Archana, Author at FashionForRoyals

50 Best Instagram Caption Ideas

With Instagram becoming a huge part of our lives, everyone wants their captions to be fun and on point and that’s why we spend a lot of our time thinking of a perfect caption. Here is a list of 50 captions for your every mood.

In an Instagram centric world one thing that is even more challenging than finding an Insta-worthy picture is finding an interesting caption for it. You might post a really nice picture, but without a caption it will always seem incomplete and that’s why I created this best Instagram caption ideas list. With Instagram becoming a huge part of our lives, everyone wants their captions to be fun and on point and that’s why we spend a lot of our time thinking of a perfect caption. For more tip and tricks for social media click here.
But did you know that a caption has more to it than mere words, and it can help you in connecting with your audience and increasing your engagement. Keep reading to find out how.

Why are captions important?

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We may think that the pictures and videos are the main attraction of your Instagram feed, but let me tell you that the power of a good caption is equal to that of good content. An aesthetic picture combined with a nice caption is like icing on the cake, and everyone loves icing right?
Captions help you build a connection with your audience, give them insights about you and your life and eventually let them know you better. People may like the pictures you post, but what will truly make them stay and engage is how to communicate with them through your captions.

Writing captions that connect

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People follow or engage with content on Instagram only if they find it relatable. So, how do you do that on an image centric platform like Instagram? The answer is simple – through captions. Captions can be witty, inspirational or stories about yourself, but always make sure that the audience is able to relate to them in some way.
Why am I focusing on relatability so much you ask? Well, because that’s something that hooks people and they keep coming back for more. Social Media is meant for socialising, therefore most people there are on a lookout for people or content that matches their personality and captions help you do that.

50 Instagram Caption Ideas

Now that we have discussed how important captions are for connecting with your followers and increasing your engagement, it’s time to send some caption inspiration your way. I have curated a list of 50 Instagram captions you can refer to for all your moods.

Sunny Days Instagram Captions

For the pictures where you are soaking in the sun or the sunshine is hitting your face at a perfect angle.

I was made for sunny days.
All you need is bit of ice cream and sunshine.
In a sunshine state of mind.
Let the sun shine.
Anything is possible with a little sunshine and pink.
Nothing like a bit of sunshine and spring feels in the air.
No matter what the weather always bring your own sunshine.

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Coffee Instagram Captions

Showcase your love for coffee with these cute and fun captions.

Coffee in bed please.
Coffee in hand, sparkle in my eye, smile on my face.
My mantra everyday- Coffee before talkie.
All I need is a cup of coffee to wake me up.

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Positive & Motivational Instagram Captions

Spreading positivity is the best way to connect with your audience.

Live more, worry less.
Seize the day and make it yours.
Love yourself first and everything falls into line.
Trust your hard work, it’s unlocking doors you can’t see yet.
Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air and remind yourself of who you are and who you want to be.
Success is no accident. It takes hard work, dedication, perseverance, leaning, studying and most of all, a love for what you do.
Every Monday is a chance to start a new fabulous week.
Braveness is not the absence of fear but rather the strength to keep on going despite the fear.
I am the architect of my life, I build my own foundation and choose my own bricks.
Life is a journey with almost limitless possibilities.
Dreams don’t have expiration dates, keep going.
Stress less and enjoy the best.
Every day is a fresh start, make yours today.
If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.

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Travel/Holiday Instagram Captions

For those picturesque holiday pictures.

Sun, sea and sand missing.
Sunset views at the beach.
Sun, sand and sea is all I need right now.
That’s how I like my coconut water, in the pool.
Messy hair, don’t care.
Tan lines fade but memories last forever.
Dreaming about coffee and beaches.
Relaxing at the beach, sipping coffee and watching the waves as they come and go is a different kind of feeling.

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Sassy Instagram Captions

Spill some sass with these quirky captions.

Sweet like a Saturday morning.
I am not perfect but my nails are.
Lehenga day is always a good day.
Don’t disturb me when I am sipping my gin & tonic.
I don’t turn back unless it’s for posing.
If gluttony is a sin, I am guilty as charged.
Be EXTRA in the extraordinary.
Time to wine down, coz it’s wine o’clock.

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Weekend Instagram Captions

Let everyone know how excited you are for the weekend.

Weekends are meant for twirling around.
Fri-nally got that Friday feeling.
Friyay! You are finally here.
What do you say when it’s Friday – Good times this way.
Weekends are all about letting loose and finding the joy in all the little things around.
Weekends are meant to put your feet up & chill.
I have weekend vibes on my mind.
The weekend always brings a smile.
Let’s get walking. The weekend is here.

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There you have it, everything you need to know about Instagram captions and how to use them effectively and a list of 50 captions you can take inspiration from for your next Insta post.
I hope you found this informative and learned something new. Do let me know your thoughts and stay tuned for more such blogs.

Your Navratri Guide – Outfits, Food, Songs & more

Here is all you need to know about the 9 days Navratri festival. From outfits and songs to what to eat while fasting.

The festive season has begun and it’s finally one of my most awaited festivals, Navratri. It is that time of the year when the streets are filled with blingy lights and there are colourful twirls all around. Navratri is a festival celebrated in India, in which people worship Maa Durga and fast for nine days. Apart from the religious rituals, Navratri is also known for Garba Dance. People dressed in colourful outfits, with dandiya in hand and dancing to Graba songs, is what typical Navratri looks like. Even after moving to the UK, it is still one of my favourite festivals and I still get excited for it like I used to get back home in India. So, here I am going to talk about all things Navratri, from outfit ideas & Navratri songs to what to eat while fasting, keep reading. Checkout more festive content here.

Navratri Outfit Ideas

Navratri outfits are all about colours. Bright red, yellow, orange, green are all the shades that will look the best while you’re dancing your heart on your favourite songs. Here are some of the outfit ideas that’ll make you stand out in the crowd and rock this Navratri.

1. Chaniya Choli

Nothing screams Dandiya night like a lovely, flowy chaniya choli and it is without a doubt one of the most common attire among girls. You can opt for a basic chaniya choli or you if you want something with an oomph factor; you can go for one like Deepika wore in Ramleela. You can further glam up your looks by adding some silver jewellery and you are good to go.

2. Dhoti Pants with Kurti

If chaniya choli is not your calling then go for something like Alia is wearing. Just pair your dhoti pants with a Kurti and throw on a jacket on top and tada. You can even wear a crop top with dhoti pants, and it will look just as good. This look is fun, comfy and so easy to carry. Pair it with juttis and chunky earrings and you are ready.

3. Denim with ethnic top

If you are someone who loves their denim and doesn’t like to go all traditional, then this look is just for you. Take inspiration from Sara Ali Khan and pair your bright ethnic top with your favourite denim and be ready to rock the Garba night. This look is super chic, effortless and doesn’t require much investment. Complete your look with a pair of juttis and dance the night away.

4. Lehenga or long skirt with Shirt

I bet all the girls out there have a lehenga in their wardrobe that they have worn once and now it’s just lying there waiting to be rescued. Well, now is the best time to take out that lehenga and put it to use this Navratri. Pair your lehenga skirt with a shirt like Daisy Shah or crop top, add some chunky silver jewellery and you will be ready to take over the night.

5. Long ethnic dresses

Ethnic dresses are something that look super elegant and classy. They are so versatile and they look so good no matter what occasion you wear them on. For the Garba night, you can go for a floor-length dress like Athiya, add some silver jewellery, jutties and that’s it, your look is complete. If you want to dress it up more, you can add an ethnic Indian belt to accentuate the waist.

Top 10 Garba Songs

Now that your dandiya night outfit is sorted, it’s time to move to the next thing that is vital for Navratri are the songs that’ll get you grooving instantly. I still remember my college times when I used to dance for straight 2-3 hours just because I enjoyed the music so much. Here is a list of top 10 Garba songs that you should add to your garba playlist or here the one I have created for you.

Nagada Sang Dhol Baaje – Ramleela
Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Rangtaali – Jankee ft. Arpan Mahida
Udi Udi Jaye – Raees
Chhabilo – Jankee ft. Arpan Mahida
Chogada – Loveyatri
Shubhaarambh – Kai Po Che!
Radhe Radhe – Dream Girl
Odhani – Made in China
Kamariya – Mitron

Heathy Foods during Fasting

Apart from all the fun, dance and colourful outfits, fasting is also an essential part of fasting and it is vital to do it in the right way as you don’t want it to take a toll on your health. There are many things that are restricted during the Navratri fast, but that doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your health. In fact, there are a lot of healthy options out there and also I think these 9 days are the best time to give your body that much needed break and get rid of unhealthy toxins. Here are a few things that I like to have while fasting.

1. Roasted Makhanas/Lotus Seeds

Roasted Makhanas are the most common fasting food out there, thanks to their nutritional value. Just roast them for 10-15 mins until they get crunchy, add chilli powder, chaat masala and they are done. Makhanas are great for maintaining good heart health, removing toxins from the body and improving digestive health.

2. Fruit Salad

Top view of white bowl full of fruit salad containing strawberries, blueberries, orange, kiwi, pineapple and peach

It is good to add fruits to your daily diet, but during fasting, it becomes even more important as they are the healthiest thing to consume while fasting. Fruits are great to provide your body with the much-needed energy and are a great source of vitamins. Just chop some fruits of your choice, sprinkle some chaat masala and enjoy.

3. Dry Fruits

Dry fruits are packed with proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats and are perfect to get those extra health benefits during fasting and also help in improving the immune system. You can roast them in ghee for 10 mins or have them as it is. They are nutritional, wholesome and will keep you full for a long time.

4. Boiled/Roasted Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are a great source of fibre, minerals & vitamins and therefore it’s nice to have them while fasting. Boil or roast the sweet potatoes for 10-15 minutes, cut them into small pieces, sprinkle chaat masala, drizzle some lemon juice if you like and enjoy your sweet-savoury chaat.

5. Lots of water

Consuming extra water during fasting is essential as it keeps you hydrated. 20% of your body water level comes from food and that’s why drinking lots of water compensates for the fluids lost due to fasting. Water will also keep you full and you’ll feel less hungry. You should drink at least 7-8 litres of water while fasting.

So, here it is your complete guide to kick-start Navratri. I am all ready to enjoy the festive season to the fullest and I am sure you are too. Let me know how you like this blog and also how you celebrate Navaratri in the comments below.

How to Style a Neutral Blazer

It’s time to take out that neglected neutral blazer and use it to create some fresh, new looks that’ll make everyone around you will go gaga. Here is how you can use your Neutral blazer to create 5 different looks.

I bet we all have that one Neutral blazer at the back of our closet that is waiting to be rescued. It has been there for a long time and every time you take it out, you put it right back due limited styling options. Well, I guess now it’s time to take out that neglected blazer and use it to create some fresh, new looks that’ll make everyone around you will go gaga. Here is how you can style a Neutral blazer to create 5 different looks. For more ways to restyle your clothes click here.

With a Dress

Your neutral blazer needs a pop of colour. So, how do you do that? Add a bright printed dress to take your look up a notch. This look perfect for wearing to a date night as it has a balance of both fun and classy. Pair it with a pair of shimmery heels, a nice handbags, some jewellery to complete the look and you are ready.

2. With Shorts & Crop Top

Who knew that a casual and a formal piece of clothing can go so well together like they are made for each other? Wear your neutral blazer over a well fitted crop top and denim shorts and there you have it a fun street style look. Complete your look with sneakers and a cross body bag and you are ready for the streets.

3. With Lounge Wear

If you think that lounge wear is just for chilling at home, here is a proof that you are wrong. Frankly telling, I never thought that a lounge wear can look so chic, but then I added my neutral blazer over it and got this super stylish outfit that I can’t stop gushing over. So, next time when you want to look dapper for that quick grocery run, you know what to do.

4. With Culottes & Printed Blouse

Have a semi-formal event to attend and not sure what to wear? Worry not. Just take out your favourite culottes, pair them with a nice blouse and throw on a neutral blazer on top, it’s that simple. The culottes keep your look easy-breezy, while the blazer adds the perfect amount of sophistication to it. To complete the look add a pair of wedges and a sling bag.

5. With Jumpsuit

I absolutely love jumpsuits, but at times they get a little boring and for those times I like to give a little dimension by adding a blazer on top. A blazer instantly elevates your entire look and gives it an edge. This look is perfect for those cocktail nights with your girls. Add a pair of wedges or stilettos, a nice handbag and you are good to go.

So, here you have it 5 ways to style your neutral blazer to create new interesting outfits. Hope you like the looks. Let me know which one is your favourite and if you recreate one of these don’t forget to tag me on Instagram.

Stay tuned for more styling blogs.

How to Style a White Shirt

No matter what time of the day it is, a white shirt comes in handy whenever you are struggling to find an outfit to wear. Here I am sharing some ways to style a white shirt,

Finally the day has come when I’ll be telling you how to style one of my favourite piece of clothing, a White Shirt. If you don’t already know, then let me tell you that if you don’t own a white shirt then our wardrobe is incomplete. The reason why I love a white shirt so much is, because you can easily dress it up or down according to the occasion and it will look elegant. You can even wear it with your PJs and I bet you’ll look fantastic. No matter what time of the day it is, a white shirt comes in handy for me when I am struggling to find an outfit to wear. Here I am sharing some ways in which style my white shirt. Know how to give an Indo-Western twist to a white shirt here.

With in a Bralette

To get an edgy look, wear your bralette over your white shirt. I know there are many girls out there who want to wear a bralette but are not comfortable in revealing too much skin. So, this look is absolutely perfect for them as it gives you a trendy look without revealing too much. Pair it with denim and there you have it, an amazing day time look.

With a Skirt

Two of my favourite clothing items, white shirt & skirt combined together to create a flirty outfit. I chose a mini skirt for this look, but you can go for a midi skirt, a knee length skirt or even a leather skirt. Just add a nice pair of heels, some accessories and a handbag to get a super cute lunch date outfit that’ll leave your partner speechless.

Under a Slip Dress

If you ask me, what are the essentials for an elegant outfit; I would say a white shirt and a slip dress. Wear your slip dress over your white shirt to get a stylish outfit that’ll make you the fashion queen among your girlfriends. You can either complete your look with heels, like I did or you can go for white sneakers for a chill vibe.

With Baggy Jeans & Crop Top

If you are someone who follow trends, then you would know that baggy jeans are trending and taking over the fashion world by storm. So, why not pair them with the most versatile item, a white shirt to get an easy-breezy look. Wear your baggy jeans with a crop top and tie a white shirt on top. To complete your look add sneakers and you are ready.

Over a Dress

We talked about wearing your white shirt under your dress for an elegant look; now let’s talk about wearing it over a dress for an easy-going look. You can get as creative with this look as you want and choose any type of dress you like. It can be a bright solid dress or a colourful printed one. All you have to do is wear your white shirt over the dress, tie it, put on sneakers and you are all set.

These are the 5 ways in which I like to wear my white shirt, so that my outfits never look the same. Let me know your favourite style and if you recreate any look, don’t forget to share with on Instagram.

How to Style a Shirt Dress – 5 Ways

A shirt dress has saved many times on the days when finding a good outfit in my closet was a task. Here are the ways in which I style my shirt dress, so that it never gets boring and looks fresh every time.

A shirt dress for me is something that comes in handy when I am feeling lazy and don’t want to put in a lot of efforts. It is versatile, comfortable, easy-to-wear and can be styled in a number of ways. I can’t even remember the times a shirt dress has saved me on the days when finding a good outfit in my closet was a task. For years now this piece of clothing has been my favourite and also my number 1 choice when it comes to packing for holidays. Here is how I like to style my shirt dress, so that it never gets boring and looks fresh every time. Find more fashion and styling tips here.

With a Denim Jacket

When you combine two of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe together what do you get? An awesome outfit. Add denim jacket on your favourite shirt dress and you are ready for your casual day out. To complete your look add sneaker and a nice sling bag.

2. With a Belt

Looking for a simple and easy way to jazz up your shirt dress? Add a belt to it and you are all set. A belt will help accentuate the waist and give it definition. If you are going for a fancy look you can add a nice pair of flats or go with flat sandals for a causal look.

3. With a shrug

Shrug with shirt dress — Via Just The Design

A shirt dress is perfect not only summers but also for those windy days. When you start to feel a little nip in the air, pair your shirt dress with a shrug and you are sorted. Pair this outfit with sexy stilettos for brunch or flat bellies for shopping day.

4. With a blazer

A blazer adds a certain charm to every outfit and a shirt dress is no exception. Give your shirt dress a formal and classy look by adding a chic blazer. Complete your look with a pair of strappy heels or block sandals and you are ready for those dressy occasions.

5. With pants

Pants with shirt dress — Via Jeans and a teacup

Add a stylish touch to you shirt dress and style it with ankle length pants or jeans. A perfect street style outfit with a balance of elegance and experimental. To complete your look pair it with a classic clutch and stilettos and you are good to go.

I always love creating new looks with single piece of clothing as it is a great way of reusing and repeat clothes. Let me know how you like them and stay tuned for more.

Low Calorie – Vegan Alfredo Pasta Sauce

This cauliflower sauce is a healthy alternative for your traditional alfredo sauce. It is exactly like the original sauce, just lighter and healthier.

I am sure everyone loves a good, creamy alfredo pasta sauce. I personally can never get enough of it. It’s smooth, buttery, and rich texture always leaves me wanting for more. But since I try to incorporate healthy eating in my lifestyle as much as possible, the traditional recipe just doesn’t fit in. So, I thought why not find a way in which I can enjoy alfredo pasta and not worry about the calories at all. That’s how I discovered this low-fat vegan cauliflower alfredo sauce recipe. You can find more healthy recipes here.

To be honest, I was a little skeptical about this recipe at first, but once I made it all my doubts vanished instantly. Believe me, when I say this, it’s as good as the original alfredo sauce, just more healthy & less heavy and you just need 15 minutes to make it. I am so excited to find this alternative for alfredo sauce, that I couldn’t resist sharing it with you all.

Print Recipe

Low Fat Vegan Cauliflower Alfredo Recipe

This cauliflower sauce is a healthy alternative for your traditional alfredo sauce. It tastes exactly like the original sauce, but it’s on the lighter side,so you won’t have to worry about the calories.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: alfredo pasta, alfredo sauce, pasta, pasta recipe

Servings: 1 Bowl

Calories: 75kcal

Author: Archana

Cost: £3 – £4

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

1 bowl Boiled Cauliflower
2 tbsp Sautéed Garlic with Olive Oil
1 cup Almond Milk
1/2 cup Pasta Water
Salt to taste

Instructions

Put the boiled cauliflower, sautéed garlic with olive oil, almond milk, and pasta water in a blending jar.
After you are done adding all the ingredients in the blending jar, put the lid on, and blend all the ingredients to get a smooth paste.
Once you get your desired consistency, add salt as per your taste.
Now that your Low Fat Vegan Alfredo sauce is ready, mix it with boiled pasta of your choice, garnish with nuts & coriander and enjoy.

Notes

You can use this sauce as a dip and as a sandwich spread.
Cauliflower is 92% water and water-rich foods help in weight loss, so this recipe is perfect if you are trying to lose weight.

Try this sauce for your next meal and don’t forget to tell me how it turned out.

How to Style a Slip Dress

A slip dress can be styled in so many trendy and fun ways and I am always looking for excuses to wear my slip dress. Here are my 5 top favourite ways to style a slip dress.

Trends come and go, but some of them are there to stay like a slip dress. Even though slip dress is a 90’s trend, its charm doesn’t seem to fade away even in 2020 and I am not complaining. At first you may find styling a slip dress a bit tricky, but once you get a hand of it you can do it effortlessly like a pro. To be very true, I never thought that a slip dress can be styled in so many trendy and fun ways and now that I know I am always looking for excuses to wear my slip dress. Here are my 5 top favourite ways to style a slip dress. Sit back and enjoy and for more styling tips click here.

With a top

Wear your slip dress, pick out a matching top from your wardrobe, put it over your slip dress and there you have a super classy outfit. If I knew of this top over slip dress trick a little earlier, I would have totally rocked so many of my last minute outfits. This look is perfect for an evening with friends, just add a nice pair of heels, some jewellery and you are ready.

With a T-Shirt & Denim Jacket

For this look I used the same trick as the one above, but it is on a more casual side. Replace the top with a cool, bright t-shirt, throw on a denim jacket on top and ta da. The denim jacket adds an extra edge to this entire look and I love how this look is both casual and trendy at the same time. Complete your look with sneakers and a sling bag and you are all set for a day out.

With a White T-Shirt

When in doubt, go for white. Pick out that versatile white t-shirt from your closet and wear it under your slip dress to get an easy going, chic look. Who knew adding a twist to your outfits was this easy. This look is excellent for running errands, as it allows you to move freely without having to worry about your strap falling off your shoulder.

With a Belt

Your belt comes in handy for most of your looks and same is the case with a slip dress. Put a broad belt over your slip dress and take the glamour quotient to next level. The belt will accentuate your waist, flaunting your curves perfectly and giving you that oomph factor. Wear this to a date night with bae and I bet he won’t be able to take his eyes of you.

With a Blazer

If I tell you that you can wear a slip dress to a formal event, you’ll probably think that I have gone insane. So, here is the proof that you can do that with ease, without looking inappropriate. All you have to do is add a formal touch to your look by adding a blazer on top. You can either go for a neutral one like me or you can choose a bright one to add some colour to your look.

I hope you liked the looks and learned some new way of styling your slip dress to create trendy looks. Don’t forget to tell me which look is your favourite and stay tuned for more awesome styling tips.

How to Style a White Shirt in Indo-Western Ways

There are a lot of ways of styling a white shirt in western ways, but the Indian in me has always been very keen to pair it with my ethnic pieces to create Indo-western looks. Here are my favourite white shirt ethnic looks.

It is said that you can never go wrong with a shirt dress and I totally agree. A white shirt is that piece of clothing that goes perfectly with almost everything and you don’t even have to put much effort into styling it. No matter what piece of clothing you pair it with, it just fits like a missing piece of puzzle and that maybe that’s why it’s called a wardrobe essential. There are a lot of ways of styling a white shirt in western ways, but the Indian in me has always been very keen to style my white shirt with ethnic pieces to create Indo-western looks. I have done it quite some times and absolutely loved it. So, here are my favourite white shirt ethnic looks and if you are looking for more fashion and styling inspiration click here.

With a Sharara

I love myself a sharara moment and therefore pairing my white shirt with a sharara was a must. I chose a printed, colourful sharara as I wanted a vibrant look. You can go for a solid one as well. This look is ideal for wearing to small ceremonies. All you have to do is add a golden necklace, a matching dupatta, a gorgeous pair of juttis and ta da.

With a Statement Dupatta & Belt

When it comes to styling your white shirt into ethnic ways, a nice statement dupatta can go a long way. Pick out your favourite dupatta, put it over your simple white shirt & denim outfit like I did and add a belt on top to keep it in place. You can also go for a simple dupatta if you like. Add some ethnic jewellery and footwear to complete your look and you are all set.

With a Palazzo

Easy-breezy and perfect for a day out, this is what this next look is. Pair your bright coloured or solid ethnic palazzo with your white shirt to get a relaxed look in minutes. You can wear to go shopping or a casual day out in the park. Complete your look with a statement chunky silver necklace and an ethnic sling bag and you are ready.

With an Ethnic Skirt

Your flowy ethnic skirt is excellent to give an ethnic twist to your white shirt and believe me it looks great. Wear your favourite ethnic skirt with a white shirt, add a matching dupatta and there you have it, a perfect outfit for small wedding functions, like mehendi. I chose simple jewellery for this look, but you can go for heavier pieces and take it up a notch.

With an Ethnic Jacket

What’s better than an ethnic jacket to add an Indian touch to your white shirt? Amp up your look instantly by adding a long ethnic jacket over your basic white shirt and blue denims. You can wear this outfit to lunch with your girlfriends. To complete your look, add some silver jewellery, a nice pair of heels and a handbag.

These are the ways in which I give an ethnic twist to my white shirt. I hope you like the looks and try them next time you are looking for some Indo-western outfit inspiration.

My 3 days juice cleanse

A juice cleanse is a type of detox diet that involves consuming fruit & vegetable juice for a short period, like 3-10 days. It is a great way of giving your body the much needed break and filling it with the goodness of health improving nutrients.

A juice cleanse is something that I wanted to try for quite some time now, but because of my busy work schedule and lack of time, I couldn’t go through with it. This time while social distancing and working from home, I thought that there wouldn’t be a better time to do a juice cleanse and, I finally did it a few weeks back. Find more recipes for a healthy lifestyle here.

For all of you who don’t know what a juice cleanse is, it is a type of detox diet that involves consuming fruit & vegetable juice for a short period, like 3-10 days. You can either make the juices yourself or you can choose a cold-pressed juice package of your choice. I did it for 3 days with a juice cleanse package, in which you get 6 juices for one day. You have to drink one juice every 2 hours. One thing to remember while doing is a juice cleanse is to that you must consume lots of water. You can also have herbal tea and some fruits & vegetable, but solid foods and caffeine should be avoided for it to work effectively.

Benefits of Juice Cleanse

Juice cleanse is a great way of giving your body the much needed break and filling it with the goodness of health improving nutrients. Following are the benefits of a juice cleanse.

1. Improves health and increases energy

Fruits and vegetables are high in vitamins & minerals, so drinking juices can boost the intake of nutrients, improving overall health.

2. Removes toxins

Drinking fluids and cold-pressed juices help the body to function more efficiently and remove toxins more effectively.

3. Better digestion

Raw juices have healthy enzymes that help in improving digestion.

Best fruits and vegetables for Juice cleanse

Beetroot – It is full of antioxidants and is rich in Vitamin C. It is also helps in purifying blood, which keeps your skin glowing and healthy. It has high iron content, that helps in preventing anemia.

Apple – Apple juice removes harmful toxins and cleans liver and kidneys. It is packed with essential nutrients like vitamin A, E, and C which provide your body with a lot of energy.

Kale – Loaded with fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamin K, iron and wide a range of other nutrients, kale helps in preventing a lot of health problems. It helps in detoxifying your body from within. Checkout how I make my Healthy Green Smoothie here.

Orange – Orange juice boosts immunity and protects from inflammatory diseases as it is rich in vitamin C. It is also high in fiber which helps in improving digestive health.

Carrot – Carrot juice is enriched with vitamin A and is a good source of antioxidants. It helps in clearing up the toxins from the body and helps in preventing heart diseases.

Pineapple – Pineapple is loaded antioxidants, vitamin A and essential and non-essential amino acids that help in reducing inflammation and detoxify the body. It also promotes blood circulation and improves cardiovascular health.

Cucumber – Cucumber is made of 95% of water and due to its high water content, it hydrates your body, flushes out toxins and cleanses the body.

Pomegranate – Pomegranate is rich in anti-inflammatory compounds & vitamin C which helps in improving immunity by boosting antibody production. It also protects our body from free radicals.

Celery – Celery helps in improving digestive health due to large quantity of fiber present in it. High in water content it is refreshing, hydrates the body and helps in removing toxins.

Grapefruit – Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin A and C, which makes it a great immunity booster. It can also help you in reducing weight as it contains few calories and is high in fiber which keep you full for a longer time and reduces calorie intake.

My Experience

My overall experience with the juice cleanse was pretty good. The only challenge I faced was that I was craving coffee and food throughout the day. The effects of the cleanse were visible after the first day itself. I felt more energetic, light, less bloated, and my skin looked more hydrated. My main aim of doing this cleanse was to reset my mind and to flush out all the toxins from the body, and I think I was able to achieve that. I am planning to incorporate juice cleanse into my lifestyle by making it a weekly or monthly thing, as it’s a great way to keep your body systems in check.

Things to keep in mind

2-5 days before starting a juice cleanse, start preparing your body by switching to a light and healthy diet.
Reduce the intake of sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and other harmful substances.
Try to get good sleep days before the cleanse.

So, this was my experience. I hope this was helpful and gave you some insights on how you can do a juice cleanse.

Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad Recipe

This Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad is all you need if you are looking for a super-healthy, filling and delicious salad recipe.

Hey everyone, I’m back with the next amazing recipe for the healthy lockdown recipes series! After the power-packed green smoothie and the kids’ favourite choco-cornflake muffins, I decided to conjure something super-healthy and filling which I could have for lunch or dinner, apart from breakfast or in-between snacking. So I just hunted around and found some healthful and tasteful ingredients and here it was Quinoa and Sweet Potato Salad – the yummiest, healthiest salad I’ve ever cooked or tasted.

What really is amazing about this Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad is that, it is a treat for your taste buds- with warm roasted sweet potatoes, crisped chickpeas and caramalized onions literally causing an explosion of flavours in your mouth. And you can add to the aroma with fresh rosemary, thyme or coriander. The energy kick comes from quinoa and walnuts while fresh greens add to the nutrient count of this heavenly-tasting salad. The best part is that you can have it warm or cold, without worrying about adding on flab during the lazy lockdown time.

Print Recipe

Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad

This Quinoa Sweet Potato salad is a treat for your taste buds-with warm roasted sweet potatoes, crisped chickpeas and caramalized onions literally causing an explosion of flavours in your mouth. You can add to the aroma with fresh rosemary, thyme or coriander. The energy kick comes from quinoa and walnuts while fresh greens add to the nutrient count of this heavenly-tasting salad. The best part is that you can have it warm or cold, without worrying about adding on flab during the lazy lockdown time.

Prep Time45

Course: dinner, lunch, Snack

Keyword: healthy food, healthy recipes, quinoa salad, sweet potato salad

Servings: 4

Calories: 424kcal

Author: Archana

Ingredients

2 Sweet potatoes (peeled & diced)
1 cup Whole walnuts
1 can of Chickpeas
2 Shallots (peeled & roughly chopped)
1 sprig of Rosemary, Thyme or Coriander
2 tbsp. Maple syrup
Olive Oil
Salt as per taste

For Serving/Dressing

Cooked Quinoa
Baby Kale
Lemon/ Honey mustard/ Olive oil & salt (you can use any dressing of your choice)

Instructions

Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees.
Spread the diced sweet potatoes, chopped shallots and herbs on a large sheet pan. Toss with salt and olive oil. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
Next add chickpeas to the pan and stir up all the ingredients together. Roast again for another 20 minutes.
Pour the walnuts in a bowl and toss them with maple syrup and a little salt. Add them to the pan and stir it up. Roast for 5 minutes.
The healthy and delicious salad is done. Just remove the stems of the herbs and serve the roasted mixture with cooked quinoa, baby kale and a dressing of your choice.

I recommend this recipe because the entire ingredients are easily available; generally all of us would have them or something else that we can substitute. So there isn’t a need to step out for anything. You may replace sweet potato with potato or carrot. Or add eggs, goat cheese or cottage cheese to make the salad more wholesome, which is something I usually do if I want to serve it as a meal rather than have it as a filler or snack at my work desk.

For me, brown rice also works as a nice replacement for quinoa, just to create some variety as I do mix this salad a few times a week. And of course, I can experiment with the dressing as well. So practically, I have the option to come up with a different flavour every time, depending on how creative I can be with the ingredients I have in my refrigerator or kitchen cabinets (or even the herbs in my little kitchen garden, I love that one)

Apart from the fact that the salad tastes so good and is easy to mix, I wouldn’t want to skip mentioning its nutritional value. Let me just list them ingredient-wise.

Sweet potatoes– Great source of healthy fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, they are filling but don’t result in weight gain. They even support your immune function, something that everyone wants to do at this time.
Walnuts– A fistful offers a healthy supply of omega-3s and antioxidants. They support weight loss and promote gut health as well. Moreover, they support your gut health and decrease inflammation, which can keep disease at bay.
Chickpeas– Packed with proteins, they are an excellent substitute for meat for vegans and vegetarians. They also add vitamins, minerals and fiber to the salad. Chickpeas are good for satiating your appetite but you can have them without worrying about gaining pounds.
Shallots– Not only do they enhance the flavour of food, but also supply
antioxidants, promote weight maintenance and help fight germs (which
makes them all the more important right now).
Quinoa– A super health food, quinoa is gluten-free and loaded with protein. It also brings sufficient amounts of all the nine essential amino acids. And it is also high in fiber, iron, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and various beneficial antioxidants.
Baby kale– Kale offers a rich supply of fiber, antioxidants, vitamins C and K, calcium, iron, and a range of other nutrients. The antioxidants in it stimulate the release of unwanted toxins from the body, which makes it an ingredient of choice the lockdown season.

Such amazing benefits are only half the reason I toss up this salad at least thrice a week. The other half is the taste! Surprisingly, my little one loves it as much as I do, so this is something I can cook up for the family rather than just myself and my husband. And the best part of the deal is that it is so filling that it is as good as a full meal, so all the time I invest in cooking it is worthwhile.

More than anything else, this salad is as guilt-free as it is delicious. The quinoa version is the best one from the weight management perspective though you can be judicious with the servings of the rice version if you prefer to keep the extra weight off.

Now that I’ve given you plenty of reasons to try this incredible Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad, go ahead and mix it up. And if you have some cool ideas for experimenting with the ingredients, do share them!

Favourite Summer Looks

Styling summer clothes is so much fun as you get to experiment with colours, prints and so many different silhouette. Here are my 10 favorite summer looks.

Summer is my favourite season, you want to know why? Because I get to wear all my floral pieces, cute dresses and lot’s of bright colours. I absolutely love styling summer clothes and as soon as spring is about to end, I start looking for new pieces to add to my wardrobe. However, this year this task was easy, all thanks to Liena’s amazing collection. I liked their clothes so much that I thought why not create some looks for different occasions and share them with you guys. So, here are the looks I created for date night, brunch with your girlfriends, casual day out and one bonus outfit for all the boss babes out there. You can find more fashion inspiration here.

Brunch with girlfriends

Cute floral dresses are a must have in your summer wardrobe. No matter what the occasion is they always look good. This Green & White floral bardot midi dress is sure to make some heads turn. This dress is so pretty that it will make you stand out in the crowd without even trying. Wear it with tan wedges and a hat and you are ready for the brunch.

Statement puff sleeves are always in trend, as they are perfect to add edge to a simple dress like this one. Grab eyeballs wearing this flirty blue floral dress. Its long dramatic sleeves and flattering silhouettes will surely get the conversation started among your girlfriends. Learn more about how to create a perfect summer look here.

Nothing beats the charm of a pretty printed dress and I know you’ll be shining bright in this one. Be ready to be showered with compliments while twinkling like a star in this Black star print mini dress. I promise your girlfriends won’t stop gushing over this piece.

Date Night

Ditch the usual black dress and flaunt your curves in this gorgeous Olive fishtail midi dress. Its ruched body fit will hug your body perfectly giving you that oomph factor and leaving your partner speechless. Let me warn you in advance that you’ll receive a lot of compliments, so be prepared.

Wrap dresses for date night? Yes, please.
Wrap dress is probably the most flattering dress silhouette out there and it works for almost all the body types out there. Sweep your date off his feet wearing this Black floral wrap dress for your date night. Pair it with black heels and you are ready to take over the night.

Add some shine to your look with this yellow midi wrap dress that is a perfect blend of sexy and classy. The slight shimmer and front split of this dress will make you stand out from the rest and your partner won’t be able to take his eyes off you and you’ll definitely be on his mind long after the date.

Casual Day Out

Comfort is always our top priority for a casual day and thus we are always looking for something that is trendy and easy going and this blouse is just that. Add a pop of colour to your normal day out outfit with this cute Rustic orange blouse. You can wear it as it is or drop down the sleeves if you are going for an off shoulder look.

Your summer wardrobe is incomplete without a printed playsuit like this cream floral one. Playsuits are a great alternative to dresses and you can wear them to the beach or for those picnics in the park. You can have all the fun you want and you don’t even have to worry about your dress blowing off in the wind and revealing too much.

Add some style quotient to your normal day donning this lovely red floral skater dress. Skater dresses are super chic and feminine and they always look flattering no matter what your body type is. You can style this dress with flats for a casual, breezy look or dress up by pairing it with nice heels. Add a sling bag and you are good to go. Find more useful tips on how to style your accessories here.

For the boss babe in you

I am sure you all will agree with me that a nice pant suit is something that never goes out of style. A pants suit screams power and this fuchsia set is just perfect for the boss babe in you. You can style a pant suit in a number of ways, wear it as it is or mix & match to create an entirely new outfit. Add heels & a nice bag and you’ll be ready to take over the world.

I hope you liked the looks and got some inspiration for your next outfit. Stay tuned for more fashion and beauty content.

MY FAVOURITE BEAUTY HACKS

Quick and easy beauty hacks that work are something every girl is on a lookout for. So, here are some of my top favourite tried and tested beauty hacks.

Beauty hacks are something that excites me and I am always looking for some quick hacks to include in my beauty regime or for those lazy days. Over the years I have tried a lot of beauty hacks, some of them worked for me and some of them were a total fail. So, here I am sharing some of my favourite beauty hacks. You can also checkout more beauty tips and tricks here.

Concealer as a lipstick base

Want your lipstick to pop and to stay on for a longer time? Just put some concealer on your lips before applying your lipstick. Using a concealer on your lips will give more colour payoff to your lipstick and will help it to stay in place and not smudge or transfer easily. So, next time while applying your favourite lipstick, try this little hack and see how bright those lips look.

Concealer as an eyeshadow primer

foundation as eye shadow primer beauty hack

What if I tell you that you can use your concealer as a perfect eyeshadow base and the outcome will still be the same? Seriously, I have used this hack many times and the result never fails to amaze me. It works as good as an actual eyeshadow primer. All you have to do is, take a little bit of your concealer, apply it to your eyelids using your fingers or a brush and carry on with your usual eye makeup and believe me you won’t be disappointed with the outcome.

Bronzer as an eyeshadow for a natural look

Do you also have days when you want your eyes to stand out but don’t want to apply eyeshadow? Well, if the answer is yes, then this hack is all you need. Take your favorite bronzer, swipe it across your eyelids, and make those eyes pop. This hack is also best for those hot summer days when you don’t want to go overboard with makeup, but still want to look put together.

Lipstick as blush

I bet you have heard of this one before, after all, it’s one of the most common beauty hacks. We all are guilty of having some lipsticks that we don’t use anymore, so why not use them as a cream blush. Just dab some lipstick on your cheekbones and blend it using a brush or your fingers for a more precise application and voila you are done. This hack also comes in handy for all those sudden plans after work.

Dark eyeshadow as eyebrow powder

eye shadow as eyebrow powder beauty hack

Yes, you heard it right. You can use your eyeshadow to fill in your brows and the result will be just as good as using a brow powder. The only challenge is choosing the right shade and formula of eyeshadow. The blacks and browns in your palette are your best options and make sure you are using a matte eyeshadow. Experiment with different shades and once you’ve found the perfect one you are good to go.

Shimmery eyeshadow as a highlighter

The first time I used this hack was a few years ago when I was in a hurry and my actual highlighter was nowhere to be found. So, I just picked up one of my eyeshadow palettes and used a coral shimmery eyeshadow as a highlighter instead and went out and no one could tell the difference. Since then, I can’t even remember the times I have used this hack. I mostly use the beige, coral, and peach shades of eyeshadow, you can see what shade works best for you and go with it.

Flip your hair partition to another side for volume

This one is my favourite beauty hack and it is the easiest one out there. Changing your hair partition is the quickest way to add some immediate volume and bounce to your hair. When we part our hair regularly to one side, then overtime it starts looking flat, so this simple trick of changing your hair partition can make a huge difference in no time.

These are the hacks that I use the most on a day-to-day basis. Try them for yourself and see which one works best for you.

In conversation with Make-up Artist Ambreen

A summary of my conversation with UK’s Celebrity Make-up artist, Ambreen. We talked about all things makeup and some amazing beauty tips & tricks.

When it comes to bridal makeup or makeup in general, we all have various questions. We are always looking for some tips from the experts of the beauty industry, especially during this time when the world is going through so much. With this thought in mind, I recently did an Insta live chat with Make-up artist Ambreen, where she shared her insights on all things makeup. Ambreen is a celebrity make-up artist based in the UK, she has worked with various top celebrities and brands like M.A.C, OK magazine, etc. So, here are the things that she shared with me on the live chat. You can checkout more such blogs here.

I started the conversation by asking her how the lockdown has been and how it has impacted the beauty industry, and she gave a very positive answer. According to her, it has been a tough time, but social media has played a very important role during this time and has helped people connect more. It has allowed people to know and get in touch with people we don’t usually have a chance to speak to. She thinks now people are doing more things online. Everyone is doing lives, online tutorials, sharing their daily routines, their favorite products. It has given a lot of make-up artists a great platform and a chance to connect with their audience.

She also thinks that the way we look at weddings will change after this. According to her weddings will be lavish and beautiful but, they’ll become more intimate. People will focus more on who they want at their wedding, rather than inviting 400-500 people you don’t even know. She believes that the lockdown has given us all a new perspective on a lot of things, and we have started to look at life differently.

The work of a make-up artist has always fascinated me, so I asked her about the best thing about her job, and she says, “The job of a make-up artist is a very feel-good job. When you get someone ready, be it for their wedding, shoot, or an event you make them look a certain way that they want, and when they look at themselves, they feel more confident, and it gives great job satisfaction. Especially for weddings, as it is the most important day of a woman’s life and it feels amazing to be a part of it.”

She also gave some great advice for all the aspiring makeup artists out there. She asks them to always be prepared for early and long hours. She advises them to remember that things take a while to build up, to get to a certain stage where you are comfortable with the work you are getting, but you must not give up. It can take weeks, months, years, but you will get there if you are determined. She asks them to focus on what you have as an artist and to always stay on trend as people are drawn to what’s trending.

I was very curious to know one make-up tip that she would like to give to people and she emphasized that one should always prep the skin before doing makeup, as it gives the makeup a good base and helps it last much longer. Her suggestion was to use a moisturizer, primer, eye cream, and something to condition your lips. And when asked about the 5 must-have product in a woman’s vanity, these are the products she recommended, “For me its concealer, mascara, lip liner, blush and something for your brows. With these 5 products, you have got the whole face covered.”

On being asked about the one product she can’t work without she said, “I will have to say my brushes. If I didn’t have my brushes, I wouldn’t be able to apply any product on my brides and I can’t apply it with my fingers.”

Looking at Ambreen’s amazing skin, I couldn’t resist myself from asking her for some skincare tips and she advices to read about your skin type, try a few products and brands to see what works best for you. She recommends following a skincare routine, using a good face wash, eye cream, moisturizer, toner, and exfoliating followed by a mask once a week.

I really love all the bridal makeup looks she creates, so I wanted to get her insights on the key bridal make-up trends of the year to which she says, “I think less is going to be more.” According to her brides nowadays are already stepping away from the flamboyant makeup that we had years ago, they want to look more natural. And with weddings getting more intimate brides are going to opt for less makeup than they normally would.

My chat with Ambreen really helped me gain an in-depth knowledge of the beauty industry and I would like to thank her for that. I hope it is helpful for you too.

Weekend De-Stress Ritual

A relaxing bath is proven to help you calm your mind and unwind. Here are a few things you can do to have a rejuvenating spa-like bath experience at home.

We are all doing our part by staying at home and social distancing as much as possible, but sometimes everything can get a bit overwhelming. While going through this time, it is vital to take some time out to relax and rejuvenate ourselves and weekends are a great time to do that. For me, nice baths helps me unwind, de-stress, and feel like a completely new person. Here is how you can turn your usual bathing into a spa-like experience at home and you can also find more self-care blogs here.

Add scented candles

Dim the lights of your bathroom and add scented candles for that perfect soft glow of light. Scented candles will instantly add that soothing, calming vibe to your bathroom, and their scent will uplift your mood. I like using Aequil London’s candles, as its refreshing fragrance takes me to a whole place right away.

Sip on your favorite drink

Sitting in the bathtub with your favourite drink takes the at-home relaxing session to a whole new level. I like to slowly sip on red wine while getting lost reading a good book.

Bath oils

Enriched with the goodness of essential oils, bath oils have therapeutic properties and are great for rejuvenating the mind and body. They are also good for various skin issues, inflammation, muscle aches, and insomnia. I add 6-8 drops of Olverum Bath Oil to my bath water and it works as an icing on the cake.

Sheet mask and relax

Indulge in some skincare while unwinding your mind with a sheet mask, after all, your skin needs pampering too. Garnier’s Moisture Bomb Mask is my go-to for my weekend de-stressing sessions, as it is super hydrating and gives my skin the moisture it needs.

Bath salts

When it comes to a good bath, Westlab Pink Gin Bathing salts are a must for me. They detoxify the skin by peeling away dead skin cells and keep the skin supple and delicate. They are also useful in removing skin tanning and pigmentation.

Bath fizzers

Bath fizzers take your at-home bath experience up a notch. The beautiful, colourful bubbles add a luxurious touch to your bath and put you in a happy mood. I love using bath fizzers by Bubble T Cosmetics, as they have an amazing fruity fragrance and are enriched with essential oils that nourish the skin.

Hair mask

While the bath oils and candles work their magic and calm your mind, you can use that time to nourish your hair with a hair mask. Apply your favourite hair mask, put on some soft music, close your eyes, and feel your mind getting calmer with each moment. I generally use Refibra Hair mask.

These are the things I include in my bath to take my bathing experience to next level and they help me release the tension and feel fresh.

Simple Hacks To Look Fabulous When Video Calling

Following simple hacks can make a huge difference in how presentable you look for work video calls. So, here are a few hacks to make you look put together.

We may be confined to our own homes, unable to go to parties or take ourselves out for a fancy dinner, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still look great. While working from home, you are probably enjoying the comfort of leggings and baggy tops while being able to give yourself an extra half an hour of sleep each morning as your normal beauty regime isn’t currently needed. There is some upside of the pandemic aren’t there? Read more quarantine blogs here.

But then it happens, the dreaded video call. While we enjoy catching up with colleagues and having someone other than household members to talk to, it can also mean we are rushing around trying to make ourselves look presentable and professional. But this can be done quicker and easier than you might think. From simply popping on a pair of strip lashes to choosing the correct lighting, we’ll help you look stunning for your next virtual meeting.

This isn’t just confined to work-related calls, virtual dating is the latest trend when looking for love and we always want to enhance our natural beauty when meeting a love interest, even if it is through a screen.

1. Effortless Lashes

Nobody wants to spend ages blending, highlighting and contouring just for the sake of a half an hour video call. Lockdown is the perfect chance to let our skin breathe and recover from years daily makeup applications.

However, we understand you still want to feel beautiful and for many of us, the comfort of makeup makes us feel 100 times better.

That’s why false eyelashes are the perfect solution for this. Choose a natural-looking set and pop them on beforehand. You’ll notice an immediate difference in your face and they may even give you the confidence you need to nail that presentation you’ve been worried about.

The best part is, you can remove these straight afterwards, you don’t even need to leave your desk! You can even reuse your lashes as often as you want, reducing waste and saving your expensive mascara for when the pandemic is over.

It is always best to remove the eyelash adhesive, if not straight away, at least before you go to bed as it can cause damage to your lids if left.

2. Matte Your Face

If you are happy to put a little extra effort into your face, especially if you have an important pitch or perhaps a date with someone you really want to impress, it’s important to choose the right base coverage.

You may go for a dewy, glowing look on a normal day, but your low-quality webcam can give you an awful effect. Instead of glowing skin, you can look shiny and even greasy, not the look any of us want.

Use a matte foundation or powder, teamed with a matte setting spray to give yourself coverage but avoiding glare on your screens.

If you don’t have any matte products, you don’t need to spend money just for a few uses during lockdown. Lightly apply some translucent powder over your usual foundation, or even talcum powder, to give a temporary matte finish.

3. Get Your Lighting Right

You can be forgiven for trying to achieve bright lighting, directly hitting your face. After all, that’s what models have for photoshoots so surely it’ll work for your video call, right?

Going over the top with bright lighting and using a standard webcam or phone camera will highlight any imperfections and can cause your skin to look washed out.

Instead, backlight yourself. This works best with natural lighting so if you can position yourself in front of a window then do so.

If you can’t do this, you can use lamps instead. Be aware that if they are directly behind you and pointed towards your laptop, you may end up blinding those you are talking to. Set lights at a slight angle and make sure they are above your eye level, lighting from underneath your face can give a real horror story look!

4. Lip Stick Not Gloss

We love lipgloss but not for a video call. Anything ‘glossy’ will bounce off the light and draw too much attention to your lips.

It will also highlight any imperfections in your application. Let’s face it, you might apply this quickly a few minutes before your call and not get perfect lines. This may not be noticeable during normal social events but sitting for a long time face-to-face with colleagues will make it obvious.

5. Hair Hacks

If you’re not leaving your home every day, it’s more than likely that you’re not washing your hair as often.

Instead of trying to hide that grease with a messy bun or high ponytail, be a bit more creative.

Headscarves and turbans not only hide our oily locks but can also be a great statement and give the appearance of high-end fashion, instead of just covering our laziness.

You can even match these colours with your outfit to make the whole thing look very deliberate.

If covering your hair isn’t your style, take some dry shampoo and section your hair at the hairline. Using a small round brush, work the dry shampoo into your roots. Not only does this remove oil but also provides volume that will hold for your video call and longer

6. Speak With Your Body

Perhaps you don’t want to put makeup on an impromptu call means you don’t have time. Using the right body language can make all the difference.

Make eye contact with the other participants, look into your camera and don’t be distracted by looking at yourself on the screen.

Hold yourself properly and don’t slouch, you wouldn’t do so in a normal meeting so this shouldn’t be any different. Make sure you’re comfy beforehand, wriggling and adjusting yourself throughout the call can look unprofessional and be a distraction for others.

If you are still worried about what you look like, take the time to think about how others really perceive you. Are you conscious of anyone not wearing makeup or how they’ve styled their hair? You probably haven’t given it a second thought and that’s exactly how others will feel about you.

At the end of the day, a smile and a confident manner are what is most crucial with video calling.

Coriander Pesto Recipe

Coriander pesto is yum and super easy to make. It can be prepared with the ingredients available at home and is loved equally by children and adults.

Eating clean and healthy food has been my mantra during this lockdown and because of this; I am always on a lookout for recipes that are nutritious and tasty at the same time. Working from home has given me so much more time to experiment with food ( you can check out my other healthy recipes here) and I am trying to make some of my favourite dishes at home. And also, having a 6-year-old makes the task of preparing a healthy yet delicious meal even more challenging, as we all know how choosy children are.

I don’t know why, but any green food screams healthy to me and that’s why pesto has always been my favorite. So, the other day while going through the struggle of deciding what to make for lunch, I decided to make Coriander pesto. It turned out so good that I thought why not share the recipe with you all.

Print Recipe

CORIANDER PESTO RECIPE

Coriander pesto is super easy to make and can be prepared with the ingredients available at home. The best part about pesto is that it is loved equally by both adults and children.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: coriander pesto, pesto, pesto pasta

Servings: 1 Bowl

Calories: 101kcal

Cost: £3 – £4

Equipment

Blender

Ingredients

2 Bowls Coriander
3 Garlic cloves
Salt
5-6 Black peppers
3 tbsp Pine nuts (Can be substituted with walnuts or cashew nuts)
3 tbsp Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tbsp Water
Lemon juice (Optional)

Instructions

Once you have all the ingredients ready with you, put them in a blending jar one ingredient at a time.
After you are done adding all the ingredients in the blending jar, put the lid on and blend all the ingredients until smooth to make beautiful green colored pesto sauce.
Once done, check the consistency and flavors of the sauce. The consistency of the pesto should not be too thick or too runny. If your sauce is too thick add some olive oil and blend again.
After you get the desired consistency and flavors, add some lemon juice to it for some extra kick.
Now that your coriander pesto sauce is ready, you can mix it with boiled pasta of your choice, garnish with sautéed tomatoes and enjoy.

Notes

The pesto can be used in multiple ways. It can be used as a dip, as a sandwich spread and even as a salad dressing
Coriander is rich in immune-boosting antioxidants and has many more health benefits, so this recipe is very healthy.
You can even store the pesto in the fridge in an airtight container for about a week.

So, this is my version of the Coriander pesto recipe. I hope this is helpful and you try it for your next meal.

9 HEALTHY RICE CAKE TOPPING IDEAS

9 healthy and tasty rice cake toppings to satisfy both your sweet and savoury cravings. All these toppings are super easy and are quick to make.

Since the time I have started putting extra emphasis on eating healthy, I am on a constant lookout for new food to try in the kitchen. Making something that is wholesome and also sparks the interest of children is really challenging (all the moms reading this will know). So, the other day while going through the struggle of finding a nutritious snack to munch on, I decided to give the normal rice cake a little twist. I tried 9 different healthy rice cake toppings, both sweet & salty and they turned out so delicious that I had to share the recipe with you.

Here are 9 yummy rice cake topping for your every mood.

Nutella & Banana Rice Cake

Nutella is already everyone’s favorite and when you pair it with bananas you get a super tasty yet healthy combination like this. Spread nutella on the rice cake, top it with banana slices and you are done.

Strawberry Jam & Blueberries Rice cake

Strawberry jam and blueberry rice cake topping

Yummy strawberry jam topped with blueberries, this rice cake has to be kid’s favorite. You can use any jam or berries of your choice to give it a twist.

Almond Butter & Apple Rice Cake

Almond butter and apple rice cake topping

When the goodness of almond butter and apples come together, you get at mouth-watering rice cake topping. You can substitute the almond butter for peanut butter and the results will be just as good.

Raspberry, Nuts & Raisin Rice Cake

Raspberry nuts and raisins rice cake topping

Making a healthy and tasty snack doesn’t get easier than this. Just cut some raspberry and sprinkle some nuts & raisins and enjoy.

Avocado and Tomato Rice Cake

This one is a great substitute for your regular avocado toast. Smash the avocado, add lime juice & salt to it and spread it on the rice cake. Top it with cherry tomatoes, sprinkle some black pepper and voila.

Feta Cheese & Cucumber Rice Cake

Feta cheese and cucumber rice cake topping

The freshness of cucumber, combined with goodness of feta cheese gives us this delish rice cake. Put the feta cheese and cucumber on the rice cake, season with some salt and pepper and get munching.

Cheddar Cheese & Tomatoes Rice Cake

Cheddar cheese and tomato rice cake topping

Cheddar cheese and tomatoes make for such a finger-licking combination. Spread some grated cheddar cheese on the rice cake, top it with cherry tomatoes, add salt & pepper for seasoning and relish this delicious rice cake.

Pesto & Feta Cheese Rice Cake

Have some left over pesto sauce at home? Put it to good use by creating this flavorful rice cake topping. Spread the pesto sauce on the rice cake, add some feta cheese on top and there you have it pesto and feta cheese rice cake.

Cheese Spread and Cucumber Rice Cake

Cheese spread and cucumber rice cake topping

This one is my son’s favorite, because it has cheese spread of course. Put a layer of cheese spread on the rice cake, top it with cucumber slices, add some salt if you want and satisfy your taste buds with this tasty combinations.

Some other rice cake toppings you can try :

Hummus & Cucumber Rice Cake
Nutella & Pumpkin Seeds Rice Cake
Yogurt & Almond Rice Cake
Salsa & Scrambled Eggs Rice Cake
Avocado & Boiled Eggs Rice Cake

These are some of the topping that I tried, you can of course experiment with the things you like and give it your own twist. Hope you liked my ideas and will try them yourself, do let me know if you do. Till then check out more healthy recipes here.

The Nude Pout – 5 Favourite Nude Lipsticks

A nude lip never goes out of style, but the struggle of finding a perfect nude lipstick is real. So, here I bring to you my 5 favourite nude lipsticks for every occasion.

Lipstick is a girl’s best friend and a handbag essential. The nude colour mood means different things to people, and for me, personally, nudes can either be a statement, a neutral component to ground, an otherwise dramatic eye look, or an everyday my-lips-but-better concept.

Here is a peek at the top 5 nudes currently living in my makeup bag:

MAC – Mehr

Described as a blue-toned pink, this soft hue was designed by Mickey Contractor of MAC Cosmetics India. So, while it does suit a variety of skin tones, it is fair to say that Mehr has put an end to the search for the perfect pink nude for Indian skin. The MAC Matte formula is comfortable, does not dry my lips, is pigmented, and the shade is versatileas a daily wear to office or even for a glamourous look.

MAC – Mehr
Price – £17.50
Click here to buy

Clarins Rouge Eclat – Wood Rose

Yet another comfortable daily wear lip colour. The collagen boosting and hydrating formula feel extremely nourishing, and imparts luminosity, for a healthier and fuller pout. The warm brown rose is a great “my lips but better” vibe, and the buildable formula means that you can take it from a medium coverage tint for office to a fully opaque partner to your smokey eye on your night out.

Clarins Rouge Eclat
Price – £20
Click here to buy

Revlon Super Lustrous – Sassy Mauve 463

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Sassy Mauve

A comfortable cream-satin formula and extensive shade range make the Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick an incredibly popular choice for enthusiasts, even amongst its more luxurious peers. As a part of the pink nude family, this particular shade is very comparable to the aforementioned MAC Mehr, except that it is slightly deeper and moodier in hue and the formulation is creamier and luminous that feels extremely nourishing and hydrating.

Revlon Super Lustrous – Sassy Mauve 463
Price – £7.99
Click here to buy

MAC Cremesheen Glass – Candy Box

Sometimes a matte nude lip can lean towards a concealer lip, which can make one look washed out or draining, and feel patchy. And while that is a look in itself, a more approachable and comfortable formula can be a plumping gloss in a shade that is close to your skin tone, giving lips life without much colour. I particularly like wearing this for more informal occasions than office wear. You will find me wearing it when I’m out shopping or running errands, on date nights or at outings with friends.

MAC Cremesheen Gloss – Candy Boc
Price – £10
Click here to buy

Lipstick Queen – Saint Sheer Lipstick in Peachy Natural

Lipstick Queen Saint Sheer Lipstick Peachy Natural

If you are looking for something with minimal effort or fuss, then the Saint Sheer Lipstick range by Lipstick Queen is the one to reach for. I have recently started using the shade Peachy Natural – a soft beige rose in a sheer, balmy, low maintenance and effortless formula. Especially love it now when I’m working from home, but still want to feel put together.

Lipstick Queen – Saint Sheer Lipstick in Peachy Natural
Price – £22.00
Click here to buy

These are the current members of the nude colour family in my makeup arsenal, but I am always open to expanding my collection. So, if you have any recommendations or suggestions, or just want to share your love for lip products, then let’s open a conversation and indulge in some colours, formulae and fun!

Find more makeup reviews and awesome beauty tips and tricks here.