In time for fall(almost!)

Hello lovelies!!

I have abandoned you guys for a while and I have no excuses this time! But always 'better late than never right? :) Some of you guys have been motivating me to keep posting and have given me heartwarming feedback that makes me want to be more disciplined and committed to what I have created here!

So, without further ado, here's an outfit my sister clicked me in-she got behind me to finally 'dress up' during my visit to India and took all the shots herself!A Manipuri ensemble of a skirt, top and a stole taken wrapped around. I have paired a Manipuri silk stole and olive striped wrap skirt or 'phanek' with an Indian Gujarati blouse. Gujarati blouses are famous for their vibrant and colorful embroidered designs sometimes with mirror-work. I borrowed the blouse from my sister since I loved it immediately and don't have one of my own! (On my ethnic next -list!)

Manipuri formal outfits worn like this are usually paired with traditional gold jewellery however most young Meitei women now mix and match with all kinds of jewelry from all over the country whether its the Kundan-Polki styles, traditional South Indian jewelry, costume jewelry etc.. Just hit me-I am yet to try a look with pearls-on the cards! :)

I have chosen to go bare on the neck but wore thin colorful metal bangles I picked up from Janpath in Delhi-another street shopping haven in Delhi. I am yet to share pictures of women dressed up during a wedding in these thin translucent stoles-put them all together and they're a vision, all angelic and dressed up as if fairies had descended on Earth for a kitty party!

The beauty of these silk stoles is how delicately the fabric is woven with pretty flowers and motifs and the gorgeous colors these stoles come in! I want to wear these stoles more often but being a doggie-mom, well you know!

So here's looking at me! :) Enjoy and be in touch!

Silk stole and silk wrap skirt -From Manipur, India;Blouse-(Gujarati)Borrowed from my sister;Bangles-Lokai and Janpath, Delhi; Peep toe pumps-Aldo; Earrings-Swarovski;Me-still going strong :)

Shop the look!

Earrings(same)

Pumps(On sale)

Note: Manipuri fabrics and apparel are still not available online! I wish I can make it happen!

♥le grá

  hauteinterpreter

Rajasthani chic!

Good morning guys!!

Another day in paradise! Or so I want to believe :) 

I told you I would share pictures from my recent visit to India. Here's what I wore on Diwali, celebrating the festival of lights with my family.

This is a 'Gota-Patti' embroidered sari from Jaipur, Rajasthan. Small pieces of 'zari' ribbon are applied onto the fabric with the edges sewn down to create elaborate patterns. A lovely bright yellow, I fell in love with it during a shopping trip to Jaipur years back.

I have paired the sari with a dull gold jacquard blouse. I would have loved to pair this with a lovely fuschia pink velvet blouse instead, for a vibrant contrasting look as my sister did! Am going to do that the next time!

Being my first Diwali in India after my marriage, I had to look the part-so I added some gold jewellery to complete my look. The gold bangles and ring are traditional Manipuri jewellery. My nails just happened to be grey which I realized after I looked at the pictures 2 days later! Sigh!!

And about the shoes....That's why I used to travel with a separate suitcase only for my shoes when I was a single gal. International travel and going back home after ages(the gifts take up all the space!) have left me with no choice but to go light on the shoes!!!! (Sad face)..

Anyway, I improvised with Old navy glitter flats which after all didn't turn out so bad did it now?

:) 

Stay tuned for more!! Have a fabulous day!! Muaaahhh!!

Gota Patti sari-From Jaipur, India; Shoes-Old navy glitter flats; Jewellery-Tanishq and from Manipur, India

Shop the look!

Gota Patti Saris
Indian Jewellery
Glitter flats

♥le grá

hauteinterpreter

Phanek + Blazer

Good morning!

I am being a good girl today!I have been up since early morning working on a blog post-high time ain't it? :)

Hope you're having a great middle of the week!It's perfect spring time with just that right amount of breeze and sunshine!
It's been a while since I put up a traditional Manipuri outfit so here's one! :)

I have paired a cognac and black woolen tribal phanek(wrap/sarong) with a rust top, a black blazer and some accessories. It's the wool that's bulky-not me ;) Blame it on the wool eh? lol.. I have yet to master the art of wrapping the wrap!:) Women in the North East go about their day-household chores, going to college, cycling even playing badminton in their phaneks!And trust me most of them do not wear belts or tie their phaneks/sarongs with string of any kind! One end is just neatly tucked in. Sigh!

For now I am just belting it!Hey, but i climbed a hill last summer wearing the phanek...without a belt!!And i survived, phanek in place, scaling the hilltop..I can't complain can I?? :)  I have been out of touch -that's what it is..hmmm..anyway!So here it is my tribal outfit!

Black blazer-Elizabeth Donatien;Rust knit top-Anthropologie; Cognac and black wrap/sarong-From Manipur, India;Bracelet-From Leh, India; Necklace-Zara; Ankle strap pumps-DSW

Get the look!

Black blazer
Rust top(sold out) similar
Zara necklace(same)
Bracelet(similar)
Ankle strap pumps

 ♥le grá

hauteinterpreter

 

Kashmiri jacket + Booties

Good morning!!

I have been real lazy haven't I?? Hey but I have published 200 posts till date!Yay!! :). Hauteinterpreting ahoy!:)

Here's an outfit post after a long long time. I finally got myself a pair of black booties, an essential I have been talking about for long :) . Here it is in action..

Kashmiri jacket-From Srinagar, India; Gold top-Globus, India(old); Jeans-Gap; Booties-DSW, Necklace-Khan Market, Delhi; Earrings-Sarojini market-Delhi;Vegan Brown Messenger bag-Ebay!!:)

I love these booties-they're so comfortable too! They remind me of the Aquatalia version, made famous by The Duchess!

These are the Aquatalia booties

This is my vegan version and a look for less-the Kelly & Katie Morningstar bootie from DSW! :)

It already feels like spring in California!Sunny days with a little breeze-perfect weather! Of course the evenings are cool by the bay. We got a rude shock last weekend with a power outage that lasted all night because a car hit a pole nearby!! Somehow though there was a weird calm without the wifi and  without the tv!!:) How many times do we just sit and breathe without anything to do? Try it!

We brought out the candles after ages, we sat and chatted on the couch as the hours went by..eventually the darkness got to us and we went out for a midnight movie :) lol..!

Have a great day folks!! Keep tuned! Muaaahhhh!

Shop the look!

Embroidered jacket

Gold top

Booties(same)

Messenger bag(This is cute too!!)

♥le grá

hauteinterpreter

The Mayek Naiba

Khurumjari!
(That's how we formally say hello or greet each other in Manipuri!)

Today I am wearing the traditional Manipuri 'Mayek Naiba' [I think we also call it the 'Mapan Naiba'-please hep me with this my Manipuri country cousins!! :) ] with a leather jacket(faux) and booties!The 'Mapan Naiba' is a phanek(sarong/wrap) with the trademark stripes and embroidered border. This style of the sarong comes in gorgeous vibrant colors and is traditionally worn with the 'rani phi' or silk stoles(see here). I am putting a little twist to it and wearing it as a maxi wrap! :)

This phanek is made of silk and is worn on special occasions or even everyday to work by working women in Manipur. For work, its worn as a half-saree(see here) and for festive/event settings, it is worn with the stole like I mentioned before wrapped around, with a blouse.

I love experimenting with the phanek as you know by now!;)  Check out these outfits here and here!I think it has a lot of potential as a fabric and garment. The booties and jacket give it a modern and edgy look-what do you think? :)

Chain trim Faux leather jacket-Forever 21; Phanek(Sarong/Wrap)-From Manipur, India; Booties-Mango; Earring hoops-Forever New

Image source-Google

Have an amazing day beauties!!

♥le grá

hauteinterpreter