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Unfiltered Lifestyle Blog By Smriti Notani

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Too Much Pressure On Valentine’s Day?

February 11, 2016 By: RealGirlcomment

Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Of course you knew this already, hoardings and print ads and TV commercials and radio spots and websites won’t let you forget it after all. No, I’m not from the Shiv Sena – I don’t condemn this day, at all. I do though; think of the Shiv Sena, only once a year around Valentine’s day. How romantic that sounds! But the point is I’m not a hater. And if you knew me better you’d know just how much I actually believe in love and the fact that it makes our world go round.

What’s my beef with V-Day then? (Psst, will I be banned for using the word beef?!)

Well see, I’m a firm believer in ‘different strokes for different folks’. You can love Valentine’s day and that’s totally okay. You can guffaw at the sheer consumerism of it all, and that’s okay too. You can be single AF and hate this holiday for making you feel so annoyingly single and that’s really okay too. What is not okay, is the kind of pressure we put on this one day to determine our own state of mind and the fate of our relationships. That is ridiculous, and yes we all do it. Stop acting like a nun and tell me, have you never placed too many hopes on V day being the most romantic frickin’ day in the year?

Cut the men some slack! They may not be of the ‘big gesture’ variety. They may not find it worth it to spend so much money on roses which they know will die in two days. Sorry to unleash my morbid self on you but these are facts, ladies. Maybe they even want to do something nice for you but they are just not sure how to go about this without coming across as total wimps. I don’t know…I’m just guessing.

Truth is; judge your relationship by what your man brings to your life and what you bring to his. Don’t just pin all your hopes on ‘special occasions’. He may blow it in the extravagance department but he may be the most rock solid sense of support you’ve ever had in your life. Honey, if you look close enough you’ll see that this boy is a keeper. He’s got your back 364 days a year so I’m pretty sure you can overlook this one!

This Valentine’s Day, do what you gotta do. Dress up if you please. Do the fancy wine and dinner and whatever it is you want to do. Have sex. Tell your crush you love them. Make your husband feel like a king. Feel pampered if there’s someone to pamper you. Scratch that. Pamper yourself. Do what makes your heart happy – this one is true for absolutely any day of your life. ALWAYS do what makes your heart happy.

But don’t hate on him for not living up to your V Day expectations. It’s a holiday, it’ll pass. Okay? Good Girl!

Happy Valentine’s Day from me to you!

Yeah, babe, you always got me 🙂

All my love,

Real Girl

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Real Girl: The Wedding Diaries

February 8, 2016 By: RealGirl8 Comments

It was a cold Sunday morning in February (Bombay standards, at least) and I was wide awake – miracles never cease, do they? Not only was I awake, I was actually pretty calm and put together. I was happy. And that’s honestly what every bride should feel on her wedding day.

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The ceremony was in the Gurudwara, a traditional Anand Karaj. We wanted to keep it simple and meaningful no matter what style of wedding and venue we chose. We debated many options while planning the wedding. Being Sindhi, I pray to Guru Nanak and though not overtly religious; the Gurudwara has always felt most peaceful to me. My husband is Gujarati and is largely agnostic. He’d happily have a civil wedding if given a choice. We were sure we didn’t want a noisy affair where all our guests are chewing loudly on all the food while we are taking the holy Pheras in some non-descript corner of the hall. We got lucky – both sets of parents didn’t care what we finally chose as long as it made us happy.

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The principle of the Sikh wedding (Anand Karaj) is based on equality. Between male and female; and subsequently between husband and wife. This really appealed to me. It’s what I always wanted from my marriage. It had to be a give and take. It had to be a two way street. Even though we had been together for almost a decade before we got married, and I knew I was extremely lucky – I was marrying my best friend. I still had this niggling fear that marriage would change the equilibrium of our relationship. Did it, though?

It’s been one year to that beautiful morning in February. ONE-WHOLE-YEAR. Wow. Let’s give my brain a moment while it processes this information, okay?

Yup, so it’s been a year and it has indeed been a ride of a lifetime. I won’t lie to you. Life as you know it; does change! This change can be super scary but it can also be pretty frickin’ amazing. You now have two families and double the social commitments. You have more friends and more plans that you just have to be at. But most importantly, you have each other to come home to every-single-day. You have a steady date 365 days a year. You have someone to fuss over you even if you’re running just a slight temperature. You have a travel companion. You have a perpetual date to all social occasions (can’t even begin to explain what an advantage that can be).

And if you’re as lucky as me (I really hope you are!) you have someone who just gets you. Who sees through your soul. Who pushes you to excel. Who laughs at all your jokes – even the not so funny ones. (Come on, we all know that’s the dream!) Who makes you the most amazing coffee in the world. Who lets you whine when it’s the need of the hour. Who doesn’t believe some things are just a ‘woman’s job’. Who contributes. Who partakes. Who just happens to be your better half. Who completes your world.

Thank you husband (sometimes that word still amuses me) but I am not a cynic anymore and it’s because of the love and care you bring to this marriage. I may still be a raging feminist – but that doesn’t stop me from loving the fact that I am, in fact, married. You’re my partner in every sense of the word. And I may not credit you enough, but it takes a viagra generic buy Real Man to be with a Real Girl like me. 😉

And given a chance I’d do it all again with a smile on my face and the same feeling of contentment in my heart- even if it’s in the morning; again.

 

Happy Anniversary!

 

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Photo Courtesy: www.amogh.in

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Welcome to Real Girl

February 3, 2016 By: RealGirl2 Comments

Hi, welcome to my blog!

I’m assuming you are new. That would totally make sense, since this blog is new.

I wish I had something smart to say right now so you’d read and throw your head back and laugh like those women in television ads who seem perfectly content with life. If you found me funny I guess you’d think I was endearing and I know you’d come back for more.

But the truth is, I can’t ensure that. All I can wish for is that you read it and perhaps give me another chance soon enough. Just as with every new role in our lives, I hope to grow into that of a self assured blogger.

For now all you get is: awkward, and not-so-great in parts, and honest, and real. Oh, that’s one thing I promise you. You’ll always get real. 🙂

Thank you for taking the time out to read this. Welcome to the Real Girl Family.

Hope you enjoy my blog. Happy exploring!

 

Gif Courtesy: tumblr

Gif Courtesy: tumblr

 

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things!

February 3, 2016 By: RealGirl2 Comments

I want to start doing these proper ‘favourite list’ things soon. Like maybe monthly or something. You know, because I’m a blogger and all now, sooo, yeah. *Flips hair*

Anyway, when I learn to write and click like all the legit bloggers out there, you’ll get a proper list of favourite things. For now you have to make do with my randomness.

Here goes nothing:

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I may or may not have been gifted this Guess wallet by someone special for an uber special occasion. *blushes same shade of pink as wallet*

Isn’t it gorg?

 

 

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This stunning ring I found at a shop called Dazzle at Santacruz market if I’m not wrong. I don’t remember the price , or I would have definitely told you. But now that I’m a blogger *ahem* I will keep such things in mind. Also, I will click better pictures. Promise!

 

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Of course my camera is one of my newest, most treasured loves. I know there will come a day, when it will just be part of my job;  something I sort of have to lug around. But I’ll tell you one thing, that day is not today!

 

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I am obsessed with this fragrance  Sea Rose by Davidoff. Clearly right? Since the bottle is almost over. I was trying to figure a way to not show you that – but it’s super tough…what with ya’ll having eyes and all. So anyway, I never thought I would like anything with the word rose on it but this particular fragrance is divine. It stays on for hours too. I wish I knew more about perfumes so I could give you’ll some gyaan but I’m guessing the top notes are made of..umm..flowers..and perfection! Yeah. I’ll stop now.

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Hi Bangalore!

February 3, 2016 By: RealGirl2 Comments

Can you believe I’d never been to the garden city, ever? I like how I’m acting all hoity toity whereas we all know I basically wanted to go there and drink! Had heard so much about the vibe of the place and all the beers, I had to go there and experience it for myself. Luckily, an opportunity presented itself when a dear friend chose Bangalore to have a destination wedding! Held at the Leela Palace Bangalore; it was the most decadent, opulent, gorgeous one I’ve ever witnessed. So the first two days were spent in the lap of luxury, whereas the next two were spent exploring whatever I could squeeze in. Here are some excerpts of my trip A.K.A Reasons I’m Definitely Going Back To Bangalore!

The *gorgeous* hotel.

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The Bangalore weather that made a poolside wedding so dreamy, it felt like we’re on a set of a Bollywood movie.

 

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This super happening brewery that was so large and inviting. It had a pond in between where these fish swim around and at certain hours, you can even feed them.

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Seriously though, this place had awesome cocktails, really good brews, and food that left us smacking our lips.

(Psst: I highly recommend the White Wine Sangria. It had cucumber and litchi and some such combination that one would think doesn’t work, but it did! It so did.)

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This popular restaurant at St Mark’s Road that was very reminiscent of our Irani cafes. Founded in 1940, it definitely retains its old world charm and that’s something I’m a total sucker for!

 

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The Koshy’s special coffee was to die for! Look at the way sugar was served.

 

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And finally, this awesome brewery at Brigade Road called Arbor Brewing Company (ABC) that was buzzing on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon.

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I love how many options are there for beer lovers, like everywhere in that city!

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It delighted me as soon as I entered but totally grew on me as I guzzled beers and felt more relaxed than I had in quite a while. I guess Bangalore just does that to you!

 

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You (and your people) got me hooked ‘luru! I’m definitely coming back!

 

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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 with various websites 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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