Author: Arzoo Hamal

2015: a year of big fat Indian weddings

2015 was a year of big weddings. From our favourite B-town celebs to eminent personalities from the world of fashion, crickets and politics; there is a long list of celebrities who found their soul mates this year. Take a look at famous personalities who got hitched in 2015.

#1 Arpita Khan and Aayush Sharma

Arpita’s wedding was not less than a fairytale. Salman Khan did every bit to make the wedding extravagant for his beloved sister. This big fat Indian wedding was attended by Bollywood stars, famous businessmen and the politicians of India. Arpita and Ayush for sure lived a dream wedding that was filled with glitz, glamour, celebrity performances and expensive gifts.

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#2 Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput

How can a mention of weddings be complete without the Shahid-Mira refererence?The dashing Shahid Kapoor’s got married to Mira Rajput in what we can call a fairytale wedding. The two got married in a Gurudwara where only their close family members and friends were spotted, however the reception at The Oberoi Hotel was the talk of the town.

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#3 Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu

The nawabi princess finally got married to her soulmate Kunal Khemu. The actors fell in love while shooting for Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge and were inseparable ever since. Kunal proposed to her in Paris and the two registered their marriage at their residence, as they wanted to keep it simple.

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#4 Masaba Gupta and Madhu Mantena

Designer Masaba Gupta and filmmaker Madhu Mantena tied the knot on the 2^nd of June but decided to hold the ceremonies in November. While the wedding was a simple affair held in the Mumbai court, the celebration lasted for three days and was nothing less than grand. Many B-town personalities, including the designer’s newlywed close friends Shahid and Mira Kapoor, were a part of the ceremonies.

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#5 Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra

Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh recently got married to his long time beau Geeta Basra.A wedding had been on the cards for this couple for a long time and they finally decided to tie the knot in 2015. There were many famous people in attendance at the wedding including Mr.Manmohan Singh and Mr. Narendra Modi.

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#6 Kunal Kapoor and Naina Bachchan

Actor Kunal Kapoor who has acted in hits like Rang de Basanti, got hitched with Amitabh Bachchan’s niece Naina. The two had been in a relationship for two years before they got married in Seychelles. We wish the both of them a very happy married life.

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#7 Shreya Ghoshal and Shiladitya Mukhopadhyaya

The gorgeous nightingale of Bollywood, Shreya Ghoshal got married to her longtime boyfriend on 5^th February, 2015. The wedding followed Bengali rituals and was attended byjust close family and friends.

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#8 Minissha Lamba and Ryan Tham

Bachna Ae Haseeno’s Minissha Lamba finally walked the aisle with Ryan. The news of the two being together had reached us long back in 2013 but the two finally took the plunge in 2015. The couple decided to keep things simple and got married in the Mumbai Court, where Minissha was dressed in a casual tee teamed with denims.

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#9 Abhishek Kapoor and Pragya Yadav

The director of Kai Po Che broke many hearts as he took vows with girlfriend Pragya Yadav on 4^th May at Iskcon temple in Mumbai. The wedding was followed by a grand reception making it a big fat Indian wedding. Pragya is a Sweden-based Bollywood actor; the two lovebirds have been seeing each other since 2013.

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#10 Suresh Raina and Priyanka Chaudhary

The heartthrob of the Indian cricket team had a big fat Indian wedding on 3^rd April, 2015. His better half Priyanka Chaudhary was his childhood friend. It was an arranged marriage and Priyanka was in fact Suresh’s mother’s choice for the family.

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#11 Harshdeep Kaur and Mankeet singh

Singer Harshdeep Kaur known to mesmerise the crowd with her melodious voice also got married this year. The singer has sung songs that every girl relates to while getting married, Kabira being the most famous one. Harshdeep tied the knot with her best friend Mankeet on 21th March.

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#12 Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal

This couple kept their relationship aloof but their wedding was an actual a big fat Indian wedding. The pretty Squash player Dipika Pallikal and Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik got hitched this year. The wedding solemnized following Hindu and Christian rituals. August 18^th saw the bride taking vows in front of the altar, whereas on the 20^th august Dipika was dressed as a Hindu bride.

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December 22, 2015
Six lame issues that made headlines in 2015

News headlines form a very important part of our daily routine. They provide us with information, help us form opinions and make us aware of the events happening around the world. However, over the years, there have been headlines that are neither informative nor newsworthy and 2015 sadly had quite a lot of them. Take a look at these issues that made for lame headlines in 2015.

#1 Forensic facial expert reconstructs Jesus Christ’s face using ancient skulls

Jesus has got as new face according to the forensic experts and he surely looks older and hotter. But we don’t think it qualifies for a news story that people would give two hoots about!

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#2 Shah Rukh Khan invites fans to book advance tickets for ‘Dilwale’

Shah Rukh Khan has put a lot of sweat and toil into his latest movie Dilwale and did not leave any stone unturned to promote the movie. But the headlines of leading daily actually read ‘Shah Rukh Khan invites fans to book advance tickets for Dilwale’ ahead of the movies release and let’s just say it’s not something to be in the papers. Now this fits in the list of lame issues that made headlines

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#3 Kim Kardashian and Kanye West haven’t had sex in months

All our sympathies are with Kim Kardashian, but do we really care about how her sex life was going and how uncomfortable it was sexually to be carrying their baby boy (Saint West) before the delivery?

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#4 Salman Khan to get a bride from Deepika Padukone on 50th birthday

B-town’s heartthrob Salman Khan is about to turn 50 this year. When the media asked Deepika in an interview about her plans for Salman’s birthday she said she would gift him a bride. All of us know she was talking in thin air and we can only hope to see Salman Khan to be the groom, but headlines! Seriously?

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#5 Breakthrough techniques made birth of test tube dogs possible

After years and years of trying, the day has come when we can have test tube dogs. Is it the dearth of dogs or it’s their loyalty toward their mate that has compelled us to come up with a utilitarian alternative to have puppies? That much research and money could’ve easily been used somewhere more productive.

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#6 Man allegedly used Facebook, Instagram to find women just to steal their underwear

I think the headline is enough for this story to follow the agenda. A 44 year old man of Menifee, California Seems to have a fetish for under garments and paved his way to find different under undergarment with the help of social networking sites. He is also accused of stealing electronic gadgets that are handy like laptops and tablets, which we are sure, must be helping him look for better undergarments. So guys make sure you keep yours safely.

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December 21, 2015
Most followed Bollywood celebrities on Instagram in 2015

Celebrities live a life that most of us can only dream of. Their elite parties, exquisite collection of designer dresses and their trips to different places make us want to know everything they’ve been upto. And thanks to social media, it is now possible for fans to get their share of the pie with a single click. Apps like Instagram have made it very easy for celebrities to share their personal moments with their fans and it’s hard to deny that the double tap has become a part of the fans’ lives too.

As 2015 comes to a wrap, we take a look at the most followed Bollywood celebrities on Instagram this year and the reasons behind it.

#1 Deepika Padukone

Followers on Instagram: 4.9 million

The strikingly unbeatable Deepika Padukone has always charmed people with her sophistication and style. This Bollywood diva is the most popular Bollywood celebrity on Instagram in 2015 and it’s all thanks to the two big releases (Tamasha and Bajirao Mastani) and many promotion rounds. And we don’t feel it’s just the movies, beau Ranveer Singh also has a very important role to play in making her this popular. Their picture-perfect love story keeps the fans wanting to see more of them, all the time. She has hailed 4.9 million followers and her fan following seems to be increasing day by day.

Instagram handle: @deepikapadukone

#2 Alia Bhatt

Followers on Instagram: 4.3 million

Next in line is the young and vibrant Alia Bhatt giving a tough competition to many longstanding Bollywood actors. Her early morning selfies and her style quotient have made her an inspiration among the youth. In spite of her much publicised movie Shaandaar bombing at the box office, her Instagram following seems to be going strong.This bubbly actor is the second most popular star with 4.3 million followers on Instagram.

Instagram handle: @aliaabhatt

#3 Priyanka Chopra

Followers on Instagram: 4.2 million

With a successful American teleseries (Quantico) up her sleeve along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani, Priyanka Chopra sits pretty on the third spot of the most followed Bollywood celebrities on Instagram in 2015. She is without a doubt the best representative of woman power in Bollywood today and it’s no surprise that she has garnered a following of 4.2 million fans on Instagram.

Instagram handle: @priyankachopra

#4 Shraddha Kapoor

Followers on Instagram: 3.8 million

The versatile Shraddha Kapoor lacks nowhere; she is the fourth most popular Bollywood celeb on Instagram and we aren’t surprised. With that innocent face (that almost-totally works for her) and her knack for acting beautifully, especially in movies like Haider and Aashiqui 2, Shraddha Kapoor has garnered a fan following of 3.8 million people.

Instagram handle: @shraddhakapoor

#5 Jacqueline Fernandez

Followers on Instagram: 3.6 million

The Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez scores the fifth spot on the list of most followed Bollywood celebrities on Instagram in 2015 not just because of how gorgeous she is, but also because of the fashion and fitness inspiration she provides to her fans on a regular basis. You will also find her giving makeup tutorials on Instagram to nail that perfect Friday night look.

Instagram handle: @jacquelinef143

#6 Sonam Kapoor

Followers on Instagram: 3.5 million

Just a little short of her BFF, Sonam Kapoor secures the fifth spot with 3.5 million followers on Instagram. This B-town fashionista always stays in the limelight for her outfits but we must add that her Instagram feed has seen more Dubsmash videos than clothes this year owing to her Prem Ratan Dhan Payo promotions.

Instagram handle: @sonamkapoor

#7 Shahid Kapoor

Followers on Instagram: 2.9 million

The most popular male Bollywood actor on Instagram in 2015 goes to none other than Shahid Kapoor. The credit for his social media following does not only go to this handsome actor himself but also to his beautiful new non-Bollywood wife Mira Rajput. Surprising the fans with his sudden wedding plans, the hashtag #ShahidKiShaadi added to the stars popularity on various social media portals including Instagram.

Instagram handle:@shahidkapoor

December 18, 2015
iTrafficCop: An app that enables users to report real time traffic violations!

Living in a big city has its own perks, but with those perks come several other annoying factors that we just cannot avoid. For starters, lets talk about traffic and the road-rage we face on a daily basis. Following traffic rules and handling a vehicle on the road is not child’s play, since every individual behind the wheel carries huge a responsibility on his shoulder (sadly not everyone understands that).

For the same reason, Perseverance IT Solutions, Pvt. Ltd. has come up with the ‘iTrafficCop’ app as a part of their CSR initiative. The App acts as a code of conduct for people driving their vehicles on roads.

With its easy to use interface, iTrafficCop displays sliders that constantly change providing its users with all the traffic rules that are mandatory to follow. Not just that, the app also shows the consequences one has to face upon violating them.

iTrafficCop aims to provide a social platform to the citizens to raise their voice against the violation of traffic rules. The app enables you to upload videos of the people violating rules and can also be used as evidence in case of accidents. iTrafficCop is free of cost and can be downloaded on any Android and iOS phones. We’d like to call it an initiative that brings law enforcement agencies closer to the citizens by encouraging public participation. This in-turn will help us in making our roads free of traffic violations ensuring every citizen on the road feels safe and secure.

December 17, 2015
Eight places one must visit in Nepal

Talking about foreign trips most of us generally choose Europe, America or Thailand but have you ever thought of visiting your neighbouring country Nepal? Nepal is not just confined to Mount Everest and Kathmandu; it’s rich in natural beauty and can be the perfect getaway destination for most of us living in North India. Here are a few places one must visit in Nepal to make the most out of their trip.

#1 Rara Lake

Rara lake falls in the Muga District of Nepal and is very famous among trekkers. Rara lake is the biggest and the deepest fresh water lake and lies at an altitude of 2,990 metres above sea level. The lake is surrounded by Rara National park that was established to preserve its rich flora and fauna. The park’s flora consists of 1074 species out of which 16 are found exclusively only in Nepal. The national park is home to 51 species of mammals and 214 species of birds. You will also spot the unique Rara lake frogs that are found only near the lake.

How to get there: If you live in Delhi you can plan a road trip to Jumla, the base to begin the trek. Alternatively, you also have an option of taking a direct bus to Jumla from Dhangadhi. The nearest border from Delhi is Dhangadhi (425kms) and Jumla is another 491 kilometres from Dhangadhi.

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#2 Khaptad National Park

Khaptad National Park also known as Lord Shiva’s paradise is a four days trek. It covers an area of 225 kilometres and lies in the far west region of Nepal stretching over four districts. Khaptad is named after a sage who meditated there for 50 years. It is a Hindu pilgrimage and has devotees of lord Shiva paying homage to him mostly on full moon nights. This elevated plateau will remind you of the old wallpapers of your computer screens; the meadows and the green grass fields with a variety of flora and fauna is breathtaking.

How to get there: It is advisable to take a bus or a cab from Dhangadhi to Silgari, the base to start the trek.

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#3 Bardia National Park

Bardia National Park is one of the largest national parks in the far west region of Nepal, spread over an area of 968 kilometres and has at least 53 mammals including Bengal tigers and rhinoceroses. The jungle is famous for reptiles like pythons and has a unique patch of land that has salty sand, eaten by the pregnant animals craving for sour food. Bardia National Park gained immense popularity after Leonardo Dicaprio paid a visit to Bardia.

How to get there: The most convenient way to get there is by road. It is 98.3 kilometres away from the Dhangadhi border.

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#4 Tikapur

Tikapur is the most planned town in Nepal. The town originally belongs to the Tharu community of Nepal. The tribal Tharu community is one of the oldest tribes of Nepal. The town is rich in its culture and heritage and has been famous for its Tikapur park that has cottages of the previous kings and is quite different from the pictures that Google offers. The park is situated on the shore of the Karnali River. Tikapur is famous for its beach resorts and rafting. The town also has a wide spread of banana cultivation. If you visit Tikapur, you must visit the Dinesh banana resort, they serve almost 37 items of bananas starting from banana brandy to banana momos.

How to get there: Tikapur is 100.4 kilometers away from the Dhangadhi border, has direct buses going from Dhangadhi or you could drive. Indian cars do not require separate papers to enter Nepal. All you have to do is pay the fair for the number of days you wish to stay. The custom office at the border provides you with a receipts to let you enter.

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#5 Chitwan National Park

Situated at the foot of Himalayas, this national park of the Terai Region is the very first national park of Nepal. Chitwan is rich in its flora and fauna and has a large population of the endemic single-horned Asiatic rhinoceroses. It is also one of the last refuges for the Bengal tigers.

How to get there: It’s not very difficult to get there, it falls in the southern central Terai of Nepal, that makes it convenient to get there from any part of Nepal. You can take a direct bus from Dhangadhi to Chitwan, or a flight from Delhi to Kathmandu and Kathmandu to Chitwan.

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#6 Gokyo lakes

Sagarmatha national park alias Everest national park, is surrounded by world’s highest fresh water lakes. Gokyo lakes, that are located in the Sagarmatha national park, comprise six oligotrophic lakes. The month of August witnesses many travellers which makes it the best time to visit these lakes. The lakes also hold religious importance for the Buddhists and the Hindus. The Hindus take a holy bath in the lake as it is considered to be Nag Devata’s residence. The lakes also have temples of lord Shiva and lord Vishnu which has increased the relevance of the place. The inhabitants of this region consider it a bad omen to hunt or harm the birds and the wild, which has played a key role in protecting its fauna.

How to get there: Fly from Delhi to Kathmandu. Stay there for a day and take the next flight to Lukla and start the trek from Lukla.

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#7 Mustang

It is next to impossible to describe the Mustang region of Nepal. This area is divided into two parts the upper Mustang region and the Mustang District and has everything that the mountains can offer. Mustang holds great relevance in the Tibetan history. It is the land of Sherpas and the Tibetan refugees,however foreigners need to pay to enter the upper Mustang region. The Mt Dhaulagiri , Muktinath Temple and Kali Gandaki Valley are the main attraction of this region. Mustang is also famous for its Apple orchids, marijuana , and Marpha brandy.

How to get there: Fly from Delhi to Kathmandu and Kathmandu and Pokhara have direct flights to Jomsom (the headquarter of Mustang district).

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#8 Api Himal

Not many of us have heard of the Api Himal, a mountain range with an elevation of 7132 metres, that is located in the extreme northwest region of Nepal. Nearing the border of India and Tibet, Api is the highest peak in the Yoka Pahar section of Gurans Himalayas. The trek to Api is comparatively difficult than the other treks and it is a major mountain expedition. The best months to climb are April to May, and the most convenient centre to start the trek is Baitadi, Nepal.

How to get there: The driving distance from Delhi and Dharchula is 568 kilometres, the trek starts from Dharchula. There are no direct buses from Delhi to Dharchula but you can book cabs to ferry you. The cheapest way to reach Dharchula from New Delhi is to take State Transport Bus from New Delhi to Tanakpur then take a taxi from Tanakpur to Dharchula.

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December 15, 2015
Ten songs you must have on your playlist this Christmas

Christmas is a festival awaited by all, the illusion of Santa coming down in his sleigh and showering gifts thrills the most of us. Christmas is all about making merry, enjoying the scrumptious food, plum cakes and wine and it’s definitely incomplete without the carols and the songs. Check out these songs that have been made especially for this festive season, they will definitely set your mood for Christmas!

#1 All I Want For Christmas Is You

Sung by Mariah Carey, All I want for Christmas, is the perfect song to ring in the celebrations with a loved one. Make this song a part of your playlist and get into the festive spirit.

#2 Mistletoe

Justin Bieber says it all in the first line of the song, ‘It’s the most beautiful time of the year’ and this track for sure will bring a smile on your face while making your Christmas even more beautiful

#3 Ultimate Christmas Party

A celebration without people dancing is dull and boring, Ultimate Christmas PartyMegaMix by DJ pluTONYum is just right for parties, making you want to hit the dance floor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ztt7rZGAvw

#4 Christmas dance mix 2015

The beats of this medley, will compel you to dance to its tunes.

#5 Last Christmas

Last Christmas by Geaorge Michael, has been the most popular track for decades and continues to remain so.

#6 Auld Lang Syne

This is the best cover for the evergreen Christmas carol, Auld Lang Syne, the singer to this is unknown but it is sure to make every Christmas party fun.

#7 Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer

I am sure this track will make most of us nostalgic, and take us back to our childhood days. This track is a cover of Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer by Amasic.

#8 Little Drummer Boy

Little Drummer Boy, by Whitney Huston and Bobbi Kristina, must be a part of your playlist this Christmas.

#9 Let it Snow

Let it snow is another classic by Dean Martin that deserves to be on your Christmas playlist

#10 Silent Night

The first song that comes to our mind while talking about carols is silent night, so how can we ever miss out on it.

December 14, 2015
7 real wishes Santa must grant this Christmas

‘Ask and thou shall receive’, reads the bible. It’s high time we start being cautious about what we ask for and incline our wishes towards the welfare of the society. Human beings are said to be the only sensible beings and are expected to be empathetic towards one another. But somehow there are various factors that have been responsible in spreading misery around the world, certain factors are man made and the rest are natural calamities. Take a look at these seven wishes we have for Santa this Christmas that’ll help the world be a better place to live in.

#1 Earthquakes

We witnessed a major natural calamity this year. The devastating earthquake that happened in Nepal, took a toll on many lives, I am sure none of us would want to see a sight like that ever again. Let’s ask Santa to stop earthquakes for good and help those who were affected by it.

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#2 Chennai Floods

The floods in Chennai, has left many people helpless, let us all pray for each one of them asking Santa to give them the strength to tackle the situation and help each other overcome the disaster.

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#3 Secularism and equality

People once had compassion and love for each other however, issues related to religion have made situations obnoxious. People often forget that the most supreme religion is humanity and we are far from following it. So instead of blaming religions and beliefs, we hope that people look for real solution to problems that are hampering world peace.

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#4 Rapes and Molestation

If love is supposed to knit people together, why do we constantly get to hear about rage and desperation and the havoc it creates? Rape and molestation cases have reached a shockingly high number making it impossible for women in many countries to feel safe. It’s a shame that not just girls but even young boys are unsafe. We hope that this year onward, the numbers that increase are of aware and educated people that help eradicate such social evils from the society.

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#5 Fly to Freedom

Human trafficking has becoming a serious issue. Not only are people devoid of their basic rights but problems like bondage, labour and sex-trafficking seem to have taken the front seat in many parts of the world. We hope the festive spirit and Santa abolishes such social demons.

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#6 Poverty

Another social evil, poverty, is one of the leading causes of suffering for many people. We hope the world moves to fairer practices and everyone gets an opportunity to earn decent bread and live their lives like they were meant to.

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#7 Corruption

All of us are troubled by corruption all over the world, be it hospitals, police stations or even educational institutions. We hope that the deserving get what is right and corruption is swept out of this world forever, let this be one of the wishes Santa must grant this Christmas.

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featured image copy right: BCCL 2013

December 14, 2015
Straight from the runway: 2015 fall trends to swear by

Beat the winter blues with these latest trends straight from the runway for you to step out in style. From the 70’s flair to couture classics, dress up this winter with these 2015 fall trends that will surely become your favourites in no time.

1)      Bling is back

Gone are the days when the runway was all about minimal accessories. Oversized accessories are back and that too with a bang. Make your winter ensembles bright by adding some bling with chunky accessories like brooches, earrings and even nose rings as seen on the runway.

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2)     Hello kitten heels

Designers across the globe have proved that it’s not necessary to wear sky high heels to make an outfit stand out. Lady loafers with kitten heels have become a must have this season.

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3)      Pleated goods

Remember Rachel from friends? It’s time to take inspiration from her and pair your favourite pleated car wash skirts with warm legging this fall.

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4)      Victorian is the name of the game

Say goodbye to your ordinary gloves and beat the frigid winters with fur cuffs. Easy to pair with any outfit, fur cuffs will add that extra oomph to your winter wardrobe.

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5)      Capes, capes and capes

Chic and effortless, capes are a huge hit this season and can transform any winter outfit from drab to fab.

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6)      Plaid game

Ever so stylish and versatile, plaids are having a major moment this season, particularly red plaid. Perfect for a casual day out with your friends; pair it up with your favourite denims or even with leather pants and dress the part.

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7)      Geometry meets colour

Keep up with this season’s most trendy print and leave an impact everywhere you go with geometric prints in bright bold colours.

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8)      Puffer coats

There’s nothing else that shouts typical cold weather than puffer coats. Try out something different by buying printed, leather or fur puffer coats and look stylish this winter.

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9)      Flares

This 70s trend is making a comeback this season and is taking its toll on the runway. Take a break from your usual skinny jeans and look chic with flared pants in different shades and styles.

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10)   Sweater weather

Keep yourself warm this winter with chunky knits and team them up with slimmer silhouettes to balance your look.

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December 10, 2015
The moment you realise that Shilpa Shetty’s most recent track is a mini advertisement for several brands!

We get to see Shilpa Shetty once in a blue moon on the big screens these days, but each time she comes back her work is commendable. We are not too sure if we can say the same about her most recent track ‘wedding ka season hai’, well it comes across as a mini advertisement for several brands to us.

If u are a good observer, we are sure our thoughts don’t vary much. The song starts with Shilpa holding a wedding card designed by a famous Indian wedding card designer Ravish Kapoor (well that makes it number 1). What follows next is Shilpa wearing Nirav Modi’s ‘Mughal Garden’ necklace teamed with a pair of Mughal ear-clips and embrace bangles (number 2).

She has effortlessly managed to promote Nirav Modi’s jewellery collection throughout the song, and amidst all this you will also spot her giving out Subash Sarees and Beyond’s shopping bag to the bride (ahem, number 3).

Goes without saying, this song is perfect for big fat Indian weddings (as it centers around different communities) and makes us want to dance to its tunes.

Picture courtesy T-Series and Gulshan Kumar production

December 9, 2015
Reviews: best makeup setting sprays you need to try now!

Flakiness, oily skin and unavoidable weather conditions are the arch nemesis of makeup longevity and if makeup meltdown is also ruining your jam then fret no more. Enter makeup setting sprays! Setting sprays are an essential part of your makeup routine, the right makeup setting spray can work wonders. Not only do they lock everything in place, they also offer a choice of matte or dewy complexion and even some SPF for those days in the sun.

Just like hair sprays, makeup setting sprays are designed to keep your makeup in place and prolong its hold. Here are three of the best makeup setting sprays available in the market that will make sure you’re makeup stays put.

1)    All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray by Urban Decay

Famous amongst all makeup maniacs, this weightless setting spray keeps your makeup in place for more than 16 hours. It lowers the temperature of your makeup to keep your foundation, concealer, blusher, eye shadow etc. in place even in hot, humid and moist climates. It prolongs the longevity of your makeup and adds polish to your skin making it look dewy at the same time leaving a matteeffect.

Available here at: ebay.in

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2)      Prep+Prime+ Fix+ by MAC

Commonly known as MAC’s fix plus, this mineral rich finishing mist freezes makeup for upto 12 hours and doubles up as a primer to help create an even surface for smooth makeup application. It is especially designed to take off the powdery and cakey edge from your makeup leaving your skin soft and fresh. Professional makeup artist’s favourite, this setting spray consists of many anti-oxidants such as chamomile, green tea and caffeine that revive your skin.

Available here at amazon.in

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3)       Fix Make-Up by Clarins:

First ever makeup setting spray in the world of beauty, Fix Make-Up by Clarins, has evolved its formula over the years making it one of the best makeup setting sprays available in the market. This setting spray magically increases your skin’s hydration and boostsradiance at the same time holding your makeup for much longer than usual. It consists of vitamin C extracts from grapefruit thatget absorbed into the skin and controls shine.

Available at all Clarins outlets.

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Make your own setting spray at home

You can even make your own makeup setting spray at home using these simple ingredients from your bathroom cabinet.

All you need is a small spray bottle (available at all drug stores or in your travel toiletries), rose water and glycerine. Just add 1 tablespoon of glycerine to half a cup of rose water and mix well. Pour it into the spray bottle and voila you have your very own setting spray.

December 9, 2015
Blast from the past: We bet you won’t recognise this Bollywood diva from 2009!

All you Sonam Kapoor fans out there; brace yourselves!

We all idolise our very own B-town style-diva and are proud of the fact that she transformed herself from weighing 90 kilos to 57 kilos before her debut. This was one of the most symbolic transformations and an inspiration for many! But everybody has skeletons in their closets (no pointing fingers here) and we shouldn’t shy away from them. Learn from Ms. Kapoor.

Take a look at these pictures from Vikram Chatwal’s bash from 2009 that will leave you shocked (And we are not kidding)!

If that is what she looked then and this is what she looks 6 years later, we take a bow.

#NeerjaBhanot #neerja #firstday #19thfeb #Repost @rheakapoor ・・・ @sonamkapoor in @ashistudio today for The taping of Aaj Ki raat hai zindagi on Star Plus! Jewels courtesy @lemill

A photo posted by sonamkapoor (@sonamkapoor) on Dec 4, 2015 at 7:06am PST

December 9, 2015
These beauty tools might look weird but they are very important

Every makeup lover has a special place in her heart for beauty tools. That feeling of walking into a Sephora store and spotting that new makeup brush is better than finding out that you lost a kilo. And while most beauty and makeup tools are common knowledge, there are a few tools that are normally ignored until you get to them and find out that they are the real dope. You might have seen these weird beauty tools many times and chosen to give them a pass but these tools can be surprisingly useful and will only make your makeup routine simpler.

From scary-looking brushes to a suction device that plumps your pout, here are ten weird beauty tools that you need to add to your makeup kit now!

1) 3-D Bomb curl brush

Easy to use despite its weird appearance, this brush can give your hair fuller curls within minutes.

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2) Mascara guard

A mascara guard is that important shield that protects your mascara from automatically transferring on to your skin (like your eyelids) while you’re applying it. Easy to use on both upper and lower lash lines, this weird beauty tool is a must have for every makeup enthusiast.

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3) Brush cleaning glove

As the name explains, these gloves are designed to help you keep your makeup brushes clean. We all know how lazy women get when it comes to cleaning makeup brushes, not anymore! Use these gloves to clean you makeup brushes quickly and easily.

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4) Beauty spoon

Beauty spoons are those magical spoons that are used to remove leftover product at the end of the container that is otherwise almost unreachable. Use this brush to scoop ‘em out and feel good about your investments.

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5) Brow compass

Use a brow compass to get those perfect celeb-like symmetrical eye brows.

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6) Lip Plumping enhancers

Say hello to Kylie Jenner lips, with lip plumping enhancers. Just place it on your lips and suck in your lips in for a minute and get fuller lips instantly.

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7) Pro-contour blender

This weird looking makeup brush is ideal to make contouring an easy task. Its super fine bristles blend the product very nicely into your skin without leaving any harsh lines.

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8) Nail paint protector clips

Clip this tool onto your fingers before you paint your nails and say goodbye to nail paint that spills on to your cuticles, forever!

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9) Makeup blending wool paddle brush

Made of real wool, this paddle brush is an ideal beauty tool for blending your makeup in just a couple of strokes.

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10) Facial hair removing spring

This weird looking spring is extremely effective for removing facial hairs without damaging the hair follicles.

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December 8, 2015
Mumbai airport celebrity diaries: spotted Kareena, Kangana, Sonam and many more

Mumbai airport was found flooded with celebrities last weekend, each one of them dressed quite differently than the other.

Kareena and Kangana were spotted together at the airport for their appearance at the HT Leadership Summit, where both of them were full of praises for each other. Kangana gave us two different looks and the former just one. Kareena was seen wearing a casual pullover with denims and a pair of black knee-length boots. Kangana on the other hand carried out a funky look wearing a bomber jacket and her baggy pants followed by a second look in a shirt and skirt combo teamed with a Burberry trench.

Bollywood’s very own fashionista, Sonam Kapoor looked quite similar to Kareena Kapoor in a routine white tee and denim look, teamed with an oversized cardigan.Vidya Balan looked her usual self wearing a comfy shirt-kurta paired with flats looking slightly in-character from her upcoming thriller, Ribhu Dasgupta’s Te3n.

Rocking the November look in December, Ranvir Shorey was also seen at the airport keeping it very casual, if we might call it, dressed in a hulk tee and denims.

Picture courtesy Viral Bhayani.

December 7, 2015
Style meets glamour at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015, Mumbai

Mumbai witnessed a two day extravaganza of style and glamour as the 11th edition of Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015 kicked off on 4th of December at the Grand Hyatt hotel.

The tour commenced on 4^th December and presented gorgeous creations by designers JJ Valaya, Rahul Mishra, Masaba Gupta and designer duo Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna over two days. Take a look at the pictures from the event.

Day 1 at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015 began with simple yet edgy outfits, a trademark aesthetic, by designer Rahul Mishra in shades of black, blue and white. Models walked the ramp wearing ensembles perfect for fall with hint of sheer and leather in subtle prints.

The day ended with an exhilarating show by designer JJ Valaya who left everyone mesmerised with his designs. His collection named ‘The Bolshoi Bazaar’, consisted of suits and sarees with intricate embroidery in shades of scarlet, red and indigo. Actress Sonakshi Sinha stole the show with her smile as she walked the ramp for the designer looking glamourous in a red lehenga.

Day 2 at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015 witnessed a modern twist with innovative and quirky creations by designer Masaba Gupta. Models walked the ramp wearing short jackets, capes and shirt dresses with a hint of bling in bold and bright shades of blue, orange, pink and yellow.

The second day of the grand affair ended with models showcasing classic and chic designs by the famous designer duo Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna. Their collection consisted of sequined jumpsuits and dresses in shades of black, white and beige. The evening came to an end with actress Parineeti Chopra, as showstopper in a black sequenced cape dress looking simply breath taking.

The Mumbai edition of the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015 left everyone spellbound and was a complete delight to the eyes.

Pictures: Viral Bhayani

December 7, 2015
Winter care essentials for women

Winter comes with its own package of festivities. It is the time for joy and comfort where we bid farewell to the present year and look forward to the new year with an optimistic approach. Here are a few winter care essentials for all of you to make the best out of this winter without compromising on your skin so girls, not just Christmas, look impeccable each day and groom yourself well this fall.

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1) Use body oil

Winters tend to strip your skin off its natural moisture. In order to keep it looking healthy and hydrated, it is essential to moisturise your body to avoid dryness. Contrary to popular opinion, oils are much preferable to lotions, as the skin absorbs oil faster and does not give your skin that layer of grease.

2) Make dry shampoo a part of your daily routine

Are you troubled by dry hair and split ends? Shampooing your hair everyday during winters will not help your cause as it takes away the natural oil from your scalp leaving your hair dry and damaged. It is recommended to use dry shampoo to keep your scalp clean and your hair looking luscious.

3) Change your morning routine to suit the winter

It’s important to change your morning routine according to the prevailing season. Winter also calls for a change in our routine, there are people who are reluctant to let go off their cosy blankets and on the other hand many can’t start their day without talking a shower. But girls make sure that you don’t spend more that fifteen minutes under the shower to avoid dryness and use lukewarm water to shower.

4) Sunscreen is important for winter too

Sunscreens are not just important during summer, but they also make for an imperative part of your winter regime. SPF protects your skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and generates a protective barrier against the harsh wind keeping your skin feeling supple.

5) Drink for beauty

You might not feel like you need to drink a lot of water during winters but that does not mean that you reduce your water intake. Drink a lot of water, drinks that contain anti-oxidants and green tea to keep your skin glowing.

6) Do not forget to moisturise your lips

Wear your lipstick during the day but don’t forget to moisturise your lips at night. Lips have the softest skin and it takes no time to for your lips to chap. Ensure that you apply some lip balm or almond oil and sleep over it. Almond oil makes your lips retain its pinkness even if you are a smoker.

Like these winter care essentials for women? Let us know in the comments section below.

Featured image sourced from here.

December 4, 2015