Depth in design

Once in a while come along those weekends where I know no better than to obsessively want to shoot for the blog. And a good thing too since my normal intervals of posting on the blog have far exceeded my previously set limits. Sauntering around ye 'ol faithful Hauz Khas Village in Delhi with this child prodigy behind Sohail Singh Photography, we decided on exploring the effect of design against design. The ikat patterned pants against the walls with the splashes of multi coloured graffiti. This was interesting since I had decided to bring back the old school technique of 'matchy matchy', yet not overtly matchy. My ikat print box clutch to complement a similar print on my pants. Would it have been better to shoot design against monotone surfaces? Maybe. But it is yet another challenge to find print to complement print and design without one getting diluted in the other.
The bag designed by my friend and the powerhouse behind Sayalidesigns is handcrafted with detail and immense emphasis on design. The stylist in me, of course, sees it as an ideal accessory for a kitschy look just as much as an Indian salwar kameez look. Which could also be the reason that led me to dig out these 'ghungroo bangles' in green which are available in the market mainly to serve the purpose of Indian wear mehendi ceremony appropriate bangles. After having worn them for the aforementioned purpose, there was not much that surprised me when I decided to take them for a spin with this pants and blouse look. The vibe of the designs and prints were in harmony with the accessories and they lived happily ever after.

Photography courtesy: Sohail Singh Photography Show his page some love. :)

Wearing:
White blouse with pin tuck detailing: Zara
Ikat printed slouchy pants: Forever 21
Gold sandals: Zara
Gold bib necklace: Street market, Gk-1 M block market
Green bangles with ghungroos: Some market in Calcutta
Bag with ikat print and hints of neon: C/O Sayalidesigns
Green watch with large round dial: C/O Skagen Denmark

Till the next time,
x

Summer make up essentials

I am one of those people who like making lists. You know, those crazy list makers? Not exactly obsessive but it definitely helps me track things a lot better if its in the form a of 'top five'. So on popular demand from my readers, I finally decided to spend a Thursday on enlisting my top five make up essentials for spring summer. These are products that I have been using off late and all my opinions are strictly personal.
I do not fall in the category of women who claim to despise make up and claim to never wear any. Au contraire, I love make up and would almost classify as a hoarder but I don't always wear it. For some blog shoots, I try and keep the look au natural with just some tinted moisturiser, kajal and lip balm but for others I make it a point to sport my fanciest made up look. For all you ladies who pointedly wear make up religiously, it becomes all the more essential to invest in the right products by the right makers. I am also not a slave to 'designer make up' but I make it a point to honestly state what works best for me in terms of its intended purpose. So lets get started shall we?

1. SEPHORA brightening and hydrating foundation: This is a liquid foundation in a bottle with a pump of 20 ml. I use a shade called 'Moyen Medium' which works perfectly for my medium skin tone. I usually apply it with a foundation brush and would recommend using the same for the purpose. It helps in even application. This foundation works well for me. Good coverage, does not make my skin oily and is definitely not cakey. Lasts a whole day without any bother of reapplication. (But then that could also just be me since I'm not a crazy stickler for 24x7 coverage). Priced at Rs. 1200 (INR), its a very good price for that coverage.

2.DIOR Skin Nude: This is a skin perfecting hydrating concealer that comes in this tiny 10 ml tube. I use the shade called Honey or 003 given that I primarily use it as an under eye concealer.The tube is tiny for sure but it requires very little product for a one time use. Take out just a little on your ring finger and dab it and mix under the eye with the foundation. Don't apply too much pressure. It could lead to a little shine and for people trying to work a matte look, best to lock it in with some loose powder at the end. Works wonders for me and this is coming from someone who has tried about three other concealers that definitely didn't work as well. A little expensive on the pocket, its priced at Rs. 5500 (INR) but as an investment, I would definitely buy it again.

3.NYX Matte black liner: The NYX Matte liner is my go-to kajal cause it doesn't bleed and is my second favourite after the gel liner by Maybelline or Bobbi Brown. I also use it as a liner, on the rare occasion that I do wear a liner, since I'm not quite big on the liquid liners. Priced at Rs. 350 (INR), its easy on the pocket and I do not quite mind buying a new one every few months since I essentially wear kajal everyday.

4.DIOR blush duo: This DIOR blush in shade 'Peechy keen' or 553 is the best powder blush I have ever used. The colours are a slightly dark rose and peachy rose and are perfect for the Indian skin tone. I picked this up from the Singapore Duty Free more than a year back and I haven't felt the need to buy another blush and quite obviously, I am not running out of it anytime soon. It is not highly pigmented like the ones by Chanel I think, but that to me is an added benefit since I'm mostly trying to keep it minimal. This is priced at about Rs. 2500 to Rs. 3000 (INR) depending on where and when you buy it.

5.YSL lipstick in Rouge Volupte Shine 62J800: This is the exact colour as you see in the metal mesh on the body of the lipstick and also the colour you have seen me wear many a times on my blog, here for instance. Its a dark pink or magenta if you will, and definitely a pink that works for my skin tone. Its a glossy lipstick and keeps your lips moisturised and tinted. Requires reapplication in case of a whole day run but definitely does not bleed. For a look where you need not want to wear a whole lot of make up, kajal and this bright lipstick works wonders. This is priced at Rs. 1900 (INR). For the creamy soft bright tint, I would not mind occasionally splurging on one of these YSL babies.

Till then,
x
     

Nothing but the funk

After Wills India Fashion Week, life suddenly seems slower and it is almost like here in the industry, we cannot wait for yet another fashion extravaganza to bring everyone together. Still reeling under the great showcase by some of India's most talented designers, I decided to center more energy into my outfit posts, now more than ever. Inspiration is always a good thing.
Most of you who follow me on Facebook and Instagram (shreyakalra1) would be well versed with my association with The Mill. The pop up event that happens twice a year in the city of Delhi is soon going online with their e-commerce endeavour under the name of UFF so stay updated and get ready to buy all those fabulous pieces you have seen me model. Dilliwaalas, also gear up to shop at the event which will happen soon.
The designs are very high street. I absolutely love the summer prints and the cute wearable cuts. The summer dresses and tunics are my absolute favourite and their light sheer shirts with interesting embellishments make for great day to night transformation. However, over and above all nice things about this clothing is the price point. With a price range from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 5000, you can buy almost anything from The Mill without a pang of guilt.
I decided to wear my reindeer print A-line dress with my lately acquired boots in leather and crochet ankles. The rest as they say is best put in pictures. This look is bringing out my summer funk with a very Brooklyn feel to it. Where are you at with this one?

Wearing:
Cotton printed dress: C/O The Mill
Leather ankle boots: Forever 21
Spiked bracelet: Forever 21
Sunglasses: Forever 21
Suitcase bag: Toteteca
Pearls: Pierre Cardin 

If you haven't already entered, get going on our giveaway right here at FTLOFAOT, where you can win yourself a pretty rose gold watch from Skagen. Enter here.

Till the next time.
x