I can’t remember anymore how many times I’ve ruined my aunt’s designer shoes and sandals as I go waving my hand while donning my fancy tiara, and walking back and forth from the kitchen area to the sala – and (giggling) sometimes, up and down the stairs too. My kind and gentle Aunt Dayzie was just living with us back then for several years to get a degree in the metropolis but, boy, was she mad when she found out! But hey, didn’t we all do this when we were like seven or eight years old? I loved the feeling of being a fashion model or a beauty queen; in short, a celebrity. There were a few, if any, pageants for young ones during that time. Kids are a mile luckier now because kiddie contests, pageants and even fashion shows are commonplace.

Lord & Taylor just announced recently that they are looking for chic or otherwise, exceptional children to be part of  Back to School Fashion Shows at each of their many stores.

Just last May 29 of this year became the official holding of casting calls for this particular fashion show for kids, which will be taking place at stores nationwide in August 21, 2010.  This was obviously set on a Saturday to accommodate children who are going to schools during that time.  Kids are sure to get excited but their parents seem to feel more anxious.  The casting call dates for specific locations are viewable at their website (http://www.lordandtaylor.com/casting).

Children from age 4 to 11 (with sizes 4-16 in girls, 4-20 in boys) are encouraged to join and be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians for a chance to be a part of the Back to School Fashion Show at your nearest Lord & Taylor. Sponsors for this kiddie fashion show include Guess Kids, Nina Kids, and Sperry Shoes; hence, kids are guaranteed to look and feel like a celebrity. Parents or legal guardians are required to provide one current color full-length or head shot photo and will have to fill out an application when they arrive at the casting site.

The Back to School Fashion Show will take place simultaneously in all stores on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 3 p.m but each store’s casting will be held at different times. Every kid will get be given the opportunity to have his/her picture taken and be featured on Lord & Taylor’s Facebook page and website. He or she will also have a chance to win $150 worth of kid’s wardrobe – very much in time for the new school year! There will also be special events to be held between 1p.m. and 5p.m at each store so both parents and children will find it enjoyable as a family.

By joining this fun occasion, your kids will  have something to share when school officially begins once more.  Therefore, missing this event would be a no-no.  Visit Lord & Taylor’s website for your local L&T’s casting call time and brace yourself for a new and wonderful experience that’s meant for you and your children. Isn’t this a great way to end the summer? Fashion and fun, all in one!

Source: Lord & Taylor

Despite being health-conscious ever since I was twelve and mindful of my waistline, I still remember wondering back then why almost all delicious food on this planet are either bad for your health or bad for your look (e.g., tummy fat, pimples, yellow teeth, etc).  While both are related anyway, most teens consider their appearance and their style as the overriding factor for not eating such tasty yet not-so-healthy foods.

Of course, now, most of us know that moderation is the key.    Still, what if you can combine extreme style  with extreme safety or protection?  Wouldn’t that be great? While this may not be true for your diet, it is true for apparels and gadgets like your very own pair of shades – that is, if you pick the right one!

Maui Jim reveals its new line of women’s sunglasses that provide both style and protection to your eyes against glare and harmful ultraviolet rays.  A rainbow of colors are available for these perfect sunglasses!

We all go through different phases in our lives, from being babies to being teenagers, then becoming adults, marrying someone, getting pregnant, having kids and dealing with them, getting your very own streak of silver hair and finally, as Shakespeare referred to as the last of the seven stages of man’s life, “sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything”. While many of us women haven’t undergone the latter stages, we’re probably done with the first few ones. Each of us have countless different experiences to cherish, as well as a handful to sneeze at. I often hear from many of my girl friends and relatives that being pregnant can be one of the most difficult phases – fashion-wise, at least. However, 36-year old pregnant German supermodel Heidi Klum, also an actress, TV host and mother of four, thinks the opposite. She says, “I always love being pregnant!” … A clear testament that being pregnant and later on, a mother, is one the greatest experiences that a woman can ever get.

In both actual and online stores, (DEST) Summer lines of Lavish by Heidi Klum™ for A Pea in the Pod® and Loved by Heidi Klum™ are now available. Destination Maternity’s partnership with Heidi Klum makes it the biggest celebrity initiative by a maternity chain to date.

Going to fashion school or design colleges may seem to be a pretty chic idea for all fashionistas who remain undecided as regards to their desired academic course.

After all, with this course, young designer students get to live their dream of designing their own clothes, bags, shoes, hats and whatnot. But more than the glitz and the glamor, students à la mode at the celebrated Otis  College of Art and Design, have shown that although they have to focus on their task of making people look beautiful outside, they haven’t forgotten their role in helping their community remain healthy inside, through their contribution in an awareness campaign about breast cancer.

My mother used to tell me that the true essence of beauty comes from within.  However, just recently, TV star, author and fashion designer Lauren Conrad seems to go a step further by saying that being beautiful comes from inside us, literally — that is, by drinking milk!  After all, milk does contain loads of calcium, Vitamin D, magnesium, lipids, protein, phosphorus and the list goes on!  Yet, in spite of the nutrients this drink provides, many of us have stopped drinking milk for a variety of reasons, whether due to lactose intolerance, health concerns, animal rights (cows’) issues, or we find it uncool, plain and simple.  Good thing, Lauren gives the teen ones – and, perhaps, the teen once like me, too – a voguish reason to grab a glass of milk once more. Well… got milk?