10 Ways to Stylize your Saree with a Belt || Statement Belted Saree Look

Sari is one Indian garment which provides ample room for experimenting. If you break the monotony and move away from traditional drape adding a belt to your saree look can help in modernizing the saree. I have already discussed some new exciting ways to drape the sari but today in this post I will be discussing about ways to add a belt to your saree for a modern saree look.

Wearing waist belts with saree isnt a new trend . Saree waist belt chains also known as kamarbands have been a part of our ethic saree drapes for ages. These saree waist chains help flaunt your waist and give it a very traditional look but if you want a modern look you need to get innovative and try new belt styles. Leather belts, metallic belts, fabric belts, embellished belts all look great when styled right with sarees and can help you achieve a modern statement saree look .

Why you should add a belt to your Saree:

• High waist belts can give structure to your saree look 
• Belts can help hold your saree pleats in place
• If you have a touch time with handling saree pallu then belt can help keep pallu in place. (ideal for sangeets)
• Adding a belt is an effortless way to modernize your normal saree look
• Belted saree look is edgy and gives indo- western vibe . If you are looking for an outfit option which is traditional with a hint of contemporary go for a statement belted saree look.

10 Ways to Stylize your Saree with a Belt

#1 Ethnic front drape saree look with Belt

Adding a normal belt to your frontal drape saree is the easiest way to get the belted saree look. You dont have to experiment much here and a normal saree with a thin leather or metallic belt can do the trick. A longer blouse with no waist exposure give you a more elegant and traditional look and if you got a normal sized saree blouse it can turn out to be edgy and modern.

#2 Stylish Cape saree look with belt

Capes are a rage these days and adding them to simple sarees gives  a very classy look. 

#3 Simple saree look with a statement belt

Add oomph to your simple plain saree looks with a belt. Go for glitzy belts to up glam factor or add a tan belt for edgy saree look.

#4 Dhoti saree drape with belt

If you are someone who experiments with different saree drapes then try the dhoti drape and add a belt to keep pleats in place.

#5 Traditional Saree drape with kamaband belt

For the traditional saree look add an ethnic kamarband . The kamarband is a bridal accesory but you can wear it as a wedding guest too if your waist chain isnt too elaborate.

#6 Wide metallic belt to give your saree a fusion look

#7 Embellished belt for cocktail saree look

#8 Sleek bow belt for chic saree look

#9 Cross wrap saree cinched with low belt

#10 Fabric belt for casual saree look

Would you add a belt to your saree look? 

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5 Indian Herbs you can easily grow at your home

I already mentioned Aloe vera are the only plants which survive under my care but there used to be times long back when I wasnt very busy and spent a lot of time with potted plants. I prefer growing plants which I will have some actual use instead of fancy good looking plants. Like Aloe vera , I keep harvesting the gel and using it for various beaut recipes but today I am going to discuss about common Indian herbs which you can easily grow at your home.

A herb garden may sound very exotic especially in a place like Bangalore where you have small living spaces but the best thing about these Indian herbs are that it an be grown even in pots . These pots dont occupy much space and can be put in your small balcony or even ear a window. If you are blessed with an actual backyard then growing your own herbs is  a good idea as these herbs can be available whenever you want and they will also be fresh and organic.

Growing fresh herbs is a good idea as it gives your home a green touch . Most Indian herbs dont require much care too so anyone can give herb growing a try but I suggest you start off with your favorite or most used herb in a pot and then expand it gradually. 

#1 Pudina aka mint:

My mom always has mint potted plant because we use this herb a lot in our cooking. From biryani to chutneys we used home grown mint leaves and the best part is this plant is very easy to grow as requires very less water and moderate sunlight.

Mint easily roots from stem cuttings, all you need is to get a bunch of mint leaves from the market , remove off the mint leaves and put the stems in water for roots to sprout out. Now remove the stems from water and  plant in a pot.

Mint leaves can be used for mint tea and also to garnish cold drinks

#2 Curry Leaves:

Another important herb in our home is the curry leaves though I havent seen much use of this herb in north India. When you dont use lot of curry leaves in your dishes it is good idea to grow this plant so you can pluck as many fresh leaves you want when ever required. You can grow this plant from seeds or stems but I suggest you get an actual plant from a nursery and pot it because curry leaves seeds can be very tricky to germinate. This herb requires direct sunlight so make sure you plant it outdoors or wherever there is abundant sun.

#3 Coriander aka dhaniya

I just love the aroma of coriander and cant skip this herb in any of my dishes. I find this herb very tricky to grow becuase they produce seeds easily and Iam more interested in the leaves. This is a very short lived plant if you want to grow it for leaves and you have to keep resowing seeds every month. Growing your own coriander plant is easy and inexpensive if you have coriander seeds which you have to sow in moist soil . Most Indian houses already have coriander seeds available in kitchen just take about 10 seeds and put it in a pot with moist soil every month for continuous fresh coriander supply.

#4 Basil plant (Tulsi)

Most hindu homes have a basil plant already as it has a lot of religious significance. This herb has a lot of medicinal properties and also a refreshing fragrance which is reason enough to grow this house plant. Basil is best grown with seeds in moist soil.

#5 Fenugreek aka Methi 

Methi is another herb which is used for flavouring and garnishing food in many Indian homes and the best part is that this is very easy to grow. Fenugreek is a spice which is easily available and these very spice seeds can be used to cultivate the methi plants. Just take some methi seeds and soak it in water overnight, next drain the seeds  and pot them in moist soil and watch methi grow into its full glory in about 15 days.

Tips on growing herbs at your home

-When you are starting off with a herb growing use simple pots or bulky food containers. You can always shift your herbs later into fancy metallic or geometric pots to add to the aesthetic feel of your home.

- Soil is important and you shouldnt just use normal garden soil. You can start off with garden soil but it is better to go for organic soil mixes which result in superior herbs.
- Make sure you put your potted plants in areas where there is ample supply of sunlight as all these herbs require sunlight to grow.
-Watering herbs regularly is very important but take care to not over water as these herbs are very delicate and more water can lead to root rotting.

So are you ready to grow some herbs in pots?

Cool Ideas to decorate your home with Aloe Vera plants

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Cool Ideas to decorate your home with Aloe Vera plants

I love having plants around but I dont have a green thumb and almost all plants die in my balcony. It is actually my obsession with electronic screens and my lack of time to tend to and water my potted plants. The only plants which actually survive under my care are Aloe Vera plants and I have now decided to use only these plants to help freshen up the look of my home.

Aloe vera is a very low maintenance plant as it requires sunlight but you can breathe easy with watering which can be done biweekly. There are many other plants and succulents which can survive little care but I choose aloe vera as I love harvesting fresh gel from this plant to use in my beauty routine. Aloe vera known as the lily of desert  has lot of healing properties.

Here are some fresh inspiration ideas and ways to decorate your home with Aloe vera plants and add some greenery to your space.

Cool Ideas to decorate your home with Aloe Vera plants 

Create a refreshing corner in your home by putting an aloe vera pot on a stand instead of boring vases. Go for interesting pots for a modern feel but make sure the area gets some sunlight.

DIY your own rope planters and hang them near windows for your creative green area. I suggest you do this rope planter thing near a kitchen window with a combination of  herb plants like basil, methi and mint. Dont forget aloe vera at the top most section. If you love growing your own herbs this is an amazing way to do it and for beauty enthusiasts having an aloe vera plant near a kitchen means whipping up beauty packs gets more simpler.

If rope hanger sounds very complicated then DIY a floating shelf for plants. Almost like a jhoola for your potted plants.

Aloe Vera plants near your bathroom windows are also a great idea and you can use pebbles on top for a more aesthetic effect and a spa like feeling

White pebbels are also a good idea

Aloe vera plants can live in steam of showers so they are goo for bathrooms which have natural light. Use geometric pots in your bathroom. Put them on a stool for more height and character.

Go for interesting quirky pots to add drama to your aloe vera plants. You can even showcase your creative or artistic side by using self painted pots.

Metallic pots are so in trend. Use a huge decorative metallic pot for your aloe vera plant and let it grab all the attention.

Add a green touch and some freshness to your kitchen by placing an aloe vera on the counter near the sink.

Give your walls an artsy green touch. Go for circular framed planters to add aloe vera ro your home decor.

Wire wall shelves are also a great idea to display living art. Aloe vera plants are a nice alternate to  art work. 

You can beautify your aloe vera pot and turn it into a centerpiece. Wrap the pot with some twine and put it in a huge glass jar with some pebbles . This is a fuss free way to have plants at home

Aloe vera in your old cups is also a cute idea. This is ideal if you want to gift plants

Bring the outdoors into your kitchen for a fresh green kitchen makeover.

Tips for aloe vera plant care || Planting Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera plants are known for their health and skin care benefits and it is a good idea to have atleast one Aloe vera lant at your home because most aloe vera gels commercially available have a lot of chemicals in them. Aloe vera plants like I mentioned before require less care but you need keep some thing sin mind or your plant may die. Here are some tips for Aloe vera plant care

- Always place your aloe vera plant near a window because this plant requires some sunlight to grow.

- Direct hot sun is also not very good for aloe vera plants if you plan to put them on terrace or in garden. The leaves will go yellow and the gel gets dried up.

- Aloe vera plants dont need to be watered everyday. Infact over watering can be damaging to these plants. Water  aloe vera just  twice a week and dont worry if you are going for a vacation, aloe vera plants easily survive with water without 5 days

-  You dont need any kind of fertilizers for aloe vera plants , just some well drained soil is enough.

So are you ready to decorate your home with Aloe vera plants?

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Kitchens of India Mughlai Paneer Review || Just Heat and Eat

On my recent trip to wills lifestyle I spotted a counter with ready to eat meals and picked up some packets just to test them out. I picked out stuff like halwa, dal and paneers and avoided non veg because I am not very comfortable with eating packed non veg (halal or not? who knows!). Today I will be reviewing Mughlai Paneer for you .

Price: 130 INR

Quantity: 285g

What the brand says about Kitchens of India Mughlai Paneer

100 percent vegetarian
No preservatives

A traditional dish of the mughals, this paneer (homemade cheese) dish is prepared together with khus-khus, ground watermelon seeds and fine onion paste, spiced with coriander leaves and cardamom powder.

My experience with Kitchens of India Mughlai Paneer:

Just heat and eat says ITC and it is just the thing lazy women like me need. I did not feel like cooking 3 days after I shopped for this product and I put some rice in my rice cooker and heated up this mughlai paneer instead of ordering food from outside. Technically even this isnt home made food but who cares! 

Kitchens of India Mughlai Paneer has nice thick gravy and soft paneer cubes but I was shocked to see the amount of oil floating in the packet. I suggest you just drain out the oil before you start eating and if you are a fitness freak then the gravy is totally not for you as it is rich creamy indulgence. The quantity is good for 2 people but I feel the paneer cubes could have been increased. 

Now coming to the most important part - taste, total disappointment. I just did not enjoy the taste one bit. It was like eating some packaged food instead of meal and that was a total turn off. I actually had my expectations high because Kitchen of India products havent failed me before. 

The expiry date is pretty surprising because ITC claims this is preservative free meal but their unique food processing technology might be keeping things fresh for that long. The packaging is very good,  Mughlai Paneer comes packed in a plastic foil bag which needs to be cut open. This bag is housed in a cardboard box which has detailed information about the product. I particularly love how they explained how to heat and eat in three different methods. Good job there .

Rating for Kitchens of India Mughlai Paneer: 2.5/5

Overall very average tasting mughlai paneer which is a strict no to people on diet. you can give it one try to see if this product floats your boat but this one is total no for me.

♥Kamar jahan

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7 Stunning Lip colours for Indian skin tones [Reviews & Price]

Makeup is expensive and it breaks my heart to save for a lip colour only to realize after  purchasing that it doesnt suit me at all.  To help all you newbies with adding everyday wearable shades to your collection I am sharing this compilation of 7 stunning lip colours which are amazing shades and you must own atleast one of these.

All these lip colours are my favorites which I keep going back too and they are easily available in India. I will also be sharing mini reviews of  these stunning shades which will suit most Indian complexions.

Favourite Orange Lip colour for Indian skin Tones: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Rendezvous

Packaged in retractable chubby lip craon this orange lip colour isnt an absolute must have in your stash but I suggest you try atleast one orange lip colour and let it be this. Orange is a fun shade to own for a nice young summer look and this lip colour from revlon in rendezvous is a glossy bright orange with a smooth texture and moisturizing formula. These balm stains are long lasting and the pigmentation is very build able so you can go for a single swipe if you have never worn an orange lip colour before for a natural coral flush on lips. You can even wear deep dark colours over this crayon for your own custom shade.

Price: 700 INR

Favourite Matte Red lip colour for Indian Skin tones: Lakme Absolute Raving Red Lip Tint Matte

Another chubby lip crayon (I just love them) but this one is matte red colour which brightens up face instantly. The texture is rubbery and it doesnt really glide smoothly on lips but it gives a matte finish without feeling heavy on lips. Initially I found the texture very off putting but I got used to it as lakme got the pricing right for this crayon range. The staying power is also pretty good and I totally recommend this for matte lip colour lovers. Also the shade victorian rose from this lip tint range is super pretty . Try even that if you like matte reds.

Price: 650 INR

Favourite glossy plum for Indian skin tones: L’Oreal Paris Glam Shine Lip Crayon in Pomegranate Punch

If you dont like dark or matte lip colours then this balmy gloss from LOreal is perfect for you. Glam shine lip crayon in Pomegranate punch is a pinkish maroon which is sure to suit all Indian skin tones. The texture is smooth and the formula is very moisturizing almost like a lip balm and the finish is glossy. I hate that this lip colour has shimmer in it but the shimmer doesnt show up much so Iam kind of okay with it. I wear this colour a lot in summer like a pigmented lip balm and it stays for around 3-4 hours on my lips without meals or snacks. 

Price: 400 INR

Favourite everyday nude lip colour for Indian skin tones: Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Rosy Nude

Rosy nude from revlon colourburst range is a beautiful pinkish brown lip colour which gives a naturally pretty look without washing out Indian skin tones. The texture is buttery smooth and the pigmentation is amazing giving a satin finish in single swipe. I love how moisturizing it is on lips and it lasts a decent 4 hours too but my main problem with this lipstick is the buttery texture which makes the bullet melt in summer. If you are looking for an everyday shade for work or even for home this is a good shade to invest in.

Price: 599

Favourite MLBB lip colour for Indian skin tones: L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Moist Matte Lipstick in Maple Mocha

Loreal  lipstick in maple mocha is a gorgeous brick brown lip colour which is matte but doesnt dry out lips. This shade is a brightening brown which can easily pass off as a MLBB for most Indian complexions. I love the classy metallic packaging of this lipstik and the pigmentation is also amazing giving a nice satiny matte finish which lasts for 4-5 hours. If there is one thing i dont like about this lipstick , it is the price, 900+ almost MAC level pricing!  But since this shade is an everyday wear and you will be using it a lot you can actually go ahead and splurge a bit on this gorgeous brown
Price: 990 INR

Favourite pink lip colour for Indian skin tones: Miss Claire soft matte lip cream shade 08

Miss Claire lip creams are affordable dupes of NYX lip creams and they are just the most gorgeous matte lip colours . The shade no 08 from miss claire is a  nice peachy pink which will look great on Indian skin tones. The finish is perfect matte and the staying power is also decent but availability is an issue as you can find them easily in stores. But you can ofcourse buy these lip creams online as I have spotted them on ebay and amazon india too.  I find these lip creams a wee bit drying on my dry lips so I suggest you use a lip balm underneath before application.
Price: 195 INR

Favourite red for Indian skin tones: NYX soft matte lip cream in Amsterdam

I have already included a red in this list but I just couldnt resist putting my all time favourite red lip cream too. This is one of the best lip colours I have ever tried with a soft texture and fabulous pigmentation. The shade Amsterdam is a true bright red which looks gorgeous on Indian skin tones. It can be worn to parties and can even be your bridal red with dramatic eye look. Availability was an issue years back but now NYX is in India and you can easily find this lip colour online on Amazon and nykaa.
Price: 600

Do you own any lip colours from this stunning list?

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Embrace Goodness of Nature with Banjaras || Beauty without any Harmful effects

If you know me, you already know about my love for herbal and organic personal care products which have natural ingredients in abundance. I am always looking to try new cruelty free and nature based brands which stay away from harmful chemicals like parabens, silicones and mineral oil. Today I thought I would talk about my favorite natural personal care brand that I’ve actually used and loved. To know more about this brand read on.

Banjara's is an Indian brand which has been around for about 10 years and I first came to know about them when I stumbled onto their Face Wash (Multani + Orange) . I had a pleasant experience with this affordable and refreshing face wash after which I have tried many products from Banjaras and majority of times this brand hasnt failed me.

The brand Banjara's believes that nature’s beauty is everlasting and if you take care of Nature, Nature will take care of you. The ingredients in Banjaras personal care products have goodness of nature, its herbs, fruits and flowers as they aim to deliver beauty without the harsh chemicals to their customers.
Banjaras not only avoids harmful chemicals they also stay away from animal ingredients and they are a cruelty free brand listed on PETA for not testing on animals. This brands love for nature can be clearing seen in their latest TVC embedded in my post below.

Banjara's beauty products are easily available online and offline especially in south India and they cater to the needs of the entire family.  I love using Banjaras multani + orange face wash and  my sister cant stop the glow on her face after using the Multani + Papaya Banjaras face pack. My mom who loves oiling her hair uses Banjaras samvridhi hair oil. If anyone of you or someone in your family wants to colour the grey strands of hair  I would suggest you go the natural route and  try brazilian black hair dye from this brand which wont cause damage to your hair in the long run and still give you jet black hair colour. 

I havent used all products from the brand banjaras but I sure hope to try more from their range in future as I have read mostly positive reviews about their stuff. The best part about Banjaras is that they have got their pricing right making it affordable for all income ranges. If you are intruiged and want to try their products before buying then you can order free samples from Banjaras website here

Do you also love beauty products with natural ingredients? Have you tried anything from Banjaras yet? Tell me in comments below

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10 Fun Ways to Style the Short Kurti [Creative Styling Ideas]

I am obsessed with kurtis post pregnancy because they are just so comfortable and help me hide my belly fat very nicely. Kurtis are like super versatile as they work for any weather and can be worn by all body types. Like most Indian women out there I love the kurti legging combination to wear on an everyday basis but when things get a bit boring and I feel more experimental I try different styling combinations and here I will share a few ideas with you.

Long kurtas are totally in these days but in this post I will concentrate on ways to style the short kurti as I have already written a detailed post on ways to style a long kurta on my blog . 

Styling short kurtas for me gets tricky because I dont prefer wearing leggings with my super short kurtas and I have been exploring some fun styling ideas for short kurtas other than leggings. Palazzo pants are like my most preferred way to pair short kurtas these days as they are breezy and fun but there are more ways if you are in mood to get creative and try new things.

10 Fun Ways to Style the Short Kurti 

#1 Pair short kurti with dhoti or harem pants 

Dhoti pants have a relaxed fit and the pleats in these voluminous bottoms are best flaunted with a short kurti. Go for a peplum style super sort anarkali kurti for a dressy look or for a straight cut short Kurtis for more laid back comfortable look.

Harem pants also look great with short kurtis but always wear contrasting colours for a more impactful look.

#2 Cropped pants with short kurti

Cropped pants look great with short kurtis and gives a very formal vibe. You can add some fun accesories to glam up this kind of look.

 #3 Layer your short kurti with a long jacket

If you like layering then pair a long jacket with your short kurti for a cape like glam effect. Go for sheer long jackets like lace and netted ones.

#4 Team with a skirt for festive look

Teaming skirts with short kurtis can make for fuss free festive looks which you can wear to mehndis, weddings and even festivals like diwali.

#5 Denimize your short kurta look

Kurtis and jeans are a match made in heaven and short kurtis particularly look good with denims. If you really are looking for a simple short kurti look jeans is the way to go. Jeans is definitely a better option with short kurtis as leggings can get uncomfortable id you have body issues.

#6 Short kurti with shorts

Ditch your loose Tee for a kurti to pair with shorts for a chic fun look. Front open kurtas which are quite a rage these days work best with shorts. If your kurti is super short you can tucck it in for a polished look. 

#7 Easy breezy Palazzo look

Like I mentined before pairing a short kurti with palazzos is my favorite way to style short kurtis. I go for contrasting coloured palazzo pants in vibrat colours for a fun summer look. I also pair plain short kurtis with printed palazzo pants.

#8 Add a jacket, blazer or koti

I often pair my short sleeved kurtis with shrugs in winter but have you thought about pairing a leather jacket or a denim jacket with short kurti for a rugged funk look? you can even add a more girly embroidered jacket or a sleeveless short koti jacket to your short kurti.

#9 Wear your short A-line flared kurti like a dress

In summer skip the bottoms and wear your flared anarkali type short kurtis like a dress. Add a belt if your kurti doesnt have a defined vest and pair with a pair of pumps for a chic breezy look. 

#10 Use Short kurti like an off beat saree blouse 

Everyone is going for their own modernized saree version, getting creative with drapes and blouses. You can also try modernizing your saree look by using your short kurti like a blouse. just wear your short kurti and drape the saree over it in a more relaxed way for a covered up winter saree look.

Which is your favourite way to style short kurtis?

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Amazon Prime Video Comes to India

Amazon its premium video streaming service, Prime Video in December last year in India. Amazon Prime video allows you to stream both indian and international shows and movies and the most interesting part about this is you dont have to pay anything if you are an Amazon India prime subscription.  I love shopping on Amazon and I have a prime subscription which allows me to shop for any value without having to pay for shipping and I use the same subscription on prime video.

Prime video isnt the only video service app in india as netflix and hotstar are also available but Amazon prime video is definitely the cheapest costing around 40 INR per month if you hoose to subscribe. Amazon is also offering free one month trails and you can try it before you go on to actually subscribe.

The prime video is a completely different app from amazon shopping and you have to download it from google play store to start using it. I have watched many movies like dil dhadakne do, Shudh desi romance etc and Iam loving the quality . I use jio free data to stream videos on my mobile .

Introducing Amazon Prime Video and making my movie marathon more fun was this delightful goodies sent to me .  A pillow, cup, carmel coated pop corn and more, cant stop streaming on Prime video

These goodies actually arrived weeks back but I found time to post today because it has been a super busy 2017.  My twitter followers would know about it long back as I had tweeted here. Follow me on twitter for more updates

Have you tried Amazon prime video yet? 

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