Sidewalks

Author: yachnaa

  • A Heartwarming Japanese Series I Am Obsessed With

    A Heartwarming Japanese Series I Am Obsessed With

     

    Like all good things, I accidentally stumbled upon the Midnight Diner at my cousin’s recommendation. I instantly fell in love with the show and couldn’t stop watching it.

    As someone who doesn’t speak or understand Japanese, this series charmed me to the point that it inspired my trip to Tokyo.

    Why is it so special?

    The show is about a late-night diner inside a busy, narrow street in Tokyo that’s only open after midnight while most people are asleep. “When people finish their day and hurry home, my day starts. But sometimes, they don’t want to go straight back home. So, they drop in somewhere else on the way home.” the restaurant’s chef, known only as “the Master,” explains.

    While his menu is very minimal—usually just pork miso soup, beer, and sake, he’ll cook whatever you want if you supply the ingredients. But most of his regulars, a diverse group of people, such as sex trader workers, celebrities, LGBTQ, Yakuza, and immigrants who are sad, lonely, or restless, looking for a quiet place to take the edge off, come for the company.

    A very humble, sincere and stoic Master greets them all with a mysterious scar on his face. He’s an excellent listener and is well-respected and highly regarded for his cooking by all his customers.

    It’s particularly touching when regulars ask him to make their childhood favourites—a reminder of the essential comfort that his diner provides.

    Midnight Diner is like stories from a place I’ve never lived in or known. Yet it still somehow manages to feel like home. Every episode involves a story that is so beautifully crafted and is so human and universal based on the dreams, wants, hopes or fears of a regular customer of the diner.

    It might not be something you’d want to binge on all night, but savour one bite at a time, just like the food the Master cooks, which always looks exceptionally delicious.

    The intro makes me feel nostalgic for a place I have never been to, but it still feels comforting. The only bad thing about this show is that it’s not long enough 🙁

    Master, more episodes!

     

    Have you watched The Midnight Diner? What shows are you watching these days? I’d love to know 😀

     

    xo

    Yachna

     

    P.S.

    11 Best Anime Series for Beginners 

  • Why We Lose Friends

    Why We Lose Friends

     

    A few months ago, I met a friend I hadn’t seen in years for coffee. As we were catching up on the lost time, mid-conversation, she held my hand, tears flowing down from her eyes, saying, “I miss you so much. You stop making friends after some point in life.” 

    Her words moved me deeply because, at that time, I had lost friends that were so special and precious to me. I was grieving the loss of dead friendships and naturally realized that the older we get, the more we need our friends—and the harder it is to keep them. And that our social circles grow smaller. And then one day, we suddenly find ourselves in the company of just a few familiar faces. 

    Now that I’m officially leaving my 20s, I feel older and wiser – at least wise enough to write this post. Over the years, I’ve outgrown many friendships I couldn’t imagine my life without. Now, they aren’t even part of my life. Those same friends I’ve known for years don’t know me anymore (and I don’t know them either). There were no fights. No drama. No hard feelings. We just grew apart. We all got busy in our lives. Our different life transitions, lifestyles and interests took us on different paths, and we couldn’t relate to each other anymore. 

    Some friendships just die. That’s the truth of it. Don’t try to fight it. Don’t let it make you angry. Don’t blame yourself or the other person or circumstance or anything else. Accept it for what it is.

    Through it all, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that change is the only constant thing in life. And sometimes, separation is just a necessary part of growth for everyone involved. 

    I am still fond of those friends and the time we spent together, but I can’t go back to that as we are different people now. Truthfully, it wasn’t that we stopped caring about each other. We can’t relate to each other and the version of self that was friends with them.

    And you know what the strangest part is? It’s so much more peaceful to have a few friends. Past few years, as I intentionally started to withdraw from people, the more I learned about myself. And the more I learn about myself, the more people I lose. 

    And again, this doesn’t mean that your early twenties friendships were meaningless, vain, or shallow. I am grateful to have experienced such beautiful and deep friendships, but I also experienced a lot of pain and loss in these friendships.

    It’s not easy. I was thinking to myself while writing about this: What about all the good times and memories and love I’ve shared with these people? Doesn’t that matter?

    Of course, it matters. 

     At the same time, you need to let go with grace. People grow and change, and you grow apart more often than not. Don’t let the bitterness of broken friendships poison your soul. Wish them love, wish them well, and know that all the love you gave them was real and is for their keep for life. 

    Finally, leaving you with these wise words from my favourite rapper Tupac, “Just because you lost me as a friend, doesn’t mean you gained me as an enemy. I’m bigger than that, I still wanna see you eat, just not at my table.”

     

    xo

    Yachna

     

    Have you ever lost a precious and dead friend? What did it feel like? Share below <3

     

    P.S.

    10  signs you that its time to breakup with a friend

     

  • 9 Timeless Lessons From The Little Prince

    9 Timeless Lessons From The Little Prince

     

    Hello Readers,

    What have you been reading lately? I just devoured The Little Prince, and it has left me devastated. It has certainly left a profound impact on me. On the surface, it may seem like a children’s book, but the Little Prince’s messages of friendship, compassion and love continue to move hearts. Here are nine timeless life lessons from this enchanting story, as told through quotes.

    1. Our lives are measured in love, not numbers

    Grown-ups are very fond of numbers.

    When you tell them about a new friend, they never ask you the kind of questions that should be asked, such as: “What kind of voice does he have?” “What are his favourite games?” “Does he collect butterflies?” Instead, they ask: “How old is he? How much money does his father earn?” They really do imagine this is the best way to discover what sort of person he is!’

    “If you were to say to the grown−ups: “I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof,” they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all. You would have to say to them: “I saw a house that cost $20,000.” Then they would exclaim: “Oh, what a pretty house that is!”

    2. Don’t judge others by their words but by what they do

    “[My rose]She cast her fragrance and her radiance over me. I ought never to have run away from her… I ought to have guessed all the affection that lay behind her poor little stratagems. Flowers are so inconsistent! But I was too young to know how to love her…”

    3. Dare to have a mind of your own

    “Who are you?” said the little prince.
    “Who are you-Who are you-Who are you?” answered the echo. “Be my friends. I am all alone,” he said.

    “I am all alone — all alone — all alone,” answered the echo.

    “What a queer planet!” he thought. “It is altogether dry, and altogether pointed, and altogether harsh and forbidding. And the people have no imagination. They repeat whatever one says to them . . . On my planet I had a flower; she always was the first to speak . . .”

    4. Relationships make life worth living

    ‘”What exactly does ‘tamed’ mean?”

    “It is an act too often neglected,” said the fox. “It means to establish ties.”

    “To establish ties?”

    “To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world…”

     

    5. Money can’t buy love or friendship

    “Men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all ready made at the shops. But there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, and so men have no friends anymore.”

    6.  It is time you give to something that makes it precious

    “You are beautiful, but you are empty,” he went on. “One could not die for you. To be sure, an ordinary passerby would think that my rose looked just like you—the rose that belongs to me. But in herself alone she is more important than all the hundreds of you other roses: because it is she that I have watered; because it is she that I have put under the glass globe; because it is she that I have sheltered behind the screen; because it is for her that I have killed the caterpillars… because it is she that I have listened to, when she grumbled, or boasted, or ever sometimes when she said nothing. Because she is my rose.”

    “No one has tamed you and you haven’t tamed anyone. You’re the way my fox was. He was just a fox like a hundred thousand others. But I’ve made him my friend, and now he’s the only fox in the world.”

    7. The essential things in life you cannot see with your eyes

    As the little prince dropped off to sleep, I took him in my arms and set out walking…I felt deeply moved…it seemed to me that I was carrying a very fragile treasure. It seemed to me, even, that there was nothing more fragile on all the Earth. In the moonlight, I looked at his pale forehead, his closed eyes, his locks of hair that trembled in the wind, and I said to myself: “What I see here is nothing but a shell. What is most important is invisible to the eye.”

    8. The greater the effort, the sweeter the reward

    “I raised the bucket to his lips. He drank, his eyes closed. It was as sweet as some special festival treat. This water was indeed a different thing…Its sweetness was born under the stars, the song of the pulley, the effort of my arms. It was good for the heart, like a present.”

    9. Always finally, always remember to look up at the stars

    “All men have stars, but they are not the same things for different people. For travellers, the stars are guides. For others, they are no more than little lights in the sky. For scholars, they are problems… But all these stars are silent…In one of the stars, I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night…You, only you, will have stars that can laugh!”

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    Have you read The Little Prince? I’d love to know 🙂

     

     

     

     

  • A Love Letter to Women

    A Love Letter to Women

     

    Hello Readers,

    How are you doing?

    In the past couple of months, a lot has changed.

    Moving back home to the Philippines, saying goodbye to the people I love so dearly in Canada, going through friendship breakups, and building a business from scratch. I mean, it’s a LOT.

    Some stages have been grindingly hard and emotional. On the outside, everything looks perfect. But, on the inside, I have been struggling with loneliness, low self-confidence and self-doubt. The past few weeks have been a lot of crying alone in my car, feeling utterly alone and isolated in my struggles.

    And then, a few days ago, going through my notes, I found this note I had written last April to make myself feel better. With tears flowing from my eyes, I read the words that brought me so much comfort while giving me the strength to walk into the unknown. Sharing this with you in case you need it too…

    ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

    You are already the ray of love and warmth you wish dearly to be.

    You have always been the woman you wanted to be- artistic, beautiful, creative, insanely kind, caring, soft-hearted, comforting, and warm.

    You have been hurt so many times and it’s so see beyond that pain.

    I lose myself in the pain, grief, numbness, anger, resentment, and distrust caused by one disappointment after the other.

    I understand it’s just the universe giving me no choice but to rely on my self-love instead of love from others, but it does hurt how under-appreciated I am.

    You are disappointed things didn’t work out as you wanted them to. It’s okay to feel sad and disappointed.

    Soon, you’ll be thankful that you didn’t get what you thought you wanted because there was something better in store for you.

    Women deserve better.

    You deserve better than waiting for a man to show up for you and do the bare minimum. It’s better to be alone than with a man next to you who’s not on the same wavelength as you.

    Your heart is soft and tender and deserves to be treated with kindness and gentleness.

    If your life has to have any meaning, then you have to live it. You are the writer of your story; make it a great one. It’s time for you to become the star you already know you are.

    Keep investing time in yourself and learn to be strong alone. You’ve been alone for most of your life. You have picked yourself up on the days when you felt like not waking up. That was all you.

    So now that you know what you are capable of, you cannot let your self-worth depend on anyone.

    Since you are so sensitive and have such a soft and gentle heart, you are its most fierce protector. Because if you don’t protect yourself, then who will?

    Just don’t lose confidence in yourself. Because if you lose it, no one else will have confidence in you. You are the only person who can make yourself feel better and treat yourself the best.

    You spent your 20s carving a place for yourself with your blood, sweat, and tears. You show the rest of us through your strength and pioneering spirit that we, too, have a chance. You lead the way for us all to walk the paths that have never been taken and instead teach us all how to live free. YOU ARE NOT ANYTHING WRONG. You should be proud of everything you have done ALONE, unlike them.

    If no one has said to you before, here it is: I am proud of the woman you are becoming. I hope you are too.

     

    xo

    Yachna



  • 11 Best Anime Series For Beginners

    11 Best Anime Series For Beginners

    Ngl, I was that person who would say, “I wouldn’t watch any anime in a million years!” I have grown and matured since those days. It all changed when I started watching The Spy Family last summer. I was instantly hooked.  Now that I am deep in the anime rabbit hole and cannot be saved, here are the 11 best anime for all the beginners like myself. 

    Note: There are various genres, so Keep an open mind because you never know if you’ll like them if you don’t try them.

    1) Death Note

    Watch if you like: Mystery Psychological thriller, Supernatural thriller

    A teen boy discovers a mysterious notebook that can kill people by writing their names. The captivating storytelling instantly pulls you into its dark world like a moth to a flame. This is anime at its best with its slick, clever, and witty death note is a refreshing change of pace. Click play. You won’t regret it.

    2) The Garden of Words

    Watch if you like: Romance/Animation

    Thoughtful and touching, this movie is a marvel to watch. An unlikely friendship strikes between a 27-year-old teacher and a 15-year-old student one rainy afternoon in a garden. This movie will pull at your heartstrings and is a real tear-jerker. Anime fan or not, it’s a must-watch.

    3) Attack on Titan

    Watch if you like: Action Fiction

    An anime masterpiece!! It gives you everything you want: spectacular action scenes, stellar character development, unforgettable animation and a captivating storyline full of suspense and mystery that puts you on edge. A highly recommended series indeed.

    4) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

    Watch if you like: Action Fiction

    After losing their mother to a terminal illness, two brothers try to resurrect her using alchemy. But they must pay the price. One loses an arm and a leg; the other loses his whole body. Now, the duo embarks on an incredible and dangerous adventure to recover their whole bodies. Without a doubt, the most incredible TV show of all time, not just for anime.  

    5) Fruits Basket 

    Watch if you like: Romantic comedy, Slice of life, Supernatural fiction

     This anime will work as your therapy if you feel down or lost. Get ready to go for a ride on an emotional roller coaster, and it travels deep into your heart, making you cry with laughter, joy and sadness. Why are you still reading this!? WATCH IT!!

    6) Your Lie in April 

    Watch if you like: Romance, Drama

     A life-changing beautiful story about a talented pianist musical prodigy who has not played the piano in years due to trauma from an abused childhood. And then, one day, he meets this girl under full-bloomed cherry blossoms and his dull and monotonous days turn colourful. The story, characters, animation, and music all blend to create a wonderful symphony. 

    7) Black Butler 

    Watch if you like: Action, Mystery, Comedy 

    A young boy who’s also the last surviving member of an aristocratic family sells his soul to his demon butler in exchange for the ability to take revenge on his parents’ murderers. A perfect mixture of dark themes balanced with good humour, this anime simply cannot be skipped. 

    8)  Nana

    Watch if you like: Comedy, Drama, Animation

     With compelling characters and a heart-piercing soundtrack, NANA is an anime series that everyone should watch at least once. Two opposite women, both named Nana, meet coincidentally in Tokyo only to become roommates and grow inseparable while chasing their dreams. Touching, addictive, and heartbreaking. Do not miss it!!

    9) Sailor Moon

    Watch if you like: Girl Power, Action Fiction, Adventure

    The story centers around Usagi, an ordinary teenage girl who discovers her destiny is to be the legendary warrior Sailor Moon. The series follows the magical action adventures of Usagi and her fellow Sailor Scouts to defend the Earth and Galaxy.

    We watch the girls mature into young adults as they deal with friendships, school, romance, and family matters and develop their bond with one another. 

    10) Yu Yu Hakusho

    Watch if you like: Action, Comedy, Supernatural 

    It’s the story of a 14-year-old boy who suddenly finds himself dead after he saved a child. His sacrifice was acknowledged by the spirit world.  As a gesture of gratitude, the boy is appointed as a spirit detective, one assigned to protect all three worlds from evil. Before he knows it, he is swept up into being a spirit detective. The story, the characters, the plot, and just everything about this anime are masterpieces.

    11) Spy Family

    Watch if you like: Action, Comedy 

    Last but not least, one of my favourites. This is such a cute, funny and wholesome anime, and I recommend it to everyone. It’s such a different and unique concept. Since the first episode, I have been hooked and couldn’t stop watching it. 

     

    Have you ever watched anime? Would you add anything else to the list? I’d love to know!

     

    xo

    Yachna A

     

    P.S.

    11 best K-Dramas that’ll get you in your feels <3

     

     

     

     


  • Vancouver’s Street Art

    Vancouver’s Street Art


    Hello Readers,

    Have you ever wandered on purpose?

    Wandering is walking aimlessly without a goal or direction. It’s one of my favourite things to do – it clears my head, wakes up my senses and invites serendipity. Today I wandered around Vancouver. I was visiting some friends and had one day to myself that I spent wandering around the city on a walk. Here are some things I saw.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    P.S.

    Best Boutiques in Vancouver

     


  • 5 Things I Learnt This Year

    5 Things I Learnt This Year


    2023 is here already!!! :O

    Where has the time gone? 

    Even though I am not big on NYE, there’s something sentimental about closing out a new year and beginning the next. This year I decided to follow the Japanese culture of cleaning the home ahead of the New Year. The idea is to deep clean your house remove any broken/damaged items and clothing, and clean off all the dust and dirt so as not to carry it into the new year.

    Since 2023 is here, now seemed like a good time to slow down and reflect on all the time that has passed. Here are five things I have learned this year, recorded in my phone now to the blog in the hope that I remember them in the years to come. 

    l) We Are All Alone

    One of the saddest yet most sobering and powerful realizations is that you’re on your own. No matter how many friends you have. No matter how much love you receive, it’ll always be you in this life. There’s so much power in accepting this. Not even in the pessimistic sense. Don’t let it break you. Let it empower you and lift you. Even if you have no one, you have yourself. Plan and improve yourself. Move forward. 

    2) Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost

    Have you ever wandered on purpose? An essential part of living is always to maintain your curiosity. To wander just for the sake of wandering is an act of curiosity. It’s an opportunity to rekindle your curiosity. Remember the sheer joy of discovery you experienced as a child when you learned things just because you were curious? Wandering around is an opportunity to slow down, listen to your heart, and discover what matters most.

    3) You Stop Making Friends After Sometime in Life 

    A sad but an unavoidable fact of life is that we lose friends as we age. I won’t speak for everyone. I’ll speak for myself. As I got older and acquired more responsibility, I got busier. That made me picky with who and how I spent my time.

    You’ll realize that you have stopped making new friends at some point. I am not saying it doesn’t happen. But making meaningful and genuine friends becomes really, really, really hard. 

    And while we are on the topic of time passing…

    4) Make Friends With Change 

    What will the unknown bring? Will we be able to adapt? The fear of the new can stop us from taking chances altogether – even if they could open new doors for us. Fear of change can be explained in one sentence: “what if I fail?.” We were conditioned to believe that we should not fail at anything. But let me ask: is this the way you want to live? This year I learnt and experienced that embracing change is more fulfilling than playing safe.

    5) Let Love Be Your Guide 

    When something feels fantastic, do more of it. Start with your peace, your love, and your compassion. Go from there. Allow your heart and soul to walk you home. Love everything and have faith that it will never lead you astray. 

    Thank you so much for being here, whether you’re a regular reader or are just stopping by. I am grateful for this beautiful small community. Happy New Years. Sending lots of love and virtual hugs and kisses. 

    xo

    Yachna 

     


  • Winter Hair Care: 6 Expert-Approved Ways To Keep Your Hair Healthy

    Winter Hair Care: 6 Expert-Approved Ways To Keep Your Hair Healthy


    Winter is officially here, and there’s a chance you’re either already feeling the effects on your skin and your hair (or you will be soon). Let us know if this sounds familiar. You brush your hair only to see chunks trapped in your comb. You constantly find loose strands all over your clothes/bed/pillow. Not only that, your hair is thinning and is super, dry-which is common during these crazy dry winters.

    Don’t stress, though; we reached out to the experts at Absolutely Ayur, who helped us with these six tips to keep your hair beautiful, and fabulous this winter. While it may add a bit of time to our self-care routine, it’s worth every minute and penny if we stick to it.

    1. Moisturize Your Hair

    Dry hair is the root of all the evil in keeping your strands healthy. One of the biggest tips for maintaining healthy hair is to keep it as hydrated as possible. Weekly hydrating hair masks and regularly massaging your scalp and hair with a warm (coconut) oil does wonders for your hair.

    For weekly hydrating masks, try this DIY avocado mask for a nutritious treat for your hair that I swear by-

    Avocado Hair Mask Recipe

    INGREDIENTS:

    1 ½ avocados
    Two tablespoons of manuka honey
    Two tablespoons of olive oil
    Half a lemon, juiced

    INSTRUCTIONS:

    1. Add all ingredients to a blender and combine for 10-30 seconds until smooth.
    2. Apply the mixture to your hair, combing it through.
    3. Cover your masked hair with a shower cap for 45 minutes.
    4. Rinse.

    PRO TIP: Use this once a week for intense hydration to your hair.

    2.  Daily Scalp Massage

    Maintaining a clean scalp status promotes overall stronger strands. When massaging your scalp- be extra gentle. Don’t dig in with your nails. Invest in a scalp massager. Using a scalp massager removes dandruff, relieves an itchy scalp, improves blood circulation and removes dead skin cells to keep your scalp fresh and healthy. When you have a healthy scalp, you can expect thicker, healthier, and more hygienic hair.

    Here’s a scalp massager that’s been a game-changer for me. You can get it for $11 on Amazon.

     

    3. Avoid Hot Showers

    When it’s chilly outside, it is almost irresistible to shower in warm water. However, hot water showers can strip your hair of its natural oils and the moisture it naturally contains, leaving it dry and causing the scalp to become dry and flaky.

    Hair experts recommend washing your hair with lukewarm water. Finish it with a cold water rinse on your hair to lock in the moisture after every wash.

    4. Less is more: Avoid Washing Hair Every Day

    Using shampoo on your hair too often will strip it of its natural oils by removing its protective oils and making it dry and irritated. Shampoo your hair twice a week. To keep your hair happy, use a sulphate-free shampoo at all times.

    If you love changing your hair colour, look for the best colour shampoo that doesn’t have any harsh chemicals.

    5. Don’t Forget Your Conditioner

    Every time you shampoo your hair, you must follow it with a conditioner. Why? A shampoo removes all the grime, oil, and buildup in your hair, but a conditioner helps your hair keep its natural hydration.

    Apply conditioner mid-shaft downward towards the ends, and while the product is still in your hair, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle. You can leave the conditioner in for five to seven minutes, leaving you with lush and shiny hair.

    (Don’t even get us started on 2-in-1 shampoos. It’s the one product you should never put in your hair).

    6. The AfterCare

    Your hair care after is just as essential. After washing their hair, most people rub their hair to remove excess water or wrap a towel around the top of their heads. Hair experts need you to stop doing this. Instead, gently squeeze your wet hair with a soft towel and let it air dry as much as possible. Apply a leave-in conditioner or a serum to ensure your hair retains moisture after washing. Lastly, use a heat protectant before using any heating tools on your hair.

     

    How do you care for your hair? Are there any tips you’d like for us to know? We’d love to know in the comments below. 

     

    P.S.

    Life-Changing Beauty Hacks From Women Around The World.

     

    (Featured Image: Pinterest)



  • The Book Club Review

    The Book Club Review


     

     

    Yesterday was my first book club meeting ever!!

     Our book is, A Gentleman in Moscow, and I am excited to discuss it with you. 

    What would you do if you, at 30 years old age you were sentenced to house arrest?

     At the beginning of the book, we find the main character, Count Alexander Rostov, sentenced to house arrest in a grand luxurious hotel, the Metropol. 

    Even though we just read up until the first 100 pages of the book, I have loved this book so far. The Count feels like a real person as we accompany him in an epoch of his life’s journey.

    He is irresistibly charming and effortlessly cool. He instantly pulls you into his classy and sophisticated mind and world. 

     If there’s a word to describe the feeling of the book until now, it’s nostalgia. Nostalgic to feel romance, not between lovers. But, the romance of life and ideas.  

    We discussed how sentimental we felt as we observed the time passing in The Count’s life as he became a witness in his own life. It’s heartbreaking to see The Count’s life unfold. At only 30, everything in his life is already in the past tense. 

    Lastly, we discussed quotes from the book that moved, inspired, and enlightened us—sharing some of these quotes with you too. Here goes-

    “Adversity presents itself in many forms; and that if a master his man does not master his circumstances, then he’s bound to be mastered by them.”

    “…Imagining what might happen if one’s circumstances were different was the only sure route to madness.”

    ” The count took pride in wearing a well-tailored jacket; but he took greater pride in knowing that a gentleman’s presence was best announced by his bearing, his remarks, and his manners.”

    “…Perhaps a mirror will suddenly serve its truer purpose-revealing to a man not who he imagines himself to be, but who he has become.”

    “A slouching posture tends to suggest a certain laziness of character, as well as a lack of interest in others. Whereas an upright posture can confirm a sense of self-possession and a quality of engagement.” 

    “A sad but unavoidable fact of life…that as we age our social circles grow smaller. Whether from increased habit or diminished vigor, we suddenly find ourselves in the company of just a few familiar faces.”

     

    Have you read it? Or would you like to? We are discussing it next Saturday (a week from now). Please comment below if you’re on board! We’d love to have you. 

     

    xo

    Yachna


  • 21 Iconic Celebrities Who Changed Fashion Forever

    21 Iconic Celebrities Who Changed Fashion Forever


     

    Fashion is an ever-changing industry that has evolved through the decades. From powdered hair and cardigan sweaters to yoga pants and high-fashion streetwear, the evolution of the fashion industry has been nothing short of remarkable.

    This incredible evolution of Fashion is the result of several once-in-a-lifetime looks and garments that celebrities of different eras brought forth. Let’s now look at 21 such celebs (in no particular order) who changed fashion forever.

     

    1. Marilyn Monroe 

    Glamourous. Lavish. Iconic. Probably one of the first names that comes to mind when you think of fashion is Marilyn Monroe, an icon of femininity and sexuality that embraced her seductive figure fashionable. Her flowing skirt from the movie “The Seven Year Itch” is a legendary dress that still influences the world of fashion even after 65+ years.

    2. Rihanna 

    Everyone’s favourite bad gal!! A fashion muse, a trailblazer, and always iconic. When it comes to style, she’s in a league of her own. Rihanna has always understood the power of fashion to shape perception and express individuality. Fearless and versatile, she has the talent to express and reinvent herself with strikingly bold silhouettes at every appearance. From her bold MET gala looks to her edgy Bottega Veneta pieces, Rihanna has proven she’s the ultimate fashion powerhouse. While pregnant, she once again pushed fashion boundaries and opened up new conversations about style. 

    3. Bella Hadid

    Bella Hadid is one of the most daring fashion favourites and the ultimate fashion icon of the modern era. She’s able to embody a vision and bring to life creative imagination by using her body as art to display the most iconic fashion trends.  

    Her influence is undeniable- bringing back retro 2000s fashion such as micro-sunglasses, Y2K graphic tees and bucket hats making her one of the most-watched street-style stars worldwide. By bringing cutting-edge fashion trends to the red carpet, she’s pushing boundaries and stepping outside the box every time. Through her style, she’s sending a powerful yet essential message to women worldwide: don’t listen or follow the stereotypical rules of the fashion world. 

    4. Zendaya

    Is it even a red carpet if Zendaya isn’t there? 

    Zendaya’s fashion transformation since her Disney days has always been bold and NEVER boring. Whether in archival fashion or fresh-off-the-runway looks, she has consistently kept her fans on their toes. She’s the moment with her striking red-carpet looks and high fashion shoots, proving that she isn’t afraid to experiment. With her versatility, she can do a playful and casual look one minute, then turn around and pull off high glamour the next, all while turning heads. 

    5. Harry Styles

    From a teenage heartthrob to a fashion powerhouse, Harry Styles expresses his unique vision and flamboyant personality through fashion and beauty. Through his style, he’s making a powerful statement: be whoever you want to be and don’t worry about what others think. His eye-catching, gender-fluid, and unconventional fashion taste have inspired people worldwide that they should be able to wear whatever they wish without any fear of judgement, making him one of the most influential celebrities in the fashion world. 

    6. Madonna

    Madonna’s influence as a fashion leader has been consistent since she first appeared on MTV. Her trend-settling style created a signature eighties look and launched a strong attitude among women. With her eccentric and fierce choice of clothing, she uses fashion as a form of rebellion and expression. During the 80s, when the world wasn’t as open and accepting as today, she exuded power, boldness, and fearlessness, inspiring a whole generation of women to show up as their genuine selves. She said just because you are strong doesn’t make you a bitch or slut, and if people call you that, so what? Who says it is always a bad thing? 

    7. Audrey Hepburn

    The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when we mention Audrey Hepburn’s name is, of course, the little black dress. Hepburn’s simple yet powerful look from Breakfast At Tiffany’s inspired a new generation of women who broke the shackles and started expressing themselves freely with ultimate class and sophistication.

    8. Lady Gaga

    Weird, Outrageous, Amazing, Unbelievable! These are not the most common words when describing a fashion icon. With her various outfits through the years, Lady Gaga has taken the fashion world by storm and opened the doors for today’s youth to express themselves through their fashion without fear.

    9. Princess Diana

    A global fashion icon that’s gone but never forgotten. The memory of Princess Diana and her iconic fashion choices will forever live on in photos. Whether the head-turning John Travolta dress or the unforgettable revenge dress, each outfit has a story behind it and stands out as an important pop culture moment.

    10. Elizabeth Taylor 

    Although some may have considered her outfits outrageous at the time, Elizabeth Taylor certainly paved the way for the fashion industry to evolve significantly. Her larger-than-life dresses paired with dazzling diamonds made her a force to reckon with.

    11. Vivien Leigh

     A woman of great style and taste. Vivien Leigh’s extravagant dresses in the movie, Gone With the Wind (1939), were memorable and timeless. They made displays of pomp and wealth more fashionable.

    12. Jackie Kennedy

    Jackie Kennedy popularised the collegiate look in the early 60s. After becoming the first lady, her influence on fashion grew even more, with each public appearance of hers evoking a sense of awe in the media for her remarkable fashion sense.

    13. Michael Jackson

    Michael Jackson’s fashion influence is quite literally unparalleled. With an eccentric, creative and sparkling sense of style, he was the first pop star to define fashion on his terms. A fashion pioneer, every spell-binding costume he put on became a part of his legendary legacy. Her most iconic accessory is his now-legendary single white glove.No matter what Jackson wore before or after he introduced the white glove to his aesthetic, it would be the defining fashion moment in his career full of groundbreaking style.

    14. Humphrey Bogart

    Confidence, body language and being cozy in your skin are essential for pulling off any look. Fashion is not just about what you wear but also how you wear it.  Humphrey Bogart managed to exude confidence even with the simplest of looks.

    15. Pierce Brosnan

    Although Sean Connery may have been the first James Bond, Pierce Brosnan’s clean-shaven, slightly ruffled but tidy hairstyle combined with bold coloured ties and classy watches certainly made him stand out as the most stylish James Bond ever. He certainly changed fashion forever.

    16. Jennifer Aniston

    No list of revolutionary fashion icons will be complete without Jennifer Aniston. Her “Rachel Look” is the craze of millions of women. Her look, demeanour and especially the hairstyle from the show Friends were so iconic that the hairstyle was even named ‘The Rachel’ in honour of Jennifer Aniston’s character.

    17. Charlie Chaplin

    Not many would think of Charlie Chaplin as a fashion icon. However, he certainly brought new meaning to the old 19th Century look with his trademark bowler hat and stick. Almost a century later, the mere sight of the hat and stick brings the image of the iconic comedian to everyone’s mind. Revolutionary, indeed!

    18. Clark Gable

    Not mentioning one of the greatest fashion icons of the early 20th Century in this list would be a grave sin indeed. Clark Gable epitomized the True Gentleman look that many strive to imitate even today!

    19. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood’s looks as the man with no name in the classic Wild West movies of the 60s are truly notable in the world of fashion. He single-handedly made looking rugged fashionable for men all over the world!

    20. Kanye West 

    Love or hate him, Kanye West is a visionary who made a name for himself as an artist, designer, and trendsetter. There’s no doubt Kanye’s footprint is strong wherever he plants it. Looking back at Kanye’s style moments, it’s clear he doesn’t play by anyone’s rules, nor does he ever conform to societal norms. Along with his friend Virgil Abloh, Kanye West successfully paved the way for streetwear to become a part of high fashion.

     

     

    21. Kim Kardashian

    Last but certainly not least, Kim Kardashian is certainly the most influential fashion icon today. Her glam is inspiring millions in this smartphone and social media era of instant fashion!

     

    What did you think about our choices? Did we miss any that you had in mind? Feel free to share your icons with us in the comments section below.

     

    Post Credits

    Co-Written by: Yachna Atthi & Mohan Raj

    Mohan Raj is a Senior Editor at Swag Swami, an online portal and blog for fashionable printed t-shirts in India. An avid gamer who spends his free time logged into Steam. He also practices Yoga and meditation regularly and teaches Yoga at the Cosmopolitan Centre in India.