Five Friends Of A Fashion Blogger

I have a friend who keeps referring to this guy from her office as her ‘work husband’. For a girl who can’t seem to meet a nice guy in real life, she has had 3 different work husbands so far. Never having one myself-work or otherwise-for the life of me I really did not understand what the heck was a work husband. When I asked her about it, she gave me this huge explanation as to what it really is but the end meaning is some who acts and performs the duties of a spouse at the work place, most of the times without conjugal rights.

This got me thinking- do fashion bloggers have work husband/wife? Most of the times, blogging is a one man/woman’s show. The real question to ask is, in the blogging world who is that one person performing the duty of a metaphorical spouse? 
And as I looked around for my ‘blogging husband’, it dawned on me we bloggers really can’t have one spouse. We just can’t! So, short of committing blogging polygamy I realized instead of spouses we bloggers have friends. They are like your real life friend, but not always bound to you by any code of friendship or anything.

1. The Bestie: Just like Sheldon had his Leonard we bloggers too have our bestie aka our trusted photography. Any fashion blogger worth it’s salt will tell you what an important role a photographer plays. They bear with our diva attitude, or drama queen moments and literally put on a brave face and endure the dirty looks given by passerby as they continue to happily click our photos. Make that 200-300 photos. 
Bestie is someone who knows and understands you as much as you understand yourself, even more so at times. In that sense your blogging bestie can be anyone- your real life best friend, your mom, your husband, your cousin ect. Only someone who completely understands you will have the potential to make you look like a cover girl even when you are channeling your inner ugly ducking. 

2. The Frenemy: We all have one such person who acts as a friend and an enemy at the same time. One has to just look at the equation between Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte to understand the love and hate dynamics of a frenemy. In the fashion blogging world, the frenemies are the P.R people. We need then and they need us, but both hate to admit it. They send us offensive mails with incorrect names and holier than thou attitude and we give then the metaphorical figure by ignoring their request. But, as much as we hate to acknowledge it, without them it would be far more difficult to make our mark. So, we continue to carry on with this twisted friendship for the peace and betterment of the fashion world.

3. The 3 A.M Friend: Bloggers, especially fashion bloggers by nature are dramatic people. We are! And like every drama queen we have our major moments- ‘I can’t write anymore’. ‘This outfit makes me look so fat’. ‘God, I have the worlds worst hair!’ ‘How come she got invited to that event and not me?’ ‘That bitch stole my idea’. Sounds familiar? And you know who has heard it all? The same person to whom you said the golden words for the very first time- ‘I think I will start a fashion blog’. That one friend, who is your strongest believer and supporter and on whom you can rely on at all times, your loyalist, most bestest friend.
 Mostly belonging to the outside world, but staying with you know exactly what ‘mustard’ and ‘lime’ mean in your world. Sometimes performing the role of a photographer, confidante, plus one, cheerleader and more often than not the voice of sanity.

4.The Buddy: Blogging on most days is a solitary business. While your friends and family support you they honestly don’t get your anxiety over things like ‘traffic’ and ‘followers’. And while you rant to the world at large about your blogging woes there is only one other person who will completely understand and sympathize with you. It is someone who faces the same issues on a day-to-day basis. Say hello to your ‘Blogger Buddy’, a friend from the world of blogging who like you is trying to make its presence felt in the blogosphere. From Pinterest addiction to lack of inspiration, they too have been there, done that and completely understand you. Whether you know him/her personally or it’s just a virtual connection a blogger is incomplete with its blogging buddy. 

5. Friend With Benefit: We all have certain urges that need to be fulfilled. And when you can’t do it yourself you need to call ‘that friend’ to help you out. Us bloggers have these urges once a year, commonly know was the blog makeover. That is when we call upon the benefits of our web designer friends. Yep, that’s exactly the best way to describe a blogger’s relationship with a web designer. We annually meet up to update and redesign the blog. While that is happening we indulge in mindless chitchat about the weather and current events say let’s meet-up for a drink someday and as soon as the update is over we forget about the web designer and the drink date. Until the update urge strikes again. And then the same story starts over! Sometimes we are ecstatic with our web designer’s performance other times we hate how they would not follow instructions but most of the times it is mutually satisfying equation.

Tennessee Williams wisely said: “Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”  While we fashion bloggers may not get the pleasure of having a ‘work husband’ or ‘office spouse’ we sure do have the privilege of a dependable friend circle.

As a fashion blogger what kinds of friends do you have in your clique? Share your view with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,

       Amena!!
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[Images via Pinterest]
[Featured On Links À La Mode: IFB Weekly Roundup (September 20th, 2012)]

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things!

Have you ever wondered what exactly does a fashion blogger need? Great sense of style? An eye for colour? Masters in the art of posing? Ok, Well we need all of that. But, as much time bloggers spend looking their stunning best and sounding fashionably cool, we spend a lot more time frantically researching and writing. Here is a list of my must-haves that help me navigate the fashion blogosphere as well as keep my creative energy flowing.

Functioning Computer: For a blogger our computers are our soulmate. Form communication to style expression as well as source of income, we need our computers. And how! Therefore a functioning laptop goes a long way in running a successful blog! You really can’t have or run a blog without a well–to-do laptop. 

Blog Wear: Like Clark Kent needs his red undies and blue body suit to become Superman, we bloggers swap our pencil heels for some comfy pjs to get our writing mojo on. Seriously, it's insanely  uncomfortable to churn out words, while decked up in bandeau dress and killer stilettos! When it comes to writing, comfort rules. 

Notebook and Pens: What do you do when you have a brilliant idea while waiting at the dentist clinic? How do you preserve that idea before it evaporates away? Say hello to a notebook and {colored} pen. Other that writing your ideas, notebooks are a fun place to collect your fave inspirational quotes, scribble away random thoughts and make fun doddles and drawings. Due to their compact nature, notebooks are easy to carry around pretty much anywhere.

Inspiration Board: Even before Pinterest became an {unhealthy} obsession, I used to love creating collages and inspiration board. Personally, these help a lot. Especially, when you are going through a creative dry spell. We may have upgraded from hand made collages to virtual inspiration boards, but their feel good quality is the reason why bloggers still love and rely on them. 

Healthy Bites: Since I started blogging my snacking has escalated to unhealthy proportions. Like me, if you need food to think, it’s best to keep healthy snacks at hand. You don’t want blogging to be a reason for bloating. Make sure you are stocked up on fruits, nuts, healthy juice, green tea and sugar free mints to nibble on while you ponder away.

Fashion Magazine: Well, they are after all the precursors to fashion blogs. Best place to source ideas, get new inspiration and catch up on latest gossip.

Easy-to-Carry Camera: No fashion blogger worth its salt is complete without a camera. Even if you don’t do style post, you need one to click pictures of beautiful people and things around you.

A Go-To, Go Everywhere Bag: This is more than a bag- it is your home away from home. Be it functional, frivolous or fab, all your pretty possessions can be carried around in this one stylish bag.

The Support Group: The set of people who support you and your blog even if they don’t know what a blog actually is! The have supported you from the beginning- the first ones to follow your blog, ‘like’ your FB page, click your pics and pretty much help in any way as they can. We all have a our loyal supporters, who have stood by us in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and through bad post and great achievements. Without them most of us could not have take the first leap into the blogging world.

Blogger Bestie: Blogging for all its social networking is a solitary project. You basically sit alone on your computer into the wee hours of night typing away. Only someone who does that too will completely understand you. Therefore, every blogger needs a blogger bestie. With whom you can discuss monetizing techniques and ‘traffic’ issues. These are your blogging buddies. Someone who has been there, done that! They may start of as peers but eventually they become your friends, confidant and virtual family.

As a fashion blogger what is your must-have? The one thing that helps you get into your blogging mood? Share your views and thoughts with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,
 Amena!!

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Style It Thrice: Tangerine Clutch

Every since I got into blogging, I have stopped using fashion magazine as my go-to style guide. Don't get me wrong- I do read them, but they are no more my only source of inspiration. In fact, major of my fashion and style inspiration comes from street style and personal style blogs.
So, when I saw these stunning looks, I decided adding a tangerine clutch would be the perfect way for me to include some trendy colour pop into my outfits as well as a great way to experiment with a new trend.

[Images Via:1, 2, 3, 4]

The beauty of a tangerine clutch is it can be used for any-time-of-the-day occasion. As well as it matches well with most colours and prints. Incorporating current trends and classic styles here are my styling suggestions.

 {Ideally, 'Style It Thrice' would have the same piece styled in three different ways. Since I wanted to create looks catering to different budget groupes, I have taken three cost appropriate different clutches. The clutches may not be same, but they are very similar in shape, colour and over all effect.}

Look 1: Pretty. Have a date on a working day? Then trade your office bag for this lovely clutch, add some lipgloss and a statement necklace and no one would know you walked straight out of a boardroom.[Steal-All products under $50.0 {Approximately INR 2,765}: Top, Necklace, Skirt, Clutch, Pumps, Lip Gloss.]

Look 2: Boho. Add dangling earrings and chunky bangles and bracelet to your tribal print maxi dress for a boho chic look. Polish the look off with neon sandals and a tangerine clutch.
[Spend-All products under $100.0 {Approximately INR 5,540}: Maxi Dress, Clutch, Sandals, Friendship Bracelet, Wrap Bracelet, Colorful Bangles, Earrings.]

Look 3: Sexy. Up your sexy quotient by adding a tangerine clutch to your dressy shorts and printed halter top ensemble. Complete the look with platform heels and cuff bracelet.
[Splurge-All products over $100.0{Approximately INR 5,540}: Halter Top, Shorts, Clutch, Heel Sandals, Sunglasses, Cuff, Eye Shadow, Eye Liner]

This post of mine is a submission for INFB Remix-Tangerine. Do check out how everyone else has interpreted and styled tangerine.

I have previously done a detailed post on 2012's it colour-Tangerine Tango which was featured on Independent Fashion Bloggers' Links À La Mode selection{Click here to read that post}.

Till then, tra-la,
 Amena!!

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Did You Know?

Last week I was suffering from an insane ear infection. And at the peak of my pain I get this amazingly fab invite asking me to attend the launch of a denim brand’s spring-summer men's wear collection. Now on any give day I would have avoided a men’s wear launch on such a painful day, but ear ache or not, when the denim brand is dENiZEN and the invite is from non other than hottie actor Imran Khan {Bollywood actor} the brand’s ambassador as well as designer of the new collection, wild horses could not stop me from attending this event.

Before I share some Imran anecdotes, let’s talk about the collection he has put so much effort to design and create.

*The theme of dENiZEN Spring-Summer 2012 line is “Modern Crafted”. It combines a contemporary and modern look that is easy to wear and consist of casual wardrobe essentials.

*They have used Japanese Selvedge fabric, which is considered as the world’s highest quality denim. Clearly, there has been no compromise on quality.

*The colour palatte of the collection is classic red, navy, natural white and grey heather

*Since it is a Spring-Summer collection, the pieces are more on the casual side. Tee shirts and chambray shirts along with classic blue jeans and canvas shoes.

The Imran Touch.

*Know as ‘Imikipedia’{Imran +Wikipedia} by his friends. The tee’s have Imran’s fave catchphrase “Did You Know” printed on them.

*Red is Imran’s fave colour. The entire collection has red accents in them. There is a special Imran Red Rivet on the coin pocket; the last button of all the shirts is red (which looks super cool BTW), along with red overlocks on the busted side seams and red zipper tape in front.

*Raw canvas has been used for the back label. Imran said the old canvas shoes severed as an inspiration and was added to this collection on Imran’s advice.

*Imran loves to have an authentic and natural feel, so a special vintage wash is given to the tees to give them a buttery feel.

*Each piece under this collection had Imran’s signature on it. It does not get more personal than this!

During the Q&A section, we asked Imran to give us his styling suggestion, and he very smartly added the chambray shirt to the host's ensemble. Nothing looks hotter than a woman in a man's clothes!

This event was special on many reasons; firstly I got to meet Imran. He’s not just eye candy, the man’s got some major grey matter too. Plus, he likes to dress up. He loves to wear ties and change his shoes according to the occasion. Yeah go figure!{But, he is not an accessories person}. 

Beauty, brains and a sense of style *Sigh* God, we need more men like these. ASAP, please!

He was wonderful to interact with, very easy-going and no starry attitude, answered our question well and posed with us for photos. It’s very obvious from his answers that Imran has actually put efforts and contributed to the collection more than just his name and face. He has done his share of research and added his personal touches to create a fresh and trendy spring-summer collection. Must say, Imran turned out to be a complete gentleman in jeans!!!

[That's me with the new designer]
The other amazing thing was meeting with fellow bloggers and getting to interact with them. It was great time chit-chatting with Ila, Rachana & Diana, Gargi, Ritcha and Bhavna. Do check out the blogs of these lovely ladies.

FYI :Imran and the team of dENiZEN are working on a women's wear collection, which should hopefully be launched around fall-winter. Can't wait!

This was an extremely very well organized event. The entire team did a stellar job and all in all it was a brilliant launch for dapper new product.

Till then, tra-la,
 Amena!!

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In Full Bloom

“Florals? For spring? Ground breaking.” Remember Miranda Priestly’s {The Devil Wears Prada} infamous words? But in reality, what is summer without its fair share of flowers? So this summer; like every other summer before it, you would not be fashionably incorrect to wear florals. The trick though; is to avoid looking dated or out-of-style in your floral selection. Lucky for us, fashion designers, editors and stylist world over have offered us some trendy style bouquets. Pick a floral style of your liking-all over print, embroidered motif, flowers inspired from paintings, floral accessory, ect...- and accordingly style your look. Due to its popularity and versatility, this trend is multi-functional as well as multi-occasional. A floral piece can easily worn to work or a weekend away.To college and cocktail party. It pretty much goes with every dress code. With limitless styling, variegated color palette-from neon to pastel- to pair with and print mixing as the flavor of the season, one can hardly ever go wrong it. 

Here are few of my floral styling suggestions.

[More information on these pieces here.]

The print mix trend has made a follower out of me. Mixing floral pieces- dress, clutch and statement flower necklace- this is my version of the modern 'English Rose' look. Ladies, you are all set for your tea party.

[More information on these pieces here.]

If you have been reading my blog, by now you must know I am a colour-holic. I love colours in all their tints, tones, shades and hues. No post of mine is complete without a colour happy look. Combining on-trend bright colours-tangerine and hot pink- with Boho elements-maxi skirt and chunky jewelry, you can easily wear this look for a working brunch or weekend party. {If large or statement floral prints; as the dress above, are not your thing, you can opt for small over all floral spray print, like this maxi skirt}

[More information on these pieces here.]

If print is not your thing, then you can choose floral embroidered pieces. Pair a floral {appliqué} embroidered skirt with an embellished tank and contrasting jacket for a casual night out or a dinner date.

Personally, I love this trend. One of the reasons being it works very well with Western as well as Indian wear. Plus, a floral piece is a staple of every girl's wardrobe. All in all it is one of those eternal fashion trends that can never really go out of style.

{For more floral styling options click here and here}

What do you think of this trend? And how do you like to style? Share your views and suggestions with me in the comment section.  

Till then, tra-la,

 Amena!!

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What Kind Of A Fashion Blogger Are You?

Raise your hand if you thought all fashion bloggers were alike. Well then, that's like saying everyone in high school was part of one big happy family with no cliques!
It’s high time we go beyond the uniform and see the different types of fashion bloggers that are making their presence felt around the blogosphere.

[Illustrations Via: Inslee, Robyn Neild,]

1.The Posers: As kids we all loved to play dress-up and pose in front of our mirror. While most of us grew up to get boring jobs, personal style bloggers have taken their childhood hobby to new heights and made a career out of it. Serious money making business! You ask what exactly does a personal style blogger do? Well, they dress up in their finest finds and happily pose for the denizens of the www. Sounds simple right? Think again. Apart for mastering the art of posing, decoding HTML and working the right camera angle, one must possess a great sense of style. To make it big as a personal style blogger you need to create unique and signature looks that must appeal to a larger audience. Only the chicest of the lot can really make a living out of playing dress-up. So, the next time you notice a girl all dressed up and happily posing for photos, remember she is just doing her job. 

2.The Know It All:  Dr.Sheldon Cooper; the master of nerds, pretty much knows everything and is not afraid to impart his wisdom, share his opinions and express his views with friends and the world at large. The fashion blogosphere too has its share of little Miss/Master Know It All. Say hello to fashion lifestyle bloggers. As blogging goes, they cover all things fashion, art and aesthetics. A fashion lifestyle blogger is someone who can differentiate between paliette and sequin in their dreams, will immediately takes offense if you call ‘scarlet’ red, and most importantly if a designer has pulled a copy cat, they can smell it from a mile away. They are the walking, blogging encyclopedia of the fashion world.

3.The Fixers: We all know a guy who randomly once fixed a squeaky door and now fancies himself as a ‘Mr Fix-It’. Similarly, fashion too has it set of people who like to make and repair things with their own bare hands. Like for real! Better know as D.I.Y {Do It Yourself} bloggers. They literally transform their creative ideas into wearable fashion. What most of us write-off as outdated they convert them into latest style statement. They know how to make rags into must haves, blah into wah! and dull into drool worthy. And unlike your guy friend, they actually know what they are doing!

4.The Loyal Companion: Someone wisely said: “Friends are the family we choose for ourselves”. You will agree, that life without a BFF is so incomplete. They are the ones who stand by us in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health and on dateless nights and sale weekend. As loyalty goes, accessory bloggers are a girl’s virtual best friend. They are days when your loyal and trusted family member-your clothes-have left with no options. That’s when accessory bloggers come to our rescue. With the help of shoes, scarfs, bags and jewelry they solve life’s biggest mystery: “I have noting to wear!” Casual or chic, A.M or P.M, sexy or simple whatever the occasion or time, seek and you shall find 101 ways to create a new look out of the same style. 

 5.The Magicians: Remember how your grandmother used to keep telling you to wash your face with ‘besan’ for glowing complexion or mix ‘methi’ with oil for long lustrous hair? Well life would just be incomplete without our very own beauty whisperer. In the world of social media, beauty whisperers go by the name of beauty bloggers. They will bravely try and test every cream, powder and lotion before making their final recommendations. From how to get rid of zits to smokey eye make-up technique they cover all aspects of beautification. Plus, unlike your grandmother they won’t try and fix you up with every single ‘decent boy’ they know. Thank God!

6.The Go-To Guide: I have an aunt who always knows where to get what. You need a new frying pan; she knows the king of frying pan. You need new curtains; she knows the perfect place for drapes. You need to find a boy for your daughter; she knows exactly where to find them too. If you have a problem she will have a solution for it! Shopping/Styling bloggers are fashion blogosphere's very own go-to people. They perform the duty of a fashion compass. They will tell you where you will get what you want, for how much and how should you style it. They will suggest what to wear, what not to wear and what not to even think off trying out. With the current trend of anything goes with everything, shopping/styling bloggers guide us through some serious decisions making and help us avoid any future faux pas.

7.The Stalkers: Here’s the deal-Street style bloggers have made an art out of stalking. But not the good old-fashioned run-off-the mill creepy kind, where the stalker is dressed in disguise and hides behind bushes. Street style bloggers openly click pictures of their muses, upload them guilt-free and make a sweet living out of it. You just need to visit ‘The Sartorialist’ to know exactly how lucrative this profession can be. And what all do you need to make it as a street style blogger? A trendy DSLR, an eye to spot the chic on the street and no past history of stalking, off course!

There, now you know. In a world where everyone is ‘label’ conscious, the next time someone ask you “what kind of a fashion blogger are you?” Give then your fashionably correct designation. 
{P.S.There is no rule that says a blogger has to be of only one kind. Also, most bloggers like to mix things up, but we all have one genre that dominates the others.}   

So as introductions go: Hi, I am Amena and I am Fashion Lifestyle Blogger. What kind of a fashion blogger are you? And how do you like to define your blogging journey?

Till then, tra-la,

 Amena!!

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**This post by me is also published on Indian Fashion Bloggers blog.  Since I started blogging this has not only been one of the my most difficult piece to write- 2kg weight gain kind!-but hands-down one of my best ones so far.** 

{Featured On Links À La Mode: IFB Weekly Roundup,April 19th}

Bold and Beautiful!!!

I am in love, love, L.O.V.E with neons {already done a full fledged post on it}. They call to me like no other colour has ever. But, for all my neon loving, I don't have the style guts to wear a head-to-toe neon. Since I can't avoid the neon bug, I opt to style my look with bright and bold neon accessories.

Creating a collage with two of my latest obsessions-neon accessories and Roksanda Ilincic Ivory Cotton Crepe Dress {and inspired by backstage images from Jason Wu Spring/Summer 2012 collection}- this look is my submission for Indian Fashion Bloggers 'InFB Remix - Neon'.

[ROKSANDA ILINCIC Dress, ACNE Platform Sandals, JUICY COUTURE Clutch, KATE SPADE NEW YORK Bib Necklace, COVERGIRL Lipstick]

I had great time creating this collage. In fact it is one of my fave ones. Let me know what you think of it.

Till then, tra-la, 
Amena!!
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This Used To Be My Playground...

This week Independent Fashion Bloggers project is to show off your childhood fashion sense.

Honestly, I wasn’t the most stylishly well dressed kid or someone who wore trendy outfits. But, I loved to play dress-up. I would wear my mom's bangles and run around the house. Or take one of her dupatta's (Indian stole) and style it like a saree.

Looking at these photos made me realize that my love for all things fashion started at an early age. And some of my earliest fashion and styling lessons I learnt are from those good old days.(I can't believe I just used that phrase!!!)

 Even though blue is my fave colour, I learnt  that red or shades of red suits me the best. Not only do I look and feel great in it, but I also photograph amazingly well in red.

[First from left is me]
Dressed as a traditional Hyderabadi bride for my school's 'Brides of India' pageant.

 From a young age I learnt to give ‘the pose’. You know, the one that captures your best profile shot and hides all the flaws!

Celebrating my younger brother's first birthday. I miss kiddie birthday parties. The cake, the games, the fun. They were the best.

I learnt to accessorize even before I learnt to walk. A true fashion lover, ain't I? I am totally rocking my grandmother's necklace.

Even as I kid, I knew how to use food as a prop for a photo and never be caught with your mouth full.

Someone once said, "Childhood is the most beautiful of all life's seasons." And looking at these photos I couldn't agree more.

 We can't reclaim our childhood, but we can revisit them time and again. And I had a wonderful time walking down my memory lane.

What are your fave childhood memory? Like me, did you as well play dress-up with your mom's things? Do share your chilhood stories with me in the comment section.

Till then, tra-la,
 Amena!!

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email me- a.fashionopolis@gmail.com