OOTD: Enhance the Hourglass

Top: Primark
Midi Skirt: Apricot at New Look
Structured Handbag: River Island
Gold Bangles: Market in Mumbai
Metallic Block Heels: Carvela 

    

Photo credit: Tola Afolabi 

Fitzjohn Skincare: Balancing Facial Moisturiser Review

Disclaimer: Product sent for review purposes

Whilst I was in Mykonos, soaking up the sun and admiring the muscles on the Greek Gods playing  beach volleyball was indeed my main priority. However, I did have another goal that I set myself and that was to try and experiment with some new skincare products whilst I was there and use that week to find out what really works for my skin and what doesn't. So that's exactly what I did! I started off with the Fitzjohn Balancing Facial Moisturiser...

What drew me in the most about the product initially was the heavy make-up of plant-based ingredients. I'm becoming a bit more mindful about using natural ingredients over chemicals so this was a big bonus for me. With the likes of organic Jojoba and Hemp Seed oils, in addition to antioxidant Pomegranate, Fruit AHAs, Yarrow extract and Vitamin E, this moisturiser is packed with treats that the skin is absolutely hankering for. 

As my skin is slightly oily, I was concerned that the product might be too heavy for me but the owner, Ethel reminded me that I only need to use a tiny amount especially when in a hot climate. I took her advice and to my surprise, my skin absorbed it like a sponge! You really do only need a pea-size amount and it took me a good couple of attempts to get this right as the product spreads about so easily. 

What's more, this also doubled really well as a primer for me. When I would use this I wouldn't need to use any further pre-makeup application products as I found that it layered on the skin perfectly and enabled a really beautiful finish for any foundation that I put on top. 

Retailing at £30.00 it is a bit on the high-end for skincare but I would definitely be able to justify the price as the product will last you a long time. After my first application I could tell that this was a top-notch skincare product made with lots of TLC. 

The lavish gold packaging also compliments the fabulously rich product inside- it'll certainly look stunning on any dressing table! 

I would recommend using this as a night moisturiser so you can let those omega-rich plant oils get to work in your pores and see the results in the morning (perhaps a nice change from staring at the ogre that greets you in your reflection after an incomprehensible night out). 

http://fitzjohnskincare.com

Everything's a Statement: House of Fraser AW16 Press Day

Hey lovelies!

I know I haven't blogged in a bit but forgive me, one needed to get away and take a much-needed break from life and that's exactly what I did... in the beauts island of Mykonos! I'll be posting a couple of lookbooks from there very soon but I wanted to make sure this went up first because I had SUCH a fab time at the House of Fraser press day just before I jetted off.

So here is a snap of me and fellow blogger, Lizzie! True story- I actually couldn't find anything to wear for this event whatsoever. Whatever I tried on just made me look like a hot air balloon so in the end I decided 'hey, I have some Indian picks I haven't rocked yet!' So I went with this elegant kurta top with broacde-esque embroidery and paired it with some simple black treggings. I ended up matching with Lizzie in the end anyway (#twins #bae). 

So the AW16 womenswear collections gave me absolute life... they just screamed 'me'. Glitz, glam, faux fur... what is not to love! The handbags and shoes were to die for. For AW16 the focus really does seem to be on what print your clutch is or whether you have on strappy stilettos or faux fur trainers. Accessories are vital to make your outfits pop and so much of the range at this press day experimented with textures and finishes which was what really made the bags and shoes so much more statement.

The perfect all-rounder faux fur coat- Biba.

It's all about the detail... love the subtle metallics at Biba.

Gorgeous croc-print & splashes of tan at Biba.

Stunning shades of maroon, burgundy & wine. I absolutely adore these Carvela trainers, when I saw them I was just in awe. I'm a sucker for anything that hybridises high-fashion and streetwear. 

Texture is key for AW16 & this structured glossy Therapy bag screams 'texture' with the different panels and embellished shoulder strap.

M&S x New Look: How to Wurk a Utility Dress

Utility dresses are by far one of the most versatile pieces of clothing a woman can have in her wardrobe. With their fit & flare structure they can be worn casually for work or jazzed up for a more refined ensemble.

As a curvier girl I love these styles of dresses for hiding all the lumps and bumps... If you're a little insecure about yourself definitely stock up on a few of these as you can just throw them on, tie them up and leave- not having to tug at the lining or shift your assets around every two minutes (the struggle is real). 

Me personally, I think utility dresses are far from 'boring 40s housewife' as so many new postmodern styles can be seen on the high street. In particular, you'll find a lot of denim ones out with grungy zips and many collections will have removed the concept of the belt altogether and integrated the lace-up neckline trend that we've seen for a good few months now. 

Here's how I rocked my maroon New Look one at the Beauty Unbound Press Launch at Westfield London a couple of weeks back...  (P.S. makeup junkies, definitely go check the pop-up out as it's still running until the end of May!) 

Paired with some M&S perspex midi-heels and a chunky gold River Island watch, just the right amount of modern was added to an otherwise classic look. 

Oh, and lastly just adding in a very impromptu pic underneath a gorgeous tree, taken by the beautiful blogger Lizzie! I'm just glad we made it out of Pinner alive with all the stares we were getting D: 

A Sanctuary of Indulgence: Red Dot Jewels Flagship Store VIP Launch

Premium Asian jewellery line, Red Dot Jewels recently launched its flagship store in the dainty location that is Pinner Village.

As I rocked up to the event I knew I was in the right place after spotting a selection of elite fashion influencers and bloggers strutting through the red carpet into what would become a magical showcase of precious jewels and of course, lots of champagne. 

The store's atmosphere was very tranquil and relaxing... Even with all the glitz and glamour, you'll still feel at ease to explore the pieces in detail. 

What really stood out to me as I walked in were the gorgeous interiors which were in fact designed by award-winning architect, Bart Eyking. Walking through to the back of the store, I was blinded by this absolutely stunning chandelier which really set the tone for the night- opulent and spectacularly refined.

As I started in awe at each display, there were many 'oohs' and 'ahhs' as me and my blogger friend, Lizzie Snapchatted away. You would do the same if you saw all the hand-crafted necklaces and oh-so intricate rings...

To give you an idea of how stunning the pieces actually were, take a look at these two models rocking some Red Dot (P.S. yes they are ravishing themselves, but pay attention to the jewels!)

I found this display stunning and would so wear the golden leaves piece. It's very unique and subtle which I admire, much like a lot of the prêt pieces on offer.

If bolder pieces aren't really your thing, you can also find a lot more traditional looks which would work immaculately well for brides. Take these pieces below for example... the colours are so vibrant and rich, offering that true authentic Indian feel many are yearning for. 

Founder and Creative Director, Shalini Gupta-Patel, said, “The flagship store has been a start to end labour of love and seeing it transform into this end result has been an emotional and truly fulfilling journey. The response from guests this evening has been tremendous and we now look forward to inviting our clients to experience and enjoy this space with us.”

After meeting with the bubbly owner herself, it was clear that Shalini lives and breathes her passion for creating divine jewellery and with her pinpoint vision, an expansive jewellery empire has been born.

For more info, visit http://www.reddotjewels.com/

Follow Red Dot Jewels on Instagram

BollyGoods 2 Exhibition VIP Preview with Gauri Khan

The oh-so opulent Dorchester Ballroom set the scene for this extravagant exhibition celebrating celluloid-inspired fashion, design, art and lifestyle, highlighting the rich creativity beyond the screen magic of the world’s largest film industry- Bollywood. 

The champagne was flowing as journalists & bloggers entered to find a stunning centrepiece filled with divine roses and not to mention the most gorgeous chandelier ever. 

Compared to the couture on display, I felt rather plain in this skater dress but here's a quick step-and-repeat pic anyway...

Superstar Gauri Kahn was the lady of the nigth as she inagurated the exhibition. For those unfamiliar, (where have you been?), she is an Indian film producer; co-founder of film production and distribution company, Red Chillies Entertainments; interior designer; wife of superstar, Shah Rukh Khan; and one of the most stylish women in Bollywood. 

She looked absolutely gorgeous with beautifully highlighted hair & a sleek black jumpsuit with lace details, showing off her svelte figure. 

 Model Aneesa Sharif looked stunning in an Abha Dalmia couture sari...

As I was making the rounds around the room, I couldn't help notice the absolute fleekiness of this gorg lady below... Everything from the multicoloured hair to the sequinned 'bollywood' clutch is so doll-chic. You can check writer/craft expert/presenter, Momtaz Begum-Hossain out at www.momtazbh.co.uk.

Intricacy at it's finest from O'nitaa... Some of the pieces felt so delicate filled with such luscious beadwork that I was scared to touch them! 

Lots of funky bright colours from Aida but this glittery sari really caught my eye... perfect for someone looking to steal the show.

 

Absolutely stunning traditional pieces with contemporary twists from Manish Arora...

Dee Vara Jewels had a gorgeous selection of gemstone jewellery for those of you looking for more unique finds...

Red Dot Jewels had a beautiful selection of high and low-end pieces with their versatile selection capturing the eyes of many others at the event (P.S. look out for my upcoming post as I cover their flagship store launch!)

Join the conversation:

  /BollyGoods  @BollyGoods1   @bollygoodsofficial

#BollyGoodsLDN

A Shopping Addict's Guide to Decluttering: 5 Tips You'll Thank Me For

If you've seen my Snapchat recently at all (@ManitaRughwani) you'll know that I've been decluttering quite a lot.

Ok fuck it, my whole life has become about decluttering now.

Since my mum passed away, I've been left with a LOT of shit to deal with. 3/4 of it is material shit. Stuff. Belongings. Possessions. Call it what you want, it's material matter.

I'm going through a bit of a self-discovery phase at the moment- questioning my relationship with fashion, spirituality & all the rest of it. As much as I love and adore the fashion industry and being a part of it, I've also been negatively impacted by it through the pressures and desires to shop, shop, shop.

Thankfully I'm (almost) over it all now thanks to my therapist but having to deal with another person's possessions really has made me see that we place way too much value on 'stuff'. Stuff that can't be taken to the grave. Trust me, God won't allow you through the heavenly gates if you try & flaunt your new Proenza Schouler bag in his face.

Having said that, fashion is amazing. It's part of why I love my life. As an inward person it allows me to express myself & it empowers me to a point where I start to forget about my body hang-ups and insecurities.

So what happens when you just sit there & realise just how much stuff you've accumulated? When you start to feel sick at just how much stuff is lying around brand new, never worn, with tags on (addicts will relate to this). Once you have the realisation that fashion clutter = energy clutter you'll start to take action ASAP. With a basic understanding of Feng Shui I can tell you that everything around you right now is having an impact on your everyday mood. If something is 'off' in your environment, you will feel off too. When entryways are blocked full of your midi-heel ankle boots, believe it or not your energy is blocked too!

Fear not though! I'm here to give you the rundown of how I've managed to start decluttering my flat & what's helped me through the incredible but bloody tiring process...

1) eBay = Your New Bestie 

You'll want to start separating things that you have a feeling may sell & stuff you know is better off going to a local charity. The best things to put on eBay are anything with tags on or in its original packaging. However, you'd be surprised at just how much will sell. I've sold things I've worn 3-4 times & regained the retail value of. 

I know there are loads of new ways to sell out there now & just about everyone and their mother is on Depop but for me, I've found more success on eBay purely because of the sheer amount of buyers & its access to different age groups. 

From my experience, it depends on how much time you have & want to commit to the process. For me, this is like a job now. I commit to it for a chunk of time every day because I need to get through a big accumulation. If you've got some time to spare now and then, take some clear photos on your phone & when you're on the bus twiddling your thumbs upload them on the app & write a brief description. 

My main tip would be to be clear and honest with everything you sell & never deceive a buyer. I'm lucky to have a 100% positive feedback score because I message everyone back & provide a straight-forward overview of each item to avoid confusion or returns. (Oh, another thing... if you want to save yourself the hassle make sure you use the 'no returns' option). Over time, you'll also begin to learn what will sell best through an auction or 'buy it now' format but even if you're clueless, eBay gives you a recommendation when you first list based on items that have sold that are like yours. 

2) Emotions = Your Ex

As you go through this process of clearing the energy around you, you're bound to find things that you just aren't sure if you can depart with. You'll start to put things in the 'unsure' pile and you'll never bring yourself to get rid of them in case someone throws a 'dress like a twat' party. 

Unfortunately you're just going to have to disconnect with those ridiculous emotions & let go of the basic ass Michael Kors bag (my struggle rn). 

Emotions are not your friend in this process. Unless something is overly, overly sentimental to you, you can afford to get rid of it. 

3) You ARE the New Serena van der Woodsen!

Serena van der Woodsen is by far the best TV style icon for you. 

Why? Because whatever she wears, she looks amazing.

You may be thinking... well what if I don't have her incredible legs or luscious bouncy hair? 

Well it really doesn't matter. I think Blake Lively embodies so much damn confidence just in being comfortable with herself and it radiates SO much which is why even in skinny jeans and a baggy tee, she looks fabulous. In the interviews I've seen with her, she's super humble & down-to-Earth and I think there's a big misconception that being a fashionista has to come with the stuck-up, bitchy attitude and that is certainly not the case. In fact, I think people need to stop this facade because it really takes away from something that can be so, so, so unifying. 

Anyway... point being is that the more you clear out, the more you'll start to realise that YOU are what is exuding fabulousness, not the clothes you wear. Oh, and you'll also start to create wardrobe staples which will make up for the stuff you've gotten rid of (think versatile blazer, those oh-so skinny jeans which work with everything, a day-night skater skirt, utility playsuit & a shift dress which is so comfortable you never want to take it off). 

4) The Universe Gotcha Boo

I'll just let you read this & absorb it in whichever way you need to...

5) Reinvest That £££

Recently I've realised just how much I love to change up my location & explore new places. I really want to travel more in my life and invest in experiences rather than possessions. 

At the end of this life within the Kali Yuga (age of downfall), I really do want to feel some satisfaction that I've at least explored some of the gifts Mother Earth has given us. You can too! (It might take selling that Givenchy bag tho...)

Having gone through a couple of near-death experiences, that whole 'life flashing before your eyes' thing is seriously true. In the quickest second or two you'll ever experience, you suddenly remember the MOST prolific events that have happened to you or the things that have shaped your entire existence.

So what do you want to remember in the end? What you've done or what you've owned?