Archive for 2020

Two things that are very tightly connected to one another are your personal style and your sense of self-confidence. If you don't feel too great about one of those things, then there's a reasonable chance that the problem is connected to the other and vice versa.

If you're looking to upgrade your style and do something new with how you look, it's important to take into account how your confidence will be impacted too. Ideally, you want to look the part, feel fantastic and carry yourself with confidence. When you do all of those things, it's a sign that you've hit a winning formula.

We're going to talk today about some of the things you can do to upgrade your style and hopefully boost your confidence at the same time, so read on to find out more.

Invest in Shoes That Offer Comfort and Exude Power

First of all, you should try to find the pair of shoes that you feel will allow you to walk with confidence while exuding power, while also feeling comfortable. Sure, that's a difficult balance to get right but it can certainly be done if you search carefully and you're willing to invest your money in the right pair. Be sure to try them on and walk in them because only then can you be sure that they're the right pair for you.

Work on Your Posture

Working on your posture is something that's very important. If your posture isn't right and you don't feel as if you stand tall straight with your shoulders back when you walk, that's something that you really need to work on. If you've tried and you're struggling to improve your posture, you might want to see a chiropractor who'll be able to offer you the help you need. Not only will good posture help you to carry yourself with more confidence but it'll also improve the health of your back and spine too.

Get Your Clothes Tailored

If your clothes aren't fitting properly, they're never going to hang on your body the way you want them to. And as a result, it'll be difficult for you to walk confidently and carry yourself with any real grace. Many people don't even realize that their clothes fit them poorly. If you're not sure and you want to get a better fit for your clothes, you should think about getting your clothes tailored. Whenever you make a new clothing purchase, it pays off to take it to a tailor and have it fitted to the specific size and shape demands of your body.

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Take the Time to Accessorize with Jewelry

Accessories matter so much more than most people realize. If you're not using accessories as part of your approach to fashion and personal style, you're certainly limiting your own potential and that's the last thing you want. The easiest way to start making better use of accessories is to accessorize with jewelry. These items are adaptable and you can take your outfit in a number of potential directions depending on which jewelry you pick out.

Invest in a New Pair of Glasses

It's never a bad idea to invest in a new and stylish pair of glasses if you're a glasses wearer. It's important not to overlook the extent of the impact your glasses can have on your overall style. Too many people fail to take this into account and then find that their glasses don't really match the rest of their wardrobe or their general aesthetic. If you think it's time for you to make a change, see the selection here and find a pair that feels right for you.

Don't Ignore How an Item of Clothing Makes You Feel

When you put on an item of clothing, you should pay attention to how it makes you feel. When it comes to the overlap between your personal style and your approach to fashion, it always pays off to pay attention to your feelings. If a piece of clothing doesn't make you feel confident and powerful, it's probably not what you're looking for right now. The right clothes will usually make you feel more confident when wearing them.

Walk with Pride and Confidence

The way in which you walk says a lot about who you are and how you see yourself. If you want to to make sure that your really do carry yourself with confidence, make an effort to show that confident nature. Sometimes, you simply have to fake it until you make it and that's just the way it is. But if you can be proud and confident in a way that's aided by your clothes and your approach to fashion, this will make this whole thing a lot easier for you.

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Don't be Afraid to Unleash Your Creative Side

There's nothing wrong with adapting your own clothes or putting together outfits in creative and unexpected ways. When you're willing to take risks and unleash your creative side, you'll start to create outfits that you would have previously never thought possible. You can pull off all kinds of creative outfit ideas when you put your mind to it because the only thing that's stopping you from doing all of this is you. It often pays off to refuse to play by the book or to meet the expectations of others.

Choose a Stylish Yet Functional Bag

Having the right bag that you take with you wherever you go during your day is something that's always important. It's more than a functional item though; your bag is a key fashion item and should combine well with the rest of your outfit. Find the bag for you that you feel does all the functional jobs you need it to while also offering the aesthetic appeal that you're also looking for. Both of these things matter in equal measure.

Define Your Own Style

Rather than following trends aimlessly and allowing other people to drive your fashion choices, you should try to own your style. When you're the person who defines your own style, you feel a much greater sense of ownership over it and investment in it. Sure, you can follow what's trendy but don't be afraid to put your own personal stamp on things too.

Don't Let Insecurities Hold You Back

When there's something in particular that you feel insecure about, it can hold you back in all kinds od ways. You won't feel like taking risks with your style and you might not carry yourself with the confidence of someone who feels good and positive about what they're wearing, and that's obviously not what you want. You should always try to fight back against the risk of insecurities holding you back, even if that is easier said than done for many people.

Identify Fashion and Confidence Role Models

One thing that always helps when making strides forward in fashion and improving your personal style is looking to role models. That doesn't mean your style can't be personal and specific to you because it certainly always should be. So try to identify role models who you can take fashion inspiration from and then put your own twist on it. And it doesn't have to be just fashion inspiration; confidence inspiration is a thing that matters too.

Each of these ideas will help you to feel more confident in the clothes you wear and hopefully help you to carry yourself with a greater degree of confidence each and every day. So why not try out some of the ideas we've discussed here and see if they help you to achieve the outcomes that you've been looking for.

With Christmas only a matter of weeks away, those who are planning a festive engagement would likely be looking for a suitable diamond engagement ring design, which is perfectly in keeping with the time of the year. Here are few designs that we recommend, as they are keeping with the festival of Christmas.

Image Source : Pixabay

The 5 Days of Christmas - You might be wondering how this concept can be worked into a diamond engagement ring design, well wonder no more, as this design incorporated 5 thin bands of platinum, with a solitaire white diamond to crown the piece. There are many variations that can come into play with this design, depending entirely on you and a chat with the custom jeweller will lead to a finished design, while the jeweller can source the loose stones to your specifications.
The Sparkling Snowflake - If you searched the best custom engagement rings Melbourne has to offer, you would probably found a snowflake diamond ring, or better still, have the ring designed and handcrafted by a leading custom jeweller. Of course you should use white diamonds, with perhaps a large central stone and there are several ways you can create that snowflake shape.
Rubies and Emeralds - The Christmas colors are red and green, so this would be an ideal design, with perhaps one of each either side a central white diamond, or have the two stones in an interlocking setting, which would signify the union. You could go large with both stones, as they are much cheaper than diamonds and the sparkle would be stunning.
The Star of Christmas - A custom jeweller can show you many ways to create a star pattern, using white diamonds, of course, and when you approach a custom jeweller, they use 3D computer applications to help with the design. One thing to note with this design is to avoid having sharp edges that could catch on clothing or fabric, and by mentioning this to the jeweller, you can be sure the issue will not emerge. If you are wondering where is the best place to buy pink diamonds in Australia, or in the country you are residing, the custom jeweller can acquire the stones at trade prices.
The Xmas Tree Design - This is possible using tiny green emeralds and red rubies, with a platinum setting and a tiny diamond on top of the tree. Just how much detail you want can be something to talk with the designer about, and they are very creative and artistic. Everytime she looks at the ring, she will remember that perfect Xmas when you went down on one knee and proposed next to the tree.

Image Source : Unsplash

It is a great idea to design a Christmas style diamond engagement ring if you are planning to pop the question over the festive season and you could even hang the ring from the Xmas tree, and no one will be any wiser if you take it off and pop that magical question.

Hi, guys!

When I turned 29, I started thinking more about the way I dress. Is it age-appropriate? Do I look like I'm trying too hard?

I also think of questions like "does it age me?" "does this all black outfit make me look dull and old?" when I put on my outfit.

What does it means dressing for your age?

Age appropriate dressing is an almost impossible topic to discuss without unintentionally offending someone's feeling. While it's perfectly normal wanting to look your best, it's also weird how negative society reaction is towards aging.

On one side, I believe aging is a privilege, and like the Bible said, "Gray hair is a crown of glory." - Psalm 16 : 31. Not everyone gets to live long enough to have gray hair. On the other side, I also wear all kinds of anti-aging skin care and proceed to have questions like I mentioned in the first paragraph. I guess those both sides are needed to create a balanced outlook in life and fashion.

Carolina Herrera once said in an interview "Nothing makes a woman look older than dressing as if she were younger."

While I do believe age is just a number, there is a fine line between dressing in a way that make you look younger and dressing as if you were younger. For example, white and bright colors that complements your skin tone will always make you look younger, but I think fishnet stocking at my age (31) is way too much.

Ten years ago, I feel perfectly at home with t-shirt and denims shorts. I would wear them out and about without a worry in the world. But now, I would feel uncomfortable and underdressed. I just don't feel the same wearing them as I did, which could be down to a shift in trend, or age.

Age appropriate dressing might not seem relevant for millennial, but for many women, like me, an internal shift does take place; not just in taste, but in lifestyle, ambition, and how we want the world to see us.

Not to mention, the clothes you wear will make you carry yourself differently. I know for a fact that I feel more relaxed in a pajamas, and I feel more in charge, more confident, with a crisp white shirt.
I suppose dressing for your age means dressing to be the best version of yourself. How you dress helps tell the world who you are and what you value.

These books has plenty of fashion-insights for you. Highly recommend you to read.

With that conclusion, here are my guide for looking your best at any age.

Dress for your body type. Pay attention on how your clothes fit. Because our bodies change with age, it's important to acknowledge that change and adjust accordingly. It is vital to understand the shapes, silhouettes, and colors that work best and how they evolve over time.
Pay attention to the occasion. Like everything under the sun, I believe there's a time and place for every outfit. What you wear at home will most likely not appropriate for work. And what you wear to a gala event, might be too much for a family dinner at your favorite restaurant.
Quality over quantity. With age comes a level of sophistication, so avoid youth-focused trends and stores. Zara is good place for trendy yet chic item. H&M caters to almost all age. While Forever21 targets teenagers. Focus on composing a balanced and proportionate look that is current and highlight your favorite features.
Be playful with accessories. While I do believe it's best to still stick to classic items for shoes and bags, I think you can go bold with hats, scarves, sunglasses, earrings, and necklaces.
It helps to have style idols that are your age and have similar taste. For me, it's Kate Middleton (38), Jean Wang (33), and Julia from GalMeetsGlam (29). All three emulates elegant and feminine style that reflect their personality without seeming like they're trying too hard. Other 30-something that has great style : Alexa Chung, Jenny Walton, Wendy Nguyen, Chriselle Lim, and Blair Eadie from Atlantic Pacific.

I do hope this post shed some new lights on how you approach that "dressing for your age" question. Have a great day, all.

Hi, guys!

Entering hmm.. I want to say week 5? of quarantine, how are you all doing? Me, I feel a little bit of everything. Some days it's pretty great and other days I'm pretty antsy. Not gonna lie, watching TV series have been my escape since I'm in high school. I used to watch exclusively western series but in the past year, I have been dabbling into K-Drama (Korean TV series).

What's great about K-Drama is that it's able to tell a captivating story with well-developed characters that somehow we could relate to without too much sex or violence. It's not completely innocent either (most of them are PG 13) but if you're a veteran in western series, you'll understand what I'm talking about. K-Drama is also famous for NOT having more than one season. Which a newbie like me appreciate. Anyway, without further ado, here are my top 3 recommendation for K-Drama during this quarantine life. And as bonus, I'd also recommend my favorite Korean snacks.

1. Hotel Del Luna

Hotel Del Luna is a 2019 drama that centers around Jang Man Wol (portrayed by IU) as an owner of a hotel for ghosts (Hotel Del Luna). This K-drama has 16 episodes with 70 minutes per episode blending romance, drama, and horror. And I promise you, in each episode, it leaves you wanting more. There isn't a single minute wasted.

Jang Man Wol, forced to become the owner of a hotel for the dead, a gateway between the living and spiritual realm, her world is turned upside down when hotelier Ko Chan Sung (portrayed by Jin Goo) arrives to become the new manager. As he learns about the hotel and its charismatic staff Hyun Joong, Mr. Kim, and Ms. Choi, what follows is an unlikely love story woven around elements of horror and supernatural drama.

What's great about this series is the way Hotel Del Luna handles its different genres. Effortlessly changing on the fly, it's not uncommon to find episodes split between tense horror and supernatural frights over to genuine laugh out loud comedy in the next scene, without it ever feeling forced. It's partly testament to the excellent script writing but also thanks to IU, who absolutely steals the show here. Putting an award-winning performance, her portrayal of Man-Wol is masterful.

With 70 minutes of each episode, there's a consistency to Hotel Del Luna that allows each episode to weave an individual tale whilst progressing the main narrative, especially midway through the series when more of these stand-alone segments come to the foreground. The exploration of Man-Wol tortured past is nicely implemented and adds an injection of mystery to proceedings, helping to keep the show unpredictable.

Adding to Man Wol's progressive character arc over the weeks are the various other character who are all given their own arcs. Seeing the different hotel guests fulfilling their desires or getting over their fears makes for a really satisfying watch. It's impressive when you consider the secondary and background characters, like the father and son involved in a hit and run, given enough attention to have a satisfying send-off too.

Aesthetically, Hotel Del Luna looks amazing and the visual cues in the series, with its art-deco hotel, the use of neon colors and interesting scene composition, make this drama as visually pleasing as it is dramatic to watch. Not to mention, I would wear every single thing that Man-Wol wears throughout the series. Pair that visuals with the best soundtrack of any K-Drama I've watched, Hotel Del Luna is going to be hard to beat for me.

Hotel Del Luna is the perfect starting point for any of you who never watched a K-Drama before. It has romance, it has comedy, and it has a little element of magic. The series consistently surprises and has enough twists and turns along the way to keep you coming back. The ending is bittersweet but every character has a meaningful send-off.

I like watching this drama with sweet and spicy tteokbokki crackers, just like Man-Wol character! She looks sweet but holy crap on a cracker, she can be sassy and scary.

2. Itaewon Class

Itaewon Class is a 2020 series revolves around Park Sae-Ro-Yi and his revenge-mission for his father's death to a famous Korean food company Jangga Co. This K-Drama consists of 16 episodes with 70 minutes per episode blending drama, romance, and revenge.

Park Sae-Ro-Yi (potrayed by Park Seo-Joon) was a rebellious high-school student who finds himself entangled in a blood feud with a bully named Jang Geun-Won (portrayed by Ahn Bo-Hyun) following the death of his father. Consumed by rage and subsequently thrown in prison, Sae-Ro-Yi finds himself antagonized by the chairman of Jangga Co. What follows is a revenge-fueled redemption story that sees Sae-Ro-Yi teams up with the eccentric Jo Yi-Seo (portrayed by Kim Da-Mi) to open a pub in the bustling tourist area of Itaewon street and try to topple the Chairman and Jangga Co. and become the first food company in Korea.

Obviously the plot is not as straight forward as I explained, with various different characters engaged in their own angles; including Geun-Won's half-brother Geun-Soo working for Sae-Ro-Yi at his pub DanBam and Sae-Ro-Yi's high school crush Soo-Ah working for the Chairman. All of these character-driven subplots work seamlessly with the main plot, intertwining with the revenge angle until the finale.

With three time jumps, the final few episodes suddenly has a kidnapping angle that feels kinda thrown in haphazardly but does a good enough job to keep things ticking across to the well written and satisfying conclusion to the story.

The plot itself works really well, with multiple layers built up across its run-time and plenty of topical issues explored too. From racism to sexism through the taboo subject of transgender, Itaewon Class doesn't shy away from a lot of controversial topics and handles them with respect throughout.

Although the first four episodes are slow, around episode 5 and 6, Itaewon Class starts to settle down and deliver a much more driven story. To be fair, the first episodes are needed to create a connection with some of the characters. The revenge plot that consumes a lot of the middle portion of episodes is interesting and believable enough, with DanBam rising up from obscurity to begin challenging the Chairman, who finally starts to take things seriously as we reach the third act of this tale. It's around this point that the show starts to build up various peaks in the run-time that deliver some really well-written reveals and emotionally rewarding segments.

Visually, the series adds in a few different musical montages with all the usual Korean drama tropes you'd expect. The soundtrack has some nice catchy songs and overall the shows paints a really colorful urban palette across its 16 episodes, reinforcing the neon-awash streets of Itaewon itself and the producer's love of N Seoul Tower apparently, since I can't remember an episode without a shot of the famous tower. And personally, I do like that little detail.

Itaewon Class captures my heart since episode 4 (the dream kiss scene!) and I was especially enamored by Kim Da-Mi' character Jo Yi-Seo. Generally, K-Drama leading actress are sweet and most of the time needing a male lead's saving so it has been a true pleasure watching a female lead that is brazen and also at the same time smart enough to do all the job. She basically help the male lead to reach his goals. Because ladies, we really can have it all.

All in all, Itaewon Class is a solid, well written Korean drama that is both simple enough to follow and intricate enough to keep things interesting. The ending ultimately makes this Korean drama one of the best entries on the calendar this year. With a satisfying conclusion for every character and all the big plot points resolved by the end, Itaewon Class is worth a watch.

I like watching this series with various flavors of almonds since this series have a little bit of everything! For some heart-wrenching scenes, I turn to sweet honey almond to soothe the tears. And for some sweet romance, definitely a burst of fresh yogurt almond to snap you out of reality. No real life scene is ever like in K-Drama. LOL. And of course some fiery spicy almonds for any scene involving Geun-Won and Chairman Jang because they portray bad guys a little too well.

3. Crash Landing On You

Crash Landing On You is a 2019 series that centers around Yoon Se-Ri who one day ends up landing in North Korea after a storm blew her to the country while paragliding. This K-drama has 16 episodes and 90 minutes per episode blending romance, politics, and hilarious moments.

Yoon Se-Ri (portrayed by Son Ye-Jin) is an heiress and a successful CEO of her own company who find herself in North Korea after a paragliding accident. There, she meets and falls in love with Captain Ri Jeong-Hyeok (portrayed by Hyun Bin) while hiding and getting used to North Korean customs. What follows is a race against time as she tries to escape back to her country with the help of her new friends as she faces multiple obstacles and challenges. Along the way, she makes some unforgettable friendship which will change her life in ways she never thought possible.

After reading that, you might think it sounds a little crazy and wonder how the story would turn out. However, from its first episode through the emotional climax, Crash Landing On You (CLOY) manages to deliver its story in a clever and believable manner while staying respectful to both countries' customs. Each episode is 90 minutes but that shouldn't deter anyone from watching it, as the show never feels too long.

Seeing Se-Ri experiencing the harsh life in North Korea was quite the eye-opener; offering up some powerful and tense scenes while she tries hiding and returning to South Korea. By contrast, during the second half of the season we see the difference between the two countries as the drama concentrates on the South. Without spoiling too much, there are some pretty funny but also touching moments involving our favourite four soldiers. It has been really interesting to see the polarity between the North and South.

The four soldiers is an icing of this CLOY cake with each having its own distinctive personality trait. From Ju-Meok loving South Korean dramas to sweet and caring maknae Eun-Dong, handsome and reliable Kwang-Beom, right to the way through Chi-Su who tries his best to be indifferent to Se-Ri but ended up failing. They are a vital part of the show and add some much needed depth to it. Some of their scenes had me laughing while others had me shedding a few tears.

The North Korean village ladies, Yeong-ae and friends, also give some comedic relief for Se-Ri's scenes where she's adjusting to the North Korean life. Without them, Se-Ri's life while waiting to return to her home country would be plain.

Se-Ri and Jeong-Hyeok is the couple everyone rooted for during the show season and their chemistry is excellent throughout. Both Hyun-Bin and Son Ye-Jin gives brilliant performances. And might I say, a little to believable since lots of the viewers assume they both dating in real life.

Artistically, the cinematography boast some stunning imagery of Mongolia (for the North Korea scenes) and South Korea, but the real winner is Switzerland. The gorgeous scenery had me longing to revisit the country.

Crash Landing On You is a worth to watch series, delivering a simple and touching story of love and friendship, the drama hits all the right notes when it comes to balancing suspense and romance. All the characters are likable and will certainly be missed by anyone who watched this drama from start to finish.

I like watching this drama with soft and fluffy choco pie since that is how I feel when I'm watching any interactions between Se-Ri and protective Jeong-Hyeok.

Also worth a mention is What's Wrong With Secretary Kim. It's purely a romantic comedy (with a dash of drama) that is light and easy to watch. I mean, we do need our nutritiously dense food but a cake every once in a while is also good for our mental health. I'd recommend this to anyone who is up for a good laugh and looking for a pick-me up especially in this unsure situation with the pandemic.

In conclusion, K-drama always ended up as a love story even though it wasn't the premise. So if you're more of a Westworld and Money Heist type of gal, I totally get you. Also, how good is Westworld so far? I love the fact the we FINALLY get out of the Westworld background. It feels like a new series, honestly.

Hang in there and don't feel guilty if you can't be productive! We are in the middle of a pandemic after all. The key here is to stay alive and stay sane. Have a great day, all.

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