Spring May 10, 2014

OOTN: Thrills, Chills, Unpaid Bills. Awareness – #BringBackOurGirls

If a picture can create awareness to my thousands of followers, then why not?

I recently posted an OOTD, which you can see here and I found it fitting to do an OOTN (Outfit Of The Night). Everyone’s seen the dolled up side of my style, well here’s my alternative style. Sporty Chic.

“What’s Sporty Chic?” you ask.

Simple, to start with you’ll need either a fitted casual sporty shirt or pants. Tracking pants or stretchy skinnies are popular ones. I went with stretchy skinnies. These pants are the most comfortable pants I own.

The top I chose for my ootn was picked out for me by beautiful Sami at Blk Sheep Clothing. An awesome boutique that carries more then 50 designer brands. I love this place and can’t wait to go back again!

Next, you want to match your clothes but not everything. Here I matched the colour of my fringe purse with my shoes.

Which brings me to shoes. For a sporty chic look you don’t want athletic sport shoes, you want something more trendy or with a high front. Converse works great as well.

It’s a Friday night and I just came home from my full time job. First thing I want to do is get into something that isn’t a blazer. I bet all of you working ladies can relate.

You make dinner and realize you’re missing something. In my case, I put on some kicks and went on a mission to find it.

Story changes here to something more important. Ever since I read the story about the young girls being kidnapped and sold into slavery, I’ve been meaning to find an opportunity to create awareness to my social media followers. If you have an influential stand anywhere, using it for good just makes all of the hard work you put into getting there, worth it. I love my followers and I’m grateful for every comment, like and follow I receive. I hope for more so that when I do posts like this, it resonates with not thousands but millions of people.

I’d like to clear the air about this comment that was made by a man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, that CNN had posted in this article.

“I abducted your girls. I will sell them in the market, by Allah,”

“There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell. He commands me to sell. I will sell women. I sell women,” he continued, according to a CNN translation from the local Hausa language.

This is preposterous! Allah does not say to sell girls. Anyone who is Muslim or has done any of their own deep research of this religion will know how modesty and respect for women is highly important in Islam. I quote the opinion of Arsalan Iftikhar, special to CNN.

“They must have also missed the numerous times that the Prophet Muhammad categorically stated during his life that women or children were never to be harmed under any situation.”

Do your research everyone and find the truth for yourselves.

I stand by and respect our future generation of young women who stand for their human rights and my heart and prayers go out to the missing Nigerian school girls.

Jacket – BeBe
Top – Blk Sheep Clothing – Designer: CHRLDR
Pants – FCUK
Shoes – Nike Force Sky High
Purse – H&M

Spring May 3, 2014

OOTD: Simple Whites

I love spending time downtown. There’s never a dull moment. So much to do, so much to see.

One of my favourite places is the new pedestrian bridge, Puente de Luz. This bridge connects the CityPlace condos with a short cut to popular streets like King and Queen St. Where you can pretty much find anything.

I often shy away from wearing everything white. It’s so easy to get your whites dirty if you’re walking everywhere. Which makes it even more special when you do choose this look. There’s something risky and pristine about this style. When shopping for whites, make sure you test the clothing for transparency. Do the light and hand test. Ask to see it outside or put your hand behind the fabric. If you already own items that are too see through, don’t worry. Wear a neutral or white tank top underneath the blouse or layer some tanks like I did. I love layering! For pants, it’s best you test them out first.

Wearing everything white with pops of colour in accessories or shoes, brings more attention to them. For an example, take a canvas and splash 1 or 2 colours of paint on it. They stand out right? Add any more colour and it’s just a colourful painting. Avoid wearing white shoes and go for metallics, brights or nude. I chose pastel and soft colours to go with my white ootd (outfit of the day). During the day I like to go for more neutral or pastel colours and flats! Unless I’m going to an event or in the evening when I need to bring out the gems and metallic heels.

Coat – Club Monaco
Blouse – American Apparel
Map Watch – Urban Outfitters
Nail Polish – Formula X Spring 2014 Collection
Pants – Zara
Necklace – Cara

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Spring April 24, 2014

Spring Shoes Collection 2014 – Minute Monday

At the end of every winter, we tuck away the heavy duty boots and replace them with our dainty heels and twinkle toe flats.

I had so much fun putting together my first Monday Minute this week to feature the type of shoes everyone will be wearing this Spring. Here are my picks:

1. BCBG Metallic Pumps – These pumps will take any of your low key outfits and add that extra needed pizzazz.

2. Khussa Flats – A style of South Asian handcrafted shoes made in India and Pakistan. My sister got me these awesome flats from her trip to Lahore, Pakistan. These shoes have delicate and intricate thread embroidery. In the days of Kings and Queens, these shoes were heavily embroidered in real gold and silver. Nowadays, they’re made with materials that make them affordable for everyone to purchase.

3. Charles & Keith Flats – Purchased at the City Stars Mall, the largest mall in Cairo, Egypt.

4/5. Nine West/Steve Madden Wedge – I got these in California and it was one of my favourite purchases during that trip. Wedge’s are the most comfortable in the heels category. Especially if there’s a platform in the front for balance.

6. Mango heels – The ankle buckle adds structure to this delicate heel and can be easily dressed with your simplest to your most dolled up outfits.

Spring April 12, 2014

Spring has Sprung

It’s a beautiful day outside, so it’s only fitting to share a few of my favorite pieces for this season. Some of these items I just couldn’t wait and went out to buy them, so you’ll see them in my upcoming ootd’s (outfit of the day) on Instagram.

1. A perfect pastel satchel. This one is from French Connection and I love the spacious inner compartment!
2. The tea length skirt. Mini, midi and maxi have a great new member. I’m going gaga over this modest trend. The hem hits just above the ankle.
3. Spring studs. Floral is back, so get a nice floral pair.
4. Beach ready Tory Burch espadrille flats.
5. Nautical stripes. No matter what your personal style, stripes will surely fit into your spring wardrobe effortlessly.
6. Guerlain Meteorites Powder.
7. The Clutch.
8. Bold sunnies. If you don’t have a bold pair already, be on the look out for a killer pair. I can’t wait to rock these Prada sunnies.
9. Metallics. We saw this trend in FW2013 and it’s been adorned since. These BCBG pumps make for a great statement heel.
10. Get bold orange lips! I love this YSL Tangy Mandarin color.
11. Wide-leg pants made a strong comeback this season. Flooding the runways in collections from Michael Kors to Ferragamo. Pair this style with a feminine blouse or bold blazer to get this season’s posh tailored look. Think, Victoria Beckham.

Keep these colors in mind when you’re out and about, shopping for your Spring wardrobe:

If you had to make a Spring 2014 Mix, what songs would you include?

Spring April 9, 2014

How to Stack Necklaces, Rings & Bracelets: Stacks Stacks Stacks!

Stacks with necklaces, stacks with bracelets and even rings! Is it just another trend or a choice of style? If you ask me, it’s always been a personal preference for those who love the look of stacked jewelry. Lately it’s been trending and seen everywhere from magazines, social platforms and even on the red carpet.

Here’s the quick cheat sheet of how to stack your accessories without looking like Mr.T :

When you’re layering your rings, keep in mind that stacking your rings doesn’t work if you wear every ring you own. Also, if you plan to wear a chunky or cocktail ring, make sure you have polished nails; especially since they can bring more attention to your hands.

1. Pick a metal and stay within that theme.

2. Make a statement with a chunky ring and a small simple one on your pinky.

3. Wear your cocktail ring with your more dressy outfits.

4. More than 1 statement ring on each hand? Do it! Just make sure you match them up either by metal or colors. They have to flow together in some kind of way.

5. For a more electric look, pair a statement ring with a midi ring (a smaller band that is worn above the knuckle) and a pinky ring.

What if you have a wedding/engagement ring? Can you still stack? Absolutely! Work around your ring but place any statement rings on your other hands fingers.

There are two different techniques of stacking necklaces that have really stood out to me. One is the casual, everyday stack and then there’s the statement stack.

Casual Everyday Stack: You pick out minimum 3, no more then 5 thin chained necklaces and put them on in layers.

Each one is worn like a step, shortest to longest. You can change the step usually by clasping in the necklace at different points. This technique is easy and fun! You might want to apply the same rules as we did with stacking rings. Staying within the same metals, simple thin chains etc.

Statement Stack: There are so many variations of statement stacking. See below for some examples

On the red carpet:

Keep it fun and if you like, apply some of the same guidelines from ring stacking. Just try to avoid looking like the 8 year old you, who just finished raiding her mother’s closet and put everything on in sight.

I did a poll on my Twitter account to see how many of you thought there was a right way to stack or if it’s all a fluke! Here are the results:

Stacking #jewelry post is coming up! Is there a right way to stack? RT if YES. Favourite if NO. #fashion #fblogger pic.twitter.com/XVPaW5qKl8

— Humara Kausar (@HumaraKausar) March 29, 2014

I believe there is no right or wrong way. Your style is unique to yourself. You can wear what you want, the way you want. If you wear it with confidence, others will notice and before you know it, you’re a trend setter.

This post is a set of guidelines from a variety of fashion experts and tips of my own. Tried and tested, with many compliments. Whose to say you must follow these ways. If you like the suggestions; try it, tweak it and make it your own.

How do you stack? I want to read all about it! Share your tips below.

Style March 21, 2014

New York Winter StreetWear – Estelle Kiora & I

During my time in New York for Social Media Week (SMW); SMW Reporter/Top 10 blogger in Singapore – Estelle Kiora and I bundled up to fight the cold in our winter streetwear. Estelle who came from Singapore, where the sun is mostly shining, was in for a surprise! I was impressed with how well she managed to wear her style in below zero weather. All thanks to strategic layering. Those timberlands, love’em!

Some of my favourite winter layering essentials that are the key building blocks of a fashionable, yet warm outfit, would be an infinity scarf, leg warmers and layering tops.

Ever since infinity scarves hit stores, I’ve been a huge fan of the warmth and protection it provides. What’s an infinity scarf? A neck warmer resembling a scarf, but forming a loop with no ends.

An infinity scarf is a perfect addition for Winter StreetWear.

If you’ve been following my Instagram posts this winter, you’ll notice I have a comforting need to always rock my leg warmers. They’re perfect if you’re wearing leggings with boots that are looser at the top. Trapping the cold so it doesn’t get to your feet. The plus, it can look fashionable if it’s your style to start with. You can also make your own leg warmers at home with some old sweaters. Just cut the sleeves at your desired length and bunch them up!

I love layering my tops! Some people like to say there’s a right and a wrong way to doing this. I’ll save that for another post, but I say have fun with it! Let your imagination go wild and style your outfits the way you want to. Wear a dress, put a cardigan on top and for extra warmth top it off with a bright hood.

Style March 21, 2014

What I Wore : Toronto Fashion Week

It’s cold, dull, Toronto Fashion Week is here and this is what I wore.

Fashion Show: David Dixon Fall 2014 Collection

Back in the day when I was behind the scenes putting together Fashion Shows or one of the head make-up artists, it was very different. I blame those experiences for my high expectations of a show.

“I love seeing the runway come to life. Not just models walking down the runway, but the whole theme that wraps and showcases around the beautiful designs, that designers put their hearts and sweat into making.”

Speaking of beautiful designs, on the second day of Toronto Fashion Week, David Dixon introduced his White Label bridal collection.

I had the pleasure of sitting and meeting with Sharadha Ramjit (@Sharadha_Ra), Producer and wearer of many hats at Corus Entertainment, CP24‘s Patricia Jaggernauth (@Patricia_J), Cristina Tenaglia, Reporter for CP24 (@cristina_CP24) and of course Stacey Mackenzie, who I’ve seen and spoken to at other shows.

The show begins with a short film about love. Rose petals fall on screen and then wedding bells start to ring. A model in a modern wedding dress appears, ready for the catwalk.

Most of the models wore short, tucked away hair or rather low bun hairstyles. Simple, soft, natural makeup and a romantic red lip, was the hair and make-up theme for this modern take on wedding attire.

Dixon’s White Label Collection consisted of pastel white, pink and peach designs.

Pastel pink peplum frill:

Low Twist Bun:

Flower accents:

My favourite peplum dress:

What I wore to the the show.

Beauty March 20, 2014

Pantene Pro-V Product Launch- Hair is what happened..

Let’s face it, we all love our hair and have tried Pantene Pro-V products at least once before.

I’ve tried many brands of hair products, from the high end to the low end and honestly, I believe in changing up your hair products anywhere from 3-6 months. Whether it is a whole new brand or within the brand.

Just like our face and every other part of our body and lives, everything changes over time. I remember about 8 years ago I had really curly wavy hair. I would wash my hair, air dry and POOF! curls and waves galore! Now it’s different. Air drying gets me minimal volume and waves. Just the natural evolution of hair.

Feb 13th, a day before Valentine’s Day, I was invited to the Pantene Pro-V product launch on King street, downtown Toronto to be pampered. If you’re familiar with Toronto you’ll know this venue. Right across from Shoppers Drug Mart at King & Peter and was used for marketing TIFF, Toronto International Film Festival.

Upon entering, I was approached to have my coat taken and my information. Everyone invited, had registered ahead for an allotted time to be treated to their ‘Pantene Beautiful Hair Bar’ services. The venue had a pristine ambiance. Furniture, tables, counters, make-up station and the waiting lounge were all white, to fit the salon look and feel.

Here’s a vine I made on the day of:

While you wait in the lounge, you’re welcomed to do your nails at the nail bar, help yourself to treats and Starbucks hot drinks; all complimentary.

The lounge:

The blow dry bar was set up with 6 stations and had a featured chalkboard wall, where guests left positive, uplifting notes of their beautiful hair experience.

My hairstylist, talented Matthew Lill from Shagg salon in Yorkville styled my hair.
First, he went through a questionnaire to find out what hair solutions I was looking for and then matched my needs to Pantene products. We both agreed that the Ultimate 10 all in one Pantene line was perfect.

My finished look thanks to Matthew was wavy, bouncy curls, all done with a straightener. I loved the result!

The products I went home with:

I’ve been using these products for about a month now to write an honest review and love them!
Here’s a list of the Ultimate 10‘s solutions:

• Repair for Rough Hair
• Strength Against Damage
• Silky Softness
• Brilliant Shine
• Smoothing
• Moisture
• Frizz Control
• Gentle Cleaning
• Manageability
• Detangling

The only solution I’m unsure about is Frizz Control. However, because of our unforgiving cold weather this winter, I suspect nothing would be able to battle the frizz I had to deal with.

Overall, great event and excellent products.

TOP 7 FRAGRANCE FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Events February 28, 2014

Wearable Tech in Fashion

Wearable technology has come a long way. There was that brief time in history when some people either didn’t understand bluetooth ear pieces or just simply hated them. I reckon mostly because they thought they were being talked too, but in reality the person was talking into their ear piece. Now technology has evolved into being a part of us.

Now we’ve been seeing technology hit the runways! DVF (Diane von Furstenberg) used the Google glasses to capture the DVF creative process from a different perspective, which was accomplished by having the people involved with the entire process of making the show happen, by wearing Google glasses.

DVF created a short film to show her Fashion Show through the model, stylist and designers eyes via Google glass:

Then there’s the new dress that changes colour depending on a woman’s mood. The Bubelle Dress is made up of two layers, the inner layer contains biometric sensors that pick up a person’s emotions and projects them in colours onto the second layer, the outer textile.

Following the trend that only continues to grow, Social Media Week in New York had Tech In Motion host a Wearable Tech Fashion Show.

To mention a few of the contributors of the show:

Atlas Wearables (Austin): Presenting fitness tracker
Augmate (NYC): Presenting Google Glass and Vuzix m100
BrickSimple (Philly): Presenting Google Glass
Continuum Fashion (NYC): Presenting 3D printed shoes
Everpurse (Chicago): Presenting chargeable clutches
Sensoree (San Fran): Presenting mood clothing

If you missed the Fashion Show you can watch it below via livestream:

The health and fitness market brought out many products that look great when worn. Bands that measure how much you’ve run, check your heart beat or measure your health in various categories.

What will be the next best thing when Fashion and Technology collide? 3D printed clothes, clothes that change based on weather automatically? With imagination and determination, anything is possible.

Check out this infographic for more info about current day wearable tech: