Kalpanaa from Kalpanaawrites.com GIVES US THE ADVICE THAT YOU NEED TO HEAR!

Are weddings all about glitter, glamour and glow? Sometimes that’s all they seem to embody, with people carried away by fun, superficial but temporary matters - clothes, hairdos, venues and menus.

The truth is that a wedding isn't just a big party with a prince and princess playing ‘let’s dress up and have some fun’.

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

  ~ JRR Tolkien

Kalpanaa

A wedding is such a huge celebration because its about a couple starting a life together – an exciting life full of shared decisions, shared meals, a shared bed a home together.

How do you harness that glitter, glamour and glow and make it last through a long married life?  How do you ensure you don’t figure in the divorce statistics or worse still live in the confines of an unhappy marriage to the end of your days?

There are a few surprising things to work on to maintain the overall health of your marriage, and yourself. Some surprising and some so incredibly simple you may be tempted to gloss over them.

Be who you are to maintain the glow

When you met your partner you, hopefully, didn’t try to hide your authentic self in an attempt to make a good impression. You may have dressed it up a little with a clean shirt or some foundation but you didn’t wear a mask and pretend to be something you aren’t. It’s your true selves that attracted you to each other, that struck a chord and drew you together. Holding on to that person who you were before you married is important. This is particularly important in Indian culture where couples are exhorted to ‘adjust’. Specially women. Don’t mistake ‘adjust’ for ‘give up who you are because it’s inconvenient for others. ’

Dieting with CIW

Yup, that is pretty much whats happening now :/ and I know I have been whining about it a LOT and doing absolutely nothing to make it right. In fact I was even planning to either tweet or Instagram pictures of things I eat all, day every day so that it will discourage me from eating more, but I am not encouraged enough to do it :/ well, I will if you will?

Tell me in the comments below will you do this with me? If so then I will do it too, just use the hashtag #ciwdiet , but I will only do this if you promise me in the comments below you will do this with me! It will be like a community diet...kind off..

Anyways I am serious about getting back in shape and I must! and if you are a bride-to-be then you must do some exercise! Not because you should be stick thin for your wedding, (in fact if you are stick thin then go eat something!) but because being a Bride needs you to be active all the time, and you need a good stamina to handle all that preparations and functions and what not!

Here are some inspirations for you!

Already done this to my clock, has no effect on me what so ever. 

Crazy Indian REAL Bride-to-be : Shefali

As Told by the Bride-to-be, Shefali

Hi, Tell us who you are? and whats your  story?

Both of us are Software Engineers by Profession, working for an MNC. I stay in Bangalore and he has recently shifted to Noida.

We were together in a relationship for 7 years before getting engaged.We met in college which is in Shimla (H.P) where we met in a singing talent competition (yes both of us are good singers) and he was looking for a partner in the Duet Round and asked me if I could sing. (Sounds like a filmy love story!)

When we first met we both together weighed some 200kgs :D ;P , but we have reduced a lot together!

Guest Post

Trousseau Destination : Biba

Yes, Biba.

I never thought I would ever write an article stating Biba as a trousseau destination, no they havnt gone all 'bridal', but their anarkali's and suits are perfect to wear at your new home, to a family dinner or a small cocktail party. For a newly wed they have come as an answer to what to wear, without being overly dressy.

I was so excited when I saw the ad stating 'Biba by Rohit Bal', Finally I could own a Rohit Bal, so I went asap to the store! :P

Unfortunately I already have an over stuffed wardrobe so I keep my price range in check, so no Rohit Bal for me yet, plus he is famous for enormous amount of flare which I wanted but it doesn't look flattering on me.

That doesn't mean I was totally disappointed, Biba also has a great range of itself. It is certainly a must check out!

To the November Bride 2013,

Dear Bride-to-be,

Congratulations! You are on one of life's most amazing journeys. Waking up every morning visualizing how your wedding day will be, getting tensed if your lehenga would come out just perfect, if the MUA would deliver like she promised, will the mehendi-wali be on time!? and then getting goosebumps when you get that 'goodmorning' message from your fiance, yes you have someone you can call that, fiance...are you used to it?
Been saying, "Hi, have you meet my fiance?" Blushing anyone? Smiling for sure! Well don't get too used to it, very soon you are going to have to learn to say "Have you meet my husband?"

November means wedding month for a lot of girls, so what do you do when the D-day is approaching?! Its a difficult mind set to be in, you are so excited to have the best day of your life and so scared that something might ruin it. You can't wait to be with the 'one', and you want just a few more months at your home, YOUR home, the home you grew up in. On the other side there is a complete new world waiting for you.

Bridal Shoot GIVEAWAY!!!

Our design label Roli Gaur Vashisht has teamed up with the great Rashnair Photography and the make up maestro Pallavi Sehgal  to give away an all expenses paid Bridal shoot to a lucky girl at our secret haven in New Delhi / NCR!!!

AND added to the list is Nepra Jewels, her exclusive jewelry could be seen at Lakme Fashion Week, Aza, Kimaya, and many more!

There are no strings attached, nothing to purchase afterwards, nothing to buy during your session, and we will not hound you afterwards.  This is an all out Bridal Session and it’s FREE! 

Who should enter and Why?

If your a Bride-to-be or a married girl who never had the 'spotlight' on her, if your looking for a professional career in modeling, if you want to be pampered and treated like a super model.

What to expect?

DIY Universal Saree Blouses!

What are universal saree blouses?
Those basic gold, silver and black blouses that everyone's been talking about. They go with most saree's and you dont have to worry about matching blouses.

So where do you get them from?
In Delhi M-Block is full of them! and so is every small little shop around town. Meena Bazaar and Greenways have the prettier embroidered ones.

Why the DIY?
Because
1. They don't fit! they are made in a standard size 36", even if the button closes perfectly there are alterations that are required.

and

Matapatti : Love it or Hate it??

New Bahu's Makeup Box Essentials!!

When I went Makeup Trousseau shopping how naive I was. Although I got all essentials to get me started they were still a young girls list of things. As soon as I was asked to get dressed for the first outing post marriage I realized all those pretty pinks and nude lipsticks worked no where.

If you are like me, and prefer your skin the way it is don't be mistaken into thinking you will not be using a lot of makeup. However cool your in-laws are and they won't say it but they would still love for you to dress up and look like the 'nayi-dulhan' at least the initial few months.

So here is a LIST of New Bahu's Makeup MUST-HAVE!

Brides-to-be make sure you have these!!

1. FOUNDATION

Well I got this one correct during trousseau shopping!
Get one of day and one for night. 

Day : Get a BB creme , they have enough coverage so your skin looks great and is not so heavy and you don't feel as if you have disappeared under layers.

Which one...ANY, most BB cremes are pretty good. I personally use Garnier these days.

For more details you can read a comparison of Garnier, Maybelline and Deborah BB creams at Peach&Blush here

Night : MAC, Love it! Best out of all. If its out of your budget I would strongly recommend Loreal as well. Not the powder one the creams. I don't like powder foundation some how you can't get an even coverage.

2. CONCEALER

I don't use concealer so I am probably not the best person to advice on it. But for Quick fixes, dark circles, unexpected pimples I use Maybelline BB stick.

Can be used as a bb day foundation as well. 

3. BLUSH 

I used to own one blush. Pink in color and that's it. I thought it would get me through. Well thankfully the persuasive MAC girl got me to buy a reddish one too!

Blush Basic : You need a minimum of 3!

Pink

Red

Peach

Not sure if Peach works for you, it does! I have quite recently discovered peach as a color for blushes, I did know about it earlier ofcourse but never considered using it.

After travelling almost every fortnight since the wedding I am tanned badly! So bad that I hate looking at the mirror (says the girl who was so self obsessed that I have mirrors in my room every where).

Errr..how does that connect to peach blushes?! What I discovered was if your looking for a slight blush, like you get post exerciser, the darker your skin tone the better peach blushes looks on you and if you more towards pale then pink does the same effect and peach becomes a color blush.

Colorbar Coral Craving

4. EYE SHADOW

You would probably get a LOT of colors gifted to you by your in-laws in the makeup kit. So for this one alone its better to stick to the basics. Ofcourse do get a nice color pallet on your own, you can never have enough! I have 3 color pallets of around 12 colors each and yet I am at times lost. So the more the better.

L'oreal chrome Shine Beigh Simmer is my quick fix basic

This is the exact effect that you get.

To Person in the picture, Took it off google , if you have an issue let me know. Also tell me which camera you have.

I also like Revlon 'Romantic Girl' Love the finish you get on the eye.

5. EYE LINER, MASCARA and KAJAL

Eye Liner : L'oreal Super Liner is super black! That is why I love it. If your not comfortable with liquid liners try this one! Its the only one which I can wear without my eyeliner going crazy all over the place. 

Mascara :

I will not even explain why, just go and buy it

Recently discovered the goodness of this one. Gives you a nice curly effect and no clumping!. Is waterproof. Maybelline says it gives you an effect as if your wearing false eye lashes, I don't really think so.Best way is to use the yellow one first and then this one, so ya two mascara's but great effect!

Kajal :

Incolor 

Although I have lost mine since a couple of months and havn't brought a new one, been using maybelline colossal kajal. That's good to , a little bit of spills but great otherwise. Would still consider Incolor better but Maybelline is a good substitute too.

Reviewed every kajal in the market here : http://www.crazyindianwedding.com/2012/07/search-for-perfect-kajal.html

6. LIPSTICKS

I got so many pretty pinks and lovely peaches which have been used only twice. Red lipsticks girls RED that is what a married women needs! 

Doesn't mean you go all aunty brownish-maroon. Here are two great New-Bride colors that will work

NYX Absolute Red
Love it! a very modern red! plus it stays on for a long time

Loreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick
829 Resilient Resin
This is a bit aunty-maroon-brown-turned-elegant-modern

7. NAILPAINTS

Pre-marriage I had all sorts of colorbar bright Orange, wacky greens, Loud Fushia's and now they lie in my closet gathering dust.

I don't change my nailpaints a lot so I try using the ones that go with everything. My current fav. Bridalish paints are :

loreal red tote

Loreal 403

Loreal 580
Loreal 350 is similar too, a little more bronzy

I just realized that I like all Loreal colors....hmm....must buy other brands....

8. SINDOOR

I have Lotus and Lakme, but both of them are maroon and I don't like the maroon ones, they get blackish in a while. So I got a nice tomato red!

shahnaz herbal sindoor

How to Wear a Saree

So you are getting married and have vowed to wear only suits....hmm...well you ask us recently married girls and we will tell you that they will be occasions when you need to wear a saree and running to your MIL every time is not the solution!

So here below are links to youtube video's which I think could help you out!

Simple Saree

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh9Iz3h4FYo&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpfK7_t4F5o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEwVolr2qG8



Bengali Saree

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=eUk_VMv0Y90&feature=endscreen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1agVau6w-W8

Maharashtrian Saree

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VStFDWZUJc4

Mermaid style

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iICAHg671dI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA6S9nU0QSg (ignore the 'pleating' tool just use your fingers to pleat)

Have fun!

Its been more than 2 months since my wedding and I would have worn Saree's almost half of the days that about 30-35 times by now and I still stumble or make the pleats wrong. Saree is hard to wear perfectly but it looks very pretty!

You will get it eventually! Don't worry!

Readers Question on makeup and Saree Draping Course

bridetobe asks I wanted to do a basic make up and saree draping course before my wedding... any idea where i can do something like this in delhi... dont wanna spend a bomb

aah,....difficult question... I tried to find one too but couldn't....

For makeup what you can do is that a lot of makeup counters at  stores like shoppers stop, pantaloons, lifestyle, etc. offer free 'makeover' services you can ask them for one.

Show interest in their products and they themselves will tell your more about what works with your skin.
Contantly ask them questions and observe what they are doing on your face. Tell them your getting married and are looking for makeup to take you from day outings to night functions.

I went to mac to get my stuff, they have a makeup deal in a way that if you want a makeup 'trial' then you have to get products worth 4000 something but if the sales girls are free sometimes they just help you out without much fuss.

 The best way is to tell them that your looking for a foundation coz that way they have to try it on your skin anyways and just ask questions about any makeup issues that you have, if you don't know anything tell them that they will help you out. The MAC girl that I talked to was really friendly and ended up teaching me quite a lot.

Watch videos on Youtubes, many good ones are available.

and try! you must try! experiment a bit in your pre-wedding time. I am a no-makeup girl too, but now since I need to learn what works on me and what doesn't I make sure I put on make up at every available opportunity.

As for Saree Drapping there are you tube video for it as well but learning from your mom or aunts is the best way out.

Any Other suggestions girls??? 

Water, Water everywhere and yet you do not drink

Every wedding/makeup blogger has written about the benefits of water and yet you wont listen. *tsk, tsk*

THINGS TO REMEMBER :

1. Water helps loose weight and Clears up your skin

WHY AND HOW

Honest to god its true, what happens is if you drink less water then your body starts retaining water and bloats up ( tummy looks rounder ). 

The minute you start drinking more the body releases all the excess water it was storing up along with toxins. 

This results in cleaner skin, thinner you.

2. Makes you exerciser better

WHY AND HOW

 Its always better to drink 3-4 glasses of water before exercise, specially yoga, makes your body bend better and keeps you body temperature in control.

3. Helps in digestion

WHY AND HOW

Most grandparent would say for any problem from head-ake to ankle sprains that "tummy upset hoga! that is why it happened." ( ok, ok, maybe not for ankle sprain, but you get the idea na)

And its kinda true, good digestion leads to better health, lesser pimples, clear skin, healthier you and less sick leaves. 

Good digestion needs good water intake.

4. Removes Fatigue

WHY AND HOW

If your body lacks water, your heart needs to work harder to pump out the oxygenated blood to all cells, so are the rest of the vital organs, your organs will be exhausted and so will you.

Plus with all that walking you'll be doing during shopping season you need your energy level up!

5. Helps you better in Wedding Planning

WHY AND HOW

 Your brain is mostly made up of water, thus drinking water helps you think better, be more alert and more concentrated. Hence you can do your wedding planning better!

If anybody can find something similar let me know!! want to buy it!

How to Make Sure You Drink:

1. Make that the first thing you do in the morning. Keep a bottle next to you while going to bed so its the first thing you see.

2. Make it a point to have atleast 2 glasses of water during each meal time. This way by end of the day you will have insured you have had atleast a minimum of 6 glasses each day. 8 glasses is ideal so have one at noon and one at 5pm.

3. Do what I do, Keep a bottle of water next to you and don't move till you have finished the whole bottle.

4. Mark a separate glass for yourself. Mine is Pink and nobody touches it even if I cant finish 2 glass in one go during meal time, I keep it around me so whenever I look at it I am reminded that it has water and I need to finish it.

5. Get someone to remind you, or get someone along with you to start this water routine, its good for everyone! 

What ever you do make sure you drink plenty of water!!!

Happy Drinking :D

Cheers!