Top 5 Bolly Celebs Recently Spotted in Silk Sarees

For every desi fashionista out there having a good collection of latest silk sarees is a must to be ready to rock every event that comes along your way. But it’s equally important to know how to style your silk sarees right and the trends that are in vogue. On that note, what better way to jazz up your silk saree style than looking up to Bollywood beauties for inspirations? Here we have listed the top 5 celebrities recently spotted wearing silk sarees that gives you the best idea on how to become the ethnic diva in no time. 

 1.     Elli Avram 

The Swedish Greek beauty of Bollywood celeb group Elli Avram brought back the timeless charm of satin silk at Filmfare Glamour and Style Awards in this charming sky blue saree. She paired the neatly draped saree with a matching embellished off-shoulder designer blouse. With minimum makeup, just an earring for accessories and loose soft curls she scored a perfect 10 on 10 on to urge you go for a silk sarees online shopping drive for yourself! 

 2.     Shilpa Shetty 

So the satin silk saree designs are really back in vogue! Check out this charming peach and sky blue saree with metallic plate border that Shilpa teamed up with a sky blue sleeveless blouse, a statement ear cuff and metallic bracelet and perfectly styled side swept curls. Girl, she looks like a million bucks!

 3.     Sridevi 

The evergreen beauty Sridevi is known for her affection for styling latest silk sarees in her own quintessential grace. She attended the launch of Lata Mangeshkar’s music label in this elegant blue silk saree with plain golden border. She paired this with a matching short sleeve blouse, designer jewellery and a golden clutch. So much grace in one frame!

4.     Deepika 

When it comes to sarees Deepika has her own style book like no other. On the first promotional event for Padmavaat she chose this stunning floral silk saree teamed up with a matching blouse with net sleeves. She let her saree do most of the talking and chose just a statement earring as jewellery, kept the hair neat and loose and finished off her look with golden juttis. 

5.     Dia Mirza 

Beautiful Dia Mirza made an appearance at Film Fare awards in an elegant yellow kanjeevaram silk saree with a contrasting royal blue high neck, sleeveless blouse. With fresh and dewy makeup, custom jewellery and chic hair up do she looks absolutely charming.

Note: The content and pictures have been provided by Sareez.com

Embellish your house with beautiful paintings and wall arts

Are you wondering how to give a brand new look to your house in this New Year? Paintings and wall arts can transform your home into a beautiful artistic paradise. If you appreciate and admire art, investing in some beautiful wall art will be the best way to revamp your home in the New Year.

Plain walls look boring. Adding a painting to your wall would not only make the wall look colorful, but will also give you great aesthetic pleasure. You will feel peaceful, gazing at the piece of art after a hectic day at work. Wall arts are also extremely in vogue these days. Instead of plain painted walls, more and more people are opting for designer walls as they enhance the charisma of a room.

Paintings and wall arts of various designs are available in 

the market. Online shopping has made it convenient to shop for the best paintings and wall arts. Websites such as Craftsvilla has an amazing collection of wall paintings. Most of them are inspired by great artists and painters of the bygone era. If you are fond of the vintage stuff, you would love these paintings. You can also find wall arts of various contemporary, classic and modern designs.

This beautiful Radha Krishna framed wall art can beautifully enhance the décor of your living room. It will grab the attention of guests visiting your house. The divinity and beauty of the wall art will let your guests know about your rich taste in art and make you feel wonderful.

You can also opt for this gorgeous Rajasthani lady playing the sitar framed wall art for your drawing room, especially if you love music. This wall art will tell your guests about your interest in music and arts. It will give a brand new look to your drawing room and will make you feel harmonious after a long day at work.

Instead of paintings, you can also embellish your drawing room or bedroom with this beautiful Rajasthani handcrafted elephant design appliqué wall hanging. The intricate hand embroidery and the vibrant orange color of the wall hanging look beautiful. It will definitely impress your guests. If you are fond of handmade art, you should invest in this embroidered wall hanging.

If you are looking for something exquisite, you should go for this gorgeous Jodhpuri Kundan work wall hanging that has a Lord Ganesha painting in the middle of it. This wall hanging is made of marble stone. It will beautify your drawing room and add a royal feel to it. Your guests cannot help but admire the artistic brilliance of this wall hanging. The gorgeous Kundan work and the string tassels at the three corners increase the beauty of the wall hanging.

These are just a few recommendations for you. Craftsvilla is known as the largest online ethnic store in India. Therefore, indulge in Online Shopping on Craftsvilla after exploring the wide range of beautiful wall paintings and wall arts on the website. Choose the ones that will match your style and taste. Give a new look to your house this year with some gorgeous piece of art. Give some life to the dull walls with the help of paintings, wall arts, and wall hangings. Let this new year be aesthetic and fulfilling for your soul.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Picasso

Peppery Broccoli Pulao ~ An Iron-rich dish (Recipe)

Every foodie looks for a dish that is both healthy and delicious. I believe we should always have food that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. And if we know some cool recipes, we can prepare some really tasty dishes with healthy ingredients. 

There are so many people who suffer from iron-deficiency. During my college days, I remember suffering from iron-deficiency anemia due to the poor choices of food that I made. It is a well-known fact that every second woman in India suffers from iron-deficiency. If you have pale skin, weak nails that break away easily, feel tired most of the times and suffer from frequent hair fall, you must know that you are iron-deficient. Iron-deficiency reduces the stamina and energy of a woman to a huge extent. She is unable to work for long hours, which results in serious social, economic and lifestyle consequences in her life. 

There are various iron-rich foods such as spinach, broccoli, raisins, beans, oats, lentils, beetroot, almonds, methi, brown rice, whole wheat bread, eggs, chicken, and fish. You must incorporate these food items into your daily diet so that you don't face iron-deficiency symptoms. 

One of my favorite vegetables is Broccoli because not only it is a superfood with several health benefits, it is also delicious.Therefore, recently I cooked a new dish with Broccoli which I named "Peppery Broccoli Pulao". If you love fried rice, pulao and biriyani, you will surely love this dish too. It is healthy, spicy and tasty. 

Ingredients Required to make Peppery Broccoli Pulao

-Basmati Rice

- Mustard Oil

-Broccoli

-Carrot

-Peas

-Green Chili

-Onion

-Ginger

-Cardamom

-Cinnamon

-Cloves

-Bay Leaf

-Black Pepper Powder

-Salt

-Ghee

Steps to make Peppery Broccoli Pulao 

-I have half-cooked the Basmati Rice in pressure cooker beforehand.

-Heat the pan with oil

-Add cloves, cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaf. Cook till you get a beautiful aroma. 

-Now add chopped onion, grated ginger, and green chili. Saut the mixture gently over low flame.

-When the onion becomes translucent, add broccoli florets, finely chopped carrots, and peas. 

-Now, add black pepper powder to the mixture and mix well. 

-Now, add the half-cooked Basmati Rice and mix gently. Add salt, water and give it a final mix. 

-Put a lid on the pan and let the pulao get cooked on low flame. Add a little ghee at the end for extra flavor.  

You can garnish the peppery broccoli pulao with coriander leaves and green chili. It is best served with Dum Aloo. 

If you also have an iron-rich recipe, you must take part in the iron-rich recipe making contest by Livogen (the number 1 iron supplement) and get a great chance to get featured in Femina, the leading women's magazine as a Celeb Chef. Top 3 winners will win vouchers worth 20,000 INR and the next 7 winners will win vouchers worth 5000 INR. You can check out more about the contest at http://www.livogen.in/iron-chef/

So, what are you waiting for? Grab this opportunity to show your culinary skills. And don't forget to incorporate iron-rich ingredients into your daily diet to stay fit and healthy. Try the "Peppery Broccoli Pulao" recipe and let me know if you liked it. 

Benefits of Air Purifiers

One of the biggest concerns of people these days is the rising air pollution. All classes of society are facing a lot of problems due to poor air quality. Research has shown that the air quality of our homes is even worse than the air outside. And this is why it is important to have an air purifier at your home. 

People need to understand one important aspect regarding air purifier in India. It is not just a luxury, but also a necessity. Especially in the northern parts of India, the levels of toxic impurities in the air have increased to an alarming extent. As no guaranteed solution is available, it is extremely important to keep the indoor air pure. It will make everyday living a lot easier. 

The quality of your indoor air often goes unnoticed because people think pollution occurs only in the open areas. There are various factors that contribute to the air pollution in your home such as formaldehyde, asbestos, inadequate ventilation, etc. Therefore, it is essential to address these factors at the right time before they create health issues in your family. Choosing air purifiers for home is a smart choice as it not only improves air quality but also keeps your family members healthy. 

Let us look at some of the most important benefits of air purifiers:

1. You get clean, healthy air: The first important benefit of having an air purifier at home is that you will get clean and healthy air. Air purifiers are technically designed to remove microns from the air, rendering it 99.9% dust free. 

2. Helps people suffering from asthma: Some air purifiers are designed in such a way so that people suffering from asthma gets relief. These air purifiers purify the air by removing particles causing allergies and other impurities that cause an asthma attack. 

3. Eliminates smell: Air purifiers can eliminate any smell present in the air such as medicinal odors and heavy cooking smell. They are also known to suck up second-hand smoke. Therefore, air purifiers are effective in removing cigarette smoke. 

4. Protects furnishings: Air purifiers keep your home beautiful by protecting furnishings, preserving room decor and reducing maintenance. They can also reduce fire hazards from heating equipment in your house.  

Thus, you can see that there are various benefits of air purifiers. 

There are various types of air purifiers available. Choose the best air purifier for your home. As air purifiers can clean the tiniest particles in the air, they are great for keeping your family healthy. If you are suffering from allergies or asthma, you must get an air purifier in your house. Livpure air purifiers are designed to suit all your needs. 

Things you must know about Alphonso, the King of Mangoes

The best thing about summer is definitely mangoes. Despite the sweltering heat, people in India welcome summers heartily to enjoy the delicious mangoes. It’s only in the summer season when mangoes are found at every nook and corner of the country. I have fond memories of plucking mangoes from the mango tree in my ancestral house and gorging on them in the afternoon. The delicious summer fruit brings a smile on our lips and a wave of nostalgia in our mind.

Mango is known as the king of fruits as it is loved by almost everyone. It is also very rich in nutrients. There are plenty of health benefits of mangoes as the fruit is a great source of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. There are various types of mangoes that are available during summer, but the King of Mangoes is undoubtedly Alphonso. 

Alphonso, the King of Mangoes

The season of Alphonso is from the end of March to May. It is the most expensive variety of mangoes available in India. It is considered as a luxury food item because of its rich flavor, tantalizing appearance and high price. There is a royal feel with the King of Mangoes that you cannot ignore. The price of 12 pieces of Alphonso mango ranges generally between Rs1000 and Rs 4000. The price depends on the grade, texture and size of the mangoes.

Featured in 1000 things to eat before you die

The Alphonso mango becomes a national obsession during its short season. They are available only in India and are exported to other corners of the world. Alphonso mango has appeared in many lists such as “1000 things to eat before you die”. If you have ever tasted the King of Mangoes, you will understand why it is celebrated all over the world. The Alphonso mangoes are very popular in the UK. 

The rich and unique flavor of Alphonso mangoes

Alphonso has a unique flavor that is a cross between apricot, peach, melon and nectarine with hints of citrus and honey. The unparalleled flavor of the Alphonso mangoes makes them the King of Mangoes. The sunshine-yellow skin of Alphonso looks very tempting. It has a buttery and smooth saffron colored flesh that is extremely inviting. Alphonso mangoes have a beautiful, sweet aroma with extraordinary flavor.

Chefs find Alphonso a great food item to experiment with. You can find Alphonso on the cocktail and dessert menus of popular bars and restaurants in the world. Alphonso is widely used for making yogurts, ice creams, pudding and cakes. You can also prepare many desserts and drinks at your home in summer with Alphonso mangoes. Sweet Mango Chutney, Mango Kesar Milkshake and Alphonso’s French connection can be easily prepared at home. 

The story behind the name of Alphonso mangoes

Alphonso has been named after Afonso de Albuquerque, a military expert and nobleman who helped in establishing the Portuguese colony in our country. The Portuguese introduced the process of grafting on mango trees that can produce great varieties like Alphonso. 

Best variety of Alphonso mangoes

Alphonso mangoes are cultivated widely in the state of Maharashtra. There are many varieties of Alphonso, but the best variety is grown on the farms of Ratnagiri. They are hand-harvested and widely exported worldwide. Ameya Vartak had established Aamrai (meaning mango orchard) at Ratnagiri that is delighting mango lovers all over the world since 2011. It is an acclaimed brand for the best quality Alphonso mangoes in the country. You can enjoy the season’s first Alphonso directly from the farms of Ratnagiri. Give yourself a beautiful experience this summer by relishing the King of Mangoes. 

Loved by the British

The British love Alphonso mangoes. In 1953, Alphonso mangoes were exported to London for the first time from the legendary Crawford Market of Mumbai. Since then, the love affair between the British and the Alphonso mangoes has only grown. There are many courier companies that provide the facility of gifting Alphonso mangoes to friends and relatives all over the world. 

Great taste and wonderful health benefits

Alphonso is the perfect combination of great taste and perfect nutrition. As it is rich in iron, it is great for pregnant women. It is also loaded with antioxidants and is rich in Vitamin A, E and Selenium. Its extraordinary taste will make you enjoy the summer season like never before. 

The mango season is a national obsession in our country, just like cricket and Bollywood. The top restaurants in the cities start mango festivals to attract customers. The street vendors sell fresh mango juice. People savor the Alphonso mangoes in various ways. So, what are you waiting for? Salebhai.com is providing great offers on Alphonso mangoes. If you are yet to savor the King of Mangoes, treat yourself this summer to the best quality Alphonso Mangoes. You will have a wonderful experience with your family that you can’t forget. 

Note:  The images have been sourced from the website of salebhai.com

Vodafone felicitates Voice of Kolkata winners on International Women's Week

Me with the goodie bag after the event

On this International Women's week, Vodafone brought an interesting contest known as the Voice of Kolkata. Women from every walk of life were told to send their voice message in 91.9 Friends Fm official WhatsApp number about what they feel about today's women and the state of women in the country. 

I couldn't stop myself from voicing my thoughts and feelings about today's women on Women's Day. This subject is so close to me as I support women empowerment and equality. I am a feminist. 

What I said in my voice message is exactly similar to my blog post that I wrote on Women's Day: Dear beautiful women, let your soul shine bright! If you haven't read it, you can check it out. I recorded the voice message in the morning of Women's Day and then in the afternoon, I thought to share it with the readers of my blog. 

On the afternoon of 13th March, I got a call from 91.9 Friends Fm informing me that I am one of the winners of Voice of Kolkata. They told me to reach the next day for an event at Vodafone Angel Store by 4 pm. 

Vodafone Angel Store is a very unique store because it is completely managed and run by women. I was absolutely delighted on reaching the Vodafone Angel Store. As I reached at 3.30 pm, they told me to wait for some time. 

I met some of the fellow winners of Voice of Kolkata and we hit it off right away. Rituparna and Jayanti were bundles of positive energy. I did not feel that I met them just a few minutes back. We talked like old pals and clicked selfies throughout the event. The reason we bonded so well was perhaps because we were there that day to celebrate women power in all its glory.

Jayanti, Rituparna and I (From L-R)

All the winners reached by 4 pm. I could spot radio jockey Arko who was there to host the event. There was a delicious chocolate cake kept for all the winners. We were invited by the Vodafone staff to cut it together and celebrate women power. 

Just before cutting the cake!

It was wonderful cutting the cake with all the independent and strong women present there. When you are in the company of like-minded people, you can't help but enjoy every single second. You can see the cake-cutting moments and our short interview in this video. 

After the cake-cutting and interview session, we bonded with each other while having our small cake party. Then the zonal head of Vodafone gave us our goodies and thanked us for voicing our strong opinion and thoughts. 

RJ Arko told four of the winners, including me, to give another short interview on 91.9 Friends Fm. We went live on air and absolutely cherished the experience. 

With the coolest RJ

Finally, the lovely evening ended with all the winners posing with RJ Arko for a group picture. 

RJ Arko with all the winners of Voice of Kolkata

I had a great evening. It was a wonderful post women's day celebration. The goodies made me smile. I got a cool backpack that will accompany me on my next vacation, a cute red umbrella, Vodafone ZooZoo mug and couple Inox tickets. 

In the midst of happiness, I wondered what a beautiful world we will have if only women empower and support each other, shedding their judgmental cloaks. 

"I always believed that one woman's success can only help another woman's success"~ Gloria Vanderbilt

The 5 best beaches of Goa that you cannot miss

If the mellifluous sound of the sea waves and watching gorgeous sunsets appease your soul, you must plan a trip to Goa as soon as possible. Ask any travel enthusiast and you will see that Goa features in almost everyone’s list of must visit places. Goa is a very popular destination in India, which is visited by people from all over the world. The enchanting beaches of Goa can make a person forget about all his stress.

There are many gorgeous beaches of Goa and we understand that it is not possible to visit all of them if you are going there for a few days. So, let’s look at the 5 best 5 beaches of Goa that you cannot afford to miss. 

1. Baga Beach

This beach is very famous because of the beach parties, stunning nightlife and delectable seafood delicacies. If you enjoy drinking, crowd and dancing carefree to peppy music against a mesmerizing backdrop, you would love the Baga beach. This beach is perfect for people who are seeking an ambiance of excitement and enjoyment.

You can also pamper yourself with a salt bath as you can get huge sea waves on this beach.

2. Candolim Beach

Candolim beach is famous for its serene atmosphere and enthralling scenic beauty. This beautiful beach is perfect for relaxation. You can find scrub-covered sand dunes in Candolim beach.

Indulge in the “Dive Goa” activity on this beach for amazing fun.

3. Calangute Beach

This beach is often called the Queen of Beaches in Goa. It is famous for authentic Goan cuisine. The golden shimmering sand of Calangute beach attracts tourists from all over the world.

You can find many restaurants in Calangute beach that serve Goan food. You can also find plenty of shops that sell colorful Goan apparels. If water activities fascinate you, then you can also indulge in water-scooter rides and parasailing.

4. Sinquerim Beach

The scenic backdrop of the grand Fort Aguada and the glistening golden sand make Sinquerim beach one of the most beautiful beaches of Goa. If you are looking for water adventures, this is the place to be.

You can try snorkeling and parasailing in Sinquerim beach. The Aguada lighthouse and the Fort Aguada make it look beautiful.

5. Vagator Beach

The picturesque greenery and the rustic beauty of Vagator beach attract plenty of tourists. If you want to enjoy a breezy stroll on a beach amid the natural beauty, you must visit the Vagator beach.

The calmness and serenity of the beach attract all those people who are seeking some peace. You can find the Chapora Port in the Vagator Beach that is also known as the famous “Dil Chahta Hai” point.

The famous Sunburn festival is organized in Vagator Beach in December every year.

These are the 5 beaches of Goa that you cannot miss when you are in Goa. You can also visit the Anjuna Beach that is famous for its unusual rock formations, Arambol Beach for family vacations and Morjim Beach for a serene ambiance. 

You can find fully equipped luxury villas that provide great hospitality services.

Goa Villa offers a wide range of beautiful villas for rent in Goa that can make your vacation truly unforgettable. The luxury villas in Goa are located in the most famous locations such as Candolim, Calangute, Anjuna, Morjim, etc. 

You will be surprised to know that more than 85% of the Goa villas are booked for New Year 2016. You can go through the property list to find the villa that will suit your needs and will make your Goa vacation memorable. 

Give yourself a wonderful vacation in Goa that is filled with water sports, dance parties, serenity, delicious seafood and the luxury of a villa.

Various Types of Rangoli Designs

Ethnico is a great website for ethnic design inspirations. You can find beautiful Rangoli designs, Mehndi designs, makeup tutorials and ethnic wear in their website.

Rangoli is a very popular artwork in most Indian families. Different types of rangoli designs are created to embellish the house in religious occasions, weddings and festivals. It is strongly believed that Rangoli brings good luck and prosperity to the home. 

The origin of rangoli designs is from centuries before. Many people say that our scriptures had references of beautiful rangoli designs. However, over the centuries, the art has changed to a large extent and now there are various kinds of rangoli designs that people make to adorn their house in auspicious occasions.

Rangoli is known by various names in different parts of India such as Alpana in West Bengal, Kolam in Tamil Nadu and Mandana in Rajasthan. A rangoli design is generally drawn with lime stone powder or chalk powder. Rice flour was traditionally used for creating rangoli designs as it acts as food for birds and insects.

Simple Rangoli Designs

If you are a beginner and you are interested in adorning your house with some beautiful rangoli designs, you can try out some of these simple rangoli designs for religious occasions such as Diwali.

If you are looking for beautiful rangoli designs for weddings, you can try out this pink rangoli.

Peacock Rangoli Designs

Peacock rangoli designs are extremely popular because they look so beautiful. If you are good at drawing, then you must try to create a beautiful peacock rangoli in festivals and religious occasions such as Krishna Janmashthami. Do not forget to use appropriate colors for the perfect effect. Here are some peacock rangoli designs that will surely inspire you. 

Carpet Rangoli Designs

For weddings and festivals, you can also create carpet rangoli designs in your home. Carpet rangoli designs look beautiful in the living room. Here are some beautiful carpet rangoli designs that you can try.

Acrylic Rangoli Designs

Many people also prefer to embellish their house with Acrylic Rangoli or ready made rangoli, Here are some beautiful Acrylic Rangoli designs. 

The next time, you have a festival or a religious occasion at home, you can beautify your living room or the entrance of your house with one of these rangoli designs.

Note: All the images have been sourced from the website of Ethnico.