Why living in Bangalore is Awesome

On a drizzly afternoon of July i call up my cousin in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for a some spicy chit chat and most of my conversation ends up revolving around the weather. She complains about the brutal heat compounded by power cuts and I kind of end up adding salt to wound by telling her about how cool and calm it is in Namma Bengaluru .

Bangalore and its famed weather makes living here awesome. Yes, we are experiencing impact of global warming and climate change and the weather isnt as perfect as it once used to be but still Bangalore has livable climate for atleast 10 months every year which is reason enough to make it my most favorite city in India.



There ofcourse is a lot more to Bangalore than just its climate. Labelled as the garden city of India Bangalore has long trails of trees and lush green parks. There is Lal bagh, cubbon park and Banneghatta National park which will delight every nature lover . It is also very culturally vibrant city and a music lovers paradise with both traditional and rock music finding its fans. Every international band has its concert scheduled in Bangalore if it visits India.

Bangalore is also considered as IT hub being home to many technology giants and start ups contributing to rapid growth in the population of the city which brings in its own set of problems like Traffic, garbage management and high cost of living.

These days I see anyone and everyone complaining about slow moving traffic in the city, but dont all major cities face this problem? Traffic jams in peak hours is a way of life in our city but situation is getting better with fly overs and metro coming up. Driving into Bangalore is a pleasure all thanks to tree lined roads, the cool climate and Radio stations playing music to suit all tastes. Our city is also located close to weekend getaways like goa, ooty , chikmanglur and all you have to do is drive for 7-8 hours to enjoy a vacation

Majority of Bangalore roads are pretty good and we have a good network of BMTC buses connecting different corners of the city without any hassles . You can also explore the city using the metro, autos , private AC/ Non AC buses or just ring up an ola or uber . Our city is also nicely connected by railways and boasts of a state of art international airport.

Here are more reasons why I Feel Bangalore is simply Awesome :

* Bangalore has low rates of crime against women and can be considered a very women safe city with many buses having women conductors

* We house many historical monuments like Chikkajala, Hejjala and Savanadurga, the Bangalore Palace etc in the heart of the city

* Bangalore keeps its art and culture alive and you cab catch live theater performances at Ranga Shankara, Jagruti Theatre, Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Ravindra Kala Kshetra

*This city is a foodies delight and you can taste the best of everything . South Indian , chinese or even italian , you name it and you can find a theme restaurant and ofcourse you can spot a CCD on every street. Dont miss our cheap juices, chats and filter coffee .

* English connects us all . You are new to the city? dont know kannada? You can still manage it breezily here with english or hindi .

*Unlimited job and employment opportunities present as this a start up and tech hub

Namma Bengaluru is THE place to live, What say you?

This is my entry for #MadeOfGreat Zonal War by TATA MOTORS on Indiblogger.

Read More

Asus ups the Style game with #ZenLooks Contest

You all know about my love for fashion and technology and when i can get a perfect combination of both it is an EPIC win. My current phone Asus zenfone 2 is just that, a sleek beauty with fabulous camera , amazing build and power packed performance.

The technology addict me always carries my phone around in my hand and not in my bag , yes iam geeky like that  but i make sure my phone grabs eyeballs every time it is in my hands by dressing it up in fun  and quirky case covers. What happens when I am wearing an aztec printed top with a skirt? My phone blends into the look clad in a icy blue- white ombre case cover!

I am very picky about my style and pay attention to every small little detail from make up to bags, from shoes to case covers! When I am shopping , be it online or offline I make sure I check out the mobile cases and covers section for the latest styles and if there are offers running, then Super WOW, grabbed and added to cart! So, you can Imagine my excitement when I came across #ZenLooks contest from Asus on their Facebook page. Enough of my technology and case cover addiction rant lets talk about this Incredible contest now.

So Asus with its #Zenlooks contest asks you to wear your creative hat and design your very own Zenfone case . This design can be a photo you've taken or a design you've created but you have to make sure it is fashion forward and represents your fashion aesthetic because the best designs stand a chance to win .

I did not waste even a minute and went on to create my own #zenlooks case which features a bejeweled lock and muliple keys signifying my zenfone being my key to happiness. I have given my case a lavender backdrop to match my kaftan which I recently shopped for.

Do you know from where i got inspired for this case cover? It was after i spotted Deepika padukone in a grey key printed sweatshirt at promotions of her movie Tamasha.

The uber stylish ZenFone 2 also inspired me into creating these look books

Festive Glam: 

Be it a diwali party or a birthday do , glam up with a A line kurti having an embellished bust , pair with a blinged out clutch and a pair of jhumkas. Add some drama with a head band and complete the look with your Asus Zenfone 2 and the limited edition cutiepie Marzia case

Pink Passion: 

I just love pink, the instant girly vibe this colour lends making me look fun and feminine without much efforts is amazing, no wonder i keep stocking up on pink outfits and accessories a wee bit too much. This cute Pink and cream sling bag paired with white top and denims is best comfort wear and i can carry it off to multiple places. A luncheon with frnds, shopping trip to a mall or even a movie date , this look fits in well and the classy Zenfone 2 with glacier white case from illusion series blends in nicely.

Desi Delight

This vibrant blue and yellow kurti and patiala I recently brought from Jaipur kurti is perfect for summer . Beat the heat in style with this look , pair with a white or silver clutch and a pair of bangles. Zenfone 2 with a vibrant yellow case from fusion series goes well with this look 

Are you inspired enough to create your own case designs? Then take part in the #zenlooks contest

How to Participate in #ZenLooks contest?
Log on to ASUS India's Facebook Page Here and upload your own unique design for #ZenFone 2 case . The contest is open till 6th December 2015 and the prizes are super exciting. One winner every week gets to win a ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML), Limited edition ZenFone 2 case by CutiePieMarzia and as the grand Prize your design will be printed as the limited edition ZenFone 2 case. Amazing Eh?

Read More

#MadeOfGreat - Meet my maid Salma

Some people come into our life and quietly go, others stay a while and put footprints on our hearts with their heart wrenching story of life.

A single parent to a 11 year old girl child my house help is a blessing in my life, if not for her I wouldn't know how to lead a normal life in this fast paced times of today.

(source)

Salma's Story: 
Born in a poor family, deprived of any kind of education the girl salma had seen many hardships very early in her life. Salma started off as a house help at an early age of 15 years to support her financially struggling family consisting of her mother and siblings . Later she was married off at 18 years of age but her woes did not end with marriage. She continued to work as a domestic help to support her husband . salma discovered more truths about her husband, he was a gambler and an alcoholic and as if all this was not enough salma also learnt of her husbands alive first wife . The man was already married and had 2 children from his first wife and to add to this Salma discovered she was pregnant too. The woman had taken in too much and now she decided to move out and bring up her child on her own.
Salma rented a room and worked as a maid all through her pregnancy to support herself. She gave birth to a  baby girl and with help from her mother she took care of the girl and is today a proud single parent of a 11 year old who studies in 6 th standard of an English medium school. If this woman salma isnt #MadeOfGreat tell me who is?

*She decided she will give birth to her baby and will not deprive her of anything in the world. she was uneducated but she would make sure her baby got the best education .

*She now works in eight houses to support her daughter and mom. She prepares food at her own home in the morningand then sets out to do dishes, sweeping and washing clothes at 7 other houses all day, then returns home to do the dishes and cook dinner for her own home again.

*Sheer hard work earns salma around 12,000 a month which she uses to pay rent, school fees and tuition fees of her daughter , electricity  and water bills and ration for the house.

* Being a domestic help has its own health related issues. Salma keeps falling ill and takes leaves for atleast 5 days a month but this doesnt stop her from returning back to work happy and smiling. She never complains or frowns and the best thing about her is her work. She keeps my home spic and span, displaying amazing dedication to her job , also she is trust able person. In the 6  years she has worked at our house never have we come across even one incident of theft.

* This women takes complete care of her now old mother and her daughter . she inspires me with her compassion and sheer devotion for the well being of  her family.

*Sacrificing all her life for her family, she is a true role model living a simple life managing both her family and work #LikeABoss

* Salma Fought the Fight all her life.. . Stood her ground and refused to accept tantrums of her husband.. Survived the fall kicking ass of her numerous health issues ... Believed in her strength to take her through the journey called life.

* An embodiment of 3 D' s... Determination , dedication and discipline... her immense will power will inspire all.

Salma I tell you is a  woman of real substance, particles, atoms and molecules, undeniably #MadeOfGreat. 

G -Grit

R - Reliable

E - Enduring

A - Adept

T - Trustable

This post is an entry to the #madeofgreat campaign by Tata Motors.

What do you think of Tata Motor's Association with Lionel Messi?

Answer in comments to win Amazon Voucher worth Rs. 750!

Contest closes on November 25, 2015

Read More

Style up This Diwali

Diwali the festival of lights is celebrated in almost all parts of India . Being a muslim i dont celebrate diwali at my house but having so many hindu friends and neighbors means i end up being a part of the celebrations.  I get invited to so many diwali parties and i make it a point to attend all of them afterall who wants to miss an opportunity to visit a friends house and treat my taste buds to yummulicious mithai . Diwali is also an excuse for me to go all desi and show off my ethnic wardrobe . Iam sure all of  you want to look your festive best this season and so Here i Present to you  tips to style up this diwali.

Tips to dress for a Diwali Party :

Embrace bright colours: Diwali is a festival of lights and colours too. Try strong colours in rich fabrics like raw silk . You can even try bright neons in pink , green or yellow paired with shimmery golden borders . This will help you stay comfortable and light especially if you plan to burn some crackers

Experiment with dramatic silhouettes : If you really plan to stand out then you should think out of the box and be open to experimenting. I mean your anarkali or saree can be uber gorgeous but accept it they have been done to death instead look for hatke stuff like a pant sari , plazzo kurtas, crop top lehenga or just an anarkali with an asymmetrical hemline.

Reinvent the Sari : If you really want to wear a saree wear it in a new way or drape it differently. You can pair it up with a corset , metallic underskirts , cigarette pants , peplum cholis or jackets. If you are not feeling too wild then just go for a sari in quirky fuss free prints . You can also go for dual toned chiffon sarees but make sure you pair it with a statement accessory or go in for an ornamental blouse. for more tips with modernizing the saree 

Opt for comfort in the evenings: If you want to indulge in a little cracker bursting or just want to light of some phuljharis then change into your cotton kurtas first. Dress up in bright cotton kurtas with embroidery and skip the dupatta . You could try pairing short flared kurtas with patialas or plazzos with short kaftans to add the extra style zing. 

Accessorize it Right : Ethnic look is never complete without proper accessorizing but it is important that you dont overdo it or it will look like you are dressed for a wedding and not a festival. The trick is to add one statement stand out piece and keep everything else subtle. Try adding  a pair of jhumkas, chand balis or just a jhoomar with a dash of you radiant smile and you are good to go . 

This year i will not be celebrating diwali with my friends since iam away from home and that means iam going to be invited to lesser parties and ofcourse without my old friends diwali is always going to be incomplete. I am going to miss helping my friends clean up their room before the festival , preparing sweets and also putting in the colourful elaborate rangoli . Diwali bina dost is a Diwali bina Lights!

Anyway happy diwali to all my virtual friends and blog readers :)

Stay bright, stay stylish!

Read More

Trend Talk: Cape Jumpsuits from Ridhi Mehra

Ridhi Mehras designs  have an amazing blend of contemporary and traditional and her delicate florals always have me drooling. At Lakme Fashion week winter festive Ridhi showcased her collection titled Prism which had a varied silhouettes and colors but what caught my interest the most was Ridhis twist to the jumpsuits. Most of her jumpsuits had a cape element in them with almost floor length sleeves. Ridhis trademark floral embellishments were ofcourse a common element in all her creations.

Here are favorites from the collection


The floor length sleeves with floral detailing makes this very unique chic jumpsuit. Athiya shetty was spotted in this creation during promotions of her movie Hero



This jumpsuit has peplum kind of asymmetrical detailing which i totally love. Fuss free look to rock this season



This jumpsuit with floor length cape sleeves can be a cool outfit to flaunt at a wedding. Great way to stand out without coming across as trying too hard


New twist to florals in a classy and elegant black



A dash of red


The colour of the season marsala sheer cape with high front!



Did you like the cape jumpsuits by Ridhi Mehra?

Read More

This festive season Asus brings to you #HarPalHappiness Offer

Diwali the festival of lights, cheer, family and gifts is like two weeks away and every indian household is already busy preparing for the festival. Festive season means yummy mithai, crackers, positivity, togetherness, desi clothes and gifts galore. I am shopping crazy for the festive season and to make sure i look my traditional best . I have shopped for some anarkalis, plazzos , tassel earrings and a 3 finger ring. Still on my list to shop are a pair of juttis and some glass bangles. Helping me shop smart are the super saver festive offers by brands and e commerce portals. This year I am doing most of my shopping online and almost everything i shop has a discount on it and this is making my shopping more fun.

 I love surprises and gifts, even the simplest of gifts come with a power to put a smile on my face and so i always make it a point to keep gifting my loved ones from time to time. I like the idea of gifting choice by way of gifting Gift vouchers but the personal touch is lost and there is no emotional connect so i always put in a lot of thought when i gift my loved ones. Every time I am shopping i look around to see if i can find something meaningful or useful to gift my family and friends . My gifts range from being something my friends would actually use to being personalized stuff bringing back memories  or even something practical or functional.

I always gift my husband dear personalized photo gifts but this year i wanted to gift him a smartphone and in my search for the best phone to suit his needs I came across the #HarPalHappiness Offer by Asus, where where customers buying a ASUS Zenfone will get a chance to win Flipkart gift vouchers worth Rs.1,000 every hour. And, one lucky customer will also stand a chance to win gold vouchers worth Rs.25,000 every day! The offer is available on Flipkart.

Talk about Cherry on the cake! If I gift my husband a zenfone I may end up gifting myself too with a flipkart gift voucher worth 1000 or  gold voucher of 25,000. How amazing is that?  

The mobiles available under this offer include ASUS Zenfone 2 Deluxe, Zenfone Selfie and Zenfone Laser. The specs of Zenfone Laser 2 look perfect for the needs of my husband and that is exactly what I am going buy . If you are planning to gift yourself or your loved ones a mobile this festive season I recommend you check out this awesome offer from Asus and do it quick because the offer ends on 11th November.

To claim the offer purchase the zenfone from Asus exclusive store or from flipkart online and register your phone at Asus Website with details like full name, Invoice Number, Mobile Number, Order ID and dont forget to pray for lady luck.

Happy shopping!

Read More

Real Togetherness and Tips to Reconnect for REAL

Technology is an indispensable part of our lives these days  and most of us have a life offline and a life online too. It isnt any different with me , i have a huge number of followers on twitter , instagram and a number of friends on facebook and i spend a good amount of my time everyday updating my statuses and posting out photos on my profiles but that doesnt mean I am an addict , i make it a point to keep a healthy balance between my virtual and real life. I connect with my siblings, family and friends and family online but the real togetherness for me happens only in person, when we meet up for festivals or parties .

Last week i attended a big fat indian wedding where i was welcomed with a signboard which had a customized hashtag for the bride and groom (#bridewedsgroom) . The signboard wanted all guests to use the hashtag when uploading photos of the event on social networking sites and inside the reception hall i spotted the bride clicking selfies an quickly uploading them off to her instagram profile. This shocked me , the bride instead of enjoying her big day with her partner was more interested in sharing her joy with her friends online who werent a part of her Big day for Real. Would you do the same thing as a bride or a groom ?  I mean surrounded by your real friends and family and cousins on such an important day of my life i wouldnt waste a single second of my day touching my smartphone, but that is just me.

I remember having discussions on what to buy and what budget to set before shopping trips with my siblings at home , these days most of my shopping happens online and these simple discussions also happen over apps like whatsapp. Infact this sale season (read #bigbilliondays ) all out buying decision discussion happened over the flipkart app using their very own Ping feature. I am not saying all these technological advancements is a bad thing , it is actually good  helping make my life easy and convenient but we need to draw a line and not let technology rule us. we need to make time and spend some real quality time with our friends and family and that is exactly why i the shopaholic me doesnt rely on online shopping alone. I always make it a point to grab my siblings and head out to shopping malls or even the small corners of commercial street to score some hake offbeat stuff and spend some meaningful time in the process.



If you feel that you are dangerously breaching the line between your real and virtual life then you definitely need to do some thinking and re-prioritize your life. Here simple things you can do to enjoy Real Togetherness with your friends and family
1. Love shopping online? Be a smart shopper visit malls and physical stores once in a while to see what is selling at stores and at what price and when you are at it take your friends  or siblings along. You may end up buying nothing but trust me the trip is going to be worth it.
2. Ditch the farm villas, talking to walls or chirping on twitter and interact with nature for real. Plan a trekking trip and let nature soothe you . Bonus: this trip will give you amazing phoitos to post on your instagram later ;)
3. Have no internet days. Designate a couple of days of every month where you switch of your mobile data packs and wifis and disconnect with your virtual life. No wifi means the whole family has nothing to do except spend time together which leads to meaningful discussions. The notification free day will sure bring you immense peace
4. Help a kid complete her science project .
5. Indulge in your passion. bring the paints out and start adding colour to life or just strum off the guitar
6. Make it a point to celebrate festivals offline. I have noticed people just add a twibbon of a flag to their profile photo to celebrate independence day. Time for a change, hoist a flag for real with neighborhood kids.
7. Play real games atleast once a week. Ditch those candy crushes and grab the balls instead. Play tennis, badminton or even gully cricket . This will also help you loose some some calories and get some fresh air.
8. Plan something fun with your friends like a road trip or even cycling race.
9. Spend some time in your garden. Nature gives ample opportunities to bond.
10 .Party outdoors. Have terrace party and spend the night stargazing or light up a bonfire in your backyard and play some antakshri

Read More

Modernizing the Saree: 10 new ways to wear the saree

The stunning stylish saree is an iconic piece of indian culture and tradition. The sari has been there for like forever reinventing and evolving itself and surviving the tests of time. The younger generation now doesnt shy away from wearing a sari for parties or traditional dos , infact Sonam kapoor last year moved away from the usual gowns and dresses and walked cannes red carpet in a contemporary draped 6 yard Anamika khanna sari .

 Indian fashion designers have always tried to experiment with the saree trying everything from draping it over dhotis, pants, adding in belts, waistcoats and jackets . Here lets talk about some trendy ways the sari drape had revamped itself to suit the tastes of modern indian women.

Dhoti Saree : Popularized by sonam kapoor the dhoti saree is quite a rage these days with bollywood celebs. Just use your solid coloured plain saree to drape it in dhoti style for a indo-western effect. If you are comfortable draping the mahrastrian saree then this should be a easy deal for you but if you arent you should just google for tutorial or get help from your parlour lady.

The sari gown : The ultimate fusion wear , a sari gown isnt exactly a way to wear the saree but is a pre draped ready made saree. This is the most preferred way to wear a sari these days because of the comfort it offers, all you have to do is zip it and you are good to go . This is totally worth investing.

Saree with a belt : Adding a traditional kamarband to the saree isnt anything new but now is a time for revamp. Replace the kamarband with your western belt and watch your saree look transform. For added effect pair a plain saree with a metallic belt and printed blouse.

Pant saree: skip your petticoat and drape your saree over a pair of leggings or fitted pants for an indo western twist. You will need a smaller saree for this drape or you can just buy a pre draped ready made pant saree for added comfort

Peplum saree :  If peplum is a trend you already like then show more love to it by pairing it with your saree. Just get your favourite peplum top out and drape your saree over it , under it or even in a gujrati style .  Peplum saree is a great way to add drama and stand out but make sure you tone down on the accessories.




Drape with an offbeat blouse : Draping it in a different way is not the only way to revamp your saree. Ditch your traditional blouse and pair your saree with an offbeat blouse to give it a modern twist. Opt for a crop top, jacket, bolero, corset or capes and spice up your old saree.

The quirky printed way: Prints are tootally in and masaba gupta just made them more quirky. Lipsticks, cows, hands , fans any and everything is allowed in here . Just grab some prints in bright colours for added effect and splash a wedding or a festival in style



Cape it: I loved it when samantha wore a cape over her saree and ever since capes have become quite popular in ethnic wear so it is the right time to try the cape saree trend. Invest in a cape and add it over your saree and skip the neck piece. For added effect make sure your cape is sheer, lacy or netted.



Cross wrap it : use your regular printed saree to drape in a crossed way over a full sleeves blouse or a crop top and cinch with a belt for more polished look . Watch this video here for tutorial on how to do this.

Jumpsuit Saree: This saree trend hasnt been too popular but if you are a jumpsuit person this is one trend you shouldnt skip trying. I spotted the saree inspired jumpsuit on runway at a payal singhal show and  i just loved this super modern twist to the sari.

So which drape are you looking to experiment with ?

Follow me 

I Twitter  | Facebook | Blog | Google+ | Instagram |

Read More

Embrace Speed with fastest network ever - Airtel

Internet has changed the way we live and revolutionized everything from shopping to staying connected . From the days of dial up connections to having lightening fast 3G internet on our mobile phones, technology also  has come a long way and now Airtel brings to you the fastest network ever - Airtel 4G .



In this digital age where smartphones are an important part of our lives fast internet is a blessing. You need to call a taxi on the go, instagram a photo, watch the latest viral video or just upload a video in real time on your facebook, it can all be possible with Airtel 4G. Buffering of videos shared by your friends over whatsapp is a thing of past now with blazing speeds from Airtel 4G .

In the past I often used my smartphone and its 3G services to check mails, tweet occasionally and stay connected via whatsapp . Stuck in a traffic jam i always wanted shop on the go on mobile shopping apps, check my instagram feed or check out trailers of  upcoming movies from my favorite stars but it never happened because 3G was fast but not fast enough to load photos instantly or run a video without buffering . But it has all changed with Airtel rolling out its 4G services across across 296 cities . Now embrace speed and experience the fabulous world of internet to the fullest .

Last week i missed an episode of Jhalak Dikhla Ja Reloaded  and my Favourite contestant Sanaya Iranis performance. I decided to watch it on Youtube and to my delight the video on my 4G network streamed seamlessly without compromising on the quality. It was almost like i was watching it on television. Faster internet speeds open up  more doors of possibilities to us. I never used services of Uber before because i never trusted my internet enough but now with 4G iam all set to experiment and explore the world of apps on my smartphone. It is time to simplify and add comfort to my life and 4G will only help me better. Here are a list of things i plan to do with my newly acquired 4G speed on my smartphone

• Stream music from online radio stations. 
• Shop on the go on shopping apps from my phone
• Upload more real time photos on instagram
• Watch random videos on youtube
• video call my sister
• send and receive videos over whatsapp
• Dump the No-Autowallahs and try uber

When i was showing off my newly acquired speed from airtel to my friends , one of my friend inquired about the cost of 4G services . Now this is THE best part of Airtel 4G , you get the amazing speed of 4G a for the price of 3G . My friend was very impressed and she instantly registered for an Airtel Sim. Existing Airtel users can get a 4G sim delivered at their doorstep for free just by tweeting #GetAirtel4G

for more information visit here - http://www.airtel.in/4g/. 

Read More

Free Airtel 4G SIM is now just a tweet away

Airtel yesterday became the first teleco to launch high speed fourth generation (4G) mobile data services in india. Terming its 4G service as the fastest network ever airtel also priced their 4G services at their existing 3G rates and to get their users to quickly start using 4G Airtel today launched a unique twitter campaign #GetAirtel4G .



The #GetAirtel4G is a unique 4G SIM delivery service by Airtel for all their existing users. Using the hashtag #GetAirtel4G an Airtel user with a 4G handset can get a 4G SIM delivered to their home for free. If you are a twitter user making use of this unique service is a breeze but if you arent well i will simply things for you.

Just tweet with hashtag #GetAirtel4G (see my tweet for reference )

#GetAirtel4G i want my free sim too @airtelindia

— Velvet Bytes (@TheOnlyTash) August 7, 2015

Airtel with its newly acquired 4G speed will instantly send you a reply  with a link to fill in your details, Like this (i think there is a bot in operation there ;)  )

@TheOnlyTash To get started on #Airtel4G, just fill in your details here: http://t.co/ZDTCbdDSKX 07/08 20:01:18

— airtel India (@airtelindia) August 7, 2015

Now Fill in the details and wait for your 4G sim to be delivered within 4 hours. Quick eh? I have a 4G compatible smartphone and now it was time to put my device to full use with the awesomeness of 4G network from Airtel. I love trying new things and there is no way iam not going try this super fast stuff . I entered my details in a jiffy and got my personal Free 4G sim delivered in less than 2 hours . Make sure you put in right details as the address in the form will be used to deliver the sim to your place.

On its website airtel says "If your network is faster we will pay your mobile bills for life" .  Fastest network ever alright! @airtelindia just delivered a free #Airtel4G sim in record time to my home and all that for free. Now so excited to redefine my smartphone experience with Airtel 4G .

Speed , Here comes Me!

Read More

Say Hi to Airtel 4G

Being a blogger and an avid twitteratti means i have to stay connected to the wide world of internet 24 X 7 . I spot an amazing looking view and i capture it instantly with my phone next i want to share it in real time with my Friends online on twitter and instagram and BAM the upload gets stuck ! Apparently my 3G mobile net isnt fast enough even to upload a mid resolution photo .

I remember there was a time when i used a nokia 2200 and having access to internet everywhere i go was only a fantasy . The advent of smartphones have changed life for the better and now we can stay connected to world online with a single touch on our phones. Having internet access on my palm has surely revolutionized my way of living but i do wish the internet experience on  my phone was more breezy and quick, just like i have it on my laptop. Like a genie who is here to fulfil my wishes i spotted the Airtel 4G ad on Tv today and boy was i excited? Hell yes.




I have a 4G compatible smartphone and now it was time to put my device to full use with the awesomeness of 4G network from Airtel. I love trying new things and there is no way iam not going try this super fast stuff .
I logged into Airtel website  with my phone number and registered for a free 4G sim which will soon be delivered at my doorstep . On the website i discovered another very fabulous thing , the pricing! Get 4G at the rate of 3G how amazing is that?

So now iam waiting for the 4G sim to be delivered to me and then i want to take the Airtel Challenge with my friends . On its website airtel says "If your network is faster we will pay your mobile bills for life" . This sounds so much fun and i just cant wait to experience the new, experience the speed .

With the airtel 4G iam looking to redefine my smartphone experience . Recently the fashion portal Myntra went App only and i was very shocked . I had to actually sit within wifi range to shop from this site and then there is buzz that Flipkart will be going app only soon. I am hoping this Airtel 4G is fast enough to let me shop on my anywhere anytime even away from my wifi range. Also stay tuned to my instagram for more realtime photos . 4G here i come!

Read More

Getting fit and fabulous with Honey Diet

Iam not a crash diet person, i can never skip on eating my favorite foods just for quick weight loss. I believe in eating healthy home made food and i also allow myself occasional binge fests which i follow with exercises to reverse the damage.

But do things remain the same ever? Nopes, for me life got busy and I let go of myself, i started eating out a lot and my lazy self dint quite keep moving to burn the extra calories which resulted in weight gain. The gained weight wasnt much but it was just enough to get me to indulge in shopping to order new clothes online because i dont fit in most of my old clothes . It was fine with me , people get married , they gain a bit of weight , it is all natural but when i noticed a bulged belly .... I was worried !  I loved my flat tummy which allowed me to wear  variety of styles and i wanted  it back . My friend was getting married soon and i wanted to wear a Lehenga and rock in it not show off my belly fat and come across questions of  'are u expecting?'  Aargh NO!!!
The bulged belly was giving me nightmares and I decided to work for my flat tummy . I took the shortcut indulging in a crash diet which was a disaster . I started feeling dizzy easily and couldnt last a single trip to the shopping mall without feeling exhausted and to make matters worse fever caught me and i fell sick. BAM !! that was the end of my crash Diet . Never Again said husband dear . 

I still wanted to wear that lehenga for my friends wedding and came across Shinjini from TheDelhiBride blog who was on her way to join the fitness bandwagon . I was impressed by how she was doing it . I took inspiration from her and decided to take the healthy diet route this time and see how it works for me.  

Iam still contemplating buying a fitness band but iam exploring healthy eating options and small lifestyle changes. I have started taking short meals for around 4-5 times a day and also eating healthy snacks  like almonds and walnuts. Of course working out is important and iam doing even that but iam doing it the easy and fun way with zumba videos on youtube here

When i visited home my dad who is diabetic and is on a strict honey diet suggested i incorporate honey in my diet to help cut down on sugar . Since this was a simple change, the lazy me decided to give it a try and it actually worked. My dad also warned me to have real pure honey to experience its benefits and i turned to the trusted Dabur Honey .
Including honey in my diet worked wonders for me all thanks to the amazing honey recipes i stumbled upon on the Dabur website . They have simple recipes which helps replace sugar with honey in a variety of  foods like milk shakes, snacks and salads. So now iam eating yummy stuff yet i can see my belly flattening a little every week .
So if you dream of getting fit and fabulous the yummylicious way then i suggest you embrace simple lifestyle changes with honey diet . Dabur has come up with a 3 click diet planner to help you stay fit and young . Go here and get your personal honey diet plan NOW 

Read More

Surf it fast with UC cricket

Cricket is a game which unites all us Indians and we follow it closely. It is a game which awakens a spirit of  nationalism in us and brings us together to cheer for our men , to bleed blue and celebrate crazy when our team wins.

I am a very big cricket fan and i never miss any match team India play . When i was in ninth standard the legendary India V/s Pakistan tour was scheduled during my exams and TV was banned at home so i ended up sneaking in a radio in my room to get  live score updates . I wish technology was as advanced as it is today and i wouldn't have to miss all the cricketing action because of exams  .
During the world cup this year my cousins wedding was scheduled during a match but did i miss the action? No way ! All us cricket lovers caught up the game in a separate room.  Yeah iam crazy like that . But with life getting busy  following every match becomes impossible and we have to settle with catching just the highlights and score updates of important matches.

Technology today is advanced and the increasing internet penetration means cricket lovers can catch all the action live from anywhere anytime right from their smartphone screens. My brother who loves both cricket and technology suggested i install the UC browser to get better and faster smartphone browsing experience.  Having the google chrome inbuilt in my moto G i did want to clutter my mobile with more apps but my brother convinced me that the UC browser isnt just the fastest browser it is a cricket maniacs friend too, it would allow me to surf it all and surf it fast. I finally gave in and installed the app on my phone and boy it did definitely redefine my cricketing experience.
To start with UC browser has a dedicated section for cricket called the UC cricket which is a cricket lovers paradise having everything from live scores, results, cricket news and videos at just a single touch . This means googling for scores is now a thing of past and you will never have to miss cricketing action . Now i enjoy all live updates and videos in the gym, in the office , in the shopping mall and even when iam stuck in a traffic jam on roads of Bangalore.

Since my cousins marriage was scheduled during the world cup a lot of shopping trips were made while the world cup qualifiers were on, but i never missed even a single ball all thanks to UC browser .  I caught on updates in traffic jams and even in malls without missing out on my first love shopping . This is the best thing about UC Cricket , it helps you get that perfect balance between your love for cricket and  your love for all the little things that make life meaningful. So if you are a cricket Maniac like me who is finding it difficult to stay connected with the game because of you busy schedule then you should definitely get the UC browser and connect to the fabulous world of cricket from anywhere .

Read More

Basic skin care routine to follow for flawless skin

Everyone dreams of fabulous radiant skin which is a dream these days because our skin is subjected to so much damage from sunlight , pollution and ageing . This doesn't mean you cant achieve healthy glowing skin. With some simple skin care routines you can achieve flawless perfection and bid bye to pimples , tan and black heads .

Drink plenty of water : If you want your skin to look healthy you need to hydrate it from within.Drinking 8- 10 glasses of water does loads of good for your skin

Cleanse Tone Moisturize: The CTM routine is stressed by all skin care experts and it is important to follow it if you are serious about having radiant skin. Cleansing twice a day with a mild cleanser is important. Do not use a soap or over cleanse your face which may lead to loss of moisture. Use products suitable for your skin type or something natural like Vicco turmeric cream with a foam base. Most people dont cleanse in the evening and just use a wet wipe to remove make up which is a big no.

After cleansing toning is important because cleaning disturbs the pH balance of skin and toner restores this quickly. Toner is also known to close or shrink pores in your skin and this is a reason why people with oily skin should not avoid this step . I dont take toning seriously as i have dry skin and i dont feel the need to tone my skin everyday . Most brands have toners but i suggest you use pure rose water as a toner .
Moisturizing is the most essential part of your skin care to restore lost moisture to your skin.Even if you have oily skin this step shouldn't be skipped and you should moisturize at least once a day or you can just use a moisturizing face wash. People with dry skin should opt for an intense moisturizing cream.

Exfoliate : Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin but you should never over do this. Once a week is fine. For a natural exfoliater  mix baking soda in water .

Use Sunscreen: Sun rays cause a lot of damage to your skin and it is absolutely essential to use sunscreen when you step out. Most people skin sunscreen in winters which is a big no as even the light winter sun can damage skin. Choose a good sunscreen with an SPF of around 30 to keep your skin protected. You can also skip this step byu opting for a moisturizer with a SPF . Make sure you reapply sunscreen every 3 hours. It is best to use a powder compact with SPF which makes reapplication easy. I use  Maybelline Dream Satin Skin Two Way Cake Powder to do this .

Remove Makeup before sleep: This is one mistake which can cost your skin dearly. Never ever sleep with make up on and by removing makeup i dont mean wiping it off with wet wipes. You should thoroughly remove every trace of make up from the mascara to the blush with an oil based make up remover. I use babuy oil as a make up remover and it removes even the toughest of my make up . After removing make up ypu may need to wash your face and indulge your skin in intense repair therapy with a moisturizer or a night cream.

Aniti ageing routine : No one can stop ageing but you can definitely delay it . Ageing of skin means your skin begins to sag and looses its smooth and softness. Reversing skin ageing is impossible so i recommend you take ageing seriously and start early . 25 should be the right time to start with anti ageing routine but with proper sunscreen and moisturization you can skip anti ageing routine till 30 -35 .

Read More

10 Rajasthani things which I'am currently loving

Rajasthan has a very rich history with unique cultural and artistic traditions. Famous for its rajput kings, architecture, the folk songs , food and traditional dances like ghoomar, Rajasthan attracts tourists from all over the world.

I love all things ethnic and Rajasthans Fashion and style particularly fascinates me. The gota Patti work, leheriya dupattas , Bandhini dresses and Mojris all make me go crazy. what i love most about rajasthan style is that it is vibrant and colorful mix with intricate detailing.

Iam in mood for a lot of colour these days and Rajasthan fuses colour , style and comfort the best. Anita Dongre is one of  my favorite designer and the reason is simple , her creations are heavily inspired from Rajasthan culture, heritage and traditions. Hi street ethnic brand Rain and Rainbow also has some amazing elements from rajasthan incorporated in its creations. 

If i had an umbrellas so fun and colorful i would flaunt it in all seasons, no jokes there. I love this . Make for amazing photo back drops and will be amazing mehendi decor.

I have abut 4 bandhini dupattas and still cant get enough of this tie and dye art. I love them and i have to include them in this list.

These colourful embroidered jholas with mirror work are an absolute delight!

I love Maang tikkas and i have been lusting these rajathani style round ball like mang tikkas for a while now




I love decor from rajasthan . They are full of bright colours and has a lot of elephant motifs and prints. i have some cusion covers but now eyeing these for my drapes.


Rajasthani women wear a lot of jewellery , by a lot i mean a really really lot . They use a lot of silver jewlelry and all tehir kadas looks very huge and probably heavy too . But you do know about my love for jhumkas dont you? loving these silver jhumkas , i so want them. I dont even a single silver jhumkas in my collection!


Iam not a clutch person and i dont flaunt them until it is some huge event but these colourful beauties are tempting me



I told you about my love for Anita Dongre already and this is her creation. I have a lot of leheriya and bandhini printed outfits for everyday use but this pink bandhini lehenga is sheer awesomeness. Give it to me and i will happily get married in it . Flowy, comfortable and bright. Into my lust list!



I love bangles and these colourful lac ones are so pretty  and will add a dash of colour to any outfit as they will go with almost anything.


How pretty are these ponchi bracelets with meena and kundan work?


love these too

Do you like anything from my list? do you own stuff from rajasthan ? please do share

~Kamar J

Read More

Website review: Candere.com for Precious jewellery

Shopaholics are having a time of their lives with the advent of online shopping. Shopping online has abundance of discounts, sales and cashback offers helping us save not only money but also our precious time. These days iam growing increasingly comfortable shopping online from various websites and my purchases include apparel , gadgets, beauty products, appliances and more.

If you follow me on instagram then you would already know that i recently shopped for my Asus laptop online and iam now considering buying a gold pendant online as a wedding gift for my cousin. co incidentally i came across Candere.com an online diamond and gold jewellery store and I loved their collection. So i thought about reviewing them here for all my readers.

About Candere : 



Candere.com is a premium online precious jewellery store which retails hallmarked and certified jewelry. They provide wide range collection of bangles, rings, pendants , nose pins, earrings,chains and more. They also have a good solitaire and gold coins collection The jewelry at Candere is 100% authentic and is exquisitely designed keeping quality and affordability in mind. Candere also offers amazing customer service with 30 days return, refund and lifetime exchange.

Website Design and Layout :
candere.com has a simple design and easily navigable layout. All Categories of jewellery available are categorized neatly in tabs and current offers and discounts are displayed right in the middle of home page. I love how jewelry is further sub categorized to make shopping easier. Like the rings are categorized under daily wear, engagement , cocktail, only gold , solitaires and more. The right hand corner of the website has a drop down menu to help you choose the currency you are willing to pay in. You can register or sign in and start shopping. Regetering with the site is simple but you can also use your facebook, twitter, yahoo or google account to sign in. Overall a user friendly website which i feel even my mom can use to shop jewellery with ease.

Why choose Candere.com to buy online jewellery?

1. Candere offeres insured Free shipping on all the products to all locations in india

2. Products can be made to order to fit your specific needs and size and will be delivered to you in 7 to 14 days.

3. If you want to shop for gifts at a short notice choose for a product from the express shipping tab and it will be shipped to you in 48 hours.

4. Candere offers 30 days money back guarantee return policy if you are not satisfied with the product received

5. Candere also has a lifetime exchange policy which can be used to exchange or upgrade your purchases.

6. Every piece of jewelry from Candere.com comes with hallmark and certificate of authenticity from world top jeweley grading laboratories.

7. Various easy payment options available namely Credit card, Debit Card, Net Banking & Cash on Delivery.

8. The site also has amazing deals and discounts from time to time and at present a flat 20% is on on all gemstone and diamond jewellery . so go shop away ;)

9. Candere aims at customer satisfaction and offers customer support 7 days a week from 9AM to 9 PM . You can also mail them or chat online to get your queries answered.

10. They also ship provide international shipping services .


11. Exquisite international designs at affordable prices . You can also buy products on EMI"

I browsed through Canderes collection and fell in love with many designs. Here i have complied my wishlist from Candere trying to limit my picks to 5 with a lot of difficulty.






Overall Candere is a great place to shop precious jewellery. They offer attractive prices, amazing quality and 30 day returns. You should definitely check this site out for their bespoke internationally indian designs.

Read More

Decoding Ek Nayi League

Cricket and Bollywood unites us Indians like nothing else can . BCCI is the richest cricket board in the world  all thanks to this Nation of a billions cricket obsession. We Indians cant get enough of cricket and so we dont only have the domestic and international cricket to watch , we also have a glitzy and glam IPL

The Indian Premiere league is currently on and iam least interested. For me the charm of Cricket ended with Sachin's retirement and as for my interest in IPL the 2013 spot fixing scandal is to be blamed. I do watch a match here and there all thanks to my brother who is still an addict but i dont really follow the whole tournament but do you know which league has caught my off late? It is the Ek Nayi League. !

When a league is Promoted by the legendary Kapil dev  everyone is bound to get excited . But what is this league all about? The 'Ek Nayi League ' Literally translated means ' One New League ' and the promotional videos of this yet to be launched League are going viral on Social Media and in all these videos  Kapil Dev features advising people to not play with their heart .  Even the banners show Kapil Dev pointing finger on his head. So What is Kapil Dev trying to tell us? to play with our mind and to use our brains is it ?
This whole Ek Nayi League i must say is marketed very tactfully keeping an aura of  suspense and secrecy around it encouraging the viewers to do some guess work .
When i spotted the 1983 world cup winning captain Kapil Dev in the ad i first thought the this maybe a revamped version of the Indian Cricket League (ICL)  which Kapil Dev was associated with  but when Kapil Dev speaks about not playing form your heart i have a feeling this league has nothing to do with cricket . It maybe a league  involving game which tests a persons Intelligence Quotient  something like Chess but of course i cant be even 1% sure about it because in other videos Kapil Dev talks about retirement and also about women players.

Since there is so much talk of  not playing from the Heart i feel this league may turn out to be something totally unrelated to sports.  It can be something related to women empowerment since one video draws focus to Indian women players and women are though to think from heart and Kapil Dev may be directly advising all us women here.
This could also be a quiz league or a celebrity mind testing reality show as so many references are made for using  the brains rather than the heart.
Another assumption i am going to make here is about this league being a newly launched Fantasy league for the IPL but then again more than half the IPL is over and the timing of the launch just does not fit in.

What Do you think this #EkNayiLeague is all about? please do share in comments.

Read More

5 trendy ways to style kurtis this summer

Summers are here and the best way to beat the heat is in ethnic  tunics aka Kurtis . Kurtis are both trendy and comfortable ethnic wear which is being embraced by people of all ages. They are a favourite with College goers, working women and even housewives thanks to their perfect amalgamation of style and comfort.


kurtis these days are available in various designs, cuts and style. Kurtis are a very versatile piece of fashion, you can wear it to any occasion provided you style it right.

Today kurtis are everywhere and to stand out here i present to you 5 ways to style it this summer.


Stay cool with comfortable Leggings : Leggings are a rage these days. They are versatile and can be worn with any kind of kurtas be it straight fit, A line or even anarkali kurta. Pairing kurtas with leggings is very common as the kurta legging combo is a perfect one . Try to bring variety in your looks by opting for printed leggings or even ankle length leggings to stand out. Leggings in lycra and cotton are avaiable everywhere these days and you can shop online too . Some brands i love are  flur leggings, Oleva Legging, karigari leggings and rangmunch leggings.

Embrace Traditional funk with Dhoti Pants : Inspired by traditional mens fashion from south india dhoti pants are in vogue these days even with women. These breezy pants are  sweeping the indian fashion runaway with designers like arpita mehta , payal pratap singh, tarun tahliani and anamika khanna incorporating the trend in their collections. Size isnt an issue with these comfortable free flowing garment but it is important that you choose the right fabric .  Dhoti pants are best styled with short kurtis and bohemian jewellery. If you are pairing dhoti pant with knee length kurtis then add a belt to your look

Go fusion with a pair of palazzos : Palazzos can be teamed beautifully with both indian and western wear and summer is the best time to flaunt them. Team a pair of your palazzos with a contrasting coloured kurta and you are good to hangout with friends. For a more dressy look opt for printed palazzos and pair them with asymmetrical hemline kurtas .

Give kurtis a trendy twist with Harem pants : Harem pants are loose  pants which help you make a statement event when you keep things simple. The best thing about these pants is that they flatter women of all sizes and ages.  Harem pants are very versatile , you can wear them to work, brunch, college, with western wear or even ethnic wear. Go pair a well fitted kurti with your baggy harem pants and rock this summer .

Pair kurti with skirts for super desi vibe :  Skirts are flowy, chic and fun . Pair them with your straight cut kurtas for a fun summery look. Make sure your skirt is flared and flowy and your kurta is long to let just some inches of skirt hemline peek out. You can even pair skirts with asymmetrical hemline kurtas but make sure it has slits to make skirts peep out. Accessorize with bangles or jhumkas.

Go ahead and flaunt your ethnic kurtas in style this summer.

Read More