HOW TO PICK A SHOE

By: Manolo Blahnik

A good heel picks you. Don't follow trends-- follow yourself, you have to stand tall and proud. Always go with your first choice, your gut reaction. This is what your soul says. You have to comething that will make you look even more exciting, and feel even more adventurous than you did before.

My shoes are not fashion-- they are moods and moments that want to come out to play. Every shoe must excite me, which is why i see every pair, every last , so if it doesn't delight me, it doesn't go through. I spend most of my time in the factory; working. Don't let yourself get distracted by fashion; if you did you would have to change to your wardrobe every four months and where's the sense in that? It would make your style schizophrenic. Be original, look at vintage , but do not copy for the sake of copying, have some of your own ideas. Right now, good lord, every day, every where i look i am blown away by something inspiring. I always have had an incredible appetite for luxury,and Russia, and have just been to Moscow. I had never been, apart from in books, through Tolstoy and the Three Sisters. I say always go to the source, always travel to find your inspiration, that's what all the great artists and romantics do.

I was always making shoes... even when it was subconscious. I know that sounds like a cliche but it's true, even the lizards and dogs in the garden didn't escape when i was a child - I would take the Cadbury's chocolate bonbon wrappers and make them little shoes. I was always twisting and shaping forms for the feet.

I think you must always show some toe cleavage. Toe cleavage is very important as it gives sexuality to the shoe. But careful you only show the first two cracks, you don't want to give too much away, you're not that type of girl.... As for the heel, honey, it's got to be high. The transformation is INSTANT. It's a coup de theater. The height of a heel should depend on how dangerous you are feeling. High high high higher, I say!

FEEL GOOD

Using Vitamin E oil under your eyes helps remove dark circles. Best for hiding eye bags caused by hangovers the night before.

All About Nails

It might seem pretty strange for some of you people who frequent this place,to read my next posting below,but this is one of the best topics of my interest as i do care for my nails,its nourishment and appearance.
But this is not the case for most people,as they worngly assume nails dont require any kind of protection.

General view:

The nail is made of a hard protein called keratin.Nails grow at an average rate of 3 millimetres a month. Fingernails require 3 to 6 months to regrow completely. Toenails require 12 to 18 months. Actual growth rate is dependent upon age, gender, season, exercise level, and hereditary factors. Contrary to popular belief, nails do not continue to grow after death; the skin dehydrates and tightens, making the nails (and hair) appear to grow.Healthy nails are transparent and look pink in colour as a result of the blood beneath them.
Painting the nails with nail polish is a common practice dating back to at least 3000 B.C.


Culture:

In western culture, long nails are a symbol of femininity. Nail decoration is usually limited to females. In some cultures men may also grow long fingernails, or only the nail on the little finger, to show that they do not do much manual labor, but instead work in an office setting.

In the 19th century in the Balkans,white-collar workers, such as clerks, grew their fingernails long to distinguish them from people in lower classes who worked with their hands.

Some guitar players, notably classical and fingerstyle players, will purposely grow long nails on the hand they use to pluck the strings. For some serious musicians, daily nail care can become a mark of pride and dedication.

Nail ailments:

Nails can dry out, just like skin.They can also be infected.
Deformation or disease of the nails are referred to as onychosis.
- Ingrown nails can also affect either the fingers or the toes. In this condition, the nail
cuts into one or both sides of the nail bed, resulting in inflammation and possibly infection.this is referred to as onychocryptosis.

- A deformation of the nails that can result from cancer chemotherapy includes discoloration of the nail, or dyschromia.

- "Ram's-horn nail", is a thickening and increase in curvature of the nail. It may be partially hereditary and can also occur as a result of long-term neglect. It is most commonly seen in the great toe but may be seen in other toes as well as the fingernails.This deformity is referred to as oriychogryposis.

- Iron deficiency is also one main cause for the change in the shape of nails where the nails get curved upwards which are referred to as spoon-shaped nails.

• Splitting and fraying are associated with psoriasis and deficiencies of folic acid, protein and Vitamin C.
• Unusual thickness is associated with circulation problems.

• Lack of protein, folic acid and vitamin C causes hangnails.
• White bands across the nails are a result of protein deficiency.
• A lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid can cause splitting nails.
• Lack of vitamin B12 can lead to dryness, very rounded and curved ends and darkening of nails.
• Insufficient zinc can cause development of white spots on the nails.
• Cuts and cracks in the nails may indicate a need for more liquids.

Nail care:

These are some of the deformities caused on nails.To overcome some of these deformities,health and cosmetic procedures like manicures and pedicures,apart from a healthy diet,are also essential.
Basic Nail Care

• Wash hands with mild soap, using a nailbrush.
• Soak the hands in warm water for a few minutes to soften the cuticles (the bits of skin at the bottom of the nails).
• Very gently push back the cuticles if they are long and ragged.
• Trim the nails to the same length, cutting off any snaggy or spiky bits.
• File the ends of the nails to smooth them off.
• If your hands are dry, apply some hand cream (it doesn't have to be the girly stuff that stinks of flowers).

A manicure is a cosmetic beauty treatment for the fingernails and hands.It is the care of the hands and nails. Basic manicuring should be done once a week.A standard manicure usually includes filing and shaping of the nails and the application of polish, but there are also speciality manicures. Treatments for hands usually include soaking in a softening substance and application of hand lotion. A similar treatment performed on the feet is called pedicure.

A manicure may also include some nail art process the application of artificial nail tips, acrylics or artificial nail gels. Some manicures can include the painting of pictures or designs on the nails or applying small decals or imitation jewels.

A pedicure is a way to improve the appearance of the feet, and their nails. It basically is a manicure for the feet.

For your nails to be healthy your diet should include a lot of fruits and raw vegetables so that they get the required vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Eat food that is rich in silicon like broccoli, fish and onions. Eat foods rich in biotins like whole grains. Drink plenty of water and other fruit juices. Food rich in zinc and vitamin B will strengthen your nails. Fresh carrot juice rich in calcium and phosphorous is perfect for strengthening nails.

Some simple home-made treatments for your nails

Nail conditioning massage cream:

ingriedients
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp almond oil or olive oil
1 tsp honey
1/4 tsp salt

Mix the egg yolk in a bowl with almond oil,honey and salt.
Use immediately,massaging the mixture into your nails,each hand for about 5 minutes.keep it over night.Do not wash off the residue until the following morning.
Massage this into your nails everyday for a week for healthy and strong nails.After that,use once a week to maintain the effect.

Styling them,my way:

1. To begin with remove your nail polish. Dip cotton in nail polish remover and press over your nail to soften the polish. With one firm movement, move the cotton from the base of the nail to the tip. Continue till all the polish is removed.

2. Use a file or emery board to shape your nails. Begin from the corner to center, move the file in one direction only. Do not change directions and this will cause the nail to split and break.

3. To remove dirt soak your hands in warm soapy water for a few minutes.

4. Apply a coat of clear nail polish. Once it dries apply a coat of color polish. Let it dry and then apply clear nail polish as topcoat to strengthen the nail and prevent nail polish from chipping.

5. Apply moisturizer on hands and cuticle to prevent the nail from splitting.

Nail art:

Nail art is a very specialized cosmetic field. Nail lacquering, nail painting, nail decoration and nail piercing are some different nail art ideas, which are popular all over the world. Nail art was popular in ancient India in the form of henna painting and application of fragrances. Ancient Indian tribes were also very adept at spectacular nail decorations.
These days we have ornamented fake nails which are used to display designs, such as stars or sparkles, on nails. They are also used to make nails look longer.