A new fashion label emerges with the thought that the beauty of this world lies in the symphony of juxtaposed elements — calm and chaos; light and darkness; black and white. Allowing these elements to co-exist without putting them into boxes of convenience is where the brand ‘No Grey Area’ aims to create a sense of wonder.
It tries to create a world that embodies and mirrors a society which looks to the future with positivity, transforming the grey into the known. The brand aims to create an authentic narrative, by fusing Western aesthetics and the traditional pillars from the East to create a modernised Indian design aesthetic, where contemporary luxury comes together with the street.
Men, there’s a new fashion label on the block.
Founded by Arnav Malhotra, a 25-year-old Business graduate from the University of Exeter, whose playground and training in the business of fashion has been at his family-run multi-designer concept store, Evoluzione. The main inspiration behind the brand came is New York City’s counter-culture, rule-bending fashion trends that emerged at a grassroots level which was unabashedly based on individualism, rather than focusing solely on current fashion trends.
Speaking about the launch of his label, Malhotra says, “We wanted to create a brand that explored the grey’ and spurred conversations about real points of interest. One that transcends materialistic clothing and tell stories that start conversations we are not here to preach and tell people what to think. The brand name is meant to be ironic. It is an oxymoron of itself. We want everyone to enter the grey, for there to be ‘NO GREY AREA’.
Men, there’s a new fashion label on the block.
The collection retails starting at Rs. 4,500/- onwards and includes t-shirts, resort shirts, long shirts, polos, dhoti pants, joggers, resort pants, bundis and band-galas and bomber jackets.
Nutrition Month: Leading change in India's hinterland
Nutrition Month: Leading change in India’s hinterland
When Bihar’s Kurmaha village-based Lalmati Devi, a rural labourer from an impoverished background, attended sessions on health and nutrition through a self-help group she’s associated with, what followed was the planting of a nutri-garden — a key provision of the nutrition month (‘Poshan Mah’) to promote better nutrition — leading her to feed homegrown nutritious food to both her family and community. ‘Poshan didi’, as she came to be known, became an icon of good health achieved through nutrition, at the very grassroots level where talks of community-led health initiatives are a far cry…writes Siddhi Jain.
Leading positive nutritional change in the country’s hinterland is Jeevika, the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society. As part of the national nutrition mission or Poshan Abhiyan that has malnutrition-free India as one of its key aims, the grassroots organisation mobilises the local villagers in different regions, to educate them, among other things, about the importance of what has come to be called ‘Poshan Ke Paanch Sutra’ that are important for maternal and child health – breastfeeding, nutritious complete meals, nutritious and diverse food for women, nutri-gardens and hygiene practices.
Often a major focus group for the government’s development communication efforts, communities in villages can help make the national nutrition mission a people’s movement, thereby accelerating India’s march towards meeting its nutrition goals and developing our human capital to its fullest potential. For a country still battling acute malnutrition in its rural parts, people-led – and more so women-led – social and behavioral change cannot be stressed enough. This positive change is only exacerbated by active contributions of Panchayati Raj Institutions in promoting better nutrition for their village health, and moving local health indicators in a positive change.
Nutrition Month: Leading change in India’s hinterland
With the convergence of people, local bodies, development organisations and government departments, a people’s movement bestows deeper responsibility and deeper-seated impact than efforts implemented in silos.
“Through Jeevika, we are trying to conduct activities both at the household and group level during. Our workers closely work with the beneficiary groups including young mothers, midwives and pregnant women, talking to them about the five sutras of nutrition. During home visits, the local workers explain to pregnant women and their families about the importance of nutritious food and what makes for a balanced meal,” Soumya, Program Manager for Health, Sanitation and Nutrition, Jeevika, Bihar, told.
Sunaina, another Bihar resident, could not feed her firstborn breast milk immediately after birth, nor could she give the child nutritious food after breastfeeding for six months. As a result, her child got malnourished. According to Jeevika, following her presence at meetings and sessions at self-help groups organised by the Society, she was much more aware during her second pregnancy.
Nutrition Month: Leading change in India’s hinterland
Along with bringing diversity in food consumption and planting a nutri-garden where she grows different foods, using her home’s toilet and getting necessary vaccination during her gestational period, ensured a healthy second child and her own well-being.
These examples show how through organised community efforts, rural India is slowly coming at par with the health and living norms that are fast becoming the standard in urban areas. For if the nation is to enter the ‘developed’ league, we must leave no one behind.
In Mumbai eatery chain, humble 'Khichdi' is haute-cuisine.
Chef Prabhakar Nagaraj
Owing to the pandemic, food consumption has become a cautious habit and people are highly conscious of what they are eating and where it is coming from.
“It has given us an opportunity to explore ways to keep food simple, nutritious and how it can be transported safely from one place to the other with limited human handling,” says Chef Prabhakar Nagaraj, Managing Partner, Elior India.
We spoke to the veteran to know about the changes being seen in kitchens in terms of safety measures, ingredients, collaborative dishes and waste management.
Excerpts:
Food safety measures taken by chefs in the kitchen
How Indian kitchens are changing. (Photo: Pixabay)
This pandemic has taken away the exoticism of food from the menu. The masses have switched to basic meals, keeping away from complexity in its preparation and the ingredients used. Food consumption has become a cautious habit and people are highly conscious of what they are eating and where it is coming from. To serve this need, we have switched to pre-packed meals with limited variety as compared to the lavish buffet spreads during the pre-Covid times. We assume that this is going to be short lived. Although this step has restricted the inclusion of the number of dishes served during every meal, safety measures are in place as this step reduces the number of human touch-points.
Food is safe when it is handled by as few people as possible and cooked close to the hour of consumption. The pandemic has given us an opportunity to explore ways to keep food simple, nutritious and how it can be transported safely from one place to the other with limited human handling. We can also use flash-cooking methods. Flash cooking involves cooking ingredients on a very high flame so that the outer surface of the ingredient gets sealed, eliminating any loss of internal juices and thus sustaining the nutritive aspects of the ingredients.
Growing importance of Indian spices in the kitchen in the times of pandemic
We are creating menus that are primarily based on local produce rather than being sourced from other states or the country at large. In the near future, we will witness many international dishes being given an Indian twist and vice versa. Our chefs are handpicked from the best hotels and we are able to translate global food trends to our cafe food with ease.
The food which is delivered is as per the requirement of the clients; even though they may all be from the same geography; they still have completely different requirements from each other. For example, consider Vegetable Au Gratin, a famous western dish where you mix vegetables with cream sauce, grate cheese and bake it in the oven. Here we have substituted cream sauce with Makhani sauce which is typically creamy and slightly sweet. You mix it to the right consistency, add grated cheese and paneer on top and gratinate it. This dish acts as Au Gratin but it actually is Veg Makhani. However, the presentation becomes completely different.
In Mumbai eatery chain, humble ‘Khichdi’ is haute-cuisine.
As Indians, we like to bite into food that tastes Indian but looks very Western. For example, if you bite into an apple pie, it may not just have apple inside; instead it may have Anjeer Badam Halwa. These are some of the innovations that can be brought into corporate cafe especially when there is a growing importance to match the taste buds of consumers in India.
The cooking process stays the same, but you need to start mapping ingredients accordingly. Once you use Anjeer Badam Halwa as a substitute ingredient for a pie filling, it should have good consistency, so that the dough doesn’t become soggy. Otherwise, the whole purpose of using different ingredients gets defeated. From an outsider’s perspective, it is just a pie until you bite into it to relish the Anjeer halwa. Indian foods can be very nutritive, though it all depends on the way you cook it.
Increase in collaborative cuisine to dish out magic on plates
Regarding collaborative cuisines, the type of clients that we cater to need us to be at our innovative best. Their profiles create an opportunity to explore the possibility to innovate, which is what differentiates us from our competitors.
The financial luxury of these clients gives us an advantage to continuously innovate and be ahead of our time when we talk about mundane menus with typical components that we hardly ever think of changing. Our chef-led model acts as an enhancer to explore any opportunity to satisfy hungry tummies.
At the same time, when we stand as a premium catering provider, we look forward to bringing a change rather than the usual food. For example, a regular Aloo Mutter Samosa can be changed into a chicken Fajita Samosa. Basically, you are using chicken which is mixed with Fajita seasoning and flavor the dough with cumin giving a Mexican twist to the Indian cuisine.
You can have a samosa of this nature, but instead of using mint chutney or Tamarind chutney, you can substitute it with Salsa. This is something which we have innovated and is the differentiating factor that we bring to the platter when it comes to cafeteria services. It is a requirement at this point in time because when you present your menu to a corporate crowd who are well travelled, they don’t want to have the same rice, dal and chapati. They look for something different and wish to explore new cuisines.
Restaurants may need to adapt to the ‘new normal’ in dining
Waste management in kitchens
This process is being mapped with our ERP (Enterprise resource planning). Whatever the food requirement for any client-site is, it comes to the ERP. Based on this, the production process is initiated, and the dispensation takes place. This is then tracked basis the sales on the site and if there is a huge difference in expected versus delivered outcomes, the on-site head is responsible for it.
A Repertoire of Culinary Experiences
By doing this, we have witnessed a tremendous reduction in food-wastage and this is something we follow as a process where ensuring minimal food wastage is concerned. This drives complete information about the quantity of production that should take place and the raw materials that need to be used in order to fulfill production. Then, requisition happens based on the raw materials where the purchase happens accordingly. So the complete end-to-end process is tightened.
Jewellery, an investment in sentiment. (Zoya Source: Instagram)
It has always bothered me when women refer to their costume or high fashion jewellery pieces as “junk”…writes Sujata Assomull
Style icon Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s three-strand faux pearl necklace purchased for around US $500 dollars was sold for over US $200,000 by Sotheby’s at an auction. While much of its perceived value came from provenance- the woman who wore it; women of style and substance such as Diane Vreeland, Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel knew that costume jewellery is far from junk, it’s a style statement. Investing in a beautifully made fashion accessory is like buying a good handbag – it can last you a lifetime.
Even though I am the proud granddaughter of a Mumbai based fine jeweller, I have always mixed my fine pieces with fashion jewellery, it just looks more effortless. At my own wedding, my diamond bangles were combined with metal bangles.
It’s bling not junk!. (Photo: Pixabay)
So when “India-Proud” fashion jewellery brands, Isharaya asked me to moderate a webinar with art historian, author and jewellery expert, Dr Usha Balakrishnan, one of my first questions to her was about India’s cultural heritage with costume jewellery. I wanted to know why so many Indian women refer to costume jewellery as junk’.
“If you go back in history, jewellery in ancient times was in fact made from items we may refer to as junk such as steel, beads and feather,” she said. It seems junk and not precious materials was the basis for jewellery, perhaps this explains where the term “junk jewellery stems from. Dr Usha added, “Costume is precious, Junk is important.”
That is so true, yes of course fine jewellery is an investment buy-and why it was given to women at marriage times was for its economic value; it was their safety net. But in contemporary dressing, jewellery is about more than just cost, it is also about how it makes you feel. I still own the first Chanel faux pearl strand bought with money saved up from a part-time job. My first boyfriend bought me a pair of Butler & Wilson faux pearl button earrings-something I kept for years and wore with as much pride as my diamond solitaires.
There is more to jewellery than adornment, status and cost-it really is about your connection to the piece, the story it tells and its craftsmanship. I have always found it very pretentious when a woman declares, “I am allergic to fake jewellery”. Of course, many people are allergic to certain metals and it is best for them to avoid fashion jewellery. By the way, if you have a nickel allergy then even keys will give you a reaction (And how come no ever says I am allergic to keys?).
Good quality costume jewellery should be made in brass, and then it will last a lifetime. Isharya uses hypoallergenic nickel-free brass which is then plated with high micron gold. Steel is another great option (a material handcrafted jewellery brand En Inde uses often), for silver, there are so many options in India (Tribe by Amrapali is my go) and Deepa Gurnani uses handcrafted textile techniques for their pieces. So there are many options for those who do have allergies.
And honestly, there is nothing like a piece of beautiful bling to add a touch of glamour into your life. Something we all need now-so even if it’s not made of precious materials let us never call our jewellery pieces “junk”.
“This is an exciting time. I know it’s also a very trying time as well because a pandemic is upon us. But the pandemic is also throwing up a lot of options which perhaps nobody would have tried earlier…writes Puja Gupta.
To do a complete fashion presentation virtually is something nobody thought of in the past. To actually have the entire world as your audience and everybody has a front-row seat, I don’t think anything can get better than that,” says veteran designer JJ Valaya.
The designer launched his latest couture collection at the first-ever digital India Couture Week (ICW) and reveals, “This is a time when we need to share the joy and positive energy, to celebrate everything that is beautiful. We may not have a buoyant market, but this too shall pass, things never remain constant, life is full of ups and downs and we should celebrate the ups and learn from the lows. ‘Bursa’ is the royal nomad on a journey through time from the 13th to 17th century Ottoman empire. The opulence, the grandeur, the detail and it’s culture are part of the design story.”
JJ Valaya’s first virtual fashion show.
Valaya, who started his journey three decades ago, says “there’s no way you can replace the adrenaline rush of a show, the spectacle, the interaction between clothes and people, but adversity gives rise to opportunity. We are living in a digital era and one cannot ignore technology, the brand has to evolve with times and if the current generation is focused on screen time then that’s the new normal.”
“Being a three decade old brand has been one big adventure. Starting at a time when the industry was pretty much non existent, to a time when fashion was a buzzword and everybody is very aware of what’s happening. I think I couldn’t have wished or hoped for a better journey. From crawling to walking to stumbling to getting up, we had had many milestones, just doing everything on our own, learning from our own mistakes and growing beautifully, we’ve had a long journey of many firsts,” says the designer in the video-clip that launched his collection.
JJ Valaya’s first virtual fashion show.
He added: “What I’m really excited about today is that this is the first ever time a virtual India couture week is happening. The first time I’m showing my collection virtually. We are showing a 100 percent new collection, unlike some designers in the market. The focus is strictly on the bride and the groom, as weddings have become smaller, we are showing bridal lehengas, sarees for women and sherwani for men.”
Valaya showcased his latest line-up of wedding ensembles, inspired by the culture and arts of Turkey, “I tend to name my collection after one medieval city or the region where I’ve been inspired for. And this year’s collection is all about the magnificence of the Ottoman Empire,” he reveals.
JJ Valaya’s first virtual fashion show.
He has used burnished metallics and golds to give an antique aesthetic to the 48 pieces of lehengas, sherwanis, jackets and sarees that are embellished with Swarovski crystals, silk threads, beads, pearls and zardozi work on fabrics like silks and velvets.
Sneakers have taken over the world and how! Understandably so, because who would does not want to sport footwear that is not only stylish and trendy, but also provides you with ultimate support and comfort.
From the likes of Ranveer Singh to Virat Kolhi, to public personalities like Kamala Harris, everyone is on the sneaker bandwagon. However, if you are a sneaker newbie looking to build your very own collection, then choosing the right pair can be a tad confusing. Well, fret not! Matteo Lambert, Chief Collection Officer, Bata India Limited, has simplified sneaker shopping for you. Here are some wardrobe essentials according to him:
The Evergreen Low-Ankle Sneakers
Low ankle sneakers are the OG of sneakers and enjoy a cult following all across the world. If you are a sneakerhead then there is a good chance that the first pair of sneakers that you ever fell in love with were these. From your smart casuals to party outfits, canvas sneakers will go with every outfit and keep your feet plush and cozy throughout the day. Trendy, stylish, incredibly comfortable, and always in tune with the latest fashion trends, low ankles are a great long-term investment!
Chunky White Sneakers
You can never go wrong with a pair of classic white Chunky sneakers. Reminiscent of the 90s era, chunky white sneakers will give you that retro vibe. From denims to chinos, dresses to even sarees, white sneakers work like a charm with every outfit. Not only will white sneakers elevate your entire ensemble, but also provide you that extra hint of oompf and panache that will make people sit back and take notice.
Snug Slip-ons
Slip-on sneakers has revolutionised the world of sneakers. These lace less sneakers are easy to wear and extremely high on the comfort quotient. Slip-on sneakers are available in numerous colours and variants. You can easily find something to pair with every outfit. If you are someone who prioritises comfort over everything else and believes in minimalism, slip-on sneakers are perfect for you. Once you try them, they’re sure to become your go-to sneakers because of how incredibly convenient and comfortable they are.
Mesh Sneakers
Mesh sneakers are another classic wardrobe staple. The mesh fabric allows your feet to breathe while also hugging the contours for that extra bit of support. They provide you with the ever so elusive combination of comfort and style. These sneakers are versatile and you will never fall short of choices when it comes to mesh sneakers.
Sneakerheads can now log into ‘Sneakerhood’.
Printed Sneakers
Printed sneakers are the latest bug to have hot the sneaker world. If you are a flamboyant soul who believes in going that extra mile and making a solid first impression, then you must invest in a pair of comfortable, printed sneakers. There is an extensive range of printed sneakers available in the market and there is something available for everyone. Floral, animal and jungle prints are all the rage at the moment. They will add that touch of glam to your outfit and take in up a few notches.
“Yatha Annam Tatha Mannam,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the maxim during his Mann ki Baat session a few days back, which signifies that mental and intellectual development is directly related to the quality of our food intake. With the COVID – 19 cases on the rise, good nutrition is critical for one’s survival and for maintaining a better quality of life. National Nutrition Month 2020, aims at throwing light on the importance of �Eating right bite by bite.
Common nutrient deficiencies in India:
Micronutrients – The Vitamins and Minerals that our body needs in small quantities are most often neglected which results in �Nutritional Deficiencies’. These deficiencies are seldom recognized. However, some studies have shown that 80 to 90 percent of Adult Indians suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, 50 to 60 percent are affected by anemia, others being Vitamin B12 and Folate. As much as these deficiencies are getting onto the adults, they are equally affecting the younger ones. 1 in 5 children are being diagnosed with Child Obesity and nearly half of under-5 child mortality is attributable to under nutrition. A child must be provided with essential nutrients so they don’t face immunity problems at a later stage.
While veggies are a great source of nutrients- its fruits that will save you the cooking hassle! Kimaye Health lists down a few fruits that could help you achieve good nutrition levels.
List of 5 fruits you could be missing out on:
Orange – The pandemic’s biggest mystery is our very own immune system and what better than an Orange could help us save the day. Loaded with the goodness of Vitamin C and Folate, Orange makes for a perfect dose of daily nutrition, certainly not the one that you should miss!
Orange juice.
Pomegranates – Pomegranate high on Vitamin C, A & E, with Ruby red seeds that match the color of your blood. Did you know that 100 gm of pomegranate contains 0.3 mg of iron? Yes, the iron-rich fruit, is one of the most common recommendations for fighting anemia (iron deficiency).
Banana -The fruit that’s never out of vogue. Easiest to find, sweetest to taste, apart from all the good that it does to your body Bananas are widely referred to as the Super fruit’ high in potassium, vitamin B6 & Folate help in maintaining a healthy blood glucose level.
Apples -An apple a day keep the doctor away! A delicious source of Iron & suitable when it comes to giving your low hemoglobin levels a boost.
How to stay safe while eating outdoors.
Strawberries – What’s good for you but also good to taste? Yes, the Strawberries- beautiful red fruits with seeds on the outside grace the planet with their taste & beauty. Strawberries are rich in Iron & Vitamin C (helps in the absorption of Iron). We do love the berries, berry much!
While all kinds of vegetables and fruits are equally essential for nutrients, you can start with these for their sweet-snacky nature. It’s time to give up on all that junk food and turn to a nutritious, yet tasty diet. The only way to achieve a healthy body and mind is to tread the path of good nutrition. So make the most of this Nutrition month by carving your food habits into a fruitful-nutritious lifestyle!
Glucose is an essential energy source for all living cells of the human body, which is programmed in a way wherein the glucose levels in the blood are maintained at an optimal level through various hormones…Dr. Samyak V Mulkutkar.
Blood glucose levels are normally referred to as blood sugar levels in our day to day life. Diabetes is a condition wherein blood glucose levels are abnormally high. Consistently high glucose levels cause damage to various organs of the human body in the long run.
‘Diabetic Retinopathy’ is one such condition wherein abnormally high blood glucose or blood sugar levels cause slow, progressive and long-standing damage to the eyes.
Diabetes has now assumed the title of a silent global pandemic. With India set to become the diabetic capital of the world, the threat of visual loss due to diabetic retinopathy has gained massive proportions.
To understand how diabetes impacts the eyes, let us ?first understand the structure of the human eye. The human eye has structures and functions roughly equivalent to those of a simple camera. Similar to the light-sensitive lm of a camera, the human eye has a light-sensitive structure called the retina.
How diabetes can affect your eyes
It is this retina or the light sensitive structure of the human eye that is most adversely affected by diabetes. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy or is also referred to as diabetic eye disease in common understanding.
The advent of diabetic retinopathy simply starts as the appearance of small bleeding spots or “microaneurysms” on the surface of the retina. This is the initial stage of the disease or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, wherein the vision remains reasonably good despite having an abnormality.
The retinal blood vessels eventually develop leaks that cause the retinal tissue to “swell up like a sponge” (also called macular edema) It is this stage wherein an individual’s vision starts getting affected and prompts her to seek medical attention.
Treatments like the application of laser spots to the retina or instilling injections into the eye at this stage are very effective if instituted in time.
If the blood sugar levels continue to remain uncontrolled, the retina suffers from larger bleeding spots and blood may entirely fill up the jelly inside the eye causing a sudden loss of vision. Many patients go undetected until this stage of the disease because they miss undergoing an eye check-up while they suffer from diabetes all these years.
In the later stages of the retina starts getting crumpled and this results in a near-permanent loss of vision and blindness. Major surgery is then required to remove the blood and fix the retina back to its original position. Despite multiple major surgeries, only a few individuals may gain back their original vision.
Diabetes.
As the diabetic eye disease progresses through the late stages, the microscopic damage to the cells of the retina leads to permanent structural and functional changes that, unfortunately, cannot be reversed.
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy and early treatment is hence, the key to preventing permanent visual loss due to diabetic eye disease.
It is strongly recommended to get a retina evaluation for every diabetic individual, at least once in a year. This retina evaluation is performed by an eye doctor who is a retina specialist and usually takes about an hour at the doctor’s clinic.
Long-standing diabetes, poor blood sugar control, associated hypertension, and deranged lipid proles are the most important risk factors for the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. Hence, all diabetics must have regular evaluations with the physician.
Baby on the horizon? You might need changes to your interior space. (Source: Unsplash)
A new life brings much happiness, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. As soon as parents get in the know, the preparations begin, but soon after they realise that nothing is enough…writes Puja Gupta.
If you are expecting a baby soon and so not understand where to start, read the following tips to help you help yourself. Heena Jain, Design Consultant from Wooden Streets, shares some fantastic ideas to change up you interiors.
Create some comfortable resting spots
Rest is one thing that no mother can compromise with while being pregnant. But, lying on the bed all day, no matter how comfortable, is not possible. So, there should be multiple resting spots and the two best places for the same are, the living room and the balcony. Place a comfortable and easy to use sofa cum bed in the living room, and a comfortable balcony set with a comfortable ottoman or even a swing in the balcony. These two make for a perfect venue to chill, read, watch and rest during the day.
Start with completing storage needs
A baby enhances happiness in a home and storage needs. While no amount is storage is ever enough, extra storage is always welcome, no matter how many options you add. A better approach towards creating sufficient storage space is by adding the right furniture pieces which can blend with your interiors perfectly. There are several options that you can opt for, like a chest of drawers, wooden trunks, compact wardrobes, and many more. So, just be creative and think of the places where you can put these without creating a space crunch.
Make way for the lights and colours
The surge of energy and the happiness that bright colours provide is just amazing. So, try to add some relaxing wall paintings/art, and to make the space brighter as well as illuminating, you can also add some amazing lamps to the existing decor. Small planters placed around different corners also works perfectly for making the place more relaxing and creating happy vibes. The most important of all, choosing the right colour palette. You choose from colours such as baby pink, light blue, light gray, or even yellow. These will help in boost your mood as well as the health of the baby.
Be furniture ready for the future
If you want to give your little one a perfect and friendly home setup, then the perfect time to start with the preparations is now. First of all, make a list of products you will be require after the delivery, the major pieces you need are a crib, changing station, food station, and some others. So, initially make the space for the furniture and after measuring each and every corner precisely, start picking furniture pieces that perfectly fit. Placement is extremely important, so ensure that the furniture is placed adjacent to the walls. As for the baby’s furniture, the center of the living room or the dining area can be the best spots.
Baby proofing is extremely important
Making the home as safe as possible is important for both, the pregnant mother as well as the little one who is all set to become a part of your family. Start with the furniture and try to cover all the sharp ends which you think can cause harm in the future. Get rid of all the loose and exposed wiring as well as switchboards. Avoid placing decor accessories such as small stones, or harmful plastic/rubber figurines, as if misplaced, they can create some serious issues.
.
A plan for the floors
Floors, if set rightly, can be a comfortable abode for both, baby as well as the mother. You can start by placing some comfortable rugs at different places along with some fluffy pillow sets. To make it even better, you can create a beautiful floor bed as well, which can work as a perfect play area for your little one.
Making these changes can be a bit tedious, but the improvement you will observe afterwards will be amazing. You can give it a little time and come up with ideas to further make the space beautiful and customized for your comfort level. Just remember to be creative and enjoy every change you make to the fullest.
The transition from summer to fall can be quite tricky. Until you shop for your fall and cold-weather essentials, there are plenty of summer outfit tricks that you can try…writes Puja Gupta
While it is still risky to go hop to your favourite stores for shopping, you can extract maximum wear out of your summer staples and as you continue to make additions to your wardrobe, these clothes will continue to reinvigorate your wardrobe until winter.
This is the time of the year wherein you surely need to step out of the box and try on some mix and match combinations.
Layering is always a great way to utilise your summer wardrobe in the autumn season. However, bulky fabrics can make layering a little tricky, to its best to stick to light breathable fabrics like viscose and modal. Style experts Nelson Jaffery, Head of Design, Liva and Abhishek Yadav, Design Head, Spykar Lifestyles offer some useful tips for acing your fashion game this autumn season.
Transform your summer wardrobe to be autumn-ready
Shorts with leggings
Sport your beloved denim shorts with solid viscose leggings for a cozy yet fashionable look. Add a plain oversized shirt on top with a belt. Add some gold jewellery to elevate the look further. This is a great comfortable option for Friday night virtual session with your friends or a fun games night.
Dresses
Dresses are always a great option for every season. Recycle your printed summer dresses in the fall season by pairing them with a scarf. You can also wear a simple t-shirt underneath the dress for a more preppy look. Keep in mind to not have more than three levels of layers on you or the outfit might look too bulky.
Blazers and Jackets
Leather and denim jackets are always a great addition to any outfit. Pair any of your basic summer outfits with a smart jacket or blazer for autumn ready look. Graphic t-shirts, summer dresses, lace singlets, shorts and skirts are all great options that can be paired with jackets and blazers.
Jeans
Fortunately, wide leg jeans transit easily into the fall season. Summer fashion was all about pops of colour and was quite inspired by the flair of 70’s and 80’s. Carry it forward in your autumn wardrobe by pairing them with a turtle neck sweater. Also your favourite summer skinny jeans would give a fantastic look with trendy metallic while attending virtual celebrations. For example, you could team up grey denims with gold and bronze tops. You could also wear your slashed jeans with a black bucket bag and sneakers.
Transform your summer wardrobe to be autumn-ready
Skirts
The fall season is full of bright and splendid skirts to wear from work to parties. You can opt for a knee-length eyelet coat over a white tee and a denim skirt. You could also team your summer skirts with long sleeves and mules. You could team up tribal print blush mini skirt with a blush blouse and crispy white blazer. Or you could tuck in your favourite turtle neck in a high rise leather mini skirt for that chic look.
You could also go for skirts of bold prints, tulle styles, cozy pencil skirts, floral print boho chic light weight bottoms, etc. this season.
