Celebrating Holi Festival in Dallas

Living in Dallas has presented me with so many unique opportunities to experience new things. A week ago I got to attend a Dallas fashion show and just a day ago I attended my first Holi Festival! My little hometown in Maryland didn’t have much opportunity for cultural experiences beyond an annual Celtic festival. Having seen how beautiful the “Festival of Colors” is, I had to experience it for myself. While I didn’t get to travel to India to participate, I did get to enjoy it right here in Dallas! This cross-cultural experience was probably one of my favorite experiences and definitely one that was enriching.

My friend Laila and I got tickets to go to Dallas’ annual Holi Festival together. Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect. I don’t know much about Indian culture and certainly didn’t know what Holi even meant or was. After doing a little research though, I learned that Holi is a Hindu spring festival celebrating the arrival of spring, end of winter, and traditionally a good harvest. The multi-colored powders used in the celebration are made from crushed flowers and other natural colors. At our celebration, festival attendees threw their brightly colored powders in the air and shouted “Happy Holi!”

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m as “white” as the day is long. Attending Holi was not an attempt to “culture appropriate” I believe the term is. It was a fun way to learn about a new culture and appreciate the exciting celebrations that happen around the world. Cross-cultural experiences are important because they allow people of all origins to learn about the customs of others and enjoy them without giving up their own culture. When I got to the festival, I didn’t have any “colors” on my skin or in my hair and several other attendees that were of Indian descent and knew what they were doing came up to me and patted my face with bright pinks and blues and wished me a happy Holi. How kind of them to share their traditions and celebrations with an obvious outsider?

Dancing, eating, and throwing Holi powder in the air were the best parts of the festival. I got to try several Indian dishes including this delicious one pictured above. After eating my weight in Chicken Manchurian, Laila and I made our way back into the crowd to dance off our food. As you can imagine, I don’t know many traditional Indian dances but I tried my best to follow along.

I loved this event and plan to go back next year! Dallas really is a melting pot of people. Enjoying other people’s culture while still appreciating my own is so important to my personal development not only as a Dallas blogger, but also as a person.

 

Spring Basics From Old Navy for Under $14

Happy Monday everyone! It’s warming up here in Dallas and I’ve been searching high and low for great spring basics to share with you! My go-to store for inexpensive styles is always Old Navy. This spring, their style selection certainly didn’t disappoint! One of my favorite things to wear for work or even a casual day out is this striped peplum top. It’s a super easy look and totally affordable- $14! The best part is that it comes in multiple colors! (Click one of the links below for more color options!)

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How to Store Your Winter Clothes and Keep Them Fresh

Who else is incredibly happy that spring is on it’s way? This weekend I’ll be (spring) cleaning out my closet and putting away my warm winter clothes in favor of unpacking my favorite spring dresses. Being a Dallas style blogger means that I get to wear spring styles (see my picks here) before the majority of everyone else! How lucky am I? But I still love my winter stuff and want to store it neatly. Here are my best tips for keeping your clothes neat and fresh.

Clothes Storage Tip 1: Fold your clothes

I’ll be the first one to admit that folding clothes is the worst. I hate it with a passion. In my dryer right now, I have an entire load of clothes that’s been sitting there wrinkling for over a week. It’s a good thing my mom isn’t here. However, if you’re going to be storing your clothes in a box for awhile, it’s really important that you fold them and not wad them up in a ball. Can I also suggest that you wash all of the clothes before storing them, or is that too much?

Clothes Storage Tip 2: Use dryer sheets

After you’ve folded your clothes, between each layer of clothing unfold a dryer sheet to lock in freshness. I like to do this also when I’m packing my suitcase so things smell nice when I unpack later on! If you really like a fresh, clean smell, buy a few scented soaps and pack them around the storage box. No one likes the smell of stale clothing when they unpack! For added protection and freshness, keep your clothes in a vacuum sealed bag.

Here’s hoping the spring weather in Dallas spreads to the rest of you! All of my favorite fashion bloggers around here have the cutest outfits right now so I’ll be out in search of a few new spring trends to add to my wardrobe. Check out my recent style blog posts (here and here) for shopping inspiration!

 

Splurge vs. Save Spring Style

When February turns into March, I officially start getting excited for spring! In Dallas, spring temperatures greet us a little earlier than in the rest of the United States, and luckily the spring fashion starts earlier as well. Around this time every year I start hunting down great pieces to add to my spring wardrobe and sharing my finds with you. One thing I’m pretty good at is determining whether or not something is worth splurging on and that’s what this post is about!

Is it a trendy or timeless wardrobe edition?

People have their own unique sense of style and what looks good on them. For me, I prefer to wear the preppy classics that I know will work for me years after I purchase it. In this case, it’s worth splurging if I’ll love it forever. Trendy items tend to come and go so I’m much less likely to splurge on seasonal trends because I know it isn’t the best investment for me. If you live for trends, then by all means splurge a little. If not, save your money!

How often will you wear it?

Some spring accessories and styles popular this year I know I could get a lot of use from. But other pieces will only be worn or used a handful of times because they’re either uncomfortable (stiletto heels, anyone?) or they simply don’t coordinate nicely with much. Fashion must have function for it to be worth a high price.

Wear to buy

Everything seen above is linked below! Leave me a comment with your favorite splurge and save spring styles! Also, shoot me a message if you’re a new blogger in need of some advice or help!

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas in every price range

Happy Tuesday lovelies! This weekend I spent time with my cousin taking her high school graduation photos and getting makeup done at Sephora. I also spent an evening with my aunt eating a delicious gourmet pizza! More than likely, that’s where my 2lb weight gain came from this morning!

Since Mother’s Day is on Sunday I thought it important to do a little gift guide that features items besides candles, flowers, and coffee mugs. Even though those are traditional, good ideas, we can branch out a little I think! Everything you see here is under $100 and in a variety or price ranges so everyone can have something nice for their moms!

A few of these ideas are rather unique like the pineapple string lights! What a fun, cute gift though especially if your mom has a good sense of humor! If she enjoys cooking (mine does not), Kate Spade cutting boards are a pretty gift for the chef. Some ladies also enjoy natural beauty products like Moroccan Oil.

Personally, I bought my mom a colonial America-inspired floor cloth for Mother’s Day! Normally, these rugs run over $300 for even a small one. I found a seller on eBay who gave me a deal on a 6′ by 3′ hallway runner for $75! The reason these decorative pieces cost so much is because of how labor intensive they are. They start as a heavy canvas and receive several coats of polyurethane before being painted in a design. After the paint dries, they coat it again with polyurethane. This process takes several weeks! Believe me when I say I got a deal on this floor cloth! I can’t wait for my mom to see it (she’s always wanted one.)

I’m linking the above items in this convenient little widget below so you know where everything came from and the price! 


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