How to Spend 24 Hours in Miami

{Pictures via Pinterest}

I was in Miami not too long ago and I loved every minute of it. From the retro colored buildings to the streets lined with palm trees, the crazy beautiful people and the blaring music -the city has a lot to offer! It is a fabulous tropical getaway for those of you who are after one. But I got to thinking, lots of people fly in for business or for a weekend vacation, so I decided to make a list of things to do if you had only one day to spend in this hot (literally and otherwise) city!

Quick Tips: The best way to see the city is to have your own car or rent one. The public transportation system is not so great and you can end up spending tons of money on cabs. Grey Line's Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours offer an inexpensive travel option as well and takes you around the best sight seeing spots. Also keep in mind, a lot of the action happens in Miami Beach (a.k.a. South Beach, a.k.a. SoBe). All the fancy hotels are located here and it is practically one ginormous party all day long! With only 24 hours to spare, I suggest sticking to this area, otherwise you will only spend most of the day stuck in traffic.

Alright then, no time to waste - let's get moving!

9:00 AM 

Start with a walk along the boardwalk and explore Ocean Drive which is surrounded by colorful Art Deco buildings. To make things easy for you, there is even an Art Deco Walking Tour so all you have to do is show up and get guided! If you are a museum kind of person, there are plenty to keep you occupied in the morning! Of course, no morning is a good one without some much needed coffee, and Miami's got the the best of the best - Cortaditos. What's that you ask? It's a Cuban espresso with milk, foam and sugar. It's pretty strong and very tasty, even Khloe Kardashian got addicted to them while she was in Miami! 

{Picture via Google Images}

11:30 AM

When you're done savoring your coffee and people watching, head on over to the Bayside Marketplace, with it's lovely views; great music and dancing; and cute little souvenir shops. Go on a boat ride and enjoy the gorgeous blue of the ocean. The smell of salt water and your hair blowing in the wind while you enjoy the scenery is a wonderful feeling, especially if you haven't been out on the sea for a while! Also if your tour boat takes you far enough you can even see a little bit of the Bahamas and the Bermuda Triangle! This kind of boat ride is a good two and half hours long, but there are shorter ones if you ask around.

{Chilling at Bayside Marketplace}

2:30 PM

You can eat right in the Bayside Marketplace, or you could drive to the Miami Design District for some quick lunch and more sight seeing. Here you will find galleries, showrooms, and high-end boutiques. Do check out the much-hyped Wynwood Walls which pays tribute to big international artists. If you got lost in the beauty of the district and forgot lunch, drive over to Coconut Grove, another gorgeous place with plenty of window shopping (stuff is expensive!!) and cute eateries.

4:30 PM

You must go to Little Havana, which is basically Cuba in Miami! I love love love it here, the atmosphere is wonderful and you are sure to have a good time even if you can't speak much spanish. Try a hand-rolled cigar and a cup of café con leche (coffee with milk). 

{Pictures via Pinterest}

SOMEWHERE IN HERE HIT THE BEACH!!!! It's not as hot after 4:00 PM and there will still be a crowd, so catch some rays and take a dip in the cool ocean.

5:30 PM

If you haven't done any shopping yet, drive to Lincoln Road where you will find a variety of high street as well as name-brand stores and everything in between. If you're a book lover, your day will be made when you walk into Books & Books. There is also much for the art lover at the Art Center.

6:30 PM

Head back to your hotel room for a quick nap, the whole point of which is to stay awake later and dance into the night! Shower and get dressed up for a night on the town like you've never seen before. Also carry enough cash because cover charges/drinks/random spending can add up! There are a million places to go to dinner, but try something with seafood since they do get some really fresh catches which taste divine. 

8:00 PM

After dinner, stop by Mango's for a mini carnival-like experience, complete with sexy dancers and Spanish music from salsa to samba. Trust me if you love Spanish/Latin culture and the vibe as much as I do, you will spend a good two hours here!

10:00 PM

Start drinking if you haven't already! The party doesn't start till almost Midnight, so the best thing to do is get buzzed now and find your happy place so you don't have to waste any time once you get inside the clubs ;) 

12:00 AM

Let's go! Head on over to the South Beach/Ocean Drive area if you are not already there. Get inside the clubs and party hard! It would be wise to plan ahead and make some calls to get your name on the guest list a while before you arrive. This way you don't have stand in line forever before you actually get in. Hopefully you got a great power nap in earlier because if you're doing it right, you won't be leaving until 6:00 AM at least!

Party Hard!!

XOXO - Chrissy

How to Add Color to Your Life { Holi Festival }

(Images via Pinterest)

Happy Phagwah!

Today is the day of the Holi Festival - also known as Phagwah. Holi is a festival of colors held mainly in India and Bangladesh. It is a Hindu festival celebrating the start of spring.

"Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating events present in Hindu mythology. Although it is the least religious holiday, it is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly." (Wikipedia)

Here in the United States, the official first day of Spring was last Wednesday and I thought it was fitting to link it with the Holi festival and write a fun post! Since this blog is called Silk and Spice, this kind of thing is right up my alley and if you've been a regular reader, then you know it! So here are some ways to add a bit of color to your life and celebrate spring and Holi while you do it :)

1. Show Some Love

The easiest and most fulfilling way to usher in a case of the bright and cheery is to engage in kindness and do little things for other people. Maybe you send your mother some flowers, or make dessert for your boyfriend. It's also incredibly great to do nice things for total strangers. Here's an example: waiting in line for coffee? Sweet! When it's your turn, do something totally unexpected by buying coffee for the person behind you and voila! Not only do you feel special, but you also brightened another person's day, and that my friend, is going to make you feel even better. Don't buy it? Just try it!

2. Flower Power

Wear a flower in your hair. It looks great tucked behind your ear with loose waves or pinned into an updo. If that's not your style, wear a floral dress or skirt. Maybe you're too not into girly dressing? Just some flowers in your living room or bedroom. If you're a complete tomboy, just take a walk outside or go to the park - surrounding yourself in the bright colors of spring will give you a boost of energy and enthusiasm!

3. Get a Manicure! 

Your week is going to be that much brighter -everything you do will put a smile on your face as you catch a glimpse of your pretty nails.

4. Go on a Shopping Spree

Girls this is the perfect time to go shopping. The stores are going to be filled with the new spring/summer arrivals and that means lots of color, prints and patterns! If you're on a budget, window shopping will compensate and hey, you could buy at least one thing!

5. Dine Al Fresco

When the weather warms up, you can actually go outside and have some fun :) What better way to enjoy the rising temps than relaxing on the terrace of a chic little restaurant  with great food and friends?

6. Slow Down

Unplug from your electronics, spend time with family, maybe go away for the weekend - just relax and soak up the sun (don't forget sunscreen!). Take a break from your busy life to unwind, look around and appreciate the world around you before it passes you by. You'll feel instant gratitude for the life you have.

7. Take pictures

Nothing like a picture to capture a precious moment and spring is full of those moments. Leave the house instead of opting to laze around and start clicking at the beauty around you. Fresh green grass is finally peeking out, flowers are blooming, birds are chirping. At least for a moment, everything is alright - revel in it!

8. Do Things You Love

When you do the things you love, you make life that much better. Sing, dance, paint - play. It's a sure fire to brighten up your day and add color to your life. Taking the time to indulge your interests, laugh and being silly with the people who matter means that you are engaging in life and living and that is as colorful as can be.

Live in color-

XOXO,

Chrissy

Happy Thanksgiving and Sri Lankan "Kings" Chicken Curry Recipe

Happy Turkey Day Everybody!!

Here are five things I'm thankful for:

 1. Family - Your biggest supporters and the people closest to you will get you further than any material thing can. Relationships are so important and in today's busy world, we should all remember to make more time for our loved ones. 

2. Friends - I am lucky to have amazing friends. No matter where we are in the world, we make time for each other and pick up where we left off. A phone conversation, a three-way Skype chat or a long email is all it takes.

3. Health - I'm thankful that I'm blessed with good overall health. We seldom stop to think of being so blessed - flexibility, good skin and having a well functioning body. I am definitely going to appreciate what I have and take better care of my mind, body and soul!

4. Plain ginger tea which soothes my soul and keeps me warm on these cold winter nights, while I huddle in a blanket and read a book.

5. Humor - life certainly has its ups and downs and this year has certainly been a trying one. But when you can laugh at yourself and have a sense of humor, things get to be a little more bearable.

What are you thankful for this year? 

I promised you all a Sri Lankan recipe, and while I didn't have to do any cooking this time, I found a really great recipe online. Try it out and let me know what you think!

XOXO - Chrissy

Business 101: Lessons to Learn From Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile

Source: Google Images

I don't know about you all, but I'm excited for Halloween! I hope you are going to dress up and have a good time. I was thinking back to my costume last year, which was Cleopatra, Queen of the NIle and this year, Heidi Klum dressed as Cleopatra for her annual Halloween party. Many people think of Cleopatra as a tempting seductress who looks a bit like Elizabeth Taylor (thanks to the latter playing the Queen in the movie, Cleopatra), but there is more to her. Famous for her looks and feisty personality; Cleopatra was one of the most powerful rulers of Egypt. She was a pharaoh which was a rare occurrence, since most queens in those times did not rule a country - their husbands did. Although she lived some 2000 years ago, her skills and leadership still holds relevance in today's day and age. So here's my run down of Cleopatra and things we can learn from her:

1. If you want to, you can rule the world (and why wouldn't you want to?)

Cleopatra Vii Philopator, known to the whole entire world simply as Cleopatra, was the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Yes, she worked the first-name-only thing way before Madonna or Beyoncé. In fact, she did this 2000 years before either of them. That alone should tell you something. More importantly though, she was the last ruler of Ancient Egypt, that's right, she basically ruled the world. In a time when women were regarded as merely beautiful objects, she didn't let society's views stop her - instead, she used her femininity and sexuality to her advantage, all to save her country and it's people from the Roman Empire. She believed she deserved the best, and she accepted the perks as well as the responsibilities of the job.

2. Know yourself and flaunt your strengths.

Cleopatra was a woman. She was a woman ruler, a pharaoh, and had to conduct business with people from her own country as well as others. Needless to say, they were all men. Yet, here she was, a woman, controlling the world. She had to assert herself, and show these people that her gender had nothing to do with her capability to rule them. If anything, she used her gender (what people thought was a weakness in politics) and it was, more often than not her greatest strength.

Source: vgitanacleopatra.blogspot.com

3. Woah, wait a minute. Using your femininity won't get you very far. You need to be smart and intelligent. Hone your intellect.

Sure, Cleopatra used her sexuality and charm, and a lot of emphasis has been given to this fact. But don't forget, her femininity was simply an outer covering for her true weapon - her mind. Cleopatra was very intelligent, fluent in many languages, and well-versed in politics. She used looks, charm and grace to get what she wanted along with wit and humor. Simply put, she was bewitching. It's no wonder she portrayed herself as the reincarnation of an Egyptian Goddess.

4. It's all about the timing. But sometimes, there is no time like the present. And age doesn't matter.

Our girl Cleo had to ascend the throne when she was just 18. Egypt was a wealthy country in those times and she was controlling a lot of land. While these communities and their work only enriched her coffers, she also had to protect them and make sure that her country and its lands kept thriving. Insert charm and wit here and the lady does a good job of keeping her country together.

5. Don't let the pressure and responsibility stop you from achieving your true potential and maintaining your greatness.

See lesson #3 above. When Egypt was under threat of a hostile takeover from Rome, what did the lovely Queen of the Nile do? She wrapped herself up in a carpet and got delivered to Caesar's room. Then she seduced him in an attempt to thwart this takeover and gain the sympathy and goodwill of the Romans. It worked. I wouldn't suggest doing exactly what she did, but the important lesson to learn is that she thought outside the box, and in those times, women didn't have a lot of resources. I guess she was using the resources she did have. But here in the present day, there is this little thing called ethics, so instead of fluttering your eyelashes and connecting the dots to success, know that hard work and effort will definitely be more rewarding. So don't use this as an excuse to throw yourself in a carpet or anything! 

6. On that same note, don't mix business with pleasure.

Yes, it bears repeating. 

Elizabeth Taylor playing Cleopatra. Source: Google Images

7. Appearance matters.

Cleopatra and for that matter, Egyptian queens in general, had a distinct look - the long slanted eyeliner, the glamorous clothing, ornate gold jewelry and the heavy make-up. It all creates an aura. As I mentioned before, Cleopatra carried herself well and claimed she was a reincarnation of an Egyptian Goddess. This fits well with being the ruler of the country and she definitely looked the part. 

8. Network and maintain good relationships.

If not for the support of Caesar and later Mark Antony, Cleopatra would not have been able to take control of the Egyptian throne and expand her empire. Having the support of such high ranking Romans ensured that her interests were taken into consideration. She knew how to play the game, this one.

9. Master the wow factor!

Cleopatra knew how to make an entrance. When Mark Anthony first arrived in Rome, she got his attention by sailing down the Nile in all her glory, on an intricately decorated barge. Descriptions of this event point out the grandeur and luxury that Cleopatra exuded, dressed as Venus and her oarsmen as Cupids. Many of you, I'm sure, have heard the saying, "It is better to be overdressed than under-dressed." Similarly, it is better to be looked over and than overlooked, so go big or go home!

So there you have it, nine lessons to learn from Cleopatra. What are your thoughts on the great Queen of the Nile? I would love to see your comments :)

XOXO - Chrissy

According to Amanda: Ten Favorite Places in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Here's the first of my guest posts! This one will actually be a recurring feature called According to Amanda (if you didn't guess from the title!). I am so glad to have my friend Amanda be a part of this blog - I have known her since way back when in grade school and she is the sweetest! Amanda lives in Sri Lanka and will be updating us frequently on the world according to her!

Hey everyone!!!!

A couple of weeks ago, my beautiful friend Chrissy asked me to write about my life and travel experiences for her blog “Silk & Spice” and I jumped at the opportunity! I truly would be honored to be a part of this amazing and super spicy blog! 

I haven’t travelled much but boy oh boy have I been bitten by the travel bug…all I ever watch is the travel channel and while at work I only day dream of eating macaroons under the Eiffel tower in Paris.

But for my first post, I’m going to start right at home - in Colombo, Sri Lanka! 

ODEL Unlimited – From its humble beginnings in the trunk of a car to its rapid transformation into an exclusive shopping hub, ODEL is without a doubt Sri-Lanka’s biggest and most cosmopolitan department store. Ranging from designer perfumes to Belgian chocolates, Odel is definitely a must if you’re in Sri Lanka. The store carries global brand names like Ralph Lauren, Bulgari and Donna Karan as well as Sri Lankan brands like the fabulous beachwear brand Arugumbay! Shopping can be exhausting, so if you ever feel hungry there’s a cozy food court at the entrance and two amazing restaurants inside as well - Nihonbashi for all you sushi fans and Deli France, a cute little eatery which boasts some wonderful chocolate croissants. 

Burger’s King – Located in Slave Island’s busiest junction, this little gem serves up the most AMAZING burgers! Despite the name sounding very similar to the famous chain Burger King, this street shop has a story all its own. It is somewhat of a fold away shop – they literally set up to open at around 5:00 pm – don’t go before, you won’t find anything. It’s all very Platform Nine and Three Quarters (a la Harry Potter). The portions are huge and everything is served hot. Hygiene is good and prices are cheap. You can either choose to sit and pig out in the comfort of your car or you can sit on the sidewalk and enjoy the smells wafting your way from the kitchen! The staff are so friendly and you get your order in minutes…every order comes with a huge portion of French fries. The prawn burger is a must have - soooo yummilicious!!!!

Secondhand Books Maradana - Boasts a string of second hand bookshops, which are renowned for their vast collection of old and rare books at bargain prices. This place is every bookworm’s dream. You can find the classics like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens or you can bury your nose in chick-lit and science fiction – you name it, they've got it.

Kama – Colombo’s most exclusive night club! All you party loving, club hopping lads and lasses, this is the place to be on the weekends. The music will make you dance like there’s no tomorrow and if you get hungry from all that dancing, they serve the best chicken club sandwiches ever! The ideal time to get in is around 11:30 -12pm, the party goes on till 7 in the morning and the hangover is definitely worth it!! Kama is the place you wanna go to if you've had a bad day, the music and ambiance instantly puts you in a good mood!

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Pettah – “A Bargainer’s Haven”. Your Colombo shopping experience isn’t complete without being thrust in to the hustle and bustle of Pettah which is famous for it's open air bazaars. With almost anything being available in the many narrow streets, you will have plenty of shops to choose from that will satisfy your retail needs. Shops are located in clusters, with specific types of items being sold in each cluster. Although driving through and parking maybe problematic, the entire stretch of shops are located within walking distance. Whatever you choose to purchase, be sure to polish your bargaining skills, which is important to fetch the best prices. Tips – carry a sling bag and wear flip flops, loose the jewelery (you want to avoid being a victim of pickpocketing) carry your ID/Passport securely and keep you money close to you at all times!!! Also beware, street vendors/hawkers might try to sell you items that are not genuine/fake. Follow these and you’ll come out alive!

Pilawoos – is the best place for good ol’ Sri Lankan street food and yes, the best place to prepare for an impending hangover. This is where you go for the legendary “Cheese Kothu” which is to die for! The delicious dish is made with Happy Cow cheese triangles (shame on you if you are Sri Lankan and don’t know about Happy Cow). Another must try on the menu is the Chocolate Rotti made with Nutella. Pilawoos is open till the wee hours, so party all you want and head on over! 

7 Degrees - This is the most insanely romantic bar in Colombo (located at Cinnamon Lakeside). Perfect for dates, you can chill to jazz music and sip on a Margarita while overlooking the bera lake which looks is a pretty sight at night. 7 degrees would be the place you wanna go to have a couple of amazing cocktails/mocktails to get the party started! Perfect for a relaxed evening. They always serve the most exquisite tapas in the world!

Paradise Road – The antique lover’s sanctuary, you truly feel like you walked into nirvana when you enter Paradise Road! The scents from the incense sticks are divine and oh so relaxing. If you want to make your home look like Bali or create a Zen atmosphere, Paradise Road is the place for you! From Egyptian cotton fabrics to beautiful china, they’ve got you covered. My favorite purchase is the scented candles. 

Majestic City – Colombo’s oldest shopping mall, this place is frequented by all kinds of little cliques, but very popular among the teens and tweens. Shops sell everything from movies to electronics and shoes. If you ever find yourself here, you must try Pepper’s Pizza.

Carnival – It is truly a carnival of colors and flavors in this little ice-cream parlor. This place is basically a household name. The ice-cream is beyond fabulous, very milky and creamy – if happiness was a flavor, it would be the flavors of Carnival ice-cream. My fave is Hawaiian Ice Cream Paradise which comes in a huge glass bowl - perfect for two!

Have you visited any of these places? What was your favorite thing about them?

Until next time,

Amanda

(Chrissy Casinader also contributed to this post)

Quote: A Girl Who Reads ~ Rosemarie Urquico

Hi lovers,

I found this and had to share it with you. If you have the time (and patience!) to read it, it truly is beautiful. Words have so much power and this is a great example :)

Source: weheartit.com

“You should date a girl who reads. 

Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes, who has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve. 

Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she has found the book she wants. You see that weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a secondhand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow and worn. 

She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book. 

Buy her another cup of coffee. 

Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice. 

It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas, for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry and in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does. 

She has to give it a shot somehow. 

Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world. 

Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things must come to end, but that you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two. 

Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series. 

If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. 

You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype. 

You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots. 

Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads. 

Or better yet, date a girl who writes.” 

― Rosemarie Urquico 

On a different yet similar vein, read this:

“…Don’t date a girl who reads because girls who read are storytellers. You with the Joyce, you with the Nabokov, you with the Woolf. You there in the library, on the platform of the metro, you in the corner of the café, you in the window of your room. You, who make my life so goddamned difficult. The girl who reads has spun out the account of her life and it is bursting with meaning. She insists that her narratives are rich, her supporting cast colorful, and her typeface bold. You, the girl who reads, make me want to be everything that I am not. I am weak and I will fail you, because you have dreamed, properly, of someone who is better than I am. You will not accept the life of which I spoke at the beginning of this piece. You will accept nothing less than passion, and perfection, and a life worthy of being told. So out with you, girl who reads. Take the next southbound train and take your Hemingway with you. 

Or, perhaps, stay and save my life.”

~ Charles Warnke

The Sisterhood Series: Supporting Real Girls All Over The World

Why hello there!

I'm going to cut to the chase here. March is Women's History Month and this Thursday is International Women's Day. Our predecessors did so much in the name of women's rights - we can vote, we can drive, we can wear pants and carry a briefcase better than any man. But like they say, with great power comes great responsibility. We have gained a voice along with freedom but there is much to be done, much to still stand up and fight for. And we can do it. If only we look around and hold hands with other women and work towards the same goal - even if that goal is to support other women and help them up instead of bringing them down. I see and hear so many things about women being our own worst enemies; we are so catty and just not supportive of each other. I wanted to change it, at least in some small way. So here's to celebrating women in all our shapes and forms, supporting one another through our good days and bad and helping each other realize their dreams from the tiniest speck to the larger-than-life. 

I like to celebrate big, so I am launching 'The Sisterhood Series', a series of posts through March, where I will interview real ladies whom I personally know. These ladies are strong, independent, stylish and sassy. They also have goals and dreams and are doing something about it. They are real life inspiration, your everyday girls without all the fluff and photo retouching. Girls like you and me, who have an opinion and are not afraid to let it be heard. They come from so many different backgrounds and different parts of the world. I hope that their stories will help us learn and support girls all over the world, whether or not they fit into your ideal stereotype of your best girlfriend. Get pumped, because it will be an exciting journey full of real-life stories and real-life inspiration.

Credits: Photos of Kylie Minogue taken by photographer Ellen von Unwerth.

"I'm a woman of mad competence. I'm very optimistic. I have high self-esteem. I give myself choices, and I always feel as if I belong." ~ Unknown

Source

Bisous et câlins,

Chrissy

Disclaimer {9/11/13}: I know Kylie Minogue prancing around in a bunch of pink isn't exactly your average "real girl", I just put them here because they are colorful, fun and playful - which I think is positive. Also these are some qualities that a lot of us girls have and/or aspire to have just because being positive and playful and yes, colorful makes us feel good and heals our souls and you got it, adds a little spice to our lives. Besides, I'm a grown woman, I can do whatever I want (quoting Queen Bey, of course).

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Hello brave-hearts,

How did Valentine's Day go for you? Are you super excited for date night with the lover or pumped to go out with your girlfriends and drink pretty pink cocktails? Or are you that fierce little soul who's out there rocking all-black anti-valentine in a sea of red and pink? No matter who you are or where you're at this Valentines, here are some pictures courtesy of BCBG that I'm sure will put a smile on your face :)

How pretty! I used these and other images on some of my friend's facebook wall's -posting a message along with it as well. I had a super hectic day so didn't have time to actually get people things. I originally wanted to do mini doughnut cakes, but I guess that will have to wait for later.

Here's a bonus - a fun little marketing campaign for Kate Spade spring '12:

Have fun lovers,

xo-Chrissy

The World is Your Oyster

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Thanks to the internet, the world truly is your oyster. Here are some things that have kept me happily distracted this weekend :)

1. Louis Vuitton opened a store in Jaipur, India and the photoshoot/video they created for it is beyond amazing. It definitely reinforces a case of the travel bug in me - even though I just got off a plane not even a month ago.  

2. It is still the beginning of a new year so here are 30 things to do for yourself. If you don't take care of yourself and make your own happiness, you are not adding anything to the world and those around you.

3. We watch so much television and it really does have an impact on our lives. Here are some deadly sins of reality TV women that we should be aware of as critical consumers of this madly material world.

4. Are you super confused about love? Pssh, you think, who isn't? Well, if you're wallowing about your love life, you might want to give these insightful books a read.

5. It's a tough world out there and finding/keeping a job is becoming almost impossible. But are 20-somethings too idealistic when it comes to the reality of the job market?

Happy browsing!

xo,

Chrissy

How To: Conservative Chic

Hi Loves!

Happy Sunday :) Today, I have a bit of a different kind of post. I'm going to show you how to dress conservatively but still be stylish and even on-trend. In many cultures and communities, dressing conservatively is quite (if not absolutely) important. Sometimes, this is just a cultural perspective or custom and sometimes it is a religious requirement. I decided to do this post because style is for everyone, and none of it can get in the way of looking good, if you only try. I know a lot girls who cannot and/or chose not to dress in outfits that reveal skin and while some of them do it with class and style, a few others have told me that they would love to have more options. So here you go ladies:


I will focus on those who do get it right. Meet Nehla, my fabulous friend from Sri Lanka. She is a beautiful lady and always dressed elegantly while still managing to be conservative -

Here is Nehla's take on "Conservative Chic":

"I've come to realize that limitations bring out the creativity in you. Coming from a conservative family there are certain guidelines I have to follow when it comes to clothes. But I try not to let this restrict my inner fashionista;) In the past, I've loved the "boyfriend" trend, leggings, long summer dresses, layering and boleros."

Some tips from Nehla on how to dress with sass while following customary guidelines:

"When shopping for new clothes I look for:

Shift dresses/tunics that can be shortened by a couple of inches and paired with skinny jeans or leggings. 

Another tip is to slit a dress on both sides if you don't want to lose the length/print/embellishment on the bottom and wear it with skinny jeans/leggings.

Cardigans in all shapes and colours are an essential to all Conservative Chic ladies.

And I am yet to meet a girl on whom 3/4 length sleeves aren't flattering.

Printed scarves and shawls are great to accessorize any outfit."

Chrissy's Tips for Conservative Chic:


Stay on trend with skinny jeans and leggings. It will balance out proportions when you add a tunic on top or a dress like Nehla does.


Shoes!!! You can build a collection of gorgeous shoes from stillettos to sandals. Instant chic factor :)


If you're Asian/Middle Eastern, shalwars are an option and you already know about this. What you may not know is that there are ways to work the trends even in a shalwar:

You can buy shalwars in the "it" colors of the season for style relevance.

A lot of shalwars now also incorporate prints and patterns that are in vogue too - buy these! 

The pants that come with shalwars are now made to look like leggings/skinny jeans so that's awesome.

P.S. You don't have to be Asian/Middle Eastern to rock a Shalwar! It's called being a citizen of the world :) 

Accessorize! This is where your freedom really lies - go for the trends, provided they look good on you and complement your outfit. Big earrings really complement tunics and shalwars, as do long necklaces and chunky bangles. You have endless options so mix and match - see what works and what doesn't.


Shoes and Bags. Also part of accessorizing - complement your outfit with a great pair of shoes and a beautiful purse. It completes your look. If you can afford it - shop the brand names - you won't regret it because shoes and bags are a good long-term investment. 

There are a few things I want to highlight from this picture (above):


Pay close attention to Nehla's shoes and purse. Her shoes are suede pumps in a gorgeous shade of wine - very of-the-moment. Her purse is a very close match. Normally, don't go matchy-matchy with your shoes and purse, but sometimes - it looks amazing, especially with red (make sure they are a perfect match, like Nehla's).


Wear clothes that fit you well. Nehla's clothes fit her like a glove and that is the key to dressing well and looking polished. This golden rule applies to all women, not just those trying to look conservative. Ill-fitting clothes make you look frumpy - avoid this at all costs! Also, well-fitting does not mean too tight - so ladies beware!


Make-up can make or break your outfit. Nehla has naturally great skin, but see how she doesn't overdo the make-up. It is simple yet has a big impact. You can really play up your eyes - looks very exotic, especially with shalwars. Again - do one thing or the other. Bold eyes, simple lip and vice versa.


Get yourself a great haircut. Nehla's hair is on the longer side. She has beautiful straight hair and her layered cut gives it movement and life. She also has wispy bangs which give her styling options as well.

Note the tunic over skinny jeans combo in the picture above. 


Buy a lot of scarves, wraps and shawls in every color and print you can possibly imagine. You can even use the shawls that come with your shalwars and wear them with jeans.

Wear maxi dresses and skirts! It is very in and even if it goes out of season, you can still rock it because it's very bohemian. Tie a scarf on your head and bring out your inner boho! Don't forget to pile on the accessories.


Turbans, beanies and hats are a wonderful way to cover you hair and look stylish at the same time.

Wear dresses over jeans and leggings! If you do it right, it will look super cute. Also, wear blazers with jeans for a covered yet chic look.

Queen Rania of Jordan and Sheikah Mozah of Qatar are Muslim royals who have impeccable style yet manage to follow their religious guidelines. Here are some pictures of the outfits they put together.

How do you dress conservatively? Please share your tips in the comments section :)


Work what you got, ladies!!!


xo, 
Chrissy