Why to Opt for Wooden Tableware ft. Exclusivelane.com

Off late, I've been attracted towards elegant wooden household items that have a natural beauty and warmth bcz they give a character to your space, making it more visually appealing. Also I believe that opting for wooden items in everyday life can be a wise choice to ditch plastic to great extent. Reason being, the production and use of wooden products has a lower carbon footprint than other materials, as it is renewable and biodegradable, and requires less energy to produce than many other materials. 

In a quest to buy some wooden tableware, I came across exclusivelane.com that's a online marketplace selling finest functional products made by craftsmen from different parts of India & the world by fusing multiple art forms & materials for urban market & consumer. Each product listed here is uniquely handcrafted and the range spreads across multiple categories like Home & Decor, Lighting, Kitchen & Dining, Furniture & Furnishing, made of different materials like terracotta, Teak & Sheesham wood, ceramic, Brass, Canvas etc.

From their wide array of collections, I loved "A Tale of Woods" collection which is a unique range of wooden tableware, key holders, wall clocks, towel holders, candle stands n many more handcrafted items obtained from the interiors of India. This collection symbolises the season of love and life. And I bought 

'Spring for Two' Handcrafted Multicoloured Wooden Serving Trays

Inspired from the raw freshness of blooming spring forests, this simple yet artistic tray set is handcrafted in steam beech wood. The most beautiful aspect of this tray set is that the natural feel and texture of the wood have been kept intact with smooth finishing by skilled artisans. The use of pastel spring yellow and green on wood brings out the subtlety of beautiful Spring season. It beautifully fits into any space and make your tabletop cozy, warm and embellished with love from nature.

Other than the appearance, wooden items have certain positive aspects like-

• Wooden tableware is biodegradable and is made from renewable resources.
• It is generally more durable and less likely to break or crack. Usually it doesn't get damaged over time despite exposure to moisture or heat.
• It has a natural and warm appearance that can add a touch of elegance to a table setting.
• These wooden tableware are carefully designed leaving no rough or splintered edges, hence causes no safety hazard. 
• DIY enthusiasts might utilize wooden tableware as decor pieces with their creative ideas for giving a personalized touch to their space.

I also bought a bottle of Natural Forest Honey for my gourmet recipes. What makes it special is that it contains goodness of unprocessed, unpasteurized and unadulterated honey that is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes. It has been harvested directly from the lush foothills of Uttarakhand and is the perfect substitute for sugar and adds delicate floral sweetness to everything to which it is added. I like honey in my smoothies, cakes, and shakes coz it's a great culinary companion for sweets and as a topping. Infact my kiddo loved to lick it directly from the bottle. 🍯

Based my haul, I would like to give full marks to exclusivelane.com for excellent packing, quick dispatch and regular updates for my order. 
I recommend you all a visit to this marketplace and try their services and the best part is that they deliver outside India as well. So what are you waiting for?! 

Check out some cool deals and enjoy!

 

Hygiene Tips To Raise A Healthy Baby

It goes without saying that a baby’s personal hygiene is of utmost importance for the mother. A baby’s skin is more delicate than adults, hence it needs special care and the right products that are not harsh on his/her skin.
There are a few baby hygiene tips that we, the mothers, must consider when we're raising a newborn baby:

For first few days after birth, the parents need to take extra care of baby’s umbilical cord. Do not try chopping it off until it falls off by itself in a week or so. Also disinfect it every day with a sterile gauze pad moistened with an antiseptic and gently dry it off with a clean pad. 

As a new parent, you must develop a habit of washing your hands with a good antibacterial soap before you pick up your baby. Touching a baby with uncleaned hands might put him in a risk of getting infected by harmful germs and suffer from common colds, flu, etc. And most of the times, parents just keep beating around the bush wondering what the problem is.

Daily bath is important in everyone’s life especially a baby. A good bath not only keeps your baby clean and tidy, but also makes him/her feel fresh and happy all the day long. For any reason like illness or extreme weather condition, you may prefer to wash baby's face, neck, hands and bottom instead of giving him a full bath. This practice is often called 'topping and tailing'. During this practice, wet wipes come really handy wherein you need not to use cotton wool and water separately rather wipe down baby's body with a wiping sheet. At this juncture, I would specifically make a point getting good quality wipes that do not contain any harsh chemicals. Infact I would recommend new mothers out there to explore Cuddables Water Baby Wipes, one of the most loved wipes for genuine reasons.

I've been personally using it for my child for couple of months and have for several reasons of recommending it based on my experience. 

• The Cuddables wipes are plant based fabric that's environment-friendly as well as skin-friendly. It’s a multipurpose product that can be used on baby's face, hands, ears, nose and other areas that need some cleaning up. And since it's purely unscented, it doesn't bother the baby. Many a times, the artificially scented wipes come with hidden ingredients that lead to certain types of eczema and skin irritation to kids with sensitive skin. Not just that, wipes that contain a strong fragrance may be off-putting to some parents as well. But Cuddables wipes save me from these concerns for being fragrance-free.

• Contains 99% pure water sans alcohol, hence doesn't disturb pH balance of baby's sensitive skin.

• Dermatologically tested and approved for safety for being free from toxins, parabens and other hidden ingredients.

• Reasonably sized and with its 3x thickness, cleans baby's bottom well without making a mess.

This product can be ordered online via Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho and brand website.

Another important hygiene practice for babies is to regularly trim their nails using a nail clipper. Their nails might accumulate dirt and it might cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain when the baby puts his hands and fingers in his mouth.

Lastly, the mother must sterilize baby’s feeding essentials after each feed. It will remove unwanted germs, and will protect the baby from health risks. 

To conclude, I would say keeping a baby’s surroundings clean and hygienic at all times is a priority and should never be compromised. After all, raising a happy and healthy baby is parents' ultimate responsibility and the best reward. 

Get Vacation Ready & Look Your Best With One Friday

Tropical prints and beach vacations sound like synonymous to each other. To attain a chic and fashionable feminine look, floral dresses can add a twist of magic to your style statement. So when I got my beach holiday package booked for upcoming vacations, I instantaneously started looking for an appropriate dress as I wanted to flatter myself with the booming colour palette instead of solids.

This time I explored an interesting online market place One Friday that is a kidswear brand which offers mommy's outfit range too and luckily I got to find clothing for myself n my little one without having to access multiple portal.

It's time to show you what I purchased...

Since floral print dresses are often associated with a laid-back, vacation-inspired look, I chose a pretty Beige Floral Print Mommy Dress for myself that can be styled in a number of ways, depending on the occasion and the individual's personal style. Some people may prefer a more formal look with heels, while others may prefer a more relaxed look with flats or sandals.

What I liked the most in this dress is the asymmetric frill pattern all across from the neckline to hemline. I'm so excited to flaunt this chic-looking frill dress and have got several styling ideas in my mind already:

• Pairing it with heels and statement jewelry for a dressy look.
• Wearing it with flat sandals or sneakers for a more casual, bohemian vibe.
• Layer it over a turtleneck or a long-sleeved shirt for a bold appeal.
• Cinching the waist with a belt to create a more fitted silhouette.
• Experimenting with different types of accessories like a hat, scarfs, or a shrug to add some extra interest to the look.

Ultimately, the key to styling a frill dress is to have fun with it and experiment with different looks until you find one that you feel confident and comfortable in. 👗

Once my outfit was finalized, I chose a smart Blue Polo T-Shirt with fun whale print for my kiddo that is absolutely in sync with our beachy vacations. I purposely purchased this tee considering the climate and weather of our vacation destination. 👕

• The t-shirt is made of the softest cotton for extra comfort and softness throughout the day. 
• It's a versatile piece that can be paired with anything from denim shorts to chinos. 
• The neat piping on the collars and sleeves makes the tee really elegant. 
• The buttoned neckline makes it convenient to take it on/off without tugging, so it's an easy process to give the kiddo a dress change in a jiffy. 
• Buttoned t-shirt tends to be more durable than snap or pull-over t-shirts, as it is less likely to be stretched out of shape.
• A buttoned t-shirt gives a polished, put-together look, making it suitable for special occasions or family photos.
• Most importantly, it's fabric is hand-washable and quick-drying. So it's easy to maintain and to care for.

I feel I'm sorted for dressing myself and my kid right to find the correct balance between style, comfort and fashion. 🙌

If you’re looking for the best kidswear, you need to look no further, One Friday is here to get you trendy children clothes online to accommodate all your kidswear needs in pocket-friendly prices.

Don't forget to give a sneak peek into OneFriday!

Luxuriate Your Body & Senses With PureSense

Winter season brings a beautiful climate that most people enjoy. While you love cladding yourselves in layers of cozy warm clothing and look stylish, your skin feels rough due to freezing temperatures and dry air. Though good skincare is recommended every single day for the whole year, it become more important amidst winters. For this reason, your skincare products should be adjusted according to the weather conditions.

This season I've been trying a curation of plants' extract enriched skincare formulations trusted for their high performance and quality from the house of PureSense.

About PureSense

The brand believes in the theory of - Beauty begins with wellness. Hence, they craft products that go deeper and help you savour every day. The intoxicating scents and indulgent textures used in their products are worth an experience for your body. Once you indulge into PureSense care, you'll feel the refreshing glow and charismatic aura that comes from the vibrancy of exotic, organic ingredients.

To make my selfcare journey delightful with their nourishing products, I've got this combo for effective skincare.

Exfoliation is an essential step in skincare that help banish dull skin through the cold months and year-round. When the dead skin cells build up on the skin's surface, it might result in a complexion that looks dry and dull. Pick a formula that contains plant or fruit extract so that it’s soothing and non-drying. I chose PureSense face Scrubs in two variants i.e. Papaya and Pink Guava that are designed to nourish sensitive skin without being harsh. I prefer to exfoliate my face twice a week to shoo away dullness and to reveal brighter and radiant skin. With a usage of few weeks, your skin tone and texture would become smoother.

In the journey of face care, I added PureSense Grapefruit Reviving Day Cream and Anti Ageing Sleeping Mask. 

The Grapefruit Reviving Day Cream is quite lightweight, gets quickly absorbed and deeply nourishes your skin. It also serves as a shield from UV A and UV Bsunrays as it's enriched with SPF 20 PA +++. Your skin feels hydrated and supple with the goodness of Vitamin C and Niacinamide all the day long.

The Anti Ageing Sleeping Mask has been my favourite of all. Formulated with Retinol combined with Rosehip Oil offers miraculous effect for sensitive skin. Along with the anti-aging benefits like wrinkle & fine lines reduction, this night mask helps revitalize skin cells, hydrate & tone skin when you sleep in your cozy bed. This mask has gel-like texture that gets immersed in skin promptly. Its mild fragrance is very pleasing to senses. 

Sheet Masks have been quite a rage in skincare regime these days. So I picked a Hydrating Sheet Mask with Hyaluronic Acid that's suitable for my maturing skin. I like it as it helps restore the radiance and glow of your skin, specially when you're pressed on time. The sheet masks are usually formulated with specialized serums that make your skin feel plump and glowy with a boost of moisture. One can use it twice a month or as demanded by your skin condition. Make sure to rub the serum left on the skin for few minutes after removing the mask for better effect.

One more of my favourite PureSense product is Relaxing Macadamia Deep Moisturising Body Oil. I own quite dry skin all over my body and an oil massage definitely is the best therapy to pamper my skin. This luxurious body oil is rich in minerals, intensely nourishes your skin and relaxes your senses. It is suitable for all skin types. Ideally it should be applied post shower on your damp skin to retain the hydration for longer.

All these PureSense best sellers come with a promise of No Parabens, No Preservatives, No Chemicals, No Animal Cruelty, No Sulphate and No False Claims. Such revitalizing range of beauty products are what you need to include in your self-care journey and pamper your skin with the best of care it deserves.

A Step Towards Holistic Health ft. Saffola Fittify

Health is the complete integration of body and mind. It's not just a 'medical fix' but a way of living. Just this week, many of you must have resolved to achieve good health and well-being as your new year resolution. While some concensious ones might be on-track already, others would still be looking for hints from where to begin and what lifestyles changes to incorporate in their everyday routine.

You may have had certain eating habits for so long that you do not realize they are unhealthy. At times, your poor eating habits become an integral part of your daily life, and you don't realize the need to change it. I'm no exception to this case, but better late than never. This year, I'm also determined to reinforce new eating patterns in my daily diet . To add to my existing nutrition plan, I've picked some products from Fittify.in that helped me make a healthy switch.

Healthy eating, directly or indirectly, is associated with right kind of edible oil. When deciding which oil to consume, there are a few factors to consider like flavour, nutrition, usability etc. As most people would agree that olive oil (especially extra virgin oil) is good for us, I picked up premium quality Saffola Aura Extra Virgin Olive Oil from fittify that is imported from Spain. It is rich in mono saturated fatty acids and has natural anti oxidant. Extra virgin olive oil is said to retain some of the antioxidants and bioactive compounds from olives, thus considered healthier than its more refined version.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil does not have a very high heat point, so not recommended for frying and heavy cooking. Instead it's ideally used only for raw or cold cooking, as salad dressings, for making breads and dips or for light sauteing to avail its umpteen health benefits.

Next interesting product that I got is an assorted pack of Hi-Protein Meal Replacement Shakes that contains 7 sachets of milkshakes in Swiss Chocolate, Alphonso Mango, Cookies & Cream & Pistachio Almond flavours. These shakes contain 5 superfoods like quinoa, moringa, amaranth, chia seeds & turmeric plus 26 essential vitamins and minerals that help you manage weight effectively while supporting lean muscle building in an effortless manner.
I purposely bought this meal replacement combo pack to carry it with me to work as well as during travels when I have to skip meals due to lack of time or non-availability of desired food items. It's so convenient to just mix the content of a sachet in milk and gulp it down in a jiffy to feel full.

Lastly I got The Perfekt Gummies For Bone Health Calcium and Vitamin D to get rid of my traditional calcium pills. These gummies are a tasty alternate to tablets and feel like chewing a candy. As a dietary supplement, I take two gummy vitamins per day with food as the stomach acid produced while eating helps our body absorb calcium carbonate easily. These gummies help to support healthy bone density, strong teeth, enhance muscle support & better immune system overall. 

In the end, I would say health is the goal and wellness is the active process of growth and change for achieving it. So we all should constantly make efforts to adopt lifestyles that would improve our health, prevent diseases, and enhance our sense of well-being to lead a joyful life.

Year End Beauty Haul from FacesCanada

"Treat your makeup like jewelry for the face. Play with colors, shapes, structure - it can transform you.”    - François Nars

Well, the quote above is quite relatable for most women. Many women who love wearing makeup acclaim feeling naked without it, thus makeup becomes one of the most critical aspects of their wardrobe. 

I personally don't wear makeup on daily basis except coloring my pout, but when it comes to looking presentable, accentuating my features and creating a mood on special occasions, then I love dressing my face well. And today, I'm sharing my cosmetic haul experience from one of the most popular globally acclaimed brand FaceCanada 

Though FacesCanada needs no introduction, but just to brief a bit, they offer an exclusive line of high-quality makeup and skincare products. Their products are thoughtfully crafted to suit every ethnicity, skin type, skin tone, complexion & skin texture. 

I've been buying FacesCanada products from retail stores earlier, but when i noticed some exclusive deals n offers on their website, I couldn't resist my temptation to get my hands on some of my faves. So here's what my mixed-bag shopping looked like-

As I stated earlier, lipstick is my go-to makeup product without which I don't step out, so my first pick was long lasting liquid lipsticks. Though I prefer usual bullet lipsticks, but matte texture attracted me and I chose two of them in shades End of Story 03 and Hope This Helps 06. Both the lipsticks have ultimate stay or i should say the longest stay I've got with any lipsticks. It feels light on lips, not overdrying and survives meals without transferring stains.

Next on my list was a combo for well-defined eyes i.e. Magneteye Kajal and Magneteye Matte Eyeliner. Both come in a sleek packaging and give intense black strokes. So easy to glide, doesn't itch your lashline and stays decently for whole day.

Also got two base makeup products to wear them occasionally - the Hydra Matte Foundation and the Face Blush. The Blush comes in three gorgeous shades that flatter every skin tone. The powder blush is beautifully pigmented and gives your cheeks a mattified, HD finish with a natural glow.

On the other hand, the foundation has ten versatile shades to choose from. This is a multi-purpose foundation that duals as a moisturizer cum sunscreen too. Not only it gives a high-coverage but offers a broad UV spectrum of SPF 30 and the goodness of a moisturizer all packed in one product. So that makes it a steal deal for sure. Just make sure to pick the suitable shade closely matching your skin tone while ordering. 

There’s something spellbinding and mesmerizing about every product in my haul. The USP of the brand is that they strictly disapprove of animal testing and always use safe ingredients. Their products are cruelty free and hypoallergenic. 

I'm absolutely satisfied with my purchase. So if too are keen to get FacesCanada products for yourself, these're available in over 140 cities with over 1500 cosmetic retail stores across India. The online shoppers can order it at their convenience from brand website or ecommerce websites like Nykaa, Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Purplle etc. 

Do check out their exclusive Year End beauty Haul offers and make the best of it.

Happy shopping!

Understanding Body Shapers & Waist Trainers

Curves on the female body have always been an attraction. Seeing a curvaceous woman feels like a pleasant view not just to the men, but also to fellow women. Majority of women love their bodies only till the time they're shapely and they feel themselves as the epitome of femininity. Because long lean legs, stick-like arms, full in the chest or butt region define the stereotypical beauty mold. On the other hand, plus-sized women usually find it difficult to embrace their body shape easily and are unhappy for being plumper.

Though a woman’s mindset should be that of celebrating her body and loving every inch of it even if she has cellulite or extra fat, but the modern day body shapers are like miraculous products for them to help moving with grace, class, and sensuality. 

The slimming, stretchy undergarments aka full body shapewear that are consciously designed, actually make desired marvels achievable for flabby females and can help them go down a dress size and make their body seem smaller and firmer. 

When worn with some common sense, these compression garments are perfectly safe. Modern body shapers are made of skin-friendly and breathable materials that are more comfortable, if properly selected and worn. While picking a full body shapewear, it's important to choose the appropriate fit that makes your body comfortable and allows free movement. And wearing an appropriate size also means that your silhouette will look smoother in your clothes as you wish to.

Another trick to effectively get into the right product is to look for the target area that you wish to slim down or shape up. Because shapewear are not only meant for those who are overweight, but can also be worn just to give a perfect shape for certain body parts. Some variants that top the list are waist trainers, thigh slimmers, slip shapers, top shapers, extended briefs and much more. 

For females who are keen to wear their body hugging outfits and showing off their torso usually opt for high quality waist trainers and wear them under their dress just like a concealed corset.

The concept behind a waist trainer is to gradually train up your body for wearing it for longer periods of time each day and mold your waist & hips to sculpt a more well-defined hourglass figure. Ideally one should be careful while wearing a waist trainer and make sure all the muscles are smoothly held in places tightly and should avoid any pinching of muscles or skin portions to prevent health issues.

Women who're still skeptical whether to wear these garments, might try them confidently as these shapewear are extremely flexible and the stretch of their fibers is up to 500%. Just need to be smart about your choices. Because the reward you get for a boost of self-confidence due to the smoothening of extra flab is worth a try.

iTokri - Delivering Authentic Handloom Weaves At Your Doorstep

I've always been in the awe of traditional Indian weaves, especially the handlooms. I feel handlooms are an integral part of our national legacy and exhibit the richness of our country while showcasing the weavers' artistry in a beautiful way. Since ages, weaving by hand has been a treasured cultural ethos of our country. It has been sustained by transferring skills from one generation to another over the centuries. While Indian handlooms proudly boast of their uniqueness, it has always shown adaptability to innovation for the modern fashion industry. Why I adore handloom fabrics because they are least burdensome on the ecosystem.

Usually the authentic handloom fabrics can be procured from their place of origin. But it might not be easy for everyone to get one's hand on them by visiting the place. In my case, I have been resorting to some trusted online portals that offer myriad fabrics from all parts of the country under one roof and that too at pocket-friendly prices.

iTokri.com is one such online marketplace that has been my MOST favourite since the time I first shopped from them. I usually buy unstitched fabrics and get them tailored for my measurements. But this time, other than the fabric for my outfit, I explored their Men's Section for the first time and bought a decent Short Cotton Kurta for my brother. The kurta not just makes a graceful attire, but gives the reflection of a laidback and carefree attitude. 

Kurtas are often considered to be a traditional attire but short kurtas have now become common everyday wear in modern times. One can style a kurta with tight pyjama/pyjami to attend a social gathering or can pair it with jeans as a casual wear. Their versatility of kurtas is evident by the fact that these have become a favorite of younger generations and older generations alike because these're so comfortable yet stylish. iTokri offers the best possible patterns and styles in conventional primary colors combinations to contemporary colors that are suitable for all age groups. The exclusive men's collection on iTokri extends the range from shirts, t-shirts, boxers, dhotis, nehru jackets and much more. 

This marketplace sources products, including jewelry, dress materials, metalware, bed linen, paintings, household items etc from thousands of artisans across India, making it the largest curated portal for art and handicraft products with a huge listings. The portal adds hundreds of new products on a daily basis, so I recommend you visit them frequently and handpick product of your liking. 

To sum up, when you buy from local artisans, it's your indirect support to preserve the rich textile heritage of India and to create a sustainable future.