I visited Saks Hair and Beauty Salon in Bandra earlier this week and I am glad I did so. My hair got just the right pampering it needed. I was also lucky enough to get my hair done by Stewart Harland, International Principal Hairstylist. He quickly analyzed my frizzy, damaged hair and suggested that we work to get them more hydrated as that is what is needed during this hot Mumbai Summer.
The place is calming and they make sure they give you a good treatment and you walk out all smiles :) :) :) isn’t that what you we all look for anyway?
Stewart explained me each step and how it will benefit my hair. It has been over a week now and my hair still feels so good. They are a lot less frizzy and feel super soft.
He also gave me a small tip at the end which would make my curly frizzy hair more manageable.
I walked out with a big smile on my face and a new found love for my hair.
So IIsuperwomanII aka Lilly Singh recently started her World Tour. The first show was in Mumbai and I was lucky enough to get the front section tickets and get to watch the show. After all the excitement and chaos the show was awesome!!!!
I vlogged during the show so please do check out the video. Also if you liked what you saw then please Subscribe to my channel, Comment and Share :)
Tata Docomo, the unified telecom brand of Tata Teleservices (TTSL) has taken a noble step towards building a sustainable society, promote recycling, and create awareness about climate change.
A Gurgaon resident, Anjali Birla just got back from an expedition to Antarctica as a part of the International Antarctic Expedition 2015. She was among the 2 Indians selected for the expedition.
The expedition which began on 13th March 2015, was organized by 2041 a globally renowned organization founded by explorer and environmentalist Sir Robert Swan. Anjali was part of a 90 member team travelling from 28 other countries.
Tata Teleservices supported Anjali during the 13 days expedition. The objective of the whole initiative was to understand and support the environmental issues that are prevalent around the globe. Our ecosystem is composed of a fundamental and delicate balance of various elements.
I got the opportunity to interact with her, I have mentioned below what she had to say.
1.How was the experience?
Antarctica is an experience like no other. There is nothing in this world that can prepare you for it and when it happens you will have no words to define it. My journey started from New Delhi and it took me 57 hours of flying to come face to face with my fellow participants, at the southernmost tip of South America in Ushuaia, Argentina.
On day 1 of the expedition we were acclimatized and prepared for our days ahead. Day 2 and day 3 were spent preparing for the Drake Passage (one of the most tumultuous seas across the world) and the sailing that lay ahead of us. Braving the rough waters of the Drake Passage over a period of 3 days and maneuvering through massive icebergs, we finally arrived at the Antarctic Peninsula. Our ship was anchored a few meters from the land.
Our days during the expedition was filled with life lessons on leadership, team building and personal unique wildlife experiences, all while building lifelong relationships with teammates. We were up by 6 am each morning and embarked on our rafts to get to the Antarctic shores. Greeted by plenty of penguins and variety of seals, every day promised to be an adventure of a lifetime. Two visits lasting 2-3 hours each occupied most part of our day. We spent time on the island understanding the changing landscape and the effects of climate change.
When not confronting the temperatures of -5 to -10 degrees and gusts of wind as strong as 100 kmph on the continent that is considered to be the highest, driest, coldest and windiest on earth, we saw interesting documentaries on sustainability and Antarctic’s history on the ship. There were thought-provoking talks and discussions with various leaders in the group every day. On one of the nights, we even dug trenches to spend the night in sleeping bags at the magnificent Antarctic.
I believe that this experience has reinvented me completely. As a true environmentalist, I have taken a pledge to make a difference. At my level, I am going to spread awareness about this issue and reach out to more and more people in schools, colleges and work places and drive the message of sustainability as far as possible.
2.When did you decide that you want to go for this expedition? Why?
I have always been a climate enthusiast and when I heard about the opportunity that this expedition offered, I just wanted to be on that ship. After all how many people on the earth can claim to have set foot in the Antarctica? It was in 2013 when I heard about this opportunity, and about the Project 2041, about Sir Robert Swann and the incredible mission that he and his team are working on, for all of us. I think I was onboard instantly
3.What did you take back from the entire expedition?
I have come to realize that if each one of us contributes towards sustainability we can make a big difference. Before the Antarctic Treaty was signed, whales had become extinct. But owing to this treaty, a complete stop was put to their hunting for commercial purposes. Over the years, they have grown in number again and it is amazing to see them in their natural habitat. If the flora and fauna of the region is not disturbed, it can co-exist in harmony.
I strongly believe that this expedition has made me a facilitator of community involvement in taking responsibility for the environment. This expedition has provided me with a platform for integrated and holistic thinking on the interconnectednessof nature’s systems. I have made a pledge to make a difference. At my level, I am going to spread awareness about this issue andreach out to more and more people in schools, colleges and work places and drive the message of sustainability as far as possible.
4.What thought kept you going on this difficult expedition?
I believe that Passion drives an individual in most circumstances. I have always been passionate about nature and environment and I believe that’s what kept me engaged and motivated. While I was aware that the weather conditions will be far from easy quite frankly no amount of training can fully prepare you for the temperatures as low as -5 to -10 deg and winds as strong as 100 km an hour on the continent which is considered to be the highest, driest, coldest and windiest on Earth.
Survival is largely about not being caught out in the worst weather, not getting lost in whiteout conditions and not taking unnecessary risks. This means you must be well-trained to carry out your activities, careful about how you dress and work in a team where each member watches the others for signs of "frost-nip" and hypothermia.
We wrapped up ourselves in layers of clothing. It's very important to cover feet, ankles, hands, wrists and your head. Mainly synthetic fibers these days, not forgetting insulated footwear too. Clothes need to be kept dry and clean to maintain their best insulating qualities.
UV (ultra-violet) radiation is fierce in the summer so wearing wrap-round goggles and sun screen on any exposed skin is just as important as keeping warm in the winter. It can be quite a surprise to get sun burnt under your nose from the light reflected from snow and ice.
5.Would you like to talk about the environmental issues that you got to know about?
There is just so much wrong that we have done with our planet that I don’t even know where to start from. The mining stations that were used to skin the whales, industrial waste that is being dumped there, pollution that’s causing icebergs to melt whichin turn leads to disastrous consequences for inhabitants of that continent.
Penguins, Seals and Bears look very cuddly on celluloid and as stuffed animal toys for our children but they have a very real life which our indiscriminate industrialisationis taking away from them.
Up until now, I had only heard about climate change but in Antarctica, I got to witness the reality as well. From crashing icebergs, tabular ice shelves breaking off, to our ship getting stuck in an untimely ice floe... climate change was right there for us to experience and is much closer than we think.
Going forward we face some real challenges as a generation and we will have to take some hard decisions on what kind of planet, do we want to leave for our future generations.
6.What is the selection procedure and criteria?
I was selected through a structured application process which required me to outline my inclination towards the initiative, my past experiences and how I would like to contribute in making a difference. I then underwent a telephonic interview conducted by Robert Swan himself before being shortlisted for the expedition. I think that any cause demands passion from the followers which the organisersfound in me.
7.How did you intend to contribute towards the growth of the environment?
I believe that this experience has reinvented me. As a true environmentalist, I have taken a pledge to make a difference. I intend to fulfill the purpose of Mission 2041 and in that regard, I am going to build a team of ambassadors who want to take responsibility for a greener and cleaner environment. I will drive the message of sustainability as far as possible by:
·Spreading awareness: Going to spread awareness about this issue and reach out to more and more people in schools, colleges and work places through personal meetings, videos, blogs etc.
·Participating in more such expeditions: To participate in more such expeditions. I feel extremely fortunate to have been nominated by Robert Swan for another such expedition to South Pole which will be organized utilizing renewable energy.
·Building more ambassadors of change: I hope to build more ambassadors of change like myself who will drive the message of sustainability across every nook and corner of the world.
8.How are corporates giving their women employees an opportunity to experience newer adventures?
Take the example of my employers, Tata Teleservices Limited. When my seniors heard about the expedition they were very encouraging and even went to the extent of funding my trip. The organisation is part of the legendary Tata Group which has earned country many plaudits for their people practices.
At Tata Teleservices, sustainability starts from within. Sustainability means doing every single thing to create value over time hence all the employees volunteer for community development programmes. We collaborate with fellow colleagues to discuss sustainability in terms of our job functions and define our roles in achieving the business’ sustainability goals. We strive towards making our activities ecologically sound, socially acceptable and economically viable. At TTSL, we aim at meeting the needs of our present generations without jeopardizing the needs of future generations. As a representative of Tata Teleservices and advocate of sustainability, I would like to spread more awareness on the issue.
9.Tips of how Indian women can make a difference in sustainability
There are a lot of ways in which women can contribute to the cause of sustainability. First and foremost is by way of taking a lead in household and at their respective places of work. Whenever and wherever you see a light bulb that doesn’t serve its purpose switch it off, discourage usage of plastic, use renewable energy and educate others.
One thing that I have learnt from this is that it sure tests how much you trust the other person. Knowing that you won’t see the other person for a long time, in some cases the time is not even defined, and still making sure that the love doesn’t waver is a big challenge. How does one keep the same intensity of love when things are not the same anymore? Some people don’t understand long distance relationships, and to an extent I was one of them. You can’t do things that single people do, you can’t do things which couples do for obvious reasons of course. Then what are you supposed to do!!??
What the Book Says – The High-stakes game of the underworld has new faces working for and against Dawood Ibrahim – the shadowy, manipulative figure that pulls the strings. Dawood’s own deputy turned arch-rival Chhota Rajan, thus-turned-politician Arun Gawli, Amar Naik and his engineer brother Ashwin Naik, and a host of other characters, big and small, walk the pages of this compelling history of the Maharashtrian mobsters who were once dubbed “amchimuley”, “our boys”, by Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. Equally fascinating are the stories of the famous – and infamous – policemen and “encounter specialists” who took the gangs on with great success and not too many scruples.
Violence and deceit one expects to read of, but the strength of this book is also its ability to capture the mundane- almost naïve- beginning of what very quickly became the organizes crime and brutal vendettas that held Mumbai to ransom through the last decades of the twentieth century.
Meticulously researched and thrillingly told by the acknowledged expert on the underworld, this is faster-faced than Dongri to Dubai, and even more chilling in its implications for India and the subcontinent.
What I feel - As soon as I got to know about this book I went online to get a copy for myself. I quickly checked the online coupons and offers, these guys never disappoint me you should check it out too. As soon as the book arrived I got to reading without wasting a second. If you have read Hussain Zaidi’s books before then you’ll know his writing style, this book follows the same pattern. What I love about his writing is that he makes you feel that you were actually present when the episode happened. I can visualize everything that he writes. Being from Mumbai and living so close to all the areas that are mentioned in the book, I feel a connection on a different level altogether.
The book is fast paced and you won’t feel like keeping the book down. It is a must read if you like reading about underworld. Interesting, intriguing and engaging are the three words that best describes this book. PS - Amazon has ongoing great deals on books... So Hurry Up!!
He walked in with grace and confidence that captured everyone’s attention in a heartbeat. The book launch was at Foodhall at Palladium in Lower Parel. The front row was captured by all the foodies who had followed him for a long time; they were so star struck that some of them had an almost dreamy expression on their face.
After a bit of chitchat and a little introduction he went on and told us that this was his 20thbook and that his 21stwasreleasing soon. He told us about his first book which was self published and how he struggled with accent and with pronouncing the ingredients right when he first came to India to work for MasterChef India.
He then quickly whipped up some mocktails and all this while actively chatting away with us. He made cooking so interesting and fun that me, who can’t even make decent Maggi, wanted to start cooking.
This book Shaken & Stirred is a dazzling collection of non-alcoholic drinks. From delicious teas to refreshing slushies and classic drinks, Vikas guided the audience on how to create unique and exquisite drinks that would keep their guests satisfied and have them coming back for more.
“I’m touched by the love & affection that the Foodhall customers gave me today and this is exactly what keeps my quest for undiscovered flavors. The versatile recipes in Shaken & Stirred allow you to play with your imagination, while keeping the pure flavor and wholesome goodness of the ingredients intact,” said an elated Vikas Khanna.
Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Vikas Khanna runs the upscale restaurant Junoon in Manhattan. Having started a catering company at the age of 17 in Amritsar, he has been regularly featured on various international television shows such as Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, Masterchef Australia and The Martha Stewart Show.
As the session came to an end he signed the copies of his book and then posed calmly for Selfies (This is a must these days)
With Mother’s Day just around the corner http://www.jabong.com and I decided to make the day a little more special for you guys.
All you have to do is go through http://www.jabong.com and tell us what would you like to buy for your Mother this Mother’s day. Share the picture with us using the #MothersDayWishlist
One lucky winner wins a gift voucher worth INR 1000/- The contest ends on 12th May 2015 at 11pm.
Rules –
Comment below and tell us what would you like to buy from http://www.jabong.com for your mother this Mother’s Day.
OR
Share a picture on Twitter or Instagram using #MothersDayWishlist and also tag me using @PoojaMahimkar so I get to know.
In India, when Zaalim Duniya separates a guy and a girl in love, they are called Heer and Ranjha. But when they themselves decide to separate, they are called Devdaas and Paro.
Meet Arjun Kulkarni – a thirty-year-old film director, with actresses and janta equally fond of him and his work. He has a house to himself, a fancy car and enough money to ensure a comfortable lifestyle, and has even had his share of love and flings. Sounds like a complete life, happy and content. Or does it?
What lies behind a smiling face is a painful break-up, which not only took away the love of this life Hrida after seven long years, but also led to estrangement from his parents, buddies, a best friend…even the country.
From full-time love, to part-time Devdaasgiri; from part-time guilt, to full-time redemption: life seems to come full circle when his sixteen-year-old neighbor Aditi come in without knowing.
Does he find a way back into love or is he destines to a Part-Time Devdaas…?
About the author - Rugved Mondkar lives in Mumbai and works full time as an Executive Producer with a leading media company where he writes and directs socially relevant short films. Over the past eight years, he has written and assisted on more than a dozen commercial Hindi feature films and another two dozen ad films. He is slated to make his feature film debut as writer and director.
I chanced upon this book right before my exams started and glad I was! Whenever I needed a break I would open this book up. It’s a simple and easy read about a guy and his encounters. Easy to understand and not very high on language makes this book a fun read. If you are new to reading and wants to motivate yourself to start reading then this is the book for you. The stories and relatable and thus helps you get more involved with the book.
You should definitely pick this book up if you are looking for a light read and not something heavyfor the mind.
Exit Point – On the Internet no one knows you are dead...
Author – Anil Goel
“What lies beneath?”
An Australian intelligence officer wonders, as she sees terrible burn marks on sharks that go berserk off the coast of Bondi Beach.
A super-intelligent teenage girl is found dead with no apparent cause and her father, implicated in another murder in the same house, at the same time, insists he doesn’t know how she died.
The investigating team gets a mysterious tip-off – that the girl was chatting with another teenager on a social networking site at the exact time she died.
A young reclusive tech genius is contemplating a suicide pact with an online soul mate who suddenly disappears.
What ties these strange incidents together?
Set in a chillingly probable 2016, Exit Point takes us into a dark, mysterious online world where an ancient mystery is unraveling after centuries. A mystery that cuts across Australia, India, China, Hong King, London, America – and ultimately all of mankind.
From Adam and Eve.
To us.
Our only hope of getting to the bottom of it, literally, is Alok – and his quest to find his intimate.
At all of 17 years of age, he saved a country.
At 25, can he save humanity?
The summary got me hooked and I couldn’t wait to start reading this book. I love reading thrillers. Something that links to ancient mystery is all the more enjoyable to me. This book has an amazing start and got me hooked almost immediately. I couldn’t keep the book down and I am glad that I chose to read this after I was done with my exams. The book does get a bit slow in the middle because it becomes too descriptive but once you are able to cope with that it is an amazing read.
The book touches upon very interesting topics making it all the more interesting and a good read.
It is a must read for whoever enjoys thrillers and mysteries and also for those who are just starting with that genre.
The raising temperature in the city coaxed me into going to AquaMagica and I am so glad that I did. It is a perfect break from the city. A one and half hour drive from the city takes you to this place for a day of fun and frolic with your friends/family.
The place is super clean and that helped me not to worry about the cleanliness and hygiene of the water. Huge changing rooms and locker rooms made me happy, there was enough place for everyone. We first went into all the small slides and Pirate bay and spend almost most of the time in the Wave pool. After lunch we somehow got more daredevil and went on those huge scary looking slides and I am so glad that we did! They were amazing! My cowardice had kept me away from those slides all morning and then I cursed myself because I didn’t get enough go on each one of them.
The food is good too with a variety of cuisine to suit your taste buds. We were planning to leave the place by 5pm but ended up staying there till 7.30pm.
A few things to keep in mind when going to Aquamagica –
-Carry a sunblock
-Carry a swimsuit. Cotton clothes or jeans/shorts are not allowed in the rides.
-Make sure you have a transport arranged, it may get late.
-Outside food is not allowed
By the time I got home I was completely exhausted. There were two kids with us and with them I forgot how old I was and had become a child again. I would suggest go with kids, they would make the entire experience all the more fun.
The candy store would make is difficult for you to decide which one to buy.It reminded me of Honeydukes from Harry Potter.
All in all, a day well spent! A must during summers.
