And since we’re talkin about ties, I learned that there are a lot of people who don’t know exactly how to tie a necktie. Well if u’r gonna wear these unique pieces of wearable art, u gotta know how to put it on to maximize your swagger. Here are a few tips:

Tying a Necktie

The Four-in-Hand Knot is the most popular type of necktie knot and easiest to learn, probably over 80% of tie wearers knot their ties with this. The knot is long and straight but slightly lopsided.

The Half-Windsor Knot is a medium triangular knot that is considered more formal than the four-in-hand.

The Windsor Knot is a wide triangular knot that is usually worn for formal occasions, this type of knot should be worn with wide spread collar shirts.

The Pratt/Shelby knot is Semi-wide knot, when beginning to tie this knot the tie is turned outward.

Quick Tips to Wearing a Tie

• The front point of your tie should be just long enough to touch the waist of your pants.
• Your tie should be darker than the color of your shirt.
• The general width of a tie is 3.5 inches, this width will not fall out of style.
• The width of a tie should be approximately the same width of the coat’s lapel, if the lapel is wide, the tie should be wide and if the lapel is narrow the tie should be narrow.
• The knot of the tie should be proportional to the collar, it should not be too big where it spreads the collar or forces it open and it shouldn’t be too small that it becomes lost in the collar.
• The color of your tie should not clash with your outfit but the colors should not be so similar that they fade into the suit.
• The main color of a patterned tie should complement your suit and the secondary color should pick up your shirt.
• The texture of the tie should go with your outfit, for instance a shiny silk tie should go with a shiny silk shirt and a wool tie should be worn with a wool suit.

Caring for your Tie

• A properly cared for tie can last you virtually forever.
• Hang up your ties, it helps take out some of the wrinkles. Knit ties can be stretched when hung, so gently roll them up and store them in a drawer.
• Hang ties up on a rack designed for that purpose. Ties slip and twist on hangers, and will probably fall off.
• Rolling up the tie from the narrow end first and leaving it for a couple of days will remove wrinkles in the tie.
• Storing ties out of the light prevents fading.
• For traveling, loosely roll ties and place them inside a pair of socks or use a tie case.
• Cut any loose threads on your tie. Pulling them can do major damage to your tie.
• Don’t wear the same tie twice in a row, ties need time to return to its normal shape.
• Always unknot your tie when you are not wearing it, leaving it knotted can damage the tie and cause create permanent wrinkles.
• To untie your tie, reverse the tying procedure. Pulling the smaller end through the knot can cause the tie to stretch out of shape.

There are free valentine’s day e-cards on the Stuff page of the site.

As a special treat we have some additional photos from this years shoots on the slide show on the home page. During the sessions, I would experience little glitches with my settings and get these wonderful “red” pics. I thought now would be the best time 2 share them with you all. Seeing as how red is the colour of Valentine’s Day and all. Please check them out and let me know what you think.

In addition to that, I have designed a few items for Kinetic Cards & Gifts for the holiday. There’s still time to order and get them for the weekend.

I Love You bear. Decorative words with interlocking venus symbols give a message in a message.

Titled “Our Love” this exclusive artwork using my signature style is displayed on pillows, greeting cards and tile coasters.

There is indeed someone for everyone. This all inclusive greeting cards shows a message of hope no matter what your romantic preference.

There’s more Valentine’s greeting cards & gifts at the Kinetic Cards & Gifts online shop.