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“We’ll follow the river for the first bit.” Jessie grinned, flashing dimples Julie used to think were adorable.

“Watch the road.” She closed her eyes and leaned against the window. She couldn’t see his frown, but his annoyance turned the air in the truck chilly against her skin. It surprised her how little she cared. She shouldn’t have gone on this trip, but they’d planned it for months and she’d never been to Lake Roosevelt.

To be honest, she’d never been to any lake. She’d never told anyone that. Growing up in Spokane meant spending summer days at “the lake.” There were so many to choose from, but everyone had their special lake. It wasn’t like she hadn’t been invited before. Most of her and Jessie’s friends had access to their parents’ boats. But Julie worked in the bakery on weekends and during school breaks. Instead of water skiing and impromptu sandbank partying, she sweated by the ovens and the doughnut fryer.

When she was younger, her mom had sometimes packed a picnic and they’d gone to the river. But that was before Julie knew the difference between people who took their kids to swim in the slow currents and the people who steered their boats over wider waters.

“I’m glad we’re doing this,” Jessie squeezed her knee. “Between college visits and basketball camp, I never get to see you.”

She mumbled an agreement. For once, it was just her and Jessie without his basketball teammates. They needed to talk, but she still hadn’t found the words to express her worries. Not even to explain to herself how she felt. She opened her eyes to look at his familiar profile. The strong jaw and tousled sun-bleached hair didn’t cause the familiar magnetic pull. She’d spent hours studying his perfect features while he slept beside her, wondering at her luck of being able to call him her boyfriend. Now he didn’t seem to belong to her any more. Or maybe she was the one who didn’t belong.

Her gaze moved to his hands on the steering wheel. Thinking about those fingers caressing her naked skin used to make her body tingle. All she could think about now was that they were driving his dad’s truck. The same red truck that had been too big to fit in her apartment complex’s parking lot when his dad came to talk to her about his “son’s bright future.”

It turned out to have been a wasted trip. She didn’t need Jessie’s dad’s money after all. “The problem” had taken care of itself. She swallowed hard and shifted in her seat.

They’d picked up his dad’s boat from the storage place north of the city and were now cruising along Little Spokane River to join Highway 291 in Nine Mile Falls. Jessie wanted to go the scenic route and show her Long Lake Dam. She closed her eyes again, fighting down the vague worry that had plagued her lately.

At the dam overlook, Jessie put his arms around her and they posed for a selfie. She smiled for the camera, but her lips felt wrong. Jessie went back up to the road, looking for a cellphone signal so he could post their picture. She stared at the massive amount of water falling over the spillway while the sun warmed her body, at least the outside. An interpretive sign explained the history of the river and the dam.

“Did you know this was the highest dam in the world when it was completed in 1915?” she shouted to Jessie, but he was all the way back at the car and couldn’t hear her. He’d never been interested in history anyway.

She climbed the stairs back up from the overlook and stopped to look at the big osprey nest on top of a power pole. A special platform had been built on one side of the cross-arm beam. On the other side, spiked wires bent over the insulator to discourage an osprey duplex. She waited a few moments to see if a white bird head with the black Zorro-mask-markings would pop up, but the nest was empty. The juveniles must have already moved out. She stubbornly clung to that explanation and rejected others, such as the eggs not hatching or the chicks not surviving. Thinking about those would just expand the cold, hollow place inside her.

Jessie had already started the car by the time she reached it. He pulled out on the road as soon as she’d closed the door behind her. “There’s no coverage here. We need to get back to civilization so I can text Danny and Mac what time we’ll get to the lake.”

“Why do they need to know?” Julie clicked her seat belt in place.

“They’re meeting us there.” He didn’t look at her.

“I thought this was going to be just the two of us.”

“Babe, you know I love to spend time with you. But Danny and Mac are my boys and I couldn’t say no when they asked to come.” He fired off the smile that used to make her melt inside.

“Whatever.” She looked at the dam when they crossed over the river. The force of the water mesmerized her again.

“Ah. Don’t be mad.” He squeezed her knee again. “Besides, I didn’t know if you wanted it to be just the two of us. I wasn’t sure you could … you know … so soon after …”

“Come on. Say it. After what?” The hardness of her tone surprised her.

“Babe, don’t be like that. It was for the best. I … we have plans.”

Cold fury filled her. She was afraid to open her mouth because of the words that might spill out. She just shook her head and looked out the window again.

Jessie steered the truck off 291 and onto 231. Julie always made a point of reading road signs. The new highway veered away from the river and the colors outside turned from green to yellow and brown as they sped by dry fields. Jessie cranked up the air-conditioning and goosebumps broke out on her arms. She fished out a hoodie from her tote bag and pulled it on over her tank top. Jessie had bought her the Zags shirt for Christmas, back when he thought he might play for Gonzaga. Recently he’d declared that leaving Spokane for a while would “provide more growth and challenges.” She suspected his reasons had more to do with not being offered a spot on the team than wanting to develop as a player.

It wasn’t like he wasn’t good. Several other colleges had sent scouts to check Jessie out and he’d already received unofficial offers of scholarships. He just wasn’t Division I good, but that wasn’t something a supportive girlfriend should ever say out loud. Not even when it was just the two of them. And she had always been supportive, because the girlfriend status would eventually turn into supportive fiancée and wife role. Jessie had outlined that as part of his plan several times. Julie had tried to share those details with Jessie’s dad, but the man had just shoved the cash at her and walked out the door after his speech.

They turned onto Highway 2. The truck’s engine roared as Jessie gave it more gas on the faster road.

“I need the restroom,” Julie said as the buildings of Reardan flew by and thinned out.

“You just missed your chance for a while, but we’ll be in Davenport soon.” Jessie’s phone chirped. “Could you get that?”

Julie grabbed the phone and read the text silently. Running ½ hr late. Sorry Bro. Try to block on your own until we’re there to assist. Ps. Does she still look good in a bikini? She blinked quickly to stop the tears that welled up in her eyes to spill.

“Is it Danny? Tell him we’re on schedule.”

“Got it.” She texted back: Jerk.

They entered Davenport and Jessie turned into a parking lot by what looked like an old-fashion burger place. The sign declared it to be Edna’s Drive-In, Inside Seating. Underneath it said “Seven Days without Ednas Makes One Weak.” The missing apostrophe made her more angry than it should.

“The bathroom is on the outside of the building,” Jessie held out his hand for his phone.

She grabbed her tote, opened the door, and jumped out of the truck. The phone bounced off Jessie’s chest when she threw it at him.

She turned the corner, passed the bathroom, and kept walking up the road. Her vision was blurry now and it took a few tries before she found her own phone in the bag. Her mom answered on the first ring.

“Can you come pick me up?” Julie choked out between tears.

“Where are you?”

“Davenport. Not the hotel, the town.”

Her mom paused only for a short moment. “On my way.”

Julie sat down behind a cluster of green trees and dry brush. She rested her head on her knees. If she ever did have a child – far, far into the future – she would take her or him to swim in the river as often as she could.Read more at:cheap formal dresses online | plus size formal dresses

  

The beach is a rough environment for the skin and, as a surfer, you are spending more time there than an average person.

The extended contact with sunlight, the wind, the seams and materials of your wetsuit, the roughness of the sand and even the frequent use of thick sunscreens may clog, dry and irritate your skin.

The first and most important step in your skincare routine is to apply sunscreen before hitting the beach, but caring for your skin afterward is also vital.

Gently cleaning and moisturizing your body and your face after surfing will make your skin more resistant and healthy.

Once you're home, the first step is to remove the wetsuit, as leaving it on the body, damp and sandy, for a long period of time may irritate the skin.

Next, take a shower with a gentle cleanser to remove the salt, sand and any residues of sunscreen. Once the skin is clean, it is time to replenish it.

There are plenty good reasons to start keeping a good body and face cream at hand, even if you tend to be lazy or simply don't care. Here are five good reasons to hydrate your skin after surfing:

1. It restores the skin's natural oils

The harsh conditions of the ocean, when combined with a long surf session, strip the skin from its natural oils. This is particularly worrisome if you have sensitive or dry skin. A good moisturizer, appropriate for your skin type, will replenish and soothe the epidermis, restoring the hydration lost during the surf session.

2. It calms the skin

The same elements who strip the skin from its natural moisture may also irritate and damage it. Gently cleaning and hydrating your body after surfing, with an appropriate cream for your skin type and needs, will calm it and help it recover its natural balance, preventing further damage.

If you have sensitive skin, look for products that specifically target this issue, with ingredients like aloe vera, for example, avoiding harsh formulas that contain parabens or perfumes.

3. It protects the skin

A properly hydrated skin is also a more resistant and protected surface. Once you start caring for your skin after every surf session, it becomes more resilient and prepared to endure the challenging conditions of your next day at the beach.

4. It prevents early aging

Sun damage is one of the main causes of skin aging, but even if you use a sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun rays, it may not be enough. A good skincare routine keeps your skin healthier and stronger, preventing early aging and other signs of distress.

5. It's easier than you think

Nowadays, there are no excuses for not moisturizing your skin. From eco-friendly, vegan or even DIY moisturizers, to lush, high-end formulas with divine scents or super practical spray packagings, there are options suited for every need and taste. Experiment to see what suits you best, and stick to it. Your skin will thank you.Read more at:beautiful formal dresses | formal dresses adelaide

  

On 16 June, the 25-year-old Corrèze-born designer Marine Serre won the LVMH Prize – one of the most prestigious awards for young designers in fashion – pocketing €300,000 and marking her place as fashion’s newest darling. She’d been sipping water behind the stage when she heard Rihanna announce her name at the awards ceremony in Paris. “That was a weird moment because I was really not expecting anything,” says Serre, speaking in the 18ème arrondissement apartment-slash-studio she and her team of two moved into a month after winning the Prize. “It was kind of magical.”

Serre stands just over five feet tall, with short, cropped hair that frames a sly smile. Her petite frame is hunched over a laptop next to her sister Justine when I arrive, and her demeanour is all business. Hanging on the far wall are the two collections responsible for her win, “15-21” and “Radical Call for Love,” designed during her student days at La Cambre-Mode in Brussels.

It was a jury of industry legends had decided her fate, among them Karl Lagerfeld (whose own career launched after winning a design prize in 1954) and Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière. Serre, who joined Balenciaga as a design assistant in March, hadn’t expected to win. In fact, she didn’t think she was established enough to apply to the first place, despite the interest in her graduate collection from such influential stockists at The Broken Arm boutique in Paris and H. Lorenzo in Los Angeles. It was a scout from the French luxury group who asked the designer in January to participate in the competition against 1,200 other hopefuls. “[Our decision] was quite unanimous,” Ghesquiere told Vogue shortly after her name was read. “It was the way she represents dressing today: the sports clothes, the body consciousness, and a kind of romanticism and femininity. It really speaks of [this] generation.”

Serre thinks her win bodes well for emerging talent in an industry that is increasingly shaped by the corporate parent companies like LVMH and Kering that financially back the major fashion houses. “That this big and huge company is actually giving a chance to someone like me, who is independent of them…I think it gives a lot of hope to people,” says Serre. “It’s hard for a lot of designers today because things move so quickly. I don’t want to do it only to make money.”

Serre’s designs contain multitudes. The two collections she’s produced to date deftly combine a range of techniques, silhouettes and fabrics, from lycra and velcro to screen-printed moiré. Much of her genius lies in the details. The tag inside one especially remarkable coat, with an open collar that brings to mind the work of Cristóbal Balenciaga, reads: “Orange Recovery Blanket, Satin Ribbon, Brussels, 2015.” The lapels of another jacket are fastened by small, tear-drop shaped French porcelain doorknobs. Her pairing of colour is masterful, too: The bell sleeves of a tailored camel coat lined in a burnished orange, a kelly green sports top contrasted with a skirt of sky blue. Like that other great alchemist of colour, Raf Simons, Serre doesn’t draw. That is because she “never sees things flat,” she says. “It’s important for me that you should dress directly and see how it fits on someone real.”

While her collars and colour palettes are plenty worthy of admiration, it’s Serre’s adroit fusion of styles, periods and references – a mish-mash of karakous, kaftans and other 19th-century silhouettes, combined with the materials and cuts of ‘90s sportswear – that makes her work unlike anything else on the runways. It’s encapsulated in the crescent moon that appears throughout “Radical Call for Love” – equal parts modern sports logo and Islamic art reference. The moon is also the symbol of the woman, and Serre revels in the plethora of meaning. “It’s something for me that is a beautiful form, and then in another way it’s referring to a sportswear brand. So it’s also just playing with what is fashion today and playing also with branding,” says Serre. “I think it’s really beautiful, I’m not making a joke. I have irony, but I also think irony can be serious.” She plans to use the symbol again in her next collection, which she’s hoping to debut in January 2018.

The initial inspiration for “Radical Call for Love” came from the terrorist attacks in Brussels and Paris between 2015-2016 and Serre’s desire to braid the tensions of the East and West into something beautiful – a peace offering of sorts. Serre lived in Marseille and Brussels before moving to Paris in September 2016. All of the clothing and shoes in the lineup – 35 designs in total, three that have been added since its initial debut at La Cambre – are made either in a little atelier in Brussels or in France. One thousand pieces from the collection will be stocked for Autumn/Winter 2017 by Dover Street Market and Opening Ceremony. Isabelle Huppert and Ariana Grande have both been photographed in pieces.

Buyers have been watching Serre with keen interest for months. Guillaume Steinmetz, Anaïs Lafarge, and Romain Joste, the three founders of The Broken Arm in Paris, say it’s difficult to explain what exactly drew them to the young designer, “because the collection of Marine has generated for us an irrational emotion,” they wrote in an e-mail to Vogue. “Ninety-nine percent of the time another designer who tried to mix this kind of fabric with this kind of colours will do something that is too much, but not with her, she is an equilibrist. You can’t really explain or define why you like it. That’s exactly what we are looking for, when it’s a little bit uncomfortable, not easy to catch.”

The next few months will be big ones for the designer, who will leave her role at Balenciaga after its next show and put a team together to start on her next collection. (“Come on, I cannot have two jobs at the same time, it’s impossible!” she says with a laugh.) But first, a brief pause. After a year of mounting accolades, press requests and industry acclaim, Serre will take a much-needed holiday in the Pyrenees – with only the open sky and crescent moon for distraction.Read more at:formal dresses online australia | bridesmaid gowns

  

There’s a reason why the “fashion” in the title of this article is in capital letters. It refers to Fashion – the concept, not fashion – the clothes. There’s a huge difference between the two, and the next few paragraphs will hopefully explain so.

May God bless the inventor(s) of Instagram. The pictorial-focused app has helped build relationships, inspire businesses, heighten vanity, and provide ideas. For fashion folk like myself, it is a hub for sartorial inspiration. Ever so often, I’ll pick up my phone and tap on the explore icon when I open the Instagram app, hoping that some form of clothing “newness” catches my eye, despite the fact that it is often said there’s nothing new in fashion (which is impossible because season after season, I stumble upon new things).

For instance there are the London wunderkinds, Christopher Kane and J.W.Anderson, whose clothes are filled with somewhat unsettling propositions that are later distilled for “regular people” to digest or Paris’ Chitose Abe (of Sacai) whose design vocabulary is based on hybridization (a lace trench with a hidden built-in drawstring that miraculously transforms it into a trompe l’oeil blouse and skirt, for example). Here in Nigeria, Ituen Basi‘s deconstructed Ankara dresses or Maxivive‘s plastics coats are still proving a bit difficult to digest amongst spectators. The resilient spirit in me hungers and hopes to find that new invention, and I’m often never disappointed. After all, when Yves Saint Laurent introduced the ‘Le Smoking’, it was scandalous for a woman to be seen in a tux-style pantsuit.

There’s a reason why collections are shown six months before they hit stores. Like the Saint Laurent example above, “regular people” saw his invention as rebellious and defiant. They hesitated at first till they saw equally defiant style-conscious women (such as Bianca Jagger, who wore his white wide-legged Le Smoking for her wedding to Mick Jagger) try on his creation. From there, the invention spread mainstream.

Sometimes, it takes years for a design idea to be accepted by the masses, but fashion people are often seen already wearing these “crazy” design ideas. Maybe that’s why the fashion community is often seen as snobbish because they seem to understand that what the designers propose mean more than meets the ordinary eye. Again, back to the Saint Laurent example; tuxedos that are seemingly supposed to be for men only, but are now worn by women, can fall under today’s term of “gender-fluid” dressing.

It is only acceptable because it is an invention that has lasted decades. Yet, still, the idea of skirts for men (save for Scottish kilts) still raise eyebrows every time they walk the runway. And this isn’t even about sexuality. It is more about the fact that men SHOULD NOT wear skirts, and why is that so? Would it ever be accepted? Is it made just for the fashion community? Maybe Thom Browne‘s latest collection would be ubiquitous decades from now, who knows?

There are also those who do fashion (clothes). The ideas for this category are often culled from the conceptual ‘Fashion’. Pleated skirts? They could have been simplified from the complexities of Madame Grès‘ career-defining plissés. Fluid curve-hugging slip dresses? The technicalities of Madeline Vionnet‘s bias-cut technique birthed that. How about shifts? It is a filtered form of the genius of Cristobal Balenciaga‘s chemise. So technically speaking, without the design iconoclasts, we really wouldn’t have “regular clothes”.

This just goes to show the power of fashion, and how something that is often scoffed at for its superficiality can become a reflection of the times we live in and a debatable subject. Trousers for women? Skirts for men? It is funny how in this particular period of our existence, sex and sexuality are more important than ever, and fashion is the experimental tool that is used to tackle those subjects head-on.

All the above really just proves one thing: Fashion is ultimately for everyone.Read more at:QueenieAu | bridesmaid dresses

  

When it comes to the most fashionable hairstyles of the moment, shorter is definitely better with the bob - and variations thereof - trending with celebs.

The past few weeks have seen everyone from Bella Hadid to Kate Middleton go for the chop, subtly transforming their looks in the process.

Here are three ways to adopt the trend:

1) The extreme bob

Bella Hadid first showed off her shorter tresses back in May at the Met Gala, where she walked the red carpet rocking a graduated bob that almost grazed her collarbones. But the supermodel stepped it up a level earlier this week by slashing off several more inches, resulting in a choppy jawline length that looks great with a little summer-induced frizz, proving she truly is a cut above the rest.

Is the super-short bob set to become the next it-girl hairstyle?

2) The polished lob

Meanwhile, the 'lob' (or 'long bob'), is more popular than ever.

Sarah Jessica Parker is one of the latest stars to jump on the bandwagon, unveiling her new shoulder-skimming waves earlier this month. But while the lob is commonly worn with a choppy, flyaway texture, there has been a swing lately towards a more polished finish.

Kendall Jenner, Selena Gomez and Sofia Richie are leading the way with their sleek blowouts, often tucking the ends of the hair under for a sleeker and more rounded silhouette.

3) The new mob

If a bob is too drastic a change, then consider what is fast becoming known as the 'mob', or the 'mom bob.'

Perfectly illustrated by Kate Middleton, who recently delighted the critics by swapping her long tresses for a much fresher look, the style is a firm nod to fashion's current obsession with short hair.

The shoulder-length style looks great worn loose and wavy, like Reese Witherspoon, and can easily be tied back on hot days.

In the Duchess of Cambridge's case, a quick run-through with the curling tongs is all that is required for a bouncy style that is right on trend.Read more at:best formal dresses | bridesmaid gowns

  

There was no lack of rodeo royalty at the Miss Rodeo Utah fashion show Saturday.

In fact, more than a dozen visiting rodeo queens attended the event at the Eccles Conference Center — more than nine Miss Rodeo Utah contestants.

The young queens, who came from as far away as Evanston, Wyoming, said they were excited to support and learn from the event and wouldn’t think twice about paying $45 for the experience.

The newly crowned Silver State International high school rodeo queen in Fallen, Nevada, is 16-year-old Alyssa Adair of Hooper. She said she wouldn’t think of missing the fashion show.

“I have always loved the Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo,” she said. “I have always come to the festivities and have always loved it.”

Gracie Grant, 7, was the youngest queen in attendance. The Ogden resident is the Woodruff Homecoming junior princess.

“I want to be Miss Rodeo Utah because she works hard to become Miss Rodeo Utah,” she said.

Miss Rodeo Utah Director Nichole Cypers said the fashion show is an opportunity for young hopefuls to see the rodeo queens in action.

“They see what they can look forward to if they decide to compete for Miss Rodeo Utah,” she said.

With hundreds packing into the Eccles Conference Center, Cypers said the fashion show was the most well-attended event for the pageant.

“It’s a great way to showcase Western fashion,” she said. “It also helps us raise money for Miss Rodeo Utah.”

Mckayere Price of Roy is the Weber County Junior Posse second princess. A fifth-grader next year, she said she was excited to attend the Miss Rodeo Utah fashion show because she wants to be Miss Rodeo Utah someday.

“She’s a really nice girl, and I just really love to talk to her,” Mckayere said about Miss Rodeo Utah.

Hooper resident and the Weber County Junior Posse Queen Texie Larsen, 16, said she looks up to Miss Rodeo Utah because she’s always looking out for everyone else and she’s always so happy.

Twins Bailee Mackey Mackey and Falynn Mackey made the trip from Evanston, Wyoming, to attend the fashion show.

The two are queen and first attendant, respectively, for the Evanston Cowboy Days rodeo. They said the trip was worth the drive because they enjoy meeting all the contestants and other visiting royalty.

“I enjoy making new memories,” Bailee Mackey said.

For 13-year-old Ada Poulter of Tremonton, attending the fashion show was worth the hour drive it took to get there.

Now the Idaho Falls War Bonnet Roundup princess, Ada said her life changed when she met then Miss Rodeo Utah Chenae Shiner in 2012 before she was named Miss Rodeo America 2013.

“When I first started rodeo queening, Miss Rodeo Utah came to the Box Elder County Fair rodeo,” Ada said. “She was so helpful. Miss Rodeo Utah has always been there to help.”Read more at:formal dresses online | bridesmaid dresses australia

  

Kayla Johnson didn’t have a script in mind when she approached the crowded booth of men at the Plaza Tavern, a Wisconsin bar, in April 2013.

“Hey, guys, sorry to interrupt,”she ad-libbed. “We were just sitting here and my roommate lost her wallet. Any chance you’ve seen it?”

The men scanned the space thoughtfully, checking every crack and crevice to see where it may have fallen. No luck.

The truth was there wasn’t any wallet. The line was a ploy, made up on the spot by Kayla to spark conversation with the cute guys and, hopefully, score a round of free drinks for her and her girlfriends. “It worked like a charm,” she says.

What Kayla didn’t realize was that James Castañeda, her “college crush” for four years at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, was in the group.

Although she had talked to James only once, fleetingly, at a concert her freshman year, she had always admired him from a distance and texted friends when she spotted him on campus.

Seizing the moment, Kayla decided to reintroduce herself and take a seat. Suddenly, she got butterflies and her heart began to race. She tried to push past it.

“I did not play it cool,” she admits. “At all.”

Fortunately, she didn’t have to. James was smitten with her bubbly, outgoing personality. “She was very present in the conversation and asked all the right questions,” he recalls. “I didn’t want to stop talking to her.”

The conversation flowed easily, and they exchanged numbers at the end of the night. Heeding the advice of friends, James tried to wait a full day before asking her out, but he couldn’t.

“He’s incredibly enthusiastic,” says Kayla. “In his early texting, he would write me things with, like, seven exclamation points.”

Days later, he invited her to a concert. But, perhaps distracted by excitement, he failed to mention that his sister would also be there.

“I didn’t give Kayla any warning,” James says. “Or think to tell my sister, ‘Hey, I’m going to be on a date, so actually it would be cool if you didn’t come.’ ”

Despite the oversight, the date was a success, and they shared their first kiss. Soon they were spending much of their free time together, having picnics at the park and going to concerts around town.

“We saw each other constantly,” Kayla says. “I couldn’t get enough of his energy and wanted to see him again and again.”

“I was actively trying to talk myself down from being totally in love with her right away,” James adds.

Three weeks in, at the height of their puppy-love stage, they went on a weekend camping trip at Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville, Wis. The trip was far from perfect.

“We had such tunnel vision of each other that we didn’t think to pack a proper sleeping bag, cooking utensils or even a flashlight. We had one blanket between us [and] it was freezing cold and pouring rain,” says Kayla. “It was terrible, but we had so much fun.”

Things continued to progress steadily and easily, and by early July they were official. A few weeks later, Kayla, now 25, moved to Washington to work for Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) as a legislative correspondent. After several months of long distance, James, now 27, followed and began working as a music teacher at Goding Elementary School in Northeast Washington.

Life, however, threw them a curveball in May 2015 when Kayla’s father was diagnosed with cancer.

“It went from knowing James and I could have fun together to me needing [him] in a way that I’ve never needed anyone before. I take pride in the fact that I can take care of myself, so for me to turn to him and say ‘I can’t do this’ was challenging,” says Kayla. “There’s beauty in having a partner who’ll say, ‘Here, I got this. It’s okay to not be okay.’ ”

With James’s full support, Kayla moved back to Minneapolis for a month to be closer to family. “It cemented the fact that [he] was not only my boyfriend, he was my partner,” she says.

When Kayla returned to D.C., they moved into an apartment on Capitol Hill. There, they began building a life together. James attributes Kayla’s career ambition and drive for inspiring him to pursue his dream of starting a schoolwide orchestra program, while Kayla credits James for keeping her sane, day in and day out, by showing her the importance of valuing relaxation, embracing her goofy side and living in the moment.

“When I go to grab my morning cup of coffee, he makes me dance with him and give him a kiss before I can take it,” says Kayla. “He brings joy to every part of my life.”

Over Memorial Day weekend in 2016, James invited Kayla on a sunset walk along the beach at Chincoteague Island, Va. With the help of friends, he surprised her with a romantic display in the sand — a heart made out of shells and candles — and proposed. Since Kayla loves dogs, he gave her a plastic pug ring as a placeholder, which was later replaced with a green jade and white sapphire ring.

Their friends, hidden behind some sand dunes, cheered excitedly and presented them with champagne, sparklers and a plastic “Frozen”-themed tiara for the bride-to-be.

Weeks before the wedding, they moved to Minneapolis to be closer to family, and Kayla accepted a position as the Minnesota Democratic Party’s communications director.

On July 1, the couple exchanged vows at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Minneapolis. The bride, and the father of the bride, fought back tears as she made her way toward her groom.

“Seeing the faces of all my loved ones — friends, family from every era of my life — was incredible,” Kayla says, “like watching a movie of my life, all the characters from every scene.”

Right after the newlyweds shared their first kiss, a friend pulled a trumpet from the choir loft and began playing Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ hit “Home.” Twelve guests followed suit, playing a variety of instruments, and led the crowd in a parade down Main Street to the reception venue.

“We danced the entire way,” says Kayla. “It was sensational.”Read more at:amazing formal dresses | red carpet dresses

  

What we would give to be on the Amalfi coast—Right. Now. Historic cobblestone streets, colorful cliffside hotels, scents of heavenly olive oil and lemons wafting in the air. Naturally, we’re drawn to the sights and foods, but we can’t help but feel especially drawn to the sartorial style of Italy’s iconic women.

Italy may be an ocean way, but what’s to stop us from putting on some Dean Martin, queuing up The Lizzie McGuire Movie, and reimagining our wardrobe according to la dolce vita? Here’s how to get the Italy look right here at home, according to the Italians themselves.

BE INFLUENCED BY THE SEA

Now, this is exactly where we’re picturing ourselves. An Italian summer by the sea is the stuff of dreams, and the quintessential Italian woman has a style that is often inspired by the casual, carefree seaside. Italian expat and journalist living in California Arianna Reggio says, “Italians believe that people should not take themselves too seriously. In Italy, nobody wants to look too formal.” With breezy white linens and plenty of Mediterranean nautical inspiration, we think we’re ready for our sailboat ride through crystal blue waters.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HAIR

Like her French counterpart, the Italian woman doesn’t usually have an elaborate beauty routine. Rather, she highlights her natural beauty. Many Italian women have curly or wavy hair—something they embrace but care for diligently. Mariacarla Boscono, whom Vogue described as “fashion’s unofficial symbol of a certain Italian elegance,” told the magazine, “It doesn’t matter what you wear or where you go, but your hair always has to be brushed.” That doesn’t have to mean straightened with heat or an extreme blowout; it just means that they care for their locks and enjoy a natural yet put-together look.

BOLDLY WEAR UNIQUE PRINTS

You won’t find an Italian woman toning it down for anyone. She loves incorporating bright colors and unique prints into her everyday looks. Whether it’s abstract, cultural, or floral, she dons every print with self-assurance. One Italian woman who fully embodied this style doctrine was the late editor in chief of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani. A glance at any collection of her outfits will reveal bold pattern play, bright colors, dramatic lines, and fabulous florals; contrary to her American counterpart, Sozzani usually wore a big smile—a sign of true confidence and a trademark of Italianas.

HAVE FUN WITH THE CLASSICS

The modern Italian woman is on the forefront of the fashion scene. She does, however, have an appreciation for the classics and has a wardrobe full of sleek pencil skirts, swirling A-line dresses, sharp blazers, and designer stilettos. She makes her look unique by choosing classics that match in print or have a quirky flair like an unexpected ruffle detail. Italian fashion designer Sofia Sizzi described the Italian muse she likes to design for to Vogue, saying, “She has tradition; you’ll find a little color, lace, a certain silhouette, a pattern handed down from her grandmother. Yet there’s also a youthfulness to her . . . a rebellious streak.” With that in mind, have fun with your fashion but keep it classico.

ALWAYS EMBRACE FEMININITY

Speaking of which, the Italian woman never forgets to flatter her shape. She doesn’t get too caught up in trendy, androgynous styles and celebrates her womanhood by wearing lovely dresses that highlight her curves and demand respect. All the most famous Italian style icons are known for this: Sophia Loren, Monica Bellucci, Miuccia Prada—and the countless women from younger generations who have followed their lead—embrace experimentation that’s heavily rooted in femininity.

BE DRAMATIC

It’s no secret that the Italians are passionate people. For the Italian woman, this translates into her style with a flair for the dramatic. Her fashion-forward outfits are never short on ruffles, oversize silhouettes, statement earrings, or extravagant details that make her stand out. Founder of the famed Milano vintage boutique La Double J and Elle Magazine’s so-called resident “expert on all things Italian,” J. J. Martin told the magazine, “Italian women are bold and give themselves permission to rewrite style rules the way they see fit.” He says Italian women love bold sunglasses, lace dresses, and red lipstick, among other things, to add a touch of drama to their everyday looks.Read more at:formal dresses online | bridesmaid dress

  

In the grand scheme of things, a Los Cabos destination wedding may not seem may not seem groundbreaking. But why mess with a good thing? The area does get 350 days of pure sunshine per year, practically guaranteeing your big day won't be rained out. And thanks to resort openings and updates in the classic and idyllic Mexican vacation spot, it can actually be much more unique than you may think. While it's somewhere you may want to go in advance for “research,” properties' in-house planners make it a flawless process to plan even from afar. And they'll provide vendor lists that offer a range of prices, making it feasible to do a Los Cabos destination wedding on many different budgets.

Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, opened earlier this year, is the former historic Hotel Cabo San Lucas, where old-Hollywood stars like John Wayne and Bing Crosby hung out. Now it's an Auberge resort, with Los Cabos's largest year-round swimmable beach, a dreamy spa, a three-tiered zero-edge pool, and a chic contemporary design that has indoor spaces bleeding into the tropical outdoors. With its 22-acre grounds, the property has nine options for venues, ranging from intimate to massive—think a 7,800-square-foot lawn or a 1,000-square-foot air-conditioned space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the sparkling Sea of Cortez.

Grand, sweeping views are also on hand at the new all-inclusive Grand Velas Los Cabos, where a plush ballroom is the place to have your elegant affair, but there's also a golden-sand beach where you can have a casual barefoot wedding during one of the iconic, spectacular sunsets. If you plan on having hundreds witness your I do's, there is nowhere more picturesque than the Terraza del Mar terrace, with panoramic views of the sea and space for up to 600. The resort's wedding planners are experts at creating one-of-a-kind spectacles for each couple, with gourmet eats—Mexican or otherwise—and plenty of tequila, mezcal, and even locally sourced Mexican wines. They're also versed in ceremonies of varying cultures and customs, like South Asian.

The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, is fairly new to the local scene as well and offers its couples unreal views of Land's End and the Arch rock formation, plus the opportunity to eat unbelievably delicious food by famed Mexican chef Enrique Olvera, whose restaurant the Manta at the Cape is a must for an intimate rehearsal dinner or romantic evening before everyone arrives. The hotel also has Cabo's only rooftop lounge, so consider your after-party taken care of. Options include a boho wedding featuring Mexican traditions or a more modern look that plays off the striking architecture.

The design is also a big draw at Mar Adentro, a new luxury hotel that has a sunset-view open terrace for making it official and also the gorgeous Nido restaurant—where local craftsmen constructed a nestlike structure out of recycled twigs—for the reception. Those seeking the perfect place for super-private nuptials should look no further than the lush, verdant One & Only Palmilla, where the whitewashed chapel with its bell tower can hold up to 40 and you may arrive via horse-drawn carriage. Another dreamy bet in the destination known for its sailing, snorkeling, whale watching, and hiking (your guests will have no problem saying "yes" to your invite) is Las Ventanas al Paraíso, the Rosewood resort that redefines luxury and offers edge-of-the-ocean locations for a paradisiacal wedding that could include flowers perfectly matched to the sunset sky. It doesn't get more magical than that.Read more at:formal wear melbourne | plus size formal dresses

  

RSS’ family counselling programme, that will run till 2019 general elections, will instruct people on what to eat, how to conduct themselves, how to celebrate birthdays, and also what to wear. Their pan-India campaign is promoting sari as the “proper attire” for women. While the sari is a favourite of most Indian women from all walks of life, many are aghast at the concept of being told what to wear. They find this an infringement on their element of choice, and also curbing of their self-expression through attire.

Shalini Thackeray, General Secretary of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, feels the sari doesn’t need any added boost since it already is the ‘national attire’ of Indian women. “That is why we have so many variations of sari in our diverse culture. This does not mean you take away women’s right to exercise their choice. RSS should concentrate on more important issues impacting women and pertaining to health and hygiene. Making sanitary napkins an essential commodity so that it is affordable to women is one such major issue,” she says.

Designer Nida Mahmood, who loves experimenting with sari designs and drapes, finds this disturbing and a matter of controlling people and their choices. She says, “Nobody can force someone to wear a sari or jeans or whatever. We live in a democratic country. We have the right to choose what we eat or wear. This is ridiculous. Such unnecessary forced rules and ideas give reasons to the fanatical segments of the society to spread hate. Why are issues like security of women, or hunger and poverty not important to them?”

On the other hand, Sapna Khandelwal, founder of India Saree Challenge, does not agree that this is a control tactic. “If you request someone to wear a sari since it is a quintessential Indian attire, it would be very different from controlling someone. I work with an organisation that promotes wearing saris. It is such a beautiful, ancient and timeless garment. It has been talked about in the Vedas too. You obviously can’t shove it down someone’s throat but you can be a role model, so people start emulating you,” she says.Read more at:best formal dresses | bridesmaid gowns