CustomizedGirl Blog

1 December 2008

Customized Girl is on Twitter!

Hey everyone! Customizedgirl.com is on Twitter.

Twitter is one of the fastest growing online communities. It is dedicated to answering one simple question, “What are you doing?” Customized Girl just couldn’t resist another chance to stay connected with our customers so we joined in on the conversation. If you are looking for the best deals that Customized Girl has to offer follow us on Twitter.

We are going to be using Twitter to keep in touch with our customers offering daily specials, new Customized Girl updates, updates on our latest blog posts, and also we will be launching some fun contests from Twitter as well!

Join Twitter Here.

Follow Customized Girl on Twitter Here.

Thanks everyone hope to see you there!

-Customized Girl

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1 December 2008

Starting a Killer Celebrity Blog: 50 Tips and Resources

So you want to be the next Perez Hilton, but have no idea where to start? Fear not. Thankfully, becoming a celebrity blogger isn’t really any different from becoming a regular blogger – all you need is the passion for your subject and the perseverance to post every day. There are plenty of free resources online to help you reach your goals quickly, so take in some of this advice and start breaking some celebrity news.

Getting Started

The first thing you’ll need to do is research how to actually set up a blog, as well as how to market yourself once it’s up and running. Check out these handy articles for a little direction.

1. eHow: eHow gives you a step-by-step resource outlining the basic strides you’ll need to take to get your blog off the ground. Beyond the obvious point that you’ll need to first create and name the blog, the article offers hints on how to attract readers.
2. Wisdump: Before you go thinking that you can steal whatever photos you want from Google Images, read this article from Wisdump, which will help you learn how to access the snazziest shots in a legal manner, as well as give you great tips for establishing your celebrity blog.
3. Acosmin: Acosmin writes an in-depth, two-part article about creating and starting your own celebrity blog. One of its main points is that, in this business, you can’t skimp on design.
4. Lonely Marketer: The Lonely Marketer gives helpful tips for anyone looking to become a first-time blogger. While not specific to celebrity bloggers, it’s still very helpful.
5. Courtney Tuttle: Courtney Tuttle writes an engaging essay on starting your own for-profit blog, but perhaps the best reason to visit this site is the more than 50 instructional videos she has posted on the topic – a gem of a resource.
6. Wikihow: Another strong primer, complete with a video tutorial on how to set up your blog.
7. Michael Hyatt: Michael Hyatt sets forth some basic knowledge about starting a blog, but one new piece of information covered is how to use an offline blog client to post entries even while you are away from your desk.
8. Blog Success Journal: The Blog Success Journal wants you to start a blog and make money. Learn how to generate profit through posting.
9. CarloCab : Carl Ocab gives you an easy checklist to follow for setting up a successful blog and reaping the rewards.
10. Top Business Review: Don’t learn as you go – get it all up top from the get-go. This thorough article gives 75 steps to follow for a fool-proof blog that will generate readership.

Choosing Your Style

Are you going to be the kind of blogger who rewards Paris Hilton’s shady fashion picks with praise and drool or the kind that’s going to slam her witlessness no matter what she’s wearing? In order to decide on the tone of your celebrity blog, you’ll have to research the competition. Only in knowing what’s out there will you know how to set yourself apart from the pack. Here’s a sample of several well-read and successful celebrity blogs.

11. Perez Hilton: If you are tying to get into the field of celebrity blogging, then you most certainly have heard of Perez Hilton. The self-styled pink blogger, Hilton’s tone ranges from snarky to adoring – bottom line is: if you want to be like Hilton, you can’t be afraid to pull out some punches now and then or to make friends with the stars you rag on most.
12. TMZ: These ruthless celebrity bloggers even have their own shock-journalism TV show detailing their guerilla methods of catching the stars on camera.
13. People: While maybe not technically considered a blog, People’s website is packed full of celebrity news updated to the minute. And it’s about as straightforward and balanced as a celebrity site can be – no rib pokes here.
14. Dlisted: Dlisted is a lively and fun celebrity blog that has been voted in the top 10 snarkiest celebrity blogs on the web. Perhaps that explains their motto: “Be afraid. Be very afraid.”
15. Celeb Crust: These bloggers choose to post almost solely about celeb mess-ups, embarrassing quotes, and overall blunders. If you’re going for a no-mercy style, check them out for inspiration.
16. Babyrazzi: If, like many people in today’s society, you are obsessed with celebrity pregnancies and offspring, you might consider specializing your blog toward the subject. When Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt can fetch $14 million for photos of their newborns, you know the world has gone astray. Babyrazzi is a blog focusing solely on celebs and their babies and a great site after which to model your own baby blog.
17. The Celebrity Blog: Don’t expect to find anything too juicy here, but do expect to find lots of celebrity photos and news about celeb appearances around town.
18. The Superficial: A sarcastic and lively read, The Superficial both bemoans the power of celebrity in today’s culture while simultaneously coveting it, somewhat reluctantly, at every turn. If you love celeb gossip, but don’t want people to think you really love celeb gossip, The Superficial’s style may be for you.
19. Couture Candy: Do you just pay attention to celebs because you want to see what they’re wearing? Couture Candy is a thorough blog with a fashion-loving author.
20. Celebrity Plastic Surgery: Everyone in Hollywood has had some work done, and this blogger wants to expose it all!

Social Media

Today you’re nobody in the blogging world unless you’re hooked in with the online social networking communities. Setting up profiles on all these high-traffic sites will help you build an audience in no time.

21. Facebook: A no-brainer here, if you want to be in touch with what’s going on in the world you’ve got to get a Facebook page. Befriend other celebrity bloggers and join all the celeb news groups you can find.
22. Twitter: The life of a blogger is ruled by your need to post, post, post. You’ve got to be on all the time, so creating a Twitter account to follow your competition, allies, and those you are covering will help you stay on top of the latest news second by second.
23. MySpace: While MySpace is almost a bit outdated, the sad truth is that so many celebrities still use it as a soapbox for their daily feelings and moods. So get a MySpace page and start asking for adds.
24. Linkedin: LinkedIn may seem too stodgy for a hip celebrity blogger like yourself, but unfortunately you must approach your passion like a profession. And making a diverse list of professional contacts will help you expand the reach of your blog more quickly.
25. Plurk: Plurk is a fun, new social networking site that recommends “interesting” people for users to check out, and offers users the chance to blog straight on their Plurk page. Called a “social journal for your life”, Plurk will let you easily market your blog to many members.
26. My Blog Log: My Blog Log lets you have a dialogue with the people who are following you and checking out your page.
27. Ning: A fast-growing social networking site, Ning actually lets you create your own social networking platform based around your area of interest, which your readers can join. Ning is a terrific and highly interactive way for you to connect with your readers.
28. Bebo: Bebo boasts a lot of members and plenty of new media applications that users can add to their page – a fun way for you to connect with your readers and build an audience.
29. Stickam : If you have a webcam and you know how to use it, Stickam is the place for you. It’s a social-networking community that allows users to connect with one another via live streaming video.
30. Xanga: Xanga connects bloggers with other bloggers, so get yours hooked into this incredible resource ASAP.

Being a Reporter

While some may argue that celebrity bloggers aren’t “real” journalists, you know that to be good at what you do you will need to know how to dig up dirt and write a compelling article. Here are some general journalism resources that will help you up your game.

31. How to Do Things: A step-by-step article on how to become a journalist, which focuses on how to get the right education and get your foot in the door.
32. New York Times: This article is a great demonstration of how millions of people are using their cell phones to get ahead in the journalism and blogging world.
33. The Guardian : The Guardian ran this story about the rise of citizen journalism. Take advantage of the trend and get your name out there by not only blogging, but submitting your news to citizen journalism websites.
34. Online Journalism Blog: This content-heavy blog will give you any and all information you could possibly ever need to know about being a journalist in the online community. This site is a serious resource you’ll want to bookmark for knowledge and inspiration.
35. Editorialiste : A blog that’s specifically dedicated to online journalism and blogging likens being a blogger to working in an online sweatshop. Get ready for some serious elbow grease.
36. MediaBistro: It costs about $50 a year, but a membership to MediaBistro will pay itself off in a day. You will want to read up on all the city blogs, as well as check out the “How to Pitch” section to see how you can best attract the attention of some major editors.
37. Project for Excellence in Journalism : The PEJ may be a bit serious for those of you simply wanting to write about celebrity infants and shoes, but for those wanting to take their craft a bit further, and perhaps mix in some real-world content, the PEJ is a great resource that can help you perfect your craft.
38. Newsvine: This article is titled “How to Be a Professional Journalist with No Prior Experience.” If this is you in a nutshell, start reading.
39. MSNBC : MSNBC has an entire section of its website dedicated to citizen journalists, so try submitting your content to generate a wider audience.
40. Online Journalism Review : The OJR says you can be a better journalist by “unlearning” traditional journalism rules and moving your business online.

General Tips and Resources

41. Tips for New Bloggers : This blog claims to be the dummies guide for all things blog-related. Read up for step by step instructions on making your blog the best.
42. RSS Specifications : To truly be successful, you will need to give your readers the opportunity to download your content straight to their RSS feed, so they can truly keep up with your genius posts. Figure out how you can make your blog compatible with this technology with this handy resource.
43. Seth Godin : Marketing guru Seth Godin has written a brilliant and helpful guide on his own blog about how you can attract people to your blog and build a strong audience.
44. SEO : Matt Cutts is going to help you get discovered by readers without even trying. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the trick for getting innocent web surfers to stumble upon your blog. Make sure that you’re the first person to pop up on a Google search with this article.
45. Generating Conversation: Since celebrity news is in and of itself rather sensational stuff, generating conversation will probably not be an issue for you. But nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to read this article about how to make your blog as compelling as it can be.
46. Blendworx: This is a simple list of 51 tips all bloggers should follow in order to be successful.
47. Journalism Tips for Bloggers: Don’t just futz around with your bad grammar and badly structured blog posts. Be taken as seriously as a New York Times reporter by following these simple journalistic rules.
48. time Management: Blogging can be a stressful job with constant deadlines and the pressure to stay on top of the competition. These tools for time management will help remove some of the tension from your day-to-day.
49. Health Tips : Afraid your foray into blogging is going to turn you into a chubby computer-addict with bad skin? It could easily happen to anyone spending that much time behind their laptop. Here are a few health tips to keep you in tip-top shape.
50. Productivity : An article outlining tips to keep you uber-productive and on top of your game.

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21 October 2008

Congratulations to the Winner of Contest 7

Congrats to mandygrl987 for winning Customized Girl’s Seventh Design Contest! She wins a $250 Customized Girl Gift Certificate and her design will be featured in the October 31st issue of US Weekly.

Her original design was very cute on the Sheer Longer V-Neck, but we thought it would do very well on this longer length apron.  Her design is simple and sweet and just in time for the holidays.

Thanks once again to everyone who entered.  We really love the effort and talent that was on display during Contest 7.

Unfortunately our contests are going to take a bit of break for the near future.   We’re thinking of launching the next contest around a specific theme, and see what you guys create.  When we’re ready, we’ll announce the next contest launch on this blog, so stay tuned.

Thanks again, and congrats to the winner.

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23 September 2008

The Secrets of Online Customization: 101 Tips and resources

Today with so many life-enhancing products on the market and the overflow of technological gadgets intended to make people’s lives easier, consumers are a little spoiled. Websites like Facebook, Myspace, and Blogger have given people the ability to set up their own little corners on the World Wide Web and the desire for personalization has definitely extended far into the marketplace as well. Today, many businesses are discovering that if they want to stay competitive they must narrow their focus to pleasing individuals, rather than groups. Read on about how mass customization and online customization is driving businesses today and then check out how some companies are making it work and driving big profits, as well.

Articles & Literature

1. BizReport : A 2008 article detailing how customized products are the “it” thing. Consumers, according to this study, are sick of “cookie cutter” solutions. Allowing your customers to customize the product you are selling to their interests could increase the value by 18 percent.
2. USA Today: A 2007 USA Today article about how fashion designers and online retailers are increasingly offering consumers more customizable products. According to this article, 72 percent of consumers will buy a product that they are allowed to personally design.
3. About.com : Interested in starting your own online custom shoe business? Check out this article, which addresses where to physically house your business, as well as how to promote your product.
4. Shapeways : This is an article about a great online, 3D design software released by Shapeways, which allows both merchants and consumers to create 3D models of their own products. Consider employing similar software on your website or else create customizable products to sell.
5. Failure of Customization : This 2002 article talks about why the online customization business will ultimately fail. While its hypothesis hasn’t been proven yet, it argues that customized products aren’t better than mass-produced products.
6. Online-Offline: A helpful article about how online customization businesses can strengthen themselves by developing offline business partners.
7. Sketchee : An article about how many shoe companies are allowing customers to design their own shoes online.
8. Online Custom Jewelry Designs : Looking to design your own jewelry and get a deal at the same time? This article discusses how many jewelry merchants are offering customers the ability to design jewelry online while simultaneously comparing prices.
9. New York Times : Another terrific article about how customized fashion is becoming the wave of the future.
10. Mass Customization : This excellent book by Joseph Pine discusses how customized products are dominating the business world and how offering customization to customers gives a business a definite advantage.
11. Wikipedia: An article defining the term ìMass Customizationî and tracing its roots in the business world.
12. Harvard Business Review: This academic article from the Harvard Business Review outlines the four tenants of the online customization business and how businesses can incorporate them into their models easily, while offering low prices to consumers and reaping a profit.
13. Making Mass Customization Work : A companion piece to Pineís earlier Harvard Business Review article, this journal reveals the secrets that make mass customization work.
14. Markets of One : Another great resource for budding entrepreneurs, this book discusses the new trend of making products upon demand from a single customer.
15. Mass Customization Blog: A super-handy and uber-detailed blog dedicated to the mass customization industry. Look for wordy entries and lots of links from this blogger.
16. Cincom : Register with Cincom and get a library of business articles right at your fingertips, several of which discuss how different manufacturers can make mass customization work for them.
17. International Institute on Mass Customization and Personalization : The online customization business has become so big that there is even an entire professional institute for both academics and professionals looking to compare notes on the industry. They’ve even begun holding an annual conference where customization-philes can meet in person.
18. Business Week: An article reflecting on why consumers are so obsessed with making their own things.
19. Made for One: This site is a terrific round-up resource that devotes itself to collecting trade articles on mass customization and posting them in one easy-to-find spot.
20. Foodservice Magazine : So you can design your own Keds online, but can you create your own lasagna? This article talks about how mass customization may be targeting the food industry next.
21. Pure Insight : A webinar about how mass customization is creating more customer value. The teachers have studied more than 250 mass customization businesses and touch upon how each have been able to prosper.
22. Design Intelligence : What sort of effect will the mass customization boom have on purveyors and creators of high design? Find out by reading this great article by Design Intelligence.
23. ZD Net: A strong article which discusses the correlation between widgets and product customization. While this article refers mostly to online software customization, it would still be helpful to brick-and-mortar customization businesses looking to expand their presence on the web.
24. Hotel Online: An article about how mass customization has revolutionized thinking among leaders of the hospitality industry.
25. Your Brain on MC : This is a funny blog entry on Treehugger which shows what happens when a person, using a customization site, turns his brain scan into a lamp.
26. Dialogic : A series of webinars on how you can compete in a world of personalized objects.
27. E-Commerce : Another informational article that traces mass customization back to its roots.
28. Street Directory : Find out how mass customization in the Information Age is overtaking the model of mass production that was once the cornerstone of manufacturing.
29. Build to Order: Another book, this one is by Dr. David Anderson and it claims to be the “ultimate” management strategy for on-demand manufacturing.
30. Design4Manufactuability : Handy article on why producing un-customizable products is outdated.
31. Scion : Want to swap out that ìcommonî nameplate on your vehicle for one a little more true to yourself? Check out this article about Scion’s newest feature personalized crests or logos for the back and front of your car.
32. Martin Konrad: Artist Martin Konrad examines how mass customization corresponds with industrial design and points out that individuals are influencing design these days much more than actual designers.
33. Eporia : An article about how one online custom printer achieved a more functional website by partnering with the company Eporia.

Products

Check out these online businesses who offer customers the ability to customize the products they purchase!Clothes

34. Customized Girl : This cute site lets you customize T-shirts and other clothing items for women, men and kids, though it has a specific focus on women’s clothes. The site has a wide variety of styles and trends one of the biggest on the web and has an easy-to-use site. You can even upload your own images to be printed on your merchandise. And expect nothing but the best-quality products this company sells garments from reputable manufacturers like American Apparel and Bella.
35. Bridal Party Tees : A site full of customizable products for the bride and bridesmaids this is a must-see for all of you preparing for a wedding or bachelorette party. Are you a soon-to-be Mrs. Smith? Why not tell the world with a cute tank top or tote bag? Get your bridesmaids in on the action or create a shirt for your hubby in just a few instants.
36. Zazzle: Want to start your own T-shirt business? Have an idea for a skateboard design? Check out Zazzle.com, a site that lets you design everything from clothes to shoes to business cards you can even turn your photos into customizable posters on this thorough site.
37. Custom Ink: Custom Ink is a company that puts your words on its products. Whether you’re a clothing designer or simply want to order some corporate T-shirts for your employees, Custom Ink can help you.
38. Blue Cotton : Forget Photoshop, Blue Cotton lets you custom design T-shirts on the spot using itís online Design Studio. You can even elect to have your tops be it cotton T-shirt or cotton sweatshirt custom embroidered.
39. Coco Myles : Forget fashion school! Coco Myles has a way for all you budding Donna Karan’s to create the dress you’ve always dreamed of with its online design studio. Pick your fabric, select your cut and color, and even add different accents.
40. Lands End : Custom design your own affordable Oxford button downs and khaki pants using Lands Endís Custom Clothing website, which made big waves when it debuted four years ago.

Shoes

41. Reebok: Believe it or not, you can work as a designer for Reebok. You won’t get paid in fact, you’ll be charged but youíll get a kick out of designing your own Reebok sneakers. Pick a style, choose your best colors, and then go wild adding your own flair.
42. NikeiD: Like Reebok, Nike offers consumers the option of designing their own shoes. The freedom here is mostly limited to color choices, but Nikeís interactive design studio will let you design a shoe right before your eyes.
43. Puma Mongolian BBQ : Playing off the popular style of eating in ancient Mongolia, Puma has created the Mongolian Shoe BBQ, allowing consumers to mish-mash together different styles and colors to create their ideal shoe. The site offers a “menu” of seasonal choices and is fun and easy to use.
44. Vans: Similar to Puma, Reebok and Nike, Vans has an online portal that allows customers to design their own slingback sneakers or old-school shoes.
45. Timberland : Timbaland the rapper probably had a heart attack when he heard that Timberland, the boot manufacturer so loved in the hip hop community, announced it was allowing customers to design their own heavy-duty boots. You can start from scratch or just add to a template shoe.

Jewelry & Crystal

46. Crystal Images: Who knew you could personalize even crystal vases? This is actually very popular idea among corporations looking for alternatives to trophies for golf tournaments. Also, customizing a vase is an excellent option for a wedding gift.
47. Engraving Creations : Customize glass, crystal, marble and much more through Engraving Creations website which customizes through engraving. The company even makes individually-specified Christmas ornaments.
48. You Design We Create : This company makes everyone into an instant jewelry designer. Harry Winston beware now people can get what they really want. Choose from several pre-made custom designs or call the company to discuss what you have in mind.
49. Diamond Designs : Diamond Designs will create the piece of jewelry you’re dreaming of by looking at your sketch and going from there. They can even guarantee a turnaround in just a few days.
50. Personalized Boutique : If you lusted after Carrie Bradshawís “Carrie” necklace in Sex in the City, then you’ll definitely want to check out Personalized Boutique, which makes similar gold necklaces in every name for the bargain price of $175. You can also get your childrenís names on a ring or a locket.
51. Jewels for Me: Design your own jewelry on this site that allows you to select the stones and gems that suit your fancy. Start by picking a style you like then finish by filling it with beautiful jewels.
52. A Diamond is Forever : Design your own engagement ring using this online tool.

Accessories

53. Custom Silicone Bracelets : Now you can be just as popular as Lance Armstrong by creating silicone bracelets for your business or cause. Pick your color, upload your catchphrase, and spread the word via wrists everywhere.
54. Crazy Custom Caps : Some people live in baseball caps, and those people need variety. Never fear sites like Crazy Custom Caps allow customers to design their own hats in just three easy steps.
55. Bari J. : Bari J. handbags has some of the coolest prints and templates from which to choose when creating your dream bag online. Vintage is the name of the game on this site.
56. Freddy & Ma: Give all your friends a jealous streak by designing your own handbags, pillows, and dishes on this hipper-than-thou site.
57. BPurses : Such a fun site for women who are obsessed with purses. BPurses lets you easily design your own handbags at an affordable price.
58. Paula Julia Designs : Another online merchant that allows clients to design their own purses online. This company is somewhat cheaper than BPurses, but tends to have less in the way of selection.

Toys

59. Toybuilders : Have a great idea for a board game, but donít feel like breaking out the construction paper and glue? Check out Toybuilders.com, which makes custom plush toys, board games, and wood toys.
60. Build-a-Bear: Everyoneís heard of Build-a-Bear, the popular store and online website that lets customers design their own stuffed bear. Popular among children, a gift certificate to Build-a-Bear is the perfect Christmas gift for the wee ones in your family. The good news is you can build the bear online, without needing to go to the store.
61. Custom Game Company: Custom Game Company creates board games and other physical games for companies, organizations, and communities.
62. Doll Wizard : Make your own dolls on this customizable site.

Household

63. California Faucets : Wow you can even design your own water faucets for your home through California Faucetsí online portal. This is online customization at it’s finest!
64. Bemz : Customize your Ikea sofas by ordering from one of the many upholstery designs on Bemz.com. Since your choices are limited at Ikea, Bemz offers Ikea sofa owners a chance at a more creative and personalized living room.
65. Custom Furniture Design : The guys over at Custom Furniture Design don’t need much just hand them your napkin scribblings of that armoire you designed and they’ll get it built in no time. This company has been working with architects and designers for many years on custom designs.
66. Smart Furniture : Design on Demand is the name Smart Furniture has given to its custom design section on its website. You can either edit template designs or start from scratch using their online design tool.

Miscellaneous

67. Shapeways : Remember the Treehugger blog about the brain lamp? Well, that innovative host of electricity was created with Shapewaysí 3-D modeling system that allows customers to create totally from scratch their own product designs. Check out their You Tube video on how it works.
68. Cafe Press: Cafe Press is perhaps the most popular customized good site and itís a great resource for small businesses who want to be able to sell products on-demand. Design your clothes and other products and set up an online store. Through Cafe Press you can order certain items on-demand, preventing the need to commit significant overhead to products that may or may not sell.
69. Branders: An apt name for a company that allows many companies to sell and promote their brand through products. They claim to be the largest online seller of promotional products and even offer a turnaround on some products as quick as five days.
70. Redesign Me: This innovative website has partnered with several manufacturers who offer monetary rewards to designers who can improve upon existing products or help them create new ones. Truly a fun and interactive marketplace for the creative among us.
71. Stem Cell : Need some customized cells or plasma samples? Who doesnít, really? Well, look no further. Stem Cell is here to help you out with its host of customized genetic products.
72. Design Your Own Card : Business cards will be bland no more! Now with this easy website you can design your own business card easily and quickly.

Design Principles

If you are going to start your own online customized product business or start creating your own products for purchase, youíll want to read up on how to be a good designer. With all the artistic and creative minds in the product business today, competition is stiff.

74. Marvin Bartel : This professor gives a nice, easy-to-read and simple discourse on important things to consider when designing, such as line weight, color, and placement.
75. Fashion.net: Want to be a fashion designer? Check out this helpful article with tips on good design schools and an inside glimpse into the business side.
76. Amazon List: While there are plenty of free resources online, Amazon has put together this thorough list of different books that speak to designing and creativity.
77. 50 Ways to Be a Better Designer : A great list from Computer Arts that aims to help designers of all backgrounds get better at their craft.
78. Furniture Design : You’ll be able to find lots of design plans and furniture patterns online, but it might also help to get some inspiration from the furniture designers in this list who have helped set many trends.
79. Graphic Design Principles: A simple site that goes over the principles of good graphic design.
80. Product Design & Development : This industry website aims to improve product design across the board. A great resource for anyone with an idea on how to make something better.
81. Beautiful and Original Designs : Check out this fabulous article about innovative product designs for both inspiration and information.
82. Best Product Design 2007 : This article from Business Week will help you wrap your head around what has worked in the past and why.
83. Best Product Design 2006 : Business Week’s 2006 article on the same subject.
84. Product Design Forums: An excellent forum and chat board for all designers to connect and share.

Software

While many customization sites have their own design tools built in, those of you who really want to start from scratch are going to need some software to get your ideas onto the computer.

85. Photoshop: If you want to make a design using a pre-existing image, then check out Photoshop from Adobe. Manipulate images as much as you want and then save it down to a .jpeg file for easy uploading to most websites.
86. Photoshop Tutorials : Tripped up on Photoshop? No need to worry. This website has lots of useful information to get you over the hump.
87. Illustrator: True artists will want to get their hands on a copy of Adobe Illustrator, which allows people to draw freehand on the computer, as well as create wild patterns and shapes.
88. Adobe InDesign: Not the most flexible design software, InDesign is mostly a page-layout tool. But if you’re working on creating your own business cards or stationary it will be very intuitive to use.
89. Punch Software : Punch Software is perfect for the creative person aiming to design their own furniture or home product. Get the result you want without needing an ounce of sketching know-how.
90. Cute Draw : This software lets you easily create 3D shapes, as well as logos.
91. 3Ds Max : You may have to go to architecture school to master this software, but once you do you won’t be sorry, as it allows you to make 3D renderings of practically anything. And just kidding on the whole architecture school thing there are plenty of tutorials to help you navigate the system.

Magazines

A quick list of design magazines that will help you get inspiration. Good luck!

92. HOW Design : Find blogs and in-depth articles in this hailed magazine.
93. PRINT Magazine : The leading magazine for graphic arts.
94. I.D. Magazine : The International Design Magazine is the international bible on design, which will keep you abreast of every design competition on the horizon.
95. Core 77 : For product designers, Core 77 is a wealth of information on industrial design.
96. Dezeen : Dezeen bills itself as the most influential architecture and design magazine out there.
97. Wallpaper : A popular and best-selling fashion and design magazine.
98. Curve : An Australian design magazine that is available online.
99. New Design : A British design magazine focusing on product and industrial design in Europe.
100. Communication Arts : Focuses on the best design used in the communication industry.
101. Ready Made : A great design magazine that tells readers how to make hip products all on their own a true subscriber to the customization theory.

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15 September 2008

Hurricane Ike

UPDATE, September 16th:

Power has been restored. Orders are now on schedule. If you have any questions, please call in or use the live chat feature at the top of the homepage. Thank you.

September 15th:

Hurricane Ike has knocked out power and phones at our customer service center. We are working to get all orders out on time. Please check back tomorrow for updates.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

Our best wishes to all those in the path of Hurricane Ike.  Thank you.

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8 September 2008

Contest 7 Launches: Win a $250 Gift Card!

Contest 7 is officially underway.  Thanks again to all of our past contest entrants.  The turnout and quality of work has been terrific.

To enter the contest, simply create a design, save it, and tag it “Contest 7″.  It’s completely free and quite simple.

The winning design will be featured in US Weekly Magazine and we’ll send the winning designer a $250 Customized Girl Gift Card.

This contest will last through the month of September.

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If you’ve never saved a design before, here’s a quick lesson:

Choose any piece of apparel from one of our many categories (we recommend Her Tops and Undies). In the Design Center you can add text, clipart, and your own images. Everything is adjustable, so feel free to experiment with the text styles, colors, sizes, etc.

Most importantly, be sure to save your design once you’re finished. Just click the save button in the Design Center, which looks like this:

(If you’re not already logged in, you’ll have to log in or create an account at this point. Don’t worry it’s super easy and takes 5 seconds.)

On the next page name your design, choose the first tag from the drop down menu, and add “Contest 7” as an additional tag.

Be sure to leave your Share Option as “share”. Then click “Save” and you’re done!

*See the Design Contest Policies here.

* This contest lasts through the month of September.  We’ve been holding regular contests for a while now, but our contest calendar is about to change.  Once this one is finished, we’ll launch contests on a seasonal or special event basis.

Past contest winners:

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20 August 2008

The Secret to Starting a Successful Fashion Blog

You live for your Prada pea coat, foam at the mouth at the sight of a Birkin bag, and practically keep a spare mattress in the shoe department at Saks. Fashion is your obsession, your hobby and your life. So why shouldnít you have your own fashion blog? Heck, one day you could even get paid to write about the things you love to obsess over. Here are a few tips on how to get on the road to being a star fashion blogger.

1. Set Up Your Blog : Obviously, one of the first things you will want to do is actually set up your blog, even if youíre not actively populating it with content yet. But when youíre bursting with inspiration and ready to write, you wonít want to wait. Use an easy template-driven host, like Blogger or Wordpress. You are going to want your blog to represent your style and communicate that you are a savvy fashionista. So, make sure you use trendy colors, well-selected photos, and a smart design. While you can certainly find pre-designed templates and wallpapers on the internet or through your blog host site, you may even want to enlist the help of a graphic designer to help create an individual look that will set you apart from the others. As a fashionable person, you know firsthand that first impressions count.
2. Join IFB: The Independent Fashion Bloggers organization is like a trade association for trendy-minded people like yourself. Ever hear the expression ìstronger in numbersî? Well, the IFB aims to be a resource and forum for non-corporate fashion bloggers trying to navigate the ins and outs of fashion blogging. The site was started by a blogger who began writing about fashion for fun, but found the process of going professional overwhelming and confusing. If you want your blog to turn a profit some day, IFB is a source youíll want to have in your proverbial notebook.
3. Practice!: But before you try to make your new blog your bread and butter, get some practice writing for other blogs for money. It may sound sleazy at first, but getting compensated experience for blogging will help you better negotiate your own blog business down the road. You may not be able to find solely fashion gigs, but put yourself out there ñ apply for jobs that you feel are within your capabilities, learn from the experience and polish your writing chops in the process.
4. Check Out the Competition : To truly make your blog stand out from the rest, youíre going to need to know whatís out there. Invest some time reading other fashion blogs, see whatís been done already and also whatís lacking in the world of fashion blogging. By spying on the competition, youíll discover how to make your blog unique and you might also generate some content ideas. For example, if youíre thinking about incorporating critique into your blog posts, then reading up on what people are praising and poo-pooing in the fashion world can give you a little ammunition for a strong editorial voice.
5. Read Up: Aside from other fashion blogs, you will want to be very knowledgeable, if not expert, at what the major fashion magazines are covering and saying about the latest collections. While the fashion journalism industry is certainly changing rapidly and all print publications are creating stronger online presences, Vogue editor still trumps budding fashion blogger for seating assignments at New York Fashion Week. Maybe that will change one day. Maybe youíll be the person to do it. But for now staying on top of the mags is pretty important. If you can afford subscriptions, great; if not, spending an afternoon flipping through the pages of Glamour at your local library should do the trick. Oh, and donít forget the tabloids ñ since celebrities are the new supermodels youíll want to know whoís wearing who in Tinsel town.
6. Keep Up with Designers : Another form of research youíll need to do is check in on the websites of major, and budding, designers. This is where youíll be able to investigate all pieces of present and past collections, as well as stay abreast of any news designers are putting forth in the world about runway shows, television appearances, and new collections. Staying on top of budding designers is just as important as staying on top of entrenched designers. Just because Versace is Versace doesnít mean they canít put out a horrible product from season to season. Noting when up-and-comers are outshining the old guard will be important when developing your content. Plus, viewing the websites of top designers is a great way to get inspiration for the design of your own website.
7. Take a Class: If youíre an expert on fashion, but maybe donít have a ton of writing experience to speak of, taking a writing course can be a great way to get your feet wet and get some good advice on how to write well. Whether or not itís a blog writing course specifically doesnít really matter. Practice writing in any form and it will be helpful to you in the future. It will not only help you expand your vocabulary, but it will improve your sense of cadence. It could help your social life, as well as your blog business. Youíll get counseling from veteran professors and meet fellow budding writers, too.
8. Go to Fashion Week : If you can swing it, actually attending some runway shows at Fashion Week in New York or going to other less-frenzied fashion shows will help you get some experience reporting on fashion from the trenches, allow you to make some great contacts, and give you a lot of credibility with your readers. Letís face it ñ not everyone can make it to Fashion Week and most of those who can go donít have a platform to write about it. Making the effort to attend trade events will show that you are serious about your craft and set you apart from your competition.
9. Get Published : Another way to boost your profile is to get yourself published in print publications or on other fashion websites. Being able to bill yourself as a published, freelance fashion writer will help you attract readers and help you boost the circulation and number of hits on your blog. Certainly, getting published in the media isnít the most important thing you can do for your blog, but it canít hurt. And if your ultimate goal is to become a professional fashion writer, then it will help you further build a portfolio for future jobs.
10. Go Shopping : Maybe the easiest thing you can do to help generate content and commentary for your blog is hit the mall! Whatís on the racks at Nordstroms? How do the knock-off fashions at retailers like Forever 21 stack up against the uber-popular and affordable garments at Banana Republic? Where can you get the cheapest replica of that Michael Kors bag? The first thing to remember about your readers is that most will likely not be in Paris Hiltonís tax bracket. To write about fashion well, you will need to include everyday, affordable designs in the conversation. Take your camera phone to document particularly exciting finds and add some graphics to your text.
11. Test Your Theories: If youíre the kind of girl that likes to spend hours in front of the mirror throwing together random pieces of clothing and creating new styles, youíll need to know if what youíre creating looks good to others before announcing on your blog that youíre the next Rachel Zoe. While creating new looks is a great way to generate content and credibility for your blog, youíll want to test your theories before publication. So wear that orange jumper with the bright green stilettos out to the opening at the art gallery or to the trendy bar in town and see how people react. If you get a lot of compliments, youíll know youíve created a winner.
12. Get Innovative : Donít worry about whether or not you have the most coveted closet or not. We canít all afford the latest and greatest items, but you can get creative with whatís within your budget. Perhaps that 10-year-old T-shirt could be put to better use than just lolling around in your throw-out bin? One thing to consider is possibly featuring a standing column on your blog where you write about ways the average girl can look like Mischa Barton by just using the stuff she already owns. Your readers will love you for dispensing advice they can really use.
13. Consult an Expert : Aside from magazines and fashion blogs, believe it or not, stylists and designers alike have written books in which they have glorified their personal theories on how to be a style master. While staying on top of the trends is extremely important, gaining knowledge about the underlying principles that truly guide fashion will let you take things to a whole other level. Thereís a reason some style icons, like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, are considered timeless. The same ideas of beauty that they applied to their look in the 1950s and 1960s still ring true today.
14. Get an ìItî Item : While you certainly donít need to have a closet full of Marc Jacobs, owning one ìitî item, like the coveted Birkin Bag or a pair of gladiator sandals, is really a must for a serious fashionista. Always having one ìitî item in your sights can also be a fun element for your blog ñ use a thermometer or some sort of visual measurement system on your blog to show your readers how close you are to reaching your savings goal for whatever item is next on your list. When you come home from the Prada boutique with your accessory in hand, your readers can rejoice with you. It also sends a message that there are some things that are lifelong and worth the extra effort and dollar to own. Not everything in a personís wardrobe should be considered disposable with the seasons.
15. Be Seen: One of the most important things you can do for your blog, aside from populate it with excellent content, is market it. No one will read it if no one knows it exists. So get out there and network with your peers ñ be seen at important mixers, fashion shows, club openings, and other such happenings where fashion-forward people hang out. Boosting your contact list will help you spread the word about the work you are doing and get you well on your way to the blogging hall of fame!

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11 August 2008

NERD ALERT! TV’s 15 Most Memorable Nerds [PICS]

The formula for a successful sitcom usually includes one key component – the nerd. Whether the nerd is your typical geek with oversized glasses and high-waisted pants or the prim and proper male opera lover, sometimes a good TV show just needs someone to be the brunt of every joke or a character whose naïveté, gullibility or paranoia stands in sharp contrast to the wit and charm of the show’s leading men and women. Here’s a list of 15 lovable nerds who made our favorite TV shows all the better.

1. Steve Urkel : The quintessential nerd with an annoying nasally voice, Steve Urkel captured the hearts and laughter of the American public with his dimwitted charm and high-water pants. Urkel, who was a magnet character on the sitcom “Family Matters”, was played by actor Jaleel White. On the show, Urkel was desperately in love with the character of Laura Winslow, and pestered her and her family day and night in his attempts to win her over. Urkel even had an alter ego named Stephan Urkel, who ended up being the lucky one to date Laura. Today, Jaleel White works mostly as the voice behind the “Sonic the Hedgehog” cartoon character and he has also had small guest roles in a few movies and prime time TV shows.
2. Carlton Banks: Everyone knows about the exaggerated dance Carlton Banks, the nerdy, preppy cousin on “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” made popular. Arms swinging side to side, face aglow, Carlton, played by actor Alfonso Ribeiro, made audiences, laugh and cry with his innocent portrayal of a proper guy who just wanted to be liked and who was the subject of his cousin’s constant ridicule. But the thing he will be most remembered for, aside from his stellar collection of argyle sweater vests, is The Carlton dance, which lives on today in You Tube clips. Recently, Ribeiro appeared as a contestant on the show “Celebrity Duets” and he also performs on the Disney Magic cruise ship.
3. Screech : Actor Dustin Diamond is known today for being the most cantankerous contestant on “Celebrity Fit Club.” But in the 1990s, no one, probably not even his closest friends, could look at Diamond without thinking, “Screech.” Samuel “Screech” Powers was the uber-dorky high school student with a forever-cracking voice on “Saved By the Bell,” who like most nerd characters had it bad for Lisa, the beautiful, fashion-forward student who wouldn’t give him the time of day. Despite his nerdiness, though, Screech managed to run with the cool crowd, or at least tag along with them in exchange for doing their homework. Today Diamond performs stand up comedy and has been a recurring contestant on “Celebrity Fit Club”.
4. Alex P. Keaton : Alex P. Keaton was the stiff, Republican teenager played by Michael J. Fox on the 1980s sitcom “Family Ties.” While Keaton was never the stereotypical “geek” obsessing over computers or chess, he was certainly a nerd in the sense that as a teen he worshipped Ronald Reagan and religiously read “The Wall Street Journal” each morning. Keaton’s character stood in sharp contrast to the other members of the “Family Ties” family – the ex-hippie parents, wild child sister, and smart-ass youngest sister. Keaton excelled at school and attended college on a full scholarship, where he finally started dating. After “Family Ties” was cancelled, Fox moved on to do movies and also starred on the sitcom “Spin City.” Today, Fox continues to act, despite the fact that he has been living with Parkinson’s disease for several years.
5. Napoleon Dynamite : “Tina! Come get some ham!” This is just one line made quotable by Napoleon Dynamite, the nerd who starred in the breakout 2004 movie “Napoleon Dynamite.” Played by actor Jon Heder, Dynamite is a clueless geek living in rural Idaho with his equally clueless brother Kip, his adventurous grandmother, and their llama Tina. The movie is a chronicle of Dynamite’s unorthodox and awkward relationships with his family members and friends. Heder’s spot-on performance of an awkward teenager makes Napoleon Dynamite an instant classic, and while it wasn’t a TV show, Napoleon certainly deserves a spot on this list. Heder has gone on to star in other movies, like “School for Scoundrels” and “Blades of Glory.” Though none of his other movies have had the same success as “Napoleon Dynamite,” he has proven to be a marketable performer.
6. Skippy: If Alex P. Keaton was a nerd in a more political sense, Skippy stepped in to fill the stereotypical geek shoes on “Family Ties.” Erwin “Skippy” Handelman was the next door neighbor who, like many nerd characters, had an undying crush on Mallory Keaton, the wild-child daughter of the Keaton family played by Justine Bateman. Of course, Mallory did not share the same affections. Though Skippy was never a fully-developed character, he was a frequent guest at the Keaton house, always creating socially awkward situations with his ill-at-ease demeanor. He would sputter and stutter and withstand rejection from Mallory time and again. Played by actor Marc Price, he has had few other big roles since “Family Ties” went off the air. He did host the Disney game show “Teen Win, Lose, or Draw” from 1989 to 1992 and was also a short-lived contestant on “Last Comic Standing.”
7. Potsie Webber : Potsie Webber was the “aw-shucks”, eager-to-please best friend of Richie Cunningham on the old sitcom “Happy Days.” Played by Anson Williams, Potsie was a gullible and innocent tag along who was comically terrible at basketball. Good-natured, but square, Potsie was generally accepted by the other characters, but not taken as seriously. After “Happy Days,” Anson went on to become a TV director and has called the shots on many shows, like “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Star Trek Voyager,” and “Charmed,” just to name a few.
8. Niles Crane: Uppity and snobbish, Niles Crane was the nerdy brother of Frasier Crane on the sitcom “Frasier.” Nerdy because he was intelligent and cultured, Niles Crane was known for his love of classical music, fine wines, and theater. Niles was played by David Hyde Pierce, who nailed the character’s squeamish nature. Though a successful psychoanalyst in Seattle, Niles had a hefty list of his own issues, including a phobia of sitting on public chairs and benches. For fun, when he’s not at the opera, Niles could have probably been found on the squash courts or fencing. Pierce won several Emmy’s for his portrayal of Niles, and when “Frasier” went off the air in 2005, Pierce turned to supporting roles in films like “Hellboy” and also to Broadway. He’s appeared in both “Spamalot” and “Curtains,” for the latter of which he won a Tony Award.
9. Kenneth : Kenneth the Page is an innocent boy from rural Georgia who takes his role as an NBC page quite seriously. Raised by his pig-farming parents, Kenneth’s story is that he left the backwoods life for Kentucky Mountain Bible College, after which he headed north to New York City. Gullible and optimistic, Kenneth sports a deep southern accent and smiley disposition. He loves his entry-level job and approaches it with all the earnestness and sincerity of a CEO. In some episodes Kenneth wears a T-shirt that says “I LOVE Television” and his character has even knitted his grandmother a swimsuit with the NBC peacock on it. Kenneth is played by Jack McBrayer, who is himself from Georgia. McBrayer rose to fame much like “30 Rock’s” creator Tina Fey – through improv and Chicago’s Second City theater.
10. Buster : For many fans, the canceling of “Arrested Development” after only three seasons was not only a mystery, but a crime. The show had some of the best developed characters to ever appear on TV, including the sniveling Buster Bluth, the youngest child of the Bluth family who was incapable of living more than 20 feet away from his mother. With his thick, black glasses and litany of sweater vests, Buster is a spoiled and lovable idiot, who is easily tricked by his family and quite unable to do anything for himself. But he was certainly a quotable character. When told there was going to be buckets and buckets of a corn-syrup “blood” mixture at a Halloween party, Buster replied, “We have unlimited juice? This party’s going to be off the hook!” Buster is played by Tony Hale, an actor who has also appeared in movies like “Stranger than Fiction” and “Because I Said So.” He is currently doing voice work for an upcoming children’s movie.
11. Dwight Schrute: Played by actor Rainn Wilson, Dwight is the grumpy, resident nerd on the American version of “The Office”. Lacking fashion sense or a sense of humor, Dwight is a pessimistic man who has a deep love for both authority and Jack Bauer on the show “24”. In his spare time, Dwight is a volunteer sheriff, paintball enthusiast, and beet farmer. He is the frequent butt of jokes from his co-workers, and he is notorious for getting along with very few of them. Wilson is an accomplished actor who played an assistant mortician on “Six Feet Under” before landing the role of Dwight. He has also appeared in guest roles on several TV programs. In 2008, Wilson will star in the comedy film “The Rocker.”
12. George Michael Bluth : Like his uncle Buster, George Michael Bluth is a bit shy and wary of the world. But unlike Buster, George Michael is a smart kid who perhaps is one of the only members of the Bluth family with any knowledge of how strange they are. Michael Cera, the actor who portrayed George Michael, nailed the character’s awkward and clumsy personality. George Michael is a star student who can frequently be found doing homework at his desk under the bunk bed he shares with his cousin, Maeby, who he is in love with despite the fact that they’re related. He is dedicated to helping his father save the family business and fix the family’s financial problems. To that end he works frequently as manager of the family Frozen Banana Stand on the beach. Though not a lady’s man, George Michael does eventually start dating a girl named Ann in the second season who is homely and strict. Cera, who made a big name for himself on “Arrested Development”, has gone on to star in hit movies like “Superbad” and “Juno.”
13. Jerri Blank : Jerri Blank is an unsightly, 46-year-old loser with ruined teeth, an ugly smile, and terrible fashion sense, who after years of being a drug addict, prostitute and thief decides to return to high school to finish her diploma. But despite her hard life, Blank is a somewhat witless and naïve freshman, who is trying her darndest to fit in. Created by comedienne Amy Sedaris and her peers Steven Colbert, Paul Dinello, and Mitch Rouse, “Strangers with Candy” was intended as a play on the cheesy afterschool specials of the 1980s. Amy Sedaris has an impressive list of comedy work under her belt and is also the sister of famed writer David Sedaris, who she frequently collaborates with on his audio books.
14. Ugly Betty: Ugly Betty, whose character’s real name is Betty Suarez, is a sweet girl with braces and a bad wardrobe who somehow landed a job as a personal assistant at one of the country’s top fashion magazines, “Mode.” Betty is looked down upon by her co-workers for her clear lack of fashion sense and dowdiness, though Betty is determined not to let this spoil her good-nature. She is dedicated to taking care of her family at the expense of her personal life, though in Season 2 she does develop a romantic involvement with a deli owner. Played by American Ferrera, who has been in movies like “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” Ferrera won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her role as Betty in 2007.
15. Millhouse: Millhouse is the nearsighted best friend of Bart Simpson on “The Simpsons”, whose full name is Mussolini Millhouse Van Houten. He is one of the most quotable characters on the cartoon show and he is frequently abused and manipulated by Bart, who likes to take advantage of his friend’s willing and kind nature. Millhouse is often beaten up and tortured by school bullies and he has even been run over by a train and electrically shocked. He has a huge crush on Bart’s sister Lisa, who is also something of a nerd, and is famed for being the only person in the fictional town of Springfield with eyebrows.

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4 August 2008

Fashion Faux Pas: Trends from the 90’s

New Kids on the Block, Luke Perry, Beanie Babies — just a few fads from the 1990s that are better left alone and repressed in the darkest corners of our minds. But beyond these wincing examples lays the real culprit of the 20th Century’s last decade – the God-awful fashions that in hindsight leave us all with the burning question — what were we wearing? Granted each decade has its own fashion faux pas to reconcile, but at least most other time periods could be credited for having a modicum of character. Trendy clothing in the 1990s seems to have been made for either out-of-touch soccer moms or the homeless. Here are some of the worst trends of the decade.

1. MC Hammer Pants: M.C. Hammer may not be remembered for his vast contributions to music, but he will forever go down in history as the man who brought possibly one of the worst clothing items of all time to popularity. Hammer Pants, also known to some as Diaper pants, first came on the scene in the late 1980s, but carried over into the first part of the 1990s. Droopy in the crotch and tapered at the ankle, the fact that pants which call to mind bladder control issues were seen as an enticing fashion is truly one of the saddest things about the 1990s.
2. “Button Your Fly” Shirts: OK, so this is just a campaign slogan printed on a T-shirt – how bad can it be? Well, considering the level of saturation these shirts had in the market, pretty bad. Rough cotton, an unflattering cut, and the fact that people tended to sport the shirt smugly and with a suppressed giggle at the slogan’s suggestiveness, renders this fad a shoe-in for the garbage pile.
3. Neon Colors: It’s possible to debate whether or not the popularity of neon colors can be attributed to the 1980s or the 1990s, but personal memories place this trend squarely in the late and early part of both. Nasty shades of pink, green, and what was bewilderingly classified as yellow graced mostly every piece of trendy clothing from ski jackets to jeans. Yep, neon jeans. Jealous you missed this one? No worries, it seems like many modern designers are trying to bring the hideous hues back into style. Stay tuned.
4. Butterfly Clips: If you were a raver girl or if you were simply alive between 1996 and 1999, you’ve probably seen and/or worn these cutsie little butterfly clips, which were sported by many an “alterna-teen” during the time period. Popular among raver girls in particular, these clips were usually implemented to somewhat girlify some of the decade’s wardrobe standards, like combat boots and severe eye makeup. They were also the one feminine accessory popular among females of the Goth persuasion, but today would probably only be attractive to the 5- to 7-year-old crowd.
5. Scrunchies: Oh, the scrunchie. Perhaps one of the most widespread, staple pieces of any female’s wardrobe in the 1990s, the scrunchie – a big, bulky, overdone hair accessory – practically rendered plain ponytail holders and elastics obsolete. And any girl with a basic knowledge of a needle and thread is probably guilty of trying to start their own homegrown scrunchie business, or at least crafting their own supply – custom made to match various neon outfits.
6. Flannel: What trend did a bunch of heroin addicts and your father make famously popular in the early to mid-1990s? Oversize, beat-up flannel shirts worn unbuttoned over a plain T-shirt. Following the fashion lead of Seattle musicians who rarely bathed, many a teenager could be classified as “grunge” in the 1990s, slumming around in frumpy, holey flannel shirts either stolen from the closet of a familial adult male or purchased at a thrift store. How this lumberjack-on-sedatives look became so chic is beyond comprehension. Thanks Kurt Cobain!
7. > Overalls: Farmer or fashionista? If you were spotted wearing overalls in the 1990s, you would fortunately be considered the latter. Iowa residents had never been so effortlessly “in vogue”. But, overalls are ugly, so this trend had a short lifespan on it from the outset (especially when considered it was “the bomb” to wear them with only one strap fastened). And while some designers are trying with all their might to bring some this awful fashion back into style, here’s to hoping the overall stays dead in the morgue.
8. Doc Martens: On the surface, Doc Martens don’t seem so bad. They actually have a pretty simple, no-frills, albeit clunky, design. So maybe it’s just the way that they were implemented in the 1990s that made them so awful. Worn most typically with light, taper-cut jeans or a short Union Jack dress, these shoes were supposed to lend an edge to a person’s image, but really just succeeded in making them look like a 3-year-old in their parent’s shoes.
9. Stirrup Pants: Oh the horror of stirrup pants, which were so very popular during the early part of this decade. Spandex leggings that wrapped around the bottom of a woman’s foot, there isn’t much to say about stirrups other than they were just bad, bad, bad on so many levels. While leggings have come back with a vengeance in recent days, attempts to resurrect the stirrup have, thankfully, failed thus far.
10. Sun-In: Want to go blond? No prob! Just head down to your local Walgreen’s or CVS and pick up a handy bottle of Sun-In. A few spritzs and in no time you’ll have … splotchy orange hair. Sun-In succeeded in convincing a whole population of girls with a blond ambition that the product could make them look like Madonna with just a few hours at the beach. Unfortunately, this claim wasn’t exactly true. A whole other “Just Say No” campaign should have been created for this product and for the orange hair it produced.
11. Umbros: There may be some clueless soccer players out there who still wear Umbros because they either think they’re still cool or because they appreciate their functionality. But you didn’t have to be David Beckham to rock these bi-tonal, parachute shorts in the 90s – they were popular with just about every guy, no matter whether they were on Varsity or the Chess Team. I’ve even seen one daring dude wear them over a pair of taper-cut jeans. True story.
12. Jean Cut Offs: Another arguable trend, jean cut-offs can be and have been done in an attractive manner before. But in the 1990s, the look was generally botched. Consider the fact that the trend was to wear your cut-offs knee length and then delicately roll them to hide any frayed edges. Oh, and don’t forget to pair the outfit with a nice, thick set of scrunchy socks and some Keds. No bueno.
13. White & Colored Denim: Another trend trying desperately to elbow its way back into mainstream society, courtesy of kitsch designers like American Apparel and Marc Jacobs, is colored and white denim. The way this craze played out in the 1990s is truly a movement to be forgotten like yesterday’s news. I don’t care who you are, purple jeans are not awesome.
14. Hot Pink Leggings: Unless you are Cyndi Lauper, you should stay far away from hot pink leggings. In the 1990s, people liked to sport oversized button down shirts over these awful things (some of them with stirrup feet) and the bolder the pattern on your shirt to complement the craziness of your leggings, the better.
15. Champion Sweatshirts: “All I need in this world is a turtleneck and a crew cut Champion sweatshirt.” This seemed to be the mantra of the less fashion-forward crowd in the 1990s. Preppies and jocks alike loved sporting this combination, especially if they lived in colder climates. Champion is still around making sportswear, but thankfully no one confuses the brand for being “designer” anymore.
16. Glitter: Send another thank you card to the raver kids for introducing facial glitter as an annoying fad in the 1990s. Maybe they took too many drugs or maybe girls covered in glitter just looked better when they took too many drugs – who knows. While having a shimmer to one’s face is nice, chunks of gelled glitter (usually concentrated near the eyes) is really not too suave looking unless you are a member of Jem and the Holograms.
17. Tapered Jeans: The 1980s had tight roll, or “peg-leg,” jeans. In the 1990s, it seems designers were more concerned with helping people be more efficient in the morning. Hence the taper cut jean – pants already pegged – which helped people in shaving a good 30 seconds off the getting-ready-for-school routine, in addition to helping them look like total idiots once they got there. The cherry on top of the tapered jean look was the fact that the pants were usually cut with a pretty high waist, making people’s thighs appear enormous and their asses long.
18. Manic Panic: People who were really rebellious in the 1990s usually had a nice hearty supply of Manic Panic stored under their bathroom sink. That way, whenever they had an unruly whim, they could instantly change their hair color from Vampire Red to Electric Lizzard (the latter of which glows under a black light – score!) The number of teenagers who shaved a good 10 years off their parents’ life spans using these hideous hair dyes is large. Surely it’s not worth damaging your parents’ health just so you can look like an alien.
19. Chain Wallets: Chain wallet = tough. And if you wanted to maintain a cool air of apathy in the 1990s, you had to have a chain wallet. It was requisite, and it was wrong. Let’s leave this trend to Harley Davidson enthusiasts and janitors.
20. Body Suits: Akin to the taper-cut jean and the stirrup pant, one can only assume that the body suit was designed by the same proficient clothing maker who knows that life is short and every second should be relished. From a functional standpoint the body suit, a glorified swimsuit meant to be worn with jeans or under business suits, seems to have been created so that people don’t have to tuck their shirts in – timesaver! But, in retrospect, there is something wildly inappropriate about the body suit. Plus, can we talk about how much less daunting the lady’s room seemed once this fad died off?
21. The Rachel: On some level, Jennifer Aniston must be embarrassed. Sure, the boxy, layered haircut she sported on “Friends” was all the rage for a few years, with girls and women clamoring to their salons for the same treatment (author included). But in hindsight, this cut was sort of cheesy and really not super flattering to too many facial structures. Like the trucker hat craze of more recent times, The Rachel is one look that is best left forgotten.
22. Raver Pants: If you can go swimming in your pants without even being near water, then something is wrong. These gi-normous pants popularized in the rave culture, and manufactured by brands like Jnco and Kikwear, really marked one of the lower points of the decade. While baggy pants have always been associated with a level of thuggishness, these pants were so baggy they could easily be mistaken for skirts or culottes on steroids, thereby reversing the effect that many ravers were surely going for.
23. Fanny Packs: Unless you are a 60-year-old American woman sightseeing in Paris, you should be utterly ashamed of ever wearing a fanny pack in public. For a time though, this was considered acceptable for pretty much anyone, even the popular crowd. Maybe it was done with the “it’s-so-awful-it’s-cool” mentality, but that train of thought should have been derailed before it even left the station.
24. Chunky Shoes: Brought back from the 1970s, chunky shoes were a “must-have” item for a woman’s closet in the previous decade. The higher and more clunky they were the better. In fact, they were so popular a Stanford undergrad even did his thesis on the very fad (see link above). But when your shoes weigh more than your book bag, you might want to take a serious at your life. Thankfully this badly-implemented style came and went with the wind.
25. Starter Jackets: Once Starter Jackets were so popular that it was possible to get shot for owning a particularly nice one. Now, you would just be ridiculed. Brought to popularity by the hip-hop crowd, puffy Starter Jackets were a thing to have for every “gangsta” and townie on the scene, and enthusiasts were famous for refusing to ever remove theirs, even in indoor spaces with the heat on high. Mysteriously the fad disappeared without a trace, leaving kids to shoot each other over lesser things, like sneakers.

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30 July 2008

The 20 Most Famous Celebrity Swimsuit Shots of All Time

It just took one skimpy bathing suit and a few seductive poses on a sandy beach to catapult these women into Hollywood immortality. Who knew achieving fame could be so easy and bring joy to so many adolescent boys and young men? Check out this list of some of the hottest celebrity swimsuit photos in history.

1. Farrah Fawcett: This legendary photo of Fawcett in a red, one-piece bathing suit was taken in 1974 and is credited with kicking her career into overdrive. Posing with a southwestern-print blanket as a backdrop, the photo in poster form sold 8 million copies across the globe. Two years later, Fawcett became one of the original and most popular “Charlie’s Angels” on the then-new Aaron Spelling-produced show.
2. Bo Derek: The scene from the movie “10” where Bo Derek jogs down the beach sporting cornrows and a flesh-toned one piece became an instant classic and has even been imitated and parodied in several other films. Derek netted a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, but the real reward came from the fact that she was instantly labeled the sex symbol du jour upon its release. While “10” would represent the film highlight of her career, Derek capitalized on her physique and modeling experience, going on to appear in “Playboy” several times.
3. Pamela Anderson: A list of sexy swimsuited celebrities would absolutely not be complete without the famous “Baywatch” photo of Pamela Anderson in her regulatory lifeguard uniform – a high-cut, red one-piece – bounding down a California beach, Rescue Can in hand. Even though this photo is tame compared to some of the other material available on Anderson, it’s still the most renowned.
4. Demi Moore: While in her 40s, Demi Moore staged a miraculous body comeback when she was asked to appear in the “Charlie’s Angels” movie in 2003 as a nemesis of the three Angels. She shocked and wowed the crowd by looking fitter than anyone else in the film with not a jiggle to spot as she did her obligatory run down the beach in a black string bikini. Photos of Moore’s new bod from the taping of this scene instantly appeared in every celebrity news publication known to man.
5. Marilyn Monroe: This photo of Monroe decked out in a hot-white one-piece represents one of Norma Jean’s most famous photo shoots. While several of the shots taken at the shoot can be found in poster form, this one of her looking somewhat coy could be considered the best of the bunch. Want to see it really large? Check out one of the many Internet poster dealers who sell life-sized cut outs of The Blonde Bombshell.
6. Christie Brinkley: In this “Sports Illustrated” photo, Brinkley is modeling a type of swimsuit called a maillot tanga, which is essentially a G-string with a small triangle of fabric at the top. Both the suit and the fact that Brinkley was wearing it in a mainstream magazine were considered something of a breakthrough for its time. However, while this particular suit and pose has more character, it wasn’t the first time Brinkley had modeled the style. She appeared in a tanga bikini on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” in 1975 when she was only 20.
7. Paulina Porizkova: Czech model Pauline Porizkova is best known for two things: marrying “The Cars” lead singer Rick Ocasek and making every man’s mermaid-come-to-life fantasy come true in this shot where she casually models a suit made up of two tiny seashells and a loin cloth. Porizkova is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful, though not the most financially successful, supermodels of all time.
8. Elle Macpherson: Elle Macpherson has been in “Sports Illustrated” so many times that asking someone to name her sexiest photo could easily start a lengthy and heated debate. But the argument for this photo is clear – the Thailand Fling was a popular issue due to Macpherson’s most intense come-hither look. Though Macpherson has graced other covers of the magazine, but this one routinely gets top marks from subscribers.
9. Kathy Ireland: But while Macpherson’s “SI” covers always sell well, no one can top the 1989 issue featuring a playful Kathy Ireland bouncing in the surf wearing a white bikini. This issue is the best selling issue of “Sports Illustrated” on record. While Ireland is now a multi-billion dollar business woman as CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, a motivational speaker, and one of the top 5 celebrity entrepreneurs to be named by “Inc. Magazine”, those envious of her success might be comforted to know she was once known for nothing more than her ability to look good at the pool. Or, actually, maybe that’s not so comforting after all.
10. Heidi Klum: In 1998 this German-born bombshell made many a man happy to get the mail one fine day in February. The photo of Klum wearing a modest-but-sexy suit on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” was instantly praised for its suggestiveness and beauty. Klum, who now hosts the hit show “Project Runway” and is married to singer Seal, is yet another seasoned “Sports Illustrated” veteran to achieve legendary status.
11. Brigitte Bardot: This risqué bombshell from France set herself apart from Hollywood actresses in the 1960s and 1970s with her seductive and forward nature. A style icon, women everywhere admired her big blond hair and large oval sunglasses. But men liked her for far different reasons. This photo, which appeared on the cover of the “Paris Revue” in 1964, was considered to be extremely tawdry for its time, especially in the States. Bardot starred in more than 50 movies during her career and was often cast in roles that highlighted her sexuality.
12. Rita Hayworth: