Denim on Denim

Sunglasses: Ray Ban   Shirt: Nordstrom   Blazer: 7 For All Mankind   Jeans: Hudson   Shoes: Prada   Bag: Masion Martin Margiela for H & M

 I know it's hard to believe but yes, I do actually wear other colors than black. Since this outfit doesn't have bright pinks or oranges, I think this is a great outfit for the transition between winter and spring. 

Some people hate denim on denim, but as you can tell I have no problem with it. The key to wearing denim on denim is to wear different washes, unless you're just super cool and can rock it, then by all means carry on. They're are so many ways to wear denim on denim, so give it a try before deciding you don't like it. 

Although it has been on trend this winter, one can never go wrong with nudes. It balanced out the harsh denim and gave the outfit a spring feeling. 

What are you favorite winter/spring trends?

With Love,

       Simran Rai

January Favorites

Beauty Bits

Olay Regenerist Touch of Foundation: This tinted moisturizer has been the only thing I have been using this month. Now you may be thinking, Simran you're not old, why would you need anti-aging products, but since my skin has been relatively clear, I've gravitated to this product which evens out my skin tone and is very moisturizing. Another bonus, it has an SPF 15. (Sorry for the messy lid! I've given it a lot of love.)   

Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant: I received this from Sephora, for my birthday, and have only recently got around to trying it, but as you can tell I have been loving it! At first, the cone shaped brush seems daunting, but I learned to love it along with the formulation of the product itself which adds length and thickens. The only downside, it clumps together my eyelashes, but that was easily fixed with an eyelash comb. 

L'Oreal Paris Nail Polish: This nail polish is in the color Doutzen's Nude. Although I always wear a dark polish, when I'm wearing a nude it will be this color. It flatters just about every skin tone and is long lasting.

 Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment: This tinted lip balm gets the job done and is a beautiful color. I first heard about this product from Nikki Phillippi, I picked up the shade Petal and wear it all the time. It is perfect for a day when you don't want to wear lipstick, but still want that color. It is also great for people who easily get sunburned lips because it has a SPF 15. (But don't leave in the sun or it will melt!) 

YSL Touche Eclat: Due to the fact I was in love with the Givenchy Corrective Pen  I figured I would try something new and came across the YSL Touch Eclat in Sephora. It has a similar pigmentation and applicator, however I use it as a highlighter more than a concealer. This has definitely become one of my holy grail products! Let me know if there are any good dupes for this product since it is quite expensive. 

iS Clinical Serum Advance+: This has been another one of my holy grail products. Word cannot describe the wonders this does for my face, I put it on any spots or blemishes I have and the next day they are gone. Yes, I know it is a lot of money for a small amount of product, but a little goes a long way, I bought the travel size ones and I have had one bottle (0.12 fl oz) since September and there is still half of the bottle left.

Random Bits

Alexander McQueen Evolution:  I received this as a gift for my birthday and it was love at first sight. I am obsessed with his designs and the legend himself, so I thoroughly enjoyed flipping through the pages of this book. Although this book probably weights more than my dog, if you love Alexander McQueen or want to learn more about him, I would  highly recommend this book.

Blue Leather Clutch: I purchased this clutch at a vintage store and was drawn to the color. Since I am constantly wearing black it has been nice to add some color to my outfits. But wait, there is more, not only is it a clutch, but it also has an adjustable shoulder strap which is normally the way I wear it.

Topshop Elephant Necklace:  This necklace is just about the cutest accessory I own. I was on the search for a charm necklace that I could wear with everything from a dress to plain white t-shirt and this fit just the bill. Granted, I thought it would have a larger charm when I ordered it online, but I still love it.

Tea: Who doesn't love a bit of tea every once and awhile. I have been sick the last few days, so tea has been my go to drink, specifically these two teas. The Stash Peach tea is best brewed cold with a bit of sugar and the Lipton tea, hot with some honey or at least that's the way I like them.

Elastic Heart: Now I know there has been a lot of controversy about this music video, but I just can't get enough of it. I am mesmerized by the incredible dancers and the vocal abilites of Sia. Although I don't really know the meaning behind the video, I think it is a beautiful piece of art.

With Love,

          Simran Rai

Kirpa: A Short Film

"... a short film about 23-year-old art student struggling to fulfill the wishes of her parents while pursuing her dreams of becoming an artist. A lack of communication between her and her father makes home life more difficult. They both love and want what is best for each other, but don't know how to communicate this without creating further misunderstandings. A healthy relationship is all Kirpa wishes to have with her father, and that is everything he dreamed of since immigrating to Canada and driving a taxi cab to support the family. But where did it all go wrong? How can she repair one of the most important relationships a young woman has in her life?"

When I heard about the release of this short film and saw the trailer I couldn't wait to watch the full film, which was released online about a week ago. Although the film features a south asian woman, this struggle between parent and child can relate to most everyone. 

Sorry I didn't have a new blog post today... it's finals week, but I hope you enjoy this short film as much as I did! I will be back next Sunday for a new post!

With Love,

        Simran Rai

Black Out

Dress: Zara   Leather Jacket: Trouve   Coat: Zara   Booties: Topshop

Yes, I know there are other colors in world besides black, but I just couldn't help myself.  I opted for all black because it is the most flattering and versatile color, but just wearing all black can look dull so that is where mixing textures is important.  Not only does mixing textures look great, but it also allows you to layer up, which is a must during the winter. Layering clothing can allow you to stay warm without looking like Randy from A Christmas Story . In this outfit I went from the lightest fabric, being the dress, to the heaviest fabric, the wool coat. From work, to school, to everyday, this outfit is perfect for any and every occasion. 

What has been your favorite winter color?

With Love,

        Simran Rai

New York Day 3 & 4

It has come to that time of year where the holidays are over and all I can think about is summer. Since I never finished my New York series, I figured why not reminisce about a great trip. 

The first place I visited on day three was the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). You don't have to be an art junkie to appreciate the incredible pieces of art that are displayed on all six floors of the museum, featuring renowned artists such as Monet, Picasso and Warhol. If you are going with children, and don't want to spend money knowing they will be bored after a couple minutes, kids 16 and under get in for free; MoMA also offers many kid friendly activites. 

I then made my way over to Central Park to relax and people watch. 

You can't leave the city without watching a broadway musical, my choice Mamma Mia. I love the feel-good movie featuring Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried, so I thought why not watch the musical. I was pleasantly surprised and it reminded my of the reason I fell in love with the movie in the first place. 

After watching the musical, I made the short walk to the iconic Times Square. This was definitely one of the most crowded places in Manhattan, so I quickly snapped a couple pictures and made the treacherous journey to find a cab. 

Tip: There is no way you will catch a cab in Times Square, so walk a couple blocks down to a quieter street. 

On the last day we visited Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridge. With stellar views all around, it is a great place to take stroll or go on a run. Opened in 1883, the bridge is an incredible piece of architecture and is a must see whilst in New York. When walking around Brooklyn, it is just what you would imagine it to be, filled with young hipsters. Brooklyn is full of interesting people, with great vibes and is unlike anywhere I have ever been. 

Although there is not a picture of it, I wanted to mention Eataly. Eataly is a taste of Italy right in the middle of New York City. It is an amazing place to pick up groceries or grab a bite to eat, my favorites being Le Verdure's gnocchi and, the best part a Nutella Bar. 

Check out New York Day 1 and Day 2 !

With Love, 

           Simran Rai