The Truth About Living Alone

When new people I meet find out that I live alone in the city I get a lot of raised eyebrows and “are you a sociopath?” kind of expressions. That’s followed by mild questions like – “Isn’t it scary? Don’t you get bored? It’s lonely, isn’t it? How do you manage without room-mates?”

I will admit, there were times when I thought there was no possible way I could live in Mumbai without my family, best friends and comfort that comes with living somewhere for practically your entire life. Turns out, I was wrong. I’m still here, and plan on being here for a while. It’s far from boring. In fact, it’s an adventure that I don’t know where to begin telling you about.

Here are a few of the lessons I’ve learnt:

You’re cleaner than you think – Or messier... works both ways. When my house is a disaster, it becomes apparent that those room-mates I once had weren’t at fault all the time. And when it’s clean, I can take comfort knowing that it will stay that way. Plus, there’s something strangely calming in knowing that the idiot who’s left dishes in the sink again... is me!

Learn to tidy up. Fast! – For two reasons. Your friends will definitely want to hang out at your place since there are no parents around. Secondly, if you work 5-6 days a week, you don’t want to spend your weekend cleaning.

Learn to live with bugs – Gross, right? But every apartment has one at some point or the other. Stomp ‘em, spray ‘em or put a cup over them and wait for reinforcements to arrive. What I do is just never enter that room again for... you know, ever.

You’ll find out if you’re an introvert or an extrovert – While I love being outgoing and social, there are times when I work from home for days, without seeing a soul and felt so refreshed! You’ll find out if you recharge best when you’re alone or if solitude gets you feeling lonely and isolated.

Pants Optional? – You can confidently wear whatever you feel happiest in without fear of awkwardly running into a room-mate or one of their friends. While going ‘sans pants’ can be considered freedom at its finest, that really isn’t my thing. I’m more of an old-tee-I-love-so-much-it-has-holes-in-it kind of person.

You will run out of food – When you’re hungry and live with room-mates, you can just eat their food and replace it later. What a lovely back up plan! Living alone means if you’re out of groceries, you really are out of groceries and the Pizza guy will have to make his second trip of the week to your house... even though it’s only Tuesday.

Speaking of food....

The craziest things will make a meal – A tomato, an egg, a pack of noodles – dinner! I’ve eaten combinations like these and let’s face it – it’s hard to cook for one person! Plus, this system works if you haven’t done the aforementioned grocery shopping.

You talk to yourself – I’ve always known I was a chatterbox, but when you live alone, it’s different. Maybe it’s about making some noise in a quiet house, or maybe I’m just losing my mind (it’s possible). But I’ve found myself wondering aloud on many occasions. And by “found myself” I mean “I’ve been overheard.”

The TV is yours! All yours! - Binge watch Masterchef Australia or slum it with old, sappy re-runs. Who cares? There’s no one to judge or complain.

Double or Triple check security – Ever get out of bed multiple times to see if you actually latched the door? Don’t worry. I do, too!

Friends are a phone call away – There are days when being alone with your thoughts isn’t what you need. You can easily sit home and wait for people to call. But that won’t do. Never underestimate the power of your social circle. Pick up the phone, call someone, text or better yet, go out and meet a friend. If I didn’t have such amazing friends, this part would have been hard.

My place reflects my style – A no-brainer. But those who live alone will understand. To live in a place where everything belongs to me, to see my mismatched collections, trinkets by the TV, scarf thrown over the chair because I like it that way... it pleases me more than I thought possible.

Other random things – Like the hair in the drain is all mine (OMG!) and how do I zip/button up the back of my dress? Let’s not forget the philosophical stuff that occurs, like “if I eat this cheesecake and no one sees it, did I really eat it?”

A couple of nights ago, I was reading an amazing book in bed and shed a teeny tear. I realized how nice it feels to have the privacy to do so – for this time of ruling the roost and making the rules. The truth is, living alone is the farthest from lonely I’ve ever felt :)

Can anyone else who's living alone relate? Talk to me! - Comment below and stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Cya next time!

read more "The Truth About Living Alone"

Viva Carnival! - Goa

When the rest of the schools in India had Fancy Dress Competitions, my school in Goa had a “Carnival Fiesta” in February. As a painfully shy child, saying that I dreaded that day every year is an understatement. Every kid HAD to dress up as something or someone, and we had a carnival parade in front of camera happy parents, before being handed the mike to speak into. I remember standing at the mike on quite a number of occasions, speechless, wishing that the earth would just swallow me whole and end my misery. 

Fast forward a decade and its ME holding the camera (MUHAHAHAHA)! Carnival is four days when Goa comes to life. Not that it’s dull the rest of the year… in fact, far from it! 

The revelry that dates back to the 18th century was started by the Portuguese, a tradition that Goans have retained. Carnival (literally translated to “throw away meat”) is the last few days that Catholics can indulge in meat and liquor before the fasting period of Lent begins. There are street parades, parties, floats, music, dance and everyone is welcome to join in!

The Carnival in Goa is held over four days - one day each in Panjim, Mapusa, Margao and Vasco. The one I attended in Panjim is supposed to be the grandest of them all, probably due to the wider streets, bigger space and more decoration that's possible in the area. 

     

The most magnificent float is always the first one. Atop it is King Momo, the mythical king of revelry and chaos (what a fun job!) and he presides over all the festivities. King Momo, in his luxurious velvet cloak and gold crown is flanked with his entourage of pretty women and waves to enthusiastic cheers of “Viva Carnival.” He then reads aloud a decree proclaiming that his subjects can now enjoy three days of merrymaking.

In the olden days, people used to smear each other with eggs, fruits, flowers and other messy things. While some of them still do, it has majorly been replaced with coloured powders. Another interesting thing is that the parade is a subtle way for people to express sarcasm and criticize the government. Floats are used to raise voices against government policies in a comical manner known as Khell. This year, the burning issue of the government reclassifying the Coconut Tree as “grass” had many floats mocking the issue. Sadly, they were denied participation.

The floats wind their way through decorated streets, each one accompanied by a troupe of lively dancers and their own music. Spectators stand on either side of the, pushing and shoving for a good view and good photographs for the 4-5 hour long parade - which is why most of my pictures have someone's head or hand blocking the view. 

I once read that an old tradition called for people throwing old utensils out of the house as the Carnival procession passed by, forcing attendees to duck for cover. That would have been a funny sight!

Among my favourite floats was a one of a Portuguese house, with a man and chubby old lady sitting in the balcao. The man, dressed in a black suit and tall hat would sip his tea while the lady would wave at random people in the crowd, mimicking what older Goan ladies do every day. A maid would dust the window and offer the couple some more tea. It was really cute!

Yet another popular one was Minions – a ginormous Minion made entirely of waste plastic bottles sat on the float, while other minions mingled with the crowd, danced and posed for selfies. The amount of strength needed to walk and dance along the streets for four consecutive days is immense... I can never fathom how everyone manages to pull it off. 

Judges of repute are bought from other states to watch the parade, rate floats and distribute prizes on the last day. 

TGG Tips 

• Extremely beautiful Carnival masks are sold on the footpath, and it’s a good idea to buy them after the parade for cheap!!
• Buy passes and sit on the stands erected along the street for a crowd-free experience and better pictures
• Go early to find a  spot to park your vehicle or be prepared to park on one end and walk to the other end for a good place to stand.

P.S. The pictures in this blog post have been taken by my friend's Dad, John D'souza (John's Studio), from Canada. Kindly do not reproduce them without permission. 

See you next time!

xoxo

read more "Viva Carnival! - Goa"

Tips to design a travel themed child's bedroom

It started with a trickle... and then the the downpour.. a thunderstorm, whatever you want to call it.

BAM!

Bachelorette parties... Invitations... Weddings. All my friends started getting married!

You'd think that was the end of it, but no!

A year later, a friend said she was expecting a child. Then a second one announced her pregnancy, then a third... the news kept pouring in!

Tiny new people magically appeared.

While there was no doubt an impact on our social lives, there are perks of having friends with kids. Playing with them when they're happy and handing them over to the parents when they get cranky, helping them shop for cute little clothes and most recently, designing a babies bedroom - travel themed! Being an aunt is fun - especially when it involves finding my inner interior decorator.

DESIGNING A TRAVEL THEMED CHILD'S BEDROOM

Wouldn't it be cool to have a room like this?

Credit - Overstock.com

I love the concept of having your own little world inside a house, but sadly most houses/apartments in India just don't have the space. Or, we don't want to spend a bomb on a bedroom that a child will outgrow in a couple of years. Lastly, the dust!! Getting it out of those nooks and crannies in complicated decorative items can be a task in itself.

That being said, a bedroom isn't just a place to sleep. It's the room a child will play in, daydream, study, and more. So it HAS to be at least a little distinct and inspiring, no?

Here are a few travel - inspired ideas that are affordable, fun, and give the room a cozy ambiance.

Travel Themed Wallpaper

When you think of travel themes, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a map. Rather than the traditional world map, I found that quirkier ones have a better impact in the room. Have you seen those videos of three year old children who can point out to every single country on a globe? I wouldn't be surprised if they had something like this in their bedrooms. 

Credit - Pinterest.com

This is another nice twist on the map. Animals make it much more child-like and the colours are soothing as well. You can find some more great designs on PrintAWallpaper

Credit - travel-and-children.com

Not sure how a giant wall mural would complement your decor? You can always opt for smaller ones like these. Totally eye-catching in a subtle kind of way, and you can easily paint them on yourself using cut out stencils. Or simply buy them at Ali Express or Ebay

Credit - Pinterest.com

Credit - Pinterest.com

Travel Themed Pictures

Now that everything has gone digital, no one ever hangs up pictures in frames anymore. This is a great way to express your creativity. Not to mention it's visually stimulating.Simply print out a high definition image like the ones below (or on Pinterest) and hang them up in cheap frames or clip boards. It costs next to nothing.

  

Forget kid's rooms! Bringing the window seat indoors will look good anywhere in the house. Aeroplane window styled photo frames with images of various cityscapes look elegant and expensive. You can find frames like these here or here

Sheets

It isn't hard finding travel themed sheets and pillows online, especially on Etsy. Cars, trains, famous monuments, maps... there are tons of choices. I love the aeroplane blueprint one below:

Credit - Amazon.com

Credit - pinterest

Other Decor
It's not surprising to note that the best thing you can decorate a child's bedroom with is pillows! Aliexpress, Etsy and Airport Tag have the best collection of travel themed pillows I've seen so far. Got to love these boarding pass-styled ones!

 

Here are some other decor ideas.

Rugs for kids rooms can be vintage looking or bright and colourful.

Credit - Themerooms.blogspot.com

What do you think of these ideas? Can I consider a career in interior decoration? ;)

Let me know if you have some travel theme ideas. There's no shortage of friends with kids.

Bye!!

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

read more "Tips to design a travel themed child's bedroom"

Looking Back at 2015

Resolutions! There’s so much of that stuff going around these days. But honestly, I stopped making them years ago. While goals are great in business, I find that what works better on a personal level is taking a closer look at the year gone by because you’ve actually lived through it. 

Here are some of the things that stuck with me through these last 12 months

1. Love what you do. It’s ok to quit what you hate – Digital and Content Marketing fascinated me for the longest time… and I thought I could fuel this passion by working for a company. How wrong I was. The more time I spent working, the more I realized I was a mere puppet with limited growth and no learning – at the mercy of a paycheck. After quitting, I’ve learnt more than I ever have in those two years and I’m happier than ever before. Passion makes you look for ways to fuel it – I furthered my knowledge through Youtube, through people I met, and the opportunities to earn and grow, although uncertain at times, are endless! 

2. Never Settle for Average –I don’t understand people who settle for mediocrity. How does one satisfy oneself by doing just enough to get by? Whether it’s spending days trying to fix that glitch in my blog with zero technical experience (thank you, Google) or planning the next step in my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve learned that those who get ahead are hungry enough to not be average.

3. People Matter – Living in Mumbai has taught me that those who get ahead are those who value people. Technology and new gadgets are great, they save time, etc, etc. But business and life is and will always be about people. The more you understand that, the better off you will be. 

4. Persistence Pays. Always. – In business, in blogging and in general, results don’t always come when you want them to. Being persistent is so tough... but also the most rewarding. Blogging for half a year with barely any traffic, walking the entrepreneurial path for a year (and then some) with no results is excruciating. But if the vision is strong enough, instant gratification just doesn’t matter. Giving up on something I spent months and years building is just out of the question.

5. The Power of a strong, clear vision is amazing – It’s the only thing that will see you through setbacks. If you need a breakthrough, you must believe in your vision 100%

6. Make friends with people who make you think – Because anyone can ask you “Whats Up?” Those who talk about happiness, ethics, spaceships… anything! Those are people who make you think. I'm soooo over small talk!

7. Stop giving people second chances – This one was hard, because I always believe that given a second chance, people can change. Sadly, some never do. Waiting for someone to change only drags out the inevitable. If the person proves they are incapable of changing, why believe otherwise? Do yourself a favour and stop giving people second chances. It’s a waste of valuable time, they stop taking you seriously and you look + feel like a complete moron

Taking a look at what you have learned is just as important as planning for the year ahead. . I hope my lessons add value to your life. And if you have something to add value to mine, I’d love to hear them!

Wishing you the best of everything in 2016!

read more "Looking Back at 2015"

4 Great Products for Curly Hair

I was born with a mop of hair on my head and grew up thinking I had the worst hair in the world. It still brings tears to my eyes when I think of the single hairstyle I had all throughout school that made me look like part of the Jackson 5.

I tried cutting it short – didn’t work.

I tried straightening it – didn’t last.

And then I thought, “let’s just leave it the way it was meant to be - wild and freeeee.”

There are many breeds of curly haired girls – the ones with soft wavy curls and the ones with the killer permed-curls.
But that was never me. I was more of the “frizz and unruly strands” girl

Let me tell you a thing or two about our hair care regimen:

1. We don’t wash our hair a lot – Alternate days? Nope. Every other-other day? Nah. Twice... even once a week is more like it. And it always looks best on the third or fourth day. Don’t ask me why.
2. You won’t believe how much hair we lose – Just running our fingers through our hair will leave us with a fist full of it. It’s a miracle we still have some on our head.
3. We don’t own a hairbrush. Yes, you read that right.

The struggles are real.

Random people coming up to you and asking “Can I touch your hair” is normal. 

Losing hairpins in our hair happens every day (wherever they are, I hope they’re happy.) 

And we absolutely must carry a spare hair tie or clip for when the one we’re wearing snaps. That reminds me.... Combs’ breaking is normal too.

Does it end there? Oh no!

We often show up to places with wet hair – because who can wait six to eight hours for it to dry? Plus, we do the same thing to it every day, yet it never looks the same on two occasions.
Going to the beach or driving with the windows down = giant frizz ball.
I could rant for hours, but only a fellow curly would truly understand.

MY TOP PICKS

Anyways, after years of experimentation, I’ve narrowed it down to a few hair care products that *actually* do what they promise. Take a look:

HERBAL ESSENCES - TOTALLY TWISTED 

Not only does this smell like a treat - it works brilliantly! I don't know how they do it, but this shampoo can gently remove oil, gel or whatever products you have in your hair with one wash, while leaving the natural oils intact. It also de-tangles hair and keeps it frizz free.

The conditioner defines curls like a dream! I love that it reduces volume, keeps your hair squeaky clean and leaves curls springy and well defined.

Cost: depends where you buy it from. I pay Rs. 205 each but it can go up to Rs. 1200 + online.

SCHWARZKOPF "EXTRA CARE"

This tongue-twisting brand has a wonderful range of Shampoos and Conditioners - and I especially love the "Extra Care" range. I've tried the gold bottle (Ultimate Oil Elixir), the brown bottle (Marrakesh Oil and Coconut) and the blue one (Moisture Gloss). They all had pretty much the same result. They made my hair shinier than I've ever seen it before, well hydrated and really soft. It does wonders for greasy hair!

The Schwarzkopf "Repair Rescue" range sounded like something curly hair could use, but that made my hair fall like crazy. However, it may suit your hair type. It comes in a long white and red cylindrical bottle.

Cost - Varies between Rs. 275 to Rs. 550/- each depending on the type.

      

        


L'OREAL PROFESSIONAL WILD STYLERS - SCRUFF ME

My hero! I started using this around 6 months ago and can't imagine my life without it. Just two or three pumps of it works wonders in creating that perfect out of bed, disheveled look. All you need to do is apply it onto damp hair, scrunch it up with your fingers and leave it to dry naturally

The best part is that you can work it in your hair on one day and just use wet fingers to touch it up on the days to follow.

Using too much will make your hair crunchy, though.

Cost - Rs. 700/-

L'OREAL PROFESSIONAL HAIR SPA

I don't know about you, but I find all these fancy salon services a complete rip-off. Hair is just as bad a day later.

L'oreal Hair Spa is my substitute to oiling hair as it has the same benefits, minus the greasiness. It hydrates well and nourishes deeply.

Work it through damp hair and tie your hair up with a soft cloth. Rinse after 15-20 minutes. Using it once every 15 days or so does the trick.

Cost - Rs. 570/- for 490 gms.

TGG Tips for girls with curls:

• Never, ever buy the hair products you see on TV. Go for the professional stuff.
• Only comb while conditioning your hair in the shower – however rare that may be.
• If you find a hairdresser who understands your hair, stick with him/her. Follow them out of the country if you need to.
• Don't dry with a towel - use a T-shirt.

So now that you’ve got some insight, and secrets, into the life of a curly, it’s time to wash my hair. Excuse me while I gather up my weapons and prepare for battle. You should meet me three days from now... my hair will be perfection.

Got any great hair products or tips I need to try out? Let me know!

Cya next time!

3.     

read more "4 Great Products for Curly Hair"

Things to do when you have nothing to do in Mumbai

Personally, I hate having my life disrupted by routine. But living in Mumbai does that to you. It keeps you running – work, meetings, deadlines, grocery shopping, family, train-catching... like a re-run of a very average movie.

And then the weekend arrives. Finally... some free time!! And you, like countless others, are sitting at home, scratching your head and wondering what to do.

You have 5 options:

Bandstand/Carter Road

Juhu Beach

Marine Drive

Malls/Restaurants and Pubs

Stay at home with the idiot box. 

Sure, these are great the first dozen times, but after that, potty training the cat becomes far more interesting.

So I’ve enlisted the help of my fabulous Twitter and Facebook followers to find out what there is to do in Mumbai apart from the above said dreary things. You won’t find eating places on the list. Some of them are on the verge of being “touristy” and the rest already are.

(Side note – If you AREN’T one of my fabulous Twitter and Facebook followers, and are waiting for Diwali to hit that “Follow” button... guess what!)

Here it is:

Spend a morning at Borivali National Park (@FlirtyTango) – Give your lungs a break from all that polluted air and go on a nature walk. Kids will love going on a ride in the toy train, experiencing the lion safari and marveling at the wildlife. The Kanheri Caves is a major attraction here, comprising of 109 caves with rock inscriptions. You can rent a cycle, go camping, and have a meal in the forest-restaurant.

Watch a Play (@FuschiaScribe) – Get a schedule of the Hive, NCPA or Prithvi Theater and attend live concerts and performances. Find out what’s hot and head over for plays, dances, and art.

Visit bluebulb.in (Jordella D’souza) – I recently checked out this website and found that it has a host of things to do. From lifestyle to art and sports to adventure, browse through their list of workshops and fun activities. What I found interesting were these: learn to make Vada Pao like a boss, turn that dusty window ledge into a garden and the art of tea appreciation. 

Visit the Planetarium (@iishitav) – Astronomy lover? The Nehru Planetarium in Worli conducts science quizzes and elocution. If that’s not your thing, simply gaze at the night sky in the planetarium dome. Good for a one-time visit.

Scour the Markets (Rajan Parekh) – Walk down the old streets of Crawford Market, Zaveri Bazaar, Pydhonie, Abdul Rahman Street and Gulal Wadi. Sales, discounts and deals are aplenty, just like the maze of shops and chaotic lanes! It has interesting architecture (like Brihan Mumbai Mahanagarpalika) and a ton of history (like Rudyard Kipling’s birth house). You’ll find everything from imported chocolates to magic tricks... all cheap!

Gallery Hop at Colaba to explore art (@FilmyKeedaa) – Held on the second Thursday of the month, this self guided tour shows you latest the art world has to offer. This isn’t the typical high-class event, there’s a lot of walking involved as you head from one art gallery to the other armed with a map.

Hang out at Powai Lake Waterfront (@Mitzyeah) – As simple as it gets! Take a walk down the promenade and enjoy the musical fountain show. 

Go Boating at Aarey Colony (Anshul Verma) – Choose a boat, decide how long you want to paddle for, pay accordingly and head out. This little green oasis is away from the noise and traffic. Finally, some peace!

Equal Streets and Happy Streets (Kalpesh Patel) - Happy Streets (Navi Mumbai) and Equal Streets (Bandra) have a buzz of events every Sunday, when select roads are made car-free. You can skate, attend a dance or yoga class, draw, paint, or do just about anything. Check if it's on that week before you go.

Walk through Parsi Colonies (Behoz Menon) – An interesting idea, considering how therapeutic these areas are. Rustom Baug, Malcolm Baug and Cusrow Baug, for example have gorgeous in roads lined with old cottages and solid stone buildings, and a personality of their own. 

Take a short cooking class (Khushnaz Y. Khambata) - Cooking classes don't require as much time and commitment as it did before. Weekend ones seem to be an upcoming trend, especially those for all-men. Learn regional cuisines, knife skills, french pastry or take a three hour pasta class. 

Boating along the Gateway of India (Aditya Londhe) – There are short trips that start and end at Mumbai’s iconic monument as well as those that take you to the Elephanta caves. Get into a speed boat and ride the Arabian Sea, taking in the Mumbai docks, the Taj Hotel and the gateway from a distance.

Moonlight cycling Tours from Churchgate to Bandra (Parth Viradia) – When these crowded areas and those in between thin out at night, they undergo an amazing transformation Take the 20 Km-5 hour ride with 70 other people... how much fun does that sound?

Go Dancing – (Digvijay Desai) – Find out where dance classes or events are happening around you. Learn different styles and participate in socials. You’ll meet new people, have fun and have a great work-out too! 

I hope this list will give you enough ideas and motivation to get out of the weekend routine-rut. If you really, really want to rest, that’s what the office is for *wink*

Thank you for the overwhelming response, readers! If you have any more tips to help your fellow Mumbaikars out, comment below, tweet to me or let me know on Facebook. (Remember, nothing food related for now!)

Happy Diwali, everyone! Till next time!

*I claim no credit or ownership for images posted on this blog post. If you find an image appearing here that belongs to you and you do not wish for it to appear here, email me with a link to the image and it will be removed ASAP.
Image credits - the Hindu, prosperyoung.com, babble.com

read more "Things to do when you have nothing to do in Mumbai"