this & that ~ march ed.

dupatta diaries and lemon pasta inspired fashion (+ recipe)

march in review: A little late this time around, but a monthly recap is always my favorite way to reflect on what I’ve been up to lately as it provides me with a moment to appreciate the simple pleasures in life.

highs

• spending time with family

• praline croissants

• iced lavender lattes

---

what I was consumed by this month

day dreaming

I am forever day dreaming of the lives I have not yet lived (or perhaps never will). Lately, I find myself basking in the summer sun of Italy enjoying fresh gelato by day and olive oil drenched bread with pasta by night. I always wonder what life would be like had I been born somewhere else or chosen a different path, so here’s to the version of me that is relaxing in Italy.

forever dreaming of the lives not lived

---

eating

My current obsession is the intersection between lemon butter pasta and fashion. As promised, here is my recipe for a light and lemony summer pasta.

Ingredients

• 1-2 lemons juiced + some zest

• 1 cup dairy free heavy cream (I used a coconut/almond blend)

• 1 cup grated dairy free parmesan cheese (full carton)

• 6 tbsp unsalted butter

• 3-4 cloves minced garlic

• oregano

• lots black pepper

• red pepper

• pinch of salt (1/4 tsp)

• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water (we will get to that later)

• basil

• lemon pepper chicken (I cheated and got it pre-made from trader joes)

To Cook Pasta

• Fill pot 3/4 with water bring to a boil

• Add a pinch (1/4 tsp) of salt, 1 tbsp butter, and pasta to boiling water

• Let boil

• Drain water from pasta (don’t forget to reserve 1/2 cup!!!)

• Toss with 1 tbsp of water and set aside

Lemon Butter Sauce

• Melt 4 tbsp butter with garlic in pan over medium heat gently stirring for 1 minute

• Add pepper and oregano stirring gently to bloom spices

• Lower heat to medium-low and pour in heavy cream, stirring to combine

• Add lemon zest and juice from lemons, stir well

• Sprinkle in grated parmesan cheese and stir until melted and smooth

• Add pasta water gradually to loosen sauce to your liking

• Toss sauce and pasta with fresh basil

• Add in your blackened lemon pepper chicken and enjoy!

---

obsessing

with the recent outbreak of “the Scandinavian shawl”, I would like to make note of another cultural practice I hold dear before it becomes victim to “trend setting” vultures.

I grew up watching the women of my family adorn their hair with ribbons and fresh florals. I remember going out to my grandmother’s garden to pick fresh jasmine and was in awe of the delicate intricacy found when twisting them into our hair. However, I was made fun of by my peers for wearing a braid that smelled of soft jasmine and sweet almond oil to school. I was told that my hair was dirty and the flowers wouldn’t cover the smell. What was one my favorite ritual and my grandmother’s art of love, became lost to the fear of criticism. Generations of hair oiling was washed down the drain for the last time, only to reemerge on glass shelves in the critics vanity.

I recently came across a south asian creative modernizing the gajra for minimalistic everyday wear and immediately added a few of her pieces to my cart already excited to wear them this spring a summer. But within a few days, I came across non POC brands marketing oversized satin hair ties and floral clips that eerily resembled what the very practice I was mocked for.

I am clocking it right now, gajre will be in this summer.

(If you are interested in hearing more of my thoughts on cultural appropriation and the trends I anticipate will be colonized next, look out for my next post!)

---

reading

I started a super informal book club with one of my friends this month to try and give my mind a rest between studies. I haven’t gotten around to reading much in the past week due to finals, but if you want to join us you can purchase your own copy on sale here or rent from your local library!

---

my fav substack reads from this month:

• a priority watchlist for spring - the girl who reads on the metro

• vicodin, vomity, & vanity - girl insides

• the modern viewer’s lack of empathy - the digital meadow

• albert camus & orientalism - poetic interludes

• you could be brilliant but you’re a coward - daughter of discourse

my latest works

---

doing

This past month, I tried out group fitness classes for the first time through ClassPass and absolutely loved being able to pop into a wide variety of classes. My favorites were Pilates, Yoga, Mega-Former, and Lagree. I am gifting 20 additional credits to my readers to try out ClassPass for two weeks. This will give you more than enough credits try out different studios or even take classes every single day of the week (if that’s your thing).

---

wearing

I finally got around to transitioning my wardrobe! My current favorite pairings involve mixing textures within a neutral color palette. This past month I wore: a white flowy skirt with a black cardigan, a black linen shift dress with sneakers and a baseball cap, and blue satin pants with a grey cardigan and silver flats. You can shop my closet here.

images sourced from pinterest

---

playing

if you need motivation to write: I recently purchased a leather traveler’s notebook to get into the practice of morning pages and journaling, without feeling like it has to be perfect. I was inspired by this video to make the practice a ritual rather than a routine.

if you need a dreamy playlist to leave playing in the background: I love this entire page and the endless soundscape themes.

another mini vlogger: I absolutely love traveling around the world by living vicariously through vlogs. If you are looking for another cozy vlogger to add to your rotation watch this video!

---