Real Girl

Unfiltered Lifestyle Blog By Smriti Notani

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

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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!

 

  1. http://castelloristorante.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=http://castelloristorante.com/upcoming-events/hockey-soccer-team-special/ My Filmy Owl Mug

The Filmy Owl is an art collective and wildly popular Instagram page. I even interviewed founder Angel on the blog before and I’m a huge, huge fan of her work. She’s newly launched her website which has products designed by her and I honestly couldn’t be more excited. I love this mug with this reaffirming quote in azure hues and hand lettering. Sipping from it gives my dil lots of sukoon. Know what I mean?

february favourites

 

2. Maxalt buy Amritsari Juttis

So back in December, I made a super quick fly-by trip to Amritsar. I didn’t anticipate that I’ll get the chance to shop but lo and behold I found a way! There’s a very famous jutti wala called Raunak in Amritsar and I absolutely had to loosen my purse strings there. I loved their stuff and found the quality to be at par with any good shoe brand (pssst, they apparently supply juttis to bigger shoe brands to sell). Anyhoo, I fell in love with these floral beauties and I’ve been wearing them a lot off late. Unique colour combination naa?

 

february favourites

3. source url Cutest Socks – EVER!

I’m a really lucky girl in the sense that I have extremely quirky and thoughtful friends who buy me things that are perfect for me from all over the world! My awesomesauce girl Swapna, was in Bangkok for a shoot (she’s important like that) and found these aww-dorable socks for me. Ya’ll know I’m all about that panda loving and I REALLY hate mornings. What a perfect prezzie, no? I’m obsessed. Also, there’s fuzz on the panda. How qyuooooot!

february favourites

4. Ritika Sachdeva Necklace

My friend who owns The Travelling Trunk hosted an awesome fashion pop up at The Vintage Garden in Bandra (cutest venue with the nicest vibe, FYI) and I popped in to check it out, and to show support, of course. There I laid my eyes on this gorgeous Ritika Sachdeva statement necklace and it was love at first tassle. I absolutely love how her accessories have this vintage yet new age charm. This gorgeous piece was the first thing I liked there, and then I saw mannnnyyy other things, and finally picked this same one up. That is typical me – FYI! I usually end up going with the thing I liked first. But ain’t it pretty?!

february favourites

5. Soha Ali Khan’s Book ‘The Perils Of Being Moderately Famous’

What a delightful read! Absolutely loved Soha’s pragmatic take on stardom and life; her ability to laugh at herself, and to present her life in such an eloquent manner. I’m really appreciative when a book is a breezy read and yet it doesn’t feel like I’m dumbing myself down.

It’s great if you want an insight on her illustrious family (she suspected you might) and on what it really is like to be moderately famous. One might assume that celebrities don’t write their own books, or that they get plenty of help even if they do but one can’t take away from the fact that writing apart Soha has boldly gone where no other celebrity has – in the land of self deprecating humour! I recommend this book to everyone 🙂

February favourites

6. Garnier Micellar Water

I know, I know – this product has been majorly advertised so I’ll keep it short and simple. This is basically a makeup remover that’s also good for your skin. It’s pocket friendly and worth the money! Really does attack the grime on your face and takes it all off (you can literally check the cotton pad to see what a good job it does). Only thing is it’s not that effective on my eye makeup (kajal and mascara) so I still use a regular make up remover on the eyes.

february favourites

 

Connect with me on Instagram where you can follow all the things I’m loving in the month of March. 🙂

 

ALSO READ: Favourites – The Budget Edition

Addicted: Real Girl Recommends

 

 

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It’s Been Two Years?!

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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!

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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!

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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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ADDICTED: Real Girl Recommends!

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real girl recommends

Courtesy: nbc.com

In the history of this blog, I have never once dedicated an entire blog post to recommending a TV show. But I think the time has come to make an exception for ‘This Is Us’. It is the most beautiful, poignant, wonderfully written, and painfully real piece of Television the world has seen. [Read more…]

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