Thursday, November 26, 2009

Giving Thanks

We get so wrapped in the daily incidents, happenings, anecdotes of our lives, that at times we forget to breathe. You know, the long inhaled, purely satisfying, mind relaxing type of breathing. And, then when we get 5 seconds to do that, we are already on to the next challenge in front of us. But, not today. Today is meant to truly just stand still, look around with wonder eyes, and celebrate gratitude - for everything that we are, that we have and that we would like to become. Our thanks can be shown in forms other than just words. Whether its by helping the elderly neighbor by taking them for a walk or by donating clothes to Salvation Army or by just hanging out with the lovely grandparents, and reminiscing the glorious days of childhood. And, hey, what's better than celebrating the amazingness of this day with some delish food, huh huh?

So, here's wishing that the true essence of Thanksgiving resonates in your life - not just today, or the next day or the day after that, but every single day. Happy Thanksgiving!

Much love and hugs.

ps. Total gym workout  for me (post turkey and potatoes) starts 5 am tomorrow :)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Dilemma

Ok, I really had a bad hair today. It was so frizzy and poofy, I swear if birds had flown over it, they would have made nest out of it.
Such are the dilemmas sometimes :)

Monday, November 23, 2009

Style File - V2

Welcome to Style File day! Here's an outfit that needed a pair of earring to balance its heavy zardozi work and embroidery. And, ofcourse Banno Raani had just the right style - Meena Panna - a beautiful ambi shaped earring with delicate kundan work on dull gold plated german silver. Truly a masterpiece! 






Hugs!

ps. Meena Panna available in more colors.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Layered world

A couple of days ago, as I was walking towards the subway, my mind was lost in its own little complex layered world. 


On the ground floor of my mind, there was a list of things that I had to accomplish, and the issue was how do I accomplish them in the best way. Then on the first floor, there was a debate going on between whether I was making a difference (in my own small way) in the world, and if not, what I could do to achieve that. The top floor was occupied by the tenants of my mind who were evaluating certain roadblocks I was facing, and what could be some possible solutions. As I was zoned out to this buzzing chit chatter in my head - my eyes just happen to fall on the ground, and that's where I found my answer. See below:



This metrocard with its bold engraving of the word OPTIMISM was staring back at me with such a determined confidence, that I had to pick it up and tuck it away in the inside pocket of my jacket -close to my heart. Not only a smile washed over my face, the little complex layered world of my mind collapsed into a pile of happy and joyous disposition.


And, as you begin your fantastic week, I leave you with the same Optimism that has the power to wash away any of your doubts and quieten any buzzing chit chatter in your head :)


Hugs!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Moving

So, Kartik and I are moving to a new apartment, and it's been kinda busy - packing and all.

Moving always makes me feel sad and nostalgic. I don't know, something about leaving the house where I spent endless hours on the couch in front of TV,  debated on what to cook and then fidgeted with the ingredients in the cabinets, fixed the order of books on the shelf, arranged and then re-arranged my precious Lenox vase, crashed on the bed after a looong day at work - doesn't feel good. It's as if the house were my family, someone (or rather something) who has seen me through so much, and now I am leaving it behind.

And as we pack away the books, the vase and oh, my millionth candle (I love candles!), memories remain suspended in the air, like a mist in the mountains - you can see it, feel it, but not touch it!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Eternal river

I gaze at the empty space, and think what to write. Some thoughts flow like wind over water - gently grazing my mind, and then swishing away to eternity. While some thoughts stay put like oil over water - won't mix up, won't get dissolved, but just stay. I wonder what I should do with so many thoughts and so much thinking?

Amazing, our minds just cannot stay empty. Something or the other creeps up and keeps feeding it constantly.
Have you noticed how easy it is to get attached or attracted negative thoughts - oh, I won't get the job or I am not pretty or I won't win that contest or nobody loves me....you see how easily our minds hook on to such rather not so innocuous concepts. Trust me, when something doesn't go my way, I almost think to myself that maybe I don't deserve it or it is not for me. Time and again, I have done this and really, this type of thinking doesn't make things better at all. If anything, it makes me sadder. So, I sit and mull a bit more until I give up and run for that tub of ice cream to make myself feel better - and then that makes me unhealthy!!

And have you noticed how scared we are to think happy and positive thoughts because we don't want to jinx them or don't want to feel guilty of harboring too much of it. How silly is that? I mean think about it, you don't want to have happy or healthy thoughts because thinking too much of it is jinxing future good happenings.  I wish you could hear me scream 'lame', as I type this. Well, don't worry, I have been a culprit of committing this very lame crime too, but its time for a change. Because change is healthy and change is good.

Thinking happy thoughts allows us to have a happy state of mind. It allows us to see things in a positive way. If, for instance, that job didn't work out for you , its not because you are not smart or you don't deserve it, its because you deserve something much better, and that better opportunity is on its own smooth way to get to you. If it feels everything is working against you, you know, when the car battery dies, and you forget the wallet and phone at home and get stuck in the middle of nowhere without any communication - that kind of against, well,  what do you do? You DON'T feel bad for yourself. You dust yourself up, and walk towards finding a way (in this case a gas station) - you hold a deep trust in yourself and a positive thoughtful mind that you have the courage to get out of this situation - because you  WILL and voila! you DO. {If life gives you lemons, you make mohito!}

Honestly, when Shikha and I started talking about setting up our boutique, I kid you not, I immediately went on thinking negative thoughts, what if no one buys from us, what if we suck at selling, what if I cannot focus on this...and on and on my silly mind went. But, all it took was a switch to -- I can do this because I love design, because I have a very good eye for these things and because I have confidence in myself. That was it - my mind was made, and although there were tremors of doubts, I stood strong.

So, I want you to take a step - a step towards your good, happy future and KNOW that it belongs to you. I want you to dispel any negative thought or train of thoughts the minute it starts hitting your mind. All it takes is that little teeny tiny effort from you. The moment  you think of failure or disappointment, just change your mind to the beautiful bouquet your husband or friend sent you which reminded you how much loved and appreciated you are - and don't feel guilty when good, happy thoughts flow in your mind like an eternal river.

Hugs!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Of inspiration and aspiration

Inspiration is everywhere and anywhere. 


And, so when we think about Banno Raani, we look for inspiration in the fabulous artwork that is being done around us, in scores of fashion magazines, design websites and hey, even home furnishing catalogues! Influence of these sources allows us to truly understand the scope of a limitless possibility with designs. And in this spirit, we share with you a little glimpse of our aspiration(s)!


Happy Wednesday!


Relevant

How relevant is an umbrella in the wind?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Style File - V1

We may have answered some of your prayers for we present to you a weekly feature called Style File (ahem, sorry no brownie points for creative titles here). Yes, yes, we heard your emails and so this feature will address some perplexing questions, like - do you really need to be matchy matchy with your outfit and jewelry?? does purple contrast well with green? oh, what the heck should I wear with rusty orange sari?? do cows speak? (ok, that was just to throw you off!) But, you get the point.


Banno Raani stands for unique, elegant styles and you know you can count on us to be your stress busters!! The aim of this feature is to showcase an outfit and our statement earrings. Trust me, it doesn't get better than this!


Bonus: If you have an outfit, just email us a pic of it and will send you some online TLC in the form of perfect jewelry from the design book of Banno Raani (hello, bring on the brownie points now!). We will work with you to zap out any roadblocks/mind numb you may experience while prepping yourself for that big wedding or that cool cocktail party or that reception extravaganza!


You know, we love to make you feel pretty!!

So, here's a style idea for that rusty orange sari with one of Banno Raani's Mughal Charm earrings (also available in red/green color combination)....



Hugs!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Personal treasure, and Sunday thought

While driving back from Mom's house, I was mesmerized with the magic happening in the sky - the colors, the textures, the light was playing games with my senses. I wanted to feel it all and keep it all...like it were my own personal treasure.

I couldn't let the sensory explosion fade away to the rhythm of time. So, I preserved it. I parked the car on the curb, grabbed my camera, checked behind me if there was traffic coming, lucky that there was none- stood in the center of the road and made a profound click on the camera. And, below is my keepsake... my own personal treasure (barring the traffic signal ofcourse).




And, since another week is upon, I leave you with the following as you begin your fabulous week


Fighting against a sense of despair will only make it worse. Instead of letting despair feed on itself, do something positive and proactive to break the pattern.
When you become angry about being angry, that will only make your anger more destructive. The more intensely you feel your frustration, the more frustrated you will become.
The way out is to quickly and decisively break the pattern. Realize that the negative momentum is building and do something so completely unrelated that you knock it off track.
Don't make your negativity stronger by fighting against it. Instead, make it irrelevant and powerless by turning your attention and putting your energy in a radically different direction.
Be outrageously and unreasonably positive. Be funny and creative and ridiculous and joyful all at the same time.
Smile, laugh and be enthusiastic about life even when you have no reason to be. By breaking the negative pattern, you'll create many great reasons to smile.
-- Ralph Marston

Hugs

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Pure Joy

I type this lil' blog entry in frenzy as I squeeze few minutes away from Sana - she is pure joy, and I am blessed!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Papayalicious



While I was busy browsing for best sellers on the aisles of  a local bookshop, I halted when I came across this gorgeous note card set (pics below). It didn't take me more than two seconds to fall in love with the uber wicked design and packaging  that I ended up buying two boxes of the set! Hmmm, well, this gives me a good excuse now to send personal handwritten notes to my loved ones :) 
{sidenote: email has shot and killed the paper}
If you like what you see, then you can go to this delish website www.papayalicious.com and go crazy. They have insanely colorful and cool collection of journals, home decor and other splendid stuff! Oh, and they also have these wonderfully printed  folders for all your filing needs!!! I mean you can never have enough folders, let alone nice printed ones! Right??
 And, don't forget to give their blog a dekko. Your eyes will want to absorb every texture, image, style that pops up on the screen - and the experience will seems more like a sudden jolt of creative espresso.


Enjoy! 


Happy Friday!!





Friday

I slept last night, and then got up relatively early today. But, I don't feel tired or sleepy at all.
Maybe because its Friday.
Quite a few things on the agenda today, but I don't feel stressed or overwhelmed. Maybe because its Friday.
I am blogging in the morning today, and I don't feel the rush to to leave for work. Maybe because its Friday.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Bagel

A few days ago, Kartik was to pick me up from Great Neck train station, and because of timing clash, I had to wait for him at Dunkin Donuts right next to the station. Well, the wait part was a welcome (this time) because I got the opportunity to feast on the not so healthy stuff. And, boy, I really needed the not so healthy stuff.


So, as I helped myself to a toasted bagel with vegetable cream cheese and a hot hazelnut coffee, I heard a sudden cacophony. I turned around to see what it was and my eyes settled on a bunch of teenagers. Oh, them, I said to myself and rolled my eyes, took my delightful yummy things and made myself comfortable on one of the tables in the corner by the window. As I crumpled the bagel wrapper, the cacophony grew louder in an ascending manner. And, within seconds, it was hovering at the table right next to mine. My quiet corner was history. Well, as long as I had my bagel, I could live with that.


The conversations from the teenage group got intense and I couldn't help but let my ears be audience to some of the things they were saying. One of the boys talked about how the location of his locker was causing him stress. And, there I was, stressing about the next steps with Banno Raani. Then another girl interrupted and confided that she was going to get her hair straightened a la Japanese treatment as she couldn't deal with frizz anymore. And, there I could almost confess that my ambitions and goals could need some straightener for I didn't want my dreams to get any frizzier. 


Amazing, isn't it? How the pangs, the worries, the issues change in their intensity as we grow up. Life becomes a bit more layered and it gets a bit more difficult to classify things as pure black and white. Hmm, actually life becomes more blackish-purply-bluish-reddish-peachy-greenish-violety-white.


Well, there was more. Topics ranging from boys to eyeliner to girls to video games to who could dance off the fastest reverberated the closed confines of Dunkin Donuts.  The teenage mob had almost smothered me in their simple yet highly anxious life.


But, as long as I had my bagel, I could live with that.


Hugs!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Brett Favre

Today I heard a someone's phone ringtone, and I swear it sounded something like this...Brrretttt Faaavre - Brrrettt Faaavre - Brrrettt Faaavre

Happy Wednesday lovely people!  : D

Monday, November 9, 2009

Believe

When something doesn't seem to be going my way, I just take a deep breath and believe. Believe in my faith and believe in my hope. And, yes, that really sees me through. Its tough, it takes time and it really tests my patience. But, since my eye is on the final outcome, I go through all this to eventually come out a winner.

Yes, I persist because I believe.

Hugs!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sunday Thought

Kartik and I spent most of yesterday and then some few hours in the evening today with Sana. I admit, I can't get enough of her!!! My lil munchkin :P

A new week is here, so I leave you with the following as you begin your fabulous, fun and fierce week:


From the same exact situation, two different people can achieve two remarkably different results. Why is that?
Because the results you achieve are not determined by the situation itself. The results you achieve are determined by what you choose to focus on.
If you focus on all the things that could go wrong, your mind will find a way to make those things really happen. But that's not what you want, is it?
Instead, give yourself an empowering focus. Lock your focus solidly on the positive possibilities.
Think in great detail about the good and valuable and desirable outcomes. Without question or hesitation, your mind will begin finding realistic, workable ways to make those good things happen.
Carefully and intentionally guide your focus to the best place you can imagine. And your focus will, in turn, take you there.
-- Ralph Marston

Much love and hugs!

Friday, November 6, 2009

Ting Ting

I am a very deep sleeper. Sometimes even the alarm cannot wake me up. So it was very interesting that I woke up at 4:30am today morning by the sound of nothing but a little beep on my phone, which was lying in the living room downstairs. The soft 'ting-ting' of the text message just woke me up as if it was some blaring trumpet in my ear and I had to go downstairs to check what it was all about.

I noticed the message was from Dhruv (my brother-in law) and it simply said "Going to hospital; baby will be coming today." I just let out a loud "yesss" and clapped my hands in joy. I ran upstairs to wake up Kartik and let him know that the d-day had arrived and that I will leave for the hospital asap. I then called up Dhruv and told him I would be on my way soon. I was sooo excited and happy and couldn't believe my lil cutie niece was almost here!

As I drove to the hospital, I just kept imagining my sister donning a new role - that of a mother, and how alien that sounded to me. I mean, wow. I think I can't justify the feeling in words, but I am sure you get the point. I also watched the sun rise and prayed and thanked Ganeshji for such a beautiful start to the day. I was uber excited. As I reached the hospital, I found parking right in front of it, so I quickly parked, locked the car and ran with big steps towards the waiting room. Mom and Aunty (Shikha's MIL) were already there, anxious like me. We exchanged hellos and huge gushing smiles.

After 2 hours, sweet Sana was born and made me an Aunt just like that!! She also promoted my parents as well Dhruv's parents into grandparents - and most of all Shikha and Dhruv into mommy and daddy. How incredibly insane is that!! Parents!! And, when I finally got to see Sana, my heart melted and I just couldn't take my eyes off her. She is such a darling and I love her with all my heart!

Oh, I am so glad for the 'ting-ting' on my phone!!

Hugs!

ps. Will be posting pictures soon!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Anniversary

Yesterday Kartik and I celebrated three years of our wedding bliss. It was a very low key, personal affair with endless laughter, continuous gazing into each other's eyes and lots of tortilla.

Before we decided on the fusion mexican restaurant, Kartik and I walked the cobbled streets of downtown NY, searching for the perfect place to celebrate our happiness. The air was heavy with a sharp cold edge to it, and the sky was a dark envelope with starry glitters sprinkled all over. We held hands, and recounted days when we had come to these same streets as a "prospective" couple, not knowing what the future held for us then. But, the excitement was still the same and the love still strong.I still can't believe it has been three years!

The night just flew by as we sipped on margarita (for me) and beer (for him) and talked about our future. I guess time flies when there are endless laughter, continuous gazing into each other's eyes and lots of tortilla!

Here's a picture from our wedding









 







Hugs!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

I was hit by a talking hand.

Yes, you read that right.

I was blackberrying like crazy on an urgent issue in the elevator, when all of a sudden I felt a whack on the side of my shoulder. I looked up from my addictive device, and noticed a man blabbering about his dinner to his friend with huge hand actions - I think it was when he was describing  chicken pot pie with his hands, that my shoulders got in the way of his descriptive excursions. Ofcourse he apologized, but grrrrr!!

Darn these blackberries, and darn these men with expressive hand movements!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I admit

I admit, I was selfish today.

In the morning, I was all groggy eyed and clinging on to the handle bars in the train, when the train stopped at a station, and the person sitting in front of me got up and left. I was sooo relieved and happy to find the seat that I sat down with the speed of a bullet. I was placing the bag on my laps, when someone appeared in front of me. I noticed the hands first, and saw quite a few age lines zig zagging here and there. Then I looked up and noticed her. Her face was not so filled with lines, and her eyes were hidden behind dark sun glasses. I reckon she was probably in her early 50's. But, I did not get up to give her a seat. I just looked at her and then looked back on the bag balancing on my laps. Yeah, I did not get up to give her my seat. I should have, but I was so burdened with tired eyes and no energy, I became selfish.

The day is almost over, and I can't help but reflect on my actions for the day (I usually do this before going to sleep). This particular incident was the highlight (well, not in a good way though) and something I wish I could undo. So...

I promise to be more chivalrous next time.

I promise to learn the art of sleeping while hanging onto the handle bars in the train.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sunday Thought

As you begin your new week, I leave you with the following message for the night..
Your thoughts are more powerful than you can ever realize. For there is a part of you that faithfully puts each thought into action without question.
Your thoughts affect every part of you in ways much too numerous to ever keep track of. Each thought sets off a cascade of responses within you that cannot be stopped.
What you think, affects where your life goes. For each thought is magnified and manifested through the whole of your existence.
Positive thinking empowers much more than your thoughts. Negative thinking can dismantle every part of your life.
You always have a choice of what to think. When making that choice, always remember each thought has great power that continues long after the thought has passed from your consciousness.
Though thinking does not make it so, thinking makes you make it so. What you think becomes what you live.
-- Ralph Marston


For more of Ralph' s fabulous motivation, please visit his website at: www.greatday.com!


Have a wonderful week ahead!

Hugs!

ps. I am back to the old template -- kinda' missed the full page placement. Hope you guys like it too : )

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