Whether it's to commemorate a special occasion like anniversary or birthday or that mandatory annual 'Christmas Card' photoshoot, it feels lovely to freeze family moments forever. Especially when you have small kids, it's enlightening to look back and cherish how small and cute they were. Time never comes back. And before your little daughter turns into a diva herself and starts considering you 'uncool', it's better you doll yourselves in mommy and me clothes and keep them for the future!

I came across Popopie which has the most adorable baby clothes, mom and me and matching family clothes at an attractive price point.

*Always opt to shoot outdoors in daylight: Nothing comes out more beautifully when shot in bright daylight. During summers, you can opt for the golden hour; the light just before dusk is so pleasant.

*Avoid prints in outfits: Prints clashing creates a chaos and hence you should always refrain from doing so. Particularly some stripes give an aura of illusion; which takes away the attention from the real theme of the picture.

*Props are always welcome: From balloons to flowers, food to kites, soft toys to pillows, you can choose the props according to the occasion.

*You can also use a tripod. 99.5 % of our pictures have been taken on a tripod. It may be quite a hassle, but it's the most ideal option for us. I am the stylist and the director of our shoots and the husband is in charge of the shutter button. We can be ourselves because no outsider is involved and hence no level of discomfort for our kids. I would highly suggest you to invest in a good quality tripod and a remote for the camera.

If you are anything like me (over cautious, law abiding, concerned and simply scared) then you might not have stepped out of your home. Yes, it's my 16th month of home isolation. Scary right? Well, when you have two small kids, elderly in laws and a medico husband who's out there amidst infections 24*7, one has to take a back seat to take care of the household. Anyways, I have lost my sanity multiple times and had hit the lowest nadir of my life at one point, but I have managed to emerge stronger nonetheless. Here are a few things that I have incorporated to make home isolation a bit more cheerful and seem less like a punishment. 

1. Elevate your home decor: The amount of money I have spent on buying trinkets in the past year is way more than permissible. However it has helped me unwind and relax. Thankfully websites like Aoin have a huge collection of home decor at pretty affordable prices. I have switched curtains, cushion covers and rugs multiple times to give my home a facelift. You can reaarrange furniture, throw a blanket on the couch, exchange lamp shades from the bedroom to the living room and vice versa and so many other things and you don't need to spend a single dime!

2. Serve food beautifully: If you can't go to the restaurant, that does not mean you can't dine well presented food. I had been cooking non stop and make it a point to serve it beautifully. Whether it's having a picnic style meal in the balcony or a theme tablescape, pretty plates or fancy cutlery, a little effort makes a meal more delicious and enjoyable.

3. Bring the nature inside: My plant babies have propagated like never before in this pandemic. I love nurturing them; it brings me calm. Even if you are not blessed with a green thumb, you can opt for faux plants and flowers. They look incredible and maintaining them is a breeze! Thankfully Aoin has got so many pretty and economical options!

4. Wear cute PJs: Just because we aren't going out does not mean we should be in rags! I mean I am a MAJOR advocate of tattered and old clothing for homewear. However I have realised that just by wearing pretty clothes, I can elevate my mood! For all the girls out there who are not staying with their in laws, you can check out some sexy pajamas for women!

5. Read more books: Once you become a mom, book reading requires major dedication and is a luxury. However carving that time is so worth! Books transport you to another world and drive all your worries away; even if it's momentary!

I hope these are some pretty useful tips for the home isolated. Let's just pray that this pandemic gets over soon. I am done!

 We have stepped into an era where ready made items have forayed into our lives so much that when we need raw materials for customisation, it becomes a daunting task. I love designing stuff myself as I love the exclusivity it comes with. So whether it's new curtains for my bedroom or a matching mommy daughter outfit, a scarf or a table cloth, I am always on the lookout for beautiful fabrics.

I was scouring the internet for some pretty fabric for my girls' bedroom when I came across Fabcurate.com and I am so glad that I found this site! I was stunned by the variety they have on their site!

Fabcurate has an enormous collection of fabrics...you name it, they have it! Not only fabrics but they have ready to wear stuff like sarees, dupatta, stole, scarves, suit material, etc. They have a wide range of men's fabric like shirting, suiting, kurta etc with lots of options in each category.

They have accessories like laces too. It's basically a one stop solution for all your needs.

My favourite section has to be the unstitched category. I was literally dazzled with the so many options! From various categories of silk like Organza silk, Japan satin, Muga, Uppada, Mashru etc to Georgette, Cotton varieties to pintuck, crepe to chiffon, denim to Muslin, Velvet to Lycra, the options are lietrally endless.

Also these are well categorised by prints and origin like screen print, digital print, handblock, etc etc. The website is super easy to navigate and the search button is really efficient. You can search by specifics like colour or pattern (like geometric/stripes,etc) and all the related options pop up.

If you are looking for specialised Indian fabrics, then you are in for a treat. From Banarasi to Ikat, Ajrakh to Tie and Dye, Kantha to Batik, they have every kind of Indian style you can probably think of.

I got three types of fabric from Fabcurate. 

1. Japan Satin Fabric: I got few metres of this happy heart punch digital print. The fabric is satin smooth and the print is so pretty! I draped it like a saree and did some pictures. Most probably I plan to stitch a mommy daughter dress. Wouldn't it look adorable?

2. Screen Print cotton: This royal blue leaf print is sophisticated and nice. The material is thick and is of great quality. It looks really versatile so probably I will keep it for styling my shoots. And maybe an A line skirt with some of it?

Price: The fabrics are very reasonably priced with discount on almost every type.

Packaging: The fabrics came in a cotton Fabcurate tote.

Shipping: The products reached me in 4 days after placing the order. It was great. I mean Surat to Noida in 4 days is commendable.

If you are anything like me who loves to innovate or play with styling, Fabcurate is a must visit. And even if customisation ain't your thing, you can choose sensational sarees or dupattas or stoles from here or I can challenge you will fall in love with the myriads of unstitched options and end up buying a fabric or two!

We all want long and healthy hair. If length is not what you are looking for then it's healthy, luscious and voluminous mane for sure. And this applies equally for both men and women. Hair care may not be rocket science but a regimen for sure. Like everything else (weight loss, great skin, etc) good hair requires a strict routine with effective products.

As summers are foraying in full swing, I have switched my summer hair care game. My long, curly tresses become all the more unmanageable in summers and hence I am always on the lookout for natural, cruelty free and effective products. Our country is a powerhouse of such products that are based on traditional recipes on which I highly rely on. Deyga is one such brand. I am completely in love with their all natural, vegan concept and happily satisfied with their hair care products. 

So here I am revealing my secret of my luscious hair and cool scalp.

Deyga Hair Growth Oil: This oil is a concoction of various useful oils like that of coconut, almond, castor, grapeseed, rosemary, khuskhus and ingredients like hibiscus, licorice, daisy, curry leaves etc. These herbs are tried and tested and work wonders for the health of the hair.

Leave the oil for at least half an hour. For best results, leave it overnight and wash off the next morning.

The bottle comes with an applicator which helps the oil to penetrate the scalp. Give a good massage to promote blood circulation after application.

Regular use helps fight hair loss, dandruff, itchiness and leaves you with silky and voluminous hair.

Packaging: The bottle comes attached with an applicator which makes oiling super convenient. 

The oil is non greasy and absolutely apt for summers.

Deyga Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe Vera as we all know is an essential component in keeping the skin cool and healthy. This applies for our scalp too. During summers, often our scalp gets boils and other itty bitty problems because of the constant sweating.

An ideal way to keep our scalp cool and well hydrated is to apply this aloe vera gel on our scalp everyday. Scoop out a generous amount and massage the gel on your scalp. Then rinse off after an hour. 

Best part? You can use this luxurious gel on on your face and all other parts of your body too. Such a cooling gel!

Deyga Coconut Milk Shampoo Bar: The secret to healthy hair especially during this heat is to use a mild shampoo. What can be better than a soap made from pure, cold pressed coconut oil itself? Yes, this shampoo bar is made from the coconut milk from farm fresh coconuts. It contains soap nut and shikakai along with coconut milk and oil to make that luxurious blend. Also infused with bhringraj and amla, it leaves your hair shiny and soft.

Work up a rich lather by rubbing this shampoo bar on your wet hair. Apply from root to ends and then rinse off with water.

About Deyga:

Deyga Naturals firmly stands on its 6 pillars: Handcrafted with love, 100% pure, Traditional recipes, Cruelty free, family values and sustainability. Each product of theirs reflects the love and purity that they pour into. 

I am all into natural, cruelty free and vegan products right now for myself and my family. What about you?

First time motherhood is more of a scary experience. You are constantly juggling multiple things together.. Your new identity of being a mom, the sole caregiver of a tiny little fragile human, expectations from yourself, your family and the society and a muddle of hormones. If you succeed in surviving all of these, then you may be able to find excitement in your little bundle of joy. Sad part is that no one prepares you for all this. Motherhood has been very different for my two kids. It's easier with my younger one as I know what to expect and what to do. 

So my first born turned 7 this March. She's been my experiment as well as my teacher. Here are 7 things that I would have dealt differently if she was my second child. Hope new moms can find something useful here. 

1. People are to be loved and things are to be used. 

Since I am a single child, I have never co habited with any other kid. I am the youngest of my cousins too. My daughter is the first baby I had held at the age of 24 years. So really did not know the behaviour of babies as such. When she used my spoil my things, I used to get really upset. Sometimes I used to yell at her and sometimes I used to go mum in grief. She has destroyed stuff worth thousands and thousands (jewelry, gadgets, home decor, cosmetics) but more important than their fiscal value, those things were close to my heart; which I had curated with so much devotion. 

However with time I realized that 'things' hold a very little value. My younger one spoils way more many things because firstly we have way more stuff than 5 years back and secondly I am unable to hover around her 24*7  since I have two kids and a big family to look after.  But this time around, I don't scold her. If I get upset, it's temporary and I try to get back to normal ASAP.

2. Don't cook special meals for your child separately.

The sooner you realize this, it's better for both of you. Introduction to a variety of foods is important right from an early age. The kid's taste buds will adapt to that. My younger one has developed a more diverse palate than her elder sister.

3. Be realistic in your expectations. 

My elder one frustrates and infuriates me in more ways than one. She just isn't the type of kid that I had dreamed of. However sometimes it makes me question myself. How come I am so content with my younger one who is way more demanding while I am complaining about my elder one's misbehaviour? It's maybe because I have too much expectations from her!

Maybe I want her to be disciplined like an adult, maybe I want her to obey me like an ideal offspring. And since I have learned motherhood the hard way, I accept all the flaws of my younger one. I don't expect her to be non fussy and obedient and maybe that's why I am happy the way she is.

I am learning everyday.

4. Consistency is the key

Whether be it studies or music classes, conversing in English or Pranayam, we need to be consistent with the kids. I can't teach her 2 to 20 tables in one week and expect her to remember that the next week! I am teaching myself to be consistent with her everyday; especially since I know that this year too I am going to her  sole tutor.

5. Give yourself grace

I used to beat myself up if I could not feed her to my satisfaction or she was not massaged properly or she got less nap time. Now I am more relaxed. I allow them screen time and the permission to scream and scribble on the walls. This continuous lockdown has really been hard and I was harder on myself the past year. This year, I am not. My sanity and well being is more important in order to be a good mother to them.

6. Start everything early

Whether be it potty training or Nursery rhymes, start early. I am not suggesting that it's a race, but I honestly feel that I am a better mother to my younger one. If you start early, then you are not hurrying for the finish line.

7. Don't miss the early years of your child. Quit your job if you need to. It's 200% worth it. This time will never come back.

I worked full time all through my pregnancy. I completed my Masters in Hospital Administration  during the first year of my baby and then again joined working full time. Now that I am nurturing my younger one 24*7, I truly feel that I have missed out my first born's childhood. I was so overwhelmed with my Post Partum Depression and personal issues, my clinic/ workplace used to be a pleasant escape for me. But that has cost me the joys of early motherhood. I am really grateful that I got to experience it again, in a much sustained, intentional way.

Everyone is different but I would suggest to work from home or take a break to devote yourself to your little one.

Mohi is born on 11 March, so it's in the middle of annual exams. We may never be able to celebrate publicly on her real day.

Like every year, this time too we had two celebrations. The first homely one on her real birthday and then a bigger one with friends two weeks later; after the exams got over.

As you must have already noticed, it was a unicorn party. It was THE FIRST 'SOCIAL' gathering after 14 long months. We are literally blessed to have such tight friends who love our daughter dearly.

The theme was pink, purple and white. The cake is one of the prettiest of cakes that Mohi has had; except for her second birthday party (which was a huge 5 kg cake). I cooked everything myself although I have become a little rusty in hosting after a 12 month gap. 

Now that we are deep in lockdown, looking back, I am really satisfied that we could celebrate my first born's birthday when the dreadful second phase had not arrived yet.

Again thankful to God for the little pleasures of life and for blessing me with two darling daughters. Right now motherhood may seem extremely exhausting and frustrating but I know 10 years down the line, I am going to miss these years of rollercoaster ride.

World Environment Day is just a week away! Mother nature is not not exclusive to any gender, caste, species or kingdom. As our mother earth has taken care of us since times immemorial, we also need to fulfil the responsibility of taking care of her. So on this World Environment Day let us take an oath that we each one of us would do our part in taking care of our mother nature.

Why does the title say only girls? I guess taking care of the environment is a joint effort by all the genders and members of the earth. Well because I am going to talk about something that can be solved only by girls/females. Because we girls create a lot of non biodegradable waste in terms of disposable pads and tampons. It is estimated that a female creates 300 pounds or 136 kgs of female related waste in a lifetime. Now you can calculate how many gazellions of kilos of waste all the females of this world are creating each day! This has to stop or come down somehow. The answer can be cloth pads, biodegradable pads and menstrual cups. And that's why I am here to motivate you and eventually guide you to switch to menstrual cups. I have the one from Sirona, a multiple award winning Indian brand which offers a wide range of premium sanitary essentials for complete feminine hygiene.

What is a menstrual cup?

It's a small conical structure shaped like a cup. It can be safely inserted inside the vagina for 6 to 8 hours to collect the menstrual blood. And then it can be taken out, cleaned and inserted back again. It's a safe menstrual cup and liberates you to do all activities including swimming and yoga.  The Sirona Menstrual Cup is very comfortable and you are free to swim, do yoga and all other outdoor activities. You can lead a smell free, rash free period.

What is Sirona Menstrual cup made of?

Sirona Menstrual Cup is a quality product from Sirona. It is made of medical-grade silicone, the Sirona Menstrual Cup is soft, easy, 100% safe to use and does not cause skin irritation. It is FDA approved and gives you a dry, odourless period.

The best part about cups is that you don't need to worry about leakage. Once you master the art of insertion, there is no looking back. Till that time, you can use panty liners to be on the safer side.

Advantages to the environment: The Sirona cup is one of the best Menstrual cups that is available in the Indian market and will last you for around 10 years (if taken care of properly) That means no female waste contribution to mother earth!

Price: 399 INR . It turns out to be very economical in the long run. Click here.

Available at Amazon and at all major E commerce sites.

Pro Tip: Try practising the art of insertion and removal before your actual period. That way you won't be flabbergasted once your periods start. It may take a few cycles to fully master it.

So girls this World Environment Day, we all should strive towards a cleaner environment. Of course planting trees plays a mammoth role but let's try to reduce pad related wastes as much as we can. Hope this Sirona Menstrual cup review by me has motivated you to some extent to make the switch.

Have you tried menstrual cups? How long have you been a convert?