Want to avoid the Durga Puja rush while shopping? Try Myesha for accessories

It is that time of the year again when markets of Kolkata look like a sea of people, any glimpse of Durga makes a Bong emotional, employees have already started counting days to their annual vacation ( lesser mortals like me get just 4 days off, while the ever privileged Government employees get around 10-15 days off *I envy them*), foodies have started listing down places to eat, last minute OOTD s are being planned by the ever excited girls - Yes, Its Durga Puja in Kolkata.

If you happen to be from outside Kolkata but manage to spend some time here during September and October, you will definitely feel the excitement in the air ! Right from companies planning their marketing strategies to people making lists of pandals to visit, the buzz is hard to miss. Yes, add to that the crowded streets and the traffic because almost the whole of Kolkata is out on the streets for some last minute preparations.

One thing that people of all age groups enjoy during this time is SHOPPING! Four days of new clothes is the best part of Durga Puja. For shopaholics like me, this is just another reason to shop :P Not just clothes, they must be complemented with the best accessories ;)

But do you have the courage to hit the streets when they are overflowing with people? A lot of us will not dare to do that. And why would anyone do that when they can get amazing designs at affordable rates in online shops like MYesha with just a click !

MYesha appeals to me a lot. I have been following the brand for over a year now and they just seem to get better and better with every passing day. From silver jewellery to german silver stuff, from stone and kundan studded earrings and necklaces to Afghan neckpieces, they have a huge variety on offer.

The lovely lady behind the brand, Munmun has been kind enough to send some superb pieces from her collection - a German silver jhumka, a handpainted Om earring and coin necklace :)

Check them out:

1. The Jhumka : This is a part of MYesha's #JhumkaThumka series and like the name suggests, it is a lovely traditional jhumka that will add a beautiful twist to your festive wear. Why just festive wear, you can also pair it up with your work wear kurtis. Therefore, it doesn't need to go into the jewellery box that you open twice a year. You can grab your piece for just Rs.400.

2. The Handpainted Earrings: Inspired by the rich Indian heritage, you will find traditional motifs like Om, peacocks, and other miniature paintings handpainted on the danglers at Rs.500. You might get them on your jhumkas as well very soon. Keep a look out on their facebook page. 

3. The Coin Neckpiece: This beautiful neckpiece, handcrafted in german silver has coins on the sides and a Ganesha Pendant in a tassel. The creation is inspired by the traditional temple jewellery. This is the perfect neckpiece for the Durga Puja festivities. Pair it up with a lovely linen saree on Ashtami morning and you are sure to grab eyeballs. Why just mornings, you can pair it up with a black raw silk kurta with a beautiful embroidered dupatta while out pandal hopping or for the customary "adda" sessions with your friends.It is priced at Rs.700.

MYesha also has a special Puja gift coming up for you - their new website wherein you can check out their collection and easily order for your favourite ones - www.myeshaworld.com. Till then, contact the talented lady on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/myeshamystore/.

I have their eyes set on their Afghan Collection as well. Who knows you might just see a post on that very soon ;) 

Guys, check them out for some fashionable pieces at extremely affordable prices ! Thumbs up.

The Monkey Bar in Kolkata - Things to watch out for!

The Monkey has finally swung East - with Monkey Bar, India's first gastropub opening its first outlet in Kolkata at Fort Knox - Camac Street. All of us had heard lovely things about Monkey Bar from our friends in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi. Hence, when we were invited for a preview of the MoBar( as its fondly called), I could see a lot of excitement amongst the community. 

It was also the day when Kolkata received the heaviest rainfall of the season. It was a workday and though my office is almost a 20 min walk from the outlet, I was not sure if I could make it. There was water everywhere, roads were chock-a-block with cars honking and yellow cabs blatantly refused, app cabs were surging !! In short, Kolkata was in a bad state that evening., add to that the office hour pressure. But god bless that one yellow cab driver who agreed to drop me to the venue. 

When I entered the venue, I was half wet.I was wearing a white chikankari kurta and white leggings ( God knows why such things happen to me on days I wear white :/) and I was pretty sure, it was dirty by then because I had to wade through all the waterlogging. I received a warm welcome from Team Monkey Bar. I could already spot some of my blogger friends chilling by then. Yes, I was late but I was not the only one to be late. All thanks to the weather, people took a long time to reach Monkey Bar. Yet, there was a palpable excitement :)


Here are a few things to watch out for at Monkey Bar, Kolkata :

Copper Monkey

The innovative cocktails: They have some amazing cocktails - starting with MoBar's signature Mangaa and Copper Monkey. The all new cocktail menu for Kolkata includes Toast to Calcutta, a cocktail with Gin, basil, and house made Gondhoraj cordial, Old Fashioned on Camac Street - made with Whiskey, roast almond syrup, bitters and praline and Tipsy Sherbet - our version of a Rose Margarita with egg white. If you are looking to share a drink with your friend order a Pack-a-Punch – a refreshing take on Charles Dickens most favourite drink, made with Rum, Brandy, apple and thyme shrub and cinnamon.

 My pick would definitely be Manga and Pack-a-Punch.

Pack-a-punch

Food and more food :  Chef Manu Chandra has an interesting mix of international and regional flavours for you. The menu is quirky, surprising and innovative. So while you have a mezze platter, you will also find Kerala Rice salad( a concoction of Baby spinach, red rice, raw mango, coconut, peanuts and upmensinkai; imagine having rice for salad !!). To soothe the bong taste buds they have tikki of joy - Kolkata inspired fish cutlets with kasundi and mint chutney. My favourites were the chicken chapli - galouti kebabs served on mini slices of parathas with onions and mint chutney; Butter Chicken Khchdi - Just imagine two comfort food in one : Butter chicken and khichdi. It was just the perfect dish for a rainy evening. Comes very very close to the Bhuna khichdi of Oudh !! It was yum :) Another superhit dish was the Tiger beef - soft, juicy and spicy beef dish - a preparation that is just my kind of dish. 

Tiger Beef

Butter Chicken Khichdi

Kerala Red Rice salad

The decor: Sky high ceilings with large arched windows that offer a lovely panoramic view of the city 's skyline, MoBar has an intimate set up where you can relax with your group of friends after a hard day at work. The interiors have a Kolkata touch with brick walls, quirky posters and works of local artists. They also have an outdoor seating area. Spread over 2750 square feet ,the place is warm and vibrant.

I missed the desserts, all thanks to the rains and non-availability of cabs. Next time I visit Monkey Bar, I will definitely try out the desserts beacuse I have heard great things about them from fellow bloggers. Till next time, then.

Overall, I loved the ambience of the place. The cocktails and food especially the chicken chapli, tiger beef, butter chicken khichdi is superb. 

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Disclaimer: Love Health N Beauty dined at MonkeyBar on the kind invitation of the management

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FACES Canada's new Ultime Pro Creme Lip Color - Review and Swatches

FACES Canada Ultime Pro Creme Lip Color - Review and swatches

FACES Canada has recently launched their Ultime Pro Lip Crayon Creme Lip colours. Though Matte lip colours are a rage this season, not all of us are lucky enough to comfortably flaunt perfectly matte lips, all thanks to our dry lips.

They are an extension of their already existing lip crayon range. So what is new ? They are creamy in texture and have some amazing shades in this range. 

FACES Canada Ultime Pro Creme Lip Color - Review and swatches

Like all lip crayons, they come in a retractable chubby tube. The packaging is simple with the shades mentioned on one end of the tube and a transparent cap. The body of the lip crayons give out the shade so you don't really have to hunt for a particular shade in a stack.

FACES Canada Ultime Pro Creme Lip Color - Review and swatches

The crayons are more or less pigmented and need atleast 2 -3 swipes to gives you a rich colour. The best part is they are comfortable on the lips and you don't have to worry about the colour settling in between the lines in case you have dry lips, like I do :( 

I have swatches of two shades from their range for you - Invincible and Red Velvet.

Top - Invincible
Bottom - Red Velvet

While Red Velvet is the classic 'red' shade of the range, the shade Invincible is perfect for day wear. Red Velvet is a warm shade, while Invincible is a dark coral pink colour.

The product is priced at Rs. 749 for a 4.2 gms tube.

I am wearing shade Invincible of FACES Canada Ultime Pro Lip Color

I am wearing shade Red Velvet of FACES Canada Ultime Pro Creme lip color

What I like/ dislike about the product:

Pros:

1. Moisturising effect on the lips and good coverage

2. 2-3 swipes give a nice colour

3. Sits comfortably on the lips for around 4 hours

4. It provides the comfort of a lip balm

5. The range has a shade to suit all skin tones - from nudes to pinks to reds

6. The colours don't bleed 

Cons:

1. I feel the lip crayons are priced slightly on the higher side

2. The lip colour wears off too fast, though the moisturising effect lingers on

I must congratulate FACES Canada for introducing creme lip crayons when the makeup world is going nuts over matte ones. But these are a boon for those with dry lips :)

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Disclaimer: PR Sample, honest review