Revamp your home for Diwali

Need the perfect excuse to revamp your home? Well, the festive season with all the festive reasons is banging right at your door. What more a reason do you need?

The festivities have officially kicked off with the beginning of the Nav Ratri, closely followed by Dussehra and Diwali. This is pretty much the Desi equivalent of spring cleaning, time to declutter, reinvent and revamp our living spaces.

Most of you will be well sorted out by now with carefully chalked out plans to lend a refreshed look to your houses that suit your time schedule and your budgets. But for the few lazy bones who haven’t thought of anything as yet, we do have a few tips to help you perk up your home without requiring much time or money.

Cut the clutter: According to popular belief, Goddess Laxmi comes visiting our homes on Diwali. However, the pre-requisite is that the house needs to be absolutely spick and span. So unless you want to miss out on this opportunity, start read more...

Behind every stylish woman is a sassy handbag

“Behind every stylish woman is a sassy handbag!” Bags! A woman’s first love, a never ending obsession! We are all crazy about them.

For me, there can be nothing more appealing, more functional accessory in my wardrobe than a handbag.  It’s an extension of my style, my own private space to order my things. It’s the hardest- working piece of accessory we own, shielding our valuables from damage and theft.

 

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Every woman has a secret desire to splurge on them. They are like your selfish moments when you are not thinking about anyone but yourself. And believe me, you need that! Even if you look awful on a given day, carrying a good handbag is about showing off your style.

Gone are the days when women used to have just one or two handbags that they used to carry everywhere. Today we all are spoilt for choice. There are just so many choices, styles, and price points that we are left confused what to choose.

Here are a few of the most favorite styles that women all over the read more... 

Benefits of an Induction Cooktop

Thinking of buying an Induction Cooktop for your kitchen but confused? Well, there are many reasons to buy one. We are witnessing a lot of technology around us these days. Things getting better, tasks rendered easier, changes everywhere. Why not introduce some technology in your kitchen?

Induction cooktops are finding their way to the modern Indian kitchen in a big way.  If you are still in a dubious state of mind whether to purchase one for your kitchen, here are some facts to help you take that decision.

Speedy: If you are one of those cooks who want to put dinner faster on the table, Induction cook top is just your thing! When in a hurry to cook, it’s better to give that gas stove a miss. Reach for the induction cooktop because it can certainly help speed-up the process of cooking. They give instant heat because of the electromagnetic activity that can heat the pan far quicker than gas stove.

Energy efficient: The induction technology brings about little energy wastage as it heats only the cookware and not the entire surface. This result is less energy consumption, lower electricity bills and a healthier environment. The best aspect is that you will have a cooler kitchen and you’ll sweat less.

Safe: With kids in your house, safety is an important consideration. The gas stoves have many risk factors attached thus, making your kitchen a dangerous place. Flames can easily lead to fire and burns. Even gas leaks are possible with kids around. Their tiny little hands love to twist and turn the burner knobs. An Induction cooktop is far less likely to create a fire or cause burns. So you are less stressed out when using induction in your kitchen.

Optimum Cooking: They come with optimized cooking and heating settings. This allows a more accurate control of heat for different cooking methods. This feature is of great help when cooking something delicate like a pasta sauce that can get easily burnt on a gas stove.

Ease of clean up: Cleaning up after cooking is no less a task than the former. A splatter or a spill on the gas stove can call for hours of scrubbing. But an induction cooktop rarely gets hot so the spilled food doesn’t burn. It can be easily cleaned with a quick swipe of the sponge.

If you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen or you wish to take out some time for yourself from your daily chores, investing now in an Induction Cooktop is definitely a great Idea. 

Summer Fashion 2017 – Trends to watch out for!

Summers are here and summer fashion is what we can’t take our minds off! As much as we dread the extremities of the weather, the joy is all about being able to flaunt the lovely, summary attires in vibrant hues.

So, before you all gear up to revamp your wardrobes, here are a few quick tips that can come in handy to choose the right summer clothes.

White is Right: You can never go wrong with whites. They are simple, yet elegant and versatile. We all love wearing them with bright contrasting colors. But this year, let’s go bold! Pair those whites with shades of gold and other metallic tones like copper to add that touch of royalty.

Back to Florals: Bright floral prints have been a summer trend since last few years and are here to stay this year as well. Smaller prints are going to be appreciated as they won’t take your look over the board.

Slits to kill: Extended slits will be a rage this summer! They are going to render a modern and chic attribute to the Indian ethnic wear. Go for a high slit Kurta with geometrical pattern to be the trendsetter.

Capes: This fashion element is the designer’s new obsession. The cape has made its way in Indian Fashion as it adds a dash of class and elegance to any attire.

Asymmetric Hems: Dresses and Kurtas with Asymmetric hems and clean and distinctive cuts are surely going to get you the title of The Summer Diva! Embrace this style to look a class apart.

So ladies, keep these style tips in mind when you pick up that favorite shopping bag. But do add your personal touch to it. Remember, Trend is what you follow, Style is what you create! 

What’s trending this winter?

One of the hottest things trending this season if you haven’t yet noticed is the Bomber jacket! Men, women alike are into this trendsetting piece of clothing which can completely transform your look.

You can easily dress it up or down. Originally created for military pilots, they have somehow stuck probably owing to their versatility. You can don plain bombers, metallic bombers, embroidered bombers any way you like read more…

All the fuss about the Smartwatch!

What is a smart watch? A smart watch can simply be defined as a personal digital assistant which performs various functions. The functions vary from one smart watch to another.

Of late smart watches have become very popular, but are they really as useful as they say they are? Lets find out –

1)       Convenience – Let’s be honest being able to do all your tasks without having to whip out your phone every time is convenient. They keep you in the loop without have to go through a lot of trouble.

2)       Social mannerisms – It is rude to check your phones constantly when you’re out in a meeting or amongst a group of people, smart watches let you see a message in a glance without interrupting your outing.

3)       Affordable – They are far more affordable from all the other swanky phones and gadgets available in the market. With their growing demand, options are growing too which gives you a chance to choose from a sea of smart watches.

4)       Calling – Most of the smart watches let you take calls and make calls, which is convenient when you’re in the gym with your headphones on or if you’re driving. Smart watches such as Apple’s smart watch let you directly have a conversation through the watch.

5)       Fitness – Most of the smart watches are equipped with fitness trackers which make them even more wearable and convenient. You no longer need to carry a Fitbit around your watch is capable enough to count your steps or calories.

6)       Security - You cannot use your phone everywhere, smart watches let you be discreet while being able to perform the activities that you do with your phone.

Ultimately, the smartwatches do everything a smartphone can, but they're not there to replace your phone - they're there to complement it.

Men’s Wedding Looks

The wedding season has begun! There is a lot of fuss about what a woman has to wear to a wedding and men are left out. I think there’s equal fuss, after all who doesn’t want to look good.

·         Kurta Pajama – Tuxedo’s are suave but Kurta pajama’s can still melt a girl’s heart. If worn correctly they can make you look amazing. If you’re still not so keen on the idea of wearing Kurta Pajama to a wedding you can always step the game up by pairing it with a waist coat.

·         Sherwani – Sherwani’s are technically worn by the groom but you can always sport a dialed down version of them. If you want to go for the Indian traditional touch opting for a Sherwani would be great. The only drawback to this outfit is that it cannot be worn to just any part or event but weddings.

Dhoti Kurta – This may sound odd but the modern version of a Dhoti Kurta with a waist coat is actually a very cool outfit. It will not only help you stand out but will make up for the perfect wedding read more...

Android takes a leap with the new update – Nougat

Google had launched Android 7.0 (Nougat) almost two months ago and is all set to unveil Android Nougat 7.1 (Update). This is by far the best update that the Android OS is set to receive.

The only drawback to Nougat is that it will only be made available to a select few phones initially. If you have a Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Google Pixel C , Nexus Player, Nexus 9 or an Android One, these devices are expected to get the update by December. Sony phones including the , Xperia X, Xperia XA, Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z5 Compact, Xperia XA Ultra, Xperia Z5 Premium, Xperia Z4 Tablet, Xperia Z5 and Xperia X Performance will have it but no specific release date has been revealed.

Apart from these Motorola phones - Moto G4 Play, Moto G4, Moto X Style, Moto X Pure Edition, Moto X Play, , Droid Turbo 2, , Moto Z, Moto Z Droid, Moto Z Force Droid, Moto Z Play, Droid Maxx 2, Moto Z Play Droid, Moto X Force will also be a part of this new league.

Other mobile giants such as LG, HTC, Samsung are working hard to get the updates on their newest phones too. It will be a while before even these phones get Nougat 7.0 and 7.1.

Some of the notable features of Android Nougat 7 are –

-      Multi Window Support

-      Direct Reply Notifications

-      VR Support

-      New quick settings Menu

-      Doze Mode 2.0

-      Bundled Notifications

Exclusive features for the Pixel and Pixel XL include:

-      Google Assistant

-      24/7 Support 

-      Pixel Camera

-      The Pixel Launcher

-      Smart Storage 

-      Unlimited Storage For Photos and Video (even 4K video) 

    Some important features of the Android Nougat Updates version 7.1 are –

-      App Shortcuts

-      New Restart Setting

-      New Moves menu in settings 

-      Image Keyboard support

The one beauty hack you need...

I have constantly had dark circles every now and then along with some occasional acne and even though the acne doesn’t bother me, dark circles and certain dark spots on my face do. Since I am not a fan of chemicals and face products (well I am constantly scared to use them what if I am allergic to something that I don’t know and my face breaks out?) which is why I stick by natural DIY face care.

Anything and everything that I can whip up in my kitchen is good to go on my face. I am sure a lot of you would be facing similar issues (Men and women alike).

I just discovered this amazing face pack that can be made easily and without the use of complex ingredients. I know too well the struggle we all face when something like this is in question and usually the ingredients are difficult to locate and read more…

Home an affordable makeover this Diwali

With Diwali right around the corner, the preparations have already begun. The first and foremost thing that every Indian household experiences is that the houses are repainted and cleaned, in lieu of traditions. Diwali being the biggest and most widely celebrated festival in the country is celebrated with a lot of pomp and show.

It’s a festival when families come together. While I am obsessed with Diwali, I am not a very big fan of the firecrackers, for me Diwali is all about coming together with my family.

But sometimes not all of us have the time or resources to re-do our entire house. If you’re looking for ways and means to be able to make your houses look beautiful without spending too much here’s what you can do read more..

Various kinds of watches that you may need

In today’s time when we’re surrounded by smart phones, laptops, gadgets watches have become pointless. The basic purpose of a watch – to tell the time can easily be fulfilled by any other gadget.

But regardless of that watches are one of the most commonly donned accessories. A person with style would know the value of donning a watch.

A wrist watch very much like any other accessory showcases the personality of the wearer. Let’s take a look at the various kinds of watches that you may need read more…

Celebrate Dussehra Now!

The big fat Dussehra sale is here! This gives you another reason for you to celebrate this festival! Digishoppers has launched the ‘Shopping Times’ – a weekly magazine which brings to you hundreds of products to choose from at the lowest prices. These products are priced the lowest in the entire market.

The products can be ordered by simply placing a call on - 0120-4670100! This new ‘Call To Order’ feature has been launched by Digishoppers in an attempt to be able to extend their services to consumers who don’t have access to the internet or for those consumers who still prefer shopping offline.

While their counterparts are still focused on reaping benefits by focusing on the percentage of population which is internet savvy, Digishoppers decided to look read more…

Are you looking for the perfect earphones?

I recently got my second paycheck while the first one went kaboom, I decided to buy something very important with the second one – good earphones. I hardly buy electronic items and I am not the kind of person who has earphones plugged in constantly which is why I think I have never owned one up until now.

The constant borrowing from my mother took a toll on me and I thought well its time. I bought my earphones from Philips and they are amazing. I feel great now that I have them, I can watch movies and listen to music without disturbing anyone which I used to do a lot back in the day. Blasting music on the television every morning really pissed off my folks. Not that I have stopped doing that, I only do this when read more…

Men love shoes

Men love shoes… probably even more than clothes. While this may go against all gender stereotypes but underneath all that machismo lies the gusto for footwear.

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They love shoes - good branded, sturdy shoes that they can wear and look good. They calculate and spend time in deciding which shoe would best be paired with which outfit and secretly hope to own a lot of them.

While women have always criticized men for being scarce when it comes to clothes and assumed how they can survive in the same clothes for days I sincerely doubt the same applies to shoes for them. Very much like us they like to have variety and know what to wear, when!
I think it’s time we decoded men’s footwear read more…

Why reading books is the greatest habit to inculcate?

Books can become your greatest companion when you’re feeling lonely or discouraged they can lift up your mood. I for one am a book fanatic. While my interests mainly lie in romance, mystery, thrillers and drama I occasionally pick up something meaningful too.

Books are my salvation. They teach me so much and help me evolve, they are my constant companions and you’ll almost never spot me without a book in my hand.

They give me solace and they make me happy, while I am a self-professed book addict what should your reason be to start reading?

·         Well for one if you think you want to brush up your vocabulary or English skills, pick up a book!Yes, it’s absolutely true that reading can help you improve your spoken English and who knows you might fall in love with books?

·         Secondly, if you have a lot of idle time and you’re looking to pick up a good hobby, reading should be it! Because why not? And what harm could possibly come out of reading?

·         The third reason why you should read is because you will love it once you get a hang of it!

How to get started?

I am hoping that I have succeeded in letting you see why you should probably pick up a book. So, it’s always better to start with easy to read books choose authors like Chetan Bhagat, Ravindra Singh, Arvind Adiga and experiment and see what genre you like!

Here are some books you can begin with –

·    Romance - Nicholas Sparks is the father of romantic novels. Give ‘A Walk to remember’, ‘The Notebook’ or Dear John’ a shot. We have Ravinder Singh and Durjoy Datta as some of the locally enjoyed romantic authors in our country.

·    Mystery/Suspense – The secret of a great suspense novel is when the suspense unfolds in the last few pages but you don’t get tired of reading. Lee Child is one such author, so is Sidney Sheldon. While Sheldon’s books have an erotic touch to them Child’s Jack Reacher has been incorporated into a Tom Cruise movie.

·     Thriller - John Grisham is a celebrated thriller author. His books are compelling and not too difficult to read.

·      Drama – Chetan Bhagat is a likeable Indian author when it comes to drama, his books can easily be read by anyone. Arvind Adiga is a great Indian author whose books will keep you hooked.

The Magic of Ethnic wear!

It is a very well known fact that women love clothes!

As an Indian woman though what truly brings out the best in me is a sari or a suit! I love wearing traditional Indian outfits and accessorizing them well.

The authenticity attached to our Indian outfits just tends to make you feel closer to your culture. Did you know that the history of sari dates back to Indus valley civilization? Well, now that was a while ago!

Apart from being comfortable, it is so much fun wearing either read more

Fastrack your way through weight loss with these tips!

Over the years I have read plenty of articles and have had ‘n’ number of experiences to safely conclude that what we eat and put into out body plays 70% part in our overall health.

If you’re considering losing weight or even changing your eating habits these are some of the tips that you must keep in mind –

1)    Sugar – Avoid refined sugar, the amount of sugar that your body needs it already derives from other food items which have natural sugar content in them. For example – fruits. Don’t rely on artificial sweeteners they are worse than sugar.

Replace it with read more...

Re-decorate your room with these easy tips. Because why not?

Haven’t we all been living in a sanctuary we call our room?

I think right from the moment you realize having a personal room is a reality, we have all pined for one. Being an Indian kid who belongs to a middle class family with like multiple numbers of siblings, owning your own is a dream come true.

Luckily for me though, I just have one younger brother who stays far away from my room which gives me a lot of freedom and independence. But I recently realized how for the past 1 year my room has looked exactly the same – the walls, the position of all the furniture and honestly if I could describe it in one way it would be – plain and boring. I’d love to be able to hire an interior designer but we can’t all afford one!

So, I decided to make a few changes and they completely changed how my room looked.

·         Reposition all the furniture in your room, especially your bed.

·         Buy new and colourful sheets that go well with the colour of your room and make it look bright. The walls in my room are painted white and green, I earlier had sheets in the colours white and blue mainly and I switched to – oranges, reds, and yellow and it really brightens up the room.

·         If there is an empty wall in your room, cover it up with pictures or beautiful frames! You can also cover the wall with tapestries to give your room a bohemian vibe.

·         Clean out your wardrobe and donate your old clothes, this will create a lot of space.

·         Organize all the scattered items into boxes and label the boxes. Use the boxes as a bed side table to put things on.

·         Change the lighting in your room! Haul out those old diwali lights and put them on the walls of the ceiling in a dramatic fashion.

·         Get a rug. I love sitting down by the door of the balcony in my room and reading a book occasionally. This is one of the best additions I have made, my room looks cozier now.

·         Decorate your mirror. Cover it with fake flower petals or put lights around it, this will also provide better lighting around the mirror!

·         Buy new curtains that correspond well with the sheets and colour of your room!

If you’re too lazy to get your butt up and go shopping you can easily find all these products for home decor online! Happy decorating!

Are you a travel buff who loves exploring new places?
So am I and well 99% of the entire population. The only things missing now are the money and time to do that. They say now is the best time to do anything; I say yes it is if you have the resources. No I am not a pessimist; I am more of a realist.

Can you walk to the Caribbean? Or hitch a ride? Well no. Haven’t you heard of that super old and often used saying - If travelling was free you’d never see me again. But it isn’t, so here I am boring the shit out of you.

I would like to think there are places where I could travel to if I wanted with limited resources, so I coined a list of those places. Now go explore!

1) Bulgaria

It’s a beautiful place with a lot of places to explore. The capital Sofia offers a lot of good things if you are travelling there including great food and cheap accommodation. It is one of the cheapest countries to stay in, if you’re in Europe.

2) Cambodia 

Cambodia is a south-east Asian nation it’s a very culturally rich nation. There are a lot of beautiful temples to visit once you are there. Accommodation is cheap, you can find dorm rooms for as cheap as $3 and private hotel rooms for upto $10 here and so is the food.
There are hordes of places to visit here including Angkor Wat – a famous ancient temple complex.

3) Marrakech, Morocco

The city is famous for its famous jewellery and pottery. The air fare too is not much and a lot of low cost flights fly there. You can visit Medina and the famous Koutoubia mosque, the flea markets in the city are also amazing. The food is delicious and you can try a range of new cuisines while you’re there.

4) Crete, Greece

While sipping Mykonos in Santorini may have been your lifelong dream, Crete is the cheaper alternative. It’s a beautiful place and very different from all the other places in Greece, the locals here are warm and forthcomings and Crete is well known for its crystal clear beaches. If you still want to go to Santorini, it’s a 45 minute ferry ride from Crete and totally worth a visit.

5) Peru

It’s a beautiful country in South America with mostly Hispanic natives. Peru has a rich heritage, it is the city where the glorious Machu Picchu is located. Explore that a lot of other ruins and the Peruvian cuisine is terrific. The country will surprise you. The best time to visit Peru is during winters (May to September).

Now all you need is a backpack and a pair of comfortable shoes and off you goes!