Celebrity Halloween Costume Fails

You'd think that celebrities — aka people with access to stylists and makeup artists — would have the best Halloween costumes ever, but alas, not all stars are sexy and flawless on the spookiest day of the year. As we've seen time after time, somebody is bound to make a mistake when Oct.
31 rolls around. Sometimes it's completely understandable (like when it's clear someone just grabbed random items in a rush and threw it all together out of desperation), and then there are the downright offensive costumes that leave everyone scratching their heads, asking, "What were they thinking?" Regardless, it either teaches us what not to do or gives us a good laugh. Scroll through to see the stars who have failed at Halloween, then find inspiration in over 150 celebrity costumes!

Sarvrati

Jewellery- Jaipur Jewels, Skirt- Zara, Bodycon dress- Forever21, Sandals- River Island

Last week we were invited by the Jaipur Jewels team to visit their flagship store in Mumbai to check out their new Sarvrati collection! I am a Marwari so traditional jewellery always gets me hooked. It could be the fact that I have grown up watching my mom don these stunning jadau pieces and as a kid I would grab every opportunity to wear them and impersonate her. As soon as I started browsing through the pieces, they brought back very fond memories. I promptly had my eyes on the versatile kundan chandbali’s with stunning green minakari! I can see myself wearing these not only with the traditional sari and lehenga but also to accentuate a stunning cocktail gown or even a simple silk kurta! Every piece is crafted so beautifully and I was determined to try them all before I left the store. These pieces are made not only keeping the bride in mind but also everyone else in the family who are equally ecstatic about the celebrations!

Close to 150 years ago, near the city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan the Naheta family began their journey as artisans of jadau jewellery. Honing their craft with local karigars over generations, they evolved from creating the finest pieces for the royalty to become one of India’s oldest families in the jewellery industry. What started as a brand that dealt with only Jadau jewellery and loose stones has gone to become a global craze when it comes to traditional and one of kind jewellery. The Sarvrati collection is a mix jadau as well as diamond & emerald jewellery set in stunning designs in the form of necklaces, opulent earrings, bracelets, mangteeka’s, rings, you name it they have it. To match the opulence of the bride they also stock sherwani and kurta buttons, chains and several other accessories for the groom as well!

I love paring traditional jewellery with modern, high street pieces to create a balance and break those age old myths! The key to let the jewellery be the hero is by making sure that your base is made up of solid colours. To avoid seeming mundane, pick an ensemble with textured fabrics or pleats. I chose this body con dress and layered it with a faux leather pleated skirt along with this stunning jewellery. I’m not sure where this outfit would fit in but I just loved the contrast it created! So this wedding season, stand out by creating subtle contrasts not just in terms of colours but also the way you style your jewellery and come up with pairings that will blow everyone’s mind. Drop in at Jaipur Jewels, Napean Sea Road, Mumbai and Pitampura, Delhi, to browse through their collection because you are sure to find something that will fit your need perfectly! Also join me on Twitter on 12th December, Friday from 1pm to 3pm for a fun Q&A tweet up where I would be happy to answer any of your wedding season related queries be it what jewellery to pair with an outfit you’ve chosen or what make up would help you accentuate your look to trendy hairstyles and much more! Follow me on @aayushibangur and @Jaipur_Jewels and send in your questions with #JaipurJewels to be part of this. See you there!
You can also check out  & follow Jaipur Jewels on Facebook & Instagram. 

The Indian Extravaganza

 

Jewellery- Azva, Lehenga- Priyal Prakash (buy here), Shoes- Zara, On my lips- Vegas Volt by Mac

The sangeet is probably my favourite part of any Indian wedding. I love dancing which is probably one of the main reasons but I also admire the energy which is so infectious and instantly makes everyone a part of the extravaganza! It's easier for me to decide on a look for this occasion because I make sure to set aside my lehenga specifically for it. In the past, I have made the mistake of picking a super opulent attire which constantly restricted my movement through the event. So this time I was motivated to find a good mix of comfort and opulence, which is why this blue & green ensemble seemed perfect! The raw silk lehenga layered with a tulle added the flair that I desired and the simple gold choli as well as the net dupatta made it a comfortable choice.

I wanted to keep my jewellery minimal yet alluring. So I went for a stunning Azva set with intricately handcrafted floral detailing which matched the floral trim on the dupatta. It also had a touch of blue & green which complemented my outfit perfectly. I believe in minimalism when it comes to accessories but I was so smitten by the design of the earrings that I went ahead to flaunt it all at once! Azva jewellery is crafted in 22 karat gold which makes it an ideal choice for such occasions. A statement ring and a beautifully designed bracelet flawlessly completed the look. I love how the jewellery subtly yet effectively elevated the attire!Azva has certainly played an immense role in my increased fondness for gold jewellery! What do you guys think of this look and don't forget to tell me what you're loving this wedding season!

Monochrome Tales

Dress- Marquee by Veromoda, Shoes- River Island

I am a monochrome lover but very rarely will I flaunt it without a pop of colour either in the form of my make up or some accessories! But this time, I decided to give the pop a ditch because frankly this dress had enough elements to grab eye balls anyway. When I entered the Veromoda store to check out the two new collections that have been added to the Marquee line this month, this dress instantly caught my attention. Given, that it is slightly out of my comfort zone and I would need to hit up one of the Abs Workout videos on YouTube before wearing this, irrespective, I decided to give this a go! One of the main reason for the attraction was the studded detailing on the sleeves which set it apart from the mundane. The plain top half was contrasted by a floral pattern on the bottom balanced the dress impeccably.

The two collections that have been added to the stores this month include Nocturnal Rendezvous and Hide & Seek. The former includes an interplay of various elements like structured elements on drapery as well as geometric designs combined with floral patterns. These unconventional pieces are occasionally splashed with oxidized beads. The latter is a sensuous dance between lace & satin, paying homage to the demure feminine form. Perfect for the woman who is confident, the collection plays with different tones which lends a sensual frivolity to the attire. One of my favourite pieces from this collection is a pastel green lace midi dress! What do you guys think of this look? Don't forget to check out the new collection here. 

#Freefor30seconds

Jeans, jacket, tee- Gas, Shoes- Steve Madden, Make up- Clinique

A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Gas Jeans to be a part of their 30th anniversary celebration campaign and I was super excited to join in along with a few other fellow bloggers. It was a fun shoot at the Tank store which was such a distraction because they had such amazing things at even better prices! We had the Clinique team do our make up for the shoot and we chose our outfits from Gas's new a/w '14 collection. The collection is filled with jackets that make me want to move to a colder place, jeans that fit as if they were custom made and lots of basics with a slight edge. The colour palette is rather winter appropriate; perfect to rock with a red lip!

For my look, I decided to stay true to my style and started by choosing a pair of denims that fit like a dream! I paired it with a grey tee with embellished detailing on the shoulder and this stunning cream moto jacket. Added a pop of colour with these sky high heels which I couldn't help but take home with me later. I am hoping to get hold of this outfit as well on the 13th November! For their 30th anniversary celebration, the Gas website will be free for 30 seconds at 3.30 pm so get ready to grab what you desire! It's a rare opportunity to get hold some fab denims, stunning jackets and much more absolutely free of cost. I am super excited for this digital event and have already shortlisted a few items to add to my cart! Don't forget to log in on the 13th to grab your share.

Golden Dust

Jewellery- Azva, Dress- Tnfc, Shoes- Asos, On my lips- Media by Mac and Clinique chubby stick in Grandest grape

This time of the year is super exciting because it's bombarded with festive parties, cocktails and weddings! As exciting as it is, figuring out outfits for all these events is always a task. Which is why I have developed a routine and pre-plan my looks way in advance to avoid the last minute jitters. I start with scouting my favourite websites and stores to start with my base. Depending on the occasion I pick between jumpsuits, maxi skirts, maxi dresses, anarkalis or lehengas! As soon as I came across this gorgeous maxi dress, I instantly knew this was going to be a part of my festive wardrobe.

Once that is out of my way, I then tackle the styling element. Because the dress was very classic and simple, it gave me an opportunity to bring out the masterpieces. I chose this gorgeous gold choker necklace with a stunning pendant. It worked in sync with the neckline of the dress which made it flow in harmony. The burgundy gem on the larger than life rain drop pendant added the perfect touch. The beaded detailing on this Azva choker in this gorgeous 22 karat gold makes it such a magnificent piece. The intricacy of the designs of all the Azva pieces always manage to cast a spell on me. Each piece is crafted so diligently using modern techniques but keeping the traditions intact, which is strikingly evident at every glance. I also chose this stunning cuff to enhance the look. The gems on the cuff matched the ones of the necklace which made it appear correlated. Again the detailing is what blew my mind and I could barely take my eyes off it! I was so happy with the end result that I decided to document this look and ultimately decided to wear it to my best friend's cocktail!

For my make up, I went with a dull gold eye shadow all over the lid and drew on a dramatic wing with my eyeliner to match the opulence of the look. Contoured my cheek bones for a flawless appearance and finished off with a touch of blush on the apples. I matched my lips to the dress which is one of my all time favourite combinations! I decided to go with simple pumps in a similar hue to streamline the look.

We Indians share this eternal love for Gold jewellery which is unlikely to fade in the near future. For us, there is so much more to it than just buying new pieces. It's a process that binds us in this endless tradition. One that we proudly call our own. Azva adds a modish touch to these traditional pieces making them the perfect blend for the modern woman. I can see these pieces surviving for decades in my wardrobe as I enjoy this beautiful journey of womanhood. I cannot wait to flaunt these gems again in yet another chapter of grandeur opulence. Until then hope you guys have a wonderful festive season and wish you all a very Happy Diwali and a prosperous new year!

Diwali Gift Guide

Out of the many hundreds celebrated, Diwali is probably my favourite festival. I love the lights, a few fireworks don't hurt and I absolutely adore the festive spirit everyone is submerged in. Eating delicacies, planning outfits and buying gifts for my friends & family get me uber excited! In an attempt to finish all my pending assignments before hand, this year the buying gifts part got super delayed. But thank god for online shopping, I logged on to Indiacircus.com and pretty much got everything I needed! I don't know about you guys but I have all my dear ones categorized when it comes to deciding on the themes for their gifts. So here's a low down on what I would get for the following:-

1)The Home Freak

We all know a person who would rightly fall into this category. It could be your mom, a friend who just moved into a new place or just anyone who loves putting in that extra effort to make their spaces look exemplary. Be it cushion covers, candles, mugs, rugs or even crockery, they would appreciate every bit of it. For me cushion covers are the safest option because they very subtly yet effectively change the look of the place and by experience, are the most appreciated too!

2) The Writer

You know that friend who loves to doodle or who needs to pen down every single detail of his/her life into a diary? Or is just intrigued by fancy stationery and has an obsession to collect it like we collect shoes? This is precisely for them! IndiaCircus has some super cool prints and various sizes in the notebooks and diaries which makes it interesting to choose a design that matches the receiver's personality. I ended up picking two for a friend and sneaked in one for myself. This could even be a perfect gift for a sibling or younger cousin who is still studying!

3) The Fashion Addict

I personally love make up & cosmetic bags. Not only do they come in handy while travelling and look pretty on your dresser but I even carry a small one with my essentials in my everyday bag. The smaller utility pouches can even be used as a tiny clutch for a quick run to finish errands! If this doesn't fancy you, you could even look at some cool wallets, spectacle cases, jewellery or some fun apparel! I know I would love any of these and would cherish them forever.

4)The Tech Lover

We all have that one friend we go to for any technological help or the one who knows it all about the latest apps to download and if they accidentally get hold of your phone, they are sure to point out 10 things you're doing wrong! These fun Ipad/tablet and phone cases would be the perfect indulgence for them. I personally love this rickshaw print phone cover and this owl print ipad cover! Trust me, you won't regret this!

5) The Gentleman

When it comes to the men in our lives, there are not many things that come to my mind as gifts. It's the usual wallets, watches, ties or perfumes! But at Indiacircus you could get these mundane items with a touch of quirky prints! Let me divide this for you, for my dad I would probably go for something less experimental like these cufflinks, for my brother I'd probably pick a wrist watch and a fun tie or bowtie for my best guy friends who wouldn't mind stepping a little out of the box!

I hope this gave you a few ideas for your last minute Diwali shopping! If you do end up ordering some gifts from Indiacircus don't forget to share pictures on Instagram and a have a joyous festive week.