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 blog post, it's mostly browns. And I think it works.   

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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 distances. And this country is so bicycle-friendly!

Evening lights!

Maybe one gets to see these lights only during winter, 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 to 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 blues of the cold weather, some Swedish houses emit warmth. An evening stroll watching brightly-coloured houses is among the best kinds of rest. 

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 on 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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.   

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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!

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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

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