Country Girl in Yellow Summer Dress

As the weather changes, we enjoy showing more skin and wearing vibrant lipsticks that bring out our skin tone. Dresses that feature flowers and floral patterns are often our spring and summer staples. I often opt for a flattering A-line dress, a skin-tight bandage dress, or slip into a sexy bodycon piece. I like pulling off sophisticated flare and pick floral patterns to bring out my confident femininity. In today's blog, I'm sharing with you one of the most beautiful floral print dress, that I paired with my choice of country style accessories to alleviate the gloom of winter and fall!

The hot month of June calls for a cute A-line dress in yellow that I picked from Shein.in. It's a 100% rayon fabric and feels amazing on the skin. The fit and flare is what attracted me to this gorgeous piece. The spaghetti straps makes it easier to don in the summer months with a low back cut out and a knot in the front makes it appear fancier.

I styled it with some raw accessories - a fabricated choker, sleek gold cuffs in the wrist, brown suede heels, leopard print sunnies and a hat. Completed my look by adding a multicolored sequin bag, giving strong summer feels. More looking like the country girl, eh? Oh, and always remember if you don't want to flaunt the deep neck, go for a tube top inside - like I did (with a black one).

Dressing for summer and picking the right floral outfit can be a task, but if you know your body structure, Shein.in has the best summer dress collection for you! Do check it out and let me know if it helped. Until next time, love & luck.

dress, sunnies, choker : Shein.in | heels : Steve Madden | hat : Forever21 | cuffs : Daniel Wellington

Photographed by : Shiv Ahuja

~xoxo~

Wedding Vogue - Part 1 : Cocktail

Hello ladies, welcome back to yet another wedding fashion series on this blog. Unlike the last two years, I'm only going to write about two parts this time; out of which one is the cocktail party dress that I'm set to talk about in this post. So leave everything you're doing at the moment and read below the curation of this look with none other than STRAWBERRY FASHION STUDIO!

We all know that Indian weddings are an extravagant affair. I myself have told you this umpteen number of times, I guess! And every year with so many pre-wedding and wedding ceremonies to attend, you find yourself looking out for outfits that are in trend and still distinctive. So while I was on a drive to pick attires for this series, Aditi Jaggi Rastogi from Strawberry Fashion Studio came to my rescue. An internationally acclaimed fashion designer and passionate about singular creations (pre-couture and couture), helped me pick the best pieces from her latest wedding collection that'll leave you spellbound!

Gown, ring : Strawberry Fashion Studio | handcuff, earrings : Auhna Creations | heels : Steve Madden

Throwing a cocktail party is the latest trend, no more confined to the upper strata of the society. And it is probably the only occasion in the long Indian wedding celebrations where one can give the traditional wear a complete ditch. Well, it shall only be right if I say, with changing times and fashion trends, Indian wedding dresses have undergone a sea change in terms of design and style. Cocktail dressing was never a thing earlier, but in the recent times it's become essential to add a new, separate outfit only for an evening where you're sharing a few moves with your friends and family and enjoying drinks, and laying down the most gorgeously-happening-side of yours!

Standing tall in the pictures above, and flaunting my outfit just rightly, has already made you believe how much I'm in love with it. A pure Georgette gown it is in black with sequin embroidery in floral pattern on the upper front, with dazzling flares and cut sleeves, and so light in weight that makes my look appear captivating. I chose to wear this floor-length piece with my golden stilettos (you can opt for flats if you're taller or maybe some glitter shoes since heels are a bit uncomfortable to dance in) and a black-gold handcuff with matching gold-blue earrings and a finger ring that fitted aesthetically with the entire look!

For an even perfect team up, my MUA - Simran Taneja, tied my hair into a beautiful bun and left a strand flowing on the side. JSYK, this is the first time I've been convinced to carry a bun and it looks absolutely enchanting. For my makeup, she gave me half smokey eyes and pink tint, false lashes, high brows and shimmery face with dense contouring & highlights and bright pink lips!  

Keeping the look minimal and elegant, I am dressed in a brand new piece from Strawberry Fashion Studio. One stop shop for all occasions. Get your outfits customised according to your style and liking and I'm pretty sure you'll love the outcome! Store address : A-1, Shahnazaf Road, Opp. Sahara Ganj mall, Hazratganj, Lucknow.

Photographed by : Yash Athwani


~xoxo~

Formal Basics for Fall '17

Hello ladies! Hope all's going great at your end. It's getting cold here in Lucknow, but somewhat not, and I am not really appreciating the climate change because I've literally got a ton of summer dresses to flaunt, but in the evening it gets chilly and I have to ditch them. Is it the same for you? You know that one-pieces are my favorite picks mostly but wearing pants is all I'm left with! It's evident that winters are not yet here, but this is that period of time which brings in some excitement with the fall season, making you wear summer clothes put together with full lengths that look both comfortable and chic.

Well, in the middle of fall, lie two glorious weeks (more or less) where the weather literally could not be better and you're equally comfortable sipping on a warm coffee drink as you are a cold one. You're also probably going on a stroll in the park because this is the only time of the year that sounds like something nice to do too! Anyway, in this post you're going to read about my fall picks that are both summer bright and winter shady, also a few tips on what fabrics to choose. Let's scroll down and take a look..

top, pants : Pantaloons | heels : Steve Madden | bag : Stitch in Style | watch : Daniel Wellington

I have always been a casual stylist. For me comfort is of utmost importance. I dig into my wardrobe daily but pull out all basics everyday. For once when I chose to give street styles a hit, I got my hands on a black & white polka peplum top in polyster fabric with quarter sleeves and teamed it up with a pair of sky blue skinny pants in cotton that look formal but make me feel hep over those laced tan booties that are the classic fall footwear, and also match the tan sling I carried. Oh yes, this entire look is a timeless fashion trend!

Well, it's not just about colors that make fall fashion a hot topic to be discussed, but the fabric as well. It's essential to be aware of what type of fabric is going to suit your skin during this muddled season where you are not even sure of pulling out your trench coats and packing your shorts back in the trunks. It's no secret that if you choose the correct colors, it can make a trend outfit that may be used in a lot of situations. But with my recent studies fabrics that are picked with right colors are even better for the smartness people see in you! Basics like polyester, cotton and suedes work wonder for you (because of their insulating value that conserves your body heat) and you tend to walk in confidence, without shivering or feeling no sweat on the skin or getting irritated. Isn't that reasonable?

My entire look is a mix of easy feminine pieces. This look can be carried at a formal meet in office (layer it with a blazer) or at a casual lunch with your friends. Appears pretty hep and classic! Say wha'? Leave your comments in the section below if you liked it.

Photographed by : Devina Rastogi & Yash Athwani | Shot at : Free Spirit

~xoxo~

Tulip & Blush (ft. Stalkbuylove & Aarna Designs)

"Make it simple, but significant." — Don Draper

The quote above helps me remind you that I have always been a lazy girl when it comes to dressing, but I make sure whenever I dress up, it gets its own kinda appreciation. My personal style has never been fancy or over-the-top. Its pretty simple, easy and elegant, and people who've met me know it well! But, I really have a thing for indo-western clothing, and as with the years Indian styles have got boring, Indian women like me decide to mix and match cuts, fabric, necklines, waistlines, embellishments and various other technicalities, to form an entirely different kind of clothing that would suit modern needs and satisfy today’s tastes!

So, bringing together a few pieces from different online brands, I've managed to construct a look that's booming a trend this season with Tulip Pants. With its forgiving silhouette – billowing on top, narrow at the ankles, and with layers of airy fabric, these pants have become the home of traditional summer classics. They are not as baggy as the salwar, but still airy enough to beat this heat. It comes in a range of fabric from lawn to cotton, and silk or chiffon. It certainly gives a hippy feel but is graceful at the same time! Check out the entire look below.. 

top : Koovs | tulip pants : StalkBuyLove | heels : Steve Madden | rings : H&M | earrings : Aarna Designs

We all know, that indo-western trend offers umpteen choices for fashion savvy shoppers who are ready to experiment with variations in styles. Not only are they stylish, but also make the wearer to stand out in the crowd. A similar add-on is the tulip pants that gets quite true when you try it with simple tops! Tulip pants are another version of dhoti pants as we widely know about in India, from Pakistan. These are mostly paired with kaftan tops and kurtas, but ofcourse in other places its more of a free-will to pair it with shorter pieces!

I chose to pick a pair of blush pink tulip pants from StalkBuyLove, one of my favorite clothing brands of all times. They have such stunning summer pieces that keep my eyes rolling! Teamed it up with a solid black, full sleeved crop top from Koovs and glitter heels from Steve Madden (mind you, I love buckles, they help me stay in place). Accessories being an important part of the indo-western styling, had be going in for over sized bohemian earrings from Aarna Designs, with multi-colored tassels with pink popping out the most, and mirrors that reflected shine along with a few metallic finger rings from H&M. Best fitted for a season party or Indian functions, this look is for the girls who often want to ditch the regular kurta salwar, and opt for something creative and stylish!

PS : I went in for a subtle summer makeup that looked perfect for both day and night events. A fresh pink face with little glitter on the eyes, bright pink lips and midtone contouring! More like a diva, eh?

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If you liked this look, please drop a comment telling me the same. Also, share it across with your girl friends and make them aware about how this new trend of tulip pants can stun the world! Follow me on facebook, instagram and snapchat (username : shubhigarg04) for more OOTDs!

Photographed by : Creativity Studio  |  Makeup by : Divya Vishnani


~xoxo~

Indian Wedding Fashion : Part 3 - Marriage

Hey stunners, hope you all are enjoying attending all the weddings and its pre and post ceremonies! Many of you who follow me on social media, already know that I recently attended my brothers wedding and enjoyed being a part of all the related functions as well. It won't be wrong if I say, Indian weddings are gala affairs replete with pomp, show and colour, and to prove that I posted two different outfits for two different pre-wedding ceremonies on this blog recently. You can check out the Engagement look HERE and the Tilak/Sangeet look HERE.

To close this year's wedding collaboration series with Jyotika Mirpuri Aroura, today I'm here to share with you the last part of the series being the ultimate Marriage ceremony look! We all dream of looking our best at a family or friend's wedding and the season of glitz and glamour demands you to look your best and bring out the best outfits from your wardrobe. 

Scroll down below to take a look at my outfit pick for a family wedding and how beautiful the team at JMA MAKEUP & FASHION STUDIO in Lucknow made me look with their makeup skills!

outfit : JMA Fashion Studio | heels : Steve Madden | maang tika : Aetee Designs

 makeup : JMA Makeup Studio 

Wedding season in India is no less than a festival with so many events to attend, but the marriage ceremony being the most important, we all want to don some red-carpet worthy styles. Whether you are the blushing sister, doting sister-in-law or a happy bridesmaid, you are allowed to dress up extravagantly but without overshadowing the bride! Many of us tend to wear heavy lehengas and lavish anarkalis at weddings because they form a regular style. But as wedding fashion keeps on changing every now and then, one shouldn't fear experimenting!

For a recent wedding I attended, I opted for a straight fit, body hugging Indian suit comprising of a long brocade kurta in creamish-gold color with yellow silk-lycra churidaar bottoms. The spoof buttoned kurta comprised of long sleeves that helped accentuate my arms under the cut sleeve black velvet jacket with prepossessing zardozi embroidery on its high neck collar and front. The jacket looked quite artistic with its design and ankle length cut that helped me look taller than usual, though along with the smashing glittery heels I wore in my feet! Also, if you notice in the pictures above, at the back neck of the jacket there are tassels (latkan) hanging which make it more decorative. And, similar tassles were added to the yellow net dupatta that came along with the suit with the same embroidery as on the jacket as well. The whole designer suit set looks magnificent and helped me look graceful!

Since this was a wedding look, I wanted something spunky and exquisite, and Jyotika just gave me the most magical makeup and hair do with heavy foundation, smokey black eyes with dark lining and false lashes, along with pink blush on the cheeks and rosewood pink lips. For my hair, she separated my hair on the front and rolled them up on either sides while creating a bun on the side and a queen's pouf on the rear part of my head, attaching hair pins to avoid fall off. We also opted for a statement maang tika and a bindi on the forehead to complete the look and I must mention, I could've never imagined myself look so pretty if I were not dressed my best by Jyotika!

With this, we come to the end of the wedding fashion series for year 2016. I would like to thank Jyotika and her entire team at JMA Makeup & Fashion Studio for making me look stunning as ever in her creative, designer outfits and the amazing makeup on my face and different hairstyles every single time! I would also like to extend my gratitude to the very kind hospitality team at Renaissance Lucknow Hotel for allowing me to shoot at their venue and help me with everything that was needed. Last but not the least, a big thanks my friend Zeeshan Khan for the super gorgeous pictures he clicked for me and made this series attention worthy!

PS : Like I mentioned last year too, I might or might not come up with a new series next year but will keep posting different outfit looks at different occasions, so keep following me here and on social media! Until next time, lots of love and best wishes.

~xoxo~

Safar - The Journey Of Flavours From Then Till Now at Sepia, by Renaissance Lucknow

Aadaab janaab aur mohtaram! I am surely ruling by this style of greeting, eh? Anyway, that just simply means 'hi everyone!'

Being a Lucknowite by birth and have lived in the city of Nawabs all my life till now, I have a great great attachment with Lucknow and everything that's associated with it. May it be the culture, fashion, its people or most importantly its food. As you might know, Lucknow is known well worldwide due to its unmatchable Awadhi cuisine which is an indigenous part of the city. The dishes and cooking style of the people here is inspired and influenced by the Mughals, and I'm one die hard fan of it too!

Recently I attended the on-going Awadhi food festival, SAFAR - THE JOURNEY OF FLAVOURS FROM THEN TILL NOW, along with my friend Azman Khan at Sepia restaurant at Renaissance Lucknow Hotel, and it became a must share story for me with you all!  

The richness of Awadhi cuisine lies not only in the variety of the cuisine but also in the ingredients used like mutton, paneer (cottage cheese), and rich spices. The need for such a cuisine arose in Lucknow as the emperors, the Nawabs of Awadh, being inhabitants of Persia were used to a certain type of diet which comprised of grains, dry fruits, fruits and vegetables available in that part of the country apart from various forms of meat. This style of cooking was further polished by the Nawabs by adding exotic flavors of saffron and other Indian spices.

The bawarchis (chefs) and rakabdars (gourmet cooks) of Awadh invented the dum style of cooking or the art of cooking over a slow fire, which became popular and synonymous with Lucknow. Their spreads consisted of elaborate dishes such as kebabs, kormas, biryanis, kaliyas, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis, and warqi parathas. 

Today, years later with SAFAR, Chef Mohsin Qureshi - the Chef De Cuisine along with his team at Sepia, took ques from the original recipes of some popular Nawabs of the city, and has reinvented its glorious flavours while recreating an extravagant menu for all of us to relish and feel the modernised twists in the age old recipes! 

Awadhi cuisine is native to the city of Lucknow. The cooking patterns of are similar to those of Central Asia, the Middle East, and Northern India with the cuisine comprising both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes prepared with exotic spices, herbs and garnished with dry fruits. I, along with Azman gorged upon some of the finest Awadhi delicacies prepared exclusively for us by Chef Qureshi and below is an array displayed for you to have a look and drool!

Oh JK! This food festival is running up till 2nd November so you can actually go and taste the entire menu yourself!

STARTERS (VEG)

Kebabs are the integral part of Awadh. There are several varieties of popular kebabs in Awadhi cuisine like Kakori Kebabs, Galawat ke Kebabs, Shami Kebabs, Boti Kebabs, Patili-ke-Kebabs, Ghutwa Kebabs and Seekh Kebabs are among the known varieties. So, we were served lots of kebabs in the starters and I was so happy to see that they had some unique vegetarian recipes incorporated!

Til Bhindi ke Kebab (Sesame + Lady Finger)

My favorite out all, so that's no.1!

Doodhi Dahi Gilawti Kebab (Bottle Guord + Curd)

This is one of the most unbelievable kebabs I ever tasted.

Tara Arbi

For most of you who don't like colocasia, this is a must try!

We also tried 'Gobhi (Cauliflower) ke Shaami Kebab' which were super tender and tasteful!

STARTERS (NON-VEG)

Machhi Masala (Fish fried in herbs and spices)

Soft, delectable, yummy!

Jeera Dhaniya Murgh 

(Cumin Seed + Coriander in Chicken filled with Mozerella Cheese)

Very innovative dish, and Cheesy AF. A junk non-vegetarian's paradise!

Gosht Gilawti (Mutton Kebabs with Garlic Bread)

Love the unique display and it did taste awesome as well!

MAIN COURSE (VEG)

Curries and Kormas originated in the lavish Mughal cuisine wherein lamb or chicken was braised in velvety, spiced sauces, enriched with ground nuts, cream and butter. The main course menu of Safar include lots of revamped vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties and you must take a look below at what all we tasted the other day!

Bhindi Nain Tara (Spicy Ladyfinger)

I was drooled by the name already, and also its my favorite vegetable so it was yum indeed!

Dal Dhungar (Black Lentil with Mixed Spices)

Khumani Kofta (Apricot Stuffed Koftas)

Melts in mouth, amazingly thought of and well put together with a blend of spices and innovation!

MAIN COURSE (NON-VEG)

Turai Gosht (Ridge Gourd + Mutton)

Succulent enough to pop your taste buds and delight for the fans of fusion dishes!

Lagan Dum Ka Murgh

Completely swayed by the juicy chicken and Awadhi flavored gravy. A complete gourmet delight!

Awadhi breads are very significant. A few varieties are of the raised breads and improvisations are of different types and made in various ways that include the rumaali roti, tandoori roti, naan, kulcha, warqi paratha, lachha paratha, sheermaal and baqarkhani. We preferred tasting Plain naan and one of our favorite breads at Sepia, the Warqi Paratha. I'm not too sure, but if you remember in my previous post for Sepia during the Kakori food fest, I did mention how luscious this bread was, and still is indeed!

I am a vegetarian survivor, but my friends keep forcing me to try non vegetarian food too. Well, its just not my cup of tea and I am glad that vegetarian food combinations are innumerable for people like me to taste some real good food without compromising on taste. Well, Azman says the same for non vegetarian food served to him!

PS : I had a wonderful time during the Awadhi dinner and it was an helluva experience rediscovering flavors from the times of my great grand parents (or even earlier I'm not sure) but the twists added by the chef at Sepia restaurant truly won my heart! I personally and highly recommend all of you to at least visit SEPIA once, also because the ambience is so authentic and soulful, and like I say you can always thank me later! ;)

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I can never really dress up to impress, but dressing up for a theme could be in my 'I-Like-To-Do-Stuff' list! This time I wore a long indo-western kurta from Saatchi Fashion with a pair of maroon churidaar pajama from Jabong, and styled it with a crystal necklace from Accessorize, a brass handcuff from Myntra and beige-gold heels from Steve Madden. Suited well I guess! 

If you liked reading this post, don't forget to share it across! Until next time, lots of love and virtual hugs.

Photographed by : Azman Khan

~xoxo~