Windy Tales

Lover of all things pretty

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Theme- Trinkets

Hi Guys,

I very carelessly have not been able to give time to my blog, which I should, so I’ve thought of doing something different from now on and I’ll try sticking to it. I will be coming up with unique, thoughtful themes for my blog every week, and will be posting some pretty pictures to satisfy the ‘lover of all things pretty’ in me. 

This week’s theme is ‘Trinkets’ as the blog title says. I’ve captured some of the best pieces from my personal collection and suggested ways on what you can team them with. Have a look below and do let me know what you think about it in the comments section!

Love,

Fatema.

These leafy lovelies in gold and turquoise stole my heart the moment I saw them. You can team them with a black maxi for a party look. For a more casual outing, you can pair these with a turquoise tee/lace top/shirt if you own one.

From: Forever 21 (Dubai)

You could say I’m obsessed with leaf designs, but how can one resist such beautiful statement earrings? Team them with your ethnic attire and you’re sure to grab all the attention. Yes, that’s what happened to me when I wore them on the occasion of Eid three months back.

From: ToniQ (Lifestyle Stores)

I think pearls look best on any and everything! And there’s nothing better than pearls and gold combined together. For the upcoming festive season, these beauties seem apt. Try it!

From: Thrifted (T’was a steal)

Silver looks elegant... Hands down! I was introduced to this site called ‘justjhumka.com’ on Facebook lately and I loved their collection- so different and so affordable. You can team these with simply anything because they’re so stunning and silver can go on any color!

From: http://www.justjhumka.com/

I have these chic trinkets for 3 years now. I don’t think I can ever part with them. These triangular, metal earrings are my personal favourite. I have teamed them with black attire/denim shirt/white attire. You can try pairing these with even ethnic wear.

From: Forever 21 (Dubai)

These black roundies are another ones from Justjhumka. The site had so many options, I couldn’t resist, so I picked 5 pairs in one go. And I’m so happy I did! You can pair these gorgeous black and silver trinkets with both ethnic and western outfits. They look way better on the ears than what you see here!

From: http://www.justjhumka.com/

Pretty Giant Wheels! Yes, that’s what I call them. Though they have an ethnic vibe, you must try and pair such big hoops with maxis/denims, even on a date night. They’re look so classy, you’re bound to make a style statement!

From: Thrifted

Another justjhumka pick! As the composition of this picture suggests, team such big gold chunky earrings with a black outfit and a pop of red to rock that party!

From: http://www.justjhumka.com/

Apt for the upcoming Diwali season, these paisley shaped stunners are all you need to brighten up your festive look. You can buy them on http://www.justjhumka.com/

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Monsoon Holidaying

Here’s a photo post on my recent trip to Goa!

Though we knew Goa wouldn’t be the usual due to off-season, we still went ahead with it, expecting something new and exploring something different. And it did not disappoint us one bit.

I have, off late, developed a liking for photography. And what better way of perfecting it than going around clicking more and more. And this trip to Goa gave me a chance to do just that. 

I’m excited to share some of my favourite clicks with you guys!

PS: Goa is beautiful during Monsoons! 

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1 Month, 5 New Eateries!

Now that April is almost coming to an end, let me share with you 5 new eateries/cafes I explored this month. With April being more than eventful, I got a chance to learn about a few new places which totally managed to satisfy my taste buds.

Me So Happi:

Address: Ground Floor, Kusum Kunj building, Main Khar Linking Road, Opp city bank, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052.

This quaint cafe called ‘Me So Happi’ situated at Main Khar Linking Road, is attractive and how. The pretty entrance drives you crazy and you are dying to know what is hidden behind this beautiful blue door. 

I went here along with a colleague. Since we’d heard so much about this place, we simply HAD to try it. The ambience is a complete win-win. The food is great, though the portions are very small. What you need to note is, ‘Me So Happi’ is sure to leave a hole in your pockets. Therefore, go only when you are willing to splurge a little too much. And trust me, you’d enjoy the whole experience. The place is a little too pretty. You are sure to go back only for its lovely ambience.

The Local:

Address: Plot No.111-A, Currimjee Building, MG Road, Opp. Bombay University, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400023.

The Local is a perfect resto-bar where you can hang out with friends and colleagues till the wee hours. It is one of the most popular places in town that host Karaoke Nights. The place is usually pack after 10 PM as that’s when the crowd starts coming in. It is situated in the midst of a rather busy street, which is why locating The Local gets a bit difficult.

The food is decent, the place gives you an old world charm feel, it is not priced heavily and the overall service is decent. It is a complete and apt drinking place. So, non-drinkers may not like it.

Mamagoto:

Address: B 40, Unit 1 -5, Patel Commercial Premises Cooperative Society Ltd, Opposite City Mall, New Link Road, Andheri West, Mumbai.

Mamagoto is an apt place for all the Chinese food lovers. They serve mouth-watering, rather authentic Chinese food. Their buffet menu made for a great deal and we decided on going ahead with it. 

It is more of a family restaurant but with a great ambience. It is also recommended for a lunch date if good food is what you’re looking out for. The service is quick and excellent. A place where you can peacefully enjoy your food. Totally recommended for foodies.

Auriga:

Address: Dr B E Moses Road, Famous Studio Lane, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai

Auriga is located in one corner of the oh-so-busy street of South Mumbai, Mahalaxmi. This resto-bar looks like a discotheque inside-out, as you can see in the pictures. It is a perfect place to chill with a bunch of friends. 

Auriga is huge. They serve drinks and starters on the ground floor and if you are only going for a quiet dinner then go straight up on the first floor where they serve a wholesome meal. The food is delicious and DO NOT forget to try their Tom Yum Soup. It is oh-so-delectable! 

Great food and good music! What more do you want after a long and hectic day at work?!!

The Rolling Pin:

Address: 12, Janta Industrial Estate, Senapat Bapat Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400013

Situated bang opposite High Street Pheonix, Lower Parel, The Rolling Pin tempts you even before you enter the place. I had heard a lot about this newly opened eatery and since it is hop, skip and jump from my work place, I finally made it to this oh-so-tempting joint.

The huge variety in pastries will make it difficult for you to settle on just one. They have all kinds of veg and non-veg puffs, a great variety in breads and a lot more. You can always hop there for a snack or take-away. 

April 2015 was all about discovering new and pretty cafes and eating joints. And I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.

Looking forward to my birthday month now! :)

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Sweet Summer Child

I certainly have some kind of floral obsession, is what you’ll must be thinking. And yes, I totally, madly do!! 

Sometimes, you completely tend to forget about some clothes in your wardrobe, which haven’t been touched since a long, long time. And this floral, poncho top that you see here, is one such item that I had absolutely forgotten about and that caught my fancy when I was vehemently searching for something summery to wear this morning. And without a single thought, I knew what best to team it with. Such lose tops look best when paired with skinny bottoms. Black skinny jeggings completed the look for me.

The leaf hair-band that you see, is a hair-band cum necklace. Cool, ain’t it? This pretty thing caught my attention while street shopping at Colaba Causeway. This is the very first time I’m using this as a hair-band and I was showered with compliments. So, guess I should wear it more often.

I chose not to accessorize at all because the floral is too loud and does not need me to add any more to the look. 

I may come up with a few more summer looks because I am experimenting way too much off late! Stay tuned :)

Photo Credits: heemajoshi

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Round-up of March!

It is unbelievable how months fly! We are already in the 4th month of 2015. So, I thought of sharing with you’ll a round-up of March, 2015. Well, March was all about travelling, visiting new cafes, buying some more exquisite pieces of jewellery, getting pampered on Women’s Day and a lot more!

Have a look!

April is going to be even more eventful and I CANNOT wait. So, bring it on!

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Summer Mode On:

Summer is a curse, no doubt, but it also gives you a chance to remove the chiffons and florals and whites out of your closet. In fact, this and mangoes are the only two reasons I look forward to summers.

I wanted to do a more elaborate post on summer style, but for now, this is all I could manage, with too many things happening around at the same time. But I’m glad I always try and manage to update my blog almost every day. And I hope to continue with this.

Coming back to the outfit post… Since summers are here, we ought to make fashion statements, which I think is the only way to beat the heat. I was madly crushing over my newest buy from Myntra.com and I simply HAD to share it with you guys. 

This yellow shrug that I’m wearing here is just so apt to wear in these months. It is comfortable, stylish and vibrant from the word go. The best part is that the material of this pretty shrug is so soft, just the kind of fabric I’d like my body to touch during summers.

The post is all about my cute and eye-grabbing steal from the online store, therefore, the pictures only focus on it. However, it is best to team this colorful shrug with an all-black outfit, so as to make the shrug stand out. You can also team it with blue, green, white or black plain maxi dresses. The contrast will look stunning and you’re sure to make a statement. You can add some subtle accessories to your outfit, for example, ear studs or hand-cuff or a long neckpiece or statement rings. I haven’t accessorized much, except for a turquoise ring which I had purchased during my trip to Udaipur, Rajasthan a few years back.

So, tell me what your summer style is like?

Photo Credit: Anju Maskeri

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This was 2 years back, when I got featured in the DNA Downtown edition as a fashion blogger. I’m glad I have managed to improve a lot since then. Just thought I’d share it with you’ll.

Feedback is welcome!

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Review:

Bhaijaanz

Being a Bollywood buff and a Bollywood content writer, you can pretty much sense the amount of Bollywood I breathe in, in the entire day. It was quite obvious, I wouldn’t give this filmy cafe a miss. 

The idea behind opening a cafe in the name of Bollywood’s biggest superstar Salman Khan, is certainly a very smart move. Am sure the owner must’ve been a die-hard fan of Bhai, to have opened a cafe with all the four walls giving us a dope on the 'Dabangg’ actor.

You will find a lot of Sallu fans in ‘Bhaijaanz’. Also, this eating joint attracts a lot of Muslim crowd, for obvious reasons. I like how the menu card starts with ‘Swagat Nahi Karoge Hamaara’. The copywriter has done a fabulous job with thorough research, MUST say.

‘Bhaijaanz’ has been done up extremely well. A huge poster of Salman looking like a hulk, is hanging across one side of the wall inside the non-smoking sitting area. Whereas, on the outside, which is the Non-AC area, they have his famous movie dialogues written all over the wall on one side, and on the other, all his film posters have been neatly photo-framed with each of its release dates and tucked on the wall.

The smoking zone of ‘Bhaijaanz’ has a cute balcony as part of its interior, resembling the one at Galaxy, where the Khan resides. 

What turned me off, was the cramped seating arrangements and how the place is really, really small. It is not your usual ‘chilling out’ place. You simply walk in, eat and walk out. Since the place is small as well as crowded, you’ll have a lot of waiting to do, especially if you go in the evenings. And yes, there is no prior reservation, so do not try that.

Coming onto the food bit, we decided on having Mughlai as that seemed to go well with the whole atmosphere. We called for seekh kebabs and burra chicken for appetizers and chicken tikka biryani as main course. The food was delicious and the biryani was one of the best I’ve had in recent times! Though the quantity of the appetizers didn’t fill us up but the biryani was enough for 4 people. 

Apart from having a Salman Khan feel to the cafe, they also did something quirky with the presentation of their menu card. Different sections on the menu had different and funny titles. They tweaked Salman’s movie titles to make their whole menu card, which was quite interesting.

For example: 

- Their egg section was titled “Anda Apna Apna” (Andaz Apna Apna)

- Their sandwiches section was titled “Salaam-e-Sandwiches” (Salaam-e-Ishq)

Food- 4/5 Ambience- 4/5 Decor- 5/5 Service- 2/5 Quantity- 3/5

Verdict: If you are a fan of both Salman Khan and Mughlai food, then you MUST try 'Bhaijaanz’ very, very soon!

Address: G2, White Rose Building,  Rizvi Complex, Sherly Rajan Road,  Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai.

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MP Diaries! 

Spring is one of the most beautiful seasons, and nothing beats the happiness of witnessing the striking colors of flowers and leaves that bloom during this period. 

Get a dope of my recent hush-hush trip to Madhya Pradesh in this post!

Luckily, I got a glimpse of the fifth longest river in the Indian subcontinent too. This picture of Narmada was taken on the go. You cannot help but capture the beauty and serenity this place offers.

This was the view from our room window during our 2-day stay. With such a mesmerizing view, all you need is a good book and kadak chai... Such quiet vacations are sometimes a MUST! You cannot always be running about, hopping from one beach to another or one mountain to another or one bar to another. This was a total my kinda short trip.

Since this trip was purely made for religious purpose, this photo was SO mandatory. But how can one miss out on capturing such a pleasing site. Peace and tranquility defines this place!

Beauty clearly lies in the eyes of the beholder! During one of our stops, we were offered tea in these cute elephant-print cups, which instantly grabbed my attention. The print goes so well with the culture of MP, I couldn’t help but capture this little beauty.

Believe it or not, this was my home for 2 days. Wish we had such houses in Mumbai too. I would die to live in such a house for the rest of my life. Wouldn’t you?

I have always had a thing for wall arts. This one’s neat and stunning from the word go... 

After returning from this place, I’ve become a complete nature-lover. There is so much beauty around, you cannot help but capture all that you can.

The lush-green lawns, the beautiful grass houses, Narmada, which is the life-line of MP, the traditional and quirky print tea-cups, creative wall-art and above all I got to witness Spring, one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. 

What I most love about travelling is, you get to experience different cultures, different cuisines, different modes of transport and you have no choice but to gel with it. So, you get the best of it as well as the worst of it. And as we say, experiences, whether good or bad, they help you create and tell stories.

Any comments or suggestions on the post are welcome!

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Casual Day Essentials:

Everybody experiences days where all you want to do is keep it minimalistic yet stylish. And that’s exactly what defines ‘Casuals’. 

Girls totally love such days. Who wouldn’t? We all want those comfortable days, when you can simply throw on a pair of denims, jeggings, leggings, palazzos, etc and team it with a chic tee, shirt, tie-up, crop-top, etc. At times, you just want to stay away from your flowy/pencil skirts, maxi/midi/mini dresses and all that jazz. That’s when casuals come to your rescue.

I was going through one such day so I decided to throw on a comfortable outfit that spoke class at the same time. I teamed my favourite pair of black denims with a checked tie-up shirt and loafers. I’ve also given accessories a miss, except for a quirky Forever21 wrist band. And of course, Mac Ruby-Woo to complete the look. Red lipsticks totally rock, I MUST say. 

So, if you’re someone who is style-conscious but don’t feel like dressing up on a particular day, then DO NOT hesitate. Simply wear your favourite pair of bottoms on a comfy and stylish top. 

And you’re all set to conquer the world!

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This Girl Loves Her Short Self

I’ve been called all kinds of name-‘chotu’, ‘baccha’, ‘shorty’, ‘kiddo’, ‘half ticket’ and what not…

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Sun, Sand and Sundry

I find jumpsuits very, very comfortable. Especially, if you’re heading to a beachy destination, then make sure you pack atleast one which is vibrant, summery, lose, casual and at the same time, which makes a style statement too.

The jumpsuit that I’m wearing here, is a very old one which was gifted to me by the sister. It’s a smart pick from the streets of Bangkok. I carry this to almost all my holidays. I love the floral print on it and the fact that it is above the knee, makes it the most comfortable wear. I think it is an apt beach-wear outfit.

The addition of a denim jacket over the jumpsuit, only makes the floral print stand out. And of course, you don’t need to accessorize yourself at all because once again, your focus is on the comfort aspect.

Long jumpsuits, too, can make for your perfect beach-wear if all you plan to do is chill on the beach shacks.

So, now you know what best to wear for a beach outing!

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Fetish for Necklaces!

Over the last one year, my love for accessories, especially neckpieces have increased tremendously. Afterall, accessories are meant to complete the look. But there are times when you ought to ditch accessories to save yourself from making a fashion blunder. So yes, no matter how much you love your chains and trinkets, make sure to team them really well. And never ever over-do it. 

If you’re wearing a heavy neckpiece on a plain or single-color outfit, then ditch earrings or for that matter even a wrist-watch. Let the statement neckpiece dominate your entire look. When you opt for beautiful gowns, then ditch necklaces and go for statement earrings.

Since I have a fetish for neckpieces, I pick atleast one from a new place that I travel to. They are my definition of souvenirs.

Here are some of the favourites from my collection. A few have been picked from Bangalore, few from Aurangabad, two of them were given to me as gifts from Accessorize and Forever 21.

Also, if you’re looking out for something chunky and economical, then I suggest go to Colaba Causeway. You’ll find some of the best pieces here. It will be an added bonus if you’re a pro at bargaining. Though it is a little too hard to pick/select from the huge lot but it’ll be worth the effort. 

If you are someone who loves shopping online, then do check out Myntra for exclusive neckpieces. You may just happen to spot something beautiful, quirky and unique, without having to splurge too much.

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The longer the distance, the more exciting is the journey! 

Most of the times, things you don’t believe in or don’t want to believe in, will happen to you. It’s like a slap on your face, courtesy life. We don’t give distance any importance in our day-to-day routine. When the time to maintain a long-distance relationship comes, that’s when we stress on the word ‘distance’. I think every relationship needs a certain distance. So the next time you meet that person, there is a different feeling altogether and a closer bond. 

Distance makes love grow, is what I have learnt. It does not necessarily have to be only about distance between two lovers. It can be distance between two friends or siblings or whoever. I was of the belief that maybe distance makes you less attached to a person. Hence, long-distance relationships fail on a large scale. But ultimately, its not about distance. It was never about distance. It was and will always be about love. Love can help you sustain anything. 

In the last 2 years, I’ve been put through this so called ‘long-distance’ test. Of course, it hit hard initially. That feeling of your world falling apart was beginning to sink in. But then, it slowly teaches some of the best lessons. It changes you as a person, the way you think, the way you react to situations, everything changes. You emerge to be a stronger and a better person. 

There are times when you can’t stop someone from going away from you. You need to let go. PEOPLE WILL LEAVE. But you have to master the art of letting them stay with you, even after they have left. The worst that can get in a long-distance relationship is you won’t get to see that person for days, months or years at end. But there are advantages too of such a relationship. Since you’re already fighting the distance, meanwhile, why not look at the positive sides of it? 

Had it not been for a long-distance relationship, you would have never got to hear some beautiful words or long-hidden secrets from that special person, you would’ve never waited so desperately to meet that person and you would’ve never known what ‘Goodbyes’ feel like. Such emotions, when felt, brings you closer to the person and gives you a reality check too. 

So, does love die when distance between two people increases? Or it becomes stronger when distance comes in the way? 

For all those going through a long-distance relationship, will relate to this, hopefully!

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"I said pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together" -Marilyn Monroe

My four absolute favourite shades of the season are here:

P.S- I was never so addicted to wearing lipsticks, till 2 years ago. And now, I feel incomplete without one.

The first shade from the left-hand corner is 'Obsessed Orange' from Colorbar. It's a perfect summer shade. You can team it with your florals, whites and denims as the orange matt will only stand out on such cool colors and prints. The texture is smooth and stays on for a long time. I suggest, apply a double coat since orange is already a light shade, and you cannot not flaunt such a lovely lip color.

The second shade from the left-hand corner is 'Mystic Muave' from Street Wear. Apart from being an affordable cosmetic brand, Street Wear has a very unique collection of shades in lipsticks, and that's what attracts me. The texture is smooth but isn't long-lasting. The shade goes well with mainly black and orange outfits. The contrast speaks glamour. MUST-HAVE!!

The second shade from the right-hand corner is 'Saddle Brown' from Chambor. The texture is so smooth, you are sure to fall in love with this matte lipstick. The color will blend perfectly well with neon colors and whites. You can wear it to official outings as the color is subtle and speaks elegance. It is an impressive shade and tops my list.

The first shade from the right-hand corner is Maybelline Pink Alert POW2. The shade gives a glossy look for the first few minutes, but as it settles, it looks extremely gorgeous. The texture is smooth and long-lasting. In fact, it will need no touch-up in the whole day. It is the apt color to wear it to parties and dates. You can team it with your lovely gowns and chic skirts to make an epic style statement.

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Best of Pondicherry:

A small, cute and serene destination for all travel-freaks, Pondy, as it is affectionately known, is a famous tourist place in South India. Pondy entertains all kinds of people. 

Photographers will never get tired of capturing the beauty of the place, writers will never run out of words as this place is so calm, you can pen down your thoughts one after the other, beach-lovers can spend their time exploring the four beaches of Pondy, namely, Promenade Beach, Paradise Beach, The Auroville Beach and Serenity Beach. The die-hard foodies can explore the different kind of cuisine that each cafe in Pondy has to offer. 

You will find a quaint cafe in every nook and corner. And it is extremely disappointing when you don’t have enough time to try out each one of them. 

Living in a city like Mumbai, I realized, one hardly gets to spot bougainville here. Bougainville only enhances the beauty of the nature, as you can clearly see in the pictures. 

Pondy takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and pulls you into its own world of tranquility and prettiness. It is very, very heart-breaking to say goodbye to this place.

Well, I think going with friends would definitely turn out to be a better idea, rather than family. You can chill at the cafes, soak on the beaches, drink your heart away and admire the beauty of Pondy without getting bored even for a second.

I’d be more than glad to entertain any queries about the place!

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Treasured Petals

We are generally so busy in our lives that we most often forget to appreciate the little joys of life. It’s sad that we are always cribbing… we crib when we get late for work, we crib when the food is not up to the mark, we crib when we have no crush or no date on Valentine’s Day, we crib when we don’t get Saturdays off, we crib when our plans get cancelled, we crib, crib and crib more.

People around me think I too crib a lot and honestly, I more than agree with them. This very thought urged me to come up with this post today.

So one day, I sat back and thought about small things or moments that make me happy or have ever made me happy. However, I could recollect not one but too many such beautiful moments which have given me the best feelings and I’m going to share those with you in this blogpost:

-Getting under a warm blanket on a chilly night -Cooking for someone special -Not having to ask your dad for pocket money -Being a daily stylist for your elder sibling -Packing gifts in the most neat and creative way -Planning a day and working it out exactly -Being the youngest in your team at work -Receiving surprise gifts from the loved one -A day without having an argument with the boss makes for one of the best days -Sleeping with the sound of waves hitting your ears -The smell of henna -Being present on a childhood friend’s wedding day -Sleeping with your family under one roof -Eating the best chocolate dessert after a sad lunch or a boring dinner -Hand written letters -Cutting a birthday cake made by the mother -Standing at a spot from where you can view the whole city -Saving an outfit for a special day -Sleeping without having to put an alarm for the next day -Hearing ‘The reason for my insecurity is your beautiful face’ from that special person -Buying similar stuff with your best friend

I’m sure many of us, including me, don’t value the small joys that life gifts us with. Unfortunately, we are always finding flaws in our imperfect lives. But going with the flow is what makes us live each day happily. Because sometimes the best laid plans turn out to be disappointing and the most unplanned ones give us memories to cherish for a lifetime.

If you are someone who feels life is being unfair to you, then think about all those little things that have made you happy at one point in life or still do.