Nainital Travel Diaries: Under the Floral Arch

During my trip to Nainital, we visited this beautiful cafe set in the midst of hills. We had a sumptuous freshly prepared continental meal in the prettiest garden with a view of the mountains on one side and a heritage mansion turned hotel on the other. Cafe Chica in The Abbotsford was a delightful way to spend an evening indulging in a lazy lunch.

There is nothing extraordinary about what I was wearing that day. But I want this blog not to be only about extraordinary clothes. This outfit has some of my fall basics which I would put together on an average day.Somedays I feel like dressing up, put together a lot of thought behind my outfit, the pictures and the location. And somedays, I just wear what I usually wear anyways and get some pictures clicked. This was one of those days. 

This top is currently one of the favorite things to wear in my wardrobe. I love wearing clothes that are easy to wear yet have a little bit of drama in them, either through color or by a drape like this one has. Since, the holiday involved quite a bit of walking, I paired it with these comfy shoes, denims and a sling. The weather in hill stations are a bit erratic, depending on the amount of sun, and this floral, blue snood was a great for when it got a little chilly. 

Top: Forever 21. Get similar at Amazon.in.

Snood/Infinity Scarf: Woolworths. Get Similar at Amazon.in . Also worn here. 

Bag: Pieces/Vero Moda. Get Similar at Amazon.in. Also worn here.

Jeans: Vero Moda. Get Similar at Amazon.in

Shoes: MG Road, Gangtok. Get similar at Amazon.in

Earrings: Gifted. Get Similar at Amazon.in

Cardigan: Borrowed. Get Similar at Amazon.in

Nainital Travel Diaries: Coming Back Home

Do you have one of those holiday spots where you have been to so many times that it almost feels like a second home. Where you always stay at the same places, know exactly where to go and what to do. Nainital is one of those places for me. To be honest, we used to go there almost every other year since I was a year old because it was one my dad's favorite places to go. And then, I went through a period when I did not want to go there anymore since I felt that I had done all there was to do there. But this Puja Vacations, when we decided to there I readily agreed so that I could relax a bit without the sightseeing and the itineraries. 

And it was a blissful week, I slept early and woke up late. I ate five times a day and curled up with my books and a glass of wine at night. I played board games and bonded with my siblings. I discovered new places while I was walking around and stumbled into this new cafe. Honey Hut is a gorgeous little cafe that serves coffee, tea, desserts and snacks made using pure, natural honey. Besides the delicious coffees made using honey instead of sugar, they also had an assortment of organic products up for sale. The location facing the lake is stunning and I could happily spend hours there sipping on my cappuccino and people-watching. The next time you visit Nainital, add this place to your list of must-go cafe's. I can't wait to go there again.

Dress: Zara

Stockings: Bhutia Market, Nainital

Fedora: Nainital Mall Road

Shoes: Mall Road, Gangtok

Belt: Stylefiesta.com / Still Available.

Cuff: New Market, Kolkata

Wallet: Michael Kors

Bag: Pieces/ Vero Moda

P.S.- This is not a sponsored post. All views expressed are my own.

The Bohemian Indian

There is something amazing about behaving like a tourist in your own city. Kolkata is where I grew up and lived my whole life. Yet, there are times when it seems like you have seen everything and done everything that there is to do. And then Kolkata surprises you by taking you to a place like this.

For this outfit post, I wanted to take some pictures somewhere lush and green. The regulars of Victoria and Lake passed my mind, but they were too far and too huge for the little amount of time we had. My cousin suggested Nature Study Park right in the heart of Park Street Area and that is where we headed.

The park was an oasis of peace in the city. I must have crossed the area a million times and yet never thought to go inside. Lush trees, clear waters and ducks swimming right in the middle of the big corporate buildings. It was not very large or grand. I would not even recommend it to tourists. Just a tiny bit of happiness in a big city. 

Have you re-explored your city recently? How was your experience?

Maxi Dress: Mineral.  Buy Similar by Global Desi at Amazon.

Chappals: Vanilla Moon, DLF Mall Delhi. Buy Similar here.

Jhola- Suvasa, Jaipur.Buy Similar Here.

Bangles: Assorted. Also worn here. Buy Similar Here.

All Black Like a Cat

You will rarely see an all black look on me. Although, I love the colour in bits and pieces. Unless it is a dress, I have never done an all black look. And never ever during the day. But black was the theme of the day for the Instagram style challenge I was doing this month. So, black it was. However, I couldn't resist jazzing it up a bit with some accessories here and there.It was just all getting too dark for me. And dark I am not. 

I like to think of myself as a positive person. Even when my mood is grey ( or black), I tend to gravitate towards happier colours instead of darker ones.Like, did you know that singing can improve your mood if you are depressed. It can. I've tried it. But maybe that's just me. So the next time you're low, hum a happy little song and let me know if it makes a difference.

Top: Zara. Similar

Pants: Zara. Similar

Bag: Furla, Gifted . Same Brand.

Necklace: Thrifted. Similar

Cuff: Johari Bazaar, Jaipur Similar

Shoes: GK Market, New Delhi, Gifted. Similar and Better.

P.S.- Do you like the new hair? I am having a little bit of a Love-Like relationship with it. It's so different that it's just taking a little getting used to.

An Indian Independence Day!

Every Independence Day,I try to take in the opportunity and incorporate the tricolour somewhere in my outfit.This year too I had my orange and green maxi all planned in my head but when I actually took it out to wear,I realised at I had forgotten the slip that went with it in the store!

I had to meet my friends for lunch and I still really wanted to showcase my Indianness somehow in my outfit so I decided to switch to this fabulous cotton anarkali!

The whole outfit co-incidentally is all handloom and handicraft curated from different parts of India.Whenever I visit a new place,I make sure to visit the local shops there,Malls are the same in every city but it is in these small shops that you find the real gems.They are things that are unique to that region and as soon as you see it,it takes you back to the fond memories of the trip.

Flowy cotton Anarkalis are perfect for the humid monsoon season.They don't stick to your skin and are super comfortable and easy to wear.You can easily dress them uo with makeup and accessories to go from a casual to a dressy look.I've seen most people wearing pallazos with straight long kurtas but I love pairing them with Anarkalis.It changes the look of the whole outfit to instant chique and it looks like you've spent some time in styling your outfit even though it's so easy to wear.

I hope you had a great time this Independence Day! What did you do that day?

Dress and Bag: Suvasa,Jaipur

Chappals: Johari Bazaar,Jaipur

Necklace: Bhaktpur,Nepal(Also available in North Eastern hill stations in India)

Bangles,Assorted: Delhi and Nainital

Special Thanks To My BFF Sripriya Khaitan for the clicking the awesome pictures!

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Nautical Style with a Twist

Every once in a while,I yearn for the sun,sand and the sea.But,since I cannot really go to work in my Boardwalk Shorts,I resort to the next best thing.Nautical Stripes.

The key to wearing nautical stripes is to pair it with a nice solid colour.I chose a white and played it up with colorful accessories but it looks amazing with a pop of classic red or yellow too! Then add some chunky goodness somewhere and you are good to go sail the seas.Of people.In my case.

But if you are heading for the real sea.I just want you to know that I'm very jealous.You stole my daydreams.

Top: Zara

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Skirt: Platinum Mall,Bangkok 

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Bangles: Assorted,Thrifted and Gifted

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Necklace: Curio Shop in Darjeeling

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Linking Up to The Pleated Poppy and Cappucino and Fashion for this post!

Colours of Cape Town

One of the places we went to while sightseeing in Cape Town was to Bo-Kaap or the Malaysian Quarters.Now this place must be familiar to all of you.The colourful buildings of the street has been a backdrop to a countless bollywood songs and has even inspired it's very own film set back home.I wished we had more time to spend here to experience more of the culture of the place( and the yummy-looking Malay coffee place we passed ),but sadly that was not to be.I did however manage to get some quick shots clicked in all of the 20 minutes we got to spend taking in the sights.

The bag I am carrying is my new favorite bag.It is roomy and easy on the shoulders and I love it and I'm carrying it everywhere now.I bought it at the souvenir shops outside the Seal Island dock.Supposed to be the cheapest souvenir shopping according to our guide.But I am sure I was still very willingly ripped off like the gullible tourist that I am. :D

Top:     Green Apple,City Centre 1,Kolkata

Denims:     Best Mountain,Paris

Boots:     BK Market,Kolkata

Bag:     Souvenir Shop in Cape Town

Scarf/Snood:     Woolworths,Cape Town

Sunglasses:     Minimal Baroque by Prada

Earrings and Bracelets:      Miscellaneous 

Vineyard Romance

During my trip to South Africa,we had the opportunity to visit The Spier Wine Farm for a vineyard tour and vine tasting.The day we were supposed to leave for the tour started out extremely rainy and gloomy and rainy and we were all worried that any outdoor activity was pretty much out of the picture.However,the weather gods heard our silent prayer and by the time we reached,the rain had slowed to a drizzle and soon stopped altogether.The weather was beautiful and everything looked fresh and green and had a romantic air to it.

We had a wonderful day with a segway tour of the vineyard which was great and our instructors were really nice and helpful navigating the bumpy roads.We tasted some delicious wine and cheese.We had the most delicious lunch at their farm to table restaurant and saw some incredible eagles and owls at the Eagle Encounters Rehabilitation Center. At the end,we left wishing we had more time to explore the huge gardens and relax in the midst of nature at the Spier Wine Farm.If you have this as a part of your South African itinerary,I would reccomend you take a full day to visit and make a picnic out of it, or if possible stay the night at their hotel.You will go back refreshed.

Cowl Top: Forever 21

Pants: Zara

Boots: Steve Madden

P.S.-This review is not sponsored.All the views expressed are my own.

Make your own Fairytale

Real life works the opposite of fairytales. They begin all rosy and peachy and get jaded by the end of it.The endings are bittersweet rather than happy and the middle is filled with ups and downs.Hard work grants more wishes than fairy godmothers.And,we do a lot more rescuing than being rescued most of the time.

However,one thing is always common between the two. Princesses always wear Pink.

Dress: Lily,CentralWorld,Bangkok

Shoes: Modissa,Bahnoffstrasse,Zurich

Watch: Citizen

Wings: My Niece!

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Festive Dressing with Sabyasachi

One thing that is on every Indian woman's wishlist has to be a Sabyasachi saree.So since I had the oppurtunity,I picked  my first Sabyasachi saree as a part of my wedding trousseau and FINALLY got the chance to wear it on Diwali day (yes,I am running on a bit of a backlog here).I loved how the polka dots,lace,the classic Sabya border and tassels fused so beautifully on this saree.The man is a master at mixing and matching.Hopefully,budget permitting this will be the start of many more purchases to come.

Saree: Sabyasachi

Necklace: India Kitsch 

Ring: Engagement Ring!

Colorful Bangles : India Kitsch

Diamond Bangles: Gifted by Mom

Earrings: Gifted