HONKING? NOT OKAY, PLEASE!

Picture Courtesy: Adobe

We have attuned our ears to the sounds of incessant vehicular honking and have over the years grown so accustomed to noise pollution at large that we have ceased to care about the damaging health implications it poses for us in the long run. 

Even though by law, unwanted honking is restricted under Motor vehicle Act 1989 US134(1) yet our honking habits have remain unchanged! In fact, Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways recently proposed that a new law would soon be passed where in the sounds of Indian musical instruments like flute, tabla, violin, harmonium etc. would replace the sounds of existing vehicle horns in a bid to curtail noise pollution. 'Sounds' like a good idea indeed!

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE WITH THE SOUND OF...BOSE!

Image Source: Dreamstime.com

Have you ever wondered why most people like to stay up late to complete a piece of work or indulge in some leisure time activities? Why is night time the best part of the day? The answer to that is simple and quite obvious too.You too know the answer to it and would concur when I say that it is in the solitude and stillness of the night your creative juices are overflowing with ideas so much so that you are inspired to pen a poetry, jot down a plot for a new story, work on your office presentation or annual report,listen to your favorite music or perhaps even dance away like no one's watching? Can you relate to some of the things that I just said above? At least that's the case with me as I write this blog post on the futuristic technology embedded in Bose QC35 wireless headphones and it's perks while simultaneously listening to my favorite music on my Mp3 player.

Now let's rewind back to the day to see how it all plays up and figure out why night ends up becoming the climax of all activities when you accomplish more than what you had bargained for! 

MY EVION STORY: IT ALL BEGINS WITH AN ELEMENTARY "E"!

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Just like we need to get our basics of A to Z right before we begin to form sentences and gradually obtain mastery over the English language likewise "Vitamins" are the building blocks of our body and takes up just eleven letters of the English language beginning from A to K to give our body a whole new lease of life for our optimal functioning and well-being. 

Deficiency of any one of these Vitamins simply skews the entire balance of our system and our body is thrown open to a plethora of diseases! 

It is a known fact that people who work indoors have low Vitamin D levels due to their lack of exposure to the morning sun. Since I fall in the same bracket as them,I compensate for this loss by taking a Vitamin D supplement to keep it under check. I generally make it a point to to incorporate a healthy and balanced diet in my regular lifestyle comprising of leafy vegetables, lentils, wheatflour/ bajra, unpolished rice etc. Of course there are also times when I am working in another city and that's when everything goes for a toss right from my erratic schedule to irregular timings of my meals or junk food as I may add. I always thought by and large the Vitamin levels in my body were more or less maintained until I finally learnt my lesson the hard way. 

THE FESTIVE SEASON IS HERE...HOW ABOUT THE 'GIFTS'?

Image Courtesy - Indian Association Geneva

Finally, it's that time of the year when festivities, marriages and parties galore! You have Dussehra, Karwa Chauth, Diwali, Bakri Eid, Gurpurab, Christmas and the New Year all converging together during the last 3-4 months before the year comes to a close. Thus it's celebration time with plenty of bonhomie and bonding time between family, friends and loved ones! And it's also that auspicious time of the year when you exchange gifts to express your love towards family, friends, near and dear ones! Did I just say gifts? Did it send you into a tizzy? Or did it give you a panic attack?With the spiraling prices of essential items and household budgets going haywire...it's time to get creative and think out of the box! 

CATCHING UP ON LOST GROWTH...SECURING A HEALTHY FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN!

The growing years of a child are similar towards laying the foundation stone of a building. Just as it takes brick by brick and stone by stone while laying the foundation with meticulous precision before it takes shape of a villa or cathedral likewise cementing the life a child with proper nutrition, good moral values and a sound education are paving the way towards their future as an adult. And in this entire process, all it takes is a single brick to be out of place for the structure to crumble. The same situation can be applied to the life of a child till he matures as an adult, once the balance is skewed, it causes impediment towards growth, progress and development for a healthier future.

A DRIVE TO REMEMBER!

Driving can be one thrilling ride to those who seek adventure while for some it's a pain considering how congestion in urban metropolises have dramatically increased even as traffic rules are flouted unabated!

Well, there's no solution to that as I foresee in the near future...but what we can guarantee ourselves at this moment is one helluva fun and wholesome ride that gives us the freedom to drive in style and confidence.So,the big question here is...how to make your next drive - 'A Drive To Remember'?

With the all new Datsun redi-GO that's up in the market, this car is here to promise you a memorable driving experience, thanks to it's versatility - "the capability of a crossover with convenience of a hatchback" that offers you the best of both the worlds! 

IS YOUR FACE 'MAYBELLINE' READY FOR THE SUMMERS?

A sparkling midsummer surprise just arrived at my doorsteps yesterday! Aha...a glittering beauty pouch from Maybelline New York to drive away my summer blues! 

Let's have a look at what's inside!

1. Maybelline New York White Superfresh with Pure Perlite

2. Maybelline New York Baby Lips SPF20 Lip Balm (Cherry Kiss)

3. Maybelline New York The Colossal Kajal

FASHION RED ALERT: AHOY, VALENTINE'S DAY IS HERE!

Image Source: stylepremiere.com

The season of love is finally here! It is that part of the year when cupid strikes even those who are least expecting it! 

Of gifts, heart-shaped balloons, movie dates, candle-light dinners, dancing etc...a mystical magic rents the air!

Occasions such as Valentine's Day not only gives us relationship goals but some outfit goals too! It is yet another reason for us to rejig our wardrobes after the year end festivities that we've long left behind.So, in short...here's another reason for us to shop and look drop dead gorgeous on the appointed 'V' day! 

But as you all know,shopping is not so easy as it seems to be particularly when you have to streamline your choices to "Red", a color synonymous with love! A color to be splashed across the fashion marquee if you have to make a perfect style statement on Valentine's Day. In short,you have to think red and shine in red if you have to paint the town red! Unless you are single, you could pull out just another LBD or jumpsuit from your wardrobe. For girlies who are at the initial stages of your relationship, could opt for a nice sunny yellow frilly/lacy dress that could mark a bright new beginning towards a new chapter of your relationship. But for those in love...it's the time to make the best impression and put your best foot forward!

EMBARKING ON A JOURNEY TOWARDS LIFE'S DREAMS: ON FINDING MY WAY...

Life is learning game...at one point you are on a high, feeling on the top of the world and then at another, you are at the lowest ebbs of your life. However I have not let such situations get the better of me or deter my spirits. Over the years I have devised a mantra on how to deal with the latter i.e. coping with my failures, limitations, disappointments etc. as I find my answers to them from the "stars".

Confused? Quite an unlikely place to draw inspiration from, isn't it? 

When I am low, sad and disappointed,then on a quiet starry night I go to the terrace of my house and gaze at the stars. Lost in my thoughts I ask God, does every star have an identity of its own? Or does it get lost somewhere in the constellation? And what about me? Am I too a star that's lost somewhere in the crowd as well? And then I get the answer when I hear my inner voice saying, "Child,look at the sky and behold, no stars are overlapped with one another. Each one has a distinct place and space of their own as they appear and shine the night away to their glory. And if by day they are not seen, it doesn't mean that they don't exist. They do, they of course do! Even the cloud cover in the night sky cannot diminish their power and purpose in the universe."

Thus as I navigate my way on a journey called "life", I always remember this conversation with God that I had about the stars and derive the courage and strength to conquer my fears and doubts as I march onward to conquer my dreams. I always affirm that I too am a shining star with a purpose, objective and reason that God has put me here to fulfill. 

"GOLD MORNINGS" HAVE ARRIVED...TIME TO WAKE UP!

There's a secret mystery box from Colgate that's on the out limited  exclusively to just 300 privileged participants (Oh and I happen to be just one of them...I made it just in time!) which goes by the name of "Gold Mornings" and my Sherlockian skills are on the overdrive to decipher the contents before they arrive at my doorsteps. 

It is likely that I might be receiving the hamper in a day or two because time is of the essence and the deadline is nigh. 

Thus before everyone arrives at the same conclusion on their idea of a "Gold Morning", I have to work round the clock to arrive at my findings! Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock!

Thus, the big question here is - What makes a Gold morning?

OF CHOICES, CHANCE & CHANGE...IT ALL BEGINS WITH THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS IT!

Greek philosopher, Socrates once said, "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new".

It is so easy for us sitting on our couch in front of the television or reading the local daily and pass judgment or criticize people on what should be done without ourselves partaking in the process that could actually change things on the ground and make a difference. 

I believe change is happening around us,in our own lives and yet we act oblivious to our surroundings. Take for example, the people who work in our homes and around are instruments of change in their own little way. 

My household help,Vijay hails from Uttarakhand but chooses to work in my city on a two job shift is inching towards a new chapter of change and victory in his life. He is making a sacrifice of staying away from his family to make a dignified living in order to provide the best education to his sons and daughters so that the next generation of his family could secure a job in a skilled profession. Once on a casual conversation with him,I inquired about his daughter to whom I had sent some of my study books that were lying in my store room,he was beaming with joy when he told me that his daughter had recently secured 70 per cent marks in her matriculation and had even got a scholarship for her higher studies in college as well. And not just that,she wanted to become a doctor in the future! It is the seed that Vijay sowed when he consciously decided to move out from his village to afford a good living and education for his children that his daughter today could aspire to become a doctor!

Likewise is the story of the local junk dealer in my neighborhood who braves the cold in winters,the harsh sun in summers and the heavy downpours in monsoon as he keeps pedaling his way on his old bicycle when he goes about buying scrap, newspaper and metals from different households only to provide a decent living to his family and educate his son to realize his potential of becoming an engineer. 

These are some of the choices both men and women make as they take that leap of faith when they embark on a journey towards change. 

INSPIRING PEOPLE THAT BECOME IMPORTANT CHAPTERS OF OUR LIFE!

People we meet in our journey of life don many a role...while some go on to become our acquaintances,others become friends, few others are those whom we come across by chance, who make an impression and possibly never even meet again,then there are those from whom we draw our inspiration, one or two go on to become our role models and finally it boils down to one or at maximum two people in our lifetime who leave an indelible impression in our lives.This is how at best we remember people from our journal entry of experiences and rendezvous called life!

Invariably, our role models or our source of inspiration are those whom we reserve for our parents, elders in the family or even a world leader,social reformer/worker, etc. The ones in whose company we progressively grow with over the years are those whom we confer the title of 'friends' else it is at best left as a chance acquaintance with someone we met once and just left it there without taking it any further.For instance,while traveling in a long distance train particularly,during the course of the journey if you happen to have a conversation with the person seated in your next berth and you end up striking a good rapport with the person,at best you end up exchanging numbers or you just say your one last goodbye knowing that this meeting was meant to last as an acquaintance. 

OF FESTIVALS, FASHION AND 'FUSION': TIME TO PUT YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD!

That time of the year has finally arrived when the hunt for a perfect traditional wear begins. Many a times we turn to our closets to dig out for that long forgotten traditional attire which we at some point of time may have purchased but were too embarrassed to wear among our social circles for fear of being tagged as a 'behenji' or at most found it plain boring, routine and a safe bet to wear at an Indian festivities or function. Alternately for many others it is that time of the year to replenish our stock of ethnic clothing as we go around shopping for the right fabric,design,color and fit be it at malls or online in order to get our act right and our look in sync with the festivities around us.

And so is the case with me...with jeans,tees,shirts,capris etc., Western wear dominates my fashion choices. I hardly have the patience to go shopping for an Anarkali kurta or salwar kameez and splurge on big labels when I know that I would hardly be wearing them at all. Thus formals for me is mainly gowns, long slit skirts, dresses, palazzo pants and shirts etc.

But this year on,fashion and style is all set to evolve as I get set to create an idea which is a perfect blend of minimalist and elegant, a symphony where Indian ethnic wear marries Western clothing. And I somehow get an inkling that at the end of it, you are sure to stand out as a style maverick as you put your best foot forward! But...are you ready?

I will now play your style guru as I add some sass and versatility to your ethnic outfits. This year, my festive mantra screams loud and clear - "Go Fusion"!

SHEER CARE DRY SKIN SOAP [PRODUCT REVIEW]

Sheer Care may not be a brand to reckon with at the moment for it is relatively unknown in Indian markets even as they soon complete one year since their foray into customized handmade soaps which cater to different skin types that boasts of natural ingredients and nourishing oils sans artificial colorants, perfumes, synthetic dyes or chemicals.

Since I have a dry and sensitive skin myself, thus keeping that in mind I decided to review Sheer Care's Dry Skin Soap to see for myself the difference and give my verdict on the product...so here it is!

Firstly,let's understand the basics of Sheer Care's Dry Skin Soap vis-a-vis the composition, price and weight of the product before I proceed with the review.

EXAMS OVER...A COLGATE MAGICAL STORY BEGINS! [VLOG]

This Vlog was created for the #ColgateMagicalStories - The Power Of Constructive Parenting campaign at Indiblogger in association with Colgate  [Total Duration: 83 seconds]

                 

It's exam time...but ever since my li'l cousin,Yuvika (I love to address her by her nickname!) saw the #ColgateMagicalStories advertisement on television,she has been nudging her mother to buy her the latest Colgate pack and been unfailingly asking me everyday to shoot her video and send in her entry for the campaign. 

So,we had a pact. Since she had not prepared for her exams yet, I told her that we would shoot the video as soon as her exams were over. But first she had to do was concentrate on her studies and prepare well for the exams to which she instantly agreed. 

No sooner the last paper was over she came straight to me and said, "Didi, my exams are over, let us shoot the video today itself!" And I asked her, "Why? Don't you want to take a day's rest and play with your friends or watch television instead?". She instantly replied,"No Didi, Colgate Magical Stories first and the rest later!" 

So, here we are...

THE MAGICAL WORLD OF ANSH UNFOLDS... [VLOG]

This Vlog was created for the #ColgateMagicalStories - The Power Of Constructive Parenting campaign at Indiblogger in association with Colgate  [Total Duration: 88 seconds]

              

It's a Sunday morning. While everyone in the house is busy watching television,some have gone to the temple while others are yet to wake up from their deep slumber...but li'l Ansh is awake and up to something else!

Thus out of curiosity I pick up my handy cam and head to the drawing room to capture through my lens our Junior Picasso who is all relaxed and composed as he begins to draw from his imagination with his color pencils,crayons,scissors,glue stick etc. all scattered around and oblivious of everything that's happening around him.

Realizing his flair for drawing, his mommy decides to make his Sunday a magical one when she purchases a special "Magical Castle" Colgate pack! Ansh had seen the Colgate magical stories commercial on television. And the intelligent boy that he is...he knows what to do next! 

SMART KIDS DRESS SMARTLY! [BRAND REVIEW OF ZUCCHINI FOR JABONG]

At the mention of Zucchini,don't mistake this article for a recipe on the vegetable! While Zucchini is a vegetable no doubt but this article is a brand review of a children's clothing line that goes by the same name and is sold exclusively on Jabong- your home and fashion e-shopping portal.

I had an opportunity to do some brand shopping for children's apparel and share my experience on the same through a review...so, here it is!

Describing the brand in a nutshell: Zucchini is a brand for the smart, stylish and trendy kid! The children of today are little fashionistas in themselves and are at par with their adult counterparts when it comes to exploring their fashion needs and discovering their fashion sense.Zucchini on their part promises you a colorful palette and wide variety of children's clothing ranging from Tees, jeans,shirts, printed dresses, trousers, shorts etc. is what their smart collection boasts of!

SAVE MANKIND FROM THE APOCALYPSE OF DESTRUCTION!

According to the chapter of Genesis in The Bible, God said -“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

In Biblical times,when God saw bad things happening on earth,he commanded Noah, a humble God fearing man to build a gigantic ark and take his family along with a pair of every animal into the covenant to save it from the fury that He was set to unleash on his disobedient children. 

Back then,the animals and a few of God's chosen ones may have survived the apocalypse of mass destruction but man yet did not learn his lesson. 

Centuries later, we have progressively continued to destroy many of God's beautiful creatures and frittered away the precious resources like the floras,faunas,rain forest areas, jungle cover and water bodies and have gradually brought our planet on her knees.

JUNK IT AWAY...LIVE IT UP THE HEALTHY WAY!

Image Courtesy: erudiomag.com

The coming of summers simply means that the time to gorge on ice creams,ice candies, Kulfis, Colas and Golas has arrived. And when you are particularly outdoors exposed to the sultry heat all day long... who can resist these sweet temptations?! Somehow our summers are incomplete without these coolants even as we are/choose to be blissfully (un)aware of their  (un)sweetening reality!

We need quick fixes to satiate our culinary needs and taste buds or we tend to get restless. And with our hunger pangs met by restaurants and food joints/parlors that are flourishing by dime a dozen around the corner or for that matter even food websites/ apps etc that's available to us at the click of a button...it seems strange that we do not find the time to take a few steps into our kitchen instead and surprise ourselves by whipping up an interesting dish or relish what our loved ones have prepared for us! We have either become too lazy or too ignorant on our part to distinguish between nectar served at home and poison dished to us outside in the name of food!

MONSOON FASHION...TIME TO MAKE A 'SPLASH'!

Rains bring alive romance and our fashion sense is in many ways influenced by romance!

However,the greatest irony of all time is that rains and fashion share an inversely proportional relationship with one another!

So,the heavier the rains the less likely it is that you'd even be keen to flaunt your favorite apparel or that chic outfit from your wardrobe on an outdoor rendezvous! And remote are the chances of you venturing out of your house all dressed up even if a tempting monsoon sale of fashion goods underway in your city! (Psst..men must be thanking the monsoons for keeping their girlfriends/spouses away from shopping and saving them the heartache of a depleting bank balance! :-) ) 

And as for not planning on some outdoor activities particularly when it's raining...I don't blame you for that! It's more to do with the psychosis of 'rain-fear' that has gotten the better of us over the years!  

The coming of rains simply implies...

a. I can't go out. Period.

b. I can't wear my favorite outfit...what if a passing vehicle splashes muck on it?

c. What a pity...I can't wear those new pair of sandals I purchased! What if I put my feet in a pool of muddy water? 

d. Or what if my heels and sole begin to crack due to constant exposure to water?

e. Why should I take the pains to accessorize my overall look when no one is even gonna see?

f. What's the point of looking good in the first place when at the end of the day I am going to look all messed up? 

g. What's the fun going shopping with my girl-friends when rains are going to play spoil-sport to all the plans I have made for the day?

Phew...the list of 'can't', 'why' and 'what' never ceases to be! Rains may have just begun but the showers of excuses are many!