Category Archives: Women

OOTD: Summer Co-ords | Favourite OOTD | Life Updates | Quitting Youtube?

OOTD: Summer Co-ords | Favourite OOTD | Life Updates | Quitting Youtube

Hi guys,

I am doing an OOTD post after months, and quite honestly it’s been all about Instagram of late. Bloggers share everything on Instagram/Instagram stories because it’s much quicker, and reaches many more people and instantly. It’s all about instant gratification, and the new apps are giving what the people want or they didn’t know they wanted?!

OOTD Summer Co-ords | Favourite OOTD | Life Updates | Quitting Youtube

I just wanted to talk to you guys and pour my heart out. So this post will random bits and pieces of my life along with this outfit and what I feel about Instagram and Youtube.

I shot this outfit last September, yes it’s been a long time and why I haven’t shared it yet? I had downloaded the pictures but never got around selecting and editing them. Usually if I like 3-4 pictures from one outfit shoot, I will share them on Instagram but if I get like 7-8 good pictures and I love all of them, I will share it in a blog post. I used to share all outfit pics here earlier but as I mentioned Instagram is just quicker, talk about being an easy devil :/

Easy it is, devil you guys know how Instagram has been. Since the last few months, I am not enjoying Instagram at all. You must have seen I used to do one post daily and now I am not so active. Sometimes I don’t even share any stories, the only problem is if I am not active for 3-4 days, Instagram reduces my reach and it becomes so bad that when I start posting, for at least about a week, no one can even see my posts on their feed unless I ‘promote’ that post. So Instagram has taken the Facebook route finally, and now your post won’t reach ‘your own’ followers unless you promote it. It’s like I have to forcefully remain active and post something, so that at least the minimum reach it is giving me anyway, that doesn’t get affected.

And as if Instagram wasn’t enough. Youtube is also doing the same. Apparently even if people are subscribed and sometimes have hit the bell icon as well, youtube doesn’t show your videos in their subscriptions or notify them. I have never been super active on Youtube but I am trying to. I go through those phases but in between 3-4 months I think I didn’t post anything at all, and the same thing happened on youtube, some unsubscribed, some aren’t getting my videos. I am currently getting half the views of what I used to get and it’s really discouraging and demotivating especially because Youtube unlike Instagram takes whole day to shoot, edit, etc. and it’s very time consuming. And then when your videos are seen by hardly 100-200 people even though 8700+ are subscribed, I don’t know how to express but it feels terrible and I thought of quitting youtube and not posting anything at all.

Some bloggers have shifted to IGTV because it’s new and that’s why the reach is much better there. I don’t know, all platforms come up with something new and push it for a year and then again same, paid promotions and push for ads to reach people. Same cycle. Everything is a vicious chain.

Instagram recently banned me for 3 days for apparently some copyright issue and nothing else was mentioned in the email which was a general mail and you cannot contact them or ask them about it. It’s so unfair because all my pictures and content are my own, and I hardly post videos or music and it’s all no copyright music even if I use. I contacted them 15-20 times on the app, of course never got a reply and I also asked my facebook account manager but even she couldn’t help. So for 3 days, I couldn’t post or like or comment, could just see the feed, not even stories.

I realized how Instagram can block the account permanently anytime and there is no solution to it. One cannot rely on Instagram and have to keep all other platforms open and need to have one primary platform i.e. blog/Youtube. Again Youtube also can deactivate your channel/account anytime. How we depend for our life/career on these platforms and how unreliable they are, it’s just scary!

I am trying to post regularly again on both Instagram and Youtube, I know I might go through the quitting/demotivated phase again but I don’t know if there is a solution to this. I would really love for you guys to like and comment on my Instagram and Youtube if you watch my videos and see my posts on Instagram, at least I can see some engagement and might help me push myself. That would mean a lot, I only see some people engage during giveaways and I know who they are. And I know people who regularly and genuinely follow me since years, I know your names, I know who you are and thank you for always supporting me. I really need your support again.

Coming to this outfit, this has to be one of my most favourite outfit/shoot I have done. The red orange colour, the co-ords and how flattering they are for my body type. The location/lighting/hair/makeup everything complimented and worked out so well.

The top has statement sleeves and is adjustable from the front, the skirt is well fitted and can be zipped from the side, it was slightly loose on the waist and I had to be careful there 😀 I loved the feather, leaves, circles, polka dots print on it and it screams summer and vacation, perfect for this season

It’s a super simple outfit and I kept the accessories also minimal and simple because I wanted the focus on the outfit. I paired it with my Daniel Wellington watch and pearl earrings and wore my Kendall and Kylie flat slides. (which I now wear everyday! So comfortable)

Co-ords: Free People
Watch: Daniel Wellington
Earrings: Kazo
Slides: Kendall + Kylie

Shot by: Sneha/Ravishing Focus

I hope you liked the outfit, do let me know your thoughts. And what do you think about Instagram/Youtube? Also any engagement would be really helpful and would mean a lot, thank you 🙂

OOTD: Shades of Blue feat. Recap Jeans

OOTD: Shades of Blue feat. Recap Jeans

Hi guys,

I recently got my hands on the new A/W’17 collection from Recap Jeans. A skinny fit denims and a super pretty blue and black printed off shoulder top.

I folded the denims a little to give the ankle length look, also the black contrast at the ankle looked chic.

The top was really comfortable and I absolutely loved the fabric, something I can wear comfortably all through the day and seasons, even in a humid city like Mumbai.

I am not much into skinny jeans, I like the straight fit more, but this was surprisingly comfortable. I didn’t feel suffocated and it is super stretchy, so even while bending/sitting, it was all fine.

I paired the outfit with a bamboo bag and rose gold pumps.

About Recap Jeans: Recap is a young, hip, modern denimwear brand. Our fits, silhouttes, fabrics and washes ensure that once a woman gets into our jeans she woudn’t want to get out of them. We live and breath denim. The young woman, the ever demanding fashionista is the focal point of our existence and we live to fulfill her every fashion dream. RECAP collections offer a wide variety of denim categories like ankle lengths, shorts, capris, culottes etc in a wide variety of fits along with fashion and classic topwear.

RECAP was launched in the year 1998. We come out with 2 collections in a year for the young fashion conscious women in the age bracket 18-30; spring-summer and autumn-winter. Our products which are made from the finest quality denim sourced from across the globe, incorporating the latest trends, have in a short period of time become a must have for any girls wardrobe. We were the first to introduce the current rage ‘jeggings” in the Indian market and it remains a favorite across categories even today.

About Recap AW Collection: The Recap AW 17 collection has something for everyone. Texture clashes are in trend this season. Recap’s colour palette ranges from sticky toffee, caramel, and camel to wine, plum and garnet. Combative prints, military inspired shorts and shrugs, long tunics all give the grungy look. Cool embroidery and intricately stitched denims with motifs of flora, fauna and quirky abstracts add that extra zing to your regular denim. Dungarees and culottes continue their fashion presence in our collection this year too.

The new AW 17 collection will be out on www.recap.in tomorrow.

If you liked my outfit and wish to check out more from Recap, Recap products will be on sale during the Flipkart Big Billion Days Sale. Not only on Flipkart, but also on other sites like Amazon, Snapdeal etc, including www.recap.in

Check out the offers from 20th to 24th Sept. There would be a discount upto 50%, so definitely check them out and make use of the sale 😀 Happy Shopping!

I hope you liked the outfit, do let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

P.C: Rhythmic Focus

Rivaah Wedding Jewellery by Tanishq

Rivaah Wedding Jewellery by Tanishq

Hi guys,

Day before yesterday I went to the Tanishq showroom to checkout the new Rivaah collection, which is the special bridal collection launched by Tanishq

About Rivaah: Rivaah is an ode to the beautiful brides of India. As varied as the communities she hails from, the Indian bride looks absolutely resplendent in her wedding finery. Nurturing her hopes and dreams, and experiencing a myriad of emotions, she looks forward to her wedding day like no other, for this is the day she becomes one with her partner.

RIVAAH = RIWAAZ + VIVAAH

I love the name Rivaah, it is a combination (Sandhi in Sanskrit) of Riwaaz and Vivaah. They have rightly combined both ‘tradition’ and different types of ‘weddings’ in India, and brought together this special bridal collection catering to 13 different communities in India.

Doli & Swan Designs

They have kept in mind the traditions followed by the different communities and the signature wedding jewellery found in each community, for e.g. temple jewellery for South Indian brides, the jhalar design for Bengali brides, etc.,

Different communities they have covered:

  • Gujurati
  • Bengali
  • Bihari
  • Marathi
  • Kannada
  • Malayali
  • Marwari
  • Oriya
  • Punjabi
  • Rajasthani
  • Sikh
  • Tamil
  • Telugu

So whether you are a Bengali Bodhu or Gujurati Vadhu or a Punjabi Lari, and any kind of wedding jewellery you are looking for, you will find them all here.

Entire Bengali Trousseau

Also they have quite a few contemporary designs like swan and peacock, a doli bidai procession, dhol, etc., And a beautiful mix of uncut diamonds and gems with gold base for the modern bride.

The jadau and kundan sets are breathtaking, I absolutely loved the two I tried.

They have also covered every bridal function from mehendi to sangeet to the wedding and reception, and you will find a lot of pieces for each function from light to heavy.

As the wedding season is approaching, if you are a bride-to-be, I would definitely suggest checking out the new Rivaah collection by Tanishq as they have a perfect mix of trendy and classic bridal jewellery and the collection has something for every bride out there.

And no, these are not the pieces that you will just wear once and then would stay in the lockers forever, post your wedding. These are something which you can style in so many ways and wear for many different occasions.

Like this necklace I have worn here, is perfect for your cocktail or reception, but you can wear it again with an indo-western fusion outfit or a gown for your close friend or family wedding reception or cocktail. A royal wedding, a red carpet, would work everywhere. Even the gold pieces with detailed enamel work, can be paired with indo western outfits. You can wear just the earrings too for post wedding family dinners, etc.

They also have a beautiful collection of bangles and rings which you can mix and match with a lot of outfits.

There were so many pieces to choose from, I could only capture a few. I suggest going to your nearest Tanishq store and checking out the entire collection for yourself.

Let me know your favourites in the comments below 🙂

Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil + Best Brands for Tea Tree Oil in India

Benefits Of Tea Tree Oil + Best Brands for Tea Tree Oil in India

By Sucharitha

Who would have thought that this small bottle of oil can be such a miracle for our body? I believed it only after using it myself.

Tea-tree oil is also known as melaleuca oil, it is a yellowish coloured essential oil that is made from the leaves of the plant ‘Melaleuca alternifolia’ which is found in Australia. It is a plant with many medicinal properties and has been used since ancient times for various issues. It does have a very strong smell but the benefits can easily beat the smell.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

So here is a list of some of the benefits of Tea tree oil:

1.  Acne: Tea tree oil is one of the best ingredient to reduce acne, it is known to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide. You can dilute tea tree oil with water or mix it with a carrier oil and then apply it on areas with acne. Otherwise, you can just buy products such as face wash or toners with tea tree oil in it.

2. Acne marks: Tea tree oil can not only remove acne but can also help with your acne marks. It won’t get rid of them completely but it would still work to an extent. You can dilute tea tree oil with some water and apply it on the affected areas. But the method that I like to use is, to mix two drops of tea tree oil with a pea sized amount of moisturiser and then apply it on my face. This would give an extra boost to the moisturiser and would help in removing those acne marks and spots.

3. Scars: Other than acne marks, tea tree oil is one of the most natural and efficient ways to treat scars. No wonder, in olden times’ people used tea tree oil to heal their cuts and wounds. Take few drops of tea tree oil and dilute it with water and apply it on the scar.

4. Itchy skin: Our skin itches mostly due to the presence of bacteria, so in order to stop itching the bacteria has to be killed. Tea tree oil is the best ingredient to kill bacteria, therefore dilute it with water or a carrier oil and apply it on the area where it itches or mix it with your moisturiser and apply it. You can also use body washes or lotions with tea tree oil. Or just add a few drops of tea tree oil daily in your bathing water.

5. Skin infections: Tea tree oil can cure so many skin infections such as warts, boils, chicken pox, Psoriasis and Eczema. For warts or boils, mix few drops of tea tree oil with water and apply it. For chicken pox, mix 2 to 3 drops of tea tree oil with olive oil and apply it twice a day. For Psoriasis and Eczema, mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil with 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil and apply it. The properties in tea tree oil will truly heal these infections and for skin infections, I would recommend you to use tea tree oil instead of products with tea tree oil.

6. Wrinkles: Tea tree oil is a magic product for young and supple skin. It has antioxidants which helps your skin remain healthy and its properties prevents spots, acnes and wrinkles. As I mentioned earlier, mix one or two drops of tea tree oil with your moisturiser. Or if you are making any home-made mask then just mix two or three drops of tea tree oil in it and apply it on your face. This would keep your skin healthy and young.

7. Hair growth and dry scalp: When you are giving yourself an oil massage with olive oil and coconut oil, add few drops of tea tree oil to get maximum benefits. It would help in hair growth and would treat dry scalp.

8. Dandruff: Other than acne, tea tree oil is also widely known to treat dandruff. Just like the moisturiser method, mix two to three drops of tea tree oil with your shampoo and wash your hair. Otherwise, you can use shampoos and conditioners with tea tree oil in it. When you are looking for a shampoo, try to look for the shampoos with 5% or less tea tree oil in it.

9. Nails: Tea tree oil can help in the removal of toe nail fungal. Just take pure tea tree oil and apply it on the nails which has toenail fungus and let it rest. Do this every day and you will see good results. While applying this, avoid the skin around the nail.

10. Others: Tea tree oil is antibacterial, hence it can treat cold. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil in a small pan of boiling water. Take a steam for 10 minutes and it would work to heal your cold. It can also help with athlete’s’ foot and it is an ingredient with anti-cancer properties.

To conclude, you need to only use a small amount of tea tree oil and for everything other than your nails its best to dilute or mix it with something. Carrier oils are oils which are used to dilute an essential oil. Some of the carrier oils are coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and so on.

Precautions:

  • Tea tree oil should not be consumed, it is considered poisonous.
  • Do a patch test to ensure that you are not allergic to tea tree oil.
  • Do not use undiluted tea tree oil all over your face.
  • Avoid the area around your eyes or mouth
  • If you have severe acne or skin infections, consult a dermatologist before using tea tree oil.

Best brands of tea tree oil in India

These are the five brands of tea tree that I like and these are easily available online. These small bottles of magic can last a long time and help you. The prices mentioned below are standard prices but you can get a discount if you buy them online.

Apart from the famous The Body Shop Tea Tree oil, there is Fab India’s Tea Tree oil and a few other brands mentioned below which are quite good:

1. Aloe Veda Distil Aromatherapy Tea Tree Oil: Rs.260 for 10ml

2. Khadi Tea Tree Oil : Rs. 320 for 10ml (Buy HERE)

3. Aroma magic Tea Tree Oil: Rs.449 for 20ml (Buy HERE)

4. Soulflower Tea Tree Oil: Rs.450 for 15ml (Buy HERE)

5. Emami Aroma Miracle Tea Tree Oil: Rs.250 for 10ml (Buy HERE)

6. Aroma Treasures Tea Tree Oil: Rs.235/- for 10ml (Buy HERE)

Editor’s Note: That’s a nice detailed post Sucharitha

Do you use Tea Tree Oil? Which brand do you like?

Indian Wedding Dresses for Bride’s/Bridegroom’s Sister

Indian Wedding Dresses for Bride’s/Bridegroom’s Sister

By Sanchita

Wedding is just not the special day for the bride and groom, it is equally special for Bride’s/Bridegroom’s Sister. Every sister would want to deck up and to choose the best outfit for her brother or sister’s wedding. Well, gone are the days when saree and lehenga are the only options. Indian Wedding is generally all about the rich culture and traditional outfits but if you want the spotlight on you, you must check out the variety of outfits. Also, while choosing you have to keep in mind that the outfit should look apt and not clash with the elaborate outfit of the bride.

Wedding day means the crazy surrounding with variety of preparations. And, choosing an outfit to match your body and personality is another job altogether. There is a variety of ethnic options available to you to rock your brother or sister’s wedding. After all, you are the bridesmaid! Let’s have a look at the wedding dresses.

1. Lehenga with Embroidery Work

I recently saw Sonam Kapoor wearing a gorgeous off-white lehenga with golden embroidery work for her cousin brother Akshay Marwah’s big fat Punjabi wedding. the color was soothing yet was glamorous. It had a regal feel and needlessly to say, Sonam carried it off like a diva. She paired the look with golden jewellery, a braided up-do and subtle makeup. This is surely an outfit goal for the bride’s/bridegroom’s sister.

2. Floor Length Anarkali Suit

Floor Length Anarkali Suit makes a wonderful wedding outfit for the sister. It is inspired by the royal opulence of the Mughal era and radiates every bit of grandeur, ethereal charm and beauty. You can easily pair it up with statement jewellery and glowing skin. These floor length anarkali designs can be done in pretty colors, beautiful designs and intricate art work and lovely motifs as well. Currently, floor length anarkalis have created a major fashion statement across the globe as a wedding outfit.

3. Floor Length Indo-Western Gown

Gown is extremely popular in the western world as a wedding outfit but the classy Indo-Western Gown is an ethereal combination of east and west. Various Indian designers have created their own version of Indo-Western Gown and it is nothing but stylish. You can go bling or for softer colors like pink, yellow or coral. Pair it up with glowing skin and bold lips.

4. Half-lehenga Saree

Indian wear is always classy but when you fusion one with another, it is nothing less than outstanding. The Half-lehenga Saree is a combination of the saree and lehenga and is considered as one of the perfect traditional wear for weddings or parties. It has modernized styles on the runway with the conventional lehenga and some fantastic adjustments. Simply drape a choli around to give the impression of the saree.

5. Lehenga

This is one of the one of the oldest and obvious choice but as they say, old is gold. This is one of the most popular choice and you would find a variety of design when it comes to lehenga. If you want to stick to the ethnic ensemble. It adds an elegant touch to the look and you can either go for heavy jewellery or heavy makeup.

6. Lehenga with Jacket

A jacket for Indian wedding? Of course! Your fashion sense and style has to be on point when you sport the Lehenga with rich embroidery Jacket with it. It is a great time to experiment and this is a style that would surely turn heads. It is a great way to modernize Indian traditional wear and has a conventional charm as well. The Lehenga-Jacket is easier to carry as well with the right kind of makeup and hairdo.

7. Off Shoulder Top with Traditional Long Skirt

Off shoulder trend is ruling the western world and outfits, therefore, why not add some Indian traditional touch to it? Pair up an Off Shoulder Top with a beautiful traditional statement necklace and long skirt. Make sure that the skirt is flowy, has embroidery and traditional touch to it. This would easily balance out the Off Shoulder Top and add a wonderful contemporary touch to the ensemble.

8. Saree

This is one of the most popular choice as well. Saree has been worn at every Indian wedding and all you can do is choose the fabric carefully that would look nice on you and compliment the look. Needless to say, this is one of the safest choice as well. Also, saree can be drape in various ways as well.

9. Lehenga with Cape

Regular lehenga designs have gotten an upgrade in terms of style and silhouette over the years. The beauty of overflowing, floaty vibe of lehenga and cape is phenomenal. It has such gorgeous ensemble and it will definitely make to stand out in the crowd. Pair it up with Maang Tikka and bangles and see how dazzling it looks.

10. Long Jacket and Dhoti Pants

This is one stunning combination for a traditional outfit. The Long Jacket and Dhoti Pant with traditional design has the touch of Indo-Bohemian style to it. it is detailed with every bit of elegance, sophistication and richness of Indian traditional outfit and you can easily flaunt this for reception as well.

11. Saree Gown

This is one of the hassle free outfit and when our favorite celebrities flaunted them with such grace and elegance – you have to try this traditional outfit rolled with a modern touch.

12. Palazzo Suit

Palazzo pants were extremely popular in the 1970s and it made a comeback as a western outfit. Well, now you can wear it traditionally as well – paired with a traditional suit. The heavy work kurta along with a dupatta with match up extremely well with palazzo for a wedding.

Editor’s Note: Loved all the outfits Sanchita, very nice and helpful compilation.

So, which is your favorite wedding outfit?

5 Make-up Must Haves For The ‘Summer Goddess’ Look

5 Make-up Must Haves For The ‘Summer Goddess’ Look

By Ankita

Hello everyone,

I was watching Gods of Egypt a couple of months back and it did not take me long before I got totally obsessed with Élodie Yung’s ‘Hathor’ look in the movie. Sporting slight tan-ish bronze look, she looked absolutely stunning! So, I began my own little research ‘how to get that bronze goddess glow’, but, to be frank, it was a little over the top in real life.

It wasn’t until a few days back, that I hit the gold! So here I am with 5 makeup absolutes to get the bronze gold, goddess of the sands look with affordable drugstore products.

For the convenience of my readers, I have made a few product suggestions that are quite easily available and are a perfect dupe for high-end drugstore items, with a few application tips to nail it.

Want to get that sun-kissed look without actually getting out in the sun? Stay tuned till the end 🙂

Face It!!

1. Liquid Illuminators

Liquid Illuminators are a rage this season. They give you that bronzy-under the skin glow that looks almost effortless.

Application Tip: Take a pea-sized amount on your stippling brush and stipple it all over your face with light hands.

What I recommend

Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in the shade Bare Lights is perfect for this look. It imparts a decent glow to the face without going overboard.

Priced at: 995 INR

2. Flesh toned Concealer

Remember girls, the focus of this look is on bringing your natural facial highlights and features. So it is better to stay away from concealers that are way too lighter than your skin tone. The idea here is to get a flawless base.

Application Tip: Take your concealer and dot it on areas that need a bit of touch-up. Say for example, under the eyes, around the mouth and any other blemished area. Lightly dab it with your ring finger first and then blend it with a beauty blender.

What I recommend

L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD is my absolute favourite when it comes to concealing. It doesn’t crease at all and blends like a dream. The brush tip applicator lets you control the amount of product coming out of the tube. Best thing, they have a shade for every skin tone, but medium beige works just fine for me.

Priced at: 535 INR

3. Highlight

Now comes the most important part of this look, ‘The Highlight’. A champagne gold colour highlighter would give you that goddess glow without making it too dramatic.

Application Tip: Take a small amount of highlighter and brush it with the lightest hands on all high points of your face including cheekbones, forehead, bridge of the nose, cupids bow, inner corners of eyes and a little on your collar bone.

What I recommend

Makeup Revolution Pro Highlighter – Illuminate has just the right amount of light reflecting particles to light up your face, never making it look like a disco ball. It has beautiful gold champagne colour and is sure to make some heads turn when you put it on.

Priced at: 725 INR

4. The eyes have it all

Application: Keep the eyes neat and clean with a rose-gold eye shadow all over the lid and a dark brown kohl on the upper lash line, lightly smudged and slightly winged to give that doe-y eyed appearance.

What I recommend

– Eye Shadow: Faces Glam on Color Perfect eye shadow Quad Captive

This palette has the four most beautiful colours with rosy gold and bronze undertones and is a must for all those looking for a subtly shimmer based eye shadow palate. The colour payoff is excellent, with least fall out.

Priced at : 599 INR

– Kohl: Lakme Eyeconic Brown Kajal

A dark brown kohl pencil would definitely compliment the entire look instead a black one. Lakme Iconic Brown Kajal glides on smoothly to give you that intense sensual gaze that is sure to steal many hearts.

Priced at: 275 INR

Now pucker up

5. Lip Gloss

Application: Nothing more sensual than a nude lip. Dab your beauty blender with a little bit of concealer/foundation on your lips and top it off with a nude pink lip gloss just on the centre of your lips.

What I recommend

Colorbar True Gloss Lip-gloss Natural Tan ( 550 INR)

This look is very much wearable and would suit almost all skin tones. As Indians, we are blessed with a beautiful yellow-olive undertone. So why not flaunt it. Try this look and do let me know your thoughts and experience.

Editor’s Note: These are the perfect products for the ‘glow’ in summers 😀 Nice compilation Ankita, welcome to NLM

Do you like the summer goddess glowy look?

How to Select The Best Planner: Weddings in India

How to Select The Best Planner: Weddings in India

Since, every person is quite sure his or her wedding must be the best, much time and efforts are paid to make a wedding ceremony perfect. The amount of the efforts is so huge, that it takes months to arrange a wedding. Definitely, wedding is an exact day that cannot be planned and arranged without a help of professionals. Moreover, when you want to spend one of the best days of your like abroad, you should take care of it every detail in advance.

Where to Find a Skilled Planner

In case you want to perform your ceremony in India, you should always look for the wedding planner, who will be aware of traditions and customs of citizens of India. For sure, no one is forced to hold own wedding in Indian style, but staying in the country it is also important to follow certain rules. If you have chosen to spend your wedding day in India, the first thing you should do is to find the best wedding planners in Delhi NCR. This is definitely not an easy task; still you can find a great wedding planner quite quickly.

If you want to find expert planner, follow the next stages:

– Try to ask your friend and family about the planner that they have used to work with in past or cooperate currently.

– Use the Internet to find the list of the best planners in India.

– Look for a feedback and responses on the Internet and at local media.

– Contact the couples, who used the services of certain planners.

– Make your choice.

Where and How to Arrange a Wedding

The landscapes of India will make every wedding a real fairytale, no matter whether you have been expecting it or not.

When you have a chance to arrange a wedding in such a country, there must be no doubts you are making a great choice. Living or staying in India for a while gives you an additional opportunity to plan your wedding in details, in advance. In the same time, services of an expert planner is always of a high importance. It is all because only such a skilled specialist will make sure nothing extraordinary will happen during a wedding day. Everyone likes surprises, but not on the day that must be held perfectly and according to the plan.

There is also a great rule never to expect other person to do something for you, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Here is the exact day, when other professionally trained person will help you to fully enjoy your wedding day, and forget about responsibilities and other wedding details.

Fenugreek (Methi) for All your Skin Issues

Fenugreek (Methi) for All your Skin Issues

By Nidhal

Mortified of those pesky pimples making a peek-a- boo every time you have to get ready and paint the town red or when you have an indispensable event and you just can’t miss it? Exhausted with trying every over-the –counter trick or product on those acne scars of yours that have sworn never to leave your skin? Dissatisfied with every spot/blemish removal cream in the market which promises you flawless skin within minutes but ends up burning a hole in your pocket in a minute instead of doing what it actually promised to?

To tackle all these woes, let us simply turn back to Nature. The wonder ingredient that we would be relying upon today to preen ourselves is none other than the 5 lettered word whose benefits would surpass your imagination- METHI.

1. METHI POWDER, CURD & ROSE WATER MASK

Apart from reducing cholesterol, preventing diabetes and increasing breast milk, fenugreek aka Methi seeds and leaves are widely used in Indian households. Curd works well to remove dryness, tan and dullness off your skin. Rose water works wonders as a toner. And do I need to say more on its heavenly aroma? Naah! You guys might already by picturing it being sprayed on your skin while you unwind during your weekend spa (or at-home spa session) by now, right?

PROCEDURE- In a clean and dry blender, grind 4-5 tbsp of methi seeds till a fine powder is obtained. In one heaped tbsp. of methi powder, add a tbsp. of curd and adequate rose water to liquefy the concoction slightly. Do not add rose water in excess because curd too has whey which being a liquid will make the process of application arduous if rose water is added with abandon.

Mix well, apply on your face and neck. Avoid eye area. Wash off after 15 minutes with ample cold water. This pack will give you instantly brightened skin.

2. METHI POWDER & NEEM DECOCTION MASK

Vitamin A housed in fenugreek (methi) and incorporated in cosmetic products can treat a variety of skin disorders like acne, eczema, psoriasis and blackheads. Neem, by the virtue of having antimicrobial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties helps you bid adieu to pimples and acne. Guess what a combo of the two can do to your skin?

PROCEDURE- In a heaped tbsp. of methi powder, add sufficient neem water and mix well to form a smooth paste. Preparing neem water is a piece of cake. How? Just boil 8-9 Neem leaves in half a litre of water on the stove. When the colour of the water changes to dark green, switch off the stove. Let the water cool. Strain the water and discard the leaves. You water is ready! Told you it was a cakewalk.

Apply the mask on your face and neck. Let it dry. Wash off with cold water. Repeat once daily. This mask is a Holy Grail mask for those with oily skin.

3. METHI POWDER, BESAN FLOUR, HALDI & MILK MASK

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C in methi can help you from UV rays and prevent aging wrinkles. Fenugreek is rich source of vitamin K. Assorted properties in vitamin K help to treat stretch marks, spider veins, fade scars and reduce dark circles. Besan works to sort sallow complexion and Haldi (I recommend Amba Haldi and Kasthoori Manjal for both of them are specifically meant for skin care and not for cooking). Milk is enriched with lactic acid hence, helps in lightening one’s scars, spots and marks.

PROCEDURE- In a heaped tbsp. of methi powder, besan and a pinch of haldi, add adequate amount of milk to forma consistent paste. Mix well. Apply on your skin. Let it dry and then wash off with cold water.

Editor’s Note: These are some really good DIY masks, would surely try some.

Do you use methi for your skin?

DIY Vegan Hair Mask for Soft & Healthy Hair

DIY Vegan Hair Mask for Soft & Healthy Hair

Guest Post by Louisa

We all know that eating foods which are rich in vitamins and minerals is essential to achieve healthy looking hair. But you can also give your strands a boost by applying natural fruits and oils on your hair. See how easy it is with my simple vegan hair mask.

As traditional shampoos contain harsh detergents and chemicals, I only use the best organic shampoos and conditioners to make sure I’m using gentle cleansing agents made with natural ingredients. This way I’m not undoing any of the goodness delivered by my hair mask treatment.

Avocado

Using avocado in a hair mask is a great way of infusing your hair and scalp with moisture. It has so many beneficial properties they are difficult to count, and include potassium, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

If you’ve noticed any new hair takes a long time to grow, it could be due to a nutritional deficiency. Avocado is the perfect way to nourish hair cells, strengthen roots and encourage new hair growth.

Banana

Adding banana to a hair mask is a great way to rejuvenate your hair. They are as good for your hair as they are for you to eat, and can help soften hair and protect its natural elasticity.

Bananas deliver Vitamin A, B, C, E, potassium, zinc, iron and magnesium. These nutrients can help repair and condition hair, making it softer and more manageable, as well as helping to protect from damage caused by heat styling or harsh weather.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk has excellent moisturising properties, and acts as a natural detangler. It contains healthy fats which can be beneficial for stimulating hair growth, as well as repairing hair that feels dull or damaged.

Massaging coconut milk into your scalp can help improve blood circulation and promote healthier roots. It also has natural antifungal properties which can fight Malassezia, one of the main causes of dandruff.  

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of the best multitasking hair care products around. It can help strengthen hair, condition your scalp and even stimulate new hair growth. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and lauric acid, and effectively penetrates the hair shaft to deliver these nutrients.

Applying coconut oil before exposing your hair to heat or chemical treatments can help protect it from drying out, and also acts as a natural sunscreen. It’s the perfect ingredient to use in a moisturising hair mask, and will make it easier to brush out any tangles and control frizz.

Olive Oil

Olive oil contains oleic acid, palmitic acid and squalene, which are natural emollients with softening qualities. Many products contain synthetic versions of emollients, but they aren’t as effective in penetrating the hair shaft to help retain natural moisture.

Undernourished hair can be hard to style, and often breaks when you’re trying to work through tangles. Olive oil can smooth cuticles and split ends, which helps to reduce frizz and makes hair more manageable.

Ingredients

– 1/2 Avocado

– 1/2 Banana

– 50 ml Coconut Milk

– 2 tbsp Coconut Oil

– 1 tbsp Olive Oil

Method

Blend all the ingredients together until you have a very smooth mixture. This will make it easier to spread throughout your hair, and won’t leave any annoying clumps behind when you wash it out later.

Apply the mixture all over your hair and scalp, making sure your skin is saturated so it can benefit from all the essential nutrients. As the ends of your hair are driest, you can start at the tips and work your way up.

Leave the hair mask on for 15 to 20 minutes. You can put a towel over your shoulders to avoid getting messy, and then use a shower cap to avoid any dripping.

Wash your hair with a natural shampoo, making sure you thoroughly rinse out the mixture. It’s best to use lukewarm water to protect your skin’s natural oils, and seal in its moisture.

You can use your usual conditioner as well, and your strands should feel soft and easy to detangle. By infusing it with protein, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, you should have noticeably healthier looking hair.

About The Author: Louisa Rose is from Cologne, Germany. She runs Body Health Love, where she blogs about health and beauty advice for young women.

Online Diamond Jewellery Shopping and 30% Off on Diamonds!

Online Diamond Jewellery Shopping and 30% Off on Diamonds!

Hi guys,

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, as the saying goes, which is indeed true. Most of the girls would agree 😀 And we all love sales and discounts. When you get diamonds on sale, it’s like a win-win! Best of both worlds. I came across this website called Alapatt Diamonds and currently they have a sale going on, so I wanted to share about it.

About Alapatt Diamonds: Alapatt Diamonds is from the House of Alapatt, a 60+-year-old jewelry brand from Kerala. Led by Mr Jose Alapatt, the House of Alapatt brings to you the ultimate Retail jewellery shopping experience through the new Alapatt Diamonds website.

I saw the website and they make gold, diamond and even precious stone jewellery. They have rings, earrings, bracelets, bangles and even pendants and necklaces in each. There are different collections like the Royal Collection, Nature’s Collection, Cute Collection, Inspiration Collection, etc.,

It also offers 360 degree view of the product, so that you can see the design well from all sides. You can try the product at your home when it arrives and they even offer 7 day returns policy. Cash on Delivery is also available for order values below INR 50000. I quite liked all these features the website offers.

Along with the jewellery, they provide certificates to ensure the authenticity of the products. They come with BIS Hallmark and IGI certificate.

Currently, they have a sale of flat 30% off on the total value of a product on diamond jewellery. The sale is on till 31st December, so if you have been planning to buy diamonds, check out the website and do avail the offer! I also have a Rs.1000/- off additional discount code for you all. But since the codes are unique, you will have to mail me for the discount code and I will send you the code in email 🙂

Some of my favourites from the sale are..

1. Zig Zag Diamond Necklace

This one is so elegant and perfect for your Indian wear as well as western gowns. Set in 18ct Gold (10.36gms) with Diamonds (0.62 Ct), marked down to INR 92540 from INR 132200.

2. Elegance Earrings

These are again super elegant, perfect for everyday wear at work. These would look good on all different face shapes as they are drop shaped. Set in 18ct Gold (2.26gms) with Diamonds (0.11 Ct), marked down from INR 30600 to INR 21420.

3. Floral Grandeur Necklace

If you are a bride to be, this one is absolutely perfect for your reception. Whether you wear a saree/lehenga or gown, a floral diamond necklace is evergreen and works with everything and in trend always. This is something you can pass on to your future generations and they will love it too. Set in 18ct Gold (37.93gms) with Diamonds (3.42Ct), marked down to INR 385280 from INR 550400

4. Blooming Vines Bangle

This is a simple kada type bangle which you can pair with all your Indian wear. A kada like this in one hand and a watch in other and you are sorted for accessories with Indian ethnic wear. Set in 18ct Gold with Diamonds (0.25 Ct), marked down to INR 53900 from INR 77000

What did you like the most? Are you planning to buy something? Do mail me for the additional 1000 off coupon code 🙂