• Home
  • About
  • Fashion
    • What I Wore
    • What Heer Wore
    • Fashion Guide
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Technology
    • Entertainment
  • Parenting
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Bloglovin Subscribe

ICynosure

With the festive season and the chilly winter months soon approaching, I’m sure the urge of wanderlust within every one of you is at an all-time high. These two periods are considered the best times to travel - either to beat the smoggy smoke of Diwali or the chills of the dreadful winter. Exploring and visiting exotic places does not necessarily have to cost you a bomb and you certainly don’t need to win some sort of lottery to travel the world – not if you know how to watch your expenses and plan out your trip wisely. I’ve compiled some of the best tried and tested tips to help you plan a holiday on a budget - 

Choose Off-Season Destinations 
If you’re looking to head to Goa this New Years, well, it would be close to impossible to plan out a cheap trip. Flight tickets would be at an all-time high and there are minimum solutions to this. Similarly, even hotel prices would be sky-rocketing at this point. Instead, you could choose to push your holiday by a few months when tickets would be relatively more affordable since it would not be peak season. 

Compromise on Accommodation 
Staying in the swankiest hotels and resorts is what we all dream of. However, if you want to travel on a budget - accommodation is one of the avenues which can help you save the most. Global platforms like Airbnb and Couchsurfing are popular options which allow you to simply book a spare room in a resident’s home. Or instead, you could opt for hostel dorm rooms. This option is increasingly popular with the youth - who are often on a budget due to lack of personal finances. 

Explore Public Transport 
Private transport facilities such as commercial taxis, hiring personal vehicles, or even global transport services such as Uber are sure shot ways of burning a hole in your pocket. To counter this, you could try using public transport in the form of trains or public buses. These are not only affordable options for transport but also completely immerse users into the culture and essence of a city. For example, cities like Tokyo and London are known to have some of the best subway systems in the world - and are used by the whole city for commuting. Similarly, on a national scale, travelling on the Mumbai Local is an enthralling experience in itself.



There are multiple avenues through which you can save up and enjoy a holiday on a budget. To conclude, if you’re looking to travel anytime soon – you may want to #JustEMI your holiday booking via the Bajaj Finserv EMI Network. The company has partnered with MakeMyTrip and is offering some amazing offers this Diwali. While transacting through MakeMyTrip, you can avail 20 percent instant discount on domestic hotel bookings up to Rs 10000 and flat Rs 400 off on minimum transaction amount of Rs 8,000 for domestic flight tickets using your Bajaj Finserv EMI Network Card. If you aren’t a member of the EMI Network yet, you can apply easily via their Experia customer portal or check your pre-approved offer online.

So, what are you waiting for? #JustEMI you travel plans and book flights at your convenience along with choosing the most exotic resort of your choice! To know more, check out their EMI Network Town.
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
When people are in a foreign place earning new experiences, the mind is open to everything. The mind processes emotions better and the heart is all set to embark on a new love story. The four-episode series from Viu, 'It Happened In Hong Kong' is something that can be understood on these lines. Played by Amol Parashar and Aahana Kumra, the show elaborates wanderlust and a budding love story between two strangers. If you are having a tough day at work, watch series 'It Happened In Hong Kong' to remind yourself that life can be beautiful. You just need to know how to seize the moment.



A business trip ends up being something very exciting
The web series shows the story of a Bombay girl, Aahana, who is on a solo trip after having a rough patch in her personal life. Amol is a Delhi boy who is facing an existential crisis and is in the middle of a business trip. Both these people arrive in Hong Kong, seeking seemingly different things. However, life gives them both the sweetness of each other's companion. Though the theme is not quite new, VIU offers the story with a vibrant spark from the experienced actors. The strangers agree to spend the last few days of the trip together, engaging themselves in the company of each other. Watch this Hindi web series online for free on VIU.

The first episode outlines the beauty of Hong Kong, showing the lady's intentions to become a travel blogger. The two travel through Hong Kong, ticking off one place off the book after another. The series is a little fast-paced, showing the developing romance between the couple while they are striking one place off the list after another. The theme is known, but the story would have new twists and turns for the viewers. It is a romantic online Indian web series that shows how life is meant to be enjoyed. Watch series online and make the most of your coffee break.

The expressive ways of the actors impress the viewers
The actors, especially Aahana Kumra, are very expressive throughout the story. This brings out some more character to the story's heroine. Amol Parashar gives off a cool and clean vibe and the two make quite a dynamic duo for the online series. The mutual attraction between the couple comes off as a natural. It is an exciting Hindi web series that will keep you occupied and glued to the screen for a couple of hours. The backstories also shed some originality on the content. The small details make the story much more interesting and inspiring for the viewers.

The beautiful background of Hong Kong attracts attention as does the charming passion of the actors and the budding on-screen romance. The show is unlike the typical Indian web series, which is trying to portray today's society in a raw and unadulterated form. The show is dipped with romance but tries to portray it in a foreign and carefree manner. The series shows how a person can find love at the most unexpected moment. 'It Happened In Hong Kong' is an online web series Hindi that explores the small big moments that can come out when you are travelling.

VIU is an amazing online platform for movies
VIU is an over-the-top video streaming platform from PCCW media and is based in Hong Kong. The media was launched in 2015 and features some premium Korean dramas. But, now the platform is showing some of the most exciting online web series from India. If you like web shows, the platform is very suitable for you. But if you haven't tried out web series, this place can be a storehouse for delight. Enjoy the latest Hindi TV shows and movies on the platform and find out a new meaning to your life.

Resume the journey of your life with some added spark from 'It Happened In Hong Kong'. Find out a way to bring more meaning to your life with the exciting story that befalls two Indians on foreign land. How will their story end? Will they find new meaning in their lives with the newfound passion they discovered for themselves? You can only find out by watching 'It Happened In Hong Kong'.
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
You may think, I have everything so well put together, even with two kids. But trust me this has been a long time coming, with numerous errors, horrendous mistakes and then small notes to myself, this almost-perfect situation is a commutative effort of many years of travelling alone, with family and now with kids. It does take a great deal of planning and a solid checklist that ensures I leave the house without having to worry on the road.


Here are the 8 essentials that I won’t leave the house without, those which keep me charged, fresh-faced, hydrated and prepared for whatever the day brings.

Shades: Shape, colour, brand doesn’t matter, but what matters is that I have one in each of my handbags to protect my eyes from the glare of the sun. Not only that I carry a pair for the kids as well as night vision sunnies especially those which help when I’m driving. 

Earbuds: When on the go I love to listen to audiobooks or music and that requires a good set of earbuds. I prefer plain and simple in-ear earphones, but you can pick what suits you best from wireless or bluetooth enabled to over-the-ear or even noise cancelling ones.

Moisturiser: My go-to product, a natural multipurpose moisturiser is a triple threat, as I can use it not only to combat my dry skin but also chapped lips and frizzy hair. I prefer one with ingredients which include olive and jojoba oil, beeswax and aloe vera. 

Power Bank: Yes, I never go anywhere without my phone, but what if it runs out of power? A mobile charger and adaptor along with a power bank are an essential part of the in my handbag products no matter where I’m going. 

Tissues: Whether I need ammunition against small runny noses, or make-up disasters or just clean up a mess, my best friend - the tissue comes to my rescue. So I always throw in a couple of travel-sized tissue packs in my handbag. 

Hand Sanitiser: On the go, especially with the kids I cannot and would not want to go looking for a sink to clean dirty little hands. The best replacement for washing and cleaning hands when travelling is a hand sanitiser which always finds a place in my handbag.

Healthy Snack & Water Bottle: A small snack kit is a must have in my handbag. A small pouch with a few mixed nuts, energy bars keep the kids and me fuller for more time. And to ensure hydration in the weather, a bottle of water is a must at all times. 

Business Cards: Last but not the least, I never know who I'm going to end up meeting and where. So I ensure I place my business cards strategically in an accessible place in my handbag so I do not rummaging my handbag for one. 

Is this a list you carry as well? Can you add any item in the comments section to make a mom's life easier? 

Until next time,
~ Heena
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
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 
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
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
Share
Tweet
Pin
Share
No comments
Newer Posts
Older Posts

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

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin
  • Subscribe

Most Loved Articles

  • BYJU'S Classes |Fee Structure
  • HomeShop18 Launches Designer Sarees By Shilpa Shetty Kundra
  • Black Forest Calling |Travel Diaries
  • 10 Things To Do During Rann Utsav In Kutch
  • Arrest Hair Fall with NEUD Carrot Seed Premium Hair Oil

Blog Archive

  • ▼  2026 (1)
    • ▼  March 2026 (1)
      • How To Use Castor Oil For Healing
  • ►  2023 (3)
    • ►  September 2023 (1)
    • ►  May 2023 (1)
    • ►  January 2023 (1)
  • ►  2022 (4)
    • ►  November 2022 (1)
    • ►  August 2022 (1)
    • ►  April 2022 (1)
    • ►  January 2022 (1)
  • ►  2021 (18)
    • ►  December 2021 (2)
    • ►  October 2021 (5)
    • ►  August 2021 (1)
    • ►  July 2021 (3)
    • ►  June 2021 (3)
    • ►  May 2021 (1)
    • ►  April 2021 (2)
    • ►  March 2021 (1)
  • ►  2020 (33)
    • ►  November 2020 (1)
    • ►  October 2020 (1)
    • ►  September 2020 (1)
    • ►  August 2020 (2)
    • ►  July 2020 (7)
    • ►  June 2020 (7)
    • ►  May 2020 (7)
    • ►  March 2020 (3)
    • ►  February 2020 (1)
    • ►  January 2020 (3)
  • ►  2019 (43)
    • ►  December 2019 (5)
    • ►  November 2019 (2)
    • ►  October 2019 (3)
    • ►  September 2019 (2)
    • ►  August 2019 (5)
    • ►  July 2019 (3)
    • ►  June 2019 (4)
    • ►  May 2019 (1)
    • ►  April 2019 (2)
    • ►  March 2019 (7)
    • ►  February 2019 (5)
    • ►  January 2019 (4)
  • ►  2018 (67)
    • ►  December 2018 (6)
    • ►  November 2018 (4)
    • ►  October 2018 (8)
    • ►  September 2018 (7)
    • ►  August 2018 (9)
    • ►  July 2018 (5)
    • ►  June 2018 (5)
    • ►  May 2018 (5)
    • ►  April 2018 (2)
    • ►  March 2018 (6)
    • ►  February 2018 (4)
    • ►  January 2018 (6)
  • ►  2017 (67)
    • ►  December 2017 (8)
    • ►  November 2017 (3)
    • ►  October 2017 (3)
    • ►  September 2017 (6)
    • ►  August 2017 (3)
    • ►  July 2017 (7)
    • ►  June 2017 (4)
    • ►  May 2017 (6)
    • ►  April 2017 (5)
    • ►  March 2017 (8)
    • ►  February 2017 (6)
    • ►  January 2017 (8)
  • ►  2016 (135)
    • ►  December 2016 (12)
    • ►  November 2016 (11)
    • ►  October 2016 (5)
    • ►  September 2016 (15)
    • ►  August 2016 (16)
    • ►  July 2016 (14)
    • ►  June 2016 (9)
    • ►  May 2016 (13)
    • ►  April 2016 (10)
    • ►  March 2016 (10)
    • ►  February 2016 (14)
    • ►  January 2016 (6)
  • ►  2015 (192)
    • ►  December 2015 (15)
    • ►  November 2015 (13)
    • ►  October 2015 (9)
    • ►  September 2015 (9)
    • ►  August 2015 (16)
    • ►  July 2015 (23)
    • ►  June 2015 (10)
    • ►  May 2015 (15)
    • ►  April 2015 (17)
    • ►  March 2015 (22)
    • ►  February 2015 (26)
    • ►  January 2015 (17)
  • ►  2014 (104)
    • ►  December 2014 (16)
    • ►  November 2014 (14)
    • ►  October 2014 (19)
    • ►  September 2014 (7)
    • ►  August 2014 (6)
    • ►  July 2014 (11)
    • ►  June 2014 (3)
    • ►  May 2014 (3)
    • ►  April 2014 (6)
    • ►  March 2014 (5)
    • ►  February 2014 (5)
    • ►  January 2014 (9)
  • ►  2013 (37)
    • ►  December 2013 (11)
    • ►  November 2013 (6)
    • ►  October 2013 (3)
    • ►  September 2013 (1)
    • ►  August 2013 (1)
    • ►  July 2013 (5)
    • ►  June 2013 (3)
    • ►  May 2013 (5)
    • ►  April 2013 (1)
    • ►  March 2013 (1)

Labels

  • Beauty
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Hair & Skin
  • Parenting
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • What Heer Wore
  • What I Wore

Gorgeous Readers

Facebook

Favorite Sites

Long-sleeves Dresses, You Deserve One in Autumn

Created with by iCynosure