Once Upon a Trunk...

So, how is the festive and wedding season treating you all? I myself have been in a constant state of confusion and running around to designer stores for selections, fittings and what not. And with a part-time styling job and full-time blogging, time is not a luxury for me. Yes, you might be silently suggesting me online shopping to save time sifting through designer outfits while still sitting at home and finding my size, color and style but honestly tell me, haven't you ever wished for a designer drive-up service?  Spending all that hard-earned money on something you saw and liked on a computer screen might not feel as satisfying and justified. And the time crunch, injury, illness or some unexpected circumstances has been preventing you to visit the designer's store yourself to see, touch and feel the fabric, quality and make of the outfit. Will you be able to thank me enough if I tell you I found the solution to this problem?

Once Upon A Trunk recently launched it's website and guess what guys, they are offering home shopping service! You can book an appointment, tell them the occasion you want outfits for and your personalized trunk will be delivered to your doorstep along with a stylist to help you hand-pick the best suited silhouettes and accessories to you according to your body type and color while still keeping in mind your tastes and aesthetics. You can pay for what you love and send the rest back!

I opted to try out this service for an upcoming day wedding of a cousin. I wanted something classic with a bit of modern twist and in a day appropriate color which can effortlessly blend in for an evening function too in case the wedding stretches into the later hours. I discussed my complexion and body type along with my preferences of outfits with the OUAT team over the phone and the next day the customized trunk was at my doorstep for me to try! The surprising thing was that I fell in love with everything that was there in the trunk. It was like a personally curated pandora box for me and just me. The jewellery selection was stupendous and once I had everything on, nothing look forced or too much. It was perfect and I couldn't be happier! And guess what, the home shopping service is free the whole December! You do not have to pay any extra charges for the extra pain they go through to help you choose what you want and making you happy.

Apart from offering this home shopping service, they have pre-curated looks which you can buy on the spot. If you are in a time crunch, just go through the Styled Looks section and you will be sure to find the perfect fit for your occasion!

Do stop by the website and check out the amazing collection they have over there!

ONCE UPON A TRUNK

xoxo,
Srish

Styling/Content/Post-Production: Srish

Photography: Vaibhav Sachdeva
Outfit/Jewellery/Clutch - Once Upon A Trunk
Location: The Perfect Location, Faridabad

On the Chariot

{Outfit - Ridhi Bansal, Jewellery - Own, Sunglasses - RayBan}

In my last post, I talked about what fashion blogging essentially is for me and how do I earn for it (you can read more HERE). Writing about it made me realise how far I have come. When I started blogging, which was over 5 years ago, I started it as a hobby. I clicked outfit pictures using my phone which later got replaced by a digicam, then a lower level dslr, then a semi-professional dslr and then the one we are currently using. We put so much time and effort into it and still I feel like the biggest reason of all the success is you guys. Without the support and appreciation, we bloggers would stand no where! Our readers are our biggest supports, they define us and give our work some meaning. So, I want to take a minute and thank all of you for your support, taking out few minutes from your busy daily life and reading what I have to say means a lot to me and I cannot thank you enough for this.

I am sharing my last instalment of Ridhi Bansal designs and one of my favourites. This lehanga which looks nothing less than a grand outfit right out of a fairytale is a pretty amalgamation of dreamy colors and elegant design. You can check out more designs by this talented designer here: Ridhi Bansal Facebook Page

xoxo,
Srish

Location Courtesy: The Perfect Location

Photography: Aman Bhatia

Styling/Content/Post-Production: Srish

Welcoming Fall with Layers

{Pants/Long Shirt - Zara, Crop Top - Forever 21, Bag/Watch - Michael Kors, Brooch - Reynu Taandon, Shoes - Tresmode}

Being a fashion blogger has more to it than it seems. I have had many girls ask me in past few months that how I started blogging and how I made a career out of it. While it is good to see bloggers being recognised as influencers and being idolised by so many in the society, what saddens me is that almost every girl who comes forward with a query about blogging wants to know how to contact PRs and how to make money. While I have addressed this issue in the past, it is about time that I answer all those questions once and for all.

Blogging is not a primary means of earning money for me, I am not going to deny that I do earn for all the effort I put into shoots and writing, etc. but I don't necessarily depend on social media as my full time job. I have tried it though for a couple of months and while it worked out great, I do love a stable income and for that I work as a stylist with an ecommerce company. Anyways, the point is, the moment I started working as a full time professional blogger, it started to feel like work. I have always blogged out of passion and my love for fashion. The day it became my full time job, it started to overwhelm me with all the running around, attending events, meetings and what not. I felt that I had to post not because I wanted to at that particular moment, but because I had to...which I did not like one bit. And for those who wants to start a fashion blog, know that it should be your passion to explore fashion world and not your passion for easy money. If money is the reason you start a blog, you will be disappointed because it is not easy money. It would be easier to get a job and have a fixed income than start from scratch, build up your blog and market it, schedule meetings and shoots, edit images, videos, write the content, cross promote on social media, etc etc. I have had days when I finished my work by 3am and woke for an early shoot at 6. I do not mind it coz I love doing it! But if you want to earn money, you will be bitter and despise the time you are spending doing these things and not getting proper rest or sleep. So, be honest to yourself and follow your dreams, not money for only the dreams you can loose sleep over is worth chasing.

xoxo,
Srish

Saree Clad

{Outfit/Clutch - Ridhi Bansal, Earrings - Vinita Michael, Ring - Indiatrend}

The traditional avatar kicks in as soon as the October month hits. There is something about the latter months of the year that just spells festivities. Diwali, dussehra, bhai dooj, etc and a huge pileup of wedding invitations compels us to gravitate towards and experiment more with our ethnic alter ego. I have been doing the same and this month, I have shot mostly indianwear and honestly, it's been a lot of fun! Even though I have no idea how to wrap a saree and drape it gracefully, I sure as hell can twirl around in them! Sarees are a fun way of exploring my roots and my heritage. Once you don this 5 meter long fabric, an automated grace can be noticed in your posture, the way you walk and conduct yourself. It is a nice feeling to get in touch with my feminine side which is usually not so prominent :P

This gorgeous tie-dye saree is by Ridhi Bansal and originally comes with a black blouse but I wanted it to have some color so I decided to style it with a different blouse. The red color looks much more festive, bright and paints a happy picture. Perfect attire to flaunt on the Diwali night, don't you think so?

Location Courtesy: The Perfect Location

Photography: Aman Bhatia

Styling/Content/Post-Production: Srish

Light up in Cobalt

{Crop Top - Hirika Jagani, Skirt - 431-88, Necklaces/Cuff/Rings - Forever 21, Clutch - Accessorize, Shoes - Tresmode}

I remember last year I joined a gym because I wanted to wear crop tops really badly. They were all the rage that season and I being a fatso, couldn't wear them no matter how much I wanted to. I do believe you should wear whatever you want but at the same time, I believe in dressing for your body type also. If I wouldn't feel confident in a crop top no matter how much I wanted to wear it, what's the point really? Your outfit is supposed to make you look presentable and help you feel more confident in your stride. So, I decided that I would work hard and wear crop tops as much as I wanted to in summers of 2015, and I did. I have lost 10kgs in last 1 year with an on and off gym routine and I need to shed off and tone a little more to get to my ideal body (Hint:KJ).

I have always gravitated towards outfits that gives my body an hourglass shape. And hence, the choice of this skirt! It's a beautifully draped skirt in a stunning color that would flatter most Indian skin tones and body shapes. With the perfect blend of sultry and elan, this skirt is a showstopper piece! That's the reason why I let the skirt be the star of this outfit. I can totally imagine this skirt with an ivory shirt and some dainty jewellery or paired with a printed sweatshirt and sneakers as well...Talk about versatility!

Location Courtesy: The Perfect Location

Photography: Aman Bhatia

Styling/Content/Post-Production: Srish

Living in Print

{Outfit - Ridhi Bansal, Hand Harness - Vinita Michael, Shoes - Intoto}

We all know this printed style is overdone. Every other designer is buying similar prints in different colors and making skirts, palazzo pants, crop tops, anarkali, etc using this print. But let's face it, it looks amazing and every girl wants to have a piece of this big trend. When I went to meet Ridhi Bansal and I spotted this piece hanging on the racks, I paid no heed to it initially and moved on until Ridhi took it out and showed me the crop top that went with it. The palazzo pants are something basic that maybe you can find or get stitched easily but the crop top was the star of this outfit and really stood out to me. The mesh panels, the back cutout and the intricate thread and beadwork bespoke hard work and creativity sewn in together. The color palette is also something I don't find repeatedly in indianwear garments and I knew I had to try it on and share the outfit with you guys.

This outfit would be perfect for an outdoor Sangeet or Mehandi function. You can get it customised in a color and print of your choice! Visit Ridhi Bansal's Facebook Page here: RIDHI BANSAL

Location Courtesy: The Perfect Location

Photography: Aman Bhatia

Styling/Content/Post-Production: Srish

5 things we loved at the Matsya Private Preview!

Seldom do we come across an event which spells class and elegance and is still fun, so much so that we spent over 2 hrs chatting away and downing glasses of red wine along with fine cheese and hors d'oeuvres. The idea of holding a private preview to display the new collection by a designer in the presidential suite of a five star hotel is brilliant. Not only it is a perfect laid back location where people can be at ease and sift through the collection without being distracted by loud music or too many waiters roaming around. The creative minds behind Matsya came up with this impeccable event to showcase their new AW15 collection 'Princess of the Night' and completely won us over! Read on to know 5 things we absolutely loved at the event apart from the location choice:

1. An Incredible Wine and Cheese Assortment

A welcoming sight of a table topped with finest cheese, a wide variety of amuse-bouches and fine wines greeted us and all of a sudden, our 1 hour tiresome journey to The Leela, Gurgaon started to become a distant memory. We spent the later half of our visit standing by the table, devouring the eatables, not even sorry! 

2. Display

Yes, the later half was spent by the table but the first half was undoubtedly had us stunned and dazed by the beautiful display of even more beautiful craftsmanship. We loved how every corner and space was used diligently in the presidential suite. The garments were laid out on the bed, settee, lobby and even in the walk-in closet! 

3. Details

You could tell that the collection was not only being well promoted but it was actually well made! The tassel details were unique, there was laser cutwork stitched on the fabric, the embroidery was all done by hand and it was flawless!

4. Silver jewellery

Matsya is on it's way to become a one-stop shop for brides to-be as well as the bridesmaids with a silver jewellery collection in-store! The pieces are stunning and the designs are unique. Encrusted with pearls and moonstones, these pieces have an understated beauty and charm about them that you just can't resist. Lucky us to get one pair for ourselves in the goodie bag!!

5. The enthusiasm

The infectious enthusiasm among the hosts and the guests could almost outshine the collection, only the garments had way more mirror-work ;)
Everyone was enchanted with the beauty of the collection and it was more than evident on their faces.

xoxo,
Srish

Follow Matsya on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/matsyaworld
Follow Matsya on Instagram - @MatsyaWorld