Blue Skies, Calm Seas & Me // An Indian Beauty & Fashion Blog

Fresh Fluid Fashion #UnboxWithLiva

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 04 Nov 2015 21:03:00 +0000

If you follow me on instagram (@magali_c) you must've seen my updates from the #UnboxWithLiva soirée. Held at the beautiful Bungalow 9 in Bandra, it was a day to experience & celebrate a true innovation in fashion, Liva.

Liva is a new age fabric made from the fibers derived from wood pulp and has properties like natural sheen, softness & is a fluid-like structure which ensures it always gives a good drape. Since it's a natural fiber, it's comfortable & breathable especially during the summer. Liva also consumes less energy during production and is environment friendly.

I had my first experience with Liva over a year ago, in June 2014. This summer I attended their grand launch where Kangana Ranaut was announced as the brand ambassador. Then in July I took you through the Liva collection at Pantaloons.

All the attendees at #UnboxWithLiva were requested to where a garment made with Liva. The list of brands with Liva clothing runs really long & I decided to check out a new-to-me brand 109°F. They had a large collection of dresses, separates made with Liva & I settled on this dress & shrug, even my mom was inspired to buy a Liva blouse there.

WHAT I WORE: 109°F dress + shrug (made with LIVA) // Vogue Sunglasses // Daniel Wellington Classy Sheffield watch // Accessorize clutch // Clarks Smart Deva sandals

It was fun rediscovering the various aspects of Liva, right from how it's sustainably produced to how it's the ideal fabric for a busy life in a crowded, polluted, dusty (but amazing!) city like Mumbai. And of course wood fired pizzas & a photo booth just contributed to making the evening a memorable one.

With Bhumika, Karishma & Shanaya who are almost permanent fixtures in my vlogs!

I vlogged the evening so check the video out if you'd like a candid behind the scenes look at what went down!

love,
Magali

What I Wore | The Little Black Dress

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 03:30:00 +0000

Koovs v-neck back seam dress // Lavie backpack // Koovs pointed toe metallic ballerinas

Another fancy outfit from my trip to Goa, although I think seems a bit reminiscent of Santorini. An LBD is a classic & I loved the tie back detailing on this one. Paired it with a black backpack & a pair of pointed flats, I recently did a What's in my Bag video featuring this very bag if you're interested.

love,
Magali

What I Wore | A Sunny Day in Pondicherry + Accessorize Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 07:08:00 +0000

Accessorize Floppy Hat // Koovs Tiered Sundress // Clarks Sandals

What I wore on a very sunny day in Pondicherry. It was the perfect weather for a sundress & floppy hat! I filmed a lookbook video that will be on my YouTube channel soon. In the meantime if you'd like to win a hat from Accessorize, hop on over to my Instagram page!

love,
Magali

Currently Coveting | Vans x Disney 'Young at Heart' Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:46:00 +0000

I'm a sneaker over heels girl nine times out of ten & Vans is definitely one of my favorite brand. If you check out the Vans label on this you'll see all the Vans I've styled with various outfits & that's just a small selection of my actual collection (I think I should seriously do a Vans collection video soon!)

Other than making some really awesome, iconic styles, Vans is also sort of the MAC (makeup) of the sneaker industry, what I mean by that is that they swing some really awesome collaborations featuring limited edition styles multiple times a year. I even did a video featuring my sweet Sk-8 Hi Reissue Sneakers from the Vans x The Beatles Yellow Submarine Collection. In general though a lot of the collections don't make it to India so whenever I see news of a new collection I never get my hopes too high as it tends to result in lot of waiting & ultimately; heartbreak.

So when I was idly doing some online shopping & saw the Vans x Disney collection, my heart skipped a beat. Could it be? The Collection quietly dropped on Indian shores. After verifying that they had in fact recently launched & almost all the sizes were available, I quickly ordered one & then another. I am sort of on a self imposed shopping ban (I lie, it's mostly mom imposed) but we are currently at pre-festival sales & with every single ecommerce website tripping over themselves to give the best deals, I got these shoes at 55% off!

It's a delightful collection featuring classic Disney characters & drawings on classic Vans designs like the authentic, slip-ons & sk-8 hi, a match made in heaven! Not into Mickey, Minnie, Pluto & Winnie the Pooh? There are a ton of Disney Princesses too! And every style is unisex, a big plus!

These collections go fast & I'm sure this one will be no exception. I thought I'd seize the opportunity to wax eloquently about my love for both Vans & classic Disney cartoons AND let you guys know about the collection ASAP incase you'd like to purchase it, thus saving you from disappointment when I inevitably instagram my newest Vans & they're already sold out in most sizes.

I've made a collage of all the shoes in this collection available online in India, if you'd are the impatient kind you can shop the Beatles x Vans collection here.

1. Vans Classic Slip On - Mickey // 2. Vans Classic Slip On - Minnie // 3. Vans Authentic - Winnie the Pooh // 4. Vans Authentic - Jasmine // 5. Vans Authentic - Angry Donald // 6. Vans Era Sneakers - Mickey, Donald, Goofy & Pluto // 7. Vans Authentic - Disney Princesses // 8. Vans Classic Slip On - Roses / Belle // 9. Vans Authentic - Ariel (not pictured) // 10. Vans Sk8-Hi Reissue - Mickey, Donald, Goofy & Pluto (below)

Are you as enamoured by this pretty collection as me? In case you're curious, I bought #2 & #6. I know that a lot of people will find them childish but I'd rock these any day, which is why I think the name Young at Heart is so fitting!

Shop the Vans x Disney Young at Heart Collection

love,
Magali

BedHead by TIGI at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 21:12:00 +0000

Every season of Lakme Fashion Week is incredibly exciting & the last one was no different. However the long days can get quite exhausting, not to mention it's difficult to always look your best day after day when you hardly have time to come home & get enough sleep!
Which is why I was so thankfully for the LFW Apartment & the TIGI Counter there. I am a big fan of BedHead by TIGI products & their whole philosophy of playing with your hair & having fun with your look. Ever since the last time I recolored my hair red I have been using their color goddess shampoo + conditioner.Not only does it smell like heaven (seriously, you have got to take a whiff - it's like caramel / toffee & the smell lingers too!) but helps maintain the vibrancy of the red for much longer.

Along with hairstyling for bloggers at LFW Apartment TIGI also had a fun session & a launch! These are five in trend hairstyle that are quite easy to recreate, I like how they incorporated models with different hair lengths & textures.

They also launched TIGI Copyright Colour with expert stylist & educator Andy Cheong. He showed two looks that he created on Indian hair with Copyright color, one was warm toned & the other was cool. These hair colours are ammonia-free & are available in permanent and semi-permanent formulas. Copyright Color had me very excited & will soon be in salons across Mumbai, Delhi & Bangalore!

Finally leaving you with some shots of me getting styled at the TIGI Zone. Here's Audrey from TIGI giving me a quick voluminous blowout.

A video posted by Magali Vaz (@magali_c) on Aug 26, 2015 at 3:11am PDT

And here is a quick timelapse of my hairstyle in progress. If only I had experts to do my hair every single day!

love,
Magali

What I Wore | In Full Bloom + Shopping for your Shape

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 04:30:00 +0000

StalkBuyLove tshirt // Levi's 711 Skinny Jeans // Vogue Sunglasses // Jord Cora Watch (Purple Heart) // Forever 21 Clutch // Clark's Ski Tropical Sandals

Over the course of last decade or so I like to think that I have become something of an online shopping expert. More than half of my clothes are bought online because I like shopping at my own convenience. But often I've found myself among groups of women who say they never shop online because they once did & weren't happy with what they bought when it arrived.

See, for the numerous conveniences associated with online shopping it strips you of the ability to fill a basket full of clothes & go to the trial room to see how things look on your own body. The size of a garment, while important isn't the only thing you should look to when you're buying new clothes. Body shape is equally important.

Which is why I'm so excited to tell you all about a new feature myntra has introduced called ‘Shop by Shape’ where you can find out your body shape & browse through clothing that will look good on you. You will get your very own Shape ID – the ratio of bust:waist:hips (4:2:4, 3:2:4, 4:4:3, 3:3:3) that mirrors the shapes Hourglass, Pear, Apple, Rectangle and spans across sizes.

I think it's a wonderfully inclusive initiative by myntra - firstly they're recognising that women can be of diverse sizes and shapes & they're also making it easier for us to purchase clothes that flatter our own body types; it's kind of like having a stylist on your smartphone!

love,
Magali

Van Heusen Most Fashionable Professional 2015 Winners Announced!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 14:44:00 +0000

A little while ago I talked about the Evolution of Power Dressing & the search for the Van Heusen Most Fashionable Professional 2015. This year marked the third edition of the Van Heusen Most Fashionable Professional which also saw them partnering with LinkedIn to search for the 10 most fashionable people among it's 26 million user base in India. With Most Fashionable Professional, the objective was to highlight the relevance of fashion in the modern workplace and also simultaneously dispel the myth that a true professional doesn't need to give it any importance to be taken seriously.

This year 61,372 people nominated 49,782 within their networks. After a period of voting, the finalists had to submit some pictures as well as fill up a questionnaire.

And now finally the Van Heusen Most Fashionable Professional 2015 Winners have been announced! There are five male & five female finalists with Darshit Lahane & Niharika Soni taking home the title of Most Fashionable Professional 2015!

For Niharika, Rich & royal colors, suitable accessories & comfort factor are all part of her fashion philosophy while Darshit think Power dressing is the ability to convey his attitude and integrity to the role he performs.

Congrats once again to all 10 winners of the Van Heusen Most Fashionable Professional!

love,
Magali

About Van Heusen

Van Heusen is India's No. 1 premium lifestyle brand for professionals. With a rich heritage of 128 years in United States of America, the brand entered India in 1990. Over a period of its 25 years of history in India, Van Heusen has emerged as a fashion authority for the ever evolving Indian professionals. Today, Van Heusen is not only the most preferred work wear brand, but also effortlessly straddles entire spectrum of work, ceremonial and casual dressing.

The brand embodies the positioning, ‘POWER DRESSING’. Van Heusen customers are the corporate leaders for whom elegance and style are not just fads, but a philosophy. Thus the Van Heusen range is modern, minimalistic and timeless in design and is distinguished by high quality. Van Heusen with its distinctive and fashionable range of products helps the corporate leaders create their best impact, as much for their style as for their substance.

Vogue India Fashion Fund 2015 in association with Peroni #PeroniAtVIFF

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 14:23:00 +0000

If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know that I recently attended the final judging round of Vogue India Fashion Fund, a platform that gives the country’s emerging designers an opportunity to exhibit their creative best to win one of the most coveted titles in the Indian fashion world.

This year’s VIFF had the top eight designers selected from the previous round in the fashion and accessories categories. And thanks to the taste of excellence with Peroni Nastro Azzurro, associate partner of #VIFF2015, the event was extravagant and how. The premium lager, Peroni Nastro Azzurro stands for the very best of taste, style and fashion; so it was only natural to associate with Vogue for the Fashion Fund - a spectacular event where Italy's Finest Taste met India's Finest Fashion. The event took place at The St. Regis Hotel Mumbai, a perfect backdrop for the opulent ensembles that were being exhibited.

Each designer was presented with an opportunity to showcase their most recent creations. Payal Khandwala and Anavila Misra were my personal favourites!

The 5 designers in the fashion category who were part of the final round were Dhruv Kapoor (Dhruv Kapoor), Pallavi Mohan (Not So Serious), Anavila Misra (Anavila), Payal Khandwala (Think Pattern), Nimish Shah (SHIFT). And the 3 designers in the accessories category who were selected to showcase at the final round were Malvika Vaswani, Nitya Arora (Valliyan) and Kaabia and Sasha (Outhouse). The winner (and runners-up) of the Vogue India Fashion Fund 2015 will be revealed in an exclusive event in October and announced in the November issue of Vogue India.

What’s more is that they will also get a cash prize; a yearlong business/creative/marketing mentorship with an industry professional; access to prominent platforms in the industry; mentorship from Vogue; a fashion shoot in Vogue India and PR support.

Apart from various other activities, one interesting contest poised to the designers was that they had to present a design sketch of an ensemble inspired by Peroni's brand personality – which is authentically Italian, bold, effortlessly stylish and embodying its spirited flair and passion for life. It was lovely to see each designer's interpretation of that theme.

Jury members included industry stalwarts, each with a credible expertise in the field of fashion. Anaita Shroff Adajania, Director of Vogue India Fashion, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Alka Nishar -Aza Fashions Chairperson, Bandana Tewari - Vogue India Fashion Features Director, Tina Tahiliani - Ensemble Executive Director, Sunil Sethi - FDCI President, Oona Dhabhar - Condé Nast India Marketing Director, Anita Dongre and Priya Tanna - Vogue India Editor.

It was a glamorous morning with Vogue and Peroni, sipping on some cold ones with Shanaya. I can't wait for the final winners to be announced!

You can follow news and conversations about Vogue India Fashion Fund at @PeroniIndia #PeroniAtVIFF

love,
Magali

What I Wore | One Step at a Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 04:30:00 +0000

Ray Ban round sunglasses (copper flash) // Koovs camisole top // Stalk Buy Love gathered culottes // Koovs pointed flats // Lavie backpack // bhane. necklace // Casio digital watch

Another outfit that I first wore at Fashion Week but liked enough to replicate right after. I'm especially enamored with these culottes because they basically look like a mini skirt, & the tinsel trim at the bottom is just serves to make it extra glam. And of course I had to feature my Lavie backpack, I'm obsessed! Seriously though, I don't remember the last time I liked a bag this much. It's the perfect blend of style & function.

PS- Did you notice my hot pink nails? They're acry-gels from Jean Claude Biguine & I am really liking having nails that don't look like tiny, chewed up nubs. Full review coming soon!

I'm heading on a trip soon. I couldn't be more excited (& frazzled!) Do follow me on instagram @magali_c for all the updates!

love,
Magali

Two Simple Ways To Look And Feel Better

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 07:59:00 +0000

These days, many people are interested in optimizing their physical appearance. If this is something you want to do, know that the key to realizing your objective is accessing beauty strategies that work. Here are two simple tips that can really make you look and feel better:

1. Shop Online.

Oftentimes, people say they don't have time to work on perfecting their physical appearance. Whether they work excessive hours or have domestic duties, a lack of time can really preclude people from focusing on their look. If this is your challenge, you should consider the value of shopping online. This way, you won't have to spend time fighting traffic and standing in long checkout lines. Online stores like Twist of Bliss offer a wide range of absolutely amazing clothes like Truese Dresses that you can use to jazz up your wardrobe and look incredible.

2. Exercise.

In addition to shopping online, know that exercising is a great way to improve your appearance. This is the case for several reasons, including the fact that exercise helps release toxins from your body through perspiration. In so doing, the physical activity can contribute to the production of clearer, more youthful skin. Exercise is also an effective way to manage your weight and improve your posture.

Conclusion

If you're ready to start looking awesome all the time, you need strategies that will help you realize your aesthetic vision for your appearance. To get started on your beauty journey, be sure to try shopping online and exercising regularly. In so doing, you'll likely start to feel really great about the way you look!

Wrogn Auditions with Virat Kohli | Win a Hangover in Vegas!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 07:17:00 +0000

Wrogn, the breakaway youth fashion brand has come up with the contest of a lifetime. Just enter the Wrogn Audition & you can stand to win a trip to Vegas with three of your buddies. Have I piqued your interest? Then keep reading.

It all started with Virat Kohli asking Sachin Tendulkar on twitter if he has what it takes. Soon the world got to know about the WROGN Auditions. They're a set of questions asked by Virat himself & the person who gets them all right stands a chance to win a trip to Vegas with his buddies among other really cool prizes!

You can try your hand at the Wrogn Auditions here: http://auditions.wrogn.in/

The questions are no walk in the park but stay calm, collected & answer sensibly & you just might make it through all 10 levels!

Good luck! Try your best & you could walk away with the grand prize!

love,
Magali

Amazon India Launches the Women's Salon Store

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 17:59:00 +0000

Salon experience at your doorstep with Amazon.in

Launch of Women’s Salon Store – A one-stop solution to all your salon needs

Ever wondered how to get salon services at home without having to wait for them endlessly? With the heavy schedule and work load, most of us don’t get the time to visit the salon regularly for the much needed Hair, skin care and spa regimes. We know how difficult it gets to visit the salon prior to any upcoming function every time.

With Amazon.in’s newly launched ‘Women’s Salon Store’, you can leave all your grooming worries behind and enjoy the experience of salon treatment at home. The wide range of over 15,000 products addresses everything from hair styling, make-up solutions, and body spa along with a range of treatments for skin, hair, hands and feet. The brands include professional as well as top-of-the-line brands that are used in professional salon facial care, hair styling, hair removal, make-up, hair treatment & care, manicure & pedicure, spa & wellness and aroma care services. The store features selections from leading brands including L’Oreal Professionnel, Philips, Babyliss, Schwarzkopf, Soulflower, Paul Mitchell, Temple Spa, Dermalogica, H2O Spa, BBlunt, Bodyography, Revlon, Saintpure Spa, Gentleman’s Tonic, Lakme Absolute, VLCC and many more.

Right from hair styling tools like dryers, straighteners, to a variety of stress-relief massage oils, DIY facial kits and complete range of trendy make-up – Amazon Beauty, India’s largest online beauty store, has curated a perfect salon store to make you salon-ready every-day! There is equipment like Babyliss Foot hydra spa that creates vibrations, bubbles and helps give a pedicure at the comfort of your home. The large range of hand creams, cuticle creams, nail colors and nail art helps you achieve a high-quality manicure without the trouble of stepping out. The added benefit of gift cards and vouchers from premium salons like Enrich, Lakme, YLG, Four Fountain Spa will let you experience indulgence whenever you want. With Amazon.in’s convenient, trusted, easy and reliable delivery experience, you can now enjoy your favourite salon services anytime at home with FREE SHIPPING!

“The huge interest for Amazon.in beauty store encouraged us to come up with a store that can bring all salon needs of our customers at one place. In our effort to cater to everyday beauty and grooming needs of women and to enable them to have salon-like experience at the comfort of their home, we are excited to deliver professional beauty products at their doorstep with the launch of Amazon.in’s Women’s Salon Store”, said Meghna Apparao, Category Leader - Beauty, Amazon.in.

A few highlights from the store:

Facial care

Now get flawless glowing skin in minutes at home. Forget taking appointments and waiting in line when you have get ready for the special occasion. Order some facial care products at your doorstep and be party ready at the comfort of your home.

Hair styling

Get salon styling at home with the exhaustive range of styling products and tools available at the salon store and look glamorous within minutes. Now you can style your hair the way you want without being dependent on your stylist and skip the long waiting queue for blow-dry or styling at salons.

Hair treatment & care

Wish for smooth frizz free luscious salon like hair at home. The wish has been granted with Amazon.in’s Women’s Salon Store that has an assortment of hair treatment & care products to pick from. Now rejuvenate your hair without having to book an appointment at that uber expensive spa.

Spa & wellness

How about a spa experience at home? Relax and dwell in the freshness of spa treatment without having to worry about time. We understand how the busy schedule takes a toll on you and you just wish for a nice spa at the end of the day to rejuvenate your senses. We bring to you hand-picked spa products to pick from for a lovely spa like experience at the comfort of your room.

love,

Magali

Tricks for the Best Night Selfies

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 07:24:00 +0000

As a blogger & vlogger, selfies are pretty much part of my job description. I was definitely not a natural when it came to taking selfies, but with time I've become a lot better. And in the process I have realized that just like other forms of photography, the self portrait is an art form in itself with it's own benefits as well as limitations.

Many claim that we have become a generation of mindless selfie addicts but I beg to differ. Selfies are empowering - they're equally great for capturing a moment when you're traveling solo, having a fun night on the town or just having a really great hair day.

With my background in photography, I thought I'd share a few tips to take your night / low light selfies to the next level, especially using the Lava Iris X1 Selfie, which, as the name suggests is all about making it easy to take truly fabulous selfies, among other things.

Ample Light

Whatever your medium of photography, be it film, a dslr or a cell phone, low light is your sensor's worst enemy & will cause your images too be dull & noisey (like the one here with mom!). The Lava Iris X1 Selfie has a 5 Mega Pixel Front Camera with flash, which will make sure your face is always bright & clear. If not, It always helps to get near a lightly source, be it a shop window, street lamp or anything else. I know it sounds silly but it'll make all the difference.

All About the Glow
It's so important to make your skin look good in selfies. Most often, good lighting (especially natural light) does the trick. But if you are looking for something more the Lava Iris X1 Selfie comes with a Beauty-Fi software that irons out all your imperfections & just leaves a more beautiful version of you! Get clicking those no makeup selfies.

Monochrome Conversion

Another old photgrapher's trick that I pull out of the bag often. If you are not happy with the amount of light in a selfie or are unhappy with the quality of light (eg. it's too purple / yellow / insert any color here) but still like the basic photo, convert it to black & white. It'll look super artsy & nobody will suspect a thing!

Although the Lava Iris X1 Selfie may be super charged to make you look good at any time (seriously guys, it even has beautification filters!) don't be quick to dismiss it as just a selfie phone. It also has a great rear camera with 8MP & an aperture of f2 for best clarity on any kind of picture, whether you're snapping a breathtaking landscape or your lunch! It also has a great battery life - soooo important for those long days (& nights!) & runs on Android Lollipop.

So do you like taking selfies? I hope these tips help you up your selfie game & take fabulous ones even at night.

love,
Magali

What I Wore | Easy Glam

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 05:26:00 +0000

Reliance Trends boxy top + graphic print joggers // Forever 21 denim clutch // Casio digital watch // Clarks Susie Deva sandals

In my last post I talked about Tarun Tahiliani's collection at Lakme Fashion Week, presented by Reliance Trends. This is what I wore to the show. I went for an outfit that is both glamorous & very comfortable to wear, my own interpretation of easy glam. It's the perfect ensemble for lazy girls like me who want to look good without spending a bomb.

There has always been this misconception that to look stylish you have to endure pain & be uncomfortable. But I think a lot of the current trends like sneakers, block heels, joggers & boxy tops belie that notion. I was instantly attracted to this waffle weave top both especially because of the neck detailing, saves me the trouble of having to pick out a necklace. I paired it with my block heels (finally heels I can stand / walk in without my feet feeling like they're going to drop off at the end of the day). I'm quite happy with how the look turned out & I know I'll be repeating it often - there's no shame in that!

love,
Magali

Reliance Trends presents Tarun Tahiliani at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter Festive 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 07:42:00 +0000

On the last day of Lakme Fashion Week I was invited by Reliance Trends to the Tarun Tahiliani show.

Tarun Tahiliani presented his A/W 2015 collection at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2015. Commenting on this association with Reliance Trends, Tarun Tahiliani said,“This is the second season where we have associated with Reliance Trends who are committed to taking ready-to-wear clothing to mass India. This show also marks our formal entry into the complete separates philosophy, or the easy pieces of a younger, hipper spirit”

The show commenced by International model Ujjwala Raut walking down the ramp with a looped black midi, followed by an assortment of black creations with occasional bursts of colour. A pleasant blend of drapes, exotic prints, black, gold, rust, velvet, brocade and tribal gypsy elements were prominent throughout the collection. All the models wore septum rings, something that really added to the tribal gypsy look.

An anthology of influences that range as far and wide as the moods of the woman wearing them, the ready-to-wear line is homage to construction, albeit in exotic prints. The Russian influences in bold and colourful stripes and chits remind you of the rich visual intensity of Central Asian textile tradition even as the Shiraz inspiration (named after a city in Iran) takes from their famous mosaics and kilim weaving practices. Also taking from carpet weaves, concentric borders of the woven-art in vibrant hues of rust, olive and blue prints lend themselves to kaftans, tunics and shift dresses.

The concept sari gets reinvented yet again till it’s a jumpsuit with pleats and a draped dupatta requiring only a single zipper. Peplum gilets, quilted and ideal for the winter get post-modern in steel, gray and black focusing more on the construction of the garment rather than the fanfare. The global reach of the influences continue in tribal/ gypsy elements that take the geometric trope forward, contemporizing even leheriya prints. The ready-to-wear brings an aesthetic that resists embroidery and a barrage of bridalred for a more urban contemporary city-slicker aesthetic.

The showstopper of the evening was the stunning Chitrangada Singh, who graced the ramp in a black draped gown and velvet cape splashed with gold embellishments.

The thread that runs through the entire collection is the ease with which the garments can be mixed and matched. Easy separates allow dhoti pants and lungi skirts to be paired with capes, tees and tunics. Saris and kurtas worn in contemporary unison with gilets and capelets become edgy style statements. The collection embodies the young, hip and happening Indian who although rooted in the past is a global citizen and has an individual sense of style and attitude. The wide array of separates gives her the opportunity to make her own decisions, dress herself in the way that she chooses – in a range of drapes, dhotis, kedia jackets, wraps, tunics and skirts. An exciting video with Lisa Haydon in a fluid confluence of mix and match is the perfect backdrop to the show that represents the cool, urbane and young Indian – it is India Modern. It was certainly a delight to attend the show & see the collection in person, I couldn't stop talking about it for days. Will show you what I wore to the show in the next post, so watch out for that.

love,
Magali

What I Wore | The Black Maxi

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 04:30:00 +0000

Forever 21 maxi dress + bralet // Lavie backpack // Casio watch // Koovs shoes

In my last outfit from Goa I showed you my casual vacation style. Today's outfit in something a bit more dressy. I wanted to look sort of glamorous but also easy breezy; so in keeping with the vibe of South Goa I paired it with pointed flats & my new favorite backpack from Lavie. I also knotted the hem, which is my new favorite trick for pesky a-line maxi dresses that tend to sweep the floor.

As a teen I remember laughing at all my classmates who thought black was the it color & yet here I am, almost a decade later with so much of it in my wardrobe & I absolutely love it! Black goes with anything, at anytime of the day. It's perfect for lazy girls like me. The only downsides, as I see it are trying to find one particular bit of clothing in your fresh laundry & it's tendency to pick up cat fur!

I found myself curling my hair very regularly on vacation ever since I went bright red. In fact, a friend of mine compared it to Natasha Romanoff which made me oh so excited because I love the idea of having similar hair to a fictional heroine; I spent half my childhood wanting to have Xena's hairdo & that's something I haven't been able to accomplish - yet!

love,
Magali

What I Wore | Plaid Shirt & Hunter Boots

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 04:41:00 +0000

Pepe Jeans plaid shirt + printed jeans | Forever 21 tank top | ONLY wallet | Hunter boots

This is the second monsoon outfit I've shared this year, after the Breton Dress. A plaid / lumberjack shirt is a wardrobe basic (I *still* miss this one!) & I love this one from Pepe because it's just so light! Perfect for layering even on super hot days. And the printed denims fit so well & yet are really comfortable, I've love wearing it during flights, which is something I don't say often about skinny jeans!

And my Hunter Boots are the perfect pair of shoes for Mumbai Monsoon, on rainy days when you want to keep your feet dry & wade through inches deep water while still looking chic. I've had them for over three years (2012, 2013) & they still look super glossy!

Do you live in a wet city? What's your rainy day outfit like?

love,
Magali

Video | July Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 07:25:00 +0000

I'm back with a YouTube video after what feels like forever (but in reality it was something like three weeks). Watch me share my July Favorites which include lip products, skincare, tech & a movie!

→ Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm Tin

→ Lakmé Absolute Matte Lipstick (Plum Spell)

→ Rimmel Apocalips (Eclipse)

→ Avène Cleanance Gel

→ Apple iPhone 6 Plus (Gold)

→ Periscope App

→ Chef (movie)

Now that I've gotten back into the swing of things you can expect more videos from me every single week. A haul, hair & skin routine videos are coming your way soon, as well as a big giveaway I have planned for the moment I hit 2k subscribers!

love,

Magali

Applying for a New Healthcare Position Today

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 01:13:00 +0000

Healthcare stands out as one of the largest growing industries today. As the population ages, more skilled doctors, nurses, and other medical workers will be needed to take care of them. If you have undergone the appropriate amount of training to make you a viable candidate for a career in healthcare, you may wonder where you can find a position that matches your talents. You can go online and clicks on links like join our team to apply for and possibly be hired in a position for which you are well qualified.

The online application process begins by clicking the link and then filling out the required information. You avoid having to fill out and complete a paper application. Instead, you can submit your qualifications for the open position with a few moments online. If you are unsure of what position you would like to apply, you can also visit the page and click on the link for the job search option. You can see the positions open for nursing, physicians, and other healthcare fields. You can then choose the ones for which you are qualified and eager to fill.

As you explore the site, you also may find out why the facility is different from other emergency rooms. Unlike other emergency rooms attached to hospitals, the facility is set up to offer urgent care to patients. Urgent care can range from providing stitches for a patient with a deep cut to administering medications to a person who is having an asthma attack. The care does not typically revolve around life-threatening situations like a heart attack or a stroke. Those cases would be referred to the ER.

However, you would be helping to care for patients who need urgent help, but cannot wait in line at an ER to be seen. They may be significantly ill or in pain, but not to the extent that their lives are in danger. Nonetheless, these patients look to you and the facility to help them feel better quickly. This level of care goes beyond routine patient services like doing a physical or weight checks. The patient whom you will be helping can benefit by the immediate and specialized care that you can provide. By conducting a job search online and filling out the application on the website, you bypass the paperwork that can delay you getting hired.

love,
Magali

The Miracle Face Pack for Clogged, Acne Prone Skin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 04:30:00 +0000

It's not often that I use superlatives to describe skincare products but ever so often one comes along that makes me siiiiiiing. Was using the word 'miracle' in the title a bit of a stretch? Maybe...

But after using a ton of blah products, when I find one that actually works (well!), it makes me very very excited. And the fact that it's (mostly) natural & very affordable is even better!

Himalaya Herbals Purifying Neem Pack ₹70 for 50gms, ₹130 for 100gms

I have sensitive skin that becomes very oily in warmer weather (which, considering where I live is about 10 months out of the year). It's also quite acne prone & reacts easily to pollution.

As you can guess, even I've been through a huge number of mud & anti acne packs ever since my teens. All pretty much work the same way - dry out & tighten your skin, temporarily draining it of excess oil but also make it feel overtly dry. And then you pretty much have to repeat it within two or three days.

So when I got my hands on this one I wasn't particularly expectant or enthused in any way- until I tried it, that is. Pimples & acne isn't the only thing that plagues my skin, sometimes it just feels congested with clogged pores. I know we're venturing into pretty gross territory, but at least some of you will know what I'm talking about - it's when your pores just don't feel clean & no scrub or mask can usually help much in the matter. In fact, the only thing that has really helped me before is the Kaya Aqua Radiance facial, but I'm not really one for regular in-salon treatments.

Enter the Himalaya Herbals Neem face mask. It has fuller's earth (multani mitti!) but also neem & turmeric, two ingredients known for their serious antibacterial properties. It's natural but not completely organic as it does contain parabens. I love that it comes in a squeezy tube, it's both hygienic & prevents the contents from drying out early.

After I apply this I can both feel & see my pores getting cleaned, I have seriously not found any mask that does this before, not drugstore or high end. Plus, the deep green color when it's freshly applied makes for fun selfies on snapchat (seriously, add me on snapchat: magalivaz. I promise I post interesting stuff too!) It's semi dry in the picture above.

And best of all it doesn't leave my skin feeling dry or stretched out, although I always moisturise after. I was planning on buying the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque, but I don't need to anymore. My skin has never been happier. I started using it on April & am already on tube #2 with a third one stocked, that is how much I love this stuff. I took it with me to Goa too & I don't think I will be away from home for more than two days without it.It's not that I use it too often but it's the perfect treatment if my skin's acting up.

I could go on & one about this mask but I'll zip it now. All I'll say is that if your skin is anything like mine, give this a try & you won't regret it! It's cheap, should be available easily in local stores or you could always buy it online. You can thank me later.

love,
Magali

The Art of the Selfie

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 06:00:00 +0000

The self portrait has been around since the dawn of photography, with the first known self portrait dating back to 1839! In contrast to that selfie is a more millennial shortening of the word, probably coined in the early to mid 2000s. Decent front cameras on cell phones was the much needed first step in popularizing selfies. It was declared as the Oxford Dictionary Word of the Year in 2013 & has completely taken off from there.

With Mom

To someone who doesn't take selfies often, the act of doing so may seem straightforward & easy but if you've ever been a noob attempting to take one, you'll know that it's not the case!

Taking a good selfie requires a basic knowledge of lighting & angles. The fact that you're taking the photo yourself can be good in some ways (you don't have to beg / coerce / blackmail someone else into taking your photo!) but also restrictive in others.

A few rules of thumb for taking a flattering selfie-

Lighting is so important. Natural light is best, which is why I mostly take my selfies in front of windows during the daytime. You don't want direct sunlight though as it can be too harsh.

With Karishma

Of course, artificial lighting can be nice too, especially beauty salons or hotel bathrooms. The lighting in these places is usually set up to highlight your features while glossing over the flaws. And worst comes to worst, if I don't like the color tones that I get in a photo, if it's taken at night I'll just convert it to black & white - it sort of makes it look a little more artsy & dramatic.

Angles also play a very important part. Gone are the days of myspace selfies where photos were taken from a height, I thing eye level is the way to go. Facing slightly off centre always looks better than facing the camera straight.

Asus is launching the perfect selfie phone and take Selfie mania to the next level, tthe ZenFone Selfie. With the ZenFone Selfie, you’ll be able to capture the perfect 5 min Selfie and get more great ways to take a selfie.

The mobile is the perfect fusion of fashion, technology and craftsmanship that melds the finest front and rear cameras, multiple special shooting modes, fluid ZenUI interface and a stunning, detail-rich display for a unique selfie experience that captures the perfect you. It has a 13 megapixel front & rear camera, f/2.2 aperture, a selfie panorama mode to capture more people in the frame, I think this would be perfect for travel to get more of your surroundings in the scene & even a beautification mode to iron out any imperfections.

The Asus Zenfone Selfie is launching very soon, if you are a selfie addict this is one phone that'll take your selfie game to the next level!

love,
Magali

The Budget Body Epilator | Philips Satinelle BRE200 REVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 00:57:00 +0000

Philips Satinelle Epilator BRE200 ~~₹2,495~~ ₹1,974

I recently tested the new Philips Satinelle Epilator. It's a budget epilator with some nifty features like a washable head & sensitive area cap. You can watch my video above for a pretty detailed, comprehensive review in under 9 minutes. But if you're too impatient, the simple version is that it's a pretty decent budget epilator especially if you usually wax but are finding it inconvenient or expensive. It's easy to carry even while travelling & it's a great tool to #GoWowNow when you need to!

If you remove body hair, whats your favorite way to do so?

love,
Magali

The Flipkart Fashion Sale | The Color Red

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 15:39:00 +0000

There is something with the color red that I have always loved. As an Aries, I rule the color red. It not only gives me a lot of power & confidence but also helps me with all the energy to fight the daily hustle bustle. Red has always been my color.

I was just browsing through my Flipkart app and found some great pieces during the #FlipkartFashionSale. These pieces are bold, beautiful & red - they define my style!

1. Dressberry Sleeveless Solid Color Peplum Top

~~₹899~~ ₹359 - 60% OFF

I love the deep brick red color of this top - peplum is both chic & flattering. The solid color would look great with a statement necklace.

This would look equally good on jeans, cigarette pants or a pencil skirt, it's a basic that'll transition easily from desk to dinner & a must have in your wardrobe!

2. Wills Lifestyle Polka Dot Dress

~~₹2499~~ ₹1999 - 20% OFF

Polka dots are retro-cool plus the wrap silhouette of this dress is very feminine.

I'd pair this with wedge sandals for a lunch date and clean pumps & a blazer for anything that would require a more formal look meeting!

3. Clarks Suede Wedges

~~₹4,499~~ ₹2,690 - 40% OFF

Clarks is one of my favorite shoe brands & I rarely come across a pair I don't like. These color blocked suede wedge heels called out to me instantly!

If you're afraid to try color blocking larger parts of your outfit, let your footwear do it for you. These red, fuschia & purple wedges are so bright & lovely, I'd rock these with any kind of outfit & bold lips - it is International Lipstick Day after all!

Tomorrow is the last day of The Flipkart Fashion Sale, they have some insane discounts going on so I'd definitely urge you to fire up the app & check it out - don't say I didn't tell you.

love,
Magali

amanté Launches the Enigma Range with the Cast of Calendar Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 05:51:00 +0000

In an evening of glitz, glamour, sensuality and high fashion, amanté, the brand synonymous with premium lingerie and international styling, launched the exquisite Enigma range with a unique fashion show. I was lucky to be seated front row at this glamorous show, see if you can spot me in the photos below! The evening saw the gorgeous cast of Calendar Girls Akanksha Puri, Avani Modi, Satrupa Pyne and Ruhi Singh walk the ramp as show stoppers with Madhur Bhandarkar himself.

The show kicked off with the gorgeous Enigma range, and was supported by four sequences themed Style Diva, Spotlight, Romance and Champagne.

The show kicked off with the gorgeous Enigma range, and was supported by four sequences themed Style Diva, Spotlight, Romance and Champagne. A collection of exquisite, seamless and sensuous lingerie specially crafted to ensure a smooth silhouette with no visible lines Enigma is amanté’s most beautiful range yet. As the models walked the ramp showcasing the collection, they were joined by songstress Neha Bhasin.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Smita Murarka, Head of Marketing and E-commerce MAS Brands India Ltd sai "For a woman, the most important wardrobe staple is a comfortable, great fitting set of lingerie. With this new seamless collection, we are taking comfort to a whole new level. As a brand we are constantly trying to address our consumers’ unique fit challenges. No more bulges. No more panty lines. With Enigma, every woman would feel confident and Enigma was followed by Style Diva – a sequence inspired by the essence of personal style, representing bright colours and prints had a young and new age feel to it. Spotlight highlighted the ethos of a woman who accentuates her personality and underlines her presence, wherever she goes, whichever role she places. The Romance sequence represented an edgier personality with designs for the new age woman who is confident and glamorous.

And finally, Champagne – where sensuality gets a new avatar with subtlety and elegance. Akanksha Puri, Avani Modi, Satrupa Pyne and Ruhi Singh, star cast of the Calendar Girls, walked the ramp in gorgeous creations by designer Kristy De Cuhna designed to highlight the subtle champagne and gold tones of amanté lingerie. They were joined by Madhur Bhandarkar as they concluded the show.

It was a very enjoyable evening & I especially enjoy the amanté cocktail, crafted exclusively for the event.

The Enigma collection is available at amanté’s own portal - amantelingerie.com, and select stores of Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop and central. Also available on leading online platforms like Zivame and Myntra.

love,
Magali

What I Wore | Casual Vacation Style

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 04:38:00 +0000

Captain KYSO Averagers tshirt // StalkBuyLove shorts // North Star (by Bata) sneakers

If you follow me on instagram (@magali_c), you'll know that I spent the first half of July on a family vacation in Goa! I was a bit nervous about going during the monsoons, Mumbai itself has a very heavy monsoon but Goa can be much, much worse - my mother had often told this story about how it once rained for a whole week without a break.

But lucky for us, we were blessed with absolutely lovely weather it rarely rained for more than 30 minutes at a time, it was always sort of blustery, the sun came out just enough so it was warm (but not hot!) It was a fortnight of absolute bliss, & all I have to show for it is a slight tan & a few extra kilos.

One of the benefits of living in a tropical zone is that you can dress like it's spring or summer almost all the year round. Growing up, a tshirt with a fun print on it with short & sneakers was pretty much my uniform, so this is a lot like that, except with lipstick! ;)

This tshirt from Captain KYSO introduces you to a new bunch of superheroes, the Averagers - the people you call when the earth's mightiest defenders are unable to save the day! Featuring super-ish heroes like Irony Man & The Mighty Bore. Illustrated by Andrew Bargeron, it's available on Captain KYSO (with many more designs by artists for both men & women) & best of all, they ship internationally!

I paired it with a pair of pastel linen shorts from StalkBuyLove, perfect for warmer days; it's high waisted with deep pockets. And finally I wore my new North Star sneakers, they're really comfortable & great for days when you're going to be walking a lot!

In other (random) news I finally bought a new phone! The large screen size & better battery life is totally rocking my world. And a pair of cerise happy plugs makes everything better.

Basically my vacation style is tshirts, shorts & flowy dresses. What do you prefer to wear for beach / tropical vacations? Let me know in the comments below!

love,
Magali