MEMORIES

Hey all,

I was just wondering that we humans are so weird...we dont realise the value of someone when they are with us...and suddenly when they are gone we realise that they were the ones who actually completed us.... Last week I lost my grandma. She was living with us since last 24 years. Her last few days were really painful. This void that she has created in our lives, can never be filled.Suddenly our home is all silent,and this silence is painful. Everytime, we pass by her room we still feel she's sitting there.Her's was a painful and struggling life from day 1. Just hope that her soul rests in peace. I have a written a poem, describing her lifetime and named it MEMORIES.

                                         Gone are the days when she was awake,
                                    Left silence behind,like still water in the lake.
                                     Struggle was the only companion of her life,
                                   From the day she was born till the day she died.
                                                Destiny showed her rough tides,
                                                But she overcame all with pride.
                             Time made her strong and she stopped giving a damn,
                    People surrounding her made her life hell and had different plans.
                                 Gave education to her children that she never got,
                                Did every possible thing to make them a better lot.
                                            Disrespect is what she got from all,
                                        But she never ever let her self-respect fall.
                                          Tough she was from inside and outside,
                                        Played father's role with mother's role aside.
                                     There were more downs than ups inher lifetime,
              Loved her daughter(& granddaughters) more than her sons(& grandsons) everytime.
                                Today when she's away,still can feel her presence,
                                     Her blessings bestowed upon us from heaven.

Love you daadi, wherever you are..... you will always remain in our hearts.


                                                              AAKANKSHA

 

HAPPY WEEKEND

                                                             Happiiieee weekend everyone!!!

                                                                             Much Love


                                                                          AAKANKSHA

DINING TABLE CHAOS

Hey World,

Today, I am sharing with you all the current setting of knick knacks on my dining table... Mom feels its a bit crowded, so I removed the brass salt and pepper (i adore them...but still).Will share them with you all when I again rearrange the dining table. Have a look at the pics...

 

 This candle stand looks awesome when lit and the pearl mats looks lovely with its glow.

 

Bamboo stems in a small(rather tiny) vase(actually it's not even a vase, it was bought years back when my art teacher was teaching us how to make gel candles ) and here it is today holding pebbles and bamboo istead of the gel candle.I have re-invented it by rolling jute at the bottom.

 

 

 This lotus flower usually floats in the water in small terracotta urli but nowdays it is sitting all dry on the dining table.

 

                              These greens are cuttings from my garden in my cute brass kettle.

Do tell me that do you also find the dining table chaotic....
Till next time.....

                                                                              Much Love

                                                                          AAKANKSHA

COFFEE-COCOA SCRUB CUM FACE-PACK

                         

The best thing about this mask is that the ingredients are so readily available in the kitchen and you can use so many substitutions based on what's currently in your cabinets or fridge. While coffee and cocoa powder are the staples of this popular mask, you can customize it for your skin type by adding yogurt or cream and honey if you have dry skin or lemon juice if you have oily skin. If you have super dehydrated skin, oils work as a substitute for dairy products. I tried this pack yesterday and my skin is  looking so fab(really not exaggerating). Try it out and check for yourself.

Ingredients:

Coffee – 1 tbsp

Cocoa powder – 1 tbsp

Castor sugar -1 tbsp

Olive oil - ½ tbsp

Curd – 1 tbsp

Lemon juice – 1/2 tbsp

Honey – ½ tbsp

Before we proceed, let’s take and insight into the benefits of these ingredients.

COFFEE: Coffee/ caffeine is a vasodilator which works to firm and tighten your complexion. Coffee is also naturally full of antioxidants, that helps the skin get rid of free radicals that are the main culprits behind premature aging and sagging skin. Nowadays ,it is also being used in several lotions and skin cream.

 

     CHOCOLATE:It has powerful anti-oxidant properties and is considered to be a health food. And also it has skin softening properties, probably as it contains cocoa butter.

 

 

     CURD: Yoghurt has lots of benefits on the skin as it is rich source of vitamin B, zinc and calcium which are best known for skin care. Curd has many properties to clear skin internally as well as externally and it leaves your skin with glow and smoothness.

LEMON JUICE: These little yellow gems contain juice that is high in vitamin C and antioxidants and that has an abundance of fruit acids and sugars that are great for acting as an exfoliant, blackhead remover, skin brightener and as a treatment for sunburn.

OLIVE OIL: Olive oil has vitamin E and oleic acid, which are both beneficial to the skin. Olive oil's oleic acid helps to soften the skin, and the vitamin E improves the elasticity of the skin.

 

CASTOR SUGAR: Castor sugar helps to exfoliate your skin and removes the dead skin cells, giving a radiant glow.

 

HONEY: Honey contains the sugars glucose and fructose, natural alpha-hydroxy acids that exfoliate the skin. Natural exfoliates reduce the appearance of skin blemishes, which leaves the skin smooth and even in tone. When you wash the honey off your skin, a small amount remains in the pores. As a result, the sugars in the honey attract water from the air, which keeps your skin hydrated, and is important property of any skin blemish treatment.

 

PROCEDURE FOR MAKING COFFEE-CHOCO PACK

This gorgeous face pack is super easy to make…

·         Mix all the dry ingredients first, as you do while making a cake.

·         Then add all the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly to avoid any lumps.

·         Keep aside for 5 mins.

·         Mix again and apply all over your face and neck area gently.

·         Let it dry for half an hour.

·         Then scrub off the face pack with moist fingers and gently scrubbing in circular motion for 1 min.

·         After scrubbing, wash your face with cold water and pat dry.

·         Apply rose water and then your favourite moisturizer and enjoy your radiant skin.

PROS:

·         It's rich in anti-oxidants which helps repair damaged cells and helps prevent skin ageing quickly.

·         It's a diuretic which helps removal of fluids and toxins from the skin.

·         It helps narrow any surface veins and capillaries on the surface of your skin, making     them less obvious.

·         It gives an enviable glow.

·         Exfoliates and moisturize at the same time.

·         Suits almost all skin types.

·         This coffee-cocoa face pack is extremely gentle in nature and can be used regularly.

 

CONS:

·         You will find it hard to resist. No negatives for this gorgeous yummy home facepack.

 

My Rating:

4.5 / 5

Do try this pack and tell me how your skin glowed.... dont forget to tell me your rating.

                                                             Much Love

                                                            Aakanksha

 

(All images via google)

 

 

ITS POURING AGAIN

           

Its September already and the rain gods seems to be in a rather happy mood with generous(rather overwhelming...... the safety levels of Yamuna river are above the normal mark) dose of rain. I mean it has been regularly raining since past few weeks in Gurgaon ....though it’s good for my plants and my garden...but the condition of the roads is worst.... Well let’s see the good part only...forgetting about the "Full-of-potholes-and-bumpy roads"....lets concentrate on the blooming plants.

During the monsoons, the plants grow with twice the speed and you need to maintain them more regularly. My garden is in full bloom and is in a dire need of maintenance (gardener is off to his village...so no cutting of the hedges), but even then the garden is in different shades of green (no flowers)... To make your garden interesting, you can:

·         Use pebbles....these break the monotony and also brings in the earthy feel.

·         Use different shaped planters to give a texture to the garden. I adore my turtle planters.

·         Place a frangipani (champa) planter with small magenta flowers to add some pop of color.

·        Place terracotta pieces (stools etc) with plants on them. Terracotta items(planters ,hanging bells, wind chimes, show pieces etc) brings in a earthy feel to the outside decor.

            Have a look at our small garden....Enjoy the pics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUCH LOVE

 

AAKANKSHA

 

 

 

ZEN IN THY DEN

A home is where the heart is...hmmm....very true...so NOW that means it all depends on the heart... means we can call only that place our home where Mr.Heart is happy... hun right... so what does this bloody blood pumping organ demands....clutter and negativity....naah..... it demands  love, calm,positivity,cleanliness, tranquillity,beauty in every aspect of life....so to make Mr. heart happy and win his heart...we have to include some chutzpah and X-factor into our house...so that our heart can actually reside in their..and make our humble house into OUR home....(Note: this paragraph is heavy on the heart)

All that our heart commands can be fulfilled by having a quaint little zen corner/s or by incorporating various zen elements into our homes...So lets fulfil Mr.Heart's demand and make some space for zen in our homes.

Elements of Zen:

1. Buddha
2. Candles
3. Greens inside
4. Incense
5. Water element
6. Flowers

BUDDHA
- But these in brass, metal, terracotta, handicrafts, wood or in whichever material you get them.
- Place these anywhere in your home-garden, entrance, side table,coffee table, kitchen.
-Ask someone to gift you a laughing Buddha.Apart from its feng shui benefits for wealth,health and prosperity it also exudes positive vibes.
- Buddha figurines are available in many postures- standing Buddha, meditating Buddha, laughing Buddha, protection Buddha,enlightenment Buddha etc.

                                                                    Laughing Buddha

 


CANDLES:
- Buy candles in various shapes and sizes. Tall pillar candles are stunners.
-Aroma candles are available in vanilla, lavender,rose, orange, jasmine etc. Buy according to your flavour to accentuate the vibes.
-Light floating candles in a bowl/urli filled with water and few petals to make a stunning piece.
-Using small tea-lights, personalise them by placing them in a glass or a cup filled with anything from coffee beans to small pebbles to potpourri...These make for gorgeous pieces.
-Make your own candles (wax or gel) and add aroma,colours, dried leaves, flowers, shells....of your choice.
-Place these anywhere in your house.

 PEBBLES
-Buy these in different sizes, colour,textures and shapes.
-Paint your pebbles in gold or silver colour if you don't like their raw appeal.
-Place these in planters or use these as paper weights.
-Put small pebbles with different sizes and colour in a glass bowl and few succulents over these to create a master piece.

White pebbles

Colours

Textured

GREENS:
- Add indoor plants in your home.
-Choose from succulents to long palms.
-Place money plant in bottles.
-Choose from colourful plants
- Build your own terrarium..if you cant devote much time to the greens and its care.
- Grow bamboos in pebbles and glass bowls/vases. Bamboo is extremely adaptable and wont require much of your attention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bamboo

INCENSE/AROMATICS
-Add some fragrance into your home by burning few incense.
-These are available as cones, sticks,coils etc.
-Available in various fragrances-rose,lavender,orange, jasmine,etc.
-If you don't like the incense, use diffusers instead.
-Place these in your living room, your pooja(prayer) room or near your beloved Buddha.

Diffuser

 

 

 

 

Incense sticks

 

 

 

 

 

 

WATER ELEMENT:
- These days small water elements are available at various shops as fountains.
- Place the water element (water in a bowl/ fountain) at the left side of your main door (when you are standing facing outdoors.) for good fengshui.
-These can also be placed in the garden.

For garden

For Indoors

 

 

FLOWERS:
- Fresh flowers add a refresh-ness to the ambiance of your home.
-Place flowers in tall vases, kettles, glasses,cups and place them just about any where and everywhere. THE MORE THE MERRIER.
-If you cant place fresh flowers daily, use artificial flowers or dried flowers or potpourri to enhance the overall ambiance.
- Float flowers in an urli and keep them at your entrance to give your guests a HEART warming welcome.

Fresh flowers inside

 

 

 

Frangipani flowers floating.

 

Hope you all will give these easy-on-the-pocket treatments to your HEART.

                                              

                                                     MUCH LOVE

                                                   AAKANKSHA

(Note: all images via google)

 

WALL OF F(R)AMES

                           

Photographes play a vital role in personalising your home. These not only bring back the precious old memories of our past but also gives a warm and welcoming ambience to the room. Here are a few tips that may help you:

·         Get your favourite photos from your last vacation, your childhood pictures, your marriage photos, your pets or any random picture framed.

·         Get the frames in different sizes and styles to add texture.

·         Opt for different sized photos to create a drama on the wall. Get your photos enlarged accordingly.

·         Add different borders of varying width to enhance the photos.

·         Don’t feel shy to frame your" not-so-good"(that you think are weird or funny) photos....these photos form the masterpieces and truly add that personal touch to your space. Trust me they really look super awesome and every time you will look at them....they will bring a smile on your face with loads of fun memories.

·         And suddenly I am realizing that I am actually enjoying writing in bullet points...hehe.

Have a look at how these photos are hanged up in my parents room.... I call this wall as the "WALL OF FRAMES."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So bring out all the lovely photos from your albums and get them FRAMED.

 

                                                            Until next time

                                                               Aakanksha