Bougainvillea inspiration, just like the English picket fence

Growing up on a staple read of rich English literature, my world of imagination has memories of  'an overgrown hedge of pink bougainvillea climbing over a white picket fence', one I cherish very dearly. An image of my juvenile mind that I keep experimenting with even today.

How often have I romanticize a steaming cup of tea under the shadow of this overgrown pink hedge, ah! the drama...

I've had a couple of bougainvillea plants at my home for nearly over a decade, ones that have matured into healthy seasonal plants, which I will doctor to transform into a dreamy English hedge as my inspiration stems from there for this winter. My attempts are to get closest possible to the visual image of this European Countryside. A project I injected this summer, re-arranged my terrace garden to create my dream ambiance.

First I set up the support for the hedge with some zig-zag wire lines crisscrossing over the open face of our terrace, hoping that this will enable the young shoots to get play while they follow the lines as they grow. Wont it be amazing to stand under a pink bougainvillea sky?

Next, I used the sides of my Red Door to support the climb for my mature plants. Gave the bottom half of the plants some good snips. I allowed these plants to soak in the monsoon moisture all through last season of rain and as each new off-shoot grew, the ones around the red door got their trim in order for the plants height to grow. I used the newer shoots to twirl around the zig-zag line so  that I get closest to my desired hedge formation as the season of bloom nears.

Like they say, patience is a virtue of success. For me, the results thus far are quiet encouraging. Here is the view of my mini bougainvillea hedge as the first blooms surface. I am quiet looking forward for this entire season to make that English dream come true!

Stay with the me through this season as I bring alive many more posts through the S2S chronicles.

Xoxo,
S2S       

Shidoor Laal Dhakai, perhaps a choice of the new bride or maybe not!

Just the sound 'shidoor laal' (vermillion red) brings alive the imagery of a stunning Indian bride.In Bengal, it is the quintessential color of choice for the young bride and as custom has it, every traditional wedding concludes with the smearing of shidoor in the middle parting of the hair, customary to the Hindu brides. Kalighat, is one such place where you will find various shades of this color strewn across its aisles.

Glimpses of Kalighat: A newly married couple seek blessings of the Goddess& shidoor vendor with her wares.

Shidoor Laal Dhakai:

Coming back to my Dhakai, this shari was a Durga Pujo gift from my Mother to us, me & my sister (we are 3 sister, 2 of us married) in 2011. Red is the color of Shakti, a spiritual lineage followed by many Matriarchal communities in India and considered auspicious for the married women. This is one of my lightest and most glamorous Dhakai's and adds to the mood of 'RED' when desired.

Gold adornments that completes the glamour quotient of this shari.

Fish is very integral to Bengali culture. A Bengali Wedding is incomplete without fish!

Closer look at the mantasha design. Compliements the lota (leaf creeper) of the body.

The 'kamar patta' that jingles every time one walks. All sounds of joyous celebration & festivities.

Summing up the look for my RED Dhakai.

Well, not so much the bride, yet sporting the look. :)

A shari of this type fits in perfectly for all those traditional moments of life including ones like weddings. I am a big fan of contrasts and combinations of brokades, tissues or even bandhni would make this quiet a dramatic wear. Sharing some glimpses of this weave.

Resting a while post the Shondhi Pujo, the occasion for which Ma had gifted us the shari & a closer look at the weave.

This concludes my Dhakai Shari series. Now that you have read through my RED best, do flip over and look through some more in my collection:

• Dhakai Shari- the most exquisite muslin!
• Dhakai Shari: some more colors, some more hues...  
• Dance to my souls content  

Next up will be some silks that I just cant live without. Some looks that compliment these weaves and also 'Shari acquisition tales' that I keep pouring into you!

Until the next one, stay tuned and 'shari-lucious'!

Xoxo,

S2S

Dhakai Shari- some more colors, some more hues...

Last week I shared a collection of 3 my favorite Dhakai's (that's how one refers to these beauties in Bengal) from my wardrobe. Today I am showcasing my Yellow-gold and Oriental Lilly Pink, both bought in the year 2008.

Gifts of labour! :) Literally...!!!

Poila Boishak (Bengali New Year) indulgences: All full of sentimental values!

Most of my shari's have a huge sentimental value woven into them. The 2 I share with you today were gifts from my Husband when I was carrying our son. Still recall the warm summer breeze setting in, the Shari-wala (Bengali's have designated Shari Vendors from Calcutta who come home to sell special wears every year) displaying his collection while a I choose my best pick. The occasion was Poila Boishak (Bengali New Year) and I was sure of buying 1 but who wouldn't give into the lure of the 2 I eventually picked up. The colors were just so perfect given the weather outside.

Yellow-gold Dhakai Jamdani    

This Jamdani is my constant companion for many occasions. I have worn it for a friends Mehendi, wore it for Pushpanjali mornings during durga Pujo, sported it on a summer evening get together and even worn it for official meets. An universal base color that can be contrasted with moods. Many many moods... :)

Multi-purpose wear.

Contrast, works best with this color.

:) One of the looks with the contrast at play. 

Oriental Lilly Pink, the perfect choice for the pregnancy glow!

Well that's how my husband referred to this shari but even today it adds to the glow. The color is just so pretty evenly contrasting with the mango yellow work, again one weave that ends up being an universal wear. I have carried this one with me on several travels especially knowing that I may end up going for a formal evening or even visiting extended family which usually ends up being unplanned! The universal best choice for that day when I need to look coy yet me!

Tropical Lilly Pink

Spread out 'lota' (leaves) design adds to the grace of this shari.

Same 'shari' but numerous hues.

Shidoor Laal, the show stopper.

"Dhakai Shari- The most excuisite muslin!" and this post bring out the best of my Dhakai collections (I have many more but will bring them back to you on another day). However, the stunning 'shiddor' red (vermillion red) is an exquisite post in the making. That one will follow as an exclusive post following this read.

Stay tuned for the Vermilion Red!

Also, if you have liked my shaari series don't miss my post "Dance to my souls content" where I have given a sneak peak into my dance costume and a small collection of temple jewelry.

While you read some more about me do stay tuned for the 'RED' that is yet to surface. :)

Until then...

Xoxo.
Sensuous2Spiritual

Dhakai Shari- The most exquisite muslin!

Dhakai Muslin, considered as one of the most aristocratic fabric of choice, a symbol of luxury. Originating in ancient Bengal, muslins became famous during the Mughal rule when they were exported from Dhaka to the Middle East and much of Europe.

The choice of fabric of the Royals & Aristocrats:

Having grown up in a Bengali household which boasts of Shantiniketan lineage- Mother and Masi (influence of elite students from Dhaka with royal lineage studied in this institute), it was impossible to miss the exotic variety of Dhakai Jamdani at home. While superficially it looked like coarse sheets of fine paper but when laid out open, it would leave one in absolute admiration of the intricacy of art that each of these 6 yards unfold.

Muslin is fine quality of cotton originally found to have deep historic relevance to India.

Buying a Sari of this nature is nothing less than a ritual. The color, design lineage, weave count, the fineness of muslin and most important of all, the jewelry that will eventually be adorned with this weave are the most important decision that tips over the eventual buy. This is one exciting purchase and the feeling comes closest to the sentiments one has while buying the bridal trousseau!

Buying muslin is incomplete if the final look is not planned.

Here is a collection I have managed to preserve and maintain over the years. It is after all my indulgence of choice. :)

Pista green body with pastel pink and purple jamdani work:

One of my oldest muslins that dates back to 1998. Nearly 2 decades old and has been my companion during many beautiful wears. Over the years, this beauty is yielding to softness, which during the initial days used to be the perfect 'taut and stiff'. Recently noticed that some parts of the saree is beginning to give way to tear. Still trying to save this beauty in my collection and though she is fading I wish to give you a closer peek at this weave.

Traditional jewelry for my pista green dhakai.

'Doodhe-alta' Red Dhakai with gold tinged jamdani:

This was a gift from my Husband after my Son was born. A product of 2008, this is one wear that is perfect at every possible occasion. It looks elegant when draped for festivals, perfect for an evening party and fits in just as well in a sophisticated art show. The unique differentiating factor for this weave is the variety of jewelry and accessories that compliments this wear for various occasions. One of my favorite in my 6 yards collection.

With Hyderabadi Pearls to bring out the elegance of this weave.

Accentuate the drama with larger beads.

Keep the traditional look with Gold and minakari.

Saffron body with green and gold jamdani:

A birthday gift from my sweetheart mother, this sari is a product of 2012. Very unique combination sets this one apart. It is a classic day wear sari and when accessorized can be worn for various occasions. A heavy Gold set makes it perfect for a day wedding, a dark pearl lets me wear it for a tea party and the Gujrati -Kutch bead work makes it perfect for a theater break.

Keep it plain, drop a gem or simply pair a dramatic dangler. This one stands out just as it is!

Apart from these 3 in my Dhakai shari collection I have a few more in vivid colors and designs, which I shall share with you as another post on another day.

Meanwhile, do drop in your thoughts on this read.

For more read on Dhakai Muslin, you can click here. To feast on more designs and styles you can find some in my Pinterest Posts else just google 'Dhakai Jamdani' in Goggle Images and enjoy the feed.

Until the next time,

Xoxo,
Sensuous2Spiritual

          

Rose wine and crystals!

There is something about Rose-wine and crystals that attract me beyond words.

I can work on the decor aesthetics for hours to get that perfect lure in place before we pour the wine into the crystal ware.

It is quiet a romantic set-up and for someone who loves this wine, it just cant get any better!!!

:) Here are some of my shots in getting the decor just right before I slug on the light and berry flavored liquid from my most precious collection of crystal!

Cheers!!! :)

Weekend Family Time: A family that cooks together stays together!

More than often by the time I am into Wednesday evening I begin to plan for the impending weekend; a time I long for with my nearest ones! The mundane Monday to Thursday schedule is made easier when I start thinking of the beautiful upcoming Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

I love to cook. Something I get to do only on special occasions but lately I am making it a point to be in the kitchen throughout the weekend. With a growing up lad and a 1/2 day Saturday work Husband it makes me feel really good when I see them lap up the dishes cooked specially for them! For that matter, who doesn't!!!

So the planning begins with a good research on World Cuisines. With 1/2 the house being vegetarian it is always not that easy to zero in on the composition of the table spread! :) To me a break from Indian food is a boon and I am getting to feel that with the other 2 members of the house as well.

Salads, soups, one pot dishes and variety of breads is a good combination so far. In case you want to, do look up my Pinterest Food Segment. Once this is zeroed in comes the fun part of actually preparing the food. I love the time I spend in the kitchen cutting, chopping, mixing, tasting and dishing out the produce! Voila, in almost negligible time a sumptuous meal is all set and ready to be served. It feels effortless since I do what I like doing best and my favorite 2 (when at home while I cook) hover around crackling, chatting, fixing me a drink and DJ-ing while I make the magic happen!

PS: Last weekend the success was in my Red Rice Soup and Stir Fried Greens spread with a variety of breads along with a sizable portion of fresh cut water melon.
Click here for the recipe. I used red rice instead of wild rice and cooked it in a clay-pot. Substituted Chicken to more veggies! :)
I cooked the soup over slow flame for almost 3 hours. Used a whole lot of mushrooms, carrots, spring onions, squash and broad beans. You could choose to add veggies like asparagus, bamboo shoots, etc. incase you want a variety that is less used!

Next up comes the planning for the aesthetics around food presentation. Typically the doting Husband and Son duo set up the table for us. In-fact the better part is that since we have begun using weekend time as a "family time" many of our unused cutlery are getting their due usage. I love the way the table decor ends up so very often. My son adds a special touch to it by adding a handwritten menu card along with a table number on it! Who says your home cant feel like a specialty restaurant!!! :) lil joys of life!

Finally, with hot steaming food, an inviting table and some awesome people around we have the fun and frolic of our weekend going strong.

Life in a busy metro like mine feels 'worth it' after all!

Happy weekend folks!

Sensuous2Spiritual

The Bee's Knees: My variation this Friday evening!

Been quiet a drag of a week for me with my little one recuperating form a seriously bad tummy infection. Didn't realize the fatigue it has caused until earlier this evening. In such situations the best I like doing is to chill with a small drink and sit with the family while we cool off watching some movies.

So I walk into the kitchen with a clear mission. Whip up a drink that I haven't had ever! Armed with my iPad I look through my Pinterest Board: Poison. Next I spot 1 sole orange staring into my face. So them I walk to the Bar Unit and discover this old bottle of Bombay Sapphire, a Gin that never leaves the attic! Thanks to my experimental mood I decided to make the impossible happen. I decided to make a drink that we will remember for a while to come.

Voila, it is a zero in on 'The Bee's Knee' with a Mandarin twist!

Read the original recipe by Jennifer Rose Smith. In my case I did a slight bit of improvisation. Here's how!

Ingredients:
2 large yellow lemons
1 ounce honey (given that we are a recuperating household!)
2 ounces Bombay Saphire Gin
1 cup ice
1/2 an orange

Instructions:
First, you’ll create a simple syrup with the honey. Combine equal parts honey and boiling water. Stir well. Jar and refrigerate the syrup. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine one ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice, one ounce of your honey simple syrup, and two ounces of gin, juice of the 1/2 orange squeezed into the shaker. Shake well and strain into a glass of fresh ice. Garnish with one orange wedge (optional).

Signing off the Chinese New Year celebrations with my orange laced Bombay Sapphire cocktail. :)

Happy weekend folks!