Every tale

Things Women Were Never Taught, 7: You Don't Have to Explain Every No

Somewhere along the way, many of us learnt that saying no wasn't enough. We had to have a good reason. So we explain. Read the full essay on Substack

The Power by Naomi Alderman

Naomi Alderman's unsettling thought experiment about power, gender and what happens when nobody can stop you. What if women woke up tomorrow with the ability to hurt, or kill, someone…

Early, Quiet, Invisible: How Childhood Traumas Built My Daily Habits

I have spent most of my life navigating the world as a big girl, and when you grow up in a body that society constantly tells you is “too much,”…

Why We Choose the “Difficult” Ones [Dogs]… #adoptdontshop

Whenever people find out that our dogs, Chewy and Haseena, are reactive, we usually get the look. It’s a mix of pity, confusion, and a silent question: “Why would you…

What writing every week has quietly changed in me

I have written quite a few posts on Writing in the past, and this is one more along the similar lines… I moved cities. Started over in Bangalore.

Standing Tall: My Journey From Scouting Chairs to Owning the Room

For as long as I can remember, I have been the “big and tall” girl. While other girls seemed to effortlessly blend into the background or fit neatly into standard…

New city, same me —and adding to life..

Moai – lunch with a random group of women [2025] A cafe on highway [Mysore- Bangalore-2025] Veeragasi [BIC, 2026] Coffee at The Payanaa [Mystery book club meet 2026] She-Tales at…

The Art of the Clean Break: Why My 40s Are for Me, Not You

There is a profound, quiet power that washes over you when you hit your 40s. It’s not just a number; it’s a filter. Suddenly, the things that used to keep…

I was always there. It just never seemed to matter.

Some absences are only noticed in hindsight — and some presences never are….. There’s this particular kind of loneliness that doesn’t have a name yet.

Becoming Golden[song]: From Splitting Selves to Owning My Life

My new favorite song is Golden [Demon Hunters]. Fell in love with it the 1st time I heard it and that happens only when the lyrics resonate with me..

The Baggage We All Carry… Why kindness has to go both ways

Everyone you meet today is fighting a battle you can’t see. It’s a cliché at this point, printed on mugs and shared as inspirational quotes, but clichés become clichés because…

The Price of Speed: What Are We Losing in the Rush to Progress?

Every generation eventually asks itself the same question: Is the world getting worse, or am I just getting older? Our grandparents worried that cinema would corrupt the youth.

Why I Still Blog

This is more of a love letter to the internet habit I never managed to quit — and why I’m glad I didn’t… It is 2006.

Two Dogs, Four Ears, and a Whole Lot of Love: Welcome Home, Haseena

They say the best things in life happen when you stop overthinking and start following your gut and 2026 is off to an amazing start for us… Since October, we’ve…

The “Induction-Only” Experiment: A Year Without Gas in Bangalore

When we first landed in Bangalore a year ago, we were braced for the usual logistical hurdles. Top of the list? The dreaded gas connection.

The Genres That Kept Calling Me Back

Sometime back I wrote a post about the books I read in 2025…As much as I like to believe I’m an eclectic reader, 2025 made my patterns impossible to ignore.

2025: The Year Books Held My Hand

If I had to describe 2025 in one word, it would be read. I read more than I ever have before — over 70 books, give or take a few…

The Kochi Biennale — And Everything Else That Makes Kochi Worth the Trip

All I wanted was a break. Not a packed itinerary, not a checklist of must-see spots — just a pause. A few quiet days away from screens, deadlines, and the…

The Eldest Daughter Myth — And Why I Finally Let It Go

There’s an unspoken rule for eldest daughters in many Indian families: carry everything, expect nothing, and never put yourself first. I followed it for years.

Bookstores of Bangalore & need for libraries

I’ve always believed that bookstores tell you a great deal about a city. They reveal what it values, how much time it allows for wandering, and whether curiosity is encouraged…

Being Understanding Doesn’t Mean Being Taken for Granted

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be understanding. It’s a word I’ve heard all my life — often as a compliment.

When Family Doesn’t Get It — And That’s Okay

The Push and Pull of Family Family is complicated — a mix of love, loyalty, and unspoken expectations. They’ve seen us grow, stumble, succeed, and change.

Thindi- Idly day, Begur

Every neighborhood has its hidden gems, those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it spots that serve up food far too good for their humble appearance. In the bustling area of Begur, Bangalore, one such spot…

Grandmaa Secret Haircare Haul: From Neem Combs to Curry Leaf Shampoo

Hello hello to all the glorious people out there who like me are facing hair fall, and other hair growth related issues! For someone who has never really paid extra…

This Monday… Keep going..

Thindi.. Babai Tiffins , HSR

Bangalore has no shortage of breakfast spots, but when you’re craving hearty South Indian fare with an Andhra twist, Babai Tiffins in HSR Layout is where you want to be.

South Bengaluru Unplugged: Tree-Lined Grid, Heritage Parks, Theatre, and Silk Avenues

If Central Bengaluru is where the city works and Old Bengaluru is where it traded, South Bengaluru is where it breathes. When my partner said we are moving to bangalore…

This Monday.. live by your rules..

Thindi.. S N Refreshments, J P Nagar

Some of the best South Indian food in Bangalore isn’t always served in swanky restaurants or Instagram-famous cafés—it’s hidden away in unassuming little joints. S N Refreshments in JP Nagar…

Lunching at Garden by Su, Bangalore

Yesterday afternoon, I met two friends from Chennai at lunch – Garden by Su in Bangalore —and what a lovely, grounding experience it turned out to be.

The Perpetual Worry of a Pet Parent (a.k.a. Did I Lock the Door?)

Anyone who shares their home with a pet knows there’s a special brand of anxiety that comes with being a pet parent. It’s not just about making sure they have…

A Magical Anniversary Evening at ITC Gardenia’s Cubbon Pavilion

Some evenings don’t just pass—they stay with you. They become memory markers of joy, love, and quiet luxury. Our anniversary dinner at ITC Gardenia, Bengaluru, was exactly that kind of…

Five Months of Bangalore Bliss: Escaping Summer and Embracing the Garden City

Can you believe it? It’s already been five months since we packed up our lives and made the leap to Bangalore! And what a run it’s been.

Bangalore’s Thindi Walk – C2C [ Cubbonpet to Chamrajpet]- 1

Sunday mornings in Bangalore are usually slow, sleepy affairs. But last weekend, we swapped our usual routine for something far tastier — a Thindi Walk led by Ajit Bhaskar.

Old-World Charm Meets Modern Culture: Cubbon Park and Chickpet

It has been a few months since we moved, and I am settling into a new routine and slowly finding my way around the city that was once so familiar.

The Eldest Daughter: Unpacking the Myth vs. Reality

For countless families around the world, the eldest daughter often holds a unique and often unspoken position. She’s frequently the “responsible one,” the “mini-parent,” and the perceived pillar of strength.

From Solo Wanderer to Itinerary Whisperer: Your Personal Travel Planner for India

There’s a certain magic that comes with a solo trip. It’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about seeing yourself in a new light.

From Self-Doubt to Unapologetically Me: A Decade of Growth

It’s funny how you can look back at a photo from ten years ago and not just see a different face/body, but a completely different person.

Gifting Made Fun: My Bigsmall.in Haul + Special Father’s Day Picks

If you’re on the hunt for unique and thoughtful gifts, Bigsmall.in offers an eclectic mix of quirky, functional, and heartfelt items perfect for any occasion.

Dinner at PHRA NAKHON, Thai Cafe [Koramangala]

Dinner, Dialogue & Thai Delights – A Night Out at PHRA NAKHON with The Weekenders Some dinners are just about the food. And then there are evenings like the one…

One Year Later: A Journey of Strength, Survival, and Starting Anew

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year. A year of unexpected turns, silent battles, loud breakdowns, and quiet resilience. A year of digging deep into corners of myself…

Writing is lonely — but it doesn’t have to be

There’s a romantic notion about writers — hunched over laptops or notebooks in quiet corners, surrounded by the sound of their thoughts. And while there’s truth in that, what’s often…

A Crafty Haul of Happiness from iTokri: Handcrafted Treasure Trove

You know that feeling when you discover a place that feels like a wonderland for your soul? That’s exactly what happened when I stumbled upon iTokri – a colourful, heartwarming…

The Peck, Koramangala, Bangalore

There’s something magical about stumbling upon a space that instantly lifts your mood. The Peck, tucked away in the vibrant lanes of Koramangala, Bangalore, is one such gem.

Thoughtful Hampers from The Zappy Box

A mother’s love is truly unique—unmatched, unconditional, and deeply personal. This Mother’s Day, take a moment to celebrate the incredible women who’ve nurtured, supported, and inspired you.

The Mara Crossbody Bag from Hie Is the Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift

Mother’s Day is around the corner. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably spent hours scrolling through gift guides and Pinterest boards, looking for something meaningful yet practical—something that says…

Nurturing Comfort and Care: A Deep Dive into Cocoon Care’s Baby Essentials

Welcoming a newborn is a beautiful, life-changing event—and finding the right gift to celebrate this moment can feel overwhelming. A friend of mine had a baby girl few months back…

Heal to Move: Why Identifying Your Triggers Is the First Step to Growth

Last evening met a bunch of people, among who was a friend i’d made online few years back and eventually we ended up in the same city and met as…

Our Afternoon at the HMT Museum: Time flew by~

Every weekend we have been trying to do something different, be it visit a new store for our grocery shopping or a club. That weekend, we knew heading to HMT…

Zoomin Into Style: Fun, Functional & Totally You & the ideal place for personalized gifts for dad!

Hey there, fellow enthusiasts of all things personalized and stylish! If you’re on the hunt for unique, customized goodies that scream ‘you’, then let me introduce you to the wonderland…

Discovering Canistel – Pure, Farm-Sourced Goodness for Your Kitchen

Every once in a while, I stumble upon a brand that piques my curiosity. Sometimes, it’s through a friend’s recommendation; other times, it’s just me going down an internet rabbit…

Studio Ghibli Popup- Bento Bento, Bangalore

If like us you crave those delectable ramen bowls and cakes that practically leap off the screen in beloved Studio Ghibli films… Then get ready for a treat [in this…

Thindi… Airlines Hotel – breakfast [Bangalore]

Tucked away in the heart of Bangalore, Airlines Hotel is more than just a place to eat—it’s a legacy. Known for its old-world charm, open-air seating, and an undeniable whiff…

When Change Comes Knocking (and You Didn’t Order It)

We often talk about change like it’s a fresh page or a clean slate. The start of something new. A choice. But what about the kind of change you didn’t…

I asked chatGPT about me

Work: Crafting Stories That Connect As a freelance content specialist and digital storyteller, I thrive on shaping narratives that engage, inform, and inspire. Whether it’s crafting content strategies for businesses…

Echoes of Love, Whispers of Peace [poem]

Once, love bloomed like a gentle tide, Affection ran deep, no need to hide. Hearts entwined, soft whispers stayed, In warm embraces, memories laid. Then came the drift, slow yet…

The Evolution of Indian Railways: From Paper Tickets to Digital Convenience

Egmore Station I’ve been travelling by train for as long as I can remember and love train journeys. Infact, when we lived in Tirunelveli, we used to take the train…

Life advice to 20 year olds…

Over the last few days, got to engage with a few who were in their 20s and that is when it struck me that I had quite a few things…

The Journey to a New Home

Moving to a new city has been one of the most profound transitions of my life—a complex emotional journey blending anxiety, adventure, and excitement into a transformative experience.

Time to say bye bye Pune…

Stepping Into the Unknown: A New City, New Challenges, and a Hint of Excitement Moving to a new city is like opening a book without knowing the plot.

For the love of Pasta…

Pasta Lovers Unite: What Kind of Pasta Eater Are You? If there’s one thing food lovers across the world can agree on, it’s that pasta is pure comfort on a…

Happy 3rd Birthday Chewy…

Celebrating Three Years of Love: Life with Our Indie Pup Three years ago, a scruffy, bright-eyed Indie pup trotted into our lives and changed them forever.

People and the Relationship Dynamics

The Different People in Our Contact List: Understanding the Dynamics of Our Relationships In today’s digital age, our contact lists are brimming with names, each representing different types of relationships.

Happiness & a sense of belonging

Finding Happiness in a Space Away from What Was Once Home: Embracing the Present When the Past No Longer Exists The concept of “home” is one of the most powerful…

Time to Stop Saying Sorry

Sorry Is all that you can say Years gone by and still Words don’t come easily Like sorry, like sorry Know this song? these are the lyrics from the song…

Murphies Bistro & Bar, Pune

Last week, I had the pleasure of catching up with friends over dinner at Murphies Bistro and Bar, a charming spot nestled on Prabhat Road in Pune.

I Am Every Woman: Redefining Beauty Beyond Standards

I love the song by Whitney Houston from Bodyguard movie… I’m every woman, bold and free, In the mirror, I see me— Not defined by the world’s mould, I stand…

Post for all considering adopting/bringing home a pet

The Lifelong Commitment: Understanding the Responsibilities of Dog Adoption Imagine coming home to a wagging tail, wet nose, and unconditional love. Sounds perfect, right? While adopting a dog can bring…

This Monday… Dont take it personally

Happy New Year.. welcome 2025~!!

🎉 Welcome 2025! 🎉 As the calendar turns to a brand-new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect, reset, and embrace the opportunities ahead. Let’s make 2025 a year of…

Sweet Escapes: Strawberry Picking & Panchgani Tales with Western Routes [Dec2024]

There’s something undeniably magical about the strawberry season in Panchgani. The cool breeze rolling off the Sahyadris, green valleys stretching into the distance, and that first bite into a sun-warmed…

Embracing the Wind: My Journey as a Motorcycle Pillion

There’s something indescribably exhilarating about being on the back of a motorcycle. The wind whipping past, the world blurring at the edges, and that inexplicable feeling of freedom that comes…

Traveling with a Group & Staying Mindful

I’d written about travelling in a group earlier [read post here]. But this one comes from a recent trip, where I observed a lot of things and wanted to share…

Humans and Technology: Are We Losing Ourselves to AI?

I just came across a twitter thread where a guy mentioning meeting a kid from Stanford who after the initial round of hi hello, was struggling to find words.

This Monday … Live for YOU

Burnout: It’s Not Just About Work

Burnout. A term we’ve all heard, sometimes casually tossed around in conversations, yet profoundly misunderstood. It’s often associated solely with the workplace—too many deadlines, unmanageable workloads, and toxic environments.

Skywatch Friday… Cold mornings

Skywatch Friday.. Winter & colours

Peri Menopause & Women in 40s!

Understanding Perimenopause in Your 40s: Symptoms, Moods, Hormones, and Beyond For many women in their 40s, the body begins a natural transition known as perimenopause – the period leading up…

Setting Boundaries with Family and Others: Why It’s Essential and How to Do It

Setting boundaries is a vital skill that many people struggle to develop, especially when it comes to family or close relationships. Boundaries help define what is acceptable for us, preserving…

Arambam: A Millet-Centric Breakfast Haven [Pune]

Mini breakfast- Ragi idli, Masala Dosai, Millet pongal, Millet Kheer, Sambar and peanut chutney Ragimalt Ragi Poori and chole [ there was also Buttermilk, not in photo] Ever since moving…

A Diwali Escape to Dapoli: Sun, Sea, and Serenity

Diwali this year was all about a much-needed break from the city hustle, infact this has become a tradition of sorts with us. The first year we had brought Chewy…

A Night at 1st Brewhouse: A Vibrant Shift in Vibes

On Friday evening, my partner got a call to host trivia night at 1st Brewhouse at The Corinthians, all the way across town. Since i’ve not been there, decided to…

Skywatch Friday… Winter is here

IncrEdibles meet – Win Son Presents a Taiwanese American Cookbook

As a member of the cookbook club in Pune, each month brings a new culinary adventure, and this October was no exception. We were excited to dive into a book…

Why It’s Perfectly OK to Switch Off and Take a Day Off

In today’s fast-paced world, it often feels like we’re constantly running on a never-ending treadmill. Emails pile up, to-do lists grow longer, and the mental load of daily life can…

We All Carry Baggage — But It’s What We Do With It That Matters

Let’s be honest: none of us enters a relationship as a blank slate. We bring memories—some sweet, some sharp. We bring fears—some justified, some exaggerated.

Skywatch Friday… Colours in the sky

Jubilee Cafe, Pune [Pure Veg] – A Whimsical Wonderland of Taste and Ambiance

Nestled in the heart of Pune’s vibrant Koregaon Park, Jubilee Café is a culinary haven that transports you to a whimsical world of nostalgia and flavour.

Dario’s Restaurant, Pune

Freshly baked bread with butter Arancinelle Couscous Trapanese Baked Yogurt Tart When I moved to Pune, one of the places I was hoping to visit was Dario’s.

Why Every Dog Needs Socialization Training

Dogs are social creatures. They thrive on interaction with both humans and other dogs. However, not all dogs instinctively know how to behave appropriately in social situations.

Skywatch Friday.. Winter is nearly here

the sky has been gorgeous last few days. Rains are nearly over, and slowly can feel the chill creep in, esp in the mornings..

Rolls King, Pune – go to place for Rolls

Craving something comforting and one that will arrive quick was the only thing on our mind. Also, a delicious and satisfying meal that won’t break the bank… And without any…

 IncrEdibles meet – Charmaine Solomon’s The Complete Asian Cookbook [Singapore]

Have you ever dreamed of traveling the world through the lens of food? I recently had the incredible opportunity to do just that, thanks to my cookbook club.

Finding your space in a new city/town

When you move to a new city, you don’t just carry your suitcases — you carry a mix of excitement, nerves, and the quiet hope that this place will someday…

Cafe Kathaa, F C Road, Pune

Ever since moving to Pune, am constantly looking for new places to check out, work from and catch up with people at. The latest to add in the list is…

Skywatch Friday… Colours

We stepped out last evening and one of the stops we made was for ice cream. While i waited outside, couldn’t help notice the beautiful blue skies and this new…

A Culinary Journey: Onam Sadya at Barometer, Pune

Onam, the vibrant harvest festival celebrated in Kerala, is synonymous with its grand feast, the Onam Sadya. A traditional Onam Sadya is a sumptuous spread of over 20 dishes, served…

Indie Dogs: The Unique Charm of these Dogs

Have you ever considered adopting an indie dog, also known as a mixed breed or mutt? These unique canines often get overlooked in favour of purebreds, but they possess a…

Sourdough Bread & Where to Find the Best in Pune

Sourdough bread is more than just a trend—it’s a craft, a tradition, and an experience in itself. With its distinct tangy flavour, chewy crumb, and crisp crust, sourdough stands out…

Another Year Older, Another Year Wiser..

Another birthday has come and gone, and as I reflect on the past year, I can’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and anticipation.

Tea Post , Pune

Teapost #notapaidpost I have been curious about Handvo and knew that Tea Post had them. The two earlier visits to the outlet had been good, but then I had tried…

Embracing the Role of the Eldest Daughter

Be warned: Long post ahead… Growing up as the eldest daughter is more than a thing of pride, plus I was also the only child for 12.5yrs before my sister…

Things I Wish We Had Been Taught in School

School is a place where we’re supposed to learn the foundations for our future. But often, the curriculum is so focused on academics that it neglects other essential life skills.

Structured 30-day “healing from toxic family” roadmap

As promised, here is the 2nd post – structured 30-day “healing from toxic family” roadmap. Read the first post here This roadmap blends emotional work, self-care, and practical steps so…

Exploring Pune – Restaurants -3

If you’re in Camp (MG Road, East Street, Dhole Patil Road, and surrounding areas), here are some of the best places for bakeries, chaat, snacks, and vada pav.

Pani Puri – Chennai Vs Pune

Pani puri, a beloved street food across India, is known for its burst of tangy, spicy, and savoury flavors. But as I discovered in Pune, even the most iconic dishes…

The 40s- Mastering the Art of Letting Go

I have always been someone who kept to herself, led a private life [not announcing her moves or life updates online]. Heck, I wouldn’t even share my travel plans even…

Breaking Free: Steps to Heal from a Toxic Family

Growing up, we’re taught that family is everything. But what happens when your family becomes the very source of your pain? I once spoke to a friend who would tense…

Distance Heals & Finding Happiness [Narcissistic Parents]

Growing up with narcissistic parent[s] often feels like living inside a hall of mirrors—your reality is constantly distorted, your emotions are minimized, and your worth is measured only in how…

Breaking Barriers: Everyday Taboos around Women

I had written a post sometime back around periods and how there were hard customs followed at home here. This post is more about the taboos for women in a…

Birthday, Friends & Coffee outings..

Sunday, July 7th, was a Sunday and I was thankfully home. It was Partha’s birthday, and what made it special was that it was the day we finally managed to…

Exploring Pune – Restaurants -2

If you’re looking for quick bites and snacks in Pune, here’s a list of the best places for samosas, sandwiches, dhokla, and more across the city: 1.

July- Pune’s Monsoon Madness

It has been three years since I moved here, to Pune. Coming from Chenai, where rains make guest appearances every now & again or lash out breaking the city in…

Shake things up…

There have been days when I felt very Blah.. But then i didnt really know why I was feeling that way and then it hit me- I was going through…

5 Delicious Hacks to Motivate Daily Cooking (Without Pulling Your Hair Out!)

I love cooking, but then it can get overwhelming at times – esp when it comes to planning the meal~ Here are a few hacks that I have come to…

When Life Gets Tough: Tapping Your Inner Reservoir of Willpower

Life as an adult: it comes with independence, yes, but also its fair share of challenges. From career hurdles to relationship struggles, there are times when the going gets tough.

The Ripple Effect: How Childhood Trauma Shapes Us

Mental health. It’s a term we hear thrown around a lot these days, but its importance can’t be overstated. Our mental well-being affects everything from our relationships to our physical…

Beyond Labels: Who Am I Really?

The question came to me on an ordinary afternoon, like a quiet knock on the door of my mind: If I set aside relationships, education, and achievements — what remains?

Communication Is More Than Just Words: Intent vs. Impact

We’ve all been there. You say something with the best of intentions — maybe to offer help, give feedback, or lighten the mood — only to find the other person…

Exploring Pune – Restaurants -1

Pune, a city rich in cultural diversity, offers a plethora of dining options catering to various culinary preferences. Here’s a curated list of notable restaurants across different cuisines, complete with…

Battle with the body – XXI- Education and awareness missing.

When “Just Eat Less” Isn’t Enough: Why Family Needs to Get Educated on Weight We’ve all been there. A loved one is overweight, and the dinner table conversation becomes a…

Working from Coffee shops, Pune edition

I written a post earlier about the whole coffee shop culture, which included working from them, and what it meant for me. You can read the post here.

This Monday… Focus on yourself..

Reading- My Love for Psychology Books

I have always been fascinated with human beings and their behaviour- regular and under specific situations. So, it was quite a natural shift in my reading habits too.

Understanding Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) in Men

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a complex condition characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others.

Gudi Padwa lunch at Mystic Masala, Taj Blue Diamond

A friend was in town, on work [know him for about a decade+, from Chennai, lives in Dubai] We had met up and spent nearly all day together the last…

Life Lessons (and a Few Chew Toys) From My Indie Pup

Chewy is my second Indie dog.. The earlier one i had adopted was Floppy who lived with us for good 15yrs before saying Bye Bye ….

Finding Your Tribe: How Women in Their 40s Can Build Amazing New Friendships

Life in your 40s can be an amazing whirlwind. You’re likely juggling career goals, family dynamics, and maybe even a desire for personal growth. But sometimes, in the midst of…

New-Age Parenting: Nurturing Young Minds in a Changing World

Was talking to a friend who has a toddler, and she spoke about how different things are now versus when we were growing up, or even our siblings… And then…

The Art of Letting Go—and Letting In

We often hear about the importance of letting go—releasing the past, shedding old patterns, and freeing ourselves from what no longer serves us. But there’s another side to this journey…

LYNX Kitchen & Bar, FC Road, Pune

I hadn’t heard of this place before that evening and so curious, I decided to go along with P who was hosting an IPL trivia night there.

Unveiling the Different Masks of Narcissism

Narcissism – the term gets thrown around a lot these days. But what many people don’t realize is that narcissism can manifest differently in men and women.

Minimalism & Money-Saving in the Indian Context

What is Minimalism? Minimalism is a lifestyle that focuses on living with less, prioritizing quality over quantity, and being intentional about what we own and consume.

Skywatch Friday… Winter is nearly gone…

Finding Space to Breathe: How Distance Can Help with Toxic Family

Family, the cornerstone of our lives. But sometimes, that very foundation can become cracked and unstable. Dealing with toxic family members can be a constant drain on your mental and…

Love’s Labyrinth: Appreciation, Quality Time, and Keeping the Spark Alive

Relationships are beautiful journeys, but like any adventure, they have their twists and turns. Am in my first serious relationship and every day is a learning.

Nobody Tells You This: A Woman’s Life in Stages

Life throws a lot at us, but for women, it feels like we get a whole different game. Periods, cramps, sex (good, bad, and confusing!), and then, on the horizon…

The Charcoal -The sizzling sensation [Sunny’s world], Pune

White wine Sangria Southern spice lotus stem Sweet Crispy Mushroom Guntur chicken lollypop Srilankan Kuttu Sizzler [ paneer] Last Saturday, I ticked off an item from my “I would love…

Breaking the cycle of being a Giver

Have you ever felt like the designated “giver” in your relationships, friendships, or even your career? You’re always the one offering help, solving problems, and making sacrifices.

Battle with the body – XX- Self-confidence & plus size.

Curvy Brides Boutique: Where Confidence Meets the Perfect Dress Even though am not into the whole marriage or wedding, I Love the wedding dress-based show series- “Say Yes to the…

More Than Just a Meal: Unveiling the Indian Tradition of Floor Seating and Hand-Eating

For many, the image of a family gathered on the floor, hands working magic with fragrant curries and fluffy rice, paints a vibrant picture of Indian culture.

Fresh to Home: Delivering Quality You Can Trust

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience often comes at the expense of quality. But what if you could get fresh, high-quality meat, seafood, and more delivered straight to your doorstep?

Celebration of different kinds of Love..

Love. It’s a word whispered in poetry, shouted in protests, and sung across millennia. Yet, for something so universally experienced, love remains a beautiful enigma.

The Tapestry of Time: Why Some Friendships Fade and Others Flourish

I’ve been spending the last two days with a dear friend, one who’s been in my life since our high school days. Heck, we were 4 of us, who stayed…

This Monday… Speak your mind

Mothers & daughters..

I enjoy watching these wedding dress shows [TLC] and one of them is excusive to curvy girls. The boutique is run by two women who do an amazing job helping…

DVG Benne Dosa Hinjewadi

We are constantly looking for South Indian restaurants – big and small and always ready to give them a try. The latest to join this was “DVG Benne Dosa Hinjewadi”…

Ditch the Drama: Why Not Taking Things Personally Is Your Superpower

We’ve all been there: that stinging comment, the friend’s dismissive tone, the coworker’s barbed criticism. It happens in a flash – our heart races, our cheeks burn, and suddenly, the…

Urban Harvest & Headsup, Sinhgad Road, Pune

You exit the elevator on the 3rd floor, walk through the door and down the reception area. Now there are two doors – one on the left to Heads Up…

Growing up & Family Connections

A conversation I had with my aunts [both live abroad & have been away for quite a few years. They do visit India, and their families once or twice a…

Top 10 things to do when dealing with a Narcissistic parent

Over the last few years, I’ve been writing quite a few blog posts around this topic – “Dealing with a narcissistic parent”. Here is one that has ten points that…

When Adults Filter Family Through Opinions

Human behaviour has always always fascinated me. And among those is how one person influences another – be it an opinion they have about a person or place, food, clothes…

Kaylir Canteen, Chennai

I have been following the journey on and off via Instagram from the time the construction began. Dont ask me how or why, but insta chose to show me some…

When Catching Up with “Friends” Feels Like Coming Home

There’s a magic to meeting special friends. It’s a reunion of laughter lines shared, secrets whispered, and adventures etched in memory. Like stepping into a sun-drenched room after a long…

Homeward Bound, But Unmoored…

The wheels touch down, and I breathe. I have landed in what used to be “Home”. Or at least, that’s what the GPS claims. Yet, as I step out into…

Leaving Your Indie Pup at Boarding, Worry-Free

Boarding our dog was a new experience for me. I have not done it in the past and so was sceptical the very first time we decided to try one…

Indie Dogs: Decoding Their Behaviour and Building Trust

Indie dogs, also known as desi dogs, are a vibrant and diverse group of canines found throughout India. They come in all shapes and sizes, with unique personalities and quirks.

[Skywatch Friday]- Winter is here…

Friendships and expiry dates -2

I had written an earlier post couple of years back about how some friendships do come to an end and have reached their expiry date.

Dossai- Flavours of South, Pune

#New_Place_Alert #Food_Tasting #Dossai_Flavours_Of_South #HiglyRecommendPlace We travel down Baner Pashan Link road often and have been noticing how the area has changed over the last few months [esp the food scene].

[Book review] Live, Laugh, and Let Go by Gul Hinduja

In “Live, Laugh, and Let Go,” Gul Hinduja takes readers on a riveting journey through his extraordinary life. This isn’t your average autobiography about a straight path to achievement.

Skywatch Friday – winter is here

Mornings are getting colder with every passing day Guess its time to say “Welcome to Winters in Pune”

Navigating the Complexities of Narcissistic Parenthood & Saving your sanity

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a deep need for admiration, and a lack of empathy for others. When a parent exhibits these traits…

AirBnb versus Hotels

When planning your next trip, you may be wondering whether to stay in an Airbnb or a hotel. Both types of accommodation have their own pros and cons, so it’s…

Asian Chopsticks, Pune [Pimple Saudagar]

Afghani Veg momos Chilli Paneer veg momos Thukpa with steamed Chicken momos The Menu card Discovered this small outlet in #PimpleSaudagar, called “𝑨𝒔𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒔” [right next to One China- Malaka…

Madrasi raja, Pune

Couple of days back, around 10.30pm we decided to go for a short drive. Ended up at Blue Ridge apartment complex, food mall area [ near Bird valley], went straight…

South Indian Popup Experience..

Ever since moving to Pune, I’ve been experimenting and trying out new cafes and restaurants. One thing I found was the city has quite a few good South Indian places…

Cafe Brewing Italiana, Hotel Bhooshan, Pune

Located very close to Thube Park and Shivajinagar Railway Station, Hotel Bhooshan has been around for over 50 years while the cafe is close to 2 years old.

My favourite coffee shops in Pune

I love visiting coffee shops and sometimes working from them as well. Yes, the change in scenario helps bring out the creative juices. Earlier i had done a post on…

Confessions of a Blog-aholic in a Disappearing World

This post is more of a ‘Confessions of a Blogger in the Age of Fleeting Likes: Why I Still Write, Even When No One’s Watching’ Remember the golden age of…

Skywatch Friday… Changing moods

Conversations and communication- Part 2

In my earlier post, I had shared the importance of having conversations with people in your life, especially family. In this one, I want to talk about having difficult conversations…

This Monday… Be a strong confident independent woman!

This Monday.. Be confident

There have been many who ask why I do these Monday posts.. Well, initially I started it as a way of just sharing what was on my mind with the…

Skywatch Friday.. Foggy and cold

Its October and suddenly there is fog and mornings are quite chill.. This was today morning…

Love’s Little Gestures: Simple Ways to Show You Care [Relationships]

Ever since I got into a relationship, it has been a journey- plenty of unlearning, breaking the conditioning I’ve grown up with and of course working on building the relationship…

Rohi Gourmet Bistro, Hinjewadi – Pune

There’s a new restaurant in town and I am here to tell you all about it. This is Rohi Gourmet Bistro in Hinjewadi, behind Reliance Digital store.

Taking your dog for a walk [in an apartment]

I’ve had a dog at home for the last 20yrs or so, and while earlier in Chennai the house was an independent bungalow, I now live in an apartment, in…

Skywatch Friday… Rainy days!

Last Monday, I had gone for a Ganapathi walk with a group visiting the Manache Ganapthi [old & prestigious] temples, Mandais [ the pandals set up for Ganesh Chathurthi] and…

How to Build Communication in a Relationship

I have been writing about the importance of Conversations & Communication between people[family] & with reference to relationship as well, but then there is so much to talk about, right?

Letting Go: The Grace in Accepting Change

A forward I received on chat, that just makes too much sense… Sharing it here.. There was a time when we believed we had control over everything—our days, our children…

QR code menus vs. conventional printed menus: What is your pick?

Few weeks back, I did a survey on Twitter about what people prefer- traditional printed menus or the new age QR code version of it.

Capital Social, BKC, Bombay

It was the Aug 15th weekend and this time we were headed to Bombay for a couple of days. I was looking forward to catching up with a friend &…

Coffee shop culture

Coffee shop culture in India has been growing rapidly in recent years. Cafes and coffee shops are no longer just places to grab a quick cup of coffee or tea…

Conversations and communication- Part 1

Do you belong to a family that loves to talk, share & communicate? Well, I come from a family where they would rather avoid talking if that meant they are…

Iya’s Korean Kitchen, Pashan[Pune]

We love Korean food, more so since the US trip where we experienced Korean Barbecue and my aunt’s amazing Korean dishes. In Pune, we have been to K a couple…

Journaling and me

Journaling is a great way to process your emotions, reflect on your experiences, and track your progress over time. But for some people, journaling can be difficult or even impossible.

10 Essential Ingredients for a Thriving Relationship

Relationships are beautiful, complex, and ever-evolving journeys. While there’s no guaranteed formula for success, there are certain key ingredients that contribute to a thriving relationship.

Solo Travel [Woman]: A Comprehensive Guide

Traveling solo can be an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience. It allows you to explore the world at your own pace, discover your independence, and create unforgettable memories.

Things to Keep in Mind When Adopting an Indie Dog

Collage of indie dogs I’ve come across during my travels You might be someone who loves dogs and has always dreamt of having one at home.

What to expect and do during a jungle safari

You have always wanted to see a tiger up close or maybe you have seen one in a zoo somewhere during your travels. But it is nothing compared to sighting…

The Chettiar Table, Savya Rasa, Pune [June 29 – July 13]

What is the 1st thing that pops into your head when you hear “Chettinad?” For me, it is the gorgeous huge houses, beautiful sarees with patterns unique to the region…

This Monday.. Know that it’s ok

Green Grain Bowl – Delicious Salads [Pune & Goa]

I discovered Green Grain Bowl by accident, actually they sent me a message through my site which is how I came to know of them.

Navigating Two Vibrant Cities: Contrasting Life in Pune and Chennai

Whenever I meet someone new and they ask where I am am from, and I respond “Chennai”, they gape and then they go on to ask how different life is…

This Monday.. be like the pencil

Years back when I chanced upon Like the Flowing River” by Paulo Coelho, [ I think this was his 2nd book that I read], I came upon this section that…

Wai Heritage Tour with Western Routes

It had been 2 months since my last getaway & I was itching to go somewhere.. Since most parts of the country are hot or crazy hot, there are very…

The Quiet Magic of Routine

We don’t often think of routine as something worth celebrating. It feels mundane, almost dull – the same breakfast at the same table, the morning walk on the same road…

Live a Meaningful Life and not one attached to Material Things

In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in pursuing material possessions. We’re constantly bombarded with messages/ads telling us that we need the latest gadgets, clothes, cars, and memberships…

Lunch meetup at Loco Otro, Aundh

A bunch of women who’d recently travelled together decided to catch up for lunch. Then came the discussion about where we wanted to meet, making sure it was mid-point for…

Marriage – the be-all and end-all of life!!?

“When did marriage become the beginning and end of it all for a girl?” [I want to scream this from the top of the world] I have had this question…

This Monday… start fresh

The French Window Patisserie,Koregaon Park, Pune

Ever since moving to Pune, I have been exploring cafes both in and around my locality and in other parts of the city as well..

Skywatch… Rains & skies

Road trip to Chennai- Day 3 onwards

It was Monday morning 5 am, and we were all set to hit the road towards Chennai. We knew the only stops along the way would be for food and…

One language, One Country or not?

I had shared an incident that happened a decade+ back here. A conversation with some friends last week got me thinking about the language situation in our country and that…

Travelling within India vs International…

I started travelling in the earlier 2000s, and most of them were weekend trips. I would either travel solo or with a friend, and destinations were picked based on the…

Being mindful in life..

I’ve always been a curious observer—of people, patterns, energy, and the silent weight words can carry. But it was over a decade ago, in a moment that felt like a…

Minimalist… The transition! 

Growing up, I honestly did not want much. I was not one to ask my parent for this and that and more. Often am unsure if it was just me…

Skywatch Friday… Clouds galore..

Elephant & Co, Kalyani Nagar, Pune

A friend was in Pune and asked if we could meet over the weekend. After going to & fro on a place, we finally zeroed in on Elephant & Co…

The road trip to Chennai – Day 1 & 2

This was the 1st official long-distance trip that P & I were doing since we moved in. It was also extra special cos he was gonna be meeting my family…

Travel is the best test for any relationship

During our recent road trip to Chennai & back, we spoke about a range of things, one of which was the whole travelling together & how it is the biggest…

Breakfast at The Rameshwaram Cafe

There has been a constant buzz online [Instagram & Twitter] about this new cafe in Bangalore, and how they were so good and always crowded etc.

Hunt for lunch ends at Hotel Mamalla Bhavan

It was hot, we had been on the road for an hour + [Chennai to Mahabalipuram with an hour & half at Dakshin Chitra]. It was nearly 2.45 pm and…

Road trip to Chennai.. The Plan

This is a road trip that we have plan to do back in November 2021 when I thought of bringing Floppy here. Circumstances changed and we didn’t do that road…

Benne dosa , Davangere [Karnataka]

When we planned the road trip, we knew there were going to be multiple stops and breaks, involving not just stretching our legs but also trying local food.

Dohiti Bake house, Pune

A small cafe tucked away amidst big buildings and the simple brown wooden name board is all you see when you drive down the Kalpana villa society, Viman Nagar.

Spending time with yourself, by yourself

We live in a world where it is easy to get overwhelmed and stressed. Our days are jam-packed with activities, obligations, and responsibilities that we can’t seem to find any…

Breakfast at Wadeshwar, Pune

When I mentioned the move to Pune, a friend[in chennai] mentioned Wadehwar and how it was a popular place for South Indian breakfast. It has now been a little over…

3 days in Dapoli

Driving to a coastal town with a random group of people for 3 days was the plan when I booked Western Routes “Uncharted Konkan Lands – Dapoli” trip… It was…

Visit to the RK Laxman Museum, Pune

Ever since I moved to Pune, I’ve been looking for interesting places to visit and explore – Heritage History & landmark-based to explore. Over the last year, I visited quite…

2022, The wrap up!

Come December, my mood goes haywire. I am happy one minute, and sad/glum the next. The month over the years has left me feeling all sorts of restless.

Skywatch Friday.. Shades of The Sky

The varied colours of the sky across November from our balcony..I love waking up every morning and looking right outside the window, watching the sky light up slowly….

Vivo V 25 – 12Gb 256Gb phone!

Disclaimer – Am no gadget reviewer though I love gadgets and am always looking to check/play with new ones that come out into the market, primarily phones & laptops.

Barbecue Nation.. Pune! Never again~

The last time I was at Barbeque nation was back in Chennai [mid 2000s] for my birthday lunch with friends and my sister… I think the rates where something like…

Skywatch Friday… Colours and drama

Exploring Pune.. Kasba Peth & Kaas Plateau

I love travelling and I also love exploring the town I am in.. be it for travel or work purposes. Ever since I moved to Pune a year ago, am…

Recipe and a story… Our Family’s Salna

If you were to go out and tell someone you had salna with parotta, they would immediately ask for the name of the place where you had it..In the South…

Skywatch Friday… Woke up to a Rainbow

Dogs & Me

The very 1st dog who came into buy life was Sheeba, a pup we had adopted from our neighbour [their dog had a big litter], but unfortunately she didn’t live…

Nashik.. Weekend getaway!

Nashik.. Weekend Getaway For the long weekend, we decided to get away, the first official holiday for the three of us together, and we began looking for options.

Don’t really need a reason to visit Chennai. Just come!! 

It’s a city that will always have a special place in my heart, even though I don’t live there anymore. It became my home back in 1990 and I wasn’t…

Exploring Pune – Cafes & Coffee shops

I have been in Pune now for a little over a year and have had the opportunity to explore quite a bit of the food scene at least.In my side…

The Grove, LA

Established way back in 1934 as the Farmers Market, the space has grown to become one of the most popular high end shopping and dining spaces in LA with the…

Skywatch Friday… Monsoons are here

In Pune and am loving my 1st experience of the Monsoons.. It has been raining, but nothing too crazy & I love how life goes on, unlike in Chennai where…

Santa Barbara, Rains & the Mission

So from Solvang, we decided to head to Santa Barbara.And it was pouring all through the way.Again, we didn’t have any plans.We didn’t know what we were going to do.

Procrastination & digging deeper..

[Source: The real reasons you procrastinate at work – Work Life by Atlassian] Are you guilty of procrastination? And getting yelled at by clients/family/friends for being tardy or incompetent.

Solvang & the Horse ranch..

This time around the trip to the US was a total contrast to my last one.. It was not my first time. I was not traveling alone.

Pune & Pet friendly spaces

While this is something I hadn’t really thought about until recently, it is now playing on my mind almost all the time. During my recent trip to US, I saw…

The Heart of the Matter: Why Communication is the Lifeline of Every Relationship

In the messy, beautiful chaos of relationships, communication stands as both compass and anchor. It’s what allows love to be understood, conflicts to be resolved, and connection to deepen.

Answer to the point..

Why do most people have difficulty answering to the point? why do they have to share their opinion, give suggestions and in fact sometimes don’t even answer the question you…

This Monday… Take off.

Skywatch Friday.. Heavy heart gloomy skies

The last flight I took was back from Bangalore to Pune.. a trip that was completely unplanned, but one that had to happen sometime.. I flew back with a heavy…

Navigating the Role of Caregiver: A Grandchild’s Journey

I moved in with my grandparents when i was pursuing my MBA, mainly out of convenience. My parents apartment had 2 bedrooms, and we were 2+2+2 so you an imaging…

[Travel stories] Travelling & strangers

Was chatting with an online friend about travelling solo and people we meet during our travels and that is when it struck me that more than once, have had strangers…

Redefining Connection in Your 40s

Moving to a new city in your 40s is not the same as doing it in your 20s or 30s. You’re not looking for wild nights out, roommate bonding over…

Sharing the load

This has been on my mind for a while – much before I got into a relationship.. I have always wondered why it was the woman who held fort at…

Skywatch Friday.. in the jungles

The gorgeous blazing sky as we got back to the resort after a fabulous safari sighting at Ranthambore…

New beginnings

New beginnings.. Some of you know it, some of you don’t – I am referring to the fact that I moved to Pune and it’s been about 8- 9 months.

Skywatch Friday… on the road

Clicked these during the most recent road trip to Bombay and back.. loved the colours of the sky and am always fascinated by how nature seems to put on a…

Why are people..

Why are people always trying to one UP the other? what do they get out of it? is it is an ego rush or a power trip or do they…

Skywatch Friday.. city skyline

One evening last week, there was thunder, lightening and good hour of rains where the sky was just this magical pinkish hue… Thankfully it cooled down and I enjoyed the…

Jungles of Ranthambore, Rajasthan

It has been ages since I was in the jungles, 2+years.. Few months back, we [a bunch of women who connected couple of years back with “safari” & “jungles” as…

Skywatch Friday…. open skies

We were gearing up for the last day safari into the jungles and this was the morning sky….

One pot Sambar & Rasam Rice

Thanks to my grandma I have discovered the easy and most amazing way to make rasam rice and sambar rice in the pressure cooker.. It is basically a 1 pot…

Skywatch Friday.. Night sky

We did a few road trips, and also got the chance to go for drives later in the evening. Now, since it was winter, the sky would turn dark around…

Battle with the body – XXI- Disorders

Today morning while scrolling through twitter, came upon this tweet thread and it blew my mind away.. It is about Body dysmorphic disorder [BDD], a real disorder where people are…

This Monday.. busting myths around self-care

Have a check list/journal and make sure to put yourself FIRST..

Skywatch Friday – Home & views

We were finally home, and even though it was one helluva holiday, we were exhausted after all those flights, and jumping time zones. Our bodies were confused, we were sleeping…

Travel during Covid times – USA & Back

While there is a lot of chaos and blurred areas around travel during these COVID times, I did a trip to the US and decided to share tips and pointers…

Battle with the body – XX- Perceptions!

So, its been a while since I wrote about this topic… Doesn’t mean things are happy dandy and people have changed. I guess I have just found that it is…

Habits.. No phones during meals.

So my uncle has always had this “no mobile phone on the dining table while eating” policy. Something that I’ve seen him implement about 20-25 years ago & he continues…

Skywatch Friday.. High up

Am back, after a brief hiatus, one that took me across the globe to the US. Took quite a few flights, going across from West coast to East Coast and…

[Freelancer] Saying NO to projects/clients

I became a freelancer back in 2006.. I had no clue what I was getting into, just that I had a few leads who were willing to give me projects.

Christmas decor on the streets of Candy Cane Lane, Los Angeles

As the festive season rolled in, so did the much-anticipated tradition of Christmas lights. This year, however, came with an exciting twist: a first time Christmas eve dinner with family…

This Monday… Inspire others!

This Monday.. Take care of YOU first…

Past baggage and present life..

Years ago somebody introduced me to Louis hay and her book You Can Heal yourself. While the initial chapters in the book didn’t really resonate with me, the last few…

This Monday… stay focussed~

Breakfast date at The Rustle Nest, Baner

It was Saturday, we woke up relaxed and were in the mood for a lazy long breakfast. The only criteria was “we wanted Eggs Benedict”.

Skywatch Friday… View from home

From last evening..

This Monday.. Find your tribe..

Skywatch Friday … Rains to Clear skies

During my most recent flight, there was a lot of drama and uncertainty! In fact, till we took off, I wasn’t sure if we were gonna actually take off and…

Connections and changes..

Things have changed over the last few months and there are times when I ponder over family and people and the way they think.. After a couple of months of…

5 Google Docs hacks to save the day!

As a content creator, I am constantly creating documents – word, excel, presentations and beyond. And for all of them, I use documents to take nIf like me, you rely…

This Monday. pause and reflect

Where are you in this?

Good things come to those who wait…

Good things do come to people who wait. Oh yes they do~ But good things also come to those who make things happen, who dont just sit and wait… 🙂…

This Monday… Learn to read people & keep only those matter!

This Monday.. tell the universe

Cafe Peter, Pune

It had been two days since I landed in Pune, we had some errands to run, starting with getting the car serviced. Dropped off the car and decided to go…

Dining out in the new normal..

A few days back, I had done a post on things to do/follow when you order in… People have now accepted that life is going to be carrying your mask…

This Monday… Hold your Head high

Spice Factory, Hinjewadi, Pune

Saturday, both of us had some work, but we wanted to step out for a spin. Decided we will go check out this gourmet store called “The Pantry”.

Skywatch Friday… Clouds and Mist..

The sky today morning… Uff.. beautiful~ All are mobile clicks with a lot of effort [ well, Nature had done 90% of the job, but i had squeeze the camera…

This Monday… be open to new experiences

Ordering in the new normal

March 2020 is when the world changed, life as we knew it ceased to exist~ News of Covid-19, the pandemic had us all trapped at home afraid and with almost…

Skywatch Friday… As the sun sets

This Monday… Focus on YOU

Skywatch Friday – Different Moods, different shades

I love standing in the balcony and gazing at the sky… watching the clouds glide along, sometimes the sun peeks out and other times dark clouds are all I see.

The mother wound

Yesterday, while scrolling through Twitter found a tweet by a friend “TIL (healing) mother wound”.. I got curious cos I have been dealing with wounds and baggage related to my…

Sinful – BeeTee’s Melt Chocolate

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” ~ Charles M. Schulz Feeling down and low, have a piece of chocolate Feeling excited and…

365 days gone by…

Birthday wishes do come true… I started this tradition few years back, heck it’s been almost a decade – I would travel and disappear for my birthday – invariably alone.

This Monday.. Celebrate life

What is the one thing you are celebrating today? It could something as silly as having the day off – no calls/mails to deal with 😀

Skywatch Friday.. The Skies..

This was probably the 1st time in a long time when I purchased just a one-way ticket… It was exciting and am now looking forward to what life holds in…

This Monday… remembering people

Madras day … Aug 22nd

Chennai turns 382 years as the city celebrates ‘Madras Day’ today. It was on August 22, 1639, that the village of Madrasapatnam was purchased by the East India Company from…

Maid tales -1

I have moved towns. Moved from the South to the Northern part of India. Moved from living with family to living with a friend… I am all settled in and…

This Monday… Try something new

Taking the Leap

Living the life you have dreamt of often means shaking things up, making big changes, and taking decisions that will have a major impact on your life – not just…

Self-care- Put yourself first

Why is putting yourself so hard? Why is doing something for yourself difficult and not something that comes naturally to you? Is it because all your life you’ve been conditioned…

[Guest Post ]A guide to Leh Ladakh Bike Trip by Julie Kiruba

In this post, Julie Kiruba shares her experience of doing a bike ride to Leh Ladakh. Though I have been there and loved it, riding on a bike is quite…

#floppytales.. Life with pets..

I did not grow up around dogs, heck there was barely any talk about pets. In fact I don’t think I had friends who had dogs of fish for any…

This Monday… Practice Gratitude

You are…

You are smart, but we don’t care for your opinions You are responsible, but we don’t give two hoots for your needs You are an anchor, but we don’t give…

This Monday.. take a break

Cool link to check out – https://themostefficient.com/50-ways-to-take-a-break-infographic-brain-breaks-for-adults/

Having a system.. an order..

There is a time to play and time to work, Time to swing and time to shine Time to chill and time to unwind… Do you have a system/ schedule…

Yes or No please..

Instance 1: Me: Have you had morning coffee? She: Well, I woke up at 4, brushed my teeth, but it was still dark out, so went back to bed.

This Monday.. Just be

Source: https://tinybuddha.com/fun-and-inspiring/its-okay-to-just-be/

I hear em all

As I sit here Typing away on my laptop I hear the sound of the drill I hear voices I hear commands I hear em all And yet I don’t…

Do what you want… or not..

Thanks to covid, being cooped up at home+ mind being in a world of its own, a lot of thinking and self-introspection has been happening.

The last year…

Last year 22nd March [Sunday] was a full lockdown and then from 24th onwards we had the partial lockdown… We learned to step out of our homes only for ‘absolute…

This Monday.. Take out time for yourself

Source: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/how-to-find-time-for-yourself.html

[Guest post] Top 10 Enchanting Destinations for solo travellers

I love hearing stories from fellow travellers and draw inspiration from them as well. Some travel solo like me, while others explore the country & the world with friends/family/others.

Test of time.. Memory..

Do you remember what you had for dinner two years ago today? What about two weeks ago? Most of you might not have a clue..

This Monday…. Pick your battles..

Hotel Mercure, Oragadam

Did you know there is a Hotel called ‘Mercure‘ all the way across town? I must admit I hadn’t heard of the hotel before, but curiosity got the better of…

Step Away From Work

Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment, and to either of these ends, there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence…

Beer and Sliders at Hyatt Regency Chennai

Summer is around the corner, so a chilled beer would be good to unwind after a crazy day right? How about if you were to pair it with 3 delicious…

Travel during Covid times

Breathe.. Breathe…Have some water, if needed.. breathe… No no, those instructions are not for me, they are for the select few who read my blog and who are gasping at…

Equal at all times..

A friend: Had a big order to fulfill and was able to do it with few minutes to spare. Me: Yayy, am so proud of you She: it was 50%…

This Monday.. Choose your friends..

Single and Independent…not acceptable

This is a post that has been sitting in the drafts for a while now.. Decided I was gonna publish it, and apt considering today is Women’s Day~~ Warning: Long…

This Monday… Look for the silver lining

Back in 5th or 6th std, our class teacher came up with this rule that every week one of us would take turns to write a proverb on the board…

New Pubs in Town… Chennai

After being cooped up at home for nearly 9-10months, I finally began venturing out.. Wore a mask, carried sanitizer, and took autos [ I thought autos were better than cabs…

Just listen…

Source – https://inspiring-possible.com/the-art-of-listening/ “The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as being heard…” This post is about just listening – don’t talk, don’t comment, don’t jump…

Fathers and daughters …

Couple of days back was at a friend’s wedding, fairly early in the morning .. it is a small crowd, a cozy & intimate wedding and it was just lovely..Among…

This Monday… Stop judging~

Books and Reading

Madras Connemera Library.. Autographed books, more books & my bookshelf “So please, oh please, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place, you can…

This Monday.. Don’t hold back..

Yes, please speak your mind ~~

Primo Pizza at Hyatt Regency, Chennai – Till 9th Feb

Do you love pizzas? What’s your favorite topping? Do you like thin crust or the regular thick? What about cheese- little or go crazy? Last evening we had some delectable…

Matar Kachori [Peas Kachori]

I love experimenting with food, trying out new recipes, and so when I spotted this Matar Kachori recipe shared by Sangeetha [her blog – http://www.healthfooddesivideshi.com], I knew I had to…

Peshawari, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

What does it feel like to step out, and go into a restaurant? What are the protocols they follow? Will it be safe to dine out?

Speaking your mind

Source:https://awesomelifetips.com/speak-your-mind/ Do you speak your mind or hold your tongue? I belong to a family where speaking your mind is frowned upon, heck whoever is around you will either leave…

This Monday… Stay true to yourself

Read more on this – https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/ambigamy/201802/just-be-true-yourself-not-quite

I have changed

And once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is…

This Monday… be present..

Breathe in- Breathe out – do this for a few mins as you start the day. The world can wait.. Pay attention to your senses when eating/drinking/walking and enjoy the…

Fabelle Exquisite Chocolates – New delights in store!

For someone who loves dark chocolate, Fabelle has quite a range of lip-smacking treats. My 1st visit here blew me away and every time since then I have walked into…

I am untouchable

You can’t touch this [ sofa and other furniture with fabric on it] You can’t touch this [ vessels apart from what I was served in] You can’t touch this…

With every passing year

With every passing year, I see a change in me I see myself grow I see a sense of calm set in With every passing year, I see my wants…

Me and my habits..

Habit #1 I read a blog post, a poem by a friend sometime back. I read it once, I re-read it and left a comment like I always do […

Bread & Chocolate, Chennai

Entrance Spanish Latte [Subko] The Sourdough sandwiches -Pumpkin Patch & Spicy Mushroom Americano [Subko] Pain au chocolat Auroville’s popular Bread & Chocolate is now in Chennai.

[Skywatch Friday] Clear skies after the rain

We have had a few weeks filled with nothing but dark clouds, and crazy rains scattered through the day. The last two days has been clear skies and chill weather……

This Monday.. Be you.. Be Proud~

Rajasthani Food Festival at The Reef, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa

Digging your teeth into freshly fried kachori or taking a bite of bhajra roti with some lehsun chutney that transports you to the streets of Jaipur or Udaipur is just…

Battle with the body – XIX- plus size shopping -I

If you told me a decade ago that I would have a wardrobe that had plenty of T-shirts, tops, jeans, pants and dresses, I would have laughed at you and…

Four home bakers to watch out for..

Over the last few months, or even year, there have been quite a few home chefs and home bakers who have emerged, surprising us with their fare.

Birthday at home

There is always a first time, and this year was one such, for the birthday.. When I look back, I have been travelling on my Birthday for the last 6…

This Monday.. a departure & some words..

How do you coping with the death of a friend? One that you knew for years, did not meet or chit chat often, but you knew was around and you…

The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse by Charlie Mackesy

“Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.”― Eleanor Roosevelt Every now and then one stumbles upon a book that leaves you completely spellbound.

Fine Dining brought home…Part I

“If the mountain will not come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain”.. what is the point of this quote here? well, read on… March 22nd, we have…

The way we are..

Agree? I have a few questions for you…. How are you doing today? What’s on your plate? Are there more than 10 items or under?

[Skywatch] Cloudy with splash of rain

There has been such a drastic change in the weather, it has been raining on & off the past few days and we are rejoicing… It feels so good to…

[Skywatch] From the terrace

Last evening, I went up to the terrace cos the ACT guys wanted to sort out the cable, and install a connection at home. While the rep was busy doing…

[Skywatch] From the garden

I know I know, this Skywatch Friday profile has gone missing, but I do miss posting on Friday about the gorgeous skies I have seen… So I am bringing it…

Pizza from JK Pizzeria, Chennai

Imagine biting into a thin crust that is oozing with flavours and the cheese is so rich and decadent? So inviting right? Well, that is exactly how the Supreme Veg…

Conversations with strangers…

Sometime back I had written about the joy of conversations, how only a few are good at it, most others stutter & there is nothing but awkward silence between strained…

Just checking in

How are you doing? All ok with you? These are messages that people in my circle would have gotten from me on & off over the last few months… Not…

Travel & food- Part I

It is no secret that I love to travel, and I have been fortunate to travel quite a bit over the last couple of years.

Experiment with foods – Noodles with veggies

Over the years, have learnt to play around with food- textures, flavours, build layers.. I know all this sounds like something you hear on a TV cookery show, but that’s…

Habits and routines

We are all creatures of habit at the end of the day, whether you like to admit or not… I used to be a high-on-the-edge-OCD-things-need-to-be-perfect kind of person, but that…

[Guest post] SPRING: A HOPE AND PROMISE, OF SURVIVAL AND RENEWAL

A guest post on the blog after ages… This one is by a dear friend/ Wildlife traveller, a woman who has strong thoughts and a kind heart- Shabnam of Wildlife…

Destination Weddings… The In thing~!

Our cab drove into the entrance making its way near Galle fort when I spotted a group of women all identically dressed, giggling away.. Few yards from them, I spotted…

If not now, then when~!

Having been a freelancer for over a decade now and must say I am quite comfortable working from home. Yes, there are days when I get the urge to escape…

Chettinad Food festival at Ayna, The Hilton, Chennai

The first thing that catches my eye is a metal Pallankuzhi [a game that I used to play with my grandma & great grandma] board where each slot has a…

Food & Our Grandmothers..

I must’ve been three when I first climbed onto a tiny stool and stood beside my aarthimma [that’s what I called my grandmother] flipping dosais on a hot tawa.

Skywatch friday…. Chennai skies..

This was what greeted me- One of those evenings when I was out just to get away from home…. One of those days when I needed nothing but silence and…

Mountain Goat Farms, Mangaon

Quirky art work near the dining/games area… A game of carrom… look at the view ahead… Phew.. The Dining/games area… Yellow submarine! The space.. The Room We had 3 days…

Battle with the body – XVIII- The People…

“Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you’re in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping…

Zesty Mornings at ITC Grand Chola Chennai

Breakfast like a king.. remember that ? Well, at ITC hotels they have launched the Zesty Mornings, healthy twist to the breakfast spread and it is yummilicious & it is…

FOMO, YOLO and all that jazz..

How times have changed…Today we have acronyms and new age lingo for pretty much everything, and I need either a friend or Google to explain the word to me.

Day 3 in Kolkata…

After a fun & fabulous two days [Day1 & Day2], I was looking forward to my 3rd & final day in Kolkata. I remember having these random thoughts the day…

[Recipe] Miznon’s Roasted cauliflower

A friend had posted a tweet in which she had shared a video of a simple Cauliflower dish being cooked. The video was all about how Chef Eyal Shani had…

Day 2 in Kolkata

After a fun Day 1, I got a good nights sleep and was up and ready to explore more of this beautiful city…Was up by 6am, spent a few minutes…

Day 1 in Kolkata

After a good night’s rest, I woke up to a new kinda sound, which I heard within a few minutes again…Putting it out of my mind, I got ready for…

Skywatch Friday… Touchdown Chennai

It was a holiday of many FIRSTs… Among the long list was the fact that I did not click too many pictures during the flight.

Tips and insights for 1st time Solo travellers [women]

If I were about to embark on a solo trip and was seeking advice from someone experienced, I’d definitely want to gather practical tips and personal insights that could help…

Birds of Sundarbans

We were in the boat cruising along the waters, keeping an eye out for any movement, any bird or animal that might be about..Our Guide Nityananda was up and about…

First glimpse of Kolkata and the itinerary…

The girls had initiated a plan, and I was quite keen to join them, considering it was to a new place, new experiences and I knew I could carry my…

Biswa Bangla Gate, Kolkata

The Biswa Bangla Gate (Kolkata Gate).. Standing tall at 55m high with majestic arches, a 60m diameter circular ring shape platform walkway and more hidden within them beautiful walls… Quite…

Malayalam movie & Palmgrove meals

Poster… [Image: Movie Facebook page] Look at the location..ufff… [Image: Movie Facebook page] The Tagore NDFC Hall inside the Music College, MRC Nagar The Tagore NDFC Hall It was one…

Photo journey through the Sunderbans

It has been a few days since I got back from my Kol trip.. About time I started sharing my stories, right? Someone recently asked me which has been my…

Travel books and Travel…

Decades ago, when I was in School, we had Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island as part of Non-detailed syllabus, which i read within a few days of receiving..

Wrapping up

Well, there goes another year, leaving us wondering what lies ahead.. Am sure the world and their gramma has this thought on their mind. For me, this year has been…

[TV Recipe] Creamy mushroom with no cream..

There I was, surfing through channels to see if there was anything interesting on TV when I landed on Living Foodz. I waited a second to see the orange screen…

[TV Recipe] Peanut Chutney

I have been following Anita on Instagram for a while now and managed to even meet her the last time I was in Delhi. She gave me some sourdough bread…

Headsup- Change in Jordan Visa rules…

Here is some news about Visa for those planning a trip to Jordan… “Jordan on Thursday decided to offer visas on arrival to Chinese and Indian nationals.”

Gossip Fusion Bistro, Chennai

The dessert counter near the entrance all decorated… Season’s Special menu Assortment of freshly baked bread… plain, spicy & herbed Broccoli & Pumpkin Soup with a pickled pear hidden underneath…

Battle with the body – XVII — Not just humans..

[Image: https://thecuriousbrain.com] Every time I see one of those dogs on a treadmill video, I wonder if the dog is made to run/workout or if it is on the machine…

Two weddings, Two towns & some amazing food

Last weekend I got to attend a wedding, no no, two weddings, and they were both in different towns. But there was something common to the two- both were Malayali…

Kovilakam Resort, Allepey

This weekend was one of a kind alright, and something I haven’t done ever… What was special about it? Well, two of my friends were getting married, to different women…

Fratelli and South indian food at Dakshin, Crowne Plaza

Wine paired with South Indian food.. Yes, you read it right. It was a 1st time for me as well. We were at Dakshin, in Crowne Plaza, the restaurant renowned…

The skies and the captures…

I have always loved taking photographs of the skies, the clouds and just about anything that catches my eye.. Not so much people, cos I somehow feel am intruding/invading their…

Through the lanes of Mumbai..

There are a few places that kinda grow on you.. And then there are some that you visit a zillion times, yet they remain strange.

Dimsums at Soy Soi

I love momos and dim sums, have always loved them and we devoured a few plates of hot momos while in the hills, and in Delhi as well.

Aadhirai..

Aadhirai, what an unusual name right? Well, it is the name of a woman in Sangam literature, who is said to have fed the first morsel of rice to a…

Tea Villa Cafe, Chennai

Pal was in town and as is customary, we decided to catch up one afternoon… Looking for a new place, one that wasn’t too far for either of us, I…

Utsav at Hamsa, till 29th Oct…

The Table set up… The lamps used as the main feature point Napkin held in place with a bangle The Utsav Menu Gulab jamun The Starters – Sabudhana moongphalli thalipeeth…

EAT, all about home chefs…

A food delivery app.. So, whats different you ask? Well, this one is food from one home to another… Yes, you read it right.. EAT, the new app is all…

Solkadhi… the drink!

I had seen images and posts on this, but never really thought too much about it. Infact, going by its name- Solkadhi, I kinda assumed it was part of the…

10 years of On the Rocks, Crowne Plaza, Chennai

Bring out the candles and the band, it is time to ring in the 10th birthday of this fabulous restaurant- On the Rocks in Crowne Plaza Chennai..

Birthday Roadtrip- Bombay to Goa…

While I have travelled quite a bit, most of the trips have been on a train, bus or flight, and then short distances via road, in an Innova or a…

Houses of Goa, Porvorim..

Say hello to the street with Houses of Goa The first house you see as you drive towards the road… There is a store and a museum of sorts upstairs……

Taj West End’s Masala Klub pop-up in Chennai at The Verandah ,Taj Connemara, Sep 20 -29

The lobby that was once very familiar looked new, it had been completely revamped but then there stood the majestic staircase I had gone up & down mulitple times on.

Skies come alive….

I was up in the sky, high high above it all.. after ages.. This time, I got upgraded and travelled in plush seats, with wow level leg room.

The Birthday & Goan flavours

The Birthday came and has gone by… As with the past few years I did manage to escape.. But the ttrip this year was different and special..

Having that perfect wedding… in Chennai…

Traditional decor at the entrance.. Contemporary decor at the entrance… Traditional lunch at a South indian wedding.. A wedding is a day to remember, to cherish and start a new…

Love for writing…

Ikea pencils… Postcards... Stickers and stencils.. Bookmarks Stationery… Anand Prakash goodie box.. Something magical about putting pen to paper and writing out words to a friend/loved one… The earliest memory…

School Parent Communication APP – A Blessing In Disguise

Schools these days are very different from what they were a few years ago. Parents today go through far greater obstacles and hurdles to get their children into a good…

This Is Why Candid Wedding Photography Is So Famous!

They way weddings are carried out has changed over time. We all know that a wedding is a once in a lifetime experience and people want to remember that special…

New Trend Setting Wedding Venues

It is always beautiful when you hear stories of two people finding each other and deciding to spend their life together as a couple. Be it love or arranged, either…

What a trip~ Tungabadra dam & gardens..Hospet

It was a trip unlike any other I had taken…Why? Oh, several reasons…. I had been chatting with this guy via a dating app for a few weeks and we…

The Elephant’s found its pair at Flying Elephant, Park Hyatt Chennai..

Breads with hummus & dips Negroni [said to go well with the Paccheri] Nick’s pizza Achari Broccoli Asian Bowl- Tofu Sangria served with Broccoli Ricotta cake with strawberry compote Paccheri…

New beginnings at Golden Dragon, Taj Coromandel…

Golden Dragon, Taj Coromandel one of those restaurants that has been in Chennai forever.. And so it was lovely to hear they had a new Chef taking over the kitchen.

[Recipe] Kewa Datshi

Off late during my trips to familiar towns, I make it a point to do something different.. Last time I was in Delhi, I explored not one but nearly 5…

Vijay Vilas Palace, Mandvi, Gujarat

We were done with Bhuj and Kutch and before winding up the trip, one last stop was required. That was going to be Mandvi.. Had read about the historic significance…

Kommune, Chennai

You step out of the elevator onto a huge open space with multi level seating arrangement and a DJ spinning tracks at the far end.

Things to do in HongKong during a long layover….

[Images courtesy RA & yes he said it was alright for me to use em..] A friend of mine was travelling to Seattle, via Hong Kong… He had a layover…

Delhi, PVR and travel tales

It was April, the air was hot and there was crazy amount of pollution as I made my way from the Airport to Ambiance Mall, Gurugram… I had a few…

Avartana turns 2… ITC Grand Chola…

Amuse Bouche – thinly sliced Carrot with some yummy crunchy goodies inside. The Rasam- with Cumin & Black pepper Corn & Cherry Tomato [ with pomegranate & curd chilli] Up…

Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Ahmedabad…

There I was, in the city that held so many fond memories- Ahmedabad. My first visit was back in 20015, when I spent a whole week here, just that back…

Burmese food at Soy Soi till 2nd June…

I love experimenting with food and so when a friend pinged me asking if I would like to join her for the Burmese Food festival at Soy Soi, I said…

Battle with the body – XVI — Compliments and reactions…

Incident 1 You are waiting for your friends, walking up & down the mall…. They message saying 5mins… And then you see them walking towards you, you proceed to walk…

Asian Station, KNK Road, Chennai

The Decor and the cocktail I had…. The cool menu.. Three different kinds of dimsums.. The clear glass noodle soup Sushi… Jasmine Rice and Thai Green curry.. Laksa..

Insights into Salesforce

I love reading, those who know me know that I am constantly reading a book, either fiction or something on general topic. Infact there have been times when I read…

Never a dull moment around friends..

When a group of friends meet up, there is talk about everything under the sun. Ranging from relationships [whether you are in one, yearning to be in one, or confused…

Into the jungles- Dudhwa National Park, UP

Crested Serpent Eagle. The open bill stork.. Two elephants goofing about till their herd came close and they trotted away… Kingfisher… Spotted Deer Great pied Hornbill A plan was brewing…

Learning the ropes of Salesforce..

She was at her desk, had been staring at the system for a few minutes with a blank look on her face. Her colleague stood next to her wondering what…

Anantya Resort near Kanyakumari… The birthday getaway

I started this tradition few years back.. For my birthday I would get away, be away from Chennai… Over the years I have been to many different places..

Where did basic etiquette and courtesies go?

[Image source- http://www.childfun.com/themes/people/manners/] I got off the cab & said “Thank you” to the cabbie before shutting the door…. My friend looks at me in wonder and exclaims- “what was…

Battle with the body – XVI — The Age..

We are all different.. This extends to physical, emotional and mental frameworks! The sooner we accept this the happier we will be.. I get that we are all in some…

Taxes..taxes and taxes…

There are a few aspects of life that baffle me.. like how to make batter for idli/dosa and then there is the other thing called “Taxes”..

Conversations about Travelling, & more…

I have been travelling for a few years now, more so in recent past. Infact, the love for travel began back in junior school. Luckily my parents let me go…

Life within papers..

He was busy poring over some papers on the dining table. She called out to him couple of times, but no response. She went about ironing her clothes for the…

The Humble drumstick [ Murungakkai]

“Boil it separately, not with the kuzhambu” instructs gramma to the cook. It will disintegrate and melt if cooked in the kuzhambu is her explanation… [buy seeds from – http://www.creativefarmer.in/Buy-Drumstick-Tree-Seeds-Type1-online]…

Food Trails along the NH 48 at Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola till 13th April

[Image courtesy: ITC Grand Chola] The food comes from these regions.. The mains Millet Koozhu with accompaniments- sundakkai vathal, maavadu, mahanikezhangu oorugai, chillies, onions, and more..

[Home cooking- Recipe] Pasta with roasted broccoli and brussel sprouts…

Had bought Brussel Sprouts few days back and was wondering what to make with them. It is one of my favourite vegetables, following close on the heels of Bitter gourd.

Up and away , into the future…

I know its been a while since I was here… Leave alone share a few thoughts and words..Well, what better day to make a start than right after a fun…

Women and Power.. go for it~!

I am constantly fascinated by the things we humans do, more so women. Especially how things have changed over the years. There are days when I sit and talk with…

Old School dishes, familiar flavours… at Mamagoto

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Kala Ghoda & Mumbai…

I had heard of the Kala Ghoda Festival in Mumbai few years back and since then been wanting to visit the city around the time.

Chinmaya IAS Academy- Civil service launchpad…

There is a friend of mine- K, who has a cousin-M. M is into Civil services and is slowly climbing the ladder, one step at a time.

Joy of reading and gifting books..

If I were to rewind time and go back to my childhood, I only remember being outside with friends, playing or at home reading while listening to music [ in…

Maestro of Punjabi cuisine at Spice Haat, Hyatt Regency till 31st March

[Image courtesy- Hyatt Regency] Walking down the narrow streets of Amritsar, you see shops where men are busy piping out hot jalebis, or serving thick lassi to customers.

All about reading and books..

The other day this person I met asked me if I remembered the 1st ever book I read.. I racked my brain for a few minutes and gave up!

[Food tales] Stuffed peppers & chilli

If there is one dish that the entire family loves and will gobble up not keeping track of numbers, it is the humble bhajji.. Deep fried vegetables that have been…

When Swami became my friend… Malgudi days…

I remember getting back home from school, washing up, changing out of the school uniform, gulping down the glass of milk before heading out the door to my great aunt’s…

Flavours of India festival – Café G, Holiday Inn Chennai OMR IT Expressway

Kerala potato Cutlet- dont let the name fool you, this was actually minced meat cutlet… Dessert counter at Buffet spread.. Goan Omelette counter.. was fascinating- it was a pav bun…

[Food tales] My love for experimenting with food & Mirchi peanut gobi …

I have been told that I made dosa when I was 3 years old, with my gramma beside me.. Looks like I was into cooking from then on.

[Recipe] Eggless Strawberry Cake

I love cooking, but when it comes to baking I hesitate because the recipes are complicated or it just boggles me [cos I have to follow the recipe to the…

Of Names, Numbers & Angels …

I have this habit, yes I call it a “habit” cos I do it quite often…. But it is not one of those I want to let go of or…

Pizza Express, Colaba, Mumbai

We had walked from Kitab Khana to Gateway of India, spent about half hour there.. Wandered about the place, took photos and generally enjoyed the cool breeze and lazy afternoon..

Nasi and Mee Asian Canteen

Mushrooms & water chestnut Dim-sum Tofu Satay Broccoli & Cashew dim-sum Lemon pie Nasi and Mee translates to ‘rice and noodles’ in Bahasa, with ‘mee’ coming from the Cantonese word…

Rooftop Lounge at Ramada Plaza, Guindy

This platter consisted of- ✓ Butter Naan ✓ Mutton Roganjosh ✓ Vegetable Kohlapuri ✓Dal makhani ✓Mirchi ka salaan ✓Plain Steamed rice ✓Raita ✓Pickle & ✓ Paapad Cool breeze, Buildings all…

Celebrating Chinese new year at Golden Dragon, Taj Coromandel

Xīnnián hǎo [Happy New Year]….Happiness, Fun, Joy, Peace, Love, Luck, will come with my special wish … May this New Year brings you happiness, wealth, longevity, and good fortune….

Acrobatic Pizza-Making at Focaccia, Hyatt Regency till 10th Feb

The cocktails.. Alley shooter, Earltini, Red wine [Jacob’s Creek] and a Gin based cocktail with orange flavour coming through… I was engrossed in the episode on Pizzas on Ugly Delicious…

Cranberry & Chocolates… at Cocoashala

Nuts and chocolate- yes, tried and tested.. Raisins and chocolate- yes, that has also been tried and tested Cranberry and chocolate- well, ummm errr.. Sounds interesting, but do the flavours…

A session on Vegan Cheese wit Neelima Sriram… The Conscious Market!

When I got invited by a blogger friend to a session on Vegan Cheese wit Neelima Sriram, I was quite curious.. I have heard of vegan food and cheese, but…

Dabeli- the famous snack of Kutch region

If you hear the words Dhokla, Faafda, Khandvi, Oondhiyo, Khakra, thepla, you know you are in Gujarat… But then did you know about Dabeli, it is a famous dish from…

Kokkarakko, Kodambakkam…

The cool logo.. Vadam with 4 chutneys… The drinks- Panagam, Rose milk, Nannari Soda, and Neer Mor Tomato Jeeragam Soup Veg Starters- Muttai Kalakki Bun parotta Desserts- Pomogranate Payasam, Tirunelveli…

Road trip, Temples, Mall.. Indore…

And just like that two weeks had flown by and we were headed to our final destination in the Explore Madhya Pradesh saga… We were headed to Indore, by bus…

Caves, temples and more in Bhopal

From Chanderi, we took a bus to Lalitpur, just about making it to the 1.45pm train to Bhopal. Upon reaching Bhopal, we headed to Hotel Sangam , which was fairly…

Fort, stepwell, textile and more in Chanderi

So from Jhansi, we decided to head to Chanderi… Now, these small towns have a certain charm about them, but on the other hand they are quite a pain when…

Exploring through the streets of Jhansi…

From Orchha, we were headed to a town that was a short 18kms away… We were going onwards to Jhansi, a historical city that is regarded as the gateway to…

Architecture, history and more at Orchha

The historic town of Orchha, [the capital of the Bundela Rajput Kings] situated right along the banks of River Betwa, was founded back in the 16th century by Rudra Pratap…

The joy of writing…

“How wonderful it is to be able to write someone a letter! To feel like conveying your thoughts to a person, to sit at your desk and pick up a…

Chasing tigers again… Panna National park, Madhya Pradesh..

After spending a few hours at Khajuraho, we headed towards Panna National park.. Time for more tigers, atleast hoping to sight a few!! 😀 Checked into the Panna Tiger Resort…

Travel through Madhya Pradesh

As the frosty winds whisper through India, a land beckons, draped in the golden hues of winter. Madhya Pradesh, nestled in the heart of the country, transforms into a tapestry…

Revamped Bar menu at The Flying Elephant, Park Hyatt

Beetroot Ravioli A cocktail with Gin base… Panner e Hasan Steam Edamame & Truffle Dimsum Taouk Shish- Char Grilled Chicken, Onion Dumac salad with Turkish Bread Three Cheese Jalapeno and…

Lost amidst Gods in Khajuraho… Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh

From Corbett, we headed back to Delhi as the next leg of our journey was in the other direction. We took the night train from Delhi to Khajuraho, went to…

Gift me any of these, wont you?!

As 2018 draws to an end, like everybody else, I too tend to spend a few minutes reflecting on the year that was. While it was awesome in the Travel…

Eastern Wedge – Pan Asian – Pure Veg, Chennai

When a new restaurant hits town, there is always curiosity, but then when it is Pure veg, and Pan asian, curiosity makes way for a “drop everything and go over…

Skies across Uttarakand to Delhi and beyond…

Some gorgeous images of the sky while up in the air and during the safaris across Corbett & Panna….

My first real Safari- Jim Corbett National Park,Uttarakhand

From the word go, this trip was something I was quite excited about. I hadn’t been to any of the National parks in the North, actually I hadn’t done any…

Round up of the trip that was…. Phew!!

This year has been good, especially with travels. I began the year with a trip that was focussed on the Textiles and ended it with the majestic Bengal Tiger and…

Street food in Indore

The minute I told a friend Indore was on my agenda, he immediately began rattling out places to go to, and things to do.. And his last visit to Indore…

In your shoes…

[Image: A fridge magnet at a friend’s house] For atleast 20years of my adult life, have had people tell me now and then how I was not in their shoes…

[Inclusive, exclusive…] Living life with a handicap….

Few weeks back I had attended an event that was all about inclusivity ( post-https://aartikrishnakumar.com/2018/09/inclusivity-and-everyday-ability.html).. that event in fact got me thinking- how accessible are most places for people with…

Fabindia launches 2 Fab Cafes in Chennai

From a brand that is renowned for their cotton/silk kurtas and sarees, they have now taken a step into the food arena as well, giving customers a wholesome experience.

Keeping up with changing times or not …

Yesterday was Deepavali, the festival of lights, the day when people go bonkers over crackers and all that jazz… Yes… Yesterday was Deepavali, and at my maternal grandparents place after…

Of Flying & Airports…

I am always fascinated by people.. And my favourite hobby is to watch them, observe them… not stare or oggle- mainly at airports, train stations and bus stops… Some are…

To travel or not…

If you were to fill a room with people, a random group of people and ask them the question “Do you enjoy travelling or not?”, am sure you would get…

The birthday getaway tradition…

A few years ago, I was on a road trip with a cousin of mine and it so happened that on my Birthday we were in Chidambaram.

Sunbean Gourmet Coffee at ITC Grand Chola [ only till 31st Oct]

Imagine the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting in the air.. You are bound to lift your head up from whatever you were lost in and follow the trail..

All about Inclusivity

Curious, I walk into the YMCA Swimming pool area around 7.30am, to see a whole bunch of people huddled in one side of the place.

English, is it? -I

Over the past few weeks, I have had interactions with people[most of who were guys] and many points during the conversation, I was left puzzled..

Battle with the body – XV – Unsolicited advice..

A person I knew from donkey’s years ago _ “Hi, You should wear full sleeves, it will thin you down” A friend’s aunt in the elevator – ” hi beta…

Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa, Chennai

The newest kid on the block was open to public and all set to wow guests. Am talking about Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa on ECR, right next to…

Kandyan King’s Repast- Srilankan Food Festival at Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola

Different kinds of Sambol and Pickles The Rice options Vegetarian main dishes.. Egg Appams Desserts The Chef with his books- the teeny tiny one and another slightly bigger book Srilankan…

Interesting Encounters on the train -1

Train journeys are so much fun, especially if like me you travel alone. You can sit reading a book or plug in your headphones and tune out the world.

Food Exchange at Novotel Chennai Chamiers

Yes, you read it right. There is a new kid in the block, err a new Novotel in the city, that too on Chamiers Road [ almost adj to Times…

Sharing travel stories…

Travelling is super fun, I love it. And even though I haven’t travelled as much as I would like to, am still glad I am doing what I can.

‘Tashi Delek’ – Tibetian popup at Ashvita Bistro, Chennai

Food in reverse order… 🙂 The dessert- Banana & oreo ice cream The main course Thupka- Soup The momos [photograph courtesy- Kamalika] A friend pinged and asked if I would…

Kitchens of India: Royal Repast – The Cuisine of Akheraj Ancestry at ITC Grand Chola

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Pumpkin tales, Chennai

Sourdough bread with butter- the bread had a lovely sour flavour, and crisp crust… Yumm pumpkin soup Spicy Tempeh- Fermented soya bean slices that have been cooked with spices on…

This Monday.. learn to be attached detached…

Day out with Nature in Sikkim…. Part II

After spending a few hours near the river and grabbing lunch at Tenzing’s farm, we were off to a beach of sorts. Along the way, we drove near a raging…

On the plate at On the Rocks, Crowne Plaza hotel, Chennai

There are a few restaurants in the city that have me all excited from the minute I walk in till I get back home. One of them is On the…

Revamped menu at Bombay Brasserie, Chennai

This wasn’t my 1st or 2nd visit to Bombay Brasserie, I have been here numerous times and love their food. Infact, not just me but my family too loves the…

Day out with Nature in Sikkim…. Part I

A day out at River Rungkyung and beyond… It had been about 4 days in Sikkim, and we were just done exploring Yumthang Valley and Zero Point..

[Home cooking- Recipe] Gobi Tawa Masala

Few days back, I spotted this lunch shot by Lifewithspices and she had sweetly shared the recipe for the Gobi tawa masala as well… It had me drooling and wanting…

The blue blue skies in Leh

A few days back a friend pinged and asked how my Leh trip was, how much did it cost, how many days, etc etc…. She went on to ask if…

Battle with the body – XIV – Conditioning of the mind!

Few weeks back, a post by a lady I follow caught my eye and had my attention as well. It is something that I have been talking about on the…

Pind da Khana with Chef Lucky Singh at Courtyard by Marriott Chennai

Side dishes.. All were laid out in neat wooden pots Kulcha with Pind chole.. Roti with Sarson ka saag, butter and jaggery Pani puri with spicy water Gajar ka halwa…

Flags across Sikkim

Since the trip to Leh, Ladakh I have been in love with the prayer flags dancing to the wind… In Sikkim too, I saw them everywhere..

All new menu at The Flying Elephant, Park Hyatt, Chennai

Restaurants go through ups and downs, and it is then time to reinvent the wheel, look for new festivals, new venues to crank things up a bit.

Drama in the skies… headed to Bagdogra

That was that, I had decided I was doing the trip to Sikkim. Next came the dilemma of travel, whether I wanted to fly direct to Bagdogra [a town in…

Savya Rasa, Kotturpuram Chennai

It is always good to see new restaurants make an entry in the city. joining the league is Savya Rasa [which was launched in Pune back in 2015], yet another…

Sikkim Diaries… The itinerary for the 9 day trip…

[Clicked this enroute Yumthang valley.. Rhodendron flowers were in full bloom] Since I came back from Bhubaneshwar, I was busy chugging along life- work and things were happening and there…

What kind of a traveller are you? – Tavel safe and stay healthy!

Am not talking about solo, group, nor am I talking about mountains, beaches or nature.. Am asking if you are the well informed, do some research before you head to…

7 Chefs 7 Plates at Ayna, Hilton, Chennai till 27th May

[image courtesy: The Hilton] It fascinates me to no end when Hotels/restaurants come up with food festivals that are different from the run of the mill ones..

Bags are packed… off I go…

Its time to pack my bags and head off to explore a new destination… Couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, especially considering how hot it is here and…

Kedar Gauri Temple, Bhubaneshwar

Bhubhaneshwar, my trip in a nutshell– a jist of all that I did while in Odisha One friend said Bhubaneshwar is a “City of Temples” and I thought to myself…

Ethel M Chocolates’ Botanical Cactus Garden, Nevada

On the way back from Vegas towards Los Angeles, the bus was to make few stops, one of which was Ethel M Chocolates’ that included a visit to the Botanical…

Soy Soi, Kotturpuram Chennai

“Pan Asian” – the two words that have me drooling and salivating!! Well, this time around I was off to check out the newly opened Asian street food restaurant Soy…

This Monday…. Acceptance

[Image source: http://getzkick.com/how-to-stop-dreaming-of-perfection-and-learn-to-accept-yourself/]

Walking around Konark.. Orissa

Psst.. long post ahead!! 🙂 Bhubhaneshwar, my trip in a nutshell– a jist of all that I did while in Odisha After spending the afternoon exploring Bhubaneshwar, I decided to…

[Share] 17 F*cks you should finally stop giving…

I recently read this book called The Subtle Art of Not giving a F*ck by Mark Manson and it was a brilliant read… It covered various aspects that I have…

Applique work at Pipli

Bhubhaneshwar, my trip in a nutshell– a jist of all that I did while in Odisha About 30 kms from Bhubhaneshwar, I noticed the streets lined with shops on either…

Khandani Rajdhani- Aamlicious Thali

With the rising temperatures, the signs that the Summer ahead is gonna be trecherous is a sure shot. But then, when it is Summer, it is also the season for…

Movie goers ..

Do you love movies? Watching them in the cinema hall, on the big screen or would you rather watch it at home on your TV/ laptop [streaming it online] ?

Ekamra haat, Bhubaneshwar

Bhubhaneshwar, my trip in a nutshell– a jist of all that I did while in Odisha After plenty of walking around and visiting three temples, I decided to take a…

Where roots find the path

There are things I spot that just refuse to leave my mind for years after… This was one of those things that happened during our trip to Karaikudi..

Whisky Samba and Flying Elephant- Park Hyatt, Chennai

What was the evening all about? It was Whisky paired with food Where did this happen? At Flying Elephant in Park Hyatt, Velachery What is Whisky Samba?- Oh its a…

Va Pho at Ampa Skywalk, Chennai

Now that you are done feasting on the dishes, here is a something about this restaurant… rather their new outlet! Va Pho, one of my new favourite restaurants has opened…

Antari- Mexican coffee buns and more…

[Image courtesy : Antari FB page] Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake baker’s man Bake me a cake as fast as you can Mix it and stir it and bake it just right Good…

Train Tracks of Karaikudi

I grew up in Madurai and Tirunelveli and therefore find a certain charm in small towns… Life is simple, everybody knows everybody and then ofourse there are these train tracks..

Nacho Bhel puri, Escape cinemas Chaat

I am someone who loves to experiment with food & flavours. Mix & match ingredients when I cook to see how it turns out and so far, it has been…

The National Mall in Washington D C… not really mall~

[All that you find in the area… image courtesy: Google] I had three days in Washington D C and wanted to make the most of it.

Copper Chimney in Phoenix Market City, Velachery, chennai

Strawberry chai based drink.. Kadak Rumali roti Hung Yoghurt tikkis Tawa Imli Aloo Condiments The menu… Achari mushroom Paneer Tikka Chelo – basically rice cooked in butter & thick cream…

Museum of Tribal Arts & Artefacts, Bhubaneshwar

Bhubhaneshwar, my trip in a nutshell – a jist of all that I did while in Odisha When I planned my trip to Bhubaneshwar, I knew there were a whole…

Aroy Mak Mak at Benjarong

When the Chef pings you inviting you over to check out the new addition to the menu , you dont say No.. Especially not when it is Chef Ramkumar of…

Parashurameshwar Temple, Bhubaneshwar

Bhubhaneshwar, my trip in a nutshell – a jist of all that I did while in Odisha It was one of those trips that did not involve too much planning…

‘Taste of Italy’, by Chef Andrea Spurio at Hilton, Chennai

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #232323; -webkit-text-stroke: #232323} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} ‘Taste of Italy’, by Chef Andrea Spurio from Hiton Molino Stucky Venice, where he…

Bhubhaneshwar, my trip in a nutshell

Jan 26th was a Friday, which meant it was a long weekend. For a freelancer like me, it does not make much of a difference, but what the hell, decided…

Land’s end, Bandra…

During my last visit to Mumbai, friend took it upon herself to show me around certain parts of the city I haven’t been to and certain pockets that she had…

Hues of Yellow in Pondicherry

About a week or fortnight ago, I decided to do something I had been putting off forever. It was something that gave me nightmares, seemed daunting and well, scary at…

The artist stands tall..

He stood there, at the intersection glowing under the light.. I have no idea who he is or why there is a statue for him out here in Hospet… No…

Riding the Metro… and the beautiful sunset

So, a few days ago I got a message “can you come to the airport?” .. I was both surprised and stumped, cos he had mentioned the chennai trip, but…

Chinese Feast at The Residency, Crowne Plaza, Chennai

The Residency- ah the name brings back such fond memories.. Atleast one Sunday in a month, we [our entire family] would land up here for the Sunday brunch buffet, it…

Travel tales – The Camel at Puri beach…

Decided to weave a story of a place/meet/incident from each of my journeys…. These two photographs were clicked at Puri Beach during my visit to Bhubaneswar in Jan.

Skywatch Friday… Bhubaneshwar to Chennai I fly….

I love the window seat, and I make sure to grab it at every given opportunity. This time, while flying back from Bhubaneswar, I was allotted the aisle seating on…

Hotel Dalama, Bhubaneswar

When travelling to a new town/city/country, I am always curious about their food and lifestyle. It is therefore fun to spend time with the locals, talk to them, visit their…

Lavazza launches Il Mattino Vivace

What does Coffee mean to you? * It is the first thing I reach for every morning. Only when I have had a hot cup of filter kaapi [as we…

Golden Dragon, Taj Coromandel…

Most of the Chinese food we get in our city and country is Indianised and so the flavours are quite different when you eat authentic Chinese food.

Breakfast – From a box..

I love a good breakfast and during the years when I lived alone, it was the my cherished time in the kitchen. I would stare into the fridge for a…

Charm of road trips… kicking off 2018…

There is something charming about road trips and when it is into an unknown unexplored destination, makes it that much more special. This year began with one such, rather it…

Travelling with a friend or a group…. lessons learnt…

Travelling to me is more than just visiting a new destination. It is all about an experience that starts with the journey going all the way till the day I…

Walking through the streets of Ranwar Village in Bandra, Mumbai

Narrow lanes, quaint independent houses and bungalows is the first thing you see as you step into Ranwar village, dating back to 1716.. This is one of Mumbai’s treasures..

Benjarong- Meal in a Tiffin box…

The new trend is to have set menu, the corporate/executive lunches… And so jumping on this wagon, but doing it in style, Benjarong has launched tiffin box meals..

Skywatch Friday… Beyond the planes

Had just landed at Bangalore Airport, walking towards the shuttle I spotted this beautiful sky and cloud formation…. For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday

The Fatty Bao – Asian Gastro Bar

Over the past few months, i knew several new restaurants had come up in Chennai , most of which am yet to visit. But wait, I was in Bangalore, a…

Vegas and all the jazz.. Part 2.. Hoover Dam

Well, after an eventful first few hours at Vegas, and the fantastic visit to Grand Canyon, I was all set for the 2nd round… Where were we headed?

Skywatch Friday…Golden Gate Bridge and the skies

It was a cool beautiful morning when I landed in San Francisco… As I sipped on the hot coffee while waiting for my bro in law [S] and niece [Sr]…

Sarda Farms, Nashik

Friend and another lady who were part of the road trip had been subscribing to milk from Sarda Farms for a few months now. And so one of the things…

The Wharf 2.0, Radisson BLU Temple Bay, Mahabalipuram

As we drove into the large gates, I was filled with memories from the earlier visit. That was a day trip with friends, we had just decided to get on…

This Monday… persist

Skywatch Friday… Up towards the North I go

This year has been good in terms of travelling, have done a trip a month [ almost ] and they have all been to new destinations [some with a stop…

Parekh Farms, Nasik

Mumbai is one of those cities that has quite a few options for those looking to getaway for the weekend. But the flip-side to this is most places get packed…

Bombay Salad Co, Mumbai

After a few hours exploring the lanes of Bandra, some shopping and chai, we were all set to head over somewhere for dinner and wind up the long day.

Chaayos, Mumbai

After an hour wandering about Bandra, the lanes of Ranwar village and the fort, we wanted to grab some chai and maybe something to eat as well.

Vegas and all the jazz.. Part 1

Having seen enough movies and TV shows featuring Las Vegas, the lights, the glamour and the casinos were way too much for me. I was not interested in any of…

Battle with the body – XIII

So, couple of days back while sitting at a coffee shop, I observed two people talking in the table nearby. There was quite a bit of animated head nodding and…

Sangam point, Leh

As we rode along the mountains, the landscape changed slowly, from blue skies and brown mountains to grey waters and muddy paths.. We were headed towards the Sangam area.

Skywatch Friday- The Magnetic Hill, Leh

As we got back on the Leh-Kargil-Baltik national highway, we were told the next stop would be the “Magnetic Hill” which is located about about 30 km from Leh..

Battle with the body – XII getting published!

If you have been following my posts on “Body Shaming“, you will know that I have grown up facing the wrath of many, smirks of too many to remember and…

Lets millet..

If you’re into healthy eating, chances are you have heard of millets like Thinai, saamai, ragi and others.. But then the one word that many seem to be chanting these…

This monday, step out of your comfort zone..

Celebrations galore at Flying Elephant, Park Hyatt, Chennai

Bring on the Anniversary Celebrations… Bring on the party for the “Alcohol is back” news.. Yayy!! At Flying Elephant, they do it in style, with a difference..

Southern Thai Food Festival , Benjarong, Till 1st October

Benjarong is one of the few restaurants that I love, and keep going back to and never get tired of. Infact, I found the food there to be closest in…

Celebrating World Tourism Day at Madras Pavillion, ITC Grand Chola- 27th Sep

‘You have to taste a culture to understand it ~ Deborah Cater.” When you bring together two of my favourite elements, it is bound to be filled with excitement.

Drama in the sky, Pangong Tso, Leh

We were at Pangong Tso, and after that eventful morning [read about it in earlier post], I was up at my usual time of 5.30am..

Oktoberfest at 365 AS, Hyatt Regency

Bring on the party…. that seemed to be the theme of the 6th Oktoberfest at The Arena in 365 AS at Hyatt Regency.. The atmosphere was buzzing, food was aplenty…

Shades of blue at Pangong Tso, Leh

We had been on the road for about 4-4.5 hours.. Had driven through snow fall in Chang la and rains, and now the dark looming clouds seem to come with…

Skywatch Friday… Where to stay in Leh- Lazakar Guest house, Leh

Where did you stay, how was the place, was it comfortable or did you have to rough it out… are some questions thrown at me from the time I have…

Thiksey Monastery…

Still reeling from the beauty of Shey Palace, we got back on the road towards Thiksey Monastery which was a few kms down the road.

Leh- Settling in and wandering through Shey Palace

The few people I spoke to [who had been to Leh] told me to take it easy the 1st day, and pop a pill [Diamox] to help with any acclimatisation…

This Monday.. Love yourself above all

I got Leh’d, the journey begins…

Every year, around June- Sep, there would be messages doing the rounds on the internet, across social media.. it would be like ants whispering to each other.

Battle with the body- XI

So, I was away for a good two weeks enjoying myself.. This was a sort of Birthday gift to myself, I had planned this trip June – July and was…

Skywatch Friday… Above the city lines

If you know me, you will know how I love the window seat on an airplane and hog it at every given chance.. This time, during the 4 flights I…

Independence Day 1947 Menu, Taj

On August 14, 1947, the entire country waited for the stroke of the midnight hour.. It was sweet moment as it meant India was now free… And at that very…

Thursday Challenge.. Feel the heat..

The theme for today is “HEAT (week 2 of 2)” (Hot, Glowing, Fire, Smoke, Heat Distortion, Curling Iron,…) Here is a shot of the trees that stand tall after the…

Robin Hood Army out to feed 1 million people on Independence Day!

Have you heard of the Robin Hood Army?? Well, this is a group of people who came together with the objective of providing food to the needy on a regular…

‘Spirit of the Earth’- Annam with Rakesh Ragunathan

How many kinds of rice do you know? I probably know about 5-6.. And so it was a revelation of sorts when I discovered there are over 30+ kinds of…

The horseshoe bend.. Arizona

After the jaw dropping few hours at the Grand Canyon, we were headed back and then towards the Horseshoe bend. There was another tour that had Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe…

This Monday.. Keep learning..

Solo travel.. my take!

As most people know, I love travelling on my own and it so happens that most of my travels have been solo travel. I had done an earlier post about…

Skywatch Friday… Garden & art..

Walking along The Mall in Washington D.C, after spending about 7 hours exploring the museums and food trucks, I was ready to head back to the train station at Smithsonian.

This Monday.. Stop caring..

The Nawabi Food festival, J Hind GRT Grand , Chennai

I havent been to GRT Grand in ages and I did read about how the hotel was hit bad by the Cyclone last Dec, which led them to renovating the…

Skywatch Friday… Skyscrapers galore..

More from the city that I entered with quite a bit of apprehension but loved just as much as the others… Since I did not have too many days and…

Quincy Market or Faneuil Hall Market, Boston

I was in Boston just for 2 days and on the 1st day, I was up and ready along with my friend & her family by 7am.

Skywatch Friday… Fire escapes of New york

While in New york, I did a brief tour via the hop on hop off buses and the views were beautiful, especially since I was sitting on the top.

Let the conversation flow…

Sometimes you meet someone, and conversation just flows nonstop, and seamlessly. You are amazed at the end of the meet and smiling away. And then there are some when you…

The Grand Canyon , USA

We were done with our 7th Std Half yearly Exams and our teacher was giving out the answer sheets and calling out our marks. It was my favorite subject- Geography!

Fun quirky art pieces at Pier 39, San Francisco

From Fremont, I took the BART [Local train service] and got off at Powell Station. From there it was a short walk to the cable car place..

Skywatch Friday… Windmills

As we pulled out of the pick up point towards the highway and onwards to Yosemite National Park, these mountains and windmills was what we saw.

The Niagara Falls

E: So, are you heading towards New york? Me: Yes, towards end of the trip and I fly back home from there. E: Ah cool..

Food options across the ocean.. Eight AM in San Francisco – 3

It was around 8 when I landed in San Francisco, picked up my suitcase and was waiting for my broinlaw and niece. Once they arrived, we piled in my bags…

Skywatch Friday … Mountains meet the sky

What a feast on the eyes right? This was clicked as we headed out from Yosemite after the hike to see them giant red Sequoia trees towards the village..

Battle with the body- X

Right from my childhood days, I have noticed that kids were/are the cruelest. No, I am not saying kids are evil or any such unforgivable thing… Am referring to how…

Royal Marwar Festival, The Dining Room, Park Hyatt, Chennai

Milk flavoured with saffron& sugar Khandvi, Dhokla, Samosa and Hara Kabab served with a medley of chutneys- Tomato and mango. There were also Khakras to nibble on Dal Bhati churma…

This monday… Love yourself first…

Namaskara Tulu Nadu festival, Madras Pavilion, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

This Festival is on till June 25. Dinner only @ Rs 2,200+ taxes per person. For details and reservations, dial 044 22200000 Have lost track of the number of times…

This Monday… the walls

Packing your bags.. the art!

I had earlier done a post on Travel light, travel fun, travel safe… Today decided to do one to help people pack for a long haul… I know packing can…

Skywatch Friday … The clouds below

The first flight had me slightly anxious, but thereon I became a domestic flight ninja of sorts. I knew where to go, what to ask or what to look for…

Saying NO and standing your ground…

The urge to say No is like that itch that won’t go away, we know it exists but we are unable to reach it to scratch it away.

This monday.. stand alone, stand tall..

Universal Studios, LA

I had a plan in my head when I booked my tickets to USA. But then it kept changing every few hours, until finally I took a few places off…

Getty Center, LA

While I was planning my trip, one of my uncles [in Chennai] insisted I visit the Getty centre. I had seen pictures from grandparents’ earlier visit and knew it would…

Food options across the ocean… Emily’s- 2

We were driving down towards Santa Cruz beach on the cool Sunday afternoon. There was crazy traffic, so we had music playing with the kids taking turns to choose from…

This Monday… live for yourself…

Strolling along the Venice Beach , Los Angeles

Narrow lanes Short bridges Waterways all over Gondolas Romance These are a few words that come to my mind when someone says “Venice”.. But for us it was more of…

Skywatch… The rolling hills

We were doing with the wedding rehearsal, it was time to go drop off a friend whose daughter was part of the wedding entourage and head over to the Bridal…

Souplantation, Los Angeles

Souplantation, one of the few places that I fell in love when in USA.. It was the day before the wedding, us girls were all being heralded towards the car…

Food options across the ocean… 1

Blackberries Blueberries Raspberries Clementines [ Baby size] Granny Smith Apples Strawberries The day after I landed, morning breakfast was a party of sorts. Not just because we were one big…

Long haul and the hours after…

This was the 1st time I was taking a flight that was over 4hours in duration and so there was a lot of apprehension in the mind.

The high horse

In life we come across people of all kinds, shapes, sizes and personalities. While I couldn’t care about their appearances, it is their personality that leaves an impact.

Off to explore a new destination…

Its been a few weeks since I got back from my last trip, which was with my girl friends. We headed to Gujarat- wandering around in Baroda… It is already…

Growing old and other such fun things

No, this has nothing to do with a big birthday that is coming up few months down the road. It is more about dealing with people and age and other…

The archways at Lakshmi Vilas palace, Baroda

On a hot sunny day, all you want is to stay indoors/relax in an air conditioned space and sip on something cool. Right? Well, what did we do?

Va Pho, Asian Canteen, Chennai

Pan Asian flavours are my favourite followed closely by Italian. And so when I saw the bright lights of Va Pho, the newest to join this league, I had to…

Skywatch Friday… Walking into Lakshmi vilas Palace, Baroda

There we were, four girls meeting up after a few years all set to explore the sights that Gujarat had to offer. The one place we all wanted to visit…

Avartana unveiled, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

Deconstructed…Dehydrated….Emulsified…Smoked.. are terms that once upon a time used to go over my head.. Now I know what they mean, and I know what to expect when a dish is…

Kase Cheese tasting session…

All I knew about cheese was what I had seen on TV and heard from Chefs at various restaurants. Remember the Show “Cheese slices:” on TLC? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeRhEtjpDj4.

Food tales…All about Asafoetida

At home, there are quite a few spices that fill our cupboards. and then there are others which we use on and off. But if you were to look at…

The Doors & Windows of Pondicherry

Earlier this year, during the day in Pondicherry, I walked around and clicked as many Doors & windows as possible. They have always fascinated me, the architecture, the style, the…

Sunday Brunch at Paprika – Courtyard by Marriott,Chennai

Weekend is when you get to put your feet up, relax, sleep in late, and generally not do anything… And then come the hunger pangs- you can’t really dodge that…

This Monday… make a difference…

Thursday Challenge.. As the day breaks..

Theme for this week is “OPEN SPACE (week 1 of 2)” (Square, Courtyard, Mall, Field, Meadow, Clearing, Forest Opening,…) Clicked this enroute to pondicherry.. we had stopped for a break…

A day in Pondicherry with me – 6- The Fortune teller & his parrot

Of all the things I have come across during my travels, this was the last thing I expected to see. There I was lost in thoughts, walking along the road…

Passport renewal & Address change

My passport expired early last year and for some reason I dilly dallied about the renewal .. Don’t ask me why!And when I finally got around to it, all it…

Battle with the body – IX

1) Few weeks ago, while on Twitter, I stumbled upon an article that led to some snooping around till i finally found the profile connected to it..

Skywatch Friday… A day in Pondicherry with me – 5- Soaking in the sun

Bharathi Park and Aayi Mandayam are places that I end up spending some time in every time I visit Pondicherry. Infact I have done a detailed blog post on this…

Foreign tourists will now get free, pre-activated SIM cards on arrival in India

[Image courtesy: http://indiatoday.intoday.in] I remember the time I landed in Sri Lanka, my very first international trip. We went through towards Immigration, where after checking our passports, while handing it…

Thursday Challenge- A day in Pondicherry with me – 4- The Roads

A day in Pondicherry with Me- 3- The Museum A day in Pondicherry with Me- 1 A day in Pondicherry with Me- 2 Ah, it had been one fabulous day…

[Book] A contest, a win and Meeting Padmalakshmi..

If there is a contest within my eye/ear shot you bet I will participate. I dont really get into it with dreams of winning big, but it is more the…

This Monday… Be Thankful

Gujarati Rasoi at Jamavar, The Leela Palace till Feb 13th

“Kemcho? [How are you] Majama..[am good] Thepla joye che/khavu che? [Do you want a Thepla-a kind of roti]” These are the only words/phrases I know related to Gujaratis..

[Baking- Recipe] Apple cake

One of the vows I made to myself was that I would bake more often in 2017, atleast once a week. But then nearly a month has gone by and…

This Monday… just remember this…

Coffee time- Sipping Kopi Luwak Coffee

During my recent trip to Bangalore, uncle brought out this bright coloured packet and announced we were going to try it. I was curious and picked up the packet.

A day in Pondicherry with Me- 3- The Museum

A day in Pondicherry with Me- 1 A day in Pondicherry with Me- 2 I was done at Le cafe and wandered about the town, first heading to Bharathi Park…

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 1 picture of yourself

Well, its that time again, the challenge has come to an end and it is time for the last task.. It says share a picture of yourself, well, the poster…

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 2 Songs

I love Music, I need Music all the time, be it when am working, cleaning, reading a book or just about anything. It helps me stay grounded, helps me stay…

A day in Pondicherry with Me- 2

The first part can be found here So, I spent about an hour & a half to two hours at Le cafe, enjoying my coffee and reading the book.

Flying Elephant at Park Hyatt Chennai rolls out new Menu

Out with the old, in with the New seems to be norm across restaurants now. I see quite a few of them going in for a revamp of their menu…

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 3 Films

Am a movie buff alright, infant there are quite a few times I go for movies on my own. Dig into a bowl of popcorn and enjoy the flick.

A day in Pondicherry with Me- 1

“I learnt how to read directions, I learnt how to let go and trust a stranger, I learnt about my strengths and weakness, I enjoyed the adrenalin rush on achieving…

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 4 Books

How true is this quote? I love reading and there are times when you will find me lost in not one but two books at the same time..

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 5 Foods

Am not too fussy when it comes to food, but yes I do have certain things that I prefer over others. 1. If there is one thing that I have…

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 6 places

Ah, how I wish I could take a world map, put a pin across all the countries/places I would love to explore and be done with it.. 😀 1.

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 7 wants

[image courtesy: Jakovlev`s Journal] Hmmm.. ummm… errr.. Been staring at this box for about an hour wondering what my 7 wants could be. I don’t really want anything, but then…

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 8 Fears

Am one of those who knows she has certain fears, but tries to overcome them, or convert them into strengths.. Here are mine… 8 Fears 1.

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge : 9 Loves

9 Loves Onward we go… the 2nd day is dedicated to sharing 9 Loves… Love is probably one word that is over used, under appreciated and well, it also at…

Vegetarian Fine Dining at Royal Vega, ITC Grand Chola Chennai

As the name goes, Royal Vega is a Fine Dining Vegetarian restaurant in ITC Grand Chola From the minute you walk into the restaurant, you are transported to the Royal…

10 Day ‘You’ Challenge: 10 Secrets

This was a Challenge I spotted on Mayuri’s blog and thought it looked interesting.. The first one is 10 Secrets.. Arghhh, why does it have to be so tough.

This Monday.. love yourself first

[image source: Power of Positivity]

Writer’s Cafe, Chennai

When I first came upon an ad in the paper, I was instantly curious and excited. It is always such joy to read the word “writer”, heck any word related…

Colonel & Co Nachos in a box

When shopping in Nilgiris, I spotted these in the snacks aisle. Was instantly curious and picked up one packet.. Colonel & Co- Chip & Dip- “Peri Peri Nachos”.

Living next to schools

[Image courtesy: Google] For as long as I can remember, we have always lived closed to a school, either across the road from one or right next door to one.

Revamped menu at Cafe Mercara , ITC Grand Chola

A Hotel with restaurants that have always bowled me over with the dishes A Chocolate Boutique that gives us an experience I am yet to see elsewhere A coffee shop…

Battle with the body – VIII

Sorry, it has been a while since I wrote the next post in this series… Just been busy with life- aka no internet or mobile connectivity..

Abyssinian, Chennai

Being a travel buff, the minute I come upon a country I am not quite familiar with, I instantly start reading up on it. This is exactly what I did…

This Monday.. take charge

Biryani fest at Spice Haat in Hyatt Regency, Chennai till 10th Dec

Biryani, a dish that is much sought after by many and one that most of us vegetarians only dream about [ cos there is no such thing as Vegetarian Biryani…

Time and Friendships..

Time changes a lot of things, it changes how we look, how we think and even how we process information. Heck, it changes what we want/desire as well.

Agasthiyar Falls.. Tirunelveli

There I was in the train, lying on the Side Lower berth, unable to sleep [well cos the 6 foot me wouldn’t fit into that small berth and cos it…

Battle with the body – VII

So am on a holiday in a different city now. A city that has a reputation of being ultra cool and the place to be in if you wanna have…

Koramangala Social, bangalore

It was a place like no other I have been to. I rode the elevator to the 3rd floor, and entered the place and was instantly greeted by nothing but…

Battle with the body – VI

Imagine the worst thing you have gone through in life and then in the same breathe read this… A girl [of about 16 yrs of age] is walking on the…

Dear Diary… mind wanders

Hey There, Yes, I do agree.. Am sorry for abandoning you for so long. But well, in my defence I was busy living it up.

This Monday.. Jump into the deep end

And we meet again Bangalore

It has been nearly 2.5yrs since my last visit to Bangalore, and that was also a short one. I remember having a full day meeting in Coimbatore, and from there…

[Book review] The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Well, its about time I revived this blog and what better way than to talk about a book I have just finished reading for the 2nd time.

In touch..

I grew up in Madurai and Tirunelveli before landing in Chennai, so my growing years were quite different.. heck, we dint have a phone at home till I was in…

Smoked Tofu and a salad in a jiffy

Last weekend was the By Hand from the Heart event at Crowne Plaza.. For the last few years I have been attending this event, it all began with a friend…

Fabelle comes to town, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

There were Quality Street chocolates in those round tin boxes when I was growing up. And then I discovered the world of Lindt, Ghirardelli and Godiva… But then I am…

The Drop, Pan Asian, ITC Grand Chola

My mantra when it comes to food- be open, be prepared to try something new, it could be a dish, it could be a vegetable or meat, sauce, anything… Once…

The Metro Rail ride..koo chug chug chug with pride…..

Sometime last week I posted this in one of the whatsapp groups am a part of- “we spoke about doing a Metro ride, but haven’t done one yet as a…

Delhi Street Food at Buzz, The Gateway Hotel IT Expressway Chennai till 30th Sep

Imagine squeezing your way through the crowded lanes in Chandni Chowk or Jama Masjid in Delhi- the aromas of freshly made samosa, the kebabs, hot paranthas wafting in the air…

Multi Cuisine Vegetarian restaurant- Entree, E hotel, Chennai

Pure vegetarian restaurant… South indian cuisine? No, its not South indian, actually outside of breakfast they don’t have south indian on their lunch or dinner menu..

No means No.. always!

Well, for those who have seen the movie Pink, you will identify the title of the post and the image above.. as for others, am glad you haven seen the…

TV show recipe – Siruthaniya Kathirika Soya Pulao [Brinjal millet pulao]

Jaya TV has these cookery shows that is telecasted daily at 6pm.. Gramma watches it religiously, esp on Mon & Tue, she isn’t a big fan of the ones that…

Benjarong, Alwarpet – Restaurant Week India [till 25th Sep]

Oh well, what do you know. Restaurant Week India is back and this time they have partnered with Ola Prime and John Jacobs. It sure is good to see this…

[Book review] Nisha Mehta, My Tarot- Something Paranormal

Title:My Tarot- Something Else by Nisha Mehta Format: e-version Pages :110 pages. Goodreads link- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30399534-my-tarot?from_search=true Amazon- https://www.amazon.in/My-Tarot-Something-Nisha-Mehta-ebook/dp/B01H4SJF06?ie=UTF8&btkr=1&ref_=dp-kindle-redirect Well, the author is a Tarot reader herself and so this book makes…

This Monday.. Focus

Dehlavi Food Festival at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai

It was a walk down the narrow lanes in Chandni Chowk, enjoying the aromas wafting from the various food stalls and spice bundles in the stores nearby.

Thursday Challenge… Glitters

The prompt for this week’s Thursday Challenge was “EXPENSIVE” (Clothes, Cars, Jewelry, Money, Gold, Coins,…) Clicked these during my trip to haridwar earlier this year for the ardh kumbh mela……

The drama around emergency contraception….

About a fortnight ago, a friend [someone I have met a couple of times] messaged me in the morning asking if I could get a “morning after” pill.

Madrasweek at Southern Spice, Taj Coromandel, Chennai

madras nalla madras methuva poravuga yaarumille inga sariya thamizh pesa aalumille aambalaikkum pombalaikkum vithyasam thonalle aniyayam aathadiyo……………….. is the song that comes to my mind whenever i hear the word…

Battle with the body – V

Everyday is a new day, and every new day brings with it few interesting experiences… Right? Well, what can I say.. This post is gonna be a bit of a…

Battle with the body – IV

From the minute you wake up in the morning till you call it a night, there are people telling you what to do, what to eat, what to wear, what…

Thursday Challenge- Memories

The prompt for this week’s Thursday Challenge was “GROUND (1 of 2 weeks)” (Things on the ground, Soil, Garden, Lawn,…) Clicked this near our gate, on the road.

Battle with the body – III

Well, I have received quite a few emails on this topic. Quite surprised, but am glad I have been able to give them all a platform to share on.

This Monday.. have some ME Time..

Battle with the body – II

It has been a few days since I started this series on Body Shaming, and I got an email last evening from a person[What a surprise, I dint think anyone…

Thursday Challenge- Bright and sunny

The prompt for this week’s Thursday Challenge was “SUNNY (1 of 2 weeks)” (Bright, Sunrise, Sunset, Sunshiny, Sunlit, Cheerful, Happy,…) Clicked this at the Chennai airport while waiting for the…

Battle with the body – I

Scene 1 A little girl is tugging at her mom’s saree and points to a GIRL afar. The mother also looks, they share a chuckle, nudge the others in their…

This Monday.. Live for yourself..

[image courtesy: likesuccess.com]

Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel, Mumbai

I was wondering what other new places to visit, when a friend spoke about how the mills in Mumbai had all become malls, and one of them was the infamous…

New Chef with a revamped menu at Focaccia, Hyatt Regency

It seems to be the season for New chefs taking over restaurants across the city. Yes, Focaccia at Hyatt Regency has a new chef in the house!

Refreshing new menu at Prego, Taj Coromandel with Chef Alessandro Bechini

Do you have a special occasion to celebrate, or want to just have a delicious meal, then Prego in Taj Coromandel is the place to head to.

The Starbucks Test and Home..

So, yesterday while I was browsing the net looking for some fun videos I came upon this one featuring Sq feet Subbu. Yes, right! The name had me pausing and…

Thursday Challenge- spreading some love

The prompt for this week’s Thursday Challenge was “WARM” (Sunny, Pleasant, Warm Colors, Food, Drink,…) Almost looks like is laughing away, enjoying the wind on his face,not to forget the…

Besan Ka Chilla [Cheela]

During my recent trip to Mumbai, friend made Chilla/Cheela one day for breakfast/dinner and it was yumm. I have made it earlier but with just onions or tomatoes, but this…

A walk through history at the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Bombay

I was heading back to Bombay after a gap of about 5years and this time I had no agenda at all. I had informed about 4-5 folks that I am…

Art of Fitting in..

“Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?” ― Ian Wallace Other person: “Why are you like this, why aren’t you like…

Eight Treasures at 5 Sen5es, Westin Velachery [till 30th June]

5 Senses at Westin, Velachery is back with another food festival flagged off by their Executive Chef Yatendra Rawat… This time they are promoting the dishes from 8 prominent regions…

Skywatch Friday… New kinda company!

It has been a few months since my last trip and this one was indeed a special one, with many firsts.. For the first time I actually announced to my…

The Chocolate Irish Dinner Banquet at On The Rocks, Chennai

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” ― Charles M. Schulz Even though am not a big fan of Chocolates, the promise of…

Heritage tour to Kovur & Thyagaraja connection

It was Sunday, and I was up by 4.30am.. Had kept the alarm for 5 and told gramma & mom to wake me up, which both of them did [in…

Travel light, travel fun, travel safe…

Yesterday when talking to a friend, I released safety is a big big concern for us travellers, more so if you are travelling alone. Here are a few tips I…

Street food- Jhalmuri in Haridwar

It was our second evening in Haridwar and we were headed back to Har Ki Pauri as friend wanted to do some shopping and we wanted to catch some of…

Thursday Challenge- Flying high, up in the sky…

The theme for today’sThursday Challengeis “FLIGHT” (Bird, Insect, Jet, Airplane, Seeds,…) Clicked this few years ago at Pulicat.. it was such a sight to see those flamingoes and the colours…

Top 3 favourite places for breakfast in Chennai

Breakfast like a king, right.. But what about the times when you don’t have anything exciting at home or even the boring cornflakes box stares at you with is stiff…

Thursday Challenge- Barriers- Bhima Gateway,Hampi

The theme for today’s Thursday Challengeis “BARRIER” (Wall, Fence, Gate, Door, Stanchions,…) In Hampi, as you drive around, you will stumble upon a few of these gateways, giant stone structures…

Culinary Secrets of Coorg at Madras Pavilion at ITC Grand Chola,Chennai till 29th May

There are very few cuisines that have me all excited and one of them is Coorg.. no kidding! ever since my trip to Coorg, I have been in love with…

Food Tales.. The humble tablespoon

Just realised it has been a while since I shared a food tale here… So here goes one, simply because I was reminded of the story today morning.

Chili’s comes to Chennai

It is always good to see big brands make an entry into Chennai .. Recently Burger King opened doors and following suit, Chili’s too has arrived.

Skywatch Friday… Sun sets over the bridge

This is of a Bridge that I love in Chennai.. it is one that I have passed by numerous times and it continues to fascinate me..

Friendships and expiry dates -1

If someone had told me that friendships came with an expiry date, I would have howled with laughter. Heck, I might have given them a piece of my mind even.

The Spaniard, the promise of love and the scam..

I shut the app and moved on, only to hear a ting within few minutes. I opened Tinder to see a message from the Spaniard.

Thursday Challenge- Colours

The theme for today’s Thursday Challengeis “MULTICOLOURED” (Kaleidoscopic, Rainbow, Clothes, Toys, Flowers, Paint,…) This was one of the homes we visited in karaikudi and i was in love.

G for gratification? -Part II

Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised… Few months ago I had done a post on how most people who are online [be it on Social networking sites or on dating apps] were…

Dear Diary, need some ME Time

Dear Diary, Well, if you know me by now you know what is happening in life… I am at that stage I was a few years ago, where all i…

[book review] Rainbow in my clouds- Radhika Lee

Book name: Rainbow in my clouds Author: Radhika Lee Print Length: 332 pages Publisher: Notion Press; 1 edition (12 November 2015) This year has been quite good, have been reading…

Jamavar – The Leela Palace, Chennai

Yabadabaddooo.. Restaurant Week India is back and this time they have tied up with a few new restaurants as well. Giving people an opportunity to dine at a five star…

Thai Food Festival, The Flying Elephant, Park Hyatt

Sawasdee Krab … That is how you say hi/hello in Thai language.. and that is how last evening began! I was at The Flying Elephant in Park Hyatt for the…

New flavours from paper boat…

Well, for someone who is not a big fan of the fizz or soft drinks, there are quite a few options, but then comes the doubt – do they contain…

Kerala Food festival- till 25th April, Spice Haat, Hyatt Residency

Ellarkum sneham niranja Vishu Aashamsakal!! [Happy Vishu]… is what I read on a friend’s page on April 14th! What a beautiful way to send out New year greetings, right?

This monday.. take a leap..

The Mughal Gardens, Delhi

Once we were done visiting the Chandi Devi Temple, we were off to Delhi before catching our flight back to Chennai… But we did have a few hours in Delhi…

Brunch At Pan Asian, ITC Grand Chola With Chef Ashish

It is not just what you eat, it is where, how and of course who creates the dish that makes a difference.. And this is something I firmly believe in..

Another Ropeway to Chandi Devi Temple and off to Delhi – Part VIII

A Hi, hello and a trip is born..-Part I Here we go, up and away to Dehradun.. Part II Hotel Sakoon, Dehradun at a glance… Part III Exploring Dehradun- Part…

Paratha at Paratha Wali Gali, Chandni Chowk, Delhi

So you are walking down Chandni Chowk, across shops and shops and more shops, all you will see are heads bobbing about, bargains thrown in and a wide plethora of…

Thursday Challenge- Empty..

The theme for today’s Thursday Challengeis“EMPTY” (Vacant, Abandoned, Hollow, Empty Container/Chair/House,…)

Baking with my new Murphy Richards 28L OTG

About a decade or so ago, I went for baking classes with a friend of mine [actually I went for it only cos she did, and she was preparing for…

Italian Fair at Focaccia, Hyatt Regency till 20th March

A restaurant is only as good as the food the serve is a saying that has been redefined over the years. Now it is all about the experience From the…

Cafe Dalal Street, Delhi

After a bit of driving around, we finally found a place that was decent and within our budget to stay at. It was in Connaught Place, outer circle [or whatever…

Temples and Ropeways in Haridwar- Mansa Devi Temple- Part VII

A Hi, hello and a trip is born..-Part I Here we go, up and away to Dehradun.. Part II Hotel Sakoon, Dehradun at a glance… Part III Exploring Dehradun- Part…

I want to take my blog to the next level

I was tagged by Reema (hyperlinked to write this post. For someone who takes life one step at a time, am now hop skip jumping down them steps two at…

This monday.. Live your life your way!

five sen5es, Westin, Velachery

On the eve of Chinese New Year, Westin Chennai Velachery unveiled their newest addition, the Chinese Restaurant on the 1st floor [across from Willows, the sports bar] Five Sen5es.

Skywatch Friday… Airavatesvara temple at Darasuram

This was probably the last solo trip I did in recent years and what a trip it was. Just before Diwali, I got the itch and that was it.

Chocolate Brunch at Flying Elephant in Park Hyatt, Chennai

It was a Brunch with a difference.. Actually it was a one of a kind brunch, atleast I havent heard of one this kind.. This was not the first time…

Ganga Aarti at Har ki Pauri, Haridwar- VI

A Hi, hello and a trip is born..-Part I Here we go, up and away to Dehradun.. Part II Hotel Sakoon, Dehradun at a glance… Part III Exploring Dehradun- Part…

Food hunt in Chandni Chowk, Delhi

Wanting to do something new, something offbeat, we decided to head out and explore Old delhi – Chandni Chowk to be specific…After walking up and down the streets, amidst crazy…

Off to Rishikesh.. Part V

A Hi, hello and a trip is born..-Part I Here we go, up and away to Dehradun.. Part II Hotel Sakoon, Dehradun at a glance… Part III Exploring Dehradun- Part…

Skywatch Friday.. Listening to the waves

It was one of those days, I had decided to take off and spend it with a dear friend [who has recently moved to chennai and is in the Navy…

Exploring Dehradun- Part IV

A Hi, hello and a trip is born..-Part I Here we go, up and away to Dehradun.. Part II Hotel Sakoon, Dehradun at a glance… Part III Now that we…

Batlivala and Khanabhoy, Chennai

She: Hi, free to catch up? Me: Yes, what do you wanna do? She: lets meet somewhere interesting and do lunch, if you are game… Me: Yes, where?

Mainland China Asian Kitchen, Spring Hotel, Chennai

Few years ago, when I was a newbie to the whole food scene, I was offered a dish called Khao Suey.. A waiter at a restaurant gave me a bowl…

Walk along the streets of Kumbakonam – Part I

The morning began with a cup of hot Kumbakonam Degree kaapi and this time I was looking forward to enjoying it in the town it is named after.

Hotel Sakoon, Dehradun at a glance… Part III

A Hi, hello and a trip is born..-Part I Here we go, up and away to Dehradun.. Part II A 30km ride away, a few phone calls later the hotel…

Food and Faasos

Have heard of Faasos, but was yet to try it. recently a friend said he had ordered through them and the food was good, he also shared a code that…

Here we go, up and away to Dehradun.. Part II

Well, in case you haven’t read Part I, go on read it already… 🙂 What began as a “Lets do the 40hour train journey to Dehradun transformed into lets just…

A Hi, hello and a trip is born..-Part I

About a month or two ago, the bunch of us met for a Tamil play.. A friend’s sis had also come down and she joined us.

Desserts from Innerchef

Out of the blue I get a message followed by a call asking if I would like to try a few desserts from home bakers across the city.

Intercontinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, ECR

Now that you got a glimpse of what I saw when we walked into the Intercontinental Chennai Mahabalipuram Resort, ECR, here is what else we were treated to..

Rajasthani Food Festival at Seasonal Tastes – The Westin

Looks like Food Festivals is the buzzword of the era.. Restaurants are raking it in with these festivals, trying to outdo themselves and offer customers something different..

M’Bessy in Hotel Esthell, Adyar

M’BESSY, the all new Continental Resto-Bar was launched at Hotel Esthell, Adyar by Mr. Dinesh Raj & Partners this Saturday, 9.00 pm , 26th December 2015.

Eggs Benedict, Fusion and Breakfast at Park Hyatt

Since I wake up early, it is never an issue about getting ready and getting out early. But when you have been out on your feet all day on a…

LED light Puzzle…

A friend who had recently gone on a holiday to Hong Kong got back and asked if we could catch up & that he had something for me..

The Tall and Short of it..

“Woah, so how tall are you?” is a question am quite used to these days.. Earlier it used to have me stumped, but now I just reply “5ft 10”..

This Monday.. Be you

[Image source: The Idealist on Facebook]

Celebrating Chennai – Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar

After the rains, after the floods, the city is slowly getting back on its feet. And so, when my uncle and cousin had come down from Delhi, we decided to…

This Monday.. Don’t care about others..

[image source: The Idealist]

[Share] Live it up.. advice from an 80yr old man…

East Africa DestinationLike Page October 24, 2015 · ‪#‎LifeLessons‬ Advice from an 80 year old man. 1. Have a firm handshake. 2. Look people in the eye. 3.

Mint Padmanabhan at The Music Academy

I have this gang of friends, one morning one of them began this thread on “Shall we go try Music academy lunch one of these days” and soon there was…

Skywatch Friday… My Chennai

Though this year I havent travelled as much as I would have liked to, it has been quite an interesting one at that. Here is one last post before 2015…

Dear Diary, memories linger

Dear Diary I know, I know, this year too is drawing to an end and today is the last day… Gosh, where did the time go?

Mountbatten Mani Iyer canteen at Vidya Bharati Kalyana Mandapam

It was Saturday, the day after Christmas.. I had decided to give Sabha Lunch a shot. Waited for the clock to chime 9:30 [cos that is when puliyogare travels would…

Mamagoto Comes to Chennai

Founded in January 2010 in Delhi, Mamagoto literally translated from Japanese means “to play with food”, and that is the very ethos of the concept – to make Asian eating…

This Monday.. stay positive!!

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going…Chennai floods -III

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going…Chennai floods -I When the going gets tough, the tough gets going…Chennai floods -II As mentioned in both these posts, I relied…

Food is all that matters- Chennai Floods IV

“Thani oru manithanukku unavu illai enil jagathinai erithiduvom” said Bharathiar.. [Meaning- If there is no food available for even one individual, we will destroy this world.] How true!

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going…Chennai floods -II

I did what I knew best.. took to the online world, which is where I got all information from and where requests/updated flowed faster than the #Chennairains..

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going…Chennai floods -I

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going… Well this is a song I love and true to the lyrics, I saw the city of Chennai come together during…

Fuji, Japanese Restaurant comes to Chennai

Looks like the city has caught the Japanese fever.. First it was pop up Japanese restaurant, then came the Japanese food festival and now a new Japanese restaurant opens doors.

Japanese fest in Anytime , GRT Grand…

Looks like Japanese is the flavour of the season.. One by one restaurants are all following suit in either coming up with something around Japanese cuisine… First it was the…

The Diabetic Trail, Flying Elephant, Park Hyatt, Chennai [till Nov 30th]

If you were among those who thought healthy food was boring food, then here is a surprise for you.. Park Hyatt has launched a Diabetes Food Trail at Flying Elephant…

Yakiniku, pop up restaurant, Hyatt Regency Nov 14 – Dec 10

Hyatt Regency in Teynampet has come up with a new concept, one that is quite interesting.. They have introduced for the first time ever in Chennai, a pop-up restaurant by…

[Recipe] Padhir Peni or Chiroti

I am not sure when my romance with the Padhir Peni began, but must be a decade ago.. Since it is a Karnataka based dish, I must have had it…

[Shared] Making of Soan Papdi

Every time any of us got back from a trip to Bangalore, there would be expectant look on everyone’s face at home. They werent looking for fancy gifts, they were…

Thursday Challenge- Treats in Chennai

“TREATS” (Candy, Chocolate Bar, Cake, Pie, Ice Cream, Comfort Food,…) Mini donuts – light fluffy airy delicious little bites A spice based cake with thin custard poured on top… Heaven…

Hoppipola – The Spring Hotel, Chennai

The first thing that hits you is the winding staircase and then you are hit with a burst of white.. the walls are white, the chairs are white, the metal…

Mushrooms at home..

Few weeks ago while walking outside mom spotted this Mushroom in the garden. She immediately called me and asked if I saw it.. It was large, white and beautiful.

10 Things You Should Know About Dating The Woman Who’s ‘Forever Alone’ [http://elitedaily.com]

I came upon this article on http://elitedaily.com and found it to be bang on.. Sharing it here- Certain women always have people by their sides, whether they’re boyfriends, friends with…

Dear Diary, we move on, right?

Dear Diary Am back… I know its been a while, just that I have been busy.. With what, you ask? Well, life ofcourse!! It is November already and am once…

Breakfast options… Jonah’s meets Chef Willi

I have had quite a few people ask me if there are good breakfast places in the city.. Oh yes, I tell them! They stare at me amused..

The Sarcastic Pastry Chef is here.. “Pie For President 2020”

She is sassy She is smart She is cheeky and she is sarcastic as hell. Did I mention she can bake? Yes, she bakes! Am talking about The Sarcastic Pastry…

Awadhi Food Festival, The Verandah at Vivanta by Taj-Connemara

Is it coincidence or just an act of fate I wondered??? For only last week I was talking to a group of friends about visiting Lucknow.

This Monday.. remember to live life fully

Thursday Challenge- Burst of Orange in Karaikudi

A few beautiful patterns from Karaikudi – The aachi house, the Bangala and from one of the streets…It is amazing the kind of things you come across during your trips-…

Fusilli Reasons, Kilpauk,Chennai

It was one of those evenings when I was in a blah mode… Friends were busy messaging and talking about meeting,and finally after much ado, we decided to meet around…

This monday… persist!!

G for gratification? -Part I

There are moments in life that leave you stumped- it could be good /bad/ ugly or just weird things… Off late I have been coming across people who seem to…

Another Birthday went by…

The minute the new year is born, the first thing I look in the Calendar is “What day is my Birthday”.. Little pleasures of life, right?

Thursday Challenge.. In the Dark…

“NIGHT” (Dark, Low Light, Twilight, Evening, Shadows, Long Exposure, City Lights,…) This photograph I clicked from a moving train, the train that was taking me to Goa… It was pitch…

This Monday- get over the challenges

Karavalli Celebrations at Clubhouse, Taj Club House

Taj Clubhouse is celebrating 25 years of Karavalli, the award-winning iconic restaurant at The Gateway Hotel Residency Road Bangalore with a special menu from the coastal regions of South West…

Interesting Encounters- The cute doggie in Karaikudi

We were exploring the town of Kanadukathan, when after a while we asked our cabbie if he knew of any traditional homes where we could watch a meal being cooked.

This Monday… Be nice!

Skywatch Friday… Over the ocean yonder..

It was one of those plans that fell into place before you could blink our eyes twice.. Well, that is a bit of exaggeration, but nevertheless it was a trip…

Thursday Challenge.. All Suited up!

CLOTHES (Dress, Suit, Socks, Colourful Fabrics,…) These two photographs were clicked in Bangkok.. 1st one at Chatu Chak market and 2nd one at Wat Arun..

Beyond Madras, The Dining Room- Park Hyatt, Chennai

“Beyond Madras”- yes, that is exactly what it is.. Chef Balaji and his team went exploring the smaller towns around Chennai, tasting the local delights, collecting recipes and that is…

Sussegado – Just Like Goa!! @ Spice Haat, Hyatt Regency, Teynampet, Chennai

A trip to Goa is what you can expect through this Goan Food festival at Hyatt Regency… Take a drive down the beaches, sample some of the fresh seafood, or…

Statue Circle, Jaipur

Jaipur city or the Pink City as it is called is home to quite a few tourist spots, Forts, Palaces and festivals. Oh and not to forget the amazing array…

Food Tales.. Breakfast like a queen!

For as long as I can remember, Breakfast has always been a defacto at home..Infact, during school days it used to be a mini lunch of sorts, which then changed…

Thursday Challenge…. Royal…

“SEAT (2 week theme)” (Chair, Sofa, Bench, Stool, Bed, Anywhere/Anyway one can sit,…) This image was shot at the Krishnapuram Palace in Kayamkulam… The palace is today a museum of…

Aham Bhumika – Making a difference..

About two months ago, I came upon this post on Aham Bhumika’s Facebook page, where they were looking for someone to contribute about Rs3500 to buy shoes for about 30…

Wordless Wednesday 1- Buddha lined up at Wat Pho

This monday… new paths ahead…

Thursday Challenge…. Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

“PLACE; 2 week theme” (House, Cabin, Apartment, Tent, Workshop, Office,…) We were finally done with our trip and all set to fly back home. but the Suvarnabhumi Airport had me…

Dear Diary, mind in a puddle

So, lots of things have happened since the time I spoke to you… I can sense a change in me, as a person, as an individual..

S for Single

If there are two things that are found all around us it is “Free advice” and “questions”. And both these shall be imparted without an ounce of consideration or thought…

Off-roading in Chennai..

If someone told you “let’s go off- roading in Chennai” you might have stared at them long and hard and burst out laughing. Right? Well, that is pretty much my…

Thursday Challenge.. Going back in time

“OLD” (Vintage, Antique, Rusty, Secondhand, Long ago, Aging, Senior,…) These pictures were clicked during the Vintage car rally that I got to be a part of a year or so…

Thursday Challenge.. Dogs

Today’s theme is “FAVORITE” (Thing, Photo, Person, Pet,…) I love dogs, and this little piece caught my eye at Wat Pho temple in Bangkok… 🙂

Festa Della Pasta @ Prego, Taj Coromandel, Nungumbakkam 10th to 19th July

“Bellissimo” is the only word that comes to my mind the minute I think of Pasta. There are days when all I want is a small bowl of pasta, with…

Thursday Challenge.. In person…

“SOUND” (Noise, Music, Singing, Birds, Insects, Vehicles,…) It was 2003 or 2002, don’t remember the exact year. But I do remember the euphoria I felt after the concert.

Cafe Noir, Bangalore

What do we do .. what do we do… Shall we head out to Orion Mall?, it is a bit far, but a nice one at that..

I & Monkey, Bangalore

I was in Bangalore for the weekend, chilling out with a friend who has recently moved there.. Hadn’t told a lot of people I was there [becomes tough to meet…

Skywatch Friday. One among the many temples..

While exploring Karaikudi, we stumbled upon this temple, majestic and beautiful. it was closed and so we did not go inside. Did however spend some time in the Museum nearby…

DineIn chennai

On those rare days that Gramma says “Shall we order in dinner?” I get excited and start looking for options. She loves Continental food, and good North Indian dishes..

The Grand Palace, Bangkok

It was our 4th day in Bangkok and the one place we were yet to visit was The Grand Palace. As we were stepping out of our hotel, the lady…

Thursday Challenge…. The Skytrain

“LINES” (Linear Marks, Strips, Railroad Lines, Telephone/Electrical Lines, Line ups,…) I fell in love with the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok- the trains are so well organised, the stations are super…

Turmeric Blooms at Home

Few weeks ago one evening when I wandered towards the backyard, I noticed pretty flower in the Tulasi pot.. Called gramma who clarified that it was Turmeric flower… Am hoping…

This Monday… Forge ahead

Auntie Anne’s pretzel, Bangkok

Me: Hey, am headed to IKEA today.. want anything? A: You are headed all the way to Megabangna? Me: Yes.. Am on the train now..

Dear Diary, I miss Me

Dear Diary, It has been 4 months since I moved back to my grandparents place.. It has been 4 months since grandpa passed away It has been 4 long months…

Desserts – Crazy Evening part II

To read how the evening began, click here… After the initial round of decent food at Holas, we stepped out wondering where to go for Dinner.

Eggless Banana-Pistachio Bread [ bread machine]

I was at home unwell, and it was one of those blah evenings. Couldn’t sleep, wasn’t able to sit on laptop and do any work..

Aamlicious – Mango festival at Khandani Rajdhani

Its that time of the year, Summer is here and that can mean only one thing- it is the season for Mangos. And along with it comes the Aamlicous- Mango…

Hola, Besant Nagar, Chennai- Crazy evening Part I

“Are we all meeting today?” is how our evening chats invariably begin… and then it transforms into a plan while many a times it just fizzles out as it is…

Wat Arun, Bangkok

Next up on our agenda was to visit Wat Arun temple, which had to be reached through a short ferry ride from the jetty. After grabbing a quick bite to…

This Monday… Start somewhere

Thursday Challenge.. Spring is in the air…

The theme for today is “SPRING” (Fresh Leaves, Baby Animals, Warm Weather,…) Clicked this when walking out of a cafe in Bangalore after a meeting that had me nothing but…

[Recipe]- Mangalore Buns

It was Saturday afternoon, we had just finished lunch and I plopped on the sofa with my laptop to finish up some work. Turned on TV and began surfing channels…

Global S’treats’ Food festival at The Kitchen, Raintree, Anna Salai

For someone who is crazy about travel, the Global S’treats’ Food festival at The Kitchen, Raintree, Anna Salai was like a culinary tour around the world in a few short…

Manhattan Fish Market

Yes, you read the name right. What was I doing here is the question running in your head right? I sure was a fish out of water, pun unintended… lol…

Food tales.. Sweets filled with memories

Last weekend from Chennai Food Guide we had organised a Farmer’s market of sorts and one of the stalls was managed by us. It contained products from various places in…

Skywatch Friday… Summer is here~

With the temperature soaring, we are all melting down and gearing up for the days to come. The sun shows no respite~!! For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday …

Sonargaon from Bengal at Beyond Indus, Taj Club House, Chennai

Plush interiors, comfortable seating and quiet ambiance is what comes to my mind the minute I hear “Beyond Indus at Taj Club house“. This is my 2nd or 3rd visit…

Menchies- Frozen yoghurt desserts, Chennai

I like ice creams, well I prefer them to be sour/tart/not too sweet.. What kind of ice cream is that, right? Maybe that is why I prefer the frozen yoghurt…

Home cooking – Bhindi Khadi, Millet rice and Mushroom curry

Gramma and I have been experimenting a lot these days, one such was Bhindi Khadi, millet rice and Mushroom curry that I made for lunch few weeks ago.

Songkran Festival at Benjarong

It was time for celebrations, ringing in the Thai New Year in style, food style! We were at Benjarong where they do few festivals but what they do they make…

Healthy Salads & healthy Drinks at Park hyatt till 28th April

Since it is summer here in Chennai, Park Hyatt has taken the initiative to host a festival exclusively for this season and around World Health day [ Apr 7th].

Kundrakudi Murugan temple, Kundrakudi

The day we landed in Karaikudi, we made a list of places we wanted to see in and around here. Among the places were two temples, one being Pillayarpatti Pillayar…

Ciclo Cafe, Chennai

While driving by Kotturpuram high road, I spotted this new place on the right side. Decided to check it out on my way back and all I managed to catch…

Dear Diary.. time does fly by

Dear Diary, Am back.. It has been awhile but feels like I was writing in you only yesterday. Two whole months have gone by and we have survived the days…

This monday… stay confident..

Revamped menu at California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is back, no they did not go anywhere…. 🙂 They are back with a new revamped menu.. There are drinks, there are starters, there are pizzas, there…

Skywatch Friday – Showing the way in Bangkok

As we bid adieu to Wat Arun and made our way to the Jetty, this sign board caught my eye. It stood tall, worn out and yet was doing its…

Flavours of Bangkok -III- Fresh & juicy

The four- five days that I spent in Bangkok, if I had to list down the things that appealed and impressed me, I could count them on one hand.

Thursday Challenge.. Zip zap zoom!

The theme for today’s Thursday Challengeis“FAST” (Motion Blur, Cars, Boats, Running, Food,…) Clicked this while waiting at Udom Suk BTS station for the BTS train to take me back to…

This monday… keep trying!

Skywatch Friday.. go where the tracks take you, in Karaikudi

Whilst in Karaikudi, one noon when driving towards Kanadukathan, we had to cross this railway track. The system was what it used to be, what I have seen in Tiruneveli…

Thursday Challenge- Take a a few moments for yourself

The theme for today’s Thursday Challenge is “PEACEFUL” (Calming, peaceful nature, park, or urban scenes,…) This photograph was taken at GRT Temple Bay. A bunch of us had gone out…

The Colony, Raintree, St Mary’s road

Hello. Am sure your appetite has been whetted enough by now. If it hasn’t, then scroll back all the way to the top and down again making sure to spend…

This Monday.. take care of yourself

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Dear Diary – Making the move

Dear Diary, Am back.. And this time I just want to talk about this decision I have taken. You know how there are some decisions that come easy and then…

Skywatch Friday… Meeting the Lord at Kataragama

We were exhausted after exploring Yala National park for a good 4-5 hours. Not to forget the sun was blazing down on us. Our next stop in the vacation was…

Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

The one place that everyone suggested we visit was the Chatuchak market in Bangkok.. I had no idea about the place- where it was, what was it about and why…

Colours all around.. Athangudi Tiles Factory, Karaikudi

For years I had been dreaming of visiting Karaikudi and one of the things I knew the town was famous for was the Athangudi Tiles.

Noodle Mania at Chinatown till March 8th

Glass noodles, Udan noodles, Pad Thai noodles, vermicelli noodles.. wait there is more! Phew, the list seems endless and quite overwhelming, even for someone who enjoys her noodles.

Thursday Challenge – Vibrancy along the roads in Bangkok

Came upon this Thursday Challenge on a fellow bloggers’ page and thought why not do it here as well.. The theme for today is “BRIGHT” (Sunny, Lights, Laser, Intense, High…

Live on Air…

Few weeks ago, I got a call from the Producer at Chennai Live 104.8 and she asked me if I would like to be a part of their series on…

Flavours of Bangkok -II- Street food

We had just stepped out of Wat Pho and were quite hungry.. We walked around the place trying to find a cafe or a eating joint, and finally spotted a…

Chennai Food Guide celebrates 10th Anniversary on 28th Feb

The other day two of my friends came home, and within minutes the family was curious as to how I knew them. While one of them is my age, the…

Death and moving on

Dear Diary Everytime I open a new page, my mind is in a muddle. I am going through something big, something drastic and it has me thinking..

Jim Thompson’s house, Bangkok

When I was planning my Bangkok trip, as always I did do a bit of research and one of the places that cropped up in almost all the sites was…

Skywatch Friday- Wat Pho, Bangkok

And so we had finally landed in Bangkok and made our way to the Hotel. After grabbing a quick bite in the Executive lounge and taking a tour of our…

[Book] 10 Patients by Dr Wasim Mohideen

” I am OK, my wife. I need information.” “Ok, what information do you want?” “I am suspect she having AIDS. Want to check her” Your wife will need to…

Rooftop Alfresco, Taj Club House, Chennai

Sitting in comfy chairs under the beautiful night sky, the swimming pool shimmers nearby, there is live music wafting in the air .. “Ma’am, can I serve the wine?”

Travellling to Bangkok- visa!

Once the destination was decided, it was all about getting details sorted out for the Visa, picking up some foreign currency and finally putting a few things in the suitcase…

Tea with friends at Lloyds Tea House

It is almost like Lloyds tea house is the place where we meet to bid adieu to Friends moving away to a new country.. This time we met at the…

Skywatch Friday- Sky coming alive at the break of dawn near Thailand…

I love travelling as most of you have guessed by now, even though I havent travelled as much as I would love to. And when it comes to flying, then…

Room with a view

We landed, took a luxurious ride in the S class Mercedes Benz which came with a cool box that continued chilled towels and wifi as well… And then came another…

Flavours of Bangkok- Part I- Pad Thai noodles

There we were all set to bid adieu to Bangkok and head back to Chennai. With about two hours left for our flight, we wandered about the airport- the stores…

Pillaiyar patti Pillaiyar temple, Thiruppatthur

I had been dreaming of visiting Karaikudi for nearly 2 years and finally decided there came the day when I knew the weekend was free and ergo I made plans.

Another weekend, another destination

Am loving the new turn of events.. When I was looking forward to welcoming 2015, I knew I was going to travel lot more this year but did not have…

Lunch for one: Chappati with egg curry

Starting this new series on the blog.. Ever since I began living alone, it has been a fun journey in all aspects, including cooking.. I have been coming up with…

Skywatch Friday… Thirumayam Fort near Karaikudi

One of the things I have decided to do in 2015 is to blog as much as possible, so here is the 1st post for the New Year!

Breakfast at Annapoorna, Karaikudi

After an overnight bus journey and quick nap we sure were hungry.. We managed to get a cup of coffee in the hotel we stayed at before venturing out to…

Adieu to 2014 and Hola to 2015

I love Dec 31st, the New Year’s Eve…..Here are my 8 reasons why [buhahaha why should it always be 5 or 10 or 15…] 1.

Weekend getaway to the K land…

After a long hiatus, am off on a weekend trip… Ever since Dec showed its face, I have been itching to get on the road and explore a new destination.

Food Festival at Vijaya Forum Mall, Chennai

There is a reason why I am not fond of food courts, no it is not about the food, it is more about the crowd.

Absolute Barbecue, Chennai

Well, now that you have feasted on the photographs, do I need to tell you more? 🙂 I was at Absolute Barbecue on GN Chetty road.

Quick wrap up!

Dear Diary, How have you been? I know I haven’t written in you in a while.. As I say silence means good news! So things have been going good, have…

Exploring Galle, Sri Lanka

There we were in our last leg of the trip, heading towards Galle before driving back down to Colombo for a day’s rest before catching our flight back home.

Pind Balluchi, Bangalore

After a day of walking, sleeping and work, come evening we decided to head out for a walk. Two of us had been toying with the idea of catching a…

Dunkin Donuts, Bangalore

We were walking along Brigade Road after a good breakfast which was followed by an hour of meeting when we spotted Dunkin Donuts signboard outside Mota Royal Arcade [ yes…

Wine & Cheese at Park Hyatt, Chennai

For years now I have been hearing about how wonderful Wine & Cheese combination is. But I am quite clueless on what wine is good with what cheese and why.

Food Tales.. Food memories

There are these flavours that we grow up eating, which stick with us for life… Some of which remind us of the times we lived through and others of people…

Grills of the world fest at Barbeque Nation…

Chef Pat Chapman in the house!! It has been a long time since I visited Barbeque Nation. The very 1st time was for my birthday and since then has been…

Novotel, Chennai

It has been 50 days since Novotel opened their doors in Chennai. Situated in the OMR highway, beyond Hirnandani toll post, the campus also has the other Hotel from the…

Kebabs & Curries, The Residency, Chennai – Till Oct 19th

You are hungry, but in the mood for something different, maybe a hot kebab- chicken or paneer, either works! But then most places have an elaborate platter that you cant…

International Pizza festival, California Pizza Kitchen till 19th Oct

Tomato, Cheese, capsicum, mushroom, olives, corn, paneer- well, these are the typical toppings I choose when ordering a pizza. But then, how about a Southwest Burrito Pizza [Spicy Black Bean…

High tea at The Dining Room, Park Hyatt

Cookies, chocolates, nutri bars Cakes, breads and sandwiches Sabudana vada, Bhel puri, sev puri, dahi papadi and more… Coffee and Tea And there were fresh fruits too.

Vrat Thali at Mast Kalandar

It is Navratri time and people all over are busy preparing for the festivals, gearing up for the holidays and planning their weekly menu. While the South Indians abstain from…

Food tales, the battle of choices

“You are vegetarian, right?” is the first question am asked when I head out to dinner with a group. And then there will be a round of chuckles, comments, frowns…

This monday…. Speak wisely

Collegedunia.com- pick your college with ease

You are in the 12th standard and there is talk about which college to apply to, where to go, what course to do but you are lost and confused.

Food Tales… Preferences..

Last evening while at dinner we were talking about how in one household you could have three people cooking the same dish three different ways.

Coorgi Food Festival, Taj Club House, Chennai

Ah, the lush greenery, mist covered mountain tops, monks in red chanting in unison are some things that come to my mind when you mention “Coorg”.

Spice29-Dewberry, Chennai

You are driving down Cathedral road, looking for a place to grab a bite at, wondering what your options are and you see that little board just ahead of Van…

Lessons learned from Living alone..

I went from living with my parents, gramma and great grandma to living with my grandparents and now I live on my own.. Alone! Here are a few little lessons…

Basil with a Twist

The gang had decided to visit this restaurant together and then one by one did a visit on their own, and then there were 2 of us left.

L’amandier revisited…

It was my Birthday and was planning lunch with the girls, and let them pick a place, which they did without thinking twice- L’amandier. It has become our regular jaunt…

Gourmet week at The Flying Elephant, Park Hyatt, Chennai

It was like the Heavens knew I was off for a special evening. It started to pour the minute I walked out of home all the way till I ran…

[Skywatch Friday] Buddhism within the Theosophical Society

It was one of those things in my list of things to do in Chennai. So when a Photowalk was being planned, I added my name to the list even…

The Chidambara Ragasiyam and my birthday!

My birthday comes with a lot of fond memories, one of them quite special. Few years ago was on a road trip with a friend down the Coromandal Coast.

Solo travel- Joy of travelling alone…

Couple of days ago I was part of a conversation that nearly ended up in a heated argument and what was it about- travelling, well not just travelling, it was…

Mumbai street food festival, The Dining Room, Park Hyatt, Chennai

I remember walking into the space while construction was going on… And today, I was back here once again. The place was beautiful, oozing with class and style.

The Super Large Sunday Brunch, Hyatt Regency, Chennai

It is the weekend and the last thing you want to do is be up early and make an elaborate breakfast for the family. The sense of freedom that comes…

People…

All those who know me, know that I love observing and watching people around me. It does not have to be people I know, it can be just about anybody..

Dedicated to all the girls out there…

A forward I received, worthy of sharing… 1. Not every girl wants to get married by 23. So before you ASSUME she’s of marriageable age, ask her what her views…

Chronicles of Whitefield at Vivanta by Taj, Chennai

Listening to the tales about the lone Anglo Indian family in Whitefield, the tattered but precious 108-year-old manuscript filled with recipes that were handed over to Chef Arzooman Irani, I…

Happy Birthday Madras…

Woah, you are 375 years old today.. No No, you are 375 years young today…. Happpy birthday to the only city I call home… I knew you back when you…

Desserts at Salt, Chennai

A dear friend was in Chennai for a few days on work and we decided to meet one evening for an early dinner. The place was decided in a flash-…

[Movie] Vikramadityan…

Watched Vikramadityan few days ago with friends. We had been quite eager to watch the movie [us gals wanted to watch it for a whole different reason, it featured Dulquer…

Food tales… Disasters

Be it at home or outside, when we spot something that is not meant to be in our dish, we get disgusted, angry, upset and sometimes just up and walk…

To Judge or not be judged…

I don’t get it!!! I turn left, I turn right, I am constantly being stared at.. Why? I say something, I do something, I am being judged.. Why?

This Monday.. believe in yourself

Zoutons.com- online shopping was never this fun!!

Gone are the days when people spent hours in stores, going through rows and rows of products before making a purchase. Heck, I can’t remember the last time I did…

Flavours of Vietnam- Benjarong, TTK Road, Chennai

“Chào bạn” … that is how you greet someone in Vietnamese. No, I am not learning the language, was just curious to know how people greet each other.

‘Sun Cuisine’ of Tunisia at Kefi, Taj Club House, July 18 – 27

This rooftop restaurant is one of our favorite haunts.. My friend & I have been here more times than we can count. Situated on the rooftop, they serve some of…

Starbucks comes to town…

It is always good to see International brands come to Chennai, and more so when it is to do with coffee. Even though the Chennaites are a tough bunch to…

Food Tales – The tale of the idli

After a brief hiatus, am back with more tales… Few days ago, had been invited by friends for breakfast and she had made both idli and dosa.

Sar v Sri – Veggie delights!!

The city has quite a few vegetarian hotels and eat outs, but there are not many places that offer both veg & non veg is served where the veg fare…

A milestone…

It is July 2014 and that means it has been a year since I moved out. Wow, I never thought this far when I took the decision to move to…

The Extra Terrestrials are here..

Just as us Chennaites know that come December it is time for the Carnatic concerts, come June I know it is time for ET WOW..

This Monday… Keep hope!!

The other gender

I still remember the very 1st time I saw someone from the 3rd gender.. it was in the local train in Mumbai, they were a group of 4 and the…

Skywatch Friday.. Blue waters in SriLanka

Ah, the memories from the Sri Lankan trip continue to linger on… I was talking to a friend about the fresh sweet Strawberries from Nuwara eliya and so decided to…

Bombay Brasserie, College Road

We had just walked out of the movie and were hungry, well, it was nearly 1pm. Since we were not fond of any of the outlets in the Mall, and…

Goan Food Festival at Mainstreet, Residency Towers – 28 May to 8 June

There she was, born into a very ordinary middle class family, married off at a young age to a rich man, she led a lavish life till her husband fell…

Dessert Hopping- Part 3

You can read all about how the evening started here in Part 1 and then come back here to read how the night ended.. Yes, I do know there is…

The Anniversary package at The Crown, Residency Towers, Chennai

It is date night and you are looking to take your partner somewhere nice, good ambiance, good food and a lovely experience. Alas, there are not too much options in…

Dessert Hopping- Part 1

Before you start reading, should issue a warning: Do not tell me I dint warn you of how jealous you would get or how angry you would feel that you…

[Movie] Bangalore Days- Malayalam

Movie: Bangalore Days Language: Malayalam Director: Anjali menon Cast: Dulquer Salmaan, Nazriya Nazim, Nivin Pauly, Fahadh Faasil, Parvathy menon…. Rating: 6/5 The colors as morning breaks come shining through a…

Get your Tamil right…

I havent been this hopping mad ever. Actually, wait, the 1st time was when I endured Chennai Express. I could NOT sit through the movie, no matter how skimpy Deepiga’s…

This Monday.. laugh

The Smartass Matire’d

After a hot tiring day, 4 of us decided to head out to dinner to a Chinese restaurant. Two of us went ahead to reserve a table, the Maitre de…

Kebab Fest [Till May end], Skillet in Hablis

Choose any 3 kebabs Order for a glass of wine And you are set for the meal… Wait, one more thing You not only get the kebabs But you also…

Cream & Fudge, T Nagar

Sprinkles, Oreo cookies, Ferrero Rocher chocolates, apple sauce, blueberry sauce,hazelnut, chocolate chips, hot gooey fudge.. Ah, I can see you are already drooling!! Imaging walking into a place that offered…

Brunch at The Verandah in Vivanta by Taj-Connemara, Chennai

There is nothing better than lazing on a Sunday, not having to hurry or rush to make breakfast and then get dressed to head off to office.

Ganache, the new line of desserts

You used to walk in here to grab your favorite donut and a cup of coffee before heading off to work or home. But now, the place also has something…

Delhi 6 Festival at ITC Grand Chola, Chennai – 9th -18th May

What comes to your mind when I say “Delhi 6”? C’mon, lets be honest, you thought of Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor or Masakkali right?

This Monday.. Be the best

[Book review] Love, That Shit by Chandru Bhojwani

Title- Love, That shit Author- Chandru Bhojwani Pages- 143 Cost – Rs 195/- One day, I received an email from Chandru asking if I would like to review his book.

Food tales.. Jevvarisi kanji [Sago porridge]

We were living in Tirunelveli then and my gramma & great gramma [dad’s mom and gramma] were also with us.. It was Dec 1989 when Mom came to Chennai for…

This Monday…. Move along

What is the difference..

The mother: This is my oldest daughter.. you must have met my 2nd one Stranger: Yes. So, what does this one do? The mother: She works out of the house.

At the movies…

I have written about how people can be annoying in the movie theater- especially those who get on their phones and just don’t hang up.

Skywatch Friday.. Along the Galle Fort

We were on our last leg of the Srilankan holiday. We left Unawatuna that morning and drove towards Galle before heading down back to Colombo.

The Fire

“I smell something weird” I announced. I know it, it smelt like wire burning. The others stared at me like I had lost my mind.

Foodology, Chennai

The bright orange shelves, black plates and bowl, colourful knives and cutlery is what caught my eye as I pushed open the glass doors. And then a sudden wave of…

This Monday… Act Now!!

Sywatch Friday– Amidst all that Gold- Golden Temple, Amritsar

I woke up dreaming of walking through the long marble tiled floor towards the Golden Temple. I could almost feel the chill on my feet, and my dupatta sliding off…

Food Tales- Broken woes

After a brief break, am back with another interesting food tale from my childhood, rather life…. I have this one quirk when it comes to Appalam [ pappads].

This Monday… be good..

Skywatch Friday- Madurai in all its glory

Walking through the streets, I reminisced about our life in that town, crossing the road to get to school, the family that lived below in our house and a whole…

Sri Lanka- The Turtle Sanctuary

As we left for Galle, our cabbie told us there was a Turtle sanctuary enroute which is a nice place to visit. We spotted it a few kilometers ahead, and…

Teej Festival in Jaipur

It is nearly monsoon up north and that is what brought on this post. It was Aug 2013 and I was doing some reading about the places to visit in…

Srilanka Food series- King Coconut

When I touched base with a friend asking her for inputs on Srilanka, where to go what to do etc, she shared her thoughts and inputs!

Skywatch Friday- Humannya- Blow Hole, Sri lanka

As we were driving along towards Matara, our driver announced there was a Blow Hole nearby and asked if we wanted to visit. Ofcourse we did!!

Srilanka- An overview of our trip

Now that we had landed in Colombo, the excitement within us was brimming over. Even though we did not have a concrete plan or an itinerary, we managed to cover…

SriLanka- The Arrival

The Planning The Research The Departure We were all set to Arrive in Colombo… And with a blink of an eye, the one hour flight was over and done with.

Prayers to Lord Rama in Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

This is a post that has been in the drafts for nearly a year now! And what a coincidence I opened it this morning to complete it.

Srilanka Food series- Coconut Roti

Ah, we were up and on the road once again. This time we were driving from Nuwara Eliya to Mirissa/Galle via Bandarawela.. It was nearly 8.30 and the two of…

SriLanka- Accommodation – Colombo Haven, Kollupitiya

We came to know of this place through our cab driver and were we glad he did! We checked in the day before we were to fly out of Colombo…

Srilanka- The departure

So, now that we were done with the Planning and Research, we had our ticket and our bags were packed. Since we were flying out of Madurai, both of us…

This Monday… choose to be happy!

[sharing] How to Stop Overthinking Everything: 9 Simple Habits

I came across this piece on www.thebuddhistvision.com/how-to-stop-overthinking-everything-9-simple-habits/ and thought it deserved to be shared!! These are very points that I keep telling people around me to help them tide over…

Srilanka- The Hotel Research

Now that you are done with Planning the trip, it is time to do some research and get some information on the country, places to see, things to do, and…

Skywatch Friday… Above the Indian Ocean

There we were walking from the airport shuttle all set to hop into the flight and head off to our final destination- Colombo. We were flying in a Bombardier Q400…

Srilanka Food series- Breakfast I

There we were at a hotel that was just few weeks old, Rasoja near Kataragama, and the man who manned the reception doubled up as the bellboy and Chef and…

Sri Lanka- The Planning

This was a trip like no other. Why do I say that? There is only one reason why! This is my 1st ever trip across the Indian borders, yes, I…

This monday.. face the challenges head on

Guess the destination

Well, it has been quite a while since I travelled.. And so I have decided to take a short holiday, and this time am travelling with a dear friend.

Simply South at Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai

Murugakai soup, Milagai Bajji Sundal Onion pakoda Kerala Parota Chicken Biryani Rava payasam Elaneer payasam…………. Ah, see, you are drooling at the mere mention of these dishes right?

[Movie] Queen experience

Disclaimer- This is not exactly a review, but more of my experience while watching Queen… If you want a review, well you gonna have to purchase a ticket and go…

Bursting at the seams

You dont ask if I am busy You dont ask if I have other plans You just assume am gonna drop all I am doing/planned and come over You dont…

This Monday.. Take a “time out”

Dot Yum, Aloft, Chennai

After the elaborate tour and the insightful session into the Dining options at Aloft, I was now all set to try the brunch.. As soon as I heard the name…

Dining options at Aloft, Chennai

As you walk down the lobby, along the curved path you see the textured wall with two words on it, rather three words- Dot Yum and next to it is…

Pizza and beer fest till 21st March at Skillet, Hablis, Chennai

It has been a long day, and nothing like a glass of chilled Amstel Light to help you unwind and maybe a few slices of pizza?

This Monday…take care

Sacrifice or Compromise!!

A friend recently remarried…. after being single independent woman for nearly 20years! She found this man, a decade older than her, and I dont know if it was instant love…

Skywatch Friday-Durgiana Mandir, Amritsar

We had just landed in Amritsar and plans were being made for the days to follow. We learnt there was a temple near the hotel we stayed at which is…

55 word story- Bonds

It was her birthday, she remembered! To wish or not? To call or just message? Questions running through her mind. Decision was made; she sent a wish and asked about…

Avenue 195, Greams Road, Chennai

[image courtesy-www.ocr-it.com] No, no I am not learning a new language, but infact just telling “hello” in different languages. You might need to know this before you step into Avenue…

Sunday Brunch at Little Italy, Besant Nagar

A hot cup of Cappuccino followed by A bowl of hot sweet delicious mushroom soup A plate of crunchy nachos with salsa and guacamole A bite of the cheese &…

Tour of Aloft Hotel, OMR, Chennai

“Where is the place? How much further? Are we headed to Bangalore?” were some of the questions in my mind the 1st time we drove down to Aloft Hotel in…

This Monday.. move out

Hollywood at CPK [California Pizza Kitchen] till 16th March

California Pizza Kitchen is a place I associate with good interesting pizzas and have enjoyed myself the few times I have been there. The very first was with a friend…

[Recipe] Veg korma

A bunch of us friends had decided to do a potluck dinner at a friend’s house and I was assigned the task of making a Veg korma.

10 day blogging challenge – Day 10

And with today, the tag comes to an end. Cant believe 10 days are over already~! Hmm, the last one is “One confession”. Truth be told, I stared at this…

10 day blogging challenge – Day 9

Wow, what a bounty! They want me to share 2 smileys… Here goes- Am never a whiny cribby person, and no matter what goes on inside, you will always find…

Food Tales…. The taste

I was in LKG or UKG, studying in TVS School in madurai when this new taste got into my life. At school, we were served milk and biscuits post lunch…

Nobody

Suddenly out of the blue, I cooked up this verse in my head. Wanted to pen it down before I forgot, for I really liked it and connected with it.

10 day blogging challenge – Day 8

Am sure those who’ve been following my blog and this tag know more about me than they did in all the time I’ve known them.

10 day blogging challenge – Day 7

Love the fact the number of things decrease with each passing day!! I like whoever it is who came up with this tag.. Here is the 7th day’s tag- Four…

Revisiting words

It has been a while since I read/wrote poems, so when a friend pinged me asking if I had any on Love, I replied “yes, but have to dig em…

And that is the round up- Oscars 2014

Best Picture 12 Years a Slave Best Actor in a Leading Role Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club) Best Actress in a Leading Role Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine) Best Actor in…

10 day blogging challenge – Day 6

Hmmm, there are things that have you thinking little more than usual. This is one such tag, everyday I have had to think think and pen down the post for…

This Monday.. Ignite the fire within

10 day blogging challenge – Day 5

One of my favorite songs from my childhood is the “10 green bottles hanging on the wall, if one green bottle was to accidentally fall, then 9 green bottles hanging…

10 day blogging challenge – Day 4

Phew, time sure flies. Today is the 1st day of the 3rd month of this new year- damn, where did Jan & Feb go? Sigh… Oh right, I am supposed…

10 day blogging challenge – Day 3

Oh this is a simple one, but then do I have eight items/things??? Jeez, that is one too many if you ask me!! Alright, let me give it a shot..

Punjabi Food Festival at The Crown, Residency Towers

What is the one thing that could have you feeling like a King or in my case, Queen? A beautiful tiara.. Well, slight change of plans, we are gonna now…

10 day blogging challenge – Day 2

Compared to today’s task yesterday’s was a piece of apple pie.. err, meant to say it was fairly easy!! Ok, let me give it a go and see if I…

10 day blogging challenge – Day 1

I am not a big fan of Tags and have managed to wiggle out of quite a few over the years. Today morning while reading a friend’s blog, I stumbled…

Food Tales… Milk and comfort

The minute someone mentions the dish “paal satham [milk rice]”, my mind instantly looks around to see who is unwell. That is the dish i associate with fever and body…

This Monday… thank you..

Darios and new treats on the menu

A restaurant I love visiting Heck, my entire family loves this place Serving up some yummy Italian Pure veg dishes They serve the most amazing Asparagus Risotto and lime cheese…

This Monday… be happy

The Bistro Story, Chennai

“We started our careers together and always wanted to have our own Bistro kind of a place. And since we are now together, working in our Bistro, the place is…

Food tales – Growing years

This is a new series I am starting on my blog today, and just as everything starts at the beginning, am starting with my early years.

Salt ,Vijaya Forum Mall

The 1st time i heard a friend mention the restaurant “Salt”, immediately this Tamil proverb echoed in my head “uppilla pandam kuppaiyile [ a dish without salt belongs in the…

The Pizzaaz, Chennai

It was Saturday evening, I was home watching TBBT on TV with 2 friends when the doorbell rang. Wondering who it was, thinking it might be the security requesting my…

Moon And Sixpence, Hablis, Chennai

“She loved three things — a joke, a glass of wine, and a handsome man.” ― W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon And Sixpence This is what came to my mind…

[Movie] Hasee Toh Phasee

The movie opens with a bunch of people screaming and trying to open a door in a Chawl in mumbai, and a man comes up the staircase and is told…

[Movie] Frozen

I love animated movies, and there are quite a few I love, but the one that I absolutely adore is the latest- Frozen. More than the movie, the plot, I…

Entree, Express Avenue once again…

There are very few restaurants that I go to more than once, and this is one of them. I am talking about Entrée in Express Avenue, in the E Hotel.

[Movie] Saving Mr Banks

Cast: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzmann, B.J. Novak, Colin Farrell, Bradley Whitford, Ruth Wilson Direction: John Lee Hancock Inspired by true events, this movie is almost like…

The art of spending…

I am not against people who love to shop I am not against people who throw lavish parties I am not against people who bring in all comforts into their…

[Movie] August: Osage County

There is a man sitting in a dark room saying “Life is very long,” and that it is taken from T.S. Eliot, which is why now when we say it…

Oppana dance at Dakshin Chitra, Chennai

For those who are visiting Chennai and always asking the one big question – so what else is there to do or see around here?

Dear Diary, welcome to 2014

Dear Diary I know I havent visited you in a while, am sorry about that.. I promise to try and visit you frequently here on.

This Monday.. hold the silence

[Movie] Goli Soda

There is this movie group I am a part of which gives me my dose of which movies to watch and which to skip. There are instances where we end…

This Monday.. Lead on

Little Italy, Besant Nagar

Probably the 1st Pure Veg Italian restaurant in Chennai, Little Italy has held ground for decades, inspite of others restaurants coming up in the same zone.

Skywatch Friday- Along the blue waters at Temple Bay

A little beep on my phone where it all began! A friend asked “How about we all go for a drive and a nice lunch on 12th jan, sunday?”

L’amandier, R A Puram, Chennai

You walk in around 2.45 and see the place is nearly full. Now that is a sign of a place is doing well or atleast has managed to attract patrons.

Angalaamman Kovil, Mel Malayanur

About a week ago, sometime during the day a friend messaged asking if I would like to come with her and her boyfriend to a temple near Gingee.

The Rice bowlz, KFC

Sunday morning, I was done with the movie and was wandering around the mall with a friend when he said he was hungry. I suggested we go to the food…

2013, the year that was

Luckily, I have been blessed with an amazing understanding set of friends who have been my rock, pillar and much more.. They are always there, to pat me on my…

This Monday.. Hidden dreams.

QT Grills, Chennai

Norms are meant to be altered and true to the statement, we did just that. First came desserts, in the form of Eclairs [link to post] at Marriott and then…

[movie] Jilla & Veeram

It was something I had not done in ages, I was watching movies on the day of their release, and this was courtesy a friend who had an extra ticket…

Eclairs and Coffee, Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai

Biting into a sinful chocolate eclair topped with strands of orange peel while the protagonist in the book proceeds to solve the mystery and then picking up that cup of…

Kalady- The birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya

It was my friend’s birthday and I had decided to lane there as a surprise. Her husband knew of my plans, but she did not.

Mast Kalandar- Home delivery

I was just getting done with my walk when a friend called saying he was coming home. This was such a surprise, it took me a while to comprehend it…

Food at the sound of the bell

Just back from a tiring 3 day trip to Jaipur and Ajmer, the last thing on my mind is to get into the kitchen and whip up some dinner for…

Skywatch Friday…French War memorial, Pondicherry

It would be an understatement if I said this year was off to a not so great start. It has been an amazing one so far.

Skywatch Friday…Few steps below– Agrasen ki Baoli or Ugrasen Ki Baoli, Delhi

I had been fascinated by the Step wells since I laid eyes on the very 1st one, in Karnata- Hulikere. Since then, I have been reading about these wells, the…

2013- The year that was

Well, yes I do know it is a cliched post that pretty much everyone is doing! I deliberated over it for a few days, started writing it on 30th Jan…

Chennai International Film Fest

So, the CIFF this year was a super duper hit. Why? How? Cos i managed to attend, and not just attend a few, but saw 14 movies.

Skywatch Friday– Fire in the sky

There I was, sitting in my favorite seat, eyes shining bright and glued to the window.. When we were checking in, my friend wanted an aisle seat, preferably in the…

Cooking with the Tadka Girls- Pasta in lemon pepper sauce!

Few weeks or maybe a month ago, I read a blog post by a friend in which she had mentioned this book “Around The World With The Tadka Girls [Ruchira…

S for Six Months

Days flew by So did Months And now it has been 6 months since I moved out to live on my own! [err, for those who did not know about…

Shopping made fun through Cashkaro.com

There are many of who enjoy shopping, spending hours in the stores or in the mall exploring all the shelves and products before they decide.

Rocking it, CFG style…

Do you love food? Do you love to cook? Do you enjoy eating? Do you like to party? Well, if you answered for all or any of these with a…

The Biryani & Haleem Workshop is back… 8th December!!

When you bring two ladies who are passionate about food, and love to experiment you are in for a treat, actually a feast! Maaria of Adoniya launched a series of…

Peaches turns one

“Peaches” is not the 1st name we thought of. We infact ran through nearly 100 of them, scraping at each of them- Tiranga, 3 Rascals and what not, till finally…

Happy 1st Birthday Dessert Safari

The name is Dessert Safari… But that does not mean it is a place where you find only Desserts. They also serve up quite a range of Dishes, both veg…

Japan Vs China- The Food Debate, Pan Asian, Chennai

Vegetarian vs Non vegetarian Paneer vs Tofu North Indian vs South Indian Coffee vs Tea and now, things are going global. Yes, we are talking about the big debate between…

This Monday…make a new start..

[Image courtesy:https://www.facebook.com/motivationalquoteshub] For the 1st time, am actually dedicating this to a friend who is going through a tough phase..!! Here’s to new beginnings..

British Pub Fest, Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai

Courtyard by Marriott food is good! There I have said it. Have been here quite a few times, apart from the Cook & Dine and the Idli & beer fest…

[Recipe] Tomato garlic chutney

Damn, it was nearly 7.40pm and I hadnt cooked dinner yet.. Did a mental run through of all that I had and after a short debate I knew what I…

Sun Surf Sand Spa and more in Seminyak Bali

One of the countries i have always been fascinated by is Bali. There are so many friends who have been here and keep talking about how beautiful the place is.

[Recipe] Dal Tadka

I was getting back home after my evening walk and suddenly I thought of Dal Tadka and the past hour I spent looking at recipes on the net to see…

Cafe Adoniya, Chennai

Maaria Kulsum and Adoniya have become a household name of sorts in Chennai… 1st came clothes, then came jewellery, and then following suit were some yumm cupcakes, cheesecakes and now…

Cafe Coffee Day Square, Chennai

The very 1st time I spotted a Café Coffee Day Square was in Bangalore, somewhere near Vittal Mallaya Road if am right. It is at the corner of the junction…

That Madras Place, adyar, chennai

Once Bitten, Twice shy.. Twice bitten, lifetime wary!! Well, looks like this is what I need to follow for this particular place. Let me take you back in time, not…

This Monday… Speak the truth

[Image courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/motivationalquoteshub]

Kryptos by Willii, Chennai

Greece is a destination that is on my “I dream to visit” list. I dont know if I ever will, but I do dream of it often enough.

Katti Kebab Company, Egmore, Chennai

First came Tic Tac where the current Ispahani Center stands that served up the Katti rolls, then came TIbbs, followed by Frankie which is found outside Nilgiris and near Fruit…

Dessert Safari, Chennai

We were just done watching a Malayalam Movie – Arikil Oraal and were now headed towards Eldams road to check out Dessert Safari.. Desserts instantly ring a bell that says…

Tuscanala Thali irukku theriyumo nokku…

Well, if you are wondering what “Tuscanala Thali irukku theriyumo nokku… ” means, then let me clarify that before proceeding.. “Tuscana has Thali now did you know?”

Idli and Beer Festival at Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai

Sitting in Chennai, the only thing I do is read about the Oktoberfest in Germany and wonder if ever I would get to witness this fest..

Skywatch Friday.. Qutb Minar, Delhi

I was randomly sorting through the folders in my HDD when I came upon a folder titled Images and I spotted quite a few taken during my earlier trips across…

Food storage in refrigerator…

Came upon this on the net and thought it was worthy of share… Here goes– How long everything stays good in your fridge AFTER the expiration date.. Source: http://visual.ly/

Cyprus Escapes

Was talking to a friend who had just returned from a whirlwind trip around the world, well to most parts o it and she mentioned Cyprus was the one place…

Skywatch Friday … At the Albert Hall Museum, Jaipur

Looks like am going in reverse order! We were there in Jaipur for just another day and that Monday morning we decided to visit The Albert Hall Museum 1st before…

Mast Kalandar, Chennai

Duma Dam Mast Kalandar Ali Da Pehla Number Dama Dam Mast Kalandar Sakhi Shabaaz Kalandar O..Laal Meri Pat Rakhiyo Bala Jhoole Laalan Laal Meri Pat Rakhiyo Bhala Jhoole Laalan Sindhdi…

Sukh Sagar- Pure veg restaurant, Kilpauk, chennai

The journey began in 2012, October to be exact when Vishnu & Vinay came together and decided to open Sukh Sagar in Kilpauk. Today, Sukh Sagar is found all over…

Lloyds Tea House, Gopalapuram, Chennai

If you are hungry and are looking for a good decent yet interesting place to go to, then head to Lloyds Tea House If you have just walked out after…

Pasta Bar Veneto rolls out new dishes..

When you think of something or someone, it is true that you end up seeing them often or that thing everywhere you go. Similarly, I haven’t been to Pasta Bar…

{music} Agam – Classical & Rock meet

Oct 5th was the date Karamaj arangam was the venue What was happening? AGAM was coming to perform for a charity cause! We were excited I was going to be…

{recipe} Clear vegetable soup

I like my soup to be chunky, dont like it completely smooth. And one soup I love is the clear vegetable soup. I remember having a version of this in…

{Recipe} Broccoli Soup

I could hear granpa yelling from the dining room, he had sat down near the fridge to sort through the stuff gramma and mom had bought.

{Recipe} Pumpkin Soup

A soup I fell in love with from the very 1st spoonful I took in Eden was the Pumpkin Soup… And I have made this over and over, and love…

{recipe} Spinach Soup

It was one of those days when I had been sneezing all day, and there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

Skywatch Friday… Astronomy and science- Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

And what a glorious morning it was. We woke up to see the gentle drizze through the window, the spotted deer grazing in the park nearby and pigeons all over…

Hot Chocolate with a twist

For some strange reason, felt like having hot chocolate. I am so not a chocolate person, which made me wonder where this craving came from.

Crimson Chakra refreshed…

Crimson Chakra is a name that is familiar to all of us, and for those who have been there numerous it is 2nd home! The smoked rice, the elaneer soufflé…

Mom’s bday and Lunch party at Annalakshmi

We were at an Uncle’s 60th Birthday function and that is when we realised that mom’s birthday was coming up in a week’s time. After a brief discussion with grandparents…

The Gateway comes to Chennai..

REFRESH… F5 … those were the key words for the day! Why? Well, it was time to refresh the hospitality sector in Chennai, time to welcome a new entrant, accept…

Skywatch Friday..Jal Mahal Palace, Jaipur

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, the sun was shining bright but we were always on the lookout for the sudden downpour. Our past few days in Jaipur had proved…

Krishnapuram Palace, Kayamkulam

The four of us decided to do a holiday a year, and the destination for this year was Kerala. The place was finalised, resort was booked, and train tickets were…

From hell to heaven– autos in Chennai

I have been using Autos for as long as I can remember. Yes, I know, you probably think am crazy! I also use the bus and local trains to commute…

[Recipe] Celebrating International Chocolate Day – Chocolate Pancakes

To be honest, am not a big chocolate fan. Am not the kind who will rush to grab that last piece of chocolate or attack the bar once someone hands…

Pallikondeswarar Swamy Temple in Surutapalli

We met on Friday and during the course of the conversation my friend Ar mentioned this temple in Surutapalli and how it was very famous.

Kadalekalu Ganesha in Hampi

There we were headed towards Matanga Hill to catch the sunset and see if we can spot the Yellow Throated Bulbul when we stopped on the way to catch a…

This Monday…….. Set Goals.

Tuscana.. un’altra [once more]

For someone who has been bitten by the travel bug, am one of those who enjoys visiting new places everything I plan a trip. But since I was not really…

Tadka Talk- Sunday Brunch and set lunch!

Here I was, heading back down the road that had by now become familiar. Sunday 12 noon and I was headed to Tadka Talk [Situated behind Chennai Business School, in…

Hope, Faith, love and much more…

If I were to pick one woman who has carved a niche for herself. If I were to talk about a woman who has grown multifold over the years if…

On this Teacher’s Day…

Our teachers taught us the alphabets They taught us rhymes They taught us cursive writing and then stories came alive But they forgot to teach us how to control what…

This Monday……… Break barriers

Skywatch Friday- High up in the sky

There is something about being 30,000 feet up in the air. For some it is scary, but am not one of those. I enjoy travelling and so the mode doesn’t…

Celebrating Chennai.. St Mary’s church

It is only fitting that I resume this series today.. Why? Today marks the 375th birthday of Madras aka Chennai. This image I share was taken during the last weekend…

My connection to Madras aka Chennai

Though I was born in this beautiful city called Madras [yes that is what it was called back in the days], I grew up in Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli before…

Nandos, Chennai

I heard of this place when they were about to launch, and there was a lot of talk about the Peri Peri chicken. Since i am a vegetarian, I ignored…

Momos and Rain- perfect combo

I stepped out of home and it began to pour, not a gentle drizzle but furious downpour. I was loving it. Began walking further and then landed at the neighborhood…

[Movie] Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi

Last weekend I watched yet another Malayalam movie, this time a movie with a long title, but one that had a beautiful meaning. It was Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi [English…

ID, Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai

Many a sunday morning movies has been done at Sathyam. And they were all possible because we would grab a good breakfast at ID before the flick.

Entree, Express Avenue

There we were in the mall, wandering aimlessly when hunger pangs began hitting us. We spotted Entree on the ground floor and decided to go check it out.

This Monday………….. be strong

Beyond Indus, Taj Club House

There was plans of lunch being made, and we were all quite excited- why? it was at a restaurant that not many of us had visited before.

Kefi, Mediterranean Dining…

If someone had told you that you could dine under the stars, enjoy a Tagine, you might have looked at them as if they were speaking a foreign language.

[Movie] Ship of Theseus

Director: Anand Gandhi Cast: Aida El Kashaf, Neeraj Kabi, Sohum Shah I saw the name in the list of movies at Sathyam Cinemas but had no clues what it was…

Bread upma with a difference

Ever since I moved to a place of my own, it has been fun in all ways. I enjoy cooking for Me. I have the freedom to make anything I…

Tanishq Mia Ad

Well, there are some ads we all love and then there are those that don’t make any sense, no matter how many times you see them.

California Pizza Kitchen

It was Saturday evening when a friend- Av popped in Whatsapp and announced that CPK was opening the subsequent Monday. For those who are unaware, CPK is California Pizza Kitchen.

Peaches

How are you doing today? Just peachy! Well, this is what came to my mind when I heard of the pure vegetarian restaurant called Peaches.

Skywatch Friday … Racing ahead

It has been a week since I got back from a relaxed break. I spent a good 5days in Kochi with a friend and her family, doing nothing but unwinding.

S for Strangers..

This post is not about strangers strangers, it is about familiar faces who are strangers! No, I am not referring to friends who have become strangers, am talking about faces…

This Monday… dont judge

Pan Asian, ITC Grand Chola

I was looking forward to the day like a child anticipating a special gift. The day was going to be packed, that much I knew!

Daal Makhani Courtesy GITS

I went over to my grandparents place after about a week and noticed a package sitting on the side shelf where post is normally kept.

Vijaya Forum Mall- The Food Court – Squeeze

After gorging on yummy food from Sbarro, Sammy Sosa and Moti Mahal Delux, we were all set to wind up for the evening when suddenly 2 glasses of chocolate milkshake…

Vijaya Forum Mall- The Food Court – Moti Mahal Delux

You thought we were done? No way… 1st was Sbarro and then came Sammy Sosa, and then we attacked Moti Mahal Delux. I have eaten at the outlet in Nungambakkam…

Vijaya Forum Mall- The Food Court – Sammy Sosa

After sampling the pizzas and garlic bread from Sbarro, next up was Sammy Sosa. The tag line in the stall said “Chennai gets its own Mexico”.I wondered how different the…

Vijaya Forum Mall- The Food Court – Sbarro

This was my 2nd or 3rd visit to Vijaya Forum mall, and 2nd visit to the Food court. The 1st time I was here with a friend and her son…

N for New Address

After years of yearning After months of searching After hours of deliberating I have finally done it. I now have a new address. I have moved And now can proudly…

[Recipe] Tawa pulao

Last evening while out walking, suddenly it hit me.. I knew what I was going to make for lunch today [monday]. I quickly walked across towards More supermarket and bought…

This Monday………..LIVE

[Movie Halls] Inox

Here I come with a quick review about another movie theater in Chennai. This time I am talking about Inox Movies in Citi Center complex in Mylapore.

[Book] My Brother’s Wedding by Andaleeb Wajid

I came to know of Andaleeb Wajid through a friend when he sent me her book to read & review- Blinkers off. Since then we have been in touch through…

This Monday……….. choose wisely

Relishing The challenge- Fly like a bird

If you were to ask me- What is that one thing which when done you would say “ah that was what relishing the challenge was all about”?, I wouldn’t bat…

Skywatch Friday… Dutch live on

After ages, am back on the Skywatch Friday wagon today… All thanks to a conversation I had with a friend about Tranquebar. It has been over 2yrs since I was…

Relishing the Challenge- Chugging along the coast

It was around this time 5yrs ago when my friend called asking if I would like to go to Goa? I was excited and replied “ofcourse”.

[Recipe] Quick Fix Pasta

I had been busy cleaning up the house, and other chores that it completely slipped my mind that I had to cook lunch. Only when I was talking to a…

Moti Mahal Delux, Chennai

This was my 2nd or 3rd visit to the restaurant and I have always enjoyed the experience. As you walk/drive down the road next to Signoraa on Nungambakkam high Road…

Relishing the Challenge- Race home

Invariably every week I manage to meet up with this gang of friends. We either meet for a cup of coffee or dinner or a movie.

This Monday……….. Stand out

Sunday Lunch- Noodles, Schezuan style

I stood there in the kitchen wondering what to make for lunch when the doorbell rang. Glad to get away from the fridge and stove, I answered the door to…

Relishing the Challenge- Braving the storm

During a recent movie meet with friends, we were talking about going on a road trip to Goa. Then came the discussion of when is a good time to hit…

Relishing the Challenge- Up the Mahasu Peak

I was in my 1st yr of college, infact it had been about 3months since college began when we came to know there was a trip being planned to the…

Relishing the challenge- (mis)Adventure

There I was, in 6th Standard when our class teacher announced we were going to do something different the next day. It was Saturday, we normally had school -full day.

Travelling made fun with Coupondunia.in

So, it has been a few months since I took off anywhere. The itch has been around, the yearning to get away but just been tied down with too much…

Food Trials at Wok a Toque

Practice makes perfect, right? And this phrase applies to pretty much every aspect of life, so why food be left out. Restaurants these days test the waters before opening the…

Save as you shop with CouponDunia.in

This year promises to bring about some big changes in my life. The 1st of which has been my moving to a place of my own.

[Movie Halls] Ega theater

Second in my movie hall series comes Ega Theater. I like this theater for no reason but for the fact that it is closeby home.