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.
2011年10月31日星期一
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.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)