12th International Trade Fair-Kolkata

Hi beauties!
After a series of reviews,I am getting a bit tired of them so just thought of sharing this little information that I am sure at least the Calcuttan Divas are aware of-12th International trade fair is on since 12th December and ends on 25th December.I am bit late about informing given that it's midway through the fair but it's weekend and it's never late for a trip to the fair.
Venue-Science City Ground,beside the Space theatre.
Time-11am to 9pm
Entry fees-Rs.20 per head
The easiest way to reach this place is a taxi or private car.It's damn hard to get a comfortable public transport to E.M.Bypass.The buses are almost always overcrowded(except the rare few A.C. Volvos like VS-2) and a caged-in-a-suffocating-bus experience is a must even if you are lucky to get a seat.It is bit more easier to reach the place if you live in north Calcutta or regions along the Bypass.Any bus that go via VIP road to places like Mukundapur,Baruipur even Jadavpur,Ruby hospital can take you there.
Now about the fair.There are 14 Pavilions this year-namely A-N each dedicated to a seperate section such as lifestyle,furniture,interior decoration,electronic gadgets,handlooms,cafeteria,processed food,and two pavillion entirely to Bangladesh exhibition.Other foreign countries include Myanmar,Thailand,Pakistan,Ghana,Egypt,and few more.
Pavilion A-handlooms and textiles from cottage industries of West Bengal.
This one comprised mainly of sarees and salwar suits and dress materials but the real attractions were the sarees.The assemble of so many different sarees under the same roof  was mind blowing for any saree lover(not my love though).For me,they were beautiful to look at but scary to wear.
Pavilion B-Lifestyle products from myanmar,thailand,Indonasia etc.
This is one of my favorite pavilion.The range of product is huge-from textiles to jewellery to cosmetics to decorative lanterns and interior decorative items.It is the cheapest,affordable pavilion and also there are offers.All the products-specially the jewelleries,and cosmetics are fashionable and cheap.I have heard that cosmetics in Singapore is cheap but really didn't believe that until seeing this pavilion.
Pavilion C-Furnitures
Pavilion D-Electronics
Pavilion E-Stationaries,paper,mable statues
Pavilion F-Interior decoration Items-THe first stall of fountains is beautiful
Pavilion G-Lifestyle products-Gym and sports equipments,leather items
Pavilion H-Cafeteria
Pavilion I and J-Processed Food
Pavilion K and L-Bangladesh
Pavilion M and N-International-Pakistan,Ghana,Egypt
After visiting the fair for the fourth time I had to conclude that it is a tempting place(As you can well guess given I endured a 30minutes bus ride and yet visited the place four times).My favorite one (and also tempting ones) were the whole pavilion B,The stationary product pavilion,Gym equipment pavilion and the fountains and asian art gallery stores(sorry I don't remeber the pavilion name for these).On the other hand side of the field I liked the processed food pavilion-there were pickles of every flavour you could think of and signature snacks of different states.
There were also beauty products,perfumes but I wasn't very interested in them.Partly because I am scared to try out new beauty products and of the sales agents who nag us like hell and also because they won't allow testing of the perfumes.My favorite stops are a cosmetics and jewellery stall in Pavillion B and another in pavilion G.The cosmetic stalls were negotiable-I don't know how that was possible unless the products were duplicate.But I couldn't resist picking up an eye-shadow palette and a combo pack of Eye-liner and Mascara.And guess what the palette was?The oh-so-crazed Urban Decay Naked 2!I was sure that it is a duplicate given that I got it for 700INR but still I couldn't resist it.But after trying it at home I don't care even if it is a fake because it performs far better than those palettes available in Indian brands or any brand found in India.I always hated picking up individual eye shadows and searched and searched for a decent eye-shadow palette at stores(I find ordering online and paying in dollars too complicated and then there is always a question of security).My next pick was Miss Five Collosal 2-in-1 Eye liner and mascara-A combo containing an eyeliner and a mascara for 250INR.The eyeliner is really good-waterproof,quick-dry,smudge-proof and doesn't crack but the mascara is not that great-not waterproof and the brush is also not upto the mark.I got the Urban decay palette at the store in pavilion B and the eyeliner-mascara in pavilion G.The best part is that I even got a goat-milk soap for free with the palette and even that one is great.Apart from these I got two pairs of studs which looked so bright and antique.Here are the pictures of the things I bought but I couldn't get pictures of the fair as I was too busy ogling around and forgot all about taking pictures. :P

  The detailed reviews will soon Follow,till then stay tuned and keep reading!
And have a nice day ahead!

A Shopaholic's Journal

Hi buddies!
With the undercurrent of festivities in every respect in the winds of Kolkata and the hearts of every bengali allover the world,it is hard not to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the upcoming festivals.Closely follwing the durga pujas,it is the laxmi puja,then diwali(kali puja for bengalis),then "bhai-fota" and what not!
The whole annual calendar seems to be burdened by more festivals and celebration than the number of days!Being a bengali,this is more of a confession that we need just a occasion to celebrate and have fun.Be it the durga puja or Eid or Christmas we are always ready to celebrate the day.And of course,celebrations are almost always accompanied by new clothes,accesories,jeweleries,cosmetics,and the list is just endless.By the time one realize,the purse becomes empty.Everytime we think that "its enough",something or the other item required crops up in our mind and becomes a absolute necessity in no time..
I have never been much of a shopaholic.In fact a couple of years back I hardly ever shopped.I would randomly pick up any apparel of my size and any jewellery in the nearest shop which has become a acquainted destination.Going beyond that limits,combing through the city for finding the best of things in the least of price seemed a huge headache.I was first introduced to the streets and "happening" destinations of Kolkata by my boyfriend on our dates.He is just my opposite when it comes to dressing sense.While I would randomly pick up anything that fits my size averagely usually from shops like Max,BIg bajaar where every piece has at least 20 more duplicates in various size he would search for days even for the perfect fitting shirt,in the most unique and flattering checks that would suit him the best.Really some pateince he has got! :P
Going out with him slowly transformed my ideas about fashion as well which was limited within the air conditioned mall.It is because I soon discovered that some of the streets of Kolkta in particular provides us much more options and variations compared to the malls.
My today's update is,as u can guess,about all these infamous streets and alleys of Kolkata.I won't claim myself an expert on this matter.In fact compared to many calcuttan beauties,I am really a novice specially since I am not really in love with the experience of roaming the streets and window shopping in the humidity of Kolkata and pushing through the crowds. But I do hope this might be helpful to those who are even more novice about the streets of Kolkata.
North Kolkata:
One of the most busy crossing of north Kolkata is Syambajar.It is the crossing of  five roads marked by the dominating statue of Netaji.It derived its name from a big market in the area called Charles Bajaar by Howell.The present name was coined by Shobharam Basak in honour of Shyam Rai,the attendant of Goddess Kali.

Syambajar crossing of the five roads-dominated by a statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose
Image coutsey-Google Images

The five roads lead from the focal point to different significant regions of the city.The growth and developement around this region chiefly worked as inspiration behind the construction of this main roads that are intricately linked by many "shortcut" lanes.Today these roads are called R.G.Kar Road,Central Avenue(or Bhupen Bose Avenue),Bidhan Sarani,Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road(Upper Circular Road),and the last one leading towards Dunlop.
Some of the buses leading to Shyambajar from various regions are 219,3C/2,3C/1,91.227,93,30D,
30E(from R.G.Kar road), 211A,215,215A(from VIP Road via Lake town along Jessore Road),240,3,93,39A/2(From central Avenue),227,3C/1,some private buses,30D,30E(from APC road).
Bidhan Sarani: According to me and I am sure most calcuttans will agree,this is the most happening stretch among the five roads.This stretch begins with one of the most thriving,popular and cheapest market region of Kolkata and leads to some of the heritage destinations like College street,Indian Coffee house,College Square,and many more.Also many colleges are situated along this stretch like Scottish Church,Bethun College,Vidyasagar College,Presidency University,Chittaranjan College,South city college,St.Paul's etc.Some of the most frequent buses in this routh are 219,3C/2,240,47B etc.Since this street is such a popular destination specially before the pujas,transport facilities are hardly ever a problem.
This is chiefly the street in north Calcutta that will dominate my post today.The portion of the stretch nearer to Shyambajaar is called Hatibagaan-it is quite a long stretch that consists of huge variety of shops for daily necessities to junk jewelleries,bags,shoes,clothes,home decors from local industries to brands like Khadims,City Mart,Leather World and many more.Starting from Shyambajaar the left footpath is dominated by mainly textiles(clothes,tops,dress material shops),bed sheets etc.This region is the house of many good shops for dress materials.A recommended shop would be Sampad along this stretch.The prices are reasonable.The shops on the footpath stock huge collections at really cheap price but it is not at all a good idea to buy from these places i you are looking for quality products.Most of the kurtis,tops sold here are too small for even an average built beauty.
A girl's dreamland can be the footpaths and markets on the right hand side from Shyambajaar.the shops before the tram depot mainly consist of utensils,fancy home decors,cutleries,bags for almost every purpose but it is advisable to ingore the first few shops from Shymbajaar side if you are looking for bags,clutches.These are the shops which are solitary and away from the crowd of similar shops and hence are always quoting a unreasonably high price compared to the quality.Beside being the City of Joy Kolkata is also perhaps the abode of best bargainers in the world and these shopkeepers seem to understand that sentiment.You can never manage something at a fair and reasonable price from them without a good argumentative capacity but then,it is useless denying the satisfaction one experiences when you something even minimum from a bargaining bout.A landmark point t this region is the "chaat" stall outside the tram depot from where the trams move out.It is a famous stop for all shoppers here.The shops beyond this are a mix of junk jewelleries,shoes and bags.However the best shops are after crossing the Star Theatre.These shops have some of the most beautiful and unique jewelleries if you have the patience to comb through all of them.And as tradition of all shopkeepers of the city they will tell you a abnormal price to begin with.You have to bargain and bring it down.Approximately the fair price is always 1/3rd of the amount they quote for heavy jewelleries and 1/2 in case of medium ones.As for those below INR50 you can still bargain and reduce it to as low as 25INR which is fun!I used to hate bargaining  but it is sort of addictive though I can't still brag about being a pro in this art.Some shops are solely for earrings.A really good one with variety of collections is the one in front of Senco gold showroom.However this guy hardly ever surrender to a bargain but then you just won't be able to resist the collections here.In fact the further you go within the markets the better thing you can get.Here is a specimen of something that I got from here:

A sea shell neckpiece.This was a singular piece(i was sure because I had already roamed the stretch of approx 5km to and fro twice scutinising every jewellery shop for a nice and heavy statement piece)The shopkeeper that asked for Rs. 350 but ulmately gave it for a bargain of 180 rupees :D

This is all for today,coming up next day is a details on central Kolkata-the busiest shopping destination with regards to availability,brands,varieties and the up to date attitude towards trends.till then.good night and take care..

DIY ideas and durga puja

Hi friends!
Good morning to all!
Being a bengali,I can't simply wait for our most awaited celebration of the year-Durga Puja. It's a day more than three weeks to go and the celebrations will begin.
I find the divine ideas related to the puja very simple-triumph of good over evil and worship of woman power.These four days are actually the only time when Goddess Durga comes to stay with her parents in the year.While worship of durga was actually meant to be done during winter season(pardon me for I cannot remember the exact name of that ritual),the more popular ritual is the one during springtime called "akalbodhan".According to Hinduism,this ritual was first done by Rama.The main four days of the puja are saptami,asthami,nabami,dashami though the countdown begins from mahalaya ans ends with dadashi.

The fun and anticipations related to the four days of the pujas actually begin from the last day of the previous year celebration. Specially in Kolkata,the hype is enormous.Everything begins with the obvious shopping spree,then extensive planning of the route for pandal hopping on each day,scheduling the plan with different groups like a day for family,another for friends,one (or maybe more :P)for boy/girlfriend(or 'friends' ;)),whole-night pandal hopping day,and last but the most important-consistently looking your best through each day and night of the puja. Thanks to the moderately new trend of theme-based pujas,the actual four days of the puja has been extended to eight.The extension is obviously welcome but at the same time it has made grooming much more difficult.Come on!Can you think of any magic even to maintain a fresh look despite running in and outdoors the whole week and even staying up for quite a few nights??

To be truthful,there is simply no way in which you can consistently look fresh through these days except taking a break for couple of days in between and minimising your night programmes perhaps to just one night.I know what I am suggesting might be an outrageous prospect to many of us(even to myself),so we seek for alternatives that might help us to some extent to hide those hideous dark circles,frizzy or limp hair and what not!
 As some wise person had once suggested,prevention is better than cure.We can apply the same theoury here.If you manage to consistently take care from sometime earlier,it will be easier to maintain the look through these days.Today I am going to suggest some of the things that I know and use.Many of us might know all these already and maybe some more.Do feel free to share them trough your valuable comments.
Lets begin with the skin.A glowing skin can drastically change the whole appearance.The first and foremost necessity for the skin is proper hydration.if you are not in the habit then begin drinking a minimum of 12glass of water per day.Then dedicatedly follow a regular program of cleansing,toning and moisturizing and exfoliating for 3-4 times a week.
Here are some DIY ideas that you can use:

• Home-made toner-(every skin type)

Juice of one cucumber and one lemon and rose water.Grind the cucumber and squeeze out the juice in a cup,add the lemon juice and 3tbsp of rose water.Next refrigerate and freeze this solution.Use this ice cubes as toner.After cleansing,just wrap the ice cube in a clean cotton cloth and lightly rub it on the face.You can put it back in the freeze and use it again.this cubes can be used for as long as 2 months.

• Home-made toner (oily skin)

Rose water and vinegar.mix equal amount of both and keep in a bottle.Shake well before every use and use as you use your regular toner.It also cleanses any residue dirt left after cleasing.The only drawback is the smell.The smell of vinegar overpowqer the smell of rose water.

More DIYs coming up.This is all for today.Keep reading for more and stay well and stay pretty!