Jhola Bags @ Jhola Co.

In my teens, I was attracted towards satchels, clutches, handbags, wallets, bohos, and messenger bags made especially of leather. I have 6-7 leather bags in my possession.

Now the fondness is fading fast.

Reason: My growing sensitivity towards green environment.

Tanning of leather involves harsh chemicals which badly pollutes air and water. The toxic fumes from the tanneries are wrecking havoc with public health too. Read a report here.

Now I am liking colorful bags made from natural bio-degradable fiber or recycled materials. I am preferring pumpkin and jhola bags. They are so simple, spacious yet always makes a signature style statement. Especially jhola bags makes me feel younger and peppy. I can team them with versalite daily wear. They are never misfit with either office wear or a casual wear. One needs to carry a jhola bag with an attitude.

I am wondering to team up my Jhola Bag as follows:

• Regular Patiala Salwar+ Short Kurti + Jhola Bag
• Dhobi Pant + Short Kurt / V-necked tops+Jhola Bag
• Long flowing Skirts+Short-sleeved V-necked top +Jhola Bag

What do you think about the combination?

I will pick my first Jhola Bag from Jhola Co. Awesome prints in bright hues. I have already started loving the brand. You can order online here.

Pic courtesy: Jhola Co.

Ethnic Block Prints from SOMA

Hi,

The weather is behaving eccentric. Some days it is raining cats and dogs, some days drizzling and most days scorching sun. The monsoon has really changed over the past!

In this humid climate , I only wear cotton or mulmul kurtas with leggings/ churidars. This combination is superb comfy and 100% ethnic. I pick vibrant colored block prints for my office wear. Block prints perfectly weds simplicity with elegance.

I am planning to hoard few fabulous block printed kurtas from SOMA. This affordable brand only use dyes made from non toxic chemicals, vegetable and minerals. Block printing is an integral part of Rajasthani culture. SOMA stocks only 100% cotton fabrics in nature-inspired motifs such as leaves, birds, flowers, buds, fish, fruit, and the list goes unending.

I have started visualizing the colors and prints for my next Kurta and Tops haul at SOMA :-)

SOMA has outlets in Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi, Bangalore, Cochin and Hyderabad. Check out details here.

Pic courtesy: SOMA

Fragrant Home By Iris

In heavy rains, my home always gets a moldy, musty smell. It becomes literally difficult to breathe in and breathe out. I feel nauseous often. Yes, I have a strong nose. I passed many monsoons with this typical obnoxious smell. I tried several room freshers. All failed miserably to mask the bad smell for a long time. I was desperately seeking a fragrance that can last longer and create a feeling of wellness. Well a week back, I actually found my desired solution.

I bought a "Fragrance Vaporware" and from Iris. I picked Lavender fragrant oil. Apart from imparting a long lasting fragrance, Lavender energizes and calms body and soul.

I can vouch that it is working ...... Every aroma oil has a therapeutic property. Aroma oils are not any magic but an ancient science. You must pick your oil based on your need. Read here for more details.

Using the fragrance vaporizer is very easy. Just fill the upper compartment of the ceramic vaporizer with water and few drops of essential oil. Light the tea light candle placed in the lower compartment. As the candle heats the water, the volatile oil evaporates gently spreading aroma in the room.

Iris products are available across the country. They have a huge array of fragrant products to choose from. I was really surprised to find the brand in our Tier III city. Check out the nearest outlet through the following link.

Will I repurchase: Yes, definitely. Iris products are true value for money.

Pic courtesy : Ripple Fragrances

Buy Organic Unrefined Sugar from EarthStore

I have diabetic parents. So I obviously try to avoid "sweet" foodstuffs. But while cooking, I often used white sugar to balance the taste. Lately, I realized that white sugar was indirectly increasing my craving for more sweetness. Besides, I read few articles on the harmful effects of "refined sugar". Read more details here.

I experimented with alternatives like honey, and jaggery. But I didn't like any of those. Honey was drippy and inconvenient for regular cooking purpose and jaggery has its own intense flavor. Finally I found the best alternative " unrefined whole sugar".

I bought my first pack of Organic Gur Shakkar (unrefined sugar) from Earth Store. The organic sugar was brown in color as it was made from sugarcane juice without any use of bleaching agents (lime, phosphoric acid, sulphur dioxide and formic acid). Unrefined sugar claims to be rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins. Organic Gur Shakkar is free from any preservatives and chemicals.

Organic sugar is bit expensive, but it is required less compared to white refined sugar. Hence, my monthly grocery budget is unaffected till date.

If you wish to know more about the health benefits of Organic Sugar, click here and here .

Now I am fearlessly enjoying goodness of Organic Sugar in every regular recipes and home-made sweet savories such as Gajjar ka Halwa (Carrot Desert) and Double ka meetha( Bread Dessert).

So when are you changing to " Organic Whole Cane Sugar"?

Earth Store (brand of Earthygoods) is dedicated to offer natural, organic, chemical-free and less processed organic products. They have a wide range of products and all are competitively priced. The motto of Earth Store is "Feel Good, Do Good".

For bulk purchase contact here.

Pic courtesy: Earth Store

Buira Jams - India's Best Homemade Jams, Jellies, Marmalade, and Chutneys

A bottle of homemade jam and chutney can surely make your day. I experience it every day. Most of the mornings, I am in rush. I get very little time to cook for breakfast. However, I never compromise on my diet. I eat toasted/ grilled multigrain bread smothered with yummy jams from Bhuira’s .I love to juggle different flavors each day. Believe me, it never gets boring. This typical breakfast keeps me going throughout the day.

After a long search, I stumbled upon Bhuira Jams, manufactured and promoted by an all-woman community straight from Himachal Pradesh. I read a lot about them before ordering my first bottle of Bhuira Apricot Jam.

Read some interesting coverage on Bhuira Jams. 1,2,3,4,5,&6

I have tried many Jam brand before. All commercially mass-manufactured brands are thick, full of color and impregnated with sugar, preservatives, artificial flavorings and color.

Bhuira Jams's products are natural, and made from fresh ingredients without preservatives and artificial taste-enhancers. Bhuira's offer some amazing preserved fruits and veggies products and has been informally voted in India as the “Best Brand “ in the natural preserved food category. Real fruits or vegetable crushes infused in the products improve health (not over-weight). I often spice my bland daal chawal with Bhira’s tomato chutney bengali which is much more yummy than my grandma’s original recipe.

Read product reviews here.

You can shop Bhuira’s products here and here.

Each Bhuira Jams' bottle comes with the label “made by happy mountain woman". I am touched by their warmth. Are you?

Pic courtesy: Earthstore

Ultimate Bathing Experience with Kama Ayurveda

I love taking long baths. For me bathing is not a just daily ritual of getting rids of dirt and pollutants.

Long baths calm my body and mind.It gives me the opportunity to re-energize my stressed senses. I don't spend hours in my washroom. In less than an hour, I pamper myself with uptans, aromatic bathing oils and natural cleansers. I don't like to missing out the schedule. This makes me feel like a queen. Well, I don't spend fortune on my ayurvedic bathing range.

I am loyal to Kama Ayurveda's Body Care range. They are effective , economical and gentle as home-made stuffs. I cannot afford to grind, mix and prepare my cleansing ingredients. The brand has transformed my daily bathing as a sensuous phenomenon . I am totally loving it !

I have tried and tested Swagandhadi, a concoction of organically grown herbs and pure oils . A massage of 5 minutes for the the entire body is enough. The gentle oil penetrates beneath the skin, releases the fatique, alleviate muscle-ache and stress. It keeps my skin conditioned , smooth and ever-glowing. My 70 year old grandma has used the oil and her wrinkled skin smoothed within 7 days. It really works. And the best part is that, a very small quantity is required. One bottle lasted me 3 months.

I am 100% soap-free gal. I hate parabens found soaps. I use Kama Ayurveda's Ubtan. It is a natural non-drying powdery formulation made of pulses, dried herbs, cereals, and nuts. Earlier my facial skin was covered with black patches due to my nasty habit of pricking acne. I used this miraculous product for one month. My skin became radiant with less visible dark spots. One bottle lasted me for 1 month.

Kama Ayurveda is a affordable luxury. Vogue India, and FoodandNightlife magazines have highly recommended this eco-friendly organic brand. Read here.

You can pick up your range from any of these hotel boutiques or spas.

You can mail order for bulk purchase at this address.

If you are living abroad, you can shop the entire range here.

Pic source

Reinventing Safer Childhood with Hand-made Toys from Women's India Trust

I hate seeing small children playing with 'plastic' toys. Be it dolls , cars, guns, puzzles, pacifiers ....... any toy items. Plastic and mass-manufactured toys should be strict "no-no" at least for small children(0-6 years).

Based on affordability, parents pick up toys either from small neighborhood fancy shop or

up-market toy mall. However, most parents remain oblivion (or don't care) of the hazardous materials used for the toys. There are definitely expensive imported brands but can we guarantee for non-toxicity of the gifts we are handing to our small beloved? Read here & here for more information.

Parenting is not a biological routine. It must be practiced as 'Responsible Parenting'. We can nurture their innocent childhood with innovative finger puppets, stuffed animals and warm creative stories. If we really care for small things, our children will also learn the same....... I truly believe, do you ?

Women's India Trust(WIT) is a women-empowerment community dedicated to cater large variety of safe, colorful, convenient, and delightfully affordable hand-made toys, stuffed animals, pillows, bags and more exclusively for kids. You can customize your products too!

Check out their toy range here.

• You can buy your dearest child hand-made eco-friendly non-hazardous toys from here.
• If you are based in Mumbai, go for an eco-shopping on a weekend. Address.

As they grow older, children tends to become bore with toys (although in perfect good condition).Instead of throwing away or storing, make your kid donate them to some needy kids who will never have the opportunity to play with toys. This will built a 'sharing' nature in your kid :-).

Pic courtesy:http://wit.org.in