Beautifull A Solar House

High praise, indeed, from a member of the solar house team that took 3rd place in the 2005 Solar Decathlon. We won't mention the name of the well-known school, but it's fabeled location is "Far Above Cayuga's Waters". Regardless, we think you'll agree that soon-to-be Missouri S&T's stunning interior design would impress any stylish interior decorator, even this writer's lovely wife.

UMR's Solar House Team has long held that the Solar Decathlon is more than just about building a solar powered house, but more about designing and building an amazing energy-efficient house that also just HAPPENS to get all it power from the sun. And especially an efficient, solar-powered house that people would actually want to LIVE in. Don't believe us? How about UMR's Solar Village, where our '02 and '05 house now serve as very popular student residences. Still don't believe us? Why not visit the houses for yourself. We'd love to give you a tour.
Anyway, the previous Solar Decathlons had a very strong architectural perspective, and considering that most entries were designed more by architecture students than engineers UMR more than held its own, so much so that UMR's 05 house was featured in Popular Mechanics magazine a few months later, and honored by the D-I-Y Cable channel as well. And we expect similar kudos for our really cool 07 house when the dust (er, judging) settles. Not bad for engineers, eh?

SASHES, BOWS, FLORALS, BELTS AND RIBBONS

Photo By S1 Studio

There's a wide range of novelty belts, bows, sashes, trims and ribbons introduced into bridalwear lately. Until the 1980s, bridal was a field of little experimentation and typically a bridal gown was pretty but looked somwhat the same as the next gown. If you were a modernist and wanted to express yourself in a suit instead of an A-line, forget finding what you wanted on the racks. Besides, your mom might have freaked out at the prospect. All that's been relaxed thanks to a generation of designers and brides daring to go their own way. By way of ribbons, trims and sashes, designers have introduced color and different textures into the mix . The above gown is sashed in back with silk gauze, a fabric so light, it could be mistaken for angel wings.


Touches of the spectrum here. Blues and peaches merge to make up a tie-belt cincing the waist of a full skirt . . .
The best example of a self belt (means made out of the same fabric as the dress). Georgette linen and striped ribbon combine to make up this belt punctuated with a fabric rose.


Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum


Above and below images of The APRIL dress from the Dioresque Collection. Gray satin tie belt is embellished in front by a fabric rose. Ties in the back falling the length of the dress . . .

Amy-Jo Tatum Bridal
Gown by Amy-Jo Tatum
A photo of my own wedding gown above shows that I put all the bells and whistles on one dress (and actually got away with it, I think). It had a 5 inch sash doubling around the waist and tying into a side-front bow. Pinned to the sash was a giant silk floral and tassel tie. The shoulder was embellished with handrolled silk dupion florals.

Cintia Dicker in Marie Claire Ukraine

Firstly, it's been a while since I've posted anything from redhead Cintia Dicker in a cool fashion spread. Secondly, I had no idea there even was a Marie Claire in the Ukraine. Who knew. Love it. Also love Cintia's freckles...







Photos courtesy of picsandmodels