Use these 5 techniques to amp up your style with a scarf. Discover why modest fashion influencers say this celebrated accessory is a true fashion essential.

What is one wardrobe staple for today’s most stylish personalities?

It was originally just a neck warmer, but over time, it has become established as a highly versatile accessory that transcends seasons, genders and personal style sensibilities. There’s no going wrong with a scarf (especially high-quality ones that were all the rage at the various Fashion Week seasons).

It’s no exaggeration to say that whatever material or design your scarf may have, there’s just a multitude of things that you can do with it to elevate your style. Just head on to YouTube and Pinterest for inspiration and you will quickly learn that a scarf can be most the reliable item in your wardrobe, especially for a style-demanding da

• A boring black skirt’s all you’ve got? Look to your scarf for a splash of color.
• Having a bad hair day? A turban scarf to the rescue.
• Need a sexy sweetheart neckline top? Work your knotting skills to turn a well-fitted bra into a colorful top using a scarf.

These three are just simple examples of how great the fashion mileage a scarf offers can be.

If you need more ideas to prove that a scarf deserves a celebrated spot in your wardrobe, rounded up below are five other ways you can try wearing it.

1.     Create a vest and secure with a belt.

This is style trick that a lot of female dignitaries seem to use often. To give a monochromatic work outfit a load of personality, a long and colorful silk or satin scarf secured in place by a belt is the way to go. The scarf achieves the shape of a vest to take an ensemble from boring to bold, and a great addition if you want your outfit to exude streetwear chic.

2.     Add a chic twist to the cozy neck wrap.

The traditional way you make a cozy neck wrap with a scarf is to simply loop the fabric around your neck, tie it in front, and hide the ends of the scarf under the loops.

This looks good, but if you want the scarf to look better than a roll of fabric around your neck, hang the scarf around your neck so that the two ends are just hanging down your front. Create a twist at the center of your clavicle and then tie the ends of the scarf at the back of your neck.

It looks really stylish and it’s perfect for dressing up any plain top.

3.     Go Hollywood glam by covering your head with a scarf.

Channel your inner Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly and use a scarf to keep your locks in place, or to frame your lovely face better. Drape the scarf over your head with the ends tied at the back of your head – this style is perfect if you’re riding a top-down car. Or you can simply leave the ends loose but draped over your shoulders.

This is one easy solution to automatically look posh. Like Hollywood icons, fashion influencers are also great examples of how a scarf-covered head, enhanced with expert Instagram-worthy makeup, can just look fierce and fabulous.

4.     Use a scarf as a belt to break color blocks.

Most people have the strong tendency to wear a single-color outfit to stay safe. It looks quite elegant, truth be told. There’s nothing wrong with that, except on days when you feel like the look is already getting old.

Jazz it up by tying a scarf around the waist to break the color block and give the attire a new story.

5.     A small scarf can be a bracelet.

When the Barden Bellas from the movie “Pitch Perfect” came up with creative ways to wear their signature scarf, top fashion magazines approved. A scarf as a bracelet is such a smart way to really get functional mileage out of the fashion piece.

These examples aren’t all that you can do with a scarf! The possibilities are endless and you really are only limited by your creativity.

The fashion spotlight on scarves is unquestionably warranted. From timeless glamorous to hippie chic, you can bet there’s a scarf to perfectly achieve these looks.

AUTHOR BIO

Ethiopian-born and Dubai-based fashion designer Feiruza Mudessir discovered her curiosity to mix the traditional with contemporary at a young age, and this has become the trademark of her designs today. When you slip into one of Feiruza’s creations, you can almost hear the rhythms of Africa, the beats of India and the vibrancy of Dubai – this distinctive and colourful mélange is just what Finchitua is about.

There’s a big difference between having well-maintained windows that are original to your home’s unique architecture versus windows that are just plain old and outdated. Especially if you live in a heritage home or a home with a distinct architectural style, you are likely familiar with the importance of maintaining your traditional home’s windows.

For heritage homes and old buildings that require restoration to maintain their character, “old” isn’t a bad thing. But if you’re living with outdated windows that show the signs of wear and tear and are failing to keep your home insulated, then it’s time to consider replacing those models with new, updated, energy efficient models that will improve the look of your home as well as its functionality.

How do you know if the issues caused by old windows are affecting your home? Here’s a list of what to look for in outdated window models.

Air and Water Leaks

When the airtight seal is broken on old, outdated windows, your home is exposed to the elements from outdoors. You might have noticed fluctuating temperatures inside your home, or moisture that collects around your window panes. Seal failure can go unnoticed for some time until you actually start to visibly see condensation forming between window panes, water damage or mold on the window frames, or you notice that your energy bill is abnormally high.

Stubborn or Sticky Windows

Windows that are difficult to open and close are more than just an inconvenience, they don’t provide an airtight seal and they are vulnerable to intrusion. Window hardware issues usually come about by debris that’s built up on the tracks of the windows, causing parts to break down or frames to start warping.

Don’t ignore this window issue, a window that’s hard to open can be seriously problematic if you need to use a window as an exit in an emergency. What’s more, the fact that the windows don’t rest properly on their tracks or that the locks don’t work makes your home vulnerable to intruders. If cleaning your tracks and adding lubricant isn’t enough to bring your windows back to life, then replacement windows are your only solution.  

Noise Pollution

Modern window models come with double or even triple panes that do well to insulate your home against extreme temperatures as well as loud sounds and noise. If it sounds like you’re standing in the middle of the street when you’re in your living room, then your outdated windows need to be updated in order to bring peace and quiet to your indoors. Old windows let lots of noise in from the outside, and if they’re rattling in their frames or whistling in the wind, then you’ve also got those noises bombarding your ears.

Warped or Infested Wood

Wooden window frames look excellent when they’re in top condition. They add warmth to a home and can complement the style of a building such as a log cabin or a more rustic architectural style. But wood windows require a high level of maintenance otherwise they are vulnerable to issues like wet wood rot, wood warping, or even insect infestation.

At the first sign of these issues, get in touch with a reliable window retailer and installer and they can give you an expert consultation on your replacement options for new problem-free, easy-to-maintain windows.

From cleansing your system to losing weight, it is the goal of many to decrease their consumption of added sugars. But what happens if we can’t stop our body from craving it?

Sugar cravings are a formidable opponent to anyone trying to stay on a nutritious path. Sugar cravings can attack in the middle of the day or night, and it takes the will power of a comic book hero to say no to such temptation. But what if we can identify and address the underlying reason why we feel such a need for sugar? New York internist and gastroenterologist, Dr. Niket Sonpal who is also a faculty member at Touro College of Medicine says,  “If more people could learn to pinpoint the reasons why they experience sugar cravings they would have better tools to avoid breaking their nutritional goals.”

Here are Dr. Sonpal’s 7 Ways to Conquer Sugar Cravings

Drink water; you might be dehydrated.

Many people mistake thirst for sugar cravings. “We know that we want something fresh and cold and we usually identify that with sugary drinks,” says Dr. Sonpal. “When our bodies have a deficiency in fluids, it can’t efficiently breakdown glycogen, and this causes the urge to consume something sugary. In reality, what you need to do first is drink water and observe how you feel,” he explains.

Try to Decrease Your Sugar Intake Gradually

Scans have shown that sugar fuels every cell in the brain.  “Our bodies view sugar as a reward. But too much of a good thing is not good at all in this case. By partaking in overconsumption of sugar you are reinforcing your body’s need for that reward, essentially becoming addicted to it,” explains Dr. Sonpal. But like many addictions, it is not a reasonable or sustainable strategy to quit cold turkey. If you feel as though you are out of control or moody without your first soft drink of the day or until you have a piece of chocolate, you need to consider slowly draining your system from that need for sugar.

Rethink social habits that drive you towards sugar

Many of us have social rituals during our day that help us destress amidst countless tasks and meetings. “If you have a standing ritual with a friend or coworker of eating a piece of cake after lunch every day or running to the coffee shop on the corner to get the most sugary caffeinated iced drink you can find, rethink those social behaviors,” says Dr. Sonpal. Try to put something else in place that is healthy but rewarding.

Evaluate your protein intake

Many famous diet plans like Paleo, Vegetarian, and Keto seek to reduce sugars in your food. Sometimes a good way to kick your sugar cravings to the curb is having some good ole’ fashion protein. “Protein reduces the speed with which your body processes sugars and in turn helps you need lower amounts to experience that reward. Eggs, black beans, broccoli, and chicken are really healthy ways to get that protein in to quench that yearn for sugar,” suggests Dr. Sonpal.

If push comes to shove, pick fruit

There will be times when your craving for sugar will be exacerbated by the stress of the day or however many days you’ve gone without consuming it. You may feel like you can have a cheat day. According to Dr. Sonpal, “Your best response to a worsening need for sugar is to eat a piece of fruit. If you get to a point where you feel frustrated, instead of eating processed sugar, eat fruit. Fruits are sweet and have natural sugar that can address your sweet tooth without throwing out your entire effort,” says the NYC gastroenterologist. With the fruit, you will get added vitamins and fiber.

Fiber is your friend

Fiber helps clean out your system, and it is processed more slowly by the body. Fiber helps you feel fuller for longer effectively reducing your craving for mid-meal snacks. “Many people will be very deliberate with their decision to reduce sugar in their meals but will ultimately cave in when their body needs a snack because a lot of the snacks we have in our pantry have sugar in them. Fiber and lots of water would help you stay full for longer periods,” Says Dr. Sonpal.

Observe your consumption of starch

Starches like white rice, white bread, pasta are complex carbs that the body process as simple carbs. They end up affecting the sugar levels in your body and feeding into your need for sugar as fuel for brain activity and energy. If you have cut out processed sugars but continue to eat an abundance of starches, then your next step is to progressively reduce your consumption of those foods as well to clean your system of the need for sugars.

About the Expert: Dr. Niket Sonpal

Dr. Niket Sonpal is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Clinical instructor at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn who specializes in Gastroenterology. He is a graduate of the Medical University of Silesia – Hope Medical Institute in Poland. After completing his residency in Internal Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital, he was selected to be the 2013‐2014 Chief Resident at Lenox Hill Hospital–Northshore LIJ Health System. Dr. Sonpal has completed his Fellowship in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at Lenox Hill Hospital and continues his work in the field of medical student and resident test preparation. He now serves as the associate program director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Brookdale University medical center.

He is the co‐author for the best-selling Master the Boards: USMLE Step 2 CK, Master the Boards Step 3, And Master the Boards: Internal Medicine. He is also the Chief Operating Officer for Medquest Test Prep, Director of Medical Education for Picmonic Test Prep, and a recognized expert on medical test prep.