Winter Is Here: Shea Butter Care!

Hello lovelies,

Since winter is here, I was looking for some winter skin care and luckily I found something that was not only economical but also effective.

Affinity Express launched new salon in Ghaziabad: Time to get pampered!

Affinity launched its new hair and beauty studio, Affinity Express at Crossing Republik, Ghaziabad on November 21. With this, the group plans to establish its presence in Ghaziabad and cater to customers looking out for premium services at reasonable prices. The event witnessed complementary launch services like Bomb, AVL and Olaplex. The Affinity express team displayed the Olaplex service which is not easily available in other salons. This is a protein treatment for hair that rebuilds broken hair bonds and the three step procedure results in incredibly healthy hair and thus is important for hair that have been treated with chemicals.

Love Sutra: Secret to Happily Ever After - Book Review

Love Sutra: Secret to Happily Ever After
By Urvashi Pahwa
Review By Ila Garg

Love Sutra: Secret to Happily Ever After is a series of short stories by Urvashi Pahwa, published in a kindle format. The cover has a nice gold font for the title and combined with black, it looks really rich and exotic just like love is. There’s a heart shaped pendant reflecting love and of course the sutra—love ties. Overall, the cover has a royal feel to it. It looks impressive to me.

CLC now in Noida: Why should Gurgaon have all the fun!?

Noida people spend most of their evenings in Delhi/Gurugram because that’s where the popular hang-out places are. For this, they need to cross the Yamuna, toil through heavy traffic and now also pollution, to brave their way to the other extreme - Gurugram. To simplify their lives and make their lives less stressful and more humorous, CLC opens its doors in Noida.

Singapore Under Attack - Book Review

Singapore Under Attack
By Uzi Ellam
Review By Ila Garg

Singapore Under Attack, a novel by Uzi Ellam, is published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. The cover is so apt. The men with guns represent some shooters and can be the attackers. Backdrop shows the city of Singapore. With such an interesting cover, I was sure it would not disappoint me.

Razor-Sharp - Book Review

Razor-Sharp: 13 Short Stories
By Abhinav Kumar
Review By Ila Garg

Razor-Sharp is a collection of 13 short stories by Abhinav Kumar. The author himself has published it as a kindle version. The cover has a very simple feel to it. With the yellow backdrop and just the title and author’s name on it, not much can be inferred about the stories from the cover. But I like how the colour is bright and the cover is minimalist.

You Never Know - Book Review

You Never Know
By Akash Verma
Review By Ila Garg

You Never Know, a novel by Akash Verma, is published by Penguin Random House India. The cover is so apt; you will realise this after reading the book. With a backdrop of red—which is a colour of love, rage, fury, blood and hell. It’s tagline—sometimes love can drag you through hell—says a lot about the plot. With such an interesting cover, I was sure it would not disappoint me.

The Colours of Passion - Book Review

The Colours of Passion
By Sourabh Mukherjee
Review By Ila Garg

The Colours of Passion, a novel by Sourabh Mukherjee, is published by Readomania. The cover totally grabbed my attention. The amazing use of shades from red to orange to yellow is amazingly spectacular. The knife and blood drops further make it a captivating cover. The sub-title—Unveiling Dark Secrets behind the Limelight—further adds to the mysterious outlook of the plot.

Geeta Kapoor walks the ramp to raise voice against violence

“Shubhashini Ornamentals RangYatra” - a show by top jewellery designer Akassh Aggarwal held in Delhi on 7th Oct 2017.

IFFD’s India Runway Week Winter Festive 2017 is here!

Indian Federation for Fashion Development (IFFD) has announced its show schedule and designer line up for India Runway Week (IRW) Winter Festive 2017 which will kick off its Ninth edition from October 6-8, 2017 at DLF Place Saket, New Delhi.

In Conversation with Saswati Rath and Manaswini Dwibedi :)

Hi,

Hope this finds you in good spirits!

It’s a pleasure to take interview of two lovely ladies today. So let’s start:

Saswati Rath, a strong believer, age 17 years is a native to Odisha, India. She believes in a power not just to dream but to accomplish every dream once dreamed  of. She has a power to infuse emotions in words. Apart from writing, this teenager has a great passion for painting, she strives with the ambition of standing among the eminent artists.

Manaswini Dwibedi, a 17-year-old dreamer emanating from Odisha, aspires to be a prolific writer and an educationist. She is keen on studying English literature after her intermediate and claims that the segment of the book that belongs to her is the rawest version of her pen. She is a good learner and along with that, holds a national scholarship in Odissi dance. She loves debates and hosting various programme and along with her passions, she is a fashion freak and loves lip colours.

Here, these teen authors let their readers know a little more about themselves and their journey so far.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you Saswati and Manaswini:

Rendezvous with Lovely Sharma :)

Hi ,

Hope this finds you in good spirits!

It’s a pleasure to take your interview today. So let’s start:

Lovely Sharma is turning 23 soon. She has been in some really nice cities as her part of growing up! Durgapur (an emerging steel city), Kota (the IIT sheep hub), Bhubaneswar (city of temples, and weekend getaways to beaches!) and now Bangalore (the Silicon Valley of India). She has been writing since the age of 14. Her solo debut, ‘The Weekend’ has released and now she’s here to talk about it!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you Lovely Sharma:

In Conversation with Shilpi Chaklanobis!

Hi Shilpi Chaklanobis,

Hope this finds you in good spirits!

It’s a pleasure to take your interview today. So let’s start:

Shilpi Chaklanobis hails from the beautiful city of Kanpur and has spent the majority of her adult life in Delhi. By profession she is a Digital Marketer. The amalgamation of her years spent amongst the quiet, calm streets of a small city and the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan like Delhi has lent her a unique perspective towards life. She aims to translate her experiences and understanding of human relationships into stories that not only move people but also resonate with them. She believes that the beauty of a story lies within its ability to be interpreted by the reader in the way they desire as is evident from her writing. Apart from writing, she spends her time devouring books by the dozen. This is her second endeavour as a writer and her writing not only shows promise, but also has a sense of sensitivity that compels you to think about the lives you touch every day.

Here, she lets her readers know a little more about herself and her journey so far. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you Ms. Shilpi Chaklanobis:

The Writer's Bloom - Book Review

The Writer’s Bloom
By Neha Katyal
Review By Ila Garg

The Writer’s Bloom, a novel by Neha Katyal, is published in Kindle edition. The cover is quite a sight. The blend of colours is attractive. The night glittery sky is amazing! I loved the colours and the concept. A writer is blooming from within the flower in a free flow. One of the best covers I have seen lately…

Savings made easier by ARQ!

A leading investment firm, Angel Broking recently launched their mobile application, ARQ. This app is a Hyper-Intelligent Investment tool, which allows users to do financial planning, investment and get investment advice within a matter of seconds. It uses a revolutionary application of machine learning and a billion data points and is based on a model whose performance has been optimised to provide recommendations with high out-performance and strike rates. The model has been tested using scientific back-testing and has also been validated based on its track record. It’s a hassle-free option as users no longer have to put in their time and efforts to talk to ten different advisors before investing their money in stocks. Sometimes, even after having so many suggestions, people remain confused but because ARQ gives you an assurity of returns, you can easily place your trust with them.

In Conversation with Sailesh Mishra!

Hi Sailesh Mishra,

Hope this finds you in good spirits!

It’s a pleasure to take your interview today. So let’s start:

Hailing from the small town of Dhenkanal in Odisha, Sailesh Mishra is currently pursuing a bachelors in Technology in Computer Science and Engineering in KIIT University. He is also responsible for a magazine namely 'ExaVaganza', which is one of his largest ventures. He also founded and currently manages an organisation for young aspiring writers which goes by the name 'The Vestige', which helps them understand the wider aspects of writing. Along with that he is a prolific speaker and poet on several occasions as well. He believes in the darker genres of youth fiction and aims to excel in that.

Here, he lets his readers know a little more about himself and his journey so far. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you Sailesh Mishra:

Rendezvous with NS Ravi! :)

Hi NS Ravi,

Hope this finds you in good spirits!

It’s a pleasure to take your interview today. So let’s start:

NS Ravi holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Delhi University. He has had a distinguished and challenging career in senior positions in public and private sector enterprises dealing in jewellery, infrastructure and textiles and apparel with exposure to working in Europe, Africa and India. Ravi now focuses his time in writing. He speaks English, Hindi, Tamil and French. So far, Ravi has four books to his credit. His first book titled Those were the Days was a non-fiction and was published in 2014. He followed it up with a fiction titled Khan Vs Kahn Vs Kanh in 2016, using Indian film industry as the theme. In 2017, he has two books to his credit. First is an insta-read (Pocket book style), titled Marriage Made in Mumbai Local containing two short stories. His second book for the year is titled Different Shades of Women, which is a collection of eight short stories as a tribute to Indian women. Ravi is married with two children and lives in Delhi. He can be reached at – nuranisravi@yahoo.co.uk

Here, he lets his readers know a little more about himself and his journey so far. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you NS Ravi:

The Quest of the Sparrows - Book Review

The Quest of the Sparrows
By Kartik Sharma and Ravi ‘Nirmal’ Sharma
Review By Ila Garg

The Quest of the Sparrows, a novel by Kartik Sharma and Ravi ‘Nirmal’ Sharma, is published by Rupa Publishers. The cover looks apt with a faceless man and silhouettes of sparrows taking their flight. With such an interesting cover, I was sure it would not disappoint me. The subtitle—Explore the joy of freedom—adds to the intrigue.

The Fallen Angels of Karnataka - Book Review

The Fallen Angels of Karnataka
By Hans M Hirschi
Review By Ila Garg

The Fallen Angels of Karnataka, a novel by Hand M Hirschi, is published by Beaten Track Publishing. The cover is quite a sight. One of the best covers I have seen lately… The colour is a soft shade of blue, blending towards grey. It gives the feel of an emboss. Sad part is this book is available only in kindle edition as of now, so I can’t treasure the cover and flaunt it in my book shelf. But I totally loved it.

Harappa - Book Review

Harappa
By Vineet Bajpai
Review By Ila Garg

Harappa, a novel by Vineet Bajpai, is published by VB Performance LLP. The cover is quite a sight. The blend of colours is attractive. The intermixing of day and night on a single cover is amazing! I loved the colours and the concept. One of the best covers I have seen lately… The sub-title—Curse of the Blood River—adds to the thrill element.

Love Has Many Faces - Book Review

Love Has Many Faces
By Lisa Morgan with Naula Giblin
Review By Ila Garg

Love Has Many Faces, a novel by Lisa Morgan, is published by herself. The cover has a subtle shade in the backdrop and shows a woman with her head lying low—maybe she is depressed, tired of struggling, crying, saddened, or a combination of all these emotions. The sub-title—Spectacular True Story of Love, Lies, the Ultimate betrayal and Escape to Freedom—further points out at its autobiographical nature.

The Three Psychos - Book Review

The Three Psychos
By Yash Pawaskar
Review By Ila Garg

The Three Psychos, an anthology of three short stories by Yash Pawaskar, is published by Dimple Publications. The cover is quite simple, with no illustrations, nothing. It’s just black with a red frame. It is a little disappointing; the author could have chosen a better cover—something crazy or maybe illustrations of the three psychos that the stories are about.

Spirit Flows Power Glows - Book Review

Spirit Flows Power Glows
By Keerthi Singhe
Review By Ila Garg

Spirit Flows Power Glows, a novel by Keerthi Singhe, is published by Notion Press. The cover is quite simple, with no illustrations, nothing. It’s just shades of saffron. The sub-title—Success starts in your heart—is so eye-catchy and relatable. So is this a book on success mantra then? Or a self-help sort of guide? Let’s look at the author’s bio and blurb before we venture further.

Are you there God? It's me, Ila.

Last week, has been so tricky that I can't help but turn to God (if He exists).

From the pen of a shy girl...

Recently, I became an editorial mentor for www.urbookmyreview.com

I have four interns under me. I decided to give them their first task which would help them look within. So, I told them to write about their writing journey, how they started writing, how writing helped them deal with their life.

I was totally amazed to see how they handled the task so well. They honestly penned down their stories. I gave them individual feedback too. But there's this one assignment that I loved the most, so with due permission from my intern Padmaja Phatak. I am sharing it with you all.

Inkredia­: Luwan of Brida - Book Review

Inkredia­—Luwan of Brida
By Sarang Mahajan
Review By Ila Garg

Inkredia—Luwan of Brida, a novel by Sarang Mahajan, is published by Gloryburg Publising LLP. The subtitle—Danger looms tall. Mystery runs deep; is intriguing as well as gripping. The cover is in fiery shades with a symbol at the centre and fire around it. With such an interesting cover, I was sure it would not disappoint me.

Chronux - Book Review

Chronux
By Sagar Kamath
Review By Ila Garg

Chronux, a novel by Sagar Kamath, is published by BecomeShakespeare.com. The cover seems quite unusual at first glance! It looks like a horror book. But if you look closely, you will see the clock hand and if you are a visionary like me, you would be able to actually visualize the clock in the backdrop. Anyway, as you will go on reading the book, the cover will start making sense by and by.

Save the Language, Save the Identities!

“The wisdom of humanity is coded in language. Once a language dies, the knowledge dies with it.” - Lyle Campbell

My voice talks to me!

When I sit alone in my room,

And my voice talks to me,

And says that I have lost you before I could even get you,

It hurts me to see you fading away from my life each day.

In Conversation with Sagar Kamath :)

 

Hi Sagar Kamath,

Hope this finds you in good spirits!

It’s a pleasure to take your interview today. So let’s start:

Sagar Kamath teaches History and International Affairs at Symbiosis International University. With a Masters in History and Philosophy and over 9 years of experience in the teaching sector, he has lectured extensively on subjects ranging from global history to modern day geopolitics and specializes in issues of religion and politics. An avid storyteller, he has spent years researching humanity’s intricate interplay with the natural world, and believes that events like World War II serve to highlight the best and the worst. We as a species are capable of something is amply reflected in his book, Chronux. In his free time, he loves to explore ‘off-the-beaten-track’ locales that have a sense of mystique about them.

Here, he lets his readers know a little more about himself and his journey so far. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you Sagar Kamath:

Of First Loves!

First loves come naturally. They engulf you from within. They are like sudden gusts of winds that merge in your world with seamless efforts. When such love strikes you, it leaves you baffled. Your whole horizon is changed all of a sudden. Some say they lose their sleep, some say their ability to day dream enhances manifold. While I remained untouched by this magical first love for many years and I used to say, "Oh love! Take me in your comforting arms. Embrace me like never before. Teach me what you are like. Assure me of your eternal nature. Come search me, I've been waiting for so long."

Quarter Life Crisis - Book Review

Quarter Life Crisis
By Anshuk Attri
Review By Ila Garg

Quarter Life Crisis, a novel by Anshuk Attri, is published by Maple Press. The cover shows a couple in a cage and a couple talking under a tree. Interestingly, these two images are put in dialog bubbles. With an interesting title, which every teenager would connect with, and a cover so different, I am sure readers would be intrigued to flip through the pages.

Rafflesia: The Banished Princess - Book Review

Rafflesia: The Banished Princess
By Gautam
Review By Ila Garg

Rafflesia: The Banished Princess, a novel by Gautam, is published by Leadstart Publishing Private Limited. The cover shows a girl in black and white filter. Her eyes are focused all the more and grips the attention of the viewer at once. The fan covering her mouth further speaks of her strature and also of the mysterious nature of the female gender. It totally intrigued me to flip through the pages quickly and know the story of this ‘banished princess’.

People Called Ahmedabad - Book Review

People Called Ahmedabad
Curated by Nisha Nair-Gupta
Review By Ila Garg

People Called Ahmedabad, is a collective narrative which aims to unravel the Ahmedabad city. It is published by Random House Publishers. The cover is a photographic collage of what makes the city so special for its people. It also tells why Ahmedabad needs a book to tell about its journey! How people shaped up the city and its history, how food becomes an integral part of every discussion that belongs to Ahmedabad! It should not be mistaken just as a travelogue though because it’s a deep insight into the city and its people. It’s all about how people see Ahmedabad.

The Wrong Turn - Book Review

The Wrong Turn
By Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose
Review by Ila Garg

The Wrong Turn, a novel by Sanjay Chopra and Namita Roy Ghose, is published by Om Books International. The cover looks interesting with a couple in a jeep seeking some close moments. The subtitle – Love and Betrayal in the Time of Netaji – makes the plot look all the more intriguing. In fact, this line caught my attention more than the cover.

Every Rock has a Rose Lining - Book Review

Every Rock has a Rose Lining
By Monalisa
Review By Ila Garg

Every Rock has a Rose Lining, a novel by Monalisa, is published by Abha Prakashan. The cover gives an impression of a classic. It’s not that impressive, especially for non-regular readers. With such an interesting title, I’m sure a lot could have been done on the cover! However, the book had a feel good factor as I held it in my hands, so I continued.

Tea Stories with Tea Treasure - Healthy Treasure in a Cup!

Off late, my health is deteriorating, all thanks to the tight schedule that I have! I often sleep late and wake up early and spend more than half of my day in front of the laptop screen. Naturally, this has finally taken a toll on my immunity and I keep falling sick almost every day. Because I don’t get plenty of rest even after falling sick, so I never get fully recovered. All this obviously impacts the work performance and then everything keeps moving in the downward direction. Thus, our health is something that we should never neglect.

(Are you a foodie like me? Check out this: https://www.village-bakery.com/)

I was tired of being sick every day so I tried a lot of green teas (of so many brands) and things like that which are said to have a lot of benefits. However, nothing gave a long-term relief. I then shifted to chamomile teas, which are really good for cold, cough and allergies from pollen grains. It’s still my most preferred tea.

Vami to transcend the future of modern women clothing...

In a hustle bustle of daily life, it is not easy for most of the people sticking to a regular physical activity in routine. If say about India, the situation is more acute for women. They excel in almost everything but overlook their own selves. Most of the times the reason is not the desire but the uneasiness to do the physical activities in the ordinary clothing.

A weekend dedicated to self-pampering with ‘Yes Madam’ services!

So on 29th April 2017, Saturday, I finally allowed myself to indulge in some self-love. I got a call from ‘Yes Madam’ few days ago and they wanted me to try their services. I immediately said yes because it’s rare for me to sit back and relax myself owing to the busy schedule that I have; juggling between multiple things.

Day 3 - India Runway Week - From Mugdha Godse to Swara Bhaskar slaying the ramp!

The much awaited 3-day fashion extravaganza, India Runway Week Season 8 Summer/Spring Edition commenced at Thayagraj Stadium on 28th April 2017. Even on its third day (30th April 2017), India Runway Week continued to please everyone. The day was filled with designers showcasing their Spring/Summer collection. From beautiful and elegant models wearing pastel palette to Swara Bhaskar walking the ramp and almost slaying it, here’s a glimpse of what all happened on the third day!

Day 2 - India Runway Week - Began with Homage to Handloom

Indian Fashion Industry has seen a movement towards make in India, and “homegrown” when it comes to textiles. The textiles of India have gotten all the big designers and young brigade of designers on presenting some of their best collection in textiles of India. After PM Narendra Modi’s constant effort of “Make in India”, Indian Textiles has been promoted vastly. Not to forget the emerging designers have come up with contemporary styles, western cuts in Indian textiles. Organic cotton, tie die and khadi has seen major innovation.

Day1 - India Runway Week - The hottest look Straight off from the Runway

The much awaited fashion extravaganza India Runway Week Season 8 Summer/Spring Edition commenced at Thayagraj Stadium. Adding glamorous quotient to the show  India’s most fashion forward beauty brand, Colorbar coming on board as “Make-Up Partner”.

Weavers at Centre stage of current season of India Runway Week

It would seem that no matter how big the India Runway Week gets, there you will always find fresh new names. Of course, the old designers continue every season. This is the 8th season of India Runway Week which is starting from 28th of April.

Of Bling and Shine: Jewellery Exhibition by Neety Singh!

Jewellery designer Neety Singh hosted a two days jewellery exhibition at The Lodhi, New Delhi, for all the jewelry lovers where she showcased her latest collection.

The Amigos - Book Review

The Amigos
By Tanmay Dubey and Rahul Tiwari
Review By Ila Garg

The Amigos, a novel by Tanmay Dubey and Rahul Tiwari, is published by Rupa Publication. The cover looks quite vibrant with yellow and orange hues. The three cycle riders are obviously the three friends that this story would be about. Doesn’t this remind you of the fun that you have with your friends?

Teenage Diaries - Book Review

Teenage Diaries
By Saurabh Sharma
Review By Ila Garg

Teenage Diaries, a novel by Saurabh Sharma, is published by Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. The cover is a glimpse into the life of all teenagers; what they think and how they function. Thus, it is not only impressive but quite apt at the same time. The tagline – the days that were – gives it a tinge of nostalgia and at once, the readers will be reminded of their own days as a teenager.

Turning Back Time - Book Review

Turning Back Time
By Shravya Gunipudi
Review by Ila Garg

Turning Back Time, a novel by Shravya Gunipudi, is published by Gargi Publishers. The cover instantly takes you back to the olden days when villages were considered glorious; the times when India was the golden bird with agriculture being the major occupation. The women walking with pots filled with water on their head was a delightful sight back then. The cover thus, gives you a lot to delve on.

Vividity - Book Review

Vividity
By Neelam Mishra
Review By Ila Garg

Vividity, a collection of 6 short stories by Neelam Mishra is published by Rigi Publication. The cover has a backdrop of pinkish hues and looks surreal. There are vivid and colourful birds sitting together on a branch. The subtitle—Not Your Usual Short Story Collection—does kind of catches attention.

The First Trillionaire - Book Review

The First Trillionaire
By Sapna Jha (Translated by Alok Jha)
Review By Ila Garg

The First Trillionaire, a novel by Sapna Jha (translated by Alok Jha), is published by AuthorsUpFront Publishers. The cover is so apt which shows a girl with determined and ambitious eyes. The cover also has the new 2000 INR currency notes, which is what catches the most attention. With such an interesting cover, I was sure it would not disappoint me.

Life and the Grey Notes - Book Review

Life and the Grey Notes
By Mayank S. Sengar
Review By Ila Garg

Life and the Grey Notes, a novel by Mayank S. Sengar, is published by Zorba Books. The cover is very high on detailing. It’s a dark and complex cover, so can have variable opinions. Some readers might feel confused and put off while others, may feel intrigued. I tried to be neutral and saw a jeweller’s board peeping through a complex network of wires. Could not much understand what the author was trying to convey through a cover like this, but then maybe he wanted us to see life as it is—very complex; everything is right before our eyes and yet we fail to see everything!