Trend-Spotting: Lace

Katherine McPhee gets it right with lace and neutrals. See how you can get the look:

The black lace toughens up the soft neutrals, while still keeping it young and romantic. You can also try lace in deep colors like burgundy, plum and wine tones, and maybe a dark olive.

Polyvore

Next time you're dressing up, try mixing a neutral piece with some lace, for a mysteriously sultry look or go casual yet chic with a lace blouse and neutral shorts like the second outfit above!

The Music and Style of Amy Winehouse

I love Amy Winehouse's music. Despite all of her personal issues, she had talent and I'm kind of sad it didn't work out too good for her. The lady also had a unique sense of style. While I wouldn't necessarily try out all of it, here are a few things you can experiment with:

1. Winged eyeliner: You can tone it down a little like I do (because I think it overwhelms my small face) or go for a dramatic look like Amy did.

 

2. Bold Lips: If you're going to try this look, definitely tone down the eyes. You can only focus on one at a time - the eyes or the lips, otherwise you end up looking like a clown.

 

3. Pouffy Hair: It's a great way to create some drama and change up your look. I personally wouldn't do the beehive like Amy Winehouse, neither would I pouf it to Snookie territory, but the added height works wonders on round faces like mine!

 

On another note, these are my 3 favorite songs by her:

RIP Amy Winehouse...

(Images via google images)

Business 101: Lessons to Learn from Lorelai Gilmore

I was thinking of the lack of things to watch on TV this summer and my mind slipped to the good days when Gilmore Girls was something to look forward to every week. I was definitely in my mid-teens when it was going on TV and I loved Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. The story is basically about the mother-daughter duo and their lives in the fictional town of Stars Hollow after Lorelai, the mother, ran away from home when she got pregnant at 16. 

I loved pretty much everything about the Gilmore girls from the incredibly fast-paced talking to their pop-culture references and Lorelai's clothes! But something else I loved was Lorelai as a businesswoman and I learned quite a bit from her. Here are a few tips, from Lorelai to me to you :)

 

1.Recognize opportunities and don't be afraid to ask for help: When Rory gets accepted into Chilton, an expensive yet excellent private school, Lorelai knew she couldn't afford it. She also knew who could - her estranged parents. Although she didn't want to, she knew it was the right thing to do by her daughter and so she agreed to "Friday Night Dinners" at her parents' house, the one condition they asked for when they lent her the money. Lorelai recognized an opportunity and she also knew that she couldn't do it on her own - she needed help. Apply this to your business/work. It truly makes a difference.

2. Be nice to everyone: Lorelai had some very quirky neighbors and such but she was always cordial and got along with everyone. She took the time to listen to people, even Kirk's crazy ideas. This is a really good thing to practice, not just for those of you in the business world, but for everybody. You never know what might pop up in life. Keep your eyes and ears open. Listen to people and take the time to let people that you value and appreciate them and what they have to say.

3. It's OK to have a nervous breakdown: This is definitely one of the best lessons I learned from Lorelai. As women in or aspiring to be in the business field, a common mistake we make is assume we need to put on a strong face - big girls don't cry and you have to show your worth in a "man's world". Stop thinking that. I learned to "wallow" because I learned it from Gilmore Girls - I was, what, 13? Lorelai cries, feels overwhelmed and frustrated. She understands this is normal, gives herself time to wallow and then moves on. What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

4. Work hard, act smart and you will get to where you want to go in your career: When Lorelai got to Stars Hollow she worked as a maid at the Independence Inn and then worked her way up to be the manager. She later realized her dream of opening her own inn, the Dragonfly Inn. She also took business classes somewhere in between, I remember.

5. Know who to trust: This is so important when you're trying to establish and grow a business, invest in a promising venture or just for advice. Always know who the right people are for a particular job/field of expertise. Make connections and build relationships. Have a good network of trustworthy people surrounding you and return the favor.

6. Have a good relationship with your staff, but know when to be the boss: Lorelai worked with her friends - she had a great relationship with them and it tuned out really well for her. Sookie was her best friend and an amazing chef! She brings out their skills and knew when the situation called her to make decisions and control her staff/business. It's great to go to work in such a comfortable yet professional environment - you learn to love what you're doing when you're in the company of great people. People are what makes a business and Lorelai's inn was a great example of that.

7. Don't panic: especially in front of investors/customers/employers. Always be calm and levelheaded, even if you don't know what you're doing. Always be in control of the situation and think on your feet.

Hope this helps you along the way to becoming a great business professional! Do you have any tips you like to share? What did you like most about "Gilmore Girls"?

33 Ways to Stay Creative

(Via weheartit.com)

{Quotables}

"The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along."

- Maulana Jalalu'ddin Rumi -

 

 

(Images from weheartit.com and flickr)

Personal Style: { Banquet }

Hi fashionistas!

I recently went to a banquet that my boyfriend had to attend for work. It was a pretty formal but fun affair! Here are pictures of what I wore - 

Sorry it's rather blurry. I'm still figuring out the best ways of taking pictures for the blog. 

Still blurry. But you can see that I'm wearing a pouffy lilac blouse. It's made of this gorgeous tissue material.

The pictures don't really do justice to this blouse. Do you see the material and the lovely sheen? The white necklace adds an unexpected touch to it too and adds to the glam factor of the whole outfit.

I paired the blouse with a black body con mini skirt and killer caged heels. Although it was a banquet it wasn't too formal and I didn't want to wear a dress, because it is really easy to look overdressed/inappropriate for the occasion in one. I chose this blouse because it was dressy but paired it with the black skirt to kind of tone it down. I added a long necklace and a chain purse for a little bit of shine. The pops of color in my outfit would be the blouse and my toe-nail polish - Avocado from Forever21 which is a greenish-teal hue.

Lilac blouse - Bought during my trip back home, in Sri Lanka
Shoes - Payless
Skirt - Forever 21
Necklace - Bought in Florida
Satin chain purse - Given to me by my mother.


xo,
Chrissy

Summer Staples

Here's what I'm loving so far this summer:

Avocado Nail Polish, Forever 21. I saw this and had to have it. That isn't my hand in the picture though!

A bright floral sundress, Forever 21

This is me (in my fave floral sundress) with my boyfriend!

Large floppy hat to protect your face and of course, for that chic factor

A sweet pair of aviators. Raybans are the best, but an inexpensive pair can still do the trick!

Sunscreen is definitely a must-have!

What are your summer faves?

{A Few Things} Paris, Je t' Aime

It's always been one of my dreams to go to France and some day I hope I will. Until then, here are some pictures I was looking at to quench my thirst. 

Le Tour Eiffel

I love traveling. One of my ultimate goals would be to travel to as many places as I can and experience what the world has to offer

I wanna be here, now. Or someday sounds good too.

  

(Images from weheartit.com)

Trend Spotting: Peacock

I think it's safe to say that peacock has become a summer trend. It's been spotted on everything from dresses to faux feather earrings and embellishments on shoes. The colors of the peacock are so vibrant and exotic, it's no wonder that this gorgeous print is quickly becoming a summer fave. Here are some ways you can incorporate this trend:

Printed dress, £12, Boohoo

F21, $17.80

If you are too skeptical about pulling off this in-your-face trend, then the best way to test the waters is with accessories - they are always the more inexpensive and safe option when it comes to trying out a trend.

Bracelet, $15.99, Modcloth

A scarf is a great way to incorporate this trend in an interesting way. Let the scarf pop on a neutral canvas - a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt for example.

Scarf, $16.99, Modcloth

Top, $21.99, Charlotte Russe

Go on and try out this bold trend, but make sure that you wear your clothes instead of your clothes wearing you. Remember to put on that killer smile and be confident as you walk out the door!

{Quotables}

 

 

 

(Images from Weheartit.com)

An Education (for all men)

My friend's sister, Svetlana is super talented and I just loved reading this poem she wrote.  So I had to share it (with her permission of course) :) Enjoy!

An Education (for all men). 

by Svetlana De Fonseka Abeysekara

 

I am a woman.

Not a "bitch",

Not your "whore",

And definitely not your "sister"-

Hold up…

Is that how you treat your sister, mister?

'Cause that just ain’t "dope".

You want to hold her hand,

Don’t pull at it.

Hands are gentle,

Move to words.

We women think in swirls.

Put your boxes away.

Sing to her soul,

Don’t whistle in her face,

Don’t laugh at her stride,

Smile at her grace.

Always remember that her face ends

Where her chin begins.

Also remember-

I’m a mother,

A daughter,

A sister,

A friend.

You don’t “tap” this

You win a heart.

I’m a woman;

And I’m all woman baby.

Not a doll,

So don’t wind me up.

Learn to love not lust-

It’s a fine line.

It’s a subtle art.

-26th September, 2008. Spoken piece. Written after an awkward encounter with a Merely-Male.

Job Hunting - Bits and Pieces of Information and Advice

 

I recently read that there are four unemployed people for every available job and since I had a job interview on Monday (a summer job but still), I thought I'd post about some tips that I think are important to help you with your own job search.

Network, Network, Network

I can't stress this enough. It is so important to take the time to meet and maintain connections with people. Help them out and they will help you too, or at least point to someone who can. Make use of social networking sites - create a profile on LinkedIn, it's a great way to be noticed professionally. Twitter is an equally important tool - follow your mentors, role models and companies you want to work for. I wasn't sure I wanted a Twitter account because I didn't want to juggle too many websites, but I did because of all the great things I heard about it and now I'm a believer, happily tweeting away! Remember, while it's important to know people, it's probably more important that they know you. Also, be genuine. If you don't like networking, it will show, and nobody wants to talk to someone who is not interested/interesting.

Step outside the box.

Be creative. In today's competitive job market, companies are flooded with resumes within minutes of an advertised vacancy and you need to know how to stand out - in a good way. Be willing to go out of your way to get the job. Don't just plop your resume on a pile at the job fair. Instead wait - even if it's over an hour - to meet the company rep and get a few minutes of their time to tell them why you would be a good fit.

Preparation!
On that note, it's important to prepare ahead of time. It isn't enough to just get to meet the employer. You need to research the company, know what their goals and objectives are, learn what they expect from employees and apply it to your skill set. Explain to them what you can do for them. Preparation goes a long way, improvisation doesn't always work.

Be a problem-solver
Do your research and look at how you can make the company (you want to work for) better. Maybe have a PowerPoint presentation on the problems you found and what you could do in your position to solve them. Even if the solutions do not fall under the responsibilities you are interviewing for, it will get you noticed if you talk about them. it means you have vision and are willing to genuinely improve the company. If I were hiring, I would like that in an employee - just saying.

Fine-tune your resume and match your skills.
If the job description calls for a "market researcher", include the words conducted market research etc.etc - provided this is true. Employers don't have the time to read between the lines and key words like that should stand out to them.

Hopefully these tips will come in handy for you. Good luck on your job search!

(Images from Google)

Get the Look: Pretty Little Liars Style - Spencer Hastings

Spencer Hastings played by Troian Bellisario is known for her go-getter attitude, privileged upbringing and serious personality style! Spencer's outfits are always preppy but with an edge that makes it modern and wearable even for the rest of us who do not ride our very own horse on Sunday mornings [no offense to those of you who do :)]. Here are the main elements of Spencer's style:

• Blazers and Jackets
• Oxford Shoes
• Neutrals
• Menswear
• Tights

Polyvore

Other tips:

Dare to delve into androgynous territory and don't be afraid to mix masculinity and femininity in your outfits - It's quite the norm to see dainty floral dresses paired with a menswear-inspired blazer and that's alright. But try something different wear lacy white tights with oxford shoes or military boots.

Add some classic preppy pieces - Spencer wears a lot of nautical stripes, loafers, oxford button-downs and plaid.

Use a neutral canvas. Spencer loves muted colors and this is perfect because you can add a piece that will really pop and complete your outfit. The earthy tones she is often seen wearing is perfect for Fall/Winter weather. Keep your eyes peeled for mustard yellows, burgundy, navy blue, cognac and forest green to add some spice to your back to school wardrobe!

Go gaga for glam! - Spencer's everyday look is "business casual with a twist" but when the occasion calls for it, girlfriend brings on the glam factor! Remember her homecoming outfit? The key is to keep it structured and classic.

Here's some Spencer Hastings style candy:

Not gonna lie, winters can really take a toll on a girl - hiding those cute clothes under that big parka will most definitely result in seasonal depression. Enter the cape. A cape is not the most obvious choice of coat but the right style like the one on Spencer can work magic. This cape has a great cut and flow and will keep you warm at least for the first half of winter. As always remember to mind your proportions - wear something fitted on the bottom, please and thank you :)

I heart this tunic top. Tunics are flattering on all body types and Spencer as always, looks polished in hers. I love how voluminous this tunic is and I am still in search of a similar one. Add a great belt to balance out the volume and highlight your waist. Wear with skinny jeans, leggings or maybe even a great pair of tights for a fab look!

Blazers are a wardrobe staple for the simple reason that it instantly pulls an outfit together and it goes with everything from dresses, to tank tops to t-shirts and blouses. Spencer's casual chic look is something we can all try - tuck an ethnic tank top into your jeans, add a fitted blazer, a long necklace and maybe some chunky rings. Oh and don't forget some nice ankle boots!

This outfit is certainly up there in my top Spencer faves. There are sooo many ways to wear a classic white button-down and this is surely one of them. Way to keep it young and fresh with a bold cardigan and the hair also adds a twist to the overall look. 

Accessorizing can make or break your outfit. Here, Spencer adds a wide belt over her sweater to define her waist and add some texture to an otherwise ordinary look. This is a great way to spice up your outfits. Another thing that's catching my eye here: dressing in different shades of one color. Watch and learn, ladies!

Some people think plaid is a fashion no-no. Well, no no my dears, you need to learn how to do it right. And this outfit hits it on the spot! So preppy yet, so not stuffy. Plaid is a bold print so a skirt or scarf should be good buys. Pair one plaid piece in your outfit and try to style it in a variety of ways.

Picture perfect. Loving the lace-up boots over the skinny jeans, the cardigan provides great texture and the accessories cinch it in. Spencer gets it right, again.

Stay classy fashionistas!

(Images from Google. Polyvore set created by me)