#tbt

#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….

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt: Party Like it’s 1999

January 23, 2014 By Lena

December 31, 1999.

In a phase I like to call “anorexic chic”, I was ready to spend the most important night of the millennium with my bestie. Dressed to the nines, I made a very important decision the week earlier…

I was on again/off again with an ex-boyfriend. Having suffered a university heartbreak from a high school boyfriend, I couldn’t believe that he was not destined to be in my life. So when he called a week before New Year’s and asked what I was doing on the most special New Year’s ever, I faltered. Of course I wanted to spend it with him. Of course I wanted to run to his side.

But, my best friend wanted to attend the New Year’s Eve celebration at the Regal Constellation, one of the hipper hotels in Toronto at the time. And with only a few days left to grab tickets, I had to make a decision: do I blow her off for my first true love, or do I stay strong and move forward?

I finally decided that I wanted to start the new millennium with a clean slate. Because I couldn’t be certain about the future with the ex, but I could say yes to the girl who had nursed me through the heartache.

And we partied because it was 1999.

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt: The Portrait Studio

January 16, 2014 By Lena

The Towers Portrait Studio, circa 1980. Towers, operating as Bonimart in Quebec, was a Canadian discount department store chain owned by the Oshawa Group, a now-defunct grocery retailer and distributor. In 1990, Towers’ 51 stores were purchased by Zellers for $181.5 million and converted to the Zellers name or closed.

The photograph on the right was a “freebie” – an 8 x 10″ portrait included in a photo package that cost a whopping $10.00.

I adore my sweet pink dress, and the Raggedy Ann-style doll peeking though in the background. I love the decidedly sepia-tone of the picture. But my very favourite thing? My hairstyle, of course. Years later, I would spend a lot of time trying to flip out my hair in an effort to duplicate a look that came so naturally to me as toddler.

And if you feel like mentioning the heart-stopping resemblance between Reid and myself, I won’t mind. My too-large-for-my-face eyes and geeky smile could be a throwback to two years ago, when Reid was a toddler himself.

#ThrowbackThursday #tbt: The Special Occasion

January 9, 2014 By Lena

Bows and bow ties. Frills and flounces. There was no better time to have a special occasion than the early 80’s – because when families dressed up, they dressed up to the nines.

What makes this photo from 1981 remarkable:

1) The gorgeous dress fit for a princess, and the handsome outfit tailored with care, were both sewn by my mom. Yes, she is quite the seamstress! In fact, both my brother and I served as living dolls for her. As a homemaker in the 80’s – without Internet, Netflix or iPads – what else was there for her to do but sew clothes? I have memories of puffed sleeves, pretty bows and a sea of pink, peach and purple.

2) Over the years, I’ve dyed my hair a chestnut brown in an effort to sport a more “natural” look. And each time, my mom looks at me and says, “Change it back to blonde. It’s too dark.” Well, here’s a stark reminder that I was actually born with shiny black hair. Dare I go back to my roots? Unlikely.

3) It appears that once again, we were visiting the friends with the red carpet. These shagalicious folks also had great taste in furniture, as seen by the velvet couches peeking into the frame.

This is my throwback, circa 1981.

Epson XP-810: It’s a #ThrowbackThursday

January 2, 2014 By Lena

What is it about our childhood memories that make us long to bring the past into the present?

(Related: Is Big Brother ALWAYS watching?)

Above: Whitby, 1979. My parents can take credit for the cute kids, but not the snazzy wallpaper, retro red carpet or shiny linoleum. The photo was taken at a friend’s. And apparently, this friend was bad ass.

If you’re a social media addict, you’ll have noticed the popularity of #tbt, or #ThrowbackThursday. It’s a once-a-week chance to share our photo memorabilia; a chance to laugh at plaid bell bottoms (on our parents, of course), reminisce about birthdays and holidays passed, or simply show off our gorgeous baby pictures. It’s the opportunity to connect our past and present in a lighthearted, meaningful way which often draws in friends, family – even complete strangers. (Hands up if you’ve sighed over Ian Somerhalder’s #tbts? Yup, me too.) Over the months, I’ve become a staunch follower of the nostalgia it invokes.

Above: Toronto, 1980. I am 2 years old, and my brother and I lounge on the hood of my dad’s prized 1978 Mercury Cougar XR7. We are from a generation that stayed out until the streetlights came on, and rode our bikes for miles. We skipped on the sidewalk, drank water from a hose and always remembered to say our prayers before bedtime. This is my throwback.…

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