How to Decorate a Christmas Tree

Chances are that decorating a Christmas tree is no mystery to you. But wouldn't you like to know a few designer tricks? How about ways to get more lushness and drama? The secret is in the layers.

First. the Lights

Sparkle and shine comes primarily from the tree lights. Faceted glass bulbs will refract more light and appear brighter.

Small twinkle lights and colored lights also have impact when you layer several strands and pair them with ornaments having reflective surfaces.

To illuminate the tree from the inside out, string lights around the trunk and the branches.

Starting at the base of the trunk and working up, wrap the lights around every major branch, moving from the trunk to the tip and back.

Don't skimp on lights! For every vertical foot of tree, use a strand of 100 lights.

And don't be afraid to mix and match lights. There's no rule stating that you can only use one kind.

A "background" of white or clear lights can be highlighted with strands of colored lights that wrap the outside of the tree.

Experiment with different lighting schemes until you get one you like.

Second, the Garland

There are no firm rules when draping garlands on a tree (as long as you don't create a sausage effect, with branches bulging between tightly-cinched garlands).

Start at the top, stringing less garland, and work your way down, increasing the amount of garland.

Thin bead garlands look best swagged from branch to branch; thick paper, ribbon, or foil garlands look best wrapped loosely around the entire tree.

Use a variety of garlands -- from plain to fancy -- to avoid a busy look. For every vertical foot of tree, use about two strands of garland.

Third, the Ornaments 

To showcase your ornaments, start with the most important ones. Then hang the largest ornaments, spacing them evenly apart. Fill in around them with medium and small sizes, balancing the overall look.

Finish with specialty shapes, such as bird clip-ons. For interesting variety, include all shapes, from icicles to teardrops. And create depth by hanging some ornaments closer to the trunk.

Orange Countiana returns!

The first issue of the newly-revived Orange Countiana historical journal is finally out, and it's outstanding.
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A couple years ago, I started encouraging the Orange County Historical Society (OCHS) to get back to the business of publishing substantive local history. Thanks to the Society's board and our editor, Phil Brigandi, the long-dormant Orange Countiana was brought back to life -- this time as an annual publication. (The previous five issues were published somewhat randomly over the course of more than 35 years.)
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I'm now on the editorial board -- But honestly, between our great contributors and an excellent editor, there wasn't much for me to tweak. Here are the major articles you'll find inside:

• Eighty Five Years In the Old Courthouse - Lecil Slaback
• Albert Barnes Clark: A Pioneer Community Leader - Paul R. Clark
• The Birth of Orange County - Phil Brigandi
• Orange County's Meandering Boundary: Coyote Creek - Esther Ridgway Cramer
• The Long Arms of the Octopus: Southern Pacific Politics in Early Orange County - Stan Oftelie
• Prohibiton Distills New Business on the South County Coast, Then Depression Pulls the Cork on the Good Life - Doris I. Walker

Some of the contributors will speak and sign journals at the OCHS holiday gathering on Thurs., Dec. 9, 2010, 7:30pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., Orange. The meeting is open to the public and refreshments will be served.
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All OCHS members receive a free copy of Orange Countiana. Additional copies, or copies for non-members are available for $20 each. (Hint: Individual membership in OCHS is $20 a year, so you might just want to join!) If you can't attend the meeting and are not a member, feel free to contact me about purchasing a copy.

Welcome Summer

It's the first day of summer here in Melbourne, and although the weather doesn't necessarily reflect this today, we are still always excited for breezy, bright and colourful fashions. This gorgeous collection by Mary Katrantzou, from the Spring 2011 ready to wear runway, was the first individual show for the designer. While she used relatively basic shapes and cuts, her prints had amazing depth and symmetry, which created almost abstract optical illusions. Inspired by the importance of backgrounds in photographs, Katrantzou "wanted to put the room on the woman, rather than the woman in the room". She even used detailing such as curtain-like chiffons, wall sconce necklaces and dangling crystals like those on vintage lampshades. We love the contrast of simplicity and intricacy in her collection, definitely a label to watch!

Myriam Girard Fresh Collection for Autumn / Winter 2010

Wonderful collection that so sexy, beautiful, seductive and exuberant creates a flattering designs ensuring women to feel beautiful in her lingerie. French designer who launched collection using only silk and french chantilly lace for an ultimate seduction design.

Completely versatile collection includes teddies and jumpsuits, slips and camis, lingerie sets and bodies. Trimmed with the wispiest lace the silk pieces are uber-feminine and luscious. One of the collection’s stunning pieces is Ravissante a set of Chantilly lace and silk satin body with matching thong.

Another of Myriam Girard Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection’s pearls is Sensuelle pink silk satin set, which includes bra, cutout knicker, and suspender adorned with black leavers lace. It’s truly vintage and sensual.

High Heels ... How to Walk With

If you are fan of high-heels then you might to have a classic pair to match with any lingerie sets, as this kind of footwear could add up to our height and creating a flattering legs for enhance our confident feeling.

Before we learn how to walk we learn how to stand. The same principle works with the heels. Put them on, stand with your back straight, use mirror to see how you look.

To maintain balance, which is very important in learning how to walk in heels as well as walking in heels in general, practice on a hard floor or low carpeting floor.

Take a few steps pointing your toes forward, keeping your legs close to each other and keeping your back straight. Bad posture plus heels equals disaster, so be sure to work on your posture before putting on heels.

Start slowly. Keep a steady pace, keep your balance by swinging your arms a bit. Practice your pace walking back and forth. When you feel you can walk steadily as well as stop without wobbling you can try other surfaces and continue practice.

You might also want to start with chunky heels first before you go all stiletto. Look for shoes with support like ankle strap or the design that holds your foot really well. It will be easier to practice in those. If you are practicing solely for bedroom, then you can only practice at home where you will be wearing your heels.

Ted Baker | Fall - Winter Collection

We are women and each of us is special, crafted and gift needed to be treating carefully, need to be sexy and gorgeous. Take a look upon Ted Baker's lingerie for Fall or Winter i'm just keep thinking is it special or just nothing new, special as well. Could be Ted is talented enough in clothing but is he could something amazing for his lingerie collection ?

There are a lot of panties looking like grandma’s bloomers and tons of bras I wouldn’t dare to wear in front of my boyfriend.As for the girl modeling the lingerie, who in the world could pick her for the shoot? To me it’s a completely unknown model with no chances to attract customers to the collection.

Celebrity's 5 "Homecoming Hairstyles" Ideas

Get latest inspirational hair do as seen on famous celebrities below. Hopefully could giving a fresh new look on how you will arrange it for upcoming graduation day.

her curly messy updo is something that draw my attention, so sexy and adorable a great style for those who have a curly or wavy basic hair

you can adopt for this with pull your hair back and make some tiny bunch

side sweept with short curl and updo

long sleek and straight with bangs, fresh look as seen when she attending AMA's 2010

fresh in short bob with straight side swept bangs

Homecoming Hair | 2011 Hair Ideas

There is required for teen when having their graduated party in formal hairstyles and attire specially for homecoming dance. There are many selected hairstyles that they can take for the greatest part of changing from high school to adulthood.

To get the curly updo which is inspired by celebrities first section the hair into two parts, the top part and the bottom part. Throughout the bottom part of the hair, curl the hair and wrap pieces of hair around the barrel of the curling iron. This can help to achieve natural curls. Use finishing spray to ensure that these curls remain where they are supposed to.

Take the top section of the hair and bring it back from the face, pinning it through the back. If you have bangs and would like to show off your bangs, this can be done by sweeping them to the side in a romantic hairstyle.

Secure the hair that has been pulled back with pins and curl the ends which are left from the style. Now you have the option of pinning the curls to create a large and glamorous look through the back of the hair, or leaving the curls down.

Serena Williams is Dead ... Sort of

I like the idea of the Keep a Child Alive campaign but it's all a bit morbid don't you think? In attempts to raise money for charity a bunch of celebs will be logging off their social media accounts and playing dead "socially", meaning they will not sign back on until $1 million has been raised for Alicia Keys' Keep A Child Alive cause.

it's cold outside.. stay warm!

SNOOD

h&m, juicy couture (asos), zara

BOOTS

asos, h&m, zara

GLOVES

mango, promod, ugg

my yoox wishlist

armani t-shirt (25€), diesel white bag (55€), gf ferre' (215€)
yoox.com

Jewelry Biz - The Windsor Jewels At Auction...Again

Thank God Tabitha reminded me that today is the Sotheby's auction for the Windsor jewels...
I hadn't been paying attention.
Here's the famous 1952 Cartier onyx and diamond panther bracelet
which has estimates of 1 million to 1.5 million pounds.

That is pretty pricey for a panther...even one with provenance

Here's another view

Not only is it a great bracelet, it is iconic Cartier

But there is something, to me at least, not fresh about this collection.

In addition to the fact that the collection is so famous

haven't we seen all these items at auction before?

And would it be catty of me to say that these pretty panther pieces get around?

And what do we have here?

Oh it's a past  Beladora homepage photo with a panther bracelet.

And we have another perching panther from the past gracing the homepage of Beladora?

This one, in sapphires and diamonds sitting on a huge sapphire, had serious provenance too.

Don't get excited people, it's sold.

Now if you want to know about a woman with a jewel collection that put the Windsor's to shame

Dash has a post about the amazing Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda

Now this Baroda babe not only had an incredible life, she had some serious bling.

OK, bear with me just a little longer please because I just have to brag.

All of the photography for Beladora is done in house by the very talented Elizabeth Kollar.

Here's a link to the past homepage cover art for Beladora.

It's a good as anything that would come out of a fancy pants Madison Avenue advertising agency,

Don't you agree?