March 2015 | Blueprint for Style

Features & Series

Style Challenge: I’m a Professional Who Wants to Push the Limits

Are you the woman who lives by day in a professional and fairly conservative work environment but your inner fashionista is screaming, “Don’t confine me!” Are you dying to push the fashion boundaries but your all-consuming work life isn’t making it easy? Three helpful hints: Choose bold jewelry – start with a few bold necklaces to frame your face and set off your outfit! Focus on statement pieces – under a navy suit, this stands out and by itself, it

2015/03/31

Hotels

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Baan Ratchiangsaen

On a scale of 1-10 for…. cleanliness: 97 modern-ish: 9 inside noise level: 4 (you can hear everything; the walls are thin) staff friendliness: 7 (they seemed to have been “Americanized” which means they weren’t as hospitable) location: 8 (the street starts out shady but it’s literally one block from the south entrance of Old City) American standards (we’re travel snobs): Once you get to the hotel, you will be pleasantly surprised with the decor and that they speak quite

2015/03/30

Transportation

Toot-Toot, Hey, Beep-Beep

Donna Summer said it best and while she was talking about “Bad Girls“, the same can apply for the various modes of transportation in Thailand. Check out how you can get around Chiang Mai and if you saw my Instagram then you know I tried at least two of these!!

2015/03/20

Hotels

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Mona Chiang Mai Hotel

cleanliness: 9 modern-ish: 8 inside noise level: 7 (you can hear everything!) staff friendliness: 8 (the main gent is friendly and knows english; everyone else knows not-a-lick so communication is a problem) location: 5 (it’s more in the city and away from Old City so I’d say more authentic but the street/alley it’s on is a bit sketchy but I left my moped and it was there in the morning) American standards (we’re travel snobs): 6 I found the

2015/03/19

Hotels

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Jira Luxury Boutique Residence

On a scale of 1-10 for…. cleanliness: 9 modern-ish: 9 inside noise level: 5 (you can hear everything; the walls are thin) staff friendliness: 9 (I didn’t know there was a 300THB key deposit on check-in and she said “just bring it to me later”) location: 7 (I was ok walking into Old City but it’s a little ways away….with my bike rental though, no sweat!) American standards (we’re travel snobs): 8 You’ll check-in and be very pleased overall…as long

2015/03/18

Events & Happenings

Southeast Asia: Thai Massage

Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage as it’s based on a 2,500-year old Ayurvedic-based body science developed by Buddha’s doctor, Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha. It’s basically like an assisted yoga session where the massage therapist moves your body into various positions and massages along energy points called “sen”. Enough of that ~ I’m sure most of you heard that it’s painful. The truth is a good massage therapist doesn’t hurt albeit, it’s not like a Swedish massage, you will come

2015/03/17

Fashion

How To Pack for ‘Hot & Humid’

I’m ten days into my working vacation in south east Asia (Thailand and Vietnam) and the temps have been hovering around 90+ degrees with 90% humidity. It can be hard to maintain your cool in that land of heat (unless you’re dressing for the beach). To make it “haute” in the hot and humid climates, abide by these 4 rules: Natural fibers are best because they allow a bit more movement – silk, cotton and linen… Don’t go too fitted.

2015/03/16

Features & Series

How To Do A Style Menage a Trois

Have you ever dreamed of a threesome? A print + 2 colors? One wrong move and your ménage à trois can go very wrong… Have a fulfilling menage a trois by following a few simple rules: There can only be one dominant…color! Everything should be in “sync” but not the same. So a floral + 2 hues of pink, or a black & white stripe + 2 hues of black (grey, platinum) Don’t do it everywhere! Focus the print and let

2015/03/13

Travel

Top 5 Travel Products

After 42 hours, 37K feet (x 2), 3 countries, 82+ degrees and 90+ in the daytime, I settled in at my hotel and slept harder than you could possibly imagine. I also had a chance to go back and see what items I found indispensable and I have five products that I will never travel without. Learn from my angst… Kleenex splash ‘n go moist wipes – sometimes you just don’t know when you’ll see fresh water and sometimes you’re

2015/03/11

Denim

The Vastness of Denim

I am reminded of the versatility and vastness of denim – it’s everywhere! It’s an American bred “thing” that is everywhere, all the time, and goes across cultures, time zones, functions, and needs. I was thumbing through More, a magazine for women 40+, and I found a look that I loved! Denim can go anywhere – in this particular picture, it’s about layering…with the styling key to show ankle/skin so it doesn’t appear overly bottom heavy! This is a look

2015/03/10

Fashion

Bangkok, Thailand: What They Wear

Technically, right now is the beginning of the hot season (March to June) and we’re leaving the cool season (November to February) so balmy weather in the 90s in the prevailing tone….love it after the #snowoverit in Washington, DC. That said, Bangkokian are an amazingly humble people so, as you walk the streets and ride the metro/BTS train, you will not see lots of ‘pomp and circumstance’ but rather lots of color and warm weather clothing. Three style trends I’ve

2015/03/10

Fashion

Day 1: Bangkok, Thailand

I’m not even gong to bore you with the nonsense that transpires upon my arrival to Bangkok. Suffice it to say that I am here! I slept like my life depended on it and that what it felt like after being up for almost 36 hours…. So today was Sunday and that means it’s all about the Chatuchak/Jatujak Market ~ which is open on Saturdays and Sundays and houses everything from pots, pans, shorts, food, t-shirts, cutlery, leather bags, glassware,

2015/03/09

Fashion / Style Events

My Top Ten Favorite Style Blogs

WhoWhatWear – when I am feeling uninspired, I go here because the team of writers covers every possible scenario you can think of and although it slants toward twenty and thirty-somethings, there’s all luscious tidbits to find Cheetah is the New Black – this blog does ‘laidback but curated’ to a capitol T! And the owner just opened up her store in Cali could I have that? – she has a leaning toward west coast casual but I love her most

2015/03/06

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

Style Challenge: I’m a Professional Who Wants to Push the Limits

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Baan Ratchiangsaen

Toot-Toot, Hey, Beep-Beep

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Mona Chiang Mai Hotel

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Jira Luxury Boutique Residence

How To Pack for ‘Hot & Humid’

How To Do A Style Menage a Trois

Top 5 Travel Products

The Vastness of Denim

Bangkok, Thailand: What They Wear

Day 1: Bangkok, Thailand

My Top Ten Favorite Style Blogs

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