March Mommy Favourites 2017

Hi Beautiful!!

Can't believe its almost mid of April and Spring time, time is flying. Talking about spring, there is hardly any Spring here in Kolkata. Last checked, the temperature was 37 degrees Centigrade and its blazing sun outside with hot wind blowing. As its so hot outside, I have been reaching out for only comfy stuff to wear to work and minimal makeup that stays throughout the day. So here are my list of favorites for this summer ..aah I mean SPRING!! :P:P . And when a Mommy says its her favorite, it better be good :)) :)) :)) :))

Little's Maxi Feeding Bottle : My little Pompom, is becoming so active and naughty these days,its difficult to keep up with his energy levels :) Its important that he stays hydrated at all times. I have been using Little's bottles right from 5 and 1/2 months when I introduced him to solids and water. Its a gem of a bottle, I have tried other bottles from reputed brands, which have not quite worked. I also use Little's bottles for milk. He too loves them.

Maybelline Fashion Brow :Well if you don't like too much makeup (just like me,atleast for now) here is my two cents.Define your brows with a brow pencil, put on some mascara and a tinted lip balm and you are ready to take the world.This brow pencil was a new find. I have used the earlier version of Maybelline Fashion brow which was too waxy for my taste. But this one has my heart 😍. This has the perfect consistency and I have been reaching out for it like NON STOP.

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Pencil (Lustrous Sapphire) :I need not say much about this one just that I have been constantly reaching out for it. Have already reviewed it on my blog. You can find the review here.

The Body Shop Wild Argan Body scrub : This is an oldie.On weekdays I hardly have 10 minutes to shower but I make sure that on weekends I make up for it :):) This is my weekend pamper routine. It smells divine and feels luxurious.

Crocs Slip-Ons : I have been wearing this pair of Crocs for the longest time. Started to wear it during the winters to keep my feet warm and now I don't seem to part with it.

T.M.I: I am very picky and choosy of the things that I love(sometime its a lil furstrating though). So its really difficult for things to make up to my list, hence such a small list. :)

That's All for now. Much Love,
XOXO

Easy Bengali New Year Look | Poila Boishakh look

The day is bright and sunny outside and I have to be at work. Yes its Bengali New Year or Poila Boishakh (as we call it here)  and I chose to wear a saree to work, just to get the festive feel. Else it would have been just another day at work. Well wearing saree to work is a herculean task for me and that too with a toddler in hand its 10 times more the struggle. But nevertheless I decided to wear it. After putting Sreehan to his morning nap i started to drape the nine yards. As much as I like to wear saree, I find it really challenging and time consuming to wear it by myself. At last did a pretty decent job in wearing the saree at one go (have to thank my stars) and that too with no help =D> =D> =D> =D>. Also managed to do some minimal makeup in 10 minutes flat....wohoooooo.....

Saree : PRAPTI

Makeup details:
Face: lotus suncreen and maybelline fit me, maybelline 2 way cake compact
Eyes: lakme eyeconic kajal, lakme eyeconic mascara
Lips: maybelline superstay 14 hrs (shade non stop red)
Brows: Maybelline fashion brow

These are actually made of wheat grams !! how cool is that

Random decorations at work

Hi Beautiful!! Thanks for stopping by,
XOXO

How to introduce SOLID FOOD to baby | Step by step no hassle

Hello my lovely Mommies!!(hello daddies!! u r lovely 2)

When is the right time to introduce solids?What solid food should I introduce my baby to? Will my baby be fine? Why is she/he not enjoying the food?

A million questions and countless suggestions later we still are not sure what is the right time and the right food. This was exactly my condition when my boy was around 5 months old and the Doc said it was time for SOLIDS. Well thankfully I had a wonderful baby doctor who would patiently listen to me and gave us some wonderful suggestions. Together with his guidance and our experience and intuitions we sailed through this phase. Now meal times are our favorite times and my baby looks forward to them. So today I am going to share how I introduced Solids to my baby.

I introduced solids to Sreehan (my lil baby boy) when he was 5 and 1/2 months old. He used to give me the most curious stare when I would eat in front of him. :) So when the baby doc said that he was ready for solids I began researching in my mind on what food should I start with. My elder sister came to my rescue and I decided to first introduce him to BANANAS.So I gave him 1 small mashed  ripe banana. He was a little surprised. This was the first time he was eating something other than BF. Banana is a good option to start with. First off it is a little slimy and hence easier to swallow, second off it is very sweet n savory and babies seem to enjoy it. So Banana it is. I was overjoyed and post this successful attempt we introduced him to this beautiful week by week diet plan for solid food introduction. This beautiful meal plan helps the baby to adjust with the food,learn to enjoy it and week by week mature his digestion.

Four to 5 spoons of water after every meal. NO solids in between meals.Week 1 and week 2 after every meal I used to BF him. So breast milk was like his dessert. :):):):)
Our doctor advised us not to add any salt/sugar in his food in the first year as this reduces the possibility of high bp in future. Not sure though..but we did not add any salt to his food till about 10 months of his age. Also I never used any food blender to puree his food. Always used spoon/spatula to manually mash the food. This retains the natural texture of the food. Ensure that the food is soft enough and there are no big lumps or chunks.
The thumb rule for introducing solid food to babies is to not surprise them with new item everyday. Introduce 1 item and let them adjust to it, feel it and enjoy it. If they reject, re-introduce in a few days. (I also gave him sweet potatoes in week 2,3 &4)

Both me and my boy thoroughly enjoy meal time. I will keep updating this space in case I remember any important point that I missed. I hope this helps you and if it did please don't forget to comment below and share.

Random Thought : Can't believe he is a year old now and a full time toddler. We have started non-vegetarian food now and he is crazy about Fish stew (traditional Bengali dish)
:):):):)

Disclaimer: I am in no way a doctor or pediatrician. This is the plan that worked best for my baby. Please talk to your doctor before introducing SOLIDS or any meal plan for the baby.


Much Love,lots of sunshine,
XOXO

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

* Review * New Lakme Absolute Illuminating eye shadow Palette | French Rose

Hi Beautiful!!

Wanted to share an eye shadow palette that I am currently loving.

Its the Lakme Illuminating eye shadow palette in French Rose. To tell you I was more of a colored eye pencil person and never into eye shadows solely because I always ended up with raccoon eyes no matter how hard I tried. All the blending, building and watching numerous tutorials on youtube would always still make me look like a raccoon out of the jungle. I almost gave up in despair...huh..
Turns out, I was using all the wrong products, wrong brushes and wrong what not....

However my relationship with eye shadow started with The Nudes palette and since then it has only grown stronger. I was amazed at how eye makeup can transform your entire look and finally with the mix of right brushes got the hang of it. Tried different eye looks in the neutral eye genre and finally decided that its about time I started playing with colors :):)

I was researching for a good colored matte eye shadow palette that I could wear on festive occasions, on day time, night time, to work, to parties and meet up with friends (am I asking for too much?). Finally stumbled upon the Lakme Illuminating eye shadow palette in French Rose. Its a limited edition from the Sabyasachi collection,It has got all the right combo of colors. No over the top colors. Its so ME...

Packaging: It comes in a decent looking black cardboard box. The palette is also black in color and has a luxurious feel to it. Though it is a plastic box but is sturdy enough. It comes with a mirror which is a big Yay!! All the colors come in round cases.

Price : 995 INR. You can find it on discount online.

Colors: The palette has 6 shade of colors.
Color 1 is a pretty bright warm pink color. This is my fav shade in the palette . Its matte in texture but has a tiny bit of sheen.Its going to compliment all Indian skin tones.

Color 2 is a mauve brown color. Will make a beautiful crease color, its matte with a lil sheen. You can also create brown smoky eyes with this color.

Color 3 is a shiny gold shade perfect to give that halo effect.I was most excited for this color. Dying to create different eye looks with it.

Color 4 is an orangy coral shade . Perfect for summers.

Color 5 is a nude peachy pink color. Can be used as a crease color and also on the lid for soft colored eyes.

Color 6 : This one is a true matte brown color perfect to be used as a transition color. Can also be used to define your brows.

Indoor lighting

Indoor Lighting (with flash)

Pigmentation : All the colors except one are decently pigmented, they are not crazily pigmented though. Color 3 gold shade is the least pigmented which was little bit of a let down. However you can work with your fingers or a damp brush to pick up the pigments and get the desired pigmentation. (ya ya..I have learnt it courtesy YouTube :)):)) Only problem with the palette is fallout. They are super blend-able though. All in all I like it.

So if you are just like me, trying to search for an eye shadow palette that will serve all occasions, go ahead and check this out..

Current Update : I kind of have a love hate relation with this palette. As much as I love the colors, the pigmentation is a bummer.

Much Love,
XOXO

Top 4 ways to style Palazzo with Kurtis | Indian Ethnic Fusion wear

You all would agree that Kurtis teamed with leggings have been the most comfy and go to wear for most Indian women.
But owing to the hot and humid climate here in India, leggings might not be the most comfiest bottom wear as they are not as breathable.Teaming Kurtas with palazzos looks so.. so stylish and also its super comfy and breathable.

So ladies take my word and invest in some good palazzo s, you can thank me later, :)):))
It suits all body types, hides tummy fat, makes you look slimmer and taller, if worn in the right way. To start with, invest in a well fitted palazzo in solid Black or White color. Start wearing it with your Kurtis. Gradually you can shift to more bright colored solid palazzo s and then patterned or printed ones.

Look 1 : Tried pairing this Long Straight Cut Kurta with a pair of White Palazzos. Long Straight Kurtas n palazzo looks absolutely flattering for most body types and also makes you look taller.

Outfit Deets:
Kurta : Myntra.com
Palazzo : Globus

Look 2 : High Low sheer Kurta  with White Palazzo.

Outfit Deets:
Kurta :  Myntra.com
Palazzo : Globus

This Kurta was actually one of my online shopping spree.... it is sheer and looks pathetic with leggings and so I put it aside. One day I randomly tried it with my white palazzos and ooo lala..pretty cool huh!!

Look 3: Multiple slit kurta with black solid Georgette palazzo. Multi slit kurtas are extremely in trend this season and I am all for it  : )

Outfit Deets:
Kurta : IMARA
Palazzo : Snapdeal

Random thought : This black Georgette palazzo is my fave, I bought it about 2 years ago, but never wore it. I actually got it online on Sale and shelved it considering it to be one of those online shopping mishaps . But since the day I have rediscovered it, I tell you there has been no looking back. I have teamed it with many of my old Kurtis and it has given a whole new dimension to my wardrobe. This summer I am definitely going to give leggings a miss.

Look 4: Front Slit Kurta with two options of palazzo s , Black/Red Georgette palazzo :):)

Outfit Deets:
Kurta : Anouk
Palazzo : Snapdeal

So Go Ahead girls, rock the Kurti+Palazzo look....and don't forget to let me know if this helped you.

Much Love,
XOXO

* Review * New Maybelline Lasting Drama Waterproof Gel Pencil | Review n Swatches all colors

Well this one will be quick one, I promise. Short, crisp and helpful.
I was in a lifestyle store and had some extra time in hand so decided to check out the new launches at the Maybelline counter. The guy at the counter showed me the lasting drama gel pencils. I was not much interested for another gel pencil but  O..M..G .. the moment he swatched the colors I was like..😃😃😃😃😃😃... He was sweet enough to swatch all the colors. I chose the blue(lustrous sapphire) and the copper(striking copper) one. I never had a copper eye pencil, so decided to try it.

Picture includes lustrous sapphire and striking copper shades of the gel eye pencil and fashionbrow brow pencil in brown

Price : These pencils retail for 499 INR each.

Packaging : It has a normal pencil packaging which needs to be sharpened every time. This was the only bummer.But while applying I  actually appreciated the fact that it was not a twist up pencil else the tip goes blunt in a few days and you don't get a precise application.
Pigmentation : Pigmentation is AMAZING like aaa..maaaaze..ingggggg 👌👌👌👌👌👌. No tugging no pulling super smooth application. And once applied it doesn't move anywhere..like for 7 to 8 hrs. After 8 hrs the colors fade a tad bit, just a tiny bit but NO smudging at all. It stays in the waterline as well without smudging. Which is a BIG thing. But I prefer not to apply in waterline as its difficult to remove from waterline.

Left : Indoor Lighting, Right : Outdoor natural light

Swatches of All Colors

1-SilkenTurquoise,2-SmoothCharcoal,3-GlazedToffee,4-PolishedAmethyst,5-SleekOnyx,6-LustrousSapphire,7-SoftNude,8-StrikingCopper,9-GlossyEmarald

Random thought: Kinda regretting not picking up the brown shade though,maybe next time. I have a feeling as if this was the gel pencil I always waited for in my life.

Left : Outdoor Natural Lighting, Right : Indoor Lighting

Such beautiful pop of colors. (Please ignore my messy application). You need to get this in your life. So,what are you waiting for... 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

Much Love,
XOXO