Homeward Bound

 Jacket - Urban Outfitters [09']

 Shirt - From Men's Aisle at Marshall's [10']; Boots - DP Italia [10']

Jeggings - J Brand [10']

This is another one of my Dear All posts! ;)

This is going to be my last post [and outfit, incidentally] of the year 2010! oooh sounds so dramatic no? Well, there are only two more day left in the year so I suppose you all can do without me for few days, now can't you? I am off for my yearly trip to my homeland [India!]. However, by no means is this is a goodbye or a sabbatical from the blog. [In fact while I am back home I am inspired to write more often due to the amount of drama and theatrics that goes on back there.] 

So you will definitely hear from me but just not as frequently but definitely with spicier stuff than usual. Whatever I cannot to say or express to people there [on their face] I always end up barfing it on my blog which in turn is a Win-Win! [How mean do I sound right now? ;)] It also means that it might take me longer to get to your blogs and comment as regularly. I might not have enough time on my hand everyday but I will get there surely. I appreciate your love and patience. 

Lastly, may be it is the year end or that I am getting reflective 'again' and I am aware that this would make me sound like a bad dramatic heroin from a bad dramatic movie but I am really thankful to all the bloggers for their love, and thoughtful messages when my spirits were down and caring about me when I had disappeared unannounced and sending me mails and missing me when I didn't post as frequently. It is like a small family away from home for me. I have come across some fabulous people here and that indeed is the highlight of my 2010. You all have truly changed my life.

So, Thank You, again! 

& 

See you in all 2011

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Top Twenty from Twenty Ten

My personal 20 favorite looks from 2010

January - Click here; February - Click here

March - Click here; April - Click here

May (I) - Click here; May (II) - Click here

June (I) - Click here; June (II) - Click here

June - Click here; July (I) - Click here

July (II) - Click here; July (III) - Click here

July (IV) - Click here; July (V) - Click here

August - Click here; October - Click here

November (I) - Click here; November (II) - Click here

December (I) - Click here; December (II) - Click here

I always ask you guys 'Poll' my different looks but this time instead, I am picking my personal favorites from 200 something outfits [200++ I know, Right?] I posted in 2010. 

The criteria was simple, I went through the archives and these outfits reminded me how good or how comfortable or how fabulous I felt in them. It has absolutely nothing to do with trends, or if I was looking thin/fat ... I simply browsed through my albums and I picked these 20. I didn't even have to short list them. They ended up being a round number - 20, all by it self. It is the end of the year and things are falling in place automatically, even if it something so irrelevant!  

You all do not have to to pick your favorites [unless you really want to, or those of you who did not bother reading what I had to say, will surely pick one! :P]

P.S. Apparently July was my most stylish month of the year and September the least. Wondering why?! Hmmm...

3 more days to go! eeeeee!

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A Little Sparkle

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday with friends and family. Now let the countdown to 2011 begin! Right? 

Friday

Dress - Forever 21 [07']

Shoes - BCBG [10']

Saturday

Sweater Top - Nordstorm Rack [09']

Belt - Michael Kors [08']

Leggings - TJ Maxx [09']

Shoes - Nordstorm Rack [09']

On my previous post Devie said, "...your love for color is super infectious..." which got me thinking that had she [or anyone else] met me in my early teens wouldn't have said the same. I was the queen of neutrals! Beige, brown, grey, etc. were right up my alley. My Mom, on the other hand loves colors and hence would dress in the brightest color of the season while I would cringe at the sight and be there to dampen the spirit with me dull, boring earthy shades [all the time]. 

It is only in the past 5 years that I have truly embraced colors in their true form. Today, no color is too bright or too shocking for me. Bring it on, I say! Might have a little something to do with the fact that I am at peace with myself. I finally know who I am and who I aspire to become. Self-discovery does not scare but thrills me. I have found my voice and it is loud and clear ... telling me to march on ... and do my thing! 

I am excited for 2011, are you? 

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Life's Motto No.1

Dress - Debenhems [10']

Necklace - Francesca's [08']

Riding Tights - Hue [10']

Boots - No Brand [10']

Texas needs to make up its mind! It was warm, humid, then rainy and groggy, and now cold and windy. Mind you all in one day. It doesn't look like Christmas from any angle. I am so disappointed. It has never been this way [at least not in the last 4 years that I have been here!]. 

In other news I received an awesome comment by Kay, on one of my old posts - The List which was the highlight of an otherwise terrible day [weather wise!]

Hey Tanvii ... OMG... No body has inspired me more than you.. at times I enter shock and it takes time to get out ... I simply love your collection of clothes, your fitness funda and all above the terrific body u have.... things seem impossible to me but whenever I get demotivated I refer to your blog and here I go again to acheive what I want.... I will definately post my pics once I get in shape which will be soon... my all friends, sisters.. are aware that I follow you. I wish I could connect with you on FB in person but still something is better than nothing... Great goin girl.. God bless you.. MUWAH 

There was no email address or blog connected to Kay's profile so I do not have any other way to contact her and say - Thank You! I was having a dull day and your comment instantly brightened it up. This only enforces my belief that you cannot motivate anyone who doesn't have the will within. Everyone who has emailed me to tell me that I motivated them, I have realized that it was purely because they were looking for motivation, in the first place. Just the thought that I was able to motivate someone, motivates me right back. And helps me stay on-track with fitness and try even harder [I did one-crazy-ass workout today!].

I know it is the festive season and everyone is ready to indulge in some cookies and cakes and let themselves go, but let me be the bearer of difficult news [as always!]- Calories count and stick on your ass. 5 minutes of indulgence will cost you more than 5 hours of workout. It is just another Christmas and not the end of the world! You know, come New Year you will be making those pointless/baseless 'New Year Resolutions' e.g. to fit into your favorite jeans, or what not but we all know it ain't gonna happen! I am just saying...

"If you start making the right choices for yourself...

you'd be surprised how addictive high self-esteem is."- Fergie
I couldn't have said it any better. 

Life's Motto No.1 

Eat moderately & slowly, but frequently!

P.S. I do not mean to dampen anyone's festive spirit. This 'reminder' was specifically for those who struggle to maintain their weight [like me] and have been working out relentlessly to improve their fitness. If you are one of those 'blessed' people who are invincible to weight gain or all things fat, then go right ahead. And please have an extra slice for me, of whatever-goodness you choose to indulge in! :o) 

Merry Christmas! 

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Profile Pictures

Disclaimer: This post, in no way, is meant to mock anyone. All persons in this post are purely fictitious, and any resemblance to real people, living or dead, is purely coincidental [:P]

You know, at times when you keep refreshing your Facebook page but no new update are there? Yeh! You know what I am talking about. So on one such afternoon I observed some random trends on facebook. 

Have you ever noticed how the Profile Picture of girls on facebook, change with the different phases of their lives?

Teenager in Middle School - A wicked shot with crazy effects, most likely with a killer pout.

Teenager in High School - A picture along with a good friend or boy friend being inappropriately close or making out.

College Student - Definitely a shot of a crazy night of partying, with a personal close up shot every now and then between the weekends.

Engaged - A Picture from the day you got engaged! Of course! 

Newly Married - A Picture from your Wedding Day! It is definitely worth showing off. 

Married for some time - You are back to being normal. Putting your smart and chic shots [with or without your husband] where you believe you look good and 'thin' 

New Moms - You are in a whirlwind of baby-frenzy now. You will post your baby's pictures as your profile picture till the day baby is not old enough to have his/her own Facebook Page! 

Eventually once your kids are grown up and embarrassed themselves to be in your profile pictures you will again go back to 'normal' profile pictures. But you might get into the baby-frenzy again, once you become 'Grand Mothers'. 

If you do not fall into any of these stereotypes that I have noticed then I applaud you for your better thinking and choices in life! ;) 

Monday 

Shoes - United Nude [08']

Sweater Dress - Nordstorm Rack [10']

Necklace - Gift [Mom 09']

Tuesday

Shirt Dress - Giovani [Delhi 07']

Necklace - India [09']

Shoes - No Brand [Italian Make 10']

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The Husband Series (II) - The 10 things...

This weekend, my husband and I were at the Gas Station and I was freezing to death. To keep me entertained he came up with a discussion - "Baby, what do you think are the technological advancements of recent times that have changed our lives?" ... Me all forgotten about the cold started thinking ... and together we came up with the list of things that have so greatly influenced our lives [at least in US].This post is a result of that brainstorming discussion and written by my Fabulous Husband!

Top 10 things ... that have changed the way we do things [in the last decade or so]

1. Google – Well where would we all be without Google, today? Although established in 1997 with some other search engines starting as early as 1993 (go on.. google it :P), the last decade has seen sort of a Google explosion. Google has really revolutionized the information search on the internet with its features such as Google Images, Google Scholars, Google Shopping, Google Maps, and Google Earth to name a few. Google is one-stop for everyone from a stalker to a nerd with almost everyone having a 'Google' homepage.

2. Netflix – If ‘video killed the radio star’, then Netflix has most certainly led to the demise of Blockbuster [well almost]. The idea of mailing movies at a predetermined monthly cost and no late fees is just brilliant. Estd. in 1999, the Netflix has made movie watching much more economical and fun. Their ‘Watch Instantly’ feature has most certainly contributed to the couch potato syndrome [in a good way]!

3. iPod – Steve Jobs introduced The iPod in his key note speech in 2001 as a ‘quantum leap in listening to music’.  Since then, iPod has undoubtedly changed the way we listen, feel, carry, and emote to music with its iPod family (iPod, iPod Nano, iShuffle, and iTouch) of devices.  iPod not only reestablished Apple as the leading tech company but it proved yet again the visionary power of Mr. Jobs to the world. And, let us not forget the thousands of small businesses that are thriving on the sales of iPod related accessories.

4. iPhone – If iPod reformed the music industry then iPhone most certainly modernized the mobile phone market in 2007. All of a sudden everyone wanted an iPhone. The lines outside Apple store resembled that of people waiting to buy tickets for a U2 concert. Major cell phone companies such as Motorola, HTC, LG, and Nokia were forced to redesign their future lines. Post iPhone era, a phone is just not a talking device but a true communication device where you can chat, video chat, read books, take pictures, make and send videos, and just about everything.

5. YouTube – As they say, mother is the invention of all necessity..or something like that :P. But the point is that a simple need to simply share a video with friends let to this third most visited web site of today. Whether its watching our favorite sitcom or a soundtrack or the first video titled Me at the zoo or the most viral video of all times - Charlie bit my finger, You and I, we have all been to YouTube. And, to truly understand the life changing impact that YouTube can have on someone just ask Justin Bieber or his millions of fans.

6. Digital Camera – Although digi cams were developed way back in 1970’s but they are listed here for the simple reason that it was only in 2000’s when they became truly affordable and hence entered the mainstream. After the introduction of digital cameras, photography has revamped from the cumbersome developing techniques to simple uploading and downloading steps. It also broke the stereotype associated with Japanese and cameras - Firstly because everyone is carrying one and secondly because the Japanese could now keep the camera in their pockets rather than hanging it around their neck [just kidding (Husband) ...not really (Tanvi) :P].

7. Expedia – Developed in 1995 but came into prominence in late nineties, Expedia changed the way we travel. Now you can plan a perfect holiday [as Mrs Fab. so often does] from booking your flights to making a spa appointment at the destination city, all while sitting in the luxury of your living room. Technology at it's best!

8. Wii – Wii did to the gaming industry in 2006 what iPhones later did to the mobile phones. Video games were not just a nerd thing anymore. Wii led to family style entertainment using the remote with sensor bars. Soon people were having tennis and boxing tournaments in their living rooms while Wii Fit made exercising in front of the TV a lot more fun.

9. Twitter – It is truly said that ‘less is more’. With only 140 characters allowed per tweet, it has become the greatest ranting site ever since 2006. Additionally, Twitter has given a new meaning to fan following. Anybody who is 'somebody' needs to have a twitter account! The popularity of a celebrity can now truly be gauged based on their number of followers. Whether you have something funny, philosophical or borderline embarrassing - tweet it. I think the 140 character limit is purposefully done to avoid drunk tweeting [;-)].  

10. Facebook – Ladies and gentleman, I have saved the best for the last. Facebook = Best ... Why?? Well, read on! First the statistics. This has truly been the year of Facebook, with the release of The Social Network, and Facebook reaching the 500 million landmark, and most recently Marc Zuckerberg being named as the Times person of the year... But ... it is best because way back in April 2007, Facebook acted as the initial love platform for our love story. For those interested, here's our love story in 140 characters (just like the Twitter way!) 

Boy stalks girl for 3 months. Contacts her on Facebook. Makes it look like an accident. They chat & fall in love, & live happily everafter.

For those who only come here for the pictures, this is what I wore on Sunday! 

Dress - Francesca's [09']; Shoes - Jessica Simpson [09']

Necklace - Gift [Mom 10']

P.S. As you can see I too click Mr. Fabulous' pictures, it is just that he doesn't wish to feature on my fashion blog that often! 

P.P.S. Click here for The Husband Series (I)

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Sunny Winters

You know my wrap-up post from 30 for 30, last week? Well, if you do then no need of clicking on the link but if you do not then you might wanna check it first else you wouldn't get what I am going to say! 

So you know I asked everyone to let me know their least and most favorite look out of the 30 that I had posted. While most of you were very sweet and showered me with compliments, few actually took the dare plunge to mention their least favorite look. And I was glad that they did! What got my attention was that while one person said, say for example #99 was their least favorite then someone else said that it was, in fact, their most favorite of the lot. And that happened more than once. [Go check it, I am not lying! :)] 

I cannot help but deduce that when everyone is leaving their feedback or criticism what they are actually doing is just sharing their 'preference' and how they would [or would not] have worn it! I get to learn a little about your like/dislike and it doesn't necessarily mean you are disapproving of my outfit. Just to make it clear I am not looking for approval either. Clearly I approve of my own outfit and that is why I am ready to post it [put if out there!] for public scrutiny.

Anyhoo, I am simply amused by the fact that how the same outfit rated so drastically different on different people meter. And that is a GOOD thing. That's what makes blogging and the feedback so interesting. Almost a year into fashion blogging and I am finally getting the hang of how the 'comments-drama' works! 

We are indeed having a sunny winters here in Texas, 

but if the weather reports are to be trusted that is about to change tonight, bringing in the freeze!

Sweater & Tank - ASOS [10']

3/4 Jeans - Gap [09']

Shoes - Pier Lucci [07']

P.S. Welcome new readers! I always try and check out everyone's blogs and connect as much as I can but some of you do not have blogs, only profiles so I cannot reply to your questions or respond. I would use this opportunity to thank you for your lovely and thoughtful comments. I appreciate them a lot. I really do! 


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Brownies & Mango

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things. 

- Albert Einstein

Let this quote be the reminisce from my last post. It got quite intense and heated, right? I am glad you all saw my point of view and those who didn't no worries, that's why we have so many opinions, so what everyone can take one [kidding!]. I think some people thought it was in context to something from my life while they were just a random stream of thoughts after reading a story on another blog. Anyhoo, moving on...   

The challenge has been done with for almost a week now but I still haven't given into shopping. I wouldn't lie I have been tempted but I have resisted it so far 'coz I really do not need anything and I want to first exhaust wearing everything I have got for this season at least once and then we can talk about shopping again. In the meantime I have been shopping for my husband [Birthday Month!] and family, 

... and this is how I had dressed for that

 Jacket - Michael Kors [08']

 Dress - Mango [10']

Booties - No Brand Name [From Dubai 09']

Brownies, anyone? 

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.

2. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

*Recipe modified from allrecipes.com

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Wine & Dine

Disclaimer: The story here got this potboiler brewing.

I graduated from college in 2003 and landed my first job in the city of London, U.K. soon after. My family was going through a difficult time back then which restricted the duration of my communication with my father over the phone. So we started writing letters to each other in which we shared our views about everything. We both are very philosophical about life which means we never fall short of topics to discuss. 

Today I feel compelled to write about something he wrote to me once which has been a fundamental factor in my decisions about my life there after. While this might be true for other cultures as well but I only speak as an Indian here. While this might seem something that happens in Drama movies but believe-you-me that it is quite true for Indian culture. Girls/women are often compelled by guilt to make decisions about their life/career/partner on basis of what society [and their family] might think about it. Though I was brought up in a relatively conservative and strict household we were always given the freedom of thought and decisions, which I think is most important of all. 

So, during my first year of my first job, my father told me to always make decisions based on what "I" really wanted to do in life and/or what "I" believed [with all the knowledge I had access to] was right. He said, specially to never make decisions in order to make 'others' happy or because someone would get hurt. 

[This would make me sound insensitive but I have to say it!] There might be times when we have ailing parents/grandparents whom we do not want to hurt and thus end up making sacrifices or decide to continue to suffer in pain but he told me to always stay rationale. Judge the situation and not circumstances for you have to be able to live with your decision even when the circumstances change. Unfortunately, we do not have any control over death [our own or anyone else's]. Also, everyone has just one life to live, which includes each one of us! I am not propagandizing selfish-ism [I made up this word!] just making sure we all realize that we have the right to make our decisions and the right to be happy. 

*snap* Back to the glamour! 

Boots - Part of my Birthday Gift from Husband [2010']

It was my handsome husband's birthday over the weekend and we celebrated with some delicious food and some wine/beer! It was his 4th birthday that we had celebrated as a couple. It was a wonderful evening. Also, I got so many compliments from strangers that I was *almost* blushing. 

Oh, ... and ya ... I forgot to mention ... that's how I had dressed for the Wine & Dine ;)

P.S. Also check out my short interview by LeRon on his blog Window Shopping.

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