Archive for 2013

This is a product that I cannot rave enough about. When I was a teen, I did not have problem skin yet I still wanted to try out some facial products back then. Curiosity!
At that time I found this very affordable and talk about quality for that price. It was barely 8-9Dh in those days. Probably around Rs.90 back then. And it lasted me over a year, every year. The product has an incredible shelf life of I think around 10 years if I am not mistaken, it has a superior shelf life for sure.

I had bought this package in 2004 I think and it has lasted me till 2013 as I had lost it in between and bought another one. The packaging is old and the current one is a fresh white packaging but this is the one I recognize as I used it for so, so many years. There was some brand in India which was selling with the same packaging but I never tried that as I was sure it couldn't live up to the claim of St.Ives.
They have an incredible variety of products. I love their cucumber soothing eye gel but I can't find it anywhere now!! SADDDDD :(

Check out the date above...almost a decade old, huh :)

Back to the product. It's a cult product all over the world now and it's one of the best facial scrubs to have won several awards in the US and UK.
I don't think there will be far too many people who haven't tried this out. But I still want to review it because it is one of the oldest things I have used in my vanity. Atleast from the beginning of my time.

The packaging used to be this orange and blue tube with a flip open cap at the bottom, very easy to store and use. Currently if you buy it the packaging will be all white. You won't see this kind of packaging anywhere now for a St.Ive's product. If you do, then know it's old.
You can squeeze out just the amount you need, barely a pea size and flip back the cap on with ease.

The product is a nice, thick and earthy looking grainy scrub. The grains are thick as it's mainly walnut and apricot kernel grounds. So don't scrub your face harshly with it, go over your skin very gently in a circular motion and it will do. When I was younger I used to scrub like a cave woman. My face, ofcourse :)
Don't do that. I am sure those with sensitive skin will also be able to use this as it has no harsh ingredients.

The cleansing formula gently exfoliates, removes dull and dead skin to reveal smooth, radiant and healthier looking skin. All it's claims are true. This swiss formula can be used for all skin types.
More than 90% of the product is made up of naturally derived ingredients. Splendid!
It includes Swiss glacial water and Swiss botanicals.
It has a very mild and gentle smell.

Note: The earlier formula used parabens but the current one doesn't have any parabens or sulfates in it. So it's a much more natural product now :)

It is a bit hard to find in all stores, you get it online though at rates ranging from Rs.235-359 for a tube.
I have also seen it in a large tub form but it's rare to find in stores.
I give it full marks, it's a star product for me and I will use it forever. I don't think I have across a better scrub than this to date.
But if you have do let me know in the comments :)

Published by coralcrue

pic: google.com

Hi, Everyone!

Today I am reviewing one of my favourite bath products that I discovered just a month ago. I love the smell of medimix and herbal soaps but I wanted to try out something new and different. That's when I came across this particular soap. I don't pick up soaps from any and every brand. Initially I did not see the Mysore Sandal tag on the soap packet but when I did, the soap just fell into my shopping cart without a second thought.

I think this is not a new launch but I have not seen it earlier at the local stores for some odd reason. Infact, I went to back up on this and now I can't find it anywhere. I keep searching for it and wished I had picked up a couple of pieces when I had purchased it first. But I always try before I buy and hoard.

This herbal care soap is made up of a precious blend of 19 natural essential oils. 19!!! It has aromatic and therapeutic properties. I can assure you on the aroma bit, it smells really good and leaves my bath smelling of herbs and all good things from nature.

What I really like is that it is 100% Biodegradabale(Yaaaay!!) , made from vegetable oils, natural essential oils, neem and other antiseptic extracts.

The soap is a thick moss green block which lathers well and doesn't melt away too quickly.

It's smell is so refreshing that it wakes me up in time for the sun.

I am listing out some of the ingredients which really made me want to get this: Basil, cedarwood, Citronella, Tulsi, Clove, coleus, geranium, eucalyptus, guiacwood, lavendin, lemongrass, nutmeg, orange, patchouli, pineross, palmrosa, petit grain, rosemary and ylang ylang to name some.

It's a 100gm bar and works out economically, I think it was around Rs.12-16. I can't find the outer cover.

But if you really love herbal products do try this out and let me know how you find it. I really like it.

I also like the Medimix Lakshadi oil soap very much, I haven't reviewed that as yet but it's a glycerine based soap and it's very nice.

What are your favourite soaps, do let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you all :)

Published by coralcrue

pic courtesy: http://esterliquoridesign.blogspot.in

My printer's conked off, my room needs cleaning, the cupboards and shelves need to be dusted and organized. A new year is around the corner. A brand new spanking YEAR!
I don't want to miss out on what I did this year and so I am going to get myself organized and zipped up to face everything that's coming my way in the coming year. Time to pull up my socks.
It makes me feel warm when I see people zipping past on their bikes, three people in all carrying bags and luggage on the way to the bus stop, railway station or airports to see off loved ones or travel themselves.
Everyone's hurrying and scurrying to be with their family, kids are munching on plum cakes and home-made brownies, the food everywhere suddenly smells OH SO GOOD!!!
You walk into the streets, there are lights everywhere, people are shopping for a beautiful star or lantern to hang in their homes to bring in more cheer. Parties at the lady's club, choirs arranging christmas carol singers and girls running around to buy accessories to match their party dresses.
Have you all noticed there is something different about this month? I am not quite sure if I noticed this last year but well there is a lot happening right now and I love to just stop and watch people right now. They are all at their best. About me, I am busy with seeing people off at the airport, studying, working and filling up exam forms. Also, trying to squeeze in lots of shopping as there are a lot of great deals and steals going on and am not forgetting to eat all the goodies too. The markets are flooded with pretty baubles and bling.

pic courtesy: favim.com

My dad always used to get me home all the Christmas and New year cards that would come to his office. I used to collect them in pretty shoe boxes and tie it up with string. Yes, I am silly that way but ....those were the times I really loved Christmas. If he forgot to bring them home, I would pester him to get them. I just loved looking at the pictures and the cards would be from all over the world, I'd look at the stamps and wonder how far the card traveled to reach us. And I think my favourites were the ones which had these cute little robins in the snow.It just brings back all the memories of home.
I am young, this is my time to roam the streets, enjoy and scream my heart out. This is my time, enjoying while it lasts :)

I have a plan to buy some pieces for my wardrobe, squeeze some movies in since I couldn't see any and I still need to study but heck need to watch at least 2 movies before the year ends, to call it a show!

Hope you are all having a great rush towards to the year end. Another fifteen days to go girls and boys, what are you all upto?

Published by coralcrue

I love Chaats! I never knew something like this existed till I came to India for college. I used to stay in hostel during that period of time and my roomie was from Delhi. She used to crib about not getting good Dilli-waali chaats in Mangalore but she wanted me to try it nonetheless. So one Sunday when we were in first year, she dragged me(there were a series of dragging incidents and this was just one of them) to discover what Chaat really was. At that time in Mangalore there were no good Chaat 'haunts'. Now there are so many. So we went to a local gaadi outside our college and ate the most crappiest chaat so happily on the street. It was an explosion of flavours inside the mouth and even though I cannot compare that to a real chaat, I quite enjoyed it. It cost, I think maybe, around Rs.10 for a plate at that time.
Fast Forward couple of years, Mangalore is brimming with shops that cater to only selling chaats and this review is all about just one of them. Chaat Zara.
It's located close to Canara College and that's how I saw it when I passed by one day. Initially when it was inaugurated people were raving about the amazing chaats so I took my time and went a year or two later, I think.
I liked the look of the place, though the seating was quite congested. People streamed in from the nearby colleges and the crowd comprised mostly students.
I think on the day I went to check it out, things were not going so great for them. I saw one or two flies, the ac was not working so the door was left open, the place wasn't as clean as expected. I could see the flies sitting on the covered food trays. The impression was to make things look neat and clean but I was not happy with the hygiene. I am sure they use good oil to cook( I hope). So I decided to order Bhel Puri. If it was good I thought I'd try Sev Puri too. Many people ordered Paani Puri but I wasn't sure with all the flies, I was too squirmish. But it looked like the hot favourite there.
It took them quite a while to make it and my mouth was watering as soon as I saw it. But I was very disappointed with the first crunch. It wasn't crunchy at all, it was quite soggy like the rice puffs were lying in the sauce for a while. It was not stale but it was not tasty and it did not have that awesome tangy kick to it. I was sorely disappointed.
I think they have some nice delicacies too but after the first round I didn't want to try anything more and made a hasty exit. I think it might have cost me around Rs.25-30. I can't remember. But I thought I will not write off this place so soon, I will give it another chance and probably visit next year. Hopefully by then they will have the ac working, the flies all booted out, a better chef and work on the hygiene. Until then I will continue visiting my usual chaat place which serves way better bhel puris for the same price :)

If you guys have had better luck with this place, do let me know.
But do tell me where you have eaten the best chaats. I might want to tickle my tongue some time :)

Published by coralcrue

Fall In Love with Lip Smacking Colour from THE BODY SHOP

Introducing New Colour Crush Lipstick

Fall in love with lip smacking colour with new Colour Crush™ Lipstick, our new, super nourishing lipstick collection made from the finest quality crushed pigments. From red-carpet reds, to flirty pinks, to au natural nudes, each cutting-edge lip colour is 100% cruelty free, 100% vegetarian and 100% high impact.

Lust-Have Lip Colour

Our new Colour Crush™ Lipstick collection is an on-trend palette of 24 brilliantly vibrant shades of lipstick, each delivering maximum colour impact. The fashion-forward line-up is available in three colour families; the brightest reds, the sweetest pinks and the finest nudes, in a mix of pure colour and subtle shimmer finishes. Whatever your style, whatever your skins tone, it’s time to reveal your true colours...

Crush On You

Our Colour Crush™ Lipstick collection marries our most intense, full-on colours with luscious moisture. Our secret? We’ve travelled the world to source high-quality pigments, which we’ve finely crushed then blended with a drop of nurturing cherry seed oil and coated with our finest, silkiest Community Fair Trade marula oil. The result is vivid, wow-worthy colour that glides onto lips and feels mega-comfortable to wear. What’s more, each lipstick has a sophisticated delicate floral rose fragrance. Divine!

Three Colour Families

With so many hot hues to choose from, you can re-invent your lip-look every day.

We love the flame-red drama of Red Siren 101, a bold and beautiful crimson that adds a touch of Hollywood glamour.

We think our pink and violet shades are to-die-for; try Red Hot Raspberry 201 for a fierce fuchsia that packs a punch

And for easy-to-wear elegance, slick on beautiful beige; one of our favorites is Coral Kiss 315, a shimmering peachy nude.

Priced at a purse-friendly Rs. 895, you’ll want to get your hands on them!

The Heart Inside

Our Colour Crush™ Lipstick collection benefit from Community Fair Trade marula oil made from the ripe fruit of the sacred marula tree. We source it from the Eudafano Women’s Co-Operative, which is helping 1750 women to earn a fair income. The women involved in the project report that the benefits to them go beyond money, it also helps give them a sense of independence, business management and confidence.

Has anyone tried this out? Maybe it's a new release in time for Christmas. Can't believe Christmas is just a month away!!! I am tied up this entire month but will be back to blogging in fifteen days. Busy with exam fever. Wish me luck, my friends :) You can check out this release at www.thebodyshop.in

Published by coralcrue

If you want to lose yourself to a narrated plot, then I would recommend this one.
It's not the naach-gaana typical Hindi movie. If you are expecting that, then this won't be up your alley.
But for people like me, it is the perfect fit.
I can't describe what exactly I look for in a movie but it has to be something that stirs one's soul, talks about time-lines in life and is relatable. For these reasons and more, I decided to spend last week watching Irfan Khan who plays a widower who is pretty much leading a lonely life but comfortable in his job and journeying to work.
He's brilliant to watch and I could just watch him for hours. So is the lead actress, Nimrat. She plays Ila, a lonely housewife whose husband is cheating on her. He always sees through her and she is pretty much treated like a piece of furniture in the household. Non-existent. So as luck would have it, her lunch dabba gets sent to Irfan who savours it and there starts a daily account of their life and times to each other.
There sparks an affair with someone you can't see or haven't met but you suddenly feel alive knowing that someone out there is acknowledging you, your food and your existence. Which I feel is the most important take home from this plot.

Also a delight to watch is the ever-friendly, eager-to-please and nosy trainee played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Even though it may not count to be the usual love story, it is in many ways. Though the main characters never meet, their souls do share something special.
Deshpande aunty is a constant figure though you will never get to see her. We can relate to this as there are many unseen and unheard Deshpande aunties in and around our neighbourhood.
Actually I miss a Deshpande aunty and I want one, you barely need to interact with her except for passing a basket laden with stuff through a window. How convenient! Hey, come to think of it. I don't have a Deshpande aunty but a neighbour friend who never ever calls or meets me. But I know she is there. lol Sounds confusing right? Even though we are really close to each other but stay in different homes, we know the other person is there. How? Don't ask. It's just one of those relationships where you know they will be there till the end even by not being there.
There is this scene where a lonely Irfan is smoking and watching his neighbour's eat dinner, and the girl shuts the window. Such scenes are sprinkled all over the movie to make one think about how haunting it is to feel old, alone and forgotten. I really feel the saddest thing in life is to eat dinner alone. It really is. Can't tell you how beautifully Irfan has portrayed that.
I really enjoyed this watch and what it has to offer. If you have seen this and can relate to some other movies like this, please let me know in the comments, I would love to watch them.
Am so tired of seeing main stream cinema with the whole melodrama attached to it.
Many people completely seem to have missed the point of this movie. I was told it's a waste of time to watch it and so on. But I can't rave enough about how simple and beautiful it really is. Do watch it sometime.

Ritesh Batra, Kudos on a wonderful effort and please make more movies like this. It's brilliant! 5/5 from me.

Published by coralcrue

Hi, Everyone!

I have a story based on the purchase of this pair. I suffered from an ankle injury around May this year and didn't do much about treating it. I kept walking on it and finally came a day when I couldn't move. When I finally met the Orthopaedician, he asked me to get myself completely new pairs of shoes, sneakers and floaters with arches attached to them. Here in Mangalore, there is only one place I know of that does that. It is the Lions Limbs Centre at the Government Wenlock Hospital. But before I could go there I had go purchase myself some footwear. It takes me a really long time to find anything I like. I think, obsess, walk around shops and anyone who comes along with me gets annoyed so I tell everyone to lay off while I shop, think and purchase.

So I went around Mochi's, Bata, Reliance Footprints and several other shoe stores in the city.
Reliance Footprints were the only store that had a brand selling shoes for flat-footed people like me. They were already made and you can't resize the custom made inbuilt-arches. But atleast they did have a selection. They were probably around the range of Rs.2000 and sturdy but when I wore them they were too heavy and bulky for me. I walk alot so I didn't want to lumber around in bulky looking footwear. I wanted something more fashionable and dainty. I am mentioning these options because they stock shoes for people who have fallen arches. Adidas makes one too but I forget the model number.
I still wanted something custom made so I wandered around for two weeks till I zeroed in on this pair.

Now coming to Bata. They have an nice array of all kinds of foot wear, great design, nice colours and quality with Indian roads in mind. We barely have any foot paths to walk on. So these are very sturdy shoes. Good quality, light-weight and these shoes are built for walking. When I do not have any pain I walk for hours and hours. My feet carry me everywhere. The poor souls(soles) :P

Back to the story. Once I billed my pair I directly went to the Limbs Centre to get my arches fitted. There was no one there, waited a while and two big, bulky looking men in blue coats strolled in. I asked him if he could fit the arches. He said,"What?" I repeated,"Do you not do arches?"
He took my bag with the shoes and threw it down to where he was possibly going to work on them. He didn't say anything and I asked him if he was not going to measure my foot. Again, he barks,"For what?"
So I patiently and calmly said, each pair of feet are different and you need to measure where the arch needs to be attached. He said,"No need!"
Me: When can I get them? (I gave him three pairs). Thinking inside my head but doubting at the same time that he was that much of an expert?!
Grumpy: I don't know. Come around some time.
Me: Excuse me? I will be back by noon. Keep them ready.
Grumpy: Like I have nothing better to do.
Me: Fine, if this is not your job call the person in charge or I shall speak to the medical superintendent.
Grumpy: Come back at 3, *Rooooooooooooaaar* I will have one pair ready. Other two I cannot do.
Me: Oh sh@#!, We have LIONS at the Lions Limb Centre!

Went back at 3, he called me aside and said give me something extra. By then I wanted to bang my head on the wall but this is how our country works. If you are a woman or a man, and this is a government setup..mind you, everything in this country needs greasing someone's dirty palms. I would have just slapped him with my brand new floaters and walked off but I don't know anyone else doing custom fit arches in this city, I handed over the bribe. Then he asked me to go pay for the arches outside. It cost me Rs.210 totally for three pairs excluding the bribe, ofcourse.
Now look at the magic that happens, my dear readers.
When I went back to the limb centre, the same man was so loving and kind. A totally different person than the one I met a few hours back. He got down on bended knee and put the footwear on me, checked if the measurement was correct, adjusted and cut off all the excess which was not required. Had I not oiled his palms, he would have given me ill-fit arches and had me beg for mercy?
And, he spoke very kindly and fitted the arches in the other two shoes within 5 minutes!!!
He also gently asked me to return if there were any more adjustments for any pair of shoes at any time.
And then he smiled....Kindly!
The same pair of shoes he had flung on the floor, he sweetly packed it and gave it to me.
What does it take to do your job with sincerity? A little more on the hind side?
It's a government hospital. Now you can imagine the treatment the poor are met with.
I left with a very sad feeling in my heart. I don't mind parting with the cash but why and what about the others who can't?

Anyway, back to Bata, mates. You can get these lovely shoes and more here and if you want this particular pair, you can check them out here . They are Rs.799. The Bata price tag :) I think they are a real steal.

Published by coralcrue

The Ethea earrings Rs. 6,693

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The Ethea earrings Rs. 6,693

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