New Website!

Hi guys! Sorry for the lack of updates! I've been working on about 5 completely different blog posts at once while considering my options about updating the blog. I don't know about you, but I'm kind of tired of Blogger. So, I've decided to shift over to Wordpress! My new website is www.ribbonsandbowsxoxo.wordpress.com so go there to see my work from now on. All my previous posts are going to remain here for at least a little while longer, but they are available to view on Wordpress as well. Plus, I have several posts coming up soon! To keep updated more regularly check out my Instagram ribbonsandbows18

Anagha C.

update

Just a little update on what's going on with my life and my blog. Basically, I'll be in the US for the next month or so, about 5 more weeks. So I'll be traveling a bit (road trips here and there) which I'll be documenting on my Instagram (as long as I have phone service--work with me T-Mobile!). Plus, I'll be going around downtown Boston in the next week hopefully, and doing a couple of photo shoots there as well, as long as I don't get embarrassed--fingers crossed! I know I keep promising outfit posts, but with packing for the US, clearing up my hostel room in India, and then settling down while dealing with all the construction going on at home, I've been way to busy. Now that I've finally come to the US, everything in India is done, and I've been here for about a week so everything is settled down here but we are going to have guests at home for the next week or two so combine that with constant renovations and I still might be busy for the next week, but I should be able to squeeze in a few shoots. I recognize that you guys like my "inspired by" posts, so if you have any requests for celebrities whose clothes you like then email me or comment or even post on Instagram. I'm thinking Gigi Hadid for my next "inspired by" post and I'll do a photo shoot for that maybe. Let me know what it is that you guys want by commenting!

Anagha C.

a few hair care products

Recently my dad came from the U.S. bearing gifts! Okay, not gifts but rather things that I had requested. Some shampoos and conditioner, along with a few other hair care products that you don't get as easily in Mumbai but I have managed to find a few places you can try your luck. I've also included a few items I have purchased in Mumbai itself so these items are definitely accessible.

Organix Shampoo

This is a brand I have used and loved for the past few years, and since they have such a wide variety of products you can keep switching it up with your shampoo so your hair doesn't become used to the formula, plus, there are no sulfates! Currently I'm using the Moroccan Argan Oil Luxurious Creme, most recently I have used the Moroccan Argan Oil and Coconut Milk shampoos. The formula is great, the smell makes me feel like my hair is super squeaky clean (a definite plus in this horrible heat) but also it doesn't smell too chemically.

Availability: I have seen this at Wellness Forever Chemists, and at Beauty Hub in Bandra (across the street from Smoke House Deli near Linking Road and Pali Naka.

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Smooth 24HR Frizz Reduction

I usually use the regular 3 minute conditioner, but my mom decided to send me a new conditioner this time, and I have to say, it's been working quite well. I use this before shampooing my hair so that all the knots come out, and every other day I'll use this at the end of the shampoo-condition cycle. Try it out if you want a new conditioner!

Availability: I do not know where you will get this in Mumbai but you might try Amazon.

Selsun Blue Shampoo

I use this for dandruff and to prevent skin infections. In this heat I find that my scalp is sweating a lot, especially in my sleep, so I use this to prevent bacteria from forming in my hair, since it's extremely strong and has sulfides in it. I usually use this 2-4 times a week, which is more than recommended but I'd rather have slightly damaged hair than dandruff or an infection.

Availability: Again, I recommend trying Amazon as I have not seen a product like this in Mumbai.

Neutrogena Triple Moisture Daily Deep Repair Conditioner

This is the best deep conditioner I have found, and from one of the most reputable companies. Everybody uses at least one Neutrogena product in the hair or skin care routine. I use this about 2-3 times a week after I shampoo my hair and leave it while I'm using a scrub or my usual body wash, then wash it out after 5 minutes.

Availability: This is available at Amazon.in for around 1000RS for 8.45 oz.

St. Ives Apricot Scrub

According to the instructions this is a face scrub, but I find it to be a bit thick, so for my face I mix a bit of this with any foaming cleanser and then wash my face with that. About 2-3 times a week I use this on my body to help get rid of the ingrowths leftover from my years of shaving. I have seen a reduction, but that's probably down to the combination of using the scrub and waxing semi-regularly, while I don't shave, it's still difficult to find time to wax.

Availability: I have purchased this from Beauty Hub in Bandra before.

BBlunt Intense Moisture Conditioner For Seriously Dry Hair

I decided to try this out after hearing about BBlunt and considering it's made specifically for Indian hair it seemed like a safe bet. Despite the cheap packaging/conditioner, the conditioner is good, and the spout helps you to use the right amount rather than squirting out more than you need, plus the container is designed with the spout on the bottom so no product goes to waste.

Availability: I purchased this from purplle.com which I highly recommend as I got a 20% discount with PayTM so it came down from 375RS to 300RS and it was delivered the next day itself, so no need to wait!

Schwarzkopf Heat Protection and Straightening Style Cream from the Styliste Ultime Collection

I usually use the CHI Iron Guard for heat protection, but that wasn't available so I asked my mom to pick another heat protection cream or spray and she got this. Schwarzkopf is a quality brand, and I've only used this a few times but so far I've liked it, and the smell is nice too, a bit like a hand cream!

Availability: I purchased this from the U.S. but I would suggest trying purplle.com , Amazon, or Beauty Hub in Bandra.

Beauty Hub:

Shop No 3, Kenwood Coop Housing Society Limited, Pali Naka, Ambedkar Road, Zig Zag Road, opposite Wellness Forever Chemist, Bandra (W), Mumbai-400050

Update: The Aussie conditioner and Selsun Blue Shampoo are both available on Amazon.in at around 1200RS. Note that any prices quoted may vary due to availability.

travel series: What to Wear When You're Traveling

Travel is the bane of our existence but at the same time its probably one of the best things in the world. When I travel from India to the US and back, I go by plane which usually involves a connecting flight somewhere here or there, or theres a possible train or shuttle situation to my final destination. Plus, the transit time is around 24-36 hours, again depending on my flights. Basically, it's a lot of traveling. And that means a lot of time spent in big airports and cold planes carrying around heavy bags. Since I'm going to be traveling for the next month or so I thought I would do a travel series, just a few tips and tricks that I like to use and a variety of topics. Hopefully this series will help you on your next vacation!

This first post will be about what to wear while you're traveling because that's a major issue and you should't start your vacation off on the wrong foot!

First off, I suggest you wear some thick and warm pants with a little bit of stretch. Something like a thick legging or stretch pants. My suggestion would be the North Face full length tights. They are warm thanks to the inner lining since North Face tights are made for hiking. Here is my suggestion:

Available here

I also suggest you wear a comfortable t-shirt and a jacket of some kind. Mostly I wear some kind of cotton shirt, rather than any button up shirt which becomes uncomfortable during long journeys. For the jacket I like to wear my leather jacket because it keeps me warm and by wearing it rather than having it take up space in my suitcase I have space for other things in my bag. Here are my suggestions:

Available here

Available here

Shoes are an important choice because while going through security you have to take your shoes off quickly while putting your liquids and laptop on the belt, so it becomes a bit frantic. I like to wear something simple like flats or Birkenstocks. However, last time while coming back to India I decided to wear my Hunter wellingtons that I had bought and was bringing back for the monsoon season. Even though it made the security process a little more difficult, it was worth it so that I could save space in my bag for things like food from home (Hunters are big and take up a lot of space!). It really depends on what you are bringing with you, so if you have large shoes that would take up a lot of space in your suitcase then I suggest that you wear them just to save on space, but if not then here are my suggestions:

Available here

Available here

There are a lot of accessories that are real necessities for you to bring on the plane. Probably the most important thing is a travel pillow because planes are really uncomfortable to sleep in, especially long haul flights. You should also wear a watch because in the plane you will most likely have your phone off, plus removing your phone from your pocket all the time at the airport almost guarantees that you will lose it. I suggest a light rubber type of watch so that it’s not bulky on your wrist, you don’t have to  remove it to go through security and it will be waterproof as well so no need to remove it while washing you hands and such. Another useful accessory is a pair of thick socks, especially if you have feet that easily get cold like me. If you have room, then along with the socks I suggest you bring a light pashmina or scarf, just something small and compact that you can use to keep you warm because even at the airport it gets cold. Also try and bring a US wall adapter so that if your flight has an outlet you can charge your phone. since the plugs are usually US outlets, or else bring a fully charged powerbank so that you can recharge your phone on the go. The final accessory that I suggest you carry, and I think the accessory that will complete your outfit, is a headband! In a cute and fun color, a headband not only helps you look put together but also will keep the hair off your face while you are busy corralling your bags throughout the airport. Definitely a plus in my book.

Available here

Available here

Available here

I hope you enjoyed the first part of this series on travel! Hopefully I'll find time within the next week or so to do a couple more posts with some exciting new things in store for you guys! Follow me on Instagram @ribbonsndbows

Anagha C.

restaurant review: Noodle Play and Wok Express

I decided to review these two restaurants together because they have similar concepts and food, but there are some slight differences. So in that spirit, I have reviewed the two in a compare/contrast style.

Overview

Noodle Play is a new delivery service in Mumbai with several locations, and an interesting concept in that they do not have sit down, only delivery. This means that they are an all internet restaurant, from the menu to the ordering process, everything is done online, which is great if you're like me and have a hard time ordering food on the phone in Hindi. They have a set daily menu as well as an ala carte menu from which you can select various individual items.

Wok Express is a "build-your-own-meal" concept, which is not unique in any way, but I found that the condiments they offer are a bit different as are the sauces. Their first location is open in Pali Hill and they will be opening two more locations soon. They do deliver as well as accept online orders. But, the thing that I found most exciting was that they served bubble tea! For those of you who don't know, bubble tea is a flavored drink which might be made of milk, with tapioca balls at the bottom. Guys, this is one of my favorite drinks in the world and I have never seen it in India! It's almost worth it to go here just for the bubble tea! And the food just adds to the experience, honestly.

Compare/Contrast

Both restaurants offer Chinese/Asian food, but in a more authentic style. Noodle Play offers a set menu for each day and an a la carte menu, but no option to choose your ingredients. On the other hand, Wok Express only offers the option to select your ingredients. This includes the usual; select your base amongst options of rice and various noodles, protein of veg and non veg, vegetables, sauce which includes a selection of kung pao sambal and even toban, and finally your garnish which might be cilantro peanuts or fried onions which are not so common. Now not everybody is confident enough to select their own ingredients which I know first hand having messed up many orders myself at "build-your-own-restaurants". So, it might be better to opt for Noodle Play, where you will get a set combination. However, in that case you will only have one veg and one non veg option per day. It really depends on the person and their taste, as it always is with food.

Food

To be honest, I liked the food from both restaurants. However, I think I found Wok Express to be a little bit yummier maybe because I got to choose my ingredients, so I wasn't forced to eat vegetables that I don't like. I ordered the following combination; large chicken combo with rice, kung pao, which is my favorite but I have not yet found any restaurant here that makes it properly, mushrooms, spring onions and a few more veggies. Most important were the toppings I picked which really gave the dish its flavor; the crushed peanuts and fried onions. This dish was incredible! I loved it so much, I honestly couldn't get enough until I bit into a chili which was too spicy for me and put me off my food for a bit. But really, the food was great and I highly recommend this restaurant if you like Chinese rice combos like me. We also tried the chicken bao from here which we found to be way lacking in filling and more in dough, which was so disappointing because I love bao. The boba tea did save the meal though, after the bao, but I would go for the Thai boba tea over the French vanilla boba tea which tasted way too strongly of vanilla bean.

Noodle Play sent over a few combinations, but since I like rice a lot better than noodles, I mainly stuck with the rice combo. The Thai curry combo here was excellent, but I think the coconut flavor should have been upped a bit. They also sent a Chinese gravy and rice combo, which was also good. For those of you who are health conscious, the food from Noodle Play had a lot less oil than usual Chinese food. Overall, I would recommend both restaurants. The food was good, and the choice depends on who is ordering, but if you are looking to be more health concious then I suggest Noodle Play, and for stronger flavors I suggest Wok Express.

Pricing

Noodle Play $$

Wok Express $$$

Seating

Noodle Play: no, seating is not available it is delivery only

Wok Express: yes, plenty of seating is available

Location

Noodle Play: list of locations here

Wok Express: list of locations here

Anagha C.

another break for exams

Guys, unfortunately I have to take another break for exams. Mostly I should be able to start posting from the 15th, and I have a couple of outfit posts that I plan on putting up, but it becomes a bit difficult without a lens kit for my iPhone (DSLRs are way too bulky to carry around) and no easy empty space to photograph in. People stare ALOT in India and find nothing rude in it. Couple that with my irritation at being stared at by random strangers and you've literally got a recipe for disaster. What can I say, I'm not an exhibitionist, except for when it comes to clothes. I am completely at ease wearing a tutu in the daytime and having people stare at me because at least then I know my outfit is to die for. Way off topic, sorry. Just thought I would inform you all. Plus, there are amazing sales at the malls right now so hopefully you all have been saving up your money! Anyways, I'll be out of service for the next few days but feel free to email me any requests for posts at ribbonsandbows18@gmail.com , add me on Instagram @ribbonsndbows and comment below!

Anagha C.

restaurant review: Wraps & Wings

Unbeknownst to me, this is actually a branch of a chain in London. But upon hearing that, I expected what I would usually expect from a foreign chain. Poor service and lesser flavors at a higher markup. Thank god, I was surprised by Wraps & Wings! Although I haven't actually visited the original chain in London, I have plans to go there on my next visit. But in the mean while I know that I have a location near me here in Mumbai to satisfy my cravings!

Now, onto the review itself!

I have ordered from here twice in the past 5 days. That in itself should tell you how much I have grown to like this place. The first time I ordered from here, I wanted to try many things so I ordered a bit too much. I got the chicken burger, wings, and strips which ended up being a lot but there were plenty of leftovers!

THE FOOD

Chicken Burger Meal:

This came with fries and a soda, so it was a proper meal. The fries were thick cut and came with a small salt packet so you could salt the fries to your taste. This is so much better than ending up with under salted or over salted fries that you would usually get at a fast food joint. The soda was in a bottle which is way better than the paper thin cups they give you at McDonalds or Burger King! As for the burger itself, oh my gosh. This thing was stuffed. Plenty of veggies, and the biggest bun I have seen in India so far. Even better was the fact that they didn't just fry up some pre made patty and throw it in there, they took a couple of chicken strips that were properly marinated and put them in the burger. So much better! Beyond doubt, this was the best chicken burger I have tasted in India so far and I highly recommend it.

Wings:

These were the biggest wings I have seen so far, and also the most "wing-like" wings. I selected the "Peri peri hot" option for the marinade and was expecting it to set my mouth on fire, but thankfully the marinade wasn't too spicy! It was just spicy enough to require the occasional sip of water, but not enough to warrant a glass of milk on the side. I would definitely recommend these, in fact three are more than enough for one person.

Strips:

I tried the "peri peri mild" for the marinade, and it was very different from the "hot peri peri", it tasted a bit more like a kebab, so I would go for this only if you want less of an authentic wings taste and more of a kebab, Indian style of chicken. I would definitely recommend these though, especially for those who don't like bones in their chicken, this is the option for you.

THE SERVICE

Delivery:

The delivery here is so prompt! If they say that they will get your food to you in half an hour, they are not lying! Plus, their delivery boys are courteous and not all disgruntled like they usually are, so tip them!

Service:

The first time I ordered, I used the Zomato ordering app, but the second time I called up on the phone. The guy who takes your order is extremely courteous and he even called the next day to keep my name and number together for the next time I ordered. Now that is quality service!

Packaging:

This is important especially during the monsoon because you don't want your food to get dirty or wet on its way to you. They delivered everything nearly in bags and had brought the food in a travel lunch bag which was reassuring. Even the dips they provided were individually taped to provide protection from any spillage. Major plus points for keeping it all clean!

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

I would definitely recommend that you give this place a try, just be aware that their portions are large so don't go overboard in ordering! Maybe if you are have a small get together or party it would be cost-effective to order from here, not to mention quite tasty!

CONTACT

1&2, Bhakti Park, Wadala, Mumbai 400037

02230150838

Anagha C.