lifestyle
Hey everyone
Embroidery has literally taken the fashion world by storm and i am obsessed. Be it on clothes or shoes i am loving it all! As times have changed, machine embroidery has become popular because it is faster and cost effective and almost 90% of the the embroidery that you see is done by machines but hand embroidery has its special charm and appeal. For traditional indian outfits its nothing new, they are almost the backbone of indian wedding clothes. Lighter versions on indian kurtis/ tunics make them also wearable for day to day and i personally much prefer the embroidered ones over the printed. Today we are going to talk a bit about the various types of embroideries that we see in general.
Thread embroidery
This is the most common one done by hand and actually also easy to do. Florals, leaves and simpler patterns woven by simple needle and thread on any fabric. Love the simpler versions on designer kurtis done on the sleeves or neckline or just as a thin border at the bottom.
Mirror work
Mirrors of any size are fixed on to fabric with colorful threads, off late the mirrors have been replaced by reflective metal. There is a debate as to where mirror work originated, some say it was brought to India by the mughals but surprisingly it was not found on the clothes of the mughal rulers?? Some say it originated in the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana where it is the most popular. Extensively used on wedding lehngas and sarees almost everywhere, it is also a huge trend on tops and dresses at the moment. On kurtis a sprinkling of mirror work on the body or just on the yolk looks beautiful while keeping them wearable for day to day.
Cut work
Cut work as the name suggests involves cutting out the interiors of a pattern and then embroidering the raw edges either the same colour or mostly white. This one is great in case you do not like much work or embellishment.
Zardosi embroidery
Zardosi originated in Persia and literally means embroidery with gold, beautiful patterns are created by either sewing embellishments or stitching with metallic threads. In ancient times it was mostly the virtue of the super rich to wear zardosi as it was so expensive for obvious reasons, made from gold. Today its one of the most popular embroideries in INDIA, PAKISTAN, IRAN and adjoining countries. No brides trousseau is complete without a saree or suit in this rich embroidery.
Chikan embroidery
This is my favourite of all, easily have about 5-6 Chikan work kurtis in my wardrobe. Originating from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh india, Chikankari , the art of Chikan is mostly done on thin light fabrics like cotton, silk, pure georgette, etc. Starts with printing a pattern on the fabric then stitchinging on the pattern followed by multiple washes that ensures no shrinkage or colour bleed. Traditionally the embroidery was in white on soft pastel or plain white fabrics but now coloured threads are used as well. It is very intricate involving around 32 different types of stitches, a pure work of art.
I am soon doing a post on some of my latest favourite embroidered pieces on the high street so stay tuned for that!
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Hand embroidery on Indian wear and beyond
Hey everyone
Embroidery has literally taken the fashion world by storm and i am obsessed. Be it on clothes or shoes i am loving it all! As times have changed, machine embroidery has become popular because it is faster and cost effective and almost 90% of the the embroidery that you see is done by machines but hand embroidery has its special charm and appeal. For traditional indian outfits its nothing new, they are almost the backbone of indian wedding clothes. Lighter versions on indian kurtis/ tunics make them also wearable for day to day and i personally much prefer the embroidered ones over the printed. Today we are going to talk a bit about the various types of embroideries that we see in general.
Thread embroidery
This is the most common one done by hand and actually also easy to do. Florals, leaves and simpler patterns woven by simple needle and thread on any fabric. Love the simpler versions on designer kurtis done on the sleeves or neckline or just as a thin border at the bottom.
Mirror work
Mirrors of any size are fixed on to fabric with colorful threads, off late the mirrors have been replaced by reflective metal. There is a debate as to where mirror work originated, some say it was brought to India by the mughals but surprisingly it was not found on the clothes of the mughal rulers?? Some say it originated in the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Haryana where it is the most popular. Extensively used on wedding lehngas and sarees almost everywhere, it is also a huge trend on tops and dresses at the moment. On kurtis a sprinkling of mirror work on the body or just on the yolk looks beautiful while keeping them wearable for day to day.
Cut work
Cut work as the name suggests involves cutting out the interiors of a pattern and then embroidering the raw edges either the same colour or mostly white. This one is great in case you do not like much work or embellishment.
Zardosi embroidery
Zardosi originated in Persia and literally means embroidery with gold, beautiful patterns are created by either sewing embellishments or stitching with metallic threads. In ancient times it was mostly the virtue of the super rich to wear zardosi as it was so expensive for obvious reasons, made from gold. Today its one of the most popular embroideries in INDIA, PAKISTAN, IRAN and adjoining countries. No brides trousseau is complete without a saree or suit in this rich embroidery.
Chikan embroidery
This is my favourite of all, easily have about 5-6 Chikan work kurtis in my wardrobe. Originating from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh india, Chikankari , the art of Chikan is mostly done on thin light fabrics like cotton, silk, pure georgette, etc. Starts with printing a pattern on the fabric then stitchinging on the pattern followed by multiple washes that ensures no shrinkage or colour bleed. Traditionally the embroidery was in white on soft pastel or plain white fabrics but now coloured threads are used as well. It is very intricate involving around 32 different types of stitches, a pure work of art.
I am soon doing a post on some of my latest favourite embroidered pieces on the high street so stay tuned for that!
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone
From unique engagement rings to astrological reasoning, coloured gemstones have always remained the mainstay of both love and belief. However, the charm for colourful gems is no longer restricted to these reasons. In fact, jewellery studded with coloured gemstones has become a major fashion accessory that makes the wearer stand out in the crowd, it definitely can make the simplest outfit special and for special occasions its obviously a great choice. I recently came across CaratLane , a very convenient shop to buy jewellery online, and was really impressed by their coloured gemstone pieces, so i thought of sharing my favourites today,
One of the most striking pieces from from the La Naturale Collection available at CaratLane, this beautiful ring is studded with an all-natural blue topaz (12mm) stone. Blue topaz is treated as a symbol of love and affection which makes this enchanting as a perfect anniversary or birthday gift or just to surprise the sweetheart.
Wave Emerald Birthstone Ring
Emerald has an ethereal charm. Adored by ancient queens to present day royalty to movie stars, it is the central stone to some of the most iconic jewellery pieces in the world. Amongst the most famous emerald pieces is the 2.84 carat emerald engagement ring presented by JF Kennedy to his would-be bride Jacqueline in 1963. The wave emerald birthstone ring is a very elegant piece. The simple yet dainty design makes it ideal for everyday wear.
Entwined Heart Pendant
Heart shaped drops are definitely the most lovable and popular pendant design. However, what makes this elegant and beautiful piece from the Style By Ami Collection so special is the entwined eclectic design and a heart rim studded with small synthetic rubies. Very contemporary and trendy, the entwined heart pendant made with White Gold with a subtle glint of rubies is an ideal wear for any occasion.
Beautiful flowers and colours of nature have been a source of inspiration for many jewellery collections. The Raindrop Lotus Earrings from the Lotus collection is also one such piece. Each petal of this beautiful earring is studded with pink gem and studded with diamonds. The earring strikingly adorns beautiful pearl drop which is the highlight of this embellishment. The delicate and feminine design makes this jewellery piece truly standout. An Ideal accessory to don for weddings and formal events, this colourful earring is going to be a special addition to any collection.
Irina Chandelier Earrings
Chandelier earrings, in particular, are a versatile piece that can help you pull off any outfit with a lot of elain and panache. So, if you are looking for an essential fashion accessory that will come in handy during special events, look no further than the Irina Chandelier Earrings from the ShowStoppers Collection. Show stopper indeed, this chandelier earrings has an interesting combination of white metal, diamonds, red synthetic rubies and black onyx. Each part of this piece is unique and special in its own right and is breathtakingly beautiful.
Bloom & Bud Lotus Necklace
Yet another masterpiece from the Lotus collection, the Bloom & Bud Lotus Necklace has a very elegant and beautiful design that will complement any neckline. The 3 inverted lotus flower around a diamond studded rim makes this one of a kind necklace design so unusual and beautiful.
In recent years, there has been a growth in demand for jewellery made from precious and semi-precious stones. Thanks to this trend, jewellery designers have gone an extra mile to design and develop beautiful collections that are vibrant, elegant and charming. Whether you have an experimental taste or a conventional one, jewellery made from beautiful coloured stones is for everyone and definitely makes one stand out!!!!
Would love to know, do you like coloured gemstone jewellery? Do you own one? How did you like the ones i shared today?
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next!
Love
Chichi
Make a splash with coloured gemstone jewellery
Hey everyone
From unique engagement rings to astrological reasoning, coloured gemstones have always remained the mainstay of both love and belief. However, the charm for colourful gems is no longer restricted to these reasons. In fact, jewellery studded with coloured gemstones has become a major fashion accessory that makes the wearer stand out in the crowd, it definitely can make the simplest outfit special and for special occasions its obviously a great choice. I recently came across CaratLane , a very convenient shop to buy jewellery online, and was really impressed by their coloured gemstone pieces, so i thought of sharing my favourites today,
One of the most striking pieces from from the La Naturale Collection available at CaratLane, this beautiful ring is studded with an all-natural blue topaz (12mm) stone. Blue topaz is treated as a symbol of love and affection which makes this enchanting as a perfect anniversary or birthday gift or just to surprise the sweetheart.
Wave Emerald Birthstone Ring
Emerald has an ethereal charm. Adored by ancient queens to present day royalty to movie stars, it is the central stone to some of the most iconic jewellery pieces in the world. Amongst the most famous emerald pieces is the 2.84 carat emerald engagement ring presented by JF Kennedy to his would-be bride Jacqueline in 1963. The wave emerald birthstone ring is a very elegant piece. The simple yet dainty design makes it ideal for everyday wear.
Entwined Heart Pendant
Heart shaped drops are definitely the most lovable and popular pendant design. However, what makes this elegant and beautiful piece from the Style By Ami Collection so special is the entwined eclectic design and a heart rim studded with small synthetic rubies. Very contemporary and trendy, the entwined heart pendant made with White Gold with a subtle glint of rubies is an ideal wear for any occasion.
Beautiful flowers and colours of nature have been a source of inspiration for many jewellery collections. The Raindrop Lotus Earrings from the Lotus collection is also one such piece. Each petal of this beautiful earring is studded with pink gem and studded with diamonds. The earring strikingly adorns beautiful pearl drop which is the highlight of this embellishment. The delicate and feminine design makes this jewellery piece truly standout. An Ideal accessory to don for weddings and formal events, this colourful earring is going to be a special addition to any collection.
Irina Chandelier Earrings
Chandelier earrings, in particular, are a versatile piece that can help you pull off any outfit with a lot of elain and panache. So, if you are looking for an essential fashion accessory that will come in handy during special events, look no further than the Irina Chandelier Earrings from the ShowStoppers Collection. Show stopper indeed, this chandelier earrings has an interesting combination of white metal, diamonds, red synthetic rubies and black onyx. Each part of this piece is unique and special in its own right and is breathtakingly beautiful.
Bloom & Bud Lotus Necklace
Yet another masterpiece from the Lotus collection, the Bloom & Bud Lotus Necklace has a very elegant and beautiful design that will complement any neckline. The 3 inverted lotus flower around a diamond studded rim makes this one of a kind necklace design so unusual and beautiful.
In recent years, there has been a growth in demand for jewellery made from precious and semi-precious stones. Thanks to this trend, jewellery designers have gone an extra mile to design and develop beautiful collections that are vibrant, elegant and charming. Whether you have an experimental taste or a conventional one, jewellery made from beautiful coloured stones is for everyone and definitely makes one stand out!!!!
Would love to know, do you like coloured gemstone jewellery? Do you own one? How did you like the ones i shared today?
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next!
Love
Chichi
Hey Everyone
My vision for 2017 is to be a person richer in conscious experiences, i.e to live a life that has more stories to tell than things to show, which is about function and meaning, more natural and clean, which respects local produce and consumes products that are produced with respect to the environment.
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Wandering in vineyards
Hey Everyone
My vision for 2017 is to be a person richer in conscious experiences, i.e to live a life that has more stories to tell than things to show, which is about function and meaning, more natural and clean, which respects local produce and consumes products that are produced with respect to the environment.
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone
I guess its human to have a bad day, no matter how well prepared, we still have them so here are 6 easy tips to help you when you are having one of those days
Schedule- Because when you know what you have to do at what time you do more and achieve more. Having a course for your day has direct relation to productivity. Prevention is better than cure.
Me time- If you are having a bad day just take a few mins off, go out in the fresh air stretch or walk around and if you are at home take a bath or go offline relax with a book or tea basically just switch off from what you are doing.
Spend time with family or friends or kids- Sometimes we don’t feel like it but from my personal experience spending time with my loved ones always recharges my batteries. Listening to how our loved ones spent their day or their experiences or stories from the day /days takes my mind off my struggles/ worries.
Nutrients rich food- Try to eat fresh and wholesome food rich in vitamins and anti oxidants to keep your mind and body healthy. I have noticed a direct relation between food and my mood. Too much fried and empty calorie food makes me irritable and sluggish.
Nature- Go to the park or your garden just be alone with nature and you will automatically start to feel better. If working from home try to work from a room with natural light. I can literally not function in a space with no natural light. It depresses me 100%. No matter how dim but still just being able to look at the sky keeps my mind in a much better state. If working from a naturally lit room is not possible go out in the open as often as you can and breathe in the fresh air. Also try walking to you destination or keeping your windows open as much as possible.
Indulge- Its ok to let it go with your favourite desert or reruns of your favourite show!!!
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
6 tips to fight a bad day
Hey everyone
I guess its human to have a bad day, no matter how well prepared, we still have them so here are 6 easy tips to help you when you are having one of those days
Schedule- Because when you know what you have to do at what time you do more and achieve more. Having a course for your day has direct relation to productivity. Prevention is better than cure.
Me time- If you are having a bad day just take a few mins off, go out in the fresh air stretch or walk around and if you are at home take a bath or go offline relax with a book or tea basically just switch off from what you are doing.
Spend time with family or friends or kids- Sometimes we don’t feel like it but from my personal experience spending time with my loved ones always recharges my batteries. Listening to how our loved ones spent their day or their experiences or stories from the day /days takes my mind off my struggles/ worries.
Nutrients rich food- Try to eat fresh and wholesome food rich in vitamins and anti oxidants to keep your mind and body healthy. I have noticed a direct relation between food and my mood. Too much fried and empty calorie food makes me irritable and sluggish.
Nature- Go to the park or your garden just be alone with nature and you will automatically start to feel better. If working from home try to work from a room with natural light. I can literally not function in a space with no natural light. It depresses me 100%. No matter how dim but still just being able to look at the sky keeps my mind in a much better state. If working from a naturally lit room is not possible go out in the open as often as you can and breathe in the fresh air. Also try walking to you destination or keeping your windows open as much as possible.
Indulge- Its ok to let it go with your favourite desert or reruns of your favourite show!!!
Thank you for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone
With
winters comes the great task of taking care of woolens and the most important
and daunting task is washing, I am always scared to wash my woolens as many
many times in the past they have come out deformed. Thankfully for the last two years I
have been following a process of washing which is working 100%, also thanks to
my uncle’s great tips who is in the dry cleaning business, so today I thought
of sharing it here but before that i want to share a story, In the first winter after my sisters marriage her mom in law asked her if she knew how to wash woollens and she very easily said yes, thinking whats the big deal, so she was given the responsibility to wash her father in laws favourite sweater, to everyones horror it came out half its size as i used the normal soap to wash!!!!! Now to the tips:
Hand wash/
dry clean- it's fine to hand wash unless the wash care instruction says dry
clean only.
What to
wash woollens with- This is really the main deal, powder detergents no matter
how expensive contain soda which is very corrosive and robs off colour and
style from our favorite woolens and
after losing many of my favourite knits in the wash I was quite frightened by
the thought of washing my woolens, luckily
my dear uncle came to my rescue and suggested Godrej Ezee, and since then woolen
care has been a breeze, the packaging is very convenient to use and store and there are many easy to choose size options, Ezee being a zero
soda formula cleans gently and the new Godrej Ezee is pH neutral in built
fabric conditioner that gives woolens a very pleasant fragrance, is even better.
Good aroma is very important as our mind associates good smell as clean and
fresh and also of course it also helps in easy storing of woolens. I literally
swear by their tagline 'Ragdo mat, take it ezee'
How to wash woollens- Soak the woollens in a bucket of cold water add some GodrejEzee and then rinse gently after 30 mins.
After wash- Never wring or hang your woolens or the weight of the water will make them loose their shape. Just lay them flat on a towel and gently squeeze the water and then lay flat to dry in shade.
Ironing- if not needed, not ironing is better but if you have to make sure the iron setting is changed to wool.
I really
hope you can make use of the above tips and product recommendation to not only
keep your woolens style and colour but also their warmth.
Thank you
for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
How to wash woollens- winter care #ezeecares
Hey everyone
With
winters comes the great task of taking care of woolens and the most important
and daunting task is washing, I am always scared to wash my woolens as many
many times in the past they have come out deformed. Thankfully for the last two years I
have been following a process of washing which is working 100%, also thanks to
my uncle’s great tips who is in the dry cleaning business, so today I thought
of sharing it here but before that i want to share a story, In the first winter after my sisters marriage her mom in law asked her if she knew how to wash woollens and she very easily said yes, thinking whats the big deal, so she was given the responsibility to wash her father in laws favourite sweater, to everyones horror it came out half its size as i used the normal soap to wash!!!!! Now to the tips:
Hand wash/
dry clean- it's fine to hand wash unless the wash care instruction says dry
clean only.
What to
wash woollens with- This is really the main deal, powder detergents no matter
how expensive contain soda which is very corrosive and robs off colour and
style from our favorite woolens and
after losing many of my favourite knits in the wash I was quite frightened by
the thought of washing my woolens, luckily
my dear uncle came to my rescue and suggested Godrej Ezee, and since then woolen
care has been a breeze, the packaging is very convenient to use and store and there are many easy to choose size options, Ezee being a zero
soda formula cleans gently and the new Godrej Ezee is pH neutral in built
fabric conditioner that gives woolens a very pleasant fragrance, is even better.
Good aroma is very important as our mind associates good smell as clean and
fresh and also of course it also helps in easy storing of woolens. I literally
swear by their tagline 'Ragdo mat, take it ezee'
How to wash woollens- Soak the woollens in a bucket of cold water add some GodrejEzee and then rinse gently after 30 mins.
After wash- Never wring or hang your woolens or the weight of the water will make them loose their shape. Just lay them flat on a towel and gently squeeze the water and then lay flat to dry in shade.
Ironing- if not needed, not ironing is better but if you have to make sure the iron setting is changed to wool.
I really
hope you can make use of the above tips and product recommendation to not only
keep your woolens style and colour but also their warmth.
Thank you
for stopping by! See you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Hey everyone!
India is the worlds largest manufacturer of carpets and Obeetee carpets is one of pioneers of hand woven rugs in the country. To take the incredible indian craft and quintessential indian designs to the world they have collaborated with the countries most exciting designers to bring a spectacular collection of hand knotted carpets.
I had the pleasure to attend the launch of the first of the four designer collections, Tarun Tahiliani x Obeetee, in the beautiful Bikaner House in New Delhi and was completely awe struck by the simplicity of the collection.
About Obeetee- Founded in 1920 the company has grown to 650 permanent employees and engages over 20000 independent artisans for weaving and processing. It is the leading producer of hand knotted, hand tuffed and flat woven carpets in India, holds the worlds first wool mark license for hand knotted carpets and the recipient of many national and international awards. Obeetee care’s for the extended families of its workers and is committed to becoming more and more environment friendly. They strive to bring the best quality products to their customer with focus on innovation while preserving the old indigenous crafts and designs of India.
Tarun Tahiliani X Obeetee- Celebrated Indian couture designer Tarun Tahiliani is known for his focus on indian embroidery like chikankari in his collections and there is great synthesis between his work and Obeetee. Together they have come with a collection that is a nod to India’s glorious heritage and her vibrant present. The framework of the collection is based upon three distinct design structures- The Antique Frames Collection, The Chikankari collection and The Abstract Art Collection and thus making it truly global but with an Indian soul. There are many firsts in this collection like for the first time fine Zari threads have been woven into rugs, classic indian motifs like Kairi booties and stylized floral patterns like lotus and rose have been extensively used to add significant detail and lusture. The carpets are produced in as natural surroundings as possible and are very close to sustainability, one rug taking almost a year to produce these masterpieces are no less than a timeless treasure.
There are plans to take these limited edition collections, rightly being called the ‘proud to be indian collection’ all over the globe beginning with New York, USA in February.
I was completely smitten by the muted colours and details in the carpets, they celebrate modern India in its truest form that is moving with all the technological and other advancements with the rest of the world but very conscious and proud of its rich culture, design and craft and very confidently wears the #proudtobeindian.
And finally here is my outfit for the event, my version of a suited look, effortless and relaxed. You know i love checks and leopard print and these two pieces here the woven trousers ( super warm) and the loafers ( super comfy) i am totally obsessed with, very practical and very chic.
Get the look
Thank you for stopping by, see you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
Tarun Tahiliani x Obeetee, Proud to be Indian collection launch
Hey everyone!
India is the worlds largest manufacturer of carpets and Obeetee carpets is one of pioneers of hand woven rugs in the country. To take the incredible indian craft and quintessential indian designs to the world they have collaborated with the countries most exciting designers to bring a spectacular collection of hand knotted carpets.
I had the pleasure to attend the launch of the first of the four designer collections, Tarun Tahiliani x Obeetee, in the beautiful Bikaner House in New Delhi and was completely awe struck by the simplicity of the collection.
About Obeetee- Founded in 1920 the company has grown to 650 permanent employees and engages over 20000 independent artisans for weaving and processing. It is the leading producer of hand knotted, hand tuffed and flat woven carpets in India, holds the worlds first wool mark license for hand knotted carpets and the recipient of many national and international awards. Obeetee care’s for the extended families of its workers and is committed to becoming more and more environment friendly. They strive to bring the best quality products to their customer with focus on innovation while preserving the old indigenous crafts and designs of India.
Tarun Tahiliani X Obeetee- Celebrated Indian couture designer Tarun Tahiliani is known for his focus on indian embroidery like chikankari in his collections and there is great synthesis between his work and Obeetee. Together they have come with a collection that is a nod to India’s glorious heritage and her vibrant present. The framework of the collection is based upon three distinct design structures- The Antique Frames Collection, The Chikankari collection and The Abstract Art Collection and thus making it truly global but with an Indian soul. There are many firsts in this collection like for the first time fine Zari threads have been woven into rugs, classic indian motifs like Kairi booties and stylized floral patterns like lotus and rose have been extensively used to add significant detail and lusture. The carpets are produced in as natural surroundings as possible and are very close to sustainability, one rug taking almost a year to produce these masterpieces are no less than a timeless treasure.
There are plans to take these limited edition collections, rightly being called the ‘proud to be indian collection’ all over the globe beginning with New York, USA in February.
I was completely smitten by the muted colours and details in the carpets, they celebrate modern India in its truest form that is moving with all the technological and other advancements with the rest of the world but very conscious and proud of its rich culture, design and craft and very confidently wears the #proudtobeindian.
And finally here is my outfit for the event, my version of a suited look, effortless and relaxed. You know i love checks and leopard print and these two pieces here the woven trousers ( super warm) and the loafers ( super comfy) i am totally obsessed with, very practical and very chic.
Get the look
Thank you for stopping by, see you in my next one.
Love
Chichi
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