A very saree business

So I decided to share some of my recent purchases with you.

A wooden ring from Anokhi, carved to look like a flower.

A statement piece 😀

I am allergic to costume jewellery (can only wear gold – no other metals) and so I’ve spent a lifetime envying others. But in the recent past I’ve been finding plastic, wood, thread and bone jewellery and it has changed my life. I wear the one above, red beads, speckled with blue and gold beads and those lovely fat blue mosaic beads, with a crisp white chikan kurta/kurti. What I love is that there is no metal clasp at the back, just woven thread that doesn’t irritate my skin.

This hand carved wooden one is from Anokhi. The thread loop at the back lets it hang low and cool or climb up and turn into a choker. I love this one. Recently I met someone who on being complimented on something she was wearing, and being asked where she got it from, said very clearly “I never tell.” I laughed. A long time ago, I was complaining about people who don’t share recipes. I find it very umm.. strange. Mostly because nothing and no one can be the person you are. So people can cook what you cook, but never get it to taste the same. They can throw the most expensive parties which still might not be as much fun as yours are. Wear the same clothes you do, but never with the same flair. I put up my Warli art on the walls photos here and I know for sure that atleast 3 people have copied it. I don’t mind it at all because each home looks different. And spreading the joy won’t take away from yours. Anyhow. I also thought of the zillions of fashion blogs that generously share their information with us and this is my shout out to them – thank you girls!!!

This is something I picked up for my anniversary. Its a chanderi, from a brand called Raw Mango. Being revived and brought back in brilliant new colours and designs. The photograph does it no justice. Its actually a colour called Kathai in hindi – something between coffee and maroon – with a hot pink border. Those sheaves of corn are on the pallu and the rest of the saree is stark and plain. I *heart* it and have been hoarding it. No occasion seems good enough!

This one is a Ganga-Jamuna. Can be worn with either a yellow border or turned upside down and with the maroon border, both sides have pallus to match.  Its a brighter leaf green, but I took the pic on a grey day so it looks dull.

This was a plain green chiffon belonging to Ma. She also gave me that border on it, the orange and black brocade peacocks – belonging to my Grandma. I got it attached to this saree with a purple border and it looks like sex on toast. I plan to wear it with a parrot green raw silk blouse. Check out a saree called Radha here for the exact shade of green that I am looking for.  Like it? I love it. It is sexy, funky, traditional and contemporary all wrapped into one. Now for the blouse piece and a reason to wear it.

This saree barely cost me Rs 900 and I was complimented 100 times while wearing it. The border has every colour on earth, in it and the green portion has a sheen to it. It has simple threadwork lines on the pallu and a plain body, yet it catches your eye. I love it beyond words.

This one is again an odd pinky maroon that I love, with a mustard-ish border. Simple blouse.

Edited to add: Okay, on popular demand am putting up a recent picture of the headless ghost of Christmas past 😀 This is one of my daily wear, busy print chiffons. They don’t crush at work, they don’t show stains and they are hardy and inexpensive. Sasta, sundar, tikau.