Sephora Haul - China

Hello Friends,

Happy Friday !

I am back again with great collective haul, it gives me so much thrill when I see a Sephora Haul. This time its from China. Unfortunately China does not have many US brands that we look for but there are few to get your hands on.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation & Stay Matte Concealer

I keep searching for good foundation which would not make my T-zone shiny and would give me a good coverage. In past, I have experimented with lot of other foundations  from various brands. 

Among the ones that I have used,  hooked on to Mac Studio Fix and Bourjois Happy Light Foundation. Which reminds me to mention here, Mac has increased its price on all the products. Earlier it was pricey and now it's become more pricey.  

Today's post is about my latest pick, Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation and Stay Matte Concealer.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation 

What it claims 

A match so perfect, it's undetectable in any light! Light Perfecting radiance foundation Traceless coverage and perfectly flawless skin under any light Lasts all day. SPF 18.

Price : Rs. 645/-

Colorful Eye Make Up

Happy Tuesday everyone, with Monday blues just left behind there is a whole week ahead to look forward to.  It's hot and I keep praying for the rains to come soon to get some much deserved relief from this relentless heat. Just imagine in this terrible heat when you need it the most your AC stops working and you can’t curse your luck enough.

Anyways... today's eye make up, I have kept it colorful thanks to my better half who wanted me to create something colorful. 

This  look takes lot of blending and patience to create as there are many colors used to achieve this final look. 

It's fun to play around with different colors. Add false lashes to this look for more volume and dimension. 

Chicken Karahi Curry

Hello Friends,

Today I am going to share with you the recipe of Chicken Karahi Curry. This is a main course dish and easy to make.

Ingredients 
Chicken - 1 Kg.
Onions - 2 big ones
Tomatoes - 3-4 Nos Medium Size
Yoghurt -   3-4 tbsp
Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 and Half tbsp
Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp
Shaan Karahi / Gosht Masala
Tumeric Powder - 1tsp
Chilli Powder - 1/2 tsp
Green Chillies - 2 Nos - Medium Size
Salt
Oil
Coriander Leaves - For Garnishing.

Marination

Marinate chicken with Ginger Garlic Paste, Garam Masala, Shaan Karahi / Gosht Masala, Yoghurt and salt.

Marinated Chicken

Method

1) Take a broad pan , pour oil into it. Once it turns hot, slightly squeeze the onion before putting into the pan. Keep sauteing  till the onions are soft and slight brown.

2) Add finely chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, chilli powder, slit green chillies and mix it well and keep sauteing till the tomatoes turn little soft.

3) Add the marinated chicken to the pan and saute till the whole masala is sauteed well (Bhunofied) .

4)  Add 2-3 cups of water and let it simmer for another 10-15 min. Since we have already added salt in marination, check the gravy and if the need be add more salt.

5) Remove it in a bowl and garnish with fresh green coriander leaves. Serve it with rice, chappati or nan.

Enjoy !!!

Desperate in Dubai

Recently spotted this book called "Desperate in Dubai" by Ameera Al Hakawati. Was little skeptical in picking up this book though I quiet liked the epilogue.

Many a times, it so happens after reading the epilogue you expect the book to be interesting and engaging, but as you read on, you are in for a disappointment. It has happen so many times with me.

Still ! I went ahead and picked up this book as I was intrigued and curious to know about the insight of Dubai's high class life, the way they live, and so on.  I could easily connect to the book as I have stayed there for quiet some time.

This book was banned in Dubai and it has again manage to grace the shelves. It's a National best seller. The story revolves around the lives of four women who live, love, and labor in the sparkling Gulf city of Dubai.

Turquoise Make up Look

This summer season, turquoise and coral has been the color all over. Keeping the flavor of the season in  mind, today's eye make up has been worked out using turquoise eyeshadow. Beautiful and a unique color, looks dam pretty on the eyes too.

Turquoise reminds me of the beaches and cool water. Even a touch of this color on the upper or lower eye lid would make an impression.

It's neither too loud nor to sober, goes well with black, brown, green and blue eyes. The color is so unique that it sure calls for an attention.

Would look great on Navy blue, grey, white or black dress. Team it up with some good accessories and you are ready to go.

Lets check out the Turquoise Look ....

Instagram Vol 4 - Shopping, Make up looks and lots more...

Hello Friends,

Good Morning and a lovely day ahead. Back again with another set of Instagram pictures. Past two  weeks had been fun with colleagues, shopping with my sisters, eating out and what not. 

Let's  take a peek in Instagram pictures and see what I was upto :))

 

Moong Halwa

Making dessert always felt like a huge task to me, that's not my forte.  I enjoy cooking..... as in starters, main course or side dish. Decided to improve my skills in desserts . To start with, I chose to make something simple, easy and would tastes delicious. Tried Moong Halwa and turned out really well

Lets check out this simple and easy recipe.... 

Ingredients 
Yellow Moong Dal - 2 small bowl or as per the quantity required.
Ghee - 1 small bowl
Dry Nuts (Almond, Pistachio & Walnut)
Kesar - few strands
Green Cardamon (Elaichi) - 6-7 Nos - make a fine powder
Sugar - as per the sweetness required. here I have taken 1 small bowl. (small as in equivalent to the bowl shown in below picture of dry nuts)

Method 

1) Roast Yellow Moong Dal before washing and soaking it overnight. In the morning drain all the water from the Moong Dal and grind into a fine paste.


2) Take two and a half cup of water in a pan and add sugar, green cardamon powder and saffron. Let it boil for 5 min. Keep it aside.

3) Take a thick and broad bottom pan, add ghee, once the ghee turns hot add moong dal paste and keep stirring and pressing with a flat spatula.

4) Once the water from the moong dal has evaporated completely, Add half the dry nuts and mix well before adding the boiled water that you have kept aside with Saffon, sugar and cardamon into it.   Mix it well & close the lid. Let it cook on low to medium heat,  till  water has evaporated completely and the sides starts leaving oil.

5) Remove it in a bowl and garnish with dry nuts. Serve it at room temperature.

Enjoy !!!!

Wearable Green Look

I seriously love this look, as it looks beautiful on  different eye colors. I have used a technique of going from darker to lighter green, layering it up.

Wearable Green,  you can have on without being too loud. To add more drama to this look, you can wear thick falsies or else,  it looks great without wearing one.

In the crease I have taken peachy coral shade which would compliment the green and make your eyes look more fuller and rounded. Eye liner is very slightly winged.  I have jumped from palette to palette to get different shades of greens, from darker to a much lighter tones.  In all,  three green shades are used in this look.

Have tried this look with heavy false lashes  so that you know how it looks and in the last picture I have removed the falsies, to show that it looks good without wearing one. 

I have got a big bad pimple on my chin, kindly ignore that and enjoy the look.

Three Products of Hair Care

Today's  review  is dedicated for Hair Care. Sunsilk Natural Recharge - Ginseng Root and Oil Shampoo,  Loreal 6 in 1 hair oil and  Sebastian Shine Define.

Lets get started ...

Sunsilk Natural Recharge - Ginseng Root & Oil Shampoo

What it claims

Hair is every girl’s prized possession! Whether she is trekking up a mountain or riding on a humid day, her hair can get in the way of her life! But not anymore thanks to Sunsilk Natural Recharge, which replenishes hair’s natural look. It gives you 5 times stronger hair, making it look abundant! Infused with Ginseng plant root extracts, this new formulation has been especially co-created by hair stylist and Sunsilk expert, Jamal Hammadi. 

 

So if you’re looking for a new shampoo & conditioner that gives you strong & abundant hair, try Sunsilk Natural Recharge!

Avene Sunscreen and John Frieda Hair Conditioner

I have squeezed the last bit of sunscreen from my Lakme Sunscreen Tube, time to buy a new one. Ok ! so what's a big deal . Well ! few of the places that I went to purchase,  found it out of stock Grrrrr.... I was using Lakme Sunscreen SPF 50,  the fat tube.

Avene Sun Screen SPF 50

Benefits : Is it for me?

• A gentle, lightweight, 100% mineral sunscreen
• With a highly water-resistant, non-clogging formula
• Enriched with patented Pre-Tocopheryl for powerful anti-oxidant protection
• Formulated with exclusive SunSensitive Protection® that ensures stability of formula
• Concentrated with Thermal Spring Water for soothing properties
• Offers broad spectrum UVA/ UVB protection without irritation
• Leaves skin smooth, hydrated & comfortable
• Perfect for normal to combination sensitive skin
• Paraben-free

An ultra-fluid, silky and non-oily texture which leaves a satiny, matte finish, making application particularly pleasant.

Kumarakom Lake Resot - Kerala

The next destination after Munnar was Kumarakom Lake Resort, which was on my mind for a long time. It was one of my dreams to stay in this resort.

Located in the Kottayam district in Kerala, Kumarakom Lake Resort is a place in itself.  This is a Peaceful resort on the Backwater of Kerala with lush greenery everywhere. There are many other five star resorts in the same location but nothing beats Kumarakom Lake Resort.  I had read a lot about Kumarakom lake resort but as stated above this was my first time with them and it lived up to its award winning reputation. 

  

As you enter the reception area it gives you a very authentic Keralite feel with colorful painting hanging on the wall, wooden furniture and low ceiling. The staff is dressed in a traditional off white sari with golden border and the guys wear a simple cream shirt with a Lungi. As you proceed further you are welcomed with natural gush of wind and the beautiful landscape keeps you mesmerized for some time.

We had booked a Heritage villa with Private pool which was truly sublime, a large beautifully appointed bedroom with outside bathroom, a porch with lovely sitting area …and…and … the most lovely private pool with Jacuzzi.  Could anyone ask for more?

Inside the Heritage Villa

BH Cosmetics 120 Color - 2nd Edition Palette

Wow ! is the word that I would describe about this 120 color - 2nd Edition Palette from BH Cosmetics. I already own a 120 color - 4th Edition palette which is all shimmery finish. Wanted one with a mix finish (matte, satin, shimmery) all in one. This one is real gorgeous and I cant help but reach for this palette very often. Hands down one of the best palette in my kitty.

It has got a wide range of bright and neutral colors which makes it an ultimate palette to have in your collection.

What does BH Cosmetic has to say about their 120 Color 2nd Edition Palette

If you're looking for a mixture of bright and neutral colors, the 120 Color Eyeshadow Palette 2nd Edition is your match made in beauty heaven! Like the 1st Edition, this long-wear makeup palette contains mattes and shimmers in many bright & neon shades, but has twice the amount of neutral shades. You can't go wrong with this eyeshadow palette if you're looking for a spunky & feminine look!

3 Product - Homemade Soaps / Dhanwanti Hair Oil / Face Packs

Today's post is about three product that I picked up from Kerala. Home-made Soaps, Ayurveda Hair Oil and Face Packs. There were variety of homemade soaps and face packs made from natural ingredients.

Natural Home-made Soaps

A New Winner

Hi Friends,

Hope you had a great weekend.

There has been no new updates on the blog from past couple of days as am not been keeping well.  Its dam hot and the heat is really getting on to me. From today onwards, I am back in action so stay tuned.

Coming to today's post, I had announced three lucky winners for my First Anniversary Giveaway. The winner Pradeepa Sampat has not yet got in touch with her details. I have no option but to announce another random winner.

So guys we have a new winner here.

Sirishti Unki 

Congratulations to the new winner... 

Would request the winner to please mail me your full name, postal address and your phone number on my email address : zara_dreamz@rediffmail.com. 

Once again thank you all  for your continuous support on the blog.