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Es el accesorio que me saca de apuros, que complementa lo que sea que traiga puesto, lo pueden usar hombres y mujeres y sobre todo hay miles y miles de formas, diseños y colores.
¿De que estoy hablando? De uno de los accesorios que yo más utilizo y que me imagino que tú también, y sino, nunca es tarde para empezar a usarlo!! me refiero a las bufandas, mascadas, chalinas o como las quieras llamar. Para no confundirnos con los términos ya que en cada país le dicen distinto voy a llamarlas bufandas de ahora en adelante.

La magia de este accesorio, es que es atemporal, dado que existen en todos los tipos de tela para todas las estaciones y nunca pasa de moda. Lo más importante de todo esto es saber como usarla para que no se vea como un agregado mal puesto en tu vestimenta.

Existen ciertas cosas que debes recordar:

1. Al elegir el tipo de bufanda busca que contraste o que combine con tu ropa, nunca utilices el mismo color. Busca estampados coloridos que puedas combinar con varias cosas.
2. Si tienes cuello corto, evita usar bufandas atadas al cuello, lo hará más corto aún.
3. Bufandas delgadas y largas estilizan la figura.
4. Si vas a usar la bufanda dentro del cuello de la blusa busca que no se te haga un bulto enorme en el cuello y si sobra mucho nunca lo metas a la blusa, te va a hacer ver un busto deforme. Busca siempre que tenga el tamaño ideal para que no te sobre ni te falte al atarla al cuello.
5. Trata de escoger el tipo de tela (grosor) adecuado para cada ocasión.
6. Si eres muy bajita, procura no utilizar mascadas (chalinas) grandes ya que te van a hacer verte más bajita.
7. Las chalinas (la bufanda más grande estilo ruana) son el elemento ideal para un día frío ya que no solo te cubren el cuello sino también los hombros.

8. Si eres hombre, la bufanda delgada la puedes usar dando varias vuelas al cuello sin ajustarlo. Si es invierno y la bufanda es gruesa dobla la bufanda a la mitad y envuelve tu cuello pasando las puntas por el círculo creado al doblar la bufanda, luego ajústala al cuello.

Una ventaja de este accesorio,  es que las bufandas delgadas siempre las vas a poder convertir en un buen cinturón o en una banda para la cabeza, de ahí que sea comodín!!

No importa la estación, si es primavera u otoño, sacale provecho a las bufandas para dar un toque especial a tu look . Yo las uso todo el tiempo, mis favoritas son las más delgadas y de mucho color.

¡¡¡Hasta la próxima!!!

Fabiola Silva

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: bufanda hombre, bufanda mujer, consejos. | #

This is the accessory that you will always want to have in your closet, it complements what ever you are wearing, men and women can use it and the best is that there are thousands of colors, shapes and designs.
What am I talking about? I am talking about one of the things that I use more than anything: scarves. If you are not using that until now, there is always a good time to start using it!! It will help you a lot to giving some color to any outfit that you use.

The magic of this accessory ,is that it can be use  at any time of the year, since there are made in different fabrics to be adapted to the weather. Scarves will never be out of fashion, but there are some tips that you should know in order to always create a great complement to your outfit.
1. When you choose a scarf, always try to create contrast or to make a good combination with what you are wearing. Avoid using the same color of your outfit.
2. If you have a short neck, do not tie scarves under your chin it will look shorter.
3. Thing and long scarves around your neck will help you to appear taller and slimmer.
4. If you are using the scarf inside the blouse, be sure to use the correct size to avoid a huge thing under your chin, or a bundle inside your blouse that will deform your bust.
5. Try to choose the right fabric (thickness) for each occasion and season.
6. Petite women should not use big scarves because they will look shorter.
7. Oversized scarves are ideal for a cold day since they not only cover your neck but also your shoulders.

8. If you are a man, you can use a thin scarf around your neck not too tight. For the winter scarf, fold it on half and then tie it around your neck and pass the ends through the circle created when you folded it.

One of the advantages of this accessory is that you can always use a thing scarf as a belt or as a bandana in your head, that’s why is so handy!

No matter the season that you are, spring or autumn, use it as much as you can. Scarves will always give a special touch to your look. I use them all the time; my favorites are the thin and very colorful.

See you soon!!

Fabiola Silva

No Comments | In: Uncategorized @en | tags: men scarves, tips, women scarves. | #

Many of you have been asking me about how is the best way to clean stains in clothes? So I decided to make an interview to a specialist, Gabriel Rusell, the owner of one of the most prestigious drycleaners in Buenos Aires.  Gabriel’s father, created the first branch in Recoleta in 1964.  Since then, the business had grown and in 1982 they opened a second branch in Palermo.  Currently they have 19 employees and their income goes up to 700 thousand Argentinean pesos.

¿What is the expertise of your business?

G: It is a handcrafted work, some drycleaners offer to clean your clothes in 1 or 2 hours, we dedicate a lot of time in each garment to be sure that is clean and in perfect shape.  We take off all buttons before washing it, then we retouch the hem and lining if it is needed, then we clean it, iron it and then we sew again each button. When the garment is ready, we wrapped it individually. For all of the above, we are one of the most recognized drycleaners in Buenos Aires.

Let’s talk about fabrics, how do you divide them? How do we need to take care of each one?

G: Let’s divide them in two groups: men and women clothes. Men’s suits have to be always clean at the drycleaner, specially the ties because the silk is usually very delicate.  Women’s clothes are more complicated to clean since each garment has usually a big variety of fabrics. For example, it can be a mix of polyester or silk with spandex and all those mixes are complicated to clean, all depend of the case, or we have to wash the dress by hand or apply specific treatment to remove the spot. Sometimes we have to follow our instinct and experience more than the clothes care tag.

How can we take care of white clothes? Why do you think the white clothes as not as white as before?

G: 
If we use the typical dry cleaning process in white clothes, it usually end up a little darker, that’s why is better to wash it by hand if it is possible, depends on the fabric and the design of the garment. The fabrics today are not as before, their composition had changed.  To whiten something that is yellow you can apply lemon, chlorine (diluted) and it always helps to hang outside (the sun always help).  Deodorant spots are remove from white clothes the same way, although sometimes is complicated due to the fact that deodorant and sweat can burn the fabric and make a permanent stains.

How can we take care of the black in black clothes?

G: Originally fabrics are white and then they follow a dyeing process to get the color, so that’s why the black color will always go away losing their original tone. With the dry cleaning process, the black becomes dark gray; it always looses the original tone.  Sometimes is possible to recover the color with aniline but all depends on the fabric, it has to be cotton or a simple fabric to get dye, and if it is a mixture of fabrics it will be very difficult to dye it.

How can we clean the following stains?

Coffee – cold water and white soap.

Deodorant – on white clothes we already explained it. If it is a colored fabric it will very difficult because it leaves a white halo and generally it burns the color. Try to clean it with white soap and cold water.

Red wine – it is not removed with anything. Sometimes, depends on the fabric, white wine will help, but it will not clean it completely (and I thought it was the best!)

Balsamic vinegar – same as red wine, also Fernet and Coke leaves a stain.

Blood – cold water

Oil – grease – it is usually necessary to apply a solvent on the whole article to avoid spots. When you get the stain you can put salt on it but the best that you can do is not touch the spot. And specially, PLEASE do not touch the spot on ties it is PROHIBITED because you will damage it permanently (it will always look little white on the spot), take it directly to a dry cleaner that will know what to do.

Beet – normal washing.

Strawberry – sometimes with cold water, but sometimes need to be treated at the dry clean.

Always at home use white soap, soft detergent and cold water to take off any stain, the stain removers that you can buy at the supermarket are not usually effective. Delicates clothes can be also washed in your bath, but never use the washing machine to spin it.

What do you think about the quality of Argentinean fabrics?

G:  I think it is worst than before, the economy had affected the quality. But it is important to consider that not always expensive clothes mean high quality fabrics.  When you find small balls in your clothes, try to take them out with a used razor or small scissors; this small balls usually are more notorious after the dry cleaning process.

Ironing is always a problem, what can we do to avoid end up with burn or shine clothes?

G: You can use a protector for your iron, the famous humid rag that our grandmother used, or iron the clothes upside down. Obviously always take care of the temperature.

What can happen to our clothes if we ignore the tag of “Dry clean” and “we clean it at home”?

G: Depends on the fabric. If we are talking about men suits, or a coat, forget it! it has to be dry cleaning. But some clothes allow both processes so always read the care tag before doing anything.

And finally…

What are for you the attributes that define the beauty of a woman? And her style?

G: For me a woman has to be nice and modest, apart of having certain physical beauty of course, I like nice legs. The style for me is defined on the way they walk. My favorite style is contemporary.

Based on your experience, what advice can you give to us entrepreneurs?

G:  Before you start, make a deep analysis of the business that you want to do, analyze what do you need, talk to people who is already in your business and get trained if you need it. Sometimes things look easier than they really are. Before you invest do a deep research!

If you are interested in Tintoreria Rusell services (I strongly recommend them I am a client!) you can call them 4812-5583 (Recoleta) or 4825-8492 (Palermo).

I hope you find useful this information, if you like it please share it with your friends and … now there are no excuses to have clean clothes all the time!!

See you!

Fabiola Silva

No Comments | In: Uncategorized @en | tags: Drycleaner, fabrics, stains, Tintoreria Rusell. | #

Hoy es día de entrevista, varias personas me preguntaron sobre métodos de limpieza para la ropa, por lo que decidí entrevistar al dueño de una de las tintorerías más importantes aquí en Buenos Aires: Gabriel Rusell dueño de Tintorerías Rusell.  La primera tintorería surgió en 1964 cuando el papá de Gabriel inició el negocio en el barrio de Recoleta. Desde entonces han tenido un gran éxito por la calidad del servicio y el cuidado que ponen con cada prenda, por lo que en 1982 se abrió una segunda sucursal en Palermo. Actualmente tienen 19 empleados y una facturación anual de 700 mil pesos.

¿Cuál es la especialidad de tu tintorería?

G: Es trabajo artesanal, las tintorerías rápidas en 1 o 2 horas te limpian la ropa, acá nosotros dedicamos mucho tiempo a cada prenda. Se retiran los botones antes de lavar, se retocan dobladillos o forros si están sueltos, se limpia, se revisa a fondo si hay alguna mancha, planchamos la prenda y se cosen nuevamente los botones. Luego cada prenda se envuelve individualmente, por eso es artesanal y debido a ello hoy estamos dentro de las tintorerías más reconocidas de Buenos Aires.

Hablemos de telas, ¿como las dividirías? ¿qué cuidados se necesitan para cada una?
G: Lo podemos dividir en ropa de hombre y de mujer. Los trajes de hombre (casimir) siempre se limpian en seco y lo que más cuidado necesita son las corbatas porque es una seda muy delicada generalmente.
La ropa de mujer es mucho más compleja de limpiar por la gran variedad de tejidos y mezclas que tiene cada prenda. Por ejemplo: puede ser poliéster con elastáno o seda elastizada y todo eso complica la limpieza que puede ser dependiendo del caso, a mano, en seco o aplicando tratamientos específicos si es que hay alguna mancha. A veces nuestra experiencia se sobre pone a lo que dice la etiqueta ya que hay prendas que si se lavan se pueden destruir.

¿Cómo podemos cuidar de la ropa blanca, porque crees que ya la ropa no es tan blanca como antes?
G: La ropa blanca si se lava en seco se oscurece un poquito por eso es mejor lavarla a mano, aunque no siempre se puede, depende de la tela y el diseño de la prenda. Las telas de ahora no son iguales a las de antes, cambió la composición. Para blanquear algo que está amarillo se puede aplicar limón, lavandina diluida y colgar al sol, eso siempre ayuda. Las manchas de desodorante se quitan igual, aunque a veces son complicadas ya que generalmente el desodorante y la transpiración queman la tela.

¿Cómo podemos cuidad el negro de la ropa negra?
G: Partamos de la base de que la tela es blanca y se tiñe para dar color, por lo tanto el negro siempre va a perder su color original al lavarse, y si es en seco queda como “arratonado”, medio gris. A veces se puede recuperar el color con anilina pero depende de la tela, tiene que ser un algodón o tela sencilla si tiene mezcla es difícil teñirlo.

¿Cómo quitamos las siguientes manchas?

Café – jabón blanco y agua fría.

Desodorante – si es blanco como se explicó antes, si es de color es complicado ya que deja aureola blanca y generalmente quema el color, intentarlo con jabón blanco y lavarlo a mano con agua fría.

Vino tinto – no se quita con nada, a veces el vino blanco lo medio limpia depende de la tela y el color. (Y yo que pensaba eso era infalible! )
Vinagre balsámico (aceto) – igual que el vino tinto y también el Fernet y la Coca Cola manchan intensamente.
Sangre – con agua fría.
Grasa – Aceite – hay que aplicar un solvente en toda la prenda no solo en la mancha. Cuando te manchas puedes poner sal, pero lo mejor es no tocar la mancha. Y sobre todo …  por favor en corbatas NUNCA toquen la mancha PROHIBIDO porque raspan la tela y la decoloran, llévenla a una tintorería y que alguien que sepa la limpie.
Betabel (remolacha) – sale con el lavado normal.
Fresas (frutilla) – a veces con agua fría sino hay que aplicar un solvente en tintorería.

En casa siempre usen jabón blanco o detergente suave y agua fría para desmanchar, los quitamanchas del super no sirven de mucho. La ropa delicada la puedes lavar en la bañera y no hay que centrifugarla.

¿Cómo consideras la calidad de los tejidos de la ropa en Argentina?

G: Creo que ha bajado mucho la calidad por una cuestión de economía. Aunque ojo que no siempre lo caro (marcas fuertes) es sinónimo de calidad, a veces he recibido ropa europea que es muy mala y no aguanta bien el lavado. A veces a la ropa que no es de muy buena calidad, le salen bolitas y con la limpieza en seco se resaltan, eso se puede quitar con un rastrillo usado, con cinta scotch en la mano o con tijeritas finitas.

Planchar siempre es un problema, ¿que consejos nos das para no brillar o quemar la ropa?
G: Pueden usar unos protectores de teflón en la base de la plancha, el famoso trapo húmedo que usaban nuestras abuelas o planchar al revés la prenda, obviamente siempre cuidando la temperatura.

¿Que le puede pasar a mi ropa si dice “Lavado en seco” y la “lavo en casa”?
G: Depende del tipo de ropa, si es un traje de hombre o mujer, seguro se echa a perder, un tapado (abrigo) ni hablar!,  pero hay prendas que permiten los dos procesos, hay que siempre leer la etiqueta de cuidado de la prenda.

Y por último  …

¿Que es lo que define la belleza de una mujer para ti? ¿y su estilo?

G : Para mi una mujer debe ser simpática, agradable y sencilla además de tener cierta belleza física me gustan las buenas piernas. El estilo de una mujer se ve en su forma de caminar, para mi debe de ser  de estilo contemporáneo.

¿Qué consejo nos das a todos los emprendedores en base a tu experiencia como emprendedor?
G: Antes de arrancar hay que analizar bien el tipo de negocio que se quiere hacer, asesorarse con gente que ya lo está realizando y capacitarse. Muchas veces parecen las cosas más fácil de lo que realmente son, antes de invertir investiguen bien!

Si les interesa mandar la ropa a Tintorería Rusell (se los recomiendo muchísimo de verdad son muy cuidadosos, yo soy clienta!) pueden llamar a los teléfonos 4812-55 83 (sucursal Recoleta) o 4825-8492 (sucursal Palermo).

Espero hayan encontrado útiles estos consejos, si les gusto compartánlo con sus amigos y ahora … no tienen excusa para no tener una ropa muy limpia y muy bien cuidada!!!

¡Hasta la próxima!

Fabiola Silva

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: limpieza de ropa, manchas, telas., Tintorería Russell. | #

The objective of this blog is to help you to find YOUR personal style having fun in the process! I am going to help you to transform your image to what you really want, and for this you don’t have to loose 10 pounds, win the lottery or grow 5 centimeters … I am going to show you how to look good just the way you are right now!!! You are going to be able to find YOUR personal style, which will make you feel comfortable and happy in your own body.

I know … fashion blogs and sites trying to give fashion advice are plenty, but here I am not pretending to be a “fashion encyclopedia”, I am offering you a place to have an open dialog where together we will analyze your situation and achieve your objective.

I am going to take you step by step so you learn everything what you need to know about your body shape, your colors, and your style. I am going to teach you how to look the best way that you can, so you look gorgeous at any time!!!  All is about proportions, and sometimes with the help of some optical illusion tricks, effects can be created to help us to look thinner or to enlarge certain areas of our body, amazing no?

Since your image project your personality you should also analyze what do you want to project at work, what is your professional goal? The fact is that, cruel as it sounds, only our mum loves us as we look when we just wake up … looks matter and you have to take care of yours.

But don’t worry, that’s the reason of this blog, here I am planning to explain you in a simple language, with examples and fun stories, how to create your best look and how to optimize your wardrobe. You are going to stop suffering every morning wondering … what am I going to wear today? … knowing that your closet is packed!!!  Or … tell me that you don’t do that?

You are going to stop buying things that you only like at the store, and then you just put at the end of your closet and never wear it again.  I am going to show you how to improve your image using only what looks great on you.  And, it is not necessary  to accomplish this following fashion, as you can see, until now we haven’t talk about fashion.  Someone with a personal style is different from someone who is a fashion victim.

Fashion is a group of trends that in certain way amass the society, and you know what is the worst part? We not just look like everybody else; sometimes what is on “fashion” is not the best for us, and any way we wear it.

Style, on the other hand, defines your personality it reflects what you really are. You express your personality through your clothes and it doesn’t have to be always following fashion.

Are you confused? Don’t be, here I am to help you. Step by step I am going to teach you how to know your body characteristics, your face proportions and the colors that suits you the best, so at the end you are just going to look and feel great all the time!

So, welcome to this open dialog and I hope you find useful the information that I am going to share with you.

I you want to receive all the latest news, subscribe to the newsletter at the top of the page, doing that, you will also receive automatically a little welcome gift that will help you to know the different styles that exists.

See you soon!!!

Fabiola Silva

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