The term “flip-flop” dates back to almost 50 years ago, but in reality, this has been enjoyed by men and women for over six thousand years! “Flip flap” was also a popular term used in 1529. It is quite amazing to know that the Stone Age paintings and Egyptian murals already have early illustrations of flip flops on rocks, tombs and temples. This dates back to as early as 4000 B.C.

Papyrus leaves were the material of choice in 1500 B.C. The natural fabrics used actually vary, depending on the region: Palm leaves and papyrus were popular in Egypt, rawhide was used in Africa and India preferred wearing their flip-flops made of wooden material. China and Japan enjoy rice straw sandals. Other countries have also used plants, such as the yucca plant in Mexico and the sisal plant in South America.

The old version of the sandals we use today did not always have the distinct band on the largest toe. Certain civilizations had different preferences on where to put the toe strap. Mesopotamians liked it in their third toe, the Romans used the second toe and Greeks were the first to use the big toe for the band strap. These were the first flip-flop styles in the world.

It was in Japan that the thong sandal started to gain popularity. Initially used by Japanese children to help them learn how to walk, the “zori” (Japanese for the thong-style slippers) is now the footwear of choice in almost every country in the world.

The Japanese were responsible for bringing the flip-flops to America. They gave out the “zori” as souvenirs. Soldiers were some of the first sandal users, but the material was stiff and cheap that they ended up having blisters. American pop culture caught on, and it evolved into the bright designs that we see today. First seen in California surfers and beach lovers, materials of different kinds have started to emerge.

Flip flops are like the jeans of footwear – they never go out of style. The past twenty years have really put the flip flops along with high fashion; from simple rubber versions to studded Swarovski crystals to famous brands like Havaianas flip flops, this well-loved sandal is here to stay.

Along with sunscreen, The Skin Cancer Foundation have beach hats on their list of must-haves when it comes to the complete sun protection kit one should have in their beach bags. A hat will be especially helpful in maximum sun protection during the times of 12 noon to 3 o´clock in the afternoon when the sun is the strongest.

Thankfully, you don´t have to sacrifice your personal style when it comes to staying protected against the suns damaging UV rays. There are now a lot of beach hat styles to choose from that fits perfect for all the different and distinct personalities we all have.

Bucket Hat

Think Gilligan from Gilligan Island or the cute Paddington Bear. Bucket hats are popularly used for fishing because its lightweight and fits snug on the head without getting in the way of ones vision. It´s usually made from cotton or denim with two holes punched in it for ventilation. This is also a good hat to wear if you´re into fishing or sailing.

And to make it more fashionable get it in bright summer colors like yellow or red to set you apart from everyone else at shore.

Fedora Hat

Can anybody say film noir? If you want to be smoldering hot at the beach then channel the mysterious film noir vibe by sporting a fedora hat. The fedora hat has been around since the 1800s, but regained popularity in the 1950s with Hollywood stars like Gene Kelly and Humphrey Bogart wearing it.

Wide-brimmed Straw Hats

This beach hat should be on top of every glamourpuss´ list. The wide brim draping around the eye creates a certain air mystery. But not only does it offer the best coverage against the sun among all styles of beach hats. Whats also great about this style is that you don´t even have to be at the beach to rock it, just think J.Lo.

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Diamond Shadow is positioned as a long-wearing iridescent eyeshadow, but the large particles of holographic glitter don’t cling well—you’ll notice them on cheeks and clothing shortly after application. Although these shadows have a dry, almost grainy texture, and they blend smoothly, which is a positive, the shade range presents mostly unworkable options unless you want strong, contrasting colors to make more of a statement than your eyes do. This powder eyeshadow has a formula that’s identical to Marcelle’s single Wet & Dry Eyeshadows, and the same review applies: A soft, dry texture that could be silkier, but applies fairly well, with each shade providing impressive color payoff. Every shade has some amount of shine, but most just leave a subtle shimmer. Every pairing except the green Bamboo is workable.

Many eyeshadow color schemes presents two shades in one compact. As a thoughtful touch, the lighter, more often-used shade is often offered in a larger size, while the medium shade is smaller. Both shades are usually shiny, but apply well, feel very silky, and are a pleasure to blend. Color impact is moderately sheer, so this isn’t the way to go if you want a dramatic eye design or have a dark skin tone. The best pairings are Pink Ink, Heather Plum, Chocolate Kiss, and Blue Smoke (which is more gray than blue).

Individual Eyes Custom Compact by N.Y.C. is a six-product eye palette contains a nude eyelid primer, white pearlescent brow bone highlighter, and four shades of powder eyeshadow whose finishes range from matte to frosts. For the price, this is a veritable steal because most of this kit performs very well. The shadows’ color payoff is impressive, and the shades—meant to coordinate with eye color, which is advice best ignored—work well together to create a variety of eye-makeup designs. The sleeper hit here is the eyelid primer, which comes in a generously sized pan. It really does enhance and enrich the shadows, as well as extend their staying power. The only miss is the garish highlighter, which is too iridescent to create a sophisticated highlighting effect.

This is a product that seems like it was made for those hot summer days. After all, that is precisely when you don’t feel like being cooped up in a bathroom with hot air from your hair dryer blowing onto your face. Dry shampoo is a simple powder that you can put into your hair to take away the greasiness and leave it looking refreshed. It only takes a few minutes compared to the seemingly endless routine of washing, drying, and styling. It saves you money as well as time. You use fewer styling products and even your utility bills will reflect the lower water and electricity consumption that arise from not washing and styling your hair every day.

Klorane dry shampoo was one of the very first hair powders ever introduced for sale to the general public, and to this day sales remain very strong. This powdered Klorane shampoo is very gentle and it features natural ingredients like oat extract that aren’t even the slightest bit harsh. This means your hair will not be damaged no matter how many times you use it. It’s also great if you’re trying to recover your hair after abuse from chemical treatments and heat styling. It gives your hair some tender loving care. It’s especially popular in Europe, where it is sold in nearly every pharmacy you come across, but Americans shouldn’t have too much trouble tracking down a bottle of this.

If your hair is as sleek and limp as it is dirty, you might want to look into a product like Schwarzkopf dry shampoo. The one in their Osis line, called Dust It, is renowned for adding volume to hair. In fact, it is so good at this task that even those spoiled rotten perfect haired people who wash their hair every day and it air dries into perfection still buy this just to give their hair some lift. It is an excellent solution to hair that looks like it’s pasted down to your scalp. People with thin hair in particular can benefit from its volumizing properties.

Packed in a flip-top compact are three shades of frosty cream-to-powder eyeshadow that come together in the center in a swirl. Even though there are promising color combinations, like Zest and Pavement, these go on so sheer that you’re bound to be disappointed with the color payoff. Because this formula is quite creamy, layering for added color intensity means increased risk of this shadow creasing. All told, this is a decent option if you want subtle, shimmery color and have exceptionally smooth eyelids.

Pressed Eye Shadow remains a premier powder eyeshadow with a silky feel and a smooth, flake-free application. The palette is huge, and the medium to dark shades apply evenly. These are divided into four different finishes which include shades labeled Pearl have a standard soft shimmer finish; the Iridescent shades have a stronger, more obvious shine than the Pearl; the Metallic colors are just that, and include some beautiful options for evening eye makeup; the Matte selection is beautiful though not every shade labeled matte is shine-free (still, the shine is really subtle, so these can pass for matte). If you check out one portion of Shu Uemura’s makeup, it should be these shadows.

This palette is available in options for brown, blue, and green eyes. Each compact is filled with six strips of pressed-powder eyeshadow, and at least one color in each set has a strong glitter finish. The glitter flakes quickly, but the non-glittery shades apply surprisingly well considering their drier texture. The palettes for green and brown eyes are the best. The one for blue eyes offers, what else, blue eyeshadow. The result is your sparkling blue eyes get lost next to shadows that are close to the same hue.

A new scent on the market that’s creating a lot of buzz is Lady in Red Perfume. The designers of this product have achieved a wonderful balance between spicy and fruity aromas. A combination of orange flower, vanilla, white pepper, and sweet oriental spices creates a very womanly, sensual expression of scent. This perfume is a nice balance of light clean smells with enough tangy spice to lend an exotic edge.

Perfume isn’t just for women, of course. Men should remain aware that their smell is very important. Not only for romance, but also for success in social and business settings. A good combination of clean and manly smells automatically creates an impression of stability and charisma. Versace has always been an innovator in masculine scents. Versace perfume for men currently includes several lines that cater to different images of men. Remember, these products are designed by the noses of experts. They know what they’re talking about. Traces of crisp flower and woods smells are tempered here with oaky masculine scents, even a touch of tobacco.

Incorporating a fragrance into your life is an easy and effective way to make yourself memorable to the people around you. Choosing a scent that expresses who you are is great way to add a touch of elegant exoticism to your life.

Luxury handbags are in a league of their own.  Often, there is a wide chasm between what their price tags say, and the value they deliver. As such, it isn’t uncommon for a buyer to pay willingly for an unattractive or worthless bag.  On the other hand, discerning buyers are fully aware that branded bags must not only look stylish, but also deliver far more than just their names. For those who are unable or unwilling to pay a enormous sum for luxury bags, but still wish to have something stylish and valuable, there’s one great, new option that fills the need.  Offering both exceptional style and true value at a reasonable price is the Fuchsia Lambskin Miu Miu Clutch. This rich, black cum fuchsia-toned bag, actually, a trendy small purse made of durable Fuchsia Lambskin, is exceptionally styled, meticulously crafted and uniquely colored.

What differentiates the Miu Miu Bag from other Luxury handbags is its unique, dual color scheme, the main aspect to focus on when one begins to describe it. It combines an extremely rare, hand-woven shade of Fuchsia Lambskin superimposed on a background of black, and comes with fold fittings. Amazingly, even though this purse looks far different than all other branded purses in stores, it is an accessory that can still match just about any formal outfit. The shape and style of this fuchsia-made, small purse, is not as overpowering as some may presume, which is why it is often downplayed or overlooked when compared to other small purses, but overall, it is still a stylishly different accessory to carry for an enjoyable night out in town.

Although the purse was conceptualized to be similar to standard clutches, its actual dimensions certainly deserve to be mentioned here. With a height that’s below 6” and a width below 12” you can safely say it is an extremely small purse indeed. But don’t let its little size deceive you, as the purse can pack a lot into its tiny 2” deep interior, and its exterior leather pouch. What’s more, it comes with durable leather handles on the top, a detachable strap, and a high-quality zip fitted with a small strip of leather to pull open and close it.

So, what conclusions can one draw about this purse? Well, you can start by saying it surmounts the fine line that separates functionality and style. What should be pointed out, however, is that Miu Miu Handbags are not suitable for everyday use, but are certainly perfect for any special occasion. Despite its mini size, it offers good functional value for a clutch, while its hand-woven outer area gives it a unique textured look, separating it distinctly from the rest. It is undoubtedly a smart choice for women looking for a bag that’s unique in every respect; great for a special night out on the town; and great for women who desire to look their best for special events and occasions. As for a final parting shot on this unique purse in the Miu Miu Bag collection, it is exquisitely beautiful in appearance, and one that can be recommended … with both thumbs up.

Amber, Amethyst, Turquoise and Opal

Some such items are the amber and silver creations that are usually handcrafted originals using quality high grade genuine amber from the Baltic Sea or the Dominican Republic. Also amethyst rings set in sterling silver bands make extraordinary cocktail rings, and sometimes amber, amethyst and turquoise blends are not only more creative than diamonds, emeralds and rubies, but extremely affordable and very chic. Look for hand hammered silver and raw stones– like what Bario Neal creates from recycled metals and natural stones, some precious some not.

Cheap Body Jewelry with Gemstones

There’s also the question of cheap body jewelry – is it always acrylic, colored titanium or surgical steel? No. In fact genuine gemstone body jewelry is a hot item and not very expensive. Natural amber stones, bone, horn and even small semi-precious gems, like citrine, peridot, topaz, turquoise and opal are being used in belly rings, studs, ear gauges and other piercing accents. Places like Lobe Plugs carry funky real stone body jewelry collections made from jade, onyx, tiger’s eye, coral, labradorite and obsidian as well as marble and petrified wood. There’s no reason to wear cheap acrylic unless you want to, because natural stones are beautiful, organic and affordable.

At the same time, each piece of Birkenstock footwear features a spacious toe box. Those that choose to buy these imports from Germany do not have to worry about walking around with cramped toes. Their shoe’s toe box gives their toes plenty of room in which to move about, even as they remain covered.

Finally, each item from the German footwear factory contains an adaptable footbed. That part of each foot covering item can change its shape, in order to accommodate the unique shape of the wearer’s lowest appendage.

Online information about Birkenstock womens shoes includes pictures of varied types of footwear, including sandals and clogs. Each of those pictured items comes with a choice of three different foot beds.  The classic foot bed has a pronounced arch support. The soft footbed provides a moderate form of support. Any item with a “high arch” insures delivery of structures that do an aggressive job of supporting the foot’s base.

A number of these German made products have an adjustable strap. There is also a section of shoes with latex in the outsole or insole. The presence of that material helps to provide the sole with an added amount of flexibility.

Naturally, this footwear comes in a wide range of sizes, including a variety of different widths. In addition, the person who chooses to invest in one of these German pairs can expect to find something in a color that will match well with whatever outfit it is supposed to accessorize.

The essence of beaded bracelets is the rhythm provided by the colors, sizes and finishes of the beads. Taking the simplest first, a bead bracelet when all the major beads are the same shape, color, size and material. The design decisions rest in how many you have and how much length you may have to make up in spacers, generally silver or gold. If you have all the main beads you need, then one spacer between each two main beads is fine. If you want to incorporate a little more flair, use two types of spacers in groups of three between each pair of main beads. Usually these are strung: small spacer, larger spacer, small spacer, main bead. Repeat until you have your bracelet length, except the last main bead is removed. If you are short on main beads, place those you do have in the center of the string using this pattern, and add spacers to both ends until you have the length needed.

Bead bracelets with a more complicated patterns or more varied components only await your desire to try them and having the materials in hand. Lay the bracelet out on a designing board or anyplace where you can keep the beads in line and from rolling away. Move beads around, or string them temporarily. Then remove them from the temporary string and try another arrangement. Designing beads bracelets consists of trial and error until you get one that satisfies your eye and taste. You will find that after you wear one of your bracelets a time or two, you may go back and redesign it. This is the natural progression in designing your own jewelry, trial, error, redesign, restring, wear, begin again.

Have fun and be flexible. Nothing about the strung jewelry you design need be fixed in stone. As you add more beads to your trove, more imaginative designs will begin to appear for consideration, and your eye for rhythm and color will develop as well. Enjoy the jewelry you make yourself, and be proud of the compliments you get.