Birds Of A Feather Flock Together or In This Case Dance Together

April 20, 2018

In the famous words of P Diddy & Co. “Shake Ya Tail feather!” The ladies of Chicks And Salsa certainty did just that this past weekend. We not only shook it, but also rocked the scene in downtown Raleigh during the Style Collective conference! I can’t tell you how many times we were stopped about our feathered look while exploring Raleigh’s culinary scene.

The Look

A little about our look…when I first saw this feathered shirt, I was SOLD! I wanted to make a statement while exploring on my off time from the conference…I did this by adding a few simple touches to tie my look together.

I dressed my top with a pop of color thanks to my high-waisted rust mini skirt. Though the skirt is currently unavailable, I linked a few other options that would work just as well. Rina simply added a sexy sheer bodysuit to her skirt and a Gucci belt bag to the ensemble. The results on both looks were feminine yet bold!

Shop The Feathers:

Why Feathers?

For years feather pieces have always had a touch of retro glamour and sophistication to them. I’ve found that feathers are a cross between fab costume & sexy fashion forward style….the way they just dance and move with a hint of wind is just SEXY. It’s like wearing a trend with its own personality…Like us Chicks!

Right now my feather top is a steal for just $30 and Rina’s feather skirt is an affordable $24 (she is wearing a size large). If wearing feathers doesn’t fit your fancy, then just throw on a pair of earrings or heels (or both…also listed in our link) and that will complete your look!

So choose your flock and tail feathers and fly!

(Left to Right: Rina, Coutrney of Fab, Fierce, and Fabulous, Me (Avani), Stephanie of TheBorrowedBabes, and Sonia)

With

Your chick,

Avani

Philanthropy

#ChooseKind : Making The Case Against Bullying

April 11, 2018

We feel so grateful to have created a platform that allows us to write on topics that hit close to home. In recent times, “bullying” has become a buzz word and hot topic. Movies like “Wonder” bring to the forefront that bullying can start as young as elementary school. With children of
our own, tolerance and inclusion is critical now more than ever, especially with the introduction of cyber bullying. The word “bully” generally insinuates a situation in which one uses intimidation to make another feel excluded or oppressed. We feel a responsibility to take control of bullying in our own hands by starting with our own home and through our blog as a platform.

The Campaign

We recently heard about the PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and wanted to attach ourselves to their mission of anti-bullying. The term “bully” is sensitive, but we’ve come to realize it sees no age limit or boundaries. “Choose Kind” takes a stand against bullying and promotes rolling up your sleeves against it.

As bloggers, we have decided to “choose kind” over words of hurt. As women in our late 30s deciding to put ourselves out there has come with a lot of insecurity and fear of judgement. Not only is it important for us to always to choose to be kind, but it is also important for us to tell our children to make that same choice.

Our children hear and see everything we do, so leading by example is the best we can do for the next generation. As parents we are influencers on our children. We’ve all heard the expression “the apple does not fall far from the tree,” therefore if you are critical and judgmental in your home it will likely reflect through your children.

Fortunately for adults, given our experiences, we are equipped with the tools to handle situations that make us uncomfortable. Teaching those same tools to our children is so incredibly important and is our responsibility in reshaping future generations. Growing up it was not uncommon to hear our parents tell us, “if you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” That standard still holds true today.

Take Action

We as parents need to be aware and vigilant and the Chicks of ChicksAndSalsa have decided to roll up our sleeves against bullying and hope you will join us on this mission! Take the pledge to speak up, reach out and be a friend and consider purchasing a shirt to show your support!

With Love,

Rina and Sonia

Collaborations, Fashion

Ziva: Chicago’s New Favorite Indian Bridal Boutique

March 28, 2018

The world of shopping has completely changed! People are shopping online and looking for a more personal experience when it comes to custom clothing. As South Asian women we spend a great deal of money on Indian clothing. Most pieces are handmade with some of the finest quality fabrics and with gorgeous embroidery! With wedding season upon us, I can’t wait to share with you a fun boutique we discovered in right here in Chicago!

Boutique Owners Vrati Doshi and her Mother, Nita Bagia — Boutique Owners Vrati Doshi (Right) and her Mother, Nita Bagia (Left)

The Owners

Ziva boutique is situated on the north side of Chicago in West Town/ Ukrainian village at 1604 W. Augusta Street. It’s owned by Nita Bagia and Vrati Doshi, a knowledgeable and sweet mother daughter duo! Without the distraction of Devon Street (India Town in Chicago), it was nice to walk into a minimalist store front with absolutely gorgeous clothing lining the walls! Nita and Vrati greeted me with a smile and immediately made me feel welcome. After perusing the store I sat down with the Nita and Vrati who took the time to get to know me and my wants. They were hardly there to sell me anything (which is was a nice change from other aggressive Indian stores I’ve been to in the past), but more to figure out what I was looking for and how to make me feel gorgeous in my own style!

After selecting a few ready-made pieces I tried on some outfits in their gorgeous dressing room. They gave me some fun ideas on how to mix and match. What I loved was that I wasn’t bound to buying an outfit just the way I saw it! They informed me that they offer custom options which was nice to know. They said if I had a designer style in mind, they had multiple contacts throughout India who could help create my masterpiece. Of course, the timeline would be anywhere from 3 to 4 months for anything custom…so that would be important to keep in mind for planning!

Nita, Vrati’s mother, has lots of experience in fashion having previously owned a boutique and also having run a business out of her home. Nita was then able to loop in her daughter, Vrati to create a stress-free way to shop for any occasion! They specialize in Indian bridal clothing, but also have outfits that you can dress up or dress down! The chicks of ChicksAndSalsa love mom-preneurs and supporting other women working hard in their businesses!

The Clothing

In the attached photos I played around with some of their ready-made pieces. These outfits can be mixed and matched! I paired one of their bottoms with a fun crop top I had in my closet! Also, their boutique offers fun accessories, take a peek at this gorgeous necklace!

My favorite color paired with this beautiful emerald color. — Bollywood Perfection

Mix and Match Top and Bottom — Mix and Match Pieces

Feeling So Elegant! — Elegance and Comfort!

I can tell you firsthand, you won’t be disappointed with your experience at Ziva! They are offering 25% off to anyone that mentions Chicks And Salsa on their next visit.

Love, Your Chick,

Sonia

Fashion

Look Good and Feel Great Poolside This Spring Break

March 22, 2018

I recall last summer when my daughter asked, “Mom, are you getting in the pool?” and I had to respond “Ugh, sorry babe, not today! I will just sit over here, you guys have fun. I will get in next time!” Come on, I think to myself, I JUST washed my hair, and I haven’t’ lost those last few pounds yet… I can’t get in right now. Does this sound familiar?

Don’t get me wrong, I love swimming and I love watching my kids have fun, but I regularly prefer sitting on the sidelines because it means I get some me time and they kids get to have a little space too. Just getting to the pool can be a roller coaster half the time, I can’t get out of the door without at least twenty minutes of prepping all of our gear: goggles, sunscreen, pool toys, sunglasses, a hat, towels, flip flops, snacks, water, etc. You know the drill! So by the time we get there, all I want to do is just relax!

Then there is always the pressure of being comfortable at the pool, do you leave the cover up on or just embrace your body and lay by the pool without an ounce of insecurity? Although I am a pretty confident woman, I always feel like there is room for improvement when it comes to my body and I am in constant pursuit of my pre-baby body–an inconceivable dream at this point.

What is conceivable is finding a swimsuit that makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. Last summer I tucked my belly into high waisted suits and one pieces that were nice for lounging but not for swimming. And then I had the classic fits that were great for swimming but kind of boring for lounging. So THIS year, I have found a balance between comfort and style. I found swimsuits that work well in AND out of the pool along with some cover ups and accessories to make the whole trip to the pool easier to manage. Check out our top swim essentials here!

Swimsuit

The Cover Ups

Accessories

The Bags

Our Favorite Pool Toys:

For more cuteness, see what we are packing for our upcoming Spring Break Chick Trip to Charleston, SC in a few weeks!

Cheers,

Rina