What Fashion experts say about Kate’s wedding dress

After months of speculation, The Dress was finally unveiled just before 6 a.m. ET. And the reviews are in. To get the fashion world’s reaction we caught up with European Editor at Large for Vogue, Hamish Bowles, and we sought the expert opinion of ELLE's Joe Zee, who took time off from his Sundance Channel show, All On The Line, to give us his initial take.

It’s a unanimous victory. Kate’s ivory and white satin gown with a sweetheart neckline and long-sleeved V-neck lace overlay has cemented Kate’s status as a fashion icon. By choosing Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, a quintessential British designer, she proved her allegiance to her country and her worth as a newly minted style star.

The look was fittingly dramatic but also refined and elegant. There was none of the flounce and girlishness of Diana’s gown. Kate reportedly did her own makeup and kept her gorgeous long hair half up and half down. In other words, she looked like herself. Her modest elbow-length veil was held in place by a Cartier “halo” tiara lent to her by the queen.

ELLE’s creative director, Joe Zee, likened Burton’s creation to Grace Kelly’s wedding gown, which also had a lace bodice and full skirt. Vogue’s Hamish Bowles, was thrilled with Kate’s choice. Fittingly, the Met’s Costume Institute gala on Monday honors the late Alexander McQueen. No doubt Kate’s dress will be much talked about evidence that his legacy continues.

Why Happiness Begins All over Again at 50

For those aged in their 30s and 40s feeling down in the dump, don’t worry - happiness is just around the corner. Economists have found that despite a mid-life dip, people start to feel more content with their life after the age of 50.

The ‘U-shaped’ happiness curve shows that being satisfied with life starts to fall while in the early 20s and does not improve until after 50, where it goes on to rise higher than before.

But despite those who are aged 65 or over generally believing it is nicer to be 25, they are happier than when they were at that age. The study has taken happiness survey answers from Britain, Switzerland and Germany and applied the findings to people’s life cycle.

Scientists have no explanation for the sudden rise after 50, but believe you are happier when you get older as you assume more wisdom and adapt to life aspirations. However, the middle-aged dip in happiness was also compared to that of losing a close relative or suddenly becoming unemployed.

The report by Bert Van Landeghem, which is being presented at the Royal Economic Society’s annual conference, concluded: ‘A U-shaped happiness curve does not necessarily imply that a 65 year old prefers his own life to the life of a 25-year-old.

What to Eat for Strong and Healthy Hair and Nails

Certain foods can improve the way you look. The following nutrients will give your hair and nails extra luster, strength and shine.

Biotin (a.k.a. vitamin H) can improve hair that is splitting or thinning as well as strengthen weakened nails. Taken with zinc and the corticosteroid clobetasol propionate, biotin has even been used to treat alopecia, an autoimmune skin disease marked by the loss of hair. A deficiency in biotin may result in brittle hair or even hair loss. An easy way to remember: The H in vitamin H stands for hair. Try: Bananas, beans, cauliflower, eggs, lentils, peanuts and salmon.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
To get shinier hair, introduce more omega-3s into your diet, which “help support scalp health and may give your locks extra luster and shine.” The three active ingredients—alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid—are all essential fatty acids and "are important components of the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the epidermis that contains keratin and has water-holding capabilities. Deficiency in essential fatty acids can result in dry scalp or dandruff." Try: Eggs, flaxseed, fish oil, mackerel, salmon, sardines, spinach, tuna and walnuts.

Protein
Protein intake is important for many reasons, notably when it comes to hair and nails. Both "are made of structural proteins known as keratin, so adequate dietary protein is important for providing the building blocks for growing strong hair and nails, lean meats are the easiest way to pack protein into your diet—just make sure to steer clear of any that are overly fatty. Try: Chicken, eggs, lean red meats, lowfat dairy, nuts, seafood, soybeans and whole grains.

Vitamin A
Vitamin A helps produce a conditioning substance for the scalp known as sebum, which keeps hair looking and feeling healthy. In addition to these beauty benefits, this vitamin contributes to better eye health and immune system function, which keeps you vital and strong from head to toe. Try: Apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, Cheddar cheese, egg yolks, mangoes, oatmeal, spinach and sweet potatoes.

Zinc
Zinc is another nutrient active in helping the immune system function properly, and DiBona also notes that it plays an important role in the formation of your connective tissues. Try: Cashews, green beans, lean beef, lobster, oysters and soybeans.

Why Sleep is The Key to Success

It is one of our most basic functions, as important as the in and out of our breath. Our need for sleep is primal, yet the pace of life means it's often pushed to the periphery, sacrificed at the altar of work, friends, study and fun.

But now science is beginning to show that getting the right amount of sleep might be the key to making the rest of our lives run more smoothly.

Increasingly, research is indicating that the quality and quantity of our sleep affects every part of our lives, from success in work and school to our likelihood of developing problems such as obesity or mental illness.

Writing in the journal Frontiers in Neurology last year, American researchers highlighted the growing body of research confirming that students who have insomnia, inadequate sleep, daytime sleepiness, irregular sleep patterns or poor sleep quality do not perform as well in school as others.

Many sleep researchers now advocate the introduction of staggered start times for older high-school students - one of the most under-slept groups in society after shift workers.

But the most cutting edge of sleep research is beginning to show it seems also to be linked to mental illness.

Nicholas Glozier is at the forefront of such research in his work as a professor of psychiatry and sleep research at the Brain and Mind Research Institute at the University of Sydney.