Fighting Blues!

March 15, 2015 Shilpa22 Comments

Are cringing and complaining the first reactions you have on waking up on a bright Sunday morning too? Is that like..normal? The thought that the weekend is 50% over just beats out the “the glass is half full” kinda optimism out of me. So to help you (and me for that matter) push those sad Monday blues out, I’m showing you how fun blue can get with this “all blue” outfit.

After months and months of searching tirelessly, I at last found the right pair of light blue jeans readers. And I honestly couldn’t have been happier.

I paired my perfect blue jeans with this midnight blue with white star printed shirt and with my blue Aldo loafers.
Sometimes I find that going high on various shades of a single color works after all when we tread with caution and don’t go over board. Do try the technique with soft shades like blue, peach, cream, green etc and SHOW ME!

In this case for example, a kind of balance was restored, or so I would like to think, by bringing in many aspects of white into the look. Any pastel shade would actually do the trick, black and white being the perfect colors that they are, would do the trick even better!

That brings us to that one accessory which I’ve never shown on this blog though it has been with me for ages now, my Rocky-S bag!

Woohoo dont you like love that bag ? What with the golden zippers and metal rings it gives the whole bag such a “I’m the boss” look.

Ever since I went public about this blog, I have had some amazing suggestions about how to make my blog work better and reach out to more people effectively. I’m so glad I have such a receptive creative and helpful bunch of friends. Shout out to one friend in particular who just killed it (nailed it more like) with his amazing ideas about how Frillthrills could grow into a household name. Jaydeep I’m totally capitalizing on the free advise you gave me and the ones I am going to get soon. Thank you. 💝 after all its not every day you meet your extra ordinarily smart friend who has a flair for ideas about literally everything under the sun. Remember that story about being able to sell refrigerators to Eskimos? That’s my friend for you. 😎

Outfit details :

Light blue jeans : 109° F (Lifestyle), Starry shirt : Fast fashion Besant Nagar (have you checked out that store already?) Bag : Rocky S (Shopper’s stop), Shoes : Aldo, Watch : Fossil

Have you guys gone high on one color like I did? What contrasting or complimenting color did you guys use to subtle down the look then? Tell me! Show me! 😀 have a great week. *grumble*

Inspiration for some Perspiration!

March 10, 2015March 11, 2015 Shilpa19 Comments

While I have dabbled in some sort of physical activity from when I was about 6 years old (yes my mom claims she caught glimpses of the dancer stowed away in the depths of my cranium right when I was SIX YEARS OLD. Can’t you beat that can you?) I have never focused so much on how what you wear plays a significant role in your performance as I am realizing now. Ever since I have taken to running I’ve started taking a conscious effort to dress appropriately. Now let me tell you, this post is not going to make you fashion-wise any wiser because today baby its all about COMFORT!
So, as I was saying, dressing appropriately for running means wearing something which feels like your second skin, which you are super comfortable in. Five basic rules of thumb (is that the correct plural form? Never mind!) include the following:

1. Choose that outfit which involves least hindrance. While we might like nothing better than to wear a sports bra and sprint on the street we know that that’s not happening in India anytime soon. So your alternative would be to be smart and choose a climacool sweat absorbing pair of shorts or tights and T-shirt which isn’t too loose or tight.

2. Put a leash on that mane. Don’t forget you are preparing to sweat it out. Keep your hairstyle as fuss free as possible. A simple high – out of your face – ponytail is the best hairstyle for workouts.

3.Fluorescents for safety. Become a living siren. Go all out fluorescent if you plan on working out on the roads especially before dawn or after dusk. Safety and grabbing eyeballs at the same time? Yes please! 🙂

3. Restrict the gadget freak in you to the bare minimum. Personally, even my watch is a burden for me when I run. While deciding how much is too much is totally up to you, do realize that these gadgets take away the beauty of the workout itself. After all, that might be the only time of the day you can stay completely clear of calls and the social media. Make the most of that time concentrating on your body and mind and not on gadgets.

4. Brand consciousness is a good thing. The only place where being brand conscious actually makes a difference is sportswear. Be it shoes, tights, t-shirts or shorts, out of personal experience I’ve realized the hard way that good brands last way longer than thrifty buys and it is definitely worth every penny investing in good quality sports wear. Think about it. You are not setting fashion statements in your gym or on the roads. So buy minimally, but whatever you buy, go branded!

4. Footwear faux pas. Read up extensively on the signs to look out for, for footwear wear and tear and be observant and mindful of the same. I cannot and need not stress the importance of good footwear. This point goes beyond just looking good. Shoes used is like the make or break of your fitness routine so be wise. (It might just deprive you of two months of shopping for the regular boring t-shirts and tunics. And honestly those t-shirts and tunics aren’t sprouting legs and running away anywhere anytime soon so footwear people footwear!!😂)

5. Just to make it to five points. Finally, know that working out is the happiest thing you’ll probably be doing that day. So go crazy, be yourself and have some well deserved fun the fit way!

(Love the burpees T-shirt…dafuq burpees go away. We all hate you! Lel!)

All pictures from pinterest

Hope you enjoyed the post. While I have told nothing you probably havent already heard a dozen times before, I hope they motivate you to stay suave trendy and safe while working out. Hope the week is panning out well so far! Have a great rest of the week. So long!🙋

P.S. I decided I could come out of the closet (lol) and tell the world about my blog. So I have opened a Facebook page and linked my Instagram account too! So much for taking the blog to the next level!

Shilpa Does CropTop!

March 6, 2015 Shilpa26 Comments

Hi y’all! A recent thrift shopping haul ended with me buying my first ever crop top. Technically its more of a cropped laced overcoat than top, but whatever!
It is a beautiful peachy pink laced box fit cropped overcoat and needless to say, I loved it the minute I saw it.

I bought the top with much confidence and gusto about being able to pull it off because I’m known to throwing body shape related caution to the winds and dive headlong into clothes and all that (didn’t you actually imagine me diving headlong into an imaginary tub full of clothes? I did. 😜). However, I come home and realize this over coat is not cropped enough! Have you faced such a situation readers? Where your cropped top is just too long?

I would like to think and explain with flair and grandeur that I thought and pondered about the issue in hand for long before an idea struck me. But meh..that however ain’t true guys, it struck me almost immediately that the simplest way out was to stick to a same color tone for my T-shirt and jeans so that the torso appears longer and hence the crop top shorter! Voila!

With my black T-shirt and skinnies, I wore the peach statement necklace which has appeared once previously in this post!

I completed the look with a pair of earrings in a shade close to that of the necklace. I have, in more than one occasion been able to get away with accessories not exactly in the same shade because somehow the colors reflect on each other and look more or less like the same shade and that’s good enough and the world can live with that!
I…er…also…may or may not have used my gold eyeliner to fill in the triangle formed by the corner of my winged eye makeup and the inside edge of my eyes to look all glittery and shimmery. May or may not have guys….just giving y’all the benefit of that doubt. 😂

As per popular request, I have also decided to specifically mention where each part of the outfit was picked from which is a format almost every non-lazy and non-Shilpa blogger follows, so here goes:

That would be all from me folks. Have a great weekend! I sure am having one !💃

Major sequin crush

March 4, 2015March 4, 2015 Shilpa9 Comments

Its unfair you guys. Its unfair how some of you have found your perfectly sequined piece to add glamour to your wardrobe when I have searched the lengths of my world in vain.

Wherever and whenever I see an outfit involving sequins I imagine wearing them and immediately I get the image of a dance performance in the middle of which I have come to show off my dance appropriate sequin piece to my minds eye.

That thought disturbs and disgruntles me enough to meekly place that outfit back in its shelf and walk to other familiar shelves silently!!

I have never bought sequins, albeit thinking and dreaming about them half a million times a day, every day. And I choose to end that by Rhonda Byrne’s mechanism of positively wishing for it so that my universe schemes towards making that perfect sequined wardrobe addition I’ve been waiting for pop in front of me!

Using a pop of sequin and still managing to make the whole outfit look like you haven’t tried too hard is pretty achievable is what I gathered when I dug into the Pinterest ocean for sequin outfit inspiration!

photo courtesy : Pinterest

Hope my sequin crazy bug bit you just as hard after seeing all these beautiful outfits and accessories involving the sequin! Happy hunting for your perfect glitter statement piece. Wish me luck while I look for mine!

I got my Neon this – Part III

February 28, 2015February 28, 2015 Shilpa30 Comments

Well hello all you lovely people! In a rather brave bid to resume my rather braver attempt to document how to style neon in a four post series, I bring to you post number three!!! Incorporating neon into workwear if you please ladies. 😎 (You can also check out parts One and Two here and here)

While its easy to incorporate neon accessories into work wear; which I gather from Pinterest, is a commonly done thing, I wanted to figure out a way to bring neon into the actual outfit. Some pinspiration before I show you the real deal maybe?

So on sifting through the fashion encyclopedia that is Pinterest, here’s what I realized. Repeat after me “neon is not over the top.” 💅 “Neon is our friend.”👠 “What do we love? NEON! When do we wear it? NOW!”💝😂

With all that zest and enthusiasm I did just what needed to be done *rubbing palms and giving evil grin emoji* I neon-ed my office bright and clear! 🙌

I chanced upon this totally cool really small shop in Chennai which sells export rejects at one tenth the price. It was there that I fell in love with this silk neon blouse.

While the brightness of the neon doesn’t reach you through these pictures, some jokes my stupid gang of work friends cracked about its neony-ness might just help you get the drift!

1. NASA heard back from its Mars mission. They spotted Shilpa. #ShilpaRoast #Orangestellar (yes ShilpaRoast was a running hashtag in our WhatsApp group the whole day!😐😝)

2. A blind man walked up to Shilpa today and asked “Mam don’t you think that top is too bright?” #BlindingBright #FaDuq #ShilpaRoast

3. The whole office assembled at the safe zone area because the fire alarm went off. The all clear signal was at last issued at six in the evening. #Shilpaleftfortheday #ShilpaRoast

So you get a rough idea of how things went don’t you? 😂😂
Anyway, coming back,

I maintained the bling and the rest of my look to a restricted minimum. With a pearl pendent on a gold chain and matching pearl earrings and my gold Tommy Hilfiger watch.

I completed the look with my dark orange pumps and my M&S fitted trousers.

That brings me to the end of my post. So what do you think bloggers? Is neon worthy enough of getting a place in your work wear closet? If you ask me, I would say, “you gottto get your (k)nee-on this!!! Goodbye! Have a lovely weekend. 💝

Chambray and Anime!

February 22, 2015 Shilpa15 Comments

I was feeling creative this Friday and wanted to wear something fashion blogger worthy to work; but standing in front of my closet I was as lost as a kitten on a tree. That’s when I remembered Pinterest! So I chose one item in my wardrobe – my animal print shirt and looked for inspiration on Pinterest of course! And….. Tadaaa!

I have read this on a couple of blogs where they knew one piece they wanted in their outfit and turned to Pinterest to create the look with it and that’s pretty much what I did too!

So I paired animal print top with my chambray shirt and blue jeans. I was so not in the mood to wear my animal print over chambray and jeans because I realized that outfit by itself kicks ass so well! 😍 But but but.. A fashion blogger is as a fashion blogger does so I cajoled myself into creating this look! 💅💄👠

Don’t you agree? Light blue dark blue and and tan belt.! Killer! #omgdidIjustcreateanoutfiinanoutfit ?? 😋

For a good part of the day my chambray was peeping out only on the collars and cuffs but for sometime I unbuttoned my first layer because my friend felt I wasn’t doing the chambray enough justice. Covering it all up and everything 😝😂

The rest of my look was brown and gold..my earrings, watch and shoes!

Oohh I love my glitteroos!! 😍🙌

Have you mixed trends and textures? Have you tried this particular one? Do try it out and have a happy weekend!! 😘

Plain Jane OOTD

February 16, 2015February 17, 2015 Shilpa20 Comments

A Sunday fun dinner with friends called for a comfortable yet mildly dressed up look. I decided to pull out my lint-free skirt (Read this post to get what I mean 😉 ) and pair it with a warm pastel top. And this is what I looked like 😀

Of course my favorite Mr.Big Beads had to be included. This is one necklace which I haven’t gotten enough of!

This skirt, a navy blue plain one goes well with any light colored top and the fact that my chain is made of the very same light onion and navy blue beads just sewed the whole look up together! About that, I’m a happy-puppy 🙌🐕
Pairing lights with darks is a no-brainer for sure but its often the accessorizing which really completes and seals the look!

I love the way this Promod skirt has a gentle fall to it..it pleats up subtly and has a beautiful sway to it when I walk. It probably has something to do with the thick hosiery material it is made of!

The OOTD was done with my precious nude pumps..gosh I never get enough of them 😀

Have you ever kept an outfit so simple to make a piece of accessory the hero? If you haven’t, it’s always the perfect time to try. Do it and tell me how you fared! Have a great week ahead! 🙂

Website review : HandsOfIndia

February 12, 2015February 12, 2015 Shilpa13 Comments

Instead of cribbing about lack of content I decided to do something constructive and useful. I have decided to start a website review segment reviewing the Made in India websites which I have tried in the past, showcasing their positives and highlighting their negative aspects. This is not a sponsored post and every opinion is my own.

My first site review is a treasure I found roughly a year back called Hands Of India. Interestingly I spoke about it in one of my first posts way back in June of last year.

This website was started by two sisters from Uttar Pradesh who are providing this platform for artisans from rural areas to showcase their handicrafts. This is what their website has to say about their efforts.

“HandsOfIndia” showcases the timeless creations made by the humble artisans of our country who are largely unaware of the real worth of their products, especially in a marketplace cluttered with mass produced replicas. This name signifies the skill and painstaking handwork of the craftspeople and the fact that these products are created using simple, natural techniques relying solely on the accumulated knowledge of generations of artisans and the skill of the human hand. It reaffirms our love for all things handmade.

I have ordered their products once online and I have been to their exhibition once and I was so thrilled with the outfits, the quality and the fit and comfort. They have a wide variety. I have tried to capture the essence of their collection here below.

Reversible Jackets (my personal favorite 😍)

Incidentally this was one of my buys from their website too!!

The comfort is unmatched guys 😀

Sarees: They have a wide variety of sarees in cotton and silk. I’m definitely thinking about buying one of these for my mum. What do you think 🙂

Majorly eyeing this one! I’m a sucker for anything yellow and pink! And about that, Saree I’m not sorry! Lel!

Dresses: They have different types of dresses you can choose from:

This dress felt like made to order on me. While they don’t a wide range of sizes (S-M-L) the ones available are very standard and feel comfortable.

Kurtas and Salwars: Their kurta range is one segment I’m yet to try! A picture of some kurtas I’m eyeing 😝

When it comes to salwar sets they frankly outdid themselves. Let me explain. I purchased a salwar off one of their exhibitions. It was pretty loose for me so they happily agreed to alter it for me for free. When I went back to collect my altered salwar set the kind lady told me she had mentioned in detailed the alterations done on the cover which she asked me to safekeep. She also asked me to mention the same alterations every time I bought salwars off their website online! How thoughtful is such customization 🙂 I was so impressed!

This was the alteration written on the cover. Haha! So simple and efficient!

The salwar I bought is such a beautiful pastel green. I wear it for any formal event at work, for meetings and interviews and it has never failed to get me a compliment or two 🙂

Apart from they also have a lovely collection of culottes, skirts, palazzo pants in pure khadi cotton.

The only minus point I have to point about this website is that more than once I’ve really loved a piece but have been unable to buy it because of they don’t have all clothes in all sizes.

Overall I have had an awesome experience with this clothes line and I am surely going back to buy from them real soon and I would strongly recommend this site to all my Indian friends 😀 Do check out their website (click here) and their facebook page (click here)

How did you guys find this new website review segment? Did you find it useful? Would you like me to review any particular website? Do tell me! I’m all ears. 👂👂!!

Plaid and Simple!

February 5, 2015 Shilpa9 Comments

In an attempt to address the elephant in the room I set about gathering and laying out all the varieties of checks, plaids and ginghams I own. To ads to the drama i added my sister’s shirts too! And guess what? We had emptied half our wardrobes O.o

What’s it about plaids and gingham? Why do they dominate most girls’ and EVERY boy’s wardrobe?

Then I realized! They are comfy, frumpy, cozy and easy all at once and that works wonders for most of us, most of the days 😛

Though I never consciously took pictures of my plaids, (they weren’t post worthy I thought!) I do have some random pictures of me in them! And this post is dedicated to all that randomness!

(Please ignore them antics by my friend and me. 😋)

Plaids are so versatile that you can wear them upon a pair of colored shorts and head to the beach and change to a pair of chinos or trousers and strut to work in them too!

By the time I finished sifting through my humongous pile of pictures for these ones I’m tired and sleepy. Perils of the forever-sleepy! So off I go! Stock up on your plaids because they are here to stay!! Wait was that rhyming? Oh never mind…!!! 🌜🌆😴!

Mulberries on my Mind

January 28, 2015February 2, 2015 Shilpa28 Comments

Its well past 9 in the morning and if I don’t run helter skelter starting NOW I’ll most definitely be late to work. Yet here I am lounging and lazing around and talking to you about things as random as ~~blackberries~~ mulberries without a care in the world. The things a sore throat and a heavy head can do to you! Sigh! 📃💉😭

Anyways I’ve been MIA for a bit though there has been quite a lot of things happening and I thought I would tell you all about it in this random post, quite as random as its title. LeL!

1.Mint mishmash
I bought mint pants a while ago and try as I might, I am just not able to pair it with the right top and I end up with too many colors on me. See for yourself.

Shilpa the living breathing candy floss!

Such creative! Much wow!

Also, a closer picture of my Kobe (I say my Kobe because I know this is unlike the original by a mile! :|)

4. Made and manducated by me!

I have in recent times started learning some cooking. Thanks to some amazing blogs I’ve tried doing some easy south Indian dishes and you’d be happy to know, I nailed most of them I have also been completely disregarding this waistline issue and have been binge eating some amaze balls dishes from crazy eat outs around the city! 😍 A collage of all that lovely yummies in my tummy of course⬇

That would be all from me folks. I successfully completed this post with every title and subtitle having M-words.. Yes yes I’m pretty cracked up that way. Have a great rest of the week! Ciao! 💝

	Shilpa on Festive Beginnings – Ft.…
	Festive Beginnings… on Festive Beginnings – Ft.…
	kindleandkompass on Festive Beginnings – Ft.…
	TheSunshineTiara on 10 Days with a Carry On!…
	TheSunshineTiara on Sustainable Silhouettes Ft.…