What's In My Go-To Bag | Things That Take Me Through The Day

Friday, 25 May 2018

Hey lovelies!

It's been almost 7 years of blogging, but I have never done a What's In My Bag ever. So, recently when I did a poll on Instagram about what would everyone like to read next on the blog, they wanted to know about my everyday essentials, so I decided to do one.

While I am not working full time these days, the essential items that I keep in my bag haven't changed much. If you have noticed my previous outfit posts, you would have seen that I prefer to carry bigger bags or tote bags as I always keep a lot of things with me, especially if I know I am going to stay out for long hours.


So, I emptied my bag (which I carried to an event recently) and here's everything that is really and truly in my bag :


My Go-To Bag : Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 - I picked this bag last year as my first luxury purchase and it has been my BFF ever since. I mean what's not to love about this bag? It's super spacious, easy to carry and goes well with everything in my wardrobe.

Wallet : Trussardi Jeans - So, my husband picked this elegant wallet from Portugal recently and it easily fits into most of my small bags as well. It comes with a handy money pouch that can be carried separately as well; and has multiple slots to keep my cards handy.

Business Cards and Holder : So, I received this business card holder as a gift few years back and I designed my business card myself. I carry them every time in my bag, as when you are blogging full-time, you may end up meeting prospective brands who would want to work with you anywhere.

House Keys and Pen Drive : So, the bow shaped key chain from H&M doubles up as a key holder and bag charm and I think it's really cute. The heel-shaped pen drive was actually a gift from Steve Madden a few years ago and can also double up as a bag charm.


Sunglasses : Now, you might be wondering why I keep two pairs of sunglasses in my bag. Well, the printed sunnies are from Lefties - again a gift from my husband, and I keep them handy in my bag all the time. While the rose gold sunnies are from GUESS and were a gift from my brother, I had kept them in bag for the event and I wear them only occasionally.

Makeup Pouch : This glitter makeup pouch was actually a part of a holiday collection set that I bought from Lancome two years back and comes in handy to store my makeup properly.

Lipsticks : Being a lipstick addict, I always have two or more lipsticks in my bag. Especially on days when I have to go for a party or an event after work; as a different lipstick can instantly change your look even if you don't change your outfit.

MAC Mehr - This shade from MAC is so far the most versatile color I have seen. It not only goes well with any outfit I wear, but is also perfect for day and night.
MAC Night to Remember - I always have a red lipstick in my bag, and this one is a stunning red with a luminous finish and lasts for 5-6 hours easily.
NYX Soft Matte lip cream - This time in my bag I had the lip cream in Prague which is a bright pink that works well on Indian skin tones.


Lip Balm : Now I don't suffer from chapped lips, but I still like to keep a lip balm as when a matte lipstick starts wearing out, a coat of lip balm can help you go for couple of more hours

Eye Liner : Not one of my favorite eye liners, but I guess I had this Nykaa eye liner in my bag that day as I couldn't find my regular MAC eye pencil. Nothing bad about this liner, but I just find its applicator uncomfortable to use.

Kajal : I picked the VLCC Enchanting eyes Kajal recently after being off-kajal for weeks due to an infection a previous Kajal I used caused. This not only suits my eyes without causing any dryness, but also is super black and lasts for hours long.

Mascara : So, apart from lipsticks I am a mascara fan and I have a lot of mascaras. This time I had in my bag an Oriflame super volume mascara and a MAC 3D Black lash mascara (travel size).



Blush : I always keep The Body Shop Honey Bronze highlighter that I use as a blush every time I feel like adding a little color to my cheeks - it is easy to use and travel friendly.

Mini Perfume : Part of a Victoria's Secret Tease set I bought from Singapore, this mini perfume fits perfectly in any small bag as well and has an enticing floral fragrance with a blend of black vanilla, frozen pear and blooming gardenia.

MAC Prep + Prime : It actually works like a balm or a base for a lipstick by instantly adding moisture and smoothing the lips.

MAC Blot Film : I also keep a pack of blotting papers in my bag as I have a combination skin, and this thin film helps remove traces of oil or shine without smudging the makeup. 


Compact Foundation : Revlon Photoready compact is something that comes in handy when you don't have a foundation or want a light, flawless base for your everyday makeup. Also, it can be used with a wet sponge for a higher coverage.

Makeup Palette : I usually carry this or a different makeup kit with me if I am having a long day out or have to attend an event directly after work or a meeting. This palette from NYX has literally everything you might need for a quick makeup - eye shadows, contouring shades and brow powders.

Mini Brush : This Elizabeth Arden blush brush was a part of a Set of 2 and comes in really handy to apply makeup on the go.


Body Mist : You can never go wrong with the ZARA Orange Blossom & Sandalwood which has a mild yet amazing fragrance and has a travel-friendly packaging.

Perfume : Again, I don't carry this perfume everyday but when I am going out for blog shoots or events. GUESS 1981 is one of my latest picks and has a soothing woody musky base with floral and fruity notes that are perfect for a dressy day.

So, yes, this is an extensive list of products in my bag and often my friends say that I always have something or other in my bag that they need when we are out together. But well, one's always got to be prepared, right?

Do you love reading these kind of posts? Let me know in Comments below, if you want me to share more about my makeup and beauty routine.
Love
Nitika
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OOTD - The Go-To Summer Dress | Denim Love

Monday, 21 May 2018

Hey everyone!
The summer is at its peak here in Mumbai, and every time I have to step out of the home, I can think of nothing but wearing a casual breezy dress that is comfortable and easy to style.

And my go-to pick this season have been denim dresses that are not only available in various flattering shapes but are also totally in trend. While I have a few denim dresses in styles like off-shoulder, halter-neck; I am totally in love with this cute skater dress from Cover Story that works as an off-duty staple and matches with literally everything from my wardrobe. 


 While the dress is simple and elegant, it's bell sleeves make it a total stunner. And as I am wearing my chooda (bangles) for a few months, I decided to keep the rest of the accessories minimal with just a moon-shaped pendant from Accessorize and ankle-strap wedges from Nine West. 



While I wore my denim dress with a pair of wedges, you can totally rock it with a pair of sneakers or tie-up sandals for a cool summer look.


Dress : Cover Story
Heels : Nine West
Bag : Desi Drama Queen
Neckpiece : Accessorize
Earrings : Pipa Bella 

Location : Flyp@MTV, Kamala Mills
If you are also looking at picking a denim dress for your summer wardrobe, check out brands like ZARA, H&M, Forever 21 and Vero Moda apart from Cover Story. Let me know what's your favourite summer trend in comments below!
Love
Nitika
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7 Stores in Delhi to Explore for Budget Trousseau Shopping | #TSDBridalDiary

Thursday, 17 May 2018

Hey everyone!
Earlier when I used to hear from my friends that bridal shopping has taken a toll upon them, I used to wonder how could shopping be ever so difficult? After all I have been shopping almost entire my life and love every part of it.

But when I had to complete my trousseau shopping within a month, I understood all the pain that goes into buying all the clothes, accessories and jewellery that you would be needing for your wedding functions as well as those family lunches and dinners immediately after the wedding. 


That's why here I am listing seven stores that I explored in Delhi for all my bridal trousseau needs, without breaking the bank (and trust me, I completed my shopping within two weeks as I had prepared a list of exactly what I wanted and which stores to visit) : 
  • Meena Bazaar : I have been visiting Meena Bazaar (both the chains) since more than 5-6 years now, especially every time I needed to buy ethnic wear for a family function or wedding.
Infact, more than half of my ethnic wardrobe is from Meena Bazaar (I shopped a lot from their store in GIP, Noida and Ansal Plaza, Ludhiana). Therefore, when it came to my own trousseau shopping, I knew I could trust them once again as they offer beautiful designs in sarees and suits (anarkalis or salwar suits) which start from prices as low as Rs 2000.


If you are looking for heavy suits for the family functions post wedding, you should definitely visit them for trendy cape anarkalis, palazzo suits and sharara suits.
  • Nalli : I don't wear sarees usually, but my mom thought that I definitely needed a couple of classy silk sarees for formal occasions post wedding. 

So, without a doubt in my mind, I took her to Nalli Sarees in South Ex where not only she picked a couple of sarees for herself but also a dozen of them as gifts for our family and friends. 
Not only you would find the most beautiful and trendy silk sarees at Nalli, but also amazing fabrics that you can get designed as per your mood. 
  • Aza Fashions : The multi-designer online portal also has a store in South Ex and if you're lucky, you will find a lot of designer apparel on sale here. 
While I didn't find anything suitable for my trousseau during my visit, I did love the collection of gowns and lehengas they had which you can pick for your pre-wedding functions like mehendi and sangeet. 
  • Soni Sapphire : While I wore real jewellery for my rota and engagement functions, I didn't want to invest in heavy gold jewellery for the wedding functions as I knew I won't be able to wear them later.

So, I ended up visiting Soni Sapphire in Lajpat Nagar and picked the entire bridal jewellery in that not only completed my D-day look but also wasn't heavy on the pocket. You can also find semi-precious sets and costume jewellery for your pre-wedding functions. 
  • W for Woman : I didn't invest money in a lot of heavy outfits as I know I will wear them only a few times. Instead, I picked casual Kurtis and palazzos from W for Woman, which are perfect for work as well as for casual outings with your family or friends. 
  • La Senza : Now I know La Senza is not a budget brand, but, if you follow their Facebook page - they regularly update their mid-season and season-end sale.
If you stay updated with their sale period, you can end up picking lingerie for as low as Rs 900 from their beautiful range that includes bikinis, bras, baby dolls and even cute pyjamas. 
  • Nykaa : If online shopping is not your thing and you are looking at visiting one store to complete your vanity kit, I would recommend visiting the Nykaa store so that you can try all the cosmetics that you want in person and pick up the best offers.
Pic c/o : Hauterfly
I mostly do my cosmetics shopping at Nykaa or Sephora and have shared the summer skincare products I am currently using in this post too.

Apart from these stores, you can also visit the following stores for your trousseau needs :
  • Glittire by Sakshi Verma - Not only I got my roka and mehendi outfit designed from her, she also customised two beautiful dresses for my trousseau in the budget that I had. Her boutique is located in Shivalik, Delhi.
Not recommending this designer anymore, as not only I received a faulty dress from her that bled even before I had a chance to wear it - but also she refused to take a responsibility for the same - and I don't appreciate brands or designers who try to cheat customers by giving them faulty fabrics. 
  • Bata - I have been a fan of their shoes since ages, and always pick casual ballerinas from them every few months. Also, you can check their Marie Claire collection for the most comfortable heels that I have ever owned. 
  • Private Lives - Now, I didn't find anything fancy in this little lingerie store located in GK 1, M-Block market but a couple of my friends were lucky to find pretty nightwear during their earlier trips. 
So, have you explore any of the above stores before? If you would like to recommend more places for bridal shopping in Delhi, do share the same in Comments below!
Love
Nitika
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My Summer Skincare Favourites | My Skincare Routine

Monday, 14 May 2018

Hey everyone!
As I had given a glimpse of my current skincare routine on Instagram, a lot of you wanted me to share my complete regime. I have done few major changes in my skincare routine since my wedding as I had got a major acne breakout just two weeks before my wedding.

I was really disturbed and didn't want to undergo a skin treatment, as I was already taking antibiotics for my viral fever. Finally, my bestie who is always the one I look upto for skincare advise, asked me to make certain changes in my daily regime and try a few products that she swears by.



So, here I am listing the skincare products that I currently am using in my skincare routine :
  • Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Face Wash and Toner :
I visited the Clinique store and consulted their in-house expert for a solution to my acne condition which was honestly going worse two months back. They told me about two kind of products that I could try - one that will work on the acne marks and one that will work on controlling the acne condition. As, my acne was getting worse, I decided to first control the condition and started using the Cleansing foam and Clarifying lotion from their Anti-Blemish solutions that work on reducing excess oil and unclog the pores effectively.


I have been using both the products since two months now, and thankfully, my acne is in control now and even the earlier acne marks are healing. But, if you want to try these products, I would recommend that you consult the Clinique skin experts first as this product range has a strong formula, and even I was advised to reduce its usage once the acne condition improves (I am now using it only once a day and use a mild face wash from Himalaya before I go to sleep).
  • Clinique Moisture Surge - 
So, I have been using the Moisture Surge thirst relief moisturiser from Clinique since more than three months and it is the best light-weight and hydrating moisturiser that I have used in a long time. Not only its oil-free formula suits my combination skin, but also works as a great base for my makeup routine.
  • Nivea Aloe Hydration body lotion - 

I wanted a lightweight and hydrating body lotion that I found effectively in the Nivea range. Their Aloe Hydration body lotion keeps skin moisturised for long hours (they claim 48hours, but its need a re-application after a day). It has a mild and soothing fragrance, and is really one of the best budget body lotions I have tried so far.
  • The Face Shop White Seed serum - 
This brightening serum from The Face Shop is part of my night skincare routine, and I apply it post cleansing my face every night. It has a very light formula which absorbs into the skin really quick and  I have noticed my skin becoming smooth and bright over the time.
  • Innisfree Clay mask - 

I have been using this mask only since a couple of weeks, as I had tried its sample sometime back and it seemed really promising, so I ended up picking the full size pack. I have heard and read rave reviews about this pore clay mask, and hoping it really works in cleansing pores and even out the skin texture. 
  • The Face Shop sheet masks - 

Coming to the last but my favourite product in my current skincare routine is the range of face mask sheets from The Face Shop. I have mostly tried their The Solution masks and Aloe masks which instantly brighten and soothe the skin. 

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your views on these products or what skincare routine you are following this summer in comments below.

Love
Nitika
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My Engagement Outfit Story | #TSDBridalDiary

Wednesday, 9 May 2018

Hey lovelies!
After I shared details of my mehendi outfit and makeup in the last post, a lot of you who are following my bridal series wanted to see more pictures of my engagement outfit as well. While I have shared a few pictures on my Instagram page,  here I am sharing more pictures of my Dolly J gown and the makeup and hair which was done by Misha Vig.


When I had to pick an outfit for the engagement function, I had the exact picture of what I wanted in my head - a gown which was classy yet not very heavy in terms of work and detailing; and also something not very heavy on the pocket (my budget was upto Rs 60,000).

So, I explored stores like Pernia's Pop-Up Shop, Frontier Raas, few designer boutiques in Shahpur Jat - but none of them caught my fancy.

Finally, I ended up checking Dolly J's collection at her Defence Colony store and fell in love with this saree gown I picked. The gown was available in a royal blue color at the moment, but I badly wanted to wear an outfit in a red/wine shade. So, after thinking it through and discussing with my mother-in-law - we ordered this gown on the same day - in a wine color (after we saw a different gown in the same shade at the store and hoped this design will also look perfect in the color I chose).


The gown was finally ready after 30 days, and I was delighted that my vision of the gown in the wine color was made to perfection. Now, the other task was to finalise the look that will complete the outfit ie. the makeup and hair - without looking like an over made-up doll. I had chosen Misha Vig as my makeup artist for both the engagement and wedding functions, after checking out a lot of other makeup artists. 

But once I met her and shared my vision of not going overboard with the makeup, but a dewy face with glam eyes and nude lips. On the D-day, I definitely fell in love with the entire look - as it was completely like I had always imagined to look like on my engagement - nothing more, nothing less.

Here are a few pictures from the occasion :




As there was a lot of drama happening with the outfit and makeup already, I kept the accessories minimal - a Guess watch, Swarovski bracelets and a statement ring from Suhana Jewels to complete the look. I wore a sleek gold necklace and earrings, that were actually a gift from my mother-in-law and complimented the gown really well. 


Gown : Dolly J
Makeup & Hair : Misha Vig Makeup Studio
Watch : Guess
Bracelet : Swarovski
Photography : Photoroosters Studio
So, this was my (sorry for making it lengthy) engagement outfit story! What's yours? Let me know in the Comments below, I would love to know about what dress you chose and how!
Love
Nitika
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10 Curvy Fashion Labels You Need to Try and You Will Love | Curvy Style Guide

Saturday, 5 May 2018

Hey everyone!
Being curvy and loving fashion was a bad thing in India till a few years ago. Ask me why? Well, because hardly any brands understood the fashion needs of curvy and plus size women. While I used to find my size with many brands, a lot of my friends had difficulty finding trendy clothes as most curvy fashion brands made clothes that were anti-fit and boring.

Thankfully, when a lot of international brands started introducing plus size lines along with their main lines; Indian brands also realised that this market has a lot of potential as women in India also started loving their curves and wanted to flaunt them in the best away.


I also realised this when I had introduced the section 'Curvy Style Guide' on my blog, and many of my followers came up to me and told me how much they appreciate my posts and that it helped them feel confident about flaunting latest trends no matter what size they are.

Last week, I received a few queries regarding the best available brands for curvy women, so I have made a list of 10 brands including a few of my favourites that are doing plus size fashion right : 
  • ASOS : One brand that I truly admire and love shopping from regularly is ASOS. They have a Curve line and includes many styles as an extension to their regular line. If you are looking for trendy dresses, tops or even swimwear - you can trust to find the best designs at ASOS. 

The international shipping could be one con, but it's nothing if you want the best fashion for curvy sizes. You can read my earlier online shopping experience with ASOS here.
  • Half Full Curve :

I came across this brand while reading an article online and loved their classy dresses that you can pick for special occasions. Though the number of styles available currently on their website are limited, but have few beautiful draped dresses for those cocktail parties.
  • Marks & Spencer :

The high street fashion house has off late started including styles till size UK 24 in the plus size line and is one of the best options if you wish to buy office wear or smart casuals.
  • StalkBuyLove :

If you love fast fashion, you would admire the chic styles and reasonable prices of StalkBuyLove which offers plus size apparel and introduces new designs regularly. 
  • Amydus :

I haven't tried this brand myself, as they don't offer my size. But they include plus sizes, starting from Size 0 (here it is UK Size 16) and goes up to size 5 (UK 26) and includes western wear as well as ethnic wear like kurtas and palazzos in their collection. 
  • Afamado :

Unlike other plus size brands which only offer bigger sizes, Afamado offers all styles in sizes varying from XS to 6X, therefore making sure that any woman who is looking for trendy clothes online can pick a style no matter what their size is. 
  • Lastinch :

If you are looking for wardrobe basics likes casual tees, tops, maxi dresses and more, you can try Lastinch which offers comfortable and reasonable clothing for women with curves. 
  • MANGO :

I didn't know about the plus size line Violeta by MANGO until I checked out their website recently. While I didn't see a lot of the plus size clothes in their stores, the website offers a wide range of styles in tops, dresses, bottom wear, swimwear and more in sizes upto 54, that you can get delivered anywhere in India.
    • Faballey : 

    Another fast fashion label, Faballey has a lot of its regular styles available in plus sizes (just like the dress I am wearing above from their regular line) - therefore being more size-inclusive and offering latest high-street trends at reasonable prices. 
    • Calae :
    Again, I haven't tried this brand personally as they don't keep my size, but I loved the styles that they have. While other brands focus on just a couple of styles with mostly neutral colours, Calae had off-shoulder, one-shoulder styles in variety of colours that are perfect for every occasion.

    So, have you shopped from these fashion labels before? Which is one your favourite, let me know in the comments below!
    Love
    Nitika

    ( PS : A lot of plus size brands start from UK Size 16 or 2XL (like Asos Curve, Amydus etc), while others start at UK Size 12 or L .)
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    5 Unique Gown Styles to Explore for your Cocktail/Engagement | #TSDBridalDiary

    Wednesday, 2 May 2018

    Hey lovelies!
    When it came to my wedding wardrobe, the one occasion where I knew I could channel my inner Cinderella and fulfil my dream of wearing something close to a western wedding gown was my engagement party. 
    While I couldn't wear a white gown (due to religious beliefs, black and white can't be worn by the bride in a Hindu wedding); I knew I wanted a gown in wine/marsala color as I had decided to go for a non-red lehenga.


    And when I went out to browse the latest gown styles, I came across these five trends that you can also totally rock at your engagement/cocktail in 2018 :

    Saree Gown - A style that I also picked for my own gown, a saree gown is a beautiful blend of a western gown and the trendy Indian saree. You would have seen Kishwer Merchant rock a similar style by Gaurav Gupta at her wedding reception; and ever since I have seen a lot of newer versions and styles.
    Kishwer Merchant in Gaurav Gupta Saree Gown
    I picked a style which had a lovely embellished flare and a draped style with a pallu that gave it a fusion look. I will be sharing more images of my cocktail gown in the next post in this series.


    Tulle Gown - Want to fulfil your Cindrella dream? Well then a tulle gown is all you need. And you don't have to pick from the tacky fluffy gowns, you can pick an embellished gown with a layered tulle hemline or a romantic soft tulle gown in pastels that is perfect for a Summer wedding. 

    Shyamal Bhumika Tulle Gown

    Carolina Herrera Tulle Gown

    Gown with a long trail - For a dramatic entry and those Instagram-worthy pictures, you can pick a cocktail gown with a trail that will surely make you stand out from the other brides. Listing a couple of my favourites that I found while I was browsing the styles on Pinterest - 

    Source : Pinterest
    Source : Pinterest

    3D Work Gown - One gown style that catches the light and will make you feel like a glamorous diva, is one with an intricate 3D appliqués and embellishments which is impactful without being over the top.  With all the elaborate details on the dress, you would just need a stylish hairdo, minimal accessories and stilettos to compliment the gown.

    Marchesa
    Shyamal Bhumika
    Sheer Gown - If you love experimenting with your style and are willing to make a bold style statement at your engagement or cocktail ceremony, this is one trend that will definitely catch your fancy.
    Pick an embellished gown with the right amount of sheer that will amp up your style quotient and make you a trendsetter this wedding season.

    ATG by Amit GT

    So, which one is your favourite style out of these beautiful engagement gowns? Let me know in Comments below! 
    Love
    Nitika
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