Friday, 15 December 2017

Revisiting Old World Charm at The Corner Courtyard

Hello Chicas,

A couple of months back I visited a lovely boutique hotel in Kolkata, The Corner Courtyard, to spend a long weekend and came back with such awe-inspiring stories about the property which I thought of unraveling to you'll. The Corner Courtyard is a small boutique hotel located in south Kolkata and has been developed by the restoration of an old Kolkata Bengali landowner's Haveli originally constructed in 1904. Situated in the heart of the city, the hotel is a short taxi drive of approximately 45 minutes from the airport. The hotel has seven rooms, each with a theme based on the city’s colors— Vermilion, Cadmium, Charcoal, Viridion, Crimson, Ivory and Indigo. 

We stayed at the Crimson room which draws inspiration from the architecture of the Writers Building in Kolkata which was built in 1777 by the East India Company. With period furniture and Raj-era letter boxes, the room is designed for people who loves history. 
After checking in, we ordered for breakfast which comprised of some sandwiches and coffee. I was supremely impressed by their prompt service and delicious food. After our breakfast we went on to explore the property further. Although the hotel has been restored with modern amenities, it retains plentiful heritage atmosphere. One entire wall in the restaurant area is covered in door locks and keys, all original fittings of the property. Not just that, the walls are stacked with shelves having old books, vintage phones and cameras. Being a lover of all things vintage, I was in awe of the regal interiors.

After clicking a few pictures we sat for lunch at the restaurant which is popular with both the hotel guests as well as local diners. The restaurant offers European and Continental cuisine. We ordered for chicken stroganoff, nachos, sizzler, oreo shakes and Philadelphia cheesecake. The food served was delicious and I was particularly impressed by the sophisticated plating. The chicken was succulent and juicy but the shakes were a tad disappointing. The only thing I personally feel which they can improve is the number of items in their menu which I found to be very limited. The property also has a bar on the terrace with beautiful seating arrangement done in pastel colors. Being a small boutique hotel, the rooms are confined to first and second floor with basic amenities like WiFi and laundry.

The Corner Courtyard is a confluence of modernity and legacy so visit the property if you want to experience the city in whole new way. The hotel also rent out cars to travel around the city so tourist can easily visit the popular spots such as the Victoria Memorial, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Park Street. 

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal

The Crimson Room we stayed at!

Breakfast in bed kinda days are the best..

That shower area though!!

Friday, 8 December 2017

What to Wear to a Winter Concert

Hello Chicas,

Trying to decide what to wear to a winter concert can be a bit complicated. I mean we all want to look our best but at the same time need the outfit to be functional and protect us from the cold weather. Apart from that, the outfit also has to be comfortable enough for us to shake a leg throughout the concert.

All black everything is usually a safe bet, as are leather jackets. However, I decided to ditch the conventional layering and got inspired by the Coachella festival. The look I have created is a fusion of the current on trend items (metallic) and bohemian accessories as seen in most of the outdoor music festival. Following the trend of metallic madness, I chose a golden sheer metallic tunic from the fall winter collection of Max Fashion. I am supremely impressed with the winter collection of Max Fashion, from velvet dresses to metallic bombers, they have it all at really affordable prices.  I wore the metallic dress over a black mock neck bodysuit along with a pair of black shorts underneath. If you're in a really cold region, you can always use a pair of denim instead of shorts. 

Making accessories a part of the outfit as another layer enhances the outfit rather than detracting from it. Channelizing my inner bohemian soul, I wore a lot of silver junk jewelry, a dream catcher oxidized earrings, a silver choker and some silver and golden bangles. Further, I went on to add a bowler hat and a black sling purse to complete the look. It's always a good rule of thumb to wear comfortable shoes to a concert. In the winter you want to make sure that those shoes are not only comfortable but that they are warm. I am wearing a pair of thigh high boots which not only looks fashionable but also keep my legs and feet warm. 

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal



Friday, 6 October 2017

My Kama Ayurveda Skincare Routine

Hello Chicas,

When it comes to skincare, I always tend to be gravitated towards products made of natural ingredients. So when I received the skin care hamper from Kama Ayurveda, I was super excited to try them out. I have never really used any of the products from Kama before and I was looking forward to try them as they offer authentic Ayurvedic products. Their products have received extensive coverage and recognition in various global and Indian publications including US Vogue, French Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Tatler among others. The hamper which I received had 5 products comprising of Kama Ayurveda Eladi Hydrating Ayurvedic Face Cream, Kama Ayurveda Nimrah Anti Acne Face Pack, Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Brightening Ayurveda Face Scrub, Kama Ayurveda Himalayan Deodar Body Moisturiser and Kama Ayurveda Nalpamaradi Thailam Oil. You can read the details of each of the products below. I'll be reviewing each of them later once I have used them for a considerable period of time.




Kama Ayurveda Eladi Hydrating Ayurvedic Face Cream

Product Description

 Made with a blend of pure ingredients, this formula is prescribed in the ancient Ayurvedic text of Ashtanga Hrudayam as the ideal skin treatment of herbs processed in pure Coconut Milk and Sesame Oil. Costus and Cardamom are known for their Varneekarana properties – the ability to enhance skin texture. Costus is especially known for its soothing effect on the skin. Also, contains Aloe Vera which has antiseptic properties, prevents acne, blemishes, fine lines and gives adequate sun protection. Olive Oil derived extracts enable high skin absorption without stickiness or heaviness. Pure essential oils of Rose and Jasmine purify and nurture for a naturally healthy looking skin.

Price

50 grams for INR 1125



Kama Ayurveda Nimrah Anti Acne Face Pack


Product Description

A powerful, effective yet completely natural blend of Vetiver, Ashwagandha, Red Sandalwood, Coriander, Lodhra and Liquorice. The pack works as a treatment for acne, pimples and helps to reduce scars and dark spots. Ashwagandha decreases inflammation, swelling and discomfort while correcting early signs of ageing. Red Sandalwood brighten the complexion and also lightens post-acne scarring. The antibacterial properties of Coriander seeds act as effective treatment for blackheads and prevents hyperpigmentation.

Price

40 grams for INR 1095



Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Brightening Ayurveda Face Scrub

Product Description

A luxuriant face exfoliator that combines the potent Ayurvedic Kumkumadi oil with a host of other skin repairing ingredients. Kumkumadi Oil is a miraculous beauty fluid created from 12 precious and rare ingredients to help illuminate complexion, smooth fine lines and other signs of aging while and promoting new cell growth. The finest Kashmir Saffron brightens skin, repairs pigmentation and evens damaged skin with its antioxidant action. Finely ground Sweet Almonds – rich in Vitamins E & D – nourish and nurture while lifting away pollutants and impurities for a glowing complexion.

Price

50 grams for INR 1195

Saturday, 30 September 2017

Festive Style Guide with Max Fashion

Hello Chicas,

Festive season is around the corner and so is the fever to shop to look one's best during the celebration. As a kid, I had always loved festivals for the numerous shopping trips I took with my mother. For me, the best part about the festivities was to get all decked up to attend the Puja and later going out with friends and family for pandal hopping followed by dining at my favorite restaurant. Fast forward to 2017, nothing has changed much except for the fact that I am no more accompanied by Mom for shopping. This year I did my Pujo shopping from Max Fashion from their recently launched festive collection.


Max Fashion celebrated the advent of festive season by launching their new collection. The collection is about bringing back the rich grandeur of Indian tradition yet giving it a modern touch. Max through its ‘Tavisha’ range offers a range of stylized garments comprising classic combinations of voluminous, vibrant and layered skirts with trendy cholis or crop tops, to complete the grand look of the festive season. It is a fusion of tradition and latest trends on the block and you can buy it from your nearest Max stores or online here


From flared maxi skirt to embroidered tops their new collection is all about ethereal timeless textures and classic beauty. Once such outfit caught my eyes when I was there at the Max Fashion Store for their collection launch event. It was a gorgeous maxi skirt in maroon. The skirt was very simple with brocade detailing at the hem, however the voluminous flare made it look so royal. To style the skirt, I picked a black top with a thin strap. The top had golden detailing on it which went well with the Marsala skirt. As I was shooting on a rather sunny day, I tied my hair in a low bun and added a pair of black round sunnies to give a retro look.

I shot the outfit at the Parasnath Jain temple which is located right next to my house. This temple is some 150 years old and its construction was initiated in the year 1867 by Ray Badridas Bahadur. The interiors of the temple has been lavishly decorated with high quality mirrors, multi hued stones and glass made mosaics, while the outdoor area is surrounded with many hued flower gardens and sparkling fountains. The garden itself is decorated with blocks of glass mosaics and silver European-styled statues.  One of the major attractions of the temple is a lamp, which is burning with ghee perpetually inside the sanctum sanctorum, since the inception of the temple in 1867The whole environment of the temple radiates peace and serenity that has a very calming effect on the body and soul.

Enjoy the pictures!
Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal



Thursday, 21 September 2017

Mini Staycation at Raichak on Ganges

Hello Chicas,


I had been yearning for a vacation for the longest time and one fine day I was surprised to receive an invite to review the property Raichak on Ganges. I was super excited to travel after so long and that too, along with my travel bud Jyotika. Raichak on Ganges is a first of its kind development in Eastern India, and was the first in Eastern India to make it to the league of small luxury hotels of the world. It is a 100-acre project being developed by Ambuja Realty. Opened in 1997 as a landmark in West Bengal, today it proudly stands as a piece of art amidst 65 acres of landscaped greenery against the backdrop of the river Ganga and a stroke of the blue skyline beyond.


The property comprises of the Ffort Raichak luxury hotel, a boutique resort called Ganga Kutir and the Anaya destination spa, along with numerous country homes that dot its landscape. The hotel also treasures some memorabilia of the British period, which include a clock, a grand piano, perfume bottles and swords. You can also visit the port city of Haldia situated on the other side of the river Hooghly.

Getting there

Raichak on Ganges is situated just 50 kilometers to the south of this bustling city and is a quick 90 minutes drive from Kolkata. We booked a car to reach the resort and the two way journey cost around INR 3500. As there is no direct route by train to reach Raichak, I feel that renting a car is the safest option. The ideal time of visiting Raichak is during the period between October and March, when the temperature drops down and becomes pleasant.

Day 1 at Ganga Kutir

We were greeted by the staffs with refreshing watermelon welcome drinks and headed towards the Ganga Kutir which boasts of a perfect hybrid of traditional elegance and modern luxury. The resort consists of tastefully done up rooms, a library, as well as a pool whose edge melds into the waters of the river. We stayed at one of the Deluxe rooms which was very spacious and gave a spectacular view of the pool overlooking the river. After taking a tour along this part of the property, we headed off for a quick dip at the pool which was followed by breakfast by the pool area. After freshening up, I dressed up in a comfortable maxi for lunch at Reflection. I was mighty impressed by the buffet spread, they had a special Bengali theme buffet and I really enjoyed the fish curry. Post lunch we clicked some pictures at the garden area. The maxi turned out to be a savior as the weather was quite humid. After a stroll in the garden area we headed out to explore the Ffort area.

Day 2 at Anaya 

We spent our second day at the Anaya Kutir where we got our own duplex. The interiors of the villa has been done in blue and white which exuded Santorini vibes. The ground floor has a living area and a small kitchen while the first floor comprises of the bedroom and the bathroom. I felt the bedroom was too compact with a very little scope for movement inside the room. However, the living area was pretty spacious and it straightaway opened to the courtyard with a huge swimming pool. The Anaya Spa building has the look of a rammed earth construction on the outside. Two types of facades clad its exteriors; red brick and a central dome like structure that is clad in shimmery white mosaic. Day 2 was again super relaxing, spent most of the time lazing around at the villa and spoilt myself with a luxurious spa session at the Anaya Spa by L'occitane. You can read more about my experience at Anaya Spa here. For our meals, we headed to the Reflection at Ffort. Again the a la carte menu was quite impressive with a vast option of different cuisines. We tried a few North Indian dishes and my favorite pick was butter chicken. A special mention goes to the walnut brownie served with salted toffee sauce which was truly heavenly. However, I feel they should work on their breakfast menu. Although there were many Indian options for the breakfast, the English breakfast menu was very limited and not up to the mark.


Things to do at Raichak on Ganges
  • Pari- A river cruise to catch the first rays of the Sun. Pari has a 50 people capacity on the Lower Deck in the Air-condition boardroom. The Upper Deck naturally is open-air and can accommodate 60 people comfortably. It is the perfect set sail experience on one of the most beautiful rivers in the world.
  • River Side Walk- Immerse into the serenity of the Ganges by walking along the pathway, designed exclusively to provide with the best experience of the river.
  • Cycling- Bring back childhood memories as you ride around the beautiful resort, soaking in nature and modernity alike.
  • Paddle Boating- Steer your way through the beautiful waterway at The Ffort Raichak with paddle boats. Another way to revive your childhood memories with your friends and family.
  • Gymming- For all those who like to work out while travelling the Magna Charta Gym offers state of the art equipment to sweat it out.
Raichak on Ganges is a perfect getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of the city life and enjoy amidst the nature. If I had to choose among the two resorts I stayed at, I would pick Ganga Kutir as represents a perfect blend of traditional aesthetics with modern luxury.
Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal

Ganga Kutir

Tired but always ready to pose!:P

Deluxe Room in Ganga Kutir

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

Retro Rewind with Zink London

Hello Chicas,

You’ve probably heard the saying “everything old is new again.” The same can be said about design and trends. Trends and fashion statements are constantly in a flux. They change in every era and decade bringing new concepts of style to surface. This year has been all about revival of old trends, right from dramatic sleeves to colorful embroidery. 2017's most popular styles seem to be a mashup of the '70s and the early aughts, with a dash of inspiration from other decades for variety.

Zink London has launched it's Autumn Winter collection recently and I was elated to spot some classic pieces forming a part of their new launch. Positioned as a brand for the young urban woman, Zink London is the style setter and star of your wardrobe. It draws inspiration from the iconic runways of Milan, Paris, London and New York and creates exclusive work-wear and leisurewear ensembles for today’s fashion conscious woman. Whether it's vivid colors or dynamic prints, their delectable assortment of must haves is all about striking a balance between high impact and effortlessly cool. Their new launch has made me go gaga and I thought of sharing the same with you'll and created 3 looks featuring my favorite picks.

The first look is a vintage inspired trend, the dramatic sleeves. This monochrome gingham top took me back to my childhood days. Gingham is enjoying a moment this season, revamped in chic and modern silhouettes. Once associated with Picnic table cloths, this fabric has come a long way. The tiered ruffle sleeves adds up to the otherwise basic monochrome top. I have paired the top with a pinstripe wrap skirt. I think this is the first time I am wearing mismatched prints and boy I'm loving the outcome. I have accessorized the outfit with a pair of silver hoops and same black footwear.




Sunday, 3 September 2017

The Self-Rescuing Princess ft. Kazo

Hello Chicas,

When I think about my childhood memories, the sweetest one which always strike my mind is that of me being in awe of the fairy tales told by my grandfather. I certainly do not remember the story line now, but I can faintly recall the vivid images of these fairies I use to form in my tiny head back then. Like any other 90's kid, I grew up watching Disney movies which have been all about adhering to traditional gender roles. A typical plot would be a princess in trouble rescued by a prince and thereafter living happily together.

Fast forward to the 21st century, long gone are the Cinderellas and Auroras, who always depended on men to get them out of trouble. Instead, we have the Elsas and Mulans, who are subconsciously instilling in young girls the idea that you are capable enough to fight your own battles and create your own happy ending without the help of a manI have nothing against these fairy tales but with changing times the fairy tales have to change. I believe life is more than a slender waist and a beautiful gown. There aren’t just slender, white girls. There are girls like you and me. We are petite, thin and fat. We are white, black and brown. I feel life is a book and we are our own characters and there is certainly no fun in waiting for a rescue team. Instead we all should work towards becoming fiercely independent women who can rescue themselves no matter how tough the situation is.

Coming to my today's self rescuing princess look, I'm wearing a gorgeous gown from the fall/winter 2017 collection of Kazo. Their theme for this year's autumn/winter collection is "La Fabia" which is am Italian term for fairy tale. Their entire range has an aura of romance, sensuality and past century nostalgia which lingers in Italy. It's a fusion of retro dandy chic with an incense of florals, geometric lines and complementing metal trims. I completely fell for the color of the gown which is in dusty pink. The beautiful pleats along with the metal trims made the gown look even more opulent and romantic. I have paired the maxi gown with an emerald green jacket which is quite an unusual color combination but it turned out to be a great one. Finished the look with winged eye liner and oxblood lips.

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal





Tuesday, 15 August 2017

The Rebel Way with Max Fashion

Hello Chicas,

It's no secret that military fashion as a trend is nothing new, but the fact is that this trend keeps on updating every year, by offering us new cuts, shapes, fabrics, details and colors. Smart, sophisticated and powerful, the military trend is easy to integrate into your everyday outfits. Nowadays, army fashion is all about functionality and utility. The key elements in this trend are coats/ field jackets, tops, pants, dresses, skirts, eye-catching accessories (aviator boots, combat shoes and aviator sunglasses) and various embellishments (including leather and furs).  This trend is being seen everywhere – from street wear, to office wear, and of course, on the catwalk. It’s versatile and functional for a variety of occasions and purposes.

Coming to my outfit, I'm sporting the "Peace Army" look from Max Fashion's Pre-Autumn Collection. The military collection from Max Fashion has my heart and I had a really difficult time choosing an outfit as all of them were so amazing. From camouflage print to bold military hues, the newly launched collection has something for everyone. I picked up this shirt which can also been worn as a jacket. The quirky patchwork detailing on the shirt made it look even more fun. You can pair the shirt with a tailored pair of pants and heels for the office, and then switch to off-duty in jeans and trainers for the weekend – it will work perfectly for both. I have worn the shirt as a jacket by layering it over an ivory bodycon dress. I have paired the dress over fishnet stockings, something which I have despised all my life but I couldn't resist trying it out as they are so much in trend right now. Accessory wise, I opted for a pair of golden hoops, a grey backpack and nude block heels. A pair of clear sunglasses and boxer braids completed the look.

Also guys, you can use the referral code MAXRI300 and get Rs 300 off on 1st shopping of Rs 1499 & above. Offer valid till 30th September so do visit www.maxfashion.in

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal




Saturday, 12 August 2017

A Guide to Goth Look with Max Fashion

Hello Chicas,

I hope you enjoyed going through my last fusion look from Max Fashion, if you haven't checked it out yet you can do so by clicking here. Today I'm back with yet another look featuring the newly launched Pre-Autumn collection of Max Fashion. Now today's look is something which I have read about in my college and did a couple of assignments on it, but never really got to try it on myself. So I'm really glad that Max Fashion gave me the opportunity to create a Goth look from their western collection.


To most of us Gothic fashion might sound all about black clothing and heavy makeup, but in reality there are different subsets within the goth culture, each with their own unique looks, personal tastes, and musical choices. Gothic fashion is a clothing style marked by conspicuously dark, mysterious, antiquated and homogeneous features. It is worn by members of the Goth subculture. A dark, sometimes morbid fashion and style of dress, typical Gothic fashion includes a pale complexion with colored black hair, black lips and black clothes.

Goth is everything if you know how to incorporate it into your wardrobe without overdoing it. The most recognizable trait of this scene is black. Clothing is black, shoes are black, hair is black even make-up is black. However, having said that, colors do creep their way into this image. Powerful reds, alluring royal purples and emerald greens are always charming colors which accentuate and highlight curves and features. Some of the currently trending items such as fishnet stockings, velvet, lace, chokers, leather skirts and corsets forms an important part of Gothic clothing.

Coming to my look, I picked a skull print shirt which has the buttons on the back. I have paired it with a mesh tulle skirt in black. As we all know, makeup and hairdo forms an integral part of goth look and therefore I opted for dramatic smokey eyes and red lips. The space buns made the look even more edgy. I have accessorized the outfit with a pair of black combat boots and a contrasting clutch in black and yellow to break the black and white monotony.

Also guys, you can use the referral code MAXRI300 and get Rs 300 off on 1st shopping of Rs 1499 & above. Offer valid till 30th September so do visit www.maxfashion.in

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal




Monday, 7 August 2017

The Banjaran Way with Max Fashion

Hello Chicas,

Max has come up with their Pre-Autumn collection and I'm totally digging their entire range. Starting from military prints to neutral hues their newly launched clothing line is to die for and screams the arrival of autumn. So when Max Fashion gave me the opportunity to create 4 looks from their Pre-Autumn collection, I was elated. I'm sharing the first look today with you all which is all about their Indo-Western collection.

I have always been a huge fan of the ethnic clothing from Max and I was super excited to create a fusion look from their collection. Their pre-autumn ethnic collection has a great variety of prints and colors ranging from Batik to thread embroidery. Embroidery is something that has been around a long time. In fact it is something that can be traced all the way back to the Iron Age of human civilization! It is believed that is was the Chinese during the Zhou Dynasty, around 1045 BC, that are credited for the more modern embroidery techniques we see today. Embroidered patterns and weaves are appearing on everything from denim jeans and jackets, to chokers, boots and those fail safe white sneakers. The embroidery trend has tons of options and today I'll be sharing a fusion look.

I have recently been wearing a lot of embroidered pieces ranging from crop tops to mini skirts. And when I came across this ivory crop top from Max with beautiful intricate embroidery in red and black I couldn't help getting my hands on it. As I wanted the embroidered crop top to be the center of attraction, I have kept the other elements of the outfit minimal by pairing it with a black palazzo and layering it with a black cape which again has this stunning embroidery. I have completed the look by adding silver jhumkis and bangles which gave a modern day banjaran feel to the look. For make-up, I opted for kohled eyes and muted lips in pink. And for the very first time I have opted for soft curls, so do let me know your thoughts on it.

Also guys, you can use the referral code MAXRI300 and get Rs 300 off on 1st shopping of Rs 1499 & above. Offer valid till 30th September so do visit bit.ly/2utG102

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal




Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Monsoon Rejuvenation at Anaya Spa by L’OCCITANE

Hello Chicas,

Recently I was invited by Raichak on Ganges to review their property. During my stay at Raichak, I couldn't resist from visiting the highly coveted Anaya Spa by L’OCCITANE to rejuvenate myself and therefore I booked an appointment for myself. I'm not a big spa junkie, but I do take out time once in a while to rejuvenate my body and soul from the strenuous city life. So, off I went for a luxurious experience at Anaya Spa by L’OCCITANE.

Where:

Spread across 14,000 sq. ft. of area, Anaya Spa by L’OCCITANE is nestled on the banks of the magnificent Ganges at Anaya Kutir. A Mediterranean wellness sanctuary, this spa offers complete rejuvenation with combined techniques from the East and the West such as Swedish, Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi, Balinese & Shiatsu. Founded in 1974 in Provence, France by Olivier Baussan, L’OCCITANE is a luxurious beauty brand, which hugely glorifies the beauty traditions of Provence. Touted as the best facial spa in Kolkata, the peaceful environment of Anaya Spa by L’OCCITANE embarks you on a journey of deep relaxation, invigorating the mind, body and soul.

What are the services offered:


From anti-ageing to drainage facials for men and women, Anaya Spa by L’OCCITANE provides four different types of hydrating facial. They have employed professional therapists who are trained to offer best facial services after thoroughly analyzing the skin. Apart from facials, they offer an array of body massages, body scrubs and other area focused technical treatments.

The service I opted for:

 As my skin is super dry, I opted for the Angelica Fountain of Glow  facial.  Angelica is an exceptional plant that grows incredibly fast due to its hydration capabilities. L'OCCITANE has placed this amazing plant at the heart of a complete face care range to intensely rehydrate and revitalize the skin. Retaining the skin’s natural beauty, this facial delivers ideal moisturization and comes blended with two organic Angelica extracts namely water and essential oil.

Duration: 75 minutes

Price: 

The Angelica facial I tried is priced at INR 5000 approximate.

My experience at Anaya Spa by L’OCCITANE:

Prior to the treatment, I was greeted with a “Welcome Ritual”. I was welcomed by the manager of the spa who gave me a tour of the place. Post that I was offered a pair of spa slippers and a cup of delicious tea consisting of ginger and honey. After that my therapist took me to the treatment room and gave me the spa robe to change into. She started the treatment with a very gentle foot massage ritual to relax my body for which I was asked to soak my feet in a bowl of scented warm water. And then my facial treatment began which incorporated 2 organic angelic extracts – water and essential oil, working together to deliver ideal moisturization. The Angelica facial treatment includes cleansing, toning, skin analysis, exfoliation and hot compress. After the hot compress the therapist proceeded with the comedon removal. After the extraction, she performed the signature drainage face massage that ensured all possible impurities were removed from my face. Later, my face was covered with a mask and the therapist applied the L’OCCITANE exclusive herb mask. While the mask was on, she performed relaxing shoulder and hand massage. The mask was removed after 20 minutes and once again toning was performed to hydrate the skin and make the skin ready to absorb the Angelica hydration cream, Angelica protective lotion SPF 15 and Eye retreat. The L'OCCITANE signature drainage face massage sequence made my skin smoother, re-plumped and more radiant. After 75 minutes of pampering session, I could see my skin glowing. The soft background music that played in the background made the experience even more delightful.

 I was highly satisfied with the service at Anaya Spa. The Angelica facial by L'OCCITANE helped my skin to regain its natural vitality and suppleness. The hydrating facial made my skin smoother, re-plumped and more radiant and I would highly recommend you'll to try out this luxurious treatment.

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal



Monday, 24 July 2017

We all scream ice-cream at I Scream Co.

Hello Chicas,

For those of you who follow me on Instagram closely you must be aware of the fact of my love for desserts. So, I was particularly elated when I was invited by the I Scream Co. team for a tasting session. Located on Justice Chandra Madhav Road, the place is small but has been done in a very quirky fashion. The walls are painted beautifully with colorful animated dragons relishing ice-creams and I don't think the interior of an ice-cream parlor can get any cuter than this.

The menu has been curated and designed by Shawn Kenworthy and boasts of 36 ice-cream flavors, 6 different types of sorbets, mocktails, milkshakes and some exclusive dessert with over a dozen of toppings to choose from. Following the liquid nitrogen trend in the city, I-Scream Co. has also come up with an array of innovative flavors using the liquid nitrogen, which makes the texture of the ice-cream extremely smooth and creamy.

I was so confused looking at the bazillion options and after spotting Nutella on the menu, I settled for Warm Chocolatty Nutella Crunch Brownie from their exclusive dessert menu. This dessert is basically a warm chocolate brownie topped with Nutella ice-cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and some chocolate butterscotch to add a little crunch. The dessert was absolutely lip-smacking and I really love the fact that it wasn't very sweet, so you can definitely gorge on some more of their unique flavors. The above mentioned dessert is priced at INR 240. Next came in the Dragon Shots, flavored popcorn cooled with liquid nitrogen, which, when you bite into them, makes you breathe smoke out of your mouth like a dragon, how cool is that? I think this one is certainly going to be the talk of the town. Dragon Shots are currently available in chocolate and caramel and is priced at INR 130. Lastly, I couldn't resist from trying out the sorbet, this time I went with the strawberry flavor. The strawberry sorbet was colorful and very fresh with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The sorbet too was priced at INR 130.

I had a truly amazing time at I-scream Co. I enjoyed all the deserts, the ice-creams were very creamy with a mild sweetness and I was very surprised to see the variety of unique flavors available. This place is a gem for dessert freaks like me, I'm so glad that such innovative dessert joints are coming up in Kolkata. I cannot wait to visit this place again and would highly recommend you'll to visit I Scream Co. the soonest.

Location: 41, Justice Chandra Madhav Road, Bhawanipur, Kolkata
Opening Hours: 2 pm to 1:30 am
Pocket Pinch: INR 300 for two people

Picture Courtesy: Jyotika Baijal

The quirky logo!

Liquid Nitrogen Ice-Cream in the making

Warm Chocolatty Nutella Crunch Brownie