Tropical waterfalls on road-trips

Happy 2017! Here are some photos that make me happy, from a fun road-trip we went on last month at the beginning of summer.

On our meandering trip exploring the highlands south of Sydney we came across this impressive escarpment-leaping waterfall. The scenic bush walks, lush valley and deep gorges made the place just magical, the best part was we could get in the water and look over the edge down the towering cliff. It was a dizzying but breathtaking experience that I am in no hurry to forget.

Swathed in Magic and Ferns

Flowy anaarkali dresses in cotton block-prints and bandhani are my go-tos all year round, in all sorts of locations, these photos were taken bushwalking in the forests leading to waterfalls. Travelling to the mountains west of Sydney to explore the canyons, cliffs and waterfalls is a frequent excursion for the boy and I. The plethora of ferns, the swirling mists deep in the jungle, the almost other worldly sounds and smells, all make this place more magical every time we visit. Breathtaking views from the top, almost inaccessible valleys at the bottom, steep gorges and breathtaking rain-forests everything is both magical and majestic at the same time.

I feel like this dress just blends into the fernery, I can hide my warm woolies into its folds and if you know me, you know I have many many dresses exactly like this one. I love desi hand-crafted clothes but I also like my outfits not to limit my movements and like exploring even more, so I like my clothes pretty but functional in ways that makes sense to me.

Jungle Vibes

I almost blend into the foliage in this top, it was made with fabric from a blouse piece. I love the bandhani saree it came with, the parrot green colour looks stunning worn with anything but I'll probably say that about any bandhani piece, I love bandhej in every colour. I have bandhani sarees in many shades of green, love wearing the all kinds of sarees as well as blouses/ cholis together as well as separates as you've seen here, here, here, here and here.

I believe that sarees as well as their blouses make great statement as well as staple pieces, it just depends on the styling. Trust me if anyone tells you otherwise they have no idea what they're talking about. This bright orange carpet bag is what dreams are made of and I've had it for ages, but love it more everytime I bring it out to play. As usual I am wearing nothing special but tried and tested pieces that will stay with me for many many years to come, I have no desire to shop for a new wardrobe every time the season changes, I will just continue to buy hand-crafted goodness when and where I can find it.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week, I've spent the day stomping about in fern covered jungles, so I am happy. Have a great Saturday!

Bandhani for my 200th post

I love wearing cholis and saree blouses as tops with jeans and love wearing tee-shirts and sweaters as blouses with sarees. You would have seen cholis with denims here, here and here and a sweater with a saree here.

I don't see the point of wearing certain things in pairs just because that is how it has been done for decades. I believe in having fun with things and playing with silhouettes and proportions as well as putting things together in one's own way. My latest favourite is wearing a Rajasthani type long Bandhani choli with denim and I can say that I am obsessed with this top. It is made from a Gajji silk fabric, which means that it is a satin weave done on silk fabric. It's really soft and I love the deep green colour and the subtle Bandhani designs.

I have had a few things made in this fabric and they are all beyond lovely. The top is worn here with drop-crotch boy-friend jeans but trust me it looks great with shorts, skirts as well as skinnies. These leather slip-ons are from Bali and all the silver is from India, mostly designs from various tribes in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

I hope everyone's had a lovely festive season and are excited about what 2016 will bring. Have a great Sunday :)

Subho Oshtomi

Happy Ashtami to all those celebrating today, I thought this was a good day to show the version of skirt and choli I wore last weekend for an impromptu wander in a little secret garden. Chania cholis are too pretty to save just for Garba and Dandiya so I wear them all year round. Embroidered gaghras with my favourite graphic tees and cholis with shorts, jeans and minis seem to be a staple in my wardrobe. I especially like relaxed boyfriend jeans with vintage backless cholis with sneakers.

How do you wear your staples?

Loose winter layers

Loose traditional kurtas and pyjamas with block print dupattas combined with wool base layers, long cardigans and boots make great winter wear in my opinion. They make me feel less suffocated than I would be in tighter layers, evoke the feeling of floating in soft layers and let me prance about in the bush north of Sydney to spot a wonderful troop of kangaroos. All in all a win win situation, don't you think?

Kurta (tunic) and Flared pyjama : Tailor made in India, Dupatta (scarf): Block-printed in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Bag: Colombia

The colours of winter

People like minimalistic outfits, tend to go the tried and tested route in the winter, I am NOT one of those people. Bright bags bought during various travels and market expeditions, traditional scarves, colourful beanies and floor length woollens with comfy jeans help me get excited to leave the house and explore during winters. I refuse to become a grey, black or dark blue blob for the colder months and colour plus jewellery helps me brighten dull and chilly days.

There is something great about travelling in winter, the fresh cold air lends a touch of magic to the entire experience. Like I said I am not one for sticking to neutrals instead reaching for the brightest sacks, wraps, beanies and oversize blankets masquerading as cardigans to wrap myself in. Massive totes handmade in far off corners of the planet in eye searing brights, block print or bandhani dupattas in saturated hues, statement necklaces, heaps of silver jewellery and embellishments galore; all this is a bit more like me. I like clothes and accessories that are functional but have character, don't stop me from running down a mountain side but definitely don't blend in. And I like to wear things again and again and then some, this beanie has featured on my blog for years as have the boots and I am not ashamed to say I don't go out and buy the latest winter must haves every season. Although it doesn't look like it to people who know me and my house is being taken over by shoes and bags; I do want to buy less and less. How do you battle the winter blues?

Chasing waterfalls

Coastal and rainforest walks are by far my most favourite hiking activity. Every once in a while we get tired of the concrete jungle and escape to the Blue Mountains to breathe in some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. From the roar of the water to the towering cliffs and dark foliage, there are many reasons why waterfalls capture my imagination. Winter is one of the best seasons to explore the area as most people tend to stay away giving us a chance to enjoy the cold weather surrounded by picturesque nature. We drive up the hills and set up our camp, descend through glades of tree ferns and soak up the spray as the cascades plummet down the slopes into the National Park. It feels magical and relaxing, rejuvenating and exhilarating all at the same time.