Holi is coming up and I have so many good childhood memories attached with this festival. From prepping up previous day with balloons and pichkaris and finding all amazing colors to waking up early at 6-7 am and enjoying it with friends and family untill afternoon. It was so much fun! While the previous two years, I had my friends come over and we did have some fun with colours. But nothing beats the childhood fun, right.
This video totally refreshed my Holi memories.
#KhulkeKheloHoliYe Rang Hai Gaadhe Rishton Ke,
Inhe Pheeka mat padne do.
Holi is all about love, joy, family time, togetherness and applying colours. Khul ke khelo Holi doesn’t mean we waste water, water conservation is an important issue currently and we should always try our best to not waste water. Holi can be played with colors and is equally fun!
I have a contest for Holi for you guys 🙂 I have teamed up with Parachute Advansed Hair Oil where we will be giving away 5 Holi hampers to 5 of you.
All you have to do it share the above video on facebook, link HERE and tell us about your favourite childhood Holi memory in the comments below. That’s it. Just make sure to tag my page when you share the video on facebook so that I can verify the entry.
The contest starts right now and ends on Sunday 20th March, the winners will be announced on 20th itself, so that the winners can receive the hampers before Holi. It is only open to residents of India.
Good Luck guys and Happy Holi 🙂
Update: The winners are:
Shilpa Bindlish
Neha Thagela
Mansi Tokla
Shweta
Divya Gattani
Also hubby has picked winners this time for an unbiased third person view 🙂 Congrats winners! Please mail me at bhumika_thakkar (@)yahoo.co.uk with your complete mailing address and number soon, will have to send it ahead tom afternoon so that the hampers reach before Holi. If I do not get the details by 1pm tom, I will need to pick another winner.
I know it’s been ages since I did any OOTD post here, but I did manage to click pics and a short video when I dressed up. I did not attend many events this month, also was working very hard on the blog and currently happy with the way the numbers are going 🙂 Thanks to my writers and your love and support throughout.
Coming to the outfits, if you saw my previous haul video, I showed you guys the Anita Dongre maxi dress which I got during their sale, the first outfit is that 🙂
Outfit 1:
I am loving maxi dresses and I picked this Anita Dongre maxi dress during their sale. It’s a black, white and orange printed maxi dress which cinches at the waist and flares after the waistline. It also has cutout at the shoulders. Whenever I can’t decide what to wear, I will just pick this up. I paired it with my navy blue Michael Kors sling and watch, in all the three outfits you will see the same bag and watch coz I have only been using this in the month of Feb. And of course my favourite black block heels with gold ankle strap.
Dress: AND
Bag, Watch: Michael Kors
Ring: Zotiqq
Shoes: Shown HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE
On lips: Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in R08 Firework
Outfit 2:
This is an old dress, mint and flared. It’s perfect for summers and Mumbai is already super hot and humid, yesterday night was scorching! I paired it with the same shoes, bag and watch as above. You must have seen me wearing this before too.
Dress: Romwe
Bag, Watch: Michael Kors
Earrings: Accessorize
Shoes: Same as above
This is my latest buy, a super comfortable denim shift shirt dress. Again something I can wear anytime and anywhere, since it’s a shift dress, it is easy to wear, walk around, do anything. Just throw it on and not worry about anything.
Dress: StalkBuyLove
Bag, Watch: Michael Kors
Shoes: Zaful
On Lips: MAC Cosmetics Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick Recollection
I hope you liked the looks, do let me know your favourite in the comments below.
You have often heard about the saying ‘Travel is about gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown’. And, when it is the Paradise Island to spend the honeymoon with your beloved, you can imagine the gorgeousness of the travelogue. Mauritius a multiethnic island located on the east of Madagascar, is also the land of pristine white sand beaches with a stunning horizon of a blue sky that no brush can transform into a canvas, the legendary sunsets, and crystal blue lagoons with beautiful coral reefs. It is irrefutably the best destination for newlyweds for their honeymoon. The aura of tropical climate, indulging spas, exotic food and cultures, romantic walk to isles, the scenic beauty of the land will be an unforgettable memory, to be cherished till the end of time. So, let’s embark the journey of Mauritius and see why it is an ideal honeymoon destination.
Places to visit
Mauritius Botanical Garden
Located near Port Louis, it is considered one of must-visit places of Mauritius. It is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere and was built in 1767! From the gigantic water lilies, auspicious spice garden to the exceptional varieties of palm trees around the Indian Ocean, this Mauritius Botanical Garden (also known as Pamplemousses Garden) is beautiful in its own delicate way.
Île aux Cerfs Island
A beautiful picturesque which is known as the deer island, is dotted with remarkable white sandy beaches, lagoon, magnificent view and the majestic houses the Bernard Langer golf course. Île aux Cerfs Island is the perfect place for invigorating the mind and soul with the beauty of the scenery around. There are also various fun activities around this 100 hectares of land. Do try the parasailing to unveil the beauty of the place from the bird’s view.
Grand Bassin Sacred Lake
An extinct volcano, Grand Basin is now a lake in the mountains about 1700 feet above the sea level. It is considered another tourist attraction and also a pilgrimage place. Beside the beautiful lake, situated a temple with a 33mts high statue of Lord Shiva. There is a beautiful and uniqueness of the place which makes it an ideal destination of sacredness and mysticism.
Trou aux Cerfs
High extinct volcano located in Curepipe, Mauritius, Trou aux Cerfs is a 605 m high. It is one of the best attractions of Curepipe which allows you a spectacular view of the Island itself. This dormant volcano was active until 600,000 to 700,000 years ago and now the crater has a beautiful lake. The beauty of the place cannot be described and is a must visit of all time.
Ile aux Aigrettes
Ile aux Aigrettes is a tiny coral island dotted with rare and endangered natural species. It is breathtaking conservation site where you will get to see the most beautiful and rare birds like kestrel, the Green Gecko Phelsuma, etc. At the end of the Ile aux Aigrettes Island, you will be able to rediscover some of the extinct species of the Mascarene Islands in our museum.
Waterfalls of Mauritius
The most distinguished waterfalls of Mauritius are Chamarel waterfalls, Alexandra waterfalls, Exil waterfalls and Rochester waterfalls. The Rochester Falls, located between St Félix and Soulliac, crosses through sugarcane fields. It is the wildest waterfall in Mauritius. The abundance of fresh water crashing the old rocks from 10mts high, the setting is beauty in itself. The sound of the water crashing on the rocks and the beauty of the scenario is surely worth watching. There is a place to walk along the river bed for the romantic walk. Chamarel waterfalls is an impressive waterfall of 127m height. It also follows a road until you reach the Colored Earth of Chamarel. Due to different chemical reactions the earth has 7 different colors. It almost looks like moonscape. The Alexandra Fallsis a 105ft waterfall located on the Hay River in the Northwest Territories which is also the 3rd highest in the NWT.
Ideal for honeymoon
The scenic beauty and charisma of the Island, makes it a perfect destination for honeymoon or to propose your beloved. The allure of the white sand, the sunset, the long romantic walks and reminiscing the memories of the relationship will bring the hearts closer than you think. For couples, the foremost thing is to enjoy the beauty of the sunset on Sunset Catamaran Cruise from the South east coast of Mauritius along the east coast. From the slow setting of the sun behind the mountains, the beauty of the sky while altering colors and the reflection on the water is beyond blissful. For the adventurous couple, there are various wild sanctuary and natural reserves to explore and get to know the beautiful yet endangered wildlife.
Mauritius is also famous for shopping arena where everything from ship models and jewelry to Asian handicrafts, clothes, etc. are available. The place is also dotted with various spas and resorts providing the Indian, African, Chinese and European therapeutic traditions. So while you sip on the margarita or a wild berry daiquiri, indulge yourself and enjoy the blissfulness for a while.
It makes for a perfect honeymoon destination, you can either plan the entire trip yourself or choose any of the Mauritius Honeymoon Packages.
Things to do in Mauritius
Drive around. The beauty of this island is inexpressible and the only way to explore it is to drive through it. You can easily rent a car and explore the streets and the ethnicity of the place.
Walk through the sugarcane fields in the inland area. The place is very airy with a subtle climate and walking through the fields is nothing but a pure ecstasy! You can also visit the visit L’Aventure Du Sucre – a sugar museum with its own sugarcane fields.
The beaches. A heaven of white sand, sun and loads of memories. The top spots are the Belle Mare Beach, the hidden La Cuvette beach in the north, and the rugged beaches of the South, especially Le Morne. Sip on your favorite drink and enjoy the heavenly place.
Water sports is another great attraction for tourists. The sports includes the exciting snorkeling, exotic deep-sea diving, deep-sea fishing, thrilling parasailing and the fun of scuba diving. There is also a chance of undersea walking where one is on hold meters below the sea with an eyeshade to provide a continuous supply of oxygen.
Visiting the Eureka House is another exciting thing to do in Mauritius. It is a unique Creole house built in 1830 situated by the river of Moka. It is a sophisticated Créole house originally owned by British and French aristocrats in the 19th century. It is well known to be one of the largest houses on the island, with 109 doors and windows. Provides an intriguing glimpse into colonial life and has various antique photos and a beautiful garden worth visiting among other thing.
Mauritius Cuisine
Having a diverse population and a distinguished travel spot, the Mauritius cuisine is delicious. It has mostly the spicy taste of Indian, Creole, African and Chinese cuisine. The curry is the famous and a must try for every foodies. Along with that you can also try the rice, roti, niouk nien (dumplings) or mine-frit (Chinese fried noodles.). Cari poule (usually chicken curry) is accessible in most restaurants and street sellers. For curry, they mostly use tomatoes, garlic, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves.
Gateau piment or chilli cakes, is one of the famous snacks of the locals, is made with split peas (dhal or dholl), they also contain red or green chillies, coriander, onions and cumin. They are golden brown in color and deep fried. Salads are enormously popular in Mauritius. From the fruit salad to Millionaire salad, you have it all. The Millionaire salad is made from salad leaves and a palm tree heart, a vegetable taken from the inner core of definite palm trees. The dressing has oysters, shrimp, crayfish, prawns, smoked marlin and crabs. Therefore, the beautiful fusion of various cuisines is incredibly good.
Conclusion
The place is indeed called a paradise or something even better. Be it for a romantic destination with sapphire waters and alluring white sand of the beaches or simply adventurous journey among the craters, lakes, garden, forest, sanctuary – it is worthwhile to visit it once at least. The uniqueness of the place is the best attraction and the beauty is endless.
Mauritius is definitely on my bucket list, what about you?
Types of Anarkalis & Choosing Anarkali for your Body Type
Hi guys,
When it comes to Indian wear, anarkalis have been back in fashion since the past 5-6 years and they are still in trend, I don’t think that trend is going anywhere. Simply because they are super comfortable and easy to wear for weddings, etc. too. Anarkali is the only outfit which is traditional Indian wear and yet very comfortable to wear and roam around in 😀 When you get best of both worlds, stick to it.
Today I am talking about different types of anarkalis and how to choose one according to your body type.
1. Cotton Anarkali
These are the most simple and basic kinds, which you can wear to work or a light function. Comfortable yet traditional and very light. There are many options of anarkali suits online by BIBA and on Myntra, Jabong, etc.
2. Silk Anarkali
Silk ones can be a little heavier or lighter depending on the embellishments on it, but certainly expensive. You can go for the lighter silk ones for a daytime function and the heavier ones for some big function or wedding.
3. Asymmetric Anarkali
Asymmetric Anarkalis are quite in trend and look chic too. These again can be in lighter cotton ones or heavier silk or bridal ones. I love how it is shorter in the front and slightly longer behind, this would work on short girls too. I know how it is difficult to find a anarkali when you are short. Been there :/
4. Layered Anarkali
Again just like the asymmetric ones, layered ones are also pretty IN and I absolutely love them. They give a jacket kind of look or 2-3 layers which are shorter and keep on increasing in length. Currently the mesh capes are quite in trend and would look good over an anarkali too.
5. Bridal Anarkali
Now this is something very heavy, Sikh brides usually wear a suit or anarkali during their Anand Karaj. They can opt for a super heavy embellished anarkali. Also if you want to wear one for your mehendi or sangeet, the bridal ones are perfect.
Choosing an Anarkali according to body type
Inverted Triangle- If you have an inverted triangle body type i.e top heavy with broad shoulders, avoid boat necks, high neck collars or bulky shoulder patterns as that will bring more attention towards the broad shoulders.
Hourglass- Well if you have an hourglass figure, all anarkalis will look fabulous on you. Just make sure it accentuates your waist well and the flare starts below the waist.
Apple shaped- If you are apple shapes, wear empire line silhouettes in anarkalis which means the flare starting just below your waist which will help you hide your core problem area.
Pear shaped- If you have a well defined waist, then you can go for anarkalis starting below the waist and the flare will hide your lower problem area or else again empire line will work the best.
Short, petite girls- If you are short or petite, go for shorter kurtas with less flare as you don’t want the anarkali to look like a gown and neither like you wearing a tent.
If you are tall, anarkalis are made for you! You can wear them anytime, anywhere 😀
I hope this helped, do let me know in the comments below. If you are a bride-to-be, keep these tips in mind and choose an anarkali according to your body type.
Do you like Anarkalis? Which is your favourite type?
Winters are almost getting over and sunny days have started. I can feel my skin which suffered from excessive dryness during winters is going to back to its usual oily-combination self. When it comes to face washes, I was using more of creamy cleansers during winters. But now I have to change them to a more deep-cleansing face wash which can control oil for a longer time. Thanks to Bhumika, I got to try this Fash Face Wash from Curatio at the right time. Read to know whether it is a hit or a miss.
Product Claims: Fash Face Cleanser is an innovative approach to healthy skin, which regulates the skin ecosystem. With its specially developed formulation, Fash helps remove dirt, dead cells and excessive oil without leaving skin feeling dry. Regular use of Fash cleanser helps maintain clean, youthful and radiant skin.
Ingredients:
Directions to use: Wet face with water, pour sufficient quantity of Fash face cleanser on palm, develop a rich lather, and gently massage on face for 2 minutes. Rinse off. Repeat if skin is very oily. Use 1-3 times a day.
Packaging:
The face wash comes in a sturdy plastic tube with a flip-open cap. The blue and white color graphics of the tube looks fresh and energizing. I have carried around the tube in my handbag and there has been no leakage or spillage. So packaging wise, the face wash looks good as well as convenient and travel friendly.
Texture and fragrance:
The face wash is blue colored with a mild, fresh, menthol-kind of fragrance. The texture of the face wash is one of the weirdest I have ever come across. It is gel-like and sticky.
My experience:
I have been using the face wash for the past two weeks and have been pretty satisfied with it. Except for the weird, sticky texture that I have mentioned above. When I squeeze the face wash into my hands, the gel just sticks to my hands. I have a hard time spreading it on my face as it just sticks to the skin, even though my face is wet. I need to massage well for it to work. It doesn’t create any lather as such. But on massaging for some time, the blue gel texture turns into bluish-white paste like a face pack. On the directions, it is mentioned that the face wash has to be massaged for 2 minutes. And I felt, it works well only when used that way.
Initially, I was using it in the usual quick way of applying and washing off like any other face wash and it didn’t work well. Also, owing to the sticky consistency, it becomes difficult to wash off as well and takes time to remove it completely. Even I have a hard time washing it off from my hands. While washing, if any gel accidentally drips into your wash basin, it sticks there as well and you have to scrub to get rid of it.
But for all this hard work in using a face wash, the results are very satisfactory. It deep cleanses the skin and removes all oil, dirt and gives a fresh look. Am not sure if it contains menthol or not, but it gives a nice cooling and fresh feeling just like a menthol-based face wash. It doesn’t dry out skin much and I don’t feel the need to immediately reach for a moisturiser, though that might not be the case with dry skin people. It keeps my face fresh and oil-free for around 4-5 hours which is pretty good. Also, as mentioned in the product claims, I feel that it removes dead cells too and the whiteheads which I used to get frequently are more in control now.
Pros:
* Deep cleanses skin and gets rid of all dirt and oil.
* Gives a nice cooling effect.
* Keeps face oil-free for 4-5 hours.
* Removes dead cells.
* Controls whiteheads.
* Doesn’t dry out skin.
* Mild fragrance which is not bothersome.
* Nice and travel-friendly packaging.
* Free from SLS and parabens.
Cons:
* Sticky texture.
* Difficult to wash off.
Price and quantity: Rs.190 for 100g.
Rating: 4.3/5
Verdict: Overall, Curatio Fash Face Wash is a good face wash for oily-combination skin especially in summers. It gives a nice cooling feeling, deep cleanses skin and keeps it oil-free for a long time. Only con is the sticky texture which takes a while to spread and then wash off.
Editor’s Note: Oo..this is something quite unique and interesting. I have never tried something like that, but since this is specially meant for acne prone skin and controls that, it will be a boon for acne prone people. Nice review Archana 🙂
Have you heard of Fash Face Wash from Curatio yet?
So My Envy Box in association with NIMAI have launched this designer jewellery subscription box and I am amongst the 4 lucky bloggers for whom My Envy Box curated this special box this month.
MRP: Rs.2450/- per month- Buy HERE (Less for 3, 6 and 12 months susbcriptions)
About the Designer Jewelery Box: Get a surprise box of 2-3 curated items of designer jewelry typically worth well over twice the cost of the box!
Semi-Precious & Fashion Jewelry from established/up & coming Indian Designers
Jewelry curated by our partners at NIMAI
1% of revenue from Jewelry Box donated to Made By Survivors.
Some of the brands they would have are Zariin, Eesha Zaveri, Dang, etc and all the pieces of jewellery are pretty expensive, worth much more than the price of the box. Also every person would get a different box with different pieces.
The value of the 2-3 designer jewellery pieces every month would be in the total range of Rs.7000-12000/- and the price of the box is Rs.2450/- Also there is 10% off for this month of Feb using ‘JEWEL10′
To start with the box, it’s a beautiful navy blue colored velvet box with a mirror inside, the entire interior part is also velvet and the box itself is amazing. Perfect to store all your jewellery in the future too and makes a nice trousseau box for the brides-to-be.
Let me show you what I got in my box:
Pair of black and gold earrings from Zariin, my favourite gold and mint pair of earrings from Dang and a beautiful blue stone cocktail ring from Eesha Zaveri
I love each and every piece in the box, all the designs are totally my style. I don’t like chunky diamante pieces and I love stones and gems, also delicate and minute work is what I completely love. Both the set of earrings are something that would work with many different outfits from Indian to western, loved both of them!
I definitely suggest checking the My Envy Box designer jewelery box and also with the 10% off this month, it would be around Rs.2200/- and you will get 3 designer jewellery pieces, worth a try! Highly recommended.
Have you checked out the new My Envy Box Designer Jewelery Box yet?
When was the last time you girlies had to endure the distressing pain of waxing and tweezing and plucking? It is DEVASTATING! Okay! Maybe devastating is too harsh a word! But you got my point, right? It is upsetting. Be it a full body waxing session, a facial wax or a bikini wax, the very thought of getting my hair torn apart from my body makes me cringe. And if treatments like the laser treatment, that we are going to talk about today, come to our rescue, I would personally call it a SAVIOUR.
Thanks to the ever growing field of technology, beautifying yourself has become much more convenient and hassle-free. This is where comes handy the oh-so-famous LASER HAIR REMOVAL therapy. Agreed, it is a typically, not-so-pocket-friendly treatment that we are talking about. But if you have that extra credit to splurge, then why not!
TYPES OF LASER TREATMENTS AVAILABLE:
Permanent hair removal through laser beams has been getting popular over the past few decades. Many of us do not know, what exactly is all this about. So here, let me help you out! Basically, permanent hair removal can be done by two ways. Firstly, the laser beams, in which highly concentrated beams are focused on a target area, killing the hair follicles on the targeted skin. Secondly, hair removal can be done through IPL, i.e. Intense Pulsed Light. In this particular treatment, beams of low intensity are widely interspersed on a larger area. IPL is a more general process than laser treatment, which is more targeted. And due to more specific results, people often chose laser treatments over IPL treatment.
HOW DOES THE LASER TREATMENT WORK?
This is the question which hovers over our mind the most often. How exactly does this treatment help in permanent hair loss? Let’s face the truth here. Even laser hair treatments do NOT provide any permanent solution to unwanted hair growth. It just delays the growth of the hair for longer durations. The laser attacks the skin, and in the process kills the hair follicles. More precisely, it attacks the melanin in the hair follicles.
The next big question that arises in our mind, is this suitable for us? Laser treatments were basically targeted for the “LIGHT SKIN-DARK HAIR” audience. Those who had pale skin and darker hair were the most apt patients for this treatment, but now these treatments can be used by dark skinned beauties as well, thanks to the advanced technology.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLINIC:
Wait, what? Did I just say clinic? Patients? Treatments? Yes, it is a medical procedure. So if you are thinking of getting it done, steer clear form spas and saloons which provide these services without any medical and professional guidance. Even if you are planning to get laser hair removal done from a reputed hospital or clinic, make sure it is done by a professionally acclaimed cosmetic surgeon. In the case of the treatment being done by the doctor’s assistant, make sure a competent doctor remains on site of the procedure to look into any complications.
Surely, it would burn a hole in your pocket, but for some, it has proved to be worth the splurge. The treatment would require about 5-6 sittings, after which approximately 70% of the targeted area’s hair follicles die, thus resulting in hair loss which seems to be permanent. The average cost for each of these sessions may vary from clinic to clinic; depending on where you get it done from and which areas do you target. The sessions generally are meted out on alternative months and can be continued with touch ups, which should generally be taken, for better results.
But alas, no good things come without drawbacks. Most of the times, people who undergo these treatments have to suffer from swelling, redness and rashes on the skin. The skin can get irritated, but your doctor can prescribe ice-packs or targeted gels which can comfort your skin. Although scarring and blisters can occur on the skin, but these cases are very rare and are mostly seen on people with darker skin tones. No, I am not a racist. There is a scientific reason behind that. The darker skin has more melanin and can absorb the radiations more easily as the skin gets more porous. Other changes that may occur after the procedure are hypo pigmentation or hyper pigmentation, which is lightening or darkening of the targeted skin. Though these changes are temporary, but yes, they may happen.
PREPARING FOR THE TREATMENT:
Like any medical procedure, even laser treatment has a set of do’s and don’ts. Consultation with a reputed and experienced doctor is a must, beforehand. You should discuss with your doctor regarding the treatment; whether it is suitable for your particular skin and what results should you be expecting after the required sessions. Discussing the cost is also a generally good idea. Many doctors do advise avoiding direct contact with sun, at least six weeks before the due treatment. It is advice to cut back on waxing, plucking or electrolysis, i.e. any process which can hamper the hair follicle. Some doctor’s advice to shave the skin before the procedure, to get improved results. You may think, why this difference? It is because waxing damages the hair follicle and tugs at it; whereas shaving removes hair while keeping the follicle secure
Indeed, waxing is upsetting, and the mere thought of bikini-waxes makes us cringe and shiver. Yes, yes, we all hate the pain but love that silky, smooth-as-a-baby’s-butt skin. With the improved technology, you can bid the hot and messy waxing adieu forever. Sounds blissful! Doesn’t it?
So this is basically it. This is what I think about this so talked about practice. Go ahead, give it a try. But remember to play it safe. Stay beautiful.
Editor’s Note: Well written Ishleen, I have tried the Laser Hair Removal for my underarms and bikini area, read HERE and HERE. It’s been more than a year and I could not complete all 6 sessions still my growth has reduced a lot! It is basically hair reduction and not hair removal.
Have any of you tried laser hair removal/reduction? Your experience?
Create #StatementFurniture Pieces at Asian Paints Signature Store
Hi guys,
I attended Asian Paints Blogger’s Meet last week where we visited the Asian Paints Signature Store in Bandra and got the entire experience of how one can customise their wooden furniture to make it a statement piece.
The basic idea here is to transform furniture that we have in our homes so that they become statement pieces that express our style and personality.
When it comes to colour, there are infinite possibilities and Asian Paints brings them all on wood for us. You can choose whatever colour you like and give it a completely different look. ‘Colour On Wood‘ can make a piece of furniture completely your own which reflects your personality and everyone wants their home and/or at least their rooms to reflect their personality.
I definitely suggest heading to the Asian Paints Signature store to experience it all first hand and you can select any colour you want and you can see how the final outcome would be within a second, no longer imagining how it would turn out to be and many a times people end up not liking the final product. Here you see first, select, change and only then it would be worked upon.
We also had some activities where we divided into teams of 3 at first and then it teams of 4. We had to scan our favourite pieces from the store and then later we had to design a piece of furniture on paper using sketch pens.
How would you express your style with a Statement piece you ask, you can rework and redesign your old furniture piece or buy a new one designed exclusively by you. Change the color, vinyl, laminate, etc. You can even add a color coated glass on top of your furniture. Or the new Asian Paints Woodtech Polyster which looks and feels like a glass with the high shine glossiness and finish. There are different finishes you can work with like PU, PU Palette, Emporio, Emporio PU Palette, etc. My favourite has to be the marble finish vinyl/laminate, so you have your wooden furniture but with a marble look 🙂
I had submitted my old wooden side table and look how Asian Paints used their ‘Colour on Wood’ and gave so many different ideas in which I can refurbish this piece.
Deepa also took us around the entire store and showed us different parts of home that were done using ‘Colour on Wood’ and how each piece in that made a statement. From the bedroom to the dining area to the kids’ room, all was fabulously done. One can take some of these ideas and customize according to their preferences to create something totally new.
Asian Paints is now taking one city at a time and creating statement pieces that reflect that city’s culture & traditions so that people who have migrated feel ‘at home’ away from home. It’s a beautiful concept and we saw the Kerala inspired ‘Ormacheppu‘ which is all ready and done. Next they are working on Tamil Nadu and soon you will see furniture inspired from every city in India.
Ayurvedic medicines have its roots in India and no matter how much we rave about luxury cosmetics, we always find our way back to herbal skincare. Patanjali have reached out everywhere in India and has been acknowledged as one of the most popular herbal brand. The range is wide and covers everything – from skincare, cosmetics, haircare and even health issues. Their availability is good if you have a store nearby and they are also expanding. Thankfully, there is a store near my place and I got to try several products from the brand. There are such products I always repurchase as it is beyond commendable.
Here’s my top 5 Patanjali Products for you all.
1. Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel – (75 INR for 150ml)
This is the product which grabbed my attention on the brand. I have used a lot of moisturizer for oily skin, but this is one exceptional products that worked wonder for my skin. it has a refreshing fragrance and gives a soothing sensation to the skin. The absorption takes no time at all and makes the skin hydrated yet matte. I also face some discoloration issue around the mouth due to threading but this one has eliminated a lot after a prolonged usage. You require a very tiny amount for face and neck and makes the skin smooth, supple and hydrated. It is a must-have for oily and acne prone skin.
2. Patanjali Divya Kanti Lep – (60 INR for 50 gm)
This is sort of face pack powder that needs to be applied as a paste mixed with rose water. The Ayurvedic blend of ingredients helps to rid of skin problems like removing dark spots, pimples, acne and other signs of ageing and giving your skin a natural and healthy glow. It contains the goodness of Haldi, Manjeeth, Chandan, Aloe Vera, Jalphal, Kapoor, etc. My stubborn acne marks starting fading off when I had diligently used this product thrice a week. The results are surely effective and it is another praiseworthy product from this brand I have used.
I must have exhausted 10-12 bottles of this one and so you can imagine my love for this. From skin care to hair care, I incorporate the product literally everywhere. I have dark circles and extremely dehydrated eye area and I use the almond oil regular before bedtime. During winter months, I apply this on my dry patches to sooth and rejuvenate them. For hair, I sometimes used it with a concoction of coconut oil or sometimes alone. It can also be used as makeup remover and highly effective for eyes. The price is reasonably price and also one of the bets almond oil I have used.
4. Patanjali Kesh Kanti Milk Protein Hair Cleanser – (95 INR for 200ml)
Shampoos often dry out the hair but this one is exceptional. It has the goodness of bhringraj, mehendi, neem, tulsi and aloe Vera which works magically on my heat-damaged lifeless mane. It effectively cleanses the scalp of any layer of dirt, grime, oil and sweat and makes the hair nourished and soft. It lathers well and has a pleasant aroma to it. It works great for normal to dry hair and meritoriously balances the moisture level of the hair.
5. Patanjali Amla Juice – (100 INR for 1litre)
Sometimes you have to take care of the skin from inside. Living in a world of delicious junk food, our digestive system often takes a toll and results in various skin problems like acne, pigmentation, dehydration, dullness, etc. Patanjali Amla Juice, 20ml per day, is an excellent choice for a healthy juice which is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C. From healthy skin to hair – Amla can improve the health in every way. It also boosts my metabolism and keeps the weight in control and has cured my hair loss problem completely. The taste is a slight put-off but the product will do miracle for your health.
So, which is your favorite Patanjali product?
Editor’s Note: My husband swears by Patanjali products, Aloe vera juice and jams being his favourites. I haven’t tried any of their beauty or skincare products but the Aloe Vera gel is definitely on my list, will check these out too. Nice compilation Sanchita 🙂
Continuing the bridal posts from last month, today we are talking about wedding trousseau. How to plan it, what all to include, etc.
Trousseau mostly includes a new wardrobe, jewellery, makeup, clutches, shoes, basically everything a bride needs post wedding. Now every family has a different budget and different customs, some have a total of 11 outfits to give and some have 21 to 51 depending on the budget.
A bride should always mix and match the outfits in a trousseau, go for some anarkalis, some lehengas, sarees, kurtis and even western dresses for your honeymoon and the likes, so you have 1-2 options for every occasion post your wedding for at least a few months. But also keep your choice and lifestyle in mind, if you wear more of western wear and hardly wear any sarees, go for some basic 2-3 pieces and not more. Keep a balance and include everything but more of what you would actually need and use.
Jadtar (Kundan) Set
Coming to the outfits, what you must include is one piece of each type, like embroidery work, thread work, real silk, organza, zardozi, benarasi, gotta patti, so that from a simple occasion to a more grand occasion, you are sorted for everything. Also always have basic colors of blouses, petticoats and churidhars like gold, silver, red, green, blue, black and white so that you can mix and match.
Do not forget to include 1-2 classic pieces like silk, kanjeevaram, benarasi sarees or dresses that you can wear on any occasion and whatever the current trends, coz classic never goes out of style.
Also as already mentioned include more of western wear if that is what you are going to wear more of, anyway. New pair of denims, few tops, dresses, maxi dresses, skirts, and anything you can mix and match, a honeymoon wardrobe basically 😀
Lingerie, the most important, the right style and fit of lingerie can make or break your outfit. Invest in different types of lingerie & night wear like strapless, sports bra, lace, set of briefs and a few different styles of night wear.
Do not forget the accessories, bags and shoes. A basic gold and silver clutch for weddings, a formal bag, a casual bag and 2-3 pairs of basic shoes again including wedding wear, casual wear and a formal heels will keep you sorted. For accessories, buy only stuff that you would wear and matches your style from chunky statement pieces to delicate and dainty pieces, choose what you would actually use and relates to your style.
The most expensive part of your trousseau is the jewellery, invest in one gold and one diamond set at least but keep in mind your style when you buy it. For me personally, I like small and delicate jewellery and chose accordingly. Invest in classics that would go with your wedding wear and also evening or formal wear at the same time.
Makeup, again as I mentioned a lot of times, choose basic colors like golds, greens and browns for eye shadows or go for a palette which has all the basic shades. Or pick single eyeshadows and combine them in a magnetic palette to make your own customized palette. For lipsticks, choose a red, orange, nude, pink and you will be sorted for all outfits. But always try the shade before and pick up a tone that matches and works for your skin. Blush and highlighter are also an important part. Read my detailed post on what makeup your should include in your wedding trousseau HERE.
A cupboard to keep all the above stuff 😀 Also if you are setting up a new home, some basic home accessories can also be included. A bed spread, bed sheet and the likes would anyway be a part of trousseau. You will also be gifted dinner sets, tea sets and a lot of home accessories on your wedding, so maybe can buy those later.
Do not shop way too much and always be mindful of your budget. The key here is a balance of everything but within your budget 🙂
Do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
