Happy New Year

Hello All,

I am back for a quick blog on casual outfits for New Year get together at work or with your friends. Few of them are reused and restyled. Take a look at the pictures to get an idea

Animal Print Sweater and a black Skirt, Fur coat from Shein

Pleated Skirt and White Sweater. Skirt @amazon

Kurta Styled with Oxidized Silver, Kurta @Bunaai

With 2021 coming to an end, I just want to say I am thankful for the year and grateful for all the opportunities it provided. We had some stress when my dad was hospitalized due to Covid back in India but thank God he recovered. I want to welcome New year with New Hope, New Spirits, More Happiness, Health and Achievements.

What are your New Year resolutions? Well, I usually don’t have any resolutions for the fear of not keeping them but this time I want to improve my public speaking skills. Last month I was invited for a fire side chat about my role at work, for few of the questions I felt I could have articulated them well. Hence want to get better at public speaking.

Signing off for now. Hope you all will have a wonderful year ahead and wish you all a very Happy New Year 2022.

See you all with new post in 2022. Until then Stay Safe, Take Care of you and each other.

Latest Saree Trends

Dec19

Hello ladies,

How is it going? What are your plans for holidays? We don’t have any travel plans but planning to do art work and cooking with my 7 yr old, as usual photo shoot to treasure memories and movie nights. Today’s blog post is about few trending sarees. Are you not sure which saree to buy for upcoming festival Sankranti? Then you are at right place. You can try below varieties which are more popular now a days. I shared few pictures from my closet for reference.

Patola Saree – A double Ikat weave, These are so colorful with different geometric shapes and best part is you can style them with any color blouse as the saree has different colors in it. Do you know that one Patola saree can take six months to one year to make? Take a look below to see how I styled Patola saree with different blouses. These sarees start from $200 based on the material of the saree.

Paithani Saree – Usually identified with oblique square design and peacocks in borders. They come in different materials. Most trending are pure silk Paithani and Bandhni Paithani sarees. Pure Paithani silk or Bandhini sarees are expensive starting from $400

Kalamkari Saree – A hand painted or digital printed Kalamkari art on saree which can be identified by big motifs all over the saree. Hand painted kalamkari sarees are heavy on pocket than digital kalamkari prints. If you are not into big motifs look for Ajrakh sarees. I bought one kalamkari and will style it on Sankranti. Do check out this space in January.

Here are my pictures how I styled black Patalo saree which I bought from DesignsByVastraLLC Insta handle using different style and color blouses . Do let me know which style did you like the most. 🙂

Handpaintained Kalamkari Saree with Banaras boarder from Six Yards Of Weave By Keka

Hope you liked the post. Until next time bye bye. Take care of yourself and each other.

Thanks Giving and Fall Fashion

Nov29

Hello Ladies,

Wow can’t believe it’s been two years I touched this space. How have you all been in these uncertain and stressful times? Hope you are keeping good health and staying safe.

2020 February, a month after my delivery Covid lock down started in US. First half of 2020 was definitely rough on me, the fear of uncertainty, anxiety added to post-partum blues. Luckily didn’t had post-partum depression. Thanks to my 6 year old who kept me active and Mr. P (My hubby) for his humorousness , somehow I survived post-partum blues. If we had family near by, situation would have been much better. We didn’t invite our parents for my deliver as we thought of calling them after winter but then Covid lockdown started. We hired baby sitter for morning and a doula at night, They took good care of baby and me which really helped me to recover fast from my c-section. When lock down started we had to let go our baby sitter and doula as we didn’t want to take risk during Covid times. Mr.P and me managed all the work of a new born and my 6 yr old who was super helpful and understanding in those tough times. I went back to work once baby turned 4 months as we thought managing work and 4 month old is better and I can utilize parental leave once she is 11 months and more active . It all worked out well as I was able to work when she was sleeping and not moving much. Once my new born was 6 months things seemed better. On bright side, I think for new moms lock down and WFH are better options 🙂 . Ok enough of my story going right into my post

How did you all celebrate Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday in USA. A day dedicated to express your gratitude. How cool is it? Seriously , how often do we get to express gratitude? A small thanks and expressing gratitude can go long way so don’t forget to show your gratitude to your loved ones especially to your immediate family members Mom, Dad, Siblings , Kids, Partner and don’t take them for granted. From the time I came to USA we used to have thanksgiving dinner with family, Mr.P’s cousins used to live nearby. Now we have a small feast at home, eat together and talk about what we are thankful for, best and not so good things that happened that year. I think these are the things kids remember when they grow up.

Here are few fall outfits that I put together from my closet. I love layering multiple pieces which keeps warm and stylish.

First one with black top and black faux leather pant which I got from spanx. If you love wearing pants that hugs your body and gives nice shape to your legs, then you should definitely try this. Added Green Moto jacket which enhanced the whole look. Finished the look with gold small hoop earrings.

Next is my regular and white and blue jeans with a long sweater. I personally love long sweaters when I go to work. They are light , comfortable and keeps you warm when you are inside. accessorized with belt.

Next is sweater dress which I styled with a scarf and white boots which I got from amazon couldn’t find the link.

On the day of thanksgiving I wore a Boho dress which has fall color leaves and flowers so apt for a Thanksgiving dinner, layered with fuzzy fleece Jacket , added boots and coin chain from Gorjana

Last a Saree with sweater blouse from amazon. Why not?

I used a inskirt bought at Tiabhuva.com which gives nice shape when you drape a saree

Looks like most of my products are from Amazon haha , surely not a promotional post. I think Amazon has great selections. Also I don;t feel like providing card details everywhere. I wish there is a something like oauth or something that is tighter than oauth for payments which is unique and accepts global payments instead of providing card details on each and every ecommerce site. Do you feel the same? Let me know in comments section.

Our ThanksGiving Menu: Spicy Garlic Tofu, Baked Paste and Broccoli,Kung pao chickpeas and rice, stuffed spinach and paneer in phyllosheets and Baked veggies. Didn’t make any pie as we had lot of desserts from our recent costco trip 🙂

Hope you enjoyed reading my post. See you soon, until then bye.

Stay safe and take care of each other.

Budget Lehenga – First and Last post of 2019

Dec31

Hello Fashionistas,

Hope you all are busy celebrating and welcoming the New Year. I realized that I have not posted anything in 2019. 2019 started with lot of work related travel in the first half and later some personal changes that are yet to unfold and keeping me away from focusing on blogging. I am glad to be back now. Coming to the main topic, I wanted to post about this last year January for a South Indian festival “Sankranti”. But as they say better late than never here I come…

I like to wear something traditional for any Indian festivals. It could be a Saree or Lehenga also called Ghagra Choli , I feel it is a slight variation of half saree which is popular in south India. Sarees are quite common in my family when it comes to traditional wear for women, but for a change I prefer Lehenga’s occasionally. Now a day’s buying lehenga without being heavy on pocket is very rare. The more intricate work the more costlier. If you are looking for lehenga’s under 15k or 10k Indian currency you should definitely checkout 6YCollective. They have some beautiful lehengas and Sarees with modern twist and pastel colors. Even though it’s an online order , stitching is on point provided you gave right measurements . Below is the lehenga which I got from them . Details are give at the bottom of the pictures.

OutFit: Desert Lime Color Lehenga with Gotta work
Jewelry: Uncuts set from my collection

What’s late ? Go checkout 6Y Collective and order now. If you want your lehenga to be more flare , choose Tulle Netting . I ordered mine without Tulle but still looks great.

Have a more creative 2020. Happy New Year.

See you all in my next post.

Toast to 2019 in Style

Dec31

Hello Ladies,

I can’t believe its already time to bid adieu to 2018 and welcome 2019. Have you made any plans for New year’s eve (NYE) ? Whether you are staying in or going out you can dress up in style for NYE . NYE is of course the glam and glitz night where every you go. I am glad to see fashion bloggers are choosing other trends over sequins. We will come to my outfit choices a bit later. But first, what was your favorite 2018 fashion trend?

Mine was Ruffle sarees, Crop tops , Chokers, Overlays. Though I didn’t try out crop tops, I feel that they look super cool either on a skirt or any kind of pants. I am sure the Over lays will continue in 2019 as well. What trends do you think will reign in 2019? I am sure that they will be more variations in sarees. Other than Sarees I don’t have much opinion other than watching and trying what goes in trend.

A part from trends, I can think or wish that Sustainability, Handlooms and Technology should play a key role in fashion industry. I can already see argumented reality and virtual reality is adopted by various clothing and cosmetic brands. Sustainability, I will be happier to see ecofriendly and recyclable cloths and not feel guilty about fast fashion. 🙂

Below are my picks which are suitable right from staying in or to a party at work place or to a night party with friends.

First outfit – Mint Tulle Skirt from amazon.com and Cream top. You can add a moto or denim jacket. I just added Coral Sandals for that extra drama . Coral Sandals @Target online
Second outfit – Burgundy ruffle top which was from my stichfix box, you can refer to my stichfix post to know the top details. I paired it with off white lace skirt. Lace Skirt @dillards
Third outfit – One Shoulder Ruffle Midi BodyCon Dress in blush color from ASOS
Fourth outfit – Calvin klein shimmer top @Macy’s. I paired with black leggings and some silver accessories.

I want to end 2018 with a thank you note for all my well wishers. Looking forward for 2019.

Wish you all a Very Happy New Year.

See you all in my next blog.

South Indian brides shopping ideas

Oct7

With so many of my cousins (girls) getting married thought of jotting down my views on bridal shopping to ease shopping experience and few basic tips for south Indian brides. Of course these suggestions are also useful for girls who are planning to attend the wedding.

Which girl doesn’t want that fairy princess look on their dreamy day? With today’s endless choices it can be quite challenging to be with in your estimated budget. Here I am with few suggestions that are both budget friendly and few designer boutiques where you can find Classic and Outstanding outfits. To set the expectations, My suggestions doesn’t include bridal wear guru Sabyasachi or high end designers like Sanjay Garg’s raw mango or It doesn’t include all minute details that a bride needs. Well its not that we buy expensive designer wears in our daily events so you might consider those high end designers as well. Continue reading →

August Ensemble’s

Sep27

Wow are we already in last week of September?? I was planning to update this blog since last month but somehow got delayed , finally got time to update . Hope you all had a great month of August . August is my favorite month for so many reasons. In USA, As it is summer, city comes to live with so many local and state fairs. In India, shravana masam (month) which usually comes in the month of August is considered very auspicious. In south India Hindu girls and married women perform Varalakshmi vratham, Mangala Gowri vratham during this month for the well being of family, especially Husband. Varalakshmi vratham is observed by most of the hindu women in south India. This is usually performed on Friday that comes before the full moon day. But it can be observed on any Friday of Shravana masam. Varalakshmi means the goddesses of boon. On Varalakshmi Vratham women will worship goddess Lakshmi. Once the Vratham is performed with utmost faith and devotion, in the evening ladies are invited to the house to take tamboolam . Tamboolam is a gift which consists of betel leaf and other things, In American terms its like a party favor . I think Varalakshmi vratham is south Indian version of Karwa chauth which is observed in North India. I love to do this Vratham as there is some satisfaction and peace that comes with it. Coming to the blog, I want to tell about the outfits that I wore for two Fridays in Shravana masam.

First one is Orange raw silk saree which I bought it for last year Varalakshmi vratham from Chennai Shopping mall, Hyderabad. the uniqueness of this saree is that the boarded is lace and has polki stones. I think you don’t need a boutique to get that unique collection unless you have some custom variation that you want to get it designed. Most of the Saree retail shops now a days are having designer wears meaning they will have one or two pieces in that design. Next time you go to any retail shop like South India Shopping mall, RS bros etc ask them to show you designer pieces. You can get a good Saree in less than 10k. I paired the saree with contrast green beads Jewelry. The highlight of this Ensemble is the beads layered chain which I got it from https://www.facebook.com/thesparkleboxbymanognyaraojalagam/ or insta page https://www.instagram.com/manognyaraojalagamofficial/

Second one is from moms collection, which she gifted me as I liked it very much. This is a bottle green uppada saree with burgundy shade in it. I am sure you can find this saree any where. I opted for cold shoulder blouse with burgundy thread work and paired it with burgundy accessories and burgundy lip color for that extra drama. Most of the silk sarees will have double shade and we can use that for choosing different blouse or jewelry of that shade to make it unique.

Below are the pictures:

Did anyone think if there is something similar like Varalaksmi vratam and Karwa chauth which men can observe for the prosperity of wife’s? Hahaha..

May the goddess Varalaksmi bestow happiness upon everyone.

See you all in next post..

Stay Ethnic Stay Stylish

Jun28

I believe how far we come long we should never forget our roots. I thought of posting this blog on world Ethnic day but couldn’t make it. Anyway better late than never so, here I am with my blog about a saree which is an Indian cultural tradition. Continue reading →

Silk Saree and its grandness

Mar31

Hello there,

Summer is here and so is the wedding season in India. Weddings are always fun and most importantly for girls, it’s the time to dress up at our best. Wedding in the immediate family is a perfect time to showcase our heavy sarees and jewelry. Handloom silk sarees such as Kancheepuram, Benarasi, Ikkat, Pochampalli etc are the epitome of ethnic wear. If you are wearing a rich saree you don’t even need jewelry to look elegant. It’s not that only elderly or middle-aged women can wear silk sarees. Nowadays young girls are also preferring Kancheepuram silk sarees for traditional social gatherings. Continue reading →

Color Blocking – Crop Top

Feb1