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11 Great Features That Your Picture Handbag Must Have
by: Mario Churchill

All picture handbags make wonderful gifts for any occasion, but certain features can make them the perfect gift. If you’re shopping for a picture handbag now, make sure that you’re purchasing what could be termed as “perfect” rather than something merely pretty.

11 Great Features that Your Picture Handbag Must Have

THE RIGHT SIZE – Women are very particularly when it comes to the size of handbags. Women who are organized and lead busy lifestyles tend to prefer large sized bags while women who love having fun usually prefer smaller sized bags more.

THE RIGHT HANDLES – Handles, depending on its design, can make your picture handbag look more elegant or funky. If you can choose the handles for your bag, choose one that will fit your recipient’s hands comfortably. It should be the right size and won’t cause your palms to perspire too much.

COLOR – If you want your recipient to be able to use your picture handbag all the time, choose one that comes in neutral shades like black, white, and gray. If your recipient always goes outdoors, it might be better to choose a darker shade so that smudges of dirt won’t be easily visible.

METAL FEET – This is a must for all types of women. With metal feet, the bottom part of your picture handbag won’t be suffering from any dirt or scratches. You can set it on the table or the ground and still feel assured that the base of your bag will stay dust-free.

PHOTOS – You’ll usually be able to print two photos on one handbag just as long as you’re willing to pay extra. You can also have it turned sepia or black and white to give it a rustic tone.

MATERIAL – Durability is a must for practical women while smoothness of texture is desired more by women who have no problems enjoying creature comforts.

INNER ZIPPERED POCKETS – No matter what the size of your picture handbag is, make sure it has an inner zippered pocket. Women always look for this feature because it allows them to set aside – and protect – small items they have with them all the time.

CELLPHONE POCKET – If your recipient owns a mobile phone then she’s sure to have it with her all the time. You can help her enjoy more convenience and comfort in using her mobile phone by looking for a photo handbag with its own cellphone pocket.

MIRROR POCKET – Women who primp are not necessarily vain. Maybe, they just want to look pretty or presentable for you! Whichever the case is, your recipient is sure to appreciate your gift more if it comes with a mirror pocket.

DETACHABLE PANELS – Not all picture handbags come with this feature, but if you’re lucky enough to find one that does – avail it right away! Detachable panels allow your recipient to use another photo for the bag if she wishes for a different style.

KEY FOBS – If you notice your recipient frequently having a hard time looking for her keys inside her bag, make sure that you buy a picture handbag with key fobs attached to its interior.

By exerting extra time and effort to come up with the perfect picture handbag, you’re sure to make your lovely recipient not just smile but maybe cry tears of joy as well…provided you’ve gotten the photo right as well.

About The Author
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written over 200 articles on various subjects. For more information checkout http://www.snaptotes.com and http://styleends.com .

Why Colour is So Important in Fashion
by: Susan Lockhart

Colour is the first thing other people notice about us, and its impact is immediate and long-lasting. Our fashion colour choices say a lot about the image we are trying to portray and how we feel about ourselves. So what does colour tell people?

Within seconds of meeting you, others will respond to the ‘colour messages’ flashed by your clothes. Different colours can make people feel a certain way. In fact, it has been determined by medical science that colour can influence the viewer’s hormones, blood pressure and body temperature. Colour also has an impact on:

* Your apparent shape;
* Your apparent weight;
* Your apparent personality;
* Your emotions
* Others emotions

Other important considerations are how appropriate the colour is for the location, occasion, time of year, your age and of course, your natural colouring.

We are all influenced by colour every day, whether we realise it or not. If we’re having a bad day and not feeling good about ourselves, we tend to automatically choose clothes in dull neutral colours like black, grey or brown because they match how we’re feeling. Just as when we’re happy and feeling great we will go for something a bit brighter.

Have a look in your wardrobe and see how many different colours you own. Do you have a veritable rainbow of outfits? Or are there just 1 or 2 colours that you wear a variation of all the time? You may find you are stuck in a colour rut. Knowing this, why not experiment with the colours you wear and surround yourself with.

Sometimes it is not just the colour itself, but a combination of colours that create the affect. Colours produce different reactions when used in different fabrics and when put together in different colour combinations. For example, a red jacket worn with a white shirt to a business meeting exhibits confidence and power, but a red jacket worn with a lacy red top may be interpreted as saying, “I’m sexy and exciting and I have other things on my mind besides this business meeting”.

Red is actually not the best colour to wear to a job interview as it can set the scene for an uneasy interaction between females. So what colours are appropriate for what situation?

Here is a list of the colours that men respond well to, both socially and professionally.

* Yellow: Holds their attention and keeps them alert; indicates the start of something new

* Yellow-based reds: Energetic colour that keeps conversations going

* True reds: Exhibits confidence

* Burgundy: Reflects class and sophistication and attracts the same type of men

* Mid-range blues: Puts others at ease and allows interactions to go smoothly

* Sky blue: A calming colour

* Navy blue: Signals that you want to be taken seriously; it inspires others to listen to what you have to say and displays that you are trustworthy

* Blue-based reds: Suggests intelligence and femininity

* Red violet: Suggests strength and creativity

It is most important though, to choose colours that are a good fit for your natural colouring. There is no point choosing a colour that suggests creativity and confidence if it also makes you look washed out or sick.

Wearing your best range of colours can have a huge impact on your wardrobe and your confidence. The right colours can make your skin tone appear more even, reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark circles and make you look brighter and healthier. While on the other hand wearing a colour which isn’t so good for you, can make you look tired, dull and even ill. A colour analysis with a professional image consultant will show you exactly which range of colours are best for your clothing, makeup and accessories.

In short, our fashion colour choices tell the world a lot about us. Knowing how to use colour to your advantage can change the way you dress and boost your self-confidence.

About The Author
Susan Lockhart is a leading Image Consultant in Brisbane, Australia and owner of Synergy Image Consulting. Learn how to make the most of your appearance and dress for success, no matter what size, age or shape you are. Get professional advice on colour, dressing for your body shape, bridal wear, grooming and more. Consultations for men and women. Visit http://www.synergyimage.com.au

Does Your Personal Style Reflect Your Uniqueness?
by: Marion Chamberlain

Does your personal style truly reflect your uniqueness? Do you feel comfortable in your own skin? Do you feel confident about what your look says about you? Do you gravitate toward just buying the fashion magazine’s latest look? Or are you constantly comparing how you look to others?

My life’s experience is that many women do not own their look. Many women do not embrace their uniqueness and instead create copycat, plain Jane or outlandish styles that aren’t reflective of whom they are.

I believe that any woman can evoke the look that simply confirms her being and uniqueness. She can look chic, feminine in accordance with her personality, lifestyle and very importantly, budget. Here are the steps I recommend you follow:

Step 1: Discover what your body type is and which styles look good on you. Kendall Starr in her book, Pocket Stylist, believes that regardless of whether a woman is average or plus sized, there is one of three basic silhouettes that apply to everyone. The three basic silhouettes are:

BODY TYPE A: The average version of a woman whose shoulders are narrower than the width of her hips. Regardless of whether she is flat- or full-chested, this torso proportion is defined by a definite visual difference between the width of those shoulders and the width of the hips.

BODY TYPE B: The traditional hourglass – although Farr herself isn’t in favor of geometry or fruit-derived monikers (”no hourglasses, apples, pears, celery or any of that stuff”) – this woman’s shoulder width is essentially the same as her hip width, and the waist is generally well defined. Bust size can be anywhere from flat-chested to full-breasted. (Again, simply a particular that refines her fit – not a starting point.)

BODY TYPE C: The shoulders are wider than the width of the hips. Broad-shouldered, narrow-hipped models fall into this category. Her waist is usually quite straight, and can be somewhat of a fitting challenge. Once you’ve determined your body type, go to a store with an honest friend. Try on various fabrics and cuts to see how the material and shape emphasize or detract from your basic body silhouette. Remember, window shopping is okay, no need to break the bank and immediately overhaul your wardrobe.

Step 2: Inventory your wardrobe and make sure you have these wardrobe basics, which complement your silhouette and lifestyle:

Pants:

• Dark – Day Look In a simple, skimming cut and crisp high-quality fabric.

• Dark – Night Look Fuller leg in a lighter high-quality fabric.

Jeans or Chinos:

• To wear with a flat heel Hemmed shorter to wear with flats.

• To wear with heels Hemmed longer.

Skirts: • Pencil, Trouser or A-Line Cut In black or lightweight wool.

• A-line or Bias Cut In a flowy fabric for day or evening.

• Skirt in a neutral, mixable style A subtle pin stripe or tweed.

Shirts:

• White button down In a feminine cut.

• White T-shirts Just the basic T, a boat neck, or V-neck.

Sweaters/Cardigans:

• Black That tonally matches your black pants.

• Neutral In a skin flattering tone, i.e. avoid stark white if you’re fair.

• Vivid Color Must emphasize your features and not detract.

Jackets

• Tailored It should match your dark pants in color tone and style.

• Casual Bombers, motorcycle styles and windbreakers are good choices in fabrics like leather, suede, corduroy, soft wool or cotton twill.

Coats

• Trench Good for the rain and in-between seasons – choose a neutral or black.

• Knee-length For in-between seasons.

• Winter Coat Invest in the best fabric you can possibly afford.

Dress or matching separates that create a dress. Always have a little black dress on hand.

Accessories

• Cherish four to five high-end fashion accessories (costume jewelry and scarves) that you wear all the time.

• Add one or two new trendy pieces each season and wear them out.

• Invest in high quality everyday leather handbags and shoes.

Become friends with a great tailor who can assure that these key clothing pieces flatter your uniqueness.

Step 3: Find a great hair stylist who is skilled at working with your hair type. Then get a fuss-free hairstyle and maintain it. I don’t know about you, but I absolutely dread having to use several hairstyling tools and products. It’s all about simplicity to manage my hair (flat crown and wavy length). I could be using tons of root lifter, hair serums, along with a blow dryer, flat iron, three brushes and then finishing products. However, I made a decision some time ago to embrace my hair texture and found a hair stylist who knows exactly how I “operate” and created a style accordingly.

Step 4: Treat your skin as the treasure it is. Get a facial every month or just give yourself a weekly facial. Maintain, protect and nourish your skin daily. If you have great skin, you radiate and barely need any make-up. The time spent on your daily skin care routine is also a wonderful time to dedicate to yourself and regeneration. Also, don’t forget to drink plenty of water to hydrate it.

Step 5: Use make-up as an aid to emphasize your beautiful features, not hide them under layers and layers of coating. I firmly believe in the principle applied by French women: less is more. Your basics include: tinted moisturizer with SPF, a light powder, blush, a great mascara and a lipstick or lip gloss. Select colors that are complementary to your skin tone, hair color and eye color. Heavy smoky eye make-up or bright red lips may look great in a magazine. However, if they don’t reflect your uniqueness – leave them in the store!

Let your imagination and creativity take its power to truly reflect your uniqueness. So, when someone asks you: Does Your Personal Style Reflect Your Uniqueness? You’ll answer confidently: Absolutely!

Copyright (c) 2007 MMC Lifestyles, LLC, dba MMC Style

About The Author
Marion Chamberlain is founder of MMC Style (http://www.mmcstyle.com ), an Internet store for European fashion accessories sourced from unique and highly-talented small design shops in Europe. The online store offers high-quality European fashion jewelry and leather handbags to those women who want to be unique. MMC Style (http://www.mmcstyle.com ) European fashion accessories are truly unique and can’t be found in department or chain stores.

Denim Jeans are always a hit on every season, from the hat on your head to the shoes on your feet, and yet finding the perfect pair of jeans still overwhelms us. Jeans for ladies come in different styles and tastes. There are some basic styles for you to choose depending on your body shapes and curves and how you want to look for yourself. Here are they:

Tight jeans – If you have the curves, go for it! Those with slender legs should try it. It makes you look slim and sexy.

Cuffed jeans – If you love casual look, casual jeans gives you the style. Also suitable to wear on beach. But avoid them if your a short legged lady.

Low-rise jeans – Low-rise jeans will make you look slim. Best for long legged woman. They show off a shapely butt nicely. However, please make sure you wear a low-cut panty within.

Classic dark jeans – These are decent, neat and classy. The dark colours make a person look slimmer and legs longer. So it’s best for short legged ladies out there.

Embellished jeans – If you want and love to party, Embellished jeans is suitable for you.

Baggy jeans – If your a conservative type woman then wear this kind of jeans. They do not show off your body curves because they are loose fitting but comfy. They are suitable to be worn on a shopping spree.

Denim rules
1. Consider jeans the way you would a pair of work trousers — they are alterable. Custom jeans are becoming more and more popular.

2. They are a great blank canvas. You can try out trends by paring(?) them with jeans rather than trying to do a whole trend “look.”

3. If you find a great-fitting pair, always buy two: one to wear with flats and one to wear with heels.

4. Jeans can work on all women, no matter what age, size, etc. — but not all styles work for all women. Wear a style because it’s flattering, not just because it’s trendy.

Here are some tips on choosing the right pair of jeans:

1. Know your size before shopping for a pair of jeans as it can be annoying trying to find the right size.

2. Try on a lot of pairs! Select many different styles, and bring them into the dressing room at the same time, so that you can compare. Choose a style that is right for your body type.

3. When you try them on, see if they are easy to get on. Also check if they are too loose or too tight.

4. Walk around and see if they are easy to walk in?

5. Try bending down and see if they go too low and if they are easy to bend down in?

6. Check the price. Good jeans normally come at a price. However, consider how much you are willing to spend and spend within your budget.