R.L.F STYLING: June 2010

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Men can Accessorize too!!

I have a message for all my male followers and for the women who appreciates a man who accessorizes. For many years, most men wouldn't be seen wearing any form of jewelry beyond a pocket watch or wedding ring. You would never see a man wearing an earring or having any portion of his body pierced with an ornament. These days, men wear a wide range of jewelry, and many are influenced by hip-hop and or pop/rock culture to get jewel-encrusted rings, necklaces and teeth covers. Some men even wear rings in their lip and multiple piercing in their face. It has become acceptable in our society for a man to wear earrings, sometimes on both ears. Often, men will go beyond the ear and pierce their nose, lip, eyebrow, nipple and a host of other places. Earrings have become so common on men that few people even look twice at it. Make sure your husband or boyfriend will wear an earring before you buy one for them. Now fellas, and ladies if you want to buy the man in your life, whether its a father, brother, boyfriend or husband, one thing u cant go wrong with is a watch. For men, an expensive watch is a form of jewelry. Do not be afraid to buy him a gold or silver watch. It is one of the few forms of male jewelry that has changed little over time. Now if you really want to impress, it is ok to wear cuff links. Any classy and well-dressed male will have expensive cuff links to put on their expensive coats. Don't go for a too flashy one, but a small silver or gold cuff link can be a wonderful gift to class up any outfit. Women look out that Tiffany's Box may not be for you any more!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Get Ready for Summer: Diet and Fitness Tips

A healthy diet and the right fitness routine are key to looking and feeling healthier. Follow these tips during the spring and you'll be in swimsuit shape once summer starts.

By Beth W. Orenstein

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

n the springtime, the days get longer and the weather warms up. Swimsuit season isn’t far away. Start now in order to be ready to sport that summer bikini. Plan on two to three months to safely drop any extra pounds you put on over the winter and tone your muscles so you’ll be fit and confident in swimwear and other summer clothing. The key to achieving a healthy body is having a plan, says Jim White, RD, a registered dietitian and personal trainer in Virginia Beach, Va. “When you have a plan for fitness and nutrition, you’re more likely to stick to it,” says White. Write down your “Healthy Body by Summer” plan and sign a contract with yourself to help you stick to your goal.

Here are some strategies your diet and fitness plan can include:

Eat five meals a day. It’s better to have five or six small meals a day than to skip meals or eat only two or three larger ones, says White, who is also a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association. Depending on how active you are, each meal should have 200 to 400 calories and contain protein and carbohydrates. By eating small amounts frequently, you will maintain your energy and stabilize your blood sugar levels. “You won’t be starving and overeat, especially late at night,” White says.
Make healthy menu choices. A healthy diet is one that emphasizes fruits and vegetables. “During spring, fill up on non-starchy, seasonal vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus, and greens,” White says. To help curb hunger, have some protein at every meal, such as fish, chicken, and lean meats. Include some low- or non-fat dairy products such as fat-free milk or low-fat yogurt two or three times a day. Grill, bake, or broil your foods rather than frying them in fat. If you plan your meals around these healthy foods and leave out choices with empty calories, such as soda and chips, you’ll be better able to maintain a healthy weight.
Plan menus a week at a time. It’s easier to follow a healthy diet when you have the proper foods to cook with at home. If you’re busy during the week, prepare meals and snacks during the weekend and freeze weekday meals. That way you’ll control your portion sizes and also have healthy, low-calorie foods ready for taking to work or when you’re short on time.
Schedule aerobic exercise. Beginners should start with at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise — such as walking, jogging, biking, rollerblading, or dancing — three times a week. As you build stamina, you can increase to 30 minutes and work up to 60 minutes. By summer, strive to do aerobic exercise for 60 minutes at least five times a week, White says. If you choose an activity you enjoy, you’re more likely to stick with it.
Build muscle. White also recommends weight training at least two days a week for at least 30 minutes each time. This helps build muscle and speeds up your metabolism. Women should start with 5- to 10-pound weights and do one set of 10 to 15 repetitions per exercise. Check in with a gym trainer who can ensure you’re doing the exercises correctly. As you gain strength, you can increase the number of sets per session. By 12 weeks, you could be doing several sets. “Most people recommend that you do one set per body part,” White says, but for efficiency he suggests full-body exercises. “That’s where you combine two exercises into one, like a lunge curl or a squat with an overhead shoulder press. That way you’re killing two birds with one stone and keeping the whole workout intense.” You can use bands, weights, kettlebells, dumbbells, or medicine balls — anything that creates resistance will improve your fitness. Find out more about losing weight by building muscle.
Find a friend. Partner with someone who is also motivated to be swimsuit-ready come summer. “You will get better results if you exercise with a friend. This not only gives you camaraderie, but can provide some healthy competition,” White says. An experienced friend also can show you the fitness ropes.
Weigh in. Every two weeks, weigh yourself first thing in the morning. Step on the scale after using the bathroom, and weigh yourself without clothes to accurately chart your progress. Watching your weight on the scale go down can be very motivating. However, it’s possible that you’ll lose body fat but not overall weight, so get a tape measure and wrap it around your waist at your belly button to assess your progress.

The spring weather can be a great motivator to drop your winter weight gain and improve your health. Follow these simple diet and exercise tips and you’ll be in swimsuit-ready shape for summer.

Last Updated: 04/09/2010

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Diane Von Furstenberg: Fall 2010 Collection

Diane von Furstenberg was born Diane Simone Michelle Halfin on December 31, 1946, in Brussels, Belgium. While attending the University of Geneva, Diane Halfin met Prince Eduard Egon von Furstenberg, heir to the Fiatautomobile fortune. The two were married in Paris on July 16, 1969. That same year she apprenticed with Italian textile manufacturer Angelo Ferretti and was soon designing simple dresses using his silk jersey prints. The von Furstenbergs moved to New York City in late 1969.

In her early months of designing and promoting, she worked out of the dining room of her Park Avenue apartment

Encouraged by designers Bill Blass and Kenny Lane and by Diana Vreeland, editor of the influential Vogue magazine, Diane von Furstenberg put together a collection of her dress designs. In April 1970 Diane von Furstenberg revealed her first collection at the Gotham Hotel in New York City. The price range was moderate, from $25 to $100.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Clavin Klein Collection Men's Wear: Feb. 14

http://www.mbfashionweek.com/newyork/fall2010/designers.html

Fashion designer Calvin Klein is mostly known for his jeans and and for his many provocative underwear advertisements. Klein graduated from New York's Fashion Institute of Technology in 1964 and formed his own company shortly after. He made his mark during the designer jeans boom of the late 1970s. Teen actress Brooke Shields created a stir with her late 1970s ad for Calvin Klein jeans, in which she delivered the line, "You know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing." CK is also well known for his name-brand underwear which became a big hit in the 1980s, helped along by billboards and print ads featuring nearly-naked models in exotic poses. CK later branched into other products, most notably the fragrance Obsession. In 2002 his company was acquired by the Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

2010 Hip Hop Honors Tribute Performance: J Prince/ Rap-a-Lot

2010 Hip Hop Honors Tribute Performance: J Prince/ Rap-a-Lot: "Eddie Griffin brings out Juvenile, Drake, Bun B and more to the stage at the 2010 Hip Hop Honors to pay homage!"