The Crisp White Shirt

Think Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday- crisp white shirt, iconic, elegant and timeless.  Not to mention easy and versatile. Personally, my thing with white shirt is somewhat of a standard affair.  Mainly because it is hard to mess up.  If it fits well, that is.

If I were to make a blogpost about fashion, it might as well be about the White Shirt.  Why? Because, it is a crime not to!  I am by no means an expert in fashion and my style can be defined in two words.  Safe and predictable.  That's when I'm at my most comfortable and confident simultaneously.  It is, in my humble opinion, the pinnacle of simplicity and sophistication.

Onto the topic- I love white shirts for a few different reasons:

• White is always a great shade to wear all year long.  
• it is the best way to showcase a statement necklace or any accessory for that matter.
• you can make it look as sexy or conservative depending on your mood.  
• a red lip and white shirt is a match made in fashion heaven. 
• it's easy to mix and match therefore you only really need a few good pieces in your wardrobe.
• it looks good on both pale and tan skin.
• you can choose to buy expensive ones but the cheaper ones look virtually the same.

I said this about food and I'll say it again this time.  The possibilities are endless.  It's perfect for people who are looking to downsize their wardrobe to just the essentials.  Otherwise, a great piece to own if you're more into playing with different looks.  Are there any rules to wearing it?  Yes!!!

• keep it stark white
• always, always iron it neatly!
• wear it proud and most importantly, have fun with it.

Take care everyone! :)

One a Day

Masdar City, Abu Dhabi

One less thing that is.

The goal is to get rid of one thing every day until the end of the year.  As a result, by January 1st next year, I will be 88 things lighter and freer.  That way I am building my simplicity muscle, forming a habit that will eventually transform into a character through practice and repetition.

Why now?  Why the change?  Some of you may ask.

Why not?

It was made apparent through the purging process that my attachment to things falls under the "fling category." It was temporary and had very little meaning.  It took me no more than 2 days to go through mountains of unloved stuff and reduce it to a molehill of loved and needed belongings.  I couldn't think of a reason not to give it a try.

This article written by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits and mnmlist.com sums up my take on this subject.  I thought I'd share it with you.

Less is better.

Less means you spend less.  You need less storage.  You need a smaller house.

Less means you worry less.  You search for things less.  You are less bogged down by clutter.

Less means you're lighter.  You're freer.  You can focus on better things.

Less means you can travel more easily.  You spend less time with stuff, and more time doing stuff.

Less is more sustainable, more beautiful.


Well said Leo.

Taking a Step Forward

Whenever I hear people do something drastic or unconventional, I always ask what the reason behind is. Often times, they say, "Nothing, I just want to be different." Now, there's a response that does not resonate with me.

I was never a rebel.  I live in a world where the prevailing social norms are to be followed.    

Until, it hit me.  The person I've become, wanted to make a difference.  A difference that starts from within, in hopes that during the process, will inspire others to shift their focus from constantly acquiring things to making time and space to actually do things.  To create memories.  Having that mindset made it all easy to take the first step into simplifying my life.  

This journey didn't come about overnight.  Exactly 8 months ago, I started a journal about self image as a way to fully know myself and develop characteristics that are ideal to me.  Part of it was designing a capsule wardrobe (details of which will be featured in another post) according to these guidelines: 

• aesthetic (let's be real, we all want to look good)
• comfort
• practicality/ functionality

Making a list of what is essential is very personal.  No one else has the power to dictate what stays or goes.  So you need to have a clear vision before you take the plunge head first.  Once that's all sorted out, the dirty work begins:

• take out all your clothes, shoes, handbags and products out of their respective storage.
• same goes with books, accessories, tchotchkes and the like.  
• make four piles.  Donate, sell, keep and trash.
• be vicious and go through each and every item.
• toss them into the respective pile.
• clean and sanitize all sides and surfaces of your closet, drawers, dresser and shoe storage.
• neatly arrange items back where they belong.
• applaud yourself for a job well done. :)

For someone who considers herself an emotional shopper, it was surprising how little emotion went into the purging process.  Inevitably, our natural tendency to hold on to certain things with sentimental value will slow down the process.  I had to sit, take deep breaths and think hard, but the closer I got to achieving the goal, the more compelled I was to keep going.  It is amazing how it suddenly became clear to me, as the clutter goes, I realized that I am at my most comfortable knowing that everything I own, I own for a reason.

In a way, it was like turning over a new leaf.