Simple is Fashionable

As a kid, I loved playing dress up and I loved dressing up as an Indian Bride. Indian Brides typically wear tradition red/white/green clothing with bracelets (Bangles), earrings, anklets, nose ring, necklace, rings, toe rings with nail polish on the nail, henna tattoos, and bindis (dot sticker on the forehead). Indeed, my love for fashion started very young. My cultural background is of North Indian Heritage and in case you didn't know, North Indian women are expected to stay dressed up in saris, traditional jewelry and clothing at all times. It is not at all a religious thing but rather a cultural aspect. I am glad I was born into that heritage because I love dressing up. Why am I brining dress up? Well, as I child when playing dress up, I would often put on either black or white clothing (plain) but would wear colorful bracelets, apply my mom's shades of lipstick all over my face, and would paint each nail in different color because I loved colors. Rainbow was my favorite color. Well, not much has changed! 

Wearing black is great or any dark color is great but be sure to add a touch of color to your outfit. It will for sure enhance you! 

This is Lake Kakarya in Ahemdabad in the State of Gujarat in India. My childhood best friend Himja and I went to this lake during my visit to India. We had a blast. I really wanted to sit in this bubble ball but there were only young kids in the line so I didn't go. In retrospective, I should have gone! Who cares if I am no longer 5 years young! :)

Nothing looks more adorable and innocent than a straight hair bobby pinned to the side. This is a great hair style for lakes/windy ares because it keeps the hair back as it is usually windy around around bodies. It would be really easy to put your hair up but if you really wanted to keep it down while enjoying the cool lake breeze, you need to buy some bobby pins! 

Straight hair with a slim long sleeve sweater and confident stride= Amazing! 

One thing I love about India is its' simplicity. Everytime I go there, I land with a lot of make-up on my face (U.S. standards) and by the time I come back to California, I hardly have any make up on my face. Make-up is neither good nor bad, its merely a cultural thing and your perspective. I love make-up but when I am in India, slowly, I begin to feel no need for it because no one wears it there. Simple outfit like the one in picture is simply elegant.  A black sweater wrap with a brick red tank top with a navy blue jeans is sometimes all you need to be fashionable. 

My friend Kelsey rocking a black Bebe blazer, a scarf I bought from a Tibetan Market in Vadodara, India, a black and silver ring from Nava Bazaar in Vadodara, India, a black bracelet from Forever 21 in Irvine, California.  A plain black BeBe blazer looks great with accessories and these fairly reasonably priced accessories add so much character to the black blazer but also to your personality. 

Yet again, another little black sweater enhanced by a bright cream tank top and red nail paint. :)

Notice the checkered scarf has a little brown shades as well. The brown nail paint helps to bring out the brown color in the scarf. 

Wear what makes you the happiest to your deepest core. Be original. 

Pink scarf with silver-brown bead earrings at the Mysore Palace in South India. 

St. Phillamena Church in Mysore, South India. All dark colored outfit with a bright pink scarf! 

Scarves, rings, toe rings, and long dangly earrings are my must have accessories. What about you? What can't you leave your house without?

xx, Sonia 

Its Face Time!

Every week should be a face mask, home made facial time week. Why wait for the professional spa day or for crazy salon appointments when you can make your own facial masks at home? Most likely you have the ingredients lurking in your home, waiting to get your face's attention. Give these ingredients the attention they deserve. Use them wisely, God created these ingredients for a reason. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on chemical induced facials, try to use natural ingredients in your own home.

Mediterranean Facial

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1.5 Tbsp Sea Salt

1 Tsp Lemon Juice

Mix all the ingredients well, apply it on a clean, dirt-free, make-up free face. When applying it first, use your finger tips to gently scrub the face. The salt will help exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells while the olive oil will hydrate your face as well as aide in removing impurities of the face. Lemon is acidic and for this reason it will promote even skin tone.

All American Facial 

3 Tbsp  Ground Oats (also known as oatmeal)

1 Tbsp Honey 

1 Tsp Whole Milk

Mix all the ingredients well and apply it on a clean face. This is a hydrating mask. Whole milk helps eliminate dark spots over time while oats and honey are purely hydrating. Honey causes the face to glow. 

Ayurvedic Facial 

This is a seven step facial process but worth it. I suggest you watch the video of this facial process. 

Step  1: Apply almond oil if you have either normal or dry skin and sunflower oil if you have oily skin. 

Massage with your finger tips until you feel that the oil has been absorbed in your skin. 

Step 2: Steam your face either with a steamer or soak a face towel in hot water, wring it out, and then lay it on your face. Repeat once the towel cools down. 

Step 3: Apply Ubtan (pronounced- oobton). To make your own Ubtan you will need  2 Tbsp of gram flour or chick-pea flour, 1 tsp of Turmeric, 2 tsp of whole milk, 1/4 tsp of almond/sunflower oil.  Rinse after 25 minutes of application. 

Step 4: Wash your face with lukewarm water. Do not wash with cold water. Your pores must remain open or begin to open at this point. 

Citrus Fruits are Highly Beneficial to Health and Beauty!
Don't Take Them For Granted! :)

Step 5: Give your self an herbal steam. Use herbs of your choice. Rosemary, mint, basil, oregano, etc... Typically, mint and basil are recommended. Add these in boiling water with 1 tsp of lavender oil. Let the water sit for awhile until warm. Then soak the towel in the warm/hot water, wring it out, lay it on your face. Repeat for 3-4 times.  (You might want boil the water infused with herbs and lavender oil before or while your face is drying for 25 minutes--during step 3) BE CAREFUL: BOILED WATER COULD BE VERY HOT, SO USE YOUR DISCRETION. Fashion Percepshion is not responsible for any injuries. 

Step 6: Add 1 Tbsp of honey, 1 Tbsp of Sugar, and 1 Tbsp on freshly squeezed orange juice. Mix well and apply. Let it sit on your face for 18 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. 

Step 7: Take an ice cube and rub it all over the face gently. This will wonderfully tone your face and leave your refreshed.

Which facial did you like the most? Do you have your home style facial favorites? What are they? 

With love and Style, 

sonia