Experience an American style bistro in Kolkata with 8th Day Cafe and Bakery

If sitting by the window and sipping coffee while you read a nice book or simply seeing the world go by is your idea of relaxing, then the city's newest 8th Day Cafe and Bakery is the right place for you !

Coffee at 8th Day Cafe and Bakery

Started by Grant Walsh about 5 months back, the cafe introduces the charm of an American cafe in Kolkata. Housed in a white heritage building off AJC Bose road, this quiet little cafe is perfect for rainy afternoons when you probably just like to spend some quality time with your loved one.

Blackboard style menu at 8th Day Cafe and Bakery

With pristine white walls, blackboard style menu French windows overlooking the street and the friendly staff, the ambiance at the 8th day cafe make sure you get the best experience and much more.There are boards games, live music performances on some evenings as well. The american style cafe has some of the best brewed coffee and the a huge variety of teas on offer.

Varieties of tea at 8th Day Cafe and Bakery

The cafe offers a streamlined menu as the focus is on fresh ingredients and quality. As Walsh himself mentions, They would like to offer their best and would not compromise on the experience. The cafe offers handmade breads and bagel. Walsh himself makes sure that you enjoy your time at the cafe. If you walk in the morning, you might have Walsh himself coming to your table to say a quick hello. Such a superb gesture !

Through the live shows, Walsh plans to promote local talent and highlight Kolkata's flavour to his guests. The cafe attracts a lot of foreigners as the ambiance makes them feel at home.

Chocolate Chip cookie

Cinnamon Roll

Here are some of their bestselling items:

 My recommendation: You have to try out this cafe for sure. The friendly staff will make sure you come back regularly. Overall, A good place to spend some quality time with your loved ones or with oneself.

Get the power of high speed with Airtel4G

I am sure we all have heard about Airtel rolling out its 4G services nationally. But do we really understand how powerful is 4G?

Internet these days has a host of benefits. It has made my life so much more simpler. On days when I do not have a running internet connection, my life feels incomplete. Browsing through new products online to checking the best deals, internet banking which allows me to access my funds easily from the comfort of my home, online ticket bookings without having to stand in a queue, getting entertained at such cheap rates, I have increasingly become dependent on the internet. Social networking has added yet another dimension to it. Though most of my friends are miles away, I don’t feel it at all, thanks to Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and Skype. All thanks to this, people are easily getting into long distance relationships and even marriages. It is so much easier to stay connected with your parents when you are staying away. Constant Whatsapp messages and Skype calls every day was a savior.

How many times have we wanted to watch a movie but because of constant buffering, we gave up the idea? I am sure we all have become impatient at that time when we wanted to be entertained but only got to see an irritating message of the video loading! How many times have we wanted to browse through some shopping websites on the go but couldn't do it because of the time it takes to load the products on the site?

We all have gone through the phase in our life. Phew!!!

But thankfully with Airtel4G, those days are far behind. What’s better is that they are offering 4G services at the price of 3G. Being the first telecom provider to provide the service, they are reaching out to 296 cities. 

I plan to lay my hands on this service soon. If I get my hands on Airtel4G, I would use it download loads of movies and e-books. I travel a long distance to reach my office. I would use my travelling time to watch movies and read books. But with 3G services and the constant buffering, I get bored and give up the idea. I used to download movies in advance and keep it stored on my phone. But it started using up a lot of phone and SD card memory. So, I have stopped doing that. But with Airtel4G, I can live stream movies and watch at my convenience. It should be a lot of fun. Imagine when you have a lovely movie as a companion when stuck in a traffic jam. Total win –win situation!

Getting a 4G SIM has also been made extremely convenient. All you need to do is tweet #GetAirtel4G and the SIM will be delivered at your doorstep.

The idea of high-speed internet connection, made so convenient to achieve and made easily accessible to you sounds like a superb idea :)

  

Give your favourite people a surprise once in a while :)

I love surprises. I remember the number of times my parents have gone out of their way to give me a nice surprise on any regular day just to make me feel extra special. Occasions like birthdays, good results, Rakhi and Children's Day have always been extra special and my parents never missed any opportunity to give me that extra push of love! P.S Yes, I got gifts from my dad every Rakhi so that I never miss out on the love of a brother :) 

I always feel blessed to have parents like them in my life :) #Touchwood !!

One day while watching a movie on the go, I suddenly came up with an idea of surprising them. It wasn't Mom's or Dad's birthday or their anniversary. Yet I came up with an idea of sending across something nice to them just to make them feel a little special. I had heard rave reviews about Ferns N Petals. They are a website from where you can order cakes, cupcakes, flowers, teddies for your loved ones. They have special gift packages for special occasions like Valentines' Day, Rakhi etc as well. 

I ordered an eggless Black Forest cake for them and got it delivered in the evening when I was sure both of them will be at home. Well, ordering something from the site was quite a challenging task :P

They have a huge catalog to choose from. So, make up your mind before going through the options as it will be difficult to single out one product will be extremely difficult.

By the time I came home from work, the person had already delivered the cake at my place. My parents were pleasantly surprised and the look on their face was priceless! Initially, I did not tell them that I had ordered the cake, so they kept on wondering who and why some delivered a cake for them :P 

But when they saw me, they understood everything :) They couldn't think of a reason. Nevertheless, they loved the idea. All of us savoured the cake in the evening with tea. The evening was a memorable one with loads of gossip, old memories and loads of laughter, I love such evenings. It is the perfect stressbuster after a hard day at work. Nothing can beat the comfort of home and the feeling of security that being around your parents can give you ! Pure Bliss, I must say.

I plan to do this more often now. Be it a little gift or cooking a special surprise dinner for my lifelines, making regular days special makes you feel lovely. After all, they make me feel like a gift for them every single day. :)

The word "speed" has a new meaning with Airtel4G

Airtel India has recently launched their 4G services in India and with this launch, speed has got a whole new meaning.

I have been meaning to download the Hike Messenger app for a long time now. My friends have been raving about it and I couldn't afford to miss this app ! But whenever I plan to download an app, I usually wait to get back home and access my home Wi-fi network. On the go, it is very difficult to download an app as it takes a long time. I am a very impatient person and get irritated whenever I have to wait for a long time. 

Today, I came across this lovely Airtel 4G Speed test feature and wanted to try it out. Its a first of its kind direct response Twitter campaign wherein you can compare the difference in the speed of downloads on the various networks - 2G/3G/4G. All you have to do is tweet with +airtel India and use the hashtag #Airtel4GSpeedTest and mention the app name. You will get instant comparison results.

Here is how you can try it too :

I tweeted to find out about Hike Messenger and how much time it will take to download on 2G vs 3G vs 4G. 

Take a look at the results below. I can't believe that it will just take 00:13 seconds to download Hike Messenger while I have to wait for 1:25 seconds on my 3G network.

I really liked this concept of comparing the speeds as sometimes we don't realize how much time it takes to download an app and stick to slower networks. It took me a long time to switch from a 2G network to a 3G Network as initially I wasn't sure of the concept. But now I have to try out the Airtel 4G network for sure. Booking cabs on apps, downloading movies and songs will all be so easy with this new 4G speed. It will make our lives much more similar. 

Safetykart.com introduces Pee Safe,a toilet seat sanitizer for unparalleled comfort and hygiene

How many times do we wish a public toilet to be clean and hygienic and refrain from using one in fear and risk of bacteria prone diseases but now with Pee Safe we can put aside all these fears as the Toilet seat sanitizing reduces risk of cross contamination.

SafetyKart.com, an online portal that deals with safety and health care related products and propagates protection and prevention, introduces a unique Toilet Seat Sanitizer Spray, Pee Safe™ in New Delhi, India. This spray can is meant to cater for health and hygiene.

What does the product claim ?

With unhygienic conditions prevailing in public restrooms like those in a shopping mall, airport, trains and even an aircraft, there was a need for a product that ensured proper hygiene. PEESAFE is a toilet seat sanitizer spray that cleanses, deodorizes, sanitizes the toilet seat and ensures protection against 99.9% of diseases like Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or diarrhea to name a few, that are caused by germs and bacteria commonly found in public restrooms. This sanitizer spray is a rubbed IPA formulation that sanitizes the area within 5 seconds of application.

The fragrance of the sanitizer deodorizes the surrounding areas, thus eliminating foul odour found in most public toilets. 

The Pee Safe spray bottles can be conveniently kept in your purse or your tote bags.This product is currently available only in Mint fragrance.

Pric:Rs 120 for 75 ml, Pack of 3 for Rs 324, Pack of 5 for Rs 480

Available at Safetykart.com and leading pharmacies all across India.

What does the founder say ?

Mr.Vikas Bagaria,Founder Safetykart.com ,the company behind the innovation of Pee Safe,"Personal hygiene and cleanliness is of great importance for everyone, especially women, children and senior citizens who are more susceptible to hygiene related issues. With frequent travel to different locations, visits to various places and using the available amenities can pose serious health issues if the available amenities are unhygienic. There is a need for a sanitized bathroom for everyone. When we conceptualised this product, we knew that it had to be of use for almost all sections of Indian society who use public toilets frequently. We also recommend this product for sick patients using the bed pan and people who have a low immunity. "

About the Company: SafetyKart specializes in safety and health care products to customers concerned about safety, prevention, care. Their Core speciality is in dealing with safety-related products for women, adventure buffoons, child care amongst others. 

The Nature's Co Lemongrass Foot Spray review

This week has been extremely hectic for me. With back to back meetings in a day, work assignments, pending blog projects, deadlines and client expectations to meet, I have been running around quite a lot. Yes, that pretty much defines the life of a Public Relations professional !! A job that constantly challenges you, ever demanding and still expecting you to look fresh when you meet new people. If you ask me how do I manage, its not a magic potion and I have no secret trick.

Ever since I have received The Nature's Co Lemongrass foot spray, I have been waiting to try it out but for various reasons I could not. Today, after three meetings, two rounds of brainstorming in office and running around in heels, my feet had almost given up. The slight ache in my feet was going from bad to worse. It was then that I decided to pamper my feet after quite a long time and tried out the foot spray. 

I soaked my feet in lukewarm soapy water for about 15 mins before trying out the foot spray. Lemongrass is one herb I love using whenever I try my hand at Chinese cooking. The flavour imparted by the herb is unique and fresh. So when I heard of a lemongrass foot spray with ingredients like tea tree oils and menthol, my basic expectation was that it should smell nice and leave a fresh  cooling sensation. 

What does the brand claim?

The foot spray is infused with nature's own fresheners - lemongrass and tea tree oils.These instant revive and reenergize tired feet while leaving them smelling fresh.The stimulating agents of aloe vera and menthol will add a spring to your feet. The spray also claims to be anti-bacterial and makes your feet smell good and keeps it energized.

My take on the product:

The moment I applied the spray, the strong fragrance of lemongrass and the coolness of menthol took over instantly.It was a great stress buster and the smell lingered on for about 3-4 hours. The feeling was tiredness gradually dwindled and made me feel more relaxed. I have noticed that whenever my feet is tired, I am unable to sleep properly. But surprising I could also sleep well because of the fragrance.

The foot spray comes in a plastic packaging and the cap fits well. The bottle is easy to carry in your bags and is perfect if you are planning a long trek. 

A 100 ml bottle is priced at Rs.495 and has a shelf life of almost 2 years. 

You must definitely try this product out once if you have a lot of running around to do. Its good to pamper your feet once in a while as they sometimes work a lot but get neglected in the long run. The lemongrass foot spray is a good treat for your tired feet.

Maybelline New York India's new Color Show Lipsticks - Cherry Crush and Orange Icon Review and Swatches

Maybelline New York India's Color Show lipsticks - Orange icon and Cherry Crush

Color show nail polishes have almost become synonymous with bold, beautiful colors. Maybelline New York India has decided to extend the brand to lip colors as well. Now, you can experience a huge palette of vibrant colors to your lips as well with the new Color Show range of Lipsticks as well.The Lip Colors, Maybelline New York India claims to bring the catwalk colors to the sidewalk, just for you. 

What the brand claims?

The all new Maybelline Color Show Lip Color range has 32 vibrant moisture rich shades that enable you to express yourself every day. They give a shade for your every mood; you can now show your independence with reds, power with mauves, playful side with pinks & warmth with browns. These 32 intense colors suit all Indian skin tones.

The main four color families are:
- Racy Reds (7 shades)
- Mischievous Mauves (10 shades)
- Peppy Pinks (6 shades)
- Bold Browns (9 shades)

According to Maybelline, the lipsticks offer the following:

• They give all day hydration.
• They are heat resistant
• They guarantee color integrity.
• They do not fade even in extreme heat and humidity.
• They have a non-sticky, soft texture and hence are easy to glide

Maybelline New York India's Color Show lipsticks - Orange icon and Cherry Crush

What do I feel about the product:

The product comes in a sleek black packaging with a thin transparent band reflecting the color family. The lipsticks have a pleasant smell and glide easily on the lips. The texture of the lipsticks feel like a lip balm and provides an intense moisturizing effect to the lips which last for a good 4-5 hours on my lips. The lip balm like texture is a blessing for people with dry lips like me !! The lipsticks are well pigmented and provide a rich color with 2 strokes. 

I got to review the Orange Icon and Cherry Crush shade to review. The Orange Icon is a nice peppy color while Cherry Crush a reddish pink color with a warm undertone.

Maybelline New York India's Color Show lipsticks - Orange icon and Cherry Crush swatch

The lipsticks are priced at Rs.299 for 3.9g.

Pros and Cons at a glance:

Pros:

• The range offers a huge variety of colors; you are sure to find the perfect match for your skin tone
• It is extremely easy on the pocket and will be a sure hit among the younger generation. 
• The lip balm like texture provide enough hydration to your lips which lasts for a good 4-5 hours. You can easily go without a lip balm even if you have dry lips
• The lipsticks give you a rich color with just 2 strokes

Cons:

Had it been a higher on the price bracket, I would have complained about the staying power. However, at just Rs.299, I can't complain at all

I will recommend this range to all girls who love to try on different lipstick shades. I am sure you will find a shade for all your moods at an extremely affordable range. Please go and try out the shades at any of the Maybelline counters, you will love it. :)

How to make red chilli flakes at home ? Easy DIY

I am in a relationship with chilies. All my meals are incomplete without at least 2 green chilies by my side. I make it a point to ask for extra sachets of red chilli flakes every time I order pizzas. 

So, what does a chili lover like me do on a certain day there is a craving for red chili flakes and you have run out of those store made ones ? You do a little bit of experiment and try and make it yourself ! 

Trust me, the home made ones are just as good. In fact, the fresh aroma of dry roadsted red chili is simply better than the store bought ones. The added bonus is that making it is extremely easy. 

As this was the first time I was trying this, I used only a small quantity.

Lets take a look :

1. Remove the stem from the red chilies and dry roast them in a skillet

2. Cool the roasted red chilies 

3. Grind the roasted red chillies. Make sure not to grind it to a fine powder. Your grinding jar should be free of any moisture

4. Store in an air tight jar and use as required

Amazon India Fashion Week 2015 - Get the look created by Sonic Sarwate, Global Senior Artist, M.A.C India

Hello Guys,

Take a look created for Varun Bahl by Sonic Sarwate, Global Senior Artist, M.A.C India. It is one of the looks you can easily recreate and carry off with elan.

1.     Start with Fix+, an aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. It adds radiance and helps prepare the skin

2.     Apply the Studio Moisture Cream, a super-rich creamy moisturizer boosted with skin-nourishing extracts including passion fruit, spinach leaf, green tea, algae, wheat germ and coconut. Moistens, feeds, firms and protects the skin and Promotes a healthy radiance.

3.       For a long lasting hold on the makeup, hydration oil control and smooth texture, use the Prep + Prime Natural Radiance primer

4.     Apply the Mineralize Moisture Foundation and conceal using the Pro Concealer Palette

5.     Apply Vintage Rose and Hush Cream Color Base on the eyelids for a sheer base

6.     Use Lash No.7 and apply a coat of Zoom Waterfast Mascara for added drama

7.     Keep the brows well groomed

8.     Use Vintage Rose & Hush Cream Color Base on the cheeks

9.     Apply Nude Studio Nail Lacquer on the nails

10.  Line the lips with Spice Lip Pencil

11.  Fill them with the Half & Half and Crosswires Lipstick