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Why Bloggers Charge Money For Promotions

March 4, 2016

I was actually going to do an OOTD post today, but the kind of incidents that we bloggers have been coming across lately had to be addressed urgently! First things first, a blogger is someone who writes journals (also known as blogs in digital world) to express their opinion on a certain topic. In earlier times, it was purely a journal based hobby, which as the world of web picked up, came in the parallel spotlight as well. Brands started associating with bloggers, asking them for their opinion about the brand’s services and goodwill. And those were the times when bloggers were obliged to give in their honest reviews. But in today’s time, doing reviews comes under the crucial radar of brands who prefer scanning the ‘drafts’, eliminating anything negative, highlighting the positives and only then paying the blogger to publish the content. But this post is not about the ‘Evolution of Blog’, but more about how bloggers are being exploited by Brands and Public Relations to get free promotions, shout outs and indirect marketing to benefit selves. So following are the 5 reasons why we bloggers CHARGE MONEY FOR PROMOTIONS. 1. We are not journalists who get fat cheques from publishing houses! This one really needs to be addressed out loud. Many PRs send across press releases, requesting us to ‘publish’ it on our esteemed ‘publications’. Sure, we do write ups, add critical comments and promote a brand on our social media like any print media; but we don’t have any publishing houses backing us to invest in our bank balances. 2. We don’t pay our bills with PRESS KITS! Unless, their is a parallel world where such barter deals really exist, our grocery guys, milk guy, electricity provider, water provider, tv cable provider, fashion store salesman and other …

Staycations

Vivo Restaurant : Alila Diwa Goa

December 5, 2014

Sit by the pool side, as the humble staff will serve you some piping hot fish – fillet. Sip some coolers as the moist breeze of Goa will mesmerize you. Want to dine-in for some a-la-carte? Sure, all day long! That’s Vivo Restaurant by Alila Diwa Goa, folks. From picturesque location, traditional Goan architecture to a lip-smacking menu; this place is one stop for the foodies in Goa. About Vivo Restaurant Overlooking the resort pool and surrounding paddy fields, VIVO offers a relaxed ambiance for all-day dining within its indoor or shaded open-air spaces. On the menu is a delicious mix of Oriental, Indian and Continental favorites with plenty of healthy choices to suit every palate. An elaborate breakfast selection of Western and Indian dishes are complemented by delicacies brought fresh from the bakery, fresh fruits and Alila’s special blend of coffee. Vivo offers an a la carte menu during lunch and dinner presenting light, healthy meal choices. At Dinner, ‘live’ interactive buffet counters engage and excite your taste buds with varying themes during the week. The Food Lunch Spread Breakfast Spread The Ambiance Amit Pathania – Executive Chef – Alila Diwa Goa Alila Diwa Goa recently appointed Amit Pathania as Executive Chef. Amit brings with him around 15 years of experience with leading luxury and business hotels as well as restaurants in India and internationally. In his current role, he will direct and oversee Alila Diwa Goa’s culinary offerings across all its Food and Beverage outlets. With his varied experience and well rounded specialities spanning Indian, Western, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, Chef Amit’s core expertise lies in managing Food and Beverage Production’s operations. Personal Favorites The Fish-fillet, Waffles & Dumplings and Fresh Juices. Verdict Ambiance : 5/5 Food : 4.5/5 Service : 4/5 Value for Money : 3.5/5 Check it Out! Vivo Restaurant Alila Diwa Goa 48/10, Village …

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Print on Print Trend | United Colors of Benetton AW’14

December 1, 2014

Trends are like the major highlights of this fashion industry. With each season comes the trends. Some of them stay for a long time, while some dissolve within weeks. However, their are certain trends that tend to repeat; season after season. Take for instance, the Print on Print Trend. Source : Benetton.com Now a lot of fashion experts across the globe try to set some rules for this particular trend. But my personal opinion says that if it looks good overall, their ain’t no particular rule that needs to be followed. After all, it’s not mathematical mind-boggling question. Source : Benetton.com United Colors of Benetton has come up an array of prints for this Autumn Winter Season. For those who have been associated with United Colors of Benetton for long know, that their signature style is more on the basic lines with the emphasis on solid shades. Well, you’ll be surprised to learn about the prints – series that have launched this time. From the obvious floral prints to military prints, they have also taken over digital photograph prints and font-style prints for their Autumn Winter collection. Now before I show you how United Colors of Benetton AW’14 became my inspiration to try this print on, check out the basic rules tips on how to decode this fun fashion trend. TIPS TO DECODE PRINT-ON-PRINT TREND 1. Match the colors – Something that I have incorporated in my #LOTD too. While matching the prints can come out a bit too loud for most occasions, matching the color palette will tone down the double prints ; bringing the two style into one perfect match. 2. Break up the monotony with solids – Something that is a must for this trend. In order to bring in more definition, throw in a matching solid …

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Chikankari Sarees – An ode to Lucknow’s tradition

November 27, 2014

No matter how westernized way of fashion we Desi people are adapting, their is still something about the traditional ‘Vastra – Andaaz’ (apparel style) that keeps us rooted to our land of origin. In this fast moving life where lazer prints and chemically framed embellishment techniques are much preferred, the art of handwork is diminishing. This post is dedicated to one such brilliant fashion statement, that was impregnated in the weaves of cotton fabric centuries back; by our royal ancestors. Source : Pinterest Chikankari – Chikan Embroidery Chikan is a traditional embroidery style from Lucknow, India. Literally translated, the word means embroidery. Believed to have been introduced by Nur Jehan, Mughal emperor Jahangir’s wife,[1] it is one of Lucknow’s best known textile decoration styles. (Wikipedia) Technique The technique of creation of a chikan work is known as chikankari. Chikankari is a delicate and artfully done hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabric like muslin, silk, chiffon, organza, net etc. White thread is embroidered on cool, pastel shades of light muslin and cotton garments. Nowadays chikan embroidery is also done with coloured and silk threads in different colours to meet the recent fashion trends and keep chikankari up-to-date. Lucknow is the heart of the Chikankari industry today and the variety is known as Lucknawi chikan. (Wikipedia) Check out this video by NDTV to know more about the embroidery art! The most profound display of this art form can be found in Lucknow Sarees. Lucknawi Sarees What I personally like about Lucknawi Chikan sarees is the intricate detailing giving a delicate appearance to the wearer. The finesse by which they are crafted boosts of royal weaves and bring out a more sophisticated look when draped right. How To Maintain Lucknawi Sarees? 1. Avoid wearing necklace or any sharm jewels that might …

Staycations

Spice Studio : Alila Diwa Goa

November 24, 2014

Their are two types of people. The type who ‘Eats to Live’ & the type who ‘Lives to Eat’. I believe that latter is what defines my life perfectly. Food is one grand affair that I can’t get enough of. So every time a travel is on my cards, I make sure that I come back with some memorable taste buds that I get to try in the local suburbs. If you are in Goa and would like to experience the authentic Goan delicacies, then make your way to the lush land of Alila Diwa Goa. The food fairy (insane chuckles) blessed me with a chance to try out some great Goan authentics at one of Alila Diwa Goa’s restaurants, The Spice Studio. About Spice Studio Spice Studio is an elegant, contemporary setting for a dining experience centred on the authenticity of Indian spices, their varying flavours and cooking techniques. Located on an elevated platform that spreads naturally around a banyan tree and surrounded by a water body, it features a menu celebrating regional fare from across India and an extensive array of seafood. You can choose from cuisine from the Northern region of the country (Punjab, Rajasthan, Kashmir and Awadhi style), South India (Kerala,Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh), Eastern influences (Assam, Bengal, Orissa), cuisine from Western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat) and our very own Goa. From fresh produce and spices to the serving styles unique to these regions, every meal immerses you in a rich experience of India’s culinary traditions and spice history. You can also opt for a master class with the chef to learn about signature Indian delicacies, cooking techniques and age-old culinary secrets. The Food Tamatar Tulsi Ka Shorba Jaitooni Malai Paneer Non Veg Platter – Prawn Balchao, Kozhi Varjha Curry, Goan Fish Curry, Dum Murgh Biryani, Laccha Paratha, Aloo Kulcha, …

#TeamBoldEyes Wins The Body Shop India #MyDiwaliLook Contest

October 24, 2014

‘Happy Dance’. When The Body Shop India invited me as a captain of their #TeamBoldEyes for some #Diwali fun campaign, I had no clue that it was going to be so much fun. Twitter was buzzing and the notifications on my phone were off the hook. Such a warm and splendid participation by the lovely #Desi divas across India! Check out some of the highlights that made this campaign nothing less than a #Patakha moment for all of us. I had great fun leading the #TeamBoldEyes and absolutely loved the enthusiasm of all the participants. Thank you so much for those who participated. For more such amazing contests and updates, follow The Body Shop India : Facebook Twitter Instagram Follow Me Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest

The Body Shop India Diwali Giveaway

October 4, 2014

The festive season is on and all of us are busy pampering selves. Be it Spa & Salon visits or following a festive special beauty & skin routine, the focus is on standing out in the festive crowd. Which is why The Body Shop has come up with an ideal giveaway to celebrate festivity. Before I share the rules with you, pick one of the followings that define you. #TeamBoldLips OR #TeamBoldEyes Now that you have chosen your team, let me proudly present to you the captain of #TeamBoldEyes … myself! 😉 So if you love make-up and everything pretty, get your eye palettes out and participate! Contest Rules 1. Choose a team. 2. Create look(s) according to the theme of the team of your choice. 3. Share a picture of your look on either Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and use the hashtag of your team. #TeamBoldLips OR #TeamBoldEyes and #MyDiwaliLook. You can participate as many number of times as you want. CONTEST TIMELINE The contest starts on 3rd Oct and ends on 13th Oct. WINNERS The Body Shop India will be choosing the winners. It will be a 2 step process: 1. Choose the winning team based on the number of entries. 2. Choose 1 winner from the winning team. So show off your bold eyes and win hampers from Body Shop India. Follow The Body Shop India Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Follow Me Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest

Love for Lipsticks – Avon Ultra Color Lipsticks & Twitter Announcement

September 5, 2014

Before I share with you my ‘Love for Lipsticks’, here is a big shout-out to @AvonIndia for finally launching their official account on Twitter. Woot woot! And to share the excitement, @AvonIndia is hosting giveaways daily on their twitter account. What can you win? Avon hampers worth Rs.3,000/- every hour! Now who would want to miss on a chance like that? Follow @AvonIndia on twitter for all the updates. —————————————————————— Lipsticks are prolly one of the first ‘beauty tools’ that girls sneak out from their mother’s makeup kit and try their hands on. The first sign of being a girl – the first sign of feeling beautiful! For those who get to the liking of something like lipsticks at an early age, know how to wear it for the rest of their lives. You give them any shade of a lip tint and they will for sure – rock it. Then their is a female lot like me, who can’t really get over being a girl and accept lipstick as something more than what mother’s wear for makeup. Long story short, this feature is all about trying experimenting with different shades of lipsticks that usually don’t even get considered pretty much. Usually, when a girl decides to buy lipsticks, her options only circle around the hues of red and pink. Not knowing that hues of brown, orange and even rum are totally rad for any occasion. And when the Avon birdies sent across a good stack of their Ultra Color Lipstick SPF 15 collection to me, I was in for a surprise treat! Quite lost about trying shades like Tangerine Tango and Rich Chocolate, I gave into this one with my fingers crossed. Results? I loved every single shade from this collection. Avon might be an international cosmetics brand. But they surely …

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‘RANI’ For the Indian Bride by NIkasha – Preview

September 4, 2014

Nikasha speaks about being dedicate and pretty with this collection, inspired by the landscape of traditional and rare color combination, with interplay of precious embroidery and archived romantic prints including the jasmine bud, cherry blossoms and Siuli. This is a well curated selection of all the elements a soon to be married girl would desire to keep in her coterie, which ranges from lighter to heavier embroidered silhouettes. The collection has an inherent joie de vivre in a vibrant and festive mood for the bride and her trousseau. The collection will be on display for the next one week at Ensemble, DLF Emporio Delhi. Personal opinion : The colors are fresh and girly, making it the right color palette for a young bride. The embroidery is perfectly apt for the occasion and is light on the wearer. The silhouettes and fit (can be customized too) will perfectly compliment your body type. Indo – western looks with Peplum tops, Shararas, Dhotis and Anarkalis steal the limelight. Price range is not too much for the product that we are getting in return. Follow : Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest

Win your ticket to Za Beauty School Master Class

August 27, 2014

Are you a beauty amaeteur like me? Do you too find the cleansing-toning-moisturizing regime way too complex than it actually is? Well, here is your chance to attend a beauty master class that will not only teach you the basics, but will help you upgrade your beauty department to a professional level. What? Za Beauty School – Master Class Where? Mumbai – 13th September Delhi – 15th September Bangalore – 20th September Winners? Mumbai – 4 winners Delhi – 5 winners Bangalore – 3 winners How to Win? 1. Like Za India on Facebook. 2. Like Kalapalette on Facebook 3. ‘What is that one beauty tip/trick that you have mastered? Is it the perfect winged eyes or is the art of contouring right?’ Comment below with your answer. 4. Mention you Name, City and Email ID Brownie Points? Follow Za India on Twitter Follow Kalapalette on Twitter Follow Kalapalette on Instagram Subscribe to Kalapalette’s Youtube Channel. Last Date to Enter – 6th September, 2014 About Za Beauty School Master Class The House of Shiseido presents Za Beauty School – an exclusive experience with Za’s high skin expertise of Za and Japanese “Omotenashi” [Hospitality]. At Za we believe beautiful skin begins with understanding your own skin and adopting the right skincare regime. Now with Za Beauty School, Indian Metropolitan women will get a chance to master skincare, the Japanese way! Za Beauty School will be held by one of the most prolific Beauty Experts from the House of Shiseido, Megumi Mitsui [see profile attached] who will take the participants step by step from cleansing to moisturizing for that perfect skin. She will also use Shiseido’s patented Skin Analyzer to evaluate the guests’ skin moisture levels, melanin content, texture and skin age. The Beauty School is being hosted by Shiseido. Duration – …