Feminist is not a bad word but it is definitely one of the most misunderstood words. The women's empowerment movement is having its moment of glory. It is being showered with attention like never before! Vogue released a series of women's empowerment videos, one of which kind of backfired. Karl Lagerfeld had models walk down the ramp holding placards with women's rights slogans on them last year during Paris Fashion Week. Mothers cradling babies walked down the ramp at the Dolce & Gabbana show during Milan Fashion Week. Julianne Moore was hailed for talking about equal pay at the Oscars. 

Being a feminist today is 'cool'. So we have women who choose to stay in abusive relationships call themselves feminists and men who claim to 'respect women' but judge them by the length of their skirts call themselves feminists! All because feminism is the new hot topic. But like with every great movement while there is a group that tries to fit in, there's the other one that tries to stand out. This brings us to the anti-feminists. These are the ones who will call feminists feminazis. Let me draw you a picture of what a feminazi looks like: a woman holding a hammer demanding respect. A good woman, according to them, is the one holding a dish wearing an apron. She earns respect through her values. I happen to be a woman who can't cook. So there goes my chances of ever earning respect! Now ask these so-called feminists and anti-feminists about the feminist movement, when and where it started and they wouldn't know. Okay let's not go back to history. Ask them what they understand by feminism and you'd be flabbergasted with the replies.

Feminism  definitely isn't our right to have sex outside a marriage or to decide singlehandedly whether to produce kids as Deepika Padukone or more appropriately Homi Adajania would have us believe. Feminism isn't man vs women. It isn't getting our rights at the cost of men. Women are stronger than that and we don't need to pull another gender down to feel superior. It is equality for all sexes. It is believing we can have it all and more without setting men's achievements as benchmarks. We're not anti-men. Sure we enjoy a little man bashing every now and then but that's all there is to it! Also, we're not all jilted lovers out to avenge our heartbreak. We could be happy in a relationship or marriage, happy singles or even heartbroken, but that has nothing to do with us being feminists.  

What you need:

Instead of the book, you could also use store membership cards. I used the book because I like my tassels long.

1. Wrap thread around the book depending on how thick you want your tassel to be.

2. Next, cut a strand of the same thread and insert it on top like shown in the picture and tie it lightly. Now carefully pull out the wrapped threads from the book. Once out, tie it with the thread strand tightly.

3. If you have someone to hold the tassel for you, you could ask them to hold the front end of the tassel so that you can cut the opposite end of the tassel to free it from the book and then proceed to tie it with the thread strand tightly as mentioned above. If you are doing it alone, I recommend you cut the end of the tassel later.

Either way this is how it will look. Do not freak out if the threads are curling up like mine. We have a solution for that.

4. Since I didn't have anyone helping me hold the tassel, I cut the opposite end of the tassel only after securing the front with a jump ring and an earring hook. Secure the tassel with a jump ring and earring hook right where you tied a knot with the thread strand.

5. Next, take the same thread or another colour embroidery thread and wrap it around the tassel bundle approximately 1/2" or 1/4" from the top. Make sure it is tight enough and stays put.

6. Now to make the tassel earrings wearable. Comb out the tassel and use a hair straightener to iron it out. Tassel earrings are difficult to maintain so every time they look a little crumpled, all you have to do is iron it out.

7. Next, cut the rough edges and you're done!

Easy peasy, isn't it?

 And TADA!

  

I was born to live near a beach. No really! Have you seen my wardrobe? Everything's so beach ready! It's been two months since I've left Chennai and how I miss the beaches! I could sit on the beach listening to the sound of waves all day. There is something so calming about it, don't you think? Well since that isn't happening anytime soon, I thought I'd just be happy posting pictures from last November. Yea, when most of you were layering winter clothes, I was happy being a beach bum in Mahabalipuram! 

I am a summer child! I'd choose the sun *and crib about it too* over chilly winter mornings. Shorts and maxis and kimonos over blazers and cardigans any day! It's so much more fun to style summer outfits!

So what do you do when you have to go to the beach at that time of the month when you're all bloated up? You wear your shorts with a loose top and throw on a kimono. No more worries about a bloated belly!

Top: AJ Store

Shorts: Marks & Spencer 

Kimono: Fast Fashion, Chennai

Shoes: Mahabalipuram 

Bag: BK Market, Calcutta

Sunglasses: Mango

Tassel earrings: DIY