Source: Madame Noire

Want to look good for your next date, but not looking to splurge for your look? Looking the part for a date should be effortlessly chic, but not rob your pockets. Looking good for your next date night doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Do your research, prepare ahead of time and save some money to look just as good on a budget!

Here is how you can do it!

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How important is it to make a good first impression? Does the first impression someone gives define who they are? It is said that first impressions last forever, and the first thing you do is the last thing someone remembers. In most cases these statements are true because what you do, what you say, and the way you look will lead people to summarize who you are in less than five minutes.

In the world of dating, we all know that a first date is designed for two people who are interested in each other to get to know each other on a beginning personal level to see if there is a possibility of engaging in a relationship. During a first date, people generally engage in casual conversation over dinner to learn if they have any similar interests while simultaneously observing each other’s actions. Many people spend hours, or even days preparing for a date with someone in order to put their best foot forward, and to give an impressive impression. But how many people give a different impression from who they truly are on a first date, and why?

Most people have the tendency to mask who they truly are on a first date because they don’t want to reveal too much about who they really are to someone they barely know because they may not be comfortable around them yet, they may fear that the person will not accept them for who they are, or they may lack self-knowledge and confidence in who they are. Holding back your authentic personality from someone on a first date has its pros and cons. The pros of holding back your true inner identity will allow you to keep a mysterious persona, which will entice the person to want to learn more about who you are, which in turn can lead to more intriguing conversations and dates. It will also allow you to observe the other person’s character which can help you decide if you want to pursue a relationship with them. The cons of holding back your inner identity is that the person may think you are someone you are not, and when the real you is revealed they may not like who you really are. Also, if you are presenting someone else on a first date, other than who you are, the person may think that you are a phony and begin to question your integrity.

When going on a first date, it is important to put your best foot forward, but it is also important to stay true to yourself. When you don’t stay true to yourself, you take on the identity of a stranger and that identity becomes a part of you that you may have to adjust to, which in turn leads you to become someone that you may or may not like or recognize. When prepping to go on a first date, you should consider where the date will take place, and dress to act accordingly; however this does not mean to step completely outside of who you are.

Many women have the tendency to go the extra mile to impress a man by putting on extra make up outside of their daily routine, purchase new clothing, wearing uncomfortable shoes and under garments to give an extraordinary impression to someone that may be around for a brief moment. We even compromise places to go just to impress our companion in hopes of starting a relationship, when the reality is this is only a first date and nothing more. Now granted, a first date can lead to the beginning of a beautiful relationship, but you want the person you are interacting with to know who you are. And while it takes time to truly get to know someone, it helps to give them a good start by being who you know how to be.

First impressions indeed last forever, and you want to be sure that the impression you give on a first date is the person you are and will be on dates to come, and if someone doesn’t like you for who you are, then they are not worthy of your time. How many times have you altered who you are to impress someone? Why? Did it work?

Liz Lampkin is the Author of “Are You a Reflection of the Man You Pray For?” Follow her on Twitter @Liz_Lampkin

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Rapper Khia must’ve started something with the release of her single “My Neck, My Back” because ever since, that’s just about all our favorite celebs like to show off on the red carpet. From see through mesh and nude fabrics to the lack thereof; here’s our gallery of fashionable hotties who have mastered the neck and back reveal.

By Taylor Lea Thomas

Source: africanamericanweddinghairstyles.blogspot.com

Question:

Soooo my dress isn’t flattering on me or my body shape! Help!!!!!

Taylor’s Answer:

Dear Miss I’m-Too-Swexy-For-My-Dress,

I’m assuming you mean that the style of dress you’ve always envisioned yourself being married in doesn’t look or fit the way you thought it would now that you’ve tried it on at the bridal salon. Well, at least I hope that’s what you mean, and not that you actually bought a dress you’re now stuck with. Or, perhaps it was passed down to you from a family member? Whatever the reason, and regardless of how you obtained it, you obviously don’t feel confident in it. Every bride should look and feel gorgeous, so here are a few tips to helping those planning a wedding find the right dress.

• Your once-in-a-lifetime red carpet moment.

I understand your frustration because you want to look your best on your wedding day. Every bride does since all eyes will be on you, and your wedding photos last a lifetime. If the first is true – that the dress you envisioned wearing doesn’t look the way you thought it would – I strongly suggest that you make an appointment with a very good bridal salon to enlist the assistance of a gown consultant.

• Consult with a pro.

Rely on the bridal salon consultant for her expertise. There are many different fabric types, gown styles, and variations of the color white that will be daunting for any bride to try to figure out. Leave it up to the consultant to help you in selecting a gown in a fabric and style that makes you feel as beautiful in it as you look.

• Do a dress rehearsal before you buy.

As you’re trying on gowns, pay attention to the bustle so you can determine if you can sit and move in it comfortably. You’ll be busy during your wedding, so make sure the dress you choose can keep up with you. For instance: Try sitting, hug someone in the salon, do a little spin, dance a little, walk around for a bit, etc. After all, these are all of the things you will be doing. You won’t be standing in one place at your wedding, so give it a test run before buying.

• Fabric matters.

Find something you like in a style, fabric, and design that flatters you, then worry about the cost. Even if you’re on a restricted budget, you can still try on some of those high-priced designer gowns. You may find a style and cut that suits you perfectly. Armed with that information, from there you can find the same style in a fabric that’s less expensive. Also, be sure to have a slip on so your undergarments won’t be seen when direct light is on it such as sunlight, or other bright lighting such as flashes from all the photos your guests will be taking of you. And lastly, before you buy that hot lace lingerie set from Victoria’s Secret, keep in mind that bra cups are usually sewn into the gown, and if the fabric is thin, your hot little lace number will show.

• Being measured for your gown.

Be sure to have the shoes you plan on wearing so the length measurements can be done properly. Also, have the undergarments you’ll be wearing to suck you in, cinch your waist, lift your bust and more on during measurements. Note: If there is anyone else besides your doctor who will know, your seamstress would know if you’re pregnant, so be honest and upfront about it if you are since it will affect your measurements.

• Gown shopping.

Only visit one salon at a time. Going to several salons in one day can be tiring, especially the laborious task of getting in and out of heavy wedding gowns. The fatigue and stress will affect how you feel and the way you see yourself by the time you get to your last salon appointment.

Taylor Lea Thomas is an award-winning celebrity luxury wedding planner, and CEO of Elite Soirée, Inc. – the #1 luxury wedding planning company in the world devoted to the art of creating luxury weddings with an emphasis on style! For more information, visit elitesoiree.com. Follow Taylor on Twitter for more tips and advice as you navigate this wonderful milestone in your life of planning your wedding: @taylorleathomas

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By Taylor Lea Thomas

Question:

Any suggestions for a wedding gown design for a bride with a large bust, large bottom, wide hips and thick waist?  The bride’s prone to suddenly losing or gaining weight depending on stress/peace of mind!

Taylor’s Answer:

Dear Miss Va-Va-Voom,

My first concern is your statement, “The Bride’s prone to suddenly losing or gaining weight depending on stress/peace of mind!” Planning a wedding can become quite stressful due to the enormous amount of decisions to be made, dealing with the varying personalities of your bridesmaids and other members of your wedding party, and the dreaded guest list, among other things. When buying a wedding gown, it’s typically bought six months or more in advance. Your fluctuating weight will only serve to further add to that stress. Here are a few tips to make the wedding dress shopping experience a little less stressful and my wedding dress style recommendation for your curvaceous body type:

Avoid costly gown alterations due to yo-yo dieting: Get your weight under control sooner than later as you plan your wedding. I assure you, the stress will come and as your wedding day approaches, you’ll begin to feel that anxiety even more. Keep in mind that altering a gown can be costly, and if your weight keeps fluctuating throughout the planning process, you will constantly have to make changes to your gown during your various fittings so that it looks right on your body at whatever weight you happen to be at the time.

For all the fashion heads, I’m sure you’re very pumped about Rip the Runway making its return to BET on March 21. You’ll get to check out funky, fly and fresh fashions of new and seasoned black designers, and in the midst of all that, get to rock out to some very entertaining performances (Lil Kim, Wale and Estelle are a few who you can look forward to). The taping of the show took place last night at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC, and The Game star Pooch Hall and model Selita Ebanks were hosts. Check out the best (and possibly worst) of Selita’s style choices from last night.

Ebanks hit the red carpet for the event last night in this figure hugging turtleneck dress (sans sleeves). The multicolored dress was rich in details, showcasing zippers, glitter, mesh and more. She paired it with some floral-detailed heels in black, and opted out of real jewelry. Loving the ombre hair color and the perfectly curled bangs (ever over-curled your bangs? It looks a mess…). The makeup was also very clean and playful.

“Got a Valentine?” We’re sooooo tired of this question. Whether you’re boo’d up or solo this year is irrelevant! It’s time we see Valentine’s Day for what it really is: another chance to dress up. If you’re bar hopping with the gals or grabbing dinner with your significant other, then rest assured that ANY of these outfits will fit the occasion.

Check out the list I’ve put together featuring dresses for every style! Flirty? Sophisticated? Edgy? Consider yourself covered. Be inspired and encouraged to make the best of this Valentine’s day or at the very least, make it a day where you’ve looked your best!

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Leather and lace are two of the most intimidating fabrics. Don’t bother to look it up…it’s a fact. Seriously, what is scarier than resembling a character from the Matrix or channeling your inner gothic teenager this late in the game? We’re shuddering just thinking about it.

What if we told you, these are not your only options when it comes to wearing leather and lace? Stop laughing! Allow us to ease your fears with outfit ideas that combine the chic powers of leather and the demure allure of lace. Trust us, when these two fabrics are paired together, all bets are off!

So, take a deep breath and prepare yourself for pops of color, mixed prints, and texture, texture, texture! Okay, proceed…

*Note: Faux leather is used in some many instances for those wondering or worried.

NEWS SPLASH! Typically, December and January are filled with snow! You know the drill: snowmen, snow-angels and snow days. Yet for some of us, global warming  has given us 60 degree weather and lots of rain.

More prepared for snow flurries than rain showers? Don’t sweat it! We’ve scoured the stores for practical and stylish pieces for the upcoming drippy days. Come on, let us help you stay dry and fly…

*Purchase ‘I Love Rain’ umbrella here for $17.

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Nicki’s got a lot to be amped about these days. She garnered herself some very exciting Grammy nominations yesterday, including a nod for Best New Artist! I know Lil Kim is somewhere steaming at all this success, preparing her next diss record (kidding!). But while she is doing good with all that career wise, let’s see if her outfit to last night’s Grammy Nominations Concert was a winner or a loser.

The woman of many personalities came to the event decked out in a skintight blue dress that gave her a lot of lift (if you know what I mean), and accessorized the look with a pair of multi-colored neon pumps, an iced-out watch and bracelet, as well as her signature “Barbie” necklace (did you notice her nails matched her dress?). Up top, she went for a pink wig with blonde tips and those blunt bangs we’re so used to. I tell ya, nobody rocks a wig like Nicki does these days…

So I must say, I do like this look on her. I think the color is beautiful, and for once her wig isn’t overly distracting. The shoes are a smart choice as they match in a way, but also add a bit of extra neon pop to her already bright ensemble. The makeup is fresh with her signature lip shade, and she just looks…normal. And that’s not actually a bad thing Nicki! The over-the-top-tacky-to-look-cool-gimmick thing can get pretty annoying actually, so I’m a fan of this toned down version of her. A very colorful look for a very colorful artist. I’d steal it (just maybe not so tight dress wise). But what do you think? Steal it, or stop it?

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