Twilight summers

Hi !!! All, how are you guys doing? Enjoying the festivities, ehh ....well, this is the most beautiful time of the year, the official "patakha time". Diwali is just around the corner and we are already in the midst of celebrations....aren't we??  This is "that" time of the year, when gambling is in vogue or how would you explain about the numerous cards party, you are invited to.... 

Most of the time, all of us are in our ethnic best... Sarees, ghaghras, shararas, anarkalis ..........Of course ! We love dressing up for the evening in the traditional attire, for a sessions of cards with the bubbly flowing. But, that's for the evening/ night, where being a bit "overdressed" works fine as with Indian wear, you need to wear some jewellery  like a pair of earrings or a neck piece or a maang tikka/ passa with cocktail ring thrown in. 

In-between, we have our girlfriends bash, which are a day thing like brunch, lunch, tambola party, card session with potluck etc where you really wanna let loose and chill out. For such do's, you need to wear an outfit which is chic and stylish, comfortable and lively but certainly not an OTT ( over the top). For a brunch cum card party this weekend, this is what I wore. For those who follow my blog, can vouch for my love for capes......I firmly believe a cape/ shrug/ jacket has the ability to make or break an outfit. Below, is an example for all to see. A simple skater dress in lace by Jabong is so beautifully enhanced by this ankle length floral cape (The pretty girls Korner ).  A pair of nude heels, and an oversized glares are all you need to "kill it". 

P.s - I thought of wearing the spring summer fave FLORALS, for one last time before the winter sets in.

The Pink Ribbon

October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH and the PINK RIBBON is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women across the world. It is a malignant tumor originating in the cells of the breasts. Cancer develops when cells grow and multiply abnormally. Though breast cancer generally occurs in females, 1% male population is also susceptible to the disease.

Signs to look out for:
- a lump / thickening of the breast
- a change in shape or colour of the breast
- discharge from the nipple ( blood/ clear )
- dimpling or puckering of the skin of the breast
- changes in size or shape of the breast
- abnormal and persist pain

Causes:
- hereditary
- increasing age
- obesity
- excess alcohol consumption
These could be some of the causes.


Prevention:
These are some small yet important things one could do to reduce the chances of getting the disease.
- reduce alcohol intake
- maintain a healthy weight
- stay active
- get a mammogram done once a year after 40
- do a self examination once a month atleast

Treatment 
This is a curable disease and the prognosis is good. The treatment depends on the stages of the disease. Early detection has a huge advantage.

I pledge to spread awareness on BREAST CANCER and do my bit. Wear pink this October...

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Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure

Hi People !!!

I feel blessed to be born in this part of the country, Delhi, so amazingly rich in its culture and heritage. Delhi has always been the power center, and the influences of the various rulers had a deep imprint on it, Be it the Rajputs, Khilji's, Mughals or British. Being an avid history buff, I love visiting places of historical significance.

And as a mother to young children, I feel it's my duty to teach them to love and value our culture. To make them aware of our dynamic heritage and to take pride in our glorious history.

So, after her exams got over, my daughter made an impromptu plan, to visit the Qutab complex. And I was all game. What a wonderful idea to incorporate fashion with history! I wondered. I wanted to wear something which was stylish, comfortable and not an OTT (over the top) kinda.

I wore a long slit top from The Pretty Girlz  Korner, which is a Delhi based company retailing through some big e- com stores. They had sent me an array of Tops and dresses, which I must confess, I really liked. Very comfortable, chic and well priced. I will be wearing a lot of stuff from them in coming days....

This post in in collabration with THE PRETTY GIRLZ KORNER.

Celebs Dietary Fads !!!!

All of us aim to have that perfect body, lean and chiselled, and try all sorts of fads to achieve it. Our celebrities are no different, they go all out and sometimes berserk  to get that killer bod....all this is much more in vogue in the west. Though, these diet are generally based on the principal on detoxing and suppressing the appetite, they should not be followed without guidance and supervision.

Apple cider vinegar diet

Cindy Crawford and Megan fox are famous patrons of this form of diet to keep their body super thin. A concoction of water and apple cider vinegar is taken before meals. Apple cider vinegar is known to increase metabolism.

Maple Syrup Diet

Beyonce is the celebrity endorser of this diet. The curvy superstar lost almost a stone  of weight in just 2 weeks. This drink consist of maple syrup, lemon and cayenne pepper mixed in water. It is about 60 calories. Beyonce drank only this concoction for a fortnight during the shooting of  Dream Girls.


Grapefruit oil

Jlo is addicted to sniffing  grapefruit oil to suppress her appetite. Theoretically , essential oils  are known to have powerful action on the mind.

Lemon water

This is the most common and almost all celebs , desi and Videshi, swear by it. Lime water is taken first thing in the morning, it cleanses the system and boosts vitamin c levels in the body .This is a great detox agent also.

Marigold concoction 

Amrita Rao is known to subscribe to this drink. Marigold leaves are mixed with water and certain herbs and taken first thing in the morning.

I, personally, don't know if any of these concoction work to reduce weight and fat...all I know is nothing can replace a dedicated workouts and a sensible eating combo. This, not just helps you loose weight and tone your muscles but goes a long way in making you healthy and free of ailments.

The Orange October !

Helloo all !
 How are you doing ??
It's October now, hence the onset of autumn. And you see a lovely burnt sienna kinda hue all around.

It is my favourite time of the year, the weather is pleasant, the spirits high and happiness galore. October, generally marks the beginning of festivities, with the Navratri...the nine days dedicated to nine forms of Godess Shakti. Also, worth mentioning are the fun Dandiya nights, where you dance to the loud, enthralling, fascinating beats. I have been invited to a dozen Dandiya parties...No, I am not kidding! And, I will be attending at least 3 of them. What are your plans ???  Let me know, I am all ears .....

      So, what will I be wearing??  Surprise surprise !!!  Of course! Will let you guys know. But, I thought of putting up an outfit post  from the recent party, I attended. The theme of the event was "Chic with a boho twist"  and it was a day event. I wore an orange jumpsuit, with a black jacket, and a lovely printed scarf as a head band adding  depth to the boho look. I kept my look very minimal and just added a headband for the boho inspiration. Here, are a few pics, have a look.

Give in your suggestions for the festival outfits , you want me to wear. Till then, be happy and remember to 

WEAR YOUR CONFIDENCE 

XOXO

Ruchi

10 reasons to love Olive Oil

Hey! 
So wassup, guys!!! How are you doing? Me, I am good.

These days wherever I go, one topic literally crops up everywhere....Olive Oil. I guess, it's a current favorite with everyone. No discussion is complete without the mention of it. The old wives tale goes on to say  that it's a blessing from heaven to the mankind. And, why not ?  It has been used since time immemorial, for health and beauty purpose. Olive is a native of the Mediterranean. It forms an integral part of the mediterranean cuisine. It is also used extensively for cosmetic purpose. Queen Cleopatra of ancient Egypt, was a great patron of olive oil. This  beautiful fruit has unrivaled health and cosmetic benefits.

1. It is a great cooking medium and comes in various forms like olive oil, virgin ,extra virgin, cold pressed etc.2. It has linolinic acid which is not produced by the body but is essential for hydration.

3. It is a great anti aging agent and is an abundant source of anti oxidants.

4. This golden liquid works wonders on scars especially stretch marks. Regular massaging helps lighten the marks.

5. Is a great anti frizz agent . It could be massaged on your hair 30 minutes prior to washing for amazing results. Works wonders when combined with honey and applied on hair. Makes your locks luscious and amazingly soft.

6. Mix it with sugar and you have a great face and body scrub.

7. It could be used as a massaging oil to help you relax as well as to removing the suntan


8. It works wonders for dry scaly skin, prone to eczema.

9. It makes a great make up cleanser.

10.  Taking a sip or two just before bedtime could help in clearing throat.






You are Beautiful

Hey! My lovely peeps ! How are you guys doing?

Today, the post that I am putting up on the blog is my favourite. I had written it for another blog of mine, long back. It had received great appreciation, So, I thought of putting it up for you guys to have a look at it.

Dove

This post sums up the essence of the blog beautifully. Khoobsoorat  - You are Beautiful !!!

Here it is -

As , I embark on this journey of starting my blog , what better way than this beautiful and awe- inspiring  video,  I came across a couple of days back.

               In this video , an artist sketches two illustrations of each women based on the input given by herself and a stranger. Then, these women are called to have a "dekkho" at both sketches hanging side by side and you would be surprised ......

         

              The picture where the women described herself was way different than how the stranger perceived her. And ironically , she too resembled the sketch based on the inputs of the unknown. 

When all these women talk about themselves, they all highlight their "so called flaws", whereas the other person does not even notices that. Isn't it so uncanny?  And it wasn't with one or two of the women but all. 

This tells us so much about our personality....how we "see" ourselves . How we Just look so down upon ourselves, how we are so self critical, have such low self esteem! It's such a dangerous trend, if there's any.

   No matter , how big , small , tall , short , dark or fair each one is , all of us are beautiful , unique and admirable in our own ways. Be confident and self-assured but not self absorbed .

            The very reason behind starting this blog is to tell all - young and not-so-young that "all of you are special in your own individual ways". Imagine, if all of us had the same complexion , height , weight and features , how would the world look ? It is our uniqueness and diversity , which makes the world beautiful .

                              WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL IN OUR OWN UNIQUE WAYS

Sharper Than A Sword - Talvar

" Ma! Can I sleep in my room, tonight "? Prodded my 5 year old angelic daughter. No ! Came a firm reply from me. But, "Ma! I am big enough", please, she pleaded. " Of course ! You can" said hubby shree (that's what I call my husband), taking her in his arms. After putting our darling daughter to sleep, Hubby shree walks in, rather upset....why can't you get over 'that case', it's been years, he said.

' That case ' referred to the Arushi Talwar's murder case, which was still firmly etched in my memory or for that matter everyone's memory. So was the impact of this killing, that I never let my baby sleep alone, even years later.  "What if ", was always on my mind.... It's not that the Nation had not witnessed a more sordid murder before, they had. But, this was the murkiest unsolved murder in recent times. 

It was the summer of  '08, a gruesome double murder, captured the imagination of the entire nation. A 14 year old girl and her house help are killed, within the confines of her home. A highly botched up investigation, heavy media scrutiny, and yet, no answer to the question -
"who killed Arushi Talwar"???

Talvar

I had followed this case very closely, and anyone who had, could vouch for a fact that "no one could imagine taking on the subject without being prejudiced". We all had our own opinions and had declared the verdicts, much before the courts. Isn't it?

So, when I was invited, to preview "Talvar", I went ahead with my preformed views. I knew the case well enough to form my opinion, what new could they tell ?? But, I was in for a surprise...

Coming from the stable of Vishal Bhardwaj, the credibility of "Talvar" was unquestionable, but hats off to Meghana Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj for being sincere, unbiased and bang-on facts. The movie is crisp and fast paced. Stellar performances from Irrfan Khan, Konkana sen and company, keep you hooked till the end.  It shows how a shoddy investigation could ruin the whole case, how sometimes the "egos" of investigating officer is bigger than their "duty" and the loop holes in our judicial system. This movie is unlike any regular Bollywood potboiler, devoid of music and dance routine and unnecessary drama. So, if you are a patron of ' good cinema ' , this one's for you.

Unveiling the most sordid murder mystery, in the history of the country. Will you get answers to your question ......well, go watch #TalvarThisFriday.

To have a glimpse of what's in store for you, have a look HERE

Be a Diva all year round

Hey!! Peeps, i m ecstatic to let you know, this is my 100th blog post. I am very happy and will soon be announcing a huge giveaway.....remain hooked to know the deets !!!

And so  a special post for you guys.

  How should you dress to be 'diva' , all year through. Well, there are a few staples....yes ! There are and yours truly, is going to discuss 10 things that makes you stand out and dress as a winner,always.

1. White Shirt And Denim

One cannot go wrong with this combo - a white shirt/ tee with blue denims. Change the accessories and you have a new look each time.
- add a sleek red belt, red heels and red lipstick and you will be the cynosure of all eyes during clubbing or your girl's night out.
- wear nude/ tan flats for that laid back relaxed look.
- wear it with sneakers and you are good to go for movie, shopping, grabbing a quick bite.

2. LBD

A must have, no fashionista's closet is complete without this. And most of the time more than one. When in doubt, wear black. Your little ( no so little also ) black dress works when everything else fails. You are feeling bloated coz of PMS, or are super tanned and had no time for parlor hopping, or even when you have a bad hair day, black works well. It has this unique ability of disguising your flaws and revealing your assets.

3. Button down skirt

A button down skirt is an evergreen trend and can be passed on from a mom to her daughter. It adds that girly sophistication.

4. Georgette maxi dress in florals

Though it suits almost all frames, Maxi dress is a curvy Girl's best friend. Especially the ones in free flowing fabrics like georgette or chiffons. Wear a bright floral piece and you are sorted. It can be worn for a lunch date, taking your kids out and even for the sundowners, where you are ready to let your hair down.

5. Lace shift dress

A shift dress flatters every body type and lace enhances that effect, making you stand out coz of pure elegance. It can be worn through the day from morning to night. For a casual day look, pair it with flats. For a night out, add striking heels in contrast.

6. Pencil skirt 

It ups your glam quotient immediately. It is a great work wear too. Every stylista needs to have at least two of these :
- one in dark hues of black, navy or grey 
- bright shades like blue, pink or red.

7. High heels in nude and black and a statement print

For formal occasion or parties, you need that perfect pair of heels. Black is one colour that generally works well for formal attires. So your black pumps,will more often than not, go with most of your outfits. And with the rest, nude heels look kickass.

8. Statement Jewellery

It is that one piece that stands out. It could be your solitaire earrings or your semi precious stoned necklace. Wear just one statement piece at a time.

9. Jacket/ Cape/ Shrugs

I adore capes, shrugs and jackets. These have the power to make an ordinary dress look like a million bucks. As always, layering works well as it provide much need texture to the attire and makes you look like a diva.

10. Bags
Here are a few of them from my look book.

The more, the merrier....but one should have at least one each of these
- a clutch in a metallic shade
- a potli bag in Indian embroidery or fabric
- a sling bage in neutrals
- a big tote maybe in black/ brown

Incorporate these pieces in your wardrobe and be the Diva, you always wanted to be. Additionally, remember to WEAR YOUR CONFIDENCE !!!