Fashion 1 0 1: Part 3

Part 1 Part 2

There are many people who have a budget set (say 100$ per week) to buy clothes/ shoes/ purses/ accessories. Do you know the average number of clothes bought every year by Americans? It is 65+ per year - not per family but per person (I think the East is catching up too).

The point I am trying to make is - we buy too much.

To be continued...

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch, Shoes: Dr. Scholls, Shirt: JCrew Factory, Jacket: J crew

What the health: Part 19 - how to stay healthy continued..

This is part 19 of ‘What the health’ series. You can find earlier parts here – part1, part2, part3, part4,  part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8,  part 9, part 10, part 11, part12, part13, part14, part15, part16, part 17, part18

4. Mental health - 

Last but not least is mental health! We are all living a stressful, busy life today, there is no denying or running away from it. Stress affects our physical well being, it can create anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations, heart problems, depression, high blood pressure, and whatnot. One is unable to enjoy anything happening around if not mentally happy or stressed. Our body releases a hormone called cortisol when under stress, and high levels of cortisol creates havoc in our system.

We need some peace and quiet, time for ourselves to do something that helps us release the stress -  exercise, yoga, good diet and sleep play a big role in maintaining good mental health and there is more-

1. Have a hobby - read, write, paint, do gardening, cook, it doesn't matter what your hobby is - the important thing is you have one (I would not encourage TV and such as a hobby, creation gives long-lasting happiness and stress release than consumption does). 

The same thing goes for kids - send them to classes, teach them different things - let them build hobbies! They won't do it if you tell them to go and paint or go exercise because... they are watching you! Are my parents engrossed in binge-watching tv shows all day long/ spending time on social media or they are living an active lifestyle? Are they creating or consuming? As they say 'Raise yourself before you raise your kids'.

to be continued...

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch

Top: J crew factory

Sweater: J crew factory

Shoes: Lifestride

What the health! Part 15 - How to lose weight and stay healthycontinued...

This is part 15 of ‘What the health’ series. You can find earlier parts here – part1, part2, part3, part4,  part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8,  part 9, part 10, part 11, part12, part13, part14

Diet (4)

9. And last but not the least Alcohol - Call me uncool if you had like, I really don't care - but DO NOT drink alcohol (I know it is for some reason considered a status symbol these days), some people drink wine every day saying it is good for the heart, it sounds ridiculous- there are so many better options for the heart like running for example - opt them and not wine.

Alcohol affects the acid levels in the body, it affects the quality of sleep, it can cause many health conditions like heart ailments, it affects the liver and pancreas, it also increases the risk of cancer (throat, mouth, esophagus, breast, and liver). Cocktails and hard liquor are loaded with unwanted calories that you just wanna avoid piling on.

I am high on life and I don’t understand those who are dependent on alcohol to do that job and those who drink do not understand how can one be high on life… some people come under social pressures and drink to give the company, I don’t do that (not anymore). I have been asked many times at parties that if I don't drink alcohol or carbonated beverages then what do I drink. Stupid question. I drink many things - tea, coconut water, lime juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, turmeric milk, buttermilk, and mostly water!

I am not a fun bob (someone who needs to be inebriated to have fun, loose inhibitions or enjoy life). I enjoy life even when things are painful or not going so smoothly. Accept that hardship is part of life. Pain, sickness, and sadness is as much a feeling as healthy and happy - embrace it, sooner the better - it is useless to be afraid of the existence of unhappy feelings and to forget it getting numb (and dumb) under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

Food and water are an important part of a balanced diet, yes, we are what we eat…. and drink.

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch

Shoes: Steve Madden

Stripes Tee: TjMaxx

Jacket: J Crew

Animal print + White

Animal prints look great with whites. The denim that I have is off-white in color, I do want to buy white jeans this year, something like this.

Here are the three ways I wore animal print top + off-white denim jeans -

Denim - American Eagle

Top - Ann Taylor

Shoes 1 & 3- Ellen Tracy, Shoes 2: Steve Madden

Olive Jacket - Gap

Black Sweater - J crew

Analyze your closet

Most of us hold on to things for years thinking we will need it or fit in it later. The truth is most of those kept away items will never be used.  All we need to do is try it on and ask ourselves: Do I remember the last time I wore it? Did I feel good and comfortable when I wore it last time? and Does this flatter my body? If the answer to any of the above questions is no then why waste any closet or brain space on it? Just donate and someone will happily use it.

Top: Ann Taylor

Cardigan: Forever 21

Shoes: Ellen Tracy

Denim: American Eagle

Again: Use what you have

A lot of people buy something nice and then keep it away just for a special occasion or they never use it thinking it will get spoiled. Use what you have, if it looks worn out with use you can always buy something new and more exciting. Don't wait until it stops fitting you or you no longer exist to enjoy it!

White Denim: American Eagle

Gingham Shirt: J crew Factory

Stripes Top: TjMaxx

Shoes: Unisa

Meaningful

Can one create meaningful art until they made meaningful lives?

Jeans: American Eagle

Top: J crew factory

Shoes: Kenneth Cole

Advantage

We are all born with some sort of advantage - be it being born in an influential, brilliant or a rich family, being brought up in a peaceful, loving, quiet atmosphere or it can be anything from good looks, skills to great health. Do we realize our advantage? or crib about things that we don’t have? why not have a realization and make the most of what we have?

Jeans: American Eagle

Top: Ann Taylor

Belt: Style & Co.

Shoes: Steve Madden (from DSW)