Motherhood knocking!

From what one hears, it is one of the toughest things a woman attempts in her life, or is it? Well, only time will tell what it would feel like to be delivering a baby. From excruciating pains to post natal depression to mood swings, they say every woman experiences different things and yet on some level I am sure, the feelings must be alike. Did anyone say sleep deprivation? But, why worry now for what’s coming in the future.

For now, I have been making aware choices as to what is good for the new guest and what’s not. As in, saying bye bye to cold drinks and occasional drinking sessions, watching just about any film I want (too much violence or too much lust), and eating all that comes my way has already stopped.  My mother told me the baby would be feeling whatever I am feeling and thus, keeping the mood swings aside I must try and be happy all the time, which is probably the toughest part (even tougher than having to curb a desire to have sex); because thanks to the hormones gone haywire, there are times when you just can’t help feeling low no matter how much you or your hubby try.

But then is it just about the feelings that I am feeling? What about thoughts? Is it not true that the baby would hang on to even the thoughts that I am thinking? Because even before the feelings or words come into play, there are those thoughts that have the ability to show us the highest highs and lowest lows.

Just the other day, I heard someone telling me to look at only good things, by that she meant looking at fair complexioned people, and being with people who looked beautiful. So I got on to thinking, I might be able to cheat the genetics into designing my baby based upon the things I was laying my eyes upon (although I highly doubt how that might affect the look of my baby) but how will I cheat the thoughts that I am already imbibing in the baby about well, racism by looking at fair complexioned people and drawing my eyes away from the ones that were anywhere near wheatish, or ebony?

Why do we keep living on the gross level and forget that there are things that contribute profoundly on our subconscious mind, which ultimately makes us the person we grow up to be? The thoughts that we are capable of thinking and passing on to the one residing in the womb can be more deadly or divine (depending upon what we are thinking) than anything else?

For now I only hope that the one in the making grows up to be intelligent enough to look beyond what meets the eye.

Green Grass, Blue Skies...

Gone weekend had me visiting a friend's farm house. Not only was it a nice reunion of sorts for all of us, it also played a relaxing breather from a super hectic city life. While I was there I could not help wishing for my laptop or at least a diary (I tell you the trend of small bags plays a spoilsport for girls like me, who like to carry their world along).

Amidst light breeze, the panoramic sights and a serene vibe, the writer in me became alive like never before. I can totally understand why people from creative fields run far away from the daily chuck-chuck and Thuck-Thuck of city lives so that they can let their emotions flow freely. I also felt like so many persons at the same time. While the child in me wanted to run and play around, the girly-girl in me wanted to sing songs, the intellectual in me wanted to express herself through words and the photographer in me wanted to secure each and every graceful movement of the nature and the people alike.

Till the time I invest in a nice camera, plz enjoy these shots captured by Samsung Galaxy ;)

                                               
                                                        The story of a girl and the hammock

Hemant (RJ Ronnie) with Samman

Floral Love

Under The Spell of Old World

I recently learnt from my mom that my maternal great grand mom (my nani's mom) was a model (Phew!). She used to appear in print ads back in the day and was a very charming lady. Alas, whenever I visited her, I always found her bed ridden coz, she was very old (but she looked cute to me). 

Anyways, that ticked my mind to wonder how models in the olden times looked. Hugely fascinated as I am by the vintage frenzy and all things old and gold (including gramophones, black n white movies, songs of those times and not to forget the dressing style of the era), I googled for the pictures of those times. 

And to my surprise the advertisements and the magazine covers were rather fancy, some of them being way ahead of their times. So here I present to you some of the classic advertisements that I am sure must have created quite a buzz during those times.

Sharmila Tagore gracing Filmfare's cover page

Parveen Babi on Filmfare's cover page

Sushmita Sen with a male model before being crowed as Miss Universe

                                                                   Coca Cola's print ad

                                                   A model donning Flying Machine jeans

                               
                                             Yester year's actress Nanda on print ad of Lux

                                             Saira Bano and Hema Milini swearing by Lux

Models donning Khatau Saree (with Very-Now makeup)

Do You Postpone ‘Being Happy’ ?

Ever wondered what you really need in life to be happy? For most of us, happiness is a term that depends upon several thousand conditions that we impose on ourselves with because for most of us the purpose of this life is attaining success. However, if we take a look at the pattern of our lives, we find that our parameters of success change with every passing day, for some with every passing hour. Not that it is wrong in any way; however, in this life that can come to an end any second (like really none of us knows when death may strike) it is not fair to postpone our happiness to some other time. Or is it?

Let’s take example of my friend Kavya. Always a good scorer in academics, sports and extracurricular activities, Kavya made sure that she won every single competition in her school. However, every time she won a title, she told herself that she has to prepare for the upcoming  ‘X’ competition, and ‘Y’ contest, and ‘Z’ test.

While preparing for next test in her way, Kavya never realized that she has to start LIVING today. After school, she started preparing for her medical level entrance examination. Of course it was a challenge to crack AIIMS entrance test, but Kavya was Kavya, once she set the target she had to conquer it by ‘whatever-way-possible’.

And eventually she ended up securing a rank in AIIMS. This was followed by a grand party that her parents threw for us. However, contrary to how we thought she would behave (like on the top of the world or something) she was rather anxious and worried. Though she maintained a warm smile on her face, we being her friends knew that she had set another challenge up her sleeve now (God save her soul!).

It continued for another three years. After she completed (what she called her) basic medical education, we found her with the same anxious and worried expressions that by now had become typical to Kavya’s face. Life never stops and so it continued with the same pattern she had created for herself. In the course of five years whenever we happened to meet or talk on phone, she never seemed or sounded for that matter, happy rather, she kept getting more worried about future.

Suddenly with our kind prayers and after being sick of staying anxious all-the-time, Kavya had this self realization of sorts (which she later shared with us) that she never felt contented and happy because she could never appreciate the things that she had accomplished in her life. Of course, we could see how miserable she was all through the time and so we tweaked our lives so that we never find ourselves feeling like how Kavya always did.

Moral: Appreciate things that you already have. That does not mean you stop working hard, but reminding yourself to stay happy may just do the trick.

Also, my Art of Living teacher always says that there are 2 types of people. Type 1 do the mistakes and learn from them. Type 2 learn from Type 1's mistakes and stay happy forever (Now that's smart work) !!

Take your call and choose your type ;)

Hair Trends Summer 2011

She Bangs!

Bang Bang Bang…! Super chic and ultra glam, bangs have been around for a long time now. However, in 2011 the hair style is going to be larger and ‘in your face’ than ever before. Heavy or thin, bangs complement all face cuts. Be it a messy fringe or elegantly cut bangs, the cut is ideal to be sported on any occasion and adds that classy touch to every outfit.

While Hollywood is going gaga over this hair trend with almost all the starlets sporting it, among our Bollywood queens you can take inspiration from Katerina Kaif who sported it in ‘Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani’ and Priyanka Chopra who pulled it off in ‘7 Khoon Maaf’, and if you are a yester year’s movie buff, you should treat the eternal beauty Sadhna as your style goddess who sported the cut with much élan.

Braided Affair

Remember the times when you were young and your mother dear used to make your hair every morning while getting you ready for the school? Bring out all the photographs of that era to dig out some inspiration for our next hair trend which is Braids.

A messy and unkempt braided look is all you need to set the trend meter soaring this season. Chic and fuss free, braid keeps your hair off your face while making you look like a style diva in no time. What more? You can add hair bands, ribbons and stylish clips to add a glint of cuteness to your look.

Bob Crop

For those who like it short, go for a bob hair do that looks extremely sharp and sophisticated. Long or short, a bob is the best friend of summer season. A Bob on its own is enough if you want to rock that ultra glamorous look; however, you can also add a ribbon hair band for that extra dose of funk.

Hair Accessory of the month: Flowers

Flower power is all it takes to charm the world with your sparkle. Invest in a big flower accessory or pin a real flower in your hair, the result is bound to be an imposing one. In fact, floral power in your hair is the single most effective way to achieve that vintage look in no time!

During the yester years, Sharmila Tagore brought this trend to the main stream by leaving the audience charmed with her elegant ada and a flower in her hair. However, while donning this ever-so-fresh trend, try and keep your jewelry minimal and your attire simple. Also, it is best to ditch any floral prints when you plan to pin a flower in hair unless you wish to look like a flower nursery. Amen!

You can also read this write up along with other fun stories in this month's issue of  'Expressions' Magazine. Aloha! 

When Tiger Hit The Runway…

A review of Sabyasachi's latest collection showcased in Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2011

Rich Indian textiles swathed in rustic crafts from Rajasthan and Bengal, that’s the latest line up of gorgeous garments for you from Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Inspired from the Sunderbans, the collection beautifully takes forward the designer’s vision of SAVE THE TIGER project onto the runway of Lakmé Fashion Week for Summer/Resort 2011. 

Amid a galore of applauding audience and fans, models one be one displayed the collection that dwelled richly on Indian motifs. The hues and tones of the collection varied from black, ivory and yellow, the basic colors of the Indian Tiger.

The collection trod down the ages, giving glimpses of decades of fashion. It brought together the freedom of 20s with the panache of the 30s and the 40s with influences from the 70s inspired Boho Chic mingling with the audacious 80s. Sabyasachi remained loyal to his love for the Indian prints and textiles while a unique amalgamation of styles gave the 

collection a very uber trendy and ultra contemporary form.

 Be it the large tree cutouts, vivid stripes that beautifully draped the models or the larger than life flowers and leaves splashed on the runway, the collection was full of life and cleverly made use of the fabrics. Bringing together Khadi with the rustic handloom fabrics bathed in Rajasthani prints and colors mailnly for the blouses and skirts, the designer relied upon the long and lean silhouettes for the shirts and shifts.

From Bikini tops and palazzos to playsuits with flared hems and chotu saris to worn over long skirts, the collection was power packed with variety that went from being earthy toned to bright and dramatic. And although, his leading ladies from Bollywwod Rani and Vidya were nowhere to be seen in his show this time, making it a the collection was widely appreciated by his fans.

Style:

Models strutted down the runway donning giant wooden bangles and handbags that matched black-rose inspired wedges while the horn rimmed spectacles, top knot hair dos and minimal make up did the trick for the collection. The Tiger tale was choc-a-bloc with the shimmering sharara jumpsuits, tasseled tunics with power neck-lines, flowing maxi styled dresses, black fuild pants and lacey gowns. The show was brought to an end with models pulling off boldly printed sack gowns faunting deep armholes.

What we loved? Well, everything!

Speaking about the collection, Sabyasachi Mukherjee said "There was not much I could do apart from lending my support because I have more than 17,000 women buying my clothes every year in this country. So if they can educate 17,000 more, this news will spread. I'm just lending my name to do my own little bit"

With this collection, Sabyasachi opened up a fabulous realm of daring-meets-gothic clothing line with Indian fabrics getting along with contemporary styles with élan that served the cause right while shutting up his critics forever! 

These Boots Are Made For Walking…

Are you DONE with wearing galoshes and want to make your feet dazzle in lovely pair of shoes? If so, you are my soul sistah! (Hugs). This season give your shoe rack and your persona a makeover as you stock up some of the most delectable pair of shoes!


BROGUE BROGUE BROGUE!

From full and half to quarter and patterned, this season Brogues have taken over the shoe market. While buying Brogues, think old school or dig in your grandma’s wardrobe, you never know you might get lucky!








Raffia Wedges

Experience a new high as you slip your feet into these gorgeous pair of Raffia wedges (Yummy)! The latest kid in the wedges family isChristian Louboutin Zeppa Raffia Wedges that provides a full length while gorgeously snuggling up the feet!




Ankle Boots

Wear them with a flared skirt or team them up with a pair of denims, you can never go wrong with these boots on! Jeffrey Campbell Litas have given a new take on ankle boots (How I Love 
Them?!!!)






Senso Acacia

Go glam in no time with these Senso Acacia shoes that would set your breath raging (Lord I Can’t Breathe)!! Super stylish and uniquely glamorous, these lovely pair of shoes are here to stay!






Tip: Going by the rule of thumb (read toes); every time you introduce a new pair of shoe to your rack, get rid of one pair of shoe that you don’t need. 

You can also read this write-up on http://connect.fashionandyou.com/

XOXO

Parul… The Style Sylph