#debsaristories #lifeisagameofcards I came back too soon!

Life is a game of cards!♠️♥️♦️♣️ After almost a year bettu wanted to play seven cards (baby version of Rummy) again, so I remembered what I penned last time when we played cards. As I was teaching him ideas and guidance on the game of cards, I realized how similar they are to the game of Life.

1. You never know what cards you will get in the first place and what comes later.
2. Sometimes the card you need may be with others, you need to either wait until they drop it or need to move on
3. You need to strategize about how long you could wait until you switch to a different direction.
4. Sometimes the card you were previously waiting for may be available to you now, but you have moved on already! Tchh
5. It's not always that the Queen or King of hearts bring you smile to your face, sometimes it's the Ace, the Jack or even Joker. You need to know how to respect them all.
6. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose- what matters is that you tried best. The game must move on
7. You may be lucky to have gotten some cards, sometimes it may take longer, sometimes it may never happen - it is what it is. Some games have predetermined endings but you play them nevertheless! How fair, skilled, committed and passionate you are to the game is a testament to you as a player!

So keep playing! In my begumpuri, solid black yet magenta masti!

#debsaristories #sareeinabag

Saree-in-a-bag: For those of us that live life like an adventure and love to experiment on the go, its always good to have a easy going saree in the handbag. Even though you are in jean and tee, should the situation require you can wrap a drape and rock the look in less than ten mins. Thats what I did today! I chose this feather light chiffon saree thats easy to drape and also low maintenance I believe where there is a will there is a way. Instead of complaining (which we don't anyways) how uncomfortable it is to travel in sarees, and how hard it is to pack the accessories etc etc, its time to appreciate the six yards of "one size fits all" ensemble which was so thoughtfully designed to go over anything practically! It has standed the test of time, and will be here even after the world ends, is never out of fashion and never too boring at all. Recently I started following the "one front, one back pic" mode, but today adding couple more to show the pic sizes and ideas.

#debsaristories #irepeatmysarees

Another day another saree I was trying to recall how and when my passion for sarees started. I was nine. I draped a saree and fell in love with the process. Getting into teenage, saree was my savior. Since 'beautiful' was never an adjective associated with me and I was bullied for my looks (in school dance I was offered a cameo role for grandma for the song rukmani rikmani from roja because everybody agreed I naturally looked like one without much makeup.. casting perfection!), 'different' was something I chose. I think the fact that I could easily drape and manage a day in sarees when other girls struggle to hold pleats between fingers gave me some kind of confidence to smile.

I was definitely treated with respect and assumed to be older than I actually was.. but I didn't mind that at all. That continued to become my love, my passion. I enjoyed doing it for myself. I enjoyed the colors, the work, everything about six yards.

People at work call me riot of colors, I feel like a bunch of balloons when they say that. I scratch my head.. everyone is colorful. While they chose light grey, dark grey, medium grey, ash, black brown etc I choose red, purple, yellow, magenta, orange, lime green, turquoise blue... its all the same right? Just colors. Huh. Crazy them. Saree is a hand painted handloom cotton and the blouse has my fav jasmine flowers embroidered on it :) its almost spring...

#debsaristories #irepeatsarees #10yearchallenge

Tomorrow is ma baba's marriage anniversary.. that calls for saree-ing. The family photographer was confused why "I" was more excited. He even tried to pour water on my plans saying ma doesnt want to change out of her sweat pants and tee. I shrieked.. nahi.. nahi ho sakta.

Immediately called for emergency meeting with ma and ensured its all set for the evening! Ma is in new saree while i am in my ten year old bling bling georgette purchased when i wasnt as literate about handlooms. ❤❤❤ #mildilstories

#happynewyear #debsaristories #kathiphera

Wishing you all a very happy new year!.

Words fall short when you see beauty created by nature. The saree had this blouse waiting for it unknowingly, #thankyou Sayanti Ghosh! Not sure of marriages, but saree and choli combos are made in heaven for sure!

I am doing good on my resolution of not to buy sarees this year (there is fine balancing act between over indulgence and collecting wearable art) unless I come across something that is truly inspirational and exceptional art. Saree is #kathiphera orissa weave.

 I did not justice to this beautiful weave (after studying El Nino, La Nina all day with bettu, mera hawa nikal gaya) but I did two things to bring Sankranthi spirit.. my madras style pongal kolam and draping this saree. I feel supercharged already. Jeena isi ka naam hai Looking forward to a year of amazing learning, draping, encouraging and spreading the wonder of weaves across the globe Edit - i knew my post is incomplete without the mention of margazhi. As i hit the bed and closed my eyes I could hear the cluck clank of bhajana ghosti and their early morning procession across all streets of our colony. The sprinkle of water late night across the front yard to prepare for the kolam... margazhi is such colorful month.... i for one was excited because of colors. I had my kolam book always.. some traditional ones and some self created. Nevertheless.. elders in our colony would stop by and encourage the then little me... "kozhandha, kolam romba nanna irukku da chellam" (kiddo, the rangoli is really good). some are around while some have left for a better world in heaven but my memories and dedication will remain to be cherished every year. To New beginnings and new harvest...

#debsaristories
And its a wrap for the year! Never saree-d more!!! Compiled my fav looks from the year to share with you all.

- First year of #100sareepact and #100CholiCraze. - First year of sharing stories through sarees! I started a blog by encouragement but went back to being private again.
- First year of learning about so many weaves and wonders. Wish me many more please!
- Made many virtual friends, had moments of same pinch sarees, wows, oh nos!
- Some of my saree movies flopped while others were superhit with audience
- Experimented with saree draping; discovered and learnt a lot, including about myself
- Committed mistakes but quickly dusted and course corrected
- My love for saree would not change but how much of it is shared via social media next year isnt sure yet
- I did not focus on physical fitness as much as I wanted to
- I had a great year with memories of family and friends beautiful wrapped and draped in six yards! - Contrary to my posts, I ain't as social quickly in gatherings... i take time to brew friendships and I enjoy my quiet time with myself when me and I dont talk to each other but just are together...

Happy holidays gals! Enjoy life like there is no tomorrow... and if you are going rough.. remember.. "Nothing happens to anybody which he is not fitted by Nature to bear" ❤❤❤

#debsaristories #desividesi

If any one of you find it, I am happy to take it back...!! What did I lose? My mind, of course! East West fusion taken too seriously!! My last experiment for this year I promise. I am sure you will be throwing rotten eggs and tomatoes at me, I will try to accept it with much grace and behave well.🤗 After listening to the amazing Vidya Vox latest remix of "Fly Away + MaatiBaani", I immediately wanted to team up my tank top with a bandhani sari...and I DID.

Step by step procedure from day to night transition and transformation. Oh before we go there it us mandatory to apply makeup. First use confidence as your primer and foundation, attitude fir your eyes, smile on your lips. Now proceed to the instructions..

- Step 1. Start your day with Adarsh nari look. Sari and cape draped over Jean, boots and tank top.
- Step 2. Done with meetings? Take the cape off. You are the experimenting sari & tank top fusion! (Jean and boots are hidden)
- Step 3. Time to let it loose? Take the sari off! Tank top, jean and boots! Yo babes!
- Step 4. Ab marwaoge kya? Isse aage hum aur kya kaheyn, jaanam samjha karo!!

My saree-experiment-hormone is very unpredictable. Sometimes it hibernates for months and other times it springs up like a geyser way too often. Haan... kaam ki baat phir se yaad kar lo... if you find the lost screw, please hand it over to me! My duas and muahs will be with you.

#debsaristories #thankyousareesakhis #desividesi

Beautiful! As a teenager, I was... fair, dove eyed, long curly hair, silky skin, slender and attractive - NOT!!! I was none of the above. I am not theoretically beautiful, i was exactly opposite. Dark, heavy eyeglasses (-9.5, -6.0), thinning hair on scalp, excess hair on face and body, acne all over face neck and back, clumsy (I can never walk with adhaa, i walk like i am gonna create a tremor.. bang bang bang).
Everything that is required to make a teenager absolutely non-stunner, non-confident and wishing to vanish- I WAS and stayed that way for long time! But... I think that's when my saree affection grew most. I would choose to wear a saree at the drop of a hat because atleast it made me look and feel different. My teenage strategy! 😎😎 hey, atleast people would say "saree is beautiful!"
Passion for sarees stayed, grew and became part of me. As the year is drawing itself to a close, quick recap I realized, apart from completing my first #100sareepact and #100CholiCraze this year, I learnt to experiment, fail, learn and enjoy the process thoroughly!

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I had ton of fun draping sarees for happiness, sorrow, mood-offs, mood-ons or simply for no reason! When you have nothing more to lose,you have no fear of failure!! The teenager me had seen worse days and had manage to sustain and survive! Duh! Of course I am capable of failing AND getting up AND running AND not losing hope!! I wanted to share my top 5 craziest experimental #desividesi looks... I wouldn't have thought of it last year! This was possible only because of the group and all the positivity here.

#debsaristories Pure georgette saree with benarasi brocade border with sequined crop top. Drove around to choose vineyard backdrop. #allindiassmeet Who said two women cant be besties?
Me: Ma, i am planning to work from home
Ma: excellent, we can watch a movie
Me: 🙄🙄🙄 Ma, I am not on pto. I need to work and have to attend meetings
Ma: get them done quickly, lets go for lunch together. long time no sushi!!
Me: I rest my case. 👭👭👭

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Me: Ma, come lets take a selfie
Ma: chinni, do you know to pout like Kareena Kapoor?
Me: no, i can try. Infact lets both try - Selfie done- I look like little piggy and ma has a ooh aah ouch pout! Less of pout, more iodex ad.
Ma: huh, we should practice more often. You have a lot to learn still.🤣🤣
Me: I rest my case. 👭👭👭

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Me: we should visit Hawaii one day!
Ma: yes and when we go i need to shop for shorts
Me: ma?!!!!!😱😱
Ma: you take your saris, i am gonna dress cool. Its Hawaii babe!🙌🙌
Me: I rest my case. 👭👭👭

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Perhaps Ma and I are the only mil-dil combo that hang out at Starbucks babe-watching and learning fashion lessons. I am proud of her pride in me, my education and encouraging in my career while I am proud of who she is and how elegantly and respectfully she carries herself and treats me likewise. Pics courtesy, Ma again! Clicked 75 and 3 of them survived.
Ma's photography strategy - its upto you to position yourself in the frame..else your head or hand could disappear.. oh! Sometimes you could completely disappear! That laughter is worth the effort !!! Life's about small things.
Like someone said, i indeed have a BFF at home in my motherinlaw. Of course It wasn't like this when we started. Rome isnt built in a day! We started off completely strangers to each other, our cultures background, languages, food, dressing ... everything. The common connection was the Deb saab. That anchored us to make each other priority too. We worked hard to gain trust confidence friendship eventually becoming confidantes. It takes time but not at all impossible! When you dont have insecurities and intentions that could hurt others, friendship is bound to blossom.

We choose to be more forgiving with some over others. When in marriage we are very tolerant with our spouses, even in rough situations we take every effort to patch up. We forget to extend it to parents and siblings of the couple. Both ways. Trust intentions to be good, sooner or later it will be. Its no competition or conflict of interest at all. No two roles are same even when played by the same person. I am different as a daughter, sister, wife, daughter in law, mom, friend, colleague etc.. so is everyone else. No relationship is always magical and happy ever after. There are always ups and downs how much ever besties you are, but thats when you need to remind why and how you started. If it was worth the start, its worth the effort to keep it up.

Never doubt.
Keep calm and saree on

#debsaristories

Pathi-Deb is fond of driving. simply said. Over the years I figured out arguing with him on this topic isn't worth my energy. Although I have my own WT#/#&$& moments when we step out for groceries and end up 200 miles farther🙄🙄! I was recently asked. You guys drive ten hours one way, only to spend an hour at the destination.. why? Hmmm. I said.

All of us know we are born to die. But, do we rush to die? We dont! If destination is all that matters for a journey then why not plan to die quickly?! On the contrary we take time to enjoy the journey (life), we brag, we drag, we want to see our kids marriage and grandkids' marriage and even great grandkids' marriage. Don't we? We dont plan to budge. Nah nah.

I think most often people miss the fun of journey in their quest for that perfect destination. By the time they realize, the journey and destination are both worthless! Cant be redone. Whats constant is the time, not the distance not the journey neither the destination. Take time to try the offbeat paths, stop by to walk the dusty road. Smell the soil and the stink. Look at the sky or cattle grazing... take time to enjoy the gift of life, for we all have our timers counting down, for the duration of our physical presence is negligible compared to the universe existence!

Ma and I went for a drive to look around amidst the rainy weather. Stopped by to enjoy the final week of fall colors before they reach their destination. Life is beautiful by default, unless we muddy and mess it up. Btw can anyone knowledgeable let me know if this looks like handwoven benarasi??

#debsaristories #kanchirevival

Kanchi revival - 40 year old silk sari that belonged to paternal grandma, sari just as old as my mom's marriage. I was 3 when grandma left for better world so this is my treasure from her! Mein aur mere posts aqsar yeh baatein karte.. ki tum chalte to kitna acha hota, tumhare comment padke mein kitna hansti, tumhare likes dekhke mein kitni khush hothi... tum chalte to aisa hotha, tum chalte to waisa hotha.. par kambaqt tu to chali hi nahi.. ulta theater se hi nikal gayi!! 😩😩
If you pay attention each post is like a movie, with action drama, photography, lyrics, dialogues, foreign locales(mannn Swiss Alps, Kashmir, Leh .. kahaan kahaam shooting nahin kiye!) , awesome heroine and sometime awesome beyond the scenes crew (for those leherati pallus, for the back pose, side pose, sleeping on the tree branch pose, looking at sun moon pose, the sexy pose, the swag pose, the homely look pose.. endless list) and most importantly COSTUME! But not all movies are superhit. Some movies errrrr posts have every masala ingredient to make it superhit but somehow the formula doesnt work and the film. 🌟 some go flat and out of the news feed in few minutes if not seconds... like "Yamla pagla deewana remake". 🙄🙄 🌟Posts like mine are "aaya ram gaya ram".. patha bhi nahi chalta.. its gone before you wink! 🤣🤣 🌟 same formula doesn't work for two consecutive movies (your own or copied) ! For once one of my posts got some attention and comments, so tried something on those lines again including good photography, saree etc.. but nope.. the next few releases fell flat, utter flop ! Oh ! Dont even ask me about the time and effort to recover from those loses! 🤢🤢 🌟Some movies errr posts may look simple and not so catchy but somehow is superhit with the audience.. the art film types.. movies like "Lootera, Bhadhai ho etc" 👰🤰🤱 🌟Some movies are purely superhit for the talented heroines and some are viral for their impactful and compelling storyline... "Queen, Fashion, Padmavat" etc.💃👸 I do spend time pausing through each of these posts wondering what made it a superhit or not so much .. But much like Bollywood no one knows what works for the audience end of day until after the movie releases and box office collections show up! Well, for the all-in-one crew that each one of us are, hats off for our immense enthusiasm and showcase of obvious and hidden talents! 🤗This show MUST go on for sure!! Picture abhi baaki hai guru!🌟 Lets see if i can recover my past loses from this one atleast! 😋😋

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #benarasi

Was in mood for a no-reason-photoshoot
Wedding anniversary around the corner but looks like I won't be able to drape saree on that day, so took out the benarasi saree which I wore only once before! The cream with gold work always speaks class, the lucky pick being the partly pallu purple pleats! Ma's (mil) choice for me. The california wildfire season left lots of destruction and devastation behind us.. while we cannot do much to fix it, prayers and help certainly are the least. The air quality and smoke kept many indoors.. schools closed, events canceled, disruption to normal life.. and a lot of emphasis to ensure people remain in good health. Which is btw the right thing to do.. but then i just checked the air quality index for major cities in India.. its similar if not worse.. but our lives there never stopped.. kids grow up in that atmosphere not knowing what it means to their health long term.. while we did not know about such things growing up, it did not affect us.. now that we know such things, we worry! Not sure what is better.. to know or not to know! After hiatus ma on duty for photography today. Good job ma!! 🤗💖🤗💖

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon Its the festival of light, literally and generally too! The light that could destroy evil thoughts from the narakasura within us, the light that could destroy the division amongst humans (when people get picky on how their culture celebrates Diwali a certain time a certain way.. i am rolling my eyes.. could we not divide anymore? Can we all just blur some lines and stay happy?) I have a range of days to celebrate Diwali starting from whenever the air is festive to whenever i am generally exhausted.. which could be a three to four day period usually. During this time i am happy, super happy, and smile a lot.. i dont mind spreading the smiley virus to others. I guess there isnt a vaccination to stop that yet. Light and let live! On a tired working day, i pulled my best spirit to do a rangoli as much best possible.. ye it could have been better but.. bura na mano Diwali hai!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon

Georgette benarasi is certainly a wardrobe staple for saree lovers. This is one such.. although more on subtle side.. with the grey and silver combo.

To those drivers that zip zash past me and speed up.only to screech break in the next red signal.. chill.. why rush to destination when you could enjoy the journey..

Reminds me of the song .. "agle mod pe mauth khadi hai.. marne ki bhi kya jaldi hai.. " So true! I don't know why some people dont get it.. sigh 🤔🤔

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 #revivevenkatagiri

Venkatagiri was very popular during my childhood. It was the most valued respected Andhra weave (after Gadwal I suppose) at the time.. unfortunately as time passed by, its cousins like kalamkari, mangalagiri, uppada, gadwal, golabomma, ikat, chirala cotton, ponduru khadi etc etc gained more popularity leaving it a non existent candidate in the list of "staple sarees". I feel bad for it. I used to love the double sided zari venkatagiri sarees neatly wrapped over old newspaper. The sound and hustle was amazing always. When amma asked what i wanted her to get for me, the answer was simple. White venkatagiri saree with broad zari borders in red on both sides. Amma couldnt find the exact combo, so got this instead. Quite close. I love the fine checkered teeny tiny zari weaves all over the sari. I wish venkatagiri picks up more in the coming years... perhaps people like us can make it happen, just like how we brought back ilkals, kalamkaris, bhujodis, begumpuris to life!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 Finally, even the extended puja celebrations are coming to a wrap. Ma is truly on her way back to regular business and so are we. Monday is almost here! I wish everyone and their dear ones best of everything in life! I truly enjoyed the little pleasures last few days, just watching smiles, sarees and people spending time forgetting all usual worries of life gives motivation and fresh energy! Positivity and optimism has its own magic. World runs on it and needs more of it. Signing off the pujo season in my first khadi saree. . In pujo combo. When you love something very much, you should have more of it. Thats why the sheuli blouse is again my choice today.. such versatility! Love u all. Ah, if pujo is wrapping up Diwali cant be far away!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 Shared lots of "pujo" pics so sharing few "peth pujo" pics! Kolkata . . while you are enjoying real phuchkas there, i am enjoying "diet puchkas" by posing with the background. Sigh! Que sera sera! But this beautiful pale rose pink jamdani saree cheered me up!!💖🤗💖 first time.. faux noodle strap blouse for those like me who dont dare much!

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 #shubhobijoya

I guess i have been spamming with posts from the past few days.. bear with me for couple of more days as Ma leaves back to her hubby's place.. over the weekend. Today is dashami and actual boron and visarjan. I do it on the ritual day and later do visit other pandals in the city for more glimpses of ma. Dance in front of her is such an amazing feeling. I hope Ma understands how much we love her ❤❤ I am usually private and dont share much about family but today i am sharing my bestie's pic too along with mine. My bestie is none other than my Mil. My ma. May your moms' blessings always guide you in the right path of contentment, peace and happiness Ashche bochor abar hobe, bochor bochor abar jobe, bolo dugga maai ki joiiiiiii

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018

Navami again! This monochrome checks kanji was in wishlist for couple of years and then in closet for couple of years! I fell for its subtlety! Nope, after dreaming 360 times a day for 360 days these 5 days should not fly so fast, but oh well, truth is its almost time for dashami and see off. I don't like that part when my heart is so heavy I feel it in my stomach. Be it Dugga ma or my own moms the 'Bye ma' moment is never comprehendable. Let me deal with it when I get there, for now keep calm and pujo on.

#debsaristories #nopactsareeon #pujo2018 Three sari day actually, but since i posted the first one already, posting the other two now.

1. #durgashtami morning.. Check my other post from earlier today. 🤗
2. Durgashtami evening was time for kanchi with my tweet-y blouse
3. Durgashtami midnight.. sandhi pujo the transition tme between ashtami and navami was red linen with sheuli blouse... of course sheuli or parijatam is Shiva favorite flower and blooms midnight through early hours of the day. Fond memories of me gently sweeping the trees branches so the flowers could fall topsy of the ground and i could pick them and make a garland. General thumb rule - flowers inside the compound wall are mine, outside the wall can be picked by others in the neighborhood. Silly me. Then and now. Ah the smell of parijatham!