I want to live.... Right Now!!!

Hello Everyone,

How have you been? It does seem like a long time between my visits to this wonderful blogsphere. As much as I would love to write every day, I am limited by my call of duty in the real world. But the moments that I spend in front of my tiny lap top screen to write a few words, although short, are very sweet.

Does it come across to you that I am a very determined and ambitious person? Maybe, maybe not, but there is one downside to this. I get a lot done and achieve great things for sure, but it also leaves me with no time to enjoy my life.... right now.

I am perpetually planning and preparing for the future, the oh so bright and beautiful but deceitful future that never comes. As I live through everyday, in an organized and preplanned rush, I always think in my head, "I am doing this today so that I can enjoy it tomorrow". But tomorrow never comes.

I do this most about my job situation. I somehow always find myself in a job search mode. The fact that majority of my positions are contract does not help either, but as soon as I secure a contract no matter how long it is, I am instantly on the hunt for the next contract for the FUTURE. I convince myself by saying that this is good planning, but as I am constantly worrying about what I am going to do once the present contract is over, I always forget to enjoy the work that I am doing at the moment.

Strangely enough I realized this only recently and the realization hit me like a rock. After I had started working in my dream job and in an area I dream of owning a house in the future; I found myself, yet again contemplating life after this contract is over. Then, one sunny morning while going to work, I saw something that changed my whole outlook on life. I saw a woman on her bike, one moment she was putting the freshly bought flowers in the basket and the next moment; somehow losing her balance she crashed face first into the back of a pickup truck.

I know that compared to the things that many people experience everyday all over the world, this little incident was maybe nothing. But it shook me, it made me realize, that the tomorrow I am perpetually preparing for might never come the way I imagine it. What I really have is the present, the little moments that I let go by unnoticed. Well, not anymore, never again.

Have you ever made a decision after encountering something life changing?? Please share if you wouldn't mind. I would really love to hear your thoughts, stories and experiences.

Wearing: Guess Dress, H&M Blazer, Ardene Necklace and Stockings, Nine West Pumps and Dreamy Vintage Bracelet

Love

Trishna

Finding a sense of direction

Hello Everyone,

How have you been?? I hope it has not been too long and you still remember that I set out on a journey to develop a colour palette for my wardrobe. I have already determined the colours that look good on me and I love, now it is time to make a list. Yes my friends, even better; a shopping list!!

I have always wanted a wardrobe full of simple but versatile pieces with enough pizazz to get noticed on the streets every now and then. Sounds like a lot to expect right? But I found that time and time again, it is all about taking the time to look for and wait for that perfect piece, instead of just grabbing the first things you lay your eyes on.

So the idea is, I plan to have a perfectly fitted jacket and shoe in each neutral colour or the combination of the neutral colours in my wardrobe (Black, Deep Grey, Rich Deep Brown, Navy, Ivory). Then I want to go ahead and secure two day dresses (one work and one casual) one going out at night dress, two tops (one work and one dressy) and two skirts (one work and one dressy) in each of my neutral and base colours. I guess I am still going to gravitate more towards some colours that I just can't live without, like bright red and turquoise. But when I am trying to fill the quota above, my wardrobe should have some balance. At this point in time I do not have any money to buy stuff in accent colours, so that will have to be goal of the future.

Moreover I officially begin my search for the perfect versatile bag, with no hardware. Carrying a bag with silver hardware when the rest of your accessories are golden or vice versa is a huge pet peeve of mine. I also made a resolution to get all my existing clothes fitted properly within the month of May, so I had packed away all my clothes which need repair, shortening, tightening etc and will get them to the tailor's tomorrow. I think this time it will actually get done, because when I decided to become totally honest with myself I discovered that out of the 12 that I own only 4 skirts fit me properly. That really sounds bad, doesn't it?

Anyway I will do something about it instead of just sitting there and wishing I had a wonderful closet. But I would really like to know your stories. Are your closets, wardrobes completely organized and efficient? Filled with things that make you look your best everyday?

Wearing: Suzy Shier Top, Ardene's Tights and Necklace, Aldo Shoes, Forever 21 Blazer and French Connection Skirt

Love

Trishna

Developing my colour palette....finally!!

Hello Everyone,

Have you ever tried to develop a sense of direction for your wardrobe??? I mean really figure out the exact shades that makes you glow, determine a color palette and develop a plan for a wardrobe makeover towards one where every single piece you own would make you look radiant??

If your answer is No, then you are not alone. I read an article, or more like a series of articles by Ashe Mischief a few weeks ago on how she determined her unique wardrobe color palette with the shades she looked good and felt her best in. At first when I read the articles, they made no sense to me. "What? Limiting myself to a few shades only!!! Pfft!!! How will I be able to get any variety out of my wardrobe???" That's what I thought, until I absentmindedly reached for this turquoise patterned dress for the 5th time in two weeks.

I took the outfit shots that day and after looking at the photos in my laptop, something hit me. I figured the reason I reach for this dress so often is because I feel amazing every time I wear it. It's then that I started thinking about what Ashe said about identifying the colors that we love seeing ourselves in, the shades we reach for again and again to make us feel good or that have some significance in our lives.

I remembered that there are some colors I tend to prefer over and over again, such as bright crimson, turquoise, royal blue, plum & fuchsia. According to Ashe, these five colors and their corresponding slightly lighter or darker tones should form the base of colored pieces in my wardrobe. In term of neutrals I always reach for black, deep gray and only sometimes a rich deep brown, navy & ivory.

I love emerald and peacock greens, mustard yellow & bright orange but I almost never tend to reach for them as my go to pieces. So I can let them be my accent colors.

I have also learned from Ashe's article that the pastel shades of her base colors do her no good. That was another eye opener, now I know why I never felt comfortable in baby blue or lavender. Because they are so much lighter than my base colors that they almost lose the bright jewel-tone property that make these shades appealing to me.

So it took me quite a few days to figure out my color comfort zone and the next step is to define the palette in a more detailed way and identifying key pieces to buy to build on this palette. That my friends would take the whole breadth of another post.

Wearing: H&M Dress, Stitches Tube Top, Hue Tights, Geox Flats, Ardene Bracelet, Bitter Sweet Ring & Self Designed Scarf

Love

Trishna

Ruffles and scallops

Hello Everyone,

How has your weekend been? Did you spend it with loved ones, catching up on chores, or just simply relaxing with your favorite book or movie?

This weekend was actually a wonderful one for me. The Saturday evening I organized a potluck dinner with my friend E and spent time with some awesome ladies having delicious food from literally all over the world. Sunday was spent relaxing with my boy, doing little chores and taking photos. But I truly feel more organized than ever about my life, and really at peace.

Maybe this feeling of contentment has something to do with the exciting things that has been happening lately in my life. Remember a few posts back I have been telling you about how I have a few jobs lined up for the Summer but really they were only means of paying the bills. Truth be told I had found my calling and have long known  what I wanted to do, so I was not really satisfied in anything else.

Well, that changed as of last Friday. The coordinator from my previous job called me when I was running errands and casually asked me if I would be interested in a position she had to offer me. At first, I thought she was joking when I heard what the position was. I mean, ever since I got into the company last Summer as a Summer student I had known someday I wanted to do this position, carry out the responsibilities it entailed. She was offering me exactly that. I was speechless.

Of course I said yes and today I am starting work for a coordinator who has been with the company almost since its inception and has a wealth of knowledge. To be able to work for him would be a challenge and just the sheer amount of things I could learn from him, gives me goosebumps. People, I know this probably sounds really silly, but I really think I can't express in words how much I love the work I am doing and how excited I am. I am in the profession of helping people find jobs and being able to make a difference in their lives just by being who I am and what I do is immensely gratifying.

I could go on for hours about my work but this probably bores you to death so I'll just finish by asking for your good wishes and prayers so that I can continue to make a difference in people's lives by doing what I love.

Wearing: Forever 21 Dress, H&M Blazer, Suzy Shier Belt, American Eagle Shoes, Hue Tights, Gifted Bracelet and Necklace & Bitter Sweet Ring

Love

Trishna

Tête-à-Tête: Alice in the wonderland

Hello Everyone,

I am really really happy today. The stars of this universe has aligned and have made way for my happiness. Or I could also say my perseverance and sheer grit paid off and I have fulfilled one of my many dreams.

But we shall elaborate more on that later. First let me introduce you to a long time photographer crush of mine, Toronto's very own, Alice Xue. She is the creative extraordinaire behind the magical blog, "Alice In Wonderland". I have been long mesmerized by her work, but her recent photo shoot has left me speechless. Hence I decided to have a little tête-à-tête with her, hope you enjoy her work as much as I do.

ME: Why "Alice in wonderland"? What was your vision like for this blog? How was the beginning?

ALICE: Alice in Wonderland was chosen because of obvious reasons (my name, hah). I also enjoy the whimsical association it has with the book and an idea of a life full of imagination and happiness.
The vision for the blog was originally outfit posts but as you can see, I post less and less outfits and more of my photography. I find this is a better method for me just because I find what I wear everyday to be dull and secondary. I still find excitement in fashion but it's just easier for me to find it in other people and I enjoy sharing outfits, albeit usually not my own with the readers.

ME: Where do you draw inspiration for a photo shoot? What is your signature style?

ALICE: Inspiration for shoots come from everywhere. It can be a certain type of lighting in a photo, spreads that I'm always looking at on fashion photography blogs, a look of a certain girl, a film, anything really.
I don't know what my signature style for shooting is yet, I'm trying to grow as a photographer and I'm still finding out what works and doesn't work for me.

ME: What do you most often find yourself doing when you’re not blogging/ photographing??

ALICE: Editing pictures. It's pretty ridiculous the amount of time that are spent after a shoot fixing things.
Also sleeping, wandering around downtown and going to shows are some great pastimes of mine. Funnily enough though, most of the things involved in my life requires me to hold a camera.

ME: What did you want to be when you were a child? Does it match your current occupation? What do you want to be doing for the rest of your life?

ALICE: I used to want to be a vet, or a teacher. How depressing, hah. It doesn't match what I want to do at all, I want to travel the world, shooting people, clothes and scenery that inspires me.
I know one day I want to be successful enough to be able to live happily loving my job and doing exactly what I want.

ME: Are you a city girl or a country maiden? What’s the best part about where you live?

ALICE: City girl for sure. I love the country side for a week but I like to be in the city because there are endless things you can do.
The best thing about Toronto...I honestly haven't really experienced the city because I don't live downtown and am underage but I'm definitely going to have a blast exploring the city when I'm older.

ME: If you were invisible and could fly, where in the universe would you go? Why?

ALICE: I would never want to be invisible but I'd just fly everywhere. The world is such an amazing place and to be able to fly is one of my lifelong and impossible to be fulfilled dreams.
I think I'd like to just float in the night sky and look at the stars and the cities that are beneath.

ME: What are your favorite blogs and why?

ALICE: I love Liebemarlene for her southern charm, Garance Dore because she's an amazing photographer, Touch Puppet and Fashion Gone Rogue give me the best updates about fashion photography,
I also read a lot of personal photographer blogs like Bella Howard and Jessie Craig.

ME: I really think it's extraordinary that how much you have achieved, considering you're so young. When did you become interested in photography and what sparked this interest?

ALICE: Thank you! That's very sweet. I hope one day I'll be known as a good photographer not just for my age but just a great photographer in general. My interest in fashion sparked this interest in photography.
For a long time I wanted to do fashion design but I found that I really don't care about clothes enough to want to design it for a living. I love visual imagery though and have always been in love with beauty and the fleeting nature of it.

ME: Where do you see yourself in five years?

ALICE: In five years I want to be testing models regularly, doing submissions with magazines and possibly contracted. I really just want to be working regularly and doing something I love.

ME: What has been the most remarkable aspect of blogging so far?

ALICE: The ability to share over the internet and the ability to remember and see my progress.

Thank you so much Alice for sharing your little story with everyone. We cenrtainly look forward to seeing more of your amazing work.

Love
Trishna

Fields of gold

Hello Everyone,

How are you spending your Summer afternoons (or in the case of my friends from Southern hemisphere) your Winter afternoons? I have just finished a major (at least for some one html illiterate like me) blog overhaul. So if you see any glitches and such please let me know. :)

One of the things that I have loved about Summers since I was a child is, that time in a warm Summer day, when all of a sudden everything is very very quiet. You distinctly hear a bird chirping in the distance, or a sudden breeze rustling the leaves, but you are able to hear these things only because there is a veil of silence around you, punctuated only for a moment or two by these sounds. In those moments it feels like time is standing still and I am absolutely alone in a maiden world.

As I am typing these words I can almost feel the silence, it feels heavy in the air, just waiting for me to touch and break its stillness. Has it ever happened to you??

Do you have any characteristic moments or a feeling you get that softly whispers to you, "Summer, yes it's finally here."

Wearing: United Colors of Benetton Skirt, Alloy Turtleneck, Ardene Belt, American Eagle Flats, Hue Tights, Bangladeshi Bangles, Necklace & Arong Bag

Love

Trishna