Punjabi Mother in law talking to her daughter in law

How comfortable are you buying second hand clothes?

Reading many a fashion blogs, this question used to come to my mind often. Till the time, my comment section was on, I could not ask this topic. Just so that I did not offend anyone who buys second hand clothes.
Now, that this blog is totally my space and I do not even have to worry about comments, I can state my opinion.
Personally, I can happily share/exchange clothes with my sister and even mom. Beyond that, I can never buy second hand clothes. Definitely, not the ones that have been discarded by the other person.
My own closets are always overfull. Why should then someone else's surplus/stuff that a person is bored off/ worn often, make to my closet?
I know it sounds snooty. But so be it. I know the importance of recycling. But I would rather contribute to nature and environment in other ways, than buying used stuff. I would rather buy new $ 10 T shirt than buying $ 20 reused one. I would rather keep my own clothes well and in super good condition (which I do), and use them for years.
I do not even buy second hand cars. Second hand clothes, shoes, accessories are out of question.
Handed down from sister and mom are happily accepted. Nothing further.

Fashion Passé

There are few trends/labels/designers, which launch with a boom and fade away that very fast.

Let me see which ones I have witnessed dying.

One label is Ed Hardy. It was launched with a bang. Every bollywood hero/heroine was seen wearing it. They even walked the ramp in it. Even I bought so many of them. And then market was immediately flooded with its duplicates. I saw the duplicates being sold on the pavements for Rs. 200/- or less. There it was. The originals lost its sheen.

At one time, (about 10 year back), every bride wanted to get married in Ritu Kumar outfit. People wore her saris a lot. Today, her prêt line sells better than her wedding collection. Her style had become too distinctive and repetitive. One could recognize her lehenga/sari from over a mile. 

I see Sabyasachi going in similar direction. He also became a rage. But again same old style. How much would one want to see the same stuff. Unless, he updates and ugrades himself soon, he will soon disappear like Ritu Kumar did.

Mr. Manish Malhotra also needs to watch out. The way he is overdoing velvet border on everyone of his Anarkalis and suits.

Another trend that came with a bang, was overdone, overseen and ran out fast is Pakistani suits- lots of laces, pallazo pants. Every shop sold them, every boutique had them, flea markets had them in abundance. Over flooding, kills a fashion- however beautiful or trendy it may be. It is like- seen it all, done it all.

Closing the comments

My dear blog friends.
Some of you have been very regular on this blog and have been commenting on every post.
I truly value your comments and even look forward to them. I would continue my association with you always. You will always find me on your blog.
But for me, it becomes difficult to visit multiple blogs every day, read them and leave a genuine comment.
I believe in reciprocating. When a blogger leaves a most superficial comment like "nice pics", I still feel compelled to visit that person's blog and leave a comment. But for me to visit 40-50 blogs a day is absolutely impossible.
So from now on, I am closing my comment section.
Any one of you, wanting to reach me, can still do that anytime and always by emailing me and letting me know of your comment on my email
kiran.sawhney@gmail.com
I will try to reply to you promptly.
I blog for myself. It is my self expression.
If I am obliged to visit the bloggers, who have commented on my blog, it kills the joy of blogging for me.
This way, I am breaking myself free from feeling obliged to comment.
Let me say again- my old blogger friends- I do value you. I am not breaking any associations. In fact, I am creating stronger bonds. I hope you all understand.
Also I have removed the followers list on the side. I am through with the numbers game. There is a "follow" button on the top of every blog. People wishing to follow, the blog can do so by clicking on that button. I do not want to flaunt the number of followers anymore. Nor get entangled in the number game any more.
You know how liberated am I feeling in doing so- it is like standing on a cliff and taking out mobile and throwing it in the sea. You know what I mean?
From now on, I blog because of love of blogging.

Biggest exporter of Shawls, Scarves, Stoles, mufflers, from India

If you are looking to buy shawls, scarves, stoles, mufflers in wool, silk, silk pashmina, for retail, wholesale or export, here are the contact details

Kashmir Shawl Emporium

94, MM Janpath,

New Delhi, India.

email: kshawl@vsnl.com

Exporting to all major stores across Europe, USA, Australia, Asia.

Some of the top Bollywood and Hollywood faces are their regular customers. 

Oure Pashminas

Funny Video

White and beige Sari

White and beige Sari is also a great combination. A touch a khadi color, a line of gold, adds to the beautiful hues of white sari.

Below is Haseena Jethmalani wearing similar hues

White and beige

I have already mentioned in my this post, how white shirt goes well with denims.
White goes very effectively even with beiges. It is a very dull, yet effective combination for both men and women. Throw in a belt and shoes and you are done.

P.S I used to be bad in shooting myself wearing whites. The face would always turn dark in comparison.
With my added knowledge from my photography course, I have learnt to churn out a brighter image. Yay!!

Are you a control Freak? Am I?

• I just took an online quiz here.

I checked what applied to me and submitted. For you, I have written Yes in front of the ones that applies to me. See my result at the bottom.

• 
  
• Check all that apply to you or that you agree with.

• It's difficult for you to trust people.
• You make lists for everything in your life.
• You can't stand it when you're in a car but not driving.- Yes
• As much as possible, you need to do everything yourself.-Yes
• You rarely think that you're wrong.

• You love to be the center of attention.
• When it comes to social gatherings, you prefer to do the planning.
• You get bored when you have to listen to other people talk.
• Your vacations tend to be structured and active.
• You tend to think that you know what's best for other people.

• You don't like people touching your stuff.
• When you're in a relationship, you like to know where your significant other is at all times.
• You are definitely a perfectionist - and your own worst critic.-Yes
• It's hard for you to get used to a new hair style or new pair of jeans.
• You would not really enjoy a surprise party thrown for you.- Yes

• You can't stand to wait for people who are running a few minutes late.- Yes
• You are a completely stubborn person.
• You tend to interrupt people a lot.
• You don't like taking orders.- Yes
• You don't take it lightly when people disagree with you.

• Other people's messes really bother you.
• When you're watching TV with other people, you always have to have the remote.
• You are easily irritated.
• You generally don't trust people.
• You are insulted when people don't take your advice.

My Result-

You Are 24% Control Freak

You have achieved the perfect balance of control and letting go.
You tend to roll with whatever life brings, but you never get complacent.

Scarves and Stoles from India

The stoles shown in the pictures above (even the one worn by Camilla Belle) are from my husband's export house.

He is the biggest exporter of shawls, stoles, mufflers, scarves in pashminas, wool, silk, etc.

For any export queries, you can email at

kshawl@vsnl.in

Be in full control of your life.

After quite some time, I have views on life to share. But I do not preach. I do not judge. I do not say what is right or wrong. I will simply describe how I lead my life. I would not recommend that you also do, the way I do. You do what suits you the best.

My way is very independent, very "in control of my life". I am fiercely protective about my independence, about my ways. I do not interfere nor do I tolerate any kind of interference from anyone.
I like to be responsible for my own actions. I will give few examples here:

1. I do not drink alcohol. I party a lot where booze is free flowing. Yet, I do not drink because I want to be aware always as to what is happening around me. I would hate myself if I wake up next morning and have to ask someone as to what I was doing/saying last night. I want to be in control of my life.

2. I always prefer to drive myself. In fact, I am a very jittery co-passenger. I hate hiring a cab or sitting behind a chauffeur or being picked up and dropped. Because I consider myself a very safe driver with zero accident record. In fact, I have never ever even scratched my car or given an excuse that the other person hit me. Behind the steering wheel, I feel, I am in control of things.

3. I do not go to a beauty parlor for anything except getting my hair cut. Because, I think, I can do everything better than any beautician, for myself. From facials, to make up jobs, to Sari tying, to anything else, I know what I want and how I will do it better.

4. I plan my own diets and workouts. I do not think anyone else can do it better for me. It is my body and I know what it needs.

5. I did not hire any interior designer to do my house. It is my home and I knew what I needed and where. I have personally done it all up.

6. I like to maintain my own blog and website. Because I know the best as to what should be the content.

7. I do buy a lot of designer clothes but I also like to design my own clothes.

8. I have not hired any PR agency to do my promotion. Yet, I am all over the media. I am my best PR person. I do not think, any company can give me better results.

9. When it was raising the children (when they were young), I did have help but I always made sure that it was me, who primarily looked after them. I could not have depended on anyone else to do it for me.

10. Coming to last but not the least. To maintain this blog, there needed to be pictures of me being clicked on everyday basis. Now either, I could have depended on someone to do it on daily basis- spouse, children, friends, professional, etc. Not that they would not have helped. They would have. But fiercely independent person in me, was very uncomfortable with the idea. So I started self clicking and self editing. Yet, the results were not great. I was amateur. So, as I had intended to, I joined a professional photography course. And now, even if the results have not drastically improved, yet, I am more at ease with handling my professional camera. I have started playing around with aperture, shutter speed, ISO, various lens, outdoor shoots, lights etc.

My mom tells me that I was like this, even as a very small kid. I wanted to do my own things at a very early age. I wanted to eat on my own and not be spoon fed, sleep alone in my own tiny little room.  I was just 7-8 year old and I used to go to school by rickshaw, which came to pick me up and drop me. One day, after school, I told the rickshaw guy, not to come to pick me up from next morning. I just came back home and announced this to mom. When she asked me, how would I go to school? I told her, I would ride on my bike. I told her, I cant be dependent on that rickshaw and wait for him after getting dressed for school. From second standard onwards, I started to ride on my bike to school. And the school was not very near. It continued throughout my school time. Then I graduated to scooty and finally a car (at the age of 15). That was me- Miss independent.
Also at that young age (of 9-10 years), I wanted to earn my own pocket money and started doing TV shows as a child artist and being paid. I even started designing my own clothes.

Point is, I like to be in full control of my own life. Any kind of dependency- whether it is financial, emotional, etc, throws me off balance and I strive hard to be in control. Mind you, I never ever, even remotely control anyone else's life. But for my own self, you can call me- A Control Freak.


Lets see what I am wearing and where the inspiration is coming from

Tunic top (It is actually a dress)- Self designed
Jeans- Diesel
Pictures- as always- self clicked.

Inspiration in Red

I had earlier showcased this Tommy Hilfigger dress in this blog post here.

But here is an inspiration to showcase it the way Fearne Cotton is wearing.

I am also wearing/carrying

Bag: Coach

Denim Jacket: From my export line

Heels: Nine West.

Bidding Adieu

I wore this on the last day with my sister and nephew.
Yes, they left now.
We saw Zindagi Milegi na Dubaara, together. And we had a great time. Shopped, saw movie, ate out together, danced, she gave me her class of bollywood dancing, chatted at night and finally it was time.
I miss you sis and little one.
I am wearing a dress from my own export line from last year's collection. I can never showcase my latest collection for obvious reasons.

Inspiration to recreate the look

Today this was my inspiration- take a simple, colorful, dupatta (scarf/stole) over white anarkali and you are done. Yes, do not forget to wear your big, broad smile.

What I am wearing:
White Anarkali: Self Created
Dupatta: Vintage: It is some 30 year old- from the era of- Only Vimal. It used to come in those advertisements.
Flat Chappals- Nine West.

Recreate a look

What I am wearing:

Kurti: Anita Dongre
Tights: Forever 21
Vest: Speechless
Glares: Escada
Shoes: Louis Vuitton
Bangle: Gift from son
Bag: Gift from husband



Below: Sonam Kapoor in oversized white shirt, opaque tights and vest.

Pairing the top differently

I had worn the same top in my previous post here first during the day time.

Then I paired it with a skirt at night time.

Top: Borrowed from sister: Forever 21

Skirt: Express

Hand made Potli of beads: bought in Simla

Hand made Booties: Auroville- More clearly showcased here in this blog post.

Color Blocking Inspiration

I got inspired from the above look to create a color blocked outfit of my own.

What I am wearing:

Top: Forever 21: Borrowed from sister

Pants: My own creation

Paisley with denim

Wear a nice paisley top or shirt with blue denims. Complete the look with a black leather bag and a belt. Add nice glares, classic watch and heels to complete the look. You can't go wrong with this top- notch look.

Green with envy

Behold these gorgeous beauties.

These are Comme Il Faut

My nephew also tried them before getting them for Massi (that is me).

My dress: La Kaira

Some similarities...of colors and styles