A great way to transition from winter into Spring is layering something sheer over a tank top, whether it is a lightweight gauzy shirt or something more feminine like this lace cardigan.  Mixing soft girly pieces, like a lace top, a silk jacquard bag, and soft seafoam blue hues with pieces like darkwash skinny jeans, distressed combat boots, and a leather wraparound bracelet will yield the right balance of femininity and edginess.  A strategically placed tattoo, temporary or otherwise, will complete the look.

Get this look! . . . 

Even though things are not looking good for us as far as having a romantic evening out this year for Valentine's Day, I very much enjoyed putting together this outfit for a night out on the town.  I love the color combination of red and dark chocolate brown all year round, but I think it is especially perfect for Valentines Day.

Get this look! . . .

Since my husband and I had decided to retire our eleven year old queen mattress set, we have been considering switching from a coil mattress to a memory foam mattress.  Our queen-size mattress was a 20-inch pillowtop, so I really am hoping to find the same comfort level in our next mattress, whether it be coil or foam.

At one time, I sold furniture and bedding, so I have a good idea about which brands I should be checking out first.  While I was shopping for Serta mattresses, I came across something that caught my attention . . . the line of Serta iComfort Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattresses.  Over the past few years, I have begun to associate "gel" with comfort based on my experience with various products.  For example, one of the most comfortable pillows I have ever owned had pockets of gel built into it under the surface.

A gel-infused memory foam mattress on a platform bed, might be the way to go for us.  I have always wanted a platform bed because of the added storage space underneath, but just having to buy the mattress without a foundation makes going the memory foam route much more affordable for us.  For example, this Serta iComfort "Insight" Gel-infused Memory Foam Mattress in queen size sells for $1300. You can find these and much more all online, at retailers like ShopNBC.

What has your experience been with memory foam mattresses, with or without gel?

-Karen

I have been searching for a champagne-colored cubic zirconia ring for almost two years now.  I have yet to find such a ring that I can where everyday.  I am not really a cocktail ring kind of person.  Love looking at them, but could never bring myself to wear them because they are usually so elaborate and dramatic.  This 2-Level Champagne CZ Cocktail Ring set in sterling silver has been sitting in my shopping cart for months.  I LOVE it and it has a great price, but when would I wear it?  To my next red carpet event?  (I can't even type that with a straight face.)


Someone I know needs to own this ring!


-Karen

With the festive party season almost underway I’ve been looking for the perfect dress to see me through. So I thought I’d take a look through the latest lookbooks and trends from this year’s Fashion Week catwalks for some fresh ideas. There are so many party-friendly trends this season, but I’ve gone with top three. If you’re looking for more festive fashion inspiration, check out the latest party dress collection at Next.co.uk where they have all the major trends covered.  My favorite is this Tier Embellished Dress from Next's Signature Collection.  It is both sophisticated and flirty, plus the tiers hide any figure flaws.


Trend #1:  Sheer heaven

One of the standout trends from this year’s catwalks is the sheer look, and in particular the sheer maxi dress, is guaranteed to turn heads at the office Christmas party. This sexy new twist on the maxi dress trend offers you a more sophisticated way to show a little more skin. But you don’t have to go head-to-toe sheer, as there are plenty of alternative ways to incorporate this key look. Look out for dresses in semi-sheer fabrics, ruffles and layers in just the right places, or with a built-in opaque slip for extra coverage. You can create a striking contrast with a simple black sheer floor-length skirt teamed with an opaque top, or switch it and go for a chic sheer blouse and this season’s must have wide leg pants.


Trend #2:  Go bold with color blocking

While this season’s must-have sheer maxis are blacker than black, there’s another key trend that’s ideal for those who like their party look a little more colorful. The color block trend means combining pieces in solid, contrasting colors. When it comes to color, your choices are limitless, so long as the look is bright and bold. So team a canary yellow shift with a boxy fuchsia cropped jacket, or a pair of wide leg cobalt blue pants with a block color jungle green vest. As well as color block dresses and pantsuits, you can incorporate this look with footwear too. Every store’s Fall/Winter season footwear collection features color block heels this year. Heels in bright shades that contrast against the rest of the shoe offer up the perfect way to add a splash of color and instantly update your favourite little black dress.


Trend #3:  Studio 54-inspired

The 70’s trend is still big this season, and it makes for to-die-for partywear. Think Bianca Jagger shimmying on the Studio 54 dancefloor. So maxi lengths are key, but fabrics play an important part in pulling off the look too. Look out for glam, sensuous fabrics like silk and velvet, and keep to a longline silhouette, whether that be a maxi dress or skirt or a wide leg flowing jumpsuit. Complete the look and give your outfit an instant 70’s feel with the right accessories, from wedge heels and platforms to wide brim hats and lightweight silk scarves.

Which of these three trends speaks to you the most?

When looking for a costume that is fun, bold, and a little outrageous, what better role models to turn to than the characters of the very artfully outrageous film Disney's Alice in Wonderland?  Johnny Depp, who starred as the Mad Hatter, in the live action remake of this film, has made the character into a pop culture icon of the 21st century.  There is no doubt that Mad Hatter costumes will be very sought after this Halloween and for other costumed events throughout the year.

If you ladies think you are out of luck, you could not be more wrong.  The character of the Mad Hatter has translated very well into costumes for women.  One of my favorites is this Showgirl Mad Hatter costume, which is fabulous enough to have walked right off the runway.  Add your own colorful little drawstring backpack or wristlet and you will be ready for Halloween party hopping. This costume includes the dress, the little top hat, and the cape with the matching bow tie.  I love the way the model has added the long gloves and fishnet stockings.  Throw in a pair of purple, teal, or black heels, and you will have the perfect costume to get you noticed on Halloween.

To find out more about this or other Alice in Wonderland costumes, visit BuyAliceInWonderlandCostumes.com.

-Karen

Since the 3d floral trend did carry over to Fall, I think a black leather or faux leather handbag would be perfect for this season.  To be honest, I bought a large black handbag by Kenzie Girl with 3d flowers on it last Spring, but saved it to carry during the Fall.  It just did not feel very Spring-like to carry a big black bag during the warmer months.

I came across this black faux leather Floral Handbag by Nila Anthony and thought it would be great for Fall, but there was something missing.  This bag would be perfect if there was a splash of color peeking out from underneath those laser cut petals, such as burgundy, a deep purple, or a burnt orange.  In fact, I think I would carry this bag during the Spring and Summer months too, if there was a bright kiwi, tangerine, sky blue, or hot pink under there.

What do you think?  Do you like the black and white or would you need a splash of color too?

-Karen

I just recently spent some time working on my router with the hopes of adding security and performance to my home network. My plan was to enable a feature called MAC Filtering (only allows certain devices access to the network, cannot be bypassed), but while I was there I realized I couldn’t do it. It never occurred to me how complex my little home network had become. Do you know how many devices I found out were on my network? FIFTEEN! Nine computers, two printers, two mobile phones, a Nintendo Wii and a Nintendo DSi!!! The epiphany was that simple router and network tweaks weren’t going to be enough to manage my network, especially if I ever want to add networked entertainment someday. I needed a home server.

For those who do not know, a server is simply a computer or device that has special software or operating system that manages a domain or network. There aren’t that many options for home servers out there, but fortunately the most available option is a great one. Windows Home Server hit the shelves a few years ago with mixed results, but the most current iteration is superb.

You can install Window’s Home Server on just about any old PC you have kicking about. You could use an old laptop but I would warn against that as a server stays powered on continually. Laptops just weren’t built for that where desktops are.

The only two specifications that really matter to server performance is RAM and hard drive capacity. Graphics mean nothing to a server and a middle of the road processor is more than adequate. All you need to do is buy the Windows Home Server software which retails for as low as $55 (always under $100). Once you own the software the installer all but holds your hand through the installation process. Even Aunt Edna could do it!

So what does MS Home Server do? It creates a place where you can manage everything on your network . . . shared storage, security, PARENTAL CONTROLS (yeah!), printers, and a great deal more. The really amazing service that a home server provides is any time anywhere access to your files and PC’s. You can log into your server from anywhere via the web and have access to all of your home resources! That alone makes a home server almost indispensable. Imagine never being without an important document or file ever again.

Although I have not bought my copy yet, I already have an old PC that is ready and willing to become my home server. I do not think it takes a prophet to foresee every home with a server in the near future.

-Todd