Bag Lovin'

Long time no see! I am so sorry for the delay in posts - I've been getting into the whole 'back to school' rhythm. Classes at night are something extremely new for me, so I've been trying to find some sort of schedule that works (I haven't been successful so far). Sigh.

Anyway.

I've been thinking about buying a shopper/tote style bag for a while now. I wanted something that would hold my textbooks/notebooks/laptop and all the other fun stuff that comes with grad school and not look bulky or overloaded (my textbooks weigh about one ton each).

I was browsing the internet and looking at what people usually carry to school and the whole shopper-tote style seemed the most popular. I narrowed it down to two brands that I could 1. Afford and was still 2. Fashionable. Nine West and Kenneth Cole do a really god job of making designer bags that don't break the bank. I was going to buy the bag on Amazon but I feel like you can get a much better idea of the size when you're in the store, even if you can do the whole free returns thing. 

I bought this beauty at Strawberry which is a retail outlet in the city. They have a lot of amazing products (especially designer) at ridiculous prices. When I saw this, and the price, I bought it and ran out of the store. I kid you not.

This is the Kenneth Cole Reaction 'Foxy' Two-tone Shopper. I absolutely adore this bag. It fits everything that I need and still retains its shape. I went with the black because well, I have no imagination, and I thought the white striped detailing looked brilliant. They had this in a couple of other solid colors but this one really did it for me. I also love the chain detailing on the front.

Bag - Kenneth Cole - $39.99
High waist trousers - Mango
Tank top - H&M - $5.00

Look sharp, wear flats.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I have moved to NYC. Anyone who lives in the city, or knows what it's like, knows that unless you're fancy enough to have a town car or your own car, the subway is the most economical and quick way to get around.

However, unless you're superbly lucky, chances are, the subway isn't going to spit you out right below your office building. So this means you've got walking to do.

I've been here a week and a half, and I can count the number of people I have seen wear heels on one hand. Everyone else just walks around in flats. The thing is, whether you're working or in school, you want to be able to tie your outfit together with nice shoes. Heels are the easiest way to look put together, but if you've got a long way to walk or simply do not get on with heels, I suggest looking for some nice flat options.

This is a little capsule shoe-drobe, if you will. The easiest way to look professional and wear flats is to gravitate to a ballerina style shoe. They're extremely easy to style, but I feel like you can get stuck in a rut by only buying them, even if they're in different colors. So here is what I like to wear to ensure my footsies are comfies.

I've been on the hunt for brown flats for almost two years now. I wanted something durable, but still chic. These fit the bill perfectly. They're also extremely versatile; I wear them with just about anything. I also love the metallic detailing between the joints.

These were an absolute bargain from Jabong. I wanted a pair of dressy work shoes that weren't ballet flats. Moccasins are a brilliant alternative. These are from Carlton London, which are a great brand for work shoes.



I am throwing in a pair of ballet flats, but these aren't your traditional ones. There's been this huge cat flats trend, and I found these in Westside. I THINK they're pigs, but I'm not entirely sure. They're probably the most comfortable pairs of shoes that I own.



And these are my babies. My blue suede brogues from Forever 21. I would definitely recommend buying a pair of casual brogues if you're on the fence with the sneaker trend, but still want something heavier than sandals. You can get them in a more neutral color if you're into that, but you'll find that they open up your wardrobe to a whole new dimension!

What kinds of shoes do you guys like to wear?

Leaving on a Jetplane: Tips for the Long Haul

As I pack away my life into 23+23+23+10, the day approaches where I have to sit, with no transit time whatsoever, on a 17 hour non stop flight.
I find it hard to sit in one place for more than 20 minutes, so this should be interesting.
Thankfully, I travel well, so there's no fear of flying or air sickness I have to worry about. Just plain boredom.

But, out of all the flights I've ever taken, this is definitely going to be up there as the longest long haul flight. (so far)

So for all of you flying to wherever for your masters this month or the next, especially if you're travelling alone for the first time, here are some tips to survive the ride and have some nice pamper time while you're at it. Some of these tips maybe ridiculously obvious, but I thought I'd put them down anyway.

BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE. Set your watch to your destination's local time. Forget about your home time. Sleep/eat/poop on the new time zone.

1. Pack a pair of leggings or even pjs to change into. There is nothing more uncomfortable than trying to get into a sleeping position pretzel in jeans.

2. Wear slip ons, not sports shoes. Not only will you avoid looking like the stereotypical 'tourist aunty/uncle' it's also so easy to take off, and isn't bulky. Carry a pair of fuzzy socks and wear them on the plane instead. Before you do this, put some Vaseline or heavy cream on your feet. When you take your socks off, your feet won't be shrivelly and dehydrated.

3. Carry a heavy face cream and a night serum if you're that keen. Wash your face at least twice. This will keep you clean and moisturized.

4. Chapstick is your best friend. Plane air does weird stuff to your lips, and it's natural to keep licking them to keep them moist. That is really bad for you, because the saliva is corrosive and will give you blisters. All this can be solved with chapstick.

5. Bring a toothbrush/paste. Most planes will provide you with a set anyway. No one wants dragon breath once you step off the plane. The people that are picking you up may leave you at the airport.

6. Layer your clothes. I'm flying from Chennai, so I'm pretty sure it'll be ten million degrees. Go to the airport in a tee, carry your hoodie/sweater. I will be wearing a sweater on the plane and maybe even a huge shawl over that cause I don't get along with plane temperature drops. It gets effing freezing sometimes.

7. KEEP. DRINKING. WATER. Your skin will hate you, otherwise.

8. Remember to get up and move around or you'll get pins and needles.

9. Carry some makeup in your carry on. Put it on before you land. You may feel like death, but at least you wont look it. Tinted moisturiser, concealer, lipstick on your lips and a bit on your cheeks for color. Mascara and liner for people like me who cannot step out without it. Put on some jewelry. I always put my glasses on so I can fool immigration into thinking I slept at all the right times and am totally ready for day 1 in their country.

10. Do a mental checklist of all the stuff you took with you on the flight. I really tend to spread my belongings around my seat and that pouch in front, so I do a thorough check a good 45 minutes before landing.

Also pro adult tip - Photocopy every single document you own and put a copy in EVERY suitcase. Also label your luggage. Because some carriers are irresponsible with luggage and deliver them late - British Airways, I'm looking at you.

I cannot guarantee that you will look like Kendall Jenner, but at least you won't look like the Cookie Monster.


Anyway, I hope you all have a great flight and good luck with your courses!

A bit of Sale shopping

Circumstances have led me to require new clothes for my wardrobe. And when there's a sale. I use any excuse I can to acquire clothing (in this case, moving out).

I'm really trying to build a good capsule wardrobe, and these five items honestly check off some of the boxes that have been left empty for years!

Let me share/enable some of you #spreadtheguilt.

1. Black sweater - MANGO (890 INR)
    Mango on sale is heaven. It is one of the only stores that actually stocks my size, and is brilliant for workwear. I've been on the lookout for a lightweight black sweater to throw over things for ages. Everything I seem to find is either really questionable quality, or has some absurd embellishment/graphic situation going on. But this one is perfect.

2. Jeans - Vibe - (1529 INR)
    Finding a pair of jeans that aren't hideously expensive and fit me well is quite a challenge. I've been slightly obsessed with this brand called Vibe. The wash and fit of their jeans is amazing. They're also super soft and last ages. Would definitely recommend the petite ladies of the world to check them out. They retail at Shopper's Stop, as far as I know. But I'm sure they're at other places too!

3. Purple lacy bra - Loveable (Zivame) (500 INR)
    I have been on the hunt for a lacy bra like this one to wear with low armhole tops for ages. It's also ridiculously comfortable.

4. Maroon top - Insense - (450 INR)
    This was on sale. And it looked nice. And my friend made me buy it - YOU KNOW WHO YOU    ARE.

5. Black high waist treggings - MANGO (1290 INR)
  Another wardrobe gap that I had to fill. I have quite a few cropped tops and I think this is a brilliant basic to have, anyway. Fits like a dream.

6. Black Moccasins - Carlton London (1248 INR)
    Whenever I put on a smart/work outfit, I feel like I'm really lacking work shoes. I really cannot be bothered to wear heels on a day to day basis, so I wanted some slightly dressy moccasins that I can slip on and feel really put together. Plus Jabong was on sale...

Happy sale shopping!

A little plain speaking

This blog is used for the sole purpose of having a big old girly (and guy-y) fashion conversation with people I both know personally and don't.

And I realize that a lot of people who either are in fashion/design school or are graduates spend their time reading my little product/fashion rants and raves (which, by the way, makes my day. And month. And year). I've been getting a lot of questions over the past few years about fashion design courses, grad schools (not like I know much about that, but I'll be able to tell you all in a bit), freelance work and jobs.

In no way am I saying I am some guru who just imparts wisdom and information to the masses.

I'm still young, and in no way have I 'made it' in any way that my Life Check List prescribes.

But.

I realize that there are some many experiences that I have gone through that have taught me a LOT. And I want to share some stuff with you guys, especially people in and around my field.

This is not a rant, just a post I feel like I need to make to be able to help you guys make better choices. If you want to disregard this and make new mistakes, PLEASE DO. No one ever learns, otherwise. I, for one, listened to no one about anything, made some really interesting choices and ended up going WTF after most of them. It's okay. At least it helped me make this blogpost :P

Where I am now: Now, I graduated in 2014, and I've held only one proper day job and an couple of internships, so no, the job market is not my area of expertise :P. 

So, over the past 5 years, studying and working (sorta) in fashion, graphics and illustration, this is what I've learnt.

1. Always set your boundaries and terms before a job starts.

    This is something that I think I totally had the wrong end of the stick for. I've been freelancing in some way or the other since I was 15-16. And I realized that the jobs that usually go the best, are the ones where a timeline, direction (if it's an art or illustration job) and pay is discussed before you even open the Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop/whatever else window. This means that your employer has allocated some sort of budget towards this job, and knows when he/she wants it. Don't go into a job over enthusiastically and then sit and whine when the payment is late when nothing has been discussed before hand. If you can get them to write an email, so that it's all in writing, nothing like it. 

There are a lot of people who do not take design grads seriously, because it isn't an 'academic' field. Make sure there's clarity BEFORE the job. It's very hard to negotiate after it, because people change what they've said, say 'See, we never discussed that...'. And will say they'll get back to you and never will. If you're an employer and you've ever done this, shame on you. But design/art peeps - don't set yourself up for this. 

2. Graphics are not a joke, and also, should not be done for free just because you said you find drawing fun/easy.

  I am lucky enough to have worked, and hopefully work even more in the future, at something that I find extremely enjoyable. Fashion and Illustration are things that I do not find to be work at all. This doesn't mean that any of you should work for free, just because people know you've converted your hobby into a career. You still have bills to pay!

3. Freelance doesn't mean free.

This does not mean however, that you do not have the right to help your friends/family if they want some stuff done for free. Remember, the skill set you possess is yours alone, and if you want to use your powers for the good of mankind a.k.a free work, then so be it. Some random startup/employer cannot come to you and go, 'Hey, but you did their stuff for free? Come on, man. Not cool!' and expect you to extend everyone the same courtesy. I've personally done a lot of free work, and regret none. I do it out of love, or friendship, or because I know the company simply cannot pay me. And this cannot happen every single time, or I can never pay my parents back for anything. And I'll be financially independent when I'm 80.

  

4. 'We're a startup, we can't really afford to pay you this time. Maybe next time?'

   I get it. Startups are on a tight budget. It's probably a lot of money out of your own pocket/borrowed cash. But never employ someone unless they understand YOUR situation and offer to help you out at a reduced rate, or for free. That is completely the decision of the artist/designer. And they have the right to reject the job, also. Don't promise them an amount, then say sorry, no can do because we're broke right now. Your credibility will go down to 0. And honey, there will BE no next time.

5. Legalities and shit.

    No company is allowed to alter/use your graphics for something else other than what they've paid for. Especially alter. This also means they can't SELL your graphics. Sharing AI/source files involve an extreme amount of trust. So don't be an *insert explicit here*, employers. It's illegal, but it's very hard for someone to prove that that heavily altered thing on some other site was theirs initially. So don't expect justice or compensation. You can only hope that the person on the other end has work integrity.

6. Don't let your employers take you for a ride.

    So let me lay it down for you. For whatever reason - *cough* media - fashion designers are looked at as a bunch of bimbos who have trust funds (and therefore don't need to be paid for work), an IQ of about 20, are confused by big words and party day in day out. 

People who are just starting out at work - make sure you get the respect you deserve. But also make sure you actually earn it. There are a lot of employers who will really pile on the work just because they want to see how well you perform under pressure. And when you prove yourself, it's smooth sailing. They know what they're doing. If they keep doing it because they can, and just want to extract even more work out of you, they're just being unfair. Know the difference. Always know who you're working for, and don't let people cloud your judgement just because they had a bad experience at a certain place.

7. Having said that, don't expect a 6 figure salary at your first, second or even third job.

    In a field like this, experience really is invaluable. It's all about on the job learning. Make sure you take the best things you can from every company you work with and never stop learning. You're not going to turn into Anna Wintour in a year.

8.. Lastly. Don't be afraid to quit.

    If you're in a bad job, where you're treated badly, and are not given recognition for your work ( 'It's all for the company' , 'there is no I in team', etc), and are not being given a decent pay for what you're doing, do not be afraid to quit. I am not encouraging you to be a quitter.  If you don't like your situation, change it. But only after you have done EVERYTHING you could to make it work.