Kilty Larkin’s

Every woman knows the power of a little black dress. The phrase itself has a life of its own in popular culture. Just say it and watch as the wheels turn in the minds of those around you. Either because of film or real life experiences, men everywhere respond instantaneously to those three little words - little black dress. If you don’t have one hanging in your closet you need to go out and find one before the weekend. You will not be disappointed.

Some men go for the proverbial nurse image, others are partial to Princess Leia and her golden bikini, but every man, every single one, gets tongue-tied in front of a woman in a little black dress. There is something about a woman in a black dress that evokes respect and admiration. This outfit makes one look important and classy. It is, beyond any other, a truly classic look. Whether you accessorize with diamonds or dark sunglasses, this is the ultimate fashion must have!

If you have yet to add this important piece to your wardrobe, I suggest that you treat this as a special and significant purchase. Depending on the events you plan to wear the dress to, you may want to look at collections such as Frederick’s for a more romantic piece. You will be able to find more conservative or everyday dresses at stores like JC Penney or Jones Store.

If you purchase a quality piece, it can last for years and you can get a lot of use out of a little black dress because you can wear one to practically any occasion whether it is a high school reunion, a cocktail party, a romantic dinner or even a funeral. The little black dress can be dressed up or down depending on your mood but you will never go wrong with this outfit.

My personal recommendation would be to find a timeless style that would be acceptable in multiple situations and environments. Then, for yourself or your sweetheart perhaps, find a little black dress that has more personality. Vintage dresses are widely available and are great additions to any wardrobe. Check local boutiques for a unique dress that will make you unforgettable.

Every woman needs a little black dress in her closet. It can be your fallback plan dress or your secret weapon. It all depends on how you wear it. The little black dress is an iconic piece of clothing and will never let you down. Black is a flattering color on any skin tone and can be slimming on any body type. Just be aware that you may get more attention than you anticipated!

Indoor volleyball has been a respected sport for a long time and then the new kid on the block came along. Beach volleyball is an old pastime but only became popular as a professional sport from the late 1990s. Until then, it was mostly played for fun in California, with some local tournaments taking place. It began in Santa Monica during the 1920s and gradually spread elsewhere. People mainly viewed it as a fun thing to do on vacation but then the media started to take an interest. Today, it is a highly competitive business with sponsors competing for a piece of the action.

It took a while for people to take this new sport on their TV screens seriously. Controversy still reigns, especially with regard to the rather skimpy sportswear worn by female players. The women’s events are more popular in fact and most of the well-known competitors are female. Sometimes, the clothing worn has offended in some Islamic countries. All this attention has no doubt boosted the sport but it’s fair to say that both men and women train hard and approach tournaments in a professional manner. Beach volleyball is an exciting spectator sport with lots of skill and quick thinking required.

There are slight variations to the rules as played in indoor volleyball, the most obvious being that indoor teams have six players and beach volleyball teams have just two. Beach volleyball players are allowed to play barefoot. The sport has proved most successful for the US and Brazil, with Australia catching up. The sport was included in the 1996 Olympic Games for the first time, for men and women. It’s popular in lots of other countries too, including landlocked countries. Professional beach volleyball is played in China, Greece and Germany. There are also Youth Tournaments to help the development of the game.

The sport of beach volleyball has produced quite a few celebrities now and is gaining in credibility. People who shunned it at first have been drawn in by the hard fought contests and abilities of the teams. There has been an attitude that beach volleyball is something that anyone can do. In fact, anyone can play baseball but it doesn’t mean that you could do it well. Playing a friendly game with your friends is very different from representing your country and trying to get a Gold Medal. There is always an argument about what sports should be included in the Olympics. Beach volleyball is definitely here to stay.

Please tell me that you’re not one of those celebrity worshipers. I really don’t know what to think of these people. No offense, but get a life of your own. Pining over celebrities is not only lame, but it’s actually pathetic. Okay, so that statement may tick a lot of people off. However, typically if a comment makes you angry, it probably holds some truth. Now, let’s think about this issue with celebrities for a moment. Take Jessica Alba for instance. You can probably purchase Jessica Alba posters in a variety of stores and online. They’re not difficult to come by. Of course I admit that she’s an attractive girl. However, I can say the same thing about countless others. There’s nothing exclusive to her beauty. This can be said about any Hollywood star, supermodel, or musician.

Well, if you’re looking for Jessica Alba posters, then you’ve come to the wrong place. I’m sure that you can find plenty on EBay though. I heard the whole spiel a while back about this young actress, and how she was the most looked-up name on the Internet, yada, yada, yada. I guess it’s simple to come to the conclusion that men like her. That’s understandable. However, the truth is that no one would care if she weren’t famous. People always tend to build up actors and actresses from the roles they see them play. They soon start to believe that the celebrity has something that others don’t. This is bogus. All of you out there are falling for their characters. The characters are not the celebrities. So do you want jessica alba posters or are you infatuated with Dark Angel? They’re not the same. Jessica Alba is about as super-human as Paris Hilton. Didn’t you see her host the MTV Movie Awards? I think I can conclude that no one loves Jessica Alba more than Jessica Alba does. Big surprise! Truth be told - I love Jessica Alba also - but I’m trying to make a point here!?!

Feel free to collect as many Tom Welling, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jessica Alba posters as you please. However, try not to forget that these are just mere mortals, who get paid far too much money to act like someone they’re not and read a script of witty dialog that was crafted by someone else. At the end of the day, they aren’t exactly saving the planet from anything. On the other hand, if you keep purchasing those Jessica Alba posters, maybe she can buy herself some more high fashion attire and jewelry. That’s important!

Marilyn Monroe pictures and likenesses are still everywhere. She has become an icon, and the standard of glamour, sexiness, and beauty throughout the world. Her legacy is carried on in modern day pin-up images by Anna Nicole Smith, Britney Spears, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Scarlett Johansson, Paris Hilton, Jenna Jameson, Carmen Electra, Jessica Simpson, etc. (Did I forget your favorite?) All of these beauties, and many more, pose in the style of Marilyn Monroe pictures taken many generations ago. Some say that Betty Grable was the first pin-up Queen, but Marilyn Monroe’s pictures made the pin-up an art form.

OK, so the most obvious choice is the classic Marilyn Monroe picture where she is standing over the subway grate blowing cool air up her sexy dress on a hot city day - in the movie, The Seven Year Itch, with co-star Tom Ewell. But what if you want a more original or rare Marilyn Monroe picture, one that not everyone has plastered to the bathroom or bedroom wall?

I have seen over the years some gorgeous, stunning, and rare Marilyn Monroe pictures that seem more representative of the Marilyn Monroe who was a person, too. One of my favorites is the shot of her working out. She is laying with her back to the bench press, holding small dumbbells up in front of her. She is dressed in jeans and a bathing suit top. The photo is black and white, shot by Phillipe Halsman in Hollywood in 1952. Simple… real… beautiful.

Another staged but nevertheless telling Marilyn Monroe picture is one with her in ballerina-like dress, a strapless white and gauzy number. She is sitting on a chair, facing the camera. She is barefoot, her painted toes crossing over each other as those of a child who would fidget with her feet. She is (nervously - pretending?) hunched inward, one hand in her lap the other moving toward her face.

Marilyn Monroe picture collectors will probably already own the pin-up, Vargas Girl photo, of Marilyn naked, stretched out on red satin that matches her red lipstick, but they may not have such unique pieces as the one of her doing a Lustre Creme ad, the magazine ad she is featured in to sell Tru-Glow makeup, or Sam Shaw’s photo of Marilyn in a bathrobe, looking wistfully out of the window of what is presumably her house?

More Marilyn Monroe pictures that have appeal are the ones where she is with other celebrities. There is a set of photos of her with an old car, a set including one photo of Marilyn leaning on the car and Sammy Davis Jr. in the foreground doing a Mr. Bojangles-style kick in mid-air. Classic. Also in the series, Sammy and Marilyn are joined by Frank Worth.

And the true collector of Marilyn Monroe pictures will have the rarest of images: Marilyn on the cover of the very first issue of Playboy, on the cover of a May 14, 1956 issue of Time (where she is depicted in sketch illustration), and on the cover of LAFF, a "humorous picture magazine".

But the best of Marilyn Monroe pictures may be those taken before she was Marilyn Monroe. Norma Jean is in bathing suit, on the beach, or in vibrant red sweater, standing at the shore in Mexico and captured by the early tintype photography or the brilliant color photography of William Carrol in 1945. Of course, there’s the rarest of pics of Marilyn/Norma Jean: of her as a baby, sitting on her mother Gladys’s lap at the beach… adorable as ever. Goodbye Norma Jean - we still love you.

Jack Daniel’s, the Old No. 7 Brand, is a name most adults recognize as smooth sippin’ Tennessee whiskey made in Lynchburg, Tennessee, population 361. Jack Daniel’s is a sour mash that differs from bourbon because it goes through an extra ten day process that involves dripping the new whiskey through sugar maple charcoal, refining the taste and the aroma. This great smooth taste can be enjoyed straight up, on the rocks, or mixed with water or soda. Jack Daniel’s Cocktails are another pleasurable way to enjoy this spirit, with seven different Country Cocktails to choose from, including Lynchburg Lemonade, Watermelon Spike, Wildberry Jack, Blackberry Jack, Downhome Punch, Hurricane Punch, and Black Jack Cola. All cocktails are conveniently packaged too, so no time is wasted preparing refreshments! Just get the glasses and the ice and you’re ready to go!

Visitors to the Lynchburg, Tennessee area can take tours of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery and sample the product throughout tour. If visiting Jack Daniel’s online, go to www.jackdaniels.com for interesting facts and a virtual tour. The Jack Daniel’s online store sells many unique items for the Jack Daniel’s connoisseur, like a cribbage board made from pieces of used whiskey barrels. The golf enthusiast will enjoy Gentleman Jack golf balls or a Gentleman Jack polo shirt. Also available at the Jack Daniel’s Online Store is glass barware, decorative mirrors, playing cards, cocktail shakers, tee shirts, flasks, key chains, decanters, ornaments, and much more! Limited edition items may also be purchased and the selection differs depending on what is in stock at the time order is placed. Rest assured that any of these would make a great gift for anyone who loves Jack Daniel’s!

For Jack Daniel’s Recipes visit “Around the Tennessee Table” for cooking with Jack Daniel’s in the kitchen or on the grill. Great mouth watering marinades, cocktails, desserts, holiday, and party food suggestions using Jack Daniel’s smooth sippin’ sour mash whiskey, a Tennessee tradition. There is also a forum for recipe swapping and cooks can post their recipes if they like, and share how they incorporate Jack Daniel’s into their favorite creations. Jack Daniel’s doesn’t have to be just for sippin’!

Remember to drink (and eat!) responsibly, and visit Jack Daniel’s online at (one more time) www.jackdaniels.com, or at the legendary Lynchburg, Tennessee distillery, where visitors’ pictures are snapped while in the rickyard and posted on the website, so say “Cheers”!

Happy New Year - yes - but New Years Eve tends to be one of those days that is very depressing for people. There are so many expectations that come with new years eve that people are often left feeling let down by themselves or others. One of the reasons for this is the tradition of new years resolutions. This tradition requires that each person states on new years eve, what they are going to change about their life, or what they are going to accomplish in the coming year. Often times these resolutions are broken before the confetti is cleaned up from the New Years Eve celebration. A good resolution to make is to not make any resolutions.

Another reason that New Years Eve often is disappointing is that it marks the end of the celebration of the holiday season. During the holiday season people tend to eat too much, drink too much, and spend more time with relatives that they manage to avoid during the rest of the year. There is usually traveling involved and time off from the regular routines of school and work. All of these factors combined with broken resolutions makes for a New Years Eve that is not a cause for celebration.

New Years Eve does not have to be this way. If New Years Eve is a day that depresses you do something different. Start a tradition of your own that will make new years eve a true celebration. There are many ideas of things that you can do. If you live in an area where there is snow, go sledding or ice skating as a family. If you live in a warmer climate check out a hiking trail or build a fire on the beach.

One of the safest ideas is to create a fun New Years Eve event at home. Prepare a special meal together as a family. Eat it in a room that you ordinarily do not eat in. Play some board games while you listen to each others favorite music. Spend time talking about the holiday season that is coming to an end and what each person’s favorite memory is. Often times people fear that this type of family gathering is going to meet resistance from the children, but children crave spending quality time as a family and what better day to do this but on new years eve, which marks a fresh start. Many people do not stay at home because they feel obligated to go to a new years eve party. Feeling obligated does not usually put one in the best party mood, so why go.

New Years Eve has the potential to be a great day if you just allow yourself to develop new traditions to celebrate the passing of one year and the beginning of another. New Years Eve does not have to be filled with regrets and thoughts of failure, it is up to you to allow yourself a positive beginning to the new year. So, say it again - Happy New Year!

Punk earrings are always in vogue. I mean really… how can you complete your punk rock outfit without the punk earrings to go with it? I tried, and you just can’t. Part of this goes back to the philosophy and origins of punk rock. You see, punk is about rebellion. Adolescent rebellion to begin with, followed by a lifetime as someone different. As such, marking your body is a way of owning it, and taking ownership over who you are. For me, it started when I was very young. I was looking for jewelery on the internet. I had looked at some 14k gold earrings, and fondly day dreamed of how it would be when I grew up to be a real rebel like in the movies.

Yeah, okay, so I was naive then. But who really cares, when you get down to it. My first punk rock earring was nothing but a safety pin, which a friend of mine had the consideration to shove through my ear after we got drunk for the first time at the age of thirteen. We “sterilized” it with some dish soap. Needless to say, the infection was a little gross. But soon, I got other punk earrings from an online store, ones that were a bit more legit, I would say.

My ears are now pierced all up and down, from the lobe all of the way up to the cartilage at the very top. They look pretty cool, filled out with punk earrings and trinkets of various sorts, not to mention a few safety pins. I’ve never regretted any of my punk earrings even for a minute, but they don’t really make my whole look all by themselves. Besides them, there are of course many other things that I have to do to look really cool.

One of the things is to wear the right belt. You can barely notice punk earrings until you get close to someone, but a good belt with a big fat buckle can show off for 50 feet in all direction. I’ve got a four-alarm one, complete with rhinestones. I mean that it is rad! When I walk down the street on a sunny day, I literally look blinding with all the flash and sparkle that I’m giving off. But it is the little touches, like punk earrings, which really make the look complete so that everyone will see what I’m about.

Is it Halloween yet? Man, it is taking forever to get here! I just can’t wait to scare some tiny trick-or-treaters. That is always my favorite part. I can whip out my handy vampire makeup, glue in my fake fangs and pull on my dark cloak. You should just see how well I actually resemble Dracula. Okay, minus the whole bug eating thing.

Anyway, that night full of spooks, strange sounds, and howling monsters sure can be a blast if you do it right. Last year I was able to scare at least a dozen little witches, goblins and ghouls out of their wits. Of course then I gave them a hefty portion of candy to smooth things over. This way they get the full effect of that eerie autumn night that only comes around once each year. They get the trick and the treat. Anyone else up for a little Halloween fun and excitement? That spooky evening is drawing near.

What are you going to be for Halloween this year? Have you tried the new Freddy costumes yet? Or maybe you’re more of a Jason fan. There is certainly something to be said about all that 80s slasher flick propaganda. It seems like we horror movie nuts can’t get enough of it. Why else would we spend our Halloweens prancing around like a cinema serial killer?

Personally I tend to go with the same costume every year. I know what you’re thinking; how boring. Well, when it comes to vampire makeup and a good set of fangs, I just have trouble saying no. Surely there is a costume or character that has this same effect on you. Is it a witch, warlock or werewolf? Or do you like to invent your own monster get-up?

Regardless of what you like to be, the best place to shop for supplies is the World-Wide-Web. Where did you think I got my fangs and vampire makeup? The reason I prefer cyberspace is because of the selection. Compared to Halloween shops and other stores, there is simply no question. I don’t care if you’re searching for mere vampire makeup or an entire King Kong costume, the Internet is the place to look. Not to mention you can do it easily from the privacy of your own home. You can hardly beat that.

So if you’re ready to go costume hunting or just need to pick up some fake blood and vampire makeup, hop online and check out the selection. They literally have prices that compete with anyone.

Do you like dressing up? What am I asking such a stupid question for? Of course you do. Why in the heck wouldn’t you? It’s a blast to put on bizarre and creepy outfits and pretend you’re someone else. That’s why we all go gaga over that big night that only comes once a year. Yes indeed, I’m talking about Labor Day. Okay, well maybe I’m not. It’s Halloween that gets my juices flowing. When else can you find a sexy schoolgirl hanging out and laughing with Frankenstein? Or how about Spiderman, Wonder Woman, and Superman in the same room?

I just can’t wait to hit up all the cool costume stores. You know the ones that have all the eerie freak-show stuff like Spencer’s Gifts. That one is probably my absolute favorite. It’s always loaded with ghoulish demons, scary witches, and terrifying monsters. Although none of these things are real, they’re still rather stimulating to say the least. Are you getting anxious for that cool autumn night when the moon is full and the spirits move about carelessly? I know I am. I had better get ready for all those costume stores. It’s always prudent to shop early.

Where did you find your costume for last Halloween? Did you hit up Target or Wal-Mart? You cheap-skate! You never want to belittle All Hallows Eve with such cheesy garbage. What you need is some real Halloween costume stores. You know, the ones that go all out with gobs of fake blood, pools of rising mist and authentic Freddy Kruger costumes and Michael Myers masks.

One nuance that I especially love these days regards the classic vampire. Remember how they used to sell those cheap plastic fangs every year? Yeah, you remember the ones. They were uncomfortable, tacky looking and swamped with saliva every time you pulled them out. Yuck! Well, fortunately these days technology has increased. Now you can buy realistic fangs that literally glue on your K-9 teeth. I’m talking "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" real. These things look great once you’ve got them on. I think mine cost me around 20 bucks at one of the local costume stores. But I must say they were well worth it.

Now that I think of it, you can probably even find them cheaper on the World-Wide-Web. This is also a choice place to search for Halloween costumes, decorations, and props. Not to mention a variety of other costumes for any random occasion. So hop online and check out all the virtual costume stores today. You’re bound to save some big bucks.

Are you a A#1 original? I’m talking about autonomy here, folks. Are you completely independent and functional on your own, without the influence of the media tainting your decisions and fashion? If you are, then good for you. I honestly believe this is rare now days. There are plain and simply too many followers. I mean, get your own style people. Take a gander at Lenny Kravitz. Now that’s without a doubt a man doing his own thing, and that’s why people love him. So what are you doing to be your own person? Regardless of what it is, I’m sure you have your reasons. Now, one of the more popular trends these days concerns tattoos and piercings. Although I certainly can’t state that this route is exactly original, I will say that it can be done right. Which do you have; a tongue barbell or one of those flashy belly button rings?

Have you jumped on the band wagon? I’m talking about belly button rings. Please don’t tell me that you had yours before they became all the rage. If I hear that one more time, I think I’m going to hurl. Maybe I should start telling people I had hair before it was all the rage. What do you think they would have to say about that? Regardless, there are attractive ways to go about belly button rings, and then there are poor ways. First of all, this is clearly not a trend for males. I have never in my life heard a woman comment about how much they like some dude’s belly button ring.

The truth is our society has deemed that particular piercing a feminine one. Now, unfortunately these days so many individuals have belly button rings that it’s definitely no longer the unique thing to do. So if you’re interested in belly button rings because you find them unique, I suggest you take another look around. Like the tattoo on the lower back, belly button rings have become quite standard on American girls. This is not to say that the naval ring is not attractive or appealing, because it certainly can be. Heck, take a look at the Victoria’s Secret models. I’m sure most men find those belly button rings quite beautiful. In reality, if you feel comfortable piercing your naval, then that’s what counts. With the plethora of belly button rings available these days, there is definitely much to choose from. Hop online anytime for a massive array of belly button rings to suit any individual.