Search for opulence

Often I try to define my ideal style, as a way of achieving harmony between my body and soul. I believe, personal style honestly cultivated is truly an extension of one's soul.

It is difficult. Being neither born nor raised in the western world, I find the influences of an ancient civilization to be quite strong on me. It does not let me quickly categorize myself into a style. I can not be quite content with a preppy, classic, posh eclectic or bohemian look. Always I feel the need to throw in something unexpected.....maybe a Kundan necklace or a top with a printed deity on it, a silk paisley shawl, maybe even a hand full of glass bangles.....or just wear a classic outfit in a color combination distinctively South Asian.

While I religiously study the classic style icons sometimes I can't help but look for inspiration in someone a bit more exotic, such as Mata Hari.

Despite not being of Indian descent, she was fascinated by this ancient culture and her outfits although product of her imagination, very much reminds me of the grandiose way of dressing that was once common practice. 



Image source - Mata Hari
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Stirring things up.........

Lately, I been feeling a lack of motivation. It's almost like my life's in a standstill, and there is no forward momentum. There are a few stagnant issues in my life, which have been causing such feelings. I have identified them but can not do anything except to let the universe take its course. 
This I'm afraid is impacting the way I dress, causing me to reach for same old favorites again and again. Now I have a fairly minimal wardrobe, but if I am not using everything to their full potential, clearly it is time for a change. 

So starting from today I will mend, clean, rework everything in my wardrobe and proceed to create at least three distinctively different outfits from each item. If during this time, I do not wear something because I don't know how to style it or can not style an item at least three ways, it will leave my life. 

At the end of this challenge I will have a wardrobe that is used to its full potential and hopefully a renewed creative confidence. 
Wish me luck!!!

I am starting with 18 dresses, 15 tops, 11 skirts, 9 t-shirts/ tanks, 7 cardigans, 4 blazers, 6 outerwear, 6 scarves, 7 bags and 10 pairs of footwear.

Wearing: Anthropologie Karelia Coat, Hue Tights, Payless Shoe Source Slingbacks and Gifted Earrings


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This week I'm reading..........Fashezine !!!

My heart's actually beating a little fast as I type the name of the blog I want to introduce you to this week. This was a dream ever since I first came across Ioana's blog, Fashezine, late last Autumn. Apart from truly original content and extremely well researched articles.....Fashezine has the ability to take the viewer to a different world. But enough of my babbling......here's Ioana Liliana Gheorghe....in her own words.



I am Ioana, a girl in her early 20's who's crazy about magazines, books and of course fashion. At the moment I am in Bucharest from where I create and write posts for my personal style blog Fashezine. 

I have followed, loved blogs and the concept of blogging for a long time now. Yet what made me decide to start my own personal blog was the need to connect and interact with like minded people and to create something that I hope is beautiful. 


For me, inspiration comes from everywhere, from songs, to photos, stories, people. The fact that I am trying to post quite regularly and frequently (3-5 times/ week) and also post only original content is a most interesting challenge that has opened my mind to a variety of creative possibilities. 


 My signature style has been evolving during these past few years and while it still continues to do so, I can safely say that I have always liked dark and earthy colors such as caramel, dark red, beige, and of course black. Right now I have a passion for the sixties, and yet I can't stop thinking about a long semi see-through black skirt worn with black leather boots. 


When I am not blogging I can be found reading, cooking, embroidering, photographing everything around me and revising my application for another Master's program. :)

The best part about where I live has to be my home. I just love the coziness of my apartment, and the fact that this is where I have almost everything I need, in no particular order: my laptop, books, magazines, boyfriend, clothes, blackberry....


Without wanting it to sound like a cliche, the best part of blogging for me has been the interaction and feedback I received from people all around the world. It's amazingly beautiful to see how easily people open up and share with you when you yourself are being open with them. 

Thanks

..........Ioana.........

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Purple blossoms

Yayyy!!! Reading week has started and I am back to blogging. :) It's been a hectic two weeks, but the midterms went well so those sleepless nights were worth it.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about increasing efficiency in my life and creating more time for things I love. I'm trying a new personal organization system for a week, will tell you about it when it's over...wish me luck!!!

Finally, my V-day outfit. I contradicted myself and wore shades of plum instead of red......do red nails count? I've had a haircut and believe it or not, finding this simple style took me six years and I still don't know how to do this myself. But Bf is quite eager to buy a curling iron so I can learn, so moved he is by my hair transformation. However, I have checked off two things from my To-Do list for 2011, finding an aesthetician and a hairstylist who really understand what I need. God bless Faven and Cindy!!!

Now I have a favor to ask you, could you recommend a Really Easy tutorial to do hair like this? Just so you know........I Do Not know how to blow dry and have never touched a curling iron. Oh and I also have naturally curly, frizzy hair. Do you still think there exists a hair tutorial out there for me??? :)


Wearing: Alloy Dress, F21 Sweater, H&M Belt, Ghost Love Jewelery Cuff, Hue Tights, Geox Shoes and Ardene-Walmart Rings



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Muted light and antiqued gold


It seems the closer to spring we get, the less I'm being able to stand the cold. Hence my first ever set of indoor photos were taken on V-day before I went to get a haircut. I have not had one in over three years and the bf was totally dumbstruck by the transformation. :) Apparently after 5 years he is falling in love with me all over again. LOL!! Maybe I should stop buying dresses and save my money to get pampered at a salon more often!!

BTW things have been pretty rough around here lately. It is my mid term week and piles of economics problems to be solved are causing a serious damage to my blogging schedule. Everyday I see your lovely notes in my inbox and try my best to reply back, but have not been able to as much as I would like. I promise to get back to all of you during my reading week which starts this Saturday. Until then.....I just want to thank you for every bit of love and support you show this little blog of mine. I know how fortunate I am. :)

Having said that, I took a bit of time to update the "Daily Reads" tab on top of this page. There are some fantastic blogs to discover. If you need some new reading material, feel free to take a look.

Now I'm gonna go solve microeconomics problems for my mid tomorrow. Wish me luck everyone.

Wearing: Tristan Dress, Gifted Pendant, Ardene's Necklace as Bracelet, Thrifted Belt and Hue Tights

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BHLDN


Do you know of BHLDN? Anthropologie's new bridal boutique? Smitten with all things Anthropologie as I already am, I was eagerly anticipating their launch on Valentine's day.

Let's just say I'm kinda wishing I was engaged to be married or something........so that I could savor all the fancy fripperies BHLDN (pronounced beholden) has to offer!!!



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Blossoms in red


Call me traditional but I can not think of Valentine's day without red, the color of love. Last year I wore splashes of it in my outfit but this year to celebrate the Valentine's weekend I brought out the prettiest red dress I own and went to visit a lush tropical garden right in the heart of downtown Toronto.

Followed by..........our first ever burlesque show by Toronto's very own Les Coquettes!! Let me tell you folks......you all don't know what you are missing until you see them. Bf and I were burlesque virgins and it was my surprise V-day gift to him, which we both tremendously enjoyed! :)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!!
How are you celebrating this year? Please share with us......in the comments..

Wearing: Mod Cloth Frankly I don't give a Dress, Forever 21 Blazer, Thrifted Belt, Gifted Necklace-Bracelet, Angee W. Purse, Geox Shoes and H&M-Sora Designs-Ardene Rings


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Sartorial adventures

Being ill when you have two mid terms in less than 24 hours really puts things in perspective. 

What I should be doing is solving mountains of statistics problems from years past and trying to soothe my aching body with a hot bag.

What I am doing is imagining myself in London, browsing the quirky vintage stores with Carrie from "Wish, Wish, Wish"....as she teaches me the secrets to a wardrobe full of English character. Then I'm in Oslo chatting up a storm with Fleurette from "Dead Fleurette" about creating the perfect capsule wardrobe in the ideal of a French woman that stands the test of time and passing trends. Finally to end my sartorial adventures for the day, I meet up with Zarna from "Zarna's Runway" as we quickly set about finding just the right pieces to add to a wardrobe for that perfect touch of whimsy.


Join me on my journey, will you!

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A year in retrospect

Today I just want to say, "Thank you!". 

I started "Tashrin" a year ago, on this very day; not knowing what I am getting into or if I'll even be able to write the next post.

365 days have passed, I've written not only the next post but many more and I met you. And let me tell you, there is something quite special about knowing that you're not just talking to yourself.....but to a world of unseen friends.
Do you know, really know....how special each and every one of you are in my life?

On another note, yesterday as I was writing this post, google announced that it can give me 7 Gb of useless storage in my gmail but only 1 Gb for my treasured photos. As I find a solution to this situation in the next few days....some photos might go missing. Don't panic....I'm on it. :)


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