Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Biggest question for a working mom:


However we talk about women empowerment and independence, we just cant get over to thinking over a very important decision of our life after kids are born and that is - whether to quit or not.

There are lots of dilemmas that a working mother has to face in her day to day life. We start hitting our self with questions every day; as soon as we wake up, first and foremost is - Is it worth it to leave your little bundle of joy behind in someone else care and leave for work.

Well this is the most difficult question I ask myself everyday, even though I answer myself everyday, still next day again as soon as I wake up this question comes up hitting me again; and this cycle is going on for almost more than 2 years.

In last 2 and half years, so many times I have prepared myself to quit but some hidden power inside me kept me stopping. There are so many questions, needs to be asked before we can take this big step like:

  • Am I sure that I will be able to take care of my child better if I quit or I am just doing it out of guilt.
  • What would I do when my child starts going to school and get busy with her life, will I regret my decision at that time and again a new question answer round will start altogether.
  • Would  I miss my work.
  • Would I be able to afford all the luxuries that I have now . One of them is having so many maids around to do every single house hold chore.

 As always with all other things, being a working mom has its own pros and cons, and all these set of questions make decision making process even more difficult. As, I also have so many reasons for not quitting as of now, one and foremost of them is to set an example in from of my daughter that her mother is self dependent and she has to be the same, second reason is my parents after all In India we still live our parents dreams and they definitely want me to be self dependent although I should take proper care of my daughter as well.

Anyways whatever the reason be, I am sure I will be facing this question for many more coming years or till the day I finally take decision and press the send button after drafting a good resignation mail.

I am sure this question must be haunting other moms as well in my situation. Please pour in your thoughts and situation in comment section.

PS: Views written in the article are my own and not based on any observation and these are not to disregard anyone.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Attitude Face Wash by Amway - Review


Attitude Face Wash claims:
Attitude Face Wash is a 100% soap-free formula that traps oil and gently foams it away. The water-based gel in it helps effectively remove the dirt and excess oil and reduces the surface sebum levels that often clog the skin pores.
- See more atAmway

Price and shelf life: 280 for 100 ml

Ingredients:  OSMOGELINETM - Red Seaweed extract, Vitamin A, C & E, Natural Fruits & Botanical Extracts like Aloe Vera, Avocado and Grape seed extracts.

Packaging: It comes in a Creamish color tube packing with a blue color screw cap which also has a flip open cap.



Usage: Take a small amount on your palm and massage on face for about 30-40 second then wash it off with lukewarm water.


My Views on Product: It comes in a creamish color tube packaging, with blue flip open cap which makes it easy to take out required quantity. The face wash itself is transparent in color and has a consistency lie gel. It is easy to apply it on the face. It is 100% soap free, so does not lather much and removes oil and dirt from face very well. A very little quantity is required to get a clean and refreshing skin.


I have been using this face wash for more than a month and I am very happy with the effects. It does not dry out my skin at all.

Good Things:
  • Packaging is really sturdy and quite travel friendly.
  • No odor or overpowering smell
  • Makes skin clean
  • Sop free
Bad Things:
  • A Bit Costly
  • Available only through online stores
So, Overall it’s a good face wash which does what a face wash is supposed to do. I would give this cream 3.7/5.

PS: Product was not a sample, and reviews are genuine based on my experience.


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Plum - Green Tea Alcohol-Free Toner Review


Today I am reviewing yet another product from a brand which believes in natural skin care - Plum.

About the Brand: 
Plum is India's first online-only beauty solution brand focused on restoring & maintaining your skin as nature made it to be. Always free of parabens, phthalates, SLS and other harmful chemicals.

Plum - Green Tea Alcohol-Free Toner claims:
figuring out an alcohol-free alternative - with added green tea extracts. Let’s put alcohol to better use ☻ 

Price: 380 for 200 ml.

Ingredients:  
Green tea: Green tea contains anti-oxidants which  makes skin bright and flawless, also helps in pore tightening, Glycolic acid: is part of the group of active compounds known as AHA's (alpha hydroxy acids). It is most effective for treating fine lines, acne, blackheads, dullness, oiliness, it reacts with the top layer of skin, by breaking it down and dissolving sebum and other substances that bind cells together. Glycerin: regulates skin cell generation so  it helps in treating psoriasis. It attracts moisture from air thus keeping you skin hydrated.

Aqua (Water), Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, FDA Approved Colours, Fragrance Glycerin, Glycolic acid, Phenoxyethanol

Packaging: It comes in a round plastic bottle and with a press to open cap.




My Views on Product: It comes in a Plastic white colored bottle, with a press down cap which makes it quire travel friendly.
The toner itself is transparent and looks like water, I apply it on my skin with a cotton after cleaning it with a cleanser and let it be there instead of as mentioned by the product to spray it onto face (Spray is not possible for this type of packaging) and then apply little moisturizer.


It stings a little as soon as I apply it on skin but that might be die to Glycolic acid doing its work on the skin.
It gives a very clean feeling and does not dry out the skin at all.

Good Things:
  • Packaging is sturdy and quite travel friendly.
  • Alcohol free, so does not dry out skin.
  • It is made of natural ingredients.
  • No Odor or overpowering smell.
  • No harmful chemicals
  • Contains goodness of most effective ingredients like Tea tree, Glycolic acid, glycerin.
  • Works pretty well in toning and hydrating the skin.
  • Affordable.
  • Easily available, thought it is available only on Plum website, but they provide free shipping and Cash On Delivery.

Bad Things:
  • It would have been easier to apply with spray bottle.
Plum is a skin care brand that uses all natural ingredients and this a good toner that can be used by oily skin as well as dry skin people and give a very refreshing feel to your skin. I would give this cream 4.8/5.

PS: Product was not a sample, and reviews are genuine based on my experience.


Monday, June 15, 2015

Fuschia - Coffee Cream Soap Review

Today I will be reviewing Fuschia Coffee Cream Soap, Its my second review from the same brand Fuschia.

About the Brand: 
Fuschia is range of Handmade Natural Skin Care products by Vkare.
Currently they have soaps, Lip Balms, Creams & Scrubs available under this brand. You can check details at their FaceBook page


Fuschia - Coffee Cream soap claims:



  • The caffeine in coffee has a number of benefits for your skin
  • From treating redness and inflammation
  • To reducing the appearance of under-eye circles
  • To getting rid of cellulite
  • By incorporating caffeine into your skin care routine 
  • you can reveal evenly toned
  • smooth skin all over your body

  • - See more at: Vkare

    All soaps from Brand are categorized as:
    • Designer Soaps
    • Herbal Soaps
    • Classic Soap

    Price : 225 for 100gm.

    Packaging: It is packed in a transparent plastic packing and outer cover is made of paper, which gives it a very natural and environment friendly look.




    My Views on Product: It comes packed in a coffee and cream colors paper wrap which has flower pattern all over, inside it soap is wrapped in a transparent plastic film. It is dark brown color bar which has very tiny grains of coffee inside the soap, which makes this soap act as a good scrub as you apply it on skin.








    As soon as I apply it smell of freshly brewed coffee fills in, which is really refreshing. It provides good moisturizing as well and does not dry out the skin at all. I am using it for more than 2 weeks now and still I have more than half of the bar is left, so I can say that it lasts really long.

    Good Things:
    • Environment friendly packaging
    • It is made of natural ingredients.
    • Refreshing smell.
    • Provides good amount of miniaturization
    • Can be used as scrub
    • Easily available online
    Bad Things:

    • Cost
    • Available only online
    So, Overall its a good soap with natural ingredients and provides good miniaturization. I would give this Soap 4.7/5. 

    PS: Product was not a sample, and reviews are genuine based on my experience.


    Tuesday, June 2, 2015

    Fuschia - Arabian Jasmine Anti-ageing Night Cream Review

    Its my first review post, so it might not be perfect, but I had to share this wonderful product.

    Though I am not beauty exert, but still i try to use different brands and products for my skin, and I simply love using the brands that have natural ingredients. So, you will be seeing reviews here of mostly natural products.

    Today's review is about an anti aging product from Brand Fuschia.

    About the Brand: 
    Fuschia is range of Handmade Natural Skin Care products by Vkare. 
    Currently they have soaps, Lip Balms, Creams & Scrubs available under this brand. You can check details at their FaceBook page

    Fuschia - Arabian Jasmine Anti-aging cream claims:
    Infused with 100% vegetarian & natural  ingredients which prevents sagging & firms your skin. Arabian Jasmine ( jasminum sambac) oil clarifies, hydrates & heals skin.  Vitamin E prevents premature ageing & prevents fine  wrinkles.Free of parabens, phthalates, petroleumase, artificial tints  &  synthetic  perfumes. Fuschia - Arabian Jasmine Anti-ageing Night Cream helps to restore the essential oils that is robbed off due to the hassles of daily life. The revitalizing and anti-aging action helps you to keep those years in check. According to skin care experts it is during the night that our skin repairs itself. The toxins accumulated during the day are also flushed out. The skin begins the healing process and also produces the natural oils helping to keep it moisturized. The fact that we are not constantly exposed to the elements that harms our skin, like pollution and the rays of the sun, during the night, further helps the effectiveness of the cream.
    Tips on night cream usage
    • It is best to apply the night cream at least an hour before you go to sleep.
    • The cream should be left on for a minimum of eight hours.
    • Night creams should be washed off in the morning.
    • Never use a night cream during the day.
    - See more at: Vkare

    Price and shelf life: 675 for 50ml, can be used for 30 months from the date of packaging.

    Ingredients:  J
    asmine Oil help improves skin’s immunity and protect skin from seasons changes, Olive Oil Its
    monounsaturated fats and group B and D vitamins prevent the appearance of wrinkles, and smooth the existing wrinklesSweet Almond Oil helps dealing with dark circles, blemishes, fine lines and wrinkles, Kokum Butter has regenerative properties and manages elasticity of the skin, Aloe Vera  can significantly reverse signs of skin aging and improves the texture of skin,  Vitamin E helps skin create healthier skin cells and increases, BioStine HP provides moisturizing to the skin.

    Packaging
    It is packed in a little cute transparent tub with a screw cap and outer packaging is a small potli bag in pink and golden which looks really nice. It comes with small leaflets, which contains information about ingredient and packaging details.





    My Views on Product: It comes in a tub packaging, which makes it easy to take out required quantity, for some people tub packaging might not be comfortable for obvious hygiene reason, but I prefer it as I can take out required amount using a spatula and that limits the amount of cream to take out to as mush as you want. As soon you I Opened the lid a refreshing smell comes which is just like as Jasmine flowers blooming in my balcony. The smell is very soothing and refreshing and not overpowering.

    Cream itself is of semi think consistency like any cold cream.


    I have been using this cream for almost 2-3 weeks and I am very happy with the effects. It keeps my skin smooth and refreshing every morning I wake up. I did not have much wrinkles as such before using this cream, but I had very rough skin which did not feel good, but after 2-3 days of using I got to see the difference in texture. It also firms the skin. Only problem I see with this cream is consistency is little thick which is not easy to massage on the skin.

    Good Things:

    • Packaging is really cute and sturdy and quite travel friendly.
    • It is made of natural ingredients - this is the reason enough for me to use this.
    • Refreshing smell.
    • Works as per the claims.
    • Biggest + for lazy people like me is - no need to massage cream for 8-10 minutes like so many anti aging creams requires, just apply on face and massage little and you are done
    Bad Things:

    • A Bit Costly
    • Also if consistency could be a little improved in order to have massage
    So, Overall its a good night cream with natural ingredients and can be used by oily skin as well as dry skin people. I would give this cream 4.7/5. I am very happy with the results.

    PS: Product was not a sample, and reviews are genuine based on my experience.

    Wednesday, May 27, 2015

    A Spiritual Day - Visit to Iskcon temple

                                             Various wall painting adorning the wall:







                                                 Beautiful design on ceiling:



                                I could not take any photographs of deities. :(


                                Iskcon New Vedic Culture Center is in Katraj in Pune an its must visit place.