Thursday, May 30, 2013

Lets get serious now...

One of my personal favorite formal looks for the summer, instead of the usual ponte dresses and shift dresses, are shirt dresses. White, black, navy, khaki and grey shirt dresses. They’re a lot more fun and still give off a very sophisticated lady like vibe. You wouldn't believe the number of compliments I received from my colleagues when I sported this look. Come on girls, we all love compliments, don’t deny it.

Anyway, I decided to pair black and tan because the combo is fool proof and looks extremely classy. Linen shirt dresses would be perfect too, and I suggest you add a smart skirt dress in your wardrobe ASAP. I personally love the collection at Mango, so do stop by the store if you can and try it out yourself.
Also, although I'm a big fan of piling on accessories, I decided to let this dress be the hero of the day and only wore a delicate silver chain.








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Monday, May 27, 2013

Yellow there! - A note on wearing Scarves in the summer.

 Summer is perfect for wearing white. And along with that, piling on lots of fun colors-brights, neons, metallics and what not!
I recently purchased this beautiful scarf from Piazza Italia for a great price on sale. I actually had my eye on a similar one in Zara, for 12 BD, and I almost purchased it, until I happened to spot this one.Phew! And Knowing me, I'd probably only wear it three times, max. I know, it's a bad habit but any way, cheers to the summer and bright colors!
Remember, you don't have to only wear scarves in the winter. For the summer, pick lightweight cotton scarves (ONLY) in fun colors and don't wrap them around the neck too much.Keep that in mind and you can rock scarves all summer long !






Top:Mango, Jeans:Zara, Scarf: Piazza Italia, Bag:Monsoon, Sunnies:Aldo, Bracelets:Monsoon

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

All on board....

I've always been a big fan of the whole nautical feel. I've sported so many nautical looks all of last week, be it at work or casual outings, that I decided to blog yet another post feeling all sailor-y.
Rocking a nautical look doesn't mean you have to wear navy and white or even stick only to stripes.There are lots of ways to work around the look, even by playing with fabrics. Think linen and cool cotton. Yes, stripes are a more obvious way , but you can even simply put together colors that give off the nautical vibe like tan, soft khaki, white, ivory, beige, red, burgundy, navy, blues and even black.
I suggest to pick three or four colors of the lot and work the entire outfit around it. Don't go crazy with colors. If you want to sport the look to work, navy or khaki trousers with a crisp white shirt will work. Keep your shoes and handbag red to complete the look.
If its a casual outing, a straw hat or an over sized bag are sure to make a statement! So go on, create a cute nautical look and feel free to share it on my Facebook page HERE.

P.S: Honorable mention to my dear friend Muji for going through with this shoot for me.






On Me- Skirt:Forever21, Tee:HM, Bag:Mango, Belt and Hat:Camaieu, Armswag:Monsoon, Aldo.
On Him- Shirt: Nautica, Jeans: Custom, Shoes: CAT, Watch:Esprit
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Monday, May 20, 2013

How to rock: Muted Colors

Who says grey and other muted colors have to be boring? I love grey! In fact 2 years back, I was anti-color and would only wear black, greys and navy.
Why not add a bit of quirk to your look when wearing muted colors  The easiest way is to try to match tone for tone. For eg: I'm wearing a grey skirt with tiny little white flowers so Instead of tonally darker grey footwear, I've decided on a pair of Silver sandals to stand out and match with my chrome belt. Also note how I've tonally matched the dull wine of my blouse with my necklace. If you decide to wear beige or tan, try gold or bronze accents.
I've also piled on lots of silver arm swag because as you guys know I love my jewelry  That, I would have to say is the easiest way to spruce up any casual outfit. Accessories. And lots of it!
On another note, Its getting seriously hot on the island and I'm bringing out all my summer skirts and sundresses. I'm more of a 'skirt' person and less of a 'shorts' person so forgive me if I over-do and over-kill skirts in the next few posts .

Summer Score: Fun floral prints and skirts with cute pockets add a little more funk into your style as opposed to the usual denim cutoffs and A-line skirts.Tan is always cool for summer.






Blouse:Vero Moda, Skirt, Monsoon, Sandals:HM, Bag:Sequoia, Necklace:Camaieu, Armswag: Monsoon, Anne Klein

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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Guest Post with Farfetch.com- Youthful Power Dressing


There comes a point in every woman’s life where she must put some serious thought into her wardrobe and we’re not talking about the usual daily amount of thought that we put into our every-day outfits. We’re talking about deciding on that perfect outfit that exudes the right signals to those around you, sends off the perfect message of reliability and responsibility, that one amazing outfit that will simply scream employability.
It must be one of the harder wardrobe conundrums out there, if there was a sliding scale; job interview attire would be up there somewhere in between first date outfits and what to wear to the office Christmas party.
It is one of those occasions where what you wear really does matter, because as we all know; first impressions count, so if you rock up looking like you've not slept and you don’t have regular access to a washing machine you probably won’t be needing to dig out your work permit any time soon.
We take a little look at some of the classic do’s and don’ts for power dressing, making sure you wear the right thing without looking overly stuffy or too under-dressed; trust us; it’s a fine art!
First and foremost; never underestimate the power of the suit, they’re not reserved only for old business men, if worn properly they can really hit the nail on the head. They are properly formal for a smart job interview or just for an important meeting and well worth investing in. Make sure you buy one that isn’t seasonal so that it can be worn at any time of the year, whenever it’s needed. A light weight fabric will avoid any creases and remember that you don’t have to go for a classic black suit; go for one in a colour that suits your skin tone. If you want to mix things up then you can always swap out trousers for a stylish and feminine pencil skirt, to keep the ensemble looking fashion forward then why not try out a printed two piece for one of this season’s biggest trends.
If you decide to go with a skirt then make sure that it is the right size, neither too big or too small, one of the biggest conundrums we find with wearing skirts for a job interview is to go bare legged or not. The rule of thumb here is if in doubt; wear tights even if it’s just a pair of skin coloured tights on a warm day, it just looks a little bit smarter!
A brightly coloured lipstick will speak volumes about you without you even having to open your mouth. Some people say that wearing a bright lipstick to a job interview is distracting and potentially inappropriate but it is definitely an easy way to bring a youthful and stylish twist to any outfit. Chose you’re colour wisely, avoid a sexy red if you don’t think it will go down well and instead go for an on-trend pink hue. If you do choose to wear a lipstick then keep the rest of your make-up quite natural looking, a clean looking face with a little blush and a slick of mascara should suffice.
One thing that many girls forget to consider when putting together interview outfits is the bag! It is equally as important as any other element of your outfit. A bag speaks volumes about its owners so don’t turn up with a carrier bag from the bargain booze store. A briefcase might be a little over the top for a young lady but a smart satchel or clutch will do the trick, equally make sure you don’t carry too many unnecessary belongings around with you. All you need is a couple copies of your CV or presentation, make up essentials, diary, wallet and phone.
Job Interview Essentials:























1.       Black Blazer – Wallis - £45 – This is an absolute interview essential, if you’re ever in doubt about what to wear you really can’t go wrong with a black blazer. Opt for an oversized style to keep it looking fresh and young looking.
2.       Textured Tailored Trousers - Moschino - £370 – A pair of tailored trousers are always a good choice; they’re flattering and really mean business, try a pop of colour to really pack a punch!
3.       Shirt – Victoria Beckham - £450 – A shirt or blouse is a failsafe wardrobe essential, it will go with anything from trousers to skits and looks great under a blazer, choose a slightly oversized style and lightweight material to avoid looking too stuffy.
4.       Sequin Day Dress – Reiss - £110 – We surely don’t need to tell you about the wonders of a well-fitting little black dress, there is a reason it’s a classic; it’s a safe choice, choose an on-trend cut to keep it looking fresh.
5.       Glacier White Python Heels – Alexander Wang - £340 – The perfect pair of heels is hard to come by, these stunning heels are just the right height to avoid any embarrassing falls and on-trend white will keep your ensembles truly stylish.
6.       Contrasting Print Blazer – Zara - £65 – If you’re feeling like you want to stand out then a printed blazer is really big this season, it’s the perfect balance of style and formality, we love this printed one from Zara, if you’re feeling really bold why not team with the matching trousers!
7.       Pettite No. 2 Pencil Skirt – J. Crew - £63 – A classic pencil skirt is perfect for a formal occasion but if you want to update this look why not go for an on trend colour, this one from J. Crew would be perfect teamed with a white blouse and courts.
8.       iPad Case - Zagliani - £390 – A smart iPad case is a great accessory to take with you for a job interview, it shows that you take care of your belongings and take pride in appearances!
So there you have it, some of the essential items for dressing to impress for a job interview, what are your essential tips that always help you shine when it’s needed most?


This blog post was written by Lucinda Bounsall who works at farfetch.com

All items can be purchased from www.farfetch.com

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Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Working with Sequins

Unless its New Years where you can go super-dramatic, working with sequins for a night out on a normal day can make you look a little too overdressed. If you follow me on instagram (@askthestylecouncil) you would have seen the fully sequinned FCUK mini dress I wore two years back, which had a lot of hot pink accents. So how do you work with sequins on a regular night out with the girls? Here are a few pointers when working with heavily/ semi-heavily embellished dresses:
  • Always pick something that isn't too sparkly. Sequins on the shoulders OR hemline OR a certain area of   the dress. 
  • Fully sequinned tops are ok, provided you pair them with a plain skirt or pant- Avoid prints. Velvet would be okay too.
  • Opt for darker colored shoes- black, navy or maroon. A bright color will only take away the attention from the dress.
  • Try to match your clutch to the dress or color of the sequins as much as possible.
  • Don't over-do your jewelry  Small drop earrings and a chunky cuff will be OK  Remember, If the sequins are flocked at the neckline, you don't want to wear a neck piece.
  • Keep your makeup to a minimum- try to avoid screaming lip colors. nude lips is always classy. Smoky eyes are a safe bet.



Dress:Mango, Clutch:Quiz, Cuff: Aldo, Monsoon, Earrings:Monsoon, Shoes:Zara

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Sunday, May 12, 2013

Product Review :The Body Shop

 As you all know, I've loved The Body Shop ever since I can remember and they only seem to keep impressing me with all the new products, be it an exclusive new celebrity collaborated collection or a single product on its own. I've already proclaimed to the world via Instagram and my FB page about the Tea Tree Oil and the Strawberry seed dry oil and all the wonders they have worked for me.
I've recently just added a few more products on my favorite's list and here's why...

Brazil Nut Cream body scrub: (Highly Recommended + )*
I kid you not when I say that this product is seriously mouth watering. It smells SO GOOD, you will want to eat it.I also love it because it's a perfect pampering product every girl must own. It scrubs off and exfoliates all the dryness off of your body and leaves the skin feeling soft and clean. The best part is that it's not too harsh on skin, unlike other exfoliating scrubs, and the creamy formula makes it super easy to apply.If you ever happen to go to the mall anytime soon, stop by TBS and take a whiff of this baby.
* For use in the shower only. Perfect for dry elbows and knees even!
Confession time- I actually tasted a little bit because, well...it smells THAT good.

Japanese Cherry Blossom spray: (Perfect fragrance for summer)
I wear perfume only at special events or night out's because I tend to stick to softer body sprays during the day time. There's something very sensual about smelling like delicate floral notes in the morning as opposed to strong smelling perfumes. Don't get me wrong, I love my Chloe Intense and Extreme Aigner, but I think its best to save such scents for the evening. That is why this Japanese cherry blossom spray is perfect to use on an everyday basis. It smells amazing and it's a very convenient size too. Easy to carry in my handbag to work, so double points for that!

Vitamin C skin Boost: (Highly Recommended)*
I dare you to not like this product. I have been using this ever since the "Pulse" event at The Body Shop, where it was a part of the goody bag and I have been using it till date. The formula is very very different from anything I've ever used before and it smells like oranges. It's not a serum exactly, more like a skin boosting primer. On application, it feels like silk on your skin just for 3 seconds and it completely blends in, which is amazing! I use this product as a base before I apply my makeup and even on no makeup days, I use it as a moisturizer. TRY THIS OUT.
* For Oily Skin: Don't use too much of the product, just a tiny pump for the face.

Vitamin E Cool BB Cream (Must try)
Finding the right foundation shade to suit your skin tone is always such a task and after the invention of BB creams, the same hunt began for the right color.I even have a few friends who do not use BB creams just because they don't want to go around looking for the exact color. Here's where the Vitamin E BB cream is perfect . It comes in one shade that suits all! Its hard to believe, but it really does. My sister is fairer than I am and both of us are using it. Amazing right? It has light-medium coverage and blends in very easily. Leaves  my skin feeling fresh and gives it a natural glow.  #Win







So until I discover more amazing products, Do try these out and leave your comments below and feel free to share your favorites with me too !

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Wednesday, May 8, 2013

If you love it, Don't think twice.

 I chanced upon this gorgeous chiffon blouse at Forever 21 a few weeks back and although it was one size bigger, I went ahead and bought it anyway. Its such an unusual style with the exaggerated trail and what makes it even better is the fabric. It's lightweight, easy to wear and the fall is simply beautiful. I was lucky because this was the last piece they had in store. 
Here's a little shopping secret of mine ladies. If you really love something, don't think twice.Buy it.Chances are, you'll go home regretting it and come back for it the next day, only to find out that it's no longer available. Trust me, I've been there.
Anyway,I decided to cinch the waist with a belt because I'm wearing leggings in this look. Next time I'm thinking of something short with this blouse and ditching the belt. Effortlessly chic and cool for the hot summers we've been seeing lately on the island.





Blouse:Forever21, Tank and  Necklace:HM, Leggings:Zara, Flats:Monsoon, Bag:Gifted
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