What keeps you awake at night?

Woke up from a dream that shook the very core of my being few nights ago. Powerful/impressionable  enough to change my perspective on some of the long held beliefs/opinions.  I feel that sometimes when you don't deal with things in your full conscious state, you deal with them unconsciously ....or perhaps in a different state of consciousness altogether.  Couldn't seem to fall back asleep that night ......too many thoughts. 

I was sitting there in the dark after an hour of laying in my bed just letting my thoughts run around freely trying to understand myself. After an hour had past laying in my bed completely lost in and consumed by my thoughts  I was  quite sure that for the time being I was not going to get any more sleep in any immediate future. I decided to put how I felt in words and pulled my iPad out......without really knowing what I was going to write exactly.....nor even realizing that this was going to turn into a full blown post.

I'm certainly not a dream/sleep specialist by any means, but I'm sure most of us at some point or another in our lives experience one or even a few of these type of dreams. The kinds of dreams that make you step out of yourself and look at things, people around you and your life in a completely new light. The kinds of dreams that take us into the future and explore the options of what our life could be so vividly that we end up having such a hard time accepting these experiences as just mere dreams. The circumstance could be both good or bad ....depending on how we  personally perceive those. The kinds of dreams that make us think about our own life and death and about the life and death of others around us by literally making us experience those events in very realistic feeling manner. The kinds of dreams that make us reconsider our decisions in life and make us think "What if?". The kinds of dreams that revive our past and our memories and feelings of it. 

No matter our beliefs, thoughts or personal opinions about dreams. I think we all can agree that many times they leave a profound mark on a person we believe ourselves  to be. I can personally remember quite a few dreams during different times in my life....and some I had more than 15 years ago.  For example, I dreamed about a specific number few weeks before I had my son. I woke up very shaken by the dream and for some reason or another could stop thinking about it. Trying to figure out what exactly it mean without much success. The number I dreamed  about that specific  night actually turned out to be an exact date he was born......I had absolutely no way of knowing that.....because the birth was never pre-scheduled .....it was an emergency c-section that happened more that 15 years ago. After I had him, I thought to my self "So this is what it mean? How could I not know?" Maybe I did know in some very small way but somehow was refusing to go there because that would be considered "weird". That is so astonishingly hard to believe sometimes!  

While a lot of dreams are somewhat insignificant, confusing and often senseless  many times dreams are very powerful. You go to sleep being one person and wakeup as a totally different one. 

Sweet dreams,

Laila 

Let it snow! Plaid + Cashmere OOTD

MOM ITS SNOWING!  Shouted Dali in my ear right after he jumped on top of me while I was asleep this morning! .....I jumped up like " What? Who do I have to kill?" LOL! It was Sunday for God's sake! Why am I being awaken at 5 in the morning?! Nonetheless, I was excited to see some snow. It doesn't really snow here at all, it rains a lot which I enjoy ...but I do actually miss seeing the  glittery white winter wonderland each year since I moved here. I had not really been given a chance to decide whether to strangle Dali for waking me up screaming with excitement or to join him myself. I jumped up, made coffee and breakfast then quietly sat next to the window enjoying the view and my breakfast and coffee in my cozy PJs for a while. 

We ended up going some holiday shopping later in the day. I wanted something warm and cozy but feminine and put together to wear. I wanted to wear a long skirt.  For some reason I was itching to wear one. I haven't worn one in  such a long time. A long skirt used to a staple in my closet before my weight-loss. It was  not only a flattering style to wear or a mere fashion statement back then for me it was also in fact a good way to hide yourself in it....or well,  hide the parts of yourself you didn't want seen. I had one practically in every color/pattern/style imaginable.  After my weight loss I donated practically all of them but I did keep the one I ended up wearing. Although I did pin it ...just for the time being.....the waist is huge and the skirt longer then I would like. Needless to say I need to take it in for tailoring ASAP. I kept forgetting though, since I stopped wearing long skirts all together the last couple of years. I think I stopped wearing them partially because they reminded me of my need to hide behind long clothes ....and partially because I no longer felt the need or want to do that any more. However I did keep this one skirt because it was one of my favorites and because it has sentimental value ....it  has practically traveled the world with me :).  After some debate I decided on this long plaid skirt  by Charter Club I bought few years ago and paired it with simple black cashmere cardigan ....also by Charter Club. I wore my tall suede black boots with the outfit for added warmth and I was set. 

Masquerade makeup look

Fall season has always been my favorite time of the year. There is just something so magical about the beautiful rich warm colors, the cozy weather, the  sound and smell of the rain, the  spice infused foods and drinks and the beautiful fashions. I can go on and on about it. I simply love it all.

Usually around this time of the year, mostly around Halloween time a lot of us attend a lot of parties. Some of them themed and some of them not. One type of these festive get togethers/parties that I have always been attracted to is and always was a masquerade ball/party.

I'm not entirely sure what it is about it exactly, but the whole idea of anonymity and mystery coupled with elaborate fashions, intricate hair dos and colorful sparkly makeup makes the whole affair that much more mesmerizing and intriguing to me. I think it has to do with the fact that you are able to transform yourself into someone completely different and step into a completely foreign world to your every day one. It's exciting and magical.....and for someone creative as myself very inspirational. 

For this look my colors of choice where red and gold ....the colors inspired by my mask. I created a cut crease eye look using a Mehron loose gold pigment and NARS Exhibit A blush accompanied with a thick extended black liquid liner  for that much sought after cat eye look. I skipped the false lashes because of the mask and instead opted for a beautiful  bold red lip for which I used Russian Red by MAC. Since the brows, eyes and lips where all pretty bold already I used just a small touch of soft 

natural nude-pinkish blush and a bit of highlighter and skipped contour all together for a softer but nonetheless still very bold look. 

Shopping Asian Fashion & Sizes + Korean Lips Dress OOTD!

When I think about Japanese or Korean Fashion , the first few words that come to mind are: cute, feminine and tiny..... Yes I said TINY! :))) Their fashion trends are beautiful and unique .....and very often not something easily found in non-Asian countries ......but the sizes are tiny :(((. Disappointment doesn't even cover how I feel about that. I think,  becoming anorexic would be the only way I would actually fit into a lot of those cute clothes, not that I would ever encourage that or recommend it to anyone ever. Asian people are just built smaller than the rest of us. They have smaller frames both women and men genetically. 

However in recent years, they caught on and realized that they are not the only ones loving their styles so nowadays there are a lot of online places where you can get these cute pieces in sizes you can actually fit in .....which is a relief. I'm not saying it isn't a gamble still. There are still a lot of random online overseas retailers  who will sell items very affordably (much more affordably than here at home), but then their sizes will be 2-3 sizes smaller than stated in their description. And when you figure out that shipping/returning them back should they not work out  will actually cost you more than you paid for the item itself....... the whole idea defeats the purpose completely. 

Few weeks ago I was browsing online reading about trends in Asia (primarily Japan and Korea)  and came across a dress I really fell in love with. Actually, I found it in few different places online with 

very different price points and few different size ranges and descriptions but decided to contain my excitement and do some research  first on the sellers and read some reviews. The dress in question was a light weight black empire waist a-line flowy dress with bright red lips all over it. I simply had to have it. It was way too cute and too affordable to just simply pass on it. I took my measurements which corresponded to a size larger than I normally wear. I ordered a large while I normally wear a medium and sometimes small in dresses and got it delivered about 10 days later. I was delighted when it fit me ....I was happy that the seller was accurate in their description/measurements for this dress and that the dress was actually of very decent quality.

I ended up  wearing it last Friday night. I paired it with my HUE opaque black tights for warmth since the dress is very light weight and my BCBGeneration Timoh Bootie which added a bit of toughness to this very girly print dress. Everyone loved it and asked where I got it from since the haven't ever seen anyone around here wearing it. 

So my ultimate advice when shopping from Asian sellers: DO THE RESEARCH! - make sure you find and go thru real reviews for the sellers and items they are selling, compare prices and 

descriptions of the item, take measurements of yourself and Google a cm/inch  converter, when in doubt go 1-2 sizes larger than you are normally, read the return policy ......and ultimately acknowledge that sometimes you will loose money.

Other than that, happy shopping! 

Laila

HUE opaque tights 

http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/hue-opaque-tights?ID=1064073&CategoryID=26846&LinkType=#fn=sp%3D1%26spc%3D12%26slotId%3D9%26kws%3Dhue%20opaque%20tights

Korean Lip Dress

http://syndromestore.com/collections/dresses/products/korean-lip-print-dress?variant=1255572236

BCBGeneration Timoh Bootie

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/bcbgeneration+timoh+bootie?prodId=334463

MICHAEL Michael Kors Selma Stud Medium Top Zip Satchel Review

So for the last year or so I was in a search for a good mid size black handbag. And while you might think a mid sized black handbag is so easy to find and I must say I would agree with you, for me it was anything but an easy task due to my pickiness. I didn't care if it was branded or not, if it cost more or less. The most important thing was that it was perfect for me and that I really loved it since a black everyday handbag is an irreplaceable staple in every women's closet. It is after all, meant to be used frequently and very often on daily basis. I didn't want anything plain and boring......but then again I didn't want anything too crazy over the top. It had to be the perfect size .....and a perfect balance of classy and modern. A bag that would work with a huge variety of styles and outfit combinations......I went thru a lot of bags.....and I do mean a lot. Even though my search was not always focused strictly towards finding the bag....I would casually look thru hand bag selections 

every now and then while I found my self shopping for something completely unrelated. 

During my search I came across the  MICHAEL Michael Kors Selma Stud Medium Top Zip Satchel few times and I would always make a mental note that I really loved this bag. I was just holding out a bit in case there was something "better" out there. Not that there was something wrong with this gorgeous handbag....It of course came in variety of colors with different selection of hardware colors as well as different sizes and I loved all of that but I was firm on getting a black option which came with a choice of silver or golden hardware.....I chose the silver simply because I always go for the gold.....I felt like I needed to be a bit rebellious this time around :)))

Since the first day I got it home I was in love and have been using it non stop. I got it just in time for fall rainy cold weather. It is perfect size for me. Big enough for all my daily essentials but small enough for me to cram anything else that really doesn't belong there which is a big plus in my case :))) .....the bigger the handbag I have the more I seem to put in there and the heavier it becomes....that is the exact reason I have reserved bigger handbags I own for travel only from now on. 

The bag also comes with adjustable strap with 19-1/2" drop (which I don't use on daily basis because I prefer the look without it but I also don't really have the need for it on daily basis but it's a good thing to have for those times when you expect to have your hands full. Apart.from  that I also features double handles with 4" drop. I love that the bag is leather made. The leather is sturdy and holds its shape regardless of the bag being empty of full. I also appreciate that it has a good quality zipper so 

my things don't spill out and are  not lost easily. The  top zipper keeps the contents safe and it's 

impossible for anyone to slip something in or even pull something from your bag without you taking notice right away.....so that is always a good safety bonus right there which for me is hugely important.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that the bag had two compartments on one side where you can keep you phone and stuff such as a lipstick or a mirror for example and a zipped compartment on the other side for things you want accessible but still kept safe. The bag in not too deep and it's really easy to find anything you have in it ....but it's deep enough to keep a bigger wallet, a small cosmetic bag, a mini umbrella and an iPad or something similar....so it perfect mid size bag.

It also has metal "feet" on the bottom so it's not directly on the floor or any surface you chose to put it on. Apart from that it features MICHAEL KORS logo in front and the lovely studs which are place along the back and the front edge of the handbag. It's a nice detail  against the leather background that gives this hand bag a good mix of  classy sophistication with a bit of an edge and toughness. 

I'm really enjoying this bag and am contemplating of getting another color perhaps before this style disappears ....... 

Macy's online description of the handbag:

Sized right for daily essentials, this sophisticated satchel is made of scratch resistant Saffiano leather trimmed in gleaming gold/silver-tone studs. By MICHAEL Michael Kors.

* Saffiano leather

* Double handles with 4" drop; adjustable strap with 19-1/2" drop

* Top zip closure

* Exterior features gold-tone hardware, signature lettering and stud detail

* Interior features 1 zip pocket, 2 slip pockets and key clasp finder

* 13" W x 8" H x 4" D

* Includes dust bag

MICHAEL Michael Kors Selma Stud Medium Top Zip Satchel Review

http:%2F%2Fwww1.macys.com%2Fshop%2Fproduct%2Fmichael-michael-kors-selma-stud-medium-top-zip-satchel%3FID=1661386&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla&CAWELAID=120156340001546564&catargetid=120156340000914644&cadevice=t&cm_mmc=Google_Handbags_Adchemy_PLA_PLA-_-Brand+-+Michael+Kors+-+GS_Michael+Kors-_-69538617847_-_-_mkwid_PYyOETYQ%7Cdt_69538617847%257C-%257CPYyOETYQ

Friday Night Red Fringe OOTD

Fringe as most of us I'm sure  have noticed by now, is everywhere! It's been so on trend this year. You can  pretty much see it on handbags, shoes, coats, skirts, dresses, tops.....in every color and in various varieties of fabrics. And I of course, had to jump on  the fringe wagon myself and join the crowd who was already adding some sass to their everyday wardrobe with in this fun and flirty trend.

I found a red fringe skirt few weeks ago at Lane Bryant while I was there looking at some fringe boots. I don't shop for clothes at Lane Bryant normally because the clothes are too big for me......even their smallest sizes are usually quite big. I will normally wander in there to look at shoes, bras or accessories. This time however I spend half a morning looking at different fringe boots in few different storescasually walked in. They had a black fringe booties but I did not like them much. As I was talking to the sales lady about this fringe trend that has taken over everyone....I casually mentioned that I would love to find a nice fringe skirt. Couple minutes later, she came out with the new red  fringe skirt they just got in stock that very morning that wasn't even on the floor get. I was both delighted but also felt a bit disappointed. The skirt was exactly what I was looking for.....and on top of that was a beautiful red color (black also available now).....my favorite color ....but  the smallest size was too big.

I decided to try it on anyway hoping and praying it ran small.  I really wanted it to work ....Few minutes later I came out with a long face.....it was huge in the waist area :(. The sales lady looked at me and said "if you like it that much, just tailor it". If course, I smiled ....that is exactly what I was going to do......

Fast forward few weeks to last night (Friday). I was going out and it was a cold, fall night. I needed
something sexy but not too revealing but also something warm enough and comfortable. The combo
of my black fitted sweather with subtle lace along with opaque tights and tall suede boots combination with playful red fringe fit the bill perfectly.  I paired the outfit with bold brown/black cat eyeliner and shimmery red glossy lip....and I was out the door.

CHIFFON FRINGE SKIRT
http://www.lanebryant.com/trendy-plus-size-clothing-in-fashionable-styles/all-new-arrivals/chiffon-fringe-skirt/4000c17316p224762/index.pro?selectedColor=Venetian%20Red&sid=PS:LB:pla&mcid=PPC&ipDetection=off&gclid=CKT2kZ6Yy8gCFYpgfgod7zMNQw

MICHAEL Michael Kors Selma Stud Medium Top Zip Satchel
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/michael-michael-kors-selma-stud-medium-top-zip-satchel?ID=1661386&pla_country=US&CAGPSPN=pla&CAWELAID=120156340001546564&catargetid=120156340000914644&cadevice=t&cm_mmc=Google_Handbags_Adchemy_PLA_PLA-_-Brand+-+Michael+Kors+-+GS_Michael+Kors-_-69538617847_-_-_mkwid_PYyOETYQ|dt_69538617847%7C-%7CPYyOETYQ

IMPO Olita Boot
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/impo+olita+boot?prodId=335692