Attending a Valentine’s Day costume party as a couple might just be more fun than going stag. However, for many prospective partiers, thinking of that perfect costume pair is rather hard work because now you have to decide for two! Sexy costumes are always appropriate for Valentine’s Day but they might be better suited for the bedroom, so why don’t you instead go for what tickles the funny bone?

Here are some suggestions for the funniest amorous costume pairs. Get into character and make your outfit effective with the following:

Animated Mates

1. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse – Disney’s romantic rodents are a classic choice.

2. Donald Duck and Daisy Duck – Feathered friends…and maybe a little more, these two are another ideal Disney duo.

3. Shrek and Princess Fiona – The unlikely royal pair. Also a viable option is Shrek and Donkey, depending on your orientation of course.

4. Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Starfish – You just need a yellow box dressed up with a shirt and tie plus short pants and black shoes for Spongebob. For Patrick? A pink suit.

5. Popeye and Olive Oyl – Sailor suit with pipe for Popeye but don’t forget the anchor tattoo on his arm. Turtle neck sweater and skirt for Olive plus hair parted in the middle worn in pigtails.

Animal Magnetism

6. King Kong and Ann Darrow – The blonde bombshell has just what it takes to tame the giant ape.

7. Beauty and the Beast – Their love affair began as an 18th century fairytale and hasn’t wavered for nearly 300 years.

Insects Appeal

8. Rose & Bee – Practice safe pollination!

Kitchen Combinations

9. Spoon & Fork – See what happens when you mix utensils in the silverware drawer?

10. Ketchup & Mustard – Condiments that complement one another perfectly

11. Salt & Pepper – Spice up any Valentine’s Day party with these titillating toppings

12. Bacon & Egg – Breakfast in bed anyone?

Hardware from the Heart

13. Nut & Bolt – Screwing around may be inevitable in this ensemble!

14. Lock & Key – Unlock your partner’s secret fantasies

15. Plug & Socket – Recharge the libido in your love life

As you can see, there are plenty of funny costume pairs to choose from. This Valentine’s Day try one on for size and watch Cupid’s arrow hit its mark.

Few images of Japanese culture are as evocative as an elegant lady in a beautiful silk kimono. Although rarely worn nowadays, the kimono holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese and Westerners alike; a symbol of refinement, sophistication and taste. Yet ‘kimono’ translates simply as ‘clothing’, and was the everyday attire of all Japanese people for centuries.

In modern Japan you will still see the occasional old lady who has never worn anything except kimono, but most people only don their national costume on special occasions. Weddings, New Year celebrations and highbrow performances are all places where you can see women (and men in their hakama version) wrapped in fine silks; their clothing revealing much about their social status, lifestyles and tastes.

There are many types of kimono and many ways of wearing each type. Each nuance has meaning which can be ‘read’ by others. Young, unmarried women wear bright, gaudy furisode with sleeves reaching to their ankles. This shows they are old enough to marry, but are still eligible and looking for a suitable bachelor. During the wedding, a heavy uchikake is worn on top. After the ceremony, the kimono is changed for a shorter-sleeved, married woman’s version to signify that she is no longer available.

Married women wear black tomesode or paler houmongi to formal occasions such as weddings. In this case, black is a joyful colour as it shows off the bride’s bright colours to greater effect. Here, the tomesode has colourful embroidery and auspicious motifs around the base.

In summer, light cotton yukata are easy for everybody to wear and can be seen during Japanese festivals and informal outdoor events.

It is very difficult to put on a kimono as there are many different folds, tucks and ties involved. Furisode can include up to 35 different pieces so the dresser must be very skilled (and the wearer must be very patient!). Several layers of underwear, ties and pads turn the body into a cylinder shape – it is not desirable to have a voluptuous figure and any curves will be flattened down or padded out. The kimono collar is ALWAYS worn left-over-right for both men and women. This is perhaps the most important point, because the only time you wear it right-over-left is as a corpse, at your own funeral!

The main kimono is tied with an obi, a strip of stiff, hand-woven silk approximately 13 feet long. The obi is wound around the body several times and then tied at the back. Why at the back? Well, traditionally, courtesans tied theirs at the front for ‘easy access’, so tying at the back denotes a woman’s virtue. The way the obi is tied also says a lot about the woman. Young women wear theirs very elaborately in the shape of a butterfly, turtle, bow or bird. Older women prefer a simpler shape with perhaps a picture on the obi itself. Those courtesans just tied it in a big knot as it wouldn’t be staying there for long!

The kimono is made from a single long piece of silk which is patterned before it is sewn together. Some are painted with lucky images using stencil dyes or freehand painting. Others are painstakingly embroidered with single-ply threads. Some have a mixture of painting and embroidery and can cost a small fortune. The obi can be almost as expensive as the kimono as it is hand-woven and takes many weeks to produce.

So, what about footwear?

Japanese people take off their shoes before they enter a house, temple or other special building, so traditional Japanese shoes are easy to slip on and off, looking a bit like Western flip-flops. Often, the shoes are exquisitely decorated on the inside, so that when they are removed people can see the lovely patterns. Japanese socks even have split toes so they can be worn with zori shoes. Tabi socks are made from starched white cotton and have elaborate hook and eye fastenings. They slide so beautifully across tatami flooring that this noise is an integral part of the Tea Ceremony.

I hope you are beginning to see how each component of the kimono is essential to the overall effect. It must be worn absolutely correctly otherwise the wrong impression will be given, but can be adapted to reflect the personality and feelings of the wearer.
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For many children, the t-shirt emblazoned with a current favourite TV icon normally ranks amongst their most prized possessions, and for t-shirt manufacturers, producing such garments can be an extremely lucrative market. In fact, think of any cartoon character – from the Mr. Men to Walt Disney’s Donald Duck – and you’ll likely find a t-shirt to match.

Although the origins of the t-shirt can be traced back to the First World War, it wasn’t until the 1950s that the garment moved away from its plain exterior, as companies in the United States began experimenting with adding letter and character decorations to the material. The 1960s saw the introduction of the ‘Ringer’-style t-shirt, a t-shirt where the jersey is one colour, while the ribbing around the collar and sleeves is a different, contrasting colour quickly became popular with youths and rock-n-roll fans. The style enjoyed another brief renaissance in the early 2000s.

The same period also saw the emergence of tie-dyeing and screen-printing which led to a massive boom in customised t-shirts, especially throughout the heavy metal era of the 1970s, once bands of that era realised the commercial opportunities available to them. Bands and musical groups began to mass produce t-shirts to promote themselves, many of which would feature album covers and logos on the front, while on the back fans would find tour details and concert dates. These proved to be hugely popular with concert-goers and this trend has continued on with unwavering popularity into today’s subcultures.

During the early 1980s, some musical bands chose instead to emblazon promotional t-shirts with slogans instead of graphics. For instance, the Frankie Goes To Hollywood ‘Frankie Says…’ and Wham!’s ‘Choose Life’ t-shirts became synonymous with 80’s pop culture and could be seen in every town and street in Britain. From the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, t-shirts with prominent designer-name logos were also extremely popular and allowed consumers to exhibit their taste in designer brands in a less expensive manner, while retaining their sense of fashion. Among the many major brands to produce t-shirts for a massed public included Calvin Klein, FUBU and Ralph Lauren.

There have been many fashion trends involving t-shirts. Although they were originally worn as undershirts, often in place of vests, t-shirts are now more frequently worn as the only upper body garment. T-shirts have also become a standard for expressiveness and advertising, with an unimaginable combination of words, graphics and photographs being utilised to decorate garments for wear. Other t-shirt fashions include wearing over-size t-shirts, as seen in modern hip-hop fashion, tight-fitting ‘girly-fit’ t-shirts which are short enough to reveal the midriff, and wearing a short sleeved t-shirt over a long sleeved t-shirt of a different colour.

For adults, perhaps one of the most notable fashion trends in recent years involves wearing t-shirts which feature cartoon and TV characters which hearken back to the wearer’s childhood. With the much-touted 80s revival and the current resurgence of yesteryear’s TV being remade into Hollywood blockbusters or enjoying a TV renaissance, men’s t-shirts have seen increased demand for t-shirts proclaiming the wearer to be a fan of the latest incarnations of Transformers, Spiderman, Dukes Of Hazzard, The A-Team and Knight Rider, among many other 80s favourites.

However, t-shirts featuring cartoon characters from the 80s and even earlier have proven to be equally popular with young adults, both men and women alike, eager to revisit their younger days with ranges including Thundercats, Mr Men, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, He-Man and M.A.S.K also readily available and waiting to be seen on the High Street!

Is your closet full of old and out-dated clothing? Or is the clothing in your closet new and up-to-the latest fashion styles? No matter whether you have a closet full of pieces that you still wear (and many that you just do not want to part with); having some of the important classic pieces is not only a dream, it is a must.

The wardrobe of any fashion conscious woman includes classic pieces that are fashionable, and also includes clothing that is coordinated and matches your personality. Many of these classic clothing choices may include your basic colors, shoes appropriate for each occasion, and accessories for special evening or daytime events. All choices are important and act to complement each other.

Your choices also depends on your tastes. However, when buying any classic piece, it must be well made in a quality fabric. Classic pieces that are well made wear better, feel better, and will always look better on you. Some quality fabrics used for classic styles are lightweight wool gabardine, silk, cotton, linen, cashmere, and some in textured yarns. Go an extra step and make sure all pieces fit well. If not, have your outfit altered by professional tailors, especially if you have a change in your weight or size. It is worth the extra money.

Ten of the most important classic pieces that must go into the closet of your dreams include:

One. That all-important little black dress (and gray is becoming the new black this season). A black dress is flexible and can go from day to evening with the addition of a jeweled belt, or a luxurious satin, or velvet jacket or long tunic. And for even more different and elegant looks, add a scarf, several necklaces, or different leather, fabric, or chain belts.

Two. A single strand of pearls to wear with your little black dress. Pearls also give an elegant look to a turtle neck sweater and classy jeans.

Three. An all-weather coat, better known as the trench coat is especially good and can be worn with a casual or dressy outfit. A neutral colored trench, when worn over a bright dress or skirt and top, stands out on those gloomy days.

Four. A black or navy blue solid color blazer makes a great fashion statement. And can be mixed and matched with contrasting tops in solids or prints.

Five. At least three pairs of pumps in good condition and in good quality leather are always suitable. Leather shoes can be worn with either day or evening wear. So, save your fabric shoes in suede, satin, and kid for your evening wear.

Six. A three-piece suit includes your jacket, skirt and pants in a solid color, and may be in one of the classic fabrics or fibers. Make sure it coordinates with your basic colors. It can be in a lightweight wool or flannel, and tailored in simple lines. Select one without trimming, and with full-length sleeves. The skirt can be straight or slim, and pants in a straight-leg cut gives a more elegant, tailored look.

A long sleeve white cotton shirt with or without French cuffs is always a must. Keep it clean and crisp for that professional look and feel. It can be worn with your two or three piece suit, or alone with a slim and flared skirts, or pants.

Eight. Slacks in a Khaki fabric are versatile and can stand up to a harsh winter. They can be worn for casual day wear. Worn with a two-button jacket gives it a more professional look.

Nine. A Cashmere sweater or twin sweater set gives you many different looks. Choose one that is plain and simple, and dress it up with pearls or a scarf, or choose a seductive and bold set for that touch of sophistication . It is your choice.

Ten. Jeans. Keep them current and classy. Dry-clean or press them yourself after washing. Jeans worn with dramatic T-shirts or tops are great for mixing and matching outfits.

To top off any outfit, whether the occasion is casual, or for an elegant evening, a smile adds to your confidence and self-esteem. A positive self image must be a part of the wardrobe of every woman who wishes to dress well. Nothing looks better on a woman than her confidence and pride.

Now make classic styles and elegant dressing an important part of your dream closet.

Whether you are looking for clothes that speak of class and comfort, or when you are thinking of buying a gift for a woman who reminds you of those things, it is important for you to consider cashmere sweaters. Cashmere sweaters are renowned for their amazingly soft texture and their delicate construction. Interestingly enough, they are also very warm and have a long history that goes back at least five hundred years. What are you looking for when you are considering women’s cashmere sweaters and what do you think you will find?

If you have every held or worn cashmere, you will know instantly why it is such a coveted material. It has an extraordinarily fine texture, and it is also very light and soft. The nature of the fiber also leads it to have a very good insulating properties, which means that you can wear a single layer and still be much warmer than you might think. The lightness of cloth that is possible with cashmere is exceptional, and you’ll find that for the most part, cashmere is used to make jackets or sweaters, because the fabric itself cannot stand up to hard wear.

When you are thinking of purchasing womens cashmere sweaters, consider what kind of cut you are interested in. As long as you know what styles you like and which ones look good on you, you’ll discover that purchasing online can be just as satisfying as purchasing in person. Consider what kind of neckline you like, whether you prefer something more tight fitting like a turtle neck, or something more loose like a boat neck or a cowl neck sweater, there are lots of options for you to choose from. Cashmere is a lovely fabric to wear and it skims the body with form and grace.

You’ll also have a wide array of colors to choose from when you are thinking about purchasing cashmere sweaters. Because wool is a natural fabric, it tends to take dye very well, and the fading that occurs is fairly minimal. If you get a cashmere sweater that is well made, you can enjoy it for years. While people do love the deep blues, reds, greens and yellows that you can find in cashmere, remember that natural fibers are also quite lovely. Natural cashmere comes in gray, brown and white and can also be a terrific choice.

Take some time and consider what your options are when it comes to great cashmere sweaters. There are a lot of great options open to you, so have some fun and choose the garments that you love.
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Looking for a great new bag to carry around town? Do you like it when everyone turns their head as you walk by? Then you’ll love carrying Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas bags. You’ll feel like a million bucks and be the center of fashion as you walk down the street. When you carry a LV bag, there’s just something that changes inside of you. From the second you pick it up, your entire outlook and attitude change.

You’ll get more compliments than you’ve ever gotten before when you carry your LV bag wherever you go. No matter if it’s the grocery store or a night out on the town, you will be turning heads. When you carry one of these bags, it seems like you walk taller, feel prouder, strut a little bit more. No wonder all of the hottest babes in Hollywood are carrying these bags, they make you feel like you’re the most important woman in the world.

It’s almost like the folks at Louis Vuitton knew they were giving birth to an icon, a fashion legend that would never die. The Louis Vuitton name has always symbolized good taste. When you buy yourself a piece of Louis Vuitton merchandise, you are giving yourself a gift that will last you for years to come. Put it away in a safe place and wait, it will come back in style. There are very few things in the world that have continued to have value and return to their place of promise in the fashion world.

Louis Vuitton bags, shoes and accessories have kept their value and desirability, making them an investment in the future of your coolness. The wonderful thing about Louis Vuitton is that if you’re a Mom, your daughter will drool over your bag. You spend tons of money each year on your kids; you rarely do anything for yourself. Don’t you think that it’s time to have something nice?

You’ll be just as cool as the girls walking through the halls of your local high schools, only difference is that most of them aren’t carrying authentic Louis Vuitton bags.

When you want something a little different but full of style, classic lines and genuine good taste in style, carry Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas handbags. Go ahead; let the girls turn their heads in the grocery store. You’ve done your time and paid your dues. You deserve a little something for yourself.

Take pride in knowing that you are among a small society, a bonded sisterhood of women who know how incredible it feels to carry a genuine LV bag on their arm or shoulder. There is nothing in the world quite like the pride you feel, the spring in your step, the confidence that suddenly abounds when you carry your LV bag.

No matter what you wear, you’ll look great with your Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas on your arm. Don’t forget to give your daughter your bag when she’s old enough to appreciate the finer things in life.

It’s hard to find the perfect gift these days for anyone. You don’t want to spend a fortune if you don’t have to, but yet you don’t want to give a “throw-away” gift either. For special occasions you want to choose a gift that will be treasured and remembered for years to come.

For an upcoming wedding you may want to give the gift of Waterford crystal bride and groom flutes. These are certainly keepsake items that will become treasured heirlooms. These crystal bride and groom flutes come in many different Waterford patterns such as Love and Romance, Lismore, Lismore Essence, Wedding Heirloom, Waterford Wishes Happy Celebrations, Waterford Connoisseur Gold, Waterford Ballet Giselle, Turtle Dove, Calling Birds and French Hens patterns. They can also be made more special with personalization.

Another fantastic gift idea is the gift of a crystal table lamp. Schonbek,Waterford, and Bellacor are just a few makers of fabulous crystal table lamps. They come in a wide variety of sizes, styles and colors. Waterford Killarney is a very popular crystal lamp pattern. Waterford also makes an impressive array of crystal chandeliers.

Italian crystal glassware is also another wonderful gift for a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary. Italian Murano glass is handcrafted by artisans on Italy’s Sun Coast, where it has been made for many generations. There are many fine Italian glass makers such as Carlo Moretti, Richard Ginori and Luigi Bormioli. Each of these fine glassmakers has a wide selection of Italian stemware and drinkware. Carlo Moretti has a very popular line of glasses called Moretti Annuals that are popular with collectors. Richard Ginori is known for his Oceano line of stemware and decanters.

No woman can resist the gift of jewelry. Handmade crystal jewelry and crystal gemstone jewelry is always a welcome gift. Most crystal jewelry makers use the fine line of Swarovski Austrian crystals when they make their jewelry. These are the finest crystals made. There is also quite a market for crystal bridal jewelry. Most bridal jewelry is a pairing of pearls and clear crystals. Clean and simple jewelry that never detracts from the bride. A bride can have her wedding day jewelry custom made to her specifications. She can have her jewelry style also echoed on each of her bridesmaids, but perhaps with a bit more color to set them off.

So, when you need a gift idea think of crystal gemstone jewelry, handmade crystal bridal jewelry, crystal flutes and table lamps and Italian crystal glassware.
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