Remember those shoes (slippers or clogs or whatever you want to call them) that suddenly were seen on everyone’s feet several years ago? They are not-so-pretty rubberized (or foam, maybe) footwear in all sorts of garish colors. Who can forget them?

For one reason or another, Crocs became so popular. Children aged 2 wore them. Your next door neighbor wore them. Your boss might have even worn them. I know President Bush did. Even Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler sported Crocs!

They say that this was a sign of the economic times – there was a boom and the company behind Crocs rode that wave. In spite of the fact that everyone with the slightest bit of fashion sense knew that there was something off about the footwear, about 100 million pairs were sold in seven years.

Almost a decade later, the economy has crashed, and it seems that Crocs is going down with it. Reports say that last year alone, the company lost $185.1 million. Around 2,000 jobs have been cut, and the company is scrambling to find money to pay its debts.

So what happened? Was the pricing too much or did people just wake up to reality (fashion wise)? They say it’s a bit of both. Crocs are not that expensive – you can get a pair for $30. With financial problems, though, even $30 may be too much for some. And then, the good old flip flops seem to be making a comeback, pushing Crocs to the back of the closet.

So where are your Crocs? I know where mine are – oh wait, I never had a pair!

People love to dress up. Its a fact. And its not just kids. Come Halloween, grown-ups and kids alike take to the streets in decked out from the simple to the outrageous, delighting in every moment of day where you can actually get away with dressing up crazy and not being thought of as a loon.

And in the UK the Brits, who adore “fancy dress”, get dressed up for occassions throughout the year, a “tarts and vicars” party proving to be one of the most popular.

But back to the holiday around the corner, which is Halloween. How did this tradition of dressing up in costumes come about? According to the History Channel:

The tradition of dressing in costume for Halloween has European and Celtic roots that go back hundreds of years. In the beginning, it was believed that ghosts came back to the earth and people would encounter ghosts if they left their homes. To avoid being recognized by spirits, people would wear masks so ghosts would mistake them for fellow spirits.

Wearing costumes to ask for food or money, popularly known as ?trick-or-treat,? became popular in the 19th Century as Irish immigrants brought their traditions to America. Since then, costumes have ranged from cut-up sheets to elaborate dresses and suits.

A 5-foot, 11 inch tall brunette from Tennessee is the new Miss USA. Rachel Smith, a product of Belmont University made the top 15 out of 50 aspiring candidates to succeed controversial Tara Conner. Conner entered rehab after she was found to be engaging in drinking sprees at local taverns in New York. She was actually in danger of losing her crown but was given a second chance by Donald Trump, the co-owner of the pageant with NBC.

Smith, a journalism graduate bested 50 other aspiring candidates for the Miss USA title. She bested fellow candidates Meagan Yvonne Tandy of California; Cara Renee Gorges of Kansas; Helen Salas of Nevada; and Danielle Lacourse of Rhode Island, who was named the first runner-up. Smith was at a loss for words but openly admitted that the shoes left by Conner will surely be challenging. Smith was also a former intern for the production company behind ”The Oprah Winfrey Show”.

Depending on the fancy of people, a lot would depend on what they hear, read or see to stir up their interest on what to wear and what to buy. Lifestyles are varied in nature and it is only normal for people to want to imitate and own certain items or look for services that would usually be in style in any community.

Fashion statements come in the form of wardrobes, shoes, clothes, hair styles, jewelries, accessories and gadgets. While all people are encouraged to find ways in which they can properly represent themselves, fashion statements and styles would need to be analyzed as well.

For one, the possibility of fashion being short-lived is a possibility since fast times would mean fast changes in the area of style. Enhancements and improvements are normal and people would make the necessary adjustments to acquire the desired image they want to project. But for what it is worth, it would be best to stick to a style based on self-satisfaction rather than wanting to be considered going in with the times.

As years change, so does the fashion trends that govern for most of the people today who actively follow the latest styles for their body and clothing from famous personalities that sport them today. While clothes will always be there for the new wardrobe collection that everyone would immediately want to buy, self grooming in the area of following haircut trends and styles have obviously been one of the noticeable marks that people today have followed.

Some people may not notice it, but the new hair cut ideas that they have today are somewhat similar to revival of the early days of sporting proper grooming. Long hair, afros and color-dyed hair are spread all over the world in every country, a lot being initiated from what they are seeing today.

Various groups may call them hideous, crazy and inappropriate. But the weight given by people who sport these new looks would not matter. All that is important to them is that they are following the times.

Anna Nicole Smith will always be remembered as the Marilyn Monroe look alike that would often catch a crowd’s attention with her stunning looks and bodily figure. But after her untimely death last February 9, 2007 where she was found unconscious in her bedroom, it seems that all the gossip and issues surrounding this lovely actress, model and widow will now forever remain a memory.

Smith led a very interesting lifestyle, often drawing attention with her looks and personal life. It will be recalled that her son Daniel Smith died in a hospital room in 2006 in the Bahamas, one of the highlighted setbacks of her career. Smith lived a different kind of lifestyle, practically all conflicting and known setbacks a person could have. Poverty, failed marriages and financial woes are highlights that have haunted Smith’s life for the most parts of her life. She is also known to have a serious problem with drugs, something that is being linked to her recent death.

Daily newspapers have the usual means of being able to offer the current events and latest news on various accounts such as the world, business, politics, sports, classified ads, coupons, editorials and lifestyles. Whatever the case may be, there will always be a part of the newspaper that a person of all ages would read. It would all depend on what captures the fancy of any person when he is after updates of any sort.

Paired with the usual cigar and coffee that we would all see, current events and useful resources would be something people will eventually use in their work and studies. The latest news will always be reliable and easier to convey since they are usually the up to date items that would help in verifying topics at hand.

For people who simply want to check on the other sections, their interests on certain genres would immediately go to the section or column of their desired page of the newspaper.

If you are like most people, you probably have a wardrobe full of the little black dress. It’s perfect for all occasions; except this one. Get ready to kick your heels up and add some color to your closet. It is Christmas time after all.

Take a page from the December issue of O Magazine and brighten up your days. You’ll feel the immediate lighteinging of your spirit as you go about in your vibrantly coloured frocks. No crows hanging around this holiday season.

Instead of going for your usual somber shades, go for some reds, yellows, blues and greens. Choosing a material like satin brings an added texture. Think of it as your gift wrapping. You take the time to wrap your presents in beautiful gilt paper. Your colorful dresses go around your best gift – yourself. Isn’t that a great reason to leave the little black dress in the closet this month?

Move over Supermodels who look nothing like “real women” with their waif-like figures, pouty lips and chiseled bone structure – a fashion show just took place in India where the models were blind.

Glittering in beautiful Indian dress, more than 30 lovely blind models strutted down the ramp with ease in a fashion show held in Ahmedabad, western India.
The models, who were local young women, also did their own make-up and wardrobe changes, and participated in a week-long training course on grooming and essential modeling techniques, such as how to walk down the catwalk.
Organisers of the unique event explained their reasoning behind it- to fight stereotypes of disabled people. In India, many of its 22 million disabled people face discrimination and are not awarded equal rights.

“I cannot see how I am looking in the new clothes but I am having a good time,” said 23-year-old participant, Ekta.

“I would hear about fashion shows and designer clothes on the television, but never dreamt of walking like models do,” she said, as she draped a sequined, green sari over her shoulder.

“Blind people are not considered as a part of society, they are given boring and menial jobs to isolate them from the glamorous and exciting world,” said Mukta Dagli from Pragya Chakshu Sanstha, a local charity for the visually impaired.

“We want to bring the blind out of a dull dark life. Now let the world see them.”

“We are young, beautiful and hope to do more shows to gain confidence to fight the darkness of our lives,” said 25-year-old Shweta Kothari.

[tags]blind models, fashion, India[/tags]

Yes, Sharon Stone looks amazing in her 50’s, but even more amazing is how Sofia Loren looks in her ripe old 70’s. Even better than some do in their 30’s I might add. And if I looked as fabuloso as Sophia does at her age, I would pose for the iconic Pirelli Calendar too.

Another good thing about Sophia is that she always kept her respectability (unlike Shaz and the famous beaver), refusing to do revealing poses in her 50-year-plus career in show business.

As she hit her 72nd birthday, however, she has agreed to pose seductively, but tastefully for the limited edition Pirelli Calendar in which the Italian actress appears in a slinky see-through black dress revealing enough to distract from an impressive pair of drop-diamond earrings.

Sofia said of the recent shoot :

“I enjoyed myself posing as if I was a little girl again.”

In Milan, a Pirelli spokesman commented: “I can confirm that Sophia Loren has posed for the 2007 Pirelli calendar. The pictures were shot last week in America and she looks fantastic – you wouldn’t think she is nearly 72 years old.”

As Sofia famously said:

“You have to be born a sex symbol. You don’t become one. If you are born with it, you will have it even when you are 100 years old.“