Prince William to Wed Kate Middleton in 2011

The wave
Prince William is getting married! Not the first in line for the throne, he is next after his father, Prince Charles, and the UK has long waited to see if his long-term relationship with his college girl friend would result in wedding bells.

Well, the news is out and Britain is rejoicing! It's been 30 years since they've had a really royal wedding (The marriage of Prince Charles to Camilla really doesn't count, at least not in the eyes of the British public).

Kate Middleton and Prince William are married
And America is rejoicing as well! We love a good wedding too and there is nothing quite like the pomp of a royal one. After all, we don't have royalty in our country, but everyone loves a princess! This is the stuff of fairy tales!

So, Kate Middleton, a wealthy commoner, will become Princess Kate sometime next spring or summer. Prince William proposed and Kate accepted while on vacation in Kenya last month. Kate is proudly wearing the late Princess Diana's engagement ring, an oval blue sapphire, surrounded by diamonds. William told reporters that he felt that his mother was part of the day because he gave Kate her ring.

The bride and groom
It appears that Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip are delighted with the news, while when questioned by the press about being queen herself, Kate admitted that it was a "daunting prospect". The first child born of this union will move ahead of Prince Harry for possession of the British throne.

It is expected that Kate Middleton's long brown hair and confident poise will make her a global favorite. She has already become one of the most photographed women in Britain, and the camera absolutely loves her. Prince William and she are both 28, quite a bit older than Diana was when she married Prince Charles at age 20. Kate is also not quite as demure or unsure of herself as Diana was and is already touted for her charm and easiness with the tabloids and the press.

Husband and wife
Since 2004, when appearing in a photo together while on a Swiss skiing holiday, Prince William and Kate Middleton have been a "couple", with only a short time when they had reportedly broken up. It has been speculated that the press played a part in that and that his military absences were hard on the romance, but they weren't apart long and the six year relationship speaks volumes.
Congratulations Prince William and Kate!

The exchange of rings
Sammy has 7 granddaughters who have all dreamed of being princesses at one time or another. Sammy tries to ground her grandchildren by spending time with them in her garden and sharing her fresh preserved produce with her children's families. Part of her garden teaching is the value of a dollar,which she stretches at Garden Harvest Supply. Shopping online for everything from mulch mats to seed potatoes saves time and money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sammy_Holderman

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Dog on catwalk gets RSPCA hot under collar

Ksubi, then Tsubi, once had rats on their catwalk. And, yesterday, the label Terri Donna, presenting as part of the swim-wear and resort wear group show, sent a bikini-clad model clutching a shaved, dyed dog down the runway of Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal.

 

Reminiscent of the film Legally Blonde, dog and carrier were perfectly coordinated, down to their matching hair bows.

The cute factor was an obvious hit with the audience with many at the show raising their cameras to get a photo. Outside the show, a leashed Pomeranian, also dyed, was sighted.

Animal welfare organisation RSPCA ACT was unimpressed with the use of a dog as an accessory.

Chief executive Michael Linke said he disagreed with the shaving and dyeing of the dog for aesthetic reasons.

''Manipulating the animal, shaving it and changing it for a fashion show is not normal,'' he said. ''To make aesthetic changes to suit humans disrespects the animal.''

While the shaving was unlikely to cause the animal any profound suffering, unless it were susceptible to the cold, it could end up bothered by skin irritation.

The designer, Terri Donna, could not be reached for comment. 

The other shows in the group presentation were animal-free. Foxton Danger showed big, bold kaftans with huge tropical flower prints, ruffles to embellish and a kaleidoscope of vivid hues.

Karen Neilsen Collection offered digital prints of giant pairs of sunglasses and butterflies, scanty bikinis and body-baring tops. 

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Posted in Catwalk , Dog , Fashion Show , Karen Neilsen Collection , Resort wear , scanty bikinis , swimwear , Terri Donna

Natasha Crook wins Best Bikini Body Award

Natasha Crook is a beautiful model from Highbury, London and she has recently won the award of best beach wear, bikini body at Miss UniverseGB2011 finals. Natasha narrowly lost out to the top spot of Miss Universe GB2011 to Chloe-Beth Morgan but she did instead come away from the competition with the coveted bikini body award as judged by Naomi John CEO and Managing Director of Sandstorm Boutique.

Sandstorm Boutique are for the 2nd year the official swimwear sponsors for the event. This year all the girls were given a narrow choice of specific swimwear to wear during the cruicial swimwear round.

"The swimwear round really does show the judges who is able to compete on the world stage at the International Finals. We are delighted to give the award to Natasha. She is a lovely person and she has a great physique". commented Naomi.

Natasha is one of the top models used by the brands GHD and Laura Gellar on the shopping channel QVC. She is also a showroom model for DKNY underwear and Dynasty Dresses. Additionally she is a regular model at exibitions such as Pure and at the Birmingham NEC.

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Posted in Bikini Body Award , fibre2fashion , Natasha Crook

Osama Bin Laden: Implications of a Death in Pakistan

President Obama announced on 2nd May that Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden had been confirmed killed in northeast Pakistan during an operation on Sunday 1 May 2011. Local reports to the BBC say a firefight was in progress at about 01.00 local time. So what now for the war, and for the region?

An armed skirmish was reported to have started around an elaborate compound in an urban area half a mile from the Pakistani Military Academy, Pakistan's West Point. Bin Laden's presence there has provoked suspicion as well as the accusation that some within Pakistan's armed forces must have known about his presence. Such speculation may or may not be groundless - but hiding near the hunter's den is hardly an unknown tactic for an intelligent quarry.

Pakistan: A History of Strife

Explosive situations are not new to Pakistan. A BBC news timeline* reveals a century of conflict, controversy and tragedy. Pakistan was the original home of the Muslim League, formed in 1906 to support Muslims in their struggle for political separation from India. While Pakistan has the institutions of a modern, secular democratic state, these sit beside a history of conflict - control by strongmen like the Bhutto family, General Zia (1977-1988) or former president Musharraf (2001-2008); assassinations and corruption in high places; and tragic economic pressures exacerbated by terrible, widespread floods and devastating earthquakes.

In the face of such upheaval, Sharia law - formally adopted into Pakistan's legal code in 1991 - increases its appeal; living decently demands certainty and peace. The West advocates democratic answers to regional challenges, but the benefits of democratic thinking and institutions may seem remote to people when their problems are immediate. In contrast, Sharia law - known and understood throughout the Islamic world - brings clarity to areas like upland Pakistan, where order is a priority. This may seem an incomprehensible choice to us in the West, where education is more diverse and justice associated more with processes of dialogue than obedience to divine authority.
Whose "Democracy"?

Osama Bin Laden is dead, but his value as a symbol of such appealing, single-minded clarity will not end with his death. To those who admired him, he will continue to stand for a resurgence of strict Islamic values - and for action against invasive foreign interests that ally themselves with oppressive domestic regimes. History has made this aspect of his appeal pan-national, and puts to flight any hopes for an immediate, peaceful resolution to our various involvements across Islamic territories.

Pakistan walks a troubled line between Western and regional interests. It has elections, yet lies in a region where family, ethnic and religious interests describe alliances better than political parties, where widespread common grievances fuel political unrest. Under such conditions, political boundaries are unlikely to function very effectively. The situation is far too volatile and fluid.

To accuse Pakistan of complicity over Bin Laden's presence is pointless. Religious and political institutions may be converging across the region, but who or what really represents "the will of the people" is very difficult to determine. Political negotiations are, for the foreseeable future, doomed to be piecemeal.

Martyr, Outlaw, Other?

Obama's speech upon Bin Laden's death set out American policy clearly: Bin Laden was a criminal, not a hero, and a man clearly responsible for the death of many Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Whether those who found a leader in Bin Laden will now make him a martyr remains to be seen. Sadly, what might be in the interest of greater immediate peace may not be tolerable to those looking to a far more transcendent political future.

For a timeline from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/country_profiles/1156716.stm

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Legs on show in retro fashion

A flirty 1970s vibe featured in two of the early shows on day one of Australian Fashion Week, which officially started yesterday in Sydney.

The industry-only event that showcases spring-summer 2011-12 fashion collections to buyers, media and a handful of celebrities opened with Zimmermann's runway presentation.

At the Classic Throttle Shop, Zimmermann presented soft, floaty looks in a muted, innocent palette mixed up with the occasional floral print or pop of colour. 

Silhouette s were loose and flowing and there were plenty of lace details and origami-style folded embellishments. Garments featured big flashes of leg and cleavage and a relaxed attitude. The 1970s references were apparent in the maxi dresses, bell sleeves, jumpsuits and unfussy, beach-ready hair.

Bec & Bridge's show continued the retro feel, with more florals, body conscious clinging fabrics and wrap dresses. Some models wore pastel gangster-style hats the result of a collaboration with Australian hat makers Akubra and there were also high-waisted shorts and the occasional burst of burnt orange. Like at Zimmermann, there was plenty of leg on display. 

Gold lame gear such as a pussy bow blouse and a one-shouldered frock looked just right for gyrating about in Studio 54. A scanty mesh top, skirt and frock revealed plenty of skin.

''We were definitely inspired by Bianca Jagger and Lauren Hutton in the late 1970s,'' designers Becky Cooper and Bridget Yorston said. ''They epitomise sensuality, success and a nonchalant sex appeal that is key to our brand.''

Alex Perry added a good dose of Hollywood glamour with his collection, which featured floor-skimming, red carpet gowns plus ladylike cocktail frocks in vivid primary hues contrasted with floral-printed black.

Supermodel Yasmin Le Bon will walk the runway for Little Joe Woman today.

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Posted in Australian Fashion Week , Fabrics , fashion Collections , garments , maxi dresses