Summer Style Essentials: The Best Fashion Accessories for the Season

June is here! Summer (almost) is coming!

With the arrival of summer, it's time to embrace the spirit of the sun-soaked days and warm nights with a fresh, stylish ensemble. Fashion accessories play a pivotal role in elevating your summer outfits, adding flair and personality to your look.

In this blog post, we'll explore the must-have fashion accessories that will complete your summer wardrobe and keep you looking chic and trendy all season long. From statement sunglasses to vibrant scarves, let's dive into the world of summer fashion and discover the essentials that will make heads turn wherever you go!

1. Oversized Sunglasses: A staple accessory for summer, oversized sunglasses not only protect your eyes from the sun but also exude an air of sophistication. Choose a pair with trendy frames like cat-eye, round, or square shapes to add a touch of glamour to your summer outfits. Don't be afraid to go for bold colors or unique patterns to make a statement.

2. Straw Hats: Keep cool and shield yourself from the sun's rays with a stylish straw hat. Whether it's a classic wide-brimmed floppy hat, a trendy boater hat, or a chic fedora, straw hats add an instant dose of summer vibes to any look. Opt for a neutral tone or experiment with colorful ribbons and embellishments to match your personal style.

3. Statement Earrings: Upgrade your summer outfits with eye-catching statement earrings. Choose oversized hoops, tassel earrings, or geometric shapes to add a playful and vibrant touch to your ensemble. These accessories effortlessly elevate even the simplest of outfits, making them perfect for daytime adventures or evening soirées.

4. Vibrant Scarves: Lightweight and versatile, scarves are a must-have accessory for summer. Tie a colorful scarf around your neck, wear it as a headband, or even as a sarong at the beach. Opt for vibrant prints, floral patterns, or tropical motifs to embrace the essence of the season and add a pop of color to your outfits.

5. Straw Bags: Complete your summer look with a fashionable straw bag. From beach totes to crossbody bags and basket clutches, straw bags are both stylish and practical. They effortlessly complement any outfit, whether you're strolling along the boardwalk or enjoying a picnic in the park. Look for unique designs and embellishments to showcase your individuality.

6. Espadrilles: When it comes to summer footwear, espadrilles are a classic choice. These comfortable and stylish shoes feature woven soles and canvas uppers, offering a perfect blend of casual elegance. Opt for neutral tones or experiment with vibrant colors and patterns to match your summer wardrobe. Whether flats, wedges, or sandals, espadrilles add a touch of effortless chic to any ensemble.

7. Layered Necklaces: Create a boho-inspired summer look with layered necklaces. Mix and match different lengths and styles, combining delicate chains with statement pendants or charms. Layered necklaces instantly elevate your neckline, adding a touch of femininity and a hint of intrigue to your outfits.

Summer fashion is all about embracing lightness, vibrancy, and a carefree spirit. With these essential fashion accessories, you'll elevate your summer style and make a statement wherever you go. Whether it's oversized sunglasses, straw hats, statement earrings, vibrant scarves, straw bags, espadrilles, or layered necklaces, these accessories will add the perfect finishing touches to your summer ensembles. So, get ready to step out in style and make the most of the sun-soaked season ahead!

Stay fashionable and enjoy the summer vibes!

Why Good Teeth is your Best Beauty Accessory

Think about this for a moment:

Would you date someone who had bad teeth?

Like, really bad teeth.

So for example, lets go to the mirror right now. Look at your teeth. Ignore your hair, the shape of your face, your skin complexion... ignore all that. How good are your teeth?

Do you take care of them?

How often do you go to the dentist?

When you meet people, they are most likely going to be looking at several things:

• Your eyes.
• Your nose.
• Your teeth.
• Your chest.
• Various other body parts.

They are not necessarily going to notice your purse, your shoes, your bracelets you bought on vacation in Greece, your necklace, your earrings, or even your makeup (because the best makeup is either none at all, or so little makeup they cannot tell you are wearing makeup). In fact, according to men, they are much more likely to notice your breast size then to notice your eye colour.

But they will definitely notice your teeth if you have really bad teeth.

• Crooked teeth.
• Yellow teeth.
• Bad gums that look like they are infected.

Seriously, I know it is bad to be superficial about these things, but this is the way life is. We are just being realistic by accepting the way things are.

So this matters when you are:

Dating - Would you kiss someone with crooked yellow teeth?

At a Job Interview - Would you hire someone who looks like they are too lazy to take care of their teeth?

Hanging out with friends - What if that one friend you've had a crush on for years suddenly becomes single and you have an opportunity to kiss them, but they don't want to get near your disgusting teeth?

And I am sure there are other instances. Like meeting your boyfriend's parents for the first time, so their first impression of you is that you are a disgusting slob who doesn't brush or visit the dentist.

You could have a beautiful body and great fashion sense, but if your teeth are ugly that is going cause problems for you socially.

With respect to eyes, people sometimes wear glasses or contacts. That is basically a necessity just to be able to see.

Your nose probably cannot be changed except with nose exercises or rhinoplasty.

Push up bras might help you in the cleavage department.

But your teeth, for that you really need a good dentist.

Archer Dental in Toronto is Toronto's Best Dentist, offering a range of dentistry services including cosmetic dentistry.

Yes, you should definitely go get cleanings and have your teeth fixed, but Cosmetic Dentistry offers a range of options to make your smile even better looking, even if you don't have crooked yellow teeth.

You can get teeth whitening done, gum lifts for a more even gum line, porcelain veneers, and bite reclamation. These are all things that improve not only the health of your teeth, but also the visual appearance of them.

"a fashion accessory for idiots"

A friend of mine recently referred to the iPhone 7 as being "a fashion accessory for idiots".

I don't think he is wrong either. Apple is basically the equivalent of the worst sweatshop clothing manufacturer you can think of. They use cheap labour in South Korea and other Asian countries to make the phones, use technology from Samsung, add their own proprietary charging ports and make it deliberately annoying for iPhone users to charge their phone.

The new iPhone 7 takes it one step further. Now the headphones also uses the charging port as the plug. They got rid of the normal audio jack completely.

Which means you have three choices:

Option 1: Wear the ugly and battery powered "AirPods", shown below:

Option 2: Use an adapter just so you can use a normal audio jack, shown below.

Complete with moron talking about how great it is.

Option 3: Use the headphones that come with the iPhone 7. Which are ugly. So ugly I am not even going to show them here.

As fashion accessories go, Apple seems to be shooting themselves in the proverbial iFoot, by deliberately making their stuff unfashionable.

Take this idiot below with an Apple iPhone 7 Plus strapped to his face. He might look cute with his well-trimmed beard, but the average person doesn't look like that when they have something like that strapped to their face. Instead they look like a complete idiot.

Complete Idiot with iPhone 7 strapped to face.

This is the silly thing too. Since the iPod came out, Apple's primary goal has been to promote their products as being "hip and fashionable" to the younger generation. But the people in charge of the company have started to become old and out of touch with what is fashionable. They think the AirPods wireless headphones shown further above are worth $219 CDN, despite the fact that they are ugly and only store a 5 hour charge. That isn't fashionable or convenient. That is ugly and inconvenient.

Which brings me to another thing my friend stated, that technology is all about more convenience. People buy toasters and microwaves because they are convenient and easy to use. Same reason why they buy washing machine, automobiles, etc. They have a purpose that makes their life more convenient.

In the world of fashion we also have things that are convenient...

#1. High Heels - a convenient way of making yourself look taller in a world which is prejudiced against short people. (Don't pretend it isn't true. Height-ism is a real thing.)

#2. Black Dress - a convenient way of making yourself look both thinner and sophisticated with very little work involved.

#3. Handbags - a convenient way to carry your stuff around, which frankly is a sign we have too much stuff. I personally prefer backpacks, but hey, personal preference.

Etc

But the iPhone 7 is supposed to do a bunch of different things, in theory, which are supposed to make your life more convenient - but is not.

Getting rid of the standard audio jacks is not convenient. It is annoying.

Forcing people to buy AirPods for $219 is not convenient. It is highway robbery.

Trying to get people to try virtual reality headsets is not about more convenience, it is about not looking like an idiot. It would be easier to promote Victorian wigs as a fashion accessory than to try to convince people to wear their iPhone on their face and look like a complete idiot.

Seriously, we should totally bring Victorian wigs back.

Having to powder your Victorian wig wouldn't be very convenient I admit, but it is at least fashionable. It also makes a person look taller, so if combined with high heels...

Oh and for fun check out these High Heels: The Bullet. Perfect for the femme fatale look.

Two DIY Scarves

Hey Canada! Are you cold this winter? Get yourself a scarf!

Can't afford to buy a new scarf? Make your own!

Here is two easy ways to make your own using recycled fabric.

#1. Take an old piece of clothing you don't wear any more and cut it into one long strip using scissors. Then add turn the ends into decorative frills by cutting uniform ribbons into the ends using the scissors.

#2. Take an old shirt or blouse that has buttons and cut the shirt horizontally, and leave the button where it is. Unbutton it, reverse half of the shirt 180 degrees, and then rebutton. Voila! You now have an infinity scarf that can detach where the button is.

Roses as a Fashion Accessory

Roses and Fashion

Roses have always been a fashion accessory. Whether they are in the form of embroidery, lace or printed on fabric, roses are a mainstay in the fashion world. From colour to shape to pattern, roses make great addition to anyone fashion repertoire. Below we will look at the great ways we can work roses into our fashion sense and also what not to do if we want to use roses in the best way.

When Roses Go Wrong

We all remember that unfortunate day when Kim Kardashian decided to wear her grandmother's couch upholstery to the biggest night in celebrity fashion, the Met's costume ball gala. Exactly what she was thinking is beyond even the most knowledgeable fashion minds. We all know it was horrible, but what exactly made it so bad. Well it was not the roses themselves. Roses can make a wonderful print when used properly. Perhaps it was the size of the roses that was the problem. The roses that were printed on the fabric were so large that they seem out of place on a human being. They seem more appropriate on furniture or as a curtain. Here is a tip when using roses as a pattern, don't make them too big.

Also good for the workplace, or even as a business casual accessory.

Pick A Colour, Any Colour

Roses come in so many colours and fortunately every colour makes a great fashion choice. You can always go for the standard red of a Claret rose which always makes a statement. Or you can go with the pale pink of a A Whiter Shade of Pale (yes, that is the name of the rose). For the summer time, you may want to think about wearing the bright yellow of an Absolutely Fabulous. Or you can go with your basic black. That's right roses come in black. The famous Halfeti rose from Turkey is the only rose that is black that you can find in nature. But there is also the flat roof rose which you can find at any flat roofing company. Now it is not what you thinking, roses don't grow on flat roofs, but if you go and ask your local flat roof company you may be able to get them to dunk a rose into their leftover ToughRoof flat roof tar (see How to Make Black Roses using Roofing Tar) which also talks about making preserved waterproof roses using Royal Basement Waterproofing liquid) and try making a black rose for yourself.

See the following pages if you like the idea of making your own preserved roses using bizarre materials:

Consider Crafty Roses for Valentine's Day

Reasonably Pretty Preserved Roses for Valentine's Day

Honestly I think I would just use an art fixative myself, but it is interesting to see the DIY stuff people post on the internet.

But How Do I Wear A Rose

In anyway you like. Literally, you can do whatever you want. You can wear an actual rose. You can accessorize in the most common way, i.e. place a beautiful red rose in your hair if you are a lady or in your suit label if you are a man. Or as a corsage like you would at a wedding or prom.

Or you can wear roses as a print, but beware of the advice I gave above. You can wear the colour of your favourite rose if you are looking for inspiration. Or you can wear a rose in the form of embroidery or as lace.

Really, there are so many choices out there all you have to do is decide.

Fashion Accessories for Vegans

Alberta Tar Sands Duck

Veganism is not just about what you eat.

For those who become vegans due to ethical reasons, veganism is an entire lifestyle that encompasses every aspect of life. When you become vegan you must not only think about what you eat must think about what you wear, what you use to clean your apartment, how you get around (choosing to use a bicycle or public transit instead of gasoline cars fueled by Alberta Tar Sands oil), where you go to have fun, what you teach your children. It really is about changing every part of your life so that the choices you make are cruelty free, animal product free, animal ownership free.

However this is no easy feat as most of the products we use on a daily basis has been touched by an animal at some point even indirectly. Even the plastics used in the packaging are from petrochemicals, which means that in Canada they're from the Alberta Tar Sands - which is a nightmarish ecological disaster of biblical proportions. The Athabasca Tar Sands alone is so large you can see it clearly from outer space, encompassing a space 200 km wide east-to-west and 400 km long north-to-south - roughly 70,000 square km. That is roughly 4.5 times the size of Israel.

Billions of metric tonnes of oil and tar from the Alberta oil industry is killing all the animals in the region - and killing fish and wildlife downstream from the tar sands too. And giving people in the region cancer from tar getting into the drinking water.

So if you live in Canada (and to some extent the USA, who buys a lot of the oil produced in Canada) every time you use gasoline in a car and every time you buy a product containing plastic or petrochemicals, then you are indirectly responsible for the deaths of millions of animals and thousands of people in Alberta.

Alberta Tar Sands Ecological Disaster

So regardless of whether you are eating food at your favourite raw vegan restaurant in Toronto's Bloor West or going shopping for a new jacket, you need to start making vegan-friendly decisions.

Holding true to your vegan beliefs for ethical reasons means:

No buying leather.
No buying fur.
No buying anything containing an animal product. (Including certain types of dyes.)
No buying anything made of plastic or petrochemicals because animals/people were killed during the process.

These principles becomes even more complicated to stick to when you try to apply to non-food categories like fashion. You start to ask yourself "Is there such a think a vegan clothing and if so where do I find it?"

Well, if you are vegan you can rest assured that there are vegan clothing options available and below we will look at some fashion accessory options for vegans.

You can get belts, wallets, bags and even shoes at vegan exclusive stores both on the web and in the real world. These are real vegan products that provide you will a stylish option that adheres to true vegan values.

The belt on the right is from Roots of Compassion and is 12 Euros, and is made from polyester and steel. However polyester is a petrochemical product, so while it has "vegan" on the belt, the fact that it was made out of petrochemicals means that animals may have been killed during the process of getting the oil out of the ground.

If it was made out of cotton however then we need to consider whether the cotton was grown organically (with zero pesticides), so organic cotton is something you want to look for when looking for vegan fashion items. If you see the word polyester be suspicious.

Child Labour is popular in Bangladesh

Another thing you may not have considered it that when you look for a vegan product you may find some options in the stores, but often these products might have been made with low wage labour in poorer parts of the world. Child labour laws don't exist or are unpoliced in various parts of the world, thus making it very cheap to have clothing made there using forced labour, child labour, sweatshops, etc.

Veganism does focus on treating animals well both in life and death, but that does not mean that humans should be left out of the equation. It is truly in the spirit of veganism to try to ensure that the products you purchase treat humans being with dignity and respect as well and animals. Many fashion accessories do just that if they are vegan. They can provide you with the peace of mind of buying a product that treats all species well.

Vegan Vs Leather Products

There are always cotton options if you want to wear vegan clothing. Cotton is a natural plant product that if grown organically and without any animal byproducts or effort can be one of the best vegan products available to a practicing vegan. But if cotton is not your thing then why not try vegan faux leather products (faux leather = fake leather).

Yes, that's right, you can get faux leather products that look like the real thing. This includes products from belts to bags to wallets. Vegan belts can run you from $34 to $100 and are made from faux leather and cork. Bags come in a range of styles and colours including brown, black and teal. Bags can be made of vegetan bucky material, ultrasuede or nylon for $90 to $229. Wallets are also available in similar colour, materials and styles for $24 to $60.

Note: Nylon is also a petrochemical, so remember all the ducks, geese, fish and deer that got killed to make that nylon if the oil came from Alberta or other tar sands around the world.

Vegan Shoes

Vegan shoes come in a variety of styles even the most popular styles that most people look for including Uggs and Doc Martins. Shoes are often made of similar materials that the belts, wallets and bags. Of course prices vary with the style and materials, but prices can be from $99 to $199. These shoe options are not only stylish but will put your conscious at ease for being animal cruelty free.

There are many options available to vegans in terms of fashion accessories. They can look like real leather and come in styles that we are already familiar with. There is not need to think that because you are vegan you cannot walk the runway. Not at all, in fact your vegan clothing can turn heads and treat people and animals with dignity.

Okay, go back to drinking your vegan smoothie now. Hopefully you are drinking it out of glass instead of petrochemical plastic.

Lapel Pins

Why Are Lapel Pins So Commemorative?

The lapel pin is something that a company can give to a faithful worker or someone who has given their life's work to something great. There are also pins that can be given to people who have a place at company, and this will help to identify people in the office. The best way to make the most of these pins is to decide who to give them to. When these are given out, people feel like they are the most special people around. It builds morale and it helps to commemorate people who are wonderful for the community.

Laureate or Emeritus

When people are designated as the laureate or emeritus of a certain position, they need to be given these pins to show that they hold this status. The senior pastor emeritus of a church should have this pin so that he or she can show that they hold this standing in the church. The same could be true for the conductor laureate of an orchestra. These are positions of honor, and the people that hold them should have something that denotes that position.

The Executive Board

The people who are on the executive board of a company should have these pins so that they can show people that they are of high standing. They help to identify them to the people in the office, and they help the person to be identified when they are at large gatherings. There are many ways to honor the executive board, and the board should feel like they are special.

For Service

When someone is honored for many years of service, they should be given the chance to show off that service. These pins will give people a chance to show that they have been around a long time, and they will have a good time feeling proud of the things they have accomplished.

The best way for people to be honored is to give them the lapel pins that make them feel great. The business can contact us today to get the pins that are going to make people feel their best.

Proper Tattoo Etiquette and Fashion Tattoos

Yes, There Is Proper Etiquette for Getting Tattooed

While it may seem somewhat surprising, there is a proper etiquette that your tattoo artist expects you to abide by while you are getting inked. Gone are the days when a tattoo parlor was home to only the gruffest and toughest, and most tattooists today are artists in every sense of the word. In order to ensure that you and your artist both have the best tattooing experience possible, it is necessary for you to understand what is expected of you before you ever enter a tattoo parlor. Since the work that you will have done is permanent, it is absolutely vital that you are well-versed in the etiquette of the tattoo world.

Be Explicit With Your Request, Not Demanding

When you walk into a tattoo parlor, it is best to have a very clear idea of what you want for your tattoo. If you have a specific image in mind, try to bring in a high-resolution version of that image. If you have a general concept in mind, it is helpful to bring in some references that the artist can use in creating your tattoo. If you want to end up with the best-looking tattoo, allow the artist to give you some input on the final design. This is important because there are many occurrences in which an image that looks good on paper will not look good on your skin. Your artist is much more familiar with the medium than you are, so listen to their advice.

It is also important to avoid being demanding. Think of your tattoo more like a collaboration between you and the artist, as this will make you both feel better about the concept of the tattoo and about the end result.

Make an Appointment in Advance

Even when walk-ins are accepted at a tattoo parlor, you are much better off scheduling your appointment in advance. This will allow you to check out the tattoo parlor and meet the artist before you ever get tattooed. It will also give the artist plenty of time to work on creating your tattoo, making it much more likely that you receive a high-quality tattoo. It will also ensure that the artist will not be rushing to “squeeze you in,” or that you end up working with an artist whose skill set does not line up with the type of tattoo that you want.

Keep Your Breath Fresh

When you actually go through the process of getting tattooed, you are going to be in very close quarters with the artist. It is therefore important to ensure that your breath smells fresh and that you will not be offending your artist for the duration of the tattoo. While the majority of artists are professionals and will not mention it, they will be offended by it nonetheless. Carry some fresh breath spray with you, and use it before you enter the parlor.

Make It a Goal to “Sit Well”

One of the biggest compliments that you can receive from a tattoo artist relates to “sitting well.” This means that you did not complain or fidget throughout the tattoo, which makes the job of the artist much easier. You should know that there will be some discomfort, and you should make it a goal to make the job of the artist as easy as possible. When your tattoo is complete, thank your artist and make sure that you tip them well for their efforts in providing you with a permanent piece of artwork.

Fashion Tattoos

Fashion tattoos are rather like jewelry. Yes, they're on your body and they're permanent - but they're also permanent jewelry - art pieces that will stay with you forever.

Below is some photos showing you examples of what you can do with tattoos and just how fashionable they can be.

Eight Jewelry Pieces That Are a Must for Every Woman

Eight Jewelry Pieces That Are a Must for Every Woman

You may have your own style and your own favorite pair of earrings, but there are a few staples that you simply can’t live without. Whether you are a stay at home mom of three or a corporate professional, you’ve got to have a few pieces to fall back on when inspiration fails you. Accessories and jewelry complete any outfit, and you’re likely to have days where you just don’t know what to wear. With these staple pieces, you’ll always have a way to finish off your outfit and feel like a million bucks.

Stud Earrings

Studs may not make a huge fashion statement, but they are known for their versatility and ability to complete any look. Choose studs in different shapes like pyramids, bars, hearts, or stars. When you pop in your studs, choose a necklace or bracelets that are your focal pieces, and allow your earrings to take a backseat for a day.

Turquoise Necklace

Use a turquoise necklace to make a simple white t-shirt look dressy, or transform your favorite print dress into a completely different exotic piece. Just a tiny bit of turquoise can make a huge difference in any outfit. Turquoise can bring charm and ease into any style.

Pearl Strands

Any woman can pull off ladylike with this sophisticated, classic piece of jewelry. Choose a strand of pearls that is neither too long nor too short, and one that can work well on its own. Try pairing your strand of pearls with a simple, elegant black dress, and watch how quickly you feel like a lady.

Metallic Cuffs

Metallic cuffs can never be too big or too bold. Add a cuff or two to any outfit to make you feel like a superhero. Pair them with something sleek in your wardrobe like a pencil skirt or a longer sheath dress.

Gentleman’s Watch

Need something to keep you punctual and stylish at the same time? Try a menswear-inspired watch to add a little contrast to all your girly jewelry. Choose a watch with a bigger face and a strap that is either leather or metallic.

Metallic Hoop Earrings

A simple pair of hoops can add interest to any outfit, particularly if your hair is pulled off your face. Choose a thinner hoop to make you feel both feminine and festive, and try to stay smaller than the size of a silver dollar.

Locket

Pick up a vintage inspired locket to add interest and character to every outfit. Wear it with jeans and a casual T-shirt or with a modern dress to add a classic look. You can’t go wrong with this simple piece of jewelry.

Right Ring

If you wear important pieces of jewelry on your left hand (like your wedding ring) add a stackable, oversized, colorful ring to your right hand to give you something playful on your hands. Wear it on your middle finger or pointer for maximum impact. Leave your left hand for the serious business, while your right hand is open for play.

Simplify the Complicated

Fashion can be complicated, and you may feel out in left field if you don’t naturally have the knack. Fortunately, jewelry doesn’t have to add to the stress of picking out an outfit with these easy picks.

The Biggest Weddings of 2013 / Planning Your Wedding

The Biggest Weddings of 2013

Weddings can be wonderful, happy occasions that bring together family and friends. Many couples want to make the occasion as memorable as possible. Couples will plan everything to the last detail. The rings. The flowers. The venue. The dresses. With the internet at our disposal, it is a pretty cut and dry process. Couples are able to check things off a list and in the end they are left with a fantastic wedding. However, for some brides and grooms that translates to the bigger and more extravagant the wedding the better.

Nisansala and Nalin

A Sri Lankan couple now holds the Guinness World Record for the most bridesmaids in a wedding party. Their November 8^th nuptials featured 126 bridesmaids; the previous record was held by a Thai couple whose wedding had 96 bridesmaids. In addition to the 126 bridesmaids, there were 25 best men, 20 page boys, and 23 flower girls all dressed in lavishly embroidered traditional outfits of purple and gold. The bride’s sister, Champi Siriwardana, is one of Sri Lanka’s top dress designers and wedding planners, and was integral to organizing the celebration. The guests included hundreds of family and friends, and Sri Lankan First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, who was the guest of honor. Siriwardana received an award from a Guinness World Records official during the event acknowledging her accomplishment.

Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto

Another one of the largest weddings of 2013 was the marriage of NBA great Michael Jordan and Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto. The couple met in 2008 and got engaged in 2011. The event took place on April 27th in Palm Beach, Florida. The ceremony was held at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, which was also the location of Donald Trump’s extravagant 2005 wedding to Melania Knauss. Jordan and Prieto hosted a reception for 2,000 at the Bears Club, where His Airness recently constructed a 38,000 square foot mansion, after they officially tied the knot. It featured a 40,000 square foot tent decorated with crystal candelabras, thousands of candles, white roses, peonies and tulips. The white rum wedding cake was adorned with crystal brooches. Guests included fellow basketball players Scottie Pippen and Patrick Ewing, famed golfer Tiger Woods, and movie director Spike Lee. Robin Thick, Usher, and K’Jon provided musical entertainment. The entire event was believed to cost $10 million.

Sean Parker and Alexandra Lenas

Another wedding of 2013 with a very large budget was the June 1st nuptials of billionaire and Facebook Founding President Sean Parker and singer-songwriter Alexandra Lenas. The couple is passionate about old growth forests and their outdoor wedding and reception took place beneath the colossal 500 year old redwoods of Big Sur in northern California. A Tolkien-esque outfit was created for each of the 364 guests by Ngila Dickson, the New Zealand costume designer who won a 2004 Academy Award for Lord of the Rings. Parker personally oversaw preparation of the site for the celebration, which supposedly cost $4.5 million alone. He organized a stunning and mystical array of planted flowers complete with vibrant garlands that adorned the base of the trees. Set designers were hired to create a ravaged stone castle, an immense Celtic cross, and pair of ruined Roman columns that were placed on either side of the altar under the biggest tree. At the reception, the newlyweds enjoyed the wedding feast from their 10 foot high throne.

It would be hard to top any of these over-the-top weddings, but there is probably a couple out there who will do their best to try.

Neck Handkerchiefs

Practical and Fashionable!

There is a new fashion trend spreading across North America - and you can blame global warming.

Neck handkerchiefs.

It is very simple.

Neck handkerchiefs keep the sun off your neck, preventing a sunburn. Thanks to global warming, and higher number of days per year with record heat, your chances of a sunburn has gone up dramatically in the last couple of years. So to prevent that you need to either wear turtlenecks (which is impractical in the heat) or you can wear neck handkerchiefs and join the fashion savvy men and women who are already doing so.

Another thing to do, if you are super hot, is to dip the handkerchief in cold water, wring it out and then wrap it around your neck. Keeps your neck nice and cool.

Or do what I do, take 3 ice cubes, wrap them up in the handkerchief and then place so the ice cubes are at the back of your neck and as they melt they drip down your back, making a great cooling sensation. It is amazing! Works well at the beach too.

And the beauty is that this fashion trend works for both men and women, so we can both enjoy the benefits of no sunburns and a quick way to cool down.

You are basically just treating it like a really small scarf that can be dipped in cold water whenever you want. Smart and cool. Literally cool.

Finding top quality jewelry in big cities

Tips for finding fine gems in the city

When looking at fine gems and jewelry in metropolitan areas, it makes sense to buy from sellers that stand behind their products. Investing in high-end pieces should involve some degree of authentication when not making purchases from revered jewelers or retail venues, and many buyers may want to enlist assistance from area diamond experts to ensure they are getting what they are paying for.

Perhaps the most popular gem among consumers are diamonds. When looking at diamonds NYC is a city with much to offer potential buyers. There are gifted artisans, jewelers, and craftsmen that will provide unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry items to really showcase the stone and sparkle. Some vendors may offer unique faceting or unusual settings for the stones, to make their products stand out above the rest.

There is an irresistibly brilliant diamond offered in some retail venues that implement faceting beyond what is typically found in a round, cut diamond. The 90 faceted cut ensures a stone that is brighter and more sparkly than others, and that result in a clear, white stone suitable for settings of all types. Most diamonds are faceted using fewer cuts, which is what gives the stone dimension and depth. This enhanced facet lends to a distinctive shimmer and stone that reflects more light and seems to dance right before the buyer's eyes.

In addition to the facet of the stone, cut also describes the shape or style of the piece. The cut can enhance or impede the setting, so it is important to pay attention to diamonds that are amplifying the attributes of the piece or that seem to change the color of the stone itself.

The color of the diamond is something else to consider. Clear, white stones were always considered the benchmark of a quality stone, however there are some new colored diamonds that are inching their way to surpass the demand and price of these more conventional rocks. For example, there are some vibrant blue, red, and pink diamonds that are considered more valuable and that are priced higher than comparable white diamonds. Be sure that the vendor supports the natural color of the stone and that it is, in fact, a true diamond before making a purchase.

Is Handcrafted Jewelry Right For You?

Is Handcrafted Jewelry Right For You?

Mass-produced jewelry is not as popular as it used to be, and many people find that handmade pieces fit their style and budget better than jewelry from large retailers. People love this trend; handcrafted jewelry makers are seeing an explosion in sales. Like silver jewelry and precious stones, handcrafted pieces will never go out of style.

Why Are So Many People Making The Switch?

Makes A Great Gift

Handmade pieces are very distinct; there are no two pieces that look exactly the same. Since it's impossible to buy duplicate pieces, many people find that handmade jewelry makes a perfect gift. When you're shopping for someone who has it all, you still have a chance to impress them with your originality and creativity. Look for handmade sets that include a necklace, bracelet and a pair of earring for a fantastic gift.

Versatility

Handmade Latin American jewelry is appropriate for all occasions. If you need formal jewelry, you can buy a piece that goes great with your formal attire. Look for jewelry with a silver strand and small beads; this style complements almost all formal wear without detracting from your outfit.

For casual situations, you can wear something that is a little more flashy and bold. Bracelets, cuffs and necklaces with dangling beads will get you noticed quickly, and parties are the perfect place to wear this type of attire.

Uniqueness

Every piece of handmade jewelry brings a unique look to your wardrobe. If you're tired of wearing pieces that all look the same, then you can make the switch to handmade pieces. There are tons of varieties and styles to choose from, so you never have to worry about running out of options. Every piece is handcrafted, so they all differ in size, shape and color.

It's Noticeable

No one notices store-bought jewelry; when you wear a mass-produced piece, you wear something that everyone else has. When you buy a handcrafted piece, people take notice because they've never seen anything like it.

Unique handmade pieces are easy to build an outfit around, so you'll end up wearing them much more than your other jewelry. Eventually, you'll notice that you barely ever take them off.

Handmade jewelry is an affordable option for people who are sick of expensive and derivative pieces. When you buy a handmade piece, you wear something that is unique and noticeable. Handmade pieces bring you the compliments, positive attention and versatility that regular jewelry can't.

Planning Your Wedding - Choosing the wedding rings, venue and dress

Choosing the wedding dress, the wedding rings and picking the venue for the wedding are three of the most difficult decisions you will need to make when getting married.

The wedding rings is partly a fashion issue, and also partly a measurement of dedication. If the rings are really cheap the chances are more likely that you and your betrothed aren't that serious about each other. If they are too expensive and the man is paying for it, it is rather like he is just buying your affection. (And maybe you should not be marrying a man who is either too cheap or too rich - because both are flakey when it comes to long term relationships.) Wedding rings should be expensive, yes, but they should not be ridiculously expensive.

Choosing the venue however could simply be a matter of architecture and decor. An outdoor wedding for example will typically be held in sumptuous gardens or even on the beach. Rare is the wedding that is held in the middle of the desert or in an asphalt parking lot. Price is less a factor for the location, it is more about sentimentality for the location. Often people get married at their parents' church, their local synagogue, at the family farm, where they first met, places that have special religious or memorable meaning to them. Choosing a wedding hall is a more modern convention, but an understandable one since the place comes ready-made with decorations and everything you expect to have at a wedding reception.

One of the biggest decisions a bride will make is the wedding dress itself. This is an area in which the bride gets to have as much fun and play with their options as they feel like. Typically the groom rarely sees the dress before the wedding itself.

From a fashion perspective there is a lot of room to experiment and make a truly unique wedding dress. Don't go for the same old boring wedding dress designs we've seen for decades. Find a dress designer with a vision of something unique.

Unique Earrings and Necklaces

Jewelry is about taking something shiny and making it yours. It is your way of saying 'Oooo shiny!' and then choosing to wear that piece of shiny stuff.

And the beauty of this principle is that ANYTHING (well almost anything) can be polished and made into something shiny.

Take marblewood for example. It is a dark wood with thick lines in it, similar to marble stone. But take it, cut a shape in it, polish it so it is super smooth, and voila, it is shiny and beautiful!

You could do that same thing with a random piece of wood you pick up and it would probably still look good, it just would not look amazing like marblewood does.

And this is why gold, silver, rubies, emeralds, diamonds and other gems are so valuable. And pearls, jade and other precious bits of shiny.

These days we make a lot of jewelry out of glass, like the Stud Earrings or the Turquoise Necklace shown below.

Such jewelry isn't even possible without glass in the correct shape. Oh yes, you could carve jade or other bits of more expensive gemstones into the right shape - but it would be extremely expensive and troublesome to make the gemstones those specific shapes.

Usually with gemstones they are cut to a generic shape and then set on a piece of jewelry. Like the shapes below. These shapes are commonly used to preserve the basic shape of the raw gem so the gem can be sold as it's largest cut size. Selling an uncut gem won't get the same value, and cutting down a larger gem into tinier pieces will deplete the overall value. It is more profitable to sell the gem at its largest size after being cut.