The Salad Bar and Walnut Cafe is a new place near Vashi station, opp. Four Points by Sheraton. There are no salad places as such in Navi Mumbai and only 1-2 in Mumbai, so The Salad bar is a refreshing change indeed.
The ambiance is simple and nice, I liked how they used jars for lighting, etc., for decorating the place. They play good music too.
Coming to the food, we ordered the Legends of Greece,Mediterranean Chick Pea Salad and Cottage Cheese Salad.The Cottage Cheese Salad had paneer in tikka masala which was yumm, red wine vinaigrette dressing went well, it was slightly over spiced and had quite a lot of Cucumber pieces.
Legends of Greece was a nice,basic salad with oregano vinaigrette dressing. But being it a greek salad, I was expecting much more feta cheese.
The Mediterranean Chick Pea was my favourite! Light and creamy tahini yogurt dressing and perfect blend of ingredients.
Hubby tried the Detox juice (which was too much of beet) and I went with simple Lemon Iced Tea. Lemon Iced tea was nice and refreshing with mint sprigs on top.
We tried the Pasta Creamy Tomato and the Oreo Milkshake from the Walnut Cafe Menu. Absolutely loved the pasta, perfect olive oil and parmesan cheese drizzling. Creamy and cheesy sauce with a nice blend of tomato and cheese,as mentioned. And the garlic bread were slightly grilled too. Highly recommend trying this!
Oreo milkshake was kind of OK, too creamy for my liking. I had to remove quite a lot of cream from it, it was a tad bit sweet as I prefer less sweet.
Overall, I would say its a nice place to chill and have some yummy salads, or wraps, sandwiches, pastas and chocolate milkshakes.
If you love salads and stay at Navi Mumbai, then you know where to head this weekend!
P.S: This review is a part of #NaviMumbaiFoodies #FoodTrail. You can follow them on twitter or Instagram.
As you all know, I have been talking a lot about the Reliance Trends Spring Summer Collection 2015. We were invited at the Bandra Reliance Trends store to check out and review the collection and pick our favourites and style them 🙂
New Reliance Trends Collection included the brands Rio,Fig, Intribe, Fusion, DNMX and Team Spirit.
Rio has bright coloured tops and tees. Fig has nice summery tunics, sheer crop tops, harem pants,etc. DNMX was all about denim, from printed (polka dots too :p) denims to all types of pants, shorts and also nice denim shirts which mostly all of us picked 😀 It is perfect for layering in summers since quite thin and breathable. Intribe had floral numbered tops, lots of sheer and sequin and even faux leather. Fusion obviously had the Indo-western look and feel with bright skirts, shirts, kurtis,etc. And lastly, Team Spirit was all about casuals and sporty. Numbered tees, hoodie vests,stripes, etc.
For creating this look, I went went a vertical striped numbered tee from Team Spirit. I love how the number has an ombre effect <3 And paired it with blue skinny denims from DNMX, the ombre blue number on the tee matches and balances the outfit.
I paired it with my bright black and pink floral statement necklace, a classic watch, a pretty stone silver ring and studded black pumps. The reflecting sunnies steal the show though 😀 Absolutely loved the mirror reflecting round sunglasses.
The best part is all the brands are quite affordable and do not burn a hole in your pocket. The stuff is perfect for everyday wear and there is something for everyone,from sporty Team Spirit to trendy Fig and DNMX to Indo- western Fusion. You guys also have a chance to win this look and/or the looks created by other bloggers starting from 13th and going till 17th May on the Reliance Trends facebook and twitter. Go follow now 😉
Tee- Team Spirit by Reliance Trends
Denims: DNMX by Reliance Trends
Watch: Daniel Wellington
Necklace: Vero Moda
Shoes: Dune London
Ring: Silvette Jewellery
Sunnies: HERE
Bag: Michael Kors Mini Selma
I am back with a contest! First of all, how many of you feel our moms were always right and we should have listened to them more often 😀 :raises hand slowly: I think majority 😉
Let me share a few things today which my mom always told me to do, and I never did :p And now I feel, she was so right, I wish I had listened to her before.
Don’t binge on junk food
Well, I would not have to exercise later on, if I had listened to her.
Oil your hair more often,not only for the hair health but also to de-stress
Mom used to regularly oil my hair when I was in school and I had the best hair then, well like all, I reduced the frequency of oiling my hair once I entered college and then slowly it went down and down to nil. I should start oiling my hair again, miss my old awesome hair. Also the head massage my mom gave while oiling my hair was so so de-stressing.
Use natural stuff like curd,honey,besan,etc., for your skin
We all run after these face packs,face scrubs,face washes and what not and after using them for years, we suddenly realise that natural products are actually the safest and best. We should have listened to our moms before,right.
Early to bed,early to rise
Those late nights throughout our teens have changed our sleeping pattern and the weekends too, so getting up on weekdays for office has been such a pain for most of us :p
A penny saved is penny earned
Oh ya, the savings! Let’s not even talk about it, right :p Mom was always so right on saving and not spending like crazy.
I want to know your #MomWasAlwaysRight moments in the comments below and 2 winners will win special Parachute Advansed Aromatherapy gift packs.
The contest starts today and ends after 2 days on 11th May evening. Share this post on your social media tagging me and use #MomWasAlwaysRight for brownie points.
Also, when you win the contest, you can try this Art of Oiling on your mom 🙂 She will be very happy..watch the video to know how.
Good Luck 🙂
P.S: I am extending the contest till 12th May evening.
P.S: Image from Google.
Update: Time to announce the winners. I loved all the entries, it was so difficult to choose two, so I selected three 🙂 Yes, we have 3 winners- Rituka Gupta, Divya Asha and Prachi Aggarwal
Congrats girls. Please mail me your complete details soon.
Gillette Venus Event and #SubscribeToSmooth Challenge
Hi Guys,
So you must have seen my pics from the Gillette Venus Event that happened last week, if you follow me on twitter or Instagram 🙂 It happened at the Zenith Party Suite at Palladium Hotel.
The theme was nautical and hence, everyone was either in blue or in stripes 😀 We clicked the pics with the sailor hat and Gillette Venus razor board props. Here is my pic from the event..
I went print on print..with polka dots on stripes 🙂
A panel comprising of dermatologist Dr. Rashmi Shetty, amazing makeup artist Namrata Soni and the ‘Heropanti’ actress Kriti Sanon talked about shaving and busted some myths.
Surprisingly both Namrata Soni and Kriti Sanon have been shaving from around 10 years and more. Namrata Soni talked about how being a makeup artist, they have to work with different people and sometimes also take care of these issues like hair removal coz a particular scene requires it, etc., so she always carries a Gillette Venus razor with her. She has sensitive skin and was not supposed to wax as she used to get rashes and hence, she has been shaving since the past 10-12 years.
Kriti Sanon said she also always got those red patches and burns from waxing and prefers shaving anytime. In fact, she mentioned she is so used to it, that she shaves every 2-3 days and carries a razor all the time, as she needs hair free skin for shoots,etc. She also mentioned how Gillette Venus goes quite smooth on the skin and the contours coz of the pivoting head, she does not have to press the razor hard which irritates the skin.
Dr. Rashmi Shetty busted some myths and talked about the right procedure and method to shave and the pre and post care for perfect shaving. She also said how majority women feel her skin would darken and the hair would grow thicker and faster forever after shaving, which is not true and holds no base. She explained how we nip the edge of the hair while shaving and it is not uprooted, the initial hair that grows back in 3-4 days is the one just below the skin, which is a bit darker coz of the melanin and hence we feel the hair is thicker.
Also, a lot of women including me, face itching issue post shaving, to which she shared the perfect way of shaving. According to Dr.Rashmi Shetty, one should not shave on dry skin. Moisturise your skin well, then have a bath and always go for wet shaving preferably. Then post shaving, apply a rich cream/body lotion (one with Retinol, if possible) which will soothe and calm the skin. And keep re-applying for 2-3 days and not just once.
Namrata Soni shared her favourite tip on shaving, she uses a hair conditioner to shave and uses a Calamine lotion post shaving and never faced any itching issue.
I am going to try both of the tips soon 😀
Coming to the Gillette Venus #SubscribeToSmooth Challenge Week 1. I have always been a waxing person, but since the past quite a few months, I have tried shaving and have loved the results as I did not have to rush to a salon, even when I am pressed for time.
During my honeymoon,I had carried my Gillette Venus razor with me and it was so helpful as were at Andamans, and you cannot not wear short clothes at a beach,right 😀 Also recently when I met with an accident and was on bed rest, I could not go to a salon, and I shaved 2-3 times with my trusted Gillette Venus. Read my review HERE.
I have taken up this 30 days challenge and have already shaved my legs once, as I had to for a particular event and had no time for a salon visit. This time, I also used the Gillette Satin Care Shave Gel and it was all the more easier!
I will bust some myths and share my personal experience in the coming month with you guys 🙂
Meanwhile, check out their facebook app to know more about shaving or follow them on twitter. You can buy the Gillette Venus Razor HERE, the set of cartridges HERE or the combo pack of all with the Satin Care Gel HERE
L’Oreal Paris Cannes Collection Glamorous Gloss,Marvellous Matte Look
Hey guys,
If you have been following me on my twitter or Instagram, you know I had attended the L’Oreal Paris Cannes Press Con Red Carpet where 6 winners each from Team Glamorous Gloss (headed by Katrina Kaif) and Team Marvellous Matte (headed by Sonam Kapoor) walked the red carpet with their respective team heads i.e. Sonam and Katrina.
Bloggers were also invited for a photo shoot with the stars and divided into Team Gloss and Team Matte. I was in Team Gloss.
I was in Team Gloss, so I went with super glossy lips of course and L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Extraordinaire helped me achieve that look. Its a super glossy liquid lipstick. There are also three shades of gel liners in the Cannes Collection- L’Oreal Paris Super Liner Gel Intenza 36H in Diamond Black,Royal Blue and Sapphire Blue. Royal Blue is a gorgeous deep blue, I would have loved to try that. I got the Sapphire Blue shade which is a deep bluish black..looks more black on the eyes. But the texture and quality of these gel liners are beyond amazing. They come with a brush and I got a smooth flick with just one dip of the brush! Beat that! It is super pigmented and goes smoothly all at once. I loved their previous basic black and brown 24H gel liners too (Check the review of the Brown one HERE)
The Cannes collection includes all the existing L’Oreal Paris Moist Mat Lipsticks and some they have launched in a new revamped Swarovski studded packaging..looks so pretty! The real Swarovski crystals on the top and bottom of the cap and then it comes with a velvet cover to protect those crystals.
LE Cannes Collection Swarovski Studded Moist Mat
I got the shade Raspberry Syrup and Arabian Nights in this new packaging and the shade Spring Rosette in the old packaging.
I showed you guys the outfit I wore to the red carpet in my previous OOTD HERE. Let’s take a closer look at the glossy makeup.
Glamorous Gloss LookGlamorous Gloss Look
I used the L’Oreal Paris Super Liner Gel Intenza in Sapphire Blue on my upper and lower lash line..winged it a bit on the top. And for the lips, I went with L’Oreal Paris Moist Mat Lipstick in Raspberry Syrup as the base and the L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Extraordinaire in Rose Symphony on top.
Products I used for the Glamorous Gloss Look
I did not get a chance to click pics with Sonam or Katrina as they arrived late and my back had started paining by then, so I had to leave sooner.
Marvellous Matte Look
I also tried a matte look the other day..went with Sapphire Blue gel liner again but only on the lower lash line, on upper lashline normal black liner with a slight wing and the L’Oreal Paris Moist Mat Lipstick in Spring Rosette. I am so in love with this shade, my current staple and always in my bag!
Which look did you like more? Are you Team Gloss or Team Matte? Any personal favourite from the L’Oreal Paris Cannes collection? Something you want me to review first? Let me know everything in the comments below 😀
What the Company claims: This feather-light, non-oily emulsion easily permeates into the skin to give translucency, brightness, even-tone while replenishing moisture levels for an incredibly soft and smooth skin
MRP: Rs.899/- for 125 ml
Ingredients: 4MSK, Vitamin C derivatives (AMP and VC-IP), Prism Enhancer, SPA Ingredients: Trehalose, Natural Spring Water, White Lily Extract
All Ingredients:
How to use the product: Smooth an appropriate amount over face with hand or cotton pad after toner.
Slowly apply the emulsion from the centre of the face outwards.
It comes in a slender,sleek bottle with the signature Za curve packaging . It has a nice,easy dispensor,so you just dab the bottle and you get the product. Dab it as many times for the required quantity.
It is very very light and serum like in texture..you know how serums and emulsions are light and water based. But when it comes to moisturisation, it hydrates your skin like nothing else! You just need one single dab of product for entire face and I usually end up taking more, as we take in a cream, but that always ends up being too much and I use the remaining on my hands.
It has been my staple for summers since it is very light and not at all heavy on the skin. But it takes some time to get absorbed completely into the skin.
I definitely recommend it for summers, especially for oily skin. Dry skin might need an additional cream but in winters, for summers, this is perfect for dry skin too.
And considering the quantity you need,this bottle is going to last you really, really long!
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money: 4/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Illamasqua Glamore Lipstick in Rockabilly Review,Swatches
Remember my previous Illamasqua Glamore Lipsticks in Glissade and Soaked. (See HERE)
Illamasqua added more shades to their Glamore Collection.
What the Company claims: Glamore Lipstick is a colour intense lipstick with a long lasting satin finish. Ideal for a more hydrated comfort finish. Can be worn under a sheer lip-gloss for more 3D Effect.
MRP: £18.50 for 4g/0.14 OZ. (Approx. Rs.1800/-) (Buy HERE)
Hydrated colour intense lipstick with a long lasting finish.
Key Benefits:
1. Colour Intense
2. Contains moisturising Vitamin E
3. Comfort
Application: Apply directly or use a lip brush.
INGREDIENTS: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Candelilla Cera (Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Cire de Candelilla), Glyceryl Ricinoleate, Oleyl Alcohol, Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax), Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax, Cire Microcristalline), Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil, Huile Minérale), Cetyl Alcohol, Cera Alba (Beeswax, Cire d’abeille), Tocopherol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Parfum (Fragrance), Red 22 Lake (CI 45380), Titanium Dioxide(CI 77891), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), Red 36 (CI 12085), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Carmine (CI 75470)
Made in Germany
Illamasqua lipsticks come in standard black packaging. With the Glamore Collection, they introduced these satin finish, non drying formula.
I absolutely love the shade Glissade and now the new favourite is Rockabilly. These are super pigmented and long staying. They stay for around 6-7 hours.
Feels super light on lips and the finish as described satin, is not completely matte, but pretty comfortable and hydrating. It goes on glossy and settles for a more matte look in an hour.
Rockabilly is described as a cherry red, it is indeed a cool toned pink based cherry red but very wearable and not over bright, though it looks more pink in the bullet in bright light here.
T- 1 swipe, B- 3 swipes
Here is it on me..
Overall, I would say the Illamasqua Glamore Lipsticks are a must have! These are super pigmented,long staying,light,comfortable and have a nice range of shades. Only issues are pricing which is a bit high and the availability.
Rating:
Quality: 4.5/5
Value for money: 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 3.75/5
Would I buy it again: Yes !
Have you tried Illamasqua Glamore Lipsticks? Which is your favorite ?
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Lotion Review
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Lotion’, a powerful combination of Cocoa Butter, Collagen, Elastin and Shea Butter that firms and tones whilst improving the skin’s elasticity. This unique formula is specifically designed to restore your body to its natural, original firmness after weight loss or pregnancy .
Moreover, Palmer’s Firming Butter moisturizes & smoothes skin, reduces the appearance of stretch marks and helps promote youthful-looking skin.
Oozing a lush chocolate caramel fragrance, Palmer’s Cocoa Butter is a natural, non-greasy, intensive formulation that comes packed with active ingredients like pure Cocoa and Shea Butter to replenish moisture loss in the skin, Collagen to firm and tone, Elastin to give your skin the suppleness and elasticity it needs to stretch without tearing, Vitamin E for all over goodness and the newest antioxidant in the market today – Coenzyme Q10 – to help free radicals and stimulate the skin’s cell for achieving a more toned and smoother appearance.
Unlike other firming butter lotions, it contains very less amount of water which keeps the skin hydrated and allows your skin to breathe without blocking the pores of your skin. Moreover, it also helps in improving the appearance of scars and marks within 6 weeks of its application.
Palmer’s Firming Butter is dermatologist tested; contains no irritating essential oils and is Paraben and Phthalate free.
MRP: Rs.520/- for 315ml
Ingredients:
I started using this Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Lotion when I was on bed rest for about 1.5 months. It was important for me to atleast try and tone my skin as much as I could, when I was immobile and not allowed to move at all, as muscles were not at all being used and went loose.
Also when you loose weight, the fat is quite loose and not at all firm or toned. Cellulite issue is also very common amongst women, especially on the thighs.
I love cocoa butter and lotions containing cocoa butter and shea butter, they are perfect for moisturizing dry skin. Coming to this Palmer’s Lotion, I love the pump packaging. It is very convenient and easy to use, though not travel friendly. There would be smaller sizes available which would be suitable for travel.
It smells amazing…the warm caramel cocoa smell is out of this world. I love how hydrating it is, also this huge bottle lasts really long! It is very light in texture. Skin does feel a bit firm and it did not loosen with the muscles. Also it is very smooth and soft and I did not have to reapply the lotion even in winters. I can’t say the skin was completely firmed or toned as it takes a lot of time to show results.
Overall, I would say, I loved the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Lotion. I love Palmer’s products in general and they have never disappointed me. This is now an addition to my favourites list.
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 4/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Have you tried the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Lotion?
This is what I wore at the L’Oreal Paris You Cannes event. I absolutely love midi skirts and this printed pleated midi looks oh so pretty! So many asked me where is it from, and I anyways wanted to do an outfit post with it, so here it is.
This skirt is from CNDirect.com. I love their collection, they have amazing stuff at such reasonable prices. From clothing,bags, accessories, sunglasses to even cool gadgets and electronics, they stock everything. I was wary of the quality, but then they are so good quality wise too! I still have more things from CNDirect for future OOTD’s, wait for them 😉
I love the house and lake print on this skirt, there were 4 print options. (Click on the link given in outfit breakdown below to check the options) I was a bit confused as to which print I should go for, since all looked good.
I paired it with a white shirt, I was supposed to pair it with some other white shirt but I forgot that at my mom’s place, hence went for a backup :p
I am not allowed to wear high heels currently for 2-3 months, so I got these smallest nude heels from Foot-in for few of my dresses. If you follow me on twitter, you must have seen the Foot-in collection I shared there. I have another awesome pair which you guys will see soon! Foot-in is so affordable and I loved the variety they had, plus the quality is good too. These are so light on the feet. I was not sure if I would be able to wear heels currently, but this was pretty comfortable. Foot-in also has bags,belts and sunglasses. I got a super pretty, gold glitter belt too 😀
Accessory wise, I only wore this huge,super pretty statement necklace from Rosabelle Treasures. I soo love each and every neck piece they stock. Do check them out on facebook HERE or on Instagram HERE, you will surely be tempted to buy 2-3 😉 And you do not need any other accessory when you wear Rosabelle Treasures neckpieces, they are more than enough and will take your outfit from simple to glam, in an instant.
Avene New Dry Touch Emulsion Sunscreen SPF50+ Review
What the Company claims: The unique Dry Touch Experience
Squeeze the Emulsion from the specially created air-free tube… you’ll feel the difference in the texture as soon as it’s on your skin. The lightweight formula sits easily even when liberally applied (as it should be, for the best and most complete protection) and lets your skin breathe easily too. It’s transparent on application, so you won’t have that unnatural white cast or spots. Moisturising yet non-sticky, it offers a mattifying effect so your skin appears natural and nourished.
What makes Avène New Dry Touch Emulsion so special?
Has a very high SPF of 50+
Paraben free, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic
Stays for a long time
Prevents skin damage
Soothes skin because of the presence of thermal spring water
MRP: Rs.1250/- for 50ml
Ingredients:
So Avene has reformulated and relaunched their sunscreen and made it ‘Dry Touch’ means non-sticky and non-greasy.
It looks like a tube packaging but it has a pump dispensor with a cap. Its white in color and creamy in texture, goes on smooth and blends on the skin, even if you take a little more quantity. Feels light on the skin, no greasiness indeed. It has a mattifying effect.
The most surprising thing was no white cast even though its SPF50+. I like the fact that it offers such high protection. And it is completely non-sticky which is rare in sunscreens. Paraben-free too and non-comedogenic so oily skin can also use it, without the fear of breaking out.
I would suggest re-applying it every 3-4 hours though if you are going to be out in the sun whole day. Also this is water resistant, so good for swimmers too.
I quite like it, only issue being,it is quite pricey, for you need a good amount for liberal application when it comes to sunscreen. Dry skin might need additional moisture but oily skin can skip the additional moisture. The thermal spring water, being one of the ingredients, will also soothe the skin.
Overall, I would say its quite nice as a sunscreen and I do recommend it. It does what it claims! Especially if you have sensitive skin or sunscreens don’t somehow work for you,give this a try.
Rating:
Quality: 4/5
Value for money : 3.75/5
Availability: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 3.75/5
Have you tried the new Avene New Dry Touch Emulsion Sunscreen SPF50+? Which is your favourite sunscreen currently?
