office

This blog post is a contest entry for the Mia by Tanishq Blogger Contest. You can check out the Mia TV ad on YouTube, and the gorgeous Mia by Tanishq jewellery collection here.

I am a multi-tasker by choice. I’m part of a marketing team by day, and full-time fashion blogger at night. For both jobs, I am constantly looking out for new ideas, exploring new avenues, dreaming of new content….

Both jobs require me to communicate important messages to the right people while making sure my work looks appealing. There are several things that need to look great when I work on something for office or the blog — numbers in black Arial from monthly reports, boring press releases, and seemingly-disconnected fashion pictures.

No one really wants to read rows of numbers on a sheet or images that mean nothing. There has to be a connection somewhere- maybe even some sort of story, right? And that’s why I try to brainstorm– to make sense of what I need to write as a report or blog post. I may need to sell an idea to the team at work, or hot trends to my blog readers.

So how does that happen? I read everything I have- again and again till I can figure out a “story”, with a specific purpose. This could be anything- from convincing my boss on a new SOP we should make, or making readers think they’d look great in this colour or that print.

Once the purpose is clear, everything falls into place! The boring numbers get transformed into simple categories, arranged in neat columns demarcated by colours and type of information. The press releases are completely re-written, and the drab documents get a new look with a theme and an eye-catching layout.

Embellishments, colours and fabrics suddenly appear in a different light– making for a hot trend! A collection of pictures becomes a slide show or gallery. For quarterly and monthly reviews, the right pictures are selected and re-arranged, while mostly meaningless data shows insight into the business. With each slide, blog post, chart, or even a spreadsheet formula that I work on, I aim to make a lasting impact, and make it fun, reader-friendly and as creative as possible. The standard “templates” for work or blogging are certainly not for me.

Yes, transforming the terribly mundane to the creatively exciting is part of my daily life, and I’m loving it. And that’s why I’m as beautiful as my work. Are you?

In Fashion, trends

Winter Layering: Dress smart for office

Speaking ChicJanuary 20, 20112 Comments

Everyone complains that layering during winter can be tough. And when you’re headed to work, layering is all the more tricky. Layer too casually, and you can look sloppy. Layer too formally, and your colleagues may think you’re snooty. And you don’t want to look bulky or resemble a fashion victim.

Speaking Chic has put together some key looks for office. So bundle up just right for work, and let your clothes speak for themselves.

Look 1: Sophisticated

Rock the next big meeting or sales pitch with an uber-sophisticated approach to winter dressing. The key is to opt for neutral outerwear with minimal, yet eye-catching detailing. The faux fur on the belted camel coat and the metallic buttons of the knit cardigan will add a dash of refinement to your office look.

Shopping Guide:

Camel coat from French Connection

Deconstructed knits cardigan from French Connection

Studded gloves from S.Oliver

White shirt from S. Oliver

Coming soon: More winter looks for office!

Related Post:

Winter Layering Trends: Go Casual

In Beauty

Lakme Day Perfect Lip Color: long-lasting lipstick

Speaking ChicDecember 10, 2010Leave a comment

A lipstick that lasts 10 hours? Maybe it’s not just a dream anymore. Lakme has introduced Day Perfect Lip Color that claims to stay for up to 10 hours. It’s a gel-based creme lip colour with a shine and creamy texture.

Lakme’s Day Perfect Lip Colours are from the Lakme Nine to Five range, among the more popular products in Lakme’s product portfolio. I remember Indrani Dasgupta’s TV ad a couple of years ago: the coffee didn’t fade her lip colour, neither did the pencil in her mouth, nor the various things she did throughout the day.

Lakme Day Perfect Lip Colors are available in 12 shades.

Our favourites:

Apricot Nectar, Black Currant Sorbet and Twilight Flame:

We haven’t yet got our hands on this lipstick, but if you have, let us know how long the Day Perfect Lip Colors stay on your lips. 🙂

In WIFW SS 2011

WLIFW: AM:PM for work and play

Speaking ChicOctober 26, 2010Leave a comment

In a refreshing change from festive wear, Ankur and Priyanka Modi of AM:PM presented a collection of office and easy evening wear at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011.

Office wear included vests with tightly draped skirts. For evening wear, the AM:PM duo used asymmetrical hemlines and wrap dresses in light fabrics like chiffon, with colours like grey and crème. Drapes were also visible in a Grecian dress and a fun jumpsuit.

Being a Spring/Summer collection (called Office Couture), AM:PM gave their collection a summery touch with long sundresses with surface shine and long gowns in empire-line waists.

Speaking Chic says: We didn’t see much experimentation from AM:PM, but most clothes were very wearable.

In Bad Fashion, Bollywood Fashion

First look: Impossible office wardrobe

Speaking ChicJuly 30, 2010Leave a comment

[tweetmeme source=”spkngchic” only_single=false] I just saw the trailer of the upcoming Mukta Arts film Hello Darling. From what I gather, the movie is about a perverted boss (Javed Jaffrey) who sexually harasses female colleagues. Three such women decide to avenge this harassment. Excellent theme, considering the prevalence of sexual harassment at the workplace. Interesting premise, but could someone have please paid attention to what the women wore to work? Note the impossible dresses worn by Celina Jaitley. Which office or company allows employees to wear cleavage-revealing outfits?

Watch the trailer and tell us what you think of this costume faux pas.

In Advice, Fashion

Monsoon mini-guide: Must-haves and must-gags

Speaking ChicJune 21, 20103 Comments

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The rain gods have arrived, and they’re showering their love on us. It’s time to show some R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to them and to ourselves, overhauling our wardrobes for the next coupla months.

Here’s a handy tip: Come monsoon, and what you wear is not a question of trends, but of comfort and practicality with a chic factor. After all, no one wants to wade through knee-high water in six-inch stilettos.

So here’s our guide to monsoon wear must-haves and must-gags, with some super chic options marked with an *:

Clothes

Must-haves

Capris, foldable jeans for omniscient shallow puddles
Comfy blouses and shirts that don’t cling to you
Kurtas and churidars in georgettes (minus the dupatta)

Must-gags

Extra-long trousers
Transparent and translucent tops
Loose-flowing skirts (remember the strong winds?)

Don’t forget

To carry your windcheater. Umbrellas are useless in gusts of wind.
To bring out your boleros and shrugs. They’re perfect for the now-hot-now-cold weather*

Shoes

Must-haves

Gum boots(if you can!) or non-slippery ballet shoes

Crocs* (not the ones with the holes, but the comfy chic styles; they’re a tad expensive, but worth every paisa)

Must-gags

High heels
Your brand-new or old Jimmy Choos, Manolos etc

Don’t forget

You can always do what the New Yorkers do—change into your heels/ formal leather shoes in office*

Hair, Makeup and Accessories

Must-haves

Hair clips and pins to keep your hair in place*
Moisturiser

Must-gags

Layers of makeup
Too many hair products

Don’t forget

To use a good anti-frizz serum after washing your hair. It works wonders!*
To carry a comb with you, to smoothen our messy hair. Wet hair rarely looks good in real life.

What do you think of this mini-guide? Share your suggestions and tips in the comments box, or write to us at speakingchic [at] gmail [dot] com.

In Street Chic

At Office: Leafy business

Speaking ChicJune 6, 2010Leave a comment

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The monsoon is almost here, but that doesn’t stop us girls from making the most of the sticky heat. Ruchi arrived for a meeting at work in a super comfy and super stylish skirt-and-blouse combo.

I particularly love the skirt’s ruffles and diagonal pleats that make Ruchi appear taller. And the blouse is endearing too—the maroon leaf print is perfect for the end-of-summer, and a great visual break from the ubiquitous floral prints.

Thanks Ruchi, for showing us how much fun skirts-and-blouses (and office wear) can be!

In Issues

Myths about bitches

Speaking ChicApril 19, 20103 Comments

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Love or hate Shashi Tharoor, he is not one to mince words. In the midst of the recent controversy, Mr Tharoor became the unexpected champion of Indian women professionals. Here’s what he said (emphasis mine):

“Our media cannot accept an attractive woman as a serious business professional.”

Woah, harsh words, though they do ring true in India and all over the world. In the US, even Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s been called a b****, as are successful and supposedly aggressive women around the world.

Now that Su-Shi (cutely dubbed so by Shobhaa De) have got the ball rolling, we’re taking this a step or two forward, and bursting myths about us women professionals in India and around the world.

Bitch on Board

Myth: We are b****es

Fact: No, we’re not. We like being good (except for a few handful who spoil our name), but come along and spoil our happy party with your superiority airs, and we gotta play the b**** card.

Myth: We’ll do anything to climb the corporate ladder.

Fact: Hell, no! We have our value system, and we like to stick to it.

Myth: We don’t care about our family and friends.

Fact: That’s so not true! Our family and friends are our support system, and we love them, enjoy spending quality time with them, and just talking. Notice the crazy hours we spend chatting on the phone with our friends? That’s coz we love them!

Myth: Since we work together and we’re friendly, it’s okay to flirt with us.

Fact: Oh puhleeze. It’s not okay! Office sleazeballs can GTH.

Myth: We gossip about our female colleagues.

Fact: Yep sure, but not as much as the men do! (Admit it, men love to gossip!)

Myth: We don’t deserve praise/ appreciation for our work.

Fact: Why not? If we did it, we’re going to take credit for it.

Myth: We are not serious about our work/ we work for fun and pocket money.

Fact: Any idea what a kilo of tomatoes costs these days? Mangoes? Rice? And BTW, even if we do work for fun, what is anyone else’s problem?

Any more myths to burst, ladies? Would love to know!

PS- Please share this with every guy in your office. Or at least some male friends.

Showing all posts tagged office

I am a Mia Woman—are you as beautiful as your work?

Winter Layering: Dress smart for office

Lakme Day Perfect Lip Color: long-lasting lipstick

WLIFW: AM:PM for work and play

First look: Impossible office wardrobe

Monsoon mini-guide: Must-haves and must-gags

Clothes

Shoes

Hair, Makeup and Accessories

At Office: Leafy business

Myths about bitches

Myth: We are b****es

Myth: We’ll do anything to climb the corporate ladder.

Myth: We don’t care about our family and friends.

Myth: Since we work together and we’re friendly, it’s okay to flirt with us.

Myth: We gossip about our female colleagues.

Myth: We don’t deserve praise/ appreciation for our work.

Myth: We are not serious about our work/ we work for fun and pocket money.