Baby pink + Girly skirt

Hey!!

I have been digging midi skirts like crazy for a while now and I got my hands on the perfect one for me!!. Sorry about the clarity of the pics! A whole photo session out of focus :(

I wore this for a dinner party and received tons of compliments on the skirt! It's just so girly and fun! The skirt is so me!! The best part? It's under $50! I paired it with a baby pink satin top and threw in a pair of navy suede pumps and accessorized with an oversized clutch.  I wore the same outfit restaurant hopping with dear friends around Khan market in Delhi when I was in India and walking the streets of vibrant Palo Alto, again enjoying some good food and ice-cream! This is my pick me up outfit :), also seconded by the Lokai bracelet I'm wearing. A beautiful concept of being humble when one is on top and staying hopeful when one has hit a low. Read more about it here.

Satin top-Mango(old); Floral midi skirt-Chicwish(same); Navy suede pumps-INC(similar); Tan clutch-Yesstyle(similar);Watch-Michael Kors(same);Bracelet-Lokai(buy here)

Get the look!!

Satin top(same-sold out) (another option)//Floral skirt(same)//Tan clutch(similar)//Navy suede pumps(same)//Michael Kors watch(same)//Dior addict  lip glow universal lip balm //Perfume

Stay humble and chic!♥♥♥

                                                         ♥le grá

  hauteinterpreter

Is your heart wearing yellow today?

Hello loves!

Hope you guys have been having a lovely and 'productive' weekend! I am taking this chance to dress up in a romantic floral summery dress one last time before starting to bundle up! One is beginning to feel the chill in the air and I have been stepping out with my leather(faux) jacket these days just in case I am 'caught' by the breeze.  

I spent today 'laze-driving' (I said it here first! ;) ) around Napa and helped myself to some truffle fries at Boon-Fly-a cute little cozy place on the Sonoma highway. I was introduced to this place by my sister's friend who had come visiting the West Coast recently. The drive back to the bay area was beautiful with sunset and cloudy hues, perfect cool weather too!November Rain(one of my all time favorite tracks!)playedin the background, completing the romantic ambience of the evening!

Anyway, 'nuff said about my long drive story. Here's my dress before I start adding the layers! A little hallmark jingle from childhood days always comes to mind when I wear yellow- 'Whenever I wear yellow, I know why daffodils dance!; Is your heart wearing yellow today??'

Dress-Eliza J(old); Grey suede D'orsay Pumps-From an eBay store based in China;Earrings-Swarovski; Watch-Michael Kors;Nails-Essie Miss Fancy Pants

Shop the look!

Dress (yellow floral) (similar print in a maxi)
Grey suede d'Orsay pumps
Earrings(same)
Watch(same)
Nail color(similar)

P.S: Do check out my Poshmark closet!I have added a new link on the left column of my home page!

Image source: Pinterest

Have a gorgeous week ahead! Stay happy & chic!

♥le grá

  hauteinterpreter

An ode to my Maharashtrian roots

Hola guys!

Mid week food inspiration anybody??

For a quick snack any time of the day,  flattened rice or Poha has been a go to recipe at home. Ma always made this for us usually for breakfast or as a quick high tea accompaniment when we entertained guests at home. It's quick, easy & healthy. Most homes in Maharashtra have their own style of preparing the Poha. It's a state in the western part of India-can I call it a West Indian state?? :) 

Here's my version(obviously Ma's :) with a little tweaking here and there) of it:

1. While I soak the Poha in water-enough to just lightly cover the top, I boil some peas and potatoes.(I am a multitasker so I am also chopping, taking pics and preparing something else at the same time! )
(I usually use medium Poha available at Indian stores(Bharat Bazaar in the bay area) and soak it in water for about 10 mins since I like it soft. If you're using thicker poha, the time might have to be extended to about 15-20 mins and of course for thin poha, just a 5 minute soak is more than enough).

Boiled peas and potatoes(a little overdone!)

2.  I then heat a non stick pan and add some olive oil(Ma uses simple sunflower oil). I don't use too much oil however I've seen the difference is flavor with more added oil-it's tastier-your choice of course.I don't heat the olive oil too much. I fry some raw unsalted peanuts in it for a bit-make sure it doesn't burn. I realize I have to keep stirring continuously else they tend to burn very easily. I then remove the peanuts from the pan and drain the oil from them by placing them on kitchen towels. After, I add some mustard seeds to the same remaining oil and wait for the crackling noise to settle. Then add a generous pinch of asafetida, some curry leaves, and fry with sliced onions and sliced green chillies.

3. I usually add the turmeric and salt once the onions are translucent just to blend them well with the onions and for other ingredients to come. After about 5 mins, I add the peas and potatoes. I have tried adding grated carrots too and love it!

4. Finally I stir in the soaked Poha and blend it with the rest of the mix, gently but well. Poha cooks really quickly so I just cover the pan for about 5 minutes while blending in intervals and that's it! Sprinkle some freshly chopped cilantro over it, top with some fried peanuts, bhujia(baked chickpea strips- also available in Indian stores) and slices of lemon and there you have it!  A perfect hot yummy snack!

The best part about this humble dish is that one can experiment with ingredients!I introduced this to a neighbor and she's been serving this to her own guests too! Her version includes beans too!

Poha-hot n ready to eat!

Enjoy with a big cuppa of tea!

P.S-Like I mentioned before, though I am not an expert at cooking at all, I still don't measure anything..(Except while baking of course!). For e.g., to measure the poha, I now know through practice that just 2 of my handfuls are enough for one person(that comes to about a little bowlful). Everything else I have arrived at through practice so please don't ask me for portion sizes, teaspoons and cupfuls! :) 

♥le grá

  hauteinterpreter

Emerald green

Hello gorgeous!

Dressing up always lifts my spirits and I'm sure it excites most of you too! I am especially enthusiastic when I can dress up as close as possible to a dream, a fairytale..anything that can give me the high, to be transported into that world even if it is for a little while.

An opulent army party(more luxurious in style and aesthetics than in price!) is the best place to 'show off' your finery. I got invited to one of these grand parties and decided to wear my much coveted find!
An emerald green maxi skirt good enough for the red carpet! I paired it with a simple boat neck blouse and navy suede pumps(would have paired it with much better shoes-but was traveling and was limited in my shoe stock!) I accessorized it with emerald green earrings and a simple tan oversized clutch.

A little note about my Papa here! He actually has great taste especially when he keeps getting us things, for my mom and for the house! He loved my look especially the skirt, saying it reminded him of my 'poloi', comparing it to the Manipuri 'poloi' which is the wedding costume for Manipuri women. The skirt is my current favorite all the more because of him! :) Of course, when you see the poloi this doesn't even come anywhere close but he was the cutest when he said it!He kept taking pictures of me in it :) Papa is just the best!

Dress up gals! Just wear your favorite dresses, wear those shoes and wear red lipstick!

Go rock your own world!!:)

Au revoir for now!! Muaaahhh!!

Emerald maxi skirt-Chicwish; Blouse-Mango; Navy suede pumps-Inc ; Rose gold Watch-Michael Kors;Oversized Clutch-Yesstyle; Earrings-Givenchy

Image courtesy:Pinterest

Shop the look!

Maxi skirt (same)
Boatneck blouse
Oversized clutch
Earrings
Navy suede pumps
Watch(same)

♥le grá

  hauteinterpreter

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

Mexican today!

I am always for quick and easy one pot meals for those days when I'm just exhausted and yet need something exotic for my palette.I saw this yum recipe from pinterest and it has been a favorite ever since. 

So here goes:

While my pan heats up, i chop up some garlic and jalapeños(you can use green chillies if you like it nice n spicy like me). Add olive oil and fry the garlic and jalapeños for a bit.Add everything else(ingredient list below), cover and cook for 20 mins on a medium flame and you're done!

The original recipe called for vegetable broth but I love the twist chicken broth gives my recipes. I have tried this recipe with orzo as well and have loved both versions-I'd like to mention here that these are both pretty 'filling' grains!  Planning to try it with wild rice the next time (Will let you know how it goes!)

You can substitute the black beans with kidney beans or even garbanzo beans/chickpeas if you like!A super quick, easy, versatile and healthy meal you can dish up for lunch or dinner!

Here's the original recipe from Damndelicious:

Note: I usually never go by measurements, though it does help when one is starting out..As you go along, you'll realize you don't need to measure anymore and still get the recipe quite right every time!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 jalapenos, minced 
• 1 cup quinoa 
• 1 cup vegetable broth (I substituted with chicken broth)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 
• 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (I used fresh chopped tomatoes)
• 1 cup corn kernels 
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin 
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (I reduce the salt since canned chicken broth usually has high salt content-I use the Kirkland brand from Costco)
• 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced (I love this bit!I am super generous with the avocados!)
• Juice of 1 lime 
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and jalapeno, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. 
• Stir in quinoa, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until quinoa is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Stir in avocado, lime juice and cilantro. 
• Serve immediately!

Tada!Here's the finished product!

Bon appetit Mademoiselle!

♥le grá

hauteinterpreter

Cherry dress, Crystal skies

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♮ ..La la la..I can show you incredible things! :) 

The title of my post, inspired by Ms. Swift :)

This post has been long due so lets get straight to it!!

I love vintage, I love retro style and you all know about my love for modcloth! No, I haven't been paid by modcloth to run a PR campaign for them-I just do so on my own!

Some of you may know I run free PR campaigns for things I genuinely love-fashion brands like Forever New, Ladakh, my new aesthetician(ask me about her!she's amazing!), Korean skincare routines,-you get it!So ya, whenever I love something, I talk about it and share it with all my near and dear ones!
So not to get carried away, I had been eyeing this dress on modcloth since I first laid my eyes on it-so fun, so summery, so retro-chic and the classic style of a dress I love!

I have been wearing it all over the place..Sometimes I forget to take pictures whenever I am out but I got myself these when I took Ginger for an outing to Crissy Field, to the beach(yay!).Ginger goes berserk when she is anywhere near the beach!

So here I am, dressed in my favorite Cherry dress with a red cardigan(San Francisco weather!) and my silver grey glitter flats..I have loved pairing this dress with my burgundy-red T-strap retro heels as well (see here)(will share that sometime again), a cloche..oh the possibilities!

The tan bag has been my staple go-to Mama bag to dump all things Mama and Ginger! Very handy, very versatile, very durable; my other bags are screaming to be let out for the season!

Cherry dress & Cardigan-Modcloth;Glitter flats-J. Crew;Tan bag-Mango;Watch-Michael Kors (a gift); Headband-Forever New(See my fave!)

Shop the look!

Cherry dress(same)

Red Cardigan(same)

Glitter flats (Ooh I love these too!)

Tan bag (Another option)

Michael Kors watch(same)

Have a lovely day gorgeous! 

♥le grá

hauteinterpreter