Super easy braided hairstyles

Now technically, this is a fashion blog, but hairstyles definitely add to the glam factor of an outfit. So I thought I would occasionally do a hairstyle or makeup post:)

Here are three easy braided hairstyles :

1. The standard three strand braid

The humble three strand braid can look very cute when you don’t have time to do a proper hairstyle. It's very simple once you get the hang of the braiding pattern. You can do it in just these simple steps :

1. Split the hair at the base of your head into three roughly equal parts
2. Cross the right section over the middle section
3. Cross the left section over the new middle section (which was previously the right section until you crossed it over)
4. Keep crossing alternating between the strands till you get to the bottom
5. Secure the braid at the bottom with an elastic
6. Pull gently at the braided sections to make your braid appear more voluminous

2. Dutch braid

Once you can do the standard three strand braid, you can do a Dutch braid easily. It's exactly the same, except turned inside out. You just have to braid the sections under instead of over each other.

3. The combo braid

I'm not sure what this type of braid is really called, so I just made up a name. It's a combination of three 3-strand braids. It looks very intricate and everyone will wonder how much time you put into it; when really it doesn’t take more than 10 minutes tops!

1. Split your hair into three sections
2. Split each subsection into three sections again
3. Each subsection will form a single 3 strand braid
4. Once you've braided the three separate braids, combine them into a single braid and secure it at the bottom with an elastic
5. Pull at the braids carefully without separating them to add volume

Stylespiration Series : Jazz from Namastey London

Jazz is such a unique movie persona. She's an Indian girl brought up in London. She's free-spirited, a little crazy, and always trendy when it comes to style. She can rock anything from miniskirts to dresses and all the way to Indian ethnic wear. If she's your style icon, here are some tips to dress just like Jazz…

1. Wear lots of denim

Jazz wears a lot of denim throughout the movie. Bootcut jeans, teeny-tiny skirts, ripped jeans and overalls are all featured in Namastey London.

You can switch it up a bit with denim jackets, dresses and vests. Pair your favorite jeans with a graphic tee or try some comfy dungarees with a tube or crop top underneath.

2. Wear bright, girly colors

Jazz's style is pretty girly although she likes to occasionally wear gothic tees (She wore one in a scene in India). Wear a lot of pastels and bright colors like hot pink, baby pink, blue, yellow, white, etc.

3. Bring on the bling!

Jazz really dresses up for parties. She wears a long, sequined dress for her engagement to Charlie which is totally blinged up. She wears another sparkly dress when she goes clubbing. Bottom line, Jazz likes sparkle.  So don’t hesitate if you want to wear an embellished outfit. Just pair it with minimal accessories so it's not over the top.

4. Load up on the accessories

Earrings, necklaces, stacked bracelets, belts, she has them all! Don’t be afraid to experiment with mixing and matching your jewelry. If you aren't into heavy necklaces, wear long, string necklaces for a boho feel. Wearing a pretty wristwatch can bring your outfit together as well.

Stylespiration Series : Ariel (The Little Mermaid)

Okay, so Ariel's a mermaid. But you can still wear clothes inspired by her signature colors : lavender and green.

Ariel wears lavender sea shells and her fin is a sort of peacock green. She has fiery red hair which she leaves open with a side swept, dramatic bang which I feel makes her stand out among all the other Disney princesses.

For Ariel's hair :

Get a red wig with super long locks and cut a side swept bang or just make a faux bang by making a deep side part and pinning the front section of the hair behind your ear. If you don't want to wear a wig, you can also opt for a few red clip in streaks.

For the outfit :

Get either a skirt or fitted pants in a shade of green similar to Ariel's fins. You can also wear shorts or maybe a pair of overalls. Try and find something with a beach or sea themed pattern like sea shells, waves, etc.

For the top, find something in a light purple, mauve or lavender shade. Ariel doesn’t really wear any accessories, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Accessorize with a sea shell necklace (like the one Ursula wears when she transforms herself into a human), a few bead bracelets, and a flower clip in your hair. For shoes,  you can wear pretty much anything.

For the true Ariel touch :

If you want everyone to know exactly who you are dressed as (assuming you are wearing this look for a costume or theme party) bring along a fork to comb your hair with :)

You could even bring along stuffed toys of Flounder and Sebastian (although that may be going a little overboard (pun intended))

How to rock the Indo-Western trend

Indian wear is something not everyone feels comfortable in. Despite the amazing stone work, embroidery and obvious  glamour it brings to the party, it can be a bit of a hassle to carry. 

This is true especially in case of younger girls who prefer the comfort of western wear. However, when it comes to festivals and occasions, and your mom wants you to wear something 'traditional', fear not.

Instead of going all out with that heavy lehenga or that saree which you can barely walk in, check out some Indo-Western outfit ideas that will keep both, you and your mom, happy.

1. Try wearing a lightweight maxi skirt and a traditional brocade top to give the effect of a lehenga without compromising on comfort
2. Skip the dupatta altogether if your outfit has enough glam
3. Instead of carrying a dupatta, wear a trendy koti jacket instead
4. Wear skinny ripped jeans with a short kurti and lots of bangles to channel your inner desi-but-not-totally diva
5. Switch the usual salwars and churidars for dhoti pants, palazzos or cigarette pants for a unique ensemble
6. While wearing dhoti pants, wear a well fitted medium length kurti and cute mojadis
7. Add a structured jacket over cigarette pants for a sophisticated look
8. Mix and match pieces from your existing wardrobe to create whole new outfits
9. Look into contemporary saree draping styles like the dhoti saree or pant saree
10. Go with your intuition on what looks good on you and rock it with confidence!

What to wear for Rakshabandhan

Rakshabandhan is here and what better time to flaunt your desi outfits? Dress to impress this Rakhi with a few of my tips…

If you're celebrating at home

For a day time rakhi event at home, wear pastels and light weight outfits. I love the Indo-western combination of breezy solid colored palazzo pants and a short, fitted kurti. Pair the two pieces in contrasting colors and add heavy oxidized bangles and jhumkis to glam it up. Color pairings that look amazing :

1. Red and deep blue
2. Parrot green and magenta
3. Orange and black
4. Gold with anything

Stick to darker colors on the palazzos if you're a little bottom-heavy and vice versa.

For a night time celebration at home, wear an outfit with slightly darker hues with details like stone work or sequins. A maxi skirt with a crop top and dupatta is perfect. Add sparkle with a statement necklace and stacked bangles.

If you're going out

For lunch, the same rules apply : wear summery colors- bright pink, purple, blue and accent with metallics. I love a traditional salwar kameez paired with an indian jacket instead of a dupatta. Keep it chic with dainty earrings and a sling purse.

For evening events, opt for a flowy anarkali or go fusion with dark wash denims, a tank and a jacket with an ethnic print. Add a long chain necklace with a funky pendant and finish the look with sleek heels or ankle boots. For a more relaxed outfit, go with a dress - mid-length or maxi with Indian motifs. I love maxi dresses by Global Desi. Pair these with some earrings and a bracelet and you're outfit is complete!

Have a great Rakshabandhan!

Stylespiration Series : Ananya from Two States

Indo-western fashion is one of my go-tos whenever I have to attend an Indian festivity which is not so very traditional. I even work this trend in college for some change in my regular western wardrobe. Ananya is the probably the best icon to follow if you want to get this look. Her style echoes her free spirit and her clothes have a bright colorfulness that can make a mundane outfit stand out.

Long skirts with Indian prints paired with western tops and T-shirts

This is my favorite look in the whole movie. Ananya pairs printed, flowy maxi skirts with solid colored tanks and tees. She wears chunky jewelry like big earrings and stacks of bangles to pull her outfit together. Look for ethnic skirts with a solid color with a large border or printed skirts with vibrant patterns. Pair these with contrasting tops, stacked bracelets or bangles and chunky wedges.

Short kurtis and shorts

I can hear you going "WHAT?", but it does really seem to work. In the movie, Ananya pairs a short blue kurti with denim cut-offs and totally owns that look. This look is not for the faint-hearted. If you're hesitant in incorporating this outfit into your daily wardrobe, save it for beach outings or places where the temperature is high. If you don’t want to show too much skin, pair the look with knee-high boots for a bohemian twist.

Ethnic kurtis

This is more on the Indian side, but her kurtis do have contemporary necklines and designs. Pair these with heavy earrings and you're all set! Look for different styles like short, medium and super long(which is the current trend). Wear these with leggings, patialas, salwars and jeans for a huge array of outfits. You can mix and match dupattas, stoles and short ethnic jackets for a trendy vibe.

Sarees

Super bright sarees with traditional designs are Ananya's thing. She wears the traditional Chennai silk sarees in bold, youthful colors like hot pink, blue, green and yellow. If you have an occasion to donne a saree, take inspiration from Ananya and don’t be afraid to wear a Kanjeevaram saree. Pleat the pallu and drape it across your shoulder in a single, thin patch rather than opening it up. 

Jewelry

Ananya wears a lot of chunky bracelets, necklaces and earrings. She wears jhumkis multiple times in the movie as well as a lot of statement pieces like hoops with colorful stones set into them and traditional gold earrings for her saree looks.

So the next time you have to wear ethnic, it doesn't have to be the same old outfit. 

Kurti Kraze

Kurtis are a wardrobe must-have for Indian girls. They are appropriate for almost every occasion. You can wear them to college, work and for festive occasions as well. Here are a few tips for styling your favorite kurti…

The desi girl look

Pair your kurti with a salwar or churidar and a dupatta for the traditional salwar kameez or churidar look. Add a few bangles and big, bold, statement earrings and you’re good to go.

The college girl look

Dupattas can get pretty fussy if you have to drive a bike or carry a heavy bag. For college, it's best to pair your kurti with some contrasting leggings. They're super comfortable and look chic on everybody. Pair printed leggings with solid colored kurtis.

To vary your looks, get different styles of kurtis. Get some short ones, some long ones, collared and button-downs for unique outfits. Pair these with jhumkis and bracelets. Add a pair of wedges or stylish mojadis(balle flats style ethnic footwear) to complete the look.

The Indo-western look

You can wear this look to college or work or even while going out. It's fun, comes with minimal fuss and won't ever go out of style. You can mix it up and work with what looks good on you.

1. Pair a short or tunic style kurti with skinny or straight leg jeans. Wear a dark wash denim with lighter kurtis and light wash denim with darker kurtis. You can experiment with distressed and ripped jeans, but I would recommend staying away from printed jeans. Still, if you like the look, go for it!
2. Pair your mid-length kurtis with jeggings for a cooler, relaxed look. Add some printed jackets to give your outfit something extra.
3. Pair long and asymmetric kurtis with wide-legged pants or palazzos. Add a statement necklace and high heels. If you don’t like palazzos, cigarette pants also work well.
4. Wear long kurtis with a maxi skirt for the ultimate fusion look. Make sure there aren't too many clashing prints though.

The festive look

For festivals or special occasions, wear your salwar kameez set with heavy jewelry. Opt for dupattas with stone work or intricate beading. Add some traditional bangles, a cute potli bag, heels and you're all set! Festivals are the perfect time to go bold with colors. Reds, oranges, fuscias are all apt for these ocassions.

So go ahead and rock that kurti girl!

Stylespiration Series : Andy from The Devil wears Prada

Andrea Sachs, a girl who threw away a Yale law acceptance to pursue journalism is thrown into the unknown depths of the world of fashion. She gets an offer to work as an assistant to one of the most influential women in the fashion industry, the editor-in-chief of Runway, Miranda Priestly.

Having never been acquainted with fashion before, Andy views the girls at Runway as starved, high-heel wearing, pretentious creatures who will do anything to get to the top. She refuses to change her dressing style since she's not going to be in fashion forever. All that changes soon though, and we are rewarded with some of the most stylish looks ever seen on Anne Hathaway.

The Old Andy - Just so you know what NOT to wear

The introductory scene shows Andy in a white shirt, lavender sweater, brown jacket and trousers, carrying a brown bag which Emily classifies as 'foul'.

On her first day of the job, Andy wears a 'lumpy blue sweater', which is actually cerulean, as Miranda later points out and a mid-length skirt with a really weird diamond pattern on it. Emily refers to it as 'her grandmother's skirt' and then comes her famous dialogue where she tells Andy to go get skirts from Calvin Klein and when she hesitates, asks, "Oh I'm sorry! Do you have some prior commitment? Some hideous skirt convention you have to go to?"

Yes, I do have all the dialogues totally memorized. Yes, I have seen the movie a billion times.

Later, she is also seen wearing a pink sweater for dinner with her dad, which is kind of cute actually. And finally, she wears a beige knit top on the day she asks Nigel for help and transforms into a diva.

The first 'New Andy' look

I love this scene where Emily is describing Andy as a 'total and utter disaster' and her jaw actually drops as Andy walks in wearing a sequined top under a black, structured jacket, tight black leather leggings and a pair of knee high Jimmy Choo's!

This look is absolutely iconic in terms of transitioning Andy's style from very girl-next-door to uber chic. Her hairstyle also takes a drastic turn. Instead of the frizzy, messy black she had at the beginning, her hair is mahogany brown, with bangs and looks so gorgeous!

The coats

In the song, Andy is seen in a lot of coats- red, white, black, pink and emerald green. She pairs them with cute hats , beanies, scarves and gloves. I would also like to point out that Miranda has a huge array of coats which she flings onto Andy's desk every time she walks in. They're a great inspiration if you're going coat shopping sometime.

Spring looks

For the warmer months, Andy wears a lot of skirts and dresses. She wears a red skirt with a white button down shirt, an olive green dress, a bright floral top, and other pieces.

Look for pieces with pops of color, floral prints, pastels and pair them with neutrals and cute accessories.

The all black looks

The black mini dress, with black stockings, knee high black boots, black coat and long gold necklaces is probably my favorite look in the whole movie. Well, I like all of them really, but anyway, if you want to wear all black, this is the way to go!

Andy wears a pretty black dress with lace details on the sleeves for the Runway gala. The dress is long and fitted, but not skin-tight.

She also wears a black sweater and black vest in two other looks, but she pairs them with white shirts underneath, so they aren’t really all black looks.

Paris

Andy has so many stylish looks in Paris. There's the first look when she wears a brown plaid coat and lined skirt with a chic bun, the black top and grey skirt with a thin belt to accentuate her waist, the almost corset-like black button down top with a black pencil skirt with a furry jacket for her date with Christian Thompson and the final look with the deep green dress and cropped shrug.

Pair well fitted pencil skirts with structured tops and jackets in dark colors like black, deep purple, brown and add accessories like tiny handbags to finish the look.

I hope these tips inspire you to try Andy's style and you should also check out Emily and Miranda's looks.

If you haven't seen The Devil wears Prada yet, you definitely should. I may sound insanely obsessed with the whole thing, but it's just so amazing! I can't ever get tired of watching it and I bet you won’t either!

Stylespiration Series : The Plastics from Mean Girls

I must have seen Mean Girls at least a hundred times now. I never get bored watching it over and over and over! The Plastics have become so famous for their fashion choices. So here are some tips for dressing like Regina, Karen, Gretchen and even Cady when she joins in.

Wear pink on Wednesdays!

Okay, so you don’t really have to abide by this rule. The Plastics are mostly seen in shades of pink on other days too.  Look for cute tank tops, tees, skirts and basically all items of clothes in pink and pastels. Don't overdo it though!

Pair pink tops with solid or printed bottoms in black, tan, grey and blue.

Wear lots of skirts

The Plastics only wear jeans on Fridays. They're seen in miniskirts and dresses for the rest of the week. If miniskirts aren't your thing, look for mid or tea length skirts. Get these in different styles and fabrics for different looks.

Let your style be unique

Even the Plastics have distinct dressing styles if you look closely. Regina wears short skirts, collared shirts, blazers, tanks and jackets. Karen's style is very girly. She wears cute printed skirts, tanks with little messages on them and tees with frills and bows. Gretchen wears golf sweaters, cropped tops that show off her midrib and short dresses.

Even if you're doing this with friends, don’t be clones. Show off your assets and wear what you feel great in.

Accessories

Wear super cute stacked bracelets, earrings and necklaces. You could also get a pendant with your initial on it like Regina. Shoes should also meet the brief,but take into consideration the weather and what kind of surface you'll be walking on. Don't wear pink heels for a trekking expedition.

Hairstyles

As per the Plastics' rules, they wear ponytails only once a week. Don't do that…Seriously, if you have long hair and you leave it open all the time, it’s bound to become a hassle. As for the hairstyles in the movie, you see stick straight, blown out, curled, wavy and everything in between. Cady wears her hair in a bun, Regina wears a single braid and there are half up- half downs everywhere.

So you have a plethora of choices when it comes to styling your hair. Choose what suits you best. Add cute hair clips, ribbons, bows and hair ties to finish the look to Plastic perfection.

So get ready to form your own version of the Plastics, but don’t be mean!

Stylespiration Series : Bella Swan/Cullen from the Twilight Saga

I decided to start a series called 'Stylespiration' where I'll be sharing tips on how to dress like your favorite movie or book character without looking like you're wearing a costume.

Bella Swan/Cullen has been one of my most favorite characters for a very long time now. I thought it would be perfect to start this series off with her.

Bella's style is really simple and evolves as the story progresses, changing drastically when she becomes a vampire. If you love Bella and want to emulate her style, check out these tips…

Tops

As a human

Bella wears a lot of basic tees, long sleeved tops and plaid button-downs with plenty of layers since it's chilly in Forks.

Layer a long sleeved tee with a half sleeved plaid shirt for the look from the movie where she first meets Jacob.

For her casual outfits, Bella pairs different tops with skinny jeans. She sticks to simple styles, occasionally opting for delicate details at the neckline.

These are items you can pretty much expect to already have in your wardrobe, so this casual look should be easy to recreate.

As a vampire

Bella's style takes a drastic turn when she becomes a vampire. She now opts for edgier, tighter tops in dark shades.

Look for almost gothic pieces if you want this look. Darker shades like black, charcoal, burgundy and deep purple will work. Keep everything fitted and tailored.

Jackets

As a human

Bella wears short jackets which reach about mid-thigh. She wears these in neutral colors like tan and grey. Her raincoat was probably the only standout color- a bright fuchsia.

As a vampire

Bella's jackets become very structured and edgy after her transformation. Being a vampire, she doesn't really need to wear a jacket since she's pretty much immune to harsh weather. Nonetheless, I love her black leather jacket. She wears it with leggings and combat boots.

Dresses

As a human

For her senior prom, Bella is seen wearing a cute ruffled blue dress, with a cream cropped shrug and black tights.

Instead of the dress, wear a flowy, deep blue top with skinny jeans or tights for a more relaxed look.

For her birthday celebration at the Cullens', she wears an olive green dress with a black cropped shrug which she got as a gift from Alice.

After her wedding ceremony, she changes into a creamy golden knee length dress with a black belt at the waist.

As a vampire

Bella's first scene as a vampire shows her in a skin tight cobalt blue dress, which she later rips at the thigh so she can run at vampire speed.

She is later seen wearing a charcoal grey dress, also skintight. She pairs this with black tights and ankle boots.

While going to meet Mr. Jenks, she wears a black mini dress with a long grey coat. Any fitted LBD will work for this look.

Accessories

The accessories are pretty minimalistic. There aren't any statement necklaces or glitzy clutches in Bella's wardrobe. She keeps it limited to headbands, bracelets, rings and the occasional simple necklace.

I hope you got some stylespiration and can now pull off your own Bella look.

Denim Daze

If you are a denim lover like me, you can never have enough pairs of jeans. But if you don’t want the same look day after day, try some different styles of denim. There's loads to choose from.

Straight leg jeans

These are my favorite kind of jeans. They look flattering on all body types and I feel they make my legs look slimmer. They're fitted throughout, but not clingy like skinny jeans.

Pair them with pretty floral or lace tops for a girly look. For an edgier vibe, wear them with a tank top and a structured jacket or blazer.

Skinny jeans

These are probably the most popular denims right now. They are very fitted and taper off below the knees giving you a close fit. Wear them with slightly longer, loose tops for a balanced look.

Get some of these in different washes. I love the darker palettes myself; they have a cool feel to them.

Boot cut or flared jeans

These jeans are fitted down to the knee and flare out below creating a bell shape which is why they're also called bell bottoms. They look great on taller girls, but you can still pull them off if you aren't that tall. You just need to find the perfect pair.

Wear these with fitted tops, tucked in button-downs and add a belt to emphasize your waist.

Boyfriend jeans

If you're looking for a super comfy, slouchy and relaxed look, these are the jeans for you. They're pretty much baggy throughout and excellent for long road trips where you want to be comfortable.

You would think it would be better to wear them with fitted tops, but whatever celebrity looks I've seen, they're always paired with loose sweaters or tops. It seems to work somehow. Roll them up at the cuffs, add some ankle boots and you're good to go.

Jeggings

Jeggings are so in right now and I can see why. The dressiness of jeans with the comfort of leggings? Um, yes please! Be sure to pair them with tops that reach mid-thigh for a polished look. Pair them with knee high boots and a long cardigan for cooler days.

You can also wear these with kurtis and some wedges or heels.

Ripped or distressed denim

To stand out from the sea of denim wearers, get yourself some ripped or distressed denims or do it yourself! If you have a really old pair of jeans lying around, give it a makeover using some scissors or sandpaper.

Colored and printed jeans

Bright neon denims aren't everyone's cup of tea. But if you want to experiment, you can start off with printed jeans with small pops of color. For colored jeans, I think red, maroon and purple are good colors to stick to.

You need to co-ordinate your tops with colored jeans though. Neutrals like black, white, grey, cream and camel will work with any color. Other color combinations can be tricky, so you may have a few trial and errors. But where's the fun if you don’t take risks?

For a girly touch, try floral print denims. Pair them with solid tops and a string necklace for a cute brunch/lunch outfit. Flower power!

A dress for every occasion

I love all kinds of dresses. They're so versatile and easy to carry. They come in hundreds of styles, patterns, materials and colors. There's a dress for every occasion!

Casual outing/Brunch date with friends

A knee-length dress in a light material is ideal for this occasion. It's fun and easy to move in. Pair it with some chunky wedges and a stack of chic bracelets for a cute, flirty look. A side-sling purse to carry your things in looks super cute with this outfit.

Beach

For a day at the beach, opt for long, flowy maxi dresses. I like to pair them with oversized sunglasses, a bright beach bag and cute flip flops. For jewelry, go with dangly feather earrings or long beaded necklaces. I also like to add bangles in metallic colors like silver, gold and bronze.

Semi-formal party

Go for a pretty lace dress with delicate detailing at the neckline or hem. Pair it with a statement necklace and add some oomph with dressy heels. I adore lace dresses. They give off a slightly vintage feel without being too traditional.

Formal dinner

A LBD is perfect for formal dinners. It doesn't have to really be 'little'. Longer dresses are equally flattering. Pair these with silver or gold jewelry and heels or wedges.

Traditional ceremonies (like a threading ceremony or engagement party)

For Indian ceremonies, most people go with traditional outfits like sarees, lehengas and salwar kameez. If you want something unique, a dress is a great option. Make sure the length is appropriate though.

I love long dresses with Indian motifs in bright colors. Pair them with minimal jewelry if the pattern is bold. For simpler dresses, add some statement pieces to glitz up your outfit.

Some brands which have gorgeous dresses with traditional prints are Global Desi, Fusion and Unlimited.

Monsoon Fashion

I love the monsoon months. Everything is so green and looks like it's just been through the laundry!

The air is cool and crisp, but without the harshness of winter. The major dilemma most of us go through is what to wear during the rainy season. Look no further, your monsoon fashion guide is here!

Pants

I can't stand wearing jeans during this time since they're so heavy and they take ages to dry. So I stick to cotton pants and leggings. I like wearing fitted cotton trousers in dark colors like black, charcoal and navy blue. You don't want to ruin your cream or white pants so save them for drier days. If you just can’t go without your denims, opt for lighter jeggings instead.

I also recommend wearing cropped pants, capris and shorts (where acceptable) to avoid wet hems and cringing every time you feel the cold soaked material on your ankles.

Skirts

Skirts are probably the best thing to wear for the majority of the monsoon. They're sophisticated so you look like you made an effort, but simple to style, and not fussy in terms of being dripping wet.

Stay away from the full flare maxis and stick to midis and tea lengths to keep your hands free. There is nothing worse than wading through ankle-deep water clutching your maxi skirt, umbrella and other clutter and wishing you had a dozen extra arms.

Tops

You can wear whatever style of tops you want, but the safest bet is to go with those made of lighter fabrics. Keep your sheer garments to a minimum since you’re bound to get soaked at some point. Also, stay far away from the long, flowy, asymmetric hemline tops. The longer back can cause a huge problem if it’s floor skimming or thereabouts.

Go with longer tops, tunics and kurtis over fitted leggings to keep it chic and practical at the same time. Crop tops with high waisted shorts or skirts are also a good option for casual outings.

Dresses

You can basically wear dresses at any time of the year and the monsoons are no exception. Get those short and mid length dresses out. Pair shorter dresses with leggings for some warmth. If it’s chilly, wear your dress with a cropped jacket, cardigan or shrug.

Boots

Invest in some good quality shoes made specially for this weather. Don’t buy something too fancy or expensive since it’s probably going to be in tatters by the end of the season. Be careful with  flip-flops; they’re likely to spray the back of your outfit with muddy water from the street. Also, leave the heels and stilettoes for formal events where you can ensure dry floors.

I hope these tips helped you and wish you a great monsoon!

Gym ideas to motivate yourself

Going to the gym regularly is really challenging especially if you're a newbie.  What better way to motivate yourself than a cute gym wardrobe? Many people tend to ignore the way they look when hitting the gym. Since you’re focusing on working out, it may be tempting to go to the gym in the old clothes you wear at home. But the better you look, the better you'll feel.

Now I'm not saying you should get all dressed up with tons of makeup or something, but I just feel wearing a cute outfit will push you to go on those lazy days. Here are some tips for what to wear to the gym…

T-shirts

I usually wear cool graphic tees to the gym. Inspirational or funny quotes, cute pictures or just bold colored t shirts really get me pumped.

Sweatpants

Get a few pairs of well-fitting sweats in different colors and styles. Make sure the pants are not baggy or skin tight. I like wearing fitted yoga pants in dark colors like black, grey and purple.

Leggings

I love wearing leggings in dark colors to the gym. I like both - the full length ones and the knee-length ones. They make my legs look thinner too. I mostly stick to black, maroon and deep blue but I saw a girl wearing charcoal grey ones and now I want a pair as well.

If you have slim legs or just love color, then you should totally go for bright leggings. I'm also loving printed leggings right now. They look dressy and you can pair them with long girly tanks and tees.

Hair accessories

I have really long, thick hair. I keep it out of the way using colorful headbands and scrunchies. I like wearing those thick, stretchy cotton headbands to keep any fly-aways in place and they add a pizzazz element to your outfit too.

Mostly I put my hair in a single braid or a high ponytail for the gym. But if you have short hair, the headband should be sufficient. For longer hair, a messy bun always looks chic.

I hope these tips will motivate you to hit the gym in style.

Burn those calories!

What to wear as a guest to an Indian wedding

Indian weddings are a big affair. Most weddings are bright, colorful and full of fun.

If you are invited as a guest and need tips for what to wear, read on…

The obvious choice : Lehengas

Lehengas are absolutely gorgeous outfits. They consist of a long skirt, a blouse and a dupatta.

There are so many styles to choose from. You can go all out with bold colors like pink, orange, purple with a lot of embellishment and heavy work or you can be demure and delicate with pastel shades like blush, peach, mauve, pale pink with intricate but not heavy work.

You can choose a lehenga according to your body type. There are varied styles of skirts and blouses and you're sure to find one that emphasizes your assets.

It is also important to consider the season. Go with lighter, floral lehengas for summer weddings and opt for heavier ones for winter weddings.

The next best : Anarkalis

Anarkalis were made famous by their namesake from the Mughal era. These ethereal flowy garments are easy to manage, give you room to show off those dance moves and still make you look glamorous.

You can opt for the traditional knee-length ones or for the newer, full length anarkalis that almost look like gowns.

For the traditional girl : Sarees

Sarees are the quintessential wedding garments for Indian weddings. They look good on everyone and the variety is endless, I kid you not. Of course, if this is your first time wearing a saree, I would suggest opting for a lighter fabric which is easy to carry.

To channel your traditional-yet-modern style, you can choose a designer saree with a non-traditional pattern or wear a trendy blouse to channel your inner diva.

For the girl who likes to stand out : Fusion wear

Fusion wear is big right now and gives you the right combination of traditional and western. Dhoti pants paired with embellished jackets, saree gowns, skirts with crop tops bearing Indian motifs are some great ways to don this style. 

Summer Style

With the summer heat beating down on you and the temperature feeling like a hundred degrees outside, it can be tempting to just stay indoors in your PJs and chill.

But I love summer, and sun, and all things hot (cue Olaf)!

I tend to wander around the city all day during my summer vacations and I don’t want to be weighed down by heavy clothes and accessories.

If you're wondering what you should wear this summer, check out these tips….

Skip the skinnies

Skinny jeans make your legs look great, but they're just too constricting for the summer heat.

Opt for pants in lighter fabrics like cotton. You can go flowy or fitted, they both work equally well.

Skirt your way through the streets

Skirts are a great way of staying cool and looking trendy at the same time.

There are so many styles to choose from…You can wear flowy maxis for that oh-so-boho vibe, structured midis which are always in style or trendy minis and flaunt your legs.

Skirts are really versatile and there's a skirt for every occasion.

Get shorty!

Shorts are by far, the most summery piece ever. You can pair them with tons of different tops and style them in so many ways.

Get some in different fabrics and colors to channel that sweet summer look.

You can also get pairs in different lengths to mix things up a bit. I personally like the mid-thigh length, but you should stick to whatever looks good on you.

Tanks ,Tees and Blouses

Tanks are a life savior during summer. They are really lightweight and they can be paired with a lot of outerwear for different occasions or just be worn by themselves.

I own a huge array of tanks in bright colors besides the regular black and white.

The same goes for T-shirts.

You can experiment with pretty tops and blouses in pastel shades like white, blush, pink and lavender for an elegant look or go all out summery with bold prints, neons and florals.

Dresses

I am dress-obsessed all year round! I just can't have enough of them. I think maxi dresses are just perfect for the summer and the least fussy too. I love bright prints and patterns and even the single bold colored ones which you can accessorize with long necklaces for that boho vibe.

Keep accessories light

I don't like the feeling of heaviness that a lot of accessories come with during these hot months.

Save those chunky short necklaces for another time. Stick to long string necklaces, dangly earrings and super cute stackable bracelets to feel free and still look well put-together.

And like Coco Chanel said, take off one accessory before you leave the house, you don't want to look like you're going to a costume party.

I hope these tips helped you and you're ready with your awesome summer closet. These are just my views, you can totally wear skinnies and heavy accessories if you love it and look amazing. 

Style is not wearing "the right clothes", but wearing what makes you feel confident, pretty and comfortable. 

Have a great summer!