And, here I am, back with another blog on fashion after a significantly long break!!
To answer all those who have been asking me whether I quit blogging, NO, I didn’t, as I love doing it for myself and for you guys!! 😀
Isn’t it sad enough to spend like insane amount on purchasing one lehenga and not being able to use it, multiple times!!?
Well, let’s talk about it this time.
It’s going to be about how one can use a single lehenga for different occasions or make it look different everytime you wear it!!
Few Useful Tips Before We Start:
Get two plain lehengas stitched – one in black and one in beige/off-white. Also, get one plain simple blouse stitched in both these colors. These two sets, would help you make in-numerous looks suitable for every possible occasion. You can call them “Ethnic Basics”
Also, pick a fabric that is either extremely soft like fine net, or go for, plain uppada silk, georgette fabric as we want to keep the lehengas flowy
Dupattas with heavy work or overall design would go extremely well with either of these lehengas.
You just need to match colors and you would be good to go!!
Almost 90% of your dupattas could be matched with black/beige, which is a saviour as it helps us to create a different look, every time, we just change the dupatta.
Let’s just get into how we could style one such black lehenga in multiple ways :
1. Use A Dupatta As A Shrug
All you need is a couple of safety pins, to attach each end of dupatta to the centre along the edge, with one safety pin each. We are done with a shrug now!!
You could flaunt this, at casual get-togethers or garba nights!!
Pair with some indian jewellery and you would be good to go 🙂
2. Dig that Boring Buttoned-Down Dress Out Of Your Closet
What could be a better way to make a lehenga look casual!!
Wear that pretty bright buttoned down dress as a coverup over your lehenga and you are good to go 😀
3. Give the lehenga a monochromatic look
Who said that a complete lehenga outfit can’t be monochromatic!!
You can wear a lehenga with a blouse and dupatta of same color, but ensure one of them is highlighted with self-colored embroidery or some heavy glitter. This would make a great piece for a cocktail dinner or any sangeeth function.
4. Pick that beautiful heavy dupatta
Pair a plain lehenga with a bright-colored embroidered or printed dupatta.
Add a heavy neckpiece or earrings to accentuate the look (Always, remember that heavy necklace and heavy earrings, at a time, is big NO)
This would go very well for family functions at home 🙂
5. Top it up with a structured coat and a scarf
This might be for someone who likes to step out a little bit from the main stream lehenga look. All you need to do is add a structured coat of similar color palette over your plain lehenga set!!
It would look amazing if you could play around with different shades of the same color range as your lehenga . As I currently have only a single shade of black, I chose to add a pop of color with a bandana around my neck!!
Hope you like these looks 🙂
Feel free to ping me on my Instagram or email me for any more travel/styling tips or details 😀
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There is a lot of research that goes into planning a trip by yourself. Starting from transportation from airport, internal travel, shortlisting the places to visit, making an itinerary, currency exchange, accommodation and the list goes on…
Let me try to make it a little simple for those planning to visit Bali.
Hondara Golf Club
Accommodation:
Bali has in-numerous affordable options to stay, which are luxurious enough for the amount that you pay. I personally prefer airbnb’s over hotels and those that are really close to the main centre. It’s important that you stay close to the centre as there is no internal transport within the city unless you rent a bike/car.
I got many questions about my stay in Ubud, which was a beautiful double storey house with all facilities and a wonderful host. I would highly recommend this place if you don’t want to travel much or if you don’t have a bike/car.
We stayed at Gili Twarangan for 2 nights and then headed to Ubud to stay for 5 nights.
Since Bali offers good hotels at a cheaper price compared to India, I wanted to pamper myself (for my 25th birthday 😛 ) by booking a luxurious resort on the beach side in Gili Twarangan. It is perfect for a lazy and relaxed holiday with all luxurious comforts and amazing service.
However, there are much cheaper options available in Gili T, which are really good. (Based on your preference)
Bali doesn’t have any public transport system. You can either rent a bike (which costs you around IDR 50,000- 60,000 per day). There are shops on every street in the main centre to rent a bike) – Ensure you have license!!
Second option would be to take a cab for a day. There would be many cab drivers asking for a ride, right on the streets. However, not everyone charges reasonably. Usually, the price would be around IDR 250,000 – 300,000 for a ride from airport to Ubud. You can find a lot of cab drivers right outside the airport.
But, if you are planning to visit places which are like 1-2 hrs away from your accommodation, they would charge around IDR 500,000 – 700,000 for 10 hrs. We have hired a driver who used to charge IDR 500,000 per day for 10 hrs. He was very helpful in guiding us with local timings, arranging for tickets to the islands. You can DM me on Instagram for his details.
In case of Gili islands, cycles and horse carriages are the only available commute options. Once you get down at Gili Twarangan, there are many cycles parked for rent on the main road, get one from them (they usually have better cycles and are comparatively less priced than hotel cycles). Rent for 1 day is around IDR 50,000. It’s better to rent a cycle.
Minimum price for 1 km ride on horse carriage would be around IDR 100,000 in Gili T.
Wanagiri Hills
Currency Exchange and Sim Cards
There is at-least one currency exchange store at the corner of every street in the main centres. Indian rupee can’t be converted to Indonesian rupee and we usually don’t get IDR in India. It’s always suggested to carry US dollars/ Australian dollars/ Malysian Ringgit to convert into IDR at a local store (Do take a receipt). Conversion rates are usually the same across all the stores unless you are selecting a store which is in a remote location.
Most of the transactions in Bali, be it, shopping or food, happen in cash. So, carry enough cash!! Also, don’t convert too much cash at a time, as it would be waste if you end up not using it by the end of the trip. Since, there are a lot of shops to do currency exchange, do it multiple times, once you get a hang of how much money you would be spending per day.
Telkomsel network has better connectivity in Bali, even on Islands. Simcard is priced at around IDR 200,000 – 250,000 for 7 GB data (valid for a month) along with local calls and SMS.
Shopping
As mentioned in my last blog, Ubud Local Market and Tegalalang Street are good options to shop.
Bali, has insane collection of home decor items at comparatively lower prices than India. I wouldn’t say it is too cheap but it is cheaper than India.
I found Ubud Local Market to be expensive with less creative designs than Tegalalang Street (Not many people know about Tegalalang Street)
In case of Ubud local Market, you need to bargain a lot (ask for 1/4 th the price that they demand).
Check out these:
Straw bags which range between IDR 100,000 – IDR 250,000 depending on the designs
Other straw utility items for kitchen
Paintings on Canvas papers
Wall Hangings
Door Hangings
Quotation Boards
Home Decor (Ubud Local Market)
Food
This is something that I found a little expensive!!
A normal meal for three of us costed around IDR 300,000 if we visited a good restaurant, which I found to be more expensive than Indian restaurants.
Try their traditional dishes like Nasi Goreng, yoghurt smoothies
9 Day Itinerary
We planned it in such a way that we don’t strain ourselves too much and visit the places without any hurry. Day 1 – Land in Bali Airport and head to Padang Bai to catch a boat to Gili (Plan your flight in such a way that you reach Bali by 10-11 am as Gili boats function only till 3 pm)
If you have a flight which lands in Bali around evening, then you can stay in Kuta(close to airport) for that night and head to Gili next morning. We stayed in Ubud for one night, but it was too far from airport and it would just be tiring to travel all again to Padang Bai next day.
Day 2 & Day 3 – Stay in Gili Twarangan, experience the beautiful sunset, go for scuba diving, explore the night markets, go on day trips to Gili Meno/Gili Air and enjoy the party vibe
Day 4 – Head to Ubud, relax and explore the local market and visit Saraswati Temple
Day 5 – Visit Danu Bratan (for sunrise – leave at 4 am from Ubud)), Hondara Golf Club, coffee tasting at a plantation, Wanagiri Hills and return to hotel by 3 pm. Watch Balinese dance in Ubud Palace (in the evening)
Coffee Tasting
Day 6 – Head to Nusa Penida for a Day trip and visit Kelingkling beach, Broken Bridge, Angel’s BillaBong, and Crystal Bay Beach. Head back to Ubud in the evening
Nusa Penida
Day 7 – Go to Tegenungan waterfall, Mount Batur view point, visit orange fields on way, head to Tegalalang rice terraces and explore Tegalalang street for local handicraft goods
Day 8 – Visit Lempuyang Temple (for sunrise- leave at 4 am from Ubud), Jemaluk View Point
Day 9 – Start early to visit Uluwatu temple and head to Airport later.
Swing at Wanagiri Hills
Feel free to ping me on my Instagram or email me for any more travel tips or doubts 😀
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The land of volcanos, forests, beaches, and adventures has finally made it on my compass. Be it, the spell-bounding pictures that one gets to witness about this place on social media, or the extent to which people praise about Bali, those made me inquisitive enough to mark it next on my journey.
Well, to start with, there are certain incredible places in Bali which make you wonder about how much beauty nature encapsulates within itself and then, there are few more renowned places which are definitely not worth the hype. This blog has my suggestions about the places to visit and places you can skip based on my experience in Bali.
To start with, we didn’t try to squeeze in too many places in a week as we were looking for a relaxed holiday. We have stayed for 2 days in Gili Twarangan while the rest 5 days in Ubud.
Ubud is in Central Bali and is bound to offer you an authentic Bali atmosphere with the architecture involving their mythological characters, which take you back in time. It is a good place to stay, if you are not into the partying mode of Kuta/Semniyak. We made day trips to Eastern Bali, Nusa Penida island, and Northern Bali.
Gili Island, on the other hand, is a group of 3 islands located at around an hour distance from Bali. They are known for their white sand beaches, diving, partying and beautiful sunsets. Gili Twarangan, which is the most popular and largest among the 3 islands is known for its party vibe and of course, the sunset points. We stayed there for 2 days, just cycling around all the time (No motor vehicles in the island, grab your cycles or take a walk around or may be take a horse carriage), watching beautiful sunsets, and enjoying Balinese spa. If you are looking for calmer islands, try Gili Meno and Gili Air.
Let me dive into the list now.
1. Visit Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida
If there is one place in Bali that makes me to think visit Bali again, it would be Nusa Penida island. Unlike the crowded and commercialised islands of Gili, these islands are much more calmer with stunning landscapes.
You can reach Nusa Penida by taking a boat ride from Sanur beach harbour. There are many stalls, right on Sanur Beach which sell tickets (should not cost you one more than IDR 500,000 for two-way journey per person). We have done a 1-day trip to Nusa Penida but if you have enough time, I would recommend to skip Gili and stay in Nusa.
Kelingking Beach
Kelingking is one of the most beautiful marvel of nature with its water showcasing shades of blue and the cliffs standing out, in the huge expanse of the ocean. Even though, it is touristy, it is worth visiting. Wear comfortable shoes as it involves hiking. Ensure you have at-least 2 hrs to visit this place so that you can go to the beach.
Nusa Penida has a very rough terrain with steep hilly and broken roads. It’s highly advisable to take a four-wheeler within Nusa Penida to ride around. The island is huge enough to not be able to cover by walking. Each place is atleast 1/2 hours from the main centre.
2. Dive/Snorkel in Crystal Bay Beach, Nusa Penida
This beach is known for snorkelling and diving. Nusa Penida, particularly has amazing diving spots. In case you are planning a day trip, ensure you carry an extra pair of clothes to snorkel or dive.
Crystal Bay Beach
Tall coconut trees, wild sea and the changing shades of sea is enough to soothe you, even though you are not into diving or snorkelling.
3. Hike to the Broken Bridge, Nusa Penida
It is a natural bridge formed by rocks with turquoise shades of water flowing underneath. One of the spectacular spots to not miss and it is usually slightly crowded with tourists. Plan it early in the day so that it is less crowded. It is a very short hike of not more than 30 min.
Broken Bridge
4. Head to Jemeluk View Point in Eastern Bali
This view point is going to sweep you off your feet with the view of the majestic Mount Agung and the Jemeluk Beach stretching right below, and the tall green coconut trees surrounding the beach, and last but not the least, watching all these while the dusk sets in. It gives a much better view of Agung compared to the view from Lempuyang temple.
Jemeluk View Point
It is going to be a long ride of approximately 3 hrs from Ubud. However, it’s definitely worth it. I happen to visit this in early morning but if you have time to visit it during sunset, it would be the most calm and romantic place.
5. Watch Sunrise at Ulu Danu Bratan in Northern Bali
Ulu Danu Bratan is a temple in Bali, that is right on the shore of the huge lake Bratan which is surrounded by huge mountains of Bedugul in the background.
Hold on, before you judge that this is a temple, Indonesians have scouted the best locations in entire Bali to build temples which overlook that scenery. So, even if you are an atheist, I would recommend you to visit this place. The drive to this place is incredible with beautiful panoramas of lush green trees and mountains.
Ulu Danu Bratan
This place is at its best if you reach there by 6 (2 hrs journey from Ubud). The mountains would be partially covered by clouds, with the rays of rising sun touching the waters of Lake Bratan.
6. Visit Uluwatu Temple in Southern Bali
It is located on top of the highest cliff which is standing tall on the shores of Uluwatu beach. The view is spell-bounding and it is usually less crowded if you reach before 9 am in the morning. However, this spot is known for its sunset. So, if you can plan a visit during sunset, it would be great 🙂
Uluwatu Temple (right at the top of the cliff)
Beware of monkeys in this temple.
7. Watch the Sun Set on the beaches of Gili Twarangan
Gili T is usually noisy and crowded on the main streets of the island. However, the sunset beaches of Gili are much more calmer with slow music and a chilled-out vibe.
Sunset on Gili T.
You can even walk to the night markets of Gili, which start from 9 pm. They sell some unique handmade products.
8. Visit the renowned “Gateway to Heaven” in Lempuyang
The famous “Gateway to Heaven” is in Lempuyang temple which overlooks the Mt.Agung (biggest active volcanic mountain in Bali). Try to reach there by 6 am in the morning to catch the spectacular view with clouds partially covering Mt.Agung and the sun rising above the horizon.
Lempuyang Temple
It is a 2 hr drive from Ubud (Start by 4 am in the morning from Ubud to catch sunrise). The ride to the temple is spectacular in the early morning. Also, the 4 wheelers are not allowed beyond a certain point near the temple due to extremely steep roads. There would be bike taxis that you can take if you don’t prefer to walk (They charged around IDR 100,000 for one-way but you can bargain for lesser price)
9. Dive in the waters of Gili
More than the underwater world which is not as good as Andaman, the diving experience with Dive Central Gili is amazing. They take you through the basics and teach you useful techniques in diving. Ask for Rose if you are in there, she is amazing at teaching the art of diving for beginners
Diving at Bounty Wreck, Gili Spotted a turtle during our dive (Turtles are famous in Gili Waters)
10. Trek to Mount Batur
This is a famous trek to Mt.Batur (one of the volcanic mountains) which many recommend. It is usually a night trek where you reach the peak during sunrise. Bali Bliss Tours organises this trek for around IDR 48,000 per person (which includes Rice terraces trekking as well after the Batur trek)
If you couldn’t make it to trek, then you can head to this restaurant called “Batur Sari Resto” which gives a closer panoramic view of Mt.Batur. It is definitely worth the visit.
That’s Mt.Batur in the background
The ride to Mt.Batur is around 1.5 hrs from Ubud. Again, the journey is incredible with greenery all around.
11. Visit Sarawasti Temple in Ubud
This temple takes you back in time with its architecture and the lotus ponds. It is right in the centre of Ubud and usually gets crowded after 8 am. Try to reach there before 8 am to get a good view of the temple and to sit and relax around.
Saraswati Temple, Ubud
12. Explore the Tegalalang Street and Local Markets of Ubud
If you are into interior decor and handmade straw bags, Ubud has it all. Even though many people recommend local markets of Ubud, I found Tegalalang street sporting more variety in terms of shopping and it is reasonably priced compared to Ubud local markets. We came to know about the Tegalalang street after shopping in Ubud local markets, so we couldn’t shop much there. But, if you are thinking of shopping, head to Tegalalang Street.
Handmade Straw Bags
But, be sure to bargain for 1/4th the price that they demand in Ubud Local Markets and around half the price that they demand in Tegalalang Street.
13. Visit the swings on Wanagiri Hills
You must have seen the Bali swing pictures with amazing background, and many other major iconic picturesque nests. On the way back from Danu Bratan, there would be many swings on Wanagiri Hills, you can just stop by one of those and click the pictures.
Overlooking the Wanagiri Hills
The actual Bali Swing which is just a swing on the edge of little valley and few other spots to click pictures, is way too overhyped and way too expensive (charging around IDR 1,100,000). It would be a sheer waste of money unless you want to spend so much for pictures which you can anyways get on Wanagiri Hills.
Bali Swing
14. Get a Balinese Spa and Taste the Indonesian cuisine
Balinese spas are renowned and relaxing. Kaveri Spa in Ubud is one good spa recommendation. Not all the spas are good, look up for the reviews before you go ahead.
Indonesians have a lot of healthy options for food. The smoothies, acai bowls are famous for breakfasts and Nasi Goreng, famous Indonesian dish is something that you can try.
Acai Bowl from “Acai Queen”
If you are into beer, you can try their local beer “Bintang” which is one of the best beers in terms of taste.
If you are not into having noodles/ fried rice everyday, I suggest you carry some ready-to-eat food or they have good vegetables and wide range of options for fruits.
15. Visit Tegenungan waterfall
This is a renowned waterfall with good view and I would recommend you to visit this place before 8 am as it gets crowded after that.
Inspite of it being famous, I didn’t find it so beautiful as it is currently in a very bad state with litter all around. There are other good waterfalls which you could visit – Padang Bulia, Timbumana waterfalls which are much cleaner.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tips:
If you are wondering why I haven’t recommended rice terraces, I didn’t find them interesting or beautiful in any way. It is just a different way of growing rice. Being an Indian, paddy fields are a common sight which could be one of the reasons that it didn’t intrigue me
The interesting part about temples in Bali is that tourists are allowed to see the temple, only from outside. They are not allowed to enter inside to watch the idols. In case of any temple ceremonies, temples are completely closed for tourists. So, in case you are planning to visit the temples, check the temple ceremonies schedule
Temples in Bali permit fully covered clothes for both men and women. Ensure you avoid short clothes while visiting temples or else, they do offer Sarong ( a piece of cloth to tie around the waist) which you can rent for minimum price
Few more tips about Bali travel, and shopping tips would come up in my next blog. Until then, stay connected on my Instagram for more updates 🙂
Feel free to ping me on my Instagram or email me for any more travel tips or doubts 😀
Follow me here for more updates on travel and fashion styling
White skorts, white top, blue top, black maxi : Zara | Saree : R city| Footwear : Lefties| Straw Bag : Bali thrift store| Backpack : Shein|Accessories(Jewellery) : Thrift stores | Blue maxi : Global Desi| Floral Skirt : HnM
This would be an enough hint to guess about my next destination after Belgium. It’s Paris!!
Well, I heard a lot of mixed reviews about Paris before heading there, some were of the opinion that it is too overhyped while some said that the city is truly a ‘city of love’ !!
I also met a few people who stayed at Paris for few months and they absolutely loved the city and they usually say that, the vibe couldn’t be matched with any other city in Europe!!
With the kind of expectations that I had about Paris, this city didn’t disappoint me with the kind of art it embodies but the Parisians really turned out to be averse to welcoming or helping tourists. This is something which I have not noticed in any other European city so far, except Paris. It is a tad bit disappointing in that aspect.
The last and final destination of this trip after Paris was Barcelona and this turned out to be my second visit to Barca!! So, I am not going to get into detailed travel tips about it. You can check out my old post about Barcelona!! (Well, I visited Barca again because we had a company off-site in Barca for 4 days !! )
Let’s dive in to the trip details now 😀
Paris
Duration of Visit : 2 nights and 2 days
Temperature : 8-10 C (Visited in Mid-October. Warm clothes are recommended as the place is windy)
Accommodation : We stayed at a cute little studio apartment (airbnb) in Paris. It was a good stay and the place is not more than 3-5km from all the major touristy spots.
The way we explored Paris was more touristy than the actual local experience. We eventually found that 2 days is not enough to explore this place. I am definitely going again to explore it properly. If you are planning to visit Paris, plan for at-least 4 days so that you can leisurely explore the place.
Eiffel Tower
Main Places to Visit:
Eiffel Tower – Of course, one can’t miss this beauty. Though, initially I expected that Eiffel tower would be uninteresting, I absolutely loved it when I saw it!! The magnanimous structure standing out in the city is a true visual retreat. Entrance fee is almost half for anyone below 25 yrs. Don’t forget to mention it at counter, if it applies for you.
Arc de Triomphe – The view of Paris from the top of Arc de Triomphe is magnificent!! I personally loved the view from here rather than the view from the top of Eiffel tower!! It is free entry for anyone below 26 yrs.
Louvre Museum – This is one of the the top most recommended places of Paris but we ended up visiting on Tuesday which is an official holiday for Louvre. So, plan your schedule accordingly. We missed it this time!!
Notre-Dame De Paris – It is a beautiful architectural masterpiece which is bound to mesmerise you!! It is all about the glass painted interiors , stunning exteriors, and the French gothic architecture.
Montmartre or Sacré-Cœur – One of my friends recommended this place for the stunning view of the city. We visited this place in the night and it did have a good view of the city. I would recommend to visit this place in daylight as the surrounding areas are usually unsafe in terms of robbery.
View from Arc De TriompheEiffel Tower In The NightNotre-Dame De ParisLouvre Musuem
Things To Do :
Visit Eiffel tower in the daylight and also, once the sun sets!! Especially, don’t miss the flickering lights show of Eiffel Tower which happens every hour after the sun sets till 11 pm.
Walk along Champs-Élysées where you get to see all the high street brands. One should experience that atmosphere if you are into fashion. Also, Paris has a lot to offer in terms of street fashion!! So much to learn- I wish I could stay in the city just to learn about Fashion
Don’t forget to taste those yummy french crepes
Not to forget, the famous macarons and the french wine
(I personally didn’t like macarons though!! )
Travel Tips for Paris :
If you are below 25 years, you would be getting discount in entry fee at almost all historical locations
Paris is comparatively expensive than most other cities in Europe. So, plan accordingly
Shopoholics, ensure that you have at-least a day to explore the shopping streets. Do note that they close by 7-8 pm
Don’t stay far off the city as travelling is a bit expensive. We have tried “Chauffeur Prive” app in Paris which offered 5 euros discount on each of first six rides. You can try that!!
Bridges and Canals of Paris
Barcelona
I am including only the new places that I visited and found interesting this time. Do check out my previous post for more detailed Barcelona travel tips.
Duration of Visit : 2 nights and 2 days
Temperature : 20-25 C (Visited towards the end of October. Might require a jacket during the night)
Accommodation : Le Meridian, La Rambla.
It is located right in La Ramblas, the famous street of Barcelona. All major locations are not more than 1 or 2 km from the hotel. However, this 5 start hotel didn’t provide service that matches up to the 5 star standards.
Newly Explored Places:
La Boqueria – It is the biggest market in Barcelona which has shops selling all different kinds of fruits, vegetables, sea food, chocolates and what not!! If you are a foodie or a grocery-shopping enthusiast like me, you should not miss this place. You will discover many new food items.
Streets of Gothic Quarters – The ancient vibe of gothic quarters in its narrow lanes and the small little squares is something one can’t miss. And, if you are looking for some vintage shopping, this is where you need to go. Carrer del Duc,Carrer de Retrizol, and Carrer de Bisbe are some streets which I loved.
Camp Nou – We watched a FCB Vs Inter Milan match at this Stadium. The vibe and energy in the stadium is commendable. A Life time experience!!
Even though, you are not a football enthusiast, I would recommend you to watch a match if possible or visit the stadium.
Montserrat Monastery in Barcelona – It is famous for a monastery located on the top of one of the hills of Montserrat mountain range. However, I found the journey and the view from the top much more beautiful. It is a 40 min train from Barcelona city. You could do a day trip. The mountain range looks incredible when you are going to the monastery.
Torres Vineyard – We went on a vineyard tour which was interesting to a certain extent in terms of understanding about the wine making process and also, the wine tasting session. Ping me on Instagram if you want to know more details about it.
Different type of Mushrooms at La BoqueriaAt Camp NouMontserratTorres VineyardLa Boqueria
Shopping Tips in Barcelona :
Zara and Mango are cheaper than India as these companies have main manufacturing units in Spain and Portugal. Visit Zara store in Plaça de Catalunya for good collection.
Sephora near La Ramblas is a very huge store and has massive discounts on few items which are way too expensive in India. So, girls, visit it if you like makeup and skincare
Visit Hema or Flying Tiger for cute knick knacks and some good gifts at affordable price
You can visit Pulls and Bear for good t-shirts. They have good collection. I found urban outfitters way too expensive.
Do visit Bershka, their shoe collection is usually good and the casual clothes too.
HnM is much cheaper in India than Europe. So, don’t waste money over there unless you like something very much
The streets in Gothic quarters have some amazing vintage stores which sell unique stuff but they are way too expensive
You can get good post cards, souvenir boards and magnets on La Ramblas.
Also, pickpocketing is very common in Barcelona. Be extremely careful.
Plaza De Colon, BarcelonaZara OutletCommon Sight of Dressed Up Artists at La Ramblas
That’s it for this trip!!
Hope you enjoy my content and hope it would be useful if you happen to visit these places!!
Feel free to ping me on my Instagram or email me for any more travel tips or doubts 😀
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While most of my trips are usually restricted to exploring places rather than food, this Belgium trip was more about food than places. Who would not want to taste those extremely soft waffles topped with some heavenly whipped cream and strawberries, or who wouldn’t want to relish the widely renowned Belgian chocolates and fries, and not to forget the wide variety of Belgian beers that are available!!
By the way, this is in continuation to my previous blog on Amsterdam which was my first destination in the backpacking trip. From Netherlands, we headed to Bruges followed by Brussels in Belgium.
Let me just jump into the details now 🙂
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges
Also known as ‘Venice of North’, this little town on the countryside of Belgium is widely known for its medieval homes, cobble-stoned streets with horse carriages roaming around and small canals lined with colorful dutch houses and filled with in-numerous white swans. The moment you see those streets and houses, I can guarantee you that it will just take you back in time. It feels like a fairy tale!!
( A must-visit place if you are planning to visit any nearby major cities. If you are visiting Brussels, then it’s just a 2 hr travel to reach this place and most of the tourists visit this place for a day tour)
Duration of Visit : 2 nights and 2 days
Temperature : 10-15 C (Visited in Mid-October. Warm clothes recommended as the place is windy)
Accommodation : We stayed at an airbnb in Hertsberge, Bruges which is 14 km away from the Bruges city centre. We choose this place as it had the best reviews and undoubtedly, our host was extremely cordial and the airbnb was too good. The only drawback is the location which is quite far off from the city and the lack of good internal public transport in the city makes it difficult unless you have a personal vehicle.
Main Places to Visit:
Belfry – It is the clocktower in the main market square of Bruges where you can take the stairs to go to the top of the tower. It gives a panoramic view of the entire city, sunset is usually good. Charges per person are around 10 euros but if you are below 25, there is a discount.
Markt – The main market square of Bruges where you get to see the horse carriages and the colourful medieval buildings along with the city hall.
Walplein Square – This is my most favourite spot in Bruges. It truly takes you back to 1900’s. It is a quaint little square with horse carriages and a canal filled with swans all the time. One can just sit back and relax.
Minnewater park – The castle in the minnewater park which is just by the lake is a visual retreat to anyone.
Begijnhuisje (Ten Wijngaerde) is a preserved beguinage (UNESCO World Heritage Site). I personally didn’t find it interesting. If you want to visit this place, visit before 5 pm and it is near Walplein.
We visited Church of Old Lady as well but didn’t find anything very special about it. It was similar to many other churches.
MarktStreetsofBrugesView from the top of BelfryBelfry of BrugesCastle of Minnewater ParkCanal at Walplein
Things To Do :
Canal Boat Tour – Though it was not as good as Amsterdam, Bruges canal tour is interesting in terms of the very tiny canals that it has, and the beautiful houses. Costs around 8-10 Euro per person and is not more than 30 min. We choose Canal Boat Tours , the experience with them was just average (Guide was speaking Dutch, so it was difficult to understand)
Walk on the streets near Walplein – Noordstraat and Mariastraat are some good streets. Best way to explore Bruges is by walking around and since it is a small town, it is not so tiring to cover it by walking.
Try waffles at Chez Albert .The plain waffle is just too delicious.
If you are into berries, this place has really good berries
Belgium is famous for Lace as well. However, I found it expensive than India.
The only travel tip that I would suggest for Bruges is that, walking in the city is the best way to explore it.
BelgianFriesWithTenderChickenWalplein
StreetsofBrugesStrawberries dipped in Chocolate
Brussels
Brussels has a busy city vibe with people hustling around. I didn’t find it interesting as a place, as I am inclined towards nature-centric or less-crowded places. However, one has to visit this place atleast for the chocolates, waffles, beers and fries.
Duration of Visit : 2 nights and 2 days
Temperature : 10-15 C (Visited in Mid-October. Warm clothes recommended as the place is windy)
Accommodation : We stayed at an airbnb right next to Manneken pis, which is just a 2 min walk to the Grand Place of Brussels (Main City Centre). It was a comfortable stay and it was very close to all the main locations of the city.
There are a lots of trains and buses running from Bruges to Brussels and vice versa (Also, you can get a train ticket at half the price if you are below 26). The journey is ~2 hrs.
Streets of Brussels
Main Places to Visit:
Grand Place – It is a square in the centre of the city which is surrounded by age-old buildings with spell-bound architecture. Do visit this place in the night once all the buildings are well-lit and the vibe couldn’t be missed in the night!!
Place Poelaert – It is a place suggested by my friend and which is not so popular but has an amazing view of the city. Visit during sunset for the best experience.
Sablon – This is a peaceful and less crowded locality in Brussels with good restaurants around. Walk to explore this place.
Mont De Arts – It is a good place away from the hustle and bustle of Grand place with a view of the highest tower of Grand Place buildings. The view is good and if you want to chill and relax for some time, it’s a good place
We also visited Royal Palace of Brussels which was a good masterpiece of architecture. However, we couldn’t cover the European Parliament area (Do visit if you have time) and Atomium ( We didn’t find it interesting)
Grand PlaceGrand Place
Things To Do :
VisitDelirium Cafewhich serves almost 2000 types of brewed beers (If you are into beer, this should be on your list)
Taste desserts at Aux Merveilleux de Fred. Expect long queues and these desserts are slightly on the sweeter side. If you are into dark chocolates and don’t like too much sugar, it is not a place for you. But, it also serves amazing chocolate buns and croissants
Taste waffles at Waffle factory. Slightly expensive but I loved the whipped cream over there 😛 ( But I loved Bruges waffles more)
Taste fries at Fritland. They are really good and the sauce is something special which adds to the taste
Go to Rue Neuve for shopping. It almost has all the brands covered. Ensure you don’t plan it on Sunday as shops are usually closed on Sunday. Also, on weekdays, the stores get closed by 7 pm. Plan accordingly.
Red Sneakers, black halter top, glitter pants : Zara |White offshoulder top : Shein| Boots : Zara | White fitting top: HnM | Backpack : Shein|Accessories(Jewellery) : Thrift stores
After a tiresome road journey of 12 hrs from Madrid, Portugal welcomed us with an impeccable view of the sunrise over the huge expanse of Tagus River on Vasco Da Gama Bridge. It just reminds me of how sleep deprived I was and how my eyes couldn’t stay open but that view was too mesmerising that my mind started shouting, ‘You Moron!! Look at the beauty and skip your sleep for sometime!! ‘ 😀
Cobblestone streets that are lined up with pastel coloured houses having balconies that flaunt the most colourful bunch of flowers are just a visual retreat in the older parts of the city. This hilly capital city with coastal beauty has a lot to offer!!
The essence and the actual culture of any city could be best witnessed in the older parts of the city. Go to such place and walk around to experience the best!!
We had 3 days to spend in Lisbon and I am a person who is not so keen on visiting the historical monuments unless it is highly highly recommended. So, if you are expecting that from this blog, then 😐
LISBON
4 days and 3 nights stay
Accommodation : Hub Lisbon Patio Hostel (The worst maintained among all other hostels I have been to, so please avoid it and search for some other option )
Main Places To Visit :
Alfamas – It’s old Lisbon and it literally takes you back in time with the trams on the road, old buildings, century old cathedrals ,castles and not to forget some old wine shops!! Visit the famous Lisbon cathedral if you visit Alfamas – the interiors are sure to impress you!!
Miradouro das Portas do Sol – This is the one of the best view point to see the entire rooftop view of Alfamas. Must visit!!
Bairro Alto – The streets have such a lovely vibe with Fado (Traditional Portugal music) being played by people and is lined up with some amazing restaurants!! Again, walk to experience 🙂
Cais do sodré – Best riverside neighbourhood to walk around and relax!!
Sintra – This place is on the countryside which is 40 min from Lisbon by train and is totally worth visiting. It has fairytale streets lined with tall and lush-green trees, not something you could see anywhere in Lisbon. Visit Pena Palace in Sintra for the incredible view it offers from the top!!
Miradouro das Portas do Sol, AlfamasMiradouro das Portas do SolBairro AltoPena Palace, SintraPena Palace, Sintra
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Things to Do :
A walk in the streets of Alfamas
Try pizza and portugese red wine in Bairro Alto – totally flattered!!
Watch the sun go down with live jazz in background at Miradouro das Portas do Sol
If you like to just sit and watch the Tagus river, Praça do Comércio and Cais do sodré are the go-to options
Streets of AlfamasPraça do ComércioNear Praça do Comércio
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One constant question which I keep receiving from many of you on my Instagram and other channels is about the places where I source most of my outfits. And, finally in the process of creating content based on the ideas that most of you guys suggested on my Instagram, here we go starting with the most frequent request 🙂
There is no such single brand which I count on, for all kinds of outfits. There are specific brands which I look forward to for each dressing style. Giving you guys a brief overview of my shopping pattern, I am not someone who usually spends a bomb on each piece of clothing. I try to spend money to get high-quality basics since those are something which I use literally everyday. Definitely, not an impulsive shopaholic.
Let’s quickly get into the whereabouts 😀
1. Basics
Basic jeans, solid black and white t-shirts, basic nude heels, black heels – these are fashion staples. And, when it comes to staples, it’s always suggestible to invest in good quality brands. I personally prefer Zara for all sorts of basics and for jeans, Levis is my go-to brand. Both brands are definitely worth the money you spend and the kind of attention that these brands pay to the fit is something I fall for.
2. Blouses or Tops
I prefer shopping online for most of my blouses, crop-tops etc. or Zara during Sale or Forever21. Shein and Forever21 are two of my current favourites to find something unique and interesting in terms of designs. The best part of both of these brands is that they offer products that are completely affordable. Shein, sometimes has few styles copied from Zara at a much lower price (of-course, don’t expect Zara quality at such low cost :P)
3. Jeans
I absolutely swear by Levis, Westside Nuon Brand and Zara. I would rank Levis on the top for fit and comfort followed by Westside. I would prefer Zara only for any unique design of jeans.
4. Skirts and Dresses
Forever21 and Zara are my go-to stores for skirts, skorts, dresses or trousers. They have such unique designs and flattering fit that I rarely divert from these brands.
5. Fusion Wear
When it comes to fusion wear, I rely completely on Westside: Bombay Paisley brand for most of my ethnic handloom dresses or formal solid coloured kurtis. They have a really good collection of fusion wear.
6. Dupattas
I had few of you ask me about the places where I source my dupattas from. Most of them are from handloom exhibitions or are something which I pick from local stores when I travel to different places as I consider them as souvenirs. Westside and FabIndia have a good collection of duppattas. FabIndia is however, a little expensive. If you happen to go to any place in India, search for government tourism stores which sell clothes and are specific to that place. That’s where you can find the gems. Visit Biswa Bangla if you happen to be in Kolkata.
7. Sarees
Most of the sarees I wear are something which I happen to pick from any handloom exhibition. Some of them are from Suta ( http://www.suta.in) which has an amazing handloom sarees collection. Personally, a great fan of Suta.
8. Men’s wear
Shirts and T-shirts from Levis or Jack and Jones. Blazers from Zara. At times, I pick sweatshirts from HnM Men’s section. Linen shirts from Marks and Spencer Men’s Collection.
I hope this resolves all your queries. Let me know through Instagram DM or Facebook if you want to know something more in detail 😀
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As it was rightly mentioned by some great fashion icon, minimum colour can create an incredible impact provided you understand how to add certain elements to the look which will help ace that thin line separating the boring single colour outfit and a striking single colour outfit.
Styling Tips:
When one is getting dressed in separates of exactly same solid colours, accessories play a major role.
For an all-white look : You can pair a white slogan tee/ plain tee with a white wide-leg trouser or a white short or a white skirt or a white pant suit
In case of an all-white look, add a pop of colour with one accessory if you want to give a casual vibe (say, a yellow clutch or green heels etc)- Remember that it should be only one accessory in focus and not all of them
If you want to go for an elegant / official look, stick to nudes for your footwear and makeup ; add some dainty jewellery
For beach all-white outfits, add some colorful tassel jewellery and tie-up footwear to create that bohemian vibe
This look that I have created is based on my recent favourite trend of pant suits. An all-white pant suit has been on fashion runways and also in many of the major fashion icons’ wardrobes. I am revealing one such look in this post while the rest of the possible looks will be going up on my Instagram next week. So, keep following me on Instagram to stay updated 😀
I have paired a white solid tee with white wide leg trousers and a white blazer. I chose to keep it less loud in terms of the colours of the accessories. So, picked nude heels and delicate jewellery to complete the look. If you opt for plunging necklines, layering of neckpieces would help to accentuate the look.
Here goes the look-book 😀
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If you do try any of my styling tips, do send in your pictures through email or Instagram!! I would love to see them 🙂
‘Plaid’ is one word which has been doing rounds all along the recent fashion weeks in London, Milan, Paris and New York. For those of you who find it hard to interpret this term, it’s basically patterns of colored checks and intersecting lines. Considering that 90’s fashion is back in loop now, pant suits , bell bottoms, plaid and sequin are current season favorites.
I have completely fallen for the pant suits (trouser + blazer) trend. It’s so elegant and just on-point. It’s been quite some time since I posted something about fashion. So, here I go , introducing the latest trend of plaid, pant suits and various ways to style a blazer.
Most of the power dressing looks that are created using paint suits require minimal accessories. The look should be kept as minimalistic as possible with fine jewelry, pointed heels, and a mini handbag.
I have created looks where I have used a plaid blazer with cropped jeans, plaid trouser, and a basic black tee. I chose tan colored pointed heels and a black mini handbag to complete the look.
Power dressing styling tips:
Go with sleek hairstyles for official purposes, else go wild with a wavy hairstyle
Subtle nudes play along with power dressing so well. However, if you want to use the same outfit for an informal event, go for darker shades of lipstick and smokey eyes
Go for fine jewelry
Definitely a thumbs up for pumps or ankle-strapped heels as footwear
A big NO to huge totes for this look
I have created looks both for formal and informal events for this post. Without any further delay, let’s dig into the looks 😀
Look 1:
Blazer + Jeans + Basic Tee : Instead of wearing the blazer in its complete shape, just throw it over your shoulder to give a casual look.
Look 2:
Blazer + Jeans : Wear a blazer as top if you know you can handle the plunging neckline.
Look 3:
Pant suit – Blazer + Trouser : Match the color palette on blazer and trousers. You may choose a plaid blazer and go for a plain trouser in dark color palette of the blazer.
Look 4 :
Blazer + Basic Tee + Trouser : Match the blazer and trouser color palette and patterns.
Hope you enjoyed reading it as much I loved creating it 🙂
Hope it also helped you get an idea about styling blazers 😀
Blazer, Trousers, Heels, Bag, T-shirt : Zara | Jeans : Levis | Shades : Shein |Wrist Watch : Armani Exchange
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Sun-soaked skin, salty hair, fresh air, breath-taking sunsets, isolated beaches, beach walks, tired bodies, energized souls, tan lines, delicious food, long drives, lush green trees, pretty little alleys, cozy cafes with slow jazz, unexplored paths, interesting people, old memories, deep conversations and refreshed minds.
This sums up my recent trip to South Goa 🙂
It was a 3-day short trip but we managed to explore 4 beaches 😀
Here I go with the details of my trip :
Accommodation
Patrice’s Villa – We booked this place in Airbnb and it is more like a homestay than a regular hotel. Since this trip was mostly like a get-together, we preferred an Airbnb. It is well maintained by a foreigner. The place is close to the beaches – almost like 500 m from Canacona beach and 2 km from Palolem beach. Everything was fine with the villa except the dim light in the house and frequent electricity fluctuation which was a major downside
5 Things To Do In South Goa
1. Visit Galgibag Beach
It is the best beach that I have been to in India, other than the Andaman beaches ( If you haven’t read my Andaman travel story- Here it is ). It’s almost around 10 km from Palolem further down south. It is a perfect place to just sit and let your thoughts flow 🙂
You can hardly find anyone on the beach and there are no beach shacks. It is not yet commercialized and hence, the clear water and unpolluted atmosphere. Would definitely be my go-to place the next time too 🙂
This beach is known for turtles but we couldn’t spot any 😐
Also, there are narrow alleys near the beach which are more than perfect for a peaceful walk 😀
Sunset at Galgibag Beach
Galgibag Beach
2. A Long Drive To Talpona Beach
Talpona beach is a very small stretch of beach compared to Galgibag and it comes right on the way to Galgibag. The ride to this beach is refreshing with isolated lanes lined up with tall trees and bridges over narrow creeks.
3. Taste the Goan food
If you are a sea food lover, you have to try out Dropadi beach restaurant in Palolem . It also serves good cocktails 🙂
Crab Masala at Dropadi
If you want to experience the Goan atmosphere and some good jazz, drop by Jaali Cafe near Patnem Beach or Siyaram’s on Palolem Beach.
Jaali CafeGoan Fish FryAt Jaali Cafe
4. Attend a Silent Disco Party
I am not quite sure if these parties are held in North Goa but Neptune’s Point on Palolem beach hosts a silent disco party every Saturday.
Wear that wireless headset and move your feet to the tune while the rest would be enjoying the silence 🙂 It would be a completely different experience.
Sunset at Palolem Beach
5. Finally, Explore Shopping at Palolem
Unlike the usual shopping experience at Anjuna flea market or any of the North Goa beaches where you mostly find beach clothes, Palolem streets offer a wide variety of handmade knick-knacks for home decor. I stocked upon some cloth lamps, hand woven storage boxes, tassel key-chains and bamboo accessories. There are good dream catchers too 🙂
Don’t forget to bargain 😀
Shopping on Palolem streets
Canacona is also one beach that we have been to. It is more of a rocky beach with a beautiful view and less noise. You can even try Patnem which is close to Palolem. Agonda is also one more popular beaches in South Goa.
Canacona Beach
Honestly, there are good beaches if you could travel further down towards South from Palolem. We had limited time so we were able to explore only few beaches. If you do have time, explore the place as much as you can.
Always, explore the unexplored paths !!
Sweat Shirt : Zara | Romper : Forever21 | Coordinates and Mesh Top : Shein | Mules : Koovs, Metro | Shades : HnM | Accessories : Colaba Causeway , Romwe
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SLAY THE STYLE 