A Fantastico Getaway in the ZICA!


Hola Guys!

First of all thanks for enjoying virtually on twitter as much as I enjoyed my drive with fellow bloggers in the Fantastico ZICA!


This time , it was unlike any other! The excitement was at a different level since Messi was announced as the brand ambassador! The car had to have an edge. And yes, you need not be a driver really to understand if the car can live up to your expectations! Let me tell you how!

My favorite trips in my car are to the mall ( Need I say that :P) While I sit next to Nik, I always like to have as many slots for all my things as much as he would like. At times , we fight over whose bottle gets to stay in which slot ( apparently our little car has 2 different slot sizes so only one of our bottle fits!) . And as always, Nik collects the parking ticket which mysteriously vanishes from his wallet each time!  And ofcourse, when parents are home, they have to keep the water bottles in a bag behind or we have to keep passing those from the front!When it comes to music, the driver should like the music or he might be demotivated on long drives :P
Forget it when the music taste is completely opposite if the backseat is full! And, dont even get me started when I tirelessly hold my phone with Google Maps on it , whenever we are out on a secret trail!

Little things, but who thought , all this can change for the better! Let me begin:

1. The Zica has space for 5Litres of liquid or 7 bottle slots including at the backseat!
2. It has a parking ticket slot near the steering! Beat that!
3. It has a IPAD/tablet slot
4. It has an app for music sharing so that all passengers can queue songs each from their phone , so its a family jukebox !!!
5. There is a navigation system , which guides you ( Voice) while you drive and its amazingly accurate! If you are listening to music and you need to take a diversion, the navigation voice takes over. If you are getting a call, the call takes over! Priorities, check!

These are the top 5 things , I like about the ZICA , that sets it apart from a user experience perspective. The internet is full with all things technical , and you can succumb to all the world class goodness this car is made of. This car is modern , stylish and unlike any other car from TATA.

Thanks to our twitter fans, it was fun doing some LIVE tasks during the 2.5 hours drive around GOA. I recorded some real fun videos of friendly. Here's a little photo/video story ! The car will be officially launched in 2016, Till then , feast your eyes on the ZICA here 😬 while I relive once again the wonderful weekend we had at the luxurious ALila Diwa Goa! More funny videos coming in 2 days, so come back here!  As always , indiblogger nails yet another blogger soiree!
Till , next time, CIAO!

1. Touch down Alila Diwa Goa
2. The breathtaking infinity pool made us wanting to take a quick dip
3. The gorgeous room and the bath was luxurious

4. Lunch followed by a quick trip to the beach and some games 
5. Team Tata surprises us with a private locker room each. And a cute kit complete with a number 10 Messi Tee & a bottle


6. A mysterious door opened like sesame revealing the fantastico vehicle! The color is so attractive , isn't it?
7. Mandatory posing with the car! I totally nailed the reporter wala look complete with my scarf ! And glad I met my blog reader Shilpa who clicked this one for me !
8. The car reveal led to a karaoke night with yummy delicacies and old songs that made us so nostalgic ! The karaoke singer at Alila is amaxongly talented! 

9. It was a long day and I prepared myself for the long trip in the zica the other day with a warm bubble bath ! Ee how I loved it!


10. Inside the zica with the fantastico team D8!
And here come all an the crazy tasks!

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Finally Found you


Countless assurances, endless stories. They all told me one thing , there's a match for you somewhere. And one day, you will find it. Me, like a hopeless romantic that I am, believed and yearned to meet my match.
As time fled, my curiosity grew, no it wasn't dampened. My faith was unshakable. It was etched so deeply in my mind-  I almost read those stories like hymns. Everyday, with the same conviction. 

Not too long ago, I was seen shopping with mum. A very rare combination. She is not a shopaholic. But someone who knows style. She created real pretty frocks when I was a child, every year for my birthday till I was 6. She forced me into Baggy Jeans- Balloon frocks- All that 90s jazz I despised. She plainly dismissed my love for low-waist denims & bell-bottoms when I relentlessly kept piling on those.

However, there are a few shopping moments thereafter , where we shared those "AHA" moments - we found that perfect dress that would suit me in the early 2000s.  And those dresses killed it, everywhere I went. Those were floor length pencil skirts in crochet & printed velvet. So exotic , I could barely walk in them, but when I did, it was a catwalk .

So when this autumn, I went shopping with mom, after maybe a decade, we found our favorite place. We saw this skirt and it was paired with a oriental zipper crop-top. But it was sold out ! He let me try an alteration piece. How cruel! I couldnt sleep. I came back next day and forced him to show me more. I wanted the same skirt color. He showed me the pinks , greens ,but I wasn't impressed. He then phoned another branch, to check if the same skirt I had fallen for was available with a different upper. And yes it was.

Without a blink, I said yes. And I got it home. Both me and mum marveling at the idea of how and where I can wear this combination. We found it.









Till next time,
CIAO!

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Love in disguise

The festive season is unfolding its madness on us,vulnerable romantics. We wait for that mail, secretly in our heart from that special someone. Because festive mirth leaves us begging for miracles. We slip into the dreamy world, where all good things are lined up for us, as if it was the season of receiving. Like that long-time crush approaching you out of nowhere and telling you how much he admires you & wants to be friends with you! Before the bubble bursts, you want to feel good. Because its the festive season, happiness is inherent and you hopelessly wait, for surprises!

One fine day, even before autumn could set in and I could anticipate the miraculous festive mirth, I was surprised by a cotton bag that said " Behind Every woman is" ...I looked in " A great pair of jeans" Indeed, a great pair of jeans and the Levis 311 at that! Stretchy without being obnoxious and comfortable as lose pants- this straight pair of skinnies reminded me of the 90s high-waisted models. I digged in further to find this stone-washed denim shirt with my initials on it  - in Red- LOVE! I had to pinch myself, there was a love note too and a red bandana. For once, I didnt slip into the dreamy state , to feel ecstatic!
Gift these through Amazon, and make someone feel in love, just like Levi's did to me!











CHEERS & Love!
Ila
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{ Review + GIveaway } Za Total Hydration Cleanser


Hello ! Hello ! Hello !

Tells you how excited the festive season makes me. The slight nip in the air, the possibility of wearing boots and winterwear and enjoying a movie under the quilt with a Hot soup- Are all good things this season is made of!

Also, the season, when your skincare needs change with the dry weather. Today in my kitty is the Vogue 2015 Beauty Award winner. The Za Total Hydration Cleanser with Vitamin E. I am lucky to have been introduced to the Za range of skincare. Finally a brand that caters to the skincare needs of Indians. The Total hydration range was launched 2 months ago, and I can't tell you how excited that made me! I already swear by the Total Hydration Amino Mineral Refreshing Gel. If you have an oily skin- don't wait to grab this! And now for this cleanser, here are my views:



Form: This is a foamy cleanser- Remember your dad's shaving cream? ;) Yes, exactly that. It has a fresh citrusy fragrance which again reminds me of dad's shaving cream :D It also has cleansing granules, though I never understood how the products with granules are different, because most of the times, we might just wash away the granules without crushing them!

How to Use: Squeeze half-pea sized amount onto your palm. Lather and massage on the face. A little quantity goes a long way so don't be greedy! Wash off in seconds, don't keep it for more than a minute .


First Impressions: After the first wash, the face felt squeaky clean. Scary because, this means it can be drying on my face! But I waited a while, and realised it didn't dry my face at all. I have a combination skin. So I tend to have dry cheeks . This cleanser was able to strike the balance on a combination skin. The fragrance makes you smell like fresh lemons. Have you secretly admired that fragrance when your dad just did a shave !!! Then , this cleanser delivers that exact one!

This also means, its the perfect unisex cleanser. If you have an oily/combination skin, you can surely end up liking this cleanser because it leaves you so FRESh! As for dry skin, I would wait for one of you to tell me how you felt.

For most of you who follow me on my Twitter/Insta handles know that I have revived my childhood hobby of painting . I am sharpening my skills and it gives me immense fulfillment!  I am painting botanicals, and since this cleanser reminded me of Fresh lemons, I painted this cleanser too! See the picture below :)

And now, one of you lucky readers gets a chance to win this Full-size cleanser. We will have 2 more winners who get  minis of this cleanser. For the contest, don't forget to head to the Twitter handle and use the hashtag #FreshOnMe . You have to tell me what looks Fresh on you, with the hashtag- #FreshOnMe. Don't forget to tag @ZaBeautyIndia as well!






Cheers!



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{Fashion} What I wore in Seville

                                                               

Seville is one city that has left a lasting impression on my mind. It so full of life, flavors and history. People are passionate about their culture and are celebrating life every single day!

Each city area has so much character. While I will take you through the Seville, I experienced, this post is about the Plaza de Espana.  This structure that left me mesmerized with its beauty, is grand &; tastefully designed with a lot of precision. Most of all, it makes you feel you are in a medieval palace, but its not!
This is just a building that eewas designed in 1920 to showcase Spain's industry and technology exhibits! Surprising, since it looks like a dated royal architecture.

And if you are a Star Wars fan, the movie's Part I and II were filmed here! The tiled alcoves represent the various provinces in Spain along with the maps in tiles. The colors are beautifully chosen and there is so much to see. I came here twice. The first time was this time, when I was busy acting like a princess and the second time as a photographer, because I couldn't have enough of this Art Deco/neo-Mudejar style.I braved the harsh sun and hung around the entire expanse without water for 3 hours, to get these pictures of the artistic glory from all angles. Its a blog, and I can only share a select few photographs, so Go ahead and explore the plaza in my pictures:











   











Till next time, CIAO!
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{TRAVEL} 5 Things to do in MADRID




Madrid , like every other city I visit to was etched in my mind through articles, blogs and photographs. I had completed my usual research before visiting the country & the capital was the first place I was landing on. Most articles mentioned the "energy" of this city.  When I kept feet, I could feel it too, its that obvious, & almost captivating! The people are loud,sometimes bursting into their favorite songs at a famous dining plaza or while strolling the streets at midnight! You feel that rush of something happening , and oh then you are reminded of how "pickpockets" are always around in Spain, and you should be alert. You shake yourself from that energy that draws near, afraid, you might get robbed. But no, the people are very interesting and brimming with life. I was lucky, I didn't have to deal with any unpleasant incidents,probably I seemed poor (laughs).


Here are the top 5 things you must do in MADRID:

1. Stay at the old city centre

Madrid is a mix of old and new architecture like any ancient developed city in the world. Travel back in time, by staying around Plaza mayor or near the San Miguel market. This is the place that reminds you of an ancient Spain, lined with heritage buildings of importance and scores of dining places around the plaza Mayor. Not only this,the old city centre is the best place to stay if you wish to cover every important place like the palace,plaza mayor,puerta del sol, Gran Via etc on foot! And most importantly, I always recommend staying at an apartment rather than a hotel. There's nothing more enjoyable than the experience of living like a local in another country!

My window at RED Door Madrid- the apartment we stayed at!





2. Visit the Palace

If you are a hopeless romantic , slip into any palace in the world and your dreams will come true. After visiting the Schonbrun Palace in Austria and the Palace of Versailles in France, the Real Palace in Madrid seemed like a logical decision. This is definitely 3rd in the line up of best palaces in Europe. You would be amazed this is a 2000 Room palace! I am glad I stepped into this huge palace and felt totally like a queen, yet again. Visit the lavish rooms -about 50 rooms are open to public, but alas, NO CAMERA allowed!  While I am yet to share the Versailles pictures ,with you , I am glad to say nothing beats Versailles in grandeur. I will be soon writing about Versailles and you can see how the richest kings in the world lived! A thing to note in this palace is definitely the Royal Armory. Unbelievable heavy metal that was used in the wars- something that reassured the kings that they will never be wounded in wars! Again no photography allowed, so I couldnt click no matter how tempted I was. They had full armory even for their horses . The craftsmanship will stun you. If you were to wear that for wars, rest assured ,you wouldn't get a scar on your or your horses' body too! Also, like every palace in Europe, there is a nice cafe . You must end the visit with a cup of coffee ( Cafe Con Leche) and a salad from the salad bar at reasonable prices. Fill all you can :)






3. Do the Tapas Crawl

The Spanish are obsessed about how good their Tapas is. You might want to believe so. But to tell you the truth, it gets better only if you can eat everything and anything , and this includes the famous Iberian Ham & beer. For a vegetarian, choices are you might choose between differently done Patatas Bravas, Cheese croquettes or perhaps the Gazpacho and even Tomato-mozarella Bocadillo (sandwhich with Baguette ) .
For those who don't know "Tapa" is finger food or "starters". Mostly deep fried, tapas are flavored lightly and can fill you up like a meal. They are available in different portions - smallest portion - TAPAS- suitable for 1 or 2 persons depending upon how hungry one might be. The next portion size is "RACIONES" or dinner sized plates. Some bars also have 1/2 or media-Raciones. I always ordered 2 Tapas portions  between the 2 of us and it was just perfect. I once had a 1/2 Raciones for myself which I couldn't finish! Though, I could eat the Croquette and Patatas all the time , boredom sets in & I constantly fell for the Italian cuisine and ended up with atleast a pizza a day! Why you need to hop between Tapas bars is because each place has a distinct flavor and a slightly different menu. For example the "Pimientos De Padron" or the Padron green peppers tossed in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt aren't available everywhere, but I gulped them each time I saw them on the menu !!! They are crunchy, soft and delectable!  The Spanish love turkish/lebanese cuisine too, which means you also have access to great Falafel.



Must Visit Tapas joint


4. Get Touristy at Puerta Del Sol


Post Sunset, don't forget to gather with the crowds at Puerta Del Sol- the liveliest square in the city, again very close to the old city centre. Locals perform on the streets- Dance/Drama/Music and so much joy! Though they would be talking in Spanish-Yeah! It will still entertain you.

5. Retail therapy at Gran Via/Puerta Del Sol

Starting from the Puerta Del Sol , there are hoards of shops where you can buy anything and everything. All fashion majors- Zara/Pull & Bear/Stradivarius/Mango/Woman's secret etc have multiple shops in here. Walk till the Gran Via for more of these fashion brands and shop to your heart's content. For me, I found shops like Lefties( Its from the same group as Zara- Inditex. Surprising right!!! ) , Ale-hop (utility knick-knacks) super reasonable and one should definitely pick up winter-wear from Lefties! You can get the best of bomber jackets, biker jackets from Lefties under 20 Euro~1500 Rs approx. Also, if shopping hard makes you hungry, dont forget to stop at Emporio Pizza at Serrano.



Pizza at Emporio Ristorante
Hope these tips will make your stay as wonderful as mine! Let me know when you plan to travel!

Stay tuned for more posts on Spain and France!

CIAO!
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