Exclusive Buffet Dinner at Rs.649 at COSME, Levana Suites Lucknow

Some people eat to live, others live to eat! Well, I live to commit foodie gluttony as not a single second goes by without thinking of the dishes I've not got my hands on! And so, nothing satisfies me like a lavish buffet done right with a variety of dishes and unlimited rounds of them under 700 bucks, that too at a luxury property. I'm talking about this newly launched hotel by the king of hotel chains in Lucknow - LEVANA SUITES. This swanky new property is the 'current talk of the town', and I'd been eyeing upon their lavish spread of dinner buffet since forever, which is laid every WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY, from 7:30 PM onwards, at COSME - the multi-cuisine, fine-dine restaurant.

So, upon my recent visit to the hotel, I was delighted to see the huge spread in front of my eyes, and gorged upon all that I could. I was welcomed with 1 complimentary drink (I chose a mocktail, you can pick yours from the wide selection). Started my meal with a bowl of Manchow Soup, and gradually started filling my tummy with the salads, and main course from North Indian & Chinese cuisines, and more to choose from.

COSME - the all day dining restaurant offers an array of dishes in their dinner buffet. Though I tried my favorites - Dal Tadka, Sarso Saag, Kadhai Paneer, Dum Aloo, Assorted Breads, Hakka Noodles and Manchurian. Needless to say, everything tasted wonderful! For me, good food is everything, and I'm glad that the chefs at Levana have a great knowledge of what they're serving to their guests. The dinner included best of colour, texture and flavours, blended perfectly to make the dishes appear 'out of this world'.

Manchow Soup

Spread of Salads

Dal Tadka

Sarso Saag

Kadhai Paneer

Dum Aloo

Hakka Noodles

Manchurian

Even though I gobbled all the food, I certainly had to save some space for desserts from their huge section to savour! I mean, you just can't miss the delectable treats at COSME, Levana Suites. They've got a perfect amalgamation of western and Indian desserts and you'd be waving with appreciation as soon as you taste them!

It's a task picking your favorites from the wide selection. From variety of Puddings, to Cakes, to Rum Balls to Moong Dal Halwa and Gulab Jamuns, I couldn't resist trying them all (just a bite of each for that matter). Just the right amount of sweetness added, which leaves you feel pleasantly smiling after a great food celebration.

Strawberry Cake

Chocolate Rum Balls

Gulab Jamun

Moong Dal Halwa

Talking of the interiors at COSME, the entire installation is a treat for the eyes! Today, eating out is often a high-drama opportunity to immerse yourself in not only good food and conversation, but in a vibe that makes the humdrum everyday world feel far, far away. And keeping up to that, the restaurant has a perfectly well-lit seating area with perfectly shaped and squashiness of the dining chairs to the exact shade and texture of the wallpaper. I love how the bar is touched with modernity and class and the ceiling is all of abstract! Kudos to the designer for blending a vibrant fine-dine with a hint of subtle marble. 

To end, if you're planning some meetings, get-togethers or family time anytime sooner, you must check out Levana Suites and hog upon their Exclusive Buffet Dinner at Rs.649 + taxes. Highlights : You can enjoy a mesmerising instrumental LIVE performance every Saturday.

For enquiries and table reservations, call : +91 7518800901 or check out Facebook.



~xoxo~

Funkyween : No Costume Halloween

"Change the game, don't let the game change you!" - Macklemore

Been saying this for years, Halloween parties are not my thing. Spooky costumes, scary music has never been of my interest, but with the urge of gaining new experiences and adapting to different ideas, I've learnt to give everything a shot! But, like always it has to be my way or no way. I get it, Halloween is all about turning the everyday on its head, being dead when you’re not, wearing your underwear in public and calling it a costume even though it's really cold. Certainly I am not doing that, though with Halloween approaching in just 2 days, I know people are working on their outfits to look crazy AF! However, I have my own way of looking glorious for a Halloween eve that I plan to attend. 

I never like to dress up extravagant and go out-of-the-box making efforts to look stylish. Each one of us has a different way to make him/herself stand out of the crowd while being comfortable in their own skin. My personal style is minimalistic and I love carrying outfits that speak more of what I am than what I might try being. For Halloween, I have created a simple yet classy look while adding some funk to it! Scroll down for complete details..

top, leggings : Pantaloons | boots : H&M | choker : ProLeather | sunglasses : Amazon

With Halloween around the corner, it's only natural to look entertainment for costume inspiration. But if you're a person like me - lazy, carefree, fundamental, you know uncultured costumes aren't for us. You are going to look stunning with what you have in your wardrobe, just like how I knew and picked out a turquoise blue side-shoulder top and paired it with black lace leggings! The lace gives elegance to the entire look while the colour of top being an unusual one, looked raw and gorgeous. I chose to add some spice to the outfit with a hot pink broad sized choker that covered my entire neck but appeared graceful and unconventional at the same time! Needless to say, it looks fancy. Also, I snugged into my black suede boots, keeping it sleek and comfortable for the eve. It's a lot of dancing so you know you gotta stay unworried. PS : The sunnies are optional but they look absolutely mesmerising!

To complete the look, my MUA gave me lose curls to add definition to my hair, making my face look sleeker, while she also added some pop glam with subtle colours while painting my face with makeup keeping it sumptuous and swanky. The bright pink lips look even cooler because of the neon coloured choker and compliment each other!

Let's get on tricking with no costume this Halloween and still treat ourselves with the pleasure we all deserve. Go out, dress fun, stay comfy, stun for run! I hope you all liked this look. For more, connect with me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and for my daily whereabouts, add me on Snapchat (username : shubhigarg04). May you have a great Halloween! Until next, love and luck.

Photographed by : Madhukant Tripathi | Makeup by : Simran Taneja

~xoxo~

Lots of Love - India's premium kids' couture label by Sonakshi Goyal

Hello ladies, Its been long that I've asked you, but I really really hope y'all are doing good. With that, I welcome you back here and thank you for reading and loving my posts with all your heart. I've been talking fashion past 2 years now, and many a times in between I've received questions about kids' style trends but having less knowledge about it back then, I had kept it on hault! But, a few days back when one of my designer friends messaged me informing about her new venture - LOTS OF LOVE, which is a premium designer label for kids, I instantly wanted to get her on board and do a feature! Hence, this post. 

The world of fashion is taking a new generation by storm. And this generation is young, small and tender. Kids fashion is becoming big, getting all the attention from designers, companies and well yes the parents. Looking at the growing trend and need for premium designer wear kids clothing, Sonakshi Goyal, alumni of ISDI Parsons, has launched her first kids clothing brand with a vision of changing the face of kid’s fashion in India. Lots of Love, as a brand presents an exclusive line of kid’s couture in the country. Sticking to the vibrant hues, the brand presents over a wide range of products with trendy styles, printed patterns, austere style of outfit and comfy dresses from color block clothes to mannish dressing.

Today, each one of us want to dress fashionably, and with that all mothers want their kids to look the most stylish as well. Remember when Aishwarya Rai Bachchan took her daughter to the recent Cannes Film Festival and all eyes shadowed the little Aradhya Bachchan, who looked nothing less pretty than her queen mom. Lots of Love, as the name suggests, designs all clothes for kids with absolute care and love in couture edition to make your lovely girls look tiny tinsels and pretty princesses!

From casual knitwear, block prints, to semi-formal and formal (party and prom dresses), in pastel and bold colors with soft and sparkling hues respectively, the label provides you with all types of ready-made garments with the best and comfy fabric quality for your kids. Its easy and hassle-free to select your kids' size and place orders on the website : www.lotsoflovekids.com! The orders are free from delivery charges, and reach always on time, which is yet another reason for you to trust the brand.

With the growing needs of kid’s fashion, it is now becoming popular to dress your mini-hipster in the current trends. Working women especially, these days faces a lot of problems while shopping for their kids and to keep up to the up-town fashion. And for that very reason, Lots of Love caters to all your problems, by providing a platform to make your shopping experience one of a kind!

Lots of Love definitely is a one-stop-shop for kids clothing. It’s your choice how you want to dress up your kid, if you want to follow the trend or if a subtle style is more your thing, I'm sure they have got something for everyone, which you will love. Also, style experts from Lots of Love share different styling tips for each product so as to make your kid a trendsetter! All the more better? Yeah!

Check out the Lots of Love website here : www.lotsoflovekids.com

Find them on Facebook HERE, Instagram HERE and Pinterest HERE.

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If you're looking out for stylish clothing for kids, you must check out the website and try out their newest collection! Also, share this article with other moms to sort their lives a little! ;) Until next time, lots of love.

~xoxo~ 

Parts of content and all pictures provided by Lots of Love

Women Hygiene : Stand & Pee FUD + Period Pain Relief Patch

For many many years, we women have got jealous over the fact that men can stand and pee, but we girls can't! Thanks to the inventors of the toilets who allowed the guys to just zip down, pull out their weenies and pee anywhere. Its actually so much unhygienic because they don't even care to wash it many a times like that! Whereas, we girls always have to sit on a toilet seat and pee (or for women who pee on the side of highways in emergency while travelling, have to sit as well, say hiding behind the bushes). I know, it might sound bizarre and so gross, but that's how it is, right?

On the other hand, men can pee sitting down, but few people realise that women can actually stand up while doing their business! If you’re interested, there are devices in the market to help you get done. PEE BUDDY is one such product site that sells these amazing Female Urination Devices (FUD) which help women to STAND & urinate in all public & common toilets; which helps minimize germs, is effective, and reduces the risk of coming into contact with your own urine.

Made in India, PeeBuddy is India’s first portable, disposable FUD. It is a revolutionary product for women who hate dirty toilets when travelling or work or leisure or those with medical condition. Using PeeBuddy, you can simple STAND & PEE and avoid all UTIs/Infections/Yucky Experiences at dirty toilets. It is made of cardboard, and comes with simple open-place-pee-throw instructions and is very convenient to use with no spills.

How To Use : 

Step 1 : OPEN

Gently Press the top front and back to POP open the PeeBuddy.

Step 2 : PLACE

Move panties aside. Place the open end of the funner / PeeBuddy between your legs right under the flow area.

Step 3 : PEE

Tilt hips / bend a little, ensure the funnel is tilted downwards. Relax and Pee.

Step 4 : THROW

Dispose off in the bin.

While the concept may be new to you, European women have used female urination devices for years. Peebuddy is India's first FUD, but not the first device of its kind. I myself have used it on my recent travel trips, and I have loved it. And I think you’ll agree it’s easily the best! Using PeeBuddy helps you stay away from infections, UTI etc. No more wiping of seat, no more squats, no more holding it in. 

Priced at Rs. 200 for 10 Funnels in 1 Pack - Check out for larger packs and prices on the website :  www.peebuddy.in!

Use code : WELCOME15  for 15% discount.

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The second product that I want to share about is a Period Pain Relief Patch by Sirona, available on PEEBUDDY. These patches are 100% herbal and are the must for women during those monthly troublesome days. Many of us during period pain tend to consume various pain killers in forms of liquid or tablets which after a while starts affecting our body miserably. I personally avoid consuming them because I know the ill-effects! You would suggest using a hot water bottle, but let me bring it to your notice that it's impossible for women to carry it everywhere, every time!

So, on my recent look out for something new and easy-to-carry, and easy-to-use to cure my pain, I came across this Pain Relief Patch that works on the simple formula - relaxing the muscles and providing discrete, continuous and non-messy relief from pain and muscle cramps.

How To Use : 

Step 1 : OPEN

Take out the strip from cover.

Step 2 : PEEL

Peel off the protective liner from the cuts in the middle.

Step 3 : PLACE

Place it uniformly over the pain affected area.

Step 4 : THROW

Dispose in the bin after use.

Well, I would highly recommend using this patch during pain in the lower abdomen or lower back, and cramps. It has done wonders for me and has made my life so easy, and I hope you can say the same for yourself after using it during your periods next month maybe?!

Priced at Rs. 292 for 5 Patches in 1 Pack - Check out for larger packs and prices on the website :  www.peebuddy.in!

Use code : WELCOME15  for 15% discount.

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If you liked reading this post and felt it's useful enough, please share it across with your girl friends and help them overcome some hygiene and pain problems. After all, that's what friends are for!

~xoxo~

Ethnicity & Pride with AuthIndia

Indian culture is known for its diversity the all over the globe, with ethnic clothing being just one of the things that distinguishes one part of India from the other. The traditional Indian attire has earned admirers from people from all over, with highlights of the craftsmanship with which artisans create traditional dresses, which of course is incredible! Coming to my love for Indian wear, its new. I usually opted to carry kurtas on occasions previously, but with my recent admiration to the ethnic embroidery and its various versions had me fall deep in love with it! Well, not just the clothing but Indian jewelry is another thing that has managed to make a place for itself in my ethnic collection.

With tons and tons of online shopping brands mushrooming in India, its hard to find your kinda ethnic styles both in clothes and jewelry under one website, but stumbling upon AUTHINDIA recently, I knew there's something for everyone! Be it young girls, middle age women or your beloved grannies having lived half of their life already, AuthIndia caters to each and every female with hundreds of apparel and jewelry designs with latest ethnic trends! 

"Striving to explore the authentic handmade products, cutting across the length and breadth of India and fishing out the most splendid and exquisite handicrafts to the reach of your houses" is their foremost motive. In my favorite jewelry section, they have minakari jhumkas, to pachi and kundan earrings (starting from 250/- onwards), and not forgetting the amazing handcrafted terracotta necklace set (starting from 300/- onwards) that suits all age women aptly. 

Pink Pachi Jhumka (325/-)

Pachi Drop Earrings (300/-)

Terracotta Gold-Black Necklace Set (450/-)

The best part about terracotta jewelry is, that you can match them with any of your favorite kurti or a saree, or any traditional outfit. It stays for long, and are quite light weighted. Available in traditional & trendy designs with a glossy finish to them.

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Authindia, as the name suggests, is a brand that contains authentic Indian handicrafts, which also includes a wide range of ethnic apparels like kurtis, saree, dupattas! Since I like to dress simple and casual, a beautiful long kurti in blue with chikankaari was my pick from the website. A pure cotton fabric with hand embroidered in chikan in orange both front and back, the kurti looked fabulous when paired with a plain white pair of leggings and accessorized with the pink pachi jhumkas and heels! Belonging to the city of Lucknow, where the exclusive chikan embroidery was  fashioned, I have a different attachment to it, and its astonishing to find an entire section of chikan kurtis on the AuthIndia site selling so many different lengths, colors and embroideries!

Blue Chikan Kurti with Orange Embroidery (599/-)

Complete Outfit Details

kurti, earrings : AuthIndia | leggings : Lyra | heels : StreetStyleStore | rings : Myntra

Please Note : From chikan embroidered sarees and suits from Lucknow, hand-loom sarees from every state of India, handmade jewellery, Kutch embroidery bags of Gujarat and colorful & unique handicrafts, diversified home decor items made of eco-friendly materials from all over the country, AuthIndia as a brand brings you lots and lots of stuff to make your shopping worth every penny you spend!

I really hope you liked reading this post. I feel, as a fashion and lifestyle influencer, I have been bringing a lot of unnoticed brands to you. It would be a pleasure to know your experiences on the websites I keep sharing about, including this new one as I'm talking of here. And, may you have a great time shopping!

Photographed by : Yash Athwani  |  Location : Cappuccino Blast Mall Avenue

~xoxo~

Tulip & Blush (ft. Stalkbuylove & Aarna Designs)

"Make it simple, but significant." — Don Draper

The quote above helps me remind you that I have always been a lazy girl when it comes to dressing, but I make sure whenever I dress up, it gets its own kinda appreciation. My personal style has never been fancy or over-the-top. Its pretty simple, easy and elegant, and people who've met me know it well! But, I really have a thing for indo-western clothing, and as with the years Indian styles have got boring, Indian women like me decide to mix and match cuts, fabric, necklines, waistlines, embellishments and various other technicalities, to form an entirely different kind of clothing that would suit modern needs and satisfy today’s tastes!

So, bringing together a few pieces from different online brands, I've managed to construct a look that's booming a trend this season with Tulip Pants. With its forgiving silhouette – billowing on top, narrow at the ankles, and with layers of airy fabric, these pants have become the home of traditional summer classics. They are not as baggy as the salwar, but still airy enough to beat this heat. It comes in a range of fabric from lawn to cotton, and silk or chiffon. It certainly gives a hippy feel but is graceful at the same time! Check out the entire look below.. 

top : Koovs | tulip pants : StalkBuyLove | heels : Steve Madden | rings : H&M | earrings : Aarna Designs

We all know, that indo-western trend offers umpteen choices for fashion savvy shoppers who are ready to experiment with variations in styles. Not only are they stylish, but also make the wearer to stand out in the crowd. A similar add-on is the tulip pants that gets quite true when you try it with simple tops! Tulip pants are another version of dhoti pants as we widely know about in India, from Pakistan. These are mostly paired with kaftan tops and kurtas, but ofcourse in other places its more of a free-will to pair it with shorter pieces!

I chose to pick a pair of blush pink tulip pants from StalkBuyLove, one of my favorite clothing brands of all times. They have such stunning summer pieces that keep my eyes rolling! Teamed it up with a solid black, full sleeved crop top from Koovs and glitter heels from Steve Madden (mind you, I love buckles, they help me stay in place). Accessories being an important part of the indo-western styling, had be going in for over sized bohemian earrings from Aarna Designs, with multi-colored tassels with pink popping out the most, and mirrors that reflected shine along with a few metallic finger rings from H&M. Best fitted for a season party or Indian functions, this look is for the girls who often want to ditch the regular kurta salwar, and opt for something creative and stylish!

PS : I went in for a subtle summer makeup that looked perfect for both day and night events. A fresh pink face with little glitter on the eyes, bright pink lips and midtone contouring! More like a diva, eh?

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If you liked this look, please drop a comment telling me the same. Also, share it across with your girl friends and make them aware about how this new trend of tulip pants can stun the world! Follow me on facebook, instagram and snapchat (username : shubhigarg04) for more OOTDs!

Photographed by : Creativity Studio  |  Makeup by : Divya Vishnani


~xoxo~