10 Favourite Things.....

Got this flat lay to a C- (satisfactory minus) after 45 clicks & just when the camera battery was running out, by the way.

If you see what's bothering me about the arrangement now that I'm viewing it on a bigger screen, then you've also concluded that it's a murder, not a suicide. Wait, don't ask me to elaborate on that yet. I'm doing my own CBI investigation based on the countless & rather contradicting "Breaking News" on my Instagram explore.

I suddenly came up with this post, even though I have a number of long overdue ones in my drafts:

My 10 Favourite Things right now.....

SUMMER S E C R E T S

In the midst of a burgeoning disinterest in almost everything, a messed-up sleep schedule, becoming a background kindergarten teacher, 5-inch dark roots that keep screaming a hair colourist's name, zero mojo to finish drafted blog posts, and an entire SOUL that wants to be set free in Ambience Mall (or rather, where the air pressure is low & the fasten seatbelt sign is lit).... scratch that,  safe home/safe nearby mall is all that's needed.....

There are little hidden sanity keepers.....

* SECRET to feeling balanced during a stressful time  :

Eliminate TMI (too much information). You don't need to read all news, 

you don't need to view all Instagram stories/Whatsapp statuses. 

Avoid gossip accounts or deactivate some apps altogether.

* SECRET to dealing with nil mall shopping :

AJIO. Shopper's Stop. 

SAVE for bigger & bigger things, maybe?

* SECRET to finding something to watch on TV :

365 DNI. You'll maybe regret watching it, but still want a sequel.

Defending Jacob

Behind The Candelabra

The Sinner, Season 1

Big Bang Theory - It is as good as Friends.

Self Made

Love Is Blind (the only reality series I could get through)

DON'T bother with Season 2 of Four More Shots Please & that movie 'The Lodge'. Ugh!

*Added later: The Twelve (binge worthy!)

ZARA Mario Kart Sneakers

Hello, Everyone! Hope you're all doing good & staying safe.

I don't know if this is a post you would be interested in, but I couldn't help myself, because.....

THEY ARE TOO CUTE!!!

When the lockdown was lifted a bit, and we could take walks outside (the apartment, yes),

I realized that he needed new shoes, coz he's growing fast.

He's obsessed with MARIO & the whole gang, so I'm very happy I found these on 

ZARA at the right time.

I adore them so much that I don't want Zii to wear them outside & make them dirty ;p

I'm kidding, he'd already worn them & walked on the mud/grass, and I was cool about it.

He assisted me in this photoshoot, btw :)

Other Mario stuff in these pics:

Mario Cap: H&M

Figurines: Nintendo amiibo

Cars: Hot Wheels

Description:

Mario Kart sneakers with Mario, Luigi and Yoshi printed characters and embroidery. Adjustable lace-up fastening. Front and back pull tabs for slipping on with ease. Cotton Starfit insole and lining.

STARFIT®. Flexible technical polyurethane foam insole, designed to offer greater comfort.

L.A.Girl Glitterholic Glitter Topper 'Ooh La La'

~ P R O D U C T  of  the  M O N T H ~

L.A.Girl Glitterholic Glitter Topper in shade - 'Ooh La La'

What it is: 

Multi-dimensional formula pressed glitter. Use alone or over eyeshadow. 

IKEA India Haul (Decor) ~ My First Time

By popular demand, here's my IKEA Haul, that I did while in Hyderabad.

My first ever visit to an IKEA store. That too, years agter I wrote this post in 2013! So it is a monumental day...haha.

For those who don't know, there's only one IKEA store in India right now.

Firstly, OH MY GOD! It was an overwhelming, one-of-a-kind experience shopping there!

The store was HUGE! So huge, it felt like an industrial factory. 

I read it has a "Cafe", and this cafe is like a food court! You could literally live in the store for days! 😁

I loved the furniture & a lot of heavy things, but sadly we could only pack small things in suitcases.

IKEA could be opening their 2nd store in Gurgaon, which is where I'm at. So....I shall wait.

Maybe, then, I'll move into a brand new house, and fill it with Ikea everything, who knows.

In the meantime, here are the little things I managed to pick up in less than 2 hours.......

When I Shopped From My Own Makeup Collection

Have you seen posts & videos that say, "Shopping My Stash"?

What you do is shop from your drawers & see what useful products you can find,

which you have most likely forgotten about.

I was doing a FLASH SALE on my Instagram & also discarding some old stuff,

in hopes to de-clutter & live a more organised life overall.

And here's all the stuff that I found.....

I was thinking about buying brow stencils, and look what I found! LOOK!

Brow stencils set & more from Too Faced Brow Envy Kit

Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

Maybelline Brow Drama Pomade Crayon

Mistine Natural Eyeshadow Palette

To define & highlight bows:

 Deborah Milano Extra Pearl Stick Eyeshadow & Tony Moly Panda's Dream Contour Stick

Favourite Baby Beauty Products 2019

Ziizayne is turning 5 years old in less than 10 days, and I'm quite surprised that I have never done a baby beauty post!

There isn't a lot of baby bath/beauty brands here in India, so I seem to rotate among only a few brands. Also, I'm staying away from skincare products that have Parabens.

This year, these baby bath & beauty products are my favourites.....

Handbag Haul ~ BOW Edition

Hello! :)

I have nothing important to say, except that I completed the entire REIGN tv series. It's about the queen of Scotland & queen Elizabeth..... so much drah-ma, and I was hooked to it! 

Now it's over, and I'm feeling as EMPTY as these brand new handbags that reign my world ;p

I've christened only one of them - the black one.

LYN Mary Jane XS Bag

Now Reading : The Prettiest Book I've Ever Seen!

Most times, it's word-of-mouth that sells me a book.

Then, on rare occasions, I see a book at a store, and it just makes me feel something....

It calls out to me......

Not only because the blue on the cover is my favourite shade of blue, btw.

Pimples? Then You NEED This Product!

How many social events did you have to attend with a massive cystic pimple, that you can't conceal? 

Maybe it's too painful, maybe it's too big, maybe you don't want to antagonize the little b*tch more with makeup.......

One time, in Dundee, before heading out, I thought about putting a piece of cotton & then a band-aid on top of one gross cystic pimple I had. I can't recall whether I really did it, though. Knowing me, I probably did not have band-aid.

You even dread people staring at it, because they say pimples/sty get bigger/worst.

Worry no more. Now we have the answer to all that: COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patch.

It will protect, peel & heal those damn pimples in no time!

The patches, that look like glue drops, are fantastic & really work. The also come in 3 sizes.

Ingredients

Colorbar Nail Lacquer DAWN

♡ If you're looking for the perfect pastel yellow nail colour for summer ♡

Why Use An Eyelash Serum?

Apply Castor Oil.

Apply Vaseline.

Apply a mixture of castor, coconut & olive oils.

Eyelash surgery, where they'd sew individual hair on your eyelids.

....................

....................

I've read every article on eyelash thickening tips, but never tried any. I have never even seen Castor Oil in real life, but I swear I've been meaning to get it for my lashes since I was 18 years old!

I've only tried using Vaseline, which did improve the density of my lashes, but it always made my vision blurry when it got inside my eyes.....

....and now, I'm finally using the Etude House My Lash Serum....

This lash serum seem to be very popular, and it's one product with a lot more good reviews than bad ones. I think it's because it's not an overpriced eyelash product, that arouses high expectations. Everybody can try it, and keep buying it - like a convenience store lip balm.

Ingredients (taken from Etude House website): Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, ethanol, glycerin, phenoxyethanol, polyacrylic acid, tromethamine, blood not -32, blood not -6, disodium this dithiol this (???), dangyak extract, carbonate, biotin, sodium hyaluronidase, Maltodextrin, Ginseng Extract, Ethylhexyl Glycerin, iris extract, Aloe Vera leaf extract, Yellow No. 4.

*I see no Parabens on this list, whereas I've seen some sites list the common parabens. So, I really don't know.

The MOST BEAUTIFUL Beauty Product I've Ever Seen!

Aaahhhhhhhh!!! 

It's so beautiful, I want to cry..... and I want to put it next to my pillow when I sleep!

I Lilac You

Lilac.

I Lilac it too much right now. It will make all my decisions this year.

Featured Products:

COLab Unicorn Dry Shampoo

MAC  Mineralize Blush Sakura (Quite Cute Collection)

Etude House Dreaming Swan Eye & Cheek Blusher #4 Releve Purple.

Etude House Minnie Touch Blusher from XOXO Minnie Collection - More pictures here.

Inglot Eyeshadow 493 Shine. More pics here.

Colorbar Nail 'Sister's Secret' (more pics here)

Deborah Milano Fluid Velvet Liquid Mat #14 'Peonia'

Etam top

♡

I pictured this post differently, with a lot of amazing  LILAC things I don't have with me yet.

But I couldn't wait any longer, and picked stuff from my stash.

Another one is coming.....

Btw, did you notice I changed the blog color too? =D

HAPPY HOLI, EVERYONE! 

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The Only Lip Balms I Need

These are the only lip balms I've been using since 2018.....

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Lip Balm (Original) SPF 15 : So so surprised how good this one is! I love the curved shape made to fit lip shape. I wear matte liquid lipsticks all day, and this heals my super dry (and sometimes, tortured) lips overnight. 

Price: Rs.130.

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15:  If I had to pick one clear & simple lip balm I'd go back to, I guess I'd currently pick this. It does what its made for. I think this is my 2nd tube, if I remember correctly.

Price: Rs.164

Jub Jub Lip Balms: If I'm in the mood for flavored tinted lip balms, I use these eos dupes I found at a store in MBK Mall, Bangkok. They are very good, and maybe I like them better than the eos ones.

Price: Rs.345, each (approx.)

I got all 3 on the top shelf ~ Strawberry Cheesecake (which I'd finished), Hokkaido Melon, Berry Blossom.

♡

Now, Skincare & Lips. DONE! 

The Hair loss post many of you are waiting for is coming shortly.

Will be back later with another post....

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5 Girly Perfumes For Spring

5 Things:

 1. Spring Cleaning is #1 this month. Thinking about redecorating my dressing room too - some florals, some color....hope I don't get bored when I don't find what I want.

2. Two songs at the top of my playlist: WAR:Jay Sean & All I Got:Said The Sky & Kwesi.

3.  My help left on 3rd March for her village, and she'll be back till May. She's the best & doesn't talk much, and I don't know how I'll man--- well, I got another temp today..... but I miss my original one already! Sometimes, I feel like just ringing her in Bengal, and....I don't know.

4. Four More Shots Please on Prime. India's SATC, ladies! ;)

5. Five Girly Perfumes I selected for spring, during this "Spring Cleaning" phase of mine......

(Only 1 of them was gifted by a man. Others, by myself for myself.)

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream

Bulgari Rose Goldea

Dolce & Gabbana Dolce (More pics here)

Victoria's Secret Bombshell

Hugo Boss Ma Vie

♡

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My Casual Black Tights For Winter

Remember in Sex And The City when Carrie ran out of ideas, and thought about writing about her sock drawer - "Men as socks"?

Well... me, I would've thought about my tights drawer - "Men as tights". 

Like her, I don't know where I'd go with that.

(...and I'm afraid the one-liner in my head right now sounds kinda sexist.)

If you're interested to peek into a corner of said tights drawer, then here are my casual/everyday black tights this winter:

1. Velvet Plush Black Tights, Primark ~ Before leaving UK, I made it a point to get these. They're the warmest tights out there, and obviously quite thick.

2. Woolen Semi-Sheer Black Tights, Forever New ~ Semi-sheer with a cable knit type of pattern. Kind of an itchy material this, but they're warm.

3. Shimmery Tights, H&M ~ If disco pants look hideous on you, then shimmery tights could be an alternative =D

4. Sheer Polka Dot Black Tights, H&M ~  My moderately "dressy"-slash-casual tights. Every girl should own a pair of polka-dotted tights, I think :)

5. Fleece-Lined Black Tights, Primark ~ These are the best for any kind of winter, since you can wear them under jeans as well + they double up as socks.

6. 40 Denier Tights, H&M ~ Must-have tights for me. They're plain, between opaque & sheer, and go with everything. These came in a pack of 2.

 ♡

Couldn't post for 2 days, because I'm out of town & busy.

Will make up that. 

Speak again shortly.

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Cute Toddler Things

The first time Ziizayne asked me to buy this panda set at a store, I told him they're all broken & I'd search online instead. To him, this "ONLINE" is a magical place.

To me, it's where the discounts are (read: Firstcry)

Skip Hop Panda Plate, Bowl, Spoon & Fork Set 

(Don't you just LOVE Skip Hop stuff? So many animals to choose from!)

Mothercare Car Embossed Sweater

Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Volkswagen Beetle Checkmate Pawn.

If you're interested in the sweet props ~ Alpenliebe Strawberry & Soulfull Multigrain Loopies... and another Hot Wheels car just like that 😋

Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Volkswagen Beetle Checkmate Pawn

↑↑↑

Bought this for myself, because he didn't want to buy it (twice!) But now he wants it.

I gave it to him - in exchange for a Hot Wheels Minion Car ;p

♥

Happy Weekend, Everyone!

*This is a scheduled post, as I'm travelling today. 

Speak again on Monday.*

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Colorbar 1001 Nail Polishes ~ HAUL

Colorbar launched 1001 new nail polishes recently & I'm going C-R-A-Z-Y! 

I'm having trouble picking shades, even though the New U stores I went to didn't stock all 1001 shades. 

With Keratin & Almond Oil, and the formula is paraben-free. 

I picked up 2 shades one time, then I went back to get more...but then I didn't have enough time to pick carefully. So I managed to pick only 3 more. 

Sister's Secret #607 - Lilac

Pretty Face #822 ~ Rose pink

Lemonade # 1080 ~ Lemon yellow

Invisible #835 ~ Cool Nude

Salt & Pepper #1302 Arteffects ~ Baby blue with navy flecks

I'd already worn Sister's Secret and Salt & Pepper, and they're both great! The consistency is just right, nice brush, streak-free application & they don't chip easily either.

I wanna be in a room with ALL 1001 shades, and pick 20 more! =D

Price: Rs.199 

(THANK YOU, Colorbar! For keeping it under 200 bucks.)

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LOTD: M I G R A I N E

12:07 am:

I swallow the tiny orange pill. Migraine, the neurologist had named the bastard on the

 right side of my head, after probing me with questions about my personal life & lifestyle. He had his hand under his chin & made eye contact. I had my hand on my Michael Kors 'Cynthia' satchel & made up some lies about my daily routine. 

What a dull suburban existence I painted for him. If he only knew....

1:45 am:

I'm staring at a meme of a cat clawing at a donut from 

a distance & then withdrawing, like it's an explosive. 

[Caption: 'Me on a diet']

I imagine myself at ZARA doing the same when I see another winter jacket I don't really need. 

The pill should make me drowsy by now. My head throbs & my right eye twitches. 

I shut my eyes. 

2:20 am:

I'm running my fingers on a thick vein that's popped up on my forehead.

It feels like a worm, eww! Was Monica's Thanksgiving vein like this? 

Arghh! Useless pill! 1 week & nothing!

 I'll call the Doctor tomorrow.....

*Oh, c'mon! You don't need a CT Scan! Don't treat me like your fucking enemy! 

I'm your friend & I'm here to tell you something 

that's already in your head. You know something. 

What is it? I will not leave until you see it! 

OPEN YOUR EYES! OPEN YOUR EYES, GODDAMNIT!!!*

3:43 am:

I'm sweating. My eyes & pillow are wet. I can't move. 

I saw. On the ceiling. Faces...images....answers.

Like iron on quicksand, I sink into slumber in seconds. 

11:16 am:

I toss 7 tiny orange pills I no longer need in the bin. Tricyclic Antidepressants, Google informs. 

For treatment of Migraines, Depression & Bedwetting. 

10-year-old CZ finally gets an explanation for the humiliating recurrent bedwetting. 

What child can link susu on the bed to depression? I forgive her now.

Past & Present mysteries. Unraveled.

Follow your heart, they say. But your head.... your head will always 

give you more than you bargained for - if you'd only listen to what it has to say. 

*************

Top: ZARA

Jeans: Aeropostle

Hairband: Forever 21

Lipstick: Fenty Beauty Stunna Lip Paint in Uncensored.

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