Find the right Jacket/ Coat for your bodyshape!

I know i've been rambling about winter alot! but I thought since it being a relevant topic for mostly everbody (for those who live in countries summer all year round :p im sorry bare with me - eid posts will be coming soon!) - I may be obliged to share a few tips and ideas with you. However, if you feel there's a relavant topic I should go through - please let me know and comment below :D

So you want to buy a jacket or coat for winter- your stuck for choices, a little picky :p
And you find some jackets that may look nice but just don't look right on you.

Here's some tips on what type of jackets and coats to purchase that's right for your bodyshape :D Remember: All Bodyshape types are amazing - its just how you rock it out!

Hourglass: This type of body shape is very curvy!  You tend to have big busts and a bottom but a small waist - your body is shaped like an 'hourglass'. You should try wearing coats and jackets that are belted, this will give your figure a bit of structure. Cropped Jackets also work for you, the leopard print one above would work amazing with a dress - if your going out to a party. Famous Celebs with an Hourglass figure would be Scarlet Johansson and Kate Winslet

Pear: Being Pear shaped means that you have slightly small shoulders but a heavier bottom. When Choosing the right Coat or Jacket, try ones that emphasise on your shoulders and balance your body shape. The ones above I have chosen have a lot of shoulder detail (like fur or shoulderpads) - this focuses less attention on your bottom half and gives an even shape to it.Some famous celebs that that are pear shaped that I can think of?? Lets say Christina Aguilera, Beyonce and Princess Beatrice

Apple: Apple shaped woman tend to carry weight on their waist. The best types of Coats and Jackets would be those who draw less attention to their waist and even out their body structure. A double breasted Coat would work Fab! However, try to avoid Coats/Jackets that are short and stop at the waist - they don't give you a balance to your shape. V-necks can also be worn, as they add shape to your body - and they give that extra vava-voom! (mind me for sounding like those French designers :p - i love em!) Famous celebs that are apple shaped?? Elizabeth Hurley and Catherine Zeta Jones.

Strawberry: Being strawberry shaped means that you have a bigger bust or shoulders, so you carry more weight on you top half rather than your bottom half. When choosing the right Coat/Jacket - you need one that will balance your shape structure and focusing less on your top half. Choose Coats that flare from the bottom, also avoid double breasted coats/jackets and try looking out for single buttoned ones. Famous Celebs?? Anjelina Jolie

Rectangle: This type of bodyshape is when you have a less curves on you and maybe straight up and down. You will need to look for  Coats/Jackets that give shape to your body and create an illusion of a more fuller curvy figure. Try belted coats and jackets that are either long or finish at the hip - short jackets and coats wont do you justice. Famous Celebs?? Nicole Kidman and Hilary Duff



For more infomation about your body shape and what to wear, please visit http://www.bodyshapefashionadvice.com/   <--- a VERY recommended website *thumbs up*

Winter Skincare Tips

During the winter you may find your skin prone to being dry and flaky, this is one of the major effects from cold weather. Take these few steps to help keep your skin stay healthy and look fresh this season.

1. Moisturise 

I cannot stress how important this is. Keeping your body and face moisturised is a key to help prevent dry and flaky skin. Try out an oil-based moisturiser, this type contains a greater amount of oil than other moisturisers. It will help keep your skin moisturised and soft as-well as looking radiant.


2. Exfoliate


Exfoliation is important in getting rid of dead skin cells on your body and . Include some good body scrubs and face exfoliators in your skincare routine. However, be sure to check what skin type and what type of exfoliators and cleansers that may work for you.

3. Drink Water

This may seem simple, but keeping your body hydrated throughout both winter & summer is a must! Try carrying water bottles with you during the day, and drink a couple of glasses of water when you reach home. Water is a natural way of keeping your body hydrated and fresh - You will soon see amazing results on your  skin.


4. Spa or Sauna/ Steam 

Try visiting your local gym that provides steam/sauna and enjoy! Its a great way of rejuvenating your skin, hydrate, serves as a deep cleanser, relaxing the mind and the body. It also provide medical aswell as emotional aid to you and your body. However, if you want, you can try buying a humidifier or even facial steamers that can be used at home - this will allow your skin to breathe more and reduce cracks and dryness .

5. Lip Care

You may find that your lips are drier and chapped in the winter rather than the summer, therefore your lips need better care. Try carrying round Lip Balms & Vaseline around  in your purse (Vaseline works wonders for me) and moisture your lips often :D
Remember DON'T LICK YOUR LIPS!! - as tempting as it may be to think that it's a quick way to remove chaps lips, it just makes it worse :( trust me


Got any more suggestions or for more infomation? Comment below :D.

Layering

Dorothy Perkins camel cardigan
£33 - dorothyperkins.com

Kokoon loose shirt
€200 - youheshe.com

Stripe socks
£39 - toast.co.uk

Monsoon pom shoes
£18 - monsoon.co.uk

Skull beanie
amazon.com

Winter's Calling

The awkward moment when you don't know what to write for your first post??! haha


To break the ice, I thought I might just come to terms that for most of us- its time to wrap up and keep warm for some harsh weather. Before jumping off to 'What to wear' and other tips, I decided to just start with the basics of keeping warm this winter at home and going out- some tips that may be so obvious but taken for granted in our daily lives.


 Im sure most of our winter's don't look so glamorous as this!

When I was younger, I very much expected to wake up to this every winter morning. I wanted to be woken up to Narnia, but instead - woke up to this :( 

1. So you wake up in the morning (we all know its not as simple as that :p - after a few groans and 'hmphsss') and your FREEZING!!. Probably even moving around with your duvet. What would you do? 
Well the best thing to do- before you do anything, turn the heater on to an average temperature.This will get you going in the mean time as your getting ready. DO NOT boost the tempreture to the highest, then get a headache because its too hot and then you'll have to turn it back off again (what I used to do)- a cycle will start. Allowing the heater to gradually heat your home on an average tempreture will allow you to get warm slowly and eventually after slipping on warm clothes, you may lower the tempreture. This is a great way of saving energy bills.  For best results - wake up 15-20 minutes before your usual alarm time and switch on the heater, then pop back into bed. The results are WARM :D 


2. Layering on wearing warm clothes is not only for going out, try to layer on clothing while at home too. You've seen those cute pics of models with their 'grandma' jumpers and socks, just to find out they're only wearing pants 0.0 haha   
Just by wearing several layers of thin clothing helps rather than wearing one big chunky piece of clothing. Try wearing a top, shirt, a pair of trousers, and maybe a cardigan. You might be thinking 'Why the need for a whole outfit at home?' - well if wearing those items outside helps keep you warm - then it'll probably keep you warm inside. Yet another way to save on energy bills!!


3. Diet: What you eat affects the how your body keeps warm. Most of us crave for food high on carbohydrates, this is because of the lack of Vitimin D in our blood 
(more info: http://www.jigsawhealth.com/resources/carbohydrates-carbs)
To try avoid this, stick with a balanced diet, this will not only keep you in shape but you will see AMAZING results within your lifestyle.Such as having more energy when working or studying, and it will protect you and make you more immune to common winter infections (colds or flu)  .Also try eating hot food and hot drinks, it'll warm your body as well as providing some energy boost! 


4. Keeping active is a great way to keep warm. Try to move around and DO SOMETHING, it will automatically get your blood flowing and active. Exercise is a great way to 'keep it moving', either being active at your local gym or moving around in the house Most of us like to snuggle and stay put in one position for a long period of time <-- this does not HELP You will find it actually makes you colder!


5. Experience Cold feet and hands ?? 

This is often due to the lack of circulation around your body- a usual bodily response to cold weather, and the best way to deal with it is trying to find ways to get your body circulating (lhttp://www.ehow.com/how_4738281_improve-circulation.html)  

It could also be due to the lack of irons in the blood, this is what most women and girls suffer. So the best way to deal with it is to stack up on your vitamins and iron tablets for the winter. I would advise on asking your pharmacist first. If you believe there are other causes other than bad circulation and iron deficiency, be sure to consult your doctor :D  

Well I hope that helped on tips to keep warm, stay tuned for more episodes on Winter, such as 'What to wear' , Body and Skincare, and even great holiday destinations for those lucky ones :D 

Hafsa x