Fashion 1 0 1: Part 3

Part 1 Part 2

There are many people who have a budget set (say 100$ per week) to buy clothes/ shoes/ purses/ accessories. Do you know the average number of clothes bought every year by Americans? It is 65+ per year - not per family but per person (I think the East is catching up too).

The point I am trying to make is - we buy too much.

To be continued...

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch, Shoes: Dr. Scholls, Shirt: JCrew Factory, Jacket: J crew

Women: 3. The Martyr

This is the third part in the series. Earlier parts - Part 1. Part 2.

The Martyr

The Martyr - a woman who thinks people are judging them based on how good a wife/ mother/ daughter/ daughter-in-law/ sister-in-law she is and she cares about the opinions and then tries to be a perfectionist, treats the man of the house as the 'man of the house' who is never asked to (or given an ultimatum to) share his share of responsibilities, she tries to show that she is the best daughter-in-law, mother, and whatnot and then juggles everything and kills herself in the process. 

I am sorry, I have to say this - I pity all those women who take pride in doing a job, taking care of kids, keeping the house spotless, cooking - all on their own.

I respect women who get help, 'ask' men to take care of their share of chores, men have two hands and brains so I bet they can manage to do the dishes, laundry, cooking, and whatnot, it is not rocket science after all.

From what I hear there are crazy men out there who deny to own their share or laugh at men who they see cleaning dishes, I couldn't/wouldn't have survived with such an idiot, I don't know how women do that. But again, being financially independent gives you the flexibility, if you do not want to spend your life with such an idiot then you will always have a choice.

I respect women who do not take pride in sacrificing their dreams and aspirations or do not feel guilty in asking for sharing equal responsibilities.

I would say quit trying to be perfect, it is never going to happen.  As long as you are being yourself and trying your best, it is enough, you do not need to suffice to the expectations defined for the gender role (gender roles are history). Just like all the men in your life, you too have one life and at the end of this, there is no award for being perfect. There is, however, the satisfaction of having lived your life to the fullest, if you accept that you are flawed, just like everyone else and that there is nothing wrong with asking for the fair deal of sharing half responsibilities and speaking up that you will not suffice to gender roles.

To be continued...

Dress: Ann Taylor, Tights: Target, Shoes: Ellen Tracy, Jacket: J crew

Dress also worn here

Different crazy

I did crazy things in school, junior/ senior college - I slept under the last bench, sometimes I left the class from the back door, went to other colleges with friends instead of attending my own lectures, I don't even remember the crap topics I discussed with friends, I was kicked out of the class many times because I talked non-stop with friends or for playing games like hangman during lectures.

I also never stood up for anything, I had no courage whatsoever - if someone said something nasty to me then I would shed some tears without saying a word to them, or when 13 reasons why happened I kept quiet without going to the authorities or speaking about it to anyone. Today I handle things differently. I am more rebellious and outspoken than the 'good old days'. I am no longer the silently-suffering-sorta-woman. I am more thick-skinned now (probably it is because of more layers of fat than thick skin so to say :-))

If I was meeting with a childhood friend, who hasn't met me in all these years, and they judge me based on my past craziness and keep talking about it - then I wouldn't really like that because it is old news, I am still crazy but in new ways. People still call me crazy when I talk about gender equality or atheism.

If I look back at my past then I do not recognize that disillusioned person anymore, I do not relate to or understand that naive person either. Today I am nothing like what I was then - dumber or wiser is irrelevant here. I see childhood friends meeting and constantly talking about their wacky childhood stories and then some also judge people based on history. People grow up, they change their plans/ opinions/ habits/ behavior.

All I want to say is - do not judge anyone based on their past - I hear Agni Sharma became Valmiki later on.

Don't get me wrong, everyone is still crazy but they are 'different crazy' if you really want to then base your judgment on their new madness!

5 combos from 2015 that did not make it to the blog at that time - 

Reliable

I appreciate a lot of different things in people, one of them is - Reliability.

I feel we need to stand by our promise/commitment. We are as good as our word. And just in case if we are not able to then, we need to inform concerned parties about the change in plans beforehand.  It is good to be considerate and also take accountability for our word. If you ask someone to meet with you at a certain time/day then it is a good habit to make a note of it in your calendar immediately, we can not tell them last minute 'oh you are waiting for me? but I left for shopping'.

I feel it is okay to say NO.  Also for the receiving party, it is easier to hear 'no' than to go through the disappointment and frustration that we will bestow upon them by saying 'yes' and then not showing up. 

Dress: Banana Republic, Jacket: J crew, Shoes: Ellen Tracy, Tights: Target

Book Reviews. 2017. 1

This series covers reviews of books that I read in 2017. Keeping the reviews short.

1. The Husband's Secret - Liane Moriarty

Loved this thriller. Moriarty's writing style is quite engaging. 4/5

2. Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation - Michio Kaku

Michio Kaku is not only gifted in his abilities as a physicists (he is co-founder of string field theory, has written textbooks, articles, novels, etc. in the field of physics and popular science), but he makes the difficult and convoluted subject of quantum mechanics and classical mechanics accessible and entertaining for the everyday person. I love all his books. 5/5

3. The Code of the Woosters - P.G. Wodehouse

A classic piece of Wodehouse silliness, involving Bertie Wooster, his formidable Aunt Dahlia and (of course) Jeeves in a scheme to steal an 18th century cow-creamer during a weekend party at an English country house. Super funny as usual. 5/5

4. Carry on Jeeves - P.G. Wodehouse

Reading Wodehouse is always a pleasant experience, which always fills the reader with much gaiety & happiness. Loved the book. 5/5.

5. Thank you, Jeeves - P.G. Wodehouse

Jeeves and Wooster break up after Jeeves lays down an ultimatum and Bertie chooses his banjolele over his manservant. Hilarity ensues. 5/5.

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch, Shoes: Vaneli, Top: J crew factory, Scarf: J crew factory, Jacket: J crew

Four ways I wore this combo

Stressed out -

There are a few things that stress me out -

1. Watching movies in the theater - I watch a lot of them but at home, at my pace and also while parallel tasking. I watch movies like one would watch a TV show, 25-30 minutes a day. Watching them in theater means I have to watch the whole movie in one go, that stresses me out. If I don’t like the first 20 minutes of the film I leave the movie hall.


2. Going to Salon - I do almost all beauty related things at home - there is no commute time involved, no small talk with the beautician and I can do something in parallel like catch up on TV shows, while I have a face mask on, or I can clean the closet!


3. People - Being around people who I don’t get a good vibe from stresses me out. I try to avoid them because at that time I can be around someone or something that I like. Also if I get an inkling that someone doesn’t like me or is trying to avoid me then I do not impose myself on them, instead, I will be around someone who likes me or is trying to reach out or keep in touch with me. I do not feel obligated to hang out with people because I am related to them or because I have known them forever. People grow up and most likely grow apart, and it’s okay to let it go than to hold on to something that is not adding any value but just drama and stress to our lives.


4. Shopping - Yes! shopping stresses me out. I can go without shopping for years, the max I have stayed without shopping is 3 years straight. I am elated that I am able to use my creativity to create a new outfit every day from my existing wardrobe, without having to go through the torture of browsing through stuff, trying stuff, not-fitting into stuff and so on.

3 combos with white top - 

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch, Top: Tommy Hilfiger, Jacket: J crew, Shoes: Kelly and Katie

Jeans: American Eagle, Top: Tommy Hilfiger, Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger

What the health! Part 15 - How to lose weight and stay healthycontinued...

This is part 15 of ‘What the health’ series. You can find earlier parts here – part1, part2, part3, part4,  part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8,  part 9, part 10, part 11, part12, part13, part14

Diet (4)

9. And last but not the least Alcohol - Call me uncool if you had like, I really don't care - but DO NOT drink alcohol (I know it is for some reason considered a status symbol these days), some people drink wine every day saying it is good for the heart, it sounds ridiculous- there are so many better options for the heart like running for example - opt them and not wine.

Alcohol affects the acid levels in the body, it affects the quality of sleep, it can cause many health conditions like heart ailments, it affects the liver and pancreas, it also increases the risk of cancer (throat, mouth, esophagus, breast, and liver). Cocktails and hard liquor are loaded with unwanted calories that you just wanna avoid piling on.

I am high on life and I don’t understand those who are dependent on alcohol to do that job and those who drink do not understand how can one be high on life… some people come under social pressures and drink to give the company, I don’t do that (not anymore). I have been asked many times at parties that if I don't drink alcohol or carbonated beverages then what do I drink. Stupid question. I drink many things - tea, coconut water, lime juice, freshly squeezed orange juice, turmeric milk, buttermilk, and mostly water!

I am not a fun bob (someone who needs to be inebriated to have fun, loose inhibitions or enjoy life). I enjoy life even when things are painful or not going so smoothly. Accept that hardship is part of life. Pain, sickness, and sadness is as much a feeling as healthy and happy - embrace it, sooner the better - it is useless to be afraid of the existence of unhappy feelings and to forget it getting numb (and dumb) under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

Food and water are an important part of a balanced diet, yes, we are what we eat…. and drink.

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch

Shoes: Steve Madden

Stripes Tee: TjMaxx

Jacket: J Crew

What the health! Part 13 - How to lose weight and stay healthycontinued...

This is part 13 of ‘What the health’ series. You can find earlier parts here – part1, part2, part3, part4,  part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8,  part 9, part 10, part 11, part12

2. Diet (2)

For gut health -

1. You can make your gut stronger by eating simple, non-spicy, healthy, easy to digest food.  Spicy food, pepper, chilies destroys stomach lining and causes acid imbalance. Remember food stays in your mouth only for a few seconds while your stomach and intestine have to deal with it for a longer time.


2. If I may say so consume a poor man's diet and by that, I mean Indian poor man's diet and not an American poor man's diet.


3. Don’t go after fancy diet plans, fancier the names the crappier that they are. Our body needs wholesome food, it needs carbs, fats, proteins, and everything - remember moderation is the key.


4. Recognize the difference between food and food-like products.


5. Take out some time during the day to plan and cook home-cooked meals, eat clean, fresh, home-cooked, simple food - as easy as that.


6. Don't forget to drink a glass of fresh homemade buttermilk every day (not yogurt, but homemade buttermilk), it encourages good digestion.


7. When traveling - I ate the unhealthiest food when I traveled and always put on at least 5 pounds as an aftereffect. Now when I travel I book houses with kitchens through Airbnb and such and cook simple meals even on vacations.

to be continued...

Jeans: American Eagle

Shirt: J Crew Factory

Jacket: J Crew

Shoes: Lifestride

How do you wash your clothes?

For all your outside clothes use the handwash mode in washing machines. Don't use machine drying as so much of heat spoils the clothes instead use a clothes drying rack.

Jeans: 7 for all mankind

Stripes Top: J crew Factory

White Denim Jacket: Zara

Shoes: Unisa

Purse: Nine West

How often do you wash your clothes?

Don't wash denims/ jackets/ skirts/ scarves every time you use them unless of course if they are dirty/ smelly. This elongates their life span. How often should you wash them - See HERE

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch

Chambray Button Down: American Eagle

Denim Jacket: J Crew

Scarf: J Crew Factory

Shoes: Vaneli

Happiness

Success is getting what you want and happiness is wanting what you get.

Black Denim: Abercrombie and Fitch

Stripes Shirt: J Crew Factory

Denim Jacket: J Crew

Shoes: Vaneli

Winter clothes?

Do you buy separate set of clothes for winter or just use your summer clothes and layer it up?

Dress: Ann taylor factory

Denim Jacket: J crew

Tights: Hue

Shoes:Kenneth Cole Reaction

Strong Women

I HAD to buy this tank top as soon as saw it. The lady on it makes quite a statement.

This one is for the strong women of the world.

May be you know them, may be you are one of them but most definitely raise them (to be strong)....

Denim: Banana Republic

Top: Guess

Denim Jacket: J Crew
Shoes: guess

Being Stylish

In my opinion being stylish doesn't take much:

1. Fit body - Fit bodies are most attractive bodies even if they are wearing torn clothes. Exercise every day and watch what you eat (I mean just watch don't eat ;-) )

2. Decently styled hair - Spend ten minutes over the weekend in doing some hair set up. If you have my type of hair (super curly) then have a hair length that is manageable and can be set in minimal time. Well set hair is always stylish irrespective of its length.

3. Ironed clothes - You can always iron clothes while catching up with your TV shows. Wrinkled clothes can make even Burberry garments look messy.

Dress: J Crew

Jacket: J Crew

Tights: Hue

Shoes: Nine West

Exercise!

I feel sad when people give hundred excuses of not accommodating exercise in their daily lives. We want promotions, exotic vacations, big houses, grand salaries, appreciation from people but we ignore the utmost important thing in our life - our body. 

In my observation people who say that they don't have time to do a certain thing actually have a lot of time on their hands (everyone gets 24 hours during the day) but their priorities are different. So when one says 'I don't have time to exercise' what they actually mean is 'I lack the motivation to exercise'.

Dress: J Crew

Jacket: J Crew

Shoes: Nine West

Tights: Don't Remember!

M Collection

Buy quality and try to fit in it for years ... even better if the clothes are flexible enough to adjust according to the changing sizes ... using this dress for over 10 years.

Dress: M Collection (bought from Pacific Place Seattle)
Necklace: Mark & Spencer
White Sandals (pic 1): Etienne Aigner
Denim Jacket - JCrew

smile please!

When I started taking these pictures for fun I realized how less I smiled (and not juts in pictures). Its been a few months since then - with a conscious effort I have been smiling a lot more.

I actually feel happier and light just because I am trying to have a smile on my face always. Reverse Psychology?

Jeans: American Eagle
Shirt: Jcrew
Denim Jacket: Jcrew
Shoes: AK Anne Klein (bought from DSW)