Tall and Awesome!

You are so tall, you should play basketball!

How about ‘Wow! You are so tall, you look awesome’ for a change?

Tall and Awesome! Yes lady, that's what you are!

While being tall can put you in the hit list of that good-looking guy who managed to get noticed by you, it has a few inconveniences too. What if you are not dressed right? Should you have donned a gown instead? Should you flaunt your thigh-gap? And most importantly, should you wear heals?

So many issues to deal with! I know it is tiring. But guess what! Like every problem has a solution, this isn’t even a problem to begin with. You just need to know how to play with it smoothly to make it look effortless.

Finding the right fit for a pair of jeans is a challenge for just about everyone, but of course it’s a bit more tiring when it comes to taller people. But hello! You are the one who could hit the list of American’s Next top model or reach the highest shelf where the prettiest diamond in the world is kept.

Joking apart, embrace your height like any other part of you because that’s one of the most beautiful things that makes you ‘you’! The struggle for ‘what to wear’ doesn’t have to start with or end with a pair of jeans every time. There are several other things, which can give you much more than what you wish to achieve with a pair of jeans. And below are the things, which will just help you do that:

1. When someone looks at your 6 feet appearance, immediately their eyeballs jump on your feet to notice if you are wearing ‘heels’. So, while you roll your eyes with confidence, let them long for the pretty pair of shoes that you are wearing. Since your feet are the first thing anyone anyway will notice, why not make it worth their while? ;)

2. And when people are already expecting that you are looking like a diva because you must be wearing heels, there isn’t any reason why you actually shouldn’t!

3. Add a splash of colour to your outfit when you are in a mood to hang out with your friends. Colours show confidence and make you look more lively. You can either go for a nice colourful outfit or you can also highlight your assets. For example, if your neck is long, you can wear earrings in bold colours or a neckpiece, to draw attention to your neck.

4. One of the advantages that you have is that you have got a thicker opportunity to show off your skin than others, so play with your dresses teasing a part at a time. For example, if you are wearing shorts, make sure your top half is covered enough. A backless gown gracing your bare spine will do the trick.

5. Avoid adding piles of jewellery to your personality. If you wear your height as an accessory, you don’t have to add much.

6. Ever thought of playing a drama queen? If never, then this is the best time! You don’t have to get conscious while wearing a bright red or orange or pink lipstick because of the extra attention it will attract. You can also go for a dramatic eye make-up keeping the outfit simplistic. 

Refuse to let your height keep you away from wearing what you like. It's time to enjoy the evergreen compliment you get from everyone you meet, ‘You should be a model!’;) 

In case 'you' also wish to get a personalised blog aiding to your needs and answering all your fashion queries that you always had, write to me at pragnyasdiary@gmail.com

Keep making a style statement :)

Leh !!

                                  

                                           LEH !!

Breathtaking views of the Himalayan Mountains, ranges with snow clad peaks, and melting snow moving between those mountains as streams! Who doesn’t get tempted to be in such a place? I really was! And the beauty of Leh attended my temptation very well this October.

Though the season for Leh is ideally between April to September, I touched this beautyland just when the season was about to get over. And I was charmed by the first snowfall. What else could have made my trip!

As we drove past the breathtaking views, the clouds made a beautiful umbrella above us until we entered the mountain ranges. And if you are lucky (I was!), you get to enjoy the snowfall as well.

As soon as we checked in, we desired to go on top of the mountains to discover a beautiful chorten called Shanti – Stupa which was a Buddhist white-domed Stupa on the hilltop. It was architected by a Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Namakura in 1991. Ever since, it has become a tourist attraction not only because of religious beliefs but also because of the panoramic views its location gives you.

After Shanti – Stupa, Leh Palace was another attractive destination, which was built in 1553 by the Buddhist kings of Ladakh. It was once the world’s highest building. Inspite of the sturdy walls and partially collapsed interior sections, the prayer room gave a sense of former grandeur. The dark corridors, hidden stairways and broken ladders weaved our way to stunning views from the rooftop. 

Dizzying heights, misty air and brutally cold temperature - Khardung la was all this. It is known as the highest motorable pass in the world. This is where we spotted many bikers hooting their spirits as if wanting to embrace every bit of this beauty. It is the gateway to the Nubra valley, which again is one of the most picturesque locations in Leh.

We encountered a lot of traffic and army convoys and the drive was quite bumpy but once we stepped down at Khardung la, it was worth the effort. It was one of the most beautiful places my eyes could ever wish to see.

Driving past military convoys gave me goose bumps, at the same time gave me a sense of security. It’s because of these people, that the populace of Leh can breath without any fear, eat without hiccups and sleep peacefully. To salute to such brave soldiers who died in Indo-Pak war, a museum, Hall of Fame is constructed. It also had a last post, which had a message from a father to his son who had died while evicting intruders in Kargil war.

Remember the climax of 3-idiots? What flashes in front of your eyes first? Kareena Kapoor? Amir Khan? Ermmm Lake? I am sure the beautiful lake! I always wished to see the lake not through my eyes, but through my soul. And Leh happened to be the answer to my wish. This lake is called Pangong Lake, which is situated at a height of around 14,000 ft. It extends from India to Tibet and approximately 60% of the lake lies in Tibet. Interestingly, the Line of Actual Control passes through this lake. Woo now that’s some piece of news.

Driving in the hills as the sun comes up was an experience to behold. The play of shadows over the hills, the sun sparkling up the ranges, and the drive to reach the lake, I would rank as one of the most beautiful drives in the country.

The most beautiful part of the Leh was that the landscape changes every few kilometers and we were welcomed by mesmerizing landscape and sky touching mountains, peacefully blanketed in the snow.

The barren landscape interrupted by small streams, hot and cold (chilled I’d say) barricaded by wild flowers on both sides was a sight to cherish. The journey was getting silent at alternate kilometers and the only noise that could reach our ears was the air, brushing against the mountains; the melting snow rushing down the hills and the screech of the tyres on the road. Sometimes the bullet rider’s engine would also reach our temples from a distance accompanied by a lot of cheering.

The path was sometimes a patch of mud and sometimes a running stream. Listening to the different notes of the rivers and streams when fused with many big and small waterfalls created a soul-healing music. The rocky mountains were painted green by the wild flowers and grass and of course not to mention, snow.

Every single view was so beautiful that it’s hard to explain in words. It was such an amazing experience that I am still surrounded by that picturesque beauty which arrested all my senses.

Next time you plan a trip, make sure Leh tops your list J

Weddingona !!

                                        Weddingona!

Weddings and the things that they bring! Lots of joy, happiness and laughter that serenades through the curtains; the colourful garlands hugging the walls, choreographing a beautiful dance with flowers; the smell spreading like happiness, is definitely beyond my explanation. Every face is so contagious that....

I can just keep going on and on and on. Thanks to one of the weddings I attended very recently. Weddings have seen a lot of changes through the years, and so did the choice of clothes from the bride to the farthest relative. Of course everyone wants to look drop dead gorgeous, but at the same time donning the latest trends becomes a bit of a challenge. But who is scared of challenges? We aren’t!

Today, you can pick from saris to Lehengas to Anarkalis. And if you are the bridesmaid, there is nothing that you have to restrict yourself from. Really!

In this blog, I am going to share some of the latest trends that will surely turn heads when you cross their ambit.

Saris: Saris are the hottest this season. That silk drape dipped in an amazing cusp of blue and pink, exposing your beautiful belly embraced by a silver belt can steal hearts away. Use minimal jewelry. Make a side plait and lift your tresses up while putting a beautiful flower matching the color of your Sari for that chic look. It not only brings back the 80s look but also shows that you ain’t afraid of experimenting. And so ain’t afraid to look different than others.

Lehengas : Gone are the days when Lehengas were just about a flair going all the way down your waist. Lehengas have also seen a lot of changes in the patterns, cuts and work. You can either pick the parallel style or the straight cut or even the Lehenga cum sari style, which is trending today. Mellow down the look with sober colors like peach, plum, cream, light mehendi, royal blue, etc. You can either team it up with gold jewellery or diamond. But make sure, you ain’t forgetting your smile ;)

Anarkalis: With latest revolution in fashion in terms of Anarkalis has changed the whole scenario of wedlocks. Go for lightweight Anarkalis which aren't carrying too much work. Simple is the way to go. Pick rich colors like Wine red, Royal Blue, Green, or pure whites flushed with crystal work.

But there are a few things you should keep in mind before you make your presence felt. Now a days it’s all about ‘cuts’ more than the ‘work’. You have to, before going any step further, make sure that the cuts are at the right places and the dress fits you well. Also, Sabyasachi’s and Manish’s latest collections have proved ‘less is more’. With less work, yet maintaining that grace will make sure that you steal the show. And if you can’t afford expensive brands; you can surely peep into other designers who are equally good when it comes to their designs.

So, what you waiting for! Go and grab the look that inspires you the most, to look different! And write to me at prangnyasdiary@gmail.com for personal advice or in case you want to share some of your amazing style statements. 

ISB's Mercado and Blenders Pride Fashion Tour!

 ISB's Mercado and Blenders Pride Fashion Tour!

Mercado! You must have heard about it. No? Honestly, even I was not sure what to do with the phone call when I was asked to sponsor clothes from Forever New for Mercado. I was like ‘what is that?’

Well, I later realized that Mercado is the yearly retail show of Indian School of business. And who isn’t aware of ISB, Hyderabad, one of the leading business schools in India. When I heard its ISB, a smile played on my face and I rushed into excitement.

In the emerging business of retail management, ISB’s retail club aims to provide a platform to the students to learn the dynamics of the retail industry by facilitating industry-student interaction. How thoughtful!

I didn’t have a second thought when they approached me and I instantly said yes. Apart from Benetton and a couple of local designers from Hyderabad, Forever New was one of the sponsors for their fashion show.

After the much-appreciated interaction where the students explored the world of retail with an underlying theme of ‘Changing trends in retail’, the evening ended on quite a glamorous note. All the participating brands got a chance to showcase their latest designs. I just couldn’t take my eyes off of those pretty ladies walking the ramp in Forever New designs. They all looked like damsels.

“Thank you so much for the participation. We loved Forever New’s collection the most. It’s just amazing. The colors, the designs, the cuts, they are simply wow!  I do not have words to express how I felt while taking each step on the ramp, wearing one of the prettiest dresses from your collection”, said one of the students who walked the ramp.

I was overwhelmed, firstly being a part of the debate, which is already my domain, then looking at those happy faces donning our dresses. It was one crazy evening.

But well, the crazy experience doesn’t just end here.

Experiencing the stylish spaces of designers at Blender’s Pride Fashion tour – 2013 was something I really cherished. Hyderabad shoppers got an amazing chance to indulge in their shopping fantasies. Many designers adorned the spaces with distinct fashion statements and style. With the juxtaposition of contradictory designs and patterns aiming to come out with unique collections, BPFT has shown that fashion never looses its impact.

Be it JJ Vallya’s ‘Maharaja of Madrid’ or Vikram Padnis’s passionate combination of colors and creativity, they collectively made BPFT come alive. I feel really ecstatic to see our designers emerging with their vibrancy and creativity, pervading our powder rooms, expanding themselves and bringing colors all around.

For me this year’s BPFT was a celebration of vivacious and buoyant spirits on a structured silhouette. It just stimulated the life’s mood and brought a new motivation.

Talking about stimulating life’s moods, apart from fashion what can be a better catalyst than traveling! Keep watching this space, coming next is one such destination which just fills me with joy whenever I talk about it. I am sure even you will second me while reading it.

And as always, you can write to me at pragnyasdiary@gmail.com.

Keep flourishing :)