What To Wear As A Guest To A Wedding

If it is your first time at a wedding as a guest, then coming up with an outfit can be a confusing task. First timers may think they are getting married themselves, with all the fuss and options (or lack of them) when finding something to wear. This article will look at options and things to consider, when choosing an outfit for yourself.

Things to take into consideration:
All wedding's are different depending on the culture, beliefs and theme, so first and foremost when deciding on an outfit, it is best to look into those variables as the last thing you want to do is wear a colour that in other cultures would traditionally be worn at a time of mourning. It should usually be on the bride and groom's part to inform guests about a particular dress code but if unsure, it never hurts to ask.

If you want to stay on the safe side, most western weddings require formal or neat attire, as it is a semi-formal event due to its origins of being a religious occasion. Dressing up is also seen as a sign of a respect and symbolises appreciation for the couple getting married.

In most cases, an upcoming wedding is usually seen as an excuse to splash out on a new outfit. Another thing to note before buying is that with weddings being a formal and often religious ceremony, remember to keep attire conservative, as stated previously when taking into account when choosing something to wear. The last thing you want is to upstage the bride and have all eyes on you instead.

When purchasing:
Just as weddings are an excuse to buy a new garment, it can often mean an excuse to buy a complete outfit, with a common excuse being the need for matching shoes and accessories with the new dress. Either way, whether ones sees this as a good or bad thing, women have a lot more combinations to choose from, as opposed to men who can get away with wearing a suit, tie and black shoes. Choosing between a blouse and skirt, dress or pants with additional shoes and accessories are all in at the hands of the guest.

To make the most out of the favourable weather, it is common place for weddings to be held in summer. Wearing colour is always a good option as it will lift the atmosphere into a more celebratory mode. Block colours or even paler, pastel shades can be just as effective if stepping into bright colours is too much for you.

In the end, it is always safe to dress up than dress down as the majority of people will be wanting to look their best, so if you are uneasy about dressing up, you will not feel like the odd one out. Cheerful colours are a great way to symbolise happiness but if you are still left scratching your head, asking friends or family who been to such events will no doubt be able to give you a hand.

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Tungsten Rings Becoming a Popular Wedding Band Option

When it comes to wedding band materials, tungsten is under greater consideration. This is because tungsten rings have properties that make them ideal for symbolizing the union of a couple. Two of tungsten's most striking qualities are durability and permanent shine.

On the Mohs hardness scale, tungsten carbide is rated between 8 and 9. This makes it second to diamond, which receives the highest measure of 10. Tungsten can be up to 10 times tougher than 18k gold and up to 4 times tougher than titanium. Because they are very hard, rings made of tungsten are able to hold their shape longer than other rings available in the market. However, its strength and durability will not harm the people wearing them. In emergency situations, the ring can be quickly removed just by tapping its sides with a hammer until it comes off.

Another quality that tungsten jewelry has is its enduringly polished sheen. In comparison, most polished metals such as platinum, titanium or gold reveal different levels of denting or scratching, especially upon closer inspection. Tungsten carbide, on the other hand, is esteemed for showing a permanently polished finish. This may be why many vendors offer a guarantee to replace or re-polish tungsten wedding bands free of charge in the unusual event that they obtain a scratch. Tungsten is among the only materials able to maintain its original polish. For this reason, these rings require very little or no maintenance at all. This makes them an affordable option that is still very shiny and stylish.

However, before rushing to the nearest tungsten jewelry store, one should know an important fact about the content of tungsten rings. This refers to the quantity of other metals used in making the rings. A tungsten carbide ring that has the most appropriate composition has a purity of about 85%, with the rest being a combination of a few other metals.

When it comes to tungsten carbide rings, there can be varying levels of quality. The less expensive rings made of tungsten are of lower quality, having cobalt in them, while the higher quality rings usually contain nickel. When cobalt is used as a bonding element in a tungsten band, it may do some permanent damage to the skin of the wearer as it blends with his or her body's natural oils.

This sometimes brings up the question of why a manufacturer would still use cobalt as a binding agent if there is the potential to do some harm to the wearer of the ring. There are a couple possible reasons. First, it is a cheaper alternative to nickel and it is easier to use when creating the bond between tungsten and carbide powders. However, the harmful effect of this material on human bodies may not be worth the money saved on the purchase. Also, tungsten bands that use cobalt binders have a tendency to develop spots just a few months after being worn. Such spots on bands are almost impossible to eliminate. Therefore, if one wants to guarantee long term satisfaction, it may be best to make sure that the tungsten wedding bands selected are cobalt free.

One other thing to keep in mind is that the buyer cannot assume that the retailer selling the tungsten ring knows its composition. For this reason, it is important before making a purchase of this significance that proper due diligence is performed. This means researching the seller to check for their prices, terms of service such as return policies and warranties, and testimonials from other satisfied customers (hopefully there will be many of those to read). After this research is done, it is much easier to settle on a tungsten ring's seller that is reputable and likely to equip the buyer with a quality ring that will last for years to come.

Andy West prefers tungsten rings to all others for their quality and durability.

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You're Just in Time for a Style Check!

Take a long look at that time piece on your wrist. What does it really say about you? If it's just an old, dull excuse for a watch, you're just in time for a style check! Whether you are stylish, energetic, passionate, laid-back or simply live your life on a whim, there's are a great way of making a statement with branded wrist watches. Additionally, you could save on a lot of time and effort if you are open to shopping online for watches, apparel, shoes and other accessories!

Usher in coolness

If you're all dressed for that cool streetwear look, your impressions are not strong enough without an equally cool watch on your wrist. Study the style statement made by hip hop artists and learn! Check out the sensational style quotient of Usher for example. Usher is impressive enough with his chart busters, but here's one hip guy who makes sure he's always dressed to kill! If you'd like to ooze his degree of hotness, you'd want to wear one of those bold hip hop wrist watches. The hip hop range of watches from Fastrack go all the way when it comes to taking fashion forward, with its futuristic designs. For example, the Fastrack Men's Hip Hop Analog version has a cool shiny danger skull made of crystal clusters featured on the face of the watch. Browse through a category of hip watches online to bring out the Usher in you!

Bedazzle in white

White watches with a touch of glitter would look suave on a woman. For example, the online space has been abuzz with discussions about a gorgeous white watch as seen on Sandra Bullock in the movie 'The Blind Side'. This all white silicon strap watch has a white rubber strap. It also has a linked chain and seems to promise a great fusion of sportiness and style. The stainless steel ridged bezel of the watch is studded with stones, adding to the glamour points! You could bedazzle everyone in white by finding a similar type from a collection of wrist watches online. For example, the Being Human Women's white silicon strap watch comes close to the one on Bullock's hands. It's time to get it on yours!

Time for a workout

If functionality is your forte, it's time to look at a unique category of watches. You might be ready to hit the gym or simply do those yogic stretches at home. You could check out those really useful cardio watches. The Cardiac range employs cutting-edge technology to monitor heart rate, calories burned and maximum heart rate during the entire period of the workout. The Puma Men Cadiac II black watch is equipped with LCD display, red-LED and sound signals, and is capable of monitoring your heart for upto 99 laps.

There are many unique options when it comes to selecting that interesting time piece for your wrist, depending on your style and usage requirements. If you would like to buy wrist watches in India online, be sure to log on to a site which provides a wide range of apparel and accessories to find products that complement your personality!

The author is passionate about online shopping when it comes to clothes, shoes, bags, watches, belts and more!

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Unconventional Ways To Wear Celtic Rings

Celtic Rings Set To Establish A Cutting Edge Fashion

Celtic rings are normally worn on the finger while white gold bangles delicately encircle a wrist. But they could well be used to fill a hole in an ear or hang elegantly from a lobe.

Before you start to think we certainly have gone completely mad; we are mentioning the most up-to-date fad to hit the high street as well as our TV screens. However we do agree there is a certain amount of yuk factor, rather than x factor involved.

Extended ear lobes are becoming an increasingly common sight, it seems like large holes in the ear is attracting celebs and non celebs alike. The holes could very well be teased in order to become sufficiently big to hang Celtic rings along with other items of jewelry.

Among those who have recently shown off their large ear piercings in public places are Seb, late of "Masterchef: the Professional" contest and Dougie Poynter of McFly in ITV1's program I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here. It's not just punks, models and rock stars who are deciding on stretched earlobes. It's growing in appeal like tattoos along with piercings and becoming more mainstream.

There are several of ways to stretch ear lobes. You can take the gentle procedure and stretch your skin using various sized tapers at 1mm month after month. Or if you wish instant big holes you might choose a dermal punch to literally punch out the flesh. Ouch! There are many unsightly risks, like scarring or lobe splitting if you take things too fast while stretching. If you wish to correct deformities in the lobes you will end up considering expensive surgery.

But there's nothing new about ear stretching, which goes back many thousands of years. Buddha statues have long ears and tribes in Ethiopia and Thailand have got a long custom of stretched lobes.

Celtic Rings Really Should Be On The Fingers

For a lot of people the very idea of simply a small ear piercing is unattractive enough. It is something that we've endured for fashion's sake. After the initial piecing is finished and the ear has calmed down, that's the end of the bother or pain.

Probably it is wiser to keep your Celtic rings on your fingers and your white gold bangles for your wrists. That is definitely less bother in the long run and looks good too.

There's no need to be unconventional to appreciate the slightly unusual. Look at our Celtic rings and white gold bangles to see just a small part of the range created by our famous Orkney jewellery designer.

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Why We Love Crystal Charms

We can see various kinds of crystals in our daily life. There are many crystal charms in different colors, such as red, purple, yellow, green, blue, dark, pink, black, etc. These colorful crystals can be used to make beautiful bracelets, necklaces, earrings or other accessories. Women love crystal jewelry, and designers love it, too. Though we love diamond jewelry, we still prefer to use crystal to make lovely little things. Why we love crystal charms? I think there are several reasons.

Firstly, it is very cheap. When it is compared to diamond, it seems that everyone can afford beautiful crystal jewelry. The diamond ring is always regarded as the promise of eternal love, so women all want to get a pricy diamond ring on wedding ceremony. However, this shinning big diamond is very expensive. If you choose a crystal ring, you can save much money. The transparent crystal looks like the diamond. Common people cannot tell the difference between the diamond and the crystal. And then you can choose a big transparent crystal to make an exquisite ring.

Secondly, we all want a pair of crystal heels. Cinderella wears a pair of crystal heels to attend the price's ball. The beautiful dress, earring, necklaces and crystal heels make her the prettiest princess at the ball, and the prince falls in love with her at the first sight. Every little girl listens to this fairy tale when they go to bed. So we think that the stunning heels can make us a beautiful princess and bring us happiness. When we were young, we dreamed of crystal heels; when we grow up, we love crystal charms.

Thirdly, crystal can be used in many places. We can find many crystal decorations in daily life, such as chandeliers, fake nails, purse, protective case etc. These things are decorated with colorful crystals. When they are put under the sun, they will shimmer in different colors. They are very amazing. What's more, we can use crystal to make special costumes. When performers wear costumes which are adorned with colorful crystals, they look very radiant on the stage.

These points are my personal opinions, and different people have different reasons to explain why they love crystals. As these charms are amazing and pretty, I always choose them to DIY bracelets, necklaces and earrings. And I will send them to my friends, family and classmates. Everyone loves this little crystal jewelry. Do you love crystal charms?

If you want to DIY a gorgeous crystal charms bracelet, you can find various charms beads at EPinkFashion. Handmade jewelry is always popular among people.

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What Gives Colored Diamonds Their Color?

As someone working in the diamond industry, I'm often asked what gives the various colored diamonds their coloring:

Broadly speaking, there are two mechanisms that can cause a diamond to come into being with a color other than the more typically thought of white (or to be accurate, clear) color diamond;

Mechanism 1: Corruption from other elements causing color changes Pure flawless diamonds crystals are made only of carbon atoms that are tightly packed in a pattern known as the "lattice". However, during the formation process, the tightly packed lattice of crystal can become embedded with specs of other element atoms other than carbon. Due to the limited space and shape afforded by the lattice only a handful of elements can theoretically take the place of carbon atoms in this way; namely: Nitrogen, Boron, Phosphorus, Hydrogen, Nickel, Cobalt, Silicon, and Sulfur. Such element "corruption" lend the diamond a distinct tint, with higher degrees of corruption leading to higher degrees of coloring;
Mechanism 2: Deformation of the carbon atoms causing color changes The second way for a diamond to gain a different color, is from environmental factors causing a changes in the actual structure of the carbon atom particles (i.e. change in electrons) or in the layout (spacing, symmetry, and pattern consistency) of the lattice. Such examples of environmentally caused deformation include the impact of traveling to earth surface and radiation exposure.

Blue Diamonds are caused the presence of boron atoms in the diamond lattice.

Yellow and orange diamonds are caused by the presence of nitrogen atoms in the lattice.

Brown diamonds are caused by an irregular microscopic pattern of the lattice, essentially a rough diamond. Nitrogen corruption can also cause a brown shade.

Green diamonds are usually caused by radiation exposure! Unlike deformation changes, the change is only to the superficial particles, therefore one should be careful polishing a green diamond as it can lose its color.

Red, purple and pink diamonds Although the precise mechanism is unknown; red, purple and pink diamonds are caused by a distinct deformation of carbon atoms structure (change of electrons) that somehow occurs when traveling through mantle to earth's surface. These colors are among the rarest of the diamond types.

Black and gray diamonds are caused by clusters (not single atoms) of graphite and iron filling large voids in the lattice.

Other color variations and causes exist, and you can have crossovers of the above color changing factors leading to unique shades. There are also many artificial methods for coloring diamonds, but to date all these methods produce results that appear comparatively crude under microscopic inspection, therefore artificially colored diamonds do not carry nearly the same value as their naturally produced counterparts.

About Frank:

I'm Frank (or Franky G as my friends usually call me). I was in the loose diamonds and gemstones business for well over three decades. Now retired, I blog about loose diamonds in order to share my *gems* of knowledge with present and future diamond enthusiasts.

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Unlocking Confidence With Clip-In Hair Extensions

Unfortunately, not everyone has the exact hairstyle they desire, myself included. A few weeks ago, my hair was just above shoulder length, a very non-descript blond colour and had no real shape to set it apart from other styles. It was not a feature drawn to compliments and apart from when I wore it much longer, I never really knew how to style it properly. Due to this, I would usually snatch it back in a limp pony tail, avoid mirrors and hope for the best. The defining point came however, when I noticed my reflection in a shop window one morning on the way to work. Untidy and dull, I decided it was time to do the unthinkable and set up an investigation into hair extensions.

Yes, you heard me right. Not only did I wish to tidy up my doo, but also create some extra length and volume in order to provide me with the versatility I so yearned for in order to claw back some dignity and confidence! With the notion that such a fashion accessory was only for the likes of Paris Hilton, Jennifer Anniston and many others who have a bank balance to allow such a luxury, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I could purchase a full set of hair extensions affordably and also be able to manage the upkeep comfortably.

Browsing through the many available colours, which were certainly overwhelming, I decided that the best way forwards would be a complete overhaul of colour and settled for a light brown boasting blond highlights, fresh, shiny and brand new. Having made an appointment with my hairdresser, I proceeded to dye my existing locks the same tone as my new look would provide. With a new found confidence already creeping in, I found the excitement of imagining the finished product almost too much to bear.

My clip-in hair extensions arrived, a couple of days after ordering them. I chose this style as it meant I could alter my look quickly and with maximum effect at any time of the day. They took around 15 minutes to get in place the first time around, but now I have it down to a fine art of 5 minutes. It is more the styling that takes time, as this is dependent upon how I feel each day. If I want to wear a ponytail, I can, and my hair will look lushes and full of bounce. If I wish to wear it down, my straighteners will allow this and also provide a few curls occasion depending.

As for my confidence, by making the effort to look into a fashion area I assumed was only for the stars, I have been able to unlock the real me.

Helen Turley is an enthusiastic writer in subject matter including hair, beauty and fashion. The websites recommended by Helen have been thoroughly researched and come highly acclaimed from direct experience. Take a look at Hair Extensions today.

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What Is a Personal Shopper?

Anyone can become a personal shopper, however it can be a good idea to get some training in personal shopping if you are looking to become one. Training courses basically just try to help you by cutting out this long learning curve that could take years, by teaching you how to conduct such services and may mean that you start to earn money quicker.

I get asked this question all the time, but a good summary is a person who uses clothing and clothing stores to find perfect outfits and items for their clients, that look and feel great, and that the clients themselves may never have tried on their own, or even been aware of. Being a personal shopper also sometimes involves sourcing unique and unusual items for clients, in order for the client to stand out in the crowd - often a technique used for personal shoppers who work with celebrities and high profile clients.

A shopper also provides style advice for women and men who many not know what to wear day to day because they struggle putting together outfits. They may also help a person to find a special outfit for an event or occasion or may even just be there to help out time-poor, cash rich clients who want to look good but don't have the time or inclination. However there is room to develop a variety of services from these skills such as wardrobe de-cluttering, wardrobe consultations, image consultations, swish parties and style parties at home for example so it can be a really great career route.

What training is available?

If you are training in this area - a very personal service - I believe it is better to take a course that is a residential course if you are starting from scratch. This way you can ensure that you immerse yourself in you new career. Training courses can be anywhere from one to ten days and it is important to do all of your research and work out exactly what is right for you. Do your research, talk it over with a friend, family member or go to your local chamber of commerce to chat with a business advisor. Then make your decision on which training suits your needs and personality the best.

Self-employed or employed?

There are two types of personal shoppers - one who works for a store such Selfridges or someone who works independently and uses every brand and clothing label available to them to source the right things for their clients. Depending on the type of role that the personal shopper has, hours can vary. A Selfridges Personal Shopper would no doubt work during shop hours on an 8 hour shift with pre-booked appointments in-store - the personal shopping service is usually free for clients in a store like Selfridges, but they will ask the client for a budget to spend as they will not want to waste time with people who are only looking to spend a small amount of money as their job is to sell clothes, and they are on commission. The bigger the budget, the more bonus they get.

How do you get clients?

An independent personal shopper will get clients via word of mouth, reputation, website, advertising and other forms of promotion and will work to suit their clients. An independent should use whatever stores available to them, with no kickback or commission, as they are being paid for their time and expertise by the client - the client will not pay the personal shopper in this case, if they are not happy with the result.

How much does a personal shopper get paid?

If you are a Selfridges personal shopper you can look to earn approximately £20 - £25k per year plus commission, but this is a luxury department store and probably at the higher end of the pay scale. An independent personal shopper's worth though will vary and will entirely depend on how hard they work in getting clients and ensuring those clients are happy. A good personal shopper can earn anywhere from £25 per hour - £100 per hour though so the earning potential is far greater. A job as a personal shopper can be a great part-time job for those who want to earn a bit of extra cash or a full time career, but be prepared to work hard for it! My Style Companion is a company that provides a personal shopper for you to get the most from your wardrobe.

Nicola Cupples is a leading style expert and personal shopper in the UK, and founder of My Style Companion

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Want To Revamp Your Look? Nothing Better Than A Turtle Neck Dress

Do you want to look classy and feminine this season? Your best bet can be a turtle neck dress. For years iconic stars like Greta Garbo and Audrey Hepburn have sizzled in turtleneck dresses. This classic dress has made a grand comeback in the recent years. It is creating ripples in the fashion world and you can easily slip into one to catch a few eyeballs.

Why wear a turtle neck dress?

The turtlenecks have several advantages besides being cozy and versatile. They are comfortable to wear when the mercury dips and can be styled in a variety of ways. Women can team them with other pieces of clothing and create their individual style statement.

You can wear these dresses with knee-length pencil skirts or contrast-shaded tights. Available in a wide range of materials and colors, they are a must have for every wardrobe.

If you are wondering how to wear a turtleneck here are some ideas that you may like.

How to look attractive in a turtle neck dress?

You can wear these dresses in a number of ways. While a short and sexy turtleneck dress is hot on the other hand a turtleneck worn along with a floral skirt will make you look chic. You can look sexy in sleeveless turtlenecks and if worn with the right kind of accessories they will make you a trend setter.

Turtlenecks are ideal for layering and you can achieve a variety of looks with the layers.

Turtleneck can be worn as a formal wear also. A little black turtleneck outfit can be the perfect outfit for your sales meetings. To score high in fashion world you can create different looks with turtlenecks. Wearing turtlenecks under a spaghetti top is a unique way of showcasing your fashion fundamentals.

You can also sport different types of neck pieces with your turtleneck dress to grab the spotlight. You can go for gold necklaces or silver chokers to accentuate your dress.

Women with broader chests may deter from wearing turtlenecks. But those who are blessed with petite frames can blend some amount of innovation and intelligence to sizzle in these outfits. You can wear them under a dress or break the look by opting for small or large prints. By layering your turtle neck dress with oversized shirts or long sleeve shrugs, you will not look lumpy or large.

Whether you want to look funky or classy, a turtle neck dress can be an ideal outfit for you to win flattering comments. It is as versatile as you want it to be and goes well for all occasions.

Atreyee Chowdhury is a fashion blogger and enjoys writing on fashion topics like turtle neck dress, cardigan sweaters, sweater vests and other forms of casual clothing for women. Please visit Elan International clothing to browse through a huge selection turtle neck dresses.

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The Do's and Dont's of Wearing Stylish Jewellery

Rings:
Depending on the length and thickness of your fingers, you can choose the right type of ring to complement your hands. Strong, broad hands should not try to carry off dainty rings as the contrast would be very obvious. Instead, look for solid rings and wider bands. Similarly, if you have thin, slender fingers, chunky rings can make your hands looks puny, instead of slim. Short fingers should avoid thick band rings, as they will make your fingers look even shorter. Slender, delicate bands are the choice for you.

• Do dare to wear big, bold or chunky rings, but don't combine them with overdone nails or heavy bracelets.
• Do wear a couple of rings, but don't put more than two on the same finger.
• Do try a large gemstone or diamond ring as your focus piece for an evening out, but don't match it with other diamond jewelry designs.

Earrings:
Earrings, being worn close to your face, attract the most attention of all your jewelry. The wrong style can therefore make a terrible first impression regarding your style quotient. It is important to keep in mind that earrings must balance the shape of your face. A round face will go well with long and angular earring designs. Similarly, angular faces need to look for earrings which are rounder, or have softer curves. To avoid making a longish face look overly stretched, earrings need to be wide, like hoops or large curves. Chunky jewelry designs will also look great.

• Do try a look with the earrings as your main focus, but don't overdo the look with other distracting pieces.
• Do wear diamond jewelry or precious gemstone jewelry earrings, but don't layer these with a lot of other gemstones.

Necklaces:
The length and thickness of your neck as well as the length and cut of your neckline are all important points to consider while choosing your necklace. That is why it can get a bit confusing. If you have a long, slender neck, wear heavy necklaces and chokers with confidence. Always remember to match chokers with strapless or deeper neck dresses. For women of smaller builds, chunky jewelry and colourful strands of gemstones or beads can be worn with V-necks.

• Do try big and bold necklaces, but don't wear them with high neck dresses or loud prints.
• Do go ahead (this year) and try mixing silver and gold jewelry, but don't mix delicate and chunky jewelry designs.
• Do experiment with necklace lengths, but don't forget to take into consideration the neckline of your dress (the deeper the plunge of your neckline, the shorter the necklace length and vice versa).

Recap:
Purchasing Gold jewellery online is really a risky business. Make sure you check the quality of the items you wish to purchase.
Click here for 100% quality Diamond jewellery online.

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