Basic Bits Summer Edition

Basic Bits Summer Edition

Girls loath the transition that the seasons bring, especially when there is only a certain amount of space in their cupboards. If you have made a resolution this year to spend less money on clothes when summer comes around and keep to the very minimal basics, this article is definitely for you.

Basic item number 1 is no other than your thinnest, most comfortable pair of jeans. We know how unpredictable summer plans are and if there is an impromptu short road trip, your pair of jeans will save you from having the entire world watch perspiration roll down your legs when you need to be out the entire day.

Basic item number 2 is an assortment of plain t-shirts: it is always advisable to have the colors white, black, navy and one bright-colored shirt which suit you. Think bright hues of orange, green, pink, or yellow. You wouldn't have to worry if the pattern or print matches your bottoms and it makes dressing up, a quicker affair.

Basic item number 3 is a pair of shorts. It should not be too short that bending over draws unwanted attention and try keeping to khaki, denim, navy or white colors. In fact, lets indulge a little, since it is summer and have 2 pairs available in your drawers!

Another important item for any girls in summer, which we have not forgotten, is skirt. Keep one plain-colored skirt (preferably high waist) and a flower skirt or striped/patterned skirt. Remember, we are trying to keep the items in your cupboard to a minimal so 2 skirts are a good number.

Also, a maxi dress and a short dress should be hung out for those special days with a special someone or for trips to the beach. It is also ideal for a lazy day when wearing a one-piece outfit is all the energy you can muster. Again, keep to bright colors and summery patterns.

To complete the look, do not forget that one pair of flip-flop, tan or white-colored strappy sandals, black ballet flats and your accessories: sun glasses, scarves, necklaces, watches and bracelets. Now who say your cupboard can't hold all you need?

Eco-Friendly Clothes

Eco-Friendly Clothes

With the increasing concern for preserving the environment due to the onslaught of natural disasters, it is no surprise that clothing manufacturers are deciding to create an environmentally friendly selection of clothing for the population. Some might think that eco-friendly clothing constitutes of wearing more green-colored outfits but it is more than just the question of color. As we are prompted to make more informed purchases of items to save Mother Earth, how much do we actually know of eco-friendly clothing options?

Choosing eco-friendly clothing may seem to be simple: check the tag to determine what materials are used to create it and how does one care for it. Although the clothing material is a major factor, one should not forget about the source of these clothing. Is an organic cotton material, truly 100% cotton? How can we be sure that there is no synthetic mix in it? In addition, the method in which the manufacturer process its raw materials and how the waste is managed, should factor in one's decision. According to Fashionista.com, a few terms such as ‘green', ‘eco' and ‘sustainable' creates a feel-good haze when one makes a purchase but it could also be a marketing ploy to which clothing manufacturers entice the unsuspecting buyer.

The website also provides a list of ten best environmental friendly brands mostly from the US – Study NY, Alabama Chanin, Feral Childe; and other countries such as Peru and Canada. Another brand that one can find online is Indigenous which commits to sustainability and fair trades. It may appear that one should research into a clothing brand to ensure an eco-friendly choice – if we put in similar efforts into decisions to purchase shoes, cars or houses, why not clothing brands too?

Get A Watch

Get A Watch

People from all walks of life wear one accessory in which, design and functionality is important. Even children of the ages 7 to 10 adorn this accessory despite not fully understanding its function. Eventually, the purpose of the watch develops in these young minds and the design, is equally as significant.

Many brands have flooded the watch market and buyers are spoilt for choice. Even sporting brands such as Adidas and Nike have a collection of watches and it was just last year that Samsung released the Samsung Gear – a timepiece that doubles as a phone too. With these newer and trendier selections, watch brands such as Rolex, OMEGA and TAG Heuer have to effectively entice the younger market without compromising quality at competitive rates.

When one buys a watch, does one expect it to last beyond 5 years? Perhaps it is the aesthetics that move people to purchase a timepiece and with a warranty of two years, it seems like a fair deal. However, consumers should think to invest in the long-term. How much more precious a timepiece would be 10 years in the future? Sentimentality towards an object may seem like a wrong reason to purchase an item yet, one does not throw out a sturdy piece of wooden furniture after a decade, right?

Besides its function, a watch is a most inconspicuous accessory that could make a difference in one's outfit. In his article ‘5 reasons why you need to buy a watch' on FHM.com, Jordan Waller couldn't have summarized the social reasons to own a watch any clearer: women shouldn't be the only ones that can accessorize. So if you have yet to splurge on yourself (lately), a watch should be an option on your list!

Hair-cessory

Hair-cessory

It is known by many terms and yet, some refuse to believe that one's crowning glory is a natural accessory that requires continual care or the costs incurred from it. It is a relief that not many hold to this opinion or there would be a sore lack of hairdresser's and salons. Like any part of the body, the human hair deserves equal care as we give to our face and skin.

Beyond the basic shampoo, conditioner and haircut, what more can one do? There are multiple hairstyles one can choose to sport and those who constantly change their hairdo need more than the basic care. If it is a question of cost, there is various hair products found in stores which the general population can afford. For the adventurous, DIY hair dyes are available in innumerable department stores and shops.

With the advent of Youtube.com, there is an assortment of videos which one can choose to view to learn how to be an amateur hairdresser from scratch. One need only to browse any social media platform to note how common it is to see pictures of DIY hair dip dyeing or styling that look like a salon job. Of course, there is a need for proper certification and training which the writer believes all hairdressers should obtain.

Like any smart consumer would, you should weigh your decisions over a long period of time and choose wisely. There are home remedies designed to nourish your hair or hair treatment centers for the less brave. In the end, you should ask yourself if you would like to age with healthy hair or grow bald in your golden years. Wigs are an alternative but accidents may happen and we simply cannot have that moment caught on camera, can we?

Making A Fashionable Choice

Making A Fashionable Choice

At any point of our lives, we have learnt to hone our sense of fashion through the many walking examples surrounding us. It is no surprise nowadays that a little girl of ten may be seen perusing the shelves of a store and deciding what she would like to wear aside from outfits of her favorite color. The general idea of how we come to decide and select on a clothing item is through the mistakes of others.

If you were to walk down any street, you would see countless clothes pairings by different individuals. Although it may be an unconscious action, we store the outfits we have seen and keep it as referrals for another day. This may also occur when one reads fashion magazines which advices its readers of what designs can work in different scenarios. When facing a choice between medium-sized prints or large-sized prints, your mind works its way to dig into stored images or advices that would help you decide on the fashionably right selection. If that fails, one simply brings both outfits into the dressing room. That would equate to more time trying out items you may not buy (if the cut is simply unflattering) if you are on a time constraint.

In the event that the changing room mirror fails to tell you of the better choice, don't forget that you can always ask for a second opinion. It is always a good idea to have a companion when you are shopping for a new outfit. An outsider's view may be able to point out certain angles that may be unflattering or even financially help you decide when there is only enough for two outfits instead of there. There are the changing room assistants who can offer their opinion but always take recommendations with a grain of salt. Ultimately, it is you who will be wearing the outfit.

Most Beautiful Who

Most Beautiful Who

Type in ‘most desirable woman in the world' in Google and you will be provided with a series of links and images of Jennifer Lawrence. When the search is modified to ‘most desirable man in the world', Google seem to be unable to provide one name. Is it not intriguing how there is an ideal person or image in which women all over the world are to be measured against to be desirable?

It is no surprise that a famous female figure in history is well-known for her body or the clothes she wears. Before Jennifer Lawrence, there was the period where Megan Fox was the ideal that women strove to imitate, and which some still do to date. Although her physical body was the envy of many women and desired by men, it was Megan Fox's attires which accentuated or amplified her body that drew attention. On the contrary, Lady Gaga's outfits that always astound and puzzle people across the globe were rarely flattering but it captivated an audience that attempt to emulate her style. One can even find, Audrey Hepburn, as quoted to being an inspiration icon for women today.

Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty is a perfect example to explain the point of this article – women come in various shapes, sizes and color. There is no one style which fits all. What may compliment a petite-sized woman may not look as well on a plus-size woman. Despite the ‘thin is healthy' mindset that many carry around these days, a bigger size does not disallow women to be fashionable. It is of utmost importance that a woman feels happy and comfortable of her body to be able to project that confidence in everything she puts on. After all, are you wearing the dress or is the dress wearing you?

Too Young To Be Fashionable

Too Young To Be Fashionable

Pick any girls randomly on the streets of any city and ask them if they know what MTV and Hollywood is. You are most likely to receive a nod and an interested response to know further what your questionnaire is about.

With these two entertainment providers dominating an international market, it is no surprise that the younger generation is becoming more fashion-conscious at a younger age. Gone are the days where mommy or daddy picks the outfit of the day with no fuss from the child. Nowadays, the child is more likely to choose their outfits or criticize the clothing found in their closets. In fact, hand-me-downs are fast becoming a marker of financial status and no child would willingly admit to wearing a second-hand item.

We see (and some follow avidly) celebrities fashionably dressed for all occasions when caught on camera. With the difference in spending power for the general masses, people hope to follow closely to their favorite celebrities' choice of clothing. In fact, celebrities' children have followers of their own. Suri Cruise, 7-year-old daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise has a blogsite run by a fan, dedicated to the outfits she wears. In fact, Suri is seen as a child fashionista by some and her decisions, such as getting her ears pierced, are commented over and even scrutinized in famous gossip columnist, Perez Hilton's, website.

When does one decide the age to be fashionable? Sure, babies and toddlers are fun to play dress up with but as they grow, so does the price of their clothing. Some consider it a sacrilege to buy cheap clothes to look good but some on the other hand of the spectrum make do with their budget. Let us agree to concur that fashion comes to all ages in various ways and one can never be too young to be fashionable.

Wear Your Signs

Wear Your Signs

Recently, my sister insisted to have dinner in town and yours truly had the misfortune to be caught unaware in a pair of shorts, a slightly oversized shirt and flip-flops. As we walked pass a favorite retail outlet of mine, a special hour sale was on-going and there were retail assistants handing out discounted coupons to passers-by in the mall. Making a bee-line toward these girls, I tried to keep calm while slowly reaching out for a coupon. To my dismay, not only did the assistant not hand me one after a quick glance at my outfit, she moved a little distance away.

Are we all guilty of judging appearances based on what an individual is wearing at a particular moment? A person dons multiple outfits for various purposes in their daily lives. Sure, the retail assistant was not at fault to not have handed out a coupon that may not be utilized by a non-potential buyer. What if a potential buyer was just having a ‘fashion disaster day' and the coupon was a much needed pick-me-up? In occasions such as these, it is difficult to figure out what a person's style may be if they are wearing old shorts and a raggedy shirt.

Many, including yours truly, have formed first impressions of strangers by the outfits they wear: a person in a suit would be regarded with more courtesy than one in a pair of jeans. Many also argue that the attention one pays to their outfits is a clear indication of a person's character. This would hold true in settings where formal wear is necessary. Perhaps a lesser degree of attention should be paid to how a person dresses. After all, a person does not simply wear suits on a daily basis, even to the market. Yours truly should have requested for a discount coupon if only to see the assistant's reaction.