How to look cool in school

Dear Rissa, 

I’m a college freshman. I’m pretty excited about school! Can you share some college dressing tips?

Natasia G.

Oh, wow, I miss college! This will certainly be an exciting chapter in your life! Of course, you want it to be a fashionable one, too. Yes, finally — no more uniforms! I remember how I would list in my planner my outfit for each day because I was so OC. Not only did it prevent me from repeating the exact same outfit, it honed my dressing skills and creativity, too. 

Head of the Class: Pair a knit cardigan with long shorts for that relaxed preppy look. Look for lightweight materials to make layering easy and still cool despite our humid weather. A nylon adjustable strap messenger bag is the must-have bag this school season. Wear it as a shoulder bag for that modern look.Long plaid shorts in white and light blue, P2,295; navy and olive stripes polo shirt, P1,295; navy cardigan, P2,495; black men’s bag P3,295.

It’s always good to invest in basic yet quality closet staples — they help you put your best foot forward and give you bang for your buck. Construction and fit have always been my biggest priority. Great-fitting clothes can make the simplest outfit look like a million bucks! When well-cared for, they can last you many years. Looking through my closet, I still have a good number of pieces from Benetton that I bought 10 years ago and continue to wear until today. (Seriously!) My pants, skirts, dresses, and tops have never failed me and I can still wear them in so many ways until today! 

I remember how I was also crazy for accessories. They instantly gave my old pieces a fresh new look! Layering helps you achieve a variety of looks, too.     Plus, they keep you warm for your air-conditioned classes! Don’t be afraid to experiment with color. Whenever I would wear brights, they always helped put me in a chirpier mood even with a long, full day of classes. Pops of color not only inject style but put you in a great mood, too! I would wear wedges or heels at times but keep a pretty pair of ballet flats. They don’t have the transformative power of high heels, but they’re chic and timeless. And on those days when you feel you can no longer endure those heels — in your bag, your flats will be happily waiting for you. After walking from building to building, your feet will thank you for it. 

Classic Genius: Update your classic pieces with Benetton’s latest collection for her. Invest in a versatile piece you can mix and match depending on your mood like this pinstripes button down long sleeves. Wear it with casual shorts for a preppy girl-next-door look, like the one above or leave it open with a shirt inside, denim cut offs and flat boots for that rocker look. For him, layering light shirts will keep him looking unique and cool. Add a splash of color to complete the look like a bright colored accessory, maybe a belt, a bag or a beanie. On Jairus: Slim fit vintage wash denim, P2,795; white round neck shirt, P995; short sleeves polo, P1,995. On Aya: Stripes button down long sleeves, P2,295; blue shorts, P2,995; gray shoulder bag, P4,295.

Do check out the latest collection of Benetton. Made of comfy fabrics like cotton, khakis, and denims, they’re perfect for the college student on the go. Stylist to celebrities, magazine shoots, campaigns, and runway shows Charmaine Palermo shares some style tips, too.

United Colors of Benetton has stores at Bonifacio High Street; 3rd floor, TriNoma; G/F, Robinsons Galleria; 2/F, SM Megamall; and G/F, Ayala Center Cebu. It has an ongoing sale with 30-50% off on a lot of back-to-school pieces.

Rissa

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A Souper Fat-Burning Diet

Dear Ms. Tingting,

Could you suggest a diet that would make me lose weight fast? I’m attending my best friend’s wedding next month and I’m her maid of honor. I want to fit into the slinky gown I’m supposed to wear.

Emily

I want to share with you this basic fat-burning soup diet.  This diet is derived from one given at the Sacred Heart Memorial Hospital for overweight heart patients to lose weight rapidly, usually before surgery.  Modifications have been added by Ed Kasper LAc, acupuncturist and herbalist.  Expect to lose 10-17 pounds in one week.  Kombu (seaweed) and shiitake mushrooms are available in the Oriental section of most markets.  Diet is to be used for seven days and to help prepare one to lose weight safely especially before surgery.  It is not meant for long-term or repeated use.

Ingredients are large green onions, one to two pounds of sliced tomatoes, large piece kombu seaweed, four cloves garlic, large red onion, two green peppers, large head of cabbage, one bunch celery, one hot pepper (your choice), shiitake mushrooms. The soup stock can come from chicken, beef, pork or vegetable. Add spices (rosemary, sage, parsley, tarragon or thyme) for flavoring in the last 20 minutes.

During the seven-day diet, eat:

1) All fruits except bananas, unsweetened tea,

cranberry juice, or water.

2) All vegetables and big baked potato and butter.

3) Eat all the soup, fruits, and vegetables you want.

Perfect Match: A backpack is the must-have bag of the season; not only will this make you feel comfortable as this would keep your hands free, it will also complete your casual laid-back look — perfect from class to a study date. For him, invest in a good bomber jacket, not only is it the trend of the season, it’s weather-resistant and lightweight, too. Pair it with vintage wash denim jeans and any shirt for that everyday casual look. On Aya: Soft dark denim dress, P2,995; white leather backpack, P5,295. On Jairus: Slim fit denim pants, P2,795; gray shirt, P1,295; violet nylon zip-up jacket, P3,495.

4) Eat bananas and skim milk.

5) Beef or lamb and tomatoes. Substitute either wheat gluten (seitan) for the beef or lamb or aduki beans, chicken or fish.

6) Beef or lamb and vegetables. Substitute either wheat gluten (seitan) for the beef or lamb or aduki beans, chicken or fish.

7) Lastly, brown rice, unsweetened fruit, and vegetables.

Cut vegetables in small to medium pieces, sauté in olive oil and cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes.  Cut to simmer and continue cooking until vegetables are tender.  This soup can be eaten any time you are hungry.  Eat as much as you want, whenever you want.  This soup will not add calories.  The more you eat, the more you will lose.

Drink plenty of fresh pure water all day.  

Whiz Kids: Blue is always a good color for guys, it’s cool to the eyes and gives out that fresh vibe. Wear a basic polo shirt under a V-neck shirt to add style to a basic look. On the other hand, she can adventurous with her outfit. Get inspiration from the colors of the ’80s with this pop art loose top (above) and balance the look with plain shorts. You’ll surely stand out from the crowd in this fun colorful style. On Aya: Knit colored top, P2,795; white shorts, P2,295; black bag, P2,995. On Jairus: Slim fit jeans, P2,795; stripes shirt with buttons design, P1,495 over blue collared shirt, P1,495.

DAY ONE: All fruits except bananas.  Cantaloupe and watermelon are lower in calories than most fruits.  Eat only the soup and fruits.  For drinks — unsweetened tea, cranberry juice, or water.

DAY TWO: All vegetables.  Eat until you are stuffed with all the fresh, raw or canned vegetables.  Try to eat leafy vegetables and stay away from dry beans, peas, and corn.  Eat along with the soup.  At dinnertime on this day, reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter.  Do not eat any fruits.

DAY THREE: Eat all the soup, fruits, and vegetables you want.  Do not have a baked potato.  If you have eaten for three days, as above, and have not cheated, you will find you have lost five to seven pounds.

DAY FOUR: Bananas and skim milk.  Eat as many as three bananas and drink as many glasses of water as you can on this day, along with the soup.  Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates and so is milk, but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and the carbohydrates, proteins, and calcium to lessen your craving for sweets.

DAY FIVE: Beef or lamb and tomatoes.  Try to select high quality range-fed animal protein free of antibiotics or hormones.  You may have 10-20 ounces of beef or lamb and a can of tomatoes or as many as six fresh tomatoes on this day.  Try to drink at least six to eight glasses of water on this day to wash away the uric acid in your body.  Eat the soup at least once on this day.  You can substitute either wheat gluten (seitan) for the beef or lamb or aduki beans, chicken or fish.

DAY SIX: Beef or lamb and vegetables.  Eat to your heart’s content the beef or lamb and vegetables on this day.  You can have two or three steaks if you like, with green leafy vegetables, but no baked potato.  Be sure and eat the soup at least once today.  You can substitute either wheat gluten (seitan) for the beef or lamb or aduki beans, chicken or fish.

DAY SEVEN: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit, and vegetables.  Again, stuff yourself. Be sure to have the soup at least once today.

By the end of the seventh day, if you have not cheated on the diet, you will have lost 10-17 pounds.  If you have lost more than 15 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming it.

This seven-day eating plan can be used as often as you like.  As a matter of fact, if correctly followed, it will clean your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being like never before.

Tingting

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A Skin Regimen For Him

Dear Lucy,

For men only: Pure & Matte Bright Charcoal Black Foam from the L’Oreal Men Expert line combats dull and oily skin.

My husband is in his early 40s, but he really has no skin regimen; not that he has problem skin. He just basically uses my own facial soap and toner. I do not mind that, but perhaps there is a product out there that is really for men? He has oily skin. He is very handsome, by the way — I think he looks somewhat like your husband.

Catherine

I highly suggest that you get for your husband the L’Oreal Men Expert line. Their products are wonderful! Especially for oily skin, they have the Pure & Matte Bright Charcoal Black Foam with Salicylic Acid. It cleans, clears, mattifies, and removes impurities from the skin.

There is also the Pure & Matte Pore Minimizing Mattifying Toner. Just in case dark circles are a problem for him, they carry the hydra-energetic Icy Roll on Eye, and when in need of a moisturizer, their Vita Lift is very good. It re-tightens skin because of the combination of the anti-sagging gel and anti-wrinkle cream. This cream is used to define facial contours. I love even the way these products smell. Try them! For sure, your husband will benefit from them.

Lucy

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Send e-mail to tingtingcojuangco@yahoo.com, ltg@pldtdsl.com, and stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com.