New Year: New You, New Home,
New Style The end of 2004 occurred on a Friday, the beginning of 2005
the following Saturday. A potentially unremarkable span of 24 hours marking
the end of one week and heralding in yet another weekend — except that
we observe these two days as New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
There’s nothing physical in the sun’s rising
and setting during this timeframe that grants it significance — like
all other holidays and observances, it’s the symbolism assigned to
these days — in
this case, that of transformation and renewal — from a human cultural
and traditional perspective that lends greater meaning. Whichever day it
happens to fall on each year, New Year’s Eve is celebrated like we’ve
come to the end of an arduous journey, the following day, though routines
might
not differ from any other free from responsibilities, emanates with the opportunity
to start over, approach life in new ways, increase resolve to make a personal
mark on this world.
Whether or not you make a list of resolutions in a quest
for self-improvement, we have amassed the latest trends that will help
foster excellence inside
and out — in both the self and the surroundings of home and style.
— Ryan Thomas
New Year Tops on practically everyone’s New Year’s resolutions
list — year after year — are those steps to take to improve outward
appearance. Whether it’s losing weight, gaining muscle, dieting, or
enhancing features cosmetically, each new year seems to bring new means to
accomplish these physical ends. In 2004 carbs (or lack thereof) and Botox
were the phrases du jour. The Atkins/South Beach diets had restaurants selling
hamburgers on lettuce buns, and injectables became mainstream — not
just for Hollywood divas anymore.
So what’s new for 2005? Injectables
will still provide a relatively simple way to keep Father Time from making
his mark on appearance, but emerging
or continuing in popularity are treatments such as ultra-sonics, liposculpture,
oxygen therapies, enzyme therapies, lasers, permanent makeup, and even
heat conductivity. New diets are poised to overthrow the mighty Atkins, such
as
the Hamptons and Step diets, with — as time has proven without doubt — more
to come. Spas that once offered only facials and manicures have evolved
into relaxing medical centers, offering procedures like IPL photo facials,
photo
dynamic therapies, and laser peels — the line between medical and
relaxation therapies continues to blur.
For an impact that is more than
skin deep, new trends to treat the spirit
include art therapy, ayurveda, and the reinventing of an old friend:
yoga. Today’s yoga centers are reaching out to seniors and youths — parent
and me yoga classes are all the rage — proving you’re never
too old or too young to combine physical and spiritual fitness.
No matter
which rise to the top of our collective consciousness, 2005 will certainly
provide ample innovations for the improvement of body,
mind,
and spirit. Happy transformations.
—
Ryan Thomas
New Home
Among the hottest looks for homes in 2005 are
those that resurrect vintage styles and ooze Old World appeal.
In furnishings, carefully select antique pieces that mesh with
other contemporary pieces and accessories. In new furniture construction,
bamboo — both hip and eco-friendly (it’s renewable) — is
back, and not just as source material, it’s also being
used to decorate everything from chairs and tables to beds.
Fabrics
continue to abound in rich, warm colors in plush materials
adorned with silks and beads. But this year, the block-print
of old artistry is now being applied to fabrics, adding rich
texture for an incomparable look and feel. Mediterranean and
Tuscan styles have predominated décor on both inside
and out for the past several years, and while still popular,
other
ethnic-inspired — Indian, Asian, Hawaiian — influences
are becoming all the rage.
Since stainless steel remains the
substance of choice for today’s
appliances, it is more important than ever to soften and
warm up surrounding areas with accessories like decorative
pottery,
floral arrangements, baskets, and window treatments. And
though once reserved for a baby’s or child’s
room, the color blue abounds throughout the home — on
walls as well as providing an appealing splash in cabinetry,
accessories,
fabrics,
and small appliances.
No longer just for wine bottles or push-pins,
cork — easy
on the feet and easy to take care of — will be a very
popular, ’50s-inspired
option for flooring in 2005.
As for the outdoors? The line
between inside and out continues to blur, with embellishments
like tassels, once previously
reserved for the indoors, outlining outdoor fabrics as well.
Use clusters
of containers to create gardens in every nook and cranny — statues
and containers made from stone and bronze make a contemporary
style statement. And water gardens remain as hot as ever.
There
has never been so much variety, so many places to go within
the walls of your own home and amidst the boundaries
of your
garden. — Marie Larrabee
New Style
In 2005, fashion will look to the past for
one source of inspiration. Vintage-inspired styles, from peplum
jackets to circle skirts, have already made an eye-catching appearance
on the runways and the streets of cities, such as New York, where
fashion is constantly being defined and redefined. In keeping
with the old is new theme, watch for hemlines to be slightly
longer than in the recent past.
Those of us who wistfully surveyed
closets filled with clothing in monochromatic shades of black,
gray, and charcoal, and yearned
for a splash of color can take heart in 2005: color is back.
This year, boutique windows will bloom with vibrant hues and
vivid prints.
Now that faux fur has been approved by style’s
trendsetters, it is staple of winter wardrobes. From stoles
and capelets, to
trim on winter coats, sheath dresses, and boots, faux fur
is authentically hot. Look for brooches and pearls to emerge
as
the accessories and instant wardrobe-enhancers of choice.
Brooches will adorn virtually every garment — jacket lapels,
wraps, handbags, and even shoes — replacing 2004’s
ubiquitous cloth flowers, while pearls will be worn both layered
and single
strand.
And last, but certainly not least, round toe
shoes will surge in popularity — good news for those women who
found the popular pointy toes seriously sexy, but equally uncomfortable. — Heather
L. Hughes
|
  |
 |
