Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy 2012





Year 2012 is at the door,
Remember
Life is too short,
Break the rules,
Forgive quickly,
Love truly,
Laugh uncontrollably,
and
Never regret anything that made you smile.

Wish You all a very happy,lucky &peaceful year ahead :)


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Vaadi Herbals Lipbalm Review and Swatch

Think you buying an expensive high end  brand with great excitement and finally it turns out dud.It hurts lot na?.Think the reverse.You buying a cheap product ,even you don't know why and find it does works.How it feels? :D

Vaadi Herbals Strawberry lipbalm is such a product. Its price is 25/-INR for 10gm and in Urban Touch.com it is 23/-INR for 10gm..

I saw a review of Vaadi Herbals lipbalm in Wiseshe.com where it has positive review.But generally heard Vaadi herbal products are not of that much quality.  Next day i had been ordering some products from Urban Touch i saw this and in a sudden whim i ordered it. 23 bucks can't hurt much ,right? :p

Company description about this balm : Moisturises dry and chapped lips it forms a protective layer on lips which prevent damage from dry weather. Enriched with strawberry extract.

Key Ingredients: Strawberry extracts, Vitamin-E, Honey Almond Oil.

Shelf Life : 3 years from Mnaufacturing date.

My Experience
Type of lips i have : Very dry,tends to chap if don't take care properly.Mildly pigmented.

First look i didn't like it.It looked cheap,well it is cheap only. :p
















I don't like tub packaging in lip balm.Now don't ask me why i bought this then :P. yes i do know this comes in tub form before itself. But as i told it is in a sudden whim i bought this.



\






























Texture : Slightly heavier compared to Nivea lip balms. But will soon melt in lips.
Pigmentation: They are not claiming this is a tinted lipbalm.But it is slightly tinted.













That black spots are what i tried to label 1 and 2 :D
Left one is Vaadi Herbals Strawberry lipbalm and right one is Niveal Strawberry lipbalm.So you get the idea.

Moisturisation  Power: This is one of the best lipbalm when considering moisturising power. Even Nivea ones have failed me in moisturising context. Only lipbalms which have worked for me is Neutrogena and Lip ice.And now Vaadi also. 

SPF : It have no spf in it. So i am using it as my night lipbalm as well as while staying indoors.

Smell and taste : It have a yummy strawberry smell and no taste :P.So not to be afraid of 'accidental' licking. (Talking about me ; -) )

Another positive factor i find in this lipbalm is reducing  pigmentation.Yes..it does reduce pigmentation.So if you put in night and sleep,morning you can wake up with soft pink lips.

Eventhough shelf life is 3 years and quantity enough for minimum one year, with this tub packaging i don't think i will use it more than 2-3 months. Then also for this price it is worthy i think.
Another thing i didn't like is they haven't given complete ingredient list.I  prefer knowing what all i am applying to my lips.

Summarising positives :
a) Imparts very good moisturisation
b) Reduce pigmentation.
c) Dirt cheap
d) Good quantity.
e) Easily available onlinein in sites like Urban Touch,365 Georgeous etc

Summarising negatives :
a) Only Key ingredients are given.
b) No SPF
c) Tub packaging.

Other variants also available in Pineapple,Orange and Mixed fruit flavour.

This is my HG night lipbalm for now and till i find another one it will remain.But next will try other flavours.





Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Coconut Pudding Recipe

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

I celebrated my Christmas eating pounds of cake ,chocolate logs and puddings  and watching ' Home Alone' series  :D .Don't ask me how many times i have watched that series.Being both parents working, i use to spend lot a time alone in house.When i first saw home alone series, i think when i am 4-5 years it got into my head in such a way  that i also wanted to set up traps and catch robbers.  :P. Now of course i don't watch to catch any robbers and don't want any one house breaking in my apartment, but still watching  'Home alone' series gives me a nostalgic pleasure.


Well coming to topic today, i'll post a very simple recipe for Coconut Pudding.Even a kid can simply prepare it.Such an easy peasy recipe.


Ingredients required :

a) Gelatine - 2 tbspoon
b) Sugar - 3-4 tbspoon (You can vary as per your sweet requirement)
c) Milk Powder - 4 tbspoon
d) Coconut powder - 1.5 tbspoon
e) Water - 1 cup
f) Vanilla Essence - 2-3 drops.

1)  Boil the  water  and add gelatine and sugar to it and wait till whole gelatine  dissolves. (Mix it using spoon to make gelatine dissolves faster)
2) Now to gelatine-sugar  mixture add the coconut powder , milk powder and vanilla essence.
3) Mix it in a blended or in a mixie.
4) Pour the whole mixture in to a container and keeps in fridge for 3-4 hours to set.
 Take outside, if you have patience cut in to square/diamond shape or instead of container simply pour in to a glass and keep to set and simply scoop it out with a spoon and eat like me.
































And this is the cake i ate ;)













Tuesday, December 27, 2011

My First Bog Award..YaY!!

Today had been a very tiring long day and i thought of going to sleep early.But when i saw Vertika of Vivaciousblog , a very  popular and  talented blogger  given me "Versatile Blogger Award" all my tiredness vanished and felt recharged. Editing : This i typed yesterday i couldn't complete it coz tiredness was due to a bad flu i came to know :((. Even now i'm in bed but i felt i have to write this to express my gratitude.

Thanks Vertika, getting this award  from you means a lot for a starter like me.Guys do check her blog and you will understand why i telling so. I'm sure you are going to love her blog.



So coming to rules ,
  • The first thing you should do is to thank the person who nominated you for this award by giving them a shout out on your blog post, linking to their blog.
  • The second one, Share Seven Random thoughts about yourself
  • The last and sweetest thing, send this award to 15 bloggers whom you admired and let them know that they have won "The Versatile Blogger" award 

Well seven random thoughts about me:

1) I am an Engineer who feels like trapped in wrong field :(
2) I am a true  Gemini with dual nature. Wait..don't misunderstand me i'm not that bad :p
3) I am a total foodie who likes to cook and eat different foods, but still underweight :X
4) I yearn for a dog as a pet,but due to apartment rules not able to get till now. 
5) Give me any book in any language i know,you won't have any trouble from me till i finish it. :p
6)  Compared to icecream i prefer flavored yogurts more,yaa.i know .i am weird that way :p
7) Without kohl in eyes i never go outside.Even if only kohl there i feel confident.

Enough i think :P


Coming to third rule. I know most of you have already got this award.Maybe 4-5 times.But to show my appreciation , gratitude and admiration i'm giving this award.

1) Lancy of Makeup and Beauty tips .You are not going to believe a 16 year girl is maintaining this blog.It is full of  home made beauty tips,herbal remedies etc. Do check it out.And you can't find another fellow blogger who encourages you that much.
2)Emm of Circular Insanity. I adore her writing style. Reading many of her rants i use to laugh my head off.Do visit her site.You also will start loving it.
3) Anamika of Wise She.From there i started my passion for blogging.I'm sure she is model for many in blogging world.
4) Divya of Miss Enchanted: A site full of make up reviews,book reviews, nail art.What more you want?
5) Ani of Make u up: Yes, as name suggests a blog full of make up reviews.
6) Krupa of All about Ladies : I'm a new reader of her blog,but nevertheless i like it.
7)Rids of Sugar Spice and alldats Nice : It is beautiful blog beautiful as its name with loads of makeup reviews.
8)Niveda of Beauty at times is Skin Deep for maintaining a great blog.
9)Bhumika of New Love Makeup : One can clearly know reading her blog,as the name suggests she really loves writing about makeup and is passionate about it.
10) Swati of Perfect Skin Care :In addition to review of skin products she writes about may DIY tips for maintaining good hair and skin and i have already bookmarked some of them.
11)Shy of  Pretty Princess : Anew budding blogger.
12)Suhani of Lliantra for her fabulous nail arts.
13) Lipsy of Check your Fashion Quotient for her fashion sense
14) Renisha of She rocking them Stilettos  also for her fabulous dressing sense
and
15) Last but not least divine blush of  http://divineblush.blogspot.com

So bye this time.I am again going to sleep.Hopes tomorrow i'll be recovered and can catch you guys with a new post .











Monday, December 26, 2011

Matrix Opticare Intense Smoothening Hair Mask Review

Most of us desire for straight smooth hair and once straightened  or rebonded problems starts. Hair becomes so fragile ,dry, frizz, hairfall  Sigh!!

Matrix have launched a  professional hair care line for straightened/rebonded hair - Opticare Smooth and Straight

I have very dry hair with lot of flyaways,so after getting good results from Matrix Biolage shampoo and conditioner  i decided to try Matrix Biolage HydraTherapy Mask. Even in parlour for hairspa they use to apply this on me. But finally i ended buying Matric Opticare Intense Smoothening Mask.

We can see what Matrix  saying about this Opticare line?

Opticare Smooth and Straight is a professional haircare line formulated to help control and smooth chemically straightened hair. Enriched with Silk Amino Acids & Shea Butter to help protect,condition and moisturize for healthy looking ,silky shiny hair.

This mask comes in step 3 of the treatment,  first 2 comprising of shampoo and conditioning.

About the mask what Matrix saying?
Intense conditioning to satisfy the extreme needs of very dry,coarse or chemically straightened hair. Smoothes texture and disciplines frizz to leave hair soft and manageable.

Price : 575 INR for 490 gm.


Ingredients :
Aqua,Cetearyl Alchohol, Behentrimonium Chloride,Cyclopentasiloxane,Stearyl Alchohol,Cetyl Esters,Fragrance,Dimethicone,Methyl Paraben,Benzyl Salicylate,Shea Butter, Hexyl Cinnamal,Butyl Phenyl, Methyl Propional,Chlorhexidine,Dyhydrochloride,Sodium Citrate,Limonine ,Silk amino acids.

By googling  i found out Silk Amino acids penetrates inside damaged cuticles rebuilds and strengthen it . Also it have amazing moisture binding properties.  Shea Butter retains moisture within the hair and aids in elasticity,shine and strength of hair.

How to use?
Apply to clean ,damp hair. Distribute evenly,section by section. Leave on hair for 15 minutes with or without heat. Rinse thoroughly.


My experience:




















My hair is not chemically treatened but it is so dry that this mask correctly satisfies its thirst.
I used to apply this mask once in a week.If time allows after shampooing,  conditioning  and towel drying i'll apply this ,have steam and keep 10-15 minutes. Otherwise simply skip conditioner and use this instead . Both ways there was improvement in my hair texture.It does quench the thirst and makes my hair soft,shiny and well conditioned.
















Texture is very creamy and thick and spreads smoothly.  Little Quantity is required for covering all strands. I'm sure this tub is going to last me atleast one year with my shoulder length hair. So it is economical. Shelf life is 3 years.

Fragrance wise it have strong smell but after washing  only a mild smell prevails in hair.

For the hair masks and conditioner i prefer this tub packaging more.It is very conveninent to use and can make use of full product unlike tube packaging.

 I will tell you what all  i like in this?
a) Very moisturising and softens hair
b) Thick creamy texture
c) Spreads smoothly
d) Affordable,lasts a long time.
e) The tub packaging

What i don't like?


a) Non availibility !!!..It is very difficult to locate Matrix products here
b) Little difficult to wash as the texture is thick,but i don't care it

.
I believe this is a must buy for people who rebonded or have chemically damaged hair.

BTW today i found out Vertika of Vivacious blog had reviewed MAtrix Opticare Smoothening Shampoo
You can find that review here
















Sunday, December 25, 2011

Wishing You a Happy Christmas




                                                       


 Praying life treats you kind, and hoping you have all, you ever dreamt of and  wishing you joy, happiness, peace and prosperity.  But above all this I wish u love this Xmas .

                               Merry Christmas

Friday, December 23, 2011

Trichup Complete Hair Care Oil


From last 3-4 years I am suffering from heavy hairfall.
Various factors contributed it like hard water,  negligence of hair, eating only junk foods etc.
It became so severe that, I used to think, if I don’t clean house twice a day house floor will be covered in hair.

Once I realized the seriousness, I tried several hair oils, tried many anti hairfall shampoos etc etc. But nothing had been effective. Then as per one friend’s advice,I started using Trichup oil.So far it proved effective in reducing hair fall for me
























Price : 150 INR for 200 ml.
              84 INR for 100 ml.

What company claims?
Trichup Oil, enriched with the natural goodness  of Bhringaraj,Amalaki,Neem,Gunja and other exotic herbs is formulated in Coconut and Til oil after years of research.
It efficiently penetrates right into hair roots and provides essential nutrients to hair follicles that encourage natural hair growth. It forms a thin protective layer over the hair shaft thus preventing it from getting damaged from dust, UV rays, B rays, chemicals and pollutants. It also helps in clearing dandruff thus in reducing falling of hair. Researchers have found that Trichup oil helps delay graying by increasing hair melanin content. It also works wonderfully by increasing the strength of hair follicles thus its regular use ensures long, thick and healthy black hair. This patented formula has been recommended by doctors for over two decades.

Ingredients :



















Considering sesame oil is best for hair and coconut oil is second best , I felt happy with composition it.
As an added bonus there is Neem, Bhringaraj, Amalaki and other beneficial herbs.

Direction to use :
Massage scalp gently using your finger tips in rotating motion at least twice a week for better results.

























As you can see oil is green in color. It have color and fragrance added to it. You can see it in ingredient list.

My experience with the product:

First when I opened the bottle, what I felt is irritation, strong fragrance and added color.  But to my surprise within 2-3 weeks there was an enormous reduction in hair shedding.
 I apply trichup oil twice in week, have steam, keep it for 1-1.5 hour then does normal shampoo conditioner  routine.
Now I am in second bottle and till this day it is working fine for my hair. But I do take proper care of hair nowadays as I learned lesson.
After shampooing, it did provide a little shine and slightly conditioned effect on hair. Nothing miraculous, but little.
Overall it had been good for me. So I recommended it to my sister, who also have severe hairfall.
For she also it worked good,but after 2-3 weeks she noticed whenever applying this oil, she getting headache.
So she stopped it. So it might be too strong for some people I think.
I have some premature grey hair, in which this oil didn’t brought any difference. But I doubt any oil can bring difference to already grey strands.

Pros :
a) It does reduce hair fall.
b) Prevents dandruff.
c) Imparts little shine and conditioned look to hair.
d) Company claims it will give protection from dust , UV rays, pollutants etc.
e) Contains sesame oil, coconut oil and other various beneficial herbs for hair.
f) Not expensive.
g) Readily available in all medical shops as well as online also.
Cons:
a) Strong fragrance and artificial color.
b) Might be strong for some people and can cause severe headache.

Overall, I am happy with is oil


NB: Other than this complete hair  care oil, Trichup does have 2 variants  such as Trichup Anti Hair Fall oil and Trichup  Anti Dandruff Oil.
             Several other hair care products are also available such as capsules, shampoo, conditioner , serum etc. which I haven’t used.
Here you can find the products as well as buy online


 Now Christmas- New Year offer is there on site

       





























Thursday, December 22, 2011

Tvam Anti Freckle Face Pack Review




I have 2-3 freckles in my face and when i saw anti freckle pack in F&Y i couldn't resist .After discount the price was 399 INR for 150 g. 

Even reading the claim on  Tvam site tempted me to buy it :

Our products are of the highest quality and we use only the purest plant extracts with maximum content of natural ingredients. We are motivated by our belief in plants as effective ingredients in the improvement and maintenance of healthier, younger looking skin.

Our mission is to promote a Natural lifestyle and provide high quality, natural health products to our customers with best possible prices.After a number of years of research and testing, we have identified a complete range of beauty care products that will suit every skin type.


Now see what the company telling about the particular product :

 Anti-Freckle face pack is a combination of unique ingredients that lightens freckles and removes deeply embedded impurities. It penetrates deep into the skin layer to activate metabolism of melanocytes, treats and dissolves pigments and lightens skin texture.

















Ingredients :























How to use :



















As you see packaging is a simple plastic bottle. But somehow i liked it.
And  see the ingredients list,its very impressive na?
So this the pack .






























It have a  mild pleasant smell.

My experience :

I use to mix it with rosewater and use.











I had been so excited to use it reading the website and the impressive ingredients list .

I applied it on night and washed face after 10 minutes. There was a stinging sensation.

On washing i found it made my face super soft and removed my black heads to an extent. I was pretty impressed eventhough can't tell much about lightening claim in one day.
But next day morning when i washed my face,i was horrified to see my face completely broke out. (Rarely any product manage to break me out).

2-3 angry pimples appeared in cheeks and upper lips and both cheeks and forehead was covered in tiny allergic pimples.

Then i thought might be it is because first time application.

After 2 days i again applied the face pack . It did reduce my pores and prevented black heads. This time no new pimple appeared. So after 3-4 days i again applied  and this time again pimple started appearing.

I can't tell whether i hate this completely coz no other product have helped me so far this better  in reducing pore size and disappearing my black heads.But i don't want these allergic  pimples in my face also :(

I really do wish i can use this.

What i like in this face pack?

a) Impressive ingredient list.
b) All natural ingredients
c) Mild pleasant smell.
d) Reduces pore size considerably and prevent blackheads to an extent.

What i don't like?

a) Causing allergic pimples, might be it is personal
b) Stinging sensation.


I don't dare to suggest this face pack to any one eventhough i might be allergic to any of the ingredient and might be personal.

So any of you guys  have used it? what is your opinion?













50 first dates and a pasta recipe

Today i saw the movie first 50 dates in Z studio. It is 3rd or 4th time i am watching this movie.

It is a silly romantic comedy but has a charm of its own. If you are a person who is very serious about movies, you won't like it. But people like me who are suckers for romantic comedy and chick flicks will sure like it.

It is about the story of a man who have to struggle  to win his dream girl's heart every day, since she is suffering from short term memory loss and forgets him everyday when she wakes up   :P

Adam Sandler  as hero and the pretty Drew Barrymore as heroine,  it is really  a sweet movie to watch .

If you haven't watched it yet , give it a try when you want to laugh  or when you are having a girl's night :)

I watched the movie with a quick made pasta and shop bought potato waffles.




If you are in a lazy mood or want some quick pasta recipe this will be useful to you.

Time required : 5 minutes
Things required :
Pasta -1 cup ( I used macaroni here)
Ripe Tomatoes - 1
Pureed tomato - 1 cup
Garlic - 1/2 cup chopped
Red Kashmiri chilly dried-  According to your spice toleration level (i used 2) or you can use shop bought chilly flakes.
Crushed pepper - according to your spice toleration  level(i taken one tbs. pepper corn and crushed it)
Oregano- 1 tsp
Basil- 1 tsp
Olive oil-  1 tbsp
Cheese grated - 1/2 cup
Light Fresh cream - 1/2 cup
Water - 3/4 cup
Salt and sugar


Don't panic seeing ingredient list, the process is quiet simple.

1) Cook your pasta according to your packet instruction.
Most of them require boiling in hot water. Add 2 drops of olive oil to prevent pasta from sticking up. Also add salt. Only half cook pasta.
Remember to throw away the water in which you cooked pasta, it is said to be contain some wax content which is not good for health . After that wash it with cold water and keep aside.

2) While pasta is cooking chop garlic and  then tomato. Break dried red chillies in to small bits. Grate cheese. Crush pepper corns.
3) Heat Olive oil in pan.Saute garlic and red chilly. Then add tomatoes.When tomato softens add tomato puree.
4) Add oregano, basil and crushed pepper. Saute  1 minute or till aroma starts
5) Add Water  and boil.Add salt as per you taste and a pinch sugar.
6) Now add half cooked pasta and cheese to it.
7) Finally add the fresh cream.



Yummy pasta ready for you     8-)

















Monday, December 19, 2011

Spicy Prawn masala

I love non veg foods like anything,  except fish. Yeah..i told truth. I hate sea food.
But once i relocated to Kochi, Queen of Arabian Sea, I couldn't help but  fall in love with prawns and pearl spot (Karimeen) over here.
So i'll share you my favorite way of making prawns.First i had it from a family friend's house.I liked it so much that i asked them for recipe.

I have made prawn numerous occasions in this style.I'v tried other recipes also, but this one always came out good.

We can prepare this curry in 4 steps

1) Marinating prawns
2) Cutting and chopping vegetables
3) Grinding the masala and
4) Cooking the prawns

Always remember while buying prawns, on deshelling they will reduce to almost half the quantity.

How to make?
So first take1/2 kg big prawns deshelled, deveined and cleaned. After that we can do marination

1) Marinating Prawns:
Required ingredients:

a) Chilly powder - 1tbsp
b) Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
c) Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 tbsp
d) Coriander Powder- 1/2 tbsp
e) Salt - As required

Add 1 tbsp. chilly powder,1/2 tsp turmeric powder and 1/2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste1/2 tbsp coriander powder  and salt  to cleaned prawns .Make sure it is coated well and keep inside fridge in an air tight box for 30 minutes.

By this time we can go to cutting and chopping part

Required Vegetables :
a) Onion- 1 big thinly sliced. (Use a tomato knife for slicing , you can get thin onion slices)
b) Shallots /sambar onion/ pearl onion - 10-15  sliced
I know it is difficult to peel and slice pearl onions, but do add these , it enhances the taste.
c) Tomato - chopped in to small pieces.


Now Step 3 : Grinding masala.
a) Grated coconut - 1 tbsp
b) Ginger - a small piece
c) Garlic- 5 cloves
d) Coriander seeds - 1 tbsp ( I use to add 1/2 tbsp coriander powder since i don't keep coriander seed in          home)
e) Green chilly-  2 medium sized
f) Pepper corn- 1 tbspoon
g) Dried Kashmiri red chilly- 2-3

Heat oil in a pan .Add all the above ingredients.Saute till coconut turns brown.
Add very little water and grind it. Don't make it a paste ,do in a way so that chilly grains will be there in gravy.While eating, those grains will impart a specific taste.

See the picture.


By this time prawn will be properly marinated.Now we can go to step: 4

Cooking the prawns:

Ingredients:
a) Curry Leaves- 2sprigs
b) Cumin seeds - 2 tsp
c) Kashmiri chilly powder- 1 tbsp
d) Turmeric powder- 1 pinch
e) Salt- as required
f) Oil as required


First saute the marinated prawns in oil till half cooked.(Shallow fry)Keep it aside in a blotting paper.


In same oil add cumin seeds and curry leaf.
Now add  onions we first itself sliced and kept.Once the color changes add turmeric powder and chilly powder.
Now add tomatoes. Saute till tomatoes turns soft.
Now add grinded masala to it and saute till raw small is gone.
Add prawns and saute for 5 minutes.
Add 1-1 1/2 cup water and boil in low flame.












        



                                                                                                          Garnish with coriander leaves.



















Serve it with basmati rice :)