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Create #StatementFurniture Pieces at Asian Paints Signature Store, Home Decor, Indian Lifestyle Blog

Create #StatementFurniture Pieces at Asian Paints Signature Store

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.

You can get more information here https://www.asianpaints.com/woodtechstudio

Do visit the #ColourStoreAsianPaints at Bandra and check out for yourself 🙂

How To Plan Your Wedding Trousseau

How To Plan Your Wedding Trousseau

Hi guys,

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.

The Various Styles Of Rado Watches For Your Man

The Various Styles Of Rado Watches For Your Man

In the luxury watch industry, the Rado name is a firmly established one. Since its 1917 establishment in a Swiss village, this watchmaker has gone on to scale numerous peaks in watch-manufacturing technology and innovation.

Rado has enjoyed a reputation for flair and ground-breaking technology-driven design ever since they made the world’s first scratch-resistant watch in 1962.

If you’re looking to buy a luxury watch that’s both smart and snazzy, you’ll need to look no further; the Rado selection includes a number of models to suit every taste. Choosing one can get a bit confusing with the sheer variety on offer.

Fret not, though! This guide will give you a short but thorough description of the various Rado product lines. Whether you buy your Rado watches online from retailers like Zimson or from other any other retailer this will help you choose the watch that’s just right for you.

The Rado HyperChrome Line

The design of these watches is inspired by the timeless classics made by Rado in the last century. These watches are the high range designer’s signature models for any occasion.

HyperChrome models come in a number of styles to suit every watch lover’s personal taste, and there are over 70 models on offer.
The pride of this model line are the HyperChrome watches in high-tech ceramic; they do away with the stainless steel core of previous ceramic models. Instead, these are crafted from a single piece of sleek-looking injected ceramic. These models promise comfort, durability, and great looks.

It’s not all male-only, though; smaller date models made especially for ladies include classy diamonds on the bezel, dial, and even the side inserts. There truly is a HyperChrome for everyone!

The DiaMaster Family

Rado’s DiaStar 1, launched way back in 1962, was the world’s first scratch-resistant watch. These DiaMaster timepieces are touted as the new face of an old legend, and more than live up to the expectations.

These stylish and durable versions of the old ultra-durable Rado watches have their own identity: large open dials for great visibility. With that said though, the design is still diverse enough to include large ultra-masculine chronographs and tasteful diamond-studded bijous.

Drawing from Rado’s famed material expertise, your DiaMaster is made from elements like a number of shades of ceramic, or leather or carbon-diffused steel. Given the versatility of these materials, you will have no trouble finding one that suits your tastes.

The Rado V10K

Though this refers not to a series but a model, the V10K is so unique that it warrants its own description here.

Rado has named this model based on its hardness rating; the watch has been scored at 10,000 Vickers, which is as hard as the average diamond! For comparison, stainless steel is rated at 200 on this scale.

It isn’t all hardness and masculine posing though; the V10K has also been carefully designed using sapphires and diamonds.

The Esenza Line

Rado’s Esenza line consists of elegantly designed models that are designed with women in mind, though not exclusively for them. Most Esenza watches are made for women, but men have a few choices here as well.

The design cue here seems to be smooth, sleek, and sensual. This line gave rise to the world’s first ceramic touch-controlled watch. In a world where technological breakthroughs are mostly focused on men, this watch made a significant difference by being designed exclusively for women.

There are diamond-encrusted models in this line as well. Whatever your taste, there’s an Esenza for you.

And That’s Not All…

Rado’s amazing product line contains much more than these lines.

The Ceramica line showcases the company’s material expertise; the Original line consists of a number of modern classics; all the products lines showcase this watchmaker’s dedication to beautiful and innovative devices that are much more than just watches.

Whether you want an uber-masculine large chronograph, a pretty diamond-studded ladies’ watch, or the world’s hardest watch, Rado has got it all.

Buy one today and see for yourself what the hype about these watches is all about!

What do you think of Rado watches? Which one do you like?

P.S: Images from Rado website

#LIVAProtege 2015 Finale Fashion Show & Winners

#LIVAProtege 2015 Finale Fashion Show & Winners

Hi guys,

If you follow me on twitter (@bhumika_t) you know I attended the LIVA Protégé Finale Fashion Show on 23rd Dec, 2015. It was at the Palladium Hotel, the same stage where Lakme Fashion Week takes place but a different set up ofcourse.

Also last month in November, I had gone for the Mumbai mentoring session at Shruti Sancheti, the Mumbai mentor’s residence. She went through Diksha and Jasmine, the Mumbai finalists’ designs and gave them some recommendations, etc.

If you remember my #UnboxWithLiva event and my outfit, you know how amazingly soft, comfortable and fluid the LIVA fabric is.

Let me tell you a little more about Liva Protégé: Liva Protégé is not just another hunt for the best fashion designers, but a mission dedicated to the Indian fashion industry.

Powered by Liva – a new-age fabric designed to infuse incredible fluidity into garments, from the house of Birla Cellulose, Liva Protégé aims to tap into the great Indian talent pool and ensure that promising fashion designers in India get their rightful place under the sun, and help India keep shining across the global fashion landscape.

Starting this year, Liva Protégé will be an annual, pan-India hunt for the brightest fashion designers in the country.

The first edition – Liva Protégé 2015 – saw participants create evening wear from Liva fabrics. Innovative designs that have the potential to turn heads, became the flavour of the season, and propelled their creators to fashion stardom.

Liva Protégé 2015 saw 100+ budding designers from 50+ Leading Fashion Design Institutes go through 4 gruelling rounds. 6 different cities. 6 mentors. 12 Finalists.

Mentors were Shruti Sancheti from Mumbai, Sahil Kochhar from Delhi, Soham Dave from Ahmedabad, Agnimitra Paul from Kolkata, Manoviraj Khosla from Bengaluru and Chaitanya Rao from Chennai.

The Finale was judged by Soha Ali Khan, Prasad Naik, Ananya Birla, Narendra Kumar Ahmed and Nandini Bhalla.

I absolutely loved each of the 12 themes and every theme was totally different from the other. From different cities of India to different emotions to different art forms, each participant was given an unique theme and how they designed the outfits based on the theme was commendable! Not only the outfits but everything from the makeup, hair, accessories and shoes to the background, lighting and music matched perfectly to the themes. It was one spectacular show and I can say, one of the best fashion shows I have seen! The show also had a beautiful musical dance performance in between which left us mesmerized!

Every outfit was made with LIVA fabric and it was by and large established as a fashion fabric at LIVA Protégé ’15.

The winners were:

Winners

SAGARIKA JOSHI from Bengaluru  is the 2nd runner up. She was mentored by Manoviraj Khosla, her theme was ‘Taraxacum’, the plant family (also known as ‘Dandelion’)

NITIN GUPTA  from Ahmedabad is the 1st runner up. He was mentored by Soham Dave and his theme was Jaipur- Pink City, Blue Tale. I loved how he combined the Jaipur elements but in a blue theme.

RITURANA DEORI from Ahmedabad is the WINNER of LIVA Protégé 2015. He was also mentored by Soham Dave. His theme was Melancholia.

I wish all the best to all participants and they all were amazing, I know each of these 12 budding designers are going to be huge one day coz the talent was very much visible! The fact that LIVA is giving these budding designers a platform to showcase their talent and a chance to make big, is worthy of appreciation. I am really looking forward to more of #LIVAFluidFashion in LIVA Protégé 2016 now 🙂

Did you like the designs? Did you follow LIVA Protégé online?

OPPO F1 Launch & First Impressions

OPPO F1 Launch & First Impressions

 Hi guys,

Last week I attended the launch event of #OPPOF1 and they also announced their association with ICC. They are soon launching F1 Plus too.

Currently the F1 sales start this week. The tagline of F1 goes ‘Bright & Beautiful, Selfie Expert OPPO F1′. And rightly so, this phone has an excellent camera.

Let me tell you a little more about the camera:

Dubbed as the “Selfie Expert”, the F1 features a standout 8 MP front-facing camera with a wide f/2.0 aperture lens and a 1/4-inch sensor, a sophisticated Pure Image 2.0+ photography platform offering OPPO’s Beautify 3.0 feature, OPPO’s patented Screen Flash to make snapping selfies in low-light conditions, and can shoot selfies using hand gestures and spoken commands, ensuring stunning selfies in all conditions.

The F1 also features a 13 MP rear camera with an ISOCELL sensor, the phase detection autofocus (PDAF) with a focus time of just 0.1s, and the anti-shake optimization feature which enables the camera to automatically select the clearest image from a huge buffer of image data the moment the shutter button is pressed.

The F1 is specially designed with powerful software and hardware to make capturing stunning selfies a breeze, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 series Octa-core processor with 3GB RAM and 16GB ROM, all backed by OPPO’s spectacular build quality with a silk feeling metal panel.

It comes with a charger, head phones, two guides and a transparent silicone cover. I am glad they have head phones and cover too, and the head phones are pretty good quality.

Colors available: Rose Gold and Gold

Price: Rs.15990/-

The phone is also 4G enables and is so thin and light, the design is mind blowing. Read more here http://bit.ly/1JeFXYw

I am absolutely in love with the design, it is super thin and very light weight. The dull gold matte finish looks very classy and elegant and it is the lightest phone I have ever used and carried. Plus the four contoured corners are also well designed giving it a sleek look. It also comes in matte rose gold which is again beautiful.

The camera also comes with Beautify 3.0 option which makes your selfies look pretty! The front 8MP camera works even in low light conditions and still gives you pretty bright and clear selfies. The front camera selfie pictures are also all high resolution and crisp.

Here is my selfie taken with the front camera without any filter or Beautify option, it in itself is so bright and clear.

Selfie Oppo F1 Front Cam

And a pic taken with the rear camera.

Rear Cam Oppo F1

The camera and design is excellent and I have not come across a phone as classy looking and light weight as this in this price range yet! I highly recommend checking out OPPO F1, the sales start this week in all major cities and also online.

The best thing about OPPO is they have 30 day replacement period and 24 months warranty which no other brand in India has, I believe coz I have only seen 6 or 12 months warranty majorly.

Do you like the phone and pictures? Have you checked out OPPO phones yet?

Lenskart Blog: All About Eyewear Fashion

Lenskart Blog: All About Eyewear Fashion

Hi guys,

Today I am talking about a blog which is completely dedicated to eyes. Yes, that’s right. From fashionable eyewear to the latest eyewear trends to eye care tips, new brands, new launches, celebrity favourites, everything. It’s the blog by Lenskart.com.

You will find articles like ‘Glasses for different face shapes’, ‘Winter Eyewear Trends’, Food For your Eyes’, ‘Latest round and mirror sunglasses’, celebrity favourites and interviews like Tisca Chopra, Samir Kochhar, etc.

Also there are separate categories on the blog like Sunglasses, Eyeglasses, Celebrity Eyewear and Technology which makes finding relevant posts easier.

Their latest two posts ‘#GrowingUpWithGlasses & still not complaining’ and ‘Eyewear trends of 2016 that’ll grab eyeballs’ are quite interesting and I loved them, do check those out.

So do check out the blog and stay updated with the latest in the eyewear industry 🙂 Share your love for eyewear.

New Brand Arrivals on ShopBop.com

New Brand Arrivals on ShopBop.com

Hi guys,

As you are aware about my love for Shopbop.com and how much I shop from there, in this post I am sharing some new brand inclusions on the site.

These are just few of the brands, there are many more in their ‘New Arrivals’ section, so do check that out.

Needle & Thread

Pepin

Sancia

Jump From Paper (In case you wonder, these bags are real, not just drawings)- Already ordered a backpack 🙂 This is my favourite brand out of all the new, I love these and had seen them on their Instagram long time ago, these look like a cartoon drawing even in pictures and real life, but these are 3D bags and something very unique and fun!

Christopher Esber

Stone Fox Swim

Zeus + Dione

Dodo Bar Or

Some brands that are trending this month and are my personal favourites..

Schutz

Sophie Hulme

I am waiting for my Jump From Paper backpack bag to arrive and pretty excited to see it, do follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (@bhumika_t) to see it first 🙂

Which new brand do you like the most?

The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream Review

The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream Review

By Archana

Hand cream is an essential item in my handbag always during winters. I can’t survive without hand creams during this cold, dry season. Recently, I had gone to TBS to purchase a gift for a friend’s birthday and as the SA was giving me a whiff of various fragrances to try, I loved the Moringa variant fragrance and got tempted to picked the hand cream from the range. Read on to know how ‘The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream’ fares.

Products claims: This flowery Moringa daily hand cream helps soften and protect hands with light, juicy moisture. The instantly absorbing formula is ideal for on-the-go hydration. Non-greasy moisture. Wonderfully light gel-cream formula. Absorbs instantly. Enriched with Community Fair Trade Shea Butter from Ghana.

Ingredients:

Directions to use: Squeeze a small amount onto hands and massage well.

Packaging:

The hand cream comes in a compact, sleek tube packaging with a tiny black screw cap. The tube is shiny with a very pale yellowish green color. The full ingredients list is mentioned on the back side. I find the packaging very travel friendly as it fits easily in a handbag or even a purse without taking too much space. Also, there is no leakage or spillage whatsoever.

Texture and fragrance:

The cream has a pale yellowish color with a medium consistency, not too thick or too thin. The fragrance is light floral jasmine scent similar to the other products in the Moringa range. Though it is a floral fragrance, it is not very feminine, so its actually a unisex product.

My experience:

The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is made with cold-pressed seed oil from hand-picked moringa pods. I squeeze a pea sized amount of the cream and rub it in my hands while massaging. It spreads and blends easily due to its right consistency and gets absorbed completely in a couple of seconds. The fragrance lingers for a while and yes, the scent is a little strong, so that whenever I apply this hand cream in office, my team mates ask where is this jasmine fragrance coming from and start looking around! 🙂

It moisturizes and nourishes my hands instantly and relieves the dry feeling. The moisturization effect lasts for around 3 hours or till you wash your hands. Since it gets absorbed quickly, you can go back to your work immediately without worrying about the cream transferring to other items. Unlike some hand creams which I have used in the past, they used to stain my keyboard with the cream stains if I start typing without waiting for it to be fully absorbed. With this Body Shop cream, I haven’t faced any such issues.

However, this cream might not be for very dry hands. I was travelling for sometime last month and stopped using the cream during that time. After the travel, I fell sick. As I had neglected my hands for a long time, they became very dry and started peeling due to the cold. My hands started itching and there were rashes on my fingertips. During that time, when I tried this hand cream, it didn’t work for me at all. I apply the cream and barely within two minutes, my hands started feeling dry once again. I had to go back to my trusted savior, The Body Shop Cocoa Body Butter, to heal my hands.

Pros:

* Moisturizes and nourishes hands adequately.

* Gets absorbed quickly.

* Does not make hands greasy.

* Doesn’t leave any residue which might transfer to other items while working.

* Nice floral jasmine fragrance.

* Compact, travel-friendly packaging.

Cons:

* Not suitable for very dry skin.

Price and quantity: Rs.350 for 30ml.

Rating: 4.2/5

Verdict:  The Body Shop Moringa Hand Cream is a perfect go-to cream to have in your work desk in office and in your handbag wherever you go. It is light, gets absorbed quickly without any greasiness and has a lovely floral fragrance. However, if you have extremely dry skin, then it might not be suitable for you.

Editor’s Note: Sounds refreshing for summers, I might give it a try in summers. I love the L’Occitane hand creams though, especially lavender. Also currently loving the Crabtree & Evelyn.

Have you tried The Body Shop Moringa  Hand Cream? Which is your favourite hand cream?

Not just Welcome, Impress your Guests

Not just Welcome, Impress your Guests

Hi guys,

With festivals around and guests coming in to visit, we all love to make up our home. Here are 5 tips that will not only freshen up your living space, but will also leave a lasting impression on the guests.

1.    Welcome guests in style.

The first part every guest sees is the entrance. Add potted plants at the entrance. This will make your home refreshing and inviting. Plus plants always spread a positive aura around.

2.    Get some space.

Want some more room for your room? Just add mirrors to different walls. A strategically placed mirror reflects light and can make a small area seem much larger! Works like magic, try that.

 3.    A small change to leave a big impact.

Sometimes, a little change in your interiors can leave your guests speechless. Don’t move everything around. Try swapping a chair, sofa or just brighten the lights. One quirky piece of furniture can also do the trick.

4.    Add to the charm.

Say goodbye to boring. Dress up your drawer handles with colorful ribbons, paint legs of an old chair or cover old boxes with wrapping paper. You can even reuse the plastic bottles as flower vases by spray painting them. There are so many ways to DIY your old stuff, check Pinterest for some home decor DIY and get inspired.

5.    Let the kitchen do the talking

A clean & hygienic kitchen will make you picture perfect in front of your guests. That’s why, while cleaning the kitchen, make sure you get rid of cockroaches too. Cockroaches are not just embarrassing but also dangerous. They crawl into your kitchen through dirty places and hide in various corners. They spread food poisoning by contaminating food & utensils behind your back.

So, don’t let cockroaches turn you and your guests down. Use LAL HIT, the only solution that can kill even the hidden cockroaches with its unique ‘Deep Reach Nozzle’.

Controlling the pests is most important for health and hygiene, so #SayNoToFoodPoisoning today.

How do you welcome your guests? Any home decor tips or DIY you would like to suggest? Let me know in the comments below.

P.S: Image from Google

OOTD: December Fashion Lookbook

OOTD: December Fashion Lookbook

Hi guys,

So last month I recorded all the outfits I wore to different events and did not get a chance to post them on the blog, so I am compiling all of them together today.

Here is the youtube video, a small lookbook kind 🙂

Outfit 1:

It’s an abstract print maxi dress which is sheer half way through and has slits on the side. I paired it with nude sling bag and nude/beige clogs and my rose gold Michael Kors watch. I wore it to The Body Shop #JourneyAroundTheWorld Event.

Dress: Femella Trends
Shoes: Steve Madden
Watch: Michael Kors
Bag: Accessorize

Outfit 2:

I love midi skirts and this rose print one is my most favourite. I paired this skirt with a simple white shirt and folded the sleeves. A black and pink roses statement necklace and the same watch and bag to complete the look. My same old black and gold ankle strap sandals. I wore this to the Avene #SensitiveSkin event as the theme was white and pink.

Shirt: Old
Skirt: Shown HERE and HERE
Watch: Michael Kors
Bag: Accessorize
Necklace: Vero Moda

Outfit 3:

This is the same outfit I wore for my birthday last year. (See HERE) It’s an off shoulder black half printed dress. I love how this dress is so comfortable and has two pockets 😀 I wore this to the Amante store launch. My MK watch and orange bucket bag to complete the look.

Dress, Bag: StalkBuyLove
Watch: Michael Kors

Outfit 4:

This is an old bird print peter pan collar dress, I spoke about this dress in my 2015 rewind post. It comes with a white belt and is a perfect day time/brunch/shopping with friends kind of a dress. Again super comfortable and can be worn anywhere. The same rose gold MK watch and Accessorize sling 🙂 And my favourite tan brogues finish the look. I wore this for the TBZ video shoot, see HERE

Dress: Romwe
Watch: Michael Kors
Bag: Accessorize
Brogues: Footin

I hope you liked the looks, do let me know in the comments below 🙂