ECLECTIQUE.: fashion

EMBROIDERED BEAUTY

VAMA Designs

Indian fashion is no doubt, one of the best in the world; it just never, and I mean never, goes out of style. Every single design made is one of a kind and hand crafted beautifully. The talent of my fellowmen never fail to leave me in awe as I see their masterpieces showcased by a lady. Every single detail that either blends or contrasts with the color of the cloth makes the piece worth having a thousand eyes laid on.

http://www.maharaniweddings.com

Indian dresses have quite a few varieties. One of my favorite is the dress called "Lehenga" or "ghagra" which is a long skirt that starts from the waist and ends where the foot is no longer visible together with a short top that shows off a little skin by the tummy. Heavily beaded and embroidered ones are usually worn by brides in red or a shade of it signifying happiness that is brought by the new bonding of a life partner. No one else but the bride wears a bright red dress on her wedding day. Simple lehengas are also available and are worn mostly by young girls due to the little skin that is shown through the cut of the piece.

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If you are looking for something that gorgeously accentuates the body, a sari would be more than perfect. The super long cloth which varies from 5-9 yards is wrapped around the waist with one end draped over the shoulder, leaving the midriff bare. A petticoat or a skirt-like cloth is worn underneath the draped cloth and is paired with a blouse that is fitted and cropped at the midriff. Lovely borderlines are made to show the folds on the lower part and the curves of a lady. The sari is associated and is a symbol of grace considering how tricky it is to properly fold and drape around the body, yet look so elegant and easy.

Left: Salwar Kameez ( www,parisworld.in)
Right: Churidar & Kameez (www.salwarkeameezsale.com)

The salwar kameez is a dress that is worn on a daily basis due to its comfortable cut. Salwar or pyjamas are cut wide at the top and narrow at the ankle. On the other hand, churidars are common variants of the salwar. These are trousers that are tightly fitted by the legs and a little longer to make it look like a set of bangles are resting on the ankle. The extra material makes it easy for the person to move and sit down because the cut is already tight in the first place. As the top, a kameez (tunic) or kurti (loose overshirt) is partnered. A whole lot of prints, styles, designs and price range of salwar and churidars are available in the market. Even if it's for daily wear, it still is hard to choose one when you are put in a situation with so many jaw dropping pieces.

Thank you for making time to read my blog post. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing about the beauty of my country's fashion and culture!

Until next time,

Khushi Ramchandani :)

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FEBRUARY FAVORITES

Well it’s official – February 2016 is over! I have to admit, last month was definitely one of the best months I’ve had in quite a long time. My February featured family gatherings, a few parties alongside my friends and much more exciting events! It's such a shame it went by quickly. So today, I'll be reliving it all with you by revealing my favorites of the month of February. Enjoy!

FAVORITE MAKEUP PRODUCT: Shu Uemura’s Eyebrow Pencil

This makeup item is my holy grail. I can never go out in public – well, except for when I’m in school because we’re not allowed to wear make-up (I’m a good student aye) – without applying this to my eyebrows, since it makes such a huge difference after application. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants an easy-to-use eyebrow pencil.

FAVORITE CLOTHING ITEM: A Romper

I'm sporting a romper with intricate patterns plastered from the start of the straps to the bottom of the shorts with a halter type of neckline. The truth is I’ve been wearing this a lot lately, and the reason behind it is because it’s probably the comfiest romper I own, which is also the main reason why it's part of my favorites for the month of February.

FAVORITE RANDOM ITEM: Amber Lights' “Vanilla Heaven” Candle

I first picked this candle up at an small candle store nearby because I was in need of a new candle. The Vanilla Heaven candle encapsulates innocence and pure sweetness, which is why it's my favorite candle. The scent of this candle catapults me back to the time when me and my family roasted marshmallows on the beach in Palawan.

FAVORITE TV PROGRAM: Korean Drama – My Love from Another Star (별에서 온 그대)

Picture retrieved from: asianwiki.com

This TV program is the B E S T Korean drama I’ve watched so far. One of my friends suggested this show a while back, telling me it’s one of her favorites. But since I was bombarded with school projects and exams, I wasn’t able to watch it. Although, I was able to find time in February to finally watch the show my friend had been raving about for the past how many months.

I admire the plot of this TV show because it’s very unique and not one you can find in American TV shows. But what caught my attention was the spectacular cinematography. They captured the scenes very well, playing with the color palette to present the mood perfectly to the audience by using warm tones for happy scenes and darker hues for the more serious scenes. I also love the actors and actresses because they did an outstanding job portraying their characters of this show.

This show blew me away for sure. There were a lot of scenes that made me laugh so hard, especially the tiny epilogues at the end of each episode. But there were also scenes that moved me to tears, like in episode 19 when Song Yi says, “Even though I’m anxious that you’ll disappear right away, and even though I’d sell my soul for the time we could be together, if only we could stop time forever… and even though sometimes these feelings are too hard for me and I might wish I hadn’t met you… still, even if I could turn time back, I would meet you again, and I would bicker with you, and I would fall for you, and I would love you.” *cries all over again* Without a single bit of doubt, this show will definitely touch (or break) your heart and soul (especially the bittersweet ending).

FAVORITE SONG: Dream a Little Dream of Me by Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Picture retrieved from: www.staleywise.com

If you know me personally, you won’t be surprised I chose this song as my February favorite. All my closest friends know I am in love with yesterday’s music! And ever since I discovered this song last month, I’ve been having it on repeat for days, maybe even weeks. I just admire how Ella Fitzgerald’s voice can easily blend with Louis Armstrong’s. This song brings so much joy and satisfaction to my ears.

FAVORITE PICTURE (Taken last month): First Selfie with My Beloved Cousins

Picture by: Bianca Vecino

It was difficult to narrow this one down, since I took a heap of memorable pictures this month. But I settled on this lovely picture of me and my cousins. This was the first selfie we took after three whole years of not seeing each other!

FAVORITE OCCASION/S: My Grandmother’s 80^th Birthday Celebration & My JS Prom

Grandmother's 80th Birthday Celebration // February 20, 2016

On the 20^th of February, my grandmother celebrated her 80^th birthday in Acacia hotel. I still remember my grandmother’s radiant smile lighting up every nook and cranny of the room when she first walked in. A lot of great memories were created that night, like dancing with my cousins and seeing my uncles dance with my grandmother. Although, there were some memories I want to burn, like seeing the oldies dance to 80's pop music; it was horrible. Moving on, that night was filled with so much joy and laughter that I will definitely cherish forever.

JS Promenade // February 26, 2016

On the 26^th of February, I attended my JS prom. I remember walking in for the first time, feeling confident in my midnight blue gown and my killer 4-inch beige heels. I even remember gawking at the beautiful women in their gorgeous gowns and handsome men in their stunning suits. I almost didn’t recognize my batch mates!

The highlight of my night though was dancing to random pop songs with all my closest friends. I can never forget my ridiculous dance moves and my friends’ silly faces as we danced like there was no tomorrow. It was definitely a night to remember.

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With that being said, I am glad to have created a lot of wonderful memories with my family and friends this February 2016. Hopefully this March, I would be able to share a whole lot more experiences with you guys that would be just as exciting and memorable. That concludes this month’s blog post. What are your February favorites?

- C H L O E R E Y E S

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SUMMER WISH LIST 2016: FASHION EDITION

photo by: Nikki Toledo

Summer is just around the corner and I can't wait to enjoy the bright sunny days and the trips that we have yet to book! Schoolwise, we are nearing the end of the academic year and for me, I take it as a blessing and an exciting event. Because we have a different curriculum now, I get to be classmates with the people I am with this year, for the next school year! Isn't that something to look forward to? Anyway, enough with the chit chat. I am here to talk about some of my favorite items that I wish to have for this Summer. These are not just any ordinary set of items for Summer, but instead, this can also be considered as a guide for you to enjoy this season in a fashionable and quirky way! With out further ado, let me take you to my Summer wish list for the year 2016!

Photo by: @/wahlondon (instagram)

First up is my all time favorite out of my wish list! It is the Wah in Private Plane (left) and the Wah Pink Nail Art Pen (right). I chose this brand because in the numerous YouTube tutorials that I've watched, the formula of this nail polish seems to glide on ever so smoothly without any troubles and I always notice that there are only minimum mistakes when applying this. In their Instagram account, I can not stop scrolling down because of how beautiful their nail art designs are on their models and as a nail art enthusiast, I love seeing very intricate and detailed designs and I also love practicing these designs on my own nails, although I would always need a bottle of Acetone beside me since I make tons of mistakes. But I guess with more practice, it gets better and better!

Photo by: @/qvcbeauty (instagram)

Makeup is also a passion of mine and I always find myself watching Youtube videos on how to do glamorous makeup or simple daytime makeup looks each and every day! Through this, I've familiarised myself with one of the best makeup brands out there but at the same time, it wouldn't cost you that much. This eyeshadow palette from Tarte, Tarte in bloom, is just so beautiful in so many ways. There are eyeshadows that have shimmer to it, and there are some that are plain matte and that is what I like about the palette and it's because their eyeshadow formula is so pigmented that with one swipe, it is enough to fill in a whole eyelid! And also what I like about this is that the colors are very neutral and it can be worn for both daytime and nighttime. I personally haven't tried this yet but based on the tutorials that I have seen that used this palette, it seems to have gotten a lot of positive reviews about it and I really look forward to having my own Tarte eyeshadow palette and use it during Summer!

Photo by:@/quayaustralia (instagram)

During the summer, it can get really, really hot and as we all know, too much eye contact or exposure to sunlight can be bad for your eyesight because of its UV rays. So, in order to stay fashionable and yet protected during the Summer, I chose Quay for the sunglasses because I personally think that they look adorable and classy! The mirror lenses do such a great job at protecting your eyes because it decreases the light passing through significantly! I bet these would be really helpful during the Summer, especially for a person like me that wears glasses everyday. (and no, it's not a good thing!)

Photo by: @/louboutinworld (instagram)

You might thing "why would anyone wear heels during Summer?" Well, who said it was prohibited to wear heels on Summer days? Who knows, you might start loving heels during the Summer once you wear it! Trust me, having at least one pair of heels are just as important as having a pair of sneakers! I really love these Stilettos from Louboutin because first of all, red-bottoms are so classy and in! And second, Louboutin stilettos are so simple to the eyes and that is a good thing because it can make up your whole outfit and make you look very elegant at the same time! I can already imagine myself wearing these to a casual Summer day out with the whole family and of course, special events as well!

Photo by: @/americaneagle (instagram)

During the Summer, street fashion is always the trend and a lot of people find it really easy to dress up in because a pair of ripped jeans and a lose shirt is all you need to get through the day with style! I specifically like these pair of jeans from American Eagle because they look so stylish and sophisticated without being too loud. A plain white or off-white shirt can also go very well with ripped jeans since you wouldn't want to wear very dark and thick shirt for it absorbs more heat. Loafers and slip-on shoes are a necessity of mine for the Summer because if I will be going on long walks with my family or friends, I don;t want my feet to get tired very easily since I would just want to relax during the day.

Photo by: @/herschelsupply (instagram)

There will be outings and long road trips around the country if you are planning one with your family and the first thing you will need is a backpack that doesn't become too cluttered nor bulky. The Dawson Backpack from Herschel is one of the items in my wish list that I really want to own for myself. It doesn't look like it can bring a lot of stuff and for me, I take it as a challenge to only pack the most important things I need for a trip and not be that person that brings a ton for clothes just for a one-day trip. Nu-uh. I've always been taught by my mom to be a light traveller and I think I've been doing quite well at it these past few trips to different countries. I like this backpack specifically because it looks very simple and compact, and it can be used in other occasions as well like going to the malls or just going to a nearby café to do some work. During the Summer, I would really use this a lot since I, myself, like to bring things with me whenever I go somewhere with my relatives!

We have come to the end of my blog entry and I really hope that you, as readers, have somewhat attained information from my personal wish list! I hope that we will be able to make most of our own Summer days and enjoy it with the people that we love the most in our lives. With that, I'd like to end this with my most sincere thanks for spending your precious time in reading my heart-filled personal entry and I hope you enjoyed it!

All the best,

NIKKI

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VALERIA 2016: How to Look Classy for Prom

L to R: Czarina Castro, Chloe Reyes, Jane Gensaya, Nikki Toledo

On the 26th of February, the Senior High School Promenade was held at the Blue Leaf Filipinas. Everyone was dressed in their most delicate and elegant dresses and suits, which had made them look so fashionable. It was the night one would expect to be the best---and for me, it was indeed unforgettable. Weeks before the Promenade, we had already been preparing everything in order to make it a perfect night. From the platforms and shined wing tip lace ups to the sheath dresses and black tie suits. In some events, there are dress codes that we have to follow. So, we were required to follow the rules and here are some that I recall from my memory:

No cocktail dresses, meaning, long gowns that touch the floor are strictly recommended.
If there are slits on your dress, it should not be more than 1 inch above the knee.
If your dress is sleeveless or is designed to be a tube dress, a shawl is to be worn over the shoulders and is strongly observed.
Tuxedos should have a perfect fit.
For guys, so not wear maong jeans.
For guys, wear formal shoes, preferably leather shoes.
Lastly, ENJOY THE NIGHT!

Now, it is very important that we should always abide with these rules not only because the school wants us to, but it is also for our own benefit and that nothing would go wrong during the night! Who would want a wardrobe malfunction while slow dancing with your crush for who knows how long? I know I wouldn't want that! Furthermore, I would like to point out some of the most effective tips that I, myself, abide on especially for occasions like the Promenade! Believe me, this will save you from the embarrassment that you've probably been worried about!

Prom Clutch. Bring only what you need the most!

Before thinking of what to wear for Prom, I strongly suggest that you think of what to bring for your safety during the night. Girls tend to have a lot of things to worry about during the night of the Prom. For instance, sweating too much, messing your hair up that was worth almost 5 hours to do, foundation that have probably melted off of your face during the first few hours and the likes. Honestly, these were my concerns and I didn't know what to bring to Prom since I only had a small clutch. I learned that the things I needed were just a few, when I came across this photo:

Photo by: The Beaty Department

Out of this photo, I had brought with me the following:

E.L.F. Matte Lip Color in Tea Rose
Lipstick in a light shade of purple
MAC Penultimate Liquid Eyeliner in Rapid black
Bobby pins
Hair tie
Cellphone
Safety pins (I almost had to use these!)
Prom stub
Panty liners (who knows when nature will call you?)

With these, I have reassured myself that I will have to worry no more because even the simplest things like what I have listed above, it can really help go a long way. For example, after you've eaten the main course of the menu, your lipstick had most likely worn off and what you can do is just grab your clutch, pull out your lip liners and re-touch! You don't have to bring a full sized bag just to survive Prom, with a small clutch, you're all ready to go!

Wear a smart hairstyle that will go well with your dress.

Sometimes it can be hard to pick what hairstyle to use for Prom since it is a special occasion and you want to look your best and not look like your typical Sunday morning where your hair is just all over the place and it's just not cooperating with you. At all. So, there are a lot of ways on how you can do your hair for different types of dresses. This guide will give you so much advantage and at the same time, it will not take away the attention to your beautiful dress!

Photo by: House of Wu

If your dress is designed to be a tube-like dress, you can either put your hair down into soft, wavy curls or put it all up in a simple braided hairstyle. Now, take note that if you are wearing this kind of dress, make sure that you wear it securely and that no bra straps or bra cups in general, are seen! This is a common accident so be careful with your posture, especially in dancing!

Low necklines can be tricky to pull off so, with a half up, half down hairstyle, it will give off an elegant yet edgy look to your dress. I am in a private school and our teachers are very particular with how much skin you show off. I suggest using a medium to long shawl to put over your shoulders so that at least, you wont feel too uncomfortable and it can also serve as a blanket if it gets chilly!

Choose a long, flowing dress!

Long dresses are the most classic kinds of dresses for special occasions like Prom. It is very elegant especially with the intricate designs on it. And not to mention, long dresses are comfortable to wear out on normal days as well!

L to R: Hannah Peñafiel, Jane Gensaya, Laetisha Rasco, Nikki Toledo

Just like my dress, I chose to have a long dress with long sleeves that has delicate designs on it, as well as a see-through are around my chest with the same design flowing down to my waist area. I chose to have a soft grey toned dress because for me, it looks very chic and classy, without being too flashy. Mermaid cut dresses are also a very good choices for dresses since it highlights the curves of the body. Here, it is okay if you choose a light color so that it won't be too bright and over decorated. These are just some of the many kinds of dresses that one can wear to prom but I certainly recommend long dresses because it is an overall classic look!

With these tips on how to look your best at your Prom night, I assure you that whatever comes your way during the night, nothing will ever make you disappointed for you have prepared so much for this! Be comfortable with what you wear, be aware with your surroundings and just enjoy the good company that you have around you! This has been my personal guide for your own Prom celebration and I hope you make the most out of it and don't forget to take tons of photos with your friends!

All the best,

NIKKI