When Your Hair Catch Fire!

Last night as I tried to lull myself to sleep after a long day, I played this memory in my mind for the millionth time. This particular memory from my school days holds a special place in my heart. My best friend often brings this up and we end up laughing like absolute idiots every single time. I thought, why not put this dear memory of mine on the blog for you folks to read!

I am talking about the year 2005 when I was in the Tenth grade. As per the rules, I had to tie back my long hair in 2 braids/plaits. I did have one picture of myself all dolled up in school uniform. I tried finding it but now it's just not there where I kept it. Anyway, back to the story.

Our SSC examinations were to begin in March. One fine morning of January, our class teacher Miss L took the entire class to the Science Lab for revision. We were free to pick an experiment. I choose to conduct this small experiment again where we had to heat the alum in a tiny crucible over the spirit lamp until it loses its water of crystallization and turned amorphous. There was nothing fancy about it. It's just that I didn't get it right the first time. Hence given a chance, I chose to do it again.

I was a chatterbox during my school days. I couldn't sit quiet for a second. I would either talk, make faces, make eye expressions or giggle with my bestie all the time! That day my bestie was standing on my right side as I was setting up the apparatus for the experiment. I put the tripod stand in place and the wire gauge on top of it. I placed the crucible containing a crystal of alum over the wire gauge and then set the spirit lamp underneath it. I lighted the lamp as I was talking to a girl standing on the other side of the platform, conducting her experiment. I happened to lean in a bit to hear what she was saying better and I don't know how the end of my right plait got stuck in the wire gauge. The girl I was talking to let out a loud shriek with an expression so horrible that it scared the hell out of me. For a second, I was like WTF? I was looking at her amused at the same time!

The next moment she shouted, Manju your hair are on fire! I backed off involuntary in utter horror and the wire gauge got pulled off from its place, causing the tripod stand to collapse as it hit the spirit lamp. The lamp went rolling along the platform leaking spirit and setting it on fire. A classmate quickly got hold of the lamp and put it off. The crucible shattered into pieces as it hit the cold floor. The lump of alum was nowhere to be seen. As I was witnessing the horror with my frenzied eyes, my bestie was blowing over the fire engulfing the ends of my hair in an attempt to put it off. She finally used her hands and the fire was gone! So much to happen in just 10 seconds!

Everyone had quit what they were doing to gather around and witness my stupidity! Sixty pairs of eyes staring at me at the same time; most of them in shock while the rest in pure disgust. I had never garnered so much attention all my life! Miss L was so shocked and worried that she almost hugged me. I could sense terror in her trembling voice as she asked me if I was okay. My feet were shaking due to the adrenaline rush and my heart was almost in my mouth. But I managed to play it cool like nothing happened. I grinned and said to her "I am alright, don't worry! It's okay!" You know why I did that? Because I had a huge crush on this guy in my class and I didn't want him to think I was some kind of a dork! So much to handle for a 15-year-old me!

Our 10th Std Class Teacher Miss L on the Farewell Party in Feb 2005!

Miss L didn't let me near the apparatus again that day. She didn't let me perform the experiment. We all went back to the classroom after the revision session, where my bestie had to tolerate the weird fume-like smell coming from the charred ends of my hair all day long! She sat on the right side of the desk. She had put the fire off just in time. No wonder, I didn't even lose half the inch of my hair length.

A recent pic of my bestie and me. Sleepyheads!

Later on, we realized that while my hair were caught in the wire gauge, they weren't on fire. Had that girl not let out a horrifying shriek, I wouldn't have backed off violently. My backing off was the reason the fire touched the hair.

We don't know why we find this incident funny. I almost gave my class teacher a heart attack. The look on her face! Oh my! It was shockingly priceless! Not to mention I almost made a fool of myself in front of my crush. I mean, what kind of girl is so reckless that she accidentally sets her hair ablaze?? Bestie never forgets to tease me by saying "Thank God you were wearing a sweater that morning or you know how flimsy our shirts were". The sweater indeed was a lifesaver. Else there would have been a bigger embarrassment.

So, this is all for today! I got university exams from Monday! Wish me luck! 

McDonald's New Grilled Chicken Royale Burger - Review

Hello buddies. Hope you are doing great. Lately, I have been really irregular with the blogging because of studies and workload. So, today I got some time off and here I am! I have been thinking to quit blogging altogether since I am unable to do justice to my blogs. The thought has hit my mind several times, and I just keep bouncing back to this place after several weeks. I guess you are not going to get rid of me any sooner :p

Okay, so today I am writing a review on McDonald's Grilled Chicken Royale Burger that was launched in my city on 27th March, 2014. Given all the hype about the burger, I definitely wanted to try it ASAP. You see, I am a frequent visitor to McDonald's. There are several reasons for that. Firstly, I love burgers and there is no other place in my town that serves decent burgers. McDonald's is just across the street from my college, and so are Pizza Hut, KFC and Domino's. But it's not just about food. It's about the way I link to McD. The atmosphere is lively and jazzy. I have spent some of the happiest moments of my life at McD and so I feel connected to the place.

McD's menu has always been very limited, especially the burgers. However, in last couple of years it did introduce the spicy range of burgers and wraps, one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian of each. I had tried out their McSpicy Paneer burger. But I wasn't quite impressed. Since I was following vegetarianism way back in 2011, I didn't try the McSpicy Chicken then. However, I resumed the non-vegetarian diet in 2012, but I forgot to try out the McSpicy Chicken burger. I know it sounds funny.

Last year, in May came up the new Chicken Masala Grill Burger. But again, nothing extraordinary about it. The spicy sauce was a new addition while the chicken patty was the same old one they use in all other chicken burgers. I have sensitive taste buds, and if something were significantly new about it, I could tell.

Since then, I was waiting for something exciting to come up on McDonald's menu. And last month I thought it was time! I entered the McD to order something from the usual stuff but then a huge ad placed near the entrance caught my eye. It featured an insanely delicious looking burger, where all the ingredients were perfectly stacked in layers one upon the another. It said, there were two chicken patties, two chicken cold cuts, lots of salad leaves, a couple of fresh tomato slices, topped with mayo and packed between two cornmeal dusted buns. So, I just went for it.

I wish I could take pictures, but I was unaware of the ways of my mind and that it would abruptly feel like putting up a review here. Hence, no picture. But I did manage to get one from the McDonald India's site for you to look at. Nevertheless, don't let the good looks deceive you. The burger was nothing like what it looks in the picture. The patties weren't so chunky. They were pretty thin. Almost as thin as you what you get in Chicken Maharaja Mac. The chicken cold cuts were a brilliant addition though. I had never had cold cuts before, so I kind of liked it. It did have a smokey flavor and tasted good enough. There were indeed lots of salad leaves, a couple of tomato slices and an ungenerous dash of plain white mayo.

Picture Source - McDonald India

The first bite I took did give me a momentary nirvana. The hot patty and cold cuts lent an amazing combo of texture and taste due to the extreme temperature variation. The hot and cold chicken did feel good for a while. The cornmeal dusted buns were nice and fluffy. But you do need other things on a burger to make it a good one, which Chiken Royale clearly lacked. There was no cheese slice and the plain mayo could do nothing to amplify the taste. Again, I was kind of let down. Because it was a whopping INR 135 (Taxes extra) that I just spent on a below-average burger. I finished my meal halfheartedly and the burger didn't even leave a sour taste in my mouth. Pun intended!

Later on I went to at the counter just to inquire if they replace they plain mayo with some spicier sauce. They said they do, and they charge INR 16 just to replace the sauce. I mean why charge extra? We want the sauce "replaced" and not an extra sauce added. So, that seemed unjustified to me.

Here is the verdict!

The Good

• The fluffy cornmeal dusted buns. I think they are better than the regular sesame buns.
• The chicken cold cuts lent a good texture and slight (very slight) smokiness.
• The salad leaves gave a nice crunch to the burger.

The Bad

• Chicken patties were too thin. Nothing like what the pic says. I mean really thin.
• The chicken patty has no new flavors. It's just the ones you get in McD's other chicken burgers which are less pricey.
• Plain mayo does no good.
• Lacks cheese.
• Costs a fortune.

Rating - 2 out of 5

For me, Chicken Maharaja Mac still wins. I would rate it 3 out of 5. It has the same old chicken patty but there is a third slice of bread, a tangy tartar sauce and a cheese slice to make up for the drabness. And it comes at INR 99 (Taxes extra).

That's all for today. Hope to see you guys again! Till then, I am signing off! Have a great week ahead.

How to Hunt Down a Perfect Pair of Shades?

Do you face difficulty finding sunglasses that make you say ‘This is what I’ve been looking for’? Sunglasses are an essential summer accessory. Looking around and trying to locate that perfect pair can be a tedious and frustrating task. But you can now easily find sunglasses that look good as well as protect your eyes from the harmful ultraviolet rays.

There are three major things you need to consider when shopping for sunglasses.

The lenses

While selecting sunglasses make sure to check if they provide protection against both UV- A and UV- B rays of the sun. Choose the design and material that will suit the occasion during which you’ll put on the sunglasses. Wraps-around sunglasses are suitable for you while riding a bike. A sleek and stylish design will do well when you are at work.

Sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses help protect your eyes from intensity of reflected rays. Such sunglasses are ideal for use while you are engaged in snow sports. Polarized sunglasses help reduce the glare and are ideal for use during water sports, fishing, boating and other outdoor activities. 

The lens color

Try to complement the color of the lenses to the color of your hair to get that accentuated look. Black lenses suit everyone. Choose lenses of colors like brown and gray for daytime use. Lenses of amber, blue and pink color are suitable for low-light conditions.

Shape of your face

When it comes to the shape of your face there is a set of rules to help you choose a right pair. Choose the shape that will be in contrast to the shape of your face.

Rule number 1- People with a heart-shaped face, for example Reese Witherspoon, can pull off any shape of sunglasses. A sleek design, large lenses, cat-eye and aviators look good on them.

Rule number 2- Over-sized straighter framed sunglasses add to the beauty of a round face. Hilary Duff looks spectacular in these over-sized lenses .

Rule number 3- Square-shaped faces, those like Paris Hilton's look gorgeous in sunglasses with round  or square over-sized lenses.

Rule number 4- Oval-shaped faces those like Kate Winslet look the best in any kind of sunglasses. The idea is not to choose very small lenses.

These tips will definitely make you find yourself end up with that perfect pair of sunglasses in your hands!

Dress with Style – Lace Dresses For Little Girls

Women adore the idea of shopping for new dresses, trying out the latest styles and dressing up like a princess for special occasions. The same is true in case of little girls who look amazingly adorable when dressed up in lace dresses. Choosing dresses for kids for special occasions is an exciting activity most moms take pleasure in. Any mom would love to see her little girl dressed up like a doll. So, let us talk about the latest fashion trends for kids.

Lace dresses for girls are in vogue this season. The markets are flooded with hundreds of designs of cute lace dresses to choose from. Lace dresses for kids are designed keeping in view the comfort needs of a child. They are chic, extremely versatile, and delicate adding a hint of sophistication to the aura of your little angel. Your little girl can wear laces dresses to a number of events such as birthday parties, formal and casual events as well as weddings. 

Picture Source : www.girlsdressline.com

Designs and Material

Lace dresses are available in an impressive range of designs, patterns, colors and sizes. These are often made out of cotton laces and are coupled with other fabrics like satin and organza. You can find elegant lace dresses that have been adorned with floral embroideries. Some lace dresses are decked with stylish patterns of sequins for a shimmery look. A satin sash only adds to the glamour of a lace dress. Laces add a charm to almost every fabric they are paired with. Laces dresses also come in velvet having an overlay of embroidered lace.

Laces dresses for little girls are usually tea length. Some lace dresses come with an integrated crinoline that gives a graceful voluminous look waist down. Kids have a delicate skin and constant friction with the lace can cause skin irritation. Hence, lace dresses are lined from the inside with a smooth and soft fabric for a comfortable wearing experience.

The Versatility of Lace Dresses

As mentioned earlier, lace dresses are extremely versatile make for an ingenious choice for your kid on any special day. The can be accessorized with matching jewelry and shoes. A petite and shimmering bracelet bedecked with jewels would perfectly complement your little girl’s lace dress. Pair it up with delicate party ballerinas and see the magic!

A red lace dress would be suitable for your kid to wear on occasions such as a birthday party. If you have a formal event to attend, take your girls along as they are dressed ladylike in black lace dresses. White lace dresses with floral needlework and satin bodice would make for an excellent flower girl dress. Team it up with a satin hair bow and party ballerinas of a color that you think would give a brilliant contrast. A basket of flowers and your flower girl is ready to walk down the aisle alongside the bride.

Wash care of Lace Dresses

Lace dresses meant for little girls should be handled with care. It is advisable to wash them with hand using a gentle detergent rather than tossing them into the washing machine. Allow them to drip dry. Wrenching and squeezing the water out of the dress is not a good idea as it causes damage to the delicate lace structure.

Lace dresses are indeed a divine creation of the fashion enthusiasts. They would certainly make little girls look heavenly and gorgeous.

Why is an Electric Fireplace a Better Choice?

A fireplace is a magical appliance that adds a distinctive charm to the aura of one’s home. The dancing flames and the soft crackling noises erupting from the blazing logs of wood can make anyone feel extremely cozy on a cold winter evening as they sit near the fireplace sipping on their hot cocoa. However, the traditional wood-burning fireplaces have their own set of drawbacks. Burning of wood produces noxious gases that harm the environment. It also affects the quality of air inside the home. As the wood burns, a major proportion of heat escapes through the chimney. The operations of wood-burning fireplaces cause damage to the surrounding walls as well. The fireplace and chimney needs to be cleaned at regular intervals to get rid of wood ashes and soot. Thus, the traditional fireplaces need a lot of upkeep.

Source : Google Images

This is where technology and innovation come into play. An electric fireplace is an answer to all the hassles associated with traditional fireplaces. An electric fireplace uses no wood or gas as a fuel and does not emit harmful gases. They simple run on electricity and warm up the home. Electric fireplaces comprise of not only the heating element but also the ambience aspect of the blazing flames, without any mess that is posed by their traditional counterparts.

How Does an Electric Fireplace Work?

An electric fireplace comprises of the heating element consisting of metal coils that conduct electricity. The coils get heated and produce energy that moves on to the fan and is then disseminated to warm up the living space. 

The ambient light of the flames is produced with the help of a set that consists of LEDs, metal fingers and a glass screen. The light produced from LEDs falls upon the metal fingers that swivel in random fashion. It is then reflected on to the glass screen. This complete process produces an effect of blazing flames of fire that look so real. The exterior glass panel of the fireplace is not hot to touch.

The heating and the lighting element function independently. So, one can turn on just the lighting element for an ambiance in all seasons.

Options in Electric Fireplace

An impressive range of designs of electric fireplaces is available in the market to suit everyone’s taste. They also come in a variety of sizes. Nowadays, the market has to offer a wide array of cheap electric fireplaces for small homes and for people who do not wish to splurge a lot of money.

Electric fireplace inserts

This type of electric fireplace is designed to be fixed into the structure of fireplace panel that is already present. These units are very simple to assemble and easy to use.

Wall-Mounted Electric Fireplace

This type of electric fireplace can be mounted on any wall of the house as per the user’s needs. All one needs to do is fix a mounting device on the wall and install the fireplace. Voila! It is ready to be plugged in.

Electric stove

This is one of the cheap electric fireplace options available in the market. This is a portable electric fireplace with the components packed inside a cabinet-like structure carved out of wood and finished with high-quality veneer. It can be carried and placed in any part of the home as per the user’s need.

Electric fireplaces can be paired with matching mantels, adding to the charm by creating a sophisticated and contemporary look. Thus, electric fireplaces are a value for money appliances that make it possible to enjoy the fiery ambiance all round the year in a cost-effective manner.

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

Aloe Vera - Coconut Oil Hair Mask with Step-by-Step Pictures

Previously we had discussed about the benefit of aloe vera application on skin. Today, I am writing about how to make a hair mask out of aloe vera and coconut oil. This hair mask is a great way to get rid of dandruff, itchy and dry scalp and dry hair. Aloe vera has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Thus, it leaves hair feeling clean and fresh after the wash. Shampooing tends to leave the hair dry. This hair mask would ensure that your hair are adequately moisturized.

Aloe vera also helps control hair fall. I have experienced the change over a span of a few months. I apply this hair mask twice or thrice a week prior to shampooing. However, you can use it once a week or twice a month, depending upon the suitability. Usually, aloe vera suits almost everyone's hair and skin. However, it might not suit some people, which is very rare. So, use this hair mask if you think aloe vera suits you. For first timers, I suggest you do a patch test before going for full application.

So, let us see how to make this hair mask.

I used a medium-sized stem, since I have thick and long hair. Not waist-length, but a bit longer than the shoulder length. You may take a small stem or half a stem if you have short hair. For longer tresses, you may use a bigger stem or 2 medium-sized stems in order to extract sufficient juice.

1. Clean the stem by washing it with water. Wipe it with a cloth. Cleaning the stem with water would remove the traces of dirt and soil on its surface.

2. Take a sharp knife and remove the thorns by lightly brushing the edge of knife along the edge of the stem.

Removing thorns would help prevent pricking on hands.

3. Now, using the knife peel of the aloe vera stem. You have to actually slice of the skin in a way that you do not waste the flesh inside the stem. Only the skin should come off.

4. The next step is to remove the flesh into a bowl or onto a plate. You may scrape it out using your fingers or knife. The flesh is soft and gooey and will come off easily. It is fine if some green part of the stem comes out with the gel extract.

5. Now, mix equal quantity (by volume) of coconut oil in the aloe vera extract. Use something like Parachute coconut oil, that as no additives or artificial fragrances.

6. Blend it well using your fingers. This is a little messy but totally worth it!

Lightly massaging your scalp and hair using this mixture. The hair should be covered from root to tip. When I apply it onto my hair, I leave my them untied. The mixture doesn't drip. It sticks to the hair. It feels like I have applied just oil to my hair. It doesn't look or feel anything unusual.

Keep the mask on for 30 minutes or so and wash off with lukewarm water and a mild shampoo, such as Sunsilk Shampoo. It is very mild yet cleanses the hair of excessive oil really well. I do not need to use any conditioner because this mask leaves my hair feeling soft, silky and hydrated. You may use a conditioner if you feel the need.

I hope this would be helpful to you. I will surely try to keep coming up with such simple home-made stuff. For more, stay tuned. :)

P.S. - Do check out the exciting range of products from Neutrogena India available online.