Jennifer, Megan And Victoria All Looking Stunning In Their LBDs - Here's How You Can Look Just As Good In Your Own LBD This Holiday Season

Whether you are looking for a formal style of dress or something more casual, if you are going to any kind of party or get-together this holiday season there is nothing as flattering or as useful as the classic little black dress (LBD). We have searched out some of our favourite dresses pictured here which show that whether you go for a more casual, girly style (Jennifer Aniston), something more suitable for a cocktail party (Megan Fox), or something much more classic and stylish (Victoria Beckham) there is a style of black dress to suit everyone, no matter what your shape or size. Yes, we know the celebrities pictured here have figures to be envied by us all, but here are some helpful tips for you when you are seeking out your perfect LBD.

Budget

Don't worry too much about budget, even if you only have between £20 to £30 to spare, you will still be able to find a wide range of LBDs in the high street stores, and remember to look online as well as you may well find some great deals not available in store.

Bottom Heavy Figures

If you tend to be heavier around the bottom half of your body, you can easily disguise this by looking for a dress that is A-line, or one that has an empire waist (one where the dress is fitted around the bust and then falls from below). The type of dress that Victoria Beckham is wearing could also be worn with someone with a heavier lower figure as the fuller skirt will disguise this area, whilst it cinches in the waist. The dress also accentuates the upper body taking away attention from the lower half.

Top Heavy Figures

Avoid anything too low cut or revealing if you don't want to draw too much attention to a top heavy figure. Look for dresses with square necks, or higher scoop necks (like Jennifer Aniston's dress)and also fabrics which don't cling too tightly to your curves. This style of dress can be worn in the evening, but it's also pretty and casual enough for daytime wear.

Boyish Figures

If you are petite or straight-up-and-down, then look for a dress which hugs you, but which also has some frills and gathers which can accentuate your shape. The dress Megan Fox is wearing accentuates her hips and adds some curves to her slimline figure. If you are slim, don't choose a dress which is too loose as your figure will be lost in it.

Length and style

The general rule of thumb is that if you are choosing a strapless or low cut dress then choose a length which is just above the knee, but not much shorter, and if you choose a dress which is more conservative in style, such as with a scooped neck and sleeves for example, then choose a shorter style which will show off your legs. But don't forget, this is a party dress, so do go for something just a little bit more daring than your normal style!

Hangovers, Tiredness and Fatigue - We Don't Want These To Be Part Of Our Christmas Holiday Season - Here's How To Avoid Them

Yes, the Christmas and Holiday party season will soon be upon us, and for many this means a constant whirlwind of drinks, dinners, parties and late nights. This is a time for fun and festivities, but can your body (and mind!) keep up, particularly if you are working all day and partying away all night? Here are some of the main culprits for giving us unseasonable feelings of exhaustion and also happily, some remedies to help you party with sparkle through into next year.

Alcohol

The holiday season is the time for many of us to enjoy a few seasonal drinks with our friends and family. But the havoc caused by just a few too many tipples can be drastic, not only dehydration, headaches, tiredness and irritability, but also feelings of depression after the buzz of the alcohol has gone. Its not great for the look of your skin either. But, hey, we are not saying that you can't go out and have some fun, just try and remember to mix in some glasses of water along with the wine, even have it with soda or lemonade, and you will be thankful in the morning. Stay away from spirits (especially the darker ones, such as dark rum or brandy) if you don't normally drink them as they are especially likely to give you a bad head the next day. If you do wake up with a hangover there is little you can do about it unfortunately, apart from keep yourself hydrated, and if possible try and sleep off the worst symptoms.

Rich and Fatty Foods

Who doesn't look forward to mince pies with cream, Christmas cake, a lovely roast Christmas dinner, after dinner chocolates ... the list of goodies to indulge in at Christmas is unending, and it would be wrong to try and avoid them all over the holidays. It takes your body a great deal of energy to digest a huge Christmas meal, hence the classic feeling of tiredness after a large Christmas lunch. It is actually better for you to take a nap and let your body get on with digesting the food rather than diverting it's engergies away by taking a walk. How nice to know that you are doing your body a favour by taking a classic Christmas nap in the afternoon after your dinner! Other things you can do to avoid total meltdown of your digestive system is to swap a few foods for alternatives which are just as yummy. Instead of a box of milk chocolates indulge in a bar of high cocoa dark chocolate, rather than salted crips and nuts, go for a handful of unsalted almonds, walnuts and peanuts, and try to give the marzipan and icing a miss from the cake, as it is mainly just sugar which can give you a blood sugar high which will then dip leaving you feeling more tired.

Late Nights and Colds and Flu

Yes, these are related, because if you allow yourself to become run down and tired by burning the candle at both ends, drinking too much alcohol and eating too many unhealthy foods, you are more likely to catch any germs that are doing the rounds. Seasonal changes in weather can encourage cold and flu germs to breed, and if you are not looking after yourself you will become their victim. Try and get at last seven good hours of sleep a night, avoid drinking alcohol every day and if you feel you are not getting at least 5-a-day fresh fruits and vegetables, then take a multi-vitamin to cover all bases. Remember too, to wash your hands, or use a hand cleanser gel to keep germs away. Only Rudolf looks good with a red nose at Chrismas!

Do You Want A Flat Stomach Like Gwyneth and Courtney - Here Are The Top Five Foods For A Flatter Stomach

Don't get us wrong, we are great believers in exercise here at Fashion Tips and we are pretty sure that both Gwyneth Paltrow and Courtney Cox have personal trainers to help them keep their fantastic figures slim and toned. Sometimes though exercise just isn't enough, and the results are not always as good or as fast as we would like. If you are exercising, but you still feel you have some spare pounds around your waistline there are actually some foods that can help you have a flatter stomach. If you want to start eating your way to a slimmer waistline, then read on.

Flax Seeds Can Help Reduce Body Fat

Flax seeds or linseeds are little seeds jam-packed with monounsaturated fat. These are little diet friendly chaps who not only lower your cholesterol levels but also help reduce body fat. They can help level blood sugar levels to help stop cravings and binges. Also if you suffer from bloating, which can make your stomach more prominent, flax seeds are great as they can help banish bloating, constipation and other digestive problems. Use ground flax seeds which you can obtain easily from a health food store and add to cereal, salads or smoothies. Gwyneth is even rumoured to pop some of these great little flax seed treats into her children's lunch boxes.

Berries Burn Up Abdominal Fats

Look for blueberries, acai berries, blackberries, cherries and any other blue or red berries. The chemicals which are responsible for giving these fruits their colour (anthocyanins) are also great for burning abdominal fat. Studies have shown that this pigment in the berries is great for breaking down fatty acids in the body.

Yoghurt Has Some Great Bacteria

If you go for a low fat yoghurt it is filling and low in fat and calories. It also contains active cultures (probiotics) which helps the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which in turns helps digestion, and relieves excess gasses and bloating. You could mix it with some red and blue berries and flax seeds and you have a super lunchtime dessert which could actually help you have a slimmer waistline.

Whole Grains Do Make You Fuller For Longer

Not only do whole grains make you fuller for longer because of their high fibre levels, they also help to lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) and also insulin, both of which encourage fat to be stored around your waist and belly. Beware of always choosing wheat as your primary source of whole grain, as sometimes this can be difficult to digest and can actually cause bloating for some - look instead for brown rice, oats, oatbran, buckwheat and spelt.

Water Won't Bloat You - It Will Make You Slimmer

Yep, we keep on saying it, most people don't drink enough water even though we do go on about it - apparently Courtney Cox needs to drink more each day - not because she has a bloated stomach though, but because she suffers from dry skin! However, bloating of the stomach can be caused or made worse by lack of fluid and dehydration. Drinking will help flush away toxins and lessen hunger pangs. Water improves your digestive system and reduces fluid retention, all of which will make your stomach flatter. It doesn't have to be plain water, there are some great fruity and green teas around, and green tea can in some cases reduce your appetite too. Aim to drink around eight glasses or cups a day.

The Top Foods That Will Help You Stay Young Inside And Out

Everyone knows that a healthy and balanced diet is important to keep your body, including your hair, skin and nails, in great condition. However, there are some super-foods which can not only keep you healthy, but which are just bursting with anti-aging ingredients, which can help you look and feel younger and just altogether more beautiful inside and out. It is surprising how many of these foods are consumed by celebrities. Even though they have the cash to splash out on treatments and surgery, even they seem to prefer the natural options to help keep them young and beautiful rather than resorting to injections and surgery.

Here Are Seven Anti-Aging Food and Drinks Which Will Give You A Boost of Youthfulness

Green tea

This is surely the king of all super drinks - green tea comes top of the anti-aging list. Amongst its qualities, it helps regulate blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol, it boosts the immune system protecting you against infections, and it can possibly help protect against certain types of cancer. It can also raise the metabolic rate slightly, which helps you burn extra pounds - Courtney Cox and Courtney Love are both fans of the drink. If you don't like the taste of green tea, try white tea which has all the same benefits, and even more.

Green Leafy Vegetables

Don't think boiled green cabage, but crispy healthy stir fried greens, flavoured with herbs and spices. Spinach is great with pepper and a light dressing of olive oil and boosts your immune system. Other greens like kale and collard greens are high in folate which helps prevent DNA and blood vessel damage - ie it looks after your circulatory system, protecting against high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

Dark Chocolate

Yes, this is in the list really because of its high cocoa content. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants called flavinoids which help preserve healthy function of the blood vessels. Look for the over 70% cocoa bars and eat around one square a day.

Soy Products

Soy products like tofu are a great source of protein and an alternative to red meat and dairy as they have little or no fat. The Japanese diet promotes longevity, and soya is a staple of their diet, it helps to keep down cholesterol.

Yoghurt

Eat lots of low fat youghurt, as it is really full of "good" bacteria. Ignore some of the advertisements which promote certain brands, you can buy a big pot of plain old yoghurt and it will contain the "good" bacteria which will help regulate your immune system to help out your gut. Yoghurt is also a great source of calcium which helps keep bones strong.

Red wine

If you are a white wine drinker you might want to think of switching to red wine, as it is full of anti-aging elements including antioxidants, minerals, polyphenols and resveratrol. Yes, resveratrol, its a funny word, but its a great super food as it helps increase your good cholesterol levels, helps women during the menopause by reducing the risk of breast cancer and osteoporosis - the suggested intake is around a glass a day.

Water

Believe it or not after all that has been written about drinking enough water, people are still not doing it. Increasing your fluid intake will increase energy levels, aid digestion, boost your skins radiance and altogether up your anti-aging armoury. Drink little and often throughout the day - if possible keep a water bottle with you and sip at it regularly. Increasing your intake of fruit and vegetables will also increase your water intake too.

How To Use The Latest Fashion Trends To Dress Yourself Slim

Are you tired of that latest diet, do you miss a glass of wine and your favourite treats? Maybe it's time to give yourself a little rest from the constant counting of calories and daily workouts. Instead, invest some of the time and money you are saving on diet foods and exercise classes on a few new items for your wardrobe, and in future you may not have to worry about a few extra pounds so much.

Here are some great tips for different "problem" areas of the body!

Legs

• Do you like to wear strappy shoes or Mary Janes? Just make sure the strap is lower across your foot rather than at the ankle which will lengthen the look of your legs and make your calves look slimmer.
• Would you rather not display too much thigh? Well, great news maxi dresses are still right on trend, hiding a multitude of sins!
• Look out for silky wide leg trousers, which will skim over your behind and lengthen legs.

Waist

• Have you ever thought of a corset - they can look fabulous displayed under a blouse and will nip in your waist and add some oomph where needed too.
• Look for elasticated jewelled waist belts or the super trendy obi belt to seriously pull in your waist and create an hour-glass look.

Arms

• If you are not ready to bare your arms with strappy dresses yet, wear your top or dress with a lacy shrug, which looks glam, but also covers.
• If you are conscious of chubby upper arms, look for kimono tops with draped sleeves, again they are summery, but disguise wobbly bits.

Simply Shrink Yourself

• It sounds silly, but large accessories will make you look smaller, it's great that the trend for handbags and shoulder bags is for large ones!
• The latest style of watches which is large and glitzy (think Toy Watches) instantly make your wrist look dainty.
• Use colour blocking to break up your shape, particularly if you are tall, using one colour for your top half and a toning different colour for your bottom half, instantly you will look smaller.