Visitors to the American Southwest often marvel at the lovely turquoise and silver jewelry made by the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni people who live in the area now known as Arizona and New Mexico. Of course, before the invasion of the western hemisphere by Europeans, this was the realm of the native people who named it using words from their various languages.

Today, tourists, collectors and other shoppers enjoy going into trading posts, pawn shops, antique shops and fashionable jewelry boutiques hoping to uncover treasures of genuine native turquoise jewelry, in the form of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, belt buckles and other articles. But these bangles were not always so desirable and expensive.

During the 1950s, when western style square dancing began to become popular in the United States, these native Indian fashions became incorporated into the wardrobe of the men and women square dancers who wore Stetson hats, cowboy boots, squaw dresses or crinoline skirts.

As time passed, traditional native American jewelry became trendy as artists, singers and movie stars were seen adorning their bodies with so-called “Indian” style jewelry crafted from turquoise, silver and coral.

Curiously, it is not only the native people of North America who make this kind of jewelry. If you travel to parts of India, Nepal and Tibet, you will also see very similar looking jewelry — rings and necklaces handcrafted from silver and inlaid with turquoise and coral stones.

Those who believe in the spiritual properties of gemstones say that turquoise may enhance the spiritual journeys and wisdom of one who wears it. According to some American native traditions, turquoise jewelry is worn because it is a power stone and it also helps to heal the spirit.

Research on the symbolic meaning of turquoise reveals that this stone has been used historically by traditional people in Europe and Asia for protection and also to attract love, money and happiness.

If you are fortunate enough to own some antique turquoise jewelry, remember this stone is much less hard than, for example, a diamond. Because it can be scratched more easily, you should store your precious turquoise necklace, earrings or other pieces in a soft cloth bag.

Many native American Indian groups incorporate turquoise into silver and even precious gold pieces. Owners of vintage turquoise and silver jewelry should resist the temptation to polish their items. This is because collectors prize old silver jewelry that has developed a patina over the years, and this is one of the marks they use to determine whether a piece is a genuine antique or merely a replica of a more valuable article.

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As you get older, are you just a little nervous about making more style and beauty mistakes? I have some ideas to help you become more comfortable with your style choices, and look better day-to-day:

· Go to a mall. Sit with a foo-foo coffee or a smoothie; watch and notice fashion combinations that you like. Bring a notebook, and write them down! Then imitate those in a way that is YOU.
· Ask a friend and/or a family member that has good taste to go shopping with you. Tell them to be completely honest. They don’t have to be mean when they tell you, but they do need to be clear when something isn’t right. They could say something like, “it is not the most flattering look for you”, or “it makes you look outdated”.
· One word – UNDERGARMENTS. Sexy is great, and you should always feel sexy. Comfortable is key as well. However, if something is fitted, you MUST wear the proper undergarments that smooth you out. SPANX, or something similar, are a girl’s best friend. A proper fitting bra, truly, is one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give. I wore the wrong size for 35 years. What a difference when I finally got sized!!
· Look closely in the mirror. Don’t be obsessive, but be honest. If it is something that you can fix with a little extra beauty time, work on it. I love beauty nights. I lock the door, get out all my beauty products, and make it an evening. I put deep conditioner in my hair, and pull it up in a ponytail. I scrub my face and put on a facemask. I do an at-home pedicure. I dry brush my body, then moisturize head-to-toe. The last thing is a manicure. Then, I pour myself a glass of wine, and watch a Lifetime movie. Bliss, seriously. And, my skin, hair and body are so happy for it!
· On a daily basis, do NOT ignore your skin below the chin. Many women do skincare and sunscreen on the face, and then stop. Make SURE you go all the way down the décolletage as well. It does NOT look good to have a wrinkly, freckly neck and chest.
· If your legs are starting to get more and more freckles and varicose veins, use sunless tanning lotion. It does a great job of covering imperfections.
· If you have decided to go for laser treatments or Botox, check out the facility thoroughly. Though these procedures are done often, they are not to be taken lightly. They can do damage.

The last bit of advice I have for you is the most important. Have an air of confidence (not conceit – confidence). It the best beauty tip of all. A woman with confidence radiates. Women and men want to be around them. If you really don’t “own” that confidence yet, fake it til you feel it. It will come. Being over fifty is a great thing. You have so many experiences behind you, and so much ahead of you. Enjoy it!

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We love our Earth. We separate the aluminum from the glass from the paper from the trash. We turn the air conditioner off when we leave the house. We don’t leave the car running or drive to places within walking distance. We do our part to reduce our impact on the environment–and we’re happy to! But we can do even more; we can wear green pride like a badge of honor with eco-friendly organic fashion. It’s more than a statement. It’s window into our chosen way of life.

The world is beautiful, and we are privileged to preserve her. Let’s be dutiful! So, why organic fashion?

By definition, organic clothing is not processed with harmful chemicals such as synthetic dye or chemical-based finish. These substances contribute to pollution and are technically toxic. Yikes! Eco-friendly fabrics are manufactured through processes that use less water and energy and produce less waste, often employing renewable energy sources like solar or wind energy–as opposed to non-renewable resources like coal.

Eco-friendly fabrics may be created in part from recycled materials. Using old materials to make new ones diverts waste away from landfills and other waste management systems while reducing the use of virgin materials. Newly manufactured organic fabrics are made from non-petroleum derived fibers, which occur naturally in the environment and are therefore biodegradable: they can be broken down by natural processes and do not release toxins into the environment. In truly organic fabrics, these plant (or animal) sources are renewable and are cultivated using environmentally friendly and sustainable farming techniques, employing organic fertilizers to avoid pollution, crop rotation to avoid erosion–and many more.

Conscious consumers, be on the alert for “green washing,” a practice by which some companies attempt to benefit from the Green Movement by marketing their products as “eco-friendly,” even if they aren’t. Keep informed! Look for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification or one of the other eco-friendly textile labels. These labels certify that all stages of textile production have met the specified requirements for environmental friendliness!

Here’s a quick rundown of the best and worst fabrics in terms of sustainability:

Worst:

1. Polyester: as a petroleum-based fabric, polyester has the highest carbon footprint of any other fabric, which makes it the worst pollution offender, despite its low price and popularity.
2. Nylon: another petroleum-based by-product. The production of nylon generates several toxic by-products. Definitely a material to avoid.
3. Lycra-spandex: Spandex is a polyurthethane fabric (yet another petroleum by-product) often used to add “stretch” to fabrics. By nature, spandex has a high carbon footprint, so if you must buy stretchy fabrics, look for those with the lowest percentage of spandex possible.

Best:

1. Organic cotton: organic cotton is non-GMO and grown without the use of synthetic agricultural chemicals. As of 2007, worldwide production was growing as a rate of 50% a year! Organic cotton is versatile, soft and comfortable.
2. Organic hemp: hemp is one of the world’s most beneficial agricultural crops, providing food, clothing, shelter and medicine. Organic hemp clothing is soft and durable.
3. Bamboo fabric: bamboo grows fast and can be farmed without pesticides or chemical additives. It’s also 100% biodegradable! Yay! With its silky feel and natural moisture-wicking abilities, bamboo fabric is quickly becoming one of the most popular options for eco-friendly clothing.

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What is goth?

Gothic fashion has nothing to do with dramatic medieval architecture or Germanic tribes that overthrew the Roman Empire. Today, gothic or goth, is a culture itself. It is a way of life, reflected in clothes, jewelry, music, attitude, and all fashion and art.

Gothic fashion history

Goth originated in England during the early-1980’s as a subculture from punk – developing its’ own music, literature and fashion. It’s thought the name derived from an article called The face of Punk Gothique in a UK rock magazine published in 1981. Movies like The Crow brought the culture across the Atlantic, first to California.

40-years and stronger than ever!

Gothic popularity has been increased by the media and the desire for youngsters to look different. Perhaps this is why gothic customs have survived much longer than other subcultures from the same era.

Being goth

Goths take the culture very serious to the extent of a way of life. They believe that good and evil, beauty and destruction, light and dark, can’t exist without each other – and therefore their values of these are different to the norm.

They have a perverse sense of humour and a love of dark 19-century literature and their own music. Goths can find art and beauty where these seem to be lacking

Why become goth?

Although dressing in Victorian black velvet and wearing armour rings is artificial – Goths do so to show off their culture and attitude to life. Being “dark” allows them to view life’s bad sides in a positive way.

Some youngsters turn to goth culture to mirror the way they feel about their life, especially if they find it difficult to fit in society or mix with others. There is nothing wrong with this – in fact, it is a good thing for people to learn to express their individuality. Far better to expose these feelings this way, then in a violent or anti-social form.

False assumptions

Some think that gothic culture is negative, glamorizing sadism and doom. Others believe Goths are violent and anarchist. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Goths are usually relaxed, tolerant, non-violent and pacifistic people who use their fascination with death to look at life optimistically. Furthermore, goths are usually creative, using their imagination to make themselves stand out from others.

Goth things:

• Body piercing
• Bondage
• Crucifix
• Dark clothing
• Dark wristbands
• Different hair style
• Egyptian ankh
• Eye of Ra
• Full finger rings
• Light make-up
• Punk rings
• Spike jewelry

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Everyone wants a treasured piece of jewelry. People do not realize that if they can not afford the real deal, there are more options. Gone are those days of longing. Fashion jewelry is making a splash! No longer do you have to scrimp and save in order to buy a necklace. There is the less expensive option of fashion jewelry.

A common misconception is that fashion jewelry is too fake looking. Now, you can get almost as real looking as real. Most people think that this title comes along with only costume jewelry or play jewelry for little kids. Little do they realize that this is not even remotely true.

Yes, there is definitely plenty of the fake stuff that looks, well, fake. There is the play and costume jewelry. Little girls wrap plenty of these fake beads around them all day. There is however, nicer “fake” jewelry. You do not have to only spend ridiculous amounts of money to achieve the status of having a nice piece of jewelry.

Fashion jewelry comes in all different types. There are of course diamonds and pearls, and all the imitations of the different stones. If you buy a good quality, you might not even be able to tell that it is not real. Sometimes, even when you can tell it is not real, it is still beautiful and can be quite fashionable. A lot of people nowadays opt for a piece of fashion jewelry. Sometimes, it is even their first choice. You do not only have to wear an expensive piece of jewelry to make a statement. Even with fashion jewelry, you can do this.

Buying fashion jewelry gives you the ability to have a selection of different items. You might have a necklace or two with real diamonds that you would like to save for a very special occasion. For every other time, you can buy a variety of fashion jewelry. You are then able to have something new for each outfit you wear! Since it does not cost nearly as much money as real jewelry, you can afford to go all out on getting something new each time you have an occasion. Whether at an office party, a night out with friends, or even a baseball game. The possibilities are endless!

Today, it is everywhere! From every boutique you walk into, to every stand at the mall. Some are better quality than others, so it is good to get from a reputable, nice store. And do not think that you are the only one who is doing this. Everyone who is anyone wears fashion jewelry. Just about anyone you seen wearing jewelry on a regular day, are not wearing a real diamond or pearl. It is highly accepted and recommended. It has become an acceptable fashion statement that saves you money. There is no longer reason to be ashamed if you can not afford a new necklace for your friend’s wedding; or an event where everyone will be wearing beautiful new jewelry. Majority of those people are wearing fashion jewelry! You are saving money and still being fashionable. All in good time. You will get that gorgeous diamond and pearl necklace you have your eye on, one day. In the mean time, why not go with a cheaper option? It’s still a beautiful first choice, and nobody will know the difference!

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The media paints pictures that absorb into our minds faster and more secretly than anything else. This is especially true when considering minority groups, and is true when considering the physical image of the blind. As blind people live in a sighted world, it’s extremely important that all blind people know how to make natural beauty and fashion a part of their everyday lives. When a blind person gets up in the morning, he/she takes a shower and shaves just like anyone else. Then comes clothing, a little hair styling, some make-up, some shoes, a coat, a cane, maybe some shades, and it’s out the door! So, what rules should blind people follow so that they always look their best?

Is it absolutely important to obey all of the rules of fashion? No, it isn’t. The idea of natural beauty for anyone is to dress in such a way that feels good. It really doesn’t matter if it’s this year’s or last year’s fashion that achieves this goal. The point is that, just like for anyone, a blind person’s dress appeals to the situation at hand. In any case, it’s of absolute importance to make absolutely sure that clothes are clean and cared for. The reality is that the sighted expect the blind to look a little disheveled. It’s not, unless it’s for a particular look, advisable for blind people to wear clothing with holes or missing buttons. If the blind person chooses to wear sunglasses, choose a style that fits the shape and frame of the face and hair. The lenses must be clean and without major scratching. Finally, be aware of whether or not glasses are bent or crooked upon the face. As there are alternative techniques for doing things without sight, this is true for maintaining clothing.

Accessibility is no problem in considering fashion. For example, Brailled clothing tags make it easy to determine the color of clothing. There are several ways to keep socks with their mates for proper matching, and safety pins can be pinned through stains in clothing for later treatment and washing. Technologies such as color identifiers are available from specialized retailers to make fashions a little more accessible, especially when out shopping. The services of a sighted reader are helpful for determining sizes on tags, colors, patterns, and whether or not the item actually looks good with the individual and what he/she is trying to accomplish. Make-up is easily applied to the face by touch, and it never hurts to consult with a cosmetician to insure that proper colors are chosen for one’s complexion. Consulting sighted friends is a good way to see that one is aware of the fashions of the day, and the help of other blind people is useful to learn techniques specific to blind people.

Natural beauty isn’t just for the sighted. The blind need to be equally aware of aesthetics and how they can work with each individual. It doesn’t require an inordinate amount of time to put it all together. Even so, it’s important to assure that the sighted take the blind seriously, and proper appearance is a great start to get there.

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Long skirt fashion is here to stay. This is because numerous women are enamored in this type of clothing. Many consider long skirts as fashionable and elegant. Others find this piece of clothing as chic and attractive. They make sure that they have one or two of this item in their wardrobe.

Since they are ideal for all types of occasion, lengthy skirts are considered as a versatile dress that every lady must own. Others consider it as a modest dress, with a huge number of ladies opting for this women’s piece instead of the short or mini skirt. Today, long types are available in a variety of beautiful designs and styles, each of which each a particular body type.

Attractive Lengthy Skirt Varieties

Straight Type

This apparel is both elegant and fashionable. Straight skirts are worn on any occasion, whether on a formal or casual event. Some women love to wear straight ones that have back or side slits, revealing a small portion of the legs. Fabrics used on this type of women’s apparel are cotton, silk, polyester, and satin.

A-line Skirt

This type of women’s clothing can look elegant on any body type. It is usually worn with a matching blouse or jacket. If the skirt has a print or pattern, it is a must that it is matched with just a simple and neutral-colored blouse.

Ruffled Skirts

As the name implies, this variety boasts of beautiful ruffles, the presence of which on the attire makes it look elegant and modish. However, ruffled types are not the right piece for ladies on the heavy side as such embellishment will make them appear bigger.

Wrap Around

This type is also perfect for all types of woman’s body. The skirt is typically wrapped around the waist, giving an overall sophisticated and chic look. The wrap around is popular among older women. It is one of their favorite pieces to wear especially during special occasions. Most boutiques downtown and stores on the Internet sell wrap around pieces of various colors, fabrics, and styles at affordable prices.

Mermaid

This piece of women’s apparel has a tight fit around the waist and hips, extending to the knees. The bottom portion flares in a fashion that’s similar to the tail of a mermaid. This piece is best worn by tall and thin ladies.

Flowing Skirt

This is a long type that flows down to the ankle part, which makes it very comfortable to wear. Typical items are usually available with a variety of colorful prints and designs of flowers. The fabric used in the creation of this apparel is cotton.

Whatever might be a woman’s choice for this type of clothing, she mustn’t only consider the prevailing long skirt fashion that will make her exude the “in” look; she must also consider comfort and ease of use in her selection of long skirts.

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