A product review- eShakti Vintage-Inspired Women's Clothing!

Besides interior decorating, I love fashion as much as the girl next door! So when eShakti contacted me if I would be like to accept a product to try, of course I said yes! Have you heard about this fabulous online retailer? In case you haven't, please allow me to do a little introduction.

eShakti provides vintage-inspired women's clothing, 1950s and 1960s fashion, updated in retro modern style clothing and offers both design and fit customization for women size 0-36W. Customers can easily tailor any item to their specific requirements ensuring a flattering fit. Built-in customization tools guide women through a simple 3-step design and fit page where they can increase the size of a bust, shorten the length of a skirt and modify sleeves or a neckline! Just to give you an idea the kind of customization available, here are the options available for sleeves. (Some designs have more sleeve options than others, though.)

eShakti also promises to deliver in 14 business days (18 calendar days) from your order of your money back! (Please see shipping page on eShakti for details’.) Best of all? eShakti clothing. is absolutely affordable! You will find hundreds of styles from fun and girly outfits to feminine and elegant dresses in a variety of colors! Sounds too good to be true? Then, you should check out the website and decide for yourself! 

With so many great options on their website, it took me a few days to narrow down my most favorite item for the product review, I not going to lie! :) In the end, I picked this one!

What do you think? Do you like this dress as much as I do?

I picked this beautiful retro style colorblock dress because of its great, classic style. The box-pleated skirt and side seam pockets are wonderful additions to the design! This dress has a vibrant color, which I absolutely adore! The fabric is excellent and the workmanship is impeccable. The dress fits me perfectly as if it was custom made for me! My dress was delivered promptly considering it was made to order. I love my dress and look forward to a warmer weather so I can show it off!

*I received this product to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

My dress is not available on their website anymore (sad face) but I found two lovely dresses that are quite similar, in case you are interested. Check this out!

Retro Style Colorblock Dress

Retro Style Colorblock dress

My picks from eShakti!

Seamed Stretch Sheath Dress

Contrast Trim Sash Belt Dress

Adelaide Dress

Ruffle Melange Knit Dress

Night Bird Strapless Dress

Retro Style Gingham Check Dress

Victoria Dress

Gingham Check Trim Poplin Dress

Trapunto Trim chambray Shirtdress

Retro Style Poplin Dress

Retro Style Zigzag Print Dress

Maritime Tee

Colorblock Stripe Poplin Skirt

Cargo Pocket Poplin Skirt

Do you see anything you like? Which one are you mostly drawn to?

Currently, eShakti is offering a special discount exclusively for Mix And Chic readers! From now through March 20, 2013, you will receive 20% off your purchase when you apply coupon code MXNDCHC during checkout. 

By the way, eShakti is now running a fun contest. There will be three winners! Each winner will receive a $150 gift card. There is no purchase necessary to enter the contest. Simply click here to enter.

P/S: I have received a personal gift coupon code valued at $25 recently from eShakti but I have decided to share this gift coupon with one special reader. The first reader who emails me at (mixandchic@yahoo.com) will receive this special offer!

Guest post- A Guide To Bathroom Lighting!

This article is brought to you by Edel Flood.

Bathrooms are one part of the home where you need good lighting, so it pays to take the time to get this aspect of the space right. Here are a few things you ought to take into consideration if you want to change the way your bathroom is illuminated.

Is there enough light?

Bathrooms are where people clean their teeth, wash their faces, shave, put on makeup and fix their hair, among many other things. All of these tasks require bright light, so make sure that practicality is one of the main factors that governs your decision in respect of which bathroom light fittings to choose.

Normally, a single central bulb would not provide enough light for a bathroom, so consider where you will need extra illumination. For example, additional light above the main mirror is likely to be incredibly handy for every member of your household, while a bright light over the shower is also a good idea.

Even though bathroom lighting has to be functional, you should also think about how to make the space relaxing as well. Installing downlights on the walls that can be switched on without the main light is one way to create a soothing ambiance if you want to enjoy a long soak in the tub, for instance.

Where is the light switch located?

You might not give the position of your bathroom light switch a second thought, but have you ever noticed how any switch in the bathroom is always a pull chord, while if it is a standard switch it will be located on the wall outside by the door?

This is primarily to do with safety, as European regulations state that any bathroom fittings have to be completely encased to prevent them from shorting out or giving electric shocks when they get wet. So, if you are redoing the lighting in your bathroom completely, be aware that you would not have much choice over the position of the switch.

Only use bathroom-specific light fittings

Following on from the above point, you need to make sure any light fittings you buy for your washroom are safe to be used in an environment that is often hot and wet. Fittings designed specifically for bathrooms have all the potentially dangerous parts completely enclosed, making them safe to be used around water.

All bathroom lights are rated by zones, which dictates where they are suitable to be used. For instance, zone 0 lights can be fitted on the interior of a bathtub or shower enclosure, while zone 3 lamps should be installed at least 2.4 m away from the perimeter of the bath or shower and 3.75 m off the ground. Zone 1 and 2 fittings fall in between these two examples.

While there are some basic light fittings you can install yourself, if you are totally overhauling your bathroom, it is sensible to call in a qualified electrician to carry out this work. Websites like Rated People can help you find someone suitable who is based in your area.

Be creative

Once you have got past all the practicalities of bathroom lighting, you can start to get creative with your design. There is a wide range fittings available for this part of the home now, so you would not have to be restricted to ugly fluorescent tubing.

A great way to customize your bathroom lighting is to invest in some shades that complement the rest of the bathroom's design. For a contemporary space, sleek frosted glass tubes with a chrome fixture are a great option, while more ornate shades with floral detailing or etching in the glass can look fantastic in a period bathroom.
 

 Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

A client's home office design project!

I just wrapped up a client's project recently. I was hired to makeover her spacious home office. In her questionnaire, my client told me that she wanted a modern, girly and chic home office that feels warm and looks colorful. Her favorite colors are pink, yellow, blue and silver.  She is also a great mint fan and wanted me to incorporate a few modern mint filing cabinets that she saw on a website for her home office. She wanted to keep her tv, a stylish silver side table (it's gorgeous, by the way!) and a floor lamp (but get a new lamp shade).

She sent me a couple of beautiful inspiration pictures and photos of her home. When I saw the inspiration images, I knew exactly what she wanted and was very excited to get started. 

This is what her room looks like now.

The best thing about this project? The budget! I was so thrilled to have a great budget to work with so I can pick some really nice things for her home office. Also, with a bigger budget, your options are so much wider, obviously!

I splurged on the statement pieces, mostly on the big investment pieces. A big bulk of the budget goes to things that she can enjoy for a long, long time like the sofa, desk, desk chair, entertainment unit, light fixture and coffee table. Meanwhile, I kept the rest of the furniture and accessories affordable yet still fun and fabulous! These are the design boards that I came up with! 

For the wall color, I recommended two color options. She can either pick a very pale blue or a very pale pink color. According to my client, her room doesn't receive a lot of natural lighting during the day so I wanted to keep the wall color light for a bright and airy feeling. 

While sourcing for all the pieces for the office design, I found these stunning mirrored wall sconces! I was absolutely smitten with them. As much as I wanted to use them, I didn't incorporate them into the design in the end because there isn't any wall space anymore. I really don't want to overcrowd the room for the sake of accessorizing because I think it's really important to have some "breathing space" in a room so your eyes can rest. Perhaps I can keep this mirror in mind and use them in the future.

When I showed my client the design boards, she was thrilled with them. She loved it and thought that the design was very functional. She works from home so I really wanted her to have as much storage as she possibly can. We made a few changes and additions and that's it. She has ordered a few of the items after test driving them in person and told me she would order the rest of the items over the weekend! She is also interested to have me decorate her daughters' bedroom in the near future. I can't wait to get started!

Don't you just love it when both you and your client share the same design taste? It definitely makes the whole design process a lot smoother and easier.  Honestly, I can't wait for her to pull the whole design together and hopefully, she will send me the "Afters" pictures! I will share any updates and progress on her home office whenever possible so follow along and check back regularly!

If you need help decorating your home, please click here for further information regarding my design services. Email me at mixandchic(at)yahoo(dot)com for details.

Guest post- Great bathroom storage ideas!

This article is brought to you by Edel Flood.

Bathrooms serve many purposes for households. They are a practical room where you get ready for a busy day at work or get glammed up for a night out, as well as a sanctuary from the stresses and strains of everyday life. However, regardless of whether you are using it for your morning wash or to have a relaxing soak in the bathtub, it should be uncluttered and tidy.

Yet the bathroom is often the smallest room in the house, so making sure it is neat and organised, while still being able to have all the bits and pieces you need immediately on hand, can be quite a challenge. As a result, it pays to be creative when it comes to bathroom storage. A bathroom might offer more space than you realize - it is just a question of ensuring you make the best use of it.

Bring order to a chaotic bath

The bath itself is one area where clutter can quickly build up. Bottles of bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner and much more besides always seem to accrue at every corner, which makes it untidy and hard to clean. So, ask yourself, are you making use of the wall space at either end of the bath?

This could be the perfect place to hang some shelves, so all your potions and lotions have a storage space that is still within reach and helps stop your bath looking cluttered. Untidy surroundings are not really conducive to relaxing, so this could go a long way towards both improving the appearance of your bathroom and enhancing the all-round bath-time experience.

Do not neglect the cabinet

Other parts of the wall might also offer perfect opportunities to improve your bathroom's storage capacity. Since you are guaranteed to hang up a mirror, why not kill two birds with one stone by purchasing one that serves as a cupboard as well? It could be the ideal place to store those items you will probably be using while stood in front of the mirror, such as a hairbrush, make-up or razor. Check out Splash Direct's range of bathroom cabinets for ideas.

Store items vertically

Not all of your toiletries and bathroom items need to be hidden out of the way in cabinets. A bathroom has just as much height as any other part of the house, so there is no reason why you can't store items such as towels and toiletries vertically. This is a clean and tidy way of storing your wares that keeps the use of floor space at a minimum, thereby helping you ensure the bathroom stays tidy and uncluttered.

Similarly, you can use peg rails, hooks, ladders and racks to hang up towels and other items, so you do not have to use the limited space available on countertops.

Use a multi-purpose radiator

A bathroom needs a radiator, but this too could do more than one job. A heated towel rail will do the job nicely, yet provide the perfect place to hang up lots of wet towels so they can dry off quickly - and tidily! Again, it's just about making the best use of the space you have available.

The bathroom is used every day and is often one of the busiest rooms in the house, so it is worth taking the time to get storage right.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

A product review- See Jane Work!

You might not know this but I am a huge fan of fun and stylish desk accessories! Imagine my excitement when See Jane Work contacted me and asked if I would be interested to received some samples from their online store. Of course I said YES!

Not familiar with See Jane Work? You see, See Jane Work is a website offering a wide range of stylish office supplies and office organization products to working women so they can stay organized.

Needless to say, I was wowed by all their fabulous products and swooned over many of the items I saw on their wonderful website. In the end, I picked a few desk accessories for my son's desk since I am working on his work station/bedroom now. 

Below are the three items I picked for this product review.

Quack Tape Dispenser

Industria Pencil Cup

Semikolon Document Box

This is how I styled my son's desk using See Jane Work's products.

I love the tape dispenser, pencil cup and document box that I received from See Jane Work! All items are exactly what I expected; stylish and well-made. They were packaged well and arrived in just a few days in perfect condition. I couldn't be more pleased with their beautiful products! I am looking forward to get some chic office supplies from them when I get my very own home office in the future! 

*I received this product to review for free but the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

While checking out See Jane Work's website, I found these great desk styling and organization ideas that I would love to share with you. If you see a product that you like, simply click on the link below the picture for details.

Little Black Desk

Office Inspiration

Basics Collection

Sophisticated Space

Simple Silver

What are your thoughts on See Jane Work products? Are you a fan as well? Where do you shop for stylish home office supplies and chic organization products? I would love to know!

Guest post- Interior design for your car!

Our cars do a lot for us. They get us where we want to go and let us fill them to the brim with bags of shopping, so we need to make sure they look good! There are so many ways to transform your car, and Izzy - a writer for British company, miDrive.com - has written this guide to tell you how.

Back to basics

Before you start your design overhaul, you might need to do a spot of spring cleaning. Get rid off all your rogue sweet wrappers and remove the children's toys, books or anything else you might have hanging around in the trunk. Choose what theme you are going for. It could be your favorite colors, shabby chic style or the luxury, executive look you are after. It is really up to you.

Simple accessorizing

Once you have decided what style you are going for, you can start adding simple accessories. Steering wheel covers, for example, come in a variety of styles and materials. From fake fur to leather, they do not cost a lot and can be changed easily, so you are not committing to anything.

Custom seat covers are also a quick and simple way to add character to your car. Match them to your steering wheel cover or get them professionally made to order. There are a lot of retailers online offering custom seat designs, from tan leather to more family-friendly waterproof designs, so there's bound to be something you will love.

DIY fabric panels

Get inventive with some of your favorite fabric by cutting it to fit sections of your car. You could place it around the inside of the car door handle, for example, to add a personalized, but subtle bit of interior decor. Leopard print or floral patterns are both very popular options, but whatever fabric you love will work.

Cushions

If you have a thing for cushions, you will know they are not just for the sofa. Buy some cushions which match your design. They do not have to be from motoring retailers, so shop around! You could even make your own or get the kids to draw some designs to have printed on them. This is a great idea if they will be the ones in the back most of the time!

Vintage look

It is possible to make even modern cars look vintage on the inside. You just have to get creative. Make your own shabby chic air freshener and hang it from your rear view mirror. Use your favorite essential oil to make your car smell as good as it looks.

You can buy vintage car parts from a range of classic cars on the internet. Interior and dashboard lights are available from old Aston Martins and other classic cars we all dream of owning!

Storage

Practical but important, storage units are a great way to keep everything organized in your car. You can get them in all shapes and sizes. After all, you would not want to get all of your new interior wet!

This guest post was written by Izzy Guarella; a writer at miDrive.com and lover of unique car designs.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Guest post- Stylish, architectural bathroom design!

So you want your bathroom design to make a statement, to say that you are a person who enjoys and appreciates design, aesthetics and cotemporary style. Well, then here is my guide on how to create a bathroom that, while practical and efficient, will make a bold design statement that is certain to catch the eye.

Every bathroom shares fundamental similarities, (these rooms exist to be functional after all), yet while we require efficiency, reliability and durability from our bathrooms, there is almost limitless scope to the number of ways to personalize your bathroom, to truly create a space which is comfortable, inviting and reflects your sense of style. There are various factors to consider when attempting creating a bathroom with a strong design emphasis: the amount of space you have available, how many people will be using the 

room each day, and so on. 

Fortunately, in the world of modern bathroom design, there is always a solution to be found. For example, freestanding, roll-top baths have long been the epitome of sophisticated, luxurious bathing, but compact, space-saving models are now widely available. Similarly, a walk-in wet room was once the sole territory of those with huge budgets and even bigger bathrooms, but a complete wet room installation can now be fitted into even the smallest of bathrooms.

Every bathroom needs a focal feature, a strong design statement of intent, and a freestanding roll-top bath can be one of the most direct ways to achieve this. For a long, relaxing soak, a traditional freestanding bath, sitting on classic claw and ball feet and fed by freestanding taps is hard to beat as a way of indicating that you take bathroom comforts seriously! 

Alternatively, focusing on your basin area, the most frequently used section of every bathroom, is another great place from which to build your aesthetic. Three key features will define you basin area: Basin, taps and mirror. A basin with a larger capacity will always seem to be more user friendly, and in smaller bathrooms this can still be achieved with a bathroom which is wide and deep, rather than projecting out into the room. White ceramic or natural stone basins are the leaders in the field at the moment, and both are safe bets for performance and aesthetic impact. Waterfall taps are set to have a big year in 2013, the tap of choice for trend setters, combining cutting edge styling with graceful ease of use. 

Next, we come to the bathroom mirror: Mirrors are famously a short cut to enhancing the sensation of light and space in any room, and they form an integral part of any vanity area, so splash out and indulge yourself and invest in an illuminated bathroom mirror. Space-enhancing, glamorous and recalling all of those dressing room moments  from classic films, but with a contemporary twist, illuminated mirrors are both a practical investment and a sure fire way to make sure that your bathroom stands out from the crowd.

White walls were de rigeur during the minimalist heyday of the 90’s, but after you have selected your ideal suite and perfected you ideal basin area, you are going to want walls that enhance and increase the impact of your fixtures and fittings. Off-white or pastel walls will help to keep the room feeling bright and friendly, while providing rich and tactile warmth.

A highly styled, architecturally influenced bathroom does not need to require months of planning or an extensive budget, just focus on getting the basics right and build from there. Good luck, and enjoy!

Helen Davies is a senior content writer for Better Bathrooms, who sell good looking contemporary and traditional bathroom suites at realistic prices.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

My blog's second anniversary!

I am so excited because my little blog turned two today! To be honest, I didn't expect much readers when I first started my blog two years ago. 

A lot of exciting and wonderful opportunities came my way after I started this blog. At the end of year 2011, I started to offer online design services and have been keeping myself busy since last year. I also want to take this opportunity to apologize to all my blog friends because I haven't been visiting your lovely blogs recently. Without your support, my blog wouldn't have come this far. I promise I will be making the rounds as soon as my workload gets lighter. At the meantime, please bear with me. :)

On a happier note, my blog received over 2 million pageviews recently! Without you, my fabulous readers, it wouldn't be possible so I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who loyally follow, read my blog and take a moment to leave an encouraging and positive comment from time to time. I cannot promise delivering the best content in blogland everyday but I will promise you that every blog post you see are the best material that I am able to find at the moment. I hope you will continue to stay with me.

Thank you my wonderful readers, you are simply the best!

Guest post- Five popular types of bunk beds!

This article is brought to you by M Zahid.

Undoubtedly, all parents want to provide great comfort and ease to their children which is why parents love getting bunk beds for them. It is a fact that when a child enjoys sound sleep at night then he is able to start his day with freshness and positive energy. Best of all, bunk beds allows the parents a chance to accommodate two children in a single room without any kind of discomfort. The market is filled with a wide variety of bunk beds and these 5 types of bunk beds are the most popular.

1. White Bunk Beds

It is a fact that white color is soothing and works well in any theme room. Whether your children's room has yellow or blue color wall paint, a white bed always work. There are plenty of options available and you can choose either classic or modern designs, depending on your personal style.

2. Pine Bunk Beds

Whenever you are looking for a durable and compact bed, then you need to consider pine beds. You can easily find a wide variety of pine beds such as antique pine, solid pine, and natural pine in the market nowadays.

3. Loft type Bunk Beds

This kind of bunk beds brings desk or storage area underneath. It is more expensive than other types of bunk beds and they usually comes with a computer desk and dresser.

4. Metal Bunk Beds

There are many parents who want to inject some style into their children's room. Metal bunk beds are stronger than other kind of beds and add a modern vibe to any bedrooms. There are a wide variety of metal beds in the market but you should always get metal bunk beds with guard rails to protect young children from falling off their beds.

5. Plastic Bunk Beds

Sometimes, you want to get a colorful bunk bed that matches  the theme of a child’s room. There are a wide variety of colored plastic bunk beds to choose from and you are most likely to find a color of your choice.

Which kind of bunk bed would you be getting for your child’s room?

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.

Guest post- Simplicity is key in modern decor!

This article is brought to you by Sam Peters.


Home decorating ideas are abundant. You can find them online, in magazines and just about everywhere. But before buying new furniture or even before you start rearranging what you already have, you want to take the time to think about the look you want. The current trend is toward the uncluttered, clean, streamlined modern. But then again, just about any décor style needs to be uncluttered and streamlined, showing off those great open spaces, beautiful fixtures and even those high ceilings. 

The Importance Of Color

When you are going for that clean, uncluttered look you want the furniture to flow with the rest of the décor; you want the furniture to work seamlessly with the carpeting, hardwood or stone floors and the other areas of the home. To get this look, stick to neutral colors like browns, creams or taupes. If this seems a little too dull for your taste add texture to your neutrals. You can also add a splash of color with by adding throw pillows in an accented color.

Go For Sleek 

Whatever your design style, sleek is in, but by sleek we mean well finished and elegant. This could be furniture made of natural woods, or eco-friendly products. Accent areas with lacquered cabinets or a TV drop down cabinet. If you are going for the uncluttered look then the last thing you want to do is keep the TV out in plain view. Another option is to use a Nexus 21 drop down ceiling TV lift to keep your TV set. Besides, having a ceiling drop down lift will add that modern sleek look to your living room.

Floor Design and Décor

If possible you want to add hardwood floors or eco-friendly flooring material like bamboo. Use neutrally toned area rugs to tie in the furniture and draw attention to the beautiful sleek floors.

Glass and Light Fixtures

In this type of style you want to emphasize areas with hidden light. Rooms should allow for natural lighting and use very minimalist window dressings. Remember the point here is to show off the beauty of urbanity or the beautiful outdoor scenery.

Keep It Simple 

Use leathers and beautiful suede. You can also use expensive upholstery. Just remember to keep colors and styles classic and simple. Do not overdo it, or you will clutter the room with furniture again. Just use the essential seating areas you need. Remember, going for that uncluttered look involves your only using the basics, and keeping the electronics, the clutter and the stuff from distracting the viewer from the beauty of the room and of the outdoor views.

Disclaimer: I have received compensation in return for publishing this article.