Why grow up?

Growing old is inevitable........but growing up is an option.....

And I choose not to...........grow up, I mean.

Can't really help the growing old though......as I turn another year older today! Yes, ladies & gentlemen - it's the "Hap-Hap-Happy Budday" of yours truly!!! :))

And as I add another candle to my b'day cake........I look back on the 25 beautiful years spent on the face of this earth.........& try to identify the most memorable moments & milestones of this eventful journey!

Hence, what you see listed below (in no particular order) is a lovingly-preserved treasure trove of hand-picked happiness:

• All the times I've won those prizes in school (or anywhere else) for academics as well as co-curricular activities - they used to mean a lot all through the school years.
• The day my sister was born - I was in the fifth standard then & I still vividly remember the rainy Thursday morning when my dad came & told me that instead of going to school, we'd be going to visit the sweet li'l new member of the family!
• Each & every time I dance on the stage (I'm a trained Indian classical dancer) - the adrenalin rush I feel, whenever I give myself up to the rhythm of the music, makes me embrace the spotlights again & again........ :)
• The first time I faced the camera for a teeny tiny part in Mira Nair's The Namesake - I featured in the movie for a whole of 2 minutes (though I shot for 2 whole days for that!!) as Tabu's friend in her opening shot in the film.
• Getting through the National Institute of Fashion Technology entrance exams.....it's the premier fashion school in India & I was ecstatic to be able to get through with a good rank (I hadn't even sat for any other entrance exams) - getting to study Fashion Design in one of the country's leading institutes was a dream come true!!! :))
• Getting my first job on the very first day of campus placements.......I guess the first job always holds a special place in our hearts......isn't it???
• Working as an freelancer on a project with Vogue India - I worked on the Fashion Team of their AW '09 Trend Report Supplement that came out with the Spt '09 issue- another dream come true, another achievement, another amazing experience!
• When my entry was chosen & printed for a short-story writing compettion in a leading daily - for that matter, I loved seeing my writing in print in almost all the editions of the school magazine.
• My four years of studying Fashion Design at NIFT - the most fun-filled, most creative, most crazy & most hard-working four years of my life...!
• Last, but not the least, starting this blog in the August of 2010 - this space has given me new friends, lots of exposure, a heart-warming sense of bonding with so many people all around the world, the enthusiasm to do new things and an outlet for my creative passions.

So..........today, I take this opportunity to thank my parents for showing me this beautiful world, my sister for being a constant companion (inspite of the fights & quarrels), my friends for being there whenever I needed them (and also when I didn't) to laugh, cry, gossip, bitch & work together, some special persons for giving me some very beautiful moments (maybe we couldn't make things work, but thanks for everything anyways), my teachers for imparting the knowledge that helped me in each & every step of my journey till now and of course, all you lovely people who have encouraged me, appreciated my efforts, given me honest opinions, strengthened my passions and made my blog what it is today..........a BIG THANK YOU TO ALL!!! I owe these lovely 25 years of life to all of you! :)

In case you guys are wondering, this is not my b'day outfit........this is just something I wore the other day to office..........& thought I'd share with you all.



After wearing bright colors continually for some time, I thought I'd give it a breather & go for some neautral/nude outfit that day. The white cotton top paired with the beige corduroy trousers made for a simple & visually soothing outfit.

I tucked in the top & threw in the belt to give the silhouette a more formal feel. Also, the leopard print scarf added the right dose of quirk to the otherwise simple outfit. :)

Nothing beats a white cotton top for summer! I think it's a must-have in every girl's wardrobe for the warm season.......it can be a crisp shirt, a flowy blouse or even a smart tunic/shirt-dress........and the best part is that it can be teamed with almost every kind of bottom from denims, linen pants & cropped trousers to skirts, leggings, harems & shorts!!!

My favorite animal print scarf makes a comeback! (See me wearing it earlier here & here)

I also wore my hoops for a smart look - I think hoops are extremely versatile & instantly uplifts any outfit.

Believe it or not, I had bought this pair of nude pumps 6 months back & completely forgotten about them!

I simply love the color of these shoes........& check out the cute li'l bow at the back!!! Also, I think a pair of nude pumps in camel, beige, nude pink or peach is another must-have for any girl.........whenever in doubt, you can just slip on a pair & you'll be ready to rock! :))

White cotton top: Topshop, Colaba Causeway, Mumbai

Beige corduroy trousers: Shoppers Stop, Kolkata

Leopard print scarf: Nik Nish, Kolkata

Brown braided belt: Linking Road, Mumbai

Copper hoops: ???

Brown braided leather belt watch: Fastrack, gifted by friend

Nude pumps: Emami Market, Kolkata



Also, early tomorrow morning I'll be heading out of town on office work...........don't know when I'll be back (most probably sometime around the 9th or 10th)...........hence, you all may not be hearing much from me for the next week or so! Please don't mind if I don't check out your lovely posts or don't publish/reply to your wonderful comments........I promise I'll make up for it all once am back!!!

What all we have to go through for our bread-&-butter! Sigh!

That's all for now guys............looking forward to a exciting day ahead!!!

Lots of love,
Polka Princess