Face care with Kumkumadi Tailam Beauty oil & Aloevera Gel - Vasu HealthCare

Hey guys, dropping in to say a quick 🙋🏻‍♀️ , I have been missing in action for a while on the blogging platform but those who follow me on Instagram and YouTube know that I have been busy trying out local, healthy stuff all this while especially since lock down and sharing it all. (Follow me on Instagram & YouTube to stay tuned 🔜) 

I came across a jewel which needed to be talked about and Instagram wouldn’t have done justice with a short write up in 1 post. 

So here we go. 

With my search for good local products ( I am a strong believer and supporter for Vocal For Local ) for -health care, skin care (these two are so important, especially now in the covid period) I landed on the brand - Vasu HealthCare (Made In India) available in more than 40+ countries with 40 years of excellence. 

I tried these two gems. 

Vasu Facial Beauty Oil - With Kumkumadi Tailam

Face oils are a must to treat and keep the face rejuvenated and healthy. 

Kumkumadi Tailam is liquid gold, an elixir, the best kept ancient secret of southern India. 

An oil which is mainly made of kesar (saffron) hence the name Kum Kum. The oil itself has several Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients; it is supposed to be extremely beneficial for the face, imparting a young, healthy and radiant skin from within. It is known to reverse the effects of sun tan, remove scars, blemishes and uneven patches. 

Furthermore using Advanced Research and technology Vasu has incorporated this Ayurvedic Kumkumadi Tailam with other super ingredients like Avocado oil, Argan oil, Lavender oil, Rapeseed oil, Licorice, Rice Bran (no wonder I mentioned them as super ingredients 💁🏻‍♀️ right ) in optimised ratios to create and perfect an Age Revitalising Face Beauty Oil ( and other face care range) . 

It promises to overcome hyper pigmentation, age spots, blemishes and wrinkles and lend an inner glow to the face. In short maintains a youthful look by boosting collagen synthesis, improving skin elasticity and revitalising and nourishing the skin. 

Does it deliver ? 

Coming to the main part, does it stand true to its promises. 

I have been using this oil for a while. 

I have combination (dry and oily) sensitive acne prone skin. 

This oil didn’t break me out. In fact it does give a nice little glow. The oil is light weight  comparatively and easily absorbed. 

I require 2 drops for my entire face and neck and I am good to go. I apply this on a clean washed face at night. Massage it for a couple of minutes and let it be overnight (that shiny oily feel ). 

I do not pair it with any other product while using this. 

My skin looks rejuvenated, healthy and plum in the the morning. 

For the other claims of wrinkles, blemishes and youthful appearance- it will take time. As you know serums and face oils ( any face product) take time to work on your skin and the results to be seen. 

Especially Ayurveda, it’s clean and subtle on the skin, hence takes more time. 

I will definitely let you guys know how it performs after a month on Instagram (stay tuned). 

Right now I am enjoying the nice glow and a healthy skin. It definitely rejuvenated the face. 

The best thing is - it’s a clean natural product, Halal, not tested on animals, non gmo, no silicone or artificial fragrance. 

I like the Ayurvedic light fragrance it has. 

Priced at Rs 550 for 25 ml - a good budget face oil. 

You can buy it here. 

It does last long. 

The packaging is cute. It comes in a dark tinted glass bottle ( which saves it from the sun or harsh light, so the oil is not oxidised). It has a Cap as well as a dropper. I loved this product and everything about it. 

Give it a try but please do a patch test. Same products sometimes tend to work differently even on same skin type people. 

No makeup clean skin 

Coming to the next product. 

The good old trusted Aloe Vera Gel. 

Which is a saviour and multitasker forever. It’s uses are known to all and so is it’s miraculous healing properties. Every household has one Aloevera gel or the other at all given times. The best thing is it suits everyone mostly. 

So I am getting you this baby, it’s as good as can be. 

I was first fascinated with its look itself. 

Isn’t it cute - shaped like an Aloevera leaf and I, hence gave it a try. 

Was I happy to do so, more than I expected I should say. 

Priced at Rs 180 for 120ml 

It claims to be made of 98.3% of Natural Aloevera. 

0% Parabens, Glycerin, colour, formaldehyde, Fragrance. 

Halal 

Not tested on Animals. 

I use it to soothe my skin after a sunny day out. 

I like to apply it if I break out to clear the skin as well as soothe it, it works well on itchy scalp/ heat boils. 

I leave it overnight on my hair before washing them - or even for a couple of hours to get soft silky hair. 

There are so many uses of Aloevera gel, hair /face masks coupled with other ingredients, chapped lips, cuts /bruises. 

This one is a fuss free and lives up to the expectations. 👍🏼👍🏼 Do try. 

You can buy it here. 

You can also purchase it at the Vasu store 

                 

• Facial Beauty Oil: https://bit.ly/3a7HTBN

• Aloe Vera gel   https://bit.ly/3a9CUk1

I am definitely trying more products from Vasu HealthCare after trying these ones, do let me know if there are other gems in this brand or other face oil or products you use which are amazing or which you would like me to review for you. 

Drop in your comments 👇🏼 

Until we meet again. 

Stay safe, stay happy!

xoxo

Bhakti 

The Farm Chennai | Sustainable and Responsible tourism in India | Best o...

Quarantine Birthday Vlog

Birthday celebrated in Quarantine with home made love and lot of memories, no pressure of gifts, some fights, some random hair cuts gone short, simpler times - But was it enough ?

Quarantine Eyes

If eyes could speak .. they would speak of the free expanse of the blue sky they see.
If eyes could speak
They would tell you of the depth of the blue oceans they crave in to be ..
They would tell you about the gaze that follows a bird in flight into the sunset wild.
Of a stray leaf 🍂 flying from the tree to kiss the grass beneath..
They would talk about freedom and captivity ..
They would talk about nature and pretty sights they wish to see.
The longing of a gaze in exchange of one handshake, one hug, of smiling lips which make the heart beat skip.
Of adventures to find, to leave miles behind.
They would tell you of humanity and love of community and family all above.
If eyes could speak they would say a prayer for you and me.
And still .. If they could tell, they would tell you of the grateful heart who is happy and sound. #quarantinediaries .

Bhakti 

Quarantine Sky

Quarantine Diaries 

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Face your Fears and Grow | Motivational

Dance like no one is watching 💃
Easier said than done especially when everyone is watching.
All I can think is what others are thinking about me, about the judgements - most of us go through this and I guess that’s the crux of it all. The biggest fear.

What is fear, fear is nothing but a  feeling of being afraid of us getting hurt in some way or the other. Every year I try to overcome at least one of my fear, get out of my comfort zone one step at a time.
(Check it out here)

I love dancing I always have at social gatherings, get togethers, parties, with family, friends but I always need a partner. Its funny but honestly I can't dance alone in front of a crowd or audience. I cannot face the stage alone.
As a child, I was shy, I wouldn't participate in any of the competitions which required me to be on stage alone. So I have been carrying that baggage of stage fright throughout my life, I never let go off that little girl who was happy in her comfort zone of familiarity. That's what most of us do, right?

I wouldn't be doing this if I wouldn't have taken that leap into the unknown out into the uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
The true fear here is not of the stage, it's of being judged, of failure, of messing it up.
Of all those eyes being on you and no one else, taking the onus of your own actions, no one to hide behind, no where to go, true scenario of fight or flight.
This year there was a family wedding and I had to take part in the celebrations, I wanted to wriggle out of this cause I was a nervous wreck not because of practise or anything but the sheer knowledge of facing my demons.
But I couldn't, I had promised, it was now or never.
The knowledge that I was doing this in front of my family and friends was comforting as well as It added more pressure - it was as if I had to prove a point, but there wasn't any point to be proved.
It was just in my head - my fear of being judged and yes eventually that made me freeze at the very beginning- oh yes I goofed up after all, right at the start !
That moment I remembered the Murphy's law - “whatever can go wrong will go wrong” and it so did. What did I have to lose now. I just tried to be calm and go with the flow and give my best shot, it wasn't easy though.
I went on and then I heard cheering from the audience that itself was so comforting and motivating because the audience doesn't want you to really fail in fact they want you to go on . And with a beating heart I went on.
I couldn't stop, I couldn't take a flight so I kept going. I kept looking st one person at a time cause believe me the sheer magnitude of the entire crowd is scary. So one at a time I went on with the audience as well as my steps and before I knew ( not really it seemed really long) the dance was over. I felt liberated and light and yet the feeling of what others thought and of being judged was at the back of my mind. It always is you know. I guess that is the root cause of most of our fears of us being trapped in our comfort zones, not taking that leap of faith.

So has my fear of stage gone? I don't know only time will tell. All I can say is that I took that first step, that leap and I will keep walking out of my comfort zone even if it is baby steps. I will keep moving ahead into the unfamiliar, discovering new unknown possibilities and experiences. It's gratifying, satisfying and really makes me happy to go on and keep learning keep growing. We grow fearless by walking into our fear, by facing it by being strong, not just by thinking about it but acting on it. So don't let this fear of what could happen let nothing happen. Get out of your comfort zone and keep growing from strength to strength.

Let me know if you went through the same ever. I keep going through it, even now when I shared it, I am insecure about being judged but that didn’t stop me from putting it out there from taking my leap out of my comfort zone. I am Facing my fears and letting others know that you are not alone, are you?

Check my dance finally in the video below 👇🏼▶️ At 2:00

Watermelon Mojito | Summer vacation vibes in Quarantine

Join me for a summer vacation at home with cocktail recipes and some dance in tow. Vacation in Quarantine and some Mojito to forget where you really are ;p
After all Every summer has a story to tell.. and the main plot being happiness cos in the end Summer is a state of mind.
So enjoy those summer vibes wherever you are 🌞

xoxo

Bhakti 

Quick Refreshing Coconut Mocktail / Cocktail for the Summer.

Easy drink to refresh and rejuvenate this summer along with boosting your immunity in a yummy way.

Easy Egg Masala Recipe

Egg masala - a quick recipe for some yummy satiated hunger pangs. 

Top it up with some butter and comfort food at its max is ready to serve 🥘

Pair it with bread, chapati or Rice - a soul satisfying meal indeed. 

You can substitute the eggs for chicken or make it completely veg by substituting them for Paneer (cottage cheese). Do let me know in the comments below how you liked it.

Summer salad - Easy Orange Mediterranean Salad

Is it the Simple food, simpler times or the simplest love?

So I was craving this simple Curd Rice meal one of these days (quarantine life) and as I was making it, I was very happy from within. Curd Rice a most simple and humble preparation; an amalgamation of chilled Yoghurt/curd and soft boiled rice. Changing its avatars throughout the country according to region and taste with a bit of variation. 

Dahi Bhaat a local favorite in a Maharashtrian house hold, also goes by the name of Thayir Saddam in Tamil Nadu  - a must in every meal, to Doi Bhaat in Bengal, khatti kanki in Gujarat, Dahi pakhala in Odisha, Komal Saul in Assam and many more versions and names of curd rice throughout the country. 

What makes it special is the simplicity of chilled Dahi with soft rice and a few other ingredient which are easily found and give it a local taste and flavours which are unique and simplest to find, eat and digest. It’s healthy too, with it’s good bacteria, probiotic property and it’s also good for the immunity. 
No wonder this is a most comforting meal found all over India especially in Summers or hot places. 

But this Marathi mulgis heart belongs to the one cooked in Maharashtra in her mother’s kitchen. 

Dahi Bhaat always takes me back to the more simpler times literally. I am talking about the 90’s when life was a lot simpler less hassled, technology was just setting in and hadn’t taken over lives, social media was newspapers and Doordarshan if anything. Especially for a kid in Kg (as in kindergarten not kilograms)the simplest times you can say without a shred of worry and an ounce of stress ; one only being practising your alphabets in the cutest sing song manner there was. 

So well, in my kg we were allowed only sabzi chapati (bhaji poli ) i.e staple healthy food and one day was reserved for snacks in our tiffin. 

So apart from sabzi chapati we were also allowed curd rice once in a while. I wasn’t a big fan but call it peer pressure, change or just a kg tantrum; I wanted that in my tiffin. So after pestering my mom  for the same, now you may be wondering - what’s their to pester in that. Well I was an asthmatic child and Eating curd got me bouts of cough. So yes, you can imagine my mother’s state but being the sweetheart she always is with me and trying to make me happy (don’t be fooled, she is very strict when she has to) as always. She gave in. So next day I go to school all excited expecting my first ever curd rice in my tiffin. A small kindergartener who couldn’t contain her excitement for eating the most humble meal ever curd rice cos she never had one. So finally when I opened my tiffin and stared at it with the utmost love and began eating the lovely lemon coloured curd rice with so much enthusiasm. Well let’s decrease the enthusiasm over here not in quality but in quantity. You see I am a very slow eater now too so imagine me in kg. I had just barely taken two bites and was enjoying my very own creamy curd rice for the first time when the teacher took away my golden lemony creamy soft rice filled tiffin and gave me a packet of Parle G biscuits to eat. She distributed my golden treasure meal fit for a king amongst my classmates whereas I looked on with fury and confusion and misery and tears. To scared to ask why she did it, I grumpily hardly even touched the biscuits. As if that wasn’t enough she called my mother next day for a meeting. 

After going home and throwing a tiny tantrum and being pacified by mother with the utmost love, loads of play time and yummiest fare, I totally forgot the episode apart from the happy fact that the next day mumma would be picking me up from school after meeting my teacher. 

Decade or two later I find out. The reason behind the creamy lemony colour Dahi Bhaat in my tiffin in kg, the meeting and even decades later I find out the true depth of love in it all. 

Well you see, my mother stuck in dilemma of having an asthmatic child who wanted to eat Dahi Bhaat for the very first time and feel one with the class, peers and not being left out; she made Dahi Bhaat but with a concerned mother’s heart ; with a little Dahi and some varan (dal) to cut down on the potency of Dahi giving me a bout of cough. Rendering that creamy lemon colour to it. You see Dahi Bhaat is like Snow White, no wonder the teacher peeped in my tiffin all right. Well let me tell you it was a yummiest one at it, my classmates finished it in the fastest bit. 

So my mother was called for a meeting and a bit of scolding because dal was not allowed (weird no sometimes). 

So she took a scolding, took double tantrums from me, took all the trouble and in return she only gave me loads of love -isn’t it the simplest of love, all for me, all for my love. 

Yes my heart still yearns and will always yearn for that most comforting best creamy Lemon coloured Dahi Bhaat in the world with my mother’s love. So in this quarantine I don’t know whether I am craving for that simple yum comforting bowl of Dahi Bhaat which makes my heart sing or I am craving for my mother who’s heart sings for me and then I realise they both are one and the same thing. 

So today I sit and relish this simple food thinking about the simpler times and missing and basking at the same time in the simplest love. 

Dahi Bhaat Recipe  

xoxo 

Bhakti 

Reading In Corona Quarantine

What to read and how to read during corona quarantine. How to keep sane, happy and positive amidst lockdown. What to do during quarantine time  all this and more.
Books suggested - a mix of positive stories + whatever entertaining stories you have.
Eg - Paulo Coelho - Alchemist
Elif Shafaq -
Robin Sharma - The Monk who sold The Ferrari
Gaur Gopal Das
Cecelia Ahern
Sidney Sheldon
Agatha Christie
Mythology -Shatrujeet Nath
Ruskin Bond
Chick lit
Anything that is available.
Tinkle, Amar chitrakatha, Audible apps giving free subscriptions right now.

Read because it will take away your stress, it’s the best form of mind exercise.

Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy and stay positive.

xoxo

Bhakti 

Coping with Corona

Things that we need to do - to get through the corona quarantine and curfew. Stay home stay safe. No hoarding. No impulse buying. Social distancing. Taking responsibility. Boosting immunity. Keeping ourself occupied. Staying happy and positive.

Follow me for the series - Quarantine and chill with me.

Easy recipes and things to do/activities to keep yourself happy, positive and healthy during Corona Quarantine. Stay home, stay safe, stay happy and positive.

Episode 1

Dalcona Coffee Recipe / Quarantine & Chill with Me Series - episode 1

Hey guys stay tuned for my Series - Quarantine and Chill with Me.

Episode 1
Episode 2

Episode 3 

Country Roads Take Me Home ..

Country roads take me home to the place I belong west Virginia .. 

whenever I am in the open country side that's what you will hear me humming with my tribe.

This song is etched in my heart, it tugs at all the right strings and makes me feel rooted.
The crisp air, the fresh breeze and the greenery all around. 

A cottage on the hill side with a stream gurgling, mountains in the background, trees giving shade, a pretty fence, some crops, some animals lazying around aka the first proper drawing we all used to make. How many of us got out of that picture, that first dream as a child, that perfect house, well I never did. 

Remember these 

I still do them 

Somehow, the city with its skyscrapers and busy lifestyle, with dense pollution, population and a cold attitude never really was my cup of tea. I am that country girl at heart with a big glass of lassi (churned yogurt drink or coolers, I love them too) some pakodas, bhakri desi style and if you want the English countryside we’ll throw in all the fried vegetables and chicken and I will be glad with that even. 
The nature along with the animals, flowers  make me so happy, make me want to settle down by a river aka just like my drawing style. 
There I go again painting pictures in my brain, making poetry. Oh did they tell you? Its great even for artist's brain, no wonder the poets, artists, writers and almost everyone make a beeline to be alone. 


Countryside living - the slow simple life. 
The deep purge that we need in our life.
It’s like your soul is rejuvenated and the physical benefits heaped.
A magic potion which keeps one hail and hearty forever reaped.
Like a secret lotion for beautifying the body and mind. 
Unlike the highly marketed ones these are sure shot and cost no dime 
No wonder they are so sublime. 
Yet no money equals not much demand honey,
Oh that's why they opened the big retreats.
Started with country getaways,
Which no one can beat.
Raking high moolah cause they giving you a break from your life as a treat.
All this just for some free and undiluted way of life,
Exactly that which you have lost in daily living strife. 
Oh countryside life - I salute your innings;
The magic of slow living beginnings, 
In every moment being. 
To the simplest of meanings. 
- Bhakti

Finally it’s catching up again, people are starting to understand the importance of a simple minimalistic life, less clutter more living. Less distractions more loving. Less pollution more health. 

I dream of all this and more;want a country house, simple life and so yet want the city not far away. Where once in a while I can go to the mall and enjoy the nightlife to my hearts gay. 

So am I; a fair weather country girl, scared of the insects and reptiles but enjoying the cuckoo bird in its plight. Now, that's a start we all need to make. 

Or is this the nervousness of being out of my comfort zone. Surely I want to be one of those who are friends with the ozone. 

Living every pulsating moment vs running and trying to catch up with the rat race with every movement. 

It’s a hard life which keeps your heart gentle unlike the city softies with stone cold hard hearts as their besties. 
Daily comforts will be minimal but what we need is in plenty. 
Enough to lead a happy self sustained life without the materialistic cluttter that we really don’t even want, it’s just a way of making ourself feel good for what we lack and that is plenty in the rugged countryside- character.

The quote 'it takes a village to raise a child' holds true in the countryside and that’s how the bonds that are formed stronger. 

The farm to table concept is being put to use actively by many restaurants charging a premium for their organic goods. People are even visiting the farm stays to make this in a day trip activity. Where as this is just the simple normal way of living on the country side. Grow your produce and enjoy it too;  as healthy as it gets and what u don’t have, surely your neighbour does. Thus increasing the community experience and barter system and keeping it local. Keeping it simple. Benefiting each other. 

The city folks are going after balcony gardens to bring in the nature, the zen. That’s how important nature is for the well being. 

Basking in the sun, breathing in fresh air with the plants and trees. 

It does wonder for ones health - physical and mental well being. 

The creative benefits are just some other toppings that come on this chocolate cake. No wonder writers, painters, poets make a bee line for that country living. 

There are loads of pros and cons but the pros definitely are higher for me than any cons. 

One day ... one cottage on a hill with my favorite song humming - country roads ... I am home 

Cons 

Country politics 

Being on the bad side of anyone will get you into trouble 

People are nosy 

Technology not advanced 

You won’t get everything that you need 

Social life not much 

How about doing it both - living close to the City or having a weekend country home. 

Cost of living is low or then Suburban homes is the answer offering best of both the worlds.
There are even those who have given all their comforts and the highest of position for the beckoning of the country life zen.

Just thoughts of a girl on a sunny summer day missing the countryside breeze, green trees, meadows and animals at play.

xoxo
Bhakti

p.s. check out my day in the countryside 

Best Gifts to gift yourself on your Birthday.

So Birthday is done, Birthday month is done, another year is done and another year of introspection is done. 
I feel quite productive, if I may say so myself (grinning cheekily).
As you guessed from the pic , I had an amazing birthday, I love gifts who doesn’t. 
Talking about gifts I used to invite more friends for my birthday party so I could get more gifts. The feeling of unwrapping pretty colorful presents to find a surprise waiting in there. Some good, some amazing, some OK and some disappointing but nevertheless all are always exciting. 
Honestly,  I use to be eager for my guests to leave so that I could get to my gifts, I still do so (now you know, so urge me to open my gift you always get me, so that I am not wanting you to head over for the door in my head). 

Birthdays always do that to me, I cherish them mine or others and I love that feeling of being special, being cherished. By gestures, love, kindness, gifts. Don’t forget the gifts, I won’t let you (laughing to myself). 

However, as you grow older you need to be are expected to be a bit more mature about your own Birthday. 

Now, that’s one thing about life, when you are a kid, your parents pamper you with gifts, additional love and attention, party with friends- home made Pav Bhaji, or Vadas, chips, pastries and you are made to feel like a star. But as your age increases  and your cuteness decreases along with that - the need to celebrate an individual or is it how they put it, the desire to celebrate your own birthday and all that attention no longer entices one. 

So what they really mean is after enticing you all those years with parties, gifts celebrations they want you to relinquish it all. After tasting self accolade and love the society wants you to give it all away for the bigger picture over here it’s actually you bigger in the picture... 

After years of being celebrated how does one go un - celebratory, if that even makes sense? Why am I supposed to go all monk from monster (monkey would be better) on my birthday ? No offence but I don’t want to be a Monk on my birthday. 

Now I didn’t know that celebrating oneself, my own life was supposed to be a bit immature. 

Well I love to celebrate myself, the day I came in this beautiful universe, the person I am, blessed and loved, I forgot lucky too. 

I am in my 30’s and I still love to celebrate my birthday, I am still far away from being a monk, birthday still entices me and the rate at which I am going, I am sure I would jolly well be enticed by the same even in my ripe old age. 

Celebrations do change, that I will give you. Cute and pretty gifts are always wonderful. 

In the long run though - Love, relationships, family, friendships will definitely hold your fort. 

I definitely love to gift myself more of these things below and then some more for birthday and for life. 

Indulge

Indulge the kid within you, do what you love, have what you love. Go for that big customized chocolate cake, surprise yourself. Have that bucket of fried chicken or cheese and champagne. Gift yourself a lovely candlelight dinner and plush night. 

In short sometimes you can have your cake, cut it and eat it too... 

Love 

Let love in your life, love yourself unconditionally and let others love you. No one can love you more than your own.  Love makes everything worthwhile, it adds meaning to life, to being. 

Cherish 

Cherish your family and loved ones, spend quality time with them, take breaks, go for holidays, talk, eat together, make amends, go that extra mile. It’s these moments, that you will cherish forever, these are the best gifts to give yourself. These are the people who will always matter the most. 

Let go

Let go, life is short; don’t be too hard on yourself. Let go of what you can’t change, what is poisonous, what is unhealthy, what doesn’t give you happiness, that which has served its purpose in your life. Let go off these toxic habits, things, feelings, relations and see yourself soaring higher, lighter, happier. 

(Don’t confuse yourself between cherishing and letting go, I ain’t contradicting myself. There are few things, people, relations which are beloved and which we give our all but which are toxic for our growth, we need to understand the difference. Make a choice for your growth and act on it, without guilt.) 

Let go off your Guilt 

Letting go of the guilt - that you are/were not good enough. You didn’t do your best. 
You tried- you failed- accept that and let go of the guilt weighing you down. 
Learn your lesson and move on. 

Change is the only constant 

Uncertainty is certain, so brave it on, you will surprise yourself with your capability. 

Keep changing, keep evolving, keep updating yourself in all walks of life - survival of the fittest you see. 

Health

And on that last note, being fit and healthy is akin to survival and a good life. To enjoy the pleasures, you need to sweat it out. Exercise, eat healthy, have a disciplined life in some sense. The fitter you are the more birthdays you will celebrate eating cake your way. 

Meditate 

Cleansing your mind is of utmost importance, mental health is as important as physical. You want to remember your party people and stay sane till your last birthday now, don’t you? 

Kindness 

Be kind to yourself first, be gentle on yourself. 
Don’t blame yourself for everything that goes wrong and don’t be too hard on yourself. 

Be kind to Others, help those in need - a loving gesture goes a long way. Kindness always comes back. 

Believe 

Believe in yourself. If you will then others will. 
Believe and you will do wonders. Believe in the universe, the greater force. Have hope and faith always. 

Attitude 

Have a right attitude cause it’s all about the attitude. 
The glass is half empty or full only you decide, the same way your life is beautiful or no only you decide. 
Look for good in everything and you will see it. 

Friends 

You need your chosen family, the crazy ones to make this ride worthwhile. To throw you that birthday party every year. The people who have your vibe, keep them close. They will always be there for you, they are your tribe.  

Enjoy your own company 

Enjoy your solitude, your own self. 

Get to know yourself, fall in love with yourself, romance yourself. The longest and most stable relationship you will ever have - you - invest in it totally. Invest in yourself. 

Read

Read a lot of books, weave a lot of stories in your mind. 
Books are your best friends, they will take you around in their world. 
They will enrich you like nothing ever will with their treasure troves. 

Podcasts are the new favorite books, not mine really though but as I said you should stay updated. 

Gift Experiences 

The trip you wanted to take, that class you wanted to join, the mountain you always wanted to scale. Do that.

Experiences make you feel better than materialistic pleasures. You will always cherish the memories. 

Learn 

Be a student of life forever. In whatever field, way, thing, experience you want - educate your self. 

Happiness 

Be happy. Happiness is not a destination, it’s the journey. So don't wait for it, make it happen. It’s work in progress, chose to be happy every day and see the joy it brings in life. #smallthingsbigsmiles 

Grateful 

Be grateful for yourself, this life, all that you have, all that you are. Celebrate it aka celebrate yourself- celebrate your  Birthday 🥳🎂🧁🎊🎁🎉 

—- point proved —-  laughing happily, as if I need a reason... 

No pressure but you better celebrate with me cause this one will leave old and with a grand big one. 

xoxo
Bhakti

Top Romantic Places in Chennai - Valentines Day Special

Best Romantic dates and things to do/ Places to visit in Chennai for Couples. Celebrate your Valentines day in Chennai.
Click on the tags to go to the main videos of specific places to know more about them in detail.
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xoxo
Bhakti 

Starting The New Year With Acceptance

A bit late but nevertheless, I meant to post this in the first week, better late than never though. 

So as I bid Good Bye to 2019, in a quiet way with my family wanted to end the year on a good note and start the new year with a smile like everybody else. 

A good movie and then some lovely food was the laid back plan to bid farewell to 2019. 

I, myself wanted to watch a light, happy movie but my sister wanted to go for Mardani. 

Honestly till the time the movie started I was skeptical of not wanting to watch a serious movie. I wanted to end the previous one and start the new year on high spirits with a gay heart. Absolutely understandable, nothing wrong in it, right ? 

However, After watching the movie which is based on the true story in our country - a story of A rapist, about sick mentality, about the society we live in - A gruesome truth, a grotesque reality ; (An outstanding movie and performance by Rani Mukherjee, must watch)I was forced to think and the first thought that came to me was - we are just living in our bubble, our own happy bubble. Again nothing wrong in that; we need to protect ourself, our happiness.  But We also need on a larger scale to accept the fact, the scary truth, to accept reality, the society that we live in. Things will change only after we acknowledge that yes we do have a problem as a nation, as a society. We need to embrace this truth, this bitter poison which isn’t happy but which is reality in the new year. Because the first step towards change is only through acceptance. Only with acceptance can we strive to change what is wrong. We cannot overlook the reality under any pretext. We are entering 2020 with things to be proud of,  achievements, happiness on one hand and on the other we are entering another decade with some barbarian acts, heinous crimes, narrow mindset, inequality in all aspects, crumbling environment and we need to bring the change as a society. We need to raise our voice for humanity. 

Let’s burst the bubble, let’s face fear, let’s stand together and welcome this decade not only on a happy note but on the right note, with a right mindset. 

Happy New Year 2020 !

xoxo

Bhakti 

Family Circus, Drama And Politics

I have been absent from the blog a while now, haven’t written anything and suddenly I just got these random thoughts popping in my head and a strong urge to share them. You must have read the tittle and by now wondering what exactly is this, that too just before the year ends. 

Yes, this is my last post for 2019 and it isn’t rosy but real raw. Some lessons I learnt along the way. Brace yourself with some coffee because I am going on with full steam. 

It’s holiday season- ‘Tis the season to be jolly and merry but is it really or are some of us having a silent syndrome of family dynamics and feeling lonely. Let’s be honest family is anything but easy, they are the people who know us at our worst and best and they are the people with whom we are most vulnerable. 

So it’s safe to say that we all are in our own little family circus, with our own version of clowns, adventurers, eccentrics and other characters with unique characteristics. 

But quite often than not we forget to enjoy our own little private circus the way we enjoy the one we pay to see. 

After all Nobody likes their own drama, others drama is easier to watch and enjoy, but not many speak of our own, or even chose not to accept our own. No one really talks about this Family Shamily business, it’s always under wraps, portraying the best of behaviour and perfect family pictures for holidays and vacations for the spectators delight and owners pride. 

In today’s social world this exhibition is all the more prevalent of showcasing the prized family moments and perfect pictures captured. Nothing wrong with this, but it becomes easy for the person viewing or the one even posting it or portraying it to get entangled in this trap - a pressure to believe that family is supposed to be a particular way. 

More often than not we compare our lives to others pretty pictures and check ins, perfect family getaways and dinners and think what they have is better. To want a life which doesn’t belong to you, to crave for something which is picture perfect, to feel jealous, let down and often angry with our own self. To feel small and insignificant is another biproduct of today’s social age. 

The truth is far from what’s seen or in this case shown, the pictures we see - the portrayed reality is just one small part of everyone’s life. There is family drama in every house, there ought to be especially if so many characters live together, traits will clash sometimes or the other. Everyone has some family things which are painful, unhealthy, which people don’t share, which is considered taboo to do so. That’s another point I have learned in this year, if you don’t share the good or the bad with each other, how will you know, how will a person know he is good if you don’t tell them enough. Someone might feel less lonely or let down or insignificant if we share that yes we too experience similar things at one point or the other. Wouldn’t an open dialogue or just sharing that it’s normal to have family and its problems, it’s a package, it’s normal to get hurt till a certain extent. And it’s equally normal to maintain a distance to safeguard your sanity. You are not a failure, it’s not your fault. It’s ok also to feel low looking at others family. It’s ok, you don’t have to be guilty to have such feelings. It’s ok to feel the pain. It’s ok to let it go. You are not alone, life throws all of us curve balls at one point or the other. 

Perfection is overrated, flaws are beautiful, flaws are unique, they set us apart from others. That’s what makes us special. 

That’s what sets us apart. That’s what makes every family different. So why judge, why judge ourself, why judge our spouses, our parents, siblings our immediate relatives. They are the best we will ever have, we can’t go out and get another one of these from the market. So making peace with it in our own way shouldn’t it be our best foot forward? 

Instead of judging what if we enjoy the ride in our very own private circus with its unique traits and characters with a VIP seat, that too free ( if you don’t count paying in drama ) After all what family is complete without some drama, isn’t it ? 

If we stop looking with our rose tinted glasses cause even roses have thorns. 

This is what I learnt in this year, acceptance in all relationships, in family, in friendship. 

And it’s ok to feel it all, you needn’t be guilty for it or make others feel guilty for feeling it. Relationships are bliss they are meant to make you stronger, if we compare them with others life, we’ll rob ourself of the joy in the lifelong journey we need to take with these people. In the end these are some of the people who love us unconditionally right. 

Acceptance is the key to everything in this world. We need to learn to accept certain things, of the way people are and learn to live together with differences but happily. 

(Wish that applied to the current scenario in the country too - isn’t that similar too a bigger family, then why we differentiating on the basis of religion, aren’t all of us Indian) 

Another point I wanted to make before this year ends - 

Is why do we have to question or again judge people if they speak on some issue, why we take it for granted that if someone talks about a certain disease he must be having it. If someone talks about family, feelings - I am sure, must be going through a rough patch, someone doesn’t believe in CAB or differentiation on the grounds of religion - isn’t Indian enough, doesn’t have the brain to see the bigger picture. Why do we have this urge to hush every voice which is against the current? Why do we feel the need to brush our feelings under the carpet and suffer with our pain alone? Why this insecurity? Why can’t we be more vocal and accepted ? 

I just voiced my opinion, things I believed and learned in this year, things I wanted to talk about before the year ends. Things I wanted to put out in the world. 

Will I be judged? - yes mostly 

Was I sceptical to put this out for the fear of being judged ? Kind of 

Yet I am setting these thoughts free, someone, somewhere might need them this holiday season; someone somewhere will read, may be it will make a difference- a possibility. That’s enough for me today. 

Stay happy guys and make yourself happy  as someone very aptly said - in the end only when you are happy and only when you are contributing to humanity, can you provide happiness and can you contribute to others. 

On that Note wish you Happy Holidays !and A Very Happy New Year in advance. 

xoxo

Bhakti