Fashion: Jumpsuits and Playsuits

It was only a few short years ago that cutesy playsuits and rompers were a summer must-have (albeit a short lived one). Well, as fashion would dictate it, one-piece anythings are back in style. From overalls to jumpsuits, to playsuits and rompers, these one piece cuts are an option for fashionisers looking for pieces for their spring 2011 wardrobe. And for those who are, they can rest assured knowing that any investment pieces, particularly statement playsuits, will be a worthy investment with the one piece styles on the cards as sitting amongst spring 2011 fashion trends.

Jumpsuit & Playsuit styles

Overalls: while we saw denim overalls on the Ralph Lauren S/S 2010 catwalk, this was really an exception. Denim overalls aren't a part of this trend for 2010, and we don't expect to see them for on trend in spring 2011 either.

Evening: a new take on relaxed glamour, no-one has nailed this quite like Alber Elbaz for Lanvin. Single-shouldered and sequin covered jumpsuits were a striking alternative to the traditional evening dress.

Tailored: smart and sophisticated, a tailored playsuit can be office-ready as well as dressed up for day or night. Look for crisper fabrics, cuffed shorts, and cinched in waists - a la Karl Lagerfeld.

Loose and flowing: the perfect take for Spring/Summer, this look has a dash of hippy - working best when combined with soft floral prints. Fabrics should be free-flowing, legs wide and long. The likes of Roberto Cavalli and Etro produced the perfect examples.

Sporty: Julien MacDonald, Lacoste and Walter all took sportier options, in line with S/S '10's sports trend; from hoods and zips to simple cotton jersey fabrics.

Basic: while some designers have gone for prints and intricate detailing, the likes of Stella McCartney and Givenchy presented the ideal basic options. A more versatile wardrobe staple, go for black, white or nude colours and simple straight cuts.

Pictures of these styles and others can be found in the gallery of jumpsuit and playsuit picturesbelow.

Erin Fetherston S/S '10 jumpsuit

Jumpsuit & playsuit lengths

Anything goes when it comes to length. At their shortest, we saw playsuits and rompers that were almost as tiny as hot pants (in a way blurring the lines between playsuits and bodysuits). At their longest they reached the ankles as full jumpsuits, and in between were knee length and mid-calf versions like those seen on the runways of Badgley Mischka and DKNY.

How to wear jumpsuits & playsuits

While you can get a pretty clear idea of some of the style options via the paragraph above, here are some more general tips and ideas of how to wear the trend:

• If you have curves or a pear-shaped figure, try for a halter jumpsuit or playsuit, belted in firmly at the waist, for a bombshell silhouette.
• For night time opt for luxurious fabrics like silks; details like sequins or sheer panels; or leather for an edgier look.
• If you go for a basic block-colour piece, the options are practically endless. Try a cropped jacket in a contrasting colour, a la Givenchy; bold statement jewellery; any variety of belts or ties; or some out there add-ons like removable shoulder epaulettes, badges, chains, or interesting layers.
• Another way to wear the jumpsuit in 2010 is with an exotic feel: to work this style look for billowing harem-style pants with gathered-in ankles.

A SOUTH AMERICAN VOLCANO DISCOVERED

A previously dormant South American volcano is inflating with astonishing speed, scientists have discovered.

Researchers from several U.S. universities say Uturuncu, which rises 6,000 meters in southwest Bolivia, is blowing up like a big balloon as its magma chamber grows around 10 times faster than normal.

'It's one of the fastest uplifting volcanic areas on Earth,' said Oregon State University professor, Shan de Silva.

Waking up: Uturuncu, which rises 6,000 meters in southwest Bolivia, is blowing up like a big balloon, according to scientists

'What we're trying to do is understand why there is this rapid inflation, and from there we'll try to understand what it's going to lead to,' said de Silva in an interview with MyAmazingPlanet.

Fashion 2011: Stripes and nautical prints

2010's infatuation with military fashion was heavily influenced by army and air force styling, meaning naval influenced pieces hardy got a look in. As the military trend winds down for spring 2011, we turn to new influences - but that doesn't mean the nautical shall be overlooked entirely. For those fashionisers who are nautically inclined, Spring 2011 still has something in store. Don't think of it strictly as a nautical military trend, however. Rather, in 2011, it's the classic navy and white colour palette, worn as dominant stripes.

Striped summer dress at Jil Sander SS11

The Style

Note that I didn't say bold stripes, but dominant stripes. While navy and white stripes are a must for the look (though black and white can also work in 2011), the real key to Summer's take on nautical stripes is that they dominate the outfit. While they do so in the below look easily (though the plum Doc Martens still seem somewhat heavy), in other outfits it's about drawing attention to the stripes above all else in the outfit.

Striped summer dress snapped in Sydney by Vanessa Jackman.

As an illustration of the point be sure to look at the inspiration pictures below; while most looks rely on bold stripes, you'll see that the trend is just as effective when the stripes are thin. Hence for Summer 2010 look for dominant stripes, not necessarily bold ones.

The Pieces To Wear in 2011

Don't think of this Summer stripes just as a clothing trend: you can work them into any part of an outfit (just not all at once, please). As you'll see in the inspiration gallery stripes can dominate an outfit in everything from hats to killer mini-dresses.

Striped summer hat snapped by Jak and Jil.

2011's return of bell bottoms - a style which originated with the sailor pants of the US navy - also presents the perfect opportunity for creating nautical ensembles. And of course a striped top with flares is a combination that also lends itself to a perfectly 70s inspired look.

Striped top and flared jeans at Fidelity Denim SS11

To Nautical Or Not To Nautical?

While Summer's navy and white striped fashion trend isn't a true take on navy inspired fashion, it's likely to appeal to those who are in to the nautical aesthetic. If that's you and you're after some inspiration look to Anja Rubik's sailor inspiration from the June 2010 issue of Vogue Korea. The shoot utilises the season's stripe trend in the form of a dominant blazer, but takes the nautical motifs to far less subtle proportions.

Layering

The natural inclination for layering nautical pieces in an outfit is to do so with complimentary colours (read 'navy and white'). And I can't fault that logic. It's the easy option. But may I offer up one piece of inspiration that differs from the safe? Clashes of stripes with other patterns or prints, for example this shot of Nataliya Piro in Cosmopolitan magazine mixing (admittedly non-dominant) stripes with florals. The stripes don't dominate, but in a crowded room the look certainly will.

Nautical stripes with floral print.

CHINESE GIRL TODDLER RUN OVER TWICE

The sheer cruelty of witnessing the body of a frail, helpless little girl lying in the middle of the streets swamped in a pool of blood should have been more than anyone could bear.

The conspicuous location of her body on the road, the amount of blood on the ground – just any one of these two signs would have prompted a passer-by to rush to her rescue or dial 911.

Not so in this case.

The girl, Yue Yue, is now in hospital and has been declared brain dead after she was run over – twice – by a van and then a lorry in the southern Chinese city, Foshan over the weekend. 

FOUR EASY MAKEUP STEPS: AMANDA SEYFRIED BEAUTY MAKEUP SECRET

AMANDA SEYFRIED'S MAKEUP

The actress vamped it up at the London premiere of Red Riding Hood, wearing a Clé de Peau makeup look by Mary Greenwell.

Four Easy Steps

1: Prime skin with Luminizing Enhancer Base before topping with the lightest shade of Cream Foundation.
2: Line the top lid with dark black Intensifying Cream Eyeliner #101 and coat lashes with lots of black mascara.
3: Dust cheeks with light pink blush.
4: Paint lips with Extra Rich Lipstick in deep orange-red R2.

TOP 5 STRESSFUL BODY PARTS THAT NEEDS TO BE MASSAGE

Who does not need a little relaxation from time to time? It is said that stress is generating 80% of diseases. Massage has always been a good way to reduce stress, but we’ll see the first 5 parts of your body where massage will guarantee a relaxed state and optimal relaxation.

1. Toe. Foot massage is ultra relaxing for many people. Hundreds of nerve endings beneath our feet, so a form of massage was created specifically for the feet. Reflexology is based on the idea that the body is divided into ten zones all ending on the feet and hands. These zones correspond to different organs of the body. By massaging these areas on foot in a specific order, it can affect other parts of the body within that zone.

2. Hands. These two appendices are the region most workers in our body. Everything in this world requires the work of our hands. On your next massage requested that we open and relax the palms. This will be especially beneficial for those with manual work and who have contracted finger flexion. Over time, muscles present in the palms of the hands may shrink when subjected to repetitive work. It’s always good to stretch those muscles hypertonic and hand massage can prove to be surprisingly relaxing.


3. Neck. A lot of muscle covers the anterior neck, lateral and posterior. This area can hold more stress and tension than you can imagine. The lateral, or side of the neck is massaged as often as the back or posterior neck. The area most excluded, usually because of uneducated fingers, is the anterior or front of the neck. Several therapists have learned that it was better to avoid this area as it passes through the arteries and nerves. Find a therapist who masters this area, because the sterno-mastoid and scalene muscles are the anterior neck which, when relaxed, can cure headaches, thoracic outlet syndrome and numbness in the arms or fingers. The rear and side of the neck are equally important and should not be excluded. On the back of the neck are the suboccipital muscles are primarily responsible for tension headaches (a type of headache often chronic).

4. Scalp. The scalp is probably the most neglected in terms of stress. The three major muscles of the scalp muscles are temporal, frontal and occipital. Muscle massage can alleviate temporal and occipital headache. The forehead muscle is most active on your forehead and massage this part is a true sedative for the nervous system. Try to massage your scalp with your fingertips with sufficient pressure to move the skin over the underlying bone.

5. The Face. Did you know that the face alone has thirty pairs of muscles? Those who make us smile, frown, squint, etc. moving lips. There is also some pressure points sinus and the powerful of the masticatory muscle (or muscles of mastication) the masseter. This is the strongest muscle of our body relative to its size. During periods of stress, when you clench your teeth, the masseter contracts. When you are late or stuck in traffic, notice how your jaw tightens. During a massage, it is amazing how this muscle may be tender in some people. It is located on the lateral and upper cheek, it allows us to open and close the mouth. The pain of the TMJ or Temporo Mandibular Joint can be cured by massaging the muscle and some others. Two pressure points sinus located at the base of the nose and just below cheekbones. The next time your sinuses bother you, try pressing, holding and release these points a dozen times. You can also try a circular massage on the temples when you have a headache.

We all experience some degree of stress in our lives, this is normal is the ability you have to manage the stress that shows how much you are aware of your body’s needs. A massage done by a professional is a great way to relieve stress and tension. Now you can even rub the 5 body parts between each professional massage.