Would Ronaldo Succeed At Madrid?

Real Madrid’s desperation to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United just doesn’t show any signs of abating. The Los Merengues are ready to pay a whopping £70 Million as transfer fee and also ready to offer a contract worth £20 Million a year to bring the Portuguese whiz to the Bernabeu. But does the Real Madrid hierarchy understand how Cristiano Ronaldo can actually integrate into the current system and deliver at the Los Merengues?

Cristiano Ronaldo was a fairly unknown quantity until the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The Portuguese started his goal scoring exploits in the 2006/07 season and this exactly coincided with the departure of Ruud Van Nistelrooy to Madrid. Manchester United boasted of a top quality centre forward in the form of Nistelrooy who was their main target man in the opposition box.

The Red Devils hugely relied on him to get the goals but with his departure United lacked a clear target man with Rooney playing the role of deep lying attacker. This situation allowed Ronaldo to drift from the midfield and play the role of a target man and he ended up scoring 23 goals in the 2006/07 season. The following season saw Ronaldo converted into a complete second striker on paper and on the field he was the main target man with Rooney and Tevez playing supportive roles. It was no surprise that Ronaldo ended up scoring a phenomenal 42 goals that season.

Real Madrid currently have two of the greatest goal poachers in their line up in the form of Raul and Nistelrooy and if Ronaldo does happen to join the Los Merengues it will be difficult for him to repeat his goal scoring exploits at the Bernabeu. If the Madrid faithful are looking for Ronaldo to be the goal provider rather than the goal scorer bad news, Ronaldo provides less than he scores and if they are looking for creativity in the midfield then Madrid have plenty of options in the form of Robinho, Robben and Sneijder. Ronaldo is just surplus requirement.

At Manchester United Cristiano Ronaldo was given the full freedom to roam the pitch while at Madrid a similar role is given to Wesley Sneijder. If both are to play in the same team then there is a very little chance of them forging a successful partnership, a similar case to that of Lampard-Ballack in Chelsea, Lampard-Gerrard in England and Kaka-Ronaldinho in Brazil. Further the arrival of Ronaldo could only complicate things in the dressing room with Sneijder and Robinho clearly displeased with Madrid’s public pursuit of the Portuguese, all the recipe for an impending disaster.

Cristiano Ronaldo was enhanced by likes of Rooney, Tevez, Scholes and the Los Merengues clearly lack players of such quality. Real Madrid have produced certain high profile transfer flops in the past like Michael Owen, Saviola, Cassano and Baptista to name a few who just couldn’t adapt to the style of football at the Bernabeu. If Ronaldo does complete his switch to Madrid it will be a challenge for him to adapt and deliver or be a part of the ever growing list of high profile transfer flops.

Ronaldo dating Italian model?

MANCHESTER UNITED star CRISTIANO RONALDO is reportedly dating Italian model LETIZIA FILIPPI.
According to Italian sources, the winker met the beauty while on holiday with fiancée NEREIDA GALLARDO, a week before they split up.

The source claims Letizia - who is seven years older than Ronaldo - is the reason why he ended his seven-month relationship with the Spanish model.

The ex-couple reportedly had dinner with Letizia and her then-partner onboard a yacht, during which the Man Utd ace and his latest lover "exchanged a number of glances".

Ron was "totally bewitched" by Letizia and attempted to give her his number at the end of the night, which she rejected.

However the Portuguese star was not put off - he "inundated her with texts and flowers" before eventually winning her over.

Letizia lives in Rome and rose to fame in her homeland by finishing third place in the 1994 Miss Italia.

A career in TV followed and she caught the attention of Italian ski champion, ALBERTO TOMBA, whom she dated for two years.

After that relationship came to an end, she started seeing former Napoli and Parma footballer MASSIMO CRIPPA.

More to follow...

Wink Or Swim For Ronaldo

FINALLY CRISTIANO RONALDO has put his winking to good use — using it to pull by the pool.

The crocked winger is staying at LA’s Beverly Hills Hotel while he rests and waits to see if he’s playing his footie in Manchester or Madrid next season.

Although it seems the beautiful game is the last thing on his mind — he spends his days at the pool checking out Hollywood’s stunning wannabe models and actresses.

After dumping NEREIDA GALLARDO last week, he’s already scored in the States — he took an American called Jen back to his suite on Thursday night and was all over a Scot at an LA club on Friday.

And by Saturday the Portuguese star — who famously winked at his national team boss after helping get United team-mate WAYNE ROONEY sent off in a World Cup clash with England — was looking for a hat-trick.

A fellow holidaymaker revealed: “Ronaldo is on heat. He struts around like he owns the pool, then sits on the edge with both feet in the water showing off his tanned and toned body.

“He scopes out every hot chick who goes by. When one brunette in a tight white T-shirt saw him, he lifted his sunglasses, giving her a cheeky wink.”

For once Ronaldo missed the target — as she headed to the bar instead.

His Spanish ex, who is still telling pals they’re an item, is still doing her best to stay in the limelight though.

Nereida judged a, er, wet T-shirt competition in Ibiza.

And it looks like she had struggled to squeeze her own assets into a low-cut white dress.

Nereida — keep posing for pictures like this, and I’ll keep printing them. You don’t need that little winker . . .

Finding Your Personal Style

by Angela Vereen
Having style is about more than just putting on designer couture and following celebrity trends. To have great style is to be creative and innovative. Fashion is the painter’s brush and style is the portrait. Your style is your own personal expression of the things that make you, you. The most important thing is to maintain certain individuality if you plan on standing out.

I like to think my personal style was inherited: my mother was known for her unique style and love for fashion. I’ve always loved beautiful fabrics and prints, and when I style, I like to fit “awkward” into “sophistication.” I pull inspiration from everything; from the fashion of the classy Medici family to designers Ralph Lauren and YSL. Style is my way of life. It’s what I wake up to in the morning; it is me, and I am it.

So how can you develop your personal style? Set yourself apart from the masses and be savvy about what makes you crazy, sexy, cool. In your spare time, spend a day at the library and pay special attention to how the books are organized — most of the time, they’re not color order. Looking at this is a great way to learn about color scheme and what odd colors actually go together.

Keep this blog flowing and tell us about your personal style!

Hurray!! For Heidiwood?

by Julia Bray
Have you noticed all the celebrities coming out with fashion lines inspired by their own wardrobes? The Hills' drama queen Heidi Montag is trying to show her flirty and fashionable side through her recently released line of clothes and jewelry. After reading about her line Heidiwood, debuting at Anchor Blue stores, I decided to check out Heidi’s clothes for myself. At first I was a little skeptical of her ability to design a whole line of clothes, but after taking a look at the site I have to say she didn’t do a bad job! Her collection is actually affordable, cute, and sexy. But Heidi’s not the only celeb to jump on the fashion bandwagon. Ashlee Simpson launched her fashion line through Wet Seal today, the same day as her CD release.

What do you think? Are celebs capable of creating good fashion lines without any previous experience in the fashion industry?

It's Time To Free Your Toes

by Amanda Falzon
Lately the weather here in New York has been beautiful. It’s been 70 degrees every day for the past two weeks. The temperature has almost hit 80 degrees! I definitely broke out the sandals and flip-flops already and refuse to wear anything else since I’ve gotten a pedicure. But being a New Yorker, born and raised, I know how crazy the weather can be, so throwing my very outdated (but very warm) Uggs back in the closet for storage is a decision that can’t be taken too lightly. But, I’ve put them away. I’m addicted to the warm weather now and my feet feel free. Unfortunately, though, I can’t say the same for others.
Recently while walking around my college campus I’ve noticed a fashion "don’t": short-shorts paired with Uggs. Now, I am all for keeping my toes warm, but I am not okay with furry boots and denim shorts. It doesn’t look cute, and it’s the end of APRIL! I’ve asked my friends what they think of this, and even they agree it is a ridiculous fashion statement and, for some of them, a pet peeve. So, girls, pack those boots away, go get your toes done at the nail salon, and check out the cute gladiator flats and sandals for this spring and summer. I just bought a pair of gold gladiator flats from H&M for less than $30!

Tell me what you think of this look: Are Uggs and denim short-shorts a fashion "do" or a fashion "don’t," especially for this time of the year?

The Perfect Fit

by Unknown
While I’ve learned my lesson about branching out with my fashion choices (pink shirt today, guys!), I’ve also realized that there will always be those wardrobe staples that, no matter how I feel when I wake up in the morning, let me leave home feeling pretty and confident.

My mom bought me my favorite dress at a little boutique in Australia. It’s cornflower blue, with pleats on the bodice and a sash at my waist. It looks simple enough on the hanger, but I feel so happy whenever I put it on. I’m kind of convinced it’s the “magic dress”, like the jeans in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants: something random and cool always seems to happen whenever I wear it – I found $20 on the sidewalk once when I had it on! With comfy ballet flats, it’s been my perfect outfit for lunch dates, big internship interviews, class presentations, going dancing, and lots more in between.

So, what’s your perfect outfit when you want to feel confident? Do you think that the right clothes can change your mood?

No Sweats!

by Amanda Falzon
I recently just got back from a two week European vacation in Italy and Malta. It was definitely a culture shock being away from home for that long, even though I have friends who have been abroad for whole semesters. The food is fresher, the people were very friendly, and the fashion was awesome.

In Florence, I got to go to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum! I had the time of my life. One thing I noticed though, and I noticed this when I was abroad in Paris back in March, no one wears sweats when they are outside. The style of dress is still very artsy and creative.

Women wear jeans but always dress them up with cute heels and a dressy top or they wear skirts and dresses. I even saw women riding their Vespas to work in heels! Men wear jeans with dress shoes, a nice button down, and a blazer. This was how they normally dressed. I was very impressed with the fact that the people put so much effort into how they looked during the day and it’s not just that they are trying to impress anybody with how well they dress, it’s just a way of life. I personally love to get dressed up and do it every chance I get, so while I was abroad I left the sweat pants back in the States. The picture above is of my sister Laura and I at the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

So girls tell me what you think of this lifestyle? If you had the chance to dress up everyday and didn’t need a special occasion to do it, would you? Tell me what you think.

Clothing Confidence

by Whitney Portnoy
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not very adventurous when it comes to the clothes I wear. Sure, I like reading about fashion, and I like shopping (occasionally) but as much as I liked all those cute dresses and trendy tops, I never really wanted to wear them on a day-to-day basis. Isn’t it easier to wear jeans and sneakers? I’m much more comfortable that way, so why go through all the hassle of dressing up if I’m just spending the day running errands?

I started working at a clothing store last month. I applied there because I loved their clothes, and even had a few things from the store, but I didn’t wear some of the things I had on a regular basis because I was worried they were too “dressy” to be in my everyday rotation. All the skirts I liked to wear were pretty basic, and I didn’t feel like getting that dolled up just to go to class.

That changed pretty quickly once I started working there! Not only do we get a great discount, but I’ve noticed that I’m picking up a lot of style tips from the people I work with. I really like a lot of the clothes we carry, and I figure that if everyone else can wear a cute dress or dress up a great top and a pair of jeans with some accessories (one of the little lessons I’ve learned) without needing a special occasion to, then why can’t I? I’ve had a lot of fun mixing and matching different pieces, and seeing how I can make my cute-but-still-casual style work with the clothes in the store.

In the end, I think it all comes down to trusting yourself. Your own personal style can be anything you want, and you can pull off any look as long as you wear that dress and those brightly colored shoes with a little bit of confidence.

So tell me, what’s your favorite style?

Little Black Leggings

Like the little black dress before it, black leggings have become a true wardrobe staple. This season designers are giving a fresh look to these classic pants and I'm obsessed with these:

Kova & T
Break out your inner wild child with Kova & T’s Oxy leggings. 80% nylon 20% spandex, these elastic waistband leggings with cut out heals add the right amount of Alice Cooper edge to any outfit. Throw on these latex like leggings by creators Dasha Zhukova and Christina Tang and be ready to rock and roll.

LnA
After California girls Lauren Alexander and April Leight made the perfect t-shirts which leave devotees of the brand with few reasons to change, they decided to tackle the cult obsession that is leggings. With a satin like finish, LnA’s nylon and spandex leggings come with super cool banded zipper accents in your choice of seventeen different colors. Whether you have a date with your crush or a day of shopping with friends, you can’t go wrong when you go LnA..

American Apparel
Go-to legging center, American Apparel has the best in metallic leggings for the more daring of fashionistas. Available also in high-waisted cuts, those who wear them are guaranteed to sparkle. Straight from the company that knows basics best, choose shimmery leggings from an assortment of fun glittery colors.

I pair leggings with flowy blouses with bows, military jackets, or simple tees. Right now I’m rocking in latex leggings, how do you wear them?

The Thrill of the Hunt: Surviving Sale Season

by Drew Taylor
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and no, I’m not talking about the holidays – summer sale season is upon us once again! Living in New York last summer, I found myself overwhelmed by all the amazing deals – and so did my Dad, when he noticed my dwindling bank balance. Luckily I’ve learned a thing or two to help me navigate through that shiny array of clearance racks. Here are my three top tips for super-shopping:

1. Before you shop the store, shop your closet. Take stock of everything in your wardrobe before you hit the sales. If you’ve got 25 pairs of ballet flats, maybe you don’t really need another – unless of course they’re Lanvin, the last pair in your size, and 75% off. In which case, you have my blessing (and complete envy).

2. Follow the 24-hour rule. If you’re ever on the fence about an item, leave it. If you’re still thinking about it the next day, wishing you had bought it, you can always go back and snag it. Which leads me to my final rule…

3. Only buy what you really, truly, love. It can be really easy to get sucked into buying something just because it’s a great price. But that discounted designer jacket isn’t such a bargain if it doesn’t fit well, or if you don’t feel amazing when you put it on. If you’re never going to wear it, it’s just taking up prime real estate in your closet where pieces you actually do love could go. A well-stocked wardrobe is based on quality, not quantity!

Happy bargain-hunting,

The "Gossip" About Fall Fashion

by Katie Amey
I will admit, upon moving to New York for my internship, I have become much more fashion conscious. Although I have always enjoyed combing the fashion mags to find inspirations for my wardrobe but I have definitely developed a case of "label worship" being out here in the big city.

Last night, my roommate pointed out to me that Gossip Girl was on the front page of the New York Times – not for ratings or character scandals, but for fashion. Now, I watched the show religiously this school year, but I never actually thought that teenage girls went out and bought the $3,000 leather bags toted around by the show’s lead actresses. However, this article in the Times claims the opposite. Apparently, once an article appears on the show, hunting it down in stores is harder than finding a needle in a haystack.

While I expected that girls would inspire to replicate the looks of Serena and Blair, I also expected that they would recreate these looks with basic cheap and chic pieces from retail giants like Urban Outfitters or Forever 21. I mean, as gorgeous as haute couture clothing is, it’s expensive! (I know that I definitely cannot afford it on a student’s budget!)

I will admit, however, that this summer, I have spent more than a small amount of clothing (sample sales, anyone?) so the more I thought about it, the more I believed that teenage girls really might run out to pick up that designer piece after hearing a GG character claim, "Do you like my new Nanette Lepore?"

According to this article, fashion retailers are expecting a run on argyle sweaters, knee socks and high boots for fall. Some fall designer collections are also expected to bear a Gossip Girl influence: a preppy, ritzy, collegiate look. So, if you want to score the Gossip Girl looks before they begin flying off the shelves, I suggest you head out now!

What’s your favorite Gossip Girl-inspired look? Have you ever gone out and purchased the original designer piece or do you prefer to use the cast for inspiration to piece together more affordable looks?
And just for fun, what has been your biggest splurge? (Mine was a Miu Miu purse that I received as a high school graduation present!

PINK's Party for the New Collegiate Collection!

Everyone likes to flaunt their college pride, but the boring clothing options in the campus bookstore make plenty of coeds wonder if it’s worth the money. But now, thanks to Victoria’s Secret PINK, you can look cute and stylish white rooting for your school at the football game (or even studying at the library).

The lovable loungewear line is launching a new Collegiate Collection of tees, sweats, totes, and more, all rocking real logos and mascots from 33 different schools. So, whether you’re chilling out in your dorm, playing Frisbee in the quad, or cramming for finals, you can be comfy and fashionable.

To celebrate the new clothes, PINK is hosting the first-ever Pinkapalooza at Santa Monica Pier on July 17. The festivities will be hosted by model Behati Prinsloo and will include a live performance by Fall Out Boy! Also, the first 3,000 guests to show up will enjoy free rides and games. You can pick up your party pass at a participating Victoria’s Secret Store or print it from the Website, and it’s totally free! Doors open at 5 p.m., and FOB hits the stage at 9.

To see if your school has teamed up with Victoria’s Secret, check out the Website.

What do you think about PINK’s new collection? Are you going to the concert? We want to know!

Tips for Buying a Bra

1. Molded cups shape you without padding overkill.
2. Buy a bra that fits on the loosest hook. After you’ve worn it a few months and the band begins to lose its elasticity, you can still retain support by tightening it to the second or third hook.
3. Make sure it fits: For about four years after you get your first period, your breasts will grow, so measure your bra size at least once a year. The wrong fit can lead to back and shoulder strain.
4. Four signs a bra doesn’t fit: a) You’re bulging out of the cups; b) the straps slip off your shoulders; c) it leaves marks; d) it rides up in the back.
5. Ask for a professional fitting. You may think you know your size, but asking an expert can ensure you will get perfect support.

For Big-Chested Girls:
1. For extra support, go for thicker straps.
2. A three-hook back supports a large bust.
3. Stay away from demi-cups. Full-coverage designs are better for keeping you perky and in place.

For Small-Chested Girls:
1. Try a bra with removal pads, so you can adjust your cleavage depending on your outfit.
2. Check out bras without underwire cups — if you don’t need it, it’s usually more comfortable to go without.

Now that you know how to pick the perfect bra.

Fashion Steal of the Month: Cute $20 Jeans!

by Marissa
One of the best parts about my job is finding amazing deals that I get to share with Seventeen readers. When I see something great on a market appointment I can't wait to tell everyone about it. Hence my excitement on a recent l.e.i. jeans appointment when I found out that they were only $20! Yup, that’s $20 for totally adorable, non-fussy, clean and classic jeans.

Oh, and did I mention Taylor Swift was at the l.e.i appointment? I got her chatting about her favorite jeans on my Flip video camera! That part of my job is fun too of course. I asked her the all-important question, which leg style she preferred- skinny, bootcut, or wide-leg. See her reply in the video below. We also asked Seventeen readers what style jeans were your favorite and out of 3283 readers: 51% liked skinny leg, 37% favored bootcut and 12% were into the wide-leg style. I say, for $20 why not buy all three?

Below are three great styles from l.e.i. available at Wal-Mart stores and at walmart.com. We love the skinnies with ballet flats (like Taylor), the wide leg dressed up with platforms and the bootcut for everyday with your favorite sneakers. What jeans do you like and what will you be wearing them with?

Do You Want To Know?

Meet Joe and Rachael. He's from Burra, she's from Lerwick, and they're about to go on a sharp learning curve about sexual health.

They and their friends are the characters of a comic book created by pupils at Skerries school to get a serious message across in a way that young people will relate to and which they wouldn't be embarrassed to show their parents.

The timing of the booklet is very appropriate with figures showing the rise nationally in sexually transmitted infections.

Catriona Molloy, the community nurse on Skerries who assisted in the creation of the booklet said, "I was trying to find a new approach to teaching sexual health to Secondary 3 and 4. After discussions with the group I felt that the best way for them to understand the message was to write it themselves in their own language.

Naomi Anderson, a Secondary 4 pupil who worked on the leaflet, said, "It was a great way to learn. We worked hard on the story board and had a lot of fun too."

Jane Gilbey , Sexual Health Promotion Specialist with NHS Shetland said, "This resource is going to be a really good way of getting across the message of safer sex and the consequences if you have unsafe sex. It is written for young people by young people and I think it is a winner."

The booklet was published with assistance from Shetland Health Promotion and will be widely available free of charge.

To order copies call (01595) 74 3084

How to Encourage Teens to Exercise

All teens can benefit from exercise—whether or not they play organized sports—so it’s important to encourage them to make physical activity a part of their everyday lives. Here are ways to do it.

*Step1: Be a good role model. Build physical activity into your daily routine. If your children sees you making time for exercise, they will inherit the view that staying active is an important and natural part of life. On the flip side, if you are new to exercise, demonstrate that people are never too old to change their habits or learn new skills.

*Step2: Support your teen’s choices of activities, especially if they are not passions of yours. Embrace any reasonable outlet for their energy: dance, skateboarding, yoga, hiking, to name a few. Emphasize that it’s not what they do, but that they do something to stay physically active on a regular basis.

*Step3: Help them make time for exercise. Many teens have responsibilities and commitments beyond school homework. Brainstorm and develop a plan with them, then help them accomplish it. Look for a program that works with their schedule, such as gym memberships with flexible hours.

*Step4: Provide transportation if necessary, either by driving them, organizing a carpool or loaning them a car.

Step5: Help them have the right gear. With some activities, this is an issue of practicality and safety. But also remember how important image is to teens. The proper attire can give your child added comfort in a new situation. If she feels self-conscious at the gym, she may not want to go back.

Step6: Try family-related activities: midnight walks under a full moon, family ski trips or group scuba diving lessons.

Step7: Like kids of all ages, teens are most motivated when the atmosphere is fun and light-hearted.