Bath and Body Works Pink Chiffon Body Creme

Hello Beauties!!!

Hope you had an extra LOVEly weekend... I had an amazing time and was sad to see the weekend get over so soon.

If i ever want to be a color i'll be.... wait for it.... PINK... Bee(my sis) calls me pink obsessed and i guess i am... most of my clothes are pink, shoes, bags, etc, etc are pink... And dad used to tease me saying if given the chance i would even paint my teeth pink... ha ha ha.

I got this cream as a part of a small gift package my SIL sent from the U.S. When i opened the packet, i was a bit disappointed.... I already have so many creams and body lotions.... but i opened the tube, took a whiff and BOOM my mind changed.. Its the best smelling cream ever. Nothing is going to replace it. Never. I cant describe how good it smells. I've used a few of the B&BW signature scents and i can confidently tell u that this is by far the best.

What Bath and Body Works Pink Chiffon Body Lotion Claims:

Our exclusive Signature Collection Body Lotion is fortified with powerful ingredients like super conditioning Shea Butter, fast absorbing Jojoba Oil and protective Vitamin E to hydrate skin with moisture that lasts all day. Our non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and completely to leave skin feeling incredibly soft, smooth and nourished, making it the perfect daily moisturizer.

• Our exclusive Pink Chiffon is a light-as-air pairing of soft pink petals & vanilla chiffon icing.
• Key Fragrance Notes: Sparkling Red Pear, Vanilla Orchid and Whipped Chiffon Musk.

My Description: 

It's very hard to describe this scent, when you smell it form the tube it all floral and fruity but when you start applying, it morphs into a sweet soft delicate scent that lingers on through out the day. Trust me, if you don't suffer from B.O like me then you don't need a perfume when you put this cream. The texture is very good and its easily absorbed.

Price:

USD 11

Availability:

It's available online.

I highly recommend this to anyone who loves sweet floral complex scents. 

I cant wait for my dad to go to Dubai next month, i'll ask for the Pink Chiffon Shower gel, body lotion, mist and the hand sanitizers... :)

Here's how the conversation went:

Dad: I'm leaving to Dubai next month, will be there for 3 days..

Me: Dad make sure u go to the B&BW store like u did last time, it's in L1, in between Boots and Faces(yes i know this by heart).

Dad: You think i'm going there to shop?

Me: (Pretending not to hear) Whatsapp me the pics of the pocketbac holders ok daddy? I'll start making the list.

Dad: (shaking his head)You and you're lists... Im going there on a business trip, i wont have the time... starts saying his itinerary which is like... airport-hotel-office-hotel-airport.

Me: Cant u squeeze in two hrs daddy, for me? Your firstborn? Sometimes i get very dramatic.

Dad doesn't say anything goes down to the hall to inform mom.

Dad: R.K i'm leaving to dubai.. 3 days next month.

Mom: Ok pa. Get dates, dates syrup, Quinoa, toys for Candy and i want 5 liters of Japanese Cherry Blossom Body Lotion from B&BW. Im crazy of that scent. (seriously she said 5 litres) 

Dad: Ok done.

And he laughed seeing the look on my face. MEN... Im giving up trying to figure them up....

T.C

Lovlyn.V

What was in my Best of Fab Bag 2013???

I know this post is a tad too late but still............On returning home back from Kenya, I was surprised to see that Velvette/Fab Bag had reached it's one year anniversary. And so I ordered the Best of 2013 Fab Bag online and waited eagerly for the package to arrive.

And it arrived twenty days after i ordered it and i ran to open it....

Have a peek at what's inside!!!!

When i saw this i was so excited, esp with the face packs and the shampoo and conditioner... :)

Top L-R: I love... coconut, strawberry, mango face mask 15ml sachets, Nail art stickers(i forgot which brand)

Bottom L-R: Votre Pore Shrinking Toner, Brocato Curlin interrupted shampoo, Nature's Co Lavender Body Lotion and Motives Makeup Palette.  

In the middle: Flomar Lipstick shade no 46.

 The card that came along with it  said that the Motives palette cost Rs.3000/- UNBELIEVABLE...

The pics of the lipstick swatches didnt come out so well... They're are a bright fiery red and i dislike the texture of it..

I've used the shampoo and the conditioner and they're a failure as well.

Likes:

1. The face masks.... yummy... and they leave the skin smooth and supple. And the smell is AMAZING.

2.  The body lotion is the perfect size to be carried in my handbag...

Dislikes:

Everything else

Price:

1099/-

Would i Subscribe?

NO.

I subcribed to Envy Box... Lets see what they have in store for me...

Until then... Enjoy this month of love with you're loved ones...

Lovlyn.V

Marks & Spencer's Magnolia Hand and Nail Creme

On my last visit to Forum Mall, i slipped into M&S just to look at their "cosmetic" section and it was worth the time. The SA's were friendly and they dont slink behind u like a shadow. Ok let me confess something.... I have a severe addiction.... An Addiction only to Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizers.... The ONLY downside to it is that it leaves u with very dry hands. And M&S's Hand creme comes to the rescue.

It is named after a beautiful white flower...

I love this cream, it makes my hands soft and the smell is so mild and soothing. Even as I type, it's right next to my computer and i reapply it often.

Yays:

• A beautiful scent that lingers for a while,
• Inexpensive.... Rs.199/-
• Leaves my hands smooth and it really strengthens my nails,
• Easily absorbed as the cream is very light,
• Lovely packaging,
• Hygienic and can be carried in you're bag.

Nays:

• Cant think of any...

Would I Repurchase?

Yes... they have other fragrances. Rose and Lavender. 

P.S: Flower pic is from Google Images

I also picked up a few other things, reviews coming soon. 

T.C

Lovlyn.V

Empties - Jan 2014

Before my trip to Kenya, I packed away most of my skin care/ makeup stuff and stored them away carefully. After i came back I started using it again as they all had about a year to expire. I'm happy doing this post as it gives me a sense of satisfaction that I'm not wasting money.

1. Lakme Eyeconic Kajal:
I'm in love with this kajal... It's amazing... kudos to Lakme for coming out with this wonderful product. I bought the Loreal kajal and didn't like it as much... cant wait for it to get over so i can run and buy this one again.
Would I repurchase?
Absolutely... Black and brown.. Requesting Lakme to come out with a plum colored one...

2. Oriflame Coconut & Ricemilk Hair Mask:
This is also somthing i loved so much that this is my 2nd container, i took it to Africa and i credit this and coconut oil for me coming back with some sparse hair on my head. It smells damn good and leaves you're hair soft and shiny.
Would I repurchase?
In a jiffy....

3. Oriflame Milk & Honey Sugar Scrub:
This is the best scrub i've ever used... the smell, consistency, quantity and the price impressed me very much. it's also my second tube.
Would I repurchase?
Yes... After i finish the new scrub i've bought (review coming up)

4. Avon Naturals Strawberry and White Chocolate Body Lotion:
I bought this just for the name... and i loved it. Light fruity fragrance, easily absorbed, price, etc, etc
Would I repurchase?
No... i have too many body lotions to use up.

5. TBS Spiced Vanilla Body Scrub
I hate this scrub, i abhor it. The black particles in it don't dissolve at all, even after you poured copious amount of water it stubbornly refuses to leave you're body. And then you'd have to clean the bathroom floor because it gets stuck on the floor and this is the final straw... you're towel gets messy... esp if you're using a light colored one, read pink. It was a struggle for me to finish this one and i'll have to admit it that Mom used it a bit and she didnt like it as well.
Would I repurchase it?
HELL NO

So what are you're empties this month?
Have a nice week end!!!
Lovlyn,V

Rave: I love..... Strawberries & Milkshake Body Butter.

How many of us agree that certain smells invoke memories? Let me see your hands.... In Kenya the smell of freshly cut coriander leaves would take me back in an instant to my mom's kitchen and the yummy food that she prepared for me and i would be grumpy the whole day..... wishing i could Apparate all the way to Chennai, eat her food and be back.

When i opened this container i was immediately transported to 2003... going on long rides in my then-boyfriend-now hubby's car, I was then wearing Lakme Fundamentals Strawberry Body Creme and as soon as i got in.... he would ask "What's that smell?" wrinkling his nose.... "Is it that bad?" i'd ask.... "No no... its nice, u smell like strawberry ice cream" he would say grinning.....

I love this body butter... it's amazing and for its price, the quality is perfect... I bought this from purplle.com during GOSF and i do not regret it one bit.

Description:

Don't you want to just grab it and run.... Btw i write the expiry date in the front.... its not going to last until december of this year because its already half empty... I live in Chennai and this can be used only during the cooler months(Nov & Dec) and i'm keen on finishing it by mid feb as it's already getting hot here.

It has the mild smell of freshly squeezed strawberries and the texture is thick and creamy. Once applied it will leave you're skin feeling amzingly soft and smelling yummy. And you need not reapply it again (I tested this by scratching my arm after nine hrs and there were no white lines ) For a pink lover like me the color of the body butter is an added bonus, it's of the lightest shade of pink.

Yays:

• Smells amazing and the fragrance lasts a while,
• Moisturizes all day long, absolutely no need of reapplying,
• Neatly packaged... i know some of you might find it unhygienic but if you're a hand sanitizer lover like me then you have no problem and i find it therapeutic this way. :)
• A little thick and takes time to absorb(notice this is not a con, since rubbing vigorously promotes better circulation and makes you're skin glow)
• Inexpensive... Rs.229 for 200 ml 

Nays:

• Contains Parabens

My rating:

5/5..... Clap Clap Clap....

Would I Repurchase? 

Definitely.. but only next Sept as Chennai is toooooooo hot for a body butter...

Psssttt:

I felt that this was much better than TBS's body butters but i know many of you would beg to differ...

Till next time.... 

Lovlyn.V

THE BIG REVEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Before/After pics included)

Please bear with me this is going to be a looonnnngggggg post......

Jambo everyone.....

That's how they say Hi in ki Swahili.... Well today i would like to put a face to the author of this blog........ OOOOHHHHHH my hands are cold and trembling as i type.... I'm afraid as to how the readers will react.... I'm not beautiful........... except to my husband(who tells me that even before we met that he always had a thing for dusky curvy girls........ a pucca pucca tamil guy i guess...) and my Dad who always tells me that i'm the prettiest in our entire Kathir Parambil Royappan Clan which consists of like 125 members and counting.... and i just nod and try hard not to giggle at the expression of Bee(my younger sister) because he's my dad and i'll always be his chellam... or as he calls me (guddy) short of gudiya...........

Before i put the pic.......... here a few "Terms & Conditions" :)

• Don't judge....... (You're not entitled to do that)
• I'm writing this blog for me and the posts i share here are my personal views.
• I need not be Anna Wintour or Mickey Contractor to write about fashion or makeup
• There might be things here in this blog(my experiences in Africa) that some might feel unsettling but Boo-freakin-Woo, life is not all pink glittering fluffy clouds.... It's gray and rusty sometimes.....
• And finally for all you haters out there.... Your life sucks that is why you make other's lives miserable so I-Dont-Care.

Well here's the before:
Weight: A big whooping 112 kgs...

The biggest question will be............... How did I get to this weight?

Well I've always been a chubby child........ When I was in College I was a reasonable 66 kgs(i can many gasps.... that's also overweight some say but here in Chennai it's not)... It all went downhill when i went to study PG in Pune.... The surroundings, being away from home, etc, etc.... made me get "the freshman pounds" i was 75 when i came back and got married. Then the "after marriage bliss" added another 8 kgs....

It all started going further downhill when i suffered a miscarriage and that started in me a severe bout of depression. I didn't care as to what i was eating... I didn't exercise... i became lazy... i simply stopped caring... My weight ballooned and my confidence shrank......... I stopped going out and meeting friends, me who loved going to weddings, faked sickness and started staying in bed.

My family was so worried.... dad tried talking sense to me but i just didn't bother... my husband was my entire strength.... he never once talked cruelly commenting on my appearance nor was he ashamed of taking me out........ but he was so worried about my health......

It was during the birth of my beautiful niece Candy that i secretly stole away to the digital weighing machine in the hospital and climbed on it after years.... Heart pounding.................        112.......................        I was trembling and gasping for air......... I knew i had to do something............. God may not have blessed me with a child but he gave me a beautiful niece and i wanted to live long and watch her grow........ i wanted to be the best Aunt for her............

And that's when the call to go Africa came..... and i decided to go after my hubby and dad agreed. I cried so much that i'll be missing out the best months of Candy's life.... every time she smiled at me..... i would start sobbing....... but i hardened my heart and i went....

On arriving there i realized that this was a God-Sent Opportunity............ I would secretly start losing weight and surprise my family... and so it began... the journey was filled with sweat (lots of it), tears(much much more) and blood(don't even want to go there) and it was a struggle.... Here's what I did.......

• I took a leaf out of my Mom's book and i became a VEGAN..... Yes you're reading correctly... me a Malayali/Tamil Christian girl gave up chicken, mutton, fish, eggs, milk and curd.
• I took only two meals a day. (Breakfast/Lunch)
• I stopped eating in between completely... Nothing in between... not even a fruit or a peanut... Nada... Zilch...
• I drank 4lts of water with lemons squeezed into it every single day
• I took very long walks.... the Hills of Shimba would still be echoing with my deep breaths... :)
• And i did FARMING...notice that i did not say gardening because what i did was 4hrs of farming everday... It was compulsory... 70 acres of land.... and we produced our food... I cant tell you the satisfaction of eating the fruit of your labour... Ladies finger, cabbage, brinjals, Zucchini, Kale, onions, spring onions, tomatoes, pumpkins, herbs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, casava(a variety of tapioca), etc, etc were some of the things we harvested.
• I woke early and went to bed early...
• And everday i never gave up... I always pictured a thinner me jumping into my hubby's arms in the airport whooping in delight....

The first month i lost 6kgs....  I stayed there for 6 months and lost 32 kgs.....

Here's the After pics:

This pic was taken exactly after 21 days of me arriving..... The very next day i landed i was admitted in the Hospital for 20 days due to gallbladder stones (according to the doctors the weight loss was to blame)......
My hair was so bad ,the African sun and wind taking its toll along with some very strong antibiotics including Morphine because the pain would not subside even after six hours(even after giving painkillers) during which i screamed that i would have delivered triplets normally(seriously the pain was that bad), that my Mom made me go to Naturals the minute i stepped into the house after being discharged from the Hospital...

Yep....... That's Candy on my hips... She's one year and six months old and I adore her... She calls me Penna. (Short of Perima(her mother's elder sister)) And she can speak about 300 words, recite around 14 rhymes, hold conversations and sing in multiple languages (English, tamil, malayalam, hindi and i taught her a Swahili song) I'm not lying nor am i boasting it's the truth.




Hope this post encourages everyone.... more new things coming up... until next time... bye ladies.....


P.S: My husband was shocked....... Dumbfounded, gob smacked when he saw me come out of Chennai Airport in a black and white dress... He did not know what to say and he kept glancing at me every two seconds on the drive home... My dad hid the tears slipping out beneath his specs, mom was openly sobbing in joy, Bee was laughing and crying at the same time, Sam(my BIL) patted me on my shoulders multiple times but i had eyes only for Candy.... I said Candy baby girlu ma and she jumped into my arms.... (you see i spoke to her everyday on the phone)...What more could i ask for??????

This pic was taken on new years eve.... my very first selfie.... I still have a long way to go... my aim is to reach into the 60 kgs...  On June 3 i.e Candy's second birthday I want to be 68 kgs.. or 66kgs ..... and I will be.. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE....
  

I AM BACK....

Hi everyone..... 

I'm back..... back to this real world where there's internet 24 hrs... Yes i know that its a common thing.... but i'd like to take a moment here to pause and savor the feel of my brand-new-1-day-old computer.....

I was in Africa for the past year doing voluntary work in a remote part called Shimba Hills in Kenya.... AND the experience was life changing....

Will write about it in the next post....  I will still be doing reviews on makeup, books and WEIGHT LOSS....  I LOST 32 KGS......... 

I will be posting before and after pics as well...............

Ok i'm going to hit the gym now (i'm serious).... You see even after losing all that weight i'm still FAT... (Boo dash dash woo)

 Good bye my few handful readers....

That's the road leading to Shimba Hills....

P.S. Image Source.... Google Images..