Ewa Young Haul- Wishing on Summers

Hi guys! So okay okay, I promise this will be the last haul for a while! I just convinced myself not to shop again last night because you shouldn't do that when you're broke! Lets hope I can control myself. I have to! 

So this is a haul and review sort of post since I couldn't find many for this site (ewayoung.com) and was a little skeptical about ordering from here. But the stuff was too good to pass on, so I took a risk. And it paid off. The clothes are amazing!. The material, quality, design, fit, everything! The one thing though, is definitely check out the sizing chart before ordering because they run very true to size so its important to check them out and not just go with your usual size as mass produced clothes have wonky sizing. The delivery time is pretty good too but as I did not have any problems with my order I don't have any idea about the customer care.

So, I ordered three things from here. A printed crop top, a bustier crop top and a suspender skater skirt. The collection might be a little risque for some but I love it and its all in the styling isn't it?

So here's what I got!

So first off, I'm wearing a floral bustier and a suspender skater skirt both from ewa young. The top is very pretty and fits very well. It has a zipper on the side and criss-cross straps from the back. Its quite short so works well with high waisted skirts and shorts. I think it would work well with sarees and lehengas too for an indo-western touch. It is has moulded cups so it gives a very neat shape to the bust area. It is plain black from behind which I think is relevant information somehow. 

Coming to the skirt now, I love skater skirts as they are fun and flirty and feminine (lots of f's here, huh?) I chose the suspender one as it was something different and also versatile in the sense that I could tuck the straps in and wear it as a regular skater skirt too. The skirt has good volume and looks amazing while twirling. There are also red and white options available now and obviously, non suspender ones on the website. 

Wearing: 

Top: Ewa Young

Skirt: Ewa Young

Okay, so here I have this lip print crop top you might have seen in my Valentine's Day Lookbook . This crop top has a big hit with everyone who has seen me wear it. I have styled this two ways, one with red pants and white sneakers and other is the same look from my lookbook with a black pencil skirt and red heels. The material again is great and the print is nice and vibrant. As you can see, this is also short but not as much as the bustier. 

This top can be worn casually and also semi formally despite of the print. It is great to add a fun element to a monochrome outfit. The detailing of the lip is on point which some red and pink shading. Overall, I am in love with this. Enough said.

Wearing

Top: Ewa Young

Pants: DJ&C

Skirt: Local Store

Heels: Local Store

So, in conclusion, the website is amazing, the stuff is amazing, the pictures are true to product, the delivery time is great, I really don't know what else to say. If I was to nitpick though, the one thing is that the clothes are dry clean only but well that's on the material not the brand. I would totally recommend this website!

P.S.- Not Sponsored

Thank you for reading and lots of love! 😘😘😘

Valentines Day Lookbook

Hi guys! So Valentines around the corner and its time to plan out those outfits. Whether you're going out with your significant other, your best friend or chilling alone, its a great excuse to dress up and get out. So I decided to use all the stuff I keep on buying to post a lookbook for you guys! I'm also a huge hoarder so there is a lot of stuff that is ages old and alot of street shopping so I've linked similar products for those. So now, grab that cup of coffee or tea 'cause this going to be a long one!

Look 1:

So the first look is all girly with the pink and the tulle for the super feminine Valentines look! The top is off shoulder which is right on trend and amazingly flattering on almost everyone and the skirt has a pretty pattern at the bottom edge making it feminine despite all the black. To add an edge, I have added a simple choker and black wedges. All the looks are with stockings because its weather appropriate and also because I feel that it classes up the look.

The top is actually a blush pink bodysuit I recently got from koovs and skirt is from Mumbai street shopping but you can find similar ones online. Bodysuits are perfect for skirts because it makes the look neater and well tucked in. The stockings you can find anywhere and everywhere, street shops, online, malls, etc. The heels are black wedges I got a while back from hype and I have overused them since.

Top/Bodysuit: Koovs
Skirt: Mumbai street shopping 
Similar: here and here

Stockings: find similiar here and here and here

Wedges: Hype

Similiar: here

Choker: Lifestyle

Look 2:

For the second look, I've tried to add a ethnic touch to the outfit. The magenta is very bright and stands out against the white jeans. This is actually a kaftan that I had stitched and the neck work of the pearl was hand done. The kaftan is a very interestingly shaped kurta that makes this look very different and well, I've always thought that to be a good thing.

The material of the kaftan is very thin so I am wearing a white slip underneath, you can add different slips for a fun element. My earrings are a result of street shopping. I've always loved danglers and the pearls in the earrings just paired perfectly with the neckline. Though not pictured, I have paired this with a nude pair of heels that ties in with the nude suede look edge of the kaftan.

Kaftan: Stitched
Similar: here and here
White Jeans: Lee
Earrings: Street Shopping
Similar: here

Look 3:

This look is a little more formal, great for a date at a high end restaurant. The look is actually quite simple, the colors and the fit is what makes it formal. So here I have paired a crop top with a pencil skirt. The stockings are the same as the first look. The heels are red and strappy and high and make the look really sexy. I just put on red earrings and a red lipstick for the perfect accessories. 

The red adds a romantic touch and the lip print on the top makes this whole look very fun and flirty. This look works very well for candlelight dinners and such but the fit of the skirt makes it not so appropriate for a club or a girls night out because you really can't dance in this. I have always loved stilettos and this five inch pair is surprisingly comfortable.

Top: Ewa Young

Skirt: Local Store

Similiar: here

Stockings: find similiar here and here and here

Heels: Local Store

Similiar: here and here

Earrings: Street Shopping

Similiar: here 

Look 4:

If you follow me on instagram, you might have already had a sneak peak into this look already. I love this color and the shape of the dress is so unique that it is a showstopper. I wanted to do a different colour from the usual red and pink and black and this was so stunning! The dress has a slouchy fit and it is one sleeved which is very different. Off shoulders and one shoulders are trending and this is a different way to embrace these trends.

I wore these heels I recently got online. The heels are colorful and striped and asymmetrical. They work very well with the colour and shape of the dress but also add a fun element. The jewelry tone I went for was silver, but gold would work too. The bangle is square and the earrings are short in the front and have a long drop in the back. As you can see by now, this entire look is made up of elements that are very different and unique and that I think is the best part.  

Dress: Madame
Similar: here
Stockings: find similiar here and here and here
Heels: Nell from Jabong

Earrings: Local Store

Similar: here

Cuff: Local Store

Similar: here

Look 5:

This look is I think the classic Valentines look. The black dress, the red accessories, its what you envision for a Valentines date night, right? Or maybe its just me. So this dress was actually a gift I got long back and it was so loose and plain, so I got this thick statement belt, not only to improve the shape but also to add some colour. The neck of the this dress was a deep V so I modified it into an off shoulder dress because that is so trending right now and it also made the neckline more suitable for me.

The belt is a snake print stretchable one with gold locking in the center and the heels are the ones in Look 3. You could use any other color to brighten up the look, as long as you have a statement belt, it will work. For accessorizing I put on this long chain necklace from Lifestyle, I doubled up to get a layered choker look and this old bag from my mom. I've worn stockings in every dress or skirt look till now so why stop here?

Dress: Gift
Similar: here
Belt: Madame
Similar: here and here

Stockings: find similiar here and here and here

Heels: Local Store

Similiar: here and here

Bag: Mom's closet
Similar: here and here and here
Necklace: Lifestyle
Similar: here and here

Look 6:

The final look is a black skater dress with a net yoke and a sweetheart neckline. I love the sweetheart neckline so much. This has little silvery shimmery things which makes this not so plain. The shape of this dress is flattering on almost everyone and I think this is a great party dress.

The shape makes this dress easy to move in and the silver makes it blingey so you can wear this to the club and girls night outs too! I wore my Nell heels here too for the fun element as I was going for the girls night out lok but black heels will do for a more classy look. I haven't added any accessories to not add any worries when dancing the night away and also I was feeling lazy, but obviously, you do you, boo.

Dress: Westside
Similar: here and here
Stockings: find similiar here and here and here
Heels: Nell from Jabong

So that's it for today, guys! Hope you enjoyed and maybe even got a couple of ideas. Thanks for reading and lots of love! 😘😘😘

My Night Time Routine

I'm not a skincare girl. I like makeup much more. Like much much more. And yes, I understand good skin is important for good makeup but I still don't like it. People have elaborate routines for night and day and midday and for summer for winter for autumn for spring and what not but this night time routine is all I do, except for the occasional face pack. This has worked pretty well for my oily to combination skin and obviously skincare is person specific, so keep that in mind for this post. Anyways, lets get into it!

Step One:

The first and the most important step is to remove your makeup. The worst thing you can do for your skin is sleep with makeup on. So even if you're too lazy to do a whole night routine, just remove your makeup before going to bed.

 For this, I feel makeup wipes are the best since they're quick and easy for that lazy girl in you. However, if you wear waterproof makeup (like I do, my eyes water alot) then you need an oil based or bi-facil remover. The one that I use is Lancome one which is great.  Though for a budget option, Biotique has a great almond oil based remover. My makeup wipes are from Kara and they're amazing too.

Step Two:

Once you have removed your makeup its time to cleanse and scrub. So I wash my face every night with a face wash and not when you wake up (well I technically do but only with water until my bath). This keeps your skin looking young and supple as your skin replenishes its natural oils during the night and when we use a wash or a soap *cringing* in the morning, it wipes all that off aging our skin prematurely. At night, our skin has the dirt and grime of the entire day so washing it then makes sense, doesn't it? 

If you're a morning washer, switching up your routine might lead to breakouts initially but in about a week it'll be alright. Within a month, you'll see a difference, I promise!  

As for the scrub, I use it 2-3 times a week. Face scrubs can be harsh on  your skin, specially young skin so understand your skin type and needs. Some people can get by scrubing 7 days a week but some, such as those with really sensitive skin, might have problems with just once twice a week too. 

I use the Himalaya Neem Face Wash and Scrub because its the only one that suited my skin. Neem is really good for the skin and Himalaya is all natural! I like to use things in sets, so like my face wash, scrub and pack are all of Himalaya Neem range, my shampoo and conditioner would be the same variant of the same brand and so on. I always keep these in stock, since I can't afford to skip my routine even once in a while.

Step 3:

Well, technically I brush before I wash my face but it felt weird to write this post in that order. So.. Anyway, the next thing to do is brush. But, it doesn't end there. After brushing, using a tongue cleaner and floss are essential steps that most of us miss. Maybe, that's why I missed adding a picture of these. So, from today we will stop ignoring these! For my floss, I use the Colgate Waxed Dental Floss. Since, this is the only one I have used and only recently started using it, I can't really say how well it works. To me, it feels okay but then, what do I know? 

My toothbrush is the Colgate Charcoal Toothbrush and my Toothpaste is the Close Up Whitening Toothpaste. I use a whitening toothpaste because Indian food can really stain your teeth. The toothpaste is half blue, half silver which is quite interesting. I have seen  a difference but its quite temporary. Again brushing your teeth at night is the most important time since gong to sleep with the entire day's worth of food stuck in your teeth is just asking for cavities.

Step 4:

 So after all of this is done, I sit in bed and do the final step of my skincare. Now, I probably should use a moisturizer or a serum or toner or something on my face but I'm yet to find one that suits my skin. Everything that I have tried has lead to breakouts. So at this point I just apply my under eyes gel and lip balm and go to sleep.

My lip balm is from just herbs  which means its completely natural. I used to use baby lips earlier but that dried my lips out so got most dependent on it and so on. It wasn't until I got this one in my fabbag that I tried a different one and realized how drying baby lips was for me. My under eye gel from Khadi has a cool bluish colour which is quite pretty. The gel itself is very calming on the skin and shows results as early as in the first week. It is suggested to be applied twice daily but I'm lazy.

So, this was my night time routine! Hope you got some tips from this. So as always, thanks for reading and lots of love! 😘😘😘

How to Make Chocolate Eclairs

Hi guys! Yes I am back with chocolate after my savory experiment with the quiche. But obviously chocolate is love. I'm going to post about these chocolate eclairs that I made. making Eclairs is a step by step process and has many elements. None of these is difficult to make and neither very time taking.

The one thing that elevates an eclair is the decoration and plating. The choux pastry is simple enough to make, the filling is whipped cream and the glaze is also quite easy to prepare. Once the choux pastry dough is made, use a wet pastry bag to pipe out the eclairs. Being wet, the dough will not stick to the bag. You can also use a spoon but a piping bag would be neater. On baking, the eclairs will rise and fill with steam. Once baked, you need to take out the eclairs and pierce them otherwise they would sink.

After the eclairs are cooled, use a piping bag to fill the eclairs. I hold the eclairs vertically and fill them up from the side. This is a very neat method but makes it difficult to know if the eclairs is filled. You will feel the weight of the cream in the eclairs but its only by experience that you realize that. For an easier method, and if you do not have a piping bag, you can slice the eclairs from the side and fill them with a spoon. A third method is to make 2-3 holes on the top of the eclairs and fill them up from there. This will give the best results, however, only do this if you are going with a thick glaze.

Once filled, it is not time to decorate. Do not prepare the glaze in advance as it will harden. Once your eclairs are filled, make the glaze. Use a double boiler because its easier to get right than in a microwave. It might take more time, but the results are worth it. The glaze requires light corn syrup that might not be that readily available in every city so you can order online. A little goes a long way.

Once my glaze was prepared, I dipped my eclairs in it and then topped with some choco chips and white chocolate shards. To prepare the shards, just melt the chocolate and brush on on baking paper or acetate sheet. Brush in a thin layer and wait for it to harden. If you are short on time or its very hot or humid, you can put it in the freezer also. Once dry just start pulling it off the sheet and it would break into shards itself. The cooking chocolate that I use is pre-tempered, however, if yours is not, you need to temper the chocolate for the shiny result.

I just randomly decorated a few with just choco chips, a few with just the white chocolate and some with both. If the glaze is hardened already, just use some whipped or melted chocolate to stick your decorations on. 

For the easiest decoration technique, all you need is some castor sugar. You could sprinkle it on top the eclairs directly or even use stencils and make designs from the sugar. Depending on your creativity, you can use whatever you like, in whichever way you like. This is why I like decorating, because you can easily make it your own.

So without any further ado, here is the recipe-

Time taken: 1 hour (including baking time)

Makes 8

Ingredients:

Choux pastry

1/4 cup Unsalted Butter

2/3 cup Water
1/8 tbsp Salt
2/3 cup Flour
2 large Eggs

Cream

1/2 cup Whipping Cream

1 tbsp Vanilla Essence

Castor Sugar, as needed

Chocolate Glaze

3/4 cup Dark Cooking Chocolate

3 tbsp Unsalted Butter

1 tbsp Light Corn Syrup

1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract

Method:

Choux pastry

1. Preheat oven to 180C.
2. In a saucepan, add butter, water and salt. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. 
3. Add flour and beat till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
4. Once cool enough to touch, add the eggs slowly and mix using an electric mixer till light and fluffy.
5. Rinse an icing bag with water and fill with the dough.
6. On an ungreased baking tray or butter paper, pipe out lines of desired length and thickness. keep in mind that it would rise on baking.
7. Using water make the ends of the eclairs neat. The water makes sure the dough does not stick to your hand.
8. Bake for 30-40 minutes, till they stop making a faint sizzling sound.
9. Remove from oven and pierce on the side to let the steam out. If not pierced, they would sink. 

Cream

1. Take the whipping cream in a chilled bowl, and whip till soft peaks.
2. Now add vanilla extract and sugar, if required. You can also add rum at this step.
3. Now beat again till stiff peaks form and the cream is light and fluffy.
4. Pour the cream in an icing bag and holding them vertically fill the now cool eclairs from the side you pierced earlier.
5.  Try to feel the weight of the eclairs to determine if they are filled properly.

Chocolate glaze

1. In a double boiler, combine chocolate, butter and corn syrup. Stir till melted into a smooth mixture.
2. Then, add vanilla and stir.

Assembly

1. Dip the top of the filled eclairs in the mixture, removing in an arc motion.
2. Be careful since the hot mixture can burn your skin.
3. Set down the glazed ecalirs to harden. (about 2-3 minutes)
4. Garnish as desired. (chocochips, white chocolate, sprinkles, ganache, raspberry coulie, icing sugar are some options) 
5. Serve.

H&M Sale Haul 2017

Hi guys! So for today's post I'm going to be showing you my recent haul from the crazy sale at H&M. If you've seen by blog before you would probably know that I recently went to Delhi/Gurgaon. While there, I went to Vasant Kunj to check out the malls and ended up shopping at H&M. They had this insane sale going on so obviously, I had to shop(even though I just had just shopped from koovs).  I spend money even when I have no money. I think I have a problem.

So this was my first time at H&M and it might be a little difficult to believe but its true. Since my city does not have H&M, and I believe in instant gratification, I generally shop online or one of the stores that I do have here. I loved the collection as it was really on trend and they had everything I had on my wishlist since so long.

And then, a couple of days later, I went there again! But this time at their store in Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. So here's all that I picked up.

Playsuit-

Original Price: 

Rs. 1299

Discounted Price: Rs. 150

Lace Midi Dress-

Original Price: Rs. 3000

Discounted Price: Rs. 1500

Floral Shorts-

Original Price: Rs. 799

Discounted Price: Rs. 350

Black Skirt-

Original Price; Rs. 699

Discounted Price: Rs. 250

Neck lace up details

Button closure at the crotch

Black Lace Up Detail Bodysuit-

Original Price: Rs. 799

Discounted Price: Rs. 350

Playsuit-

Original Price: Rs. 1299

Discounted Price: Rs. 150

Hair ties-

Original Price: Rs. 249

Discounted Price: Not on Sale

Underwear (set of three)-

Original Price: Rs. 799

Discounted Price: Rs. 250

Well, I don't like hauls without a try-on, because you can't really get the clothes unless you see someone wearing it, so here is the try-on!

Both the playsuits are quite similar, actually only differing in print. They have an interesting criss cross detail on the back and also have pockets. The waist is elasticated to give a great fit while still be super comfortable. I love playsuits for a casual day out with the girls or even just for staying in and lounging around. They look really chic but give the comfort of wearing pajamas. 

The bodysuit is one of my favourite things to wear as it is super practical and gives a very clean, tucked in look. This black one is very simple and minimalist but still super trendy due to the lace up details at the neck line. The floral shorts are super comfortable and casual. I have been loving high waisted shorts as i feel they are super flattering and give that hourglass shape. The print is not the kind I usually go for but on these it works well. The material is quite nice, making it appropriate to wear out also. Again, these are perfect for a casual chic look such as a Sunday brunch with the girls. 

I paired the black skirt with a grey crop top from Westside, the fit of the skirt was quite formal so this crop top just made the look more casual. My sister crashed the shoot and this is the picture I ended up with. 😂

I know its not the best thing to put up on your blog if you're wanting to be taken seriously but well I had to feature my sister! And well, I am weird in real life.

`

Following up that crazy picture with a formal look, I have paired this really pretty lace dress with my wedges from Hype, going for a very streamlined black look. Rather than adding a pop of colour with my heels, this time I went for black on black for a chic, cocktail party look. I love that the dress is midi length but the slip ends above the knee, giving it a sheer lace panel at the bottom.

I hope you enjoyed my haul, thank you for reading and lots of love! 😘😘😘