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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!

Pink by Ruchi Wish 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?

Written on June 17, 2015 Related:Fashion, guest post

Finding Your Purpose

written by Parita 5 Comments

I was recently introduced to the South Asian Bloggers Network (SABN) where I’ve had the pleasure of “meeting” lots of new blogs and bloggers, including the co-founder of the SABN, Raj from Pink Chai Living.  Raj is a marketing and media genius, and her blog is a fun one to read for me because every post has a bit of Indian flair.  From her DIY projects to her mouth-watering recipes to her parenting tales, her stories are beautiful and authentic.  And today’s guest post is no different.  Enjoy!

Hi! I’m Raj from Pink Chai Living, and I’m so excited to be sharing Parita’s space today. I love the concept of her blog because I also believe wellness is a holistic experience. There’s more to be being fit and happy than just diet (the “d” word) and exercise. In fact, the key to my wellness experience has been finding my calling – my purpose in my career and life, and that’s the story I’m going to share today, along with some tips for finding your own perfect path in life.

I grew up in a home where creativity was appreciated – both my mom and grandma loved embroidery and were very proud of their handiwork. My mom was also a big fan of DIY home decor projects well before it was the trendy thing to do, however, being creative was never considered a viable career option. I remember telling my mom that I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was about 13 years old and she suggested I take course and learn how to sew, but she still thought I should study a real subject and get a real job. I don’t fault my parents for that viewpoint at all – they’re immigrants from Punjab, and probably never knew anyone that made a career in the creative arts, they were genuinely concerned for my future.


Those gentle but firm nudges from my family, plus the added responsibilities of marriage and motherhood eventually led me towards some slightly stable job options. I’ve worked in retail, software sales, local government, and at a call centre over the years, all the while feeling a restless pull towards doing something creative. During the years I was “finding my calling” I also launched a business selling handmade baby accessories and quickly realized that my favourite part of that business was the making, not the selling.

For about 10 years of my life I pretty much bounced around from job to job looking for something that made my spirit and soul happy, and also helped pay the bills. The problem was; I had no idea what my life’s purpose or calling was – and the whole concept felt overwhelming. How do you decide what you are meant to do? I struggled with this concept of finding myself for many years, and then a major life trauma helped me redefine my career path. Almost two years ago my grandmother was sick in the hospital and I had a moment of realization; when she would be gone from my life so would her recipes, her desi home remedies, and her handiwork. In that moment, all the knots in my life started to untangle and I started to see a pathway. I could be the keeper of her skills and pass them on to another generation. I could finally have a career where I could use my hands to create, and feeling like I was giving back to the world. Once I had that flash of inspiration, I was instantly “unstuck” and started the process of redesigning and re-launching my blog with a focus on adding an Indian touch to the everyday.


Since I’ve found my sweet spot of work + purpose, I’ve met a lot of people that have told me they’re stuck at a similar place, searching for more meaning in life and satisfaction in work, but not knowing where to start. I’ve got three tips to share that might help you out, if you are at a similar cross-roads.

1. Your purpose doesn’t have to be an obvious act of service

Most of us that are enlightened enough to know that life is meant to be more than a corporate rat race tend to believe our purpose has to be obvious service. For a long time I felt like I needed to be doing something like digging ditches in Africa or rescuing orphans in India – I had to do something with BIG impact. Now I realize that my purpose is softer; my service has a small ripple effect. It’s still service to the world, just in a less flashy way!

2. Do something while you wait

Honestly my twenties were tough. There were a lot of days where I felt like the laughing stock of the family because I just couldn’t pick a job. Trust me when I tell you this; sitting around and waiting for your purpose to find you is not a good idea. Do some type of work (preferably something that you enjoy even a little) while you are waiting for the inspiration to strike. If you aren’t out there being active in the world, you never know who you’ll meet, or what situation you’ll find yourself in that will lead you towards your purpose.

3. You are the only one that needs to ‘get’ your purpose

Your life’s calling is a highly personal subject, you don’t need anyone else’s approval on it, and it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you.

For me, finding my purpose has been a healing journey. I feel happier and healthier than I ever have, and I hope you’ll be able to find your sweet spot soon if you are looking!  Thank you 🙂

Thanks for sharing your story, Raj.  So inspirational!

Written on June 10, 2015 Related:guest post

Healthy Living in Mumbai

written by Parita 10 Comments

I have a real treat for y’all today!  My good “blend” Khushboo was kind enough to put together a guest post for me while I’m partying it up in Austin!  And if you don’t already read her blog, please click over and check it out.  She’s super funny and always posts about interesting topics – fun workouts, delicious recipes, life in Mumbai, etc.
____________________________________________________________________________

A big hello to the readers of My Inner Shakti!  My name is Khushboo and as an avid reader of Parita’s blog, I am sure you’ve seen my name floating around in the comments section.  I blog about healthy living and my life in Mumbai over at Khushboo’s Blog.  I promise you my posts are more original than my blog name so please do stop by ;)! 

I moved to Mumbai from London just about 2 years ago in March 2010.  Between language barriers, making friends, finding a job and adjusting to the lifestyle here, it has been quite the transition.  Like a majority of you, access to healthy food and being able to maintain my healthy lifestyle did come to mind.  How on earth would I manage without a Whole Foods at my disposal??  While I do still bring back staples like natural peanut butter and snack bars like Nak’d, I am more than making do with what is available here.  And to be honest, it’s much easier than I expected.  For an idea, here are some of the things which are facilitating my life in terms of food:

Coconut water: Gone are the days where I have to fork out £2 every time I want to rehydrate with coconut water.  "Naryal Pani", as it is referred to in Mumbai, is available on every street corner for 20 rupees (about £0.30).  As vendors are more than happy to deliver them home, we have fresh coconut water brought to our doorstep every single morning.  And yes, I drink it straight out of the coconut!

image

Flax seeds & Chias: On my first trip here, I actually stocked up on both.  It turns out that both are used frequently in local dishes…and cost a fraction of what they do abroad!  This works out great for me because other than saving a little moolah, it also affords me extra luggage space.  If you are ever visiting India, the term for Flax seeds is "Alsi Seeds" and Chias is "Sabja" or "Falooda Seeds".

Yoga classes: One of the things I miss most about London is the freedom to walk places.  Over here, we are heavily reliant on cars/public transport to get to distances over 10 minutes away (fortunately my gym is of walkable distance).  Although I am no more getting in extra exercise through daily walking, a fitness perk of living in Mumbai is that yoga teachers are available at a dime a dozen.   Having a yoga instructor come home for one-on-one classes is very common and affordable.

Fresh produce:  Although I am yet to find my beloved butternut squash and blueberries in the markets of Mumbai, the produce selection here is HUGE!  And the best part is: everything is fresh! We have no choice but to eat whatever is in season so the produce undoubtedly tastes optimal. Strawberries are currently in season and you better believe I am lapping them up before they go away come March!

Snack options: As much as I try to always carry around a snack in my handbag "just in case" hunger strikes at an unexpected time, I sometimes forget.  While chips and biscuits are readily available, protein bars and mini pots of hummus with pre-cut veggies aren’t!  Fortunately there are other options to satisfy those trying to eat healthy which can be find on most roadsides: roasted chickpeas, corn on the cob, dhoklas (essentially steamed savory snacks made from chickpea flour).  Alongside the popcorn machines and nacho counters at the cinema, cups of freshly-cooked corn are also served with various toppings to choose from like garam masala, salt, lemon juice, chili powder, or melted butter. 

image

Dhoklas!

Grocery shopping: I won’t even lie- grocery shopping is a guilty pleasure of mine!  Much to my dismay, grocery shopping in Mumbai is a completely different experience than the US/London.  As the grocery stores and markets here aren’t very appealing to venture into, much of the shopping is done over the phone: I call the grocery store and tell them what I need, somebody delivers it home within an hour (even at 10 pm)!  Sure I miss aimlessly browsing the aisles and coming across new products but I sure as hell don’t miss the walk home carrying heavy grocery bags!

image

Gateway of India

So there you have it! Although I don’t have immediate access to all the new ‘cool’ products which are featured on the blog world and have to make my Greek yogurt via the cheesecloth method, eating healthily and staying active in Mumbai is easier than I could have imagined.  In terms of eating fresh food, Mumbai cannot be beat!

Thanks for the awesome post, K!!!  I can’t wait to visit you in Mumbai (hopefully one day soon)!!

Have you ever been to India?  Is it on your list of places to visit?

Written on February 17, 2012 Related:guest post, Health, Indian culture, Indian Food, Travel

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