Chiconomical

Nature's Co is one of my absolute favorite subscription box and I always look forward to getting it with much enthusiasm. Every month, these guys come up with new innovative ways to deliver their product and honestly, I haven't once been disappointed in the products, or the "box" or as I like to call it, a faux box. This month' the "box" was a beautifully wrapped basket filled with goodies. It was orange and looked like a wedding present more than a beauty box which made me smile to no end.



Let's break down what I received in this month's Nature's Co Beautywish Box:

1. Rose Hydrating Face Mist: Rs. 42.5 for 10 ml
Face mists are pretty much on everyone's summer list and this little travel friendly sample is probably going to come with me on weekend trips. It's something for those summer days when you feel tired and sleepy. I haven't used it yet (I'm still on my jasmine face mist from last month's MSM Box) but its a nifty little thing to have in your arsenal against summer heat.


2. Aloe Vera After Sun Gel: Rs. 425 for 125 ml
Sunburn is the free prize at the end of long weekends at the beach where you just forgot to apply sunscreen again in all your merriment. The benefits of Aloe Vera are no secret and this full sized product is perfect for soothing those sunburns. I like the idea of gel that gives you the benefits of aloe vera in a tube. Also, if you don't have sunburns, it says it helps with tan too.


3. Apple Guava Hair Cleanser: Rs. 101.5 for 35 ml
I really don't like natural hair cleansers in the sense that sometimes they just don't cleanse enough as compared to regular cleansers. Somehow, they aren't potent enough so I always keep experimenting. This little bottle is the perfect size to judge if this particular product will live up to my expectations. I'll keep you posted on that!


4. Watermelon Exfoliating Body Wash: Rs. 101.4 for 30 ml
Watermelon is the summer wonder fruit and honestly, using it as a body wash is something I've always dreamt off. First, it will help in re-hydrating your skin and second, its antioxidant properties will help pull out toxins and fight free radicals. I've used their Cranberry Body Wash before and I'm expecting great things from this one aswell.


5. Corn Exfoliating Face Pack: Rs. 331.6 for 35 ml
I've never heard about using corn as an exfoliator before. It promises to gentry remove excess oil, de-tan and make the skin softer and brighter. Something I think every girl dreams off. I like this product for its novelty and look forward to trying it out.


6. Orange Bath Salt: Rs. 107.15 for 35 gms
This is a new product by Nature's Co and it smells amazing! Yes, I've had it in my head to pamper myself with a long luxurious bath. I can almost image the fresh feeling that this bath salt will produce and its orange rind will probably make me a happy lady. I'll let you know once I try it out!


I also received a voucher to buy "Unlaunched" Stay Quirky nail colors with a personalised name etched on the bottle. Since I'm not a very big fan of nailpaint, I haven't used it yet. I'm happy with the products I got this month. Most of these are very relevant and can be used to beat the heat this summer. The face pack and the body wash quite literally fit into the detox theme this month.

1. Ice-cream print Halter Neck Bikini Top: Rs. 330
Okay, if I had only a place to wear this to, it would already be mine! Nothing says summer like ice-cream and if its a print on a bikini, well, I don't think it gets more summer than this! I absolutely love the quirkyness of this print and the price is cheaper than most bras anyway. If you're going on a tropical holiday, get.it.now!!

2. Contrast Trim Maxi Skirt: Rs. 385
White skirts are a must for summers and the little bit of contrast details on this make it different from the regular heat beater skirts. This is a great piece that can be worn to the beach with that lovely bikini top I suggested up top or with a nice t-shirt to a casual weekend brunch. Either way, this skirt will probably cost less than your brunch anyway!

3. Orange Peplum Top: Rs. 400
Can't find a top to go with the skirt I suggested above? Well fret not, you can find a nice peplum top that can be worn pretty much to any ocassion. Really, I'm not kidding. A peplum can be styled for almost any ocassion depending on the pieces you pair it with. This is a bright piece that will earn its price a million times over!

4. Black Stone Bib Necklace: Rs. 400

Yes, you'll probably get it at a cheaper rate if you hit the streets. However, if you're reading this after a long day as you sit in your PJs and have Marvin Gaye playing in the background, you deserve to get yourself at a pretty necklace. Go ahead, get it now. It will probably be much cheaper if you're anything like me and can't stop yourself at just one piece when shopping on the streets.

5. Thong Sandals: Rs. 445
Yet another summer must-have, these thong sandals will be the perfect companion on your tropical holiday. Even if you aren't planning one, get these just for the fact that you feet need to breathe in summers and also, a perfect way to show off your neon nailpaint! These are a complete bargain and will make you and your feet happy through the summer!

PS: I do realise that most of the items on this list are from Koovs, but since they do have the nicest sales online when it comes to Indian audiences, I can't help but list them down! And no, Koovs has not paid me for this post, this is purely for the benefit of you all my lovely readers! 

The May My Envy Box comes in an absolutely tropical looking box that instantly makes me want to ditch my boring life for a summer getaway. It's a bright yellow box with the nicest bird (I like looking at birds yes) and tropical flora and fauna on it. Well, that's my favorite part of the box this month! I really think they put in a lot of effort in every month's box and they're almost a collectible now.
Anyway, my tropical musings aside lets talk about the content of this month's My Envy Box.


1. Island Kiss Lip Moisturizer: Rs. 499 for 14 gm
This 100% natural, berry cheeky tint just screams summer. Right from the packaging to the distinct shade, its something any lady on a tropical holiday (dear god, let that be me please) should have in her carry-all. I somehow have a feeling I'm gonna try and use it on my cheeks too, just as a nice natural blush (Yes, I'm a little mental that way).

2. Gulnare Handmade Skincare - Seaflo Face Wash: Rs. 350 for 120 ml
Yes, another face wash. I do think I won't be needing to buy any face washes this year. I heard about Gulnare last month or so when I received it in my Sugarbox and so this full sized product is a welcome addition to my facewash collection. Handmade skincare...hmm....something that's a bit of luxury for a girl like me tbh but then I think the prices are quite reasonable too. What do you think?

3. Votre Botanical Toning Mist: Rs. 400 for 50 ml
Toning mist is something I've never used before. So this product that boasts about maintaining my skin's pH and give it a naturally toned refreshed feeling, is a nice novelty. Also, for anyone like me who simply can't keep track of all the cotton needed to use a regular toner, a spray on mist is a definite plus.

4. Roots and Above - Lemon Essential Oil: Rs. 75 for 10 ml
First of all, this bottle was already half empty/evaporated (?) when I received the box. Secondly, for an oil that's supposed to basically be a miracle cure for pretty much all problems a girl faces, its rather sticky and smelly. Yes, I know those are terrible things to judge a product on, but I can't even get past the strong smell of it to get myself to use it. A miss for me.


5. Kiehls Special Gift Voucher
So this is something I'm going to look forward to! This voucher promises a personalised skin consultation as well as free samples at my nearest Kiehls store. Well, I guess we all know what I'm going to be doing this sunday!
Overall, this month's My Envy Box was average for me. The content somehow didn't live up to the excitement created by the lovely appearance of the box. I am not very sure what I expected, but I somehow expected to instantly feel like I'm a tropical holiday by looking at the content which I did not. So yes, not as happy as last month. Still, a pretty good mix this month. Just wish they'd added maybe one more product.

Did you like this month's My Envy Box? Tell me in the comments below.

May has made us feel the very real fury of mother nature. Honestly, I don't think there's anyone out there who doesn't struggle with getting their best face forward in this fiery weather and that's why this month's MSM box has the perfect theme!


This month, the box comes packed full of goodies that sensible and extremely useful. Honestly, I've already started using atleast 3 things I received this month and that just goes to show how relevant it is unlike last month when I was just a little disappointed. Anyway, onto the goodies!

1. Sara Herbals Photoderm SPF 30: Rs. 275
This is pretty much a summer must have. A sunscreen is lifesaver and while I use only Neutrogena since I don't think any others suit my skin (horrible breakouts on using most till date) I do think I'll give this a try. Judgement reserved for now, but I can definitely appreciate the full sized product that goes to show the thought behind the packing this month.


2. Saante Rose Lip Balm: Rs. 250
Lips! Often ignored during summers till you have that not so pretty parched look. This little lip balm is the perfect size to slip into your bag everyday and looks lovely on the lips too. Also, just look at the color, isn't it the prettiest of pink?

3. Yves Rocher Sebo Vegetal Trio: (Purity Mask, Mattifying Gel and Zero Blemish Gel Cream): Rs. (13.33 + 17 + 160 ) ie Rs. 190.33
Okay, so this is definitely a luxury product in my book. I have never in my life tried any products from Yves Rocher and I'm almost too afraid to try these samples out since I feel I wouldn't even know how to use them correctly, let alone see their effects. However, I still will bite the bullet and do it and I know this is a pure indulgence item, atleast for me.


4. SoulTree Soap Free Face Wash, 30ml : Rs. 73.75
I've already started using this and do think I'll invest in a full sized product once I've finished all my face washes (I do seem to be adding to my stock these days!). This bottle came with me on my weekend trip with my officemates and gives you an instantly clean, fresh feeling. A definite winner for me.

5. Natural Bath & Body, Skin & Scent Duo: (Couldn't find the price, sorry folks)
I'm not exactly happy with this product but that could of course, just be me. MSM box gave me a face mist last month and if I think about using this with it, I'd smell like a garden, in a not very good way. So yes, this was a miss for me.




6. TIENS Intensto Kajal in Electric Blue: Rs. 395
So this month, I renewed my subscription and received a bonus product which is this electric blue eyeliner. Honestly, I tried it out and its a little too shiny for me, but hey, I've never had a blue liner so this is such a nice addition to my growing makup stock! Stay tuned to see me try it out soon in a look post.


All in all, I'm very impressed with this month's MSM box. They've taken care of everything that could be needed to set forth you're best face this summer! I'd say you should definitely give this month's MSM box a try!

The May Fab Bag is themed summer escapde and while this is something I've been dreaming about since the start of summer, the bag doesn't exactly live up to its theme. This month, the Fab Bag comes in a neon green,clear plastic bag which simply reminnds me of the little pouches they sell on the local trains in Mumbai. It doesn't impress me that much but I do think it can be used to store your bath essentials, so it does have some reuse value.


Onto the products in this month's Fab Bag, lets take a look at what I got!

1. Nyassa Tea Tree Face Wash: Rs. 82.75 for 30ml

Tea tree face washes are a crowd favorite these days. While I've heard everyone I know rave about the Body Shop Tea Tree face wash, I really haven't yet tried it simply because I find the Body Shop products to be very expensive. Instead, I'd much rather find a street substitute for it and I think this face wash will be an interesting contender. This deluxe sized sample should be enough to give me a good idea about its results. So a good product in this month's Fab Bag.


2. Inveda Sunscreen Cream Gel: Rs. 250 for 75 ml
I've already raved about how much I liked the Inveda  BB cream when I received the sample sized product in last month's MSM box so of course I'm glad to get this in this month's fab bag. Its 100% veg, paraben free and isn't tested on animals! This is a product I think everyone would be happy with, no matter what type of makeup products they opt for.



3. Cuccio Naturale Butter Blend Duo: Rs. 302 for two tubes of 9.24 g each:
So body butter is something that everyone seems to have jumped on recently. This month in the May Fab Bag, I received two tubes of body butter, one in milk and honey and another in papaya and guava. I particularly like the delightful smell and travel friendly sized. The packaging is a little too strange for my taste and I am not very sure if giving a rich body butter is the right thing for a summer beauty bag.



4. Seasoul Dual Eyeshadow Palette (SS11): Rs. 900
The Seasoul eye palette is something I absolutely love in this month's Fab Bag. The colors are dark and light purple which I would never go out and buy on my own, That's why, its such a delight to receive this product and while I haven't tried it out yet, I'm just waiting for that nice dinner invite where I can take it out for a glam test run!


And that's it folks! That's all I got in the May "Summer Escapade" Fab Bag. While its got some good items individually, like I said, I wasn't completely sold on the bag as a whole. Somehow, the theme didn't come through for me in the products and I honestly wish they'd made a little more effort to customise the bag to summer's needs. All in all, if you have a chance, you could give this month's bag a miss.

One joys of having a hectic corporate career is that you do have a lot more money than the time when you were a student, albeit fewer opportunities to enjoy spending that money. Also, there are a lot more practical things and mundane that have to be considered such as laundry. Believe me, when you're a "corporate" (I really am starting to hate that word), you can't just throw things in the washer and and expect them to be grand. There's a process to cleaning all those blazers and fancy silk shirts you end up wearing to work and you simply don't have the time.

MINK Laundry, enter stage left. So right before I left for Kolkata, the guys at MINK got in touch with me asking me if I'd like to review their services. Back then, still a dewey eyed newcomer in the crazy working world, I just wasn't sure if the rates they charged were worth it. I mean, couldn't I simply find someone in my neighbourhood to do it? Well, cut back to present day when I've completed a short stint working crazy hours and still of course dressing like I'm about to conquer the world, one meeting at a time. (yes, not as crazy as the Masters days but then, you could wear the back of your closet old tshirt to work and nobody would object). I came back and when they asked me if I was ready to review it since I was back in the city, I readily agreed.



MINK is a pre-eminent laundry service that aims to remove all the hassle associated with finding someone take care of your (usually crazy expensive) clothes alongwith of course all the stains and grime. They're a startup by a few guys from IIT-B and they're just a few months old. They promise to provide personalised care to all your garments and honestly, are the easiest way to get everything perfectly laundered with just a quick call/a few clicks. I was offered to launder 3 garments so I decided to send my silk top that was ruined when I lent it to a friend and she partied a little to hard, my blazer that's been worn uncountable number of times and my extra precious woolen top that was a life-saver during winters.
Since they're still growing, they only offer pickups in certain parts of Mumbai. When I asked them if they catered to the area I live in, I was told they were launching a service there that week! Yay!! I immediately went on their website (which is really very easy to navigate, good job guys) and scheduled a pickup for Sunday morning. (Yes, this is a good thing cos most people like me only have the weekends off). I got a call very soon to confirm the pickup timings and I was very impressed to see that the pickup happened within the time-frame I was given. The executive who came by to pickup my items was very courteous and had separate garment bags ready for each of my items. He also asked me if I had some specific concerns or stains I wanted them to focus on and then finally gave me a receipt as a proof of pickup. He actually forgot to ask me how I wanted the items delivered but came back within a couple of minutes to ask me if I wanted the items folded or hung (I think that's the correct term, maybe). Since I had given my blazer, I asked them to hang that and fold the rest. He told me it would take around 3-4 days and they would get in touch once the items were ready.



Cut back to later that week and I got a call around Thursday saying all my clothes were ready for delivery and when should they drop them by. Since my weekend plans were a little dicey, I asked them to call me on Saturday morning to confirm the delivery time. Sadly, I wasn't able to answer their calls (they called me around 2-3 times) and they sent a message asking me when they should schedule a delivery. Thankfully, I was able to work out a suitable time for delivery this weekend and man, I was so very impressed with the things I received!

So do they deliver?? Well, yes and no. Honestly, they weren't able to get the white silk top completely clean which was a shame. However, the stain I was most worried about is much lighter and here's hoping another couple of washes and it'll disappear. Having said that, they did a fabulous job with my blazer and wollen top which is still ultra soft and comfy so big points for that!

My verdict? If you want a premium laundry service without any hassle and excellent customer care (and of course don't mind paying the ultra high rates for it), choose MINK. Or if you're just like me and simply can't find the time to select a good laundry, I'd say give them a try. Not the cheapest but definitely the nicest experience I've had with a laundry till date!

(Note: This is a sponsored post. However, all the views mentioned are my own. Details of the sponsorship? Well, while the above costs are as per the costs on the website, these costs were borne by the good folks at MINK for the purposes of this review. )

No matter how many pretty and trendy dresses I wear, I'm always a uber geek and crazy fangirl at heart. My love for Doctor Who is something that all my friends know and if they don't they're probably not good friends in the first place! (I'm not kidding, if you don't know I want to make little Matt Smith babies after talking to me for over a day, I don't think we can be friends).

Anyway, one thing I face now that I've slowly transitioned into the corporate world is that I can't simply wear my old tshirts even on casual fridays without looking like a child. (damn, its a pain being a grown up isn't it!) Of course the fashion lover + crazy fangirl in me has found a simple way around this! Honestly, I've steadily been building my blazer collection. The simplest way to look grown-up yet keep the child in you alive is to just shrug on a blazer! This look is just a casual Friday look when I'm feeling the love for The Doctor (that's what you call the doctor who lead character in case you didn't know) but still have to go be a grown up at work.



I love red blazers since I believe they instantly make a look brighter, and everyone needs a little brightness at work right? Plus, this tshirt, that was a present from a friend is pure love! I almost don't wear it as much as I want to in fear of ruining it. Honestly, I'm pretty sure Matt Smith (okay, and Colin Morgan too, but then that's a whole other story) could turn me into a puddle if he ever appeared in front of me IRL so this tshirt is precious. (Pretty much everything I wont that's doctor who related is extremely precious). Oh well, fan-girling aside, this look can be replicated by using all your favorite pieces from your wardrobe with little or zero investment and still give an interesting twist to that funky tshirt you never wear to work.