What to Keep in Your Desk Drawer

We all know it, it pays to be prepared especially on those days when just about everything is going wrong. After a particularly fail-worthy day at the office I created a checklist in my head of things I should keep in my desk at my office for those days when it is absolutely impractical to go home. I've divided the list into two sections - Essentials and Add-Ons. If I've left off something be sure to let me know and I can add it to the list. Here We go:

Essentials

• Chargers : Because duh... you don't want your phone or your tablet to die. This is your only way of contacting the outside world, and is the 'essentialest' of essentials
• Hygiene Kit: This is a small pouch and should include toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, and a small rag. If you are a lady, include a few panty liners & sanitary napkins. Some persons also carry an extra pair of underwear but I don't feel too comfortable having panties in my drawer at work but to each his own.
• First Aid Kit: because accidents happen and nobody wants to touch your blood. #justsaying;
• Sewing Kit : You don't actually have to know how to sew. This can include things like dressmaker's tape to easily fix a loose hem; safety pins for broken zippers and extra buttons if you do know how to sew;
• Light Snacks: If you get hangry, please spare your co-workers and keep something in your desk to reach for when the day runs longer than you think it will;

Add- Ons

• Headphones: not everyone shares your taste in music and they shouldn't be subjected to old school whatever it is that keeps you awake;
• Lint roller: unless you like it when that cute co-worker tries to brush off your fuzzies. (Naughty naughty!)
• Handheld Mirror & Brush : If you play with your hair, you may want to take a look at it before you get up from your desk to report to your boss;
• Umbrella : cuz rain...duh
• Extra pair of shoes: Your heel could break, the sole could come off, you could have tracked through mud to get into the office or you could want a break from your heels. Please do not bring flip flops - flats are always a better more professional option - you aren't at home.

What do you need to have at work to function properly? Leave me a comment and let me know!

'Til later,

*Jane

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Tips for Being a Modern Gentleman PART TWO

Last week Thursday I promised I would deliver five more tips on how to keep it classy and modern for the gents. So without further ado here they are:

   6. Cologne 

A gorgeous, rich manly smell can make any woman swoon and immediately yearn to be closer to a man. This is the reason why we like sleeping in our men's shirts, there are very few things that are as comforting yet arousing as a man with a great scent. Now preferences vary from woman to woman but typically richer aromas like musk and woodsy scents tend to be popular. You want to make sure it's subtle but that when she gets close enough she will get a whiff. Spots to hit with a dab (not a swig!) of cologne are the back of your neck, right under your ears, and your sides. I know someone who even lightly mists the tail of his shirt so that when it moves a subtle scent can be smelled. Lovely. (Also note that if you want the scent of your cologne to stand out stay away from highly scented deodorants or get a complementary scent to your deodorant).


   7. Socks

This stresses me out so much. White athletic socks are for athletic activities. White socks are not appropriate for every occasion. Please stock your sock drawwith the following:

- black socks - wool/cotton/silk whatever your budget can afford

- brown socks - any material your budget can afford

- dark blue/grey socks - for when black or brown does not work

- white socks - for when you are wearing sneakers or kicks or boots in the snow

- fun coloured socks for the appropriate occasion

Loafers can be worn with or without socks. If you are wearing shorts or short pants the rule typically is to go without socks but remember to lotion those ankles! If you are wearing pants then its a pretty safe bet to match the colour of the sock with the shirt you are wearing or the loafer colour.

Clarks - the same rule applies as with loafers.

Dress shoes including oxfords, wingtips,etc-these require dress socks. Please don't ever wear white socks with dress shoes.

Slippers/ Sandals - go sock-less. Twinkle your toes for the world to see.

   8. Jumper cables/tool kit/ swiss army knife/manly fix-it ability

source

Despite the many leaps and bounds women have made in demonstrating our independence, we still expect men to be able to fix things from time to time.  My mother has been driving for many years and though she knows how to change a flat tyre, she's never actually had to do  it. Pretty much as soon as she pulls over, there is always a gentleman willing to help, the same with any engine trouble. You would imagine my surprise then, when as a teenager my car overheated and I asked a male passenger to pull off the radiator cap and his response was to ask me what a radiator was.

Maybe it's just me but he was a driver himself and it just baffled me that he had no idea what was going on inside a machine that he was using on a daily basis. I asked around among my other male friends and though most knew how to change a tyre, and the names of tools in a tool kit, or the major parts of a car engine, quite a few literally had no clue. 

So what I'm trying to say is brush up on your skills fellas, though we may not need a man to rescue us, we still like knowing that he can...

     9. Nails

Looks good on Wolverine...but not on anyone else
source

 Dos:      Cut them! File them! Clean them! 

Donts:    Bite them; Polish them; Grow them

     10.Handkerchief

An actual handkerchief is alot better looking, smelling and functioning than a bandana. And no, they aren't the same thing. Keep it in a different pocket than your wallet, and spritz it with your cologne so that if you dab away any sweat or hand it to a lady for her to use it will have a nice scent.

That's it gentlemen!

If you have any questions, you can always leave me a comment or hit me up on instagram

Next week we'll look at a fall style guide for those of you who want to keep it trendy and then in our final week we'll look at men's skin care issues- how to prevent ingrown hairs when shaving, as well as preventing breakouts and scarring.

Till next time fellas,
**Jane

Declaration : I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, and myhabit.com.

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Tips for the Gents - Being a Modern Man - PART ONE

The other night on twitter, I noticed a trending topic - #genttips. These were tips for the modern man on how to be a gentleman and it was receiving positive feedback from women. So, I thought to jump in by writing this post. After all, you attract a classy woman by knowing how to be a gentleman yourself. 

Now these tips are just my opinion somewhat influenced by the opinions of some of my friends, family  and of course my life experience. It should be noted though that these are also some of things interviewers look for when sizing up applicants to see if a man is well put together. So gentlemen, are you ready?

The Modern Man Should possess:

1. Dress Shoes : This does not mean a pair of desert eagle clarks - sorry to disappoint you. Dress shoes are shoes that can be polished and typically come in a laced up oxford style. Sneakers and loafers no matter how expensive they are are not appropriate for every occasion and there will come a day when you have to attend a funeral/wedding/dinner/interview/presentation and borrowing a friend's shoe that is two sizes smaller is not a good look. Here is an example of a classic style:

2.   A well-fitted black suit and tie: Now, a suit is an investment piece. You don't necessarily have to buy or make this but if a suit is handed down to you from your father, older brother or cousin it is in your best interest to have it tailored to fit you. Now it's very important that you have at least one classically tailored suit before you get one that is trendy because in a couple years if you wear that trendy suit you will stick out like a sore thumb. And really, very few things are hotter than a man in a well-fitting suit.

3. A proper wallet: you don't have to shell out a bag of money for a wallet that doesn't close with velcro. You want to get one in a classic colour like brown, black, grey or navy in a durable material - whether real leather or faux leather that has enough compartments for what you carry around. Wallets with large graphics, flashy logos and velcro closures make you seem for want of a better word...'idle' or childish.

4. A plain dress belt: there seems to be an epidemic among our men nowadays to see who can wear the most ridiculous looking belt. Gentlemen, no one equates the size of your belt buckle to anything so you don't have to try so hard. Just an fyi fellas, a belt isn't supposed to be attention-grabbing. It is supposed to be complementary and serve its function. A plain belt with a plain buckle will serve you well. There are even belts that are reversible now - black on one side, brown on the other for those that are thrifty.

5. A gentleman's watch: Personally, I am obsessed with watches. This is actually one of the first things I look at when I look at a man and for a long time I've judged men by their watches. Again, the value of the watch wasn't what was important but the fact that he was wearing one and that the style of the watch more often than not said something about the man. Flashy watches were usually accompanied by more flashy jewellery and a flashy attitude; conservative old school watches usually meant they were a gift from an older female relative and he didn't choose it himself; but the stylish watches that could swing for a number of occasions - suit & tie or jeans and a polo always always caught my eye. And it was usually the men who didn't wear watches that were never on time...(*and ain't nobody got time for that*)

 6. Cologne .. ...to be continued.

I'll see the fellas next week same time, same place for Part Two of this post. Till then, if you have any questions or comments, you can email me or leave a comment below. 

Thanks for reading, and till later...

**Jane

Declaration : I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, and myhabit.com.

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Skin Care Routine

No, I won't claim to be a demi-dermatologist and declare that X potion and Y serum will get you the best skin of your life but I do know what works for me, and I know this because when I do slack off I see the repercussions on my face in the mirror in the morning. 

Simply put, routines work and to get the actual best skin of your life you need to find one that works for you and stick with it until the day you die. Or at least, until you find something better.

Firstly, figure out what kind of skin you have - best bet for this is to wash your face with water in the morning and at the end of the day determine whether your skin is dry (then you have dry skin); oily (then you have oily skin); or combination (dry in some areas, oily in others). And please for the love of all things sane, do not confuse oil with sweat - they are NOT the same thing.

Alright then, when you're done with that you will need to get products that will 'solve' your problem or at least control it. I have combination skin, and I get breakouts when I am stressed or when its my time of the month. I also tend to get breakouts if I am dehydrated or I have consumed extra sugar, or as gross as it sounds - I forget or am neglectful of my skin post-workout. 

For make-up removal I use baby wipes, or makeup remover wipes from either Neutrogena or Simple. For nights when I go heavy on my eye makeup with dark colours I will also use Ponds Cold Cream to get off the makeup or Neutrogena Eye Makeup remover in liquid form
.

For a cleanser I use the St. Ives Green Tea Cleansing Face Wash, or the Loreal 360 face wash for Combination Skin or Normal Skin. I make sure my face wash has salicyclic acid to help control any pimples. If my breakout is bad I will get maybe four pimples on my entire face. I wont pretend to be one of those kids in a proactiv ad , it does not get that bad for me. So if you have hard core acne issues, see a dermatologist. For my cleansing routine I wet my face with water, and then wet the Loreal 360 scrublet (heaven-sent  I tell you!) and pump out a dollop of face wash, apply to my cheeks, forehead and chin and then rub in gently with the scrublet. Then I rinse.

For toning and acne control, I will alternate between using rose water with witch hazel and the Clean and Clear Astringent for sensitive skin. I use the one for sensitive skin because my skin is dry in some places and astringent can dry out your skin because of the alcohol it contains. I pour some onto a cotton ball or pad and swipe over my face and neck and behind my ears. (For girls with hair long enough to grow past your ears its important not to neglect that part of your body because oils and dirt can get trapped there).

Moisturizing is the quickest part of the routine, and by far the one I have to convince myself to do because I constantly forget it. I let my skin air dry - I think its a happy compromise between the schools of thought that you should pat not rub so you don't draw your skin and get wrinkles, and the other school of thought that you should rub your skin dry in an upward motion to fight gravity. I use the Oil of Olay Complete moisturizer with SPF for daytime and at night I will alternate between using tea tree oil and Oil of Olay Night Effects Night Cream. The tea tree oil moisturizes and gets rid of any bacteria that might be on my skin, and the night cream moisturizes and fights wrinkles.

My eye cream is a recent addition to my routine since I hit my twenties. My family seems to get wrinkles and crepey lids and I prefer to prolong that as much as possible because my eyes are by far my favourite feature.I use the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream. 

And that's it! When I have a particularly stubborn pimple I will use queen helene clay mask to dry it out along with tea tree oil. I don't really do facials unless I am supremely bored or I convince myself to spend money at a spa. I don't pick my pimples, instead I try to wait it out and dry it out, and 9 times out of ten it goes away without leaving a mark.

Drinking lots of water keeps skin issues at bay. if you're having a particularly rough time with acne though, it's important to see a dermatologist to see if prescription strength medicine will be your answer. 

Till next time,
Jane

PS- let me know if you want a video to see exactly what my skin care routine is. I will be happy to post!

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Hot Weather Makeup

You spend time and care putting on your makeup so you want it to last right? Here are a few of my tried and true make-up tips that help makeup to last in the hot weather of a Jamaican sun.

• Less is more : Dilute your foundation by mixing two parts foundation with your moisturizer ( a colourless serum would be best). Apply with your fingers and blend in, then go over with a brush or a very slightly damp clean sponge. The brush or sponge will take off and blend in any excess product, while mixing it with your moisturizer will allow you to apply a thinner layer that will last longer in the heat.
• Set it and Forget it: Translucent powder will be your best friend in the heat. Do not however apply this with a sponge or pad of any kind as that will most definitely cause caking. Get a very dense brush and sweep over your face after your foundation has completely dried. Here's the trick though - apply the translucent powder only where your face sweats. For most people this is the top of your nose, your temples and/or eyebrows and along your hairline.
• Powder products are your best friend: Powder blush, and eyeshadow always last longer- I'm sure you've heard this many times. But what they don't tell you is that a thin layer of a cream product underneath a powder product will last all day. Simply put, apply a cream blush and blend it out then follow with a light layer of powder blush. This combination has always served me well, as my blush is usually the first thing to fade. For eyeshadows - the NYX eyeshadow pencils (the big fat jumbo ones) or any other similar products or bases worn underneath an eyeshadow helps to make the eyeshadow stay put all day
• Ink over Wax: Eyeliner in the pencil form contains wax, which melts in the heat. If you don't want your eyeliner to migrate down the side of your face then switch it out to liquid liner. In fact, many liquid liners come in a 'pen' form and are water-proof which contributes to longer wear.If you only have pencil eyeliner then sharpen the pencil and use a thin line (if you're going for a heavily lined look then draw lines on top of each other rather than going back and forth). Then on a liner brush, use an eyeshadow of the same shade as the eyeliner and pat on over it.
• Flake free: For mascara, waterproof formulas last the longest BUT what helps your mascara to last longer is if you do a thinner layer. This will encourage it to flake less and irritate your eyes. What I like to do is use my waterproof eyeliner pen and run along the topside of my top lashes to darken then follow with the mascara wand. Now, usually,mascara is applied to the underneath of top lashes and the top side of bottom lashes. If I want it to last in the heat though, I ignore my bottom lashes and focus on the topside of my top lashes. Tightlining your eyes is also a great idea
• A Swing and a Miss: I have no idea what makes lip products last longer - unless we're talking about smudge-proof lip liner or a lip stain. I can do a post on how to make your own lipstain, separate and apart from that, someone will have to educate me on this. Leave a comment if you have a trick to keep lipsticks and lipgloss on your lips in the heat.

As always, you can contact me via email, or leave me a comment here.

Till later,
Jane

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Once You go Shellac, You never go Back!!! maybe...

I am always looking for the easy way out, anything to skip the long, tedious process of staying groomed. Sooo Shellac seemed like it was something right up my alley. Brilliant, no chip nail colour that lasts fourteen days or more? Lovely!

Brief explanation: shellac is basically the application of gel nailpolish to the nail, dried and bonded to your nail by a blue uv light. The entire process from cleaning your cuticles to staring in amazement at the high gloss, completely dry finish is about 30 minutes. I kid you not!

Someone seems to have really thought this through- the range of colours is pretty decent, and they seem to have covered the bases - they range from very dark to very light and some even offer pearlescent finishes. It can be done with french tips or gem stones but the designs that can be done are more on the subtle side. If you are into pure colour this is definitely the best idea for you. 

The cost will vary depending on where you are but if you are in Kingston Jamaica, then head on over to The Face Place at 3 Carvalho Drive (off Hope Road near where Colour World used to be, on the road where the comestic surgery building is). You will only pay $2500JMD for the process. The environment is clean, spacious, chic, comfortable and the ladies who serve are cordial and quick.

Check it out:

Do you see how shiny it is ? and do you see how thin it is?? U cant even see it!  sooo happy!

Watch this space for an update at 7 days then 14 days :)

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