Fashionable New Mums

Becoming a Mom is easily the most exhilarating experience of all in our lives. The Joy we experience is immense and immeasurable. The journey of Mommy hood is beautiful and gratifying. Each day is filled with new learnings, new discoveries and of course new dilemmas. Are we doing it right, will the baby benefit from this or that, hope it won’t harm the baby, etc.

In the course of being a perfect Mom laced with expectations from the whole world, we forget that we are Women first. We have a tendency to quickly immerse ourselves in any role that is given to us, be it a daughter, daughter in law, wife and most of all as a Mother. Our World comes to a standstill and nothing but our Children take precedence. However that shouldn’t hold us back to look presentable and look after ourselves. More so because our bodies may change and in order to accept ourselves it’s better to be well prepared. 

Some fashion pointers I have started keeping in mind while getting dressed:-

• Coats and Blazers -  The most easiest and fashionable way to look good. I personally love layers and they look so chic and smart. You don’t need warm coats; even cotton layering in this weather is great. So you can don a singlet and wear a shirt with jeans. Leave the top few buttons open and your look is complete. Make sure you wear a bright coloured coat to show the contrast. :)
• Scarfs – Not only is it a versatile accessory, it also alters your look within minutes. I always keep a scarf handy. It also keeps me snug when I have to go for an impromptu movie date with hubby. :)
• Skirts / Palazzos – I have taken a fancy to palazzos. I have always loved skirts, they are so much fun to wear and make you feel all girly and gorgeous. Palazzos also look great, pair it with a fitting top and chunky accessories.
• Fitted Pants – I love cropped, fitted and coloured pants. They have been in rage all of last season, and continue to be so. My only problem is that I only have them in shades of pink and red. Guilty!!! 
• Tees/Tops – Post pregnancy because of changes in our mind, our wardrobe needs to suit our body, we may need to make some serious changes. I personally love tees, however I keep those for the more casual and work out looks. I love lacy dressy tops and tunics. They look really nice and elegant and suit most body types.

Most important is to remember that we have a great individualistic style and should always stick to it. I admire some celebrity moms and often try and take inspiration from them.

Some Too Cool Celebrity Moms to get inspired:-

·        Twinkle Khanna – Fun, Feminine and Flirty is what best describes Twinkle Khanna.

·        Victoria Beckham - Known for her bold look, she is one classic mom.

·        Shilpa Shetty – The Print Queen. And she carries it off with so much ease that you really wanna be in her shoes.

The Art Of Accessorizing

Truly an art and loved by all women alike. I don’t like to dress up or wear jewellery said no woman ever. The more bling the more trendy it looks. It’s all about making a fashion statement. Whilst it’s easy to accessorise it’s also important to keep few things in mind. If you can follow a simple rule to not overdo it, you can look fabulous when you don on even a big bright choker. The key is to look elegant yet stand apart from the rest of the crowd.

My take on the Right Way To Accessorise:-
http://www.fashionlivemedia.com/how-to-accessorize-the-right-way/

Accessories do change with the ongoing trends, however try and keep it more close to your aesthetics and preferences. Get the best quality you can buy. Do not compromise. They will also last longer and be your individual style statement. Your personality should not be based on the kind of look you carry, rather on the kind of person you are and also your expertise in your professional circle.

Some Don’ts to Keep in Mind:-

Do not go overboard with the accessorising bit. One statement piece at a time is good enough.You don’t have to wear all your junk jewellery in one go. While wearing your bling stuff don’t wear more than you can handle. People should not get the impression that you are a show off.

So go ahead Accessorise, wear your bling.. Shine On.

Throwback Thurdsday - Work or Not Post Baby!

“To Be or Not to Be” – said William Shakespeare. This phrase is almost synonymous with every woman with a slight twist – To Work or Quit who plans on having a baby and has to decide about whether or not to continue her work. And just like nothing can prepare you about how it is going to be once your baby is born, similarly if you are used to working and have a high flying corporate job it is going to be hard to get used to being at home 24/7.

I loved my work, even though I would crib about day in day out. Lollzz. Well, that was also because I took it for granted and I was in a comfort zone not knowing I would miss it terribly once I can’t go back to work each day. It took me a good one year after my son was born to realize how to be happy and content in my current space and situation. To work or not to post your baby is born is an extremely individual and personal decision based on a whole lot of factors.

·    Read more here - http://www.fashionlivemedia.com/style-tips-moms-working-home/

We're talking about sacrificing work for motherhood or giving work top priority. Yes, this is probably more a matter of opinion than science. I chose to be a Work from home mom and I have no regrets. It is extremely challenging and each day I strive to create a Work Life Balance and enjoy it.

What was your decision? Are you working full time or staying at home to look after your toddler. What do you feel about your decision? Share your feelings!

Diet For a Six Month Old Baby

The diet chart of each baby is varied and unique as are these little babies. So planning out a specific diet chart is impossible. There is no hard and fast rule even about when you should start solid food for your baby. I started my baby on solids in the fourth month. His appetite was growing and Breast Feed as well as Formula wasn’t adequate for him so I tested waters and my son responded really well. He relished it so much the first time we fed him a quarter of a banana, that there was no looking back after that. :)

So, do not listen to the world about exclusive breast feeding is a must for the first 6 months. Concentrate on your baby’s needs and demands and then take a call. I must share a particular incident with you all to set an example. I was particularly worried when post the 3^rd month my son would just cry post his feed.

I had recently started Nan Series as well so he used to be satiated after a top feed for a while. This was happening when otherwise he was an extremely cheerful and smiley baby. I consulted his pediatrician who patiently heard me out and then said that it seems your child is hungry even after you feed him. I was like yeah I too feel so, but what to do I have to breast feed him for another few months. He had the most amused look on his face and he said ‘Who told you that?? Would you rather your baby starves?” That really hit me. It made so much sense. Thereafter, I just ensured that my baby had a balanced nutritious diet.

So there's no telling how your baby will take to this new experience. You may need a while to get used to different textures and tastes or she may tuck in straight away. Try everything slowly at one at a time and give your baby at least a week to get used to the feed. Do not Add Salt or Sugar to their meals. Once your baby is happy eating with a spoon you can increase the range of foods you offer.

Some options that I started for my little one when he was 6 months old:-                

·        Mixed puree of lentils. Try Moong and Masoor to start with. They are lighter and easier to digest.

·        A fine blend of mixed vegetables with potatoes (aloo) or rice

·        Yoghurt, Paneer or custard.

·        Mashed Banana

·        Stewed Apple

·        Mashed Egg yolks with milk

Make sure that you try making the food more nutritious. It should be a fine and smooth blend. Do not push your baby to finish your entire meal. It’s an introduction to solid food. They should enjoy the initial meals so that they get used to solid food. Be very careful about the quantities and the type of food you introduce to your baby. Too much intake of proteins, carbohydrates or fats won’t be good for the baby, There should be a fine balance in their meal. You can also buy readymade food if you are travelling; however it’s more advisable to cook home made fresh food.

Share your experiences about when and how you started feeding your baby solid food.

Beer and Lunch on a Sunday Afternoon

So I have been missing in action with my outfit posts for a while. Mainly, because I couldn't find the right occasion to dress up and show off my new outfit. Lollzzz. So anyways I found the right occasion to wear a new dress that was gifted to me by my mom-in-law. I found the perfect occasion to wear it for a Sunday brunch and a Beer Session at the Corinthian Club.Their Brewhouse was serving different kinds of beer which was my husband and his friends focus. ;) 

So back to my outfit I went ahead with the dress for mainly three reasons:-

• I wanted to wear a dress. Was bored of pants and denims.
•  Finally had some sun so wasn't worried about getting drenched in a dress.
• Hubby was around so I didn't  have to worry about running around after my little guy.

Find out more here - http://www.fashionlivemedia.com/dressing-lunch/

Outfit Details:-

Navy Blue Dress – Marks and Spencer

Gold Ballerinas – Steve Madden (Not shown in the pic)

Handbag – Esbeda

Gold Neck piece – Aatman

Ring - Kazo

What I would change?

The same dress in a black would look gorgeous and and absolutely great for an evening out. Maybe I could have worn heels, that would have given me the added height and lent grace and charm to the outfit as well.

What are your thoughts about my outfit? :)

GOOD SLEEPING HABITS IN TODDLERS

Sleep, the more we get the better we feel. And, if we don’t have our fair share of Beauty Sleep, it’s a grumpy day ahead. Our little babies need much more sleep than us. It is crucial for their initial growth and development. Toddlers who have adequate 10 -12 hours of sleep are happier and more cheerful. Their mom’s would vouch for a baby who has slept well would wake up fresh and be active for longer. While it is important that your child sleeps adequately it is also essential to incorporate good sleeping habits and now is the best time. Is your child sleeping comfortably, independently, a regular sleep time and cycle, etc. These are some questions that you need to ask yourself and apply the solutions accordingly.

• Sleep Cycle – As much as adequate time is necessary, equally important is to form a regular cycle with it. Once they start school, it’ll become much easier to have a routine especially if it is started while they are still younger and easier to handle.
• Sleeping Independently – This too should start when they are as young as possible. Lot of people may have contrary views to this, not safe to let the child sleep alone, what if they wake up or get scared at night? However, we do have Baby Monitors, Gadgets etc to monitor all this. Also, our instincts can never go wrong. We need to be strong and convince ourselves first that it is the right choice for our baby.
• Constant Encouragement – When you do gather the courage to shift your toddler to the nursery and their own bed, make sure you constantly encourage them to sleep on their own. Make the nursery and their bed likeable and conducive to their choice. They should be happy about sleeping in their own space and enjoy their sleep time.
• Special Bedtime Moments – Most children try and fight sleep as they feel it cuts down their time for fun and merriment. To change this, bedtime should be made as enjoyable as possible. Maybe reading to your little one or asking them to recount their day, etc. These small special moments add value not just to sleep time but also a bond between you and your child.
• Be Strong – The shift to another bed or another room is going to be hard on you as well as your child. Initially, you may find a crying toddler next to you, begging to sleep with you. Steel of nerves would be required. Take your child back lovingly to their room and calmly make them understand that they need to sleep in their own room. Stay with them a little while longer too if required till they drift back to sleep.
• Fear of the Unknown – Till your little one slept next to you, they had a feeling of security. Your occasional touch or hold was good enough for them to sleep peacefully. Once they are on their own, they will feel a little daunted and insecure. Make sure that you take care of this from day one of their sleeping alone. A night lamp will give them ease of not being in total darkness. You could also tuck in their favourite toy, gives them a sense of security and belonging.
• Tuck in your Child with Love – After you have finished the night time routine, always tuck in your child and give a kiss on the forehead or a hug. Excess of it won’t hurt.

Planning Your Baby's Nursery!

Don’t we all love our space and comfort zone. Similarly, babies also develop a sense of belonging as early as their birth. The way they start recognising their mom and dad similarly they start identifying their own space and comfort places. As much as I wanted my little baby to be in my arms all the time especially at night, I knew it wouldn’t be a good option for him in the long run. So with a heavy heart I decided to go ahead and plan his nursery. Since we did not to know the baby’s gender we decided on neutral shades of sunshine yellow and bright orange. We made a comfortable niche for him and he loved his first year in his nursery. Thereafter there was no looking back. Once, we moved into a bigger pad, we asked him for his choice for the colour of the walls. He chose a yellow and blue.

Some pointers to consider before planning your child’s nursery:-

• Natural Paints – We found it a bit hard to get hold of natural paints. So we went ahead with lustre. They say they are less harmful than the other paints; however I cannot vouch for that. One major benefit of lustre is that it is really easy to clean and maintain. As the baby grows older they want to write and make a mess all over including the walls, lustre is life – saving. Just wipe it with a damp cloth.
• Furniture - Go with baby friendly and colourful furniture. They should feel happy about being in their room. It should appear bright and vibrant. My son adores cars so I ordered his bed online. It is in the shape of a car and he loves sleeping in it.
• Keep it Clutter Free – It’s easier said than done right? Try and keep it as spacious as you can. Keep one odd wall free as the coloured wall will add brightness to the room. I haven’t planned storage as yet, waiting for him to grow older so that can understand his interests better.
• Design and Layout – If your budget permits go for your child’s favourite cartoon character and do a wallpaper.  I couldn't even think of it as my son kept changing his favourites. Sometimes it was Noddy, sometimes Ben 10, Superman etc. lollzz. You could the glow moons and stars or even of their favourite character.
• Linen – Since my son sleeps in his room from the second month, I always made sure his bed was nicely made up. I would pick up bright colourful cartoon prints which I knew he would love sleeping on.
• Pictures – I put up a digital photo frame in his room which has pictures of all his loved ones. He enjoys watching the pics and asking me to relate stories about them.

The idea is to create a special niche which gives them a sense of belonging to their room. It could be even one distinct piece of furniture or a bright night lamp, some of their favourite soft toys. My son loves to read so I got two shelves put up dedicated to his favourite books and board games. Also make sure you add some comfortable and easy seating for yourself. You too are going to spending time with your kids there so enjoy it.

Did you guys go crazy planning your baby’s nursery? I thoroughly enjoyed it and keep looking for new stuff to add to my son’s room.

Some Chic Ways To Cover Your Swim Wear!

Summer is still around, well at least in some parts of the world. lollzz. So since I plan way ahead and the looks have to be right, so cannot leave this one out. When you are in your swimwear you are mostly showing a lot off skin and baring your body. Why not cover it up stylishly and relax if you don’t have plans of getting in the water. Sounds fun na?

Even though I love getting in the water and can spend a lot of time inside, yet the thought of lounging on a deck chair with my favourite book or just collecting my thoughts is just extremely appealing. And knowing me I just have to get the look right. Also, no swimsuit is complete without a matching cover up. The market is flooded with some lovely stuff and beautiful prints  and patterns. They cover you up in style, you don’t feel conscious of prying eyes and yet make heads turn with your attire.

My point is that I also want to bask in the sun with loads of sunscreen under an umbrella and just laze on a deck chair. I like to dress up my swim wear like this.

http://www.fashionlivemedia.com/6-cool-ways-cover-swim-wear/

Of course if your agenda is to swim and swim some more then the above options would be off no use. However, there are times when you need to step out for a longer duration, maybe to feed yourself or your baby, a stroll, getting a tan or maybe just running after your toddlers: why not do it in style? Lolzzz..

What’s your swim wear cover up Style? Do you like it all bare or a modest cover up? Share with us your ideas.

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Amrapali Jewels

Sounds so magnificent and royal, right? Well, that certainly they are. Amrapali designs are basically tribal, fine and uncut gemstone jewellery. Their inspiration lies in elements of ethnic jewellery. Also, it is made keeping in mind traditional methods so that the designs are authentic and closer to our rich culture and heritage. Since it was unique and traditional it was mostly sought after by the royal families and more recently film stars and the Richie rich of the society.

The Concept is the brain child of two talented designers Rajiv Arora and Rajesh Ajmera. They chanced upon it during their graduate program as it was part of their project. These two gentlemen took upon the responsibility of sharing the magic of this jewellery to the whole world and spread its charm and glory. Well, they did a fine job and The House Of Amrapali over the years has earned a loyal clientele from Maharani Gayatri Devi, Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Aishwarya Rai Bacchan, Kareena Kapoor to name a few.

What started off as a graduate program for two young designers made its way across the globe starting with The Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai. There couldn’t have been a better platform for these jewels to be showcased as Mumbai was growing fast to become a financial hub. Not just globally it would get delegates and foreigners visiting but India’s top honchos and Socialites would also be regular visitors.

Read more about the history - http://www.fashionlivemedia.com/amrapali-jewels-history/

Do you own your own Amprapali? Do share your pics and on what occasions do you prefer to wear your precious jewellery?

My Affair With The Nine Yards

A saree is the most beautiful and graceful garment that any woman can drape. Any woman wearing the nine yards exudes grace, beauty and sensuality all in one. No wonder even the west apes this style. To be able to drape a saree to perfection is no easy task; however thanks to fashion innovations, quick and easy ways to drape sarees have come up. A ready – made saree is a boon for saree lovers who don’t know how to drape it properly. You also have concept sarees which look fantastic and you need not be an expert draper to don these.

A saree is our traditional dress. Varying from 4 yards to 9, it is basically a piece of cloth yet it defines an Indian Beauty from top to bottom. Though with the modern and indo western outfits, saree are no longer as popular as they were, yet for almost all important and festive occasions it is a preferred choice. It is a sure shot head turner, and you get oodles of attention from men and women alike. Saree happens to be one outfit that brings out and further enhances the beauty of a woman.

                                                                                                         

Pros to wearing a Saree:-

• Moulds your figure – The saree is one garment that adapts to your figure. Whatever your body shape you can wear it accordingly to look your best. If you are tall and thin wear it tightly pleated and the pallu can be left flowy to avoid you looking thin and bony. Or if you are plump and short wear it a lil loose with firm pleats and the same for your pallu.
• Style it with the Blouse – Though it seems just like fabric wrapped around you, yet adding variations to your blouse can do wonders. Right from halters to full sleeves to cross backs, low backs, Chinese collars, take your pick to go not just with your personality but also the occasion.
• Grace and Charm Unlimited – Yes Jeans and Tees, Dresses all are in vogue yet the feminine charm that a saree can present, no outfit can. You can look drop dead gorgeous and yet have a oomph factor which nothing can match.
• Oozes Style and Sexiness – Despite wearing clothing that covers you from top to toe you look absolutely stunning and gorgeous. The right blouse, accessories and of course a well draped saree makes you a stunner and you are the star of any occasion.

Sarees are no longer confined to the traditional method of draping and styling. Indian designers have come with concept sarees which are pre draped, easy to wear and contemporary. It is really easy to get into. Foreign celebrities also love wearing the saree and they carry it off really well. Even a pre – stiched one requires some amount of grace and flair to pull it off. Wearing a saree is literally an art. The fabric, the style of draping, the blouse and most importantly how you carry it off all make up for wearing the saree the perfect way. Personally, I used to love wearing a saree especially for all festive occasions. I have always worn a traditional saree and after a lot of practice I can drape it to close perfection.

What’s your way to style a saree? Share your stories. 

What's your Shoe Count?

A Girl's Best Friend

Well, you can’t really put a number to that. I don’t want more shoes said no girl ever. High Heels, Flats, Wedges, Pointy Pumps and the list goes on and on. Just like clothes there are some great options available for each season that comes by. So it’s absolutely hard to resist to not stock up in each style and colour. Lollzz. Of course, coming from a shoe addict I never end up wearing all my shoes. I just like to see them sitting pretty in my shoe closet.

Since we don’t want to limit you to buying a fixed number of shoes we bring some of the shoes that are Must Haves for every girl. Apart from these, feel free to go splurge on many more.

·        
http://www.fashionlivemedia.com/6-must-shoes-every-girl/

Shoes are a girl’s best friend and they can instantly cheer you up. I personally recommend a statement pair as well, something that is very different and doesn't really match with any outfit. That’s the charm of having such a pair.

So ladies what’s your shoe count. Mine is 75. 

Friends Forever!

Friends Forever

Friendship’s day just went by and was celebrated with a lot of hype and joy. J My bestie visited me from Mumbai. The agenda was to chat over coffee, shop, chat and then shop some more!! Lolzzz sounds like fun times right? Well it was all that and much more. We had so much to talk that the last two days went by in a jiffy, but our conversations carry on. :)

So anyways we decided on shopping at our favourite local store called “Much More”. The store sources its stuff from Thailand and has a good range of clothes, cosmetics, shoes and bags. The latest trends at great bargains are the USP of this brand. They have expanded rapidly in few years from 1 – 4 stores spread across the prominent areas of the city.

Read more of my bestie and my celebration - http://www.fashionlivemedia.com/5-best-gift-ideas-for-your-best-friend/