Friday, June 26, 2009

ROCKER MODE STYLE


Leather-and-sequin-detail clutch, Gucci, $1,590, at select Gucci stores nationwide

By The SEA

Seek out summer’s chicest nautical-inspired clothing and accessories

Makeup for Gucci’s spring collection felt like a tropical getaway

For Gucci’s tropics-inspired spring collection, makeup artist Pat McGrath (who was leading her thirteenth show out of 30 for the season) no doubt had her sights set on an exotic getaway.

She created a shimmery, blue-green eye that looks dreamy and slightly disco, blending Make Up For Ever Professional Turquoise and Cover Girl Turquoise Tempest hues on the lid, and shading Bobbi Brown Metallic Eye Shadow in Mint from crease to brow.

Bringing the lighter color up to the brow “makes the eyes look larger and open,” she says.

Land your dream job in dressed-up basics

Silk-linen blend cropped jacket, Spiegel

Oversize muscle t-shirt, Alexander Wang

Denim pencil skirt, McQ,

Rope tie knot necklace, Gabriel and Schwan

Stretch patent peep-toe bootie, Target

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

JEAN DREAM


Jessica Alba looks great in boyfriend jeans

1. Dorothy Perkins, £25
2. Nobody Denim, £168

3. MiH Jeans, £190

4. Miss Selfridge, £45


5. Musto, £60
6. JBrand, £238

7. Topshop, £40
8. Republic, £34.99

GET SHORTY, GIRLS!

SHOW OFF YOUR PINS WITH TWO STUNNING LOOKS

PARK TO PARTY

Keep cool in the heat with the perfect dress to take you from day to night.
1. Dress, £55, Kate Moss at Topshop
2. Hat, £85, Melissa Odabash
3. Belt, £59, Ralph Lauren Blue Label
4. Cardigan, £30, Next
5. Sandals, £29.99, Schuh
6. Jacket, £205, Armand Basi
7. Clutch, £129, LK Bennett
8. Bangle, £10, Accessorize (0870 412 9000)
9. Shoes, £40, ASOS

Samsung, Nokia heat up smartphone contest

LONDON/SEOUL - The world's two largest cellphone makers, Nokia and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, unveiled new phones on Monday, offering features comparable to iPhone and Pre, but at lower prices.

In the last two weeks Apple Inc's launch of an updated version of iPhone and Palm Inc's Pre model have heated up competition in the sweet-spot of an otherwise shrinking industry.
"What is clear is that we are heading to one of the most competitive fourth-quarters we have had," said Gartner analyst Carolina Milanesi.

The holiday fueled fourth quarter is usually the strongest sales season for handsets and vendors launch their top models in time to reach the sales peak in October-December quarter.

The cellphone market volume is expected to fall about 10 percent this year as recession dampens consumer demand, but the market for so-called smartphones is expected to rise 10 percent to 20 percent, boosted by new and attractive models from many of the top vendors.

"Consumer demand for more capable devices seems to be accelerating despite the general economic doom and gloom," said Ben Wood, a research director at CCS Insight.

"Samsung and Nokia are playing smart by offering these sorts of products at punchy price points."

Samsung revamped in one go its smartphones portfolio, unveiling four new models to its Omnia range -- the Omnia II, the OmniaLITE and two OmniaPRO models, all using Microsoft Corp's Windows Mobile software.

Samsung also launched a new mass-market "Jet" model on Monday, which differs from some 150 phones Samsung launches per year with its full touch screen, a next-generation display and improved processor to deliver fast mobile Internet access.

The company said it will reach new, untapped markets of consumers who want smartphone functionality at a "reasonable price." It did not reveal the price of the phone, but analysts said it was comparable to most mid-range models.

Top cellphone maker Nokia launched three new handsets on Monday, including a new touch-screen model, the 5530 Xpressmusic, which would sell for 199 euros before subsidies and taxes, starting next quarter.

"Nokia is trying to address the very competitive mid-range space given the prices of the Pre and the new iPhone," said Gartner's Milanesi.

"Nokia can also benefit from a lower contract tariff than these two devices have, which will make the products more competitive, but certainly not offering a comparable user experience."

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Stylish Bag for the Summer heat!


Watersnake and leather-detail raffia bag, Fendi, $3,770

June Collection from ELLE

Stained-glass necklace, J.Crew, $125

Savvy Strategies for Seven Shopping Problems

Problem: You overspend

Solutions: Pay cash.
It's a lot harder to purchase a $200 jersey dress if you have to count out every $20 bill you give to the cashier, rather than pulling out a credit card. Hit the ATM before you go shopping, and vow not to spend any more than you take out.

Take a breather.
Before making a big purchase, exit the store. Once you've escaped the enticing lighting and persuasive salespeople, you may very well realize that, no, you don't need that tie-dye tunic after all.

Avoid "buy one, get the second one half off" sales.
"Do the math. You're not getting that great a deal – about 25 percent off," says Jona Kessans, a former department-store supervisor. If the item is $50, you'll wind up spending $75 total, as opposed to $100.

Visit less affluent areas for sale merchandise.
Ritzier areas are more likely to sell out of an item before it has a chance to go on sale. "Wealthy people are generally more likely to buy items at full price than to wait for them to go on sale," says Tara Makarechi, a former salesperson. So if you live in an affluent area but still appreciate a bargain, visit a neighborhood that has less traffic or a community that is less posh.

Do an inventory of what you already own before you stock up on the new season's merchandise. Although fall fashions beckon,, you may be less tempted to buy a new one. On the same note, "never go shopping when your closet is empty because most of your clothes are dirty," says Amanda Ford.

Problem: You hate fighting crowds and sorting through messy merchandise

Solutions: Shop during the middle of the week.
Not only are stores less crowded on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday but you'll also get first dibs on new merchandise, according to many salespeople.

Wake up early.
"The best time to shop is in the morning," says Underhill. "The employees have yet to tire from irritable shoppers, the merchandise hasn't been picked over and displaced, and there's also comfort in the fact that you have time to come back for a purchase that needs to be mulled over."

Problem: You want to save time

Solutions: Make a shopping list.
You write down fruit, cereal, and toilet paper for the grocery store. Why hit a retail store, where you're likely to spend a lot more money, empty-handed? Write down what you want and where you plan to buy it.

Avoid the mall.
If you're looking for just one or two things, you may want to stop at a boutique or a freestanding department store.

Shop alone.
Women spend the most time in a store when they're shopping with a friend or a child, says Underhill. If you want to get in and out, go solo.

Problem: You're shy about asking for a discount

Solutions: Don't be shy.
"Ask for a discount on anything you buy - but not for a specific amount off. If you find a slight flaw or damage - or even if the product's packaging is mangled – you may be entitled to a discount.

Problem: The checkout line is way too long

Solutions: Ask the salesperson who has been waiting on you to put your item on hold. You can pick it up during a less busy time.

Head to another department to make your purchase. If you're in a large department store, for example, hit the less crowded men's or home-furnishings department.

Try it on now; buy it later.
Make sure the item fits, then see if you can order it online.

Problem: You love the skirt, but the only one in your size is on the mannequin

Solution: Give your name and number to the store manager.
Some shops will let you take clothes off a mannequin right away; others won't, due to safety and time issues, or the fact that retailers like their stores to be visually consistent.

Problem: Good service is hard to come by

Solutions: Share your story.
"Make the salesperson want to help you by explaining that you need a dress for a last-minute wedding or that you have a very important interview on Friday, assuming, of course, this is the case," says Ford. "Once the salesperson is involved, he may feel a bit more inclined to help."
Make friends with the salesperson. If you frequent a particular store or boutique, ask for a salesperson's business card, and always go to that person when you have questions about an item. Once you have established a relationship, the salesperson will be more likely to give you a heads-up about upcoming sales (when you're on the verge of paying full price) or to hold an item an extra day or two.

Ask twice, even three times.
In fact, many of the salespeople interviewed here - even some who work on commission – revealed that when asked to look in the back for an item, they will only pretend to do so, unless the customer refuses to back down. (They often feel it's not worth the effort, since the customer may not buy the item anyway.)

Think small.
Boutiques usually don't have as much traffic as large department stores, so you're more likely to get attentive service.

Look the part.
Sad but true! Some salespeople we spoke to shamefully admitted that they often decide whether to help a customer based on the type of clothes she is wearing or shopping bags she is carrying. If you want top-notch service – especially from high-end retailers who depend on a small percentage of shoppers for the bulk of their business (and thus don't necessarily need you to buy that one shirt) – sometimes it helps to play the game by dressing well and carrying a handful of shopping bags.

Bunny SHOP for SALE

Belted Tube Romper Perfect with a pair of heels for a night out! Denim tube romper is adorned by metallic trim at chest, shiny belt at waist and a studded Rabbit Head at chest. Zip closure rests at back.

Hand wash cold
Made in China
22 inches in length / 2 inch inseam
98% cotton, 2% elastic

Scent of a Playboy

The essence of male sexuality is perfected in the scent of a Playboy man.

What's summer's top jewelry trend?

City Style Statement Necklace
Multi Strand Necklace With Faceted Statement Stone Pendant. Lobster Claw Closure. Imported.


Rachel Leigh Simple Statement Short Necklace
With three mesh-linked chains of gunmetal, this Simple Statement necklace from Rachel Leigh is simply chic.


Statements by Amy Kahn Russell Multigemstone Sterling Silver
Lift your spirits with this Statements by Amy Kahn Russell Multigemstone Sterling Silver "Butterfly" Necklace. The necklace boasts four dyed-gemstone strands of green jade

Friday, June 12, 2009

Go Greek in crisp whites, deep blue hues, and gold accessories

The Extras
Patent leather sandals, Brian Atwood, $860, visit brianatwood.com

June Shops: Island-inspired Swim

Embroidered bikini, DSquared, $875

Isaac Mizrahi's Candy-Colored Resort Collection

Despite New York’s soggy weather, Isaac Mizrahi presented an uplifting resort 2010 collection in mouth-watering hues, reminiscent of the brightly colored pistachio and strawberry macaroons that were served to editors. In Mizrahi’s sunlit West Side studio, models sauntered around wearing what can only be described as happy clothes.

Shots of watermelon, lemon, and creamsicle were splashed across some of the season’s prettiest pieces. Black and white separates and a fun denim dress nicely tempered the bold brights. A multi-hued tweed shift, shown at left, would “look great on Michelle Obama”, said Mizrahi playfully.

Best Laptops Under $500

Lenovo ThinkPad R61e $487.69
Although ThinkPads have a reputation for being pricier premium notebooks intended for business travelers, a little smart shopping can land you this budget model on a shoestring. It's not as fast as the flagship T-series, or as light as the X-series, but the R61 has been reviewed favorably in its price range and includes many of the same features Lenovo rolls into those pricier ThinkPads. When ordering, make sure to choose the second-from-cheapest model to get an Intel Dual Core processor rather than a Celeron M (a bargain upgrade for only $32 more tacked onto the final price).Dell Vostro 1000 $399.99
Dell's bottom-of-the-line notebook won't turn any heads, or win any head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but its $399 starting price makes it impossible to ignore. Since this isn't from a sale, mark-down or coupon, you're also free to add the options you really need. For instance, laying out $25 for the Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor instead of the Sempron would be wise. But travelers beware: A starting weight of 6.26 pounds makes it heavy by modern standards, and the AMD's heat output will also make it a battery killer, so you may wish to look elsewhere if you'll be taking it anywhere besides around the home and office.
Acer Aspire AS4315-2535 $459.90
Looking for something a little smaller than the 15.4-inch notebooks that normally seem to hit the bargain bin? This Acer falls one notch down on the size and weight scale, making it a little more portable for the on-the-go user. However, in exchange for the 14.1-inch screen and 5.7 pound weight, you'll sacrifice some performance by moving to a single-core Intel Celeron processor. If you're the type of person who imagines using a laptop to surf the Web in a coffee shop or tap out documents on a plane, you probably won't notice much of a difference, though, and may favor the portability.






Beach-Ready Cover-ups

Embrace summer's chicest tunics–from basic to embellished

Last-a-Lifetime Accessories

Drop $25,000 on Hermès' Cape Cod 1928 Watch, and you're likely to get more than jealous stares. In 25 years, the limited-edition timepiece with a rose gold face and Havana crocodile strap should still be ticking – and still be in style.

It's one of a crop of new accessories that are expected to remain wardrobe staples over a lifetime.

What makes them classic? Like an Hermès Kelly bag or a pair of Tiffany knot cuff links, the new pieces – including Marc Jacobs' envelope clutch and Ferragamo's leather penny loafers – have distinctive, but understated, designs. Construction of such future classics is key. Buyers should note whether a piece was made by a machine or sewn by hand – like the Jacobs clutch – and how much time was put into crafting the piece (the Ferragamo loafers require about 25 hours of labor.)

Bochic's chocolate-pearl necklace also fits the bill. Colored strings now top bright whites as many women's pearls of choice and have earned classic status within the last decade. This set of Tahitian high-luster multicolor pearls are rare, and the price proves it: $36,000 for a string.

"Pearls are a great investment, as they're becoming harder and harder to harvest," says Beckett. "However, nobody wants the little safe white-pearl choker anymore."

10 cool things about the iPhone 3G S

The third iPhone to be released since the first was launched in the U.S. in 2007, Apple claims the iPhone 3G S is faster and more powerful than the current iPhone 3G. Although it retains an identical form factor and design, the iPhone 3G S has some nifty new features.

Here are 10 of the best:
1. It's faster
Apple launched the iPhone 3G S by announcing it has a faster processor, more memory and "snappier performance". Although the iPhone 3G is no slouch, it can be a little sluggish when opening and closing applications. If Apple's demo videos are anything to go by, the iPhone 3G S will be a much zippier smartphone.

2. It has more memory
Apple will sell two models of the iPhone 3G S: 16GB and 32GB. There original iPhone came with 4GB, 8GB or 16GB of storage.

3. Video recording
Wow! A smartphone in 2009 that can record video? No way! Apple critics will point to the fact that the iPhone 3G can't record video as an example of a phone that lacks some basic features, but for potential iPhone owners the addition of video recording is a real plus.

4. Improved camera
The iPhone 3G S has a 3-megapixel camera with autofocus, compared with the iPhone 3G's 2-megapixel, non-autofocus camera. It still lacks a flash, but the increased megapixel count should slightly improve photos and tapping an area on the screen to focus on is a cool feature that should make mobile photography easier.

5. You can talk to it
The iPhone 3G S introduces what Apple calls Voice Control, a voice recognition feature that allows you to make a call and play music by speaking. Voice Control can find any entry in your contacts list, and users simply have to say a name or phone number to make a call. For music, you can ask what song is playing and hear the iPhone 3G S answer, tell it to play your favourite album, or play similar tracks to the current one.

6. It has a built-in compass
A built-in digital compass is another new feature of the iPhone 3G S. We aren't sure exactly how often anyone would use this as a standalone app, but when combined with Google Maps, the compass will rotate maps to always match the direction you're facing. Now that is pretty cool.

7. Internet tethering
The iPhone 3G S can now be used as a modem, connecting to a Mac or PC via USB or Bluetooth. Although AT&T in the US won't be supporting this feature, Optus is one Australian telco that has confirmed it will be. Telstra and Vodafone are yet to announce whether they will offer tethering capability.

8. Accessibility features
Apple has included a number of features that help people with disabilities use the iPhone 3G S. These include Apple's VoiceOver function, which reads aloud what is on the screen, a zoom function that magnifies up to five times, and a white on black display option that provides increased contrast.

9. Nike+ iPod integration
Previously only available for selected iPod nano models, Apple's Nike + iPod is a fitness system that involves a Nike shoe communicating wirelessly with an iPod. The iPhone 3G S will be compatible with the system, which displays real time walking or running statistics.

10. New headphones
The iPhone 3G S will include Apple's remote headphones in the sales package. The new headphones have a multi-button remote and volume control keys, as well as a microphone to handle voice calls.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The hunt for new and good-priced gizmos begins

It’s Christmas come early for tech die-hards when June rolls around and two events coincide nicely – the GSS (Great Singapore Sale) and the PC Show. Those on a hunt for new and good-priced gizmos have marked the date well in advance and come 11 June, anyone who is not on the hunt for a PC, PC-accessory, PC-software and anything in the related realm would best leave a wide berth of the vicinity of the annual show. If it’s a desktop you’re hoping to get, HP has an offer on its the Pavilion Home PC that is very tempting.

With a 23 inch LCD Display included with the Intel Core2 Quad Processor PC, you’re looking at paying between $1,599 and $1,999 depending on the hard drive. The extra $400 brings in a 1TB hard drive and Intergrated TV Tuner. In terms of mobile computing, HP has the dv4-1413TX Entertainment Notebook going at $1,299 which is a hefty markdown from its usual $1899 price. Going at the same price is a 14 inch business-users notebook, the Probook 4410S while those searching for something smaller will appreciate the 2140 Mini which is being bundled with an external DVD drive at only a dollar.
This is basically a top-end netbook, running on a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom N270 Processor with a 512 KB L2 cache and 533 MHz FSB, which means you can safely check your email and surf the web with little fuss. Although the touchpad is less than generous, the keys are as with most HP notebooks, slightly curved offering a decent, comfortable type on the near full-sized keyboard.


The 10 inch screen blends seamlessly into the all-aluminium case which is great for viewing documents as well as videos or even a skype call thanks to the on-board camera. I didn’t like the blue glow indicating wireless connectivity and also power on/off from the batteries which come with a standard 3-cell that shouldn’t suffer too much with the Intel Atom processor. With the batteries and in-built 160 GB hard drive or 80GB solid state drive, you’re looking at a load of just over 1kg for one-hand portabiltity. If you don’t want anything too small and a 14 inch laptop is larger than what you’re hoping for, HP offers notebooks in the 12 inch range. There’s the Pavilion dv2 aimed at home-users and the TouchSmart Tx2, with signature flip-around screen so you can also use the notebook like a scribble block.

You'll need to pop out the stylus from its hidden location to make your jottings which will be translated into typed text. It was a little disappointing that the stylish 'pen' couldn't be replaced by stubby fingers when writing especially since the screen of the TouchSmart Tx2 has been designed so you can drag and drop items and launch programs at a finger-touch. Some of the 'fingerobics' that you need to learn include the pinch to enlarge or minimise an object, and the wave which is a two-fingered movement to launch the MediaSmart suite for browsing through your music, movies and pictures.

Running on Windows Vista the system seemed to lag slightly on some programs even though it was running on the top-end 2.2GHz AMD Turion X2 Ultra ZM-82 Dual-Core Mobile processor with dedicated ATI Radeon graphics card. Although it is compact in size, the laptop which packs a 320GB SATA hard drive is a little heavy both in terms of weight and thickness. If the word “Sale” is something you can’t resist, then Lenovo may have what you want with laptops ranging from the 10 inch netbook to the 16 inch entertainment notebook.

Prices ranges run from $669 to $2299 during the Sale which runs till the end of June, coinciding nicely with the PC show where you should be able to pick up similar deals if you brave the crowds. If you’d rather not, the Sale is available online and like the HP deals, covers peripherals as well as desktops such as the Lenovo IdeaCentre, a 21.5 inch all-in-one PC with full HD viewing through the in-built TV tuner.

The stylish black desktop which comes with a keyboard, is a stark contrast to the offering from Asus known for its cost-efficient, smaller devices. To begin with, the Asus desktop device is all-white, is about half the size and more than half the price of the Lenovo IdeaCentre.

The Asus Eee Top PC which has been on the market for a few months, is compact and can easily be carried from room to room with the in-built handle, although it is not exactly light-weight.

This is an all-in-one touch-enabled computer with a 15inch LCD screen that comes coupled with mouse and USB keyboard which is slim but oddly cramped, so you end up hitting the wrong keys more often than not. Bundled into the desktop PC are a host of touch-optimized applications that require just one finger to open up, making this a great device for a household wanting something simple for both the young as well as elderly family members.

Different icons represent the various options and all it takes is a touch of the finger on the screen to bring up the internet,1.3 megapixel web camera or even games.

Sunglasses That Complement Your Face

Choosing a haircut for your face shape can be a challenge - particularly because you don't quite know what you're buying until you've already bought it - but sunglasses offer a whole different set of shopping parameters. Most importantly, you can see what you're getting before you buy. To help steer you towards the perfect pair, below are some guidelines for finding sunglasses that tend to flatter four common face shapes.

Face Shape: OblongFrames to try: Round or Square.
Frames that are the same length vertically as horizontally will cover a good portion of your face and give the illusion that it's shorter.







Face Shape: SquareFrames to try: Oval.
Choosing a frame shape that contrasts with the lines of your face will soften an angular jawline and hairline, creating a more proportioned silhouette.






Face Shape: RoundFrames to try: Rectangular.
The angles will downplay your face's roundness and make it appear longer.







Face Shape: Heart-ShapedFrames to try: Rimless or Aviator.
They'll accent your eyes and play down the angles on the lower half of your face. Colored lenses will draw even more attention towards the eye area.

Top 10 Best Dress Designers

BCBGMAXAZRIA has become one of the hottest names in fashion. With loyal following from young Hollywood, BCBG has dazzled the red carpet with fun, sexy, modern designs. Slip on a BCBG dress and make the streets your red carpet.


Betsey Johnson is known for her cocktail-ready, over-the-top the designs. A lady who wears Betsey Johnson is not afraid to be the first on her block to wear the latest trend, with wild colors, patterns, shapes, and movements.

Cynthia Rowley A woman who wears Cynthia Rowley is artistic, fun and sporty, not afraid to experiment and feminine and sexy! Get ready to look sophisticated sports in her colorful, tailored creations.




Diane Von Furstenberg is known for her signature Wrap dress, a dress that symbolizes female power and freedom. If you are looking for comfortable, elegant, timeless style, a DVF frock will do just the trick.






Marchesa's style is inspired by vintage and Asian influences. The beautifully crafted designs fuse high fashion with an eclectic aesthetic. Any girl draped in Marchesa will look and feel like the belle-of-the-ball.







Oscar de la Renta 's dresses stand for femininity and romance. His Latin-flavored work has dominated and influenced the fashion world since the 1970s. When sporting one of his beautiful frocks, you are guaranteed to feel like a real woman.





Shoshanna 's dresses sport flirty fun prints that are feminine and sexy. A Hollywood favorite, Shoshanna can be found on the likes of Kirstin Davis and Katherine Heigl. Her dresses will have you ready for your new, fresh, fun, summer look.








Tracy Reese epitomizes feminine chic. Her pieces pull from vintage and bohemian influences that use eccentric color combinations, lush fabrics, and embellishments. Any modern woman who simply loves being a girl will love the enhanced female form of her dresses.








Vera Wang 's style celebrates the romance, sensuality and spirit of modern young women. You don't have to be a bride to wear Vera Wang, her ready-to-wear lines has earned her the Womenswear Designer of the Year award. Any woman who wears Vera Wang is always at the forefront of fashion.





Milly, created by Michelle Smith, combines easy silhouettes, festive prints, and a timeless style that relates to fashionable women everywhere. Her dresses fill the closet of today's fun-loving, confidant woman.

iPhone 3G S specs leaked online


T-Mobile's Netherlands site has posted detailed information on the iPhone 3G S' processor and RAM

Apple's been keeping quiet about the specs of its new iPhone 3G S, the next-generation device unveiled at Monday's Worldwide Developers Conference. We know all about the iPhone's various features and operating system enhancements, sure, but what's going on under the hood has remained a mystery -- at least, until now.
T-Mobile's Netherlands Web site posted a page about the iPhone 3G S that includes detailed information about the device's processor and RAM. The page, initially spotted by the Web-watchers at MacDailyNews, was still online as of mid-afternoon Wednesday. The marketing copy isn't written in English, but the specifications require no translation.

The iPhone 3G S, according to the T-Mobile site, has 256MB of RAM and a 600MHz processor. Compare that with the current iPhone 3G's 128MB of RAM and 412MHz processor, and Apple's assertion that the iPhone 3G S is twice as fast as its predecessor doesn't seem too far-fetched.
To be fair, there's no official Apple confirmation that T-Mobile's specs are correct -- and, given the company's share-no-details stance on specifications, there likely won't be. The numbers do, however, match up exactly with some alleged "published" on a Chinese Apple forum last month.

The truth, of course, is that Apple's secret wouldn't have stayed quiet much longer, anyhow. With the 3G S set to hit store shelves next Friday, the iPhone's deepest alleys are just days away from being fully explored. Still, between this and T-Mobile's leaked data fiasco, one has to imagine it's a good week to be anywhere but inside the T-Mobile corporate conference room.