Fashion Tips to Develop Your Signature Style

Every woman wants to feel confident, beautiful and stay up-to-date. But not everyone knows the art of looking gorgeous. Selecting something that looks great on you and shows your signature style really matters a lot. To look smart, super-chic and stylish, you need to be more creative. In order to reach your style potential and make your signature style, you should follow the below mentioned style tips.

Find Your Own Fashion Style

Most women wear clothes that do not flatter their body type. Everyone has a unique figure and not all clothes look fit on all body types. It is very important to know what style and clothes will look best on you. For instance, women having a pear shape body i.e. small waist and bigger hips, are not advised to wear pencil skirts as they will greatly enhance their hips and thighs. However, those women might opt for an A-line skirt that will draw attention to their small waist and take the attention off their chubby hips and thighs.

Invest in Versatile Wardrobe Staples

Do a serious evaluation of your current style and determine how you can accomplish with your own signature style. To look trendier, you need to be more creative and incorporate current styles and trends into your wardrobe. Keep in mind that overdoing it will break your whole look. Invest in classic styles that will last for a few good years. Some versatile attire such as button-down shirts, polo shirts, jeans, skirts, jackets, vests and boots are a smart investment that can be updated with current styles and trends. These classic staples will enhance the longevity of your wardrobe and make it more functional and workable.

Enhance Your Style with Accessories

One of the best ways to improve your signature style is to accessorize. Clutches, belts, earrings, shoes, necklaces, bracelets, rings and sunglasses play a main part in completing an outfit. A stylish pair of shoes can make an everyday outfit extra special. Similarly, a statement necklace can transform a simple skirt and blouse dress to a stunning outfit. Therefore, it is highly recommended to invest in things such as leather belt, strand of pearls, earrings and more that will last longer and improve your overall look. Don't be afraid to choose timeless accessories that take your outfit to the next level of style.

Whatever you wear just make sure you are comfortable in the outfit and it perfectly suits your personality and style. Using your signature style will certainly draw attention to your best features. So, stay stylish, stay confident!

Try These Old Fashion Tomato Soups At Your House For Something Delicious

I love soups, especially homemade ones. And some of my favorites are the ones from my 1950s childhood that have continued on as I have made them for my children and grandchildren. Homegrown tomatoes were a big part of my childhood. Our gardens were full of them in the summertime and we canned them to enjoy all winter in our soups and stews. Today I know longer have a garden or home canned fruits and vegetables so I resort to items from the grocer's shelves. Either way, these soups are very good. The Tomato Bisque is an old homemade version that is a favorite since it has a potato, one of my favorite foods, in it! The second recipe is one my late mother got from a Hunt's Tomato Sauce can when I was a child in the 1950s. It is as good today as it was then. It was always a good way to warm up during those cold Indiana winters of my childhood. It is still a favorite with my own grandchildren today. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

TOMATO BISQUE
2 tbsp butter
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups peeled and diced potato
4 chicken bouillon cubes
3 1/2 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 tsp basil
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 can (28-oz) whole tomatoes, do not drain
4 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
sour cream for garnish, if desired

In a large saucepan, melt the butter then add the onion and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes until transluscent. Stir occasionally during the cooking so as not to burn.

Add the diced potatoes, bouillon, water, and seasonings to the onion. Cover the pan and cook for 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and sugar to the potato/onion mixture. Stir well to blend. Replace lid and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.

Pour into blend in small batches and puree until smooth and thick. Pour into soup bowls and top with sour cream, if desired.

I like mine served with crackers or a crusty bread. Now that I am diabetic, it is usually a crusty whole-grain bread.

This soup can be made ahead of time, stored in the refrigerator and reheated to serve hot or may be served cold on hot summer days.

1950s HOMEMADE TOMATO SOUP
2 Tablesp. Wesson, pure vegetable oil
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced carrot
1/4 cup diced celery
2 8-oz. cans Hunt's Tomato Sauce
1/2 teasp. whole pepper
1/8 teasp. thyme
2 sprigs parsley
3 cups beef stock or bouillon
1/4 teasp. salt
1/2 teasp. pepper

Cook onion, carrot and celery in oil 5 minutes. Add Hunt's Tomato Sauce, seasonings, and parsley. Cover and simmer 1 hour. Strain and add beef stock, salt, and pepper. Heat together. Makes 4 servings.

How to Successfully Advertise Online Within the Fashion Retail Industry

Online advertising within the fashion retail industry is bigger than it has ever been before. With all the different social media networks, blogs, article websites, picture posting and all the other resources out there, figuring out where and how to even start can be quite overwhelming so we will be covering a few basic ideas in order to successfully advertise your products online.

For more reasons than none, advertising a single product line can be much easier and faster than advertising a company with many different types of products. At first thought, you may think it is the other way around and a company with many different types of products is much easier to advertise since you have more products to talk about and you will probably be involved in different sectors, which in time creates a more diverse background creating more opportunities to advertise not only online but anywhere.

In some cases this can be true but for this particular case we are speaking in terms of product optimization, which is much more straightforward and organized than optimizing for an entire company with various types of product. This specific advertising also serves as a starting ground for a larger and more diverse company in the future.

Since we are specifically speaking in terms of fashion apparel and retail companies, let's say you have just manufactured a pair of premium denim jeans that are similar to some of the most popular premium denim brands out there but you are able to offer them at a fraction of the cost. You could create a website and blog specifically targeting your premium denim jeans in order to get direct traffic from people searching those exact keywords. You could also create social accounts and post articles all targeting premium denim jeans. Make the online world of retail revolve around your product.

It is much easier to target a group of keywords relating to the same topic than it is to target a group of keywords that are scattered throughout a general category. All of this keyword targeting is a large part of how online retailers are successful that didn't have any type of prior advertising. To make this thought more clear, let's go back to premium denim jeans. If this same individual or company decided to go a different route and sell t-shirts, shoes, sweaters, shorts and watches on top of their jeans, they wouldn't get the same results because they would be optimizing for clothing in general. Yes, they could after a considerable amount of time but nothing compared to the time frame of one particular product. Concentrating all your online advertising energy on one specific product creates success.

If you look at specialty brands that are successful it is because they have focused heavily on one particular product, which draws attention to their other products. Sticking with premium denim, look at brands like True Religion Brand Jeans, 7 For All Mankind or even Rock & Republic. They all initially started out with premium denim jeans and now they are known for their other apparel and accessories as well as their overall lifestyle.

This last topic of online advertising within the fashion industry is an article in itself so we are going to keep this short and to the point and save all the details for another day. Say you have already created a website with a blog, created an account with every social media network you can think of and have articles posted, press releases submitted and the whole nine yards but you still want more. Say hello to affiliate programs. There are many out there, some better than others, but pick a solid one like Commission Junction or Google Affiliate Network. This will allow you to submit your product catalog to thousands of people who then post your products on their websites to be sold. Yes, you have to give these people a commission, usually 5-15%, but the potential for spreading the word about your product is endless and could be one of the most effective ways to advertise online within the fashion industry.

Dress Up Your Meals With An Old Fashion Salad

BThe salad recipes in this article are all salads from the past that are still popular today. At your next meal, cook-out, picnic, etc, why not serve an old fashion salad. You will no doubt receive rave reviews for your White Corn Salad, Lettuce-Blue Cheese-Salad or American Potato Salad.

WHITE CORN SALAD
This is not one of my original recipes but one I grew up eating when my late mother clipped it from a local newspaper (now defunct) send-in recipe column. There is a local pharmacy ad on back of the recipe with a phone number that begins BR-5-... Now that does take you back, doesn't it? Most of you younger reader's never had a phone number like that!

2 cans whole kernel white corn
1 medium green pepper*
1 medium onion
3 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
tomato wedges
pimento strips

Drain 2 cans of whole kernel white corn. Slice green pepper and onion in thin slices, mix with corn. Cover and let stand in refrigerator for about an hour. Before serving, toss with oil and vinegar, and season to taste. Garnish with tomato wedges and pimento strips.

*In Southern Indiana where I was raised, a green pepper is a bell pepper.

LETTUCE - BLUE CHEESE SALAD
1 head lettuce
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 oz blue cheese
salt and pepper
dash of cayenne
1/4 cup salad oil
2 tbs. vinegar
1/2 tbs. paprika

Tear lettuce into small pieces. Toss the lettuce and cabbage together. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Crumble the cheese and mix together with the cayenne, oil, vinegar, and paprika. When combined, toss over the vegetables. Good idea to add fresh tomatoes and green pepper slices for more color.

AMERICAN POTATO SALAD
1 cup mayonnaise-style salad dressing
1 tsp prepared mustard
1/2 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
4 cups cubed potatoes, cooked
2 boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped sweet pickle

In a large mixing bowl combine the salad dressing, mustard, celery seed, salt, and pepper, mixing well. Add the potatoes, eggs, onion, celery, and sweet pickle; toss together gently to coat. Refrigerate until time to serve. Also keep leftovers refrigerated (if you have any!).

Style on Show - London Fashion In Focus

For those who love fashion, there are many places to find stylish wear in the UK capital. London boasts many different top-name designers as well as a few up and coming ones and more, for less. When you come to London and stay near one of the city's most famous landmarks - Hyde Park - you will be smack bang in the centre of fashion.

Style Is All Around - Fashion In Focus

Paris isn't the only city you can count on for fashion. In fact, with many of the world's best designers in the English capital, you're certain to discover many fashion finds near and around the vicinity of your Hyde Park hotel. London is home to such prestigious names in the fashion industry such as Paul Smith, Burberry, Lulu Guiness, Alice Temperley, Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney and more. If fashion is what's on top of your agenda, you'll find it here, whatever your style.

Designer Fashions

If top-of-the-line clothes from big-name designers are your kind of style, you'll find them in spades without having to go far from your Hyde Park hotel. London's top brands such as Burberry, Vivienne Westwood and Paul Smith have multiple branches in the city, and the big department stores such as Harrod's stock many of their latest creations as well. If you're willing to venture a bit farther from your Hyde Park hotel, London's top shopping destinations such as Westfield and the Dover Street market offer many fabulous designer finds - from the current big players as well as creations from newer, up and coming names. You're only limited by your budget.

Bargain Fashions

Speaking of budgets, high fashion can be had at low prices for those who know where to look - and it's often not far from a Hyde Park hotel! London has fantastic shops with the latest styles at very affordable prices, as well as designer items at a fraction of their original cost. Here are a few places to look:

TK Maxx. If you're willing to spend some time hunting, you'll find big-name labels at very low prices on the endless rails of this store. You'll want to make sure you have plenty of time - the city's best bargain centre can be quite addicting! What's more, new stocks are delivered every day.

H&M. With many pieces from such designers such as Stella McCartney and Viktor & Rolf, you'll surely find plenty to suit your fashion needs at this popular store. You'll have a branch very close to your Hyde Park hotel- London's favourite clothing store seemingly has a branch on every corner! Stocks varies from branch to branch.

Designer and Sample Sales. Top labels for less are available through regular sample and designer sales in London. Designer Sales UK has five annual sales in March, May, September, October and December, while Designer Warehouse Sales are three-day sales occurring twelve times a year

Fashion Jobs and Fashion Career Advice

Picking one out of many fashion jobs generally is an overwhelming challenge. There are several different opportunities in the fashion industry that you might not be sure which one is best for you. With the high demand for fashion jobs, you need to be sure of what it is that you want to do so you can get started on pursuing your dream in this competitive industry. Below you will find descriptions for several fashion jobs and, subsequently, be one step closer to establishing your career in the fashion industry.

1. Fashion Designer

Thanks to shows like Project Runway, there are many people whose curiosity has been rose towards the fashion industry, exclusively, fashion design. A career as a fashion designer seems extravagant and rewarding but it takes a whole lot of work. A fashion designer must be well-informed of the latest trends (and sometimes even be ahead of them) and have the creativity to conceptualize new designs. A fashion designer creates sketches, whether by hand or with computer-aided design (CAD) software, of their designs and must be familiar with fabrics and materials in order to create samples that show what the final product would look like. As a fashion designer you can specialize in clothing design, footwear or accessories. Fashion jobs like that of a fashion designer are prolonged with grueling hours of intensive work and lots of traveling if you want to promote your designs. Fashion designers work under pressure to meet deadlines and make an impression on fashion buyers and other potential clients. As a fashion designer you would need not only talent and creativity but also thick skin and dedication.

2. Fashion Merchandising

Fashion jobs in merchandising can be very challenging. A fashion merchandiser must know what consumers really want, how to present it to them, what they want to pay for it and how to lure them to purchase. A fashion merchandiser is not just an expert in fashion but must also have strong business, financial and advertising skills. As a fashion designer you might find yourself creating budgets, tracking profits and losses, tracking inventory, developing marketing strategies and even putting together creative visual displays to draw in consumers. It's a career that entails many different roles but also has many opportunities to grow and advance in.

3. Fashion Buyer

Fashion buyers are among the most crucial people for brands and companies. They must have good communication skills, be aggressive, organized and driven. As a fashion buyer you work hand in hand with designers, merchandisers and other key people to select what pieces to present to consumers and ensure that best-sellers are continually available. Buyers must be mindful of both current and future trends so they can make the right choices of clothing, shoes, accessories, etc. to ensure high profits. Working with suppliers to negotiate prices suggests that a fashion buyer must have good interpersonal skills, be educated in market costs and also in consumer demands. Fashion buyers must be ready to work under pressure, travel and research and analyze in order to make practical decisions on what products to offer their target customer base.

4. Fashion Director

Fashion directors, also known as creative directors or fashion coordinators, are in charge of the image and look of a store, magazine or a fashion house. They are accountable for that first impression given when people look at ad campaigns, shoots and even fashion films. A fashion director must make sure that the models, photographers, location and concepts characterize the store, brand, or magazine in the best and most genuine way. One of the most well known creative directors in the industry is Grace Coddington who, alongside Anna Wintour and other industry professionals, are a part of American Vogue. In the documentary "The September Issue" we are able to see Coddington showing us her best work and the steps she takes to produce the magnificent spreads in Vogue. Now, don't think it will be a snap landing one of these fashion jobs. Be prepared for long hours of work, creative stumps, frequent traveling, crazy deadlines, and being willing to go back to the drawing board time and time again. Remember, as a fashion director you are responsible for the image of a brand; you produce something that the whole world will see. People will base their opinions on what you present to them. As one of the top fashion jobs in the industry, the pressure is on!

Fashion Jobs - The List Goes On

5. Fashion Forecaster

Probably one of the highest ranking careers in the fashion industry, fashion forecasters do just that, forecast the future trends and styles. This is much more sophisticated than forecasting the weather. Not only does a fashion forecaster need to have in depth knowledge of fashion but he or she must also be creative and surely have the skills necessary to research and analyze potential trends, colors, fabrics and patterns. Fashion forecasters seek inspiration in everything from movies, music, even science and technology. Getting a position as a fashion forecaster is one of the most prestigious of all fashion jobs you could aspire to.

6. Fashion Stylist

A fashion stylist has the easy (or is it?) task of making someone look good. A stylist must be familiar with what colors, fabrics and styles work best to flatter someone's shape while also knowing ways to accessorize and finish the perfect outfit. Fashion stylists are responsible for picking the best pieces for photoshoots, events, etc. and putting them together for the final product. A stylist's reputation lies on how good the client looks and, in the case of ad campaigns, whether or not the stylist can communicate the image and vision of a product. Don't be surprised if, as a fashion stylist, you find yourself traveling for motivation or shopping for clothing, or even spending a day (or a few) revamping a client's closet. Finding fashion jobs for stylists can be as uncomplicated as working as a personal shopper or styling photo shoots for websites or local magazines or newspapers.

7. Fashion Photographer

It's not just about knowing just how to take a good picture. Fashion photographers basically have two fields to be good at: fashion and photography. The photography part consists of knowing what angles, lighting, etc. As far as the fashion, photographers really need to be experts in that as well. A fashion photographer should always know what the best trends are, top designers, top fashion events and any other heavy hitter aspects of the industry. Fashion jobs in this field can consist of taking pictures for model portfolios, ad campaigns, and fashion shows. Fashion photographers are responsible for producing a shot that requires excellent technical skills and extensive fashion knowledge. For example, when a fashion photographer goes to shoot at a fashion show he or she must know exactly when to snap the shot of that model wearing the flowing dress. The picture must showcase how the fabric moves and flows instead of displaying a dress that falls limp and drags on the floor. A fashion photographer works hand in hand with stylists, makeup artists and models to ensure that the final product is efficient in sending a visual message.

8. Fashion Editor

Fashion editors supervise the direction of a fashion publication, website and other media. They are in charge for editing a fashion writer's work, making suggestions, and researching the possibilities of future stories. Fashion writers must be aware of trends and classics to assure that coverage is provided for the target audience. A fashion editor works under the pressure of meeting deadlines, supervising writers, discovering features and fresh ideas all while staying current on the industry and scanning the levels of competition. Some of the qualities necessary for one of these fashion jobs are being organized, punctual, able to communicate verbally and have impeccable writing and journalistic skills. Being one of the most competitive fashion jobs in the industry, a fashion editor should be ready to put some hard work in and spend long nights brewing up excellent, creative content.

9. Fashion Writer

Being a fashion writer is not as easy as picking up a pen and paper (or laptop, tablet, etc.) but includes extensive amounts of research. Fashion writers must be current on their knowledge of fashion and creative when drumming up writing ideas. Of course, outstanding writing skills are a must and meeting deadlines are also fundamental in this career. Fashion writers can execute interviews, cover fashion events and supply reviews of products. You have a choice of working as a freelance writer, with television shows, websites, blogs, smaller publications like local magazines and newspapers or with major publications such as Vogue or Elle, among others. This is one of those fashion jobs where you can find many opportunities and can be fairly simple to get started.

10. Fashion PR (Fashion Public Relations)

Creating a good consumer opinion is of the utmost importance for this fashion job. Where advertising and marketing can create a consumer desire to purchase a certain fashion item, public relations handles the image in its relation to the public eye. Public opinion can gauge the success and longevity of a company. Out of all the fashion jobs mentioned, fashion pr is the piece that ties it all together.

Tips For Choosing Comfortable Shoes in Fashion

We are really living in an era when the average person can choose whether they want the fashion-look or comfort in a shoe. Or both! We have such advanced technology available to us and such excellent craftsmanship at our fingertips. Now if we can afford the price we've got it made.

There are some points to remember when you are shopping for shoes according to Jaleh Hoorfar who is a doctor of podiatric medicine and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey show.

Sizes aren't the same for all brands of shoes.

Different designers will have different sizes for the same number. European shoes are often narrower in the front. Dr. Hoorfar suggests trying on a half size larger or smaller than your regular size. She also says shop for shoes later in the day when your feet might be a bit larger from swelling. Get measured yearly. Feet can flatten and widen as you get older, are pregnant, or gain weight.

Beware of heavy shoes.

It takes a lot of effort to walk in them. Your feet get tired and will tend to roll in, giving you painful side effects.

Flexible shoe materials are what you get.

Dr. Hoorfar says that patent leather is very popular this year but it is not a very flexible material and does not accommodate the foot very well. Look for leather that is high-quality, flexible, and soft. She says that suede is an ideal choice. Also watch if the shoe is topstitched because that can lessen the elasticity of the fit.

Soft cushioning is essential.

The feet so not have a lot of fat on them so some padding in the shoe makes them much more comfortable. New technology has also provided nearly invisible gel pads which can be used under the ball of the foot when wearing heels

Watch the height of the heel.

Dr. Hoorfar likes to limit her heels to 3 inches. The width of the heel also matters too. Wider ones will not wobble as opposed to the spindly kind. By the way the spindly kind are terrible for ankles. It will also make a difference if the heel is centered under your foot rather that too far back.

Look for substantial soles.

Very thin bottoms on your shoes do not protect your feet from the hard pavement and rocky ground. Some of our most popular styles today, like wedges and platforms, have solid bottoms that can absorb the shock of the foot hitting the ground.

Lower risk with high-cut shoes.

Bunions can form when the shoe rubs against the foot at the widest point. This happens when you have "sexy toe cleavage". A toe casing that is covered is safer. Also if you have deep-dipping sides it will allow the foot to slop over the edges instead of staying correctly aligned.

Look for adjustability.

Check to see if the shoe has laces, straps, or ties that you could loosen if your feet would swell.

Mary Lou Wagoner is a retired teacher of 36 years. She has done a lot of standing in those years and really appreciates shoes that are comfortable and still look nice. It is worth doing the extra looking to meet these needs

The Best Way to Market New Fashion Designers Online

Clothing is a huge business online and if done right, it can be a great success. There are many fashion designers and even graphic designers who have great clothing ideas but aren't sure how to market themselves or their ideas so they get seen by the right clientele. Some of you are even probably thinking to yourself, well I already know how to make a website and sell my clothes online. If that's the case then you are one step closer, but how long does it take for a new site to show up in searches on Google or a new blog to get followers? The answer is quite some time so why not eliminate the wait and get better results faster utilizing the right websites.

There are websites like eBay and Oodle where you can post ads to sell your clothing but you are amongst cars, furniture, artwork, toys, etc. Plus, people don't really go to these places to find the one of a kind item that is in style with the latest up and coming epic trends. There is another website called Etsy, which is one of the nicer, more functional websites to sell your items on but again the variety of products that they sell limits the appropriate visitors you're trying to attract. Then there will be those websites that strictly allow clothing ads, which gives you a better chance of getting your designer clothing seen but most of the posts are brand name products that are mass produced and sometimes even used. None of these examples are really an ideal place for an up and coming fashion superstar to start listing their clothing so there has to be another option.

Well there is another option and it's a great opportunity for people in this position, people who have great talent and just want to show the fashion world their potential. What these designers really need is a website where only custom made clothes, designed clothes and fashion designs are allowed to be posted so the appropriate audience sees your product since it is an environment where all items are relatively similar. These fashionable items would include premium denim jeans, graphic t-shirts, blouses, tank tops, blazers, dresses and then your basic accessories including watches, handbags, belts and shoes. The list goes on but you get the point. The most popular outfits right now are being worn for a night in the city or an afternoon on Main Street where only the hottest urban like attire is permitted. Brands which are similar to this style but not limited to are Express, True Religion, Lucky Brand, Buckle, Abercrombie & Fitch. But again, there are other brands that fit in this category but you get the point. In addition to being able to post your designer fashion on the same website as other designers with a similar taste in fashion but at the same time all so different, wouldn't it be awesome if you could have a portfolio including a biography as well as the rest of your designer fashion clothing?! Just imagine a website where you can send pictures of your clothing as well as biography and the rest is done for you. It's that easy!

There are too many great clothing designers out there that go unnoticed so it's time that there is a website created in order for these items and their designers to be seen. So get on the web and look for that epic website that will display your individuality among other creative people of similar but different taste. Clothing is a huge business online and if done right can be a great success so take advantage of this opportunity.

How To Do Your Own Fashion PR

Having a fashion publicist is definitely worth the cost, but if you're an emerging fashion designer, that may not be a business expense you can afford just yet. If you're working with a zero budget for your PR campaign, don't sweat. (Well, try not to.) Here are a few ways to get around that dilemma and pitch your fashion label on your own:

1. Do research on how to pitch effectively.

One of the biggest gripes that magazine editors have are weak pitches! If you're going to go head-on with an editor, especially in fashion, have your pitch down to perfection as a PR professional would. Research what to say and what not to say. Know whom you are contacting by first name, last name, and title. Think of the "elevator pitch". Can you introduce yourself and describe your company within 15 seconds? That's how direct your pitch should be. List the basic who, what, where, why, when, and how in an easy, conversational tone, and conclude with an open-ended question about following up with you to send more information about your label.

2. Getting a follow-up and properly responding.

If you're lucky, a fashion editor will get back to you in regards to featuring your collection in an upcoming issue. Be prepared for any requests that may be asked, i.e. designer bio, line sheets, lending agreements, or lookbook images. At this point, your lookbook or press kit should already be completed for your current collection, and make sure that it's updated for every new season. Be swift in your responses to editors when they ask for things because they can easily move on to the next designer if you're not keeping up with them. Remember, they have frantic deadlines and you're considered to be on their time!

3. Sending your press release to the media.

A well-prepared press release can definitely alert the media of your new collection. Spend some time on PR distribution websites and study how the best ones are written. Follow the standard model of a press release and formulate a few paragraphs about the new release of your collection and about you as the designer. Set up a free account with press release distribution sites and schedule your releases to be sent out to the local media. You can also e-mail and fax your press release directly to news stations and newspapers (they're always looking for local stories to cover). Who knows - what if you're called in to be featured in a morning news segment? That's definitely a good look for your press portfolio.

4. Invite the media to your launch party.

If you plan on celebrating the launch of your new collection, you're responsible for securing the venue, setting up the event, and sending out media invites. It's best to send formal invites to editors through the mail at least 3-4 weeks in advance so that gives them the opportunity to pencil you in their schedule. Fashion bloggers are also great to invite, of course. Event photos, blog write-ups, and Twitter mentions from different bloggers means more publicity for your fashion line, which you need in order to attract more customers. Make sure to save your press clips and send thank-yous to anyone doing coverage of your event.

5. Make friends with fashion stylists.

Another way to possibly have your fashion line featured in a magazine is to have a stylist hook-up. They're always pulling clothes for photo shoots and looking for hot, new designers to work with. Get acquainted with some fashion stylists in your area by using social media and going to different fashion events in your city. It's also good to know a lot of photographers, models, and makeup artists who can probably help get your collection used in an editorial photo shoot.

There's so much work that goes into handling the PR side of a fashion label that more than likely should be handled by a pro. Once your label starts becoming increasingly profitable, hiring a good PR team to help you market your brand would be the best way to go. While it's in your hands for now, do tons of research on the job of a fashion publicist and implement some of those ideas into your own marketing campaign.

Yummy Old Fashion Chocolate Recipes

Two of my favorite things come together in this article. Chocolate and old fashion recipes; is there anything better? If you love chocolate, you are going to love these recipes for a Chocolate Bar Pie and Black Forest Layer Cake Squares!

CHOCOLATE BAR PIE
1 (8-oz) milk chocolate or special dark candy bar
1/3 cup milk
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup heavy cream
Chocolate crumb pie crust

Chocolate crumb crust: Combine 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer OR graham cracker crumbs, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, and 6 tablespoons butter that has been melted. Press mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool before adding filling.

Filling: Break bar into sections; melt with milk and marshmallows in the top of a double boiler over hot water stirring constantly until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Whip the heavy cream until stiff; fold into the chocolate mixture. Pour the filling into the cooled crust and chill several hours. Garnish with dollops of whipped cream and squares of chocolate candy bar.

BLACK FOREST LAYER CAKE SQUARES
1 box (1 lb 2 1/4-oz) devil's food cake mix
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups water
3 eggs
1 can (21-oz) cherry pie filling
3/4 tsp almond extract
2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
chocolate shavings for garnish, if desired
stemmed maraschino cherries for garnish, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottom with waxed paper and spray the paper; set aside.

Prepare the cake mix as directed on the package using the flour, water, and eggs. Pour mixture into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes or until the cake springs back when touched lightly in the center. Remove the cake from the pan and remove the waxed paper. Cool for 15 minutes.

Combine the pie filling and 1/2 tsp of the almond extract in a small bowl; mix well.

Cut the cake in half crosswise to form two 10 x 7-inch layers. Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter or tray. Spread the pie filling mixture over the top of the layer; top filling with the remaining layer.

Stir the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of the almond extract into the whipped topping. Spread the mixture over the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with the chocolate shavings and stemmed cherries, if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving time.

You Get the Best With Wholesale Fashion Jewelry

When you talk about fashion, it is very obvious that what you are talking about includes jewelry. Fashion in the real essence of it means almost everything you put on your body when you are on the move. Some of the other aspects of the fashion life have been seen as being very normal and traditional. They include things like your clothes, shoes and wrist watches. On the other hand things like the full-time jewelry aspect of fashion have been seen as the extraordinary side of it. This has made it that people will now consider you as having fashioned up if you have your jewelry's on.

There are a lot of wholesale fashion jewelry dealers in many locations around and they deal in lots of jewelry. You will get everything in the region of jewelry from them. You will agree with me that when it comes to the use of jewelry both for men and women, it is one of the things that you make use of in very large quantity and since these wholesale fashion jewelry sellers are there for you, you can now get sets of jewelry very cheap. There are firms that have been in the business of fashion jewelry wholesale for a very long time. It is not surprising to experience shops and organizations that have been in this for up to 25 to 30 years. What this does for them is that they have good connections and buying power and the direct implication and effect of this is that they will be able to access all the good quality fashion jewelry in very low prices and give them to you on a very low-cost. This is what wholesale fashion jewelry is all about.

Due to the fact that people who are in need of these fashion jewelry buy in large quantities, a lot of selling conditions has also been put together to give them these things in very good prices to appreciate their patronage in all fronts. Wholesale fashion jewelry dealers deal on designer look jewelry which will involve all the jewelry that comes from most of the designing firms that are in the business of churning out very good jewelry pieces for the world at large. They also deal on crystal jewelry. They also go into Christian jewelry. This means that the set of jewelry that has Christian connotations like the cross, crucifix and even the rosary are also well designed and stocked for your use. They also engage in theme bracelets and many other things you will need.

Most of the products you will get from many of the firms that are into the sale of wholesale fashion jewelry of all sorts will definitely include but not limited to wrist-watches of all makes, brands and even materials, cuff links, necklaces, rings, pendants, brooches and many others. They are always available on the stable of these firms and in most cases they also have very good shipping options to let these things get to their buyers when you order for delivery online. The next thing is that you cannot isolate fashion from jewels and that is why these jewels are made to be very fashionable and trendy. They will give you silver type of jewels, they will also give you these in gold or even diamond if you like. You will get most of the beads that are very beautiful and fashionable, designed with more natural and good-looking materials. But one thing that is very obvious with these wholesale fashion jewelry dealers is that they will definitely give you the best set of jewels with good quality.

Cruise Ship Fashion Tips

Anyone going on a cruise for the first time, and even the occasional seasoned cruiser is likely to get confused about the dress code on board. Some family friendly ships will be all about casual clothing, while other more "grown up" vessels will require you to be dressed smartly most times of the day.

Fortunately, the cruise industry has realised how difficult it can be to understand the requirements of each ship and so provides basic guidelines on what to wear in the information pack given out to customers upon completing their booking.

But how do you crack that code and get your outfits just right? What counts as casual and how formal is formal?

Women's Daywear

To satisfy any ship's casual daywear policy, pack lots of light jersey dresses that you can accessorise accordingly each morning. You might be spending the day exploring one of the stops along the way so make sure the dress is comfortable to walk around in. Pair it with a pair of flat leather sandals. If you've gone for a strappy number, throw a light shawl around your shoulders as too much skin on show might not satisfy the dress code norms.

For chillier climates, pack wrap dresses in a variety of colours and patterns as these are a classic, conservative garment that'll tick all the right boxes.

Men's Daywear

During the day men can get away with wearing shorts. Avoid baggy styles, and pairs with lots of pockets opting instead for classic, knee-length cuts in block colours. Team these with a smart T-shirt such as a polo or button-front in a contrasting colour. Wear either light plimsoll-style shoes or leather sandals to finish off the casual day look.

For cooler days, pack a few pairs of chinos.

Women's Evening Attire

You'll probably have a mix of formal and smart casual evening events throughout the duration of your cruise so pack for both.

For smart casual evenings, you can wear tailored trousers paired with a cardigan set and classic jewellery such as pearls, silver or gold. Alternatively, substitute thr trousers for a lightly flared skirt.

When it comes to formalwear, dresses are definitely expected. Mini styles are no-gos no matter the temperature, unfortunately. Over the knee and floor-length gowns are usually the requirement. Avoid bright colours and daring cuts, instead sticking to the conservative. You can definitely afford to wear more jewellery on a night like this with sparkly jewels totally accepted.

Men's Evening Attire

Men can't get away with wearing shorts in the evenings as you risk not being let into the dining room. Jeans are also a risky option but are accepted on some ships.
Instead, wear a light pair of linen trousers or chinos teamed with a classic, button-front shirt with long or short sleeves. Take a few mens blazers to throw on over the outfit for the chillier evening hours.

For formal evenings, a suit or even a tux is the rule. These should be dark, but you can also wear a white dinner jacket. Finish off the look with a simple tie or bow tie.

Harvey McEwan writes to offer information and advice on a variety of areas, from styling mens blazers to festival fashion tips. View Harvey's other articles to find out more.