Drop a Dress Size in 6 Weeks

This easy-to-follow workout, appropriate for all fitness levels, targets your butt, abs, hips, waist, thighs, and upper arms. Here's the drill.

• Before starting, stretch and do a five-minute warm-up (a quick walk or stair climb).

• Use a pair of hand weights: three to five pounds each if you're a beginner, eight to ten if you're already working out.

• Count to three as you do the move, and as you return to the start position. Exhale as you lift, inhale on the way down.

• If you can't do more than eight reps, you're using too much weight; if you can do 15 without trouble, you're not using enough.

The Plan: During weeks one and two, complete all six exercises (this is called a circuit) for the number of sets listed. Starting with week three, increase the number of sets; by week six you should be completing three sets of each exercise. Do a circuit two to three times a week, giving yourself at least 48 hours of rest in between each session.


Read more: Drop a Dress Size in 6 Weeks - Good Housekeeping

The Legacy Lives!!!

From super low-slung trousers to skull scarves, extreme shoes to sharp tailoring, British designer Alexander McQueen, who was found dead on Thursday, was the darling of the fashion pack. But exactly what difference did he make?

Lauded in the style industry and among those who keep a close eye on emerging trends, Alexander McQueen's contribution to fashion could, nevertheless, be lost on many others. But many High Street favorites of the past two decades bear his influence. So how did McQueen shape the things we've worn?

LOW-SLUNG JEANS

The bumster... worn low - very low
Alexander McQueen was the man who made the builder's bum fashionable. His "bumsters", which appeared in 1996, spawned the trend in perilously low-rise, crevice-revealing jeans.

"The bumster for me is what defined McQueen," says Michael Oliveira-Salac, the director of Blow PR and a friend of McQueen's from his early days in the fashion industry. "For me it was the look that put him on the map because it was controversial."

"Those little bumsters were in his first shows. It was like 20 people in England were wearing them back then."

It was a look that spread and spread, although few dared go as low as McQueen's signature buttock-baring style. As hipster jeans became ubiquitous throughout the 1990s and 2000s, a new term, "muffin top", was coined to describe the resulting over-hang of hip flesh caused by low-riding waistbands.

Today the sight of muffin tops over jeans or a sneaky flash of bottom cleavage might not seem too shocking - unfashionable, perhaps, now women's waistbands have edged closer to the waist once more - but when McQueen first sent out his models in bumsters, it was a radical departure and attracted many column inches of comment and debate.

Mr Oliveira-Salac says the style achieved what McQueen set out to do. "It wasn't about it being frivolous, it was about being different."

SKULL PRINTS


Skulls on bags, scarves, dresses...
One enduring motif which McQueen transported from catwalk to the High Street was the skull. His trademark scarf bearing the design has become a celebrity must-have. Johnny Depp, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Ritchie and Cameron Diaz are among the stars who have been snapped wearing it.

"It is a trademark heritage scarf which is being copied by the world and his wife," explains Faye Sawyer, a stylist and fashion editor of 125 magazine. "You can go into any High Street store and buy one," she adds.

The McQueen skull clutch bag is another sought-after accessory that has sparked many a counterfeit.

TAILORING


McQueen trained on Savile Row, then moved to theatre costumiers Angels
McQueen started as an apprentice on Savile Row - the spiritual home of bespoke British men's tailoring. It was grounding that helped earn him a reputation in the fashion world as an expert at creating an impeccably tailored look.

As Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue explains: "He was incredibly clever at cutting clothes."

In cutting his teeth at Anderson & Sheppard, and Gieves and Hawkes, McQueen learned the disciplines of shape and proportion in traditional tailoring. During this time he even made a suit for Prince Charles.

As Eilidh Macaskill, the editor of InStyle magazine explains, McQueen wasn't just about crazy looks on the catwalk.

"He also created beautiful, beautiful wearable clothes… the razor-sharp suit, the pencil skirts, the beautiful prints in the spring and summer collection."

Sawyer believes the way McQueen's clothes were tailored had an impact beyond the catwalk. "The cut is everything. It affected fashion and it filtered on to the High Street."


THEATRICAL CATWALK SHOWS

He had a taste for drama and shock
Birdcages, butterflies, feathered wings, towering heels and even a catwalk filled with water - McQueen is credited with bringing theatrical drama to the catwalk.

McQueen used new technology and innovation to add a twist to proceedings. In 2006 he projected a holographic 3D image of model Kate Moss on to the runway. He also experimented with streaming his catwalk shows live on the internet. Earlier shows featured a volcanic catwalk that erupted in flames, and a giant Plexiglass snowstorm.

He envisioned fashion and the different aspects of art at many different levels. "His shows were always ahead of their time, it was like a full-on production.

And his extravagant and colourful shows were always a hot ticket in the fashion world. "I've seen people fighting in the queues at his shows to get in," she says.

MOULD-BREAKING MODELS

Theatrical in every way
McQueen liked to shock and surprise people at his catwalk shows, and wasn't a designer who liked to conform to fashion industry norms.

In 1998 he caused controversy when double amputee Aimee Mullins, a former Paralympian, modelled on the catwalk wearing a pair of hand-carved wooden prosthetic legs.

"You always expected the unexpected with Alexander McQueen. Everyone was waiting to see who was on the catwalk, and what they were wearing.

"B

"Supermodels were never treated like royalty. He was one of the designers who didn't care about that social standing," he says. "When he worked with top models he loved to get them out of their comfort zone."



EXTREME SILHOUETTES

Making the beautiful ugly, or the ugly beautiful?
Some of McQueen's most memorable designs were outlandish, unconventional and plain bizarre.

"He didn't just create fashion, he created spectacles," says the fashion designer Scott Henshall.

For McQueen the creative palette extended further than just clothes, says Mr Oliveira-Salac.

"It wasn't just about the clothes - it was the whole look. The lipstick and the make-up was very prominent."

Some of his gothic inspired make-up creations had fashion editors divided. The heavy eyes, and clownishly defined lips were inspired by McQueen's theatrical side. He even collaborated with the cosmetics company MAC to devise make-up ranges.

"He was a creator. He wasn't just a fashion designer," says Helen Boyle. "He just upped the tempo in the way that he designed."

No mention of Alexander McQueen's influence would be complete without reference to the towering high-heeled footwear he was responsible for.

Pop star Lady Gaga managed to get through an entire music video wearing a pair of McQueen's Armadillo Shoes, which are 12cm high and resemble a lobster claw. And he was never one to simply make a hat when he could turn it into part snood, part gimp-mask, part taxidermy installation.

His silhouettes have been credited for adding a sense of fantasy, rebellion and edge to fashion.

Fall 2011 trend Geometric color blocking



Antonio berardi, Celin, DKNY, Costume National all images via Style.com

1

This fall season, the fashion designers are using geometric color block against black and brown background. These creative graphic stripes and angle prints will flatter your body by directing attention to your flattering features. For this bold statement, you need to wear a geometric print top with solid color bottom.

 

 

The popularity of ultra-saturated colors has been one of the biggest stories of 2011. For Fall, designers pushed the envelope further, color-blocking multiple hues in single garments for added visual punch.

Holiday Party Outfit Ideas

Listen to the guy with the pink hair! Because designer Chris Benz—who, yes, is as fun as he looks—knows exactly what you should be wearing this holiday season.

Bold, retro-inspired taste maker Chris Benz is having a moment—hopefully a permanent one. Fashion girls everywhere, including pretty much all of us at the Glamour office, adore the Seattle-born genius, who worked for Marc Jacobs and J.Crew before launching his line of playful but chic designs. And for the holidays? He’s full of charming tricks.
Here are three fab outfit ideas for your next holiday soiree...

Our model in Chris Benz's resort collection with the designer looking pretty (handsome) in pink. Top, shorts, Chris Benz; wedges, Alejandro Ingelmo for Chris Benz; necklace, bracelets, The Woods for Chris Benz.

Wear something different at night: shorts!
“Envision wearing shorts the same way you would skirts,” says Benz. “They’re a new way to make a statement. But think about what shape and length look best on you. Right now I love a longer Bermuda style—it feels luxe-y.”


Then top ’em and accessorize like crazy.
“You can wear a party-shorts look with a cami or tank or a sparkly cardigan. Go overboard and accessorize to balance out the casual feel of the shorts. Layer on jewelry, like long drop chains or a pair of super-eveninglike earrings.”

From left: Nonboring black pants, a special top and shorts for night:

When in doubt, start on the bottom.
“I love the idea of an interesting bottom as an accessory, like printed pants or even a skirt—anything that you can wear with a simple tank or tee. It’s easy dressing and intrinsically kind of chic and fabulous.”
Are you ready to try any of these holiday party outfit ideas?

Trend to Try: Graphic Eyeliner

When it comes to drawing outside the lines and taking risks, actress Amber Heard isn't shy. The star of The Rum Diary, plays muse to top Hollywood makeup pro Jeanine Lobell.

Open Edged
WHY IT WORKS Bored with the traditional cat eye? With the wing open just a smidge, the iconic look gets an edgy, new vibe. "It's more graphic and interesting, yet nearly just as simple to do," says Lobell.
HOW-TO Using a stiff pointed brush, Lobell traced Heard's upper and lower lash lines with a jet-black liquid, extending the lines 1/4 inch past the outer corners of her eyes (leaving a space in between). "If you go out further, you'll have a Black Swan moment," she warns. "And make sure the lines are straight—not flared up—almost like an equal sign." To clean up imperfections, Lobell used a pointed cotton swab dipped in eye-makeup remover.

Your First Tattoo

STEP ONE Decide on a tattoo design. Websites like bmezine and chopper-tattoo offer free, comprehensive galleries featuring thousands of photos of real tattoos. Does that mean that you should replicate someone else's image exactly as shown? No, not necessarily, but the photo galleries are great inspiration for figuring out new ideas. On bmezine, for example, the images are broken down into several dozen categories such as Sci-Fi, Lettering, Angels & Fairies, Dragons, Geek, Portraits, Stars, Music, Tribal, Religious Symbols (click the links to see my photo hubs of the different genres) to help you easily navigate through the themes you are most interested in.
STEP TWO Decide on the placement. Where on your body would you like this tattoo to go? Do you have any special requirements or restrictions? Figure out what your criteria are, if any. I once worked with a guy, an upscale salesman in a corporate office who had to wear a three-piece suit every day of his life. You wouldn't have known it, but beneath his bourgeoisie threads he was inked from front to back, neck to foot. His job prevented him from having any visible tattoos on his neck, face or hands, so he tattooed the rest of his body instead. When going to the tattoo parlor for a new addition, he was always sure to bring a button-down dress shirt with him. He would put it on to show the tattoo artist what the space limitations were (nothing above the collar or below the cuffs.) So think about this beforehand. Do you want a tattoo that can be easily hidden if necessary? Easily hidden most of the time? Or does it not matter either way? There's no way to explain the specific pain of a tattoo gun needle penetrating your skin at about a billion jolts per second, but if the idea of pain really freaks you out, you may want to consider placing your tat on a fleshier part of the body, like your upper arms or the back of your shoulder rather than your lower back, which is tender in the middle near the spine, or your wrists or ankles, which do not have the added protection of a lot of skin and muscle.

The biology behind tattooed skin

STEP THREE Select a tattoo parlor. Word of mouth is the best way to go. If your friends or acquaintences have tattoos that you admire, ask them where they got their work done and if they remember the name of their particular artist. You may also look online for suggestions, at sites like AAAtattoodirectory for a list of all businesses in your area. If all else fails, you can just default by going to the shop closest to your home and praying for the best.
STEP FOUR Call the tattoo parlor and ask if they have time to do two small tattoos/one mid-size tattoo/the first session of a huge, ongoing backpiece. This is not usually necessary, as most tattoo shops gladly take walk-ins, but it's courteous and it can't hurt to inquire. Plus, if the shop happens to be overrun at the moment by a group of twenty teenagers from the cheerleading squad all there to get matching pom-pom tattoos, you'll know to wait a few hours before going in. It helps to eat a decent size meal beforehand, as some people have weak stomachs when it comes to tattooing and tend to feel nauseous either during the procedure or just after.

A stencil is applied to the skin to show the artist where to tattoo

STEP FIVE Approach the counter and explain that you're looking to get three words above a picture of a heart tattooed on your upper arm. You don't need to go into detail with this person, because most likely he or she is there to take calls and introduce customers to their artists, which is what will happen next. Whichever worker's turn it is will come up to you and you will discuss what you want with him. If you've brought in a picture, hand it over. If you're unsure what type of lettering to get, ask to see a book of fonts (almost all stores have them.) Once you've selected, give the artist a few minutes to draw it up onto a transfer sheet which will later be applied to your skin.
STEP SIX Don't be afraid to be assertive. Tattoo artists aren't mind readers. They create the design based on the image in your head, so you have to give them a good idea of what you're looking for. After he draws up the first draft, he'll show it to you for your approval. It is okay to say no. Don't be afraid to say, "That looks great, but can we maybe make it a little bit smaller?" It is no trouble at all for him to use the copy machine to shrink it down to size. Remember, you are a paying customer, and the artists are there to ensure you have a great experience. The same thing goes for when the stencil is placed on your skin. He will apply the stencil and then ask you to look at it. If it's crooked or off-center or anything else, speak up. He will be happy to smear the stencil off your skin and reapply it. Always trust your instincts. If the artist gives you a hard time for wanting to be specific, you may want to consider finding a new shop. This is going to be on your body for the rest of your life, and you have every right to want it done perfectly.

Girl getting her first tattoo

STEP SEVEN I'll get into tattoo parlor etiquette in another hub, but suffice it to say that even if you're getting work done by a 300-lb. man named Snake, standard rules of courtesy still apply. DO NOT try to bargain with the price quote, DO NOT brag or make offhand remarks like "My friend so-and-so said his tattoo only cost $75, and it's even smaller than mine is going to be!" Be polite--tattoo prices are not up for discussion. It's okay to be nervous, but try to keep your emotions in check. I'll never forget the embarassment I felt years ago while taking an acquaintence to get her first ink. She screamed out a horrid rendition of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" to help her deal with the pain, then fell off the chair and crawled her way into the restroom when she thought she was going to vomit. If you get hit with a sudden wave of nausea and feel as though you might be sick, don't just jump out of the chair and sprint for the nearest bathroom as this can destroy the precise handiwork of your tattoo. Simply announce to the artist that you feel sick, he'll stop and you can head for the toilet. Finally, DO NOT enter the parlor drunk or under the influence of mind-altering substances. First of all, the artist has the right to refuse to work on you if he sees you are under the influence and secondly, you'll make a fool out of yourself. Stay as still as possible and try to relax. Focusing on something other than the pain helps (look at the artwork on the walls or a magazine in your hands.) Take deep breaths in and out and eventually your endorphins should kick in and the pain will be tolerable. At the end, thank him for his time and hand over his tip. Yes, tattoo artists get tips. Ten to twenty percent is usually a good amount. For example, I typically leave a maximum of $20 on a $100 tattoo.
STEP EIGHT It is common procedure for the artist to explain to you how to care for your new body modification, and most places will supply you with a print-out detailing proper aftercare techniques. If they do not do so, ask for a quick primer in what to do once you get home. When all is said and done, your new ink will be bandaged up with saran wrap and possibly a little bloody, but when you remove the treatment later that evening to wash it and apply the A&D cream, you'll be happy to find a crisp, fresh and hopefully beautifully completed work of art.

Photo Gallery of first tattoos

Click thumbnail to view full-size

How to beat the Winter Weight Loss Blues

Are you about to go into summer with a few extra pounds on your waist? Or (for those in the North) do you want to avoid adding extra fat this winter? If so, read on…
Winter Weight Loss Blues
One of the most common complaints in the health industry is at the end winter when summer is fast approaching and no one is happy with how the look. Everyone is scrambling for a ‘quick fix’ weight loss program to make sure they look lean and thin for the beach. I want to discuss some important issues regarding this depressing time of year.
Note - If you are up North and about to go into winter, or down South and about to hit summer this post has advice and strategies for both of you.


Why winter damages weight loss
The reasons why people get fat in winter are quite simple. They date back to the good old days where people had to store some extra fat over the cold months because we needed warmth and energy when there wasn’t much food around.
However, now-a-days the reasons are much more practical and easy to deal with. We put on weight in winter because:

• It is cold and thus fruit seems less inviting so we eat cooked, dense meals.
• It is cold so we don’t get outside to exercise as often as we should.
• Pastas, cereals, breads and other high carb foods seem more appealing in the winter.
• The days are shorter (daylight) and thus we feel there is less time to devote to exercise.
• We wear jackets and sweaters everyday and so dont notice weight gain as much.

Strategies to beat the Winter Weight Loss Blues
So, if you have added a few kilos over the winter or are trying to avoid doing so this year, check out some of these strategies.
1. Pre Cook Meals
Pre cooking certain meals is an excellent way to stay on top of the foods you eat. Generally I find that winter is a very impulsive time for diet and I grab whatever is near me and whatever is warm and filling.
However, cooking a chicken salad or making a huge batch of vegetable soup is an excellent way to make sure you keep your diet clean.
2. Find a new indoor-workout
Often in winter we dont even feel like going to the gym even though it is nice and warm inside the gym. If you are like this, try finding a workout that you can do indoors in your house.
One of my favourite ways to work out indoors is to set up a circuit of weights and cardio exercises. A friend of mine had a boxing bag hung up in his garage as well as bar bells, dumb bells, skipping ropes, etc. We could set up a circuit like this:

• 2 minutes of fast boxing on the heavy bag
• 30 seconds rest
• 1 set to failure of jumping squats
• 30 seconds rest
• 1 set of bar bell curls to failure
• 30 seconds rest
• etc.

We would devise a different circuit each time and put an emphasis on a different muscle. This kept us very lean and toned during the winter without ever having to leave the house.
3. Don’t drink coffee
The cooler weather sucks us in to the cafes on the way to work, to the car, to the toilet - any opportunity we can get. However, everytime you drink a coffee you add lets say a�two teaspoons�of sugar. You also might buy a snack while you are out.
If you buy three coffees in a day that is�6 teaspoons�of sugar and three snacks that are outside of your normal 6 meals a day. And that is a lot of extra fat by the end of the winter. So, avoid coffee and other winter habits that lead to adding more junk food to your diet.
4. Switch back to fruit earlier
Sometimes people wait right until the middle of summer to start eating fruit as a meal again. This is usually because this is when the best fruit is available but it is important to make an effort to start eating fruit earlier in the winter months to avoid adding extra kilos.
Many fruits are available all year round like bananas, apples, etc. so find something you like and eat it. Eating fruit as a whole meal is an extremely good way to manage weight gain and stay healthy during winter.
5. Use winter to get up early
One of the things about winter that can be a great advantage is that it is very dark in the mornings. If you can get used to getting up early when it is dark and going for a run, it will be so much easier to get up and train in summer when it is light at 6am.
My reasoning is that many people find it hard to get back into weight loss cardio after winter because they feel fat and unfit. However, if you have been training throughout winter it will be much easier to step up the intensity when summer comes to get in shape.
6. Cut back on carbs
Carbs in the winter are not a great idea beacause you really cant use up all the energy in them and thus will store it as fat. Try to only eat carbs in the morning (if you must have them) so that you can burn some calories as you walk around during the day.
Don’t eat anything near bed time as it is converted straight to fat.
Anyone got any other winter weight loss tips or advice?

"Work With What You Got"

Women Body Shapes

TIPS!!!!

STOP focusingon what you don't like and put what you Love front and center!!!

Hourglass

Vertical side panels really accentuate curves

A tight tucked in top with low rise jeans creates a silhouette

High wasited bottom showcases a small waist

Try contrasing belts with outfits to add definition

Busty women always have full breasts, regardless of their weight.

1. Find a shirt that flatters your womanly bustline.
2. Shirts with a v-neck or u-neckline make your bust look a little higher and more proportional.

• Look for tank tops with wider straps for warmer weather.
• Avoid very stretchy fabrics in a clingy cut. You may feel self-conscious, and every inch of your torso will be on display. If you love clingy fabrics, try layering a stretchy top under a blazer or light wrap.
• Steer clear of spaghetti straps, which can make your chest and shoulders look sizes larger.

Celebrities:

Kim Cattrall Kim Kardashian Salma Hayek Scarlett Johansson

Pear

Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce Knowles, kelly-clarkson and shakira are just some of the pear shaped women.
 The easiest way to balance a bottom-heavy figure is to choose a dress that skims over the lower half of the body. (1)Full or A-line skirts will skim your curves. .For you pear’s the key when it comes to buying that perfect dress is to draw all the attention up top, you should show off your fabulous arms, back and busts.
(2)Boot cut jeans is your best choice, the gentle widening of the boot cut below the knee will help balance out the heavier hips and thighs as the added width to the lower part of you leg will make your hips and thigh area naturally look smaller. Shopping for jeans be also aware of pockets and any design detail on the body area of the jeans. Buttons, zips and fastenings on jeans need to be neat and minimal, avoid any bulky side pockets or side button detail.
Banana
The banana body shape is the main body shape that young people are now days and the fashion is trying to help accentuate their lack of curves.  Layers are good so are belts! The best things you can do to give your banana body some shape is to use belts, soft, loose tops, crossover tops and layers, cardigans, tailored jackets, anything tailored, skirts with gathering on the hips and pockets on the hips. Flared skirts are good too. You can also get away with tight jeans.(Celebrities sharing your body shape include Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Hilary Duff, Keira Knightley.)
Apple
Choose clothes that skim and not cling. Flowing silks and soft cottons tailored in simple designs gives you soft silhouettes rather than emphasize those extra curves. And best of all, these fabrics are comfortable.
Boot cut jeans can be an excellent choice as the wider leg can draw the eye down from the waist and create a balanced look.
Apples can have the pick when it comes to denim jean colours! Choosing jeans that are of lighter shades are great as they will add shape to your thighs. Halter neck and puffy sleeved dresses should be avoided as they will only accentuate your upper body and make it appear wider. Instead a more flattering neckline for a full bust is the V-neck or a plunging neckline as they make the body appear less rounded. Celebrities like Jennifer Hudson, Elizabeth Hurley, Angelina Jolie, Tyra Banks and even Catherin Zeta-Jones.

ENJOY!!!!!

Before you buy another pair of eyewear follow these helpful tips

	Oval face If you have an oval face shape sunglasses of almost any style will work for you. Experiment with the latest looks, such as wraparounds or shields. Square shaped frames with gently rounded edges and higher temples also look good on an oval face. Frame suggestions : Any frame shape
	Round face If you have an oval face shape sunglasses frames should make the face appear longer and thinner. In general, look for frames equal to or slightly wider than the broadest part of the face. Minimize the curves and add definition with soft, angular, rectangular styles or double brow styles. Higher temples will create a longer profile. Sunglasses with brow bars also pull the eye upward, making the face appear longer. Frame suggestions : Wider frames with angular / rectangular styles
	Diamond shape face This face shape has wide or high cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin. With a Diamond face shape sunglasses with oval shape will soften the contour of the face, although softly curved square frames will do as well. Make sure the styles are no wider than the top of the cheekbones. Frame suggestions : Oval, Square, Rimless
	Square face This face shape consists of a strong jawline, a broad forehead and wide cheekbones. Reduce the angles of face shape using sunglasses with soft, curvy styles. They will give the face some definition such as cat-eye styles. The classic ovals also works well for this face shape. Frame suggestions : Oval or Round, Oval, Cat Eyes
	Oblong face With an Oblong Face Shape Sunglasses have to be chosen in the right way so that they do not extend beyond the widest part of the face. Round or square shapes will look great on this face. Frames with short horizontal and long vertical lines also work. Decorative or contrasting temples add width to the face. Frame suggestions : Round, Square
	Triangle shaped face This face has a narrow jaw and a wide forehead. To soften the face shape sunglasses should accent the eye area. Styles such as cat-eyes should angle outward at the top corner and be wide enough to balance the jawline. You can also try metal frames with rimless bottom. Frame suggestions : Frames with a straight top line, Cat-eyes