{ monochrome madness }

back when i was 14, i went through a really weird phase where i would only dress in black. no exceptions. as time progressed, i realised that “oh wait”, black is great but i have a whole rainbow of colours to experiment with. and so i did. i’ve tried probably every colour out there, a few looked ghastly, while some worked. i’m so glad there’s hardly any photographic evidence of those terrible teenage years haha!

after many many years, i obviously know which colours suit me and which don’t. i also have a very specific colour palette when i hit the stores, which makes it oh so breezy to finish quicker.

even though pink has dethroned black as the colour i heart the most, it still reigns supreme in the colour scheme of my life. black and white specifically. whether its work wear, decor or even selfies, black and white rule the roost for me.

a deadly combination, mixed with some accents of gold, red or hot pink, simply cannot go wrong. stripes as well, as shown in today’s post, look oh so classy just worn over a simple pair of black pants or jeggings. styled with a really massive black tote from forever new that fits in everything, but your house.

gold accessories pretty much are a big favourite here at the whimsical diaries including everything from watches, bracelets, cuffs and rings.

so if you haven’t already, your next shopping trip, do try to add a bit of monochrome and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how, a supposed lack of colour is made up for in so many ways by the absolute magnificence of black and white. sometimes, just plain classics do the trick and we couldn’t be happier!

you can see their full range of totes here and even shop on their indian website forevernew.co.in

Styling / Model: Priyanka

Styling / Photography: Aparna

© Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material on The Whimsical Diaries blog (content or images), without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to The Whimsical Diaries Blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

{ work style }

when i started my first job fresh out of college as an intern at a news channel, i walked in on my first day with my jaw touching the dusty old floors, as some of the country’s leading anchors walked past me. they were prim, proper and carried themselves with an air of owning every step they took. as a christite who was forced and eventually made comfortable in kurtas and jeans, power dressing took my breath away. eventually i changed jobs and found myself in a happy little advertising agency in bangalore, a job i’ve held for four years now. and over the years as the company, our clients and our creativity evolved, i realise now, that so have my dressing sensibilities. while i stay clear of crisp shirts and trousers, i still like to look formal, topped off with a dollop of personality. i try and pick pieces that would work well with practically any colour, style or accessory. makes it so much easier to get dressed and to work on time, six days a week. a few classic accessories, a couple of foolproof combinations and i’m usually set. i have three statement necklaces that i swear by for my work style. they add just the right amount of bling, to convert a pretty plain outfit into one that makes me feel all va va voom! necklaces, bags and shoes are my primary indulgences in the hierarchy of shopping, mainly owing to their usability. you can’t repeat a shirt or a pair of pants as much as a necklace or bag, now can you? one thing you need to know is that i definitely do NOT shop every month. not even close. invest in some quality pieces when it comes to accessories, bags and shoes and you’ll find yourself reinventing your wardrobe like never before. so my mantra for work styling being, splurge on the above and save on clothes. meaning tons of forever21, formal chiffon shirts from lifestyle/shoppers (i love zinc) and pants from vashis. with this combination, i take on work style woes with a little more confidence than the 21 year old version of me did at my first job. phew! what a journey it has been:) all images were taken by fabulously talented priyanka saklecha, the blog’s official photographer and someone you should really watch out for!

Shopping bag!

shirt: zinc at shoppers stop • pants: forever21 • black & gold necklace: forever new • black & white necklace: forever new • gold clutch: forever new • cuff: malaysia • black pumps: tresmode • black & white flats: lavie

 shop for the forever new products mentioned in the post at forevernew.co.in (for the indian website) or at forevernew.com.au/womens-jewellery | forevernew.com.au/clutch-bags (for the australian website)

© Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the material on The Whimsical Diaries blog (content or images), without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to The Whimsical Diaries Blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.