A cup of Assam Tea

When you lose someone as close as your dad, even the festive season feels incomplete. After my Dad passed away in 2020, it took us time to start celebrating the festivities. However, life goes on even with the absolute truth that you continue to miss someone while celebrating. This is the festive season in Assam, and here in my home in New England, we continue celebrating Magh Bihu. As busy as teenagers' parents, activities entirely occupied us this weekend, no exception. We could not attend any of the functions the Assamese community celebrated. However, we celebrated at home by preparing some festive dishes and sharing them with family precious. And, of course, no festivity is complete without wearing a mekhela chadar. I got this pair a couple of years back with a sustainable brand called Natural by Anuradha. A burgundy silk mekhela chadar with Eri silk motifs on it. A casual stay-home look with minimal make-up except for red lips and loosely tied hair bun. Hope you all like th...

       New England has been wonderful these days, weather-wise. I love how the sultry summer beautifully transitions into fall, with its vibrant leaves, rich flavors, cozy boots, and layers. Lots on my mind, as India celebrates a glorious festive season thousands of miles away, and I feel the festive vibes here.  Buying balloons with my  Dad , the jingling of colorful bangles in the stores, and how our small town decked up are now distant memories.   Celebrating festivities in India has its own charm, whether it's the food, the hustle and bustle, or the natural transitions. Nevertheless, I love to dress up for Indian festivities. As you may know, I have a fondness for old and classic pieces. There is so much potential to dress them up in many ways, and it never fades with time. I am always attracted to pieces that have a vintage appeal. I love this old pair of back Mekhela chadar . Even though black is usually not considered a quintessential festive co...

 Today is National Handloom Day in India. Handloom is a beautiful art form and a skill that takes tradition forward, as well as fosters socio-economic growth, which one could celebrate every day. Wearing a handloom saree is a source of pride and pleasure for me.  This saree I got last year from India's prominent handloom designer, Sanjay, who owns the brand called  Raw Mango .  A simple, soft, feather-like feel, this off-white saree features a thick yellow border, with the rest of the saree being plain. I teamed the saree with an aqua-blue silk blouse. I created this look to strike a balance between tradition and contemporary style. My hair is in a bun, wrapped with flowers, and I have dark, kohl-filled eyes, reddish-pink lips. For jewelry, I wear traditional antique gold necklaces, gold earrings, and gold bangles. I rounded up the look with a pink potli bag for a good pop of color and a festive feel. I skipped the bindi this time, as it is already heavy with accesso...