#TraditionMyWay This Diwali!

Diwali is the festival of bliss, goodness, and lights. Celebrations are at its peak during this festive tenure during each calendar year. The festival lends a certain inexplicable cheer to the mood and we all express our goodwill, love and a unique style in our own way by the means of a customary revamp of the wardrobe to usher in the festive spirit. After all, this Indian festive extravaganza brings with it a great opportunity to lighten the pocket, which must not be let gone, at any cost! ;)

I decided to paint my world festive with my own palette and brush in hand. To craft a #TraditionMyWay Diwali look for me was my aim. To express my festive style, I decided to choose complementary rather than contrast. After all, this is the time when fashion dons a new definition as the tradition meets individuality. 

The decorative lights outside must not only adorn the facade of one's house but also the light within must emanate to uphold the celebratory temperament and thus lead us on to discovering a better 'us' each year. 

I decided to go all the way to create my own world of vivid hues. I decided to gift a new look for my wardrobe to house as a keepsake this Diwali to bring a new styling with a twist. This Diwali had to be #TraditionMyWay. 

A customary gesture in the family has been to choose one of my Grandma's many exquisitely crafted Silk Lehengas paired with well-to-go-along and 'handled with care' jewelry sets. Though the entire ensemble may sound heavy to carry, the grace it imparts is unparalleled

This time around, instead of donning a look from the familial heirloom, I decided to look the 'light' way thanks to companionship offered by Jabong. I decided to select an elegant designer Saree and work around my Diwali look, #TraditionMyWay.

While I progressed browsing through the e-catalog, it became increasingly difficult for me to choose one, as I smitten by the vibrant hues of all Sarees. Selecting only one of the many was a time-consuming task. Yet, I knew when I had found the perfect one. I zeroed in on a graceful, gorgeous yellow saree from Hypnotex. My aesthetic designer Georgette Saree is fabulous, don't you think? 

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Stilettos are the way to go ALWAYS, to be paired with those six yards of feminity - and that is a rule embossed in gold, in the Style Bible. After narrowing down on the color of the footwear and the occasion, it was meant to be worn to - thanks to the Color and Occasion filters on Jabong - I decided to opt for these Golden Stilettos by Shuz Touch. Classy, elegant and game on point!

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The time then came to choose a classic timepiece, for me to flaunt. What could be more classic than black pearls? More so, when being proposed by timeless Titan Raga? This one wrist watch had aimed for my heart, hands down! 

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To accentuate my look further and in keeping with the Indian tradition of wearing gold ornaments but with a twist, since it had to be #TraditionMyWay, I opted for trendy 18-kt black gold! Both the pendant and the studs from the house of Sparkles made sure that I sparkled my way through the family get-together. See the fabulous shimmer, which dazzles for yourself! 

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The jewelry pieces were exquisitely crafted to lend the perfect amount of glamor pixie-dust to my ensemble! However, the two pieces of the Style Jigsaw left to place, were a complementary clutch and the perfect makeup kit. 

Well, if I was talking of pearls on my wrist, then I must possess an oyster too, from where to source those black beauties, ain't it? This sleek and spacious black polyurethane clutch from Dice caught my fancy and I fell in love with it. It has a voguish make, is waterproof and would thus last long. 

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L’Oréal Paris has always been my one-stop-shop for all my makeup needs and thus this wonderful five-piece Go-Glam Pink Makeup Kit was chosen without a doubt. It has my five subtle items - Compact, Kajal, Liner, Lipstick, Blush-On and would be well-equipped to endow me with my minimalistic look this Diwali, with #TraditionMyWay, thanks to ‘http://www.Jabong.com/’. 

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The entire ensemble made sure that I donned my stylish best, especially because it was #TraditionMyWay. It earned me the customary compliments from the better half too and made me realize that a subtle spin in the tale could also equate with the age-old fairytale. :) 

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Happy Diwali, Dear Readers! :) 

Have a prosperous year ahead. 

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P.S.: This post is written for #traditionmyway in association with Jabong. 

Please click on the images to visit the landing page of the respective products on the website. 

I #WearToExpress My Freedom To Fashion!

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रोटी, कपडा, मकान 

Is Now... 

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Fashion. 

Food. 

Family. 

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Freedom! :) 

The foundation of Freedom lies in the three most basic necessities of life - the 3Fs of Fashion, Food, and Family. 

The support of a Family in testing times, good Food to satiate your appetite, and the confidence to sport your own sense of Fashion, are like the x, y and z-coordinate to a spatial existence. 

With the Indian Independence Day having just gone by, it is important that we realize the essence of being free - free in all respects - be it physically, emotionally, psychologically et al. 

After all, the secret of Happiness is Freedom. And, the secret of Freedom is Courage. 

The courage to take the boldest of decisions in the hardest of circumstances. 

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Even if that bold decision is that of a rip-me-apart choice from an array of looks in your wardrobe and that circumstance is a have-to-attend occasion! :D 

I swear by the multitude of experiences which have bettered my decision-making skills year by year. 

Categorically speaking for the the domain of style, my fashion sense has seen the era of monochrome as a two-teethed kid, the vibrancy of Retro as a teenager in a nation which is obsessed with cinematic trends and the evolution of a perception as an entire era in itself. 

Yes, that's me with my elder brother, in the days of monochrome. :) 

The hues of black and white overshadowed the essence of being dolled up, as it hardly mattered to that generation, in those times. 

With  the advent of color however, our sense of creating our own wardrobes was endowed a new vision altogether. 

Be it men or women, we learnt of complementary colors, of contrasting hues, and of accessories which 'went well' with our outfits. 

A sense of self-consciousness ensured an outlook towards how the people in society viewed us and opined on our so-called 'dressing sense'. 

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They say, wear your heart on your sleeve. I am of the opinion that our choice of outfit and all that complements it defines our personality. It is like showcasing your individuality for that world out there to see. 

I believe in setting my own trends, and not blindly following the 'in-thing'. I am proud of the fact that I do so, for it lends a certain iota of uniqueness to my character. 

Suiting my decisions to the situations at times, coordinating my situations with my decisions at others, is what sets me apart! ;) 

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Of course, you wouldn't want to be a misfit, by only dressing to kill. You must also dress on point. For you wouldn't want to be bombarded with both criticism and embarrassment at once, would you? 

It is essential to realize the need to maintain a balance between the art of blending in, whilst standing out. For, society is intimidated by a wolf among the  herd of sheep. 

Either be there in your sheep skin or prepare to be ousted by the oppression of the crowd! ;) 

It doesn't suffice if you completely blend in. Not if you completely stand out, either. :) 

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Contemplating on the question of how Fashion sets me Free: 

Embracing the perception of fashion comes with the realization of self-appreciation. 

For me, over and above the fact my sense of fashion is unique to me is the fact that my body is unique to me too. 

For all young ladies out there, my motto is only one - Shed all your bodily apprehensions and let the breeze feel your soul. :) 

Had it not been for the societal apprehensions and the distorted perceptions of 'beauty', our world would have been a much more inclusion-friendly world to inhabit. 

Who tells you how to differentiate between fair and ugly, slim and voluptuous, and all such distinctive terms? 

None but yourself and your impression of societal norms. :) 

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As far as my Look-Book is concerned, I have an array of outfits spanning over three decades! :) 

Have a look for yourself, and you'll see me transform from a bachelorette to a married lady to a blessed mother, with the transformation adopting the stylish way. 

Note also, my modern avatar towards the recent times, thanks to a thought process makeover by my daughter who urged me to go the free-spirited way. :) 

Six subtle looks from the venerable archives,

The humble सलवार-कमीज़ has been a suitable companion. 

Be it as a means of daily-wear outfits,

Or as a silken embellishment in tandem. 

My most loyal counterpart to holidaying, 

As comfortable as this dress can be! 

Each variation in styling,  

Gives a different look, 

Wear the दुपट्टा over one shoulder or both,

You'll look elegant in any which way, for sure! :) 

#BeYou. 

#WearToExpress! :D 

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The epitome of elegance, grace, class and style, 

Those six yards of a single piece of cloth, 

With a sea of adaptations in draping to its credit, 

These are your five-minute-fix to sophistication. 

Be it Chiffon, Georgette, Silk, or Chanderi, 

You'll never run out of options, 

Suiting every circumstance, every situation, 

It fits well on each and every occasion. 

The chic साड़ी always comes to the rescue, 

For a lasting first impression! :) 

#BeYou. 

#WearToExpress! :D 

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The sense of fashion goes for a whirlwind all together,

When you see a sea-change in perception. 

Travelling so far and wide on the trendy route, 

Your wardrobe takes a turn and gifts you a makeover! 

A convenient dressing style, 

For when there's paucity of time. 

Accessorizing takes priority too, 

Be it jewelry or handbags. 

A complete look is what GenX emphasizes on, 

Some attempts to match up too! :) 

#BeYou. 

#WearToExpress! :D 

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While a complete look has been accentuated over all these years, I've also unintentionally been one with the many elements of nature, more often than not. 

Have a look. :) 

At all these occasions, I have enjoyed the sweetness of doing nothing. 

Yes, I did nothing. Yet, I was able to color-coordinate the hues which I had donned, to frame picture perfect moments. 

Be it the snow laden Christmas tree, which matched my Snow-white cardigan, or the wheatish haystacks which matched my orange hues. 

Be it the pinkish Bougainvillea which complemented my reddish chrome, or the topaz-turquoise shade of the sea and sky which accessorize my cool blue tone! 

Awesome, ain't they? :) 

It is in 'Dolce Far Niente' and its pleasant idleness that I discovered the myriad hued me. 

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As I close this post, I would like to mark a tribute to the erstwhile Independence Day, by amalgamating Jabong's Creative with three of my twenty looks showcased here. 

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This post has been written for a Blogging Contest hosted by Jabong. (http://www.Jabong.com/) 

Wear your independence on your sleeve, and leave your mark at Jabong.com! :) 

Flaunt Your Freedom With Your Fashion! 

To Daddy Dear, Who Is A #DandyDad...

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21 June 2015
12 AM
New Delhi

Dear Daddy

Even though we both don't believe in the concept of commemorating certain days of the year as a person's day because each day deserves to be celebrated in its entirety, this Father's Day is special. You would be able to comprehend when I say that you have been more than what they say, a father should be and have done more than what they say, a father should do.

Not only have you been an excellent friend, philosopher, mentor, and a guiding light to me and my brother but also, to both our daughters. It is in you that we would discover our crest of perfection. You were the epitome of perfection for both of us. It is in emulating your mannerisms that we would discover joy and bliss. It is in imitating your punctuality and discipline that we would absorb the subtleties of etiquette.  :)

Your experiences have endowed us with the most precious teachings of our life. Your anecdotes have been the exquisite pearls of wisdom to us, in this vast ocean of unknown, unseen people and places. Your impeccable sense of self-confidence, perseverance, and determination has served as our scout to lead us on the path to achieving our varied goals on the path of life.

You have been the superlative to our mediocrity. You have inculcated a sense of humility within us and made us realize the importance of being level-headed, whenever you would spot us floating in the air, with a hint of over-confidence. A spank on the back was as reassuring as a pat for it made us realize that you would always be there for us, come what may!

You were never critical of our achievements, yet you never let the prospect of ego flourish.
You were the quickest when it came to condemning our mistakes, and always encouraged us to work towards improving them, thus polishing us like diamonds, as would a skilled craftsman in the long run. :)

It is imperative then, that we would attempt to flatter you, in imitating your qualities as the best parent, for our children. You have been the ideal father-figure to both your granddaughters. We strive to be the ideal parents to them, in the long run.

As much as we know that this is a herculean feat to achieve, you have always stood tall and firm as the pillar of strength and support to our family. It was in the realization of us drifting away to establish our own families that your belief in both of us grew stronger.

It is your belief which has anchored our ship of endeavors. It is this strong-willed attitude which has made us meet your expectations, every single time.

This Father's Day, we salute your indomitable spirit and your exemplary personality. :)

 ~~~ 

A man of his words, and his actions as well, my father deserves nothing but the best. For, he gave his family nothing but the best. 

Having witnessed his flawless code of conduct, as a man of his time, punctual to the tee, the one who was a disciplinarian, the one whose aura spoke of immaculate grace and brilliant class, if given a chance, I would want to revisit the alleys of bygone times, with my chivalrous man, my Daddy. 

My Daddy is my #dandydad. :) 

A custom made #dandydad graphic, by Yours Truly. :) 

My father believes that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. So much so, that it reflects in his dressing sense too. In spite of having attained the status of an octogenarian now, I have always witnessed him, dressed as the best man would, prim and proper. 

If you would ask me to detail a picture of his sophisticated outlook, I would choose the following from Jabong so that you would obtain a fair idea. More so, if I were to gift him a makeover, as far as his wardrobe is concerned, I would want him to be as he has been over the years, as that is way I have seen and admired him.

My father has always liked earthy browns and beige. He prefers donning his formal best whenever he has any social gathering, event or meeting to attend. Thus, I would present him with a gift of his liking, in the form of a look dominated by browns. :)

Please click on the images to visit the respective landing page for the product on Jabong. 

This formal shirt from Peter England and formal trousers from John Players, in my opinion, would  impress Daddy. It is his preferred color combination. 

A classic buckle Belt from the house of United Colors Of Benetton and a pair of seasoned leather Shoes from Aldo would complete his basic look.

To further accessorize his persona, I would opt for the following essentials: 

A suave, slim leather wallet from Louis Philippe and an elegant analog watch, courtesy Kenneth Cole would serve as the perfect companions for a person who believes that 'A penny saved is a penny earned' and that 'Time and tide wait for none'. :) 

A pen is a quintessential comrade to the teacher who imparts knowledge to one who yearns to pursue a discipline. This silver Ball Pen from Franklin Covey would lend the substance of finesse to his disposition, as an intellectual. 

The masculine fragrance from Versace would complement his courteous temperament.

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If I were to design a look for my father, this is how I would do it, for the world to witness.

My father is my gentleman debonair. :)

~~~

This post has been written in association with Jabong's #dandydad. 

Trending Jeans Styles for Women...

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Fashion sense is precise; your fashion preferences may differ from the world and can be altered as per your comfort, but fashion sense is all about knowing why are you wearing what you are wearing. Take an example of jeans. If you believe that jeans are too casual to make you look trendy, then you are probably mistaken here. Jeans are versatile, comfortable and flexible to fit flawlessly, all you need to do is find a right top and a pair of stylish footwear.

So now that you know that the importance of jeans is constant in frequently changing fashion trends, ask yourself if you are buying the right pair of jeans? If you believe that all jeans are the same, then it’s time to expand your knowledge, girl! There are a plenty of jeans types, styles and categories, divided on the basis of style, pattern, and fabric processing. Here’s what you can discover in the world of jeans for this particular season:

Washed Denims

Don’t you simply love that non-uniform (sharp) blue or white contrast in your favorite pair of jeans?  They are washed denims, strategically washed and processed during the manufacturing process to make this level of unique for you. The older the better is the right phrase to be used for such chemically processed jeans. Their classiness and style factor never fade away, even if the strength of fabric does. Wear them with white, black or any other color under the sky, and they will never disappoint you.  

Boyfriend Jeans

Boyfriend jeans are designed particularly to offer you a distressed look. If you deal with a job, where your sleeves are always rolled up, you would love to wear a pair of boyfriend jeans. They are not only casual and comfy, but also give you the freedom to roll them up and it will enhance your coolness factor in your personality. Don your favorite bohemian style tank top to complement the free-style appeal this pair of pants offers you.  You can also experiment with buttoned up shirt and high heels or pumps to break the tomboyish equation that a pair of boyfriend jeans generally forms.

Flare Leg Pants

You know these pants as 70s classic clothing invention. However, the latest seasonal trends have represented this pair of bottoms in even more exciting manner. The level of sophistication is certainly high in the contemporary collection of flared pants. Flared jeans are designed to be worn high on the waist; hence they give you enough freedom to throw on your favorite crop tops.

Skinny Jeans

Skinny jeans are extremely comfortable, easy to style and fit you flawlessly. This is the reason that they are one essential item for your wardrobe. You can easily wear this type of jeans with buttoned up shirts, casual tops, blouses/crop tops or long vests with short denim jackets. If you want the outfit to be prominent, then go with heels and for a casual approach, choose to go with your favorite lifestyle shoes or a pair of oxfords.

Low Rise Jeans

Skinny jeans have been winning the hearts around since 1980s. The glorious journey of three decades explains how much this style of bottoms has been loved by fashionistas around the globe. They are designed to hug your hip, thighs and legs neatly and bring your body shape into prominence. Hence, you have enough scope to experiment with the tops including long tops with flairs, crop tops, blouses and shirts.

Slim Fit Jeans

Slim fit jeans are designed to sit seamlessly at your waistline and offer a naturally slim but not too skinny look. The elasticity and comfort added to this type of jeans are two factors that make every woman want a few pairs of the same in their closet. They do highlight the curves of your body and make you look effortlessly appealing in a casual jeans getup.

Ripped Denims

Tattered look is the new term for plush and polished in the world of fashion. When you throw on a pair of ripped denims and pair it with a classy top, it definitely serves you with a classy and rebelliously lavish look.

Take a chance to wear flats with a pair of ripped jeans only when your legs are sufficiently long. Ripped denims tend to make your legs shorter hence if you already have short legs, stick to the idea of wearing pumps or boots with high heels.

Now that you know all the trending styles of jeans getting all the fashion & style highlights, it’s the time to go ahead and shop for the same. Because, if you miss any of these, you are definitely doing injustice with your wardrobe!