ICynosure

Everyone lives in two worlds.... the outdoors and the indoors.

Whatever lies outside the door, everything beyond the door should be a dream come true not just for one member of the family but for the entire family. Since we recently went through the whole process of moving into our own home after years of renting a house, I can confidently say that acquiring a home is easy but decorating one is the challenging part.

However, having so I must add that it is an incredible journey that everyone must experience. With everyone having an individualistic idea, their own preferred specifics and requirements the decorating must inculcate all these elements and more. It becomes a nightmare when one has to scout numerous shops, boutiques and malls to find the products that match our vision.

But fear no more…

Now for most of your requirements, all you need to do is visit Porcelanosa. A global leader in innovation, design, manufacture and distribution of Tile, Kitchen, Bath and Dressing room products, the company endeavours to be the industry leader by providing trendsetting cutting-edge designs of unparalleled beauty and refinement backed by technology and quality. Founded 40 years ago in Spain in a small village in Castellon, Porcelanosa is still managed by the founding family with the same values.

Though my home has been renovated recently to the best of my interior knowledge and experience, there are a few things I always lusted for; namely an elaborate bath area and a walk-in-closet. Given the confines of a Mumbai home, these may remain a distant dream to achieve and incorporate. However since wishes need not be equated with reality, when I landed on the site, these were the two sections I first browsed. Every product image gave way to another superior product image and I was practically nodding at each of them. It was easy to imagine myself in those places, so gorgeous and so real.

In Mumbai even a single square foot of space is accounted for, available space must be made optimum use of. Porcelanosa offers amazing designs in customised wardrobes and dressing rooms that are completely in sync with the needs of the user.

Bathrooms are a place to reunite with oneself, without any interferences. Porcelanosa have some uniquely creative bathtub options that are not only a dream for design lovers but also are functional and user-friendly. The options are mind-boggling with fitted ones to free-standing ones, from acrylic to special materials that create delightful spaces to unwind. And what of those which are equipped with hydromassage and chromotherapy. Just dip in and relax.

My thought, the company has no base in Asia forget about India; when Indiblogger summoned us.

Porcelanosa the Spanish lifestyle giant ventures into Asia with Kotle-Patil Developers Ltd. for their luxury brand #24KLiving. 24K is a project that offers fine homes with an extraordinary mix of engineering, design, amenities and location.

Amazing isn’t it?

~ Heena

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India is a country of immense. We have a high rate of population growth and an even higher rate of inflation. There is great diversity, which is within the so-called unity. Yes, I'd say so-called. And if you ask me why I have an answer just as readily available.

The monetary divide does not allow for every human to have the basic needs fulfilled. Talk about the traditional list of the basic needs that include air, food and water, clothing and shelter. And you will clearly realise that not every human in this country has the privilege of these being fulfilled. So where is the question of the modern list of basic facilities which include the traditional needs along with healthcare, education and sanitation?

A recent study has brought out the issue of sanitation I India to the forefront and we as citizens need to take notice of the same.

§ Only an estimated 30 percent of India’s 1.27 billion people use sanitation facilities.

§ In rural India, only 20 percent use sanitation facilities.

§ Only a percentage of the rural population have basic sanitation facilities in the last 5 years.

§ Over 70% of the Indian population defecates in the open.

It is believed even in the urban areas nearly 43percent of the population has no access to toilets. With the government in every house of the parliament submits reports of spending over hundred crores of the public money on water and sanitation needs, the results are negligible.

What should come as a basic facility to all Indians is perceived as a luxury. In such a scenario what does a girl like Babli do? Where is the #ToiletForBabli?

Risk her health, her life to defecate in the open?

Where is the parent who promised her the world, when she was born?

Thankfully, this situation has been looked into, by our enigmatic Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. His Swatch Bharat Abhyan not only encourages people to ensure cleanliness but emphasises the importance sanitation.

When business houses take up social issues, its laud worthy not only for the benefits it brings to the society and country but also for the unique initiative the brand looks to associate with. Since open defecation is one of the biggest concerns that India faces, there is an increased health risk of microbial contamination of water which causes water diseases; Domex has undertaken an initiative to make villages in Maharashtra and Orissa open-defecation free.

This wonderful initiative will directly impact children like Babli who have to defecate in the open and are exposed to diarrhoea which impacts their education and sometimes leads to death. It’s a shame that over 28 million children in India do not have access to toilet facilities and less than 6 percent children under the age of 5 years use toilets.

Domex through its initiative is looking to provide a solution to this problem and since the beginning of the initiative have made substantial inroads and created some success stories.

With the PM doing his bit, and business houses initiating change, we too can do our bit to change the lives of millions of kids. Show your support for the Domex Initiative, ‘Click’ on the ‘Contribute Tab’ on www.domex.in and Domex will contribute Rs.5 on your behalf to eradicate open defecation; helping Babli live a dignified life.

Do your bit,

~ Heena

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A few days ago, I was asked, "Can Health be Fun?"

My first thought on that was what is FUN? Well in simple lay-man language Fun is any activity that allows for entertainment, makes it enjoyable or gives me an adrenaline rush. My second thought was what activity entertains me, something I really enjoy that not only gives me an adrenaline rush but also adds positively to my health. Apart from a zillion things that came to my head the only activity that I actually look forward to day-in-day-out is Zumba.

I see you smile; yes you are right it is fun, it is crazy and above all it is healthy. Zumba is a giant party.

Especially for the uninitiated, Zumba is a fun-infused fitness program where you spend the whole time shaking your booty to music to achieve a healthier you. Forget the treadmill or the weights in the gym, all you need for a Zumba class is yourself and an attitude to move your body.

When I signed up for Zumba at the insistence of a friend, I had no idea what I was getting into. I assumed it to be rhythmical, step-for-step and choreographed. But it was the exact opposite. None of my previous dance experiences helped much. Zumba, which actually means ‘to move fast’ is a closely associated with the word Rumba which means ‘to party’ in Latin.

The first few classes I just kept waving my hands and kicking my legs around all the time. It was a slow progression to following the steps, while all the time you are laughing and having fun. My fear of being laughed at, made fun of disappeared in the second week when I realised most of us were in the same boat, just out there to have fun and not to judge anyone. The more we kept at it, the better we got.

During the sessions, I just go crazy dancing without bothering to check with it’s doing for my body and health. But I haven’t been disappointed. Zumba fun has taken me to the doorstep of Health, the moment I forgot to count the calories I was burning and just started having fun I’ve lost more than I would have bargained for. So my mantra for having Health fun is very simple…. Let Yourself Loose, Party Your Time Away, Have Fun!

I’m hooked to Zumba, for a fun-filled Health Regime. And You?

The least you could do is changing the cookies in your kitchen with Sunfeast Farmlite, especially with their amazing campaign ‘Health is Fun with Farmlite’ which is driven by the Farmlite Bytes Film festival.

The films created are so much fun as they push you to change your lifestyle for better whilst incorporating simple day-to-day activities. Contrary to popular belief, these films are pretty short and convey the message in a humorous unconventional manner.

View the films here….and here are a few that have left an impression on me and I've watched them more than once ...

Goodbye Bai is a fantastic take on the so-called modern home scenario in India. So dependent have people become on their maids, that a day of absence creates chaos. Here is a simple resolution to the problem while getting healthier and fitter!

This short film is so close to my heart, as it speaks the language that I completely understand. Why not have many more such festivals that help us get fitter rather than those that only pile on kilos?

And I've saved the best for the last. Every couple lives this life, and those who say they don't are plain lying. And since I face similar situations time and again, this modus-operandi is something I must incorporate into my life to win the marital battles.

About Sunfeast Farmlite: ITC foray into the biscuits market was with the launch of the Sunfeast range of biscuits in 2003. The range is a healthy option in the segment made with Oats and Wheat. Available in two flavours Oats with Almonds and Oats with Raisins, the cookies are not only tasty but also healthy. They are….

§ Loaded with Oats and Wheat Fibre which helps digestion and lowers bad Cholesterol levels
§ Full of Iron which helps in formation of red blood cells and haemoglobin
§ Packed with Proteins that act as the basic building blocks for muscles
§ Infused with Magnesium which helps in normal muscle function and maintenance of bones

So my answer is, Yes Health is Fun with Sunfeast Farmlite! How do you make your heath fun?
~ Heena

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It is a picturesque world and as I’m armed with a smartphone, I go clicking pictures all the time. And for someone as keen on clicking and sharing pictures, Instagram is the place to be.

Thinking to myself ‘how many platforms can one really be on? I need to put a line somewhere to stop’. Though initially, I was a bit reluctant to join Instagram, I gave in to my interest and joined the platform a couple of months ago. And since then when I dress I Instagram, when I dine out I Instagram, when I get a good photo opportunity I Instagram. Instagram is certainly addictive and super fun and easy to use.

Even though I joined the bandwagon pretty late, I simply love Instagram. However, the big question is ‘who to follow’. It really doesn’t matter who you don’t follow, but the few you must follow are Bloggers. You shall want to know why? Here is why you should…

Beyond Blogging
Instagram gives you a sneak peek into a blogger’s life much beyond the blog. Apart from my niche, you will see pictures of my interests, my lifestyle, things I do, etc, etc. Instagram offers a more personal friendship.

Dressing Down
As a #fashionblogger my posts will be all articulated, meticulously styled and near perfect. My blog will reflect what I’d love to wear, how best it would be to style. However, on my Instagram feed, you will see what I actually wear on a day-to-day basis.

Wishlist & Others
When something fancy catches my eye it goes on to the lust list on Instagram. Isn’t that something you want to keep an eye out for, too? Flaunting goodies I receive from time to time also makes it on the feed. An honest thumbs up or down in the picture detail gives one first-person account of what I think about it.

What’s Next
As a blogger, I receive loads of information about what products are going to be launched, what’s the new trend to hit the fashion industry and many a time I get these products/services offered to me much before they are available in the market. What better than Instagram to keep you updated as well as I Instagram the details.

Events with Amazing Brands and Blogger Buddies
No extra points for guessing that I get invited to brand events, fashion shows, store launches and collection previews. The best way to know everything about these is Instagram as its instant sharing. Not only would you see the hits and misses but also get to meet my friends and get to know about different blogs and bloggers. Event pictures with friends are the most fun things, ever.

Last but not the least, Instagram is instant connection. So the basic point is to ‘Hit Follow’ and get to know amazing things about your favourite bloggers.

Can't get enough of me at #iCynosure? Follow me on Instagram for more.
~ Heena

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