Butterflies, Buckets and Bites

Shot By - Sahil Nanda

A Shift Dress to fashion is what mindless television is to weekends. It's a no-brainer when it comes to styling, can be dressed up or dressed down and allows you to miss out on the accessories. All you need is a pair of your most comfortable heels (yes, sense the irony) or your oxfords/loafers (yes, in case you are lucky) and your world in your bag and you are good to run multiple errands during the day or step in and out of meetings. This pretty much has been my last week and the shift dresses of the closet have been my saviour. Also largely because, given the weather and the soaring humidity, there is nothing better, quick or comfortable that I can think of. Having been the fashion circuit's newest baby, the bucket bag has made a large space in my heart as well. I mean it's chic, ultra spacious and all you need to do is to be lazy and throw your stuff in. Now, who doesn't love that? 

Wearing - 

Dress - Promod

Bag - Mango

Peep-Toes - Charles & Keith

Jewellery - Mom's 

On my lips - M.A.C Chatterbox 

I am happy to let you all know that now you can follow TrimmingsAndLace on Snapchat - @TrimmingsNdLace. And in case you don't, follow me on Instagram - @trimmingsandlace. 

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

TrimmingsAndLace For Swarovski : A Sparkle A Time

                                                                             

 

                                                                 

                                                    

                                                 

                                                                 

                                            

                                                    

A woman and her love for jewellery can never really be summed up in words, let alone contained. From the time she watches her mother adorn her treasures to dreaming of dressing up in heirlooms. From the inherent consciousness of collecting and savouring her jewellery pieces to stopping at those large, inviting display windows...woman and her love for jewellery wasn't really meant to be put into words, let alone contained.

Earlier this month I collaborated with Swarovski to style a look for this party season. I have always been a huge fan and an admirer of Swarovski crystals and jewellery. The finesse with which a simple piece of glass is so beautifully maneuvered to create something this delicate, is a form of unmatched art and skill. To celebrate this association and the timeless Swarovski appeal, I knew I had to save this look for the last. When it came to my outfit, I went ahead with the classic bling. If you are someone who prefers a look that is comfortable, easy and an extention to your personal favourites, the best is to stick to the classics. Doing so, leaves room for experimentation in jewellery, accessories and make-up. And that's pretty much what I did with this look. You can wear these pieces on their own, layer them or mix them to create a balanced look. I am sure you'll agree when I say that they'll look beautiful and appealing in every way. To balance the modern silhouette of the dress and giving in to old world charm, I added elements like this faux fur cape (Gifted by my grandmother, but never worn. This is for her) and did my lips in classic red. For the eyes I tried the Hollywood glam winged-eye (similar).

Now for the good bit. I need no Swarovski, said no woman ever. This year has been so overwhelming for me, in more ways than one. I feel I can never thank any of you enough for the love and support you have given this little endeavour of mine. If you are the one who is a regular reader of my blog, the one who likes and comments regularly or the one who never does but also never fails to stop by, I express my sincerest gratitude. As a gesture and with a very special thank you to the wonderful Swarovski team, here I am to make the party season a little more memorable for you by letting one of you win THIS exquisite piece. Here's all that you need to do - 

1. Like Swarovski on Facebook - Here.

2. Follow TrimmingsAndLace on Instagram - Here.. Don't forget to invite your friends as well. 

3. Tell us how would you like to style this piece for the party season. You can leave your answers as comments below or on my Instagram - @trimmingsandlace. You can also  tweet them @TrimmingsNdLace. Don't forget to #trimmingsandlace. 

*Contest closes 01.01.2015.

**Blog comments will be approved after the contest closes.

***Contest open for India residents alone. 

****Winner will be announced across all social channels. 

T&L FOR HIMALAYA : LET’S TALK ANTI-AGE

Detox Waters – You Need To Know

Simple isn't it? Then why wait...make a star yours today. Wish you all a Merry Christmas and unbound joy and happiness for 2015. Lots of love! 

Wearing - 

Stardust Beige, Fuchsia, Black, Blue Double Bracelets - c/o Swarovski

Spectacular Collar Necklace - c/o Swarovski

Louise Black and White Bangle - c/o Swarovski

Intervalle Black Bangle, Intervalle Bangle, thin (on the table) - c/o Swarovski

Simplicity Ring, Spiral Ring - c/o Swarovski

Begin Pierced Earrings - c/o Swarovski

Dress - Mango

Faux Fur Cape - Gifted

Peep-toes - ALDO 

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

The Monsoon Slouchiness

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                        

                                                       

                              

Although our part of the world stands rain deprived, the scorching heat and rising humidity calls for some comfort slouchy dressing. I feel, cotton and linen trousers/pants are an ultimate staple for this season, more for their weather friendliness than the style quotient they impart to the whole look. While khakis and whites  find a permanent place in the closet, I was tempted to try linen in colour. Luckily, the wonderful guys at b:kind sent me a pair in cheerful yellow which not only is a statement piece in itself but also the smile to be worn during the gloomy, rainy days ahead. Rather than going in for a T-shirt or a crop-top, with this look I tried my hand at some summer layering. I opted for a textured net wrap over a nude lace camisole which like these pants kept the whole look light and breezy. Nude pumps and minimal accessories finished the look, much so reflecting my mood for all things simple, stark and minimal.

Wearing - 

Pants - c/o b:kind (See me wear yellow here)

Camisole - Marks & Spencer

Wrap - Boutique in Dubai

Accessories - Thrifted

Peep-toes - Vero Moda (here)

On My Nails - China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

                                                                     

                                                            

Denim Reflectors

                                                                            

                                                                     

                                                                            

                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                 

                                                           

                                                            

                                                          

Much like many qualitative and abstract things in life, there are certain fashion trends that seem to grow on you. You know that one song you didn’t like in the beginning but its eventual replays made you love it, similarly there are certain pieces in our closets that make you cringe and ask yourself, “Do I really own this”, albeit you cannot stop styling it in your head and working out occasions where you can possibly wear them. That has pretty much been the case with these trousers. I received these in December last year courtesy Front Row Shop, and they have experienced some massive dressing room sessions. From crisp monotones to acidic neons, from subtle prints to bright ombres they’ve been introduced to many possible combinations, before they clicked well with the good lord denim.

The metallic trend’s got a whole new motto for Spring 2014 with designers (love this and this) pedaling up mirror metallic and iridescent fabrics. Once reserved for accessories and jewellery alone, this space-age inspired, playful candy-wrapper foil trend prompts a fresh sense of escapism to the always colourful spring season.

With the pants finally out of the dressing room, I can’t wait to style them with simple button-down shirts, crop tops and ethereal white kurtas. If you’ve been considering, picking up on this trend but doubted its wearability, I suggest dive in unabashed. Keep your look simple complimenting it with minimal make-up and fuss free hair and trust me it’s the shine you’ll never regret!

Wearing - 

Trousers - c/o Front Row Shop

Shirt - Ralph Lauren (here)

Peep-Toes - Mango

Haathphool - ALDO

Neck-piece - XOXO Accessories

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

 

What's To Come...The better and the best!

                                                                            

                                                                          

                                                                                   

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                           

I have always believed and learnt over the years, that life is about two things (much of it maybe) - love and hope. The latter is a state of mind, a scenario for the better and beautiful to come. As the sun dips, the sky grey's and a blanket of fog greets our mornings and evenings, a spring like outfit goes a long way to...simply make-believe in the sunnier days ahead. Like I said before, colours, cuts can depict and transform our mood. So, as I bid goodbye to bare legs and slipped into the routine hues, I needed this outfit as my rebound. Or maybe, I got impatient to wait for spring afterall. 

After multiple sessions of how not to match your prints, fashion runways this year showed us how to wear them with aplomb. Boxy top and shorts make up for a completely care-free and comfortable outfit, suited for those sunny soft winter brunches. The great part about this look is that you can pair the top and shorts together or wear them as separates. Pair a silk blouse with these shorts for the day and slip into a solid coloured blazer with this top and your favourite pair of jeans for the night. Further, you can always swap the boxy top with a tailored blazer for the super chic short-suit look. A basic white T-shirt helped me instill a break in the print, besides keeping me warm. I preferred wearing these neutral flats, since I felt anything taller would be too much leg. 

Until I re-style it soon, I say "¡Hola Spring." Have a wonderful holiday season.

Wearing - 

Boxy Top and Shorts - TrimmingsAndLace

T-Shirt - Next

Bag - Mom's (Chanel 2.55)

Flats - H&M

Bangles and bracelets - Westside (here), FabAlley, Gifted

Ring - Myntra.com

Mid Finger Ring - ASOS

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

The Quirkviduality Duo

                                                                                  

                                                                            

                                                                             

As a stylist, Autumn/Winter is my favourite time of the year. It’s the time when you can safely detach your fashion ideas from the conventional. You can throw on a scarf to brighten up the monotones and play around with colours and contrasts like never before. Against the dim sun cheerful prints help brave the cold, much like the vibrant plaids and tartans.
Talking of prints, fashion has forever been revolutionizing prints. I have never doubted the power of a print – be that florals, abstract, whacky, geometric or animal prints. However, post this I have never been surer of the power of a kitsch piece to make a statement like no other. THIS thanks to the pioneer of functional art in India – The Quirk Box. The Quirk Box products besides being fun, colourful, entertaining and a show-door to anything and everything mundane, are inspiring. They draw out a different perception, sometimes subjective, but always let the quirkviduality shine. Case in point this dream circus boyfriend jacket. Initially, my styling ideas were up against the wall with this jacket, but once worn all pieces came together and this statement jacket was ready to shine on.  

A cropped top lends a wonderful balance to the boyfriend jacket, while keeping the femininity of the look intact. My infatuation with crop tops over seasons has grown by the day. Bra tops, crop tees, ruffled bandeaus' or corsets, this is one trend and I vouch for self, is not going to be ditched anytime soon. Statement earrings and some arm candy in neutral tones were my accessories of choice to enhance the look without diluting the glory of our center-piece!

Wearing - 

Boyfriend Jacket - c/o The Quirk Box (Shop)

Top - Promod

Pants - (we've come a long way)

Peep-toes - Vero Moda (last seen)

Watch - Kenneth Cole

Bracelets - Assorted

Earrings - Forever 21

Ring - Thrifted

On my nails - O.P.I Alpine Snow

 Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

                                  

Colour Musings

                                                                            

                                                                         

                                                                       

                                                                           

This particular outfit is having a resurgence from the drafts (Read: long hair). The neon palette has stayed around stylishly for a long while now and is surely befriending us this Fall. Collections like those of Tanya Taylor and Victoria Beckham have incorporated neons by complimenting it with the classic plaids and checks. A streak of neon among the winter darks' and monotones is always enough (and safely enough) to make a statement.

Currently, with the wedding season in full swing and most importantly my bridesmaid duties in force, I have had a lot of encounters with fuchsia pink in Indian wear. It is the hue you cannot help but fall in love with over and over again. Its a shade that complements all skin tones and tends to reflect that rose blush glow on you. Treat it with a neutral or contrast it with another bold colour, fuchsia is surely a winner.

If you have been a regular reader of the blog, you must be aware of my indispensable love for skirts. Having put together a contrast here, I matched the solid fuchsia with this printed, fuller midi-skirt. The midi skirt may seem more 1950s than 2013, but has taken the runways and street by storm (love this one). If a mini skirt gives you shudders and maxis seems overwhelming, then midi is the length to be. I always feel that the choice of colour makes styling very easy. Colours like fuchsia, royal blue, emerald green and red suggest minimal accessories. Hence, for this outfit I accessorized with these chandelier statement earnings. To add a different dimension I wore my pair of metallic silver heels (much like here) keeping up the power of colour! 

Wearing - 

T-Shirt - ZARA (last seen)

Tank (Underneath) - Aeropostale

Skirt - Gifted

Slingbacks - Local Store (Chandigarh)

Earrings - Gifted

On my nails - China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam

Love Struck...Twice!

                                                                           

                                                                         

                                                                         

                                                                        

                                                                      

                                                                          

I am definitely the nth person to be saying this, but online shopping has been a world saver. Yes indeed, there is a whole management and economical cycle involved to it. (I am struggling with self to not get into the details right now. Call it my MBA genes). In addition to the convenience factor in terms of effort and time, what’s applauding is that many of these stores carry multi-product lines. So, if you are looking to create an outfit from scratch, online stores provide you a ‘one-stop-shopping’ experience to the T. Among the many, the one store that is placed up on my list is Rooja. Rooja offers your conventional products with a little twist and quirk. There is always an element that is new and unique in its own way - be that clothing, accessories, shoes or home décor.

Likewise, when I was asked to pick an outfit from their wide range I had a real tough time stopping at just one. Maxis and illusion skirts being my love this season, I simply couldn’t look past this dress. Besides, I didn’t have a chevron piece in my closet so this came as a perfect addition. True to the picture, I was elated when I received my piece.

Much like the Rooja fundament of bringing out the unconventional, I decided to style this dress with traditional kundan jewellery.

This dress is my current favourite and with winters setting in, I can’t wait to style it with knits and blazers. Have you picked your favourite yet?

Wearing - 

Dress - c/o Rooja

Earrings and Bangle - Mom's (here)

Peep-toes - Vero Moda

On my nails - Chanel Fantastic

On my lips - MAC New York Apple

Remember my maxi-look from earlier this year? 

Thank you for stopping by...

Love

Agam