Post Diwali look

I don't know about you but for me, the holiday's mindless eating did shower me with much love, yeah a bit of weight gain. Post-Diwali celebrations are going on and looking forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas and a New Year. Last week visited a friend for a small, casual post-Diwali celebration and the week of Halloween. Yup, Halloween was in my mind hence the black.

I chose a black a-line Black salwar with lots of plates and it easily hides my Diwali love earns (love handles). Added a pair of silver earrings and a black large bindi and neutral sandals. The rest of the look is simple with minimal makeup and easy natural hairdo. I hope you like the look.

4 ways to enjoy fall in New Hampshire

When you are lucky enough to predict and reach New Hampshire during peak fall foliage, you probably will feel you landed on a dream of mosaic color. The crimson burnt orange purple peachy pink or mellow yellow nothing in the world beats the beauty of New Hampshire in fall. 

There are several ways you can enjoy the fall in New Hampshire. It's impossible to pick but will do our top four things. 

Mount washing auto road: With endless views and vistas, America's 1st man-made attraction with 7.6 miles long is an experience on its own. Driving itself is a thrilling experience and you can stop around and see the amazing surrounding fall views. In the highest wind recorded summit, you will witness the enthralling yet stunning views of the valley and rugged mountain echos the beauty and pristine. 

Driving away in Kancamagus Highway: Breathtaking backdrops with whimsical fall color and hilly river, Kanamugas highways is the turn fairytale of fall in the fall season. Keeping in undulated and natural the destination through the road is magical. 

 Explore the lost river George and boulder caves Experience the fun and adventures together. Captivating views, waterfalls, caves, gorges one-mile loops with 1000 stairs welcome you with beauty and adventure and fall spell the beauty upon it. 

Covered Bridge: Not nature's wonder but man-made covered bridges are signatures of New Hampshire's beauty. Fall enhances the beauty of the cover bridge. Any seasons are wonderful but visiting those cover bridges in fall is breathtaking. 

Happy Diwali to you all and a Diwali outfit

It was a lovely  Fall morning and contouring to that was the quintessential rain.  How gorgeous imagine. I was on my window having A cup of Assam tea alone beautiful, but if I had company it would have been sheer bliss. My husband and son were out for the day for a swim meet.

And Today is Diwali the festival of light. I feel a bit lazy, yes rain makes me lazy, tries to hold me back close to my window. There is no time to laze around when you have festivals. I quickly got up and made some Indian sweets, prepared for the Diwali special dinner and in between that did a quick lunch fix. By the time my husband and son were back, I was almost done with everything.

    Let's take you to today's Diwali outfit post. A red Banarasi saree with antique thread motifs all over it that makes the saree heavier than regular Baanarasi sarees. That also absolutely makes the saree perfect for a fall-winter soiree and keeps you warm throughout. As the saree is the hero of the whole look. I must say Banarasi is the one of the most esteem and resplendent weave of Indian Handloom  I added an antique dangle earing, a simple bangle, and a gold watch. A matte red lipstick, a bit of brown kohl filled my eyes and a natural open hair. A red bindi for finishing touches. I hope you like the look and happy Diwali to you all. Love, light, and peace.

Little love from the Littleton ,New Hemisphere

I love visiting small towns. There is something about a small town that always intrigues me, the spirit, the charm, or its own heart. Every small town owns a character far from the urban spin, offbeat food, alleys, by lanes. Small Towns always carry one of a kind character and signature whether it's smell, flavor, food or people. Whenever you visit a small town you always find something new and interesting.

         Last week during my fall visit to New  Hampshire white mountain region, I visited Littleton, a hidden gem indeed with a great river walk, covered bridge, first methodist church, shopping both local and global, great restaurants and cafes make a lovely town to visit and unwind. Whether you spend a day or two or take a walk on the riverwalk alongside the cover bridge or grab a cup of coffee or tea from the local cafe with a seasonal flavored muffin or bread or walk in the vibrant main street with the pretty shops, it will take away all the monotonous daily grind that has accumulated. Admire the nature and view while lunching or dining in the riverside cozy cafe or restaurant.  I captured a few moments through my camera in my last visit to this charming a quint town.

Indian festive look 4

      I can't believe I already posted 3 Indian festive looks(Festive look 1, Festive look 2 , Festive look 3already and yet I have not posted any Indian saree story. Saree is a quintessential outfit without which we can't imagine any Indian soiree. A six-yard of sheer grace. Yes, here is my saree look at the onset of the Indian festivals.

      As they say, every saree has its own story. The story of this saree takes me a few years back in the initial stage of building a saree wardrobe. Yes, this saree is from the southern part of India and it is called Pochampally saree which a kind of Indian weaving technique and of course this my first Pochampally saree. Dark purple in color and a dusty green border with a paisley motif and just above the border deer facing each other, this makes the saree really interesting. The achaal has a multicolor diamond shape motif that gives saree a good pop of color.

      The saree comes with a blue blouse but I decided to ditch the blouse and use a parrot green blouse instead, I believe this gives the look more flare and fluidity. I was very easy on hair and make up natural -neutral. I added a multicolored and multi-layered fabric necklace for a more contemporary look. Do let me know how you like this modern Indian festive look.

Fall in Connecticut

A chill nip in the air and the burst of color, fall is here sprinkling the nature's confetti in our heart and mind. Living in Connecticut for the last 16 years making it home, I cherish all four seasons however, nothing beats the magical mosaic of the fall. There are many ways you can enjoy and explore the fall season in Connecticut, whether you get lost in the serene beauty of small towns or the captivating coastal region or search for seasonal flavors. State parks are the best spot for leap peeping vivid colors  in Connecticut

Things to do in fall

Driving around: Nothing beats the driving around autumn leaf-peeping. You can find spots of scenic fall beauty in every mile. Lake Waramaug, kent fall state park, stop for the overlook view at Gillette castle.

Hiking: If you love hiking, Connecticut offers you the most stunning views of new England just a hike away. Go for an easy hike in Talcott mountain and soak the sweeping view of the city and nature or for moderate hikes, hike up to Castle Craig, or Case mountain wonder awaits you.

Pumking craving

Fall is the best time to visit all those beautiful farms, find the shape and size of the pumpkin of your imagination and of course carve a pumpkin. I love to visit Fairweather farm and Bishop farm with my kids and always bring a pumpkin for my fall decor.

Get lost in the corn maze or take a hayride. 

One of the favorite activities is the puzzle in the Corn maze and what a fine ride on a hayride.

I love baking pie in the fall season or you can taste all the wonderful bake goodies whether apple pie or pumpkin pie or pumpkin spiced donut or apple cider, ah so yummy.

Timing

As they say, Connecticut has the longest fall season in New England. You can spot a fascinating fall color from early October and goes till mid-November. Usually, the 3rd week and 4th week of October is the peak time however it depends on the weather conditions that year.

Indian festive look #3

      The most I miss in Indian festivities is mostly the vibe that festivity brings, the lip-smacking sweets and savory that instantly melt away your heart, with new trends emerging with the festive seasons, the sudden rush in our town and those festive breaks we waited to greet the festivity with warm and open hearts.  Here fall is emerging and clearing aways the sultry summer blues. But the truth is anywhere you go you bring your culture and color to your new abode.

       We stay in a neighborhood with people from all over the Indian subcontinent and bring their culture and celebrate with great zeal. Here I am wearing a cotton kurta, peach dupatta and peach skirt. To the whole neutral palette, I added emerald earing and oxblood red lips and nail for pop and dark kohl filled eyes. Suttle celebratory look. Hope you enjoy this festive look , Festive look 2 , #1. Happy festivities!

Sunday Assamese Chicken curry

      My both sets of grandparents have never eaten chicken rather they enjoyed Fish curry or fish. The chicken was almost an alien for my families past generations. In Assam, about 30/35 years back older people instead of chicken rather ate duck, mutton or fish. That says chicken curry is not exactly a traditional dish in Assamese cuisine. But eating chicken is a quintessential part of modern Assamese family. As a kid, I remember waiting for Sunday lunches for chicken curry. The aroma of cooking chicken-filled up our home and us picky eaters can't wait to have our lunch. While growing up we only got one day holiday in the week, Sunday. Usually, everyone is at home and my mom painstakingly cooks the best and exquisite dishes to the table. And along with other specialties, the chicken was the fulcrum attraction. And happiness was eating chicken curry on Sundays.

      As I told earlier, chicken curry is not exactly a traditional dish in assamese cuisine. However, the use of fresh ingredients and the easy and simple process of cooking chicken in every Assamese household is the same. And potatoes are usually added in Assamese chicken curry.  Here I am sharing Assamese style chicken curry.

Ingredients

1. 2 lb cut chicken
2. 1 medium-size potato
3. 2 medium-size onion
4. an inch ginger
5. a few cloves of garlic
6. 2 to 4 tablespoon oil 
7. 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
8. 1teaspoon turmeric
9. Whole spices ( cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, dry red chilies, black pepper ). I put 2 of each but you can always adjust it according to your taste. For Assamese chicken curry, I love to use home ground spices for the freshness. Instead of this, you can also use garam masala powder.
10. Peel the potato's skin and fry them in the oil until golden brown and set aside.
11. Now clean the chicken and marinate it with salt and turmeric. Let it sit for 10/15 minutes. Ground the onion, ginger, and garlic don't make it too pasty otherwise it will lose the rustic appeal. Now, add it to the chicken and add 3 tablespoon oil, also add the dry ground spices. Marinate for 30 minutes.
12. Now put the pan on the stove and once it is hot, add 2 tablespoons oil and add cumin seeds. After the seeds crackle add the marinated chicken. Fry it until water dries up. Add potatoes and now cover it and let it cook. Cook, it at least 15/20 minutes and stir it in between. Add 2 cups of hot water and cook it on low flame for another 5 to 7 minutes or until done. Now serve it with steamed rice. Enjoy the Assamese style simple soulful chicken curry.