Vanakkam Chennai - A Pleasantly Surprising Vacation You Must Do

The Health Capital of India or our beloved Chennai is not always on a vacation wishlist - but trust me there is so much to do there! From surfing to spirituality, the city holds something to keep everyone engaged. If you think the city is only about Marina Beach and dosa, you’re dead wrong. It is home to all things cosmopolitan albeit being wrapped in its own old world charm. From the most sensational electronic parties to tranquil classical music conferences - Chennai has it all!

ActivKids Immuno Boosters = A #YesMom = A Happy Child!

I shared with you my story recently how making a shift to being a #YesMom was such a tough thing to do, but the shift has not only benefited my relationship with Aryaa but also made me make wiser choices as a mother. There is no doubt that when your child's immunity is strong it is easier to be a #YesMom and for me Cipla ActivKids Immuno Boosters has been a blessing in disguise. Saying yes to Aryaa for a lot of things has become a breeze because it gives her all the nutrients that she needs to build the foundation of her immunity system for her life ahead.

Nails On Fleek - November & December 2017!

I can't believe that 2017 is coming to an end already! I mean it just zoomed by so so fast. But none the less, it has been a great great year and I went back to doing my nails at the end of this year after about 3 and a half years. I had stopped getting my gel nails done when I had Aryaa, as initially I was scared of hurting her soft skin and I also used to feed her with my hand. But now that she is over 3, I have gone back to getting them done and trust me there is no better feeling than your nails being on fleek. I have been sharing updates on my social media but I know that all of you don't follow me there, so this post is just to show you my pretty pretty nails from the last 2 months!

Style Speak With Manubhai Jewellers - Rose Gold Mania

TREND ALERT! Gold jewellery and Indian women go hand in hand. For everything, be it special occasions or an important phase, jewellery is a part of everything for an Indian woman. Though now she has started moving away from the traditional and the latest trend to have caught her fancy is rose gold jewellery! Personally I find rose gold really feminine, trendy, playful and it complements Indian skin tones impeccably.

Being a #YesMom with ActivKids Immuno Boosters

Preserve Youthful Skin with the Himalaya Youth Eternity Range

Top 5 ways to celebrate Children's Day!

With Children's Day just around the corner, all I can recall are my childhood days when the day meant so much. At school it would be a fun day filled with fun activities and at home too my parents would plan something. Now that Aryaa has also joined school, she too will have celebrations there, but I also want to make the day special for her by giving her some surprises at home as well. Just like my parents made it special for me, I too want to keep the vibe of Children's Day all through the day for her even when she comes back home. After all who doesn't love surprises? With Aryaa I am going to relive my childhood and create new memories with her on Children's Day. I have planned a couple of things to do with her once she is back from school, and here are 5 of my ideas for you too, incase you want to plan something on similar lines for your kids! There is going to nothing more precious than that smile and happiness on her face when she in indulging in all of these!

The Pampers #MagicOf3 for Aryaa!

USA Style Diaries - Soaking up the Times Square Vibe!

My #BabyGotPlans! What about yours?

Aryaa is the best thing happened to me. She is very precious to me and hence I will always want to have the best for my little princess. As Aryaa was a planned baby, Prateek and I had taken note of all the responsibilities that would come along with her birth and we were prepared to face those challenges. The joy of parenthood is beyond explanation, and thus taking extra care about certain things are a must in order to provide her with the best possible future. Other than making sure our ecosystem is in place, we make sure we teach her the right values and plan a life for her which is happy and where she always has her family around.

It's my birthday month and so is SRK's! Happy Birthday Shah Rukh Khan!

Happy Birthday fellow Scorpion! It has always been a pleasure to see you on screen creating magic with your movies and giving us some major life goals! I have had the pleasure to see you from Fauji to Jab Harry Met Sejal, and my love, adulation and respect for you has only grown. From those smashing Bollywood hits to the being India's favourite lover boy, we all have enjoyed the various genres you have experimented in cinema. I have laughed with you, cried with you, danced with you and fallen in love with you every time I saw you on screen and when in person, my heart skipped God knows how many beats! For me I have forever swooned over that quicksilver intelligence of yours, your good looks, those dimples and one of the sweetest smiles ever! And your TED Talk only immensely increased what I felt for you -  you prove you are the King of Romance in India, coz you make people fall in love not only with you emotionally but also intellectually!

36 fascinating hours in Munnar with Club Mahindra!

Kerala has always fascinated me for its beauty, experiences, history and variety of natural scenery - hill stations, jungles and coasts. However, other than Kovalam, which I had visited ages ago, I hadn't had an opportunity to go back. This monsoon on an impromptu family trip courtesy Club Mahindra, I finally got to tick off Munnar and Thekkady off my list. Work had been hectic and a break was much needed to recharge the mind and the soul as well as spend time with Aryaa, and the Kerala trip gave us just that. The Club Mahindra team had put together a lovely itinerary for us and 4 days just flew by in a jiffy.

I had read about how beautiful Munnar was, nestled in the confluence of 3 mountain ranges, and how once upon a time it was the summer resort of the elite British in South India, but it turned out to be something that I was totally unprepared for. This post is going to tell you and show you just why I say this!

Diwali festivities with my princess + Aryaa's 1st Giveaway!

Festive Fashion with Aryaa - Rocking the Block Print Dhoti Salwar Suit!

Middle East Calling!

The Middle East is home to the most stunning monuments and locations in the world. From Biblical histories to Eastern civilization, from the Byzantine civilization to the classic Greco-Roman one, from pyramids to gold souks, the Middle East is one of those few areas that still retains the exuberant old-school charm that spells wonder for one. For me it is always going to be the paradoxical land of glorious wonders. 

Myth Busting Time with Maggi - A visit to Nestlé's only Instant Noodles R&D Centre in the world!

"If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him... the people who give you their food give you their heart." - Cesar Chavez

Belle in Bell Sleeves!

Review - Oriflame's Essense&Co. Lemon & Verbena range

Just like I love a glass of lemonade to make me feel refreshed anytime, my skin too loves skincare products with lemon as the main ingredient, for the refreshed and squeaky clean feeling it gives. In a store my hands always reach out to a product that contains lemon as the ingredient in it. Basically, I love anything and everything that is citrus related. There have always been age old tales of how a few drops of lemon can enhance your skin when used in various ways, yet not many are aware of it. People generally talk about how the intake of lemon in our diet has benefits, but skincare not many people know the benefits. Other than waking up the skin, Vitamin C in lemon is known to destroy free radicals in our skin, thus giving us even skin tone, clear complexion and a healthy glow.

USA Style Diaries - Napa Valley Chic!

USA Style Diaries - My 7th Anniversary: A Floral Affair!

Monsoon Style with W for Woman!

Monsoons are here and for me it means ditching my denims to save them from the mucky weather and myself from wet clothes that take hours to dry. With so many options easy breezy options now available in place of the denim, I love experimenting with other outfits in this season. W for Women has always been one such brand where I head to shop for my airy kurtis, palazzo pants, culottes, trousers for women and other Indian wear as they are functional, colourful and versatile. I have zeroed down on some of my favourites from their monsoon collection to share with you guys!

Pink Printed Skirt

Oriflame The ONE Lip Sensation Vinyl Gel - Review and Swatches

As the market sees the growing trend of matte lipsticks and matte finish liquid lipsticks, Oriflame decides to stay away from that trend and launch it's new range of liquid gel lipsticks that look like a gloss but have the colour intensity of a lipstick. The ONE range from Oriflame is known to have a great variety of products to choose from and the latest addition to that range has been the Lip Sensation Vinyl Gel which are liquid lipsticks. The ONE Lip Sensation Vinyl Gel is super light, goes on like a gel on the lips and comes in 7 different colours. It's been a few seasons since I tried a liquid lipstick with a glossy and shiny finish, so it certainly was refreshing to try it out after constantly using matte lipsticks for a while now.

A child's most important development years - The first 2 years of their life! #1000DaysforKids

Aryaa's birth was a life changing moment in my life! Everything changed, especially my perspective towards a lot of things and I knew life would never be the same again. I am so glad that I have family and especially my parents around to guide me at every step. My mom was the strongest guiding force, for what mattered the most - mine and Aryaa's nutritional needs. She made sure I got the right nutrition for Aryaa's feeds to provide her all that she needs and once Aryaa started eating other stuff, she was my perfect guide for that too. Infact in my recent workshop with Healthwatch Clinic's Dr. Zubeda Tumbi - Diet Consultant and Nutritionist, I realised that I was 90% on the right track and that was quite comforting. Well everyone has different ways to bring up their children, but as long as you are on the path that provides them with all that they need to grow well, it is all good. 

Bangalore - A city waiting with myriad experiences for you!

Having lived in Bangalore for 4 years of my life, let me tell you that the Silicon Valley of India is not only about multi-national organizations and a forever on-the-move, cosmopolitan crowd. Bangalore is a treasure trove of offbeat activities across the city - from heritage walks to adventure sports to gourmet experiences. If you are visiting Bangalore, my suggestion would be to ditch the common sightseeing spots and schedule your itinerary with activities like micro-light flying, wine tours, meditation programs and more, and enjoy a vacation that in every way will be unique.

Ri(t)ch Styles Blogging 101 : Fashion Apps that I can't do without!

A lot of you always ask me what Fashion Apps I use for inspiration and to help me in my work, so today's post is going to be about those. While I try to keep myself App free as much as possible, here is the list of my favourite fashion apps that I can't do without and help me make my life simpler!

The Himalaya Anti-Hair Fall Range #4FabulousHair

Hair fall is something that all of us suffer from at some point in our lives. Aging, climatic conditions, stress, hormonal ups and downs, all these in some way are responsible for hair fall and eventually hair loss for a lot of us. For me, my hair is my crowning glory and if that gets affected, it affects my confidence levels like crazy. I noticed hair fall recently on my USA trip which most people told me was very normal due to the water and weather change, but for me it became a constant worry. Once I got back to India, it did reduce but wasn't normal like before. By normal I mean no worries about hair loss as other than post pregnancy I never had to worry about it! A week after my return from the USA, I figured I needed a cure and thankfully while unboxing all my packages came across what I exactly needed. In my absence, Himalaya had sent me their new Anti-Hair Fall Range, and it has been a blessing because not only has my hair fall has reduced considerably but my hair also feels healthier in the last 2 weeks since I have started using it.

Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip and Cheek Color- Review and Swatches

I love love the Lakmé 9 to 5 Weightless Matte Mousse Lip and Cheek Color range! In fact since it's launch in October last year, it has been a product range for me that I turn to nearly on an everyday basis. I juggle between the 3 shades that I have, and I vouch for how versatile, light weight and long lasting they are!

USA Style Diaries - Pretty at my Brother's Graduation!

Star of the Day!

Hello Yellow!

Sharing made easy with SHAREit!

The invention of the smartphone has changed our lives to a large extent, and we are now recording most of our daily events on our phones. The world of apps has taken everything by storm, and very often I find myself surprised by the various kinds of apps that are launched in the market. Today, most phones have really good quality cameras. Most of us hardly visit the photo studios or use the services of professional photographers except on special occasions. The number of pictures we as bloggers need to click to keep you guys updated about the various things happening is no joke. As a fashion blogger, my daily life involves constantly juggling between clicking pictures, recording videos and then sharing them on social media. So, you can imagine the amount pictures and videos I shoot on a daily basis. All the data cannot be stored on my phone. I need to regularly back it up on my laptop. Also at times, I need to use media from earlier shoots or from shoots where I have used my DSLR, and it is quite a hassle to transfer things from my laptop to the phone because then I have to find my cord or use my email which is very time consuming. All my concerns were put to rest when I was introduced to SHAREit which is now available across all devices – phone, laptops, and tablets.

UAE Style Diaries!

My UAE trip specifically to Sharjah was an amazing one a few months ago, with Sharjah Tourism and Air Arabia taking awesome care of us. We travelled across the Sharjah Emirate and I also got a little time to head out to Dubai. The weather we were told would be on the colder side, but that it would rain and turn super cold is not something that I had expected. Thanks to the internet and weather predictions, I had somewhat prepped my packing up with stuff that could protect me to quite an extent, and was glad that my habit of checking the weather before heading anywhere worked in my favour. Bringing to you in this post, some of the outfits that I wore on my trip!

Prevention is better than cure!

Indians are very reserved when it comes to speaking out about their health problems in public, or for that matter even in sharing it with their own family members. However, the comfort of expressing about most kinds of health issues is now becoming easier than what it was earlier. A few years ago, on a family table, conversations on sex, depression, psychological issues, constipation, etc. would immediately make each one of us feel awkward and shy. But people have realized that these things are as important to know and understand about, as other things, as well as be dealt with maturely. While constipation happens to be a very common problem among people around us, the word constipation still creates an uncomfortable vibe and thus people suffering the same still hesitate in talking about it openly. With movies being made to create social awareness on various health problems, Piku as a movie did throw some light on the problem of constipation, which could help people who suffered from the same discuss the issue with their family or consult doctors well in time. However this is just a small move in the positive direction.

Andaman Style Diaries: Jumpsuit Loving!

I find jumpsuits really versatile and chic. Wear them anywhere from the beach, to a casual day out, to a night on the town, and they perfectly fit in anywhere! I like the cropped wide leg ones for the beach especially in synthetic fabrics as you can walk in the shallow water in them, they don't let the sand stick and dry up pretty quick too. Thanks to that you too can take off right from the beach to your next pit stop. For my trip to the Andamans I picked up this black one with metal chains for straps and I loved the way it fit me like a dream. Super comfy and flattering, I was so glad I wore this for my day that started with checkout, to spending some time at Vijaynagar Beach i.e. Beach No. 5 at Havelock Island, and then heading to Neil Island. 

Ice Creams vs Frozen Desserts

It's the time of the year which we call legitimately call 'Ice Cream Season'! I mean with the summers already on a roll and going well into 40 degrees, ice cream is the one thing constantly on my mind to cool me down. While juices, smoothies, gelatos, and shakes are also what I indulge in to beat the heat, I can't deny that ice cream has always taken position 1 on the podium in terms of preference. However, this year I have been indulging in frozen desserts consciously than in ice creams. Now what is that you may ask and how is it different? Well that was exactly my question when I first came to know that frozen desserts and ice creams are different, and this post will tell you all about it.

Dettol wins children's hearts with giant bubbles!

One of the most difficult tasks for parents is to make their kids wash their hands. Small kids firstly do not understand the reason to wash their hands so many times, plus they find it very boring. Now kids are most prone to infections when they step out. Melas/Indian fairs are where they really enjoy, be it the rides, games and food, the fun is never-ending. But it is also the place where they pick up a lot of germs since in most cases they play and then rush to eat without washing their hands. To combat this problem, Dettol organized an activity in fairs across India to make the process of hand washing an enjoyable experience for children.

Summer Sunday Brunch! #PepeWalkThisWay

The Vivo V5Plus Limited Edition - Celebration of 10 glorious years of IPL in India

Cricket as a sport is dear to every Indian's heart and I am pretty sure that even though you may not be an avid follower of cricket, you have definitely watched at least one India-Pakistan match with enthusiasm. The world of cricket has seen great evolution, with the IPL being one of the unique concepts, especially for those who are mad about cricket. Time has flown and it has been 10 glorious years since the IPL began, and even now the excitement and eagerness for the next season is the same each year. To celebrate the 10th year of IPL, Vivo has launched the Vivo V5Plus in a limited edition, that has the VIVOIPL logo engraved on the back. A matte finish black Vivo V5Plus with the logo engraved in golden color looks extremely chic and classy.

The Power of Gold - VLCC Insta Glow Gold Bleach! #InstaGlow

Gold is a precious metal that each and every person aspires to own as jewellery or gold bars, but not many of us know the skin benefits of the same. In ancient times, gold was used for skin care and skin treatments. The Romans used gold preparations for the treating skin lesions and sores. The Chinese believed that gold was the secret to having youthful skin. Japanese declared a gold leaf facial treatment that would help the skin rejuvenate and reduce the wrinkles. Cleopatra, the famous Egyptian queen, who was known to be the most beautiful woman in the world in ancient times, was known to sleep with a gold face mask every night to enhance her complexion. So it is but natural, that with such history of gold being used for beauty treatments, today's skin products and treatments will obviously make use of gold in it to give us results.

My Authentic Thai Food Experience at ‘Songkran Festival’ at Renaissance Mumbai

When it comes to food that I have eaten on my travels, my Thailand trips will rank as some of the top ones on my 'foodilicious' list. Thai food is one of my favourite cuisines and I find it really exotic. The contrast of flavours is what intrigues me the most - sweet, spicy, hot, sour and rich along with the awesome fragrant smells of the dishes. Yum! Well this is exactly why the invitation to celebrate the ‘Songkran Festival’ - the Traditional Thai New Year at Renaissance Mumbai got an instant yes from me. Chef Cham Hun and his team of culinary experts first showcased a few of his signature recipes at a Masterclass in association with Godrej Natuure's Basket, and then they hosted us for a scrumptious Thai dinner.

Scuba Diving in the Andamans at Havelock Island - Dream Come True!

Scuba Diving at Havelock Island, Andaman was one of the most surreal experiences of my life! Quite proud of myself to have beaten my fear of the deep sea and done this for myself! My partner in crime was my younger brother, who motivates me to try out all these challenges along with him, and I am so thankful for that. The sounds you hear in the sea are just like what you can hear in the video below and I felt like I was in a dream!

Quick DIY Hairstyle Video Tutorial with EIMI!

Wella Professionals has been known for the quality of its products and how amazing the effects are, so converting me to a hair styling enthusiast with their EIMI range was piece of cake for them. I was introduced to the EIMI range by Patrick Cameron, Wella's Global Ambassador and star hairstylist a couple of months ago and I saw him create magic with the products, and from then on there has been no looking back for me. A few months back, you must have read my post on the entire EIMI range that also had reviews on the 3 hero products of EIMI. Taking it further from there is my first hair tutorial video on my YouTube channel with those 3 hero products of EIMI and I am super excited about it!

Summer Clothing Tips for Toddlers to Beat the Heat!

As the summer has started to set in, dressing Aryaa up has become tricky business, because she as most kids just can't bear the heat! 40 degrees in March itself is a terrible thing to face, and when I can't bear it being an adult, imagine how much worse our little ones must be feeling. This year with summer setting in early, we need to start prepping up in advance too. When it comes to dressing up our toddlers, here are a few simple tips that you can keep in mind to help them beat the soaring mercury!

5 Amazing Ideas For My Dream Home!

Everyone has their own version of a dream home. Some would love to live in a luxurious apartment, some would want a row house and some would like to have a villa. Mine would be a modern villa by the beach or really close to the sea! Well not just that, my dream home will have my home design fantasies come to life as much as possible. My fantasies are inspired by what I see on my travels, in movies, in books and of course on the internet, especially Pinterest. I have putting together my ideas and documenting them for a while now, so that when I finally have the resources to have my dream home, it is nothing less than perfect!

The VLCC Coolsculpt! #VLCCStyleStatements

A woman goes through a lot in her life, be it pregnancy or hormonal changes with changing age, that make us put on weight. Due to the constant pressure of being on top of things at home and office, we are more than often left with no time for ourselves, especially during those years when you have a baby or small child at home. Sadly, exercise and hitting the gym is not a privilege a lot of us get and eventually the fat cells stay in our body and we develop bulging tummies and love-handles that don't look good at all. Becoming a mommy is one of the busiest jobs in the world as you are constantly running behind the kids to feed them, clean them, play with them and help them learn new stuff. Before Aryaa was born I would regularly go to the gym to be in shape, but after her birth, my days are spent in working and spending time with her and I am left with no time to go to the gym. I did join martial arts classes a few months back, but couldn't continue going to the class because of time constraints.

My Hair Care Routine for Fine Hair

Whether it’s spring, summer, fall or winter, a consistent daily hair care routine for your hair type is always a must. Most of you ask me how I maintain my hair and how it looks so healthy and shiny all the time. So here is my hair care routine that works for me, and I'm sure it will help make your fine hair look fuller, thicker, and healthier-looking too!

Your Farm to Fork Heaven - The Saboro Lounge By Mahindra

I believe in the power of food grown locally and the farm to fork concept. Farmers markets though rare in Mumbai, help me satiate that craving of getting not only fresher and more seasonal produce but also more nutrients in my food, due to the shorter time between harvest time and my table. It also helps the local farmers to put back into their business and maintain the farmland and green spaces around the region. Not to mention the benefits of a shorter food supply source - less contamination, less chemical preservatives and at times better pricing. Now while this farm to fork concept is what I indulge in for home food, the existence of restaurants and cafes promoting this concept is a rarity. Talking about rarity, the players are few but I am glad to see homegrown companies like the Mahindra Group take up the initiative to bring such concepts to the market. As an extension of their Agri business, they launched their first Saboro Lounge in Mumbai last year that serves innovative fresh food designed in partnership with leading chefs and nutritionists, prepared using the freshest fruits, vegetables and dairy-based products, procured directly from farmers and brought to your table, so that your experience involves indulgence without compromising on the health factor.

Your Child's Essential Shield This Summer - The Baby Sebamed pH 5.5 SPF 50 Sun Lotion

Summer is already here! I mean I felt like it was summer in Mumbai right in the middle of February itself with temperatures hitting 38 degrees. Google also proves this to me every morning when it sends me messages not to step out as the UV rays are too strong. Things change with time, but who knew that with time the world would become a hotter place to live in! Well the issue of global warming is affecting us since a few years now, but instead of taking measures to slow it down, our country leaders continue to make developmental plans, which to fulfill, they do not mind chopping off humongous amounts of trees and mangroves that reduce atmospheric Carbon dioxide and prevent larger amounts of greenhouse gases from reaching the atmosphere. I remember when I was a kid, summer vacations would be the best part of the year because we would visit our native towns and play in the sun all day. In my childhood days, I never had a sun stroke or used any kind of sunscreen to stay safe from the sun because in those years, the UV rays weren't able to reach us that easily and there also were enough trees to protect us and reduce the atmospheric heat, but today that is not the case. Now we have this constant confusion on how to save ourselves from the heat and what to use to save our skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Wedding Season Diaries : The Banarasi Lehenga

When Sabyasachi Mukherjee launched his ‘Banarasi Bride’ collection in 2015, I was so in awe that I immediately decided that my next lehenga would be a Banrasi one! Come December, my cousin was getting married and so I got the perfect chance to get this beautiful pink, gold and blue rich Banarasi lehenga made for myself.

Preventive Maintenance is Essential for a Healthy Society

With the growing population in the country, the need for homes has also increased over a period of time. The growing demand however needs to be matched up with as much awareness about various things that should be kept in mind before buying a house. I remember when I was on the lookout to move into a bigger house, my father and husband were making sure to inquire about various things related to the age of the building, the waterproofing plans, time intervals in between structural repairs and what systems and processes the society is following in terms of drainage, cleanliness and maintenance. Knowing all these things about the society was important so that we could make the right decision, as I totally believe that preventive maintenance is essential for the existence of a healthy society.

A Newfound Freedom with the All New Whisper Ultra Soft!

Well that is a true picture of me on my period, and enjoying a bike ride! Not taken just to pose but to actually demonstrate how comfortable and practically non existent the newly launched Whisper Ultra Soft sanitary napkin feels! Thanks to the cute hamper that Whisper sent across to me before the launch event, I actually could try it out before the launch and vouch for everything that was revealed about the pad at the event.