91/100: #debsaristories #100CholiTalk #100sareepact sari: muslin jamdani from ma's collection. Choli: @Queen of Hearts by Deepa Mehta

Story: slowing down is a beautiful feeling.. applies to many things in life. I am enjoying a bit of it now, and want to relish it before it's gone.

Growing up and around southern part of India my exposure to pastel shades at the time was very less and limited. I was more attracted to bright violets, red, magenta and royal blue. Those were the go-to colors and I always assumed wearing a bright colored sari saree with heavy gold jewelry is all one needs to look stunning.. I remember dressing up that way for school and college farewell parties as well. Sometimes my choices made me look older than I was but that did not matter to me at all .. I actually wanted to look older!! (I have no clue why though.. so pardon my ignorance 🤔🤔) there is still nothing right or wrong about that school of thought - to each their own except that as I evolved as a person my choices,  observations and lessons learnt evolved too. That's when I began learning the art of #lessismore

My first such lesson was when I first met ma. Way before my hubby and I had anything in common. Ma was wearing this exact shade of a beautiful fully woven dhakai jamdani. Simple blouse. Hair tied in bun (must have been three four rounds because she had REALLY long hair, touching her knees!), pearl earrings,  sindoor. That's all. I mean really that's it. Dang! That pic is still in my mind and I wish I had a USB to transfer it to fone! Oh well,  some things can never be captured ever, they live in heart! I wondered how this 'aunty' (as I would refer to her like the rest of my roomies and friends) manages to look stunning and be the show stopper without any jewelry.  I just couldn't figure that out. She oozed confidence,  charm. elegance,  dignity,.. everything I look up to in women.

Over the years maybe I borrowed a leaf or two from her books. She would instill confidence in me that my education is my biggest strength, my profession is my independence and kindness is my beauty.. all this went over my head .. totally. I understood nothing back then but would simply nod. She would tell how amma's dreams of me becoming an independent woman should never be in the backburner!

Ma, hope I am able to live up to the daughter you always wished you had! I hope I learn to bring you and amma smiles of what you wanted me to grow into!

Today I love pastels, i love minimal dressing. I truly realized that #lessismore when one is confident about self and carry oneself with highest regard.