Adrenalize 2013

The world of blogging has opened up so many opportunities to me that I can't even stop talking about it once I start! I'm thankful to my whimsical self for suddenly coming up with the idea of having a personal space where I could rant all I wanted. Who knew I'd actually get hired for covering awesome events,thanks to all that ranting?
                                                                                                       I've always been interested in the media but getting professionally hired to cover events like hotshot press people is something else. Credit goes to Ginger Claps for bringing out the page 3 reporter side of me. Without them,I'd have been just another wannabe clicking pictures of myself in regular outfits and trying to get her voice heard. After the first wine tasting occasion Four Seasons came up with at Oasis(and treated us bloggers to yummy delicacies
paired with yummier wines,if I might add),it was time for the annual gym party at the Tolly Club sponsored by Four Seasons and ITC Sonar. When Four Seasons was there,I just knew that the party couldn't have got any cooler. The icing on the cake?We were to be given unlimited wine! So,all us Kolkata bloggers decided that this is one party we CANNOT miss at any cost!
                                                    We reached the venue around 7 p.m. and were asked to participate in the
wine trail if we were interested. We decided to go in and start drinking instead.So,imagine our disappointment when we found out that the winners of the wine trail were to be given,well,what else,wine as gifts. The wine bottles served at our table helped us get over the disastrous consequences of our actions. In order to console us heartbroken alcoholics,a very hospitable Mr. P.P.K.Mitter took us to the photo-booth where we could not only get ourselves clicked against the brand logo but get the printout of the pictures in a flat fifteen minutes! Even though the models with the watch-glass figure who were there to click pictures with us gave me a complex,the excitement of showing my mom that I finally am taking my baby steps towards becoming quite the social butterfly(yes,for her,photographs are only those that come in a piece of paper)overcame everything. The horse racing started in no time and amidst the fun and laughter started the two biggest attractions of the evening-the live dessert demonstration by eminent chefs from ITC Sonar and the grape-stomping. Megha,being the fitness freak she is,wasted no time in getting ALL the healthy cooking tips from the chef while taking down a few notes. Post-cooking,it was time to pounce upon the healthy dessert made using Four Seasons wines,masacarpone,pears etc. Contrary to our expectation,we got to know that dessert needn't always be sweet,it's just a preparation we end our meals with.The dessert the chef made wasn't too sweet and that's why I could see myself finishing off kilos of it without feeling even slightly guilty.To add to our culinary vocab,the chef gave us hard copies of the recipe too. The grape-stomping turned out to be THE event that night! We all had eew-eewed at the idea of making someone else drink our feet. Worse,we were thinking what if I end up drinking my own feet? But once we decided to shed our inhibition and just get in there,it proved to be one of THE most exciting things we've ever done! We were too busy having fun to even take a picture! Post fun session,emcee Gunjan announced that it was time to hit the dance floor. After more than one serving of chicken tikka,paneer tikka and mutton hyderabadi biryani with salan,thanks to our free food coupons,we were definitely in a mood to burn some calorie. DJ Happy's scintillating beats set us grooving in no time. Debi made her debut on the dance floor and had quite a time. But then,that we all did. I can't thank Four Seasons and Ginger Claps enough for inviting us to be a part of the event! Okay,I'll shut up now and let the pictures do the talking. I've one outfit post coming up too but more on that later. Take care and keep it stylish,y'all!

A new year without resolutions

Red blouse and checked jacket-Metro Plaza,black shorts,ring and stockings-New Market,sling-Simpark Mall,shoes-B.K.Market

Even though 2013 started with a whiskey shot,as the crescendo went higher in the nightclubs near my place,I lost myself in my dreams with my best friend sleeping next to me. After a few drinks are downed,the hookah starts to weave its magic and the world seems unbelievably happy. 2012 was a year of all things new. I got back to the dating game after years,I got into a B school,I started dancing at the parties,I tried to get over my obsession with dance and I fell in love with myself all over again. It was a year of success and failure. It was a year of accepting my flaws and being happy with them. It was a year of rediscovering myself. So,on 1st Jan,2013,around 2 a.m.,when I was sleeping peacefully in the arms of the girl who has always loved me unconditionally,I realised I was a content person. I have accepted my defeat as far as many of my earlier passions are concerned. I no more think that I have it in me to become a good dancer. I no more fight with my mom and tell her that I want to be alone because it's fashionably poetic. I know I'm not ready for a relationship. I probably would never be ready. But I know I don't want to die alone. I know the empty walls of my room give me the creeps. I know death doesn't smell like sweet baby breath and I know all my dark fantasies were fake. I love life no matter what I claim. I broke many promises and I'm hardly perfect. While stepping into the new year,I didn't want to fool myself with many more false promises. I want 2013 to be another year of imperfection. I want to make mistakes. I want to fall in love,again. I'm not afraid to fall out of love either. I want to laugh,I want to cry. I want to count stars and sleep with my mouth wide open. I want to live my life to the fullest even if that means losing out on a few 'opportunities for the betterment of my career'. I want to have fun with my friends and go to bed with no complaints. Who knew it'd take three bad relationships to make an optimist out of me?
                                                                The pictures are from the semi-meet I had told you about. I've not been able to meet my girls that frequently ever since college started. I more than made up for it in December with one meet and two semi-meets. This one happened when Sushmita came to Kolkata. I've been an ardent follower of her blog for years! So,Anu suggested we all meet for shopping. So,we went for a shopping extravaganza at B.K.Market first where all of them bought shoes except for yours truly(yes,contrary to popular belief,I don't shop impulsively. I buy everything after a lot of planning). Then we had chaat,phuchka and tikiya chhola at Lord Sinha Road,lusted over some more shoes at Lady Gaga,sat at the ground floor of Metro Plaza and had an enthusiastic discussion about Delhi men,Masaba Gupta and quirky prints. So,a fun day without making a hole in my wallet,you see.

Turning 23

Once I'm done having my fair share of fun on Christmas and NYE,the only occasion that I look forward to till Durga Pujo is probably my b'day. I not only love my b'day like anything, I want others to love it too. So, even though I drag my friends to walk for hours for finding the perfect gift for me, I believe in treating them to a hearty meal that day(not to mention anything about how insanely fun I tend to be on my b'day). This year, my friends decided to chip in to give me a hookah for my b'day. And, half of my class dropped by for a grand(low on ambiance, high on enjoyment) party at my place. I got a lot of gifts from them that I'd be wearing in my coming outfit posts. Till then,I'll leave you with the pictures and, I almost forgot, happy new year!

Shoes,bag,bird-print shirt-B.K.Market,white denims-Simpark mall,red blazer,rings-New Market,headband-Gariahat

The grilled or baked(read fried) fish,:-P

The main course spread

P.S. We played host to Sushmita when she came to Kolkata last week.  But, more on that later.

Kolkata Bloggers' Meet-II

You must not remember something called a Kolkata Bloggers' Meet. Mostly because it was AGES ago! A lot has happened since then. One of my best friends(and the only Engineer in the lot) Ayantika has moved back to the USA and hence,we are now short of one crazy member. But as they say,better late than never. So,we all decided to meet up for lunch on 22nd and long story short,it was one hell of a day! The girlie gossip sessions,baking in the sun,the not-so-good luncheon(me and Sayantani were the only ones who were not dissatisfied with their food) and a LOT of pictures! Check them out yourself.

Blue palazzo,white lace blouse,bag,pink pouch,pendants-B.K.Market,red blazer,ring-New Market,gladiators-Metro Plaza

P.S. We had a mini-meet today too but more on that later. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and are now geared up for a rocking New Years' Eve.

The peplum girl

Peplum-Howrah Bridge,green denims and kolhapuri-Shreeram Arcade,neckpiece-B.K.Market,feather earring-Emami,sling-Simpark Mall,headband-Gariahat

This is a post that has been in the shelf for a day too long. As you know,I'm too lazy(I like to call it busy) to blog most of the time and more so when the post happens to be as special as this one. No matter what I did,it just wasn't enough.
                                    If you are there in my Facebook friend list or you follow me on Twitter(yes,I've quite a few,you could stop rolling your eyes),you must have come across the peplum story. I got a peplum blouse made by Howrah Bridge one fine morning and the rest is history. Not only did it fetch me the most number of compliments in my entire life,I felt different. I felt empowered and pretty,for probably the first time since my fifth birthday. So,I thought letting you all know a little more about the lady behind the brand would be great. Let's hear it from Anupriya,a dear friend and one of the most talented young designers of Kolkata as she talks about her hopes,dreams and the brand's journey so far.

Anupriya posing in one of her collections at  the recently concluded exhibition at Underground,HHI

So,a born fashionista or fashion happened by chance?

A - Ummmm....tricky one at the very beginning! :P
I guess it was somehow in the genes - my Mom used to stitch pretty frocks for me, fishing out patterns & styles from a Kids Fashion book sourced from out of the country!


How would you describe yourself-a fashion-lover first or a fashion
professional?

A - Of course, a fashion lover!!
As for my profession.....I do what I love and I love what I do! :)


You've worked with renowned brands like Shoppers Stop,Vogue

India,Future Group and  Malhar Fashions Pvt. Ltd. What was that little

thing that kept you pinching at the end of the day that "no,this isn't

what I want to do. I'm meant for more than that."

A - Well....guess it was that complete satisfaction about what I was doing that was missing. I was working for others...was putting effort into something which I couldn't even call 'mine' at the end of the day.
Also, that sense of freedom was not there, as, at the end of it all, I was restricted by rules, processes & brand images. And being a creative individual, limits & restrictions felt like huge stones bound to my feet, weighing me down, when all I wanted was to soar high! So, eventually, I broke free....


How did the idea of 'Howrah Bridge' come up? Was it a calculated

move or a spontaneous one?

A - Absolutely spontaneous! It started off with making li'l hand-crafted brooches for myself as I found a dearth of good ones in the Indian market. Soon one thing led to the other and I was selling them online and locally, under the brand name of Howrah Bridge, eventually venturing into other accessories & clothes.


In stead of concentrating on just one thing,you're trying to make

'Howrah Bridge' a one-stop-solution-for-all. Isn't that a little too

risky?

A - To each her own, I'll say! I have fun designing all kinds of lifestyle products and apart from that, I even provide styling consultancy to people who are confused about their looks & dressing styles.
I'm designing products that I would love using myself and, fortunately or unfortunately, they range from clothes to jewellery to accessories to home decor! Not to mention, I have a whole lot more on my mind.....so ultimately, Howrah Bridge may turn out products that can fill the better part of a departmental store! :P

On a serious note, I actually love it when people come up to me and exclaim, "Oh! Now you have got laptop skins too! What else do you have up your creative sleeves?" Well....you all need to wait & watch, I would say!


What is it about 'Howrah Bridge' designs that sets them apart? To

put it bluntly,there are a thousand and one designer labels. Why

should a shopper pick 'Howrah Bridge' over the others?

A - Simple! Coz we'll make you stand out in a designer crowd as well. Always.
Our sensibilities are an eclectic mix of retro, quirky, smart, chic & simple - the right dose of both the traditional & the modern. Even when the whole world runs after what's "in", we do our own thing in a signature Howrah Bridge way....as a result, people endorsing our products turn heads, even in a room full of "in-trend" designer clothes & accessories.


What kind of clientèle do you have in mind while designing your pieces?

A - I design for everybody.
People who have a strong sense of style love the freshness & simple chic of Howrah Bridge products, while those with an aesthetic sense, but not enough confidence in their own sensibilities, like our vibrant appeal & accessible style.


Being a fashion blogger,you possess an immaculate dressing sense.

Does that help while designing your pieces? Because you know what

you'd wear and can therefore read the pulse of your buyer?

A - Well....I never though of it that way, but it may be true! I have confidence in what I wear and I know, even if people stare at some of my not-so-regular outfits (trust me, in Calcutta, they almost always do!), I hardy ever care. Whatever I wear, I know I can carry that off.
And that's what I want women who wear Howrah Bridge clothes, to do too! I want Howrah Bridge women to be confident of their style and of what they are wearing. Hence, I design clothes that I know a girl will be comfortable in, at the same time, feeling extremely unique & special in it! And *touch wood*, that's what most of them feel when they put on a Howrah Bridge piece! :D


A buyer comes to you and wants you to make something that you know

would definitely not suit her. What'd you do?

A - I would deftly dissuade her from her choice, explaining why it would not be flattering for her looks and advise her to go for cuts, colours & silhouettes that would suit her, of course!
Thankfully, most of my buyers have blind faith in my sensibilities & skills and they just come and say, "we'll opt for whatever you suggest!" So, I hardly ever have to face a crisis like this.


So,shopping at 'Howrah Bridge' isn't only about 'choosing and

buying stuff' but also a whole integrated experience as far as fashion

is concerned? Does every buyer go home being at least one percent

better dressed than they were?

A - I hope they do! Though they, or people around them, would be the better judge of that!! :)
I'm there to guide them & assist them in making them look their best, in hiding their weaknesses & flaws and highlighting their strengths & features. As far as I know, they almost always like what they see in the mirror, once I'm done and I've always seen them going away with huge smiles on their faces, so I guess, I've not done a very bad job of it!


Given the fact that within this short time span,you're one of the

names to reckon with,any further expansion plans?

A - Oh! LOTS, actually!!
I have just about started off........still have many more miles to go.......many more milestones to achieve! And with the love & support of all my friends, family & Howrah Bridge loyalists, I know this is going to be one amazing journey!!!


Working for the best boss in the world-your own self, blessing or curse?

A - The sense of freedom is unparalleled, I must say! But of course, being self-employed also has its pros & cons.
The worst part is that even when I feel like taking a break (something as little as reading a book or catching up on a favorite movie), my professional mind reminds me of a hundred tasks at hand that can be done in that time and my leisure cravings go for a toss. But then, that's because work always comes first for me.
Apart from these trivial miseries, life's good when you are your own boss. In fact, I'll say I'm the best boss I'd ever had! ;)

Do drop by her workshop at Tollygunge,near Malancha cinema hall for a lifestyle experience you'd never forget.

Ethnic day recap

Kalamkaari kurti,sling,ring,cuff-New Market,earrings-roadside stall at Lindsay Street,kolhapuri-Shreeram Arcade,dhoti pant-Simpark mall

I've been missing for a while,thanks to exams and now that I'm done with the worst semester of my life(fingers crossed things won't get any worse),I'm back with a bang! And due to the two failed relationships where I bonded 'intellectually' with the persons concerned,I'm in a super girly mood these days! So,shopping,hanging out with friends and partying top my list of priorities now. And I couldn't have chosen a better time for this mood of mine! I've at least five parties coming up before Jan! YAY to that! And I just got off phone with the amazing Anu and we have already planned the second Kolkata Bloggers' Meet! And in case you haven't seen the outfit I wore to our annual alumni meet at Hops,check out this space for more details in the coming week. Till then,keep it stylish.
                                                                           With love,
                                                                             Soumi

An unfinished conversation...

And then she whispered,"there's a blissful indifference you feel while staring at the brightly lit decked up buildings from your pitch black room,a ring of smoke escaping your mouth." "Ah,so you've been smoking",his lips curl up into a sad half-smile. "A lot",she replies. "And I still feel strange. Every night,before going to bed,I shiver. It's not that cold yet and it's scary. And then,I wake up a few hours after midnight-my pussy throbbing and a stranger sleeping next to me. A stranger in his blanket of shame. A stranger I brought home after a few shots. A stranger who couldn't satisfy me. A stranger and his defeated manhood. I miss you. I do. I won't deny that. But I'm thankful to you for giving me my pain back. It's the only thing in this whole world that I can call my own. You were never mine to begin with,why go into that?
                                                           And with the heartbreak, the dreams have come back too. The myriad colours almost blinding me in my sleep. Life seems familiar,all of a sudden."

Maxi dress,cardigan,neckpiece-B.K.Market,gladiators-Metro Plaza,sling-Simpark Mall,earring-Emami,headband-Gariahat