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Trendy Blouses for Sarees

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You can find customised blouses for sarees sold on www.trendofindia.com

Maati

I sit under a tree
does that happen anymore
i sit in front of my laptop
like everyday i think of that tree
whose shade would comfort many a soul
and mine too..
that whiff of air on my face
eyes transfixed beyond, grass tickling
the soles of my feet and the mynah , she sings
on the tree while i write the music
inspired by the story clouds tell everyday
the muse goes on and then
my laptop announces low battery stand by
an awakening reality
i want to go back to my clouds
the phone rings
a voice excited claims
i have painted the song of the Mynah

Handpainted thoughts by Maati..

Maati - Indian Handpainted Collection

Check out this beautiful Handpainted Long Tshirt or Kurti.

Maati - Indian Handpainted Collection

Maati - Where art uplifts the life of the artisans

India is rich in its people. Village artisans from various parts of the country are exploited for their art and are seldom paid what they deserve. Maati, an Indian company promoted by enthusiastic couple thought otherwise. Get the village artisans to the forte. Promote their art and make them the entrepreneurs. Maati launched Tshirts, kurtas and kurtis all handpainted by these village artisans.
Unique approach of getting paintings hetherto adorning walls to wearing them on. Bright colored and unique themes make these shirts a collectible.

Hair Styles for D day - Indian weddings

Hairdos for ‘I do’

Nervous about your hairdo for your special day? Wondering what's in vogue and what will add to the glamour? Here's the dope on the latest wedding hair up-dos, styles and accessories that celebrity hairstylists recommend this season.

Pre-marriage functions are quite thematic nowadays. From Underwater to Retro themes, the various wedding events are celebrated with much élan. And for every occasion, the bride needs to look more ravishing than her bevy of sisters and aunts. Bharat, Celebrity Hairstylist of ‘Bharat and Dorris’ fame, says, “We try to give a different look for each function, depending on the theme of the event. For example, a Cocktail party calls for a Western look, and a Qawwali Party theme more traditional. All in all, the Open Hair look is very popular nowadays, set in a variety of styles, or done up with a curly look. This is more apt for the Grand Reception functions.”

But Indian traditional ceremonies require the bride to have her hair covered atop or from the lower head. This calls for a bun or a bouffant style. For instance, Bharat’s partner, Dorris, made Shilpa Shetty, the Bollywood bride of the year 2009, look outstanding in the subtle bouffaunt hairstyle. Shilpa’s beautiful long tresses were neatly piled up in a chignon and done up with a Gajra, South Indian style.

Hairdos for the short-hair bride
Artificial Extensions are also used to create long hair. For instance switches (er, not the electric ones) which are made of long open tresses styled in outward curls are quite in and look chic. These are firmed up neatly on your original hair and embellished with fancy accessories like organza flowers or diamantes. Switches come in several hairdo styles including buns, but the long, open hair look is in vogue this year, so do away with the matured look and go open.


The s-crunched look
For the lady with longer hair, the scrunched hair gives a glamorous fall to the face cut. With a middle or side parting, the lower lengths of the hair, when damp, are slightly crushed in the palms. Some spray gel is applied to retain that look. Rest assured you would feel like a diva on the best day of your life.
Colleen Affonso - celebrity hair stylist and expert says, “The Retro Look of the ‘80’s is back in fashion. Outward curls for shorter hair or semi bouffant for longer hair are a rage. Of course you can then decorate the up-do with pretty hair-ornaments like crystals or fresh flowers.”
“For a Cocktail Party it’s ok to be a bit casual and leave the hair open with a middle parting. And for an elaborate function like a reception, the up-do must match the grandeur of the occasion as well the Bride’s attire. The style should also keep in mind the height difference between the bride and the groom, and the heel size of the Bride’s footwear for the occasion,” she adds.
So when your hairdo is decided, it’s important not to forget how to dress it up. There are umpteen decorative accessories used nowadays to further beautify the hairdo and add that sparkle to the hair and your overall persona.


- Crystals and diamantes: Sparkling little jewels on pins or as stickers add extra glamour.
- Fresh flowers: Orchids take the cake when it comes to using flowers for the occasion. Mauve and White orchids are used depending on the colour of the outfit of course.
- Brooches: Braided cloth brooches or metal ones bejeweled in glittering colours do help make a cute style statement.
- Gold pins: Firming pins jazzed up with little golden balls is the simplest way to adorn your hairstyle on the sides. They keep the hair intact and also help making the hair prettier.


Once you are all set and done, don’t forget to wear a smile, to look as beautiful as ever.

Pictures Courtesy: Bharat and Dorris

Get the Tribal Look

Want to ignite your winter wear with wild and colourful jewellery but can't handle the gigantic folk numbers? Here's a cue chart to help you navigate into a subtle and not-necessarily-big American Navajo, Africa or India-inspired realm.

Shrink it baby, shrink
If folk-touched costume jewellery always conjures stocky images in your mind, think again. Viola!
When you think of costume jewellery you may only think of chunky stuff for instance, a long or big, ten-layered piece. But you can do with a shorter piece or a smaller design, where only one part of the necklace is humongous.Psst: Here’s the bottom line… let a wee bit of folklore do the chic talk.

Tell a solid story
Add strong bursts of colour to an otherwise monochromatic ensemble. You can mix and match low-key costume jewellery with any look and bright or dark colour.

A hit-on-the-nail tip: Throw in a multi-coloured beaded bit over any black upper (think a woolen Kimono tunic with or without leggings clubbed with patent gladiators or peep-toes).

Another to-die-for look is matching a canary yellow and ruby red stone-studded neck piece with midnight blue suit jacket, dark denims and boots (to slap the biting cold away).

Wear a delicate two-strand coral necklace, with a 3-inch decorative clasp, on a polo neck tee or an all-over sweater.” You can even team it with a dumpy sweater and cigarette-legged denims.

Do a jig with prints
Well, we know this style thumb rule: ‘Do not mix prints’. But why don’t you tweak this cliché once in a while to have a blast? Construct a layered look by wearing two or three prints from the same family colour or size.

Next you blend in the secret ingredient: A Navajo-inspired turquoise or a coral-studded gecko brooch! Yuck? But trust us; it will surely work as a pick-me-up making you a head-turner at a lounge party!

An onyx, smoky topaz, amethyst, moss agate and rose quartz lariyat necklace”. A lariyat is"long, rope-like jewellery without a clasp.” For an eclectic touch, you can “double, knot, loop or wrap” a single-coloured lariyat and wear it with a perky dress printed with colossal flowers and a boxy, military or bomber jacket. Sometimes with slight prudence, contrasts do work wonders!

Shop-hop across seas
Finally, when you travel to a new country or an Indian State, make this your motto-‘buy localised jewellery.’

Wicked tip: Bribe your friends and family who travel abroad into picking out-of-the-ordinary or ancient shapes-snake brooch, statement rings, shoulder-dusters, feather-trimmed neckpieces and what have you! A few must-owns are Indian tribal jewellery, Kenyan or Egyptian jewellery (read from far-farther-farthest corners of Africa), Syrian talismans, Yemeni or Afghani silver hoops, ethnic earrings from Morocco, Oriental yarn craft designs, and Masai women’s ear flaps or upper ear jewellery (that you can convert into stunners fit for the neck). Time you radically and simultaneously go all out with big and small add-ons!