Style Dos and Donts

Fashion can be fairly forgiving, especially when you have the confidence to pull off some off-the-wall styles. Still, there are certain things you should never do when it comes to what you wear and how you wear it. We’ve put together a few of the worst fashion faux pas.LEGGINGS AS PANTSLeggings can look great with a long sweater or short dress and a pair of boots (over-the-knee or riding boots), but wearing leggings with a shirt that doesn't cover your backside is a no-no. Leggings are just not meant to be worn with short tops. It looks messy and unprofessional, and doesn't flatter anyone, no matter how tall or thin she is. If you are going to wear leggings, pair them with a long-enough top. OVER-ACCESSORIZINGAccessories have...

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A New Day in Laos

Laos holds the singular distinction of being the most bombed country, per capita, in history. Its former royal capital, with dozens of golden temples and tens of thousands of Buddhas, is now attracting an altogether different kind of attention. Every morning at four o'clock, a thirty–one–year–old Buddhist monk named Say Phetchaleun gets up to pray. He wraps himself in one of his two papaya–colored robes, crosses the courtyard of his temple, and falls to his knees for an hour of meditation on the 227 rules by which he has vowed to live. Around five he returns to his room, with its simple pallet and a rabbit–eared Chinese TV, to groom, some days shaving his head so closely that it gleams almost blue. A little after six, as the sun begins to...

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The Four Corners Vanishing Region

In the Four Corners region, where New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona meet, stand the magnificent abandoned towns of the Southwest's ancient Anasazi civilization. Leslie T. Chang explores what might have happened more than seven hundred years ago to the Pueblo society that flourished at America's own Machu Picchu. Tankers and eighteen-wheelers rumble day and night through the streets of Bloomfield, New Mexico, bound for the country's second-largest natural-gas fields. Signs on Highway 550 offer a mix of service and salvation: "We Buy All Scrap Metal." "Jesus Christ Brings Freedom!" "Apache Nugget Casino, 51 Miles Straight Ahead." At the Best Western Hotel, paintings as earnest as Russian icons fill the lobby: workers in hard hats drilling...

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Katie Holmes as a Designer

As an actress, mom to best-dressed tot Suri, and Mrs. Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes wears many hats. The latest one she's trying on for size? Fashion designer. With her stylist Jeanne Yang, she recently launched Holmes & Yang, a line of luxe "utilitarian classics that can be dressed up or down," Yang says. "We wanted pieces that could become part of a woman's uniform," she adds, citing the shirtdress as a prime example. "Switch the shoes or jewelry and you totally change the look." Unlike some celebrity lines, this one couldn't be closer to home for Holmes. The design studio is in her house, and her and Yang's children often do arts and crafts projects in there with their moms. "We want to make things that get handed down from generation to...

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Veronica Beards Defines the Personal Style

The Veronica Beards know a thing or two about defining one's personal style—after all, it's important to have a signature look when you happen to share a name with your sister-in-law and BFF. The New York City–based design pair recently launched their namesake line with a single menswear-inspired piece called The Jacket. Why start with a topper? "It's the first item of clothing that you see when a woman walks into a room," Veronica Miele Beard explains. "A really classic foundational piece lets you wear your outfit instead of it wearing you," Veronica Swanson Beard adds. Each of the Veronicas' tailored, two-button blazers comes with hidden zip-and-snap attachments so you can add supercute dickies for chic layering—without bulk. (Veronica S....

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lulu frost's lisa salzer crafts

What began as a cherished childhood pastime—frequenting her grandmother's jewelry store in Pennsylvania and scouring flea markets for vintage heirlooms—quickly flourished into a triumphant business for Long Island, New York, native Lisa Salzer. The Dartmouth art-history grad crafted her first Lulu Frost collection from her college digs senior year. She now counts Oscar winner Meryl Streep and her daughters Mamie and Grace Gummer as repeat customers. But for Salzer, it's all about the backstory. Lulu Frost takes its name from her beloved late grandmother Elizabeth Frost combined with Salzer's own winsome nickname, Lulu. "I try to not be overly influenced by trends," she says. "I just go back to what speaks to me." We're all ears...

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Summer Wedding Wearings Ideas

When it comes to summertime weddings, the dress code is festive and fun–look for lots of florals, polka-dots, stripes, and other fabulous patterns that you haven't had a chance to sport this season. It's the perfect excuse to buy a new dress in a bright, bold color. Just don't go too bare; a wedding is not the time to debut your latest ultra-mini mini skirt or body-con dress. A good rule of thumb? If your grandmother wouldn't approve, opt for something else. Go ahead and break out your fancy new heels! Platforms and espadrilles give your style a serious step up, while still making it easy to break it down on the dance floor. Finish off your look with a glamorous statement accessory. From shoulder-dusting earrings to neon clutch purses, a wedding...

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Popping Your Black Dress

Plain dresses are canvases for colorful accessorizing. Don't be afraid to throw on multiple necklaces, a colorful belt, and patterned heels. It's all about breaking up the color of the dress. Grab a bold bag, some major jewelry and get to work. Pattern clashing? Do it! Pairing leopard print sandals with mismatched jewelry is the perfect way to glam up the most boring black dress. Top it off with a chained slingback bag and you're good to go. A simple black dress is the best foundation to be fearless with accessories. From her flirty floral dress and to cute color-coordinated accessories, personal-style blogger Maddy's outfit is fun and effortless, a perfect example of how to take a plain dress and make it fab...

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How to Select Summer Jackets?

Summer officially kicks off the time to go all out in bright colors, flirty skirts and festive frocks. Although the dainty, skin-baring options are perfect for daytime, grab a lightweight jacket to keep you warm during brisk summer nights. Opt for a neutral jacket that will coordinate with everything in your closet, or go wild with a quirky print--mixing bright patterns makes a serious style statement. From structured blazers to adorable anoraks, lightweight fabric is key; stick with cotton, linen or sturdy knits for extra cool nights. Choose your jacket wisely—invest in something that fits well and makes you feel comfortable, because come fall, you'll want to wear it layered over your autumn essentials...

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How to get Impressive Look in Interview?

For a job interview in the fashion industry, the key to wowing your future boss is keeping your silhouettes simple while adorning your outfit with eye-popping accessories that advertise your stylish personality. Tradition is never off-trend and staple items are a must—a tucked-in silk blouse or tailored blazer makes a great first impression. The best part of staying on the conservative side? Classic clothing lasts a lifetime and is great for mixing and matching, even after you are hired! Give your typical basics a twist with tasteful patterns, and outdo the ordinary with delicate unexpected details. Accessories are the area in your outfit with the most room to play: heels can be moderately high and colors can be bold. However, balance is essential,...

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Wearings with Denim Shirt

Although this utilitarian work shirt has been a mainstay in the closets of cowboys for years, the denim buttondown is now reinvented for modern trends, providing the perfect juxtaposition to this season's floral dresses and frilly skirts. The versatile jean shirt is a timeless staple for your wardrobe—and can probably be found in your dad's closet! Don't be afraid to wear denim with denim, as long as the washes are different. To avoid looking like you're going to the rodeo, try interesting shapes such as cut-out shoulders or crop tops. To stay conservative and put-together for class or work, throw an on-trend tuxedo jacket over your shirt. Still want to look girly? Jean tops look great with soft maxi and floral skirts. For a night out with...

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Aerobic Workouts in Swimming

Aerobic swimming workouts are designed to help keep you in shape and to improve your swimming strokes. While many aerobic swimming workouts involve performing traditional swimming strokes, others involve performing unique water-based exercises that will tone your body in different ways. Aerobic swimming workouts range from breast stroke workouts to somersault workouts. Cardiovascular Warm Up This aerobic swimming workout is designed to warm up your muscles and prepare you for the additional exercises you will perform during the day. Start at the shallow end of the pool with your feet against the wall and one of your hands holding the edge of the pool. Start by swimming a freestyle stroke at a leisurely pace for two laps. After two laps, transition into a butterfly stroke for one lap. On your...

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