Keeping your office wardrobe up to date doesn’t have to overextend your budget, but you do need to be a smart shopper when looking for the best deals on career shoes and apparel. Taking certain steps to make your work ensemble as versatile as possible will certainly help in maximizing your clothing budget and ensuring that you look sharp all year round. Here, we listed down some tips on how you can do just that without costing a fortune.

1. Invest in High Quality Basics

From pencil skirts and dress pants, to blazers and pressed shits, ensure that your collection has pieces that fit you well and can be used to create multiple outfits. For instance, instead of purchasing a blazer with contrast piping, opt to stick with a classic grey or black blazer that can be worn as two or three different ensembles. Ensure that you purchase the right size from your favourite label so you won’t end up spending extra money for any alterations.

2. Shop Smart in Outlet Shopping Centres

While most outlet shopping centres in Singapore are great places to find good deals on designer clothing, ensure that you don’t compromise on quality just because you’re enamoured by its price. Remember, some companies tend to produce lower-quality clothes for outlet stores – meaning, you’ll get the label but you won’t get the quality of a regular store item. So be sure to take a closer look at the construction and quality of your purchases when shopping from outlet centres to avoid getting a dud of a deal.

3. Be Creative With Your Accessories

Statement jewelleries, colourful scarves and headbands can transform any basic work ensemble with just little effort. Simply tie a printed scarf around your neck, wear a set of bracelets or an oversized necklace, or put on a colourful headband to add a hint of colour to your ensemble. Shop clearance bins and sales racks for accessories that will help freshen up your work wardrobe for the season.

4. Switch to Patent Loafers

You may wear your stilettos and combat the pain through thinking happy thoughts, but we’re here to remind you that it’s not the only option. So switch your heels and plain old flats with patent loafers to achieve a classy and pain-free office look.

5. Carry Different Handbags Everyday

If you carry the same handbag every day, change things up by switching to different bag styles and colours every now and then. Carrying a handbag set in a bold colour is already enough to freshen up your office look on regular days. If you want, you can also keep things professional and chic by opting for a colour block bowler handbag or an oversized patent leather tote.

Whether you’re just starting to build up your basics or simply looking to add some trendy pieces to your collection, ensure that you’re making the right investments for your work wardrobe. Put these tips to work so you can still look fashionable even with the strict dress code in your office.

Wrinkles and dark spots aren’t the only things you should worry about. A lot of people suffer from different skin conditions. Some are manageable and don’t cause any adverse health problems but you shouldn’t ignore it either.

Acne

Acne isn’t necessarily caused by unhygienic practices. In most cases, genes are to blame. Whether you have blackheads or painful nodules, acne should be treated because it can leave blemishes on the skin that are difficult to remove. Treatment is based on the severity of the acne.

Warts

Warts are pretty much harmless because they’re not cancerous, but the virus can be contagious. These are growths on the skin caused by a virus. They disappear after a while, but if you feel pain or if more warts appear on your skin, you should visit the doctor. Just remember though that wart virus can’t be cured.

Eczema

Eczema are itchy, weeping blisters on the skin that later become crusty. It is caused by 11 different skin conditions but more commonly by atopic dermatitis. To treat the condition, the doctor has to determine what’s causing it. Severe eczema will need corticosteroids, hydrocortisone or antihistamines.

Diaper Rash

These are red, irritated spots or patches that can be warm when touched. Don’t be too hard on yourself if your baby has a diaper rash. It’s quite common especially among younger infants who can’t be potty trained yet. Keep the baby’s diaper clean and dry and change it as often as it should.

Hives

Hives or urticaria are itchy bumps that are common among people with skin and food allergies. There is no treatment for the hives, but you can manage the reaction by taking antihistamines. Avoid possible triggers like food, pollen, some physical stimuli and medications that cause hives.

Psoriasis

This diseases affects the life cycle of your skin cells which results to scaly, itchy and painful thick patches on the skin. Unfortunately there is no cure for psoriasis, but the treatment targets the speed of skin cell growth. Treatments include prescription drugs, phototherapy and topicals.

Ringworm

It is a fungal infection of the skin called dermatophytosis. These appear as red patches on the skin and can affect a lot of areas. It also means that it can be transmitted to other people. Ketoconazole is prescribed for patients. Usually topical treatments and over-the-counter medicine work in most cases.

Scabies

Scabies is caused by the scabies mite which burrows into the skin, making it itch. It is infectious and can be transmitted through physical contact. It is treated with a permethrin cream or malathion lotion. If there are other people living at home with you, the others should also be treated simultaneously.

Razor Burn

This is common among men who shave. The person will be advised to stop shaving for a while. It can be prevented by replacing the razor blades regularly, applying moisturizer and reducing the frequency of shaving in a week. You can also use an electric shaver or a depilatory instead.

Over the years, more and more Singaporeans endure eye strain because of the nature of jobs and activities. Office workers for example face computer screens for at least eight hours every day and that alone puts too much strain on one’s eye muscles. There are others who read intensely and that can strain the eyes too. This condition is called eye strain.

Overusing the eyes is not good because there will come a time that you will suffer headaches, neck pain, eye pain, twitching, nausea, dizziness, heavy or light headedness. It can be uncomfortable but the good news is that it is not that serious. You have to endure it occasionally but if it persists for a long time, have your doctor check your eyes. It might be chronic.

It is critical that you keep your eyes healthy. Just like the body, your eyes also need exercise to keep it healthy. Do not ignore eye exercises because it can make a difference at the end of the day. Here are some exercises or practices for soothing the eyes:

Focussing

Focussing can soothe the eyes even for a few minutes. It can also strengthen the eye muscles thereby improving your vision. All people should know this. But before anything else, find a place where you can be alone. You do not want to be branded crazy because of the things that it entail. Focussing can either be near or far.

To do this, sit or stand comfortably. This will only take three minutes. After positioning yourself, put your thumb at least ten inches in front. Now you can focus on your thumb. After few seconds, focus on something else – something ten to twenty feet in front of you. Alternatively do this for at least three minutes.

Zooming

Zooming exercise is good as it can improve your focussing skills. Sit comfortably and then stretch your arm with your thumb in hitchhiking position. Now focus on your thumb as you bring it closer to you. Move your thumb and focus your eyes until it reaches three inches just in front of your face. Now move your thumb away from your face and then move it closer to you. Do this at least three minutes every day.

Do these exercises regularly and your eyes will surely thank you. If these exercises are kind of a challenge to you, you can consider simple ones like blinking, palming and figure of eight. Take care of your eyes before it takes a toll on you.

Singapore is a beautiful country and witnessing its splendour is the best sight. Your eye is important because it lets you see and appreciate the world that you live in. However, there are activities that strain your eyes. These activities cause discomfort and at some point pain – this is called eye strain. There are many causes of eye strain like computer screens, viewing angle, strain and many more.

Knowing this, it is crucial that you know how to reduce eye strain regardless of the cause or the source. While it is not serious, you have to reduce or soothe the eyes .When it becomes serious, it will lead to long term headaches and myopia. Now it is time that you know things to reduce eye strain. Here are some:

• Take your break: Sometimes you want to finish early thus you do not indulge yourself to any long breaks. That is understandable but you have to give more concern to your eyes now more than ever. The best way to reduce strain is to minimize its use. Though it is difficult, you have to at least take your break and relax the eye muscles. Aside from these breaks, you should also shift your focus from near to far objects (at least twenty feet away) every now and then.

• Lessen glare: This is something that you can control. Controlling the glare can help the eyes. Start with your computer monitor. Install an anti-glare screen so it will filter direct glare. Moving on, if you have money, switch to flat screen because they are not that reflective compared to the old ones. When you read something, it is better to read it from paper instead of a screen.

• Regulate contrast: Contrast is helpful. Enough contrast has the power to make the edges noticeable so the eyes do not need to focus much. If the contrast is too much, it can strain the eyes through the peripheral vision. To help you with the contrast, use polarized sunglasses.

• Adjust color: If you use monitors most of the time, you have to adjust the color as well. The best thing to do is to utilize full spectrum lighting.

• Fortify your eyes: Eye strain is the result of hurting eye muscle. You can fortify your eyes through series of eye exercises. Eye exercises will surely prevent long-time eye strain. Ask your doctor about this for more information.

You only need to implement these things if you are serious about reducing the occurrence of eye strain. Yes you cannot just abandon your work but at least do something to protect your overall health staring with your eyes.

Gratuities are part of service. You give gratuities for a superb service and even spread it via word of mouth or through social media. There are restaurants that include gratuities on the bill. Just look for the keyword – service charge. If you see this, you do not have to give any tips. Restaurants here in Singapore include gratuities on their bill.

However not all countries include gratuities on their bill. This means you have to give it personally to the waiter if you are satisfied with the service. The rule of thumb in giving gratuity is 10% of the total bill. Check the bill and if you do not see any service charge, you have to give. If that is not amenable for you, you can always round up the bill. Do not worry because no one ever got penalized for not giving tips unless it is on the bill.

It is helpful if you know which countries include service charge and countries who expect tips. Here is the list:

• Germany: In Germany, you do not need to worry because it is included in your bill. Aside from that, people round up the bill to the nearest even number and leaving the coins they received as change.

• India: Tipping in India is not compulsory but it is more of customary. Indians will surely appreciate it. But before you get some cash, check the bill first. If the service charge is not present, few rupees won’t hurt.

• Italy: In Italy, if you check the bill, it won’t show service charge but “coperto” or “cover charge”. That should give you a hint that you do not need to pay extra for the tip. But if you feel very generous, restaurants there will welcome it.

• Mexico: When it comes to tipping, Mexico follows its neighbour, America. It is customary to add 10 to 15% of the total bill regardless where you eat. Being a little generous won’t hurt you.

• Spain: If you are in a bar, you do not need to leave tips. If you are in a high-end restaurant, there is no need to leave tips because it is included in the bill. But if you feel extremely generous, rounding your bill or adding 10% is appreciated.

• Thailand: In Thailand, you do not need to pay tip but leaving few bahts can make a difference. Thais will appreciate it.

• United Kingdom: If you are in a pub, you do not need to pay extra. If you are eating in a restaurant, check the bill first if the service is already included. If not, you have to add at least 10% to the bill.