Remember Dec 12 with - Ye Dil Maange "Mor"...!!!

Since the latest posts on my blog must have made it amply clear that I am a big fan of the art of painting and recycling, many forthcoming posts may also talk on the same lines.

Here below, I am putting up another inspired painting, which I made as a gift for my parents for their wedding anniversary. Why this topic? There's a fair reason. Both my parents go for their daily walks in a campus which is abundant with peacocks. Especially in the rainy season, these birds put their full glory on display. And after coming home from their walk, Ma would call up and tell all about how they danced, or trotted around, even imitate their voice. So I wanted the gift to be something that both Ma and Pa could identify with, and something that was already a part of their lives.

This is how it turned out.

This is also acrylic on a 12 by 12 canvas.

When Ma first saw this painting, she was really happy and excited. When I told her that this was a gift for her wedding anniversary, the first thing she asked was, "Why aren't there two peacocks in the painting?"
But when I told her what I was thinking when I made it, along with a quick re-visit to the Biology class, that "only Peacocks are beautiful, the peahens really don't live up to the set expectations", she laughed out loud. This time she was not just convinced, but more than happy. :D

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember Dec 11 with - Gabbar,Baks and RIO...!!!

Straight away putting an end to all speculations, let me tell you that Gabbar and Baks are a happily married couple, and very very dear friends of mine.

When I first met Gabbar about 6-7 years ago, the first look at his profile made me feel he resembled the legendary actor Lt. Mr. Amjad Khan who portrayed the legendary character of "Gabbar Singh" in the legendary  movie "Sholay". 

Since then, he has been Gabbar for me. 

And Baks is his sweet, adorable wife.

Both of them are the "proud parents of RIO" - as quotes Gabs.

Them and Me are continents apart as of now. But it really doesn't feel so. So, a few days ago, I and Gabs happened to discuss 'parenthood' (thanks to a common bachelor friend) when he said that he was good with RIO for the while. And then it all started.

I asked him how did he end up having a pet in US, when he never liked a single one back in India. And before I could charge him with hypocrisy and unleash a verbal spate on him, he said, "RIO was a valentine gift for Bakul".

This immediately made me stop doing whatever I was. And my interview began.
Excerpts have been woven into this short sweet story.

It was cold and rainy. Baks had no idea what Gabs was upto. And Gabs was out getting RIO.
He got him in a basket and as soon as he entered the house, handed him over to Baks. And, Baks started crying.

I wondered if Baks always had a pet. But I was told that she always wanted to, since childhood, but never really had any. So a street dog was the recipient of all her love and affection whom she fed and took care of.

All this was too lovey-dovey mushy mushy. It was time to get real.

"So what challenges did you face with RIO in the beginning?" I asked Gabs. And I guess this was the question he was preparing himself for. "Oh! Don't ask!" is how he started. And then came a bundle of photos about RIO chewing and wrecking all possible things one could imagine. Some of these pics have been published in the older posts. "He pooped everywhere, and chewed up whatever he could lay his paws on and teeth in - wires, furniture, accessories or training stuff we got for him. We got diapers for him, and he chewed them too!" Then Baks pitched in with more details. She told me that his favorite are socks, towels, shoes, TV Remotes, paper and so much that he can make a dash for them anytime. "We stayed up many nights in the beginning, just to take care of him" both cooed together.

RIO has grown up now and learnt to behave himself. And I wonder how both of my friends feel watching him and living with him each day. More so, because RIO is a valentine gift. His mere presence is a constant reminder of love in their lives. When I told this to Gabs, he said, laughing out loud and so matter-of-factly, "I have already told Baks that I am done for the next 10 Valentines. So now all the balls are in your court." And what does she reply, I asked him. He said, "She just smiles."

Wow.

I have had my own experience with 'Bahadur', my first pet, a boxer at my Grandma's place. So I can say that more than anything else, they must be feeling 'grateful' and 'stress-free'.

Dogs are a man's best friend. And you can believe this only with your own experience. One look into their eyes is all it takes.

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 10 with - A Little More of RIO...!!!

I'm sure all of you who checked out RIO in the last post would  not have had enough of him.
So here's some more...

RIO's favorite Hide-Out...!!!

Stealing Food...!!!

His apparently favorite Swimming Pool which he ripped off in 2 days...!!!

Check out the look on his face in this one... the next pic will explain why...!!!

This is an artificial lawn for his Potty Training which he ripped off on Day 1...!!!

Yoga...!!!

These pics talk enough to tell of RIO as a real naughty one, the way he is supposed to be. RIO is a treat to watch in the pics. I can't imagine what it would feel like to watch him grow, day by day, every day. And having said that, I have inched closer to RIO's story, which is coming up soon.

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 9 with - RIO...!!!

Well... RIO is going to take up some space for the next few days now. For today, all I want to share is his pics. But one look, and you will realize why this post is so loaded, in spite of being so tacit.

Need I say anything? :)

But I will. The little story about Rio which is as adorable as himself.

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember Dec 8 with - That Little Gift I made for my husband...!!!

One thing that I and my husband do have in common is that we are strong crusaders of "apni akal lagao" (use your own brains) brigade. 

Sometimes it is okay (read bearable) but more often than not, it is just impossible to believe some questions people ask, or things they do, or talk of. Now, I work from home, so the gamut of such experiences for me is reasonably, and thankfully, limited. But he goes out, and thereby deals with a whole range. And though I often suggested that he laugh away such situations, I really wanted to do something more about it, so that this whole deal becomes way more entertaining.

Suddenly one day, I stumbled upon this great idea. And I painted something for him and framed it. And gifted to him over lunch. I asked him to take it with him to office and put it on this workstation's tack-board. So, whenever he feels that there is possibility of some ingenious crassitude coming his way, he could look at the notice board and know what he had to do. Laugh it off.

Here is what the small framed painting looked like:

After a long time of using Acrylic colors, I used water colors for this one. And made the frame out of rolled newspaper, and painted it. And I so enjoyed the whole process. From start till the end. Believe me, I kept laughing all the while imagining his possible reactions. This one was truly, a treat to do!

Masterpiece or not, this one surely does what it is meant to do, every time...! :) 

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 7 with - My Painting of My Favorite Muse...!!!

People who know me and who know that I paint, also know that Lord Ganesha is my favorite muse!
Well, just the way He is for a lot of other artists.

This post shows how I last painted Him.

(This painting and the last one on Flowers are both Acrylic on Canvas, 12 by 12 inches.)

There are more coming up soon. Meanwhile, I would love to know your feedback and suggestions.

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 6 with - My Painting on Flowers...!!!

Agreed. That I did this painting a while ago. But I think this is one of the best ones I could make till now. And I always wanted to put it on the blog.

Here it is.

And for this one, I just feel like I will let the colors do all the talking.

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 5 with - That Fab Skin Toner...!!!

In the last post we talked about Beautiful Skin. Here's something more to it.

More often than not, we tend to overlook the importance of toning our skin. But that it comes second in the 3-step beauty-care regimen explains a lot. So here's a quick tip for a homemade toner, and I really think that this one will outperform - owing to its wonderful characteristic properties.

I am talking about Neem - which I feel is the Prime Minister of the country of Ayurveda.

We are all aware of the amazing qualities that Neem has and how these qualities work miraculously for our health, body and beauty. So instead of going there, I am directly coming to the Toner.

Take some Neem leaves, preferably the new,tender ones and wash them thoroughly. Then in a pan, bring water to a boil. Add these Neem leaves, and let the water boil till it becomes one-fourth. Once there, take the pan off the fire, and place it to cool to room temperature. Then you can collect the water in a clean bottle and refrigerate. This water can be used as a natural wonder toner for about a week. You may sieve off the leaves if you like. 

Usage: After cleaning the face, take some of this toner in a cotton swab and dab it all over your face gently. It will be easily absorbed  by the skin. Then go on to apply your moisturizer.

Unlike the face pack we mentioned in the previous post, this may not give visible results instantly. But you can bask in the glory of total satisfaction, that your skin is in the safest hands possible. Your own.

Neem being the best anti-septic will automatically work its way into curing whatever it can on the skin, all along while creating a protective layer over the skin. So there is control as well as prevention.

I recommend this, because I have seen this miracle in action over generations in my family. I was always the lazy, spoilt one, so it took me a whole lot of time to realize what I was missing. But now that I have, I am head over heels in love with it. So, I now invite you to try it and believe it. Just allow yourself some patience this time.

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 4 with - That Radiant Face...!!!

We've talked about Hair-Care. Now let's take up Skin Care.

This is the recipe for a face pack which can be used for all skin types, and as regularly as you want.

Take a cup of oats, add 2 cloves in it and grind it into a powder. Take 2 spoons of this flour, 1 spoon of milk   or curd, few drops of honey, few drops of rose water, some aloe vera gel and make a nice smooth paste. You can adjust the quantity of milk or curd as per the consistency required. Clean your face and apply this paste evenly on face and neck. Let it dry. Then with gentle circular motion of your hands, scrub it off and clean with water, preferably lukewarm. If you feel some dryness after washing your face, which may happen because winters have gloriously knocked already, or may be because of your skin type, apply your moisturizer.

With every use, you can feel the results. Since this is a very good scrub, you can feel it working on the black and white-heads (if any), specially in the T-zone. The oats particles do a gentle cleansing of the oil and dirt in the pores while honey takes care of the moisturizing. The cloves we added will make you feel instantly cool and fresh, and they also work medicinally well on probable or prior skin eruptions. The combination of Milk/Curd with Rose Water takes care of lightening and brightening the complexion. Rose water is also one of the best natural skin toners. Aloe-vera soothes and repairs the skin from the damages caused  by sun and pollution. The best thing about this face-pack is that since all the ingredients are totally natural, there will be no side-effects. Only skin care.

So there you are! Pretty much all of the skin care routine required (cleansing, toning, moisturizing, exfoliating, lightening, brightening ) in one single step. Easy, quick and rewarding. (Just the way I like it!)
This has worked for me, and therefore, I recommend this. But as I always say, try it to believe it. Wish you a Happy Skin in this Happy December, and always.

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 3 with - 7 ways to bust that stress instantly...!!!

Lets get straight to the point. We all deal with a whole deal of stress. Everyday. And we are forever looking for ways to bust it. Here are 7 of the ways that work for me, not particularly in the same order.

1. One deep breath and one Smile to Myself. Just this much!
Yes, this may sound crazy, and even the thought of doing it, may make you feel you are crazy. Or that I am suggesting this may make you think that I am crazy. Either way, this is it! Whenever I find myself overladen with emotions, in situations where I don't know what to do and how, when I am real angry, or may be mad at someone, I just step aside, take a deep breath and smile to myself. Now, this does not provide me with any quick-fix solutions, but here is what it does. It instantly releases happy hormones or Endorphins in my body, which switch my mood and bring in some clarity of thought, which in turn, eventually helps me think of a solution.

2. Half a lemon with some seasoning!
If I happen to be in a place where I have access to a fresh lime and some salt, I just slice it into 2 halves, take one, sprinkle some salt on it, and squeeze the juice out of it by pressing it between my teeth. Then I wash it down with have half a glass of water and there! Even if it is for half a minute, it makes me feel better, instantly.

3. Move. Just move!
Whenever I feel overwhelmed by thoughts which are bogging me down, or I find myself losing my cool, or if things start getting really out of hand, I just move from that place. Preferably into the open, where I can get some fresh air. And then, I breathe deeply. I close my eyes, and for a couple of minutes, just focus on the rhythm of my heartbeat. This again tends to increase the supply of oxygen to my head and heart and helps me look at things more rationally. All the reasoning and objectivity can then follow.

4. Green green tea!
I get myself  a cuppa of this wonder potion. I add honey or sugar, feel its warmth and take in its aroma as I hold my cup and have it slowly, one sip at a time, in solitude. I let the time lag and temporary detachment work in my favor, while the anti-oxidants work their way in my body and try to supply that clarity of thought again.

5. Dark dark chocolate!
Cliche, but true. If I can find it in my handbag or in the office canteen or anywhere right then, I just go and get a bite of dark chocolate. The bitter-sweet taste really feels magical in those flustered moments, and the whole rush to get it and savor it, simply adds to the soothing effect once the chocolate starts melting in my mouth. Here also, the deal is to detach myself from the ongoing trouble for a bit, so that the anti-oxidants of the chocolate assist my brain to think of a probable solution.

6. Eat something. Anything!
So the point is to just feed the body, so that it sends some energy to the brain. Now, I really am not so sure about the exact bio-mechanics at play here, but this really works for me. A cookie, a biscuit, fruit, any quick snack works equally well for me. 

7. Shifting focus in a flash!
I have a mental list of things that I am absolutely very fond of. And this list has become handy because I have seen it flash in my head so many times now. But yes, I keep adding new items to this list every day, or whenever I can. So, if in distress, I totally cut myself off from the scene for a bit, even if that means retiring to the washroom for my break, and do a quick mental recap of this favorite list - which reminds of some fun childhood memories, some jokes my nephews n nieces told me, those moments I had on stage, as a Compere or a performer or an Awardee etc. And 10 times out of 10, my mood gets an instant lift! And then, I am back!

So this is the list of my Super Seven. And I invite you all to try any or all of these. Please let me know how they work for you. And You must be surely having your own ways to bust that stress. If you feel like, do share them with me. 

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 2 with - Healthy Hair (1)...!!!

First thing first. If you are wondering what that "(1)" in the title stands for, it is simply to tell that there will be more posts coming for Healthy Hair. :)

Now with the Tip.

Healthy Hair begin with clean, happy hair. And DANDRUFF is one of the biggest nuisances. It affects dry scalps all right, which have not been oiled for a long long time, as the surface of the scalp becomes flaky and starts to shed off. But it equally affects oily skin as well, making the condition only worse. The flakes tend to stick onto the scalp, thereby blocking the pores and not letting the skin breathe. And the problem self-propagates.

So here's one solution that I believe to be sure-shot. I have tried this personally (though I had to do this just twice till now, and I give some credits to this tip! :) ) and hands down, I vouch for it.

Sour Curd and lemon. That's it!

Take some sour curd -the more sour the better - its quantity depending on the length of your hair. Just make sure it is not too watery. Squeeze in a lemon's juice in it. Mix well and apply to the roots of your hair in a gentle massaging manner. You may even comb your hair with a really wide-toothed comb, to make sure it is all over the scalp. Let it stay for about 30-45 minutes, and then wash off with your shampoo.

Now, quite obviously, this concoction will not smell that great, so you will need a good rinse with your shampoo and conditioner. The good thing is that the smell is tolerable and easily washes away. Just make sure to not overdo the lemon, as it is a really strong bleaching agent.

You will see visible results after your first attempt. That is one of the major reasons I stand by this tip. I really don't have a lot of patience, and I need instant results for my efforts. But if your dandruff is chronic, you may need a few attempts. Repeating this exercise at an interval of 2-3 days is good enough.

But apart from this, there are a few other things that need to be taken care of :
1. Keep the scalp clean. Very clean. Very very clean. This pretty much solves a lot of the problems in one go.
2. Go for regular oiling. But with the climate and pollution around, it is only advisable to keep it an overnight affair. More oil will attract more grease and dirt, all of which are dandruff's friendly cousins.
3. Eat healthy. An inclusion of sprouts and curd in your lunch daily is good enough to ensure healthy tresses. And healthy hair is happy, beautiful hair.

Hair is our crowning glory, and it deserves all our love and care. Let us give what it takes, because both our hair, and we, are worth it!

Lots of love. Stay tuned for more...!!!

Remember December 1 with - The 3 'C's of Health...!!!

Here's the first tip. Actually there are 3. 

For an instant mouth freshener, instead of those white synthetic chewables, try any of these - a clove bud, a cardamaom bud or a half-inch piece of Cinnamon. Keep any of these in your mouth and let them play around for a while. They have a lot of other benefits as well. 

Cloves - have antioxidants,  are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiviral, carminative, and are known to have aphrodisiac and stimulating properties.

Cardamoms - also have antioxidants, detoxify the body, improve blood circulation and complexion (Isn't this one really cool!), help in getting rid of hiccups, and even prevent and relieve cold and flu symptoms.

Cinnamon - reduces Bad Cholesterol levels, regulates Blood Sugar, helps prevent neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and is also a great tranquilizer in case of agitated mood or disturbed sleep. Just add a quarter tsp of Cinnamon powder in a glass of warm milk and have it before bedtime, you are most likely going to sleep like a baby!

So there you are. What begins as a mouth freshener goes a long way inside your body and in your healthy life! 

But just like I said, try it to beieve it!

Lots of Love. Stay tuned for more...!!! 

A December to Remember...!!!

Once again, it is that time of the year, when making party plans, decorating our homes for the Holiday season and getting the best gifts for Family and Friends is so happening. As far as I remember, I have spent most of the Decembers of my life under layers of clothing and with biting cold waves. But since last year, December has become a sort of favorite month for me - because of the amazing climate and of course, amazing company.

So I wanted to do a payback, which translates my gratitude.

And I want to do it here, on my blog. One post, everyday.

This whole month, I shall be posting bits on cooking, health, books, beauty, time management, stress management, DIY projects, my latest endeavors and the like. Now, I don't claim to be an authority in any of these, but everything I shall share is what I have learnt from experience. I have personally tried and tested all the tips that I shall be posting. 

And I invite you all to try them yourself, before believing in anything, said or written.

Since today is the 3rd, I shall be posting 3 articles in a row. And going forward, I shall be posting one article daily. 
(This is also a run-up for my New Year's Resolution that I want to make in 2015. More on it in the posts to come..!)

So stay tuned everyone, I am really hopeful that all this will make for a good read, and some good learning or experience.

Any queries or suggestions are more than welcome,and your feedback is eagerly awaited! Please leave a comment below, and I shall get back to you ASAP!

Happy December...!!!