Money talks, style doesn’t have to: Rue Lala

Victoria Beckham has done it. Jourdan Dunn has done it. And  so has Hadid sisters. I am of course talking about the athleisure look. The trend took baby steps way back in 2014 (remember my Sports Luxe maternity style post?), kept its head up in 2015, grew stronger in 2016 and now in 2017 does not seem to be dying out. Athleisure, as the name suggests, means combining athletic and leisure apparel that transitions seamlessly from gym to post workout plans and if carefully executed even work.

Obviously, this does mean you take your tatty t-shirt and short shorts and hop around the town. What it means is combining sporty elements to your everyday repertoire. It is about giving your unassuming athletic wear a certain je ne sais quoi charm.

Adidas and British designer Stella McCartney are often touted as the brainchild behind this trend because they had a long-term collaboration long before the term athleisure entered the fashion dictionary. It has grown stronger each year, partly because fitness has become a bigger and more democratic niche and if all the green juices recipes on Instagram and Beyonce’s Ivy Park are anything to go by, fitness is now a very fashionable topic.

The Athleisure trend

All this is very fine and dandy seen from the filters of Insta perfection but how does the athleisure look translate in real-life? I have been toying with this idea for long but every time I felt like styling this look million questions crossed my mind: I am NOT a young celebrity model, I am a mum, I am working mum with 1000 things on her mind, yes, I love fitness (and even burpees) but would I really want to walk around the town in my gym wear?

After a lot of thinking, brainstorming the idea with my friend, I decided like any trend athleisure is also all about personalising it. Whilst I do want to channel my “post workout zen/cool look”à la Gigi Hadid, I also feel the obsession with sweat-wicking leggings, bright sports-bra-cum-crop-tops and white sneakers is definitely not hot news. 

To give this trend, my signature feel I have paired my Adidas legging with lace-sleeve sweatshirt, I have added a statement silver necklace and dainty earrings to keep it simple but I have gone way out of my comfort zone with my make-up and hair—double bun and bold lipstick—to seal the deal. Lastly, I have added heels to give it some added oomph. My variation to keep this look strictly casual is to add sneakers, a varsity jacket and a colourful bag.

The Athleisure trend

The Athleisure trend

In the beginning, I have mentioned that this trend can used for work. How? Add a nice, dark blouse, delicate jewellery, blazer, ankle boots/heels and nude makeup to finish the look and voila from slaying that burped you are ready to crash that glass ceiling in one powerful move.

The Athleisure trend

The Athleisure trend

Last but not the least, do not forget the fearless girl stance because ultimately everything boils down to those two things—fearlessness and faith. 

The Athleisure trend

The Athleisure trend

Leggings: Adidas, Sweatshirt+Pink bag: Guess (similar), Trainers: Adidas, Heels: Next, Jewelery: Street shops India. 

Photos by @tsaiki

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I have been hemming and hawing about the much coveted ESPA facial. As I mentioned here, I have been having a lot of issues with skin. My skin is not only prone to spots but also tends to look tired and dull if I miss out on TLC. Hence, when the man of the house, Mr. Husband, gifted me a spa day at Blu Radisson, London along with ESPA facial I was beyond chuffed.

On my birthday, I reached Blu Radisson and quickly slipped on to the robe and headed for a well-deserving pampering and relaxation session. My first stop was at the really, really hot sauna hot. I could barely be there for ten minutes but I soldiered on. Regular sauna has several benefits: it flushes out toxins, strengthens immune system and helps in muscle recovery (a must for gym rats and sports people). What makes the Sauna at Blu Radisson special is the ice fountain next to it. You can use it in conjugation with the steam/sauna or alone at the end. The hot and cold cycle of sauna and ice (on my skin) really rejuvenated my skin and opened all the pores making it supple and brighter.

Once this was done, I was taken to the relaxation room. Now, relaxation is a must for busy mums like me. Have you heard of a relaxed and calm mum? I bet not because it is an oxymoron. To help me in the relaxation process, I was green a hot cuppa of mint tea and some tasty (and healthy) snacks. I was left alone in the room with a meditative music playing in the back ground. Now, any health nut worth their carefully cultivated Himalayan salt would agree this would relax even the haywire mind (like mine). Before I knew it, I closed my eyes and drifted to a zen like state (which was certainly new to me).

My honest review of Espa facial and skin care range

Next came the Holy Grail of pampering—the ESPA facial. My therapist came and took me into another room. All the ESPA facial products were kept there and for a fleeting second I tried to look nonchalant about it. However, I miserably failed as I was extremely excited to try this facial. My therapist asked me about my skin concerns and acknowledged it all with a smiling face. Next thing I know I was plopped on the bed and she took the scrub deftly starting the massage.

This facial is designed to brighten under-par skin, and bring it back to life using lots of ESPA’s new Tri-Active Advanced Instant Facial serum. The relaxing massage soothed my perpetually frayed nerves and unblocked the stress knots on my forehead, neck and back. Finally, the therapist applied a cellulose mask which sets off like a jelly and once you peel it off you would get a happier, hydrated and healthier skin.

I can honestly say ESPA facial would be one of the best facials you would ever do. Even two days, my hubby and friends commented how hydrated and fresh my face looks. And any busy, tired woman would tell you that is the best compliment you can get ever. 🙂

Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a lovely week? Don’t forget to follow me. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

Being deeply loved gives you strength, loving deeply gives you courage~Lao Tzu

On Monday morning, I rolled out of the bed with a sudden realisation that I have officially grown up, that one more candle would be added to my birthday cake and that the carefree abandon of youth are things of the past. I did not know whether to laugh or cry or just let be. Honestly, the realisation shook me a bit but then I decided instead of brooding about age, I should smile and celebrate the life I have created for myself.

Off Shoulder Top Fashion

Most of us fear ageing and I am no different but one thing I can assure you: never have I felt so sure of myself. And that is speaking a lot. I was your typical awkward kid with no confidence in herself to speak her mind, shy, reserved and always unsure. At the same time, I was strong-willed and determined but my two personalities were in perpetual conflict with each other.

Off shoulder top fashion

My mentor-friend wrote these lines once: And destiny shall rip you into pieces to show you what you are made of. This is true for each one of us. Destiny and the fearful thing called age has shown me my inner strength, my vulnerabilities, my sense of adventure and my most important quality: the ability to not let failures and haters take me down.

How to style bodysuit

Transitions can be liberating as well as gruelling. It is a double edged sword which will make you but only after breaking you several times and there is a certain beauty in anyone who time and again make themselves whole again from the broken pieces. It takes audacity and lot of courage.

How to style bodysuit

Bodysuit: New Look, Jeans: DIY, Belt: Asos, Earrings: Individual designer, Boots: M&S, Red lipstick: Clinique

So, here’s to the broken pieces, the ones you pick to make yourself whole again. Here’s to the ability to transform and mostly here’s to the love that you give and you get despite all the negativities in the world.

Here’s to growing up.

Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a lovely week? Don’t forget to follow me. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

“You call it madness, but I call it love”–Don Byes

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“Sometimes, my mind battles with my heart. And often my heart loses the battle. Because what’s winning when we haven’t known a little love or loved back?”

I know you probably came here expecting my weekly fashion post and even assuming that I would have some date-night outfits or other such inane stuff. The truth is I just do not get Valentine’s Day-a day apparently to celebrate love, wear sexy underwear and prance around with fluttering eyes (really, only one day in 365 days???) Do not get me wrong, sometimes I do get sucked into this giant marketing ploy and in my head make elaborate plans for the day.

But when the St. Valentines arrives, knocking mightily on my door, instead of it warming the cockles of my heart the whole thing sends me into a WTF frenzy!! Admit it: Valentine’s Day is one HUMONGOUSLY overrated day in which we are expected to show our love by exchanging a string of undesired gifts (because we are material people living in a material world and all that )and fancy surprises (because love is nothing if does not come with a huge price tag). It’s not reality. It is  another commercialised facade and we are expected to conform. 

And conforming is something that does not come naturally to me.

Hence, this year instead of even pretending to celebrate it, I am going to throw caution to the wind and concentrate on the rest 364 amazing days of love, laughter and friendship because at the end of the day it is the little things that matter. And if you are in mood to celebrate then here are some ways that WILL warm the cockles of your heart no matter what.

Cooking: 

When the husband man without expecting or being told cooks a scrumptious meal. Cooking, is the new candlelight dinner for most parents, add a lit bit of wine and a lot of chatter and you will have a memorable recipe in hand, no matter what is cooking. Any man worth his charm would know that a way to a woman’s heart is definitely through her stomach.

Re-creating the first date: 

Valentines Day unique ideas

Anyone can go to fine dine dating place but why not add an extra zing to it by re-creating your first date atmosphere. This is especially true for those couples who have been together for a while and know everything about each other. This is guaranteed to warm anyone’s heart and give you more than one reason to smile and be thankful for.

Go Outdoor:

Valentines Day unique ideas

No one said Valentine’s Day has to celebrated in an expensive place with expensive shit around. Get out of your comfort zone and go adventurous and pick up an activity you love: be it hiking, a long walk, skydiving or bungee jumping. Outdoor activities take out the pressure of perfection and you would end up having more fun than anticipated and speaking from experience there is nothing more romantic than getting lost up in a mountain or in a woodland.

Get physical:

Valentines Day unique ideas 

And I do not mean the Fifty Shades kind but something more fun (and perhaps less painful) if you and your partner are gym rats or fitness lovers then why not bond on that? Pick a really interesting challenging, head to the gym, compete and see who wins.

Dress Up:

Valentines Day unique ideas

Now this is an activity you can do whether you are single or celebrating the day with your friends. Dressing up is an expression of self-love and self-love is the foundation of any kind of love.

I hope now you realise that it is not about soppy gifts and pricey experiences but little things that go a long way to fill you with love and happiness. I wish, all you people Happy Valentine’s Day.

Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a lovely week? Don’t forget to follow me. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who used to rush to the salon every first week of the month to get a pampering facial done. Then the girl became a mum, went back to work and realised the only luxury she could afford was—sleep!

Welcome to the world of busy mums and working ladies who are spinning several different plates and often have no time to take off for themselves. The girl in the above story is me (no prizes for guessing) and like most of busy mums I hardly have time to go and get a proper facial done but that however does not mean I cannot take care of the situation. Like any resourceful mum, I would say the answer is home bound facials. Perhaps not as pampering as it sounds but definitely worth the effort.

L'oreal Paris Clay Mask Review

 

Few days ago, I tested the pure clay mask from L’oreal Paris. The range comes in a pretty glass jar and has three varieties: Purify & Mattify Mask (Green mask), Detox & Brightening Mask (Charcoal) and Exfoliate & Refine Mask (Red). I opted for the Red one due to my skin issues but you can use all three together as well. The masks are made of three mineral Clays: Kaolinite, Montmorillonite and Ghassoul. The mask with red algae is heaven sent for oily skin.

My skin is also prone to breakouts. This helps in gently exfoliating it and giving it a nice natural glow. My skin also starts resembling an oil field after few days hence this is helping me in balancing it and giving it a sheen without any fuss. It also passed the husband test–when you test something and your busy husband sees the difference without you a dropping a hint! This is not a made-up test but a great litmus test for major products in my home. Lol! Needless to say, I am ecstatic about finding this product.

My second favourite is Indian healing facial clay made of fuller’s earth (taken in a different pot in the photo) Fuller’s Earth is an age old beauty/ facial ingredient from the sub-continent and is known absorbing excess oil, removing scars and treating acne. I mix a small amount with rose water, apply for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. The result is clearer and healthier skin in minutes.

Last but not the least is the Ultimelt by Soap and Glory. This creamy mask comes with a towel. For getting the maximum benefit out of this, apply some of the cream and massage it. Next, warm the towel a bit using warm water and keep it on your face. Leave it for five minutes and gently take the cream off. If you wish, you can also steam your face before putting the towel on your face.  For £10, this is definitely a good value for money.

So, you see ladies so what if you are crushing it in the boardroom as well as the drawing room with your kids. There is definitely no reason for you not to feel and look like million bucks even though you feel shattered and exhausted for most part of the day 😉

Thank you for reading. Hope you enjoyed this post. Have a lovely Friday and weekend 🙂 Don’t forget to follow me. You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.