Bootie call

When it comes to dressing up head-to-toe, some people often focus on the upper body rather than the lower body parts. But truth is, the legs play an important part especially for girls. People look at your beautiful legs and compliment on them. And often people comment on the shoes you are wearing rather than your outfit. It does give a big impact if you're wearing a simple outfit and pair it up with killer shoes. For a shoe lover like me, I find shoes very attractive on anyone as long as the shoes themselves look attractive. Having said that, I found the most attractive looking shoe trends this season. Either you love it or hate it, you just have to admit that it is the hottest trend right now. Ankle boot or bootie is just the in-thing. It is generally a trend for fall/winter season. But well, who cares! everyone is wearing it now. From A-list celebrities to fashionistas on the street.

Bootie is a must for every shoe lover. Well it doesn't matter if it's summer or if you're living in a country like Malaysia. When it's fashion, it's strictly FASHION! Bootie comes in various different styles: cutout, open-toe, oxford, fringe and other different styles. I personally find it a bit hard to buy different styles of bootie at retail stores here. But I found a Malaysian-based e-boutique for shoes: dfringe.blogspot.com They've got tons of shoes that you can't find here in Malaysia which is cool because the styles are totally different from what you can find here. I won't say it is affordable for students, but if you can't resist looking at it you might just sacrifice your cash notes on them shoes. It is imported all the way from U.S anyway so I guess if you opted for booties, then it's worth buying.

Got chocolate?

If you think chocolate is a big no-no for a healthy diet, then I’d say you’re wrong. It’s a typical thing that people follow tradition as in they go by the myths that have been circulating around the world. Chocolate is fattening…chocolate is not healthy…yada yada yada! Well obviously if you eat any food at all, you have to know how to control it by not over-consuming it. This ‘concept’ doesn’t just apply to chocolate. At least I can point out some benefits of chocolates that people don’t know.

To start off, chocolate is actually packed with natural compounds called antioxidants that can protect your body and promote good health. In fact, dark chocolate and cocoa have more antioxidants than do foods like blueberries, green tea and red wine. This is because chocolate is a plant- based food. Yup yup, don’t be surprised!

"The main ingredient in chocolate is cocoa beans - the seeds of the fruit of the cocoa tree," said Debra Miller, Ph.D., Senior Nutrition Scientist with the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, who has studied chocolate's health benefits extensively. Scientists theorize that plants naturally produce antioxidants to help them survive harsh growing conditions and to protect them from environmental stress. These same compounds can aid the humans who eat the plants too (In this case, it’s CHOCOLATE!).

Recent studies suggest that the antioxidants in foods may reduce the risk of many kinds of illness, from heart disease to cancer. Antioxidants like those found in dark chocolate and cocoa have also been linked to some of the hallmarks of good cardiovascular health such as enhanced blood flow, healthy cholesterol levels and, in some cases,reduced blood pressure.

Antioxidants in the blood stream essentially neutralize substances called free radicals, small reactive molecules that cause damage to cells which scientists believe may be the triggers for serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. They also may cause cognitive deterioration associated with aging. That means chocolate can reduce aging. Notice how you feel young-er when you’re eating chocolate? And obviously, for most people chocolate is a stress reliever. That sounds cliché but it’s true. Chocolate does wonders not just to my tummy, but the whole system of my body (Now that seriously sounds like an exaggeration!).

Basically, chocolate is a great health product. Most people may still argue that it is fattening but clearly, there are numerous health benefits from consuming chocolate, especially those with high cocoa content such as cocoa powder and dark chocolate. Chocolate is universal thing. It’s endless and everyone enjoys it regardless of their age! That’s how the exquisite taste of chocolate tempts people, like me ;) To the ‘unbelievers’ out there, just fill your tummy with chocolate! If not, maybe chocolate bath sounds better.

sources: www.everyone-loves-chocolate.com, www.flickr.com

real style by real people: LOOKBOOK.nu

A fashion blog primarily dedicated to coverage of fashions in clothing and accessories. There are blogs covering fashion at all levels, from big labels and indie designers to clothing found on the street. Fashion blogs or style blogs are currently a trend in western countries. The images of runway trends, what’s in and what’s not and of course, celebrity fashion, Versace and Chanel may run through your mind when it comes to FASHION. But in fashion blogs, that is not the main case. I believe that people enjoy looking at real fashion by real people. What does that really mean? I personally enjoy looking through style blogs where these individuals post their own pictures wearing daily clothes. Looking at the pictures, I’ve started to think that people can actually look good in whatever type of clothes they are wearing. It all comes down to HOW you wear, not WHAT you wear.

Lookbook.nu is inspired by famous style blogs like the Sartorialist. I don’t own a lookbook account but I browse through pictures of these fashionistas around the world as a fashion guide. Basically what these people do is post pictures of their daily styles and publishes it for the viewers. And we as viewers can give feedbacks. Either good or bad, it doesn’t really matter. But so far, I’ve never came across negative feedbacks. I can say that most of these people are creative and VERY talented in fashion (and photography). I strongly recommend lookbook for those who are into fashion because it gives inspirations and new ideas on fashion..And, it’s addictive! Once I start browsing through them pictures, I can’t seem to stop!

You have to dress pretty to be pretty

Catch the metro's on lookbook

Who says nerdy boys aren't cute? ;)

Preppy vs. Sexy

Among my personal favorites!

sources: www.lookbook.nu, www.wikipedia.org

All about minerals

Ladies, I assume that some of you have heard of the latest emerging cosmetic product, mineral make-up. In case some of you are still wondering, mineral makeup is based on a hypoallergenic loose powder that naturally nourishes the skin. It contains no perfumes, talc, alcohol, dyes, mineral oil or preservatives which normal make-ups usually have.

What are the benefits of using mineral makeup?

• Good for sensitive skin - Lots of women struggle with acne, allergies, dryness and clogged pores from unfriendly commercial makeup. Mineral makeup lets you enhance skin care with positive beauty choices, not create more problems.
• Doesn't feel like a mask - For some women, traditional makeup, often heavier, can feel like a mask. Mineral makeup's texture is lighter and different. Even with more coverage, experts say you'll see a natural, translucent radiance and more of your skin, which can breathe.
• Contains ingredients that are good for skin - For women who can't get to a spa, triple-milled minerals like titanium, gold, zinc, magnesium and aluminum naturally relax, refresh and rejuvenate the skin.
• Does not enhance wrinkles like traditional powders - If you have fine lines or crow's-feet, traditional makeup can cake in those places, often creating an illusion of deeper lines. Minerals create real health and a glow like we had in our teens and 20s through essential vitamins, antioxidants and ingredients that actually hydrate the skin and conceal wrinkles.
• Helps protect skin from sun - The sun is said to be the number-one aging agent. Mineral makeup's zinc oxide offers natural UVA-UVB protection.
• Can be used after peels - Skin procedures such as lasers and peels are common. Minerals are the natural choice to calm and soothe red, bruised, itchy, inflamed and flaking skin. This product hides imperfections, then camouflages with minerals that actually block the sun, which is crucial after aggressive treatments. In fact, after certain treatments, you shouldn't use sunscreens. Minerals cool the skin and encourage faster healing.
• Makes skin look better - The old makeup phrase "putting on your face" may soon be obsolete. Mineral makeup can look and feel like you're wearing nothing at all, like a silky top layer of your very own skin. In short, you look like you have great skin!

- Source: “New Beauty Trends – iVillage.com”

Dermatologists are definitely impressed with this emerging trend that is currently a big hit in the United States, United Kingdom and some Europe countries. Even though the trend has not started in Malaysia, but I believe it is slowly emerging as Revlon counters in various pharmacies and shopping malls have introduced their mineral products. Unfortunately, their range of mineral makeup only consists of blusher and eye shadow. This is probably because mineral make-ups are usually more expensive compared to normal traditional makeup and users don’t know the function of mineral make-ups. Being a Malaysian myself, I know we are very price conscious when it comes to buying things for personal use. Plus when it comes to skin care, women tend to not take risk. Therefore, they stick to the products that are proven suitable for their skin.

Back to the story, mineral make up has definitely gained a lot of trust from the consumers because it is proven to be effective. Personally, I have not tried mineral makeup before but I am eager to try since I discovered a website that sells mineral makeup at VERY affordable prices. And guess what? It is based in Malaysia! Good news to the ladies out there. LovingMinerals.com offers a wide range of mineral products. The website also sells sample sized products for new beginners. RM30 and you get a set of sample sized minerals. What have you got to lose?