Race with time

Time is loping rapidly. I have given up my attempts to make it take a breather. I am trying hard to match my speed with time.

Sometimes I take a quick break and watch time dashing by. Why doesn’t it go slow? How come it is never exhausted? Why doesn’t it just linger for a while? They say to make it big you need to be on your toes continuously. But if we don’t put our feet up how will we observe our contest with time.

I have stopped dreaming to win in my race with time. I start rushing from the time I wake up. I plan the ‘to do’ things for the day during my jog with milliseconds.

In this scuttle, I just touch a few places and run and at places, I lurk a bit while on run. As if the entire day’s scurry is not enough; my mind starts running at night. It visits different places and people while I am asleep. When my mind gets tired with the body, my brain starts its gallop. Sometimes I write articles, poems and plans for the coming days in my dreams.

Time keeps up with its flow but though not tired I stop at times; to absorb the ‘emotions’ related to the happenings during the day… and just to observe their presence in life…

9 books that stayed with me. 9

9. The Martian - Andy Weir

I had an aversion towards Sci-Fi books, I had read a few like ‘a wrinkle in time’, ‘ender’s game’, ‘Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the galaxy’ - all of these are well-known books, however, I did not enjoy reading them. I picked up ‘The Martian’ with reluctance and I absolutely loved it, I realized I do enjoy Sci-Fi after all, only if chosen wisely  :). I am now open to reading sci-fi and the ones that really liked are - Replay, The Martian, Recursion and Dark matter. 

Some avid readers say they read anything and everything, well I don’t. Life is too short to read anything and everything also once we start reading and appreciating quality stuff like Ayn Rand and Richard Dawkins it is hard to read anything and everything.

Hope you enjoy reading these books.

Idiot Box: Part 10

Reviewing TV shows. You can see the earlier parts here - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7,

Master of none

Witty, intelligent, funny, extraordinary. 5/5.

13 reasons why

I have already reviewed it here.

Big Little Lies

It is a glossy, very well made, mystery melodrama. I love it. 5/5.

The Crown

I know everyone is going gaga over 'the crown' but I don't understand why. Is there anything extraordinary that the queen did so the viewer needs to see a tv show based on her life? I didn't find her life interesting. 2/5.

The Handmaid's Tale

Astounding, marvelous, superb, no television event has hit such a nerve. 5/5.

The end of the F***ing World

I did not like it. 1/5.

Book Reviews.2017. 4

Reviewing books that I read in 2017.

16. Wedding Night - Sophie Kinsella

I did not like it, even though it is written by Kinsella. 2/5.

17. Into the Water - Paula Hawkins

The second book was written by the author of 'girl on the train' (which I loved and couldn't put down). Into the water was a letdown, did not enjoy it. 2/5.

18. Mrs. Funnybones - Twinkle Khanna

I didn't know before buying the book that it is just a collection of Twinkle Khanna's blog posts, which I had read already. I loved reading them again, as the name suggests the book is very funny. 4/5.

19. Joy in the Morning - P.G. Wodehouse

Edwin was my favorite character in the book. Wodehouse at his best again. 4/5.

20. Mindset: the new psychology of success - Carol S. Dweck

The growth mindset is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts. Although many people may differ in every which way - in their initial talents and aptitudes, interests or temperaments - everyone can change and grow through application and experience. Liked the book and would definitely recommend it. 4/5.

Lead by example

I seldom give any weight to someone's opinion unless I respect them in 'that' particular field. If I like your body - health - mental status then I will listen to your fitness-diet tips. There are people who are double my size  - who have given me diet/ weight suggestions/advice.

It doesn't matter if you hold a doctorate in nutrition/ health or diet. First, prove it to me that you have got it under control in your life and then you shall have my 100% attention :-)...

Don't get me wrong, I love to improve myself, I love pieces of advice but say if my mother gives me advice on weight and diet then I would happily take it because she has been in shape forever, her diet is perfect, ever since I remember I have seen her exercise every.single.day, and even after having 3 kids she has a flat belly - she holds the credibility to give a piece of advice...

Or I would happily take a piece of advice on behavior and worldly wisdom from my father, he is one of the best people I have known in my life. But if toxic, negative and just bad people start to find faults in anyone/anything, I can not help but wonder why don't they spend that time in introspection.

I think you get the gist...Lead by example...

The world is changed by our example, not by our opinion.

Fashion 1 0 1 : Part 1

The fashion industry is the second largest industry in the world after the oil industry. The owner of Zara Amancio Ortega is the richest man in Europe and the fourth richest man in the world. That says a lot about the world of fashion.

Fashion is also the number two most polluting industry next to the oil industry. It is a socio-economic topic covering the whole world and pertaining to each and every one of us. However, everyone is not aware of things happening in the fashion industry and the way clothing production works. I think the more people know, the better we can work to make a change.

This post grew into a long article over time. That's why I am going to cover it in parts. If I were to invite you to read just one topic on this blog then this would be it.

To be continued...

Dress: don't remember, but it is from India, Shoes: Steve Madden, Tights: Target, Sweater: Forever 21

Happy Memories

Every time I go back home (in India, yes, that is still home for me), unconsciously or consciously I am looking for my childhood and to relive those old carefree days! A doted upon, spoilt brat with not a care in the world!  But now I have made peace with the fact that life is forever in continuous motion. I cannot bring back the days that have passed. But I can smile and relive them in my heart and be thankful that my life is filled with happy memories. 

Random inputs yet again

• Never take kindness for granted


• Never measure your achievement or goals against someone else's


• Treat others the way you wish to be treated but also - treat others the way they treat you! Ha! That means if someone is disrespectful/hurtful with you then no need to shower them with love and care... move on.


• and when nothing goes your way, there is always an option of changing your path.

Dress: J crew, Sweater: Modcloth, Tights: Target, Shoes: Vaneli

Past Present Future

Once in a while I mull over my actions and or beliefs from a few years back and I reach the same conclusion every time - "I can not believe, how naïve (aka dumb) I was!" 

Looking back I never think I was all that intelligent. I could have done things differently. Done them better. I could have been more confident, studied more, played more, created more, snapped out of inferiority complex or had the ability to judge people better. I am not telling you my regrets. It is a mere analysis and aftermath of what goes on in my head.

The 'present me' gives the 'past me' that aggrieved feeling, the kind one gets when they cannot believe that someone can be that disillusioned (aka stupid).

Do you ever feel unhappy with the 'past you'? 

Well, never mind, here's to the better 'present us' which we will be looking back as past in the future!

 Photo 1: Dress - Nordstrom Rack, Sweater: J crew factory, Shoes: Don't remember, Tights: Target

Photo2: Dress - Calvin Klein, Sweater - Calvin Klein, Shoes: UGG, Tights: Target

Some random thoughts...

• Listen to everyone, but do only what your head says


• Learn to say No! It doesn't make you a bad person


• Pull yourself up than pulling others down


• Never feel guilty of being happy!

Shoes: Ellen Tracy

Tights: target

Dress: Mark and Spencer

Sweater: j crew factory

Same dress...

Do you find it weird to wear the same dress to every party? I never found it unnatural to repeat party clothes. In last 12-13 years I have worn the same ethnic dress to every other Indian get together, and the same western dress to every other holiday party that I made to. It’s okay with me, trust me nobody remembers! And if anyone happens to then you should be happy that they notice your hard work - that you are able to fit in the same dress for so many years ;-).

2 combos:

Dress: Ann Taylor Factory (10 years old), Shoes: Etienne Aigner (8 years old)

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

Happiness...

Never have I seen so many young, privileged, people trying so hard to be happy. There are countless articles written about it, blogs named for it, workshops attending to it. Whoever said we’re supposed to be happy all the time, anyway? We’re not. And the pressure to do so might be what’s making us unhappy, to begin with. It’s OK if you’re not completely content with your life twenty-four hours a day. Can you imagine what a boring person you’d be if you were? Going through shit storms, feeling uninspired, hating the way you look and having guilt over not accomplishing enough are just some of the things that make you interesting, relatable and human. Not to mention, if you’re reading this, then you have internet access and if you have internet access, it stands to reason that you have a computer, which makes me think you probably have a place to live, with electricity and plenty of food to eat and clean clothes to wear, which are all things that an enormous amount of people living on the planet today do not have. This is not to say that people shouldn’t strive to better their positions in life, however, it seems like so many of us are no longer content with a regular amount of happy, yet dead-set on being maniacally jubilant, all of the time.

- Kelly Rheel

Dress: Anthropologie

Shoes: Me too

Go To Dress

Do you have a go-to dress? the one that you like to wear irrespective of the season, occasion or mood... This one is my go-to...

Dress: J crew

Jeans: American Eagle

Shoes: DSW

109 degree F

Dress: 109 degree F. (from Lifestyle mall, Pune)

Sandals: Kensie

This dress is around 12 years old so I do not know if the 109 degrees F brand is still sold in Lifestyle mall, I have a couple of dresses by this brand and I love them. It's length, sleeves, neckline everything is what I look for in a dress, very simple and very comfy.

13 reasons why

Dress (used as a tunic top) - banana republic - Also worn HERE

jacket - j crew

shoes - vaneli

jeans - abercrombie and fitch

My new post '13 reasons why' is available here.

Noi

The dress in today's post is by a brand 'noi'.  I like its length, sleeves, colors, material, fitting, everything. I have more dresses by the same brand, I bought them around 10 years ago (for Rs. ~ 400) from Shopper's Stop, Pune, India. Don't know if they still keep this brand, if you happen to live there then do check it out (and let me know!).

Dress: Noi

Sandals: Aldo

Red Belt: Target

No repeat value

In the last 8-9 years, I have worn this dress just thrice. These kinds of dresses do not have much of repeat value, after all, you can not wear the same dress to every party that you go to (not that people notice but it's our own fear that they will :-) ). I am not much of a party animal so I avoid buying party dresses.

So, today's recommendations are:

1. Buy stuff that matches your current lifestyle and body type.


2. Spend the minimum on clothes that have no repeat value (for you).

Dress: AND (from India)

Shoes: Me too

Few Things

I really do not like to shop much but I also get bored with the same set of clothes very quickly and so I try to wear different combinations. Mix and match turn out to be fun and I end up not shopping at all for long-duration - the longest I have lived without shopping anything for my closet is 3 years. I buy just a few items every year from good brands (that lasts long) rather than buying 20 from unknown brands and I always keep a set of basic clothes that goes well with everything in the closet. If you are like me who doesn't like to shop a lot yet wants to be well dressed then this blog is for you.

Photo After:

Black Turtleneck: Banana Republic

Dress: Promod India

Tights: Hue

Shoes: Joan and David

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

Rebel

Each of us draws a circle around ourselves and we think whatever is outside that circle is wrong/ not good/ not acceptable and then we try to domesticate others based on our perception of the world. Should we get domesticated or rebel? 

Rebel for freedom... to be true to ourselves... to be true to who we are ..... 

Sweater Dress: Calvin Klein

Scarf: Target

Tights: Target

Shoes: Circa Joan and David