Ensemble's Winter Sale!!!

Don't you desi snobs just love January?? The cold weather, endless dinner gatherings, bonfires and...... WINTER SALES!!! I have been hunting online and in stores for some great winter bargains and today I bring to you the Ensemble winter sale. YAY! With up to 70% off, I can't wait to get my backside down to DLF Emporio and shop. I haven't bought any Indian outfits since I gave birth because I was waiting to shed all that baby weight. Now that I am back to my original size, I'm going to stock up my wardrobe with Indian wear and nothing is better than buying clothes on sale. I desperately need a new Anamika Khanna outfit for this year and maybe something from Pero by Aneeth Arora, or maybe even a Varun Bahl suit.... Sigh, the list is endless. I'm just hoping I don't max out my credit card. So, who's headed there today?

 

Ringing In The New Year In 431-88 and Dior

First and foremost, Happy New Year to all my desi snobs! I hope this year brings you good health, love, happiness and all things fabulous. How did you celebrate?

We decided to take some of our friends with us to our two hundred year old heritage haveli in a small town called Tonk in Rajasthan. None of us were really in the mood for the usual night club scene or even a farmhouse party. In fact, we wanted to stay as far away from Delhi as possible! Dancing around a bonfire in our courtyard wearing sweatshirt and jeans was more like it for us. And it was just perfect.

Of course, that doesn't mean I didn't pack anything fabulous to wear. I once took my Louis Vuitton Suhali leather bag on a trek at Wildflower Hall in Shimla so this was no different.

Winter is my most favourite time of the year to be in India. I can finally pull out those lovely jackets and knee high boots which look so sexy (and hide some of that damn holiday fat!). For my shoot in Tonk, I wanted to wear something wintery and nothing says that better than a gorgeous 431-88 by Shweta Kapur smudged faux fur jacket. Since it was quite an eye catching piece, I wanted the rest of me to be pretty simple. Hence I chose simple white skinny pants, a pale pink tank top and chocolate brown boots with a bit of equestrian detailing.

My accessories were Dior (my favourite) of course. The Dior cruise collection had pieces that were to die for. I chose the white bubble bag (review coming up in another post) because I felt the bucket bag would add a bit of playfulness to my look and I adored the colourful symbols and words embossed on the leather. Furthermore, The chunky gold shoulder strap infused just the right touch of bling. I completed my look with a single earring (Dior Shades) which I think is going to turn into the accessory of the season.

Jacket - 431-88 By Shweta Kapur
Pants & Tank Top - Zara
Boots - Ralph Lauren
Bag, Earrings & Sunglasses - Dior

All White At The Majorelle Garden

I'm a little late in posting this last shoot from Morocco because ever since I got back, I've just been so busy with my little baby Rania. Ah, mommy guilt, it never leaves you!

For my last shoot in Morocco, we chose the beautiful Majorelle Garden. Filled with lush green trees, and lots of blue and yellow (the villa, pots and fountain), this botanical garden was just so beautiful and serene. The husband and I strolled around for hours just soaking in the beauty and I can totally understand why Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge fell in love with the place before they bought it. I also walked over to the memorial, but out of respect, I didn't take any photos of it.

Anyway, before I even got to Marrakech, I knew I wanted to wear all white for my visit to the garden. I thought that an all white look would stand out amongst the blue and yellow all over. I put on a simple tank top and jeans (jeans which have now become to loose for me!) and wore a white, sleeveless blazer over the tank. This simple, yet lovely satin jacket from 431-88 by Shweta Kapoor had these padded, exaggerated shoulders which added a bit of an edge to my very minimal look. A pop of orange (my shoes) and a dash of silver ( my bag) completed my look.

The only problem with this shoot was it wasn't a very sunny day so the pictures were slightly dark due to the lack of light. I tried to edit them as much as possible but this was the best I could do!

Blazer: 431-88 By Shweta Kapoor
Jeans - Stradivarius
Shoes - Raf Simons X Adidas
Bag & Sunglasses - Dior
Location - Le Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech, Morocco

Black & White In Marrakech

This was one outfit I was dying to shoot before we even got to Morocco. There's nothing sexier than a beautifully cut black jacket (everyone knows I have a thing for blazers) paired with jeans, skirts, dresses or anything for that matter. For my shoot at one of the hotels we were staying in (Les Jardins De La Medina) I wanted to wear this structured woollen jacket paired with a black, knee length skirt (both DRVV). I shot at the hotel because I wanted to wear heels underneath and that would have been tough to do if I was walking around in the medina. Plus it was such a gorgeous hotel with lush green trees everywhere so I figured why not.

What I loved about this DRVV jacket was how the collar stands up on its own. Furthermore, the zipper detailing on the collar was also pretty funky. I wore a white tank underneath for a bit of a contrast and paired it with the silver Diorama bag and black stilettos. Ever since I shot wearing these DRVV clothes, I have become a serious fan. The tailoring is just phenomenal and Dhruv Kapur just knows how to make beautifully cut and good quality clothes.

Again, this outfit was pretty easy to put together and all black (with a pop of colour here and there) never fails. Slimming, sexy and fabulous! What do you think?

Woollen Jacket & Skirt - DRVV by Dhruv Kapur
Tank Top - Zara
Sunglasses & Bag - Dior
Shoes - Nicholas Kirkwood
Earrings - Forever 21
Location - Les Jardins De La Medina, Marrakech
 

Lost in Fes

Fes was one city I couldn't wait to explore. With its charming and mystical ancient Medina consisting of nearly 9,400 twisting lanes, centuries old architecture, blue and green mosaic at every step, it was truly breath-taking.

Because I knew there was a lot of walking to do that day, I needed to dress comfortably. And nothing is more comfortable than a hoodie paired with jeans. Of course, that didn't mean I dress like a slob or a vagabond tourist! I picked out a really playful 43188 by Shweta Kapur neoprene hoodie with red stains printed all over it. I thought it was cosy, comfortable and stylish at the same time. Ladies, please put away your Juicy Couture tracksuits, try 431-88 instead. What I liked most about the sweatshirt was that the print made a statement without screaming and I didn't need to work that hard with the rest of my outfit as I wanted it to be the focal point of my look. l

Anyways, I paired my hoodie with a pair of classic blue jeans, camel coloured suede knee high boots and blinged up with the look with some gold accessories. The cherry red Chanel completed by outfit of the day.

I really wanted to do a proper shoot, but considering we were going to spend a day being real tourists it would have been slightly awkward, especially at a mosaic factory and inside the medina where people are really conservative. I would have ended up getting all sorts of weird stares. So instead, what we did was take normal photos of me being touristy as there really wasn't any other option. I'll put captions under the photos so you know where they were taken.

If you liked this hoodie I'm wearing, click here to purchase it.

Palais Faraj Suites & Spa

Palais Faraj Suites & Spa

At Borj Sud With Our Guide

Borj Sud

Borj Sud

At A Ceramics Factory

At A Ceramics Factory

The Royal Palace Gates

The Jnane Sbil Gardens

Sweatshirt: 431-88 by Shweta Kapur
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind
Bag: Chanel
Bracelet: Moschino
Location: Fes, Morocco (see captions for more details)
 

Bohemian VIbes In Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen, also known as Morocco's blue city has a very bohemian feel to it. I'm not sure why though. Maybe because of all the men/young boys who tried to sell us hash and alcohol every five minutes! Just kidding. Tucked away in the hills, Chefchaouen is Morocco's hidden gem. The ancient medina is pretty much all blue, with narrow and steep lanes filled with local grocery stores, spice and souvenir shops amongst small homes. Morocco is known for it's spices so I figured why not take some back home. In one of the lanes close to our hotel, I bought some turmeric and cumin powder which was so fragrant that my whole room was smelling of it later. I'm guessing this is the really good stuff and I have a feeling my mother is going to be very happy. I also bought lots of organic Argan oil bottles for myself and all my friends as it is much cheaper here than anywhere else in the world and is filled with vitamins.

For my outfit, I chose a DRVV by Dhruv Kapur cotton maxi. Well, it wasn't just a maxi actually. It was a piece of cloth with three holes in it so you can even style it as a one shoulder top if you like. I chose a maxi because I felt like it felt fit in with the city vibe and I was in a very bohemian mood. I cinched it with a suede belt to give it a bit of a shape as sometimes very loose silhouettes make me look bigger. Although, I really wish I had another belt. I wasn't loving the brown one so much but I had to make do with last minute. Oh well! To complete my look, I used a bright and wide head band (it really gives the bohemian look a nice touch), statement gold earrings, and a chunky gold bracelet to give it a bit of a bling. I also used a blue scarf as a photo op, just to add a bit more colour.

If you're headed to a beachy place for a winter getaway or to celebrate new year's eve, you can try out this look as it's really easy to put together and looks very chic.

What do you think of my look?

Headband & Earrings - Forever 21
Bracelet: Valentino
Maxi - DRVV by Dhruv Kapur
Bag & Sunglasses - Dior
Sandals: Gucci
Scarf - JJ Valaya
Location: Lina Ryad & Spa and Chefchaouen Medina, Chefchaouen

Exploring Tangier

We got to Tangier late yesterday afternoon, after a nine hour flight to Casablanca followed by a four and a half hour drive to get here. Naturally, we were too tired to do anything except walk around aimlessly in the evening around Ville Nouvelle (new town). Today, after getting a good night's rest we went to explore the narrow lanes of the Kasbah inside the Medina.

Since holidays consist of taking lots of photos, I wanted to look my best. I chose my favourite Rag & Bone dress, paired with a DRVV by Dhruv Kapoor jacket with thigh high boots from Dune and Dior's Diorama bag which is my new favourite travel bag. I kept my accessories to a minimal. Just a pair of Dior cruise earrings, So Real sunglasses, a Cartier Trinity Cord Bracelet and the Bulgari Serpenti leather bracelet (both are very delicate). I didn't want to take the attention away from the jacket and purse.

The DRVV jacket I wore is quite funky. Featuring lots of zipper detailing, it's so versatile and can be worn in various ways. You can zip it up from the front for a casual feel or diagonally to look like a biker jacket, or even take the sleeves off to make it sleeveless. It also consists of lots of pockets, giving it very utilitarian glam look. I couldn't have found a better piece to pair with my dress.

The metallic silver Diorama I have been using on this trip is so perfect as it matches pretty much every outfit. The silver colour gives it a very playful look and the medium is a good size for a vacation. It fits your wallet, phone and maybe one or two make up items. I was determined not to take a big bag this time, because I just end up filling it with so much unnecessary junk making it so heavy! The Diorama can be worn in multiple ways, but for today's look I used it as a shoulder bag or just hung it from my shoulder. You can also sling it across your body to be hands free.

Here are some photos of my look for today as we walked around exploring this magical city.

Dress: Rag & Bone
Jacket: DRVV by Dhruv Kapoor
Bag, earrings and Sunglasses: Dior
Bracelets: Cartier and Bulgari
Boots: Dune
Location: Tangier, Morocco