The Boomers Blog – Fashion Blog

Buying clothes these days is always a choice between the designer-made outfit or those cheap but quality items that you could pull together and express your personality in many different ways.

Most experts contend that clothes can definitely make or break a person. They say that your personality is usually reflected on how you dress up. But it does not necessarily mean that good fashion would absolutely mean expensive clothes.

Hence, you can still make a remarkable fashion statement without having to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars just for your clothes.

Here is a list of some money-saving tips when buying clothes that would turn other people’s heads to you but would not definitely break your wallet.

1. Do the math

Choosing fashionable clothes can be really tricky, not unless you know how to do the math! So before you buy three sets of clothes that would cost you hundreds of dollars, try to go for the budget-friendly dozen of items that you can even match alternatively.

The number of expensive items that your money can buy is definitely doubled or even tripled when you buy cheaper ones but can still make a good fashion statement.

2. Know what you want

Saving money is definitely based on knowing what you want whenever you spend your money on something. If you know what you want, this means that you have researched the item, have compared them with the other items, you will be able to come up with the lowest price of the product. 

3. Drive your way to a “thrift store”

Usually, these “thrift stores” are non-profit organizations. This means that they are usually operating for charity. They give their proceeds to some charitable institutions. 

Hence, the prices of the clothes being sold in the thrift store are absolutely cheaper than the ones being sold in the department store. So that would mean many savings for you.

Best of all, you do not only get to save more money, you get to do some charity work as well.

The bottom line here is that when shopping for clothes, do not shop for the brand name, shop for the quality.

Nowadays, you just have to be practical. Better spend your money on more important things than those designer clothes.

Hire a skilled jeweler? Not necessarily. These tips will help any man understand the diamond ring market, and what to look for when shopping for that valuable asset for your fingers.

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Big LCD screen for the Superbowl….or diamond ring? New car smell spray…or diamond ring. Ok, men, you will have to accept that a ring is a wonderful, timeless addition to your life that can not only be passed down, but will be a symbol of status, identity, and will add an element of class to admirers. You don’t, however, have to give up the budget for New Car Smell spray to afford a good looking diamond ring. Like buying a car or house, it is always important to start out with a preferred budget in mind. Unless you require the equivalent attention of big star rappers who could fund the continuation of diamond apparel singlehandedly, most other men won’t be impressed by how much is spent or to what level of “bling” the ring has. Less is more in contemporary trends; unless you are the rapper.

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There are quite possibly more styles of men’s diamond rings available today than you could entertain yourself with over a lifetime of search engine pages. Determining your style preference in a diamond ring may be easy depending on how defined your style of dress is. Do you favor the traditional, vintage, unique and strange, or modern? Just about every style is reflected through the various metals and diamond setting options available. Remember, a lifetime could be spent on search engines with all the options out there. Begin by narrowing searches down by your choice of style– and every man has style. In beginning your search, you may need to get to know the diamond world a little better. To start with, refer to this diamond ring mini dictionary.

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Men’s Diamond Ring Mini Dictionary

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What type of cut does the diamond exhibit? Different cuts show of different colors and brilliance.

The presence (or lack thereof) of inclusions or defects. Most diamonds have some type of tiny imperfection. A better clarity score means the less likely there are carbon spots or even cracks. Typically a diamond clarity score of FI, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, and IS2 will be beautiful stones with virtually invisible imperfections.

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Unless the diamond is naturally a color other than white, color score refers to how white a clear diamond is. White diamonds are scored on “how white” they actually are. D is the whitest score and Z is the most yellow.

Maybe the most important factor in women’s jewelry, the carat measures a diamond’s natural weight. The heavier the diamond or total diamond weight, the more costly it will be.

Not always considered a diamond “C”, the diamond certificate is a document that proves the previous four Cs to certify that the diamond is what it is. These certificates are issued by the Gemological Institute of America of the American Gemological Laboratory.

Probably the most popular setting of men’s diamond rings. Channel set diamonds are diamonds set in a band with a seeming invisible setting.

A setting in which a stone is held in place by little metal claws or prongs. Normally made with very thin metal.

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Still the most popular choice for rings. Commonly made in 9kt, 14kt and 18kt options. There are many different gold colors available, the most popular being yellow, white, and rose golds.

A brilliant white metal, hypoallergenic, and very endurable. Considered the most elite (and expensive) form of metal, platinum is so hard that it cannot be nicked or scratched, and will remain beautiful throughout time.

White-grey in color, silver is one of the least expensive choices, but still elegant and popular choices for dress jewelry and wedding rings. Silver can tarnish, and may turn black with age. It also will be prone to scratches from everyday wear.

- Not to be confused with carat. Carat is a precious stone’s weight, like a 1 carat diamond. Karat is the purity of a precious metal with mixed alloys. A 14 karat gold ring would mean there are 14 parts gold to 14 parts alloy content.

Silver-grey-white in color, and is the hardest natural metal in the world. Also resistant to scratches and damage unlike gold and silver. Titanium is very lightweight, and available in many different colors.

Heavy grey-white metal is a soft heavy metal that is virtually indestructible. More affordable than platinum, tungsten is growing in market popularity.

Less expensive metal that is resistant to corrosion. Stainless steel can be polished to resemble a more expensive metal.

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It would be easier for an experienced jeweler to explain diamond rings for men when a) he or she has the inventory there to describe to you and b) because there is too much information to explain in this short article. Good jewelers can provide friendly and informative advice, and are normally able to interpret your budget and design preferences to something they have in stock. There are also many certified jewelers found online that have their own online inventories.

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You might be able to bypass this step if you go to a physical store that sells men’s diamond rings. These places normally have sizing rings just to help you find the right size. On the other hand, you won’t have this luxury if shopping online, and it would be best to start off prepared by knowing what size ring you wear. Some jewelers provide their own ring sizers. To do it the old fashioned way, take a strip of paper at least ¾ inches in width, wrap it around your finger to the point it overlaps, and mark that spot with a pen. Measure the strip from end to marked point in millimeters, and use the following chart to determine your ring size.

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This graph is provided by namenecklace.com.

The following .pdf can also be printed out for assistance: http://www.namenecklace.com.au/files/Determine_Your_Ring_Size-NameNecklace.pdf

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You can find many styles of diamond rings. But a princess cut diamond rings are the best choice to consider if you are looking for your dream wedding rings.

When you compare princess cut to commonly available cuts of diamond rings, so this style offers the maximum sparkle. Princess cut in diamonds is one of the most artistic of works that jewelers undertake from the moment the raw diamond is procured from beneath the surface of the earth.

The technical name of this type of ring “square modified brilliant” is it’s another name. The Princes cut diamonds have been available since 1970′s. This kind of ring is in vogue until now. You can make the cost of the princess wedding rings down apparently with a little wonderful diamond included.

Princess cut diamond rings for her. If you want her wedding ring fancy with economic budget, choose princess diamonds running around the whole ring with a few diamonds well placed along the top.

Princess cut diamond rings for him.  For the groom: For different look, it can be setted in lines running down or across the finger

Princess cut diamond rings for other setting styles. Wanna fabulous Princess diamond wedding rings? Just set your ring in secure channel settings, and bezel settings. To make the size of diamond higher, you can set your ring with platinum surround or a white gold. For a greater variety with the engagement ring, you can choose a channel set wedding rings, this type of ring, can keep the diamonds down low.

For extra sparkle and visual appeal, you can pick Princess Cut diamond rings in one row, two, or multiples. The points to determine how many rows you will be able to have is the width of the wedding ring shank.

Wanna different look for you wedding ring? Choose bar settings or prong settings. This style of ring has each square diamond separated by a bar running down between each diamond. This type leaves also the diamonds more on display than in a channel setting.

So now you know why you should get princess cut diamond rings. For those who wanting the sparkle of a brilliant diamond and prefer the symmetry of a square shaped diamond, just choose Princess cut diamond rings.

Please also check out my other guide on Heart Shaped Diamond Engagement Rings and Wedding Anniversary Rings

It is a well known fact that the right pair of high heels can make your feet look sexy. The first rule of high heel shoe shopping is ‘the higher the heel, the more you should spend.’ That doesn’t mean you can’t find a comfortable pair of sexy high heels for under $50, you probably won’t find a pair of stilettos or platform shoes in that range, though. There are several things to consider when you are choosing the perfect pair of high heels : 1. If you hate your toes, opt for pumps with a closed toe, or try a peep-toe pump to see if its less-revealing style covers the parts you hate most. Rough heels won’t look good in a backless sandal, but there are plenty of shoes with open toes that still cover the back of your feet. 2. Rule number two is to emphasize the nice things about your feet. Also an obvious trick, but since we usually tend to focus on what we don’t like, it’s easy to forget what is good about our feet, for example : pumps will accentuate the graceful curves of high arches, ankle straps can highlight a shapely ankle, and of course slides can show off the perfect set of nails. If you’re still convinced that every aspect of your foot is horrid, then find sexy shoes that cover as much as possible. 3. Your shoes must fit if you want your feet to look sexy. Even the most perfect foot looks awkward if it’s hanging over the edge of its sandal — no matter how hot the sandal in question is, and a foot that looks as if it’s been crammed into a pump that’s too tight will give the impression that your feet are so big you can’t find shoes to fit. The same can be said for ankle straps. If they’re cutting into your skin, loosen them or skip them altogether. They shouldn’t be too loose, but if they’re too tight, they will look as uncomfortable as they feel. 4. When you’ve found a pair of high heel or platform shoes you really love, wear them around the shoe store for a short while. If there are any problems, your feet will tell you rather quickly. Take them home but keep your store slip. 5. Wear them around your home for an hour or two. The reason for the home wear is two-fold; first, you won’t hurt yourself as much should you fall or stumble. Second, you won’t wear the soles or the heels should you need to return them. If you have blisters or discomfort in any way, you should return them to the shoe store straight away.

10 Tips on Heels:

By Tasha Bell

Worried about walking in high heels? Try these confidence boosters.

1. Don’t be afraid of platforms. They give added height, security, and extra stability. Find a classy platform with a wide heel to keep a jazzy look. Find a platform with a slim heel and a rise no more than .5 inches to keep business/dressy look.

2. Wear wedges. Wedges also give the same height, with more security than a platform. The wedge restricts movement of the heel, decreasing the chances of sudden heel shifting and mobility. Try a non cloth, mule wedge with slim straps to keep a business/professional look.

3. Practice! Yes, believe it or not, this really works! Try walking around on carpet in your heels for a few days before wearing them in public. Just do the things that you would normally do, dishes, cleaning, take out the trash, go to the mailbox or simply walking around your living room. Stairs are great if you have them. This help you to familiarize yourself with the shoes, the intricacies, and movements of the heels, so that when you do go into public, you know what to expect.

4. If your shoes have a smooth bottom, scuff the heels first. This will reduce the chances of you slipping.

5. Buy shoes that have ‘no slip grip’ on the bottom. This will also reduce your chances of slipping, possibly increasing your confidence level.

6. Start with a low heel and work your way up. Start with a 2.5 inch heel. Walk in them consistently for an hour each day. This will help to build your calf muscles, which is the primary muscle working when you wear heels. After 2 weeks, move to a 3 inch heel, practicing the same. Then move to a 3.5 inch heel, practicing the same. Then move to a 4 inch heel. Before you know it, you will be a high heel shoe diva!

7. Make sure the shoes fit comfortably!!! This is absolutely key. Now seriously, don’t try to get a pair of shoes, a half size too small and make them fit. This is not healthy, for you feet, legs, back, or shoulders. Ensuring the your shoes fit helps the aforementioned keep properly aligned. Furthermore, ensure that your shoulders, back, and posture stay straight up and erect. Walk with the confidence God gave you. Know that you are beautiful and each day is God’s way of showing you love and mercy. Be thankful, know that He loves your and you are His, show it in your posture. Walking slumped over is not good, high heels or flats, so straighten up ladies and walk with confidence!

8. Wear cushions. Dr. School’s makes great inserts for ladies shoes. I favor the gel inserts for the balls of the foot. They are clear, therefore unnoticeable, and extremely comfy. They reduce the shock to the balls of your feet and lower back.

9. Hide the height………There are shoes made with hidden platforms and rises at the ball of the foot to decrease arch stretch. These are cool and comfortable fake outs.

10. Take care of your feet. Get pedicures regularly. I have learned my lesson! It is not just about making your feet look pretty, but about making them feel good. Good pedicures allow the legs and feet to be massaged, increasing circulation, critical for good foot health. Dead skin and hard spots should also be removed, leaving you with soft, supple feet, ready for walking.

In previous years, plus-size women have difficulty buying fashionable and flattering designer clothes. It’s been widely known that designer apparels are only for model-type figure and not suited for full-figured women. All these curvy-women can do is settle for unflattering RTW clothing available at the malls and retail outlets or spend more to have their clothes customized to suit their personality and price.Nowadays, plus-size women can wear elegant and well-crafted designer clothes. With the sprouting of online shops catering also for plus-size women; they can choose from various styles and designs available. In order to get hold of designer pieces, you have to save extra dollars. Designer apparel for plus size women are more expensive because of their uniqueness, attention to detail, and use and quality of fabric. Below are some tips to consider on buying affordable plus size clothes:1. Search and visit some websites which cater also for plus size women. There are definitely sales on numerous designer clothes, which plus size women can actually afford. You can also find great deals on eBay for branded dresses, tops, skirts, and jeans.2. Designers such as Kimora Lee Simmons for Baby Phat, Calvin Klein, Marina Rinaldi, Isaac Mizrahi and many more have sizes available up to 24W or sizes up to 3 to 5 times.3. Shops such as Target, Macy’s, and Saks Fifth Avenue among others carry many designer clothes with big sizes at affordable prices. Being big or curvy does not mean that you can not wear beautiful designer clothes having cheap price tags. You just have to be resourceful and determined in finding some online shops or stores which are on sale to find the perfect designer clothes.

Trends come and go, but defining your own look is timeless.  Designer clothes speak volumes of the man who chooses them.  Your choice in clothing gives the world a glimpse into your style and even your personality.  Whether you opt for a more casual look that includes denim, jumpers and trainers or if you prefer the more stated look that includes dressier trousers and button downs, you know it has to be comfortable, look well and fit well.

With more of us heading to the keyboard to do our designer clothes shopping online, it becomes even more important to understand the nuances associated with men’s clothing.  Fabrics, cuts and even colour combinations are all part of the look you present to the world.

Unlike women, men have a more streamlined approach when it comes to updating the wardrobe.  A few categories, a favorite colour and a vague idea of what he likes are generally the things men arm themselves with in the quest for fashion.  Ah, but there are a few more considerations.  In short, men’s designer clothes are made to compliment the man, not define him.   That said; keep in mind these few tips when shopping for designer clothes.

Shopping for designer clothes shouldn’t be a stressful undertaking.  Enjoy the ride and allow your fashion sense to take over.  You just might like what’s staring back from the mirror.

It’s ok to wear high heels. In fact, shoes with at least an inch heel are recommended for individuals with flatfeet, tight calves and arch pain. But, once the height of the heel exceeds 1.5″, the amount of force transferred to the ball of the foot increases substantially. Common problems that develop or are aggravated as a result of long term wear of high heels include bunions, hammertoes, calf contraction (which can lead to Achilles tendonitis) and ball of foot pain, including metatarsalgia, sesamoiditis and neuromas. To help avoid or minimize these problems, follow these simple steps:For everyday wear, stick with 1-1.5 inch heels. Save the 3″ and higher heels for occasional dinners and events. Don’t wear the same heels every day. Rotate your shoes, wearing different styles and different heel heights each day. Choose a wider heel with higher heels. A wider, thicker heel will add stability to the shoe and help maintain balance. For high heels, choose shoes with thicker straps. Although strappy high heels may go well with a certain outfits, the less material on the shoe, the less support you will have which can lead to problems with balance. Make sure the shoe fits well. If you have to over-tighten a strap because your foot is sliding out of the shoe, then the shoes are too big. If your toes are cramped in the shoe before standing and walking, the shoes are too small. Choose high heeled sandals with back straps. High heeled sandals without a back strap are a recipe for disaster. There is very little material to hold the foot on the shoe and the potential for a fall is much greater. Make sure the foot fits well in the heel area. In high heels, the foot will slide forward. The greater the heel height, the greater chance for the foot to slide forward. A shoe with a more narrow heel will offer a better fit at the heel. This adds stability and helps to prevent the foot from sliding forward. Avoid high heeled shoes with a steep slope. Some high heels have a sharp drop from the heel to the toe area. The steeper this slope, the less contact with the arch and the less stability and support. The more gradual the slope, the better the fit. Massage your foot after a day or evening in high heels. For arch pain, roll your foot over a frozen sports water bottle. Stretch both your foot and your calf after wearing high heels. To stretch the arch, rest your foot on the opposite knee and pull the toes back. Wear low heeled shoes around the house. Change shoes when you arrive home and spend the evening without heels on. This will allow your foot to adapt to the flat surface and help keep your calf stretched out.. Try insoles in your high heels. Research has shown that shoe inserts designed for high heeled shoes improve comfort and decrease force and pressure on the ball of the foot. Use metatarsal pads under the ball of the foot. Place a thin pad in the shoe, at the area under the ball of the foot to add cushion and shock absorption. Don’t ignore foot problems. If foot pain starts to develop, seek medical attention immediately.

Because of the extreme demands for diamond rings, there are a lot of designs to choose from. In fact, when you go inside the jewelry store, about 80 percent of the rings that they are selling have diamonds in them.
With literally hundreds, thousands and perhaps even millions of designs on your plate, how do you find then a unique diamond ring that you can call your own?
Basically, there are no designs that are exactly alike. Unless a customer asked to copy one design, a design will remain unique. Differences however lie on the details and not on the general design or the overall look. In fact, people will not be able to tell the difference between some designs unless they look at them closely. In order to really own something that is really unique, you really have to make an effort to look. Here are some ways that will allow you to wear a diamond ring like no other.
1. Create your own.
Why not try to design your own ring? Most stores accept made to order so why not try to submit a sketch of that diamond ring that you have been wanting to own? Who knows, it might just be workable.
When you ask for the ring to be made to order, make sure that you are aware of the price. The sales personnel will surely ask you to choose from their loose diamonds so be aware of the budget that you have set. Also, ask first if there is an additional charge for made-to-order pieces. Although most stores do it for free, it is still good to ask just to make sure that there are no hidden charges.
2. Try it with other stones
Solitaire diamond rings may seem really nice but unfortunately most people already own a diamond solitaire ring and what is more, there is only a few ways to set the diamonds on the gold. Chances are, new designs are not that many. If you really want designs that are unique, try diamond rings that have other stones with it like emeralds, rubies or sapphires. Try to pair it with the color of your eyes and see if it fits you.
3. Be on the look out for new designs or unique pieces
Not everything that is sold in the stores are carbon copies of each other. In fact, there are pieces that are actually unique. Try to be on the look out for these kinds of pieces. If you do not have the patience, ask the store personnel.

Perfumes have been a special choice for many people, especially women. The sweet smell has a power to entice everyone, particularly, men. Sometimes, the choice of perfume reflects the personality of the person who wears it.
Each kind of perfume is unique in its fragrance and it adds to the personality depending on the occasion when you wear it. Moreover, there are special techniques of applying perfume on the body.
The use of perfume dates back to the ancient period in the history of mankind. During that period, perfumes were pure extracts of flowers. The tradition of perfume has never changed till date though the formula and techniques of preparing perfumes have taken a great change in due course.
Today, there are several companies manufacturing perfumes and making the world a great place for scents. According to a school of thought, perfume was an accessory manufactured mainly for the fair sex. Some refute this belief saying that perfume has always been gender neutral. However, in the modern days, perfume manufactures packaging perfume by dividing the gender. Hence, based on the gender, different forums are available for men and women.
Perfume is one of the most sought-after accessories women want to improve and express their personality. Hence, it brings a great deal of joy to them. It is the perfume that makes a woman sexy, mystical and desirable among men. It is no wonder then why the perfume is referred as magic spray. To make sure that this spray is used with optimum effectiveness, a couple of tips would do you a world of good. Here they are:
1. It is a very common practice for many women to apply perfume on their wrists. This is actually a very effective technique as the wrist is a pulse or pressure point and it is extremely beneficial for perfume application. However, many women rub their wrists together as it reduces the effectiveness of the fragrance.
2. Some people lose perfume because of their lack of knowledge on how to use it. Many perfume user forgets to secure you lead of the bottle tightly. As a result they let the precious perfume evaporate in the process.
Perfume, like any water substance, can evaporate if exposed to sunlight. Hence, the best way to make your perfume last longer is to ensure that the lead of the perfume bottle is secured when it is not in use.
3. A perfume is as good as it smells. After this is why women use it for. This is precisely why women spend a fortune on buying their favorite perfume. Sadly, perfume has a way of fading away during the course of the day. Usually, the perfume particles diffuse away leaving nothing on your skin or dress.
However, should you need to ensure that the fragrance last longer, you can reapply the perfume to make its fragrance last as long as you want. As a thumb rule, you should use it once in every four hours.
The significance of female perfumes has always been considered with utmost seriousness. However, it has further increased in the modern days because we are living in a cosmetic world where the very first impression is made by the way you come across to others.
Apart from the a decent dress code appropriate to different specific occasion, perfume also figures prominently among a wide range of accessories that women adore.
Hence, the importance of perfume becomes extremely critical in making a first impression as well. This is why it is important to follow the above tips on how to use a perfume and make the most of the fragrance that emanates from it.