The Beautiful Project

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Calgary Stampede 2012, The Western Wear

The Western Fashion was in full display at the just concluded Centennial Calgary Stampede. Dubbed the Greatest outdoor show, it was no surprise that a record 1.4 million guests walked through the gates during the 10 day event, July 6-15, 2012, beating the previous attendance record by over 147, 000 from 2006.

The Cowboy fashion trend was unmistakable as you can see here, from the Cowboy boots to the hat with the plaid shirt and denim jeans, the Wild West was brought to life one more time...

Cowboy hat from Los Cabos

Thanks for stopping by...

Friday, July 13, 2012

Shoe Obsession, The Glossary of Styles Explained

Nothing wrong with having an extensive collection of shoes. Shoes never worn before. Shoes collecting dust, while competing with other sister shoes for limited space on that wobbly shoe rack that has fallen over more than once when you walk by. Shoes that still have tags on them. shoes that you got on sale that don't fit right. Antiquated shoes that are out of style and will be better displayed at the city shoe museum. Shoes that can not be incorporated into any outfit even with the help of Polyvore.

But each one of them hold a special place in your heart and when you will let your best girl friend borrow from your priced collection, so much strain is put on your friendship. But can you tell your Oxford's from your Mary Jane's? Or can you make out a d'Orsay pumps?

The first step to properly organizing your excessive shoe collection is knowing them by their names. Their proper names. Here is a glossary, very abridged glossary of some of the more popular shoe styles that are representing in your closet...

The Stiletto

Gold and Diamond Studded Stilettos

Also known as Spike heels, Stiletto describes the shoe heel which is pointy, high and thin. The shoe of choice if you anticipate a confrontation later in the evening

English: Red High Heel Pumps (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pumps

This is the standard bearer of women's shoes, with a low-cut front and closed back with nothing to help secure the shoe to the foot by way of straps, buckles, laces or ties, in the classic look.

The shape of the toes can be round, pointy, almond-shaped, or square.

2011 Dior Black Leather Platform Wedges

Jessica Simpson Wooden Platform Shoes

Melissa Shoes Designed by Vivienne Westwood

Nine West Arnell Oxfords

UK Tods Loafers

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Kente Cloth Versus Kente Wax Print

If you can't tell the difference between Original Kente Cloth and The Kente Wax Print counterpart, you are not alone as advancement in industrial textile manufacturing have blurred the lines leaving the inexperienced fashionista befuddled. Allow me to explain. First do a double take at these three Kente Dress Styles...
Can you tell the real Kente from the print? Well neither could I.

I attended a traditional function a couple of weekends ago where I obtained pictures of these gorgeous traditional African dress styles. I had to seek help from some friends, Kente experts, if I may to tell the legit Kente from the wannabe Kente. I am not about to spill the goods on which Kente fabric shown here is the real deal but I will share what I learned from the questions I asked how you can tell the authentic fabric apart from the print version.

Real Kente is hand-woven on a loom, an intricate and time-consuming process, the resulting fabric hence can be up to ten times more expensive than the printed version. The more obvious difference however is the cleaner, sharper delineations of the geometric patterns seen on the Kente print. If it looks too good to be true, chances are it is.

The real Kente is woven using Rayon, a much thicker fabric than the mostly cotton or silk used for the Kente print. As a consequence, the Kente Print is far more malleable, lending itself to more elaborate dress styles.

So much for the differences. The obvious trend I noticed at the traditional function is how folks wore their Kente. Pinks and Blues were the common colours, and I am guessing it is probably a 2012 thing. Notice how in the pictures a chosen accent colour is used for accessorizing the outfit to achieve a more elegant and modern look. I am referring to the Gele, head gear, which adds a Nigerian dimension to the Kente ensemble. If you like bold colours, your are going to appreciate these looks...

I will explore the traditional way that Kente is worn by the Asante people in celebrating their culture and heritage in a blog post coming soon so visit the blog again if you like all things Kente.

Thanks for stopping by..

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Aimee Copeland Starts Rehab In High Spirits

For Aimee Copeland, a graduate student, when it rained it poured and flooded, maiming her physically, but not her dreams and ambitions as she makes her way from Doctor's Hospital, Augusta to begin six weeks of Rehabilitation.

Aimee Copeland's battle with flesh eating disease (Necrotizing fasciitis) was the result of a freak accident, zip- lining over a West Georgia River. Aimee, 24 went Kayaking on the Little Talapoosa River, Georgia on May 1st. She jumped on a homemade zip line for a quick fun ride but the line snapped and she fell, cutting her calf on a rock. Her cuts got stapled in an emergency treatment but contracted flesh eating disease a few days thereafter.

The flesh eating disease claimed her left leg, right foot, and both hands as doctors battled to stem the tide of the debilitating disease. When Aimee learned she will suffer amputations to save her life her response was "let's do this" while inquiring about prosthetic devices in the same breath, an indomitable spirit that carried her through the painful amputations and skin grafts she received.

Last Monday she was discharged from the Doctor's Hospital, having spent some 59 days, received 200 units of fresh frozen plasma and red blood cells and a plethora of other life-support management care.

At the Inpatient Rehab facility that will be home for Aimee Copeland for the next 6 weeks, she will learn to use a motorized wheelchair and eventually prosthetic limbs, at the same time when volunteers are scrambling to remodel her childhood home to accommodate her new needs.

Aimee Copeland is determined to complete her graduate studies by the end of this year and intends to walk on stage to receive her masters degree. Thanks to a lot of support from her family and her community doors are opening to make all of this possible says her father. Rob Ponder, a long time family friend, an Architect volunteered his services crafting the Aimee Wing, an extension to the Copeland home in Snellville, Georgia. At her behest, the two-story wing will contain her bedroom, sun room and a study where she can complete her master's thesis, and a gym to regain her strength and muscle tone.

Volunteers have already demolished a deck and armed with the necessary building permit, work is already underway at a go go go pace to keep up with the recovery of a woman who has exceeded expectation at every turn in this harrowing saga, lest she is due to be released from rehab and building of her new home which will include an elevator, is not complete. This is how her community have been showing their support through fundraising for Aimee Copeland.

Aimee Copeland's upbeat reaction to all of this has brought tears to her father's eyes and he explains, "I wasn't crying because Aimee was going to lose her hands and foot, I was crying because in all of my 53 years of existence, I have never seen such a strong display of courage", says Andy Copeland. He added "I am the proud father of an incredibly courageous young lady."

Aimee Copeland to Rehab, photo credit Andy Copeland

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

BET Awards 2012, The Finest Dresses

The 2012 BET Awards concluded this past weekend at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles with some of the notable stars showing in elegant dresses flashing long legs and flaunting assets. For Beyonce, Mariah Carey and Brandy there is no question they are enjoying motherhood, giving how fit they looked.

Beyonce was dressed in yellow, the hottest colour of the night, with a long slit baring a lot of legs. Her friend Kim Kardashian wore white, colour-coordinating with Kanye West, a tight fitting, very low back gown, but she pulled it off elegantly.

Nicki Minaj who does not skip an opportunity to flaunt her booty busted animal print tights for her bottoms. Mariah Carey and Brandy were relatively conservative in their ensembles but very graceful nonetheless.