Crystal Mood

Fall is quickly approaching and with the changing of the seasons, a changing of the wardrobe is usually in order. Classic pieces are always safe to include in your fall ensembles, but you should personalize and update your look by adding pieces that are trendy and currently on the runways. Watching designer's such as Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Vera Wang and Luca Luca have set the tone for fashion and style for the world. By observing the New York runways you can get a feel for what the next season will bring. You can fit into the fashion world, it is just a tweed jacket away.

Calvin Klein is showing his softer side with filmy dresses and softer jackets and pants. We are seeing lots of skirts on the runway, but he is keeping the look pretty monochromatic and dark. Burgundy, black and brown seem to be his colors of choice. But the ties look very cool! Marc Jacobs goes a little funkier with some prints and a somewhat brighter colors like golds and reds. He is using knits and pairing them with contrasting colors to make a sharp, fun look while Vera Wang opts for class and glamour. Her sophisticated, elegant looks for fall incorporate softer textures and diffused color. Her dresses are flowing, styles chic and hip and the accessories like gloves and hats are just to die for! Luca Luca brings light to fall with ensembles that shine. Winter white, taupe and beige is accented with black, burgundy and brown. Classic, "real woman" styles include pencil skirts, coat dresses and trousers with, are you ready? Suspenders!

Fall accessories are stronger, heavier, but colors can go from muted neutrals to bright primaries. Pearls never go out of style and are appropriate for any season. Natural, organic materials like wood, are striking as accessories with hot fall looks. Try gloves or a funky hat. Both are showing up on the runway this year. Boots in every shape and color are making a huge splash as well. It is looking as if boots are the one fashion accessory that you can not do without. Try them with trousers or skirts. The guidelines are simple: create your own personal style. Try a hot looking, bejeweled hair stick in your up-do, or accent a bone colored turtleneck with some chunky wood beads. Be colorful, be classy, but, most of all, be you.

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Posted by Crystal Mood to Get the Look at 7/19/2006 05:22:00 PM

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If you are looking for something unique, something different to accent your up do, then china hair sticks are the answer. These stunning, remarkable hair sticks are made from refractory china and feature delicate porcelain flowers and leaves. Each stick is finished with the traditional glost firing method and the beauty of the surface shows the care that goes into their creation. These hair sticks are unique hair jewelry and come in a variety of styles and colors. They can take a ho-hum outfit and transform it to WOW! Some have just tiny heads that feature the dainty porcelain flowers while others have long tassels tipped with flowers so that the flowers appear to be floating through your hair. Every wardrobe should have at least one.

The plum flower hair stick has two porcelain plum flowers gracing a refractory china stick. The stick is crafted to appear as though it is a branch gently cradling the flowers. You can see every detail, every nuance. In another style the china branch embraces two charming pink peonies or cherry blossoms. Yet another style offers a pair of roses still on the stem – minus the thorns, of course. These hair accessories are so simple yet so very elegant. They simply cry to be worn.

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Posted by Crystal Mood to Hair Jewelry Expo at 7/25/2006 08:27:00 PM

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1. Gather hair into a pony tail as high as possible. Pull it through a elastic band and braid your hair.

2. Hold the tail of the braid and then twist the braid in anticlockwise direction. Let the loosen hair to come out naturally.

3. Let the braid tail high up and fix it with hair clip or clamp.

4. Or, you can have a different look by using the clamp to hold the braid knot in the front.

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Posted by Crystal Mood to Hair Crafting at 7/14/2006 10:04:00 PM

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Posted by Crystal Mood to Get the Look at 7/14/2006 10:33:00 PM

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Instead of traditional western or oriental style wedding dress, this lady chooses one with strong Tibetan flavor along with Tibetan hair accessories and jewelry for her wedding photos.

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Posted by Crystal Mood to Ethnic Tribal Jewelry at 7/14/2006 11:20:00 PM

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My daughter is 14 years old. When she wears he hair natural (it is slightly wavy) she looks about 14. But when she pulls it up, my husband gets real nervous! She looks about 18 years old! It is amazing how simple, subtle changes in your hair or accessories can transform your look. Funky, colorful hair pins accenting thick braids gives a fun look. Relaxed and fashionable, but not trying too hard. This is a jeans and t-shirt look, a fun, playful skirt and top look, a "just you" look.

A wide headband is a much cooler, and cuter, way to conceal a bad hair day. It is a very versatile and fun look, but gives just a hint of youthful sophistication. Choose a headband in a color that matches your outfit and a texture that is different and fun.

Ah, the double ponytail! How youthful, how fun! This whimsical style takes your look in a completely different direction. You are relaxed, approachable, girlish, but sexy. You can pull up sections of your hair to create the ponytails or you can use all your hair. Make one ponytail, two, the feel is fun. For a little softness, pull some strands from your bangs and let them hang on your forehead.

An upswept style is sophisticated, sexy and very glamorous. Use a glittery hair stick or comb to secure the style. Try French knots, braids, chignons. Any style that bears the nape of the neck is very sensual. Allowing a few tendrils to fringe the face and neck adds to the romance. You can go for understated elegance and use low-key hair accessories, or you can go all-out Hollywood and apply all the glitter and glitz. How far you take it is up to you.

A well considered hairstyle can take an ordinary outfit to a wow fashion statement. A little black dress can be more casual with a wide headband (for some added pop, try a contrasting color like red or yellow) or it can go glamorous with an upsweep secured by a bejeweled hair stick.

Girls with short hair should not miss out on the fun, though. Funky, colorful barrettes, wide headbands and even glittery combs can be used with very short hair. Use gel or pomade to slick back the hair and keep it down. Just play, have fun, experiment! Cut out photos of styles that you like and recreate them yourself. If you don't feel like you can do it on your own, your hair stylist can be a powerful (and informative) ally. Adventure awaits!

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Posted by Crystal Mood to Hair Crafting at 7/14/2006 08:59:00 PM

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The little black dress is a timeless classic. It can fit almost any occasion. Every girl should have one. True, your mother had a little black dress, so did her mother, and her mother probably did as well. It is not a crime to "dress like your mother," but it should be a crime to neglect putting your own personal touches and flair to your little black dress. It can be as classic and understated or flashy as you wish. All it takes is a little fashion know-how and a few well selected accessories and you are good to go. Choose a dress that can not be "dated" if you want a piece that if truly versatile and classic. Plain black with a short or medium sleeve is optimum. However, if you plan to pair it with a jacket for the office or a wrap for more formal occasions, sleeveless is acceptable as well.

You can't go wrong with pearls. A simple string of pearls can give your little black dress a smart touch of class. Whether you choose a single strand of pearls or several strands, the look is classic and enduring. Matching earrings complete the look. However, if you want a little taste of glam, glitter and glitz is the way to go. Crystals , rhinestones and shiny metals take the look up a notch. Long, dangling, crystal earrings and striking focals give your look glamorous and elegant. To take your look to a trendier level, opt for chunkier, colorful accessories. Wear a colorful hair stick in your hair or try some large earrings. A splash of color can give the little black dress a fresh new look.

Much more than just the dress, this look, like any other, incorporates shoes, hosiery, jewelry and hair accessories to make a total fashion statement. This can go in so many directions, one can become giddy with excitement over the possibilities. The monochromatic look, black dress, black hose and black shoes are "safe" and quite elegant. Accented with pearls it goes sophisticated, with crystals, glamorous. However, colored hose with the dress and shoes the same color and you have a trendy look. Another fun, fashionable look is to add flashy shoes like red or fuscia to the black dress and hose.

Every wardrobe should be equipped with this essential fashion item. With the versatility and timelessness of the little black dress, the possibilities are endless.

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Posted by Crystal Mood to Get the Look at 7/13/2006 05:02:00 AM

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Boxwood

Boxwood is a small tree and shrub. Due to the limited size of the material, it is rarely used for full-sized pieces of furniture, but more often for small, carved objects or as decorative inlay. Boxwood is very durable and dense (.83-.93 g/cm3), and its fine even texture makes it especially suitable for carving.

Numerous varieties, which all produce material of similar characteristics, are widely distributed throughout China; noted timber varieties are also harvested in Hubei, Jiangxi, and Sichuan. The tree grows very slowly, with some varieties reaching only 10-15 cm diameter after 100 years; forests of Laoshan in Shandong produce boxwood trees with diameters reaching 30 cm.

The sapwood and heartwood of boxwood are indistinguishable, and their freshly cut pale-yellow color turns to a warm brownish-yellow tone after exposure. Because of its extremely small vessel cells, the texture is exceptionally smooth and fine, and the surface polishes to a silky luster like ivory. More Boxwood Products

Boxwood Butterfly Hair Stick

Boxwood Pheonix Hair Stick

Boxwood Ribbon Hair Stick

Lignum-vitae Wood

"Wood of Life". Lignum-vitae is an extremely dense wood which sinks in water. It is one of the heaviest densest wood in the world. Beautiful black green and brown grain. Turns like plastic in the lathe. The fine texture of the wood grain is especially suitable for intricate carving. It features slight sandalwood fragrance. Lignum-vitae has a yellowish green color when it's freshly cut and turns to dark green gradually while under sunshine or light for 24 hours or more. It contains rish protein which causes white crystalized stuff on the surface sometimes. People often thinks it got moldy. But they won't smell anything unpleasant. Actually the color changing and white crystal are two important facts that differ this kind of rare wood from faked ones. More Lignum-vitae Products

Lignum-vitae Bamboo Hair Stick

Lignum-vitae Plum Tree Hair Stick

Lignum-vitae Yulan Hair Stick

Peachwood

In China, it's said the peach offers symbolic and magical value, an ancient symbol of fertility and a modern omen. The very name, "tao fu," means omen and it means wood. A peach signifies luck, abundance and protection; in pictures, embroideries, and calendars, it speaks to living long. An elderly Buddha is often seen holding one and a peach-wood staff. The wood is an amulet, a peach pit worn around the neck to drive off demons. More Peachwood Products

Peachwood Plum Hair Stick

Peachwood Poeny Hair Stick

Peachwood Curved Hair Stick

First posted at CrystalMood.com

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It is your wedding day and everything is perfect. You are a picture perfect bride, your groom is a total babe in his tux. The dress, the shoes, everything is just as it should be, except for one small detail. Just what kind of jewelry do you wear on your wedding day? What kind of jewelry is special enough for your special day, but doesn't make you look as if you are going clubbing? How do you find jewelry that is appropriate for bridal wear but reflects your own personal style? And what if you are going down a non-traditional wedding road?

If you are still reading this then chances are good that you are not a "garden variety" bride - or you don't want to be. You want to show your true colors, show your savvy sense of style when you walk down the aisle. So, let's talk about this a bit. Of course, pearls are always safe.They are pretty, demure, conventional. OK, fine, we can keep the pearls, it is sort of a "bride-like" thing to do. But let's throw in some Swarovski crystals. Better yet, how about some colored Swarovski crystals? Maybe add some silver or gold in the mix. Shop around and see what you like. Find several styles or design concepts that appeal to you and go visit a jewelry designer. It is not as expensive as you may think.

Vintage Bridal Necklace Earring Set

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Cleopatra's Secret Swarovski Crystal Necklace Earring Set

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When I married my husband we had a pretty non-traditional wedding. We grabbed my three teenagers, my mom, my best girlfriend and her daughter and we went to visit the justice of the peace. I wore a red oriental print "street" dress with a tan wrap. My shoes were an awesome red satin with crystal accents and a crystal studded silver chain around my ankle. I was momentarily at a loss as to what to wear for jewelry. I finally found a pair of red stone bead earrings that really completed the look. My friend wore the traditional wedding dress when she married. She wanted something "different". After looking all over town we happened upon a very unique choker made from a brocade type ribbon. It had pearl and crystal studs accenting it and tiny black pearls draped randomly. It was beautiful. She balanced the strong look with a similar bracelet and more subtle, but matching earrings.

Indian Gold Plated Kundan Necklace Earring Set for an Ethnic Look

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The key to accessorizing your wedding attire, or any other outfit, is to not have too much going on. If you have a strong necklace, opt for less flashy earrings. By keeping the look balanced and having only one focal point, the eye is not confused by the chaos of having to look at all the busy focals at the same time. Choose one strong piece and build your other accessories around. Remember the purse or bag, the earrings, bracelets, necklace, let it all work together to create the finished, polished look that is totally you.

Multi-Colored Swarovski Crystal Rhinestone Bridal Bangle Bracelet

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