Repost: How I manage to wear my bikini confidently?

I admit I really hate bikinis before. It terrifies me. Back in the day, when I go out with my college friends to go for swimming, we just wear a plain t-shirt and shorts. Definitely not the proper swimming attire. Talk about life in the province (Mindanao), well, they don't even require proper swimming attire, then why should we? I even swore to my friends before that I will never ever wear a bathing suit especially bikini. When I was young, I thought I got all kinds of flaws or body issues. I felt so inferior believe me. I am flat-chested. I am not fair-skinned. I had a not well-kept bikini line (no wax services yet that time). Gawd! It's so terrifying. 

But time passed by and we've gone through a lot of things as we gets mature (old), somehow I've gained guts. I've been living in Manila for over a decade and I already embraced the liberation. I have guts but I am still as timid as you can imagine. It was my hubby (who was a boyfriend then) that totally made me out of my shell. It took a lot of courage and finally, I am able to wear a bikini confidently. My hubby is very supportive (that's why I married him). He always says nice things about how I look (well, he's obligated!), he makes me feel good about myself and that makes me feel confident. Thanks to hubby, you're the sweetest man ever!

So, will you just let the chances passed of wearing a bikini and be a kill-joy? Why don't you also plunge and join the crowd? 

Are you ready to look confidently fab and sexy in the beach?

FIND THE RIGHT SWIMSUIT. Click here. 

I am flat-chested and my body-type is Banana-shaped or straight (rectangular). It is very important to know your body shape first before buying a bathing suit/ bikini. Since I'm not blessed with a well-endowed chest, I will make the attention draw away from my flaws.

Whenever I buy my bikinis, I always see to it that it fits me right. I also made sure that the fitting room is well-secure, have a wood door that has a lock inside and not only a curtain. I will feel secure and not worrying, and then I can focus in fitting my bikini very well. Agree? Somebody might accidentally open the curtain just like that and your moment is ruined. Lols!

I chose a bikini that are halter and have a horizontal stripes, a floral designs, and bright colors and of course, tie sides. It will make my chest look bigger and as well as my hips to look wider. With this design, the illusion of narrow waist and curves are created. I do also have bandeau bikinis. But a-ah, if you wear bandeau, make sure it has a strap around your neck because if it's strapless, oh good luck! I mean, it might slide down because your chest lacks tissue and that cannot guarantee the bandeau to hold at its still position all the time.

ACCESSORIZE YOUR BIKINI.
Accessories can help you with your flaws to look unnoticeable.

1. Sunglasses. Do I still need to say this? The heat can sometimes be blinding especially when you're at the beach and the sun is at its intense; it could hurt your eyes and sometimes, it will cause migraine. Sunglasses can help you see the surroundings clearly. Would you want to add another thing to worry about aside from your bikini when you're already in the public? So, do not forget your sunglasses.

2. Necklaces. I'm talking about something that you can wear on the beach that will help to cover your flaws and not about gold or silver or anything metals. Get it? I am flat-chested so I don't have a cleavage to show. I'd rather cover it up than to get others attention. They might say why the hell I don't have a cleavage?! So, I used a necklace as my beach accessory which I can soak to water also.

This necklace is made of bamboo.

3. Cover-ups. When anxiety attacks, you can always count on with your cover-ups. A cover-up is something that you can put on over your bikini to slightly hide your flaws. There are so many kinds of cover-ups. In the beach, the famous is sarong. But there are cover-ups with many kinds of design; chic and sexy.

Loose sleeveless or t-shirts (should be white) which I take off when I swim and put on when I finished swimming. 

There is a stretchable net that will make you feel sexy even without taking it off. You can choose a net with half-thigh length or you may opt for bottom part only. I have tried swimming with the yellow net on but the black net pants didn't work for me.

Linen pants. Linen is perfect for summer season and it is so far my favorite. It is cool and comfortable to wear especially when you're in the beach. It is thinner and light-weight. I like this because it is easy to clean when the sand sticks to the pants, you can just easily shake it off. When its get wet, it also easily dried up in a couple of minutes.

Try a short skirt that has a tie so you can adjust it.

Try a scarf. You can wrap it on your hips and tie one side or you can use it as protection also from the heat. In my case, I used it also to cover my shoulder and arms at times that I can't bear with the heat.

4. Beach bag. For us girls, bag is a must. Of course, aside from your purse, you should have a beach bag. A bag that you will carry when you hit the beach or lounge in the pool or if you just want to take a walk along by the beach and do sight-seeing. You can always put your cover-ups in your bag. Thinking of having it in your bag can make the anxiety attacks away because you're confident you can just pull it out anytime. Make sure it's sturdy to carry the weight of the bag's content.

In that bag, I put my sunglasses, sunblock lotion, hat, camera or cellphone, towel, cover-ups, etc.

WEAR BEACH DRESS.
The weather is unpredictable. When you're in the beach, it could rain all of a sudden even if it's sunny. When I just want to look around and walk along by the beach, I still wear a bikini with a beach dress on top of it. So when I feel the urge to swim, I am ready anytime.

Make sure your beach dress is thin and light weight.

I usually hit the beach at 6:00 am because it isn't that hot yet and there are very few people around because most of them are still asleep. I walk with my bikini on along the beach with my hubby. I swim, dip, do back strokes, soak and sun bathe for all I care. You will feel good about yourself and feel confident. When the sun is already high, you will notice the people start to flock in the beach. By then, I already have the confidence to go up from the water back & forth.

Observe the surroundings. Look around with your friends or the crowd. I'm sure they also have figure flaws they are dealing with just like you. A belly is the #1 flaws you will find in a woman and it is pretty normal; its part of your life. A big bust is also an issue to some women, so I stopped thinking about my small bust and just think I'm lucky enough. Do not think that they are looking at your body all the time. If you have notice they did; just shrugged it off. What can you do? They aren't blind anyway so they can see you. It's normal they would look but that's it; it will probably just a glance.

Bear this in mind; people at the beach are busy taking pictures of themselves or with their group. They are occupied with the thinking that they are there to enjoy the beach just like you and not to think anything else non-sense. They are busy in swimming, socializing, eating, drinking, having a sun bathe, taking souvenir photos and other girls are worrying about their own figure flaws and they're not thinking about yours.

So, just enjoy the beach by lounging in the beach beds provided by your hotel or if there's none, you can always bring a towel and lay down in the sand. Relax and stop thinking about your bikini.

Hope you find this post helpful..

XX,

Follow & Like me on Bloglovin, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

How to determine your skin tone?

On what skin tone do you fall? Are you warm, cool or neutral? You do not know? You aren't sure? You aren't familiar? I know some would ask why. Do you know that determining your skin tone can bring out the best in your appearance? Believe me, it is that important.

This is relative to my previous post "Fashion 101: Identify The Colors". If you understand the colors, you can apply that knowledge to your everyday routine in applying make-up and selecting clothes to wear would be easy. I admit, I always spend a lot of time in selecting tops to match my bottoms (or vice versa)  but when I understand the color wheel; thinking of clothes to wear is now as easy as counting 1, 2, 3. In fact, my closet is now partially organized (think of a mess!) because I started piling and grouping my tops and bottoms that match and look good together basing on color theory or the color wheel. It would be less time and effort for thinking of pieces that looks good together. I even printed a copy of the color wheel and pasted it at the door closet for quicker reference because I am so forgetful and I haven't memorized yet the color consecution of the color wheel. 

As I was organizing my closet, I realized I have tons of grays, browns, blacks and whites. I thought of Neutrals as safest to wear in the office before. This is the result of working in a corporate world. I used to be an office girl before and I settled for how many years wearing neutral colors. In short, I endured being colorless for so long until I quit the corporate world. I wish I could have known the fashion basics before. At least I could have put colors and life on all my office outfits. Okay, enough for this. 

Anyway, determining your skin tone is very important because there are certain colors that make us look great while other colors make us look ashen and tired. Not only when buying clothes but also when buying make-ups such as foundation, blush, and lipstick. If you know your skin tone you are at peace that your purchases will be worth it and won't go to waste. Now, it's time to determine what tone you fall. Here's a simple guide to help you with that:

Cool toned

o You burn easily instead of tanning.

o You look good in blue, pink or purple.

o You have pink undertones (rosy).

o Silver jewelry, white clothes look good on you.

o Look at the back of your hand (in natural light), your vein would be visibly bluish.

Warm toned

o You tanned easily instead of burning.

o You look good in brown, yellow and green.

o You have yellow undertones.

o Gold jewelry and cream clothes look good on you.

o Look at the back of your hand (in natural light), your vein would be visibly greenish.

Neutral toned

You will have mix of the guides stated above of both warm and cool. For example:
o You have greenish veins but you have pink undertones (rosy look).
o Or you have yellow undertones but you have bluish veins.
o All colours will look good on you.

As I've mentioned from my previous post, Neutral can go with anything. You may look better wearing a cool color but you may look best in wearing warm colors.

Now that you already determined your skin tone, it is time to identify which is a warm, cool and neutral colors. Identifying the color will be your key to bring out the sparkle of your appearance. Neutral colors are Black, White, Gray, Beige, Cream, Khaki and Navy (Denim).

                                                  

                                                  

                                                  

                                                  

                                                  

                                                  

Warm               Cool

Warm colors are vivid or bold in nature. It implies a friendly, inviting and relaxing atmosphere. These colors can be overwhelming. These colors are in relevance to heat, sunshine, dry, and candle light.

Cool colors are calm or soothing in nature. It implies freshness, open, and coolness, hence, it named as Cool. These colors are not overpowering. These colors are in relevance to water, air, rain, and mint. 

Neutral colors are lacking hue (colors). It implies classic, harmless, natural and timeless. These colors play more on a safe side - quiet, pale, light and modest.

I fall on Warm tone. I did a test to determine my tone a few years back by only looking at the back of my hand. I have greenish veins. That's the simple way I did after reading a post from a beauty blogger about 3 years ago and I noticed I don't get burn when we go to beach but I just easily get tanned. I may add this, my skin does not return to its normal tone that fast but it takes 6 months to 1 year. Yes, my skin was that slow to recover from tanning. I actually still have bikini tan lines on my bottom part until now from our last Boracay trip. Even before I did a test, I am fond of wearing reds, mustard, and light greens. I do not know if I can connect that relation but even before I really do not fond wearing blues, fuchsias, and violets; anything that is very dark because it makes me darker except Black. Though I had some of those cool colors in pastel but mostly you'll see me wearing warm colors. 

I hope you find this post helpful.

XX,

I am J...

Fashion 101: Identify The Colors

Nowadays, I often do blog-hopping to fashion blogs during my free times. Some I have it bookmarked and some I followed. I wondered why these girls look at their best all the time. No matter what colors (loud or pale) they wear; they always look great.

Yes, like every girl does; I do love shopping. I am impulsive in buying, too. Mostly, the shoes and clothes I buy are end up sitting in my closet and just gathering dusts. I am fond of buying clothes that aren't basic. I buy clothes that later I'll realized it needs a perfect timing and proper occasion to get it wore. I often got to wear most of the stuffs after months, a year or two or worst, if it's a shoes (high heels); sometimes it got outworn due to non-wearing because the skin flakes and get crispy. Well, who doesn't love to shop especially if there's a Sale? Who doesn't want to look good? Who doesn't want to get trendy and stylish? Who doesn't want to be "in"? I looove clothes but I found out I'm a fashion victim until I read Camille's post a few days back.  

Camille posted Orange and Blue which looks very amazing on her as always. Well, she looks good in all her outfit posts anyway and I think I'm having girl crush on her. She's such a doll and amazing. She mentioned that in fashion basic design, the first thing you need to study is the color wheel. That was the great tip ever - the color wheel. I have no idea so I goggled for it. And there, the moment I've seen and figured-out how to use the color wheel made me realized the mistakes I used to believe was right. But I didn't fret because it's not too late. 

---- oo00OO00oo ----

Color Wheel

1.) Identify the colors in the Color Wheel.

The first thing you will do is to identify the colors. I learned that the color wheel consists of Primary Colors, Secondary Colors, and Tertiary Colors. 

Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, and Blue.

                                                 

Primary colors are the 3 pigment colors that cannot be created or formed through any combination of other colors. All other colors are derived from these 3 hues.

Secondary Colors: Green, Violet, and Orange, 

                                                 

These are the colors formed by mixing the primary colors. For example, if you blend:

Yellow + Blue = Green

Blue + Red = Purple

Red + Yellow = Orange

Tertiary Colors: Yellow-Orange, Red-Orange, Red-Violet, Blue-Violet, Blue-Green, and Yellow-Green.

                                                                                                   

These are the colors formed by mixing one primary and one secondary color. It's as easy as 1+1=2. Hence, the color is named two words. For example, if you blend:

 Blue + Violet = Blue-Violet

Blue + Green = Blue-Green

Yellow + Green = Yellow-Green

Yellow + Orange = Yellow-Orange

Red + Orange = Red-Orange

Red + Violet = Red-Violet

---- oo00OO00oo ----

2.) Identify the Neutral Colors.

Neutral Colors: Black, White, Gray, Brown, Beige, Cream, Khaki, and Navy (Denim).

                                                                  

Black, White, Gray, Brown

                                                                  

Beige, Cream, Khaki, Navy (Denim)

The main neutral colors are Black and White. Neutral colors don't show up on the color wheel. It usually means without color and it can go with anything. These colors can match many different colors from the color wheel. They are sometimes called "earth tones". The Gray, Brown, Beige, Khaki, and Navy are formed as neutral if you blend Primary and Secondary Colors. For example, if you blend:

Black + White = Gray

Brown + White = Beige/ Cream

Blue + Black = Navy (Denim)

Red + Green = Brown; or

Blue + Red + Yellow = Brown

Yellow + Green + Red + Blue =  Khaki

---- oo00OO00oo ----

3.) Harmonize the colors.

Now that you already understand the color wheel, you can now start learning how to harmonize the colors. I realized, it is not just about the design, style and random color of pieces you take from the rack but it is also about certain colors that look well together or else you will end up buying piece by piece every time and do  "one-never-suit-the-other-one" mantra. You might already have a color scheme in mind that you've tried and you looked okay but referring to a theory based on the color wheel is best as to which colors will make you look not just okay but settle for something that is totally pleasing and look best when pull-off together. 

Color Scheme

Complementary color scheme

                                                                

[Yellow & Violet], [Blue & Orange], [Red & Green], etc.

Complementary has 2 colors and are opposite one another on the color wheel. You will create a high contrast and vivid color. In short, you're making something to stand-out.

Split-Complementary color scheme

                                                                            

[Red-Violet, Red-Orange & Green], [Blue-Green, Blue-Violet & Orange], [Yellow-Green, Yellow-Orange & Violet], etc.

Split-Complementary has 2 colors on side of the Complementary or 2 Tertiary Colors plus 1 Secondary Color. This color scheme has the same high contrast and vivid color as result but has less tension. For beginners, this is a good choice. In short, this is safe for experimenting.

Analogous color scheme

                                                                                      

[Yellow, Yellow-Orange & Orange], [Red-Orange, Red & Red-Violet], [Yellow-Green, Green & Blue], etc.

Analogous has 3 colors and are located next or adjacent to each other on the color wheel. They share a common color hence matches well and pleasing to the eyes. When choosing Analogous, choose one color to dominate and a second color that is lighter. The third color shouldn't be a similar color because you will use it as accent. 

Rectangle (tetradic) color scheme

                                                                          

[Green, Red, Blue, & Orange], [Yellow-Green, Red-Violet, Yellow-Orange, & Blue Violet], etc.

Rectangle or tetradic has 4 colors or also called as double-complementary color scheme. It consists of 2 pairs of Complementary colors. You can create tetradic colors by making a rectangle in the color wheel. It works best if only one color dominates.

Triad color scheme

                                                                                     

[Green, Orange & Blue], [Yellow, Red &; Blue], [Yellow-Orange, Blue-Green & Red Violet], etc.

Triadic has 3 colors spaced evenly around the color wheel. You will create vibrant colors even if you use pale or unsaturated colors by using equilateral triangle. Equilateral means a triangle with all three sides of equal lengths. Colors should be carefully balanced when using Triadic. Let one color be dominant and used the other two colors for an accent. 

Square color scheme

                                                                                  

[Violet, Yellow, Blue-Green & Red-Orange], [Red-Violet, Yellow-Green, Blue & Blue), etc.

Square has 4 colors and is similar to Rectangle (tetradic), but the colors are spaced evenly. Notice that these colors consist of Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Colors. Note that only one color should dominate and use the other colors for an accent.

So, there you go. I hope this post helps and give idea to those who have fashion mistakes and have less idea in pulling colors together for mix and matching of their clothes like me. Hehe. I am going back to basics, thus the title post "Fashion 101". It's not too late to make it right. What make me glad about realizing this is that I can settle for looking best than just looking okay. Your choice! Watch out for my next post in related to this.

XX,

Ways To Wear A Basic White Top

Advance Happy New Year to all!

Why that is every New Year comes, aside from doing a general cleaning; I always find myself working very hard in cleaning out my closet? Is it just me or you do, too?

Okay, so there was one afternoon when I opened my closet and some pile of clothes fell down. I think I have lot of stuffs or maybe our closet is just literally small to make all our stuffs fit in. Hmm...

I selected clothes that I hardly wear (circa 2-3 years ago) and put it in other container for disposal. My siblings and my one & only niece will benefit from those and some are reserved as giveaway for my friends. While as I was doing segregation, something popped on my mind when I saw one - a basic white top. Do you know that a white basic top or a blouse or a dress is a must in your closet? I love whites! 

Rumor Has It by PeopleArePeople

If you wonder why the photo has still a tag, well, I took this photo as soon as I got home when I bought it for future blog purposes and speaking of it - just like today's post. 

I bought this white sleeveless last October 2011 before we went to Mindanao. I know that the weather in my hometown is always hot and humid all-year round and a basic white sleeveless would be perfect when we do a stroll. A white clothes tends to bounce back the sun's heat and it absorbs less heat than of any colors of clothes. To stress this out, avoid black tees when you know that you're going to spend more time under the sun because a black clothes absorbs more heat.

Moving on, basic whites (top or bottom) are easy to style with and is versatile to pair or to layer with. Avoid whites if you know you're a little bit bloated because it will make you look even bigger. In my case, I'm in denial, so please just let me wear it. Lol. So, after a much hard-work of compiling the clothes that need some loving and clothes that need some care in the hand of others (friends and my siblings), I came up with this post of styling my favorite basic white sleeveless. 

Office Outfit No.1

If I am still reporting to an office on weekdays, I would definitely wear this white top with a trouser. Always remember, if your top is fitted then pair it with loose bottom. And if your bottom is fitted, then your top should be a bit loose.

Of course, a blazer would complete this look for a modest finished. I wear it with a tiny Brown belt and a very dark brown high heels.

Outfit Details:

Shoes: Matthews

Belt: Forever 21

Necklace: Tiangge

Trouser: Surplus Shop by SM

o~~~~~~~~~~~~o

Office Outfit No.2

It is white and very, very basic. As I've mentioned earlier, this basic top I have is a combination of a blouse and a dress. If you are fond of wearing dress in reporting to office, this is just perfect for a corporate look but still looking chic and sexy.

It is stretchable, so I just pulled it down to make it longer. Wear it with just a tiny belt to make you look taller and it gives the illusion of long legs. 

Try it with a scarf! Remember, less is beautiful. Don't accessorize much. Just add a watch and a pair of bracelets would do. Don't forget the blazer to keep the modest look when needed like for a meeting.

o~~~~~~~~~~~~o

Office Outfit No.3

Back in the day, I always have a denim blazer when I work because our air-con unit in the office cool down the place very quickly and later on very, very cold. Brrrrr!!! Denim is a thick fabric so it's just perfect for layering and fights the cold temperature.

I changed my high heels to a wedge shoes to fit with my denim blazer. Denims can make you look tough so I guess the wedge shoes can balance your look than of the stiletto high heels. Agree?

Outfit Details:

Shoes: Matthews

Wedge shoes: KEDS

Belt: Forever 21 & SM Acessories

Necklace: Tiangge

Blazer: PeopleArePeople

o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

A Dinner Date/ Party Outfit

After a long day of work or a long week, a dinner date awaits with your girlfriends, boyfriend or your husband. Sometimes you and your office mates would like to hang-out in a club or a party. You can actually wear the same outfit provided you have prepared a clutch bag or a hand bag.

Since the fabric is stretchable, I pulled the bottom up for a sexier cut. I paired it with a stiletto shoes with a black and bronze/ gold design to match with my feathered clutch bag.

Outfit Details:

Shoes: Janeo

Necklace: Tiangge

Clutch bag: CMG

o~~~~~~~~~~~~~o

A Common Outfit

After getting off from work or just a common day like weekend, use the basic white to a simple date or a simple stroll in the mall with your loved one (a boyfriend or a hubby). In my case, I love wearing mini-skirts or shorts.

I pulled up the dress and fold the edge in my hip area. 

Outfit Details:

Shoes: KEDS

Necklace: Tiangge

Belt: Babo

Hand bag: XOXO

Fyi, my hubby was the one who take all the shots happened in our roof deck. He directed all my poses. Okay, that are my ways to wear a basic top. How about you? Do you have a basic white tee? How do you style it? Care to share? I hope you find this post helpful.

iamjenniya

What is your body shape?

Summer in December? Hmm...

Do you know that the best time to buy swimsuit is around this period of time? A lot is on sale and swimsuits are included. Okay, so you spent a lot of time trying on the swimsuits and finally decided which one to get. But did you really pick the right swimsuit? Bear in mind that our body has its own issues, too. We have assets that we want to look our body more wonderful and we have flaws that we want to look unnoticeable. And knowing your body type will be the starting key to find the right swimsuit.

Know your body shape

The best way to know your body shape is to stand in front of a life-size mirror. Take a good look at your body with your swimsuit or underwear. Be honest with what you've seen in the mirror, okay? Lols! Then, figure-out what body-shape your body falls in: Banana-shape, Apple-shape, Pear-shape or Hourglass-shape. 

See illustration below.

 - Banana or straight (rectangular) -

Mostly, they are boyish figure and have very few curves. They are flat & small-chested and have an undefined waist. The size of the bust and hips are almost of the same size; narrow. Body fat is noticeably found in the abdomen, buttocks, chest, and face. This overall fat distribution creates the typical ruler (straight) shape. 

Cameron Diaz has Banana-shape or straight body.

What swimsuit to pick?

Color/ Design: Bright colors and feminine prints. Horizontal stripes in the bust and hip areas to create an illusion of wide hips and curves.

Top: triangle, ruffles, halter and bandeau top with straps (all-padded)
Bottom: with ruffles around the hip area, horizontal stripes, tie sides, boy shorts with a wide belt, with flared skirt.

- Apple (triangle downward) -

The abdomen and chest look out of proportion to the rest of the body. Mostly they have full-breasts. They have slim legs/ thighs. They tend to have broad(er) shoulders compared to their narrow(er) hips. Fat is mainly distributed in the abdomen, chest, and face.

Pamela Anderson has Apple-shaped body.

What swimsuit to pick?

Color/ Design: Busy print pattern on top or solid dark color.

Top: Halter or underwire top to provide enough support. Avoid strapless bandeaus.
Bottom: avoid tiny triangle bikini.

- Pear or spoon or bell (triangle upward) -

The women of this body type tend to have a big hips, narrow shoulders and small bust. The fat is distributed to the buttocks, hips and thighs. If they gain weight, the body fat is distributed around the waist and upper abdomen. 

Jennifer Lopez has Pear-shaped body.

What swimsuit to pick?
Color/ Design: Dark slimming color for the bottom, bright and fun pattern on top.

Top: halter and push-up
Bottom: high cut bikini, tie sides, never wear boy shorts or skirt.

Hourglass shape. (triangles opposing, facing in)

The hourglass figure is often considered to be an epitome of female beauty. An hourglass figure is considered a beauty ideal because the hip and bust are almost of equal size with a narrow waist. Body fat is distributed around both the upper body and lower body. 

Kim Kardashian has an Hourglass-shaped body.

What swimsuit to pick?

Color/ Design: Most patterns and designs look good on you.

Top: halter, underwire and avoid triangle tops and bandeaus.
Bottom: tie sides, 

Yes, red tags are everywhere. You can see it right and left but always remember every penny you spend is hard-earned by yourself or by your parents (if you haven't work yet) or by your special someone. It is good to pay less but a bad fit is useless. 

Hope you find this post helpful.

XX,

iamjenniya