Types of Black Cocktail Dress

Belt It: Dresses with cinched waists, via a matching belt, usually create the much sought-after hourglass figure.

Tiered Dresses: Tiered dresses were very popular during the 1960s and they feature layers of fabric that follow a tier-like pattern (similar to a wedding cake). This look isn't for everyone, especially those that may be a little heavier on the bottom, but if you are super fit, this may be the perfect look that shakes things up a bit.

Sparkles and Sequins: Sparkles and sequins usually depend on the wearer's preference; some women love them, others loathe them. If this particular look works for you, then by all means wear it.

Slim Fit with a Sweetheart Neckline: These dresses are great, especially for anyone who likes to wear long sleeves, but doesn't want to look dowdy. The body-hugging nature of this dress keeps the sleeves in balance, while the sweetheart neckline adds elegance.

Sheer: Obviously, with this one, you'll want a sheer that's appropriate for the occasion. Luckily, there are several black cocktail dresses that accomplish this feat. The very best are those that offer a sheer neckline and sleeves, but the rest of the dress is opaque.

Backless or a Deep Back: Backless black dresses, like the wrap look, are some of the most flattering on the fashion market. That's because the front of the dress is usually high necked and very conservative, while the back is deep, shockingly seductive, and unexpected. If you have a stellar back, this is a great dress to show it off in.

Jesus Peiro Fashion Show

Tips to Avoid Saying the Wrong Thing In Weddings

If you know the couple really well, you could be tempted to try to joke around or tease them about something that's somewhat of an inside joke or a story not everyone knows (or more importantly, one that not everyone should know). Plenty can go wrong when trying to pull this off.

1. If you're writing it down, remember that it may not have the same tone when read as the tone you're trying to convey in the message.

2. If you're being recorded, you could more easily get your tone across, but be sure you don't say something you shouldn't. It can never be taken back.

3. If you're the best man, don't joke about something the groom did prior to the wedding day--even if it was years before he met his bride-to-be--that could be hurtful to his new wife.

4. If you're being recorded during the reception and you've already had a glass of wine or two, your safest bet is to say something simple like, "I love you guys. You're the most perfect couple. You'll have a beautiful life together."

Remember, you can always send your funny "best wishes" message in a card later if you still feel it's appropriate.

Types of Little Girls' Dresses

There is a variety of little girls dresses suitable for many special occasions. Whether it be a birthday celebration or a trip down the aisle bearing flowers, the right dress can make any event more memorable.

Communion dresses: Considered one of the holiest occasions in the Catholic faith, communion dresses are worn to celebrate a little girl's state of grace. Communion formal wear includes a white dress, a white veil, white tights and white shoes.

Flower girl dresses: Flower girl dresses will vary to accommodate the color and theme of the wedding. Often, flower girl dresses will mimic the dresses worn by the bridal party. For accessories, flower girl dresses may include gloves and a floral hair wreath.

Holiday dresses: Holiday dresses are a must have for little girls. A simple red or green velvet gown can be worn from Thanksgiving thru New Year's Day. Black velvet gowns are another formal and elegant choice that work well for holiday photos and special dinners.

Church dresses: Church and Easter dresses are often pastel and floral in nature. Church dresses may be sleeveless, but to maintain modesty within the church setting, a cardigan or lightweight sweater is an appropriate layer.

Christening gowns: Baptism gowns are often considered heirloom dresses. When shopping for this glorious gown, shoppers may choose between classic batiste, broadcloth or organza fabrics. The christening gown will always be white to represent purity, although the style can range from ornate and beaded to simple and organic. For proper preservation of the christening gown, see the storing tips below.

Camouflage Prom Dresses

Camouflage is a unique and fun print to wear on a prom dress if you are looking for something a little different to help you stand out from the crowd.

Especially in today's culture where young people are both blazing their own fashion trail and gaining a heightened awareness of current political issues, it is no wonder certain prom dresses have found their inspiration from this militant pattern. Camouflage has long been recognized as a symbol of American pride, boldness, and a tough exterior. Teens wishing to appear firm in their viewpoints and resistant to peer pressure enjoy the option of camo on dresses.

When it comes to prom, anything goes. It is your special night, and no one can really tell you what camouflage prom dresses will fit your own personal style. Since there aren't too many available, many teens are finding it is not only fun to wear a camo dress, but to create one as well. Getting together with a group of friends and sewing your own creations will make your dress extra special. When wearing camo, you need to decide if you want to come across as unapproachable or sexy. These two looks are very different, and both can be achieved with a camouflage printed fabric.

If you are looking for a sexy and fun dress with a little bit of a militant flair, then look into patterns that involve form fitting bodices and princess-like ball gown skirts. If you want to sport a tough tomboy look, discover shorter skirts and tops with classy collars. Although retail selection is limited, you may find a few offerings on the more casual side, or check into formal wear shops that are willing to make custom camouflage dresses.

Italian Christmas Eve Dinner

Seafood risotto is usually made with the seafood cooked right into the risotto. Although this makes a wonderful dish, I find that the seafood can easily become overcooked and get lost in the risotto, or that some diners can get lots of seafood while others get cheated. I find that flavoring the risotto with a seafood broth and then topping it with sautéed seafood is an unbeatable combination.

1. Prepare the risotto according to package directions. Either keep the finished risotto warm in a 200ºF. oven or cook it while you prepare the rest of this recipe.

2. Put the olive oil and red pepper flakes in a large sauté pan over high heat for about 30 seconds, or until the oil is hot but not smoking.

3. Cook the clams, mussels, and scallops (on both sides) for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the clams begin to open and the scallops begin to turn opaque.

4. Add the shrimp and cook everything for 1 minute more, until the shrimp turn pink on one side.

5. Turn the shrimp, add the garlic, and cook for a few seconds, until the garlic begins to turn golden.

6. Add the tomatoes followed by the sauce and cook for a moment or two until all the juices in the pan blend together.

7. Finish with a pat of butter or two and a splash of cream if desired.

Ines Di Santo Wedding Dress Collection

The range of bridal dress color choices may be perplexing. For example, eggshell, ecru, ivory, diamond white, candlelight and champagne are just a few common shades of white one can select. The cost of a wedding gown can be exorbitant, as well, and is something brides should take into account when choosing their dresses.

Things To Consider When Shopping For Christmas Gifts For Kids

During special occasions whether it is birthday or Christmas, you always look forward to search for your kids' unique presents. On your list, you probably will have the latest gadgets and creative toys. In the next several weeks, we will be celebrating Christmas and I am certain some of the best toys for this season are already on your kids' wish lists. There are so many toys to choose from, it can be difficult to come to the conclusion which is the best one to buy.

1. Is the toy safe?
It is a common practice that chemicals and toxins are being used in the production of most consumer goods. Thus, toys are no exception as they are exposed to them as well. The paints on toys could be tainted with lead. Bisphenol-A (BPA), dioxins, and phthalates are also found in some toys and I don't think you want such toys for your kids. They can lead to a number of health issues such as developmental and learning disabilities, reproductive problems, cancer, and hormone problems. Thus, there is a need for toys that are free of unnecessary toxic chemicals.

2. Is the element of fun is more important than the values the toy can provide?
I agree that children want to be entertained when they play their toys however you should not forget the importance of education or the opportunity to allow your child could explore new talents.

3. Is the quality of the toy good?
It is the best in the child's interest to avoid toys that rely on low quality materials so that the retailers can sell them at a bargain. Durability is one thing that toys should have, and you should be able to pass on the toys to the next child in similar conditions.

After reading this article, you probably have learned some useful pointers for your coming Christmas gifts shopping. I'm sure when you intend to get a Christmas present for your kids, it is your intention that when they accept your gifts, they should appreciate the effort you have put in as you go hunting for their special gifts.

London Christmas Parties

It may be a long time away, but it's never too early to start brainstorming party ideas. London, the nation's lively and bustling capital, provides the ideal setting for themed Christmas parties. Whether you are thinking about going all out and throwing a lavish, no-holds barred exclusive shindig or getting together with other organisations for a shared bash, we can help you get those creating juices flowing. But imagine if all reasonable logic and reason went out the window and you were able to put into practice literally anything you could imagine. Here we outline two outlandish party ideas in London that probably wouldn't even get off the ground in reality!

Outer Space Themed Christmas Parties
The setting for your 2011 Christmas party in London is the Planetarium at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich. Your guests arrive into the gravity-deprived, weightless surroundings dressed as spacemen or aliens from another world. Float up to the control centre for welcome drinks before taking a trip around the planets and stars. You will dine on traditional space food, such as freeze-dried turkey and stuffing, with vaccuum-packed Christmas pud to follow. After dinner entertainment would come courtesy of a live band playing theme music from famous movies set in space and guests would be required to enter a decompression chamber before departing the Planetarium and re-entering the real world.

Pre-historic Themed Christmas Parties
London parties don't get much crazier than this pre-historic theme, set of course in the capital's Natural History Museum. Imagine arriving at a party where the hosts are cavemen, handing out Mead to be drunk from stone cups. The dinosaurs would come alive for one night only and guests would feast on delights of the day such as wild boar and pterodactyl. A group of Neanderthals would provide classic tribal post-meal music, with drums made of stone and sticks of bone. Guests would be dressed in imitation animal skins and traditional tribal dress, of course.

Party Dress Codes

Are you hosting a party? Or are you attending a party? In both the cases, it is important for you to know about the latest and on-going party trends. One popular party trend is the party dress code trend. This means that the host of the party specifies a dress code for the guests and the guests have to follow it. The guests are made aware of the dress code through invitation cards. These dress codes are used on all types of occasions and events such as weddings, birthdays, prom nights, anniversaries and office parties.

Black Tie Party
This code can be typically used for wedding, prom and even reception functions. It is a formal party where men are dressed up in suits and women are dressed up in gowns. The attire that the guests wear depends completely on the decision of the hosts. The invitation can state that it can be black tie attire but the party dress codes will be semi-formal.

If this is the code for a formal office party or a meeting, then men should go for grey or black tuxedos with matching ties while for a semi-formal occasion, they can choose to wear white or black tailcoat and dinner jacket. For women, it is suggested to wear evening gowns or long dresses, in case of formal or semi-formal events while in case of office parties, they can go for evening gowns or wide leg trousers.

White Tie Party
This is the code for the biggest formal events that include balls, banquets and operas. For men, it is important to remember that this attire is only worn after its six in the evening or after the dark, in some cases. For any white tie event, the men will wear a waist-length coat or jacket with two tails in its back, white wing collar, white cotton bow tie, wool or silk pants with stripes down the legs, silk socks, white shirt with a tux front, an opera overcoat, and leather shoes. For women, it is suggested to wear full-length ball gowns. Accessories such as a shawl and long hand gloves are acceptable.

Lounge and Cocktail Party
Parties that come under this section are not as dressy and formal as the previous two discussed in this article. Men can wear business suits of any color they like to, with or even without tie. A button-down shirt will also add elegance. For women, short elegant dresses with accessories like clutch purses would be a great idea. Women should look for sexy party dresses for such occasions and events; these include for instance strapless, low neck and short dresses.

Importances of Being the Mother of the Groom

1.) Hotel reservations for the groom's out of town guests are the responsibility of the mother of the groom. You could coordinate hotels with the mother of bride, and maybe you will both get a better deal for each of your guests because you are reserving so many rooms.

2.) It is the responsibility of the groom's family to host and pay for the rehearsal dinner. This could be as simple as a backyard barbeque or a nice, formal sit-down dinner. Everyone who is in the ceremony is invited to the rehearsal dinner, and it is appropriate etiquette to invite the spouse or significant other of those participating, as well as the parents of the children that are in the wedding.

3.) Your arrival prior to the wedding is dictated by when you and your family are scheduled for photographs. If you are taking family photographs before, you should arrive at least thirty minutes prior to when you are scheduled to be there, just in case the photographer is ready for you early. If you won't be taking pictures until after, then you should arrive no later than an hour before the ceremony is set to begin.

4.) You should participate in the ceremony however your son and his bride have requested you too, Whether that be to light the mother's candles with the bride's mother or to be escorted to your seat by your son as he prepares to take his place at the front.

5.) Be prepared to participate in the receiving line as your guests are leaving the church or entering the reception.

Balina Bridal Gown Fashion Show Pronovias

Wedding dresses in 2011 seem to be running the gamut from sexy and slinky to "belle of the ball" as brides of all ages seek to fulfill their wildest fantasies and girlhood dreams. In fact, there doesn't seem to be any one trend, other than to have fun, and no right or wrong when it comes to style and statement.

Silver Glossy Bridesmaid Dresses

Silver Bridesmaid Dresses
Silver dresses have a really pure luster, being very metallic. It's one of the most elegant colors and is easily demure and not too eye-catching, despite being pretty!

Silver & White: V-necked, sleeveless dresses in these colors are classical and decorous. A bowed belt can outline and accessorize your waistline and help bridesmaids look pretty. Additionally the silver-white color combination will set off the holy atmosphere of the weddings.

Silver & Blue: Long chiffon bridesmaid dresses in this color with pleats around the chest give the wearer a really vivid Grecian style. It's a noble combination and will add a really classy look to your wedding.

Sherri Hill 2011 Prom Dress Show

With prom 2010 now a distant memory, young women all over the globe eagerly ponder what styles and colors of prom dresses that 2011 will hold in store for them. Last season, we saw a myriad of vivid colors and a continuation of sassy animal prints. There was also an exploration into even more abstract printed designs, often in bright pastels. Short cocktail dresses continued to gain popularity as well.

Japan Barbie Bridal Fashion Show

Whether a bride is looking for a traditional gown or something more modern, she will find a Japanese wedding dress that will fit her tastes. There are many different styles available from the ones that look like they came out of a fairy tale to ones that appear to have just come off the runway, and everything in between.

Indian Brides Make Up

The Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi bridal looks all have one word in common: drama. Eyes are dramatic, lips are dramatic, contouring is heavy and the normal bridal color is red-drama, drama, drama!

For any bridal makeup the essential ingredient is a great base. Asian bridal make up for Indian brides is best heavily contoured and a great way to achieve this look without appearing painted, is to use an airbrush. This can help blend contour lines on cheeks, temples, jaw-line and nose so that the desired effect (drama!) is achieved without the undesirable patchiness that often comes with manual application.

Because most brides wear red the standard Indian Asian bridal make up is in bronze, gold and red colors. Eyes are heavily defined with Kohl and liquid eyeliner, and eye-shadow is extensive. Fake eye lashes are a must with this look as is seamless blending of eye shadow: the default position of an Indian bride is looking demurely downwards, so the full eye shadow is visible most of the time and needs to be blended perfectly. The look is completed with a red lip-shade to match the dress.

Girl Emo Fashion

Girl emo fashion is used to make girls more attractive and to produce an impression of beauty. Mostly the girls who want to get an elegant look to attract the sight of people use the emo fashion. In fact, they have a mission in their mind to attract and impress the viewers. Emo fashion helps them to succeed in their purpose. To adopt this fashion a girl has to do an emo fashion in all the ways such as dress, makeup, hair cut, jewelry, gait, style and smile. All these accessories play a role to make her emo.

Emo dress: Girl emo fashion requires an emo dress because this is the dress which makes them attractive. Clothes are found in a large number of varieties. Beside this, they have different colors and designs. As you know, they play a basic role to make you emollient therefore before choosing your desired dress you should see your body shape and smartness because they are the factors which make your dress beautiful.

Haircut: Hair style plays an essential role to make one's personality attractive and elegant. It produces a charm in one's look. You may become beautiful or ugly due to your hair style. All depends upon a factor that your style is appropriate or not according to your look and complexion. Short and curly hair styles are mostly used for this purpose.

Makeup: Makeup is a necessary part of beauty to make you emollient. Therefore it is applied carefully because due to little mistake you may lose all the impression. Commonly, smoky eyes with purple, green and blue color combination are selected to succeed in your mission. Strong foundation is better because it gives you a full change in your complexion.

Jewelry: Jewelry is an important part of your beauty. It is liked very much because you can get an impression in your look. Jewelry contains different designs and colors therefore it is chosen according to different fashion styles. It is seen that how much you want to become emo then color and design are selected.

Smile: Smile is the freshness of face and if you have smile on your face then you can inspire the people otherwise without smile your face will show a strong and aged look.

5 Ways Yoga Can Help Increase Your Quality of Life

Yoga is an ancient art originating from India. Its primary focus is the development of inner peace through stretching and breathing exercises which help to channel energy into ones soul. In today's modern contemporary society, Yoga is used by many individuals as a means of release from everyday life, a pass time which is incredibly personal and acts as a self exploring art.

1. Increased Lung Capacity - by conducing yoga twice weekly, you will learn how to breath more effectively and control your emotions as a result. Breathing exercises will also help you increase your VO2 max which is the maximum amount of oxygen you can intake in one breath. This is important for any healthy cardiovascular effort, as your lung capacity will directly impact on how your body will perform when exerted.

2. Reduced stress levels - research suggests that taking time out exclusively for yourself helps to reduce stress levels and having a time out from the everyday issues that trouble us all. By doing yoga, your body will naturally be more relaxed and your muscles and internal organs will have had the opportunity to stretch and release toxins that are captured by an increase in stress levels. By doing so, you will become at one with your soul and you will work towards reaching a complete state of what is known as inner peace, or shanti.

3. Higher level of physical fitness - yoga is an art which is underpinned by stretching and developing personal stretching capabilities over time. In doing so you will start to use fat stores as energy, putting the body in a higher state of physical exertion. As you do this, your body will become more supple, overtime resulting in an increased level of toning.

4. Relaxed mindset - because of the atmosphere within a yoga class you will find yourself becoming extremely relaxed, entering a state of passiveness which is unrivalled in any extracurricular activity.

5. Meeting people - by going to a yoga class you will meet like minded individuals that want to increase their quality of life through stress relief and relaxation, two facets which yoga provides easily. By meeting these types of individuals you will find yourself making new friends that are on the same wavelength, happy to socialise with you in order to further improve both yours and their own quality of life.

Tips for a School Fashion Show

School fashion shows can be quite fun if done properly. If done the wrong way, however, it could end up being one boring affair which is only occasionally enlivened by the people laughing at a humiliated model. What you need are some tips to help you.

1 Think of a theme - When putting up a school fashion show, it is always helpful if you use a theme. A theme gives a fashion show a sense of organization and people would be able to relate the fashion to the theme.

2 Music - The music sets the mood for the whole fashion show. It strikes the subconscious of the watchers and thus, determines how much attention they will be paying your school fashion show. This means, of course, that you need to choose the correct sounds to accompany your school fashion show.

3 Lighting - Proper lighting effects are always essential if you want to have a great school fashion show. Together with the background music, the lighting effects give the audience a general emotion to feel. How do you want them to react when they see a certain ensemble? You can make them react as you want them by simply combining light and sound.

4 Spontaneity - Students hate predictability. Because of this, the best thing that your school fashion show could have is a surprise. You need to show your students something unexpected and completely new. In doing so, you will be able to grab their attentions and keep it. By being spontaneous, you will keep spectators guessing as to what will come next. This will keep their eyes on the school fashion show and off their watches and mobile phones. If you can make the audience forget about the gadgets on their pockets, then you would know that your school fashion show rocks!

Look Sexier in Fashion Tights

We all look at ourselves in the mirror and think, "if only my butt were a little tighter," or "if only my boobs were a little bigger." This worry is unnecessary because you already look beautiful, but if my reassurance doesn't mean much to you, there are certain kinds of tights that can help you look and feel sexier. Here is a guide to all kinds of tights, from sheer to seamless shapewear.

1. Check out the sizes first. Usually, but not always, "A" will be "A." Just in case, it's good to check. Checking the guide on a package according to weight and height, or hips and height, is usually a good way to choose the proper size.

2. Ultra Sheer: These tights are as the name says: they are ultra revealing and allow your skin color to be seen. Because they are so thin, they can be prone to ripping and tearing, so be careful.

3. Day Sheer/Business Sheer: This is a good medium between ultra sheer and modest sheer. They will allow some pigment to shine through, as they are still pretty thin. Again, because they are so thin, you may want to carry an extra pair around with you. These tights also reveal the shape of your legs more so than an opaque pair of tights.

4. Spandex Sheer: These tights mix nylon and spandex and offer a smooth feel without the thinness of the above sheer tights.

5. Circulation enhancing/Support hose: This combination of nylon and string moves away from sheer and towards opacity. They are great for preventing varicose veins in your legs because the pressure from the hose increases circulation. Plus, wearing them makes it more difficult for your legs to tire because of all the blood flow.

6. Shimmer/Glimmer: These tights are good for showing off the shape of your legs because they shimmer when under lights. They're especially good for evening wear.

7. Opaques/Tights: These tights are perfect during the winter or when you don't want to bare your legs. They can also help to make your legs look slimmer. Avoid wearing a simple t shirt with these tights, i.e. always cover your butt.

8. Control Top Pantyhose/Support Tights: The spandex in these hose can lift and perk your butt and tighten your belly area.

9. Women's Shapewear Body: These body stockings are what dancers wear and can help to tighten your legs, belly and butt. The material of these hose is lightweight and breathable.

10. Think thongs; panty lines never look good.

11. Match your hose to your outfit. Fashion mistakes can be worse than a run in your hose.

12. Keep extra hose in your bag or in a work drawer, just in case you spot an emergency run. With these tips you should have an easier time choosing what kind of hose to wear, and deciding which kind will look best on you with certain clothing and during certain seasons.