The White Shirt

Shirt & Culottes- FabAlley, Denim Jacket- Mango, Shoes- River Island(asos), Necklace- FabAlley

Your style inevitably portrays your personality and moods. A White shirt resembles a clean slate to me. So whenever I am not in the mood to put my thinking cap on or when I am wearing a piece that needs some neutrality, a white shirt is what I tend to grab. Not only does it form the perfect base, it also adds a crispness to the look that a t-shirt can't. To make it casual & add a bit of that 90's edge, tie up the fronts into a knot.
So what are the things you need to keep in mind when you're out looking for that perfect white shirt? The fit. Depending on your style, pick between a well fitted one or a super casual lose fit. For me I have one of each. The fitted one works great with outfits like these & the other would be great for layering or with ripped skinny jeans. I am very particular about the details on the shirt. I prefer the buttons being a similar hue to give a streamline effect. You could even play around with different collar types. Go for a white shirt with a Chinese collar if you want a more feminine appeal. A cropped one would also make a great basic!

For this look, I paired it with these new culottes I got from FabAlley. If you've been living under a rock you're probably wondering what are Culottes? They are knee length trousers, cut with full legs to resemble a skirt! Even though these have been around for a year now, being a pear shaped woman sometimes restricts me when it comes to trying out certain trends. Whenever I tried culottes in the past, if they fit perfectly on my hips, they would be loose on my waist and if it fit my waist it was super fitted at the hips as well so I never ended up buying any! But I decided to try my luck one last time and it worked. These fit perfectly! I love the monochrome floral print which instantly adds a bohemian vibe to the look.
To add a pop of colour, I punctuated the look with hints of red. There is something about red lips, RayBan's and a denim jacket that can make anything look vintage. So I threw on this denim jacket to add that extra dimension & loved the way it turned out. The super cute Lanvin inspired Love necklace completed the look.

What do you guys think of culottes? If you do try this trend out don't forget to share photos on Instagram and tag me! 

Read more »

Fancy Foot Forward

Dress- Fancypants, Shoes- Forever21, Necklace worn as belt- Fancypants, Belt- Colaba, Sunglasses & Bag- Fancypants, On my lips- Mac Vegas Volt & Chambor Orange, Bracelet- Fancypants

The fashion world today is growing by leaps and bounds. Though there are a few who could still care less, the others can barely get over it even for a few hours! With the availability of accessories and apparel online, everyone across the world is now able to get their hands on what they like through these mediums. So when everyone has a similar thing how do you make sure to stand out? Innovative styling is the only answer. Karl Lagerfeld was quoted saying "Trendy is the last stage before Tacky", which I completely agree with. A lot of people tend to cross this thin line without even realizing. So it's very important to not only grow your wardrobe but also train your style senses to avoid the tacky situations.

When you're shopping online, it's very easy to get overwhelmed by the varied choices. That's why it's better to have a motive and then log on to your favourite websites. I know it's inevitable to get sidetracked but if you know what you want it would be harder to sway you. For me, I wanted a simple dress which I could wear to a beach or causal brunch but also fancy it up a bit if I wanted to shoot a blog post with it! The water colour print on this one immediately caught my attention. Initially I was a bit skeptical about the colour riot but I grew to love it! I adore pieces that flow so gracefully & have a scope of dreamy movement. This dress was super affordable just like all their other pieces and there are at least 5 ways that I can think of styling this. 

Now on to the styling. If I were to wear this dress to a beach, I would simply throw on a huge sun hat, the same sunglasses & a straw tote bag! But for this look, I added hints of gold to make it a bit more fancy. To cinch my waist, I added a simple gold belt and then to oomph it up a bit, I used a necklace & layered it along with the belt. Not only did it add some colour but it also attached a surprise factor to the look. I then threw on a layered gold bracelet & these super cool sunglasses! Because of my love for them, the people over at FancyPants named the sunglasses after me. I am absolutely addicted to these & haven't stopped wearing them since I got it! Check out my Instagram if you don't believe me! Lastly to balance the colour frenzy, I took aide from a pair of nude pumps.

What do you guys think of the look? Comment below and tell how you would style this dress & how you make sure to stand out in the crowd without being over the top!

Read more »

Who moved my Phone?

Dress- Chemistry, Necklaces- New Look & Accessorize, Shoes- Zara, Phone- Sony Xperia T3

Just like many of you, my life practically revolves around my phone. It's not because I intend to use it as a shield to avoid having any social conversations but because my work needs me to constantly be connected. Be it checking & responding to emails, interacting on social media or even snapping pictures for my instagram, it's all thanks to this one tool! So why not invest in a phone that is not only practical but stylish too? The new Sony Xperia T3 undoubtedly fits the bill.

It comes in three colours, White, Black & Purple but given my current obsession with white, my choice was pretty obvious. A pro of having a white phone is that it works wonderfully as a fashion accessory with any outfit. The simplicity of the design and it's sleekness makes it fit comfortably in the small pocket of your day bag as well as your night clutch! I love it's wide screen, which makes watching videos on YouTube or exploring Instagram profiles even more vivid & exciting. 

On this day, I was just headed to a fun meeting and while we were waiting we decided to click some of these pictures. I wanted to flaunt the new phone so I decided to create a sleek outfit around it. It's extremely important to put your best foot forward at meetings but I can never compromise on the comfort aspect. I dressed myself is this printed shift dress which I recently got from Chemistry. I loved the print on it which was very different from the usual shift dresses and the pastel colours played well with the phone. I decided to let the dress have it's moment and taking a cue from the Xperia T3, stuck to minimalism. By adding two layered silver & turquoise necklaces in similar hues I attempted to subtly elevate the look. When you're wearing a printed dress, make sure to add hints of solid colours through your accessories. So I chose a structured black bag to hold in all the essentials for the day, my monochrome zara sandals & my phone to appropriately finish the look. I love taking pictures when I visit fun places or if I like my outfit on a particular day and sharing it on Instagram! And the response always gives me the feeling that you guys like it too which makes me want to update as often as I can. For taking so many pictures, it essential to have a good phone camera! The Sony Xperia T3 has an 8 megapixel camera that never disappoints. But even a great picture needs so changes for Instagram. 

Many of you often ask me how I edit my pictures for Instagram, so I decided to give a little low down on the apps I use. I use Whitagram when I want to publish the entire picture & am not willing to crop it according to that standard square! It super easy to use & if you just want to download one app, this should be it! The other one I love is PicFx. I downloaded it almost 2 years ago because back then this was the only app that had the feature to add light leaks & light bokeh to your pictures but in addition it has some other super cool filters too. The next one is Instacollage for when I can't decided which one of the many selfies should be published! I also love making outfit post collages using this which lets me throw in a mix of close ups as well as wide shots. I also love Overgram & CrossProcess. If you do use any of these, don't forget to tag me in Instagram!

Hope you guys enjoyed this post! Also if you're looking at getting a stylish new phone which also works as a fashion accessory, do check out the new Sony Xperia T3 when you're at the mall next!

Read more »

Philips Air Straightener Review + Giveaway

Dress- New Look

I think my hair is always a topic of discussion on my social media platforms & I probably receive majority of your emails inquiring about my hair care routine! Contrary to what it may look like, I am actually very care free when it comes to my hair. I try to keep the steps minimal, taking care of it by using a good shampoo & deep conditioner. I also avoid colouring my hair too often. I've mentioned this before, I had pretty short hair when I was in school. It's only when I entered junior college that I started to grow my hair out. I don't know what it is, it's probably my genes or the fact that when I was younger, my parents were rather diligent in making sure that I eat healthy & my dad would oil my hair every Sunday, but my hair grows pretty quickly & it's quite thick! While this may be the envy of many,  it's quite a task to maintain it.

I wash my hair 2-3 times a week, depending on the activities for the week. Usually I hit up the gym 3-4 times a week because of which washing it becomes inevitable! But I don't condition my hair every time I wash it. Because my hair is on the longer side, conditioning it 3-4 times a week would weigh it down making it appear limp. So I only deep condition twice a week using The Body Shop's Rainforest Radiance Hair Butter for coloured hair. This one smells amazing & has been doing really great things for my hair. On the days that I wash my hair but don't condition it, I use the L'oreal mythic oil post shower. I try to keep my routine very simple with limited products because my understanding is that the lesser products  I use, the lesser I will be messing with the natural process. 

When it comes to styling my hair, I naturally have a wavy texture which doesn't always look great! So I do have to style my hair using either a blow dryer or a curler. I love blow drying my hair but because my hair is so long, by the end of it, I am literally so exhausted. However this new Philips Kerashine Air Straightener, has been working wonderfully for me. Not only does it leave by hair super soft, it also gets rid of the frizz due to the keratin. It has literally reduced the blow drying time by 10 minutes which is a lot when you're in hurry in the morning. I also love the naturally straight effect it gives which makes it look like I woke up with this hair! The brush is so easy to plug in & extremely convenient to use. It has a cold as well as normal setting which is always a great option to have. My hair is pretty thick and yet this manages to work it's way through perfectly. I am not very careful about the sections & just randomly slide it through different sections of my hair for a quick revamp. All in all, if you like to blow dry your hair often, this is something that would be right up your alley. It gives your hair that perfect laid back yet smooth finish! With it's reasonable price tag, this is a great tool to add to your styling kit. And just btw, I think this work wonderfully for men too!

Now on to the fun part! If you are super intrigued by this & are wanting to get your hands on a limited edition Philips Essential Air Straightener asap, here's an amazing opportunity for you to win one specially autographed by the gorgeous Alia Bhatt just for you! All you have do is follow these simple steps to enter & win :- 

- Comment below and tell us an essential step in your hair care routine & how it works for you

- Also tell us why you should win the Limited Edition Philips Essential Air Straightener

- You could also tweet your answers to me @aayushibangur with the hashtags #Philips #Kerashine #AliaBhatt

The contest* ends on 19th September, Friday! So until then get creative & share your reasons with us. Good luck ladies!

(*The contest is only open to the residents of India.)

Read more »

New Beginnings

Bag- Confidential Couture,Phone- Sony Xperia T3, Dress & Blazer- Zara, Shoes- Steve Madden, Sunglasses- RayBan, Watch- MarcJacobs, Rings & Choker- Forever21

I turned 24 yesterday & every year as I get closer to the day, I tend to look back at the past year & quantify my achievements as well as improvements; as a person, as a friend, as a girlfriend, as a daughter & as a blogger. And somehow I find myself astonished at the fact that despite achieving more than I could have ever imagined, I hardly seem to satisfy my desire for more. It could be a characteristic of the modern age adult & our constant need for novelty but I'd like to believe it's just because I would like to soar higher.

We all tend to sometimes measure our success with materialistic things. It may not always be the right route to take but sometimes, it showcases your prowess like no other. My obsession with designer handbags has been an affair that only keeps growing. Every now & then, I let myself splurge on that one handbag that I have been secretly stalking & not so secretly flooding my Pinterest with! But when it comes to buying them, I am very technical about it. I will make sure that I am getting the best deal possible & because it's already such an expense, I want to make sure I am not shedding even a single extra penny than needed! Which is why when I came across Confidential Couture, I was more than thrilled. For someone like me who has an obsession with handbags and doesn't mind adding to her collection every now & then, this seemed rather perfect. When I first looked at the website, some of the handbags & their corresponding prices looked too good to be true. So I contacted the owners and they very pleasantly informed me that this is a worry they often face & hence they send over the handbags, on the request of the customer for them to examine the piece as meticulously as they'd want before one decide to purchase it!

I requested them to send this Louis Vuitton Alma to me which reached me in less than a week. Packaged perfectly, the bag came with it's original dust bag, guarantee card & was in almost perfect condition! Now the thing is, at Confidential Couture, they sell brand new as well as gently used bags. When taking pieces from sellers, they go through a tedious process of authenticating it by an expert, checking the condition of the bag & hence placing an appropriate price tag on it. So if you've been eyeing that gorgeous Chanel or Dior bag and are still not convinced to shell out the entire cost, this is your ideal option! You are assured of authentication and your identity is completely protected. You could even contact them if you're keen on selling that handbag you got on impulse in the Sale but never actually ended up using it! They will assist you with the process and contact you when they have a buyer for you bag. It's a win win really.

Now let's talk about my outfit. I have been loving white since a few months. If you've been following my blog from the start you know that I am very partial to Black and hence my fancy for everything white has been rather pleasantly appalling! Including my brand new phone which comes in three colours but my choice was pretty obvious!I love white & gold together so I have been accessorizing with gold jewellery and my gold watch which has been quite an eye catchy combination! I stuck to a monochrome theme. This printed dress that I snagged at the Zara sale paired perfectly with my over sized white blazer. The print & the knotted detailing on the dress is what I caught my immediate attention. I can totally picture myself wearing this dress without the blazer for a stroll at a beach! I paired it with my old yet trusted pair of Steve Maddens & the classic RayBan aviators. You really can't go wrong by adding a bit of red to any monochrome outfit which why the Louis Vuitton Alma worked splendidly! I hope you guys enjoyed the blog post. Tell me which handbag you guys are eyeing at the moment in the comments below! Hope you all have a wonderful September.

Read more »

My MakeUp Routine

I know some of you will probably be overwhelmed by the number of products in the picture & the assumption that I use all of them every single day! While I love experimenting with make up, I really don't have the time to do it to the T daily. So when I'm running late, I will just dab on some concealer on the spots that need it, swipe on my favourite mascara, slap some lipstick & I'm off. So this routine that I'm taking you through is the one that I follow when I do have that extra 10 minutes to spare or when I'm obligated to put in some effort. 

Also these are some of my favourite products at the moment so in case you're looking for something new to try, give these a go. Being a makeup geek, I always have an eye out for the newest & best products available in the beauty world. So if you see some brands that are not available in India yet, I have either bagged them while travelling or requested a friend to grab it for me!

Foundation- I prefer using a light weight foundation on a day to day basis. So it's either the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation or the Lancome Miracle Air de Teint foundation. They are both easy to put on and even out my skin perfectly. I use the shade 30 Beige in the Chanel Foundation & 035 in the Miracle Air de Teint foundation. Both these foundations are non-comedogenic which makes them appropriate for regular use. They are both as good, so go for the one in which you find your perfect shade match!

Concealer- I think investing in a good concealer is so essential. My favourite is the MAC Studio Finish concealer. There is nothing this concealer can't hide which is why it can be used over a foundation or even on it's own! Another one that I recently stumbled upon is the Revlon Colourstay concealer which I usually just use under my eyes. I use NC37 in the Studio Finish concealer and 04 Medium in the Colourstay.

Eyebrows- I frankly did not care about my eyebrows until a year ago but now it's an obsession. I use an eyebrow pencil to slightly fill them in and create a fuller shape. My Clinique eye brow pencil in 02 is a go to! I recently also got hold of the coveted Brow Wiz by Anastasia in Brunette & after having used it I completely understand why people are so addicted to it! It's long wearing & I love the spooly that it comes with! If you ever get a chance to try this, don't hesitate because it is worth every penny you'll spend!

Eyeliner- I was a loyalist to the MAC gel liner which still remains an all time favourite. But I ran out of it one fateful day and out of urgency I tried out the Bourjois Intuitive liner which turned out to be the best pen eyeliner I have ever tried! It aids fail proof application & dries matte. And I swear, it helps creating a winged eyeliner so much easier & quicker.

Pencil Liner- For my waterline, I prefer using a brown or grey liner during the day time. It's not as harsh as black and works wonderfully in defining the eyes. I love the Lancome & Revlon liners because they are super pigmented and last through the day.

Mascara- This is my favourite and most important step. I love loading my lashes up with mascara & sometimes I even mix two mascaras to achieve the desired effect. Benefit's They're Real mascara is my current favourite. It lengthens & adds volume! The wand is perfect to coat every single lash without making it look clumpy. It's waterproof so it lasts all day through thick & thin. Lancome mascara's are probably some of the best ones out in the market. The Hypnose Drama and the Hypnose Precious Cells are by far my most used mascaras! If you're trying out a high end mascara for the first time, go for the Hypnose Drama!

Blush- I love pink blushes. The shades vary depending on my mood but this Amazonian clay blush by Tarte in Fearless has been my everyday pick. It creates the most natural glow adding just the right amount of colour to your face. My other favourites have to be Tweak by Illamasqua which is a bright poppy pink, Deep throat by Nars which is a soft shimmery pink blush & Expresso by Nyx which is a gorgeous dusty rose, perfect for Indian skintones.

Bronzer- I switch between this Clinique bronzer and my MAC Matte Bronze bronzer. The Clinique bronzer in Sunkissed has slight shimmer which makes it perfect to use a blush as well. I've spoken about the Matte Bronze by MAC  in this video before. It is perfect for contouring and it photographs brilliantly because it's matte.

Lipstick- I prefer a very natural lip colour for the day. Cosmo, Please Me & Chatterbox by MAC are the kind of shades I tend to go for. I love applying the lipstick and then slightly dabbing it off on a tissue & repeating this step at least 3 times! This makes the lipstick last longer and also makes it appear very natural.

Fix Plus- I don't like using a powder to set my make up on a daily basis. I find it too heavy & hence MAC's Fix plus works perfectly for me! Once I am done with all my steps, I close my eyes and do 3 spritz all over my face. Leaving it to dry for 10 seconds, sets up make up and makes it looks fantastic! Fix plus is a really great product. You can use it to refresh your make up at any point of the day & I even use to intensify my eye shadows sometimes. It seems like an unnecessary product but trust me, once you start using it, there is no going back.

These steps may seem taxing and complicated but it literally takes me less than 10 minutes to go through them. I skip some steps on certain days depending on the amount of time I have. But if you're a beginner, I'd suggest getting a good concealer, a great mascara & a lipstick in a shade you love! You could use the tip of the mascara to slightly line your waterline and double up the lipstick as a blush. Let me know which products you love to use on a daily basis! Also, do comment below if you'd like me to do a post on the make up products I use on the days when I'm shooting.

Read more »

#SportySexyGlam by Michael Kors

Being your own boss has it's own pros & cons. When on certain days, I can take the day off and do what I want, on other days I cannot even think of sitting still! On such hectic days I do need a pick me up every now and then to keep me going. Perfumes illustrate luxury in the most minuscule way. They make you feel pampered, confident and brand new with just one spritz! For me it’s an instant pick me up at any given point of the day. Unlike what most think, being a fashion blogger is not just about looking good; that is in fact just an added pressure, something we are constantly expected to be! But looking good is not just about your clothes, it has to come from within. Confidence & allure are elements that make an outfit look perfect!

When I have a hectic day ahead of me brimming with activities that require me to play different roles, I take aid from my perfumes to help me transform swiftly. Michael Kors’ new fragrance collection features three stunning scents: Sporty, Sexy & Glam which perfectly encompasses the multi-faceted qualities of a modern woman! Effortlessly capturing a mood, rather than a trend, the scents are at once timeless and evocative of urban women. The stunning, minimalistic bottles compliment the notion just as well.

Perfume- Sporty Citrus by Michael Kors, Bag- Michael Kors, Jacket- Zara, Maxi- New Look, Cropped top- Forever21, Sunglasses- Zara

This first look is what I wore to an important client meeting. Now, early morning meetings are always hard to accomplish but I was determined to make it because I frankly couldn’t afford to mess this one up! My outfit was inspired by the Sporty Citrus scent by Michael Kors, which is a clean & bright perfume with dazzling bursts of citrus depicting an active, effortless everyday style! I started with a simple black maxi skirt and threw on a white cropped top. Now for a regular day, this would have been fine but because I was heading to a meeting, I decided to throw on this hot pink scuba moto jacket! I went for no jewellery except a pair of sunglasses and a structured tan bag. Stylish yet comfy, the outfit portrayed the easy going and fresh frame of mind that this unique scent put me in.

Perfume- Glam Jasmine by Michael Kors, Bag- Michael Kors, Skirt- Asos (similar),Shirt- Zara, Shoes- Asos, Necklace- Zara, Shot at- ISDI

Next, I was required to be present at an event which compelled me to put my fashion foot forward. For this, I chose Michael Kors' Glam Jasmine fragrance which is a feminine scent with a bouquet of lush jasmine and creamy wood and is bound to turn heads! I went for an overtly feminine scarlet midi skirt which I then toned down with a stripped white and navy blouse knotted at the waist & this striking bag! For accessories, I stuck to a simple gold watch and a pearl choker. The white sunglasses elevated the feminine, retro feel I was going for! When I am heading for events, I make sure that my perfume is just right because you’re going to be hugging almost everyone you see and smelling good is vital! A tip, spray some perfume at the nape of your neck so that when someone embraces you, they are instantly encircled by your scent!

Perfume- Sexy Amber by Michael Kors, Clutch- Michael Kors, Jumpsuit- River Island, Lace insert- Pull&Bear, Shoes- Zara, Cuffs- Aldo, Chokers- Asos, Shot at- ISDI

The last occasion I was headed to, was a dinner date with my beau. Most looked forward to, this required me to rest the fashion frenzy in my head and go for a clean, sexy outfit.  This look was inspired by the Sexy Amber scent from Michael Kors, which is a warm fragrance of amber and sandalwood layered with white flowers for a seductive effect. I already had hints of the Citrus and Jasmine lingering on me but the Amber scent complimented them so well, creating a more personalized aroma. This was a coincidence but don't be afraid to layer your perfumes! Just make sure you layer complimentary notes or just combinations that work splendidly in unison.When I think of a date night look, black is my instant go to! This black jumpsuit with subtle lace details was an easy pick. I amped it up with a red lip, gold cuffs & added a snake print clutch to break the monotony of plains. I really just had a few minutes before he was here to pick me up, so I just took down that high pony tail and brushed my hair out to create easy, voluminous, loose curls! I threw in some essentials along with this tiny perfume bottle into my clutch and it all fit flawlessly.

I hope you’re eager to go in and give these stunning scents a quick sniff when you’re around a Michael Kors store next! Follow my Instagram account because there is something super exciting lined up for you! And do comment below and tell me whether your personal style is Sporty, Sexy or Glam! 
Also, thank you so much to Indian School of Design & Innovation to let us shoot some of these images in their spanking new indoor campus! You can find them on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram! 

Read more »