Lookinggoodfeelingfab : Indian Fashion And Lifestyle Blog, Indian Street Style, Fashion Trends

Youtube Must Watch List 2013

2014-06-26T05:28:00.000-07:00

There was a time when there was just Doordarshan for entertainment, books for knowledge and Femina for fashion. Then came cable TV and there was a channel for each of these things. As a child, it was a big change, from subtle images of a bee stinging a flower that got the mind in conflict and the imagination in full swing to the very direct scandalous American TV shows like The Bold And The Beautiful..

It was a lot to understand, accept and get used to...it changed a lot of things..most of all fashion and beauty. From Chandini's white salwaar kameez and Sridevi's plain saris to the 90210 teens in jeans and bikinis, cable TV exposed us to a world of contrasts.

Then the internet, once I got accustomed to maneuvering the mouse ( I am a little lacking in coordination :) I dont think I even took the doctor's prescription without googling it first.
And now youtube..what would I do without youtube. I dont believe celebrities talking about a product anymore. Imagine Karishma Kapoor making Mccain aloo tikki at home or Juhi Chawla eating kurkure or Salman Khan knowing which detergent would be gentle on clothes and hands (Active Wheel)..
Id rather believe opinions of normal non celebs..which is why I practically youtube everything..from makeup tutorials to product reviews to DIY's..

Its fascinating what youtube has done for normal people like us - turned some into rockstars, some into stylists, some into beauty gurus who went on to launch their own line of make up...
Its even got the big luxury brands to reach out to us and make their products aspirational ..

Here are some of the most watched youtube videos of 2013..the ones I love..
This J'adore film is so beautifully shot, it transforms me into the luxurious world where everything is beautiful and clean..
Ah! I want a J'adore now :)

Have you seen this makeup video...they makeup can transform people, this video is proof. For me watching it was fascinating in bits and scary at times..Oh my god what a transformation. this video has been one of the most watched and understandably so..It turned Cassandra into a celeb and a makeup guru..

If you are a DIY lover and the kind of girl who looks at most things and thinks.."I could make this at home" then this is the channel for you..
Recently I am on a major home beautifying project and this DIY is on my to do list for the week..doing it for my room for sure..watch it..cutest DIY for fashion lovers

And if you want to train like a celeb..all in the comfort of your home..go here and kill it with a sweaty workout..
anything for a killer bod and six pack abs!!

I hope you enjoyed the post..some of my favs of 2013!!

Do share your favourite youtube videos with me..xoxo

Delhi Shopping : Sarojini Nagar

2014-06-26T05:27:00.000-07:00

Delhi Shopping : Sarojini Nagar

A little while back I had to make a quick day trip to Delhi, for important work that had been pending for long. The trip was planned in such a manner that there was no scope for absolutely any detours, namely shopping and eating Delhi style.

You can imagine my frustration, visiting Delhi and not indulging in some aloo tikki, dahi bhalla and Sarojini nagar, ufff, it required weeks of self therapy to get myself to accept that I was going on a mission and there was no room for anything else.

So I land in Delhi get into the car and within a few minutes a big board and a bigger arrow pointing towards Sarojini Nagar, "why dont you just kill me God" is what I was thinking.

But you know what? have you ever heard of "good things happen to good people" or "if you want it bad enough, all the universe conspires to help you acheive it"

I must have done some good deeds sometime, because on my way to the airport I received an sms about my flight being delayed. I dont think any sms has excited me so much let along an sms about a flight delay.

I quickly took a U turn for Sarojini Nagar, some awesome bargain buys, aloo tikki and dahi bhalla later I think my Delhi trip could be stamped extremely successful.

This blue dress, is my favourite bargain find from Delhi and Sarojini shopping trip, just Rs 250.

Hey, if you are from Delhi, do share your favourite shopping and eating spots, so next time I can try and do more :)

Delhi Shopping : Sarojini Nagar

Fashion Week Street Style 2014

2014-06-26T05:04:00.000-07:00

There are 4 basic seasons we learn about in school, namely, Summer, Spring, Monsoon and Winter season. And then there is a 5th season that we learn about from experience and from the media.
This new season is usually characterized with sightings of the most gigantic heels, sounds of camera clicks, blinding flashes, a frenzy of activity, a riot of colours. It is the time of the year when fashionistas descent upon Earth, revealing painfully built abs in the trendy crop top, the 'It' accessory of the season either rented from luxury renting services or acquired through a bank loan, EMI's of which will be paid long after the trend dies its sudden death.
Ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about the phenomenon called the "Fashion Week Season"
It has existed for as long as women and their love affair with beautiful clothes has, but its changed, in shape and form..it has grown gigantic and has transformed into a force to be reckoned with.
Fashion shows used to at one point be exclusive personal showings for elite customers and fashion lovers. Kristie Clements, ex editor of Vogue Australia says "we watched the show, as opposed to trying to be the show." True isn't it?
Today, when I get an invite to a fashion week, the first thing that I think of is "what will I wear?" does it matter? I don't really know..but it does matter to me..its my chance to stand out and shine..amongst thousands of others who come there to stand out and shine..
But fashion weeks and bloggers seem to love each other intensely and I am not complaining..it has made fashion more accessible to all of us, suddenly I feel like I can want a Sabyasachi and own it as much as Aishwarya Rai..
She gets a new one every few hours and I might have to save for 2 years to get one, but thats not the point...we are all aware now..we are all empowered now..we know what we want..and we can get it..bank loan or not..
I also absolutely adore, the 'street style' phenomena, the fashion that happens during fashion weeks but off the runway..remember, we all want to stand out..we all want to be remembered..
This does lead to such fabulous fashion, there is so much personality and creativity all around and it reflects so beautifully through individual styles and outfits..
Each street style picture captures a personality and a story....I love trying to decode these stories and read between the layers of clothes and creativity...
See for yourself..

source : ellecanada.com

source: popxo.com

More Fashion Week Posts on Lookinggoodfeelingfab.com
Inside Lakme Fashion Week
What I wore to Lakme Fashion Week
More Fashion Week And Me
Fashion Week Madness

Experiments With Meditation & A Westside Kurta

2014-06-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

There are some things that we know are inherently good for us, like exercise, reading, meditation and so on. We are aware of the benefits that a consistent practice of any of these things can bring into our lives, their enriching effects have been spoken about for centuries - and yet we never get down to doing them.
Sometimes its laziness, sometimes lack of time, at times its the easier thing to do and yet there are times when our life is just not ready for the new introduction.
Take meditation for example, I have known about it for as long as I can remember, my Grandfather practiced it everyday, without fail, till the day he passed away. Often he would try and initiate me into the practice, I just could not get it and would look for the nearest escape route.
When I grew up, I often heard about meditation and its benefits from some very notable people who had achieved a lot in life. I still could not understand it, how sitting in a room eyes closed, could bring such profound changes in a person and his life.
Moreover I could not keep my eyes shut for even a minute.

Recently again, everything I read and every thing I researched, led me to meditation, every time. I thought I must try it this time - no excuses, no running away. Surprisingly, I understood it this time around, I understood how this seemingly simple ritual (but really very complex ritual) could help the brain do amazing things. I understood it, yes, but putting it into practice proved to be a whole different challenge.

I first time, I sat in an erect position, closed my eyes and tried to calm my mind, within a few minutes I was lying down and 5 minutes later I was fast asleep. Yes I fell asleep, me and my meditation experiments became the butt of ridicule and the favourite family joke.

But the second time was better, I did not fall off to sleep and I felt elevated at the end of it. Its been getting better and better ever since. I do have a long long way to go, there are so many different kinds of meditations, I am a little lost about where to start. I am on a quest now, I have a little taste of meditation ecstasy and I am thirsty for more.

If you meditate and have experimented with the various forms of meditation as a part of your spiritual journey, I would love to know more, maybe you could share your experience with me and help me accelerate towards my goals.
Please Note : The site might be down for a couple of days over the weekend (some changes in the pipeline :)

Kurta : Westside (details here)

Gold Heels : Guess

Belt : Roadside

Ear Rings : Blur Accessories

Ring : Sisters

Appeasing The Rain Gods : Grey Kurta Dress

2014-06-24T22:32:00.002-07:00

The only thing I like about the monsoons is the first shower, which is fantastic and beautiful. From the second shower on I am pretty much waiting for the whole thing to end. But this time of the year, the transition from summer to monsoons is just stunning, my heart sings, my hips sway, the skies are grey, the branches sway, the wind gets cooler, fragrant and sweet, there is newness and anticipation in everything...there is a miracle in every corner..a gift for the senses where ever you go.
I wish it could stay this way, but I know the rains need to come soon else we will all be in trouble..
So this is my way of appeasing the rain Gods, I am wearing colours of the monsoons, grey, white and just a hint of colour.
I dont know if you have noticed but this summer I have enjoyed wearing a lot of Westside kurtas as dresses.
There was this kurta and turban, then this bright quirky one and now this grey one specially for the rain Gods :)

Kurta : Westside

Watch : Bebe

Heels : Zara (Details here)

Vintage Pink Day Dress

2014-06-22T21:13:00.001-07:00

They say your dreams say a lot about you..I wonder what mine say about me. Coz mine are usually made up of pretty dresses and gorgeous shoes..hehe
So when I saw this dress on shopnineteen, I jumped off my chair, my dream came true right before my eyes. This dress in shades of pink and a flattering form was just so perfect that I could not believe it, to add it has a hint of vintage which is something I love.
So I obviously got it, it arrived quickly and when it did I could not wait to try it on and show you guys..
The pictures are not perfect but believe me the dress is :)

What are your dreams made of??

Dress : shopnineteen.com (Rs 999)

Heels : Platform, Bandra Mumbai (Details here)

Clutch : Accessorize

Interview With The Fab Nilu Of Big Hair Loud Mouth

2014-06-16T22:18:00.001-07:00

For me one of the biggest perks of blogging is getting to know some of the most stylish, inspiring and intelligent women around (they mostly happen to be bloggers :)
A while ago I came across Nilu's wonderful blog Big Hair Loud Mouth and I have been smitten since. She has this unique interesting way of putting things together and making it all look wonderfully cohesive. I have spent many enjoyable hours lost in her colourful world and I always emerge inspired and excited to try some new things myself.
Whenever I come across a new blog, I go to their very first post, just to see the evolution and how far they have come, Nilu has come such a long way and her entire journey is beautiful, bright and wonderful.
Nilu was kind enough to answer some of my questions and I wanted to share them with you...so here goes..

1. Tell us a little about Nilu, what have you studied, where? What industry do you work in? What are your passions other than fashion?

Nilu is the dreamer of Big Hair Loud mouth, a blog dedicated to exhibiting Streetstyle fashion in India, incorporating both the Western and the Eastern trends. I was educated in Kalimpong, Darjeeling and later I got my BE degree in Electronics and Electricals from VTU Universtity in Bangalore. I currently work in Yahoo!Bangalore and my passion other than fashion would be singing, dancing and trying DIY projects (which I fail at miserably).

2. How did the blog come about? What was the inspiration?

I used to see a couple of my school friends post on Facebook, that they had blogged and it made me curious. When I checked their content I thought "this is so interesting" and I wanted to try it. There was no inspiration to be really honest, I'm a shopaholic and I thought why let a good look go waste when I can document it in a blog post! The thought made me feel good and so Big hair Loud mouth was born.

3. You started out as a very sweet and simple looking girl with big hair, in a maxi skirt..cut to today and the transformation in you is hard to believe. You look chic, stylish, glamorous and sexy. A lot has changed, other than your hair..tell us about the transformation, the journey.

Thats true! When I look back at the old posts, I do feel the same and all I can say is that nothing would have been possible if I didnt have my Team BHLM, which comprises of my closest friends, to Push me and Drag me to do what we do! Every post we make, is a reflection of our passion and dedication to things we love doing the most. And when common ideas converge, its the birth of something new and intriguing.

4. The most striking change has been your hair style, its short and hot..do you ever miss your long hair?

I used to miss my long hair often before. Had I answered your questions a couple of weeks before, the answer would have been Yes. But lately, the answer would be No. Since my latest haircut two weeks ago, I realised this is what I love more than my long hair! BIG hair doesnt necessarily mean a voluminous long hair, Infact it has no relation to the literal meaning at all. The hair part in my Blog title simply means, I love chaging hairstyles and hairstyle constitutes one of the basic foundation to good styling.

5. You are someone who has experimented and played around a lot with your hair. What have been your best hair decisions and which have been your worst. What hair advise will you give us?

My best hair decision would be using the Moroccan Oil Products for hair treatment. The worst decision I ever made was bleaching my hair to follow the Ombre trend. The Ombre dye literally killed my hair and I finally understood what it meant to have a lifeless hair. There is no shine, no bounce, just a limpless mass. Hence I decided to go short and try a chic look, keeping in mind I'll never repeat the mistake of washing off my original hair color.

6. What is your everyday morning beauty and makeup routine?

I use Vichy and Shiseido products for the day.I dont apply makeup everyday. However, when I apply makeup, I use a foundation from Revlon, Blush and Brozer from NYX, eyeshadow from Naked palette and a Lakme Eyeliner with my usual red lipstick. I make it a point to use my Clarisonic Mia before sleeping every night and I use Jojoba face oil every night before I go to sleep.

7. You wear statement red lips, which is this fab red?

I keep changing them :) But my favorites are the Mac Ruby woo and Russian Red and the Estee Lauder Stay Scarlet.

8. What is your night time beauty routine?

Jojoba face oil.

9. What beauty brands and products do you swear by?

I'd say this is a pretty tricky question. I can use anything but currently I'm using products from Mac, maybelline, Estee Lauder, NYX, Shiseido, Vichy, Colorbar and Inglot to name a few.

10. You shop online a lot..Which are your favourite online stores that are trendy and value for money?

ASOS! My ultimate favorite!

Have you read our interviews with
Natural Beauty Guru Nisha Rajpal
Ex New Yorker And Fashion Designer Anaka
Forest Essentials Tanushree Saxena

Book Club : Bina Ramani Bird In A Banyan Tree

2014-06-14T21:23:00.001-07:00

I read 'Bird In A Banyan Tree' by Bina Ramani a month ago and it left me so overwhelmed that I am writing this review only now, a month later. The book also left me with a few questions that I would have loved to ask Bina Ramani, I was hoping to be able to do that but since it hasnt happened yet, I thought I should go ahead and write this post anyway.
So let me start right from the start. I was browsing through books at a bookstore, when I noticed this one calling out to me, I picked it up admired the gorgeous cover and thought to myself "who wants to read the story of a party girl?", I put it back and left. A few weeks later, at another book store this book caught my attention from under atleast 50 other books, I pulled it out, read a page, and decided I needed to read this.
I came home and started reading and believe me I could not put it down. I think I read this book in record time.

The book is beautifully written, moves at a fast pace and every chapter in the book could work as a full fledged superhit Bollywood movie.
A party girl who got into some trouble is all I knew and thought about Bina Ramani, but reading this book changed all that completely. It is a book about grit, determination, passion, courage, persistence, hope belief and so much more.

As a young girl Bina Ramani, sacrifices her passion and her love for the sake of family, she even enters a loveless marriage for family. She endures years of heartbreak hoping and praying that things would change and the marriage would turn into a marriage that all Indian girls are taught to epitomize.
It is also a story of a mother and her fierce love for her children. That intensity of love can move mountains and drive one to be able to o things otherwise thought impossible and irrational.
Bina Ramani's life fills me with hope and belief that when there is passion for something inside you nothing can stop you from achieving it. Bina Ramani, could boast of no real education and fancy degrees but that did not stop her from becoming a household name and single handedly changing the fashion scene in Delhi and the country.

Even the way she handled her life through the high profile Jessica Lal murder case and proceedings is unfathomable - immense pressure, threats, negative media and even jail.
Bina Ramani has endured so much in life and has emerged more elegant and beautiful from each challenge that life has thrown at her. I really do not think I could have done what she has, even just reading some segments of the book left me with such intense pain in my heart that I thought "I don't think I could have endured that."
All in all it left me in awe of Bina Ramani, her courage and grit. It made me so grateful for the tiny little issues in my life because they are nothing in comparison with the storms she has weathered.
This book is an absolute must read for every Indian girl. Every mother should gift this to her daughter.
I would love to ask Bina Ramani a few questions and understand her life better, so if any of you know how to get in touch with her please do let me know - an email address, number anything would be greatly appreciated.
Bina Ramani, Bird In A Banyan Tree.

Wearing Peplum And Doing What You Suck At Most!

2014-06-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

Its amazing what the mind can do and I am just starting to understand the immense potential hidden deep inside each one of us. For all my life, I told myself ' I don't need friends, I am so bad at this networking and friendship thing, such a waste of time.' And my mind and the universe followed my instructions, I had no real friends and my life lacked and secretly craved stimulating social interactions.
Its only recently that I decided to change that, it led to a few interactions which surprisingly, I immensely enjoyed. The more I told myself, "I love this, I am good at this, I want to do more of this" the better my interactions got.
The last one month has been all about new friendships, satisfying interactions and a lot of learning from each interaction.
So here is some homework for us....think about the one thing that you keep telling yourself you suck at. Now start telling yourself just the opposite and make a conscious effort to believe that and break out of your comfort zone...watch magic happen..you will surprise yourself.
"I am just so bad at........" to
"I am great at...I love doing....its so much fun..." + take action that feels difficult to do
MAGIC...growth...

Back to the fun fashion stuff..I challenged myself to combine my eternal love for the pencil silhouette, with something I am not that comfortable with - stripes and peplum.
I think this is the very first time I am wearing anything peplum and I think I am liking the look of this, what do you think?
Its a very polished classic look and a little glam too, makes me wonder where I would wear it - you tell me, help me..
Would this do better for a day event or a night event? Would it be wayyyy tooo formal for day?
Tell me tell me..
Yay!! to more peplums and finally figuring out how to wear a peplum.

Pencil Skirt : Mango

Peplum Top : Gift USA

Heels : Catwalk

Bedtime Skincare Routine

2014-06-07T01:08:00.002-07:00

If you saw my Morning natural skincare routine video, you know that I try and stay away from harsh chemicals as much as possible. I hold the same philosophy when it comes to my night time skin care routine.
All I wish to achieve with my night skin care ritual is to rid the skin of any grime, dust and impurities that may have settled in during the coarse of the day.
I cleanse the skin and then just provide it with some nourishment and moisture through a cream. Needless to say, sleep and rest as prerequisites for healthy skin and I try to get as many hours of precious beauty sleep as possible.

Products and Tools used :

Johnson Baby Oil (Used as make up remover)

Clarisonic Mia

Loreal Youth Code Texture Perfector

Biotique Bio Myristica

Breakfast At Tiffany's : 5 Things

2014-06-05T00:49:00.002-07:00

Breakfast At Tiffany's is a landmark movie of sorts, it created history and made the little black dress chapter number one of that history text book. Right from school days I never understood the relevance of history and the past until very recently when I decided that even if just for the sake of sounding a little more intellectual and a little less vain, I must attempt to understand art and history even if just a little.
So yes of-course I started my history lessons with Breakfast At Tiffany's (did you really think I would start with - A History Of India, nahhhhh), I know a little too late, but I got down to seeing it finally!
The opening scene is beautiful, a gorgeous Audrey Hepburn, the most exquisite pearl choker, elegant satin gloves, a flattering black dress and the iconic Tiffany's window. The scene had me hooked and instantly set my expectations soaring....
Here are a few things I learnt from the iconic movie.
1. A simple black dress that fits and flatters is a must in every wardrobe, and I just realized that I don't have one. Audrey also proved that the Little Black Dress does not really have to be "little", she never ever really wears a mini or a teeny tiny black dress, they were all an elegant length, never embellished and never over the top.

2. There is something about pearls, they always stand out and yet they are never in your face. They are elegant and understated and yet make a classy statement always. In the movie Audrey says “Personally, I Think It Would Be Tacky To Wear Diamonds Before I’m 40.” I love pearls but I love diamonds too, hehe..

3. Gloves Sunglasses and Hats are oh so glamorous and I find myself craving for them since the movie. I do realize that those gloves could be a practical nightmare in India - imagine eating vada pav with them on while staring at a main road facing dusty store window - not so glam anymore, right?? But hats, lets promise to try wearing more of those, bring on a revolution of sorts..

4. A cat is essential in every persons life, no really, I am so serious about this. The nameless cat called 'cat' was the most sensible character in the movie. Cat manages to bring some sense into a completely senseless movie, she was one smart cat (since the cat was smart, I am assuming it was a 'she'). So if you have been feeling lost in life, maybe you should consider getting a cat and name it cat.

5. When looking for a house, make sure it has a very cute convenient fire exit stair well. These dont just help you escape fires, but also jilted lovers, needy boyfriends/ girlfriends, crazy parties and the police. They become convenient spots for midnight rendezvous and cozy corners for singing songs.

You can tell cant you?? that I was sorely disappointed with the movie though the fashion and Audrey's style far exceeded all my expectations.

I had thought that the movie would be about this sensible, smart and classy girl I had thought it would be about making Tiffany dreams coming true or something along those lines...

But a pretty movie is all it is, a pretty movie about a girl who is lost and has no idea where she wants to go in life, needless to say, the movie felt the same way.

But the dresses were gorgeous, the accessories do what they are supposed to do - transform, the heels are sensible and yet lovely, the hair is always voluminous all in all pretty is all the movie is.

When Under Stress, Just Put On A Dress

2014-06-02T01:02:00.001-07:00

A new academic year is about to begin and I have been running helter skelter ticking off my to do and errands list. Two months have come to an end, and it seems to have gone by in a jiffy, there was so much I wanted to accomplish in these seemingly long two months and now I find myself cramming it all in the last two days. Yes, I do have a major procrastination problem.
In the midst of such chaos, dressing up is the last thing on my mind and jeans and slacks were invented for such mindless days in my life. But I think this blog has changed me in more ways than I thought possible because I decided to put in a dress for a whirlwind day of picking up uniforms, school supplies and paying bills.
And wooohaaa!! the unthinkable happened.. just putting on that dress and ditching those jeans made everything look and feel pretty, those tasks were no longer daunting they were actually fun and I even managed to take some pictures in between all the chaos. Can a dress really do all that - hell yes - just try it.
Lesson learnt : When in stress, just put on a dress..

A dress is so versatile and can be so much fun to play with..dont believe me..look here
Formal Maxi Dress
Fierce Warrior in a Dress
Day To Night Dress

Dress : shopnineteen.com

Bag : Zara

Chappals : Mahabaleshwar

Watch : Diesel

Bangles : Here and There

Indulgent Summer : Anarkali Kurta And Orange Bar

2014-05-28T21:57:00.003-07:00

Anarkali Kurta and ice creams..
I have had a very indulgent summer, no really I have, and my all time favourite indulgence has been ice cream. I have had them in all shape, sizes colours and flavours but my favourite has always always been the orange bar.
It brings back memories of summer holidays spent in Delhi with all my cousins. We would constantly be on a treasure hunt, looking for spare change and shiny coins in every nook and cranny of my grandparents ancestral home. The moment we had Rs 2 (yup, thats how much they were for then) off we would run to buy an orange bar and feast on it.
This was a summer holiday ritual all through school days, we grew up, but never grew over this holiday tradition and obsession.
Now, as my kids get their share of summer indulgences I cant help but join then and relive some memories of my own while creating some new ones with them.
The summer holidays are almost over and the occasional showers indicate that summer is giving way to monsoon, very reluctantly but giving way none the less.

This post features, my anarkali kurta, worn as an anarkali dress here with my scarf (see here) used as a turban and featuring the star of the post my orange bar (but of course).
Summers always see me longing for comfy cool cottons and this anarkali kurta has been a faithful and fashionable companion this summer.

Anarkali Kurta : Westside

Kolhapuri Chappals : Mumbai (See Here)

Gold Belt : Westside

Scarf Used As Turban : Mumbai (See Here)

Ring : Blur Accessories

Bamgles: Here And There

Creme Magazine Feature

2014-05-25T20:54:00.002-07:00

I do try to put in my heart, soul, time and effort into this blog. I constantly try and bring content that is meaningful and enriching for me and hopefully for all those who read it. So, when recognition and appreciation come my way by means of your comments and sometimes by way of a magazine feature, I feel a renewed determination to do what I do better, I feel humbled and I feel immense gratitude.
The month of May, saw Looking Good Feeling Fab and yours truly featured in Creme magazine along with some other fabulous bloggers. Creme magazine is Pune's own luxury lifestyle magazine which gives a peek into the life and lifestyle of Pune's culturally rich and stylish society.

For the quick and fun shoot, I decided to go a sari borrowed from my mum-in-law and since I did not have a blouse to match, I wore the sari with a sequin dress. I was a little skeptical about wearing a sari in the magazine since as a fashion blogger I thought maybe I am expected to be in a hip fun dress. I still did go ahead and wear a sari because being true to myself and my style sensibility eventually emerged as a higher priority.

So go ahead, get your copy of Creme, read my feature and that of all the gorgeous bloggers featured with me.
Cosmopolitan magazine feature

All Natural Morning Skincare Routine

2014-05-23T01:20:00.001-07:00

I believe in the "Law of Love" and the Law of Attraction", unfortunately sometimes I forget to apply in it various spheres of my life. My skin is one such department that received no love from me for the longest time, forget love, it barely ever received any attention from me. The few occasions that I did stop to notice my skin, it only received loath from me - the pigmentation, the breakouts, that's all I could see and notice. Needless to say that is what I got more and more of in return from my skin.
This continued till I met Nisha Rajpal, who simplified skincare for me and made it super convenient. She convinced me that beautiful skin is not time and effort indulgent, but we often tend to make it so.
So I set out on a mission to start loving the skin I am in. I needed a skincare regime that make my skin feel nourished and loved without making it seem like hard-work to me.
Here is the routine I started following..

I try and stick to natural products as far as possible, since that seems like the better way of doing it, to me atleast.
I will be honest, initially fitting this new ritual into my schedule was a little tough, I had plenty of excuses always ready. But I pushed along and within a few days this new routine fit snugly and comfortably into my everyday routine.

It literally takes 5 minutes and leaves the skin feeling happy for the rest of the day.
I dont know if doing this has helped my skin drastically or if it is just a placebo effect, but irrespective, my skin feels loved and I feel loved in return. Like my mother-in-law says "often with things and hair, the love you give it in your younger years start bearing fruit when you turn 40 and 50".
The younger lot might not understand it but the thrill of hearing "OMG you don't look 30/40/50 at all" is just something else. So make that investment into your skin, create a skincare routine that works for you, eat a healthy diet and don't forget to tell me all about it.

Summer Skirts And Other Obsessions

2014-05-18T23:18:00.001-07:00

This summer I have acquired a new obsession - skirts. I think I am reliving my childhood days of summer holidays, ahhh!! don't you all miss those days? I have been wearing skirts a lot, all summer long and pairing them with different things, and this skirt has been my favourite.
I have worn it for brunch, shopping and just hanging out at home with a book, staring through the window at the summer showers on a cloudy day. While on the topic of books, the one I am currently reading has got me hooked, it has blown me away and I have learnt so much from it. Dying to tell you all about it in a post soon - but I just dont know where to start and where to end.

Goa Vacation

2014-05-15T22:56:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that I took a few days off to vacation in Goa, a few weeks back. I finally got down to looking at all the pictures to put this post together and what fun it has been. Almost, like taking a mini vacation right in the comfort of my home - reliving those moments, ahhh!! bliss!!
Would you believe it if I told you that till 4 years ago I had never ever been to Goa. Then the kids came along and the convenience of a direct flight to a beach haven called Goa became my dream come true.
Since then we have been visiting Goa every year, and with each passing year I fall more in love with the place. The familiarity of the place makes it comforting and fun, add to that miles of gorgeous beaches, some amazing food and nothing else to do.
However there is one dampener that I always tend to pack in my holiday bag - GUILT. Yes guilt, I feel guilt for starting my day with a giant buffet breakfast, for allowing the kids to not shower till noon, for not working out and instead just lazing in the pool, for not updating the blog or for not replying to your comments. I do all those things anyway but I don't enjoy myself a 100% thanks to the guilt I carry with me.
So this time I decided to make a conscious effort to leave the guilt behind and truly enjoy and cherish each moment. Not only did I travel much lighter but I also had such a beautiful time..
Sharing some of these moments with you...filled with gratitude from the bottom of my heart..

Have you seen our post on Gods Own Country Kerala ?

Floral Pencil Skirt And Looking Back

2014-05-13T23:31:00.000-07:00

Hello there, I hope you all had a lovely Mothers Day weekend. I hope it gave you a chance to think about and pay gratitude to your mother and those who have had a big influence on you, maybe a meal shared with them, maybe a warm hug, a long overdue phone call, a gentle "I love you" or even just a prayer.
Thank you so very much for your lovely comments on my Dear Ma post, it really did come from my heart and I am so glad you could relate. I wanted to reply to each comment but had limited internet access over the last few days and hence was unable to. I did spend part of the weekend with my mom and was delighted to see her smile and laugh.
I honestly was not the easiest child to bring up, right till I was past my teens I gave my mother plenty to worry about. Unfortunately at that time I just could not see it - the pain and hurt I was causing her. So much changes with age, I think I have calmed down and matured enough to be able to think from the other persons perspective.

Training yourself to be able to look at things from a different and new perspective is so important. Often we get so caught up in our own thoughts, views and stubborn judgments that we tend to forget that there are other people with feelings involved too.
Whenever I feel hurt or upset, I try to ask myself "could I have done something different to avoid this?" "is the other person hurting too?" "maybe this was not intentional" "am I upset because I am hurt or because my ego is hurt?" "can I let go of my ego and make things better?" The answer is almost always "YES".
Looking back, I do have some regrets, a few things I wish I had handled differently, not for my sake but for the sake of those who loved me tremendously. I learnt from every mistake I made, I am who I am thanks to those mistakes but I wish those lessons had not hurt those around me.
I wish I had thought from their perspective.
I do try and do it now.

Anyway, sometimes I think the content of my blog is so unlike what the content of a fashion blog should be...do you guys get bored of my ramblings, feelings and reflections??
Are you like "shut up and get to the outfit"??
If yes, let me know...I will then try and stick to just talking about outfits and skirts and fashion ;)
I don't promise but I will TRY!!
You know my obsession with pencil anything right? This is my spring summer floral pencil skirt, pair it with a Tshirt and it becomes my perfect summer go to outfit. Cheery yellow shoes and sunnies.
I tried macarons for the first time during this post...quiet honestly I enjoyed playing with them more than eating them. I know all you macaron lovers just pulled out your daggers....but before you take a stab at me..I agree..maybe I did not get the right ones..gonna give them a try again for sure.

Skirt : ASOS

Tshirt : Linking Road (Rs150)

Heels : Pune Local Store

Ma I Love You Even Though It Might Seem Hard To Believe Sometimes :)

2014-05-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Ma,

I have always been aware of the fact that you have made tremendous sacrifices and endured unimaginable circumstances for the sake of your children. Now that I am a mother this awareness has matured into immense amount of respect for what you did for us and admiration for how you did it.

You loved me and worried about me even though I kept you up all night and wailed all day. You did my holiday home work for me so I could go out and play. You walked in the heat, to get me samosas I was craving, and you got me not one but five. You never ate the things we loved, just so that you could see us enjoying them

I dont say thank you to you everyday even though I know I should. Even if I do say the words I dont think thank you's will be enough for all the things you have taught me and all the influence you have had on me.

Thank you ma for shielding us from sticky situations always. Thank you for imprinting into our minds what kind of guys to not marry. For believing in me when I had almost given up. For praying for me and more importantly teaching me how to pray for myself. For slapping a teenage me - ma I did deserve it. Thank you for the life I have and for the person I am - everything I am and will be, is all thanks to you.

Looking back I can clearly see the amount of pain and anxiety I have caused you. Today I understand that the most difficult and gruesome thing for a parent is to helplessly be witness to their childs self destructive decisions and watch them go down a path that is sure to lead to destruction. I made you endure this, you warned me repeatedly but I thought I knew better.

There was a phase when instead of being a support for you I became the cause of a lot of hurt, defeat and disappointment for you. Then you decided to take charge and single handedly changed our destiny.

We have been through so much together Ma, good times and bad, it has definitely strengthened our bond. There is so so much that you have given to me that words are not enough to express my gratitude. I know we still fight sometimes but deep within I love you so much even when I am saying just the opposite.

I love you doll. Seeing you happy keeps me happy. Keep smiling keep laughing..

Love always

Ashu

Wishing all the mothers a very happy Mothers Day, every day you create the future.

New Haircut : Finally Got That Fringe

2014-05-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

Do you remember my Fringe Benefit post, where I was shamelessly obsessing over fringed haircuts that some lovely bloggers and celebrities sport. I finally got a hold on all my insecurities and fears and did it!!

Some of you who are blessed with hair that grows at a rate of 5 inches per day, might not understand what the fuss is all about. However, those like me who oil their hair everyday and try all kinds of magic oils, just in the hope that their hair would grow even a millimeter would understand. Its about being stuck with something you hate, even if it is just for a few days, trust me those few days can have a soul crushing impact for life. Yes, a bad haircut can be that serious.
Here is how it went down..

I have had a fringe for a few days now and I have to honestly say that I have no regrets. Do I love it always? No!! Do I hate it ever? No, but I do love it on most days.

Pros
Its the easiest way to glam up a little without having to play with curling wands, straighteners and juggling paddle brushes and blow dryers. Honestly, I an pretty lazy in that department, I just never can get myself to spend an hour doing up my hair. But, I also know that glam hair is the easiest way to glam up the drabbest of looks..so a fringe is great. Run a comb through it an you are good to go.
And on days when it comes in the way, like when you are trying to watch "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and taking notes about every detail of her classic looks - all you can see is strands of your hair..well on those occasions, just use some cute pins or a hairband.

Cons
Regular haircuts required, cannot possible have one just once in six months!! (It might be a blessing in disguise)
I would not recommend trying it for the first time during the sweltering scorching summer heat.
Other than that all good...let me know what you thing..
Love
Abhilasha

India's Best Dressed Women : Lookinggoodfeelingfab's List And Newsletter

2014-05-06T22:01:00.000-07:00

India's Best Dressed Women : Lookinggoodfeelingfab's List And Newsletter, yes that is what we are talking about today and I am sure excited.

I have some mid week eye candy and inspiration in store for all of you. One thing I love doing in my spare time is flipping through magazines and browsing through celebrity style websites. Some stars have impeccable style that seems effortless, they manage to always get it right - creating a perfect vision of beauty.

And then there are others that manage to always get it wrong, in-spite of having stylists and makeup artists at their disposal. There are some appearances that are completely forgettable while there are others that go down in history.

Moreover there is something infectious about a well dressed woman, they make me want to snap out of an bout of sulking and cribbing in my PJ's, put on that fabulous dress and take on the world.
Picking up cues and getting inspired by gorgeous polished women is my favorite way to reset my mood and inject a dose of positivity into my day.

So I decided to put together my "best dressed list", this is a list of women who are always well put together and they always inspire.

The list is a compilation of their best dressed moments - moments when these ladies created magic with their looks - fashion moments I will never forget.
It also contains some fun facts and a break down of their style.

Here is a tiny glimpse of what you will find inside..

I promise a lot of eye candy, a lot of inspiration, a lot of fashion, some serious personalities and a fresh take on style.

For this report on "the best dressed", for our other fun monthly newsletters and updates all you have to do is click on this link (link here) and subscribe. The monthly newsletter will be specially compiled and delivered into your inbox. The newsletter will have lists like "my top 10 beauty products" "stylish women over 40" etc, and these will only be for our subscribers.
So what are you waiting for?? ;)
CLICK HERE
P.S. Thank you Aradhika for helping me put this together
Love
Abhilasha

Bandra, Mumbai Why I Am Obsessed : Shopping, Eating And Loving

2014-05-04T20:35:00.002-07:00

I live in Pune, which is a short drive away from Mumbai, so needless to say I have visited Mumbai often. Taking flights from the city, landing into it often, work meetings and social obligations, my visits have always been on a very strict time budget, a strong agenda and long to do lists. Never have these visits been aimless, random, unplanned and free from time limits.

So a few weeks back when I got a chance to spend a day in Bandra with no agenda and a strong desire to explore (Thank you Dora for the inspiration), I did just that.
I have to say, that the fun in Bandra is not in staying holed up in a luxurious hotel, dining at the 5 stars or national chains, it is not in shopping at the malls.

True Bandra love is in walking down the tiny lanes in Pali Hill, admiring the quaint tiny villas nestled between tall modern high rises. These villas have it all, picket fences, adorable wooden gates, vintage facades, and a resilience to change. They continue to live in a different era while the world around spins at lightning speed.

It is in walking down Hill Road and Linking Road - a treat for any shopping addict, the thrill is not in the purchases but in the bargaining and the triumphant feeling of having scored a steal. I was left amused by what all you could find in tiny nooks and corners of Bandra streets, if you looked carefully enough.

It is also in the convenience of having a beautiful sea front right across the street and the feeling of constantly being surrounded by the sound of waves and a blanket of sea breeze.
It is in the tiny little eateries each reflecting a distinct personality borrowed from its owners, which lovingly serve the most delicious food - bagles, cakes, sandwiches, whatever you might fancy!

And then of course Bandra joy is in spotting a celebrity, Bandra does house a ton of celebrities and now I know why. Guess who I spotted??
Ranbir Kapoor!! Yes I did..

Watch the video for details of my shopping and eating spree.

Here are some more posts about my shopping obsession :)
Zara Westside sale haul
More sale shopping

India Circus By Krsna Mehta : Haul And Review

2014-04-29T04:40:00.002-07:00

There was a phase in my life that I now like to call "the safe phase", it was a time when I avoided even a trace hint of risk in any decision. My choices when it came to dressing myself and my home proclaimed "safe" accompanied with a big yawn. My walls were always white, the wall art was safe, sparse and standard, even the upholstery was within the same colour family, having veered dangerously to tan on one occasion.
Just when I had justified every safe decision in my head and was slipping into a zone of comfort believing that this was me and not the fear of risk, an interior magazine featured the home of designer Krsna Mehta.
I remember looking at those pages again and again, loving the riot of colours even more with each view. Within a few moments all my beliefs were shattered and I was left asking myself the question "is this me or have I confined myself into a safe mold?"

That is really when my love affair with Krsna Mehta's designs started. He brought colour on my walls and into my life. And then I had the opportunity to observe the master in action at a store opening in a quaint part of Pune. The moment I entered the bunglow I noticed a distinct Krsna Mehta stamp, there were crows painted on the walls, colour everywhere, so much personality and the designer himself was spinning around in the space making sure every little product was placed beautifully. My respect for him and his designs went up manifold that day.
The fact that he took on the digital space at the right time and carved a niche for 'India Circus' proves to me beyond any shred of doubt that the guy is not just a creative maverick but also a business genius. In my mind he can do no wrong and neither can his brand.

I recently got myself a few pieces of 'India Circus', and if like me you are a lover of any or all of the things below, 'Indian Circus is bound to be your haven..
1. If you love colours.
2. If you love and enjoy the quirkiness of a land called India.
3. If you are obsessed with modes of transport like the taxi, the auto, the cycle...
4. Or you are a lover of animals, the deer, elephants, horses, cows...
5. If you believe you were a Mughal prince in your last birth or have an affinity for Mughal princesses..

6. If you love the unconventional.
7. If you appreciate speedy service and delivery.
8. If like me, the product packaging is sometimes more important to you than the product itself..
9. If you want great quality at equally great prices.
10. If you love yourself enough to enjoy some risks.....
If you haven't experienced the magic of India Circus yet..head on there now, they have some lovely offers too..

Sarees : Designs And Dressing Up For That Perfect Indian Wedding

2014-04-29T02:57:00.001-07:00

When selecting from an Indian ethnic wedding collection for women the most important thing is choosing the right colour of the saree or dress. A flattering colour is essential because a good colour assortment results in a beautiful looking bride in an amazing wedding dress.

Some people can carry any saree well. Just like our very own Madhuri Dixit. We think she looks her best in Indian wear. And when it is a saree, there is just no comparison.

Manish Malhotra is one of the most magnificent and talented Indian fashion designers. He’s a big wig in the Indian fashion industry. He even designs costumes for the film fraternity and stars like Shahrukh khan, Kajol, Soonam Kapoor, Sushmita Sen, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rani Mukkarji, Karishma Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty, Bipasha Basu etc. And one of the most popular movies he’s designed costumes for is ‘Main Hoon Na’ where Sushmita Sen looked elegant and sensual in his gorgeous sarees.

In his recent collection Manish Malhotra launched his sarees collection where he presented chiffon sarees, net sarees, and georgette sarees.

Style of these sarees was pleated wrap and fish tail. Few of these sarees were mix and matched with full sleeved blouses, sleeve less and half sleeve blouses. Few of these sarees were embellished with thread embroidery, fancy and heavy laces and fancy embroidery. And colour combination of the sarees were an assortment of black and zinc, pink and shocking pink, red and black, maroon and skin, pink and light purple, plum, yellow and orange.

Although the dresses by Manish are expensive but are also of good quality and are trend setters which in turn increases the demand for outfits designed by Manish. His few designer sarees online that are trending are:

· The sarees with a dark base, a slight maroon colour touch looks wonderful. The golden colour printed banarsi material used on the borders of this saree brings out the maroon colour. Maroon colour blouse with quarter half sleeves looks perfect with this saree.

· The skin colour saree is also very stylish. The printed fabric is used in this outfit with banarsi lace used on the borders of this saree.

The black colour stylish saree with red colour work on it looks gorgeous. The usage of red colour makes the saree an incredible and attractive designer saree.

· The blue and green multi-colour saree with machine work embroidery is very eye-catching. The light green colour work is done on the blue part of the cloth and red colour embroidery is done on the light green colour part. Some black and blue colour shiny paisleys are used on the borders of this saree.

Many business houses have drawn inspiration from him, whether it is in terms of material, style or just colour schemes and now you can buy sarees online that have that Midas touch to them; however, they won’t cost you a fortune.

When you want to wear a saree for a function you need a Good Blouse design, because a perfect Blouse Design enhances the look of your saree so you look prettier. Here given below are the finest selected and latest blouse designs of this year. These latest blouse designs contain celebrity saree blouses, bridal blouse designs, designer lehenga saree blouse, Satya Paul Saree Blouse designs, designer sarees online , princess cut designer front and back saree blouse design, Saree blouse designs from Shyamal and Bhumika, Blouse Neck Patterns, designer saree blouse back design, embroidered designer saree blouse designs etcetera.

If you’re preparing for a wedding then you need to know about the latest trends for Wedding Hairstyles. In every person’s life wedding is one of the most magical moments so they want to look like a true prince or princess, in a girl’s life it gets accentuated if you know the latest hairstyles. For every Bride the hair style adds more perfection to the face. So here are few designs which are given here, you can find better hairstyles for Indian brides, us wedding hairstyles, UK hairstyles for brides.

You can tie them up in a braid or make a bun. You can tie a high pony tail or a low pony tail. The design you chose completely depends on the attire you are wearing. If your are wearing a gown; a high tie bun looks beautiful because you have trailing clothes and you tend to wear some accessory on your bun. If you choose to wear a saree or lehenga then a medium high tied bun or a long braid is a good idea because here you add the chunni. If you’re a South Indian you will need to braid your hair and wear the golden accessories as is the tradition. Deepika Padukone has adorned this look in the movie Chennai Express where she’s worn beautiful South Silk Sarees which have started trending once again and adorned the long braid with golden coin accessories.

Tech Troubles And Myntra.com

2014-04-26T22:54:00.000-07:00

Each one of us, has, at some point heard about the joy's of running a business online - work in your pajamas, work out of your favorite cafe, work at your own time...and on and on..
But the sorrows and frustrations of working online are endless too, often leaving me devastated and overwhelmed.

Lately my computer and my camera have not been on talking terms, they got along just fine till a day ago but suddenly things have turned a little sour. I seem to be the referee trying to resolve the matter between two very stubborn parties and all I get in return is antagonism from both sides.
When faced with any technology related issue I follow a very carefully engineered Standard Operating Procedure.
Step 1 : Restart the device.
If step 1 fails to resolve issue
Step 2 : Shake the device vigorously, a light tap or a hard kick whatever works first.
If step 2 fails to resolve issue
Step 3 : Head to Mr. Know it all - google and Mrs Know it all - youtube.
If step 3 fails
Step 4 : Deep breathing, meditation and yoga asanas.
Start again from step 1
Repeat cycle 5 times before giving up and requesting troubleshooting services from the neighborhood teen geek who resolves it in a second.
Proceed to feel like a complete idiot.
Happens all the time..
How many bloggers and internet entrepreneurs agree?? Am I the only one?? seriously??
Anyway, so now on to my leisure time online, I got this maxi dress from myntra.com...it was love at first sight and the moment I lay eyes on it, i knew we were meant to be.
Myntra has such a huge selection of products that I can remain lost in this space for hours together and their service is unbeatable too, my dress arrived neatly packaged within just a day and a half.
I styled the dress two ways..

1. The Layered Look
leggings, maxi dress and floral jacket. The dress is pretty long for me, so I added a belt and pulled the excess length over the belt.

2. The Casual Look
Honestly, not really my style..I tried to do something out of my comfort zone and I guess the discomfort shows..hehe

Dress : c/o Myntra.com (here)

Leggings : Old

Floral jacket : thrifted old

Sneakers : Bata

Hairband : Gift