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Who or what do you really love?

If not yourself...then nothing and no one

If you have limited pieces in your wardrobe, the right fashion accessories can turn these few basic pieces into a lot of exciting combinations. If you’re too broke to buy new clothes, invest on the basic pieces and get even on accessories.

1. Necklace.The right necklace can make an ordinary blouse look chic and in style. Long wooden bead necklaces in bright colors can make a drab outfit look special. While a simple pearl necklace can turn a simple all-black dress into a classic.

2. Mufflers. Mufflers or wrap-around scarves are indispensable especially on colder seasons.They not only protect you from cold, they can also add color and style to your outfit.

3. Scarf.Scarves are really cool investments. They’re multi-purpose and they’re great for any kind of weather. Wear a scarf around your neck to spice up your corporate attire, wrap it around your waist over skinny jeans and a simple, fitted blouse, or use it as a chic headband to keep your hair in place. You can also tie it around the handle of a plain, oversized bag and voila!~ a unique, elegant bag to go with your outfit.

4. Bag.Bags are not just accessories, they’re functional too. It’s a good idea to save up and invest on a really good, high-quality designer bag than settle for the cheaper ones. Designer bags will last you a lifetime. If you have a limited budget, go for black, brown, and white in at least two different sizes.

5. Earrings. Yes, you can go bare without any accessories at all but earrings are a must. Invest on good pieces because they’re valuable collections. You’ll want to make sure you have ones in both yellow and white gold, and in at least three different styles- dangling, stud, and hoops.

6. Bracelets.Aside from gold, silver and metal bracelets, there are also beaded, crystal, wood and ceramic bracelets. Even if you’re only wearing a simple shirt and jeans, a set of complementary bracelets can make you look stylish. Best of all, you can find lots of different bracelets in all kinds of designs that are so cheap yet fabulous.

7. Belts.Large belts that are worn right below the breasts are so in today. They go well with oversized blouses over a pair of shorts or jeans or with long or short dresses. Belts come in different sizes, colors and designs that can create a new look with the same old outfit you have.

8. Eyewear. Shades are so cool and they protect you from a hot sun’s glare. Choose a shape that complements your face and you’ll certainly look hot in your outfit.

9. Wristwatch.A watch is not just an accessory. It helps you keep up with your schedules on time. Take the fullest advantage out of it by using a watch that will not spoil your outfit. It’s best to have a sports watch and a formal watch so you can wear one to the office and the other one for malling or jogging.

10. Shoes. A pair of shoes can make a huge difference in your overall look. Basic pieces that you should have are stilettos, open-toe sandals, loafers, sneakers and boots. You can start investing on the basic hues –black, beige, brown- and buy a few pairs in colors once in a while. Don’t forget to invest on high-quality shoes so they will last you a lifetime.

Posted in people and things, body and beauty

Are you prepared to ask for a pay rise?
Asking for a pay rise can often be quite a confronting experience right? You feel you are worth it and often if you go unnoticed you begin to feel resentful and unappreciated. Well consider my best advice for strategising for those extra dollars you feel you deserve!
Asking for more money in a work environment is more often an emotional experience. If you are like most people the build up to a performance appraisal can be stressful and confronting. It doesn’t have to be this way if you work out the ground rules before things get out of hand.
By working on these 3 levels of advice you will be in a strong position.. are you ready?
1. When you commence in any role ask for a Position Description with measurable performance goals. For example if you work in Sales this could be achievement of a sales budget. For other areas it can be more difficult to put a measure on performance but working on productivity is always workable. Here are some examples...
Patternmaker – Number of patterns created in a week
Retail Manager – Achievement of budgets
Warehouse – Fulfilment of orders according to budgets
Marketing Manager – Increased sales attributed to marketing campaigns
Designer – Increased volume of sales based on product design
2. Keep a measure of your own performance and any thing that you feel you have created that has improved the company’s position. It may sound unheard of but keep a log book; your boss may forget all of your effort so keeping notes in preparation for your review will certainly come in handy. These needs to cover cost savings, innovations and achievements.
3. Don’t let your emotions dominate. If you have been promised a bonus, pay rise or benefit by a certain date diarise it and remind your boss. Let them know that you need to make time to see them and make sure they commit to a day and time. Just a word of warning. Businesses are busy and if you feel like you are being avoided just remember that this is probably not the case. Your boss has many things to deal with and your pay rise may not be at the top of their priority list for no other reason other than the fact that they are busy!
So you have done your homework and today is your day to shine.. Are you nervous? Well don’t be. By having the facts; your measured results and your diary of all of your contributions you have taken the ‘emotion’ out of asking for a pay rise and brought in the ‘facts’. By stating your case in the form of ‘facts’ you are in a strong position to get what you want.
When you go into your performance appraisal meeting have your case ready. Spend some time in preparation so you have your facts in clear concise points. Remember this discussion is about your performance and contribution to the company. It is a big no no to ask for a pay rise on the basis of the cost of your rent or the repayments of your new car! These are your choices and do not form a reason for your boss to reward you! Once you have proven that you have been a solid contributor to the company’s performance it will be time to negotiate the money.
Before we go into how to ask for more money here is just another word of warning.. The company’s overall financial position is going to determine whether a pay rise or bonus is going to be payable to you. Regardless of your effort other expenses in the business can restrict salary budgets. If this is the case negotiate something else for your efforts. For example a few extra days off at full pay; or an increase in your product allowance from the warehouse or retail store. Although these are not directly a pay rise they do form financial gain and acknowledgement.
So bearing this in mind.. How do you ask for more money? It’s like ‘what comes first’ the chicken or the egg. Do you ask for a certain figure or do you ask your boss to give you a figure? See how the discussion goes, quite often if you have stated your case your boss will be forthcoming. If the amount you have been offered is lower than you had hoped try to come to a figure you are both happy with if not why not negotiate and plan some new measurable goals and plan a new date to meet. Perhaps you could attach a financial figure to this so all things being equal the money will be forthcoming on the achievement of the goals.
Good luck, state your case, keep it to facts and create a case that lets your boss know that you are worth it!

Natasha Zurnamer Director of Rat Race Recruit Online and international job site Ragtradejobs.com Global Hub of Fashion Jobs. Industry specific site for the Fashion Industry with over 150 job titles in Fashion and new jobs listed daily. www.ragtradejobs.com

Did this article help and motivate you? Let me know - email Natasha at admin@ragtradejobs.com

Why Is It That Loyalty Sometimes Does Not Pay?
In my years working in fashion recruitment I have had the opportunity to meet some of the best in the business. Some of the exceptional CEO's and General Managers I have worked with have fallen from the end of the conveyor belt. Their minds and thoughts had them in an Executive role until retirement when suddenly corporate change put them out in the cold. How can you be prepared for this to never happen to you?
Life is about the evolution of change and the more you accept and re-invent yourself to move with the times the easier the passage. What happens when this theory goes out the window? I have worked with Fashion professionals who have worked diligently in their jobs, created corporate success for the fashion brand they have been employed only to loose it in their prime. In an industry dominated by generation y and x, frequently the baby boomers have found themselves in this situation. The biggest issue is that as a baby boomer your wealth of experience in fashion may not count. The industry is about youth and energy and you may be left out in the cold.
So you are 45+, worked 2-3 jobs in your fashion career and held Executive roles with an exceptional salary, company car, frequent travel and generous bonus. You have worked with autonomy and been able to run your business life as you had chosen. The bottom line is a j-o-b is just that a j-o-b. Whilst it may have some appearance of security you were not the master of your destiny.
So how at 45+ are you going to make the next 20 years as comfortable as your former years? In my experience the volume of roles available in Executive Management within a fashion environment are significantly less than the number of Executives who find themselves in this situation. More often Executives find it necessary to move industry and apply their knowledge in a less youth dominated market.
If you had the foresight to create security for yourself your outcome would have been significantly different. Here are two suggestions to secure your future.
Equity, when you are in the prime of your working life it is the perfect time to negotiate equity within the business that you are growing and developing. If you truly believe the business has legs, invest in it. It takes a forward thinking Executive to restrain themselves during salary and bonus negotiations and to ask for acknowledgement in the form of investment within the business. In my opinion this can come in two forms. Direct equity injection leading to shareholding or salary sacrifice equity injection also leading to shareholding. Either way your foresight into investment within the company will give you a share in the company and go some way to assuring your future. As a shareholder in the business you are much harder to budge. You can obviously be ‘bought out' if the major shareholders wanted you to depart but you should make some extra money in the process.
My second suggestion is to take an idea and create it. One of the most secure means to assure your future is to leave the job and be the boss! You are an Executive and you are smart. Search good ideas, develop the concept and take a risk. You have succeeded in other peoples businesses why not flourish in your own. For some the thought of taking such a risk is too daunting but I have met many an Executive who had opportunity and did not embrace it. Use all of the knowledge you have gained and couple it with the adrenalin of owning your own business and you have a huge future ahead of you.
Lump sums don't last so relying on a generous severance package to see you over the void of not working can be dangerous. Invest your severance package in your future. You are much better off even creating a small business than being at the mercy of corporate business where your future is determined by someone else.
There are an abundance of services to offer advice to small business and making incorrect business decisions while developing your future is all part of the creation. Don't be hard on yourself and ensure you get the right advice, even if you don't want to hear it; it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
As a first class risk taker, I assure you that success is the most enjoyable personal experience you can ever have. When the fruit of your success is yours the drive to be even more successful is a thirst that is almost impossible to quench.

By: Natasha Zurnamer -Natasha Zurnamer is a co Director of Rat Race Recruitment Online, the global hub of fashion jobs featuring 150 fashion job categories and new fashion jobs listed daily. To search or advertise jobs in fashion visit www.ragtradejobs.com