Oct 20, 2009

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You’re Wearing Crocs?

Crocs shoes are becoming more and more popular everywhere you go.  When I say “Crocs shoes”, I don’t mean shoes made of crocodile skin, but rather a new shoe trend that is sweeping the nation

Crocs shoes originally came from Canada.  Now, the Crocs company is based in Boulder, Colorado.  Crocs are made from a patented closed-cell resin, which makes them comfortable and pliable.  They are especially great for people who are on their feet all day, like food service personnel, medical personnel and others.

I’ve heard from doctors and nurses that after wearing Crocs all day, not only do their feet feel great, but any back problems they normally suffered with were gone.  This is not to say that Crocs will solve all your medical problems.  But you will definitely feel better

One of the benefits of this patented closed-cell resin is that the shoes are unable to absorb odor.  It’s amazing, but even after wearing the shoes all day, they will not stink.  Another benefit is that the shoes are so light they actually float when dropped in water.  Crocs are great for people on boats.  Not just for the floating, but because they also have a good grip on the deck

Some people have worn Crocs-like shoes for tasks such as gardening.  Crocs are also great for tasks like this.  They are super-easy to clean… just hose them off and let them dry.

Crocs come in a variety of models and colors.  The most common Crocs have ventilation holes throughout the top of the shoe, others only have ventilation around the sides leaving the top solid for protection from spilled liquids.  An older model was fully enclosed, but I think it may have been too hot for normal wear.

The huge variety of fashionable colors available make Crocs an excellent choice to go with any outfit.  Having multiple pairs of Crocs makes it easier to mix and match and make the right fashion choice.

What about size?  Crocs generally run a little bit large.  Some models, like the Beach model, in size groups like small, medium and large others, like the Cayman model, come in full sizes like 8, 9 and 10.  Since the sizes are unisex, you need to look at a chart to determine whether you are looking at men’s or women’s sizes.  If you normally wear a size 8, and the chart shows a shoe that would be size 8 to 9, you may want to consider the next size down.  However, if you normally wear a size 9, you will probably be okay with an 8 to 9.

You owe it to yourself to try a pair of Crocs shoes.  They will be the most comfortable shoes you may ever try, and your feet will thank you for the purchase.

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Oct 18, 2009

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The Dark History of Sunglasses

Sunglasses have a dark history, but a brilliant future.  The history of sunglasses can be traced back to Roman Emperor Nero who watched the gladiator competitions through polished light emerald green gems held up to his eyes.

The invention of sunglasses was somewhere between 1268 and 1289.  A visual historical recording of early sunglasses is a painting done by Tommaso da Modena in 1352.  The person in the painting was wearing sunglasses.  This was the first painting of a subject in sunglasses and many more were to follow as it became a fashionable symbol of distinction or honor.

Around the twelfth century and before 1430, sunglasses were worn by Judges in the Courts of China.  The smoky quartz, flat-glassed panes were not used as protection from the sun.  They were used to conceal any expression in their eyes to keep from giving away the outcome of their decisions.  Prescription sunglasses were developed in Italy in 1430 and were later used by the Chinese Judges.

By the 1600’s people began to realize the benefits of prescription glasses as helping the elderly to see better and the motto “A Blessing to the Aged” came into being in 1629.  It was the motto of an English eyeglasses manufacturer, Spectacle Makers Company.

In the mid 18th Century, James Ayscough developed blue and green corrective lenses which began the use of sunglasses for correcting optical impairments.

The development of glasses and sunglasses continued through the years.  Problems in keeping eyeglasses on the face or propped on the nose led to experiments.  Glasses frames had been made from leather, bones and metal and were propped on the nose.  Sidepieces began as silk strips of ribbon that looped around the ears.  Instead of loops, the Chinese added ceramic weights to the ends of the ribbons.  Solid sidepieces were finally invented by Edward Scarlett in 1730.  Benjamen Franklin’s invention of bifocal lenses followed in 1780.

By the 20th Century, sunglasses were used to protect the eyes from the sun.  In 1929 Sam Foster began selling his protective sunglasses at Woolworth stores on the boardwalk at the beaches in Atlantic City and New Jersey.  His Foster Grants were the first mass-produced sunglasses and they began the trend of sunglasses for fashion.

In the 1930’s the Army Air Corps asked Bausch & Lomb to develop sunglasses that would efficiently reduce high-altitude sun glare for pilots.  Bausch & Lomb came up with sunglasses that had a dark green tint that absorbed light through the yellow spectrum.

Edward H. Land had invented the Polaroid filter and by 1936 he was using it in the making of sunglasses and soon, sunglasses became “cool.”  Movies stars began wearing sunglasses as a statement and to hide behind.  Aviator glasses became popular with the movie stars and the general public in 1937 after Ray Ban developed the anti-glare sunglasses using polarization.  The longer lens was created to give more protection to pilots’ eyes from the light reflecting off their control panels.

By the 1970’s Hollywood stars and fashion designers made a huge impact on the sunglasses market.  Clothing designers and stars put their names on glasses and sunglasses and everyone had to have them.

In 2007, stars are still hiding behind their oversized designer sunglasses, making fashion statements and protecting their eyes from the harmful effects of the Ultra Violet (UV) rays of the sun.  With modern technology and improvements, sunglasses continue to evolve.  We have gone from holding green gems up to our eyes to watch Gladiator sports to Oakley’s 2004 sunglasses with digital audio players built in.  What’s next?

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Oct 5, 2009

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What Style of Shoes is Business Casual?

Fridays at the office are considered business casual day.  What does that exactly mean?  Business is business and casual is casual so how do you combined the two styles?  Friday is a dress down day so you know that business casual does not mean a suit but it does mean that you have look nice and neat but can be a little bit casual at the same time.

Let’s examine what Business Casual isn’t. Save the following items for your weekend or at-home wardrobe: zip-front hooded sweatshirts, team jackets, jean jackets, T-shirts with slogans, midriff-baring tops, tank tops, well-worn jeans, spandex pants, stirrup pants, overalls, biking shorts, sweat pants, mini skirts, see-through tops, halter tops, flip-flops, sneakers and sandals. Never forget that the first word in business casual is “business” and casual does not mean a day at the beach.

Business casual must always include high-quality pieces, hose or socks, appropriate underwear, footwear in good repair, coordinated accessories, clean, styled hair and makeup for women. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the type of footwear is considered business casual to finish off your outfit.

Slingbacks, women’s shoes with a cutout heel and a strap spanning the back of the ankle, defy simple categorization as they once did. Years ago, slingbacks were appropriate only during the summer months, and they were considered a casual shoe. Certainly, no self-respecting woman south of the Mason-Dixon Line would be caught dead in a slingback before Memorial Day or after Labor Day.  Now, with a growing selection of women’s slingbacks, you can find a pair for every season and every occasion-from stay-at-home clothes to wedding attire. What determines the slingback’s suitability is the design of the shoe, the material, the embellishments, and whether it contributes to the overall desired look with the outfit?

You need to look at the entire spectrum of occasions, and offer suggestions for pairing slingbacks with outfits for each occasion. If you feel the shoes complement your outfit and you feel comfortable wearing them, let your personal sense of style guide you. People judge others by first impressions, and watches, handbags and shoes play an important role in first impressions. Cut corners elsewhere, but never with your shoes. Regardless of the style you wear, ensure that your shoe are in A-1 condition, with perfect sol. Casual shoes should be kept in the same tip-top, shined-up and scuff-free shape as their dressier counterparts. Do not wear 4 inch heels with a pair of dress pants and sweater.  Those types of shoes look better with a dress suit or pant suit.

For men business casual shoes should definitely not include tennis shoes.  There is nothing tackier than a man in dress pants with a pair of tennis shoes on. Styles range from penny loafers to lace-ups, leaving lots for comfort and budget preferences.  Make sure that the heels and the fabric is clean, the leather polished, or the suede brushed.  Wearing these types of shoes to finish off your business casual look will make you GQ all the way.

The old saying, “People take on the character of the costume,” isn’t a myth. It’s because of this truth there should be more business than casual in a company’s “business casual.” If the male and female definitions seem too rigid, then complain to the person where the buck stops. Company owners tend to complain about the business casual attitudes that accompany casual day because they’ve watched them evolve over time. That is why it’s important to sustain the level of business consciousness dictated by the respective company.

On the other hand, companies that demand a high stress, quick-paced level of productivity from their staff regularly may find benefits of invoking a more casual attitude once a week. Perhaps in such a case, it would allow employees to begin their weekend feeling more relaxed and come back on Monday feeling more mentally prepared for the new work week.

Whether you are in business causal or not you need to always remember that you are still doing business no matter what kind of clothes you have on. You need not be ashamed if you run into your CEO or a client visiting the office. Be comfortable but keep in the back of your mind you are still at work. Your business casual shoes can be loafers or tie up shoes, heels or flats as long as they are clean and look nice and neat. Be comfortable yet still professional. That is business casual.

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Oct 1, 2009

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Diamond Grading Reports

You’ve been told that having a certificate or  a diamond grading report is important, and as a responsible consumer, you get one – unfortunately, you probably won’t understand a word of what is on that diamond grading report, unless you are a jeweler.

On the color grading scale, D, E, and F mean that the diamond has no color. G, H, and I means that it has very little color. J, K, and L means that the diamond has a slight yellow color. P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, and X means that the diamond is a darker shade of yellow. Z means that the diamond has a fancy color – other than white or yellow.

On the color grading scale, D is the most valuable, and X is the least valuable – however diamonds that get a Z rating are the rarest and most expensive diamonds in the world.

There are many aspects to a grading report.  Figuring it all out can be very confusing. You should talk to a jeweler you trust, and have them explain everything on the diamond grading report to you.

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