And therein lies the problem. Facebook quickly evolved to be a social networking tool and caught on by the millions – apparently about 300million of us use FB every day. Sounds great, particularly when you see how many wonderful fun applications have been developed to work on this social platform. Again wonderful – BUT by the very nature of what Facebook is all about – connecting with friends and other people to NETWORK you would think there would not be a problem with trying to ADD FRIENDS. But this seems to be by far the biggest issue to me and those people I’ve surveyed, as well as the stacks of disgruntled Facebook fans affected by draconian steps taken by FB hierarchy to limit you requesting to add friends, that you’d wonder why Mark Zuckerberg hasn’t taken the logical step of issuing an edict stating you are limited to asking friends to connect with you via FB to x no. friends per hour or per day.  That way there’d be no ambiguity or changing goalposts as it appears to be – certain people can add 10 people, others 30, others 3 before they receive this wonderful You will Be Exterminated message equivalent!

From what I can understand and I’m a relative newbie to FB but have already fallen foul trying to connect with others, you can receive as many friend requests as you want but you can only ask to be a friend of others a certain number of times in a day or is it an hour before you receive this type of message.

There’s an interesting blog post by sparkah.com on how they created a new account and added friend successfully. It’s also a recent one – but don’t know if it will still work as Facebook is a law unto themselves and the rules seem to change with the wind – or so it appears.

With the people I’ve already spoken to about this problem they are jacked off because they couldn’t ask friends to join them in Mafia Wars because they needed to build their ‘base ‘ up and had invested $280 (real dollars) in the same. Now they are blocked out. Not Happy!

Others have been trying to add their Classmates – going to a reunion and wanting to connect with as many as possible to make the event a real success.

Still others have been endeavouring to use Facebook’s own Friend Suggestions and then get rewarded by the friendly You will be blocked message! Feedback is – why the heck does Facebook suggest friends for me to connect with if you make it so difficult if not impossible to connect with them.

Then there are the Captcha’s – that’s another story altogether. Not only do you have to key the code in to try to request a friend, but sometimes for just about every other activity with FB. Is this Overkill or what? What’s so social about this site again? I’ve forgotten.

And then there’s the 5000 friend limit – sorry – this IS a social networking site isn’t it?

With all the technological know how these days, surely it can’t be that difficult for Facebook gurus to work out a bit of STANDARDIZED limiting code for people requesting a number of friends per hour or day to join them on Facebook – and then PUBLISH THIS in their terms and conditions or on a FB update. I’m positive word would get around and there’d be less disgrunted Facebook users.

My other suggestion for Facebook would be to engage in FREE LIVE CHAT – with the apparent billions Facebook is worth, why not invest a little bit of money towards the FREE LIVE CHAT scenario for users of Facebook. That way people not understanding some of Facebook’s rules – in particular the one mentioned above re requesting friends, can get a straight answer from someone actually looking at their site at that moment.

Just viewing the various blogs and topics relating to unhappy Facebook viewers and members there MUST be a better way. If blind freddy can see it, why can’t Mark? Or is there a hidden agenda?

BTW – don’t forget to add me as your friend!

Jean Paul Gaultier Paris Fashion 2010

Jean Paul Gaultier

                           Jean Paul Gaultier showed, what I consider to be a less than fabulous collection, but still managed to be true to his DNA. 

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier

                               The collection was short on his usual sense of humor and his normal theatrics, yet there were beautiful wearable clothes for the ladies, both young and old, to own, wear and adore. 

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier

Actually there were even a few one might lust for which, this season, seems to be a less likely occurrence than in past seasons.

Elie Saab Paris Haute Couture 2010

Elie Saab

                           Elie Saab, while a relative newcomer to the haute couture, has certainly shown his ability to rival the best of them. 

Elie Saab

Elie Saab

                          Mr. Saab was true to the brand DNA and thusly showed an extravagant collection for red carpet events as well as any formal event and even some wonderful short affairs with all the bells and whistles that have made him famous. 

Elie Saab

Elie Saab Paris - Now this is my favorite

This was one of the strongest collections of the season and I am sure that the faithful as well as the angst ridden newcomers will be lined up for these show stopping confections.  

One can only hope the coming ready to wear collections will not follow the less than stellar showings of the couture.

Thanks one more time to the lovely Jeffrey B Felner for his insightful comments on the Paris Fall Haute Couture Show for 2010.

Miracle Icons Ricky Martin one of a kind Necklace

Well you too can have a ‘one of a kind’ simply stunning necklace. It’s the latest thing that is HOT, HOT, HOT – a Miracle Icons necklace that is unique – and SHI Symbol has 1 to GIVE AWAY for FREE. And, NO, you DO NOT have to purchase anything, just subscribe to the SHI Symbol Emag.

SHI SYmbol's join Emag here FREE button

It’s a beautiful piece and worth over $400US. So what are you waiting for – click HERE and you can subscribe to the SHI Symbol Emag and be in the running for the necklace pictured here. Remember, NO ONE ELSE will have one like yours -EVER.

Miracle Icons Competition Prize for SHI SYmbol International Handmade Unique Necklace

You are about to see a brand new BLOG SITE – Yes all of your favorite content will be there, just in a much more eye appealing style and with another WordPress theme. As we speak a little Blog Site Guru – aka Andrew is busy working away to tweak it into shape. This time next week (I think it will be in 24 hours, but hey nothing ever works the way it should with computers so I’m giving it a week!) you will be looking at the new you beaut SHI Symbol International BLOG.

You don’t need to do anything except spread the word about the blog. You will still find us the same way you did before. It is just the ‘style’ that is a changing!

Haute Couture is the creme de la creme of fashion, but this season we see that even the grandest master of the couture..KARL LAGERFELD…can produce a clunker of a collection and that hiring new designers is not always the answer to the rejeuvenation of a revered brand as in the case of VALENTINO

As a rule, by this time, I am in some rapturous state while taking in the Couture Collections.  Unfortunately, there is no rapture here but more disbelief as to how can these revered brands produce collections that are searching for new clientele rather than catering to their stalwart devotees.  Oh and, by the way, the collections left me slack jawed and wondering why and how did this happen.

Chanel Paris Fashion 2010

 CHANEL/ KARL LAGERFELD produced the spectacle that one has come to expect but the collection did not exactly live up to the amazing stage set. 

Chanel

Mr. Lagerfeld can produce the most wildly exciting, awe inspiring collections for CHANEL but this season he produced a highly difficult, cumbersome and much more matronly collection which I do not believe will resonate with his fans. 

Chanel

The silhouettes, the lengths, the palette, the oddity of it all seemed to contradict what Lagerfeld has been building for years. 

Chanel

Season after season, whether it be Couture or RTW, one was always  amazed by the clothes, the inventiveness, the accessories(bags, shoes, jewelry) and none of that happened except for the fabulous bracelets.  I will admit to one exception………….the pearl dress.  How can one not marvel at that???

Chanel

Chanel

Valentino Paris Fashion 2010

Valentino

Valentino

Valentino

 VALENTINO the brand, has been retooling since the departure of its beloved namesake, has once again provided us with a collection that begs the question…….”WHY?”

I get the impression that the new designers believe that if they use red fabric and toss a few bows around the garments that they have achieved a Valentino look ……….not!!!!!  These clothes are for some unknown client with some unknown occasion to attend and with an untold amount of money to spend on these truly unattractive clothes.  It seems that the house of Valentino is devolving while searching for the new couture client and they have flagrantly discarded the loyal ladies who made the house a staple of the Haute Couture.

It is always difficult for me to not rave about these collections which is why I urge you to review them at Style.com and keep up with me Jeffrey at  http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com/

Santa Catarina

As you know SHI Symbol International has teamed up with The Top Travel Club for fabulous savings and special offers that save you $$$ each and every time you travel. Click HERE to see how you can save today.

Not only that, but there is also a generous program in place to help any charity/cause/project that needs assistance with fundraising. Contact jan@shisymbol.com to see how we can help you.

AND NOW…

Yes, there’s more – very very shortly, we will be able to announce another extra special amazing travel and shopping offer that SHI Symbol will provide to all SHI Symbol purchasers.

So whether you’re Single or in a relationship, planning that holiday to Australia, the US, Europe or any of the points in between and if you love going on a shopping spree - watch this space for how you can take advantage of this super duper deal soon to be launched.

yoga silhouette

If you are a single person wanting to improve your health, get a better figure and meet new people, then yoga could be a great idea for you. Not only will yoga classes introduce you to a new group of people, it is also one of the most popular and effective ways of getting fit. However, you may feel anxious about starting yoga classes if you’ve never been before. There’s no need to worry, this article will fill you in on all you need to know.

Yoga

Yoga is a wonderful way to relieve stress, relax and get into shape. It is notorious for helping with ailments and injuries and is a wonderful and safe way to get fit, feel better and raise your energy levels. You will also learn how to become more flexible both literally and figuratively as you will practice the art of letting go, relaxing your mind and stretching your body. It is a comprehensive exercise that works every one of your muscles and you will soon become addicted to the sense of peace and relaxation that you achieve through the practice.

yoga headstand - get ready to position your body like never before!!!

 For your first class, and onwards be prepared to position your body in ways that may seem strange or slightly uncomfortable at first. You will do a lot of stretching and will be utilizing muscles you never even knew you had, so make sure that you are patient, that you don’t force yourself to do anything that hurts or feels uncomfortable and that you ease yourself into it. If you are someone who is used to going to the gym and pounding on the treadmill for an hour as a means of exercise, then you will have to drastically change your conception of physical exertion as yoga can be incredibly taxing and difficult at moments but it consists of a lot of stationary poses and exercises.

yoga breathing

You will begin by either chanting or breathing in deeply and exhaling and you will learn to breathe in the correct manner so that oxygen fills every part of your organs and you maximize the positive effects of something that so much of us take for granted. You will have to let go of any preconceived notions you have about being self-conscious, sitting quietly in a room full of people or feeling awkward. The practice of yoga begins with learning how to breathe correctly and you will feel that much better for it. 

yoga light meal

Before your first class, try not to eat for an hour before hand

as you will be moving and posing and you don’t want to be doing so on a full stomach. If you must eat before hand try eating something light like a fruit or a yogurt so that you have the strength and agility you need to see the poses through. You should also wear exercise pants that are comfortable but not too loose as you do not want anything to get in the way of your fluid movements and positioning. Yoga is primarily done on a mat so that you aren’t lying directly on the floor. Most likely the studio you are going to has one for you to use but you might want to bring a towel with you just in case. Also, be sure to bring a water bottle with you as you will definitely work up a sweat and it is important to properly hydrate yourself. Most of all, enjoy the experience, the endorphins and the energy that you will have as a result, then continue meeting potential partners with a new-found confidence! 

Yoga at the beach

yoga new found energy confidence

About the author:

 Robert Boyd is the Managing Director of SportsEquip.co.uk, leading suppliers of ‘capital’ sports equipment and wet pour safety surfaces.

While the lady days of Le Grand Hubert are lost forever, the latest incarnation of the label is a polar opposite to its founding father’s genetic make up. In 2010 the Givenchy woman, if I can call her that as she cannot be much older than 30, must possess the rock star gene or at best the movie star gene because if she does not wish to be the center of attention, these clothes are not for her. The small collection is short on the number of styles but miles long on embellishment, materials, and overall silhouette. Mr. Tisci is hardly shy about promoting the extremes of what his ateliers are capable of and the limitless bounds of his imagination. The absolute end result is a collection of boundless expense and extremely limited audience. 

Armani - one of my favorites

Armani

Armani wonderful in white

    

Armani Paris Fashion 2010

                                            Now, the polar opposite of this is GIORGIO ARMANI/PRIVE, which is long on the amount of styles and short on a color palette that forces the viewer to experience a déjà vu within a span of 20 minutes. The repetitive nature of the colors and of his design signatures will no doubt please his ladies but doesn’t make for a press worthy moment. The clothes will always be exquisitely crafted but as in his ready to wear, they can simply be a yawn on the runway which can work to his advantage here as this is all about one customer at a time. The Armani red carpet segment is so discreet that I might compare it to the bride and the bridesmaids……no star material here except for in the most discreet possible way. Bottom line is……..there was no noise here.

Please have a look for yourself at Style.com

Givenchy Paris Fashion 2010

Givenchy

Givenchy

Givenchy

                                Once again, these beautiful images have been supplied by our Fashion writer – Jeffrey B Felner . You can always view more hot fashion tips at http://jeffybruce.blogspot.com

It is that twice a year ritual that can only be described as “the wet dream of the fashion world.” It is HAUTE COUTURE time in Paris where one can bring to life the dreams that only the real “createurs of this art” can dream…………….no expense need be spared and the ateliers show why they have bragging rights in the fantasy cum reality time we know as HAUTE COUTURE.

In what can only be described as an exhibit, rather than show, with a cacophony of colors, John Galliano for Dior has once again opened the season with his own brand of brilliance. Even though one is able to discern the references from Monsieur Dior and from Charles James, one is so distracted by the laser vision of Mr. Galliano and his ability to bring that vision to the runway…….and that the references are obliterated by the spectacle of the clothes themselves. None of this acts to the detriment of what can only be described as over the top fashion, if one can even call it that. The point here is that Dior Couture is beyond just another garment, it is one of the quintessential Couture collections year after year. My biggest hope is that one client has been collecting these masterpieces so that generations to come can appreciate the workmanship and vision that enabled the creations to grace a runway.

ALEXIS MABILLE offers a concise collection that is driven only by one idea……….chic. Whether it is the full skirted lace or the divine slim column of a black gown with colorful “bow top,” there is a young but old world quality and esthetic to these clothes making them ageless

BOUCHRA JARRAR is another young designer who offered up what I consider to be the antithesis of the usual couture fare. What sets it apart is its apparent clean lines and extreme simplicity. It conjures thoughts of Geoffrey Beene whose name you rarely hear anymore but whose talent for razor sharp appearingly simple garments were anything but…………..

I urge everyone to see, for themselves, the wonders of HAUTE COUTURE at STYLE.COM

As usual, this wonderful piece was written by Fashionista Jeffrey B Felner of Fashion by the Rules fame! Thank you Jeffrey.

And don’t forget to watch for Fashion updates over the next 3 days.

Tour to be Filmed for Documentary, New Music Released

Chris Levya and Taylor Brown World Tour

Teaming two up and coming singer-songwriters, San Diego based Christopher Leyva and Montana’s Taylor Brown, the Split Personality tour will take in ten countries in nine months, with multiple cities in each. Opening in Scotland on August 8 and ending in April 2011 with a run of shows in Japan, the tour will also stop in to England, France, Sweden, Mexico, Finland, Paris, Germany, Amsterdam, Australia and the U.S. ( NY,CH,LV,LA and more)

A true collaboration, Leyva and Brown will team up in performance with Brown playing his own material and providing backing for both perfomers with live lead electric guitar ,piano and live loops of drums and accompaniements – no prerecorded tracks.   

Fans will be able to follow the duo’s exploits via a daily web blog, with a film maker on hand to document the journey from start to finish. Two albums will be released to coincide with this tour. Leyva’s “Black and Gold” his third solo effort, available at all the usual places online and in stores, is an ambitious double album, featuring a disc of pop material and a second disc of instrumentals. Leyva and Brown will also release a limited edition covers album, with songs from Ryan Adams, Oasis, Beatles, Leonard Cohen,Michael jackson and many more, available exclusively at their shows.

Though classified as singer songwriters, due to the occasional sighting of an acoustic guitar, what Brown and Leyva create is classic pop and rock, recast for the modern era. If you like music that’s strong on hooks and melodies, guitars and voices plus mixes with the new world of edgy electronics, The Split Personality tour should not be missed.

And, of course you’d love to know more so please visit:

http://www.blackcherrygroup.com/worldtour/world tour
http://www.myspace.com/Leyva
http://www.myspace.com/taylorbrownplaysmusic