Ethereal Bohemian!

Hi pretty people!! How did the first month of this year treated you? Hope all went well *smile*

In the first post for 2015, I mentioned I'm gonna share with you some truly exciting posts this year, so here I am, back with another outfit post - The BOHO-CHIC look as commonly named the 'bohemian look'. I'm sure most of you have been following this look since long but I'm gonna show you a different way in which you can pair up metallics and prints altogether giving the whole look a glam touch. Bohemian fashion style has all the funky elements and the exotic zing of fashion – creating a rich cocktail of casual, hippie 70s style and ethnic along with vintage. Reflecting on the fashion style of "boho-chic", I thought its ironic that "fashionable girls wore ruffly floral skirts in the hope of looking bohemian, nomadic, spirited and non-bourgeois", whereas "gypsy girls themselves are sexy and delightful precisely because they do not give a hoot for fashion". The term "bohemian" first emerged to describe a way of life, rather than a particular look. Full to bursting with outspoken artists, musicians and others with less traditional views and lifestyles, residents of the area and their overall style and mentality became known as "bohemians." The tag has managed to stick in modern times, although some use the abbreviation "boho." Fortunately for fans of casual, creative apparel, boho style is no longer limited to people with unconventional politics or world views.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can sport this fun, friendly look.

Shrug & Croptop : Forever21 | Palazzo pants : SplashIndia | Heels : factoryrush

Bag : ZARA | Neckpiece, Bracelet & Ring : shopnineteen

There's no surprise to why this look is so appealing to us. It's cool, hippie and definitely feminine in a rugged and effortless way! The Boho-Look is one of my favorite styles because it plays up my dark features. I often infuse some ethnic-inspired details into my Classic Fashion Persona.

In this particular look, today I have paired up my elephant-print palazzo pants which I totally love, because of its perfect length (which I didn't need to alter - for the first time as I'm so short) and the print, oh my lord...I can't tell you how much I'm obsessed over elephants. I looked at these palazzos and grabbed them instantly from the Splash store back in Bombay! with a basic grey crop top from Forever21 and a basic black shrug which again I love because of its elasticity & fitting as I'm on a heavier side on my chest and tummy (I do not exercise :P). For my accessories I have kept it quite simple and have picked up some metal pieces - long-necklace, broad white-stone studded bracelet, and a black stone ring. I usually carry a big sling bag but for this one I have picked up an envelope clutch, but it is reversible and can be worn as cross-body bag by pulling out the metallic chain from inside. My black-snake print peep-toe heels are really cool & comfortable and my favorite too. One of the important things you'll have to remember when it comes to fashion is to always personalize a look to make it more YOU. So adjust BOHO fashion into your own liking and flair!

How to dress Bohemian :

* Do as you like.  An important aspect of bohemian style is individuality; this means embracing your own personality and expressing it through your fashion choices. Bohemian style may be described as a trend with certain looks to follow, but it's really all about following your own inspirations.

* Mix it up. Learn how to pair pieces of your wardrobe together. Women often match everything together perfectly, but if you pay attention to fashion greats such as Kate Moss, Chloe Sevigny, Mischa Barton, Sienna Miller, and other icons, you can see that by using your imagination, so much more life can be added to your wardrobe. The possibilities are truly endless.

* Accessorize. In the world of boho-chic, extreme attention is paid to details. From long or layered necklaces, bracelets, rings and head scarves, ballerina flats, shiny pumps, it's all about the small things. The difference between someone simple and someone with a bohemian sense of style is in the accessories.

* Add a bag to complete the look : Whether you prefer distressed leather or cloth, fringe or suede, a tiny cross-body or an oversized hobo bag, having a reliable and fantastic bohemian purse is key to tying your outfit all together. Cross-body bags are awesome because they keep your hands free. This is especially useful at concerts or festivals! A cute, fringy, small- to medium-sized bag would be perfect for this.

Adding bohemian jewelry is an inexpensive and flexible way to create different fashion looks.

What I really love about boho jewelry, is that you can wear them to instantly transform a basic tee or a dress into a very chic and classy bohemian look. So they are quite cost-effective in terms of styling.

How to wear BOHO jewellery : Avoid Overdoing It!

I personally prefer to opt for a classy boho-chic look, by wearing jewelry strategically. So if I'm wearing a boho necklace, I like to keep my earrings simple and add bracelets instead. Or if I'm wearing boho earrings, drop the necklace. Also, if you're wearing stacked bracelets that ooze a fashion statement, try keeping your outfit simple, free from details and prints that will only compete with the jewelry. Combining metals adds some super-chic interest to casual outfit.

In collaboration with shopnineteen blog - All the jewelry i'm wearing in the pictures (in this post) are from shopnineteen They have an eclectic range of ready-to-wear, high fashion, lifestyle accessories. An exquisite collection conceptualized by their selected team of design artists, visualisers and painstakingly crafted by master craftsmen. From necklaces, pendants, chokers, anklets, rings, earrings, bands and bracelets, handbags, belts and fine hand crafted footwear they have the very finest in their exclusive range. All products have a distinctive look in each design. Threads, beads, stones and metals weave a kaleidoscope of magic and colors when they express themselves on you. The core range includes a series of couture jewelry - a subtle yet classy style statement for the woman of today and a veritable range of personal accessories. When you wear a shopnineteen stuff, you can rest assured of wearing authenticity and class. Most designs are essentially of limited edition. So when you wear a piece from their collection you can be certain that you are wearing exclusivity.

Fashion in general is about finding out who you are and what you like. So experiment! Where's the fun in fashion if you don't allow yourself to take risks? Have fun. If you are following the beat of your own drum (fashion-wise), it is almost certain that some mistakes will be made, that is, unless you stick to basically the same thing all the time which completely contradicts the bohemian state of mind. Sometimes you need a fashion shake-up to breathe new life into your personal style. If you're interested in embracing a look that's synonymous with creativity and a laid-back attitude, consider picking up a few bohemian pieces on your next shopping excursion!

Do tell me what do you think about this look of mine in the comments below and don't forget to follow me on instagram to win giveaways from shopnineteen.

~xoxo~

Coffee Toffee

Here’s a recipe for toffee (and coffee) lovers!

Yield: 60 pieces

Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 30 min

If you really would the coffee flavor to shine through, I'd recommend brewing a strong cup of coffee (or use espresso).

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated white sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup brewed coffee (or espresso)
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups slivered almonds, toasted & roughly chopped (divided)
8 ounces dark chocolate chips

Directions : 

1.) In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, sugars, coffee, corn syrup and salt. Heat to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Insert a candy thermometer into the syrup; boil- stirring only occasionally- until the mixture turns a caramel color and reached 280 degrees (or almost there!), about 30 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in 3/4 cup almonds. Spread mixture onto a rimmed, buttered baking pan, working quickly. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the warm toffee. Cover it with a 2nd inverted baking sheet for a few minutes to keep in the heat. Spread the melted chocolate over the toffee. Sprinkle the remaining almonds on top. Let cool completely. 2.) When the toffee is completely cooled, break it into pieces (you can use a knife to help speed up the process). Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Tips : To toast the nuts, heat a small skillet over medium heat, add the nuts and stir occasionally until lightly browned. Dump the toasted nuts onto a paper towel to cool. 

I love the old-time candy shops… you know, the ones where you can see them making the candy right in front of you… like taffy, caramel apples, fudge and toffee.  I’d like to own an old-time candy shop one of these days because it might finally, once-and-for-all cure my obsessive addiction with homemade toffee (assuming I’d have a tendency to get sick of the stuff).  Toffee is the best of all worlds for me.  The crispy caramel base holds a thin layer of chocolate, and there is usually a good dose of almonds added in there somewhere too.  This version is Coffee Toffee. There is a small amount of strong coffee added in there to intensify the flavor. 

This recipe begins with your typical toffee recipe.  The butter/sugar mixture is boiled until it reaches the right temperature (yes, you’ll need a candy thermometer), then it’s spread onto a buttered baking sheet. 

Chocolate chips are sprinkled onto the warm toffee.  They’ll melt quickly, and then you just spread the chocolate over the toffee. Toasted almonds are sprinkled on top.  Once completely cooled, you just pick up the toffee and begin breaking it into pieces.

And then it’s ready for munching!  This toffee is not heavy on the coffee flavor.  I’d say that the coffee just gives it all a flavor punch (chocolate and coffee always go well together, don’t they?)  If you wish for a more intense coffee flavor, my recommendation would be to brew a very strong cup of coffee, or use espresso instead.

Hope you had fun time reading this special recipe!! So all you toffee coffee lovers, run to your kitchen and start preparing this yummy dezzert snack! Leave your comments in below telling me what do you think about this recipe?

~xoxo~

Give me a name, Please!

  
vagabond | wanderer | tramp | rover | vagarant | epic | unique

old woman | katha stitch dress | from nowhere

Hi guys, I saw this old lady walking in my city (Lucknow) yesterday!! I don’t exactly know what to call her! But she had this unique dressing style, she wore a katha stitch cape/robe kinda thing, carried this huge axe on her back & smoked 'bidi' and it literally attracted me & I couldn’t resist clicking her! I went ahead asking her name, she stared at me for a while and didn't even mumble a word. I repeated, "aapka naam kya hai aunty?" and she kept on staring at me and finished smoking her 'bidi'. I don't know if she was acting stubborn or was surprised/shocked to have me asking her name, maybe no one else did that to her in the past? I thought the same, greeted "namaste" to her and walked off.

Isn't it strange, we have so many types of people living around us but we don't even have a clue about their culture or origin, basically it is a risk of abuse or neglect or in one word I should say 'vulnerable'! Have we become self-centred or too busy too learn new stuff? 

PS : If you get the right word for the lady (in the picture), do let me know! 

~xoxo~

Bloom where you are planted!

Happy 2015 guys! Its the 4th day of the year and I literally have no clue how and where did the past 3 days fly!

Anyways, I am really really excited to share some super lovely posts with you all, and I'm here to treat you with the first one for the year. Enjoy reading!

Dress : MANGO | Hat : Forever21 | Neckpiece & Ring : Myntra

Bracelets : Selfmade | Stilletos : Jabong | Earrings : Craft Exhibition (Lucknow)

Many of us, especially if you live on the east coast, are dreaming of spring. We want mild temperatures, abundant amounts of sunshine, and to see trees and flowers in bloom. Department stores tend to be way ahead of the season––tossing out all the winter gear and making way for the spring clothes. Prints are still looking hot every spring, which makes me really excited to know that among those popular prints are floral prints!

When you think of spring, you think of flowers. Or at least I do. What’s the best way to celebrate the coming of spring you can channel into your wardrobe? Toss on a floral print piece! Floral prints are ultra-feminine, pretty, and flirty. I like to consider it a traditional girly girl’s go-to item of the season. As a self-proclaimed super feminine girl, the floral print trend is right up my alley. I love anything representing the beauty of nature. The only way I feel like I can have a piece of that is by wearing anything with a floral print. Skirts, dresses, and blouses can turn just about any look into pure romance. So, My new outfit post (this one) is about true true florals and I really love this dress of mine (in the pictures).

Spring is the right season to have a sense of dreamy playfulness. There’s something about spring that makes me ten times happier than any other season and that is why i thought of sharing this post with you. Maybe it’s the promise of a new beginning or a sense of renewal after hibernating from winter’s icy chill. No matter how you look at it, spring invites you to come out and play. I like playing around with styles sometimes to convey a certain feel or tone I have for that day. My style is feminine, but I like to give off a vibe of fun and playfulness with what I wear.

Tips :

1. Pairing a solid top with a floral print skirt makes the skirt more eye catching. (The dress I'm wearing in the pictures gives a hint of me wearing a top and a rap-around skirt but that's a one piece, & you do get tops and skirts of the same kinds to pair up too).

2. Add funky accessories with the matching flower patterns on your dress but do not make it look over the top. Keep it simple for the day time and you can add a tinch of glitter/shimmer in the night (for a party look).

Prints are especially good for mixing pieces up. Personally, if I wear any sort of floral print or pattern, I don’t match it with what I’m wearing. I’ve read a few fashion articles that say never match prints or patterns together. Those looks tend to be really busy and overly done. I agree with that assessment. You don’t want to stick out in the crowd by having a floral print shirt matching with a floral print skinny jeans, for instance. You pick a floral print blouse and wear it with a solid color pair of jeans. That way, the focus of your outfit will be solely on the top and not everything else.

Give floral prints a try this spring if you want a touch of beauty and romance in your wardrobe. You can add a funky summer hat to your dress when you go out for a beach party or in the day around casually (like the one I added in the pictures above) or can frolic in a field of flowers, while wearing a floral dress as you do. Also, do tell me what do you think of this look in the comments below and don't forget to follow me on instagram & add pictures using #PickerAtPace to win giveaways from koovs fashion.

Photographed by : Lavita Malik

~xoxo~