Durga Puja 2014 - Trends Spotted

I saw a good deal of Normcore fashion this year while pandal hopping. But, I am not really sure how many of them consciously dressed up that way. Normcore fashion is where people dress up in a normal way to look same rather than stand out. Read this *article* to get an idea of what is Normcore as documented by artist Hans Eijkelboom.

But I did not capture the denim on denim and other Normcore craziness during Durga Puja for you! Here are 3 of the biggest trends I spotted this year. All my fashionable friends wore gorgeous sarees every day. Well, of course I didn't. I did wear an ethnic kurta with a beautiful printed vest on Ashtami. And I gorged on a sumptuous Italian fare at Spaghetti Kitchen that day. Also watched Haider on the first day of release and loved every bit of it.I wrapped up that awesome day by promptly falling down wearing flat shoes and tearing my beautiful red leggings on the way back.

Printed leggings were everywhere, they were mostly paired with bum covering long tops and flats

the Anarkali salwar kameez was everywhere! It was a bit weird how many of these I spotted this time.

No one wore the saree better or more fashionably than city bloggers Soumi and Anupriya DG. Soumi draped her saree over leggings! It doesn't get more trendsetting than that. Love Anu's necklace and clutch. Learn how to put a twist on your traditionals from these 2 ladies.

People really do forget all about calories during these 5 days

And with this I wish you a Subho Bijaya and Happy Dussehra!

In association with Lifestyle International I will be highlighting the food, fashion and atmosphere of Durga Puja here on the blog.

FlySongbird

Durga Puja 2014

I have noticed my favourite photos tend to be the ones that echo solitude.

Here are a few of my favourite shots from Sashthi and Saptami.

Sribhumi

Sribhumi Durga

Rajdanga Durga

Bosepukur Pandal

Dhaaki

Outside Badamtala Durga Puja

Before the ride starts again for customers she gets a free ride

Chandipath on Saptami at Babubagan Durga Puja

Sasthi Blues - style spotted

In association with Lifestyle International I will be highlighting the food, fashion and atmosphere of Durga Puja here on the blog.

FlySongbird

My Floral Blazer On Sartorialist

I blogged about this floral blazer twice on this blog. Check out the posts here and here (all the outfit details are there). And lo and behold it has been featured on The Sartorialist. Hey, if he finds it visually appealing enough, who am I to complain.

Get the blazer from either e-store - Persun, Choies

I got the tear drop tights from Romwe, you can buy it here. It's back in stock, guys! I know many of you wanted it but, it was all sold out. Grab a pair fast!

FlySongbird

14th February, 2014

♫In your love my salvation lies♫

I took this shot last week in an empty corridor running up to my department in my college. There is a stillness in this photo, a certain calmness and light that is very peaceful.

Of Spikey Studs And Leather Jackets

This is not me(for the newbs). This is Rashmirekha, wearing the best leather jacket I have seen this side of town, with an awesome spikey studded sheer shirt.

Style spotting at an event.

Calcutta Style Spotting - Ashtami Special

She is the lead singer in the Alt/Pop/Rock/Reggae/Ska/Bollywood kitsch band Ganesh Talkies, Suyasha SenGupta. I snapped this photo at a house party where they were performing. I love her style. She incidentally happens to be from my college.

Anyway how about incorporating that flower in the hair for your Ashtami look?
Let me know what you think.
Happy Puja!

Random Photo Diary

A few snaps I have taken over the last few days. Enjoy and let me know what you like/hate/find amusing.

So the other day I got up on the rickshaw and saw my rickshaw-walah wearing this Iron Maiden t-shirt. Accessorised with a red gamchha. This is Indian street style people. It is original and you can find it anywhere if you just look around.

Lately I have been hooked onto Chicken Thai Green Curry like crazy. It has become like my go to comfort food. I find chopping vegetables kind of therapeutic, a stress-buster of sorts. I cook only when I need to.

This book was a birthday gift (among others) from my best friend. "Jellicoe Road" by Melina Marchetta was such a heartwarmingly amazing read. It will take you back to all the crazy "adventures" you went onto growing up. All the muddy lanes and forgotten alleys, the shortest trails back to your place will all come vividly alive in your mind.

And...

... look what arrived in the mail today! Can't wait to wear these extensions outside. c/o Romwe, shipped after 7 days of ordering, delivered after 10 days. I am as happy as a clam!

As of July 1st Google Reader is retiring. Follow my blog via Bloglovin to stay up to date with the posts.

ELLE Coffee Mornings, Calcutta

On 28th April, that is this Sunday I was invited to an exclusive preview of ELLE Fashionwear's Spring Summer 2013 collection hosted by friend, blogger and designer Anupriya DG (of brand Howrah Bridge and

blog Chappals vs Stilettos). The venue was the ELLE store at Forum Mall and there were lots of cupcakes, coffee and stylish people posing for my camera. In the midst I posed for a few clicks as well. It was an absolutely fun day which ended with momos and thukpa at lunch. 

The collection had beautiful denims, candy colours were all over and so were tiny fruity and floral prints on cotton. All in all the collection is ideal for an Indian summer, a summer which has already bestowed blisters on my face instead of the so much hyped about summery freshness. At least May Day being a holiday I got to stay home, sifting through and editing all the 200 something photos.

Other bloggers in attendance - Anupriya, Sayantani, Deepa, Soumi, Shayoni. There were other style enthusiasts too but I am just including Shreya's photo from the commoners(yes I did just use that word) because I madly loved her craziness. She has rad DIY skills!

Enjoy the photos

*click here for more*

they were so soft

clutch bags from Elle S/S 2013 collection

Anupriya DG - the one who made it happen

Elle shoes and bags

Deepa and I; pic c/o Soumi

Casual Elle tee

Elle Denim Collection

paper fan decorations?

the Shreya!

Soumi posing (what she does best) in an Elle Denim Dress, Belt, Shoes, Stole as turban

Soumi and Deepa posing some more in Elle clothes

Sayantani, Soumi, Deepa..the latter 2 in Elle attire

Sayantani, Shayoni, Deepa..the last 2 again in Elle attire

Sayantani and I; pic c/o Anupriya

 adios

Winning A Fashion Show

This semester has been my most active period in college. I have been going to the campus everyday. That may not be a shocker to university going students all across the globe, but for people who know me this is a shocker. Our university is like a bohemian city inside the city. Attendance is not very strict here (70% minimum I think it is), but I have a reputation of being one of the most carefree(careless?) bunkers in my university. Anyhow this semester we have our film making course and I have been going everyday for the shooting and then editing. Among this crazy schedule was about to to happen our college fest which in itself wouldn't have been a big deal and I would have happily not gone because I am a happy woman spending endless hours in the editing room. But then my friends said they wanted me to participate in the fashion show along with them. I readily agreed and endless phone calls and emails and hurried meetings(on my part, they met up and practiced their choreography everyday) later we were finally ready to walk the stage.

!And We Won!

The judge (Parambrata Chatterjee) said we reminded him of his childhood. The theme of the competition was "100 years of Indian Cinema" and we did a tribute to Bengali classic and cult films. Yours truly did all the make-up and the entire look for Ranjana of "Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbona"(2011). The other films we chose were, "Jalsaghar"(1958), "Meghe Dhaka Tara"(1960), "Charulata"(1964), "Sagina Mahato"(1970), "Calcutta 71"(1972), "Paromitar Ek Din"(2000) and "Chokher Bali"(2003). If you love cinema then you are welcome to watch all these films (even if with subtitles).

spot me in the last 2 photos and you get an imaginary slice of cake