Red and White

I have a good news to share with you all today! I recently got promoted as a Team Manager.. Yiiikkess!! I know.. thankyou!  And that kept me occupied for this whole week, now that the initial dust has settled, I could take some time out of my "team managing schedule" and have a chit-chat with you all!

As much as I enjoy looking at these pictures (below), we were loaded with lots of snow again! I think I am done with all of it! I am in dire need of bringing my skirts back in sun! Last weekend, the weather mellowed down a little and hence I pulled out one of the skirts lying there in dust (in my closet) and put it on!

We (Moi and husband) went city surfing (since we are new to the city!) and man we loved the metro rides, the downtown restaurants and shopping malls!! There is so much to do.. wowww..

We are still figuring out places here and we love being tourists in our own city. Can't wait enough for Spring to see how the city looks with all the leaves and greenery back in place!

Are you all excited for Spring?? I know I am :)

P.S. My Indian readers/friends are already enjoying the Spring season! Love you all..

Cheers!!
Ritika..

Outfit Details:
Over-sized Sweater: Zara (similar) | Denim Skirt: Tommy Hilfiger (similar) | Jacket: Old Navy | Socks: Target | Shoes: Puma | Sunglasses: Ray Ban | Watch: Fossil

White in my City

Can I say that I am more creative in pairing summer outfits (than winter outfits)... since I am from Northern India (New Delhi to be precise), where summers last up to 9 months, and hence my tolerance level for humidity is quite high! No wonder I managed to happily survive in Phoenix, Arizona for more than a year..
Anyways, so back to fashion – What I am saying is that sometimes I feel short of ideas while dressing up 'these days' (specially for work) since I have to get my creative juices flowing while also making sure that whatever outfit I come up with, should be new, keeps me warm and helps me avoid shivering. (Trust me, it’s a huge challenge in this girl’s life..!!)
Hence, I have come up with two formulas! (math always works, you know!) So these days my go-to dressing includes –

1. A camisole + a warm turtleneck top + Skinny Jeans + a vest + a warm over-sized long coat
2. A basic (thin) button down or a collared t-shirt + an over-sized superbly warm sweater + Skinny Jeans + a puffer jacket

| Plus |

a scarf, leather gloves and snow-proof comfortable boots/shoes! Oh, not to forget I also like to add a chunky watch and a quirky slash neutral bag (depending on the outfit), and there you go! I am ready to be taken anywhere..!! (mind you – all this dressing takes less than 6 minutes)!!

Just like that - it's so simple. Also please note that this formula works for the casual day outfits only! It obviously does not includes dresses or skirts or shorts (since I am giving them a rest till spring!!)..
So I follow these two formulas and my winter layering never goes wrong. I don’t shiver, I don’t feel cold and I don’t jump around like a goofball wanting to run indoors.. (a girl gotta have her gears on, you see!)
On that note, I think it’s safe to say that I am officially obsessed with over-sized chunky sweaters 'these days' (remember I am a summer person..?). They feel so cozy, and so warm, I feel helpless not wearing them over and over again! Do you also have a certain piece (or style) of garment that you are obsessed with? (tell me..tell me..)
Also when I say layering is the key, you have to think creatively! Nobody wants to wear the same old boring stuff.
My advice - Pastels look so, so good in winters too! Include different colors and textures in your outfit. Wear white (like me here).
For instance a leather vest (like this) or a denim vest (like this) looks cool with a wool blended coat! Want to take a bolder route? Opt for sequins (like this one) and color-blocked coats (love this one)!
Tell me everything you have to say.. Or we can always connect on my Facebook page.

These pictures were taken on a cloudy day right after a heavy snowfall. I love how they came out! I must say - GM does an amazing job at playing the role of a fashion blogger's husband/photographer! Thank you and love you hubbs!!!!

Cheers!
Ritika..

Sweater: Zara | Jeans: Levi's | Jacket: Thrifted (similar) | Sunglasses: Aldo | Watch: Fossil | Belt: India (similar)| Bag: Anne Klein (similar) (like this one too)

White Valentine

Disclaimer: Picture heavy post

It was quite a relaxing Valentine for us this year. Like every time we went out for a dinner and a long walk after that.. However, this time the outside temperature wasn't much in our favor, but who cares! We still went for a (short) walk by the Waterfront in our city and came back home feeling all refreshed and cool!
This has to be my first Valentine when the background was all white (covered in snow), and the temperature was freezing! Anyways, it was a relaxing weekend after that, since we managed to watch a movie (after soooo long) and shop a little.

Coming to the outfit, I wanted to dress up a little for our special dinner night, hence I played up with an over-sized color-block sweater and my favorite geo printed mini-skirt. Of course you gotta add winter leggings to stay warm in such weather!
The red coat in these pictures is another one of my favorites! It matched perfectly with the black, red and white colors in the outfit.
I also added a chunky watch and black leather boots (which are a must these days).
P.S. I don’t remember when was the last time I wore my open toed sandals..!! Ha! I miss'em. But I am hopeful for spring..

You are welcome to enjoy a few candid shots from the night and thanks to my lovely sister-in-law for taking a couple of pictures!

Cheers!
Ritika..

Peacoat: Guess (similar) | Sweater: American Apparel | Skirt: Forever 21 (similar) | Leggings: Loft | Shoes: Cole Haan | Watch: Michael Kors | Earrings: Forever 21

Jewel Tones for Valentine's

I would never understand the logic behind wearing pink and red on Valentine’s Day.. I mean there are other equally beautiful colors too, which one could create wonderful outfits with, then why only stick with mainly these two colors?
Also, I am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day, however, I don’t mind dressing up (a little more fancy) that evening and going out for a romantic celebration (why leave a chance of any kind of celebration, right?)!

The pictures in today’s post were definitely not taken on a Valentine’s Day (obviously since Valentine’s is tomorrow).. We shot these pictures on a very chilly afternoon while we were out furniture shopping for our house. Since the days are so cold and gray, I like to dress up in jewel toned pieces these days. I have added lots of colors in this outfit along with neutrals. The gray coat and sneakers are helping putting the whole outfit together. The orange, the green, and the navy colors in the outfit are popping out more thanks to the gray (coat, sneakers) and navy (jeans) base.
Wearing stilettos seems like a dream these days (unless my schedule includes being indoors all the time, which is rare), hence I am gravitating more towards sneakers.
If you ask me what is the favorite part of this outfit, I would have to say my green shawl, which was a gift from my mother-in-law. I love how warm, huge and cozy it is.. 

Are you getting what I am saying here? Try experimenting with jewel tones for your Valentines outfit this year… think amethyst purple, magenta or cobalt blue etc. Your date will not be able to take his eyes off you!

P.S. The tiny white dots you see in the pictures are snow flakes. It started to snow and we had to jump under a roof to get the outfit pictures! Typically, we were just chilling!!  :-)

Cheers!
Ritika..

Outfit Details:
Coat: Guess (similar) | Sweater: Old Navy (similar) | Denim Shirt: Levi's | Shawl: Gifted by MIL | Watch: Invicta Wildflower | Jeans: Lucky Brand | Shoes: Puma | Bag: Anne Klein (similar)

Colorful Layering

I have never been one to dress like an onion – with layers and layers of clothing. However, things have changed now. Whether I like it or not, I have to put on 3 to 4 layers of clothing before stepping out these days.
I complained, I whined, I disliked it for a few days initially, but to my own surprise, I have started liking it now! Oh, yes, when you don’t have a choice, that’s what you should do - start liking it – and the world will be a much better place! (Go with the wind, folks!)
Since, we have settled down a bit in this new city, I like to spend my evenings in my new kitchen – baking or cooking varieties!
Not that you care, but these are by-far the coldest winters I have ever experienced, and I am actually enjoying the snow, the freezing, the overcoats and lots of warm beverages!

Anyways, that’s all on my mind today.. I am trying to wear more and more color these days, since the days are so gray and I am the owner of such a colorful blog (wink!! wink!!), I feel it is my moral responsibility to add some color in to my surroundings! (ha.. ha..)
So if you are fighting hard with winters like me, layering is the best option to go for! Who knows you may start liking it too :-)

These pictures are recent and were taken on a super cold evening, (which is kind-a regular thing now for me).. I MISS PHOENIX SUN.. ahh.. those were the sunny days..

Happy Winters!!
Ritika..

Outfit Details:
Turtle-neck Sweater: Zara | Denim Moto-Vest: Forever 21 |Military-style Coat: Zara | Jeans: Gap | Shoes: Woodland | Bag: Sole Society | Leather Gloves: Wilsons Leather | Belt: Gap

5 Tips for Great Hair

I often get asked how I manage to have such nice and thick hair. I thank all my friends and family who compliment me wholeheartedly (all the time). Today I am sharing my favorite 5 tips for good hair. I have tried and tested a lot of shampoos, oils, serums, masks etc. and this is what I have come up with – “Our hair need inner strength (just like our body)”. Think of it this way - 'It does not matter how expensive your facial creams are, if your skin does not have a natural glow to itself.'
So today, I am sharing my personal favorite 5 tips for great hair with you all...

Exercise and eat a lot of protein.
Before you think I am crazy, who keeps on talking about fitness, let me explain. Everything starts and ends with nutrition and exercise in my life. If you are not healthy internally, how can you think any amount of hair oil or shampoo will impact the quality and growth of your hair. Hair products are just external. They have no role in making your hair stronger from the roots. For that you need to make sure, your hair gets plenty of moisture and protein from your diet. So drink lots and lots of water, eat healthy home-made food, include lots of vegetables in your diet and don't forget to keep a good check on your protein intake!

Keep them dandruff free
Then comes the cleanliness part. Now, do you suffer from occasional breakouts on your cheeks or forehead? If the answer is yes, you may be suffering from dandruff! Each one of us suffer from dandruff every now and then, since our scalp keeps shedding its skin in the form of dandruff (Did you know that?) So whether you have oily or dry hair, you may have dandruff (and you may not even know about it)! The solution is to wash your hair with a good medicated anti-dandruff shampoo once every 10 days. Also due to dandruff, the roots of your hair may not be able to breathe fresh air, which causes hair fall and breakage. Keep your hair clean (like, all the time). Enough said.

Moisturize them well
Once we have taken care of the health of our hair and roots, we can now switch up one level and think of moisturizing them externally. There are various types of oils available in the market these days. Though my favorite is coconut oil. I have been using it since my childhood days and my mother swears by it! Warm oil massage really helps in stimulating blood-circulation. A good head massage also calms the mind.

Wash it with a good shampoo
Each one of us are blessed with different kind of hair. Some have oily, some have combination, some have thick and frizzy (like me) and some have those gorgeous natural curls! Hence, all of us should look for different requirements from a shampoo. One may not suit all. Try to find a shampoo that suits your hair type and matches your needs. Make sure to use a shampoo with natural ingredients, since harmful chemicals destroy the natural oils of your hair. Don't just go ahead and buy a shampoo simply because it works best for your friend or sister! Read the label, make sure it does not consist any harmful chemicals and it's made for your hair type.

Too much of anything is bad + Trim them too
Don’t wash your hair too frequently. Over shampooing not only washes dirt but also washes the natural oils from your hair. It makes them dry and brittle too (and we don't want that, right?). Unless you have very, very oily hair, washing them everyday is a bad idea. Also, do not oil your hair too much (or too often), it attracts dirt. Similarly, do not use too much of hair conditioner, it weighs them down.
Last but not the least, do not forget the importance of a regular trim! You must get rid of those ugly-looking, hair-spoiling split-ends!

So these are my five hair rules. Follow 'em to believe 'em!
Also, tell me about your hair secrets too, I am always eager to add more to my list!

Cheers!
Ritika

Read full posts of these pictures here - Picture 1 / Picture 2 / Picture 3 / Picture 4 / Picture 5 / Picture 6