The year 2009 began on a pleasant note as we just got back from a fantastic holiday in Italy and we learnt that we would soon be living in Paris! By God's grace, the year was phenomenal with major changes; interesting learnings on the way and a subtle maturity in me! :PThe move to Paris was a major decision indeed. It meant uprooting ourselves from familiar surroundings and our own lovely home. But it was a fantastic opportunity for S and an exciting option to live in the most romantic and exotic city in the world!
Initially, the new surroudings, new home, the people and their language seemed daunting. We have slowly settled down into our Parisian home, made some great friends and we feel at 'home' now! Yet, there is a lot of scope for improvement in French! :-)When I was skeptical about moving to a new country as it meant moving from familiar surroundings, friends and family and most importantly, quitting my job (mine), my mom said something that really convinced me. Lots of people crave for change as the routine seems mundane and boring. So when you get a chance to explore, travel and move ahead; you must grab the chance! Why do you want to stick to the routine? That convinced me totally! 2009 is also my first year without a regular job. I have been freelancing on and off as we travel very often whenever we can. It has taken a lot of time to get used to the fact that I don't get a salary at the end of every month. When I had a regular job, I longed for a break and now when I am taking a break, I want a regular job! Such is LIFE :-)
I do make sincere efforts to find a relevant job here. But its difficult to find any job here if you don't speak French, the key being fluent french. I thought it would be really easy to find a job here. After the initial disappointment, I found some really interesting freelance work and worked on varied writing projects. It is like running my own business and there are dry periods too! I have learnt to be tough and direct with freelancing! That's a first! :-)
One day ( yes, I make up my mind in an instant and that's it - I have!), I just made up my mind to enjoy my break and do things I didn't find time to do earlier and I am loving the person I am now! On most days, I am happy and cheerful from all the wonderful music I listen to. I have renewed my reading habit and read a lot of books (thanks to the American Library). I exercise regularly, alternating between Yoga, Pilates and floor exercises which has really improved my overall health and stamina. I dabble in glass painting and gardening when I feel like it. I go out with friends and explore Paris as much as I can. Of course, there is a lot of household chores to do as I don't have any domestic help here which is therapeutic(sometimes!). So there is always so much to do and my days are happy and full. Is'nt that what matters?
Thanks to the internet and Skype, I have not missed my folks or friends at all. I speak to my parents almost everyday just like I did in India. :-) What would I do without the internet? I am known to be really cranky and upset if the connection goes off here for some reason! I have made some really good friends here and I am so glad I have close friends in every city and country now!
Saving the best for the last! The best part of this year has been all the travelling. We have been to 6 countries in this year alone! We have always made an effort to travel as much as we can even when we were in India. Now that we are in a more convenient location in terms of distance; we would like to travel all over Europe.
Someone has aptly said that one’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. You learn and unlearn so many things in life; as you explore different places, cultures, people, cuisines, nature. It is a beautiful experience that needs to be felt; not described. I am in love with travel. PERIOD. I am aware that you also need twice the money. We try and save a little amount every month before we plan a trip. That way it does not pinch too much all too suddenly.So we have saved enough to spend Christmas and New Year's in GREECE!!!!!! We will spend about 10 days in different islands and I am sooooo looking forward to it. Its a double bonanza that after we get back, in another 2 weeks, we are off to INDIA!!!! Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a fantatic new year. I send a little prayer to God to bless us all with loads of love, happiness and prosperity in 2010 and thank him for the lovely and happening year that was... See you guys next year!
Gilt Edged: Beauty Tips
Investing in gold is a good idea. The sensex loves it and so do we. A bit of yellow gold on the lids or a dirty gold on the lips can get your stocks soaring.
By Priyanka Bhattacharya. (Beauty Magazine)
It is a hue that starts doing the rounds as the season turns cooler, and our celebration garbs come out. Gold is a color that we Indian love and why not? It is a shade that complements our skin tone – fairest to the duskiest – beautifully. Makeup artists in India love to highlight the face, shoulders, decollete etc especially as you hit the festive party, and wedding circuit.
While too much of gold in your coffers is good news, but too much of it on your skin is definitely criminal. Subtlety is the key. Play with various texture and colours of gold – you can go matte or shimmery, clean or dirty, yellow or bronze gold
Bold gold lips
Gilded lips can kill your complexion if not worn with caution. Instead of a yellow gold hue choose a lipstick that has a darker bronze hint to it. Another way to wear a gold lipper is to apply a sheer peach or pink lipstick, and then dabbing a old lip gloss over it.
Bullion dollar cheeks: Cheek Tips
One of the easiest ways to brighten up your complexion – a dash of pearly gold blush on the apple of your cheeks. This season too you can play up your complexion with this shade. To add more contour to your face blend in a matte bronze gold blush in the hollow of your cheeks. Keep it elegant by avoiding gold anywhere else. Keep eyes neutral, and lips shaded with a matte brown or taupe lipstick.
Aureate lids: Eye Shadow
Gold best looks on the lids where it can make your eyes look vibrant without looking too obvious. For just a subtle glow take a sheer gold shadow and apply on your upper lid till just above the crease, and extend it slightly beyond the outer corner. Then apply the shadow on the lower lid close to the lashes. Then draw the upper and lower lash line with a thin dark liner preferably brown or bronze. Use two coats of mascara to open up the eyes. This is a great day look. Give a brighter turn to the gilt-lidded style by applying a yellow gold shadow on the center of your upper lashes till just above the rease. Blend in a circular motion and keep inside the outer corner of your eyes. For the smoky look apply an antique gold shadow all over the lid till the crease, and then blend in a bronze shadow from the crease to the outer corner, extending it lightly. Line the lower lashes with a bronze liner. Keep rest of the face pretty low key with a soft pink or nude gloss.
Its cold and the winter has come with a bang! ...and I am always in need of scarves and stoles as I rush out somewhere! I hit upon this idea to hang all the colorful ones on the door. Its not only accessible now, its also very colorful , cheerful and pretty!
Its so much easier to make a choice too! :-)
Lehenga is most useful and fashionable dress as Bridal wear in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan and are available at different boutique. Bridal Lehenga Dresses includes, Lehenga, Blouse or Kurti and Dupatta. All the dress is decorated with beautiful and stylish motif, zari, Aari work, Breeds, Booti work, Cut dana Work, Dubka work, Dori Embroidery and Gorgeous Mirror works but in different qualities.
These Lehenga dresses include Straight cut lehengas, Fish tail lehengas, Mermaid lehengas, Paneled lehengas, Kali ghagras lehengas, Circular lehengas and A-line lehnga designs . Let see the latest designs...
A beautiful Bridal Dress in Fishtail Lehenga style, Fishtail Lehenga also called Fish style Lehenga, As it's a Bridal wear Fish Lehnga style so the Lehenga is decorated with beautiful Dubka, Zari and Dori Embroidery and Mirror work is also looking gorgeous. The Bridal Lehenga Blouse is in short style with full neck style and have floral motif work.
The Bridal Lehenga blouse is decorated with heavy embroidery. It's a stylish Indian Bridal Lehenga choli which is looking beautiful in green color, and looking gorgeous in sleeveless style, The Lehenga of Bride is long and border is decorated with stunning embroidery, The Bridal dupatta has twisty Gota patti style.
In These Latest & New Bridal wear Collection It's a latest Pakistani Stylish Lehenga in red color with beautiful Dupatta. Lehenga has beautiful and stylish drapes and have beautiful Zari work. The Lehenga has Long Circular style.
A beautiful Fish cut lehenga with beautiful Floral Breads work. The Lehenga blouse is simple but in Glamorous style with round neck and sleeveless style.
It's a Latest Indian Stylish Bridal Lehenga Choli. This bridal dress is looking beautiful in white color with beautiful Dubka work. The Lehenga blouse is shoulder-less and short but Bridal Shoulder wear is separate and it's a latest stylish designs. The Mermaid lehenga style is also looking gorgeous with beautiful drapes.
It's a latest and new Indian Fancy style lehnga for Brides. This Indian dress is in Golden color with Fishtail lehenga. The Lehenga has beautiful golden lace/ Gota patti, The whole lehenga is decorated with floral Golden color Threads. The Bridal Blouse has round neck with beautiful zari work.
New Indian Bridal Fancy Lehenga with sparkling bridal blouse in golden color. It's a Bridal New Party wear lehnga with Circular lehenga style.
Modern style of Bridal Lehenga with Dubka and mirror hand work. Bridal blouse is also decorated with stylish dori and looking gorgeous in sleeveless style. The Straight cut lehenga has stunning impression on this dress.
This Indian Cultural Lehnga design in Red and green color contrast. Bridal Dupatta with net transparent has beautiful floral gota patti border and Bridal Lehenga has beautiful Zari work.
It's a Gorgeous Bridal Lehenga choli in dazzling pink color with beautiful silver embroidery. Fish style lehenga has beautiful stylish drapes.
Image Source :
cbazaar
The year 2009 began on a pleasant note as we just got back from a fantastic holiday in Italy and we learnt that we would soon be living in Paris! By God's grace, the year was phenomenal with major changes; interesting learnings on the way and a subtle maturity in me! :P
