Dreaming Of Dubai!

We recently started working for a Dubai based chain of restaurants and all I have on my mind is Dubai!! Though I have never been there yet, I have read and heard so much about the beautiful city of Gold that I almost feel like I’ve been there. In-fact I am certain that when I actually go there it will feel familiar! I’ve also heard there are a lot of Indians and Bollywood celebrity endorsements you can find on billboards and Indian food everywhere.

The best thing is, if planned well in advance, one can get cheap air tickets to fly down to Dubai. A one way ticket from BOM to DXB is only around 7 grands if booked a month in advance, I have paid a lot more to fly to Kolkata or Guwahati in the recent past! And there are lots of airlines to choose from too and non-stop 3.30 hour flights. This is simply mind-blowing, the world is a lot more connected and closer than it was earlier.

When it comes to stay, Dubai has a lot of options to offer, fitting every budget. The most renowned ones include Atlantis The Palm – the epitome of luxury with an aquarium et al. Staying at Atlantis is no less than residing in a palace, I feel. It is located near the Palm Jumeirah, one of the famous tourist spots in Dubai.

When in Dubai – there are a lot of activities to do, apart from shopping. Though the climate is overall bad, with extremely hot temperature – it is not much to worry about because practically everything is air conditioned – right from the airport to cabs to malls and even bus-stops.

Because I have clients in Dubai – I know the famous malls there – Ibn Battuta Mall is quite famous for it’s Moroccan beauty and architecture. Then there is Dubai Mall, the best mall in Dubai where one can do a lot more than just shop or eat – for instance it has an aquarium and underwater zoo. One can also do indoor sky-diving in Dubai.

Can’t wait to soon plan a trip to Dubai and do everything I have been planning since so long. Will definitely share pictures with you guys!

Father's Day Gifting with IGP.com

In India, for some reason we are all a lot more focused on Women's Day, Mother's Day and not as much on Father's Day, I don't even know if there is a 'Men's' day... But I decided that this Father's Day i.e. 18th June 2017 is around the corner and I want to gift something meaningful to my Father and my son's Father, i.e. my husband (on behalf of our kiddo ofcourse).

Came across this gifting portal called Indian Gifts Portal which had some unique offerings and quite reasonable rates. I love quirky stuff, for myself as well as gifting and soon found myself browsing through their easy to navigate portal.

They had a special curated Father's Day gifting suggestions so that is where I headed. Whether you are on a small budget say under 500 or whether you're looking for personalized options where you can add your own name, message etc, they have it all. You can even filter if you are looking for personalizable versions only or hampers only.

I spotted a really cute hamper set of a spectacles holder, mug and coaster and decided that this is the best gift for my Father - as he wears spectacles and could totally use a spectacles holder and he also loves to drink his tea/coffee! This was priced at Rs.675 with free shipping which I thought was quite a decent deal.

I did not buy the same set for my husband on behalf of our kid because he already has a spectacles holder and a 'World's Best Dad' mug, so then I found something he'd like in the general gifting 'For Him' section. I purchased a steel mug with nescafe sachets and Hersheys chocolate. The steel mug comes with a lid and would be perfect for him to drink his coffee (along with the Nescafe ready-to-mix sachets) and he loves chocolates, specially Hersheys & Lindt. This was priced at Rs.710 with free shipping. I think it'll be really adorable when my toddler gives his dad the gift!

I ordered both of these together but they were shipped separately, the former came to me within a couple of days while the latter took 2-3 days more. The packaging of the Hersheys with cup was very nice, hence I have not yet opened it as it's yet to be gifted. I don't know why the spectacles holder set wasn't in a nice gifting packaging.

Do check them out next time you're looking for gifting options for your loved ones! I loved the personalizable perfume/after shave options as well. Do comment and tell me what you liked from their gifting portal, I'd love to know! Wish all you awesome dads out there a Happy Father's Day!

About IGP.com:

1. IGP.com is one of India’s largest online gifts store specializing in gifts for all ages and occasions.

2. Established in 2001, Indian Gifts Portal (IGP.com) is one of the oldest, LARGEST and most experienced ONLINE gifting COMPANY IN INDIA.We understand the consumer's gifting needs.

3. Indian Gifts Portal (IGP.com) specializes in flowers, cakes, chocolates, personalized products, festival merchandise, kids, home & living and fashion categories

4. Indian Gifts Portal (IGP.com) ships orders to 150+ countries (including USA, UK, Australia, Canada etc) and 7,000+ pin codes in India. 

5. Indian Gifts Portal (IGP.com) has same-day delivery network in 300 cities in India.

June Wedding In Rajasthan - Featuring Flyrobe, Ozone and Olie

Didn't have any vacation all year, didn't travel apart from work-related stints, and was really longing for a break! A cousin was getting married, and I had to go! Weddings are fun, getting to meet the entire extended family, have fun, eat awesome food and dance all night.

We were put up at Country Inn & Suits by Carlson - Ajmer which looks like was a great property once upon a time but is now not maintained well. Our room was a good one, with a nice verandah and basic amenities.

We took a direct train to Kishangarh - Ajmer and I was travelling by train after 4 years! And because we left on a Wednesday, and I was working till Tuesday night I had no time to pack or visit the parlour for a facial etc.

To the rescue for the latter was the Ozone Ayurvedics Acne Healing Facial Kit I received a few days before the travel. Facial + Acne Healing in one product is like a boon for someone like me who still suffers from the random uncalled stress/hormonal break-outs.

About the product:

Ozone Ayurvedics offering a complete professional range of Cosmoceuticals brings consumers a step closer to a revolutionary skincare product-Ozone Acne Healing Facial Kit. During summers, the skin gets exposed to harmful UV rays and dust which makes the skin oily leading to bacterial formation. For acne, dryness and other harmful effects caused by environment, this product from Ozone is ideal for women fighting this daily environmental stress.

Acne healing facial kit- for clear and pimple free skin, works as a nourishment and optimal hydration to the skin to treat excess acne in one go. It is designed for oily, sensitive, acne prone skin. The ingredients of this organic facial effectively control the acne and eruptions, leaving the skin with flawless radiance. It will result in thoroughly cleansed and refreshed skin that is moist and non-sticky without any tightness, revealing a glow to the skin. Priced at INR 2000/-, this kit includes: Neem Cleanser for Acne, Sanitizing Acne Beads, Acne Healing Serumoid, Acne Healing Gel, Acne Healing Mask and Acne Check Hydrant. The product should be used twice in a month for best results.   

Review:

I received the travel/mini version which are mini-tubes containing one time use of all the above mentioned products. The tubes are easy to open, with instructions clearly mentioned. Total time for the facial is around 45 minutes. If you intend on using it while travelling, make sure you also carry cotton balls/tissues with you.

My face felt fresh and clean, non-oily after using the facial, like you generally do after facials. But to see the true effect on acne reduction, I guess you'd have to use it a few times. Their pack also mentions and advises to use their Acne Healing Face Wash and Acne Check Hydrant regularly. 

I wore a Kalki gown for Sangeet followed by a Frontier Raas Floor Length Anarkali that I styled like a lehenga for the Wedding/Reception. The Anarkali was from Flyrobe and was a good deal and perfect fitting!

I also received a really adorable travel wash-bag from Olie's Travel Collection. I absolutely loved the delicate and thoughtful packaging it came in, and the delight of the train print on it, specially since I love train journeys and was taking one after years. And it's handmade yet practical - with the waterproof lining inside. I totally want to get my hands on their overnighter - perfect for weekend trips or work trips! Do check them out.

About Olie - a label that reflects a simpler life, and free spiritedness. Olie showcases whimsical illustrations that are hand-printed onto reams of fabric on the products, which are entirely hand-made. Every step of the making process involves many hands, many souls and a lot of love.

'The Travel Collection' celebrates the joy of travelling by train and day-dreaming a little, amidst conversations, cups of tea and ever-changing land and seascapes outside the windows. The products in this collection include a range of beautifully detailed and handcrafted Overnighters, Journals, Shopping Bags, Wash Bags, Pouches and Wet Sacks. These multipurpose products are perfect for busy moms who are ready to conquer the day, without missing a beat.

Here is my look for the wedding day, do let me know what you think about it! I love the amazing back-drop I got right at the Hotel, and took this picture right in time before dusk set-in as wouldn't get a decent picture in the darkness! PC: @ThatGoonerMan