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Saving Money With Strategic Fashion Shopping

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When reading about the incendiary amounts of money celebrities pay on saying in style it can be easy to assume that, in order to stay in trend, we have to spend a similar amount. Yet, when celebrities like Kim Kardashian brags about her collection of Christian Louboutin footwear, a collection which numbers over 200 pairs, it is also possible to see that it is practically impossible to do so – saving up for that many shoes would take many of us years and, by the time we’d saved the amount, the shoes would no longer be in trend. The good news however is that it is not actually at all necessary to spend such exorbitant sums to stay in trend and all it takes is a bit of strategic shopping to stay well within a much lower budget.

Don’t Buy The Latest Fashions!

To keep your bank manager happy it is always worth considering when the right time to shop is and when the right time to save is too. A first, easy step to make when considering how to save money is to actually consider shopping on things which aren’t actually up to the moment trends – rather than buying unfashionable clothing, the aim is to buy styles which will still be wearable in a year’s time. So, in the late nineties many ladies, no doubt overwhelmed by Spice Girls fever, bought platformed sneakers which, by the end of the decade, were completely dated and un-wearable. If they had plumped for a classic pair of heels, it is possible that they could still be wearing the same pair now rather than having to update their wardrobe every year. So, the key is to look for items, some of which will require a more expensive initial investment in, that are likely to last a while rather than just the season. As some items never go out of fashion, the LBD for example, look to purchase these instead of something you see celebrities wearing in magazines!

Mix and Match!

Mixing and matching your wardrobe is a great tip on how to keep your wardrobe lively too. It is possible by teaming different garments with different accessories to create whole new ensembles with completely different feels – for men this could involve teaming a blazer with jeans or with slacks; two completely different attires. Women have a much greater degree of freedom with this and can mix and match their shoes, tops, blazer and jewellery around to create new looks – by experimenting with a mix and match approach at first, it is easy to see that perhaps not as many new items are required for your new styles as you might initially have thought. So, rather than looking at buying new dresses consider how you could make it look stylish by switching up what you wear with it, be it different boots or a new bag instead.

Shop Retro!

Budget saving can also be made by looking in vintage stores and on-line at sites like E-bay. Some of last season’s biggest styles were decidedly retro – animal and floral print amongst them. By staying away from designer brands it is possible to replicate these looks on a much smaller budget. Looking for the original source of inspiration rather than their newer more expensive imitators can often leave you with your wallet much fuller.

Keith is a fashion writer who provided this article on behalf of Barratts Boots






3 Ways to Decorate Walls Without Using Paint

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Since prehistoric times, humans have always had a deep need for decorating the place where they live. The biggest proof of this fact is cave paintings found all over the world. In the modern, one of the core components of decorating a home is to paint it. However, for a person moving into a new home, nothing can be more annoying than being told that painting the walls is not an option.

Countless landlords place these kinds of restrictions on their tenants. While there are people who simply bow down to these restrictions, take a deep breath and move on, there are others who find a way to decorate their walls without using paint. The following are some of the most effective ways of decorating walls without actually using paint.

Using Temporary Wall Graphics

Temporary wall graphics can be one of the best ways of uniquely decorating a wall. The reason for this is simply that a person can acquire any set of wall graphics and manipulate them in any way they like. For instance, a simple page of wall graphics can be cut into various decorative shapes and used together to give the sense of motion.

Temporary wall graphics can be found in any well stocked stationary store. Moreover, the variety of options that removable wall graphics are available in also means that any individual, regardless of his specific likes and dislikes, can find a set that suits him.
It is also worth mentioning that it is also possible to get customized removable wall graphics. A person can simply contact the right website or local printing service provider and get the perfect wall graphic made. Getting customized wall graphics usually affords an individual more flexibility and freedom in terms of design, shape and size.

Putting Up Wall Art With Removable Wall Hooks

Picture frames and wall art can liven up any home, irrespective of how drab or boring its paint work is. While the best thing to do would be to use one’s own artwork, sometimes, this is not an option. Wall art can be sourced fairly cheaply from local stores as well as through websites.

The diversity that art displays means that there is a type of wall art that will suit the sensibilities of each individual in the world. If wall art is not as appetizing for the individual then he can even use picture frames to put up photographs.

Putting up wall art or picture frames, however, can be a problem because using nails is usually a corollary to restrictions preventing the use of paint. Fortunately, removable wall clips can be used to counter such problems.

Playing With Lighting

As any interior designer would gladly admit, how beautiful the interiors of a home look depends entirely on the kind of lighting being used inside the home Light fixtures and lamps can be used to manipulate the lighting on a wall without the use of paint. Furthermore, if the right kind of lighting is used in conjunction with the above mentioned two methods then the room can truly come to life.

Alicia is a contributor for outdoor fireplace pros  where you can get some useful resources pertaining to outdoor fire tables to help you choose the best decorations.

Finding Italian Scarves For Every Man

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Cosmopolitan men have identified that Italian Scarves are a fashion accessory must. Choosing to wear one is a smart decision because they are smart accessories for today’s styles. Adding a bit of color to an outfit is easy to do with a scarf. Just as women have always enjoyed wearing evening shawls and wraps, men are finding that wearing great looking scarves not only add to the warmth of their attire, but make a fabulous fashion statement.

Men living in climates that are cooler than most have long understood the importance of adding a little cloth to the neck area can help keep the body warm. Cold weather demands a few extra steps to ensure comfort, and men living in such places can enjoy the benefits of Italian Scarves on a daily basis along with winter coats and jackets. Make no mistake though, there are many debonair men who enjoy the added fashion statement they make while wearing stylish scarves.

Fashion these days simply dictates that men wear beautiful scarves, and with the variety of ways they can be worn there is no reason every man should not make a statement of their own. Men’s scarves provide a great opportunity to add an accessory that will only add elegance to the look. They also make great gifts if you are looking for something special to give to a man.

While there are many ways to tie a scarf, one of the easiest is to simply fold Italian Scarves in half wrap them around the neck and pull the loose ends through the loop that was formed on the opposite end. Pull it tight or leave it a bit loose for the look you are after. However, you have to know that this is a favorite way to wear a scarf in all of Europe. It is very much Italian and looks quite elegant.

This look can be worn with a jacket of sports coat, but there is another one that men love to wear as well. Italian Scarves look great when they are simply wrapped around the neck a time or two with the ends allowed to flow freely over the shoulders. It keeps the neck warm and cozy with a splash of style when you are wearing a scarf.

Tying an ascot leaves a clean line while at the same time being comfortable to wear. This is the look that goes very well with those men who are interested in wearing nautical looking outfits. To tie one just unbutton the top few buttons on your shirt and wrap the ascot around your neck leaving one end shorter than the other. Pull the longer end over and then under the shorter and then back over again. The last step is to pull the top end under and through the Y at the neck. Leave the end loose for a great looking ascot.

Ilenia Romani is fashion blogger and model who wants her boyfriend to look dashing so she bought him a new mens wool scarf.

5 Things You Need to Do Before You Install Synthetic Turf

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Synthetic turf, also called artificial grass, is seeing a recent increase in popularity because of the many advantages it offers homeowners. It is eco-friendly, low maintenance, and visually appealing. If you are interested in creating your own outdoor space out of artificial grass, then you need to be aware of these five things you need to do before you install synthetic turf:

Research. In addition to weighing out the pros and cons of synthetic grass in order to know for sure that you are making the best decision for you, you should also research all of your options when it comes to grass manufacturers and materials. Different types of synthetic turf require different amounts and types of maintenance, and higher grade synthetic lawns will stand up to more wear and tear than lawns of lower grade turf. These are things you should consider before you begin to prep your outdoor space for installation, as synthetic grass is a large investment.

Excavate. Remove the top three to five inches of soil in preparation for your foundation. Do this regardless of your existing lawn material (dirt, weeds, or grass). Once you have properly excavated the upper layer of your lawn, tamp the ground to make it as level as possible.

Apply a weed killer and/or install a weed barrier. You want to prevent any weeds from growing up and pushing into your synthetic turf. Certain tough weeds can actually damage your synthetic lawn over time, and unwanted growth underneath your lawn can stand in the way of proper drainage. Apply a weed killer to exterminate existing weeds, and lay down a weed barrier if you feel your yard is especially susceptible to weed growth.

Build a foundation. Pour a layer of foundation rock aggregate (decomposed granite, pea gravel, road base, etc.) about three inches thick. This foundation will provide a means for easy drainage, and should be graded away from your home, just as a traditional lawn would be. At this stage, you can cap off any existing sprinkler heads, unless you have outdoor pets, in which case you might want to leave them exposed for sanitary reasons.

Prepare the grass. Synthetic turf comes in rolls, which means that when you unroll it, the blades of grass will be compacted and laying flat. Before you install the turf, you should unroll it completely, and then use a broom to brush the grass blades so that they stand at attention. Do this one roll at a time, as this would be a very daunting and labor intensive task if you waited until after the installation.

As you can see, there are some preparatory measures you must take before installing synthetic turf. Follow these tips to get your lawn ready for a whole new, eco-friendly look.

About the Author: Thaddeus Slaney has a small business property where grass simply won’t grow. He had synthetic turf from installitdirect installed and the place now has a welcoming appeal when visitors approach!

You’ll Fall For Metallic Eyes This Autumn

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This fall, it’s going to be all about the metallic hues to brighten the skin. Metallic shades can be used anywhere, but one of the best places for these colors is on your eyelid. Many runway models are rocking metallic eye shadow this fall, and for good reason. Sure, a few people may fear they can’t pull off the shimmer, but in reality, with so many metallic eye shadows out there, from gold to silver to even copper, anyone can rock this bold look for Fall. Want to know how you pull off this look? Here is the 4-1-1.

Why The Metallic Look is Popular

The metallic eye makeup trend is popular because it lightens the eyes, and brings attention right where you want it. It is so easy to do, and with a variety of metallic colors on the market, you can find the best one for your skin tone. No matter what color eyes you may have, there is a color that will work perfectly for you. You can apply as much or as little product as you want, so you can wear this look both night and day. Red and brown colors are simply great for fall and resemble fall foliage. The smoky eye look can also be done using darker metallic colors, and is something to try if you love the classic and ever popular smoky eye.

Two Ways to Rock It

If you want to give your face a nice glow, but you don’t want something that is too over the top, you may want to consider getting some gold eye shadow and giving your eyelid a soft dusting. You do not have to apply too much, and can get just the slightest hint of shine. The goal is sheer, so a bit will do just fine.

If you want to try and do a smoky eye using metallic colors, you will want to have a pallet on hand with many colors. You will want to try to apply a deep copper shade to your eyelid and you will want to blend this up towards the brow bone. You will want to give your eyes some depth by applying a darker matte shadow at the outer crease. You will want to use the same copper you used on your eyelid underneath your eye as well, almost like it was eyeliner. You can then apply some black eyeliner, but do not go too overboard. Some mascara will complete the look.

As you can see, metallic eye shadows can be used in a number of ways to create a number of different looks. No matter what you are trying to do, you can do it with metallic colors. Give these looks a try for something new and fun this fall, and you may find yourself utterly surprised at how much you like them. They’re easy to do and will look great with any eye color!

As a makeup consultant Lori Styles stays on top of the latest trends in beauty and fashion. From hiding acne scarring, to making eyes shine bright, Lori loves using her creativity to help women all over the world look the best they ever have!

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