Retro Divas

Bringing sexy back is always fun. We both did our take on retro with Jasleen doing a short A-line denim dress while Sonu did an over-sized star-print t-shirt with jeggings. We both also did colour pops in pink to offset our looks.

Speaking of colour pops, it's easy to get carried away, matching your colour pops and making them deliberate. For instance, if you wear a pop of green with your black ensemble in the form of a slim belt, you don;t have to match it with your bag or shoes. One pop of colour is sufficient in an outfit. You can even use lip colour or nail colour or simply your shoes to add that pop.

Here's what we wore:

Jasleen wore a denim dress with skorts

Skorts, gifted by Tina bhabi (Forever 21)| denim dress, Bandra| necklace, self-made from scrunchy (Vitamin K)| shoes, Bangkok| bag, gifted by my mum-in-law

Sonu wore an over-sized tee with jeggings

T-shirt, Colaba Causeway| belt, Forever New|  jeggings, Bandra| bag, Dharavi| flats, Bandra

Unusual picks for wedding shopping

We were shooting outside Bombay's once quietest and perhaps most sombre high-fashion arenas at Colaba. The Courtyard is private and beautiful and used to house some great designers like Manish Arora, Rabani and Rakha and Rohit Bal but unfortunately you will only find Rajesh Pratap Singh there today with everything moving to malls like the Palladium. But even today, Colaba is one place where you can shop in peace without the hustle bustle of your typical mall. There are only a few choicest picks but you can really get the most private shopping time here.

If you are travelling all the way from the burbs, your typical stops can be at the Attic and Bombay Electric for some eclectic shopping and Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, Fendi and Jimmy Choo if you want to include a piece of luxury in your trousseau.
While clothes may be over priced for most of us, these high end brands make fabulous accessories that are worth investing in especially if you're getting married.

We also recommend Popli and Aquamarine near Regal Cinema for silver jewellery, polki and jadau options, maang tikkas, Filigree clutches in silver and gemstones and really unusual picks for the wedding day and trousseau. There are some lovely vintage shops when you walk around the area near Regal and Taj and you can find real steals here.

We even recommend stopping by at the Oberoi Mall in Nariman Point where you can find some lovely one-off bags, clutches, pashminas and leather ware. Make a stop at Shama's Attar store where you can buy rare and personalised fragrances like old rose, musk and wood.


On the aside, this is what we wore:

Sonu wore pleated denims with a cream blouse

Top, Cotton on| jeans, Mango| bag, Oberoi Shopping Mall| shoes, Pax| rings, Popli & Amarsons

Jasleen wore a print-painted t-shirt with sweatpants

  Pants, Mango| t-shirt, Anna Sui at Hum India| basket bag, Colaba Causeway| footwear, UCB
 

Get the time right

Steel, gold, leather, plastic, rubber, silicone… hours, minutes, seconds, date, day, month, stopwatch, timezones, alarm… The list of options available in watches today is endless! And the best way to figure out what you need to get for yourself is by following these simple guidelines:

Daytime basics

For your everyday watch, you should invest in a classic steel timepiece, with a metal strap, which can go with almost anything, unless you’re wearing gold accessories. If you do wear more of gold, then you could either get something in a combination of steel and gold, a trend that is quite the rage these days, or tone down the steel with a leather strap. If you like a sporty look, opt for a bigger watch; a chronograph feature would complete the look. Additionally, the dial of the watch would be an ideal space for you to express your love for colour.

For the colour obsessed

Have you got a favourite colour that you like to incorporate in your ensemble whenever possible? Well, then the best bet for you would be to get yourself a coloured watch. Check out straps in rubber or silicone, or even consider a ceramic watch or simply a Swatch in a vibrant plastic case. If you bling, pick out a piece that comes encrusted with crystals or has a few zirconia stones set on the bezel.

Evening Essentials

An evening watch is always nice to have in your wardrobe, especially if you like to wear a watch, no matter how dressy your look is. Smaller cases flanked by a bracelet strap, in either steel or gold work best. Try out different options in the links of the bracelet—you could go for something embellished with gemstones in different colours, or try a style with wraparound chains.

One for all

Now if you don’t like to change your watch with every outfit, there’s something that could blend in with almost any ensemble. Try a modest size, in a rectangular or tonneau shaped case, if you like something different from the basic round. Go with a leather strap, or one in satin. Something in grey or beige would be your best bet, since these tones, even though different from the basic black and white, will still go with almost anything. To add the ultimate touch of elegance, nothing works better than a mother-of-pearl dial. This look could complement your work attire as well as a dressier outfit.

For the men

Nothing makes an impression like a generously-sized steel watch, with a chronograph, lending a sporty feel. Take that a step forward, and make a statement with a hint of colour, like red hands, or Superluminova-coated numerals—features that several sporty watch manufacturers offer.

            You should also invest in a classic watch with a leather strap. Steel or gold is your choice, but nothing gets more classic than a simple gold watch, with a brown leather strap and an off-white dial. However, if your formal attire mostly includes suits or trousers, white metal maybe a more versatile choice, given that it must complement black, grey or blue.

Text by Ranvijay Jhala, Senior Copy Editor & Correspondent @ Time & Style and blogger of the fabulous blog TV Talk

Read this post on Vogue.in

Must-have

Eyes.Lips.Face is makeup we came across on Youtube. It was being suggested by a lot of amateur makeup artists and the best part is that it offers some great products at a very very reasonable price. Jasleen's bhabi from the US sent her this eyeshadow palette she's been eying. A hundred eyeshadow for $10 (approx. Rs.500). Here's a quick review:

The colours are plentiful--nudes, browns, greens, blues and blacks. What's great is the fact that while some colours are metallic others are matte while some others are a pearly finish. Not all the pigments are great. For instance, the black is not a jet black but if you do enough layers the final finish is great. The blues and greens are to die for in terms of colour and intensity. The box also comes with two applicators and an in-built mirror. A hundred eyeshadow colours for less than 500 bucks is quite a steal.

There are also some other products in the gift bag which we'll review as and when we try them. For now, we just thought this masterpiece needs to be shared.

Unfortunately, we don't think this brand is available in India (if anyone knows otherwise please infrom us) but you can order in on their website and if you have relatives and friends abroad you can have it shipped too. We so wish we had something like that in the country. They even have 100% organic and mineral ranges for extra sensitive skin, paraben free makeup and what not. We are so loving

Grey

Just another regular Wednesday evening spent. Today, we leave you with just our images. So if you miss our ranting do drop in and leave us a message. We'll get back work instantly!

 Jasleen wore dhoti pants with a white top

Pants, SOBO Fashion Store| top (last worn here) & flats, Bangkok| necklace, DIY| bag, borrowed from Sonu| nail paint, NYX

Sonu wore an all grey outfit with a pop of orange

Top, Atria| jeans, Only| wedges, Charles & Keith| rings, Goa & Popley| bag, DIY

Check out our outtake pictures on Facebook, here.

Shopaholics ahoy!

Sale shopping is tempting and often converts most non-shoppers into shopaholics. Make sure you read these 'rules' for shopping during the sales

Confessions of a shopaholic

Rule#1: Set a budget

Even if it's a sale make sure you set a budget for yourself so that you don't get overboard. Many-a-times if you don't set a budget for yourself you land up picking things you may not need or already have. Setting an approximate spending number will help you control your impulsive pangs.

Rule#2: Make a list

Before heading to the mall, conduct a mini recce of your closet and keep a mental note of all the clothes, colours and accessories you already have. Only buy those things you really need and don't already have. The key is buy things you will use and love, otherwise most of us land up buying stuff that you already had.

Rule #3: Quality buy

The beauty of sales are that you get a chance to buy designer labels you wouldn't consider buying otherwise. So when you buy look for rich fabrics like silk, georgette, velvet or muls. They not only last longer, but also look and feel great. So take all the time you need to make the decision.

Rule #4: Perfect fit

Make sure you try out all the garments before buying. They should and must fit you perfectly. Remeber, if it doesn't fit in the shop, that won't change by the time you get home. You could change the fit or style by altering them after, so do stick to this rule by all means.

Rule#5:  Trend v/s personal style

Avoid picking something that may be in trend but isn't your style. Understand your personal style and pick something that will flatter your shape and taste. Don't pick wild colours simply tbecause it's on 50 per cent off. It's a penny wise pound foolish investment simply because if you buy it just for the sake of a great deal, you’ll never or very rarely wear it!

Rule#6: Dress comfortably

Dress in the most comfy outfits with minimal accessories. Avoid layers and too much jewellery, you'll thank us when you are in the trial room. Stick to dresses or tunics with pants/shorts combination since you need to be fast and comfortable in the dressing room. Wear flats and carry a sling bag or a messenger bag for all the ease you need while shopping.

Current sales on:
SOBO Fashion Store
Guess
Vero Moda
Only
Jack & Jones
The United Colors of Benetton
Mango
Promod
Aldo
Charles & Keith
Zara
Chemistry
Masaba
Pret-o-moda.com
Firstrow.in

Monsoon Feet

If anything can help you see through the Mumbai rains then its these wonderfully designed footwear that keep your feet dry, your shoes safe and also look so unbelievably cute and sassy that it's almost a sin to not own one.

While we're not a fan of their flip flops, they do have a good grip for people who like that kind of footwear in the rains. We on the other hand were totally digging the new jelly shoes that look and feel like you're wearing nothing at all. Translucent colours in pink, green, blue and yellow look delish on all kinds of feet. We simply loved the loafers that were available or men and women - super stylish.

We sit on two sides of the fence when it comes to the original and basic Crocs. While Sonu deems them fit for teenagers, Jasleen thinks they're great for casual wear at any age. What do you think?

Since we were visiting the Crocs store at Phoenix Mills we thought we'd give you some quick tips on monsoon feet:

1. In the rains, the feet are prone to many infections and fungi. Battle this by using antifungal-antibacterial absorbant powders that are available at your local chemist and cost under Rs. 50.

2. If you travel a lot, make sure you carry wet wipes or a hand towel to dry your feet whenever need be. Damp feet will smell and also get infected easily.

3. Wear shoes that have a proper grips on the sole or the chances of trip and fall are many.

4. Wearing cheap rubber shoes may seem like a smart idea but watch out for shoes that can give you awful shoe bites or shoe marks. It makes sense to invest sensibly to protect your feet.

5. You may be tempted to wear your old shoes that you want to discard during the rains but make sure they are not leather, suede or a material that soaks water because it will leave stinky feet and shoes.

6. Keep an extra pair of chappals in your office drawer that are very comfortable for times when all else seems futile.

The faded denim

Both of us spiced up our faded denims. We think a light blue pair is a must for every wardrobe. We both prefer ankle lengths for our denims but if you're heavy at the hips or are vertically challenged then try to stay away from this style. For our little walk around the by-lanes of Colaba, this is what we wore:

With faded jeans:
- Remember to pick out the right pair of faded denims, very synthetic washes, deliberate patchy fading, symmetrical fades look very artificial. Go with more natural fades that are well done and look like they've happened naturally over time.
- Don't wear very formal blouses with your faded jeans, it looks like too stark a contrast. To wear something semi formal wear with a solid dark coloured shirt and pumps.
- An over sized shirt dress looks great when paired with the faded pair of denim, bright coloured sneakers, floral sling bags, studded bucket bags and jelly accessories make great accompaniments.
- Team a boyfriend blazer in a dark or bright colour like orange, navy or emerald and wear with kolhapuris and a statement neck piece for a boho chic look.
- If you want to wear them to work, wear a long shirt and combine with a wrap or a long blazer and Oxfords.

Sonu wore black and white stripes with faded jeans

Jeans (last worn here) & shrug, Mango| tank (last worn here), F21| bag, Adidas Originals| necklace, The Kala Ghoda Festival| sandals, Catwalk| cuff, Aarna| watch, Tommy Hilfiger

 Jasleen wore a comic print tunic with faded jeans

Tunic, Quirk Box @ Attic, gifted by husband G| jeans, courtesy: Calvin Klein (last worn here)| footwear, Tresmode| bag, gifted by mum-in-law| nail paint, F21| watch, Bangkok

Colour blast

We absolutely love wearing an over load of colours but we incorporate them differently. While Jasleen wears a lot of colourful prints, Sonu prefers mixing an interesting palette.

Jasleen wore a colourful printed dress

Dress, Westside| ring, Aquamarine| bag, AND| shoes, Bangkok| hair clip, Isos

• Wearing prints is a good way to camouflage your curves. Depending on your preference choose your prints, I'm a big fan of florals.
• If you are curvy and big built pick larger prints, they will slim you down. Similarly the petite women should pick small teacup prints. 
• If you are a simple dresser and avoid prints in your garments, then add accessories with prints on them. Heels, bags, jewellery all are great ways of adding prints to your ensemble.
• Remember whenever you wear print you are drawing attention to that area, so pick your prints safely.

Sonu wore a bright coloured ensemble

Jeans & bag, Zara| blouse, Fashion Street (last worn here)| vest, Forever New| watch, Guess| brogues, F21 (worn here)

• Explore different colour palettes in your wardrobe. I read this excellent tip in Style Yourself wherein you can discover shades that suit you the most. All you have to do is hold a piece of white paper to your face and check if your cheek looks rosy, yellow or slightly blue. In general, you'll should try to enhance and match your skin's natural undertones.
• Wear darker shades to cover your problem areas and lighter shades to highlight your assets. Pear/hourglass shapes should opt for darker-coloured pants or skirts.
• Taller and athletic shapes should wear one bright shade head-to-toe to accentuate their height.

The shoe rack

Every girl loves her shoes – flats, high heels or those boyish shoes. Payal Kothari, designer behind the brand Veruschka, like all of us connects with her shoes. Her designs are an expression of herself, her style and her passion for high heel footwear and innovative designs. After her degree in technical art of accessory design from the FIT, NY and her apprenticeship with 5th avenue based Nina Shoes and Delman, acquired her shelf space with reputes stores like Bergdoff Goodman, Bloomingdale, Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s.
In her design studio she creates one of a kind custom made accessories for a niche clientele along with her new collection every season. We were lucky enough to visit her studio. You can visit her studio for special bridal shoes or customised footwear. Contact her @ her studio: 022-66152933 or email her @ kothari.payal@gmail.com

Shoe sustenance:

Personally, we get very upset if they wear off or lose it's original sheen. Here's a list of things we do to maintain them:

• Give your shoes a break and a day off. Especially for those fine leather shoes, they will not only last longer but also look newer for longer.

• You can add a rubber sole to your shoes to prolong the life of your shoes. In this way your shoes are also protected from water or tear and at the same time remain skid proof.

• Cleaning your shoes regularly is very crucial. The cleaning method varies from shoe to shoe and it's material.
  Leather/ suede shoes: Polish and condition with a leather lotion applied with a soft cloth. We recently discovered Woly Shoe Protector available @ Paver's England, Inc 5 and Lifestyle. It waterproofs your shoes and in the process prevents stains.
  Patent leather: Can be cleaned with a damp cloth using lukewarm water and plain soap or wet wipes. You can also rub some petroleum jelly and leave it to soak in. This will keep your shoes shiny and will prevent them from cracking.

 Fabric shoes: Cloth, silk, velvet shoes get stained very easily. You can should be sprayed with a stain guard or scrub lightly with a toothbrush.

• Make sure you always keep your shoes away from direct heat to prevent the leather or cloth from drying out.

• Store those special occasion shoes in cotton duffels. If you have the luxury of a large storage space then store your shoes in boxes and punch holes in them for ventilation. (Thank you Nirveen for sharing the last tip)