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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7 Tips to make your perfume last longer

I have a sensitive nose so I stay away from heavily fragranted beauty products and perfumes. These days I have been splurging like crazy on cosmetics and skin care and then eventually I had to deal with vanity full of variety of products which iam finding difficult to finish off. Now I still feel like shopping so I decided to try something new like perfumes, body washes and luxury soaps.

I like fragrances which are light with a floral or a citrus note. Gorgeous perfume bottles from brands like Marc jacobs and elizibeth arden dont last long dispite being pricey. I wouldnt want to spend a bomb on a fragrance which cant last all day , I can use a talc or deo for the barely there lingering effect, cant I ?
Here are some tricks and perfume hacks I have discovered which help you smell fabulous all day long.

#1 Apply perfume on you pulse points

Heat revs up the fragrance making it more strong, so apply perfume on  pulse points of your body which produce more heat. The best pulse points for perfume are your wrist, inner elbow, back of knee, nape and behind ears.

#2 Layer it

I use the layering trick with makeup to last all day and there is no reason why you shouldnt use the same hack here. Start by showering with a shower gel, follow with some body lotion and then top wit perfume to make it last all day. Make sure you use similar scent of body wash , lotion and perfume. Like if your perfume is floral go for floral scented bdy wash n lotion. If you dont find similar matches in your vanity then go for unscented lotions which will still help increase longivity. You can also try layers with talc and deos.

#3 Choose a perfume which lasts long

How long a perfume stays depends more on the fragrance and its ingredients itself. So do your
research nicely, read reviews and buy only ones which are known to last all day.
The staying power of a perfume depends on the oil concentration it has. Eau de parfum ie EDP contains the most oil , see this info graphic for more

Source

#4 Store your fragrances properly

sunlight and high temperature can spoil your perfume. even damp places like your bathroom decrease the quality of your perfume by breaking it down. Store them in clean, cool dry place.

#5 Spray into your hair

You hair also has a lot of heat and you can use it to smell good and leave behind a sillage. Just spray some of your fragrance on your hair brush and comb them normally. Make sure the perfume you use has less alcohol in it and use very less quantity so it doesnt dry out your hair. If you have really dry hair then you may not want to try this but if you heat style your hair you already gel in heal protecting sprays or creams which can act as a barrier when perfume is sprayed to hair. Try it I say!

#6 Choose strong notes

Perfumes come in a huge variety of scents and some of these scents last longer than others. Citrus notes vanish the fastest

#7 Spray on your Clothes

This is especially important for people who wear perfumes everyday. It isnt a very good idea to spray that much of chemicals on your skin daily. But many perfumes can actually stain your clothes so do a little test with your perfume on a waste white cloth before trying this trick.

More tricks to try:

* Take some body lotion and spray in some perfume on it and rub this mix on your nape or other pulse points to smell good all day.
* Apply perfume on properly hydrated and moisturized skin because it absorbs scent better making it last long

* You can even apply a little bit of sweet almond oil on your wrist and nape before spraying perfume to make it last long.
* Change the quantity you apply depending on the weather. you ideally need a lot more perfume in cold season than in hot season.

* Dont ever rub wrists after the perfume application. This breaks down the formula making it smell different, also not lasting too long
*For a light frgrance try the air spray method. Spray your perfume into air and then walking through it. This method will help you smell good from top to bottom.

* If you really like a perfume which doesnt last long then try this. Spray the perfume on cotton balls and put them in zip lock bags in your handbag and use this for touch ups during the day. slip it into your bras for maximum impact.

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Style up this Summer with Airy Dhoti Pants

The south Indian dhoti has been embraced as a happening fashion trend by divas all over India. I have spotted both bollywood celebs and Mango people sport this comfortable trend and summer is the best time to wear them.
Dhoti sarees, dhoti dresses and dhoti pants are all a big hit with women these days  and why shouldnt they be? They are airy, comfy and  chic, a total must have this summers. Its time to ditch those denims let your skin breathe and embrace these pants.

Here are some cool ways to style the free flowing dhoti pants

Dhoti Anarkali:
Anarkali is like my favorite ethnic silhouette as it is stylish and easy to carry off too but the problem is anarkalis are everywhere and almost everyone is wearing one especially at weddings and festivals. Pairing an anarkali with dhoti pants is a great way to stand out.  This combination is both funky and traditional at the same time. Love this Shilpa reddy creation

 Asymmetrical hem line kurta : 
Hi-Low hem line kurtas fascinate me a tad bit too much and I spotted some celebs like like Sonakshi sinha, Yami gautami and karishma kapoor pair asymmetrical hemline tunics with dhoti pants, super sophisticated and chic. Love. Will try this soon, what do you think of this pairing?

Also Read: Currently loving: Floral Asymmetrical hem line kurta

Tank tops and dhoti pants: 
Tanks are hot favourites in summer, so why not pair them with breezy dhoti pants and stay cool in style

Peplums and dhoti pants:
Love the peplum trend? Pair your favourite peplum top with  dhoti pants for a sophisticated and polished look.

Cape it:
Capes are the hot in trend this season being paired with sarees and lehengas. A sheer cape is an instant way to glam up for a wedding or party and pairing them with dhoti pants gives a edgy vibe . You can even pair a solid cape with dhoti pants

Floor length gown with a slit
Floor length gowns with a front slit are popular fusion wear these days ad many designers are pairing these gowns with dhoti pants. Opt for this silhouette when you have to go dressy like for a party wedding or festival.

Add a jacket:
If you live in bangalore then you may have encounter cool days in summer months, for those days pair your dhoti pants with a jacket .

Kaftan:
A staple for summers kaftan is my way to jazz up and beat the heat. I am trying different combinations with kaftans like pairing them with Palazzos, denims and dhoti pants.
Also Read: The new Style Staple: Kaftans . 7 Ways to style them 

Shirt :
For a more formal look pair your solid black dhoti pants with a crisp white shirt.



Short kurti:
You already have a lot of short kurtis in your wardrobe, give them a new life by pairing them with dhoti pants. You can add more glam to a dhoti-kurti look by adding a mirror work koti/vest.

Try this too
Dhoti saree: 
A contemporary twist to traditional saree , dhoti saree is sure to grab you eye balls without compromising on comfort.

Dhoti Kurti:
The comfort kurt is being reinvented in many ways and the dhoti kurti is one very trendy version of it.

Tips to rock the Dhoti pants, the right way:

• It is summer so dont shy away from playing with colours. Opt for dhoti pants in floral prints, and neon colours. Pair them with plain tops 
• All body types can rock the free flowing dhoti pants but if you are on the heavier side dont go for pants with too much volume.
• For a more structured look pair dhoti pants with well fitted tops.
•  when buying dhoti pants look for free flowing fabrics which looks better and also dont stick to skin
• With dhoti pants you can go monotone or mix comlementing colours. If  you are pairing a same coloured top with dhoti pants add a net or chiffon dupatta in complementing colour for added impact.

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Blissful living with Sheth Avalon

Buying a new home is probably one the most important decisions you will make. You would want to make the perfect choice so that you and your family can make the best of your new life in your new home. Comfort, convenience, and security go hand-in-hand with the happiness you deserve. If you’re a bit lost among the choices you’re presented with, here’s some help. Among the factors to keep in mind when you make your choice, are the various amenities that support a convenient, happy, healthy and pleasant residential experience. Here are some factors you shouldn’t miss out on when picking your dream home:

1. Safety and Security: The most precious elements of your life deserve to be worry free. Along with the people you love, the possessions and wealth need protection too. So that you can focus on the best things in your life, you need to ensure that all that you care for is safe and secure.
2. Transport: Whether you’re making your way to work, dropping your children off to school or heading out to relax over the weekend, convenient transport facilities will help you get out and get there as soon as soon as possible.
3. Schools and Colleges: The best way to ensure a bright future for your children, is the convenient proximity to the best education institutions. The time they’ll save in a short journey to a long day at school will give them the freedom to play and absorb their lessons to the fullest.
4. Healthcare: The best living is accompanied with the best health. Your own and your family’s health should be at its best at all times and should something go wrong unexpectedly, professional healthcare should be as close as possible.
5. Shopping: Frequent visits to supermarket or convenience store will be a regular task for every home. The closer these places are to your place the less troublesome it will be to stock your home with all it needs.
6. Recreation: Whether it’s after a long day or a long week of work, school or homemaking you and your family can do with an extensive stretch of doing what makes you happy. You needn’t have to travel far for access to the best recreational facilities, it’s more enjoyable when the journey to them is brief.
7. Beauty: An everyday spectacle of the sunrise or sun set, the plumes of whimsical clouds, the lush greenery of rolling hills will not only calm your mind, it will make your home the place you will want to come back to no matter what.

The next big question is, “Where, Oh where will I find this ideal access to blissful living?” It’s  really not that hard to find.

Sheth Builder’s upcoming housing project Avalon ticks all boxes when it comes to convenient transport, proximity to education institutions and hospitals, nearby shopping centres, quality recreation facilities and an enviable view of nature’s abundance.

Transport:

•Eastern Express Highway (100m) 
•Jupiter Hospital Bus Stand (300m)
•The Freeway (22 km)
•Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (27.6 km)
•Thane Railway Station (5.9 km)

Schools and Colleges:

• DAV International High School (4.4 km)
• Euro Kids Pre-School (2.7 km)
• Hiranandani Foundation School (1 km)
• K.C. College of Engineering (5.7 km)
• NKT Degree College (2.6 km)

Healthcare:

• Jupiter Hospital (200 m)
• Hiranandani Hospital (5 km)
• E.S.I.C. Hospital (1.7 km)
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital (2.5 km)
• Karkhanis Super Speciality Hospital (3.1 km)

Malls:

• Viviana Mall (500 m)
• Korum Mall (1 km)
• High Street Mall (2.3 km)
• R-Mall (2.6 km)
• Hyper City (6.5 km)

Safety and Security:

• Video door phone, intercom and a panic switch facilities for each home.
• CCTV cameras in the lobbies and common areas.
• Gas leak detector in every kitchens.
• Fire alarm system and sprinkler system in common areas and apartments.
• Desel Generator back up power for common areas and elevators

Environment

• Enjoy the priceless view of the Yeoor hills from your personal Sundeck.
• A 60,000 sq ft. garden landscaped by renowned international designersParking Space

Recreation

• Children’s Play Area
• 5 Star Eco Deck
• Indoor pool and mini pool
• Café
• Squash courts, table tennis and billiards tables, and carom boards
• Private theatre, Mini library, Gymnasium, Banquet spaces
• Cycling/jogging track, Yoga lawn

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My mantra to have Gold Mornings Daily

Time flies and flies at rocket speed mind you! I stare at the calender on my desk and still cant believe that its 20th already meaning the year 2016 is already 20 days old . At the start of the year like majority of normal people i made some simple resolutions to bring in the new year and one such resolution was to wake up early to begin my morning on a fresh and pleasant note .  How successful was this resolution of mine? well lets find out..

Nothing is more annoying than the alarm blaring into your ears early in the morning, my hands itch to snooze it but when you sleep early waking up early is a breeze . Right from the start of the year I consciously kept unwanted distractions like my mobile and TV away at night to help myself sleep early and this routine made the world of difference early in the morning. I got a good sleep and woke up with a smile and the freshness  reflected in my body language all through the day .

 The second change I incorporated in my routine this year was switching to the all new Colgate 360 Charcol Gold toothbrush .  Dentists recommend on changing your toothbrush every three months and with the new year kicking in i needed a new tooth brush . Colgate 360 Charcol Gold toothbrush caught my eye and i decided to give it a try and i must say i am very impressed with this brush. To start with the brush in gold and black is elegant and classy having a premium feel to it and it does its job of cleaning my teeth beautifully. Colgate 360 Charcol Gold toothbrush nicely cleanses and freshens up not only my teeth but also my gums, tounge and cheek , all this without being harsh on my mouth.  With such a blast of magical freshness which drive all laziness and sleep away my mornings are now shiny mornings, #Colgate360GoldMornings indeed.

Wake up to gold mornings with colgate

A photo posted by kamar j (@velvetbytes) on Jan 20, 2016 at 7:26am PST

waking up early is always good and the best thing about early rising is you have plenty of time to plan and get ready for the day ahead and it surprises me how much of work can be done early in the morning. Here is what i do

• A five minute prayer, becuase a touch of divinity to my gold mornings is always welcome.
• A 10 minute walk with dad. Quality time with dad . check. Lungs full of fresh cool air . Check. Fit and fabulous me . Check . Golden did i say well this is turning to be platinum!
• Make a simple plan for the day on my super note app 
• Smile . Click Selfie. Update social networking sites
• Healthy breakfast. Oats porridge + milk + fruits . Energized gold mornings it is! 
• Style up for the day 

Thats my 2016 mantra into converting normal plain boring good mornings into dazzling gold mornings Whats yours? 

*This post is an entry for #Colgate360GoldMornings Campaign

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#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

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The 'Do Right' Journey on a boat

India attained freedom decades ago but our country is still economically under developed . For a country to thrive and dream of a better future education is a must. Education broadens the mind, makes one curious about things, about life, helps one to draw conclusions from things, helps one to form an individual opinion and make choices accordingly .

 

In today's rapidly growing competitive word illiteracy is the most challenging problem our country is facing  because with illiteracy comes  unemployment, superstitions and crimes. With a huge Population of over 1.2 billion people India's government is finding it very difficult to eradicate illiteracy even after launching various programmes like Operation black board,national literacy mission and sarva siksha abhyan. .

The current literacy rate in India is just 74.04% . The figures are even more alarming in the state of Uttar Pradesh (64%) which is home to Varanasi the religious and cultural center of India. Varanasi which rests on the banks of river Ganga has a huge population and kids here are seen aimlessly loitering around wasting their precious learning years. These children need help, they need guidance to help them realize their true potential and  to channel their energy in the right direction . And these children seem to have found that guiding light in the Do Righter Ajeet singh 

 Ajeet Singh has come up with an innovative Varanasi Boat school which aims at making learning fun and helps children study, play and revise without any pressures or tensions. Children in Varanasi flock to the Boat school for two hours everyday after their regular school hours .   

 The boat school

The boat school no doubt provides these children an ideal learning environment but there is still a lot of scope for improvement. The boat school needs a magical transformation to unleash its true potential in helping kids learn. The interiors of the school need a makeover, some repairs and renovations are to be done, a basic library is required. Also some educational toys, computer facility and stationary can help this boat school enhance the learning environment for children. All this will be only possible  if we come together and contribute.

 How can You help? 

A small donation will make a huge difference and give these children a learning environment they deserve.  Help in transforming this unique Haven for the children of ganga by contributing or spreading the message.  To make a contribution Click Here .

The Do Right initiative is done by Tata Capital after  illiteracy was voted  as the biggest challenge facing out country with 18.78% votes in its #india4india survey.  Visit the Do Right website here for more details . also see the video below to get a peek into the lives of children who attend the boat school .

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15 Things that make me Happy

Salary Hikes, weekends, travelling, pizzas, compliments , the list of things which bring us happiness is endless. When i think about it , i don't really need those big huge achievements to feel real joy . Happiness can be found even in small little everyday things, all we have to do is look for it in right places and never miss a chance to spread the cheer around .

Our happiness is in our own hands, we can sulk over an issue or look at it as a learning experience and celebrate the knowledge gained. So, last year i made a resolution to do at least one small thing everyday to add a smile to my face . It has been more than a year and i may have broken that resolution many a times but for the majority of the year i have kept it and attracted happiness directly into my heart.

 Here i present to you my 15 things which add instant cheer to my life

1. Being the reason for someones smile makes me happy. i try my best to make people around  me happy .

2. My Scrap Book makes me smile it has many happy memories recorded in it. When i am feeling low all i need to do is revisit it .

3. First rains and geeli mitti ki khusbhi acts like magic on my senses and brings out the child in me. I join my nephew , rips of papers and start sailing paper boats.

4. pizza with extra cheese. Any day , anytime, I forget about weight issues and loose myself into a pizza to drive stress away.

5. When iam surrounded with Nature in my backyard or in fields of my village. The birds chirping, the leaves rustling and the wind blowing, pure bliss moment

6. Very fast internet, yes that is true happiness. Also free WiFi, it kills all troubles at least for sometime
7. Forgiving someone and staying happy and stress free. Holding grudges only adds to miseries and killing precious moments of our lives.

8. Holding a new born baby, nothing beats the joy of tiny little lips curve in a smile at you. My nephew when born was a such a happy moment that the mere memory of that days sets my lips in a bright curve.

9.A road trip with friends as music blasts out is the best way to spend a weekend. 

10.Doing what I want to do and not giving a damn to peoples opinion makes me happy. Rubbing the wrong people the wrong way, proving them wrong all has its own kind of joy :D

11.My moms Magical Jadu Ki jhappi is enough to refresh a tired me after a long day .

12. When Ipod is playing on shuffle and it keeps playing all my favorite tunes one after other. how cool is that?

13. Loosing myself in a good intriguing book is surest way to happiness .

14. Shopping is how i buy happiness with money. Acquiring new trends, discovering hidden gems, raiding sales, bargaining to the last rupee, nothing can beat the joy of shopping.

15. Twitter. Networking with like minded individuals always bring joy but what happens when it is done in the wittiest way possible and limited to under 140 characters? well you are addicted  to the social media site which adds smiles to life even in the most serious of situations.

Visit  Coca Cola India to add more smiles and refreshment to your life

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