Thursday, July 26, 2012

Hairstyles for the new Bride (Learn before you get married :P )

Lets face it, even through I love dressing up I totally do not like being a Christmas tree on display. But that is what is expected of us post-marriage to look like a 'new-bride', till at least a year. All you punjabi girls can get away with it by just adorning your chuda, but for the non-punjabi bride we need a little more help to look like a new shiny toy for the boys family to look at and be at awe. (ok, a bit exaggeration here, but you get the idea)

Every girl needs her hair to be just right, to help her look the part.

If I had it my way I would just keep my hair up in a pony, which might look good in a Saree when your among friends (a really nice chic pony) but will probably not go down well with all dinner-with-in-laws.


So here are some links I have found that pretty easy to make (have tried a few)

OPEN HAIR

1. Side Twist
 http://www.runningonhappiness.com/2012/05/diy-side-twist-fishtail-braid.html
This one is nice for going out with the boy, going shopping, honeymoon, any casual do you feel like opening your hair for.



2.  Twisted Water Fall
Really like this one! Tried it loved it!! Works for all lengths of hair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKrSg-de6wo
( if you want to get straight to the hairstyle start watching the video from 1min )

Thats my hair, its really dark so didnt get captured in the pic, but it looks  really good in real life, you can add tiny flowers or some crystal things to it. See below

Pic from the internet

3. Half tied and half open
If you are like me and want something simple and easy that works in 5 min and still keeps your hair away from the face, try this (She talks a lot so just start the video at 0:45min , that's where the hairstyle is)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrTxVFaL7-M&feature=relmfu



4. This one is Just for fun, wont suit a lot of people but is really cute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ec5JgbNn6xU&feature=channel&list=UL
Dont have a pic. sorry.


BUNS

1. French Bun
Found this really easy tutorial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6cjaX_rUuE&feature=related
Dont worry if your hair isnt as long as hers, it will still work.

My Mom although says that it will be neater if you first tie up half your hair (like a half close and half open hairstyle.) , and then she has this complex process. Cant find a video of the way she does it but ya its neater than the video link above, although if pinned right the above video way is much simpler and can look neater.



2. Braided Flower
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVxXr_mh5BM&feature=related
This one is really pretty, pls try!


3. Upturn Bun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKubj63ksC4&feature=channel&list=UL
Tried this one, pretty easy once you get a hang of it.

Its not exactly how its seen in the video, honestly I have no idea how I made it but did it  after the  video. So basically just see a lot of video's and do what you understand, more or less the result will be good.

PS : Sorry for the picture quality, will click others in better light promise, phone camera is really bad :(

4. Braided Bun

I dont know how much of it you can see, but its basically a bun made out of 2 braids wrapped together. No idea where I learnt it from, trying to find the closest video to it 


Ok, closest I have is this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6oDmGFeJb8&list=UUJqcphJAnsD5YDXcRFzTsOw&index=10&feature=plcp

What I did was :
1. Tied half my hair at the back of my head with an elastic band (like when you clutch your hair in a hair clutch, just do the same but secure it with an elastic band)
2. made a choti out of it and then wrapped the choti at the back of my head like she does in the video
3. Took the rest of my hair and made another simple choti at the back of my head.
4. wrapped the 2nd choti around the bun made by 1st choti
5. Secure with looads of bobby and 'Juda' pins

If its too confusing let me know will do a Tutorial. Basically with buns just watch a lot of videos and keep trying stuff, you might end up inventing your own hairstyle :)


PONYTAILS

haha, you thought I am not serious, I am!! I swear I will end up doing a high pony with Saree more often then a bun or open hair. So its better I learn a couple of good once. See :

1. Smart Pony. Pretty Easy, 5 min
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqpfjEeWf4&feature=relmfu

The video gives you this type of a style, If you want it like this, then just straighten your hair and use a lot of mousse or hair Serum and make a High Pony


2. Flip Pony
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqxpiKIRLWA

Sometimes people use a tool to help flip the pony like in this tutorial
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmtmy_ssPHI&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL5E27AA8891DAD3C3

Don't panic and go online shopping, just buy a new cheap tongue cleaner.

Just tape the ends, that's what I did


Have a great hair day!!

Hilarious Wedding Invitation to send to your Office friends


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Perfect Cinderella : Heel Vs. Flats

“Sometimes comfort doesn't matter. When a shoe is freakin' fabulous, it may be worth a subsequent day of misery. Soak it in salted water and take comfort in the fact that you're better than everyone else.” ― Clinton Kelly



If Cinderella was an Indian Bride then she would be certainly wearing these :

Christian Louboutin certainly knows how to capture the Indian essence 



And if I was pain-proof I would wear these in Red and Gold :P

*Sigh*


Unfortunately I am so not pain-proof and end up screaming within 15 min of wearing any form of heels. (Says the girl who, for her graduation show, got models to wear 6" heels; in my defense they were really comfy )


So Pro's and Con's :

Heels :

Pro's :
1. Looks absolutely fabulous
2. Makes your lehenga fall perfectly
3. Much more choice and availability. ( why do ALL bridal sandals have heels??)
4. Makes you look slimmer and taller
5. You certainly look apart from the crowd

Just look at them!








Con's
1. You might trip and fall. (not good)
2. Twist your ankle (not good at all)
(Remember that the wedding floors are not always even, even if your having your wedding in a hotel there is always the carpeted and the uncarpeted area, plus having a huge lehenga makes it even more difficult, so even if you wear heels don't wear sky high ones!)
3. You might get tired if your not used to wearing heels for that long. There will be a lot of standing and sitting involved.
4. When you remove them for puja then the sudden change of height might be funny. ( if the heels are 3" or more) not sure if it counts as a serious 'con' but it does for me.
5. Sore legs the next day.


Flats

The worlds answer to whinny girls like me who grew up in Nike, Reebok and Adidas.

Pro's
1. Super comfy.
2. You can do anything you want in them! (read dance like mad)
3. No leg ake wear them as long as you want.
4. No chances of falling (until and unless your super clumsy)
5. You don't have to continuously keep a watch on where you step and you dont need help (like an old lady)  to walk up the stairs.

Con's
1. Don't get too many pretty flats
2. If the boy and you have a big height difference then flats became a big-no. You'll be comfortable in flats but will look like a dwarf, on your wedding day its better to choose to be uncomfortable then look dwarf. (Thank god I can wear flats :D )
3. Very difficult to find good pretty flats for your wedding
4. Lehenga still looks pretty but its true the fall of the lehenga comes better in heels :(
5. When you take them off for pooja then they may blend in with other peoples footwear.

In Red and Gold mojari's look really pretty and regal!

I know this one has tiny heels in them but you can easily get something similar in kundan work in flats .

Ain't these super cute!

Belle's anyone?
You get something like this but more prettier in Metro shoes, I wore them at my engagement and looked really nice
Something traditional looking, any takers?

If the Sole was better and gems in Red, then this is actually nice. Like tiny jewels on your feet.


Whatever you choose make sure:

1. YOU are comfortable in them
2. They are easy to wear and remove. (If it has a hook type straps make sure you get a sister/friend to learn how to remove and wear them so they can help.Personally I like as little fuss as possible so no hook or elastic straps for me.)



And here is a tiny Gift Story for you :

The tale of the Greco-Egyptian girl Rhodopis, "rosy-cheeked", who lived in the Greek colony of Naucratis in Ancient Egypt is often considered the oldest known version of the Cinderella story:


The story says, when she was bathing, an eagle snatched one of her sandals from her maid and carried it to Memphis. 
While the king was administering justice in the open air, the eagle, when it arrived above his head, flung the sandal into his lap.  
The king, having been stirred both by the beautiful shape of the sandal and by the strangeness of the occurrence, sent men in all directions into the country in quest of the woman who wore the sandal. 
When she was found in the city of Naucratis, she was brought up to Memphis and became the wife of the king.





P.S. : If your wondering if I have got my Wedding Shoes, look below :

Marked, Packed, Lined with fabric and kept safely.  

4 months to go!

4 months to go!!


So much done, sooo much left.

" It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." - John Wooden

Read it somewhere and its so true! 

Venue is done, decor discussion is left.
Caterer is booked, Menu is left.
Indian clothes are almost done, westerns are left.
Skin is better, hair is bad.

You get the idea, its all 50-50 right now!

This one is for my mom

Stop Panicking.


PS:  For the rest of you post coming soon, just organizing my thoughts.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Search for the perfect Kajal

Local tradition considers it to be a very good coolant for the eyes and believes that it "protects the eyesight and vision from the sun."

I probably have the worlds most watery eyes, my eyes drink up kajal! seriously!

Finding the perfect kajal became quite a challenge.

--
The first one I ever tried was Shahnaz Hussain, It stayed on easily for 2-3hrs. I used this almost through the first 2 years of college before I realized that it made perfect round black bags below my eyes.

Reject


Shahnaz Hussain

--
Then I got looads and looads of Lakme in every color possible.


Lakme



Tiny Trouble happened none of the colors (blues, greens, or purple) could get applied on as a kajal my eyes just 'watered' all over them. like a Fire engine putting out water.
As for Black after a couple of hours the kajal over flowed its boundaries and got converted into pretend dark circles.


Lakme Eye Artist

Lakme eye Artist is not really a kajal but is certainly a perfect eyeliner! Its tip is like that of a pen, so its almost like drawing on your face :D

--
Revlon tried it for a day, the black one got washed all over within the 1st hour.

--
Loreal

Loreal

I have the one above in brown, looks really pretty when you put it on and is in fact the perfect brown for Indian eyes.
It stays on for 3-4 hours
Only trouble is it ends up feeling a bit grainy by a few hours and irritates the eye. ( not sure if its a personal issue or happens with everyone )

Loreal Kohl Minerals

Kohl Mineral is truly the blackest kajal I have tried on ( even more than Maybelline Colossal Kajal ).
Stays on for 3-4 hours
Problem : Very difficult to apply since you have to apply it via brush, after applying it for a long time I have finally got it right. If you end up spilling it on the face then your in for trouble.

--
Maybelline Colossal Kajal is surrounded by the latest 'it' buzz. And rightly so (almost)

Maybelline Colossal Kajal



True its really really black and stays on for a long time. But for me personally by the end of the day (around 4-5 hrs later) it spills over and I get huge dark under eye bags, and I need a kajal which stays on perfectly.

--
Incolor


Incolor
My savior *Sigh*
My sister had to come all the way from London to tell me that she buys this kajal from South Ex., seriously!? Every single cosmetic brand at her disposal and she uses this.

On her word I stared using it and LOVED it!
Doesn't spill, stays on from morning to night!

On my engagement day, the kajal my MUA had put, my eyes ended up watering it down by the time I had put my lehenga on, so told her and used this one instead, looked perfect till evening :D

Have this one in bluish-green also :) , need more colors!


Edited August 9,2012
Got more colors!! See here at http://crazyindianwedding.blogspot.in/2012/08/incolor-swatches-kajal-of-my-choice.html

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Jillian Michaels 30 day shred : Ultimate Workout

Suggested by a reader I am starting Jillian Michaels 30 day shred from tomorrow!

Wish me luck! it looks really difficult.

Schedule: Level 1, 2 and 3 each for 10 days

To know what it is see links below :

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3




Links have been found using google search, Do not recommend any illegal downloads or link. If anyone has an issue pls let me know will remove the same.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Recipe 1 : Chocolate Cake!


Kyuki Cadbury kay ad and sari mom's kehti hai,

" koi bhi shubh kaam karne se pehle mooh meetha kar lena chahiye."


MICROWAVE CHOCOLATE CAKE
Prepration time : 20-25 min
Cooking Time : 5 min ( YES, you read that right)
Serves : 7-8 

Ingredients

3 Eggs 
200 gm Butter
3/4tsp Vanilla Essence
1tsp Milk


200gm Maida
200gm Powdered Sugar/Castor Sugar
30gm Cocoa Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Powder






How to Make


1. Beat the eggs together, using an electric beater. Do this till your volume is more than double. The more and better you beat the eggs the more fluffy and soft your cake will be.


If your totally new see this video on how to do this step http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEfO4cL-yqM , this video has only egg whites in it but you are suppose to use both white and yellow parts of the egg.






2. Use butter which is a bit soft, otherwise put the butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for 10 sec. at 100%. Add this butter to the egg and mix it using an electric beater.

If you can get unsalted butter than use that, otherwise Amul butter works fine.





3.  Add Vanilla Essence, and mix with the electric beater.


4. Add Powdered Sugar/Castor sugar and beat again.

You can make powdered sugar by simply putting normal sugar in a mixie.






5.  Next sieve together maida, cocoa powder and baking soda. This is a very important step to insure a nice fluffy cake!

Although any cocoa powder will work I personally only use cadbury (not advertising for it or anything just my personal choice.





6.  Put this mixture into the egg mixture 2-3 tbs at a time  and mix using a swirl and cut motion.

how to do cut and swirl motion: Make a circle around the bowl with the spoon, repeat again and then make a cutting motion


OR

You can mix using the 8 method : just keep making a shape in the bowl that looks like an 8

MIX IT USING A WOODEN SPOON OR ANY SERVING SPOON (not shown in picture)

7.  Add 1 tsp Milk and mix well

8.  Take a microwave safe bowl and rub it with a bit of butter, and sprinkle some maida on it ( to avoid the cake getting stuck to the bowl)
I just rub the butter leftover on the wrapper 

9.  Pour the batter into the bowl

10.  Put it in the microwave for 5 min at 100%

11. Next let it cool inside the microwave for 5 min.

12. Pull it out and cool under a fan. Once its cool enough run a knife through its comers to insure it has come off the bowl and invert the bowl over the serving plate.






The cake tastes yummy like this it self.


But if you like to cream it and need advice let me know.


Here are some cakes I made once I got used to making the basic one.






Cupcakes can be made using the same batter, just make sure the entire batter is used in one go during baking otherwise the timing goes wrong. If its not possible then around half the batter makes 6 cupcakes and takes 3 min cooking time


Coming up soon Recipes every bride should know!


Its a bit anti-feminist to say that the girl should do all ghar ka kaam, but every girl should know some basic cooking.

Dont worry the recipes are all pretty simple and have all been tried and tested by me.

Just follow them step by step and you'll end up with tasty stuff promise.

Visit to Wedding Asia

Visited Wedding Asia yesterday at Ashoka.

The exhibition is on till 22nd.

Exhibition will be back in Delhi in September

It has loooads of Saree and Suit designers, a few jewelry stalls, 2 wedding planner, a few photographer and trousseau packer. Oh and also a Tarot Card reader also, she setup up her stall at weddings as well, not sure who will want it, make be at a fun-sangeet it might still sound interesting.


Stalls I visited and liked :

Pretty much visited every stall so just telling you about the ones I liked.


Tanu Creations

This was the first shop we visited for the sole reason it had so many pretty parandi's!! ( got one for myself :D ) . Also had a few latakani's, which were pretty much sold out by the time we reached.

She also had some pretty suits but a bit expensive.

The only single colored latakani she was left it 

Punnet Balan


Next door was Punnet's stall really lovely suits and saree's. Really liked the quality of work at his stall, quite different from what we get in delhi. He is based in Jaipur.
Bit on the expensive side but the designs were really unique so totally worth it!
Got a blouse and a suit :D


That's the emb. on the blouse

Naina Jain


If you are looking for authentic garchola Saree's do go to her!! really pretty ones she has. A bit on the expensive side but its a tiny price to pay for traditional stuff. Mom didnt agree on the 'tiny price' part of it coz well they were pretty expensive so didnt get any :(  . But if your looking for one do visit her!
Post exhibition she is based in kolkatta.
You can see her website at http://nainajain.in


Antya

They had some good lehenga's and can do customization as well, based in Delhi. They are a trio of NIFT graduate. They had this really pretty grey lehenga. Price range is a bit expensive but the work is good.
See there site at www.studioantya.com

Picture off the web

Fairytale Wedding


Is a wedding decorator, although she calls herself a wedding planner I would put her under the category of a decorator only. Does pretty stage decor and all. But is expensive.
Website doesnt have anything much, pictures off google www.fairytalewedding.in



Over all its a place to visit if you need saree's and suits for your trousseau.
Visit around 12ish-1ish, the crowd starts coming in around 2-3pm.

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