Top: Zara, Skirt:?, Belt: from Rome, Shoes: River Island, Earrings: H&M, Watch: Swatch

I'm finally completely moved into my new place! FINALLY! It took me 4 days of waiting around for the plumber, carpenter, furniture transport guys, then rushing around like a headless chicken and driving my car like a mad donkey (DO NOT picture that) but it's DONE. I am so grateful to my older brother and his fiancee who took a day off work, and came down from Dubai just to help me settle everything. Otherwise I'm preeeeetty sure I'd have a nervous breakdown.

But I have never shied away from challenges (most of the time I bring them upon myself) and this has been a sharp learning curve. I have had so many firsts the last few days:

Going to the secondhand furniture open air market and buying a cupboard.
Getting the carpenter to unassemble and reassemble the cupboard.
Assembling my bed.
Trying to get the most stubborn grease stains off the stove (I STILL haven't been able to get them off. What the f*** were the last tenants doing?).
Going up and down three floors with stuff, at least 50 times (at one point the building maintenance guy was laughing at me because I refused to let him do all the work. C'mon, I have legs and arms, and it makes up for me missing gym these last few days!)

I still have loads and loads to be done, all my clothes are in boxes, so are my shoes. I just pulled out this ensemble yesterday from a few boxes. Now got to wait for the weekend to completely have the place in order! Phew! But I am SO LOVING EEET!

Blazer, Jeans: Zara, Tee: Pimkie, Shoes: Payless, Earrings: Gifted, Rings: right hand: from India, left: Gold Souk

What a morning! I think I tried on at least 4 outfits before settling on this one. It was just one of those mornings when I'm just going around in circles and my brain feels like it's made of cotton wool. Hardly any sleep last night is a contributing factor to my brain's cottoniness. (Yes it's a word. It'll catch on) Don't you hate those days when you're so effing tired but you just have to power through and then you get a dull ache in your temples and all you wanna do is put your head on your work desk and snooze but can't? Ugh.

Buuuuuut... the thought of shifting into my new place tomorrow has kept me (slightly) sane.

Speaking of that, y'know, I'm wondering... what the hell should I wear while moving. Hmm.. Jeans and an old tee? Cargo pants? Cut-offs? Which shoes?

I need help. (not with the styling).

Happy Weekend! xox

Tunic: Zara, Leggings: Gap, Belt: ??, Boots: Payless, Bag: Gifted, Bangle: Gold Souk, Watch: Swatch, Sunnies: H&M

I'm so happy, happy, happy, happy (Kylie's Lucky playing in my head with lucky being replaced by Happy). I got a call today letting me know the painting is done in my new flat, and by tomorrow all the repairs/ cleaning will be over. Whoooooop!

So I can start moving stuff in by tomorrow! OMG.

I have giant butterflies in my tummy.

Dress: from Rome, Blazer: Mango, Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, Earrings: F21

I found this dress in a tiny boutique in Rome when I was there last year. I love the V neck and the print. I was in the mood for a double V neck today, so I decided to wear a blazer buttoned up on top. (V necks give an illusion of a slimmer bod.)

A few days back my mom's cousin brother died in a tragic accident in India, and so she and dad were thinking of going to India to pay their respects. This morning mom announced she and dad will fly out either tomorrow or the day after.

Uh-oh.

I'll be alone here. And I have to move out this weekend.

I still have so much to do. I need to pack kitchenware from mum's kitchen, do major grocery shopping (hopefully with her), finish the rest of my packing, buy a tripod and a washing machine, check on the flat's cleaning and repairing, and finally arrange for the actual shifting on Friday. All this while also doing my day job where I'm upto my eyeballs in work.

Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep breaths.

I can do this. No. I WILL do this.

Wish me luck!

Shirt: Playlife, Skirt: Mango, Belt: H&M, Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, Ring: Gold Souk, Bracelet: from India.

Somedays I just feel like looking  preppy. And nothing screams preppy like a tweed skirt and a crisp white shirt paired with pumps. This skirt from Mango is lovely. I like the big buttons and the overlapping panels in front. (The buttons actually hold the two overlapping panels together).

I was just thinking how fast everything's happened regarding me moving out. I made up my mind to move out by April 30 and I can't believe that by this weekend, which is 27th may, I'll have moved in. It took me just under a month!

This is how I started. First, I informed very few, chosen people and asked for their help in looking for an apartment. Almost all of them were skeptical about me finding a place suitable to my budget and needs. But I was really lucky. I found a listing of two suitable apartments on a website, and the second one I visited was perfect. It's in a great area, has covered parking, 24 hours security, is easy to access and I have good neighbours. The best part is it's on the top floor so I've got the terrace to myself for doing my blog shoots.

I waited for my brother to come from Dubai, showed it to him and after allaying his concerns, I booked it. Then began all the planning. I was worried about so many things. But one-by-one, they just got taken care of.

For instance,
Paying 2 months rent in advance would be very difficult for me.
My landlord agreed to not take rent in advance.

I was dreading getting a gas cylinder for the stove that was already there, as it's not safe and I'm a scaredy-cat when it comes to fire.
I found out that the stove is electric.

And after many such instances where things have fallen beautifully into place, it reminds me of Coelho's notoriously famous quote:

When you really want something, the entire Universe conspires in helping you achieve it.

Top: Dorothy Perkins, Pants and Belt: Mango, Shoes and Earrings: from India, Cuff: H&M, Watch: Swatch. I am soooooooooooooo happy! (You can't see it but I'm dancing in my chair.) Last night I went electronics shopping with my older brother. I was SO excited! My first own electronics! I bought a fridge, iron and a microwave oven. (and tried very hard to LEARN how to shop for electronics like a dude). But then this morning, my mom told me to return the iron because she had an extra one. And my brother also told me to refund the microwave because his girlfriend had an extra one in Dubai which she'll send to me. Wow! Am I lucky or what? I am SO touched by my family's generosity, especially my brother's girlfriend's. I'm happy to be surrounded by such loving people. My mom's still not fully convinced by the idea of me moving out, but it's tres cute that she's still helping me. I'm so excited now because this weekend I'll move in. Which means this is my last week in this house. Eeeeeeeeee! Wow! I feel SO grown up! Haha! I still have SO much to do! I've just packed a few boxes of my stuff. So there's more packing to be done, shopping for a lot more stuff like kitchenware, stock up on food, cleaning products, ask my mom ten million questions about cooking, cleaning, using the washing machine (yep, I prefer to do all of it myself. Major control freak!). Wheeeew. But I'll do it all, no issues.  On another note, can you believe that these heels are my very first 4 inch stillettos that I bought 6 years ago while in college in Pune, India? I'm totally attached to them. This morning I was in the mood to go all matchy-matchy today. Black earrings, cuff and belt. But I'd definitely NOT wear green shoes. That's taking it a step (pun intended) too far. Later, lovelies! xxx

Blouse: Zara, Skirt: Max, Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, Earrings and Cuff: from India, Ring: New Look, Watch: Swatch

Ok... today, I've made a big decision. Which is to reveal what my secret project is. No, I haven't yet finished it. So why today? Because I'm getting tired of all this secrecy and my posts are getting more and more vague as I try to think about what to write other than the most important thing on my mind.

So here it is: I'm moving out of my family home into my own apartment. It's a cosy little studio apartment in a nice part of town, and I'll move by next week. It's very very exciting, very very scary, and a huge learning curve. Some of you may be shocked, (especially if you're friends and family) some of you may be like- so what's the big deal in that? Why all the secrecy?

All the secrecy because it's so NOT commonplace for children to move out of their parent's homes in Bahrain. I'm Bahraini, but originally Indian. And in both Bahraini and Indian cultures children don't move out of their parents' homes. ESPECIALLY girls. The girls are married off at a very young age, and usually, until they get married, they live with their parents. I completely don't agree with that concept.

Why would I want to be a burden on my parents just because I haven't found a guy, or worse, my parents haven't found one for me? (Yes, arranged marriages are the norm.) I've got a great job, I'm independent, I have my own car. (VERY imp. to be mobile in Bahrain) So why not take the next step and get my own place?

My parents are dead against the idea. They fear for my safety and are afraid someone will murder me in my sleep. (I have the Herculean task of convincing them that this won't happen). My mom cannot get her head around why I'd want to live alone when I can live with my family, come home to her, talk, etc. Well, I've always enjoyed solitude. As long as you don't get addicted to it, solitude is lovely. I've had a taste of living alone when I was studying in Pune, India, and I LOVED it. I love the idea of coming home to an empty flat. (I can't really write a lot about this as my mom reads my blog and she's in a very delicate emotional state right now and WILL assume all the wrong things. Haha! I love you Mom!)

So NOW you know what I was talking about in all my earlier posts. Bring on the questions and free advice!

On a style note, I lurve this blouse. I'd never thought I'd wear anything like it but a friend had forced me to try it and now it's one of my fave tops. It's nice and baggy, and the thinnest cotton which is lovely for summer.

Style tip: When wearing a narrow skirt, a baggy puffed out top balances it and looks chic. (I know I just called myself chic, but I need loads of self-love in this nail-biting time, ok?)

Top: F21, Blazer: H&M, Leggings: Gap, Shoes: Payless, Bangle: Gifted, Watch: Swatch

Meet Claire! Vest: New Look, Bolero: Miss Selfridge, Pants: Topshop, Sandals: Accessorize

 
I was blown away by my friend Claire Sparrow's style today when she waltzed into my office this morning. She's really rocking the colour blocking trend. It's definitely not an easy trend to follow, you can get it horribly wrong. But Claire totally carried it off by keeping all colours within the same colour family. And I love how her hot pink lipstick matches her pants. I ADORE her look, and she's so tempting me to get red/ pink pants for myself. (But I'm supposed to be saving up. Darn!) 

On another note, I love these ankle booties. Who says you can't wear ankle boots in summer?

Top, Pants: Zara, Shoes: Payless, Bangles: Mango, Necklace: H&M, Watch: Swatch

Since this has been a month of epiphanies for me, I thought I'd share a few pearls of wisdom I've learnt so far:

1. Giving explanations and justifications for what you're doing or going to is just a waste of your breath. Just do what you have to. 
2. Sometimes you NEED someone to tell you some hard-hitting truths for you to see the biggest flaws in your life. 
   
3. People are selfish. It's human nature. Try to find out their selfish reason for what they want from you, if it makes sense to you, only then help them.
4. I don't need any validation from anyone else. I validate myself.
5. If you want something, be selfish, honest and direct about it. I hate people who cloak their need in some 'larger than life' or 'beneficial to all' idea. 
6. Olive oil is the best make-up remover for waterproof mascara. (Not really a pearl of wisdom, but true!)
7. There is no such thing as 'society' where you need to uphold an image of yourself. People are selfish, and no matter what you do, when they need something, they'll come to you.
   
8. Neediness is inversely proportional to the amount of respect you'll get. 
9. Be very, very careful about who you go to seek advice. Unless they've been through a situation very similar to yours, they're not the right people. Confiding in them will backfire.
   
10. Your health is in your hands. Don't blame someone else for stressing you out.
    
11. If things are not going your way, don't get depressed, get creative. Make things go your way. Like Hannibal said- Aut viam inveniam aut faciam. Google it, go on, I know you want to.
12. Lastly, be kind and gentle to yourself, something I'm learning from this loving and wise blogger. 

I'm trying very hard to remember these and not make the same mistakes again. Do you have any pearls of wisdom you'd like to share? I'd love to hear from you. Click on comments and ready, set, go!

Dress, Belt: Mango, Shoes: Payless: Rings: Right hand: Gifted, Left hand: Gold Souk

A lot of my friends and acquaintances have seen my blog and remarked- "You must have a lot of clothes!" or "You must have a huge wardrobe!" My reply to all of them is the same. No, I don't. I just have lots of creativity.

I have limited clothes, most of which are basic and classy pieces, with a few quirky/ trendy ones. I don't have a money tree growing in my garden (now wouldn't that be nice!) for me to buy clothes all the time. But yes, I do have lots of accessories. And I keep adding to my collection of belts, necklaces and shoes. Those aren't costly. (Ok, some are, but a treat is ok once in a while) Then all I do is get creative with my clothes and accessories. It IS all about mixing and matching.

And now, for the coming months, I'm going to have to be frugal. (Yuck, how I hate that word). I've to be frugal for this secret project. Which means no shopping. Which means getting more creative in my dressing. So watch and learn. You can take notes too if you wanna. Just saying.

Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiink!!!

Shirt: Zara, Pants: Mango, Shoes: New Look, Necklace: H&M

Nail polish. I've always loved it, but was just too lazy to wear it. Now I have to because I've gotten into a bad habit of chewing on my nails when I'm stressed out. And I'm sooooooo happy that I put it (Wore it? Applied it? What's the right word? Whatever). I've a mental age of 5, and I was just so excited to finally have pink nails! The best part is, my nails match my phone colour! (My hands, not toes, which I did in a darker pink. Woohoo!) I just want to sit and stare at my fingers and toes all day. I drove my friend crazy yesterday squealing over my oh-so-cute nails. I know I should've taken a close-up of my nails, but nope, juuuuust too lazy.

On a serious note, my 'secret project' is shaping up quite well, and I should be ready to reveal it by this weekend. Or the next. Remember, patience is a virtue (I'm so glad no one can hit me through the internet).

For all my followers! MUAH!

Shirt: Playlife, Jeans and Shoes: Dorothy Perkins, Earrings: F21, Ring: Accessorize

I HATE math. I hate it I hate I hate it!!! Calculations, division, subtraction, grrrrrrr! Makes my head hurt. Hey, before you start dropping my IQ level in your imagination, let me tell you, I'm still pretty good at it. But I hate it. And today, I had to sit and do a lotttttttttttta calculations. For what? My money. That's the worst kinda calculations you want to do, trust me. But, it has to be done. Someone should give me an award for sitting and meticulously working all this out because all I want to do at such times is close my eyes and take a nap. (And hope to get a dream that miraculously shows me the solution). Plus the calculations I'm doing is for buying something major, so it's really important that I do it. But I'm not ready to spill the beans on that just now, so be patient, dear reader. 

In other news, this month is a month of epiphanies for me. One after the other, I'm having epiphanies. I'm seeing things in a much clearer light than before. And it is SO amazing. I keep thinking, why didn't I realize these things sooner? But then I'm just grateful that I'm realizing these things now at 26, than at 36. Anyhow, everything happens at the right time, when YOU'RE ready for it.