Cakelicious Shopping From IGP.com & Giveaway (Closed)

With my busy life and crazy schedule, it doesn’t happen often in my home that I may think of something beyond planned routine. It seems like days, months and years fly in a blink of eye without anything exciting, uplifting and really fun happening at home. Sigh! 

But today, I thought of arranging a little surprise somewhere around my home that can put a smile on my kid's face who remains so occupied these days with his school assignments that I rarely see him grinning. Being an avid online-shopper, I planned to order him some craft material so that he can bring his imagination to reality. On traversing a few familiar websites, I realized that the magic of  an instant surprise would be much appreciated instead of burying his head in those crafty goodies.

I stumbled upon a very attractive gifting portal IGP.com with super cute graphics on its home page and it simply brought my websites navigation to stop. You know why??

In the first click to range over the Categories of products, my eyes sparkled finding Cakes listed as the primary item in which they specialize. 

I knew gifting a yummy Chocolate Cake to my little one will immediately make him feel better. And I believe a beautifully decorated cake brings about the perfect amount of sweetness to brighten up anybody's day. 

So without wasting a moment, I quickly filtered the cakes on weight, flavour n shape criteria. Now while selecting a perfectly textured and lovingly crafted cake, I had least expectations that the cake could be delivered to my address. Reason being, my new residence is in the outskirts of the city far away from the central locations. But on checking the delivery option via Pincode, I almost jumped with joy to find my address deliverable.

Looking at the door of my room with corner of my eyes and trying keeping my son out of my room, I managed to order a Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Chips & Cherry Toppings. No wonder, I opted for Same Day Delivery. 

I was really getting impatient to wait for the delivery of surprise gift for my boy, when I received a call to confirm my address by the vendor. In almost three hours of placing my order, I heard the sweet tone of doorbell ringing ;) I purposely called my son at the door to collect the order and I swear his expressions were worth clicking ;)  

The simple decoration on the cake with choco chips toss sprinkled all around the edges looks so tempting that we barely could resist our urge to bite into it.

I'm so happy that I found the best gift for my son and it was indeed the cheesiest way to tell him how much his happiness mean to me. 

Such little surprises so easily bring people together and create truly a joyful environment around. 

I highly recommend exploring IGP.com as one of India’s largest multi-category gifting portal offering best curated collection of gifts for all ages and occasions. They ship to 150+ countries (including USA, UK, Australia, Canada etc) and 7,000+ pin codes in India. You may even plan surprising someone last minute as they provide same day delivery network in 300 cities in India.

If you are looking for cool Valentine Gifts for your beloved, then your search ends here.

Giveaway For You

What you win?
One of the lucky reader of my blog will win a GIFT VOUCHER worth Rs. 1000.

Compulsory steps:

1. Subscribe to my blog via email.
2. Follow Alive n Kicking on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
3. Follow IGP.com on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
4. Invite your friends to participate and share the post.
5. Comment on your favourite blogposts.
6. Mention your name and email address in comment section.
7. Giveaway ends on 17 Jan, 2017. 

Winner Update (18.01.17):

Congratulations Nehal Roy for being the winner of contest. Wait for an email from us to claim your prize. 

Dos and Don'ts of Baby Health Care

For any couple, attaining parenthood comes with a multitude of responsibilities for their child. Even when they feel themselves prepared for the arrival of their baby, the factors affecting their life in mysterious ways can't always be anticipated. The prime concern of every parent is to ensure the well being of a child and to ensure whether they are giving their baby the best care.

Most parents know the basics of keeping children healthy, but it is only through experience that you can completely understand how your expected roles change from an unsure parent to a confident one. So, these simple baby care tips would ensure you be a wonderful parent-

Tracking Feed & Poop Timings:

The early months after giving birth are the most challenging for every mom from breastfeeding to cleaning poop several times a day. For either a breastfed or a bottle-fed baby, track how long the baby nurses and approximately what quantity. The feeding routine of babies is directly co-related to their peeing or pooping timings. My mom advised me to even notice the colour and texture of poop that gives you insights of baby's stomach condition most of the times.

Dealing with Crying Baby: 

Understanding the cries of my baby and soothing him was the toughest challenge for me. Many a times, changing the wet diaper, swinging or swaddling eased down the discomfort of my baby. Then I started using reflexology by lightly pressurizing/massaging under his feet for relieving him from pains in different parts of body and I realized he very well responded to my touch.

Sterilizing Tip:
To save your child from the bout of sickness, always use BPA (a synthetic compound) free feeding bottles. Do not compromise in sterilization of entire feeding gear including bottles, pacifiers, rings, caps etc to keep them germ free. You may either use electric steam bottle sterilizers or simply microwave the bottles half filled with water for two minutes without cap. The hot temperature thoroughly sanitizes the bottles and saves you from old-fashioned way of boiling the bottles in pan over gas stove. I recommend keeping the pacifiers clean on-the-go by storing them in soufflé cups.

Avoiding frequent startling:When the baby has no sense of day and night, his body fails to respond to long stretches of night for long sleep and this is why babies tend to wake up many a times during night. A strange yet practical trick is to create white-noise (like sound a fan makes) in the room that imitates the sound which baby would hear in your womb. It magically lengthens the sleeping time and avoids startling reaction due to sound.

Follow Immunization Schedule:
As soon as a baby is born, he may come into contact with different bacteria and viruses every day, and obviously parents want their baby's immune system to cope well. Vaccination plays a vital role in regular screenings for potentially fatal diseases. Though we may not like seeing our baby being given an injection, however, regular vaccination may sometimes cause the difference between life and death.

Surviving outings with baby:
Taking your baby for an outing, even to the neighbourhood park for a short time, demands packing a number of items in his diaper bag including wipes, bibs, hand sanitizer, pacifier and of course an extra pair of clothing. I used to put a crib sheet on the top of my baby's pram so that the pesky mosquitoes don't try feast on his blood and cause rashes even worse spread diseases to my baby. Also since recently, there have been cases of dangerous mosquitoes spreading diseases such as dengue, encephalitis, malaria and chikungunya I have been over cautious and considered using a proper personal mosquito repellent. That is when I started searching for a fabric based application and I found out about Good knight Fabric Roll-On. I simply rub the Good Knight Fabric Roll On on my baby's pram before stepping out and my baby remains safe from mosquitoes for up to 8 hours, for my older son I apply 4-dots of this innovative product on his T-shirt and shorts before he goes to school of goes out to play. This product is absolutely affordable (just for Rs 75 and you can buy here).

Embrace the 'skin to skin' time:
Staying sane in the midst of hectic schedule for constant care of your baby is not easy. But when you are rewarded with a new life, the emotional bond between the mother and baby gets stronger as time rolls around. Enjoy co-sleeping with your baby cherishing the moments of cuddles and snuggles. Remember, it not only promotes healthy weight gain and accelerated development of the baby; but also reduces mommy's stress. So, don't hesitate soaking up all the happiness you can with your bundle of joy and you'll rock during this new journey of parenthood in your life.

Happy Parenting!

Nirma Advanced- Rebranding of A Classic Detergent

Remember seeing this little girl in lovely frilly white dress twirling to the tune of catchy jingle in a television commercial years ago?? 

Well! I bet, no one would need much of the head scratching to identify the popular Nirma Girl that was an endearing image for “Washing Powder Nirma, Sabki Pasand Nirma".

I've personally witnessed my mom switching from her usual laundry soaps to detergent powder with the advent of Nirma detergent several decades ago and also remember her going gaga over the effective laundry capabilities of the product when kids in the family always entered home with stains of all kinds on their clothes. She would gratefully thank the brand Nirma for presenting a low-cost, no-frills alternative to expensive prevailing detergents aimed to lure high-class society. Feeling really nostalgic over moments of singing peppy jingle of Nirma that was much more in vogue than any movie song of the era.

This time around, while Nirma is back in the reckoning with its Advance variant, the roles of Hema-Rekha-Jaya-Sushma have changed. The brand drops the concept of presenting females/housewives doing the everyday laundry and gets innovative placing the dancing sensation of the nation, Hrithik Roshan for the new spot.

It's really great fun watching the brand new, dynamic Nirma Advance TVC that shows a young kid challenging Hritik to a dance face off  to get his hands on the washing powder lying on washroom rack to clean the stubborn stains off his shirt during a party. The TVC introduces Nirma’s newest product offering in the luxury detergent space in a grand style and appeals all sections of the society.

Though the new packaging has got some cosmetic changes to make it more relevant and refreshing, I'm glad that Nirma Girl lives on the pack design keeping the emotional connect intact. :) The tagline ‘Naye Zamane Ke Ziddi Daagon Ke Liye’ also makes sense because a detergent is an ideal product when it not only shrugs off stubborn stains from clothes that come as part and parcel of modern day living, but also intensifies the brightness and whiteness of clothes. Time and again, Nirma Washing Powder has proven beautifully that it can stand true to tall expectations of Indian laundry requirements. I can foresee the brand to emerge from the sea of detergent brands as a winner and take significant place in our homes once again.

Oriflame Giordani Gold Iconic Lipstick SPF 15 Review (Cherry Love & Copper Shine)

For lipstick lovers, getting hands on a lipstick that is flying off the shelves is pure magic ;) Regardless of what you expect from the product, you want to own few of these before they sell out. I felt the same while obtaining Oriflame Giordani Gold Iconic Lipstick to determine whether it felt good and looked great. Let me elaborate ...

From the entire range of Giordani Gold Iconic Lipsticks, I sorted on two shades Copper Shine and Cherry Love.

Indulge lips in rich, creamy colour with this luxurious satin-finish lipstick. Infused with restorative Argan Oil for lasting comfort and superior pigments for colour intensity. With SPF 15 to protect lips against premature ageing caused by the sun.

'Love at first sight' is what you exclaim looking at the packaging. The royal gold lipstick case clearly speaks of its elegance and lavishness. The outer cardboard cover with golden font again is a charmer. Unlike many cosmetic brands, Giordani Gold lipsticks have the complete ingredients list printed on outer carton. 

The shade name and number can be seen at the bottom of lipstick case as well as on the carton. The lipstick is not very tall or chubby, and is easy to hold between fingers. The lipstick case's cap shuts with a click and keeps you free of worries of accidental opening and messing up with items in your vanity kit or handbag.

Cherry Love is a rich, warm shade that looks deliciously tempting on medium-dark complexions.

Copper Shine on the other hand, is a soft toned copper that would be a hit among teenage girls.

The creamy formula makes it super smooth to apply without feathering. Though it offers excellent color coverage immediately after application, but transfers easily due to its texture. You may want to build up more layers to flaunt darker lips with intense shade. 

Both the lipsticks feel lush and silky on application and give a finish with sheen. It's great that these lipsticks with infusion of Argan oil do not leave your lips feeling dry and taut after use. 

The lipsticks have got a fruity kind of scent, which is not overpowering but wasn't desired by me. 

The staying capability of the lipsticks is better than average. I needed no retouching or reapplication for upto 5 hours and its perfectly fine with me. Possessing the SPF 15 within, the lipsticks provide an added protective layer against sun damage for lips.

One thing that I realized about myself after using these two lip shades is an affirmation that I may carry softer shades equally good like my usual preferred bold shades. I'm strangely fallen in love with Copper Shine ;)  

For a price tag of INR 799 each, a shade of Oriflame Giordani Gold Iconic Lipsticks is worth making an entry into your collection.

  

#TriveniWeddingFest Contest on 3 Blog Anniversary (Closed)

Hey frnz

I won't mind saying that this day, when my blog was founded, is more important for me than my own bday. Alive n Kicking turns 3 today and it's a chance for me to express how sincerely grateful I feel to every single person who helped me along the way.

Grabbing this opportunity, I would go a little deeper and reciprocate the love to all the people who are responsible for giving me this pleasure.

One of my most loved ethnic clothing brand TriveniEthnics has gladly joined hands to associate with my blog and we've come up with an easy-peasy contest for everyone which won't be played on blog, but on social media channels of my blog.

Starting from today, we will post one trivia question everyday related to the brand Triveni and my blog on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. All you have to do is answer all the questions on any of our social media channels using hashtag #TriveniWeddingFest. The contest will end on 10 Jan.

It's COMPULSORY for participants to: 

1. Subscribe to my blog via email and verify your subscription.
2. Create and account to register yourself on www.triveniethnics.com
3. Follow Alive n Kicking on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
4. Follow Triveni on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
5. Share, Retweet, Repost the contest post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram using hashtag #TriveniWeddingFest and tag atleast 7 friends inviting them to participate (the more the merrier).
6. Make sure you leave your FB, twitter, Instagram and YT names in comment section including email address, 

Prizes:

2 lucky winners with all the correct answers and maximum engagement will take away clothing of their choice from Triveni (who fulfill the compulsory rules mentioned above). And this is not all! Based on responses, Triveni may have a special winner and something for everyone those who participate without a miss :) So here's your chance to win big! 

P.S. Brownie points to those who comment on blog posts regularly.

Its a sponsored giveaway, so I won't be held responsible for delay or damage of prize hamper in transit.

Update (13.01.17): 
Congratulations Vani AK and Seema Jain for winning the contest. Look for our mail in your inbox to know how to claim your prize.

Textured NOTD With Oriflame Very Me Sugar Nail

I've not been obsessed with any specific nail polishes ever. When it comes to painting my nails, I like to be experimental. I tried some easy-to-do nail arts in the past, but realized those are not as easy as they seem ;) lolz
If you're sailing in the same boat and feel its not that easy to master painting your nails neatly; I recommend trying Oriflame Very Me Sugar Nail.

Give your nails the sugar effect! Textured nail polish in vibrant candy shades too gorgeous to ignore. Dries to a semi-matte finish with crystallised sugar effects and subtle shine.

Oriflame Very Me Sugar Nail range has five alluring shades Purple Berry, Sweet Orange, Strawberry Pie, Blue Icing and Green Crumble. But due to non-availability of Green Crumble (and I'm truly heartbroken for missing the most enchanting shade of the range), I got to possess the rest 4 shades. 

Available here at Rs 349 each.

So what's unique about Sugar Nail range??
The Sugar Nail range ditches traditional reds and browns, and offers bright candylicious colors that are totally trending. There's plenty of teeny tiny specks of crystallised sugary particles in every bottle that flawlessly create textured nails in a jiffy.

Remember those nail artists flaunting their well-manicured nails beautified with embossing powder!! This range of nail paints will captivate everyone with similar textured nails in few swipes. The crystallised dots on your nails will appear raised and beaded up making them look more like tiny studs of same color.

I would describe the overall look as a sandpaper that is smoothen to touch and feel. The nail paints are quick to dry and settle somewhat semi-matte with subtle shine to it. These nail polishes are perfect for those of you who want to try something a little different!

After discovering these fabulous Sugar nail polishes, I can't help but fall in love! Just give it a try and you're bound to find one that you can't live without!

All being said, did you like any of the ones on this list? Do let us know in comments :)

Paint Your Pout With Oriflame Lip Sensation Matte Mousse

Liquid Lipsticks is everywhere right now like a fresh change from classic style. Just about every brand has put out a version of it. I'm NOT a lipgloss or liquid lipstick person in any way, but after reading dozens of reviews of Oriflame Lip Sensation Matte Mousse by fellow bloggers, I felt tempted to give it a shot.

Light-as-air liquid lipstick with a smooth, velvety finish in 10 stunning full-coverage shades that go the distance. Infused with comforting and conditioning ingredients so lips stay quenched. Guaranteed to cause lip envy.

I chose to try 2 lip shades - Pink Velour and Soft Mulberry. And after a couple of applications of both the shades, here is what I  have to say ...

The matte mousse is in a stylish transparent packaging with silver roll-up cap. The outer cardboard box details every essential information including the shade name.

Soft Mulberry is a shade close to deep plum which is my all time favourite and so it was my first choice. Most liquid lipstick formulas tend to be quite pigmented, and I achieved the opaque pigment I wanted in just one swipe of soft mulberry. This warm shade would suit most Indian skin tones and is lovable for these cold months.

Pink Velour, on the other hand, is a bold shade of pink which I thought won't suit my dusky, medium toned complexion. To my surprise, many of my colleagues complimented me the day I wore to office. It really made me look fairer. However, this shade doesn't give the exact color intensity in single swipe. I had to add on another layer to build the true shade. It may not be likable for darker skin tones.

The matte mousse are a creamy textured formula, but doesn't bleed excessively and can be controlled with steady hand for precise application. It takes a while to settle. If you feel it thicker on lips and wanna settle its default semi-matte finish, simply blot with a tissue to make your lips appear more matte and enjoy stain-like effect.

I didn't apply any lip balm beneath the matte mousse lipcolor, and still it kept my lips hydrated till the moment I wore it. It stays put on my lips is somewhere between 4-5 hours surviving light meals. The removal also proved to be non-challenging as the cotton wipes dipped in gentle moisturizer or an oil easily lifted the lipcolor off the cracks and crevices of my lips.

For the girls, who avoid wearing a full face of makeup like me, can only put their favourite shade of Oriflame Lip Sensation Matte Mousse on their bare face and the look just doesn't feel incomplete or weird. So, for creating a low-maintenance look for everyday, make your pick here at Rs. 699 out of all stunning shades to a statement-making pout.

And, if you want to try out how it looks on you, I'm giving away 4 exclusive Oriflame hampers to lucky few who will shower their love on my blog ;) Check out how to win these gifts