ball gown features a fitted bodice and a very full, floor-length skirt. usually gathered at the waist to give it volume. best for: pear shaped or rectangular shaped bodies.

princess cut is a kind of a-line silhouette (that is, fitted at the bodice and flares towards the bottom, forming the shape of an A) that flows unbroken from top to bottom. best for: just about everyone. it’s the universal flatterer.

column, sometimes called sheath, is typified by a narrow profile that flows straight down, following the body closely. best for: the tall and lean, the petite and slim.

bias cut is a technique of cutting the fabric diagonally. this makes the dress cling to the body. best for: see column. would also emphasize an hourglass figure.

two piece, as the name suggests, consists of two pieces: a bodice and a separate skirt. best for: anybody who has irregularities in sizing for top and bottom (like me!).

images from beautiful dress and wedding underway.

1. elastic bands

maybe it was the buffet. or maybe it’s water bloating. whatever circumstance i blame, jeans or pants that don’t button comfortably is one of the most annoying things i have to contend with in my continuous battle with ill-fitting “asian” cuts. forget about simply unbuttoning… i’ve tried it and the zipper gives way too many times. i avoid the muffin top look by threading an elastic band through the button hole and attaching the loops around the button.

2. permanent markers

we’ve all had small bleach accidents before. when a drop or two of chlorine finds its way to our coloreds. we’ve all had scratches on our dark footwear, revealing that tell-tale white layer (especially on patent leather). i have this most often on the tips of my pointed-toe shoes, especially when i stub them on stairs going up. i camouflage these small mistakes with markers. i keep a whole set so i can find a match for any color that needs help.

3. clear nail polish

i’m sure many of us know this already. when your pantyhose starts running, stop it dead on its tracks with clear nail polish.

4. strong glue

for soles that that tear themselves off your shoes (i’ve once had to drag my left shoe with a flappy sole around a department store, looking for a suitable replacement). or heels that break a la mentos commercial (happened to me outside of our office building). look for strong glue specifically made for shoes. they are more flexible and are best for sneakers (like the pair i had to endure in the pre-departure area just a few months ago).

5. safety pins

i keep at least two in my wallet. because i never know when a button decides to go missing or stitches unravel.

6. bleach pen

the strangest thing about gravy and tomato sauce is they seem to always find their way onto white tops and dresses. it’s one of the biggest ironies in life. i carry a bleach pen whenever i’m wearing white clothes on business. i got mine from a hardware store.

7. candle wax

i don’t exactly keep the candles in my fashion survival kit since i know there’s always a bunch of them around the house. candle wax is good for repairing zippers that refuse to glide. simply rub the wax on the teeth and they’re good to go.

8. double-sided adhesive

i used to walk home from work, so i am familiar with the trouble of transitioning from heels to flats. don’t ruin the hems of your pants by letting them drag on the ground. i would fold the cuffs in with double-sided adhesive. i use the same for keeping my bra straps from peeking through a wide neck top. though for more formal occasions, you are better off with hollywood fashion tape.

9. nail polish remover pads

are you as paranoid and o.c. about nail polish as i am? back when i used to apply color on my fingernails, i keep polish remover pads in my handbag. because nothing is more frustrating than chipped nail polish. besides, uneven nails was a big no-no in my previous job.

addendum:

10. pencil eraser (especially the pink kind at the end of mongol pencils!)

i can’t believe i almost forgot about this! for some reason, i am fond of suede shoes and bags. even if they are hell to keep clean. i discovered that the best way to remove dry marks is through fastidious use of a pencil eraser. try it! but for deeper-seated dirt and wet spots, a commercial suede cleaner would do the trick.

images from diy trade, nina clock, purelement, piczazz and sharpie.

and i am drooling over these pieces:

visit karen walker jewellery and karen walker eyewear. click here for shops and online stores.

visit their official website for all things karen walker.

video after the jump.

oh, and nick verreos of projecy runway 2 is among the judges this year. according to his blog, he is a good friend of miss universe 1997, brooke lee, who was among last year’s judges (together with chelsi smith, miss universe 1995). she is, i must say, one of my most favorite beauty queens for her answer to the final question:

visit miss unibarse to vote for your favorite dollegates!

you can also click here for the interview with the organizers. as well as here and here for last year’s coverage.

called “material girl”, the collection is inspired by the punk-rock madonna of the 80′s, which includes jeans, fingerless gloves, shoes and other accessories.

gossip girl taylor momsen is the face of the brand.

i don’t know about the bustier, the bustier dress and the rosary beads as necklace for teenages, though i must say i am a little embarrassed to admit that i am excited about this collection. but only a little. what do you think of it?

exclusively available at macy’s. you can shop online too.

images from material girl collection.

the book, written by sara gruen, itself has gained a following even before talks of a movie adaptation surfaced. but when it was confirmed some time ago that mr. edward cullen himself was playing jacob, the following increased probably ten-fold thanks to the world’s most ravenous fans.

i’m not sure how literary snobs view this sudden popular attention from girls a-twitter to one book destined to be a modern classic (a book most of them would likely not even glance at if it weren’t affiliated with pattinson), but i am all for moving this story from the pages to the big screen whatever which way they want to do it. besides, i can always count on obsessed fans to post behind-the-scenes photos online.

this one, for instance. probably the part where jacob jankowski tries to hop onto a passing train.

directed by francis lawrence (constantine, i am legend), the movie is scheduled for release in 2011.

here’s jacob bruised and bloodied.

playing marlena, the beautiful rider in the circus’ equestrian act, is reese witherspoon.

she and robert play the star-crossed lovers, and, as rumors have it, are creating such wonderful chemistry, it might make the alleged girlfriend jealous.

in the role of the antagonist, august (animal trainer in the book, ringleader in the movie), is cristoph waltz. the one who made our jaws drop in awe as col. hans landa, the ss jew hunter in inglourious basterds.

here are jacob and august in what appears to be a conversation on top of a moving train.

and here they are… uh, probably going on set.

mark povinelli plays kinko/walter, the little man jacob makes friends with.

author sara gruen herself makes a cameo appearance. here she is with tai, the elephant who plays rosie.

since this is a circus movie, expect more animals…

let’s not forget the streets for the big parade.

and, of course, the circus train where much of the story occurs.

and here are my three favorite photos on set, so far.

true to devoted fan form, robert pattinson followers have put up an unofficial website for the movie. probably one of the best fan-made movie sites today, it is the most comprehensive source of information on water for elephants you can ever hope to find. including set photos, casting calls, tweets from people involved in the film and even this very interesting account from an extra. with journalistic tenacity, one blogger even went on location to take photos of the old hotel where some scenes were shot.

my favorite photos from her “coverage”:

head on down to the website for more things water for elephants. even if you aren’t a big fan of pattinson, you would find the goings-on behind the scenes such a magical thing to behold. let the fangirls unfold this spectacle before your very eyes!

scents are such amazing things. some can get you refreshed and make you relax. some can energize and even seduce. so what are so many women still doing waiting for special occasions to wear fragrance? any day is a perfect day to smell good!

but how to shop for scents? if you are one of the many customers who can’t seem to decide on any particular fragrance until the assistant is fossilized, here are a few guidelines i learned on how to enhance your skills in choosing perfume:

1. determine your signature scent

choose according to your personality: are you active and athletic? are you sweet and sassy? are you feminine and romantic? are you alluring and sultry? are you daring and adventurous? choose according to occasion: is it for daily wear? for weekend getaways? for formal date nights?

fragrances are divided into four groups: fresh (clean with citrus and green characteristics), floral (very feminine featuring, as the name suggests, flowers like jasmine, iris, etc.), oriental (exotic like spice and amber) and woody (warm featuring aromatic scents like cinnamon and patchouli and, of course, woodsy smells like cedar and pine).

so if you are the romantic type, most likely you’d be drawn to floral. if you are seductive, try oriental. if you like comfortable smells, then perhaps woody. if you are laid-back, go for fresh.

2. take your time testing

one thing i notice about shoppers is they feel so harried and intimidated when a gang of salespersons flock around them armed with testers that they just sniff quickly from bottles, turn then go. so here’s one of my most important tips: don’t be intimidated. countless times have i told them that i would like to shop in peace and this has worked without a hitch so far. you see, to appreciate scents, you need to test them, not just take a whiff from the bottle, so do linger around the counter as long as you can.

what i usually do is test as much as my nose and the coffee beans can handle on testing strips. then i narrow them down to three or four scents to apply on my skin (aside from the wrists, you can also use the insides of your elbows so the fragrances don’t mix). and i don’t buy on the spot. i go around the department store or even go home without locking down on a choice. this way, i can find out which one smells best after a few hours on my skin and even sniff out which one lasts the longest. once i have decided on one, i go back for the bottle. because i take time, fragrances have never caused me buyer’s remorse, ever.

3. select your formula and quantity

you also have to consider the intensity and the duration with which you mean to wear your perfume. are you the type who spritzes frequently throughout the day? do you need one that will last the entire evening for a party? here are the concentrations from highest to lowest: parfum, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne. there’s also solid perfume, one that is solidified in beeswax.

then determine how often you intend to wear it as this will help you decide how big a bottle you ought to get. fragrance, once opened, will normally last up to 18 months stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

4. don’t be afraid to experiment

try to look beyond the endorsements and that cute little bottle (honestly though, i am a sucker for attractive packaging). don’t limit yourself to mainstream brands. there are a lot of fantastic niche brands you would miss if you don’t dare yourself to step out of your comfort zone.

as for me, here are my favorite scents (and their ads that i love!):

chloe eau de parfum

marc jacobs daisy

marc jacobs lola

lacoste pour femme

lacoste inspiration

estee lauder pleasures

images from chandlerburr, impactlab, sophie’s realm, perfume 100.

and, of course…

visit the miss unibarse website to cast your vote!

click here and here for last year’s coverage,

and click here for the interview with the organizers.

still wondering how to wear it when you’re already over 17?

fashion-forward for work

many would argue that ruffled skirts do not look professional, therefore are inappropriate for work. since outfits are normally very conservative and often quite drab in the office, adding some ruffles will put a feminine touch to your ensemble. instead of small ruffles that look childish and very wide ones that puff like a ball gown, choose ones with folds that flatten and look less frilly.

mm couture

express

rugby

tokyo fashion co.

girly and carefree for casual

ruffles would make a great addition to an otherwise drab casual get-up. with the typical tank tees, basic cotton shirts and flat knits, a ruffle skirt makes an ultra-feminine and fun-loving detail. look for denim, cotton or light materials like chiffon or georgette. the trendy ruffle tier would work very nicely to update your casual wardrobe.

rugby

built by wendy

betsey johnson

built by wendy

j. crew

celebrity pink

contemporary chic for night out

lots of items in season are sleek and tough. by throwing in some ruffles, the look could have a sweet and pretty side to it, making you look more approachable. it need not be the girly-girl frills, you can opt for ones with edgy details like zippers and sequins or in trendy materials like leather and hologram prints. even in flowy materials like chiffon or satin if coupled with killer heels, the look is hot, hot, hot.

3.1 phillip lim

forever 21

insight

moschino

marc jacobs

dirty addiction

katy rodriguez

flirty romantic for party

ruffles can also be elegant, given the right cut. it adds drama to basic pieces and creates the right kind of dressy for special occasions. georgette, lace and chiffon are airy, satin and silk are fluid. whatever material you go for, look for sophisticated details like raw edges or asymmetry.

ted baker

diane von furstenberg

walter

lipsy

l'agence

french connection

geren ford

free people

remember, as with any other trend, moderation is the key. keep the rest simple and accessorize wisely.

images from the clothing menu, stylehive, fasshonaburu, polyvore, angiehearts, nordstrom.