“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically.
We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly.
We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another.
The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present.
We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.”
~ Anais Nin
Missing out on Karachi in the winter
Its that time of year once again; wedding season in Pakistan. And I’m missing it. (Not that I’m missing it; if you know what I mean). For the first time in about 12 years I’m not in Karachi in December. Today is the first real day of snow in Toronto, and it feels strange gazing down at snow-covered roof tops and flurries lightly floating across the skies; an entire world away from my ‘usual decembers’.
I miss karachi. I miss the smell of winter in the air, getting together with old friends from different corners of the world, french beach, that 4 pm winter sunlight, the same bollywood hits at each and every mehndi, family time, bonfires at the beach, cold sand under my toes, star gazing, ruby red lips on a winter bride, dancing the nights away to those bollywood hits, paani puri, long drives down familiar streets, my red vitz, cuddling up under a cozy shawl with a cup of chai… the list does go on….
(Photo cred: mr. niel/nadir’s julie… or was it jenny)
What Is Marriage?
Its quite simple really ….
Apologies and Laddus
I know, I know!! I haven’t been around much; I’ve ignored you for months now with hardly a word or even a pic. But I promise, I thought about you the whole time. Not a day went by when I didn’t think of flipping open the laptop and hitting these keys in an attempt at reaching out to you. What can I say … I just wasn’t in a very inspired “laddu-y” place.
So instead I guest-blogged just a little over at TwoMangoes.
I missed you.
nothing less
Be with someone who is good
Be with someone who is good to you
Be with someone who you can make happy
Be with someone who REALLY wants to be with you too.
Tarun Tahiliani’s Bridal Couture exposition’s theme for its third year is ‘Artisanal- Bringing the Craft to the Fore’, or as Tarun puts it “Indian Couture layered in a western construct.”
According to the designer, “This exposition is a confluence of two great artisanal traditions in a unique fashion. European designers have always used Indian workmanship and now we will see a new fusion of Indian Couture using international construction with the finest weaves, embroideries, jewels, stones and techniques. Everything is luxurious, shapely, western silhouetted but with Indian sensibility. I’ve used colours like shell pink, ivory, reds and brown in fabrics like sheer tulle, velvet, georgettes and soft net. I’ve used the finest of weaves, embroideries, jewels, stones and techniques.”
Tarun Tahiliani will be taking the exposition to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata this year.
Lisa Haydon for Tarun Tahiliani Bridal Couture Exposition 2011
And the oh-so-steamy Rahul Khanna for Tarun Tahiliani Bridal Couture Exposition 2011
{Inspired Bride} Secret #6
Knots & Braids {Inspired Beauty}
Wedding Hairstyle Images via WeHeartIt.com
Toronto Goes Bollywood Crazy at the IIFA Awards
If you live anywhere near the GTA, there is no way you could have missed out on the Bollywood madness sweeping the city. The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards made their North American debut this weekend, and with it every desi I know came down with a sudden case of Bollywood fever. “The three-day IIFA festivities were expected to draw 40,000 guests…tickets for the awards night at the Rogers Centre were sold out in eight minutes. In addition to the 22,000 live spectators, about 700 million viewers tuned into the show worldwide.”
There have been star sightings across the downtown Toronto, Bollywood fans scrambling from across the country and every major media outlet chatting up the IIFA Awards, while trying their hand at explaining the phenomenon to the rest of Canada.
The only things that could have made the atmosphere more celebratory and electrifying would have been sari-clad heroine wannabes singing in the rain and couples dancing around trees. Trust me, it’s been quite a weekend!
Here are a few of my faves from all hot and happening looks on the IIFA 2011 Green Carpet:
Shilpa Shetty & Lisa Ray at the IIFA 2011
Shah Rukh Khan at IIFA 2011
Bobby Deol at IIFA 2011
Mutual Admiration at IIFA 2011
Anushka Sharma at IIFA 2011
Images via thestar.com and FilmiCafe
Images via Mehndi Tumblr
{Inspired Bride} Secret #5
{Inspired Bride} Secret #4
