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The Pretty City Girl | Indian Travel & Lifestyle Blog

All these posts about Taking Care of Hair and Skin, really made me forget to upload wallpapers or even the Things That I love post...
So before the month ends, let me just make a post about the best buys of this month-November.

The whole of November month, I was at home, since I had Diwali vacation goin' on. However, I didn't shop anything. I watched One Tree Hill and few movies. I made blog posts. Sat down on society-benches with my society friends, just passing time around. I played with little girls, like actually ran races with them, played Ringa-Ringa-Roses, played Train-Train...and lots of other games! This month was more of being a kid, plus an adult, watching OTH Season 1.

Still I've made quiet a few buys, among which I would love to shortlist two of 'em-



LAKME EYECONIC CURLING MASCARA
(Photo from Instagram | theprettycitygirl)
I bought this mascara specially for Diwali. And to my surprise, my mom agreed 100% to buy it. Usually, she isn't the person who loves to splurge unnecessarily. Anyway, this great buy is just for Rs. 250, which is very, very cheap, for a branded mascara! So I happily bought it. I loved how it looks great on my 'lashes.  



TRADITIONAL CHAPPALS 
(Photo from Instagram | theprettycitygirl)
Chappals or 'Slippers' looked great on my green Anarkali dress. The best thing about them is, that they're just for Rs. 100! Can you believe it? And yeah, I bought them from the roadside (my second purchase I did through street shopping). They have a short box heels, and yes, the green color is a-mazing. I love the mirror design on them, which is why they look so traditional. 

What are your best buys of this month? 
November 30, 2013 No comments
I'm neither a makeup lover, nor a makeup user!

These are some of the tips about makeup and beauty, that you'll love-


  1. Makeup products are SUPPOSED TO BE thrown once they pass their expiry date. Don't try to be a miser and stick with same product, just because there's lot of cream still alive in it!
  2. Buy products ONLY of well-known companies. No matter how expensive they seem, you should think about your skin protection, and then the price.
  3. If you're running out on a mascara or lip balm, then instead of pumping the tube up and down, you better try pushing the inner walls of the tube. You might be surprised after seeing so much cream coming out of the tube, which you thought wasn't there in.
  4. Wearing makeup before going to bed will only make your skin dull and dirty. So try washing your face before hitting the bed.
  5. Don't share your favorite lipsticks with your friend. You don't want to get her sore throat or cold. Sharing makeup products helps in transmitting colds, viruses and other illnesses. 
  6. If you wonder why your favorite lip color doesn't suit you now, then you must know that along with the changes in you, day by day, your skin tones are changing too. Concentrate on knowing which color suits your skin-tone now, instead of cribbing about those that you used when you were a kid!
  7. Don't go with a makeup product that you see on your friend's face or on your fave celeb. The colors that look great on their pale skin, won't just look great on yours!

Are you a makeup addict?
November 29, 2013 No comments
Facts about skin that you probably didn't know-


  1. Wash your face after you apply conditioner, as it might be still on your face, which can lead to acne.
  2. If you have a dull or pale skin, then you might wanna try eating some iron-rich foods like spinach or juices; they will do wonders on your dull skin!
  3. If you've got cuts on your skin, then massaging with an aloe vera gel or a moisturizer can help soothe the pain, plus heal the bruises.
  4. Avoid bathing more than once a day in winters, and more than thrice in summers. More than that, will actually take off the natural moisture from your body, leaving your skin to be super-dry.
  5. If you've got dry lips or dry skin, then use a nighttime moisturizer that usually has 'nighttime', 'night' or 'overnight' written on it. This will help your skin to not appear dry in the morning.
  6. Dark circles may not occur just due to lack of sleep. There are other reasons like bad nutritional habits, over-thinking or stress, consumption of more dairy products or the red meat, or due to less intake of water. Putting cucumber slices on your eyes for 15 minutes, every once in a while, can be helpful.
  7. After putting cleanser/soap/face-wash on your face, massage a bit, before you rinse it off. Concentrate on all the areas, specially those where your skin tends to get more dirty, or has zits, most time of the year.

xxx

November 28, 2013 No comments
No matter which season it is, or which day, there are few tips that you must keep in mind while it comes to a healthy and glowing skin.




  1. Drink lots of water // A recommendation of 6-8 glasses of water per day.
  2. Moisturize your lips // Use lip-balms whenever you feel your lips need one. 
  3. Wash your face every night // Cleanse it with a cleanser or just normally wash it with a soap or a face-wash.
  4. Keep your body clean // Use good soaps or body-wash for a perfect clean of the mostly-ignored body.
  5. Get that beauty sleep // Very difficult, I know. I've been a victim of this lack-of-sleep habit of mine.
  6. Don't touch your face often // Touching your face often might lead in transferring the germs from your hands to your face.
  7. Eat healthy // Vitamins, minerals, fruits, veggies, proteins, etc. 
  8. Keep your hair off the face // The sweat and dirt from your hair might lead in transferring to your pretty face. So keep 'em off!

xxx
November 27, 2013 No comments
Do-It-Yourself mania is goin' on this blog, lately. I hope you're trying out with all the DIY stuff, and have liked them too. Today you'll learn how to make a scented body-wash/shower-gel at home! Sounds super-fun, doesn't it?


Things you'll need-


  • Mild and Unscented Liquid Soap 1/2 Cup
  • Almond or Light Sesame Oil (Skip this if you have oily skin) 1 Tbsp
  • Essential Oil or Scented Oil 4 Drops
  • Large Bowl
  • Spoon
  • Plastic Bottle
  • Loofah

Steps-

  1. Mix all the ingredients in the large bowl.
  2. Pour into a plastic bottle. (You can use cute bottles for fun in the bathroom.)
  3. Take a small amount of it on the loofah, and massage your body. 
  4. Rinse it out.

Essential/Scented Oils-



  • Relaxing- Rose, Lavender, Vanilla

  • Energizing- Lemon, Peppermint
-x



November 26, 2013 No comments
How about a yummy lip-smacking balm which is self-customized and self-made for you and by you? You know you really wanna try it!



Things you'll need-


  • Aloe Vera Gel 1 Tbsp (Available in medical shops)
  • Petroleum Jelly 1 Tbsp
  • Strawberry Essential Oil (or any flavor you love) 1 Tbsp (Available in medical shops or grocery shops)
  • Small Bowl
  • Spoon

Steps-

  1. Mix aloe vera gel and petroleum jelly in a bowl. 
  2. Add your favorite essential oil in the mixture. Stir. 
  3. Apply this mixture with your fingertips. Hello Gorgeous-Lips!

Once you're done trying this Yummy-Glossy Lip Balm for many times, and you can seriously produce this at a greater level, or just have become a pro in it, then make a big bottle of your own lip-balm. How cool is that?

Which lip-balm do you use? 
November 25, 2013 No comments
Alright so as the winter chills are increasing day by day, and with that the dry skin, you really need a skin softener, don't you?

So here's a little recipe, not to eat, but to...apply, uh.



Things you'll need-


  • Granulated Sugar 1/4 cup
  • Light Oil (Sunflower, Almond or Canola) 2 Tbsp
  • Milk 2 Tbsp
  • Small Bowl
  • Spoon

Steps-

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir it with a spoon.
  2. Apply this pretty mixture on you (avoiding the face), while you are in bathroom, but before water hits you.
  3. Once you're done applying, turn on the shower (warm water, preferably), and you're done!

Which body softeners do you use?
November 24, 2013 No comments
So, it's November 23rd, and you are experiencing cold winds and dry skins, already. The winters are not very strong here, in most parts of India, oh well, at least the part of India I reside in. But, the all-humid weather definitely turns into chilly-dry, here. 


I have top 3 winter tips that you all must follow for a soft and healthy skin:


  • YA, THE SUNSCREEN | No matter where you're heading to, a snowy place, or a normal winter-y place, do not forget to apply the good old sunscreen. Sunscreen in winter is as important as that in the summers. Apply a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. 

  • MOISTURIZERS, BABY | Needless to say, these moisturizers and body lotions are a bliss to dry skins. Don't forget to apply a layer of them, every time your skin feels out of moisture and is crying for some. Carry a small replica of your favorite moisturizer, everywhere you go, in winter days.

  • LIP BUTTERS, SLICK-SLACK | Try applying lip-balms/lip-butters, instead of lip-glosses, in winters. And even if you apply a lip-gloss, don't forget to apply a layer of lip-butter, before. (Watch this space for a DIY post on making your own personalized lip-balms!) 

What are your top-3 winter care tips?

November 23, 2013 No comments



A small stay at my father's aunt and uncle, is always a blessing for the soul. They invite us at their place for good 4-5 days stay, always. They even phone and invite, no matter which festival it is. So we went for a one day stay.

The uncle (my grandfather) has studied lot of books on Aura, Cosmic rays, spiritual things, Vedic medicines, etc. So he always keeps on telling me new-new things, that are inside us, yet we are so much unaware. He reveals few secrets of the energies. He teaches different exercises for different body parts. He knows lot about gems and numbers.

In all, it's really a very interesting and knowledgeable time spent there! My grandmother is very sweet too.

My grandfather says that, "...you should not think about the past or the future. Just live in your present...and take risks in life. Be bold".

-xxx
November 22, 2013 No comments

(Photo from Instagram | theprettycitygirl)

Now that you know your skin type, let's find out which skin product suits you the best:



  • BAR SOAPS:
  • Mild bar soaps, the ones you have been using traditionally for bathing, since childhood, are termed as 'bar soaps'. They can be used on face, too. They're good for cleansing your facial skin too.
  • Good for // They are good for oily, normal and combination skin. They might irritate dry or sensitive skin. But honestly, I have a sort of oily skin, and I don't use these soaps, instead I use face-wash. Bar soaps tend to make my oily skin, super-oily. 

  • FOAMING CLEANSERS:
  • These are used in the place of soaps, and are more delicate on the skin. They deep-cleanse the skin.
  • Good for // They're great for oily and combination skin types, as they deep-cleanse, thus removing oils and removing dirt from the pores. They can be irritating to the dry skin.

  • GEL & CREAM CLEANSERS:
  • These are smooth and they again deep-cleanse the skin. They are more hydrating than the bar soaps and foaming cleansers.
  • Good for // Gel ones are great for oily skin, and cream ones for the dry.

  • MOISTURIZERS:
  • Moisturizer should be a part of your nocturnal routine.
  • Good for // Moisturizers are great for dry skin. My cousin sister use moisturizer even when it's super-humid and super-hot outside, well just because her face gets lot of drier. Other skin types should use moisturizer during winters, because, no-no, no one can refuse applying one, in those chilly months!

  • FACE MASKS:
  • Face masks deep-cleanse your skin, and should be applied to your face, at least twice in a month. They are to be kept for at least 10 minutes. 
  • Good for // Again there are masks that can smooth-en your dry skin, or can remove oils from the oily skin. You just need to buy one, according to your skin type. 

  • FACE SCRUBS:
  • Face scrubs or the exfoliate-rs are a soapy semi-liquid face-product, which has beads/seeds of different fruits/veggies. They are required to scrub off the dirt, dust, dead-skin and the black-heads/white-heads from the face.
  • Good for // They are great for oily or combination skin, as these skin types tend to accumulate more dirt or black-heads in their large pores. 

  • FACE WASH:
  • Nowadays, people generally carry face-wash, instead of bar soaps while going on a vacation, picnics, etc. They are better in cleansing, plus are available in different fragrance and types. And, yeah, there's one for every skin type. So better. They are my favorite methods of washing face.
  • Good for // They are available for every skin type. 


Mostly, all the types of skin products mentioned above, plus more that you know, are available for all skin types. So don't fret. Just go to a beauty-store and ask them there!

xoxo
November 21, 2013 No comments


Knowing your skin type is very important. As once you know it, you can buy skin products accordingly.
Now, how do you know what skin type is yours? You must be roughly knowing it. But there's a method recommended by the Dermatologists, by which you'll know just exactly:

  • Wash your face with warm water, using mild, non-soap cleanser. (You can find these cleansers in any medical shop, and have "non-soap" written on it, usually.)
  • After washing, let your face dry. 
  • After around 20 minutes, check if you feel your skin tightening or irritation occurs. If it does, you have a DRY skin. 
  • If you don't feel anything for the first 20 minutes, wait more for 40 minutes. 
  • After 40, dab a tissue against your face. 
  • If the tissue has oily residues, you have OILY skin.
  • If there is oil only at some places, then you have a COMBINATION skin.
  • And if you don't have oil at all, you have a NORMAL skin. (Normal skin acts dry in winters, and oily in summers.)

So, what's your skin type?

xx

November 20, 2013 No comments
So much about HAIR, lately. Well who doesn't love their gorgeous mane? And you really need to know how to take care of them, don't you?


  1. If you're too scared that your stylist might cut your beautifully-grown long hair, too short, then I have a solution: You can tell her where you want the scissors to hit your hair, instead of telling how many inches you wanna cut. This way, you're sure about the haircut, plus even your stylist is happy.
  2. If you want a particular haircut like that of your favorite celeb, then just carry a photo of hers (in your cellphone, or a magazine cut-out), and show it your stylist. She would exactly know what's really cooking in your head, and you would end up twinning your favorite celebrity! 
  3. Start your hair-wash with warm water while you shampoo, and then end it with cold water, while you rinse off your conditioner. My friend, Divya, had told me this once, when we were in 3rd grade.
  4. Rinse your shampoo/conditioner thoroughly, for at least two minutes. You don't wanna weigh your hair down, I'm sure.
  5. Shampoo your hair, rinse it, apply conditioner, do rest of your bathing activities, rinse off the conditioner. This way, you're sure of keeping the conditioner on, for like, 5 minutes, at least. 
November 19, 2013 No comments

All those facts about hair, that you didn't know-




  1. Hair is most vulnerable when it is wet. So handle your wet hair with care. Do not be harsh while you towel-dry it. Also, avoid combing wet hair.
  2. Don't always tie your hair in a ponytail holder, as much of tying activity will cause hair loss, due to constant hair-pulls. 
  3. Applying gel/sprays on your hair will look great, but then remove off the natural shine from your hair.
  4. Gels/sprays that have silicone as one of their ingredients, will make your hair greasy. So go for a product which promises you a healthy shine, and that comes with a mist-er. 
  5. Spray these mist-er type of styling products on your hair with just few pumps. 
  6. For wet hair, just spray a bit in the air, and then walk past by it. This way, the spray will get absorbed in different parts of your wet hair.
  7. After hitting gyms, you usually tend to have sweaty hair. So don't use any moisture-based products. Just dab your regular towel on the sweat, and style as usual. 
  8. Do not wash your hair too often, as it soaks off your natural nutrients. But if you're a sporty-girl, and usually wash it almost daily, then deep-condition your hair at least once a week. Deep-conditioning doesn't mean going to your favorite salons, it just means keeping the conditioner few minutes more, than you usually do. You can even apply a leave-in conditioner. 
  9. So you want to go swimming very eagerly, but just don't know how to take care of hair? Then, putting up braids and then wearing a swimming cap is a great way to protect it. These cute braids would not even tangle or frizz. 
x


November 18, 2013 No comments
Now that you know how to deal with a face shape and have a haircut accordingly, you'll know in this post, the different hair types and a great cut following it-

(Photo from Instagram | theprettycitygirl)
  • FINE & STRAIGHT :
  • DOs- A long blunt cut will look real great. You can also try short blunt cuts, as they will help in adding body to this hair type. 
  • DONTs- Stay away from long layers, as they make your straight and fine hair look super-thin, plus you might even shed lots of hair. 

  • FINE & CURLY/WAVY: 
  • DOs- A chin-length or a shoulder-length cut will look just nice. This will help in adding body to your Fine hair type. 
  • DONTs- Super-long hair would just make your curly-curls harder to handle. But if you have wavy hair type, then go for super-long hair! 

  • FINE & TEXTURED:
  • DOs- A shoulder-cut with face-framing layers would look great for such hair. If you want a straight-hair look, then blow-dry your hair with a straightening comb attachment. You can roll the edges with a rollers.
  • DONTs- Avoid long layers or extreme, extreme layers. 

  • THICK & STRAIGHT:
  • DOs- This type is my personal favorite, and I really wish I had this hair-type. You can go on with any haircut/hairstyle. Long layered cuts really look amazing on this hair-type! Chin-length cut would aalow a free movement of your thickk mane.
  • DONTs- Blunt cuts. Stay away from these. 

  • THICK & CURLY/WAVY:
  • DOs- If you have a real thick curly hair, then I guess you don't have other option than tying them up in a ponytail. A shoulder-length, or a bit below that would look pretty decent on this hair type. But if you have a thick wavy one, then you are just lucky, because they look real, real great.
  • DONTs- If you grow your hair curly hair longer, then beware, it might just be a havoc in managing those curls. Avoid super-short haircuts.




November 17, 2013 No comments
There are some days, when I'm so, so busy, that writing a post is just not at all possible. Yesterday was one of those. I was too busy, to even switch on the computer.
After directing college's play, this was the next big thing that I organized or managed. It was an event of my society, and I was one of the lead members to plan stuff and organize.

(Well, this is a blurry picture, as I did not have time to even wait for a photo to get clicked!)

Yesterday, in the morning, around 11:30, we planned to do something like a function/event for the society. After deciding the event and the time, we girls started running to every door in our society, and invited them at 8:00 in the evening, for the Tulshi Vivah.
Tulshi Vivah is a Hindu festival, where we conduct a marriage (Vivah) between Tulshi (a very auspicious plant for Hindus) and an unmarried boy, assumed as Lord Krishna.
So, after the oral invitations, we went to our respective homes for lunch, and then went for the best part- shopping! Though the shopping wasn't anything about clothes, accessories or shoes, we enjoyed it. We got the wafers, paper plates, plastic glasses and two big bottles of Mirinda and Pepsi. It might sound less, but it was very, very heavy!
After getting the stuff back home, I stayed at one of my building aunts's home to watch the mighty batting of the God of cricket- Sachin Tendulkar. 
I sat there for like a half-hour, and after it, it was Stumps for the day, and then I started moving my feet, again. I went to my house to have tea and cookies and changed into a different t-shirt. After all the freshening-up was over, I went down again.
We cleaned the chosen floor with a broom, sprinkled water on it, cleaned again. Brought the Puja stuff from a lady's house and kept it in a corner. Brought a table, and the Tulshi plant, and placed it over the table. Decorated the pot with gift papers. Took out all the chairs (there were 15 in all) from the society's pump-house. Cleaned all the chairs with an old cloth, and arranged the chairs with alternate colors, with the help of three little girls. Brought a tea-table from one of the homes, and washed it under a water-tap.
It was 7:00 till then, and was the time to bring the BIG THING from store. We hadn't ordered the food. So, after deciding who was going with me to the store- the little girls, or a lady. The lady won, and I'm thankful to the God that she did!
We left the place at 7:10 and walked very long to reach the store. We ordered 3 Kg Jalebis, and 65 Samosas! After waiting there for like half-hour, we got our parcels. SO. DAMN. HEAVY. It felt as if my hand muscles would tear anytime soon.
We reached our society at 8:05, and the guests had arrived already! We still had to change ourselves into traditional attires. We hurriedly went to our respective homes, and changed. I couldn't even lift my arms up, the parcel was so heavy!

(A totally random photo of me, dressed in an Indian attire.)

The event began, but my management was still on. After the event was over, everyone thanked me and others who were in the forefront. A successful event is when people come and tell you that it rocked. 

Have you ever organized an event?

November 15, 2013 No comments
Now that you know what's your hair type, the next step is to take proper care of it.



  1. OILY HAIR // Don't use heavy styling products like hairsprays or gels, because they just help in weighing down your hair even more. Don't apply much conditioner...use it sparingly. Don't brush too often. Brush only when necessary (before you're going out), as brushing disturbs your hair roots, thus secreting more oils. Avoid playing with your hair. Shampoo often, to clean the sweat and the oils. Shampoo more in summers. Choose a synthetic bristles brush. Apply conditioner only to your tips, and not your roots. (I'm more of an oily type, so I know many tips for this one.)
  2. THIN, DRY HAIR // Use conditioner every time you wash your hair. Use a volume-boosting shampoo. Trim your hair often, to reduce split-ends. Avoid blow-drying your hair. Tie your hair more often to prevent the damage. 
  3. FINE HAIR // Use a volume-boosting shampoo to give your hair a fuller look. Try a light conditioner. For instant lift, apply a little mousse to your roots, turn your head upside-down while you blow dry. 
  4. THICK HAIR // Use shampoos and conditioners for thick hair. See to it that you cover every hair strand. This is important to keep your beautiful mane, healthy! Air-drying is the best way, and not hair-dryers, because then you'll turn up wasting your time in the bathroom doing that all day!
  5. CURLY HAIR // If your hair is super-curly, a moisturizing shampoo would be of some help. A rich conditioner is a great option to help reduce the frizz. Partly rinse your hair after you condition it. You can try hair-smooth-ening or hair-straighten-ing too, for a change.
xoxo



November 13, 2013 No comments
With this post, you'll know what type of hair you really have. Sounds exciting? Read further. 




  1. OILY HAIR // If you have sort of greasy hair, and they start getting greasier after combing, you know you have oily hair. Oily hair tend to get heavy and clumpy at the roots, with lots of brushing. They are sleek. 
  2. THIN, DRY HAIR // If your hair strands break easily, and have split-ends soon after a haircut, you have dry hair.
  3. FINE HAIR // If your hair don't weigh much, have less volume or don't have much body, you have fine hair. If you need to wrap your ponytail holder three to four times around them, you know they're Fine. 
  4. THICK HAIR // If your hair have a lot of volume, your hair is the Thick type. Your Thick hair just need a one or two wraps of ponytail holder.
  5. CURLY HAIR (Fine or Thick) // If you got waves, curls and ringlets, you know you're a curly girl! 

So? What is your type?
November 12, 2013 No comments
So, yesterday's post was about the things that I carried. But that's not enough. I had been to the Elephanta Caves, for the very first time. So that itself tells the list wasn't a perfect one.


Here are few of the things that I should have had carried there, but, well, didn't-

  1. Water // Though we carried one bottle, I guess, we should have carried one more. We all were very thirsty, plus the afternoon time was really tiring. 
  2. Hand Sanitizer // I always forget to buy one. I've used it many times, but not a daily user of it. I guess hand sanitizer is a MUST, no matter where you go. 
  3. Notepad and Pen // If we are going with a large group, then for calculations and maintaining record of who paid what, these things are required. 
  4. Talcum Powder // Well I don't use it, but I heard one of the ladies saying: we should have brought a bottle of powder along with us. 
  5. More Food // Others had brought enough food, so it was sufficient. But if it a small group, or a small family, more food should be carried, than just sandwiches. There is availability of good restaurants there, so not a matter. 
  6. Cash // There are few gorgeous things in the market, there. So, carrying a good amount of cash, is a tip from me. 
  7. Band Aids // Yes, I got a bruise on my palm, but missed a band aid, there. So I wished I carried one. 
  8. Scarf // Yes, we did carry a scarf, but that was for my mother. I guess I should have carried one for myself too. As the cap wasn't covering me enough. 

What additions would you do?
November 11, 2013 No comments
I was very busy yesterday, and had a day-out today. My society members and I were planning one, since many, many days. And at last, the plan was executed today! I had never been to Elephanta Caves, ever in my life (in spite of bunking lectures and roaming in Mumbai)! The experience was different, as the company was different.
We had never went on such a trip with our society. This small trip just bonded our relationships.
I always like to go on World Heritage Sites, as I can see the unity in my secular country (I'm a big patriot, you see!)




I just want to share all the things that me and my mom carried to a day trip to Elephanta Caves, Mumbai-

  1. Back-Pack // Someone had told me that there are monkeys in there, so I had to carry a bag that was attached to me, thus avoiding my fear of the monkeys snatching it away! Plus, a big Adidas back-pack is always the best option for trips, as we have loads and loads of things to put inside. 
  2. Cap // Did I say I was obsessed with caps? Yeah, so travelling anywhere in Mumbai without a cap, is a hello-black-face! I carried a cap for the protection from direct heat of the sun. 
  3. Glares // I just cannot go on a trip without my glares in the carry-on luggage bag. I had carried my RayBan aviators, to add up the outfit. I carried them for the style-matter, you can say. However I used it when the sun was low. 
  4. Fresh Mints // I carried a packet of HappyDent chewing gums, as I always carry chewing gums for a trip. It is fun to chew a gum while you're travelling. 
  5. Napkin and Handkerchief // My mom always insists me on carrying this. I used my red napkin so many times, to wipe off the sweat. 
  6. Swiss Knife // My companion for a day or a night out: my Swiss knife. Well we used it to cut apple slices and onions (yes, we made Bhel, there! Typical Indian day-outs). 
  7. Mini Face-wash // The face-wash, which was one of my best-buys last month, was at last put to some utility, as we washed our blackened and dirty faces, there. 
  8. Tissues // I did not use tissues to wipe the sweat on my skin, but to clean my hands, after eating. 
  9. Sweet candies // My mom loves eating these candies for many reasons: to gain energy, to gain glucose and to avoid sudden and abrupt throw-ups. 
  10. Scarf/Dupatta // As my mom was in a Punjabi suit, she had a dupatta, else she would've had carried a scarf, for her sun protection. 
  11. Food // We carried sandwiches, to just much on, because other moms (from our group) had brought other such things too. So after adding up, it made a lot of  food. 
  12. Water // You seriously CANNOT travel to these caves without ample of water. We (everyone) had to buy many bottles, in spite of carrying ten bottles ourselves. 
  13. Newspapers and Plastic Bags // Plastic bags to throw away the garbage and for the abrupt throw-ups again, and newspapers to rest your 'back' on.
  14. Camera // In India, lots of historical places don't allow you to click photographs or take videos. But, yes, photography is allowed here, so it's a delight for the photographers! 

These were my not-so-perfect things that I carried to Elephanta Caves. THE MISSES are coming up tomorrow. 

xoxo

Have you been to Elephanta Caves? 
November 10, 2013 No comments
You should know your face-shape, in order to know which haircut suits you the best.
To know your shape, just stand in front of the mirror, and with an old lipstick, draw the outline of your face. Easy, enough?


Now that you know your face shape, you can try haircuts, accordingly-


  1. OVAL // Long layered hair suits you the best. You can try haircuts that enhance your best features: Have awesome eyes? Go for cute bangs! Have amazing cheekbones? Try a layer cut that might just enhance them, further. 
  2. SQUARE // You need to avoid haircuts that end near your jaw-line, or even avoid middle-partition. You can try long or short hair, but ask your stylist to see what suits you the best. You can try razor-ed edges or chunky bangs. 
  3. HEART // Try a haircut that will enhance your jaw, and NOT your forehead. Soft waves or soft layers look cute. You need to avoid straight and long haircut. A shoulder length cut, with waves is ideal. Side part your hair and give them a bouncy look. This will distract the attention from your forehead and chin.
  4. ROUND // Long hair are ideal, as they distract the attention from the round-y face. The cut should have lots of bangs and frame your overall shape with a fun hairdo. Even, a short bob looks cute on round faces. 

What's your shape? 

P.S. Not just the shape of your face, but also the hair-type determines a good cut. 
November 08, 2013 No comments
If you guys really want a great shine on your mane, then I've got a great idea. Why not make a homemade mixture for that shine?


Things you'll need-


  1. Honey- 1 tbsp
  2. Warm Water- 4 cups
  3. Lemon Juice (optional)
  4. Small Bowl
  5. Spoon
  6. Regular Shampoo
  7. Towel

Steps-

  1. Mix honey and water in a small bowl, with a spoon, and keep the mixture aside.
  2. For blondes or for girls with light brown hair- Add few drops of lemon juice to the above mixture, too. This will help in bringing out a glow, even more. (Other hair colors should ideally avoid this step.)
  3. After you shampoo, pour this mixture on your wet hair, and massage your hair a bit. DO NOT RINSE OUT.
  4. Towel-dry your hair as always.

P.S. I've tried honey plus lemon, once, but not happy about the same. The honey is too sticky, to apply evenly on the hair strands. Plus, the lemon is said to lighter the hair's color or even turn it grey! So try this shiny mixture for once, or I would say, at your OWN RISK. 

After you try this homemade solution, do let me know about your result. 
November 07, 2013 No comments



This might be quite common to most of you. I don't have a single piece of a formal clothing- neither a shirt, nor a trousers, oh and not even formal shoes...and yet I give away so many presentations! (I have a formal handbag, though.)

I always end up wearing a semi-formal shirt or a formal-looking tunic as the formal shirt, and my old cherry-red flat bellies as my formal shoes. I'm seriously bored wearing the same type of clothes, for every presentation, and for every formal event.

I don't even have a pair of trousers, so, I end up wearing my BLACK JEANS as the trousers. I know it is very annoying, to dress the same for every formal event. But, I just don't want to splurge my money over a formal outfit.

Well, the simple reason behind me telling you guys about all the formal stuff is that, this can be a great outfit too. And black jeans are the best, plus they hardly look like 'jeans'.
I bought my only black jeans from Spykar, and must have altered and de-altered it, many, many times! But I love it, and it is very comfy.

Black jeans go great with any colour shirt, except if it is plain black. But otherwise, you go girl!


Do you own a typical formal outfit? Or do you just cheat like me?


November 06, 2013 No comments
A very inspirational quote by the famous Abraham Maslow, "What one can be, one MUST be".



For Desktop and Laptop



For Cellphone



For Facebook Cover Photo
November 05, 2013 No comments
So here's a second list for some useful Lumia apps.



Arsenal ClevFoot
Sorry for being too personal here, but if you are a Gunner like me, you might need to download this app. Though, there are some bugs in here, but I guess having something is better than having nothing at all. Oh, and yeah, COYG. 



Bluetooth Free
This app is essential for toggling between ON and OFF buttons for quick access to Bluetooth. I've pinned this app on my start window.




BookMyShow
I use this app for checking out movie timings nearby. I don't necessarily 'book' the shows, but use it only and only to check the timings, for the unplanned movies. 




Collage 7
This is not a very good app for creating collages, but definitely useful at some extent. Usually, I have to just show the comparison between two photos, so I use the first template, and use just two horizontal boxes and put photos in them. Later crop other empty boxes. So it's a heck of a task.




Cricbuzz
For all the cricket fans out there, Cricbuzz is a great app to follow the news of your favorite team, or all the cricket teams worldwide. You can get live ball-to-ball updates on this app. 




Dhingana
Dhingana app is an online destination for music, from the oldies to the new Bollywood songs. The only problem is, you need a higher connectivity like a 3g or a WiFi. 




Facebook
The official Facebook app for Windows Phone is a good one, but then it doesn't have Facebook's latest 'Feeling...', 'Listening to...', etc.



Foursquare
Foursquare app for Lumia is for sharing your check-ins, and adding photos to those places. I don't have many friends on Foursquare, so I am a bit lousy on this social app.



GoalLive
GoalLive is a great app for looking for match updates, for all the football teams across the world. I have downloaded this app recently, so not an expert in using it.


The third list is coming soon!

November 04, 2013 No comments
I have a Lumia 720, and really love some of its apps, and would love to share them.


6Tag 

6Tag was surely one of the reasons of my happiness in October. 6Tag is the Instagram for Lumia users. We can handle our Instagram accounts by using this app. I was waiting desperately for Instagram for Windows. I seriously am very happy that I discovered about this great app! I can't just stop 6tagging! 


Blink
Blink is an app, where many photos are clicked in a jiffy, with a single click (if there is a group photo, one can always switch their lens to Blink, so that the 'closure of the eyes' is avoided. I'm not a dedicated Blink user, but, indeed it's a great app. And I used it today to click the pictures of fire crackers and lights. 


 DeadBolt
Deadbolt is an app for storage of all kinds of passwords, from WiFi account or email-Ids...to bank or personal accounts. You can store your debit/credit card numbers, your height, your electricity bill number, and just everything! Oh, and there's a password to open this app, which makes all your details, in a safe place.


DECO FACE free

This app is a really cute one. Though it has few bugs to be fixed, it is very cute. We can add pretty nose, eyes, clothes, accessories to our photos. I remember, I had turned my Versace pefume bottles into a man and a woman, and my friend's pet turtle, with cute eyes and lipstick coated lips. Lovely!


Dictionary.com

The app for finding difficult words. I've pinned Dictionay.com onto my start window. You can even find Spanish words of the day, here! 


English Idioms
This app is great to find all the idioms. The great thing about this app is that there's a Search option in which we can type a word, and then you find all the idioms consisting that word!



FotoChop
Though there are very little fonts to choose from, FotoChop is a nice app to add Text to your photos.


Hair Style

You can add any celebrity's hairstyle to yourself, with this app. We had a hearty laugh after converting my little cousin brother, into a sexy woman. HA! 


Happy Period Lite

This app is helpful for girls, for managing their periodic tables.


Lomogram

I used to edit my photos in this app, before I discovered 6tag. It has many, many filters, borders and other editing tools. You can share your photos directly to Facebook and Twitter from here. 


Meme Lens

Though with bugs, this app is fun. You can add meme faces to your friends, or even click a picture, with a meme background. 


Which apps do you find useful for Lumia or any other Smartphone? 
November 03, 2013 No comments
So today was one of the few days in a year, when I had applied makeup. I love keeping a minimal and clear makeup. I'm not at all a makeup addict or a makeup lover. But since I'm a girl, my mom had insisted me to buy few of the makeup products when I was in my 10th grade. And since then I felt that a bit of makeup isn't going to harm me or my tom-boyish image. Thus, I started buying them.
Since I was a dancer in my school days, a bit of makeup was must during dance competitions, annual gatherings or celebrating the founder's birthdays. I used to apply my mom's lipstick and use the same as blush, and for the eyes? Well, I used to borrow stuff from my neighbor's. My neighbor used to help my mom in makeup and making me ready before every dance.

Now, I provide with makeup supplies to that same neighbor's little daughter's dances! What a sweet thanks!


(Image from Instagram | theprettycitygirl)


STEPS for basic makeup/clear makeup //

  1. Wash your face with a face-wash.
  2. Apply foundation with little drops of water and cotton balls on your face and neck (and the visible parts).
  3. Apply eye-liner.
  4. Apply mascara.
  5. Apply Kohl.
  6. Apply lipstick.
  7. Apply compact powder (right before stepping out).
Makeup products that I used //
  1. Face-wash :: Clean and Clear
  2. Foundation :: Lakme Perfecting Liquid Foundation
  3. Eye-liner :: Meilin Eyeliner (Waterproof)
  4. Mascara :: Lakme Eyeconic Curling Mascara (My new buy!)
  5. Kohl :: Maybelline Newyork The Colossal Kajal
  6. Lipstick :: Colorbar U.S.A
  7. Compact Powder :: Lakme Radiance Compact Natural Pearl for Fair Skin

How do you prefer? Light or Heavy makeup? Also, are you a makeup addict?

November 02, 2013 No comments
So, Diwali's first bath or the Narak Chaturdashi is almost here. Getting fabulous for the BIG day? I hope you're not forgetting your hands and feet!




STEPS for Manicure/Pedicure at home //

  1. Remove your old nail polish with a nail polish remover using cotton balls (and not tissues!).
  2. File your nails and shape them; or cut your nails (if you're a short-nail lover like me). 
  3. Soak your hands in lukewarm water preferably putting a mild liquid soap inside for few minutes. 
  4. Apply moisturizer to your hands/feet, concentrating more on your cuticles (avoiding nails).
  5. Apply base coat (you can skip this step).
  6. Let the coat dry. Apply your chosen nail polish colour. 
  7. Let the coat dry. Now finally, apply a top coat (you can skip this step). 
  8. Let the top coat dry. Apply a bit moisturizer to give the hands/feet and the nails a finished-up look. 

Oh, you can thank me later!

    Do the beauticians in salon follow similar set of steps? Have you ever tried Mani/Pedi at home? 



    November 01, 2013 No comments
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