Stay chic and keep warm

Most Kenyans may be unfamiliar with the phrase layering though we do it practically every day. What it basically involves is the dressing up in different clothes of different fabrics in order to provide that extra warmth to our bodies. What this basically means is that we dont have to break the bank investing in expensive trench coats but we can work with what we already have in our closet.

The challenge comes in balancing the need for warmth with that of still looking beautiful. Leading American designer Charlotte Ronson suggests that you start off with lighter weight fabrics against your skin to avoid looking too bulky. Add a pretty dress, some stockings or leggings and a long sleeved shirt worn underneath the dress and team this with either a new sweater or jacket and you are good to go. AND the good thing about layering is that if the sun does come out at some point, you can unlayer till the point you feel warm enough. 

Lag that Luggage

There is no such thing as '"the bag" especially when it comes to luggage. A back pack may be perfectly suitable for a trip across Europe but may be deemed inappropriate for a conference trip. The market offers a wide selection of all things bag and its all a matter of selecting  that which suits your needs. 

Your choice of luggage depends on the type of travel you will be undertaking. You must consider:

• What type of trip you are under taking (are you staying in a hotel or camping, are you traveling abroad or doing a local trip?)
• What kinds of activities will you be participating in (trekking, cycling, safari)
• How many items you want to carry (clothes and other personal effects etc. Worthy note that this is determined by the duration of stay, luggage limits etc)

Types of Luggage, Packs and Bags

Wheeled Duffels

Nothing swallows up gear like a duffel bag, and one with wheels can be a dream come true for multisport gear junkies. If your adventures frequently require gear of widely varying sizes and shapes, a rolling duffel is a smart way to corral it all.

Best for: adventure travel requiring bulky or odd-shaped gear; family trips; road trips.

Wheeled Suitcase

Designed for traditional travel (business commuting, family visits, road trips), this category typically features compact sizing and sturdy construction made to handle the rigors of luggage transport systems. If you like to have things organized—medications here, toiletries there—look for bags with lots of pockets or add-in organization accessories.

Best for: business travel; family visits; road trips and travel to urban areas.

Wheeled Backpacks

Popular with adventure travelers, these combine the convenience of wheeled luggage with the mobility of a backpack. You can transport lots of gear with a simple pull of the extendable handle. Facing heavy foot traffic or a long flight of stairs? Strap on the shoulder and waist straps for hands-free carrying convenience.

Best for: adventure travel; road trips.

Travel Packs

These travel-oriented backpacks are for those who don’t mind carrying gear on their backs.

They excel where wheeled luggage cannot: on gravel, cobblestone streets, stairs and other uneven terrain. Travel packs sport internal frames, hideaway shoulder straps and built-in security features. Women’s travel packs have suspension systems designed specifically for a woman’s frame.

Best for: travelers who want to be highly mobile and plan on carrying all their gear.

Duffel Bags

The traditional duffel—minus wheels and pull handle—is lighter than its rolling counterpart, easier to store (no rigid parts, so it folds up smaller) and friendlier to your budget. It also offers huge capacities with several models available in the market. Zip your pack inside one to transport it on an airplane.

Best for: climbers, college students or any traveler on a budget.

Laptop Bags, Sleeves and Day Packs

These urban carry-ons have a padded compartment to protect your 10"–17" laptop, plus a bevy of organizing pockets to hold cables, peripherals and paperwork. Laptop sleeves can also be used with e-readers and tablets.

Best for: Urban travelers and anyone who wants to safely transport a laptop.

Carry-on Luggage

Want to avoid the expense and hassle of checked bags? All of the bags and packs described above—from wheeled backpacks to duffels—come in sizes intended for carry-on use.

Most airlines allow carry-on bags no larger than 22" x 14" x 9". Rules can change, so be sure to check with your airline about size limits (or other baggage regulations) before departure.

Best for: travelers who pack light, are highly mobile and want to bypass baggage claim.

Size and Weight Guidelines

Most airlines typically enforce a 30 kg limit per checked item and charge fees for checked baggage.

For carry-ons, allowable sizes (and the number of bags allowed) are not standardized, but most airlines allow carry-on bags no larger than 22" x 14" x 9". It’s wise to check with your airline about size limits before departure.

What size bag or pack is best for you? Here are some rough guidelines:

Trip Length	Suggested Bag Type
Weekend trips	Carry-on duffel, pack or bag
1- to 2-week trips	Back  pack or wheeled luggage
Expeditions	All types

Tip: Don't worry about leaving extra space in your bag for souvenirs. Pack an empty duffel bag to fill with treasures for the return trip. (Courtesy of Rei.com) 

Luggage by type

Suitcase luggage

Wheeled Duffel Bag 

Duffel Bag

Stacked Luggage

Wheeled back pack

Back pack

Mocality Deal on Lunch Bags November 2012

Thanks to everyone who took up the deal from Mocality. Delivery will commence once we get the list of those who purchased the items from Mocality (which should be today 21st November). Please bear with us. 

How to find a hand bag that works for your body

In Lose that weight we delved into the need for limiting your bag contents so as to spare your back and shoulders from any injuries associated with lugging around heavy loads. But, its not only the content of the bag that determines the impact it has on your back as bag ergonomics (shape, size etc) impact heavily as well. Finding the right bag that works for you need not be expensive nor tedious. Below are a few tips for finding the perfect bag that won't break your back—or the bank.

1. Choose a bag made out of lighter fabric:

Nylon, canvas and straw are much lighter than leather is and strong. The market has a wide selection of funky bags made in these fabrics. If you must do leather, look out for a softer leather as tough leather tends to make your arms stick out rather than lie flat against your body. However, its important to remember that the weight of your bag consists not only of the material used but also the content. Maintain your total bag weight to a maximum of 10% of your body weight.

2. Handle your business:

Remember that physics lesson in high school about lowering the center of gravity? Don’t? Well basically the rule was that an item would be more stable if it has a wider base and exert less pressure (Force/Area). Yadi yadi ya fast forward many years post high school and the truth still stands. 

Avoid bags with handles that are too thin, as not only do they dig into your shoulders (ouch) but they also do not remain steady on your shoulder. 

In addition, avoid long strapped shoulder bags as they tend to keep bumping your hip with the strap constantly threatening to slip off your shoulder causing you to hunch your shoulders so as to keep it in place.  Look for bags with short handles which are neither too flimsy nor narrow. 

3. Small IS good:

I have heard ladies comment “But I can barely fit anything in it” when referring to their small bags. Now ladies, we all know, the bigger the bag that we have the greater the temptation there is to fill it up with all kinds of knick knacks contributing to its extra weight. 

You should also be keen to look out for how the bag meshes with your body. The acceptable rule is that:

• Shoulder bags should automatically rest between your side and arm. This is advisable as it lowers your center of gravity. Busty women should as much as possible avoid carrying anything on their shoulders as it can contribute to further misalignment.
• If its an over your forearm bag it should be right at your waist. 

4. Beyond Reach:

Each time you have to dig deep into your bag to find your mirror or lip gloss you are effectively distorting and twisting your torso. So when buying a bag look for one which will enable you to find the contents easily but still provide enough security for your stuff. Look out for bags with long zippers or magnetic closures as well as outside pockets for your frequently needed items. Alternatively, invest in a bag organiser and achieve the same effect. 

5. Back to BaSEcs:

A good bag has a firm base, a definite shape and inner pockets to keep your belongings stable. Items that tend to shift around in your bag tend to throw your balance of. Remember, the objective is to lower your center of gravity as much as possible. 

6. Gauge the bag purpose:

If you are transporting something heavy, settle for a back pack with thick straps (preferably padded) so as to distribute the weight evenly. If you must carry a shoulder laptop bag, ensure to carry another bag on your other shoulder so as to balance the weight (but maintain the 10% rule). Make sure that you keep the back pack low and your chest open. 

Wearing a waist bag when doing outdoor events is also a good option as the lower lumbar vertebrae tends to bear more weight that the neck and upper back. 

Lose that weight

As ladies, we are GUILTY of carrying heavy bags. A glimpse inside our bags reveals that extra pair of shoes, kindle and or IPAD, travel mug, umbrella, water bottle ….  leave alone the “lighter weight” wallet, numerous receipts and other personal items which cumulatively add a lot of weight to our body frame. Lets not forget that most of us ladies don’t usually carry one bag only, we also have either a laptop bag, gym bag or lunch bag.

According to Isis M. Medina, a New York–based chiropractor, ideally you should never carry a bag that is more than 10% of your body weight. So say you weigh 60 kgs, your bag should not weigh more than 6kgs. One survey that was conducted found that ladies bags typically weighed above 7 kgs. As result there has been an increased frequency of back (upper and lower) and shoulder related issues that no amount of yoga, physiotherapy or pain killers can relieve unless you get rid of the culprit (your bag and or its contents) permanently.

Medina points that what a heavy bag does is it firstly pulls on a web of nerves which can lead to a shooting pain from the neck down the arm. Secondly, overloading one side of your body can cause the trunk to tilt causing lower back problems. Moreover, every time you sling your bag over your shoulder, the upper back muscles that stabilize the shoulder must struggle to counter balance the weight ultimately overworking the muscles which can cause the simplest movements like a hug to cause unbearable pain.

Don’t worry we got your back (pun intended) and below offer some tips on how to shed that weight.

• Lay it bare

Each night go through the contents of your bag and remove all items that you will not require the following day. Take out those receipts, half filled water bottles, umbrella (come on it’s a sunny day).

Photo courtesy of riennahera

• Carry only essentials

Wallet, keys, lip balm, wet wipes, and note book just about covers it. If the weather man says that it will be sunny tomorrow, leave that umbrella at home! Admittedly Nairobi weather can be a bit dodgey, so ensure that you have an "emergency" umbrella in the office just in case it pours. In addition, limit the amount of makeup that you carry in your bag, one tube of lip balm, lipstick and compact powder ought to cover it.

• Choose a back-friendly bag

Balance fashion versus practicality. Back packs and cross over bags tend to distribute the weight of the bag equally across the body. If these are not your style, opt for bags made of canvas if you have many things to carry versus a leather bag as leather material in itself tends to be heavier than canvas. Your bag and back ought to be BFFs. In the next segment we will cover how to select a back friendly bag.

Photo courtesy of Redcarpet

• Switch sides

As you carry your bag around, switch sides every 20 or so minutes so as to prevent aches and pains.

We would love to hear from you.  Please feel free to leave a comment below or email us. 

Get your bag Organised

At one point or another we have experienced that embarrassing moment when we are desperately searching for our mobile phones in our bags at a public function or in a public service vehicle and in spite of our best effort we cannot find it! I think there is some conspiracy between my phone and my bag because as soon as I get a hold of it after my frantic search, it stops ringing! Well at least I THOUGHT that in the past, what I like to describe as DBO (Days before organiser)

Between our lip gloss, mobile, wallet, keys, comb, wet wipes, tissues etc we might as well be operating a supermarket out of our bags. 

Keeping the contents of your bag neat can be much simpler than you think by using the bag organizer and whats more, once your bag is organized it allows you to switch easily from one bag to another. The Toteall Bag Organiser has compartments for your pens, makeup, mobile phone, cheque book etc.

It  is available at Kshs 1500 in two colours, BOLD RED and RADIANT BLUE each measuring 32x15x12cm and made from microfiber material. Contact us today and make your order.

FAFA Fashion for Peace Gala Night 2012

Photo courtesy of FAFA 

The 4^th Edition of the FAFA Fashion for Peace Gala takes place next Saturday, 17^th November 2012 at the Jockey club, Ngong racecourse, Nairobi, Kenya.

FAFA (Festival for African Fashion and Arts) was set up in 2008 during the post election violence which took place in Kenya. As many countries throughout the region continue to know human rights abuse, civil unrest and war, FAFA aims to change perceptions of other communities one mind at a time by exploring and bridging cultures through fashion, art and music.

The event taking place next weekend will be the 4th  Edition of its kind and is bound to be as fabulous and exciting as its predecessors.

Ticket Booking is now on via:

reservations@fafakenya.org OR call +254 725590653

**TICKETS**

GOLD TICKETS @ Ksh 7,500

SILVER TICKETS @ Ksh 5,000

Dress code is FABULOUS

Lunch Tote Bags

Pack a healthy lunch in a reusable lunch tote to maintain healthy food choices, save money, and help the environment. The Red Daisy and Classic lunch totes match any personality. They are designed with today’s on the go woman in mind; these unique totes compliment any lifestyle. They can be used at picnics and carried to the office as well. They also have a convenient front pocket great for cell phone, keys, snacks, etc. These bags are also ideal for mothers to carry food for their little bundles of joy. 

Size: 48x30.5x20cm 

Material: 600D (Polyester) for the exterior of bag and PE Foam for the inside. PE is non-abrasive; serves as a thermal insulator; is inert to water, grease and solvents at typical temperatures; are CFC and PVC free and ozone friendly, recyclable, odorless, and very lightweight. (They maintain temperatures for up to 3 hours would you believe it!)

Price: Kshs 1600

Red Daisy

Classic

Naivasha Fashion Weekend

The event this year is scheduled to coincide with the opening of the fabulous Siyara Spa at Enashipai and is envisioned to become an annual “must attend” fashion event. Siyara spa is an oasis of peace, calm and tranquility. Sheltered within sun-kissed natural gardens, the world class Spa is the ultimate retreat to soothe away the stress and tensions of urban living.

Whether alone or in a group, make a date to sample the invigorating pleasures of the Spa which includes: Separate men’s and women’s lounges, steam rooms, 6 specially designed private treatment rooms, a rasul and a VIP/Couples special treatment room.

The event is also organised to raise funds for various charities in the Naivasha Community.

Activities for the day include:

• Fashion Show by various Designers ( Moo Cow,   Sarakaray,  Amani ya Juu,   Vaishali, Wambui Mukenyi,  Angel smile,  Cocobanana,  Nesra Apparels, Kamila Afrika)

• Art Exhibition by various Artists (Wanjuki ,Andrew Kamiti, Kathy Katuti, Debbie Oulton)

• Performance by Chris Bittok

• Bargain sales (various booths with items from various designers)

• Make-up talks

• Clothing advice

• Beauty clinics

• Band Performance

• Manicure and Pedicure stations

• Fantastic raffle prizes

• A VIP dinner event with live music at the newly open Siyara Spa Lounge (advance tickets only)

• Performance by June Gachui

Advance Prices: Fashion Event 1500/- Dinner 3500/-

The tickets can now be purchased on Ticket Sasa and will be available at the following outlets:-

1. Truworths Yaya
2. Truworths Sarit
3. Truworths Junction
4. Woolworths Yaya
5. Woolworths Village
6. Woolworths Junction
7. Woolworths Galleria
8. Woolworths Sarit
9. Woolworths Westgate
10. Mercury ABC
11. Mercury Junction
12. Enashipai Offices both Naivasha and Prosperity house 7^th floor