Coffee, Tea & Me ...

Winter is here with applomb. Pune is known for its awesome climate and its pretty right now in the city with temperatures dropping.

The chill in the morning with warm sunlight is my favorite thing.

I Love sunning in the winter.

Another favorite of mine in winters is Coffee and Tea.

Let me tell you I hadn't tasted tea in my entire life till couple of years back.

I still Am not a tea drinker But I just cant resist a nice cup of cutting chai from the neighbourhood kiosks.

Especially living in Pune which is a paradise for Amrut tulya. These are tea stalls which specialise in making tea some dating back to the 1940's. 

The name Amrut Tulya literally means - Like honeydew or elixir of Life 😯. Their tea is really something to rave about after all it needs to keep up to its name. Amazing slow brew of masalas, tea powder, milk, water, Sugar. Must try when you in Pune. 

The city is also dotted with age old Irani cafes and the Irani chai is well known. 

I Am a little inclined towards the Amrut tulya for my tea But I do have my favorites for Irani chai as well. 

A girl needs to have options now, does'nt she 😜

In short I definitely Love sipping on my thelewala chai. I have never ever have had tea at home. ( my answer If Anyone asks me for tea is - I don't drink tea.. now that's just weird me) I Am sure I have covered this on the blog before.. 

There are so many tea stalls dotting the city take your pick. Do try the ones in the old city By the name of amrut tulya.

Sunning and sipping in the Cold winter mornings ..

Cups of Chai as you watch the workd pass By... this one is an Irani cuppa at Good Luck

Now If you will ask me Am I a tea / coffee person. Pat comes the reply coffee. Yes I Am a complete coffee person. To be precise Cold coffee and there is something about having Cold coffee on nippy winter nights ... its bliss. 

My favorite joint to have Cold coffee is this small place Durga cafe in Kothrud. Don't get me wrong the place is just small in looks it will and has given any coffee shop or cafe run for its money. It has a huge fan following - will be an understatement. 

Just look at the glass with the creamy frothy perfectly strong and sweet coffee topped with sweet generous amount of cocoa. I have gone to heaven ... Bliss is this. Must try.

That doesn't mean I don't Love a good hot cuppa of coffee. I Am a complete Nescafe girl. I Love filter coffees too. Give me a nice strong one and I Am a happy bunny. 

Durga does some really good hot coffee as well. 

Nice hot cuppas - coffee for me and tea for Hubby after a tired day.

Nothing Like a good old cappucino with Doughnuts ( especially M.O.D double trouble 😛👍❤🍩 )

Flilter coffee Dates 😍

So that was Coffee, Tea & Me in a nutshell for you. ☕

So just summing up my favorites for you. 

Amrut tulya in the old city.

Roopali 

Irani chai - Vohuman, Good Luck, Irani cafe, Southin, Yezdan. 

Coffee - Cold - Durga (kothrud), Mar-zo-rin, 

Hot coffee - Durga (kothrud) 

Until we meet again with some more New ramblings and stories. 

xoxo

Bhakti

Do let me know what you want me to write about.

Gestures of Love and Raindrops.

Small random gestures out of the blue, without a reason, without an occasion, without any expectations - just pure love touch the heart more than expected gifts on anniversaries, birthdays or festivals. They are so special because without a reason you know you are missed and loved and thought about a lot. They are cherished forever. 

These random small gifts by hubby dear pamper me silly and I so love them like crazy. 

I love books and I love to receive my kinda books. I just love the feel of paper in my hand, the colourful cover and the world inside these pages waiting for me to lose myself completely to its magic. 

Fragrances make me go weak in my knees I just love them especially floral ones. Natural fragrances have their own charm and I just love their relaxing and soothing effect and the whole Auroshikha range from Auroville products which are awesome and so difficult to get in Pune. 

The fragrance oil is of lavender and it's really calming and rejuvenating I just love it. I am still to read the book so will keep you updated on the same. The incense sticks are so cute and they are of opium. 

They are nice but I am more of a floral, woody person. 

I am in love with these cute bottles holding natural drink, they taste awesome. These wonders are from Kokm  Juicery and they are excellent. I am hooked on to them.

The bottle is so cute and honestly I picked up the drink for the bottle the first time I laid

my eyes on it and it turned out really yummy. This one is jeera and its really good on the tummy. They have other flavours in it too and I have tried almost all and they sure are liked by me.

Since the time I have tried Black Forest ice cream from Havmor I am hooked to it. 

I love Havmor ice creams, they are delicious and super vfm. This ice cream actually has cake layered and it's s treat. Give it a try. I love their entire range, its pretty good.

This is my all time favorite movie- Under The Tuscan Sun - feel good at any time. 

I love the way it is directed, the cast, location, positivity, romance , love and life. 

That's my dream Tuscan villa. I just love the journey that Diana Lane makes within herself to find herself. Her vacation in Italy, her struggles all so real and captured beautifully. In the desire for our wants, we stop looking what life is giving us. Life grants our wants too but we are just so busy wanting more, we stop appreciating it.

Colours just work their magic on me and I am left enchanted and mesmerised by their beauty. Give me colours any time of the day and let me paint my dreams. Complete Stress Buster.

Nothing like the first drops of rain on the hot soil. Rains leave everything so pretty. They wash the soul and everything around. Beauty in and out. The smell of the wet earth after the first rain drops drives me crazy. I am a complete pluviophile and a petrichor lover. 

Hope monsoons arrive with much aplomb soon. 

Meet my new friend 🤓

Just monkeying around or should I say dinosauring around 🙈😜. 

Hope you liked my snippets of the week gone by. 

How was your week. 

Let me know in comments. 

Until we meet again.

Stay happy and cheerful.

Lots of love ❤️❤️

xoxo

Bhakti 

Now

Random things I love

The title says it all, today I didn't have anything much to share with you guys, so I just decided to share some of my loves. 

They are random but pretty nevertheless. 

I love climbers, they just add an ethereal feel to the surrounding, to the structure they are clinging to, to a nice canopy and not to forget the most romantic balconies of beautiful spiralling climbers cause your heart to flutter. 

Are you in love with them already ? Let's plant some for a romantic date on the balcony😉❤️ 

I equally loved those hanging planters in which they are planted, so rustic and cosy. 

And speaking of rustic, you know I am a boho at heart, a sucker for country things and rustic environment. Love these pots, they make any kitchen so colourful and full of vibe. Want to own one in every colour. 

I am a lover of nature is no secret. Sitting amidst it for hours is what I love doing. water bodies have a calming effect on me. Infact I have water bodies all over my home. Perfect spot for meditation and just some soulful time alone. Perfect spot I bagged, don't you think? 🍃🌳

Thalis (Indian plates) have my heart all the way. Their beauty lies in their simplicity. Can you imagine some amazing, delicious and mouthwatering traditional Indian food served in this beauty. The joy of eating with your eyes first. Didn't I tell you I am a country Girl all the way, let's put in desi too in that. 🤓🙂😉

Last not the least, I love my long drives with coffee, a cup of hot coffee on cold winter nights. There is something so romantic about long drives with soft music and a hot cup of steaming coffee laced with cocoa - so soothing. Conversation just seem to flow with this lethal combination, and interesting conversations not to mention. Try it🤓😍❤️

That was all from me to you. 

What are the things that you love randomly? Tell me in the comments below, I would love to know. 

Until then. 

Stay happy and smiling. 

xoxo

Bhakti 

Favorite February

I always look forward to the new year like everyone but I am actually looking forward to February. 

February is my favorite month as you all know by the tittle. Most of us love February for the more obvious being the month of love ❤️. However I have a more deep love affair with February as it's the month of my birth. Yes I have my birthday in February and every year I look forward to it with equal enthusiasm and gusto. 

Birthdays are a big affair with me, don't get me wrong, I don't have to throw a big party or do something really huge on my birthday. Birthday for me is a very special day and I like to celebrate it to celebrate life, my being and I love doing so. I just adore all the pampering and feeling extra special and February thus is very special for me. 

And all of you people who are February born - wishing you a very happy Birthday month !! hope you have as much fun and lots of wishes. 

Being a February born, I pride myself with all its traits and I simply love them, won't change it for anything. So another reason to love February. 

Have a look at the February born traits. 

Frankness  ✅✔️ I am frank to the point of being blunt and hurt people, obviously putting my foot in my mouth. However I am glad I am honest. 

Originality ✅✔️ I will have it my way in my style, I can't repeat what someone else does. 

Creative, Innovative ✅✔️ Art in any form makes me happy. 

Loyal ✅✔️ furiously loyal 

Devoted to family and love ✅✔️ mean the world to me. 

Live in the moment, enjoy life ✅✔️ yes , yes , yes !! 😊👍 

Strong willed ✅✔️

Selfless, helping ✅✔️ I always feel we need to give back to the society, Earth , life in whatever way we can. 

Me in a nutshell, it's almost so accurate, it's amazing. All the more reasons to love the month who blessed me with all these traits. Hehe 

I happened to read this somewhere and it aptly describes me to the T. 

People born in February are usually far from reality. They are interesting and intelligent, but are preoccupied with abstract thoughts. These people are also extremely sensitive and can be easily hurt. They are friendly by nature, but may feel isolated at times. They are exceptionally loyal and devoted to the people they love. Another interesting trait is that, these people can read other people easily, but choose to reserve their comments. They are little low on their self-esteem but if a situation demands, they can surprise everyone with their hidden talents. By nature they are attracted to places of amusement and. Entertainment and leisure are essential parts of their life and they love freedom. Generally they are shy, but when held back or forced to do something against their will, they can be aggressive.  They are introverts in the sense that they show their abilities only when required. They do not believe in unnecessary publicity of their talents or capabilities, one of the reasons they are quite modest and discreet.

If you are interested you can find more to read in detail over here http://www.thefamouspeople.com/famous-people-born-in-february.php

The famous people who are born in February are - Abraham Lincoln, Christiano Ronaldo, Bob Marley, Rihanna, Shakira, Jennifer Anniston, George Washington, Steve Jobs, Chatrapati Shivaji, Morarji Desai, Zakir Hussain and many many many more especially from the field of art. 

Hope you enjoyed some Indepth on February borns and it got a teeny weeny smile on imagining yourself if you are a February born or if someone close to you is a February baby. 

I just loved doing it for fun sakes and some insight into my nature as well as ones born in February. 

The years haven't and never will reduce your importance Lovely February. I will always await you with anticipation and welcome you with joy. 

xoxo

Bhakti 

I am a Country Girl

Hello, 

Let's start from here, should we?

This song is my favorite. I heart it, with all my heart, gets a smile instantly to my face and I am all happy and gay. Lusting for some country life. 

Beautiful winding roads with big trees laden with fruits which keep spreading on the horizon, till your eyes can take it all. Clear blue sky stretching above you and green carpets of grass to sleep on with cool breeze singing a lullaby.  

Gurgling streams to drink in and clear azure lakes and rivers to take a dip. 

The fragrance of freshness of meadows wafting. 

These simple joys of life, of a country life. 

Cozy cottages and houses, no gadgets to distract, just pure nature, stress free life, wholesome food, real values. 

I am sorted, country girl by heart. 

My heart sings with joy whenever I am amidst nature, away from the city life. 

It allures me, keeps calling me. 

One day I will certainly go to the simpler way of life, to the simple joys. I really believe in living it simple. One day I will certainly be a Country Girl. 

Till then I satisfy myself with small trips to the countryside to keep me sane from the craziness of the fast paced city life. 

On one such day, monkeying around. 

These huge shady trees. 

Hubby challenged me to swing on the branches. 

I couldn't swing to save my life, the very best I managed was the run for the swing. 🙈😐😶☹️

Hubby dear showing me how it is done after having a hearty laugh. 

Until next time, I am definitely learning to swing. 🐵

Outfit Details 

Jeggings - vero moda

Top - Lifestyle

Shoes - Thailand 

Sweater - High Street 

Glares - Vera moda 

xoxo

Bhakti 

Pretty little things

Here's the first week of 2016 with little pretty things.

These pretty little things are happiness for me, make life worth living. 

Always finding happiness in small things and enjoying the little moments that come along, that's me in a nutshell. 

Celebrating life in every moment.


And I couldn't stop humming this song -

Gratitude for the year that went and memories it gave and gratitude for the new year and new memories to make. Visited the temple with my family first thing on the new year to take blessing. So good for the soul. Calmness. 

Got a pretty little gift - don't you love these adorable chappals, I am head over heals, the colours are so vibrant and stunning. All the way from Pushkar. Couldn't stop beaming looking at them. 

Got myself these footsies for winter, nothing like cozy socks in beautiful colours to keep the toes nice and toasty. 

I was searching for this since a long time, finally laid my hands on the perfect wide belt. Got it from Globus at a bargain price . Happy puppy dance ☺️🐶❤️. 

First meal of 2016 with hubby was that of Kolhapuri Thali. It's definitely one of my most favorite meals, look at the fiery Colors of the rassa (gravies). The pleasant and creamy pandhra rassa (white stew), I never can have enough of it. Washed it all down with a tall glass of sol kadhi ( native drink of kolhapur ) Authentic meal which satisfied my tastebuds and soul. 

   

Lastly, these gorgeous piece of silver earrings, I love silver jewellery and love to collect them. 

These earrings with the birds and the nest are certainly a unique design. These were a gift. Definitely, it was love at the first sight. 

So overall the first week of 2016 has started with aplomb and I am already loving it. 

How did your New year start? 

xoxo

Bhakti 

Speechless

A short instance and peek in my life from this week. 

It's a weekday, as usual hubby and me fighting for remote, he wins,snuggles up comfortably in the couch and puts a shittiest of movie. 

I don't understand men, there are myriad of channels, so many movies and telecasts and they always end up with the dumbest of movies. I still fail to understand the joy of laughing on the crappiest dialogues and enjoying lamest jokes, it's a complete torture and headache. Anyhow ..... I endured the movie for a long while which felt like eons before getting lost in one of my books when I couldn't take anymore of that non sense. 

After the movie was over we climb into bed and I suddenly remember a movie which we saw together and couldn't recollect the name ( very good director, good cast still dumbest movie ) and I ask my hubby dear for help. Here it comes - his reply goes like - "we have never seen such a movie, go to sleep ,, you just dreamt about it" I go furious and start searching like a mad woman , after searching our cd cabinet, googling for hours as I couldn't remember the director and the lead cast was new, bless the character who is such a good and senior actor, searched his biography and this happens till 4:30 am in the morning, yes people I do suffer from ocd,

I tell my hubby the name of the movie and that we saw it together and this is not something I dreamt up (which he was so stubbornly sure of ) and wickedly in my mind I am telling him I won. 

Hubby replies - "so this is what you do when I am not around watch shittiest of movies, no wonder"

Speechless .... 

On that note of my life, here's an outfit I wore with my girlfriend for an afternoon shopping and lunch. 

Outfit Details 

Top- Zara 

Jeggings - Zara 

Shoes - catwalk 

Ring and neckpiece - pink pvssy Bangkok 

Watch - Rado

Bag - gift from friend 

Until next time.

xoxo

Bhakti 

Pink Zone

I hate it honestly, when you are pissed or really annoyed and people just ask you is the devil nearby, is it that time of the month, and I become even more mad, rationally it seems we girls do not have a right to get mad or we are incapable of getting annoyed and running out of patience for things unless and until it's that's time of the month and very conveniently it's blamed on the monster period (pun intended). The male species won't even give it a second thought that they were wrong and it's their fault, it's like we suddenly become these irrational demons. 

A chat between hubby and me goes like ,  he keeps doing things to irk me enough and I eventually lose my cool. 

Hubby - doing some mathematics in his head as if solving some grave problem.. 

Me - what happened what u calculating 

Hubby - silences me with his hand and after a minute - aren't you in your pink zone. 

Me - what the hell is pink zone? 😱

Hubby - when you are flashing danger signs -do not approach ,, at your own risk (pms). 

Me - mouth wide open ,, how dare you.. fuming with fury now 

Hubby - no baby it's not that bad , it's still comes and goes and it's manageable 

Me - just staring at him ,, then what is bad ? 

Hubby - The actual danger zone , when u are on destructive mode and can kill anything in your way for no fault, it's danger all over, it's like war path.  

Me - shocked beyond belief ,, zoned out 

Hubby - I am right for crying out loud 😂😂😂

Me - so furious ,,😡

But we both just end up laughing like crazy what with his puppy eyes...🐶

For the record his calculations were right .. 

All this just for telling him him off for not letting me sleep in peace at 2 am. 

God !!!! 

Since we are in the pink zone, then why not go with a pink outfit today. 

Outfit Details 

Top - Dubai 

Denims - Tommy 

Watch - Tommy 

Necklace - Flipkart 

Bag - Landmark 

xoxo

Bhakti