Ask Me Anything - October 16, 2020

Oldest comfy clothes you own and refuse to get rid of?

I stole a sweatshirt and a pair of pajama pants from my best friendd Mike in college and I will never give them back. For context I graduated in 2006.

Which Harry Potter character are you and which do you wish you were?

I wish I were Professor McGonagall, but I’m probably Professor Trelawney.

What will you be eating on Election Night?

We had pizza and champagne on Election Night 2016, SO NOT THAT.

If my mom is here, I’m going to ask her to make my favorite aloo fry and daal.

If she’s not, probably Clean Out The Fridge pasta or one of my Taco Bell recipes.

Is having kids good for society? And for the potential kid? Feeling pessimistic about the world. 

My kids frankly are the only people giving me hope right now. BUT a life and family without kids is also wonderful and fulfilling and incredible. Do you, boo.

In what order would you read Alice Hoffman’s magic trilogy? 

I would do publishing order- Practical Magic, Rules, Lessons. The writing gets stronger over the series, but Rules is my absolute favorite.

Have you voted yet? 

I’m voting in-person on the 26th!

Favorite Star Trek episode? Inspired by your West Wing rewatches.

TNG_ The offspring, Tapestry, The Pegasus

Voyager- Timeless, Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy, Blink Of An Eye, Message In A Bottle

Discovery & Picard- literally every episode

Witchy book recommendations? Loved the All Souls Trilogy.

Rahaf Harfoush commented on my Practical Magic post with a bunch of recommendations!

WTF is wrong with that man?

I’ve been asking myself this for the past 5 years. PLEASE VOTE.

Favorite shape of pasta? 

Cavatappi, rigatoni, tagliatelle, and novelty shapes.

Any suggestions on countries to move to? Guju with 2 kids (7 and 5). grew up in the States from London.

Ha! What a glorious fantasy.

I loved living in England when I was 13. I’d love to live there again with my family and give our sons a taste of English life.

Singapore has also been on my list. And Caroline Stanbury makes Dubai life look incredible.

Fave matching lounge set?

All the ones I own from BURU!

My pandemic sweatsuit from Old Navy (plush-knit jogger pajamas and hoodie)

And while it’s not a set, I own 5 Hill House Home Caroline nap dresses and they are heaven.

Diwali gift ideas for family and self? 

For yourself- a Tia Bhuva saree silhouette! They are the BEST, and I also splurged on her leopard print spree for myself this year.

For kids- Modi Toys and Mango and Marigold Press books. Indigrow Kids and Bhaasha Basics has some amazing items as well.

For Moms- I would gift copies of The Forest Of Enchantments or The Palace of Illusions (I loved the books and am gifting them to my mom and MIL). Chai Mommas X happyHER have a beautiful Love + Light box. And Scrumptious Wicks candles are always appreciated.

For sisters/cousins/friends- something from Hatecopy or Babbu The Painter!

Favorite sweatshirt?

My Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl champions one!

But since that’s not available, my second favorite is Old Navy’s plush Sherpa faux-fur 1/2 zip hoodie. It’s so good that I went on an Oprah-esque spree and gifted 10 to random IG followers last winter!

Bright color eye shadow is the style- what color would you wear most? 

I’m a fan of Live Tinted’s Huestick in Free- a gorgeous fuchsia/magenta.

If care and ethics wasn’t a thing- what animal would you have as a pet?

Fictional animals- a unicorn!

In reality- a pig. I’ve wanted a pet pig since I Was 12 and I still want one.

Favorite self care habit?

I’d love to say it’s taking a long bath and reading a book, but the honest answer is lying on my bed in a robe scrolling Instagram.

Advice to tell myself when I feel like I’m messing everything up at work?

I got you. This highlight has the rituals and things I do when I’m experiencing the same.

Favorite All That sketch!

Ask Ashley (I still stan Amanda Bynes) and Vital Information.

What languages do you speak? And which ones do you want to learn?

I speak Telugu, learned Spanish in school but it’s EXTREMELY rusty.

I’d love to learn Hindi, Russian (so I could read Pushkin and Tolstoy originals). Rho is learning Mandarin in Kindergarten and I wish I learned it at such a young age.

Suggestions for Singapore based accounts to follow?

Ushajoy!