Designer Alert: Sachin and Babi Make It Work

 

What better way to start off the first week of summer then the presentation of Sachin and Babi for Ankasa’s Resort 2010 Collection? The husband and wife team launched their ready-to-wear clothing line not even a year ago, but their latest collection shows that their new endeavor has been and will continue to be a huge success.Their unique vision for textiles and finishes — and the fact that the dynamic duo’s style is embedded in each and every piece — makes the designs one of a kind.

 

I love the flowing material and silver and white colors, which are the perfect combination for a hot — and stylish — summer. Their contemporary design is sharp, but not over the top, creating an easy shift from daytime to nighttime. For example, these shorts paired with this top (above) transition quite well into a night on the town if you add their chic, silver jacket. And their prices are extremely reasonable, ranging from $190 to about $600.

Match Your Bag to Your Body

Just like people, bags come in all shapes, sizes, colors and styles. That’s not to say that they should look good with every person though. The shape and style of the bag should match the shape and style of the person — not the other way around. Although I usually carry one purse with me to work and on my daily errands, I always try to match my outfit with my bag when I’m going out. Your bag’s supposed to compliment your outfit, body, hair or whatever else you’ve got going on. After all, it is an accessory, so it’s important to treat it that way!

 

A general guideline to finding the best bag for you is to maintain balance. Don’t just buy something because you think it’s fabulous. Think about what you’re going to wear it with and whether it flatters you or not. If you have a smaller body type, then often a smaller purse will look better on you. You don’t have to wear a clutch, but toting around a 3-pound bag just won’t look right. If you are larger, then I suggest carrying a bag that fits you. You want it to drape over your arm, not clamp to it like a choker from the eighties. Check out what I’m talking about. Below are some examples from World of Bags!

 

For the smaller body type: 

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Lace and Satin Relate to Shoes

 

Lace and satin are no longer fabrics just used for sexy undergarments. They can be used for shoes too! These Coppelia Pique lace shoes are 6 inches high, making for a very effeminate shoe wearer. You would have to be born in heels to put on these ferocious stilettos. But they’re absolutely gorgeous to look at. And if you can slip them on your feet — and survive — more power to ya!

 

These satin shoes, made by French designer Alexis Mabille offers the same frivolity with a lot more bows. These satin stilettos offer a splash of femininity to your feet and legs. Some may think it’s a bit ostentatious, but they could be the perfect addition to a simple outfit. Either way it’s fun to see some new fabrics being put to use on shoes. What’ll they think of next?

Tactical Corsets: One Gigantic Step for Womankind

 

The time has finally come where women’s fashion meets functionality. While men have become accustomed to baggy jeans with big pockets, clothes for women just keep getting tighter to the point where women’s jeans now look like leggings. However, these Tactical Corsets defy those gender rules. They still offer the same cinched waist as other corsets, but they offer more cargo room and a certain amount of protection too. And I’m not talking about a place to keep your condoms. 

 

These corsets are bullet proof, and have pockets that could contain pepper spray, a pistol holster, a light pouch and an interrogation pouch (whip not included). And they can be custom-made to suit any of your feminine needs. Along with extra pockets, these corsets are unique by saying goodbye to the traditional lace in corsets and replacing it with a zipper. As a product of the Empowerment campaign, Tactical Corsets may be the first step to creating a new image for women everywhere.

The Truth Behind Cosmetics: Are They Safe?

Did you know that most lipsticks contain lead? It’s a scary fact, which makes it hard to trust anyone regarding the safety of beauty products. Best in Beauty — with their program Labels for Life — is trying to change that though. They believe that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) should pre-screen cosmetics before selling them to the public and require companies to provide the public with a full list of ingredients, just like the nutrition facts listed in the foods we eat. Although many experts say the chemicals in cosmetic products are so miniscule that they won’t cause any damage to a person’s health or skin over time, many others say that these products have been linked to serious health problems. In fact, the European Union has banned 1,300 chemicals in cosmetic products due to potential harmful effects; the U.S. has only banned ten.

 

I think the best thing to do in a situation like this is to research the two sides, weigh them out, and make an opinion for yourself. So, that’s just what I did.

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Discount on the Latest Trend: Rompers

 

I was in New York City last weekend, and one trend that really caught my eye was the romper. This cute little onesie has taken its place as the latest trend — just like the ever-so-trendy skinny jeans which continued to paste the legs of local urbanites. Although 70s plaid automatically comes to mind whenever I hear the word “romper”, something about this newly invented style really appeals to me. And it must appeal to everyone else too because the romper is everywhere!

 

Ruche — a new online boutique based in California — has some of the best rompers I’ve seen all spring. Their summertime denim jumper romper (above left) with its front tie at the waist is a stylish and comfortable choice for any occasion this summer, whether you’re going to a concert or a late brunch. Ruche also has two other romper options — the dark jeans romper shorts jumpsuit (above right) and the floral lounge jumper romper (above center) — that I recommend flirting with. I personally love the short denim rompers because their versatility allows you to dress them up or down depending on your accessories. Whatever style you decide, I definitely recommend picking one up before summer officially begins.

 

Right now you can pick one up at Ruche for 10% less. The store is offering Style-ology readers a 10% discount for a limited time. Just type in code “Style-ology” before checking out. Happy shopping!

Time for a Vacation?

It’s that time of year to think about taking a vacation. Whether you travel to Australia or just to the lake three hours away, a suitcase is something that’s going to come in handy on those summer getaways. Lucky for you, World of Bags has the answer. Their variety of luggage offers something for everyone, including both style and space. 

If you’re packing a lot, it’s smart to buy a luggage set. Caribbean Joe offers a variety of luggage sets that stand out from the rest. This green and brown 4-piece set (for only $159.99) makes me want to go to the beach — or possibly the jungle! Either way this unique pattern will stand out wherever you go.

 

Maybe you’re going somewhere for only a couple of days. In that case, you should just get a suitcase to fit in the overhead storage of the plane’s cabin. This Traveler’s Choice Victoria 2-piece set (for only $69.99) is sophisticated looking and small enough to carry on any airline. 

 

Check out more stylish luggage at World of Bags to show off your jet setting ways. With bags like these, it’ll truly be a relaxing time for you and your things.

Try on a Monokini this Summer

Summer has finally arrived — and the best way to celebrate is with a new swimsuit! One of the most popular styles this summer is the very sexy monokini. This one-piece with cut-outs has been reinvented with different styles and shapes for the 2009 woman. While some are very conservative looking, others are quite revealing, offering up little for the imagination. Whether you think you’ll look good in one or not, try on a monokini this year. Your opinion may change because the monokini is made to suit any body shape. Check out some of these from Lingerie Diva for a new addition to your swimwear:

 

 

Acapulco One-Piece Swimsuit; $34.99

 

Nigeria Asymmetrical One-Piece Swimsuit; $64.00

 

Puerto Rico Wild Animal Print Swimsuit; $64.00

 

Sailors Delight One-Piece Swimsuit; $64.00

 

You can check out more options from the Lingerie Diva Swimwear Collection on YouTube, or just visit the Lingerie Diva website.

New Styles to Stay Slim

In our hectic lives, it’s hard to find time to exercise or make the perfect, low-calorie meal, which is why fashion can play a huge role in how you look and feel about yourself. If you know how to put the right styles together, you can make yourself appear slimmer, without cramping up your schedule. So, try out some of these easy tips that’ll flatter you in all the right places:

 

Slimming Trends

1)     Wear a high-waist, wide-leg jean. If you want to lengthen the image of your legs, the high-waist, wide-leg jean is your new best friend. The high-waist makes your legs appear longer and the wide leg won’t tighten in those unwelcome areas.

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Swap Parties Can Bring in a New Look

 

It’s time for a little spring cleaning, which means ridding your desk, room and especially closet of any unwanted items. But before you throw clothes away, I suggest throwing a swap party with your girlfriends first. That way everyone can gain something new while getting rid of the old. Remember the good old saying, “One person’s trash may be another person’s treasure?” Same goes for clothes. If everyone brings a couple of items, everyone is likely to find at least one that they like and that fits. So, here’s how to prepare for the big swap:

 

1)   Make piles. Throw clothes into a pile for the swap party, a pile to sell to a thrift store and a pile to give away to charity.

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