Get rid of Monsoon Hair Damages

The monsoons are hear and so are the numerous hair fears. Oily scalp, hair fall, dull hair and dandruff are the problems that crop up during the monsoon. Hair experts say it is a temporary phase and can be controlled with the right treatment.

Curb hairfall 

According to hair stylist Amjad Habib, hair fall during the monsoon season increases by 30 percent.
"On a normal day we experience fall of 50-60 strands which is considered healthy. But during this season a person can experience hair fall of more than 200 strands," Habib told IANS.
 "It is a temporary phase and you needn't get tense thinking about it, because stress is also considered a reason for excessive hair fall," he added.

For lustrous locks 

Seema Goel, cosmetologist and director of Berkowits Hair and Skin Clinic, advises use of mild shampoos and regular hair wash. "First and foremost requirement is regular hair wash.

Hair should be washed after frequent intervals during monsoon as delay could lead to oily scalp, excessive hair fall, dandruff and roughness. The other thing that needs to be kept in mind is the selection of shampoo - it should be mild, for example, baby shampoo can be used," Goel told IANS.

Care for oily hair 

"Oily hair tends to become limp during the monsoon and requires shampoos that will give volume to the hair. Natural extracts like rosemary can give that extra bounce and vitality to limp hair," she added.
Goel shares another easy remedy for oily scalp.
"Apply lemon juice for 15 minutes and then rinse it, this is a very effective remedy for an oil free scalp. Lemons are easily available and cost effective," said Goel.

Care for frizzy hair

Habib gives a quick home remedy to fix those fizzy tresses.
"Home remedies are the most effective. People who have normal hair but are frizzy can apply the paste of mashed mango and mint. It brings back the shine and makes them smooth," said Habib.
"People who have very dry hair - should apply a paste of three bananas and honey and leave it for 50 minutes, it takes away the dryness and makes the hair softer. Lastly, for people who have oily hair they should apply paste of mint on the scalp and leave it for 10-15 minutes and then rinse it thoroughly," he added.

More expert advice 

Experts also suggest that one should go for a short haircut during this season as it is easy to manage. "The best length which can be maintained is shoulder length," said Habib.
Habib also has a word of caution for those who are heavy into hair gels. "Use of hair products like hair gels and the practice of artificial perming and straightening should be avoided as they can lead to permanent hair damage," he added.

Say no to diet pills

You have a dress in your wardrobe that you've never watched before. And now that you want to, it doesn't fit! So you decide the best thing to do is pop diet pills so it can be worn to the upcoming cocktail party.

But before you actually swallow, read up on how these pills affect your body.

They affect metabolism
Diet pills kill appetite, thereby making one take in fewer calories. The body metabolism slows down as it is not getting enough fuel to function. The body is thus deprived of essential nutrients. Once metabolism slows down, weight loss process also slows down (metabolic rate-the rate at which the body burns calories).
Increased dependency
"Usually, the effects from such diet pills are short-lived. When you stop taking this medication, the weight comes right back on. With the rising popularity of diet pills like Phentermine and Amphtamine, dependency cases have become extremely common too", says Dr Nishi Viswanathan, doctor and nutrition expert.
Long term use of diet pills can cause irreversible damage to the body. Disastrous side effects
Some side effects experienced by users of a variety of diet pills are heart-related problems like palpitations, high blood pressure, mild to severe strokes and even heart attacks, complete appetite loss, insomnia, nausea, increased urination, etc. 'Diet pills containing Ephedrine can lead to serious heart related problems", says Dr Deepali Tripathi, a physician.
Lifestyle changes can do the trick
Why resort to extreme methods when simpler and healthier options are available? Eat healthy and exercise moderately.

• If you are fond of sweets and fatty foods, don't deprive yourself, but eat them in moderation.
• Increase your consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Have a regular exercise routine-walking, swimming, jogging, yoga, skipping, Pilates, weight- training, dancing-the list is endless!
• Don't deprive your body of food, as that is the only fuel that keeps the body functioning!

10 steps to successful weight loss

Forget the food fads and `Take 10` small steps to weight loss success - that`s the message from dietitians to the thousands who will make weight loss their goal this year. `Fad and quick-fix weight loss programs often promise easy, no-effort weight loss. The reality is these programs can set people up to fail and damage their self-esteem in the process,` said Claire Hewat, CEO of Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA).
Clare Collins, associate professor of dietics, said: `A range of approaches can help you lose weight in the short term, but making small, permanent changes that fit with your lifestyle will give you the best chance of keeping weight off in the long term.`
Collins` `Take 10` tips for achieving or maintaining a healthy weight are:

1. Eat breakfast
2. Include vegetables or salad with lunch and dinner
3. Choose fruit as a snack
4. Replace full-fat food and drinks with reduced-fat alternatives
5. Choose wholegrain foods instead of more refined foods
6. Eat smaller serving sizes by using smaller plates and cups
7. Eat slowly and stop when you are satisfied, not stuffed full
8. Eat when you genuinely feel hungry, rather than for emotional or other reasons
9. Swap sweetened drinks such as cordial, soft drink and juice with water
10. Eat your evening meals at a dinner table with the TV turned off.

Source: IANS

Red wine ingredient prevents blinding

Resveratrol, an ingredient found in red wine, grapes, blueberries, peanuts and some plants, stops uncontrolled blood vessel growth in the eye, says a study led by an Indian-American."Resveratrol has been identified as an anti-aging compound. Given our interest in age-related eye diseases, we wanted to find out whether there was any link," said retina specialist Rajendra S. Apte, senior study investigator.
Apte, formerly from Mumbai University and now with the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, added: "There were reports on resveratrol's effects on blood vessels in other parts of the body, but there was no evidence that it had any effect within the eye."
His discovery has implications for preserving vision in blinding eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness.
In diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels don't develop beneath the retina. Rather, they grow into the retina itself.
Diabetic retinopathy causes vision loss in about 20 percent of the patients with diabetes. Almost 24 million people have diabetes in the US.
The formation of new blood vessels also plays a key role in certain cancers.
Conducting experiments in mouse retinas, the researchers found that resveratrol can inhibit formation of new blood vessels.
The investigators studied mice that develop abnormal blood vessels in the retina after laser treatment. Apte's team found that when the mice were given resveratrol, the abnormal blood vessels began to disappear, said a university release.
These findings were published in the American Journal of Pathology.
Text courtesy: IANS

Foods that burn fat

Let`s do away with the misconception that there are foods that contain no calories at all. The fact is that every food type contains some calorie value. The fact is that one needs to burn calories in order to prevent fat deposits from accumulating in various parts of the body. Healthy eating can control the number of calories, but yet optimum health maintenance or weight loss can only happen when one exercises and burns the calories. There are certain foods that help burn the maximum calories. There are other stubborn foods that do not promote maximum calorie burning, but instead convert themselves into fat, almost instantly.
One needs to be aware of the foods that help one burn maximum calories, which may exceed the caloric value of the food itself. These foods then lead to higher rate of weight loss. Though, these foods do not actually burn fat fast, but control the fat accumulation, they are titled as `fat burners`.
According to nutritionists and food experts, foods that have high vitamin C content tend to burn fats fast. These include the following fruits:

• Lime
• Lemon
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Watermelon
• Apple

The vegetables include:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Carrot

The importance of vitamin C is that it has the ability to dilute the fat in the body, hence making it lesser effective in the body. And because of this it is easier for the body to flush out, or eliminate such fats.
Certain fruits like apples contain something known as Pectin, which is a substance that is known to regulate the fat being absorbed by the cells of the body. Pectin also promotes the absorption of watery substances in the body. This then brings about the release of the deposits of fat on the cells.
Then there are the foods that one consumes for breakfast such as:

• Oatmeal
• Skimmed milk
• Whole grain cereal

These are considered as sources of vitamins, minerals and fibre. These promote the break down of fat in the body. In fact, they tend to energise the body, promoting a higher metabolic rate.
Peppers and some other spices contain a substance called capsaicin that is said to encourage the body to produce more stress hormones. This increases the potential metabolic rate, which eventually leads to burning more calories.
Another fat burning food is Soy. Food experts consider this to be wonder food, as it contains chemicals that prevent fat from being deposited on the cells, breaking them down completely. Garlic juice and garlic oil has proven to have certain properties that protect the cells and catalyse the process of ridding the body of fat content.
Other foods that burn fat include:

• Black Tea
• Coffee
• Green Tea
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Carrots
• Low fat cheese
• Low fat yogurt
• Water
• Jalapenos 

http://www.deliciousindia.com

Balinese spa for the summer

Splurge on this new exotic Balinese massage and experience the newness and difference. This therapeutic treatment is being introduced at The Spa, Courtyard by Marriott. With summer approaching, this could be just the right time to detoxify and renew yourself in this spa and get set for the week ahead. Balinese massage is a holistic treatment with a unique therapy that makes it stand apart. It is a deep technique which relieves one of all kinds of spasms. A Balinese massage initially begins in a dry manner and is trailed by the topical application of warm lavender or coconut oil. It is a compression massage technique, which focuses on overall well-being.
Apart from being relaxing, it also proves to be beneficial in a therapeutic manner and recharges the system. Balinese massage helps in providing relief from sleep disorder, migraine, depression, headache, asthma, allergy, muscle pain and other respiratory problems. It is done in a serene atmosphere and changes the mental make up.
The spa service can be availed at Rs.2000 for 60 min.

Exercising? Get your clothes right

Wear loose cottons while doing yoga. Make well-fitting, comfortable attire for gym workouts. For, what you wear while exercising can accentuate the posture and the feel good factor, say fitness experts. `Wearing appropriate workout clothes can enhance and optimise your workouts and thereby increase your benefits,` Vinita Shetty, a Reebok fitness trainer, told IANS.
`Right clothes give you the comfort and support that is greatly needed in addition to helping you maintain an optimum body temperature during intense workout sessions.
`Well-fitting attire can also help accentuate your form and posture so as to be monitored better. The feel good factor of right clothing cannot be underestimated either. All these factors contribute to getting a better performance out of the participant,` Shetty added.
According to Delhi-based yoga expert Yatharth Sehajpal, uncomfortable clothes are a big no-no for a workout session.
`One should avoid stiff and uncomfortable clothing because a session requires performing different and difficult body postures, so one should go in for loose and comfortable clothing that absorbs sweat,` he said.
Earlier, people used to wear anything for a workout session and there was less awareness about the right clothes for exercising. However, with changing times more people are getting hooked to the latest fitness outfits available in the market.
`People are becoming conscious about fitness and are adopting a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, the demand for sportswear has increased,` said Andreas Gellner, managing director, Adidas India.
Also, a fact that has been noticed is that men use fitness clothing more than women.
`Typically, men indulge more in fitness shopping as they are more involved in sports and related activities. But slowly the trend is changing as more and more women are becoming conscious about their fitness regime and do not mind spending on fitness clothing,` added Gellner.
Colours also play an important part while you select your clothes for workout sessions.
`Light colours like white, beige, pink etc are ideal for a yoga session as they are pleasing to the eyes and absorb less heat,` said Sehajpal.
Manufacturers of fitness wear also say that colours like black, blue and white are the basic popular colours, but the demand for bright colours is on a high too.
As far as suitable fabric is concerned, the winner is cotton. Trainers and fitness experts swear by it for a workout session.
`It`s very important that the clothes you wear while exercising are cotton or semi cotton and not synthetic at all because when you sweat you need to wear something that absorbs the sweat. That is very important,` Leena Mogre, fitness expert and director Leena Mogre Fitness, told IANS.
Mogre has trained Bollywood actresses like Katrina Kaif, Kangana Ranaut and Sameera Reddy among others.
Text courtesy: IANS

Working without break a health risk

One in four people put their health at risk if they work without a break through the day, a new study has revealed. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has warned that working in the same position for too long and going to work when ill or stressed can damage health.
Long working hours without a break can also lead to back pain, obesity, depression, heart disease and stroke.
"Physiotherapists are concerned that overworking and not taking breaks is actually costing employers and their staff," telegraph.co.uk quoted Phil Gray, chief executive of the CSP as saying.
"Employees pay the price with their health and there is a cost to employers in reduced productivity and performance. Work is good for us and can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing - but not when overworking means people don't have the time or energy to look after their own health or when staff are at work but are not fit for work," Gray added.
Ben Willmott, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, agreed, saying "These findings should ring alarm bells for employers. A certain level of pressure at work is of course desirable.
"However when the pressure people face regularly exceeds their ability to cope, in other words stress, it is likely to lead to time off work and is linked to conditions such as depression, anxiety and heart disease".
Text courtesy: IANS
Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Listening to MP3 can cause deafness

Listening to MP3 can cause deafness

Just one hour's listening to an MP3 player can damage hearing. It causes temporary changes in hearing sensitivity which may lead to long-term harm, say scientists. A new study reveals that over-stimulation of hair cells within the ear occurs even at varying volume levels for short periods of time. Listening to music at high volume causes temporary changes in hearing sensitivity which may lead to long-term harm, reports dailymail.co.uk.
The new study follows previous warnings from doctors that using MP3 players at high volumes with earphones that fit into the ear canal could lead to loss of hearing.
The new study was conducted by researchers of Ghent University, Belgium. The volunteers were divided in two groups -- one group consisted of 21 people aged 19 to 28 years and they were exposed to pop and rock music using MP3 players at varying volumes for one hour.
The second group of 28 men and women were a control group who were not exposed to MP3 music.
Hearing tests were carried out before and after the exposure, which found significant threshold or emission shifts were observed between almost every session of the noise exposure group compared with the control group.
"It is well known that excessive occupational noise exposure can lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Excessive noise exposure can lead to metabolic and mechanical effects resulting in alterations of the structural elements of the inner ear that contains auditory sensory cells or hair cells," said lead researcher Hannah Kempler.
Dangers of high decibels
"The primary damage is concentrated on the outer hair cells, which are more vulnerable to acoustic over-stimulation than inner hair cells. Considering the reduction in hearing sensitivity after listening to a portable media player, these devices are potentially harmful," she added.
Emma Harrison, director of Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), Britain, says that long term exposure to loud music can cause permanent deafness.
"RNID research shows that 66 percent of personal music player users are listening to music at louder than 85 decibels, which according to the World Health Organisation, can cause permanent hearing damage over time," Harrison said.
The European Commission has warned up to 10 percent of 30-year-olds would have to wear a hearing device within the next decade because they listen to music too loudly through headphones.
Surveys showed that more than 90 percent of young people in Europe and the US used MP3 players, often for several hours a day at maximum volume.
"Many people regularly use personal music players and are often not aware that they could be putting their hearing at risk. It is crucial that manufacturers and legislators are supportive of these plans and work together to protect the hearing of a generation of music lovers," she said.
The study was published in the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery journal.
Text courtesy: IANS
Also read:Eyesight in children
Image courtesy: FlickrOosp

Fast, Easy & Healthy Grilling Recipy

Rosemary Shrimp Skewers with Arugula-White Bean Salad

 

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Makes: 4 to 6 servings
Ingredients
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 pounds extra-large shrimp, shelled and cleaned, tails on
Nonstick cooking spray
1 small garlic clove, minced
Pinch sugar
1 5-ounce package baby arugula
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
Directions
1. Combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, the smashed garlic cloves, the rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the black pepper in a medium bowl. Add the shrimp; toss well. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes.
2. Heat a grill to medium-high. Thread shrimp on skewers (if they're wooden, soak in water 30 minutes prior to grilling) and discard marinade. Lightly mist grill with cooking spray. Grill shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side.
3. Combine the minced garlic, sugar, and remaining olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the arugula, beans, and onion; toss to combine.
4. Mound the salad on one side of a large platter and arrange the shrimp skewers alongside.
Nutrition facts per serving: 315 calories, 35g protein, 21g carbohydrate, 13g fat (1.9g saturated), 6g fiber

Recipes developed by Laraine Perri

Some Easy Steps To Nourish Your Feet

Pedi, Set, Go!

You run every morning but don't want your feet to show it.Just follow few steps to pamper your feet.
Step 1: Fill the tub with a few inches of warm water and a capful of sea salts, a natural muscle relaxer. Or try Burt's Bees Therapeutic Bath Crystals. Soak your feet for five minutes to reduce swelling.
Step 2: Cut toenails straight across, then round the pointy edges with a file, to prevent ingrown nails.
Step 3: Using circular motions, scrub feet and calves with a skin polisher, like Sephora Body Super Foot Scrub, to remove dead cells.
Step 4: Instead of shaving off calluses completely -- exercisers need them as protective padding -- apply a callus softener that is packed with nonabrasive chemical exfoliators, like alpha hydroxy acids, on the bottom of each foot. After a few minutes, rub soles with a file until smooth to the touch.
Step 5: Rinse feet, pat dry, and apply cuticle oil to prevent hangnails. Then layer on a moisturizer made with super-emollient petrolatum.

Top Coats

Be bold. These colors are bright, versatile, and ultra-fun to wear.
Green day: Rich jewel tones will resist flaking if you swipe an extra thin dab of the polish on just the tips of your nails.
Orange you glad? For a low-key look, try a poppy shade.

Rock star: Prevent polishes from clumping by letting each coat dry for two minutes before swiping on another layer.
Purple power: Add a layer of shiny topcoat to keep vivid shades for looking sophisticated. Bonus: This polish is scented, so you'll get whiffs of yummy grape soda.

Treadmill Or Open Road ?

Image courtesy : © Thinkstock

Walking is one of the best workouts. You’ve heard it from nearly everyone - from the fitness trainer to your doctor to your 70-year-old friendly neighbour who is fit as a fiddle. But should you be walking / going for jogs in your neighbourhood or hitting the treadmill at the gym? There are those who adore the outdoors and those who prefer the treadmill. But which is healthier?

“Most exercises done freehand are better. Jogging or walking is definitely more beneficial on the road/ground,” says Somesh Kamra, Mumbai-based certified personal trainer.

More effort, more gain

“The ground on a treadmill is already moving. Whereas, while walking on the ground, you have to put pressure to get going,” he explains. Since the belt is moving on its own, lesser effort is being put and therefore, lesser calories are being burnt. Whereas, while walking on the ground you are lifting more muscles against it to gain momentum.
Kamra says that the preferred order of choice should be grass, sand and then asphalt/cement. Grass, since it provides the best cushion for your ankles and knees. Grass acts as a good shock absorber. Sand is second best when it comes to providing a cushion to your joints and then the cement track.

Posture perfect

Moreover, walking on the treadmill could affect your posture too. Holding onto the railings while on the treadmill could give you a slouch. Whereas, on the road or grass you automatically correct your posture.
Temperature is another important factor that affects how many calories you burn. “Most gyms have a set temperature that is often cooler. Your body will burn lesser calories in a cooler temperature,” says Kamra. Your body will take longer to warm up, he adds.

Remember these

“You need to have a good pair of running shoes and socks before you start walking/jogging,” says Leena Mogre, Director, Leena Mogre Fitness.

She also says one should not forget to warm-up, stretch and later cool-down post walking. “Finish your walk with a drink of lime squeezed in water. It will help you replenish all the nutrients lost,” says Kamra.

So, now that you know all about walking, choose wisely. Happy walking!

Useful Tips TO Buy Home

It's about time you moved out of your in-laws' home, don't you think? No, no… we're not implying that your mother-in-law is Mrs Hitler or that your sister-in-law is Cruella de Vil incarnate. But there comes a point where you just need to move out. Live on your own. Start a family may be.

Buying a home is a big step and unless your great grandaunt just died and left you a heiress, you will have to have a smart money plan to fund that dream home (even if it isn't a penthouse)! That's why we got you some tips from people who've been there, done that and some expert advice too... 

1) Cut back on expenses

Sure you are planning to take a loan but a little extra saving could go a long way. Besides, you will need money for a down payment (15 to 20 per cent of the cost of the home), stamp duty and taxes. And then there is setting up your home too. Bottom line: It's time to cut corners and curb expenses.

"I began saving for my home five years ago. We cut back on travelling expenses because that was eating into our finances," says Melvin Fernandes who moved into his new apartment about a month ago. Find out what your main expenses are and cut back on that. It could be eating out, clubbing, compulsive shopping or even electricity bills!

2) Invest the money NOW

What you save might not be enough to cover a down payment. You need to invest right.

"Keep your money largely liquid but look at a three to five year horizon for saving," says Vinay Singh, a certified financial planner. He recommends SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans), bank fixed deposits and company fixed deposits as they have no lock-in period. "Just make sure to opt for reliable companies," he warns.

Gold is also a good investment against inflation. But instead of gold bars or medallions, Vinay suggests ETF (Exchange Traded Funds) where you buy units that can be redeemed anytime. But you’ll need a demat account for this.

3) It's all about the budget

If you can afford a bungalow by the sea in a metro city, good for you. But if not, then you might need to set some criteria and a budget. This will help you close in on a location as well as the exact home you buy.

"We knew we wanted a flat in a new building. We also wanted the railway station, the market and a good school for the kids in the vicinity. So we moved further into the suburbs where we could get these facilities in our budget," says Pooja Seth who moved out of her in-laws' home when her second child was born. 

4) Think investment

Just because you have budget constraints doesn't mean you need to move to some remote village. Scout the market, speak to people and find about areas that are developing – may be a flyover, a multiplex or a metro in the offing?

"I bought my home in an upcoming area because I know the property rates are bound to increase once the infrastructure and other facilities improve," says Erica Gonsalves whose flat has appreciated by 13 per cent in the last one year.

Twenty-nine year-old Anita Salve bought a one-bedroom flat in Ghatkopar, a central suburb in Mumbai, right next to the junction where the Mumbai Metro is coming up. The price of the flat has appreciated six times over since and she hasn't stop gushing yet!   

5) Get the right loan

When the wait is finally over and it's time to get your home loan, Vinay gives us some tips on how to choose your home loan and your provider too.

• 
  
  
  Opt for a scheduled bank instead of multi-national banks. They are not so quick to raise interest rates, levy charges etc and are equally flexible when it comes to pre-payment of loans.
• 
  
  
  If the rate of interest is low, opt for a fixed rate. If not, a floating interest rate would be a better option.
• 
  
  
  Make sure your EMI is not more than 55 to 60 per cent of your salary.
• 
  
  
  Try not to let your loan tenure go beyond 15 to 20 years.
• 
  
  
  Avoid taking other loans (for car or setting up home) at the same time. Also avoid using your credit card at will.

Lastly, make sure you have a five to six month contingency fund so that you don't default on your EMI payment.
Best of luck house hunting.....

Top Ten Mother & Daughter

A lovely mother and her doting daughter can do more than just set the kitchen on fire! They can, with the right elements, rule Hollywood, gratify Bollywood and glamorise Tollywood!

We list a few mother-daughter duos who have made it famous!

Dimple Kapadia & Twinkle Khanna

Even though mother Dimple is known for her glamorous looks and serious roles in art films, and daughter Twinkle is usually only seen beautifying her husband, son and their home, they still come across as a sweet typical mother-daughter pair. But we'd like to see them together more often...may be in a movie or two?

Aparna Sen & Konkana Sen Sharma

Mother Aparna must have feasted on talent-infused cookies when pregnant with Konkana! And Aparna's mother must have done the same. Thus we have a rather talented mother-daughter duo here! You have to see Mr and Mrs Iyer if you don’t know what we are talking about.

Madonna & Lourdes

Known to be one popular celebrity baby, Lourdes, who wants to be an actress, is already all over the place with a junior fashion line to her credit. While the mother wishes the daughter would dress more conservatively (yeah right!), the daughter is already keen on moving out at 14. We can only say no surprises here!

Hema Malini & Esha Deol

Initially, Esha Deol came across as one clingy kid. Or was it Hema Malini acting like a clingy mother? Hema’s word was THE word for her daughter. Much of it has changed now, not that it has done any good for Esha. Anyway, the mother has now taken it upon herself to set her daughter’s dead filmy career back on track with her home production.

Katie Holmes & Suri Cruise

The duo takes the saying 'like mother like daughter' to a whole new level! Mother Katie is leaving no shop unvisited to make sure princess Suri is one heck of a stylish kid-diva! Lipstick, kitten heels, gorgeous outfits, metallic designer bags, an iPad, acting lessons… you name it, she’s got it. By the way, Katie has hit bull’s eye as Suri was recently named as the ‘most fashionable’ child celebs!

Shobha Kapoor & Ekta Kapoor

Not much is known about camera-shy mother Shobha and fashion victim daughter Ekta apart from the fact that together they churn out serial after serial which keeps all of India’s mothers and daughters entertained. Together they make for a powerful production house. Way to go girls!

Goldie Hawn & Kate Hudson

The way they have a ball of a time when they’re together, it seems like they’re more like sisters than mother-daughter. Kate usually takes mom Goldie as her date to movie premiers, which is something we particularly like!

Sharmila Tagore & Soha Ali Khan

The duo reminds me of a meek looking daughter with a stern looking mother who doubles up as her class teacher. No wonder that while Sharmila figured on the 'Bollywood's 10 hottest actresses of all time' list, Soha is nowhere in the picture! What went wrong with her? No Filmfare award, no National award, never featured in Top 10 list...never mind!

Sridevi & Jhanavi Kapoor

Gorgeous mother Sridevi currently seems to be busy making choices for her daughter Jhanavi.

And Jhanavi looks like a girl straight out of Grade 10 and we have a feeling she will first appear in Tollywood and then make it to big, bad Bollywood! Will she be as successful as her mother? Well, only time will tell.

Jaya Sawant & Rakhi Sawant

Drama, drama, drama and yes, a little bit of drama is what makes this pair media friendly, and (ahem) very entertaining! We equate them to a meteorite colliding with the Earth. Daughter doesn't invite mother for her wedding and then mother shares her sorrow on national television. They do not believe in keeping matters private. Not that we mind. :P

Who’s your favorite mother-daughter duo? Leave a comment and let us know! 

 

Source-www.idiva.com

 

Bring Home Busaba

From investment banker from New York to owner and executive chef of Mumbai's hotspot Busaba, Nikhil Chib has undergone quite a transformation all thanks to his culinary journey. "The mumbai watering hole has gone from mad techno nights to countless Kamikazes to a much more grown up, upscale and refined eatery. I guess a little bit like me,” explains Chib. But if there's one thing that hasn't changed, it's the patrons who have stayed loyal to the restaurant. That loyalty is now easy to acquire. So, let the talented chef tell you how dazzle your friends with one of his many favourite easy recipes.

 

Stir Fried Tiger Prawns with Lemongrass, Rock Salt and Chillies

 

Ingredients

Tiger Prawns - 4 Pc                                                      
Lemon Grass - 6 stalks                                               
Black Pepper - 5 gms                                                  
Rock Salt       - 10 gms                                                
Green Chili     - 15 gms                                                
Oil                 -  5 ml                                                      
Garlic            -  25 gms

Method of Preparation

Boil the prawns for a little while along with the shell. Smash the lemon grass and chillies till flat. Add garlic to the wok with a little oil.  Sauté the garlic and oil for a little while. Add lemon grass and chilies and sauté well. Add prawns and black salt and peppers. Saute and serve with a sweet honey sauce.

 

Source-Vouge

 

Make your wardrobe more trendy in this season...........

With the scorching summer sun behind us, there’s nothing we want more than some showers of blessings or way.  Monsoons are all about revamping your wardrobe, perking up your style with brighter, funkier colours and letting your inner child come out and play. So ladies, do away with the whites and cottons lying in your closet and bring in the neons and pinks to embrace the rains- fashionably.

Not a monsoon goes by without the bare essentials, the quintessential rain coat. Not the dreary, blue-black variety but the fun, bright-neon kind like this Sonya Vajifdar pre-rain jacket in fuchsia pink. With its leopard print inners there’s no excuse to brave the Indian rain without being in-vogue. Don’t want to take your favourite Louboutins or Jimmy Choos on a muddy ride? Invest in some sturdy rain boots. The Nova heart Burberry short rain boots set the mood for a monsoon romance with their classic checks and heart prints. And while we are at it, lets not forget the crucial rain accessory- an umbrella. Opt for the colourful, cheery variety to add some life into the grey skies that the season brings with the season’s fun accessory, the Paul Smith turquoise-hued umbrella.

source-Vogue
 

5 Common Beauty Blunders

 Croc-Skin Lips:  Dry, chapped lips are a disaster zone for any lipstick shade. Moisturise and gently buff your lips with a lip brush or cotton swab. Lipstick will stay on longer.

Spider-legs mascara: Clumpy, over-loaded lashes are an unmitigated mess. The quick fix? Run a lash comb through them when they’re dry. Dust translucent powder under your eyes to catch any falling residue. Spider legs can also appear when wet eyeliner streaks into the creases around your eyes, so go for waterproof eye make-up. Replace your liner and mascara every three months, to minimise red-eye and infection.
Skin overload: Pick skincare products that multitask rather than pile the skin with lots of layers, especially in summer. Use a foundation with a built in moisturiser and sun protection. Read the fine print and select products that match your skin type—hydrating formulas for dry skin, water-based for oily skin and hypoallergenic for sensitive skin. A mismatched product can cause havoc.
Not–at-all French manicure: Long talons and French manicuresdon’t mix. If you want to wear the naturalmanicured look, make sure the whites ofyour nails are no longer than a fourth ofthe entire surface of your nail. Trimmed, varnished and chic—now that’s true French grooming.
Sizzle ’n’ snap hair:Don’t use tongs or straightening irons on wet hair or you’ll singe the follicles. The result? A frizz-fest. A dab of heat-reactive product before you iron or tong your tresses will replace the static with plenty of shine.
Electric fangs:Your smile is the first thing that people notice about you—don’t zap them with unnaturally white teeth. Whitening them is great but, to look natural, your teeth need to match the whites of your eyes—no more and no less.

Source : Vouge India

Bollywood's Power Couples

Bollywood's Power Couples

They are powerful, beautiful and the objects of our unending affection, and in some cases envy. The forever-in-love, picture perfect Bollywood power couples are most talked about everywhere. From movies to commercials, the reel-life jodis are the most sought after endorsements ambassadors. Be it Abhishek-Aishwarya, the doe eyed duo, Shahrukh-Gauri the ultimate couple royale or Saif-Kareena, the always-in-news pair, we bring you our top ten tinsel town power couples.

Rate It, Which One is Most Powerful................

Source : Vouge India

Trendy Fashion Tips For Men

Summer offers plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy your day with your friends or family. It's the season you will feel freedom. Summer means many things to many people, but it's also the freedom for fashion. You can wear whatever you want. But if you want to be little more trendy you should follow recent  fashion trends.
Here are some useful fashion tips for men.

A Linen Shirt : A great linen button down shirt which is causal, simple and chic embodies the best of Italian style. It can take you from day to night. You can wear it anywhere; at the beach, at the party or at your neighbor's party. It's the most versatile and amazing summer style. If you want to look awesome then rush to the shop and fill your wadrobe with Linen shirt.


Flip Flops : Want to look more sofisticated ? Don't think so much, just use Flip Flops. If you don't have a pair of these, buy a one and put them in your closet for sunny summer days. Flip Flops adds your style a sophisticated and trendy look.


Khaki Shorts : Another summer essential for men is Khaki shorts. It is as versatile as Linen Shirts. It adds a breezy look in your style. It can be worn any time, day or night. This summer jeans shorts will replaced by Khaki shorts.

Swim Trunks : As the summer is approaching , you will probably look for swim trunks. Although men's swim trunks are designed for swiming, but some people wear it in the home just to relax in.They come in a wide range of variety and shapes. But it is not easy to buy the appropriate one.Quiksilver Illusion Board Shorts,  Gap Solid Board Shorts and Hurley Phantom 60 Stretch Camouflage Board Shorts are among the most popular men’s swim trunks.

Sunscreen : Sunscreen is the most essential thing in this summer. Do not leave home without sunscreen. It protects your skin from the harmful UV rays and tanning.Sunburns and skin damages are occured even in a cloudy day. Use sunscreen before swimming and after also.While you are on the beach or pool use sunglasses and hat for extra protection.

Summer Color Trends

Summer is one of the best season for fashion lovers.Now it is the time to look stylish and trendy with 2010 summer fashion trends.

Summer Color Trends:

Fashion trends and colors change every year and every season. In this year color trends are fabulous.Fashion and style are very important characteristics as they contribute to emphasizing individuality. Every person has different tastes and preferences in fashion, thing that leads to the development of different style  that are created according to each individual. The summer 2010  fashion trends are absolutely outstanding as diversity and styles are accentuated greatly. Fashion trends change every season in order to keep fashion interesting and avoid to look ordinary every time. Color is the part of our lives.Here are some of the most popular color trends in  women's  fashion this spring summer season so you can be trendy and fabulous all summer long:

1. Turquoise: Summer blue sky and blue sea are the things come first when we think about summer. Turquoise has such great charm and creates the pleasure of eyes.We beleive turquoise is the best color in the summer. So you can choose turquoise as your summer color and can look amazing in this season.

2.Yellow: Yellow is indispensable color of summer. It has the warmth as it is the color of sun. Bright lemon yellow is perfect color for tanned skin.It denotes happiness and joy. Make sure yellow is a part of  your wadrobe as your summer style statement.

3. Purple:  Purple is an exotic color and our one of the best choice for summer 2010. This stylish and magical color may enhance your beauty and makes you extraordinary in this season.


4.Pink: Pink seems to always be appropriate in the summer.Soft baby pink to neon pink is all time favbourite summer color.Blumarine, Moschino featured lovely fashion items in different pink hues.

5.Orange-Red: This color combination looks absolutely adorable as it is filled with emotion.You can use this to grab attention and people take action.This color can spice up your wardrobe allowing you to stand out and look fabulously trendy.

Now you can adapt them to suit your own needs or taste. You can also define a new style by combining the pieces.

Nourish Your Skin In Summer

Summer is the season when we have to take special care of our body and skin. We are really surprised to see our dull, blemished and oily skin which looked radiant throughout winter. Because in winter the natural oil of our skin becomes solidified and in summer it flows freely. In summer long and short UV Rays penetrates the deepest layer of our skin and damage the collagen and skin loses its firmness, elasticity and softness. The fair skin wrinkles more quickly than dark skin because it has more pigment. Whereas dark skin has less pigment which acts as natural sunscreen, blocking the harmful UV rays.

To prevent wrinkles and UV rays stay out of sun especially between 10am to 4pm, when it is almost directly overhead and UV radiation is strongest. Stay under shade as much as you can. Use umbrella when you go out. Wear light, cotton, comfortable cloths and your dress should be protective like full sleeves and covering maximum portion of the body. Sunscreen should be used year around and your sunscreen should be proper SPF balanced. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours interval. Wear proper sunglasses and hat with a broad brim.
Moisturisation is the most important part of daily skin care.Our skin needs plenty of water and moisturizer in summer , because we lose most of our body salts by sweating. Buy a water based moisturizer and use it regularly. Make it a habit to wash your face gently with water a number of times in a day . Don’t use very hot or too cold water for face, use normal water and then pat dry and again moisturize.

Homemade Moisturizer:

1. Mix cucumber juice and watermelon juice in equal amount and cool it in frig before use. Apply it daily on your face.
2. Rose water is a good moisturizer. You can spray it on your face to tone and fresh your skin.

Summer Fruit Drinks ( Healthy and Delicious)

In This Summer enjoy fruit drinks with your family and friends....

Ingredients:
1 can fruit cocktail
1 can lychees
1 box coconut or almond gelatin - prepared per package instructions, cut into 1" cubes
Frozen young coconut shreds, thawed, drained
Mocha Mix or Half N Half or Milk & simple syrup

Preparation :

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with canned fruit juice. Add some milk and ice cube. Now serve it to your guest.