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Showing posts with label Style. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Style. Show all posts
Work Outfits 101
Most of you know I took up a new job. Along with the new job came increased commute and frequent travel. I no longer have the liberty of a longer morning routine. There are some mornings when I am trying to get the kids ready for school, pack my bags and catch a flight. I spent some time working on my wardobe to get it 'Morning-Ready'. My goal was to be able to choose a random top, any bottom, add on a coat/cardigan and get out of my closet with in a reasonable amount of time.
Work Wardrobe Essentials
Plain Shirts in Multiple Colors - I am not a big fan of colored pants for work, so the simplest way for me to add colors is by wearing colored shirts. These come in handy to wear with a pant or skirt suit. Add a few prints and blouses for some variety.Suits Seprates - The pants and the skirts that come along with a suit have a better fit than the ones sold separately. I like to wear the pieces separately or together for presentations and business meetings. Also the modern cuts of the suits sold now blend well with a 'Jean-Friendly' environment.
Pants and Pencil Skirts - Do look out for pin stripes or pants with some kind of detailing instead of the plain ones. I personally look better in skirts than in pants. My skirt count far exceeds the number of pants. Do save a trendy black trouser for evening wear.
Work Appropriate Dresses - Sheat dresses and trendier dresses worn with a coat can be a 'go-to' outfit for a morning when things are not going as planned.
Watch & Other Accessories - A good stylish watch can increase your style factor without trying too hard. As far as the other accessories go, I tend to gravitate towards the ones that look the best. I wear it until I break it and then move on to the next.
Bags & Shoes - There is hardly any time in the morning to switch contents from one bag to another. Days I end up doing the switch, I forget to move tiny things like cabinet keys or my identity card to get into work. After years of trying to switch and match, I finally figured my days are either brown days or black days. For those in between, I choose nude shoes.
Trench, Sweaters, Jackets & Cardigans - One good thing that came out of photographing outfits is the realization that I need more structure in my outfits even in a trench. I also had a tendency to associate cardigans with holiday outfits. It took a lot of blog reading to get over it.
Do let me know what your go to tricks and tips are for those hectic mornings.
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Style
Camouflaging Thick Arms
I must have missed the memo on this one, for I can't remember at what point of time, covering up thick arms became official. It was perfectly okay to hit the dance floors exposing thick/flab arms during the late 70s and 80s (PS - this is hearsay info, I am not that old ...yet). Instead of setting unrealistic expectation of looking long and lean at all times, let the weather and your personal style dictate how much you prefer to cover up.
A tank top is not my style but sleeveless reigns supremacy during the long scorching Texas Summer months. Moving on to a few tips, you probably figured out -
A tank top is not my style but sleeveless reigns supremacy during the long scorching Texas Summer months. Moving on to a few tips, you probably figured out -
- Wearing 3/4th length sleeves works like magic
- To stay away from tank tops
- Be cautious about full sleeves as they don't work to your advantage all the time.
- Not comfortable exposing bare arms yet, a sheer or a light weight shirt comes in handy over a tank, lacy camisole or a strap dress.
- A statement necklace coupled by a stylish neck line can shift the focus from the arms to the neck.
- When wearing sleeveless, pay attention to the size of the arm hole and where the sleeve ends on your shoulders. I avoid over sized armholes and prefer my sleeves to end right where my collar bone ends.
- Cap sleeves can do wonders if you pay a little extra attention to ensure the sleeve covers the thickest part of the arm.
- You can always add on a light weight jacket/cardigan for work and scarves with evening wear.
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Style
Camouflaging Tummy - Baby or No Baby
Last Friday during our girls night out one of the gals suggested I write about how to camouflage baby tummy, wide waist, thick arms, thunder thighs and other lumps and bumps. So here it is, the first one in the series - Mid Section.
You probably figured out -
I know a few men read my blog, the only tip I can give you is to wear chunky sweaters like Rishi Kapoor used to back in the days. *wink**wink*.
You probably figured out -
- Not to wear tight pants (creates muffin tops) or tops or dresses that are tight in the mid section area.
- Avoid horizontal stripes
- Pencil skirts always work
- Pay attention to the length of the top and it is not necessary to wear tops as is. Pin your top at various lengths to see at what length your tummy is camouflaged. You just need to do this exercise once or twice and you will figure out the length that works for you. The length I prefer is mid waist. It takes about $8 to alter a top and is definitely the best bang for the buck. Add a fitted jacket for additional structure.
- Wrap blouses and faux wraps work perfectly when it comes to hiding the tummy as in the picture below.
- With the use of the right sized belt you can make your waist appear small. The key is to find the sweet spot. If you have had baby, most likely its the area above the tummy.
- Make the fitted shirt your best friend.
- Choose a focal area away from the tummy. It could be your pretty face, hair, embellished neck line, a statement necklace, gorgeous earrings, long leg line or sexy shoes.
- In the market, there are numerous tummy tucker pants available that work wonders in providing a smooth mid sections.Do give it a try.
- Add a chunky scarf as an accent piece and no one's really paying any attention to that tummy.
- Last but not the least, pay attention to your posture. With a little help from bad posture and ill fitted clothes, I can easily pull off looking like 3-5 months pregnant. Being conscious about your posture goes a long way.
I know a few men read my blog, the only tip I can give you is to wear chunky sweaters like Rishi Kapoor used to back in the days. *wink**wink*.
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Style
How to Wear Full Skirts
I love pencil skirts but who can resist the flirty appeal of the full skirt. Sure it adds volume but there is no reason to shy away from this piece even for those with a not so flat mid section, as long as you watch out for a few nuances.
- I prefer skirts that starts flat and then volumes out. The skirts where pleats start at the top of the skirt adds unnecessary volume.
- The length is key and I like ones where the skirt ends right at the knees.
- A fitted top balances out the volume and flare.
- Style can inspire, but as always chose the bag and shoes based on your needs.
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Style
Sweater Dress
The days of boots, sweater dresses and layering are almost over. I am ready to welcome long bike rides, Spring break and gardening. The trends I am looking forward to this Spring are -
Flare Jeans
Florals
Earthy Rust Colors
These are pretty obvious choices and nothing on this list takes me off my comfort zone. Here are a few that I would think twice before pursuing.
Mixing Prints Its a fine line between looking crazy and stylish while mixing prints. But my biggest challenge is that I don't have that many prints to mix and match.
Menswear Unlike women's clothing, the key to most men's clothing is comfort. I grew up wearing a lot of my brother's clothing. Not anymore. Last thing I need is to try on my husband's clothes and find out I can't fit in.
Whites I have the cleanliness threshold of a 4 year old. My whites are bound to be stained with in minutes.
Are there any trends you are fond of this Spring?
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Style
Business Lunch
Business lunches are fun (especially if you are the client) and are easy to dress up for than dinners. I doubt if I would ever get to the other side of the table. There is hardly an ounce of salesmanship inside me. A dark wash trouser jeans paired with nude peek toes is my go to piece when I am not trying too hard.
Forget business lunches, I hear casual meetings at Starbucks is the in-thing now, with more people working from home. This one is taken at the end of the day and I do look drained out. Vacation, where are you?
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Style
Fashion Show Mall, Vegas
I love vacations where we get some physical activity like hiking, biking and of course walking up and down the strip counts too. We did not go to the mall in the intention of shopping but decided to give our tiring legs some rest and possibly some refueling. The Fashion Show Mall as the name suggests hosts periodic fashion shows during the weekends, with each show lasting about 10 -15 minutes. The show is all about wearable clothes sold in the mall (the later is obvious, isn't?).
You expect to experience out of the norm in Vegas. There was nothing that said grandeur like The Galeries Lafeyette in Paris that hosts similar shows.
It houses Mango, Zara, Micheal Kors, Steve Madden and other usual suspects. The best kept surprises about this fashion show is how the backstage and the models come up on stage from nowhere.
Miracle Mile Shops
On one of my regular visits to the book store I stumbled upon the book "The Skinny Bitch". I was more intrigued by the 'what not to eat' section than the 'what to do' section of the book. The list was long and suggested avoiding caffeine, alcohol, meat, milk, eggs and if there were more, I did not want to know about it. I wondered how doable this list was. Apart from milk, I have been off the rest of the list for a while now. To my surprise, I don't miss a thing.
Well, coming to the topic, I got an afternoon all to myself. I did not want to indulge in anything that involved eating or drinking. I wandered around the Miracle Mile Shops; window shopping and people watching. It was the best lazy afternoon of my vacation. I clicked a few window displays to share with you. Vegas is such a great place to people watch. Many look like celebrities in their own way.
Eastern Influence
When I think of 'Japanese Art'; silk, gorgeous reds, amazing brush strokes and beautiful ceramics come to my mind right away. I hear clothes with Eastern influence are seen on the ramps for the 2011 Spring Collections. I would love a silk tunic or a Kimono style top with Japanese cherry blossoms that I can use all year round.
Department stores designers, are you listening to me?
Image Source : here and here
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Style
Fridays
It may not be typical, but its not unusual either for
The holiday parties are right around the corner. Whether you are hosting at home, attending your company party or simply visiting the theater to watch 'Nutcracker' all over again, there are numerous occasions in December to dress up.
I usually buy one or two seasonal pieces. With a few wardrobe staples and different accessories, most of my parties are covered. This year the market is flooded with sequins and I am not too sure on how sparkly I like to get. So it's the black lace skirt for me. I know you must be busy with the decor and the menu, but don't forget to pay some attention on what you plan to wear this holiday season.
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| Source : Barneys.com |
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Style
of Louis Vuitton and Diwali
I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner and for some reason my head is struck in Diwali mood. School's out next week and I foresee a lot of cooking, board games and movie watching. The next few days, I will be busy googling menu ideas for Thanksgiving dinner and other easy bake recipes with less or no sugar.
On another note, did any of you get to check out the window display of Louis Vuitton on Diwali day? If not, just scroll down for some pictures here.
Indian artist Rajeev Sethi designed the window display with a combination of lights, trunks and clothes inspired by Indian motifs. Here is a closer picture of the trunks.
I am more interested(as in appreciating not to be mistaken for interest in buying) in their Vintage Saris inspired collection. Don't those shorts remind you of vintage silk sarees of the 70s?
On another note, did any of you get to check out the window display of Louis Vuitton on Diwali day? If not, just scroll down for some pictures here.
Indian artist Rajeev Sethi designed the window display with a combination of lights, trunks and clothes inspired by Indian motifs. Here is a closer picture of the trunks.
I am more interested(as in appreciating not to be mistaken for interest in buying) in their Vintage Saris inspired collection. Don't those shorts remind you of vintage silk sarees of the 70s?
Image sources : Source - Here
Labels:
Style
Sweet Spot
My photographer is back in town and I am off of my single-mom duties. Double Yay !!! I was on a mission this weekend to find a belt. Let me put it this way, the search was not easy and I tried all shapes, sizes and material before I found this. Right after my husband took that picture he asked me, "Is that where you are supposed to wear a belt?"
...and I wanted to tell him, "Have you really stopped looking at other women around you?"
My Tips for Wearing a Belt for the not-so-skinny Women:
- If you are heavy in the mid-section like me, a broader belt works well
- I am wearing the belt above my actual waist to create the waist I once knew before my pregnancies.
- I was more comfortable with the belt under the cardigan but would use a thinner belt if I had to wear it over my cardigan.
- The key is to find your own sweet spot to adorn the belt.
- Be adventurous, try out different belts and make your own rules.
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Style
Tawny, Pecan and Berry Reds
"Wearing too little can diminish your credibility as much as wearing too much" is an excerpt taken from Lois P. Frankel's book "Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office 101", where she talks about 'Make Up' and it sure fits right in with my work place.
For an everyday look I like to keep my skin/face as natural as possible with an even skin tone and un-chapped lips made possible by applying and re-applying lip gloss. If I can't get to the cup of Joe, then its mascara to the rescue to wake my eyes up.
Here is my detailed facial morning routine in 5 easy steps
Apply Loreal's Age Perfect Moisturizer right after shower
Dab and spread Aveda's concealer (shade : Pecan) under the eyes
5 dots of Estee Lauder's Double Wear (Tawny 05) concealer to spread all over my face.
Add Victoria Secret's Beauty Rush Mascara if needed
Finish it off with any of Victoria Secret's Beauty Rush Lip Gloss.
Let me know what your morning facial routine is and the products you use.
Image Sources : here, here, here and here.
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Style
Women in Pumps
Are there days, when certain incidents or thoughts reverberates in your head long after you packed up from work? If yes, it is time to take a few minutes to focus on something you like and unleash those creative neurons. Be it dressing up or arranging flowers or even setting up a dinner table. The key however is not be judgmental or critical and to simply enjoy those moments.
I wore this outfit to work yesterday. I know that mini bag almost looks invisible on my frame, but I love it as I can pull out what I need in less than 5 seconds. On another note, one of my favorite style blogger made it to the Forbes list of top 20 fashion blogs for professional women. Check her site out. I am sure you will like it.
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Style
Notch Up
Being in one's skin and appreciating it, is easier said than done. One of my biggest pet peeve is when women (I mean gorgeous looking women) focus on a teeny-tiny bit of imperfection in themselves and completely forget all the other aspects they are either blessed with or work for.
This is the first of the outfits, I put together for this blog. I took a bunch of 10 year old girls and my son for trick or treat in this outfit. One of the girls said I was dressed up as super model. She made my day, what else can I say.
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Style
Pink and Black
My daughter calls it, the bedazzle top and sandals. She kind of challenged me into this pink color and its a shade darker than what is out there in this picture. Of course she would have chosen something else to go with it, instead of a "tummy tucker" black walking shorts; and yes, the tummy tucker does work.
Working out has taken a back seat and I badly need to increase my current level of activity. I am adding a workout log to my blog. Hopefully public humiliation will motivate me.
Working out has taken a back seat and I badly need to increase my current level of activity. I am adding a workout log to my blog. Hopefully public humiliation will motivate me.
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Style
Friday Casuals
I was debating on wearing a coat to work on a 105F day. Glad I did, as the gentlemen from NY who came to meet me, were in their entire ensemble - suit, tie and all. I hardly know them, but was all exited about the prospect of getting dressed up. I sometimes wonder, does that little girl inside every women ever grow up? or is it just me?
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Style
Sabyasachi
I absolutely love this designer’s work. He’s dressed up Aishwarya Rai, Vidya Balan and the likes. No offense, this is my attempt at finding something close to his style in my price range.
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Style
Roles Reversed
I knew this was coming, not this early though …. Ri and I went shopping this weekend for my clothes. She is working on keeping me away from the color black and gave me a few guidelines to stick by while choosing colors. Her rules were –
Choose complimentary colors, like yellows and purples in pastel shades. She asked me if I noticed
Bharatnatyam outfits, where complimentary colors were used. I jumped with joy. “That’s my desi girl!!!”
The darker shade goes in the bottom and the lighter one on top.
You could add one neutral to the outfit
She helped me pick the perfect summer sandals as well.
Choose complimentary colors, like yellows and purples in pastel shades. She asked me if I noticed
Bharatnatyam outfits, where complimentary colors were used. I jumped with joy. “That’s my desi girl!!!”
The darker shade goes in the bottom and the lighter one on top.
You could add one neutral to the outfit
She helped me pick the perfect summer sandals as well.
Labels:
Style
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