Being Sad in a Sadder World

In times when everyone posts their best pictures and videos showcasing their perfect lives on social media, it's easy to feel lost. It's easy to believe our life is nothing but a big bag of meh (sorry, I couldn't find a better word). According to some, posting about sad things can bring a much-needed sense of reality. But I often wonder, if we talk about the problems and challenges of our lives on digital media, will there be any takers? Will anyone care to go through paragraphs of pouring hearts and streaming tears? At this point, I am not even looking for answers. It's all just a big blob of ramble.

And then I wonder if I even have the right to ramble in a world where children are being killed. In a world where islands are drowning, people are losing homes because of natural disasters, in a world where half of the population still struggles to live a decent life.

If you have managed to read so far, you must have guessed that all is not well and that the smiling pictures in these blogs do not tell the complete story. I am going through one of the most challenging phases of my life - in terms of health (both physical and mental) and my parents' health. Throw in some money issues to this, and I have a mix I don't know what to do with. But as I said, all these problems are nothing compared to what people in the world are going through. 

So at this very moment, I take a deep breath, feel guilty for having better problems, pause only to realise I still have no clue of what lies ahead, take another deep breath and publish this post. 

...........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

Dressing up for winter

During winter, it's easy for my mind to wander off to the grey landscapes of old novels set in Russia or England. It's easier to lie for hours under the quilt, reading, listening to old songs while taking breaks, only to ponder the shapeshifting nature of life. 

What is not easy for me is to dress up, layer after layer, working with all the thrifted winter pieces in the closet. So, I have found a few ways to make dressing up for winter less painful. And here is the first one - I take a long coat and pair it with a summer scarf! I then find a pair of pants that are some shade of the coat colour itself. If I am wearing a grey dress, I can throw on a coat of some other shade of grey. In this blogpost, it's mostly browns. And I think it works.   

...........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

Things I Loved in Sweden

This year, I got this great opportunity to visit Sweden. And it was an incredible experience, of course. From cleaner air to the beautiful architecture, there is a lot to like. But here are the top things that I will never forget.

Bicycles everywhere!

Leaving aside smaller environmental footprints, bicycles for me are the best way to commute short distance. And this country is so bicycle-friendly!

Evening lights!

Maybe one gets to see these lights only during winters, but whatever it is, evening lights are magnificent in Sweden. It's as if white and yellow meet midway to illuminate the streets in a magical way. Hope this picture explains it better.

Beautiful buildings everywhere

Imagine your everyday grocery-run view to be like this. Exactly.

Inclusivity

This one deserves a separate post altogether. But this message on a public washroom is everything. 

Pedestrian-friendly roads

I don't think I will ever be less sentimental enough to describe how it feels to be able walk for hours without worrying about some vehicle owner trying to tell you how pedestrians do not belong on the roads.

Cute houses

Even during the blue of the cold weather, some Swedish houses emit warmth. An evening stroll watching brightly-coloured houses is among the best kind of rest. Try it.

Food

Frankly speaking, I wouldn't go gaga about the food in Sweden, especially after having been to Italy and living in India. But, if you do just enough research, you can get your hands of some really good pasta, desserts and coffee!

The weather and the public transport!

I know some people find Swedish winters too gloomy. I am not those people, I guess. And the public transport? Well, the entire Europe, I have heard, has done a good job there.

...........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

The Less-Celebrated Timeless Fashion Piece

On a breezy Sunday evening in September, I switch on my laptop to write a blog post on timeless fashion pieces. I think of structures blazers, black and navy blouses, trench coats and tan belts. I mentally picture each item under a soft spotlight in a studio and decide to place my bet on one. But then, as I scroll through my image library, I see pictures of me in a striped white t-shirt. In a sartorial world replete with expensive-looking trends, the classic white t-shirt seems like an approachable and less-celebrated timeless piece.

Look for Jean Seberg in Breathless or Audrey Tautou in Coco Before Chanel or this picture of Audrey Hepburn from a magazine shoot. And in case you are wondering how to style a striped tee in today's time, I suggest you throw it over a denim skirt (the longer, the better). Or you can pair it with a pair of mom jeans and a silk scarf for that vintage feel. And if you have shorts in the same colour as I did, try the pair at home to see if it works.

........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

Like a Magazine

Long back, a fellow blogger asked me why I put so much effort into the upkeep of a blog that doesn't pay me. And efforts it is: taking pictures, resizing them, writing a post and hitting the publish button. I have said before that I do this because I get to write for myself. Today, I became aware of another reason. The pictures! The magazine-like (or so I believe) pictures that I use to tell stories that will make sense someday. Posting some black-and-white pictures for no reason.

And no, pictures don't look the same on Instagram. 

...........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

Not a Total Misfit

As I continue to stick to my almost-no-shopping rule in 2023, I face a big dilemma. How do I fit the new - I love neutrals and basics - me into my mostly old clothes? How do I not end up looking like a total misfit in my own, slightly changed world? Well, I guess I just have to try; use the existing pieces in a different way, maybe. The blogposts for at least the next two years will be the result of this effort of mine. 

Here I have paired a white superwoman t-shirt with beige chinos, tan sandals and belt and minimal accessories to achieve that super-basic look.   

...........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

PS: I  do buy maybe 1-2 things every year, but in my head, I am not shopping.

Four places to eat at Agonda, Goa

Today, I am allowing myself to digress and write about something different. In the hope of bringing a little bit of a lifestyle feel, here is a blog post on the top four places - in my opinion - to eat at Agonda, Goa.

Jardim A Mar

I cannot begin to describe what I feel about this place. Stunning sea view, real coffee and good, desi food. I recommend their Poori-bhaji, Nepalese veg thali, jhol momos, and coriander rice with yellow dal. And coffee!

Mandala Cafe

So, this place has all the vibes. If you know, you know. A hidden gem that offers great vegan food options at affordable prices. What to try? Smoothie bowl for breakfast, Palak Paneer thali for lunch and Thai Veg salad for dinner. You can thank me later.

Zest Agonda

Okay, I kid you not when I say I find Zest Agonda the most sophisticated restaurant ever! When I say sophisticated, I mean their decor, plates, even waiters! If you are nearby, just go there for breakfast once and see for yourself. The place is just perfect! Try their chia pudding, smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and herbed mushroom toast with coffee. 

Romya Cafe

Unpretentious and too good. For those who love momos, basic thalis and good old Kolkata-style noodles, this is the place to be. And don't miss their coffee!  Here is a happy picture of me with their coffee!

.........................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

What are People Buying Lately

I have been thinking a lot about money lately. Where it comes from and where it goes. Where it stays just long enough before it makes a swift and sly exit. I recently asked a few people where they were spending their money, and here were the answers.

A long black satin skirt

Something like this skirt from H&M. My colleague wanted to buy something that she could wear from day to night on a vacation. I feel this is a timeless piece.  

A foldable wooden table 

This IKEA wall mounted folding table makes so much sense for a small apartment. When extended, you have a table to work at. When closed, you can keep cute stationaries and a mini plant and let your table corner do all the talking. Money well spent, my friend!

Comforters

Because they are so cozy. And these days they come in so many colours, it's almost difficult to choose. I want to give a comforter to everyone I love.  

This was another random post. Nothing to do with the pictures here. But sometime soon, I would like to write about things I am spending money on. Till then, will save. 

#Lifestyle post

...........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

The Divisive Shorts

Are they supposed to be worn only while riding a bike? Are they underwear/bloomers? As divisive as they might be, biker shorts are not going anywhere, and for all the right reasons.

Whichever category your fashionable self may assign them to, you can't mistake a few distinct qualities these shorts do have. They are super comfortable, unless you are hell-bent on going for a size smaller. You walk, you ride a bike, you take a train, you pump iron at a gym, or even go for a swim, there is nothing you can't do in biker shorts.

Moving on to the shallower aspect of things, biker shorts look good and you don't have to scratch your head while trying to dress them up or down. With a black or white crop top and a white shirt. With an oversized t-shirt and sneakers. With matching blazers and a bralette. With a big shirt and a cute cap. Or with a t-shirt and denim jacket. Real fun shorts that go well with so many things in your existing wardrobe.

The only thing that clearly doesn't go well with biker shorts is the fear that it's not outdoorsy or dressy enough. 

Please ignore the abrupt end of this blogpost. Not a good writing day.

...........................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

Blogs of Defiance

Ramble alert. 

My boss once told me that my blog was all about street style with an underlying theme of  "I don't give a ***k." Confused at first, I scrolled through years of content and found (what I already knew) no shred of rebellion. It was only later when I realised he was speaking about what I write, the narrative that goes hand in hand with these as every day as possible clothes actually reeked of subtle defiance, subtle being the imperative word.

The particularly reflective nature of this blog post may have something to do with my state of mind lately. I had always imagined myself to be a lot calmer and more accepting with age. It didn't happen. In fact, I feel I can defy just a little more than I already do. Give just a little less ***ks.

For me, it was never just about fashion. It was also about the life that I live in these clothes, the money I painstakingly save to travel just a little, the walks I walk in these clothes to see a little more of the world. It is about the people I meet along the way, the coffee that I have, the books I read. 

And as I do all this, all I can hope for is to say no more often, not for the heck of it, but because I should. I can hope to live just a little bit more like I want to, because you see, not much has been talked about people who say no, but just not enough, about those who are free, but decide to step into a cage every once in a while. The in between kinds. 

So unlike my boss, i believe that i do give **cks, a lot less than others though. But there is definitely room for improvement. 

............................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

Finding a Middle Ground

During the last few years, I had almost decided to gravitate towards minimalism when it came to fashion. It felt natural, and a lot less work while putting an outfit together. But every once in a while, I see a pop of colour somewhere and I want that too. This is followed by a mental sprint of finding things from my existing wardrobe that would not just go with it, but tone the brightness down just enough to let me believe I have some uniformity of style.

This particular outfit is the result of one such mental sprint. The red is everything my singing heart wanted that day, the whites and blacks were the beautiful sidekicks that let the red speak at a semi-minimal rate of speech.  

............................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Facebook and Instagram if you like reading the blog.

Things i wish i had growing up

I was drawn to fashion from a very young age, though I realized it much later. One of the side-effects of living in a small town in India is that you almost always have that one cousin who comes from a big city during summer vacations, displaying a collection of clothes you want to own immediately. And when you are a child, getting your mind off of even the smallest things is far from easy. Today, I am going to talk about three such things I so wish I had growing up. 

1. A short floral dress

They were bright, fun, happy and super cute. What made them even better was that most of them were fit and flare meaning you could swing your legs wearing them. But what raised them to that "I have to have them status" was the mere fact that they were sported by almost every Bollywood actress back then. Remember Preity Zinta in Kya Kehna or Karishma Kapoor in "Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge"? Who wouldn't want to look like that? 

2. A pair of fancy sneakers

Back in those days, we,the small town dwellers had no access to an adidas or a nike. They were aspirational in the best sense of the word. If I had somehow gotten my hands on one of those, I would have kept them somewhere safe, and took them out only when I rode a bicycle, no roads were gonna soil them under my watch. 

3. Ray Ban aviators

I don't remember when I saw them first. Could be a movie or a guy or even a fighter pilot. All I remember is that I grew up wanting them. In my head, they were the very definition of cool. 

This blog post features two things from this list. 

............................................................................................................................................................

Please follow me on GFC and Facebook and Instagram if you like reading the blog.