Sustainability

This is a word that’s used so often nowadays but actually living it is not always that easy. I’ve always wanted to live more sustainably but it just seems like the movement often preaches absolutes (shopping bans, zero waste, plastic-free) which don’t always seem attainable.

But it’s something I’m working on in my own way – trying to switch to less wasteful alternatives, cooking more, reusing what I have & repurposing as much as possible. I also try to be a conscious consumer, & keep myself educated on brands I purchase from to make sure our values align. I’m much more selective with fashion & beauty purchases (mainly because I use less of both!) but I recently bought some stunning sustainable jewelry that’s so perfect for everyday wear.

Being Open to Change

Sometime in my mid-twenties, without realising it I got set in my ways & consequently resistant to any real change. It started with me putting myself, my likes & dislikes in boxes – there were things I was good at, & other things I wasn’t, and I figured there wasn’t any use pushing myself to do things I didn’t know or wasn’t already good at. However, I’ve spent the better part of the last two years intentionally unlearning that & trying new things.

2020 got me into growing things – it started with houseplants but since then I’ve even tried growing produce & it’s definitely something I want to experiment with more.

In 2021 I took a ceramics class (‘for fun!’) but got into it & launched a small brand too, all the while pushing myself to get better & try more complex forms.

I feel like 2022 will have a thing too, I don’t know what but I have the better part of twelve months to find out.

Embracing Detachment

It’s often said that ‘the best-laid plans of mice and men go awry’ & nothing has hammered that lesson harder than living through a global pandemic. And this is a lesson I’ve hard to internalise a lot with ceramics practice too. There’s just so much we have no control over – it is absolutely impossible to control every variable. The best thing we can do is try & then leave it to the universe.

I’m wearing a Marks & Spencer shirt, Zara jeans, Uniqlo shoes & a Murano Glass snack necklace with a Studio Bahia custom planter.

Photos by Sheila Vaz.

If you have any intentions / resolutions / whatever you’d like to call them, I’d love to hear about it in the comments. x

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ONLY cactus vest // Marks & Spencer joggers // Ray-Ban round silver reflectors // Daniel Wellington Classy Sheffield Lady watch // BCBGeneration sandals

Photos by Anushree Gavas as Hotel Renaissance Mumbai

Today marks the eight anniversary of Magalic.com. This impulsive little side project that I started during Christmas break in my first year of college has grown into something much bigger than I could ever hope for or imagine!

I don’t really know what I can say that I haven’t already said many times – but thank you for being so wonderful & supportive. For coming to my blog, reading what I have to say, & sharing bits of your own lives with me. I cherish it more than I can express.

I thought this was the perfect simple outfit to commemorate the occasion. Of course, this was shot a while ago. I’ve had an utterly chaotic day, but I really want to sit & write a few words before the clock strikes midnight.

Last year I didn’t get to do as much as I’d like on this blog – I felt guilty about it, but it’s ok to take it slow sometime. Well I’m back, in earnest & I have some (hopefully exciting) changes that I’ll be announcing over the next week or so. Lots of love! x

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A months ago I did a little shoot for the Marks & Spencer Summer Vacation collection which you must be already familiar with if you follow me on instagram (@magali_c).

They’re two outfits that are absolutely perfect for the pool side or beach, & one laidback casual full linen look.

All the clothing & the hat is from Marks & Spencer while my sandals are from Topshop.

All photos (& this video) by my talented friend Anushree Gavas at The Poolside, JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar.

I don’t know why I’m only now getting around to sharing them here because they’re probably my favorite images (of myself, haha) ever. Hope you liked this post… which look was your favorite? x

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SheIn off shoulder top // Marks & Spencer relaxed denim shorts // Accessorize necklace // Daniel Wellington Classy Sheffield Lady watch // Vitasta Rupiya clutch // Steve Madden sandals

on my lips: Colourpop Tulle | fingers: Maybelline Uptown Blue | toes: Maybelline Rose Poudre

Photos by Sheila Vaz at Candies Café

I feel the most comfortable in casual clothes, & this outfit is a sort of happy mish mash of everything I’ve been enjoying recently. Lots of the colour blue & of course the off shoulder trend. The personal style section of this blog has it’s roots in very hippie / bohemian dressing. Of course it’s been 7 years since then, & my style has changed & evolved quite a bit, but it’s fun to sometimes revisit it. Speaking of revisiting old loves, this  outfit was photographed at Candies, my very favorite hangout when I was in college. At the time it was out favorite purely because of proximity (plus management at Candies seemed nice which is more than we could say for our other favorite, Cafe Andora).

So that day I went back to Candies after a few years, to check out their latest pizzas (the Hawaiian one was delicious!) & I was delighted that the place still had it’s charm. Plus, it had just rained, which made all the greenery look even more lush. I made a mental note to visit more often.

This post turned out to be a bit… nostalgic somehow? In a world where everything’s changing, revisiting old favorites (whether it’s a cafe like this, or just reconnecting with old friends) just seems to bring with it a sense of comfort.

Hope you’re all well, have a great weekend!

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Koovs off shoulder top // Marks & Spencer relaxed denim shorts // Rosato charm bracelet // Forever 21 clutch // Steve Madden sandals

Photos by Sheila Vaz at Loco Chino, Oshiwara

It took a while for me to get on board with the off-shoulder trend & now I just can’t get enough! This top from Koovs is just the perfect casual piece that pops. I match it with my lips & I’m good to go.

NYX, one of the first makeup brands I ever tried, recently launched in India, exclusively on Nykaa! What was even more exciting is that they’ve launched 200 products simultaneously, so beauty lovers can have a field day shopping.

I’ve recent incorporated a few NYX things into my makeup routine, so I thought I’ll take a bit about them here. If you’d like to know more, please go watch my #NYXIndia video as it’s very detailed.

I haven’t used liquid foundation for a couple of years now, my base is just concealer & powder! Lately I’d been feeling unsatisfied with the coverage a regular powder compact gave & was considering going back to liquid foundation, even though I don’t like using them.

Enter the NYX Hydra Touch Powder Foundation. This product has changed my life. It’s silk soft, gives a wonderful coverage & finish & is just all round perfect. I’m a perfect match to the shade amber.

I used to NYX Matte Lipstick (in Eden) with the NYX Butter Gloss (in Red Velvet). The matte lipstick gives a wonderfully rich pigmentation that’s comfortable to wear & doesn’t slip, while a little bit of the butter gloss (concentrated on the centre of my lips) adds some dimension, making my lips look pouty & full.

For my eyes, I used the NYX Jumbo Pencil (in Yoghurt) quite generously – all over my lids, in my inner corner & cupids bow. It added a subtle wash of colour & shimmer. I usually keep my eye makeup very simple & using this just elevated the whole look.

Let me know if you’d like more makeup breakdowns with my personal style posts! x

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Featured: Penny Longline Bralette // Topshop Jamie Jeans // Marks & Spencer Longline Cardigan // Urban Decay Mrs Mia Wallace lipstick // Eye Got Blue iPhone 6 Plus case

I’ve featured lingerie here before, but not like this. I’ve always wanted to do a personal style post like this but you know what stopped me? The fact that I have put on a few kilos in the last couple of years & I wasn’t feeling too comfortable with my own body, forget about actually putting it out on the internet for everyone too see.

You see, as young girls we are taught from the very beginning to hate our bodies & only really notice flaws. I grew up extremely skinny. I was called names by classmates, & random aunties thought it was appropriate to say I’m too thin or ask openly whether my parents aren’t feeding me. I didn’t feel at home in my body then either, but over the years I began to accept it & be a bit more body confident. You can see my first personal style post on this blog here – it’s five an a half years old! My thinness was a part of my identity, much like unruly dark hair & the mole on my collarbone.

But ever since I got done with college & got into a more sedentary lifestyle, I’ve put on weight. It’s a very common thing to happen & I’ve seen many classmates go through the same. It was kind of weird to deal with at first! I embraced the pros of being ever so slightly heavier like being able to get clothing that fits well everywhere, not floating in the smallest size dress & more. The cons? (according to me at least!) include no longer being able to wear bodycon dress because I don’t work out & don’t have a flat tummy. I even bought my first shape wear. But I think now I finally understand the concept of self love a bit better. Although being fit & toned & most importantly strong is something I would like to work towards, I cannot love my body & self completely if I only love it when it looks a certain way. I don’t know exactly when that thought popped into my head but it felt like a personal epiphany of sorts.

So it was quite the journey but I think I’m comfortable with my body in whatever shape it is right now. It’s not like I don’t have off days but at the end of the day I still feel like I’m getting somewhere.

Why did I write so much for a personal style post? Because I believe self acceptance & love is a (difficult) process. If you want to be comfortable with your body, you have to work towards it. For me, this post is quite a big step & I felt like I should discuss a little bit.

These photos were taken on my recent trip to Ooty. I’ve been pretty obsessed with bralettes over conventional bras lately, they’re so much more comfortable & great for layering too. Lace bralettes have been very ‘in’ internationally for quite a while , but I couldn’t find any cute ones available in India, until now. I was quite excited when I found this online & at quite a reasonable price. I went with my usual favorite, black; but there were also gorgeous crimson & purple ones. For any stylish aspiring models out there, the addition of the Penny Longline Bralette is perfect for your lingerie modelling shoots! I decided to try the whole lingerie as outerwear trend, if you a layer a lace bralette with a cardigan or blazer, it becomes surprisingly wearable I think!  Also, I felt like I should mention that I’ll be discussing lingerie a lot more here – it’s something I really love & I don’t know why I was feeling weird about putting it on Magalic.com! Hope you have a good weekend. x

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