Bong Mania Overloaded

Given India’s beautiful cultural diversity, there are way too many varieties of sarees that are available and more so, different types of drape style. Be it the young or the old a saree fits in perfectly for any occasion and any person. This festive season Bong Mania Overloaded bring to you the must-have sarees that every girl must have in order to stand out in crowd

1) Red and Whites

Most of us want to soak in the festive flavor and love to wear the most classic combo of red and white. Here;s a way you can flaunt the traditional colors in an unconventional way.

2) Floral Print Chiffon

They look bright and breezy. Drape your florals with kohl eyes and statement jewelry pieces.

3) Regal Kanjeevaram

Kanjeevarams are never out of fashion. Pair them with minimal makeup and traditional heirloom jewelries.

4) Metallic Plain Saree

Gold metallic solid color sarees are a statement themselves. Drape them traditionally or in an experimental way.

5) Printed Linen

Comfort and Style goes hand in hand with linens. Try out different prints and patterns and be the diva this season.

6) The Ever So Classy Benarasi

Who said benarasi is only for a bride or a wedding party. wear your exquisite black, peach or white benarasi to the festive party. Match with a quirky blouse to make it more interesting.

I hope you enjoyed the post and found some inspirations. If you have liked this, then please share this post right now with your friends on Instagram and Facebook. Leave us a comment or two below so that we know our effort was worth it.

For the past few months have been battling post-partum anxiety and low self confidence. There has been moments when I felt like a hot mess and hated my bodily changes post delivery. Initially I didn't want to go out as I felt I looked miserable. As am gradually coming out of that phase with huge support from my family and friends, thought about all others who suffer from similar body image issues everyday and for them its not a post-partum that will pass. Its not a good feeling for sure and won't wish it for anyone else.

Ma and Sanchita has been a constant support in this struggle of mine with myself. As Ma brought this wonderful handwoven Khandua silk with herself on her U.S. trip, Sanchita got this frilled top for me to pair with the saree. I always was intimidated by and my brain always associated frills with looking "fat", so to wear it was very liberating and reinforcing the fact that my body image doesn't define me. I didn’t wait for a special occasion to bust out this silk loveliness and wore to a dinner at a friend's new home. I felt liberated, comfortable and loved as I preened up.

We, should only think about ourselves and what makes us happy. If you are like me who finds happiness in wearing saree or makeup DO IT. Or if you are someone who doesn't want to doll up ....Please DO AS YOUR HEART SAYS. After all its your peace that matters. I don’t think that telling me women look their best in a saree is a compliment. Women should wear whatever they want to wear and it is nobody’s business but their own, it is not my or anyone else’s place to tell anyone what constitutes appropriate attire. Telling people what to wear implies that they can’t think/ choose for themselves, nothing outweighs her own autonomy over how she chooses to exist in the world and we definitely don’t need commentary on our bodies or clothing. I choose to wear whatever makes me happy, whether it is the shorts, anarkali or torned jeans and a raggedly tee-shirt or a fabulous saree. And about your body image......remember that the notions of perfection are our own creations...they are societal inventions and you have all the strength to be the change and be YOU

I love handcrafted, ethically made clothing, I love wearing handloom-ed sarees, I love learning about them, I collect them and most of all I feel comfortable in the folds of something that I’ve been given with love. The saree in the photos above is something that my Mother painstakingly picked out on an incredibly hot afternoon in Jagannath Puri.

Paired the saree with over-sized silver jhumkis, a hansuli necklace and a silver palm ring and a leather handcrafted purse. The earthy vibe of the saree was enhanced by pairing it with silver accessories. But you can easily match it with pearsl as well as gold jewelries too. Ma wore this same saree with her sleek pearls.

A breezy sun-kissed afternoon at home, a hot cup of tea and me with my loved ones.... Most of us don’t acknowledge or realize all these amazing little moments we have in our own daily lives. It’s easy to fall into the cycle of “having nothing to do”. We might go out to dinner or a movie, a farmer’s market here and there, but how many of us actually take the time to sit back and enjoy the comfort of sitting at our backyard and doing nothing! Instead of constantly pining for the French Riviera , I have recently started to enjoy the coziness of our own home. From warm home made meal with a good movie or a fulfilling adda with loved ones....there's nothing more gratifying in this whole wide world.. The weather in Charlotte is now enchanting...as Fall is approaching, the summer heat has soothed down and neither the chills have arrived in the atmosphere. So as Baba Ma was visiting us, on one such lazy afternoons, when we had "nothing to do", Baba said "চল তোর ছবি তুলে দিই কিছু , blog এ লাগাবি "(let me do a photo shoot for you for the blog) Well, the rest you can see them yourselves....

Outfit Details

Its a Bangalore Silk sea green saree with kantha patchwork. Matched it with a black and white striped crop top from H&M and pairs of Afghani Bali from Amazon.in Paired very simple lipstick-kajal makeup with the outfit. The look was as comforting and simple as the afternoon and the mood.

Source

Summers are predominant season in the South East Asian region and can be unforgivably ruthless to our outings. So we have too choose our outfits diligently. As for this part of the world where I live now, summers although not as much cruel as in Indian subcontinent can be tricky time to choose comfortable yet stylish outfits.Remember every summer Ma used to take out her pastel colored sarees which were considered "too light" for the rest of the year. Even the biye bari or the other evening parties would be attended in pastel shaded lace or silk. We used to see considerate change in colors worn by our teachers in school (YES! we always used to be very attentive towards their wardrobe 😜😜😜). So gradually it became a norm for us to take out our lighter shades for summer time and darker and richer shades for winter time. But as times have changed so has the experimentation with different color pallets. Now we see a lot more of candy shades among summer collections which in the past were considered a big no for adult outfits 🙈🙈 because of their blinding effects 😂😂. So lets have a look on what are the best combinations we can try out for our hot and humid days.

Indigo Blue and White

There are sarees that can instantly brighten up your days. The color and feel of it is exudes a stylish vibe on any day you chose to wear these sarees. Indigo blue and white combinations is one of them. They give a youthful charm to your look. Dress it with your silver jewelry for richer look.

Source

Neon Green and Pink

The Neon Green and Pink is a bright combination that stands out. It gives you smart, younger and a comforting look for the summer day time.

Yellow and pink

As its summer you can look out for cotton or chanderi sarees with light work on them. Yellow and pink or red combination looks very soothing and rich at the same time. Pull up your hair in a tight bun and accessorize lightly with a statement earring and some kohl in eyes...voila! your party look is done for a scorching day.

Royal Blue and Black

Royal blue is the color that never goes out of fashion. Dull royal blue with black is a hot property right now and can be wore both at day and night time parties.

Red, Black and White

Red and white has always been a hot favorite traditional combination but adding a hint of black in it gives it a gorgeous makeover. A cotton red black and white saree can be ideal for your afternoon "ghoroa" (cozy) parties.

Source

Orange and Yellow

Orange is an outstanding color which gives an instant brightness to a look and also emulates the fiery summer sun. A orange and yellow Linen saree can give a classic citric look for any day.

Source

White and Gold

White sarees can never go out of fashion. White and Gold is considered to be the perfect blend of traditional yet contemporary.

Grey, Pink and Black

Grey has always been underrated as a formal color, but recently it has been used to create vivacious ethnic wear by combining it with pink and black. Pink gives that well needed pop of color and makes it perfect for summer wearing.

Green and Black

Green and black sarees are always a big turn when worn rightly. It gives a extremely rich look and you can carry it from day to night.

Source

Navy and Candy Pink and Orange

Navy with Candy pink and Orange is a hot favorite this season. This combination brightens up the atmosphere around you and can be carried both in day and night.

Source

Let us know if you have a favorite color combo for summers and we'll add it to our list :). Like and share the post if you love it and connect with us through our Facebook and Instagram page

Every Bengali knows what is Jamai Sasti ( Reception of son-in-law at in law’s place ) . This has special meaning for Kolkata and west Bengal Based Bengalis If you are Jamai of Kolkata ( greater Kolkata ) , then get ready to savor the highest level of Khatir ( hospitality ) at in law’s house on 19th June – Jamai Sasthi in Bengal ) .

Bengali people take pride in preparing sweet ( hardly common now ) and main dishes for their guests. When it’s a call for Jamai , then expect some special menus at the lunch , dinner also . The King of Fishes for a Bangali Babu is Ilish or Hilsha and its mandatory "luxury" during this time of the year. Brishti (rain) and Ilish mach bhaja(fried Hilsa) goes hand in hand. Although its price is sky rocketed yet every middle class household wants to have it on their menu during monsoons. Most Bengali household has pretty much mastered on the quintessential Ilish recipes...be it the simplest Ilish er tel jhol or a Ilish Bhapa....so present a very unconventional recipe of Ilish. Those like me who usually don't want to experiment with our expensive Hilsa pieces may raise their eyebrows but trust me this will be all worthwhile. So we out to you a very unique sweet and sour Ilish Mach (Hilsa Fish) recipe for the day called Ilish Mach er Dolon.

I first saw the recipe on a popular Bengali cookery show and immediately thought of making it for Jamaishasti this year. And from the time I have first made it, let me tell you its almost a regular weekend recipe for us now. This dish is originally a family recipe of the famous stalwart Thakur family of Jorashanko, Kolkata. So lets walk down to the kitchen now..

Few tips to buy the best Ilish in market

Check the silver color of the fish is bright and shining

The eyes of the fish should be clear and not merky

The gills should be red and not darker in color

If you press the body of the fish it shouldn't be too tender or soft.

1) Red and Whites

2) Floral Print Chiffon

3) Regal Kanjeevaram

4) Metallic Plain Saree

5) Printed Linen