Fashion Archives - My Inner Shakti

Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars – The Fashion Staple You Didn’t Know You Needed

Let’s start with this – I’m not a fashion blogger. I mean, I know how to put a basic outfit together, but beyond figuring out the top and bottom combo, I’m not so creative. I’ll occasionally surprise myself, but overall, I would describe my style as comfy. Ha!

But shoes? Shoes I love! I own more pairs than I care to admit. Can’t ever have too many! I think I get this mindset from my husband, who is one of the biggest shoe fanatics I know!

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Par, these shoes have been around a long time. This is not new information!” To which I say, yes, I know. But these are my first pair, and I literally wear them every day. And I honestly don’t think people get how versatile these shoes are! If they did, everyone would have them on 24/7…I’m sure of it!

Anyways, I can’t take credit for what I’m about to share because it was all Vishnu’s doing. He ordered these shoes for me because I kept saying how I needed comfy basic shoes that went with everything from jeans to shorts to leggings to even dresses/skirts. My man is pretty awesome because he picked THE PERFECT pair – Chuck Taylor All Stars.

All I can say is, you need these shoes (if you don’t already own a pair). They are so incredibly comfortable (key for me!), they go with everything, and despite being white, they actually do stay pretty clean.* Oh and they’re inexpensive!

To be very honest, I’ll probably get a pair every year or two…until Converse stops making them! That’s how much I love these shoes!

What are you waiting for?! Go get yourself a pair!

*I use Shout wipes to clean my shoes every few weeks or so (or as needed). Works like a charm!

No portion of this post is sponsored. However, affiliate links are included. There is no extra cost to you, but I do receive a small commission on anything you buy through my links. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

A Pair of Onitsuka Tigers Made Me Cry

written by Parita 6 Comments

Let me start by saying that those who know me best will likely not be surprised by this story. It’s very Parita.

So Vishnu is a huge fan of the Asics Onitsuka Tiger line of shoes. He has at least five different pairs. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a street sneak that comes in lots of different colors and style variations.

Up until this past year, I’ve never really been interested in owning a pair of Onitsuka Tigers. Vishnu even bought me a pair he found on sale, and while I loved his thoughtfulness, the style just wasn’t my favorite. They’re now my errand shoes. 🙂

With that being said, after searching high and low for my perfect casual sneaker, I found the PERFECT pair of Tigers. These bad boys checked every box. Neutral color scheme, not too bulky/wide, and decent price point.

You’d think I’d just hit the purchase button, but for some reason, I couldn’t. The thought of buying these shoes made me feel guilty. I have no explanation because I bought plenty of other things at higher price points so it wasn’t about the money.

Anyways, by the time I was ready to make these my own, every website was out of my size – Asics, Amazon, Zappos, you name it. Vishnu told me he would keep an eye out and hit that purchase button as soon as he could.

And then…we had a baby and life got busy. New shoes were no longer a priority.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon. Vishnu, Kaiden, and I went to brunch, and on our way back, I took a little detour to Michigan Ave to run a few errands while the boys headed home. When I walked into the apartment, Vishnu asked me what size my first pair of Tigers are. I told him, and he responded by telling me to check and make sure. I opened our shoe closet, found the shoes, checked the size, and told him again. I could tell he was trying to get to something but couldn’t figure out what. When he realized I wasn’t getting it, he got up, walked over to me, reached into the closet, and pulled out a brand new pair of Tigers…the very ones I’d been eyeing for months!!!

What did I do?

Welllll…I burst into tears. You guys, I had HUGE tears running down my face for at least 3-5 minutes. It was a little ridiculous!

Vishnu, knowing full well this was a very Parita reaction, was still a bit surprised. So he did two very Vishnu like things. He hugged me and laughed. While I cried and asked why he’s so nice to me.

I chalk all of this up to Vishnu’s thoughtfulness and…the last bit of pregnancy hormones that have yet to leave my body. Ha!

But seriously, how cute is my hubby? And how dramatic am I?

Also, if you can find your size, get these shoes because they’re awesome. Also, we can be shoe twins! 🙂

Pink by Ruchi Trunk Shows

written by Parita 3 Comments

You guys! Chicago is the BEST summertime city. The weather is perfect, the streets are buzzing with great energy, and everyone is in a fun mood. I can’t wait to live here. Of course, I’ll figure out the winters when the time comes, but for now, I’m going to relish in the fact that this will be my summer for the next 4-5 years! Woo hoo!

With that being said, I have a fun overview post coming on Friday. In the meantime, Ruchi is back and sharing more about her fabulous business. Take it away, Ruch!!

* * * * *

I cannot believe how quickly my time is flying by here. It always does (because we’re clearly having so much fun), but it’s crazy how fast our trip comes to an end. I’m a little more than halfway through mine, and my husband Jai leaves today to go back 🙁

One of the reasons I think my trips fly by is because I’m also working when I’m here. It’s not really work though – it’s like fun work. I set-up and take down pop-up stores (temporary Pink by Ruchi clothing shops – like your own private boutique), host trunk shows and meet with clients one-on-one as well. Between trying to spend time with family, meet up with friends, cross off the personal to-dos on both of our lists and my Pink by Ruchi responsibilities, it becomes quite a hectic and fruitful trip.

Some of my designs and accessories being displayed

I try to come up with a new idea each time and pair my trunk shows with another product or brand. For the last 3 years or so, I’ve been working with various Stella & Dot local representatives and combining my clothing with jewelry – I know, great combination – what every girl wants in one place. This has always worked very nicely, and it allows me to make new contacts as well (which is extremely important in this business).

Some lovely customers shopping

I am so excited about my idea this year, and I hope we have a great turnout. I have decided to team up with a brand of make-up artists to allow women to treat themselves to a fun evening (or day) of make-up and then shop for clothing, too! The artists come out to my location, set-up all of their products and give clients a one-on-one session where they also teach them how to apply. I mean, being completely honest here, if I were not the one setting this up and got invited, I’d be there in a second. How fun! I totally need to learn how to apply makeup and having a professional show me what to do – there’s nothing better than that. Mix in clothing, and I’m sold!

It’s always nice to try out new ideas – they don’t always work out, but you never know until you try and put in that 100% effort. I’m already playing around with ideas for next year – I know, I’m totally crazy! Finish one first, right?!

If any of you are in the Atlanta area and would like to stop by either Thursday night or Friday during the day, please message in the comments – I can pass on the details and get you scheduled!

Always keep room for snacks!

Side note for me – I’ll have to make sure the women hit the clothes first AND THEN the make-up! Ohhh, the details! 🙂

Hope to see you!

Thanks for sharing, Ruch! I wish I was in Atlanta right now. Smile Would love to check out some of your pieces and get a personal makeup consultation! Maybe next time!

Thanks for reading, everyone Happy Wednesday!

Pink by Ruchi Wish List

written by Parita 4 Comments

We all know that I’m not the most fashion forward person. In fact, I could live in my t-shirts and sweat pants all day every day (and I usually do). And that is exactly why I have Ruchi, an expert, sharing her Pink by Ruchi wish list with you today. Enjoy!

I constantly have ideas roaming around in my head, and as soon as I’m able to, I try to implement those designs. Of course, not all of them turn out according to plan, but I do still have my favorites. So, I thought for this post, I’d share with you all a Pink by Ruchi Wist List. If I were going to order or buy something from me :), these are the pieces that are at the top of my list!

1 – Okay, so some of you may know this, but when I first launched my line, I was selling as Pink Sugar. As my designs matured and changed, I realized I wanted my name somewhere in the label. That’s when I decided to officially launch as Pink by Ruchi. SO, this piece was made during the ‘Pink Sugar’ time, and ‘PSP Peplum’ has a great ring to it. This is by far one of my most favorite designs – it’s cute and spunky all at the same time.

2 – I love this cotton with the sparkly gold lines – again, cutesy with a pop! This material is so comfortable, and this dress is perfect for a summer day – you can run errands in it, grab lunch with a friend, and even manage to wear it to a casual dinner!

3 – Elegant and delicate. And surprisingly, you can dress this top down, too. Having the lining already stitched in is a major plus, and the sweetheart neckline leaves just enough to the imagination!

4 – The best casual tunic. I adore tops that give me room to move around (the elastic waist allows for that). Goes great with leggings or skinnies or even Bermudas, and just plain comfortable.

5 – Midi! One of the reasons this is on my list is because of the length – which is so in right now! And I super like it because of the ‘wrap look’ – store/ready-made wrap dresses never really looked right on me (I think because of my funny proportions), and now that I can get them made according to my measurements, it’s the icing on the cake!

6 – Well, my dreams did come true after moving to India, so I figured the last one should be ‘dun, dun, dun’…Indian :). Traditional pieces are so beautiful – they’re colorful, the handwork is amazing, the fabrics are gorgeous – all of it. I love playing around with fun prints and shades, but at the end of the day, I’m a classics-kinda girl – so, this one is perfect – the black and white embroidery with the lime green dupatta – muah! (Imagine me kissing my fingers like I’m in an Italian restaurant).

Alrighty, there you have it! Happy list making and shopping!

If you’d like to see magnified images, please visit the site! And if you want to read my personal blog, please check it out here.

Thanks for another great post, Ruchi! I personally love #2 and #6. So pretty!

What’s on your fashion wish list?

Pink by Ruchi

written by Parita 5 Comments

First and foremost, thank you all so much for the residency match/move love! We’re excited about all the upcoming changes, and I look forward to sharing more as we go.

So today I have a slightly different kind of post lined up for you. Today I want to share more about my friend Ruchi and her business. Her story is a pretty incredible one, and I volunteered to help her share it via my blog.

Ruchi and I met in 2007 through her then boyfriend/now husband who is a friend of mine and quickly became friends ourselves. I love her spunky personality and fun loving nature.

Then in 2010 she got married and made a permanent move to India. We all wondered how she would adjust to living in a familiar but very different country so far from her family and friends. But guess what…she adjusted just fine. Actually, better than fine. Ruchi really embraced her new life – she learned how to drive, she learned how to speak Hindi, and she started her own business – Pink by Ruchi!

In her own words, Pink by Ruchi is…

Custom. Design. Garments. Pink by Ruchi is the answer to all of your fashion dilemmas. We bring you fresh and unique pieces created to fit your style and needs. The company is one of the first of its kind; producing each product in India while servicing clientele in America and Europe. We specialize in traditional Indian wear, fusion (Indo-Western) and Western, so whether it’s a cocktail dress you desire or an intricate bridal lengha, our team can make it happen.

I can personally attest to the quality of Ruchi’s clothing and design and also to the care she takes in assuring each and every client is satisfied with their purchase. I bought a super cute dress from her when she was in Atlanta for a trunk show and absolutely loved picking the fabric and talking through the final look. Made me feel fancy! But more than anything else, I know how much passion and creativity Ruchi brings to her business. She really understands the desire to look good and feel confident and aims to bring just that to her clients.

And the best part is that she works with clients in India, the US, and Europe. Your location almost doesn’t matter!

If you’re wondering how this whole design-your-own-clothing thing works, I highly recommend checking out her site and booking a free consultation.

If you’re interested in following along as she designs and shares her beautiful clothing, check out the Pink by Ruchi Facebook page and Instagram account.

And finally, this isn’t the last you’ll be seeing of Ruchi! She’s going to guest blog on MIS occasionally and share more about her business and other fun fashion stuff. Because let’s be honest, I need all the advice I can get!

Do you consider yourself a fashionista? Have you ever designed your own clothing?

Four of My New Favorite Things

written by Parita 2 Comments

While in Chicago and London, I discovered a few new items that have quickly become some of my favorite things. Thanks to my coworkers Toni and Thea and the sweet cashiers at Sephora I can say that I am in love with these purchases and will be going back for more!

And what kind of person would I be if I didn’t share my new loves with all of you!

Let’s start at the top left corner.

I first heard about this Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Whiz pencil from Thea, one of the best saleswomen I know. I figured there had to be something to this pencil when she raved about it more than once! Honestly, I’ve never used anything for my brows but decided to give this a go since they could use a bit more definition. You guys, this pencil is legit. The medium brown color is very natural and soft, and the pencil itself is easy to use. I highly recommend Anastasia Brow Whiz to anyone looking for something new to use and/or an eyebrow newbie like me.

Moving to the top right.

I had no idea who Cath Kidston was until we were walking down a street in London and happened to see a store on our way to lunch. Toni loves this particular designer so we decided to pop in and take a look. I fell in love with a number of bags but not necessarily the price tags. However, I did end up buying a cute little cardholder/wallet thingy. The design isn’t quite the same as the picture above – the one I bought has a dark blue background and a beautiful floral design – but it’s essentially the same thing. This little wallet is perfect because it fits in all my little purses and holds just what I need (I am so not a big purse person!). LOVE!

On to the bottom right.

Loft. Lou & Grey. Thank you, Thea! I first heard about Lou & Grey from Thea when I saw her wearing a cute zip-up sweater back in July. I loved how comfortable AND stylish it was. She told me all about how Loft carries this particular line and how amazing the pieces are – great material, texture, etc. I was sold! However, it wasn’t until last month when I actually made my own purchase…or two! I bought the sweater tunic pictured above as well as a dressy sweatshirt top (best way to describe it!). And now I want all things Lou & Grey! If you’re into very simple design that’s both comfy and trendy, I highly recommend you check it out.

Finally the bottom left.

After years of trying everything under the sun, I think I’ve finally found my ideal foundation. The Hourglass Immaculate Liquid-Powder foundation is perfect for those with oily, acne-prone skin (i.e. me!). A little bit goes a long way and the finish is smooth and matte. Unlike most other liquid foundations I’ve tried, this doesn’t leave any weird streaks or blotches. When I told the ladies at Sephora that the new BareSkin Bareminerals foundation didn’t work for me, they told me they weren’t fans either. When I asked about what would be good for my skin type, both girls (almost in unison) said Hourglass. I got a sample, loved it, and now own a full size bottle. If anything changes, I’ll let y’all know, but for now, I think I found a keeper!

Well, that about covers my new favorite things. Have a great weekend!

FYI – this post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your continued support!

P.S. Happy birthday to two of my favorite people in the world – my hubs and my sissy!

Tell me – what are some of your new favorite finds?

Shopping + Reunions

written by Parita 7 Comments

FRIDAY

Early office closing + amazing weather = 4.32 mile run (precision thanks to RunKeeper)

And guess what?! NO knee pain. WOO!

SATURDAY

Earlier in the weekend a coupon was delivered to my inbox. It informed me that everything was 50% off at the Banana Republic outlet. With my coupon in hand, I headed to the mall and did a little damage – a few pairs of shorts, a few blouses, a few things for Vishnu. My favorite purchase was this peplum top from the Ann Taylor factory store…

Perfect for date night!

After a couple hours of shopping, I drove to Las Olas for an early dinner at Rocco’s Tacos. My friend and old coworker Allison and her mom were vacationing in Fort Lauderdale, so we decided to meet up for a delicious meal and fun conversation. It was great catching up, and I’m already looking forward to our next reunion!

SUNDAY

Another day, another reunion. My friend Vijal and her husband Jay were vacationing in South Beach this weekend, so we decided to meet up for lunch. Vijal suggested Yardbird, and I gladly obliged. I’m telling you – this place is a Miami must. Everything is delicious.

My kale salad was unique and surprisingly filling – kale, cheddar, apples, onions, raisins, and cornbread croutons. YUM!

And of course, I made Jay and Vijal order a side of mac n’ cheese!

Yay for friends visiting Miami!

MONDAY

I have no idea what I’m going to do with my day off today. With Vishnu at the library, I foresee a somewhat lazy day ahead of me.

On a serious note, I’d like to thank all of the service men and women (and their families) who put their lives on the line for the sake of protecting our country and it’s people. Thank you for your dedication, your devotion, and your selflessness.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars – The Fashion Staple You Didn’t Know You Needed

A Pair of Onitsuka Tigers Made Me Cry

Pink by Ruchi Trunk Shows

Pink by Ruchi Wish List

Pink by Ruchi

Four of My New Favorite Things

Shopping + Reunions

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