ajio top // zara shorts // puma bag + shoes // ray-ban sunglasses // daniel wellington watch

Photos by Sheila Vaz at SaffronStays Beyond

It feels like forever since I just shared a good old OOTD here on the blog. Do people even read blogs anymore? Digital media is bigger than ever, but seems to be dominated by a few social platforms. I’m currently tying to use instagram less, so it feels natural to share this here.

Politically & socially; we’re living through some pretty terrible times right now. And I’m not going to lie, things feel bleak. In times like this, I used to think that talking about beauty & fashion was frivolous, but right now it feels like self care.

These photos were taken back in Jan on a quick little getaway to Alibag, which is just a few hours away from Mumbai. We stayed at the perfect villa, worked, relaxed, ate amazing home cooked food + played with some doggos. It was pretty blissful, & just thinking about it is bringing me some inner peace. Oh & there was sun! I’m really missing the sun right about now. x

If you’d like to see more of the trip, check out this vlog.

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AJIO tshirt // Zara shorts // Hunter tall gloss wellington boots // Daniel Wellington Dapper Sheffield watch // Good After Nine cat ring // ONLY clutch

Lakmé Matte Melt Liquid Lipstick – Mild Mauve  | Maybelline Superstay Nail Polish – Rose Poudre

Photos by Sheila Vaz

I bought these hunter rain boots back in 2012 & since then, an outfit post styling them every monsoon has become something of an annual tradition (see posts from 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017; still sad about skipping 2014!)

It’s been a fun exercise to see my style evolve through just these monsoon posts – I started out styling these with just jeans, because I pretty much lived in jeans then (& also felt like my legs were too skinny for boots to be honest). As my body changed, I found it easier to experiment with dresses & shorts more often. I do wish that I was more confident in the start. I do also wish, by extension that we didn’t live in a world that demonise both skinny or plus sized people. I try to do my bit but sometimes the effort just feels a bit hopeless? People tend to cling to their biases tightly, so I guess all we can do is work on ourselves.

Now back to those boots – I’m still so pleased with them, although I feel a little sad now because they don’t get as much wear from me as they used to. Hunter boots may be expensive, but they’re made to be worn & they were far more practical during college, or when I took public transport more. Nowadays, I don’t really venture out just for fun in the monsoons, I can also afford the luxury of cabs, which makes these more ornamental. Nevertheless I’ve thrown so much money at ridiculously impractical thing over the years, like fancy branded bags that don’t really outlast the year I buy them (I’m looking at you, Fossil) so this was a good buy. Mumbai’s weather’s getting to it slowly, but I think it has another couple of years in it.

Oh and by the way, how many cats do you count in this look? I’m pretty sure that my extensive cat themed wardrobe has become one of my signatures. I even did a fashion haul video that was so full of cats. I love the tshirt from this look – even though it’s an absurd premise. As anyone who has cats could tell you, cats & large plants do not get along, much less a cactus! Take it from me, I have three. I had to give up on that plant lady dream a while ago.

It’s mid-August now, officially that time of the year when I’m utterly sick & tired of rains, I can’t even muster up any fake enthusiasm. Wherever in the world you are today, I just hope you’re warm & safe. x

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AJIO dress // Zara wooden minaudiere // Daniel Wellington classic petite ashfield wrist watch // BCBGeneration sandals

Photos by Sheila Vaz in Coonoor

Exactly one month & ten days ago, I turned 26! Summers in Mumbai are no fun, so since 25th birthday in Bangkok last year, I decided that I would bring in every birthday at a new destination. This year’s destination wasn’t really new – we’ve stayed at Coonoor once, three years ago & I’ve also visited on two other occasions. It’s a charming hill station in the Nilgiri region of Tamil Nadu, kind of a hidden gem – the ‘town’ area is really populous, but the region around Sim’s Park is lovely & quaint.

I found an amazing little homestay on airbnb, a room in a century old colonial era bungalow. We had arrived the previous day from Ooty. I actually sat & filmed a chatty video in the late morning & it ran a lot longer than expected. After I was finally done, we started out for lunch, but not before seeing a gorgeous ginger cat sitting in front of a little bush of flowers; he was very loving & receptive to pets & scritches – I truly believe meeting him was my birthday gift from the universe.

As luck would have it, we didn’t manage to get a rickshaw to take us to lunch & ended up having to take a bus & walk. Luckily, I picked a truly gorgeous spot with a panoramic view (the name 180° McIver is very apt!) & we were also blessed with amazing weather. We crashed almost immediately after, because I left very early next morning for a quickie trip to Delhi with Google – but that’s a story for another day.

If makeup is your thing, you can watch my birthday get ready with my video below.

Also here’s a rare picture of mom, she takes almost all of my pictures but has to be forced to let me take hers. I asked her to wear this top, so we could match.

It was a truly lovely day, & I know I’ll probably visiting that charming town again sometime. Now for something absolutely random – I’ve recently gotten a steam account & really delved into gaming again, after years! I’ve been obsessed with this sim called Stardew Valley, it’s really calming but it sort of sucks you in. Do you game? I’d love to hear about your all time faves! x

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AJIO dress // Daniel Wellington watch // H&M mules

lips- Guerlain KissKiss Matte in Zesty Orange (full review here) | nails- LYN Vegan nail polish in Genie in a Bottle

Photos by Sheila Vaz

The dress I’m wearing here was actually a whimsical sale purchase. I was really drawn in by the print – there’s tropical vegetation, a house, a cat, monkeys! I always like playful prints & I found this just charming, that I even bought a blouse version of it for mom. knew that I just had to wear this in Goa. Oh & by the way, do you spot actual, living monkeys in any of these pictures? There are even a couple more farm animals in there.

We shot this outfit on the road just outside our ancestral home in Goa. These pictures suddenly make me very sentimental because I’m intimately familiar with the area. Some of these photos were also taken by the church, where the walls were freshly whitewashed in preparation for the upcoming feast. x

SPECIAL– I’ve teamed up with Casetify to offer you 15% off on any phone cases on their website. I’m especially obsessed with their personalised glitter cases, which actually have liquid glitter floating inside & are super rugged! You get to choose everything from the font / placement of your name, to the colour of the glitter. You can use the code 15MAGVAZ for 15% off on their website, & they ship free internationally.

The post Roots 🌿 appeared first on Magali Vaz | Fashion, Lifestyle & Travel Blog.

You can watch all five looks in the below or on YouTube. I thought I’d give you guys a little background on each look like locations filmed, what we did that day etc.

Look One – Chinatown

Koovs stretch denim dress // Lulu & Sky Bowie bomber jacket // Ray-Ban round sunglasses – red mirror gradient flash // Daniel Wellington classy sheffield lady watch // Lavie yellow mini satchel // Vans sk8-hi 50th anniversary high top sneakers

Makeup |   The Body Shop Matte Lip Liquid in Mauritius Dahlia

Filmed at Yaowarat Street (Chinatown Bangkok).

Chinatown in Bangkok (better known to locals as Yaowarat street) was one of my favorite places during our last trip. However, we went on Lunar New Year which meant the place was at it’s most crowded, ever.

I really wanted to visit on a less maddening day, so we made it a point to visit one evening in April. We went at dusk, when the sun was beginning to set & the vertical neon lights were being turned on. It was chaotic in the most exhilarating way – I even experienced my first Chinese Tea Ceremony (glimpses of it are in the vlog). The light denim dress coupled with my favorite new high tops were just perfect for the evening. The jacket wasn’t necessary in the heat, I just really wanted to photograph it under all those lights!

Look Two – Tropical Smoothie

AJIO geometric print off shoulder peplum top + shorts // ASOS boater hat // Ray-Ban round sunglasses – red mirror gradient flash lenses // Timex weekender watch // Lavie yellow mini satchel // Vans sk8-hi 50th anniversary high top sneakers

Makeup |   MAC Lady Danger

Filmed on the sidewalk at Pan Road, near our hostel.

In the last year I’ve moved from someone with a mostly black, blue & solid color wardrobe to buying clothing in every colour of the rainbow. The co-ord set was the first proper vacation purchase this year. I was instantly attracted to the geometric print & bright colours but it was even cuter when I tried it – who doesn’t love a top that has on trend off shoulder detailing plus a peplum to hide your food baby? Not to mention, the shorts have deep, functional pockets & make my  look cute, I really couldn’t ask for a better summer vacation outfit.

This would have been super cute to wear to something outdoors but I just ended up wearing it to the mall for the most delicious Asian meal (every meal in Thailand was delicious though!)

Look Three – Botanical

Warehouse botanical maxi dress // Forever New embroidered basket bag // Koovs leather lattice loafers

Makeup |   The Body Shop Matte Lip Liquid in Goa Magnolia

Filmed at Luka Bangkok, a cute little brunch place near our hostel.

This beautiful Warehouse maxi is a summer purchase from a couple of years ago that I never got around to wearing. It has an interesting botanical print, side slit & an open back detail – the perfect laidback brunch outfit. I wore it for a second visit to Luka Bangkok, this wonderfully designed café & interiors store at Pan road. We first went there for my birthday brunch & I knew I had to revisit it. That place is so chic, with it’s industrial decor & tons of plants that I would probably pay to eat cardboard (& yes, I’ve just come to the realization that aesthetics mean more to me than food when I’m eating out). But you needn’t worry, they have an amazing menu. I finally sipped on pretty soda, munched on a shakshuka & later did my best to pose for this lookbook while concealing my food baby, hehe. Always love when I can walk back to my residence in ten minutes. 🙂

Look Four – The Tourist

H&M cat tshirt // Marks & Spencer relaxed denim shorts // Firmoo metal round glasses // Accessorize backpack // Timex weekender watch // Vans sk8-hi 50th anniversary high top sneakers

Makeup |   Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip – Frick n Frack

Filmed at Cooper Bangkok, our super chic hostel.

There’s nothing much to talk about this look – it’s just your standard vacation casual outfit. Not particularly inventive or special, just comfy & functional. The perfect outfit to just roam around for hours in & eat the most delicious street food.

Look Five – Sunday Sundowner

Koovs off shoulder black dress // Ray-Ban round sunglasses – red mirror gradient flash lenses // Daniel Wellington classy sheffield lady // Lavie yellow mini satchel // Steve Madden darcie sandals

Makeup |   MAC Lady Danger

Filmed at Ratchada Train Market, my favorite night market in Bangkok.

My final look is technically my birthday dress, I had plans for the evening but got lazy & decided to postpone it by a few days. I ended up wearing it to Ratchada Train Market, my favorite night market in Bangkok. Live music, great food & cool beer – it was just the perfect evening towards the end of our trip.

And those were my five looks! I feel like I’m getting a lot better at vacation outfit planning. If you’ll notice, my red Ray-Ban’s, yellow satchel & multi coloured high tops are each repeated three times in these five looks. I’ve always read that you should carry more solids & neutrals while travelling, because they’re easier to mix & match but I think you can mix & match colourful outfits too, provided you stick to a similar colour palette. Most of my outfits had bright, primary colours & that’s why I could get away with using the same yellow bag & high top sneakers in three of these looks. Despite being ‘loud’ colours, they just went with almost everything I had carried.

I hope this lookbook gives you some dress up or travel inspiration (maybe even a little of both!) Let me know which look is your favorite in the comments below! 🙂 x

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Earlier today was a show simply billed as #DoubtIsOut at Lakmé Fashion Week. Anticipation was super high especially after yesterday’s flash mob. Turns out it was the to introduce AJIO.COM, a new online fashion & style destination by Reliance Retail.

AJIO (ajio.com – pronounced ‘aa-jio’ / ‘आ-जीओ’), the online fashion and style destination of Reliance Retail, was unveiled with a preview at the country’s leading fashion event, Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2016. AJIO brought in exceptional women achievers from unique genres as showstoppers who epitomize the ‘Doubt is Out’ movement.

AJIO also presented the unique & innovative concept of ‘Shop-able Runway’ at the show. The ‘AJIO Shop-able Runway’ offered an instant shopping option to audiences for the outfits showcased on the ramp. On clicking the link, www.bit.ly/ajio_lfw, users could directly reach the shopping section for the specific outfits on AJIO’s website. The show was streamed live in order to reach out to fashionistas across the country.

The AJIO made a statement at LFW with its #‘Doubt is Out’ campaign, which appeals to the woman who is empowered, who knows what she wants to be, and is confident in being who she is. With its ‘Doubt is Out’ Campaign, AJIO encourages fearless fashion.
I know that I’ve faced a lot of self doubt in my life & still do to an extent. Everyone has different personalities & I can be reserved, shy & pretty socially awkward – they don’t seem like idea traits for a blogger + vlogger right, since a large part of my work includes making (parts of) my life public & creating digital content that is consumed by thousand of people daily, mostly strangers.

So yes, I doubt myself often. So I don’t think my personal strength lies in completely eliminating self doubt – to me it lies in feeling doubt & still pushing past it, ignoring it & moving forward. As a child or teen, I was bullied & called names for not liking things everyone else seemed to & having my own unique interests, dressing in a style that appealed to me even if it wasn’t based on current trends. Growing older, starting this blog & expanding my horizons has made me much more comfortable with marching to the beat of my own drum, so that’s why I felt so strongly attracted to AJIO’s message of Doubt Is Out.

Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, the transgender activist, walked the ramp to ‘Gender no bar’. This was one of my favorite parts of the show, because I’m very drawn to androgynous fashion!

The first Indian woman to fly an MIG fighter jet, Suman Sharma, walked the ramp for ‘Career no bar’.

The bubbly Bharti Singh, known for her stand-up comedy on reality shows, walked the ramp effortlessly to ‘Size no bar’

The original Bollywood ‘item girl’ Helen walked danced down the ramp, demonstrating ‘Age no bar’ & driving the audience mad! I loved her energy.

The gorgeous Sunny Leone closed the show with ‘Choice No Bar’

The AJIO Doubt Is Out show was one of the more unique shows I’ve seen in a while. It was of course about the gorgeous clothes but went beyond that & sent out a powerful message, a reminder that I’m sure all of us can use!

AJIO online store will feature a collection of over 200 international and national brands as well as own-brand merchandise comprising apparels, lingerie, shoes, accessories, and jewellery. You can check out the website here (& shop too!) x

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