A feisty summer

It’s a feisty summer when you decide to not sit coddled up at home, waiting for the sun to set before you step out. I considered that option. But then I came to the conclusion, that by that logic, I would waste more than 70% of the season, which is almost half a year, doing nothing outside. Believe me, I did the math. So putting aside the tan worries, armed with a bottle of water and some sun screen, I have decided summers are going to be about fun in the sun. And of course I do not mean, dehydrate yourself or develop blisters by camping out in the sun. But on a personal note, the holiday that I thought twice about undertaking in the fear of a sun tan or travel in the sun, is going to happen. The travelling shall continue and so shall the escapades in the sun.

On that note, a key trend this season as the last one, is print on print and this post shall key you in on how to do it with ease. Simple rule: Let one print be dominant. The tee with the thin stripes paired with the bold alligator print is an example.

The shoes were sent across by the gorgeous model turned artist Priyanka G. of Zubiya. The most interesting bit about these shoes is that they are hand painted by her. And if comfortable shoes with adorable prints is what you seek, order your pairs now. She also does customized designs for whatever you seek to imprint on your shoes. Entrepreneurial women are definitely taking the Indian fashion scene by a storm. 

Wearing:

Striped tee: Portmans (Australia)

Alligator print pants with studs on the pockets: Zara

White ballet flats with swarovski peace motif: C/O Zubiya

Jute clutch in coral: Aldo

Statement necklace in orange and red: C/O Youshine

Pyramid ring: Some accessory store (Australia)

Till the next post,

XOXO

The Elle experience

It is definitely a feat for a brand when you walk into their store only to be surprised by the leap of faith that they have taken. The Elle Fashion wear bloggers meet definitely made me see the brand in a new light and I also had the opportunity of sharing my opinions with the designer behind the new line. Their latest collection, Mid-day in Paris is definitely a shade different (no pun intended) from what I have seen Elle do in the past. They have soaked in the summer, played with interesting sorbet colors and some interesting summer prints. The denim trend also appears big in the latest collection where they introduced denim dresses, waistcoats and other such, basically keeping it simple and chic. Definitely a way to kick start the season.
The meet saw us interacting with the Elle girls to learn more about the collection and also other bloggers. With a make up artist and hair stylist to assist you, the Elle fashion wear bloggers meet took the concept of playing dress up and made Elle cover girls of us all. Pretty cool, right?

I made the Elle cover!

In discussion with the designer. 

Till the next post,
XOXO

The Amritsar Act

Is it not the idea of a travelogue to write about what in your experience sets a certain place apart? Is it not about doing what Lonely Planet tells you and still managing to find that esoteric aspect to it?

Amritsar had been on the cards for me for a while now. The realization monstrously struck when my colleagues from the other countries visited Amritsar and I was left feeling a little abashed at not having explored this deeply historical city in India.

With the blistering sun overhead, the meteorological Gods definitely had something planned for this holiday, for you cannot take your car in the overtly crowded and bustling market streets of Amritsar which lead you to the Golden Temple. You say you have a VIP pass for the Wagah Border? Doesn’t change much. You still wait with thousands of Indians who have come all the way to witness the change of guards at the Indo-Pak border. Does the holiday tan or sweat and grime change the fact that Amritsar is a mystical experience? No. If anything, it grows manifold.

Amritsar is about the walk to the Golden Temple. The first sight of this absolutely magnificent piece of architecture. The manifestation of the faith of the Sikhs. And those like me who believe in a God, in isolation from the shapes and figures we give him/her. The gurbaani you hear live at the Golden Temple. Its rich unyielding reflection on the water body in between. The Wagah Border experience of yelling and cheering with a thousand other Indians tied to you by the thread of their nationality. The pride you feel when your guards walk to the gate. It is about watching your father get emotional at the Jallianwala Bagh and experiencing gooseflesh yourself when you see the thousands of bullet marks. It is about the ‘gallies’ and the bustling ‘dhabas’. The Amritsari naan and chole. It is about the markets selling all kinds of souvenirs and absolutely fabulous Punjabi jutis to tourists like me. Amritsar is about history and the warmth of the people.

In the Indian avataar for Day 1 of the Amritsar Act. A mustard kurti with neon pink embroidery and floral collar.

The Golden Temple in all its glory.

The mystical reflection.

The parade at the Wagah Border

A good idea to saunter through all the juti stores in the market next the The Golden Temple.

The epic graffiti van. 

The delectable Lahori naan and Amritsari chole

Things to do, places to visit:

Food: Sarhad, hands down. For Indo-Pak cuisine. To look for: The graffiti van for fun pictures, outside seating and the food, of course.

Shop: Katra Jaimal Market. Bargain for the jutis. The Pakistani kinds are gorgeous but make sure you haggle to bring down the prices. Lets just say Rs. 1000 (INR) is not the right price.

See: The Golden Temple, The Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh 

Till the next post,

XOXO

Of Kazo and a swarm of colors

When an event offers you cupcakes, take it and go.
But even if I keep my sombre attempt at humor aside, there are more than enough reasons to love the Kazo Bloggers' Meet and style event. At the onset, pointing out the basic seems only fair. A well organized and an interactive event where we definitely got to work on our fashion and style instincts. The Kazo Spring Summer Collection boasts of a myriad of the prettiest shades of neons and pastels and prints to die for. So smitten was I with the warm yellows and the fluorescent oranges, that I have to admit I could forego the monochrome trend for all those lovely clothes and accessories. Each invited fashion blogger picked their five must haves from the Spring Summer 2013 collection and a video was shot with each one of us where we explain to you, why we picked what we did with our little styling ideas. *The photographer was just short of telling me to stop yapping so much, true story*
Here are some snapshots of the activity and my Kazo picks for the season. The video shall come out soon too so you get to hear my reasons soon enough. ;)

My top five picks included:

• A lacey pencil skirt in a warm lemon
• A necklace in a fluorescent orange with gold accents
• A summer dress with small geometric print on top and a yellow skirt and a bow belt
• A classic white vest with neon pink bead motif
• A geometric statement clutch in animal print

I'm wearing: 

A sheer oversized shirt with orange pink and black houndstooth print: Vintage boutique (Australia)

Jeans: Guess

Brogues: Zara

Fringed bag in black leather: Mango

Tribal necklace with leaf and Victorian faces: Fab Alley

Brace yourself for the summer swarm of colors at Kazo and I can't imagine you would walk out without picking a couple of things.

If you liked this post then you are definitely going to love whats coming next with relation to Kazo. Get set. :)

Till then,

XOXO

Pearls and Orange

Just back from a wonderful weekend getaway, I'm bubbling with energy, thoughts and words I would love to pen down. With accompanying photographs of course. While I work on that and get set to slip back into regular life mode *groan*, I shall share some more Indian-ness on FTLOFAOT with you. This kurti pajami was designed for me by one of my closest friends, S. Definitely a piece after my own heart with the pearl and swarovski detailing, the deep back with the brocade dori and the net and gota dupatta. Also, if anything, the orange and green patriotic combination is definitely a hit this season with the ladies adorning the Indian avataar.
To match the pearls of the kurti, Youshine had this month, these stunning silver and pearl drop chandelier earrings. Not ones to miss, are they?

Earrings: C/O Youshine

Till the next post and more about the travels,
XOXO

Retro Summer

Summer outfits should be fun, flirty and feminine. Most importantly they should be comfortable. No one wants to be out gallivanting in the sweltering heat wearing uncomfortable shoes or too many layers, for the sake of fashion. I'm ringing in the Retro era ('40s to the '80s) with this heart printed shirt which I decided to tie at the bottom into a knot and these swinger sunglasses with the hipster green check. The summer staple in this outfit are the ombre shorts from Max fashions in orange. They made me think of a melting orange lolly and I knew I had to make them a summer staple. Keeping it clean in terms of accessories, I have just used my watch and the tan bag and nude oxford shoes. Definitely a fuss free summer look that I would want to play around with this season. For the women worried of the leching that the hot pants might attract, I would definitely suggest factoring in the occasion and the place you decide to sport this look at. Dress as you please, we are definitely a free country on paper but these liberal ideologies do not exactly translate into a hard and fast follow up by the state.
But that debate is for another day.
For now, channel the inner 'Disco Deewane' this summer with a hint of retro in your summer clothing.

Wearing:
Heart print shirt: ASOS
Ombre shorts: C/O Max Fashions
Sunglasses: Quick Brown Fox (Australia)
Nude oxfords: Zara
Tan bag: C/O Youshine

Till the next time,
XOXO

Baubles galore

Store reviews, collection previews are exciting under a few conditions. Either its a launch that sounds very promising or its a brand whose collections/products I have enjoyed and respected. This one definitely falls in the latter category. Youshine has been churning out ranges of jewelry and new products galore, every month and being a loyalist already, needless to say I love their products. My sure favourite amongst their scarves, jewelry, bags et al is definitely their jewelry range. Its interesting also because they take a trend and tweak it in their pieces with a lot of style. With the help of cooperative staff and an interesting collection, visiting the Youshine kiosk at Select City Walk, Saket, Delhi was definitely a hit with me. Took a little chance to play dress up with this one very interesting piece. Here's a sneak peek into some of their bubble necklaces, drop earrings, gold accented collars et al.

Style tip: Use these big, chunky and colorful gold accented pieces over bright solid colors and the more solid colored, mono-hued necklaces against the floral and geometric prints.

Wearing: Blue dress with ruffled sleeved and green polka dots- Street find (Delhi)

And for what I finally picked from Youshine this month? Watch this space. :)

If you were looking for some extra FTLOFAOT bites, you can also now find me on instagram. 

(@shreyakalra1)

Till later,

XOXO