Salt and Pepper

You know the feeling when you wake up with the sound of rains? Yeah.. that same amazing feeling is what I am talking about.
It was fantastic this morning. Lately, Phoenix is surprising me. It’s so beautiful when it rains here. The past 10 days have been wonderful. And it rains when I least expect it to!

Usually, it’s sunny in the morning, and then by evening when it’s time to leave for home, it starts to rain. How incredible is that! Well, that is how it should always be! Perfect romantic evenings.
Today was one such perfect morning. And I love having coffee when it rains (or even when it does not rain).. and today was no different!
Happy Monsoon :-)

Well, enough of weather news.. let’s come to the outfit part. Lately, I have been mixing a lot of prints.

Check the below pictures - how I mixed prints before (click on the link below for complete posts).

 1 / 2 / 3

For today's outfit - I wore scribble print pants and a polka blouse. The more you experiment, the more you get good at it. Trust me, it works!
Well, what do you think of this outfit?

Remix –
See how I wore pieces from this outfit before -

Pants / Blouse

Cheers!
Ritika

Linking this post to the IFB Project #107: Printed Matters

Top: Forever 21
Pants: Loft
Shoes: Payless (similar)
Watch: Invicta

Nerd Chic

As described in Wikipedia, a nerd is a person, typically described as being overly intellectual, obsessive, or socially impaired. I was never a nerd in my growing years, not even when I was a student or when I started working. I have always been a very outgoing person.
I can strike a conversation with a complete stranger with complete ease. Though I don’t do it all the time (obviously), I am just saying that being conservative was never really my style.. I was very liberal..

And for this, I would like to give all the due credit to my mother. I still remember how my Mom always taught me to be very open and frank with my thoughts. Even when I was in school, she used to encourage me to talk to new joiners in the class, help others with studies, be a volunteer for various activities etc. For obvious reasons, I used to be teachers’ favorite!
Well, over the period of time, this habit has developed in me, and again, all thanks to my mother, I make friends very easily!

Anyhow, for today’s post I thought of dressing up like a nerd ~ in a good way! These reader glasses complete the look perfectly. The red lips add that extra oomph to the otherwise not so special outfit.
Need I say it's a perfect work wear outfit?
P.S. Love these Forever 21 shoes (wore here before), however they are not very comfortable. Hence I wear them specially when I know I would not be doing a lot of walking – and today was one such day!

Cheers!
Ritika

Tank Top: Ann Taylor | Linen Pants: Tommy Hilfiger | Shoes: Forever 21 | Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters | Watch: Fossil

Tango with me

For  a long time, I had a love and hate relationship with cropped tops. I loved them on models, other bloggers etc. and hated them on myself. So it was more of a hate relationship from my end!
I never wore a cropped top in my life (till today)! And when I sat and thought about it, I came up with the following reasons for my hatred towards the cropped tops –

1. They suit teenage girls more than women with curves. And I have got curves. <Hence, cropped tops is a bad idea..>
2. My upper body is heavier than bottom. <See - cropped tops is a bad..bad idea..>
3. I do not have those super-toned, super-flat abs which makes the situation worse. <I already told you - cropped tops is a bad idea..>
4. It just will not suit me.. I am just not made for it. <How many times do I have to say that cropped tops is a bad idea..??>

- Well, truth be told, we all do that. We all have these preconceived notions about some or the other thing in our life (and sometimes, people). We tend to reject it by saying it’s not good enough, or its not made for me etc. even before trying!

Like my husband dislikes the idea of eating at a new place. According to him, one should not experiment with food! Eat only where you have eaten before! However, my opinion is completely opposite! I love going to new places and trying different kinds of cuisines. Hence I keep dragging him all the time to new eateries. And it always turns out good (okay fine – most of the times). We just have to give it a try!

So anyways, back to our cropped tops… I bought this orange top back in September last year from the clearance section of Forever 21 (obviously I didn't think much before buying it). And since then, it was sitting in my closet waiting for its turn to come out in the sun! And yesterday, just like that, I was in the mood of wearing something I have never tried before – something different from my usual style! I picked this top and keeping it the center piece, I styled the rest of the outfit.
- That’s the story of this cute little outfit. And I love how it turned out.

Confession – Sadly after these pictures were taken, I suffered with a wardrobe malfunction. It so happened that I was in the dressing room trying a skirt in a store and these pants got stuck in the wooden hanger on the wall. Since I did not know they were stuck in the hanger, I simply pulled the pants from the hanger in a quick motion and there you go – before I knew it, there was a big tear and my favorite pants were ruined! Just like that! The damage was irreparable, hence, I bought a skirt from the same store, put it on and discarded these pants..
<Sob.. sob.. they were my favorite..> I have already bid adieu to these pants. You are free to do so too!

Cheers!
Ritika

Cropped top: Forever 21 (similar here and here) | Pants: Forever 21 | Shoes: Sole Society (now available in brown) | Necklace: Janpath, New Delhi (exactly same) | Sunglasses: Aldo | Watch: Michael Kors | Clutch: Gifted by MIL

Extremely Wide

I simply couldn’t help! I had to buy these babies, they were alluring me! ASOS does a very good job in making 'one of a kind' fabulous stuff, I am happily hooked to that website lately!
I know, many of you would have guessed by now what this post is going to be about! Okay, so here is my version of my favorite wide legged pants. The color is so rich and the fabric is so smooth and comfortable, that I couldn't stop touching and feeling it the moment it came in the mail! These pants look more beautiful in person (than pictures) and I feel awesome wearing them. The day I wore it and went out, 3 different strangers complimented me! And let me tell you – one of them was a handsome gentleman (you see, not only women but men notice too)!!
Well anyways, my husband was not that fond of this outfit, but like a strong woman, I chose to love wear it anyway, and head out! And I am proud I did (anyways, what does he know about fashion!!) LOL..!!
Here are the pictures -

Cheers!

Ritika

Shirt: Old Navy (old) (similar here)
Pants: ASOS
Shoes: Nine West (similar here and here)
Sunglasses: Oakley (similar here)
Watch: Michael Kors

This post is linked to Small Town Big Wardrobe

Over-sized

Typical summers have started here. Spring came and went in a blink of eye! It's Phoenix people! The summers are so dry and hot here, that the temperature usually rises up to 50 degrees Celsius (above 120 degrees Fahrenheit)!

This also means it's time for skirts to come out and re-appear after their (short) hibernation period. It's such an irony that few states in U.S. are still experiencing snow and I am already wearing mini's here!
Anyhow, before I go all crazy with skirts and shorts, I want to soak up all the pants and jeans I can. Because, when it gets hot here, you can barely think of wearing full-legged bottoms.

These pictures were taken today! And before I pack all my sweatshirts and jackets for next winters, I wanted to wear this lovely yellow sweatshirt which was a thrift find. It's a bit over-sized and that is what makes it more special to me.
I paired it with a good fitting pair of cropped trousers and accessorized it with a pop-colored necklace and a chunky watch. I am really digging the color yellow these days. Check out my previous post for more splash of yellow!
Hope you all enjoyed your weekend and are ready to fight the Monday-blues again!

Cheers
Ritika

Sweatshirt: Thrifted (The Arc of Tempe Thrift Shop)
Pants: Loft
Shoes: Nine West (similar here and here)
Watch: Michael Kors
Necklace: Lux Accessories (similar here and here)
Sunglasses: American Eagle

Note -This post is an entry to this IFB Project.

Choose your Khaki Pants

History - Sir Harry Lumsden is widely credited with giving us what we now consider the khaki pant.  In 1846 he was commanding a British Army troop of Indian recruits, and according to legend, ordered their white trousers dyed to better blend with the local terrain.  Mazari, a native plant was used to achieve the color called  khaki, also the Hindu word for “dust”.
After World War II, their good looks brought them, as surplus, to widespread civilian use and manufacture. Today there are hundreds, if not thousands, of varieties of khakis, from pajama-like drawstring jobs to your aforementioned Capitoline pleated, permanent-press “dorkers.”

Length - Length, and whether to roll-up cuffs or not is all personal preference. But here is my take - if your khaki's are too long take them to a tailor.  Just be specific about what you want though, or you may end up with a creepy little jean hem on your khakis.  Go for a deep fold-over hem, or just cut ‘em off and let them fray naturally, if that’s how you like.
And if you’re vertically challenged or just have shorter legs, beware of rolling your khakis too high– it will only draw attention towards your short legs.

Cut - I suggest - avoid pleats. To up your game with khakis you’ll need to focus on fit. Straight-leg varieties are the most conventional and comfortable, while slim-cut versions, with a slightly low rise, are the most modern. Both types should skim your hips, and the fly should sit naturally.”
I like a cleaner fit, but don’t want to look like I’m wearing leggings. Again, personal preference and body type is the key, so go with what looks and feels the best.

Fabric - 100% cotton. No nylon, lycra, or rayon please. In general, try to avoid anything and everything that says– Stretch or Easy Care. Cotton twills are great year-round and lighter weight poplins are perfect for spring and summer.

Cuffs -  The Duke of Windsor popularized the look by turning-up the bottoms of his khakis (called turn-ups, across the pond)– that’s how cuffed bottoms came into popularity.  And surely you’ve noticed that formal trousers and tuxedo bottoms are never cuffed– considered a faux pas, too casual and completely unacceptable.

Where To Wear - Client Meeting, Gallery Opening, Dinner Party, Wine Tasting, Job Interview, First Date and so on..

I’m a lover of Khakis. The Khakis I own are soft, with a luxurious fabric and an easy stretch. Paired them with printed button down and neutral heels here, polished the look with an elegant stand-out bag and red lips.
Are you all set to roll in khakis?

Cheers

Ritika

Printed Shirt: Burlington Coat Factory

Khaki Pants: Gap (similar)
Scarf: Papaya (similar here and here)
Belt: Gap (similar)
Watch: Michael Kors

Shoes: Payless (similar)

Bag: Forever 21(similar)

Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters
On my lips: A Million Kisses Lip Tint by Lush

Drama in real life

Here I am, after a long while, sharing a thought which does not agree to leave my mind these days.
To begin with, I am a true Indian at heart. I respect elders, love younger, want to help anyone I can, stay closely connected with my parents and in-laws all the time (distance is not a barrier). Thankfully, these values were intrigued in me during my childhood and I give all the due credit to my parents for it. I was scolded, praised, counselled and even slapped as and when needed. This transformed me in to an understanding child and certainly not a demanding or attention seeking rebellious teenager!

They shaped me so well that I turned to be a very friendly and down to earth person. And truly speaking, I really respect those who are down to earth too. I seriously can't stand people who judge others by their status in the society or by the luxuries of life.

Lately, I have come in contact with such few people who feel extremely proud just because they earn too well.. or they did not have to struggle for anything in life, or just because their parents have a say in the society!
Just because you earn well or you have a big car, a super big house or a well-off family background doesn't make you a good person! You can become good only if your words are pleasant, your deeds are good, and your thoughts are wise.
I do not understand the logic behind it. What is that attitude and pride all about? What have 'YOU' done to earn 'respect'? If the answer is 'nothing', then my dear friend, you need to wake up! Wake up from the deep sleep you are in and start doing something about it!

Parents play a very important role in everyone's life. They can also be held responsible (for some extent) for such rude behavior of their children. It would not be completely wrong if I say there are such parents who do not care much about what their child is shaping in to!

Anyhow, on a personal level, I try to ignore such people and not pay much attention, but how much can you avoid? I know, sometimes, Patience is the key!

Well, that comprises most of my state of mind right now. You are allowed to please enjoy the pictures and share your thoughts now!
Thank you :)

Cheers!
Ritika

Blouse: Forever 21
Wide-legged pants: Ginger
Overcoat: Forever 21
Scarf: Forever 21
Bag: Zara
Shoes: Naturalizer from Bata
Watch: Fossil
Sunglasses: Aldo