From Midi Skirt to Strapless Dress

From Midi Skirt to Strapless Dress

When I traveled to India last year, I tried to not buy items that were just cool because of where they came from (so easy to do when traveling!), but that I would get real use out of. I bought 2 black cotton dresses and this hand block-printed skirt (plus lots of accessories). I’m proud to say I get use out of all the treasures I brought back!

Once again, Chicago’s temps seem to be yo-yoing all over the place. Bouncing between the 50s and the 100s! These past few days have been particularly hot and humid. Humidity makes everything feel weighted and heavy, so cotton is a must! I hiked this skirt up, belted it and called it a dress. It was perfect for a scorching hot day!

What is your favorite way to dress for hot weather?

Wearing Dress: India (Anokhi, Delhi) worn before here, Belt: Vintage (thrifted), Bangles: F21, Wedges: Kyla’s shop on Smashion

Also – for my friends who use Google Reader/Google Friend Connect – I’ve heard from a few people that my posts aren’t showing up in your readers! I’m VERY sorry and have contacted Google about the problem. Hoping to have it resolved soon! :(

 

Where in the World…Bangladesh!

Where in the World Bangladesh
I am so excited for this month’s Where in the World interview! For February, we are visiting Bangladesh with the ever so sweet and lovely Leia, of Leia’s Delights! I’ve been reading her blog for a few months now, and I can tell you Leia is indeed quite delightful! She writes not only about fashion, but delicious vegan/vegetarian recipes, her gorgeous nail designs and more!
Read the interview and be sure to check out her site! I’m sure she’ll become a favorite of yours, too.

Tell us a little bit about your blog:
Leia’s Delights is a fashion and lifestyle blog. I share my personal style via outfit posts, and I also include nail art, recipes, flower arrangements, and other pretty little things that I like!

How long have you been blogging?  

This blog is around 9 months old, although I did blog with a friend for about a year and a half before starting Leia’s Delights.

Are there many Bangladeshi fashion bloggers or a blogging community?

Not that I’m aware of! I’ve come across a few expat Bangladeshis who have fashion blogs, but I haven’t found a fashion blogger community within Bangladesh. 


What is unique about Bangladeshi fashion? 
The most amazing aspect of Bangladeshi fashion is the bright colors and quirky color combinations! Bangladeshi ladies aren’t afraid to take risks with patterns, colors, prints, etc. – they make bold statements which I just love!


Three favorite items in your wardrobe?
Ooh, this is such a tough question. I have a high-waisted black skirt that goes with almost everything in my closet and is the perfect girly, flowy shape (you can sort of see it here). I also love this salwar kameez – it’s so figure-flattering and I just love pastels! Lastly, I adore this bright floral See By Chloé skirt I scored for £1 on The Outnet. 


What’s currently on your wish list to buy? 
Since I love high-waisted skirts and trousers, I’ve got ‘crop tops’ on my wish lists – preferably in lots of different colors and patterns! 


You know my love of vintage clothing, so I have to ask – are there vintage clothing shops in Bangladesh?  
Sadly, no: the country itself is barely 40 years old! However, since Bangladesh is home to several garments factories, there are markets where you can find surplus items and rejects from the factories. The biggest market is called Bongo Bazaar – it’s all indoors, with several stalls set up by vendors – and it’s an absolute goldmine if you have the patience to dig through piles and piles of clothing!


If someone were to travel to Bangladesh, what is one item they should buy to incorporate into their wardrobe?
There are two things to remember before traveling to Bangladesh. (1) It’s hot and (2) while it is more modern than other Muslim-dominated countries (i.e. women don’t wear hijabs or burkhas), it’s important to take modesty into account, so don’t bring too many cleavage-baring tops or mini-skirts! If you were to bring one item, I would say pack a lightweight scarf – it’s easy to throw on like a shawl or dupatta and makes most tops more modest.


What would you like bloggers around the world to know about Bangladeshi fashion?  
The majority of women here wear a sari on a daily basis, which is a long piece of fabric draped around the body. It’s a very versatile type of garment – not only can you find them in a myriad of different fabrics, prints, and colors, but they can be dressed down for the day and dressed up for evening-wear.
 

Where in the World…Canada!

 This is the fourth edition of Where in the World, and this January we are headed to Canada! Meet Ana, of Suns to Moons, who I met via the last 30 for 30 challenge. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia:
Name: Ana
Blog: From Suns To Moons
Profession: Teacher
 

Tell us a little bit about your blog:
 

Disguised as a style blog, From Suns To Moons is my opportunity to write creatively for an audience, which I’ve always wanted to do. I have a passion for fashion but am not an expert – I like to think I make up for this with my “wit,” like the deluded Mary Bennet.


How long have you been blogging?

 

Since August of 2010.


Are there many Canadian fashion bloggers or a blogging community in Vancouver?

 

I don’t know if I’d say “many,” but there are definitely some talented ladies out here. Jentine of My Edit is someone I look up to both in terms of personal style and writing. If there is a blogging community in Vancouver, then I don’t know anything about it. Why, what have you heard?


What is unique about Canadian fashion?

 

It relies so much on the weather. This is true of any country, of course, but I feel like long, snow-filled winters give Canadians fewer style options. Practicality, warmth, and comfort trump everything else when getting dressed in the morning.


Three favorite items in your wardrobe?

 

My black wellies, navy winter coat, and Rubik’s cube skirt – basic necessities for precipitation, cold, and general boredom, respectively.


What’s currently on your wishlist to buy?
 

A killer birthday gift for my little sister. I’m taking suggestions.
 

You know my love of vintage clothing, so I have to ask – are there vintage clothing shops in Vancouver?

 

Yes, quite a few that carry beautiful frocks at heart-stopping prices! I’m always amazed at the prices other bloggers list for their vintage finds, because they sound too good to be true.


If someone were to travel to Vancouver, what is one item they should buy to incorporate into their wardrobe?

 

It’s a toss-up between a classic trench coat and a solid pair of rain boots. The torso, however, gets more umbrella coverage than the feet, so I would invest in some flattering wellies. And when you return to your non-rainy hometown, I guess you can take up gardening to get more mileage out of those babies. 

What would you like international bloggers to know about Canadian fashion? That it’s very liberal, much like the country. You can wear whatever you want, there’s no fashion police. Could you imagine Mounties lecturing anyone on style?

 

Great Minds Style Alike!

Wearing
Dress/Sweater: H&M, Tights: HUE, Flats: Crocs, Belt/Necklace: Vintage
When I wore this dress a few weeks back, the oh-so-stylish and sweet Alessandra of Mode Moods emailed me to say she had the same dress! So…..the obvious thing for a couple of blogger friends to do was wear them on the same day, right? Alessandra is all the way in Milan, so its kind of fun to think someone on the other side of the world is wearing the same dress at the same time! Be sure to check out how she wore it!
I steamed this dress before I got dressed, but from my winter coat and bundling up, it was wrinkled by the time I got to work. The joys of linen.
Seeing as Alessandra and I both adore our canine children (her little pup, Tobia makes a regular appearance on her blog as well!), it only seemed right for Atlas to get a little air time today.
(Not staged!)

Where in the World: A Blog!

One year ago today, I kissed my boyfriend goodbye and tearfully sat at O’Hare, waiting to board a plane that would take me from Chicago to Istanbul to Delhi. I was sad to be leaving my manfriend, but also really nervous about what the next month would bring. Mostly, I was just worried about the journey getting to India.

 All of my major travels have been with Mark, and he’s a seasoned pro. This was my first trip overseas alone. At the time, I was a return student studying Art History, and was meeting a group of fellow students for a month of traveling around northern India. My fears were conjured up by many Indian-born people telling me that getting from the airport to my hotel would be the most dangerous part of the trip. Why? Well (besides being a chronic worrier by nature), my plane was scheduled to arrive at 1am, and that time of night is not safe at all for young women to be out at night. As in – there are mobsters and gangs that stop cars and kidnap people regularly. Additionally, I was told the airport would be total chaos and utterly confusing – lots of people shouting, yelling, crowds, pickpockets, and men posing as a scheduled driver to take me to the hotel.
The school had scheduled a driver to meet me, but they basically said in so many words that there was a 50/50 chance someone would show. So I was banking that he wouldn’t – if he did, awesome! If not, I wouldn’t be surprised. My flight was delayed leaving Chicago (thanks, snow), as was my connecting flight in Istanbul, so my flight arriving in Delhi was a few hours late. We touched down around 4am, and my trip from the airport to the hotel is still as vivid in my memory as the day it took place.
Want to know more? Well, now that I have you hanging – this is a good time to introduce my new travel blog! It’s no secret that I love to travel (even if I don’t get to do much of it), but I don’t want to confuse the vision/purpose of this blog, so I figured having a separate venue for all things travel is needed. But don’t worry, my Where in the World international blogger series will continue. Oh, and that’s also the name of my new blog! Please visit Where in the World!  

The next installment of my India trip will be up in a few days!