Which decade are you? The 70’s!

1970s:

Where do I start? How about I make a list of the words that come to mind: Hot pants! Platform shoes, jeans, bell bottoms, polyester, mini skirts, maxi skirts, Yves Saint Laurent, Charlie’s Angels, disco fever, cat suits, trouser suits, custom t-shirts, three piece suits, and the list can go on…

This is the decade in which my mother was in her twenties and when I was born. I have seen the pictures, and I have fit into her old clothes that still have a special place in her walk-in closet. I definitely like the whole ‘boho’ look that came out of the late 1960s and 1970s and admit to owning many clothes in that style, but I cannot imagine living during this decade. I’ll leave that look to Sienna Miller and Kate Moss.

Summer Skin is In

As the season changes so do our wardrobe. The one thing that stays constant year round and year after year is our skin. Whatever your fashion sense may be you can be sure that healthy looking skin is and always be in fashion. With summer already we can expect more skin to show so that it is even more important that we get to make it look its best.

Here are a few tips to make sure that you have skin that is summer ready:

Hydrate – There’s nothing worse than dry and tired looking skin. Keep yourself hydrated and drink lots of water to keep your skin looking fresh all day. It won’t only help your skin it will also ensure that you don’t get a heat stroke in this heat! Need a quick boost for your face? Keep a mister handy and spray some on your skin when you get too hot.

SPF – Choose products with the high SPFs. This goes not only for sunscreens but facial creams, lip gloss, and even your clothes. You can get great fashionable summer wear (from hats to dresses and shirts) with built in SPF online. Remember a great tan is really nice but better safe than sorry. SO wear sunscreen and don’t stay under the sun for too long.

Hair – A full body wax is one of the best ways to go if you want smooth looking skin this summer but if you just opt to shave make sure you do it the right way. Always use a good shaving lotion for your legs and I find that men’s razors usually give a closer shave for the legs.

Exfoliate – Get a glowing and smoother look by exfoliating your skin before heading out for the beach. Exfoliating several times a week will ensure a clearer skin. You can buy a body scrub or just use your very own homemade scrub. Top ingredients for making homemade exfoliating scrubs include oatmeal (good for dry skin), papaya (good for skin whitening), crushed almonds (not for sensitive skin), coffee (anti-cellulite and varicose veins), and table salt (detox properties).

Now that you know how to get that clear glowing skin, it’s time to put on your best bikini and head to the beach!

Winter Beauty Tips

It’s winter and don’t we all know it! I know most of you are probably yearning for some place sunny and warm, but hey, if you can’t do anything about it, so be it. Did you know, though, that your beauty routine should be adjusted to the winter weather? Here are some tips that can help you look fantastic despite the cold.

Don’t go easy on lotions and creams. The winter months are bad for the skin in that the cold dries it up even more. As such, don’t hesitate to use more lotion or facial cream than you normally would. Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize some more.

Don’t forget your sunblock. But it’s winter, right? Yeah, but that doesn’t mean that the sun is not emitting UV rays – that’s something that doesn’t disappear. So when you’re going outside, don’t forget to put on some protection.

Don’t forget your lips. Your lips are probably chapped because of the cold. I know mine are – that is if I don’t use lip moisturizer or balm regularly. In case your lips do get chapped, use an exfoliant to get rid of the chap. You can make one at home using brown sugar and olive oil (or honey if you wish).

Don’t give up on a glowing look. It’s winter and you think you look like a pale fish. You just might be right but that doesn’t mean that you have to go on looking like one. Put foundation on. Better yet, mix some highlighter in with your liquid foundation – you’ll see a world of difference!

Don’t Get Fooled By A “Skinny” Mirror

I am sure you have had your share of experiences with “skinny” mirrors. These are mirrors which are not thin or small in dimension, but mirrors which show you a reflection of yourself that is thinner or slimmer than is real. I see a lot of these mirrors everyday! The elevators in our building make me look slimmer. The mirrors in the office bathroom do the same. Needless to say, I like looking at myself in those mirrors.

The sad truth is that these reflections are not for real; they are illusions; and when you face a “REAL” mirror, reality sinks in. One of the worst things that can happen in this regard is when you go to a shop and try on clothes. I do not have conclusive proof about this, but I have a suspicion that some shops may have skinny mirrors.

Have you ever experience trying on a dress at the store and thinking to yourself, “Wow I look good!” Then when you come home and look at yourself wearing the exact same dress (less than an hour later) but at a different mirror, you get a whole different image? Of course, you can always return or exchange the dress, but I can just imagine how adversely affected your moral may be.

The bottom line: know the status of your body, feel comfortable in your own skin, and know what looks good on you. This way, you don’t have to be too affected just in case a skinny mirror gets you!

Photo courtesy of Adverblog

Laugh Your Way To A Healthy Look

You may wear the most fashionable of clothes, buy the most expensive accessories, and generally have the most attention-catching ensemble; but this doesn’t mean anything if you look all stressed and worn out. In my mind, a healthy look is the foundation of the true fashionista. Forget the washed out look that some people have been going after. Go for the healthy glow that no other look can beat.

But what if you’re way too stressed at work? What if you don’t get much sleep at night? How can you get a head start on chasing the effects of stress away?

Take the doc’s advice: laugh more, look better.

Laughter has short term benefits. It stimulates our organs, thanks to the increased intake of oxygen. It also increases the endorphins released by the brain – these are chemicals which make us happy. When we laugh, we also soothe the tension in our muscles, generally making us feel better.

Of course, it also has long term benefits. Researchers say that laughter may improve our immune system. How so? Laughter releases “good” chemicals, like the endorphins mentioned above and neuropeptides. In the long run, these may help boost the immune system. Laughter also relieves pain, improves confidence, and gives an overall sense of satisfaction.

Combine all these things together and you will definitely have a look that no designer clothing, shiny bling, and colorful make up can emulate. That, my friends, is what will set you apart.

Green Undies From Marks and Spencer

I love the idea of green undies. I suppose it’s because they are the one article of clothing closest to our skin, and when one reads all this awful stuff about how these ordinary products are actually treated with scary chemicals and made under dodgy conditions, it makes sense to be extra careful.

So when I found out that Marks and Spencer, one of my favourite brands of undies since I was a child, had built what is probably the world’s most eco-friendly factory in Thurulie (not far from the capital, Colombo), Sri Lanka, I was excited and pleased.  It’s amazingly a 100 per cent carbon neutral, 100 per cent green, 100 per cent ethical factory – in a lush, green, tropical setting that looks more like the latest eco-friendly boutique hotel rather than a factory. Apparently, after seeing Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, M & S chairman Sir Stuart Rose made a plan to actually do something about climate change through his business, creating a “5-point 100 step initiative” which involves things as simple as reducing plastic bags and hangers to building amazing factories like this.

The undies are very reasonably priced too. Like the “Per Una” Organic briefs above (panties) which range from £2.00 – £6.00 or under $12. Bras are no more than about £15 or $30.

Its Sale Season! 5 Quick Tips For Serious Shoppers

It’s the most wonderful time of the year – yes, ladies, it’s Sale Season!! If you’re a serious shopper (and bargain hunter) like me, it’s time to get some real damage done (as in credit card- but remember, its a bargain!),  and hopefully set yourself up with some terrific pieces for the year ahead.

Here are 5 tips to get the best deals and have a blast doing it:

1. Be An Early Bird – The cardinal rule in shopping, whether it be for a designer sample sale or at your farmers market for organic veg.  My sister, who works nights, does her grocery shopping at 7pm and always ends up with the lousy produce.  Duh? If shopping for shoes especially, the size 7 and 8’s are gone in a flash if you aren’t early. So set that alarm early ladies, it pays.

2. Make Time – You need time and patience to do a good shop. Trust me, a frenzied trip to a sale on your lunch break is not a good idea.  Clear your schedule for a couple of hours of good, solid shopping time. And do go through the items with patience, no matter how haphazard presentation may be – remember, amidst the polyester there may be some cashmere.

3. Grab as You Go- When scouring a sale, grab items that take your fancy, then edit later.  If you hesitate and think that you can “come back for it later”, chances are it will be gone.

4. Dress Appropriately – Yes, you should always look stylish, but when I’m on a serious shopping trip I like to dress for ease in the changing room.  A pair of tight, skinny jeans, for example, is a nightmare to take on and off in the changing room, as are shirts with too many buttons or other fiddly bits. You want an outfit that is easy to throw on and off when trying on multiple items of clothing.

5. Be Resourceful -Be friendly to sales staff at your favourite shops and they are likely to keep you in the know – when new sales stock is coming in, what may be hidden in the stockroom etc.  Online is also a good place to hunt for bargains when you just can’t face the crowds any longer.  Some good options are:

Designer Warehouse Sales

Shop Bop

Secret Sales

Advice for Petite Women

Naturally, petite woman have a desire to look tall, it is not just about the clothes they wear, but the posture they hold.However, for women a sure way to create an illusion of being a little taller is to wear strips going down, never across. In addition, a good trick is to wear quite light clothes, for instance chiffon or cotton material, so when they walk they do not feel so weighed down, and therefore tend to walk tall with their shoulders and head held high.

A round neck I have always felt makes you look shorter and a little plump, go for a V-neck, or even try the Kaftans style tops could work wonders.

A very simple light jacket, nothing with patterns on or to much detail, a lot of detail closes a person in, you want people to see you for you, not be hit with to much detail, it would just be to chaotic for your small frame.

Whats Your Fashion Style?

Now for the pressing question every gal’s gotta know. 

“What is your fashion style?“

Here are some of our favourite places online you can find it out.

Ladies Home Journal: 10 fun questions, asking you things like: “If you were to open a business, what would it be?”

I Village UK: This one from the UK promises to discover your “inner style”, questions like ” Your favourite Decade Is…” (the 1940’s-50’s was my definitely my favourite- everyone was so coiffed!).

Retro Runway: This one is for the younger gals. Are you stuck in a time warp? Find out at:

Celebrity Beauty Buzz: I admit, I’m a bit of a celebrity fan. How can you not look at what they’re wearing when they have access to the best designers, stylists and fitness trainers?  So are you a Gwyneth or a Gwen?

Celebrity Holiday Style: One more celebrity quiz – as its October tomorrow, the holidays are definitely creeping up.  Find out if you’re a Cate Blanchette or a Kate Hudson when you get into the season this year. Warning: this one is a manual one, so you have to add up the points yourself.  Hey, its good to exercise those grey cells too, ladies!

And a tribute to my all time favourite fahionistas, every girl should know which Sex In the City girl she is! In case you were wondering, I’m Charlotte .  But I wish I were Carrie!