OKE NAPA: 11/13/2011

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10 TOP FASHION MAGAZINES YOU OUGHT TO READ

Top Fashion Magazines can be hard to choose between. With so many great reads out there, how do you know which ones to read? It’s not feasible to spend all your hard earned cash on multiple fashion magazines each month, so narrowing it down to the top fashion magazines can be tough. Some people swear by established publications such as Vogue, while others look to more indie magazines for their fashion fix. In no particular order, here are my picks of a few of the top fashion magazines.

1. AMERICAN VOGUE

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Edited by Anna Wintour, American Vogue is akin to the Bible in the fashion world. While most of the fashion in the magazine is unattainable to the average woman, there’s a sense of escapism about Vogue that compels people to buy it. It transports us from the day to day grind to a fashion daydream thanks to its glossy pages.

2. THE GENTLEWOMAN

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The Gentlewoman is an intelligent and refreshing read. A fairly new addition to the magazine scene, it aims to deliver the best in journalism and fashion. This magazine profiles a range of inspirational women and features fashion articles served in inventive formats.

3. FRENCH VOGUE

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French Vogue is far more risqué than its American counterpart. While the articles are written in French, the imagery is well worth not being able to read the articles. Alternatively, it could be the perfect excuse to brush up on your French skills.

4. HARPER’S BAZAAR US

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Aimed at a ‘sophisticated’ audience, Harper’s Bazaar delivers a polished pictured of the fashion world. Like most top fashion magazines, the seemingly best of the best are enlisted to produce high quality articles and photographic fashion content.

5. VANITY FAIR

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Not only does this magazine cover fashion related topics, but it also addresses entertainment, business and current affairs. Many famous photographers have shot for the magazine, often causing controversy. It has produced many iconic images like the 1991 cover of a naked and pregnant Demi Moore, for example.

6. W MAGAZINE

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This magazine is well known for its coverage of American and European society .W Magazine is used to its fair share of controversy, with many of its fashion editorials and covers causing a stir over the years. This magazine is produced in an oversized format, and its pages contain the latest in high-end fashion.

7. INSTYLE

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As the name suggests, this magazine aims to bring readers the latest in fashion trends. Bringing together both advertorial and fashion content, it delivers approachable and relatable content. It also produces celebrity, beauty, and health content.

8. LULA

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Lula magazine has a sweeter, off-beat aesthetic. It is a mixture of fashion, art, music, and a bit of fantasy. Known for its dreamy imagery and content, this magazine also tends to feature a range of indie It-girls and celebrities among its pages.

9. RUSSH

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This Australian magazine is a favourite among the clued in fashion set. Aimed at a more youthful, self-aware audience, this magazine mixes equal parts fashion and popular culture. While it is an Australian magazine, it does have a broader international appeal.

10. INTERVIEW

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Founded by the iconic pop artist Andy Warhol, this magazine is a must for creative types. Like the name suggests, this magazine features interviews and conversations with fashion, art, and entertainment creatives. There are also plenty of stylised fashion features to boot.

These are only a few of the many wonderful top fashion magazines out there at the moment. Whether you prefer flicking through glossy pages of high-end fashion, or more thoughtful and crafted articles, there’s no denying that magazines are the perfect form of escapism. What are your top fashion magazines?

Dakota and Elle Fanning have got to be my current favorite pair of Hollywood sisters. I just can’t seem to stop raving about them! Look at the duo for W Magazine, both beautiful, both immensely talented, both looking grownup and gorgeous in this almost angelic photoshoot by Mario Sorrenti.

From the cover where they both dazzle in gold to the stunning black and white shots that have a “playing dress up” quality about them to the ethereal individual shots, I’m so in love with each of these pictures!

And now for some delightful snippets from their interview for the magazine:

Elle on Dakota: “She is a nice older sister. But it’s not like we always get along. Now that she’s going to college, it’s different. I went into her room at home in California, and all her clothes were gone! Her closet was empty! I don’t get to go in there and steal clothes anymore. It’s really strange. It’s sort of like she’s off making a movie, but this time she’s not coming back.” Aww!

Dakota on why she decided to go to college, “For the same reasons I wanted to go to a high school: You hear people say, “Oh, when I was in high school” or “When I was in college.” That defines a lot of who people are, and I didn’t want to miss out on that.” Clever girl!

I don’t know about you but I thought this sibling shoot was an absolute delight! What I love best about them is that they seem so grounded despite being in the limelight constantly. I know both of them have very bright futures and I for one can’t wait to see more of their work! What did you ladies think of Dakota and Elle Fanning for W Magazine? Aodrable or perhaps a little too grownup?

http://celebs.allwomenstalk.com

The days of ministers lugging round heavy Red Boxes filled with official papers could finally be coming to an end.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, who is leading a drive to enhance technology use across the public sector, has indicated he wants to see them computerised.

In an interview with the Press Association, Mr Maude insisted the UK government should be emulating Estonia, where paperless systems are already in place.

He told how on one visit to the country he had gone into the Cabinet room and seen that ministers were all working from screens rather than notes.

"We need to get our technology much better," he said. "The technology that we had in the Cabinet Office that I inherited... I could not take my Red Box home on disc."

Mr Maude dismissed the idea that security could be put at risk if such information was kept in electronic format, rather than hard copy.

"Security is often an alibi," he said. "Of course we have got to have security but we often massively overestimate (the problems)."

Last month Deputy Leader of the Commons David Heath became the first minister to use an iPad at the despatch box.

Mr Maude made clear he wanted to see more use of such devices, as long as they provided value for the taxpayer, and was considering employing one himself. He added: "I think we are looking at different ways of doing all kinds of things."

Mr Maude is due to attend a conference in Poland with European counterparts on eGovernment. He said the UK was "generally regarded as a frontrunner" in the area, and other countries were interested in learning more about the coalition's commitment to greater transparency over spending and performance.

Numbers of people in the UK who have used the internet are rising, according to new figures.

Statistics for the third quarter of the year showed a decrease of 299,000 adults who had never used the internet compared with the previous quarter, following a fall of only 12,000 between the first and second quarters.

Some 41.62 million adults (82.9%) have used the internet, while 8.43 million (16.8%) have never done so. Adults who were more likely to have never used the internet included the over-65s, the widowed and those with a disability.

The largest proportion of internet users was in the youngest age group (those aged 16 to 24), at 98.6%, or 7.16 million people. The largest fall in people who have never used it was among those aged 75 and over, where there were 164,000 fewer non-users in the third quarter, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

The organisation Consumer Focus said the fall was "good news". Spokesman Jonathan Stearn said: "After a disappointing start to the year, it's good news that there has been a noticeable fall in the last few months in the number of people who have never used the internet. However, as one in six people have still never gone online, a big challenge clearly remains.

"A growing gap exists between those who are online and those who are not, as the internet becomes more of an essential utility for consumers.

"The best deals are often online only and people could save hundreds of pounds each year by accessing these online discounts.

"But unfortunately the poorest and most vulnerable customers who could benefit most from these savings are less likely to be able to access them online.

"The Government must provide even more targeted support to those who lose out the most.

"That means tackling real barriers over cost, access, security fears, and computer skills."

How to wear a maxi dress in fall… in other words, why pack away your cute summer maxis just because summer’s done? I have loads of ideas on cute ways to layer your maxi dresses for cooler weather, so keep reading! Here are 7 tips on how to wear maxi dresses in the fall.

1. WITH A CARDI

I know this sounds obvious, but the easiest way to convert a summer maxi into a fall outfit would be to add a cute cardigan. Choose from cropped, drapey, fitted, or long, depending on which looks best with the particular maxi dress. This is the easiest way to go from chilly to cozy in a maxi dress!

2. WITH A THERMAL UNDERNEATH

I have a super-cute tank-style maxi dress from summer that I love wearing in the fall with a floral-print thermal underneath. Get creative! You don’t have to opt for a thermal that matches the maxi, just one that compliments it!

3. WITH A BLAZER

I have an empire-waist maxi with a tiny floral print that looks smashing with my cropped, fitted velvet blazer… I know it sounds odd, but it looks darling! Try your blazers or denim jackets with your maxis… you might be surprised at how cute they look together!

4. WITH A PAIR OF LEGGINGS

Skinny girls like me can tell you that layering is key to dressing in winter, whether you’re wondering how to wear a maxi or not. Add a pair of leggings underneath your maxi dress, and suddenly your favorite summer dress can now be worn all fall long… and maybe into winter, too!

5. WITH BOOTS

I love the way some of my summer maxi dresses look with boots — ankle boots, riding boots, even hiking boots. Try them together in different combinations until you find the maxi-boot look that works best for you!

6. WITH PATTERNED TIGHTS

I also adore the way maxi dresses look with patterned tights. I know you can only see a tiny bit of tights at the ankle when you’re wearing a maxi, but if the maxi is solid, and the tights are a loud print, this could be such a fun way to wear a maxi dress!

7. WITH A CROPPED PULL-OVER SWEATER

I have a very fitted maxi dress that I love wearing with a cropped pull-over sweater. It’s very chic, and somewhat unexpected — and a lot warmer than wearing a skirt and sweater, for the extra layer of the maxi dress on top.

8. ALL TOGETHER NOW!

Want to have even more fun (and coziness) wearing a maxi dress this fall? Combine these tips and wear a few of these layers together! Try a blazer and boots, or a cropped cardi and patterned tights. The possibilities are endless, stylish and warm! Which of these tips dot you use when wearing your maxi dresses into fall? Please share!

Businesses will be able to grow with the use of supercomputers, a technology expert has said.

The energy, life science and finance sectors could benefit from an initiative that could enable them to channel Scotland's supercomputing power and expertise.

Scottish Enterprise and Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre, part of the University of Edinburgh, have launched Supercomputing Scotland, a three-year programme to improve product and service design for companies.

Businesses of all sizes are said to be able to use HECToR, the UK's most powerful supercomputer, to model and simulate new designs.

Dr Mark Parsons, executive director of the centre, said: "Throughout its 21-year history, EPCC (Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre) has always sought to increase the number of Scottish companies using our supercomputers.

"The Supercomputing Scotland initiative will help us to do just that. High-performance computers can be a key enabler of economic growth, and Scottish companies should share in the benefits."

The centre manages a collection of computer systems such as HECToR, a UK national service.

Jan Reid, who heads Scottish Enterprise's enabling technologies team, said: "This is all about giving Scottish companies access to a tool that can really help drive their product and service innovation, leading to company growth and ultimately boosting the Scottish economy.

"By harnessing this computer power for modelling and simulation purposes, companies large and small can take advantage of a cost and time-effective way to develop higher-quality end products. In a global market place, we need to ensure our companies can create and maintain a competitive edge. This technology means they can do this and more."

Supercomputing Scotland said it will advise companies on how to use high-performance computers

The news feeds of thousands of Facebook users were flooded with violent and pornographic photographs after an attack by hackers, a spokeswoman for the social networking site has confirmed.

Users around the world were confronted with the videos and images - some of which were doctored to show pornographic pictures of celebrities including teen star Justin Bieber.

A Facebook spokeswoman in the UK said that the website had seen an increased amount of spam in the last 24 hours but it was "under control".

Users were tricked into pasting malicious software into their browsers, which in turn resulted in the sharing of offensive content, she said.

"Protecting the people who use Facebook from spam and malicious content is a top priority for us," the spokeswoman said.

"Recently, we experienced a spam attack that exploited a browser vulnerability. Our team responded quickly and we have eliminated most of the spam caused by this attack.

"We are now working to improve our systems to better defend against similar attacks in the future."

The spokeswoman said that no user data or accounts were compromised during the cyber attack.

She said that users should never copy and paste "unknown code" into an address bar, to always use an up-to-date browser and to report any suspicious content.

An app which allows gadget users to send text messages for free has topped a UK app chart.

WhatsApp Messenger made it to the top of the App Store Official UK Charts in the paid-for top iPhone apps category.

The software allows users to exchange messages without having to pay for SMS. It is particularly popular because unlike other apps of its kind it can be used to send messages between different brands of smartphone.

Other favourites that made it into the charts include Angry Birds, which has reportedly topped 500 million downloads since its launch in 2009. It was third in the paid-for iPhone category, while the Angry Birds Seasons spin-off made it to eighth in the same list.

Another hit was puzzle video game Amazing Breaker, which topped the iPhone Apps Charts in the free category and came second in the paid-for category.

Games such as Shadowgun and video on demand software such as the Sky Movies app dominated the paid-for and free charts for iPad apps.

Consignment Boutiques are the best and nowadays quite popular way to buy designer items and that is not only because the prices are significantly lower but also because, with consignment boutiques, ladies all over the world finally have a chance of owning all those fab, limited edition, sold out and/or vintage pieces that simply can’t be found in regular shops! Fancy a designer piece yourself? Or maybe you have a vintage baby you’d like to sell? No problem! Check out these great consignment boutiques and you’ll find the answers to all of your questions:

1. COVET SHOP

Is this shop new or I’ve been living under a rock in the past couple of months? Anyways, if you’re looking for a Chanel, I’d suggest you check this one out first because I have a feeling the prices are slightly lower. I may be wrong but hey, with so many great designer items (some of which still have their original tags) and so many fab finds lurking in every corner, clicking the link twice is most certainly a must.

2. MALLERIES

Malleries is one of my favorite online consignment boutiques because it’s much more than just a place to shop for vintage, discontinued or hard to find bags, clothes and jewelry! In fact, you don’t have to be a sucker for fashion to love it because this wonderful shop has a pretty good selection of antique furniture as well as home décor! Trying to find a 17 century tapestry to go with that hand-made oak living room set your grandma got from her parents? Well, you will have to pay top dollar for it, that’s for sure, but the most important thing is this – it’s there! Guys, if you’re looking for an antique diamond engagement ring for your special girl, definitely check out the “jewelry and watches” section because you might find THE one!

3. HARDLY EVER WORN IT

Wowza! You are seriously going to love, love, love this! In fact, I bet you’ll forget eBay the moment you start browsing through all of these wonderful auctions and hundreds of amazing designer items! This interesting auction site is different than all other consignment boutiques I’m planning on mentioning in this post and you’ll simply love to shop as well as sell here. Hundreds of authentic items to check out, fantastic starting prices and a chance to cut out the middleman and sell your items fast, for a price you’re willing to settle upon.

4. FASHIONPHILE

If you’re into designer items and absolutely love pieces that had a life (a good one , of course) before they’ve met you, you’ve certainly heard of Fashionphile – one of the most famous consignment boutiques ever! Some of their fab items are even brand new which, of course, doesn’t mean you’ll have to cough out their retail price in order for them to become your property. Have a few designer items you don’t adore anymore? No problem because, at Fashionphile, you have a choice between selling your item right away or consigning it in hopes you’ll get a better price.

5. SWAP SHOP – GO SHOPPING IN YOUR CLOSET

I’ve already discussed this adorable shop but, since this post is all about consignment boutiques, I guess mentioning it again would be a good idea. As you’ll notice, the site is mainly for promotional purposes while the photos of the actual items can be found on their Facebook profile. Interesting approach indeed! The ladies who run the shop speak English perfectly and are extremely kind which means you can inquire about the price and possible shipping options very easily, by simply leaving a comment under the photo of the item you are interested in. In case the item you want is out of stock (or was never in stock), you can always e-mail them stating the color/style/size and they will try to get it for you! Perfect, ain’t it?

6. YOOGI’S CLOSET

Your next prized possession might be waiting for you right here and, since the word “SALE” always makes my heart rate go up, I definitely suggest checking out the Sale section. Consignment boutiques generally don’t have such good sales, but at Yoogi’s Closet you will really get to snag your “precious” for a great price.

7. LUXURIOUS VINTAGE

This last one is for all of my Europe-based ladies who are hoping to save on shipping costs and customs duties by shopping in consignment boutiques located within the Old Continent. With this lovely London-based shop authenticity and a great shopping experience are guaranteed! You must hurry though because the good things get sold in a heartbeat!

Have you ever shopped or consigned with some of these consignment boutiques? I’m definitely planning on visiting that little piece of pre-loved paradise in Athens soon and I’ll definitely let you know how it went. Could you suggest a few more Europe-based consignment boutiques? I’m desperately trying to find some but (apart from these two shops) still nothing!

Discovering Adele was nothing short of an Hallelujah moment for me. Her songs literally speak to your soul, her angelic yet powerful voice can transport you into another world altogether and she’s a breath of fresh air in the weight obsessed entertainment industry. I love that she can embrace herself for who she is. As she tells Vogue, “I’ve seen people where it rules their lives, who want to be thinner or have bigger boobs, and how it wears them down. And I don’t want that in my life. I have insecurities, of course, but I don’t hang out with anyone who points them out to me.” She is such an inspiration! Here’s the amazing Adele for British Vogue’s October 2011 cover.

Is it just me or is Kristen Stewart everywhere these days?! This time, we’re talking about her photoshoot for Vogue Italia which could not have been better timed considering Breaking Dawn is just around the corner…

Shot by Michelangelo de Battista, Kristen Stewart looks sexier and edgier than her usual self. In fact, if there ever was a high fashion vampire, this is what she would look like. I love the chaotic hair and the dark makeup and don’t even get me started on the fabulous clothes which include the likes of Roberto Cavalli, Alexander McQueen,Giambattista Valli,Giorgio Armani and Chanel. Kristen, you lucky, lucky girl!

Overall, it’s a fantastic transformation but at the same time it’s a look that I can relate Kristen Stewart with, know what I mean? The only thing I wish for is different expressions on her face. Speaking of which, here’s what she had to say about the kind of actress she is: “I’m not one of those actresses that maniacally prepare themselves for a role. On set, I do whatever I need to do, but day after the day. If I have to improvise, I improvise, if I have to learn my lines by heart, I do it. There are certain screenplays which are so beautiful, that they only need to be repeated as they are, without any changes. I live in the moment.”

Well said! So what did you think of Kristen Stewart for Vogue Italia? Amazing or meh?

OKE NAPA

Blog Archive

10 TOP FASHION MAGAZINES YOU OUGHT TO READ

THE FABULOUS FANNING SISTERS FOR W MAGAZINE

Cabinet urged to embrace technology

Internet figures reveal 'good news'

7 ENCHANTINGLY USEFUL TIPS ON HOW TO WEAR A MAXI DRESS IN FALL

Supercomputers 'good for business'

Facebook users hit by porn attack

Free texts app top of the UK chart

7 ENTICINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND GREAT CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUES TO CHECK OUT

ADELE FOR BRITISH VOGUE

KRISTEN STEWART GETS EDGY FOR VOGUE ITALIA