Superstitions and more...

Are you superstitious?
Do you follow any ritual without knowing the reason and logic behind it?

Well, I do. and I am not ashamed to admit it.

I find Indian culture really interesting and sometimes funny too. Our culture, though rich somehow upholds some superstitions too.

I am not the kind of person who follows all such superstitions blindly, but if I see there's no harm in following it, I do it. Just for the heck of it or just for fun.

Let me list down a few superstitions I believe/follow. You can have a hearty laugh later.

1) If my left palm gets itchy on some day, I believe I will have a financial gain on that day. And feel happy about it. And if my right palm gets itchy, which ideally means I will lose something, I simply ignore it and move on with my life.

2) If I spill salt on the ground or the kitchen platform while cooking I never use a broom to clean it.
Salt in Indian culture is synonymous to the Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi, and hence the best way to clean spilled salt is by pouring some water and cleaning with with a cloth. It doesn't harm anyone, or involve any great efforts, so I follow it blindly.

3) Gifting knives or handkerchiefs to anyone spoils your relationship with the person in the long term. But if you have to, make sure you give them a penny or rupee. This seems to preserve your relationship with the person....SOMEHOW! I have know idea how, but I follow it. :)

4) Wearing black on Saturdays. Well, I wear black almost on all days of the week, so wearing it on a Saturday is no big deal either. But it is believed that Saturday or Shanivaar (in Hindi) is a day dedicated to the worship of Lord Shani. And since Black happens to be Lord Shani's favourite colour (Lord Shani has always been depicted wearing black in our religious scriptures), wearing black on Saturdays pleases him and saves you from all bad omen.

Moving on to the outfit, I wore this outfit almost 2 years ago when we took a short drive along the Pacific Coast Highway and then went ahead on our second trip to the Universal Studios in the same year.

Outfit Details:

Sweater, Necklace: Romwe

Denim: Shoppers Stop

Boots: Walmart
Cap: Ross

It's Our Third Blog Anniversary

Three years ago on this day, So-Saree was born. Though the ideation and vision for So-Saree began much earlier than that.
Every Year on this day, I do something special.
On our First Anniversary, I announced a month long blogathon.
On our Second Anniversary, I pledged my eyes and announced a giveaway.
But for our Third Anniversary, I didn't do anything special.

I spent the entire day doing regular stuff, and now as the day draws to an end, I decided to pen down this post.
My blog has given me much more than I have asked for.
Recognition, creative outlet, friends and above all, a lot of happiness.
But according to me, the most important thing that So-Saree gave me were priceless learnings.

Learnings which will stay with me all my life and will definitely shape up my decisions, character and life. On our Third Anniversary, let me take the opportunity to list 3 Learnings that my blog journey has taught me.

Do what YOU LIKE.
My blog is all about what I like. Some may like it and some may not. And it's perfectly okay, if you have less views, likes and recognition than bloggers who started after you.
You started your blog for your self and it is very important that you like it than anyone else in this world.

It's not a NUMBER GAME.
It's not about the numbers..!
Even when you were in school, you were judged by the ranks and marks you scored.
But when you grow up, you realise that these numbers were hardly an indication of your intelligence or your worth.
Similarly it doesn't really matter, even if you have one sincere reader/follower on your blog, rather than thousands of followers on your social media and blog, who never interact with you.

Stay GROUNDED.
In the last 3 years, I have attended quite a few blogger events and interacted with a lot of bloggers.
What I have seen and learnt from my experience is that the most successful bloggers are the most humble ones. They never take their blog popularity seriously and they blog because they enjoy it and it makes them happy.

That's it for today.
Hope for your continued support even in the days to come.
And you deserve a standing ovation, if you have read the entire post.

Haldi Kum Kum with Sugar Candy Jewellery

Hey Everyone...
Wish you all a very happy Makar Sankranti.


If you have read my previous posts on Makar Sankranti and Haldi Kum Kum, you will get a  fair idea about this festival.
But there was one thing that I missed to write in those posts, and hence I am back again with a cultural post on Haldi Kum Kum.

Maharashtrian women typically start doing Makar Sankrant Puja once they get married, though no one would stop you if you wish to start doing it before that.

The first Makar Sankranti Puja post your marriage is special like any other festival during the first year of your marriage. And hence the first Haldi Kum Kum that the newly married women host, is special too.
For the their very first Haldi Kum Kum ceremony, the newly married women, wear a black saree along with jewellery made from sugar candies. Isn't that cool??

I don't know how, but I completely forgot about this tradition during my first year of hosting the Haldi Kum Kum Ceremony. And since I don't like to keep any regrets in life, I decided I would do it in my fifth year. Better late than never.
So last year I hosted my 5th Haldi Kum Kum Ceremony and did it the way I wanted it.

I was busy or say just plain lazy to post it last year, so I am posting it now, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
Since it was my Fifth Year, the giveaway item was a brass Diya.
Scroll down to see the pictures from the event.


                              

 
The saree is an old silk saree bought almost 8 years ago and I inherited it (read: forcibly acquired) from my sister. The embroidery is done by a computerised machine.

 

Flaunting some arm candies...literally. ;)

 

                                  

                        
The jewellery I am wearing is all made from sugar candies.
I had so much fun wearing it.

Hope you like this post and apologies for the blurry pics. 

Plaids and More...

Plaids have been in  trend for quite some time now.  But the reason why I love plaids is not because they are approved by fashionistas across the globe.

But because they are so effortless, versatile and chic.

Throw it on your shorts and ganji, knot it on your jumpsuit or tuck in it your pants or skirts.

The end result is always perfect.

I wore the below outfit for a lunch date with husband. Ideally the pictures were to be taken before lunch, but ended taken after lunch. As a result I had to hold my breath and suck my tummy in for some decent pictures.

Things I do for my blog...! (eye roll)

Outfit Details:
Shirt: Target
Skirt: Here and Here
Bag: Myntra
Flats: Zovi
Glares: Kohl's

So-Saree Highlights 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE...!!!
So-Saree Highlights has become an annual ritual and I really enjoy drafting this post, as I get an opportunity to live the entire year through one post. So without much ado, lets begin.

January 2015:
January 2015 started with So-Saree's Second Anniversary celebrations.
This month had a mix of outfits posts, nail art post, a recipe post and a women-centric post.
The month ended with the announcement of the Blogoversary giveaway.
My favorite post was Feeling Retro where I wore this floral saree with a chunky pearl necklace.

February 2015:
This month was dominated by outfit posts. My favourite post was when I wore my favourite Bandhani saree at the Swami Narayan Temple at Chino Hills, California. Only a saree could do justice to this beautiful location.

March 2015:
This was the busiest month on So-Saree with around 20 posts going live in this month alone.
My favourite was the PPD segment that I did with my fellow blogger friends to raise awareness about this topic.


Read the posts here:
The PPD Story by Kalyani
The PPD Story By Shilpi

April 2015:
This month saw a lot of collaborations.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all my sponsors for a fruitful journey.

Jewellery Courtesy: Confusion Acccessories

May 2015:
The highlight of this month was a post that I wrote about my Mom - #EveryWomenIsALeader

June 2015:
This month I had the opportunity to review Vintage Desi. Though it started off as a collaboration, I think it might turn out to be a relationship for a lifetime. The jewellery pieces at Vintage Desi are one of a kind and of extremely good quality. You should check them out, if you haven't yet.

July 2015:
So-Shaadi Series made a comeback on So-Saree on popular demand and it was one of the most popular segment of all times.
The post that enjoyed most popularity was Sindhi Wedding Rituals.

August 2015:
The So-Shaadi series continued in the month of August as well. My Best Friends Wedding is a post with the maximum number of views this year. So you should check it out right now.

September 2015:
I finally kick started the long due So-Saree in America Series in this month.
I just hope I am able to finish it off at least this year.

I also want to point out that this month I reached  600 followers on Twitter and my 600th follower was none other than Rashmi Uday Singh. She started following me, after I posted the Super Salad Recipe on my blog. Have you checked it out yet?

October 2015:
My friend Paras did a 3 post feature about the numerous Ganesh Pandals in and around #Mumbai .

Check out the posts here:
Ganeshotsav 2015 Part 1
Ganeshotsav 2015 Part 2
Ganeshotsav 2015 Part 3

November 2015:
This month too was dominated by fashion posts thanks to my lovely sponsors Dresslink and CNDirect.

December 2015:
The last month of the year was equally interesting. Because I did a Beauty post, a Travel Post, a Fashion Post, reviewed the services of JCB Salon and covered an elite event by Wella. I couldn't have had a better conclusion to the year. What say?

Link

Thank You once again for being a part of So-Saree's journey. I hope the coming year is going to be even more interesting and fulfilling than the past year.

Outfit Post: Last Day of 2015

Can't believe today is the last day of the year.
2015 was indeed the most fulfilling year of my life.

We moved into our new home, welcomed Ganpati Bappa home for the first time, my best friend's wedding, my third USA trip and my 5th Wedding Anniversary...all happened this year.

I have so many pending posts to do, but instead of fretting over it, I am taking things in my stride and doing things at my pace.

For 2016, my goal is a peaceful life, with loads of creative energy and free of negativity and unnecessary competition.
I want to travel more, read more, exercise more and eat right.
I want to learn a new skill and spend maximum time in the company of my loved ones.

And before I start bordering to the nonsensical, let me cut it short and move on to the outfit.
I had worn this outfit at the Wella event a few weeks ago.
A Black Jumpsuit, combined with a chiffon top, pearl strands and my current favourite; the Dog Bag.
Can you believe the first thing that Nimrat Kaur said when she saw me, was how cute my bag was. I was more than happy to accept her compliments.
        

Outfit Details:

Top and bag: Dresslink.com

Shoes, Pearls and Jumpsuit: Local shop in Mumbai

Watch: Calvin Klein

The awkward poser!!!

I am a Teapot...!!!

Pic Courtesy: Vipra Patil of www.forevermagnifico.com

Wish You a Happy New Year! Thanks for all the support and love you have given us for the past year.

Launch of Wella Professionals New Elements Range

Last week I received a cute invite from Wella Professionals inviting me to attend the launch of Wella Professionals Elements Range.

Having used Wella Products before and since I had recently experienced Wella's Liquid Hair treatment at the JCB Salon, I knew I couldn't afford to miss this launch.


The launch was held at the House of Tales Kala Ghoda in Mumbai and was attended by Wella's Innovation Expert Dr.Kerstin Meyer Lipp and Bollywood actress Nimrat Kaur who spoke about her experience about Wella's new Elements range. And how she was impressed with the effect it had on her hair which is constantly treated to styling products round the clock.

It was a fun event with good food and company of gorgeous Bloggers.

But the highlight of the event was definitely the Newly launched Elements Range from Wella.

 

Dr. Kerstin took us through the entire process by which the Elements Range was developed and how it took them two years to develop this range.

It is Wella Professionals first range of haircare products which is free of sulfates, parabens and artificial colourants. This range is inspired by nature and has a specially created fragrance inspired by the green wood’s of the Amazon forest.

Bloggers exploring the fragrance of the Elements Range

Dr. Kerstin believes that this range is ideal for Indian women, who have a habit of oiling their hair regularly. To prove that the New Elements Range lathers well on oily hair, Dr Kristen did a small experiment with some water, oil and Wella's new Elements Shampoo and whisked it using a hand blender. Within seconds we saw thick foam lather up in the beaker and we all were very impressed to see that, coming from a product that does not contain any sulfates and parabens.
 

The Elements Range consists of a special ingredient called the Nutree complex which is specially sourced from Germany. The Nutree complex reduces hair damage, enhances the texture of the hair and calms and balances the scalp thereby reducing allergies and sensitivity.

I have been using the Elements range since the last week, and I love how it smells while I shampoo my hair. A foresty fragrance that is not too overpowering, but subtle enough to make you smell and feel good. As far as my hair is concerned, the shampoo works wonders while washing my oily hair and the mask has made the ends of my hair shiny and smooth. The mask is something you have to try atleast once. 
The new Elements Range by Wella is definitely something that will revolutionize the hair care industry in India and abroad as well.

Wella's Elements range consists of the Renewing Shampoo, Lightweight Conditioner and Renewing Mask and is available in all leading salons across India such as Jean Claude Biguine, Affinity, Bodycraft, Toni & Guy , Strands, Tresslounge and Headturners.

Some more pics from the launch.