Kristian Lomath

Archive for October, 2011

In general, girls love fashion more than boys. Some of them want to become fashion designers when they grow up. There are even some that are too young to know what a fashion designer is, but they love dressing up with mom’s clothes and combining them in several ways in order to come up with the prettiest outfit for their tea party with their stuffed animals. There is a tool that’s very easy and cheap to get access to for those girls who want to hone their skills.

Fashion on Internet

Thanks to the world wide reach of the Internet, now girls can get access to tons of styles, clothing and accessories from all over the world, even from cultures that are very different from theirs.

What is needed?

There are only two things you need, a computer and Internet access. If your reading this article, chances are you have them already. If you have a child in your house, I’m almost sure you have them already.

Dressing Up a Virtual Doll

There are literally thousands of dress up games at the reach of a few clicks. With only the imagination as a limit, programmers and designers have created dress up games that feature almost every celebrity and character that there is, and even groups of girls. From the Powerpuff girls to the Bratz dolls, and from the RBD pop girls to the cast of High School Musical, girls can play fashion designer with their favorite character, singer, actress or celebrity. There are, of course, generic nameless dolls dress up games, which are more suited for fashion only gaming.

Gameplay

Dress up games are very similar to old fashioned paper dolls, except with a far wider range of clothing. Girls select from a range of different pieces of clothing and accessories for a virtual doll to wear. Girls have fun by making the doll look pretty, stylish, elegant, cute, funny or whatever other idea they might come up with.

One of the most interest aspects of playing dress up games created from places all over the world is that girls are exposed to styles from different cultures. They will be dressing their dolls with Japanese kimonos, Indian Saris, Mexican sombreros, French bonnets, etc. You can even mix several elements from all over the world in order to make the perfect international look.

Building Up a Portfolio

It’s a good idea to save your or your girl’s creations on your computer for later reference. There are several advantages, for example, re-creating a look or style in real life, or printing it in order to decorate a room. You can also use one that you really liked or enjoyed as a screen background on your computer. Over time, a portfolio will let you show others your work, or give you a base to develop styles of your own. Of course, you can also post a printed version of your girl’s work on the fridge, or another special place, to show her how proud you are of her creativity.

Little girls just are different to boys. They like more social rather then competative games and don’t enjoy getting wet and dirty quite as much as a boy if at all. If you are having a single gender party for your daughter here are some great games and entertainment ideas.

Treasure Hunt

Divide the girls into two or three groups. Give them a list of articles to find. These articles can be outside – long leaf, round leaf, feather, stone, etc. Or inside – crayon, video, pillow, spoon, doll, etc. Depending on their ages have between 20 and 30 items on the list. This will keep them very busy. Another version is to tell each group to find items for each letter of the alphabet – apple, ball, comic book, etc. They can become very inventive.

Sharing Secrets

Girls are natural information sharers.
Let them sit in a circle. Each girl has a number of beans or cocktail sticks. The party girl starts by saying “I have never …” and names something she has never done. If any of the other girls have done this activity they give a bean or stick to her. The next girl to her right then repeats the phrase. Give them examples like – never seen Shrek, never danced with a boy, etc.

They also love playing broken telephone. The party girl whispers something to the girl next sitting next to her. She then whispers it to the next girl. The last girl says the message out loud. The party girl then says what the original message was. It is generally very jumbled.

Let’s go Shopping

This activity is a fun way for the girls to fill their goodie bags. Divide the guests into two groups. One group are the store keepers and the other the shoppers. Give each shopper 10 coins or beans and a shopping bag. They then “buy” the party sweets or snacks they want, and place them in their shopping bag. The girls manning the stores are instructed that each girl can buy 1 item from each store. You can also have a “store” with party favors. When they have all spent their money the groups swap rolls and the other group can now go shopping. To ensure all girls get goodies have two sets of shopping items.

Hot Potato

Let the girls pass a ball around or throw it to each other while music is being played. When the music stops the girl left with the ball is out. You will see how fast the ball moves.

Bakers Galore

Get all the little girls in the kitchen for a baking and decorating spree. Choose something which bakes quickly like biscuits and cupcakes. You need frosting in different colors and a variety of decorating toppings. As party favors give each child an apron and chef’s hat.

Fashion Parade

Little girls love dressing up, so let them do so at the party. Collect all sorts of clothing items – bags, belts, skirts, tops, shorts, shoes, etc. You could also get fantasy clothing. Place them in a room. Let the girls get undressed and dress up in the clothing. When they have chosen their outfits let them hold a fashion parade. Award each girl with a prize. Find something special about each girl’s fashion statement, to award.

Do as I say not as I do

The birthday girl starts by saying “lift your arm” and lifts her arm, “clap” and claps. The other girls copy her until she says one thing but does another, e.g. says “hop” and then claps. All the girls must do what she says not what she does. Girls that don’t are out.

Dancing Girls

Play different kinds of music – soft classics, quick marching music, fast pop. Let the girls dance to the music. To make it more fun place different instruments, ribbons and scarves in around the room. Let the girls interpret the music using these articles. This is a good way to calm them down for the candle blowing and cake cutting.

Here are more party games and entertainment ideas.

Remember the aim is for everyone to have fun – including you.

Now that summer is almost over the fashion world has already transitioned into the fall/winter season. One of the first things that buyers, magazine editors, and other fashion insiders always notice during runway shows is the use of color. More importantly, which colors are in and which ones are out?

How to Choose the Right Hue

One of the main color trends for the autumn/winter 2011 season is the use of actual color. Blacks and grays reigned supreme in previous years but this time, bright hues are being used and it isn’t even spring! Look for combinations of red, green, and yellow paired with neutral tones so the color really pops. For example, Anna Sui used shades of dark green and dark red but paired them with natural colors in order to add balance.

Camel is another color which is getting a lot of love this season because it’s neutral yet it comes in so many different and versatile shades (which is always a style plus). Camel can be hard to wear head to toe so don’t be afraid to add punches of other fall colors such as copper and mahogany, as well. The runways of Chloe illustrated this with long, camel-colored coats and hazel pants. Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Prada also demonstrated this trend beautifully.

The military trend has always been quite popular but this season, military hues (navy, khaki, and green) will be found all over the place. Also be on the lookout for military-style clothing to be paired with sexy accessories which add flair. Burberry Prorsum displayed this trend by combining strong, navy military blazers with sexy over-the-knee boots.