Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials-F/W (6-10)

Good morning!  Last week I introduced the beginning of the Top 25 Wardrobe Essentials for every closet by providing links to pictures where I have styled these items and My Picks to offer advice and suggestions when shopping for your essentials.  Today, I’m continuing with my list and starting with number 6!  To refresh your memory, click on last week’s post, and also see the list of the FIRST FIVE below.  So let’s put down our coffee and get on with the next five…

essentials1.)  Skinny Jeans
2.)  Diamond/Pearl Studs
3.)  Classic Pumps
4.)  Blazer
5.)  White Collared Button-Down

6.)  Pencil Skirt – Usually worn in a work suit or as a separate piece with a button-down to the office, pencil skirts are known for their tailored, narrow shape – long and thin like a pencil.  But pencil skirts have come a long way!  Originally very conservative in color and cloth and worn always with panty hose in the pencil-skirt era of the 1950s, pencil skirts are now being seen in all colors (the brighter the better), and in all types of fabric and even leather…my favorite is covered in sequins!  They are definitely my favorite when I’m grabbing for a professional, classy, yet feminine work outfit.  When wearing my white collared button down, a tailored pencil skirt and my classic pumps, I’m ready for anything.
Styled Here:  Cashmere, Hibernation, Button It Up, Bangles, Seeing Dots, Bensoni
My Favorite Brands:  WHBM, ANN TAYLOR LOFT, VICTORIA’S SECRET, NORDSTROM, ASOS, ZARA
To be Worn:  WORK, DAY and PLAY, but mainly designed for WORK and after work drinks!

7.)  Cardigan – Comfortable yet fitted and well-made…this is what I look for when shopping for a cardigan.  Not only do I want my cardigan to throw on the back of my chair in the office, but I want it to grab on the plane when traveling during the day or even used as a wrap with my cocktail dress and some jewelry at night.  Always look at the tag to see what the cardigan is made of and how to keep it clean.  If you intend to wear your cardi often, don’t get “dry clean only” and ensure if it’s black, it doesn’t look like the fabric will fade after a few washes. 
Styled Here:
  Cardigan, Cashmere, Spots and Stripes
My Favorite Brands:
  WHBM, EXPRESS, TOPSHOP, URBAN OUTFITTERS, J CREW
To be Worn:
  WORK, DAY and PLAY

8.)  Ballet Flats
– As stated in Number 5 of MY ONE HUNDRED, I would much rather wear heels to feel taller, but ballet flats are a necessity…especially after a long day of work.  Sometimes I even keep them on during work, ha!  Make sure when picking out a pair of ballet flats they have a good cushioned sole…if you are going to lose the height, definitely gain some comfort.
Styled Here: 
Ballet Flat, Cuffed, Cynthia Rowley, Peek-a-Blue
My Favorite Brands: 
TORY BURCH, BCBG, KATE SPADE, FRANCO SARTO, DR. SCHOLL’S
To be Worn: 
WORK, DAY…of course you can wear flats for a PLAY style as well, but I prefer fun heels, boots or booties!

9.)  Scarves
– Think out-of-the-box when styling scarves…I definitely do.  Not only can they be used to warm up your neck and fashionably dress up a winter coat, but you can wear a scarf like a man’s tie, around your hair like a headband and even as a belt.  Scarves are one of the most under-rated accessories and definitely one of my favorite pieces to dress up any outfit.
Styled Here: 
Flash of Red, Fendi, Willow and Clay, Prada, 235, Three Piece,
My Favorite Brands: 
For silk – VINTAGE scarves handed down from my grandma/family members are the best, so I would search at some vintage shops.  Also, MADEWELL, COACH and ALEXANDER MCQUEEN.  Some great brands for winter scarves include BURBERRY, GAP, RALPH LAUREN
To be Worn: 
WORK, DAY and PLAY

10.)  Watch
– Well, besides for the obvious reason of knowing what time of day it is, I absolutely love a good watch.  I’m especially drawn to the big, chunky men’s style watches and purchased my first Diesel watch in college.  When looking for a watch determine whether you like a leather band or a metal bracelet.  Where will you be wearing your watch?  Do you want to wear it during all occasions?  Dressy and decorated or simple and casual?  Watches are still a piece of jewelry, so have fun with them and use them to dress up your style.
Styled Here: 
Click on any of my WORK, DAY, PLAY posts
My Favorite Brands: 
MICHELE, MICHAEL KORS, MARC BY MARC JACOBS
To be Worn: 
WORK, DAY and PLAY

For the essentials that I haven’t already styled in MY ONE HUNDRED, stay tuned to see these items styled in future posts to come!

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Posted in Accessories and Handbags, Clothing, Day Style, Jewelry, MY ONE HUNDRED, Play Style, Shoes, Style, Work Style | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Designer Spotlight-Velvet Angels

Although I usually pair this wool blazer with a conservative top and dress pants for work, today I paired it with a tight, red dress, polka-dot tights and my Velvet Angels heels for a PLAY style.  As shared in this post, blazers along with a pair of classic heels can always dress up an outfit.  These heels, however, are far from classic…I’ve never seen another pair like them!  The knotted details up the front of the pump stand out to create a very unique, yet edgy look to the shoe, which makes me pull them out when I’m in the mood for a fun night out.  These heels have definitely helped update my sexy, edgy style.  As the Velvet Angels website states…their line of footwear is “for the sexy woman that has a strong sense of self and is continuously seeking to update her fashion-forward style”.  So if you fancy yourself a pair, check them out online or find a store near you.  Go ahead…strut your stuff!

PLAY

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Ironing Out the Details:

DressBB DAKOTA from MODCLOTH, LAST SEEN HERE; Similar here
Blazer – EXPRESS, Similar here and here
Necklace – Gifted, Similar
WatchMICHAEL KORS 
BraceletsAMRITA SINGH
Headband – Gifted, Similar here and here
Sunglasses
MARC by MARC JACOBS
Tights – KATE SPADE, Similar here, here and here
HeelsVELVET ANGELS L’Auberge Knotted Ankle Boot, LAST SEEN HERE
BagMICHAEL KORS Leather Tote (mine is Patent Leather)

Posted in Designer Spotlight, Play Style, Shoes, Style | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Travel-Kuala Lumpur, Thaipusam

Today I’m doing the weekly Travel Thursday post because here in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia TODAY is THAIPUSAM.  If you ever have the opportunity to travel to Kuala Lumpur, or any other country that celebrates Thaipusam during this time of year, the festivities are a must-see!  Last year, my husband and I ventured to Batu Caves to take part in this experience…we are so glad we had the opportunity to see something like this in our lifetime.

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Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (January-February).  Not only is Thaipusam celebrated in countries where the Tamil community is a majority, but it’s also celebrated in countries like Mauritius, Singapore and of course, here in Malaysia.

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Thaipusam is dedicated to the Hindu god Murugan, also known as Lord Subramaniam, the son of Shiva and Parvati.  Lord Subramaniam is the universal granter of wishes and responsible for combating evil deeds.  Therefore, Thaipusam is a celebration of the victory of good over evil.  On this day, devotees who wish to ask for a favor, fulfill a vow in return for a granted favor, or to repent for their past sins participate in this festival.

On the day of Thaipusam, devotees begin the celebration by shaving their heads before embarking on their pilgrimage along a set route while engaging in various acts of devotion.

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Next, the devotees bathe in a nearby river, as shown below, before going into a trance-like state.  This state is due to the constant drumming and chanting of “vel vel shakti vel.”  Then they begin their pilgrimage by carrying various types of kavadi (burdens) to the temple.  Here in Kuala Lumpur the procession starts at Sri Mahamariamman Temple in the heart of the city and proceeds for about 24 miles to Batu Caves.  This journey takes almost 8-hours by foot and ends with an arduous climb up 272 steps to the top of the cave temple!  During this procession, the devotees carry yellow and orange fruits and flowers, Lord Murugan’s favorite colors.  Their dress also adorns the same colors.  They carry milk, water, fruit and floral tributes in pails and pots hung from ropes or balanced on their heads; the simplest types of kavadi.  However, there are other ways to show your devotion.

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Other devotees believe the only way to salvation is to endure penance of pain and hardship.  This entails body piercing with hooks, skewers and small lances called “vel”…a very interesting occurrence during Thaipusam and one that I think is the reason behind the growing numbers of tourists, who strive to understand this unique cultural celebration.

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WARNING:  SOME OF THE PICTURES BELOW MIGHT BE A  BIT GRAPHIC OR MIGHT MAKE YOU QUEASY.  PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION AND REMEMBER…you were warned.  It was hard for me to see in person.

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Some even pierce their tongues and cheeks in order to impede their speech and therefore, attain full concentration on the Lord.  Supposedly, they are able to tolerate all this pain because of their trance-like state…and they also say, the greater the pain the more God-earned merit.  If you are interested in a more detailed account of this piercing, WE TOOK A VIDEO.

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Another form of kavadi is a semi-circular, decorated canopy that is supported by wooden and metal rods and carried on the devotees shoulders, all the way to the temple.  This symbolizes the vehicle of the Lord.  The canopy can be covered in cloth and is usually decorated with peacock feathers, which represents the Lord turning evil into a peacock, as a mode of transportation.

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The devotees continue on their journey to the Batu Caves up ahead in the distance.

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After climbing the 272 steps and reaching their destination, they lay down their kavadi and pour the milk and other offerings on the statue of the deity, as an act of thanksgiving.  The devotees with piercings, hooks and skewers have a priest chant over them as the pieces are removed from their bodies and the wounds are treated with hot, burning ash.  I did not witness this occurrence, however, they say that there is no pain endured and no scarring left on their bodies.

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So there you have it…not an everyday Tuesday here in Kuala Lumpur.  Happy Thaipusam!

Posted in Asia, General Information, Living in KL, Malaysia, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments