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Who Was Todd Matshikiza? Google Doodle Honors South African jazz musician Todd Matshikiza

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who was Todd Matshikiza
who was Todd Matshikiza

Today’s vibrant Google Doodle pays tribute to the South African legend, Todd Matshikiza, commemorating the enduring impact of his extraordinary life.

This animated tribute was crafted by South African artist Keith Vlahakis, serving as a heartfelt homage to Matshikiza’s magnum opus, the orchestral performance of the cantata “Uxolo” (meaning “peace”), which took place during the Johannesburg Festival on September 25, 1956.

But let’s delve deeper into the life of Todd Matshikiza.

Who Was Todd Matshikiza?


Todd Matshikiza was a multifaceted South African talent, distinguished as a pianist, composer, and journalist.

Born on March 7, 1921, into a musically inclined family in Queenstown, South Africa, Matshikiza’s father, a gifted organist, imparted piano skills to Todd and his six siblings, while his mother lent her vocal prowess to the family’s musical endeavors.

Matshikiza earned a music and teaching diploma from St. Peter’s College in Johannesburg, where his passion for music was nurtured. Following graduation, he found himself dividing his time between composing choral works and songs, including the renowned ‘Hamba Kahle,’ and working as an English and mathematics teacher.

It was in 1947 that Matshikiza achieved a significant milestone, establishing the Todd Matshikiza School of Music, a private institution where he predominantly taught piano and jazz music. However, this endeavor did not guarantee a steady income, leading him to take on additional roles as a bookkeeper and salesman to make ends meet.

In addition to his educational pursuits and musical endeavors, Matshikiza also became an integral part of the initial group of contributors to the Drum music magazine. His contributions included two popular columns—one exploring the evolution of jazz as a genre and the other delving into life in the township, both resonating deeply with readers.

Among his many accomplishments, Matshikiza is most celebrated for his musical compositions, with the iconic song ‘Quick in Love’ notably featured in the film ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,’ as well as his contributions to musicals like ‘Mkhumbane’ and ‘King Kong.’

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Brief Stint in England


In 1960, Matshikiza temporarily relocated to England, seeking respite from the ongoing Apartheid regime in South Africa, a period he documented in his autobiography, ‘Chocolates for My Wife.’

His decision to move to London was driven by the success of his musical, ‘King Kong,’ a production chronicling the life of the renowned heavyweight boxer Ezekiel Dlamini, also known as King Kong. The musical had captivated audiences and had a successful run in London’s West End in 1961.

However, Matshikiza’s time in England did not yield the artistic breakthrough he had hoped for. He struggled to make a significant mark on the local music scene. Subsequently, he relocated to Zambia, where he found employment at the Zambian Information Service as a music archivist, continuing to share his passion for music until his passing in 1968.

Todd Matshikiza’s legacy lives on through his music, writings, and enduring influence on South African culture, commemorated today in this vibrant Google Doodle.

Google Doodle Honors Todd Matshikiza: Today’s Google Doodle pays tribute to South African icon Todd Matshikiza, celebrating his lasting impact on society.

Crafted by South African Artist: The animated tribute was created by South African artist Keith Vlahakis, serving as a heartfelt homage to Matshikiza’s most significant work, the orchestral performance of the cantata “Uxolo” during the Johannesburg Festival in 1956.

Todd Matshikiza’s Background: Matshikiza was a versatile South African talent, known for his roles as a pianist, composer, and journalist.

Early Life and Education: Born on March 7, 1921, into a musically gifted family in Queenstown, South Africa, Matshikiza received piano lessons from his father, an accomplished organist, and his mother contributed her vocal talents to their family’s musical pursuits. He earned a music and teaching diploma from St. Peter’s College in Johannesburg.

Diverse Career: After graduation, Matshikiza balanced composing choral works and songs, including the famous ‘Hamba Kahle,’ with his work as an English and mathematics teacher. In 1947, he founded the Todd Matshikiza School of Music, primarily teaching piano and jazz music. He also took on additional roles as a bookkeeper and salesman to supplement his income.

Contributions to Drum Magazine: Matshikiza became part of the initial group of contributors to the Drum music magazine, where he wrote two popular columns—one on the evolution of jazz as a genre and another on life in the township, both resonating with readers.

Musical Legacy: Matshikiza is renowned for his musical compositions, with ‘Quick in Love’ featured in the film ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,’ and his contributions to musicals like ‘Mkhumbane’ and ‘King Kong.’

Brief Stay in England: In 1960, Matshikiza temporarily relocated to England to escape the Apartheid regime in South Africa, driven by the success of his musical ‘King Kong.’ However, his time in England did not yield the artistic breakthrough he had hoped for.

Relocation to Zambia: Matshikiza later moved to Zambia, where he worked as a music archivist for the Zambian Information Service until his passing in 1968.

Enduring Legacy: Todd Matshikiza’s legacy lives on through his music, writings, and his enduring influence on South African culture, celebrated today through the vibrant Google Doodle.

Read More: Taylor Swift’s Google Partnership for ‘1989 Taylor’s Version Vault’ Song Reveal: Technical Challenges and Fan Frustration

Jaane Jaan Movie Review Kareena Kapoor, Vijay Verma, Jaideep Ahlawat

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jaane jaan movie review, vijay verma, jaideep ahlawat, netflix
jaane jaan movie review, vijay verma, jaideep ahlawat, netflix

Jaane Jaan Movie Review Kareena Kapoor, Vijay Verma, Jaideep Ahlawat, When the title of Sujoy Ghosh’s new film was announced about a month ago, my heart sank. Another Netflix India thriller named after an iconic Hindi film song? I remember muttering to myself. This is assembly-line thinking taken to a comical extreme. Raat Akeli Hai, Haseen Dillruba, Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhein and Monica, O My Darling are all India original titles currently streaming on the platform. And now comes Jaane Jaan, which — like last year’s Monica… — has been adapted from a book by Japanese mystery writer Keigo Higashino. Granted, ‘The Devotion of Suspect X’ does not translate verbatim into a great Hindi title. Still, the lack of apparent effort was startling, until I finally saw the film. Jaane Jaan Movie Review Kareena Kapoor, Vijay Verma, Jaideep Ahlawat

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Bollywood movies ‘Monica, O My Darling’ and ‘Drishyam 2’ once again shine a spotlight on Japanese author Keigo Higashino, the master of mystery novels


There is, it turns out, some resonance between new film and original song. Featured in the 1969 thriller Intaqam, ‘Aa Jaan-E-Jaan’ was a rare cabaret number from Lata Mangeshkar — picturized on Helen — and, in this film, Maya D’Souza (Kareena Kapoor Khan), the central character, is a former nightclub dancer who has escaped her past. Rajendra Krishan’s teasing, fatalistic lyrics chime well with Maya’s current predicament and the two men pulled headlong into her life. We see her sing out the words at a karaoke, Kapoor Khan framed against visuals of a costumed Helen on a telescreen, a cross-generational affinity that started with the ‘Yeh Mera Dil’ number in Don (2006). Jaane Jaan Movie Review Kareena Kapoor, Vijay Verma, Jaideep Ahlawat

Jaane Jaan (Hindi)
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Vijay Varma, Saurabh Sachdeva, Naisha Khanna, Karma Takapa
Run-time: 139 minutes

Storyline of Jaane Jaan Movie

Storyline: A single mother attempts to escape murder charges with the help of a doting math teacher who resides next door Maya was once Soniya, wife to Ajit (Saurabh Sachdeva), an abusive, money-grubbing cop. She had left him 14 years ago and moved to Kalimpong, a misty hill station in northern West Bengal. She’s focused ever since on raising her daughter, running a little cafe that serves coffee and Chinese to get by. One day, out of the blue, Ajit turns up at the cafe; spurned, he barges into Maya’s home. Open and intrusive threats to mother and daughter escalate into a messy scuffle. Before the throbbing soundtrack has a chance to cool off, Ajit is dead on the floor, choked on the cord of an immersion water heater, the handiest murder weapon in Himalayan towns.

Sujoy’s best film Kahaani (2012) would be nothing if it was all Vidya Balan, no Nawazuddin Siddiqui or Saswata Chatterjee. Likewise, Jaane Jaan is powered by two performers who bring blazingly diverse energies to the table. As a distraught Maya — by no means a professional criminal — is figuring out her next move, help arrives in the form of Naren (Jaideep Ahlawat), a brilliant but lonely math teacher who lives next door. He promptly takes care of the body, issues instructions and alibis, acts all-around nice guy. He likes Maya, obviously, an open secret she had hitherto brushed off, but — noting his resourcefulness — she feels compelled to leverage.

Things get further complicated when a sharp-nosed inspector, Karan (Vijay Varma), arrives in town. Sujoy has fun playing these disparate characters — and actors — off each other, two FTII graduates lining up to outfox each other over the star who played Poo in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). What lends an additional edge to the narrative is the latent sexual tension between the characters. Though Naren keeps his distance, he is compared (not inaccurately, barring the hair) to Shah Rukh Khan from Darr. Karan, too, has a roving eye; his descriptions of Maya as Naren’s ‘hot’ neighbour are pointedly crude. It all pays off in a cunningly plotted scene, all our guesswork about character motivations and progress scrambled in a flash.

Jaane Jaan has been marketed as Kareena Kapoor Khan’s streaming debut. It’s a relief, therefore, that the film still feels like an ensemble piece. Khan, smartly and reassuringly, plays as part of a team, complementing instead of trying to commandeer scenes. It is a brisk, unfussy performance, almost toe-to-toe with Varma’s. The film, however, belongs to Ahlawat. This is one of his most physically absorbed roles. He plays a gentle giant, his hulking frame cutting bewitchingly through the evening mist. At times, a smile appears unexpectedly on his pockmarked face, like rainclouds in the desert. I also loved the absolute serenity — and, it must be added, sensuality — with which Ahlawat performs a jujutsu drill. He looks, to cite Bruce Lee, ‘like water making its way through cracks’.

Taylor Swift’s Google Partnership for ‘1989 Taylor’s Version Vault’ Song Reveal: Technical Challenges and Fan Frustration

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Taylor Swift Google Partnership for '1989 Taylor Version Song Reveal
Taylor Swift Google Partnership for '1989 Taylor Version Song Reveal

Frustrated fans attempted to solve a series of Easter egg puzzles to reveal titles for new “1989 Taylor’s Version Vault” songs but were met with technical difficulties. Taylor Swift partners with Google for a vault song reveal — but it seems there’s been a ‘Glitch’

Taylor Swift fans were struggling Tuesday as the pop sensation sent them on a virtual Easter egg hunt to reveal her new “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” track titles — only to be faced with technical difficulties.

Swift announced her upcoming “1989” re-recording last month while performing in Los Angeles, and that “Taylor’s Version” will include previously unreleased songs. Vault songs have been included in her three prior re-recording releases as an extra perk for fans who stream and purchase the albums.

taylor swift X
Taylor swift X

Swift previously revealed vault tracks for “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version)” by releasing a video of scrambled letters.

Google announced Tuesday that its search function will populate a series of 89 puzzles that fans can solve to eventually reveal the names of those new songs.

“You’ll be helping Swifties around the world get out of the woods (or unlock the vault) as everyone collectively solves 33 million puzzles,” Google said. “And that’s how it works, that’s how you get the vault track titles!”

Some international fans first noticed a little blue vault populate on Saturday when searching “Taylor Swift,” building anticipation as Swifties awaited the reveal of what the vault meant.

The puzzle began with the vault revealing a scrambled version of Swift’s upcoming album name and would reveal more puzzles as participants entered answers into the search bar.

taylor swift
taylor swift

But many fans (including this NBC News reporter) think there’s been a glitch as they search the answers with no subsequent progress.

Some fans were frustrated that they couldn’t participate or were upset at the large number of puzzle completions required when the game wasn’t working properly.

“I feel like Taylor constantly forgets how big she is,” one user posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “33 million is a lot when you take into account the vault not working. Google has to process who is playing the game and who is genuinely trying to search for sunglasses which I think is what screws this all up”

watch on youtube 1989 taylor swift

Another joked, “we’re definitely not getting 33m before the album comes out with this stupid vault not working.”

Google addressed the errors in a post on X late Tuesday.

“Swifties, the vault is jammed! But don’t worry, there are no blank spaces inside,” the company wrote. “We’re in our fix-it era and will be out of the woods soon.”

A representative for Swift did not immediately respond to request for comment Tuesday.

Swift posted a clip Tuesday afternoon of a blue vault opening on her Instagram, captioning the video with “You can tell me when the search is over… if the high was worth the pain.”

Searches for “Taylor Swift” spiked after the post and remained high for a few hours, according to Google Trends data. Swift reached her highest Google search interest at 3 p.m. Tuesday, two hours after her post, before declining slightly.

“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is scheduled to release on Oct. 27, exactly nine years after the original’s release

Short Wedding Dresses: For an Informal Wedding Ceremony

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Short Wedding Dresses For an Informal Wedding Ceremony4
Short Wedding Dresses For an Informal Wedding Ceremony4

Short wedding dresses or cocktail wedding dress is best for summer season which impresses an informal theme. This type of dress is usually worn in a beach or garden wedding. The usual color motiff are citrus colors such as pomelo, orange, lemon and lime; baby colors such as carnation pink, light green and baby blue and other playful and bubbly shades and hues.

It is a most, if you opt to wear a short wedding dresses to accentuate it approapriate wedding details to do away with contrasting and conflicting elements for your wedding. The following are some suggestions to pair your short wedding dress:

Short Wedding Dresses For an Informal Wedding Ceremony
Short Wedding Dresses For an Informal Wedding Ceremony

A beach or cocktail venue: Ask your planner to book you in a beach resort, country club, garden or a restaurant with less formal ambiance. The venue connotes a festive ambiance so make use of natural materials. If you opt to hold your wedding reception ceremony in a hotel convention hall, ask the staff to decorate it in less formal manner. If the weather is friendly, you may also held the reception party in the poolside. Short wedding dress and less formal wedding theme is best on summer season.

Entourage Attire: Use lighter materials for the dresses of your bridesmaids. It can be made of chiffon or linen fabrics and with lesser embellishments. The design of the entourage costumes should also be comfortable and no-fuss for a more playful appeal. To complete the attire, ask your entourage members to wear sandals or flip-flops.

Music and Wine: You can make your reception party more thru playing reggae or brazilian music and preparing cocktails such as margarita and daquiris.

Fun games: One great advantage of a less formal wedding dress is you can be more at ease in interaction activities all throughout the reception party. You can organize an interactive games together with your guests coupled with non stop music and cocktail foods and wine.

Read More: Plus Size Wedding Dresses

Read More: The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses

Foods: Ask your caterer to prepare you a light and healthy choice for your menu. Since you’ll be having more interactive time with your guests, it is best to suit it with fingerfoods and lighter main course to make them fully awake and active throughout the party. For cocktail drinks, ask your foodservers to stay on guard of the servings to avoid your guests from getting drunk.

Friendlier sitting arrangements: Your wedding will be more intimate but interactive depending in the sitting arrangements of your guests. Ask your wedding venue organizer to prepare you a less formal sitting arrangements coupled with other elements such as low tables and lighter furnitures.

Short Wedding Dresses For an Informal Wedding Ceremony3
Short Wedding Dresses For an Informal Wedding Ceremony3

You can also do away with the traditional bridal car and you may even let your guests walk. However, big consideration in transportation is the weather and accessibility. If you are going to hold your wedding in a golf course you can use the golf cart for the transportation.

Remember, wedding gowns nowadays is not restricted to formal style. Wearing a short wedding dress is up to you as long as you know how to play with style and remain elegant and fabulous on your big day.

Opting for a Cheap Wedding Dress

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Opting for a Cheap Wedding Dress
Opting for a Cheap Wedding Dress

The wedding dress is always a big part of the “problems” any bride experiences in her big day. This is because brides are so anxious on how they will look like during the wedding day. But, you don’t necessarily have to spend so much money just to look good. All you need to do is shop around for a cheap wedding dress that can fit your taste, style, and preference.

If you are one of those modern brides who would want to spend money by choosing a cheap wedding dress, here are some helpful tips for you.

  1. Set your budget. For frugal brides who want a beautiful yet cheap wedding dress, it is very important to carefully plan their allotted budget before shopping. When you have a specific budget allotted for your wedding dress, you will not be tempted to feast your eyes on super elegant gowns that would cost you a huge fortune.

In setting the budget, it is helpful to conduct a research about the price range of cheap wedding dress available in most bridal stores so you can make the necessary adjustments. Always remember that in setting the budget, always allot 10 percent of its total as an allowance. This will ensure that you won’t be having so many headaches once your wedding dress choice is out of the allotted budget.

Read More: Plus Size Wedding Dresses

Read More: The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses

  1. Know the best places where you can buy a cheap wedding dress. Since you are on a tight budget, don’t include the list of bridal stores and salons when looking for a cheap wedding dress. The best bets where you can find a cheap wedding dress include a bridal warehouse that offers off-the-rack items for cheaper prices, a consignment shops where overstocks and designer wedding dresses are available for half the original price, stores where there are sample sales because limited items that are about to expire are sold for cheaper rates, and a seamstress or a tailor that sell wedding dresses that are not claimed by the original owner or can create a cheap wedding dress for you. (TIP: If you are looking for a cheap wedding dress in a department store or inside a shopping mall, it is better to shop in a store or department that is not labeled as a “wedding section” because the prices of the items tend to be higher or more expensive.)
  2. Look for simple cuts and designs. If you are really on a tight budget, it is better to opt for simple designs and with lesser details. If you look for these types of wedding dresses, you are sure that they are cheap since they are not made of high quality materials or intricate designs.
  3. Shop for a cheap wedding dress in online sites. If you know what are you looking for and you have an eye in looking for good condition of things despite other’s use, then you can try to shop online. In sites like ebay—where individuals through a bid sell items—you can find a cheap wedding dress that is auctioned by a user. You can also visit websites of bridal stores and look for sale items or discounted ones.
  4. If all else fails, rent. If you can’t find the cheap wedding dress of your dreams in the stores or outlets and online sites mentioned, try visiting a bridal store where they offer rent of wedding dresses. This option will work on those people who are not so sentimental in keeping their wedding mementos. By renting, you can ensure that you can wear a cheap wedding dress on your wedding without spending more than $200
    Opting for a Cheap Wedding Dress
    Opting for a Cheap Wedding Dress

    Indeed, most thrifty women would opt for cheap wedding dresses to be used in their big day because this can save them more money for future use. In this day and age where money is more important than sentimental value, cheap wedding dresses are indeed the solution to couples or brides who are tight in budget.

    One effective way of saving much money is by finding cheap wedding dresses in various stores out there. But, if you really want to save more money, the best option would be is to rent a wedding dress from as bridal salon. Here, you can wear signature pieces in a very cheap rate. The only problem is that you can’t keep the rented wedding dress.

    If you want to keep your wedding gown and save money at the same time, cheap wedding dresses sold in bargain stores, consignment shops, thrift stores, and bridal warehouses would work for you. All you need to do is to carefully plan your budget, know your body type, familiarize yourself with various dress shapes available out there, know where to shop and you are ready to go.

    The first thing that you need to consider in buying cheap wedding dresses is your preference. Before setting out to find cheap wedding dresses, it is very important first that you have envisioned the look of the cheap wedding dress you are looking for. You can do this by knowing your body type and the corresponding dress shape for it.

    If you are tall, you are lucky because almost all dress shapes can fit you. Consider cheap wedding dresses that are two-piece items such as ball gowns, straight-line dresses, and others. The only major setback is that you might have a problem in finding the right size for you. If you are petite, avoid trying on cheap wedding dresses that are highly elaborated because these can only overemphasize your features. If you are pear-shaped, stick to empire cut or A-line wedding dresses because these will avoid you from showing off your not so proportioned assets.

    After knowing your body type and the corresponding dress shape for it, now is the time to visit stores that offer cheap wedding dresses. Today, the most common place where you can find cheap wedding dresses include a bridal warehouse because they might have some leftover stocks from the last season and sell them half the price.

    Another option is to look for cheap wedding dresses in various consignment shops in bazaars that are eager to sell their items because they need to transfer to another place or need to replace old styles and items with new ones. You can also look in stores that have season-end sale because they will sure offer cheap wedding dresses and other items in a very affordable price.

    Also, try visiting nearby tailor shops because they might sell cheap wedding dresses that are out of the season in terms of style and design. If you find it offensive to wear cheap wedding dresses that are out of the season, you can ask a seamstress to make a wedding gown for you using simple cuts and cheap materials.

    Another perfect option where you can find cheap wedding dresses is by visiting auction stores online. This might work for you especially if you have good experience in shopping online. In auction sites, many individuals are selling items such for cheap prices and you are lucky if you will find cheap wedding dresses in good condition.

    Plus Size Wedding Dresses

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    Plus Size Wedding Dresses
    Plus Size Wedding Dresses

    Weddings are always special occasions. Since this event is not only for those who are physically fit, bridal stores also offer plus size wedding dresses to those who are overweight.

    When you go into a store, you should choose the dress that you like not what other people say. Why? Because you are the one who is getting married and it has to make you feel happy and confident. If you don’t see anything there you like, look elsewhere like online.

    You should know that most bridal stores carry either a size 14 or 16. But more shops these days cater to customers who are size 16 to 24. There is also a few that have something for someone that is a size 32.

    Don’t guess your size and instead measure yourself especially in the bust, hips, waist and seam. Since this is a plus size wedding dress, make sure that the tape is left loose so it is not too tight.

    For your chest, the proper way of doing it is putting the tape around the fullest part of your breast. As for the waist, this must be placed in the smallest portion and then put your fingers in between the body and the tape for a little allowance.

    Just like the chest, you should measure your hips around the fullest portion while you feet are together. When you need to know the exact length of the dress, you have to measure from the waist down to your feet.

    If it just so happens that you are in between these 2 sizes, it is best to order the bigger one than the smaller lone because such an outfit has the tendency to be much smaller than the regular plus size clothes.

    Read More: The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses

    But what if there is nothing in the catalog that you like? When that happens, the only thing you can do is for a professional who will be able to create a plus size wedding dress. Just like browsing through a catalog, you have to find a skilled professional who can take on the job.

    Ask family members and friend because they may know someone who can help. Also, try looking for them yourself and once you have options, set up a meeting so you can get a feel if this person can do the job.

    Plus Size Wedding Dresses
    Plus Size Wedding Dresses

    When you are brainstorming for a plus size wedding dress design, look at bridal magazines and online stores. It is possible that both you and the designer can incorporate something from three or four dresses available. You should avoid making one that has too many frills and work with something that will make you look slimmer.

    It should also highlight something about you so if you have for instance sexy bare shoulders, show it off by getting a dress that is either a halter type or strapless. If you have nice legs, consider a tea length plus size wedding dress or a floor length variation that has a provocative slit up the side.

    As for the accessories, you should look for the right glove or veil that does not undermine what you will be wearing.

    It is not everyday you say your vows. If you want everything to be perfect on that special day, you should choose a plus size wedding dress that will make you look beautiful, confident and daring.

    Casual Wedding Dresses

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    Casual Wedding Dresses
    Casual Wedding Dresses

    These days, the Church is not the only place where you can have a wedding. This can be done in the backyard, the beach or the countryside and since such places are not that formal, it is only right to wear a casual wedding dress.

    But before you go out and buy one, you have to consider just how casual do you want your wedding dress to be. Obviously, this has to do with where the wedding will take place and the theme.

    Just to give you an idea, if the wedding will take place during the summer, an ideal causal wedding dress is a sundress. You have your choice of a halter, thin strap or strapless top. It is better to get a skirt that is short rather than long so it does not get dirty from sand or soil when you are walking down the makeshift aisle. To complete the look, you can even put a hat on instead of covering yourself up with a veil.

    Read More: The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses

    Read More: Valentine Day with Someone Special

    As for the material, you must not get a casual wedding dress that is made from brocade, heavy silks or velvet because it is too heavy. You should also only add a few embellishments to the causal wedding dress because it also adds some weight.

    The casual wedding dress should be made from flowing fabrics because it drapes well and is less prone to wrinkling. Examples of these include batiste, chiffon, charmeuse, crepe, damask, duchesse satin and illusion nets.

    Casual Wedding Dresses
    Casual Wedding Dresses

    Casual Wedding Dresses Types

    Casual wedding dresses can be a great choice for brides who want a more relaxed and informal wedding day look. Here are some types of casual wedding dresses:

    1. A-Line: A-line dresses are a classic and versatile style that can be dressed up or down. They have a fitted bodice that flares out from the waist, creating an A-shape.
    2. Sheath: Sheath dresses are slim-fitting and typically made from lightweight fabrics like silk or chiffon. They are perfect for beach weddings or other casual settings.
    3. Tea-Length: Tea-length dresses fall between the knee and ankle and are a great option for a vintage-inspired look. They can have a full skirt or a more fitted silhouette.
    4. Boho: Boho dresses are often characterized by their flowing, loose-fitting fabrics, and ethereal designs. They may feature lace or embroidery and can be worn with bare feet or sandals.
    5. Midi: Midi dresses fall below the knee and can be a great option for a more modest look. They can be dressed up with heels or worn with flats for a more casual vibe.
    6. Maxi: Maxi dresses are long and flowing, typically reaching the floor. They can be dressed up or down and are a great option for outdoor or beach weddings.
    7. Jumpsuit: Jumpsuits are a stylish and comfortable option for a casual wedding. They come in a range of styles, from wide-leg to fitted, and can be dressed up with statement jewelry and heels.

    No matter what type of casual wedding dress you choose, it’s important to feel comfortable and confident on your big day!

    However, if this is happening during the autumn or fall, this is the time you can consider using heavier material. You will probably need a wool jacket over the skirt to also help you stay warm.

    You won’t have a hard time looking for a casual wedding dress because this is available in stores and online. Just take your time checking each one out and then trying it on. This should fit nicely and complement with the theme for the wedding so you don’t look out of the place during the ceremony.

    The key to finding the right causal wedding dress is dependent on your body type. If you are boxy, you should find an outfit that gives the illusions of curves. If this is not your problem, try to find something that gets the attention away from these areas.

    If you are still having a hard time, perhaps it is time to get a casual wedding dress that is custom made to your specifications.

    There are two things that make the casual wedding dress a good value for your money. First, is the fact that this dress is much cheaper than a traditional wedding gown. The cheapest one will cost less than $50 while a branded one may well go over a $1,000.

    Second, a casual wedding dress is that this can be used again unlike the formal wedding gown that is kept away after use. This can be worn again when you are attending a party or eating in a restaurant.

    The casual wedding dress is great given that you are not limited to white or ivory for your special day. You can get one that uses soft pastels to bright blues and reds or even hibiscus prints. The important thing is that you feel comfortable wearing it.

    The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses

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    The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses
    The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses

    Indeed, modern brides are truly lucky because today, weddings—no matter how unconventional are they—are socially accepted. One of the most popular themed weddings today is the beach wedding. And because of this popularity, more and more designers and bridal shops are offering a wide array of beach wedding dresses that brides—as well as grooms—can choose from.

    What you need to know about beach wedding dresses

    Because of the popularity of beach weddings, beach wedding dresses have occupied a large number of racks in various bridal salons and stores. If you are one of those brides that are considering a beach wedding for her big day, you must familiarize yourself with everything about it first.

    Read More: Valentine Day with Someone Special

    Usually, couples that are beach bums are the only ones who prefer beach wedding. This is because they would like the beach to be a special part of their union just like what it was during their dating stage. But today, even those who are not really into beach life can opt for this type of wedding if they want to. All they need to do is plan everything out carefully.

    In a beach wedding, the major consideration is the venue or the beach itself. Since you will be inviting guests, it will be wiser to choose a nearby beach to save you and your guests from hassle in getting to the place. Also, it is best to choose a beach in a tropical country because the climate is warmer and better all throughout the year.

    The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses
    The Comfort Beach Wedding Dresses

    For brides, the next major consideration would be the attire. Here comes a variety of beach wedding dresses to choose from. In choosing beach wedding dresses, keep in mind that they should not be formal since the celebration itself has a casual mood. There is no need for full and formal skirts or elaborate headpieces. What is called for in this occasion are and sleek style—perfect for a beach backdrop. Ideal beach wedding dresses are those that have simple yet classes and elegant design. Here, minimalist look will work best since there is no need to over accessorize.

    If you look in various bridal shops that offer beach wedding dresses, the staple designs would be strapless or tube, sleeveless, and halter. These beach wedding dresses are designed that way not only to show off the nice figure of the bride but also to give her utmost comfort during the rites. Most beach wedding dresses come in these styles but there are also variations in terms of length and body type of the bride.

    When it comes to accessories, beach wedding dresses require very minimal and casual ones. In fact, compared to the gowns worn on traditional church weddings, beach wedding dresses don’t even require a veil. Since the overall feel of the theme is casual, you can choose dainty accessories such as a ring of flowers and use it as a hair band or barrettes that match your beach wedding dress and your other accessories.

    For the hair, easygoing styles such as simple ponytail would do. For the footwear, there is also no need to wear high heels since it doesn’t match the dress and the location. Opt for dainty pair of flip-flops or sandals with soft and intricate straps. If you truly want an authentic feel of the beach, you can go barefoot. Just make sure that there are no stones in the sand so you won’t hurt your foot as you go your way.

    Today, modern brides are truly blessed because they have an option not to wear heavy and formal gowns by choosing a beach themed wedding. In this type of wedding, brides don’t have to worry about choosing a formal gown because they can only wear a beach wedding dress.

    Why choose a beach wedding dress

    Indeed, in all of the modern concepts of wedding, beach theme is one of the most popular. Because of this popularity, a beach wedding dress has become a common option for this themed wedding because they are easy to choose and to carry.

    For most brides, a beach wedding dress is the most suitable wedding dress because it requires lesser time in finding what to wear for the occasion. Since they can save time, brides who prefer wearing a beach wedding dress can have more time to plan and carry out details of the entire ceremony.

    Aside from being hassle free, a beach wedding dress is also ideal because it can provide you with utmost comfort during this stressful time. It is also less expensive compared to the traditional wedding gowns out there because a beach wedding dress usually come in simple cuts and designs meant for the location.

    Also, before buying a beach wedding dress, make sure that this is designed to cling to the contours of your body. A beach wedding dress should be pared down and slim fit to ensure that you wont be distracted once the wind caught the hem or any part of your dress. Perfect options for a beach wedding dress include straight-line wedding dresses, mermaid cut wedding dresses and those that are princess line cut to ensure that you can move about easily. Aside from portability because of the use of lightweight material, also make sure that the beach wedding dress is easy to transport by avoiding too much detail or accessories on it.

    Choosing a beach wedding dress

    Although it might seem easy, there are also major considerations when you choose a beach wedding dress. The first major consideration in choosing a wedding dress should be the climate of the destination. Determining the climate is very important because this can affect your overall comfort during the wedding. Make sure that you have checked with the local weather station branch the usual climate for the area before setting your final wedding date. If the area is rainy or prone to storm, it is best to look for a beach that in a tropical country that the weather would not ruin your special date.

    Next consideration would be the average temperature. If the beach where the ceremony will take place is in a tropical country such as in Boracay, Philippines, opt for a beach wedding gown that is made cotton or something that will let the air pass through. Aside from the material used, also choose designs that will let you breathe from the harsh heat of the area. Ideal cuts are sleeveless, tube, strapless, or off-the-shoulder ones because these can give you ultimate comfort despite direct exposure to the beach.

    The type of fabric is also a big consideration. If you are choosing a beach wedding dress for your big and special day, make sure that you opt for those that are styles and cuts made from fabrics that are lightweight such as organza or chiffon. This will ensure that you will be comfortable despite the harsh winds and heat of the beach.

    Valentine Day with Someone Special

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    Valentine Day with Someone Special
    Valentine Day with Someone Special

    For many Valentine Day is one of the most romantic days of the years. For these couples this day is as special as their personal anniversaries or other special days they celebrate throughout the year. Therefore, they often want to plan a very special and romantic Valentine’s Day for them and their partner to enjoy. This article will provide some useful tips for those who will be spending Valentine’s Day with someone who is very special to them and are looking for ideas on how to plan a memorable day.

    First of all consider, planning your Valentine’s Day celebration with your partner. Surprises are great and your partner may really appreciate your thoughtfulness and planning but one way to ensure your partner is thrilled with your plans for Valentine’s Day is to involve her in the planning process. Planning a special Valentine’s Day together gives you and your partner the opportunity to enjoy even more time together and to make plans which you know you will both love.

    Another way to make sure your Valentine’s Day with someone special is a great day is to really put a great deal of time and effort into the planning. It can be difficult to plan a truly spectacular Valentine’s Day at the last minute because you are likely to run into a series of mishaps as a result of others trying to plan a great Valentine’s Day for themselves. To avoid this type of problem, plan way ahead and make all necessary reservations way in advance. If you put a great deal of time into planning your Valentine’s Day celebration, your partner is bound to notice. Conversely, if you try making plans at the last minute, she is likely to notice this as well and will likely feel disappointed that you didn’t spend more time planning.

    Consider a weekend getaway for a truly memorable Valentine’s Day with someone special. A weekend getaway can be as elaborate as a long weekend on a tropical beach or a couple of days in a new city. It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do as much as it matters who you are with for this trip. If you are spending time with someone you love and going to a location you will both enjoy, it is sure to be a spectacular trip. For example a couple of sports enthusiasts might love a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY while a couple who loves the outdoors may appreciate a camping trip in the mountains of CO.

    If you are spending Valentine’s Day with someone special, you might want to consider giving your loved one a truly unique gift. For example red roses are one of the most traditional Valentine’s Day gifts but you can put a spin on this old fashioned idea. For example, if your girlfriend loves gardening you might give her a gift such as a few gardening tools and some bulbs that you can plant together in the spring. It may not seem like the most romantic gift to others but if you know it is something your loved one will cherish; it can be a great Valentine’s Day gift.

    Valentine Day with Someone Special
    Valentine Day with Someone Special

    Another way to spend a memorable Valentine’s Day with someone special is to cook a dinner for her yourself. Many couples view Valentine’s Day as a time to go out to expensive restaurants and enjoy elaborate meals but other couples enjoy staying home and enjoying a quite meal together. You can take charge of the planning and do all the cooking yourself or you can involve your girlfriend and turn the cooking into part of the date. For example if you know how to make a particularly difficult dish, you might ask your partner to help you so you can teach her the basics of how to make the dish. The two of you can spend some time preparing the meal together and then enjoy the dinner by candlelight.

    Lloyds of London

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    Over the years, coffeehouses have grown to be a prominent fixture in many communities and cities all over the world. Apparently, conversations over a cup of coffee are a seemingly sedate pastime enjoyed by a great number of people over the world. But what would you say if you were told that one of the world’s leading insurance provider stated form the humble beginning as a coffeehouse frequented by sailors, merchants and passengers way back in the 17th century. Quite impressive, right? What till you see the famous Lloyds of London building, which have easily become a tourist attraction in the city of London.

    The world famous insurance provider has been in the business for over 300 years, making it a force to be reckoned with in the insurance industry. However, the Lloyds of London is not solely an insurance company it also offers its services to a great number of individual insurance firms such as arranging policies. The now famous building that have certainly gathered a lot of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ was designed by an architect named Richard Rogers who also claim the credit of being the architect of the Pompidou Centre in Paris and the Heathrow terminal. It is certainly a majestic masterpiece to behold, and was actually opened by no less than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II way back in 1986. Certainly a long way from the modest beginnings of the unassuming coffeehouse owned by, you guessed it – Lloyd himself.

    However, it was not always an uphill climb for Lloyds of London. The company has suffered some major financial setbacks in 1980’s and 90’s, mainly because of the massive claims made by policyholders who suffered from natural calamities. Aside from that, the company’s history is also peppered with a string of lawsuits filed against them from clients who were not properly advised by insurance agents. They were able to get back on track by amending the outdated policies they have and began proffering limited-liability investments. The major policy changes made by Lloyds of London have proven to be quite timely since it effectively prevented what might have been a huge crumpling of one of the world’s insurance giants.

    Today, Lloyds of London cater to a diverse clientele, from the rich and famous, to the ordinary individuals and businessmen who would want to safeguard their properties and all other things they deem necessary to insure. The company have certainly set to be an exemplary role model for small business who are aspiring to making it big in their respective industries.