Business Casual For Workplace And A story Of Little Act Of Kindness

In my last post I shared with you the little story from my childhood and my dad's staunch belief that kindness and sweet words can conquer all! You can make someone's day a little better, brighter and happier by just being kind! What you get in return is a better world! Really, it sounds so ridiculously incredible, but one act of kindness can lift the spirits of hundreds and can spread cheer! In July 2009, when we all were struggling with a sliding economy, fear of deep recession and an overall uncertainty, one morning in a small coffee shop drive-through in Missouri, a customer paid for her coffee and decided to pay for the coffee for the next customer! When the next customer was told that their coffee was already paid by the customer before them, they decided to pass it along to the next customer who'd come to the drive through window! In that week more than 1,000 customers  followed her example by accepting drinks paid for by the person in front of them and paying it forward! Local TV channel reported that customers even started a fund and raised $160 to continue the pay-it-forward scheme in case someone breaks the chain! Now, the cost of coffee was not much, but the act of little kindness by a woman inspired thousands of others to 'help' someone they didn't even know! I can imagine a little girl or boy sitting in the back seat and getting inspired to do good, to serve a cause greater than oneself just by witnessing this little act! That is the power of kindness - it doesn't require grand gestures, huge amount of money or a lot of time - all it takes is your good intentions and a generous heart, but it can impact our world and future generations in unimaginable ways!

Now for today's outfit, I am wearing what I'd like to wear in the workplace if and when I decide to work outside the home! Simple, polished and with a little bling!

Jacket - LOFT

Pants, Blouse, Necklace - Ann Taylor

Shoes - Nine West

If you like this look, get it here -

Amen to the little deeds of kindness and sweet gestures! We all have the gift, we all have the power!

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Wearing Cropped Cargo Pants, Floral Top & Remembering The Power Of Kindness

I remember growing up we had a little picture in our living room of a garden full of flowers that had these words printed on top -"Little deeds of  kindness, little words of love, Make our Earth an Eden like the heaven above". I don't remember who put that picture there (probably mom), but I remember my dad pointing to the picture and reading the lines aloud when my siblings (I have a brother and a sister BTW) used to have a fight over insignificant things (which all sibling fights usually are). Dad would come to us, make us sit and tell us how kindness can make us 'bigger person' when we have a disagreement or a quarrel! He used to say our smiles, sweet words and generosity are God's gift to us and we have the power to use our 'gift' to solve any problem and resolve any fight! And believe me I have experienced (many times) how a smile and soft gentle words can calm the situation and you can make other person listen to you and understand what you have to say! As my dad says, people are usually good, they want to avoid conflict, they want to be happy - if you can give them a chance to do that, they grab onto it without hesitation! I am not suggesting that you 'fake' it, but when you start with a smile and kindness, you lay the ground rules of the conversation! The other person has no choice but to start from where you are! Happy and with a smile!! It sounds too simple to be effective, but usually the best solution is the simplest one!

Now about today's outfit - it is a simple and happy! Some flowers, some color and a cheerful attitude! Can you feel my smile greeting you? How can you argue with this face??;-)

Top - Macy's (2009)

Cropped Cargo Pants - From India (2004) (yep, that old!!)

Shoes - Target (2011)

If you like my happy look, you can get it here -

In next post, I'd like to share an example when one little deed of kindness touched so many people! Have you experienced a situation where a smile and few gentle words influenced, calmed or improved the environment?

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Mixing Floral Prints And Polka Dots And Lots of Pearls!

Sometimes, more is more and more actually is merrier! This season when you wear color - more is the norm - be it neon, bright hues, pastels or deep jewel tones! Or when you mix the prints and patterns - florals, prints, polka dots, stripes - everything goes! Or when you accessorize - if the fashion magazines are any indicator of the current trend - more rings, more bracelets and layers of necklaces is the way to go! Today, I mixed a polka dot frilly cotton dress with floral cardigan, layered grandma's my pearls and played dress up on a gorgeous Spring day! 

Dress - Gap

Cardigan - Macy's

Shoes - Dillard's

Jewelry - Miscellaneous

Its all in the details!! Get a purple cluster ring  here to go with any spring outfit!

Wind swept seems to be my new style! Remember this?

I can live in these shoes! So comfortable and unassumingly versatile! Get similar here  

If you like this look, you can get it here -

Do you like to mix patterns or wear print on print?

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The Swing Jacket, White Jeans, Red Shoes And A SAHM* Smile!

*Stay At Home Mom (SAHM)

"So, do you work?" 

"Ummm..yes."

 "Where?" 

"At Home!"

"Ah..OK!"  

I had this conversation recently with a 'working' mother (is there any other kind?)! I know working mothers are superwomen, they handle work, home, kids, spouse and family so well.  But it does not mean that stay at home moms have it any easier! 3 years ago I was one of those working women! After much deliberation, I decided to stay at home with my kid. I admit, I miss working in a structured work-place, having adult conversations for the large part of my day and most of all I miss getting dressed up every morning!  But this was a conscious decision. I chose to stay at home! And believe me - challenging doesn't even start to cover this profession!  But it feels odd and somewhat infuriating when people think if you are stay at home mom, you just kick your legs up on the coffee table and watch soaps all day! We just don't 'stay' at home people! We run errands, cook, clean, teach, sing, dance, play, drive, blog, take kids to places, set up play -dates, bake for school, read to their class, and watch our hard work translate into something! In a way we are 24/7 working professionals with no sick days and dental! Holla to the SAHM!! (I told ya I was eloquent!)

Coming to the outfit - this Ann Taylor swing jacket was my work wardrobe staple - with pencil skirts, trousers, slim fit pants and even with bootcut jeans on casual days! I am not working in an office but this jacket still gets the attention it deserves - if only from the the cute little ones!
BTW, I am linking this post to Fashion Friday and Monday Mingle See you there!

Seeing double! I really need a clone to handle all the work I have as SAHM!

Jacket - Ann Taylor

Jeans - Forever 21

Shoes - Target

Get this look here (on any budget!) -

I salute working mothers for all they do and respect stay at home moms for their hard work! BTW, what's your verdict on this jacket?

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White Cotton Dress, Neon Accents And A Fine Spring Day!

In my opinion, there are two kinds of outfits- some that need a 'night-before' think-over and others that just don't! You pick 'em up and whatever other piece/accessories you pair it with just works!! For me, that piece of clothing is a cotton white dress! As clichéd as it sounds, I can just dress it up or dress it down according to the occasion, warm it up or cool it down depending on the weather! Spring outdoor parties, Easter egg hunt events, summer barbecues, lunch, brunch, dinner, even an outdoor wedding - a white cotton dress comes in handy for most occasions. Today I am styling my simple dress with some neon accents for Indian Fashion Bloggers InFB Remix - Neon link up and looking forward to wear it again and again this season!

Dress - Tailored for me in India (Ain't I Fancy!)

Cardigan - Ann Taylor (similar from Ann Taylor here)

Necklace, earrings - Charlotte Russe

Ring - Manhattan street vendor For $2.99 (I ❤ NY)

Sandals - Dillard's

Get this look here -

What is your go-to piece of clothing? How do you style it usually?

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How To Wear Colored Jeans? That's How!

Well, that's one way of wearing colored jeans! Honestly when it comes to Spring 2012's hottest trend, (which has been 'hot' for quite some time now! I still have an issue of Elle magazine that boasted about colored denim being 'in' during 2010) there is no rule! Some of my favorite looks with colored jeans are color block, hint of neon, pastel on pastel and of course the coral jeans Kate Middleton wore with a blazer at her Olympic Park visit!  Anyhoo, I am wearing my mint green skinny jeans with one of my favorite pieces in  my wardrobe - an old blazer (from 2006!) Somethings really never go out of style!

Jeans - Forever 21

Blazer - Burberry
Belt - Steve Madden (Marshall's)

Shoes - Target

Bangle - Forever 21 (buy here)

If you like this look, you can get it here -

How are you wearing your colored denim? 

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Mad Men Mania And 3 Ways To Wear A Button Down Shirt

So, long awaited Mad Men season 5 premiered last night! This series inspired the magazine covers, fashion collaborations, girl crushes, boy men crushes and of course fashion bloggers! My twitter feed was clogged with #MadMen updates and live episode reporting! Just like the Fashion Week and film award season, airing of Mad Men generated a lot of twitter buzz! I am now anticipating a lot of vintage -inspired, Mad Men-ish looks on the blogs too! My style is conservative but contemporary, but not really vintage. Still I wanted to create a 60s inspired look and wanted to conclude my 'style a shirt 3 ways' challenge. So here it is, my favorite button down shirt worn under a classic color block shift. 

Inspiration - Mad Men; Pose - 'typical blogger'??

 Here are the three looks side by side

   Look 1                                                 Look 2                                   Look 3

Get a Pink Button Down Shirt Here-

Did you watch the season 5 premiere of Mad Men? And how did you like my styling of a button down shirt?

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I am linking up today on  Visible Monday and Monday Mingle, see you there!!

Pink Silk Shirt; Styled Again...

If this shirt looks familiar, it is because I wore it just last week for my outfit post! It is in my closet for almost 9 years! I had put it away for some time and only took it out recently. The whispers of Spring in the air demanded I wear some bright color for today's outfit post and I decided to style this old shirt again - this time  in a more casual outfit! With the Ann Taylor Denim trousers, a chiffon scarf-belt and turquoise statement necklace I am ready for Spring!

I love the way this Ann Taylor jeans fits! (although squats should be credited too!)

Today's OOTD pics were taken by my husband, hence the fun and no remote!! Yay!

Shirt - JC Penney (2003) (Similar Here)

Jeans - Ann Taylor (2009) (Similar Here)

Bag - Ann Taylor (2009)

Shoes - Liz Claiborne (2011)

Necklace - Charlotte Russe (2011) (Similar Here)

Do you like to use scarves as belts? 

  

I am linking up on Monday Mingle. See you there!