Weddings and funerals

At my daughter’s wedding a few

years ago, the bride and groom

gave out little trees as “wedding

favors.” My comment (completely ignored by my wife) was, “Wedding favors? Isn’t it enough that we’re feeding 200-plus people a gourmet meal at a swanky country club, providing them with a 10-piece band to dance to, a five-tiered wedding cake for dessert and supplying them with enough booze to keep Congress tomato-faced for a month? Do we really need to give them each a ‘favor’ also? And, what the hell is a ‘wedding favor?’”

 Here is what Modern Bride had to say about ‘wedding favors’ in a recent issue: “Gone are the days of giving guests mixed nuts in little paper cups as wedding favors. Today’s brides have so many more options. Start by choosing a unique favor container, such as tiny tins, clear plastic cones or little gossamer bags – and filling them with your favorite treats. The choices are truly endless.”

 The fact that the choices are endless is just one of the many reasons that today’s typical ‘modern bride’ is lying awake at night, staring at the ceiling thinking, “Where do I get tiny tins? Personalized ribbon? How do I personalize ribbon? Gossamer bags? Should I use gossamer tins with personalized gossamer ribbon or tiny clear plastic gossamer cones with personalized gossamer tins? And what in the hell is a gossamer?”

 And so, as the sun peeks over the eastern horizon, the sleepless bride-to-be grimly rises to face another day of endless decision-making for her special day because the planning logistics of today’s “modern wedding” make the preparations for a military invasion of a foreign country look like a cakewalk in comparison.

 These thousands of decisions include such critical details as (in no particular order): choosing a date, a guest list, a reception site, a photographer, a caterer, where to register for gifts, designing ‘unique’ invitations, finding out what a gossamer is, writing vows, centerpieces for the tables, choosing the perfect wedding dress, seating arrangements, flowers, a wedding cake, a band, a church, a minister, finding out how to personalize a gossamer, planning the rehearsal dinner...and literally thousands of other elements that must be absolutely flawless in order to make her special day the PERFECT wedding.

 Meanwhile, the bride-to-be will select a half-dozen unfortunate victims to become members of the most abused group of women in America — bridesmaids. These pitiful wretches will be subjected to the timeless tradition of spending hundreds of dollars, and an entire evening, flouncing about in a fluorescent, puffy sleeved, disaster-dress, complete with the requisite rear-mounted bow approximately the size of a stealth bomber.

 I agree with my good friend Dave Barry who wonders why it takes a year to plan the PERFECT wedding but only a couple days to put together the PERFECT funeral. The elements are basically the same: a church, a minister, music, flowers, guests, food, relatives you don’t like, awkward speeches by nervous speakers — they are basically the same event.

 Married. Buried.

 Coincidence? I think not.Read more at:green prom dresses | pink prom dresses

Tough task of picking Miss Limerick

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IT’S that time of year again when we prepare to choose the next young woman to represent our proud city and county for the coming year!

The annual Miss Limerick/World Beauty Pageant 2017 in association with the Clayton Hotel Limerick will take place on Thursday, June 22 in the Clayton Hotel Steamboat Quay. Doors will open at 7pm.

Limerick has had a great success rate in this competition - on a number of occasions we have gone home with the Miss Ireland title and also at times the runner-up crown.

This year, the hugely successful fashion brand Swamp is sponsoring a high summer fashion showcase featuring the contestants of Miss Limerick. As well Abella Viva Tan are sponsoring the goody bags for all the contestants and a year’s supply of their luxurious tan to the winner!

Also Catherine Hickey and her team will be working their magic on the contestants’ make-up, and the Hugh Campbell Hair Group will be on hand to style the hair for each contestant. We are extremely proud of our current Miss Limerick Aoife McNamara. As well as being a wonderful role model for young women Aoife is a local charity activist giving generously of her time to Claire’s Wish Foundation and attending numerous charity events throughout Munster. Last year’s first runner-up Ciara Buckley was also a wonderful representative for Limerick.

I am always so impressed with the generosity that Limerick businesses show to the newly crowned Miss Limerick every year, from the tiaras by Glitzy Bits to the crystal by Shaws, a beautiful gown by Marion Murphy Cooney, and many more wonderful prizes. We are delighted to announce that this year the chairperson of the judging panel is the multi-talented Leanne Moore who will be assisted by Limerick Chronicle columnist Patrick McLoughney, make-up artist Catherine Hickey, the current Miss Limerick Aoife McNamara and runner-up Ciara Buckley. Read more at:long evening dresses

Smart fashion tips to keep you looking stylish and fabulous

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Muumuus and mom jeans or spangled capris and Aloha shirts — is this really all the fashion world has to offer women over the age of 60? Do mature women who desire to dress fashionably for summer really have to choose between “frumpy and fogey” or “too young and trendy?”

Not at all, says Catherine Brock, who blogs about style on thebudgetfashionista.com.

“Reaching a certain age doesn’t mean you have to give up your love of fashion, or that you can’t be stylish,” Brock says. “In our youth-obsessed society, many fashion trends are geared for young women, but truly stylish clothing can work for women of any age.”

Joyce Williams (name changed to protect her privacy), a resident of Brookdale Belle Meade Senior Living Community in Nashville, Tennessee, agrees. Williams didn’t leave her lifelong love of fashion behind upon moving into the senior community. Instead, she remains an avid reader of fashion magazines, and designs and makes her own jewelry to accessorize her wardrobe. She happily shares fashion advice with other residents who seek to remain stylish after 60.

Here are some of Brock’s and Williams' favorite tips and insights for senior women:

* Senior women can have trouble finding fashion images that feature women who could be their peers, Brock says. Because most clothing is marketed with images of younger models, many older women may worry about their clothes being “age-appropriate.” Don’t be limited by that kind of thinking, she advises. The age of the model wearing the fashion is far less important than whether the style will work for you.

* Look for garments that have a defined shape. You don’t have to wear form-fitting clothing, but do avoid overalls or baggy, pull-on pants and maxi dresses with no waistline, Brock advises.

* Find your colors, Williams suggests. Everyone has certain colors that complement their skin tone, hair and eyes, and others that are less flattering. Determine which ones are yours and emphasize those colors in your wardrobe. Brock also counsels against putting too many colors in a single outfit, and says avoid wild color patterns. Instead, pick one piece in an outfit to make a color statement and use muted, complementary colors in the rest of the outfit to create a backdrop for your statement color.

* Just as important as knowing your best colors, you should also know the visual line that looks best for your body type, Williams says. For example, if you’re pear-shaped, a line that draws attention to your shoulders can be flattering, Brock adds. Apple-shaped women may find an A-line skirt flattering since it creates an angle from the shoulder to the waist.

* Stay true to your own personal style, regardless of your age. “If you had a well-established personal style when you were younger, it doesn’t need to change just because you’re older,” Brock says. “If anything, as you age, you can pay more attention to your personal style and be less of a slave to the season’s trends.” Adapt your younger style to your more mature place in life by focusing on creating outfits that make only one statement at a time, she advises. For example, wear that big, chunky turquoise necklace that you’ve always loved and pair it with an outfit that’s simple and straightforward like a pair of tailored jeans and a white blouse.

* Some styles work particularly well for senior women, Brock says. Blazers and cardigans pair well with V-neck tops, sheath dresses, shift dresses and button-down shirts. “In warmer months, V-neck tops with elbow-length sleeves are the new T-shirt for seniors,” she says. “Just add a necklace for a little sparkle.” Plus, every senior woman should have wardrobe staples such as a black blazer, white button-down shirt, dark-wash jeans, straight-leg trousers, neutral-colored cardigans, a collection of dolman-sleeve tops and T-shirts with varying sleeve lengths and necklines.

* Never underestimate the power of great accessories, Williams says. The right jewelry can turn an ordinary outfit into something stunning, and you can change the entire look of an outfit simply by switching around your accessories.

“It’s never too late to discover your personal style,” Brock says. “Start by creating a Pinterest board and saving looks you love (get a fashion-minded younger friend to help if you’re not tech-savvy). Then reacquaint yourself with your body type and go shopping with a friend. Try on different cuts of pants, skirts and dresses until you both agree on which are the most flattering. Find the cuts that look good on you and then start experimenting with colors and textures.”Read more at:prom dresses 2017

Essential Oils That Are Best To Soothe Dry Skin

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It is really important to make sure that your skin does not lose out on moisture. This can even slow down the ageing process. Oily skinned beauties, the next time you complain about your oily skin, remember this, as oily skin tends to age slower.But even people with naturally oily skin can face some dryness during winters, especially around areas like the corners of the mouth. So when winters arrive, it is best to use heavy amounts of moisture on your faces. And essential oils provide your skin with a good amount of moisture and help keep the skin soft and supple. So, go ahead and try out essential oils for face this winter.Here are some essential oils that are best to soothe dry skin.

Essential oils that are best to soothe dry skin are:

1.Frankincense Oil: Along with providing hydration to the skin, this oil can help reduce pigmentation and fine lines. It also helps tone the skin.

2.Ylang Ylang Oil: This is a great oil for skin that is oily or prone to acne. It promotes renewal of cells in the skin as well. It is one of the best essential oils for dry skin.

3.Geranium Oil: This is an oil that is best when it is added to moisturisers. This is another oil that is good to moisturise skin that is oily in nature.

4.Lavender Oil: Apart from smelling absolutely heavenly, this oil is great for skin that is really irritated. It heals rashes and also soothes really dry skin fast.

5.Rosehip Oil: If your skin is ageing, this is one of the best oils to include in your skincare regimen. Massage this on as a night-time serum for best results.

6.Neroli Oil: This oil is really good to revitalize mature skin that seems to have lost a lot of its moisture and radiance. It is packed with vitamins and minerals that serve to provide moisture to really dry skin.

7.Juniper Oil: If your skin is cracking and getting infected because of how dry it is, this is the essential oil you need to treat the dryness.

8.Chamomile Oil: Now, this is a miracle oil indeed. It is suitable for people who are facing problems like eczema and flaking skin. It even works well on an acne-prone skin.

These are the essential oils that are best to soothe skin.Read more at:black prom dresses

Olivia Culpo’s clothes call

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Former Miss USA and utter stunner Olivia Culpo has been using her Instagram clout to become a beauty influencer, but with the recent launch of her first clothing collection, she’s become a designer in her own right.

“I actually tried to build this collection around my wardrobe must-haves/staples,” Culpo told the Track of her new fashion line, which she’s offering through the online retailer Le Tote.

“You always need a good crisp white button-down, a great maxi dress, a leather skirt and pants and form-fitting bodysuits,” she continued. “Additionally — black, pointed toe pumps, black leather belt with hardware and camel belt and a black, white and camel bag.”

When designing her debut collection, Culpo said she was trying to make the clothes radiate female empowerment and confidence.

“I love the idea of women supporting women,” she said. “The majority of my followers are women and I always try to encourage them to have fun with fashion and beauty. These pieces reflect both femininity through the prints and colors, but also durability and strength through the fabric and silhouettes — kind of like us!”

Her collection aside, Culpo shared other style advice about this season’s must-rock — and must-not — pieces.

“Turbans are in for sure. So are colored and translucent lenses in sunglasses, dramatic sleeves and wrap dresses and wrap skirts,” Culpo said.

“Lace and embroidery are always a great summer go-to,” she continued. “As for what is out — I would say let’s get rid of glitter once and for all! But I will probably go back on this someday and wear a ton of glitter, so don’t hold me to it!”

If you scroll through Culpo’s Instagram pics, you can tell the lady practices what she preaches. She sure hasn’t shied away from billowy, bold sleeves. And not a speck of glitter is to be found — at least for now.

As for what’s up next for Culpo, she’s hoping someday to show off her creations.

“I would love to have a fashion show,” she said. “It would be unreal to see my designs walk down the runway at fashion week.”Read more at:green prom dresses

Designers and stylists tell us what’s in trend for Ramadan this year in India

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While a variety of kaftans, long gowns, tunics, head scarves, and flowy sequined and embroidered maxi dresses are being launched internationally for women during this season, Indians, too, have many options to choose from, say experts.

Talking about what to wear for social gatherings, designers Shantanu and Nikhil say, “Draped anarkalis in matka silks with sharp colour details will look great on women. Men can go for bundies layered with asymmetrical kurtas.”

Stylist Ayesha A.K. suggests to go for light-coloured clothes and fabrics. “Don’t wear tight-fitting clothes. A flowy kurta or a light-coloured blouse and lehenga will look great. There’s a floral lawn collection that’s trending globally, so you can opt for clothes from there,” says Ayesha, adding that embroidered capes can make any outfit stand out. She suggests hijabs in jersey or even silk.

Talking about the accessories, she says, “Go for three pieces at a time. For instance, wear a ring and don’t go for a bracelet. If your blouse is simple, go for a statement necklace. Women can also opt for juttis. Also, if you’re wearing a hijab, your earrings or necklaces may not show. So you can wear big tikkas.”

Designer Vijay Rana, who has designed clothes for Ramadan, says, “Go for drapes, as they look highly sophisticated. I would also suggest women to go for ruffles or coordinated anarkali sets, or see-through long dresses over culotte pants.”

For men, Ayesha says wearing a white or cream kurta is too predictable and they can opt for colours such as jade green and black. “Linen fabrics and handloom kurtas are also in. Don’t go flashy with colours,” she says.

On what would be the most apt clothing for this Ramadan, designer Gaurang Shah says, “One could opt for a traditional anghrakha, or a short anarkali with gharara. One can also choose a kanjeevaram short anarkali with a kota woven dupatta and a gharara.”Read more at:prom dresses uk

How Luxury Came to Love Streetwear Sites

Streetwear sites like Highsnobiety and Hypebeast used to focus on the latest Supreme drops. Now, they work with luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior and Gucci.

Last November, Gucci partnered with Highsnobiety on a shoppable lookbook promoting its graffiti inspired Cruise 2017 collection, created in collaboration with former snowboarder and artist Trevor Andrew, aka GucciGhost. Within the first days of the campaign, the lookbook images, featuring a group of New York skaters, generated over 1 million impressions and drove 2,700 clicks to Gucci's e-commerce site within its first week, according to Highsnobiety.

Highsnobiety currently attracts about 6.5 million unique visitors per month. Hypebeast has about 9 million. But both began as simple streetwear blogs. “It was at a time that there wasn't a lot of choice for someone interested in a creative discipline in fashion outside of fashion design. There was no fit for me in terms of courses offered in Europe,” explains Swiss business student-turned-blogger David Fischer, who in 2005 founded Highsnobiety during his last semester at university. “From the first day, it's always been a website about product, sneaker culture and streetwear. Those were the things I loved.”

That same year, Kevin Ma, a Hong Kong-born student and sneaker enthusiast living in Vancouver, Canada, launched the footwear blog Hypebeast as a side project. “I was collecting sneakers, lining up for them, visiting sneaker forums like Nike Talk to find information about it, but at the time information was very dispersed, so I decided to start documenting my findings,” recalls Ma.

For years, luxury brands kept their distance, even as the sites began to expand their beats and grow their audiences. “People pigeonholed us as a streetwear blog and told us to stay in our lane, but for us our lane was always wide,” says Ma. "We always wanted streetwear and high fashion to be together, we didn't want to differentiate it

Fischer agrees: “It was a strange relationship between perception versus reality. We were still being perceived as a niche [website] but 500 million impressions a month is not a niche.”

But as Hypebeast and Highsnobiety began to scale, the gap between high fashion and streetwear also began to close, culminating in the birth of street-luxe labels like Vetements. The shift began in earnest back in 2006 with the rise of Shayne Oliver’s Hood By Air and could be seen in Riccardo Tisci's streetwear-inspired work for Givenchy. By 2012, everybody from Nicolas Ghesquière at Balenciaga to Alexander Wang had referenced streetwear in some form or another. The same year, Ma featured Dior Homme artistic director Kris Van Assche on the cover of Hypebeast’s inaugural print issue, which explored the synthesis of high and low culture.

Some readers were confused. But luxury labels soon started paying attention, as they slowly recognised not only the rise of streetwear, but the growing influence that streetwear sites like Highsnobiety and Hypebeast had on millennials, one of the largest generations in history about to enter their peak purchasing years. Indeed, Bain expects millennials to boost the value of the personal luxury goods market to €290 billion ($324 billion) over the next three years, with the generation accounting for 45 percent of sales by 2025.

“I think we reached a critical point at the end of the first decade of this century, where brands really started to realise the reach of these publications and the trust their fan bases have,” says Brian Trunzo, senior head of menswear at trend forecasting agency WGSN.

At the same time, the media landscape changed dramatically, compelling brands to shift their marketing spend away from traditional advertising towards sponsored content, something that Hypebeast and Highsnobiety were poised to exploit.

“The ecosystems have changed, particularly where the much-discussed millennials are engaging with fashion, style and culture. For a luxury brand, it's very important to understand how that dynamic is changing as our engagement with the millennial segment is growing quite dramatically,” says Robert Triefus, chief marketing officer at Gucci, who, in the past three seasons, has worked extensively with both Hypebeast and Highsnobiety. “I think that the relationship with the likes of Hypebeast and Highsnobiety is all part of the motion of the changing ecosystem and changing way of engaging by creating content and narratives.”

Jennifer Sey, chief marketing officer of Levi's, which also works with both publications, adds: “What comes from us directly is advertising and the consumer is sceptical of traditional advertising. When it comes from these sites it’s an automatic endorsement.”

“[Luxury and streetwear] are moving closer to one another and I guess we've managed to build a certain authority and stability as a media brand to bridge the gap between those developing movements and mainstream media,” says Fischer. “That combination of being able to package something in a way that we're speaking to this important opinion-leading audience but at the same time doing so at a global scale — that matters.”

In February, both Highsnobiety and Hypebeast launched in-house creative agencies — Highsnobiety+ and Hypemaker, respectively — to capitalise on growing demand for brand partnerships. “Clients understand the second they want to reach a global influential audience, they need to be speaking to a partner like us,” says Fischer.

“There's no questions that this type of content is proving to be engaging and ultimately is delivering a result,” adds Triefus. “It doesn't mean to say that the old partners and systems aren't relevant, it just means that you adapt your ecosystem and deploy your content in a more comprehensive way.”Read more at:evening gowns | red prom dress

These 11 Skincare Tips Will Prep You For Perfect Skin This Summer

The Mummy has inspired us to step up our quest for eternal youth—and if that doesn't quite pan out, we'll take the best skincare we can get. There’s nothing like a change in weather to make us rethink our beauty routine—and in the warmer months especially, we’re all for having a glowing complexion and a smoother canvas for makeup (hello, festival season! We need our makeup to last!) We checked in with the most in-demand skincare and beauty experts to learn their tried-and-true tips for saving face and staying #flawless.

Feed Your Skin

“Think of a grape and a raisin,” says Nigma Talib, ND, skincare whisperer to A-listers like Kate Bosworth, Penélope Cruz, Sienna Miller, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. “A grape is nice and full, and that’s what we want our skin to be.” To achieve this, the HealthyDoc owner recommends a diet incorporating nutrient-rich staples like cucumber and celery (“They actually hydrate your cells,” she notes), and superfruits like antioxidant-packed blueberries, which are packed with polyphenols that combat aging.

Avocado-lovers (aka everyone) are also in luck: The savory fruit “helps you absorb other vitamins and nutrients your skin needs to increase collagen production,” says Talib, who’s also a fan of using the good fat in at-home face masks.

Change Your Mindset

On the other hand, Talib says that some of the hardest-to-give-up kitchen essentials (think gluten, dairy, sugar, and wine) contribute to raisin-like aging. Instead of succumbing to cravings, think about feeding your body—and skin. “When you feed your cells—because your body’s made up of trillions of cells—the right foods, we end up plumping versus wrinkling prematurely,” notes the Younger Skin Starts in the Gut author.

Know (and Love) Your Supplements

While a balanced diet is key, sometimes you have to call in for reinforcements. “Naturally derived supplements can offer concentrated nutrients to keep skin looking its best every day,” says Zea Skin Solutions co-founder and holistic beauty and nutrition expert Paula Simpson. Her go-to? Zeaxanthin, which is naturally found in paprika. Not only does it help even skin tone, but it’s also believed to boost eye health—a win-win when it comes to (literally) looking good!

Hi, Tea!

Herbal hydration has its beauty benefits, Simpson says. “Teas like nettle, ginger, dandelion, cranberry, and burdock root are known to support digestion, liver, [and] kidney function to remove toxins before they reach skin tissue, and stimulate circulation to promote dermal blood flow.”

Protect Yourself

“Serums contain actives to renew, hydrate, and protect skin from daily pollutants and stressors,” says Simpson, who suggests applying a natural-based, antioxidant-infused serum to slightly damp skin (“to encourage absorption,” she notes) morning and night.

Pro tip: How you apply serums can make all the difference. “I always massage upward and use the Hungarian tapping technique to increase stimulation,” says supermodel facialist Ildi Pekar, who treats beauties like Miranda Kerr and Irina Shayk. Bonus: You’ll get a rosy cheek resembling natural blush.

Out with the Old, In with the New

Depending on your skin type, Simpson recommends exfoliating one to three times per week. “Whenever you need to slough away dead skin cells and encourage new, younger looking cells to emerge, you need to exfoliate,” she advises.

And when it comes to resurfacing, Pekar looks for organic botanical enzyme-based home peels. “Even skin texture that is sensitive or rough can benefit from this,” she says of the natural blend. “It is gentle and helps to dissolve sweat, buildup, pollution, and toxins on the skin.”

Sweat it Out

Need another reason to hit the gym? Sweat “helps cleanse toxins from your body and promote dermal circulation,” says Simpson. Translation: There’s a reason why your skin looks fresh and radiant post-workout.

Don’t Overdo It

“Over-washing can be very drying to the skin,” observes Pekar. To avoid this, swap your cleanser for toner in the AM.

Face Forward

Pekar recommends doing a clay or mud mask once a week. Her go-to? Her eponymous Hungarian Thermal Mud mask “to help detoxify and create glowing skin.”

Lock it In

“For longer lasting makeup, I always hydrate my skin with moisturizer,” says Pekar. She swears by her own moisturizer complete with raw honey and hyaluronic acid, which she says “act as humectants to keep moisture within the skin.”

Order is Everything

As for makeup? “It’s all about layering,” says Mai Quynh, who works with ingenues like Kristen Stewart, Amber Heard, and Vanessa Hudgens. Quynh recommends starting with liquids or creams and setting with powder, whether for eyes, base, or blush (“Apply cream blush first, set with powder, and then apply powder blush on top,” she says of the last.)

Kirin Bhatty begins each look with primer. “This creates a nice barrier between the skin and makeup,” says the makeup artist, who works with celebs like Lorde, Jenny Slate, Freida Pinto, and Rosario Dawson. To complete the look, she uses a setting spray like her go-to, Urban Decay All Nighter.Read more at:purple prom dresses | yellow prom dresses

Talbot’s 5th solo is best yet

Back when I hosted “Ceol na nGael” on WFUV, one of my favorite singers to spin on a Sunday was Heidi Talbot. A distinct, signature voice, Talbot added vibrancy and character to any playlist I compiled. Now, in 2017, after a career with Cherish the Ladies and several solo albums, Talbot is making something of a second coming in traditional Irish music. Her most recent release, entitled “Here We Go 1, 2, 3,” has got to be her best yet.

I once thought that Talbot peaked when she sang with Cherish the Ladies. She remains my favorite vocalist the legendary all-female trad band has brought into their circle. During the early 2000s, Talbot sang a number of gorgeous ballads for Cherish, including “Hard Times” and “Sweet Thames Flow Softly” off the album “Woman of the House” (2005). These songs captured Talbot in her element: they cover the range of her voice from whispery notes to powerful choruses. Her career singing traditional ballads for CTL perfected what I see as the Talbot tag: a style that might be called hippy-trad, historical in sound but modern and freeing in her unique inflection. Heidi Talbot’s career with CTL ranked her among the best of Ireland’s female vocalists. From those songs alone, she was grouped—in my mind—with the all stars of traditional Irish singing, including Karan Casey, Cathie Ryan, and Cara Dillon. It was a sad day when Talbot and Cherish amicably parted ways, but she went on to do some great solo work.

Heidi Talbot has released five solo studio albums to date: “Distant Future” (2004), “In Love + Light” (2008), “The Last Star” (2010), “Angels Without Wings” (2013), and last but most certainly not least “Here We Go 1, 2, 3” released last October. Across the oeuvre, Talbot has demonstrated a wide range of influences. She has recorded songs that have been pop, rock, even American country in nature. But of these five, “Here We Go, 1, 2, 3” has quickly and easily become my favorite. In this fifth album, Talbot finally returns to the style she perfected with Cherish the Ladies, what I’m calling this hippie-trad. She sounds like the Joan Baez of traditional Irish music, and it’s just what I’ve been missing of her since her days with CTL and “Woman of the House” in 2005.

Although “Here We Go 1, 2, 3” sounds more Irish than Talbot’s previous four solo albums, don’t expect the same old traditional tunes you grew up with. This is traditional style, but with new songs and lyrics. For instance, Talbot has a new song called “Chelsea Piers” on the album—her New York homage. “The Wedding Day” puts a subtle soulful spin on a traditional folk song. It’s an Irish melody with a touch more rhythm, a touch more jazzy sway. “Time to Rest” is another stand out—the kind of folk song you’d hear at a pub and get so wrapped up that you completely lose track of your surroundings. But the real treasure of this album is the title track. The melody is easy, happy, and truly gorgeous, especially when Talbot hits those high notes and the fiddle follows. If you’re a fan of traditional Irish music, of Cherish the Ladies, or of folk music generally, I guarantee “Here We Go 1, 2, 3” will be a new favorite. We Irish music fans love to hear the same songs we’ve sung all our lives, but there’s nothing like the thrill of a new song, especially when it’s a traditional one—and that’s just what Talbot has provided on this track and on the album as a whole.

I was wrong when I thought Talbot reached her peak in 2005. She’s back with a force and clearly knows her unique take on traditional singing is just what Irish music fans are looking for. I’m filled with nostalgia listening to “Here We Go 1, 2, 3” remembering when I first fell in love with traditional music and with Talbot’s voice as a teenager. Her new album has me reliving that cultural thrill all over again, with the added wisdom to know how and why the music is exceptional. This is an album you shouldn’t miss—so give it a listen, not just once, but two, three times, at least.Read more at:orange prom dresses | grey prom dresses

Swarovski to Sponsor Graduate Fashion Week

The Austrian crystal company, which is also a sponsor of the BFC's Fashion Awards and the CFDA Awards, will sponsor two awards at Graduate Fashion Week on 7th June, including the new Hilary Alexander Trailblazer Award and the International Catwalk Competition.

Alongside the awards, Swarovski will host an interactive hub where students can experiment with crystals, as well as talks with key industry figures.

Swarovski already works with several schools around the world, awarding scholarships and creating application room workshops in leading universities, making the partnership a natural fit, says Martyn Roberts, creative and managing director of Graduate Fashion Week.

“We’ve been admiring the work they’ve been doing to support emerging designers, by working with a number of universities,” he says. “With Graduate Fashion Week being the largest platform for fashion graduates in the world, our profile has been growing internationally over the last five years. It seemed perfect for the partnership.”

“We are pleased to support Graduate Fashion Week with prizes that celebrate some of the most exciting young designers emerging today,” said Nadia Swarovski. “It is a pleasure to be part of their journey.”

This year, Graduate Fashion Weeks International Catwalk Competition is expanding to include 32 fashion schools. Adrien Yakimov Roberts, international trustee for Graduate Fashion Week, believes Swarovski’s sponsorship indicates a shift toward more collaborative attitudes between fashion schools and brands worldwide.

“We’re moving away from the very old-fashioned idea of people seeing other schools as competition, now we see everybody as a collaborative partner,” says Yakimov Roberts. “I think the world has changed and we’re changing with it.”Read more at:evening gowns | cheap prom dresses uk