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One of my favourite products of late have been exfoliaters! I have started to find them a must - my skin is always left really soft after I use one. Be it face or body.. I do love my scrubs. (Sooo want to try out those sugar scrubs too!)

The only problem is that a good exfoliater tends to be quite expensive and I'm not so keen on spending a lot for now. So, imagine my joy when I walked into a Body Shop store 3 days ago, and there was a nice sale going on! (Thanks to one of my friends. He wanted to pick up a birthday gift for his best friend and dragged me along to help choose.. He bought a Strawberry gift pack for her, lucky girl!!)

I think there was like 5 minutes of me going mad seeing quite a lot of the good products on sale. I wanted to buy them all... If only...! *sigh*
The whole Christmas limited edition (Cranberry joy, Ginger sparkle and Vanilla bliss) as well as the gift packs were on 50% off and a few body lotions, shower gels, eyeshadows and lip glosses were on 30% discount!

Well, I narrowed it down to two products. The Cranberry Joy body polish (since I am not quite in love with the strawberry smell) and Cherry Blossom body lotion (to layer over my cherry blossom perfume...both of which shall be reviewed soon).


The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Body Polish Review

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Hola all you beautiful people!

I'm so sorry I couldn't come up with a better post today, things have been busy around here. So replacing lack of inspiration with my rudimentary photography skills, this post is a showcase of some glorious sunsets I captured from inside an airplane. The photos don't do justice to the beauty of our Sun in repose. Nature is an accomplished artist, whose unmatched skill cannot be portrayed through the lens of my camera. Being there to witness the moment though, is an experience I'll never forget. A moment as ageless as time itself, so pure that the airplane seemed an intruder. I used to think sunsets witnessed with my feet on the ground were amazing. Seeing the Sun from above the clouds was out-of-the-world. Shrouded by a warmth I could not feel, all I could do was gaze as the searing orange rent the dusty ash-blue clouds, hypnotized by the phenomenon unfolding before my eyes. It was liberating, almost as if my soul could melt through the confines of the aircraft and speed towards the Sun, and bathe for eternity in its light.

I may have landed at my destination, and it has been months since, but I think I lost myself in the stratosphere, quite possibly floating amongst nebulous clouds, watching sunsets in silent awe. For I have surrendered my heart to the dusk.








Disclaimer: None of the photos have been enhanced in any way whatsoever. I wanted to keep the shots as true as possible.
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"My toast would be, may our country always be successful, but whether successful or otherwise, always right." - John Quincy Adams
Happy 64th Republic Day, everybody! Proud to be an Indian, today..always..
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This Sunday I was involved as a volunteer for the Pulse Polio Vaccination campaign that is held throughout the country at regular intervals.

So my roommate, Antara, and I sacrificed our only day off (this Sunday), to sit at one of the many vaccination booths set up around the city. From 8 a.m. in the morning to 5 p.m. Yes! Phew! Although I didn't expect many parents to come, given the lack of information and far-flung location (a government school situated in the interiors, in a neighbourhood I had never been to) but pleasantly enough by the end of the day we vaccinated around 120 kids!

It did get pretty dull in the afternoon though, but the lazy hours when no people were coming in, we entertained ourselves with dogs, cats and goats...with petting and random biscuit feeding. I guess they were happy too. And some drawing by Antara, and ofcourse me as usual troubling her every now and then. Haha :P

Yesterday was a door to door campaign though. Around 200 houses to be covered by a team consisting of two people (we were alloted different areas to cover)... Gosh! What a day!! Walking around in the sun all day long, knocking on doors, talking to people, giving those 2 drops to every kid upto 5 years in sight....even running behind a few on the streets... Gosh! Mighty mighty task..


The bad part:
A total energy sucking thing. Dehydration, hunger, foot aches and back aches..(that are still being experienced). But these were the small things.
What actually got to me was the really unwelcome behaviour by some families. They had issues coming out or giving us their names. Some didnt want to get their kids vaccinated (claiming it wasn't necessary and shooing us away), while a few were all for giving wrong information "we don't have kids" or "yes,yes, they were vaccinated yesterday".
It was really frustrating to see people behave like this even when the government was taking steps to eradicate a horrible preventable disease like Polio and spending so much money on a completely free vaccination programe! The government cannot succeed if its people don't meet it halfway!

The best part:
The great feeling when the day ended.. We did something that would help the children of our country! (Even if it was small scale coverage by us, but there were many other volunteers out there and a significant part of the state benefited from their efforts. We put in our bit, whatever it's worth. That made us feel really happy).

This Sunday, I was a responsible citizen of my country. This Sunday, I was a shield against Polio. This Sunday, I helped protect the lives of our next generation. If that's not an accomplishment, then I don't know what is.

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

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EVERYTHING COLOURFUL!!



1) UNO Cards... :)
Taking a break from studies and getting hooked again with UNO. I cant even remember why I shoved it inside the drawer in the first place... Ok, maybe because I was having toooo much fun with them at one time, and not doing anything else, but can you blame me? *innocent eyes*. Anyone else addicted to UNO here??

2) Maybelline Baby Lips
Say "hi" to soft kissable pouts! I am in love with these babies. Mango pie and Antioxidant berry. Both non tinted, but yummy smelling. They keep my lips well hydrated for hours. Perfect for the chilly, windy months.

3) Giant Lollipops!
I know I know, I am not 5.. but just see how nice they look! And they have pretty swirls.. Don't even get me started on the taste now.. I picked the grape and cherry one. Total mood up-lifters!

4) Coloured Post-its
Got bored of the plain old yellow ones. Though they have their own charm, a change is always welcome, right? Very handy for to-do lists, sticking important notes in my books, writing all sorts of messages to my friends. Anything!


5) Woollen Socks
These look so Christmas-y and are deliciously warm. And my 1st pair of red socks. Love at first sight in Shimla :)

What are you guys currently loving?
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#YOLO? Not anymore.


Now, before you clap your hands and whoop with glee, I haven't found some miracle drug that evades Yamraj on his buffalo, however fist-pump worthy that might be. No, I am here to spread the news of how YOLO has been made to kick the bucket. Word yamdoots a.k.a the language enthusiasts at Lake Superior State University have called for the banishment of this hashtag with the 38th Annual "List of Words to be Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness".
Here's a peek into the rationale behind it-

"Stands for 'You Only Live Once' and used by wannabe Twitter philosophers who think they've uncovered a deep secret of life. Also used as an excuse to do really stupid things, such as streaking at a baseball game with YOLO printed on one's chest. I only live once, so I'd prefer to be able to do it without ever seeing YOLO again." Brendan Cotter, Grosse Pte. Park, Mich.
Can't say I disagree with the guru, erm, aficionado, with the word becoming the poster excuse for all acts reckless or immature. Like...
Crawling on my hands and knees to the bar #yolo
Everyone is stressing over finals except me, haven't studied at all or anything #yolo
YOLO tweeple, you may only live once, but you will live with the consequences. So do us a favour, don't do a Bella and jump off a cliff just for the sake of a yolo tweet!

Speaking of cliffs, the fiscal cliff has also been razed to the ground. Whether your government is climbing it, falling off it, or dangling on its very precipice, economic updates on the financial crisis, contributors say, would be more welcome.
"(We’ve) lost sight of the metaphor and started to think it's a real place, like with the headline, 'Obama, Boehner meeting on fiscal cliff'." Barry Cochran, Portland, Ore.
Also earning a place of honour on the list were 'guru' 'bucket list' 'double-down' 'superfood' and 'spoiler alert' while some passionately earnestly voted against the colloquial use of 'passion'.
"As in 'that's my passion.' Please, let's hope you mean 'enthusiasm.' 'Passion' connotes 'unbridled,' unmediated by reason and sound judgment. Passion is the stuff of Ahab, Hitler, and chauvinists of every stripe, and terrorists." Michael T. Smith, Salem, Ore.
"Seared tuna will taste like dust swept from a station platform -until it's cooked passionately. Apparently, it's insufficient to do it ably, with skill, commitment or finesse. Passionate, begone!" Andrew Foyle, Bristol, UK
Then, of course, there is 'trending'. Which, as a matter of fact is how I found the topic for today's post. *Squirm* But even though it has been bid goodbye, I can hardly imagine people not using it.

Here is the complete list for your perusal, should you wish to do so. And these are some words that have already been banished previously. Are you guilty of still using them? ;)

  • Amazing
  • The New Normal
  • Ginormous
  • Viral
  • Epic
  • Fail
  • BFF
  • Man up
  • Bromance
  • Chillaxin'
  • And even '<3 li="li">
Is there any word that you would like to banish? I would nominate 'anyways..' :D



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Every now and then, my roomie Anty and me go for a scoop of icecream (me, mostly 2) to our favourite joint called "Polar Bear" (weird name I know, but their ice creams are fabulous... Creamy and full of flavour.. it doesn't hurt that they give huge scoops too!) She usually opts for butterscotch and I, as usual, for COFFEE! *in love forever*
Anyway, getting back to the point, here is a quick Do-it-yourself I do with those ice-cream containers. (I have so many small things lying around everywhere. These containers become so handy to keep them all in one place, organized.)


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Pantone has unveiled the colours which will rule trends in spring 2013. Personally, I'm loving the fresh and vibrant palette, and can't wait to incorporate them into my wardrobe! These hues are so versatile, you can go completely crazy with them, yet remain in your comfort zone. Now, isn't that a win-win situation? Pantone has juxtaposed bright colours with classic ones, creating a perfect balance; the deep shades anchoring the dynamic. The result? Striking combinations that are wearable, yet compel onlookers to shoot appreciative second glances.
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I bought some stuff recently. Nothing fancy or over the top. Just few random stuff that I needed and liked. Here's is a peek:



1. Veet Touchably Smooth hair minimising body lotion (sensitive skin)
2. Faces eyeshadow brush
3. Faces long wear eye pencil- Metal brown (for mum) and Navy blue
4. Faces Go Chic lipgloss - Raspberry (12)
5. Amway Attitude pencil - Kajal Coal 
6. QVS nail shiner
7. Nivea total face cleanup
8. Maybelline colorama nail paint - Sexy and Astral (for SIS dearest)
9. EN-VY nail paints - Base coat, Cotton Candy (022) and Ooh La La Red (015)
10. Fab India Lemongrass Facial Spray
11. VOV Nailpolish Remover - Apple
12. Lakme enrich satin lipstick in 352
13. Lakme lip love conditioner - Charmer
14. Miss Claire eyeshadows- creamy white (0810) and silver grey (0852)

(Okay, maybe its not a very tiny haul... Still worth sharing!)

Will review the products soon!
Anything interesting you bought over the past few weeks? Do share. :)
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chocolate cookies recipe

I am not a seasoned baker. My baking skills are limited to plain chocolate or vanilla cakes, a few different types of cookies, and a rather disastrous attempt at a marbled cake. Breathe a sigh of relief, this isn’t the marbled cake recipe, but my chocolate cookies one which has never failed me. My family just waits for the moment when these come out of the oven, and after that it’s ‘Halla Bol!’ They don’t even last two weeks!
So my guess is that they are pretty good. And because I want to share the joy, here is my easy-peasy recipe for the perfect accompaniment to your cup of tea  or coffee, or for plain snacking.
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keep it simple

keep it simple by techsports 

Another one of my sets from Polyvore, featuring flat shoes, plaid shirt, and a fringe jacket. How do you wear the fringe trend?
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I can't help but be thankful for this gift of 365 brand new days. Unexplored and filled with promise. Blank canvases to be painted with memorable moments.

I'm still chalking up resolutions. I'm late, I know, it's the outcome of my general laziness. Which reminds me I have to include that in my list. Note to self, be less lazy. Notice how I say "be less lazy," as opposed to "try and be less lazy." Can our politicians please take a cue? I often wonder what will it take for these people to legislate.



But whatever...finding hope in the darkest of times is life, and this year, damn if I don't make the most of it.

May 2013 bring joy, peace, and love to the world. Happy new year, everyone! 
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Swati & Smriti

An Indian Beauty, Makeup and Lifestyle Blog. Find reviews on makeup, skincare, haircare and bodycare products along with makeup tutorials, recipes and some fun DIYs. We are obsessed with good skincare but like our traditional home remedies equally. Our makeup tends to be natural looking and more on the minimalistic side which is simple and easy to do.

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