July 2011 in Review

Gear up, people! Unlike my previous post, I have A LOT to say today... [Also, I apologize in advance for a lot of 'here's i.e. embedded links, but this IS a review/recap post, so that kindda comes with the territory, no?! :)]

So now we have completed TWO FREAKING MONTHS without SUGAR & SHOPPING! With an exception of a certain yellow pants! And that is bloody awesome in my books. 

First of all, I am happy that you all like the new banner, which by the way, already seems old to me in one month. I know ... I know ... Aarti did the sketch, but hey! typing takes a little effort too ;)

Oh! and by the way I cannot believe how many of us are (were!) mature for our age! No wonder the wisdom flows in abundance between all the blogs I follow and clearly birds of same feather flock together! 

I am glad I could provide some amusement with my positivity here. Oh! I have one more to add to the list:

Upside of people plagiarizing/copying youYou are always driven to stay ahead in your game and 'they' shall forever remain your followers (even if they do not acknowledge it!)

Since I am not shopping I looked for inspiration to dress on practically daily basis, like here, here, here, and here.

You got to know a little more about me and my friends here, about the my current song obsession here, and about how I avoid drama in my life here. Oh! And I also did my SECOND vlog *very nervously* this month. Thank you for all the positive feedback. I am just not too comfortable in front of the camera talking, but we shall get over that soon too! Now won't we? ;)

In between I did disable comments several times (here, here, here, here, and here), 'coz sometimes it is just nice to blog without the anticipation of the reaction and comments. Specially on the days when I am busy I like it, like that. But I realized that when people have some to say they always find a way (email/facebook/twitter).

Last but not the least, THANK YOU, again for your kind words and best wishes. It meant a lot to me and I really appreciate it. 

This was a really jam-packed month on this blog. Right? Wayyy too many things happening! 

Click on the image to enlarge it. 

If you have had enough of my talking for the day then just let me know which outfit you liked the most and I will get out of your hair! Happy Sunday! 

SOO READY FOR AUGUST, btw! :o)

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Nothing to say...

It is still July, isn't it? But only for two.more.days. Phew! 

... moving on ... 

I don't have much to say today ... this happens to me often. And then I torture myself to come up with something really *bright* and *profound* to say. Of course I do not find it ... and then I ask myself why am I doing that? ... 

... Oh I know why! 'coz I have an outfit to post ... but no thoughts to share and I do not want my NEW readers to mistake me for 'yet-another-fashion-blogger' ... but you know what ... today I AM ... yet-another-fashion-blogger. So sue me! :P

Over to the outfit now ... 

Departing from all the colors and boho-hippie crochet dresses, this is the simplest outfit I have worn in a long time. After almost FOUR year of long search for a white dress, which wasn't $100 and up, I finally gave up and decided to get one stitched. You gotta love India, for such simple-luxuries (oxymoron at its best!).

And clearly even when I have nothing to say, I say a lot! 

Dress - Made to order from India [11']

Shoes - From Nordstrom Rack [10']

Necklace - From Pondicherry [Gift from Richa, 11']

Bracelet - Charming Charlie [11']

Earrings - Oasis [10']

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Howdy?

June seemed like a really short month to me. It got over in a blink of an eye. In fact I didn't even realize that it was over until I had to literally type J.U.L.Y. And now, on the contrary, I feel July has been a really long month. I cannot wait for August to come. Every morning I wake up and feel, 'Is it still July?' 

No particular reason for my eagerness though. It is not like I am looking forward to something particular in August. Mentally I am just done with July and the calendar simply hasn't caught up. 

Over to the outfit ... I had bought the black lace dress earlier this year in the anticipation that we might go to a beautiful-beachy-location for a holiday or weekend and I would wear this and run around in the sand and water. However, the chances of that happening this summer are absolutely null, so I decided to wear it already. Why wait, right? 

Striped Dress - Banana Republic [09']

Crochet Dress - Free People partly paid via Gift Card from SF [11']

Shoes - Moschino [Gift from Namrata 11']

Hat - Nine West [08]

Before I sign off, Thank You so much for the wonderful feedback on my previous post. I do not feel comfortable in front of the 'moving' camera. Mute and posing is more my thing! Nonetheless I am glad that it was so well received. 

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Belt in a Knot

Last week I received a couple of requests to show how I tie the knot in my belts.  The only way to show that is through a video. So that called for the second vlog after almost three months. I know, right? Time is really flying...




P.S. I hope you find it helpful Tanya

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1,461 Days!

This Saturday we celebrated our anniversary ... 1,461 days together and counting ... [Thank you for the wishes on my previous post. Some of you actually read, besides seeing that rainbow-of-an-outfit of mine ;)] Can you believe that it has been one year since my self-depracting post? Me neither. Time really flies. 

In other news, I had big plans to write a good, long meaningful post but just now, by mistake I have deleted a folder from my hard-drive for good. And that is really bothering me. So I am compelled to keep it short, else I will end up loosing my temper on ya'll for no reason! *sob*

Inspiration via ELLE Magazine

Top - Ted Baker [09']

Dress - White House|Black Market [09']

Shoes - Shelly's [London, 09']

P.S. 

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Lust : Kate Spade, Bold Bags

Postmark Jasper

Recital Farrah

Vanston Stripe Scout

When you can't shop (shopping ban and yada, yada, yada) you end up lusting over everything within your eye sight! Currently ogling over these bold bags by Kate Spade! Specially #3 the Vanston Stripe Scout!

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Candy Colors from Zara

It is late at night here so I will keep it short .... but give you a quick run-down of my week. Why? Well, 'coz it was really awesome. Wednesday had a Lunch date with hubby, then my new blogging buddy Vidhya told me that the yellow pants that I had been looking for have gone on 50% Sale at Zara. So on Thursday before I met Linda for lunch (who by the way is the first blogger I have met who is awesome and also lives in San Antonio!) I gave a quick visit to Zara. Guess what? That had just 2 pairs left and one of them was my size. So I grabbed it (how could I not? It was only $20!). 

Mind you, my shopping ban is still ON. This was an exception as I had been waiting for this pair since March to go on Sale (Yay, me!) and in the spirit of my Anniversary week, I decided to pamper myself with a really reasonable retail therapy. 

Finally it was Friday, and I met my handsome better half for Lunch (again!) and saw two movies - 1) Friends with Benefits & 2) Captain America (both of which were below average). 

Lastly, (and most importantly) this is what I was wearing. Clearly I couldn't resist wearing the yellow pants immediately. After all it was a 4 month-long-wait!  

Top - Zara [08']

Jeans - Zara [11']

Shoes - Steve Madden [09']

Bracelet & Earrings - ASOS [10']

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How to style a Qipoa?

One of my reader's asked me this question in the survey. I am sorry that it has taken me this long, but better late than never, right? Also, do let me, whichever way you prefer, that whether it helped you or not, since the request was made anonymously. 

Request - I have a Qipao (traditional Chinese silk dress. Red silk, slits on both sides) gifted to me by boy. But I really don't know how to wear it without being confused as a waitress from Mainland China. I am a XS/petite and I don't really wear heels. Think you could give it a shot?

Yeah! That's me on the left. Don't have a full length picture. 

I wasn't a fashion blogger in 2009!

Firstly, my advice would be to 'own-it'! You are attempting to wear another country's national dress, so unless you wear it with confidence you will never look good in it. That being said here is how I think it can be worn:

1. Pumps or strappy sandals are a must. You 'can' wear flats but if you are going for a 'date-night' look or even a formal look, flats would not have the same effect. Here's the picture of the shoes I wore, since I don't have a full-length shot from that day (Its the first one).

2. It has to fit you at the waist, else it will just hang on your body without giving any dimension. 

3. Keep the accessories simple. The outfit itself covers up till your neck, thus a complementing earrings/studs and a matching bracelet would be the best option.

4. If you have longer than shoulder-length hair, then I suggest go for an up do as it would complement the look a lot more. Though I had my hair down, but mine was a halter-neck so it worked (I think!)

If anyone has something to add, please feel free to. And if you have ever worn a Qi pao and would like to share a picture you can upload it here. I hope this helps. 

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Inspiration - Urban Outfitters

A Popular Question: How do I manage to get comments?

This is the most common question or remark I have been getting for sometime now. On most instances I reply, "I don't know!" but now I think thats just dumb! I mean how the hell do I not know? It is my blog so I ought to know. Right? So after much thinking ... this is what I think ...

To begin with let me just say there are TONNES of bloggers who are way popular (practically celebrities now) and get bucket-load of comments which count 200++ ... So in comparison to that this is really nothing, in case you are really into the number game! Also, I would continue to blog even if there were zero comments on my posts, 'coz honestly this is the ONLY activity in the world, that I do purely for myself. It is an added bonus that I have support from so many of you!

My first post had 13 comments, all of which were from my own family and friends [14th is from Leia from last year] and there after it varied from anything between 1-10 comments. So this has been over a period of time, and not an over night miracle!

Most of the people who comment today are actually my blogging buddies. They have been reading my rants for over two years now and actually know all about me and my life. They comment 'coz that's what friends do! Some of the readers comment 'coz I believe they have an opinion about what I write and wish to share it. And then there are few passer-bys who comment 'coz they randomly land up on my blog and/or wish for me to visit their blog back. 

Up until earlier this year I had a vast online presence, which has slowed down in last couple of months, as I really cannot keep up! God knows why, 'coz I was actually much busier than I am right now *hmmmm* So, I truly am not feeding traffic to my blog by visiting more myself.

It is hard to dissect others' reasons for their actions. So by that logic this question should actually be asked by the people who comment but ... in my opinion, right or wrong, this is what I am doing:

- My blog represents who I am as a person

- I try and maintain transparency in my writing

- I have an open communication with everyone   

- I have simple and easy to read blog template

- I have a fabulous husband who take lovely pictures

Feel free to disagree with me! :) 

Met my husband for a Lunch Date on a weekday, at Quarry Market! Sweet, right? ;)

Shoes making a second appearance in the same month? That's a first on this blog! 

Inspiration via the Urban Outfitters Website

Top - Banana Republic [11']

Skirt - Via a Gift Card from Lulu's [11']

Necklace - Gift from Anita [11']

Shoes - BCBG [07']

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Now Accepting Sponsors

If you would like to know more or have any questions, 

please check the information here and feel free to drop me an email!  

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What are Friends for?

1. Have you ever lost a friend after he/she got married?

Not really! I myself moved all the way to America. They all are 'all over the world we try and keep in touch as much as we can.

2. Do you make friends easily? 

I would like to believe so. 

3. Do you have many close friends? 

Not many.

4. Tell us about your oldest friend. 

I know her since I was 4 years old. She is married and has a 4 years old of her own now. We meet whenever we are in town and she always gives me the honest feedback (which ends up being hilarious 'coz it is true) from her life experiences. Like she told me to marry as late as possible (as there is no going back after that) and she told me that having babies is not all that a big deal people make it out to be (though you love them 'coz they are yours, nonetheless)

5. Tell us about your newest friend. 

Oh! There are so many. This might take a while...

6. Do you hang out with your friends often, or just occasionally when you can find time? 

I don't have any friends here. I meet my friends when I go back home or travel to places. 

7. What's the furthest you've traveled to visit (or vacation with, etc.) a friend? 

Oh! I have travelled a lot of meet my friends. I came to U.S. from Switzerland to meet my friend Namrata when we were both in college. I have been to Dubai several times to meet Anita. Once we even met half way in London just to see each other. I went to meet my friend Sakshi, in New York from Delhi. And then again last year I went to see her in Boston, when she was at MIT.  I had also visited my friend Khushbu in Hyderabad (from Delhi) when she was at ISB. So, ya ... as I was saying ...I travel a lot! Meeting friends is sometimes just an excuse! ;)

8. What's the biggest or best thing a friend has ever done for you? 

'Understand me' without judging me. I can be quite mean, nasty and honest, and they love me regardless. 

9. What's the worst or most hurtful thing that a friend (or an ex-friend) has done to you?

Nothing comes to mind. I am glad I do not have bad friends. 

Feel free to Tag yourself. I did too, from here. 

Dress - From Jaipur [Gift from Richa, 11']

Belt - Coach [Thrifted for $10.00, 10']

Shoes - From Amritsar [11']

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How to wear 'flare'?

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

I know the 'Flare' or wide-leg are back in fashion but I am still stuck to my skinny-jeans. May be 'coz they have the word skinny in them or may be not. You will never know! However, that doesn't stop me from appreciating all these ↑ fabulous ladies who can sport the wide-leg with a punch. 


"It really balances out your proportions and makes you look taller and leaner", says the designer, Jenna Lonstein. However as far as I am concerned it focuses on my 'wrong' proportions and makes me look like a balloon. I think this look is for women who:

- are skinny

- are lean

- have a narrow waist

- and/or love wearing sky high heels

If you are all of the above and/or willing to try them on then here's what I think you need:

1. Heels - They are mandatory

2. A fitted blouse or a top that can be tucked in

3. Appropriate Hemming - Should end right before touching the floor (heels included)


P.S. If you are petite and wish you try the wide-leg make sure you tuck in the blouse and go for a narrower hemline, else you might get lost in all that cloth!  

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