Serendib Kids

The mehndi at Kavi’s sari day party was a huge hit — many people attending had never had mehndi done before, and the artist we found worked very fast, so everyone who wanted some decorating got some, I think — Kavi even got to go back at the end and have a second hand done. […]

My mother couldn’t be at Kavi’s sari day party; she’s in care these days, and it would have been both challenging and traumatizing for her to manage the airport, etc. to be here. It was sad for all of us — Amma would’ve loved seeing her granddaughter all dressed up in a sari for the

Kavi enjoying her sari day party with a host of her friends. It kind of bewilders me, how popular and lovely she is at 16; I was such a geek by comparison. But bewildered in a good way. I did have friends! Good friends! But Kavi often seems like a gorgeous butterfly, surrounded by a

I melt.

A little more decor for Kavi’s sari day party — recycled sari-silk pennant bunting, which I’m planning to hang on the fence in my back garden this summer. From Etsy, link in comments — I could’ve made these myself, but for $17 per bunting strand, I was very happy to have someone else do it.

A little bit of South Asian garland decor for Kavi’s sari day party — thanks go to Gian Gandhi, I think, for hanging these! I basically got to the venue, threw them at someone and said, “Do something with them!” I like the result! I’m not sure exactly when I’ll use them again, but maybe

Okay, I have a critical party hosting tip for you. Let me share one of my secrets: entertain the children! If the kids are happy, the parents can relax. I had a crafts table at the party — I’d printed out free coloring sheets of women in saris, elephants, mehndi patterns, etc, with crayons and

There had to be one. I don’t know how long I’m going to keep this mix of silver / light blonde / dark blonde hair (sometimes it feels a little stark against my skin?), but it does go very nicely with my sari blouse. The sari is one of my mother’s, and we couldn’t find

Relatives at Kavi’s sari day party. I am madly in love with Michele Jayk‘s deep blue and gold outfit, and would be thrilled to find one in my size. Something to hunt for! Basically, I want to go around looking like a starry night, all the time. Or a tree. Or a forest full of

I happened to have a South Asian-style easel — I think I picked it up at Nadeau many years ago — which made for a great holder for this welcome sign. Mostly, it sits in the basement, but sometimes we paint canvases on it (more Kavi than me).