Wedding Style : Part 2 - Haldi / Mehendi

The date is set, the invites are out, all is merry in your world. The countdown has begun for your best friend’s wedding and while she’s basking in the glow of her engagement, you’ve been frantically googling ‘what to wear to my bestie’s haldi & mehendi”! Out of so many pre-wedding functions, Haldi & Mehendi happen to top the charts in terms of popularity. It's a roller coaster ride of fun-filled moments for both, the bride and her and friends, where a lot of merry-making takes places.

In the frantic motion, I've got for you a stunning outfit that you can choose to dress in for your friend's Haldi and/or Mehendi functions. I picked this extremely gorgeous Chikankari jacket in a sunshine yellow colour with slim pants and a short layered kurta from STRAWBERRY FASHION STUDIO. 

Designer Aditi Jaggi Rastogi knows how to bring the best twist in the most traditional silhouettes, and this beautiful outfit is a sheer example of perfection! The intricate chikankari work speaks of the cultural understanding, and the style speaks of modern mixed with traditional. 

I chose to accessorise this piece heavily with a bold statement necklace, studded with polki kundan from BK SARAF JEWELLERS (Mahanagar, Lucknow). They have a wide collection of pre-wedding & wedding jewellery, and if you're looking at some stunning sets, BK SARAF (Mahanagar) is the place you need to head right away this season!

Keeping it dramatic, makeup artist SIDDHI CHAUBEY gave me a bold pink & yellow look, to add to the glam function. She left my hair loose with waves and added a little golden rose pin to it. For my feet I chose to add nude heels to keep it color coordinated and not go bold all over!

I hope you liked this Haldi / Mehendi look, and if you did, do share it across with your friends. Tip : Ditch the heavy weaves and layered lehengas for something light, easy-wear yet perfectly statement-making this wedding season - just like this beautiful piece I'm wearing!

Photographed by : Zeeshan Khan

~xoxo~

Karva Chauth Look ft. Strawberry Fashion & BK Saraf Jewellers

While we’re preparing for all the festivities and weddings that are lined up, there’s one very important occasion that all married women are excited for. The celebrations have begun and it’s time to get your outfits aligned. Today’s post is dedicated to all the ladies who are set to deck up like brides once again this Karva Chauth, and will be celebrating it with their husbands in the most traditional manner.

I bring to you one of the most beautiful Indian styles - the classic white chikankari suit in fine net with gota patti, applique and resham work, along with a heavy, hand embroidered dupatta in orange with pink zardozi & pitta border. This floor length chikan suit with orange details looks like the perfect pick for the occasion. The net sleeves fall full on your arms and the orange cuffs with zari detailing on the wrist looks mesmerising. You can wear a white camisole inside till your waist and under it comes a pair of frilly, frock style palazzo pants that gives the suit a different look altogether. You know, it’s a brilliant idea to ditch the contemporary churidar and go out of the box & don something so elegant!

Also, let’s throw some light on these exquisite Polki & Kundan earrings from BK SARAF JEWELLERS (located at Gol Market, Mahanagar). These are one of the most stylish traditional earrings that go perfect with my look. Precious jewellery always looks gorgeous and brings out the best in every Indian woman. Honestly, these look astonishing! Don’t they?

The last minute fashion selection can only be entertained by STRAWBERRY FASHION STUDIO (located at Shahnazaf Road - opposite Sahara Ganj Mall), and hence it’s one of my favourite spots to drop when I personally need something! Highly recommended to all Lucknow ladies to visit this one-stop-shop for your fashion fix. Aditi Jaggi Rastogi - the very versatile designer knows exactly what her clients want, and she designs every piece with the best quality fabric and so much love. So, this Karva Chauth, flaunt your style and create magic before your husbands!

PS : I am 26. Unmarried, and have no intentions of tying the knot anytime soon, but I really hope you liked this quick Karva Chauth look. I may not look like a bride in real but my HMUA made sure to deck me up like one already. Kudos to SIDDHI CHAUBEY for giving me a very bold makeup look, teamed with subtle curls in my hair. So graceful!

Photographed by : Zeeshan Khan (one of the best wedding / event photographers)


~xoxo~

Ethnicity & Pride with AuthIndia

Indian culture is known for its diversity the all over the globe, with ethnic clothing being just one of the things that distinguishes one part of India from the other. The traditional Indian attire has earned admirers from people from all over, with highlights of the craftsmanship with which artisans create traditional dresses, which of course is incredible! Coming to my love for Indian wear, its new. I usually opted to carry kurtas on occasions previously, but with my recent admiration to the ethnic embroidery and its various versions had me fall deep in love with it! Well, not just the clothing but Indian jewelry is another thing that has managed to make a place for itself in my ethnic collection.

With tons and tons of online shopping brands mushrooming in India, its hard to find your kinda ethnic styles both in clothes and jewelry under one website, but stumbling upon AUTHINDIA recently, I knew there's something for everyone! Be it young girls, middle age women or your beloved grannies having lived half of their life already, AuthIndia caters to each and every female with hundreds of apparel and jewelry designs with latest ethnic trends! 

"Striving to explore the authentic handmade products, cutting across the length and breadth of India and fishing out the most splendid and exquisite handicrafts to the reach of your houses" is their foremost motive. In my favorite jewelry section, they have minakari jhumkas, to pachi and kundan earrings (starting from 250/- onwards), and not forgetting the amazing handcrafted terracotta necklace set (starting from 300/- onwards) that suits all age women aptly. 

Pink Pachi Jhumka (325/-)

Pachi Drop Earrings (300/-)

Terracotta Gold-Black Necklace Set (450/-)

The best part about terracotta jewelry is, that you can match them with any of your favorite kurti or a saree, or any traditional outfit. It stays for long, and are quite light weighted. Available in traditional & trendy designs with a glossy finish to them.

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Authindia, as the name suggests, is a brand that contains authentic Indian handicrafts, which also includes a wide range of ethnic apparels like kurtis, saree, dupattas! Since I like to dress simple and casual, a beautiful long kurti in blue with chikankaari was my pick from the website. A pure cotton fabric with hand embroidered in chikan in orange both front and back, the kurti looked fabulous when paired with a plain white pair of leggings and accessorized with the pink pachi jhumkas and heels! Belonging to the city of Lucknow, where the exclusive chikan embroidery was  fashioned, I have a different attachment to it, and its astonishing to find an entire section of chikan kurtis on the AuthIndia site selling so many different lengths, colors and embroideries!

Blue Chikan Kurti with Orange Embroidery (599/-)

Complete Outfit Details

kurti, earrings : AuthIndia | leggings : Lyra | heels : StreetStyleStore | rings : Myntra

Please Note : From chikan embroidered sarees and suits from Lucknow, hand-loom sarees from every state of India, handmade jewellery, Kutch embroidery bags of Gujarat and colorful & unique handicrafts, diversified home decor items made of eco-friendly materials from all over the country, AuthIndia as a brand brings you lots and lots of stuff to make your shopping worth every penny you spend!

I really hope you liked reading this post. I feel, as a fashion and lifestyle influencer, I have been bringing a lot of unnoticed brands to you. It would be a pleasure to know your experiences on the websites I keep sharing about, including this new one as I'm talking of here. And, may you have a great time shopping!

Photographed by : Yash Athwani  |  Location : Cappuccino Blast Mall Avenue

~xoxo~