Health, happiness, and all that jazz...

Here's to 2013 kicking 2012's ass into oblivion. Cheers xxx

Alright, SOMETIMES A Bow Tie Is Sexy

Photo Credit: The CW

We're winding down to the final episode of the undeniably stylish saga that is Gossip Girl, so I suppose it's finally time to admit it: A bow tie can be sexy*, but only when worn by that one-of-a-kind scoundrel with the heart of  platinum-coated diamond, Chuck Bass.

*Shh...don't tell Teagan, she'd never let me live it down after mocking her affection of the symmetrical knot for the past, well...all our lives. In all fairness, this is different--this is Chuck.

Top Five Must Haves For Fall 2012

Fall 2012

How quickly this year has flown by. At least, the summer has disappeared remarkably fast. Admittedly, this is hardly upsetting since the only thing I enjoy about the summer season is how lovely the gardens grow. But not this summer, we had so little rain, everything was dried up and sad looking. Now autumn, that is my favourite season. Always has been, always will be.

Now it’s mid September, the nights are finally cool, even if the days are still questionably warm for my liking. Fall is when I become obsessed again with fashion, with makeup, with hair. An unbridled urge to destroy my credit card on unholy numbers of boots, shoes, heels and discounted summer sandals nearly brings me to my knees. Every. Single. Year. And denim? What is it about fall that triggers this unerring need to acquire one or five new pairs of jeans? Am I somehow cleansing myself of the past year? As if whatever new jeans I set my sights on somehow set the scene for the year to come? I’m not satisfied until I appease these urges. So what is it to be this year? While perhaps a tad late to the trend, I’ve just acquired a sleek pair of cherry red Celebrity Pink skinny jeans. They’re pretty freaking adorable, and are just waiting impatiently to be paired with my adorable tuxedo jacket I procured earlier in March. Thinking on it long and hard, I believe I can narrow down my fall needs to this list:

Top Five Must Haves For Fall 2012

1.       Wedge booties in either black or chocolate suede (they just look so adorable with skinnies.)

2.       Dark nail polishes in burgundy, navy, espresso, or mahogany (I can’t wait to retire the summer neons for more serious tones.)

3.       One or two Equipment shirts in either solid or patterned fabric (I’m feeling reds, purples, liberty prints or perhaps a bird theme.)

4.       Boot socks (I love my all of my boots and I’m loving this new boot sock trend to freshen up their look! Perhaps cables, argyle or fairisle.)

5.       A tartan blazer (something loud and lively to pair with jeans and a plain white tee.)

And purses! I’d almost forgotten my best friends in the world! All signs are pointing a cool oversized satchel (think British schoolbook bag. Probably in tan. Distressed tan would be perfect!) Now, if I’m able to obtain this short list, in addition for a few new pairs of skinnies, then I will be a happy Renegade! Now where did I leave that Visa card...? 

Books ARE Judged By Their Covers and So Are You. Deal With It.

Is it too much for an employer to ask its female staff to wear makeup? Does this impede on a woman’s rights? Most jobs demand a dress code, and that’s an acceptable practice. Management often requires its staff to look clean and tidy, at the very least presentable. Men are frequently expected to be clean shaven and their hair combed. So why is it so insulting to some women to be expected to slap on a little mascara and lip gloss? A little foundation and blush?

Some have observed that since ‘business casual’ has become the norm in many offices and workplaces, employees have let their concern for their appearance slide dramatically, females in particular. This makes me sad. Regardless of required dress codes, we can’t let ourselves get lazy—and I believe it is laziness that is perpetuating this depressing trend. And what of those who believe that donning makeup plays into the reproduction of inequality? Bollocks to that! Eye shadow is fun. Mascara is awesome. Lip gloss is shiny (and who doesn't love shiny?)

Is it a time thing? Yes, we are all in a rush nowadays. I get that. Blah, blah, blah. But it’s a rare occasion when my hair isn't brushed to a glossy sheen or at the very least tied up in a messy yet chic ponytail. You just have to desire looking good. What’s the alternative? Giving up? I shudder at the thought. If it has nothing to do with time, is it just lack of experience and talent? That would be silly because the internet has a wealth of instruction and guidance. You just have to look for it and practice, practice, practice. Whatever the reason, ladies, don’t allow yourself to lose your competitive edge.

Who would you rather have as the face of YOUR company?

More frequently, studies are proving that pretty people make more money than their plain counterparts. Pretty people are moving up the corporate ladders with greater ease. Our society likes visually appealing things. We know this. We can’t help it. I can speak with experience in this area. As a waitress for many years, my tips were always better when I had a full face of makeup versus when I worked with just light foundation. I always liked to take advantage of this, using my done-up face as leverage to line my pockets with cash. I wasn't being shallow. Rather, I knew to exploit my beauty capital.

Hair and makeup are a facet of nonverbal communication. If nonverbal communication makes up 2/3 of all communication one can draw from that the importance of one’s appearance. Sorry, but we are judged day in, day out by one person or another. Harsh or not, that’s not going to change. Looking good leads to feeling good. Cliché or not, it is what it is. Looking good and feeling good increases confidence. Never see makeup as a mask (unless you’re in the circus, or participating in the local zombie walk) and never, ever let someone make you think that just because you strive to look and feel pretty, that you’re somehow less intelligent. That’s just stupid. Play the game and look the part. It will only benefit you in the end.