Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:49:18 GMT

Walk the tights-rope!

I have always been an enthusiastic ambassador for the joys of coloured tights, so it is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation. That is not to say that I am abandoning tights as a whole, it’s just that I’m a little bored of the block colour variety.

Posted by: Katy Smail      Read more     Source

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 01:12:50 GMT

Calypso by Christiane Celle

I may have mentioned Calypso by Christiane Celle before, but it was only in passing and this stylist-cum-designer-cum-boutique owner definitely deserves to be in the spotlight! Born in France and inspired by the traditional clothing of Nepal and India, Celle lived in Manhattan and worked as a stylist for several years before opening the first of her many boutiques.

Posted by: Lindsay North      Read more     Source

March 16, 2008, 9:36 PM CT

Increase in age of patients seeking cosmetic surgery

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) announces the results of its 2007 Procedural Data and since 2002, the average age for patients receiving invasive cosmetic surgery has increased.

From 2002 to 2007, the mean age of patients seeking the top ten most performed invasive procedures has increased by two years. The invasive procedures that have seen the largest increase include liposuction, sclerotherapy, facelift and forehead lift. Following suit with this trend, Botox, the most popular non-invasive procedure, has experienced a two year increase in average age.

The aging population and the baby boomers are likely to be the driving force behind these increases. Baby boomers make up approximately 28% of the national population, as per 2006 census reports. Baby boomers fall in the 42-64 age range and the average age of those receiving invasive and non-invasive procedures are 42.6 and 42.4, respectively.

Cosmetic surgeons are seeing anywhere between a one to three year increase in our patients age, said Dr. Steven Hopping, MD, President of the AACS. It appears that as baby boomers grow older, so does our clientele.

Of note among the findings: for the eighth year in a row, liposuction proved to be the nations top cosmetic surgical procedure with Botox injections being the top non-invasive cosmetic surgery procedure......... Posted by: Trista      Read more         Source

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:46:36 GMT

Crimping my style

Oh horror of horrors! Sorry to break the terrible news, ladies, but crimped hair appears to be back. I could have predicted this, really, as any truly terrible trends from my teenage years tend to crop up every so often in all their 90s glory, but I had hoped that the line would be drawn at crinkle cut hair. But no, catwalks the world over have been trodden by armies of crimped beauties - never mind “The Wicker Man” references at Luella, it was the models’ hair that was truly scary.

Posted by: Katy Smail      Read more     Source

March 9, 2008, 5:29 PM CT

Teenage girls aren't the only ones who tan indoors

Think you wont run into grandparents at your local tanning salon? As per new research, you just might. In fact, a recent health survey of American adults suggests that while 20 percent of 18-39 year olds visited tanning beds, as a number of as 10 percent of those between 50 and 64 years of age and eight percent of those older than 65 tanned indoors.

Scientists at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia analyzed data about indoor tanning behaviors collected in 2005 as part of an annual health survey called the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Their findings were published online today in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Our results are concerning, particularly given the increasing rates of skin cancer, including the deadliest formmelanoma, said Carolyn J. Heckman, Ph.D., a behavioral researcher at Fox Chase. Ninety percent of all skin cancers are believed to be linked to ultraviolet radiation, which is emitted during indoor tanning. There is a myth that indoor tanning is safer than sunbathing, but this is not the case.

The 2005 in-home interview of 29,394 adults as part of the NHIS survey included questions about indoor tanning in the prior year. Self-reported indoor tanning declined with increasing age from a high of 20 percent among 18-29 year olds to 8 percent among those 65 years of age and older (17 percent among 30- to 39-year-olds, 14 percent among those aged 40 to 49, 10 percent among those 50 to 64). More of those reporting indoor tanning were females, though the division by gender was not as great among elderly adults (age 18-29, 13 percent male and 27 percent female vs. age 65+, 8 percent male and 7 percent female)......... Posted by: Trista      Read more         Source

March 9, 2008, 5:04 PM CT

New bacteria contaminate hairspray

Scientists in Japan have discovered a new species of bacteria that can live in hairspray, according to the results of a study published in the recent issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Contamination of cosmetic products is rare but some products may be unable to suppress the growth of certain bacteria, says Dr Bakir from the Japan Collection of Microorganisms, Saitama, Japan. We discovered a new species of bacteria called Microbacterium hatanonis, which we found contaminates hairspray.

We also found a related species, Microbacterium oxydans in hairspray which was originally isolated from hospital material. Microbacterium species have been identified in milk, cheese, beef, eggs and even in the blood of patients with leukaemia, on catheters and in bone marrow.

The scientists looked at the appearance and diet of the bacterium, then analysed its genome to show that it is an entirely new species. It has been named in honour of Dr Kazunori Hatano, for his contribution to the understanding of the genus Microbacterium, says Dr Bakir. Microbacterium hatanonis is rod-shaped and grows best at 30C and pH neutral.

Scientists now need to determine the clinical importance of the new species, as similar bacteria have been found to infect humans. Further testing will establish whether the species is a threat to human health, says Dr Bakir. We hope our study will benefit the formulation of hairspray to prevent contamination in the future......... Posted by: Trista      Read more         Source

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 01:41:07 GMT

Britney Spears Reunited With Her Kids

Except for her recent release from the hospital the first positive thing that has happened to Britney Spears in a long time was her securing permission from the court to visit her kids.

This is the first time since January 3 that Britney Spears has spent any time with her kids.

Britney's life has certainly turned into a true life soap opera complete with divorces, cops, custody and support battles, drug and alcohol problems, and involvement with some of the strangest "management" people plying Hollywood.

We'll wish her well and see what happens next.

Image Source:www.niquehappy.com Posted by: jim      Read more     Source

February 12, 2008, 10:07 PM CT

How superstition impacts consumer choice

Despite their strong impact on the marketplace, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the how superstitious beliefs impact decision making. A groundbreaking new study from the recent issue of the Journal of Consumer Research examines the role of lucky and unlucky features and finds that consumers are more disappointed when a product that is supposedly lucky breaks. Additionally, even thinking about a negative superstition can make consumers more risk averse.

Despite the large impact that superstitious beliefs have on the marketplace, we currently know very little about their implications for consumer judgment and decision making, explain Thomas Kramer and Lauren Block (Baruch College).

They continue: This research is one of the first to investigate the impact of irrational beliefs on consumer behavior in the marketplace.

Between $800 and $900 million is lost in business in the United States every Friday the 13th. A businessman in Guangzhou, China, recently bid 54,000 yuan (almost seven times the countrys per capita annual income) for a lucky license plate containing the sequence 888. Continental Airlines recently advertised an $888 flight to Beijing with the slogan Lucky You, and the Beijing Olympics are scheduled to open on August 8, 2008 at 8 p.m......... Posted by: Trista      Read more         Source

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:46:47 GMT

Make Your Own Jeans

Custom jeans have not fallen by the wayside: you can get them custom made for you even though Levi's custom system isn't exactly alive and well. Make Your Own Jeans has a hefty selection of washes, zippers, and cuts to let you pick what works best for you. dive in, choose right, and don't forget that you can even clone your very favorite pair of jeans. What's stopping you from getting the perfect rear-hugging, style-making, hot-looking jeans right away?

Make Your Own Pair. Posted by: Meieli Sawyer Detoni      Read more     Source

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:31:13 GMT

Mood rings. Seriously

You know what I really miss that I want to bring back? Mood rings. Yeah, I said it, mood rings. Don't know what I am talking about? (Shame on you!) Here is a quick definition from Wikipedia,


A mood ring is a ring which contains a thermochromic element, such as liquid crystal. The ring changes color in response to the body temperature of its wearer. The color is said, by some proponents, to indicate the emotional state of the wearer.

They were so much fun and nowadays they come in amazing styles. Not the crazy smiley face designs you had as a kid. Think about what a great conversation starter a mood ring could be. When people say to you, "Seriously? Are you wearing a mood ring?" You can proudly say, "Yes, I am bringing them back. Aren't they fabulous?" You will increase your fashionista quotient but 100%!

I would totally wear this. It is not the crazy smiley face design at all. Although those are available on this website. Big Drop Mood Ring, $5 (!!!!!!) at MoodJewelry.com Posted by: Ryan      Read more     Source