10 Wedding Dress Features That Daringly Depart From Convention

There are many brides who thrive on traditional weddings. This type of bride is all about formal invitations, stylish bridal portraits, and special first dance songs. She yearns to sachet down the church aisle to “Here Comes the Bride” while hundreds of her friends and family members gaze upon the beauty of her classic wedding dress.

And then there is the other kind of bride. The free-thinking, non-conforming lady. The woman who doesn’t follow convention for convention’s sake. The one who has always marched to the beat of her own drum.

It is this independently-minded lady who will likely opt to stroll down the aisle in a wedding dress that daringly departs from all convention.

If this woman is you, here are 10 ideas about wedding dress features that you may want to consider for your upcoming nuptials:

One Shoulder Ball Gowns
There are plenty of strappy and strapless wedding dresses out there, but you rarely see any single-strap styles. Platinum offers a dress with a strap that stretches over the left shoulder. The strap attaches at the hand draped bodice with an eye-catching jeweled brooch.

Above-the-knee Hemlines

If your goal is to make all of your female wedding guests flush and your male guests gawk, just show off your legs with an above-the-knee skirt. The Strapless Silk Radzimir Dress has a hem that stops about two inches short of the knee. The tulip skirt shows off numerous Venice Lace floral appliqués which nicely complement the corset seamed bodice.

Jackets
This is even more daring than a short hemline dress! Melissa Sweet’s Jake style incorporates a taffeta ¾ sleeve jacket with a mid-thigh, “mini-skirt” hemline. The outfit boasts a crew neckline and a checkered pattern which is heavily embroidered.

Lavender Colored
Almost every wedding dress ever made is white, off-white, eggshell, or some other shade of the white-hued family. But Platinum offers a Silk Satin Fit to Flare Strapless Gown which is available in lavender. This dress also comes with a full-pleated train and a jewel-encrusted hip and bust line.

Cotton Lace Overlay
While most dresses are basic silk, satin, or tulle, some are nestled underneath an overlay of cotton lace to create a more textured appearance. Melissa Sweet’s Hallie style dress features a silk charmeuse strapless gown underneath a sheer French lace overlay. It’s accented by woven ribbon detail over the hem and bodice as well as a sweep inset train.

Swirled Skirt
When you think of the bottom of a wedding dress, you envision long, clean lines of fabric. But a swirled skirt can break up the monotony of an ordinary fabric dress. The Strapless Silk Shantung Mikado Fit to Flare Gown by Platinum is offset beautifully with a skirt that is swirled with organza and tulle.

Ultra-Slim Gown
While slim wedding gowns do not flare outward around the legs, ultra-slim gowns practically cling to the legs. Such is the case with Vineyard’s Tatum style Guipure Lace Slim Gown, which portrays the illusion of pants as the bride walks down the aisle. The dress also comes with slit detail, a large waistband, and a bow at the back.

Scarf Accessory
While this isn’t part of the wedding dress itself, a scarf accessory can have a substantial impact on the entire nuptial ensemble. For instance, a white silk scarf perfectly complements Platinum’s Silk Crepe Georgette Strapless Slim Gown and its scoop neckline. The scarf covers only the front of the neck and the top of one shoulder; it hangs down over the back of the dress and is tied in a bow at the center of the back.

Flounced Halter Neckline
Standard halter wedding dresses are not all that unusual, but a flounced halter leaves no doubt as to whom the center of attention is at the event. This style is displayed in Vineyard’s Elke Organza Fit to Flare Gown. The flounced halter neckline contrasts nicely with the dress’s open back.

Pockets
On a wedding dress? Really. They’re perfect for a bride who wants to carry something old, new, borrowed, and/or blue down the aisle with her; and also come in handy during the “dollar dance” at the wedding reception. There are hidden pockets in the Silk Double Faced Satin Strapless Ball Gown by Platinum. The dress also features a large front skirt appliqué, elaborate beading, and a silk satin belt.

So if you’re the type of woman who has flipped through hundreds of bridal magazine pages without finding the dress of your dreams, these ideas may be appealing to your unique tastes.

After all – you were your own woman long before you met your mate. And even though you’re looking forward to having a partner for life, you still want to be identified by the traits and attributes which you worked long and hard to create and nourish – and not just as Mrs. So-and-So.

An unconventional wedding dress is the first step toward reminding those in your life that you won’t remodel your personality and lifestyle just because you’re wearing a wedding ring. And when your guests see your extraordinary wedding dress, they’ll get the message loud and clear.

April 26th,2010 Uncategorized | tags: | No Comments

Top 5 Tips on How to Get Into Harvard

Harvard is one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world and many people want to study there. The problem is that most applicants don’t follow a few recommendations that will most likely get you picked among the others. Let’s take a look at few of the vital things that you need to know before trying for Harvard.

One of the most important things to remember when applying at Harvard is that THEY WANT YOU TO HAVE A LIFE. This is probably the main selection criteria after your grades. Best situation is if you are a natural leader with lots of activities and active social life. Arts, sports, music – you choose, just be active and you automatically improve your chances of admission.

Another important thing to remember is that you have to promote yourself but in reasonable manner. Don’t brag and don’t be arrogant because this will only bring negatives on you. You should be comfortable with your accomplishments and aware of your strengths and weaknesses.

The essay is something that many people consider to be the hardest part in the whole process but the truth is that it is not that scary. You just need to write about stuff you know and/or how some experience affected your outlook on life. The whole point is to show them your inspiration to choose Harvard.

Grades are important, very important but they are not everything. Here is the ultimate advice: Gain the maximum from your high school years, take extra courses that are interesting for you and enjoy life. The rest will come naturally.

Last but not least let’s turn our attention to the interview. You should be respectful and most importantly show authentic interest in the school and its essence (not only the name). It is a matter of luck to get an interviewer that has common interests with you – this helps big time. The thing with the interview is that Harvard receives applications from hundreds if not thousands of students with the same grades. This means that the interview is your chance to show why you are unique. What makes you more qualified for the position? Why do you need good education?

April 20th,2010 articles | No Comments

Australian Scholarship

Australian Scholarships brings together and expands existing scholarship programs in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions that are managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Further information can be found at www.australianscholarships.gov.au

There are three programs available under Australian Scholarships. They are: Read the rest of this entry »

September 24th,2009 scholarship | tags: , | No Comments

College Diversity, Student Affairs and Learning Reconsidered

Learning Reconsidered is a document released jointly by NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) and ACPA (American College Personnel Association) in 2004. Student affairs staff are now taking into consideration the ideas of this landmark document when planning various campus activities for students.

Campus diversity programs can address one of the outcomes from Learning Reconsidered, namely Humanitarianism. Humanitarianism involves the understanding and appreciation of other people and their differences. This is the most obvious outcome that diversity can address but there are at least three other outcomes that can also be achieved if an event was structured right.

The outcome Cognitive Complexity involves reflective thinking about important issues of today’s society. Given that North America has become so diverse with people of many different ethnicity, cultures, religions and languages, diversity is certainly an important issue. But we must also include differences in sexual orientation and whether an individual is handicapped or not as part of overall diversity since everyone has the potential to be a positive contributor to society. Everyone regardless of differences should be included and student affairs professionals should ensure that programs benefit as many students as possible.

A diversity program that makes students think about multiculturalism and other differences between people in ways they have never thought of before will contribute to Cognitive Complexity. For example, a session that highlights certain benefits of a diverse society can be a real eye opener to many college students. Read the rest of this entry »

August 18th,2009 Education, articles | tags: , , , , , , , | No Comments

New Teacher Tips – How to Use Lesson Planning Successfully

That first year for me was scary, a very difficult transition from the cushiony fourth year to the first year alone in the classroom. I wanted the ever constant guidance of my mentor and counselors but I was expected to deal with problems alone. As an in-service student who thought my love for pantomime, drama, music would aid me, I was incredibly self-conscientious.

I felt it was best to hold unto the framework of a lesson plan. After all, the structure made sense, it was something that I could hold unto. It was rudimentary work. Did it follow the formula I was taught of a pre-while and post? Were there transitions? After all, I was only repeating what I was taught to do.

Admittedly, this notion of what is a lesson as I was taught was my crutch. I leaned on it heavily. It came at the expense of developing my own teaching personality. But I had other things to worry about like blending in a cultural classroom that was increasingly becoming threatening to my authority as a new teacher.

Dear teachers, it would take me ten long years to realize something that I am telling you in a few paragraphs.

For someone who never had any experience coming to terms with my authority such as participating in any leadership skills or taking part in any student’s committees in High School, it was hard for me to accept my own authority as a teacher, even now.

That journey started with a 24 year old practice teacher who just wanted to have fun with her students and was crying in front of her fourth year counselor who, through my own shower of tears, told me that I was a teacher. Read the rest of this entry »

August 11th,2009 Education, articles | tags: , , | No Comments

Video Game Design Programs at Game Design Schools

The entertainment field is actually the most lucrative and growing industry we have today. Due to this there has been an increase in the demand for skilled personnel in the entertainment world. Video game enthusiasts have been given an opportunity to study video game design in an in depth manner. The communications field has created opportunities for people interested in this field by coming up with animation productions.

There is a game design school where you can get to know about what the field encompasses. This is having the following modules in which one gets to learn about: user interface design, interactive application design, product design, audio and video editing, game development, web design and industrial visualization. The best thing about the these programs is that they are engaging and anyone with an interest in the arts can do them successfully. The digital arts programs are categorized into many disciplines meaning that there is a wide scope of subjects that a learner gets to know of. The subjects are namely: illustration, traditional drawing, graphic design, sculpter, 3D modelling, story development, sound design, animation video, story telling, media integration and storyboarding Read the rest of this entry »

August 7th,2009 Education, articles | tags: , , , , , , | No Comments

California set to be the first state to have a “Bill of Rights” for college athletes?

It’s a well-intentioned idea that aims to help protect student-athletes from exploitation, but California State Senate Bill 193 – the Student-Athletes’ Bill of Rights – simply poses too much risk for collegiate athletics.

If made law, SB 193 will prohibit California’s public and private universities from belonging to any association that does not heed the bill of rights’ demands. These demands include the elimination of rules for the terms or duration of scholarships below the cost of tuition and giving an athlete the ability to transfer when his or her coach leaves the school.

The bill also highlights several pertinent issues that associations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics need to consider. And the NCAA seems to be listening to some of these concerns. Addressing one of the points outlined in the bill, the association now allows all student-athletes to receive limited legitimate earnings from on-campus and off-campus jobs, so long as the money does not come from publicity or reputation for athletic ability.

Neither side wins if the other does not back down. For example, the NCAA loses the money generated from California schools if they withdraw, and the schools lose the health care provided by the NCAA. In addition, the law would bar California universities from competing against any institution in the NCAA. This means student-athletes in the state are taken out of the running for prestigious national championships and other financial aid and academic award programs.

Despite the concession by the NCAA, the legislation takes an all-or-nothing approach to problems that could be resolved through direct negotiations with the association. Passing SB 193 could cast the state and the largest collegiate sports association in the nation into political brinksmanship.

The bill threatens the growth posture of UC Davis athletics, which is transitioning to Division-I NCAA status. prestige or scholarships is the NCAA’s role in monitoring compliance with Title IX, a law that bans sexual discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. Without some kind of supervision, withdrawal from the NCAA threatens to undermine Title IX and the visibility it has brought to women’s athletics.

The legislation has begun a dialogue that needs to continue. But it should not pass in its current form because it represents neither the best interests of student-athletes nor college athletics.

August 5th,2009 articles, scholarship | tags: , | No Comments

Entry requirements for Monash university

To commence a Monash College program and pathway on to Monash University, you first need to meet age, academic and English language proficiency requirements. Read the rest of this entry »

June 2nd,2009 Monash University | tags: , , , | No Comments

Scholarship Tips

What Makes a Highly Successful Scholarship Winner?

Review the following habits of scholarship winners for tips on how you can
make your scholarship quest successful.
?

  • Successful students always remember the five P’s – Prior
    preparation prevents poor performance. Prepare for the scholarship
    search early. Do not wait until your senior year.


  • ?Successful students do not rely on their parents to do all the work.


  • Successful students vigorously avoid mistakes on their essays and
    applications. They always spell-check, proofread, and allow one
    other person to proofread their applications and essay for errors.


  • Successful students do not ignore scholarships that may be local or
    those for small amounts. Scholarship amounts, even as small as
    $50, can add up.


  • Successful students do not rely on only one source such as the
    Internet for their scholarship search. They use many resources.
    Many scholarships on the Internet or in the free scholarship
    searches that you find on the World Wide Web are nationally known
    and are harder to win due to greater competition. Local and regional
    scholarships are not found as easily through an Internet search,
    although they may be easier to win because the applicant pool is
    smaller. You have to use a combination of resources to find as
    many scholarships to apply for as possible.


  • Successful students market themselves well. In their applications,
    they highlight positive aspects about their lives, especially
    community involvement.


  • Successful students do not apply to one or two scholarships and
    wait for the best. They apply for all scholarships they are eligible to
    win. They keep applying until the total they have won exceeds what
    they need to pay for the college they want to attend or until they
    graduate with a degree.


  • Successful students are organized. They keep track of deadlines
    and materials required to complete an application.


  • Successful students are well rounded. They participate in
    extracurricular and community activities. They write about these
    activities in scholarship and college essays in a descriptive
    manner. They try to benefit others as well as themselves with the
    extracurricular and community activities in which they are involved.


  • Successful students understand that SAT scores and grades alone
    do not win most scholarships. Scholarship programs look at many
    factors such as community activities, leadership, presentation of
    your application package, special or unusual talents or skills, etc.


  • Successful students do not look for the easy way out. It is harder for
    them to believe in a scholarship scam that promises to do all the
    work for them. They understand that those things for which we work
    hardest often bring the greatest rewards. Hard work in the
    scholarship process as a high school student could result in an
    easy college life without work later, or a loan-free life after college.

Avoid These Most Common Mistakes Made on College and Scholarship
Applications

1.        Not following directions
2.        Missing the deadline
3.        Not typing your application or sending in a sloppy application
4.        Forgetting to spell check and to proofread after you spell check
5.        Not including information such as a transcript or recommendation
6.        Not answering the essay question or another question asked.

May 31st,2009 Education, articles, scholarship | tags: , | No Comments

Campus safety tips

Although the crime rate at Ball State is very low, you should still be alert and use common sense to protect yourself and others from becoming victims of crime. When you go out, keep these safety tips in mind.

  • Learn the best routes between your residence hall and your classes and activities. Take the safest route, not the fastest route.
  • Travel in groups of two or more at night and always walk in well-lit, heavily traveled areas.
  • Stay on the part of the sidewalk that is farthest away from shrubs, dark doorways, and alleys.
  • Share your class schedule with friends and family, effectively creating a buddy system.
  • When you go out, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.
  • Know where the emergency telephones are located. (See “Emergency Telephones.”)
  • Use the shuttle buses after dark. After the shuttle buses have stopped running, call the Escort Service for a ride. (See “Escort Service.”)
  • Wherever you are, stay alert to your surroundings and the actions of people around you.
  • Follow your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, change directions, go to an emergency phone or into a public building, or call University Police (5-1111).
  • Do not leave your belongings unattended, even for a few minutes.
  • Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets such as jewelry or expensive clothing.
  • Always lock your bike or rent a bike locker to store your bike.
  • Always lock your car and keep valuables out of site. Check the back seat before getting in.
  • Park in well-lit, well-traveled areas of the parking lot.
  • Memorize the phone number of the University Police Department (5-1111).
  • Remember, alcohol and/or drugs are involved in 90 percent of campus crimes.
May 28th,2009 Education | tags: , | No Comments
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