I'd Like To Thank The Academy....

The best thing about blogging is the feeling of being part of a community, a connection with creative, stylish and inspiring bloggers. During the past few months of my serious blogging, I  I have made acquaintances and friends and have received encouragement and some pretty cool blogger awards for which I am so grateful!! Unfortunately, with a busy household, scheduled posts and taking time for 'me', I was not able to 'accept' those awards as It involves answering questions about myself {that always gives me a pause:-)} Today, I am collectively accepting the awards given by my fellow bloggers and saying a big THANK YOU!! Here are the wonderful, creative bloggers who acknowledged my blog -

Kaiyla from kaiysrunway gave me Versatile Blogger Award.

Bulbulvish from elegancestylized Tagged me
Ayantika from Bong's Belleza gave me Kreative Blogger Award

Samantha from Style-Pick gave me Versatlie Blogger Award

Heel In Mint gave me Versatile blogger Award

Classy AKAlychic gave me I Love Your Blog Award 

Melody Louise  gave me Versatile Blogger Award

Purvi from Purvi's Creative Hub gave me a Versatile Blogger Award

Ritcha from Ri(t)ch Style gave me One Lovely Blog Award

THANKS SO MUCH, your love and encouragement and pat on the back! It means so much to me. Most of these awards asked me to write 7 things about myself so here it goes

• I am 5'8' tall, and love heels. *sigh*!
• I love old Hindi movie songs - I mean really really old - circa 1950s, 60s 70s!
• I met my husband online and fell in love with his voice when he first called me - really, he had me at Hello!
• I love my daughter very very very much, but sometimes find motherhood overwhelming and question my ability as a parent!
• I do not like chocolates (only a little!)
• My best friend and I have known each other since middle school and we still can laugh over silly things as if we are giggling 12 years olds!
• I do not care for money, only the things money can buy!!

And one question I was asked to answer when tagged was - 'What is my favorite quote?"- There are many but I will write one that I most believe in - 

'प्रसन्नता परिस्थिति सापेक्ष नहीं, मनस्थिति सापेक्ष है' Loosely translated it means - 'Happiness depends on the state of your mind not on the state of your circumstances.'

Thanks again for the awesome bloggers who were gracious enough to acknowledge my blog!

Hope I continue to live up to your expectations!

For your daily dose of style delights, please connect with me on

  

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Star Style For Less - Charlize Theron Goes Back To Basics

Leave it to Charlize Theron to make a basic jeans and blazer look so chic! While promoting her movie Prometheus at WonderCon recently, she wore this simple cropped blazer with Thakoon blouse, J Brand skinny jeans and strappy sandals and I totally love this look!

Photo Credit - Araya Diaz/Wireimage Via People Magazine

Her style is every day chic but the price of it is not at all everyday! So I recreated her simple yet stylish look for less!

Get Charlize Theron's back to basics style here-

What do you think of Charlize's look (for less) here? Would you wear it?

 

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Inspiration New York - How To Wear A Button Down Shirt This Spring

I had a chance meeting of someone from publishing world in a party long time ago. I was working in corporate world  at the time and casually mentioned my dream job of working for a fashion magazine. "If you are serious about this", he said, "and  if you have the option of living anywhere in the world and New York, always pick New York!" I had forgotten about the incident until I actually moved to New York and realized what the publishing guy meant! People here know how to dress up! (I am talking about my experiences of American cities, so please pardonne moi if you don't see European cities discussed in my post!) I see people on New York streets, dressed as if they are straight out of a fashion magazine!! I have spotted some really chic styles on the subways! (There are some exceptions of course!) New York style is so eclectic, unique, chic and fearless! The city always inspires me to dress better, put my best foot forward so to speak! One piece of clothing that I always turn to when in doubt - a button down shirt! Inspired by New York style, I created 3 looks for today's post where button down shirt takes center stage with the help of updates accessories! I imagine a chic woman strolling in the cobbled street of SoHo, exploring art galleries in East Village, and tasting a gourmet snack at Chelsea Market, dressed simply, but still turning heads!

More information about this look here

More information about this look here

More information about this look here

And here is something I always want to say to someone I see on the New York city streets with amazing pair of shoes-

Image via Pinterest

How do you describe the style of your town/neighborhood? And Do you also do the double take when you see them shoes on someone??

Connect with me here -

  

PS. I am linking this post on Fashion Friday, see you there!

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First Day Of Spring 2012! (Reflections From The Past, Plans For Future)

Today marks the first day of spring for the Northern Hemisphere! Spring brings the hopes of a beautiful season, warmer days and pleasanter evenings, bright colors, beautiful flowers with sweet fragrances (and spring break in Cancun too!) Last year this time, I had just started my blog, we were living in gorgeous Evanston (a suburb of Chicago) and planning our big move to New York. The Spring in Chicago is so beautiful and I will miss seeing the gorgeous Lake Michigan and the colorful sailboats in the summer! Here are some pictures from last spring!

This year in spring, my blog is one year old and I have built some really sweet relationships, have had meaningful conversations and during the process, learned so much about myself!! Hopefully this journey will continue and next Spring I will have more sweet memories from this year to share!
Meanwhile, there are few things I am coveting, (list in another post)- among them, a perfect Maxi Dress! There is something about a floral, flowy, feminine maxi dress that makes you feel gorgeous!! Take a gander at this beauty  - it comes with the four digit price! But hey! Spring is meant to dream, isn't it!!

Giambattista Valli maxi dress

Looking forward to Summer 2012 - in this Ann Taylor maxi dress!! Isn't life beautiful??

Image Via Ann Taylor Inc

And this spring season, I plan to -

• Enjoy the New York City in its Spring glory {whatever THAT is:-)}
• Try to ride the bike with my daughter every day
• Wear (more) color
• Write every day
• Attend at least one big fashion/style/blogging event in NYC
• Just have fun and live in the moment

I leave you with a Spring Haiku by Kobayashi Issa -

Spring breeze-

the pine on the ridge

whispers it

Have a happy Spring everyone! What are your plans this season?

  

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How To Wear Pastels This Spring (I know!!) - But Look At This Maxi Dress!

I know what you are thinking!! Another pastel post?? Everyone is talking about pastels for Spring! But I really fell in love with this maxi dress when I saw this and had to create a look around it! I am thinking a cruise or a beach vacation in this outfit would be so perfect!!

More info about this look here

And who can resist a blush pink blazer? I'd pair it with a pair of chic printed shorts and floral shoes to really welcome spring! And add feather ear ring for extra dose of whimsy!

More info about this look here

I always say shoes are not the afterthought of an outfit, sometimes they create the whole look! Exhibit A- these pastel checkered bow flats that can inspire a lot of looks and outfits!! Pale blues, lilacs and blush rose - so perfect for spring and summer! 

More info about this look here

And this last look is just for the pastel kicks! I can't afford any piece featured here (this Alexander McQueen jacket alone costs more than $4,000!!!) but thanks to Polyvore we all can live our closet dreams:-)

More info about this look here

Get your pastel fix here -

Are you excited about the pale pastels? Or are you more of a bold color, bright hues, neon person?

 

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Pink Silk Shirt; Styled Again...

If this shirt looks familiar, it is because I wore it just last week for my outfit post! It is in my closet for almost 9 years! I had put it away for some time and only took it out recently. The whispers of Spring in the air demanded I wear some bright color for today's outfit post and I decided to style this old shirt again - this time  in a more casual outfit! With the Ann Taylor Denim trousers, a chiffon scarf-belt and turquoise statement necklace I am ready for Spring!

I love the way this Ann Taylor jeans fits! (although squats should be credited too!)

Today's OOTD pics were taken by my husband, hence the fun and no remote!! Yay!

Shirt - JC Penney (2003) (Similar Here)

Jeans - Ann Taylor (2009) (Similar Here)

Bag - Ann Taylor (2009)

Shoes - Liz Claiborne (2011)

Necklace - Charlotte Russe (2011) (Similar Here)

Do you like to use scarves as belts? 

  

I am linking up on Monday Mingle. See you there!

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Get Kate Middleton's Olympic Park Style (Coral Jeans And Blazer) For Less

There are fashion blogs talking about colored denim. There are fashion magazines featuring looks upon looks of how to style a colored jeans. There are street style photographers clicking the fashion week colored denim looks to glory! And there is Kate Middleton redefining the trends! Classy could be her middle name! Her recent Olympic Park visit in London was full of charm, class and a lot of fun where she showed her preppy style in coral skinny jeans, silk color block scarf and a sport blazer.

Judging by the number of search results for Kate's Olympic park visit, I know you all are coveting her 'unknown jeans' and this chic look! (I know I am!) And here is how to get Kate Middleton's coral jeans and blazer look for less!

Get Kate's Preppy Style For Less Here -

How did you like her styling the colored jeans? Would you wear it like this?

   

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Get Moving And Bring Some Spring In Your Work Out Clothes!

I am not a fitness expert, or the person with a washboard abs body! But I am proud to say that I have maintained a healthy weight all through my life. I had gained the extra 40 or so pounds while I was pregnant, and I lost it all (with the help of my gym buddy BFF!)- you can read about it here. I may not be sure about many things, but one thing I am sure is that nobody lost weight with NOT exercising and Not eating healthy! And weight loss alone should not be the motivation for exercise. As Earl of Derby Edward Stanley famously said "Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness". So move, sweat, run, walk, jog -- whatever floats your boat - keep doing that! And if the winter blues still got you down, lose the grey sweats for some color popping, mood brightening, super feminine work out gear! From color block yoga pants to paisley print racerbacks to ultra chic gym bags, these workout clothes will get you energized and ready to take on the world! I am coveting these Asics shoes that glow in the dark! (No excuse to for skipping the evening runs now!)

And BTW, get moving now if you don't want to sound like this girl in future!

Image via Someecards

Get these zesty work out clothes here -

Are you a regular in the gym? Jog with a friend? Or Jillian Michaels on DVD is your personal trainer? I'd love to hear how you get/stay motivated about exercise?

  

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Happy St Patrick's Day! - Get Your Greens Out On March 17!

There is an old Irish saying -"As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point the wrong way!" I couldn't have put it more eloquently if I wanted!!!;-) BTW, splinters or not, are you planning to slide down the banister of life on March 17th and celebrate St Patrick's day? I am not sure if the White House fountain will go green again, but here are some of my green picks - from Modcloth to JCrew to Forever21 and Old Navy - to wear on the Irish holiday! 

Get you St Patrick's Day Greens Here -

And what Irish holiday can be complete without some Irish humor? 

Are you planning to go to O'Hurley's in your green pants and drink up some Guinness? Bottoms up! But please don't drink and drive! 
  


I am linking up at Fashion Friday! See you there!

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