Weekly Project #2: Bastille Lyrics Art

2013 was the year I fell head over heels in love with Bastille. I love music and a lot of bands, but Bastille's albums Bad Blood and All This Bad Blood blew my socks off. I adore lead singer Dan Smith's vocals and the alternative-indie-synthpop music is beautiful. Music that sends shivers down my spine and gives me goosebumps is always good. These albums do both. :)

I have seriously thought of giving it the number 2 position in my favorites list after American Idiot by Green Day, an album that is deeply connected to my high school / teenage years. I'm sure a lot of 90's kids can relate.

So, as this [past] week's project, I composed a sort of lyrics artwork. I'm no artist and the best I could come up with is combining the two albums' cover art. I overlapped the letter art of All This Bad Blood with the album art of Bad Blood and voilà, I had a sort of mini-poster. The catch is that everything is "painted" in letters - the lyrics of all 24 songs. It was quite the task, but I think it was worth it. (No doubt, I have a huge margin for improvement. But these activities were devised to make me make art!)

The Final Piece:

All This Bad Blood - Bastille

The Inspiration:

Bastille - Original Cover Art

Rough Sketch:

Pencil Sketch and Design Scheme

Work in Progress:

All Lettered Out

Looks cool under flash...

Materials Used:

White Royal Executive Bond Paper
0.5 red and black gel pens
water-based gold paint
Ujala paintbrush in number 1

So what do you think? It didn't turn out the way I had imagined it, but I still think it's cool. I may get it laminated. What's your current fave band?
I also think it's worth mentioning that this band does amazing covers. Give them a go if you haven't already. (In case you haven't, where have you been?)

Playing Bastille on loop,
Ekta

If You Give a Girl a Bigger Purse...

...she will find a way to fill it to the brim.
She'll drop in her wallet, then notebook, and pens.
Then in go a gazillion or so lip balms and stains.
She'll tuck in her half eaten Cadbury Perk,
for comfort after a row with a bona fide jerk.
Sunglasses, a hairbrush, make-up bag, and change
are all, of course, essential things.
Don't forget your glass-bottled perfume and LOTR ring,
for without them how can you prove your true being?
Chewing gum wrappers, receipts, and hair pins 
are all lost in the depths of a glamorous lady's faux Birkin.

-an original poem

by Ekta from theotherekta

* takes bow * 

Thank you for reading bearing that. I'm NOT a poet, and boy, do I know it. Seriously, sorry, though. 

Come on ladies. Who hasn't fallen victim to this? We buy bags and proceed to stuff them with everything we think should go around the world with us. I recently bought a new handbag. And it's huge. Which is very typical of me, but really I shouldn't have. Especially because I had a choice in the exact same style for a more sane size and price. Never mind that now. What matters is that I like my bag and she looks like she can do her job well. 

Dark Raspberry Handbag 

I meant to hit the sales and look for an Esbeda (more my type and quirky) or Baggit (cliché and not my first choice), but had no time. So, instead, I had to settle for a bag I bought in a shop called "Rachana" in Vile Parle (East). (The "A's" are stylized as triangles à la my current fave band Bastille...it was meant to be.) The brand is called Dzine and I'm really hoping this bag lasts.

It has a simple design with three deep compartments and one outer pocket. The basic structure is a large wide-based central compartment sandwiched between two no-base pockets. I picked up the dark raspberry shade, but it's also available in navy blue, mustard yellow, hunter green, and black. After I brought it home I realized the handles are too long, I've never seen this sort of proportion, but I guess I'll have to give it a whirl.   

Anywho, I thought I'd use this opportunity (of buying a new bag), to discuss my habit of hauling around a dead load of things on my already burdened shoulders. Besides being terrible for our backs and shoulders, big bags are cumbersome in busy cities. People hate women who charge in and out of public transport towing large handbags. Do you do this? I totes get it. I am making a conscious effort to minimize the items in my purse. If you do carry a heavy purse, try to switch shoulders...to balance the pain. 

The only justification I can come up with for a large purse is that it can be used for self-defense against aforementioned jerks. 

Let me know if you would be interested in a "What's in my Bag" sort of blog post. I could do one after trialing my new bag for a few weeks.

Owner of a brand new bag,
-Ekta

  

LIEBSTER AWARD!

Back story:
I've tried to maintain blogs several times before. Yet, this is the first time I've been nominated for the Liebster Award! All thanks to Furnaz of Beauty Classyfied (check out her very cool blog here, I still can't get over how clever the blog name is).

Let's run through the basics:

What's a Liebster Award?
I think of the Liebster Award as an encouragement award for newbie bloggers. Getting one helps us not only to write (which is already our passion), but try to make new friends. Some people forget that a blog is an account of personal views that we have decided to make public. They get lost in the crowd, and what's worse, compare themselves to "famous or successful" bloggers. Remember, they were newbies too at one point. They too had less than 200 followers and worked hard (if you want to call this work).

Anywho, this award is sort of like a chain mail with a good cause. Each nominee tags 11 other newbie bloggers, and this keeps snowballing, resulting in a gigantic, fluffy snowball of bright-eyed writers who keep our community warm and fun. 

What else do you have to do?
The Liebster Award is also a tag, wherein the nominee answers the 11 questions asked by their Liebster fairy. But there's a catch. Every link in the chain has to create new questions for their fave newbie bloggers.

My answers to Furnaz's questions:
*Disclaimer* Favorite questions are so easy to ask, yet so hard to answer. So, imma just go with my gut and put down what feels right, now.

1. If all your makeup was taken away but you could keep 3 things, what would they be?
   Kajal/Kohl, a tinted loose powder (Mumbai humidity, yo), Lip Balm. Bam.
2. Favourite fashion item…
   A good ol' pair of great fitting, worn-in jeans.
3. Favourite blusher…
   Not really a blusher girl, tbh... I hope I find something, someday, though.
4. Favourite movie…
   My default answer to the question is Juno. But I love too many movies.
5. What/who inspired you to blog?
   I simply love writing. I always have. I studied science. (I hold an MSc in Microbiology, yikes, but I work as a writer.) This blog is my babble-board. It allows me to write what I want, when I want, without constrains. :)
   Also, I do love FleurdeForce and Zoella, who both happen to be vloggers now.
6. Leather jacket or fur jacket?
   Leather, hands down.
7. Tell us one makeup tip that changed your life.
   Follow the line from the outer corner of your eye for the perfect winged-liner.
8. Best advice you ever received from someone… (Does not have to be beauty related!)
   "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." What? Dumbledore totally counts.
9. What is your favourite era in terms of beauty or fashion…you know like  50’s 60’s etc.
   Ugh. This question is so hard! I had to refer to my trusty Vogue book make-up by Juliet Cohen to answer this. 50's is my final answer.
10. What is your staple party look- from beauty to fashion?
    Beauty: Dark smokey eyes. Tons of mascara. Red lip.
    Fashion: LBD. Black heels.
11. If there was one thing you could buy (money being no object) what would it be?
    I'm guessing this is a BFL-related question. A gorgeous pair of custom-made, black patent leather Christian Louboutin heels. *drools* 

I nominate these bloggers for the Liebster Award:
Kayla Marie: Kay & a cup of tea
Ellie: Elephant stories and more
Aurélie: Aurélie

Travelling Cat

Jenny: Very Jenny
Reina: His & Hers Fashion 101
Natalie: Thoughts, Randoms, and God-Knows-What...
Lacey: Say it with Lace
Chelsey: With Salt in My Hair
Anna: XX Chromosomes
Little Bling Ring

I also tag you! If you want, go ahead and answer these questions on your blog. Make sure to leave a link. And if you don't have a blog, leave your answers in the comments.

And my questions for you darlings:

1. Who or what inspired you to write and share a part of your world online?
2. You have time/patience for 1 make-up product. You grab...?
3. Favorite genre of books?
4. Are you an introvert or extrovert?
5. Favorite book or book series?
6. How much water do you drink everyday? Honestly.
7. Best gift you ever gave...
8. What or who makes you instantly happy?
9. Current style icon?
10. On a scale from "Allergic" to "Rehab", how much do you love Nutella?
11. What is the meaning of life? (Sorry, I'm an overthinker, perpetually stuck in an existential crisis.)
    If you rather not answer this, then just tell me your favorite 90's fad.  

This was oodles of fun. Merci beaucoup. 
-Ekta


PS: For those who are following my "Weekly Projects" series, I refuse to fail after just the first week. I am working on a piece, but it's not quite done yet. Spoilers: Music-ish + ink. Make of that what you will. I will post it some time before next weekend.

Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle (BFL): Trends, Tips, and Reviews

BFL, is my acronym for Beauty, Fashion, Lifestyle. Insert a few letters, and it reminds me of the word "baffle" or rather "baffled"; a feeling that I'm sure many of us have experienced in the beauty aisles of stores or rolling pages of online shops.

I am here to offer opinions and advice on how to become less baffled by all the choices out there. I'm no expert, but over the years, I've accumulated a bit of knowledge about home-remedies that work and save you money that could otherwise be spent on new goodies. I also have studied Chemistry for more than a couple of years and understand a bit of the gibberish at the backs of our beloved products' containers.

With regards to covering the entire spectrum of beauty, fashion, and lifestyle, I thought the best way is to make bite-size posts titled either "Trends", Tips", or "Reviews". I think this classification is pretty self-explanatory. I love cooking, so I might throw in "Recipes". But you guys already know that the genre of my blog is "Varied and Miscellaneous" if you're being generous, and "Confused-Girl-On-Internet" if you're being realistic. Easy-to-read bite-size nibblets though is what I promise!  

Before I start full-fledged posts on BFL related things, I thought I'd let you know a thing or two about what to expect.

1. I live in Mumbai (or Bombay), which is on the West coast of the tropical subcontinent of India. I've lived here for a long time (but definitely not my whole life). Any Bombay girl will tell you the weather is her biggest battle at keeping classy and presentable. The weather, pollution, and crowds, that is.
2. Since I live in Mumbai, most Western "drugstore or low-end" products are quite pricey, but not entirely unaffordable. This just means I have to think twice before buying anything 'coz if the product doesn't suit me or I don't like it for whatever reason, it will leave a dent in my wallet and I won't be able to replace the product till my next paycheck (if I'm lucky)! High-end products are things of dreams. One day I will splurge and spoil myself with something high-end, but, alas, not today.
3. I grew up in Nashville, USA. That makes me and Indian-American-Indian, or something like that.
4. I will only write reviews on things I have ACTUALLY used or tried. I'll try to keep these reviews as universal as possible, but sometimes they may be more useful for people who are living/shopping in India. If you plan on visiting India, this would be a great time to follow my blog!
5. Feel free to ask me questions, I'll answer them to the best of my abilities.

Fun Fact: I'm terrible at selfies. Proof:

theotherekta | Les Selfies

So who's excited for more heartfelt blog posts on beauty, fashion, life, health, and all that jazz? I know I am!

-Ekta 

 xoxo

Weekly Project #1: Harry Potter Deathly Hallows T-Shirt

I'm a huge Harry Potter fan and have been one for a very long time. I was one of the lucky kids that grew up with Harry and his mates at Hogwarts. I waited for my letter when I was 11 and every year after that. I pretended my castle-like school was the actual Hogwarts and that Chemistry class was Potions. Now, many years removed from the last Harry Potter book (and movie), and no time to reread a favorite from the series, leaves me with what I like to call "HP Nostalgia Strokes". The latest one ended with me painting my very own Deathly Hallows T-Shirt. Sure, one can buy a Deathly Hallows shirt anywhere, but there's a special feel to one you've poured your heart into. Plus, I love DIY.  

The combination of one of my most cherished art forms and fictional obsessions feels like the perfect debut for my "Weekly Project" series. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to indulge in this activity. It was relaxing when I wasn't obsessing over the intricacies of the perfect shape of the symbol itself; I promise I tried to keep my perfectionism at bay. I did have fun. The whole process took much longer than I initially anticipated. Let's just say I spent a few evenings after work completing one step at a time. 

First, there was the "stencil" to make. Remember Geometry? Turns out it's useful even after school. The design work took some revision and trial-and-error. I legit used a protractor, compass, and ruler, but the result was worth it. There are probably less geeky ways to draw an equilateral triangle with an inscribed circle and median, but I didn't mind this method. My true inner nerd was reveling. A little bit of Math never hurt anyone.   

On the second evening, I did the actual paint job and as I hadn't created a stencil (alas, I could find any contact paper in Mumbai), I just went for it with my paintbrush and black fabric paint. I traced my design carefully onto the pristine white cotton tee using a thin metal ruler as a guide for the straight lines. It worked remarkably well. As for the wonky circle, I guess it could have been much worse.  

Wet Paint: Cool New Deathly Hallows Graphic Top in the works

Close-up of the Deathly Hallows symbol

By the next evening, my HP T-shirt was dry. To "seal and finish" or finalize the paint job, I simply ironed the reverse of my shirt.

I really wish I had taken the time to take pictures at each step, but I didn't. Next time definitely will!

Here's the final result:

My Completed HP Tee

Materials: white cotton T-shirt, 

Fevicryl hobby ideas acrylic paint in black (02), 

Ujala paintbrushes in numbers 3 and 6

I wore my nerd-shirt to work on Friday, no joke. So what if people think it's "dumb or juvenile"? (Nobody said this, but I could catch it in their eyes.) The shirt made me happy; it made me feel at home. And sometimes, that should count for more than we let on.

Permanently rolled-up sleeve
 with hidden stitches

I made a few alterations to my shirt just for extra comfiness. The collar was suffocating so I chopped it right off. Also, I like to roll up the sleeves on baggy T-shirts, but face the common problem of them constantly unrolling. I fixed this little peeve (haha, see what I did there?) by permanently rolling them up. All they needed were some invisible stitches (please let me know if you would like a tutorial on this). I didn't know if the stitching would keep the sleeves rolled up. After a day of commuting and work, though, I assure you it works like a dream. I wish I had thought to try it out earlier.



Do you ever let you inner "fangirl" loose? I would love to see some your creations or fave artwork. If you've been harboring any creative urges to express you love for a fandom, stop hesitating and do it! It feels great!  

-Ekta


PS: These make amazing gifts for nerdy friends or family. I made an HP themed one for a friend and she loved it. It's nice to give (or receive) a present with a personal touch. The extra time and effort goes a long way to show how much you know and care about someone.

Memoir Junkie: The Year of Yes by Maria Dhavana Headley

Inherently, I'm not a nosy person. I like to let people be and have conversations without prying into people's lives. But, it's nice to share experiences. I'm also not the type to reach for a nonfiction book for leisure reading. I've had enough of textbooks and research papers thank you very much. But, when people willingly share their stories, it's inspiring and often funny or touching. Many stories are stranger than fiction... So, is the case with Maria Headley's The Year of Yes. 

My Copy of "The Year of Yes"

This book is an account of one year in Headley's life. It takes place during the time she was a relatively poor college student in the one and only New York City. In her early-20s, studying drama and writing, and racing between various temporary jobs, Headley decides her life is not hard enough. She longs for a more arduous journey, one of the search for true love. She makes the radical decision of saying "yes" to any and every man who asks her out on a date. Headley stays true to her word, sometimes even bending it and asking a man out herself. The characters she encounters help her grow and learn and realize "what really matters".

I thought it was an enjoyable enough read. Funny and lighthearted, I did feel it dragged at some points. But overall, I was rooting for Ms. Maria. Everyone deserves love after all, and Headley was trying harder, and probably more recklessly, than any young girl in New York. Then, maybe not, but she was brave!

Did Maria find her "one"? Did she learn what love really is? Go ahead and give the book a go if you like stories of young women striving and surviving in big cities.

-Ekta    

Book Haul #1: 8 Supercheap Reads to Start a Book Collection

This past Saturday, I innocently stepped outside the house even though it was the weekend (a rather strenuous task for me). I was being responsible and running some errands which happened to involve managing my finances and such. Spending money was not on the agenda. Shopping or mere browsing was not on my mind. My direct path had no interesting shops and I should have been safe. I will admit though, in the back of my mind and deep down in a crevice of my heart, I had hoped to come across something I could take home and call mine. (I had stepped outside on the weekend! I deserved it!) I took home eight things. Books. 

My excuse: They were dirt cheap and this gave me an idea - more blog post incentives. 

All my life, I had used libraries as much as possible. My typically Asian parents never bought anything if it could be obtained for free. I loved libraries. I feel that books that have passed through many hands and under countless eyeballs carry more stories within them than the literal print. I don't believe they are the worst sort of fomites. But my affection for wondrous bookworm-abodes can wait for another post. 

The point is, there were books on sale at a bookshop I pass by quite often. I felt a sudden urge to splurge. These particular books looked used at first sight, but were actually just neglected for too long on shop shelves. They had yellowed from waiting to be held and read and understood and loved. They needed a bookworm's abode. That's where I came in. I decided at the spur of a moment I had to have physical books. I needed to become a book collector. I would buy classics, because all book collectors should have a good stash of classics, and then some light reading for moments when "heavy, serious" reading was beyond my mental capacity. (Read: Pink and/or sparkly covers - I was not judging! They were so pretty though.) I returned home with two bulging bags and innumerable stares as people are probably not used to seeing a girl carry home bags of books at noon. Clothes? Yes. Groceries? Sure. But definitely not books. Some people even did double takes. I felt mindlessly giddy. I had shopped for books no less! Yay for shopping rushes. 

I grabbed four of each type, and of course, decided I shall devour and blog about them. My reading list has been extended by these titles:

1. The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells
2. Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte
3. Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
4. Dracula by Bram Stoker
5. The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson
6. Not Another New Year's by Christie Ridgway
7. The Trouble with Valentine's Day by Rachel Gibson
8. Lipstick Jungle by Candace Bushnell

My Book Collection is Growing!

I hope I find to time to enjoy (or not?!) my paperbacks and share my thoughts on them with you. For those interested, they were only 20 INR each. 160 bucks can't get you a third of decent paperback in Mumbai. 8 books in 160? That's a steal considering books are quite an expensive hobby, at least, for me. Buying books in this fashion will no doubt help me discover new authors, since I won't be hunting for familiar works. It'll be a sort of "beggars can't be choosers" situation, but I would be paying. I'm a pretty open reader in terms of genre, but I'm sure buying without being influenced by the "bestseller lists" will be refreshing. Limits in options can be good sometimes. Right? At least I won't go in expecting an incredible journey as one might when a book has been appraised. 

I look forward to more of these book-shopping bouts. I hope you do too. I'll keep you updated. Meanwhile, let me know if you've ever book-binged. Feel free to share any other shopping spree experiences with me. Now, I think a clothes haul is in order!

Till later,

Ekta

      

WEEKLY PROJECTS

I love art. And I decided I need more of it in my life. Since I left school - not college, school - I have had very little art in my life. And that makes me sad. The reasons and excuses for this are plenty, but this is no place for them. 

So, a few months ago, I convinced myself there is no "bad art" (perfectionism sucks), and to go forth with this art adventure. Make things. DIY. Create. Learn to use a paintbrush or pick up a long neglected instrument. It will also give me an opportunity to go art supplies and stationery shopping (can you feel my excitement!!!)!? 

I'm also going to try and follow as much of "The Art Assignment" as I can. I'll watch all the episodes no doubt, but finding all of the materials for an assignment could be a problem here in Mumbai. This online series will start airing early 2014 according to their YouTube channel and will be hosted by Sarah Green (vlogbrother John Green's wife). I am excited for this!   

My definition of art henceforth:
Art = creative stuff

The Goal:
To plan and complete an art project every week and blog about it.

Let's see how long I last. I really do hope I last. The very idea of trying this out makes me happier. And anything that can lift the corner's of a person's mouth (except illegal things, duh) gets two thumbs up from me.

Join my art adventure that I'm titling as "Weekly Project" (incredibly imaginative, I know, what can I say, it's a gift).

-Ekta

A Kind Gesture (NYE 2013)

As if my week of solitude wasn't enough of a treat, I got another delight on the 31^st. New Year's Eve and no plan in sight, as per usual. I had had a short day at work on account of my overtime the previous day. This would have been lovely if I actually had a life...It was also the day my folks were returning, thus ending my me-time. 

Wishes and greetings of a better year ahead were exchanged and just as I was about to leave, my neighbor handed me a chocolate bar. (Cadbury's Mocha Almond Bournville to be exact for those who care. Yum yum.) I was pleasantly surprised 'cause I definitely had not expected a pressie. The typically awkward, office-standard Secret Santa was done and gone. A NYE gift!? Gosh!

Two months ago I didn't even know this lovely lady existed. And suddenly, here she was, coaxing me to take the sweet. I was shocked. Now, as it turns out, I'm a present giver, but a rather poor receiver. I, any day, enjoy the entire process of picking the right gift to match a person and then waiting in anticipation to see the person's reaction. Apparently, I'm getting better at accepting gifts because I didn't fight, took the chocolate, and thanked my colleague-on-the-brink-of-friend as much as possible without creating a scene.

This kind gesture on her part reminded me of why people like exchanging gifts in the first place. It's not about the item, though if it's a cool, useful thing, that's a plus. It truly is about the gesture. The thought. Taking a moment to brighten someone's day. I don't know why she did it, and why for me, just me. I barely know her. That morning we were casually discussing our assignments. I told her I had worked into the night the day before, and she also knew I was alone that week at home. I had also mentioned I liked chocolate during our coffee break, something I know she isn't overly fond of...

It's fascinating how little conversations and a kind gesture develop into friendships. How we go from strangers to trusting once-strangers. What's more is I don't know if my NYE Chocolate Fairy understands the extent to which she touched me and gave me hope for a better new year. I do know that making me smile made her happy. And that's enough knowledge for now.

-Ekta

PS: "CF" seems like an excellent acronym for my Chocolate Fairy, Colleague-Friend. Woah! See what I did there? Clever me. For future reference. ;)  

A Week of Solitude

Growing up, from about mid-December into the first week of January basically meant winter vacation. So, it's surprising, how after so many years removed from the West, I still expect and crave winter holidays. Even though there's no winter to speak of. Ah, the Tropics. Childhood really does leave a mark. 

Each December a part of me desires Christmas decorations, yards of scratchy tinsel, an excessive number of fairy lights, and a bit of snow. But December is now gone taking with it the seasonal joy and another year, 2013. 

2013 was not what I can call a great year. To be honest, it wasn't even a good year. But, I am moving past it and trying to welcome 2014. As I mentioned, I didn't have a break. No, I had excessive deadlines that, unfortunately, have spilled over into this year. I was even asked to work on Christmas Day, but politely declined. I needed some me-time. And me-time was what I got.

I spent the last week of 2013 completely alone. Alone, but not lonely. Yes, I know, this time of year is generally about friends and family, but remember, it's not festive all around the world. Least of all in my neck of the woods. I treasured the solitude. After spending every day of my entire life living with family, I had a house to myself. It was peaceful; I'm not ashamed to admit it. There's nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes, all we need is a conversation with ourselves, alone. Being alone with my thoughts was pleasing, informative, and scary all at once. I'm not antisocial, but I needed this week, and I am grateful for it.  

So, I decided to take this as a good omen for this year. I'm not one to make resolutions. The new year doesn't change things, just like you don't feel any older after a birthday. But as a whole, yes, we change and evolve.

Still, January 1^st is a convenient starting point. If 2014 can be as good as 2013 was bad, well, it'll be pretty damn good then. Actually, it'll be great. But I have to start with myself. Bit by bit. More doing things and writing about them here in my little nook or the internet.

I hope the world gets a bit better and that I can make it a bit of a bit better. I hope to make new friends and get back in touch with some I don't talk to enough. And most of all, I hope this is the year I can finally maintain a blog and write for myself and you.

Happy New Year!

-Ekta