Derek Lam Pre-Fall 2012 Collection

Face the upcoming months fully prepared for changes fashion-wise with the refined alternatives from the Derek Lam fall 2012 collection and pick out the most flattering looks.

Though it might seem like the hot season has barely began, the days fly by and the transitional days will knock on our doors sooner than we imagine. Being prepared when the time comes is great, however evaluating our options ahead of time is even better, especially if we are talking about elegant yet super wearable choices like the ones included in the Derek Lam pre-fall 2012 collection. Feminine, versatile and sophisticated, the looks will definitely make you look forward to the upcoming months.

The ultra feminine perspective of the summer season is still very much present, yet much more toned down. The fabrics are naturally changing as well, taking into account the temperature changes one must adapt to. Small touches of edginess make the conservative options presented so much more interesting. Leather skirts are a fabulous example of a piece that can be part of a multitude of sophisticated ensembles while at the same time bringing an edgy flair. 

Fur trimmings, tailored blazers, low waist pants along with floor sweeping dresses are just some of the pieces the brand endorses to ensure we stay glamorous at all times. Perfect tailoring, discreet patterns and a hint of refinement can immediately create that gorgeous vibe that makes even the most versatile option look spectacular. A healthy blend of masculine and feminine vibes ensures a much desired balance bringing a new level of appeal to the looks.

Since refinement is the main goal here, the role of accessories is simply completing a look rather than becoming strong focal points. Golden loafers or sexy high heeled platform pumps bring both a fun touch and a creative alternative that ends up being just the right element to make the looks incredibly desirable. Strive for elegance and sophistication in between season with these completely dazzling alternatives.

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6 Summer Weight Loss Secrets

The bikini/pool-party season is just around the corner. Sculpt your silhouette with our guide of 6 summer weight loss secrets that really work.

Prepare for the summer with a well-sculpted silhouette. Use the following 6 weight loss secrets to get rid of a few extra pounds and get in top shape. Control your appetite and cravings by making the healthiest food options. Use time-tested methods to make small but efficient changes in your nutritional regime.

1. Skip Sauces and Spreads in Your Burger

Save hundreds of precious calories by skipping the high-fat sauces and spreads in your burger. Avoid mayonnaise and ketchup to get rid of extra pounds in the quickest time. Use this simple slimming trick to get used to a healthy meal plan.

2. Low Calorie Cheese Pizza

For lunch you can opt for a slice of a low calorie cheese pizza instead of a slice packed with pepperoni and other fatty ingredients.

Get slimmer with the help of protein and downsize the amount of red meat you consume. In order to have a guilt-free launch make sure the pizza is loaded with low-fat mozzarella or other diet-friendly cheese types.

3. Swap Buttered Veggies for Steamed Ones

Make this smart food substitution in order to trim calories in your diet plan. Shed extra pounds without food deprivation by opting for more steamed meals and vegetables instead of eating buttered or fried ingredients. Get used to this slimming habit and ditch high-fat ingredients for a dream silhouette.

4. Whole-Wheat Pasta Salads

Combine whole-wheat pasta with raw or cooked veggies and low-fat dressings made of Greek yogurt or other diet-friendly ingredients. Use fresh herbs and balsamic vinegar to add an ambrosial aroma to your pasta meals. Replace one high-fat meal with a similar slimming salad to see the amazing effect of this weight loss strategy on your figure and health condition.

5. Low-Calorie Fruit and Chocolate Dessert

If you're an incurable chocoholic, it's time to find the best dessert options which suit your slimming plan. First, grab a tiny chunk of bittersweet chocolate and place it into a bowl then let it melt in the microwave for a few seconds. The next step is to dip strawberries, bananas and other types of fruits into the chocolate and put them aside until the snacks dry. Enjoy your guilt-free meal each time you have problems controlling your sugar cravings.

6. Grilled Mushrooms Instead of Meat

Diet experts offer you the secret to get rid of extra pounds without exercising. Choose grilled portobello mushroom to save up to 220 calories and reduce meat consumption. These healthy ingredients are rich in protein and extremely low in calories. Prepare a delicious sandwich using whole-grain bagels, mushrooms and other healthy vegetables. 

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Pretty Nail Art Ideas Summer 2012

Give your nails a summer-over by wrapping them in the hottest seasonal hues! If you're lacking inspiration, take a peek at the following designs and draw inspiration for your next pretty manicure!

The world of fashion and nail art collided like never before these past couple of years as professional manicurists and nail enthusiasts have helped push the boundaries to new terrains. The possibilities are endless and that can make choosing the right design quite difficult. Each year certain designs and hues occupy the top preference spot and become seasonal must haves for true fashionistas, so make sure you make the perfect choice every time by experimenting with a new pretty summer 2012 nail art design.

Because you can achieve perfect looking nails without turning towards expensive manicure sessions, we've selected some pretty looking nail art ideas to draw inspiration from, designs that you can easily do in the comfort of your own home with a minimal investment. These designs created at Nail Salon Mily will ensure your nails are party-ready at all times, so check them out and recreate your favorite motifs.

If you love flashy nails, go wild with color as this season pretty pastels and gorgeous neons are the top choices. Go for ombre colored nails, asymmetric color nails, color blocking effects and animal prints as these details will make your nails pop. Creamy finish nail lacquers look best if you wish to give your nails a fresh, summery vibe, and there are so many hues to choose from you'll end up making endless color combinations that never fail. Spice up your stylish mani by adding a bit of glitter, whether monochrome or multi-chromatic as glitzy-glam details are hot and work perfectly with the new season fashion trends.

 Variety dominates the fashion scene this year so no wonder that we can find totally opposite hues to the ones mentioned earlier, hues that managed to exude an unmatchable dose of elegance. Nude is the definite must try this season, so give nude tone nail lacquers a try and let them work their magic. Nude-beige, nude-brown and nude-pink tones are the most popular, so glam up your nails with these hues by going for a nude and black colored nail art or a nude and glitter (copper, gold, silver work best) as there is nothing to hold you back when it comes to design. Another fab and timeless manicure is the French manicure, but to achieve a more personalized style give your French style mani an upgrade by experimenting with a duo chromatic, asymmetric style French manicure.

Add-ons and pretty polka dots are also a perfect option for fashionistas who love to make their nails pop. Rhinestones, 3D details, dry flowers are only a few nail art accessories to experiment with, so dare to push yourself to experiment with bolder yet still feminine manicure designs as it's only nail polish you're playing with and any mistake can be easily corrected with nail polish remover! 

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Quick Summer Hair Fixes

Have a nosey at these quick summer hair fixes and get ready to win the spotlight! From simple, timeless ponys and chignons to fab accessories, these styles will see you through hectic and bad hair days! Check them out!

Hooray, sunny days are finally here! Well, what better time than this to try an array of super-cool, flirtatious hairstyles? However, since this is the season when time is usually against us, we should find some quick summer hair fixes for hectic mornings and nights. If you're the busy type of girl who's always on the run, check out this easy, DIY styles that you can achieve in seconds and still look gorgeous. Keep it simple yet classy and playful and get ready to win the spotlight!

Go for loose waves as spotted at Sonia Rykiel in order to get a retro-inspired look that will definitely turn all eyes on you. The best thing is that you only need a curling iron to create some soft curls and a barrette to add a sophisticated vibe, perfect for special occasions. On the other hand, you can also opt for messy, effortless side-swept locks as seen at Jill Stuart or a hippie style as spotted at Just Cavalli. If you are more confident and daring, you can easily try a slicked style! This works great even on shorter hair and chic bobs (Ohne Titel).

When speaking about quick hair fixes one cannot omit the already timeless ponytail, a versatile choice that works great for casual, daytime looks but also for night events. This summer, keep it clean and impeccable as seen at Derek Lam. Make a side parting and apply some hold spray for a severe result! Another hairstyle that became extremely popular during the last seasons is the messy side braid (ASHISH). Start by pulling hair loosely over one shoulder, plait and secure it with an elastic band. Apply some hair spray!

Oh la la! If there is one 'do that will never go out of style, that is the classic chignon. It can be worn in so many different ways, whether you choose the sleek, high and tight style as seen at Stella McCartney or the preciously adorned one spotted at Louis Vuitton. A bun is the best solution for bad hair days and it takes five minutes to do it. Both laid-back and glam, a chignon is one of the best hair fixes for on-the-go girls! Use your fingers to rake the hair back and apply some serum or hold spray to keep your 'do in place.

Did you say quick summer hair fixes? Well, as we have seen, accessories play a major part when it comes to statement-making appearances. Nowadays, we can use a look-at-me-now adornment to add awesomeness to simple buns, ponytails or loose tresses. This season, have fun and try playful styles getting wow-worthy effects! Moreover, remember that a headband or a turban can add drama to a simple, dull outfit (Hermès, Luca Luca, Kevork Kiledjian, Karen Walker).

Hair cover-ups are indeed a smart way to protect our head from harmful sun rays without sacrificing our style. Head wrap? Of course! It is sexy, bold, feminine and oh-so-risky! All you need is a scarf folded into a triangle and then looped twice around the head. For a simpler approach, just fold scarf into a triangle and keep folding until you obtain a ticker headband. Next, wrap front to back and back to front, double knot and tuck the ends. Easy and utterly chic!

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Fidelity Denim Spring 2012 Lookbook

Give your outfits an extra touch of versatility with ultra flattering denim pieces. Check out the Fidelity Denim spring 2012 lookbook for quick and simple ideas on how to stay gorgeous all season long.

No matter how many trends you are willing to experiment with in this season, staying fabulous at all times with gorgeous jeans styles is a definite must. Therefore, it makes sense to analyze the new season offerings of the Fidelity denim brand. Along with lovely pieces to cover both the chillier days and the steamy ones, the label is surely helpful in bringing simple and ultra effective options to use whenever you feel the need to dress casually maintaining a fairly put-together vibe at the same time. 'Flattering' is the key word that best describes the new season offerings.

Shorts, skirts, jackets, colorful jeans are carefully blended into intuitive combos which put the focus right where it's most needed managing to impress and to head straight to our must have list. The biggest focus of the collection are classic, ultra versatile options but the label doesn't neglect the desire for occasional retro vibe and also brings eclectic options like acid washed pieces. The label doesn't equate necessarily to pair denim with excessively casual styles, which is why the outfits often include a refined, contrasting blazer. 

Other versatile options worth considering are gorgeous shirts or printed blouses which won't ever disappoint when you want something versatile and multifunctional. Still, focusing on the jean styles available, dark washes are definitely some of the most tempting alternatives out there. For the girly girls out there, the skirts are the perfect alternative if you insist on highlighting their femininity. A line skirts might just be the option that will help you break the style routine.

The final stage in creating gorgeous new season outfits is naturally selecting the right accessories. You can never go wrong with sophisticated platform sandals and discreet golden jewelry. Belts, scarfs or necklaces complete the picture making the gorgeous denim pieces even more desirable than they already are. Mix things up without sacrificing versatility with these gorgeous options.

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6 Daily Summer Weight Loss Tips

Reduce calories in your diet with the 6 daily summer weight loss tips below. Pack your fridge with fresh fruits and veggies to get rid of a few extra pounds in a healthy way.

Help your body burn fat more efficiently with the following 6 daily summer weight loss tips. Reducing calories in your main meals and snacks is the simplest way to work on your dream silhouette. Fresh fruits and green vegetables should make up the core of your diet. Use a few expert tips to embrace a slimming-friendly nutritional plan and lifestyle.

1. Bagel and Peanut Butter

Match your favorite bagels with peanut butter instead of cream cheese to balance out the calorie intake. Though these pastry products are high in calories, you'll be able to control your blood sugar by consuming peanut butter which is packed with protein. Save up to 200 calories with a similar simple diet food swap.

2. Glazed Carrots as Side Dish

Reduce calories in your meal plan by opting for the best side dishes.

Glazed carrots seasoned with fresh herbs will serve as the best alternative to replace mashed potatoes in your eating plan. Enjoy your guilt-free and generous meal without complicated calorie calculations.

3. Mulberries

Mulberries are packed with fiber and vitamins. Choose these delicious fruits for low-calorie salads or mix them with low-fat Greek yogurt.

Keep a tiny container of fresh mulberries in your fridge to always have a slimming snack at hand.

4. Canned Beans

Make sure you have a large variety of canned beans in your fridge or cupboard. If you want to lose weight in the quickest time, it is a must to add beans to sandwiches, salads and delicious soups. diet experts just can emphasize enough the fat burning effect of these ingredients.

5. Grilled Corn

Do you want to enjoy the slimming process? Opt for grilled veggies and lean meat to tame your hunger for filling meals. Grilled corn is perfect to keep your blood sugar on the ideal level and help you get rid of cravings. Combine corn with other vegetables, beans or turkey breast depending on your preferences.

6. Gazpacho

Replace fattening meals in your diet plan with a bowl of gazpacho packed with green veggies. Enjoy the fibers and vitamins carrots, celery and mushrooms offer. Start your main meals with a similar low-calorie soup and consume less calories during your meals. 

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