StyleShake: Your Personal Online Tailor

You create the design, StyleShake.com makes the dress for you. It is the new era of tailoring.

By a click of the mouse you can create your own dress or rather customize from available styles or choose from available completed designs submitted by other users like yourself.

If you would like to start from scratch, you can start by choosing your preferred fabric. Fabrics ranging from linen, cotton, silk and silk metallic, all of which will play a role in the final price of the dress. You can then proceed to choosing the styles for your upper body, neckline, sleeves, all the way down to the trimmings.

One tricky thing is, you have to take your own measurements. This will ensure you will get a perfect fit. For this, StyleShake has a "size guide" page with instructions on how to take your own measurements. After all that, if the dress still does not fit, you can send it back for a free alteration.

• StyleShake

Designer Labels at TheCorner

Earlier in March, TheCorner opened its door to designer-lovers, whose craving extends to the likes of Marc Jacobs, Viktor & Rolf, Etro, Rykiel Homme, Givenchy and Hussein Chalayan.

The online shopping website is brought by Yoox, an already successful shopping website based in Italy.

TheCorner launched with the Spring/Summer '08 Men's Collection by 20 selected designers, promising 20 more brands to join for Fall/Winter '08 collection.

Shoppers can expect a different shopping experience by browsing its exclusive virtual boutiques or "corners", furnished with digital look books, runway photos, and images from advertising campaigns.

• TheCorner
  

Colour-changing Nail Polish

We have been granted the pleasure of changing our nail colours since the invention of nail polish.

But if you would like to see your nails change colour right before your eyes, you will need a special nail polish for it, like the Del Sol's Color Changing Nail Polish, for instance.

"Reckless" is its best-selling nail polish that turns to a pink hue (right) when you are outdoor but will turn back to white (left) when you are indoor.

The secret is in the Spectrachrome® crystal dyes in Del Sol's products which reveal their colours upon exposure to the sun.

Other colour-changing products by Del Sol include jewellery, T-Shirts and accessories. Just a few more reasons to go outside in the sun.

• Color Changing Nail Polish - Reckless [Del Sol]
  

Yahoo! Shine for Women

Should you be in the need for advice or discussion of the daily life, head on to Shine. Not physically, virtually.

Shine is a new Yahoo! website for women to get together, connect and be informed.

The site features original blogs from its staff along with contents from major publishing partners including Conde Nast, Hearst and Time.

If you have the flair for writing, readers can also start their own blog that may end up featured on the site.

Shine promises to be different than other already abundant women-focused websites. Go ahead and take a look for yourself.

• Shine [Yahoo!]
  

UM Carry Bag

I just love it when things are not the way they seem to be but in actuality, functional and fashionable at the same time.

At a glance, this bag looks like an egg, a dinosaur egg. OK maybe I have watched too many documentaries or Steven Spielberg's movies. But you have to admit that it does not look like a bag, at least not at first.

When entirely unzipped, the bag opens flat for easy dry cleaning and storage. When zipped, it is a fully-functional dinosaur egg, I mean bag, that is stylish nonetheless.

What is interesting about this bag other than its ingenious design, is that it is made from excess industrial wool felt, that might otherwise get discarded.

The UM Carry bag, as it is called, is from the UM bags collection which comes in 4 shapes, Carry, Tote, Clutch and Hold.

• UM Carry [Branch]

Painted Art Shoes

How would you like to wear a piece of art on your feet? Something you would consider having on display rather than wear it. "Ndeur" shoes are exactly a piece of art you can tread on.

The shoes are painstakingly handpainted with various designs uncommon on regular shoes found in stores.

The perpetrator behind this brilliant concept is Mathieu Missiaen, a Canadian graphic artist who paints on, not only shoes, but almost anything.

Vintage shoes are often used for this venture, but upon request, those who prefer their own shoes, can also send in their shoes to be custom-painted.

Ndeur designs are modern, fun and what is categorized as street art. This is evident by the name given to each design, for example, Skank n Play (featured here), Screech and Brutus, and neo berlin.

• Skank n Play [Ndeur]
  

Wooden Bead Maxi Dress by Beaumont Organic

This simple yet interesting dress by Beaumont Organic has all the characteristics required by a woman who cares for her environment.

Looks simple yet stylish, this dress speaks "Nature" through its organically grown cotton fabric and wooden beads.

This beautiful, loose-fitting dress wears comfortably by itself or with a t-shirt.

• Wooden Bead Maxi Dress [Adili]

Saudi Arabia's First Women-only Hotel

Most people who do not understand the Muslim-Arab world often accuse Saudi Arabia as being harshly discriminating against women.

Partly, this is true. But, some people, especially those in the western world might find it hard to believe that most Muslim-Arab women like or choose to be segregated from men on certain occasions.

This is why I am not surprised that the country has opened its first women-only hotel to meet a big demand.

The Luthan Hotel & Spa offers plush lodgings and a full-range of health and beauty facilities away from the prying eyes of men. It is run and managed by women; from its bell-woman, to IT engineer, to electrical engineer.

The exclusive hotel is owned by a group of 20 Saudi princesses and businesswomen.

Even though all other women-only hotels have been targeting lesbians, this hotel is looking to cater to the Saudi woman's need for a place to stay as she moves around the country, which often made difficult by bureaucracy and conservative family values.

Women who wish to stay at this hotel will find prices ranging from 350 riyals ($93) per night to 979 riyals, with weekend "spa break" rates for around 2,000 riyals.

• Saudi Arabia opens its first women-only hotel [Reuters]

Unique License Plates Handbag

You would not have guessed that this handbag is made of recycled license plates; two to be exact.

Honestly, I have never thought recycled plates could look this fun and fashionable.

Designed by Leo Espinosa, the bag is named "Roller Dreamer" which aptly describes the cartoon design. The design adds a playful feel to an already unique bag while the Swarovski crystals add sparkle.

Roller Dreamer is only one of many handbag collections from Littlearth, who has been in the business of designing and making trendsetting purses and belts using recycled materials, for 15 years.

Based in the SoHo district of Pittsburgh, Littlearth products and brands are spreading all over the world with distributors in Australia, Germany, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

• Roller Dreamer FenderFlair by Leo Espinosa [Littlearth]

Kiva Helps Entrepreneurs in the Developing World

The concept is so simple yet the impact is big. Kiva has made it easier to connect people who are willing to loan their money to third-world entrepreneurs, especially women, via an online platform.

Kiva works by partnering with microfinance institutions (MFIs), which in turn actively on the lookout for business-owners in need of small loans. The MFIs are also involved in the fund distribution process.

Lenders, on the other hand, are made up of ordinary people, like you and me, who can be part of this life-changing project by lending as little as $25. Lenders start by selecting a business he or she wants to sponsor. After making a loan, they will receive updates on how their money are used. After loans are repaid, lenders are free to re-loan or withdraw the money.

Almost everything is done online; from the online profile of qualified borrowers uploaded by MFIs or Field Partners, to lenders' profiles uploaded by lenders themselves, to uploading funds for loans.

Kiva's motto is "loans that change lives". To support this worthy cause and change people's lives, you can visit Kiva's website at www.Kiva.org.

• Kiva
  

Spring Skin Care Products Recommended by Dr. Baumann at Yahoo! Health

To some of us, spring could bring new threats after a grueling winter season. I would not know it as I live in a tropical climate, from which come a whole different problems altogether.

However, to prepare your skin for spring and later on summer, Dr. Baumann at Yahoo! Health has listed five skin care products of her choice which comprised of gentle exfoliating, mattifying, nourishing, gentle cleansing and "scent"ing.

Dr. Baumann recommends these products for spring:

Murad Intensive Wrinkle Reducer - A gentle exfoliator that stimulates skin cell turnover and consequently improve skin condition.

OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel - A mattifying gel that absorbs oil continuously for up to eight hours.

Celazome Serum Vitae - An antioxidant moisturizer that neutralizes free radicals and stimulates skin renewal.

Korres Magnolia Cleansing Emulsion - A gentle cleansing and moisturizing emulsion that soothes and calm sensitive skin.

Philosophy The Alchemist - A synthetic pheromone that is used as aromatherapy to enhance the sense of well-being.

The mattifying gel should be useful both in spring and summer, that is, if you have oily skin like me. Of course, no one product works for everyone. You just have to try it yourself. Do share your experience if any of these products working for you.

• Top 5 Spring Skin Care Products [Yahoo! Health]
  

One Pair of Shoes, Unlimited Styles

Wouldn't it be great if you could customise your shoes every day to match the outfit or accessories you are wearing? With only one pair of Mohop shoes, you can.

Their motto is, "a new pair of shoes...every day". Which is exactly what you can achieve if you own a pair of Mohop shoes.

Here is how it's done; the footbed or bottom of the shoes and the straps are separate components. You can change the look of your shoes by changing the ribbons that make up the strapping component. Varying the style and length of the ribbons, not forgetting the patent-pending strapping technique will transform the whole look of the shoes altogether.

The shoes are comfortable enough for everyday use and especially useful when travelling whereby luggage space is limited.

Designed by Annie Mohaupt in her Chicago-based studio, these handcrafted shoes are creatively designed as well as environmentally-friendly.

In the long run, these shoes are cost-effective since you just have to buy new ribbons for a "new" pair of shoes.

• Mohop

Do Women Benefit from Polygamy?

I stumbled upon an interesting article about polygamy written by Satoshi Kanazawa from Psychology Today Blogs, entitled "The paradox of polygamy II: Why most women benefit from polygamy and most men benefit from monogamy". In reference to this, he cites two interesting points.

One benefit to women, he claims, polygynous society allows some women to share a resourceful man of high status, thus (I assume) spreading the wealth.

And as to why most men benefit from monogamous society, he says, given a 50-50 sex ratio, it basically guarantees every man a wife. He explains, under polygyny (the practice of one man married to several women) more desirable women would have become the second, third, or tenth wife of more desirable men thus depriving less desirable men of having a wife.

I can see his points but he is merely pointing out tangible benefits without taking into account the intangible factors, for example emotional happiness as most women would when talking about polygamy.

Whether the desirable man is Matt Damon or Bill Gates, I doubt, in reality women are prepared to happily give up her sole claim of her man when the time comes, without some indignation.

I come from a society where it is not illegal to practise polygamy. When practised properly and fairly, polygamy can seemingly prove blissful. But it is a very fine line to tread.

Under certain circumstances, I can see some women benefit from polygamy and some, with reasons only known to them are willing to give in and allow their husbands to take a second or third wife, or more.

• The paradox of polygamy II: Why most women benefit from polygamy and most men benefit from monogamy [Psychology Today Blogs]
  

My Favourite Dresses of Oscar 2008

To tell you the truth, I am not much of a fan of award shows, except for the show hosts who are usually funny but who appear in intervals, of which I don't have enough patience to wait.

However, I do have a couple of favourite dresses of the Academy Awards 2008.

First on my list, is Renée Zellweger who was wearing a silver sequined gown by Carolina Herrera.

The dress brought a touch of old Hollywood glamour to the event and accentuated her body really well. It reminded me of Roxie Hart, the character she played in "Chicago".

Second, is Hilary Swank. To me, there has always been a hint of masculinity in her.

However, in this picture (left) she looks feminine and radiant in a Versace gown. The whole look works for her.

All in all, I think most celebrities were shying away from taking risks thus the event were missing interesting surprises sometimes awaited for in red carpet events.

• Oscars Photos: the 80th Academy Awards [Yahoo! Movies]
  

If a Diet Worked, the (Diet) Industry Would Collapse

As if it was the first time I heard this statement, "if a diet worked, the industry would collapse", a light went on in my head when I read an article by Kira Cochrane from the Guardian. The article is entitled, "I won't let the weight-loss industry crush my confidence".

In her article, she talks about how the diet industry is using or manipulating images to instill a self-loathing image among overweight people.

She mentions an example of the before-and-after photos - on DVDs she was browsing - in which one picture shows a glum woman with no makeup, dressed in an ill-fitting outfit beneath lights that accentuate every spare ripple of flesh, and another shows a smiling woman with tons of makeup, in an expertly styled outfit, beneath studio lights primed to lengthen and flatter.

Just to add to her example, I have noticed some weight-loss advertisements using models who are not overweight at all. And how in one ad, the so-called overweight girl is stressing out that her partner is not attracted to her anymore because of her condition. She will go on discovering the great whatever-they-are-selling and miraculously everything is fine again. I can imagine an overweight (even if so slightly) person watching this ad and saying, "well, if that's fat then I'm obese!".

I personally have never been overweight in my life. But I have noticed how impressionable we, human beings can be with the slightest idea that something is wrong with us.

We have been underestimating the power of suggestion and those who have not, have been taking advantage of this to their fullest benefit.

• I won't let the weight-loss industry crush my confidence [Guardian]
  

Silver Origami Jewellery by Cindy Ng

Known to be originated in China as "Zhe Zhi", origami is usually made with a piece of paper.

However, Origami Bijou, an origami jewellery collection by Cindy Ng is designed, not from paper, but from a single sheet of fine silver.

The collection consists of necklaces and earrings folded in the same manner as traditional paper origami.

The designer fell in love with origami when she was seven and has refined the art of traditional paper-folding. She thought it was a good idea to combine her passion and her background in business to bring a new twist to the art.

You can find her jewellery collection and other origami products at her website Finger Magic.

• Origami Bijou [Finger Magic]
  

Save the Environment with Shopping Baggu

Baggu, or "bag" in Japanese is the new sensation of reusable bags. It is eco-friendly, eco-chic and convenient without compromising on quality. It is estimated that using one Baggu for one year replaces about 300 to 700 disposable bags.

Baggu was designed by a Californian mother-daughter team who saw the need for a better reusable bag.

The bag is made from lightweight and super strong rip-stop nylon. It is machine washable and can be easily folded up for convenient storage.

The bring-your-own-bag concept, especially for grocery-shopping is catching on around the world in the effort of saving the environment. It is but one of many ways of keeping the planet green.

You can buy your Baggus in packs of one, three and six.

• Baggu

Yoox Presents Simply Coco Chanel Part Two

If you missed the first part of Yoox's Chanel Vintage collection, you have missed a great opportunity to own Chanel's timeless pieces.

However, fret not. For Yoox has launched the second part of the exclusive, rare Chanel selection.

The pieces ranging from her signature jewellery, dresses, suits and other accessories. The collection has been such a success that most of the items are already sold out including the camellia brooch featured here.

Chanel lovers should hurry and pay Yoox a visit if they do not want to miss out on another great opportunity.

• Simply Coco Chanel [Yoox]
  

Puffed Heart Ring by Carrie Weston

I had wanted to feature this ring on Valentine's day but something else cropped up so the timing is a little bit off. But, giving gifts to loved ones should not be only on Valentine's day. I say we should practice gift-giving all year round.

What I like about this ring by Carrie Weston is, the heart shape is not on the ring but the ring itself. I don't know how comfortable it is to put on but estimating from the shape, there should not be a problem.

The design is available in yellow gold (featured here), rose gold, white gold and sterling silver.

• Puffed Heart Ring [Carrie Weston]
  

Improve Your Sex Life on Heels

Can wearing high heels improves your sex life? Dr. Maria Cerruto, an Italian urologist, thinks you certainly can. BBC News reports, in her letter to European Urology, Dr. Cerruto said, her study of 66 women under 50 found that those who held their foot at a 15 degree angle to the ground - the equivalent of a two inch heel - had as good posture as those who wore flat shoes, and crucially showed less electrical activity in their pelvic muscles.

The report further explains that the muscles are at an optimum position, which could well improve their strength and ability to contract.

The pelvic floor muscles, says the report, are an essential component of the female body. As well as assisting sexual performance and satisfaction, they provide vital support to the pelvic organs, which include the bladder, bowels and uterus.

But they often weaken after pregnancy and childbirth, and as the woman gets older. There are exercises to strengthen them, but Dr Cerruto hopes her findings may eliminate the need for these.

I am not sure what she means by "less electrical activity" but a study of 66 women is hardly conclusive evidence. I am sure these findings are only preliminary but I can't help smelling a little bit of hype in this. Just like the "you can become slimmer by laughing". It is not entirely a false statement since energy burns fat, but how long do you have to laugh to slim down from 500 kg to 50 kg?

• High heels 'may improve sex life' [BBC News]

Dior Flower Blossom - Floral Illuminating Powders for Face

Dior brings spring in a compact. Dior's new limited edition Flower Blossom pressed powder compact features design inspired by nature's flora and fauna.

Already, there are reviews posted online unanimous in agreement that it is pretty. A little too pretty perhaps?

One reviewer finds the colours too pastel and shimmery, another, a Dior fan does not even care to use it, contented just to look at it.

I can't see myself using it (and mess it up?!) but definitely a collector's item.

• Dior [Official Website]
  

Give Yourself a Virtual Makeover

I can't remember how many times I thought a hairstyle would look good on me only to find out later on that it did not. Wouldn't it be great to see how you will look like before deciding a new haircut, buying new makeup or trying new accessories? Makeover Solutions, a virtual makeover solution, might help in preventing some costly mistakes, either financially or emotionally.


Using your uploaded photo, you can play mix and match and see yourself transformed, virtually, wearing your selected hairstyles, makeup and accessories.

The choices are almost endless. You can try out celebrity hairstyles, different ways of applying makeup, find the perfect eyewear, accessorise with jewellery and for the fun of it, see what you would look like as the cover girl of a style magazine.

Members of Makeover Solutions can also share and rate each other's makeover. If you have created your own makeover, why don't you share with us here.

Makeover Solutions offers free and paid membership options.

• MakeoverSolutions