All Things Leather

With only a few months before approaching another year, I’m back to thinking about the tragedy of being in the 40’s. Well, personally I don’t think that. But with the return of all things leather lately, there are forums springing everywhere talking about the appropriateness of it for those over 40. And that caught my attention.

Leather has always been a part of me. With my style of femininity and masculinity combined, leather is one of the best ways to show it. It’s like wearing a black dress in a very feminine cut. There are fashion articles going around condemning those who wear leather in their 40’s but also a million comments contrasting that statement. And I’m one of those commentors. I believe leather in a certain style can be wore by women over 40. Because when you come to think of it, it’s not really the age that dictates. It’s about being confident, being fit and the overall business of taking care of oneself. 

Get Waisted

Belts are versatile. Whether to dress down a formal attire, to add polish to a casual look or to toughen a girly style, belts can do many things to an outfit. Some people wear belts on the hips to visually lengthens the torso and to give an illusion of a balanced figure. Some use belts to pull separates together or as a main accessory especially belts with interesting buckles. 

But for me, using a belt is mainly for reining in volume. It’s not flattering to see anyone wearing big, loose clothing. But a belt can create that feminine silhouette and can even give the illusion on an hourglass figure. Try it!

50 Ways to Lose Weight is Too Many

I came across an article on 50 ways to lose weight and I totally ignored it. I don’t want to get to that conclusion again that it’s too many to read, how much more to follow. But it has been interesting to follow on some people my age and to ask them their secret to staying in shape.

One of them shared this phrase, The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then your body and your fat are really good friends. This might sound scary but it is only partly true because while it is true that it is harder to lose weight, a few extra minutes in your exercise can create a difference. 

But isn’t it that losing weight happens more in the kitchen than in the gym? Isn’t not cutting on food more effective than sweating it out? What do you think? So they say, eat less fat and sweets. A friend recently told me that the combination of fat and sugar is the most addictive of all. Other advises include, eat more vegetables and fruit, drink milk for calcium, put less sugar to your coffee and tea, eat fish.

But what struck me the most is the word determination. Well, this scares me because this is what I lack.  I don’t exercise plus I eat whatever, whenever. They reminded me too that not all thin people are healthy and that chunky people are sexy if they carry it well.  So the most important thing is good health and not much about the size. Staying cool is important too. There are many things in life to get stressed and angry about. And not just for the wrinkles but for a healthy heart and mind. 

But if there would only be 5 rules according to me for myself, here they are: exercise, stop eating sweets, stop drinking soda, forget the flour especially the flour mix with sugar and get enough sleep. But in the end, isn't it that one of the best things in life is to share a tiramisu and drink coffee with someone? It might be bad for the health but good for the emotions, if you know what I mean. :)

What’s Up With the Tent?

My friend, I don’t quite get her. Is she fat or what? I haven’t seen her during the last 100 years. But looking at her pictures, she is always wearing a balloon like top which either makes her look big or makes her look bigger than she really is. It’s very disturbing. Sometimes these tops are even covered with large prints or wide horizontal strips. So I don’t really know what she is trying to achieve by wearing them. If she is trying to hide her bulges, it’s not working. If she is making room for some more expected kilos, so maybe that would work.

There are some problems I see here. When people try to hide inside tent like clothes, they will instantly look fat. If they get too comfortable wearing them, they might get unworried with what they are hiding. Sometimes, it’s good to flaunt some bulges here and there to make us feel uncomfortable that maybe we will do something about it. Exercise?

Upgrading Cheap Finds

Going to the “mall” where people gather to enjoy the air-conditioning in this hot season, it was interesting to see people dressing up. Sadly, I didn’t really see anyone worth looking. The woman covered in animal prints gave me an instant headache. The ballet flats with a smiley pasted on them made me wonder how serious it should get. Stalls after stalls of poor quality products. Fake bags from China, poor quality clothes and shoes. In a shopping spree like this, it’s actually quite cheap as you don’t really get to buy anything. But no, I actually did. A black dress and two pleated skirts - one dark blue and another dark blue but this time all covered with white polka dots. So how do we upgrade cheap finds?

The first mission is to throw away the belt that went with the dress - a very cheap looking brown not leather at all affair. Since the dress is plain black, any of my wide belts will go well with it. My skinny red or my hot pink belt will work fine too. And with a leather bag and a pair of leather sandals plus throwing in my diamond studs and a diamond ring to the mix, I’m ready to go. For the skirts, a plain tee either with tiny sleeves or sleeveless will do. Again wearing the diamonds, a leather bag especially the red one and some flats, I’m off. The diamonds can also be replaced by some fun, colourful jewelries. 

My point is you can work on upgrading cheap clothing but you can’t pull it together with cheap bags and shoes. Cheap shoes and cheap bags will always look cheap. So if you have to choose, invest in a good quality bag and shoes rather than with clothes. And opps, don’t forget the belt!

Scents to Die For

I love perfumes and the smell of aftershave. And if you wear one, I might lean very close to you. So be careful. 

But then there are those scents that they say will make you look old. Those floral fragrances like Lavender, Lily of the Valley and Rose. Then there are those heavier smell of fragrances too from the hippy era like Musk Oil, Patchouli and Opium. 

My trick is I always shop for the latest perfume. I might not create a signature scent this way or be remembered through the smell of my perfume, which I find kind of spooky. But at least I’m on the current side. But what I really love are unisex perfume. I’m just done with my Voyage d`Hermes. It has citrus smell and I’ve always have citrus in my perfume even my latest, Green Tea Camellia. But then, I won't really mind wearing a men's perfume. 

What’s your favourite scent? 

Pearls are Not for Girls

I’ve always had this pearl suspicion every since. Of course except for white gold and diamonds, I want accessories with colours. And for as long as I remember, I have this picture in my mind of equating pearls and old women. And I could easily say that for Chanel No. 5 too. They are for woman over 50. 

So as you mix current pieces to your classic clothes, look for trendy jewelries to update the look. I’m not suggesting going cheap here but something with character, class, style. And sorry, pearls would not do that for you. If you don’t want to look old, your pearls should wait for awhile.