Posts in category: Life Style

The world has been waiting for a Carrie Coon monologue, and in the season three finale of The White Lotus, she delivered.

The veteran actor is known for her dramatic chops and quiet yet powerful emotional resonance, and her character on the hit HBO series, Laurie, has been no exception. One of three childhood friends reunited for an extravagant girl’s weekend, Laurie has contained a simmering sadness and rage since the first episode, when seeing her besties, Jaclyn and Kate, chatting and laughing sent her into a wail of despair. It’s our first glimpse into her inner turmoil—that despite how much she loves her friends, she is filled with grief when she compares their lives to her own.

For the audience, Laurie’s feelings were achingly real—and disquietingly uncomfortable. All three women entered into their adult lives on relatively the same level. They graduated from their Midwest high school and headed on three separate life paths.

But since then, their fortunes have diverged. So it’s not entirely surprising that while Kate and Jaclyn discuss how amazing the week in Thailand has been, Laurie finally admits that she hasn’t felt the same way. She has felt “sad all week,” she tells them, and it’s mostly because of her own internal pain.

“I just feel like my expectations were too high or I just feel like as you get older, you have to justify your life and your choices,” she starts. “And when I’m with you guys, it’s just so transparent what my choices were and my mistakes.”

She then continues: “I have no belief system. Well, I mean, I’ve had a lot of them. I mean, work was my religion for forever, but I definitely lost my belief there. And then I tried love and that was just a painful religion just made everything worse. And then even for me, just like being a mother, that didn’t save me either. But I had this epiphany today: I don’t need religion or God to give my life meaning, because time gives it meaning. We started this life together. I mean, we’re going through it apart, but we’re still together. And I look at you guys and it feels meaningful and I can’t explain it, but even when we’re just sitting around the pool talking about whatever and name shit, it still feels very fucking deep. I am glad you have a beautiful face and I’m glad that you have a beautiful life. I am just happy to be at the table.”

Why scroll through Pinterest when the Kapoor sisters’ closets are a mood board in themselves? Rhea Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor have become a power duo in styling and bringing creative ensembles to life. Together, they’ve crafted several avant-garde looks. In a Vogue video two months ago, Rhea Kapoor shared, “I think that I had this early obsession with dressing my Barbie dolls when I was really young, and then Sonam just became mine.” Last night, she styled her sister in an unreleased, structured, front-open kurta from RI, Ritu Kumar’s upcoming spring-summer capsule. She paired them with straight black pants and brown leather boots from The Row.

The kurta, made from brocade, is detailed with golden motifs and zari work, featuring an intricate tapestry of traditional designs, including paisleys, florals, and ornamental borders. The colour palette blends earthy tones—burnt reds, antique golds, and subtle greens—all embellished with sequin work.

Kapoor accessorised with a green ruby choker, gold earrings, rings, and a bracelet. A bag with gold detailing completed the look. For hair and makeup, she opted for a sleek braid and winged eyeliner.

Kurta Pajama is the most important traditional wear part in any man’s wardrobe-the Kurta Pajama. A classic look is always specially reserved for weddings, festivals, or even a simple gathering-appealingly sophisticated and charming. The key is that the right color combination can make your look go further up!

While there are an endless number of combinations available, it can be quite overwhelming to find the perfect shade of Mens Kurta that matches the right pajama. To make things easier, here is a fashionable guide to the best kurta pajama color combinations for men.

1. White Kurta with Pastel Pajama – The Subtle and Elegant Option

White is one of the timeless colors, and pretty much every pastel-Mint green, powder blue, or peach-goes with it to render an extremely sophisticated and modern ethnic touch. Such combinations are usually good for showcasing an event during quite a few hours of the day, especially for summer weddings or pujas.

Style Tip: Complete this set with mojris or embroidered footwear to keep it comfy yet sophisticated.

2. Black Kurta with Golden Pajama – The Royal Pair

A black Mens Kurta works whenever it is about impressing someone. There is an aura of regality and dashing quality when coupled with golden pajamas. This pair is ideal for evening receptions, Diwali parties, and sangeet nights.

Styling Tip: Enhance the grandeur of the whole outfit by adding a golden stole or a stylishly embroidered jacket.

3. Navy Blue Kurta and White Pajama – The Classic Contrasting Combo

This is a traditional occasion safe yet stylish choice. A navy blue kurta matched with a crisp white pajama creates a look of sheer class and easy charm.

Style Tip: Take up the look further with a printed stole or Nehru jacket in shades that complement the colors.

4. Maroon Kurta with Beige Pajama – Festive Favorite 

Maroon is one of the first choices for weddings and traditional events. This color pair works well with beige or cream pajama and rather gives a touch of elegance and vibrancy. 

Style Tip: Add a little dimension to the richness of the outfit with golden embroidery or with very little embellishments.

5. Olive Green Kurta with White Pajama – A Revamped Tradition 

For lovers of earthy tones, this pairing of an olive green Mens Kurta coupled with a white pajama comes off as a breath of fresh air and quite a progressive adaptation to dress. The subtle yet sassy combo will easily be able to rock the vie casual functions as well as outdoor bashes.

Style Tip: Team it with brown leather sandals or Kolhapuris for a relaxed yet refined touch. 

6. Mustard Yellow Kurta with Off-White Pajama – The Festive Brightness 

Bright and festive, mustard yellow adds an instant charm to any ethnic outfit. It goes best with off-white pajamas; this is ideal for haldi functions Mehendi ceremonies and other festive events. 

Style Tip: Add a printed or embroidered Nehru jacket for that trendy fusion effect. 

7. Grey Kurta with Black Pajama-the Trendy 

If you like a modern understated elegance, you should definitely try wearing a grey kurta with a black pajama. It is simple, elegant, and pretty stylish, making it apt for cocktail parties or semi-formal occasions. 

Style Tip: Go with the least accessories, and choose black formal shoes for a polished appearance. 

8. Pink Kurta with White Pajama-the Pick of a Trendsetter 

Pastel pink is very much setting a trend in men’s fashion; plus, a pink kurta and white pajama look not just dandy and smart, but also would be perfect for a daytime wedding or summer festival, brunch event, etc. 

Style Tip: Layer it adding a floral stole or jacket for a modern twist. 

9. Royal Blue Kurta with Golden Pajama-The Regal Affair 

Royal blue kurta with golden pajama is a guaranteed winner for wedding receptions, festivities, and high-end events. This powerful combination speaks volumes of boldness and elegance. 

Style Tip: Opt for a brocade or silk Mens Kurta to give it an added richness and sophistication.

10. Beige Kurta with Brown Pajama-Earthy and Timeless 

A beige kurta with a brown pajama is a classy yet neutral option and understated yet stylish. Being formal, family friendly, and casual occasion-friendly, it would fit all the styles. 

Style Tip: Accessorize with tan leather only – a watch and shoes – for that approved look.

11. Teal kurta with white pajama-the refreshing twist.

Teal is a bright, youthful tint and it is good for both day and evening wearing. Adding a white pajama to the whitest look gives a modern appearance.

Styling Tip: Silver or oxidized accessories score the last touch.

12. Wine kurta with cream pajama-the really bold and sophisticated look.

Wine Mens Kurta with cream pajama is absolutely perfect for evening wedding receptions and cultural events. This color gives a feel of richness and elegance.

Style Tip: An extra panache can be added with a golden brooch or pocket square. 

13. Purple kurta with off-white pajama-a regal contrast.

This purple color symbolizes royalty and stylishness. A striking but balanced ethnic look is achieved together with that off-white pajama. 

Style tip: keep the footwear simple yet elegant juttis or loafers for a clean look. 

14. Dark green kurta with black pajama-a bold statement. 

For the men who like to be dressed in some darker shades, black pajama along with a dark green kurta looks like a very bold and fashionable combination. The ensemble fits exactly with its grandeur for every nowadays evening party and also in festive functions. 

Styling Tip: Layer with a contrasting dupatta to steal the show. 

15. Ice-blue kurta with white pajama-the summer favorite

An ice-blue Mens Kurta with a white pajama is the perfect fresh and airy combination for a summer wedding and day affair.

Style Tip: Minimalist sandals and a simple watch will seal the deal for effortless elegance. 

Last thoughts

Choosing the right color combination for your Kurta Pajama can make a difference in how you carry yourself on traditional occasions. Be it classic contrasts or earthy neutrals or bold festive colors, each of these combinations has its unique place in your ethnic wardrobe. Regardless of the occasion, Nihal Fashions dispense endless options for Mens Kurta Pajama sets in exquisite colors and designs. Explore the collection and get your signature outfit to strut!

This post contains spoilers for Season 3, Episode 8 of The White Lotus.

I don’t quite know how we arrived at the final episode of The White Lotus Season 3, but heading into Sunday night, I was extremely ready to watch those rich people behave badly for the last time (and, of course, find out who died!!!!!!!! If anyone died? Though, if no one died, what were those gunshots from the first episode? Did a monkey get hold of a gun? If a monkey got hold of a gun, I want credit for predicting it!). It’s been a wild season of Carrie Coon worship, real-life romance inspo, Lorazepam discourse and book-club fodder, and now it’s time to close it all out with a bang. Below, find quite literally every thought I had about the Season 3 finale of The White Lotus.

1. I’m going to miss these opening credits.
2. I can’t believe the composer had beef with Mike White!
3. Wait, yes I can.
4. It’s Thailand…I mean, Taiwan, Piperrrrrrrr!
5. Hey, Tim’s Duke shirt is back, despite Duke telling The White Lotus to get their name out of its mouth.
6. LOL, this little hotel hallway floor roll.
7. “Don’t you like me anymore? I need my guy.” I love White Lotus masculinity!
8. I wish some of these Thai party girls got the fun, three-dimensional treatment that Mia and Lucia did in Season 2, to be honest.
9. Oh, my sweet Gaitok.
10. I understand why Carrie Coon had to be blonde for this role, but she looks so good with her dark hair creeping out from underneath!
11. Awww, sweet Lochlan.
12. Is Piper wearing LoveShackFancy?
13. God, those are some vivid shots of monkeys having sex.
14. Oh God, Belinda introducing Pornchai to Zion and Zion saying, “We met, Mom,” is such an awkward reminder of…him walking in on them.
15. Aww, Zion teasing his mom about liking Pornchai is cute.
16. Piper complaining that the food at the temple wasn’t organic! Oh, babe, we all turn into our mothers in the end.
17. Victoria saying it’s offensive to the less-fortunate for the Ratliffs not to enjoy their lives…well, sure.
18. Every time these brothers are anywhere near each other, I flinch involuntarily.
19. Wow, I am so deeply uncomfortable right now, but at least Saxon seems to be, too.
20. There is no hell quite like watching your friends have fun without you on a trio vacation.
21. Valentin looking evil as hell in his green collar 🙂
22. Chelsea’s bright yellow caftan is so hopeful and so sad, somehow.
23. Man, I can spot Walton Goggins’s sexy receding hairline from a beach away.
24. Did not expect Chelsea and Rick to have a rom-com-style reunion beach kiss!
25. LOL, Victoria is so happy to be buying her daughter stuff in the hotel store. God (and capitalism) bless.
26. Let Lochlan stay inside and read! I did it for 18 years, and I’m normal!
27. Oop, it’s Tim v. Pam again, except this time she’s trying to give him his phone back instead of taking it away.
28. Jesus, the tree is called “the suicide tree” because people grind up the seeds and eat them to kill themselves?
29. Pam! Don’t tell Tim that!
30. And, yep, he’s ripping the fruit open.
31. Suicide by fruit!
32. Or attempted suicide, anyway.
33. “Soup to nuts” is a crazy expression.
34. Hell yeah, Tanya McQuoid invocation.
35. “Mom, why don’t you just give us businessmen a minute alone?” You sound five, but okay!
36. “He wants us to be scared, but we have to make him scared!” Ooh, go Belinda!
37. I’m very here for a Zion-and-Belinda family-scam season.
38. “I am confident…when I feel good about myself.” Gaitok! Babygirl!
39. Oh, Christ, is Tim actually trying to kill his whole family by blending the poison seeds into piña coladas?
40. Okay, he’s sparing Lochlan?????????????
41. WHAT IS HAPPENING?
42. I want Chelsea to be my girlfriend and constantly tell me “You’re free, it’s a new day.” Sounds nice!
43. Oh, I hate this weird Christian gardening metaphor.
44. “I’ve just been in the best mood all week, I really have.” Jaclyn, girl, be serious!!!!!!!!! We were all there with you!
45. “All week, I’ve just been so sad.” Exactly, Laurie!
46. Aw, did this somehow turn into a heartwarming moment between the cursed girls’-trippers?
47. Holy shit, Tim is making the piña coladas!
48. I will never drink one of those cocktails the same way again.
49. He’s just going to kill Lochlan’s entire family off and leave him alive, alone?
50. I am straight-up panicking about the outcome here.
51. What in the Jonestown fuck is this pre-death toast?
52. LMAO at any parent confidently declaring that his kids have “no trauma.”
53. Oh hell yeah, time for Victoria’s “toast to Thailand.”
54. Obsessed with Victoria absolutely knocking back her death drink.
55. OMG, he slapped the drink right out of Saxon’s hand at the last minute.
56. That was some truly dark stuff, even for this show.
57. “Have you ever heard of wine?”
58. Wow, Greg actually gave Belinda the money!
59. Oh shit, Lochlan’s using the blender that has the poisonous seeds in it.
60. No! Not Lochlan!
61. Rick v. Jim time!
62. Why did I never realise that Chelsea is totally Adriana La Cerva from The Sopranos-coded (clueless, hot girlfriend of a miserable guy trying to avenge his father’s death)?
63. Oh shit, Lochlan’s puking into the pool.
64. 🙁
65. I’m sorry, but how are you going to not wash out the blender in general, let alone when you’re using it to make death-seed cocktails?
66. OMG, Rick just shot Jim!
67. Okay, fine, the killer wasn’t a monkey.
68. JIM IS RICK’S FATHER?
69. Okay, Maury!
70. Shootout time!
71. CHELSEA DIES????????????????????????
72. Oh, Mike White, you are absolutely not seeing heaven.
73. The thing about ignoring your girlfriend for an entire trip is that she miiiiiiight…die? Just to make you feel bad?
74. Women: We have our ways!
75. Is Gaitok going to shoot Rick???
76. Yep, Gaitok shot Rick.
77. So that’s Rick, Chelsea, Jim and Lochlan dead, right?
78. This shot of Rick’s floating body is creeping me out in a very real way.
79. Wait, is Lochlan not dead?
80. He seems to be back and puking!
81. “I think I just saw God.” Iconic line!
82. The Ratliff siblings all look pretty chill, given all that’s gone on during their trip.
83. Wait, so Lochlan has no health issues from drinking the seeds?
84. I don’t feel like that plotline is totally resolved for me, personally.
85. Points to Tim for telling his family that “things are about to change” after basically trying to kill them all.
86. The blonde trio doesn’t seem that stressed about the deaths, either.
87. God, Greg is such an unkillable creep.
88. If there are no body bags being loaded onto the plane at the end of the trip, it definitely wasn’t a White Lotus stay.
89. Live your beautiful lives, Belinda and Zion!
90. Aw, I wish the Belinda/Pornchai romance arc had worked out.

This article first appeared on Vogue.com

Below, I outline how my two-week experiment panned out.

The results:

Week one

I have oily skin and, naturally, was sceptical of putting yet another coat of oil all over my face. Pleasantly surprised, I instantly noticed how smoothly my make-up washed off my face – plus the process was really therapeutic. Elemis’s Pro-Collagen Black Cherry Cleansing Balm is a delight to apply, and I found that I barely scratched the surface of the tub during the first week of use. Next, I followed up with either the Sarah Chapman Rapid Radiance cleanser – on days when I wore heavier make-up and was out of the house longer – or Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin cleanser.

After cleansing, I dutifully followed up with two moisturisers. The La Roche Posay Effeclar duo went on problem areas – blemishes and pimples – while the Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Moisturiser went everywhere else on my face. I allowed the products to sink in for around 10 to 20 minutes before drifting off to sleep.

By day seven, I noticed that my skin had begun to feel smoother, and I was able to zap troublesome under-the-skin spots with pimple patches once they surfaced. My skin did still feel slightly dull (and I still had a few blocked pores), but overall, I felt refreshed and confident that I had eliminated any lingering pollutants.

Week two

During the second week, I followed the same method but trialled a different oil cleanser. This time, I went in with the Sunday Riley Aquamarine Melt Cleansing Gel-Balm, which is dispensed via a handy pump – making it really easy and motivating to use after a long day or night out, when all you want to do is hop into bed. For my double cleanse, I continued using Cetaphil – both the face wash and the moisturiser – noticing just how soft the combination made my skin feel.

By the end of the week, my face was noticeably calmer and devoid of the open comedones that had plagued it fourteen days earlier. One thing that I am monitoring is the uptick in oil that I have noticed on my skin throughout the day – it hasn’t led to any breakouts but has, at times, been quite visible. It’s likely that my skin is just getting used to my new routine and I’d take a slightly more glowy complexion than an irritated skin barrier any day.

Final thoughts

Overall, I’d recommend double cleansing for those who wear makeup or a particularly heavy-duty daily SPF. Dr Du-Harpur agrees, sharing that the combination is very effective “for removing anything that is designed to grip the skin.” If you don’t usually wear make-up or spend time in a busy city, it’s advised to just stick with a single cleanse.

And what about a triple cleanse, you ask? Not necessary at all. Overdoing it can cause skin barrier impairment: as the expert explains, “when you introduce surfactants to the skin – which are present in cleansers and can dissolve oil – you are risking disrupting the skin barrier a little bit.” And then you’d be right back to square one – when all we want is to maintain a healthy, glowy and hydrated skin microbiome.

Also read:

17 cleansing balms and oils that will leave your skin feeling squeaky clean

From hydration to glow: the benefits of rose water you need to know

Are kojic acid and vitamin C the power couple we’ve been ignoring?

The spectacle that is the grand Indian wedding dominated global headlines last year, fuelled by Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s marathon nuptials that had our collective social media feeds in a chokehold. And while the scale of the typical wedding can span the gamut, from an intimate ceremony on a white sandy beach to a mammoth production at a five-star venue, what doesn’t change is the attention to detail and cultural personalisation that goes into every element of the big day.

Honouring this rich legacy, the Vogue Wedding Atelier presented by HSBC makes its debut in India this August, an invite-only experience bringing together the country’s leading bridal couture designers and high jewellery brands, along with experts and bespoke luxury services all under one roof. Slated to take place from 8–10 August, the showcase will be held at the historic Taj Palace in New Delhi.

Kim and Khloe Kardashian in Manish Malhotra

Indian couturier Manish Malhotra, whose designs are beloved by celebrities from Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt to Kim and Khloe Kardashian, will be creating an immersive experience that gives invitees a peek inside his creative process. “I’ve always believed that bridal fashion is about emotions, traditions, and personal expression, and that’s exactly what we’re bringing. You’ll see pieces that embody the essence of wedding couture: from exquisitely detailed lehengas to refined sherwanis, exclusive creations made just for the Vogue Wedding Atelier, showcasing the finest craftsmanship and a deeply personal touch,” says Malhotra. And that’s not all; his high jewellery collection for both men and women, including tiered necklaces, intricate brooches and collar pins, will also find space in the showcase.

The co-production of imagery was made possible by a parallel revolution in print culture. Lithographic presses such as Calcutta Art Studio, Chore Bagan Art Studio, Chitrashala Press and The Raja Ravi Varma Press circulated religious prints, deities and mythological scenes across Indian homes, “which merchants co-opted to lend a quality of auspiciousness to their product.” These images were everywhere—not just on cloth but on matchboxes, bidi wrappers, cigarette cards and soap packaging. First, they became a tool of persuasion, and later, of nostalgia. By the early 20th century, even the iconography of India’s independence movement—flags, maps, Bharat Mata—began appearing on mill cloth, embedding nationalist symbolism into a product of colonial machinery.

The ongoing art show in Bengaluru brings this history vividly to life, drawing from a collection of more than 7,000 labels and related ephemera. “At one time in our not-so-recent history, these labels were everywhere, in markets and in homes,” Maurya says. “They’ve faded from public memory.” Over two years, the team digitised the collection and grouped the labels by imagery, intended use and emotional appeal.

The wedding day was set against the soft pink facade of the Palácio do Correío-Mor in Loures. The morning started with the traditional Tamil oonjal ceremony, which involved the couple being blessed by the married women of the family, in the estate’s French gardens. “We requested Raj’s family to sing their traditional wedding bhajans too,” says Vijay.

The bride chose a striking emerald green Banarasi sari by Anita Dongre for this event. “I’ve always been drawn to emerald green, as emerald is my birthstone. And the monotone allows the richness of the hue to stand out,” she adds. Vijay roped in the bridal stylist Suzaina Puri, with whom she worked for almost a year to produce six custom looks for her wedding events. A classic guttapusalu necklace and pieces of temple jewellery accentuated her ensemble. “Suzaina and I worked with a jeweller based in Delhi to customise the necklace to have an antique gold finish, so it would complement my sari better.” A stack of chunky gold cuffs, an antique choker, jhumkas and a nath completed the look.

Sitting at the wedding mandap, the bride created a core memory when the clouds cleared post-storm and the sun shone down upon them all. “Our guests opened their garden umbrellas and hand fans in unison, looking towards us with wide smiles,” she says. “Our pheras and saptapadi, or seven steps, were a blend of Gujarati and Tamilian ceremonies,” Vijay recalls. “We did four pheras (common in Gujarati ceremonies) and saptapadi, which is common to both.”

The couple also chose to have two mangal sutras to honour each other’s cultures: one sporting classic black beads on a gold chain while the other was a Tamilian thaal or gold pendant. For the wedding, Vijay pulled off another custom creation, this time by Anamika Khanna. The whimsical, ivory lehenga featured clusters of pearls, delicate rose gold zardozi embroidery and stone work, paired with an embroidered organza dupatta. A 10-foot embroidered veil added a theatrical element too.

After a whirlwind two days, the final stop was the romantic city of Sintra for the wedding reception. “Raj and I did the rumba to ‘Sway’ by Dean Martin, which is one of our favourite songs,” Vijay reminisces. The sweetest surprise, though, was an impromptu speech by her beau. “I decided to go off the cuff, aided by a bit of wine, and started my vows from where it all began,” he shares, referring to his speech: “It’s not every day a guy meets a girl that’s way out of his league, and eight years later is reading wedding vows to her in Portugal.”