Book Reviews. 2017. 3

Reviewing books that I read in 2017:

11. Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty 

I did not like the book but absolutely loved the show on HBO, which would be an ideal example of how to adapt books for TV shows. 3/5.

12. My not so perfect life - Sophie Kinsella

I read all her books, does not mean I like all of them :-). 2/5.

13. Space Chronicles: Facing the ultimate frontier - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Tyson illuminates the past, present, and future of space exploration and brilliantly reminds us why NASA matters now as much as ever. I loved the book. 5/5.

14. My Man Jeeves - P.G. Wodehouse

My father has read all of Wodehouse books. And I want to. I am short of words to express what a legendary writer he is. Wodehouse is my favorite author when it comes to wordplay. His writing has a very natural flow, and even though the stories are set in the British context, you feel very close to his characters. The only other author who made me laugh so hard was P. L. Deshpande. Wodehouse's stories are charmingly simple and yet delightfully funny. 5/5.

15. All the missing girls - Megan Miranda

A very well rated book on Goodreads, but I failed to understand all that hoopla around it. 2/5.

Success

What exactly is success? Money? Fame? Career? Peace of mind?

When someone says 'oh you are so successful', what does it really mean? Can't success mean different things for every individual? What someone defines as our success can very well be reflecting their own aspiration and/or dream. For you, it might not mean as much as it would to the spectator of your life. So when someone says 'you are successful' it is their perception of our life and its stages.

When someone has reached a high-level position at work A might say that that someone is so successful but B might think that that someone is compromising on his health, family and mental peace which B has the luxury for, so he perceives that he might not be at a high-level position but he is more successful than that someone. I think you get the gist.

And when one asks themselves 'am I successful?', would the answer ever be a 'yes'? If we are truly on the quest to be our best, then would we ever label any stage of our life as 'success'?  I have come to believe that success is a mirage, an illusion that doesn't actually exist.

 Thoughts?

Skirt: ann taylor, sweater: promod, tights: target, shoes: Macys

Highschool Sweethearts....

I think while it is great that some people are high school sweethearts and they find love early in life and stick-it-out till the end, personally, I am happy with all the experiences - the first crush, emotional upheaval, broken hearts - the whole nine yards. Having those experiences made me feel alive and made life interesting. So it is definitely worth having gone through it all. I wouldn't trade it for anything but ... I would not go back to that either... I feel a lot of people choose the same - they keep the amazing memories but let the people go because people grow up differently, as they figure out who they are, they end up wanting different things in life.

Skirt: Ann Taylor (12 years old), Shoes: DSW (11 years old), Sweater: Modcloth, Tights: Target

In Harmony

What I truly don't get is the concept of "what's in" and "what's out"! I won't lie, I do read a lot of fashion blogs but I shop only on the basis of personal preference and good fit.

Here's a thought - Everything we wear doesn't have to be 'in-fashion' but definitely has to be 'in-perfect-harmony' with our personality and body type.

Shoes: Nine West, Tights: Target, Sweater: Modcloth, Skirt: United colors of benetton

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

Red Lipstick

Shoes, a beautiful dress, new haircut, jewelry are all trivial material things, in all honesty it should not matter because people say our inner self is what matters.

Once I went to meet a friend who was down with severe bronchitis. She was wearing a nice dress and a red lipstick, she didn't look sick at all. 'You look good' I said. While pricking her skin with a needle (for her gestational diabetes) she said 'Exactly! I look good and so I feel good'.

Our physical form is strongly connected to our identity, that is how we interact with the world around us. The exterior matters as much as the interior... 

Skirt: United Colors Of Benetton, 

Shoes: Guess, 

Top: Charter's Club from Macys