stay tuned!

Although I have been MIA for a while, I intend to put up a new post within the week! Stay tuned! :)

what's in my bag

My profuse apologies, not only for the long absence, but also for the poor quality of the above photo. I've been traveling since the 10th and have spent only a few nights in a proper bed. As for the photo, I only had about 5 minutes to take in and no proper background, and so had to resort to using my blanket as a backdrop, which as you can see, did not turn out so well.

As for what's in my bag...

1. My purse is from ASOS (Link!) and I purchased it a while ago for an event and it has since become my go-to bag. It actually only has one pocket and in terms of security it's not that great but it goes with so many outfits that I simply try to be careful whilst using it.

2. iPhone, wallet, and ribbon are all kept in the back pocket for maximum security as these are the items I need to protect most from pickpockets. The iPhone and wallet serve their obvious purposes and the ribbon is often used in my hair to dress up a basic ponytail.

3. a list of items that I've currently sent for alterations is kept in my purse so I don't lose it in my backpack (which is currently a mess thanks to my recent travels)

4. nail file because you never know what might happen and I hate having raggedy nails 

5. a little box for saffron that's now empty but I keep just in case I need a place to store small items that I might lose (like an earring or some such item)

6. chapstick, hand sanitizing wipe, and comb because all of these items are necessities, especially whilst traveling, but also while at home

7. my dad's old watch which I wear now and need to get repaired

8. pens and USB drive because I always need pens and the USB is important especially for students

9. pack of playing cards because sometimes you need something to do and the internet isn't always an option

10. pack of claw clips because I use these all the time and keep them everywhere, just in case, plus, they're much better than bobby pins

11. two hand sanitizers because one is running low so I need a backup

12. carabiner for my keys because I don't like using a lanyard for my keys or having loose keys floating around

13. pack of Kleenex because you never know when you might need a tissue, especially useful in developing countries where bathrooms might not have toilet paper, or even in bathrooms that are not fully stocked

XOXO

Anagha C.

a small haul

  So, this weekend I got a chance to stop by the "big" mall in my state which doesn't even have a Nordstrom or Macy's. In spite of this fact, I picked a few items which might be of interest. 

1. Maybeline Lash Blast ($6)- The ubiquitous Lash Blast is consistently cited as girls favorite mascara, even in comparison to high-end brands. For me, I have tried DiorShow and I did not like it at all because it was such a pain to take off. In fact, every time I went to take off my mascara, I ended up pulling out a few eyelashes every time! I ended up using Vaseline on my eyelashes every night and they came back in way thicker and longer than they had been before. I've also tried Lancome Definicils which I actually did quite like because the wand was nice and skinny (in deference to the "Definicils" part of the name) which made it easy to coat the inner and lower lashes, however the wand would always clump really badly on the very tip so there was a giant gob of mascara just hanging down there which was annoying. So, I've simply purchased the Lash Blast as a back up to the one I'm using now since I will be going to India this week and not coming back for a year, and mascara there is more expensive.  

2. ELF Brushes ($1 each)- I also bought the ELF foundation and concealer brushes because I've heard they're quite good and after trying them out today, I plan on going back and picking up a new blush brush and some of their makeup.

3. Bobbi Brown Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Medium to Dark ($42)- I tried this on a week ago and left it on so I could see how my skin reacted and how it looked after a few hours, and I thought it looked quite natural and not too oily even after a few hours of wear so I went back this weekend to buy it. I might do I review, but since this is the first foundation I've ever bought I wouldn't really have anything to compare it to so that might be an issue.

4. Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil in KGB ($19)- I also tried this a week ago and even though the foundation I tried it with was not so great, I still liked how light this concealer was so I went back this time and bought it. I did think it was weird that it came in pencil form, but when I went to try it today, I found that I could just use my brush because the concealer pencil is so creamy (sorry the photo is so bad, the packaging is shiny and very reflective).

I also received my Beauty Insiders birthday gift which is a mini Benefit mascara and highlighter, along with my 100-point perk which was a mini Origins coffee eye cream, but I gave that to my mom because she wanted to try it.

5. Floral Pants from Ann Taylor ($12)- These I bought because I like the printed pant trend that's been going on for a while and plus they were on final sale for $20 with another 40% off. Hopefully they don't look like pajamas when I wear them, but I'll definitely do an outfit post when I do I wear them!

25 random q's tag

1. Where were you 3 hours ago?

in bed, asleep with my stuffed monkey

2. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

yes! my pink snuggie

3. What are you wearing right now?

my pajamas :)

4. What are the colors of your bedroom walls?

all of them are baby blue, except for the one right behind my headboard which is a bright coral

5. Who was the last person you sent a text message/ BBM to?

I actually dropped my phone in the toilet last month (KLUTZ) and I'm only just getting a replacement at the end of this week, so I have no idea!

6. What does your last text message say?

again, no idea (KLUTZ)

7. Can you taste the difference between Pepsi and Coke?

indeed I can! and I prefer coke because of the extra sugar, but I don't really drink it that often because it's quite unhealthy

8. Is your hair curly or straight?

it's more wavy as well as frizzy in its natural state

9. What is the hardest thing you've ever had to do?

that's actually quite difficult, but I'd have to say just getting through high school with good grades

10. Favorite two colors?

navy blue and purple

11. What is your favorite accessory?

probably my Leather Satchel Co. bag

12. Which current celebrity's style do you admire most?

that's quite a long list: Deepika Padukone, Kerry Washington, Alexa Chung, and Bee of Atlantic-Pacific fame (I like to think that even bloggers can be celebrities)

13. What is your favorite fashion store/shop?

Francesca's Boutique, ASOS, Nordstrom (best customer service and they're based in my hometown!)

14. When was the last time you drove out of town?

last weekend when I went to the mall and Costco (also from my hometown!)

15. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

my dad talking on the phone and my cat licking herself

16. What was the last thing you bought?

do my glasses count?

17. What is the first thing you think of in the morning?

usually I think about what I want to eat for breakfast

18. Favorite food?

Indo-Chinese or cheesecake

19. Biggest turn offs?

people who are unhygienic and people who are rude and have no manners

20. What do you always have on/wear?

Burt's Bee's Replenishing Lip Balm w/Pomegranate Oil

21. What does your screen name mean/how did you come up with it?

I just needed a blog name and I love to wear ribbons and bows!

22. Favorite style of top/blouse?

either a basic white button up or a loose floaty blouse in a pastel shade

23. Favorite tv show?

either Friends or Seinfeld

24. What is a favorite tv show from your childhood?

Sagwa, the one about the Chinese aristocratic cats

25. What does your dream bedroom look like?

it probably has two floors, with a loft style upper area where I could put all my clothes and a makeup station

how to wear: a tie as inspired by Princess Diana

Image via Stylite

For those of you who are unaware, about a week ago, the exact tie pictured above went up for auction, and amidst the excitement regarding the new movie about Princess Diana's life, the tie was expected to fetch $4700. After reading an article about the auction, I was immediately struck by how contemporary the tie itself was and how I would easily be willing to wear this item even now, almost 20 years later! So, below I've provided a few options regarding ties that won't make you look like a little girl in boy's clothes! :)

J. Crew Chambray Floral Tie
I love how this tie looks formal, yet relaxed all at once. I think it would be so easy to pair this tie over a basic white button-down along with a pair of light denims with the cuffs rolled up twice along with a navy blazer thrown on top. Perhaps a pair of black flats would complete the look since you want the tie to be the focal point.

J. Crew Silk Cambridge Tie in Large Dot
This tie I would want to wear with a white button-down, a pair of black tailored suit shorts, and black oxfords or black loafers. Here, the star of the show is the gorgeous spotted tie so I think pairing it with the stark black and white highlights just that.

J. Crew Silk Tie in Small Embroidered Weight Lifters
I picked this tie, simply because I think it's so funny! This tie I would pair with a baby pink shirt and black trousers with perhaps a pair of simple black pumps (a la Kate Middleton). Even though the outfit it simple, I like the idea of juxtaposing the baby pink with the weightlifters.

I hope this helps anyone who wants to wear a tie but doesn't know how!

XOXO
Anagha

inspired by: Deepika Padukone's style

Image via media.santabarbara.com

Image via stylespk.com

Image via pikvilla.com

Image via gallery.oneindia.in

Image via Google Images

Image via Google Images

Image via images.idiva.com

For those of you who don't know, Deepika Padukone is a famous Indian actress and a member of Bollywood. But the actress also has great style and although I don't know if she is self-styled or if she has a stylist, I'm often impressed by the outfits she wears. I know I've included several formal looks in the photos above, but I also love her more laid-back outfits, which is why I included the first photo. Even though it's quite simple with just the black dress, tan belt, and leopard print flats, I think it's such a great outfit for one of those hot days that are so common to India. The following image is of Deepika wearing a Celine jumpsuit, however she has chosen to wear it backwards! How original and inspired! I know that the third, fourth, and fifth images are all white outfits, and thus a tad drab sounding, they are all so sparkly that I am inclined to go and find a white dress that's just as fancy, or perhaps even a bejeweled white sari or blazer! The sixth photo is of Deepika at the airport and I like how she's not afraid to wear glasses, plus that sweater with the bloom seems like such a versatile piece. The following image of  Deepika in the maxi dress is such an easy piece to wear, I'm definitely looking forward to including such a piece in my wardrobe. The eighth photo is of Deepika in such a beautiful sequined maxi skirt (see HERE for a tutorial by A Pair & A Spare) that I'm looking forward to replicating the look for a future event!

XOXO

Anagha

inspired by: audrey hepburn in the 50s

Images from Roman Holiday (1953)

Images from Sabrina (1954)

Images from Funny Face (1957)

Of all Audrey Hepburn's movies, I think my favorites are the ones made pre-Breakfast at Tiffany's. Roman Holiday, Sabrina, and Funny Face all show Audrey (am I allowed to call her that?) portraying very different characters, but there was still that special quality of hers that she brought to the characters. I also love the way her voice sounded as she had a very unique accent which helped her come across as an innocent sort of bird. Obviously, however, the fashion was the best part of these movies. Legendary costume designer Edith Head (the inspiration for Edna Mode in The Incredibles!) worked on all three movies, and above are some of my favorite outfits. That image from Roman Holiday of Audrey dressed as a princess is absolutely gorgeous and a tad reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth's coronation, an event which occurred only 2 months prior to the release of the movie. I'm also excited to replicate her full-skirted look with the lace-up ballet flats in the image of her with Gregory Peck. All the images from Funny Face are so gorgeous, if you've seen the movie you would know that it's about a fashion magazine using Audrey as their model, and that image of her in a wedding dress with that huge skirt is fantastic, why wouldn't you wear a huge tutu out on a regular day?!

XOXO

Anagha

white on white on white

Christopher Kane

Temperley London

Roland Mouret

Collette Dinnigan

Moschino

Temperley London

Images via The Fashion Section

Image via The Fashion Birdcage

White on white on white is a tad nerve-racking, especially for those of us who chronically spill food on themselves (myself included), but I think that this summer's trend of white on white is simply reflective of the way summer makes us all feel in that sense of rebirth. That, and the fact that anything white just looks nice and new (as long as there are no food stains, keep those Tide pens handy!) plus the white compliments a good tan. I'm currently addicted to my snow white Supergas, which I love pairing with pseudo-hipster-preppy outfits. Good luck with this trend, but honestly I think it's quite easy to put your own spin on the whole white on white concept!

XOXO 
Anagha