Ride to office

It has been close to 3 years of my work life. Born and brought up in Bangalore, I was not exposed to traveling, Bangalore being my native. It was during those 4years of engineering collage days, that I was exposed to traveling 55kms to and fro Bangalore to Chickballapur.  It was during this time , I started hating traveling in bus. A big No! The incessant breaks with commodious luggage and people falling over each other. The non-stop regional movies which I could neither hear (open windows invited the rash winds that not only screwed my hair but also buzzed shrills) , nor listen (I don't understand Telugu).

Once I stepped into my Corporate life, I was again helpless initially as my office was around 15kms from home and I had to travel either by auto or bus. Traveling by auto would soon burn a hole into my pocket (I used to wear kurtis without pockets, so I mean wallet). This was when I got determinant in buying a 2 wheeler. After much research and fighting at home (Dad wanted me to buy car while I felt I was still very young and wanted  to enjoy riding), I finalised on Mahindra Rodeo for the big burrow space under seat (Add on for a shopaholic) and front fueling (a feature for lame bumps who wouldn't like to get off the bike in bunks).

My relation with riding has only grown stronger each day. Today, I travel for around 20kms to my office in Kasturinagar, another end of Bangalore. First 3 days of riding, there were certain billboards, building, roads and other things that caught my attention. Each day , I travel via this route, I adore these antiques. Soon I felt eager to share these views with my readers. So here is the visual treat. Enjoy!!

The IT infrastructure that hosts all big names of IT companies.

Just a view from lens of my headlight!

An interesting struture on Ringroad, an instant eyecatcher. The bike guy and the address board are not a part of the painting.

 I didn't get any such signs. Did you?

How many would get a train sight on their way to office? I do!

Chain of IT structures!

Cloudy Weekend

Weather in Bangalore from past too weeks is getting cosier and romantic. There is sufficient amount of brightness accompanied with the chill environment during the day and evenings getting really chill outside.
First thought at the sight of rain drops in the evening post office will tempt your taste buds and thoughts with the picture of hot, soft cpicy chilli bajjis, bondas, gulab jamoons, pepper chicken, and exquisite of all, Chats. Sorry readers if I have tempted you savouring karma(one of the irresistable temptation - satiating taste buds), when you are reading this sitting at office, crowded traffic or occupied with other household chores. Helpless!!

What I love to do in this weather -
                 Today being a weekend, I am immersed into thoughts of food, sleep, shopping and watching tv. Let me brief in detail -

1. Sip hot soup at a nice chinese restarant, waiting for spicy chicken and mushroom dishes.
2. Listen to melodies and close my eyes
3. Read an interesting novel, sipping a hot coffee
4. Munch popcorns with hubby dear and watch a good romantic comedy movie.
5. Sleep with comforting soft pillows and cusions at bedside.

One such wish of mine came true unexpectedly when I and hubby bumped into a 90's ambience hotel Utsav for a coffee and ending up having something that is obvious on a drizzly evening. (when the purpose of us going there was some official Driving license related boring stuff)

The hot yummy Masala puri (I like the tinge of meeta in my Masala puri, but this dish didnt satiate that wish of mine). The chat was ok. The Masala Dosa on the neighbouring table was what that looked real tempting with its aroma filling th air.

Bel Puri, hubby all time favourite! I gulped a couple of spoons too. I get real greedy when it comes to chats.

 Paani garnished with coriander.

Sweet & salt Lime lemon Soda after having the hot spicy chats and paani.

Let me know, what is that your like doing on a cloudy, chill weathered weekend?

Mom at home!

        Yesterday was a beautiful and a surprising one indeed. On hearing my ill health, Mommy dear was home after her school hours (For those who didn't know, my Mommy is Assnt.Headmistress + English,Social science teacher). That is one of the reasons, I get to hear lengthy advices.

        Asusual, within no time of getting home, she prepared a coffee for me and started making arrangements for garlic rasam (Believed to relieve cold and I love garlic!). Then she started cleaning my room and kitchen as my sickness hadn't permitted me to do anything but gallop Dolo 650 and Benadril and log off to deep slumber!!
          Late evening around 8:30 or so, I and hubby started off to leave her back at home (17-18kms approx). Yes same city, although I meet her atleast once or twice a month , I feel happy each time we meet!

Let me make another announcement , yesterday we had two new members included in my paradise. They soon mingled with existing inmates Hunky & Dorry real fast. Before you make any conclusions, let me tell you, they are the elegant gold fishes inside my small aquarium. Planning to upgrade to larger one sooner.

Planning to name the new family members as 'Berry' and 'Cherry'.
 Berry-Cherry-Hunky-Dorry!! (It rhymes so well!!)

Red-necks , actually orange, no idea why the seller called them that, are the inmates and seniors.
Orange goldfishes are the new joinees. But all the four have got along well! They having happy foursome time! (no dirty derivative*)
The black skeleton is actually an ash tray, I creatively placed him here as their guardian ! (Purchased it in Goa for a mere 200 INR)

Woman pride !

Hey girls,

              Its Tuesday, still very close to Monday ;). I can still see those glum faces sitting in office out there reading this post.
Today, for a change I thought let's talk serious! (Apologies for jumping into the serious mode so quickly). Knowhat? we, women are not just skilled in Shopping, multitasking, distinguishing colors, cooking and gossiping. We do a lot more than this. But how often do we introspect about the same. Without us introspecting, we can't expect the world to enter auto-mode and acknowledge. All with me? I assume an 'yes'! and carry forward. (No case, I'm gonna stop venting today and get back to lifestyle post ;))

(Credits - A picture from google)

The world sees us as wives, mothers, teacher, daughters, so on and so forth. Why say world! Please acknowledge the fact that when you hear the word 'Woman', aren't these the same words you too get in your mind?

Why not these visuals too, which we carry very naturally and instinctively - Strength (both mental and physical,else how can we bear the delivery pain with such happiness), Good managers (We can balance both work and life), Entrepreneurs(I bet we know a plenty out there including actors,political leaders, designers, singers etc,.), Patience (Else I tell you, most marriages would have fallen apart at lightening speed), Matured leaders (Weigh both rights and wrongs), good observers, Memory boxes having billion Zeta bytes of memory space that we remember all dates, colors, clothes and the specific, intricate details of clothing worn on particular dates and events, multi-taskers (Keep an eye on the boiling milk on stove, while run to hall and watch the soap, pick up call from Mommy and talk responding correctly to the questions asked, back to kitchen, to switch off the boiling milk, come back and continue watching the soap without having lost the track of the story and yes you are still on the call with mom).

Inspite of knowing all this, how much do we talk on such values when we make our girl meets and kitty parties? we mostly end up gossiping. (I'm asking this question to self too, my alter ego plays an audience  after the post and she'll read Empoweress's post each time, only thing is she doesn't write comments to avoid rumours of having a bipolar personality)

Woman1 - Hey nice color, Elle18? I saw the same in Oriflame!

Woman2 - No streetwear, I got all the shades in this color. I love these Mauve and cappuccino shades, you know?

Woman3 - Hey yesterday I purchased the same  shade lippy! Check this.(Open purse, dig deep through the huge cluster of movie,parking,food bills and tickets and other cosmetics) and get the lippy out.

Woman1- Yes This month's Vogue edition has Sonam Kapoor wearing the same shade. I think it is MAC hug me shade.

Woman2 - I hate that b*****! Deepika has better statistics and face than her.

Woman1 - I don't agree. She is a fashionista. I love all the outfits and experiments she tries and carries successfully in Cannes and other festivals....

(I can prolong this conversation which may eventually create Sex and city - 4 ).

 Next time we meet, lets share conversations relating to lives more practically and rationally than crib  about everything and end with the easy famous slogan "Men will be men"!.

Let me end the post saying, Women will be women, how would meet ups satiate without gossips and cosmetic discussions? (laughs!) (Gimme a hi5!)

But let's rejoice our birth, strengths and womanhood  and thank god each day for being born a WOMAN!

Retro Hairdo

Weekends as we say is never enough! Especially for me, when I'm busily occupant in something or the other. Last weekend the victim for timepass was my sister.

I single-handedly composed a Retro portfolio for her. The highlight of the entire session was the retro hairdo. I spent too much time and patience in making a style.

It is a 'Cross knot braid'. You wondering as to where you heard it lastly? You wouldn't find an answer because that is how I named it.

This hairdo can be donned only if hair around 25-30inches approximately. This wouldn't take much long. I can't detail the process of hairdo in writing and as you know, I ain't patient enough to click at every twist and turn of the hair.

PS: - I haven't used hairspray and hence the individual strands of hair peeling out of the braid!

Note:- You can accessorize the hairdo using beads and broaches.

Footwear haul

         Today I thought I'll walk you through my footwear collection. 2 months back, I bombarded the shoe rack with as many shoes, stilletoes and flats after I discovered a shop in Koramangala that sells all import brands but at the higher end prices.
        Empoweress is present wherever the four-lettered word - 'S A L E' is advertised. Proceed ahead for a clear visualization.

You can't help, but feel envious!! Need I say, Just kiddin?

Beige is a common color these days, especially for most formal wears. One of my favourite colors too.

Black again a must have in every woman's wadrobe. I wear it with most of my formal and cotton trousers.

 Adore it each time I wear. Paid around 950 INR from 'Much more', an outlet in BTM Layout.

This is my most favourite grab ! Its super comfy and spacious.

This is my only traditional footwear that I have retained for a long time. Mostly use it on Indian wears.

Simple eye makeup

I tried an experimental formal look I could carry everyday to office. I have used basic make up products.

Eye liner - Elle 18 black out
Kajal - Mabelline Collosal