Chiconomical

As I grow up and spend more time taking on adult-like responsibilities, I realised that I haven't really ever grown up. Sure, I can be responsible but its often heard misconception that growing up and being responsible go hand in hand. I never learnt to swap out my flowers for tiaras. I never learnt to make a formal hairstyle out of the mess that my hair always is. I never learnt that wearing red was a taboo when you were a working professional in the corporate world. I never learnt that letting your inner diva out is frowned upon when you're stuck in the world of stuffy suits with stuffier outlooks to life. I never learn't much...






I did however, learn to play in the puddles on the street wearing my bright rain boots. I learnt to wear my Star Wars dress to work with a blazer because blazers make everything look professional. I learnt that being a geek was always me but then I didn't need to show it to the world. I learnt the hard way that people judged you on the way you look even before they've said a word to you. I learnt soon not to care about such people. I think growing up makes you realise that you need to be free. Freedom is not travelling when you fancy it, although that could be your definition of it. Freedom is a state of mind. I may conform to the standards set by society but then I will not give up my individuality. I will wear my feathers if I want to, I will wear my metal tiara because its still got flowers that make me smile. I will wear my five rings to work and not care if you stare. That's who I grew up to be. A gypsy soul stuck in the confines of the modern world.

Summers in Mumbai last a couple of months only to be replaced by dreamy rainy days. However, while the monsoons can sound really romantic the fact is, they can play havoc with your wardrobe choices. I know lots of people who don't want to skimp out on fashion but still need to take the bus to work everyday. Yes, it would be a beautiful life if we could all afford to travel in chauffeured cars, realities of life mean most of us rush to take the train and get drenched on the way to work. Yes, the "something a cat dragged in" look is something that's just 10 times worse if you're wearing those baggy shirts and soggy trousers. So instead, I decided to come up with a half decent look that incorporates all those summer trends you wanna try without making you give up on comfort.






This outfit incorporates all my favorite summer trends. Cold shoulder top, check. Stripes, check. Lace, check. Frills, check. Boho cool, check. Denim dungarees, check.. Seriously, that's a whole lot of checks in one look!! I like the comfort that a short denim jumpsuit provides and the cool chic of an off shoulder top. This top from Sugarbox has inspired a long list of "how-tos" in my head and this is one of my favorites. The length is perfect for casual Fridays and keeps you from having to deal with soggy trousers. The little umbrella with the funky doodles hasn't left my side since I got it, and I have to say, its such a cool conversation starter. Think this look wont work for rains? Well, let me tell you that it was pouring when I started shooting for this look and sunny by the time we were done. Trust me, it works in both situations!

Don't let the rains rain on your fashion parade! Go get yourself some versatile trendy pieces that can be worn through the monsoons.

Workwear in monsoons is superbly hard. Honestly, I wish I could wear a little skirt with my gum boots to work, however as "corporate" goes, these things are a big no no. Hence, the need to come up with alternative workwear solutions for the summery rains.





Today's outfit is all about my absolute favorite trend, aka stripes. I paired a light striped shirt with some casual striped jogger style trousers. Add a bright bag for some color and a pair of airy crocs and I'm ready to face rain or shine. I think a pair of crocs are a must have for officewear since they are rain proof, formal yet super comfortable. Another must have in monsoons are quick drying fabrics. I'd suggest you invest in a few loose fitting trousers in quick drying fabrics so that you don't end up spending the whole day at work in damp clothes. While almost every online search will tell you to carry separates to switch into for work, I don't think that's feasible especially in a city like Mumbai where we're always running to meet deadlines. A better solution is always plan an outfit in a way that it dries quickly if its pouring or doesn't stick to you if its sunny. Also, always remember, if you love how you look, everyone else will love it too!

Tea. Till around a year ago I guffawed at the thought of drinking tea. However, as life always seems to teach us, never say never. As you guys know, I spend a few months in Kolkata and believe me, its near impossible to avoid drinking tea when you're there. Cut to present day, the skies have opened up and all I can think of is curling with a good book and a hot drink. I'm more of a detox/green tea drinker than a full cream tea drinker like most Indians so of course I'm always on a hunt for new places to stoke my boiling tea. It's on one of these searches that I came across Tearaja.


Tearaja is a brand curated by a 21 year old company “Jain Tea Co.” situated at Lalbazar, Kolkata, the biggest Tea market of Kolkata & India. With all this rich experience in their bag, they've launched Tearaja that boasts some amazing new flavours as well as the regulars in tea. So why venture into the digital world you ask? Well, with changing times, they wanted to reach a broader audience that simply wasn't possible with a brick and mortar store and hence, the site was born. 



The lovely team at Tearaja, sent me some of their curated tea samples and boy, it was a lovely mix! Bearing in mind the green tea love, they sent samples of detox green tea, lavender green tea, and coconut infused green tea!? Well, I've gotta say I'd never would have imagined coconut with my tea, so full points for out of the box thinking! I tried the lemon zest tea and it was rather refreshing although I have a feeling it would taste a lot better as an iced tea than a hot one. The coconut one is next on my list and I'm super excited. 





Coming back to the site, Tearaja offers almost all types of teas you can imagine. Their prices start from as low as Rs. 79 which means that you can enjoy a wide variety of teas without buring a hole in your pocket. They have different grades of tea too such as leaf, fine, mogra, etc so there's something for every tea connoisseur. I'm just an amateur when it comes to tea and most of my tea wisdom comes from conversations around the kullad during our chai breaks in Kolkata. However, I'm pretty sure tearaja has all those teas that the tea pundits boasted about during my trip and then some. Do check it out!