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Beer Belly

The most common places they can be found are backyard barbecues, sporting events, and college campuses. But truth is told they can be found anywhere. Every man has seen one and likely has had one to some degree at one time or another in his life. It’s the beautiful beer belly. Beer bellies were once worn as a proud badge of honor to showcase a social, partying heritage. Those who had them were looked upon as teddy bears or every-man kind of guys. Some people thought beer bellies were actually cute. In modern times, where health clubs and organic food stores are as common as Big Macs once were, a beer belly has suddenly become something that’s seen as shameful or a sign of laziness.

The good news is that a beer belly isn’t always caused by beer. It’s just a term given to an accumulation of fat above the belt. Some men don’t even drink and have a beer belly. High calorie foods and lots of inactivity are sure to be the culprits. Because of genetics and where fat is stored, only men are susceptible. Eating healthy and staying active are obvious preventative measures and most men realize this. What if you’re a man and you’re comfortable with your beer belly but, at certain times, you just wish it wasn’t there? Well as many men that have beer bellies there are as many solutions to hiding the problem. Here are some ideas to camouflage a beer belly.

Loose clothing. As obvious as this may seem, wearing loose clothing can be a quick remedy. Clothing a size or two too big will hide the general outline of your body in all places. But don’t go too baggy as this will make you look bulky.

Wear the right colors. Men, being naturally averse to fashion, usually don’t think of this one. Dressing in two-tones can actually obscure the belly area. Dark colors should be worn for your pants and wear lighter colored shirts. Fashion experts who’ve dealt with the beer belly situation know that many men with beer guts have the look of thin legs. Two-color dressing hides this imbalance and gives a more proportioned look.

Leave your shirt untucked. A slimmer line look can be achieved by simply not tucking in button down shirts. This way the belly overhang is not as evident.

No muscle shirts. Avoid anything tight for that matter. Don’t wear anything too clingy that accentuates things you’d rather not show off.

Stripe the belly away. Always go with vertical stripes. Vertical stripes will make you appear longer and thinner. Horizontal stripes have the opposite effect. Under no circumstances wear a shirt with a large stripe across the chest because upon first glance the eyes of someone else will be directed right to your belly.

Probably the best way to camouflage a beer belly is to wear a smile! If you walk around self-conscious about your beer belly and believe everyone is looking at it then they will be! Be confident and don’t give the beer belly more power over you than it already has.

Janis Joplin

How to Dress Like Janis Joplin

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Janis Joplin

In the 1960s a movement of sorts happened and singers like Janis Joplin helped bring the ‘hippy look’ to the forefront. Joplin had a style that was a cross between a hippy, ragamuffin, and even a drifter. Joplin’s life was tragically ended in 1970 at the very young age of 27, but her attitude and style are still admired by many today.

To dress like Janis Joplin it is important to remember that it is not just about the look and style of the clothing but you have to have the attitude to go with it. Joplin had such an air of confidence about her and that is part of what made her be able to pull off such a simple look.

Here are some tips on how you too can dress like Janis Joplin:

•    Jeans: Go with a loose fitting style of bell-bottom jeans. These were a favorite of Joplin’s and there are many pictures of her wearing them. If there are some rips and tears in the jeans, don’t worry as this just adds to the illusion, though you can get creative and sew on a patch or two. If the jeans appear a little on the dirty side, no worries. The more you look like you don’t care about the way the jeans look, the better.
•    Tops: Think hippy. Light and frilly does the trick here. Joplin never wore anything too serious and often chose patterns such as paisley and flowers. You can finish off your shirt with a vest if you like as Joplin did this from time to time as well.
•    Dresses: Joplin also wore a lot of multi colored sundresses that were very loose fitting. The brighter and louder the colors here, the better.
•    Shoes: This is easy as Joplin didn’t wear shoes much and when she did they consisted of little more than a pair of flip flops. You can also get away with a pair of sandals here.
•    Accessories: Big round bug-eye looking sunglasses were a favorite of Joplin’s when she performed outside. She did wear a lot of jewelry but remember to think in the terms of a hippy when you choose yours. Never go with gold and diamonds instead choose accessories like wood bead necklaces. Wear lots of bracelets and get a couple of mood rings too.
•    Hair and make-up: Joplin’s hair often looked as though it had not been brushed in weeks. To pull off this look simply mess up your hair a bit when you get out of the shower and let it air dry. As for make-up, Joplin was all natural so if you decide to use make-up go extra light.

Again, the key in dressing like Janis Joplin is attitude and confidence. Joplin looked confident in every appearance she ever made, even when her jeans were so baggy they were falling off of her. You have to feel good enough about yourself and not give a hoot what the average person thinks if you are going to successfully pull of the Janis Joplin look.

Black

Why Wear the Color Black

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Black

It used to be that you only saw people wearing black at times of sorrow like at a funeral. While this tradition still holds true, black is now seen on a daily basis and why wouldn’t it be? Black is perhaps the most versatile color you can have in your wardrobe. Everything goes with black and there is really no occasion that black doesn’t fit into. Now this isn’t to say that you should dress in all black all the time, but having a healthy sprinkling of black on an almost daily basis is a recipe for good looking.

There are many reasons to wear black besides the fact that you are attending a funeral, here are just a few:

•    Black is sexy: More and more in Hollywood you see the starlets of the Silver Screen wearing long and flowing black gowns on the red carpet and sexy black skirts on the streets. You too can mimic this look as there is nothing more gorgeous than a nice form fitting dress or skirt that is black.
•    Black is bad: Want to increase your bad factor, wear some black. Picture a guy with jeans and a t-shirt, nothing wrong with that right? Now picture that same guy with the same pair of jeans and the same t-shirt only he is also wearing a black leather jacket….bad to the bone huh?
•    Black rocks: This is a no brainer here. If you want to look rocker there is absolutely no better way than to get a great looking pair of black leather pants and top it off with whatever kind of shirt you want. Black leather pants have been and probably always will be a true symbol of those who rock.
•    Black is easy: As eluded too earlier, what color doesn’t go with black? A great looking pair of black pants can easily be paired with any number of shirts in your wardrobe. Black is the easiest color to match because there is nothing that won’t go good with it.
•    Black is forgiving: While there are other easy colors to wear, like white, black is very forgiving in a world where we all rush around. Black hides your mistakes like a drop or two of coffee from your morning comute…try getting that out of white.
•    Black makes a statement: If you want to call attention to yourself there is no better color than black. Sure you could use hot pink or candy apple red, but this will tend to come off as you trying too hard. When you enter a room wearing something that is stunning and black, people will notice but because black is not a ‘loud’ color no one but you will know you where actually looking for that attention.

Black is the most versatile, most well rounded, and by far the easiest color that ever was. No matter where you go or what you do, you can always be sure that you will look your best so long as you let black be part of your fashion equation.

Skirts

Where is it Socially Acceptable for men to Wear Skirts

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Skirts

In an every changing world where men and women seem to be gaining in equality by the second a new trend has hit over in parts of Europe and is starting to eek its way ahead; men in skirts. While the idea of a man wearing a skirt is strictly taboo in some parts of the world it is actually gaining popularity and if history is any indicator, skirts on men will be here in the United States before you know it.

It makes sense when you think about it. More and more clothing that would only be considered for one sex is making its way across the gender line and showing up where you least expect it. The pants suit for women is a classic example of a fashion that was originally designed for one gender but made its way to the other. Designers certainly pulled that off so why not skirts on a guy?

For now though it is not generally accepted for men to wear skirts except for some certain circumstances. Here is when it is most commonly acceptable to have a man wearing a skirt:

•    Scottish formal events: This is probably the only time for now that you will think it is acceptable for a man to be in a skirt. Of course these skirts are referred to as kilts and are a traditional garment for a Scottish man to wear especially to a formal event. Should you attend a wedding that has a Scottish Bride or Groom chances are you will see more than one kilt floating around.

•    Celtic events: Much like the Scottish, the Celts have their own form of the kilt and they too can be seen on Celtic men. Also like the Scottish, it was tradition to dress up in your finest kilt for the most formal of times.

•    Foreign military dress: Though they have not been used in battle since the 1940s, there are still certain regimens of the British, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, and South African armies that still use kilts as part of their everyday dress and uniforms.

•    Military ceremonies: The U.S. Marines, the Coast Guard, and the U.S. Air Force have all developed ceremonial kilts that are worn by certain members of the pipe and drum bands. Though not part of the everyday uniform, these kilts are being seen at more and more military ceremonies.

•    Halloween: Let’s face it, if your buddy came over right now wearing a skirt, you would check your calendar to see if it was Halloween. On this occasion men can definitely get away with wearing a skirt if the costume they picked out dictates one. If it’s not Halloween, maybe your buddy just got back from a European vacation and loved the new fashion that he saw while over there.

While at the present time it is really only a kilt that is an acceptable form of a skirt for a man, the day is coming whether we like it or not that men will stop putting their pants on one leg a time and put both in a skirt at the same time.

Italy 1

What to Wear on Vacation in Italy

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Italy 1

Italy is a place that is filled with culture and history and a trip to this great country will have you coming back with memories that you won’t soon forget. But Italy is more than just great food and great romance it is a place where you need to look as though you are a local. The rules for dressing in Italy are not as strict as other foreign countries but if you want to ‘blend’ in then you do have to follow some rules.

Knowing what to wear and when in Italy can mean the difference in being labeled as ‘a tourist’ or blending in and coming off almost as though you are a local. Here is what you will need to know:

•    Casual wear: When you are in Italy and you want to dress casual you need to keep in mind that the Italians definition of casual and Americans definition of casual are as different as night and day. If you dress in your normal casual manner and throw on a jogging suit that is complimented by bright white sneakers you will be diagnosed as a tourist in about two seconds flat. In Italy there is a lack of closet space for many and clothing tends to be on the expensive side. For those reasons, many Italians buy only a handful of clothing from high end retailers and mix and match what they have. There clothing is usually clothing that can be worn at any time of the year and their ‘casual’ look is more like an American formal look. Not that you should walk around in a tuxedo, but slacks go a long way as do nice button down shirts.

•    Shorts: This is a somewhat touchy subject in Italy. Some Italian men can be spotted in shorts but their shorts will always come down to their knees at least and most Italian women won’t wear shorts unless they are at the beach. If possible avoid the shorts, but if you feel you must wear them at least follow the local customs.

•    Shoes: The historic cobblestone streets in Italy are definitely not easy on the feet. If you plan on doing any type of walking around you better have a pair of shoes that have a thick bottom but not so thick that you lose the feel of the ground. Be sure that your shoes offer great ankle support so you don’t turn your ankle as that can lead to a nasty sprain. As far as those sneakers, flip flops, mules, and other cozy American style shoes are concerned, go ahead and leave those behind. If possible try to get your shoes before you take your trip to Italy so that you have ample time to break them in. Even if you have the right kind of shoes for Italy a pair that is not broken in will lead to many blisters and much discomfort.

When all else fails, see how the locals dress and spend some of your money at a local shop and mimic the local fashion as best you can. While Italy always promises a great time, your trip will be even more enjoyable if you do your best to blend in.

Shopping

What to Wear When Clothes Shopping

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Shopping

Many times when people go out clothes shopping they pay no mind as to what they put on before they set off to the mall. This is a mistake that can end up costing you some time if you are not careful. Being aware of what you have on can actually help you to make better decisions and can get your shopping spree done in a faster amount of time as well.

The next time you go clothes shopping consider what you are going to wear to the mall for these reasons:

•    Changing rooms: This is where you can cut your shopping time almost in half. If you wear an elaborate outfit to the mall there is no doubt you will look great but if it took you a long time to put it on before you left your house it will take you just as long to take it on and off numerous times in the dressing rooms. If you are going out to get a whole new wardrobe, save yourself some time and wear clothing that can easily be taken off and put back on.
•    Accessorizing: If you are looking to accessorize some of the new clothes you are going to go shopping for then it may be in your best interest to wear clothes that are similar to what you are going to buy. This will make choosing a purse, a watch, jewelry, or any other accessory a breeze. If you think a certain accessory looks good with your older clothes, then they will more than likely look great with your brand new ones.
•    Mix and match: Let’s say you have a pair of jeans you love and a top you love but the two have been combined already numerous times. Wear that outfit to the mall one last time and you can then find new tops to go with those jeans and new jeans or other pants to go with that top. The end result is a new look with the same old favorites that you already have.
•    Sizing: If you are going after a certain brand of clothing and you already own some of that brand, then wear it when you go clothes shopping. This will enable you to know exactly what size you need as you can simply look on the tag if you forget. If the clothes you wear there are too tight or too loose, you can adjust the size accordingly. This trick will save you from trying on three or four different sizes and thus will save you time.
•    Avoid a disaster: This sounds weird but you may want to wear the outfit you hate the most when you go clothes shopping. Why? By doing so you will avoid certain colors and styles that you obviously think you don’t look good on you and this will help you to avoid the disaster of choosing the wrong clothes all over again.

Think about what you are wearing the next time you go clothes shopping and dress in an effort to save yourself some time. Remember, the faster you get done shopping, the faster you can sport your new outfits.