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Thursday, December 29, 2011

The Intent of Tights Makers

costume-discount.com
Granted that there are some people who can pull off wearing tights as a bottom wear, it is not advisable as it is one of the most cringed-worthy items if worn wrongly. Tights are not made to replace pants. The culprits of this mistake are people with unflattering shapes. This is too noticeable when they wear tights with tops that have its length to the waist, but I guess they clearly do not mind. Should I praise them for their nonchalant attitudes or mock them for being irresponsible? Some would say it's none of my business but I would counter that because as long as my eyes are made for looking and I can see this eye sore of a clothing, I am permitted to have an opinion. What prompted this post was as a result of seeing a lady at a mall who wore a nude color pair of tights as a replacement for pants. For a second I thought she had forgotten to wear pants. I was shocked as other onlookers were until my eyes adjusted a bit and I realized I was looking at a skin colored article and not bare skin. Talk about open sexual harassment to men in a public place like the mall. I was bothered that she wasn't bothered to have made such a fashion mistake. Tights were originally made to be worn underneath something like dresses, skirts, and lengthy tops. Even though some individuals love and pull off the tight-only look, it is not for everyone! Also, nude colored clothing items are mostly worn as under-garment. Try to make more wise choices when you choose to wear tights. Spare those around you some embarrassment. 
(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Friday, December 9, 2011

GG's Chuck Bass

miriamslimerence.wordpress.com


2011 has been a year of adding new shows to my already existing list, making it a bunch of shows to impossibly follow up on TV. It's quite sad that I didn't find many shows boring so I could easily eliminate some from my list. Instead, most of the shows I already watch got better with time. And they weren't looking to ending them any time soon. So what I find myself doing is catching up later online. This happened with Season 5 of Gossip Girl. I caught up in one lazy day and it was fabulous. I was amazed to see my ever trend-setting Chuck Bass still with his remarkable suited styles that always made me wonder how he is able to pull them off every single time. Sometimes I think, if only politicians spiced up their look like Chuck Bass does. Don't ask me why I think that way. But I personally find politics way off my thinking radar and I pay more attention to the tailored suits worn by the individuals than what they are talking about. Talk about color, fabric, styles, blocking, Chuck does them all. I was really glad to be watching GG for my favorite actor's demeanor in those suits. That character was well thought of and executed in a stylish professional manner that I like to call "above the common." Chuck reminds me of some men in suits captured by Scott Schuman in his "The Sartorialist" book. I'm sure Scott would approve of the "umph" factor that Chuck brings to dressing up. I look forward to the many styles of Chuck. Who knows, I may start a Chuck Bass Suiting Up Diary for the fun of it.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Super Good Looking People These Days on TV

klaurel.net


Is this a trend or what? When I watch movies from the sixties I can see major differences between the actors of those days and the actors now. There are distinct language differences and different ways of dressing, but that's not my focus. My focus is on how the actors of those days seemed to have been chosen for their talents rather than their looks. This does not seem to be the case for most movies and TV shows of these days. TV shows are worse in my opinion. The casts are too good looking and most people find themselves watching these shows to bask in the beauties of these individuals not the story of the shows. The worst thing is that most of these shows have cheesy plots and bad story lines. The shows tend to lack uniqueness and the acting is a nightmare. But dedicated fans would want to see that piercing pair of eyes, or hear that voice, or see those guns, or shiver from the swag. Basically, they enjoy watching the shows for the good looking casts. This is superficial and I don't think it is going to end anytime soon. At least, movie and TV shows script writers should opt for better stories as well. Is it too much to ask? I would like to talk about a movie or an episode of a show and stick mainly to the stories more often. It would be nice for a change. One of my friends opposes  this, and this is what she said. "It may look very superficial and unreal to you, but I like! If I were in charge of casting, I would do the same. People need to watch the show and fine people are good enough reasons."

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Alexa

askmen.com


So I read Teen Vogue a lot and I noticed a particular person that kept making the "best dressed" cut. The first time I saw this person, actually, I couldn't understand why she made the cut. To me, she just dressed like a little boy and looked like one too. But with time, I realized that though her fashion sense wasn't really clear to me, she made everything work with charm and ease. You could dress like her and be able to run away from a burning building. The ease of her dressing is what oozes style. I began to like to see what she was going to wear next out and about. Who am I talking about? It is Alexa Chung. Alexa has always been into fashion. She is a model and is the face of some notable designer labels. Alexa has and is on TV and knows how to present herself in terms of personal style and definitely what works for her physique. You may ask what is so special about her? Well in my opinion, she is one TV personality that viewers do not get tired of seeing. If anything, people tune in just to see what outrageously cute get up she has on for that day. All in all, I like her style. 

alexachungfansite.co.uk

theoneinfashion.blogspot.com
(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Stephenie Meyer's Edward

filmofilia.com


It's that time of the year when fans of the "Twilight Franchise" are buckling up in anticipation for a wide ride in the wagon of another Twilight movie. Some fans are getting out their books to refresh their memories. Others are buying tickets before the big opening in movie theaters. As we all can observe, these are mostly girls and women. Why do the guys seem to act as though they can never be caught uttering the name of a Twilight character? I will say it is because of the hype surrounding the central character, Edward. Edward is like the standard that no man can reach. Of course this comparison will not be fair as he is a fictional non-human. But is it so wrong for some guys to try to find out what fascinates girls about these books and pick up to read? Who knows, Edward might give them some pointers about what some women want. I'm sure I've angered some guys with my previous sentence as they would not admit in a million years that they need a self-help book about relationships and a fictional book at that. This is just me saying that it is not wrong for a guy to read Twilight. It is not an all-women book.

Basically guys, ask yourselves why girls are so in love with Edward. Don't say because he's a vampire. Man up, pick up the books, and find out. 

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor) 

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

"Ekpo"

One of the highlights of my childhood was visiting my village with my family during Christmas holidays. I always  looked forward to seeing my extended family as my other relations also came back from the cities to the village too. I also looked forward to the celebration on Christmas day. I knew we would all put on new outfits and eat lots of food. The celebration included dancing but there was a part of the dancing I didn't look forward to. This was the masquerade part. I'm not referring to a masquerade ball. I'm referring to the masked person (or entity as some people believe) that dances with a 'neutral expression mask' or a scary looking mask designed to terrify people. I was always afraid of the masquerade and wisely kept my distance. From my hiding place, I would secretly admire the dance steps and the colors on the masquerade's outfit (this is not the case for all masquerades as some dress in outfits made with leaves). Why I'm I writing about this, you may ask? Well, I saw a masquerade recently and had the opportunity to record his performance. I was no where scared and all I did was enjoy the flood of childhood memories that came back to me. The title of this post is called "Ekpo" because this is the general name for masquerades in my native dialect. Enjoy the video! 
(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; Afriky Lolo Performance - Video)

Friday, October 28, 2011

Clash of the Prints


lovemaegan.com


What is happening to the fashion police, stylists, and fashion advisers out there? Have you all forgotten that your job is to make your clients look good or try to teach individuals out there that there are some major no nos that should never be attempted? I understand the need to stand out but can't you stand out by dressing well and having people look up to you instead of close their eyes on the eyesore of an outfit? I don't understand the horrible dressing trend going around. The outfits are not coordinated and there is always a clash of prints, colors, patterns, and fabric. If you don't dress bizarre you can't be a fashionista? When did it get here? There were some models, designers, and stylists I use to look up to but I don't seem to undersatnd their fashion direction anymore. Halloween is around the corner and people are picking up some celebrity styles for Halloween - what a shame. One should aspire to dress like celebs on a daily basis and not wait till Halloween. This gesture shows the level at which people think of your style. I won't even talk about Lady Gaga because if she decides to change right now people will have heart attacks. Nicki Minaj can cause seizures so I hope she never goes to visit her fans in the hospital. Please people, it is one thing to dress like a clown because you have a show. It is another to dress like that continously and have people gawking at you. Do you really think the grown ups admire your style? They are afraid of their children taking after the zombie tattered styles. I use to like Rihanna's style, right now I'm questioning my sanity. I guess if the outfit is complete it's not for her. If we leave abnormal fashion for shows and dress up like we know what where we are and what we're doing, fashion will not turn out to be an eyesore. I'm not saying everyone has to look classy all the time. Some people attempt the grunge look and pull it off. What do you call a look that makes you sick at the spot? Stylists, do your job. If your clients still insist on some horrible less coordinated look, let them know that they do not need you if they don't let you do your job. If you comply to their wishes, believe me, your name will be attached to the messy look and you will be a contributor to the falling fashion. Designers get creatively smart. People, try not to make your neighbor sick from looking at you.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Teese

static4.kilu.net


Born Heather, now Dita and well known for her "Old Hollywood" glamorous look, she manages to keep the eye ball of both male and female on her when she enters a room or walks on the street. Her ability to capture the attention of people is not as a result of the hideousness of her outfit, no, but more about how she is able to make it work. Yes, this is not the 1940s but haven't you noticed that fashion is in reverse mode? Trends of the past are returning. But some people are overdoing it and some people are getting it correctly. In this time when some people are becoming handicap to dressing well, Dita Von Teese doesn't have a problem with continuing to impress us with her style. She is single-handedly resurrecting the forgotten looks. She took up this classic retro style from her fascination with the early 1900 cinema and Hollywood films and her fans are definitely not complaining. Instead it's actually a thing to look forward to. "Is Dita Von Teese showing up? Let's she how she's going to dress today."

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Monday, October 17, 2011

A Cause

lau.vsb.bc.ca




When I was into newspapers, I always looked for the cartoon sections. I liked how if a cartoon character gets an idea, it is illustrated with a light bulb on the top of the characters' head. I just experienced my light bulb moment. My mind is not new to getting ideas, in fact, I get more than I think my head can handle, and for a while I have put so much thought into Causes. What Cause I'm I really passionate about. Where can I be most comfortable contributing some money and smiling in the end? All Causes are worth my contribution if they are after positive results but passion drives people more. What can I say I'm most passionate about helping and voicing out concerns for? I look around and see those who are into fighting for the sustainability of the environment, some for animals, some to bring awareness and fight against diseases such AIDS, cancer, and lime. Some people support Causes helping impoverished and disaster stricken countries. I will support one against hunger. Yes hunger. I came across an article and the photo I saw kept me up. I'm not one to throw my food away but all I could think of was sharing. I'm sure if I gave that child a biscuit I'll see a huge smile, I thought. How can I help? I know I'm too busy to think of starting a foundation as many people have began to do but I can look for an active foundation and contribute to it. Make sure their goals align with mine and keep them updated on where the joy can be spread. I may not have much but I certainly have the energy to do fund raising. Host a fashion show for the cause. Did I hear do it? There are people out there in real need. Many would work to earn a living if they had the opportunity. But in situations where the land is barren or there is war and no means to grow and get food what happens? Exactly. This is when aid is needed. If you read this and you've thought of helping out in ways you can, please find some time and look into active organizations and foundations you can contribute to. The life you'll be saving will definitely be thankful to you. 


(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Saturday, October 8, 2011

The September Issue



I will not keep you thinking too long about the title of this blog. Yes, it refers to the American Vogue Magazine's September Issue. There is a movie in that name that is like a documentary style film about Anna Wintour, the chief editor of American Vogue, Grace Coddington, the creative director, and staff who make Vogue Magazine the masterpiece it really is. Why is the month of September issue of American Vogue Magazine so powerful? Well for starters, the size of the issue is very intimidating. It is the largest issue every year and it takes a lot of work and money to put together. The movie, The September Issue, shows you what you do not know about how magazines are assembled for fashion and business lovers. But there is a lot more that goes into magazine production that was left out of the movie and only perceptive viewers can notice. It was the psychological and emotional aspects and contributions everybody from the models, to the photographers, designers, and planners put into the magazine. I love acquiring magazines and I cannot tell you that I truly understand the hard work that makes it possible for the magazines to appear on the shelves of stores on a weekly basis. But what I can tell you is that I have looked, listened, learned, seen, and come to the conclusion that it is not easy at all. If you see me in an argument on fashion and I'm pretty riled up, you should know that I am standing for fashion magazines that are not given enough credit. Some people think it's all about assembling models and taking pretty pictures. They forget that the planning takes a while and to bring a vision to life is an extraordinary thing to achieve. As an artist, I think about a picture in my head. If I am able to interpret that in paper or canvas, I celebrate afterwords. If photographers or clothing designers are able to translate their thoughts and visions to the physical, they feel that they have achieved a lot. If you're not into magazines, do not ruin the intellect or vision that goes into producing magazines by ridiculing it. Appreciate the fact that some people are glad to have others make it for them. These magazines are cheaper than hiring stylists or sometimes paying for counseling. Yes, there are advice columns in these magazines if you look. If you're interested in trends, they are there. New products - ones that are good and bad for you, you can find them. If you just want to make a collage with pretty colors and nice outfits, well all you need is a pair of scissors. I don't look at Fashion magazines as the holy bible but I certainly look at it as a work of art that actually serves many purposes I'm interested in. Fashion magazines can do this for you and more.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Monday, October 3, 2011

Runway Designs Become Wearable



Maybe the economy has hit hard and designers are cutting back on runway-outfits-only because they hang and decay after a runway show and Lady Gaga cannot afford to be the only customer. Or maybe designers are thinking twice and focusing on what will sell after a fashion show. I have noticed an interesting trend in recent runway shows and designers are doing away with the crazy and bringing outfits that you see Celebs wearing a day after a fashion show. It is nice that certain outfits aren't only for the runway or for the models. They are wearable for all as long as you can afford them and adjust them. 




(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; NYT - Photos)

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Love Song of All Time

I take some time in my busy life to look up genius inventions of old. Some older things cannot be topped by newer ones. That is how I feel about Daniel Bedingfield's "If you're not the one." Enjoy!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Back in Time

Who has the right to tell people not to revisit the closets of history and bring back to life the fashion of our fathers and mothers? I believe the answer is no one. Just as our parents took a liking to their outfits and accessories, their children are likely to take a liking to these items as well. Yes some things become obsolete, but other things become antique and more cherished. I personally take a liking to old jewelries and a put together look of the olden days. I may not like a skirt or shirt but I find that same skirt or shirt more fascinating if it is involved in a complete look. I ask why a certain color or style was chosen and why certain accessories were combined with the outfit. I like the overall picture of it. I look at photos of my mum when she was young and I get blown away by the outfits of her time and how so many details such as colors, blocks and lines were paid attention to. That's why I have special interest in individuals that go back in time with the way they put together their looks. The fancy lace, corsets, hats, gloves, clip on earrings, two inch cover shoes, flare pants, ruffled shirts, boxy dresses and coats, A-line skirts and so on. See the photos below of Carolyn. Through Carolyn's photos, you can tell immediately that she has a special place for thrift stores, which can provide you with unimaginable allures and glamor of those days many a times. In my own words, let's go back to when we sat with perfect postures and dressed elegantly.













(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; Carolyn M - Model)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Ma Jeans II


We all like to hope that when we buy clothing of any kind, it will flatter our body-type. Some people tend not to be satisfied with what they see in the mirror of their dressing rooms. "If I start running or if I do without that fried chicken, maybe I could lose this handle." Well sometimes it doesn't take losing the handle to get the right fit. It takes paying attention to your body type and trying out different kinds of styles and choosing the style that doesn't make you think twice about going outside for a walk. Basically, you have to be comfortable and free.

A yahoo article just mentioned that Justin Bieber wears women pants. He explained that they fit. I will wear guy pants if they hug me in the right places. So let's talk about Jeans. How often do you see some ladies in their pair of Jeans and think "Oh my gosh! What were they thinking?" That happens more often than you can imagine because Jeans is a common type of pant that everyone has. Now do they have the right ones? Not necessarily. There are the washed out ones; the distressed ones; the too-tight ones; the baggy ones; the I'm-a-panty hose-but-you-can-call-me-Jeans-cos-I-look-like-Jeans ones. Sometimes it takes a stylist to get you the right pair of Jeans but my advice here is to pay attention to what you're buying and not just buy it for the sake of having it. If you cannot afford a stylist, there are YouTube videos that can help. I found this video for you guys to see what I mean.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; Video - lookgoodnaked)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Style Amplified: Turning a regular T-shirt into a superb T

I'm a huge fan of the "salinabear" videos because of the girl in question is extremely talented. I will like to share this video with you guys because it is a good way to keep busy and produce something useful :)

Friday, September 9, 2011

Vampire 2 Love II (Let Me In)

shopstyle.com.au

It is not the end of the Vampire craze. Shows that feature Vamps are doing well and new ones are being made.
What is this obsession we are having with Vampires? You look around you and most new movies, shows, books, fashion, and music has something to do with the Vampire legend. Gone are the days when Vampires were huge bats that changed into humans or pale guys that wore red and black capes with Romanian accents. These days, we have the Edwards, Stefans, Damons, and the Bills and what do they have in common? They are good looking and look like models in A&F pair of jeans and H&M jackets. What a turn of events! The appeal of Vampires are that they are dangerous, mysterious, and strong but it's puzzling that we forget they are the "undead." Shouldn't that be creepy?

And these Vampires now have love interests that they try not to hurt. They have emotions that suppress their ultimate hunger for blood. I think this is interesting. Oh and by the way, Vampires can be "Vegetarians" too because they have a longing to live amongst humans and would love to go undetected so they take animal blood instead of human blood. I thought Vampires used to enjoy the fact that they were scary and did not give a hoot if humans knew they existed or not. The fact was that they owned the night and they loved the "monsters in the night thing."

I was surprised when I learned that someone who originally hated vampires and would support the "buffys" any day, changed his mind because of a movie called "Let Me In." I'm curious about this movie and how it made my friend accept that not all vampires deserve to be staked. So are humans now accepting vampires because they are going soft on humans? I bet Count Dracula is not happy about this evolving Vampire types.





(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)



Thursday, September 1, 2011

Feathers

weddingbycolor.com



I own one of the sweetest-looking feather earrings and it adds the coolness of evening fashion to my day fashion. Clothing or accessories made with feathers have always been extravagant-looking due to the pop of weightlessness and brilliant colors it adds. And one does not have to wait to attend parties or go clubbing to wear anything with feathers. All that is needed for a feather inspired outfit is to tone it down a little bit for balance of texture and colors. If I am wearing a feathered top, I will add a plain pair of jeans to avoid unwanted clashes and busy-ness to my overall look. I will make the feathered item the center of attention. A peacock feathered clothing or accessory can be fun to practice with. Just choose a color focus from the colors on the multicolored peacock feather and make that the color of the pair of shoes or purse you choose. Imagine this look: a peacock colored top, straight dark blue pair of jeans, and a green pair of shoes. Green is one of the colors I'm playing with from the peacock feather. You don't have to be in the circus to wear accessories or clothing made with feather.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Age is Just a Number

I heard a story about a girl that once suffered grief due to a loss of someone special and literarily froze on that day she had the shock. She did not age. Her mindset was stuck in that moment and she looked the same for a while. Now, do you think our thoughts, emotions, and well being reflect in our appearance?  I'm sure we have seen some people who do not look their age. How do they live? What do they do differently?  Thoughts like this can make us do things to make us look younger and end up worse off. We should be asking ourselves how sure we are of how people should look at a certain age. I think this is where we make the mistake. We compare the looks of people of the same age and shower praises on them for looking like babies. We get curious and want to find out what they do differently so as to copy with the hope of being young. How about trying to live life to the fullest and satisfy our minds instead of our appearances. How about trying to strive to achieve something that we think is impossible. I came across a video of the oldest body builder. She is seventy four for crying out loud. But she didn't let the number of years, her appearance, or unbelievers stop her from achieving what she wanted to achieve. Age is just a number and we should not let this number become an excuse to tamper with our appearance or stop us from trying new things. If someone says you cannot do something or become something at a certain age, make it a priority to prove that person wrong.


(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Fandom



I was sitting and reading at a park and took a quick glance at my environment. I saw a family that comprised of a father, mother, daughter, and son. I could easily guess where they were headed because of the unmistakable logo they wore. The family wore matching tee shirts and the son went a little far by having the logo of the team they supported shaved on his head. I ran towards them to get a picture because I was fascinated by what I saw. This got me thinking about what it means to be a fan of something or someone. We all have reasons why we are fans of people or teams or even TV shows. There is a certain appeal that builds a  trust. Have you noticed that there is always a person behind anything that we are fans of? TV shows are made up of people and we appreciate and enjoy their ability to do something(s) that satisfy us. I am a fan of a lot of things and a few people for different reasons entirely. I am definitely a hardcore fan of fashion just because it captures my interest in every way. Terrible fashion, good fashion, risky fashion or whatever, I am always interested and have an opinion everytime. When we are fans of something, we show appreciation, thereby boosting the hearts of the people we support and making them do more for us fans. But we can go a little far as fans. That is just another story of being a stalker or just plain crazy. But all in all, being fans of something enables us to engage and build a community while supporting the people that do things for our enjoyment. I'm a fan of Trya and Heidi Klum and I like their fashion TV shows. I'm a fan of John Grisham because I like his books. I'm a fan of The Vampire Diaries because it is an amazing TV show and has steamy actors. So you get what I mean right?   

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Saturday, August 13, 2011

The Ring


trueblood-online.com


Nope, this is not the scary movie. This is a story about ring shopping. I do not envy guys when it's time for them to go get rings for their girls because what I learned recently can be very stressful for anyone. But I think it was fun though because I enjoyed every bit of what I learned. Ring shopping is like learning a new course and there are some important topics that should be taken seriously. Do you want gold (white or regular)? Or do you want silver? Is this going to be a diamond ring or cubic zirconia or any other precious stone? What carat are you aspiring to get or can you afford? What is the clarity of stone? What is the cut of stone? What is the shape of the band? Is the band going to be plain or will it be stone crusted? A lot goes into getting a ring. Some people easily find rings using price range and the basic knowledge of the style and cut helps too. Going ring shopping for a friend made me realize how difficult a decision it is for guys who are buying friendship or engagement rings. It's more daunting for those guys who have no idea about the kinds of rings their girl friends like. I would advise guys to do some secret research about their girlfriends' likes and dislikes of rings before attempting to purchase any ring because mistakes could easily be made. I found that personally, there were some rings with styles I absolutely disliked. I couldn't even imagine them on my finger. You see, I didn't know this until I looked into it and writing about it too is hard work. No pressure guys. 

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

My Ever-Changing Thought Process in a Changing Spot

entheosweb.com

It started out as a confusing day. The first day of June. I woke up all jollied and getting ready to go to work. It had started getting warm a few days back so I inevitably thought today was going to be a warm summer day until I listened to the forecast. There was going to be thunderstorms. Interesting, I thought. Well I decided to wear my rain boots. But when I looked out of the window the sun looked like it was already at its peak and I could feel the heat radiating from the sun in my mind. I wasn't going to be caught wearing my colorful rain boot in this sunny day. I didn't also want to carry around those heavy pair with me on the bus and train on my way to work. My dilemma began. I settled for my flats. Later in the day at work I was told that it was raining heavily outside, I began to regret why I didn't take my rain boots with me. Then in about twenty five minutes someone else said it was very dry and I had the most wicked smile on my face. I do
not know what the weather looks like right now but I will find out in ten minutes as I will be leaving for home. No rain please!

Yes, that train of thought went on in my head on the first of June. It is now August and you may wonder how the weather turned out when I was leaving for home. I didn't get away with the dry weather if you must know. It rained down like a damaged sprinkler wasting water. The funny thing is I had two more days like this and one would think I had learned my lesson earlier.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)


 

Friday, August 5, 2011

Summer in New England

cafepress.com

Using the famous tune of "The Sound of Music's" Favorite Things, sing using the lyrics below for the first line:

Short skirt and cropped tops are my favorite clothing...

This is the tune I felt most girls in the city of Boston had in their heads and the guys were certainly not complaining. Boston has been known to be one of the cities in the US where individuals care about fitness. And they do not fail to flaunt the results in the summer. Sometimes you forget which country Boston is situated in because of the style to which people approach dressing. So European! Yet some Africans and Indians indulge in color and taste. The architecture which imitates old England gives off the expectation of retro-styled individuals coming out of tea shops. Yes, you will find them in the musicians and Actors of Emerson College. Tourists from all over the world, mixing the reserved, yet tattered or glamorous looks with the geeky yet smooth look of the MIT students are a wonderful sight. I delight in taking train rides and walking on the streets like an amateur photographer in the streets of New York looking for the next big wonder shot. Boston has never disappointed when it comes to engaging my mind in art. Newbury street, one of my most adorable spots, is a street I bask in wonderment for all the mixed individualities of human approach to culture. Looks can be deceitful. The wealthy may take up the tattered look and the not-so-wealthy may take up the pearly look. I love Boston for the arty cravings it suppresses in my mind. I love Boston for the city it is. I love Boston for the city it is striving to become. And I love Boston for the city it will become.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Monday, August 1, 2011

Neck Ring

fun2mails.wordpress.com
I came across one of the most controversial blogger's blog, Perez, and something caught me by surprise. The 'Neck Ring' is coming back. In one of the many encyclopedias I have had as a child, I came across a photo that once terrified me. It was a photo with ladies that had interesting long necks. They certainly weren't born that way. How was this achieved? Well, as young growing girls, this girls had neck rings worn on their necks. These neck rings spiral around the neck and cover the whole neck, leaving no gap. I honestly thought the neck grew longer as it appears so when you look at it, but researchers say the shoulder blade becomes deformed, allowing the neck to appear longer. But I believe the neck actually stretches because the length definitely looked abnormal to me. This neck stretching practice is done in some African and Asian cultures as a sign of beauty. I had a disturbing thought about what happens when the bangles are removed. Is the neck strong enough to carry the weight of the head? It's been reported that though the neck muscles become weaker, there is no major health hazard caused by the neck ring.


My interest in fashion covers the knowledge that lengthening the neck is considered attractive. Photographers encourage it when taking pictures of models. But why do we do crazy things for the sake of what we think is beautiful? Shouldn't we be moving forward and acting like people in the 21st century instead of taking part in archaic practices?

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Get a guy without saying a word

Boys can read this too

There is so much pressure on guys when it comes to making relationship move. It is the norm for the guys to do all the hard work. Ladies are now easing into this role because they do not want to have to wait. Believe me, some guys are secretly grateful that the girls are approaching them. While this is beginning to be an acceptable thing, some girls still do not have the drive in them to approach the guys. Some say they would try if it were easier. I think there is a way for that to happen. Take a look at the photo below.


On the card above, number one can be cute or handsome or interesting. Just fill out a word that compliments the person but underlines your interest. You can give only your first name for number two. Number three is very important. This gives a short preference list without being too demanding. This can be: Call me if you are single, not a smoker, and hate to dance. Then you write the number you can be reached for number four.

Now a girl can approach a guy she sees, give the card to him and walk away. He can choose to call or not. All in all, you will be satisfied that you at least tried. (Boys can do the same) Good luck.

P.s. Not to drift away from the overall message of my blog, make sure you are well dressed when you are handing out your card. First impression counts.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Saturday, July 23, 2011

No More a Fashion Don't - Only for the Brave

This look is only for the brave because it is hard to pull off. Hear Kalo's thoughts on how this look came together.

Feeling black, blue and bruised-chic


Kalo

This look would be boho-with a bruised grungy (rebel) edge.I have an off the shoulder tunic tucked into menswear shorts from 5 years ago, pulled together by a turquoise belt and my favorite bcbg vest. I am accessorizing orange ankle booties, and my new favorite bag I call "DEVILIA" ;-)

My leggings are navy blue my shorts are black! Oh no! Well Oh yes, I was inspired by Mr Zee who gave elle readers the go ahead on abandoning the infamous navy blue and black fashion "dont" rule. Classic dressers like POSH have for many years broken this old fashioned rule, its time we all do.

Zee describes navy blue and black as a very chic and modern colour combo...a look he compares to looking like a bad-ass bruise. My colour scheme is pretty bruise-like I must say (red, purple, blue, and black). Well, Zee recommends making navy blue and black combos edgy by incorporating accents like studs or wearing tough looking boots and an attitude. I listened but worked in my own creative instincts and referenced other inspirations such as Paul Smith's London-looking models dressed in part boy part girl clothing.

P.s. I tried to make my eyes bruised with eyeshadow



The photo is obviously small for the eyeshadow to be seen but you get the gist. This is one look that I couldn't imagine out of the runway. Kalo has shown the possibility of this look as a daily-basis combo.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Mood Ring

I walked into a shoe store this summer to buy some bright colored flats to promote more summery looks in my life. Anyways, at the checkout counter I saw a tiny glass bowl with cute rings. They all had one thing in common, a purple pearl-like stone attached on the ring. It looks quite like my birthstone, I thought (Aquarius is my zodiac sign). Then the sales clerk noticed what I was gazing at and told me that they were mood rings. I left the store with a cute one that has a dolphin attached to the stone. The sales clerk had further explained that the stone will change according to my mood. This is not magical or anything but this stone works with the body temperature (fun science fact). Why was it the color purple when I bought it? I thought. I had to Google it on my phone. When I put it on, it turned blue and my curiosity blew up. I found a mood ring chart online and here it is below.

Interesting right? The ring was set to clarity and sensual when it was in the bowl on the counter. When I wore it I was calm, relaxed, and lovable. I have watched the color change and I must say that I am impressed. This is just one of the many fun things in life. Why not add a mood jewelry to one of your jewelry collections just for fun.

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Featured Designer - Alexander McQueen




I'm always shocked and blown away - that's why (RIP).

Notable admirers of Alexander McQueen creations:
  • The First Lady, Michelle Obama
  • The Duchess of Cambridge
  • Lady Gaga and many more


(ukoemem - Author; Photo - aihots.com, gloobbi.com, style.com, theclotheswhisperer.co.uk)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Futuristic What?

When I think futuristic, I think of flying vehicles, robots, liquid food, free jet to planet mars, humans wearing cat suits made with neon lights, and no vegetation. Old futuristic movies have contributed to my thought process but I'm beginning to wonder why we think of the future this way. Is it because of the speed at which technology is being reinvented? I get overwhelmed about how some inventions get useless in a short time. Now I find it difficult to get Apple products because new models are introduced monthly, making the previous model become obsolete. 





I find myself thinking about futuristic fashion designs. According to the mentality of things being all technologically inclined, I don't see regular outfits in the future. Instead, I see a lot of uncomfortable outfits both in style and color. I do not imagine that the materials we use right now would remain the same or would be a little improved. It seems that the materials would be evolved and the designs of outfits would be affected, that is, very complicated. If I think according to what I see in the movies, I can say that futuristic designs will be more like "gaga meets the black eyed peas," which sounds scary and will cause a lot of physical discomfort. Look at the "futuristic" outfits I found.





(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; fooyoh.com, rachelburklund.com, gommiarcade.com - Photo)

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Metal and Skin


I have always wondered why some people's skin reacted absurdly to some jewelries. This got me thinking that it's probably because some metals are too harsh for the skin and should be avoided. But some people do not react to these same metals - so I guess it could be some kind of allergies. I've had friends that can only wear expensive jewelries because these do not leave their skins bruised or blackened. Then I found out that these jewelries are more expensive because the metals have greater quality and more purer. Take for instance, higher karat gold which rarely reacts badly with the skin. But lower karat gold that may have been mixed with metals like nickel or copper are the ones that may affect the skin. This situation may not be important to some people, but if you are concerned about the reactions that occur when you wear certain jewelries, this may be the case. Just a little tip for my awesome fans!!!

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; arnoldwagner.com - Photo)

Friday, May 6, 2011

What's on that Head?



I was having Easter lunch with my host parents when my host dad suggested I write about hats on my blog. He had talked about the various hats he had seen the women wear in church earlier that day. This idea became even definite when I watched the royal wedding. Innocent attendees were not innocent anymore when the hats they wore were scrutinized by everyone interested and not interested in fashion. Some attendees are now known for the great or ridiculous hats (fascinators) they wore, according to some self-proclaimed fashion police. I found that I had a different take on the variety of hats. I paid attention to the style, how and what they were made of. I believe that seeing so many hats in one room should give a fashion-interested soul a jitter of excitement and an opportunity to incorporate designs to whatever form of designs they love. Painters will have the opportunity to paint something in respect to the shapes and colors they saw. Hat designers will have the opportunity to make hair pieces that they are sure people will wear. Even clothing designers can determine what's in and what's out in the world of fashion by coordinating outfits with hair pieces. Since I think I belong to all the listed categories, I'll just do everything. By the way, props to Princess Beatrice for wearing a "gaga-esque" hat that kept the tongues of critics wagging.  

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; libbythesecond.blogspot.com - Photo)

Monday, May 2, 2011

Kept in the Dark


So I was amongst the millions who watched The Royal Wedding. Many watched this wedding for various reasons, but I'm sure most of you can guess why I watched the wedding. Yes, Prince William is charming. Yes, I was captivated by the traditional style of it. Yes, it was nice to see the famous faces, the rolls royce, the perfect procession, and the different dressing styles of the participants and the hats worn by the females. I will leave the hat discussion for another blog post. But my eyes could not leave Kate's wedding dress. I was honestly surprised. Many people over the months have tried to match wedding dress styles to her personality. Most have come up with complicated styles for her. I will say that the simplicity of Kate's wedding dress choice, compared to the supposedly Kate-wedding-dress styles by various designers, was a breathe of a fresh air. Pure white satin and ivory for the skirt part of the dress, English and French lace sleeves that also covered the corset-style bodice. Tiara that had a few inches of veil, light, and covered her face in a silhouette that still showed her facial features. Drop diamond earings that was not too much. The train was not too long and was circular in shape, a unique style that enhanced the fullness of Kate's gown. This wedding gown by Sarah Burton is a piece that can signify simplicity and comfort. This gown had a traditional, yet modern effect to it. Kate Middleton, now Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cambridge, was stunning.


(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; nydailynews.com - Photo)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Can Your Outfit Reflect Your Personality? - To The Guys


    • Dark leather pants or straight jeans, graphic t-shirt, dark leather jacket, and rocker boots - Bad Boy
    • Fitted suit, sleek tie, metal wrist watch, and leather dress shoes - Rich Dude (or Womanizer)
    • Sweater worn above dress shirt, straight jeans, sneakers, and dark-rimmed glasses - Nerd
    • Light-colored t-shirt and beach shorts - Surfer Boy
    • Patterned dress shirt, neck chain (preferrably gold), metal wrist watch, and dress pants or jeans - Mob
    • Baggy t-shirt (commonly black or white), heavy-looking neck chain, sagging baggy pants, and sneakers - Gangster
    • Long shaggy hair, out-grown beard, layers of oversized clothing (unkempt-looking) - Hobo
Stereotypes are based on physical appearances. Sometimes, one's outfit can be responsible for the assumptions people make about them. I know people who dress up a certain way and are treated based on how they appear and also people who want to fit into a certain group and change the way they dress as a result of that. It is wrong for an outfit to define a person but unfortunately, society has already established that you have to look a certain way to fit into a certain 'click.' It is true that it is human to put labels on people but we should make efforts to get to know an individual before we draw conclusions about them!!

(ukoemem - Author; Ola Y - Editor; fanpix.net - Photo)

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Cameleon Art

In the spirit of Easter enjoy these arts and find out their special art-tributes, get it?





(xemanh.net and foez.net)

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