Traveling

One of my favorite things about traveling is people watching. It is one of the most revealing activities. The rhythm of their lives, street styles, office rush hour, lunch break, the observations are endless.

Also, shorts are my favorite outfit when traveling.

Photo1 : short - american eagle, top - american eagle, shoes - Tommy Hilfiger

Photo2 : short - american eagle, top - ann taylor, shoes - etienne aigner

6 Benefits of Home Cooking

When it comes down to feeding your body, nothing is superior to preparing your food from scratch, with quality ingredients and made with love.  If you have never experienced this phenomenon then try it out for 90 days and see how you feel. Let’s take a look at why preparing your food is a win-win situation for everyone.

1. Saves money
Packaged and prepared meals cost you considerably more than cooking with raw ingredients at home. Preparing meals at home can save you money.

2. Saves time
In the time it takes to drive to a restaurant, place your order, wait for your order, return home and serve the meal,  or even in the time you eat at the restaurant, you could have made a three-course meal from scratch with time to sit and eat too. For those on a busy schedule, prepare half the week’s meals on a Sunday and the other half mid-week, which can allow time for relaxation or beneficial exercise.

3. Less salt and trans fatsPreparing meals at home allows you to control the amount of salt and oils you use in your recipes. This, in turn, reduces the possibility of weight gain and clogged arteries.

4. Balanced mealsTaking the time to plan your weekly menu not only helps to save time and money, but also provides a way to create meals with a balance of protein, carbohydrates and fat, plus all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for the adult and child’s body. When eating balanced meals your body feels satisfied, has fewer cravings and this, in turn, prevents late-night snacking.

5. Hygiene
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 76 million people are poisoned by food each year in the United States. This is caused by food-borne pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can seriously harm you. Forty cents of every U.S dollar spent on food is for a restaurant or prepared foods, which allows for more possibility of consuming cheap foods prepared by inexperienced handlers, posing a greater risk of improper cooking and/or cross-contamination of foods. When preparing meals at home you can better control the temperatures when cooking meats, keep hands and countertops clean and properly wash your raw produce.

6. Weight control
I am not saying this out of my hat- research is saying - that people who eat home-cooked meals tend to be healthier and weigh less than the ones who eat restaurant food often.

2 combos:

Skirt: J crew factory, Top: Tjmaxx, Shoes: Steve madden

Shorts: American Eagle, Top: Banana Republic, Shoes: Aldo

Blood is thicker than water...

I have had some amazing friends, that I am still friends with. They helped me to be the person that I am today. Be it happiness or sadness I still feel comfortable sharing stuff with them. I remember the day when I moved to Seattle, I did not cry leaving my mother but I cried when my best friend (sakhi as I call her) showed up.

But then the bestest of my friends have been my cousins and relatives my age, I get along with them even better than my non-family best friends. There is this instant connection, belongingness, and care when one hears that we are a 'family'. Yes, this post is about family.

If I look back at my life I have been the closest to my family members, I can not stand a single word against any of my family members. If and when I have been through the darkest phases then it is the family who has helped me the most. Same goes for me - if anything had to happen to any of my family member I would want to drop everything and be of help. I am glad that I have a sane family who understands and cares for each other.

There is some weird type of families, like, four brothers living on four floors and yet no one talks to each other, fighting over an estate that the parents left for them, like the vultures fighting over dead bodies.

There are gossiping families, the ones who gossip about every family member in their absence and are not loyal to each other. All they have for each other is disrespect. It is not surprising that such families do not stick together. They fight/ quarrel/ yell/ scream/ gossip or try to control and demean others.

And yet I feel that if something drastic had to happen in one's life, say cancer, then it is the family that would come for help, doesn't matter what the past equation has been.

There comes a phase in life when you love your friends more than your relatives or family, but then eventually one realizes that it is not about likes or dislikes or whom you want to go watch movies or party with, it is about  - for whom does your heartache when you see them in trouble? For whom can you not stand a single word against? Who would drop everything and be with you if you had been in a bad accident? I bet most of the names would be your family members, isn't it?

And that's why they say 'blood is thicker than water'.

2 combos:

Short: American Eagle, Top: Loft, Shoes: Converse

Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger, Top: Loft, Short: American Eagle

Introducing a Vlog

I am starting a video blog for movie reviews, book reviews and such. Here is the first video, hope you like it.

None of my business...

What other people think of me is none of my business. ~Wayne Dyer

2 combos:

Skirt: Gap, Top: Jones New York, Shoes: Kensie

Skirt : Gap, Top: White House Black Market, Shoes: Steve Madden

Not my concern

Some people want people they like, to get along with each other, they take measures to make sure that everyone they hang out with like each other back. For example, your friend might want you to get along well with her husband and kids, or your partner would like it if you got along with her family, your family would prefer it if you got along with all your relatives, your relatives would be elated if you got along with all their relatives, maybe that's bit of a stretch but you get the gist.

I understand that it can be very stressful mentally to be spending time with people you don't get along with - simply in the name of the association.

I am totally fine if two people I am extremely fond of, are not fond of each other much. The least I expect from people, in general, is to be civil and well-mannered no matter who they are and whom they like (or not). I have no need for my girlfriend to get along perfectly well with another girlfriend, or every family member to get along with every other family member, so on and so forth. It is great if they do, but if they don't it doesn't bother me.

It also does not bother me if someone I am fond of is hanging out with someone I don't get along with. I really don't care to indulge in anyone's personal dynamics with each other. I like giving people their space and letting them make their own choices about who they want in their lives and/or don't my wavelength matching or not matching with someone does not imply it will for you. I do not think to have me as a common link should be a punishment for anyone. The only relationship they need to care about is with me. Anything else is not necessarily my concern.

Jeans: Abercrombie and fitch, Belt: target, Top: Charter's Club

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch, Top: Charters's club, Shoes: Nine West

How do you wash your jeans?

Most of the clothes that you see on this blog are over 8-9 years old. Yes, I still fit in them, I work hard to stay the same size. But there is one more secret to how my clothes stay the same for years, I use them with love and care and also wash them with love and care. Every clothing item has a washing instruction on the label and the life of clothes largely depends on how you wash them.

I always use gentle/ handwash mode on the washing machine for all my clothes and never use the dryer to dry them. Speaking of which here is a great post on how to wash your jeans - https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-wash-jeans-ultimate-guide/

15 ways I wore Red Jeans - 

legging

Do’s and Don’ts For Leggings

• Don’t wear leggings as pants since the material can be thin enough that it can show skin or underwear (unless of course, it is on purpose!) - I have seen many women in India do this.


• Do wear leggings under a cute skirt or dress that you would otherwise think is too mini or with a


• pair of shorts. This way you can make it a three-season item.


• Do buy leggings made from thicker fabric and test the stretch with your fingers. These will last longer, and often look better than cheaper leggings made from thinner fabric.


• I have written tips on how to wear leggings here, however, I must mention that I wear leggings very rarely. Not a big fan. I prefer tights and jeggings.

Pant: American Eagle, Shirt: Banana Republic, Shoes: Tommy Hilfiger

Skin Care

Know your skin type - is it dry/ oily or sensitive?

If you are here to note down a list of any fancy fast working skin products then you will be disappointed, I have none.

1. The secret to keeping the whole body soft and healthy-looking lies in moisturizing.

I have a dry skin type, which means my skin feels very tight after bathing or any contact with water. I have a dry hand and dry lip symptom too, I get chapped lips all the time.

So what do I use?

a. I do not use soaps in public restrooms - restaurants/ theaters, etc. they are by default harsh and do not suit me. I always carry either a soap bottle or sanitizer/wet wipes in my purse.

b. Almond oil - it is excellent for the skin - it makes the skin look healthier, reduces dark circles, it cures skin problems like eczema, acne.

c. Cetaphil and Vaseline are my all-time favorite moisturizers, vaseline is best for lips too.

2. The secret to good skin is NOT using loads of skincare products

Skincare products claim to be working fast like magic but they do more harm to the skin than anything. Go for the natural fixes instead. For example, before going to bed massage your face with coconut oil for at least 20 seconds - it takes away any makeup products used and keeps the face moisturized throughout the night.

Aloe Vera, castor oil, honey, cucumber, and sandalwood powder are excellent for the skin.

3. The secret to glowing skin is EXERCISE

I have seen many people who do not necessarily have spectacular skin - but when they start working out, running, biking and whatnot - their skin starts to glow! The reason is simple - exercise increases blood flow and blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the entire body including the skin. Marathon runners, bikers and generally people who work out regularly have radiant skin.

4. The secret to healthy skin is DIET

French fries, hormone-laden meats, fried food, chips and generally all types of junk food is ALSO bad for the skin. A simple and nutritious diet does well to the skin too (as much as it does good to the entire body).

5. Drink ….WATER

Drink at least 8 glasses a day, it helps to rid the body and skin of toxins.

6. Last but not least - SLEEP

Sleep strengthens your immune system, it keeps your heart healthy, it boosts your mood, it is important for your physical and emotional well being (as much as exercise and a good diet are). Seven to eight hours of sleep is required by the body. If you want good health - sleep, if you want to lose weight - sleep, if you want to live long - sleep and if you want good skin ---- sleep!

I hope you find these tips useful.

2 combos:

Skirt: United Colors of Benetton, Top: Old Navy, Shoes: Kensie

Shorts: American Eagle, Top: Old Navy, Beach Sandals: American Eagle