#debsaristories #sareenotsorry #desividesi I am immensely overflowing with happiness today. My colleague at work Ms. N chose to retire and today was her last day at work with us. I had always been telling her she would look gorgeous in saree (I know everyone does). So I chose to gift her a saree for her Retirement party today. It's a kantha stitch on tussar I picked for myself last year when I visited Kolkata. Her happiness is evident. Just so she isn't alone, a few of us (Ms. D, Ms. C, Ms.M) chose to drape (my) sarees too to give her company! My team is such a sport and they all jumped at the idea. I carried three more sarees (and my strip of big colorful bindis) so they could drape on their jeans and tee, crop top, blouse , whatever! Arent they all looking gorgeous? I was sharing with them my passion for sarees, they urged me to think about taking it to a professional level.. and bingo they all got excited and volunteered to model for me if that ever happens! None of them are Indian origin, but they were so proudly carrying the drape and spoke how they could manage all day in it, and they would wear it everyday, everywhere! It's one thing to show off your own pride, but its incomparable happiness when someone else speaks highly and proudly of what's yours. Like someone praising our kids instead of us singing their praises..the feeling is amazing! More pics in comments. They are pro models at it! Gosh, hard to match their energy!

#debsaristories "Happy birthday Siri (my sis)" I say. "Thanks same to you ka!" She says. 💖
We are twins born five years apart is what we joke all the time.
It is so much fun to share birthday with your sibling.

 Busy day at work, so tried best to step out earely than usual to drape this simple taant teamed with cotton halter ng neck blouse I picked up from Kolkata last year. Perfect for the amazing 95F weather outside. I was waiting for this weather so I can bring the cottons out!
 While amma and Siri made the customary gulab jamun, I enjoyed that virtually while I am waiting to cut the cake (supposedly organic, zero calorie healthiest cake of the era) Debsaab baked for me before leaving to work.


 When you have a lot to say, you remain silent. I am thankful for everything life gave and did not. No regrets, no asks. Life's good. Oh btw my life will I officially begin next year per the popular saying! Cant wait.

#debsaristories #vineyardsmeet #california

What a day! I ended up hosting an event for saree enthusiasts, an entire group of positive people who are all sportive and motivating, and a wonderful team that stood together to make it memorable. I am actually at loss of words and just have a swollen heart of memories, laughter, thankfulness, sarees, laughter and the huge family of saree lovers.

Growing up as a kid, I never thought that one doesn't need bling, sari, jewelry to look confident in a saree, going by what I saw around me. In traditional south Indian homes all our important occasions revolve around kanjivaram. Pattu pavada (lehenga), pattu cheera, pattu podava.. it's all about it. The little less popular ones being dharmavaram, arni etc..and mysore silk a distant cousin. Ikat and uppada were unheard of commonly then.. basically if its not pattu then either it isnt an important occasion or it isn't a saree at all. Forward to my first meeting with ma - she had flawless skin and gorgeous hair. But what caught my attention was that she wore a pastel cotton dhakai jamdani and zero jewelry and I couldn't take my eyes off her at all. I was trying to keenly look what was it that made her the showstopper even in a crowd dressed without zari and jewelry. She wasnt ma to me then so I could not ask much, but over the years I discovered and hear her saying a million times, it's your heart, your thoughts, your inner beauty and your self confidence. That's what makes you attractive not physical features, expensive clothes or jewelry. My dream drape organza teamed with brocade blouse perfect for the occasion and the venue, an ode to the queens like ma and my other inspiration Maharani Gayatri Devi!

#debsaristories Vikari nama samvatsara Ugadi subhakanshalu. Happy gudi padua. The day when neem blossoms, raw mango, jaggery, tamarind, chilli pepper and salt come together in harmony to remind the flavors of life. I was always big fan of ugadi pachadi. It's like a preview of the upcoming year! My tongue tasted bitter sweet today so that's my year to come!?

 Google reminded me of memories 8 years ago. Visit to Marina beach was inevitable all through my childhood. As the humid summer sets in, we all would look forward to the biggest outing of the year (nope not Europe, not cruises or Alps) the visit to Marina beach by 9 kids and 4 moms. It was necessary to be back home for when dads return from work so our battalion used to leave at 02:00pm, taking the direct bus to Gandhi Square. The excitement as the bus approaches the destination cant be expressed in words. The fact that one cant see anything except blue sky and blue waters and the slush of waves would make us want to jump off of running bus. The afternoon beach sand would still be hot to walk barefoot, but who cares, this was our annual outing after all. We would get one hour to play in water. And we wouldn't turn back to yelling moms if it were beyond an hour. We would instead hold hands and walk deeper into the waves knowing moms would not want to mess sarees and drag us out. Finally when we reluctantly get out after that salty bath, the sun dries us in mins (remember it's still only 04:00 pm ish). Each of us had the opportunity to use our 50 paise to buy mangoes with chili and salt or a popcorn bag. I loved both but allowance unpermitting would pick popcorn to munch the entire trip back home. That part was painful, the fact that the next visit would be a year later. But hey, summer has other plans for us too. Like picking the tiny mangoes that fell off the trees (vadu manga), watermelon, no homework, report card in a postcard (public display of performance). The postman would even go through the results before asking for bakshish. He knew about the neighborhood kids' aptitude better than fancy Tutoring institutes. The morning breeze, dad with newspaper, mom with filter coffee getting ready for her avakaya session or vadiyalu project, the me that used to to sketch and paint on the terrace, sister tugging along with much excitement for the amazing summer holiday ahead .. .. made me drape this mangalagiri cotton sari today.

 It was mango pulihara, radish sambar (with a pinch of sugar), papad, ugadi pachadi (mine includes patali gur) mishti for lunch today. The telugu bong tadka.