Watch your step! Modern Family's Sofia Vergara stomps around in towering clumpy boots
A seasoned red-carpet glamazon, Sofia Vergara is one woman known to be comfortable in a pair of high heels.
And it was no different today, when the 39-year-old actress stepped out in some very high clumpy black patent leather boots.
The Modern Family appeared at ease walking in the extreme footwear as she went shopping at Barney's in Beverly Hills.
Her boosted height certainly had a slimming effect, with the curvy TV star looking ultra-svelte in a pair of black leggings, which she wore under a dark grey sweater tunic.
She accessorised with a black and white scarf and a chic quilted Chanel bag.
The actress wore her brunette locks in a straight style and wore minimal make-up on her complexion.
Sofia appeared to have just been window shopping, as she left the luxury department store toting no shopping bags.
Th actress certainly has a lot to celebrate at the moment.
Not only is she in love with her new boyfriend Nick Loeb, she was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award today.
Sofia will go up against her Modern Family co-star Julie Bowen in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series category.
The Colombian star plays Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on the hit ABC show.
Sophia has been dating her businessman beau Loeb, since last year.
'We're both completely in love and we can almost hear the wedding bells,' she has said in the past about the relationship.
She has a 19-year-old son, Manolo Gonzalez, from her ex-husband, whom she married when she was 18.
2011年12月14日星期三
2011年12月13日星期二
Rome Repaves the Streets in Honor of High Heels
It's now safe to say that Rome, Italy, is the unofficial high-heel friendliest city in the world. Gianni Alemanno, mayor of Rome, has announced plans to makeover the cobblestone-paved streets and sidewalks of Via del Corso, one of Rome's busiest areas. Why all the renovations? To make the streets less dangerous "especially for women in high heels."
If you've ever tried to navigate cobble-stone streets in high heels you know that the process is slow to say the least. One false move and you could end up with a broken ankle and a bruised ego.
Alemanno acknowledges that cobblestone streets are a part of the city's history and character, so don't expect to see miles and miles of smooth cement anytime soon. The old cobblestones will be replaced with modern cobblestones that are set and sealed in a base of concrete to avoid irregular depressions and gaps. Some of the more heavily traversed streets will be paved with asphalt.
So, on behalf of women all over the world, ShoesTV would like to say, Grazie Italia!
If you've ever tried to navigate cobble-stone streets in high heels you know that the process is slow to say the least. One false move and you could end up with a broken ankle and a bruised ego.
Alemanno acknowledges that cobblestone streets are a part of the city's history and character, so don't expect to see miles and miles of smooth cement anytime soon. The old cobblestones will be replaced with modern cobblestones that are set and sealed in a base of concrete to avoid irregular depressions and gaps. Some of the more heavily traversed streets will be paved with asphalt.
So, on behalf of women all over the world, ShoesTV would like to say, Grazie Italia!
2011年12月11日星期日
Christian Louboutin Sale
Everyone should have a good pair of shoes, because this pair of good shoes will take you to the best places to go.christian louboutin is the world’s red-soled shoes women dream of high heels. You know the top fairy shoe where the beginning is the birth of it? The answer is the designer’s own studio. Christian Louboutin in Paris working room, stood a row of shoes molds and fabrics, but also has a spacious layout and many well-decorated home.christian louboutin sale From a historical point of view, the right and the red-soled shoes have always been a status symbol. Louis XIV period, only the aristocracy made the red man to the heel. Red dye was still quite expensive, christian louboutin produced by a Mexican cochineal is made; only aristocrats could afford. Later, the French Revolution and slowly disappeared from sight.
What makes such a big break Louboutin? The answer of course is a very recognizable “red background.” christian louboutin sale shoes, although the United States, but it is often difficult to recognize it is a Manolo Blahnik. But only saw the red background, we must know christian louboutin sale online. In the past decade, Louboutin’s “red background” is seen as a symbol of identity and status of women. I believe we make you recall a lot of beautiful memories. If the little girl just has a pair of red shoes or toys, that this pair is definitely the temptation. Everything seemed so perfect and sexy.Fashion cycle, Prada Spring-summer 2011 show platform shoes renewed attention this spring and summer to become new favorite. This season, christian louboutin it is integrated with a variety of shoes, resulting in a strange new state, than the “Hentian high” higher than the palette more colorful. christian louboutin Those straw soles are a big trend this season, like weird fashion fans why not try?
What makes such a big break Louboutin? The answer of course is a very recognizable “red background.” christian louboutin sale shoes, although the United States, but it is often difficult to recognize it is a Manolo Blahnik. But only saw the red background, we must know christian louboutin sale online. In the past decade, Louboutin’s “red background” is seen as a symbol of identity and status of women. I believe we make you recall a lot of beautiful memories. If the little girl just has a pair of red shoes or toys, that this pair is definitely the temptation. Everything seemed so perfect and sexy.Fashion cycle, Prada Spring-summer 2011 show platform shoes renewed attention this spring and summer to become new favorite. This season, christian louboutin it is integrated with a variety of shoes, resulting in a strange new state, than the “Hentian high” higher than the palette more colorful. christian louboutin Those straw soles are a big trend this season, like weird fashion fans why not try?
2011年12月7日星期三
So much for the big reveal! Lindsay Lohan's nude Playboy cover leaked online
She is no doubt one of the most high profile and controversial stars to agree to grace the magazine's front cover.
But Lindsay Lohan's Playboy cover shot big reveal has been thwarted and a picture of the upcoming issue has been leaked online.
The 25-year-old actress is seen straddling a Playboy bunny shaped chair which manages to cover her modesty, but reveals the curve of her breasts.
Wearing just a pair of black high heels, Lindsay has her hair in big blonde curls falling around her shoulders, and she is seen pouting into the camera with bright red lips, matching her seat and the curtains in the backdrop.
Lindsay, who was reportedly paid $1million for the shoot, had planned to reveal her nude cover on the Ellen DeGeneres show on December 15.
The actress had to pose for the magazine photographers twice, as the original attempt did not satisfy Playboy boss Hugh Hefner.
Speaking about the snaps which appear in the January/ February issue of the magazine, Hefner spoke about the inspiration behind the racy shots.
He said: 'It's a classic tribute, inspired by the original Tom Kelley nude pictorial of Marilyn Monroe. [It's] classy, very classy,' the New York Post reported.
'It turned out very well. I would say that I had some reservations early on, but after a couple of false steps, everybody came on board and it's going to be very exciting,' Hefner added.
At the time Lindsay posed for the photos, Dina Lohan, Lindsay's mother said the shoot was 'tastefully done'.
Speaking to The Insider's Christina McLarty she said: 'It was an opportunity for her and she's done thousands and thousands of covers, so this was just something...she's 25 now. It was just something that was her decision...we have a contractual say in how far it goes and her and Mr. Hefner will decide.'
Dina continued: 'She'll pick five covers, he'll pick the one, but she has a say. I don't want to get into the contract, but it will be tastefully done.'
This is not the first time that Lindsay has bared all for a magazine, in 2008 she covered herself in just a sheer pink scarf posing on the front of New York magazine.
Lindsay has been keeping a fairly low profile of late and last month she spent just four and a half hours in jail, after being released early from her 30-day sentence, due to overcrowding.
The sentence also requires Lohan to undergo 18 psychotherapy sessions and appear monthly at court hearings between December 2011 and March 2012, she also has to complete more community service.
But Lindsay Lohan's Playboy cover shot big reveal has been thwarted and a picture of the upcoming issue has been leaked online.
The 25-year-old actress is seen straddling a Playboy bunny shaped chair which manages to cover her modesty, but reveals the curve of her breasts.
Wearing just a pair of black high heels, Lindsay has her hair in big blonde curls falling around her shoulders, and she is seen pouting into the camera with bright red lips, matching her seat and the curtains in the backdrop.
Lindsay, who was reportedly paid $1million for the shoot, had planned to reveal her nude cover on the Ellen DeGeneres show on December 15.
The actress had to pose for the magazine photographers twice, as the original attempt did not satisfy Playboy boss Hugh Hefner.
Speaking about the snaps which appear in the January/ February issue of the magazine, Hefner spoke about the inspiration behind the racy shots.
He said: 'It's a classic tribute, inspired by the original Tom Kelley nude pictorial of Marilyn Monroe. [It's] classy, very classy,' the New York Post reported.
'It turned out very well. I would say that I had some reservations early on, but after a couple of false steps, everybody came on board and it's going to be very exciting,' Hefner added.
At the time Lindsay posed for the photos, Dina Lohan, Lindsay's mother said the shoot was 'tastefully done'.
Speaking to The Insider's Christina McLarty she said: 'It was an opportunity for her and she's done thousands and thousands of covers, so this was just something...she's 25 now. It was just something that was her decision...we have a contractual say in how far it goes and her and Mr. Hefner will decide.'
Dina continued: 'She'll pick five covers, he'll pick the one, but she has a say. I don't want to get into the contract, but it will be tastefully done.'
This is not the first time that Lindsay has bared all for a magazine, in 2008 she covered herself in just a sheer pink scarf posing on the front of New York magazine.
Lindsay has been keeping a fairly low profile of late and last month she spent just four and a half hours in jail, after being released early from her 30-day sentence, due to overcrowding.
The sentence also requires Lohan to undergo 18 psychotherapy sessions and appear monthly at court hearings between December 2011 and March 2012, she also has to complete more community service.
2011年12月6日星期二
Cheryl Cole unveils new collection of high heels
Cheryl Cole - perhaps unsurprisingly for a 5ft 3in pop singer - boasts that she can walk in heels of any height.
But she realises that not all of us enjoy wearing toe-curlingly painful stilettos. So for her debut collection of Stylistpick.com heels, the Geordie has focused on comfort and versatility. Her 'shoe wardrobe' includes styles for all occasions, ranging from red carpet appearances, to super smart daywear or casual weekend pieces.
'I think people were expecting just a handful of heels made in different ways, but that's not what I'm about,' Cheryl said of the collection she has designed.
'I wanted each girl to have something she could relate to, whatever she does, or however she feels.
'We're all different, we all have different jobs. I really do feel that there is something for everyone here.'
Cheryl described her eight pairs of ￡79.90 to ￡119.85 shoes as 'killer shoes that don't kill your feet.'
The former X Factor judge told Grazia: 'I have a pair of Louboutins that are so cripplingly painful – but I’m trying to ease myself into them gently, wearing them for a few minutes every now and again.'
Hopefully, those who snap up her shoes won't have to go through the same process.
She has certainly done everything she can to avoid sore toes. High quality fabrications and finishes are used throughout, with kid leather uppers and leather linings combining with special comfort features
A spokesman for Stylistpick.com said: 'The launch marks [Cheryl's] first entry into design.
'Involved at all stages in the process, from details like toe shapes and embellishments, to the packaging itself, Cheryl even created names for each style and colourway.'
The names Cheryl selected show that she was influenced by her upbringing, friends and even the royal wedding.
The biker boots are jokingly called Byker Grove - inspired by the Geordie TV show that was set in her home town.
Leopard-print trimmed stiletto boots are named Ri Ri, after fellow-singer Rihanna, and studded heels are named after Pippa Middleton - they are called Your Royal Hotness.
One source of inspiration that Cheryl probably won't be revisiting is The X Factor.
Cheryl was infamously sacked from U.S. version of the show earlier this year - but she still can't bring herself to put on the the shoes she wore for those TV appearances.
She said: ‘For me, all shoes have memories - wearing them on a certain occasion like that means the shoe gets that memory.
But she realises that not all of us enjoy wearing toe-curlingly painful stilettos. So for her debut collection of Stylistpick.com heels, the Geordie has focused on comfort and versatility. Her 'shoe wardrobe' includes styles for all occasions, ranging from red carpet appearances, to super smart daywear or casual weekend pieces.
'I think people were expecting just a handful of heels made in different ways, but that's not what I'm about,' Cheryl said of the collection she has designed.
'I wanted each girl to have something she could relate to, whatever she does, or however she feels.
'We're all different, we all have different jobs. I really do feel that there is something for everyone here.'
Cheryl described her eight pairs of ￡79.90 to ￡119.85 shoes as 'killer shoes that don't kill your feet.'
The former X Factor judge told Grazia: 'I have a pair of Louboutins that are so cripplingly painful – but I’m trying to ease myself into them gently, wearing them for a few minutes every now and again.'
Hopefully, those who snap up her shoes won't have to go through the same process.
She has certainly done everything she can to avoid sore toes. High quality fabrications and finishes are used throughout, with kid leather uppers and leather linings combining with special comfort features
A spokesman for Stylistpick.com said: 'The launch marks [Cheryl's] first entry into design.
'Involved at all stages in the process, from details like toe shapes and embellishments, to the packaging itself, Cheryl even created names for each style and colourway.'
The names Cheryl selected show that she was influenced by her upbringing, friends and even the royal wedding.
The biker boots are jokingly called Byker Grove - inspired by the Geordie TV show that was set in her home town.
Leopard-print trimmed stiletto boots are named Ri Ri, after fellow-singer Rihanna, and studded heels are named after Pippa Middleton - they are called Your Royal Hotness.
One source of inspiration that Cheryl probably won't be revisiting is The X Factor.
Cheryl was infamously sacked from U.S. version of the show earlier this year - but she still can't bring herself to put on the the shoes she wore for those TV appearances.
She said: ‘For me, all shoes have memories - wearing them on a certain occasion like that means the shoe gets that memory.
2011年12月5日星期一
How to Wear High Heels Without Pain
That pain that you feel at the end of a long night—no, it's not a hangover and it's not exhaustion. We're talking about something worse—the pain that's caused by a seemingly evil and malicious pair of high heels. But, believe it or not, not all high heels are created equal. In some cases, they can actually be healthier for your feet than flats. "Excess pronation is a condition that affects 75 percent of the population and has been related to many conditions, such as heel pain (otherwise known as plantar fasciitis), knee pain, and even lower-back pain," says podiatrist Dr. Phillip Vasyli.
In this case, doctors actually recommend wearing shoes with a slight heel, as opposed to our trusty flats. "The popular trend of ballet flats has caused us to see an increase in many of the aforementioned conditions due to a lack of overall support and flimsy shoe construction," Vasyli says.
Generally, there are a few things to look for when you're shopping for stilettos. First, make sure the heels are of moderate proportions, not the towering Lady GaGa variety. Save those for dinners out, where you'll be sitting for most of the evening.
Vasyli recommends opting for well-constructed "quality" shoes, especially those that have shock absorbing materials in the ball of the foot, and using an insert like Orthaheel, which he invented. He also suggests wearing your highest heels for only short periods at a time and giving them a little bit of closet time now and then."If you feel the need to wear higher-heeled shoes daily, then take a more comfortable shoe to get to and from work and wear the higher shoes while you're sitting at your desk," he adds.
Also, while you're having a ball, be conscious of the weight that's being distributed onto the ball of your foot. "The higher the heel, the more the shoe increases the arch height and also changes the 'arch position'," Vasyli says. He suggests looking for shoes that "contour" to your arch and distribute your weight over the entire foot, not just the ball of the foot.
In this case, doctors actually recommend wearing shoes with a slight heel, as opposed to our trusty flats. "The popular trend of ballet flats has caused us to see an increase in many of the aforementioned conditions due to a lack of overall support and flimsy shoe construction," Vasyli says.
Generally, there are a few things to look for when you're shopping for stilettos. First, make sure the heels are of moderate proportions, not the towering Lady GaGa variety. Save those for dinners out, where you'll be sitting for most of the evening.
Vasyli recommends opting for well-constructed "quality" shoes, especially those that have shock absorbing materials in the ball of the foot, and using an insert like Orthaheel, which he invented. He also suggests wearing your highest heels for only short periods at a time and giving them a little bit of closet time now and then."If you feel the need to wear higher-heeled shoes daily, then take a more comfortable shoe to get to and from work and wear the higher shoes while you're sitting at your desk," he adds.
Also, while you're having a ball, be conscious of the weight that's being distributed onto the ball of your foot. "The higher the heel, the more the shoe increases the arch height and also changes the 'arch position'," Vasyli says. He suggests looking for shoes that "contour" to your arch and distribute your weight over the entire foot, not just the ball of the foot.
2011年12月4日星期日
How to Wear High Heels Without Pain
That pain that you feel at the end of a long night—no, it's not a hangover and it's not exhaustion. We're talking about something worse—the pain that's caused by a seemingly evil and malicious pair of high heels. But, believe it or not, not all high heels are created equal. In some cases, they can actually be healthier for your feet than flats. "Excess pronation is a condition that affects 75 percent of the population and has been related to many conditions, such as heel pain (otherwise known as plantar fasciitis), knee pain, and even lower-back pain," says podiatrist Dr. Phillip Vasyli.
In this case, doctors actually recommend wearing shoes with a slight heel, as opposed to our trusty flats. "The popular trend of ballet flats has caused us to see an increase in many of the aforementioned conditions due to a lack of overall support and flimsy shoe construction," Vasyli says.
Generally, there are a few things to look for when you're shopping for stilettos. First, make sure the heels are of moderate proportions, not the towering Lady GaGa variety. Save those for dinners out, where you'll be sitting for most of the evening.
Vasyli recommends opting for well-constructed "quality" shoes, especially those that have shock absorbing materials in the ball of the foot, and using an insert like Orthaheel, which he invented. He also suggests wearing your highest heels for only short periods at a time and giving them a little bit of closet time now and then."If you feel the need to wear higher-heeled shoes daily, then take a more comfortable shoe to get to and from work and wear the higher shoes while you're sitting at your desk," he adds.
Also, while you're having a ball, be conscious of the weight that's being distributed onto the ball of your foot. "The higher the heel, the more the shoe increases the arch height and also changes the 'arch position'," Vasyli says. He suggests looking for shoes that "contour" to your arch and distribute your weight over the entire foot, not just the ball of the foot.
In this case, doctors actually recommend wearing shoes with a slight heel, as opposed to our trusty flats. "The popular trend of ballet flats has caused us to see an increase in many of the aforementioned conditions due to a lack of overall support and flimsy shoe construction," Vasyli says.
Generally, there are a few things to look for when you're shopping for stilettos. First, make sure the heels are of moderate proportions, not the towering Lady GaGa variety. Save those for dinners out, where you'll be sitting for most of the evening.
Vasyli recommends opting for well-constructed "quality" shoes, especially those that have shock absorbing materials in the ball of the foot, and using an insert like Orthaheel, which he invented. He also suggests wearing your highest heels for only short periods at a time and giving them a little bit of closet time now and then."If you feel the need to wear higher-heeled shoes daily, then take a more comfortable shoe to get to and from work and wear the higher shoes while you're sitting at your desk," he adds.
Also, while you're having a ball, be conscious of the weight that's being distributed onto the ball of your foot. "The higher the heel, the more the shoe increases the arch height and also changes the 'arch position'," Vasyli says. He suggests looking for shoes that "contour" to your arch and distribute your weight over the entire foot, not just the ball of the foot.
2011年12月1日星期四
Men don high heels to call attention to domestic violence
Ukrainian men took part in a high heels race, held in the Dream Town shopping mall in Kyiv on Nov. 24 as part of the “Walk In Her Shoes” action.
The spectacle took place on the eve of the International Week for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is marked on Nov. 25-Dec. 1 each year.
The event was led by Ukrainian singer and TV star Olya Polyakova. “Today men finally felt what high heels are like. They were not afraid to lose control and look weak or funny,” Polyakova said. “It’s never funny when we talk about violence.”
According to a European Union project promoting women's and children's rights, about 1,000 Ukrainian women are killed every year because of domestic violence, while one in five women ages 17-21 are sexually assaulted.
Women are also paid less for the same work than men.
The spectacle took place on the eve of the International Week for the Elimination of Violence against Women, which is marked on Nov. 25-Dec. 1 each year.
The event was led by Ukrainian singer and TV star Olya Polyakova. “Today men finally felt what high heels are like. They were not afraid to lose control and look weak or funny,” Polyakova said. “It’s never funny when we talk about violence.”
According to a European Union project promoting women's and children's rights, about 1,000 Ukrainian women are killed every year because of domestic violence, while one in five women ages 17-21 are sexually assaulted.
Women are also paid less for the same work than men.
2011年11月30日星期三
Indulge in art, craft and gourmet food
AN EVENING of high balls, high heels and high art will be a feature of Little Haven Palliative Care's A Christmas Affair this weekend.
Gympie region residents have been invited to Cocktails at 7 in the Gympie Civic Centre tomorrow night.
An indulgence of fine art, craft, collectables and gourmet food, A Christmas Affair runs from 9am-4pm tomorrow, with Friday night's cocktail hour from 7-8 o'clock featuring delicious food and drinks and followed by the official exhibition opening and an auction of donated fine pieces.
The entertainment and shopping opportunities will continue until 10pm.
The event will then continue from 9am-4pm on Saturday, with Kids' Art in the Park as an additional feature on Saturday morning beside the Civic Centre.
With lots of fun art and craft activities planned for the children, mum or dad can take it in turns to enjoy all the exhibition has to offer.
The Christmas Affair cafe will be open throughout the exhibition, serving fresh, home-baked delights.
Take the time to relax over a "real coffee" or Devonshire tea.
Choose lunch from an inviting menu or pre-arrange a special Christmas lunch or high tea. Group bookings are welcome.
A Christmas Affair will provide exhibitors and vendors the opportunity to showcase their works and products and to also give the community the opportunity to purchase gifts.
Gympie region residents have been invited to Cocktails at 7 in the Gympie Civic Centre tomorrow night.
An indulgence of fine art, craft, collectables and gourmet food, A Christmas Affair runs from 9am-4pm tomorrow, with Friday night's cocktail hour from 7-8 o'clock featuring delicious food and drinks and followed by the official exhibition opening and an auction of donated fine pieces.
The entertainment and shopping opportunities will continue until 10pm.
The event will then continue from 9am-4pm on Saturday, with Kids' Art in the Park as an additional feature on Saturday morning beside the Civic Centre.
With lots of fun art and craft activities planned for the children, mum or dad can take it in turns to enjoy all the exhibition has to offer.
The Christmas Affair cafe will be open throughout the exhibition, serving fresh, home-baked delights.
Take the time to relax over a "real coffee" or Devonshire tea.
Choose lunch from an inviting menu or pre-arrange a special Christmas lunch or high tea. Group bookings are welcome.
A Christmas Affair will provide exhibitors and vendors the opportunity to showcase their works and products and to also give the community the opportunity to purchase gifts.
2011年11月29日星期二
Small operation getting big results from filly On Fire Baby
In her 29 career outings, Ornate was a decidedly workmanlike performer for Anita Cauley, collecting seven wins for the longtime owner and breeder over three seasons.
While Ornate's on-track results might not have been the stuff that inspired joyful gasps from inside a winner's circle, her second career in the breeding shed has a pattern of doing just that.
For all the euphoria that came over Cauley after watching her homebred juvenile filly On Fire Baby record a 61/4-length victory in the Grade II Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs this past Saturday, the Louisville-based owner made sure to pay homage to the mare who was largely responsible for that moment in the first place.
On Fire Baby is now the second graded stakes winner to be produced by Ornate, the former $80,000 Fasig-Tipton July purchase who has become the star and main contributor to Cauley's four-horse broodmare band.
Campaigned by Cauley and her late husband, Barry Ebert, Ornate is also the dam of Grade II winner High Heels — who ran third in the 2007 Kentucky Oaks — as well as stakes winner French Kiss. Those three, along with another daughter of Ornate named Lustful, make up Cauley's entire breeding arsenal which currently resides at Lee McMillan's Amende Place in Paris.
When High Heels — the first foal out of Ornate — retired with earnings of $484,636, Cauley figured she had already experienced her once-in-a-lifetime horse.
Four starts and three wins into her career, On Fire Baby is forcing her owner to have second thoughts about that.
"I have been very lucky to have the fillies I've had out of Ornate. She's been very kind to me," beamed Cauley after the Golden Rod. "With High Heels I thought, 'Wow I've been in the business for 20 years and I finally get a good horse.' I just would say little prayers that I hope I get one more chance before I pass to experience that again. It's beyond words to think I've got another sister who can do something special."
One who can attest to how much Ornate and her daughters have meant to Cauley is Gary "Red Dog" Hartlage, a native of Louisville's Shively suburb who has trained for Cauley for more than 20 years — including Ornate and High Heels.
Like Cauley's operation, Hartlage's keeps the number of head in his barn to modest proportions. And just as a strong family has elevated Cauley's participation in racing, Hartlage maintains a kindred atmosphere in his shedrow as clients past and present always flood the winner's circle when one of Hartlage's runners end up there.
"That is exactly why my late husband and I hired him is because when you see the atmosphere around his barn, it is family through and through," Cauley said of Hartlage. "Everybody cheers for everybody else. We could all be very competitive, we all want to win but we all want everybody to do well. I feel as much a part of his family as his family."
While Ornate's on-track results might not have been the stuff that inspired joyful gasps from inside a winner's circle, her second career in the breeding shed has a pattern of doing just that.
For all the euphoria that came over Cauley after watching her homebred juvenile filly On Fire Baby record a 61/4-length victory in the Grade II Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs this past Saturday, the Louisville-based owner made sure to pay homage to the mare who was largely responsible for that moment in the first place.
On Fire Baby is now the second graded stakes winner to be produced by Ornate, the former $80,000 Fasig-Tipton July purchase who has become the star and main contributor to Cauley's four-horse broodmare band.
Campaigned by Cauley and her late husband, Barry Ebert, Ornate is also the dam of Grade II winner High Heels — who ran third in the 2007 Kentucky Oaks — as well as stakes winner French Kiss. Those three, along with another daughter of Ornate named Lustful, make up Cauley's entire breeding arsenal which currently resides at Lee McMillan's Amende Place in Paris.
When High Heels — the first foal out of Ornate — retired with earnings of $484,636, Cauley figured she had already experienced her once-in-a-lifetime horse.
Four starts and three wins into her career, On Fire Baby is forcing her owner to have second thoughts about that.
"I have been very lucky to have the fillies I've had out of Ornate. She's been very kind to me," beamed Cauley after the Golden Rod. "With High Heels I thought, 'Wow I've been in the business for 20 years and I finally get a good horse.' I just would say little prayers that I hope I get one more chance before I pass to experience that again. It's beyond words to think I've got another sister who can do something special."
One who can attest to how much Ornate and her daughters have meant to Cauley is Gary "Red Dog" Hartlage, a native of Louisville's Shively suburb who has trained for Cauley for more than 20 years — including Ornate and High Heels.
Like Cauley's operation, Hartlage's keeps the number of head in his barn to modest proportions. And just as a strong family has elevated Cauley's participation in racing, Hartlage maintains a kindred atmosphere in his shedrow as clients past and present always flood the winner's circle when one of Hartlage's runners end up there.
"That is exactly why my late husband and I hired him is because when you see the atmosphere around his barn, it is family through and through," Cauley said of Hartlage. "Everybody cheers for everybody else. We could all be very competitive, we all want to win but we all want everybody to do well. I feel as much a part of his family as his family."
2011年11月28日星期一
High heels, low budget
If we take a look back at the past 100 years, there's always been a link between female fashion trends and the economy.
Traditionally, a down economy means shorter skirts and higher heels. However, IBM geniuses have been monitoring billions of social media posts, and they say a move to lower heels is on its way.
Ladies who love to rock the stilettos shouldn't throw out those Jimmy Choo's and Louboutin's just yet though; the study says high heels won't go away all together.
Designers will simply begin to offer more kitten heels and flats as an alternative. Whew!
Traditionally, a down economy means shorter skirts and higher heels. However, IBM geniuses have been monitoring billions of social media posts, and they say a move to lower heels is on its way.
Ladies who love to rock the stilettos shouldn't throw out those Jimmy Choo's and Louboutin's just yet though; the study says high heels won't go away all together.
Designers will simply begin to offer more kitten heels and flats as an alternative. Whew!
2011年11月27日星期日
Female deer hunters run from rookie to veteran
It's taken 22 years, but Wayne Krystek has found a deer hunting partner.
He and Linda Krystek have four daughters, and the youngest, 12-year-old Lauren Krystek, has taken the hunter safety course and is ready to get out in the woods first thing Monday.
"I like the anticipation of waiting on the deer," Lauren said. "Winter is my favorite time of year, and each day I learn something from my dad. I like listening to all the different sounds in the woods, and each time you hear a twig snap, you think it might be a deer. I like learning patience, too."
Wayne said he took Lauren out in 2010 just to do some scouting and determine if it was a genuine interest before they invested time and money into the hunter safety course, hunting license and deer tags.
"I saw a deer the first time we went out, and that sparked a fever," Lauren said. "Some of my friends might hunt, but I can also see they'd get cold and say they're ready to go back to the house."
To help Lauren stave off the cold, the family went shopping recently at Woodbury Outfitters on South Second Street.
Sales Associate Pam Brightly helped Lauren select overalls and a jacket that not only are warm and water-resistant, but also tear-resistant. She knew she had to have hunter orange, and selected a cap and vest.
Lauren will use an heirloom of sorts to hunt with, a 20-gauge shotgun Wayne bought when he was 18.
"The first time I shot it, I had no idea what it was going to feel like," said the 95-pound sixth-grade student at Union Elementary. "It pushed me back, and it was loud.
"But I'm more of a tomboy," Lauren said.
Not afraid of the hunt
Facing down a bear on a hunting trip would be daunting for a man or a woman.
Tina Williams, of Killbuck, has done that and more in her eight years as an avid hunter. She got into hunting to spend more time with her husband, she said.
It worked, as she said the two not only hunt white-tail deer locally but have taken trips to tackle such game as antelope, wild boar, mule deer and bears.
"I was really nervous. It was kind of scary, especially the one day when I came back and there were fresh claw marks in the tree where I had been sitting," she said of bear hunting. "That was scary, but nine times out of 10 they're more afraid of you than you are of them."
He and Linda Krystek have four daughters, and the youngest, 12-year-old Lauren Krystek, has taken the hunter safety course and is ready to get out in the woods first thing Monday.
"I like the anticipation of waiting on the deer," Lauren said. "Winter is my favorite time of year, and each day I learn something from my dad. I like listening to all the different sounds in the woods, and each time you hear a twig snap, you think it might be a deer. I like learning patience, too."
Wayne said he took Lauren out in 2010 just to do some scouting and determine if it was a genuine interest before they invested time and money into the hunter safety course, hunting license and deer tags.
"I saw a deer the first time we went out, and that sparked a fever," Lauren said. "Some of my friends might hunt, but I can also see they'd get cold and say they're ready to go back to the house."
To help Lauren stave off the cold, the family went shopping recently at Woodbury Outfitters on South Second Street.
Sales Associate Pam Brightly helped Lauren select overalls and a jacket that not only are warm and water-resistant, but also tear-resistant. She knew she had to have hunter orange, and selected a cap and vest.
Lauren will use an heirloom of sorts to hunt with, a 20-gauge shotgun Wayne bought when he was 18.
"The first time I shot it, I had no idea what it was going to feel like," said the 95-pound sixth-grade student at Union Elementary. "It pushed me back, and it was loud.
"But I'm more of a tomboy," Lauren said.
Not afraid of the hunt
Facing down a bear on a hunting trip would be daunting for a man or a woman.
Tina Williams, of Killbuck, has done that and more in her eight years as an avid hunter. She got into hunting to spend more time with her husband, she said.
It worked, as she said the two not only hunt white-tail deer locally but have taken trips to tackle such game as antelope, wild boar, mule deer and bears.
"I was really nervous. It was kind of scary, especially the one day when I came back and there were fresh claw marks in the tree where I had been sitting," she said of bear hunting. "That was scary, but nine times out of 10 they're more afraid of you than you are of them."
2011年11月24日星期四
High heels out of fashion: Social media
The 1920s notion of a "hemline index," in which the economist George Taylor posited that skirt lengths rise and fall in relation to the economy, suggests that fashion is socially determined.
In a modern twist, a report about the direction of high heels, issued by IBM, proposes that fashion can now be determined through social media. To promote its software and consulting services, IBM announced that its computer analysis of "billions of social media posts" pointed to a downward trend in heel heights.
This was surprising, the company said, because heels usually go up during an economic downturn.While an intriguing thesis, it bears some fact-checking.
First, IBM's case: By mapping the most influential participants in online conversations about shoes, the company was then able to eavesdrop on a dozen key bloggers. It found that the median heel heights mentioned on those sites dropped to two inches this year from seven inches in 2009. But did women really wear seven-inch heels in 2009? Is that physically possible?
Trevor Davis, who led the IBM survey, argued: "The absolute number is not really what is of great interest here. It is the relevant movement." There is, indeed, anecdotal evidence of a decline in heel height, but mixed opinions about whether that has anything to do with the economy. Colleen Sherin, the senior fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue, wasn't buying it. Yes, flats are going to be big for spring, but so are wedges.
"I know that people like to take an economic read from heel heights, skirt lengths and selling red lipsticks," she said, "but it is just the cycle of fashion." Elizabeth Semmelhack, the senior curator at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, has proposed that heels grow higher in a bad economy, citing the introduction of platforms during the Great Depression and their reappearance during the oil crisis in the 1970s and again during the dot-com bust.
But even that was a "casual observation," not gospel, she said. Valerie Steele, the chief curator at the Museum at FIT, said the evidence does not hold up, even if people are talking about it online. "You can have absolutely vertiginous heels and, at the same time, sell billions of ballet flats," Ms Steele said. "It all goes back to that Mark Twain quote: 'Lies, damned lies and statistics.' "
In a modern twist, a report about the direction of high heels, issued by IBM, proposes that fashion can now be determined through social media. To promote its software and consulting services, IBM announced that its computer analysis of "billions of social media posts" pointed to a downward trend in heel heights.
This was surprising, the company said, because heels usually go up during an economic downturn.While an intriguing thesis, it bears some fact-checking.
First, IBM's case: By mapping the most influential participants in online conversations about shoes, the company was then able to eavesdrop on a dozen key bloggers. It found that the median heel heights mentioned on those sites dropped to two inches this year from seven inches in 2009. But did women really wear seven-inch heels in 2009? Is that physically possible?
Trevor Davis, who led the IBM survey, argued: "The absolute number is not really what is of great interest here. It is the relevant movement." There is, indeed, anecdotal evidence of a decline in heel height, but mixed opinions about whether that has anything to do with the economy. Colleen Sherin, the senior fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue, wasn't buying it. Yes, flats are going to be big for spring, but so are wedges.
"I know that people like to take an economic read from heel heights, skirt lengths and selling red lipsticks," she said, "but it is just the cycle of fashion." Elizabeth Semmelhack, the senior curator at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, has proposed that heels grow higher in a bad economy, citing the introduction of platforms during the Great Depression and their reappearance during the oil crisis in the 1970s and again during the dot-com bust.
But even that was a "casual observation," not gospel, she said. Valerie Steele, the chief curator at the Museum at FIT, said the evidence does not hold up, even if people are talking about it online. "You can have absolutely vertiginous heels and, at the same time, sell billions of ballet flats," Ms Steele said. "It all goes back to that Mark Twain quote: 'Lies, damned lies and statistics.' "
2011年11月23日星期三
High Heel Economy
A girl needs to feel good about herself and apparently high heels are the way to do it.
A new report shows that even through the rough economy women are still splurging on high heels.
In the economic downturn...consumers turn to fantacy and escape.
From what has been seen on the runway for Spring 2012 the report showed that heels point to a rebound.
A new report shows that even through the rough economy women are still splurging on high heels.
In the economic downturn...consumers turn to fantacy and escape.
From what has been seen on the runway for Spring 2012 the report showed that heels point to a rebound.
2011年11月22日星期二
High heels may be hazardous to your health
Luz Vargas says the higher the heel on her shoe, the better she feels, but after a bad spin on the dance floor while wearing high heel boots a few months ago, Vargas was side lined.
Her foot was so swollen and bruised she ended up in a brace and at physical therapy for months.
"The doctor actually said it would have been better if I had broken it because it would have healed quicker," she said.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Neufeld says he's seeing more and more women like Vargas who end up in his office post-weekend party with foot problems, and it's not just sprains and breaks.
"I'm seeing people with a lot more pain on the ball of their foot," he said. "I'm seeing a lot more bunions and a lot more hammer toes, a lot more nerve pain, calluses that are becoming a problem, corns are becoming a problem."
Neufeld says shoes with a heel more than two inches high puts anywhere from five to eight times your body weight on the ball of your foot, so when women wear these shoes for extended periods of time they can end up with some pretty serious injuries.
Neufeld advises if you can't give up your heels, at least wear a shoe with an open toe. It gives your toes room to move around and it takes some of the pressure off the ball of the foot.
Luz Vargas says her sprained ankle is still healing, but she's already back in her high heels and she says she's not giving them up any time soon.
"Who knows if it's ever going to fully be the same again, but you get used to it," she says.
One study from the American Podiatric Medical Association found that 42 percent of women admitted wearing a shoe they liked even though it was uncomfortable.
Another 73 percent said they had suffered some sort of shoe-related injury in their lifetime.
Her foot was so swollen and bruised she ended up in a brace and at physical therapy for months.
"The doctor actually said it would have been better if I had broken it because it would have healed quicker," she said.
Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Neufeld says he's seeing more and more women like Vargas who end up in his office post-weekend party with foot problems, and it's not just sprains and breaks.
"I'm seeing people with a lot more pain on the ball of their foot," he said. "I'm seeing a lot more bunions and a lot more hammer toes, a lot more nerve pain, calluses that are becoming a problem, corns are becoming a problem."
Neufeld says shoes with a heel more than two inches high puts anywhere from five to eight times your body weight on the ball of your foot, so when women wear these shoes for extended periods of time they can end up with some pretty serious injuries.
Neufeld advises if you can't give up your heels, at least wear a shoe with an open toe. It gives your toes room to move around and it takes some of the pressure off the ball of the foot.
Luz Vargas says her sprained ankle is still healing, but she's already back in her high heels and she says she's not giving them up any time soon.
"Who knows if it's ever going to fully be the same again, but you get used to it," she says.
One study from the American Podiatric Medical Association found that 42 percent of women admitted wearing a shoe they liked even though it was uncomfortable.
Another 73 percent said they had suffered some sort of shoe-related injury in their lifetime.
2011年11月21日星期一
Heels get lower, economy heading higher?
A new study suggests women are choosing lower heeled shoes and those high heels may soon be tossed in the back of the closet.
IBM says they've been monitoring billions of social media posts and heel heights are about to decline. Researchers say usually when the economy is bad, skirts get shorter and heels get higher.
That's because people turn to them as a means of fantasy and escape. Over the last 100 years, high heels soared during the worst recessions.
So if times are tough, why are heel heights getting lower? IBM says the move to a lower heel may indicate a mood of "long term austerity" that's evolving among consumers.
The study says high heels won't disappear altogether, but even high-end shoe designers like Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin are beginning to offer more kitten heels and flats.
IBM says they've been monitoring billions of social media posts and heel heights are about to decline. Researchers say usually when the economy is bad, skirts get shorter and heels get higher.
That's because people turn to them as a means of fantasy and escape. Over the last 100 years, high heels soared during the worst recessions.
So if times are tough, why are heel heights getting lower? IBM says the move to a lower heel may indicate a mood of "long term austerity" that's evolving among consumers.
The study says high heels won't disappear altogether, but even high-end shoe designers like Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin are beginning to offer more kitten heels and flats.
2011年11月20日星期日
High heels: the new economic indicator?
What do shoes say about the economy? Perhaps a lot.
In the 1920s, low-heeled flapper shoes gave way to high-heel pumps and platforms during the Great Depression.
In the 1970s oil crisis, platforms came back en vogue as the low-heeled sandals of the late 1960s were cast aside.
In the 1990s, the low, thick heels of the “grunge” period were replaced by “Sex and the City”-inspired stilettos just as the dot-com bubble burst.
“Usually, in an economic downturn, heels go up and stay up — as consumers turn to a more flamboyant fashions as a means of fantasy and escape,” says Trevor Davis, a consumer product expert with International Business Machines' Global Business Services unit, in a press release.
IBM conducted a study of social media posts and is predicting that women's heel heights, which are currently in nosebleed territory, are poised to come back down to Earth.
Perhaps the shift signals a change in the economic outlook, or maybe it's a sign of resignation.
“This time, something different is happening — perhaps a mood of long-term austerity is evolving among consumers sparking a desire to reduce ostentation in everyday settings,” Davis says.
IBM came to its conclusion by using special software to sort through social media posts about footwear trends. Several separate sorts were made, first broadly, and then narrowing down to bloggers who are passionate about footwear and have large followings. The result is one you won't find in the shoe store. Right now, stores are still carrying sky-high heels, but the shift to flatter shoes is on the way.
In the 1920s, low-heeled flapper shoes gave way to high-heel pumps and platforms during the Great Depression.
In the 1970s oil crisis, platforms came back en vogue as the low-heeled sandals of the late 1960s were cast aside.
In the 1990s, the low, thick heels of the “grunge” period were replaced by “Sex and the City”-inspired stilettos just as the dot-com bubble burst.
“Usually, in an economic downturn, heels go up and stay up — as consumers turn to a more flamboyant fashions as a means of fantasy and escape,” says Trevor Davis, a consumer product expert with International Business Machines' Global Business Services unit, in a press release.
IBM conducted a study of social media posts and is predicting that women's heel heights, which are currently in nosebleed territory, are poised to come back down to Earth.
Perhaps the shift signals a change in the economic outlook, or maybe it's a sign of resignation.
“This time, something different is happening — perhaps a mood of long-term austerity is evolving among consumers sparking a desire to reduce ostentation in everyday settings,” Davis says.
IBM came to its conclusion by using special software to sort through social media posts about footwear trends. Several separate sorts were made, first broadly, and then narrowing down to bloggers who are passionate about footwear and have large followings. The result is one you won't find in the shoe store. Right now, stores are still carrying sky-high heels, but the shift to flatter shoes is on the way.
2011年11月17日星期四
High Heels for a Down Economy?
When the economy heads south, women's heels go north.
A look back at decades of shoe fashion research reveals that high heels soared during the worst recessions. “Usually in an economic downturn, heels go up and stay up as consumers turn to more flamboyant fashions as a means of fantasy and escape,” says Dr. Trevor Davis, a consumer products expert with IBM Global Services.
The average heel height today is six inches, more than double what it was the 1970s.
From the depression in the 1930′s to the oil crisis in the 70′s, and the dot com crash in 2000, high heels replaced flats and low, thick heels.
But once again this recession is different.
A computer based analysis of the last four years of social media posts shows discussions of increasing heel height peeked near the end of 2009, and declined after that. “Key trend-watching bloggers between 2008 and 2009 wrote consistently about heels from five to eight inches,” says an IBM summary of its research. “By mid 2011 they were writing about the return of the kitchen heel and the perfect flat from Jimmy Choo and Louboutin.”
While heels on many women's shoes are still high, the social networking analysis suggests a change in trend.
“This time something different is happening,” says Dr. Davis about the current economic problems many shoppers face. “Perhaps a mood of long term austerity is evolving among consumers sparking a desire to reduce ostentation in everyday settings.”
IBM says its new research “highlights the predictive capacities of social media analysis as a source of valuable insights” for businesses interested in market trends and planning future products.
A look back at decades of shoe fashion research reveals that high heels soared during the worst recessions. “Usually in an economic downturn, heels go up and stay up as consumers turn to more flamboyant fashions as a means of fantasy and escape,” says Dr. Trevor Davis, a consumer products expert with IBM Global Services.
The average heel height today is six inches, more than double what it was the 1970s.
From the depression in the 1930′s to the oil crisis in the 70′s, and the dot com crash in 2000, high heels replaced flats and low, thick heels.
But once again this recession is different.
A computer based analysis of the last four years of social media posts shows discussions of increasing heel height peeked near the end of 2009, and declined after that. “Key trend-watching bloggers between 2008 and 2009 wrote consistently about heels from five to eight inches,” says an IBM summary of its research. “By mid 2011 they were writing about the return of the kitchen heel and the perfect flat from Jimmy Choo and Louboutin.”
While heels on many women's shoes are still high, the social networking analysis suggests a change in trend.
“This time something different is happening,” says Dr. Davis about the current economic problems many shoppers face. “Perhaps a mood of long term austerity is evolving among consumers sparking a desire to reduce ostentation in everyday settings.”
IBM says its new research “highlights the predictive capacities of social media analysis as a source of valuable insights” for businesses interested in market trends and planning future products.
2011年11月16日星期三
Feet suffer for high-heel fashion
Women will suffer for fashion and images of them walking barefoot with high heels in hand from Melbourne Cup and Perth Racing events are testament to the price our feet can pay for looking fabulous.
Even style icon Sarah Jessica Parker - the woman famous for her Manolo Blahnik stilettos in Sex and the City - reportedly advised fashion followers going to the Melbourne Cup to "slip the heels off under the table" whenever the chance arose because "heels are not our friend".
Yet apart from the 1970s when some women shunned heels along with bras, high heels have survived the generations to come out even higher as a fashion necessity.
Head of the famous Italian fashion house Donatella Versace reportedly was more concerned about giving up her high heels as required while undergoing rehabilitation for a cocaine addiction in 2004 than she was about the withdrawing from the drug.
"She said 'I can give up anything but not my high heels'," Italian Vogue editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani told Newsweek magazine.
And as fashion outlets spruik the beginning of the party season and the need for heels as an accessory that will, among other claims, "lengthen legs and enhance height", podiatrists are pointing out the perils.
Wearing high heels for extended periods of time could contribute to multiple foot complications, said University of WA's Associate Professor of podiatric medicine Virginia Bower.
The big problem created by wearing high-heel shoes was abnormal weight distribution, she said.
Instead of the foot bearing the weight of the body in the heel and the ball of the foot, all the weight fell on to the ball of the foot when wearing high heels, especially narrow, pointy-toed shoes.
The increased pressure could make corns and callouses develop on the ball of the foot, increase the likelihood of developing ingrown toenails, bunions and hammertoes and contribute to neuroma, a painful thickening of the nerve between the toe bones.
Acute injuries, such as sprained ankles from falls could be another risk, Professor Bower said.
In some habitual heel wearers the calf and Achilles muscles could shorten into a tighter position leading to strain and an increased risk of tendonitis or tendon rupture when reverting to walking in a flat shoe or barefoot. Foot problems typically started to present for women in their 40s, with pain limiting their ability to function, she said.
She rarely sees younger women with foot problems. Although they were still likely to experience soreness, corns and blisters from ill-fitting fashionably high heels, their younger bodies were more resilient and able to repair.
"Most foot conditions are chronic and develop over a period of time," Professor Bower said.
As we age our joints, ligaments and tendons loosen and the foot will lengthen slightly and incrementally because it is no longer toned. The fat pad under the heel and ball of the foot that cushions the foot from birth declines and the bones and joints become more prominent.
The older foot, with less naturally occurring support and padding, was therefore at an increased risk of problems from wearing high heels, she said.
She warned parents to resist pleas from their young daughters to buy from a growing range of high- heeled children's shoes marketed specifically to young girls.
Forcing a young foot into the unnatural position created by a heel could change the way the bones and joints developed, she said, likening it to Chinese foot binding that permanently altered the anatomy of the foot.
Heels could also put stress and strain on the lower part of the spine because body weight was thrown forward.
Churchlands Regenerate physiotherapist Adam Floyd said the position of the foot in high-heel users forced the pelvis into an anterior tilt that was the same as standing bending backwards and as such compressed the lower joints of the spine. In the long term this might encourage slackening of the tummy muscles and compromise core stability, he said.
Mr Floyd said high heels could also potentially contribute to problems further up the spine and into the neck and cause headaches.
According to Professor Bower, although we all know heels are not ideal footwear, as long as they remain fashionable women would continue to wear them. The lesson to be learnt was about getting the balance right between fashion and function.
She advised wearing appropriate footwear for the occasion and reserving heels for special occasions. If heels were necessary for the office, she suggested changing to a flat shoe when sitting at a desk or when commuting to and from work.
"Ultimately, if they are part of your daily wardrobe for long periods of time, that's when they become a problem. If you save them for just going out of an evening, then it is not such a critical issue," Professor Bower said.
Even style icon Sarah Jessica Parker - the woman famous for her Manolo Blahnik stilettos in Sex and the City - reportedly advised fashion followers going to the Melbourne Cup to "slip the heels off under the table" whenever the chance arose because "heels are not our friend".
Yet apart from the 1970s when some women shunned heels along with bras, high heels have survived the generations to come out even higher as a fashion necessity.
Head of the famous Italian fashion house Donatella Versace reportedly was more concerned about giving up her high heels as required while undergoing rehabilitation for a cocaine addiction in 2004 than she was about the withdrawing from the drug.
"She said 'I can give up anything but not my high heels'," Italian Vogue editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani told Newsweek magazine.
And as fashion outlets spruik the beginning of the party season and the need for heels as an accessory that will, among other claims, "lengthen legs and enhance height", podiatrists are pointing out the perils.
Wearing high heels for extended periods of time could contribute to multiple foot complications, said University of WA's Associate Professor of podiatric medicine Virginia Bower.
The big problem created by wearing high-heel shoes was abnormal weight distribution, she said.
Instead of the foot bearing the weight of the body in the heel and the ball of the foot, all the weight fell on to the ball of the foot when wearing high heels, especially narrow, pointy-toed shoes.
The increased pressure could make corns and callouses develop on the ball of the foot, increase the likelihood of developing ingrown toenails, bunions and hammertoes and contribute to neuroma, a painful thickening of the nerve between the toe bones.
Acute injuries, such as sprained ankles from falls could be another risk, Professor Bower said.
In some habitual heel wearers the calf and Achilles muscles could shorten into a tighter position leading to strain and an increased risk of tendonitis or tendon rupture when reverting to walking in a flat shoe or barefoot. Foot problems typically started to present for women in their 40s, with pain limiting their ability to function, she said.
She rarely sees younger women with foot problems. Although they were still likely to experience soreness, corns and blisters from ill-fitting fashionably high heels, their younger bodies were more resilient and able to repair.
"Most foot conditions are chronic and develop over a period of time," Professor Bower said.
As we age our joints, ligaments and tendons loosen and the foot will lengthen slightly and incrementally because it is no longer toned. The fat pad under the heel and ball of the foot that cushions the foot from birth declines and the bones and joints become more prominent.
The older foot, with less naturally occurring support and padding, was therefore at an increased risk of problems from wearing high heels, she said.
She warned parents to resist pleas from their young daughters to buy from a growing range of high- heeled children's shoes marketed specifically to young girls.
Forcing a young foot into the unnatural position created by a heel could change the way the bones and joints developed, she said, likening it to Chinese foot binding that permanently altered the anatomy of the foot.
Heels could also put stress and strain on the lower part of the spine because body weight was thrown forward.
Churchlands Regenerate physiotherapist Adam Floyd said the position of the foot in high-heel users forced the pelvis into an anterior tilt that was the same as standing bending backwards and as such compressed the lower joints of the spine. In the long term this might encourage slackening of the tummy muscles and compromise core stability, he said.
Mr Floyd said high heels could also potentially contribute to problems further up the spine and into the neck and cause headaches.
According to Professor Bower, although we all know heels are not ideal footwear, as long as they remain fashionable women would continue to wear them. The lesson to be learnt was about getting the balance right between fashion and function.
She advised wearing appropriate footwear for the occasion and reserving heels for special occasions. If heels were necessary for the office, she suggested changing to a flat shoe when sitting at a desk or when commuting to and from work.
"Ultimately, if they are part of your daily wardrobe for long periods of time, that's when they become a problem. If you save them for just going out of an evening, then it is not such a critical issue," Professor Bower said.
2011年11月15日星期二
Pervert-pleasing high-heeled mice stompers convicted of cruelty
Two women who stepped on mice while wearing high heels to give a man perverse sexual kicks have been convicted of animal cruelty by a court in central Germany.
The women, aged 29 and 25, made a film of their “animal crushing” exploits, as the disturbing practice is known, having been promised what the court in Darmstadt heard was a considerable amount of money by a man for the video.
More about the man could not be released as he is charged in a different case, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on Tuesday.
The women did not only step on mice, but also two lizards and three geckos, and ran over 12 mice in a car on the video, the court heard on Tuesday. They also filmed themselves burning mice with lit cigarettes.
The prosecutor said the “animal crushing” perversion was a rare kind of foot fetishism. “Customers who watch films with such content, satisfy themselves according to our information, by watching pretty women slowly step on the animals, while wearing socks, high heels or while barefoot,” she added.
The authorities used the video made by the women as evidence in the case. The 29-year-old woman was sentenced to a suspended sentence of nine months, and told to pay €500 to an animal protection organisation. Her 25-year-old friend is missing and could not be sentenced on Tuesday.
The defence lawyer criticised the sentence as particularly harsh. “One has to see that my client did not torture the animals for fun, rather that she needed the money that she had been promised in advance,” he said. He complained that the conditions of her sentence wrecked her plans to move to the United States to study business as she would no longer be allowed in the country.
The women, aged 29 and 25, made a film of their “animal crushing” exploits, as the disturbing practice is known, having been promised what the court in Darmstadt heard was a considerable amount of money by a man for the video.
More about the man could not be released as he is charged in a different case, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on Tuesday.
The women did not only step on mice, but also two lizards and three geckos, and ran over 12 mice in a car on the video, the court heard on Tuesday. They also filmed themselves burning mice with lit cigarettes.
The prosecutor said the “animal crushing” perversion was a rare kind of foot fetishism. “Customers who watch films with such content, satisfy themselves according to our information, by watching pretty women slowly step on the animals, while wearing socks, high heels or while barefoot,” she added.
The authorities used the video made by the women as evidence in the case. The 29-year-old woman was sentenced to a suspended sentence of nine months, and told to pay €500 to an animal protection organisation. Her 25-year-old friend is missing and could not be sentenced on Tuesday.
The defence lawyer criticised the sentence as particularly harsh. “One has to see that my client did not torture the animals for fun, rather that she needed the money that she had been promised in advance,” he said. He complained that the conditions of her sentence wrecked her plans to move to the United States to study business as she would no longer be allowed in the country.
2011年11月14日星期一
The Perfect: high heels
High heels don't get more perfect than those by the German-born designer Nicholas Kirkwood. His sculptural creations, with signature platform and striking heel, were seen on the catwalks at Erdem, Peter Pilotto, Meadham Kirchhoff and, our favourite, Roksanda Ilincic (pictured). Now Kirkwood's fans can collaborate with Kirkwood himself at his flagship store on Mount Street in London. The brand's made-to-order service allows clients to customise their favourite style using different materials, skins and colours.
Going way beyond the call of duty, the store can even create a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood shoes using fabric that you provide, for example to match a wedding dress. Or if you, like us, feel you can't beat Ilincic's s/s 12 design, you can request they are made to order and ready for Christmas Day (the deadline for Christmas orders is November 18). Made-to-order clients can have the whole store to themselves as appointments are available out of hours.
Delivery time is usually six to eight weeks. From ￡600, Nicholas Kirkwood, 5 Mount Street, London W1.
Going way beyond the call of duty, the store can even create a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood shoes using fabric that you provide, for example to match a wedding dress. Or if you, like us, feel you can't beat Ilincic's s/s 12 design, you can request they are made to order and ready for Christmas Day (the deadline for Christmas orders is November 18). Made-to-order clients can have the whole store to themselves as appointments are available out of hours.
Delivery time is usually six to eight weeks. From ￡600, Nicholas Kirkwood, 5 Mount Street, London W1.
2011年11月13日星期日
The high heels from Christian Louboutin online store are..
"If your Mother told me that christian louboutin sale courtesy, that I can not happy, I have to say thing to keep your mother to discuss it?"
See her mother get the money the people are relaxed, with Shen also thought to mention the way with her mother to follow his brother on brother-sister thing to learn, Lee's latest morrow one will go home, if she do not raised, such as Hu Youxuan to the house when the time came, the family's quiet was suddenly broken, I'm afraid her mother will be unhappy with the younger brother.
"Something to speak with children, so no need to see a man outside."
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"Thank you, Mother, late to join us to get out to see if there is no need, your along with your mother bought back."
Heard Lee's heart could not help but Leng Heng, flatly refused and said: "No, after dinner a while back before I go, this money is more anxious to get my heart, and would like to go back to the early Yuan side of the mouth blocked, the heart can be a real comfortable. Besides, I never leave the firewood brother for so long, you know, he has always been my care, I really worry that we can go eat his food. "
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See her mother get the money the people are relaxed, with Shen also thought to mention the way with her mother to follow his brother on brother-sister thing to learn, Lee's latest morrow one will go home, if she do not raised, such as Hu Youxuan to the house when the time came, the family's quiet was suddenly broken, I'm afraid her mother will be unhappy with the younger brother.
"Something to speak with children, so no need to see a man outside."
Of Lee, the sink can be offered with her family to chip in an emergency, is contrary to her surprise, and now with a Shen is difficult to see that things with their deliberations, and that she can not even listen to the total do not listen, they refused!
"Mother told me just mention, that is the sister of that brother-brother David Villa after the case, you want to learn along with younger brother, also hopes to acquire a fame."
Heard this, Lee's face suddenly appeared a little hesitant, as if my heart was what to hit next, blocking was , which is to take accurate afford their own are asking them, did not have refused to make such a conditions for it? But she repressed living, if for the weekdays, she heard this news, is set apart from anything else would be a straight face.
Firewood can be read to the children to study now so has been very easy, the bad conditions at home, now have to call a character carefully even strangers do not know, how can this be assured? Affect the children in the future if the future of firewood, that's a lifetime thing!
Young married woman is thought to play from the heart to help themselves to help the family, did not think that would be, also ... ... their own fear, are a different family names, they are naturally not a pro-Shen, which made her heart toward her parents and then how are people, mother and what of it? Here she can barely think of a smile out.
"Then I go home to begin with firewood Kota hello, on the first obsessed with it, I could help nature is good."
"Thank you, Mother, late to join us to get out to see if there is no need, your along with your mother bought back."
Heard Lee's heart could not help but Leng Heng, flatly refused and said: "No, after dinner a while back before I go, this money is more anxious to get my heart, and would like to go back to the early Yuan side of the mouth blocked, the heart can be a real comfortable. Besides, I never leave the firewood brother for so long, you know, he has always been my care, I really worry that we can go eat his food. "
See Lee insisted, Shen said she is worried about the heart with son, and probably do not want to make their stay here to see some of the embarrassing thing, what is not good and then persuade, and Lee nodded and then went to the hall for dinner.
After dinner break, Shen Lee sent down to the door with it, Chen Shiyi let son go down the street looking for relatives chair, while Fang is polite manner to retain: "You just said relatives one night longer follow the rest , how suddenly left the rush? "
"Oh, it's the worry out of most of the day the son of a tight, do not cheap christian louboutin shoes go back and really do not trust."
These are parents who, coupled with the Zhao Xi Qiao although normally not heard how his deeds, but it is the only scholar radius of several town, which is naturally linked to the mother heart, thought of this side s not to say anything, just a few homely cackle, a pedestrian standing Dongjiekou other chair.
2011年11月10日星期四
Sutton to get his chance
Dominique Sutton walked away from the SJG Greater NC Pro-Am as co-MVP of the summer basketball league with former North Carolina star Rasheed Wallace. Along with that recognition, he earned a reputation for exuberant defense and high-rising dunks.
After a few games, everyone who had come out to N.C. Central's McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium to watch summer-league games knew about the Durham school's 6-foot-5 transfer who battled Tar Heels sophomore Harrison Barnes and NBA pros.
"I've put that to the side," Sutton said. "That's summer league. It's not structured. It's just going out having fun, competing and giving the crowd something to cheer about."
Sutton's more concerned about the start of his final collegiate season. There's much more at stake tonight for the senior forward when the Eagles travel to Halton Arena to face Charlotte in the team's season-opener.
"Now it's different," he said. "Now it's about leading a team. Can I win? Can I take a team like Central to the (NCAA) tournament? It's a lot of different 'ifs' in there."
Sutton transferred to N.C. Central in 2010 but had to sit out a season because of NCAA rules after leaving Kansas State. He played three seasons there, serving as a role player known for rebounding, defensive prowess and athleticism.
Sutton was raised in Durham and returned home for an opportunity to shake that role player moniker.
"It was a business move," he said.
It's a chance for Sutton to play before a home crowd - including his grandmother, mother and daughters - as he did while attending Durham Jordan as a junior in high school. He transferred from there to The Patterson School before going off to college.
At Kansas State, he started in 36 games as a junior, averaging 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. The Wildcats reached the NCAA West Regional Final that season, and Sutton played - in six-minute stretches - in 78 consecutive games during his time at Kansas State.
Sutton brings that experience to an N.C. Central team entering its first official season of NCAA Division I basketball and its third season under coach LeVelle Moton. The Eagles play a full Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule for the first time and are eligible now to play in the postseason.
"We've made strides," said Moton, whose team jumped from a 7-22 record in 2009 to 15-15 last season, finishing 10-5 against conference opponents.
The Eagles expect more this season. Moton has appointed Sutton the team's leader, saying their progress will mirror his standout forward's development throughout the season.
Moton called Sutton the nation's "best athlete" and said there haven't been many players at the school with his ability - including the coach who starred at the school from 1992 to 1996.
"He's in a category of his own," Moton said. "He has physical gifts the good Lord didn't give everyone else."
Sutton plays the game with a nonstop physicality, hustling for rebounds and chasing down steals like a safety on a football field.
After a few games, everyone who had come out to N.C. Central's McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium to watch summer-league games knew about the Durham school's 6-foot-5 transfer who battled Tar Heels sophomore Harrison Barnes and NBA pros.
"I've put that to the side," Sutton said. "That's summer league. It's not structured. It's just going out having fun, competing and giving the crowd something to cheer about."
Sutton's more concerned about the start of his final collegiate season. There's much more at stake tonight for the senior forward when the Eagles travel to Halton Arena to face Charlotte in the team's season-opener.
"Now it's different," he said. "Now it's about leading a team. Can I win? Can I take a team like Central to the (NCAA) tournament? It's a lot of different 'ifs' in there."
Sutton transferred to N.C. Central in 2010 but had to sit out a season because of NCAA rules after leaving Kansas State. He played three seasons there, serving as a role player known for rebounding, defensive prowess and athleticism.
Sutton was raised in Durham and returned home for an opportunity to shake that role player moniker.
"It was a business move," he said.
It's a chance for Sutton to play before a home crowd - including his grandmother, mother and daughters - as he did while attending Durham Jordan as a junior in high school. He transferred from there to The Patterson School before going off to college.
At Kansas State, he started in 36 games as a junior, averaging 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. The Wildcats reached the NCAA West Regional Final that season, and Sutton played - in six-minute stretches - in 78 consecutive games during his time at Kansas State.
Sutton brings that experience to an N.C. Central team entering its first official season of NCAA Division I basketball and its third season under coach LeVelle Moton. The Eagles play a full Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule for the first time and are eligible now to play in the postseason.
"We've made strides," said Moton, whose team jumped from a 7-22 record in 2009 to 15-15 last season, finishing 10-5 against conference opponents.
The Eagles expect more this season. Moton has appointed Sutton the team's leader, saying their progress will mirror his standout forward's development throughout the season.
Moton called Sutton the nation's "best athlete" and said there haven't been many players at the school with his ability - including the coach who starred at the school from 1992 to 1996.
"He's in a category of his own," Moton said. "He has physical gifts the good Lord didn't give everyone else."
Sutton plays the game with a nonstop physicality, hustling for rebounds and chasing down steals like a safety on a football field.
2011年11月8日星期二
Versace adds its splashy, flashy signatures to collection for H&M
From her ultra-blond hair to her super-high heels, Donatella Versace uses every inch of her being to embrace glamour, and she wasn't going to put the Versace name on anything — and certainly not a collection for global fast-fashion retailer H&M — that didn't do the same.
The clothes that debuted Tuesday night on the catwalk lived up to the hype surrounding the limited-edition collection as well as Versace's own glitzy standards: There was a metallic disco dress, a studded leather bomber jacket and an animal-print-meets-tropical-sunset tank dress for women; and a hot-pink suit, studded tuxedo-style shorts and a palm-tree, second-skirt T-shirt for men.
The runway at the huge and historic Pier 57 in Manhattan's Meatpacking District attracted a crowd that included Blake Lively, Uma Thurman and Jessica Alba. Nicki Minaj and Prince took their front row seats just before the show started, and then emerged on stage at the after-party that recreated a Miami nightclub. Minaj did swap the green feather fascinator she wore to the show for a crystal-covered trucker hat when it came time to perform.
Swedish fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz AB has partnered with big names before, including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz, and Target Corp.'s joint line with the Italian knitwear brand Missoni earlier this fall caused a frenzy, causing its website to crash the first day items were offered. None had a launch quite like this, though.
Versace said in a backstage interview that she thinks it's this sort of production, coupled with clothes embellished with sequins, studs, leather and lace, that will serve as the antidote for the struggling economy. “It was done totally wrong the last time the economy failed," she said. “Everyone said, ‘Let's do safe clothes of a good quality that people will invest in and wear year after year.' That couldn't be more wrong. The companies that survived the most were the ones that were recognizable, that stuck to their DNA, and our DNA is glamour."
She added: “This is a very joyful collection."
Tropical floral patterns were splashed on tight leggings and tunic tops, and heart-print dresses were covered with beaded fringe. Many models wore hot-pink strappy sandals and carried printed handbags with the South Beach motif and Versace's Medusa logo.
Many of the styles were updated (and, with top prices of $299, less expensive) interpretations of signature looks of the house as it was first designed by the late Gianni Versace and for the last 14 years by his sister Donatella. “I really wanted iconic moments of Versace," she said. There even was a black dress with gold hardware reminiscent of the label's safety-pin gown made famous by Elizabeth Hurley.
Versace said she thinks these head-turning styles are the right introduction to the next-generation shoppers — the ones who know how to mix top-tier designer labels with inexpensive trendy pieces.
“Young people like to dress up and look cool." Versace said.
With 20-somethings as children, Versace said she has done her fair share of shopping with them at stores such as H&M. “I know this customer. I know what they want. They follow music, fashion. For the new generation, it's all pop culture."
She pays attention to it, too, she said, and she mines it for inspiration. “Creativity comes from quantity and quality of information. I want to know everything: politics, music, movies. Only this way can you come up with each new collection."
The clothes that debuted Tuesday night on the catwalk lived up to the hype surrounding the limited-edition collection as well as Versace's own glitzy standards: There was a metallic disco dress, a studded leather bomber jacket and an animal-print-meets-tropical-sunset tank dress for women; and a hot-pink suit, studded tuxedo-style shorts and a palm-tree, second-skirt T-shirt for men.
The runway at the huge and historic Pier 57 in Manhattan's Meatpacking District attracted a crowd that included Blake Lively, Uma Thurman and Jessica Alba. Nicki Minaj and Prince took their front row seats just before the show started, and then emerged on stage at the after-party that recreated a Miami nightclub. Minaj did swap the green feather fascinator she wore to the show for a crystal-covered trucker hat when it came time to perform.
Swedish fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz AB has partnered with big names before, including Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and Lanvin designer Alber Elbaz, and Target Corp.'s joint line with the Italian knitwear brand Missoni earlier this fall caused a frenzy, causing its website to crash the first day items were offered. None had a launch quite like this, though.
Versace said in a backstage interview that she thinks it's this sort of production, coupled with clothes embellished with sequins, studs, leather and lace, that will serve as the antidote for the struggling economy. “It was done totally wrong the last time the economy failed," she said. “Everyone said, ‘Let's do safe clothes of a good quality that people will invest in and wear year after year.' That couldn't be more wrong. The companies that survived the most were the ones that were recognizable, that stuck to their DNA, and our DNA is glamour."
She added: “This is a very joyful collection."
Tropical floral patterns were splashed on tight leggings and tunic tops, and heart-print dresses were covered with beaded fringe. Many models wore hot-pink strappy sandals and carried printed handbags with the South Beach motif and Versace's Medusa logo.
Many of the styles were updated (and, with top prices of $299, less expensive) interpretations of signature looks of the house as it was first designed by the late Gianni Versace and for the last 14 years by his sister Donatella. “I really wanted iconic moments of Versace," she said. There even was a black dress with gold hardware reminiscent of the label's safety-pin gown made famous by Elizabeth Hurley.
Versace said she thinks these head-turning styles are the right introduction to the next-generation shoppers — the ones who know how to mix top-tier designer labels with inexpensive trendy pieces.
“Young people like to dress up and look cool." Versace said.
With 20-somethings as children, Versace said she has done her fair share of shopping with them at stores such as H&M. “I know this customer. I know what they want. They follow music, fashion. For the new generation, it's all pop culture."
She pays attention to it, too, she said, and she mines it for inspiration. “Creativity comes from quantity and quality of information. I want to know everything: politics, music, movies. Only this way can you come up with each new collection."
2011年11月6日星期日
High heels 'magic formula' for making you look a dress size slimmer
If you want to drop a dress size in seconds without dieting, just slip into a pair of high heels.
A new slimming formula says a mere pair of shoes if chosen carefully can have a dramatic slimming effect on the wearer – creating the illusion of having dropped a dress size.
So dramatic is the effect that when asked to guess the dress size of the same model in two images, people shown the image of her wearing the slimming shoes gave an average of one size smaller than those shown a picture of her without the “magic” shoes on.
The 'winning formula' appears to be a nude shoe with a platform heel, department store Debenhams revealed.
“If followed to the letter, this formula gives women the chance to walk in the shoes of the famous tricksters of our time – creating a slimmer silhouette in an instant,” the Daily Mail quoted the Head of accessories for Debenhams Natelle Baddeley as saying.
Technologists created the formula when they noticed an onslaught of celebrity women, including Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham and most recently Ed Miliband's wife Justine wearing similar nude high heels.
The formula combines a combination of tricks that give the impression of lengthened legs and tighter thighs while encouraging the torso to be pushed out, in turn flattening the stomach.
“This is a diet in a shoe! Once you have found the perfect pair all you need to do is slip on your shoes to instantly transform your silhouette. It's the perfect party cheat,” Baddeley added.
A new slimming formula says a mere pair of shoes if chosen carefully can have a dramatic slimming effect on the wearer – creating the illusion of having dropped a dress size.
So dramatic is the effect that when asked to guess the dress size of the same model in two images, people shown the image of her wearing the slimming shoes gave an average of one size smaller than those shown a picture of her without the “magic” shoes on.
The 'winning formula' appears to be a nude shoe with a platform heel, department store Debenhams revealed.
“If followed to the letter, this formula gives women the chance to walk in the shoes of the famous tricksters of our time – creating a slimmer silhouette in an instant,” the Daily Mail quoted the Head of accessories for Debenhams Natelle Baddeley as saying.
Technologists created the formula when they noticed an onslaught of celebrity women, including Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham and most recently Ed Miliband's wife Justine wearing similar nude high heels.
The formula combines a combination of tricks that give the impression of lengthened legs and tighter thighs while encouraging the torso to be pushed out, in turn flattening the stomach.
“This is a diet in a shoe! Once you have found the perfect pair all you need to do is slip on your shoes to instantly transform your silhouette. It's the perfect party cheat,” Baddeley added.
2011年11月4日星期五
Breaking: High Heels Make Your Legs Look Good
You'd better sit down for this one. No, actually you're going to want to stand up, because sitting and getting comfortable in general makes you look like a fatty. The Daily Mail continued its record of journalistic excellence today with a stunning revelation: Wearing high heels makes you look slightly slimmer! We thought women were just wearing them because they enjoy having difficulty walking, but according to the paper heels will make you drop a full dress size — particularly if they're "nude," and you're light-skinned.
The paper supplies some undeniable photographic evidence of this shocking phenomenon. With the help of some high heels (and a different pose, airbrushing, and possibly a smaller size dress) their model looks somewhat thinner. This incredible new "diet in a shoe" is even more popular than chugging cayenne pepper and maple syrup right now. Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham, and Sarah Jessica Parker have all tried it, and it's even been named one of Lucky magazine's "The Next Big Things '09." We salute the paper for always bringing us the latest fashion trends.
The paper supplies some undeniable photographic evidence of this shocking phenomenon. With the help of some high heels (and a different pose, airbrushing, and possibly a smaller size dress) their model looks somewhat thinner. This incredible new "diet in a shoe" is even more popular than chugging cayenne pepper and maple syrup right now. Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham, and Sarah Jessica Parker have all tried it, and it's even been named one of Lucky magazine's "The Next Big Things '09." We salute the paper for always bringing us the latest fashion trends.
2011年11月3日星期四
Men Wearing High Heels For Fundraiser In Downtown El Paso Tomorrow
It'll be an interesting sight to say the least. A fundraiser in downtown El Paso will have gentlemen leaving their nice, flat comfy shoes behind and trading them in for some heels.
"Walk a mile in her shoes" drew up to 200 men last year and organizers are hoping more will man up this year and take part. "It takes a real man to wear red, patent leather high heels but that's the whole point and that's the fun part of walking a mile in her shoes," said Erik Baray, who participated last year.
The fun fundraiser for a serious subject is headed to downtown El Paso for the second year in a row. "The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about sexual assault and gender violence," said YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region CEO Dr. Sandra Braham.
The YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region is behind the fundraiser. Dr. Sandra Braham says last year up to 200 men showed up with plenty of company.
"To see them put on three-inch stilettos and walk is great. And their family, their wives, their children come out and cheer them on," said Dr. Braham.
Erik Baray participated in the event last year and he says he plans to walk again this year. "It's really not that bad. You go around the block. You have your buddies with you, prominent men in the community. So you're all doing it as a team together," said Baray.
The four-block walk, which starts in front of The Garden, is expected to take 15 minutes. "We don't' want any cheaters to have any sandals, flip flops. It does have to be an elevated women's shoe," said Baray.
Of course there are a few men down during the event. "Of course when a guy's down, you wanna help him up. It's really fun," said Baray.
And the event doesn't end after the walk. "We're going to have a fantastic after party. We're going to have a reception at The Garden. Fun, music and entertainment, foot massage for you guys out there who are walking," said Baray.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes starts off at The Garden. It's located at 511 Western. Registration and check in is at 5:00 p.m. The walk begins at 5:30. The party starts after the block and is expected to last until 7:30 p.m. The cost to register is $20 and you have to provide your own shoes.
"Walk a mile in her shoes" drew up to 200 men last year and organizers are hoping more will man up this year and take part. "It takes a real man to wear red, patent leather high heels but that's the whole point and that's the fun part of walking a mile in her shoes," said Erik Baray, who participated last year.
The fun fundraiser for a serious subject is headed to downtown El Paso for the second year in a row. "The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about sexual assault and gender violence," said YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region CEO Dr. Sandra Braham.
The YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region is behind the fundraiser. Dr. Sandra Braham says last year up to 200 men showed up with plenty of company.
"To see them put on three-inch stilettos and walk is great. And their family, their wives, their children come out and cheer them on," said Dr. Braham.
Erik Baray participated in the event last year and he says he plans to walk again this year. "It's really not that bad. You go around the block. You have your buddies with you, prominent men in the community. So you're all doing it as a team together," said Baray.
The four-block walk, which starts in front of The Garden, is expected to take 15 minutes. "We don't' want any cheaters to have any sandals, flip flops. It does have to be an elevated women's shoe," said Baray.
Of course there are a few men down during the event. "Of course when a guy's down, you wanna help him up. It's really fun," said Baray.
And the event doesn't end after the walk. "We're going to have a fantastic after party. We're going to have a reception at The Garden. Fun, music and entertainment, foot massage for you guys out there who are walking," said Baray.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes starts off at The Garden. It's located at 511 Western. Registration and check in is at 5:00 p.m. The walk begins at 5:30. The party starts after the block and is expected to last until 7:30 p.m. The cost to register is $20 and you have to provide your own shoes.
2011年11月1日星期二
Donatella's Only Gripe With Rehab Was The Lack Of High Heels
You may know Donatella Versace as the very tanned, very blonde creative director of her brother's eponymous fashion house, but you may not have known these tidbits — the designer has a particular disdain for a fellow fashion insider, she used to have a serious cocaine problem that drove her to rehab, and she's way more business savvy than you'd think. Check out my three favorite quotes from her interview with Newsweek below --
On her cocaine addiction -
The turning point came in 2004, when a party thrown for the 18th birthday of her daughter Allegra became an intervention for Donatella, who flew to rehab that night with minimal fuss. “The only thing she complained about," Sozzani says, “was not being able to wear high heels. She said, ‘I can give up anything, but not my high heels.’ She’s totally ironic and self-aware."
On her not-so-fondess of Roberto Cavalli -
She’s not so kind about Cavalli, the Italian designer who’s become a favorite among the Euro set, largely by combing the Versace archive for endless inspiration. “I think that to do a collection—how do you say—as an homage to Versace, this is fine. But when you do a lot of collections as an homage to Versace—why? What’s the point?" She sees a look of concern on the face of her PR person, who’s sitting across from her. “Was I a beetch?" Donatella asks. Then she bursts out laughing.
On designing with the consumer in mind -
"When the 2008 financial crisis happened, everyone did safe clothes thinking people would invest money in an outfit they could wear again and again and again," she says. “Well, nothing could be wronger than that. It turned out to be the opposite. People with money were looking for special pieces. They want something recognizable, so I captured this feeling very early."
On her cocaine addiction -
The turning point came in 2004, when a party thrown for the 18th birthday of her daughter Allegra became an intervention for Donatella, who flew to rehab that night with minimal fuss. “The only thing she complained about," Sozzani says, “was not being able to wear high heels. She said, ‘I can give up anything, but not my high heels.’ She’s totally ironic and self-aware."
On her not-so-fondess of Roberto Cavalli -
She’s not so kind about Cavalli, the Italian designer who’s become a favorite among the Euro set, largely by combing the Versace archive for endless inspiration. “I think that to do a collection—how do you say—as an homage to Versace, this is fine. But when you do a lot of collections as an homage to Versace—why? What’s the point?" She sees a look of concern on the face of her PR person, who’s sitting across from her. “Was I a beetch?" Donatella asks. Then she bursts out laughing.
On designing with the consumer in mind -
"When the 2008 financial crisis happened, everyone did safe clothes thinking people would invest money in an outfit they could wear again and again and again," she says. “Well, nothing could be wronger than that. It turned out to be the opposite. People with money were looking for special pieces. They want something recognizable, so I captured this feeling very early."
2011年10月31日星期一
Should I wear high heels?
High heels are fashionable and flattering. No wonder so many women wear them so much of the time.
But a survey of 1,000 women by the shoe company MBT found that more than 40% had suffered an accident in their high heels – most often from falling over.
Heels more than 3in tall will seriously increase the pressure on the ball of your foot (up to seven times with heels over 3in high) and affect pretty much every part of your lower body as you walk. Still want to wear them?
The dilemma
Research studies repeatedly show what we already knew: high heels make your feet hurt and they aren't good for you.
A study from Harvard showed that women who wear high heels increase their risk of arthritis of the knee by putting pressure on the inner compartment of the knee joint, compressing and damaging it.
A paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology showed that women who wear high heels don't distribute weight evenly across their feet but transfer it to the ball of the foot and toes.
The women studied developed shorter calf muscles and thicker Achilles tendons, making their feet hurt when they stood flat on the floor and their tendons inflamed and sore.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that bunions, which are painful swellings on the side of the base of your big toe that can become red and sore, are linked to not only narrow but high-heeled shoes. So are hammer toes, which are painful deformities in which the toes curl up and can't be straightened.
Falling over in heels is both inelegant and, more seriously, can lead to a sprained ankle. High heels also cause lower back pain because it is hard to keep your back aligned when you're tottering around with your centre of gravity artificially pushed forward.
The solution
Most women wear shoes that are too small for them, which can increase the damage a high heel does to the foot. Make sure your shoes fit – there should be 1cm of room between your big toe and the end of the shoe.
You should be able to wriggle your foot and not feel any pressure on the bones on the sides of your feet. Feet do not stay the same size throughout your life, so always try before you buy.
Don't wear high heels as everyday shoes. Limit the time you wear them to no more than five hours. When you walk in heels, glide rather than stomp and put the heel down before the ball of your foot. Wear flat shoes if you have to do any serious walking.
Don't give in to your child's nagging for high heels. The younger girls start wearing them the more risk they have of developing backache and foot problems later in life.
But a survey of 1,000 women by the shoe company MBT found that more than 40% had suffered an accident in their high heels – most often from falling over.
Heels more than 3in tall will seriously increase the pressure on the ball of your foot (up to seven times with heels over 3in high) and affect pretty much every part of your lower body as you walk. Still want to wear them?
The dilemma
Research studies repeatedly show what we already knew: high heels make your feet hurt and they aren't good for you.
A study from Harvard showed that women who wear high heels increase their risk of arthritis of the knee by putting pressure on the inner compartment of the knee joint, compressing and damaging it.
A paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology showed that women who wear high heels don't distribute weight evenly across their feet but transfer it to the ball of the foot and toes.
The women studied developed shorter calf muscles and thicker Achilles tendons, making their feet hurt when they stood flat on the floor and their tendons inflamed and sore.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that bunions, which are painful swellings on the side of the base of your big toe that can become red and sore, are linked to not only narrow but high-heeled shoes. So are hammer toes, which are painful deformities in which the toes curl up and can't be straightened.
Falling over in heels is both inelegant and, more seriously, can lead to a sprained ankle. High heels also cause lower back pain because it is hard to keep your back aligned when you're tottering around with your centre of gravity artificially pushed forward.
The solution
Most women wear shoes that are too small for them, which can increase the damage a high heel does to the foot. Make sure your shoes fit – there should be 1cm of room between your big toe and the end of the shoe.
You should be able to wriggle your foot and not feel any pressure on the bones on the sides of your feet. Feet do not stay the same size throughout your life, so always try before you buy.
Don't wear high heels as everyday shoes. Limit the time you wear them to no more than five hours. When you walk in heels, glide rather than stomp and put the heel down before the ball of your foot. Wear flat shoes if you have to do any serious walking.
Don't give in to your child's nagging for high heels. The younger girls start wearing them the more risk they have of developing backache and foot problems later in life.
2011年10月27日星期四
'Puss in Boots' lands with 'Shrek-y' puns
He’s only 2 feet tall and he wears high heels, but Puss is set to emerge as one of the great lovers of the year. Shrek’s bad kitty gets his own movie and it is, in fact, enough to make you purr.
“Puss in Boots” dares to spin “Shrek”-like puns but also has a plot. He and his sidekick, Humpty Alexander Dumpty, hope to find the magic beans that will allow them to climb the beanstalk and steal “the gold pooper” – the goose chick that lays golden eggs. Understandably piqued, Mother Goose wrecks a village in Godzilla style. Little Boy Blue is a bully and Jack and Jill are the villains.
Most alluring, though, is Kitty Softpaws, Puss’ amour. She’s been declawed, but she’s smart, purring seductively, “I know how to talk meow.” She points out, teasingly, that his heels are a bit high for a guy. Not threatened, he points out that he doesn’t always drink, but when he does, he prefers milk.
The original “Puss in Boots” was created as a French fairy tale in 1697. This version owes little or nothing to it, other than the title. Walt Disney, even before Mickey, tried two versions – one in 1922 and one in the 1980s. The present version is a spinoff prequel occurring before Puss met Shrek and Donkey in “Shrek 2” (2004).
Puss is an orphan taken in by a loving woman who expects the best of him but is brokenhearted when he’s run out of town for his involvement in a robbery.
Humpty turns out not to be a good egg. In fact, he’s a deviled egg. Before you start groaning, be aware that an otherwise mute cat hangs around the edge of the screen to throw kitty litter on puns like these. It’s a nifty trick that the DreamWorks films have used before. This may be the closest thing to burlesque-vaudeville left in show business. It is broad and it is welcome.
Antonio Banderas (so seductive) is perfect as the voice of Puss. He can perhaps carry this film the way Johnny Depp did the otherwise dismal “Pirates” franchise. Salma Hayek is Kitty Softpaws. Expressive and likable in a creepy way are the facial expressions of Humpty Dumpty (voice of Zach Galifianakis).
Regrettably, the film lacks a viable villain. Jack and Jill (voices of Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) serve but are underused.
Henry Jackman, the composer, blends guitars and Latin percussion with music he claims was influenced by Debussy, Ravel and Manuel de Falla. Indeed, we can hear a little of each, but we don’t hear the usual song designed to be Oscar-nominated. Someone overlooked that.
The 3-D effects are refreshingly appropriate and the action is never hectic. Most impressively, the expressions of all the characters are so subtle that you forget that they are cats, or whatever.
When all else fails (and it seldom does) Puss always has those huge, dewy Disney-eyes. It worked for everything from Bambi to the Little Mermaid, and it works again here.
“Puss in Boots” dares to spin “Shrek”-like puns but also has a plot. He and his sidekick, Humpty Alexander Dumpty, hope to find the magic beans that will allow them to climb the beanstalk and steal “the gold pooper” – the goose chick that lays golden eggs. Understandably piqued, Mother Goose wrecks a village in Godzilla style. Little Boy Blue is a bully and Jack and Jill are the villains.
Most alluring, though, is Kitty Softpaws, Puss’ amour. She’s been declawed, but she’s smart, purring seductively, “I know how to talk meow.” She points out, teasingly, that his heels are a bit high for a guy. Not threatened, he points out that he doesn’t always drink, but when he does, he prefers milk.
The original “Puss in Boots” was created as a French fairy tale in 1697. This version owes little or nothing to it, other than the title. Walt Disney, even before Mickey, tried two versions – one in 1922 and one in the 1980s. The present version is a spinoff prequel occurring before Puss met Shrek and Donkey in “Shrek 2” (2004).
Puss is an orphan taken in by a loving woman who expects the best of him but is brokenhearted when he’s run out of town for his involvement in a robbery.
Humpty turns out not to be a good egg. In fact, he’s a deviled egg. Before you start groaning, be aware that an otherwise mute cat hangs around the edge of the screen to throw kitty litter on puns like these. It’s a nifty trick that the DreamWorks films have used before. This may be the closest thing to burlesque-vaudeville left in show business. It is broad and it is welcome.
Antonio Banderas (so seductive) is perfect as the voice of Puss. He can perhaps carry this film the way Johnny Depp did the otherwise dismal “Pirates” franchise. Salma Hayek is Kitty Softpaws. Expressive and likable in a creepy way are the facial expressions of Humpty Dumpty (voice of Zach Galifianakis).
Regrettably, the film lacks a viable villain. Jack and Jill (voices of Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) serve but are underused.
Henry Jackman, the composer, blends guitars and Latin percussion with music he claims was influenced by Debussy, Ravel and Manuel de Falla. Indeed, we can hear a little of each, but we don’t hear the usual song designed to be Oscar-nominated. Someone overlooked that.
The 3-D effects are refreshingly appropriate and the action is never hectic. Most impressively, the expressions of all the characters are so subtle that you forget that they are cats, or whatever.
When all else fails (and it seldom does) Puss always has those huge, dewy Disney-eyes. It worked for everything from Bambi to the Little Mermaid, and it works again here.
2011年10月26日星期三
Fashion reigns at Dupont High Heel Race
The main event may be the quick sprint down 17th Street, but fashion seemed to be the highlight of the annual Dupont High Heel Drag Queen Race Tuesday night.
The blockaded street assumed the duty of a runway prior to the race as extravagantly dressed participants flaunted their intricate costumes. The crowd, which had lined the avenue hours before the start gun was scheduled to fire, cheered for their favorite ensembles as the queens slowly sauntered toward the start line.
The fashion scene, like the crowd, was mixed. Standard little black dresses and blond updos, like Ryan Dreher or Miss Anita Pill’s ensemble for the evening, were sprinkled through the groups of more outlandish pieces. Dreher topped the outfit with classic red pumps, in which he could feasibly take off running.
Others took the opportunity to show their fashion prowess. Jamaica D was one of several drag queens who found inspiration in Alexander McQueen’s legendary armadillo shoes. The queens who donned the towering 6-inch heels seemed more focused on their fantastically constructed garments rather than the race occurring around them.
And with Halloween only a few days away, full-blown costumes were in abundance. Philip Gerlach, a.k.a. Queen Bambi, took the opportunity to honor Amy Winehouse, wearing her signature bee-hive and cat-eyes. Dancers from “Black Swan,” Michael Jackson, Gene Simmons and Princess Bea, complete with circular fascinator, rounded out the celebrity look-alikes.
The drag queens were not the only ones to enjoy the stylish atmosphere. Sandra Chavez, Eleni Viallouros and Eleni Vakalopoilos sported complementary pink wigs and rocker looks. Others took the moment to dust off furs that had been in storage through winter and recently purchased leather boots.
Whether decked in over-the-top garments, or wearing suits straight from a day at the office, everyone seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.
The blockaded street assumed the duty of a runway prior to the race as extravagantly dressed participants flaunted their intricate costumes. The crowd, which had lined the avenue hours before the start gun was scheduled to fire, cheered for their favorite ensembles as the queens slowly sauntered toward the start line.
The fashion scene, like the crowd, was mixed. Standard little black dresses and blond updos, like Ryan Dreher or Miss Anita Pill’s ensemble for the evening, were sprinkled through the groups of more outlandish pieces. Dreher topped the outfit with classic red pumps, in which he could feasibly take off running.
Others took the opportunity to show their fashion prowess. Jamaica D was one of several drag queens who found inspiration in Alexander McQueen’s legendary armadillo shoes. The queens who donned the towering 6-inch heels seemed more focused on their fantastically constructed garments rather than the race occurring around them.
And with Halloween only a few days away, full-blown costumes were in abundance. Philip Gerlach, a.k.a. Queen Bambi, took the opportunity to honor Amy Winehouse, wearing her signature bee-hive and cat-eyes. Dancers from “Black Swan,” Michael Jackson, Gene Simmons and Princess Bea, complete with circular fascinator, rounded out the celebrity look-alikes.
The drag queens were not the only ones to enjoy the stylish atmosphere. Sandra Chavez, Eleni Viallouros and Eleni Vakalopoilos sported complementary pink wigs and rocker looks. Others took the moment to dust off furs that had been in storage through winter and recently purchased leather boots.
Whether decked in over-the-top garments, or wearing suits straight from a day at the office, everyone seemed to be enjoying the spectacle.
High Heels Still Hurt, Still Hazardous To Your Health
Evidence has confirmed what women have already known for years: uber-high heels are not only painful to wear, but also a hazard to your health. In other news, the sky is still blue.
A recent survey of 1,000 women done by the shoe company MBT found that more than 40% of the high-heel wearers have suffered an accident in them -- most often from falling over, according to the Guardian.
In addition to injuries due to clumsiness, Luisa Dillner writes in the Guardian that heels over three inches carry a health risk. Three inches?! That's what we call a kitten heel.
According to Dillner, heels surpassing the three-inch mark can "seriously increase the pressure on the ball of your foot (up to seven times with heels over 3in high) and affect pretty much every part of your lower body as you walk."
The uneven weight distribution from high heels results in a shorter calf muscle and a thicker Achilles tendon. This makes it extra painful when the foot is flat on the ground and results in sore and inflamed tendons, according to a study in The Journal of Experimental Biology. Bunions and hammer toes are some of the other painful effects from heels.
Previous studies have also proven the inconvenient truths of stilettos, as a similar study out of Harvard found an increased risk for arthritis in one's knees from reckless heel-wearing.
Sounds lovely, doesn't it? And here's the kicker: the guy you're trying to impress with those sexy heels isn't even noticing. Another study showed that men don't even take note when women wear those sky-high pumps.
In conclusion... we will continue to wear high heels.
A recent survey of 1,000 women done by the shoe company MBT found that more than 40% of the high-heel wearers have suffered an accident in them -- most often from falling over, according to the Guardian.
In addition to injuries due to clumsiness, Luisa Dillner writes in the Guardian that heels over three inches carry a health risk. Three inches?! That's what we call a kitten heel.
According to Dillner, heels surpassing the three-inch mark can "seriously increase the pressure on the ball of your foot (up to seven times with heels over 3in high) and affect pretty much every part of your lower body as you walk."
The uneven weight distribution from high heels results in a shorter calf muscle and a thicker Achilles tendon. This makes it extra painful when the foot is flat on the ground and results in sore and inflamed tendons, according to a study in The Journal of Experimental Biology. Bunions and hammer toes are some of the other painful effects from heels.
Previous studies have also proven the inconvenient truths of stilettos, as a similar study out of Harvard found an increased risk for arthritis in one's knees from reckless heel-wearing.
Sounds lovely, doesn't it? And here's the kicker: the guy you're trying to impress with those sexy heels isn't even noticing. Another study showed that men don't even take note when women wear those sky-high pumps.
In conclusion... we will continue to wear high heels.
2011年10月24日星期一
Dr Dillner's health dilemmas: should I wear high heels?
High heels make your legs look longer and your bottom smaller. No wonder so many women wear them so much of the time. But a survey of 1,000 women by the shoe company MBT found that more than 40% had suffered an accident in their high heels – most often from falling over.
Heels more than 3in tall will seriously increase the pressure on the ball of your foot (up to seven times with heels over 3in high) and affect pretty much every part of your lower body as you walk. Still want to wear them?
The dilemma
High heels are fashionable and flattering. But research studies repeatedly show what we already knew: they make your feet hurt and they aren't good for you. A study from Harvard showed that women who wear high heels increase their risk of arthritis of the knee by putting pressure on the inner compartment of the knee joint, compressing and damaging it.
A paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology showed that women who wear high heels don't distribute weight evenly across their feet but transfer it to the ball of the foot and toes. The women studied developed shorter calf muscles and thicker Achilles tendons, making their feet hurt when they stood flat on the floor and their tendons inflamed and sore.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that bunions, which are painful swellings on the side of the base of your big toe that can become red and sore, are linked to not only narrow but high-heeled shoes. So are hammer toes, which are painful deformities in which the toes curl up and can't be straightened.
Falling over in heels is both inelegant and, more seriously, can lead to a sprained ankle. High heels also cause lower back pain because it is hard to keep your back aligned when you're tottering around with your centre of gravity artificially pushed forward.
The solution
Most women wear shoes that are too small for them, which can increase the damage a high heel does to the foot. Make sure your shoes fit – there should be 1cm of room between your big toe and the end of the shoe. You should be able to wriggle your foot and not feel any pressure on the bones on the sides of your feet. Feet do not stay the same size throughout your life, so always try before you buy.
Don't wear high heels as everyday shoes. Limit the time you wear them to no more than five hours. When you walk in heels, glide rather than stomp and put the heel down before the ball of your foot. Wear flat shoes if you have to do any serious walking.
Don't give in to your child's nagging for high heels. The younger girls start wearing them the more risk they have of developing backache and foot problems later in life.
Finally, it has been said that champagne and heels should never mix. You certainly have less far to fall in flats.
Heels more than 3in tall will seriously increase the pressure on the ball of your foot (up to seven times with heels over 3in high) and affect pretty much every part of your lower body as you walk. Still want to wear them?
The dilemma
High heels are fashionable and flattering. But research studies repeatedly show what we already knew: they make your feet hurt and they aren't good for you. A study from Harvard showed that women who wear high heels increase their risk of arthritis of the knee by putting pressure on the inner compartment of the knee joint, compressing and damaging it.
A paper in the Journal of Experimental Biology showed that women who wear high heels don't distribute weight evenly across their feet but transfer it to the ball of the foot and toes. The women studied developed shorter calf muscles and thicker Achilles tendons, making their feet hurt when they stood flat on the floor and their tendons inflamed and sore.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says that bunions, which are painful swellings on the side of the base of your big toe that can become red and sore, are linked to not only narrow but high-heeled shoes. So are hammer toes, which are painful deformities in which the toes curl up and can't be straightened.
Falling over in heels is both inelegant and, more seriously, can lead to a sprained ankle. High heels also cause lower back pain because it is hard to keep your back aligned when you're tottering around with your centre of gravity artificially pushed forward.
The solution
Most women wear shoes that are too small for them, which can increase the damage a high heel does to the foot. Make sure your shoes fit – there should be 1cm of room between your big toe and the end of the shoe. You should be able to wriggle your foot and not feel any pressure on the bones on the sides of your feet. Feet do not stay the same size throughout your life, so always try before you buy.
Don't wear high heels as everyday shoes. Limit the time you wear them to no more than five hours. When you walk in heels, glide rather than stomp and put the heel down before the ball of your foot. Wear flat shoes if you have to do any serious walking.
Don't give in to your child's nagging for high heels. The younger girls start wearing them the more risk they have of developing backache and foot problems later in life.
Finally, it has been said that champagne and heels should never mix. You certainly have less far to fall in flats.
Pumpkin Man and High Heel Race top Halloween events in New Hope
The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce has added two new activities to its 2011 Halloween roster - a High Heel Race and a Pumpkin Man Contest that started Oct. 15 and will end on Halloween day, Oct. 31. Live performances of The Rocky Horror Show will continue through Monday, Oct. 31.
Always a crowd-pleaser, the High Heel Race will take place Sunday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. on Mechanic Street in New Hope. Registration begins at 6 p.m. To join the race male and female participants -all wearing high heels- must carry a pumpkin up and down a designated route on Mechanic Street. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. There is no charge to participate or watch the High Heel Race and drag is welcome.
For those wondering about the creative pumpkin displays at local merchant locations, take note: This year marks the first New Hope Pumpkin Man Contest. Twenty-one New Hope businesses received three pumpkins each and were asked to decorate their stores with a Halloween theme.
The highlight of New Hope's Halloween line-up is live performances of The Rocky Horror Show at Havana Bar & Restaurant. Midnight performances are set for Thursday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Oct 28. The Sunday, Oct. 30 performance is at 10 p.m. and an all-age show takes place on Monday (Halloween evening) at 9 p.m. In this audience-participation show, attendees are encouraged to dress in costume, dance and call out responses to the characters as the performance progresses.
Always a crowd-pleaser, the High Heel Race will take place Sunday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. on Mechanic Street in New Hope. Registration begins at 6 p.m. To join the race male and female participants -all wearing high heels- must carry a pumpkin up and down a designated route on Mechanic Street. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. There is no charge to participate or watch the High Heel Race and drag is welcome.
For those wondering about the creative pumpkin displays at local merchant locations, take note: This year marks the first New Hope Pumpkin Man Contest. Twenty-one New Hope businesses received three pumpkins each and were asked to decorate their stores with a Halloween theme.
The highlight of New Hope's Halloween line-up is live performances of The Rocky Horror Show at Havana Bar & Restaurant. Midnight performances are set for Thursday, Oct. 27 and Friday, Oct 28. The Sunday, Oct. 30 performance is at 10 p.m. and an all-age show takes place on Monday (Halloween evening) at 9 p.m. In this audience-participation show, attendees are encouraged to dress in costume, dance and call out responses to the characters as the performance progresses.
2011年10月20日星期四
My Fancy High Heels
Taiwanese director Ho Chao-ti's documentary My Fancy High Heels tells the story of Taiwan's role in the presentation of a show of luxury high heels, tracing the items from production line to upscale boutique. The film is the latest addition to her Midpoint Island series of documentaries that explore Taiwan's role in global industry. Ho explains, "'Midpoint Island' refers to how Taiwan's overseas factories represent a middle point in the production chain of clothes and shoes, sandwiched between product design and marketing, both of which are usually the domain of large, wealthy nations." Ho also has investigated the production of T-shirts, bras, jeans and dresses, focusing on Taiwain's role as an intermediary and cherishing the humanity of the characters who tell her story. Tickets to the 8 p.m. screening are free.
More men are wearing high heels
I'm all for everyone being free to be you and me (yeh, I grew up in the '70s) but I always felt that high, glossy heels should be reserved for chicks.
Not so much anymore, according to the New York Times which ran a feature on men wearing heels and not just I'm-Napoleon-short-self-conscious boot heels but Lady Gaga/Alexander McQueen towering spikes and platforms.
The dateline Los Angeles article explains:
“On a recent summer evening at Mr. Black, a dance party held every Tuesday at Bardot on North Vine Street, Sean Wagner was towering above the crowd. Mr. Wagner, 23, is tall even in socks (6-foot-2), but that night he had some extra help.
On his Size 11 feet were a pair of eight-inch bright neon green lace-up stiletto ankle boots, procured from the Ladies Studio Exotic Shoes on Hollywood Boulevard.”
My first reaction was basically What the what?!? Heels are for girls, but then I thought it about.
Most men don't have the ba … er, guts let alone the sense of style, to pull off a pair of “Yves Saint Laurent's Imperiale platform stiletto ankle boot (original retail price: $1,395) with a leather motorcycle jacket, tight black jeans, a white shirt and a skinny black tie” as one of the men interviewed did. Heck, many women couldn't rock that.
So I say cheers! Let em wear heels, anyone who would go to that length to put together a stylish ensemble gets my vote.
A tour around the Google and I found out that this is not an isolated or new trend. I even found a blog dedicated to men who wear heels asking for men to submit photos of men in their heels and proclaiming, “All the men who love high heels have to fight for fashion freedom. The men have right to wear high heels and everybody must accept this right.”
And after all this is 2011, why shouldn't dudes have an equal chance at bunions, hammertoes and twisted ankles, just like the ladies?
For some finding gorgeous shoes that fit might be a problem, but for any of my stylish bros out there reading, I gotta tip: The Nordstrom Rack in Costa Mesa always has a BIG selection of designer shoes in the size 10 and over category.
Enjoy!
Not so much anymore, according to the New York Times which ran a feature on men wearing heels and not just I'm-Napoleon-short-self-conscious boot heels but Lady Gaga/Alexander McQueen towering spikes and platforms.
The dateline Los Angeles article explains:
“On a recent summer evening at Mr. Black, a dance party held every Tuesday at Bardot on North Vine Street, Sean Wagner was towering above the crowd. Mr. Wagner, 23, is tall even in socks (6-foot-2), but that night he had some extra help.
On his Size 11 feet were a pair of eight-inch bright neon green lace-up stiletto ankle boots, procured from the Ladies Studio Exotic Shoes on Hollywood Boulevard.”
My first reaction was basically What the what?!? Heels are for girls, but then I thought it about.
Most men don't have the ba … er, guts let alone the sense of style, to pull off a pair of “Yves Saint Laurent's Imperiale platform stiletto ankle boot (original retail price: $1,395) with a leather motorcycle jacket, tight black jeans, a white shirt and a skinny black tie” as one of the men interviewed did. Heck, many women couldn't rock that.
So I say cheers! Let em wear heels, anyone who would go to that length to put together a stylish ensemble gets my vote.
A tour around the Google and I found out that this is not an isolated or new trend. I even found a blog dedicated to men who wear heels asking for men to submit photos of men in their heels and proclaiming, “All the men who love high heels have to fight for fashion freedom. The men have right to wear high heels and everybody must accept this right.”
And after all this is 2011, why shouldn't dudes have an equal chance at bunions, hammertoes and twisted ankles, just like the ladies?
For some finding gorgeous shoes that fit might be a problem, but for any of my stylish bros out there reading, I gotta tip: The Nordstrom Rack in Costa Mesa always has a BIG selection of designer shoes in the size 10 and over category.
Enjoy!
2011年10月18日星期二
Stilettos stomp out struggle
Students wearing heels raced through obstacles on Colonial Drive Tuesday in an attempt to raise awareness of domestic violence.
The event, called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, cost participants $10 with all proceeds going towards Turning Point of Tuscaloosa, a private, non-profit corporation that provides comprehensive quality services to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Abby Grace Brown, the vice president of fraternal relations for Alpha Chi Omega, the group that hosted the event, said she was pleased with the way the event ran.
“We had a great turnout, somewhere between 350 and 400 participants came out from all across the UA campus,” Brown said. “We're excited to have them here and to help raise awareness for domestic violence.”
Brown said although the topic is a tough one to talk about, it is important to continue to do so.
“Many people don't realize how many people are affected by domestic violence,” she said.
Alabama ranked second in the nation in the rate of women killed by men, according to a study released last month by the Violence Policy Center. Further statistics showed that one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, according to a press release from Alpha Chi Omega.
Jeremiah Knight, the director of customer service for Verizon in Huntsville, Ala., said he and Verizon were pleased to partner with the event to raise awareness of domestic violence.
He also spoke about HopeLine, Verizon's program through which users donate cell phones they no longer use to them to be refurbished or recycled. The phones are then turned around and given to domestic violence centers.
Since 2001, Verizon has raised about $8 million for HopeLine, he said.
Knight announced the University would show a movie in the Ferg Theater on Nov. 14 entitled, “Telling Amy's Story,” a documentary about a former Penn State student killed as a result of domestic violence.
“We want as many people as possible to know the signs of domestic violence,” he said. “Oftentimes, we may know someone who is experiencing this and fail to act. Events such as this one will help everyone be able to identify some of domestic violence's warning signs and find the courage to act.”
Knight said events such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes were a good way of informing people about domestic violence.
“It's all about getting excited and having fun, but to also realize that to walk a mile in her shoes is not so much fun,” he said.
The event, called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, cost participants $10 with all proceeds going towards Turning Point of Tuscaloosa, a private, non-profit corporation that provides comprehensive quality services to victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Abby Grace Brown, the vice president of fraternal relations for Alpha Chi Omega, the group that hosted the event, said she was pleased with the way the event ran.
“We had a great turnout, somewhere between 350 and 400 participants came out from all across the UA campus,” Brown said. “We're excited to have them here and to help raise awareness for domestic violence.”
Brown said although the topic is a tough one to talk about, it is important to continue to do so.
“Many people don't realize how many people are affected by domestic violence,” she said.
Alabama ranked second in the nation in the rate of women killed by men, according to a study released last month by the Violence Policy Center. Further statistics showed that one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, according to a press release from Alpha Chi Omega.
Jeremiah Knight, the director of customer service for Verizon in Huntsville, Ala., said he and Verizon were pleased to partner with the event to raise awareness of domestic violence.
He also spoke about HopeLine, Verizon's program through which users donate cell phones they no longer use to them to be refurbished or recycled. The phones are then turned around and given to domestic violence centers.
Since 2001, Verizon has raised about $8 million for HopeLine, he said.
Knight announced the University would show a movie in the Ferg Theater on Nov. 14 entitled, “Telling Amy's Story,” a documentary about a former Penn State student killed as a result of domestic violence.
“We want as many people as possible to know the signs of domestic violence,” he said. “Oftentimes, we may know someone who is experiencing this and fail to act. Events such as this one will help everyone be able to identify some of domestic violence's warning signs and find the courage to act.”
Knight said events such as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes were a good way of informing people about domestic violence.
“It's all about getting excited and having fun, but to also realize that to walk a mile in her shoes is not so much fun,” he said.
2011年10月17日星期一
JESSIE J THROWS AWAY CRUTCHES
SHE'S the sensational chart star who refuses to be girlie- but Jessie J certainly isn't doing it like a dude in this hot picture.
And now the leggy pop siren is getting ready to give the biggest performance of her life as she kicks off her UK tour tonight after four months on crutches.
She's also just bagged herself a judging role on the new TV show The Voice.
And to top it off she has been announced as the new face and legs of sexy stocking company Pretty Polly.
Since hitting the music scene earlier this year, Jessie J, real name Jessica Cornish, has taken the music world by storm with her edgy voice and unique style.
She has sold more than a million albums and three million singles worldwide.
But it hasn’t all been fun for the 23-year-old pop princess after she broke her foot during the summer.
She toppled over when rehearsing for a show in a pair of towering heels and has only just recovered.
“I’m back in the swing, getting my cast off after nine weeks of this awful Smurf shoe,” she explains.
“Maybe the high-heels I wore were a bit crazy. It wasn’t the best time and it still isn’t. It’s just something that happens.
“I don’t think I’ll wear heels again. I might just get some really blinged-up Skechers trainers.”
But despite the difficult few months, Jessie is still living the dream and has come a long way since supporting Chris Brown on his tour just two years ago.
“I was completely unknown, playing to sold-out arenas,” she recalls. “But I won them over. Now I go on stage with no fear.”
And it’s definitely paid off. In just one year she’s won the BRITs Critics Choice award and topped the BBC Sound Poll charts.
Millions also saw her help out Tulisa Contostavlos, 23, on The X Factor just last month.
But despite her role on the show, Jessie insists that she wouldn’t be able to follow in her mate’s footsteps and become a judge herself.
She reveals: “I wouldn’t be a judge in The X Factor. I’d rather mentor than judge people.”
Speaking up about her love life, Jessie also finds it hard when people criticise her for being bisexual, something she admitted to earlier this year.
“I’ve been with guys and I’ve been with girls. And I kind of think it’s about the person, not the gender,” she explains.
“A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, she doesn’t know what she is’. But I definitely think my generation is more easygoing about it.’
“I mean, I think it’s harder for boys to be bisexual. I think if a girl’s bi there’s more acceptance because guys like it.
“Whereas boys get more stereotyped. And girls are a bit like, ‘Oooh, my boyfriend’s bisexual’. But it is what it is.”
Jessie has also broken the tough American market, with her album Who You Are debuting at No 11 in the US charts.
And she has worked with the likes of Tinie Tempah, 22, Lupe Fiasco, 29, and Pitbull, 30.
But despite her success across the pond, Jessie is keen to stick to her UK roots.
She admits: “I think I ooze British. I’m very sarcas- tic and I like to take the mickey out of myself.
“And I definitely do that very British thing of taking things with a pinch of salt – stiff upper lip, you know what I mean? Nothing comes easy but we like it that way.”
But it seems British manners aren’t among her strong points. “My band have got used to me talking about farts and poo,” she says.
“It annoys me when people are all girlie about it. Everybody does it!”
As well as her tour, Jessie has also been working on a new single with David Guetta, 43, which Jessie J’s label were more than happy for her to do before even hearing the song.
David says: “Her team trust me that much they were like, ‘We want to print the artwork, can we have the credits?’
“So I was like, ‘But you haven’t heard the record’, and they said,
‘Oh no, we trust you’.
“That’s too much trust. I was really flattered but I was like, ‘No, I wanna make sure Jessie likes it.”
She's also just bagged herself a judging role on the new TV show The Voice.
And to top it off she has been announced as the new face and legs of sexy stocking company Pretty Polly.
Since hitting the music scene earlier this year, Jessie J, real name Jessica Cornish, has taken the music world by storm with her edgy voice and unique style.
She has sold more than a million albums and three million singles worldwide.
But it hasn’t all been fun for the 23-year-old pop princess after she broke her foot during the summer.
She toppled over when rehearsing for a show in a pair of towering heels and has only just recovered.
“I’m back in the swing, getting my cast off after nine weeks of this awful Smurf shoe,” she explains.
“Maybe the high-heels I wore were a bit crazy. It wasn’t the best time and it still isn’t. It’s just something that happens.
“I don’t think I’ll wear heels again. I might just get some really blinged-up Skechers trainers.”
But despite the difficult few months, Jessie is still living the dream and has come a long way since supporting Chris Brown on his tour just two years ago.
“I was completely unknown, playing to sold-out arenas,” she recalls. “But I won them over. Now I go on stage with no fear.”
And it’s definitely paid off. In just one year she’s won the BRITs Critics Choice award and topped the BBC Sound Poll charts.
Millions also saw her help out Tulisa Contostavlos, 23, on The X Factor just last month.
But despite her role on the show, Jessie insists that she wouldn’t be able to follow in her mate’s footsteps and become a judge herself.
She reveals: “I wouldn’t be a judge in The X Factor. I’d rather mentor than judge people.”
Speaking up about her love life, Jessie also finds it hard when people criticise her for being bisexual, something she admitted to earlier this year.
“I’ve been with guys and I’ve been with girls. And I kind of think it’s about the person, not the gender,” she explains.
“A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, she doesn’t know what she is’. But I definitely think my generation is more easygoing about it.’
“I mean, I think it’s harder for boys to be bisexual. I think if a girl’s bi there’s more acceptance because guys like it.
“Whereas boys get more stereotyped. And girls are a bit like, ‘Oooh, my boyfriend’s bisexual’. But it is what it is.”
Jessie has also broken the tough American market, with her album Who You Are debuting at No 11 in the US charts.
And she has worked with the likes of Tinie Tempah, 22, Lupe Fiasco, 29, and Pitbull, 30.
But despite her success across the pond, Jessie is keen to stick to her UK roots.
She admits: “I think I ooze British. I’m very sarcas- tic and I like to take the mickey out of myself.
“And I definitely do that very British thing of taking things with a pinch of salt – stiff upper lip, you know what I mean? Nothing comes easy but we like it that way.”
But it seems British manners aren’t among her strong points. “My band have got used to me talking about farts and poo,” she says.
“It annoys me when people are all girlie about it. Everybody does it!”
As well as her tour, Jessie has also been working on a new single with David Guetta, 43, which Jessie J’s label were more than happy for her to do before even hearing the song.
David says: “Her team trust me that much they were like, ‘We want to print the artwork, can we have the credits?’
“So I was like, ‘But you haven’t heard the record’, and they said,
‘Oh no, we trust you’.
“That’s too much trust. I was really flattered but I was like, ‘No, I wanna make sure Jessie likes it.”
2011年10月14日星期五
Bullock Back From Injury
Reggie Bullock is back. The North Carolina sophomore guard from Kinston tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee last season against Maryland. He rehabbed over the spring and summer and is anxious to get back on the court with his teammates.
"I wanted the best for me for basketball so I had to listen to what my trainers wanted me to do," Bullock said. "It would get miserable some days. But if I want to reach my full potential in the game of basketball, I had to do what they wanted me to do." Bullock injured his knee less than two months after losing his grandmother. Reggie's grandmother helped raise him into the person he is today. "I still play in her honor," Bullock said. "Every day at practice I still think about her. I know that she wanted me to be the best basketball player I could be and the best person I could be. I try to reach that potential for her." Bullock had several bright moments as a freshman for the Tar Heels, including being named ACC Rookie of the Week after scoring a season-high 18 points in a 76-65 win over Clemson. He was the first Tar Heel to earn the award since 2007. Head coach Roy Williams is expecting big things from Bullock coming off the injury. "I expect him to make a higher percentage of his shots," Williams said. "I expect him to be better on defense and do some more things with the ball." His teammates have been impressed with how Reggie has returned to form. "Reggie's come back a lot more explosive," sophomore forward Harrison Barnes said. "He's stronger defensively, and I think he's going to give us that outside shooting that will allow us to stretch the floor this year." Bullock has added some fresh ink to his arms since his high school days. He still has the "Humble" and "Hungry" tattoos on his biceps. But he's added some Kinston flavor to his arms, including a tattoo for "East Bright Street" and another one for his area code "252." "Traditionally for basketball, Kinston is one of the greats of any city in North Carolina," said Bullock, who grew up watching the likes of Jerry Stackhouse and Craig Dawson in Kinston. "I'm doing anything I can to let people know what Kinston is about and that we produce great basketball players. I'm just happy to be one of those players." The Tar Heels are happy to have the latest Kinston product to hit the ACC completely healthy again.
"I wanted the best for me for basketball so I had to listen to what my trainers wanted me to do," Bullock said. "It would get miserable some days. But if I want to reach my full potential in the game of basketball, I had to do what they wanted me to do." Bullock injured his knee less than two months after losing his grandmother. Reggie's grandmother helped raise him into the person he is today. "I still play in her honor," Bullock said. "Every day at practice I still think about her. I know that she wanted me to be the best basketball player I could be and the best person I could be. I try to reach that potential for her." Bullock had several bright moments as a freshman for the Tar Heels, including being named ACC Rookie of the Week after scoring a season-high 18 points in a 76-65 win over Clemson. He was the first Tar Heel to earn the award since 2007. Head coach Roy Williams is expecting big things from Bullock coming off the injury. "I expect him to make a higher percentage of his shots," Williams said. "I expect him to be better on defense and do some more things with the ball." His teammates have been impressed with how Reggie has returned to form. "Reggie's come back a lot more explosive," sophomore forward Harrison Barnes said. "He's stronger defensively, and I think he's going to give us that outside shooting that will allow us to stretch the floor this year." Bullock has added some fresh ink to his arms since his high school days. He still has the "Humble" and "Hungry" tattoos on his biceps. But he's added some Kinston flavor to his arms, including a tattoo for "East Bright Street" and another one for his area code "252." "Traditionally for basketball, Kinston is one of the greats of any city in North Carolina," said Bullock, who grew up watching the likes of Jerry Stackhouse and Craig Dawson in Kinston. "I'm doing anything I can to let people know what Kinston is about and that we produce great basketball players. I'm just happy to be one of those players." The Tar Heels are happy to have the latest Kinston product to hit the ACC completely healthy again.
2011年10月13日星期四
Zanotti epitome of hip
THERE is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation as guests made their way to the Giuseppe Zanotti showroom to view the designer’s Autumn/Winter collection during the Milan Fashion Week earlier this year.
It’s easy to be captivated as Zanotti’s footwear and accessories collection embody an intensity and eclecticism that is so lush and magnetic.
There are gem-encrusted flats, super-high heels made from the most gorgeous materials, booties with metallic stiletto heels, sneakers that are both luxurious and playful.
Then, there is the riot of psychedelic colours – from neon blues to mustard yellows.
It’s a very visual collection, one that revives the graphic and piquant world of the late 70s to the early 80s.
Zanotti grew up in San Mauro Pascoli, an Italian town with a long tradition in shoemaking. He began as a design apprentice before making his high fashion debut at Christian Dior. He has worked with designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Missoni and Vera Wang.
In 1994, Zanotti set up his own line; his shoes and assessories are worn by Hollywood A-listers.
The challenge for Zanotti is always to create something new and different every season, and he is always thinking of translating his ideas and inspirations in fresh ways – such as his animal print sandal.
“This shoe was born from a search for a harmonious but original combination of different hides,” explains Zanotti in an interview. “I wanted a new way of interpreting the animal theme, but I had trouble finding a single print to embody my ideas.”
And so the idea of mixing four different hides was born.
Zanotti’s experimentation in combining different materials in his shoes has resulted in some highly stylised designs – there are super high heels made of metal and wrapped in leather, with suede and silk.
There are black python bags fastened by belts and biker buckles for dramatic contrast, and warrior-inspired jewellery with rhinestones.
It is this spirit of curiosity and innovation that drive Zanotti’s creative energy.
His Autumn/Winter collection actually began with a quest to uncover “what is missing in the range of feminine shoes which already exist in any closet”.
He tackled this challenge “with an adventurous and literary approach”.
“It’s a collection inspired by personalities such as Raymond Chandler, Léo Malet, Ed McBain, Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang, visualised by designer Raymond Loewy in exasperated hypothetical (set from the 50s to the 90s), on the background of imaginary Studebaker and Buicks (vintage vehicles) with exaggerated colours, skytrains, Coca-Cola bottles and openwork techno structures.”
He is also inspired by his travels, urban spaces, art and music.
“I am listening to Nicki Minaj. I like how she is exploding with energy,” says Zanotti who is brimming with ideas.
He says he could come up with hundreds more designs. He is constantly tweaking his designs, and re-looking at them.
His innovations are also not just in terms of designs, but also in the technology of making shoes more comfortable and stable. He looks at technical solutions to make his heels stable and light, so that women can “go from shopping in them, send their children to school or go clubbing with friends in them.”
“Every design has a story. There are different designs within the collection and it is easy for women to pick from my collection. Designers today are not like in the 80s and 90s when they dictate what women want.
“The women today have strong personalities, and they decide for themselves what they want,” says the designer whose designs are favoured by Hollywood’s elite stars such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Rihanna.
Zanotti says a good pair of shoes is not only about the aesthetics, but also how it makes the wearer feels.
It’s easy to be captivated as Zanotti’s footwear and accessories collection embody an intensity and eclecticism that is so lush and magnetic.
There are gem-encrusted flats, super-high heels made from the most gorgeous materials, booties with metallic stiletto heels, sneakers that are both luxurious and playful.
Then, there is the riot of psychedelic colours – from neon blues to mustard yellows.
It’s a very visual collection, one that revives the graphic and piquant world of the late 70s to the early 80s.
Zanotti grew up in San Mauro Pascoli, an Italian town with a long tradition in shoemaking. He began as a design apprentice before making his high fashion debut at Christian Dior. He has worked with designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Missoni and Vera Wang.
In 1994, Zanotti set up his own line; his shoes and assessories are worn by Hollywood A-listers.
The challenge for Zanotti is always to create something new and different every season, and he is always thinking of translating his ideas and inspirations in fresh ways – such as his animal print sandal.
“This shoe was born from a search for a harmonious but original combination of different hides,” explains Zanotti in an interview. “I wanted a new way of interpreting the animal theme, but I had trouble finding a single print to embody my ideas.”
And so the idea of mixing four different hides was born.
Zanotti’s experimentation in combining different materials in his shoes has resulted in some highly stylised designs – there are super high heels made of metal and wrapped in leather, with suede and silk.
There are black python bags fastened by belts and biker buckles for dramatic contrast, and warrior-inspired jewellery with rhinestones.
It is this spirit of curiosity and innovation that drive Zanotti’s creative energy.
His Autumn/Winter collection actually began with a quest to uncover “what is missing in the range of feminine shoes which already exist in any closet”.
He tackled this challenge “with an adventurous and literary approach”.
“It’s a collection inspired by personalities such as Raymond Chandler, Léo Malet, Ed McBain, Alfred Hitchcock and Fritz Lang, visualised by designer Raymond Loewy in exasperated hypothetical (set from the 50s to the 90s), on the background of imaginary Studebaker and Buicks (vintage vehicles) with exaggerated colours, skytrains, Coca-Cola bottles and openwork techno structures.”
He is also inspired by his travels, urban spaces, art and music.
“I am listening to Nicki Minaj. I like how she is exploding with energy,” says Zanotti who is brimming with ideas.
He says he could come up with hundreds more designs. He is constantly tweaking his designs, and re-looking at them.
His innovations are also not just in terms of designs, but also in the technology of making shoes more comfortable and stable. He looks at technical solutions to make his heels stable and light, so that women can “go from shopping in them, send their children to school or go clubbing with friends in them.”
“Every design has a story. There are different designs within the collection and it is easy for women to pick from my collection. Designers today are not like in the 80s and 90s when they dictate what women want.
“The women today have strong personalities, and they decide for themselves what they want,” says the designer whose designs are favoured by Hollywood’s elite stars such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Rihanna.
Zanotti says a good pair of shoes is not only about the aesthetics, but also how it makes the wearer feels.
2011年10月12日星期三
Service mourns NW Ohio's domestic violence toll
Kathy Wangler, a 48-year-old accountant in Lima, Ohio, wore high heels every day and was known for her giggle and helping others.
Shynerra Grant, 17, an only child, was a bubbly cheerleader who had just graduated from Start High School in Toledo and planned to go to college.
Crystal Hunt, 39, was employed as a custodian at Toledo Building Services and co-workers noticed her good work ethic and how she cared for her two daughters.
Those were some of the stories of real women who fell victim to domestic violence in northwest Ohio over the past decade.
Last Wednesday, 50 women stood during the 11th annual unveiling of the Northwest Ohio Silent Witness Project and read their stories -- who the victims were, what their passions in life were, how their family remembered them, and then the brutal details of their murders.
"These women were mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends," said Megan Gerken, Silent Witness project coordinator. "We remember these women as more than another domestic violence statistic."
More than 150 people, including domestic abuse survivors, local activists, and students, attended the ceremony at Maumee United Methodist Church.
The night was not only for paying tribute to the victims, but also for advocates to push for more awareness on stopping domestic violence and strengthening laws against abusers.
In the darkened church, the group of readers stood next to 51 wooden silhouettes that represented each of the women killed by their boyfriends, husbands, or other loved ones and read their biographies. Some readers spoke in a flat voice, which made the details of the violent deaths sound more chilling, while others choked up with emotion or spat out the words angrily.
"It was almost a numbing effect, such a sad tale over and over again," said Laura Booher, one of the readers and a graduate assistant at Bowling Green State University's Women's Center, which sponsored the event.
Outside the chapel, a table lined with purple candles showed photographs of the dead -- one woman wearing a sports uniform and dangly hoop earrings, another grinning while holding balloons at Applebee's, a pretty girl with long, blonde hair.
After the stories were over, the ceremony became an open forum as people shared how domestic violence affected their lives or how they could try to stop it.
Karen Rossbach, a security guard from Swanton, said she never pictured herself as an abused wife. But about three years ago, just before her birthday, she had bruises on her face from her husband.
"I'm very thankful I am not one of the silhouettes up there," said Mrs. Rossbach, who left her 17-year marriage, filed for divorce, and remarried a "wonderful man" in February.
"I can actually stand up and say I have a great life. I talk about it all the time, whoever wants to listen. … I am a survivor. There is life after domestic violence."
Shynerra Grant, 17, an only child, was a bubbly cheerleader who had just graduated from Start High School in Toledo and planned to go to college.
Crystal Hunt, 39, was employed as a custodian at Toledo Building Services and co-workers noticed her good work ethic and how she cared for her two daughters.
Those were some of the stories of real women who fell victim to domestic violence in northwest Ohio over the past decade.
Last Wednesday, 50 women stood during the 11th annual unveiling of the Northwest Ohio Silent Witness Project and read their stories -- who the victims were, what their passions in life were, how their family remembered them, and then the brutal details of their murders.
"These women were mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends," said Megan Gerken, Silent Witness project coordinator. "We remember these women as more than another domestic violence statistic."
More than 150 people, including domestic abuse survivors, local activists, and students, attended the ceremony at Maumee United Methodist Church.
The night was not only for paying tribute to the victims, but also for advocates to push for more awareness on stopping domestic violence and strengthening laws against abusers.
In the darkened church, the group of readers stood next to 51 wooden silhouettes that represented each of the women killed by their boyfriends, husbands, or other loved ones and read their biographies. Some readers spoke in a flat voice, which made the details of the violent deaths sound more chilling, while others choked up with emotion or spat out the words angrily.
"It was almost a numbing effect, such a sad tale over and over again," said Laura Booher, one of the readers and a graduate assistant at Bowling Green State University's Women's Center, which sponsored the event.
Outside the chapel, a table lined with purple candles showed photographs of the dead -- one woman wearing a sports uniform and dangly hoop earrings, another grinning while holding balloons at Applebee's, a pretty girl with long, blonde hair.
After the stories were over, the ceremony became an open forum as people shared how domestic violence affected their lives or how they could try to stop it.
Karen Rossbach, a security guard from Swanton, said she never pictured herself as an abused wife. But about three years ago, just before her birthday, she had bruises on her face from her husband.
"I'm very thankful I am not one of the silhouettes up there," said Mrs. Rossbach, who left her 17-year marriage, filed for divorce, and remarried a "wonderful man" in February.
"I can actually stand up and say I have a great life. I talk about it all the time, whoever wants to listen. … I am a survivor. There is life after domestic violence."
2011年10月11日星期二
The Tao Of High Heels...Then And Now
It's a truism that men love women in high heels, and a fact that strong independent, women also enjoy the feminine prerogative of strutting their stuff in a pair of pumps. But after a lifetime on point, my podiatrist has finally decreed, "If you want happy feet when you're older, hang up the heels, except for special occasions or guilty pleasures. "
To be honest, I'm relieved. The current crop of four to five inch pumps, stilettos and platform heels from Prada ($$$$) to PayLess ($) hurt like hell and the later look like 'correction' shoes. Perfect for the red carpet or the bride of Frankenstein, but impossible to run to the office, grab groceries or take the dogs for grooming.
And even at night, who wants to teeter precariously in skyscraper shoes that as we age can become bunions or tighten your Achilles tendons? Truth is it's hard to let go of the outward manifestations of beauty, but when it comes to high heels, the path is clear.
At the height of my looks between 30 and 40, I occasionally wore leather bustiers that any French stripper would envy, and heels the height of the Eiffel Tower. I worked them, got great reviews and wouldn't have missed that phase for the world.
But now while trying to stay attractive for my new husband I have to acknowledge that I've buried two parents who both suffered issues with their feet as they got older from wearing shoes that were too small (my dad) and heels that were too high (my glamorous mom). They were the elders from whom I am supposed to have learned something. So have I?
What the heck am I trying to prove? That there is no such thing as aging? That trying to look young at the cost of your health defies common sense? That to please my man I have to look like a Gossip Girl? That's just not true and I know it.
I take care of myself and look ok for my age; I do Pilates or walk everyday. I color my hair, still wear it long, do Botox twice a year and never leave the house without a belt. But whatever else I do, or buy or conjure will not erase the fact that I am a woman of a certain age. And there is value in that mantle. We have earned the title.
When I was younger, I longed to look like Anouk Aimee or Jean Moreau. The passion and wisdom in their kohl-lined eyes was devastatingly sexy and alluring. You just knew that they knew how to live and love, heels or not. So here I am, at the age I so admired in them and it's time to own it. To trust that the secret in my eyes promises and delivers an inner experience that trumps my younger tricks.
And so with a wink and wave at my younger self, I am ready to take a step forward on happy feet towards acceptance, gratefulness and joy. And occasionally I can still pull my high heels out of the closet to strut my stuff...for me and my husband and just for fun.
To be honest, I'm relieved. The current crop of four to five inch pumps, stilettos and platform heels from Prada ($$$$) to PayLess ($) hurt like hell and the later look like 'correction' shoes. Perfect for the red carpet or the bride of Frankenstein, but impossible to run to the office, grab groceries or take the dogs for grooming.
And even at night, who wants to teeter precariously in skyscraper shoes that as we age can become bunions or tighten your Achilles tendons? Truth is it's hard to let go of the outward manifestations of beauty, but when it comes to high heels, the path is clear.
At the height of my looks between 30 and 40, I occasionally wore leather bustiers that any French stripper would envy, and heels the height of the Eiffel Tower. I worked them, got great reviews and wouldn't have missed that phase for the world.
But now while trying to stay attractive for my new husband I have to acknowledge that I've buried two parents who both suffered issues with their feet as they got older from wearing shoes that were too small (my dad) and heels that were too high (my glamorous mom). They were the elders from whom I am supposed to have learned something. So have I?
What the heck am I trying to prove? That there is no such thing as aging? That trying to look young at the cost of your health defies common sense? That to please my man I have to look like a Gossip Girl? That's just not true and I know it.
I take care of myself and look ok for my age; I do Pilates or walk everyday. I color my hair, still wear it long, do Botox twice a year and never leave the house without a belt. But whatever else I do, or buy or conjure will not erase the fact that I am a woman of a certain age. And there is value in that mantle. We have earned the title.
When I was younger, I longed to look like Anouk Aimee or Jean Moreau. The passion and wisdom in their kohl-lined eyes was devastatingly sexy and alluring. You just knew that they knew how to live and love, heels or not. So here I am, at the age I so admired in them and it's time to own it. To trust that the secret in my eyes promises and delivers an inner experience that trumps my younger tricks.
And so with a wink and wave at my younger self, I am ready to take a step forward on happy feet towards acceptance, gratefulness and joy. And occasionally I can still pull my high heels out of the closet to strut my stuff...for me and my husband and just for fun.
2011年10月10日星期一
Riverdale enters as district favorite
Riverdale will be in unfamiliar territory starting today when the District 7-AAA volleyball tournament tips off at Blackman High.The Lady Warriors enter as the tournament favorite after being the 7-AAA regular-season champion. That dethroned Siegel as the long-time regular season champ.
"I would say that based upon the regular season, people would see us as the favorite going in to the tournament," Riverdale coach Jerry Snider said. "We went 9-1 in the district and .500 with Siegel.
"But I don't look past anybody. It's like last year when we came in."
Riverdale was the second seed last season and upended Siegel in five games in the tournament championship.
"We're going to focus on what we do best, which is play Warrior volleyball," Snider said.
Riverdale (38-13) may have to do that without the county's top hitter. MTSU commitment Chelsea Ross sustained a knee injury recently to her meniscus. She has a doctor's appointment with Dr. Tom Johns set for Tuesday morning to determine if she can play.
If Ross is unable to play, Abby Shaw will be moved from her spot in the starting lineup to fill Ross' position as the Lady Warriors' lead hitter. Jena Goodman and Ashleigh Lozier would take Shaw's spot.
Riverdale isn't scheduled to play until Tuesday in the district semifinals.
Fourth-seed Smyrna plays fifth-seed Oakland at 6:30 p.m. today in the first game of the tournament. Third-seed Blackman plays sixth-seed La Vergne afterward.
Riverdale plays the Smyrna-Oakland winner at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first semifinal match. Second-seed Siegel plays the Blackman-La Vergne winner afterward. The championship match is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Siegel coach Ann Mullins conceded that her team likely won't be seen as the favorite this week. Siegel split with Blackman and Riverdale during the season. Riverdale's lone district loss was to Siegel.
"I still think we are a target," Mullins said. "I wouldn't say we are an underdog, but we're not the top dog either. We are at an in-between state."
"I would say that based upon the regular season, people would see us as the favorite going in to the tournament," Riverdale coach Jerry Snider said. "We went 9-1 in the district and .500 with Siegel.
"But I don't look past anybody. It's like last year when we came in."
Riverdale was the second seed last season and upended Siegel in five games in the tournament championship.
"We're going to focus on what we do best, which is play Warrior volleyball," Snider said.
Riverdale (38-13) may have to do that without the county's top hitter. MTSU commitment Chelsea Ross sustained a knee injury recently to her meniscus. She has a doctor's appointment with Dr. Tom Johns set for Tuesday morning to determine if she can play.
If Ross is unable to play, Abby Shaw will be moved from her spot in the starting lineup to fill Ross' position as the Lady Warriors' lead hitter. Jena Goodman and Ashleigh Lozier would take Shaw's spot.
Riverdale isn't scheduled to play until Tuesday in the district semifinals.
Fourth-seed Smyrna plays fifth-seed Oakland at 6:30 p.m. today in the first game of the tournament. Third-seed Blackman plays sixth-seed La Vergne afterward.
Riverdale plays the Smyrna-Oakland winner at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the first semifinal match. Second-seed Siegel plays the Blackman-La Vergne winner afterward. The championship match is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Siegel coach Ann Mullins conceded that her team likely won't be seen as the favorite this week. Siegel split with Blackman and Riverdale during the season. Riverdale's lone district loss was to Siegel.
"I still think we are a target," Mullins said. "I wouldn't say we are an underdog, but we're not the top dog either. We are at an in-between state."
2011年10月9日星期日
Suri Cruise Out on the Town in High Heels
Suri Cruise is out having a fun day with her parents and wearing high heels. She went out with her mom Katie Holmes and dad Tom Cruise looking adorable. She was seen wearing a cute skirt, top, and little black high heels.
Radar Online has pictures of the girl in her heels and skirt smiling and waving at the camera. She looks adorable and sure does know how to work the paparazzi. Smiling at the camera looks like second nature to her. Suri Cruise has been surrounded by it all her life, so she is used to having her picture taken on a daily basis.
Suri Cruise has been seen in heels since the young age of 3. What do you think of her mom letting her wear them already? Obviously since they make them, other young children are wearing them, too. Do you think she is growing up too soon or that she is so cute it doesn't matter?
Radar Online has pictures of the girl in her heels and skirt smiling and waving at the camera. She looks adorable and sure does know how to work the paparazzi. Smiling at the camera looks like second nature to her. Suri Cruise has been surrounded by it all her life, so she is used to having her picture taken on a daily basis.
Suri Cruise has been seen in heels since the young age of 3. What do you think of her mom letting her wear them already? Obviously since they make them, other young children are wearing them, too. Do you think she is growing up too soon or that she is so cute it doesn't matter?
2011年10月8日星期六
Heels turn heads for a good cause
Ryan James couldn't wait Friday to take off his stiletto high heels.
"Would I wear these again?" he asked. "Never. No."
That was after running -- some would say wobbling -- halfway across the Washington Street Bridge, now decorated with bras. Spectators cheered and laughed as James, the only man of 10 runners, staggered down the bridge.
But it was for a good cause, the Binghamton man said. The event was sponsored by the YWCA/ENCORE breast cancer outreach program, to promote breast cancer awareness this month.
The community outreach program, based at the YWCA in Binghamton, helps women get breast and cervical cancer screenings, organizers said.
About 30 bras were hung along one side of the downtown walking bridge. They'll hang there for the next month, said Crystal Lown, program coordinator at ENCOREplus.
"It's a reminder for women to get screened," Lown said. "We're trying to get the word out. Early detection is the best protection."
This is the first time the advocacy group has sponsored a stiletto race, she said.
James said he ran for his girlfriend, Ticia Eaves.
Eaves has had five breast surgeries, related to breast health issues, she said. None of them were related to cancer.
Besides the high heels, James wore a pink T-shirt sporting the logo: "Real Men Wear Pink."
And while James said he didn't want to ever slip on a pair of high heels again, he said the race was exhilarating for him.
As for Eaves, she discovered something new about James. The two went shopping for race shoes together, finally settling on a black pair of women's size 11 high heels for James.
"I found out he's partial to peep toes," she said.
"Would I wear these again?" he asked. "Never. No."
That was after running -- some would say wobbling -- halfway across the Washington Street Bridge, now decorated with bras. Spectators cheered and laughed as James, the only man of 10 runners, staggered down the bridge.
But it was for a good cause, the Binghamton man said. The event was sponsored by the YWCA/ENCORE breast cancer outreach program, to promote breast cancer awareness this month.
The community outreach program, based at the YWCA in Binghamton, helps women get breast and cervical cancer screenings, organizers said.
About 30 bras were hung along one side of the downtown walking bridge. They'll hang there for the next month, said Crystal Lown, program coordinator at ENCOREplus.
"It's a reminder for women to get screened," Lown said. "We're trying to get the word out. Early detection is the best protection."
This is the first time the advocacy group has sponsored a stiletto race, she said.
James said he ran for his girlfriend, Ticia Eaves.
Eaves has had five breast surgeries, related to breast health issues, she said. None of them were related to cancer.
Besides the high heels, James wore a pink T-shirt sporting the logo: "Real Men Wear Pink."
And while James said he didn't want to ever slip on a pair of high heels again, he said the race was exhilarating for him.
As for Eaves, she discovered something new about James. The two went shopping for race shoes together, finally settling on a black pair of women's size 11 high heels for James.
"I found out he's partial to peep toes," she said.
2011年9月29日星期四
I felt too FAT to have sex: As actress Kirstie Alley says her libido shrunk when she put on weight, a once-plump woman admits how she felt the same
Five years ago, I weighed nearly 15 stone. I was in my late 30s and severely depressed about my weight. I kept on saying I wasn't, but I was lying. Every mirror I walked past told me something I didn't want to admit: I was fat.
My face was like a bouncy ball. My breasts were almost impossible to contain. My capacious bottom strained every skirt or pair of jeans I possessed. My thighs wobbled like jellies. I looked disgusting.
And above all, my libido withered in inverse proportion to my girth.
How I sympathise with Kirstie Alley, who said last week — after losing seven stone — she couldn't bear to have sex when she was fat. A shocking admission? Not in my experience. Call me a sizeist snob if you must, but I don't think anyone who feels fat can truly enjoy having sex.
It's so awful looking down at the rolls of flesh wobbling around on your stomach (and elsewhere). I remember lying in my bed, trying to kid myself that maybe I looked Rubenesque, while trying to respond with a scintilla of enthusiasm to my husband's advances.
I didn't look sexy and voluptuous. I looked like a beached whale. My breasts were huge and white. My stomach (after four children) had no muscles or tone at all. My white pillowy thighs were dimpled and ugly.
How had I — a formerly thin person — turned in to such a lardy cake? How had I abused my body so much that, not only did I not like the way I looked, but I had made myself so feeble and weak? For this is what happens when you get severely overweight. Your body starts being unable to cope so you become increasingly less physically active.
Having sex, of course, could help that — a bit of rolling around possibly burning up a few of those un-needed calories. But do you feel like having sex when you're a human beach ball? Of course you don't! The thought of it made me shiver with nerves. For the truth about being that big is that it's not remotely sexy, no matter what Dawn French or the ‘fat can be fabulous' brigade tell you.
Yes, I do realise there are some men out there who love a larger lady (we've all seen documentaries about them). But they are a minority. And besides, this isn't about what turns a man on. It's about what turns you on. The minute I caught sight of myself in that mirror, any ounce of sexual confidence I ever had went out of my bedroom window.
How had it come to this? For years I had been in denial. Essentially, I avoided seeing myself naked. If I went in to shops to try on clothes I'd do some sort of extreme contortionist's dance in the changing room so that I didn't have to see the spare rolls of flesh protruding above my bra strap.
The reality of my size was only brought home to me when one day, while in the bath and pretending I wasn't causing a tsunami every time I got in, my middle son said, ‘mummy, why have you got boobs on your back?'
It made me ache for the confidence I had BC — Before Childrearing.
Before I had my first child 15 years ago, I could eat anything I wanted. I was a regular size 12 and it didn't seem to matter what I scoffed as my shape never changed.
I looked and felt sexy, and when I'd meet a man, it never occurred to me it might be embarrassing to take my clothes off. I always liked what I saw in the mirror.
Then I had four children and, in all honesty, I let myself go. I couldn't see the point in losing weight in between pregnancies when I knew I was about to put it all back on again. What I hadn't realised — until it was too late — is quite how fat I had become. And when I did, it was my libido that paid the price.
I couldn't imagine anyone would want to have sex with me because I didn't feel remotely sexy myself.
I still wanted to look fabulous. I still wanted to wiggle around in a suspender belt and bra under a superslim, fitted dress. Instead, I was wobbling about in a pair of oversized granny knickers.
And while I was very fortunate that my husband didn't seem to mind my bloated body (or, if he did, he didn't let on), I did mind it. I minded very much. I didn't want him to desire me, because I didn't feel worthy of desire.
The result? Instead of wanting to have sex with this kind and gentle man, I rejected him.
I did try to look sexy sometimes. I'd go into M&S to get underwear and stare at all the little pretty bras with their rosebud bows and the racier lines with balcony bras and lacy G-strings. How I desperately I wanted to be able to put on those suspender belts and flashy bras and look at myself in the mirror and see something seductive looking back.
I'd sometimes even dare to try the bras and knickers on. They would never fit. The knickers would barely go past my thighs. My breasts would spill out of the bras in a hideously unattractive fashion.
I hated myself.
Then, as I knew they had to, things changed. Once I hit nearly 15 stone, I went to Weight Watchers. I was absolutely determined to lose weight and I did.
Within a year, I'd got down to 11 and a half stone. That felt amazing, it really truly did. My breasts reduced down from G to an F, then an E. My waist started to reappear. My thighs became less fatty. The loss of weight made me feel so much healthier. I had a desire to exercise and so I began to walk. I marched up and down hills at high speed for at least an hour a day. I got a bike. I took up yoga. Everyone started commenting on my weight loss.
‘Wow,' they'd say every time I went to the pub or a party, ‘you've lost so much weight. You look amazing!' Their comments began to work. I started to feel amazing. I felt lighter, fitter, more attractive and without doubt, sexier.
Sometimes, when we went out and I'd have on a tight dress and high heels, I'd catch my husband beaming with pride.
Despite the fact that he always said he loved me as I was, he definitely preferred this version of me.
It's amazing how much sexier you feel once you are fitter. The walking and bicycling gave me renewed energy for life. If I felt like eating, I'd go out on my bike instead. I would be toning up and getting fitter while losing weight — that was my theory anyway.
Did losing weight change my sex life? Of course it did! As I began to head towards 11 stone — I have now stayed there for a year or more — I started to be able to fit in to the types of clothes I wanted to wear. I invested in a new wardrobe of pencil skirts, fitted shirts and high heels.
I had a lesson on how to put on make-up properly. I had my hair cut and dyed.
I have re-emerged, four years down the line, a new version of me — a glossier, silkier, smarter, more sophisticated and much slimmer, more confident woman.
When I see myself naked, I like what I see. I think I look good, fit and healthy. I don't wobble now. I don't droop. It's not possible to get lost in my thighs.
The Rubenesque has gone. It has been replaced by something half that size; something with energy and seductive allure — something sexy.
My face was like a bouncy ball. My breasts were almost impossible to contain. My capacious bottom strained every skirt or pair of jeans I possessed. My thighs wobbled like jellies. I looked disgusting.
And above all, my libido withered in inverse proportion to my girth.
How I sympathise with Kirstie Alley, who said last week — after losing seven stone — she couldn't bear to have sex when she was fat. A shocking admission? Not in my experience. Call me a sizeist snob if you must, but I don't think anyone who feels fat can truly enjoy having sex.
It's so awful looking down at the rolls of flesh wobbling around on your stomach (and elsewhere). I remember lying in my bed, trying to kid myself that maybe I looked Rubenesque, while trying to respond with a scintilla of enthusiasm to my husband's advances.
I didn't look sexy and voluptuous. I looked like a beached whale. My breasts were huge and white. My stomach (after four children) had no muscles or tone at all. My white pillowy thighs were dimpled and ugly.
How had I — a formerly thin person — turned in to such a lardy cake? How had I abused my body so much that, not only did I not like the way I looked, but I had made myself so feeble and weak? For this is what happens when you get severely overweight. Your body starts being unable to cope so you become increasingly less physically active.
Having sex, of course, could help that — a bit of rolling around possibly burning up a few of those un-needed calories. But do you feel like having sex when you're a human beach ball? Of course you don't! The thought of it made me shiver with nerves. For the truth about being that big is that it's not remotely sexy, no matter what Dawn French or the ‘fat can be fabulous' brigade tell you.
Yes, I do realise there are some men out there who love a larger lady (we've all seen documentaries about them). But they are a minority. And besides, this isn't about what turns a man on. It's about what turns you on. The minute I caught sight of myself in that mirror, any ounce of sexual confidence I ever had went out of my bedroom window.
How had it come to this? For years I had been in denial. Essentially, I avoided seeing myself naked. If I went in to shops to try on clothes I'd do some sort of extreme contortionist's dance in the changing room so that I didn't have to see the spare rolls of flesh protruding above my bra strap.
The reality of my size was only brought home to me when one day, while in the bath and pretending I wasn't causing a tsunami every time I got in, my middle son said, ‘mummy, why have you got boobs on your back?'
It made me ache for the confidence I had BC — Before Childrearing.
Before I had my first child 15 years ago, I could eat anything I wanted. I was a regular size 12 and it didn't seem to matter what I scoffed as my shape never changed.
I looked and felt sexy, and when I'd meet a man, it never occurred to me it might be embarrassing to take my clothes off. I always liked what I saw in the mirror.
Then I had four children and, in all honesty, I let myself go. I couldn't see the point in losing weight in between pregnancies when I knew I was about to put it all back on again. What I hadn't realised — until it was too late — is quite how fat I had become. And when I did, it was my libido that paid the price.
I couldn't imagine anyone would want to have sex with me because I didn't feel remotely sexy myself.
I still wanted to look fabulous. I still wanted to wiggle around in a suspender belt and bra under a superslim, fitted dress. Instead, I was wobbling about in a pair of oversized granny knickers.
And while I was very fortunate that my husband didn't seem to mind my bloated body (or, if he did, he didn't let on), I did mind it. I minded very much. I didn't want him to desire me, because I didn't feel worthy of desire.
The result? Instead of wanting to have sex with this kind and gentle man, I rejected him.
I did try to look sexy sometimes. I'd go into M&S to get underwear and stare at all the little pretty bras with their rosebud bows and the racier lines with balcony bras and lacy G-strings. How I desperately I wanted to be able to put on those suspender belts and flashy bras and look at myself in the mirror and see something seductive looking back.
I'd sometimes even dare to try the bras and knickers on. They would never fit. The knickers would barely go past my thighs. My breasts would spill out of the bras in a hideously unattractive fashion.
I hated myself.
Then, as I knew they had to, things changed. Once I hit nearly 15 stone, I went to Weight Watchers. I was absolutely determined to lose weight and I did.
Within a year, I'd got down to 11 and a half stone. That felt amazing, it really truly did. My breasts reduced down from G to an F, then an E. My waist started to reappear. My thighs became less fatty. The loss of weight made me feel so much healthier. I had a desire to exercise and so I began to walk. I marched up and down hills at high speed for at least an hour a day. I got a bike. I took up yoga. Everyone started commenting on my weight loss.
‘Wow,' they'd say every time I went to the pub or a party, ‘you've lost so much weight. You look amazing!' Their comments began to work. I started to feel amazing. I felt lighter, fitter, more attractive and without doubt, sexier.
Sometimes, when we went out and I'd have on a tight dress and high heels, I'd catch my husband beaming with pride.
Despite the fact that he always said he loved me as I was, he definitely preferred this version of me.
It's amazing how much sexier you feel once you are fitter. The walking and bicycling gave me renewed energy for life. If I felt like eating, I'd go out on my bike instead. I would be toning up and getting fitter while losing weight — that was my theory anyway.
Did losing weight change my sex life? Of course it did! As I began to head towards 11 stone — I have now stayed there for a year or more — I started to be able to fit in to the types of clothes I wanted to wear. I invested in a new wardrobe of pencil skirts, fitted shirts and high heels.
I had a lesson on how to put on make-up properly. I had my hair cut and dyed.
I have re-emerged, four years down the line, a new version of me — a glossier, silkier, smarter, more sophisticated and much slimmer, more confident woman.
When I see myself naked, I like what I see. I think I look good, fit and healthy. I don't wobble now. I don't droop. It's not possible to get lost in my thighs.
The Rubenesque has gone. It has been replaced by something half that size; something with energy and seductive allure — something sexy.
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