Review - My Online Shopping Experience with Jivaana | Ethnic Shopping Online
Monday, 30 April 2018
Hey everyone!
It's been quite sometime that I reviewed an online shopping portal. With the wedding preparations, I was mostly busy shopping for my trousseau and hardly had time to update the blog about my online purchases.
While I was looking for ethnic accessories and clothes online for my wardrobe, I came across an online shopping portal which has the best ethnic collections be it bags, clothes or jewellery - all at one place.
I am talking about Jivaana.com - a website which has a beautiful collection of party clutches, juttis, jewellery, kurtas, sarees and a lot more - basically a hub for all your ethnic needs.
About Jivaana -
"JIVAANA offers a wide mix of carefully-curated ethnic clothing, bright jewellery, bold accessories, and playful footwear that are perfect for your special occassions. whether it’s a lunch with the ladies or a night-time sangeet, you can find something perfect for you."
Their ethnic collection boasts of beautiful jewellery and apparel, and while browsing the vast range, I couldn't resist buying a pair of earrings and a potli bag which has intricate work and compliments my ethnic wardrobe really well.
Kundan and Pearl Earrings by Label Amara |
I received my order carefully packaged in bubble wrap within few days of placing the order, and I was delighted to see the products that I had ordered. Not only they looked as beautiful in person as they do on the website, but also the quality is remarkable.
Label Amara Potli Bag |
Infact, if you are looking to buy few potli bags online for a special occasion or to amp up your outfit, you should definitely check out their curated collection that starts from as low as Rs 1,500 and features some beautifully handcrafted bags that will compliment your traditional sarees to fusion lehengas as well.
The parrot motif potli bag featuring an intricate zardosi and sequin work |
Jivaana also offers international shipping and Free Shipping all across India. And if you don't wish to pay online, Cash on Delivery method is also available on more than 10,000 pin codes across India.
My other favourites from the website are the classy jewels by Shilpa Purii, printed juttis by Vanshika Ahuja and casual kurties by IDAR :
So, if you are also looking forward to buy some ethnic wear and accessories online, whether for your trousseau or for your ethnic wardrobe - try Jivaana where you can find them all at one place. Happy Shopping!
Love
Nitika
10 Must-Have Beauty Products in your Bridal Vanity Kit - Beginner's Guide | #TSDBridalDiary
Thursday, 26 April 2018
Hey lovelies!
So I am back with another post from my bridal diary, and this time I am sharing my tips on one thing that every bride-to-be worries about (especially if she is new to makeup) - what to buy for her vanity kit?
Well, with the honeymoon and so many family dinners and outings planned after wedding, one can't rush to a parlour every time to get ready. Therefore, its important that you have all the necessary beauty products handy so that you can get ready at home.
Well, with the honeymoon and so many family dinners and outings planned after wedding, one can't rush to a parlour every time to get ready. Therefore, its important that you have all the necessary beauty products handy so that you can get ready at home.
And no, you don't have to break the bank to make a beauty kit that would last you for good 6-12 months (some even more, based on your usage) as am sharing the products that would fit every budget and are easily available in the market as well as online.
I personally prefer having two sets of beauty products - one for daily usage (mostly drug store brands) and one for occasion makeup (high-endbrands) - that helps me get the desired look as well as doesn't get heavy on the pocket.
So here's my list of 10 beauty products that you must have in your bridal vanity kit :
So here's my list of 10 beauty products that you must have in your bridal vanity kit :
Face :
- Concealer - A concealer that suits your skin tone and skin type the best can work as your makeup BFF in many ways. Not only it comes in handy to hide all imperfections or a pimple that strikes just on an important day, but can also cover dark spots and dark circles.
I rely on the Bobbi Brown concealer kit which is a heavy-duty concealer that you can trust for all the important occasions; while you can keep the Colorbar full cover makeup stick handy if you don't want to carry concealers and primers with you.
- Foundation - A good foundation is one that blends well, gives the most natural finish and provides optimum coverage. If you have already found the foundation that works best on your skin, then you are good to go. Else, you can try the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup which might be a little heavy on the pocket, but is the best foundation I have ever tried
If you want a more reasonable option, you can try Oriflame's Giordani Gold Longwear Mineral foundation which is really light weight and provides decent coverage and is a part of my daily makeup routine.
- Blush - My favourite beauty product for face ever has to be a rosy blush, which not only instantly brightens the face but also brings life back to the face. Depending on your skin tone, choose a blush which gives you an instant flush of color and gives a natural glow.
My favourite blush is the MAC Peachykeen which is a pretty shimmery blush that adds a natural colour (a beautiful blend of peach and pink) to the cheeks and lasts all day. For a more reasonable option, you can pick Oriflame Giordani Gold Bronzing Pearls in shade Natural Radiance, which add a beautiful colour and radiance to the cheeks, and one pack will last you for more than an year's usage.
- Setting Powder/Compact - A lot of us don't think a setting powder is essential, but, once you have done your face makeup - a setting powder can help lock the concealer and foundation giving a smooth finish as it helps absorb excess oil and shine.
MAC Setting Powder and FACES mineral loose powder are my favourites as they are light and give a silky smooth finish to the face.
Lips :
- Lipstick - Let's come to my favourite beauty product that's a lipstick, if you follow me on Instagram, you all would know about my lipstick-fetish (and the hundreds of lipsticks that I have). However, you really don't need a lot many lipsticks if you are not a hoarder like me.
Invest in 3 good lipsticks in shades of red, nude and pink that match your skin tone, that will go well with most of your outfits. I will really recommend MAC Ruby Woo, MAC Mehr and NYX Soft Matte lip cream in Prague shade.
- Lip Balm - Summer heat can take a toll on the lips, especially if you wear lipstick every day. Therefore, its a must that you not only keep a go-to lip balm in your vanity kit but also in your handbag and apply it whenever you feel your lips are drying or are chapped.
I swear by the Body Shop shea lip butter which keeps lips hydrated and has a very mild nutty scent. Maybelline Baby Lips balm is also a good alternative.
Eyes :
- Eye Shadow Palette - I have come to realise that for a dressy look, your face is incomplete without eye makeup - even if you only go for a single shade on your eyelids. I would suggest picking a palette which has a mix of shimmery and matte eye shadows.
My favourites are the Makeup Revolution Girl Panic eye-shadow palette and Urban Decay Naked3 palette.
- Mascara - To accentuate your eyes for a dramatic effect, a mascara is an absolute necessity in your beauty kit. Whether you want length or volume, a mascara can totally up your beauty game.
I love the Maybelline Hyper Curl mascara for that volumising effect and Benefit They're Real mascara for a beautiful lengthening effect.
- Eye-liner/Kajal - I think we all know the need of a Kajal as we have been applying it ever since our birth (well technically our mothers used to apply it on us to prevent us from evil eye) - but I have hardly come across anyone who doesn't like a good ol' Kajal.
You can pick a Kajal which works both as an eye-liner and kohl, just like the MAC Technakohl liner and L'Oreal Paris Kajal magique.
Mini Brush Kit - Last but not the least, you need a mini brush kit - especially if you are buying products that don't come with a brush like your blush and eye shadow palette.
I recently picked this really cute rose gold brush kit from MAC Snow Ball limited edition collection which has three useful brushes in travel sizes. You can also pick a kit from Vega brushes that will fit the bill.
Other Essentials that you should definitely keep handy apart from the beauty products above are :
I recently picked this really cute rose gold brush kit from MAC Snow Ball limited edition collection which has three useful brushes in travel sizes. You can also pick a kit from Vega brushes that will fit the bill.
Other Essentials that you should definitely keep handy apart from the beauty products above are :
1. Facial Wipes/Blotting Paper
2. Nail Paint remover (Kara has these nail polish remover wipes that are quite easy to use and travel-friendly0
3. Moisturiser (pick a travel-friendly bottle that will fit in your handbag too)
4. Perfume (check out ZARA for their collection of mini perfumes that are reasonable as well have a great scent)
5. Safety Pins (they are really a life-saver)
6. Small Mirror
7. Eye Brow Pencil or an Eyebrow Kit
Hope you enjoyed reading this post! You can catch up on the other posts from my bridal series HERE. And if you want me to share my experience on certain things that I missed out from my bridal diary, do let me know and I will surely pen it down.
Love
Nitika
SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave6. Small Mirror
7. Eye Brow Pencil or an Eyebrow Kit
Hope you enjoyed reading this post! You can catch up on the other posts from my bridal series HERE. And if you want me to share my experience on certain things that I missed out from my bridal diary, do let me know and I will surely pen it down.
Love
Nitika
5 Beauty Looks to Steal from Sonam Kapoor this Summer | Summer Beauty Trends
Tuesday, 24 April 2018
Hey lovelies!
Sonam Kapoor has been giving us Outfit goals ever since she stepped into the industry, but these days even her makeup game is totally on point. So, we have picked five of our favourite beauty looks on her that are totally worth stealing this summer -
1. Ice Blue Eyes - This summer is all about going gaga over the ice blue eye-shadow. And not only Sonam Kapoor, event the international runways have spotted this trend which is a fresh way to make your eyes pop and get a summer-fresh look.
If a blue eye-shadow is too much for you, you can also pick a blue liquid eyeliner from MAC or Maybelline and flaunt it with nude lips and rosy cheeks.
2. Glazed Lips - Finally a trend that we had been waiting for - tuck away your mattes for the glossy, stained lips that gives a glamorous look. Sonam Kapoor shows us how to do this trend right by flaunting her glazed red lips with subtle eye makeup and just a hint of blush.
Some products you can try to achieve this look are M.A.C Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Colour and NYX Professional Makeup Lip Lustre Glossy Tint.
3. Rose Gold Cheeks - Nothing looks than cheeks with a subtle rosy gold flush for a summer wedding. We are in completely in awe with Sonam's glowing look as a bride on the cover of Brides Today.
You can achieve the look with NARS Super Orgasm blush or Urban Decay Naked Illuminating powder in shade Aura for a mega-radiant summer glow.
4. Top Bun - If you think top-buns are so last season, well have a look at Sonam's recent retro look flaunting a sleek hairdo with a top bun that is complimenting her quirky jumpsuit from her label Rheson.
5. Curled Lashes - Fresh glowing skin with dewy makeup and curled eye lashes with dramatic effect. If you are a fan of falsies - you can take your pick from various multi-dimensional lashes available in the market, or go for a super volumising mascara like L'Oreal Paris False Lash Superstar Mascara or NYX Doll Eye mascara.
So, which one of these is your favourite beauty looks by Sonam Kapoor? Let us know in Comments below!
Love
Nitika
The Mehendi - Decor, Mehendi Design, Outfit and more | #TSDBridalDiary
Monday, 23 April 2018
Hey lovelies!
I am glad that you are enjoying my bridal diary and as many of you wanted to know more details about my mehendi function, in this post I will be covering the same.
As my family and friends had traveled from Ludhiana for the wedding celebrations in Gurgaon, we had booked a guest house for everyone and decided to have a cozy Mehendi function there itself.
I wanted the function to be casual so that all my friends and family who have traveled from so far could have a gala time without any formalities.
Decor : Considering the space constraints we had at the guest house, I wanted to keep the decor minimal, however with a traditional vibe, therefore - I got a bridal stage done which also served as a Photo Booth for pictures with my friends.
Mehendi : I decided to have two mehendi vendors - one for my bridal mehendi and another one for my guests - so that they don't have to wait while I get my mehendi applied for 3-4 hours straight. This also helped in a way as all the guests got done with their Mehendi when I did, and we could enjoy the rest of the function with ease.
For the mehendi design, I wanted a traditional yet modern design which was beautifully done by Raju Mehendi Artist from GK. After month long of checking out various mehendi artists online, I ended up visiting him in GK and after checking out the real designs done by them - I finalised them in one go and thankfully, they did a beautiful job in delivering the design that I wanted.
For my feet, I didn't want a lot of mehendi as honestly I think its a waste as you don't even see mehendi on the feet once you are in your bridal lehenga. Therefore, I went for this circular motif and an anklet design which looked beautiful in my bridal pictures.
Makeup & Outfit :
As I shared in the previous post, I didn't want to wear a lehenga for the function as walking around in a lehenga with mehendi applied would have been really difficult. Therefore, I decided to go for an embroidered jacket blouse paired with a draped dhoti skirt that had a Punjabi touch to it as well.
The gota-patti jewellery with roses was picked by my mother-in-law for me and I especially loved the maang-tikka that complimented my hair-do.
Mehendi Favours :
For the mehendi favours for my friends and family, I picked traditional potli bags and beaded bracelets that they could pair with their outfits.
Hope you all enjoyed reading this post, the next post would be on the beauty routine I followed through my bridal journey! Stay tuned 😄
Love
Nitika
I am glad that you are enjoying my bridal diary and as many of you wanted to know more details about my mehendi function, in this post I will be covering the same.
As my family and friends had traveled from Ludhiana for the wedding celebrations in Gurgaon, we had booked a guest house for everyone and decided to have a cozy Mehendi function there itself.
I wanted the function to be casual so that all my friends and family who have traveled from so far could have a gala time without any formalities.
Decor : Considering the space constraints we had at the guest house, I wanted to keep the decor minimal, however with a traditional vibe, therefore - I got a bridal stage done which also served as a Photo Booth for pictures with my friends.
Mehendi : I decided to have two mehendi vendors - one for my bridal mehendi and another one for my guests - so that they don't have to wait while I get my mehendi applied for 3-4 hours straight. This also helped in a way as all the guests got done with their Mehendi when I did, and we could enjoy the rest of the function with ease.
For the mehendi design, I wanted a traditional yet modern design which was beautifully done by Raju Mehendi Artist from GK. After month long of checking out various mehendi artists online, I ended up visiting him in GK and after checking out the real designs done by them - I finalised them in one go and thankfully, they did a beautiful job in delivering the design that I wanted.
For my feet, I didn't want a lot of mehendi as honestly I think its a waste as you don't even see mehendi on the feet once you are in your bridal lehenga. Therefore, I went for this circular motif and an anklet design which looked beautiful in my bridal pictures.
Makeup & Outfit :
As I shared in the previous post, I didn't want to wear a lehenga for the function as walking around in a lehenga with mehendi applied would have been really difficult. Therefore, I decided to go for an embroidered jacket blouse paired with a draped dhoti skirt that had a Punjabi touch to it as well.
Also, you don't want your hair open at the mehendi function (for obvious reasons, who's going to manage the hair with mehendi-filled hands) - so this messy side braid was the perfect option and I was glad that it looked beautiful with the outfit as well.
The gota-patti jewellery with roses was picked by my mother-in-law for me and I especially loved the maang-tikka that complimented my hair-do.
For the mehendi favours for my friends and family, I picked traditional potli bags and beaded bracelets that they could pair with their outfits.
Mehendi : Raju Mehendi GK Photography : The Photoroosters Makeup & Hair : Looks Salon, Gurgaon |
Love
Nitika
Ditch the Lehenga for these Chic Mehendi Outfit Ideas | #TSDBridalDiary
Friday, 20 April 2018
Hey everyone!
I am really glad that you all enjoyed reading my last post from my bridal diary, and thanks for motivating me to write more in the series.
When I had to decide upon an outfit for my Mehendi function, all I could find online and in stores was a variety of lehengas that I really didn't want to pick as I had already decided upon my wedding lehenga and just didn't want another lehenga that I would keep lying in my closet and I would hardly ever wear again.
That's when I explored a few more options and decided to get an outfit customised that would not only suit the occasion but I would also be able to wear later.
And if you are also wondering about what would be an ideal outfit for a mehendi function which is not a lehenga, here are a few ideas that you can explore :
This is one of my favourite outfits I spotted online this summer, an off-shoulder top with intricate embroidery and dhoti pants is a perfect pair for the modern bride who wants to keep it casual yet classy for the mehendi function.
While this is an all-black option, you can choose bright colours especially in contrast and skip the off-shoulder top for a more ethnic style like this stunning asymmetric kurta by Anju Modi.
Shilpa Shetty and Kishwer Merchant sure gave a lot of brides outfit-inspiration for their Mehendi functions when they were spotted wearing this cool dhoti skirt and off-shoulder top. The difference in the skirt is the way the drapes are done, and you can also choose a drape that suits your body type best.
I personally liked Masaba's design better as the skirt is way more structured and fits Shilpa Shetty really nicely. Your beautiful floral/gota patti jewellery would also go best with this outfit as it has an Indo-western appeal.
Another outfit option that you can pick for your mehendi function instead of a lehenga is a short skirt paired with either a classy shirt or a blouse; just like this Manish Arora skirt worn by Sonam Kapoor.
How about getting a pre-stitched drape saree and wear it without the in-skirt for a contemporary look? Flaunt it with a contrasting blouse, a messy bun and ethnic jewellery to be the star of your mehendi function.
I am really glad that you all enjoyed reading my last post from my bridal diary, and thanks for motivating me to write more in the series.
When I had to decide upon an outfit for my Mehendi function, all I could find online and in stores was a variety of lehengas that I really didn't want to pick as I had already decided upon my wedding lehenga and just didn't want another lehenga that I would keep lying in my closet and I would hardly ever wear again.
That's when I explored a few more options and decided to get an outfit customised that would not only suit the occasion but I would also be able to wear later.
And if you are also wondering about what would be an ideal outfit for a mehendi function which is not a lehenga, here are a few ideas that you can explore :
Hi-low hem dress by Anushree Agarwal |
A hi-low hem dress like this teal green one is a perfect pick for mehendi function especially if you are throwing a pool party or having a summer wedding. You can get one customised as per the theme of the function or any colour and design you desire.
The best part is it can be styled with a pair of leggings later for an ethnic look.
Off-shoulder top and Dhoti Pants - Prathyusha Garimella |
While this is an all-black option, you can choose bright colours especially in contrast and skip the off-shoulder top for a more ethnic style like this stunning asymmetric kurta by Anju Modi.
Kurta and Dhoti Pants by Anju Modi |
Shilpa Shetty in Masaba Gupta |
I personally liked Masaba's design better as the skirt is way more structured and fits Shilpa Shetty really nicely. Your beautiful floral/gota patti jewellery would also go best with this outfit as it has an Indo-western appeal.
Kishwer Merchant in Kalki Fashion |
Inspired by this skirt style, I also got my mehendi outfit customised paired with an embroidered jacket blouse instead - to add more colour to the outfit. I will be sharing more images of my outfit in the next post.
Sonam Kapoor by Manish Arora |
Drape saree by Pernia Qureshi
How about getting a pre-stitched drape saree and wear it without the in-skirt for a contemporary look? Flaunt it with a contrasting blouse, a messy bun and ethnic jewellery to be the star of your mehendi function.
So, what's your pick when it comes to choosing an outfit for your Mehendi function? Would love to know your views in comments below!
Love
Nitika
Review : Adding Freshness to our Home with LG Refrigerator
Tuesday, 17 April 2018
Hey everyone!
Summer is on its peak and the only thing that I crave all day is a glass of cold water. And every summer, I am sure the one thing everyone worries about is if the refrigerator at their home is keeping the water cold or not.
Thankfully, this summer, we brought home the LG GR-H812HLHU - a frost free refrigerator - which has not only become a necessity but also an important part of our lifestyle.
In today's post, I will be sharing my experience with this fridge that we have been using since almost a month now :
"GR-H812HLHU is a 630 Litres frost free refrigerator from LG with features like New Inverter Linear Compressor with Door Cooling+™, Ice Beam Door Cooling, Hygiene Fresh+™ & Smart Diagnosis System. Not just this, it saves 32% energy**, reduces noise by 25%***, comes with 10 year warranty and is certified for a lifespan of 20 years."
Design : This model features an attractive design with premium steel finish and upscale look that adds elegance to the home instead of looking bulky. The dimensions of this model are
860 mm x 730 mm x 1840 mm and both the compartments (food and freezer) can be accessed easily.
Interior : It is really essential that the fridge we choose not only has spacious interiors but also toughened shelves that don't wear out or break easily - as you will be using fridge to store and take out food items multiple times a day.
I was glad to find that this model has toughened glass shelves with 3 compartments, 2 Fresh Zone trays for storing fruits and vegetables separately, and one Fresh 0 zone (can be used to store food items at temperature around 0℃ so that you can start cooking without time-consuming thawing).
The door also has four shelves with good height so that you can store all the water bottles, juices etc. with ease. The freezer has two main shelves, two shelves on the door and a moving twist ice tray to get those ice cubes easily.
With so many compartments and space to store fruits & veggies as well as other food items, this model is your best bet for storage according to your preference.
Features : The best feature of this model is Ice Beam Door Cooling technology that maintains the even temperature throughout the refrigerator and makes sure all the corners are cooled evenly; keeping all the food items fresh thoroughly.
Another feature that makes this fridge a must-buy is the 5-step layered filtering through Hygiene Fresh+™ technology which helps eliminate bacteria and bad odor from the food.
Also, I was glad to know that this model has a Smart ThinQ™technology, which helps you conveniently monitor and control the refrigerator using your smartphone.
Verdict : With spacious compartment, smart Door Cooling technology, Smart Diagnosis System, impressive design and many other amazing features - the LG GR-HM12HLHU is an excellent and reliable refrigerator that not only is energy efficient but also keeps food cool and fresh consistently, and would easily meet the home needs of a family of 5-8 people.
However, some may find the price a little steep- but considering the features this model offers, it can be considered as an investment.
Specs :
Model No. : GR-H812HLHU.APZQEBN
Cooling Technology : IBDC
Compressor : Inverter Linear Compressor
Other Specs : DC+,IBDC, Fresh O Zone,Hygiene Fresh+
Height : 1840 mm
Width : 860 mm
Depth : 730 mm
Price : LG Website - Rs 82,990
Know more here : http://www.lg.com/in/refrigerators/lg-GR-H812HLHU
Love,
Nitika
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