• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

  • All
  • Family
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Decor
  • About Lena
  • Contact

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt: My First “Sari”

January 30, 2014 By Lena

In 2014, I will be participating in #tbt courtesy of the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One printer, the ultimate choice for scanning and printing. Ultra powerful and ultra slim, it produces stunning borderless photos and documents quickly and affordably. Featuring the ultimate in wireless printing, the XP-810 makes it easier than ever to print from your iPad, iPhone, tablet or smartphone, whether in your home or out and about.

It was a holiday gathering at home, and the ladies decided a fashion parade was necessary. All of the women chose their most intricate, most treasured saris. A sea of turquoise, bronze and fuchsia laid out before me. It was beautiful.

But then! Oh, the surprise! A family friend had dressed her two daughters in “ghagras” as well, and it was immediately clear to me that I was the only girl wearing a “western” or “modern” dress. Curse you all!

My mother, sensing my building hysteria at the sight of my play friends donning traditional dress, took the stairs two at a time, trying to find an adequate solution. Throwing a petticoat over her arm, she unravelled a roll of pink remnant lining material lying on her closet floor.

I walked up the stairs, wailing with indignation. “Stop crying!” she snapped, instantly drying my tears. And in a matter of moments, I was transformed into a little Indian princess. My very first sari.

And… my only sari. Sadly, being raised Roman Catholic by very westernized parents, we held on to few traditions, adapting the predicatble t-shirt and jeans wardrobe rather quickly. Still, there was that one night in December, 1982….

Filed Under: Fashion Tagged With: #tbt, #throwbackthursday, Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One

Previous Post: « How to Be a Cool Mom
Next Post: Share Your #Recipes4Romance and WIN! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shelley N

    January 30, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    very cute photo and story. There is nothing stopping you from sometimes wearing the traditional dress from your background even now. When I was younger I had a kilt that I bought in Scotland when I was 12 and I wore it occasionally.

    • Lena

      January 30, 2014 at 8:15 pm

      Indeed! I wore one to a wedding years ago, but I borrowed it :(

  2. Frank

    January 30, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    Cutie pie!

    • Lena

      January 30, 2014 at 8:17 pm

      Used to be for sure! LOL. This picture is Reid with a dress.

  3. MrDisco

    January 30, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    cute story

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      Thanks!

  4. Heidi C.

    January 30, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    You look so regal and serene! Love it!

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:52 pm

      Hahaha thank you Heidi!

  5. Soozle

    January 31, 2014 at 6:48 am

    Love it :D Your mom is certainly a smart gal!

    You REALLY see how much Reid looks like you from your ‘baby’ pictures! Wow!

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      I know… until I started posting throwbacks, I didn’t realize it myself!!

  6. loriag

    January 31, 2014 at 9:25 am

    That is a great story. I am glad your Mom cared enough to make you feel special in your own sari.

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      Thanks Lori, and yes, she’s great!

  7. Victoria Ess

    January 31, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Aww what a lovely story. I love that your mom made you an impromptu sari!

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      Me too! First and only one I owned, LOL

  8. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    January 31, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    my gosh your eyes are magnificent. Your mother sounds like a very caring woman.

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      They were pretty big, LOL! Thanks Chandra, she is!!

  9. Flora M

    January 31, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    I couldn’t tell that it was an “impromptu” sari – your mom is definitely a quick thinker ! I really need to get my buns in gear and find my old photos too and have my own “throwback” with my family.

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Please send me some photos! Would love to see them!

  10. Stephanie LaPlante

    January 31, 2014 at 3:44 pm

    Soooo cute!!!!

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Thanks Stephanie!

  11. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    January 31, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    Cute!! The story made me smile :)

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      I’m glad Judy, thank you!

  12. nicolthepickle

    February 1, 2014 at 7:53 am

    This story gets my vote for great mom moment. She did a good job.

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 8:07 pm

      Thanks Nicoline, mine too!

  13. sarah sar

    February 1, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    haha omg do you ever look adorable!! love these blast from the past blog posts!

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      I’m glad you like them Sarah!

  14. Flora M

    February 1, 2014 at 3:09 pm

    Happy to report I have found some of my old photos – going to keep digging )

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 8:15 pm

      Nice! Hope you’ll be able to share!

  15. Marissa

    February 1, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    That picture of you is so adorable Lena! Reid looks so much like his mommy with those gorgeous eyes and cute smile.

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks Marissa! Reid is definitely MINE, haha!

  16. Tricha

    February 1, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    What a sweet story! Now I am thinking of you as “Reid in a dress” instead of Lena. Lol!

    • Lena

      February 2, 2014 at 8:30 pm

      Hahaha you’re not the first, Tricha!

  17. Melinda L.

    February 3, 2014 at 11:47 am

    So cute and quite the story :)

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks Melinda :)

  18. angie smith

    February 5, 2014 at 8:34 am

    wow your big beautiful eyes really make this photo pop!

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 1:58 pm

      Aw, thank you Angie!

  19. Susan T.

    February 9, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Saris are so colorful and pretty. I’m often tempted to wear one but since my family is Swedish, I control the urge. I don’t want to offend anyone!

    • Lena

      February 9, 2014 at 4:28 pm

      Hahaha I’m sure you wouldn’t; it’s just fashion!

  20. jaimeem

    February 14, 2014 at 8:42 am

    beautiful picture. My neighbour has a vast collection of saris, so many pretty colours and the fabric is so nice!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:06 pm

      Thank you Jaimeem!

  21. Guppy5700

    February 16, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    I googled ‘Ghagra’ having only heard the term ‘Sari’ before. Thanks for the ethnic fashion lesson. I learned a few more things about choli and dupattas too! And you were ( still :D ) a cutie!!

    • Lena

      February 16, 2014 at 8:41 pm

      Hahaha you’ll have to teach me – I have no idea what choli and dupattas are!

      • Guppy5700

        February 18, 2014 at 4:11 pm

        Well…. according to Wikipedia a choli is the crop top and the dupatta is the scarf portion, ghagra being the skirt – together they make up a sari.
        And a gharara is the pants/tunic combo. Wiki is wonderful!

  22. Rick F

    June 20, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Cute pic.

  23. MOHAMMAD ANJUM

    November 1, 2014 at 7:09 am

    SO GORGEOUS

  24. kathy downey

    June 17, 2016 at 11:53 am

    OMG,you are so totally adorable and dressed fit for a princess.

  25. kathy downey

    July 27, 2016 at 9:38 am

    Omg,i see your son in this photo…its uncanny

Primary Sidebar

Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

Connect with Lena

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Featured

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Virtual Queue Strategies

Five Cool Tips for a Backyard Ice Cream Bar

Beaches Turks & Caicos: Your FAQs Answered!