Welcome to 2014

Mom- The Diva welcomes you all to 2014.
Each year could be a new beginning with new hopes and new opportunities.
Every year is like a book with 365 empty pages, left for you to fill them up with your story and achievements. But remember, like success, failure is also a part of life; with achievements, come along certain mistakes as well. Failures and mistakes help us to be a better person and help us in learning a lot. Never be afraid of them. The success that comes after failure; tastes even sweeter and is received well.
Hope this New Year brings Success and Achievement for everyone!!

Signing off with this quote from Winston Churchill

[Random Thoughts] Me at 20 Vs. Me at 30

Today as I complete 30,  I could not help but compare myself with me a decade ago... My 20 year old introvert and self-conscious self would have never thought that she could turn out to be a fairly social person that I am today. At 20, when I used to hesitate to even open my mouth to speak even with a relative or friend, let alone the strangers would have never thought of that I could turn out to be in a profession or rather professions which require me to talk talk and talk and meet new people almost every other day. Starting from teaching, which I began around the age of 23 and went on for more than five years. It required me to talk to group of students; atleast almost everyday I had to face the same people. Then moving on to a being an Image Consultant where everyday I meet different people, whom I have to convince to believe in me and trust me with their looks... Phew! I am sure my 20 year old self would have always preferred quieter professions, which do not require so much human interactions which were dreaded at that point, but who was to know what is stored in the future.
The 20 year old me was a perfectionist, getting everything done at the right place, right time and in the right way. Right way was the only way and right time was the only time for things to happen and this continued for quite a long time in my twenties till our Champ understood that he also has mamma's genes and things should work his way or no way. Now, I am a little more relaxed about doing things and getting things done ;)
Well, these were the major changes but certain things remain to be as it is and I am glad for them as well, like I still love reading, painting, embroidery and helping others with whatever I can. And, yes if ask Mr. Scientist I am still as short-tempered as I was when we met more than eight years ago :) I feel this is just me- a new and better version but with some old qualities retained as well!

Signing off with new Hopes...

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[Random Thoughts] 30 Things that I have enjoyed doing in 30 years

Hi everyone,
I would like to tell you about certain things that I have enjoyed doing in these 30 years. Some of these things were done only for a while or were age oriented but some are such that I am still doing but nevertheless when I first got into them, they really became my passion atleast for a while.
Let me list them now in random order...
1. Reading- still very much into it.
2. Embroidery- usually get spurts of interest for embroidery every few years and when that happens, I am embroidering almost day and night. Check out my creations here.
3. Playing games online
4. Watching Tom & Jerry cartoon
5. Playing with dolls
6. Surfing the net
7. Chatting with random strangers on net using fake profile- have gotten over it completely now ;)
8. Doodling
9. Painting using various media on paper or canvas
10. Dancing- am a trained Indian Classical dancer
11. Collecting lyrics of Indian Bollywood songs
12. Collecting Stamps
13. Collecting Stickers
14. Making greeting cards for various occasions
15. Decorating greeting cards with Stickers
16. Writing
17. Doing up my eyes
18. Taking care of my feet
19. Collecting perfumes
20. Travelling to different places
21. Collecting souvenirs from every place I visit
22. Appreciating Textile and Craft Traditions of India
23. Teaching
24. Collecting books on textiles, fashion, style and crafts
25. Buying Toys for my Champ
26. Shopping for clothes and accessories
27. Graphic designing
28. Inculcating the habit of reading in my Champ
29. Loving Mr. Scientist
30. Loving Myself

And a lot more but I had to mention 30 only so just shared those 30 that came to my mind first. Do you share any of my passions? If Yes, do share your experience by leaving a comment

Signing off...

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[random Thoughts] 20s The Most Exciting Decade of my Life- Continued

Continued from the previous post 20s the Most Exciting Decade of My Life... 

The life became a little more adventurous after that... there I was with a two month old baby and we relocated to Japan, a wonderful country to settle down but the assignment there was for less than a year so we tried to experience all that we were capable of with the baby. I became a SAHM looking after my Champ and the house, something I thought I was not capable to doing  but managed fairly well. It was then that I had a chance to clear my misconception about the close knit Japanese society which doesn't like intruders foreigners. We got to hear that language is a big problem there, if you don't know Japanese, it is difficult to survive there but believe me, though we started learning Japanese but even with English we were able to manage quite well. The Japanese people go an extra mile to understand you and help you. if you go to a Department store or a Super market and an employee cannot understand what you are saying, they will get somebody who can understand English and will help you out. It was never like 'I can't understand so I cannot help you!' It is more like 'I can't understand but I'll get somebody to know what you want and get it for you!' What wonderful people they are! I got a chance to sit and experience the Japanese Bullet Train (Shinkansen). We visited Tokyo and got a chance to see a city with so many skyscrapers surviving frequent earthquakes, we missed one by few hours (Thank God for that!). Then another place we went was Hiroshima and looking at the pictures and other things in the Atomic Bomb Memorial Museum really makes you wonder- Why? Why all this had to happen? We got to experience two lovely seasons in Japan- Autumn and Spring. It is so amazing to see the leaves changing colour in Fall and the cherry blossom in Spring. Another thing that amazed me about Japan was the kind and variety of products available specially in the 100 yen stores. I don't know if we will ever go back to Japan but will always cherish the experience that I had in those few months.

Within 10 months came the relocation to next place- Singapore. We came here and started hunting for the house and bought one. Once my house and other things were settled here, I went back to studies and became a Certified Style Coach and Image Consultant. I started my own company and also got into writing this blog. On personal front, our Champ was growing up well, he started going to a play group and is loving it there- learning, playing and socializing. We met lot of new people and became friends. I am having regular playdates with these friends (read my post on Playdates here). Since, Singapore is going to be our home for atleast 5-7 years, we are still exploring. So, the adventure continues...

After all this excitement, sometimes I wonder will the next decade be as exciting as this one... but I have to remember that whenever I think, Yes! I have achieved everything and there is nothing to look forward to... I get presented with a new set of adventure (about which I would have never thought of), making my life even more fun.

With this hope, I would like to Sign off....

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[Random Thoughts] 20's The Most Exciting Decade of My Life!

In a few days, I'll achieve yet another milestone of my life- interesting for some and dreaded by others, Oh yes! I'll be 30! But before going on to that, I would like to share with you all my journey in the most -I would like to say Adventurous- decade of my life, the 20s.

Before turning 20, most of us have a predictable life- preschool, primary school, elementary school, high school, university etc. My life was also the same and I felt it would continue the same way but who was to know, what's going to happen next. But, the fun and excitement started a couple of days before I turned 20. I was an Undergraduate student and just a week before my birthday, an educational trip was planned by our department to Jaipur, the capital of a Western Indian State, Rajasthan, which is known for its rich textiles and craft traditions and being students of Fashion and Textiles, Jaipur is a Mecca for us. So this trip was planned for 3 days and we were to return on the day of my birthday. It was going to be the first time when I was going to be away from my family and parents on my birthday and my dad's birthday (which is just one day before mine)... so there I turned 20 amidst my professors and friends and after returning home in the evening, celebrated with the family. That I could say was the first adventure and excitement of 20s. Then started a roller coaster fun ride- actually I achieved a lot in this decade- starting from a Graduate Degree, getting admission into the Post Graduate course of my choice at my preferred University, getting a Post Graduate degree, my first job at the most Prestigious Fashion Institute in India.

All this on professional front but something more interesting happened in Personal Life. I met my first love in not so conventional way and that was so unexpected of me considering my introvert personality (will talk about it later), got married to him and for the first time went away from my hometown to get settled in another part of the country and that I could say was the beginning of moving around and settling in different places.

But, within a few months, Mr. Scientist got a new and better job opportunity and we moved to yet another city, this time in the Southern part of India- Bangalore and I was still hoping to get a job after moving there and could not believe my stars when I was offered the teaching job in one the prestigious colleges in Bangalore just the next day after keeping my foot into the city...:) That was fun and really enjoyed teaching there and guess what this time I took my students to experience the art and culture in Jaipur. 

After that, I got a chance to go to USA with Mr. Scientist who had to be there on a project for three months and I joined him for a month and we celebrated our third marriage anniversary there.
It was here in Bangalore that our Li'l Champ was born.  We spent more than three years in Bangalore and left the city in less than two months after the birth of Champ to relocate to Japan... I went to Bangalore as almost New Bride and left from there as a New Mom. I met lot of interesting people there and some relations and friendships I cherish even now, after almost two years of leaving the city.

Well, that was almost eight years of this decade. Will talk about the remaining two in my next post... which were almost as fun as these...

Keep reading for more

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High 5- The Style Must-Haves NOW!!

The classics that always are in vogue but are like the Fashion Must Haves at this moment-

1. Lace
To bring out your feminine side or just to add a bit of sexiness and mystery to your personality, go for lacy dresses in pastel or vibrant colours and see how this seemingly boring and traditional or ultra feminine fabric can work wonders for you!

Image Source- http://www.haute-cocktail.com

Image Source- http://www.fashion-era.com

2. Graphic Prints
Go as far as you want with the extreme and crazy Graphical prints but remember to team them up with accessories in solid colours.

3. Sleeveless
Go sleeveless to show off your well toned arms or if you are not very comfortable showing your arms (like me), add on a lacy cardigan or a bolero; to be able to wear sleeveless yet need not expose your flabby arms. To know what kind of sleeveless top looks good on you, register for Online Shape & Style Analysis with me at an Introductory price from S$25 (Usual Price- S$45). Send a mail at nsur20@gmail.com to know more.

4. Delicate Necklace
Delicate chain necklaces look great on their own or if you are someone who doesn't feel comfortable with so less of necklace, you may like to mix and match two or more chains in different lengths or add more than one pendant in a single chain (taking care not to make it extremely heavy)!

Image Source- www.shopwasteland.com

Image Source- www.miniinthebox.com

Image Source- www.aliexpress.com

5. Pink (Clothes and Accessories)
Whether you want to be sweet and innocent or flirty and sexy or you just want to add a spark to a seemingly boring outfit, pink is the new black... Go for pastel and powdery shades for added sweetness, or fuchsia and hot pink for a flirty touch to your personality or outfit. Everyone has a perfect shade of pink for them. To know your shade of pink or other colours as well, register for Online Colour Consultation with me at an Introductory price from S$20 (Usual Price- S$40). Send a mail at nsur20@gmail.com to know more.

So, grab these fashion essentials now and get a New Look! What are your style staples? Do leave a comment and let us know.

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High 5- Tips to boost energy

We mums often feel tired and fatigued. Most of the time it seems we are in constant need of energy drinks or caffeine shots  but actually these really do not help. Energy drinks are packed with sugar and may give you an instant shot of energy for a while but brings back fatigue soon after the high. Go for some healthy options which will provide slow release of energy to keep you going for long!
Here are some alternatives to energy drinks or caffeinated products-

1. Make sure that the meals have more of complex carbs like pasta, porridge, wholemeal products and vegetables.

2. Eating a bowl of salad before each meal to keep you full and release energy slowly.

Image Credits: www.photo-dictionary.com-dictionary.com

3. Drink as much water as possible, throughout the day as well as during the meals

4. Fruit smoothies whenever you feel the need to have an energy drink

Image Credits: www.tumblr.com

5. Snack on nuts, they not only provide energy but also add on benefits like glowing skin and complexion.

Image Credits: www.sheknows.com

What are your energy sources... how do you keep yourself going throughout the day? Do Leave a comment!

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Style Diva

We all want to look our best all the time. But when it comes to us... we mamas tend to forget that we are individuals as well and we have to dress up properly rather than wearing whatever comes to our hand. Don't let your baby's diaper bag replace your lovely hand bag and your mom-jeans replace a well fitted pair. I can understand that will happen for first few months but don't let that become a norm. Once you get settled down with your baby, start looking after yourself again. Another thing that would have happened would be the change in your body proportions this could be temporary (if you are lucky and able to shed off the baby building weight) or permanent. but don't let that bog you down from looking good. Start dressing according to your shape and develop a new style.
Let me introduce you all to yet another segment of the blog, which will feature all the issues related to dressing up and looking good and if you look good, you definitely will feel great!
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They say "Don't Judge a Book by its Cover, and a Person from his Clothes"

but in Today's worlds, we all know "Packaging" is equally important as the Product itself!

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Love Yourself- From Mummy to Yummy Mummy!

Why does it happen that once we become a mother, we tend to loose all our interest in looking good...? Why we stop dressing up and grooming ourselves? Why all the dressing up and grooming happens only for the baby? Why do we tend to wear whatever comes in our hand the first time we put our hand in the closet? Why the only grooming routine for us is a quick shower whenever we get time? Why our wardrobe comprises only of a few leftovers from our days with the bump, which are loose and baggy and do nothing to flatter us or a few Mom Jeans and loose T-shirts and other such pieces? Why we have forgotten that when was the last time we had a nice pedicure and manicure, a relaxing facial? When was the last time we got our eyebrows shaped and hair trimmed or styled? and the list can go on and on...

If all this does not apply to you, Hats off to you mama...! you are doing great...! Do leave a comment and tell  us how you still manage to look wonderful... and for those who feel that they have just been described above, please read on....

If you have been ignoring yourself for whatever reason... it has to stop! Take out sometime everyday and take care of yourself- get your brows shaped, follow a skin care routine, get rid of dead skin on your feet, get a hair cut, Go out for a facial... do whatever you think will make you look good and feel great!

Become a person, you won't mind seeing in the mirror everyday... become a person you would like to love and others would love!

It also doesn't matter how you look, what's your size, skin tone, do you fall in the current standards of beauty or not... being beautiful means to be happy, healthy and confident in whatever you have and make the best out of that.

^Image Credits: http://www.tumblr.com

You are the greatest treasure that you have and you have take care of it and. It will not take much of your time (except for those once a month or fortnight trip to salon for manicure, pedicure and facial), you only have to spend few minutes everyday to follow certain routines and you will achieve what you desire- a radiant and healthy skin, shiny and trouble free hair, baby soft feet, smooth hands... and whatever you dream of! They say, follow something for 21 days and it becomes a habit... so why not give yourself a 3 weeks trial to be wonderful and I am sure, you will not want to go back!

Keep reading for more info on quick, easy and do-able things to make yourself look and feel great!

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Signing off for now... Have a Lovely Weekend!

^Image Credits: http://jimpix.co.uk


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Love Yourself

God help those who help Themselves;

and People love those who Love Themselves...!

Yes, Love Yourself... another series of this blog to get the best out of all!
When we love somebody, we help that person to bring out the best in themselves; to look and feel great and be their best in every possible situation! Then why not do all that for ourselves and look and feel great inside out!
Just remember two things-

• Always focus on what you have, what are your positive features; try to enhance them. And yes, I know I am talking to all you lovely but busy mamas, who really don't have time for themselves but what will feature in this series will be few simple ideas to look and feel good, which you will be able to try in whatever time you have. It may only be a matter of making few changes to what you are already doing! 
• Don't worry about what you don't have... everybody is Unique and it is this uniqueness which makes us beautiful. Treasure the thought... I have something, which others would love to have!

Stay tuned and Love Yourself...

^Image Credits: http://www.tumblr.com

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Give yourself a Break!

Yeah, I know you are a Mom but why do you forget that you are an individual as well. Being a mom does not mean losing your own identity and individuality that you have worked on for so many years. Giving birth to a child should just add another dimension to it and not take away what is already there.
Every mother should take out some time for herself and do what she loves. Even 10-15 minutes a day will be good if you spend it doing what you like.

Don't ever feel guilty about spending time and resources on yourself or for things that you like and later be hard on yourself thinking that rather than wasting time you could have spent that time doing something productive for the family and the household. Always remember
                                                       
^Image Credits: http://chibird.tumblr.com

Imagine yourself as your Smartphone or tablet or notebook. After few hours of work, the battery gets discharged and you need to plug in those devices for charging. Even if not fully charged, but after a while they can work again. Same applies for you as well. After day's work or whenever in between, you need to give yourself sometime to recharge your batteries. Still, if you think that spending time on yourself is not worth while, let's take a look at few more advantages-

• By setting aside sometime for yourself, you will be relaxed and satisfied and hence would be able to keep your family and kids happy as well.
• You will set an example for your kids to have their own specific interests and to take out time and follow them.
• Your kids will also mirror your behavior and will take pride in looking after themselves.
• Leaving your child with other care givers help them to develop their social skills and build more relationships.

You may not feel like doing it now, considering the other things on your mind and schedule but slowly and gradually you will tend to forget yourself completely. Later, say after 15 years, when your kids are in their late teens or adulthood and don't need you as much as they do now, you will be wondering what to do as you won't remember what you liked and won't know where to start. This came from an experienced mother of two, one is already into his first job and the other in High school. 

So, give yourself some time starting today and you may thank yourself after 15 years!

What do you like to do in your Me-time? Leave a comment!
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So What? If YOU are not a SUPERMOM...

So What? If YOU are not a SUPERMOM...

I must look after my child well... I must give him/her new and innovative meals three times a day and all days of the week... I must spend my time playing and interacting with the child... I must keep my home spic and span at all times...I must give healthy and innovative breakfast to my partner and kids everyday... I must cook atleast 3 course dinner every evening... I must do this... I must do that... I must... I must... I must...

So, lovely mamas! How many of us start our day or week with a big to-do list and how many of us are able to tick off everything in it by the end of our set deadline? Those who can, Hats off to you Ladies, please leave a comment and share how you manage to do that!

For those, who have their to-do list going on and on and finally you give up with this list and start feeling guilty for not been able to do your duties well; I would say, its perfectly alright if you are not able to do everything everyday. You are not a superhuman and that's the fact!

Lessen your burden by doing few things everyday rather than trying to do everything everyday. You may  be able to take time out for yourself and relax or do what you like doing.

 Following tips may be helpful-

• Instead of fretting over making a hearty breakfast every morning, prepare a good breakfast twice a week and on weekends when your partner can look after the child. For the rest of the days, be prepared with some healthy quick-fixes like cereals, toast and fruits.
• Instead of having a huge spread out for dinner, focus on preparing a healthy meal, which is not so time consuming. A good mix of cereals, meat or lentils and veggies will do the job. Have some quick fix recipes on hand also the numbers of your favorite delivery food joint for the days when you just want to.... do nothing!
• Cook an extra portion for dinner, which you can refrigerate, reheat and eat for lunch the next day. This serves two purpose- firstly, you won't have to spend time in preparing lunch and the second and most important is that you'll not skip lunch, which seems to be the most convenient thing to do with so much on your mind.
• Nothing will be better than getting a full time help but if for some reasons that's not possible, get a part time helper who'll come everyday for few hours and finish vacuuming  sweeping and mopping your house, do the dishes, fold and iron the laundry etc. 
• If your help comes few days a week or once a week or if you have no help at all, set aside some time everyday for the chores like doing the dishes,  folding and ironing laundry and stop once your time is up for a particular task. This way you will have planned time for every chore and you can also set aside time to do something you like or to relax.

Try and see if these work for you... but most important is to stop feeling bad about what you were not able to do rather feel good about what all you have done and and were able to achieve. You should have time for yourself, which if not there, can build up frustration. If you are able to do what you like even for a short while, you will feel relaxed and calm and will be able to handle other things in a more effective and efficient manner. 

If you are happy and satisfied, you can keep your family also happy; which I think is the ultimate achievement for a SUPERMOM!

Do you have a trick up your sleeve that's been working for you...? Leave a comment and share with others as well!

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^Image Credit: http://www.livelifehappy.com

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Mom- The Diva

'Diva' in Latin means Goddess. But if you check the various Dictionaries and Thesaurus, you may find both positive and negative connotations for the same. For us, let's understand the positivity of the word. The Diva originally referred to popular female opera singers. It was also used for popular and glamorous female performers in other fields. Diva can also describe somebody who has a great style and personality and also the confidence to be herself without being influenced by what others think and say! The Diva tries to achieve what she wants with her confidence and without letting people getting in her way.
Now, replace the word Diva with Mom... what do you think? Each mom has a great style and personality of her own and the confidence that she exudes to raise her child(ren). She is strong willed and tries to give the best to her kid(s). She can be really demanding, bitchy and stubborn for what she wants when it comes to getting the best for her child(ren); which are the so called negative qualities associated with a Diva to Isn't that remarkable?
So all you lovely mamas out there, you don't need a truck load of cash or 48 hours in a day (though would love it if I get it) to look and feel like a Diva. A little planning and better understanding of yourself and your needs will do the job and of course a little help from your wonderful partner would work like icing on the cake....
So why not try to look and feel great by incorporating a little change in your routine and do something that you love doing but have not done it since you became a mother. It may be reading, blogging, cooking a hearty meal, baking, painting or anything of your choice... Start today and you will feel glad that you did.

Leave a comment about what you did and how you felt about it... have a great time!
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