Emerald City

No, I’ve not gone to Seattle (or OZ for that matter!). I’ve been eyeing spring’s emerald colored tops and dresses and finally caved in! Today the weather was warm enough to grant wearing my new dress. I’ve matched it with a blue-green tailored jacket. After four hours of looking at myself however I’m starting to think it looks too matchy matchy! Should think of a new color scheme for the next time.

Mini terrariums

Aren’t they cute?! The perfect mix of textures and colors, soft and rugged. I’ve been liking these little landscapes too much recently. I want one so badly!

How to wear a blush colored maxi skirt?

I’ve been salivating over street style shots of long flowy light colored maxi skirts so much that when I found a blush maxi in American apparel I just had to have it. It is a sheer chiffon and slightly see-through. So finding the right underpipping for it took a while. Do you know not all the nudes are created equal?!

The beauty of maxi skirts is in their versatility. They can be dressed down or up, worn to beach or a party, shopping or office.

Since this style skirt is a little voluminous, it’s best to wear it with fitted tops or to belt your top and define your waist. Otherwise it makes you look heavy. Also wear high wedges or chunky heels. Height balances the volume of the skirt.

Anyhow, the first time I wore it cool and casual with a shrunken jean jacket and striped top. The second time I wanted to try a new color combination I saw in a magazine and paired the blush with a berry colored top (and a cream knit hoodie to ward of the chill!).

What to wear to a Conference?

It feels like all I’ve been doing these days is attending conferences. Two in two months and there is still more to come! Which (maybe unjustly) make me feel like I’ve become an expert in the art of quick conference dressing! The trick is to prepare before hand, make a list, put it on, get all the ironing, pressing, dry-cleaning and alterations done and hang the outfits complete with all the accessories in a row ready to wear.

What to wear? Many people especially if they are traveling to another city for a conference, treat it as a vacation. A conference is not a vacation. It is a work event, a chance to meet new people in your field, hear new ideas and to network. It is a professional event, so you should dress and act as a professional.

It however doesn’t mean wearing your tired black interview suit. Take your que from your advisor, your boss, mentor or an older professional in your field. A hundred to one bet, they are wearing suits. And when a person who attends at least five conferences annually, is wearing suits, it means you should too!

Your jacket and pants/skits/dress shouldn’t match but have to be complementary. For example a dark gray jacket over a light gray pair of pants (just make sure they are the same color tone). Add a top in a soft drape-y fabric. Experience has shown that button-down shirts don’t lay flat under the suit jacket; the button-down collars stick out and are too stiff. A rounded or v-neck sleeveless top is your best bet. I like to go for bright colors to contrast the somber suit. In this case, the pop of color from your top works as an accessories so go for a very simple necklace. If your top is simple and in the same color family as your s uit, put on an eye-catching necklace.

Colors: Stick to gray, Navy, brown and camel to be safe. Go for muted greens (olive and sage), dark muted burgundy, forest green, dark plum and aubergine if they complement you skin tone and you want to be a little more adventurous.

Shoes and hosiery: pumps, ballet flats or wedges in color complementary to your skirt or pants. Bare legs or sheer stocking in off-black, gray or the exact color of your skin. Be very careful here!

Bags: this is where you can go colorful. Pick a good size bag to fit all your stuff. Don’t get those ugly conference bags they hand out at the registration. A hundred to one they will clash with your outfit. Get a tote bag in a color matching or complementary to your suit or a bright one that goes with your top.

Dos and Don’ts:

-Do buy suits made of fabric which contain natural fibers silk, cotton and wool (45-75%).

-For a mid-range quality and nice cuts look for suits at Banana Republic, Ann Taylor and Club Monaco. If you are lucky you can find a good quality suit “ON Sale” in these stores for around $200. Express, The Limited, NY and Company and many other chains carry suits but theirs are made of complete man-made material. And let’s be honest, poor quality fabric scream poor quality!

- Try to stick to solid colors. Solids are safe! Patterns are risky, your choice may come across as less than serious, too feminine, too wild, or too busy.

-Don’t wear khaki or jean skirts. Only tailored A-line or pencil skirts.

-Pay attention to the style and proportion of your jacket and you skirt/dress. If your skirt is tight at hemline like most fitted pencil skirt choose a jacket that is a little loose at waist. If your skirt is a loose pencil or a-line pick a jacket with a fitted waist.

-Your skirt hem should hit your knee. No skirt shorter than 1-2 inches above the knee. Miniskirts are not professional. Don’t wear a hem line longer than lowest part of your knee cap. They will look dowdy.

-Don’t wear a party style minidress. Satin or shiny material is for night(club).

-Wear clothing in your size. Too tight skirt and dresses tend to ride up when you walk. It is not attractive to fidget or keep adjusting your dress or skirt when you are presenting.

-Don’t wear a jumper dress with a puff sleeve shirt underneath and white tights. You are not seven anymore and not attending your school recital/play!

-Wear suitable, supportive and invisible underwear. Showing bra straps, bra colors or visible panty lines are a serious NO-NO. Not only for conferences but everywhere else too!

-Don’t wear a button-down shirt if you have short neck. The collar obscuring half your face is not attractive.

-Don’t wear tank tops and t-shirts, vests and jeans, especially when you are presenting. It makes you look immature.

-Don’t wink at the audience; don’t do hair flips or any other flirty gesture! You want to look professional.

-Don’t wear white hosiery, sneakers, flip-flops, shorts, faded holey jeans or thin see-through tops. Not professional!

Bag that bright

With all the bright colors going trendy this spring, I’ve been thinking of embracing the trend. First I went back to my closet and pulled out all my royal blue and teal and cobalt pieces that I had. Then all the red and pink ones. Sadly my pinks are muted and light, very ladylike and not trendy at all. Then I made a shopping list:

So far, I’ve found an orange tunic that makes me look like a pumpkin! I have a green dress on my shopping list and am looking for an orange skirt. Pink (sorry, honeysuckle!)hasn’t figured in my calculations yet. A top, maybe?!

Then bags. Ooh, bags! Today coming to school I was thinking I need a bright yellow clutch, a green purse or clutch, an orange tote, a blue-purple top handle one and a purple satchel with a long strap. Do you think it’s a bit too much?!

Shoes

Why have I gone shoe crazy this spring?

Because my favorite styles are trendy and in abundance. Platforms sandals and wedges in all shapes and colors are calling me and I listen!

And after two seasons I finally gave in: caged booties are here to stay!

Striped

A new addition to my striped collection and my first striped dress. I bought it as a summer dress and I have been wearing it with leggings and boots and a cardigan since the weather is chilly. But me think this beauty is a little too short and a little too tight to be worn by itself, way skimpy for school.

Well, it fits me like a glove and is a “Small” size-wise. Do you think if I buy another one a of couple of size up, a medium or a large maybe; I can wear it by itself as a dress? Makes sense, no?!

Mega bags

Go check this link my friends and prepare to be amazed, awed or disgusted!

Click here!

The world’s most expensive bags, most of them undeserving!

My Valentine

This beauty got home yesterday: my Valentine’s day gift!
A 60’s vintage python skin, roomy and perfect!

What I loved this week:

Well, not exactly this week! Since I am trapped in school every day from dawn till dusk (ha ha ha!), I can’t find much visual inspiration so these are the stuff I loved recently.

These gorgeous shoes have been on my mind for last month or so. With their architectural design, being a cross-breed of wedges and platforms and their relatively affordable price, they have become my new obsession. I am specially in love with nude/neutral ones. Should I buy them?

Nude color handbags. I have to have one, the sooner the better! ‘nough said!

Relaxed paper-bag top pants. They don’t look good on me. That’s why I have avoided them but seeing a lot of them in street style weblogs and fashion rags, I have a crush on them. I should give them a chance, shouldn’t I? Well maybe; if I can muster up the courage try them on at least and more importantly a little shopping time!

Green week

Continues with these outfits:

I have experienced all shades of green this week, from olive to Kelly to pistachio and citrus and I come to one realization: I look good in green!

So much for me not liking green before because I thought it won’t look good on me!

And for whatever reason wearing green made me appreciate our gorgeous spring weather more, go figure!

Going Green

That’s what I’m doing this week and it’s not out of envy or concern for the environment. I am wearing green!

That’s said, I try to do my part for a greener planet. I recycle, buy and use materials from regenerating resources, all the appliances in my home are water and energy efficient, I buy local produce and try to minimize my carbon foot print, …

Also the big one: I’m researching and working to treat contaminated water, reduce pollution and reclaim water.

I think that’s more than enough, don’t you? So let me dress in peace without showy claims and declarations about being Green and Eco-friendly!

A week in chocolate

Or at least that was my intention last Monday. But as the week progressed I ventured into mocha and cognac and caramel territory. None as tasty as chocolate, I admit; but they added a much needed variety and kept my appearance from becoming boring. For that I am thankful!

Shopping happy!

Kind of like trigger happy but much safer to be around! Anyhow, two finds that I’m very happy to have bought and one I regret not buying. You agree, don’t you?

Themed week

I’ve been really busy and haven’t been able to post anything new, despite the fact that I’ve been dressing up every day.

To get back in the swing of things and start posting I came up with the idea of themed weeks and would dress in one color primarily for a week.

So here are my outfits for this week so far.

Can you guess what the color is for this week?

Shoe-therapy

After an exhausting full week there is nothing better than meditating in a store over a pair of beautiful shoes. Hello my pretties, welcome home!

What I loved this week:

Well, right now Hillary Duff’s outfits in the movie “Beauty and the Briefcase”. All of them and I mean all! Those outfits summarize the hottest spring trend: Bright colors and color-blocking! A feast for the eyes and it helps that the story is funny! Oooh, I think I am in love with her purplish blue briefcase. Where can I find something exactly like it? Huh, you know?

Happy 2011

Happy New Year!

Hoping your new year is bright with promise and filled with joy!

Right before New Year

Being fed up with our good weather, we went up state looking for cold and chill and snow! Crazy, I know; but living in a constantly moderate weather gets old really fast, I tell ya!

That little road trip helped me discover the perfect Car Ride outfit: Jeggings, boots, tunic, long thin cardigan with a coat, hat and scarf ready at hand on the backseat for those freezing chills when you stop for coffee.

Jingle bell, Jingle bell, Jingle bell rock

…

…

What a bright time, it’s the right time,

To rock the night away…

Have I told you how much I love Christmas? I love the decorations, the lights, the colors, the presents, the happy people, and the holiday spirit. I love the snowy landscape (in pictures and movies!), the Santa’s workshops and houses in the malls and I love the cheesy holiday music. Love the holiday movies, the food and the sweets, the lazy atmosphere and the relaxed smiles.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Yalda

For Iranians everywhere, Winter Solstice Celebration on the longest night of the year is the time for families to gather and await the birth of light, the breaking of dawn and the return of sun.

Although these days we look at our Yuletide celebration as an excuse to eat as much watermelon and pomegranate and nuts as we can!

Happy Yalda, my dears!

Leave of absence

It’s been raining cats and dogs for the last four days and still more is in store. I’ve staying home shivering under a blanket and wishing for the rain to stop. On those rare occasions that I had to go out, my fluffy boots have been a blessing, keeping my feet warm and dry. You all know how I hate getting wet!

That train trip, cold weather and junk food eating wrecked havoc with my health and I am a little under the weather. In addition I have to plan and pack for our trip next week. I also have lots of stuff to prepare for next quarter and school work.

So I won’t be able to have any new post for the next couple of weeks.

Enjoy your holidays and see you guys next year!

A train ride

I finally did it, taking a train to Santa Barbara with a friend. Yes, it was enlightening, amusing and slightly alarming! Aside from airplanes, my other use of public transports in the last ten years had been a five hours bus trip five years ago, a half hour metro ride two years ago (both in Iran) and a two hour trip from South Bend to Chicago last year. So you can understand the significance of an eight hour total of a round trip by train, surely!

I just wish I had dressed warmer!

Tomato soup

I’ve been wanting a nice hot bowl of tomato soup for sometime now. Unfortunately the cafes we frequent don’t have it on the menu. Well, until tonight apparently. So I was filled with joy upon seeing it written on the board and ordered it. As luck has it, we were late and they’d run out of tomato soup!

Finally “Tangled”

Yeah, finally! Totally worth it too! It is one of those movies that you leave the theater smiling, wishing they would make a sequel.