Fashion trends - funky, happy and always Thankful

Thanksgiving is couple of days away and the biggest concern in every host's mind is, how to look presentable, yet trendy.  Understandably, this is that time of the year fear of being perfect, takes over and impairs your decision.

But again, this is that time of the year, where you have the utmost liberty to go over the limit, take risk and play with colors.  I know, I'm the one who often recommends to put on your editing glasses, but ThanksGiving is a tiny window where you throw it off and go crazy.

For the starters, instead of your regular nail art go for a totally crazy cool thanksgiving nails.

Lips, Hips and Fashion Tips

The Sparkle Queen

In most places, Thanksgiving comes on cold season.  You have to keep yourselves warm.  But you can do it with style with a colorful shawl or a stole.

Pashima Shawls

Colorful Stole

Michael Kors clutch

Next would be the hand bags.  

Having a colorful handbag adds fun to the thanksgiving table and acts as a topic to discuss.

Dual tone or multi tone pumps would be a graceful finishing touch.  They certainly are a dazzling addition to your shoe collection.  

Journee Collection

I found these pairs in overstock.com and I fell in love with it.

If you are anxious about your outfit, please follow the steps:

Step 1:  Remember, you are beautiful person, inside and out.

Step 2: Press "HAPPY SMILE" button in your face.

Have a happy ThanksGiving and fulfilling shopping experience on Black Friday.

Pursuit of happiness... and ultimate salvation

Dictionaries around the world gives the meaning of handbag as a woman's small bag or purse used for carrying personal things and money.

The meaning might have beed devised before women came to earth.  In reality, a handbag is a beautiful piece of woman's accessory, at times used for carrying a personal thing and money, and please note, no woman has just one handbag(for that matter, no woman has just 10 handbags).

In such a simple world where pursuit of happiness is attained through easily procurable material objects, why not indulge ourselves in accessorizing with handbags and attain ultimate salvation?  We are in fall and we are dressed mostly in dark monotone separates, ssometimes with boots.  Why not add some oomph factor to otherwise sulky look, with the weather being sulkier and days short?  Simple recipe is to add a playful pattern, fabric handbags.









Cross-body pattern handbags will pack some energy to your regular, silent day.





















While matching the handbags with your daughter or your niece, you can either match it with same piece in larger version or same pattern different color larger one.

Selecting an handbag without worrying about your wardrobe is often considered as a return of good karma.  Patterned handbags puts you in that creamy layer.   Irrespective of the pattern of your choice, your monotone outfit would carry it along gracefully.

If you are courageous to experiment pattern on pattern, please put on your editing glasses.  If one pattern is bold and noisy, make the other pattern, demure and soft.  This way the patterns will compliment each other.

Photo credit by Ranjani Ramanan
Handbag courtesy ChaLee Bags
Thanks to Pragati Koya and Harinakshi Shivshankar for taking the time from their busy schedule to pose for us.
Special thanks to Ria Narahari for letting us capture her inspite of her busy home work schedule.

Beads to the rescue.....

Now we are in autumn and whites and summer colors are back in the attic, eagerly waiting for spring equinox, accessories act as the saving grace to beat the darker color of colder days.

With the weather mostly gloomy and the breeze chilly, loose straight hair, darker simpler attire and one statement piece will be appealing.

Also this weather gives us immense opportunity to play around colors.  Either we can try match it with what you wear or, if you are bold, can try going radically opposite side of the spectrum.  But, while picking the competing color, put your editing glasses on.

Layering is yet another fun inducing adventure, that will come in handy in the murky autumn days.  A long chain will be transform into multiple strand bracelet.

As I always say, have fun and be comfortable in you own skin.

Photo Credit by Ranjani Ramanan
Jewelry Courtesy Bead Design by Hema and Unquenchable Spirit Jewelry by Kanna Annamalai Brown.
Thanks to Resmi Nair, Kalyani Kanuri, Usha Yadav, Shilpa Maheshguru, Sejal Vora, for accepting to model in spite of their busy schedule.

BFFing your body

Right from discount store to the designer shops, everywhere we see, there is colorful display of apparel.  Have you ever wondered why there are so many?  Is it because of the color?  If so, then the apparel should be in a few “perfect” colors.  If not, then is it because of the shape or style?  Then again, there will be a few, in so-called, "perfect" style or shape.  What is it then, that lets the designers create so many varieties?

It’s the amazing, one-of-a-kind thing called one’s own body type.  Every body or structure is so beautifully unique that it can be compared to a stained glass, where no two colored glasses can be produced identical.  With such a humungous positive, there lies a disadvantage.   Dressing it up.  There is no pre-defined template, which would suit everyone.

I have few tips and tricks that will come in handy, while dolling up.

Before that, I have few homework assignments for you.

1.  Bring in the image of yourself in your brain as close as possible to what you see in the mirror.

2.  Dress for the person you see in the mirror and not for the person you wish you are/wanted to be.

3.  Stand in front of the mirror and jot down all the positives you see in yourself.  Trust me, statistically, your positives are at least 42.6% more than your negatives.

4.  You try on something, and instantly if it reminds you of your positives, then it’s a keeper. 

5.  Of course, eventually, you’ll dig deeper and deeper until you find some faults.  Relying on eventual identification of negatives will leave you with no dress.

6.  Most importantly, keep in mind that you are your worst critic.  If something passes through your criticism, then you will be the bell of the ball, as other do not have the time or patience to see what you saw and hated in yourself.

In this post let me talk about the issues around the mid-section and quick fixes for it.

If you think you have a little extra fat around your waistline:
Key:  Do not hide it, just throw the focus somewhere else.
Dos:  Long skirts with pattern, chunky jewelry, Boot-cut or flare jeans and A-line dress with geometric pattern.  Long top layered with cropped jacket would look amazing.
Don'ts:  Jersey material is an absolute Don't.  Stitch, elastic or lace tie-up in the hip is also a thing to avoid.

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If you think you are too skinny around your waist:  

Key:  Mimic a hip.
Dos:   Layered skirt, boyfriend jeans, cropped pants, capri, shirt dress and asymmetric closing dress.  Again, layering helps.  Shirt top and a voluminous skirt will look graceful.
Don'ts:  Keep away from figure hugging dresses, pants or skirt.

If you think you are curvier around the hip:
Key:  Again take the focus away.
Dos:  Wide-leg or boyfriend jeans, bright color or pattern top, high heals shoes, empire or high waist dress and princess dress, high-low skirt and long skirt.  The top should be a tleast till the mid section of the hip.  Statement necklace is a plus.
Don'ts:  Any pants that narrow down around the knees is a big no.  It's better to avoid the sheath dress.

www.slimskii.com

www.niemanmarcus.com

If you think you are skinnier around the hip:
Key:  Create focus around the hip without being vulgar.
Dos:  Skinny to super skinny jeans, volume-enhanced patterns around the hips, pants or skirt with too many details at the hip, gauchos, pencil skirts, peplum top or peplum skirt, sheath/wiggle or column dress and mermaid dress.
Don'ts:  Dark colored clothing, shift dresses, boyfriend jeans and boot-cut or flare jeans.

Valentino Sheath dress

ASOS peplum skirt

Irrespective of the body type, feeling confident from inside is the best tip to look good.

Code Ethnicity for better weather

The weather is getting warmer and girls gravitate towards ethnicity, especially with the attire.  Either be a formal party or just an informal gathering in friend's place, I see ethnic wear all around me.  With the busy schedule of their's, the ladies doll up with all the accessories from head to toe and still feel comfortable and at ease.

While going ethnic, the key is to edit the look with the right amount of accessories.  The right selection of the attire will do the magic and let's you be the bell of the ball.

If the choice is elegance, some of the colors to lean on are white, pink, purple and gold.  Few friends of mine personified elegance with their looks.  

The pinkish purple saree brings out the softness she's emitting while reflecting her pride as an educator.  

The white and gold anarkali Salwar delivers royal and stately look in her, while hint of velvety red and green accentuate her rich complexion.  Antique jewelry choice gives the perfect out-of-the-world finish.

If you want to play with bolder colors, thumb rule is to stick on with one color scheme.  Neutral colors can accompany as a secondary ones.  In this case, tactical addition of black subtly credits the bright red color.

Photo credit by Jay Srinivasan

If you gravitate towards multicolor, it is better to keep the accessories to minimal and just metallic with no colored stones, so that the attire tell the story you wish the onlookers to know.   The model here has brilliantly dialed down the accessories and kept it to plain gold.  With the right choices made, she looks like Raja Ravi Varma's painting.

It's only natural to revisit your ethnic roots.  In the process, one can either thoroughly mimic the traditional look or add contemporary touch to it.  Some of my friends channeled the popular 19th century female character of Indian literature.

The fabric and the color of the Ghagra is contemporary, but the Ghagra by itself and the jewelry are classic.  This technique works for young girls like my friend, while wearing traditional attire.  She looked ravishing and emulated the youthful vibe all around with her choice.

She mixed the traditional Gujarathi style of draping saree with costume jewelry and hence creating a beautiful and modern take on a traditional style.

She took the traditional look to the T, and looks ethereal.  She's channeling the gentle heroines of Sarat chandra Chattopadhyay.















But, I found one thing common in all these beautiful women and that's their confidence and feeling secure in their own skin.  Isn't that the best accessory one could possess?

Thanks Gauri for sharing your pictures.
Thanks Jyothi, Ankita, Geetha, Praveena and Roopa for letting us take your pictures.
Big round of applause once again for Aditi Sheth for creating magic with her lens.

Spring has sprung

We are in spring according to our calendar.  But is the weather getting better?  In some parts of northern hemisphere, it blossoms and in other parts still a little jumpy.

When it comes to outfits, I see Electric blue, sea green and off white and all bright, but non-traditional spring colors. 

In fact a friend of mine gave Monday morning blues a twist and was emitting vibrance all over the place.  

A bright colored blouse instantly electrified the appearance, while the Khaki pencil skirt and nude shoes balances it perfectly.

Going to the other end of the spectrum shade-wise with accessories, makes you stand out, but still blends in, like electric blue blouse and dark blue jewelry.  This technique works perfect for business meetings.  

In parties, its burst of colors everywhere.  Last week, I was at Spring Dhamaka and the attendees like my friend, were dressed in crisp colors like white and red, which reminded me of a brisk spring morning.  The jewelries were metallic and look was extremely radiating and energetic.  

Casual Saturday-lunch-and-walk-in-the-city outfit was thoroughly redefined by a nutritionist friend of mine.  

Bright pattern dress and a warm lace pattern shrug is a pretty combination for a casual outing.  

While mixing pattern on pattern, keeping the accessories simple, thin and elegant puts the focus on the outfit.


















I guess, in our mind, Spring has certainly sprung and here to stay for quiet some time..........

Special thanks to Kalyani, Usha and Sneh for letting us take their picture
and a big round of applause for our wonderful photographer Aditi Sheth.

Whole nine yards of tradition

I was getting ready for a festival called Karadaiyan Nombu.  It is celebrated in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India, for husband's well being.  This festival celebrates a strong woman named Savithri, who brought back her husband from angel of death.

While I was in the preparation mode, an idea hit me.  Why not talk about traditional attire?  Why not begin with introducing a look I'm familiar with.


On the day of the festival, the women dress up like the lady in this Raja Ravi Varma's Painting.  The wrap she's draped around is nine yards, and usually made out of natural silk and bordered with intricately woven gold thread.


Usually, any Indian look is heavily enhanced with jewelry, predominately gold ones.  Accessories start from head, decorates the hair, neck, ears, hip and ends with anklets and toes.

Chutti or tikka is adorned in the front parting of the hair.

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In the back, the hair is braided long and decorated and tied with a ribbon called Kunjalam.

      

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The braid is pinned with strings of tropical flowers like Jasmine.

Art of tying the flower in a string is called Thoduthal

Worn from earring to hair

Necklace, earring and ear chain are made out of stones and beads too.

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Thicker bangle act as a border to multiple thin bangles.

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A jewel worn around the hip is called Odiyanam

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Toe-ring or metti or chithu is put on the toe.

Ankle Jewel that dates back to 100-300 CE, is still in use.

In southern India, it's called Thandai.  It was made famous by a bold woman in history named Kannagi.

Unintentionally, this post started and ended with the mention of strong women.

Let the inner strength guide us through........