Kids have a choice in Clothes - Family Tips & Advice

Children regardless girls or boys are dominated by consumerism? TV is a big part of the family, whether we like it or not, and more to that the games console is just as bad. Many years ago, this was not the case, well not altogether true? The only time parents would cringe was at Christmas time? It was a period known as us against them, consumer against retailer, well retailer plus children against parents? You might describe in depth of you disapproval, your "taut" stance, and your governance?

But all this is just a token gesture in the eyes of the warrior child? Because in the end, you gave a good account of yourself, but in vain? Because the onset is; Children will always be the victors?
Back to the future and the size of the war retail machine has increased so much aided by the spider web of the media, no use trying to wriggle your way out of it because we are swamped in it's consumer quick sand and the echoing voices from afar in your ears forever ringing and repeating the deafening screeching noise of "I want that", "can I have that, can I, can I “My best friend Mike has got Nike boots, can I have them? Janine has got the full set of Barbie house and friends, can I have it?
At one time you were safe in the knowledge that power belonged to you, you can choose you can dictate for a while.

Not anymore those good days have gone? to be replaced by a 3yr old sizing themselves up in a mirror or walking in those brand new expensive shoes you have just bought from the shoe shop; Trying to emulate you? Whether they are 3yrs old or 5yrs old, these kids self awareness has evolved much earlier than you think and the "dawning" of consumer madness already in them and flourishing?
Family Tips & Advice
Buy socks all the same colour. It will be less aggravating when your washing machine eats one, and you can't find a mate.
*Buy solid colour clothing items that can be layered and worn with a variety of other pieces. They can be worn more frequently without people thinking you are wearing the same item again.
*Avoid trims and other decorative elements that make the piece of clothing harder to blend with other pieces, and again, more noticeable when worn.
*When buying knitted items, look for strength and durability. The fabric should be more dense than loose, and the stretch should be limited.
*Keep away from trendy items if you want the piece of clothing to last several years and be passed down to another child.
*Look for clothes that can be enlarged as your child grows. Generous hems can be let down. Creases in the hemline can be removed with a little vinegar and a warm iron. The same is true for sleeve lengths with simple sleeves.
*Elastic in the waistband is easily adjusted and fits longer. It is also more comfortable. That is why you see most toddler clothes in this style. Use this when you can on casual clothes for older children. The same is true for adjustable straps for jumpers, overalls, play suits, etc.
*If you can, buy clothes slightly larger than your child. They will quickly grow into them and last longer.
*Don't go shopping without a list. Go through your children's clothes and see what they need. Write it down, and keep to it!
Your children have colours that they like, and look good with just as you do. Look through some catalogues with your child and talk about clothes. It may not be your favourite subject, but a little knowledge may help you avoid "buying mistakes" that sit in the wardrobe unworn.
Starting School
Whether your child is returning to school to start a new year or whether they are going for the first time, there are plenty of things to get organised and prepare for. Even children who love school may feel just a little anxious before going back so reduce any possible stress by being completely sorted and not leaving everything until the last minute.
Are you ready?
Have you thought of and bought or booked the following?
• Uniform
• Sports kit
• Shoes
• School bag and games bag
• Booked school lunches
• Lunch box and flask
• Snack box
• Waterproof coat
• Allergy details for the teacher
• Pens, rulers, pencil case etc
• Haircuts
• Getting together with another child in the same year before the start of term

Preparation
In the first few days your child will face new places, people, rules and relationships. This can be both exciting and frightening.
You can help by familiarising your child with their new environment before school starts:
• Make at least one visit to the school before your child's first day. If possible, arrange to show your child around their new classroom and
Meet their teacher. Take a look at where they'll leave their coat and lunchbox and show them the toilets, playground and hall.
• Talk about each place as you visit it. For some children just looking will be enough. But others, who learn more rapidly through hearing, will
Benefit from your descriptions.
• Find out about the daily routine from the teacher and let your child know what to expect. For example, many schools start with reading on the mat, the daily register and so on. Knowing what's coming next will help your child make sense of their day.
• Lastly, for your own reassurance you could ask the teacher what strategies he or she uses to settle the children.

Plan ahead
If the school has an evening for new parents go along and take note of all the items your child will need on their first day.
Shop for uniform and other equipment early - you're more likely to find things in the right sizes and you'll avoid the crowding of the last week before term starts.
Make the shopping trip into a special event for you and your child and emphasise they're choosing their grown-up school clothes.
The countdown
If your child's in holiday routine - staying up late and rising late - then one week before term begins change their schedule. Gradually bring their bedtime back to a time suitable for school nights and introduce more regular eating habits with meals at set times.
You may need to get into the term-time habit too. Write a list of all the things you'll need to organise, such as dinner money, snacks and lunches, gym clothes, reading folder and painting coverall. Stick the list to the fridge and tick each item off as you sort it out.
Involve your child in getting ready for their first day. The evening before term starts you and your child can work together to lay out their uniform, bag and snacks.
Last of all set your alarm early for the first day - even the most organised parents and children need extra time to get ready for the big event.
Your emotions
your feelings will guide your child's emotions. If you approach your child's first day with confidence that they'll be fine, using positive words about school and loving attention, their anxieties will be reduced.
Saying goodbye at school may be very emotional for you. But try to send your child off with a smile and a wave along with the reassurance that you'll be there to collect them later. Remember even distressed children settle very quickly once you're gone, so make your leave loving but brief. If you're particularly worried, most schools will be receptive if you want to phone in later to check your child is ok.
The end of the day
do make sure you're a little early to collect your child (This goes without saying?) at the end of the first few days - even a few minutes late can seem an eternity to a waiting child. Your child will probably be tired and hungry so a healthy snack and some quiet time, with or without you, will be just what they need after school.
Listen to your child. They'll probably talk about their day in their own time so avoid pressing your child, but do give them opportunities to talk to you.
Confidence building
By the time they reach school age, children develop an established sense of self-esteem. A child with high self-esteem has the confidence to try new things and make friends. A child with low self-esteem has a tougher time in all these areas, and needs extra help from you.
Maintaining your child's confidence
It's still vitally important for you to keep working at building your child's confidence throughout these years, especially as school life and friends may give it a sideways knock.
Suggestions
• Believe in your child and show it - let her know she's a worthwhile, lovable individual.
• Give praise and positive feedback - your child measures her worth and achievements by what you think of her. "Well done, that was hard, and you managed it" is music to young ears. Reassure your child that it's OK to make mistakes and that it's all part of growing up.
• Practise active, reflective listening - listen carefully, repeat what you've heard to make sure you understand and give positive prompts to encourage your child to continue.
• Acknowledge your child's feelings - and help her express them verbally.
• Criticise behaviour, not your child - it's very easy to fall into this trap, but too much criticism tells your child she's a bad person and is causing things to happen because of her own stupidity. This is very damaging if it goes on for a long time. Be clear that it's an action you're angry about or behaviour you don't like.
• Respect your child's interests, even if they seem boring to you - take a genuine interest in your child's friends, and what's happening at school, and comment to show you're listening.
• Accept any fears or insecurities your child expresses as genuine - even if they seem trivial to you, don't just brush them aside. If your child says "I'm useless at maths" say "You're obviously finding maths a struggle, how can I help you?"
• Encourage independence - encourage your child to take chances and try new things. Succeeding gives a huge boost to confidence, and sometimes your child will need to learn by her mistakes.
• Laugh with your child - never at her.
• Focus on your child's successes - swimming, music, whatever she can succeed at.

Are you helping or hindering?
"I told you so" You've warned your child she shouldn't walk across the carpet carrying a cup full of milk and her dinner. She does it anyway, but trips and spills it. It's tempting to say: "Now looks what you've done. I told you that you couldn't do it." Comments such as this make your child feel even worse than she does already for failing at something. Instead, try to give support by saying something like: "Oh no, you tried, but it didn't work.
Never mind. Next time you could carry them one at a time."
Talking about your child It's not only the critical things said directly to your children that can undermine confidence. If your child overhears you tell someone that "she's got two left feet" or "she's so clumsy" they might think you really believe this and feel it can't be changed.
Putting yourself down Things you say about yourself can damage your child's self-esteem. Children learn a great deal from copying adults close to them. If you overreact to situations or pressure, your child may worry that you really can't handle life's challenges. This won't set your child an example of a positive, optimistic attitude to life and how to handle problems.
Thoughtless remarks Think before you speak and choose your words with care - it's very easy to say something without thinking, then wish you hadn't. "You're so clumsy" or "Don't be stupid" can be said in an irritated moment when the cereal is spilled or an innocent question is asked. Too many negative remarks like this can result in children believing they're useless or stupid.
All the following can damage a child's confidence:
• saying you don't love them
• saying you wish they'd never been born
• insults or unkind remarks
• deliberately ridiculing things your child does or feels
• cruel teasing and sarcasm
• endless nagging
• aggressive shouting and swearing
Say "sorry" if you get it wrong
none of us are saints and we all sometimes say something and immediately regret it. If this happens, it's best to admit this to your child. Say: "I should never have said that. It was an unkind thing to say and I don't mean it. I'm just tired." Then have a cuddle and make up.
Bullying
Teasing, some fighting and falling out with friends is a normal part of school-age relationships. But if one child is constantly dominating another, this
Creates a bully-victim relationship Bullies and victims may be unconsciously drawn to each other. Bullying is a big problem for many children.
Parents need to be alert to signs their children are involved in bullying.
Bullies and bullied are both victims
A bully may:
• Tease or hit other children
• Demonstrate a lot of angry behaviour or displays of temper
• Defy parents or teachers
A victim may:
• Find it hard to join in with friends
• Be taken advantage of or teased by other children
• Show some helplessness or be easily upset
• Be timid, shy or different in some way
If you think your child may be a bully
• Teach him or her about respecting other people's rights - don't just assume your child will know this. Constantly stress how others feel, and
How important it is not to do things that make other people feel bad. Try to teach your child to treat others as he or she would like to be treated.
• Have firm rules that don't accept mean or nasty behaviour towards others.
• Teach your child to negotiate. Use role play to teach him how to ask for things he wants rather than forcing his will on others.
• Keep a record of bullying incidents. This will help to identify whether anything in particular is causing your child stress and setting him off.
• Don't use bullying tactics at home to make your child do what you want.
• Make sure you're positive about your entire child's good, cooperative behaviour.
If you think your child may be a victim of bullying
• Explain that bullies are children who may be upset or sad, perhaps because of unhappy events at home.
• Tell your child it's not his fault and explain that no one deserves mean treatment.
• Use role play to teach him how to handle incidents, examples include not showing you're bothered or upset by teasing, saying firmly you
Don’t like it and walking away.
• Explain there's no shame in just keeping out of the bully's way.
• Listen and talk, take the time to listen to your child's worries about the events in his day.
• Be alert to when things seem to get worse - you may need to intervene.
• Build self-esteem by finding activities your child can be good at.
• Always praise your child, especially for acts of courage.
• Don't overprotect your child; it may only make him feel more vulnerable and helpless.
• Is your child dominated at home by siblings, for example? If so, maybe he's used to being treated like a doormat.

What forms does bullying take?
• Verbal - calling names, sarcastic remarks and put-downs
• Physical - hitting, pushing
• Psychological - deliberately excluding from a group, spreading malicious stories
• Threatening - demands for money or toys

Summary
Most bullying takes place in or near schools. If the bullying is serious, you may need to report it to the school. Most schools have a bullying policy and should take clear steps to do something about your complaint. If you're not satisfied, go to the school governors or to your local education authority. If the bullying is very serious, some parents opt to move their child to a different school for a fresh start, or decide to educate at home.

All year round tips & tricks

So you have just started to recover from the Christmas break disappointment of having to miss out on buying a popular present, having to greet the New Year with the ceremonial promise of the coming year's resolutions? Only to find out that your friend has dropped a word in your ear to tell you that they've just found an irresistible bargain at the clothing boutique for a cheap price and guess what you're too late to get there because it was a week ago that the sale started and so on??

When is this nightmare going to stop, Christmas, New Year, oh when will this ever stop?? Why are other people finding these bargains, whilst I find out via the magazine, paper, and media, only to reach to the store to be told ALL SOLD OUT???

Why do some shops place ads, fully knowing that the item you gazed your eyes on, you've set your mind on, will never be bought by you, because it was never available in the first place, no point in queuing, no point in being at the door first, because after the mayhem of getting to the item, it's gone, yes gone?? What you need to do is get clued up, wise up your shopping technique and get smart?? Instead of waiting till last minute to venture out, why not utilize the information below and plan a course of action well in advance for once??

January
Retailers cash in on New Years resolutions to exercise and get organised, so there are bargains on fitness equipment and office supplies.

February
Shops cut prices on boxes of chocolate a few days before Valentines Day to shift stock that's going out-of -date. Winter clothing also gets its biggest mark-downs now.

March
The first signs of spring means there are price reductions on gardening items, as well as holiday luggage.

April
This is when people are thinking about putting their homes on the market, so DIY stores encourage home-owners with mark-downs on paint and wallpaper.

May
Watch for bargains on white goods around the bank holiday

June
As the weather improves, retailers try to boost television sales with markdowns.

July
The summer sales are some of the best of the year. Summer clothing gets drastic price-cuts along with barbecues.

August
With summer warning, there are often bargains on out door furniture, with the summer holidays heading to a close. Retailers also offer bargains on school supplies and uniforms.

September
Sales abound on summer items such as lawn mowers and grills.

October
The newest toys for Christmas are hitting the shelves so shoppers can snap-up great deals while retailers make room for the latest crazes.

November
To cash-in on our desire to show off a sparkling home to Christmas guests, vacuum cleaners go on sale.

December
Yule-tide decorations, foods, cards, and toys get drastic markdowns as soon as Christmas is over.

The Dressy Androgynous look

Power Dressing - Androgynous Fashion Look 2007 - 2008

These days we're getting lazy with our work-wear. There isn't that many occasions which require we wear a full tailored suit with crisp shirt anymore. Most jobs today only require we look smart, which no longer means formal - a pair of black trousers and a neat top will usually suffice for the boardroom and some of us may get away with donning smart jeans or even (shock horror) a pair of flats to the office.
We've well and truly pushed the boundaries in the workplace, asserting our rights to wear skirts of all lengths, colourful tops and pretty shoes - but whatever happened to power dressing? With city slicking ladies leading the trend for fashionable work-wear, suits have quite simply become dull and promptly ditched in favour of more glamorous work-wear.
But a new kind of power dressing has emerged in recent months providing a stylish alternative to the classic work suit. The androgynous look has been keeping ultra-feminine fashion in check on the catwalk, seeing a trend towards nipped tailoring and bold, brash statement dressing - changing the way we dress for the office forever.

Whilst following all the current trends in the office is fun and fashionable, it also breaks the boundaries between work and play and like it or not, unless you work in the fashion industry, your boss will appreciate the smart and serious look rather than the ultra glam girl persona you may lead out of hours!

Power dressing may sound scary but it isn't if you carefully balance your look. Sometimes you might want to look fierce in front of colleagues and at others you might want to appear part of the crowd, so why not match your look to your work mood and start making big impressions through your clothes now that's power dressing.

Whether you've tried to win over a stubborn client or wanting to impress the rest of your colleagues with your ideas, the key is to choose clothes that ooze confidence. Feel confident as well as look it by choosing slimming styles that you feel comfortable wearing. Power dressing demands a fearless attitude which you'll never convincingly achieve if you don't like what you see in the mirror in the morning.

Choose trousers if you're unsure of baring your legs and leave the killer stilettos at home if you fear toppling over in the boardroom. Combine subtle pinstripe, slim leg trousers with pointed heels for a feminine, slimming look. Always wear high heels but opt for a chunkier heel rather than a stiletto for stability and a perfect, confident walk.
Pick jackets and blazers that are nipped in at the waist to create flattering curves and choose bold colours to wear underneath- weak pastel shades are the power dresser's major fashion faux pas; beige is anything but brave - choose an ambitious red or empowering orange.

If you're not sure about colour, embrace monochrome which is big business this season. Experiment with tailoring that features white lining and pinstripes, or simply add chic to a black suit with a thin white belt or bright crisp shirt.
Never wear anything too detailed or patterned when power dressing (you want to be bold - don't let your clothes steal the show). Choose straight, classic tailoring, smart, high-waist pencil skirts or trousers and find a style that you feel most confident and comfortable in.
Always keep accessories to a minimum choosing silver jewellery for subtle sparkle and a subtle leather tote or handbag to finish your confident, empowering and fashionably fierce look.

 

The Dressy Androgynous look

 

The androgynous look is a fun way to dress for work if your dress code forbids denim. You won't need to go all out to pull the look off as single elements of the trend will be just as effective.

 

 

Definition of Androgynous as used in fashion

As a 'look' of a female resembling a male. Popularized by actress Diane Keaton in the 1970's movie Annie Hall, and copied as fashion apparel. Kate Bosworth and Amanda Peet recently went androgynous at New York Fashion Week.

 

 

 

Celebrities & Fashion

Kate Bosworth and Amanda Peet embraced the menswear inspired fashion trend at the Rag Bone Runway Show in Bryant Park yesterday.

We love hearing all of our favourite celebrity fashionistas weigh in on the spring 2008 designs, and Kate had nothing but praise for Rag Bone's new line, saying, "I loved it! The clothes were easy to wear, effortless, chic".

Each piece you could match with something else [you own]. It was great." We all know how great Kate is at mixing and matching outfits. 

 

Fashion Update - Overview

We at SovaCollection have noticed the shift in trends since the 80's that during the period of time fashion has been the fundamental time portal into the culture, popular art and the feeling of that given age. Whether you liked what was popular in mainstream at that time, it still left its mark forever embedded in people's memories.
Fashion as a whole is a "personal mode of expression", which was denoted by the hysteria of that time shown by the media, or by music that was popular at that time. We saw this as far back in the eighties, where the mode of feeling was innovative and experimental.

 

Health & Wealth of Gemstones

For thousands of years gemstones have played a part in all cultures through the highest orders of religion and Egyptian Pharaohs which in both cases have been well documented. The Egyptian High Priests believed in using gemstones to generate the properties of certain crystals to amplify the power within to a higher level. The Gemstone crystals most used in ancient Egypt was Carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, emerald and clear quartz.

This can be seen within the Jewish religion where in the Old Testament where Moses was ordered to create a breastplate (ephod), to be worn by a chosen high priest, in which within the ephod specially held gemstones to represent each of the houses of Israel. It was thought that God would communicate via his judgement through these stones to denote his instruction of orders to the children of Israel.

Thousands of years ago cultures such as the Egyptians and the Chinese long knew about the healing power properties of the gemstone crystals. Because of the secret knowledge of the use of the crystals, those that knew the practice were deemed very powerful and likes of the highest orders of religion and royalty knew this and as such ensured that they were kept close and the use of this practice made available to the rich and powerful.

Such examples of this practice are well known even to this very day:-

Chinese Acupuncture using crystal needles   

Pranic healing no-touch energy healing

Ayurveda, Hinduism and Buddhism origin, using the art of Chakra to obtain the body and mind spiritual balance of life

The Mayans, Incas and native Indians also shared in the power of quartz crystals for healing on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. They also used crystals to diagnose diseases.

Most Gemstones are very old, sometimes millions and or billions of years old and have endured varying kind of miraculous traumatic force of nature, that was necessary to create them, such as earth quakes. For this reason gemstones are very powerful and by wearing them we can be near that power.

Learning more about gemstones and their properties, symbology and meanings can enhance our lives.
Healing Gemstones are spoken and described by many, but I have mentioned the most popular and the most powerful from centuries of old, scientific and religious.

Lapis lazuli - strengthens the immune system, also purifies blood, lowers blood pressure, cooling and soothing inflammation relief

Turquoise - aids in the absorption of nutrients, strengthens the immune system, aids the regeneration of tissue, and heals the whole body

Carnelian - Carnelian treats lower back problems, rheumatism, arthritis, neuralgia and depression.

Emerald - Emerald helps in such disorders of the body major organs such as the heart, lungs and also the lumbar and muscular system, also helps in the healing of nose, eyes conditions and also aids recovery after an infectious disease.

Quartz crystals - Crystal can give physical help in treating vertigo ( it's widely understood to be the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving), chronic fatigue stands for chronic fatigue syndrome, long term tiredness, accompanied with two or more symptoms, such as headaches, joint pains. Chronic means persistent or long-term

Chrysolite (Peridot) - Peridot (Also known as) strengthens the immune system, metabolism and benefits the skin. It aids disorders of the heart, thymus, lungs, gallbladder, spleen and intestinal tract.

Topaz - It fortifies the nerves and stimulates the metabolism, helps to restore loss of appetite, healing of wounds and skin eruptions, gall bladder and the endocrine glands

Malachite - helps to lower blood pressure, treats asthma, arthritis and epilepsy. Of the body it aids fractures, swollen joints, travel sickness, vertigo, tumours, the eyes optic nerve, body organs such as the pancreas, spleen and the parathyroid.

Amethyst - helps to strengthen the will by overcoming the withdrawal symptoms of any of addiction syndrome, also help with headaches, sleeping disorder insomnia, arthritis, diabetes, pain relief and circulatory system issues

Hematite - It is said to aid in the improvement of blood flow, relaxes the feeling of tension and the pain of certain diseases, heals blood disorders and damaged body tissue

Jade - aids the body’s filtration and elimination organs by detoxifying and rebuilding itself. It is excellent for treating kidney problems and adrenal glands. The reproductive system, it helps in fertility and childbirth.

Garnet - treats spine Injuries and disorders of the spine, spinal fluid, spinal column, structure and composition. It purifies the major organs such as the heart and lungs. Garnet can also boosts the body’s immune system and lift the body energy levels.

Gemstones have been a sacred and meaningful to mankind since its discovery. Even as early as the time of the caveman, they picked up on these interesting stones and wore them as part of their tribal wear. There is something mysterious, so interesting that these stones provide us with a sense of power and that reason we are intensely attracted by them. We have highlighted the most popular and the most talked about gemstone crystals mentioned most amongst the religious and ancient cults and tribes throughout the century of time.

http://www.sovacollection.com/semi-precious-necklace/black-and-white-agate-necklace-jksova1003

I want to look like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

We decided to do a project on behalf of my wife’s niece, who had raised a quest that she wants to be a model!

She is 16 and has seen her mother as well as her Aunty Produce garments  that are simply not on the high street and have been created and produced in house.

We began our quest by creating a storyboard and based her wishful end product on the celebrity that we thought that she looked similar too!

This celebrity is  Rosie Huntington-Whitley

Well one can draw a breadth of optimism but this was a fashion project that we were going to wilt too!

The images enclosed are a summary of our final outlook to our own version of the most likely celebrity to favour our own little model Nicolette.

Photo Shoot Photos

Story Board

                                                       Compare and Contrast





In the end we were able to show our Niece how beautiful one can become whether you want to look like Rosie Huntley-Whitley or not, the outfit we designed and created did the rest!

About Us

SOVA Collection is a new concept to the world of fashion.

SOVA Collection started with a vision: to change the way a fashion house works, by bringing greater accessibility to individual design and production for occasional wear.

Founded by Kevin Thomas and his wife, considerable effort was placed into creating a key influencer network in fashion from all over the world. The best designs, patterns, materials and production technologies.

In bringing this to design, spectacular outfits began to emerge that combined the style, colour and varied materials in new ways that could only elicit desire and admiration from everyone.

But there was one other key element that finally led to the creation of SOVA Collection and that was the process by which these unique one off outfits were created. And that was the wearer.

To make the designs work, it had to be created with the wearer of the outfit at the very heart of the design process.

Over time, this process has been refined to a point where now almost anyone can become part of the SOVA Collection.

Working with your own design team, SOVA Collection will match the outfit to the event, create a design that tells the story you wish to tell and use materials from all over the world, all combined in an innovative way to ensure maximum comfort and practicality as well as looking spectacular. We call this fusion fashion, uniquely combining the event, your story and your feelings to create amazing results.

Because the wearer is fused to the design, each design can only be for them and no-one else.

But beware some outfits can be extraordinary and wearing them can be a real statement in its own right.

By being part of the SOVA Collection our fusion fashion will take you to a new level. Let them roll out the red carpet.

Dress Like a Celebrity

Womens Fashion Boutique, exclusive ready to wear, one off designer clothes

SOVA So Unusual So Unique For your eyes Only