Blue Skies, Calm Seas & Me

The Lost Girl {an outfit}

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:44:00 +0000

An outfit post, inspired by a D H Lawrence classic (& the Penguin notebook I bought), as well as this lovely dress from French Connection's Spring Summer 2012 collection.

French Connection Dress // Coffee Tattlys by Julia Rothman // fabulloso box bag // Leather sandals from Bandra // c/o Monavé vegan lip glaze // Maybelline Colossal Kajal // Maybelline Colorama Coral Chic nail polish

The first true 'what I wore' post I've done in a while. I had a lot of gusto for doing it last year, but eventually that gusto seemed to fade & I went a few months (the whole of the monsoons & winters, actually) But when I recently bought this dress & knew I wanted to style it & share it on this blog. :)

I love love love this French Connection dress. They have it in about four variants (different shades, similar print & same cut), this one appealed to me most because of the bright colors. Summer dresses are my favorite! This one runs slightly large, actually but you can't tell much because of the sash. It will fit easily even if I gain a few kilos, & that's a plus point in my book. And when I brought the dress home & looked into my box I was happy to see that my coral Maybelline nailpolish matched the dress perfectly! Coral is such a pretty shade.
I've always been the (permanent) tattoo kind of girl, but at the start of this year I gifted myself a 'subscription' to tattly, I get new ones in the mail every month. I am starting to enjoy how fun & non committal temporary tattoos are. “Life is too short to drink bad wine and wear ugly temporary tattoos.” -Tattly founder Tina Roth Eisenberg. A lot of people think they're overpriced. I won't deny that they are on the pricier side as far as temporary tattoos go, but they're drawings by amazing artists (like Marc Johns & Julia Rothman, to name two) & they last quite a while too, so I think the price is justified. Mom & me both put on tattlys from their coffee set & went to the coffee shop straight afterwards. It was fun, really. :D
And when I saw this fabulous box bag from fabulloso on a fashion blog, I knew I had to have it. I love anything French, I love anything that looks vintagey & boxy. The vintage french imagery is just darling. Also fabulloso's customer service was ace, I had a problem & the went out of their way to help. Also the packaging- fabulous again! It didn't look like just an online order of a bag, but rather a gift to myself. I feel like this bag was made for me, ha! It's made of wood but still very light & durable. It's perfect, the only problem is that I keep knocking it around on all kinds of hard surfaces, clumsy me!

I love the lip glaze that Monavé sent me, it's vegan (& gluten free). It smells delightful & feels good on the lips too, it may not last for the longest time but it still feels right using products like this.

I think I'm going to make it a tradition of taking instax photos of an outfit! The one with mom & me was a self timer win! Oh & I must mention that all my outfit photos, including this one are taken by mom (it's mentioned on my FAQ page too). She was just complaining about how I trouble her so much to take these & don't give her due credit, so here you are, mom!

love,
Magali

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New Wallet

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:30:00 +0000

For three & a half years, I've used the same Hello Kitty wallet (it can be seen in this post). As mentioned in that post, it was a gift from a once close friend who I don't see much of since I moved & we're no longer in the same college. But I digress... back to the wallet, it's faux leather, & despite the hello kitties on the outside, unbranded. I've never even used a cell phone that as long as I've used the wallet. And despite the fact that it gets handled a lot, it is still in very good condition (save for some minor fraying on the inside).

But for some time now I've been on the lookout for a new one. I was very comfortable with the overall shape/layout of the old one so I wanted something similar but with more pockets, & more classic looking.

So the other day mom & me were at Shoppers Stop & we were browsing through the leather good when we came across the Blue & Blues section. They had some colorful leather wallets, but what caught my attention was this gorgeous brown wallet.

It's similar to my older one but with more pockets (see my lovely Life etc. business cards!) & everything about it is perfect. I didn't know a simple wallet could make me so happy, but it does. :)

Also, though this is labelled a 'stuff I bought' post, my mom actually bought me this, so thank you mom!

love,
Magali

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Calvin Klein Jeans Spring Summer 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:23:00 +0000

The tagline for Calvin Kleins Jeans' latest collection is Bold Minimalism.

{blue two button blazer}

The colors have been inspired by the ocean. I love the little bits of metallic & bright pops of color. Also, their sunglasses & wallets are so awesome. The thing about about Calvin Klein jeans that I love is that it manages to stay classic & on trend at the same time.

love,
Magali

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French Connection Spring Summer 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:28:00 +0000

I recently visited the French Connection store at Linking Road to check out their latest collection.

The Spring Summer 2012 collection boasts of a bold spring colour palette of bright reds, electric blues, forest greens and mustard yellows, punctuated with more refined neutral tones and monochrome elements to give a vibrant and modern French Connection collection.

Here are some shots of clothing/accessories from the collection-

{bandage dress}{Lovin' the abstract print on the blue peplum dress, did you know that peplum is huge this season?} {sheath dresses in two colors}{hats!}

{bikinis & rompers to match!}

{a tiny little peek at the men's t-shirts... they have a pretty extensive men's section too!}

I love the color palette of this collection. The main colors visible are red/orange & blue! As someone who goes out in the daytime more, I'm partial to the orange. I bought something lovely from this collection too, I'll be sure to get an outfit post done early next week! :)

Oh & if you still need an excuse to shop for something from this collection, here it is. You're welcome.

{spend Rs.8999 & you get a chic travel bag free}

love,
Magali

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Pond's White Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:17:00 +0000

When it comes to things like skincare, I'm very lazy. I know very well of the importance of sunscreen, of a daily ctm (cleanse-tone-moisturize) routine, but I'm not very regular with these things at all. In fact, the only skin care thing that I'm very regular with is face wash, because I have somewhat oily skin.

So what I really like are products from reputed brands that have more than one benefit. The lesser time it takes me to apply it, the happier I am (& more likely to use it regularly).

I was recently offered the chance to try Pond's White Beauty. I dislike the concept of fairness creams, but I do love the idea of having an even skin tone (I wish we could tan uniformly on our body, that would be so fab). I also love that it has SPF 20 - so it's a moisturizer cum sunscreen cum spot reduction cream.

Cost: Rs 249 for 50gms.

The first thing that struck me was the packaging, very classy. The bottle too is made of thick contoured glass, very elegant to look at (but perhaps not the handiest thing for your travels).

The cream itself has this pearly, iridescent look. I am reluctant to use creams that aren't specifically oil control, they just make my face more greasy. This cream is very light, it may not keep away oiliness but at least it doesn't add to it. It has SPF so of course there is a little bit of 'ghost-face' but it looks fine after I set it with some pressed powder. As for whether it works? I have high hopes for this one, but only time will tell.

The folks at Ponds White Beauty have launched the Pond's Perfect Match Contest, a campaign on facebook where one girl can win a date with Ranvijay. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead & find your perfect match!

love,

Magali

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The Aseema Collection by Global Desi

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sun, 06 May 2012 02:43:00 +0000

A few days earlier I was invited by global desi for the unveiling of their latest offering - The Aseema Collection. Aseema in an NGO that helps underprivileged children stay in school/college. This is Global Desi’s second initiative with the NGO and the kids. Global Desi has always supported Aseema by giving an opportunity to the budding minds of these young kids by showcasing their talent as a part of their collection through ingenious methods since last year. Aseema, the official cause partner has become an integral part of Anita Dongre’s (she's a famous Indian designer & founder of global desi as well as AND) vision for her company and the love she has for kids.

The collection is limited edition. The amazing thing about it is that it features designs by kids from the NGO. There are just 16 pieces in this collection, using the designs of four kids from Aseema.

Sangeeta Rohira, the CEO of Global Desi wearing one of the pieces from the collection.
Delna & Raunak (stylist & head designer of global desi respectively) talking about the collection.
The four kids whose designs were used. And you know what? I recognized one of these girls instantly because she's in the same college as me (next class).

The four kids from Aseema did drawings based on the 'Underwater' theme. Then the people & global desi worked hard to put those motifs on their designs. Other than maybe slight color changes, the designs have been replicated very well from original drawings. It wasn't easy to do, but the kids were so proud to see their work. The clothes were otherwise designed with simple silhouettes so the drawings have the main focus.

I am so in love with this collection. I already like colorful ethnic clothing, & not only is this line for charity, but it actually features the work of these talented artists. It's not often that one comes across something as special as this in the fashion world. ♥

love,
Magali

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Living it up on the beach in Summer ☼

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:14:00 +0000

Elena, the Sunshine girl is fun loving, enjoys her music and loves traveling! Lakmé Sun Expert is asking everyone how they will you live it up this summer with Kyra, have fun and enjoy sunshine like never before. {You can keep up with Kyra & everything in the Lakmé world by liking their facebook page.}

I personally love the sun. I love the warmth of it, I love how it feels on my skin & how it looks in photos. But of course India is a tropical country so the sun can get very very hot in summer, especially in the afternoon. And I love tanning, but the sun can cause so much more havoc like premature ageing & skin cancer! But because of this, some people believe that being out in the sun is dangerous. Me & Kyra? We both love the sun, so I'm writing this post to tell you that the Sun is Fun!! Don't hide from it, just be sun-smart. Here are my own personal tips for looking & feeling cool in summer.

Mudd Romper // Asos Bandeau Bikini (underneath the romper!) // Flip Flops, Beaded Anklet, Sunglasses from Bandra

These photos were taken on a very hot summer day in Goa. The first photo was taken early in the day, soon after I decided to go into the sea for a bit, almost drowned (ok I am exaggerating a little), & swallowed sea water (gross!) I felt like a drowned rat! The next photo was take after lunch when my hair had dried & I looked a little more presentable.

Things to remember on a beach trip are-

☀ Beach trips are about having fun! Don't bother with too much makeup. I just put on a little kohl, don't put too much of either because it will smudge! You could try waterproof mascara & even a chap stick with SPF.

☀ Do not forget sunscreen (& make sure it's waterproof!) It is an absolute essential. Carry the bottle along because you're gonna have to re-apply at some point in the day.

☀ Lay off the jewellery. If you're gonna take a dip in the water (& I hope you will, because it's so much fun), the waves are very likely to carry your precious trinkets away. Stick to stud earrings. I wore a cheap anklet, I have a couple of them so I wouldn't mind if one got lost.

☀ Wear sunglasses! They keep you looking cool & they're good for your eyes.

☀ Hats / caps are great! I love straw hats when in Goa. They not only look cute, but their wide brim protects you from the sun.

☀ Don't wear anything too long, or heavy like jeans. Stick to shorts & beach dresses, preferably cotton. Rompers like mine are great too! Oh & try not to wear strapless though, I just missed having a little wardrobe malfunction. Dress to be cool & comfy. :)

☀ Umbrellas are great for a day at the beach! ☂ Most beaches in popular tourist spots do have deck chairs & umbrellas.

☀ Don't forget the summer drinks... Beer keeps you cool when you're feeling hot, & I love my fresh lime soda.

☀ Don't forget your mp3 player to play those classic summer feel good songs.

That's my way of living it up in summer! Do share your tips in the comments! I hope you get time to travel a little this summer, but wherever you go, stay safe, & in the wise words of Baz Luhrmann, "Wear Sunscreen!"

love,

Magali

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Ralph Lauren Big Pony Fragrance Collection For Women

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:39:00 +0000

RALPH LAUREN's Big Pony Fragrance collection for women has launched in India!

It's obviously for younger people, & that is something I love!

The tagline? LIVE LIFE IN COLOR.

There are four signature numbered fragrances in the collection. Each is quite different & is for a different kind of woman.

1. The Sporty Fragrance. Catch her if you can. This Floral Citrus scent features Grapefruit & Blue Lotus for a vibrant, energetic fragrance that evokes confidence and energy while awakening the senses. Confident and fearless, the sporty woman is a natural born leader and ready to take on the world. The sleek blue bottle features a yellow oversized polo pony icon opposite a bold green number 1.

2. The Sensual Fragrance. A Floriental Fruity with the key ingredients of Cranberry & Tonka Mousse, this fragrance is for an alluring flirt with a romantic spirit. Playful and irresistible, this modern woman follows her heart…and she just might break yours. The eye-catching pink bottle is complemented by a green oversized polo pony icon opposite a cool blue number 2.

3. The Free-Spirited Fragrance. Eccentric, rebellious and independent, this Floral Green fragrance highlights Pear & Mimosa. The crisp, bright scent represents ultimate optimism and natural feminine radiance for a woman who dances to the beat of her own drum. Set upon a luminous yellow bottle, the oversized blue polo pony icon contrasts with a bold, orange number 3.

4. The Stylish Fragrance. Edgy and refined, with a flair for the exotic, this Oriental Floral contains key ingredients of Wild Cherry & Purple Amber. Designed for the stylish woman, she catches the eye and imagination of anyone who crosses her path. This purple bottle features a pink oversized polo pony opposite a striking yellow number 4.

Scent is an essential accessory for all of the roles a woman plays. The Big Pony Collection for Women explores four of her vital attributes; Sporty, Sensual, Free-Spirit and Style. Today’s woman should have a fragrance wardrobe to match her multitude of passions and achievements. She coordinates her fashion according to mood and occasion; now she can choose a scent to compliment her every desire.

Take a lot at the campaign video, shot by Bruce Weber, an amazing fashion photographer / videographer who also filmed my favorite music video of all time. And the song is 'Life in Color' by One Republic.

And here are some beautiful photos from the campaign. I love the bright pops of color & how they contrast with each other. And I need polo shirts just like these!

I identify most with 3 but after sampling them I found I love 1 a lot as well. Are you curious to know which one you are? Take the Life in Color Quiz (it's quick & easy!) & share your fragrance in the comments!

love,
Magali

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Summer Lovin'

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:49:00 +0000

I know I've been a slacker when it comes to updating this blog, but I'm definitely fixing that now!

Here is an outfit I wore around this time last year in Goa.

Pantaloons tshirt (a few years old) // Patchwork skirt from Bangkok // Wooden bead necklace (gift from mom) // Kolhapuris chappals (sandals) from Bandra

Looking at these photos again makes me kinda nostalgic, I remember how we had to leave early & I was so sleepy. I just had a coffee, threw these clothes (thank God I kept them ready the previous night), put on some kohl & left. These pictures were taken just outside out room... my eyes were still a tad puffy from sleep & the condensation from the air conditioner on my lens & filter caused this subtle haze in the photos, which I absolutely love. Happy accidents are probably my favorite thing about photography, both digital & analog.

I'm a hippie at heart & when I visit Goa, I like to dress the part. Goa makes me feel comfortable, relax & a lot less inhibited. Last year I was mostly in Goa, I was mostly in skimpier clothing but this was a day that we were going to visit a few churches in Old Goa & I dressed appropriately. I seemed to really surprise the people we were on vacation with, they're mom's old friends who I don't meet much & they seemed to think I always dressed like that & were surprised that I owned decent clothes as well. LOL.

And I'm totally ending this post with a self portrait I took when I was stuck in the car forever because I was too lazy to go shopping with the others in the sweltering heat.

love,
Magali

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How to safely use Online Classifieds to Buy a Vintage Camera

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 10:28:00 +0000

A lot of people have asked me about good places to get vintage cameras. And my friends tease me about the amount of online shopping I do. So I put together this article with some of

Online Classified websites are as old as the internet. But they've garnered a bad reputation due to sleazy ads that are posted there.

Most of us are used to online shopping at some degree. I'm adept at shopping on brand websites & auction sites but I only recently realized that I haven't shopped that much with the help of online classifieds. So I'm going to tell you why online classifieds have an edge over auction websites in buying certain things (such as vintage cameras!), & how you can make a shopping there a safer, happier experience.

Why they exist

Auction websites now-a-days provide great buyer protection. They promise to reimburse you if the item is not exactly as the seller has described. That is a great thing, because it reassures you that you will not get fleeced. But auction websites are dominated by dealers who know the worth of a camera & often auction prices are very high because of this. Or even if the auction started off low, odds are it will end high because you are competing with people from your entire country or the world for something you want. Online classifieds, on the other hand are a different niche. Imagine you find your grandfather's camera in nice condition in your attic. You want to sell, you know it's worth a decent sum... none of your friends want to buy it, so you need to find someone that does. Selling it to a dealer is no use, you know that he will buy it from you cheap & sell it expensive. You know there are people out there who would be interested in getting their mitts on it, the only problem is you don't know any of them. Now that, my friend, is where a classifieds website comes in. You list it on a website like olx.in (for free), a potential buyer seed the listing & contacts you (via email or cell phone, the choice is yours) & you take it from there.

How to Buy

Online classifieds are most often city-based. So go to an your city's section on the website. Find something you like? Contact the person that listed it & have a chat. Ask about the condition, ask for photos, & maybe haggle if you like? (it's up to you. You probably shouldn't do it if the lister has written something like 'final cost' or 'non negotiable'). In the case of a vintage camera, always ask to meet somewhere. If you have & know how to operate these, you will be able to properly examine the camera. If not, maybe meet at a camera repair shop so he can check it for you (& the repairman will probably charge for checking so you'll have to decide who's going to pay for it). And of course if you're going to be using the camera as a prop/show piece there's no need to worry about how it works, just that it looks good to you. And if you thing the camera is good & the price is right, then buy it, what are you waiting for?

So I guess what I'm trying to say is there are deals to be had on these websites. It's pretty win-win too for both buyer & seller.

I do hope you find this little post useful. I'd love to know your thoughts. More analog photography related how-to's.

love,
Magali

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Attending a Golden Wedding Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:24:00 +0000

I know with all of the updates on my lifestyle/photography blog Life etc. I haven't been paying as much attention to this blog as I should have!
Here are is a personal style post of what I wore to a Golden Wedding Anniversary last year. I don't much care about being on trend so I'm posting them almost a year late.

J.Crew Satin Rosette // Mango dress // Bata shoes // Foce wrist watch // Gold & Diamond ring from some jeweller // Viola Gold & Enamel Cherry Pendant // Rosato Charm Bracelet

I'm lucky to have a mom who loves buying gold & diamond jewellery. She's bought me a lot of stuff that I don't wear much. I usually prefer white gold but I thought this jewellery went well with my dress as well the theme of the event. Completing 50 Years of Marriage is an admirable feat!

And I had to wear flats because I was helping with photography that evening. I wish I had time then to shop for more glam flats but these were lying home unused so I went with them.

The other photographer got a picture of me doing my thing!

Photo of me dancing the wedding march:

And trivia about this photo: I don't dance. I hate dancing. A couple of people came & asked me but I politely declined. Then just a minute or so before the dance started, my mom's good friend (daughter of the couple) called out to me from the other side of the grounds, with the scariest eyes I have ever seen & I was forced to go dance.

It brought back memories of a few years ago when I was the flower girl at a wedding & the kept calling the flower girl/page boy/bridesmaid/best man out to dance & I wanted to hide under the table. And I didn't dance then, so I won! Haha.

love,
Magali

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Planet Blue X Foam Magazine Coachella Lookbook

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:59:00 +0000

I just came across this fabulous lookbook by Planet Blue with Foam Magazine & I had to share it-

I've had this girl crush on Gillian Zinser for the longest time. To me she's the best dressed on 90210 (Silver comes second). I absolutely love the hippie/gypsy vibe of this shoot & can honestly say I am head over heels in love with every one of these looks. Perfection.

love,
Magali

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Trendzy Street Boutique

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 03:30:00 +0000

This is a post from a sponsor: Trendzy Street.

Trendzy Street is a unique online street for women with unique fashion styles. The concept of the street projects cheap yet fashionable clothing for teens. Brands on Street have assortment that makes an impeccable fashion impression. Trendzy Street is also famous for window shopping as it not simply presents buying but an experience of online street shopping.

Trendzy Street was founded in October 2010. LetsByteCode Inc. opened this online street to create an exclusive online store for women.

Trendzy Street’s clothing assortment has carved out a distinct segment within the current styling vogue due to the one-of-a-sort appeal of its attire, skirts, tops, ponchos, and shawls. The clothes are recognized for its fanciful flair, with touches of both class and playfulness and influences from music and dance.

Dresses typically have romantic layers of raw-edged chiffon and tulle, and flirty skirts pair with sexy tops individualized with lacing, tie-dye, or puzzle motifs. They update their store with new fashions twice per week. Every bit is checked for quality.

Payment & Supply choices offered: Cash on delivery, pick-up from store (Mumbai residents only), Credit/Debit cards and mobile payments.

Additional Features on the street: Live chat, product comparison, reward points, affiliate membership and more.

There are private stylists and fashion designers full-time on Trendzy Street to assist customers in offering styling tips. There is much more about style and season’s updates on the Trendzy Style Talk, the official street blog.

Street always has on-going offers each lasting for limited period in one or sometimes in even ALL the stores on street. Visit to find out what is in store for you?

love,

Magali

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Yardley of London English Lavender Refreshing Facial Cleanser Review

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 06:17:00 +0000

I have written about Yardley of London before- They were founded in 1770 in London. My mother remembers when she was a kid, Yardley wasn't sold here but sometimes some relatives staying abroad used to bring their soaps or talcum powder as gifts for her family or sometimes her dad would buy some Yardley stuff from sailor who were returning from their voyages.
When I was asked to review their new face wash I totally jumped at the chance. I love that the pack sent to me came with some rice krispy chocolates wrapped in lavender colored foil.

(sorry about the bad photo. I should have waited for daylight!)

Cost: Rs. 70 for 50g.

I love the packaging of all Yardley of London products. Very elegant with vintage styling. This face wash is no exception. I love the translucent pack & the subtle graphics on it. The tube is finished with a flip-cap that does not feel cheap at all but very secure. I also love the gold trim.
The product is supposed to be a gentle cleanser for normal to dry skin. I have combination/oily skin. So I didn't want to write this review on my own, I enlisted my mother to use it simultaneously & let me know what she thought of it (as she has normal to dry skin).
It's soap free (gel) so it doesn't lather. It leaves the skin soft & smooth with a gentle lingering lavender scent. It's not completely suitable for me, though it cleans up my skin nicely the effect won't last long. But it's great for my mom (or anyone who has skin like hers!) It removes all the impurities.

Pros:
Not expensive
Great packaging
Pleasant fragrance
Contents clearly listed at the back

Cons:
Not so great for oily skin (but great for normal/dry skin)
You might not use it if you don't like the scent of lavender.

Yardley has plans to unveil four face washes in total- two gentle cleansing & two deep cleansing. For now they have only released the gentle cleansing range in two variants- English Rose & English Lavender (same as the two Yardley body sprays that I have). I hope they launch the deep cleansing range soon, that is something I'd really like to try. :)

love,
Magali

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Little Crumb Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:46:00 +0000

Today I want to show you some beautiful stuff I got from an etsy shop I just recently discovered- Little Crumb Designs.

The shop is run by Nicki, a stay-at-home mom who loves being crafty! Her main offerings are handmade hair bows, clips as well as hair accessory organizers.

I first chanced upon her shop while searching for felt hair bows. Her's is a relatively new shop but there is a very good variety of stuff available at very affordable rates. All of her felt goodies are available in about 15 different colors plus she is willing to accommodate customs requests with colors or styles.

When contacted she is a delight to deal with. I knew I wanted hair bows but there were so many different colors I found it hard to choose. Most product photos feature her daughter, but don't for one second think that her designs won't look good on older girls & even adults. I just couldn't make up my mind so I told her that I like blue, that a nineteen year old would be wearing them & then asked her to surprise me.

The bows arrived in fifteen days which was pretty quick for shipping to India, I've had to wait lot longer in some cases.

They were sent in a small box so they were not crushed or bent in any way, felt can be slightly delicate like that & I was glad to receive the stuff in good condition. Here is what I got-Turquoise & light blue hair bows. I especially love these.

Blue felt rosette hair clip.

Two small felt bows with a mini mums felt flower hair clip.

In all I got six things. They are all hair accessories (with attached alligator clips at the back), but don't let that limit you, you can easily use them as brooches, clip them to a collar as a bow tie etc. {I clipped one to the strap of my diana mini camera!}

I now want to wear bows & flowers in my hair all the time, it livens up an outfit & makes me feel very whimsical. If you love pretty things you will definitely love this store. Also be sure to like the Facebook page to keep up with Nicki's latest creations.

love,
Magali

BLOGLOVIN' / FACEBOOK PAGE / TWITTER

Maybelline Clear Glow BB Cream {Win it!} CLOSED

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:03:00 +0000

When I heard about Maybelline launching a BB cream I was seriously excited.

Why? BB Cream is actually my dream product. Seriously. I don't like make up. And it doesn't like me. I have foundation... I can't make it work for me because I find it too shiny/heavy. I sometimes put moisturizer on. But then I have to put sunscreen. And powder. So I just put nothing instead. :|

So yes, back to this product. I first got my hands on it two days ago & I am so happy, I just can't stop looking at it [um, new favorite product for sure].

In keeping with this season’s international trend to ‘GO NUDE’ with make- up, Maybelline New York introduces India's 1st revolutionary product, the BB Cream. The hottest new skincare trend is now in India!

The new BB cream works pretty much like a tinted moisturizer and provides just the right amount of coverage like a foundation thus resulting in a very natural, no make-up look. With all the benefits of a sun block and a moisturizer giving you a sublimely fresh, softer & richer look.

Maybelline New York’s BB cream contains 8 healthy minerals which work to give 8 healthy skin results. It instantly transforms your skin by giving it a healthy glow and works on imperfections to result in an even toned, natural look and all this while taking care of your skin. It keeps skin hydrated all day long and protects with its SPF 21/PA+++ enriched formula. Perfect for daily use, now get beautiful glowing skin, which is better than your natural skin!

The BB Cream comes in a compact, travel-friendly squeeze tube and is available in 3 unique shades – Nude, radiant and natural, perfect for Indian skin tones. Grab this for just Rs.199/-.

I seriously cannot rave about this product enough, I see myself using this everyday all the time. As I'm not a huge make up freak this has everything I need in one cute tube. For more info on it go here.

And now the part that I'm really excited about- The Giveaway!!

I have a few Maybelline Clear Glow BB creams to give away! Some of you lucky girls will get to try this awesome product. [thank you Maybelline!]

To win it, simply comment on this post telling me which of the following 8 benefits will be most helpful for your skin and why?

- Smoothes

- Instantly brightens

- Evens tones

- Freshens

- Mattifies

- Protects with SPF 21/ PA+++

- Conceals

- Hydrates

Giveaway open to India only.

~~If your answer's convincing, you get this revolutionary cream! Get cracking. You have until the 18th of February. :)~~

Giveaway is closed!! Thank You for entering, winners will be contacted by email.

love,

Magali

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High on Fashion with Bombay High

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:57:00 +0000

Here's something I've been meaning to blog about for a while. In mid December I was invited for the High on Fashion Blogger event by Bombay High. Bombay High is known for their great corporate wear & smart casuals for both men & women. They're a young brand but they keep coming up with new & innovative stuff each season.

What attracted me to this particular blogger event was the novelty. Rather than have a boring old store tour Bombay High had a unique & fun experience for their guests. There were Mumbai's top fashion bloggers & some women from the corporate sector. The bloggers/stylists were then instructed to give senior corporate ladies a personal stylized makeover, using whatever they wished from the entire store’s formal wear and accessory collection, which was freely placed at their disposal. The evening was set a-buzz as the stylists rushed to and fro, carefully examining the different clothes of the store, sportingly competing to give their respective corporate lady the best formal makeover for the day. I went for the event with my friend Rydell. And the lady we had to style was a little late as she was held up in traffic. The contest was judged by fashion designer Shaina NC. I didn't win but I had a lot of fun. :)

♥ my red jeans.
That's me & Rydell in the first visible row.
The judge, fashion designer Shaina NC!Me & Trupti, our corporate lady. She was pretty, smart & an absolute pleasure to work with.
The Bloggers + the make up artist. (all photos via David Victor D'souza, Bombay High)

Spandex tank top from Bandra // Wetseal Red Jeans // Carlton London suede oxfords // Accessorize cateye sunglasses // Self designed canvas bag

Overall it was a novel & fun event. Thank you to Bombay High & Social Seety for inviting me, I really do wish all bloggers events were this much fun.

If you'd like to keep updated about what's new at Bombay High, be sure to like their Facebook page & follow their twitter page.

love,
Magali

BLOGLOVIN' / FACEBOOK PAGE / TWITTER

Calvin Klein Jeans & Underwear Spring Summer 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:24:00 +0000

Just wanted to share a great new advertising campaign that caught my eye. The ad campaign for Calvin Klein Jeans & Underwear.

The Calvin Klein Jeans Spring 2012 advertising campaign was also shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott and features Lara Stone, Matthew Terry, Miles Crosby, Arran Sly, as well as Toni Garrn and Joan Smalls. Set on Guanahani Beach in St. Barts, the campaign vividly captures the brand's bright, new high density stretch skinny crop for women and double indigo straight cut jean for men.

Can I just say how much I love the neon orange & hot pink skinny jeans? These are going on my wishlist for sure! ♥

And now a little about their latest underwear campaign (this is the good stuff haha). The shoot highlights their latest offering, Calvin Klein Underwear Bold, and was shot by renowned photographer Steven Klein in Joshua Tree, California. Inspired by the line’s bright colors and daring energy, the campaign imagery captures the strong, sexy and vibrant appeal of the new men’s underwear and sleepwear program and features new model, (the aforementioned) Matthew Terry, alongside models Myles Crosby, Arran Sly and Chris Garavaglia. Mr. Terry, who also appears in the Spring 2012 Calvin Klein Jeans campaign, is a personal trainer from Pennsylvania who was discovered in 2011 after being named co-winner of the annual VMAN/Ford Model Search. These represent his first global advertising campaigns.

No more skinny manufactured male models, Calvin Klein has chose a real man for the latest campaign. And it shows doesn't it? I must say I seriously love the idea of this super bold men's underwear, I wonder what men think of it?

love,
Magali

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Hat Parade

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:47:00 +0000

I haven't been all that regular with posting on this blog recently. This is the first post of 2012 & to start on a positive & happy note, here are some photos I took of a hat parade event at a local old folks home. (It fits the theme of a style blog! ;))

Volunteering there is one of the most rewarding things do, even if I sometimes don't make it more than once a month. This particular place has aged that don't have any family or were cast out by their children. They are destitute but the sisters there take very good care of them & keep organizing things like this to keep them happy.

Hope you liked the photos. Here's to a wonderful 2012.

love,
Magali

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Mumbai Streetstyle: Sherlyn

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:01:00 +0000

I know it's forever since I did an outfit post, so here is one. But it's not me, it's my friend Sherlyn.

What I love about her style is that it's simple & classy. She loves to color co-ordinate & subtly accessorize. She almost always has matching nailpolish. But I forgot to photograph that, damn.

This is just one of her outfits for a regular college day. I think she's always pretty well turned out.

♥ ,
Magali

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Nicole Miller Launch @ The Collective

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 10:39:00 +0000

Yesterday I went to see the Nicole Miller launch Trunk Show at The Collective, Palladium.

Nicole Miller is a non-conformist designer who is a favorite of Angelina Jolie, Beyoncé Knowles and Katy Perry.

She launched her Holiday/Resort ’12 collection through the exclusive Trunk Show. The collection emphasized more on shine, texture and embodied the modern, sexy and feminine Nicolle Miller Woman. It was a glamorous & affair that saw some celebs come in to check out the collection as well.

Here are some photos I took:

Love her fab foiled denim.

Boho maxi dresses make me happy! :)

I loved how laid back & colorful some of the dresses were, & the gowns were beautiful as well. Let me know what you think!

♥ ,
Magali

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A peek into Wendell Rodrick's Design Space, Goa

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:30:00 +0000

This September a couple of friends & me visited Wendell Rodricks Design Space in Goa.

For those of you who live under a rock, Wendell Rodricks in a prominent Indian fashion designer based out of Goa (which also happens to be my hometown!) He is listed as one of the top 10 Fashion Designers in India.

The Design Space comprises White room which displays the signature colour of the designer, the Men’s room dedicated to men’s clothing & accessories, the Salon, a lounge space that retails ladies wear and home linen in a home décor ambience.

At first I must admit I was a little intimidated to visit the place. But it turned out to be quite awesome. Love the minimalistic decor.

The people who managed his store were very sweet, & they allowed us to take as many photos as we wanted! :)

Almost all of the clothes were cotton. Very breezy & light.

I went a little gaga over how nice all the clothes arranged in a neat color coded way looked on the racks, seeing as how my own wardrobe is always a huge huge mess. But I digress. Here are the photos I took, for your viewing pleasure.

This was the lovely way to display clothes. I wish I had framed this shot better. Stupid Parallax errors!

This may not be the best photography I have displayed but it's particularly special because it was one of the first rolls with my 1989 Lomo LC-A. If you've been reading Life etc., or my Facebook or Twitter you will realize that the analog bug has bit me hard in recent months.

These photos were taken at the beginning of the second roll promptly after I had finished the first. I didn't really know what to expect. But some of the results were so exceptionally good & this is now my favorite camera!

♥ ,
Magali

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French Connection Autumn Winter 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:37:00 +0000

I decided to check out the French Connection Autumn Winter collection at their store on Linking Road. I've always loved visiting that store, love the vibe outside & inside.

First I was greeted by this lovely window display, to celebrate Diwali. In keeping with their "I AM..." tagline, this said, "I am the Festival of Lights". I was totally attracted to the colorful neon tube lights.

Now to speak of their collection:

The season's palette starts in deep autumnal hues with shots of green, purple and rich yellows to highlight classic black and grey. Animal prints and textured knitwear are key, layered over fine jersey and relaxed flannel tailoring. Sheer blouses are worn with oversized sleeveless knits and suedette leggings. Skirts are knitted and longer in length or in a cute skater girl cut. LBDs are given a narrow figure hugging silhouette contrasted against oversized check shirts and boyfriend tees.

Military influences are apparent in embroidery, epaulettes, outerwear and hues of red and camel with fluid cuts for a feminine feel. Dresses are woolen in a longer calf length cut with ankle length cardigans and knitted skirts. Tea dresses add a vintage feminine feel in mustard and teal worn with knitted cardigans accessorized with a skinny belt and oversized leather tote. Make a statement in the knitted 70’s hot-pants and matching bow back top.

The season ends in a glam 70’s feel with full length evening gowns, faux fur jackets, luxurious velvet print dresses and decadent embellishment. Texture is delivered through chunky tweed knits worn with wide leg trousers. Jumpsuits come in jersey or formal wide leg styles with

beaded necklines.

Autumn marks the launch of the new ‘Classics’ collection – elevated wardrobe essentials made in

premium fabrics. With a range of trouser cuts with blazers in preppy grey wool to contemporary clean cuts in black with extended lapels. Shirts are silk or sheer all in classic hues of grey, cream and black. Vests are silk or fine jersey; jumpsuits are designed in a formal flannel.

Love the faux crocodile skin envelop clutch & how well it goes with that dress & belt.

This dress would look so cute for a lunch date.

This season's ladylike accessories take inspiration from one-off vintage finds.

Little Black Dresses.

Love this tank top for warmer afternoons. This was available in two colors, tan & navy stripes. :)

Check out these structured vintagey bags! Especially the one on the right.

For a full list of their stores in Mumbai & the rest of India, you can check here.

These are just a few photos I took of their awesome new collection. My favorites are the envelop clutch & dress in the first picture, the navy tank top, the structured purses & that satchel in the last picture (from the men's collection).
What are your favorite pieces?

♥ ,
Magali

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Calvin Klein Fall 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:51:00 +0000

Soooo you guys, I recently got the chance to check out the Calvin Klein Jeans store at Linking Road, Bandra (Mumbai).

I love visiting stores. Especially now since it's Diwali season (Diwali is a festival that is huge for gifting! Similar to Christmas in Western countries) & all the stores have fun decorations & even better offers.

A little about their autumn winter collection:
ck one Jeanswear. Free. Inspired by the spirit of discovery, ck one Jeanswear creates a sexy and modern range suited for the urban adventurer – shapes are comfortable and fluid with utility details. The new ck one chino – slouchy top, skinny leg - is key, as are the unisex parkas which when paired down with skinny cargos result in a sexy twist on modern functionality. Authentic fabrics of compact denim and strong twills become prominent as well as leathers and faux shearling for outerwear. Finishes are washed and soft for comfort. Jerseys are sprayed, washed, tie-dyed or studded. For women, the skinny flare is the new essential style. The colors and washes are inspired by the Southwest and includes a pallette of earthy tones, soft neutrals accented with the warmth of burnish copper cut through by the essential black.

They also have this super cool Diwali offer on right now, if you spend Rs 14,999 or more you can get a voucher for Rs 1,500.

loved these leather & shearling jackets!

more jackets! so badass.

beautiful cut on these women's shirts.

neatly arranged denims.

One thing I like about ck is their awesome men's ranges. Other than Zara & ck I haven't really seen stores that have a decent men's collection.
The next time you're shopping with your father/brother/boyfriend/husband & he claims that there aren't enough stores that cater to men, bring him here!

And now I present to you, the shoes.
For the first time in India, Calvin Klein Jeans, the iconic designer denim brand introduces its range of classic American footwear for men. In styles that embody the minimalistic and sexy spirit of the brand, the line offers a range of rugged casuals, hydrid/sports and dress vintage styles that complement the Calvin Klein Jeans apparel category.
Available at Calvin Klein Jeans exclusive brand stores across the country, the footwear collection is a mix of casuals in napa leather, cracked leather, canvas, nylon mesh & denim while the semiformal styles in leather and suede leather are perfect for many occasions. Unique design details such as contrast stitching, embroidered omega logo and flexible outsoles are key to the design elements.

The Len in Indigo blue & Rusty blue.

From the top: Terrence, Yates & Edward.

Love the laidback look of the Charles Napa.

Markus & Parker.

Tell me what you think of this collection?

♥ ,
Magali

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Lily Donaldson & Matthew Gray Gubler for Aldo

noreply@blogger.com (Magali) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:16:00 +0000

Here is something I should have shared a while ago. Aldo's fun & upbeat F/W 2011 campaign. With top model Lily Donaldson & *gasp* the completely awesome Matthew Gray Gubler (done by Terry Richrdson). I first saw the campaign video a while ago but when a friend went to Aldo & brought me the catalogue I got all re-captivated (is that even a word?) with the campaign. I love how fun & upbeat it is.

Top model Lily Donaldson joined by actor Matthew Gray Gubler for the upbeat Aldo Fall Winter campaign photographed by Terry Richardson and styled by Sarah Richardson.

Here is the campaign video! I cannot stop watching it!'

About:
What does lucky mean to you? Hitting the jackpot? Falling in love in an elevator? That day when you're making every shot, killing every joke? Or is it simply waking up with a certain spring in your step? We like to think that luck is simply a personal taste for the unknown, for magic and excitement, a ready-for-anything joie de vivre that you can find in anything, anywhere.
Our Fall/Winter collection is full of lucky moments, no matter how you define them. Feeling sexy in your leopard print wedges? That's lucky. Glittery heels for a glitzy night out? Sounds pretty lucky. A classic brogue in the perfect brown for your summer suit? Feeling lucky again. Spend the whole day in slippers? Definitely. Definitely lucky.

And now feast your eyes on some of the photos!

photos courtesy aldo.com, taken from designscene.

♥ ,
Magali

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