The Summer Staple: Denim Shirt

While looking through my wardrobe on this fine Monday afternoon, because I had nothing else to do, and I feared that going outside would actually vaporize me (thank you and your f***ing 41 degree weather, Chennai), I realized that there was one staple item that I have been wearing at LEAST once a week since I got it.

It's this absolute bargain export reject from Bangalore (250 INR, ladies and gents). I own a fair few of these denim/linen overshirt things and they're perfect for days when I want to be able to have the option to either bare all or cover up. But this one is hands down my favorite. It's this PERFECT transitional wash (not too light, not too dark). Really good quality. And the perfect weight - not to heavy, not too light. And very, very durable. I've trekked with this, thrown it in the wash on high and it's come out just the same as it went in.

Honestly. If you're looking to add something to your wardrobe this summer - let it be a denim overshirt. 

Black for Summer

When I see all these videos and posts about people doing 'Summer Shopping sprees' to add 'color to their wardrobes'. I die inside. Because:
1. I cannot afford to change up my wardrobe every six months because budget.
2. I do buy a few colorful pieces but not enough to really make a dent on all the black that I find far more sensible to buy.

So, to all of you who still want to wear black this summer, in the Chennai heat, because you're as loony as I am, I hope this helps you to style up some of those darks in ways that are bearable and will not make you feel like a broiler chicken. The key here is to make sure you choose light, breathable fabrics which do not require you to wear a black cami inside. If you can get away with just a bra or a bandeau - do it.

The mesh trend was so big last year - I think it's a brilliant way to play a little hide and seek and get away with no cami.

Who said you can't wear an LBD for the summer? Keep it loose, keep it airy. I think this dress is super versatile, and God is it breathable. Works for a night out, or hell, even a beach barbecue outdoors.

A sleeveless button down can be turned into a tie-up top for those days where you want your midriff getting some respite. I used to wear this top to work a lot, and now that I am completely unemployed, I tie it up and prance around town instead. My parents are so proud.

Lace inserts are another great way to keep things light. I love how this shows off your chest-but-not-really.  The material is great, and again, is opaque enough for the whole no cami situation. Another work top that I've converted for the summer. It's actually pretty formal, but tucked into these shorts, I feel like it really gives off that dressy-casual vibe.

So fear not, wearers of black. With a little restyling, you don't need to pull out pastels and corals this summer if you don't want to!

- A

New Hair + Viva Glam Moment

Two major life-changing things happened this week.

One. I cut my hair after a year.

Two. I discovered the perfect everyday lipstick.

Well, it's not as dramatic as all that, but for someone who thought a light pink would be the perfect everyday color (I have tried and failed to find this perfect everyday light pink) - when I came across

this lipstick in my mum's makeup stash I was like meh, mom color. Then I tried it on. Now she keeps it under lock and key.

MAC describes it as a 'foxy brown plum lipstick'. And I think that's pretty accurate. It's got this brickish, neutral thing going on with a hint of a deeper red. And the best part about this lipstick is that you can really play with the intensity. I'm wearing one coat here (blotted) so it stains out to this really nice brickish wash. Almost a MLBB moment.

 

And of course, if you want to go more intense, a couple of coats gives you this gorgeously stunning lip that you can pair up with a nice bronzey makeup look.

I'm wearing a hint of golden eyeshadow from that trust Wet'N'Wild Comfort palette and a liner/mascara situation. Another point to note here is being a girl that has been shoving kajal under her eye since she was 12, this whole transition to upper lid make up only is a big step. And I'm kinda liking it.

And the hair. This is the first time in almost 8 years that it's been completely black and free of some form of hair color. I don't think it's even been this healthy. I'm growing it out so I chopped the dead bits off in this kind of blunt lob situation. And the best part? I CAN STILL TIE IT UP.

- A

 

WIW 1: Last of the Bangalore Days

So the weather today was pretty much atrociously hot. So what better color to wear than black, right?
Sigh.

Either way. Couple weeks ago, I was wandering around Comm Street trying to find a cropped sweater to wear. And I found this beauty for 250 INR. Like, what. I love the knit. It's heavy, but not chunky, you know? Again, a lovely addition to the new basic capsule wardrobe that I'm building up.
I layered it with another crochet edged crop top so I wouldn't have to wear a bandeau bra (too damn tight and sticky for weather like this. Wanted it to be all easy breezy in that general area.)

Bag from New Look, you can read the post here.

Also enjoying the fact that I can ponytail my hair again after two damn years.

Happy Thursday!

The Mid Week Therapy Night

There are those days at the end of the week (or even in the middle) where I need some serious relaxation/pamper time. When your budget is tight and you don't exactly have the facilities required for a bath tub AND no Wi-fi in your PG (yes folks, it is true),
To be honest, I think it's given me time to really switch off when I get home and spend time reading or watching Desperate Housewives on TV.

But all in all, these nights are when I really get to spend some 'me' time and chill the f*** out.

I usually start off with a nice warm shower (hot water damages my skin like CRAZY). The Palmolive Thermal Spa Skin Renewal Crushed Coconut Body Wash is one of the best scrub-cream wash combinations ever. I feel like a hula dancer when I step out of the shower. Really moisturizing, gets the job done. Although it says to apply it with a loofah, I feel like that defeats the purpose of getting down and dirty with the scrub. So I use it with my hands first and then go over it with a wet loofah.

After that, this is the time where I work on my face. The Jovees Apricot and Almond scrub is what I use to get all that grit off my face. It's not harsh at all, but gently exfoliates, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.

Then, pore strip time.
When people ask me how much my tattoos hurt - here is an answer. 1 pore strip pulling = 5 tattoos.
But the satisfaction of seeing all the goo from your pores on that strip is satisfying to the nth degree. I used the Clenz U (much Wow) carbon strips from Health n Glow. You get 3 in a pack for a little over 100 INR, so it's pretty worth it, cause they're really nice quality too.

I paint my nails because well, makes me feel ladylike.

And for my beverage choice - I love a cup of Cadbury's Cocoa. For you tea drinkers, Tulsi Ginger Green tea is my alternative. You get this at places like Fab India or Nilgiris. 130 INR for 25 sachets or so.

Like I said, my room is a Wifi free zone, so I love curling up in bed with my drink and listening to Radiolab podcasts - DEFINITELY check them out here. They really simplify science and technology for challenged people such as I. A book that I've been loving lately - The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova. The 'real' story of the Dracula. Chilling, gripping, and makes me sleep with my light on...

Another favorite I've had this month is my headphones. They're these - the Philips ActionFit sport headphones. They fit SO snugly, they NEVER flop out, and they're so comfortable to fall asleep in. I credit my S.O for helping me out with this, I know 0 about headphones/audio paraphernalia and this was a pretty sweet deal at INR 539.

So this is how I unwind and destress. This doesn't even have to be on a weekend. Just whenever you have a couple hours to yourself.

Try this, I swear it works!

The Skin Perfecter that actually Perfects

When I finally bit the bullet and bought the full size of the Loreal Paris Skin Perfect 20+ (phew), I felt no buyer's remorse whatsoever.


This product is REALLY targeted at the 20-30 age bracket. Loreal really understood that the issues 20-year-olds face with their skin are extremely different from what say, a 40 year old would. I definitely don't have the time for a beauty regime with my schedule, and Bangalore pollution makes it that much worse! Plus those late nights don't exactly have me looking like a Disney princess.

This is truly an erase-all/do-over/imsorryididntgetenoughsleep for your face.

 I'm not a fan of whitening day creams, so I was skeptical at first, but this didn't have that instant 'bleached' effect that some lower priced day creams do (I'm talking to YOU, Garnier White Complete Multi Action Fairness Cream). It's also really light, so it doesn't leave you feeling oily or greasy.

It's made my skin very smooth and imperfections have reduced a LOT (even some old zit scars have noticeably faded)  - basically, it does exactly what it says on the tin, which I really appreciate.

Would I recommend this? Absolutely. I see results, and that is good enough for me. And at 325 INR for 50g, it didn't break the bank.

Bag-packing.

So I'm pretty sure a lot of you are going away on holiday this summer. And some of you may not have the luxury of a 25kg check-in luggage, if you're backpacking.

I've had a bit of experience, living out of a tiny bag when I was traipsing around Scotland and London (but it had wheels, so it's not EXACTLY backpacking). And I didn't know if I was hiking, biking, or partying. It's all about being prepared for anything, but without OVERPACKING.
So one of my lovely friends who is backpacking in Europe this summer asked me if I could do a post on this.
And I realized while making this list, that it would definitely serve as a master list for myself as I travel this summer.

So, in essence, you need 3 main bags. A backpack/duffel, a totebag (packed INSIDE your backpack when you start your trip, but used to hold things that you may buy through the trip, and a big makeup/washbag (preferably with compartments).

Like, I said, pack minimal, but with clothes you can multipurpose with. Dressing up/dressing down items is something that is very important. You may be trawling through mud one day, and the next day, you may have a swanky dinner. You need to be ready for anything.

So without further ado here are my lists:

AND FINALLY...

Keep your passport in a place YOU can access easily. The front zip of your backpack is not the best place. Buy a plastic pouch that you can keep all your documents in that serves as waterproof protection also, and slip this in between your clothes.

Buy a couple of pouches for your electronics (waterproof, preferably) so that your wires don't get tangled up.

GOLDEN RULE FOR STUFFING YOUR CLOTHES IN: ALWAYS ROLL. NEVER FOLD.

Happy Holidaying, and let me know if you guys want a makeup/jewelry accompaniment!