I sported this new outfit last week! I don’t own a lot of green, despite my red hair, but I couldn’t walk away from this shirt. It’s got birds on it! It’s technically a dress, but I see myself wearing capris or pants underneath. I wore white jean capris (not pictured) with this outfit. I also got the belt, which I think completed the top portion of the outfit.

I bought the shirt and belt from Francesca’s. Unfortunately a few hours into wearing it for the first time, and the fabric began to rip on one side. I’ve since taken the shirt back for an exchanged one. They are having to send it to me, however, I hope that the second one works out better than the first.

I’d really like to find some yellow shoes to go with it. They could also go with my elephant dress and my new yellow tunic.

Also from Francesca’s, I got this great lace-backed cardigan. It looks great over camisoles and has three-quarter sleeves.

Also birds, these cute gold earrings completed the outfit, along with some green bangles.

* Mehndi Party. At the mehndi party, which was held on Thursday before the wedding, all of the women, including the bride to be, get an application of henna in interesting, intricate designs. My friend took two days to get her arms and feet decorated. I got both palms and the top of my left hand. See pictures below.

* Garba dance. On the Friday before the wedding, a celebratory dance occurs to honor the Goddess Durga. At the event, a number of traditional dances occur, where even the men are enthusiastically dancing. There’s a great Wikipedia entry describing in more detail the meaning and importance of the Garba. The slower dance wasn’t too difficult to join; it’s done with everyone circling an alter in a really large circle. Smaller circles break out and either do the same dance or a different variation. This goes on for some time, and picks up speed with the music.

The Garba also featured food of Indian fare. Unfortunately, the spicy nature of Indian food, and the fact that I wasn’t quite sure what was in it (or more aptly, if gluten was in it), I wasn’t able to eat much. I did have a little, but not a lot.

* Wedding ceremony. The wedding reception was a very traditional Indian ceremony held on Saturday. My friend was carried down the aisle on lounger, while the groom was shielded by a curtain so he couldn’t see her. Most of the ceremony I didn’t understand, but it was very interesting and beautiful. During the ceremony, ice cream was served! Unfortunately, I wasn’t feel much like eating ice cream. One thing I noticed was the audience would frequently get up and leave or talk to their neighbor. I guess that’s just normal. Another was when my friend’s family handed her a phone. I can only assume it was a call from India, which makes the “interruption” totally make sense. Lastly, the ceremony didn’t seem to have an obvious ending other than people getting up and lining up for lunch.

* Wedding reception. The wedding reception was held the evening of the wedding. Despite the luncheon after the nuptials, the reception included appetizers and drinks, plus a food buffet spread. The banquet hall was beautiful, with a black backdrop of twinkling lights to look like a starry night. The centerpieces on each table featured gorgeous flowers. My friend also had signature drinks. The reception featured the typical speeches, but also featured some traditional dances. Later, after everyone ate, the dance floor opened up for some more American fun.

During my four days of celebrating, I got to wear a variety of outfits, experience a new culture and revel in lasting friendships.

Fashion & Style

Each event required a different outfit, which was for this fashionista, an exciting part of the experience. For the Mendhi Party, I wore this yellow tunic I found at Forever 21 with my khakis. I finished the outfit with gold jewelry: some white/gold circle earrings, gold bangles and a pearl and gold necklace.

For the Garba, we all rented traditional outfits. They included a cutoff tank, full-length skirt and a wrapping scarf. When we arrived, some very nice ladies helped pin our wraps, as we clearly didn’t know what we were doing. I wore long dangling teal earrings, a gold necklace and bangles. Here I am with the bride, who looked amazing!

For both the Mendhi and Garba, I wore these gold beaded sandals that I found at TJ Maxx.

For the wedding, we also rented saris. I found this mint/teal one that was perfect, and one of my favorite shades. I wore a dozen bangles, rhinestone earrings and necklace, an intricate ring and rhinestones in my hair. My shoes were beaded Steve Madden pumps (not pictured).

For the reception, I decided to change into a Western dress for my fourth outfit. Although the sari was beautiful, it was very heavy and I am not used to wearing it. I dug out this red dress that the bride assured me would be appropriate. I wore a long dangling necklace I wrapped around twice, a rhinestone ring and a simple bracelet. My shoes were some black strappy pumps. Here I am again with the bride, also in her fourth outfit.

Culture

The entire wedding was a wonderful blend of traditional and modern. The ceremonial traditions were honored, yet the reception was more like American receptions. I know my friend spent months and months, with the help of family and friends, to set the right scene. Here’s our table’s centerpiece.

As I mentioned, I got three henna designs. Here’s the top of my left hand.

the palm of my left hand

palm of right hand

Friendship

I have known the bride and this core group of friends since middle school. Not all of us were able to make it, but four of us did. It was great to see that we can still get together after all of these years.

In a way, it was like nothing has changed, and at the same time, like we were older too. We have grown up, into individuals, but from the same starting place. It’s amazing and surreal, and a reminder of the timelessness of friendship. I hope that in another 10 years, we’ll still be getting together and sharing in each others’ lives.

I’m talking nails. That’s right. I discovered that Essie makes a matte finish top coat called Matte About You, and I thought I’d experiment with it. My right hand is freshly painted with the blue nail color, displaying a normal nail polish finish. The left hand has the matte top coat applied. The picture isn’t great (you have no idea how hard it is to take a picture of both your hands. Imagine my chin positioned to press the shutter button on my phone), but you can see a slight light reflection in the nails on the right hand that you don’t see on the left. The matte top coat creates a dull, cool finish over the color of your choice.  I wouldn’t choose to use it every day, but it was fun to play with.

By the way, if you haven’t already checked out Essie, their nail color is incredible. I was a diehard OPI user for many years, but still experienced early chipping and peeling. I have far less issues with Essie. I’m not sure why that it is, but I’m going with it.

Tanks:

from Forever 21

from Francesca’s Collection

from Forever 21

from Express

Tops:

from Forever 21

from Forever 21

from Francesca’s Collection

from Express

from Forever 21

from Old Navy

Cardigans:

from Forever 21

from Francesca’s Collection

from Francesca’s Collection

Long-sleeve shirts:

from Target

Sweaters:

from Francesca’s Collection

from Forever 21

from Francesca’s Collection

Jackets:

from Forever 21

I experimented with a new up-do this weekend from a Real Simple article I came across. It involves three ponytails that are twisted at the base of your hairline to create a elaborate do with little effort.

Here’s how you do it:

Comb hair back, divide into three sections, and create three low ponytails at the hairline. One at a time, twist each ponytail length and wrap the hair around the base of the tail, creating small buns. Secure with bobby pins and set with hair spray

I added some pink flower bobby pins to the look to add a little something something.