Online Diary of AlRitch: Beauty and Fashion

Showing posts with label Beauty and Fashion. Show all posts

June 25, 2018

Fashion Rules Everyone Needs To Follow

When it comes to fashion, we all have our own individual sense of style, whether we realise it or not. However, no matter whether you are a fan of the preppy look or you love edgy garments, there are some basic fashion rules that we should all follow. So, let’s take a look at them in further detail…

Accessories are your best friends – A boring black dress can be transformed with a statement necklace. Not only this, but you can easily take a day outfit to a night outfit with carefully chosen accessories. From hats to jewellery, make sure you embrace accessories, but don’t go overboard. You are not going to make any friends at work if your bangles are clinking together all day long.

Comfort always comes first – Whether it is a pair of jeans or some new ankle boots, comfort always needs to come first. This is important for a number of different reasons. Firstly, of course, you do not want to spend your whole day feeling uncomfortable and, even worse, in pain. You may say that it is in the name of fashion! However, there is nothing stylish about someone who clearly doesn’t feel at ease in what they are wearing. If you look like a penguin in five-inch heels, ditch them for a more sensible pair.

Pay attention to washing labels – This may seem obvious, but you would not believe how many people do not bother to read the washing labels on their garments. You will spoil your delicate new silk blouse if you do not refer to the instructions on the label first.

Always have a great lipstick, perfume, and an umbrella – These are your three fashion essentials. Do you want to be unprepared when a storm comes its way? There is nothing quite like rain to ruin a good outfit and good hair! Plus, if you are invited to a last-minute gathering, a spritz of fragrance and a speedy slick of lipstick will never let you down.

Spend time looking for the right pair of jeans – Last but not least, a good pair of jeans is essential in any wardrobe, but you need to make sure they are the right pair. You may need to try on hundreds of different pairs, from traditional straight-legged style to baggy boyfriend cut jeans, but you will get there in the end and it will be worth it. The right pair of jeans can provide you with the perfect base for so many different looks.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding regarding some of the most important and basic fashion rules. These rules are essential in terms of looking good and feeling great. Once you have the basics down, you can then build upon it with your own unique sense of style.

June 19, 2018

4 Things You Need to Do First Before Buying Wedding Rings Online

by AlRitch, in Weddings

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We have entered an age where buying things online is no longer considered a new-age trend. Instead, it’s almost a mundane task performed by the masses. Right from groceries to a flat-screen television, there is no limit to what we can buy online. Jewelry is certainly no different. There are dozens of online stores selling everything from diamond encrusted rings to stainless steel bracelets. This often makes people wonder, is there a need to go to stores to buy wedding rings? In today’s fast-paced life, swiping and tapping your way to find the best wedding rings online certainly seems more convenient than going to physical stores. For most parts, buying jewelry online is definitely an evolutionary step forward. However, there are certain things you need to keep in mind before buying jewelry online. Following these will help you get a good deal and ensure you get an authentic piece. Without further ado, following are 4 things you need to do before buying wedding rings online.

Browse Aimlessly: It may sound like a weird advice but browsing a jewelry store online without any preconceived idea is a good thing. This allows you to explore all the options and get a more in-depth look of the entire collection. It also helps you find an alternative to typical diamond and platinum pieces. Simply by choosing to explore you may end up buying a beautiful wedding ring set at half the cost of your original budget. When browsing, make sure to mark all the items you like by favoriting them so that you can find them later.

Read Customer Reviews: Most online jewelry stores proudly display positive customer testimonials on the homepage. As a smart consumer, you know already that those reviews are either fake or selectively picked from a list of random customer reviews. To get the best picture about the reputation of the store, it’s always recommended to checkout an independent listing site like Yelp. If a site sells fake jewelry you will definitely find angry customer reviews online.

Checkout Their Return Policy: An online seller that doesn’t offer a no-questions-asked return policy doesn’t really have much faith in its own products. As a consumer, you should be able to return a piece unless you damage it in any way or past the date of return. Most reputable online jewelry stores show their transparent return policy by displaying texts like“free return” or “easy returns” on the homepage.

Learn More About Accreditations and Certificates of Authenticity: To ensure you are not dealing with an unscrupulous website, you need to find out if the site is accredited by independent organizations. For example, National Association of Jewellers is an independent organization that certifies online jewelry stores in the UK. Apart from that, you also need to check certificates of authenticity that come with the wedding ring. Make sure the certificate is issued by a reputed gemological organization. Also, it's important to know what to look for when reading jewelry grading reports or certificates.

May 13, 2018

That Fleeky Style

by AlRitch, in Beauty and Fashion

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We’ve all heard of the saying fleeky, but what does it actually mean? Although there is no official definition, it’s a style that’s on point, it’s the best it can be. There’s so many different ways of saying it, and so many people use it as a form of a compliment now. But how do you actually achieve a fleeky style? Well, it’s not hard. All you need to do is be in the know with what’s good and what’s not at the minute. There’s no denying that some styles are absolutely terrible, and some are just so incredible. It’s the good ones that we’re going to talk to you about today. Have a read on to find out more.

Fleeky Hair

Getting hair on fleek is probably the hardest part of your body to do so. Hair is just hard to tame, and most of the time us girls can agree that it just doesn’t go how we want it to go. However, if you want to have a fleeky style, all you might need to do is switch it up a little. If you haven’t considered a new style for a while, find something that might suit you. If you follow this link, you should be able to find a bit of inspiration. The best thing you can do however, is focus on maintenance. Maintaining your hair to make sure that it’s always shining, healthy, and full of volume is the best thing. Make use of hair masks, around two or three times a week. They will restore your hair slowly back to health, and help to keep it in that tip top condition.

October 25, 2017

5 Life Lessons You Should Learn While You're Still Young

by AlRitch, in Life and Love

While it’s true that we live and learn, there are a few life lessons it would have been great to know about a bit sooner - at least while we’re still young. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to predict the kind of stuff we should have known about before it actually happens, and it’s certainly not common sense to listen to the advice of our seniors.

So we turn to strangers on the Internet instead, hoping they have a few words of wisdom on the life lessons they wished they’d known a bit sooner. Knowing about it could have changed their life for the better, giving them a completely different - and even a much brighter future.

Here is a rundown of the most important lessons these strangers on the web would like to pass on so that you can make a difference in your own life.

#1 Being fit isn’t just for jocks

That exercise is good for you is something that most of us know by now. Thinking back to our teenage years, it’s easy to see why a number of grown-ups would like the younger generation to know that, even if you’re not participating in team sports or winning medals for your school, exercise goes beyond looking good and building muscles.

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It goes beyond weight-loss too, and the importance of realizing this can have a tremendous effect on your mental health. We tend to understand the benefits of exercising as we grow up, though, but those who see the advantages to it a bit sooner are also able to improve their cognitive capabilities, boost their memory, and even be building lifelong habits of healthy eating and a balanced lifestyle.

The bottom line in all of this is that being fit isn’t something that’s exclusive for jocks or the cool kids in high school - and the sooner an awkward bookworm realizes this, the easier it is for them to start committing to their own health goals. Invest in your health now, take care of your skin, eat properly, and you’ll get a great return on your investments in ten years.

On a separate note, it’s also helpful to keep in mind that it’s never really too late to get in shape. Have a look at this article, first of all, to boost your motivation and find solace in the fact that these were formerly sedentary middle-aged adults who were able to practically rewind time by doing high intensity-cardio in intervals. It’s like the fountain of youth just with the taste of sweat.

#2 We’re all a bit lost

A life lesson that keeps being repeated is the simple fact that none of us really know what we’re doing. Everybody is pretending to understand this whole adulting-thing, we’re all suffering from imposter syndrome, and the sooner young adults manage to understand this, the easier it is to stop caring about what other people think.

When you’re straight out of college and about to embark on your career, you’ll undoubtedly be surrounded by a bunch of people who seem to know what they’re doing. And they probably know a bit more about this than you do, seeing that they’ve been in the industry for a few years - but don’t think for a second that they didn’t feel like a big old phoney when they first started out.

Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re a bit lost, reach out to others for help, and notice how much easier it becomes to laugh at your mistakes and get over it a bit quicker. The more lost you are now, the more clarity you’ll have when all of those mistakes are over and done with, and you’ll even start noticing that those with a full decade of experience still make mistakes sometimes.

It’s a balancing act of understanding that your parents, for example, may have more life experience than you so you should listen to their advice - while also realizing that many people reach a ripe age before they figure out what to do with their life. Have a read about imposter syndrome in this article, by the way, and you’ll feel a lot more confident in the next meeting.

#3 Look after your skin while you’re young

Signs of aging will creep up on you when you least expect it - and by then, it’s way too late for prevention. While this advice ties up with the first one about seeing exercise as a way to boost your body and mind, rather than to fit in with a specific group, skin care is also something that all of us should focus a bit more on.

Men, in particular, are still gravitating toward a better understanding of how to take care of their skin, when to wear sunscreen, and how the food we eat may or may not affect the condition of our skin, but they’re not all quite there yet. UV-protection remains the number one way to shield your skin from signs of premature aging, and there are multiple ways to do this that doesn’t include layers of sunscreen.

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Protect it with loose fabrics during the summer, consider car window tinting if you spend hours on the road, and wear a hat if you’re confident like that. There are so many ways to take better care of your skin that doesn’t involve splurging on costly cosmetics; with that being said, you can easily find a foundation or tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, though, to save the extra bucks.

#4 Don’t let anyone pressure you into university

When we’re lucky enough to have grown out of those awkward teenage-years, we start to understand just how stressful the time actually was. It seems strange to advise the younger generation not to allow anyone to pressure them into higher education, but there’s so much buzz about it online and seems like a valid life lesson.

Parents and teachers alike are keen on seeing their teenagers become a part of the rat-race sooner rather than later and, in some families, it’s completely unheard of to take a gap year. Land a decision immediately instead and regret the amount of money you spend on it in a few years when you’ve fallen out of love with your career, right?

Taking some time off to figure out where you want to be in life is actually a very responsible decision. Some parents may say you’ll never get back to school after a year off and that you should just get college over with, but it’s so much money spent on a choice you never really had time to speculate on properly.

#5 You can win in all areas if you work hard - except for love

This advice is two-fold but it made so much sense to the readership online that’s it’s worth taking a moment to explain it. Trying hard and not giving up is something that will help you to reap a lot of rewards; learn to work hard in college, for example, and your life may look very different in ten years than if you just snoozed through it.

It is not necessarily because you’re bound to get awesome grades and lead a generally happy life, as you can never really predict where life will take you - or if your professor is just cruel and gives to poor grades nonetheless. The life lesson lies in the fact that the sooner you learn to keep trying and to work hard, the easier it will be for you to motivate yourself in terms of career progress later on.

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Now to the second part of this life hack; even if you work hard and continue to try, it’s important to remember that nobody owes you anything in life. You can be dreadfully in love with someone, go out of your way to put your best foot forward, and take them on awesome dates - but the final decision is still theirs to make.

Understanding that the world owes you absolutely nothing can help you in a lot of aspects. Jealousy, for example, or general envy of what others have that you can’t afford. Love and relationships may be one of the most insanity-inducing thing you’ll ever encounter and, unlike other areas in life, it doesn’t matter how hard you try. Realize it sooner rather than later and save yourself the emotional trauma that follows.

If you learn the life lessons above before you turn 30, you’re either incredibly unlucky or just a an excellent listener. Hopefully, we’ll manage to be the latter and avoid years of bothering ourselves over things that are out of our control. If not, at least you’ll have a handful of life lessons to share with the rest of us in a few years.

September 28, 2017

6 Simple Ways To Change Up Your Look

by AlRitch, in Beauty and Fashion

Everyone comes to a point in their life where they look at themselves in the mirror and just want a change. This isn’t to say that you dislike the way you look currently; You’re just used to it, sometimes even bored by it, and want to switch up the way you look. This can just come with time, or sometimes after a big life event. There is nothing wrong with wanting a bit of a change, and if you’re one of the many that do, then perhaps you’ll find one of the simple ways below appropriate.

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1. Switch Up Your Lippy

When you’re talking to someone, often you are either focusing on the eyes or their mouth, so your mouth is a very important feature of your face. Changing up your lipstick to a brighter and bolder shade is certain to help transform your whole appearance. A classic berry red is not only cool and on-trend, but it also works on almost any complexion.

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2. Take Care Of Your Brows

When you think Cara Delevingne, do you think of her movie roles, her amazing modeling career, or her eyebrows? My guess: her eyebrows. That’s because they make a statement, so never underestimate the power of a good pair of arches. To ensure your brows are bold and beautiful, fill in any sparse areas of your eyebrow with an eyebrow pencil and use gel to keep tricky hairs in place.

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3. Move Your Parting

The parting in your hair has the power to affect the appearance, shape, and size of your entire face. Maybe try moving you parting to a side, if it’s currently in the center, or flip it over to the other side if it’s not.

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4. Length Is Everything

If changing your parting isn’t enough, why not opt for a whole new do? Look at shorter hairstyles if your hair is on the longer side, or tape in hair extensions if it’s a little shorter. Just ensure your extensions match the color and texture of your hair, or they won’t look at all believable.

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5. Wings Of Wonder

If you’re not quite brave enough for a bold lip, you could always change up your eyes instead. If you’re used to quite a plain eye makeup, then why not try your hand at winged eyeliner? Getting your wings just right isn’t the easiest talent to pick up, but there are plenty of tools available to help you out, and once you’ve got it down it looks gorgeous.

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6. Get Your Glow On

Nothing is more beautiful than when someone comes home from a holiday abroad with a glowing tan, so why not get one yourself. I’m not necessarily saying that you should book a week in Spain (though I’m sure it wouldn’t do you any harm), a spray tan looks just as good, and has the power to make you look completely different.

By following just one of these steps you will be looking brand new in no time, so give it a go and experiment.

September 21, 2017

Method In The Fashion Madness: Make Any Outfit Look Classy

by AlRitch, in Beauty and Fashion

Wouldn’t it be fabulous if a money tree did exist, enabling you to buy any outfit you wanted, no matter the price tag? While it’s okay to dream about these things, the reality is that many of us need to budget for clothes and work with what we have. So how can an outfit look “put together” without needing to fork out the serve price tags? It’s easy, there are certain steps you can take, methods you can put in place, and things that you can do to help you make any outfit look classy. I thought I would share with you what some of them are. Hopefully helping you out with your fashion dramas.

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Keep it clean and ironed

It may sound so very basic, but how many of your hands on heart avoid ironing your clothing? Unless you really have to. The truth is the day of doing all of your washing and ironing on the same day for the week ahead has gone, and we are now in the culture of iron as we go or not even at all. But the difference a clean and fresh steam can do to a garment is amazing. It sits better on your figure, and it instantly looks “put together” and classy. Why not try and get into the habit of ironing clothes more regularly. Once you feel the difference and see it in the outfit, you won’t want to give up this new habit, that is for sure.

Add some jewelry into the mix

Sometimes all it takes is the right accessories to really lift an outfit and make them look and feel completely different. One of those things is the addition of jewelry. Statement pieces can really transform the way a dress or top looks, for example, a necklace or a statement pair of earrings can really add huge value to your complete outfit. Making it appear expensive, and more sophisticated.

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Consider a capsule wardrobe

Changing the seasons with your clothing can be quite a costly thing to do. So many people consider something like a capsule wardrobe that can see them through the changes of seasons with just the addition of a few different pieces here and there. For example, a dress can see you through the summer and the winter with the change of how you wear it. For example, adding tights and ankle boots in the winter and wearing with sandals in the summer. You can find a dress online easily enough, and they can be quite versatile if you pick the right one. The same can be said for other things like tops and jeans. The secret to a capsule wardrobe is to be able to mix and match and layer up and down, depending on the weather.

A handbag is a great accessory

Whether you invest in designer bags or like to hit the high street for replica styles, a handbag can be a great addition to an outfit and can be the difference between class and sophistication or casual and chic. The choice of bag can make the outfit. Something tailored and leather could be more classy, than the standard shopping tote bag that can make an outfit look casual. Choose the right bag to match the look you are going for and you can’t go wrong.

Be more mindful of the cut

Fashion trends can often be dictated by the cut of certain garments. However, in some cases, these don’t tend to be reproduced at high street level too well. If you find yourself seeing a certain cut on the catwalk, unless you can get the quality and matching cut, don’t try and replicate a fashion trend that you can’t pull off. Stick with the cuts that suit your body shape, especially when going for more tailored and classy outfits.

How you present yourself is key

Often when considering what you are wearing and the outfit you choose, we can forget that how we present ourselves can have much to do with our general appearance. For example, how you wear your hair can dictate whether you are going for a more casual laid back look or something more classy and sophisticated. Hair up with little fuss can be the epitome of classy, in comparison to a messy top knot which has a more casual appeal. You might also want to consider how you wear makeup. A finished look can be sophisticated whereas relaxed makeup that looks more natural can give off the impression of a casual approach to your outfit.

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Dress with your body shape in mind

We are all different shapes and sizes, and with that comes the ideal of certain fits and clothes types fitting certain body shapes better. It is all about dressing to your shape if you want your outfit to look classy and sophisticated. Take time to work out what sort of shape you have, there is no wrong answer to this, and understanding your body shape better will make shopping far easier and even more appealing. Think about how tall you are as well, and take into consideration your skin tone in regards to certain colors. Some people suit cooler shades whereas others suit warmer tones.

Shoes can make or break an outfit

Finally, the shoes you choose can sometimes be an afterthought, but again, they can really make your outfit and help you achieve the overall look you are after. We all know that wearing jeans is quite simple. Team them with sandals, flats or trainers, and you have a casual look. Team them up with a pair of heels or ankle boots, and they suddenly look and feel more dressed up. Think about the shoes you wear and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

I hope that these tips and tricks help you to make any outfit classy, or certainly help to dress with the style and appearance you have in mind. Less is often more in terms of fashion.

July 04, 2017

Shopping Addiction: Its Impact & The Aftermath

by AlRitch, in Shopping

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Can a person ever really be addicted to shopping?

It is, after all, something that most of us do on a weekly basis. Is it possible that it could fall into the same category of those most destructive of substance and alcohol issues - addiction itself?

The answer is: yes. Addiction tends to mean a behavior that stimulates dopamine production in the brain. Dopamine makes us feel good; makes us feel happy - so we want to do anything that stimulates that feeling over and over again. If it’s shopping that gives us a dopamine rush, then there’s no question about it: shopping can indeed be addictive.

When Is Shopping Addiction A Problem?

Given that shopping is something much of us have to do by necessity, it’s sometimes tricky to see where the line is. When is it just about servicing your need to buy things you need, and when has it crossed a line into being an addiction?

While every case is different, there are a few telltale signs of when a shopping habit has become something more sinister:

Shopping even when there is nothing you need or particularly want - you’re shopping for the sake of doing so.
Shopping to cheer yourself up when you’re feeling low for other reasons. Retail therapy on occasion is one thing, but if your immediate thought when you’re in need of a pick-me-up is to shop, then that might be problematic.
Suffering financial issues and a dented credit score as a result of spending more than you can afford. This might start mildly with a credit card debt, but over time, it will increase and become more and more problematic.
If you go without shopping for a short while, feeling the urge to shop just to break the dry spell. Again, this is all the more problematic if there’s nothing you need and you just want to shop anyway.

What Can Be Done About Shopping Addiction?

There are two prongs of shopping addiction that need to be addressed. The first is the more immediate problem: dealing with the financial impact that results from the issue.

Your credit score needs repairing as a priority, as credit scoring is used for all kinds of things these days. From that point on, you might need to enlist the help of professionals to aid in your quest for a better score. Be careful, though - some companies may do more harm than good, so do your research, read Parkview credit repair reviews and those of similar companies before you take the leap. You need to know how others have fared when using their services before you entrust any company with your financial affairs.

With that side of shopping addiction taken care of, you can move into overcoming the problem itself. To begin with, cut up all of your credit cards and try to use cash only - it will help bring the reality of what you spend into stark relief.

It’s also a good idea to enlist the help of a therapist, who can help identify the causes of your addiction and help you cope with the withdrawal. It might be a difficult process, but it’s one you absolutely need to go through. There’s no shame in falling foul of the dopamine rush that addiction can bring, but with strength and encouragement, you can move past it onto a better, brighter life.

May 10, 2017

Save Or Splurge? How To Invest In Beauty

by AlRitch, in Make-up

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Beauty is one of those areas that we either love or hate. Some love shoes and handbags, others love beauty products. When you’re a beauty addict, it can be easy to spend endless amounts of money on all kinds of lotions and potions. However, when you struggle to find anything you like or have a bad experience, beauty can seem like an area you want to stay away from. Whether you’re buying too much to know which products or best or you’re too scared to find out, take a look at the places to save on and the ones to splurge.

Moisturiser

It’s always, always, always worth investing in a good moisturizer. Preparing your skin is always important because it forms the base of your makeup. Alongside cleansing, you should never skip the moisturizing process. If you struggle with different skin concerns, ensuring that your skin is both clean and hydrated could help you. First of all, you’re going to want to find out your skin type, and then invest in the best product to help you beat your problems.

Lashes

In recent years, eyelashes have been getting more and more attention in the beauty world. First, there were false lashes that you could stick on to get extra length or volume. Then, came the extensions. Eyelash extensions can be a great investment if you lack in either volume or length, or want to be able to be able to speed up the makeup process in the mornings. Alternatively, you might find that LVL procedure, which tints and curls your own lashes, is a little more natural and easier to maintain.

Electrical Beauty

When it comes to electrical beauty, you could either save or splurge depending on what sort of products you need. However, if you’re looking for a good blow dryer or curling tong, you don’t have to break the bank to have a good hair day. You can pick up great hair curling wands for under $25 that can create incredible curls - it’s the same for blow dryers. This is definitely an area to save on if you’re looking to invest in other places.

Foundation

Everyone has their preference when it comes to foundation, but as a general rule, investing is best. Some drugstore brands can create great products, but if you’ve got a difficult skin type, you might want to invest in something a little more expensive. However, if you’re looking to try out a few different colors, it might be worth picking up something like the RCMA Kehoe Foundation Palette. That way, you can try out a range of colors, mix and match them and even have shades ready for when you have a tan and when you’re a little paler.

Lips

Whether you wear lipstick or gloss, you can always save a few bucks when it comes to your lips. Designer products can often look pretty, but they also have great dupes that look just as good. Sometimes, you can’t even tell the difference if you’re wearing that $40 designer shade of its $5 drugstore dupe. So, if you’d prefer to invest elsewhere, shop for your lip colors at the drugstore and pocket the extra cash.

May 02, 2017

Controlling Your Love Affair With Handbags

by AlRitch, in Handbags

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Accessories can help to complete an outfit. In fact, they can add character to your outfit. But it’s easy to go a bit OTT when it comes to accessories like shoes. In fact, it’s easy to get a tonne that just end up sitting in your wardrobe. And one thing, in particular, this can happen to is bags. After all, girls just can’t help themselves when they see a gorgeous handbag in the store. But to keep your funds intact (plus save room in your wardrobe), you need to be more careful before buying more bags! In fact, here are some questions you can use to help you control your love affair with handbags.

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Is it something you will use on a daily basis?

Before you take the cute new bag to the till you need to consider when you are actually going to use the bag. After all, if it’s just for one particular occasion, it might not be worth buying the handbag. In fact, if you do want to get a new bag, you want something which is suitable to use on a daily basis. That way, you will actually utilize the bag, and it’s less likely to just sit at the back of your wardrobe. After all, it’s so easy to get drawn in by a beautiful bag that you think you need. But when you consider it properly, you can see that it’s not actually something you will never make use of!

Is it worth the cost?

A lot of us fall in love with a handbag without checking the price tag first. After all, we like the style or the pattern. And it instantly makes us want to rush to the till. But to ensure you don’t end up with another bag denting your bank balance, you should check the price tag first. After all, the cost of the bag might not actually be worth it. For one thing, you need to check what material the bag is. After all, if it’s not proper leather, you might actually be paying out way more than what the handbag is worth. Also, check the quality of the inside of the bag too. After all, you don’t want a new handbag which is going to have holes in by the end of the week! Also, before you buy, you should make sure you can’t get it cheaper elsewhere. After all, there might be a good discount like a michael kors coupon which could save you a tonne of money. Therefore, it might be worth looking online instead to save you money.

Will it go with your wardrobe?

You also need to consider what the bag will be like with the rest of your wardrobe. After all, you don’t want to buy a brightly colored bag which doesn’t go with half your clothes. Otherwise, you will be limited to time you can use the handbag. And then it makes no sense purchasing the bag. Therefore, think through your wardrobe and decide whether it would make a handy addition. That way, it will stop you making an error buying another handbag you will never use!

And remember to think about the style of the bag. After all, if you already have a tonne of tote bags, there’s no point just getting another one to add to the pile.

April 13, 2017

Would You Dare To Dress Your Fella?

by AlRitch, in Life and Love

Have you noticed just how expensive guys' clothing has got? We girls used to whinge that the cost of our fashion choices was over the top when you considered the amount of material used. Things have changed, and we can dress for less. Perhaps this is why so many guys seem less inclined to update their wardrobe each season! If your fella is looking a little bit too last season (or last decade), would you dare to talk to him about it?

Of course, we all love our other halves for who they are, not what they look like. But if you’re getting ready for that all-important event at the end of the week, would you like to have a say in what your partner wears? All relationships are different, and how men feel about clothes isn’t always the same as how we feel about fashion. So what can you do?

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Start by asking him what he plans to wear. If you can’t have an honest and upfront conversation, then things might be a little tricky. Common answers might include ‘I don’t know’ or ‘that old thing.' That’s OK. Of course, if you’re not convinced ‘that old thing’ is best for the setting, why not ask him to come shopping with you?

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Sadly some guys aren’t keen mall trawlers. Fortunately, the power of twenty-first technology means you can shop safely online from the comfort of his gaming chair. Pick stores that cater for his build. This is sometimes the best way to get a fresh look for him if he’s a single-brand kind of guy. He might be even more encouraged if he’s getting a bargain. You could check out https://www.couponsherpa.com/banana-republic/ to see if there is anything that may work there. Vouchers can be pretty cost-effective if two outfits are going to hurt your wallet a little this month.

Are you confident enough to dress your guy? Knowing his body shape will help give you some idea of the styles of pants and shirts that will best suit his figure. Of course, if you’re dressing to impress at an office party or social event, you might be keen to check out some suits. A three-piece can add up to an expensive outfit when you add the shirt, tie, and shoes in too. But he’ll look amazing, and it can be worn again and again with different shirts and ties for a great new look.

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You might offer to let him pick out something for you to wear, just to even things up a bit. This can actually be a really nice way to spend a quality afternoon together if he’s game. There is no guarantee he’ll have good taste, though!. Still, it will certainly give you some insight into his preferences for fashion, and you might be able to find something new for you that you both love.

Would you dare to dress your man? It depends on the type of relationship you have and whether he’s a willing participant in your dress-up game. Either way, have fun!

January 28, 2017

The Socialite Jewelry Etiquette: How To Wear Your Blings Fashionably

by AlRitch, in Wedding Rings

Whether it is a ring, a pair of earrings, or even a necklace, jewelry is more than just a side accessory in every fashionista’s book. There are rules that dictate how best to wear your jewelry and how best to coordinate your outfit to it. Unfortunately, while these rules were still well-known until the first half of the 20th century, they have now gone forgotten. The jewelry etiquette is not something that young girls are taught at school anymore! Don’t panic, here’s a summary of the main things you need to know to let your blings and your wedding rings shine again.

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Do I Have To Buy Expensive Jewelry?

It depends what you intend to do with it. If you are looking for a quick and fashionable way to accessorize an outfit, you can rely on faux stones to make a strong fashion statement. However, don’t over-play the fake factor. While faux-stones are a do, fake designer bags and clothes are a complete no go. When you buy jewelry, if it often better to invest in one good item than to pick hundreds of low-quality one. However, there’s one thing you can make the most of and it’s clip-on earrings. Not only do cheap ones look very stylish, but you can clip them onto a simple blouse for an instant embellishing touch that will change your outfit for the best. To get more of the good type of jewelry, you could hint that you would like a new ring for Valentine’s day if you wish to bring more diversity to your jewelry box!

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Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friends

A Diamond ring, and specifically a Diamond engagement ring, is as beautiful as it is difficult to wear. Indeed, a diamond does not tolerate commonness. In short, this means that you can’t wear your everyday clothes with a diamond ring. You need to wear something that will highlight the quality and the beauty of the stone, such as an elegant evening dress a la Audrey Hepburn, for example. There are specific rules about how to best wear an engagement ring. You should keep it on your ring finger until the union, then it should be worn on top of the wedding ring. But some women like to keep their engagement ring on the ring finger and to wear the wedding band on any other finger. You are free to pick what suits you best. However, whatever you choose, make sure to care great care of your diamond ring, and specifically to keep it away from any sports activity that could damage it.

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Be Original: Make Your Own

The DIY trend is rising across the world, and it is now perfectly acceptable for women to make their own jewelry. Handmade jewelry can be playful or sentimental, and will bring a new light to a standard outfit. The only rule with handmade is that there is no rule, so you can let your imagination run free! Most people prefer to start with simple beaded bracelets and then work their way to wire-wrapping and resin pendants. You will find not only plenty of tutorials online, but also an amazing community of creative people ready to help you and answer all your questions. And remember, handmade jewelry can be a great gift too!

November 26, 2015

Bric's Luggage – Compare This Luxury Company's Iconic Collections

by AlRitch, in Luggage

Bric's is an Italian luggage designer and producer that has established itself as one of the very best creators in its industry. With historical roots, it's been able to grow and become an international success, thanks to the company's evolving interpretation of the latest trends in fashion, durability, and functionality. Travellers would be hard-pressed to find a better brand when it comes to suitcase sets that give you all of the storage you need and the style you want.

What are this luxury company's iconic collections all about? Check out the short comparison below to learn more.

Bellagio

Bric's Bellagio Spinner Trunk was ranked one of Fodor's best checked luggage for 2014. This collection is offered in a range of colours that both men and women will love, and you can choose from several different trunks of various sizes, complete with handy wheels and telescoping handles for ease of use when travelling for long stretches of time. The hard and tough exterior means these are durable pieces, yet they are surprisingly lightweight.

Bojola

The Bojola collection is a bit more feminine, coming in an iconic cream colour. These soft-sided suitcases are just as durable and easy to clean, as well as lightweight and easy to carry or pull on wheels, as Bric's other collections. You can choose from a variety of items in this collection too, from trolleys and spinners, to duffles and shave cases.

Life

The Life collection is a bit more masculine in appearance, with darker hues of cognac and olive. These soft-sided pieces are designed to be functional and lightweight, and they're made using easy-to-clean PVC that's sueded and trimmed with Tuscan leather, making them super chic.

X-Bag

The X-Bag collection is all about function meeting style perfectly. Available in a range of fun colours, these luggage sets are perfect for families that love to travel. But in addition to purchasing entire sets, you can also purchase single items in this line, such as the Rolling Duffle, Sportina Shopper in several different sizes, and the Pilotcase, to name a few.

Pronto

The Pronto collection is known for being super easy to clean and maintain, thanks to its durability and water resistance. Offered in multiple colours, this range includes products like the Ultra-Light Spinner in various sizes, the Ultra Light Rolling Duffle, which is perfect for day trips, and the Traditional Shave Case for all of the small travel essentials that you want to conveniently store and carry while on the go.

As you can see, there are many different collections available from Bric's so you can find the one that is most suitable to your needs. Whether you are looking for masculine or feminine designs, single pieces or entire sets, there is something for everyone. So if you're ready to invest in some Bric's luggage that is sure to please your fashionable side as well as your practical side, shop online and in stores for Bric's suitcases that will meet all of your expectations for your upcoming business trip or holiday.

April 10, 2014

Top 10 Hair Looks From the Academy Awards

by AlRitch, in TV Showbiz & Entertainment

Many look and adore the hair, makeup and fashion at the Academy Awards and red carpet event, and this year was no different. Celebrities did not disappoint as they poured in and paraded their fabulous hair styles. Here are some of the best hair looks of the night.

1. Jennifer Lawrence

Beautiful Jennifer chose a soft, romantic look as her hair was brushed back in voluminous waves. Blonde highlights gave her hair dimension and shine.

2. Sandra Bullock

Sandra went with a side swept hair do with big curls and a side part. This romantic look complemented her deep navy gown with a side gathered detail very nicely. The rich dark brown color was also eye-catching.

3. Julia Roberts

Julia shined on the red carpet with a hair style that turned heads. Soft curls framed her face while her hair was pulled back into a low twist. The style looked carefree and easy.

4. Amy Adams

Amy chose a style that was all her own. Not many actresses chose a sleek, sculpted updo, but Amy did, and it looked stunning. The top was pushed back into one sweeping wave and then joined the rest of her hair in a simple twist. Her trademark red hair was a hit!

5. Kerry Washington

While showing off her baby bump, Kerry also flaunted a half-up, half-down hair style. The top was cleanly pulled back with a side part, and the rest was simply curls and volume. This feminine and full hair do was beautiful!

6. Margot Robbie

Margot looked glamorous with her old Hollywood inspired hair do. The characteristic waves across her forehead and down her hair were gorgeous. Her dark brown hair color (with the faintest red highlights) was also striking.

7. Kate Hudson

Kate also stole the show with a killer hair style. Hers was a side sweep hair do with understated waves and dimensional highlights. The look had a retro vibe that accented her old Hollywood dress perfectly.

8. Charlize Theron

Charlize chose a style that was outside the trend box and sported a short, simple, clean (nearly pixie) hair style. The simplicity of her hair do was refreshing, beautiful, and complementary of the clean lines and silhouette of her black gown.

9. Olivia Wilde

Olivia looked stunning with an updo of beautiful proportions. Soft waves framed her face while the back was pulled into a network of loops and twists. The intricacy of her hair balanced the simple black gown that she wore to the event.

10. Maria Menounos

Maria caught every one’s eyes with her dreamy, soft hair style on the red carpet. Her hair was French braided back into a textured low bun with lots of volume and interest. The red in her hair color made her brown eyes pop.

The looks on the red carpet were stunning! Hollywood celebrities displayed a range of romantic and exquisite looks. From short, straight styles to intricate, curls, twists and hair accessories, these women were styled to impress. They carry on the tradition of the red carpet event—one of style and fashion. These hair styles will not only be remembered. They will be replicated and revered!

January 12, 2014

Important Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping Online

by AlRitch, in Shopping Tips

It has never been easier to shop, but remember, just as you don't need to leave your home to go shopping, cyber thieves don't need to leave theirs either. Stay one step ahead with these tips on how to reduce the risks while online shopping.

Check the website looks like the real deal.

Fake websites are one of the main dangers to falling prey to identity theft. Some criminals will go to great lengths to steal your hard earned cash, even designing look-a-like websites teasing you to make a purchase and hand over your vital identity and banking digits. For this reason, if you are at all unsure about the website you are visiting, it's best to avoid making a purchase. Also you should be especially suspicious about links you receive within emails, which can lead you to fake websites.

Only shop from a secured connection

Typing in your credit card details while using a public Wi-Fi connection exposes you to the risk of your details being stolen. To reduce the risk, by all means use unsecured connections to window shop, but leave the actual transaction until you get home where you can be sure the connection is secured.

Only buy from an SSL secured website

If a website is secured it means that information that is stored is far less likely to be stolen or intercepted by unwanted eavesdroppers. You can usually tell if a website is secured because the beginning of its URL in the address browser is highlighted as green. You may also see a padlock icon which is another reassuring sign. Websites secure themselves by acquiring an SSL certificate which encrypts them to a recognized industry standard. There are several providers and products, with many online stores choosing to install Thawte SSL Certificates which provide the most visible package so that shoppers know immediately that their site is a safe place to shop. If you are curious on how this software works you can check on line for an SSL product overview.

Shop with your credit card

It is advisable to shop with your credit card rather than your debit card if you can avoid it. This is mainly because if you are the unfortunate victim of identity theft, you have a higher chance of getting your money back with a credit card. With a debit card, the money comes straight out of your account so it is far harder to remedy the situation. Many credit cards provide insurance of some kind against identity theft as well which helps. But if you report a theft after more than a day or two, you are unlikely to see your money again even if you used a credit card.

Check your statements

Lastly, make it regular practice to check your online bank account. This will help you to keep track of what purchases are being made and when. If you see large amounts of money being used on expensive items that you or another card holder is unlikely to have made, contact your credit or debit card company immediately and cancel the card without delay.

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December 05, 2013

Working from Home in Style

by AlRitch, in Fashion Tips

Working from home can sound like a very attractive proposition. After all, what could be more comfortable than working in your pyjamas? However, once the novelty wears off, many find that working in solitude has its drawbacks and it can be easy to lose focus. Here are a few tips for making sure that if you do work from home, you work in style:

Carefully choose how you dress: Clearly you don’t need to wear a suit to sit in your own lounge. However, you should strive to make your home working environment a professional working environment. Therefore, what you wear will say a lot about your mindset. As a rule of thumb, make sure that you would be happy bumping into a client or customer in your chosen outfit.

The right furniture: The space that you choose to work in also impacts your output. If you have an office at home, that is ideal. However, even if you are working in the dining room or lounge, you can make it look like a place of work. Purchasing office furniture is a great way to transform the space. Ergonomic furniture is particularly comfortable and can make all the difference, especially when you don’t have a colleague’s desk or the meeting room to get you out of your desk.

Change of scenery: Because the home environment is so self-contained, you must factor a change of scenery into your day. This can be difficult if you’re having a busy period or feel that you must be constantly available. It is well worth checking out Ericom.com where you can purchase software to give you access to all programmes on your desktop wherever you may be. Suddenly a change of scenery won’t seem so daunting.

Have a conversation: Solitude can be the biggest difficulty if you work from home. Entire days can pass you by without saying more than a few words to another human being. It is very important to make sure that you have as much interaction with other people as possible. It will keep you fresh and focused and probably boost your output in the long run. Pick up the phone as often as you can and make a call even if it isn’t work related. If possible, make sure that these are video calls on Skype. Having actual face time with other people will be a refreshing experience.

Organize yourself: If you work in an office, there are likely to be systems in place to organize your work. However, if you work from home, you may find that files are scattered across multiple locations. FindIt is a great platform which allows you to search files across a variety of platforms, from Dropbox to Gmail and beyond. It’s a great one-stop-shop for finding pretty much anything.

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