Food is so much more than something we eat to fill ourselves up with.  It’s packed with thousands of compounds which have a complex and dynamic relationship with one and our genes.  Just as a computer program won’t function well when it gets bad data, neither will our bodies.  When we subject our genes to an unhealthy environment, like the one created when we feed our body junk, our genes “miscue” metabolic actions that can trigger disease.

As our bodies try to protect themselves over time, this prompts an inflammatory response which can gradually be the foundation of a variety of serious forms of illness.  At the end of the day, food plays a huge role in the functioning of our genes…and ultimately how we fit into our own jeans!

To ensure you are able pick the right foods which will benefit both your genes & jeans, here are our top 10 tips:

1) Eat real food: In other words, always opt for fresh, whole, unrefined and processed food.  Go for foods which your ancestors would recognize.

2) Try to eat as close to nature as possible: The more removed food is from its source, the less good”data” it will contain, and the more likely it is of being a “food-like substance” and not real food.

3) Select fruits and veggies in a wide variety of colors: More than making your meals more visually enjoyable & tasty, it will assure that you’ve covered a large part of your essential nutritional needs.

4) Buy fresh foods whenever you can: Fresh foods > frozen food > canned foods

5) Stop eating when you are 80% full

6) Be skeptical of foods that come individually labeled with a health claim: Foods which are truly “healthy” don’t need a health claim.  When was the last time you saw a health claim on a packet of carrots?

7) Be wary of foods you’ve seen advertised as the vast majority of these are processed foods, which are likely to contain high levels of sugar, sodium and trans fat.

8) Avoid obsessive calorie counting: Calories are not an indicator of healthy foods.  To ensure you eat a well-balanced diet, look at your food instead according to how much fat, carbohydrates and protein it provides.

9) Enjoy your food

10) Don’t waste your time feeling guilty over eating foods deemed as “unhealthy”: eat it, enjoy it, and move on!

What is your top tip for staying healthy?

Move over florals and bright colors!  There’s a new trend which is on the scene: the star-print trend.  Back in 2008, stars became a huge trend thanks to Chanel and YSL, and then fast forward to 2011, Dolce & Gabanna were at the forefront of the trend.  From sheer chiffon maxi dresses to structured trousers, the star print was on everything.  Celebrities still seem to be all over this trend!  Stars like Kim Kardashian, Fergie, and Naomi Campbell have all been spotted on the red-carpet in this look:

Kim Kardashian

Fergie

Naomi Campbell

As everyone is still star-struck with this print, stars are equally hot this season if not even more!  If you’re looking for a subtle way to add some stars into your wardrobe, why not try them on your jeans?  Paired with a neutral-colored blazer or t-shirt, it’s the perfect way to rock the stars without looking overly “loud”.  One of our favorites this season is the J Brand 835 “Mid Rise Capri” in Vintage Star:

**To our readers in Mumbai, please do get in touch with us for the insider scoop on where you can purchase your very own pair!**

With summer approaching, it’s time to reconsider our wardrobe essentials.  A piece of clothing which is apt during this season is capri pants.  These are the pants that are a bit shorter than ordinary trousers jeans, yet still provide more coverage than a pair of shorts.  In other words, they are the perfect solution for those who want to beat the heat without bearing their legs completely!  Although the popularity of capri pants reduced drastically during the 70s and 90s, it has slowly been making a comeback.

While capri pants are usually cut mid-calf, they are being introduced this year in cuts which are just slightly above the ankle.  In order to provide a bit more length, capri pants are now ending just below the calf area.  Coming in various colors and prints, capris are most definitely fun items to wear this coming season.  Like jeans, capris can match practically any kind of top.  If anything their versatility makes for one exciting fashion find.  Here are some of our favorites this season:

• Paige Kylie Crop in Deco Rose

• J Brand 835 “Mid Rise Capri” in Heaven Mini Floral

• AG Farrah Skinny Crop in Savanna

• J Brand 855 “Ginger” in Vintage Armadillo

• AG Marine Button Crop

• J Brand 926 in Moxie

• J brand 835 “Mid Rise Capri” in Twisted Pink Seashell

• Paige Skyline Ankle Peg in Chello

What’s your favorite pair of capris this season?

It’s no surprise that sustaining the environment is becoming more and more of a crucial issue over time.  We couldn’t help but to applaud India’s Greenathon campaign which started in April 2008.  This is a nationwide campaign to save the environment, with the main goal being to spread awareness among people in India to sustain the greenery of Mother Nature.  Sponsored by Toyota, it also helps generate money to spread awareness for various social causes.  After raising over more than 15 crore rupees in the last 3 years, the Greenathon has helped villages with electricity, cleaning up rivers, and recycling plastic bags.

We aren’t such surprised that so many Bollywood actors and singers such as Shah Rukh Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Ranbir Kapoor, and Preity Zinta have supported this notable campaign.  In fact, Priyanka Chopra started the campaign this year on 9^th April in Agra.  There, she initiated a ‘plastic clean-up’ drive in Yamuna River in order to clean up plastic bags.  Following that, she hosted the live show  which aired on NDTV channels on May 20th.

Source

Despite discussing crucial environmental issues, it’s nice to see that Priyanka still places style as a priority.  We are loving how she rocked the colored denims for a simple, yet sleek, look.  For those who of you are “green with envy” about Ms. Chopra’s look, here’s an insider’s tip for you: we hear that these are J Brand:

J Brand 811 “Mid Rise Skinny” in Neon Yellow

***For those of you who want to get your hands on a pair, either send us an e-mail or leave a comment and we’ll be sure to let you know where they are available!***

Happy Monday, guys!  For most people, Mondays mark  a “fresh”  start, especially when it comes to their weight.  After a weekend full of indulgence, it’s hard not to jump on the scales to check what the damage is.  While the scales are a great guide and can be a motivating tool, it’s important to bear in mind that the scale isn’t always the best measure of weight.

The scale does what it was developed to do: it weighs you and only knows weight.  It doesn’t take into account inch loss.  I don’t know about you but I would rather be 55 kgs with a toned physique as opposed to 50 kgs with flabby arms.   The scale also doesn’t take into account water weight; especially with women, fluctuations in weight are completely normal and over the course of even a few days, your weight can  change significantly.

Rather than get hung up on the number which the scale reveals and pin your mood, behavior and diet on a number, why not try a more meaningful measure to gauge your progress along the way?  One of our favorites is The Skinny Jean Test:
The Skinny Jean Test

Jeans don’t lie, and are an ideal tool to mark changes in your body composition (i.e. the ratio of muscle to fat).  All it takes is difficulty in getting them on to be certain that you’ve gained weight.  Stick to one specific pair of skinny jeans as your benchmark and note where they’re tight or loose.  Every so often, try them on and use that as an indicator on how to  best direct your eating and fitness habits.  Some of our favorite skinny jeans which would be the perfect way to monitor your weight include:

• J Brand 811 “Mid Rid Rise Skinny” in Vivid

• DL1961 Angel “Ankel Skinny” in Mariner

• Citizens of Humanity Avedon “Low Rise Skinny” in Satellite

• AG Farrah Skinny Crop in Savanna

• Paige Skyline “Ankle Peg Skinny” in Ravine

• J Brand 620 “Mid Rise Super Skinny” in Hampton

• Paige Verdugo “Ultra Skinny” in Happy

How do you track your weight?

Happy Friday, guys!  What jeans will you be wearing this weekend?  If you want to to add some edge to your outfit, why not trade your favorite blue denims for  a pair which has more of a bang.  In other words, let your jeans make a statement as you enter a room this weekend!  Some of our favorite “out there” jeans include:

• Hudson’s LouLou Phosphorescent Jean

• J Brand 810 “Mid Rise Skinny” in Twisted Plum

• AG Super Skinny Ankle Legging in Navy

• J Brand 811 “Mid Rise Skinny” in Neon Yellow

• Beg, Borrow or Steal The Carrie “Skinny Leg” in Rose Pink

• AG Stilt “Cigarette Leg” in Highlighter Purple

• DL1961 Emma Legging in Parakeet

• True Religion Julie “Skinny Leg” with Pearl Embellishment

• J Brand 835 “Mid Rise Capri”  Twisted Pink Sea Shells

• True Religion Men Ricky in Gym Nebraska

• AG Jeans Mens Protege in 15 Years-Destroyed

• Citizens of Humanity Men Core in Fire Orange

What will you be wearing this weekend?

In the past we’ve shared several tips for washing your expensive pair of jeans as well as step-by-step guidelines.  However it seems that there is an alternative method for the environmentally-friendly folks looking to conserve water…and for those who are borderline paranoid about ruining the fit of their favorite pair of jeans:  freezing.

The idea behind this stems from the gathered bacteria and unpleasant odors which jeans develop over wears.  While most people just wash their jeans to get rid of these, freezing denim can actually cut down on washing machine usage.  The low temperature kills bacteria, and therefore odors, bringing the jeans out feeling and smelling fresh.

Those who have tried out this method found that their denim actually lasted longer than if they had ordinarily washed them.  Although we can’t vouch for this method yet, we can’t say we’re not slightly intrigued to give it a shot!  In case you’re interested to try this method, here you go:

What You Need

Materials

• A pair of dirty (feeling) jeans
• A large Zip-Lock Bag

Equipment

• A Freezer with Some Room

Instructions

1. Empty the pockets &  lay the jeans flat on a table; and brush off any debris you find.
2. Fold the jeans neatly; put them in a plastic bag & press out as much air as you can.
3. Put jeans in the freezer.  Give them 12 hours to get completely cold.
4. Remove the jeans and let them return to regular temperature.  If you need to wear them right away, try using heaters in your laundry room to speed up the process. You can also toss your jeans in the dryer on the tumble setting to get rid of some of the stiffness.

What do you think about freezing jeans? Would you ever consider trying out this method?

With summer creeping up on us, getting your hands on a pair of beige jeans is almost as essential as owning a great-fitting pair of blue jeans.  Given the neutrality of this color, the number of outfits which you can come up with a single pair of beige jeans are almost infinite.  While it’s not always easy to find the perfect shade of beige jeans to suit your skin tone, here are some of our favorites at Denim Diary:

J Brand 811 “Mid Rise” Honey

Citizens of Humanity Sid in Khaki Twill (for men)

AG Jegging in True Camel

J Brand Maria “Mid Rise Skinny” in Cedar Chest

Citizens of Humanity Sid in Chestnut

J Brand 855 “Ginger” in Vintage Tigers Eye

AG The Stilt “Cigarette Leg” in Camel

Justin Timberlake is a fan of khaki

Taylor Swift in Nude Jeans

Depending on how you wear them, beige jeans can be appropriate for both casual wear, as well as many dress occasions.  Flexibility, timelessness and practicality all in one jean!

Have you gotten your hands on a pair of beige jeans as yet?

We at Denim Diary are loving Singer Gwen Stefani’s latest pair of jeans: J Brand 810 Mid Rise Skinny in Twisted Plum

Although these tie-dye jeans come across as rather eccentric at first glance, we are loving how Gwen has toned down the overall look.  Paired with a black poncho and black knee-high boots, this was the perfect outfit for breakfast out with her son Zuma in Studio City, California.  For our readers who want to sport a similar look, word on the street is that this jean comes in other colors:

J Brand 810 in Twisted Tigers Eye

J Brand 810 in Twisted Coral

A popular trend in various workplaces is “Casual Fridays”.  For those not familiar with this term, these are the days in which an office’s usual dress code is relaxed.  It’s no secret that women have a bit more leeway when it comes to dressing in the office over a man. Casual or not, a male worker has to dress properly to avoid his credibility from being undermined.  While your boss may not slate you at the time, chances are he will make a mental note that may or may not cost you a promotion.

To keep your style and professional image intact, here are some Do’s and Don’ts of wearing jeans to the office:

• Don’t confuse casual workdays with a Saturday night: Wear your denims to work, but just stay away from the ones which contain holes, frays or distressing.

These AG jeans are super stylish but not office-appropriate!!

• Do stick to a dark wash with a straight, medium-to-slim fit: Simple jeans are universally flattering give off a classic look.

J Brand Walker in Midnight Oil

Citizens of Humanity Core in Ultimate

• Don’t wear jeans that are too loose: Baggy jeans may be comfortable but they also look sloppy.  Your clothes are an expression of yourself, so let your work jeans match your maturity levels.

Don't even go there!

• Do try a cotton button-down shirt, knit tie, and blazer with jeans:  Even if you take off off your jacket, you will still look put-together.  If you want to change up the blazer look, try a fitted, solid-color t-shirt under a cardigan.

A smart way to pull of the jeans look in the office

• Don’t mix apples & oranges:  In other words, do not try to team your jeans with formal wear.  Replacing your suit pants with jeans and continuing to wear your suit and tie is a huge no-no.  If you’re wearing jeans, lay off the French-cuff shirts and silk ties!

We love the shirt...just not with jeans!

• Do experiment with fabrics other than denim: khakis and corduroy pants are excellent options which are both comfortable yet presentable, in the workplace.

Citizens of Humanity Sid in Khaki Twill

AG Jeans Protege Straight Leg in Sulfur Evergreen Twill

What’s the dress code like in your workplace?

Struggling to get into a once-comfortable pair of jeans is every girl’s nightmare…I know it’s mine!  Now with summer coming up, chances are you’ll be alternating between your jeans and skirts/dresses which show off your legs!  So that you feel your best during the warmer weather, try incorporating these lower body toning exercises into your day!  Whether you’re waiting for the kettle to boil, need a breather from your desk at work, or just want to feel the burn, all of the below moves can be performed anywhere!  And if you feel like they’re kicking your butt, just remember that they are also giving you a nice one too !

1) Lunges

• Start with your feet hip width apart.
• Inhale and step forward with one leg and lower your body to 90 degrees at both knees.  Don’t step out too far.
• Exhale and push up back to the starting position.  Repeat this motion, with the other leg.

2) Donkey Kicks

• Get on your hands and knees, with wrists aligned under shoulders and knees under hips.
• Drawing your abs in, lift your left leg parallel to the floor, with knee bent, foot flexed.
• Return to starting position and repeat 15 to 20 times.
• Switch sides.

3) Squats

• Stand with your feet hip width apart.
• Squat down reaching your rear back until it is equidistant with the back of your knees.
• Stand up squeezing your butt and repeat.

4) Leg Extensions 

• Stand with your feet together & abdominals engaged.
• Shift your weight to your left foot and lift your right foot off the ground and place it next to your left knee.  Put your hands on your hips.

• Straighten your right leg, keeping the knee still.. Squeeze your thigh muscles and then bend your knee back to the starting position.

6) Bridges

• Lie with arms at sides, feet on floor, and knees bent.  Press into your heels.
• Exhale & Slowly lift hips off of the floor, toward the ceiling, squeezing your butt as you go up.
• Inhale & return to starting position.

While critics might argue that Justin Timberlake & Britney Spears’ decision to show up to the VMAs Awards Ceremony in 2001 in was probably one of the worst Red Carpet moments, fortunatelyfashion don’ts are a thing of the past!  While double denim, or in other words wearing denim both on your top & bottom, used  to be as taboo as wearing black & navy or pink & red, it is now considered “en vogue” if styled correctly!

Don’t assume that all denim pair well together: pairing together the wrong shades and cuts is a huge fashion faux-pas so take precaution when trying out this look at home!  The ladies of Tinseltown seem to have nailed this look:

Anne Hathaway

Charlize Theron

Kate Bosworth

Sienna Miller

The consensus seems to be that light shades on top and dark below are the best. As you can see from the ladies above, double denim can be a great low-key look for the weekend. A lightweight shirt paired with your favorite jeans can be both fashionable and functional. If you would rather go darker on the top, pair your denim shirt with very light, or white, denim shorts or jeans.  To add a spring flair to your outfit, keep it light by opting for a sleeveless denim shirt and pair it with cut-off shorts or skinny trousers.

Rihanna

Double Denim: is it a “do” or a “don’t” for you?

Just when you go and think that only women have a selection of jeans, we’re here to show that men’s jeans are anything but boring!  Check out some of the craziest jeans which have been invented over the last few years:

1) Gold Plated Jeans

Made from an organic cotton blend, these pants from Kohzo Denim are washed and gently distressed before being covered from waist to ankle in an 18k gold finish.  In case these take your fancy, these jeans retail at $875.

2) Winkers Jeans

Painting on jeans is nothing new, but Winkers takes that concept to a new, hilarious level. These designer jeans are decorated with a pair of eyes directly below the butt-cheeks, so when you walk it looks like they’re winking at passers-by.

3) Glow in the Dark Jeans

Are you ready to rave? Consider these the male equivalent of Hudson’s “The Lou Lou” Jean which glow in the dark.  These jeans by Canadian Denim company Naked & Famous Denim are permeated with a luminescent resin, which mean they look like an ordinary pair of jeans during the day, but once the lights out they glow like crazy.

4) Damien Hirst Levi’s

In 2009, British artist Damien Hirst teamed up with Levi’s to create eight pairs of “spin jeans”–made in the same machine that creates his spin paintings–for a list price of $27,000.  Don’t forget, the value of “art” increases over time!

5) Scratch & Sniff Jeans

Naked & Famous Denim strike once again!  This creation is covered with scratch-and-sniff coating that smells like raspberries. Micro-capsules of fragrance are all over the pants, which means you can probably save money on laundry detergent in the future !

6) The World’s Heaviest Pair of Jeans

Third time lucky for Naked & Famous Denim?  Their latest pair of jeans is declared to be the heaviest ever manufactured. While normal jeans range between 12-14 oz, these are made from 32-ounce selvedge denim.  These pants are so stiff that they can stand up on their own without a pair of legs in them. Naked & Famous made only 138 pairs, and believe it or not they are actually wearable!  As for their comfort factor, you’ll have to make up that decision on your own!

Interested in buying any of the above?