The LOOK- Tiki Tiki, Polka Polka

A friend once told me that polka dots reminded her of her grandmother. Of talcum powder and bingo, cups of tea in flowery tea cups and boxes of aspirin on the counter of an old country kitchen. 

Although lovely memories, she said she couldn't imagine anything with polka dots being described as stylish, edgy or on trend. I decided to take it upon myself to prove her wrong.

Polka dots made their arrival on the fashion scene in the late nineteenth century in the United Kingdom. Originally used to adorn the fabric on children’s clothes and toys, the polka dot gradually evolved to be included on bathing suits and lingerie. Although generally considered to be casual, a few brave souls (like myself) dare to take polka dots into the office. Have a look at my ensemble below.

 

     1.   This cute little black polka dot dress was an impulse buy at H&M. I paid 30 AED for it on sale and believe on full price it is AED 69. The short sleeves make it versatile for formal and informal occasions and the fitted bodice and flared skirt flatter all body types. Throw a formal blazer over it for a more corporate look. 

    

   2. These black ballet flats by ALDO are one of my wardrobe staples! The gold bow detail takes the shoe from drab to fab and is a great addition to any closet. These flats are priced at AED 100.

       

   3. Finally the piece de resistance’ is this beautiful orange   leather bag by David Jones. AED 120 on sale and AED 350 full price, this bag lends a pop of colour to the ensemble. Dubai shoppers if you’re wondering where you can pick up this lovely piece, head down to Mendoza at Ibn Batuta Mall. They have these and others from the D.J line in stock.

    4.   Instead of my traditional Kate Moss lippy, I decided to opt for the brick red hues of this new brand called Sissley. The lipstick is AED 100 and sports a myriad of vibrant hues in its collection.

     5.   For jewelry you can keep it simple with a pair of pearl or silver studs and a dainty pearl necklace.

What do you think? Have I managed to make polka dots stylish and cutting edge? If you want help in getting the same look or would like to share your own polka stories, then please comment and share below. Until next time! xx

Too Hot to Handle?

F&F has some sure fire ways to keep you cool and looking fab this summer.

Whilst I was on my lovely island holiday- drinking cocktails at the beach, eating delicious fresh seafood and alternating my days between reading and napping- UAE has been steadily growing hotter and more uncomfortable by the day.

Since I’ve been back and had to listen to several complaints from friends and family about “the insufferable heat”, I thought a few tips on how to stay cool and look as fresh as a mint leaf would be a great distraction to the soaring temperatures outside.

Rule no 1: Drink LOTS of water!

No this isn’t a hospital infomercial, this is a proven fact! If you aren’t a big water drinker and are prone to dry skin and wrinkles then your problem is most likely dehydration. 

Properly hydrated skin is proven to look healthier and will make you feel better all around!

Dunno how to make sure you get enough water? Have a look at our tips below.

       I.          Have a beverage with every snack and meal.

       II.         Choose beverages you enjoy; you're likely to drink        more liquids if you like the way they taste.

       III.          Eat more fruits and vegetables. Their high water content will add to your hydration. About 20% of our fluid intake comes from foods.

       IV.          Keep a bottle of water with you in your car, at your desk, or in your bag.

        V.          Stay away from fizzy drinks as they contain more sugar and caffeine and will make you more dehydrated. 

Rule no 2: Pamper yourself.

When you are busy and on the go, taking care of yourself often takes a back seat. Instead of breaking the bank on a spa day every few months, use your daily grooming routine to enhance and revitalize your body.

While some people naturally have dry skin, for most, it's brought on by showering too much, using the wrong type of soap, or from living in an especially dry climate. 

Therefore, Stay away from using soaps and try to substitute with a body wash. Another key to staying cool and keep your skin young is to be sure to moisturize your skin day and night. 

Below are some of the products I love to use in my daily beauty regiment.

Body Wash- ‘A beautiful day’ by Bath and Body Works

Face Wash- Johnsons gently exfoliating face wash.

Face moisturizer- Johnsons face cream

Body Lotion- ‘Country Chic’ by Bath and Body Works or Cocoa butter by Vaseline.

Rule No 3: Dress light

It seems to be a work style staple here but wearing black can greatly increase your chances of getting hot and sweaty (and I don’t even mean in a good way). 

In the same way, thick or heavy fabrics like wool, fleece and even satins and silks trap heat more and will make you feel perspire more. 

Stick to light colours and fabrics with loose fitting shapes to maximize comfort. Make sure tunics, summer dresses, shorts and flary skirts replace all the leggings, jeans and other warm clothes in your closet and you are guaranteed to live out the rest of the summer in style and comfort. 

Hope these tips are enough to keep you cool and fresh during the scorching months ahead. As always if you have any questions, be sure to drop us a comment below! Until next time xxx