So I got my April 2016 My Envy Box yesterday. The box is peachy pink in color with gold print and it is curated by Bipasha Basu in association with The Label Life.
BBLUNT Spotlight Hair Finish Spray – Full size (Rs.535/-)
O3+ Milk Scrub – Full size (Rs.385/)
Fran Wilson MoodMatcher Peach Lipstick- Full size (Rs.590/-)
Rene Furterer Naturia Shampoo – 15ml
Roberto Cavalli Paradiso Azzurro Sample (Rs.4900/- for 50ml)
I have got the Moodmatcher lipstick earlier in green in my Aug Fab Bag last year. It comes in four shades, and I don’t mind trying this peach too, it stays put whole day and gives a nice pink tint to the lips depending on the body temperature, pH, etc.
Full size BBLUNT Spotlight Spray is nice, it gives a nice sheen to the hair and slight hold too, perfect for your daily hairstyles.
I like the sound of the O3+ Milk Scrub and I am glad it is full size, really looking forward to try that.
Not very happy with the Rene Furterer small sample, but I already have this same shampoo in the bigger tube and if I like that, I would keep this to carry along for travels. And again, a small perfume sample vial, which I won’t count/consider.
I like the fact that there are 3 full sized products, but I see the same brands being repeated a lot. BBLUNT, Rene Furterer, Avene, Hedonista, Suganda, etc. I would love to see new brands and would love it if My Envy Box introduces some new brands next month.
Also I got the March Jewellery My Envy Box which is curated by Nandini Bhalla, Cosmo India Editor. You can get 20% off on the jewellery boxes using the code ‘JEWEL20’
Though this box is value for money with 3 full sized products, but if you don’t like any one of the 3 full sized products, than you can skip it, and buy them individually.
What did you get in April My Envy Box? The same or something different? Do let me know in the comments below.
Finishing touches… Just like a sculptor’s finishing touch to his oeuvre makes it a masterpiece, a dancer’s perfect pirouette evokes a sigh of admiration from his/her audience and a writer’s final words strike a chord, in the similar way, finishing touches to one’s skin simply prep one’s appearance up, don’t they? A little powder dabbed carefully on one’s skin not only controls excess sweating but also sorts out uneven complexion. In line with this thought, I zeroed in on WHITETONE FACE POWDER one fine day.
Let me clarify my stand on an issue before proceeding. I have no fascination for fair/white/pale skin. I never have and never will. I didn’t grab it because the word “White-tone’’ was embossed on its package. It’s funny in fact bordering on hilarious how a mere powder can leave one with fair skin. If smeared in excess, it will cast a very unnatural white tone which I am sure looks very hideous to most. My purpose of buying it was to see if it adds that finishing touch my appearance which I just talked about above. Well, then it is time to see its report card, right?
PRICE- Rs 100/- for 70g
DIRECTIONS FOR USE- Apply on face and neck in required amounts.
INGREDEINTS-
WHAT IT CLAIMS- Nothing
MY EXPERIENCE-
Packed in a plastic bottle with a flip-top cap, the packaging of Whitetone face powder is sturdy, hygienic and travel-friendly according to me. Of course, if not shut properly, the powder will obviously spill put but then, the cap provided is sturdy enough to avert such a situation. In a nutshell, even though it is nowhere eye-catching or fancy, yet it is fine for me.
It is finely powdered with a visible white colour and a very mild aroma. The aroma is temporary. It will vanish within seconds of application but sadly the colour is a major put-off. No one is as white as a whitewashed wall! Indians are predominantly dusky and making a powder that complements the warm Indian skin shades is what is expected and appreciable.
When applied on one’s skin, it gives a very unnatural white appearance. In fact, one looks as if a bag of flour has been dropped on them! During sweltering summers when we sweat, the distinction between our natural complexion and this white colour becomes all the more obvious. For this very reason, I do not find it useful at all. Moreover, it wouldn’t be of much use to those with dry/extremely dry skin since their skin is already sapped off moisture. Using a powder which works to seal the pores (which is how, powders ‘control sweating’) will worsen the condition.
The final nail in the coffin comes in the form of its ingredients’ list which has nothing natural. The worst part being it has silicones (dimethicone) and artificial fragrance (under the garb of which toxic chemicals are added).
GOOD-
Readily available
Economical pricing
Fine packaging
BAD-
Casts an unnatural white complexion which shows on Indian skin shades.
Unsuitable for dry and extremely dry skin
Instills a sense of inferiority in the minds of an average Indian who anyway is way too obsessed with fairness, by selling something under the name of “Whitetone”.
Contains silicones and artificial fragrance.
RATING- 0.5/5
Editor’s Note: Oh God, such a dud! Knew from the name, and the fancy advertisement they do on TV :/ Nice review Nidhal 🙂
Have you tried the Whitetone Face Powder? Please don’t if you haven’t :p
All About my Kasauli & Mashobra Trip/How to Plan, What to Cover, etc.
Hey guys,
So I wanted to include my vlog in this post and hence the delay to upload this post. I finally edited and uploaded my vlog, it’s a long one! 25 minutes long and snippets from all 4 days.
We had not planned on the destination and had only booked Delhi tickets in Dec, so in mid March, we finally zeroed on Kasauli and Mashobra and did the train tickets’ booking, etc.
If you directly plan to go to Kasauli or Mashobra/Shimla, Chandigarh airport is the nearest and best. Of course, then it’s a long journey by road, but for us both ways we had to take a train till/from Kalka as we had the Delhi tickets. You can also take a direct Volvo bus from Delhi but I was not comfortable with that long bus journey. We went by Delhi Kalka Shatabdi train which was superb, they have all the facilities like that of a flight. Food, water, tea, cleanliness, everything was followed well.
At first we went to Kasauli which is 40kms from Kalka station, so we had booked a cab from Kalka station. We were staying at Kasauli Regency which is a very nice place to stay. The rooms are small but the food is excellent and the service is good. We went to Dharampur the next day to see Manki Point, Kasauli Church, Kasauli Market, Sunset Point and pretty much everything in and around Kasauli.
The hotel had a rooftop breakfast and dining place which was beautiful in the morning, though unbearably cold at night. I loved having breakfast there though.
Next day we had to leave for Mashobra, so we took a train from Dharampur to Shimla. Now Shimla only has mono gauge rail i.e only a toy train can go to Shimla station. The other routes to reach Shimla is by road. But the Shivalik Express has a beautiful view and needs to be experienced once in life, which we obviously didn’t want to miss. So we went till Shimla in Shivalik Express, the train came late, runs slow and it took us about 4.5 hours to reach Shimla.
Shimla fortunately has Olacabs, so travelling there shouldn’t be difficult. We were staying at Mashobra, which is a little far from Shimla and within Mashobra too, our hotel was 3.5 km deeper inside! Well, travelling to and fro was difficult, but when you see this hotel, you will not regret a bit! We were staying at Mahasu House which is one of the best hotels I have been to, in India. What is different, you ask?! The view! It is to die for. I would literally spend my time gazing out from the window and the lawn. We even had breakfast with that beautiful view in front, it was heavenly.
The food and service is also amazing, the rooms are huge and comfortable. It was really cold there, especially during nights. They have centralized heating and also bed warmers below the mattress which was a huge relief!
Next day we went to Kufri. Started with Hip Hip Hurray Adventure Sports Resort in Kufri, it had some fun activities. I bought some jams and preserves from Fruit Bageecha Kiosk there. Post which we went to the Kufri peak and the only way to reach there was on mountain horses. The climb is steep and about 2kms but the road is full of mud and stones. And at last, we roamed a bit in Shimla from Mall Road to The Ridge and later came back to the hotel. On the way, we even went to Shivalik’s Factory and got a few more jams and plum juice,etc.
We had to leave early morning the next day as we had a 10.40am train from Kalka to Delhi and then flight at night.
It was a short trip but we pretty much covered everything that we had to. I would only wish a day more at Mashobra and at Mahasu House coz the property is mind blowing.
It was ranked above Club Mahindra and the 2nd best property in Mashobra and now I know why. If you plan to go to Shimla, I would highly recommend staying at Mahasu House coz it as an experience not to be missed. I truly felt I was in heaven and was very grateful that I could experience this in my lifetime.
You will see everything in my vlog, if you have any doubts or queries regarding Kasauli, Dharampur, Shimla or Mashobra, you can ask me in the comments below or even email me. I would be happy to help 🙂
To begin with, I have extremely sensitive, acne prone, oily skin that is always on the verge of breakouts. Due to this reason, I avoid moisturizers (except for aloe vera gel) all my life. However, as I am approaching towards late 20s, I have been noticing that the texture of the skin looks very unhealthy and that natural glow is missing somewhere. Hence, I wanted something to rejuvenate and nourish the skin. After searching high and low for all the ingredients that works on acne prone skin without giving much trouble, I made this night serum for myself and to my surprise, I did work! I have been using it past a month and thankfully I observed some good changes in my skin. Firstly, it never broke me out and also nourished the skin. Secondly, it hydrates the skin throughout the night with getting oily or greasy. So, here goes the night elixir for acne prone skin.
INGREDIENTS:
Aloe Vera Gel – you can either take it directly from the plants and blend it smooth to have the gel consistency or simple buy one!
Jojoba Oil – Works wonder for oily acne prone skin. You can also substitute it for Avocado OR Almond Oil for preference.
Rose Water – either homemade or store-bought will work.
Vitamin E Capsule – easily available across the counter otherwise you can also opt for Vitamin E oil.
Sanitized Bowl – since it is a face product, it is better to have a sanitized place to start with and then transfer it to a dropper bottle or any container.
STEPS
Step 1
Add 1 tbsp. of rose water in the bowl.
Step 2
Next, add 2 tbsp. of aloe vera gel. Mix it thoroughly as both the ingredients have different consistencies and takes effort to blend well. You can also add 1 tbsp. if you want a runny consistency but I wanted sort of a slightly thicker one, so I added 2 tbsp.
Step 3
Add 2-3 drops of Jojoba Oil and again blend it in.
Step 4
Lastly, take out 1-2 Vitamin E Capsules and poke them to take out the oil. Add the mixture very comprehensively unless you see a uniform consistency without any lumps.
Final outcome
And Voila! You night serum is ready!
TIP: Do not make it in a large quantity because it is handmade and hence, the preservatives are missing. Make it enough for a week or two at the most.
FOR DRY SKIN – Since dry skin or mature skin needs more than just aloe vera gel, they can use shea butter or cocoa butter instead of aloe vera gel. They can also incorporate the essential oils like Almond, Rosehip, Grapeseed, etc. as per their own preference.
BENEFITS OF THE INGREDIENTS –
Vitamin E – Vitamin E is the main ingredient I would vouch for. It has excellent properties to revive and renew the skin cells at night. It treats the scars and marks on the skin due to ageing or acne. Being a great moisturizer, it nourishes the skin well without making it greasy or clog the pores when applied. It soothes and treats the sun burns and regular tanning of the skin. Most prominently, it make collagen that decreases the rate of aging signs like wrinkles, fine lines, etc.
Aloe Vera Gel – this is the HG for every oily skin. Seldom moisturizers suit us and we always find our way back to this. Aloe Vera, known as “plant of immortality”, it has numerous benefits for skin. It moisturizes the skin, heals the scars and soothes the skin from acne and nourishes without any greasy layer which gets absorbed in a jiffy. It also lightens skin pigmentation and slows down the ageing sign.
Jojoba Oil – it is known to fight wrinkles, stretch marks and cellulite. With high amount of ceramides which cover skin cells, it hydrates and nourishes the skin like no other. Oily skin doesn’t go well with other oils but this is an exception. It is so light weight and gets blended very easily. It also has anti-bacterial properties that treats acne and allergies.
Rose Water – the beauty of rose water in indefinite. From toner to face packs, makeup setting spray to hydration – it can do everything. It treats acne, soothes the skin from sun burns, refreshes and invigorates and has many anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties for sensitive skin.
Do let me know how you liked the DIY.
Editor’s Note: I swear by Vitamin E capsules, but they are so sticky and messy while applying. I guess the mix of rose water and aloe vera gel will make applying Vitamin E easier. Also I am all for essential oils, I love using them. Definitely trying this Sanchita.
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?
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 🙂
I have been to Goa quite a lot lately, almost 3-4 times in the past 1-1.5 years. I got the opportunity to stay in some of the best Goa resorts, so here are some of the places I stayed in and some I wish to stay at.
1. The Leela Beach Resort: This was on my most recent trip, it is a huge property with over 200 rooms. Every room is a villa kind and is on some distance from the other room, so your privacy is ensured and you travel from the reception to the rooms in an eco friendly buggy. The private beach and ‘The Restaurant’ there are also amazing. Majority rooms have the pond view where you see lotus blooming every morning 🙂
2. The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort: I also went to The Lalit Golf & Spa Resort for lunchand spent some time there. Even The Lalit property is equally huge and has the most beautiful golf course I have ever seen! You only see lush greenery around and the private beach at The Lalit is my favourite! The Portuguese style architecture and paintings in the lobby are very attractive.
3. Goa Marriott Resort & Spa: I haven’t been to the Marriott yet but from what I hear, it is the best when it comes to their Spa. Also the food is equally amazing.
4. The Zuri White Sands Resort & Casino: I had been to the Zuri White Sands Resort last year, a beautiful property and a private beach with white sand all over. I can spend all day at The Zuri’s private beach. I did not like the Casino much though.
5. Santana Beach Resort: Now this one is in North Goa i.e. the happening place and the only one in North Goa in this list. I went there last year with my friends. The rooms are huge and spacious and the breakfast is good. It is the only 3 star hotel in the list but has got excellent ratings everywhere coz of their service and the way it has been maintained. I even met the owner lady who said her son and daughter in law are running the place now, she was very sweet and warm.
6. Royal Haathi Mahal: I haven’t been here, but have seen a lot of it in pictures. It is one of the places I wish to stay at in Goa. The property and rooms look quite good. Also known for its gym, spa and Jacuzzi.
7. Taj Exotica: I haven’t been to Taj Exotica too, on my wishlist again. When it comes to Taj, no one can beat it at hospitality.
Lakmé Salon Presented ‘Show Stopping Hair’ Collection Styled by Little Shilpa @ Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2014
Hey guys,
So I attended this #HairIsFashion #ShowStoppingHair ‘first of its kind’ hair fashion show yesterday at Lakme Fashion Week. It was styled by Little Shilpa, but the whole show revolved around hair.
Lakmé Salon brought hair to the forefront for the first time in the history of Lakmé Fashion Week through its ‘Show Stopping Hair’ collection. Styled by Little Shilpa, the line showcased a variety of head-turning avant-garde hairstyles that opened with ‘Metamorphosis’; a play of hair colors, followed by ‘Illusion’; a tryst of hair lengths and textures and ended with the classic ‘Moulin Rouge’; bouffants and updos galore. Twelve models walked the ramp with the spotlight uniquely focused on their hair, punctuating Lakmé Salon’s belief ‘Hair is Fashion’.
Shailesh Moolya, Creative Hair Director, Lakme Salon, Designer Little Shilpa and Sushma Khan, National Makeup and Skin Trainer, Lakme Salon (L-R)
The collection took its cues from three different spaces; postmodern Paris,romantic Paris and Moulin Rouge.
Cutting edge hairstyles, and mirror images of opposite hair lengths and textures constituted the first part of the show, ‘Metamorphosis’.
‘Illusion’ inspired by the ‘Northern lights’ phenomenon celebrated the confluence of hair colors.
Finally, red crystal chains around hair cones, coiffures and red crystal nested mohawks recreated ‘Moulin Rouge’ for the show.
Whether drapes of shredded fabric around models in all black, or corsets with micro shorts, Little Shilpa certainly added some interesting design elements that complimented Lakmé Salon’s unconventional hairstyles. Add to that theatrical lighting where the spotlight followed models, furthered the dramatic tone of the show. Little Shilpa also created a special limited edition hair accessory which will be offered to the first 20 Lakmé Salon customers who opt for these newly introduced looks. These pieces have been crafted basis the three themes that were showcased at the show.
Metamorphosis
At the event, Shailesh Moolya, Creative Hair Director, Lakmé Salons stated that “Lakmé Salon for the first time in India made hair the hero of the show. It was great to see such an outstanding response. Our three creative and trendy hair themes from the ‘Show Stopping Hair’ collection will revolutionize hair fashion in the country and are going to make hair the boldest fashion statement. These gorgeous, fashion-forward looks from the runway, in their wearable avatar, will be brought to over 150 Lakmé Salons in 50 plus cities, giving women a chance to experience a new expression of fashion through their hair.”
Moulin Rouge
Little Shilpa says “Styling for Lakmé Salon’s ‘Show Stopping Hair’ collection has been a fun and rewarding experience. I believe the brand has revolutionized the hair fashion arena in India by bringing to the fore creative and trendy styles. Lakmé Salon and I share a common belief that “Fashion goes beyond clothing”. Lakmé Salon’s vision of making Indian women runway ready, matches perfectly with my fashion style and statement.”
Illusion
The collection fluently delivered the message that show stopping fashion begins with hair. The prêt-à-porter versions of the Illusion, Metamorphosis and Moulin Rouge looks from the ‘Show Stopping Hair’ collection will be available at over 150 Lakmé Salons in the country.
Moulin Rouge
I would be sharing the images of the prêt-à-porter versions of the Illusion, Metamorphosis and Moulin Rouge looks in the next post.
But this was one unique concept and show. The hairstyles must have taken hours! I actually loved the whole enthusiasm and energy of the models, designer Little Shilpa and Shailesh behind the whole show.
Experiencing Renault Duster AWD with Blogadda at Lavasa
Hey everyone,
After experiencing the all new Tata Zest at Goa,when I again got a call to experience the all new Renault All Wheel Duster this time at Lavasa, I was all in for it. I was not expecting something so soon though. Blogadda is super quick now 😀
So we left Mumbai yesterday at 4 pm and reached Pune at night. Checked in at Marriott Courtyard, Hinjwadi, Pune. We had our dinner, chilled out a bit at the hotel (also came to know it was Blogadda’s birthday!) and went to our rooms later prepping up (by catching on some sleep :p ) for the adventurous next day.
Courtyard Marriott, Hinjewadi, Pune
After the scrumptious breakfast in the morning, we left for Lavasa at 8.30. It took around 2 hours and reached by 11. We took the off-road drive to test the new Renault Duster.
There were 2-3 people in each car. And luckily I sat in a car where Rutavi and Omkar were both amazing drivers. Our car was no. 05. Also famous as the most dirty car at the end of it! 😀 Omkar was the best man for this job. He actually ‘tested’ the All Wheel Duster in the real sense. You know what I mean. I was sitting behind, but I could feel the control and grip of the car.
New Renault Duster AWD
The car was turning left and right, swish swash in a jiffy. And the brakes are super, I know coz we were in full speed and just about to dash another car, but the Renault Duster’ s brakes and Omkar saved our lives 😀
The Duster AWD offers three modes – two(front)-wheel drive, automatic and manually locked four-wheel drive. Renault says the car should be used in two-wheel drive or automatic mode and the four-wheel drive locked mode should only be used at slow speeds for really heavy work.
Me, Rutavi and Omkar posing with our Duster- No. 05Selfie with the Duster- Activity (Me and Rutavi)
We did the mud splash, rocky road trails and some steep climbing. We could actually see what/how well the car can go through these. The new suspension in the AWD is also fabulous. I could hardly feel any bumpers or jerks in like huge speed brakers and potholes.
Drift & mud Splash (This was like a roller coaster ride :p )
Sharp cliff climbing with mud splash (This was the scariest! But it actually went through much easily than expected.)
Some pics of the breathtaking view from Pune to Lavasa and in Lavasa.
We drove till 1.30-45 and were super hungry later. Had our lunch at Fortune Hotel at Lavasa.
Desserts at Lunch time at Fortune Hotel, Lavasa
And later drove back to Mumbai. Had a pit stop at our favorite Dutta Snacks and had vada pav and tea.
Happy Us!Mumbai Bloggers with the Blogadda team
A short fun trip. An amazing experience. The adventurous drive in Renault Duster was the best part. It was frankly, the most adventurous ride of my life, all thanks to Omkar 😀 But, still I enjoyed it.
Thank you Blogadda for having me experience the New All Wheel Drive Renault Duster.
P.S: This blogpost is written as a part of #DusterAllWheelDrive event by Blogadda and Renault India.
