We are tired of winter clothes and shoes and we can’t wait to refresh our closets with the hottest fashion items available on the market.

We’ll begin our spring shopping from Aldo – a brand that we love and that has never disappointed us in the past, so put your seat belts on and let’s get the party started.

Aldo Women Shoes Spring 2012

So before we run to our favorite section and I am obviously talking about high-heels we try to be reasonable and remember that flat shoes are a much better option for every day challenges and killer heels are not a perfect solution for running to school, passing ten hours at work, catching a bus or a trip to a supermarket.

Yes as hard as it is even a real fashionista has to consider from time to time aspects like commodity and functionality.

But hey, there is not need to panic, after a little research through Aldo models we came across many fantastic flat shoes that are stylish and feminine and are we can’t wait to share them with you.

So as we mentioned already we are sick of winter and flowery espadrilles that make a huge comeback this season will definitely add some positive energy to our look.

We missed vivid colors and love both yellow and blue so we were crazy in love the minute we saw this model.

When it comes to ballet flats Aldo is probably a perfect place with its impressive line of so many models in different colors and designs.

There are casual ballet flats for every day use as well as more elegant ones ideal for work or special occasions.

The color palette is incredibly wide and includes blue, pink, orange, black, brown, yellow and many more.

We liked this cute pink pair with a bow detail that will complete perfectly a girlish outfit for a sunny spring day.

You just have to check out the moccasins line for women since they are a must-have of the season and most importantly very easy to wear.

After the flat shoes we moved on to discover an absolutely amazing collection of wedges that soon became the number one on our best shoes of spring 2012 list.

Get ready ladies because it will be very difficult not to spend all your money on these wonderful models.

Aldo wedges will look great with a sexy dress, skinny jeans, shorts or a skirt. Choose you favorite color and you will certainly make the heads turn.

Looking for a chic evening look? Check out these super hot five inches platform pumps ideal for any outfit. If you want to go bold you might want to take a look at the red model as well.

And if you don’t love really love killer high heels that much but don’t want to give up on a sexy and feminine look check out Aldo’s mid-low heels.

There are certainly much easier to wear but still very classy and chic.

Slicked Back

Hair that appears “wet” is also known as a slicked back look. This style is the perfect solution for second or even third day hair and makes for a convenient transition from working out to evening wear hair. While minimalistic, slicked back hair has been seen all over the runways for the spring season.

Wrapped Up

To keep the sun off your head and your hair off your face, consider a wrapped up look. Hair cover-ups come in a wide range of patterns, textures, and fabrics. Whether worn turban-style or feminine-pirate style, these up-do styles are easy to create. Pull your hair back into a tight bun and warp the cover-up around your head in whichever manner you prefer.

Center Part

The look once highly popular during the ‘70s has made a major comeback for the spring 2012 season. It’s a clean, center part that works well with both short and long tresses. This look has been spotted all over the runways and gives a dramatic impact to such a simple style. To get the best result, try using a dry shampoo to calm second day hair.

Gym Hair

This “un-done” look is all the rage this spring and this is certainly good news for all those late sleepers. Keep the textured roots that you can only achieve after rolling around in bed or working out hard at the gym. To recreate this look, use a liberal amount of styling products, especially around the face. Allow the hair to fall loose or pull it back into a loose ponytail. Add a hair accessory to polish up the look.

Hairstyles for 2012 include some basic styles, such as the classic ponytail and layers, as well as fresh looks. Short hairstyles are also popular this season as they appear simple and elegant. If you are an active woman – no worries – this season is about not worrying too much about hair maintenance. Experiment with these style trends to find the best hair that matches your individual taste.

Karen is a fashion writer and owner of the site free makeup samples. She likes to keep updated with all the latest trends in fashion and beauty.

In terms of what you are actually going to buy it really does not matter. A man will appreciate clothing as a gift so long as it fits in with his usual style. Men’s fashion can be quite straightforward, so whether you are looking at a shirt, jeans, or footwear, there should be something for your man.

You may want to change your man’s style; this could be a good time to introduce a subtle change, yet one that makes a profound difference to his appearance. A great way to gift purchase for a man is based on the current wardrobe, like for like replacements as gifts are easy. Do not let yourself off the hook with an easy purchase, such as socks or pants. If he has a pair of jeans that are wearing out though, or a branded t-shirt that has seen better days, then you could be in business.

You Have To Be Seen With Him

Finding a balance between what he likes and what you will think he looks great in is the perfect way to shop for your man. Although it is his gift you will inevitably have thoughts of how he will look, especially as you will be with him when he is wearing it. Finding a t-shirt in these circumstances is sometimes the best option. You know what he likes and he has probably been dropping not too subtle hints for some time.

Considering The Occasion

What you purchase for your man may obviously differ based around the time of year. For arguments sake, let us assume that his birthday is approaching soon. Naturally, you will be looking to buy something summer related, perhaps with your summer holiday in mind. There are numerous options in the men’s fashion world, such as light shirts, stylish linen trousers and a wide range of accessories.

Buying something for a reason always goes down well as a men’s gift, particularly if it serves a purpose as well as being stylish.

Putting It All Together

Thoughtful gift purchases are always great, and they get even better if you buy him a whole look. Especially if your man is a lazy follower of fashion, there will be a great appreciation of receiving a t-shirt with a matching hat, sunglasses, or shoes that will complement it perfectly.

Men’s fashion gives you numerous opportunities to make your man look great, good luck!

Style Pilot is a leading men’s fashion website, based in the UK. The website provides fashion advice from personal stylists to embrace the new men’s fashion culture.

Image courtesy of www.hm.com.

Plastic

Zylonite, or cellulose acetate, is used as a film base in photography, in adhesives, cigarette filters, playing cards and eyeglass frames. Zylonite is exceptionally economical to manufacture, lightweight and very receptive to a wide array of colors. Cellulose acetate propionate is a cousin to zylonite, but nylon based and presents a hypoallergenic option. It is still very lightweight, in fact more so than zylonite. Plus, propionate seems to produce better transparency and a higher gloss. The drawbacks for any plastic frame are fairly obvious. They are easier to break, the plastic can melt or burn, but will not ignite. Age and increased exposure to UV rays can cause colors to fade, and decrease the strength of the plastic just a little.

Metal

Monel is a very popular material for eyeglass frames, as well as in aircraft construction, in marine applications, musical instruments, and even military identification tags. It is composed of up to 67% nickel, copper, iron and other fillers. That high nickel content can definitely cause problems for many wearers, but a solid coating of palladium can help. The main benefits of Monel are its corrosion resistance (hence the use in marine settings) and its pliability.

In recent years titanium has become a very popular material for eyeglasses, mostly for its durability. Of course, it is also extremely lightweight, hypoallergenic, strong, and resists corrosion. Yet some wearers with a high level of acidity in their skin find titanium frames tarnish over time. Beryllium is a great alternative, as it bears all the benefits of titanium, as well as being highly flexible, and able to resist tarnishing – even when exposed to a salt water environment for extended periods.

Then there is stainless steel. A great alternative to titanium, and when nickel free, are also hypoallergenic. In general, stainless steel frames are affordable, lightweight, and have a low toxicity. For the most part, the steel used in eyeglass frames has up to 30% chromium content, which is what gives it qualities of corrosion, abrasion and heat resistance.

Aluminum is yet another popular material for eyeglass frames, particularly among high-end designers. It shares the same corrosion and strength qualities as stainless steel, but is also nonferrous. Having little to no iron content means aluminum frames are much lighter in weight than stainless steel. Designers love using aluminum because of its sleek look, but the iconic cat eye frames of the 1950’s are probably the most memorable examples.

Other

There are a collection of other materials emerging as distinctive choices for eyeglass frames. Gold and silver accents or plating can be found in some designs, but as both alloys are so heavy the content is kept to a minimum. Hardwoods have emerged as a popular material for frames as well. Of course they will be less flexible for adjustments, stiff and highly expensive, but the look is amazing. Buffalo horn is also available, and apparently warms to your body temperature with wear.

Eyeglass frames are a personal statement, but more importantly they are a necessary piece of equipment that must suit your daily lifestyle in every way. Choose carefully and practically.

Jonathan Silver represents Eyewear Pros. We know how to provide Eyeglass frames from authentic designers. Their Safe Shopping Guarantee makes choosing your perfect pair of sunglasses easy and 100% secure. Visit their online store to see the vast amount of designs available!

Ray-Ban Wayfarers

Wayfarers have been worn by so many incredible actors, including Steve McQueen, the Blues Brothers, and of course the fabulous Ms. Katherine Hepburn. Yet some may argue the one person to make Wayfarers most famous was not an actor at all: Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. She was a fashion icon in her own right, creating a style that has become synonymous with her own name. And perhaps, just maybe, those Wayfarers are the one item any woman can attain and use to channel the Jackie in all of us.

Ray-Ban Aviators

A list of iconic sunglasses cannot omit the classic Aviator sunglasses. Bausch & Lomb may have developed the style for pilots in 1936, but Ray-Ban made it desirable for everyone. The dark reflective lenses on a wire frame with bayonet earpieces that were flexible enough to fit behind the ears were an instant hit with military men, particularly General Douglas MacArthur. Aviators were a worldwide hit after World War II, but when Tom Cruise blasted his way onto the screen with Top Gun, the fad went electric.

Colored Lenses

Originally, colored lenses in glasses were created for assisting those with learning disabilities in reading. Yellow lenses were also found to be useful for hunters in spotting movement in the brush more easily. Yet now we find colored lens sunglasses being used for fashion as much as for function. Popular singer and philanthropist Bono of U2 is perhaps the most iconic of wearers. Although, he did state in a 2008 interview that he had an eye condition that demanded the use of light filtering glasses. He stated that his use of colored lenses was part “vanity, part privacy and part sensitivity”.

Crazy Sunglasses

Who is the first person to come to mind when thinking of crazy sunglasses? Well, if you are over 40 it may be Elton John, but if you are under 40 it may be Lady Gaga. Either way, both artists have used crazy sunglass frames and lenses to make a statement. Remember Lady Gaga’s burning cigarette shades? And who can forget Elton’s Rainbow Connection glasses? And let’s not leave out Kanye West and his white shutter glasses. It’s pretty clear these artists chose to make an artistic statement with their glasses, and for that, they will always be remembered as the wearers of crazy sunglasses.

Jonathan Silver is representative of Eyewear Pros. We take the business of selling authentic designer eyewear very seriously. We carry thousands of different styles of designer sunglasses and eyeglasses from top name brands. To view our full line of sunglasses, visit us online today!

Dolce & Gabbana began as a design consulting studio established by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. Their first women’s collection was released for 1985, and a retail store a year later. Gradually the design house churned out annual collections and began exporting to Japan and the US. Now there are two separate and very distinct lines under the Dolce & Gabbana umbrella: Dolce&Gabbana (no spaces) and D & G.

Dolce&Gabbana

Deliberately spelled without spaces, this line is marked by its presentation of classic formal luxury items. The iconic Chanel suit is timeless to fashion, just as the ageless Dolce&Gabbana perfume is. The design house may be focused on textiles, but they clearly know their fragrances as well, earning numerous awards for their concoctions. Dolce&Gabbana strives to ignore passing, seasonal trends, instead looking towards encouraging lasting style. Thus, their additions to the collections have been a hit. Those additions are purses, watches, cosmetics and eyewear. Both prescription and sun-shading frames have been made available, and are hugely popular in North America as well as Europe and Japan.

D & G

What Dolce&Gabbana doesn’t do, D & G does do. This line strives to set the trends, offer more casual items and draw inspiration from urban images. Instead of the timeless looks of the origins of this fashion house, D & G reaches more flamboyant levels, often appealing to the younger set. One of the more famous trademarks of the D & G line is the use of underwear as outerwear. There has also been a large use of the music industry to promote D & G, and vice versa. Various artists have been signed on to promote the brand, including Alexandra Burke and Madonna.

The next time you are shopping, take note of all the Dolce & Gabbana logos you see, from either of their lines. Teens may be wearing tennis shoes emblazoned with the D & G. Well-to-do women may carry the Miss Edge handbag, and as they walk by perhaps the scent of The One will trail after them. The 20-somethings will probably be sporting their D & G sunglasses with the huge frames. The point is, all those luxury fashion items were once unattainable by anyone who didn’t go to Italy to get them. Now global commerce is open and anyone with a credit card can order their D & G on line.

Dolce gabbana eyewear is all the rage for both men and women this season, but who wants to pay those designer prices?! Eyewear Pros provides authentic designer styles at deeply discounted prices so you can look your best! Visit their secure online store today for a full catalog!

Image courtesy of www.dolcegabbana.it

Super Casual: Are you thinking a barefoot wedding on the beach with close family and friends? If so, your wedding may be considered “super casual.” Think outside the wedding gown box when it comes to this one. A cocktail dress may be just the thing. Check your local department stores and see if they have something that might fit the bill. Also, don’t be afraid to break tradition—go for color! It is a huge trend these days. Some brides even go the extremely casual route and wear a simple sundress for the big day. Additionally, you may even want to take a peek at some bridesmaid dresses. They come in so many cute styles and designs and are super affordable. If you want to stick with an actual wedding gown, a shorter style is ideal.

Informal: Informal beach weddings are by far the most popular choice. This may mean a short guest list and an overall-relaxed feel to the day. When choosing a wedding dress, be sure not to get carried away by looking at gowns that are too “fancy” for the venue and vibe. A simple sheath dress would work well, as it gives a long and lean look, but can be bought with very little detailing. The sheath style is also a good choice when you consider the wind factor—you don’t want something that is too loose at the bottom, as it may easily fly up in the middle of the ceremony! Wedding dress designers are also making more and more short gowns. If you go this route, choose a shorter style that is more fitted toward the bottom; again, keeping in mind the wind. Empire gowns are a staple of informal beach weddings. They are comfortable, have numerous embellishments from which to choose, and are available in an array of informal styles.

Semi-formal: There are some semi-formal beach weddings. This includes a larger guest list and a more upscale feel to the day. Therefore, your wedding gown should reflect the same. A-lines are available in semi-formal styles, but make sure you choose a lightweight fabric. No bride wants to be sweating during her ceremony and reception. Empire dresses are also a good choice as some can be much more formal and the look of the design just screams beach. Stay away from ball gowns and short styles.

Visit BridePower.com for a variety of wedding gown styles from many of the industry’s leading designers, including Vera Wang, Pronovias, Vera Wang, and Melissa Sweet wedding dresses.

Greater Choice

One of the benefits of shopping online is that parents have access to a much larger selection of brands and stores than they would find in their high street stores. All of the major children’s retailers such as Baby Gap, Zara and Mothercare have online stores, as do some of the more designer brands such as Finger in the Nose Clothing, Catimini and Kenzo. One of the things that most parents hate is seeing their child dressed the same as everyone else, and choosing an innovative brand such as Finger in the Nose Clothing ensures that a child will stand out from the crowd. Also, high street stores tend to stick very much to the mantra that pink is for girls and blue is for boys. Brands such as Finger in the Nose clothing or Scotch & Soda do not follow this theory, and clothes are available in a much wider choice of colours and styles.

Convenience

Shopping online from the comfort of your own home is the ideal solution for any busy parent. Nothing quite beats the ease of sitting on your sofa with a cuppa and a biscuit, browsing the web for interesting designs and bargain purchases. The only downside of online shopping is that the colours on the screen may not be exactly accurate and sizing can be difficult too. Most good online retailers have charts which allow you to choose the best size for your child, and if you get it wrong they will allow you to return an item and swap it for a different size.

Security

Internet shopping is getting more secure all of the time and a few simple precautions can help guard against credit card fraud. Never shop on a site which does not start with https and does not have a padlock symbol on the checkout page. These two things denote that the site is secure. If a site appears to be selling goods at ridiculously cheap prices, it may not be genuine. Stick to professional sites from well-known brands, and if in doubt putting the name of the company into a search engine should throw up any comments of difficulties others have had with the same site.

Delivery

One of the main gripes about internet shopping is the delivery charges, which are often a flat fee. Keep an eye out for special promotional codes which offer free delivery, or order with a group of friends to split the charges between several people. Don’t leave things until the last minute, as next day or courier services will always be more pricey than having things delivered by the standard mail service. Most good websites will have an arrangement with a courier to enable you to return items free, or for a nominal charge.

Citations:

• Image courtesy of Matthew Bowden

I Dream Elephants offer a wide range of children’s designer clothing online from ranges such as Finger in the Nose clothing and Scotch R’Belle.

Scandinavian Interiors

It’s easy to put a splash of Scandinavia into your home. The Scandinavian look is simple and uncluttered, with lots of natural wood, stone and fabrics. Keep to a neutral palette of white, beige and brown for a more minimal look, and use small splashes of colour. Wood is the material most associated with Scandinavian design, so ditch the carpets and go for painted wooden floorboards with a simple rug instead. Keeping things light is the main thrust of Scandinavian design, due to the fact that there are long, dark winters. Windows are kept simple with blinds rather than curtains, and furniture is often painted white, then stenciled.

Lifestyle

It’s all about the great outdoors. Many of the Nordic countries have long, dark winters and when the light summer days arrive, the people get out and make the most of the warm weather. Camping and hiking are popular, as is enjoying the beautiful countryside. Water sports are an important part of the outdoor lifestyle, as is fishing and angling in lakes, rivers and in the sea. Finland has a huge number of lakes in the country and embracing a simpler way of life in a tent or log cabin, eating simple meals and spending the long, summer days with the family will help you get closer to the ideal of Scandinavian living.

Clothing

Scandinavian style is all about simplicity and quality, and the same is true of clothing. Warmth and practicality are important factors and natural fabrics such as wool, leather and cotton feature heavily. Marimekko, based in Helsinki, have become famous around the world for their vivid colours and prints, which are used on home furnishings as well as fabrics for clothing. Children’s brand Freoli Clothing is from Denmark and is a great combination of cutting edge design and practicality. Freoli clothing is famous for their use of bright colours so are the ideal choice for allowing your child to stand out from the crowd. Less is more when it comes to adopting any sort of style, and dressing head to toe in Marimekko or Freoli clothing can look contrived. Choose a few key items and mix and match with jeans or leggings that are already in your wardrobe.

Food and Drink

The stereotype of Scandinavian food and drink is picked fish, but there is much more to the cuisine than that. Denmark is famous for open sandwiches, where meats, cheeses, fish and salad items are laid on flat breads before serving. Sweden is best known for its tasty pork meatballs, served with potatoes and a creamy gravy. Scandinavian prawns, lobster and salmon are among the best in the world, and cooked simply with some fresh green vegetables and potatoes or pasta, they are hard to beat.

I Dream Elephants offer a large range of Scandinavian clothing including the great range from Freoli Clothing

 
When you are thinking of buying a new tie then one of your first considerations should be the colour of shirt you wish to team it with. If is it is a tie for a special occasion then you can afford to go a little wild and to spend some money on something unusual and eye catching. Do remember however that you must never wear too much pattern at one time or you will look eccentric rather than stylish.

A white shirt is a perfect canvas to begin with if you are unsure of what suits you or if you are new to wearing ties. Any colour and shape of tie will go well with a crisp white shirt. Whether it is skinny or kipper shaped – well maybe steer clear of kipper shaped – you will find that for the beginner this will be your best bet!

In general, a skinny tie looks best with a close fitting single breasted suit and not a large “boxy” style or double breasted jacket. When choosing a skinny tie, you cannot go wrong with classic black and a textured fabric will add more interest. You must also always remember to choose one which looks in proportion to your frame. Try a few on and see which looks best. Skinny ties are a style classic.

What colours go with what?

Ok, so we all have our tried and tested favourite colours which we know suit us. However safe can become boring and sometimes we all need to step out of our comfort zone! So let’s say that you have bought a:

• Light blue shirt – this will go well with ties of virtually any colour, especially those in shades of deep yellow, gold, deep red and dark blue
• Tan coloured shirts look good with bronze ties, sometimes with black
• Light pink shirts can be worn confidently by most men and a deep burgundy tie will compliment this look very well
• If you wish to play it safe then matching your shirt colour to your tie colour is always acceptable too

How to match the right tie with the right suit

• If you are looking to match a tie to a full suit, begin with the suit first. Buy one which you know looks good on you and which fits you well. Choose your shirt next and then make the tie the finishing touch!
• Be on the lookout for clashing colours or patterns. All stripes is a no no, also do not mix many patterns at once. Combine patterned with plain and take your body dimensions into account when choosing pattern size. Big flowers will swamp a smaller fellow!
• Always combine a mix of small stripes with larger when wearing a pin striped suit and tie.
• Colours should harmonise and balance!
• Be careful with checks, you don’t want to look like Rupert the Bear!

If in doubt, keep everything simple. A simple white shirt and dark suit can look amazing with a patterned or coloured silk tie. Keep having fun with your ties and it will all come together!

Style PIlot is an online start-up designed to improve men’s fashion. Style Pilot will effectively provide an online stylist that deals with issues such as men’s tie.