This spring I'm kicking off a new series called Currently Coveting, to celebrate the two-year anniversary of my blog! Here, I'll share some of my favorites at the moment - ranging from recipes, ideas, art, fashion, technology, and more. 

Can't decide between a skirt or pants? Neither could I. Enter: the palazzo pant. I stumbled upon this chic little number while searching for casual trousers to wear to work--something more comfortable and breathable than jeans, but still professional. I was intrigued by the sleek form and striking color combination, and loved the risqué slits along the sides. The bow tie at the waist is a cute detail that streamlines the silhouette and counter balances the wide legs. I must admit, I felt a bit cheeky wearing these to work, and I recommend checking the wind speed when you plan to wear these--but they were a huge hit! Plus, these transition very well as day-to-night wear. Helloooo happy hour!

I moved to a small studio (like, really small) at the beginning of this year and challenged myself to find creative ways to make my tiny home feel like ME. I work for an interior design/tech company that evaluates your style and gives you product recommendations. Over the course of two years, I've learned that I prefer for my style to reveal itself, organically. I purchased a few things (like this marble tray from Target, Malm dresser from IKEA, elephant stand from a thrift store), as minimal 'bases' but am accessorizing with bits and bobs I've collected through my life. Here's a few vignettes of my trials! 

I remember drinking this delicious, earthy, satisfying drink as a kid--except we didn't call it golden milk! Like countless other products of Indian culture, this beverage was co-opted by the West and turned into a money-making commodity that's now served in cafes across the country as well as sold by various online wellness companies. Indignation aside, Golden milk, a.k.a 'Turmeric Latte', is a milk prepared with cooked spices (the main one being turmeric) that is incredibly nutritious, has super-healing properties, and tastes amazing. All my aunts and grandmothers used to make a cold variation of this Ayurvedic drink called 'badam kheer' (made with ground almonds, milk, and the spices), as well as a hot version called 'payasam' (kind of a sweet soup made with milk, the spices, nuts, and tapioca). This drink helps boost immunity and is anti-inflammatory as well. In college, I would drink this twice a day to ward off the winter sickness. Here's an easy recipe!

Ingredients
2-3 tbsp turmeric powder
1 tsp ginger powder
1 tsp cardamom
1 tsp saffron
1/2 tsp cayenne powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup water
coconut oil 
honey
milk of choice (My favorite is coconut or almond. Note: if you have a cold or sinus congestion, I don't recommend making this with dairy milk, that can actually make the congestion & mucus production worse!)

Step 1: Golden Paste
In a saucepan, heat the water until it starts bubbling. Add in the turmeric, ginger, cardamom, saffron, cayenne, pepper, and cinnamon and stir together. Let everything cook for 10-12 minutes or until it reduces to a paste-like consistency. Let it cool and transfer the mixture into a small jar (it will stay fresh up to two weeks, when stored in the fridge).

Step 2: Golden Milk
Add a cup of milk into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add about a teaspoon (more if you're sick!) into the milk and stir until it's evenly mixed. Then turn off the heat and add about a tablespoon each of coconut oil and honey. If you have a milk frother and are feeling bougie, go for it!

Creative Mornings is a lecture series that I've been attending for two years. It's a fabulous organization that hosts a breakfast lecture every month, in cities around the world! Each month, they choose a theme and bring in a speaker (an industry professional with relevant work to the theme) to talk. The lectures are hosted at really cool companies that volunteer their space for the event, and breakfast is usually donated by some of their partners. The event starts with a 30 minute mingling/networking session at 8:30am, followed by a 45 minute talk on the theme. They end with a 15 minute Q&A to encourage audience participation. I've met some really neat people at these events and it's always a lovely way to get some inspiration before heading into work on a Friday! Highly, highly recommend you check this out. 

Hope you enjoyed reading about some things that have inspired me lately! 

Spring is officially here! The arrival of spring means many things - new life in the animal and plant kingdoms, and a chance to "spring clean" and start fresh. However what I look forward to the most are the style changes- especially the unique patterns and vibrant colors. Fashion has always intrigued me as a form of art. I see it as the "second skin" that allows us to communicate the most intangible element of our humanity - personality. I love wearing bright, funky colors and patterns regardless of the season or what my "color analysis" might dictate. If I'm feeling down, dressing up literally brightens my mood. Since I was a kid, I've filled sketch books with fashion illustrations inspired by various cultures and styles.- likely due to my cross-cultural upbringing. Growing up, visits to India always included the tradition of custom-stitching churidhars. We'd go to a textile store, pick from a diverse array of fabrics, and finally entrust them to a neighborhood tailor with design specifications. It's a cheap process- the cloth usually totals around Rs. 400 (~$6), and the tailoring cost starts around Rs.300 (~$4.50). You could get an entire custom sewn outfit for under $11! As a born-and-raised American with strong Indian roots, mixing Indian prints with western designs and vice versa felt like the ultimate expression of my split identity. On a trip to India in 2014, I designed an A-line dress with a retro boat neck and Anarkali-inspired pleating. I found a gorgeous pink fabric with a multicolored batik pattern on the border. I gave the tailor my design and instructions, and she stitched it beautifully! My favorite part is the evidence of human touch- little stitching imperfections that give the garment personality- one strap is wider than the other, and the belt loops are misaligned. I think it's funky and unique- perfectly suitable for me! ​

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