Days like today, when I am in complete off mode, I log into etsy and browse through their earring section. Some of the earrings featured there are absolutely lust worthy, but then price of these are total put off. I have this weird habit of converting the cost of an item in dollar to rupee and in the end a 20 dollar earring is too costly in economics terms for ME!!!. The post is a sneak peak to my next post. For the time being feast your eyes on these gorgeous beauties

 The little birdies begs to be cuddled. Such loveliness....

The hanging black stone lifts this piece to next level, though I would have preferred a different colored stone. The black doesn't stand off well against the black metal.

 I would wear an earring like this any day

 The simple sterling silver birds

This trend has been done to death, but the colors of peackock feathers always makes my heart flutter

Another favorite, the off gold bird, pink flower, white pearl drop...what more does a girl need?

  The wooden humming bird earrings

 

The silver swan

Tried to stay away from posting any owl earrings, but the little cuties just stole my heart

Simple, elegant, understated

The favorite outta the lot, the turquoise eggs stands out just right. Hats off the craftsmen, one reason why Etsy products are on the higher price end.

Wooden Swan, a little stark for my taste but, they make interesting earrings

 

 The golden feather.....

Though butterflies cannot be classified into the bird category, loved this red, cute ones

Have any of you guys purchased from Etsy?. What is your opinion about the site?. Do share your experience.

All Images:Etsy

Engagement post

I know that this post it's past the expiry date, still....Wanted to show you guys the earring I wore for my engagement. Initially I wanted a simple, no gold look (See, we mallus have a deep connection with gold). My dad rings me up almost every other day and asks me the day's gold rate, its a ritual of sort ..we mallus can't live without gold. Every parent would want to touch the 100 sovereign mark, it is the ultimate status symbol and almost everyone from close family members to office mates are seen counting the necklaces or bangles of the bride. One of my cousins wore a heavy diamond necklace on her wedding and the immediate family knew that the price of the set was somewhere around 10 lakhs, but that didn't stop the oldies from commenting on how bare the girl looked. Someone even went ahead and asked her dad directly "Who are you saving for?. Look at the poor girl.... few sparkly stones. You shouldn't have taken you stinchy behavior on your own daughter". Now back to my own engagement story...the day before, I was ready with my accessory: A simple chain with statement pendant, similar earrings, stack of gorgeous bangles on one hand and simple 2 piece on other. My grandma refused to accept the simple look, she insisted that I wear another gold chain. After 1 hour of brain storming, I agreed and decided to wear the family heirloom kashumala ( Roughly translates as money chain:P). Being a mallu, I guess I should introduce you to one among the most ancient heirloom necklaces.

Traditional Kashu mala:Google

Some of my friends didn't like the simple look. What do you guys think?. Is the accessories too simple for a bride to be?


PS:- I wore a purple silk saree, with jasmine flowers like a traditional mallu bride to be.

A-J-STORE

I gotta admit my latest crush, A-J-Store an online store that sells fashionable, light on purse apparels. I stumbled upon this store quite accidentally and after that there is no looking back on my bank balance. I am one among many of theirs returning customers. I must have shopped 7-8 times and let me assure you guys that the dresses is worth every penny you pay. Most of the items are priced between 200-1000 (Quite affordable) and also you get really chic dresses. I bought few items from their 11th collection and my courier landed today. I can't even let you guys know how super happy I am on my latest purchases. This time I chose to be wise and picked up pieces I can wear on a regular basis. 

How: The fashionable shop owner, Aien Jamir who blogs at Fashion & I announces stock updates a day prior on her store FB page. All you have to do is to have patience and wait until the next day for stock to be updated. You have to be real quick and wait prior to the announced time. If you like something from the collection comment "BOOK" right below the image and once your cart is full just mail the item codes to Aien at effortlesstrendz@gmail.com . She will guide you from there. You have to pay a small shipping  (For me, Aien ships via DTDC) but that's negligible compared to the great bargains you get.  Most of the pieces are a single piece but, don't shy away from commenting. If you are lucky you may be able to grab another one (I have had that experience). The money transaction is through online payment so you can deep sigh and relax.

Cons: You have to be real quick, before you know it someone else might have commented "BOOK". 

Pros: Affordable fashion. If you are in the second person in line for  the dress, and if the booking by first  person gets canceled Aien will mail you asking whether you are interested in the piece. The packaging is sturdy , each of the dress items separately covered in plastic covers.

My take: Have already shopped nearly 17-18 items from their collection. Do I need to speak more?. I guess most of the pieces are export surplus cause, I have received dress with ZARA and ASOS tags on. The items are non-damaged and non-used so, all those I am still unsure type of buyers please relax and erase of those doubts from your heart .

My package: I am only showcasing my recent buys, the one which I received today.

Cost: Rs.400

 

See the cute bird print?. Loving the coral top with the light ruffles at the sleeve ends and top portion. Wearable piece.

Cost:Rs.350

 

Love love love this pale pink  sequence top. When I picked it up I actually thought the middle portion was lace or maybe the images gave an illusion of lace . When I received my package and saw sequence I was bowled. Makes up for a party wear.(Thinking of pairing it up with red skinnies, but I don't have red skinnies:P)

Cost:Rs.450

My pink tulle skirt with little stars. Not something I can wear on a daily basis in Cochin but hell to the gossip mongers...love the cute stars. Reminds me of ballerinas and their striking poses.

Cost:Rs.400

 

 My tangerine shirt dress. Translucent, full sleeved and free sized, I have to wear it with a belt but, nevertheless the dress had me at its color and see the cute bird print...Love it!!!


Last but least the sweater was on sale, yellow and dirt cheap so had to get it. Cochin is burning even in Feb, but soon I will be shifting to Bangalore and the winter there is chilly if not snowy. I may need some woolen wear to keep me warm. The hook is a disguised pin, which if you fancy can leave as it is.

Cost:Rs.200

If you guys think that this is a big haul, wait until next week when I get package 2. Those are few items from Collection 12. Hope on to A-J-Store, and shop to you hearts content.

PS:- Sorry about the picture quality. I am using my phone cam.
PSS:- I have requested Aien if I can reuse some of her pics, that she has put in her blog (She is a model too). Once I receive the same will let you guys show you those pics so that you can get a better idea on how the dresses look like captured with a good camera.

Updated:Better Images from A-J-Store

Images credit:A-J-Store