Shaan Khanna is the founder of the popular blog, Spicy Sangria, which covers, food, fashion, lifestyle and events. She is also the brains behind the Spicy Sangria shopping events that take place in Mumbai and Bangalore. The events celebrate the best in style and trends from clothes and jewellery to tasteful art and luxurious home decor. Here, Shaan gets personal with us, sharing her tips on how to live a perfectly styled life.



Can’t start your day without?

My strong black coffee and Instagram.

Three things on your desk right now that are the most important to you and why?

1. My scribble book - which has my late-night thoughts.

2. My charger - hate it when my battery is low!

3. Pictures - photos mean the world to me.

Can’t leave your house without?

Kajal pencil and phone charger.

Room you spend the most time in at home?

My own bedroom!

One thing you would add to this room and why?

More closet space! I can never find anything. I'm constantly changing things around to look for my clothes.

Favourite thing in your home?

My favourite thing at home is actually a room - my grandparents', to be more precise. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Favourite colour for your home?

Orange! All our homes are orange. My mother loves that colour. It adds a vibrant and fun element.



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Favourite design destination to travel to?

Paris!

Would you pick a house in the mountains or on the beach?

Beach!

One signature fashion/design trend you are known for?

Comfort. I love being fashionable, but definitely, prefer being comfortable. I can live in my sneakers!

At home, when thinking of the decor I gravitate towards, it's bold, statement pieces.

First thing you would do to decorate an empty room?

Paint one wall a bright colour.

Do you have a motto for entertaining?

Food should be 10/10

The room should smell good

Candles and flowers should be in place

Everyone should go home with a gift... make it personal!

And most importantly - keep it simple and elegant!



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When hosting an event, do you have a checklist? What’s #1 on that list?

#1. Space. I hate cramped rooms

#2. Music

#3. Drinks. These make a super party

What is your favourite kind of event to host?

I've been dying to have a pyjama party. No dressing up, just drinks, comfortable clothes and dancing the night away! Event specific, my favourite is a pool party or a brunch.

Favourite thing to gift, especially now during the festive season?

Something for the home. I love gifting desserts plus something special for people's homes, be it candles, photo frames, serving trays, tea sets etc. I always believe in very personal gifts. Never something random. Be it something I noticed that was missing in their home, photo frames with pictures already in them, or personalised/engraved items.



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At home: DIY or leave it to the experts?

DIY (Always!)

A dinner guest you would bring out the china for?

I would like to believe that I would bring out the china for all my guests! But I think the best pieces would come out for a special event such as a milestone birthday or an anniversary.

A TV show you would recommend for its sense of style and décor?

Downtown Abbey for the decor; I love all things vintage!

Suits and Gossip Girl for the style.



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On a table top – flowers or candles?

Both!

Mix-n-Match or Monochrome?

Mix and Match.

If you weren’t a forerunner in the events and media space, what would you have liked to be, professionally speaking?

Head of marketing for a fashion/lifestyle/food brand or a talk show host.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' and 'Big Boss'! Ha ha...

Who inspires you creatively?

My mother most definitely is a great source of inspiration. I also find a lot to be inspired by when I travel. For my work, I like to read stories about powerful women entrepreneurs, which really gets me pumped up. I can read endless stories on their journeys!

What’s your favourite colour?

Black + Red!

Bright and Bold or Simple and Sophisticated?

Bright and Bold.

Ethnic or modern?

A mix of both.

Vintage or high-tech?

Vintage!

In the home – classic and ornamental or minimal and utilitarian?

Classic and Ornamental.

Complete the sentence, home to me is…

...my happy place.

What does ‘Discern Living’ mean to you?

A dream come true for someone like me who likes to be in control of changes but needs help; a one-stop-shop for all things 'Design.'

