DocDivaTraveller: 2021

8/26/2021 12 comments

I bet the title must have intrigued you. And I am not joking. There ARE ways to look fitter and slimmer temporarily (which of course can become permanent if maintained) which does not involve working out or crash dieting. Believe me, these are tried and tested formulae which I apply on myself from time to time and also advice for free to my friends and family!

If you are anyone like me, a mom of two kids overburdened with household work, who does not have time for washing her hair; leave alone taking care of herself by working out, then these are the tips you should be swearing by. Not that I am promoting anything unhealthy or duping you, these small steps when incorporated religiously, can really help become fitter.

These lockdown has made pyjamas the national costume; which means that whenever I try to slip into 'normal clothes' for a campaign shoot, I am unable to fit! I have not worked out in ages and am forever hungry (partly stress eating, partly boredom and partly excessive exhaustion). So what I do is that when I know that I need to get dressed, I start my cheat code before a day or two. So here I am sharing my secrets with you all.

1. Quit salt and all things that contain sodium. Almost every female suffers from water retention. Some have perceptible signs while others are lucky. Puffy face in the morning anyone?

So basically quitting salt for two days can help you shed that water retention weight. You would feel less bloated and tighter. Avoid all salty snacks and frozen food. The Sodium in them is the culprit.

2. Early dinner The secret to fitter body is to eat, but in moderation. Have a nice , elaborate dinner (no one is stopping you )but before 7 PM and don't do any late night snacking. I used to be a chronic snacker throughout the night in my teens and college days and never gained a single gram! But now I don't have that metabolism and I immediately gain weight/ look and feel bloated whenever I binge at midnight. So an early dinner is the secret.

3. Make shapewear your best friend : I know the pain (emotional and physical) of being unable to zip up your favourite dress. I have destroyed so many of them (broke the zip while trying to squeeze in). This was before I knew about shapewear. These work like miracle. A full body shapewear helps you squeeze into your skinny jeans or fitted jumpsuit or a clingy dress without having to break an arm or a leg!

These are breathable, cling free fabric with adjustable straps and are seamless to give that flawless finish. Also these have an open crotch for the nature's calls! How thoughtful right?

4. Eliminate as much carbs as possible: I am not suggesting to go for a Keto diet, they are neither practical nor healthy. However by reducing the amount of carbs you have daily, you would be able to look fitter. If you have 2 chapatis, make it one. If you take a bowl of rice, make it half. Avoid high glycemic index foods like poha, suji, pasta and refined flour stuff. Have as much salads and fruits possible as they provide fullness.

5. Switch to low fat dairy: I am not asking you to eliminate dairy, only switch to a healthier version. Have skimmed milk and use it for you tea/ coffee and other beverages. Don't take store bought yogurt. Set your own with skimmed milk. Small steps everyday make a lasting impression.

These are some of the tips that can really have permanent positive impact when incorporated for a longer period. For those instant fixes, I highly rely on body shaper for women anytime. I love they have a comfortable fit and yet firms tummy, thighs and buttocks. The soft cups are compression free and these have adjustable straps; to name a few.

So girls, what are your tips and tricks to look fitter instantly? Share right away!

8/05/2021 No comments

7/26/2021 12 comments

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!

Taking fam pics can be quite of a task, especially if it includes small kids. However the beauty lies in the struggle and eventually the outcome as you want those moments to freeze forever! We are not pros, but till date we have managed to take quite some decent pictures of our family of four. Here are a few things that have worked for us.

*Make sure the kids are not hungry and sleepy: You need to plan the shoot in that window period which does not coincide with the kids' mealtime or naptime. Shoots can take quite long, so be prepared with snacks and some healthy fruit juices to pacify their hunger pangs.

*Choose a color theme: Opting for an uniform colour theme or a coordinated one can be real pleasing to the eye. You can go absolute matchy matchy or in classic combinations like black and white, red and black, etc. Nailing down the perfect matching family clothes can be quite a task, but here is my role to help you.

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.

*If you know the photographer, it's best. Familiarity works well with everyone and is very comforting to kids. You don't want your kids to run away as soon as the frame is set up. If possible, maybe include your children in the previous meeting with the photographer days before leading to the shoot.

*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.

Memories are for freezing..in the most aesthetic way possible. Do you agree?

7/16/2021 8 comments

So it's been our 18 th month of home isolation. Is it just us or have you too been staying safe at home; with no outing whatsover? Honestly speaking, I just don't want the Covid bug to bite me or my family. We have been able to stay safe till now (that has been an ultimate struggle) and we don't want to lose this battle towards the end. Or is it going to end actually? Have I gone paranoid?

Well whatever it is, I am definitely going for a staycation as soon as this gets over. I am sooo done doing the dishes, cleaning, cooking non stop and nurturing a big family. I really deserve this don't you feel? We all deserve a break, especially if we have been stuck at home non stop and all what we have done has been chores. So I am already started planning where to go. Although I don't like repeating places, but it seems like an era ago with only one kid and tonnes of less responsibilities. Aah golden days!

So its been quite a while that we had our super memorable staycation in Westin Resort and Spa, Sohna. July 2017 to be precise. It was indeed a surprise from the husband; as he decided to celebrate my birthday by treating me a month after. Anyways, what struck me most about the place (apart from the cliched luxury) was how easily we could connect to nature. No doubt the part of Sohna where the resort is located is quite far from the actual town. But still you could never expect so much wilderness just by entering the resort gate.

Spread over 37 acres of lush greenery, your connection with nature does not stop there. Apart from numerous playgrounds and tennis courts, the most fascinating thing is the zoo. Yes! animals are kept with utmost care (not sadly captive in the real sense) inside the resort. From kid friendly rabbits and guinea pigs to eye appealing peacocks and ducks and deers, their herds are impressive. But what fascinated us the most were the Emu birds. Yes, emu, the ostrich like huge flightless bird which we had never seen before. We not only got to interact with them but also fed them! The caretaker was really friendly with kids and hence even my tiny daughter fed leaves to those huge flightless birds.

The campus also has a small lake (the Westin Lake) which is a must visit. Its closed in the evening as soon as it gets dark as its unguarded and not safe. Although small, its beautiful nonetheless. There are swans quacking and paddling on the water. The surroundings are a perfect picnic spot. Have not been it summers, we would have definitely brought out our snack baskets and rugs and sat there and munched gazing at the calm water!

Walking inside the resort premises is quite a challenge in the heat. You can rent bicycles but since I was with a toddler, I could not. The husband was busy in getting some work done so I and my tiny partner sweated and roamed around in the heat. Although I must say those drops of sweat were really worth considering the amount of fresh air we got to breath.

So apart from the good food and luxury and swimming and beautiful nature, visit this place (especially with kids) for mingling with the animals and the lake. The place is definitely expensive, but it's worth. Especially after being locked at home for so long.

What are your plans post Covid?

7/15/2021 17 comments

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!

7/07/2021 14 comments

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?

3. Cut piece: This is a 1m X 1m Japan satin cut piece fabric. I love the vintage vibes of these polka dots and that explains the reason of styling it like this. It can be used as a scarf around my neck, as a tie blouse, scarf for purse, a sarong, and so many other ways. The satin is super smooth and feels luxurious on my skin.

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!

6/15/2021 17 comments