One of my favourite authors, Roald Dahl had famously stated,”Those who don’t believe in magic, will never find it.” Luckily, I do and last Saturday (07.06.2013) at 2:10 PM, I and hubby had the most magical moment of our lives when I brought to this world our roaring little princess.

IMG-20140611-WA0013

 

IMG_20140610_110239

Since then we have felt unprecedented, naked almost electric joy. A joy that no material comfort, money or achievement can ever bring. People ask me how’s the process of childbirth? And my answer is–it is transformative.

Your body goes through such a shocking journey whilst in labour that you would have greater respect for it. Its ability to slowly bring out the little life, its ability to contract and expand. But the change doesn’t stop there. It is emotional and spiritual too.

When you really, really strive that you would be a better person,a better example to your baby from day one. And yet in a strange way it makes you more vulnerable too.

Every time, my precious little one cries, my heart and my strong spirit dies thousand deaths. But fortunately, my lovely hubby and birthing partner knows how to calm this big baby down. I have also realised I would never need any drug or anything else to feel  inebriated. Her presence is quite intoxicating.  Sleeplessness and exhaustion (for both me and hubby) has been quite real. Sometimes, I feel I won’t be able survive another day but then she looks at me with her ginormous eyes and everything feels aces.

As a new mum, I have also felt a range of emotions: happiness, awe and even doubt. And in one of those moments of doubt, my precious little one the other day gave me a smile (or something resembling one) as if to re-assure me and say, “Don’t worry mum, we both are new to this and we both will do great.

So to all the mums out there–don’t worry you are doing great.

Thank you for reading my first post after delivery. Hope you enjoyed it. Please do give me your likes and comments. Have a great weekend. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Wordsworth once quoted, “Child is the Father of Man.” My own interpretation of this saying is this: that children often end up teaching the parents and adults as much about life as they (the adults) teach them. My little one is yet to make an arrival but I have already learnt a thing or two about virtues like patience, equanimity and most importantly to let go of any negativity and negative people. I have also found a new-level of confidence, poise and comfort in my own skin.

One of the reasons I decided to share my pregnancy style and other bits related to pregnancy was to really explore the wonderful feminine form which I have felt is more than numbers. Imagine housing a tiny cell, making a conducive environment for it to develop into a full-fledged human being and finally bringing it to the world. It is an experience beyond incredible which often takes a toll on your body and spirit. Hence, I firmly believe that men and women should have greater respect and appreciation towards my gender. And yes we are not the Weaker Sex if at all We are the Stronger Sex.

I also feel pregnancy and motherhood does not mean we have to put our dreams, our aspirations and individuality to the back burner because after all our kids eventually learn these important qualities from us. So here I am, sharing the top 20 styles from my 40 week journey–a journey that has left me more in awe towards my body, a journey that has given me greater respect towards my own abilities and a journey that has hopefully made me a better person.

Week 4: On a Prowl

how to style animal print skirt

After peeing on the stick some hundred times; the sweet truth is established–I am pregnant. Yes, there is another life growing inside me. Our happiness knows no bounds.

Week 7: Furry Creatures 

How to style a fur jacket

A visit to Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) “officially” establishes pregnancy. The baby, we are told, is smaller than a rice grain. What I remember the most from that week: hubby’s eye sparkling and his face dancing. I had never seen him happier. To celebrate we take off to Amsterdam.

Week 10: Being a Goddess

How to style for a date night

First trimester pregnancy tiredness at its peak but I still manage to channelise my inner Goddess for our special anniversary date night.

Week 13: The Black Jumpsuit

Black jumpsuit how to style

First trimester almost over and energy is slowly coming back. Baby is as long as a pea pod.

Week 14: Monochrome with a dash of colour

monochrome fashion

Still no sign of a “bump”. But baby is the size of nectarine.

 Week 19: White Haute

Little White Dress style

A little bump is developing but it looks like I had too many cookies during the holiday season. Can feel baby’s initial movements called flurries. Counting and feeling these movements have become our favourite hobby.

Week 20: Polka Dots+Floral

How to style polka dots with floral

A cocktail of hormones running through my body. Tiredness still a major part of daily routine. Baby is the size of a banana.

Week 21: Baby on board

Chic pregnancy how to dress in pregnancy

Half way through pregnancy (yipee) feeling incredibly great, awesome and energetic.

Week 22: Comfy

casual pregnancy style

Comfortable clothes and foot wear becomes a pivotal part of my wardrobe. No need for maternity clothes yet.

Week 24: Pastel Mania

Pastel trend SS14

Feeling rather “pink” in health and spirit; I decide to combine my favourite colours: lilac and pink.

 Week 25: Something blue

pregnancy fashion blog

A nice round bump developing. Baby is the size of a zucchini; baby also has fully formed fingerprints and nostrils are starting to open. Maternity clothes slowly piling up in my wardrobe.

Week 26: Green

 chic pregnancy style

Seventh month started; bump is visibly bigger. Baby is the size of an egg plant. Eyes are fully formed and baby can now blink. Movements getting stronger. Feeling the baby’s kicks is the sweetest experience of the day.

Week 28: Minimalist Monochrome

black and white look SS14

To keep my pregnancy spirit high, I continue with regular exercise–walking and pregnancy yoga.

Week 29: Sports Luxe

sports luxe look

Comfort has become the most deciding factor when it comes to choosing an ensemble. Rocking the uber-cool sports luxe look here.

Week 31: Crop top Mania

crop top style in pregnancy

We decide to head to Cotswolds to enjoy our last holiday as a couple. I get a bit daring and try the crop top look taking a leaf from Kerry Washington.

Week 32: Ringing in Spring 

pregnancy clothes

Baby is now the size of a Bok Choy. Movements have increased greatly sometimes we can even the baby poking its fingers or toes. Sleep, on the other hand for me, is slowly reducing.

Week 34: Vitamin C

maternity fashion

Getting exhausted easily, difficulty in sleeping and perpetual aches and pains. The silver lining: just six more weeks to go.

Week 35: Big girl you are beautiful

pregnancy style nine months

Visibly bigger (and better) baby is the size of a Honeydew. Count down has begun.

Week 37: White Jacket

how to style white jacket

 

Tiredness taking a toll on me. Feeling antsy and anxious almost all the time. Keeping myself occupied by blogging, writing and exercising.

Week 38: Kimono

kimono fashion

 

Anxiety and insomnia at its peak but enjoying hubby, mum and dad’s full attention, pampering and love. The only thing that is keeping me sane. Baby is the size of a Leek. Cannot wait for the little one’s arrival and hold her in my arms. <3 <3

PS: Thanks for reading. Wish you a great week and please give me your likes and comments. Or go ahead make my day and follow me. I always follow back, it is my way of encouraging budding bloggers 😉

This season fashion gurus are riding high on the quintessential black eyeliner. From Missoni to Erdem; black was well the new black when it came to eye make-up. But there is a twist. It is all about letting out your inner rebel and taking the graphic route.

Here, I try out the Missoni look–an updated cat eye look that extends to the inner corner of the eye and goes halfway along the lower lash line.

graphic eye tutorial

  1. Start with a clean base. Finish moisturising and apply foundation to your face. Apply a wee bit of concealer under your eyes and primer on top of your eyelid. I have used Maybelline Dream smooth primer.

  2. Apply a nudish eye shadow. I have used Maybelline Color tattoo eye shadow in eternal pink with my fingers. Next, make a winged line on the upper eyelid. I’ve used Mac’s Fuidline in Blacktrack.

  3. Extend the line to the inner corner of your eyes and extend the line halfway through the lower lash line.

  4. Finish the look with applying mascara.

The key to nail the graphic eyes look is to keep the face subtle because you don’t want to look like an overdone Christmas tree ;). I have used the subtle pink shade of Mac’s Creme de la Femme and kept my face bare. The finished look is below.

graphic eyeliner tutorial

My verdict: So how does this look translate in real life? I am really impressed by this look. Graphic eyes have drama, pizzazz and oomph. Although it takes a bit of time to master the application of eyeliner, it is still worth all the efforts. Hence, it has my discerning nod of approval ;).

 Thanks for reading. Have a great mid-week and don’t forget to give me your Likes and Comments or go ahead and make my day by subscribing to me 🙂

This Summer (although here in UK it does not look like summer), I have decided to give the usual pastels and floral nail art a rest. Instead, I am taking a “darker” route. Ruffian nail art is my current favourite perhaps because it really does not require a lot of time and you get a fun nail art in a matter of minutes.

You will need a nail polish of your choice, top and bottom coat and a nail art pen. I have used Nicole by OPI poised in turquoise, Sally Hansen Complete Care and Barry M Nail Art pen in Black. 

ruffian nail art tutorial

After applying the nail varnish and letting it completely dry, I have sealed the colour with the Sally Hansen complete care coat.

ruffian nail art tutorial

The third and final step is to take the nail art pen and gingerly make a moon-like design on the bottom part of your nail. Seal it once again with a top coat. Tada, it is done!!

ruffian nail art design

Told you, it is rather simple 😀

 

 

Week 38th (of pregnancy) started with a major case of baby brain and I actually felt that I won’t be able to lift a finger even if someone paid me millions. But turns out I can be bribed for much less. I got this kimono and suddenly inspiration and energy came back rushing :).

kimono fashion

kimono fashion

I was rather apprehensive to try on the Kimono look (which seems to be the craze these days) but this has become my favourite garment of late. Not only, it is comfortable and light enough to carry you on a hot, sunny day. For pregnant girls like me, who are on the last leg of their pregnancy and feeling “big” it is the best thing that streamlines the body and somehow elongates it. A win-win situation at least for me.

kimono fashion

 

Kimono style

 

Kimono: H and M (sold out, similar), leggings: New Look maternity, Vest: H and M maternity, Bag: Osprey London, Sandals and Accessories: Gifts from Mum, Sunglasses: Hubby’s Ray-ban. 

The fact that it is so versatile is another major plus. Here, I have teamed it with a simple vest and leggings combination but I cannot wait to try (and post) different styles using the brilliant Kimono.

 

Hope you liked this post. Don’t forget to give me your likes and comments. Have a great week ahead and thanks for reading 🙂