HOW TO ACCESSORIZE, especially in this weather.

Do you wonder why some people always look fabulous even with a simple outfit? Well, Any outfit can go from boring to stunning with the right accessories. You just need to learn to buy pieces that express your personality and remember not to overdo, here are a few tips that will draw extra (positive) attention to any outfit:

Use a splash of color especially during the cold weather;

Color is your friend. If your outfit is plain (black and white, black and grey, etc.), create a pop of color with jewelry, a scarf, a handbag, or a bright shoe. Also, Choose colors based on your skin tone to determine which colors will look best on you. If you have darkish (or cool) undertones in your skin, try peaches, reds, and oranges to spruce up your outfits. If your skin has chocolate (or warm) undertones, blues or greens will work best. And, don't be afraid to use color in your makeup, too (not too much, of course). For instance, a colorful eye shadow looks great paired with toned-down lips and cheeks. And, instead of using lipstick, try a gloss. Most lip glosses with a gold or peach tint go well with any skin tone.

Be careful with proportions. 

If you’re wearing an outfit that is big and voluminous, scale back on the accessories. If you’re wearing something sleeker, you can go a little bigger and bolder with a chunky cocktail ring or big, bright handbag.

Try layering your bracelets. 

Stacked bangles are a hot trend this winter. Wear a bunch on one arm to easily add sparkle to an outfit. You can buy a pack of bangles at toteallykenya, very trendy and budget friendly.

Don’t be afraid to mix materials. 

I know some people don’t believe this, but it totally okay to mix metals when it comes to jewelry. Mixing up your jewelry creates a fabulous vintage look, so don’t be afraid to throw things together and see what happens. You might come up with some amazing combos

Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize.
Nothing makes an outfit stand out more than the right accessories. If you're wearing a plain outfit, a great belt, flashy necklace, or fashionable handbag will definitely get you noticed. If you're in professional clothing most of the time, adding an accessory or two will make your outfit more interesting. However, it's important to match the accessories with the outfit, so that your look will be both fashionable and appropriate. For instance, a big, chunky necklace may work great for evening wear, but not for the office. Accessorizing with pearls, thin belts, and brooches look wonderful with pants suits or business-like skirts and tops. Bohemian-style tassel belts, hoop earrings, and sequined handbags compliment outfits with denim or suede quite nicely. And, depending on the season, a good pair of sunglasses could add just the right touch to any outfit. Be sure to purchase glasses according to your face shape, and don't try to match the color of your sunglasses with the color of your outfit (i.e. peach-colored shades with a peach outfit is a big no-no.)

Don’t wear too many accessories at once. 

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and you don’t want to resemble a kid playing dress up in mom’s closet. Exercise a little bit of restraint with accessories – if you have statement earrings on, don’t add bangles, a cocktail ring, and a scarf. Keep it to one or two main pieces.

It's all about the shoes.
Every woman knows that shoes are the foundation of any outfit. The perfect pair of shoes can turn an average outfit into a fabulous ensemble. When you're choosing shoes for an outfit, there are a couple of things to think about: Where are you going to wear the shoe? How long will you have the shoes on? Will the shoes give your outfit a whole new look, or will they be consistent with the look of the clothes? This will help you determine what pair of shoes to match up with your clothes. For work, choose shoes that are both comfortable, but make a statement. Kitten heels or wedge heels will provide a little more comfort than a stiletto or pump, and the right flat shoes can make a pants or skirt outfit just the right touch of business-casual style. If you have an engagement right after work and don't have time to change, simple switching out shoes can make a big difference. For instance, if you've been wearing flats all day, try a heel in a bright, eye-catching color if your outfit is plain. Or, if you've worn heels in the daytime, a beautiful flat accented with sequins or embroidery will work well with just about any outfit.

HISTORY OF BRACELETS

Bracelet, a piece of jewelry that is worn on the wrist. The term “bracelet” is from the latin word “brachile” meaning of the arm……….. have an interesting historical background.

People in Ancient Egypt, whose average life expectancy then was 40,  wore bracelets as “identification tags” to aid the Gods  after their death in conducting the wearer and his/her wealth to the appropriate status level.

In Latin America, traditional Azabache Bracelets are worn to protect against the Mal de ojo, or evil eye. Others believe the evil eye is the result of excessive admiration or envious looks, and often gold bracelets are used to deflect the bad mojo.

For those with a little less money to spend who prefer a more sentimental value to their jewelry (like the Victorians), a charm bracelet carries personal charms: decorative pendants or trinkets that are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life. However, in recent history, Italian charm bracelets have become trendy. While traditional charms dangle, Italian charms feature individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of the link

Who knew? All in all, bracelets have and will continue being trendy.

Check out our website, for whats trendy now. Order Online, Free Delivery around Nairobi.

                                                                                             KSHS: 250

                                                                     
                                                                          KSHS: 300

                                                                             KSHS: 350

KSHS: 250

KSHS: 350

                                                                                              KSHS: 350

The cocktail ring

Cocktail rings are a top trend worldwide. Ladies wear them to add that extra va voom to their outfits and are they are usually large in size. Typically they are large in size and can be adorned with just about any outfit. Toteally Kenya is so pleased to bring a lovely selection all under Kshs 500. Check out our website to see the great selection.

Thank You

This has been a year of growth and we are so thankful to you our esteemed clients. We have seen the establishment of this blog, an expansion in our product line into jewelry and only recently a further foot print in the world wide web toteallykenya.kbo.co.ke.

Thank you so much for walking with us, supporting us and for all the referrals you have made.  God bless

Packing Tips

Now that you have your luggage selected you need to get packing.

1. Try and maximise on the number of times you can wear your bottoms (pants and skirts) – target for at least twice per item during the trip. I would opt for jeans as your safest bet, but that solely depends on whether you are going for some stuffy workshop or for some personal down time. When necessary, as you take your shower, steam your already used clothes by hanging them on the door hanger to freshen them up.

2. Bring travel-sized containers of detergent to hand wash bras, swimsuits and to beat stains out before they set. A tip here is to refill empty bottles of shampoo (around 120 ml or so) with detergent if smaller sizes of detergent aren't available in the market. Alternatively, carry with you a bar soap (think Ushindi) but just be careful to carry with you a zip lock bag so that it doesn't rub against clean clothes after use.

3. Bring a change of undies  for everyday - and throw in 3 extra pairs. (Who wants to take an evening shower and put on the same undies they wore during the day?)

4. Bring three bras (preferably in black) for a one week trip. Of the two one should have detachable bra straps for that outfit which cant work the ‘normal’ bra.

5. Roll your cotton pieces and fold everything else in squares so as to save packing space.

6. Carry clothes in darker shades for everyday use (black, dark blue, purple, green, dark red) or neutral (all browns and shades of gray) colored clothing, so any dirt or stains acquired along the way won't be too apparent. 

7. Pack clothes first then tuck in shoes in between. Pack shoes in cloth or plastic bags.

8. For cooler weather travelers:  layering clothes is more effective than hauling around bulky sweaters or coats.

9. One way of ensuring you pack what you will actually need and will use is to write out your outfit ideas before hand. Sounds a bit OCD but it makes perfect sense. This way you ensure that you limit your luggage as well as you get a chance to see if the outfit works.

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