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Unfiltered Lifestyle Blog By Smriti Notani

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#RealGirlsRock: In Conversation With National Swimming Champion Aditi Dhumatkar

May 28, 2018 By: RealGirlcomment

This is a special, special post. Not only does Aditi happen to be someone I casually know IRL (she’s my close friend Om’s younger sister) but she’s also just casually a trailblazer – an accomplished athlete completely focused on bringing glory to the nation. I’ve seen her chill at home with no airs displaying a rather wacky sense of humour that she and her siblings are known for and I’ve also seen her athletic pursuits make national headlines (Big Deal Alert!) I’ve marvelled at her discipline and thought it quite apt to cover this international level swimmer, national gold medalist and national record holder on my blog under this wonderful section called #RealGirlsRock where I feature the brave and bold women who inspire me. She’s currently training for the trials of the Asian Games coming up in June, but she let me pick her beautiful mind for a little bit. Needless to say, the interview went swimmingly. Read on 🙂

Aditi Dhumatkar

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February Favourites: Haven’t Done This In A While!

March 2, 2018 By: RealGirl2 Comments

I haven’t done one of these for a while and I feel like I’ve forgotten how to do it. You know what I’m saying? Sooo, umm, I just write about things I like? Is that interesting? Doesn’t it just seem like ‘Oh, she wants us to know she has xyz’. Err, rethinking this whole thing. But since I’ve already clicked a few things I’ve been loving recently, let me go ahead with this post. In case you feel like ‘no one really cares bro’, then be kind, and let me know. 🙂

Now in typical extra person fashion, here’s presentingggg…*insert drum roll here* – My February 2018 Favourites!

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It’s Been Two Years?!

February 3, 2018 By: RealGirl6 Comments

happy blog birthday

All Photos Courtesy: Little Black Box Photography

 

It’s been two years exactly since I started ‘Real Girl’. For some reason this seems absurd and untrue. Firstly, because at some level I’ve ALWAYS been Real Girl; and secondly, because I dreamt of having a blog like this for a long, long time – way before it actually came into existence. I thought and overthought (overthunk?!) what I would like to put up on my two year anniversary for quite a while. Then, like a true millennial, I convinced myself that no one cares and berated myself till I felt weary and pushed the task to the last minute. Now as I sit here with my biggest motivator – last minute panic, I realize that I want to honour these two years by telling you exactly what I learnt in these two years. Not all the lessons have been pretty, but then what’s the point if I don’t keep it real? So here goes nothing, err…not nothing… but…I mean…(Oh hi anxiety, when did you get here?)  [Read more…]

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The Only Resolutions A Girl Really Needs!

December 31, 2017 By: RealGirlcomment

2017 has been a cracker of a year in every way! Loud, bright, and happy yet a little too explosive for my liking. I thank it for everything it’s taught me and bid it adieu with fondness in my heart.

I look forward to what 2018 will bring so I thought I’ll write out a little checklist or guide to attempting resolutions in 2018. I’m so done with trying the typical ones so I thought I’ll write out an honest list that I might actually stick to. Follow along if you like.

real girl resolutions

  1. Be realistic with my resolutions this year

(Starting off with this list so that’s a good sign!)

2. Keep no place for guilt in my life.

Cannot emphasise enough on this one. Wasted enough time in my life trying to live up to random expectations. I refuse to do that this year. As a friend, spouse, child, relative, woman, and person – I am done with trying hard to please!

3. Read more books

Okay, I’m not going to lie – this one makes it to my list every year. But it’s a good one, so I’m keeping it.

real girl resolutions

4. Be more vocal

Sounds odd, doesn’t it? But I think as a girl, once you reach a certain age, you are expected to comply more and opine less. Well this is me positively refusing to abide to that diktat. I have opinions and I’m going to voice them. I won’t let my ample education and liberal upbringing go to waste to be more soft spoken. Balls to that!

5. Pay more attention to myself

The last few years have been a little trying for me personally and I haven’t found the time or means to indulge my vanity. But as I enter the new year, unhappy with how my skin and body are looking – I promise myself to work on these two aspects. It’s one thing to love yourself and it’s another to give up on yourself. It’s a fine line, really. As I continue to love myself unabashedly, I want to motivate myself to do what I need to for the well being of my body. Please note – there is no room for terms like ‘goal weight’ etc in my resolution. But I know from within when I’m doing enough for myself and when I’m not. We all do.

6. Be more ambitious than ever before!

Again, one of those things that women are expected to just forgo beyond a certain age. I don’t relate to that at all! I feel more ambitious than ever before and I believe it’s time to reap benefits for all the hard work I’ve been putting in consistently.

real girl resolutions

7. Be optimistic!

The older we grow, the more pessimistic we become. It happens to all of us! We sort of resign to our fate. But the best people are those who haven’t ever heard of the phrase ‘giving up’. I want to channel my inner optimist and let her dream the biggest dreams!

8. Put my mental health first

If you had to borrow only one thing from my list, let it be this one! Keep no room for toxicity in your life. Nothing is worth your own mental well being; no job, no relationship, AND NO AMOUNT OF MONEY! If you feel like you’re not at a good place when it comes to your mental health, seek help. If you were waiting for a sign to take action, please consider this one!

9. Pick up a few skills

They don’t have to be insanely out of your reach. For instance, I want to learn to make a few signature cocktails. I’m a closeted bar tender and would love to pick up some tricks of the trade. So that, and maybe practice my contouring and up my make-up skills! I just feel like learning things along the way makes life more rich and interesting.

10. Love more!

Sounds cliche, kids! But this year, I want to do all things with love. I want to operate on ‘Good Vibes Only’ and take all the love I have inside me and spread it as far as I can. I’m going to start with telling you how much I love you and wish you the happiest new year. Let’s keep it real together <3

real girl resolutions

x

Real Girl

 

(All photographs by the inimitable photographer Bhaswati Bhattacharyya of Little Black Box Photography)

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I Found Winter Wonderland In Delhi!

December 23, 2017 By: RealGirlcomment

Photo Courtesy: Little Black Box Photography

Hello darlings,

If you follow me on social media you’d already know I’m just back from a short yet action packed trip up north. As excited as I have been to go on a holiday, I was kind of upset I’d be missing out on the Christmas build-up back home. In case you don’t know me AT ALL – let me enlighten you – I absolutely adore Christmas! My level of enthusiasm is legit Santa Claus after a few happy drinks. I guess that’s what growing up in Bandra, studying in a Convent school, being a member at a Catholic club, and watching too much American television does to you!

So as I was saying, my tree was up and decorated but I was headed to Delhi, Jaipur, Amritsar, and Haryana and really thought I’d miss out on that Christmassy feeling. Imagine my excitement when I arrived at a place that was bedecked with fairy lights and wreaths and looked like a Winter Wonderland in good ol’ Delhi! (Bonus points for the absolutely crazy cold weather to make a girl feel like she’s really in the North Pole!)

That’s right – there’s a place called Diggin in Delhi and it’s a pretty cafe nestled in a quiet area. Apparently there are two branches – I visited the newer one in an area called Chanakyapuri.

I went in the evening so didn’t end up sampling the food (they have Italian mainly), but I did end up having the most deliciously rich chocolate cake and super yum Ferrero shake. I can vouch for the quality of their desserts and the prices won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

There are just a few things to remember –

  • They don’t serve alcohol
  • They are a bit anal about letting you click pictures because the cafe is located inside a military area. This is such a shame because honestly it’s one of the most insta-worthy places I’ve seen!

(I managed to get in a few pictures before I knew about their policy but I so wish I could show you the inside of the Cafe too. Made of blonde wood, it really has a cozy cabin vibe)

If you are in Delhi, you must NOT miss this place. It’s the perfect little coffee date place according to me!

 

Here’s the Zomato link for you to find it easily – https://www.zomato.com/ncr/diggin-chanakyapuri-new-delhi

Happy Holidays, yougaiz!

Ho-Ho-Hope you are following me and my travel stories on Instagram & Facebook – https://www.instagram.com/realgirlco/

https://www.facebook.com/RealGirlCo/

 

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AN UNFILTERED LIFESTYLE BLOG FOR THE REAL GIRLS BY A REAL GIRL

Hi, I’m Smriti Notani and I have an incessant need to keep it real. I live my life like someone has attached a giant #NOFILTER sign above my head.
When I figured there was legit nothing out there catering to strong, funny, wise, bold, sassy, sensible, REAL girls, I decided to start this blog. The content you’ll find here will be veering towards adulting, feminism, food, and truthfully terrible puns – the kind that make you laugh despite yourself. Apart from being on a mission to build a tribe of real girls, one (hopefully) witty post at a time, I’m a lifestyle writer and podcaster who literally lives on the Internet. Hopefully you’ll find yourself at home here at Real Girl and you’ll keep coming back for more. *Insert creepy, shy smile that lingers for way too long*

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  • Im in the newspaper today Extremely overwhelmed and sleep deprived
    by realgirlco I'm in the newspaper today Extremely overwhelmed and sleep deprived (as you know I don't do mornings, lol) but this feels like one of the coolest things that has ever happened to me! Thank you so much for this  @aasthaatray  and  @sundaymidday  - you've made this simple girl very, very happy and that's the real truth! . I'll post a more coherent message later but for now in case you spot me in today's paper - please click and tag me in your stories! It'll mean the world. ❤️ . PS: So proud of the 'Real Talk' podcast and thank
  • Ive honestly tried my best to be ecofriendly and buy
    by realgirlco I've honestly tried my best to be eco-friendly and buy ONLY what I need (although it was so tough!) Walk into any store on Hill Road and you're instantly transported to a winter wonderland. Everything is glittery and beautiful but if you really go to think about it, also very bad for the environment because it's basically plastic. Reusing most of my Christmas ornaments since the past couple of years, consciously. Also, my tree is old and I take good care of it every year so that I don't have to buy a new one. Post Christmas (when the most
  • Next stop spotifyindia   My podcast Real Talk with
    by realgirlco Next stop:  @spotifyindia  ❤️ . My podcast 'Real Talk with Smriti Notani' - a  @hubhopperofficial  original - is finally available on Spotify. If I had a penny for everytime I was asked if my podcast is available on Spotify, I would be in the wrong country - because hello, we don't use pennies! Lol but also I'd legit be rich. Because Spotify seems to have a cult following and users swear by the app for podcasts. So I'm happy to announce that my podcast is finally on it! Just search for the name of the podcast and it should show
  • They say before you judge someone try walking a mile
    by realgirlco They say before you judge someone, try walking a mile in their shoes. . . .  @theotherworldlyproductions   @i .instore
  • I feel like last nights insta stories deserve some context
    by realgirlco I feel like last night's insta stories deserve some context. It was Karan's school friend Oneek's wedding and as you may have seen we were feeling very celebratory! Karan and Oneek go so way back that the night was high on emotion and nostalgia. But if you ever see these guys hang out, you'll never guess that their association is so old. They're so chilled and understated about their friendship, you'd almost think they haven't hung out much. They also meet quite rarely and are absolutely okay with the gaps in between. It's taught me a lot about a) how

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