WEDDING 'BELLS' -

Posted by Glam Insider on 26th April, 2011

What's the single most possession every woman on this planet looks forward to in feverish anticipation? No prizes here for guessing here; jewelry in all forms has and remains the unprecedented winner on the fairer skin. But when that takes on a whole other avatar is closer to the country's most colorful occasion; the wedding season! And why is because not only the bride in the limelight, but every other girl too gets that 'golden' opportunity to sparkle up from head to toe.

As this year's wedding season lays down its glittery carpet, bride's crane their necks to catch a glimpse on what's new on the adornment shelves. Gone are the days of the pretentious over-bearing sets threatening to collapse the bride with its weighty amour; the new decade calls for understated class with a dash of elite vanity. What used to take first slot earlier was the bright over the top gold in a combination of two or more neckpieces teamed with brazen bright clips on the ears; with the entire set then from the kadas (thick bangles) to mangtika(forehead accessory) to bajubandh (arm bracelet) in the exact matching patterns.

A bride today opts for more subtle colors when it comes to her couture and hence the jewelry has to metamorphose accordingly. Diamonds must be your first pick (if your wallet allows you); and even with a smaller budget go in for a delicate diamond set rather than a plain heavy gold one; gold can always remain the metal of choice but insert that with precious stones. Platinum and titanium are gaining popularity especially for the night functions; and if you're going in for more than one set, design one in this metal as well - this will last a lifetime.

Precious stones come in every color you please; making it doubly convenient to pick a stone to match every outfits. If the diamond is just a wee bit outa reach but you still yearn for that glint; polki (uncut diamonds) makes the next most beautiful alternative.

This season is also about one big centerpiece; keeping the rest minimal to let the linchpin take attention. So what's wise (even for your budget) is to carve one really heavy-weight so say make a rock-studded choker necklace all with an intricate weave using gorgeous solitaires; then that way even if your earrings remain simple studs and your wrists are decorated with thin-plated wires - the ensemble doesn't appear incomplete. Pick the piece of your set you'd like to dominate, keeping the rest light.

A great trick if you're not artistic yourself is to make jewelers your best buddies in advent of the shaadi dhamaka and cajole them into racking their creative cells into coming up with something that suits your taste and pocket; after all it's an occasion that graces once in a lifetime - a few extra pennies will be well worth the memories.

IT'S TIME TO ROCK THAT PARTY! -

Posted by Glam Insider on 26th April, 2011

So someone says 'Its party time!' and instead of jumping up with excitement you have a panic attack just because you don't know what you're gonna wear to this soiree?! It's that time of the year again; summer has ushered in a lazy wave so pool parties are the mainstay. Summer vacations just means the mommy's and daddy's can play again so parties are going around by the dozen. The shaadi season is making a stylish come-back and subsequently so are the before and after parties. PARTY seems to be the buzz in every nook.

But wait a minute, no longer are these parties an event where u can pull a top over those denims and sprint in some heels. Today parties bigger, better and bolder than ever. And when I mean bold, I'm talking about themes; which guests have to abide by. They add that missing zing I might add.

There are only so many themes; so once you have the basics in hand, you're basically sorted. A Bollywood theme for example calls for a saree; pick the most attention-grabbing one from your closet and just pair it up with some chunky jewelry; now this could be anything from gold to silver to even bronze; the more gaudy the better. These days some jewelers are even willing to rent you these heavyweights; for a significant price of course. The men can just ape the retro look they dig most; tight bell bottoms that you've secretly been yearning to wear get an opportunity now; so just go for it. The hair must be over the top for both sexes.

Now if the theme says Hawaiian, its even easier; floral is your only choice. Any outfit, frock, skirt, shirt even chappals with flower motifs is fine, and all of us own atleast one piece of clothing during our term of the flower fetish; so just use that and work around it. Like if you have a XXL shirt that belonged to your pre-fitness times; just wear a vest inside and knot the shirt leaving the buttons open. Accessories take on a colorful appearance too. A bright scarf around your waist instead of a belt, a chic knot at your throat, jingly trinkets on your arm or half a dozen neck danglers; each in a different color around your neck. Anklets and toe rings are a must to bring out the gypsy look.

Now what's gaining momentum as a theme around the globe especially during the summer when hues are allowed experimenting without eyebrows raising is the Arabic one. Ahoy Arabia seems to be the mantra of the season.

Now if you're bold enough to go as a authentic belly dancer; put on a plain pair of harem pants only to team it up with a patterned bikini top; the demure ones can add a sheer kurti on that, but done forget the slim gold band around the waist that spells 'hot'. A princess can be seen in a classy mermaid skirt and stone-studded top while a prince looks oh-so-cool in a dhoti-kurta combo. The jewel rule here is; the more the better. Flaunt some big stones on those fingers.

A Sultan is got to be heating it up in a chudidar; but if you wanna skip the kurta top just replace that with a tee with a jacket; but don't forget to get yourself a turban. Any red dupatta in the house can serve the purpose.

The ones going 'eh what theme; lets just go in denims' are usually mistaken for the server boys!