Lessons from Audrey Hepburn to Look Amazing on Prom Night

Many women before us have followed the classic style of Audrey Hepburn, and you can too for prom 2016. Audrey Hepburn’s wardrobe was filled with a range of classic fashion staples women still wear today: the little black dress, fitted pants, cropped silhouettes, and a wide and envious assortment of earrings and hats. She wasn’t afraid to wear a suit or pants and always maintained an incredible aura of femininity with her choices of outfits.

One of the best things that we at vast selection of elegant prom dresses  love best about Audrey Hepburn’s style was her hearty attitude. She could make some amazing ground-breaking choices simple because she was so confident in her own skin and never took life too seriously. So take a leaf out of her book and learn a couple of style lessons from the legend that you can apply to prom 2016.

Image by smithgable987 via Flickr

Image by smithgable987 via Flickr

Sometimes All You Need Is a Simple Dress
Let your natural features steal the attention and choose an elegant and simple prom dress, such as a Scala prom dress designed by SCALA Eveningwear Inc.

Gloves Add An Element of Sophistication To Any Outfit
Weren’t even considering gloves for prom? Think again – Hepburn’s cute look was always elevated by a pair of immaculate white gloves.

Always Accessorize
Not only for prom, but never leave home without accessories to complement your outfit.

A Belt Clasped in the Middle of a Dress Makes for a Lovely Shape
Hepburn would always amp up her dresses with a tight belt and beret. You can skip the beret, but if your dress can pull off a belt, go for it.

You Don’t Need to Be Royalty To Wear a Crown
Hepburn knew that every women deserved to be treated like a princess.

You Don’t Always Have to Wear Your Bangs Straight Across The Forehead
Play around with your ‘do for an asymmetrical and eddy cut-up look for prom.

A Bold Red Lip Will Never Do You Wrong
Audrey Hepburn knew this and used it as an essential trick of the trade.

Colour Blocking Can Create That Classic Look
Add a little fun to your prom style with eye-catching earrings or chunky heels.

It’s Oaky To Step Out in Funky, Bold Prints
When Hepburn wore strong patterned dresses, she balanced them with feminine makeup and accessories.

Why Not Take a Fashion Risk?
Go ahead and wear that unique item or prom dress. Hepburn was a complete individual and it always worked for her.

Find a Practical, Classic Bag
Choose a simple and practical purse to compliment your prom outfit.

Opt for a Different Take on Your Prom Dress If You Really Want to Stand Out
Go for something different like a short prom dress and fascinator to really stand out on prom night.

Soften Up a Short Hair Do With Expertly Placed Dark Eyeliner
Hepburn always ensured she donned an ultra-feminine face because she knew just how powerful great eye makeup could be.

Babydoll Dresses Look Good, No Matter the Era
Just don’t pick a prom dress that is too juvenile-looking, rather something tasteful.

Long Lashes are Ravishing
Beautiful lashes are simply stunning.

One final lesson is to be sure you pick a prom dress you feel comfortable in, and feel like yourself in. It’s important to be natural, comfortable, and happy on prom night so you can dance the night away and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Avoiding the Christmas LetDown

Hello Elegant Readers!

I pray that you are having a wonderful and peaceful Christmas Holiday Season! Christmas is my favorite time of the year. My wife and I decorate our home with four trees and put up lights on the outside. With all the Christmas hype, are you feeling a Christmas Letdown? In speaking with people and how they describe their holiday, this is a very true emotion felt by many people.

JT and Tree

JT standing next to one of our Christmas Trees

The buildup to Christmas is months in the making. You start seeing retailers advertise for Christmas in July specials. And then once Halloween is over, the gift-giving season is in full-swing. Every store you go into, or every website you click through, they are trying to sell you something. Black Friday Steals, Doorbusters Deals, Cyber Monday Deals! It’s everywhere! Retailers are telling you that you need to buy a gift for everyone, from your mailman to your co-workers, to your long lost cousin Jimmy who you haven’t seen in twenty years.

Christmas Day arrives. You have your gatherings, whether with family or friends. You distribute your gifts, and partake in a feast (or two) and have a sweet treat (or two). And then before you know it, it is over. Just that fast, all the hoopla is over and Christmas is done for another year. It’s time to start planning for New Years. And the Christmas LetDown starts! Why? With the months of planning and purchasing gifts, preparing meals and organizing gatherings; it is all over in a matter of few hours. Here are a few quick tips to avoid the LetDown and to be able to enjoy more of Christmas.

Celebrate the True Meaning of Christmas
With retailers forcing their agenda of purchasing a gifts for everyone; you must step back from the commercialization and shift your focus on why you are celebrating Christmas. My wife and I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, first and foremost. Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas and no gift-giving season. If you are a Christian, Jesus should be the center of every part of your life, including Christmas. As Christmas Day approaches, take some time to read about the Birth of Jesus and reflect how His birth forever changed the world and forever changed humanity. It is an amazing story that should never be forgotten through the deluge of gifts. Many churches often have a Christmas celebration. Find one in your area and be sure to attend. This will help keep the true message of Christmas in the foreground.

Make Christmas Last More Than One Day
Christmas is only one day on the calendar – December 25th. Many people plan their celebration for that day, or maybe Christmas Eve. Since the holiday is on a random day during the week, many people only have that one day to celebrate before going back to work. And with New Years Eve the next week, people turn their attention to the next holiday. The key is to make Christmas last longer is to spread out the festivities. If you are planning a gathering for friends, try for the weekend before. If your family is out-of-town, you can visit them on a weekend in January. Another thing that I like to do is to continue saying “Merry Christmas” beyond December 25. If you have many people who you are giving gifts to, then spread out the distribution throughout the entire month of December. If you have more than one gift for a spouse or a child, then give the gifts to them over a course of days. All of these things will keep the Christmas Spirit alive and burning in your heart.

Avoid the Hoopla and Enjoy the Season
The Christmas season is a fast-paced ride and it can be quite overwhelming. The key to really enjoying the Season is to step back, slow down and enjoy every moment. If you are buying gifts for friends and family, be sure to make a list of who you are buying for, how much  you want to spend for that person and then start searching for the gift as early as possible. Don’t wait until the last moment before going out and finding the gift. It will make the buying process less stressful. If you are making home-made gifts – cookies, lotions or crafty items, make sure you have all of your supplies and start the process early. Then as the Christmas approaches, you are already finished and you can sit back and enjoy visiting with family and friends.

The Christmas LetDown can easily set in when we get caught up in the craziness that other people have placed on Christmas. If you step back and remember why you are celebrating and learn how to avoid the rush and hoopla; then Christmas will never be a burden again. You have to put your mind to it and make an effort to follow through with these tips.

Let me know if you have felt a Christmas LetDown and what you did to do to combat it. Or if any of these tips have helped you through the Season.

How to Tell if You are Buying Authentic Antique Jewellery

Antique jewellery has been growing in popularity for a number of years and for very good reasons. Part of the appeal is that fashions are cyclic and the styles of a bygone era inevitably reappear. For many though, the charm of antique jewellery is rooted in a deep appreciation for quality, design, and craftsmanship that is difficult to replicate today. These antique pieces are unlike anything currently available in stores, which make them unique and highly valuable. It is crucial when purchasing antique jewellery to know that what is being offered is the genuine article. Jewellery valuation is a highly skilled profession but there are a number of ways for a layperson to discern the truly valuable from an inferior look-alike.

Image by K.giftedhands via Flickr

Image by K.giftedhands via Flickr

HALLMARKS
The most obvious place to begin is to look for any hallmarks imprinted upon the piece in question. These standardised imprints denote the purity of the metal but there may also be other marks indicating the maker or company who fashioned the jewellery, as well as the time period in which it was crafted. Finding out the markings meaning is a complex matter but the fact that the markings exist is a reassuring first step to legitimising the authenticity of a piece.

PATINA
Patina is the gentle wear and sheen on the surface of metals that gradually builds over time and should be well evident in a genuinely antique piece. Be automatically suspicious if the piece looks flawless or shows no signs of aging or prior use. Very few pieces of jewellery remain completely untouched by the ravages of time. By contrast, Kalmar Antiques jewellery for sale online offers fine examples of how authentic antique jewellery should look.

TESTING DIAMONDS
While it may be overkill for infrequent jewellery purchases, there is a handy tool available for under $100 that can test and authenticate diamonds. This pen-like device shoots a beam of light through the stone and is able to discern by how quickly it is transmitted, whether the diamond is real or fake, or even whether it is a natural or synthetic diamond. Such a tool can certainly come in handy for serious jewellery collectors and for those who like to purchase at estate auctions.

WEIGHT AND LAYERED WEAR
As most people are aware, gold is a very heavy metal. Having a piece of jewellery of equivalent size to compare can be immensely helpful. The difference may seem slight but placing each item in one’s hand and comparing the weight is quite noticeable. Also, look closely at the edges of the jewellery and notice if there is any wearing or discolouration. If there is a different coloured metal beneath the gold then it is like the piece is merely gold-plated rather than solid gold.

HISTORY, REPUTATION AND FEEDBACK
With ever more people choosing to sell and purchase jewellery online, it has become harder to make comparisons and get a good hands-on feel for the item in question. Whether buying or looking for ways to sell your jewellery at the best price, it is important to take time to thoroughly research the merchant’s reputation and history, particularly when spending large sums of money or making online purchases.

Consider the following:
* Does the seller have a physical outlet such as a jewellery or antique store in addition to their online presence?
* Are they licensed to sell used goods?
* Are they a registered trader and can they provide an ABN or other documentation that may legitimise their enterprise?
* How long have they been established and how experienced are they?

The number of merchants that only sell online is increasing so it is important to use a search engine to check for feedback of other buyers and to verify any information provided by the seller. A legitimate seller will be happy to tell you of the history of the jewellery, the maker and the time period from which it came. Double check everything, trust your instincts and be sure that the merchant uses a platform that allows refunds if using a credit card. As always, being prepared in advance and knowing what to look for is the best strategy for ensuring the antique jewellery you purchase will be the genuine article. There are many great bargains to be had and the satisfaction of finding a beautiful piece will be even greater when you have used your newly found skills to select it.

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Top 5 Fashion Accessories This Winter

Hello Elegant Readers!

If it’s dark and dreary outside, it can only mean one thing – winter is here. Thankfully, you can remain cheery by investing in a new winter wardrobe and choose from fashion accessories such as scarves, gloves, and hats.

Here are the top 5 fashion accessories this winter.

1. Scarf
A simple scarf can keep your neck warm in winter weather without jeopardizing your ensemble. Choose a chunky winter scarf that complements the rest of your clothing and steer clear of bold designs that catch the eye and create a color clash. Although patterned scarfs can look great, they can be difficult when mixing and matching different styles so keep things simple.

Top Your outfit with a scarf!

JT styling one of her winters scarves!

2. Gloves
Invest in a good pair of gloves this winter and receive the benefits of warm hands! Leather gloves are among the most popular fashion accessories this year and can be worn with a wide range of winter coats. Looking for a decent pair of gloves? Look no further than home shopping catalogs, where you can find products from big-name brands and new designers all in one place. You’ll be able to have your order delivered direct to your door and spread the cost of your purchase over a period of time by paying in affordable installments.

3. Hats
Here’s a quick tip: wearing a hat will probably leave your hair looking frizzy so don’t wear this accessory on a night out! However, a good hat can be used to conceal a bad hair day quickly – saving you a lot of time and hassle. Brightly-colored bobble hats can be a nice touch on a dark, winter’s morning, and you’ll have plenty of styles and designs to choose from.

4. Winter socks
Once you’ve purchased a new pair of gloves for your hands, you’ll want to keep your feet warm too! Knee-length socks are a great way to provide your body with extra insulation during the morning commute, and because they are worn under trousers, you can be a little more experimental when it comes to design choices. Choose a design that incorporates stars, stripes, patterns or shapes!

5. Bracelets
Winter clothing is often made up of various shades blacks, browns and greys but it doesn’t have to be this way. Inject some colour into your wardrobe by wearing large, chunky bracelets that look great in any weather. The great thing about these fashion accessories is that they’re so flexible, and they can be worn with any winter coat to work or when out at a social function. Choose styles that reflect your personality!

Bracelets - more is better!

Bracelets – more is better!

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A Girl’s Best Friend: Oval Garnet and Diamond Shell Earrings

Hi Beautiful People,

It’s been a rainy couple of days; but with the right piece of jewelry, it always make the day seem bright and sunny!

Earrings work with long hair

Delicate Earrings work with long hair

 I remember getting my ears pierced for the first time, my mother took me to Sears when I was five with my grandmother. It’s in my blood and I don’t feel complete without wearing some piece of jewelry.

I had the opportunity to style for you these beautiful Oval Garnet and Diamond Shell Earrings in .925 Sterling Silver from Angara.com. Any lady on your Christmas gift-giving list would not mind getting these earrings. They are currently on sale for $119. You can purchase them and pay for them in two or three monthly installments.  This is a big plus because if you are not able to pay the full price for your piece of jewelry, you have the convenience of paying only $39.67 for three months. There is also a 110% Refund Policy, 0% Interest Financing, 60 Day Return Policy, and Free Shipping within the USA. Angara also ships free to 64 countries on all international orders over $500. Check out Angara’s website for more details.

The Garnet and Diamond earrings are delicate and small; but eye-catching and attractive.

JTWisdom in Garet and Diamond Earrings

JTWisdom in Garnet and Diamond Earrings

I wore them in my second hole and it again showed the versatility.  The Garnet in the Angara earrings is very clear and not cloudy at all.

JT Style

JT Style

These earrings are versatile and can meet all fashion needs. I can wear them with a nice dress for a more elegant look. Or I can be more casual, wearing them with jeans and a sweater, playing in the backyard.

Enjoying the Day!

Enjoying a Cool Fall Day!

Classic elegance at its best from the minute I opened the box.

The Presentation of the earrings

The Presentation of the earrings in the Angara box

Who is Angara?
Angara is a family-owned business that puts the customer first, because they deserve the very best.

One great feature about Angara is that you have a wide-range of options available to you when making your decisions, from metals to gemstone quality. For example, if your favorite gemstone is ruby, you can look through the many ruby pieces that are available. After finding the right piece, you can then select what metal you want it to be – anywhere from Sterling Silver to Platinum. You can also select the grade quality of the gemstone – from good, to better, to heirloom quality. Of course, selecting these options will effect the final price of the piece; but you can work it into your budget

If you have questions, Angara has 24/7 costumer service and live chat available on its website.

If you are looking for quality jewelry at a great price please check out Angara.com. I really enjoy the earrings that I received and I know you will like the pieces you will receive as well.

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* Disclaimer: Angara sent me these earrings at no cost in order to write this review. All opinions about the company and the earrings are strictly my own.

Lovin’ My Custom T-Shirt

Hello Beautiful People,

I recently had the opportunity to receive a custom t-shirt. I thought to myself about the many options available to me, I selected the design in the picture below.

You say, why did you choose that? Well, the thought of the love I have for the man who God sent to me, my husband. The design was so me and I really liked the color.

I paired the T-shirt with a black-and-white shirt and wore it to church this past weekend. I thought it was very cool with a printed skirt. The complete outfit looked well put together – a dressy causal outfit that was a unexpected twist. Not to mention adding my Dooney and Bourke handbag for extra style and pizazz.

The T-shirt is made of 100% Cotton. It is well-constructed and the quality of the cotton is very durable. I can see wearing it for a long while without any worries of it falling apart. I will be looking to add more these T-shirt into my closet.

My Custom Shirt

My Custom Shirt

 I also styled  the custom T-shirt with my Isaac Mizrahi cotton lace skirt and Calvin Klein peep-toe wedge booties. The look is chic.

Custom shirt with black lace skirt

My custom T-shirt with black-lace skirt

Custom t-shirts are great because the sayings and designs define your personality. If you had an opportunity to get a custom T-shirt, what would yours says? Leave me a comment below and let me know.

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