Hello All,
I just wanted to say Merry Christmas, and I hope you all had a wonderful day celebrating our Saviour's birth with the ones you love! Have a happy holiday season, and I will be back in the new year!
Take care,
-SB
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
How To: Pack Your Suitcase
Hi Everyone,
Sorry I'm a day late on this, but it's Christmas time and preperations are getting hectic around here!
Alright, for today's post, let's talk about packing your suitcase. Now, let's assume you're going for more than a day or two. You should have a suitcase that you check at baggage as well as a carry on.
Carry-on - make sure you pack all the things that you couldn't live with out if your luggage happened to get lost. This usually includes the necessities of makeup (although make sure you are in the right range for allowed liquids), toothbrush, toothpaste, extra pair of panties, as well as any valuables such as jewelry, and of course money and all travel documents. When I travel I try to make sure that my carry-on is just a nice large purse so that I don't have to drag too many things through the airport. A girl can only carry so much! Then, pack a few things to keep you entertained, be it your ipod, books, magazines, or knitting - if you're like me and find it soothing, or are trying to finish off that hat for your Mom's gift.
Suitcase - now there is a science when it comes to packing your suitcase, you can't just throw everything in there and expect to arrive in good condition. It just doesn't happen that way. So first things first, pack all your tolietry items (that you didn't pack in your carry-on) as well as all other leakables, in plastic baggies and place in the zipper compartment that is away from your clothing. Last thing you want is something to explode and leak onto your silk gown...eek!
Next you would place your shoes (in their own baggies) into the bottom of the case, layer with heavier items such as jeans, and bulky sweaters, then top with lighter items like dress shirts, gowns, dresses, dress pants, etc. To use every available space, roll up thinner sweaters, tops, jammies, etc, and tuck them into the little cracks here and there. Also a word of advice, when packing your intimates, place them in a drawsting (non-see-through) bag so that if you get selected for luggage check, you won't be super embarrased by everyone seeing your lacy panties or bras on display. Another thing to do if you have anything that has beading on it, or even just for your special dresses or tops, is to turn them inside out when packing them so they don't get snagged on anything and get damaged. If you want to be extra careful, after turning them inside out, you can also slip them into dry cleaner bags. And my last word of advice is to unpack everything when you get there so that you can limit the amount of wrinkling, I know it's a pain, but it saves you so much time ironing in the morning...trust me, you'll thank me later!
-SB
P.S. One other thing, tie a bow or scarf onto your suitcase so you can quickly identify it at the baggage claim! You'd be surprised at how many people have a suitcase that looks just like yours!
Sorry I'm a day late on this, but it's Christmas time and preperations are getting hectic around here!
Alright, for today's post, let's talk about packing your suitcase. Now, let's assume you're going for more than a day or two. You should have a suitcase that you check at baggage as well as a carry on.
Carry-on - make sure you pack all the things that you couldn't live with out if your luggage happened to get lost. This usually includes the necessities of makeup (although make sure you are in the right range for allowed liquids), toothbrush, toothpaste, extra pair of panties, as well as any valuables such as jewelry, and of course money and all travel documents. When I travel I try to make sure that my carry-on is just a nice large purse so that I don't have to drag too many things through the airport. A girl can only carry so much! Then, pack a few things to keep you entertained, be it your ipod, books, magazines, or knitting - if you're like me and find it soothing, or are trying to finish off that hat for your Mom's gift.
Suitcase - now there is a science when it comes to packing your suitcase, you can't just throw everything in there and expect to arrive in good condition. It just doesn't happen that way. So first things first, pack all your tolietry items (that you didn't pack in your carry-on) as well as all other leakables, in plastic baggies and place in the zipper compartment that is away from your clothing. Last thing you want is something to explode and leak onto your silk gown...eek!
Next you would place your shoes (in their own baggies) into the bottom of the case, layer with heavier items such as jeans, and bulky sweaters, then top with lighter items like dress shirts, gowns, dresses, dress pants, etc. To use every available space, roll up thinner sweaters, tops, jammies, etc, and tuck them into the little cracks here and there. Also a word of advice, when packing your intimates, place them in a drawsting (non-see-through) bag so that if you get selected for luggage check, you won't be super embarrased by everyone seeing your lacy panties or bras on display. Another thing to do if you have anything that has beading on it, or even just for your special dresses or tops, is to turn them inside out when packing them so they don't get snagged on anything and get damaged. If you want to be extra careful, after turning them inside out, you can also slip them into dry cleaner bags. And my last word of advice is to unpack everything when you get there so that you can limit the amount of wrinkling, I know it's a pain, but it saves you so much time ironing in the morning...trust me, you'll thank me later!
-SB
P.S. One other thing, tie a bow or scarf onto your suitcase so you can quickly identify it at the baggage claim! You'd be surprised at how many people have a suitcase that looks just like yours!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Holiday Travels??
Hello Everyone,
Since the Holidays are fast approaching, I thought for the next few days I would write about packing and some travel tips and tricks. Many of you will be traveling to spend the holidays with family and friends, and I thought you could use some advice on doing it effortlessly and in style.
Today we will focus on what you should pack. First of all, let me just say, it's best to stick to the basics, especially when packing for traveling to a cold destination, otherwise you risk your suitcase bulking up quickly. This includes colour - black, brown and cream are best. You can add a few pieces of colour, after all the holiday season is about being merry and bight! Just make sure that you can wear them with mulitple looks - this is the key to packing successfully.
For cold destinations, you should pack:
A turtleneck, a v-neck sweater (or whichever shape accentuates your body type) as well as a cardigan. Then pack some tank tops and lacy camisoles for layering underneath.
Two pairs of jeans, one dark and one light, as well as a pair of trousers, black is best, but dark grey or pinstripe will work as well.
A party dress, or two is always needed for this time of year, but you could also pack a nice black or dark grey skirt and pair it with one of your sweaters for a fancy dinner or get together.
Pack some hosiery, in black to go with your dresses or skirt. And here's a little tip from the north - you can wear tights under your pants while out in the cold to keep you warm, trust me, it works.
Accessories are a traveler's best friend because they are easy to pack and are a great way to change up your looks - belts are great to cinch bulky sweaters in at the hips or waist, you can dress up a simple black dress with some great sparkly jewelry (and yes, it can be costume!), and scarves are perfect to add some colour to your outfit, as well as double as a wrap to keep you warm on the plane, in a chilly restaurant, or even while sleeping if your a bit chilly in the night.
For coats, you should pack two if there is room. One dressy and one more casual (this is if you're not wearing your casual one on the plane or in the car).
a nice pair of dress shoes that can go with all your dressy outfits is great, as well a a pair of warm boots for those walks in the snow.
You will also need a pair of gloves (black leather ones are always great) and mittens if you want (I love me a good pair of adorable coloured knitted mitts!), a hat or two - a beanie, newsboy, wool beret, or an ear-flap hat - whatever works for you. And even though it's not summer, you HAVE to have a cute pair of sunnies - from my opinion, the bigger the better!
For hot destinations (for those of you lucky enough to escape the snow and cold) you should pack:
Bikinis - yes multiples - you will be in them for the majority of your trip, so you should have enough cute ones to rotate. I would suggest wearing them in place of underwear and a bra most of the time, because you never know when the moment for a swim will arise!
Tunics, caftans and cute sundresses are perfect for throwing on over your suit for a quick lunch or trip into town. Tunics look especially nice worn with white shorts or white pants.
A sarong for wearing over your bikini at the beach, as well as a belt (raffia, chain or leather) which you can use to turn that sarong into a dress.
A couple pairs of shorts (white, linen, or jean) and a nice pair of dress pants - white is perfect, but a natural coloured linen works too.
For colours, you should go with anything bright and light - white is especially great because it looks fabulous against a nice tan.
For shoes you pretty much only need a couple pairs of flip-flips (dressy and non) and if you feel the inclination (or have trouble walking in flats and just do much better in heels, like me) you can pack a cute pair of strappy heels for dressing things up a bit. These are especially nice when going out for dinner. Espadrilles and open-toe wedges work as well.
Also, if going to a resort, you should remember that most of them have a dress code for dinner, so make sure you have something that is dressy as well as appropriate (read-not too revealing) for when dining.
For accesssories - hoop earrings (gold looks great against tanned skin), anything ethnic and bangles are great - just make sure that it's ok to wear such things where you are going, some places tell you not to wear too much jewelry because it makes you a target for muggings. I wouldn't wear anything of real value either, incase it gets stolen or ruined while at the pool or beach. This is the best time to break out your costume jewelry! And of course you need a great pair or two of sunnies (yes, I will say it again - the bigger the better) as well as a cute sun hat (the bigger the better here as well). A nice scarf that you can tie around your neck, in your hair or even for belt is great, and if you can swing it, bring a couple different ones. (By the way, nothing works better to conceal hair that's a bit messed up from the beach, as a nice scarf tied around it).
And most important for either destination, make sure you leave some extra room for those presents you'll want to be bringing back with you, and if you can't make extra room, pack a nice fold-up bag to use to carry home your treasures. :-)
I hope that this has helped you, and tomorrow I will be back with some tips for packing your bags!
-SB
Since the Holidays are fast approaching, I thought for the next few days I would write about packing and some travel tips and tricks. Many of you will be traveling to spend the holidays with family and friends, and I thought you could use some advice on doing it effortlessly and in style.
Today we will focus on what you should pack. First of all, let me just say, it's best to stick to the basics, especially when packing for traveling to a cold destination, otherwise you risk your suitcase bulking up quickly. This includes colour - black, brown and cream are best. You can add a few pieces of colour, after all the holiday season is about being merry and bight! Just make sure that you can wear them with mulitple looks - this is the key to packing successfully.
For cold destinations, you should pack:
A turtleneck, a v-neck sweater (or whichever shape accentuates your body type) as well as a cardigan. Then pack some tank tops and lacy camisoles for layering underneath.
Two pairs of jeans, one dark and one light, as well as a pair of trousers, black is best, but dark grey or pinstripe will work as well.
A party dress, or two is always needed for this time of year, but you could also pack a nice black or dark grey skirt and pair it with one of your sweaters for a fancy dinner or get together.
Pack some hosiery, in black to go with your dresses or skirt. And here's a little tip from the north - you can wear tights under your pants while out in the cold to keep you warm, trust me, it works.
Accessories are a traveler's best friend because they are easy to pack and are a great way to change up your looks - belts are great to cinch bulky sweaters in at the hips or waist, you can dress up a simple black dress with some great sparkly jewelry (and yes, it can be costume!), and scarves are perfect to add some colour to your outfit, as well as double as a wrap to keep you warm on the plane, in a chilly restaurant, or even while sleeping if your a bit chilly in the night.
For coats, you should pack two if there is room. One dressy and one more casual (this is if you're not wearing your casual one on the plane or in the car).
a nice pair of dress shoes that can go with all your dressy outfits is great, as well a a pair of warm boots for those walks in the snow.
You will also need a pair of gloves (black leather ones are always great) and mittens if you want (I love me a good pair of adorable coloured knitted mitts!), a hat or two - a beanie, newsboy, wool beret, or an ear-flap hat - whatever works for you. And even though it's not summer, you HAVE to have a cute pair of sunnies - from my opinion, the bigger the better!
For hot destinations (for those of you lucky enough to escape the snow and cold) you should pack:
Bikinis - yes multiples - you will be in them for the majority of your trip, so you should have enough cute ones to rotate. I would suggest wearing them in place of underwear and a bra most of the time, because you never know when the moment for a swim will arise!
Tunics, caftans and cute sundresses are perfect for throwing on over your suit for a quick lunch or trip into town. Tunics look especially nice worn with white shorts or white pants.
A sarong for wearing over your bikini at the beach, as well as a belt (raffia, chain or leather) which you can use to turn that sarong into a dress.
A couple pairs of shorts (white, linen, or jean) and a nice pair of dress pants - white is perfect, but a natural coloured linen works too.
For colours, you should go with anything bright and light - white is especially great because it looks fabulous against a nice tan.
For shoes you pretty much only need a couple pairs of flip-flips (dressy and non) and if you feel the inclination (or have trouble walking in flats and just do much better in heels, like me) you can pack a cute pair of strappy heels for dressing things up a bit. These are especially nice when going out for dinner. Espadrilles and open-toe wedges work as well.
Also, if going to a resort, you should remember that most of them have a dress code for dinner, so make sure you have something that is dressy as well as appropriate (read-not too revealing) for when dining.
For accesssories - hoop earrings (gold looks great against tanned skin), anything ethnic and bangles are great - just make sure that it's ok to wear such things where you are going, some places tell you not to wear too much jewelry because it makes you a target for muggings. I wouldn't wear anything of real value either, incase it gets stolen or ruined while at the pool or beach. This is the best time to break out your costume jewelry! And of course you need a great pair or two of sunnies (yes, I will say it again - the bigger the better) as well as a cute sun hat (the bigger the better here as well). A nice scarf that you can tie around your neck, in your hair or even for belt is great, and if you can swing it, bring a couple different ones. (By the way, nothing works better to conceal hair that's a bit messed up from the beach, as a nice scarf tied around it).
And most important for either destination, make sure you leave some extra room for those presents you'll want to be bringing back with you, and if you can't make extra room, pack a nice fold-up bag to use to carry home your treasures. :-)
I hope that this has helped you, and tomorrow I will be back with some tips for packing your bags!
-SB
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Winter Hair Tips
Happy wintery saturday blog readers,
Newsboy - best with sleek ponytails
I've got a great tip for a beauty crisis, or should I say hair distaster that comes along with this wintery weather we're having. Recently a tweeter tweeted Instyle.com and asked for a fashionable solution to what is known as "touqe hair" (at least in this part of the country). All this winter weather has marked the official beginning of "touqe hair" or what's better known as "hat head," so I thought I'd give you the link to what Instyle recommended to help keep you and your hair looking fashionable and not so flat. They asked celeb hairstylist Mark Townsend for tips, and these are his suggestions, which you can read here.
There are a few tips about which knitted winter hats look best with which hairstyles that you should know:
Beanies - best with long, sleek hair
Beret - best with short or tucked away hairNewsboy - best with sleek ponytails
Now that you know how to combat all your hat-related hair troubles, I thought I'd show a few cute pics of some winter hats to inspire you on how to incorporate them into your wardrobe!
Friday, December 11, 2009
A Day Brightener
There's nothing quite as day brightening than an touch of neon in this dreary winter weather we're having! We've been dumped on majorly with snow over the last few days, so I'm looking for any way to see a bit of brightness in my day, and I think I just found it! It would be Roland Mouret's Rainbrow Project exclusive to net-a-porter, which features Mouret's signature sculptural shapes in shocking hues. Mouret's been quoted by WWD saying, "This collection is...easy to wear and to take from daytime into cocktail hour." I can't think of a better way to add some cheer to the wardrobe!! You can check out the entire collection here.
-SB
Image Source: net-a-porter
P.S. Just a quite little note, WWD is reporting that Zac Posen is scheduled to design a capsule collection for Target's Go International series premiering in stores and online starting April 25, 2010! And don't forget, Rodarte's collection for Target's Go International series is debuting December 20th. You better start planning now because this collection is being predicted to sell out fast.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Fun Giveaway!!
Hello fashion-forward princesses,
I know we are a little ways into December already, but I wanted to share with you a cool giveaway I just came across (yes, I know I'm behind on my updates, but I'm working on it). For the entire month of December, Instyle.com is giving away free nail polish (over 1,200 bottles!!) in all the hottest shades by the hottest brands on their Twitter page (twitter.com/instyle) every weekday at 1:00 PM EST. All you have to do is is be one of the first people to re-tweet their special message and you'll win. How easy is that?? You can browse through the shades for each day here and be sure to mark your favourites on your calendar so that you don't miss out!!
-SB
Image Source: instyle
I know we are a little ways into December already, but I wanted to share with you a cool giveaway I just came across (yes, I know I'm behind on my updates, but I'm working on it). For the entire month of December, Instyle.com is giving away free nail polish (over 1,200 bottles!!) in all the hottest shades by the hottest brands on their Twitter page (twitter.com/instyle) every weekday at 1:00 PM EST. All you have to do is is be one of the first people to re-tweet their special message and you'll win. How easy is that?? You can browse through the shades for each day here and be sure to mark your favourites on your calendar so that you don't miss out!!
-SB
Image Source: instyle
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
