flysongbird

Oasap Giveaway!

2013-05-17T13:15:00.000+05:30

I have another giveaway for you guys! It's by Oasap. I am pretty sure you have seen them around the web. They have awesome trendy pieces for reasonable prices.Check out their fabulous platform/creepers collection starting from 39$ only!

Enter the giveaway to win any one of the following pieces.

All you have to do to enter:

Sign up as a member of www.oasap.com and leave the email id you use to sign up in comments below
Follow Oasap on at least one of these platforms - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram. Do mention where you followed in the comments as well.
Follow me via GFC or Bloglovin or Facebook
For brownie points tell me which one you would like to win. (click on the links to view the products properly)

Open world wide
Giveaway ends 27.05.2013

Yes, another birthday giveaway!

Enter it and make me happy.

Shop The Ramp

2013-05-14T19:33:00.000+05:30

How often have you stared at the model sashaying down the runway and wished to get your hands on that particular design she is wearing? Countless times. How often had you had to resign to shop for something similar from some high end store instead? Well that's all great and wonderful if you are someone who would rather spend on that than an original. Do I hear you yelling at me, " Of course I would love to own the original! Who wouldn't!!?". But where do you get your hands on it from? In your dreams obviously unless you are one of those lucky sods who have exclusive access to the magical designer back stage where these clothes fly off the ramp into the hands of the highest bidder. Huh! Errr...provided that's how things work. No? They don't? Okay then lets go back to dreaming. Or...stay tuned and read on laddies (according to UrbanDictionary this is what ignorant people think the Scottish call each other all the time -_-')...

Shop The Ramp by debiparna-chakraborty on Polyvore

Ever dreamt of being able to exclusively shop next season's collections straight off the ramp ? So far, you might have resigned yourself to the fact that this will probably remain just that, a dream. Now no longer.

Converting your dreams to reality for the first time in modern history is www.shoptheramp.com, launched by three graduates of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; who left plum jobs in management consultancies and investment banks to dive head-first into the ethereal world of Indian fashion.

ShoptheRamp is a unique concept that brings legendary Indian designers and their ardent devotees closer than ever before in an unprecedented celebration of creativity. This uber-luxe website allows its by-invitation-only, creme-de-la-creme clientele to pre-order next season's, straight-off-the-ramp collections of top Indian designers today through limited-time online trunk shows, run days after the conclusion of the physical fashion show. Fashion-lovers can place their orders for any of the pieces in the collection by paying a booking deposit up front and — voila! — three months later, the items arrive on their doorsteps in a stunning package, before anyone else can lay so much as a fingernail on them.

The site hosts an eclectic mix of styles with top fashion mavens such as Agnimitra Paul, Niki Mahajan, Manoviraj Khosla and Nida Mahmood, among several others, already on board. A big part of ShoptheRamp's appeal is the freedom it gives shoppers to select directly from designers, rather than from a group of styles edited by a retailer. From the designer's perspective, this provides them a platform to sell their most creative pieces that are not typically ordered by more conservative retail buyers.

Not only does ShoptheRamp carry forward the legacy of the couturiers of a sepia-tinted era, who mesmerized the erstwhile maharanis with their timeless drapes showcased during private trunk shows, but also successfully blends it with the increasingly important modern phenomena of online retail. The result is the quintessential elixir that fashionistas will surely savor for the times to come.

Join the site here

https://shoptheramp.com/signup/4ea91c52fa7903c73a554c5d16d21c6c71a8c839

_______

Pop-up Restaurant - Nepali Cuisine - Happy Times

2013-05-10T17:08:00.000+05:30

Last Sunday Johanne (owner of Scoop) invited me over to her pop-up restaurant.
Location? ~ Her beautifully decorated lush backyard full of fairy lights and gyp filled coke bottles on white tables, decked up with a personalised bar.
To have what? ~ Delectable Nepali food .
The ambiance was soothing, the food was light and delicious and I gave brownie points to Johanne because she had arranged for fans for an evening just hot and humid enough to mess up with your hair. The atmosphere was cozy, it was like sitting among friends and acquaintances, there was a low chatter coming from the people under a slightly cloudy sky and there was music floating in from somewhere into the light of the hanging lanterns.

There were all sorts of drinks, cocktails and shots; jell-o shots, phuchka shots and even ganna(sugarcane) shots. The food was delectable.

dress - c/o IKNOW; featured *here*

happy smiles

how to get the shot

with Bridgette Jones (in the middle)

with Raima Sen (2nd from left)

the sand and gyp in coke bottles beside candles was a nifty DIY idea

the food!

Pooja, Johanne, Anupriya, official photogs of the day Rana da and Ritchik busy taking a shot

♥

The Revolutionary Act Of Being Seen

2013-05-06T21:00:00.000+05:30

For the longest time the primary battle women had to fight was that of invisibility and inaudibility. In a household the women were to go around taking care of things while not being seen doing so, a good woman didn't let anyone know she works hard or works at all. A good woman let her man(father or brother or husband or son) say the final word. But we are not just women, we are people. We will be seen and heard. And keep working for a future where our counterparts in other repressive regions get a say in their own lives if not today then at least tomorrow. We will not be shamed or despised for who we are. Women are shamed, ridiculed, their bodies mutilated in various parts all over the world. They are stereotyped and mocked. It happens everywhere. And it needs to stop.

Misogynist - if you are a man, I loathe you for bathing in your male privilege. Misogynist - if you are a woman, I pity you that you still do not see.

I am sharing a few rad articles and photos I came across the internet in the past few days which made me feel happy that these people exist. Something I would never have known if the big bad internet did not exist. After all the internet is making people accountable for injustice a little bit more day by day.

Just read the comments *here*. I thought I was the only one! I went to the doctor with severe foot pain and this is the advice he gave me. I had to resort to google to fix myself ultimately. My problem was not weight related at all.

❝The possibility that someone above a size 14 could be comfortable enough with her body to wear, say, a crop top simply does not exist for many people...(1) Most girls I know (of any size) dress for themselves, not anyone else...(2) I’m sure some women (again, of any and all body types) are dressing to get attention. And guess what? That’s OK too!❞

❝Since fat bodies are so politicized, dressing them becomes a political act; I’ve talked to a lot of fat girls who choose to wear loud outfits precisely because they want to be visible in a world that tells them they should hide. ❞

Because You Can: Make ’Em Look; Rookie Mag

Read this article to find out how a Facebook campaign helped Saudi women in passing the new law that provides a rare and welcome opportunity for female employment.

❝I had just told him about a date that had deeply hurt my feelings and another whose reaction to rejection had bordered on harassment. His idea of an equivalently mean act was someone showing up on a date at a size he deemed unacceptable.❞

❝How are they so confident that there is no one overweight in my life, past or present, that I love and care about and don’t want to hear reduced to a punchline?❞

The More Weight I Lose, The More Fat Jokes I Hear; xojane.com

I am not hiding my body just because it offends your tiny brain; via

❝And I felt great. From now on, I'm not going to say a word. I'm going to just stand there, fearless, and put the shame and negativity where it belongs: on the perpetrator and not the victim.❞

A Day Without Headphones: My 24-Hour Street Harassment Diary; xojane.com

We have all faced it. We have all just inserted our headphones and walked on.

You never know where a person stands in their journey. Stop judging. Stop reducing them to punchlines. Stop harassing. Stop being a dick in general.

ELLE Coffee Mornings - Outfit

2013-05-05T15:07:00.000+05:30

Just a few more photos from that day. Anupriya Dg took them and send them today. So I am sharing it here as proof that I smile when I am around people.

Dress - c/o Sugarlips
Long Chain Necklace - Chemistry

OOTD - Ideas For My Indian Summer Days

2013-05-04T11:56:00.001+05:30

I am going out to meet up with some friends today and I am thinking of wearing something like this mood board I created here. Let the heat die hard today.

OOTD Ideas by debiparna-chakraborty featuring hippie hair accessories

enjoy
the
weekend

ELLE Coffee Mornings, Calcutta

2013-05-01T20:35:00.001+05:30

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

Indus Pride - Strangebrew Experience, Photo Diary

2013-04-27T20:56:00.000+05:30

Indus Pride is India's first specialty beer brewed with Indian spices. On 25th April I went to Tantra at The Park to experience the unique concept of Strangebrew in association with Bangalore folk rock band "Lagori". The crowd consisted of cultural influencers and trendsetters of the city in the field of art, food and music. We got to taste the Citrusy Coriander brew paired with a free flow of delicious entrees. They have three other unique brews - Citrusy Cardamom, Spicy Fennel and Fiery Cinnamon. A stand up comedian also entertained us before the band took the stage, questioning young medical students in attendance about their alcohol habits. I thought if only they knew what other things medical students practice apart from, well medicine. Anyway without further ado here are a few photos of the event.

the stage is ready

Citrusy Coriander Brew

Orange Tank Top - Myntra, Slouchy Pants - Chemistry, Shrug - Vero Moda, Gladiators - Charles & Keith; pic c/o Deepa

Deepa, Anupriya and Animesh were the other bloggers who attended the event with me

debuting my new haircut on the blog; pic c/o Deepa

illuminated

Lagori

bye!

No Way No Future - Just Eat The Rich

2013-04-22T18:38:00.000+05:30

I love love love these shoes I came across on tumblr.

They would be mine by now if I knew where to get them from.

adios

This Thing Called Blogging ... And Life

2013-04-19T16:39:00.003+05:30

Some realisations come with time. The more I spend time with the camera I feel more confident and push away thoughts of what others might have to say about the photographs. It comes with time I guess. Initially I would use Photoshop for minor colour tone and brightness adjustments, I don't care how much manipulation I do now as long as the end result is exactly what I had in mind or close to it. It is easy to let feedback limit your idea of what your capabilities should be and how much you dish out, but it is refreshing to shake it off and push that boundary anyway. As an unspoken protocol dictates we must not divulge how much we charge for the various promotions of brands to others. Why? Because apparently to some it is tacky to talk about how much you earn, right? I say, "Boohaki!" (yes that was a F.R.I.E.N.D.S reference). It will be considered shameless bragging and it would be rather annoying if you go around telling everyone you know how much/little you earn but if anyone personally approaches you for help with advertisers you should help without being a d-bag. I have received as well as shared my knowledge freely. And this goes for every other aspect of blogging. If you get an invitation to cover an event then let them know of the other bloggers in your town that you know of and would be interested in attending.
a)It is the case of the more the merrier. I have made friends who share my passion for fashion/photography/blogging and we meet up from time to time and share more about life than blogging. I don't need to watch what I say or do as I feel comfortable in their company.
b) There have been events I got invited to because one of these people let them know of me/my blog and vice versa. Isn't that one of the perks of blogging, being able to attend events you won't get a chance to otherwise? And you were going to get deprived just because the PR person didn't know you existed.
But building a system of people you can count on is not restricted to just blogging. I am not a big people person and often expose an ugly argumentative side that has helped me burn many a bridge in the past. I often questioned my mother as to how she manages to know and be loved by as many people as she does wherever she goes, some times frowning upon it and she always said, "You never know who will come in to be there for you." I agree with her now and I try to play nice with even those who I feel don't like me much. We all need someone to at least be able to talk to and no matter how independent you are, how kick-assly self-reliant you are you would realise how important it is to have someone/anyone/a group of anyones you need to talk to when you are really down in the gutter, from where even the stars get obliterated with hazy fumes of depression. Maybe having lost someone recently is making me talk this way. But all I know for sure is that I would always have someone to talk to, to turn to as long as my best friend lives.
I like knowing that I have made a few more friends thanks to blogging around whom I don't need to watch myself too carefully. I really don't know how to wrap this post up. I am just going to leave it here. And hope to come back soon with something with a more cheerful ending hopefully. After all there is too much gloom all around and we all need escape routes to get away from it all. My blog is my biggest refuge whenever I need to get away. I am going out to get wet in the rain with my best friend now. Pray that the clouds don't run away before drenching our hearts.

bidding adieu with this unimpressive portrait of blue