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India is almost drowning in the garbage that we generate. This is seen in the grave picture that our landfills paint - a mammoth problem that plagues the country today. The landfills are overflowing with as much as 1.50 lakh metric tonne (MT) of waste that is generated every day of which almost 90 per cent is disposed of in open areas leading to numerous health and environmental hazards. Compared to the world, India practically does nothing to combat this demon. 

In most of the developed and developing countries, there are #WasteManagement guidelines laid down by the government that make segregating waste mandatory for every waste generator be it an individual, community, society or corporate. However many citizens take steps to reduce their carbon footprint and adopt ways to give back to the environment. One such simple step is to manage food waste by reducing wastage, redistribution excess food, and treating food waste at an individual level. That, in turn, will reduce 32% of the total garbage load on the county.

I’m sure that if most citizens are made aware of these alarming figures would want to do their bit, but they would still be unaware of what exactly to do. Simple segregation of wet and dry waste will not serve the purpose as both eventually land into the same waste collection truck and end up in the same landfill where nothing can be done except dumping. So the change needs to come at an individual level… And that change can be a simple machine that breaks down the food waste into very fine particles, liquefying and flushing it into the wastewater pipes and flows to the water treatment plant or the septic system. Interesting isn’t it, and more than that unbelievable. I thought so too… until the world’s leading technology and engineering company - #EmersonElectric invited me to learn about InSinkErator India - a celebrated garbage disposals technology that helps keep your kitchen the best.


During a visit to their showroom in Mumbai, I was very impressed with the range of products that the brand has in the food waste disposal segment, which means that there is one that’s right for every home and every budget. The fact that there is no change in plumbing needed, to install an InSinkErator, makes it one of the easiest #KitchenAppliances to adopt at home. The usage is also extremely simple, all you need to do is push in the food waste through the sink ring while running a steady stream of water, and within 5-10 seconds the sink will be unimaginably clean.

Of course, every woman will debate the need for an #InSinkErator in the house when garbage bags work just fine….. And to this I can point out not one but numerous garbage disposal benefits: 

Save Money: Using a garbage disposal will save money spent on garbage bags, dustbins, and plumbers.
Clean Kitchen: Using a garbage disposal will remove all food waste from the kitchen making it clean and odour-free. 
Better Health: Using a garbage disposal will do away with all the pesky insects in the kitchen, making the house more immune. 
Low Maintenance: Using a garbage disposal regularly will make it a self-cleaning machine, with practically zero maintenance. 
Environmental Friendly: Using a garbage disposal regularly will reduce your carbon footprint and help the world breathe a little better. 

The InSinkErator is a modern lifestyle solution - a magic tool for any kitchen, that will ensure you need not send your food waste to pollute the environment. So think about it and adopt it. 

Until next time,
~ Heena 
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Reading has been an integral part of my life, and the one thing that I always wanted to pass on to my kids. Luckily when Heer was little I developed a habit of reading bedtime stories to her and she quickly took a shine to it. Soon I realised she was actively participating in the reading sessions, not by reading herself but by asking about certain words, meaning and also likely scenarios that could happen next. And with this, each of our reading sessions became more and more interesting. 

As she grew her love for stories, curiosity for characters and ability to read took her from being a listener to a reader. Every once in a while she would want to get new books and soon a little library was created. After a year or so of random buying, we set up an amazon account for her to surf and pick 2-3 books she wanted each month.



This month she has been extremely tied up with her school projects and wasn’t able to pick any new books. As luck was on our side she received an author copy of a charming picture book about a little girl who has a big secret. It’s a story about the girl’s pet elephant, that no one knows about. However, the challenge for her is to keep it hidden in her room, and the big question that looms before her is whether she will be able to hide him for long? 

My Blue Elephant is a gorgeous book by Vidya Varadarajan, with beautiful rich illustrations by Zainab Tambawalla, published by Scholastic. 



When Heer read the story for the first time, I was awestruck with the creativity of the storyline, especially how the little girl takes the reader through this unrealistic yet real journey with her not-so-little pet, within the tiny walls of her bedroom. My Blue Elephant is a delightful pacy read, enabling the reader to fully engage with the heart-warming story. The simplicity in the narrative makes it interesting to comprehend while the rhythmic balance makes it easy to remember. The usual recall value of a children’s picture book is the illustrations, however, with ‘My Blue Elephant’ the rhymes are what will remind you of the flow of the story. My Blue Elephant makes for a perfect bedtime tale and you won’t want to put it down even at the end. 

My Blue Elephant is a book that stimulates a child’s thoughts through a story. What do you think happened with the pet elephant in the end? Do you think the little girl’s mother found out her secret? To know get your copy from Amazon India here. 

Until next time,
~ Heena
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I took a shine to boots when I studied in London, and the weather did help me embrace the new shoe variant whole-heartedly. I picked boots in a variety of summer-spring-winter friendly styles and even mixed colours that added magic to my outfits. I soon realised that styling boots could sometimes be very tricky, either it can amp the style three-fold or drop the look into the ditch to win a Razzie Award in fashion. Of course, I experimented and smoothly sailed through my boot looks while hitting the jackpot quite a few times. And since I don’t want any of you gorgeous girlies to go wrong, especially with styling boots in India, here is a quick boot guide to inspire you to wear boots throughout the year without looking overdressed or trying too hard. 

So let's get onto a cheat sheet about the types of boots:
Ankle Boots: 
I started my boots journey with a pair of ankle boots, which are a must style. They are classic and timeless and can be styled for a date night or when hanging out with friends or even at work. My first ankle boots were Chelsea boots that were slim and simple neutral boots.
Mid-Calf Boots: 
Just as the name suggests, these boots end mid-calf and are actually the least favourite style for me as they make me look frumpy. However, if you do want to get a pair, the best bet would be cowboy boots in a fun colour with some stylish accent. 
Knee Boots: 
My favourite boots are a pair of knee-high boots that are stylish and sexy at the same time. They are easy to style, accentuate any outfit and are easy to go from day-to-night. I have a pair, each in low and sky-high classic heels and also a fun pair in block heels. 

Next up are the best outfit permutations for your boots: 
With Jeans: 
The easiest way to style boots is skinny jeans tucked into them. Go casual with an oversized tee, or go formal with a blazer, or party-ready with a blouse. 
With Dresses: 
The trick to styling boots with a dress is to contrast the lengths. Pair ankle-length boots with a maxi or midi dress, mid-calf boots with a midi dress and knee boots with a mini dress. 
With Shorts or Skirts: 
Again the trick that works for a dress works for shorts and skirts. However, if you want to experiment, try pairing knee-high boots with a midi skirt or a wrap skirt. 

And finally, simple yet crucial tips for picking your boots:
⟡ Just like any shoes, the fit is the most important, choose comfort over style
⟡ For the first pair, buy offline so you can walk in 2-3 sizes, before deciding
⟡ Pick leather or fabric depending upon the climate and prevailing weather
⟡ Don’t forget the socks to match your boots, preferably in the same colour

Now you know most of all that you should about boots, so quick go and get yours today. Also, let me know in the comments, which are your favourite styles and why. 

Until next time,
~ Heena
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When parenthood comes knocking at your door, you think you are prepared, but trust me no one is. When I was expecting Heer, I listened to a lot of advice; imagined, and organized, what I thought I would need. But as soon as she arrived, not only did a period of trial and error start, but also a huge learning curve ensured. One thing I learned very quickly was that a baby goes through numerous diapers daily, and a new mom needs more than just the diapers for all the diapering that happens. 

While diapers remain at the center of this activity :), the other essentials for healthy and safe diapering sessions include natural water wipes, diaper rash cream, and most importantly, a changing mat. Most first-time moms may not realize how a dedicated hygiene kit for diapering makes their lives so much easier. But over a few weeks when they do realize it, they find that it's quite difficult to choose the right products for their quintessential baby hygiene kit. It happened to me too. When I was diapering Heer, I experimented with a lot of products, and found the whole process of searching, using, and experimenting to be quite overwhelming. 

However, today, being a seasoned mom, I was quite well-prepared when Rajveer arrived and knew exactly what to pick. The catch for me was to choose between reusable and disposable products. Because I knew that my little man would need a minimum of 10 diaper changes a day, and I needed to give myself time to recover from a second C-section delivery, I decided to use disposable diapers and disposable changing mats that would make my diaper duty a little less smelly, shitty, and tedious.


And with a zillion brands on the market, I continued to use my personal #MomUsedAndApproved #SuperMatsForSuperMoms disposable Teddyy Changing Mats because of its 3 product features and I want to share them with you. Here they are: 

Waterproof Protection
Nothing is more uncomfortable for a baby than a wet surface. So the Teddyy Changing Mats make sure that they remain dry and give the utmost comfort to my baby with their super absorbent top layer, which is soft and spongy and has a criss-cross design which stops leakages. It also has a waterproof back sheet which prevents the mats from getting wet. And it also keeps allergies and infection at bay with its anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic core. Using this mat assured me that the baby will always remain dry and clean, allergy-free and happy. 

Multiuse Function 
The general perception is that changing mats are used for diapering only. But, Teddyy Changing Mats can be used as an additional protective cushioning on the seat while laying the baby or while travelling, as a wrap while holding the baby and even while massaging the baby. 

Safety and Certification
I believe that safety and quality are of the utmost importance when picking a baby care product and this holds true for diapering products too. Since I use Teddyy Changing Mats practically 24/7, I did check if the product met the mandatory disposable hygiene products certification. I’m glad that the brand meets both the ISO 9001:2015 and CE Certifications that not only make the product healthy and environmentally safe but also make me secure about my choice.


Since the time I started using Teddyy Changing Mats, I’ve also started giving RV diaper-free hours, and it has worked wonders for him. Of course, I dispose the mats I use during the diaper-free hours immediately, while I use the mats in his bed and stroller for a few days.

As a second-time mom, I have used products from Teddyy with renewed gusto and would recommend all new moms to give it a shot too.

Until next time, 
~ Heena
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We’ve noticed that most people tend to stick to one place when they plan their holidays, almost cramping to do a lot of things in a single place, one that they are to visit, not wanting to venture out. This is especially true if there are kids and parents in the travelling troupe. Yes, we are guilty of this since most of our holidays are with our parents and our kids. But, soon we realised that we were missing out on a lot of surrounding places that are travel-worthy as we never made multiple-location itineraries. However, it all is going to change for our upcoming holiday to Shimla.


For the uninitiated, Shimla - the Queen of Hills, is fondly known for its gorgeous landscape, colonial architecture and historical sites. The weather throughout the year is enjoyable enough to draw in numerous tourists, and more so during the winters when the city is covered in gorgeous layers of snow. A stay in the city isn’t complete without a stroll down the Mall road, a trek to the Ridge, and ride on the Toy Train. 

However, in Shimla don't get stuck in the rut within the city, and venture out to visit some of the best weekend getaways from Shimla to add more dimension to your trip. We have been researching over the last few days and come up with numerous destination around Shimla within a distance of 10 to 25 kilometres that can be easily accessed by a local taxi. We have zeroed in on these must-visit places and added them to our itinerary.
Mashobra
At 13 kilometres from Shimla, Mashobra is a huge expanse of lush pine, oak and apple orchards covering beautiful hills which is accentuated with a picturesque stream gushing through the valley. It is a relatively untouched place, with very few tourists but flocked with travellers who love fresh natural surroundings in the lap of serenity. When in Mashobra do not leave without a visit to the Mahasu Peak and the Reserve Forest Sanctuary.
Kufri
At a mere 18 kilometres from Shimla, is Kufri - the most scintillating ‘lake’ place that is like a soothing breeze in the summers and an iced blanket in the winters. Kufri boasts of majestic panoramic views apart from the world-famous trekking and hiking trails. Though one would see many adventure-seekers interested in skiing especially in the winters, Kufri is a much sought-after family place for its Himalayan Nature Park and Fun World.
Fagu
The best surprise, just 21 kilometres from Shimla is Fagu, a quaint little town laden with refreshing green fields that offer a perfect sanctuary for peace and quiet. The picturesque countryside is dotted with a cluster of villages, fruit gardens and terraced fields, making it the perfect escape for a romantic day. Fagu, literally translated as ‘fog’ offers amazing experiences within the Reserve Forest Sanctuary, the Water Catchment Sanctuary and the Old Gurkha Fort.

Do you know of any other places that would interest us around Shimla, without having too much distance to be covered to reach it? If so do recommend in the comments below and should we happen to add that destination to our trip, be sure we shall bring back a local souvenir for you. 

Until next time,
~ Heena
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About Me

About Me

Hey, my name is Heena and I'm a Mumbai based blogger, influencer and content creator.

iCynosure.in is my cozy corner on the internet, where I've chronicled things that fascinate and inspire me.

Enjoy browsing and feel free to get in touch at icynosureblog@gmail.com

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