The Misread Theory Of Professionalism

Its quite rhetorical when I ask myself or a group of like minded individuals as to whether 'Professionalism' in today's time is a disregarded virtue or simply an illusion. From what I can say for myself, I am a propagator of professionalism. I may have an occasional slip or two, but then my morality takes the better of me and the whole situation and perhaps the lack of "call of action" from my end, makes me feel guilty to the stomach. I do also believe that there are a few gospels that constitute the very fundamentals of professionalism and are independent of the industry you operate in. 

The sheer idea of TIME is nothing but a myth and punctuality an unknown virtue. We all have been late to a meeting or an event and have also been on the other side of the table. But why does being late become a characteristic symbolic of your stature and being right-on-time fetches you an  "Ohhh! You're here", topped with sufficient quantities of dismay.

Another aspect of our everyday functioning, which we all might have resorted to ourselves at some point of time, and have largely become okay with is NON-REVERT. One of the very basics of virtual communication is acknowledgement. But since when and why, a simple acknowledgement to an email, a text or a call become a damper to the position you hold or a reflector to how busy you really are. Why are we in a race to supersede the other on grounds as trivial as these. Has talent and hard work indeed lost their value that we cannot bank on them.

We battle it out on the OUTCOMES, results and deliverables. Yet it is easy for people to renege on their commitments and what was apparently agreed upon, easily compromising on the time and efforts put into the initial discussion and decision making. In some cases, your efforts might be deemed as obligatory. While in others, it might seem fair and just to put off a task for reasons more personal than professional, sometimes to an extent where it becomes an arduous exploitation of your professional dependence. 

I am sure each of us can add in more to this rant, coming from a tank of experiences we gain in and during our professional tenure. Likewise, each of us would have evolved a mechanism that works best for us. However, much like my thoughts on MODESTY, it sometimes saddens me to find myself swimming in a pool as shallow as this. But I'm glad to have my virtues as my lifeboats and retain them with pride. I would love to know your share of professional inexperience(s) and how you dealt with them. In the end, all I say is that - Let's bring the ship home!

Wearing - 

Top - ZARA

Skirt - Forever 21

Earrings - H&M

Shoes - Woolworths

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Diwali As The Bride

Among the many moments in life, when adrenaline rush thrives and the monotony of life comprises itself in a time frame ever so characteristic and dynamic, is the "festive season". If you've been a regular reader of my blog (or an occasional one around this time of the year), you aren't stranger to my indescribable love for the festive season. Maybe it is because of the faint celebratory sounds that make way through the quietness of the night or it is the unison with which the roads gets jam packed, sweet shops get flooded with people or the sight of your city beaming in a sea of lights. Or so because, I believe that October Speaks To Me.

From much awaited get-togethers with family to endless conversations till the wee hours of the morning. From card parties with friends to all those exciting food menus. From the absolutely necessary shopping trips to planning for all the upcoming shaadis. The festive season is a bountiful of moments, occasions and celebrations All Brought Together.

For two years now, I've made it my tradition to share with you all my ideas on festive dressing. Much like our lives, our sartorial choices also pace and evolve. Though, each year I have tried to very practical and realistic when it comes to my choices but this year I am all prepared to go unabashed. This festive year is rather very special (and huge) for me because I get to spend it with my husband, my main man. So this, Once Upon A Princess is all set to head-out for the hustle, bustle and bang and cherish each moment of this beautiful gift of life in its complete glory. Join me?

Wearing - 

Suit - Vanasvi Boutique (New Delhi)

Maang Tikka - Mom's

Sandals - Charles & Keith

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

And We're Married

Having rested in the drafts for close to six months, call it instinct or procrastination, I never felt it was the right time to publish this post. This video was shot within the pages of a test-run, the concept I wanted to structure it around came in much later. But somehow it couldn’t see the light of the day. Until, having lived that concept now, the eve of my anniversary (six months) seemed just the right moment to share this. This video and the following words are my attempt at sharing the structural and platonic shift that accompanied me after getting married and moving to a new place (Typing the post's title took me back to my first post and was enough to give me goosebumps). Maybe, I do a good job at it! 

Dwelling back in time, my husband and I were batch-mates in school, started dating while we were in college, dated for about nine years and finally got married. I feel, my words about getting married and the hum drum that accompanies an Indian wedding will be mere drops in an ocean of all that wed talk, so I’ll safely jump to the life that starts post-marriage, which, contrary to popular belief isn’t all about lots of sex or snuggling up for movies. 

Getting married introduces a couple to many challenges, which in a subtle way can be life altering and also pushing enough for you to explore and dive into all those innate, subconscious life lessons your parents and your story-so-far gave you. I am lucky to have married someone I knew so closely, which is why sharing an emotional or physical space came easy. There wasn’t any (as it might be called) adjustments involved. We know and understand each other’s professional demands, schedules, habits – eating and living alike, so yes it did come in easy. In the present world, the moment we begin to speak about managing a house, conversations are quick to boil over the whole idea of working women empowerment, independence, the equality in partnership theory and the like, and yes bearing that onus and responsibility can be overwhelming at first. I did have a feeling or rather the belief (which girls these days consider as cool) that I don’t know anything. But once again, thanks to my mum who managed both her professional life and her home so perfectly and thanks to a lifetime of lessons absorbed observing her and yes thanks to our helpers (they deserve so much credit), looking after our house, cooking, and doing its interiors (if you follow me on Snapchat, you know it’s my new found love) is something I fell in love with immediately. So, like I mentioned at the start…the challenges are of a happy kind! 

However, if I can be completely honest, coping with the professional arena has been the hardest for me. I have been truly blessed to have my husband and my family, provide a support system that encourages me to go out, chase my dreams and be the sport when it comes to achieving them. However, moving to a new city and putting together and getting oneself accustomed to the resources has been a challenge for me. The people are new and so is their approach and method towards work. Shoot locations don’t come easily and it’s been difficult to churn quality content for brands. On the other side, this straight line curve has been a boon in helping me strategize and work on newer avenues, concepts and business models. 

Any change in life is bound to cause a tectonic shift in our approach towards it. I do reckon that marriage is that “new phase” that’s often talked about and pondered upon by all of us. But this change is also that time in your life when you’ll mature as an individual, expand (or rather double) your capabilities, grow your horizons, multiply your ideas and have an undefined, subconscious desire to be better that what you were before. However, wherever this journey takes many of you and myself, let it most importantly be about love…because in the end that is and was all that really mattered!

Wearing - 

Maxi Dress (Worn as skirt) - TrimmingsAndLace (here)

Shirt  (Up for grabs on my Spoyl profile) - Thrifted 

Sandals - River Island

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

A Traditional Recline

                                                              

                                                               

                                                           

                                                                 

                                                                    

                                                      

                              

While fashion ideas and trends might change and reverse, a form of dressing that remains strictly conventional for me is Indian dressing. The lines barring domestic and global fashion are rapidly bleaking into the horizon and traditional wear has been witnessing a major revolution in terms of modernized cuts and silhouettes. However, I personally feel I've been rather stuck when it comes to the same. My sister got married last year and on our countless trips visiting boutiques and designers, a self-discovery that came through was my natural inhibition towards trying the contemporary versions of Indian wear. That doesn't mean I don't love the designs, I love them and admire the skill and art that goes behind creating such gorgeous pieces. Just that, it might take me a while (or one dressing occasion) to step out of this ideological zone. With the wedding season being on it's temporary recline, taking a moment on the blog today is this lehnga I wore on my sister's sangeet.  

Wearing - 

Lehnga - TrimmingsAndLace

Pipal-Patti Earrings - Mom's 

Haathphool - ALDO (here)

Kadas -Thrifted (here)

Sandals - ALDO (here)

On my lips - Non-Stop Red in 510 by Maybelline (DIY here)

On my nails - Colorbar Twisted Peach 

 Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Layering Essentials : Ten on Ten

                                                            

                                                            

                                                        

                                                           

Shot By - HimShootz

So it's been a while. Between the weather that forces you to stay stuck to your bed, blankets and coffee, and shuffling through the work and to-do-lists for the new year, I haven't really been able to put together my thoughts for the maiden post of 2015. The past few weeks and this unplanned sabbatical worked wonderfully for me since it gave me time and reason to sit back and be a spectator. Blogs, books, television, nature, stores, displays, architecture, shopping sites, makeup counters, virtual travel diaries and what not, I've been in a world of my own. And this really with a hope that all my thoughts and actions are channelized towards making TrimmingsAndLace an experience that you enjoy.

Unconsciously, winter does confine you to the monotone basics in terms of colour palette and all that layering and texture play does come at a cost of turning you into a human artichoke. But winter is also one season to do a wardrobe rain-check and stock yourself with essentials that can easily take you one season after another and prove to be an investment you wouldn't regret. I've picked a quick list of essentials for you to take on winters and pile on fashionably.

1. The Perfect Trench - A trench/overcoat is literally my saviour for the winter season. Trust you me when I say that you can get away with wearing anything underneath, as long as you've polished and concealed your look with that quintessential overcoat. Need proof?

2. A Thick Cardigan - A thick, warm, long cardigan for me in an extension to the trench. Besides the fact that it is super warm and again gives you the leverage to be less fancy in what you wear underneath, I feel it looks ideal (in terms of length) with a pair of leggings. 

3. Leggings - Coloured, printed or leather, leggings for me are an absolute must have. I say a big no to jeans especially during winters, because denim by nature does very little to protect you from the chill. Leggings on the other hand, take your body shape and hence shields from the cold keeping you warm. And, if you are someone like me, you've also been wearing two pairs to fight the cold.

4. Turtle Necks - A turtle-neck T-shirt or a pullover is the ultimate winter ninja. For me, this piece in the wardrobe is something I can tuck myself in to stay clear of the cold. I would suggest investing in basic, simple silhouettes and colours since they can be styled and worn in multiple ways either as an outer layer or underneath another cardigan, blazer or a coat.

5. Wrap Scarf - Blanket scarves and belted scarves are a rage in the fashion circuit at the moment and rightly so. Remember that feeling of not letting go yet and wanting those extra two minutes (this could have been less dramatic though) in the blanket every morning, a good scarf lets you live in that feeling a good deal.

6. Flannel/Plaid Shirt - A flannel/plaid shirt is an extremely utilitarian wardrobe essential for all seasons. Wear it on its own or play peek-a-book under your layers, it helps create a print contrast like no other. Make sure you pick the one that fits like a dream. Pay extra attention to the length you choose.

7. A Sweater Dress - A sweater dress for me is a fancier version of the long cardigan. Bright stockings, boots, accessories - a stylish sweater dress is your call to be the Serena van der Woodsen.

8. Faux Fur - Having worn a faux fur cape here, I feel this indulgence shouldn't pinch. A faux fur cape, poncho or a scarf adds a great textural dimension to your outfit, looks highly classy and sophisticated and undoubtedly stylish. Did that pinch? No!

9. Parka - For me personally, a parka doesn't score full points when it comes to being on the higher end of being "fashionably stylish", but if you are looking for that one wardrobe essential which is your absolute must-go to bear the chill, this is it.

10. High Socks - From pajama nights to that hint of leg or adding another layer beneath your jeans or leggings, we girls have a trusted friend from our good old school days in knee-high socks. 

Wearing - 

Look 1

Cobalt Trench, Plaid Shirt - TrimmingsAndLace

Pullover - ZARA

Scarf - Marks&Spencer

Bag and Peep-toes - Mango

Trousers - Local Store

Look 2

Lace Moto Jacket - Mango

Sweatshirt - Gifted

Jeans - Levis

Pumps - Done By None (here)

Earrings - Gifted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

When October Spoke To Me

                                                

                                               

                                                      

                                           

I call my love and fascination for the festive season as weird and unusual. Besides the obvious dressing mutations that change as a result of fall in temperatures, I myself cannot pick, accept or justify why I love and dream festivities like no other. Maybe its because of the faint celebratory sounds that make way through the quietness of the night or it is the unison with which the roads get jam packed, sweet shops get flooded with people or the sight of your city beaming in a sea of lights. Maybe it has to do with a week long cleaning drive my mom initiates at home calling it the essential Diwali cleaning or memories of falling in love or the relief of finishing semester exams right before the action starts. Maybe it is this enigma and unanswered charm of it all that makes the festival season so special for me, year after year.

When it comes to dressing for Diwali, I am a stickler for traditional. However, considering how hectic my day gets with all the guests, lunches, family visits and prayers, I can barely manage a change before the evening celebrations begin. Hence, I always try that my outfit, jewellery and make-up is easy and comfortable to take me from day to night. Pairing this lehnga skirt with a tailored crop-top, juttis and minimal accessories is going to be my route this year. Plus, I love how these vibrant autumn hues come together seamlessly.  

This post, personally has been the most challenging for me. We wanted to showcase the outfit amidst the fervour and rustle-bustle of the festivities and chose to shoot this look at a fair right in the heart of Chandigarh. Practical difficulties and inhibitions of the mind intact, I would like to believe that we were able to get results worthy of a day's job.

I hope this post does its bit in evoking your beautiful memories, with promises of an even more lustrous and glowing future. My sincerest best wishes to each one of you and your loving families. Thank you for all the love. Happy festivities! 

Wearing - 

Lehnga Skirt - Ritu Kumar 

Crop-Top - Tailored

Earrings - Mom's

Bangles and Juttis - Thrifted (here)

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Lifestyle #Styleplay - Smooth Transition

                                                             

                                                             

                                                          

                                                                                

                                                                 

Photography - Rana Gurtej

                                              

I won't be stating anything new or different when I say that certain specific colours and palettes have made a serious contribution when it comes to my personal dressing and the styling assignments I undertake. So much so, that these fashion ideals of mine have made a smooth exit from my wardrobe and have become symbolic to many emotions and pleasant episodes of my life. Hence last week, when I was asked to style for Lifestyle and play around the colour Indigo, I couldn't help but go overboard with joy and excitement. Indigo is the electric, androgynous and bold shade of navy and among the very rare shades that transcends beautifully into anything - fashion, art, architecture. Add it as a vital burst of colour into your outfit or allow it to shine uninterrupted, this shade makes a statement like no other. Being a ruler this year over the runways, there is just no excuse to not wear it. Its a colour one can indulge in effortlessly. A well tailored blazer or a pair of trousers are safe options to begin with. I am also always drawn towards a pair of cobalt heels because I believe they are a great statement piece. Irrespective of the degrees to which this colour appeals you, there is no denying that it is an absolute must-have for your wardrobe and mood. 

Another great investment piece, which might tax your pocket a bit but is a game-changer when it comes to putting together your outfits is the glam churned biker/moto jacket. This number was the first piece that caught my attention at the Lifestyle store and I just knew that I had to have it. My first thoughts were to style it with the quintessential white summer dress or something that involves lace. However, being a dominant shade for Autumn/Winter'14, I decided to create a 'transition into fall' look and contrasted it with this deep berry dress. Biker jackets for me work best when complimented with soft, delicate details like lace and embellishments. Hence, the beaded neck-line of this dress provided the perfect base. I added another pop of colour via the pumps and finished the outfit with accessories that provide a subtle ode to the edgier details of the jacket. 

What's your take on this burst of colour and how do you prefer dressing up in Indigo. Do share in the comments below or on Twitter/Instagram - #Styleplay #TrimmingsAndLace.

Wearing - 

Jacket - ONLY (c/o Lifestyle)

Dress - Fahrenheit (c/o Lifestyle) (here)

Pumps - Done By None

Box Clutch - Stradivarius

Rings - Gifted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Of Ikat And Brazilian Sunshine

                                                                          

                                                                             

                                                                

                                                               

Pictures - Sohail Singh 

There are many journeys in life which each of us have to take alone. And the first step of each of this journey is accompanied by a fathomless fear and anxiety. That's when the call for a smooth sailing from family and friends makes destination achievable and the process an experience of justifiable pride. With claims of fashion blogging being a hobby or frequent trips to shopping malls being on a decline, my journey with TrimmingsAndLace has become a learning and rewarding experience to live every day. The same seems easy because amidst the many who shun you, there are many who rest their belief in you and except the same from you. 

This very much is a day in the life of Rabia N Singh and Akash Sinha from October. An idea tends to explore similar dimensions and stages after its very inception, and this talented duo are doing an amazing bit to make their ideas come to life...and how! October is a lifestyle brand and a warehouse of talent based at the heartland of Indianess - Jaipur and bringing the same to the world with aplomb. What fascinated me the most about their products is the artistic and precise mix of durrie and leather, lending their products a very vintage, earthy yet contemporary feel. Being a voucher for products that live long and can be used in multiple ways, it just took a glance to fall in love with their work. October specializes in a wide range of travel bags, shopper bags, totes, tech cases, sling bags and wallets each of which can be completely customized to suit your needs. 

Ikat has always been one of my favourite prints and I was ecstatic to pick this lovely sling bag from their work-shop. To do justice to the beauty of the print and the modern structure of the bag, I decided to keep the outfit very minimal lending a soft contrast to the bag. Sunshine yellow, gold sandals and subtle coral earrings took it all to complete this look. Further, we conceptualized the shoot to include strong, architectural elements from the city with an aim to bring together the facets of tradition, evolution and modernity. And if you are wondering about the title to this post, well you will find your answer here..

Wearing - 

Dress - Forever 21

Bag - c/o October (Shop)

Sandals - ALDO

Earrings - Thrifted

Bangles - Mom's

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Mix of Two Worlds

                                                               

                                                                   

                                                                        

                                             

The undisputed reality of life is that - who we are and who we become is a product of the choices we make in life. A choice can be an outcome of fate or circumstance. Some of these choices are easy and some are hard, some leave us feeling exuberant while others leave us in despair. Some are new beginnings ushering greater love and happiness while others are chapters that come to a close. Whatever it may be, the choices we make have the power to free us from or exile us to the hallows of regret. I feel that, regret is the darkest feeling a human can live with. Hence, even if that choice was obvious and the right one or the hardest to be made, we must do so believing that after some years, we’ll be able to look back at that juncture in our life as a stronger, regret-free person who made the choices then, that he/she is proud of today. 

I recently learned (rather re-learned) this very valuable fact of life. And the outfit closely reflects that. You needn’t always chose between the obvious and the predicted. Likewise, T-Shirts needn’t always be reserved for jeans and, sequins needn’t always be reserved for that ‘fancy’ glamorous occasions. There is room and the choice where both can co-exist. And guess what, with no regrets!

On the other side, have you picked the classics – stripes and polka dots – from The TrimmingsAndLace Collection – Limited Edition. If not yet, hop here to have a TrimmingsAndLace piece exclusively crafted for you. And stay connected with me through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for some super exciting news coming your way! 

Wearing - 

Skirt - ASOS (here)

T-Shirt - Aeropostale 

Pumps - Charles & Keith (here and here)

Sunglasses - RayBan (here)

Bag - Bata

Accessories - Mom's and thrifted

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam