In the Closet: Meet Divsi Gupta

This year is all about new beginnings for me... When i started Instagramming sometime last year, it inspired me to start a new series here called Instalove (which i hope you are enjoying). Presenting to you the first of a new series called In the Closet... talking to people about the things they are crazy about.

Kickstarting the series with Divsi Gupta, a girl i first met on Instagram in October and then met her for real on my most recent visit to Bombay in December.

She is the bubbliest and sweetest person i have had the opportunity to meet... we chat often and i have never ever seen her in a foul mood. Divsi is a happy-go-lucky person, who is always gung-ho to start an Instachallenge!

Divsi works with her father and takes care of the marketing of his business. She is also a writer and photographer and has recently started her career as a wedding photographer.

Meet the fashionista without a single mean bone in her body and a lot of shoes in her closet!

MG: How many pairs of shoes do you own?
DG: To be honest i haven't even counted the pairs... me n my sis are the same size so we kinda exchange :) but should be approx 80 pairs :D between the 2 of us. (*gasp*)

I never throw old shoes... i just can't!!!!!! I keep them with utmost care... so saalon saal chale :P

MG: Favorite pair, from where and how much did you pay?

DG: Fav pair... That's a tough question... i must say there is a tie :p One brown polka dots pumps bought from Starios at Lokhandwala for Rs.700. The other is a pair of white wedges i bought from Venus Steps, Delhi for Rs. 1400

MG: Favorite shoe store?

DG: Favorite shoe shop... nothing in particular! I am not brand conscious... i love street shopping and bargaining :)) But i do love Starios in Lokhandwala... for their variety :D 

MG: You gotta take me there next time i visit Bombay!

MG: A bad-shoe purchase

DG: Ginger (Lifestyle ka in-house brand) All the shoes are of pathetic qlty :( the leather peels off... u get shoe bites... yuck! 

MG: Need to ask Madhu Gopalan about her experience! 

MG: How do you match shoes with outfits?

DG: To be honest, 90 percent of the time i buy shoes first and then the outfit! (*OMG*)

MG: No, no... i mean how do you decide which shoes to wear in the morning when you are getting dressed?

DG: I don't go matchy-matchy. Mostly contrast. With a monochrome outfit, I'd wear Neon. 

MG: Thank you girl. 

DG: :)

This is a pic of part of her collection of footwear. No this does not feature all of them. :)

PS: So who else is envious of this stunning collection?

PPS: Hope you are enjoying the new features in my blog... I am working on a revamp and your feedback would be very helpful.

Never say never: A lesson learnt

I once very confidently told my kid cousin that i could NEVER wear anything animal print. And i hadn't. Until recently, that is. When i picked up these ballerina flats from Westside recently because i really liked them. Yes, the shoes are blue and it looks like dots but, the print is most definitely an animal print.

Yes, never say never. Not even in your head.

{My new favorite pair from Westside, on sale for Rs. 499} 

MY TOP 5: Affordable Bags from LimeRoad

1. Oleva Copper Clutch
Rs 599

2. Black and White Crossbody Sling
Rs 299 (dirt cheap o'd say)

3. Orange Red and Green Ikat Wallet
Rs 500

4. Zesty Orange Backpack
Rs 1399

5. Burri Nazar Waale Tote
Rs 600

The wallet and the crossbody are the ones i want most... and even though i have too many bags i am tempted.

PS: I own, at least 40 bags (whopping, right!!)!! Some of them i have never used... a lot of them are gifts... in fact i stopped buying bags a long time back and i wont for at least another year at least. How many bags do you own?

Pretty green pumps

Love these shoes. For Rs. 399 at Lifestyle / Splash. Available in other colors as well.

Style tip: Pair this with denims and a tee / top of any color other than green or red. Don't go matchy-matchy please. Will look lovely when teamed with calf-length or shorter skirts.

Pic courtesy: Madhu Gopalan

Madhu Gopalan is a blogger famous for her gorgeous blog Aadab Hyderabad. She is an avid photographer who you can find on Instagram. She also has a green thumb, paints beautiful pictures, visits concerts and buys beautiful shoes! 

You can check out her blogs here and here. 

Thanks Madhu for sharing this. 

Manifest Destiny.in

Love at first sight... it does happen :)

Manifest Destiny, a dreamy collection of jewelry that is organic and stylish, made my heart go bumpity-bump. Check it out if you are looking for jewelry that is 'hatke' and not the usual run-of-the-mill stuff. Manifest Destiny will definitely make you swoon too... i promise.

Manreet Deol, the designer of these pieces and the artist who designs these pieces describes her collection as a "melange of Art, Fashion and Everything beautiful". One look at the designs and you will believe her.


Score brownie points! I'd think they would make a lovely gift... especially with Diwali just around the corner.

You can buy online here and connect on Facebook here.


Read on more... if you'd like to know more about Manreet, the talented lady who designs these exquisite pieces. 

An interview with Manreet Deol.

MG: Tell me something about yourself... in 20 words or less.

MD: About yourself' was hard to write... I need to develop some copy for this 

MG: I first met Manreet, exactly a year ago in Pondicherry. I managed to spend some time with her and found her to be a lot of fun, easy-going and easy to talk to. She studied at NIFT and then moved to New York where she studied at the Parson's School of Design. She lived and worked in New York for many years. 

She has made Pondicherry her home now and lives and works from a beautiful home near Auroville that is as lovely as the pieces she designs... I think she still carries a little bit of NY in her because her home kinda reflects that too... Along with her own beautiful organic style of design. I visited her home only once last year and i didn't click any pictures but i remember her house so clearly... the big unfinished canvas painting that was pasted with tape on the wall, the lovely white hammock in the balcony, the iron candelabra with jasmine flowers strewn, the colorful mexican flags, the wall with her drawings, the eclectic collection of books, the colorful red gingham checked mattresses and the ikea hanging lamps that were not hung, but used on the floors with some organic wire shapes she had made. (Oops... i do go on and on!!)

MG: Things you like

MD: I have a fondness for (in no particular order) booking plane tickets (love the people I meet when I travel! ) Scandinavian Electro-Pop music + Steaming Idlis with gunpowder + Wandering in the forest of Auroville + Mid-century Art.

MG: What else do you design?

I mostly design tableware  and other decorative objects - I just got done designing a 7'  tall candelabra and in the middle of a metal tableware collection for major porcelain company and a flatware line...

MG: How and where is your jewelry made?

All our pieces begin as clay sculptures that are then individually cast in Aluminum and Brass using the sand casting technique in Delhi. The soft raw organic nature of this process is perfect for our pieces. Another great thing about this casting method is that each pieces is made from its own unique sand mold that must be broken to release the piece. So in a way each jewelry piece is one of a kind.

MG: Your favorite designer / artist?

MD: I'm constantly inspired by the monumental and raw works of Richard Serra and Louise Bourgeois. I also love all the varied tribal traditions of the world such as the Gond paintings and the fantastic Kutchi jewelry... truly amazing pieces of art.

MG: Your collection... in your words...

MD: We create timeless pieces that are thoughtfully handcrafted and possess a soul that transcends style and cultural boundaries. 

~

Thanks Manreet, for sharing your story with me. Am honored and delighted to have you here. 

~

Hope you enjoyed this post. I am hoping to interview and feature more artists and their work here... send me an email or message me on FB if you'd like to be featured in my blog. 

Colaba Tales from Jaypore: Pretty Silver Jewelry

This one is for you Bhagsi. The moment i saw this, i thought you'd like it.

Love the collection of everything that is there on Jaypore.

Of course, everything is very pricey and you'd probably not buy something without blinking twice... but ooooh, everything is so yummy... i want to lap it all up. And not have to burp at the end!!

{Silver flower jhumki for Rs. 3200}

Loving today: Kota doria sarees from 9rasa

Kota doria sarees, perfect for a daytime housewarming or small event. I'd probably team it with a dressy  blouse and wear it for an evening occasion!

I can't decide which one i like more - the Aqua or the Orange.
Rs 1199 each
9rasa.com

PS: Every woman who wears saris should get neutral colored blouses made - cream, beige, silver, copper and gold - or in combinations of these. They are very very useful. And i think this lace blouse is a must-have. 

Loving today: This colorful tie-dye scarf

Yellow blue and orange tie-dye scarf.
Rs 249
Zovi.com

Mr. Sun is being nice and the weather is so nice right now. I have been teaming my tees with stoles / scarves / dupattas / shawls everyday since the last one week. :)

Loving today: Hand block-printed dogri pants

These are so summery and so comfortable. I have been wearing zouaves since quite sometime now and they are the most comfy item of clothing one can buy.

Block printed cotton dogri pants
Rs 799
9rasa

Loving today: Four bags from Koovs

one
Geometric print tote
Rs 399
Be for bag
Perfect for everyday use.

two
Aztec print drawstring bag
Rs 1495
Koovs
A good bag to take to work.

three
Rimple Tejab Nude sling
Rs 1450
Baggit
When you wear a dress or a skirt, you need this one.

four
Light Orange Quick Jhuti Sling
Rs 1550
Baggit
Date night bag

PS: Three is my favoritest of them all... which one is yours?

Shop Online at Done By None

Remember I shared this lovely site that fulfills my foot fetish called The Sole Sisters? This is one of the sandals i saw there and loved. I hopped on to DoneByNone, the source of this lovely pair. They also have a lovely name - Rio De Rocco Heels :)

You can find some really cool cool clothes, shoes, bags and trinkets as very decent prices.

{DoneByNone}

I really want to get these wedges but i have promised myself i wouldn't buy any more shoes unless i get rid of a few pairs. I can only make an exception for a pair that is silver or gold... do you think that band there qualifies as gold? 

XOXO

The Material Girl who makes silly vows

The Sole Sisters

The Sole Sisters is a site where you can drool over shoes. And keep going back for more eye-candy!

You can even send in your own shoe picture and be featured there. I want to do it but for some crazy reason, even though i have taken so many pictures of my feet and footwear over the years, i can't seem to find a single pic right now :( (Will find a pic or take one to send. Someday. )

Btw, how many women do you know who own less than 6 pairs? 

Yellow Button

Yellow Button is awesome cute.

Love pretty much everything they are selling but their dresses are simply the prettiest...

Check it out!

{Yellow Button}

QuirkBox Fashion and Lifestyle

Minions Jacket

Have you checked out QuirkBox?

They have some crazily awesome stuff. I am totally in love with their fun prints. (Makes me wish, i could come up with amazing stuff like that!)

Each of their collections is super but the latest one - Stuck with Stupid is my fav.

You can find Bags, Dresses, Short, Stoles, Boleros, Jackets, Totes, Pouches, iPad covers, Mouse pads,  Laptop Sleeves, Mugs, Planners, Pouches, Cushions, Notebooks, and Art Prints. That's a whole lot of fun stuff :)

My friend Aru, has their minions dress that i totally totally love. On my wish list is this Pink Toy Factory Dress, which is available on sale... should i go for it?

{See QuirkBox here. Buy QuirkBox here.}

Stuck with Stupid Bag

Wedged by this

Drooling over this Steve Madden wedge. It's too freaking expensive but also so very gorgeous. *Sigh*

{Steve Madden}

PS: Loving this color blocking trend in footwear. I recently got a pair of flat sandals from Westside where the front strap is blue and the sandal part is tan. It's just perfect for everyday wear.

Thanks Naveena for pinning this .

A skirt from Radhas Daughters

I found this lovely lime green crinkled skirt by Radhas Daughters on a shopping site called Fashionara. The skirt costs Rs 1050. Unfortunately, i don't think this style is right for my body type (yup, pear-shaped it is so gathered skirts are somethings that i mostly stay away from.)

Have you purchased anything bright / neon this season already? Try it... bright colors look awesome on Indian skin tones. And there are a few more vivid colored skirts from this duo on the site. Go check!

PS: I love the name of this brand - Radhas Daughters. I couldn't find much about them on the Internet; all i gathered was this brand is owned by 2 sisters. 

Be for Bag

I am liking fashionara.com. For starters, the pictures on the site are not as bad as the one on all the other online shops (most of them make me want to cringe, no one uses Indian models, the poses are bleagh and the whole setup looks too fake and tacky!)

Fashionara.com also has some interesting products. And there are not too many products so you don't end up having to weed through stuff...

Do you like this tote from Be for Bag? I am kinda thinking i should order it... haven't got me a bag in a long time! 

Urban Woods Loafers at Tradus

I had seen the Tradus.com ads on the telly and was tempted to check out what they have. And 2 seconds on the site and i found these really cool suede loafers for men. And for Rs. 699, they are definitely a steal. The grey ones are my favorite... perfect for a day of loafing around... blue jeans, white shirt and these grey loafers would make for a simple yet stylish man, don't you think?

New look

I cut my hair short a few months ago. But  i wasn't too happy with it. Then i got my hair cut again last week and i am delighted with it. It looks nice even when i wake up and my hair is sticking out all over.

I love it. What do you think? 

For those who are looking for a competent stylist, try Renu @ Haakim's Aalim. She is the reason i look 5 years younger :D

Lai Jewelry by Puja Bhargava Kamath. I like :)

Loving the Silver jewelry that i saw on Lai's FB albums. Designed by Puja Bhargava Kamath, Lai has some very pretty trinkets. I love these earrings featured here, this paisley pendant, this silver necklace and this ring. And this one with parrots from the jujubi collection.
Go see!