A cup of Assam Tea

Indian festivity brings never-ending options and ways of dress up. The routes you want to take can be contemporary, classic, traditional or basics. This time I took the basic or classic route. When it comes to classic, gold, and red is the most quintessential color in Indian culture. Whether it is a wedding or festivity you will at least find one or two wearing red or gold or a combination, yet you can't deny it's timeless appeal. Here is my Indian festival look #3, a gold muga silk mekhela chadar and a red Assam silk blouse and rest of the look is simple basic gold neck piece, bangle and chain clutch. The look would be incomplete without red nails and red lips. Do let me know your take. Indian festival look #1 Indian festival look #2

Vermont has it all what you ask for a leisurely vacation, gorgeously greeting green mountains with its breathtaking views, covered bridges, enormous farms lands, barn houses and to make it even more magical is the perk up foliage, the green color transforming into orange, crimson and golden brown. If you haven't seen Vermont in the fall you certainly missing something.  There are several things to do in fall in Vermont . Here is mine. A view. ..whether you want to hike or lazy walk or a take a long drive in the car when Vermont celebrates the color of fall please do and please your eyes with the most stunning views of the changing colors of nature. Eat local and encourage farmers. ..  Vermont is all about beautiful farms and locally grown produce. Your fall trip can also be a trip to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables. A few minutes of stop buy in the local farm can get you fresh veggies and fruits. They are relatively less expensive and I don't need ...

    Antonio Gaudí's grandeur, the larger-than-life Sagrada Familia, is the most ethereal attraction in Barcelona. It was built in 1882, and the construction is still ongoing today. It is listed as a UNESCO heritage site. The iconic and impeccable Sagrada Familia is visited by more than 2 million people every year. This Gothic structure is famous for its flamboyant architecture and enthralling interior.  The assimilation of art and religion, the Sagrada Familia is an experience of its own. What you expect from a typical church visually, the Sagrada Familia is truly an exception. The colorful windows and lighting are a quintessential visual delight of Sagrada Familia. Each immaculate detail and architectural ornamentation speaks to Gaudí's awe-inspiring artistic ability and his affirmation of nature.

 I find myself waking up and playing in the lawn in a beautiful fall morning or festive time in India making a flower garland with Sewali phool (night jasmine). Ah, nostalgia. During this time the weather is neither cold nor hot with fall flower endorsing the beginning of the festive season. Yes, I miss this not being there, yet I feel wonderful and fortunate to celebrate the festivity of the two culture and the two countries here.       If you follow me or read my blog, then you might have seen the Indian festive  look 1 . Here I am sharing Indian festival look 2. I love collecting sarees, while traveling to India I always pick up sarees. This saree is a couple of years back mint green silver and gold border with big parsley motifs and a hint of pink lining edge on the border. I kept it simple with a pink potli and ruby studded Jhumka earing and pink jutti (flat Indian pump) which I abso...

       Nestled on a hilltop amidst nature, in the city of movers and shakers, Park Güell is Antoni Gaudí's whimsical creation and iconic masterpiece. A captivating and, at the same time, quirky yet creative park, Park Guel is one of the most unique I have ever come across.  A burst of rainbow colors in the mosaic bask in  the Barcelona  sun, a stroll or walk will give you Gaudí's sheer artistic vision.  Initiated and planned as a posh housing community in the 19th century, inspired by the Garden City movement, this unsuccessful business venture eventually transformed into a park. Must see 1. Salamander, popularly known as "el drac" (the dragon), at the main entrance. The side walls of the entrance stairs are filled with mosaic artwork on tile. Every piece of the square-shaped tile is encrypted with its own design. 2. Hypostyle Room, the main floor, which has the roof embedded with mosaic artwork supported on big rou...

Those hot mornings are now softly turning into misty dewy mornings. Moist morning transport me back to home, Assam India. Indian festival season just started there. Festivity unfolds food, flavor and fashion. I reminisce about those beautiful days of school holidays, relishing festive food, buying and feeling the touch of crisp new clothes.    Well, the last couple of years my friend initiated celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. She meticulously plans and creates festivity with so much care and creativity. It is a 11 days affair. Even though I want to visit every day, my kids and work just occupy me and I could only manage to visit a few days. During the visits, I enjoy dressing up for the festivity.      This year I see how linen became vogue in summer. I chose this linen white saree with a blue border and a pink achal (the top end) which played a pinch of pop of color which you need for a festival look.  I team it up with Assamese thuria and...