No Shrinking Violet

What does one need to fight frostbite in style, you ask? A good dose of old-school grit and glamour, I would say! 

Old-school grit that makes you keep your chin up no matter what comes at you, and old-school glamour by way of timeless fur to add a ton of warmth, and some color to the dreary landscape while you are at it. 

Here's to being front-row fabulous, come sun, rain, or freezing temperatures! 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

One Happy Canary!

Hey everyone, Happy Friday! Today's post is about this cheery yellow anarkali that I picked up from a very chic and fairly new boutique called Label'M, situated in the heart of my beloved Cochin. Okay, so it is not located quite on M.G. Road, but hey, we have a big heart! :) So there I was in Kerala on a whirlwind vacation, with three different events (weddings/betrothal) to attend within a span of one week, and a VERY active toddler on my hands which makes wearing and managing a saree quite a challenge, at least for me. Hats off to our moms who breezed through it all while rocking some seriously heavy Kanchipurams! So I decided to visit this new boutique that, from what I'd heard, had a good collection of elegant party-wear. 

I was hoping to find some salwar suits/anarkalis that didn't look like a Christmas tree, which was what the offerings in some of the major traditional stores in the city reminded me of. Don't get me wrong, I love the traditional stores in Cochin - for pure silk sarees. And I love a good ol' Christmas tree, I just don't want to look like one! As I'd hoped for, I did find quite a few pieces at Label'M that I absolutely loved! Their collection had just the right amount and kind of embellishment (think crochet and lace) for my preference, and more often that not, the rich and solid color palettes themselves that they chose provided all the opulence you need in party-wear. Case in point, this beautiful canary yellow anarkali with antique gold detailing, that I styled with a black and gold clutch and beige pumps and wore to a wedding in the family. 

I also had a great experience getting my selections altered by them for a custom fit. In fact, Reshma, one of Label'M's designer/owner duo, offered to collect and hold my altered item at her home so I could pick it up the next day even though the workshop would be closed because it was a Sunday. That saved me a day and several hours of additional travel. Needless to say, at the end of it all, between the exquisite design and the warm customer service, I was one happy camper...er, canary! 

Have a cheery weekend, y'all!

Daytime Glamour

Hello everyone, first off, a very happy new year to all of you! I'd been on vacation (although the annual trip to India to visit family is quite the full calendar, unlike what vacation days are usually conjured up to be. I wouldn't trade this hustle and bustle for anything though!), and hence the lack of posts. I hope you had an amazing holiday season and are rested and ready to take on the new year. Here's to new beginnings and great dreams realized.

Today's post is about making after-dark details work for day. This floor-length gown in champagne lace and sequins was what I wore to my daughter's christening last month. The key to making after-dark details such as shimmering sequins work for the day is to stick to classic tailoring and muted colors and to keep the jewelry bling factor to a minimum. I finished this look with sleek pulled-back hair, a pair of solitaires, and a fuchsia clutch for that pop of color against the soft champagne.

Have a wonderful week ahead, and stay tuned for more posts from my vacation engagements!