What To Wear To The Office End Of Year Party

Posted on December 14, 2012 by BataKenya

The office end of year party is to many a source of anxiety more than it is a source of excited anticipation. This is mainly because, the words ‘office’ and ‘party’ do not necessarily go together. See , the office party has the potential to either turn into something genuinely enjoyable, or spiral into a bottomless pit of awkward small talk…

Now , dressing for the office party is no child play.

As with most parties, the age old question begs : “What should I wear?” We explore some tips.

MEN :

Sweaters - A nice sweater is highly recommended. Just stay away from the bright Christmas themed sweaters featuring Santa…

Shirts - Go with something plain that compliments your sweater /jacket/coat.

If you’ve got a patterned sweater, wear a shirt that matches one of the secondary colors on the sweater.

Trousers -There are pretty much two types of work environments: ones where you can wear jeans, and ones where you can’t. If you can’t get away with jeans on any other day, the end of year party will likely be no different. Stay conservative with a pair of nice khakis or corduroy pants. If you can wear jeans, stick with a nice pair of fitted jeans so you don’t look too casual.

Suit - You can wear a really nice suit to a formal Christmas party. In this case get your best suit and make sure your formal dress shoes are shined. Otherwise ,a party is the time you want to loosen up a little bit. If you wear a three button three piece suit to the office every week, it shouldn’t be your go-to outfit for the party too – unless the dress code says formal.

Shoes - The clothes you choose dictate your shoes. Pick that pair that you have not worn to work recently.

Wearing your everyday shoes to the end of year party says ” I am here as an extension of the workplace and you won’t mind discussing business.”

LADIES:

A dress-When it comes to parties, nothing beats a dress. It’s the most party-like garment to wear and perhaps also the most simple. . It’s easy to wear and it looks feminine and chic. Choose a dress that ends just above or below the knee and that isn’t skin-tight. If you want to wear a shorter dress choose one that ends up to four fingers above your knee, with opaque tights. If you need more warmth combine with a chic cardigan or jacket.. a lace or bold color dress. Don’t forget to match it to your most fabulous shoes and you are done! And if you just can’t decide on what to wear, go for the little black dress, it never fails! Combine with big earrings or a bib necklace.

Skirts- Another feminine and party appropriate option. Here the rule is the same as the dress – don’t wear a mini skirt, instead wear a knee-length skirt (or just an inch shorter).

Strapppy sandals : www.batakenya.com

Shoes -You can really go wrong with a pair of high heel metallic strappy sandals. They will add a touch of shine to even the most simple dress.

If you are looking for a black shoe instead, a pair of patent peep-toe slingbacks is a wonderful option

Trousers - If it’s a business casual, wear khaki pants and a sweater, or a blouse with a skirt. For a formal party, get a nice formal dress.

Wear Red! - Get in the Christmas spirit by wearing red. Red accessories can add a blast of color to any outfit. Choose from red jewelry, handbags, belts, shoes and other red accessories. Black and gold are all great colors too.

Of course you will need a fabulous bag. Select a clutch that is small but not so small that it can’t hold your keys, cell phone, a compact and lipstick.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

A CUTOUT DRESS: It doesn’t matter how hard you’ve been working on your abs at the gym–your co-workers never need to see your bare midsection. Save a sexy number like this for your neighbor’s cocktail fiesta.

ANYTHING WITH A POLITICAL MESSAGE: You’re there to spread some cheer and bond with your co-workers, not air your grievances about the upcoming elections or start a rumble over reproductive rights. Save that stuff for the weekend, lady.

SOMETHING THAT SHOWS MILES OF CLEAVAGE: Keep your cleavege to yourself. Though you want to dress a little sexier than your standard business suit, an office party isn’t the place for low-cut dresses and tops. The most appropriate place to show off your cleavage , is definitely not in front of your boss and co-workers.

A BANDAGE SKIRT: Save the micro-minis for the club and opt for a polished pencil skirt instead.

SHOES YOU CAN’T WALK IN: Walking in those sky-high stripper heels is a talent, but it’s a talent that your boss doesn’t need to know about. A pair of glitzy heels is nice for your holiday party, but they don’t need to be too high. Uncomfortable shoes aren’t cool at any party, but they’ll make you seem like an especially impractical person in front of people you’re trying to appear just the opposite to.

TOO MUCH MAKEUP - A little extra eyeliner, a bold red lip or some shimmering shadow is perfect for your office party. Just don’t overdo your makeup. Too much makeup looks cheap and tacky, no matter where you are.

TOO MUCH PERFUME: It’s OK to splash on a more intense fragrance for evening events, but coming on too strong is a no-no for a work function. You want to overwhelm them with your together-ness, not your scent!

Pic Sources: favouritesavings.com, sororitysnob.com and batakenya.com

A Note To My Father

Posted on July 5, 2011 by BataKenya

A couple of weeks ago, for Father’s day, we asked you to share with us what you would say to your father for if you sent him a Thank You note.

You responded by sharing lots of encouraging and some very emotional messages that you would send to the men in your lives you have called dad.

As we did with Mother’s Day, here we share some of the Thank You Messages :

“I know the factors that make a dad now. The strictness, the watchful eye, the encouragement, the responsibility, the being there… I am one myself now. But I look back and try to see how best I could e better father and dad. We the best of pals now, laughing about all good old days, talking about the future. Thank God you still here to direct me all the way. Ahsante sana. Love you dad.” – Jon Binale ‎

“Thank you father for if you were still alive, you would still be looking after me so well just like you did for the 19yrs we were together. RIP.” – Wakanyi Muigai

“Before i even thank u dad, I thank God because i believe without God there would be no fatherly love back on earth, so am taking this chance to thank you God for bring this handsome looking man, loving, caring, friendly man in to our lives – and that happens to be you dad ”Greyson mwasi”. You took that chance of being a father at the same time a mum to us, when she left us, u have always been strong and given us the love, care, support, and not forgetting your tender shoulders to lean on when things seemed to be so rough and tough to us. You made us not regret the fact that mummy left us for good, you made us feel that life is always at ease, and we have to move on. You are the greatest gift that God left us. Papa, you have given us a reason to put on a smile again. Once more, cheers dad for the great job u have done, mwaah!” – Shalet Mkamzungu

“Thank you dad for being in my life since i was i second old until now..for accepting your part in raising me & having to tolerate me in ma wrong doings.Thank you for stream lining me when i went wrong. You are just the best dad ever & no one can beat that. You are a very important part of my life & you know that..Despite ma wrong doings, you still assure that you love me & you are my dad. I’d do anything for you dad. Anything. Love you so much & I miss you a lot. Love you dad!” – Princess Rabdi

“Thank you daddy for raising me to be a leader everywhere I go, be it in high school or in the University, you have taught me to be responsible by letting me pass through some challenges that have made me to be strong and believe myself. God bless my Dad MR.NJENGA.” – Winnie Njenga

“Thank you father for being there for me even when mum left, you took me to school every day, plaited my hair, ironed my uniforms, brought lunch for me and taught me how to cross the zebra crossing, in secondary even when I failed you never gave up on me, you came for all my parents and visiting days. As far as i can remember u bought me Bata shoes every time because I would step on them and not brush them up so as to look old by the end of the term. You took me to the best University in Kenya and taught me the best thing that u can offer me in life is education and one I can rely on is God. Thank you.” – Lyssette Chidichidi

“ Thank you dad for the 14 years you raised me, even though you passed on for 18yrs now, your memory and legacy lives on in us your children, thank you for teaching us discipline, hard work, and perseverance and determination i believe if you could see us you would be proud.” – Kenneth Muiruri Charagu

“If it weren’t for you I wouldn’t have bn born Thank u Dad, even though I don’t know u.” – Tony Waweru

“Thank you father for everything i can’t recall all u did for me since most of the times were the ones i didn’t know myself but the greatest of all i give thanks is making me to be a better person ,moulding me and discipline. Thanks Dad may God bless you.” -Mwihaki Wa Hity

“Thank father for being my second God, you made sure i went to the best school.you worked so hard to buy me a bata shoe and socks. Thanks because i finally got a job and you will always wear the safari boot you love. I will always buy you coz upto were i am its you daddy. i love you sooo much.” – Cecilia Benson

“Dear dad…
your hands were soft & kind when I was crying
your hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong,
your hands weren’t that gentle, but there was always love in them
being the man you made me be, I have l; learnt that
and that it is easier for a father to have children
than for children to have a real father.” – Stephen Ndeti

“You left us alone with our mum when we were young, u disappeared in our lives when we needed you most. Mum struggled so hard to bring us up, with all the pain n suffering she managed to bring the 5 of us up! I will be lying to the world if I say I love you, when my heart is filled with agony. I only thank you because were it not for you, I would not have been born.” – Rodah ‘D’ Swittest

“I don’t know what to say because I have never experienced any love from him. All I can say is that you made my mum strong gave her courage to do what a man was supposed to have done. If u were not there I would not have been in existence, so thank you.” – Kate Qutie Nyambura

“Special thanks for my dad for the following: My birth, taking care of me, educating me, training of business aspects. Lastly for teaching me how to keep money.” – Khalfan Komba

*How about you? What do you thank your father for?

Mama Knows Best

Posted on May 24, 2011 by BataKenya

“God couldn’t be everywhere so he created mothers.” So goes a Jewish proverb. We set out to celebrate moms on Mothers day this year by offering our customers a free scarf with the purchase of ladies shoes.

For our social media platform, we ran a contest on Facebook and Twitter dubbed Mama Knows Best. Share with us, went the instructions, a life lesson you learnt from your mum that you still live by to this day. There were prizes to be won(see some photos of the winners). Here are some of the things those who participated said they had learned from their mums. Gems. Priceless bits of wisdom..

Check these out. And add yours too. Mama knows best!

Daniel K Mwangi : “Do what you can today and if you delegate a task and it’s still not done, don’t complain. Do it yourself. You will live a happy life.”

Sophia Ndunge: My late mother taught me that a woman is the center of her family, she got to know where to get the best for her family – keeping everyone’s needs, styles, preferences and tastes in mind.

Jane Janine Omondi-Awalla : Dearest Mom taught me to always smile n take challenges positively as stress makes you age faster.. and to eat healthy too! This has worked for her as she’s now in her 50′s n still got her good looks n you’d think she’s 30! I live by the same rule n find it working well for me too! I’m married now n most people still think I’m a school gal! “keep those wrinkles away. . smile. . .”, says Mom.

Fridah Murithi : “It is by your own sweat that u will enjoy freedom”.

Eve Lynn : “If u want the best, sometimes u have to risk”.

Krishna Lakhani : “No matter who the other person is always respect them the way you want to be respected.”

Maaria Essak : “True beauty is a combination of outward appearance and inner values.”

Alexis Lina-Lin : “Nothing is forever,work very hard and do what you love.”

Jackie Stany : “You should never look down upon others since you never know if you will be at the same place you are today the next day. Show respect to everyone you meet.”

Joy Mecha : My late mum(R.I.P) taught me to live well with house assistants i used to do the dishes while she does the house now i’m a mother and still practice the same the result is she takes good care of my son.

June Jebet Migui : “Never settle for less than you deserve.”

Faith Ondeng’ : “Always carry your own bedding (bed sheets) when going to visit.”

Humble Joseh : Do not do things for granted, think the aftermath before you do anything.

#mamaknowsbest My mother taught me never to punish my son in a way that punished me too. – @Ubabz

#mamaknowsbest

“If you’re not sure about an outfit.. Change.”

“Forgive people even when i have reasons not to.”

“Never rush out across the road. It clears up eventually.” – @michellemartins

#Mamaknowsbest

“Baby, no matter how tough you feel or think you are, always try and get home early.”

“Do not visit your neighbors too often.”

“You are responsible for the actions you take .”- @Gitalry

#MamaKnowsBest

“Urembo ni usafi. ” (Beauty is cleanliness)

“Tithe! Even that 50bob aunty gave you.”

“When it’s cold…Wear that sweater. You are still my child, I can spank you.”

- @Malmuza

#mamaknowbest never have chipped nail polish – @victoriaambre

#mamaknowsbest always carry extra cash… – @beenduta

#mamaknowsbest

“Peel you fruits no matter how clean they seem.”

“ Never walk away from challenges before proving it’s not worth it.” – @WanjikuMwaurah

#Motherknowsbest no matter how tall your grandfather is, you have to do your own growing [and my, wasn't grandpa tall!] – @soul_fool

#mamaknowsbest

Whenever we were invited for lunch or dinner mama would say. ‘Eat first before we leave. Don’t you dare embarass me!’

“Always wear good underwear. You never know when you’ll fall down.” O_o – @JeriMasala

#MamaKnowsBest “A spoonful of cod liver oil a day keeps the doctor away. (I don’t find it yucky anymore.”) – @IquiraKenya

#mamaknowsbest “Always make your bed in the morning before leaving the bedroom. The beating emphasized it. I do it every morning.” @RafahyEl

RT @VincentOchieng #MamaKnowsBest @batakenya I learnt how to cook and cook really good from my mother

#mamaknowsbest If you can lie down and do it, then you can sit up and take care of it. – @Warhia