Bakers Showcase

It is one of life's profound lies that every girl's dream is to find her Prince Charming. No, thank you very much. It is actually to eat without getting fat. Period.
And to put the theory to test, a friend and I headed to The Bakers' Showcase this past weekend. Yes, we are connoisseurs of all the finer things in life, gourmets who appreciate the melt in your mouth texture of the purple velvet grape mousse, the delicately balanced sweet and sour of the blueberry cheesecake ice cream, the crunch of the Oreo cupcake alongside the finely milled chocolate.
Erm.., hyperbole much? Actually it was a lazy Saturday with hours to kill and we were ravenous by the afternoon. But well, travelling across the city in Bangalore traffic and Bangalore sun does count for something now, doesn't it?
Anyhoo, we headed to the Builder's Club at NGV and the first sights weren't impressive. A small-ish hall with a bunch of stands. This doesn't seem like much, we said to ourselves. But man, were we wrong! I swear, if I die, this is how my heaven would be like. Trays after trays of the prettiest and yummiest little treats. How do you manage to look so pretty and so be so yummy at the same time, O Rocky Road Cupcake? And you, dear red velvet cupcake, how can I never have enough of you? And how can I crave more of your sticky sweetness Raspberry Roulande?
Here, have a visual treat yourself. The pictures don't even start to do justice to the amazingness of these treats. But ask my tummy, it knows and my heart, aah... it truly knows!
Yes, I hogged, and some more. God bless that Sini Oommen for having the good sense to bring along some Shepherd's Pie. It was a blessing in the midst of all that sinful sweetness.
And when you are in confectionery heaven, calories don't count. 

Clinique Clarifying Lotion 4

Clinique, as a brand, has always intrigued me. Their dazzlingly bright facade, shop assistants dressed in starched white coats, their clinical display of products and that smell that's so typical to Clinique. It could well be intimidating to some! Thankfully, the first time I entered their store at the Oasis Mall in Bangalore, I was quickly put at ease. The SA Pandu deserves a special mention. He was genuinely warm and helpful.After he asked me some questions about my skin and skin care routine, he filled out my questionnaire and identified products he said would help improve my skin. Although he picked out a bunch of exorbitant stuff, he was also considerate enough to suggest that I start with their patented 3-step products seeing me get overwhelmed! These were available in smaller starter kits. I picked up the No.3 one for combination skin. Pandu was sweet enough to invite me to the Clinique skincare brunch later that week which I unfortunately didn't attend. Cut to the chase, I really liked the products I had picked up and got them in full size.

This Clinique toner however is the no. 4, for oily skin. I really like this toner. It smells mildly medicated and has a gorgeous pale blue color. (Though I liked the purple color of the No.3 toner better)

I have been using this toner for more that 3 months now, twice a day and still have half a bottle left! It is recommended to be used with a cotton pad in gentle but firm strokes.

I wouldn't say it has dramatically changed my skin but yes, I can notice my pores getting smaller/tighter and my breakouts are fewer. I also use it near the eye as a final step to my cleansing routine. It stings if it enter the eye but does a fine job of removing residual kohl etc!

The bottle comes with a screw on mint colored cap and whilst it doesn't screw to a terribly tight fit, it is snug enough to be safe for travel.

This toner is part of their three step process. To get the best out of it, it is highly recommended that you use the cleanser and moisturizer from the same range. I used to use them and really did like them both too. However, my skin is breaking out now and I have currently shifted to the tried and tested Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizing lotion at the moment since they are medicated.

It's pricey at Rs. 1400 for a 200ml bottle but it will last you at least 5 months of liberal usage. It is not available online and I would strongly recommend getting a skin analysis done at a Clinique store before you pick one up. Unfortunately, Clinique retails only in select cities.

If you still don't believe that a toner is important in your skincare routine, this one might change your mind.

Lancome Giveaway on Indian Shringar

Lancome spells luxury. I have been eyeing quite some Lancome goodies for some time including the hypotic mascara! Dollie is offering som uber cool Lancome minis to the winner of the giveaway on her blog Indian Shringar. So after you finish drooling over them, I'd suggest you better enter!

Giveaway by Shikha from the Dress and Makeup Blog

Woohoo... another giveaway news! This time it's on the Dress and Makeup blog. Shikha, who writes the blog, is such a dear! Head over there right now to win yourself some cool TBS and Korres goodies :)

Review: Nyassa Belgian Chocolate Sugar Scrub

Nyassa Belgian Chocolate Sugar Scrub

Nyassa Belgian Chocolate Sugar Scrub

I am of the handful few who dislike chocolaty stuff. Don't get me wrong, I am a chocolate lover through and through but only in the yummy bar form, wrapped in foil and encased in plastic. Anything else chocolate is a big no no for me. That includes ice-creams, cakes, fudge, creams, body butters and body scrubs! So when I received a sample of the Nyassa Belgian Chocolate Body Sugar Scrub, I was apprehensive. So much so that I planned to give it away to a more chocolate friendly friend. But somehow I managed to keep it and last night,  I was in the mood for some major pampering. Could be the fact that it's Valentine's week or just that it was Sunday night and I wasn't ready to give up on my weekend already! So, I went through the whole routine of herbal oil massage, natural face pack, deep conditioning and then I discovered the scrub box looking at me with great hopes. How could I say no to that sweet little thing when I was in such an indulgent mood! Out came the box. I was a little apprehensive about it's cleansing qualities since it felt rather oily to touch dry. So I first used my shower gel and scooped out a bit for my thoroughly rinsed skin. As soon as I scrubbed it on one arm, I was enveloped in a smell so divine, I am at a loss of words! It scrubbed to a weak, foamy consistency and all that remains are sugar granules which help in the exfoliation. I noticed that these granules do not dissolve quickly so please do not keep scrubbing until they dissolve, you might damage your skin. It did not dry out my skin at all. I felt all caressed and well cared for when I stepped out of the bath. Thankfully the smell doesn't linger and your body butter (which is a must after a scrub) will kill any residual choco fragrance. That is a huge plus for me!

Now a few things I did not like about the product are that it comes in a tub. That means you scoop out a bit with bare hands; unhygienic and all! Other than that, since it doesn't lather, so you keep scooping out more for every limb. You might end up dripping all over the tub and ruining the scrub! Also, the lid screws on top of the tub and the sugar gets stuck in the rims. I ended up trying to close it multiple times and managed a decent job only after I cleaned the tub head and the cap!

You can pick one up one from Vellvette. It is priced at Rs. 950 for 200 gm. My sample was  50 gm and will last me two uses. Going by the math, it's a tad bit expensive.

All in all, I liked the Nyassa Belgian Chocolate sugar scrub. Even someone from the minuscule chocolate hating tribe. I'd especially recommend you use it as an indulgence this Valentine's Day. Or gift it to the someone special  Better yet, share it with them ;)

Shourima's giveaway

The rather charming Shourima Ghosh is celebrating the first anniversary of her blog Makeup Fashion and Everything I love and has planned a very generous giveaway. Do check it out :)

Why do I blog?

I've been one of those people who were bitten by the social media bug early on. From the days of Orkut (remember? Now even Google is suggesting I change it to Irkutsk!), I was hooked to tweeting and blogging. I've had a few blogs earlier, writing on anything that caught my fancy. A news article that enraged me, a post reminiscing the good old days, a crazy idea I came up with after a coked up night, they were all there. All there until last year. Last year I decided to clean up my act, deleted some age old blogs, wiped out URLs I was eating up and basically tried to improve my cyber presence. It was a little hard to give up a few of them, with encouraging followers and dedicated fans but I knew I had to. The randomness was doing me no good and I'd always put off writing to when I'd get my next big inspiration which would come, inspire and fizz out. It was unjust to the amazing people who egged me to write. I knew I had to have a dedicated motivation source to write regularly. To my credit, I still have the same twitter handle.

Well, if you know me, you'd know I am addicted to three things, the internet, cosmetics and books; and not in that particular order. And then it hit me, what if I combine my two greatest loves, makeup and writing? And thus the idea of beauty blogging was born. I buy a tonne of stuff, love half, throw away the other half. Why not catalog the experiences and share the joys of getting dressed up? As a girl and even today as the little girl at heart, every women loves to doll up, for herself and for someone special. While I wait for my knight in shining armor, I am playing dress up so that I am all pretty-ed up when he finally finds his way around. Well that's that. I love writing and I love wearing makeup. I combined the two and decided to write about makeup. Win win :)

Why this post, you may ask. Well, I was meaning to write something similar and  then I read Nisha's post on her blog Spusht. That's when I decided to write my own Why I Blog post. While you are here, do check out her blog too. She writes about a plethora of stuff and what really draws me to her blog is how innocently she writes and how warmly she welcomes us into her life. Do give a shout-out to her :)

Miss Enchanted's Giveaway

Valentine's day is looming lovelies and Divya from Miss Enchanted is spreading the love this season with an Etude House Lipstick giveaway. I loved the shades she's got and trust me, your Valentine will not be able to resist those puckered up and prettied lips this V-Day. So I'll offer you this caution before you enter her giveaway, be ready for some action from the 'special someone' ;)

Crazy Pop Lock's super cute Giveaway

It's raining Giveaways! No seriously! The Gods are definitely teaming up with our most loved beauty bloggers and turning them most benevolent. Just when I thought these deals couldn't get any sweeter, there came Bharti with her super cute giveaway.
Long have us girls been considered arm-candy. About time we got some of our own. Here's your chance to win a yummy bag from ASOS. How often have we sighed over stuff from ASOS and stuff with bows? Well this one combines the best of both. Yes, a bow bag from ASOS. Don't you love Bharti for this truly cute giveaway? Go, 'bag' it now, right here! *Pun Intended* ;)

Dr. Poison Ivy's International Giveaway

Another 'Doctor' in the beauty blogging circles is Dr. Poison Ivy or Dr. Philazaman. It was her birthday recently and she is celebrating it with her readers via an international giveaway. If you don't take my word for how massive it is, see it for yourself here!

Beauty Traveller's Gorgeous Giveaway

Hi Gorgeous ladies,

Here is something that will add to the joys of the season, a superb giveaway by Dr. Neeraj Navare on his blog Beauty Traveller.
He is well known in beauty blogging circles for his detailed posts and fantastic EOTDs. We all affectionately call him 'Doc' :) Although this giveaway celebrates the New year, he has dedicated it to his dad who passed away in Jan 2012 and Nirbhaya. What a truly heart warming gesture.
And mind you, this is no ordinary giveaway, the prizes are ah-may-zing!! There are goodies from Guerlain, Clarins, Elizabeth Arden, Laura Mercier and the works! What are you waiting for? Head over there now!

Corallista celebrates it's Second Anniversary

Corallista has been one of the best beauty blogs on the Indian scene. Ankita, the owner/writer is much adored for her fab and regular reviews and updates. Infact, Corallista.com is one of my most visited sites and hence a permanent fixture on my Chrome homepage :)
Corallista is turning TWO and Ankita is celebrating it with her loyal fans with a super duper giveaway. What are you waiting for? Go check it out here NOW!!