SS06 Shoe Trend: Platform Sandals

Ever since I bought a pair of brown platform sandals at the Miu Miu sale last month, I've been seriously in love with platform sandals. Platform sandals make you feel so much taller, and they're really fun to wear!Usually when people see the shoes, they question how I can still walk as fast as I normally do. The lovely thing about my sandals is that the sole is curved, so you can sort of roll foward in them.

Anyways, here are so nice and mostly affordable choices of platform sandals: (Btw, I know the photos below only show one shoe each, but I'm just going to refer the sandals as 'a pair' below.)

OK, let's start with this pair of Chloe-lookalike wooden sandals by Top Shop. These are seriously platform-ed! Just imagine wearing them with the lovely and oh-so-trendy dresses. Sigh...

Another pair by Top Shop, but this one is inspired by Christian Louboutin. This pair is a bit lower-heeled than this season's trend, but I'm sure one could walk longer without feeling too tired in these.

This Bebe pair would look great with jeans, denim skirt, and basically most casualwear. (But be warned that they are oddly expensive for Bebe.)

These white sandals by Miu Miu may seem a bit similar with the Bebe ones above at first glance, but these Miu Miu ones are def more suitable for daywear, and a lot more funky!

These Strappy Patent Stacked Heels are from Urban Outfitters. The straps don't look like they're made of patent leather to me (since they're not even shiny,) but the white pair looks ok from the photo. This is a good affordable choice to wear with casualwear.

Oops I'm cheating here. These BCBG Max Azria Metallic Leather Sandals aren't platforms, but they look so daytime-glamorous that I couldn't resist mentioning them. And they're on sale now!

Another fun and funky pair of very high platform sandals, but this one is by Marc by Marc Jacobs. Depending on your personal style, these would look fantastic with bohemian clothes and liven up a trendy plain outfit.

I love this pair of Marc by Marc Jacobs Ankle Wrap Sandals -the golden colour matches all my outfits and the wrap is so summer-y. It's just soooo pretty and fabulous for daywear. Now that I think of it, I can't remember why I chose the Miu Mius over these. Hmm... I think it's because they ran out of my size.

The only thing I must warn everybody about is that the ankle straps are usually quite uncomfortable. But if you wear your sandals enough, the straps should stop hurting your ankles. Transparent band aids help too. So girls, have fun being tall and funky! Oh, and don't trip!

Summer Reading Goal

Most people I know have specific book genres that they favour and read a lot. Which is why I think it would be cool if everyone in our little I am Fashion community set themselves a summer reading goal. Let me explain:
The aim is to choose a book that you normally wouldn't choose. This does not mean you only read this book this summer and ignore the books you normally like reading. Nor does it mean picking up some random thick book and forcing yourself to read it. Choose a book that actually interests you; a book that you've always wanted to read but you haven't had the time to; a book that challenges you in some ways. Now I'm not saying we should all completely not read chick lits this summer, but it's fun to try something different every now and then, you know.

For myself, I chose The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath. I admit I really don't appreciate, nor understand most poetry. But Sylvia Plath's poems are the only poems I actually sort of understand and genuinely love. And Sylvia Plath herself fascinates me. We all know she was a depressed person, but was she always like that? How did she feel and react to things and events around her? This book basically consists of 12 journals Plath wrote, including two that were just released a few years ago. I just love reading about successful females.

So how is this a challenge? I've read the first few pages already and let me tell you, it's not easy! It's not like the language or topics are too difficult to understand. It's just that reading through someone's journals means that you don't get a smooth, connected story.

So go set yourself an aim and let us know what it is!

How to make your skin look beautiful

Natural Skin Care - Just Look Into Your Kitchen

Less expensive, safer, and easy-to-use natural skin care can be as easy as opening your kitchen cabinet, coupled with a few minutes of preparation.

Radiant, healthy, glowing skin is something every person wants. Yet, few of us even think to use what's really the best for our skin: natural skin care products.

Each year, millions of dollars are spent chasing after perfectly healthy, ageless skin. The environment, stress, and
less than healthy eating habits, all play a major role in the quality of your skin.

The answers to achieving radiant, glowing complexion are within arm's reach. Many of the items in your kitchen right now can provide natural skin care that's even better thank those expensive, chemical filled products that cost an arm and a leg.

Skin Care Throughout Life

From the day of our birth, our skin requires much care to remain smooth and healthy. It begins with soap to keep us clean. Then, there are creams, powders, and ointments to keep diaper rash from our bottoms. During the first few years of our lives, our skin will do well with soap for cleaning and the occasional lotion or cream for moisture. Then come the teen years. Our raging hormones bring out the oily skin, the pimples, and a host of other conditions.

It's important to understand that everything that comes in contact with our body affects our health and the condition of our skin. That's why choosing natural skin care products and ingredients is important. The liver filters the toxins and poisons from the food we eat, but whatever we place on our skin is directly absorbed. This includes deodorant, lotions, gels, cleansers, toners, make-up, perfumes, and more.
As we age, our skin becomes more sensitive, and we need to be even more careful with the beauty treatments we use.

Simple Solutions for Better Skin

Here are a just a few natural skin care solutions for you to try. You'll be very pleased with the results:
- Once a week, rub your skin with baking soda while in the shower, for a silky, smooth feeling. You can also do this on your face to remove black heads.
- Fresh tomatoes are great for the oily areas of your face. (but your skin may be sensitive to it, so try it on your arms first). Rinse thoroughly immediately after using the tomato juice.
- For a great moisturizer try olive oil: this healthy fat is good for you, and is great for your skin. You can also use it to soothe sunburned skin.
- Vinegar can work wonders for smelly feet and armpits. Mix water and vinegar 50/50, and use in place of deodorant: it will keep the unpleasant sweat smell away, without any irritation. As for your feet, if you suffer with athlete's foot, a week of vinegar foot bath will help a lot, sometimes completely getting rid of your condition.
- Egg yolk mixed with honey makes for a really great mask: put on your skin, leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse off. Excellent for sensitive skin. Honey gives a tingling/ticklish sensation, so if you are sensitive to that, use the egg yolk alone.
- Another use for egg yolk: for those with eczema, use it instead of soap. It doesn't smell great, but it will heal your damaged skin.
- A great treatment for dry skin is avocado: mash it, smooth it onto your face, and rinse off after twenty minutes.
Lastly, make sure you drink 8 glasses of water every day to keep your skin cared from the inside out.

The Lancome Launching Event

The other day I went to the Lancome Secret de Vie launching event. I know, it isn't exactly my kind of product, but hey, it was an event and I thought they were promoting new make-up! Who knew what "Secret de Vie" meant from the looks of the invitation?

Anyway, the event started at 7pm and was located in an unit in a luxury complex in the fancy part of town. We arrived fashionably late at 7.40pm and was ushered in for drinks and tiny sandwiches. Although the unit was large by most standards, the event itself was rather small. The crowd was thin, with the photographers interviewing small local starlets who I have no idea who they are. But I did admire the decor of the unit. Mostly white and glass, white marble floors, white grand paino and white flowers + petals on the glass table- very elegant. We thought it was a very smart PR move to launch a new product in a house- they get to advertise two things in one move! There were also make-up artists there to help you put on a Lancome logo "tatoo", which I thought was neat. Oh and the lychee cocktail was yummy.
Then the "presentation" started. I was beginnng to wonder how one "presents" make-up in a dark balcony when I finally realised that Secret de Vie was actually their new rejuvenating face cream. People made speeches and then this guy (who turned out to be a magician) started to explain what was so special about it. Something about how it rejuvenates the 6 layers of skin we have using yeast (and he started adding these ingredients into a bowl), sugar, algae, yadeyadeya and POOF pink smoke and ribbons started coming out of the bowl and out comes a bottle of Secret de Vie! Expecting a boring recitation, that was an awesome surprise. LOL. And doesn't the design of the jar look so cool? Like an atomic bomb?

Anyway, over all it was a fascinating experience seeing the "pros" at work launching a cosmetic (it must be hard as there is really nothing much to show!) and my mom was very happy with the huge jar of Secret de Vie I got when I left.

SS06 Fashion: Eyelets

We all think we know what the eyelet print is when we see one, but while I was researching on this topic I got confused. Was it the print or was it the holes? So just to satisfy your thirst for knowledge, here is the dictionary definition:

1a. A small hole or perforation, usually rimmed with metal, cord, fabric, or leather, used for fastening with a cord or hook.
1b. A metal ring designed to reinforce such a hole; a grommet.
2. A small hole edged with embroidered stitches as part of a design.
3. A peephole.
4. A small eye.

So we were only half right. Anyway, the definition no.2 part of eyelet has been all over the place, which is fab because it is just so pretty, delicate, feminine and cool. Here are a few of this season's picks:

I simple ADORE these two looks from Diane von Furstenburg and Tracy Reese. The cut is so neat and pretty. But alas, one has to be careful with these shirts because if worn the wrong way, one may look pregnant. Wear it with more fitted bottoms.

More pretty shirts from Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Black or white eyelet shirts have the best effect.
My favourite place for eyelet- on camisoles. It gives it that extra oomph of intricacy making it even more feminine and delicate looking. These two from BCBG and Rebecca Taylor are great to wear alone or inside.

These shirts are also very neat and pretty. And no, they are not the same shirt even though they look incredibly similar. The left is from Anthropologie and the one on the right is from Tracy Reese. Maybe great minds do think alike?

The other great way to wear eyelet is on blazers, the subtle pattern makes them look so elegant. I love this beige one from Classique Entier, my mom has something very similar from BCBG, its great for everyday wear. The white one from Carmen Marc Valvo on the otherhand is great to keep warm in the evenings.

They look gorgeous on skirts too, like this cream one from Nanette Lepore and this grey one from Robert Rodriguez. Looks incredible!
For one piece eyelets, these white eyelet dresses from Laundry by Shelli Segal and DVF are great for the daytime. I especially love the eyelet wrap dress from DVF (who else?).

For evening wear, we have these elegant creations from BCBG and Cynthia Steffe. Again black and white eyelets are the best!

Eyelets are even found on trench coats (DKNY) and BOOTS (Anthropologie). But frankly I just think it looks strange for such a summery material to be used on such wintery items.

Have fun with eyelets everyone!

Packing Troubles

Normally I am a brilliant packer. This is not because I’m a super-organised person, but simply because I’ve had loads of practice. One of my very few talents is that I’m very good at packing only the necessary things, and not packing the ‘what if I need it’ things. So here I am, packing to go to the States tomorrow and I’m actually having trouble!

You see, the problem is that I have to pack for three places and too many different activities. I’ll be going to New York, Boston and San Francisco, so that means I’m going to need:

- Nice clothes, shoes and bag for nice dinners in NY.- Sneakers to tour colleges (for my sister). You didn’t think I was going to walk around colleges in heels, did you?- Pretty, comfortable shoes (like low wedges, low-heel sandals or kitten heels) to visit pretty, indoor places, like shops and museums.
- About 10 outfits, since I can wash some of them in San Francisco at my aunt’s house.
- A travel set, which needs to be big enough for 2 weeks, of oh-so-important colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner.
-See the Jane blog about my skincare products.

Oh my gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever brought more than 2 pairs of shoes when I travel. Nor have I ever brought that many beauty products. This is going to be seriously a lot of hassle. Hmm, I think blogging this down actually helped me get a clearer picture of what to pack. Now I have to go do the actual packing. And I still haven’t finished my list of what-to-buy yet!

How to Look Cool On the Dance Floor (just for relax ;) )

Okay, so you're at a party, a club, or anywhere where there's a hot dance beat playing. To be a smooth dude or dudette, just keep the following simple guidelines in mind.

Here's How:
- Listen to the music. As you move, you must move in time with the song. Feel the beat, and respond to it.
- Be creative. If there's a big guitar chord or a little drum pattern, move your body in response to it. It could be any move - you can't go wrong.
- Be aware of your partner. If he/she is doing a move, you might want to do something that mirrors it. And if you don't have a partner, it doesn't matter. You don't need one.
- It doesn't hurt to smile every once in awhile.
- Watch and learn. The best dancers are the ones who have been at it awhile, and they got there by picking up moves from others.
- Here's the big one: relax and enjoy yourself. Who cares what you look like? Have fun.

Remember, no two dancers are exactly alike. You have your own style. Appreciate that.

How to look cool, day to night, when it's hot!

For hot weather, cool, lightweight looks are best. In boutiques from Brooklyn to Nyack, the look is as simple as a long or short slipdress with a T-shirt for day, or wear it alone for night. A sleeveless white suit with a long side-split skirt looks sporty for day with sandals, and dressy for night with heels.

Beautiful floral dresses with long skirts worn with straw hats and flats for day, and pearls and slip-ons for night. Key transitional fabrics in August are crepe, cotton knit and ...

Summer Make-Up Fun

For me, one of the most fun things about make-up is the eyes. For summer, I like it to be summery, colorful and cheery. Here are some my favourite summery looks for your inspiration.
This look from Smashbox is summery with an edge. The strike of electric blue under the eye contrasts brilliantly with the nuetral color on the top lid, making the colors and the eye pop out more.
If that is a bit too edgy for you, try this softer version from Lorac by using a lighter, softer shade of blue. This is great for the casual daytime look.
Another way to use dual shades also from Lorac. I think this look is more dramatic than the last, because of the contrasting shades and the abrupt change of colors on the lids. Notice how green/blue has been very prominent in these few looks.
Another summery look I am in love with was inspired by Harrods Girl's visit to the Lancome counter. They covered her lids with a shiny white base and the upper lids with this gorgeous shade of pink that actually showed very well!! I've tried it with the shades I already had at home, but unfortunately due to the different textures, the effect has not been the same.

And lastly, for something more this season (its all about the nuetral palette) try these looks from the Shiseido Golden Kiss collection- but only if you have a tan (natural or self), otherwise it would just not be the same.

Have fun with these summer looks everyone!

Colour-Protecting Shampoo & Conditioner

Last Friday, I decided to make the most out of my holiday from work and get my hair dyed. While the technician was applying the dye into my hair, he warned my that the hair dye might come off (after many washes) and the hair colour before would show up again. He said that colour-protecting hair products do actually prolong the hair colour, and I believe him because he didn't introduce the hair product line the hair salon sells. This totally freaked me out of course, since I did just pay to get the hair colour changed. So I did a LOT of online research after I got home.

OK, so my problem is that I need a brilliant colour-protecting shampoo and conditioner. Sounds fairly simple, but with all the products available out there, I really need more information and opinion.

My first thought was to buy the Reflection line from Kerastase, (my favourite haircare brand). But I have heard that Kerastase shampoo is a bit 'thick' for summer and I'm concerned that it might not wash my hair thorough enough. On Friday, I only ended up buying a tiny travel pack for my trip to the US next week. But I got a bit curious so I already tried the shampoo this morning and my hair felt clean enough. Maybe I'll go buy this tomorrow.

Another colour-protecting line I am considering is the L'Oreal Professional Vitamino shampoo & conditioner. I have used another product line by this brand a long time ago, and even though I can't even remember which shampoo it was that I used, I remember liking this brand. Also, a lot of hair salons use this brand, so it must be somewhat good quality. But this brand is fairly expensive, and the MUA reviews didn't seem overly impressed (or disappointed), so I don't feel absolutely sure about this line.

And of course, how could I not mention a deep hair treatment. This is oddly the only product I don't have to waste any more time researching on. Since I'll be going to the US soon, I'll definately be buying Terax Crema. I've heard only positive things about it -it's supposed to make your hair super soft. Hopefully it will save my seriously dehydrated hair!

So if you have used any colour-protecting hair products, let me know which brand and product it is, and your opinion of it please!

Dior Shades

Always on the look out for the perfect shades, this season I am loving the Dior collection. The shape is gorgeous and it fits so well (at least for me it does).

I especially love these Dior Couture shades- in black that is, this color just does not compliment me. The shape and fit is fabulous and the "D" on the sides with flowers on it is just adorable and oh-so-pretty!

Another one with a cute logo is this Dior Extralight I, where a heart replaces the "o". Although the shape looks a bit flat for my tastes.
I also love the rounded shape of these Dior Glossy. Unfortunately I do not have the face shape for this, but if you do, it'll look awesome!For something more subtle and different from the classic plastic frames, there are these Toreadior aviators with swarovski crystals on the side.
I know the heading is "Dior" shades, but I can't resist sticking these Chanel shades in. I am not so hot about the shape though, maybe they have a different style. But I just adore the quillt and camelia flower on the side, its so pretty!

Day to night. What to wear this season.

With the Chelsea Flower Show starting this week and a summer full of garden parties to get through, we've composed a set of outfits that will get you through any occasion at any time of day

The long summer days can mean a quick get together on a sunny afternoon can easily turn into an all night affair. This versatile outfit will take you effortlessly from day through to night

Delicate prints in a summer-sky palette make for this season's prettiest pieces

How to wear it

Cornflower-blue and white print tops work best with crisp whites trousers or skirts to keep the look fresh. Prints in these colours are best worn on their own keep the other half of the outfit plain.

Summer Shorts

With the intense heat waves sweeping all over Europe and the States, I read somewhere that people were actually encouraged to wear shorts to work. To make sure that everyone stays cool stylishly, I've picked out some of the best shorts around! These two, from See by Chloe, are my favourite short looks. The striped shorts on the left paired with that pretty white blouse is simple and ladylike- perfect for work. The structured beige shorts matched with the more casual top is just so cool. I love these two looks!
Other stripey shorts include these ones from Charlotte Ronson and Cacharel respectively. I especially love the Cacharel one because I have something very similar from Vanessa Bruno and its been fabulous.
For more officey and simpler choices, there are these two from Paul and Joe and Twelfth St by Cynthia Vincent. The length and the more structured cut makes it easy to pair with the rest of your wardrobe. And this classic style may even last you for the seasons to come!
For that extra feminine touch, I am loving these white ribbon belts on these Armani Exchange and Ya-Ya shorts. The material of the A/X shorts looks very nice and breezy. And the satiny shiny material of the belt on the Ya-Ya shorts even make it look a little glam!
For something a little special and more cool, I like these ruched up shorts with all the strings and zippers. Pair it up with a punk tank and heels. annd you're ready for a concert. Or put on a blazer to give it a more ladylike balance. Either way, it looks cool. These two are from Top Shop and Armani Exchange.

Stay stylishly cool everyone!

Two Timing

With summer finally here, everyone's been travelling a lot. The best, more brainless and prettiest way to keep up with the time are dual watches! Here are a few stylish ones around.

The Hermes Cape Cod Deux Zones Series looks classic and elegant. And I love how one of the clock faces of the Fendi Secret Dual Time watch is always very subtly covered.
Of course, when it comes to double time watches. one must not forget Philip Stein. There are classic ones like the white one or fun ones like the purple one- whatever combination you want.
And if you really travel ALOT through multiple time zones, there is this funky multi-faced Moschino watch on the left. The other day I saw someone at work wearing it and it looked so cool (and hence inspired my blog). I know, it doesn't have much picture appeal, but it looks very cool on the wrist.