October 24, 2006, 6:17 PM CT

Skin Tone Influences Perception Of Beauty

A new study is revealing that wrinkles aren't the only cue the human eye looks for to evaluate age. Facial skin color distribution, or tone, can add 10-12 years to a woman's perceived age.

The study, reported in the latest issue of the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, used three-dimensional imaging and morphing software to remove wrinkles and furrows from pictures of women, leaving skin tone as the only variable. Scientists were then able to determine exactly what impact facial skin tone has on how young, healthy and attractive people perceive the women to be. Faces with more even skin tone were judged to be younger.

"Until now, behavioral researchers have mostly ignored the overall homogeneity and color saturation of a person's skin," says lead researcher Dr. Karl Grammer. "This study points out that wrinkles aren't the only visual cue to a woman's age.

"Skin tone and luminosity may be a major signal to suitors of a woman's attractiveness, as well as of her assumed age," said Grammer, who is founder and scientific director of the Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Urban Ethology at the University of Vienna, Austria.

The scientists took digital photographs of 169 Caucasian women between the ages of 10 and 70. Then they used specialized morphing software to "drape" each subject's facial skin over a standardized model, in effect, taking 169 different skin tones and applying them to a common canvas.........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

October 16, 2006, 8:32 PM CT

Anthropologie Dual Layered Skirt

This skirt was the precursor to my skirt addiction. I purchased it from Anthrolpologie online. Skirts weren't really my thing, but the picture on the website was gorgeous and it was unique, so I plunked down the cash for it. The first time I wore it I felt kind of awkward, so I stuck it back into my closet to "marinate".

It was a black linen skirt with lace trim that TRULY got me going on the skirt addiction, just a couple months later. Once that was in full swing I was grateful for this skirt.

It is two layers. The bottom layer is tissue thin pumpkin colored silk. The layer above is crinkled cranberry silk chiffon. It is a circle cut, so it is another one of my fun "spinny" skirts.........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

October 16, 2006, 8:19 PM CT

Looking Good on Halloween!

Halloween is right around the corner, so let's talk about how to look good and remain fashionable when choosing your Halloween costume.

Location

Think about where you're going to be and what you're going to be doing on Halloween, before you pick a costume. Are you going to Las Vegas for a bit of club hopping and running around The Strip? Then for god sakes, wear comfortable shoes!! Giving up and carrying your incredibly sexy shoes by 8pm, is not incredibly sexy. So, choose your footwear wisely. Stiletto heels over 4" will be your worst enemy if your night involves lots of walking or dancing.

A better choice (that is still very sexy) would be platform heels with a padded footbed or even better, platform boots with a thicker heel. If you're going to a tame Halloween house party, then by all means, wear the wildest, highest, most uncomfortable shoes you can find (sort of like these monstrosities).

Also think about where your going to be spending Halloween before picking out your costume. If your going to be somewhere crowded, you are not going to want to be wearing a long, floor sweeping costume (people stepping on it will get old very quickly) and whacking people in the face with a winged costume will also wear on your (and other peoples) nerves........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

October 8, 2006, 5:23 PM CT

Breast Asymmetry Surgery

A number of women carry a private sorrow. They suffer from uneven breasts; with each breast differing is size from the other. This condition is also known as breast asymmetry and is a relatively common condition. The embarrassment about the uneven breasts could affect their daily lives, sexuality and confidence. Scientists say that for those women with significant asymmetry, breast surgery can considerably elevate quality of life and self-esteem. These discussions were part of as study that was presented recently at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2006 conference in San Francisco.

"All women have some degree of breast asymmetry, but for those with a noticeable difference, the embarrassment often keeps them from seeking help," said Walter Erhardt, MD, ASPS Member Surgeon and Public Education Committee chair. "Even if breasts differ by less than a half-cup size it can be very noticeable. The condition is talked about so infrequently that many are unaware there are surgeries that can correct the problem".

Breast asymmetry occurs when a woman's breasts differ in size or shape. For example, a woman's left breast may be a B-cup and the right, a D-cup. On the other hand, a woman may have one breast that significantly droops, and the other does not, making the woman's breasts appear unbalanced.........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

October 2, 2006, 10:08 PM CT

Why Ultramarine Blue Fades

The 20-year restoration of Michelangelo's frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel has left visitors in awe of the work's original majesty--notably the brilliance of the blue that graces the Last Judgment's sky. Recent investigations into this shade of blue--ultramarine blue--have brought to light the pigment's tendency to fade. Is it possible that the longevity of such a masterpiece as the Last Judgment could be in peril?.

Scientists at New York University and Pratt Institute now have the answer to why it fades, which gives the art world direction on how to protect the works of past and future masters.

The natural ultramarine pigment, obtained from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, has been one of the most valued pigments by European painters since the late 13th century. Before the 19th century, the only known source of lapis lazuli was in the quarries of Badakhshan (northeastern Afghanistan), a site visited and described by Marco Polo. He wrote: "There is a mountain in that region where the finest azure [lapis lazuli] in the world is found. It appears in veins like silver streaks." Lapis lazuli provided not only a vibrant blue color unmatched by any other pigment available at the time, but it added a divine nature to the artwork in which it was used. Since it was valued more highly than gold, its use typically conveyed the high status of a work's commissioner. Ultramarine was the pigment often reserved to paint the mantel of the Virgin Mary.........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

October 1, 2006, 8:19 PM CT

Compulsive Buying In Women And Men

Do you think women are more prone to compulsory buying? Then you are wrong!

Contrary to popular opinion, nearly as a number of men as women experience compulsive buying disorder, a condition marked by binge buying and subsequent financial hardship, as per new research from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

"The widespread opinion that most compulsive buyers are women may be wrong," the scientists wrote in their paper, which would be reported in the recent issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Senior author Lorrin Koran, MD, emeritus professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, said the study is the first large, nationwide effort to assess the prevalence of the disorder. The study observed that more than one in 20 adults in the United States suffers from the condition.

People who have compulsive buying disorder - sometimes called compulsive shopping disorder - are often struck with an irresistible, intrusive and often senseless impulse to buy. It is common for sufferers to go on frequent shopping binges and to accumulate large quantities of unnecessary, unwanted items. Sufferers often rack up thousands of dollars in debt and lie to their loved ones about their purchases. The consequences can be bankruptcy, divorce, embezzlement and even suicide attempts.........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

September 26, 2006, 9:02 PM CT

Ideas For Lauren's Polo

Last semester, four MIT Sloan students found a way to bring some of Polo Ralph Lauren's a number of Internet shoppers back to the high-end designer's retail store: They devised an interactive kiosk that remembers consumers and addresses them personally.

"It is a new kind of customer experience," said Petra Gospodnetic, a Sloan student and one of four M.B.A. candidates who worked for Ralph Lauren during their spring semester as part of MarketLab, a program run by the Sloan Marketing Club.

MarketLab students work in teams on marketing-related consulting projects for partner companies. The students gain experience and sponsorship money or academic credit.

This was the first year that Polo Ralph Lauren (PRL) retailers, a luxury line of clothing, fragrance and more, signed on to be part of the MarketLab. Jeffrey Steinberg (M.B.A. 1991) is the vice president of database marketing and the chief privacy officer for the label.

"It is great that Sloan alumni come back to work with Sloan students. It was a very encouraging environment," said Daya Fields, another member of the PRL team. "It says a lot about the Sloan program".

The team of four, which also included Sloan students Marshall Einhorn and Priya Gandhi, was tasked with finding a way to use interactive kiosk-stations featuring touch screens and computer technology to draw more customers to the store.........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

September 25, 2006, 7:35 PM CT

Milano Moda Donna 2007

An assay of the two paraded yesterday of Luciano Soprani and Clips whom it has seen to parade the splendid Bar Rafaeli fiancee of Leonardo di Caprio.

Good look counts!........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

September 25, 2006, 7:21 PM CT

Nintendo T-shirts!

Jean Snow blogged about the Nintendo T-shirts about a fortnight ago, then Kotaku and Game Set Watch picked up on it and then I guess the interest in the T-shirts from The King Of Games must have skyrocketed in Western countries because the website has spawned an English section where it will accept Paypal payments and ship overseas.

I've mentioned before that Japan is famous for it's T-shirt designs. This is another example of it. Plus it has the Nintendo video game bent so I like it twice as much!

By the way, for those who believe that the US$50 is a bit much, my message is: don't be surprised. There's plenty of cool cheap T-shirts in Japan but most of the designer stuff is about this price.........

Posted by: Trista      Permalink         Source

September 24, 2006, 11:26 AM CT

Discovering A Gem Of A Deal

Prepare to spend at least an hour leisurely exploring Dandelion Vintage. It's just like discovering a secret antique boutique with room after room crammed with delicious finds. Best of all most prices are under $50 (we found plenty at $20 to $30) and the variety is endless.

Carol Baker has been running her online vintage business since 1997 and is very picky about the fashions she sells. Each item has a large photo with detailed descriptions including condition, fabric and measurements and Carol will glady answer any questions about the garments.........

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