Badminton is more than a garden-party game, it's an Olympic sport. And an exciting one too with five gold medals up for grabs this Summer. Get ready for the London games and learn the details and history of this very British game. Get your shuttlecocks ready, matches being July 28 with medal events starting Aug. 3.
The Olympics are about to get started in London, so why not celebrate with some of our favorite British beauty finds? Each of these luxurious products has a signature English touch that we can't get enough of. On Kirbie: H&M. Makeup by Beau Nelson.
Any decor buffs who might be headed to the London Olympics would be well advised to stop by one of England's top decor destinations: Habitat. Originally founded in 1964 by Sir Terence Conran, the first Habitat store opened in Chelsea. Since that time, stores have opened in France, Germany, Spain, and numerous other countries. We've rounded up 25 pieces sure to please. Some can be tucked into a suitcase, and others require shipment, so even if you aren't able to visit a store in person, you can happily shop away online.
The Union Jack flag is the official flag of the United Kingdom, and it's also an officially hot decorating must have during the 2012 London Olympics. Here's a little history, since most of us Yanks don't know the background on the flag. By the early 1700s the flag was called "The Union," and since it was flown from a jackstaff on Navy ships, popular legend has it that the flag got its full name, the Union Jack, from the jackstaff. When Northern Ireland became part of the United Kingdom in 1801, the St. Patrick's flag, a red diagonal cross on a white background, was added to the Union Jack, giving us the flag we have today.
Check out some of our favorite uses of this fab flag, as well as some great ways to bring the look to your home.
With just weeks away from the Summer Olympics, Ralph Lauren has finally revealed its designs for Team USA's opening ceremony and village wear uniforms. Sticking to tailored, preppy silhouettes and a navy, white, cream, and red color palette, the collection reflects true American spirit. Both the women's and men's collection feature navy blazers emblazoned with Ralph Lauren's iconic Big Pony logo, cream colored bottoms, and as the topper, a chic navy beret embellished with red and white stripes and the official US Olympic and Paralympic Team patch. Love what you see? Rest assured, you can purchase a piece of the Olympics spirit in stores and online at RalphLauren.com right now. See the rest of patriotic Ralph Lauren for Team USA uniforms now, then tell us what you think in the comments section below.
Images courtesy of Ralph Lauren
If you're lucky enough to be heading to London for the Summer Olympics, we suggest you head to popular fashion chain Selfridges to snag a piece of Karl Lagerfeld's Olympic-themed capsule collection. The "Team Karl" collection will include limited-edition tees and accessories featuring Karl (decked out in his signature suit) in Olympic-like poses — who knew he could fling a discus? The collection coincides with the launch of the designer's new premium men's line, Karl Lagerfeld Paris Man, and the Kaiser himself will make an appearance at Selfridges to celebrate the launch on July 24.
Whether your kids are already psyched up for the Olympic Games, or it's taking a little encouragement, these 13 fun ideas are sure to help the whole family get into the Olympic spirit. From dressing the part of a number one fan to planning a celebratory soiree, there's something fun for everyone. This Summer, it's all about going for the gold!
After much anticipation, Adidas has just revealed its 2012 Olympic uniforms for Britain designed by Stella McCartney. The uniforms, which took two years to create, highlight a modern take on Great Britain's Union Jack flag. “The first place to start on a project like this is to look at the Union flag," said McCartney. "For me it’s one of the most beautiful flags in the world and it was important for me to stay true to that iconic design but also to modernise it and present it in a contemporary way." The designer injected her own fashion-forward spin on it via clean lines and and a less literal take on the flag. "Something that was very important to me was to try and use that very iconic image but to dismantle it and try to soften it, break it down and make it more fashionable in a sense," said McCartney. While the designer has already taken some criticism for not showing enough patriotism in the design, we like it. Take a look at the uniforms in the slideshow and tell us what you think in the comments section below.
