Make your look fashionable, CLASSY, and YOURS.

Fashion Week.
In most of our minds , those two words conjure up images of scantily clad women bearing outrageous outfits.
But thankfully, there is a ray of sanity in the underfed model jungle also known as Fashion Week.
Victoria Beckham debuted her new line, and I am happy to say that with most of them she has opted for a more elegant look.
What I read on a UK website about this collection:  "Fashion commentators have branded it her most confident collection yet". This can be because of nothing else  but the modesty of the clothing. Nothing says confident like not 
feeling the need to appeal to audience through bare skin.

Here are some images of tzniut (although admittedly a tad tight) dresses from the Autumn/Winter 2012 collection:


Rib sleeve panel fitted:

Button Down Midi: (from the new Victoria Victoria Beckham collection)

Last but definitely not least-

           Officer Collar Fitted Dress:

Now, onto the next very important matter at hand:     Peplum.


For those of you who don't know what that is, its a cut seen mostly on the bottom of shirts (but also in the middle of dresses as well-or the tops of skirts) in where the initial cut of the shirt kind of ends at your bellybutton, and then the is another flared-out piece sown on all around the shirt. I know it sounds confusing, but you will see what I am talking about soon enough.
Wikipedia's definition of peplum : "Short overskirt that is usually attached to a fitted jacket, blouse or dress". They should add "extremely flattering if worn correctly!" because this cut is one that compliments all.


Peplum WILL be seen this spring/ summer .. maybe even next fall. Mark my words. (Bli Neder, of course).
Here are some peplum pictures for your perceiving:

Here is Beyonce in too much orange. Don't get too excited, thats not a black shell under her shirt, I added that on myself ;). Props to her on the skirt, under the knee, she gets brownie points for that somewhere in Shamayim I'm sure. If she can do it so can you ladies. The flared out cut right at her waist is peplum, FYI. Isn't it fab? 


Here is a peplum dress that i'm in love with (and in the unique classic black shade  for all you frequent wedding-goers): 

Look closely. See the tiny peplum detail? And the lace? And the length of those sleeves/hem? (the collar does need a little work though not gunna lie)


This baby can be found here : http://www.top-burberry-outlet.com/karen-millen-gothic-peplum-dress-black-p-655.html 

Here is a wonderful example of a peplum skirt : 

This masterpiece is french Connection, but it looks like they are out of stock :(


Well, these pictures are only helpful hints in guiding you on your way to peplum perfection anyways. 


Add your own personal twist to this soon-to-become peplum rage to make it your own. You can switch a skirt like this up by wearing it with a white button down and pearls, or you juxtaposition the skirt by tucking in a black band tee and pairing that with converse.
The Fashion industry may have a say in what you wear, but you have a say in how you wear it. 


Translate: Yes, I am telling you to add your own twist to the styles that society dictates for us to wear, but it goes beyond that. By wearing their clothing modestly, you are making a statement. Secular culture can only go so far in telling me how to live my life. Yes, everyone wants to look fashionable. But society is not in charge of your body. You are. Its yours. And what better way to say that by clothing yourself in a tzanua way? So go ahead, make your look fashionable, CLASSY, and YOURS.


Enjoy your day!
- Sharon & Dorit Basiratmand

Time .. if Hashem gave it to you, its of value.

"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you are finished." - Rabbi Sharfman  ...


A Bat-Melech (princess) uses her time wisely.

So many times we hear people saying these two words: "I'm bored" .

its human nature to want to be comfortable, but we also want to be productive (some of us may not be in touch with this natural desire, but its there). That sense of accomplishment you feel after you finish your term paper that you worked really hard and will do well on? thats not only relief that its done, thats your sense of satisfaction at having done something productive with your time.
Hash-m placed us each in this world with a purpose. And our Neshamot all feel that deep down inside.

So really there should never be a moment where someone is bored, or doing something unproductive (like watching TV for extended periods of time). There IS something that can be done with a persons time that doesn't require staring at a screen (TV, computer, smart phone.. take your pick). When you have extra time on your hands, instead of being on facebook for hours on end, watching pointless movies, TV show reruns, or BBMing ten people at once, that time can get used for something beneficial. It can be something as simple as cleaning your room, or even just sitting down with yourself and reflecting on your middot (characteristics) that can use improvement (such as patience, not speaking lashon hara (slander), etc. But take it from personal experience, those actions are a lot more self-rewarding than not doing anything at all, although your Yetzer Hara might tell you otherwise.

So next time you start thinking about how bored you are, remember how the time Hash-m gave you is valuable and just might be able to be used on something more productive than what you are doing at that present moment. Trust me. It feels good to give in to the Yetzer Tov.


O and Ps. :

 PRINCESS Haya of Dubai :

Yes. Modest clothing AND her hair is covered. I aspire to be like royalty, do you?