Give Her A Break! #HappyMothersDay

When I say that I need a break, I'm not talking about wanting a vacation or a treat as a reward for doing my job. Needing a break doesn't mean that I'm seeking a respite from my responsibilities or that I want to put my feet up. It means that I need a moment to feel like a human being in the midst of a relentless life where I don't belong to myself anymore; where I give my love and energy away, every moment of my existence, and can't figure out how to keep any for myself. I just need a few minutes to not be on edge, working my nerves and spirits raw for the safety and happiness and health of my kids. I just need a moment to remember who I am, to not feel worried and harried and invisible. I need a second to catch my breath, to make my own choices, to try to love myself, for a moment. My breaks might allow me to think my own thoughts for a few moments.

- A Mother

Motherhood is challenging. We love you, Moms. We do. And, thank you. For EVERYTHING. #HappyMothersDay

Book Review #118 : How I survive: Vizmom

How I survive: Vizmom is a common-sense guide to managing everyday stress. As I started reading the book, I realized that the author had put a lot of thought into her own life experiences. 

The cover is very mesmerizing to look at. It has a philosophical and soothing feeling to it, which suits the genre of the book perfectly.

The anecdotes and stories from which the lessons are drawn are very inspiring. The language is very simple to understand. It is written with a first person narrative which makes it easy for the readers to connect.

The basic ideology behind this book is to ensure that none of the working women feel that she has been left alone or she has to carry all the burden over her shoulder.  The book is a real interesting read since each of the 77 chapters does not stretch beyond 3 pages. The content is given in short and crisp manner which makes it really appealing.

The book is a non fiction account of a working mother who is a doctor and a responsible mother. It outlines various effective measures for issues faced by working mothers who constantly juggle their life between home and workplace. A lot of patience, compromise and sensible thinking are required to cope with the stress that comes along with this role.

The chapters highlight the power of positivity, gratitude, creativity, forgiveness, humility, meditation and various aspects which are essential for a stress free and peaceful life. Dr Vidhu Bhatnagar successfully draws parallels between the positive and negative outlook towards life and how the former can aid in turning every odd in your favour!

According to the author, the key to mental happiness is having a healthy response to stress and not avoiding it. The arguments presented are lightweight and reasonable at the same time. 

However, the book does come with certain drawbacks. There are several grammatical errors and that might make the otherwise simple dialogues ambiguous. Even the title is incorrectly punctuated.

Verdict — Overall, this book is more than just being a self-help book. It has the calibre to enable the readers to become stronger- emotionally and spiritually. A light read, indeed! A must read for all parents.

Rating – 3.8 / 5

Dating & Relationship Insights From Mom!

It’s a delicate subject, but in my times of conflict, I have always turned to my mom for a second opinion as to whether I am is correct in my assumptions about a relationship or not. Without taking my side, she has always called spade a spade. Top 5 valuable lessons that I learned from her :

1. Respect him/her. Offer it while expecting it in return. Good relationships are forged more on how a couple handles the bad times than the good ones. Fight fair. Don’t get into name-calling, or fits of rage.

2. Never change for someone until you no longer recognize yourself. Falling deeply, madly in love should not get you “lost”. Change aspects of yourself only because YOU recognize where your flaws exist and YOU want to become a better person.

3. “Don’t marry for money. You’ll have nothing when it’s gone.” Prioritize love. The biggest lesson I learned from her is to prioritize love. Real love. To trust my heart and not force something to work just because it's a good story or he's 'perfect on paper.’

4. Never Settle. Since forever, my mom has taught me to never settle, to keep my standards as high as I want them, and that it's better to be alone than wishing you were alone!

5. Find the one who ‘supports’ you. 'Having it all' is impossible (or very, very difficult) without support. She attributes her success, work-life balance and happiness in large part to the fact that my dad has been an incredibly awesome, involved, and equal partner.

So, there you have it: Whether it's the little things or the big picture about life and love, a mother knows best.

Book Review #102 : The Last Lecture

If you know that you have a very short time of good health, how would you like to spend your time? You want to fulfill your dreams, spend quality time with your family or do what you are best at. Very similar is the case of Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was asked to give a lecture and he couldn’t imagine it to be his last one. Randy said “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand”. 

This book is inspiring, motivating and can craft the inanimate to life. The author has beautifully combined humor, intelligence, and wisdom. He has exemplified many stories which cover subjects like hard work, team work, sacrifice, self-confidence, modesty, dreaming big, perseverance, positivity, courage and dealing with adversity. For the reader, the book is a glimpse into the life of a dying man who fights every moment to be alive and not a mere story.

He finds himself winning the parent lottery. He was influenced by his loving and supporting parents. During his life, he learnt many lessons from his experiences and has shared them in a striking manner. He also reveals how he achieved his childhood dream of becoming a Disney Imagineer, getting to Zero Gravity, being the coolest guy at amusement park and playing in the National football League (which he never made it).

The book shows a transformational change of his life when he is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, portrays the changes in his day to day life and how he managed to achieve more in those turbulent times. He always maintained a positive outlook. Pausch loved his wife and children and he expressed it after every slide of his last lecture. He has dedicated his last lecture to his children and concludes by looking forward to sharing his dreams for his children. He recounts that his wife Jai was his caregiver and this means a lot to him. This book makes us feel like family to him, supporting him in his battle against a terminal cancer.

In a chapter entitled, “It’s About How to Live Your Life,” Pausch talks of his cancer and it’s effects on the remainder of his life. He described how he tried to live his life and offered some tips on coping saying “this is what worked for me.” He talks about giving yourself permission to dream big, and achieving your goals. He points out that we all have a finite amount of time and energy and that time spent complaining cannot help us achieve our goals. 

The book is an easy read, that’s packed with a lot of punch. It’s a collection of 61 short stories and is a celebration of a life worth living. Pausch packed a lot of distilled wisdom and knowledge of his 47 years.

There are many nuggets of wisdom interspersed throughout The Last Lecture. 

If you want something bad enough, don’t give up. 

Luck = Preparation + Opportunity. 

Recognize when it’s time to change your strategy. “I signed up for the hardest treatments that could be thrown at me because I wanted to be around as long as possible to be there for my kids.” When Pausch realized that, that was not going to be the case, he changed his strategy to leaving a legacy and spending quality time with his wife and each of his three children. 

Get the fundamentals down for everything. Have you mastered the fundamentals for your job? 

Your attitude affects the outcome of every situation. 

Complaining does not work as a strategy. 

Value people more than you value things. 

While reading The Last Lecture, I gleaned three questions to differentiate us, and I’m still trying to answer them for myself: 

What are three things that matter the most to you? 

What’s unique about you? 

What do you alone truly have to offer? 

Written in a highly personable and conversational fashion, The Last Lecture is part autobiography, part life lesson, and all heart. Through a quick tour of his life and career, Randy demonstrates how one should live while being candid about his impending death.

Despite his condition, Randy’s writing is light-hearted and upbeat. One can’t tell from the prose that its the work of a dying man as its often peppered with deadpan and occasionally self deprecating humour. 

Perhaps the hardest part of the book to read are the sections where Randy writes about his family. One can feel how painful it must be for him to plan so many things ahead – writing little notes to his kids, making videos, bringing his family on various activities etc – while in the throes of death.

It is certainly admirable that Randy manages to rise above his circumstances and to continue to be a teacher even unto his death. As the author himself has shared, the book isn’t about dying but about living. I do know for sure that it has provided me with lots of food for thought about what I should do with my own life.

What readers take away from The Last Lecture is in this same vein. The book isn’t about one man’s struggle against cancer, or the outcome of his treatment (Pausch died on July 25, 2008). It’s not an overcoming-all-odds story. It’s about making the most out of what you have, and enjoying every minute of the adventure, regardless of how it turns out in the end.

RATING -5/5 

A must read.

Why I Won't Ever Buy A Barbie Doll For My Daughter

Hi there! I have been meaning to write this since quite some time now. It is quite a controversial topic. Just recently, when I was gift searching for my cute little neighbour's birthday gift and visited Hamleys, I was sure enough, as I walked down the toy aisle,  I didn't want to buy her a doll; but what made my resolution stronger was the collection of Barbie dolls I saw.

There were various doll sets, many with kitchen sets, utensils, and what not. Because why not, 'it's a girls thing', isn't it? I was quite surprised to even notice Barbie's dressed as brides, and also Barbie couple sets, (I couldn't resist clicking :/) because it annoyed me, naturally the makers try to tell you girls, how important getting married is, and to find that suitable man for you.

While you want your child to have diverse toys and a rich imaginative play session, I fail to find reasons to brainwash your daughter right from a tender age to know that household chores are only her responsibility, that a marriage is only when you deck up and put on a red lehenga and adorn dozens of gold on yourself, that while playing "ghar-ghar", kitchen is always her arena and the boy always goes to office.

Barbie has possibly been the most famous doll in the world after her debut in 1959. She has represented fifty nationalities (she is a racist too : see below!) and has held over one hundred careers. Girls from age’s three to ten own at least one Barbie doll if not more. When people think of Barbie they think of a tall skinny supermodel woman with a perfect waist, perfect hair, perfect clothes, and a perfect life. 

But are Barbie dolls a good influence on our girls? I don't think they are. Many might disagree!

A role model shouldn’t be someone we imitate; instead they should be someone who opens up possibilities and choices of who we can be; someone whose qualities and characteristics should serve as the underpinning of our future selves.

But Barbie's come adorned with chunky high heels and hot-pink purse that according to them defines beauty and smartness. Barbie's are unrealistic perfection.

I don’t hate the princesses as people—they’re all really kind girls. But Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White are the same person in different bodies. They have no personality whatsoever, just superficial standards. Barbie life becomes #LifeGoals to young girls. Nothing in life, is ever so perfect. We need to teach our girls that.

We have definitely been a part of their journey that promised happy endings where the unfortunate princess-in-distress is rescued by a very handsome prince. We need to un-teach the unfeasible, sugar coated ideal of womanhood and instead, teach your daughters to save themselves from anything that affects their wellbeing, and put up a brave fight, despite a prince being there for her or not.

Some skeptics may argue that Barbie is just a toy and has nothing to do with reality. However, every child is influenced by the toys they play with. That’s why society is constantly giving children toys that are designed to prepare them for their adult life. Toys such as doctor’s kits, plastic kitchens, shopping carts, and baby dolls are all components to steering a child into typical and stereotypcial adult lives, sometimes, fairy tales and happy endings.

The only reason that any of the princesses get a happy ending is because they’re gorgeous. I have seen, heard, and read more Cinderella renditions than I can possibly count, and every Cinderella character seems to have one trait in common: She’s pretty. Cinderellas can also be active or passive, bold or shy, rebellious or submissive, outspoken and strong, or worn out and broken down. None of these qualities really matter because the only attribute she actually needs to get the prince is beauty. Imagine if the princesses were of average attractiveness. Cinderella is never noticed by her prince, Snow White’s prince never has the absurd urge to kiss a dead girl, and Sleeping Beauty isn't followed by Phillip in the woods. Aladdin would never become smitten with Jasmine, and so on. We’re telling little girls that physical beauty is their most important trait.

Princess stories repeatedly advertise love at first sight. Princesses marry a prince after only interacting with him once! Plus, these movies make marriage look like the end of the story (really, it’s just the beginning: you have the whole rest of your life ahead of you!).

I would instead teach my daughter to idolize someone who is independent, to look up to men who don't just find you 'hot' like you are a temperature and see only your outer beauty,  but chase you for what you are from within and see you as a whole being.

There are real life princesses who are bold, individualistic, independent and contribute tremendously to social and economic development in their countries and internationally. Time for a paradigm shift – next time you want to gift a Barbie to a five year old you might want to reconsider. Perhaps a set of boxing gloves or an enrolment in Karate classes would be a better idea. :)

Book Review #81 : Mrs Funnybones

Author : Twinkle Khanna

Publisher : Penguin India

Pages: 240

Price: Rs 299

I have a hard time thinking of this as a book – to me, it’s a collection of articles or blog posts or journal entries…maybe. Anything, but not a book.

The book, is narrated by Mrs Funnybones – Twinkle Khanna. Random, quick, funny, and well written, every chapter is an insight into her life. I must also mention that this book is not a showcase of the glittering life of a superstar’s wife. It is mostly a narration of scattered, unimportant, normal, quirky things that happen in her life, which are not exactly interesting, but her ready wit ensures that they are not boring either. The language is casual and breezy and perfectly echoes the humor and the point that the author is trying to implicate. The narration is very vibrant and cheerful which is why you feel relaxed reading this book.

Big Expectations:

To be honest, I had big expectations from this book. Mostly because, I have read several of her articles, and have really enjoyed them. She is sassy, sarcastic, and has a great sense of humour, which reflects in her writing. The title and the cover work very well. They stand out, and also convey the mood of the book.

Disappointments:

Although the book has been appreciated and endorsed by who's who of the glamour industry, it book did not quite meet my expectations. Admittedly, the expectations were pretty big to begin with, but it’s not just that. The book is in the genre of humour, and while some segments were genuinely funny, there were also bits where the jokes were cliched, and seemed forced; almost as if the book was trying too hard to be something it’s not. She is way more funnier and wittier on her social media!

VERDICT : Reading the book felt like sitting and having a cup of chai with a close friend, the same comforting familiarity of knowing what she was talking about. It is a book to be read especially on those days when life wears you out and you need something to smile about. Nothing too complicated and yet holds you sternly to the pages with its light and good nature.

Rating – 3.5/5

Book Review #79 : The Baby Trail

Early thirtysomething Emma decides it's time to have the baby - but it just doesn't happen to order. Emma goes through a funny, touching and ultimately moving journey as she struggles to accept the reality that maybe it's never going to happen. The Baby Trail is a novel rich in texture, light and dark, and humour with a biting undercurrent.

On the fertility meds you can go from placid to full out rage in a split second! If you haven't dealt with infertility this book is still a good read, although you may not understand why Emma acts like she does. Infertility takes a toll on your self worth & sanity, but it helps to know you are not the only one who feels the way you do.

All Emma wants is a baby but she has 'unexplained infertility'. She goes to great lengths to get a baby. Parts of the book are laugh out loud hysterical, and other times you want to give the heroine a big hug!!

The title of The Baby Trail kind of says it all – this is a book about the trials and tribulations of a couple trying to get pregnant. It’s a very easy read – It handles a sensitive subject with humour and sometimes a little irreverence.

As Emma and James’ story develops, it does tug on the heartstrings. As the months go by and Emma takes one negative pregnancy test after another, it’s hard not to feel bad for her. As she watches her friends conceive seemingly effortlessly whilst she undergoes inconclusive tests and invasive procedures, the layer of humour becomes a thinner and thinner mask for a fairly heartbreaking situation. I think any reader – particularly female readers – will feel her desperation and hopelessness.

I loved this book. I laughed out loud & cried my eyes out too. I wish I could give this book to everyone suffering through infertility & to those who want to understand what a loved one who is struggling with it goes through. This book should be available in the waiting room of every fertility clinic.

Book Review #69 : Deep Singh Blue

Book: Deep Singh Blue;

Author: Ranbir Singh Sidhu;

Publisher: HarperCollins;

Pages: 243;

Price: Rs.499

Often wise and sad beyond his years, teen narrator Deep Singh in his book, "Deep Singh Blue", primarily tells two overlapping stories: one of romantic love and the other of his troubled immigrant family.

Deep falls in love with an older, married woman, who is abused, unhinged, and often mean. Meanwhile, his older brother Jag descends into a seeming psychosis, finding secret meanings in magazine clippings and finally falling into total silence. Deep’s parents, however, refuse to acknowledge his brother’s illness, and are instead determined to find a suitable Sikh bride for him. This harrowing book has the trappings of a coming-of-age novel, but Deep has no comfortable place at which to arrive. 

Admiration. That is the word that spontaneously came to me after I finished reading this book. It is a book about a migrant, but it does not invoke nostalgia about the home country. The protagonist, who is born and brought up outside India, knows the country and the Sikh culture only through video cassettes and through the stories told to him by his parents. He does not find himself in those stories. His only pursuit is of what lies ahead and his path is mixed up.

Through the first half of the book, the reader follows the book’s protagonist, Deep Singh, through his confusions. The protagonist is lonely, immensely lonely, but the novel is not about loneliness or about an emotional or cultural pain. Instead, Deep Singh Blue explores the deep angst of being and a human’s relationship with the world.

The author establishes that the protagonist is interested in books, reading, knowledge. The protagonist is in severely unjust situations – in his family relations, in his mother’s blind defiance of his elder brother’s mental health, in his father’s boorish behaviour, in his uncle’s interference in the family and in his relationship with Lily – whom he covets, but who in turn manipulates him. 

The protagonist meets the world as an open soul without the encumbrance of religious or cultural baggage. In the process, he shows how early migrant families – who are on the verge of poverty – coped with finding themselves in this new land that is touted as one of opportunity and equality. 

I have always wondered what kind of life a child will have in a dysfunctional family. I got more than a glimpse of life of a child especially a troubled teenager.

There are flaws in all the characters in the book. This is what makes the book a real page turner. The book is an intense, emotional roller coaster ride. It is a must read book by all parents with teenagers. How to raise children with discipline may not be found in this book but it warns you about the signs why the children behave in a certain way.

Negatives ~

The book moves at a snail pace and from the initial chapter, as I was able to get a clue of what Ican expect from the novel. It is still not very clear why Deep Singh’s parents love their first son so blindly than their second son. But the good thing is - we learn what the power of favouritism can do to change the behavior of children.

My Verdict ~

I recommend this book to all parents out there. Buy this book and see if you understand your children well or not. In this book, you will learn communication and understanding is the best way to raise a good kid.

Rating: 4/5

P.S: I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

Nano Fiction 30 : Matchmaking

Despite Bollywood painting a very flowery picture of eternal love and marriages based on love, somehow I have lost faith in the Indian matrimonial system and Love too. In India, marriages don’t happen between two individuals (which actually should happen) – it happens between two families, like a royal political treaty. Which kind of screws it up.

Uninvited neighbours and guests gate-crash the wedding and gobble free food. Basically everybody has fun except the ones whose wedding it actually is.

The moment a girl learns how to walk, hawk-eyed relatives start targeting her as the prey. “Tumhare liye rishta aaya” is the death-knell on a woman’s desires. She is scrutinized like an object on sale and is needed to know how to cook, clean, walk on the tight rope, perform stunts etc (I know exaggeration!). Shooting fire from the mouth was the only stunt which wasn’t accepted as that was the exclusive talent-cum-right of the prospective mom-in-law. (Hahahaha)

Soon Sherlock-like matrimonial agents aka the aunties emerge as matchmakers where caste, family, and the girl’s “merits” are the prime concern.

I wonder whether if we can ever find Mr. Right or Ms. Right. And why this race to find the right? Why can't we accept people for who they are?! Why do we leave people for little faults of theirs? Why are we not a bit patient?  

Off late, I have turned anti-men and the concept of marriage puts me off, after I see what is currently going around. I wish India finds somehow a way for a woman to bear a child without a man. (winks)

With the changing dynamics of the “partner selection process", matrimonial sites are getting tough competition from the dating portals these days. Even still, we have such a high divorce rates, because too many options are available to get people replaced.

Does “Tumhare liye rishta aaya” scare you?! 

Nano Fiction 29 : Ghost Diaries

Winter night,

A tiny bulb, the only light, on the road,

A heap of garbage, dogs barking,

The road was barely visible,

Twisted through gloomy trees,

Heart racing, terrifying silence.

I walked silently, making no clatter of my footsteps,

So as not to bother the evil things sleeping about.

Suddenly some footsteps follow me,

And I do nothing, but walk faster and faster.

Tiny droplets of sweat make through majority of the pores of my body,

And the winter ceases to exist.

For The Love Of Urdu ~ #1

I am really fond of Urdu language and that kind of justifies my liking for Pakistani dramas.

I think Urdu really deserves a lot more love and acceptance. It is one language that lends itself to so many genres and art forms and should be brought to the public consciousness in a better way. This language lends so much depth to the words we want to convey and thereby it adds a lot to our existence.

I find people speaking Urdu, so much more adorable and attractive than those who don't! This language is too exotic, according to me.

When a fellow blogger friend suggested to watch, 'Dil-E-Muztar', I immediately went on to YouTube and there, it all started. Today, I finished watching the entire drama. And I must say, after watching Pakistani dramas, I ALWAYS learn a lot about life. They are so realistic! I have watched 5-6 of them, and each has taught me very important lessons of life.

And for the love of Urdu, I had to share this dialogue from 'Dil-E-Muztar'. (See the imagery) It has deep meanings hidden and I love the way it explains a lot about life.

Each one of us is broken, in one way or the other; yet every morning we get up and live our day. Each passing day, makes us stronger and some things never leave us, yet, we just learn how to gracefully hide them behind our smiling faces. And that is what I learnt about life - It never stops for anyone, it goes on.

Few shayari lines, I love from the title track of this show: (of course, I had to see the translation to get its complete meaning!)

"Dil-e-muztar ko samjhaya bahut hai,

Magar is dil ne tadpaya bahut hai,

Qayamat hai yeh tark-e-arzoo bhi,

Mujhe aksar wo yaad aaya bahut hai,

Magar is dil ne tadpaya bahut hai,

Dil-e-muztar ko samjhaya bahut hai,

Tabassum bhi , Haya bhi , Berukhi bhi,

Ye andaze sitam, bhaya bahut hai,

Rahi hasti ke is jalte safar main,

Tumhari yaad ka saya bahut hai,

Dil-e-muztar ko samjhaya bahut hai,

Magar is dil ne tadpaya bahut hai..."

Nano Fiction 22 : Dying Mother's Blog

Hello there!

Today's thought for the day - "Money can't buy you life!"

This Nano Fiction is a little bit of 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai', digital style, though! It takes a look at another level blogging can be taken to. I have seen so many people documenting their children's activities on their blogs. Imagine how good it would be for their children to see their childhood flashing before their eyes one day!

I wonder how many people will still read my blog if I die one day?

Some of us have a big share of digital life - I mean, we writers, share things we love to. It becomes a digital record, sort of! Something everyone can see even after we no longer are there. A part of us is always available - online. Such is the effect of technology!

Some days, you have stories to share, but do not get perfect words to put them into. Today is one such day! Without much ranting and cribbing, here's the next Nano Fiction.

Happy reading!

Today is Fri-Yay! But not totally for me; because tomorrow isn't a holiday for me. *cribs*

Farq Sirf Itna Sa Tha

Urdu is, one of the most absorbing and meaningful language, I feel. The aadaab and tehzeeb in the language is too charming to not know the meaning of the words of this language. It is so magnetic. Urdu is the main driving force why I am attracted to Pakistani dramas.

DISCLAMER: What I post below, is not written by me. But I wanted to save it somewhere and I am using my blog for it. It is simply amazing.

For me, the people speaking even a little of Urdu between their talks, automatically become so much more attractive! Urdu is quite a beautiful and graceful language.

Kya khayaal hai?

********************

The difference between a Wedding and a Funeral beautifully captured in this piece ~

Nikaah Aur Janaaza

Teri doli uthi,
Meri mayyat uthi,

Phool tujh par bhi barse,

Phool mujh par bhi barse,

Farq Sirf Itna Sa Tha,

Tu sajj gayi,

Mujhe sajaya gaya.

Tu bhi ghar ko chali,

Main bi ghar ko chala,

Farq Sirf Itna Sa Tha,

Tu uth ke gayi,

Mujhe uthaya gaya.

Mehfil wahan bhi thi,

Log yahan bhi the,

Farq Sirf Itna Sa Tha,

Unka hasna wahan,

Inka rona yahan.

Qazi udhar bhi tha,

Moulvi idhar bhi tha,

Do bol tere padhe,

Do bol mere padhe,

Tera nikaah padha,

Mera janaaza padha,

Farq Sirf Itna Sa Tha,

Tujhe apnaya gaya,

Mujhe dafnaaya gaya.

e-commerce Trends For Kids #FlipkartKids

Last Saturday, IndiBlogger hosted its last blogger meet of 2015! We met one last time this year to share a few drinks and have some fun at Blue Frog, Mumbai. Just loved the sitting arrangement and the ambiance there.

The IndiBlogger team had a quick introduction, followed by a talk by Kalpana - a parent blogger. Later, Chota Bheem and Flipkart team members took over to share their thoughts on the e-commerce trends that are changing the way people shop for their kids. I clicked a snap with the very-famous-among-children 'Chota Bheem'! Check it out!

Various bloggers shared their views on the e-commerce trends that are changing the way people shop for their kids.

I feel, kids these days are super smart and cannot be lured by simple things. Hence, the way people shop for their children has changed too. Kids these days are very much fashion conscious and aware of the latest trends. Hence, online shopping comes to the rescue and saves you a lot of hustle and bustle. Order 'trending' stuff for your children and if there are quality issues, size issues or simply if your kid is unhappy with it, you can change them with easy returns policy on Flipkart! Technology has made things this simple.

My 10 year old nephew already adds the stuff he wants his parents to buy for him into the Flipkart shopping cart, can you imagine, that's how smart kids have become with these e-commerce trends coming up in market!

In light with these changing trends, our team of bloggers performed an Ad called #FlipkartSanta where each one of us covered the different ages of a child and their specific requirements at every age.

Flipkart has launched the 'Li'l Star, India's Biggest Online Kids' #FlipkartKids Store on 19th December, 2015 with nearly thousand national and international brands, awesome isn't it? Makes shopping for your little ones so comfy and convenient. You do not need to go store to store searching for the right outfit/toys/books and so much more for your kids. You just need an internet connection and vroom you go! Take your kid along and browse until you get the best deal on Flipkart from toys to clothing to accessories, shoes, books, bags, and a lot more.

Source: Indiblogger

Personally I love Flipkart and now that it has a special range for kids, it has become so very easy to buy stuff for the kids in the family. Kids are the most choosy creatures!

With the launch of Flipkart Li’l Stars I am looking forward to pampering my little cousins with an amazing range of products from brands like Fisher Price, Lego, Chota Bheem, Disney, Barbie and other international brands that are just a click away. See the image below to get an idea of what I am talking about!

Source: Indiblogger

Dil Ki Deal (Story 1)

*Prize Winning Entry in Snapdeal’s #DilKiDealOnSnapdeal activity*

It was my parents’ 25th marriage anniversary. I have always gifted them cards from Archies or something like that in the past. But this time I followed my heart. I wanted to make my parents feel ultra special and I wanted to do so not just by gifts/gestures but by words too. I took the plunge and what followed was MAGIC!

I collected all our old albums right from their marriage to our childhood, also our till date family outings!

Heart’s callings lead you to a right path. Always listen to what your heart says; it greatly helps in decision making.

This time gifts were not on priority though I bought an Allen Solly wallet for daddy and a favorite lipstick shade for mommy – all from my first salary. And guess what! Snapdeal delivered both well in time.

Going through all the albums was a spectacular feeling. So soothing, indeed no love greater than family!

I started collecting the ‘best among the rest’ photographs. I decided to make a scrapbook – a kind of timeline.

I started wrapping up the scrap book with a gift paper. On it I wrote, ‘To the world’s best parents!’

I opened the first page – I started penning ~

“Memories are like threads of gold, they never grow old, just get dearer as time flies!”

“10th February – the day fate brought you two together : The day dad blushed and mom looked the prettiest - A historic date!”

Image Source: Personal 

Along with my words, I stuck some pictures of their marriage ceremony. I love personalized gifts.

You can know how much I treasure you, by the kind of gifts I give you. If it is a personalized one, you are very dear to me. Believe you me! Because that implies: I put in efforts and I invest time for you, rather than buying a monetary gift.

The next pages I dedicated to the awesome upbringing and childhood my parents gave me. When I look at the pictures captured of myself and my sibling, I realize how candidly those poses have been captured by my father. As if he was always there to see us being naughty, happy. Nowadays, I see so many parents happily ignoring the childhood of their child and neglecting their little activities.  

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I wrote, “I can always trust you both for my life and its decisions. Thanks for being a marvelous support system always!”

Next page, I wrote the lyrics in Hindi – a famous song from Hum Saath Saath Hai – “Yeh Toh Sach Hai ke Bhagwan Hai”. Okay! Now don’t blame me – I know I’m filmy. (grins)

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I also advised them something! (winks) ~

“For all the times you have fought and made up, makes me realize the fact that two people need not be alike to love alike! After all, making up is the best part of fighting.”

“Thank you for giving us all we ever needed even before we mentioned it to you! You both have been like ‘balancing poles’. Stay happy, always.”

I finally thanked –

DAD – Symbol of positive thinking, Mentor, Advisor

MOM- Multi-tasker, Companion, Friend

I ended with a little prayer, “It is my heartiest prayer to Allah that he maintains his holy hands on the well being of my family. I worship my parents.”

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When I handed over the scrapbook and gifts, they first saw the scrapbook. With that you can gauge how much personalized gifts are valued rather than materialistic ones!

They loved it and blessed me. Till today, they treasure it like the book is a chest of gems! They see it often when they are tired, they say it refreshes them. They still praise me for a unique gift I made for them, despite being busy. There is no joy greater than keeping your parents happy!

Follow your heart, it makes you do wonders. This was my Dil Ki Deal – the best till date! I pleased my parents and made them super happy! Follow your dil for the best deal, I say! Create MAGIC!

P.S: I am participating in the #DilKiDealOnSnapdeal activity at BlogAdda in association with SnapDeal. 

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