International Day of the Girl

This is a fashion blog after all, but i have been extremely reluctant to blog or even tweet about anything that isn't of grave importance...at least to me. Being in this heightened state of awareness is emotional draining and physically exhausting and maybe one day i will blog again about the fun things in life but for now I speak my piece.

Today is the first ever  International Day of the Girl; and i thought I would mark it with 2 stories.

1. 14 year old Pakistani girl shot in the head by the Taliban for being a feminist blogger.  She expressed her concerns over the Taliban's movement to crackdown on education and basic civil rights of girls.....Education is power.
2. The Connecticut supreme court overturned the rape of a disabled 26 year old woman who cannot speak and is only able to move her right index finger. The initial guilty verdict was overturned because in Connecticut; women are presumed to be in a constant state of consent unless they explicitly state otherwise. No force, no bruise, no rape?

August Favorites

 Things that worked wonderfully for me in the month of August.

1. Sunscreen SPF 40
2. Toner: Rose Water Eliminates Oiliness!
3.Face Moisturizer: Vanishing cream. Fades old acne spots!

What's in My Purse

Will you believe me if I told you there are  thousands of "whats in my purse" videos on YouTube? Need organizing tips for anything, its the place to go. The room tour videos are my personal favs but thats a whole different blog post altogether. So anyways, back to the topic....
 Here is Mine:

Bag:
Frye Clovertab Satchel in Brown (love this bag!!!)
Stock photo

Actual photo

Contents:
 
L to R

1. Blue Butterfly Wristlet: I sometimes have to go off site for meetings or work lunches. I use this instead of logging my huge bag around. I just put in a credit card, cash, my phone, car keys....stuff like that.
2. Wallet
3. Umbrella
4. Makeup Bag (see below)
5. Keys
6. Hand Sanitizer
7. Pain killers
8. Glasses Case with my glasses, sunglasses and eye phones
9. Pen
10. Gum 
11. Phone (not pictured)

My Makeup Bag:

1. Lip Glosses
2. Compact
3. Lip stick/ lip gloss combo
4. Hair ties, hair pins and safety pins
5. Hand lotion
6. Nail file
7. Tweezers
8. Nail cutter
9. Travel size perfume
10. Eye liner
11. Mascara
12. chap stick

10 Things You Should Do Before Settling Down

Whether you’re at that age where you’re just starting to think about marriage or are as single as the Beyonce song (hands up in the air), there are certain things we think every woman should do before walking down the aisle. Here are 10 of them—what’s yours?

 

1. Find a job you love and kick ass at it

Once you’re married and have kids, switching your career becomes a lot harder. Figure out what your passion is now, while you’re young and only have yourself to worry about, and just go for it. Don’t hold back. When you do find a job you love, be the very best you can possibly be at it. Nothing feels as rewarding as chasing your dreams and catching them.

 

2. Have a summer fling with a hot foreigner

Go abroad for a summer. Travel to Europe. Meet a hot guy in Paris and totally get swept off your feet. You only live once. And let’s be real, every girl loves a man with an accent whispering sweet nothings into her ear. Who cares if you can’t understand, mon cheri.

 

3. Get your heart broken at least once

Heartache sucks, but you know what they say, you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. Failed relationships teach us a thing or two about love and what we do and don’t want in a man. It prepares us for the day Mr. Right comes along and completely changes our life. Without heartache, we can’t truly understand love.

 

4. Stay out all night, just because

You’re young and wild and free, so go out and make the most of it! Party until the sun comes up. Dance until dawn. Embark on a crazy adventure. Drink on the beach. Be completely irresponsible. Before you know it, the opportunity will have passed you by.
 
 5. Set a goal and actually reach it
What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted to accomplish, but maybe never got around to? Jot it down, map out a serious timeline and then get your butt off the couch and work like crazy to make it happen. Setting goals is great and all, but if you never take the initiative to actually achieve them, what’s the point? You’re only wasting your time.

 

6. Learn how to ask for what you want (and get it!)

Whether it’s a raise at work or an edgy new hair color you’ve been dying to try out, speak up for yourself. Stand your ground and be firm about it. The person you’re asking may not like your request, but they’ll sure as hell respect you a lot more for having the balls to ask it.

 

7. Go on a spontaneous trip with the girls

Eventually you’ll have a husband to check in with, kids to find a sitter for and Little League games to attend. So take advantage of your singledom NOW and hit the road with the girls for a last minute jaunt. Drink too much champagne. Stay in a fabulous hotel. Get pampered at the spa. And just gossip like old times. These are the moments you’ll cherish forever.

 

8. Become totally, completely, 100% financially independent

You never know what will happen down the road so before you commit to forever, it’s crucial to learn how to make it own your own. That means no more car insurance payments from dad, or mom taking care of your cell phone bill. It’s just you, your checkbook, and a big smile on your face because you made it. The only person you have to depend on now is yourself. And that’s truly liberating.

 

9. Live in a different state...or country

If you’ve lived in the same place your entire life, get out! Go explore. See the world. Move somewhere completely unexpected while you still can, or rent an apartment in the city you’ve always dreamt of dwelling. Even if it’s just for a short period of time, spread your wings and fly. You’re free as a bird baby, and right now, it’s all about you.

 
10. Fall in love with the person of your dreams 

Maybe you’re anxious to get married or fear you’ll never find anyone better, but please, we’re literally begging you, DON’T SETTLE. Wait for the person who makes your heart beat fast. The one who treats you like a princess and lifts you up because he could never tear you down. But most of all, wait for the one who loves you just as much as you love him back and whom you could never, ever in a million, trillion years picture your life without. Then, settle down.

I was going to emphasize the really important ones, but they are very important and necessary to becoming a completely whole person

Source: TFS

Trends & Must Haves!

There are a couple of things that I am loving right now.

1. Peplum: I need a peplum dress, a peplum skirt and a peplum top. I am obsessed!!!

I have been waiting for these trends to go main stream since spring 2011 and I am still waiting. I can only find them in European stores like Topshop and Zara. I don't have either close to me and don't want to just buy online so the wait continues but I hope this is a trend that stays for years to come.

2. Blue: Something happened and Blue became the new neutral. Blue everything especially accessories. Love it.

 3. Collared shirts: I used to be scared of these shirts because I thought they were too masculine and made me look like a boy. not anymore. very chic especially when tucked in or tied at the waist.

4. Tuck in Everything:  used to hate, now its a must. It transforms your outfit completely, makes you look more confident and your silhouette is amazing.

 

5. Polka dots: Always loved them, glad to see them back. Very girly look, whats not to love?

6. Colored/Ombre Hair: So, I day dream about dyeing my hair a blue black or purple black color. So random, I have never wanted or had color in my hair before.

Instead, I am trying to achieve natural ombre hair. I have been applying henna for about a year now and it has lightened my hair significantly (at least in comparison to my roots) so I will take a break from Henna and see if I naturally two tone. As for my blue hair, still a day dream for now.

7. Collared Necklaces: Best Accessory Ever!!! Love Love Love. 

8. Closed Toe Gladiators: They just look so vintage and special and awesome.

9. Motorcycle boots: For transitioning into fall.

 

Picture Credit:
 http://agneslovesshopping.blogspot.com
http://salvagelife.blogspot.com
http://fashion-motorcycle-boots-online.blogspot.com
http://www.collegefashion.net
http://adesignstory.com
http://fashioncherry.co
http://youlookfab.com
http://www.lushfabglam.com
http://www.trendhungry.com
http://www.whowhatwear.com

The 10 Dresses Every Woman Should Have in Her Closet

Trends may come and go, but one major piece is always going to be a style staple: the dress. Dolled up or toned down, a simple sheath or full-length stunner can change your entire attitude, not to mention help you stand out in any social situation. Of all the styles on the market, there are a handful (OK, two handfuls) of classic silhouettes that should always be present in your closet. Click through to see and shop the 10 frocks you can't live without.

The LBD...This sleeveless iteration is easy to dress up or down — pair it with tights and ankle booties for the office, or sexy strappy heels for a night out.

A Classic Shirtdress...
Cool and confident, with a decidedly borrowed-from-the-boys feel.

The Colorful Daytime Maxi...The colorblock trend has yet to wane, and this cool maxi is your best bet for throwing on over a swimsuit, or just wearing to the office on a warm day.

The Sexy Sundress...
This citron-hued dress can easily go from daytime shopping spree to evening cocktails — plus, it's a snap to accessorize.

The Wrap Dress...Take a cue from the ladies who lunch and slip into a pretty wrap dress.

The LWD...A pretty Spring partner to your little black dress, a short, flirty white frock screams sweetness.


A Statement-Making Party Dress...
Sequins + a short hemline? Perfect for a party.

The Ladylike Knee-Length...You'll need one of these for those office parties, family gatherings, and any other events that require a polished, professional look.

The Flirty Floral Dress...
Spring simply can't start without a girlie printed dress. Wear it with flat sandals or a pair of sky-high wedges.

The Go-To Evening Dress...
Did somebody say "black tie"? Pair this gorgeous gown with pretty earrings and a simple clutch for any evening soiree or wedding.

SOURCE: LaurenConrad.com

Confidence Dressing: How Clothing Affects the Mind

Great news. Science is one breakthrough closer to understanding the brain chemistry behind your intense interest in clothes, and as it turns out, your outfit may alter how you approach and interact with the world. In preliminary findings from a study published on the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology’s website, subjects who donned white coats that they thought belonged to doctors performed better on tests than those who wore street clothes, or those who thought the coats were associated with artists. Their heightened focus was evident only when subjects actually put on the coat in question (not merely when they were in the same room). It’s no secret that assembling an outfit is like selecting social armor, and that what we wear has power over others (if there weren’t truth to the cliché “lady in red,” designers wouldn’t be making so many scarlet dresses), but this study shows if you have a strong cultural association with a garment, wearing it can affect your cognitive processes. This phenomenon is called enclothed cognition, meaning that if your brain links Miuccia Prada’s or Phoebe Philo’s collections with powerful, intelligent women, you’re likely to take on those attributes when you wear that Prada pleated skirt or Céline jacket.

To explore this theory, Vogue asked several women—in careers ranging from art to e-commerce to politics—what pieces in their closets helped them bring their A-game to work. Though none had appropriated Hillary Clinton’s famed pantsuits, some veered towards popular icons that assert command (“A power outfit for me always begins with a great pair of heels,” says Gabriela Palmieri, senior vice president at Sotheby’s in New York), while others cited correlations between brands and confidence. Lauren Santo Domingo made careful selections when raising funds to launch Moda Operandi, where she is a cofounder and creative director. “We were meeting the best investment funds around the world and I felt that they would take one look at my Peter Pilotto techno print shift with my ironically mismatched Charlotte Olympia clutch and immediately know that I barely broke 500 on my Math SATs,” Santo Domingo says. “I quickly shuffled around my wardrobe and relied on Céline with sprinklings of Acne to get me through these intense meetings without letting my true eclectic fashion roots betray me.” In time, Santo Domingo says she felt strong showcasing her personal style, and eventually saw it as an asset. Model and psychology student Julia Frakes always gravitates toward Prada for interviews, and has a go-to brand for test taking: “I wore Marni when I took my Wechsler exam [designed to measure adult intelligence]. I swear Marni increases one’s self-perceived intelligence levels.” Suffice it to say, Frakes scored a high performance IQ.

So, tell the skeptics: Your closet isn’t frivolous, it contains a myriad of channels to heightened performance, a selection of gateways to the best versions of yourself. As Jonathan Lethem said in his novel You Don’t Love Me Yet: “You can’t be deep without a surface.”

 

Source

New Obession: Manicures..

Well, self manicures. I actually do not like getting my nails professionally done, those tools are scary.
Right now I love all shades of blue, black and pastels.

Tip: The Essie No Chip Topcoat makes your manicure last 7 to 10 days!!!

 Nail Polish Storage: in a huge clear vase!

Perfume!!!

After smelling dozens of scents, I have finally found a perfume. My "signature" scent. I purchased my first perfume ever this month. YAY!!!!
Actually, since I am totally incapable of buying just one thing, I bought two perfumes.  Turns out I like floral, fruity and sweet perfumes.

Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy &
Gucci Flora Garden Gorgeous Gardenia. 
For my purchase I received a free Gucci Flora Garden Glamorous Magnolia

I love them all.

10 ways to wear the Little Black Dress

One of my favorite girls on Youtube. She's AWESOME!

The F series: Intro

I was working on a fashion post for Monday, but then I thought of something else. I have, maybe not many but other passions. I would like to blog about something else on here once in a while. After all, it is about 5 sisters with potentially 5 different views about everything.

50 classics for your closet

found this on tumblr, can't remember where exactly....sorry

My Favourite Blogs

Here are my fav blogs, not limited to just fashion blogs.

• MyTwintopia
• WhoWhatWear
• The Sugars (especially Casasugar and Geeksugar)
• Ring My Bell
• Dulce Candy
• Modern African Cuisine
• Frugal Fashionista
• Hello Giggles
• The Obama Diary

Powerpuff girl goes shopping

For the first 3 to 4 years when I started buying my own clothes, i always bought clothes a couple of sizes to big because I believed I would eventually grow into it. Well, that never happened so when I got into the professional world, I was the clueless girl wearing ill fitted clothing completely unaware. I needed a makeover!!!
Now this is the nerdy part, I learnt to dress myself by reading lots and lots of books in the style section of the public library. Yep! After school uniforms in high school to jeans and a t shirt or sweater in college...it was a challenge. It took me years to find my comfort zone  and that is why I feel that even now, my style is so structured and seasonal because I follow the books. I love fashion but it is not instinctual for me at all.
when I buy clothes, I prefer them to be plain and untraceable. My white top could be from the boys section at Target or Nordstrom (LOL) no one can tell but me.
I still follow themes everyday when i dress up. I pick one that suits the occasion or  day and just go with it. So everyday, I am either in pants trying to be  mature and sophisticated like blossom or in a dress or skirt doing girly like bubbles or jeans and no fuss tomboy like  buttercup.

Old & New Trends...

...that i am loving right now.

1. black or white lace

2. men's wear as women's wear: oxfords, dress shirts, blazers

3. high heels (i have been in s flat shoe craze for the past 3 years!)

 

 4. transitioning dressing: summer clothes for fall