The Good & Bad of Fashion'17

I love fashion! I don't always dress according to the current trend because it takes me a while to observe and judge and then decide whether I like it or not, so this blog is all about my take on the popular fashion trends of 2017.

Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way to live." —Gianni Versace

1. Tassels- I love tassels. Then can reinvent anything (not just clothing) and add a fun, colourful, PLAYFUL element to it. I especially love tassels in dupattas and earrings.
Playful

2. Chokers- A delicate and simplistic piece is LOVE! I am really fond of layering chokers with other necklaces, it takes an outfit from simple to fab quickly. But there is a thin line between looking classy and the dog collar look, for example, the 'stretchy henna tattoo choker' is just disgusting.. Let’s not forget the traditional Indian choker. Paired with an Indian attire it looks SO damn gorgeous, it has to be my favorite type.

Stretchy Henna Choker

3. The Reinvented Button Down- This is the most disappointing trend this season. They have taken the classic button down and RUINED it. I mean what the hell is this? I don’t need to say much because the pictures speak for themselves-

4. Athleisure- Comfortable clothing as a fashion trend? Hell yes! If I had to choose one item to wear for the rest of my life, it would be my leggings. They look good with anything- be it a crop top, jacket or an over-sized t-shirt. I prefer an over-sized t-shirt because then I don’t have to worry about my posture.

5. Cold shoulder- There are wayyy too many variations of the cold shoulder in the market, while some are really cute and trendy, others just look like the tops have holes in them where they shouldn’t.

 This is cute.

This is forced.

6. Slogan tees- A tee shirt that declares I’m in a relationship with food? Yes Please. A slogan tee paired with a cute skirt is always a great choice, you can look cute while making a statement about anything, be it politics, environment, women's rights or to support your favorite TV show.

7. Denim- Yes, yes, yes, a thousand times yes. I am a HUGE denim fan. Denim jackets and skirts are currently my favorite clothing items because they are so easy to style as they go with everything.  At a party I’m the person most likely to show up like this-

8. Mules- This one is a big no for me. Maybe it’s because I find open backed footwear very uncomfortable in general (It’s a dirt magnet, especially in India). Even if I put my hatred for open back shoes aside, I do not find these attractive at all! They were originally supposed to be bedroom slippers (16th century Europe), I think they should stay in the bedroom.

9. Distressed Tees- No.NO.NO. Distressed jeans are cool, distressed tees make you look like a fool (literally what my mom said). My first thought after looking at this was- either this designer has given up or is lashing out. If I bought a distressed tee my mother would turn it into a mop (she wouldn’t give it away because you don’t donate/wear torn clothes.)

10. Shirt Dresses- A very versatile clothing item. These suit everybody!  I especially love pairing shirt dresses with knee or thigh high boots, makes for such a chic outfit!

11. Night wear as day wear- I personally wear my night suit at home ALL DAY LONG, but that look is probably not going to win me any applause on the red carpet. I adore slip dresses, they are cute and can make for a stunning outfit when paired with a denim jacket. I also love how everybody wants to sell the pajama set as a red carpet worthy outfit given it’s level of comfort but honestly, it just doesn’t cut it!

Still a night suit.

12. Bell sleeves- LOVE them! Just add a bell-sleeved top to a snug pair of jeans and heels and you’re party ready! Whenever I wear a top or dress with bell sleeves I like to tuck my arms in and pretend I’m Lord Varys.

P.S: If you like something then you should wear it and don't be afraid to customize, ain't nobody better than our local masterji. Own it girl!

तुम्हे कोई हक़ नहीं की तुम इतनी ख़ूबसूरत लगो| 

Life in the Delhi Metro

Hey There!

Delhi Metro- The only saving grace of Delhi’s public transportation system and the city’s lifeline. If you’ve ever traveled by metro then you’ll agree that it’s a whole different world inside those coaches. You see/meet a wide variety of people in the Delhi Metro and these people bring with them extraordinary experiences and lessons. In this blog I will try to cover some of the specimen one is bound to cross paths with in what seems to be a parallel universe!

Types of cheap guys-

• Cheap- Some people think they can do anything. Although their spirit is commendable, their actions are not. In this case it is trying to clandestinely click pictures of fellow commuters. Excuse me, Smarty-pants! Everybody can see what you’re doing and if there are some people who didn’t know before, they surely do now because of the shutter sound your phone just made. So here's a little tip for you: If you want to click unflattering selfies, knock yourself out. But clicking pictures of people without their consent is NOT COOL. 
• Cheaper*- This happened in a very crowded metro and the show was for my eyes only, except that I did not ask for it. The boy was wearing a kurta and jeans (and a strong scent of vodka)- यह दिखता है स्वीट, इनोसेंट, स्वामी टाइप का परन्तु है यह बिलकुल हरामी टाइप का | After a few minutes I felt something against my thigh and what do you know- his goods were pressed up against me (through the kurta). I was horrified and made a swift exit from the train on the next station. I regret not saying anything then, I should have reported him to the metro authorities. How freaking difficult is it to keep that rocket in the pocket? 
• Cheapest*- Again, this is a feature of a crowded metro. You’re struggling to stand straight and not breath in any unpleasant smells (another feature of a crowded metro, it’s a gift that keeps on giving) and suddenly you feel a hand on your posterior or your breasts. In my case it was the boob grab and this time I did react, I thrust my knee into his crotch area as hard as I could and he backed right off. People also noticed and stared him down until he left. 

*The cheaper and cheapest are interchangeable, I just can’t decide which is worse.

Types of normal guys-

• The Music Lover- This person has earphones/headphones AT ALL TIMES, but little does he know that the whole metro compartment can hear him because the music is SO DAMN LOUD! I really wish he would turn down the volume a little bit, it will be good for him and others! 
• The Lover Boy- Always on the phone with his ‘bae’. He is usually doing one of two things- either talking cute (read as irritating) things with his girlfriend or trying to pacify his baby/shona/coochiepoo. Sorry dude, we don’t want to know about your lovers’ quarrel. 
• The nice guy- This guy will offer his seat to anybody who needs it more. He is mindful of one’s personal space, he goes about his own business without disturbing others, speaks out when he sees a creepy guy taking photos or doing anything unwanted and indecent. This is a very rare species and we are glad that it exists. Take a bow gentlemen! 

Types of uncles-

There are only two types of uncle :

1.         

2.         The Clueless- Bright Pink ‘Women Only’ banner, repeated announcements about the reserved coach, surrounded by just women in the compartment and yet he doesn’t realize that he is standing in the ladies-only compartment (probably thinking about his next meal). 

Types of kids-

• The Munchkins- Such kids make the metro ride so much fun. They ask you cute questions or make funny faces while sitting in their mothers' laps or just quietly enjoy dancing around the pole. One kind kid also offered me half of his candy once! 
• The Kids from hell- They will stomp their feet, scream bloody murder, pull your hair, tug at your clothes until they get what they want (One kid wanted my phone, like permanently and the mom didn’t say anything. The child could take my mobile phone home for all she cared. I had to take matters into my own hands- Leave the ladies compartment and stand for the rest of the journey in the general coach). 
• The Germ Magnet- This one bugs me so much because I’m kind of a germophobe. Once, a 5 year old peed inside the train and then continued to play in the little puddle he had made (छई छपाक छई). Then he accidentally dropped his toffee in the pee and proceeded to eat it! (He took the 5 second rule a bit too far if you ask me). His parents were oblivious, and in such cases ignorance is definitely not bliss. 

And now, to end this post I would like to share an unimaginable incident (TRUE STORY) with you (WARNING:Explicit content ahead)- A lady in a mustard yellow sari was traveling with her two kids. 10 minutes into the journey the elder of the two urinated on the floor which unfortunately triggered his younger sister, who also peed on the same spot. The mother was in a fix, she really wanted to clean the mess up so she took the already wet underpants of one of the kids and tried to soak up as much of the liquid as she could, which was not that much, but that’s all she could do. Finally the disaster was averted and the mess was cleaned up.....or so she thought because her little one had other plans. The little baby whose underpants had been used as a mop now pooped on the floor! The mother was out of options so she went ahead and scooped up the masterpiece in the folds of her MUSTARD saree (I must say, she got really lucky with the colour), summoned her husband from the adjoining compartment and made a grand exit from the metro and so did I because the smell was just unbearable.

PS.: One pro-tip from a seasoned metro traveler- keep pepper spray and sanitizer handy!

PPS.: I couldn’t possibly cover all kinds of people one comes across in the Delhi Metro in one blog, so read Life in Delhi Metro- The Sequel!

Testy Twenties

Clearly confused, Definitely maybe, Orderly chaos, Uncomfortably comfortable, Big baby.

Puzzled? Well ,that’s what being in your twenties feels like!

While some of you may have your lives figured out and your futures well planned, many of us mere mortals may be (okay let’s face it, ARE) going through a ‘quarter/ near quarter life crisis’ right about now. Let me reassure you that it is okay to be in the latter category. As someone wise once said, "Nothing will ruin your 20’s more than thinking that you should have your life together already."

Being in your early twenties is hard. It is when you enter the ‘real world’, as they put it. You’ve just completed your undergraduate degree, you start seeing less and less of your friends from college, you’re frantically hunting for jobs that pay (key phrase: that pay), your peers may seem to be doing better than you, your daily routine gets a rude awakening, you’re struggling with the concept of ‘adulting’ , and the most annoying one of all, nosy relatives begin with their endless tirade of "और बेटा , आगे का क्या सोचा है? " kind of questions.

Essentially what you go through is a trial and error phase where you struggle to find a balance between your personal, professional (or lack thereof) and social life. It’s a bumpy ride where the goal is to not fall off the wagon but to continue the journey! Here are some of my thoughts on three things that mainly occupy the minds of all twentysomething year olds during these tumultuous years: career prospects, meeting family’s expectations and keeping tabs on our peers from school and college.

Talking about career first, I firmly believe in the saying ‘Work to live, don’t live to work’! It is of paramount importance to assess what drives you and gets you excited about the future. Unless you’re absolutely sure of what you want to pursue professionally, don’t get fixated on one thing for too long, else you will end up ignoring other equally interesting opportunities the world has to offer. If you are clueless about what you want to do with your life, don’t be embarrassed or ashamed about it. You can do some volunteer work, learn a new language, do an internship, enroll for a short training course, anything that floats your boat until you find your calling. The idea is to keep going on. It is better to have a string of crappy internships/jobs in your 20s than having the same in your 30s. Another point which I feel that needs to be addressed is ‘changing of fields’. For example, if you took commerce as a subject in under-graduation, don’t feel obligated to take the traditional route and continue in the same field. You could be a blogger, fashion stylist, photographer, lawyer, entrepreneur, writer, actor, graphic designer… basically anything! The possibilities are endless if you are willing to work towards it.

Moving onto the topic of meeting your family’s expectations, it is most likely your parents who have invested countless hours and a considerable amount of money in giving you the best possible education and by extension, as comfortable a life as possible. So it is only natural that they would want a return on that investment (well ,evidently I am a commerce graduate), which means nothing else but for you to be financially independent and happy. If you are lucky, they will be supportive of the means you choose to achieve that and if not, then they will convey their disapproval. It is always a good idea to hear your parents out in such situations, but nothing should stop you from following your heart because in the end when they see you succeeding in your chosen field, that disapproval will disappear and make way for commendation ,encouragement and a sense of pride.

Lastly, the ‘Sharma ji ka perfect bacha’ does not exist, so please don’t aspire to be one. My point is that avoid comparing yourself to others in your age group, it is a fruitless activity. Nobody has it all together, no matter how perfect and sorted their lives may seem. Besides, everyone has distinctive capabilities, interests, hopes and aspirations for their future, by clubbing yourself in the same category as others you are not only being unrealistic but also unfair to yourself. Be patient and continue working towards finding your passion, after that everything will ineluctably fall into place.

As cliché as it may sound, now is the time when we are old enough to make the right decisions but also young enough to make the wrong ones. Stop second-guessing yourself, take a chance, be open to new experiences, don’t get tied down to anything and just trust your instincts, because nobody knows you better than you do!

‘The hardest step she ever took was to trust who she was’- Atticus.

Motivation tools- Tried and tested

Hey there!

If you are reading this blog, it's either because you're a friend or family and are obligated to do so or you are a serial procrastinator (who isn’t?) who stumbled upon this blog while aimlessly wandering the internet and avoiding your real problems. Either way, I hope I can make it worth your while. I have been preparing for THE civil services for the last 2 years and to say that it is a herculean task would be an understatement. So, I have had to motivate myself a lot and over time I have learnt a few things about motivation.

• Be happy- Even though you dislike the task at hand and are not looking forward to it (basically when you’re thinking मेरा तो इत्ता लाइफ ख़राब हो गया ), just think about one good thing and focus on that. Try to be happy about it, act like you are really looking forward to it (trust me, it’s a whole lot better than sulking). You will feel better and your task will become that much easier.                                                               
  "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." –Albus Dumbledore 
• Fake it till you make it- I do this all the time with studying. Sit down and pretend to study (or whatever your difficult task is), after a while you will automatically shift from pretending to actually doing it and you won't even realize it's happening. 
• Friends and Family- I know it's a clichéd line, but you need a great support system. Having people around you who can lift your mood with just a few words is so important (shout out to my people).
  
  In difficult times, you might think that the light at the end of the tunnel is a train coming to mow you down, you will need somebody to see the positive side and tell you that it will be alright or somebody to talk to you and find a solution for your problems.                         
  "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives." (Sorry, can't help it I'm a Game of Thrones fan!)
• Journal- If you don't want to talk to anybody, but you have a lot going on in your mind, just write it down. Once you start writing things down your head clears up and it helps solve a lot of problems. Don't forget to write some positive things, remind yourself that you can conquer your fears because डर के आगे जीत है| 
• Dance/Music- Sometimes just listening to peppy music or having a little dance party on your own can be helpful. If you're feeling stuck, stop working put on some music and dance. It really helps shake off the bad feelings and lighten the mood. You'll find it easier to tackle your problem with the positive mood. 
• This is something my mother said to me- “If you think what you’re doing is difficult, maybe you’re doing it wrong. Find the right way to do it and you’ll be good.” I would like to add- "If you find the right way and still don’t like it, honey, you’re doing the wrong thing."

These are just a few things that I found helpful. You may find that some things work better for you than others. But motivation is a process and you have to keep pushing yourself. Reading a motivational quote once in a while will not help unless you remember it and apply it when you actually need it.

If you like this post and you think this might help someone you know, feel free to share and tell them that they are awesome and they can do it! Thank you for sticking around.



P.S.: If none of this works, there's always coffee!


P.PS.: “What do we say to the Lord of procrastination?”

          “Not today.”