Recycle / Up cycle shoe box - DIY

Do something for the environment       

You may use a shoe box for various purposes, please find them listed below 

1.  For storage purpose - 

Pen/pencil/crayon box, magazine rack, office supplies storage, tool box, CD storage, photo album or lose photos

2.   For gifting purpose - A gift box or present box

Paste a gift wrapper around the shoe box and turn the box into a wonderful gift box for your loved ones. 

3. Toy box

Puppet theatre box, make a robot out of the box, doll-house, preschool art and crafts, school science projects, Guitar, piggy-bank 

4.  Love pets - Make a pet house 

Put a thin layer of cushioning inside and make it bedding if your pet is tiny in size. You may use the box to transport the pet too

5. Aid in transportation

Tiffin box transport, water bottle transport

6. Wall shelves

Paint the box and turn them into beautiful wall shelves, you may also use it as a drawer separator

7. Tissue box

Carefully cut the plastic on the top of the box and make it into a tissue holder.

8.  Flower pot holder

Tips On What To Wear With Your New Red Shoes

Tips On What To Wear With Your New Red Shoes

Fairy tales often use shoes as a symbol representing an escape from a boring routine life, and we couldn’t agree more. Most of us have a shoe collection that goes way beyond what we need. But unfortunately we all end up with pairs that never get worn simply because we don’t know what to wear with them. Bright and offbeat colors like Red, Orange, Green, Purple play the culprit here.

An impulsive buy at your favourite shoe store, and you land up with Red heels. Come home and you realize that you’re not sure what outfit you can wear that will make those hot little numbers stand out without looking flashy. No worries, i will give you some quick tips on how to sport your pretty red heels without looking like red riding hood.

Some pointers to follow with red heels:

·         Go for grey or black when they're going to the office with you. Yes, it's possible to wear red shoes to the office and look more like a professional than a tart. Although red will go with some colors, you'll want to stay subdued here by making the shoes the only really colorful part of your outfit. Pair a black jacket and black skirt/trouser with a subdued black or white top and the red shoes will stand out without drawing unwelcome attention. Add red lipstick and a red handbag to head to happy hour drinks after work. (Note that grey works as well as black does with red shoes.)

·         Get flirty and fun with a pink/white number. If you're going for a more fun, romantic kind of look then you'll want to stick with the pink/white category of clothes. A frilly white top with a pink and white skirt or a dress dominantly in white with hints of pink, will look cute but those red shoes will give it that sense of sexy that you're trying to hint at.

·         Everyone has an LBD (Little Black Dress) which perfectly complements red heels. You can add a red belt to your dress and be ready to gloom. LBD’s can come in various styles like halter neck, boat nech, three fourth sleeve, flary, fitted etc. Pick the one which is made for your body type.

·         Red is the color of wedding for most people in India. You can team your red heels with gold and black Indian wear. It is not necessary to have glittering heels with your Indian attire unless the style police in your community finds you sloppy on account of a non flashy shoe.  If the outfit already has too much work, go for a more subtle heel (read without diamonds).

·         Dark jeans. If you're going to wear jeans or a jean skirt with red shoes then you want to make sure that they're of the dark blue variety. Most women just don't look right trying to pull off light colored denim with red shoes. As long as you've got dark jeans, almost any top should work with the shoes. If you want to draw attention primarily to the shoes, though, stick with a simple top. A white T-shirt, dark jeans and red high heels tells the world that you're a versatile gal with a sexy streak inside.

Lastly, have fun with what's in your closet and don't be afraid to be bold!

The DIY guide for making your own shaded heels

• Own an old pair of plain black heels? If yes, its make over time. Bring them out and clean them thoroughly with a soft brush or damp cloth, depending on the material of your shoe.                    
• If no, go out and buy a pair. Best part is you need not spend a bomb on this; so pick up that pair you saw at a road side stall, just make sure it fits well and doesn’t look weird on wearing. (It doesn’t take time for the round toe shape to turn into a square one and then an unidentified shape). If you are not strict on budget then I would suggest to get better quality of heels.
• Insert tissues or old newspaper in them. Make sure you fill in a way to avoid large gaps on the edges. Cover the heels with masking tape. 
• You will need to buy 2 bottles of spray paints. Select a shade (i.e. Lime in this picture) and get a light and a dark shade of it. Suitable color would be blue, nude, green and lavender. 
• Spray the lighter shade first. Let it dry out for few hours. Kobe Spray Paint is easily available online. You can even check out other brands for Spray Paints at your nearest Stationary Stores. 
• Spray the other darker shade and let it dry out for another few hours. 
•  Clean the sole & remove the tape from heels. Your Shaded Heels are ready to wear. Voila! Here is your very own creation!!

                                                            

     

                                       

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.