10 marriage tips I shared with my three sons

A column by Kerry Hubartt

of The News-Sentinel 

Today is my youngest child's wedding day. Jonathan is my third son to get married.

As I did with his two older brothers, I used the 10 days leading up to the wedding to send him a daily email with a “Marriage Tip of the Day” compiled from the experience of my four decades of marriage to the same wonderful woman.

I created the list prior to my oldest son's wedding. I wrote to Jonathan the following words when I sent him Tip No. 1 last week: “In the days leading up to their weddings, I sent both of your brothers 10 marriage tips I compiled from my own years of learning how to be a better husband. I'd like to send them to you as well. I'm still learning, of course, but these tips are suggestions I believe will be good investments in a happy marriage. I'll send you one each day.”

And so on this happy occasion in our family, I thought it wouldn't hurt to share these tips with readers as well. Let me just add that I'm far from a perfect husband and admittedly fail on each count now and then.

My 10 “Marriage Tips of the Day” for you:

1. Never say, “Goodbye” without also saying, “I love you.”

2. Never insist on “being right” or having the last word in a disagreement.

3. If at all possible, settle arguments and misunderstandings right away – before you go to bed – and always say you're sorry when you are wrong (and sometimes when you're not).

4. Don't keep secrets from her. It destroys trust.

5. Be a leader. Be decisive. She wants you to make decisions. Just be sure you include her in making the big ones.

6. Communicate. She wants to hear it all. She needs you to talk to her in details, so don't be reluctant to open up. Don't assume she knows what you want or how you feel. She can't read your mind.

7. Praise her – not just when you're alone, but in public as well. It could do wonders for her self-esteem.

8. Never criticize her. Words can cut deeply. Discuss things with her in a way that does not condemn or belittle her. And just as she should not presume she can change the way you are, don't presume her personality traits will change after you are married. What you see is what you get.

9. Put her first. Unselfishness is solid evidence of unconditional love. Unconditional love is not based on feelings, circumstances or any other qualifications she has to meet to earn it.

10. Never forget that true love is more than feelings. You won't always “feel” the love you've felt before marriage.

With marriage, love becomes a commitment, no matter how you feel at different times. What happens if she loses her beauty, her sexual desire or some other part of her that could change with time or tragedy?

Mario Sorrenti shoot next Pirelli calendar

The illustrious calendar’s casting director, Jennifer Starr, has confirmed that Italian photographer Mario Sorrenti is 2012′s Pirelli man, Stylecaster reports.
Other fashion sites, including Fashion Copius and Fashionologie, had previously assumed that Steven Meisel would capture next year’s edition.
Karl Lagerfeld, Terry Richardson, or Patrick Demarchelier were chosen to shoot the calendar, which is commissioned by Italian tire company Pirelli, in past years.

Sorrenti, who is best known for his artful nudes in the pages of magazines such as Vogue, is expected to bring back a high-fashion feel following Lagerfeld’s timelessly elegant and Richardson’s sexually provocative pictures.
This year’s model cast, which regularly includes the freshest and most famous of faces, has not been confirmed.

Pirelli’s calendar gets- released at the end of the year, but only to a handful of the company’s clients and business partners.
A more accessible option is French-- Vogue’s yearly calendar, for instance, which is just as racy and fashionable and which also enlists the world’s top photographers and fashion- models.
Source: AFPrelaxnews

How to be the best dressed wedding guest

While the first rule of being a wedding guest is never to outshine the bride, that doesn’t mean dressing down for the occasion.

With an estimated two billion people worldwide watching last week’s royal wedding, the congregation temporarily transformed Westminster Abbey into a rainbow catwalk.

The Queen wore lemon yellow, mother of the bride Carole Middleton opted for sky blue while Prince Harry’s on-off girlfriend Chelsy Davy sported aqua green.

Style leaders Victoria Beckham, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Samantha Cameron chose very different ensembles involving headpiece, hat and hair jewellery respectively.

But their mantra was the same – let Kate Middleton have her ultimate fashion moment.

So, inspired by the glamorous guest list of royalty, celebrities and dignitaries, here’s a guide to how to dress to impress at those ‘I do’ occasions this summer.

Rules of engagement

Royal nuptials aside, unless you’re attending a black tie or cocktail affair, the rules for a daytime wedding are slightly more relaxed – and you won’t have an audience of billions to scrutinise your choice of hat. Take note, Princess Beatrice.

“The goal is to create an outfit that’s cheerful and celebratory, ideally something similar to what you’d wear to a daytime religious occasion – but dressier,” explain Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, authors of new book What to Wear, Where.

“But just because the ceremony and celebration take place in the (hopefully) sunshine, don’t make the mistake of thinking you can turn up in any old thing.”

With photographic evidence aplenty on any average wedding day, your outfit shouldn’t become the talking point over the cutting of the cake.

“The trick to getting your daytime wedding look right is really paying attention to your choice of materials,” Kerr and Power advise.

“Avoid super-casual fabrics at all costs, meaning no jersey, cotton, or polyester. Instead, reach for lightweight dressy fabrics like chiffon or silk, as they will give you the right hint of formality.”

Colour marriage

Unless you’ve got the bride’s approval, stay away from white. Pale colours can also cause problems, risking accusations of stepping into the bride’s spotlight, according to Kerr and Power.

“You should never wear a white dress – this includes cream, ecru, and even nude. Avoiding white-heavy prints is imperative too. Our rule is the print cannot be 50% white or more.”

Black might be the choice of colour for gothic nuptials and funerals, but keep things lighter for a summer wedding.

If you want a flattering dark shade, take Victoria Beckham’s lead and opt for navy as an alternative.

“Generally speaking, it’s better to stick to cheerful colours for daytime weddings: think light and bright,” say Kerr and Power.

“That said, you can wear black – especially if the wedding starts early to mid-afternoon and goes into the evening. Just make sure your fabric is appropriate and add colour via your accessories.”

Aisle walk

Tread carefully with your choice of shoes for weddings. Summer nuptials can involve navigating freshly-mown lawns or sprawling gravel driveways, meaning towering heels could be a no-no.

“Picking the appropriate footwear is of paramount importance, especially if the wedding is taking place outdoors on the grass or sand,” warn Kerr and Power.

“The best way to navigate nature is to go for a wedge. Stilettos, with their ground-puncturing skinny heels, are a perilous choice. Of course, if the day doesn’t call for such adventures, you’re free to wear a range of shoe styles.”

If you’ve got the height, don’t be afraid to shun the heels and ensure you’ll be the last one standing on the dance floor.

Kerr and Power say: “Nude pumps are always at the top of our list – they’re flattering and will make most party dresses feel more appropriate for daytime.

“An embellished flat sandal can work, too, especially if paired with an exotic-print maxi dress for a beach wedding.”

I do – or I don’t

Whether you’re the mother of the bride or just a friend of the happy couple, ensure your church appearance is a style triumph by following Kerr and Power’s checklist.

Go for:

• Light or bright colours
• Dressy daytime fabrics, like silk or chiffon
• Exotic-print cocktail dresses or bright/bold party dresses
• Vintage-inspired dresses
• Skirt suits in light or bright colours
• Cropped jackets or lace boleros
• Dressy flat sandals
• Oversized clutches, in pale colours or light neutrals

Steer clear of:

• White
• Casual fabrics like cotton, linen, jersey, polyester
• Denim
• Super-short hemlines
• Any heels you’d wear to a nightclub
• Ballet flats
• Tiny, glittery evening bags
• Wraparound/sporty sunglasses

Get the look

Amanda Holden shows she’s got fashion talent in her high street find. Buy her Per Una Designer Speziale frill floral corsage jacket, £85 from selected Marks and Spencer stores and online at www.marksandspencer.com

BUY IT NOW

Has Kate Middleton been stocking up for her honeymoon suitcase? The royal bride was spotted buying pre-wedding summery essentials at the King’s Road Warehouse store, including the Tropical Bird print dress, £65, and Impact poppy bandeau dress, £60 (www.warehouse.co.uk).

Fashion flash

• Copycat Kate

• Jeans jam

Mum’s character fashions daughter

  Jacqui and her special Mum Morag. 

AT the age of 24, Fashion WA’s Jacqui Brown has the world at her feet.

For someone so young within such a tough industry, Jacqui is forging ahead discovering new and untapped talent, signing up and pushing WA labels over east and abroad.

Having had the unique experience of working so closely with Jacqui in the capacity of model booker/talent scout and of late Perth Fashion Festival Design liaison, watch this space for what will be achieved in the not so distant future by a rising star.

Western Suburbs Weekly chatted to Jacqui  about her mum, Morag.


How has your mum inspired you?

Mum’s early 20s’ story is truly inspiring and has taught me to always follow my dreams.

At the age of 26, Mum left her tiny hometown of East Kilbride, Scotland, to live in some incredibly interesting places, such as Saudi Arabia, East Timor and Sumatra, Indonesia.

Although her friends and family discouraged her travelling to such dangerous parts of the world, Mum knew it was something she needed to see and therefore no-one could stop her.

I think that’s where I get my ‘never give up’, aka ‘stubborn’, attitude.

Why is she so special?

Mum is so special for so many different reasons. She’s just got that special ‘mother’s’ touch; the sweet gestures which come from the bottom of her heart.

What’s the best advice your mum has ever given you?

To take the plunge and do whatever makes me happy. Unlike most mums who think they know best for their children, Mum recognised that her children have a pretty good grip on life and therefore has always encouraged us to follow dreams.

What makes her happiest?

It sounds corny – but Mum’s her happiest when we (her family) are our happiest.

I’m known to get quite passionate and responsive when telling stories about exciting new developments at work, or super fun news of friends, and I think I get that from Mum. I love telling her exciting stories.

How will you spoil her on her special day?

I always get Mum and I matching pyjamas for Mother’s Day. It’s our thing; sometimes we just hang out in our matching pyjamas reading our books all day.

In what ways do you think you are most like your mum?

So many ways! We both get very excited about the little things; we enjoy silly giggles and nonsensical conversations.

Most though, I’d say I have her determination.

Growing up were you a little angel or a little devil?

Little angel! I actually was a little angel. I never really went out and partied or got in trouble at school. Mum even admitted she was a tad worried about that I never rebelled.

What’s the funniest thing your Mum has ever done?

  Ha! Where do I start? There are so many!
My sister and I had the funniest childhood; the three of us were always in fits of laughter over something silly Mum did.

She does this hilarious ‘ca’nae blow the candle out’, a weird Scottish joke that I hope everyone experiences one day.

It’s hard to explain, but the end result is always belly aches from laughing too much.

In one word describe your mum.
Best friend!

Prada’s Baroque Pop in Milan Fashion Week

There was an assembly-line quality to the beginning of Miuccia Prada's spring show, the highlight thus far of Milan Fashion Week. Set on a raised metal platform with industrial-style lighting, the models came out one after another, wearing boxy short-sleeve tops and pencil skirts that were uniform-like in their simplicity. Industrial orange, then green, then blue. Each model carried a neon-colored fur stole, which could have been real or fake.

Was the designer making a sly comment on fashion's rapidly churning pace? Or the way that live webcasts and tweets are turning runway shows into mindless content, at the expense of true luxury and creativity? There's no way to tell.

But you had to chuckle when the stripes started coming out. More like prison stripes than Breton stripes (the street fashion trend that just won't die), they walked the line of good taste, especially because they shared space on shift dresses and button-down work shirts with cartoonish Italianate cherubs and monkeys. Call it Baroque Pop. Old world meets new, luxury meets banality -- Prada’s favorite themes.

It was bananas, and there were bananas, as the collection took a Latin turn, with banana-print cha-cha skirts, crisp cotton sundresses with a Carmen Miranda-like character on the front, and striped sombreros.

The joy of Prada is that her work cannot be summed up in 140 characters or less. So her collection was, as it always is, an amalgam of ideas. And it was fun! You only had to look down at the kooky platform creeper shoes to know that. The party did quiet down at the end, with a group of little black dresses that were uniform in their chicness, with a gentle ruffled high collar or plunging neckline, in easy summertime cotton.

-- Booth Moore
Photos: Looks from the Prada spring-summer 2011 runway collection shown during Milan Fashion Week. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson & Peter Stigter / For The Times.
courtesy:latimesblogs.latimes.com

Hairstyle of the week!

Kate MoKate Moss's dishevelled 'do' had us green with envy this week, so we've been on to celebrity stylist Mark Woolley to find out how we can get the look at home - your shortcut to fabulous hair starts here.

Mark won the prestigious ‘Business Director of the Year’ Award at the British Hairdressing Business Awards on Monday (well done Mark!) but as he tells us: “Nobody does ‘effortlessly undone’ better than Kate Moss.

"A healthy dose of backcombing at the crown means that the soft, voluminous layers in her hair fall at all the right angles, highlighting her razor sharp cheekbones and jaw-droppingly perfect bone structure. I love that her hair channels a rock ‘n’ roll vibe whilst looking luxuriously full and glossy – Kate Moss really is ‘dishevelled sophistication’ defined and with this look, her style icon status remains firmly secure.”

Follow Mark's steps to success:

STEP ONE
Work some L’Oreal Playball Silky Sunrise Spray (£9.95, www.electric-hair.com) into damp hair for gloriously soft locks and create a parting roughly with your fingers, not a comb, for a more natural ‘undone’ feel.


STEP TWO
Lightly spritz some hairspray onto the bristles of a Denman D3 Classic Styling Brush (£8.50, www.electric-hair.com) and at the back of the crown, gently backcomb at the roots. The trick here is to separate the top layers of the hair first and then backcomb the under layers, gently smoothing the top layer to give the illusion of natural volume and shape.

STEP THREE
Treat hair with a heat protection spray and using the styling brush, blow dry small sections, no more than an inch wide, in semi-circular motions to create voluminous shape to frame the face. Be sure to keep these strands separated when blow drying as this ensures a dishevelled result.

STEP FOUR
After working through the hair, lightly spritz the finished style with L’Oreal Gloss Control Spray (£8.50, www.electric-hair.com) to add a luxurious sheen. Finally, tease and twist the ends of the hair with your fingers to create definition within the layers that should easily take you from day to night.

For further details on Mark Woolley, Electric London, 29 Thayer Street, London, W1U 2QW or any other salons in the Electric group view the website www.electric-hair.com
courtesy: http://showbiz.sky.com

Milan Fashion Week: Etro Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Show

Designer Veronica Etro follows the global cultural trail in the Etro spring/summer 2011 collection at Milan Fashion Week.

BY Hilary Alexander

 

A model wears a creation from the Etro spring/summer 2011 collection at Milan Fashion Week

Etro, the family brand renowned for its multi-coloured prints, showcased ancient global cultures in an exotic presentation at Milan Fashion Week today (Friday).

The designer, Veronica Etro, took inspiration from the Tuareg, Navajo, Berber and Ndebele tribes.

The kaleidoscopic mix of ethnic print and pattern worked to great effect in the all-white environs of the vast, white hall on the outskirts of the city, normally used as an ice-rink, where the show was staged.

Richly-embroidered jackets featured patchworked and beaded geometric patterns, mixed with chain-mail striping.

Silk maxi-dresses, tethered by collars and torques in hammered metal, were printed with dazzling florals and chevrons. The use of concertina-pleats gave added volume to long, flowing, tunics and ankle-length skirts.

Jumpsuits and peasant-style dresses, fastened with a scarf-tie at the neck, came in vivid paisley, tattoo and zig-zag motifs, worn with matching 'leg-warmer boots', beaded sandals, or multi-coloured wedge-shoes.

Framed 'foulard' prints, in earth tones punctuated with turquoise and orange, were used for loose jackets and coats, with blouses and trousers in spice tones.

Etro, founded in Milan by the designer's father, Gimmo, more than 40 years ago, has a wide celebrity following and is particularly favoured by the American First Lady, Michele Obama, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson.

Milan Fashion Week continued tonight (Friday) with the spring/summer 2011 collection by Donatella Versace for Versace. Other major brands showing here over the next three days include Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Emilio Pucci, Missoni, MaxMara, and Dolce & Gabbana.

 courtesy: fashion.telegraph.co.uk