Advice to 20 year old on career options (alternate education).

So, you are at the doorstep where you are wondering what next to do in life. Completed your 10+2 education and now whether a traditional B.Com/BMS/BBA/BCA is going to make sense or to pursue something that interests you. I know it is a dilemma. It is also influenced by herd mentality. I have been in the same boat and things look so much clearer in hindsight.

A few questions to ask yourself

1)      Are you really passionate about an alternate career like fashion, music, theatre, art etc?

2)      Would you go out of your way to research a topic related to your interest? Which would include working for night’s together, going out in the heat/rain to get the work moving, read about your topic without getting tired or complaining?

3)      Are you OK with not making a good amount of money as soon as you graduate?

4)      Will your parents support your thoughts and decisions?

5)      Do you a natural excellence at whatever you desire to pursue?

6)      Do you any experience of the said field and have seen how work gets done there?

7)      Are you passionate enough to keep trying if your work doesn't succeed once?

8)      Do you believe you are one of the people born to stand out and will do whatever it takes to do it?

I completed my MBA in finance and took up a financial job only to realise how unhappy I was. It paid me very well but I was bored every morning to go to work. I did not look forward to mornings. When you start your day like that, the rest is just left to be imagined.

Fashion/Designing always amazed me since childhood. I had seen my mom work as a fashion designer and I would love to attend to her customers and help them make choices. They appreciated me being around, and life was great that way.

However I did not have the courage to pursue a fashion course and wait forever for my career to kick off. Fortunately I got an opportunity and I am associated with an esteemed shoe brand now. Life is great once again. But the transition wasn't easy. A degree in design would have done wonders to my career and in hindsight I wish someone really pushed me to do it.

Don’t worry too much about the consequences if you have answered a ‘Yes’ to most of the question above, you will surely make it. Go for your dream.

A very famous quote I would like to share by Steve Jobs which sums up what I have been trying to convey.

10 Gift ideas for shoe lovers

1)      Gift certificate from one of his/her favourite shoe store. Alternatively to add excitement you may do so from a new store which will add lot of curiosity and fun

2)      Microwavable booties – yes they are very much available in USA, UK etc. You can order them from amazon or ask someone coming from abroad to bring you a pair. It works out to $ 10 - $ 15. They are distressing just like soaking your feet in hot water. http://www.amazon.com/Anti-Stress-Microwaveable-Comfort-Booties-Pink/dp/B001GKVYE4/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

3)      Subscription for a year to any of the popular shoe magazines.

4)      Shoe themed accessories like pendants, earrings, charms, key chains, mobile holders, bottle openers, shoe books, shoe shaped cake, cup cakes, beer mugs, chair or a shoe organiser. You can make some of the accessories in silver/gold if you choose to give an expensive gift.

5)      Shoe shaped wine bottle holder

6)      A shoe painting or a more fun caricature of the receiver with a shoe

7)      DIY Idea – pick up an old shoe of your friend or buy a simple one from any store and jazz it up with glitter, diamonds, readymade bows and various accessories that you will find in the market

8)      Buy a shoe shaper (commonly known as shoe tree). They are used to keep the shape of your shoe intact when you aren’t using them. You may also get your friends name engraved on it.

9)      A shoe themed wallpaper to do a quick makeover of the room. Putting up wallpaper is easy and no fuss, this would work as a wonderful surprise.

10)   You can print a calendar or a diary with a new shoe every month with a popular shoe quote. 

Trends and Colors to follow in 2014

A big hello to all of you!!
Without wasting a paragraph on the blah blah stuff, lets get down to the meaningful part.

Trends to look out for in 2014

1) Clothes 

Jumpsuit - I am going to be surprised if you don't own one already. Jumpsuits are perfect in the way 

• They make you look slimmer (no button on the belly for muffin top to appear)                               
• You can team them up with charming belts that you probably bought long ago and haven't had a chance to wear                                                                                                                                
• You can carry a jumpsuit with sleeves or without them for the days that getting waxed is in your upcoming agenda                                                                                                                          
• For the ones who are really fussy about the fabric, good news is that jumpsuits come in lycra, cotton, crepe, silk and many more fabrics                                                                                           
• You cant ignore the fact of how cute you look wearing a jumpsuit.. So in case you do not have one pls pls go and buy it asap. (if you need places to shop, contact me)                                         
• Colours - Black, Navy Blue and a pastel like Hush Pink or Soft Purple.  

Flowy dress - Yes you heard me right                                                                                              

• Buy a dress which has a tighter top (till your bust line) and a flowy bottom. You will be able to carry this dress with grace only if you have a normal bust line and it is a big advantage for girls with a heavier stomach and bottom. A maxi length in this would do wonders.                                                 
• A hemline which is uneven will also look very attractive                                                                
• Prints look very engaging on a flowy dress. And guess what prints are the next big thing in 2014     
• Sheer flowy dress with a see through hem is so angelic
• A long flowy dress with a side slit is the perfect peek-a-boo                                                         
• Colours - Sea Green, Pretty Flowers, Sky Blue, Red and Orange  

Pallazo Pants - Oh so comfortable  

• Get them in solid colours or in prints. They look beautiful and are comfortable  
• Team them with a tee or a loose top to fit your mood                                                                     
• Give your jeans a break. You will look stylish and not stupid to sport a pallazo pant        
• If you have heavy thighs then pallazo pants is made just for you and the good news is that they are so much in fashion.                                                                                                                              
• Black&White print, Multi print,  Brown, Mustard and Grey 

2) Shoes 

• A very important aspect of right dressing is to wear right shoes. Must haves are Women Brogues, a pair of pretty looking flats, a pair of comfortable heels, pointed toe heels and a party picker.  
• Women Brogue look lovely in metallic Gold or Silver colour. The manly design with a girly colour is just so perfect. 
• Flats can be in a shade of brown or even in multi 
• Nothing better then a Black or Navy for the comfort heels
• Pointed toe closed shoe in a Beige and Black is an ever green option
• Go crazy on your party picker - Black, Blue, Pink, Red, Silver, Gold - pick what ever you like.