Under Microscope - Seven Looks ...

Last month I had requested all of you to vote 7 of my different looks and you all kindly obliged. Here are the results and my 'Why-What-Where' for each outfit that got the most votes. 

This post is much postponed request of one of the dear bloggers - Shuchita and my cousin Meetu D who had asked for it way back in August 10'. However, it took me this long as I could not choose favorite looks of myself. I do not mean to say that I believe I'm always looking spectacular but I honestly do not take my clothes as seriously as this blog 'portrays'. Sometimes I plan my outfit around different occasions, sometimes around the weather and sometimes even around my shoes. Okay, who are we kidding? mostly around my shoes! However, that is the end of it and I do not give it another thought, thereafter. That is why when someone asks me to give them tips/advice on styling and/or clothes I find it really hard as I am quite sure that I do not have one specific mantra. I just follow my instincts. If I get it right, yay! good for me but if not ... then well, we always have tomorrow. Don't we?

Nonetheless, I have made an attempt to describe my 7 different looks. The title of picture will take you directly to the poll [please do not cast your votes now! That will only change the results. On second thought, do it if you REALLY want to ;)]. I have also included the link of the post in my explanations, where I had originally worn the outfit where you can find more pictures, if you are interested. Also, funny observation - A lot of these outfit were worn in the month of May. Weird, eh? :)

Shall we begin?

Casual Chic

This was a close Poll and this outfit 'won' just by 'one' vote [Gettit! Gettit? No? Never mind!]. I wore this outfit to go watch SATC2 back in May here. I have had this tunic (worn as dress) for about 3.5 years now and this was the first time I wore it sans bottoms. There are two reasons for it 1) It was a really HOT summer afternoon 2) I believe I have the legs to wear it as a dress now. The color was spot on with the seasons' Safari/Khaki trend. I wore those pointed shoes because i knew the day didn't involve much walking. I am always for comfort first, fashion or no fashion! In the past I have worn it with different colored belts but here I thought the necklace was bring enough color.

Denims

I do not particularly like wearing Denims in summers. They stick a bit too close to my body and that makes me frown a lot. It is, also, feel very uncomfortable. However, if my legs are not prepared to face the daylight [read: waxed] I have no option but to cover them. I wore this outfit to go meet some friends for coffee on a Sunday evening here, again back in May. Creme Button downs shouted 'summers' to me and that tan belt was a perfect touch to keep the outfit casual and sharp at the same time. 

Dressy

I had worn this Tracy Reese dress back in May (again) for a friend's wedding here. I was meeting all my college friends after almost 6-5 years and last they have seen me was when I weighed 50 pounds heavier. I wanted to make a statement but definitely not take the focus away from the bride. The wedding was in New Orleans which is very humid around that time of the year so wanted it to be simple and breezy too. This dress fit the bill to the T. I kept my hair and make up simple (as always!) and went easy on accessories. I wore my metallic pumps (second favorite) and big chunky earrings. I quite like how it turned out in the end and no wonder almost everyone voted for this dress. 

Leggings

This is from last winter. I wore this outfit for our usual weekend Date. The suede pumps (first favorite) matched the dressy sweater so well that I couldn't resist pairing them together and finished the look with a mirror-heart pendant. I was wearing a full sleeve tee shirt underneath and in the end was appropriately dressed for a cold-cold night! Regardless of the weather, I look so happy in this picture, don't I? :)

Shorts

This is from our Mother-Daughter getaway to North Carolina in June 10' here. This was right after a long day spent getting pampered at the Spa. We were off for dinner and I wanted to dress comfortable and resort-like for the rest of the day. Paired a statement-necklace with an otherwise simple look to make it just a little bit more than 'beachy'. I am wearing neon pink fil-flops underneath. 

Travel Wear

This is how I had arrived in Boston, back in April this year, to say Goodbye to a friend who has now moved to London, U.K. here. It was a short 4 day trip, hence I was only carring hand-luggage and was dressed to continue the day straight from the airport as my friend had planned a lunch and other activities straight after my arrival. Scarf was to keep me warm in the flight and the jacket was appropriate for the spring in Boston, MA. Those booties are so versatile. They went almost with all my outfits in those 4 days. Don't believe me? Check here!

Black Pants/Jeans

Last but not the least, this is the outfit I wore here back in February this year. I was dressed for a Saturday brunch date with husband. We stopped by a locality on the way to click pictures as the location looked lovely around that time of the year. However, I would like to mention that I think I am looking stupid in this picture. What's up with that expression? Also, I was surprised that our of all the 6 looks this one got the most voted. 

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Tagged by Shooting Star

First ... in 30 for 30 so far ...

pollcode.com free polls

Favorite so far ...

11 12 13 14 15

Two tags in a row, ...bored yet? 


Again, I was tagged way back in September by Shooting Star from My Unfinished Life and I am on it NOW! 


What was your favorite back to school item to buy?
Oh! I love stationary. Pencils, erasers, notebooks. Everything. I am a stationary junkie. I would buy it all as motivation to be organized and efficient. 


What was your favorite subject in school?
History. I loved it. I love stories. I love learning about what happened before I was born. I love learning about civilizations. 


Did you ride the bus or get a ride from Mom/Carpool?
When I was in junior school, I rode the bus. My house was less than 15 minutes away from the school, however the bus route started from the opposite direction  so I was dropped off last. By the time I reached home I was exhausted as I had wasted almost over an hour in the bus ride. Soon after my Mom decided that she will drop and pick us [me and my brother] from the school. That is when she learnt to drive the car too [for us!] and this was almost 22-23 years back! 


Did you have a sack lunch or cafeteria food?
My lunch was always packed by my Grand mom which was mostly eaten by my friends while I went and ate at the cafeteria with my pocket money!
 
What is your favorite memory from your school days?
Right now, since I am trying to think really hard, no such memory is coming to mind but I really loved my school days. They were perfect. I really enjoyed my childhood. All of it. Best time of my life. 


And again, this tag is open to anyone and everyone who wants to make a go at it ... I would love to hear everyone's school days stories ... Even if you do not have blog, leave them in the comments. Please! :)


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15 Realizations since...

15 of 30

Wearing (14) & (27) from My Picks: 30 for 30

15 Realizations since I started this Remix!
1. I can do anything if I really want to
2. I do not miss shopping as much as I miss my other clothes which I am not using
3. I love my shoes! All of them ... [*giggle*]
4. This challenge is not as hard as I had imagined it to be
5. I like mini projects like such
6. It is harder to dress on days when you do not have to get out of the house
7. I chose a lot of browns, blues and blacks in this remix [unintentional!]
8. 90% of the motivation for this challenge come from the readers and their daily interest!
9. Outfits which look good in the mirror don't look as good on the camera and vice versa
10. I should have added more skirts to the remix 
11. I probably wouldn't wear these 30 items all winter after this challenge [except the boots!]
12. It sucks that I had an out-of-town trip in between this challenge
13. I am proud of the fact that I packed only item from My Picks: 30 for 30
14. I might be the one who coins the term 'binge-shopping' soon after this challenge is over
15. I wish this would end soon now ...!


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Tagged by Vintage Vixen

14 of 30

Wearing (7) (20) & (27) from My Picks: 30 for 30

I was tagged by the awesome Vintage Vixen wayyy back in September and I am only getting around it now [*hangs.her.head.in.shame*] 

What's your favorite fashion accessory?
Shoes! I need my shoes. In fact I think I want my shoes to be buried [burnt!] along with me when I die. I cannot bear the thought of leaving them all behind. Unless my sole-mate [Namrata!] promises to look after them! ;)

Who's your fashion role model?
I wouldn't go as far as calling her my role model but I am lately loving Anna Dello Russo and her style and of course her wardrobe!  

What do you always carry with you?
Oh! you have already seen what is in my bag, I do carry the whole world with me at all time, but if I had to choose just 'one' item that would be my 'bunch of keys' [of home, car, etc.] 

How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as - Forever Evolving! I get bored of dressing any one way. I can honestly say I have never worn the same outfit 'twice' exactly the same way. I always change it a little with belts, shoes, accessories, etc. However, I am VERY curious to know what my readers think. How would you all describe my style? Please let me know in the comments, will you?

What's your favourite?  Jeans, sunglasses or heels?
Heels! Always. Forever. And Ever! :)

What inspired you to blog about fashion?
The first fashion blog I ever came across was of Jessica from What I Wore. That's what gave me the idea of of giving it a try myself. My FIRST outfit post was last year on Christmas. It was not until April that I started 'Fashion Blogging' regularly. Until then, it was all about my random thoughts, and fitness. 

What is your favorite fashion store?
None, in particular. I am not that loyal to any store or brand! 

What is your favorite fabric in clothing?
Cotton.

Who are your favourite designers?
Again, no one in particular. 90% of my wardrobe is all "Mall Brands" like Banana Republic, Gap, Urban Outfitters, French Connection but I do like few designers who are as unpredictable or colorful as me - Karen Millen, Ted Baker, Tory Burch, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood to name a few. But I am not a slave to brands AT ALL! 

Who or what inspires your style?
Emmmm ... No one in particular, really. I do not have any one role model but I do get inspired by movie stars, celebrities, magazine editorials and of course bloggers every now and then.

Would you choose to buy something high quality or make it yourself if you could?
I cannot 'make' anything as I have no clue how to stitch or cut. I think I would buy something high quality 'coz I need my clothes to fit me really well and somehow the 'ready-made' clothes work very well with my current body! 

The tag is open to anyone and everyone who wants to take a go at it ...

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Sweet & Spicy Corn Bread Muffins

Sweet & Spicy Corn Bread Muffins

Ingredients
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 tablespoon cup honey

1 tablespoon red-chilli powder

2 fine chopped green chillies [Serrano peppers]

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Into a large bowl, mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, butter, and honey. Add the wet to the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed.

3. Place muffin paper liners in a 12-cup muffin tin. Evenly divide thecornbread mixture into the papers. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden.

*Recipe modified from FoodNetwork.com

13 of 30

Wearing (5) (20) (24) & (27) from My Picks: 30 for 30

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Life's Motto No.165

12 of 30

Wearing (8) (17) (23) and (30) from My Picks: 30 for 30

I am a very non-curious, non-interfering kind of person. Here's how:


Friend/Family/or/Stranger to me, "You know what? I had tell you something ... (10 second pause) Hmmm ... Oh! Well, never mind ... may be some other time...". My reaction, "O.K." And I am back to doing whatever I was before the 'person' interrupted me and my thoughts! You could never annoy me with such tactics. On some occasions I might even seem unconcerned but I am really just minding-my-own-business. Since I always speak my mind [and when I don't I have a very good reason for it], I assume the same from other people. I am not a mind reader, and I always take people at face value. If you say, you are alright. I would assume you are and not nag you with, "Are you sure?!" If you say you are busy, I would believe you and never taunt you later about it. My Life's Motto [#165] - Live and Let Live! 


But do you think such liberties are returned my way? You guessed right! The answer is No! I do not know why people think giving other people a difficult time, or taunting them about some silly incidences from the past is a great ice-breaker or a conversation starter. Or worse, when people ask inappropriate or personal questions [like when are you going to have a baby!] to prove how close they are to you or how concerned they are about you. So I thought, instead of cribbing about it, I might as well help such 'challenged' people and give them some conversation starters' for future at least:-


1. You can talk about the weather but not for more than a minute
2. Talk about travel or about any recent vacation they might have taken [but do not ask which hotel they stayed in or how much was the room for!]
3. Ask about their work and future plans [but not in so much detail that it startes sounding fishy. And never ask anyone's salary!]
4. Discuss Politics, Entertainment, Sports, Fitness [Here you got your trump card - All-you-can-ask/talk-buffet]
5. If you are not from the same country/culture, you are free to exchange facts and features about it, too! 

These should help you sustain a conversation for at least one meeting. Rest, I am relying on the other party's social skills [:P]. Though I cannot expect every one I meet in my life to have read my blog [and this post!] but I submit this feature as my contribution in Public Interest. 

P.S. The Hairbun pictures are specially for Sheeba! Nothing fancy, just the usual bun-tying-technique ;)
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Lost Maples

We had a really exciting weekend. We visited Lost Maples, which is one of the few places in Texas where you can see the full blown fall in all its glory and colors. It was such a scenic drive with breathtaking views. I think we took nearly 200 pictures. Of course I cannot post them all here, however few can be seen below and rest can be seen here. 

It was an awesome location for outfit posts, sucks that it is about 2 hours away from where I live. Else, you can be assured I would have driven there every single day just to take some colorful pictures! Nonetheless, I am glad for the ones that I could take...   

11 of 30

Wearing (6) & (25) from My Picks: 30 for 30

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The Husband Series - Behind the Scenes

After the feedback on this post I relentlessly nagged my husband to "Please write a post for the blog!" He finally gave in and decided to narrate his version of what goes around behind the lens. For everyone who doesn't know him, he is very funny and is always cracking me up. He gets along with everyone famously, in fact my own friends prefer him over me. He is very patient with me, 'coz I get tired sometimes if we are not getting any good shots but he is always ready to keep clicking! He treats me like a queen and spoils me rotten. I've got a catch and I know it! [Phew! That's enough praising for one day! :P] Passing on the torch to him...


First of all my big Hola to all the peeps of the Fabulous world and a big THANKS to all you Fabulous people who have appreciated my photography, although the camera and the model herself gets 90% of the job done. I am here to give you a sneak peak from behind the scenes. Although there is nothing that you guys don’t already know 'coz Mrs. Fabulous is the great expressionista and has pretty much told you about everything that transpires in our sweet little world. Still here is my take on what happens in the making of this Fabulous Blog. Here are a couple of sample situations that you may witness if you were invisibly there with us and could somehow manage to mind read :P

Scene 1: 

A usual weekend. 

We are about to go for a movie, which starts in 15 minutes.

Tanvi – Shall we take some pictures before we leave ?
[Ashish *thinking* – Really? Now??..but we have only 15 minutes left for crying out loud and then there’s that line for the popcorn. ]
Ashish – Do you wanna take pictures after the movie ?


Tanvi – No then my hair will all look weird (meaning you better do it now)
[Ashish *thinking* – O.o..let’s play a different angle]
Ashish – May be we can take some (quick) pictures in front of our apartment. I really like this setting.


Tanvi – No this setting is so boring (meaning I know all your angles Mister)
[Ashish *thinking* – Let’s try this one more time...]
Ashish – But we have only 15 minutes before the movie starts


Tanvi (all sad) – Ok then lets forget about clicking the pictures all together
Ashish (all melted) – Forget the movie..let’s do the photoshoot


... And Tanvi smiles again. We hunt for a decent backdrop..click pictures and obviously we also make it to the movie on time.

Moral of the story – 

In Vegas the house always wins. But at house, 'the wife' always wins ;-)

Scene 2: 

One day at the Mall. 

*Imagine Tanvi as a little kid who has just arrived in Disney World*

Tanvi - How does this look?
Ashish – Very nice.


Tanvi – But I don’t need it.
Ashish – But you don’t have this color.


Tanvi - But I have lots of clothes / shoes.
Ashish – True..but I think it is really good.


Tanvi – Really ??
Ashish – Yup..It’s looking so good on you. Why don’t you try it on and I will click a picture with the phone and show it to you how you look.


[The lady working in the store gives me that stare – Dude you are stealing all my lines]


Tanvi – Hmm...ok let me think about it some more.
Ashish - What’s there to think about it. Let’s just buy it. In fact I think it will be a crime not to buy this at this price.


Tanvi – O.K. (wide grin… :D :D)
[Ashish *thinking* – Those double dees (grin) made it totally worth every penny]

Moral of the story – 

Little things in life can surely buy happiness if you put your Mastercard to good use :P

My reason of showcasing these situations (apart from showing you that I am not that goody too shoes) is that these are not just one of a mill instances but our day to day happenings. So as you may see the blogging has become an essential part of our lives because the blog is kind of an inspiration for us to try new different things. For example, we go look for different locales, we go out shopping, we dress and go for dinners and lunches…and so on. Since we are away from family in a Far Far Away Land, I am actually impressed and very glad that Mrs. Fab has found this medium to let her creativity and expressiveness flow. She is like a river which yearns to find her course and in the process makes everything that she touches beautiful. Also, she has made so many friends in you guys that it is very impressive. I am also amazed by the kind of camaraderie that all you peeps share and motivate each other.


So before I sign off, I the Blogger’s husband take this moment to salute all you Fabulous Bloggers out there. Hope you girls will keep blogging and keep us (husbands/fiancée/partners) in business as your part time photographers. So long!

And ... in 30 for 30 so far ...

pollcode.com free polls

Favorite so far ...

6 7 8 9 10

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Movie Review - Guzaarish

Dear All Non-Asian-Sub-Continent Readers this is a review for the latest Hindi Movie - GUZAARISH which released yesterday. So if you are not interested, please scroll down to the good stuff [outfit]. My fellow Hindi Movie Enthusiasts - Sit back and Enjoy. This one is worth it! 


"Guzaarish" is a celebration of human spirit. It is a story of Ethan [played by Hrithik Roshan] who was a famous magician up until he meets with a fatal accident which leaves him paralyzed and bedridden for next 12 years. During these years he is nursed by Sophia [played my Aishwarya Rai Bachchan] who is much more than his friend. Living in pain and suffering, since fourteen years after his accident, he decides to file a petition for Euthanasia with the help of his friend Devyani [played by Shernaz Patel]. In between he also meets a young boy Omar Siddiqui [played by Aditya Roy Kapoor] who wants to learn magic from the world's best magician - Ethan!


Sanjay Leela Bhansali [the director] has narrated the story with such sensitivity that you cannot help but feel the pain and joy, alike, of the characters. The movie is not morbid or depressing at any point. It makes you experience how the strength of the spirit is stronger than the body, but spirit alone is not enough to live a complete life! At no point the audience feels the need to indulge in the moral issue of Euthanasia. One simply views the movie as your would read a book and let the chapters transport you to the world created by the author. The music [also by Bhansali] and the background score also is spellbinding and well in sync with the mood and setting of the movie. 


I personally feel, Hrithik Roshan is like a mould of clay. You can twist and turn and bend and make him do anything. And with élan! He radiates joy, emanates sorrow, expresses anger and conveys excitement - ALL through his eyes and smile! If Kites brought him bricks Guzaarish will definitely bring him accolades and awards! 


Aishwarya, as we all know, is Bhansali's muse. No one can make her exude expressions, like Bhansali does. There are subtle nuances in her portrayal of this character which make her performance really special. Underplayed, but well played! [Not a fan, but I never shy away from giving credit where its due!] Every single member of the cast perform their role to the T, hence the final product looks good.


Bottom-Line: If you were to view only one Hindi movie from 2010, it should be Guzaarish. It will uplift your spirits and you will bring home a feeling which cannot be expressed! I say ... Go Watch It!

10 of 30

Wearing (13) (16) and (27) from My Picks: 30 for 30