100/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze

Saree: grandma's kanchi pattu cheera. Choli: blouse from my wedding sari

https://www.facebook.com/groups/265757800847733/permalink/265760764180770/

For my 50th milestone I gifted a sari choli to my stranger buddy.

For my 100th milestone I chose to gift two saris, to two elderly.. Guess what ? Their priorities were different.  One wanted monetary support to buy monthly groceries and medicines. The other was in bad need if mixer grinder.. I did not want to take away happiness of draping a sari from them.. so gifted (Manikarnika Sarees Fabrics and More, Umbara Designs cholimaker) all their wishes! Just a small moment of happiness in attempt to make someone smile!

Request: after reading my thoughts below if any of you are willing to join the fun, pls do and tag posts with your sari buddies with #GiftASariStory #mysaribuddy

Story: Sari undoubtedly is synonymous with self identify, confidence,  love for heritage, handloom and most importantly happiness wrapped in six yards!

Today thanks to awareness and some help from social platform we get opportunity to pull those memories otherwise tucked away neatly in closets, and flaunt them, travel taking them places, share our happiness in pics and stories. The humble six yards has covered the length and breadth of this planet.

What is #mysaribuddy? Many of us have been promoting and sharing sari-fic initiatives like saree pacts and the like. It's just a beautiful journey... I am part of those too.

Walking along, I always felt that a smiling buddy would do wonders. I wanted someone who otherwise could not fulfill their sari dream (not everyone has same priorities) to walk with me and I wanted to be able to fulfill their dream. In no way or manner I intend to hurt their sentiments or feelings,  the #GiftASariStory is only to help some build their stories and share with us.

All of us would have thought of #mysaribuddy at one point, thus this platform is born!

Not always you need to know someone to do something special for them. Random people, short and sweet journeys making lasting memories! We are just adding a sari dream to it, that's all!!

If we are blessed to be able to enjoy draping saris and build our treasure of memories,  why not use our blessings to make someone else's dream come true?

If this resonates with you, jump into the bandwagon and together we will share and spread happiness as much as enjoy in the six yards

99/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze
Saree: Geecha tussar sari with detailed madhubani purchased from KalanjaliWorld ten years ago, Choli: mashru blouse

Story: Its still summer vacation out here. Parents are busy working out playdates, camps, next level academic prep and the like. Often kids calendars are busier than parents, and more complex to maneuver! Amidst all this happy business, one hears conversations about how every other child these days has ADHD, hyperactivity, lack of focus etc in some percent of the spectrum or other.... it stresses them out so much so that at times a normal happy kid that's jumping around freaks out parents.  An immediate Google search with the symptoms indicate all positive! Many would have gone through the journey and still do. How much is too much, how far is too far? What was discovered to enable betterment of our lives also turns cause for our stress.

When I get caught in such a knowledge whirlpool I immediately look back and wonder what amma, ma would have done to deal (not discounting the maternal instincts by any means!)

There are millions of exceptional care stories thanks to technology. At the same time I think we owe children there childhood without judging too much based on too little... let them be. Jumping, yelling, running around, silly faces, funny jokes, dabs, tantrums and all that.. for this is all they are meant to be and before we wink this too shall pass!

98/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze 

Saree: Linen and Matka Bailou.  Choli: matching matching 

Story: The temperature today was 98F, it's my 98th saree+choli drape this season, bettu's Bollywood dance performance.. too many reasons to be happy.

I am glad bettu likes dance, he's into it.. he enjoys and loves the art which makes it all the more reason to enjoy and cheer! It's a unexplainable feeling when the child does something the parent always dreamt to do. Best part was in the interval of the show he comes running to me and wants me to go and perform the mini choreo as part of the show's stretch break.. I was like "no bettuuu.." . Bettu says.. "ma, dont worry , I will cheer for u, I know u will do great and make me proud..." I couldn't refuse anymore.. looking from the stage at his eyes gleaming with love and pride was reason enough... :) I am so glad he's so confident,  encouraging,  inspiring to motivate me as well. 'Please be the fine person you are forever bettu' is all my heart said.

Once again, like several other occasions he was the bigger person and me? just a loved and pampered mom ❤

97/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze #iworkedout
Saree: Digitally printed linen.. my first online purchase from USA based website Bengallooms. (Amazing fast and efficient delivery). Choli: Crop top.  I could not convince myself to wear anything more complicated

On a otherwise normal Saturday,  when the postman delivers the package of happiness in the form of this mist comfortable easy drape linen saree... sorry I couldn't contain my happiness for later.. I had to share it with my besties... you!

Story: Eid Mubarak! Belated wishes albeit. And advance wishes for Father's day!

Fatherhood has evolved tremendously over the years especially in last couple of generations. My childhood involved dad as the hardworking,  responsible individual that shoulders the burden of spouse and children.. from birth through graduation.  Very less time spent on  fun activities... silly moments and the like often. They usually are exhausted after a long day at work, and mostly working on Saturdays as well .. leaving just a Sunday for everything else! Comparatively fathers today are more involved and have the awareness and ability to prioritize children. Starting from being at the birth moment,  through every little milestones they attempt to be more engaged... very very positive evolution that will strengthen their bonding, confidence and family!

Dads --- moms are always spoken highly of, rightfully so, but you have stepped up the game and aced it too. We wouldn't exist, if not for you! We dont say this often but today of course.. you deserve every bit of thankfulness,  gratefulness and love!

96/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze #iworkedout

Saree: the unbeatable Dhakai,  Choli: A printed cotton one

Story: somethings are not meant to be perhaps. Like when I was trying to detox after the day I wanted to wear this dhakai-saree for sure. I was browsing through the blouses for cotton ones and guess what? I dint see (m)any! I wasn't in mood to dress up way than my mood was so pulled this cotton choli.. it felt soft, comfy and was inviting me to try it. They dint go well .. not the love at first sight.. but nevertheless they are in it together!

Much like life, sone things and sometimes people are very good individually but the pairing may not work out... unless they put an effort to! I think its perfectly alright to be so.. so what if the choli would have been amazing with another saree and vice versa? Sometimes going with the flow and being in the journey together makes magic!

Hmm....So much talk for a not-so-matching sari choli 🤣🤣

Btw.... do you remember when you graduated from Bournvita,  Nutramul to coffee and tea?? Mine was around when I was thirteen or fourteen.. that was important milestone of feeling adult-like! 🤗🤗 when was yours?

95/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze
Saree: tussar cotton mix gifted by sis from her first trip to Kolkata after marriage.  Choli: polka dots blouse from a different sari.

Story: I lost from 176 to 60s in ONE DAY! o woah woah woah before you could count kilos and pounds.. let me clarify.  I cleaned social media 'likes' (99% saree and choli related) from 176 to 60s yesterday (of course retained all my favorites). Helps in self control for my shopping is my logic 😉😉😉 I will let you know if it works.

Oh btw, finally I found it - the "touch me not" plant. Ok! If i had not shared it earlier i was desperately looking for this plant around to show it to bettu. He hasn't played with it ever and when I was his age I found it very funny and addictive, so wanted him to enjoy the experience. Getting back to my story, I did find a touch-me-not plant walking around and I called out to bettu. While he was walking towards me, I think I tossed sides in my bed so whooshhhhhh - The plant, me, the road everything vanished. Bettu was sound asleep and I smiled. Well... it's a dream..

Sweet dreams ❤❤❤

Today was exhausting mentally so when I came home I wanted to take time to find solace amidst chirping crickets, fragrance of roses and cool grass blades... the saree was very comfy and perfect for that summer evening.. thanks ra Siri.

94/100 #debsaristories #100sareepact #100CholiCraze #iworkedout
Saree: simple bengal cotton with hand painted alpana from Sanskriti Kolkata, Choli: cotton top from handsofindia

Story:
Bettu: ma, which religion are we?
Me: I dint get you?
Bettu: black,  white.. or maybe brown? What's our religion
(Rewind: bettu was practicing MJ and was watching the superhit 'Black or White')
Me: ah, I get it now. None actually.  Color of skin doesn't define one's religion. It only leads to discrimination and no religion actually teaches you to discriminate. No matter what color your skin is, color of heart defines a person. On that note, there could be two religions.. good and not so good.. if at all.

Imagine! When you think of it, such discrimination exists at grassroot level... white or not around the world; fair, dark, darker, darkest, wheatish.. in our homeland, with in the neighborhood,  with in each family. It can be found at the innermost core of existence!

Michael Jackson,  Martin Luther king,  Mother Theresa  (mmmmm .. all M's) have all stood up against the so called color-religion. They practiced Love.. colorless love, just like water!

Well - much as I dress up colorful,  ironically my fav color is the colorless white. The sun kissed summer afternoon motivated me to choose this simple comfy look. I wasn't ready for a hugging choli so switched to a cool, comfy, airy cotton top to go with it.

93/100 #debsaristories #blingbling #100CholiCraze #100sareepact

Saree: cotton with block printed patterns Choli: again cotton with handpainted pattern

Story: oh no! I dont want to hit century yet.. can I count slowllyyyyyyy 93.1 93.2 93.3 etc from here on? Guess what? Initially you think the target is far off and you rush in anticipation of being able to reach it. Midway or past midway, especially close to the finish line you want to slow down, you dont want the journey to end. You feel nervous,  you are stressed of the fact the end is not far! Its mixed and maxed emotional roller coaster. Much like life, isn't it?

I am very happy celebrating kids birthdays . There is so much joy, so much ahead of them, so much happiness, unfold milestones in life etc.

As we age and start feeling like "baazi palat gaya" and now the clock is ticking 'backwards' it's scary. Suddenly you want it slow down, you wonder if you did all you thought you would do the way you planned, you want to redo, unfortunately life offers no retake! Start camera, action... One shot!

I feel like it about my journey of life as well. I think my count up days are gone and count down has started. I need to build my memories carefully.

One such is the swing! I visited my friends place and guess what? She had this traditional chennai wala swing at home. Doesn't take me more than few seconds to hop on and start kicking the floor off with my feet to start my swing flight. It was such a fun thing to do as a kid as much it is today.

All of us have this one great life to be loved one great time in one great way. The hourglass clock may be ticking up or down.. but let's keep the show on and be aware of the "limited period offer" we have in this world. May ours be a book of beautiful tiny little flowers that spread fragrance forever after they fade as well!

Song of the day? Aane wala pal jaane wala hai... ho sakey to isme zindagi guzaro.. pal jo yeh jaanewala hai..

How true!!