Autumn Trend Alert: “Dot On”

This article was published in +977 (a Nepalese Lifestyle Magazine in Australia) in April 2013 issue.

polka dots for blog kkkk

Polka dots have been in fashion for a long time and it is here to stay as polka dot pieces are guaranteed to cheer up any outfit. Remember the red and white outfit of Minnie mouse? Whether you prefer to be girly, casual uber-feminine, sophisticated or retro, just adding polka dots will definitely add a whole new level to your look making it perfect for work or the weekend.

There’s certainly no shortage of polka dot items to choose from like pants, dresses, coats, tops, stockings, shoes, bags, accessories, scarfs, umbrella etc.

How to wear Polka dot

  • Mix them with a sheer material or a skin-baring silhouette.
  • Wear neutral pieces with polka dot.
  • Wear cinched-waist polka dot dress to get an hourglass figure.
  • Wear a polka dot jean with a solid sweater or blouse in a corresponding colour
  • Pair with stripes or tiny floral for fresh look.
  • Wear polka patent belt to break the bold print.
  • Wear darker shades polka dots to get slimmer look.
  • If you’re not one to wear lots of prints, start with accessories.
  • If you are not comfortable with big dots, get small dots in stockings and under layer.
  • Wear polka-dot scarf or headband to add a new dimension to your everyday look.
  • Wear a light spring scarf to casual chic outfit.
  • Try also polka dot handbags, pumps, umbrellas and mobile phone cases.

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Our Story: Memories from the past – Part 7

This is a continuation of my previous post. Please read the previous posts here, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 and Part 6.

After I finished chatting with AS I boarded the plane to my destination, Kathmandu.  My fight to Nepal was around 3.5 hours. During the 8 hours conversation with AS at one point I was thinking, I wish life was simple and I could get a man like AS. At that point I didn’t see any possibility of AS being my partner as I was 100% sure there was no way AS would ever go for a gal like me. I knew him in school and talking in chats and Skype, I got to know him better.

I knew he was a family orientated simple guy who was an introvert while I was an extrovert who laughs loud and talks all the time. A blind person would have easily seen the differences between us.

But that conversation had cleared my mind. I was mentally prepared to get married with someone nice and fulfil all my dreams. I decided that it was time for me to get married and settle down so that I could plan of my future. The marriage thing definitely was blocking my life from moving ahead as I didn’t know what to expect in the future so didn’t plan anything at all.

The flight to Kathmandu was smooth and I was finally in Nepal. When I landed in Nepal, it was very exciting. It was nice to meet my parents after over a year.

My mum had cooked my favourite dishes and I was delighted to eat all the yummy food. I was really looking forward to going on holiday with my parents.

It was Sunday afternoon and we were going to catch a flight for our Nepal and India tour the next afternoon as from Tuesday there was a Nepal Bandh (Nepal closed down due to political reason). It was really annoying that I didn’t get to rest well but if we didn’t fly out on Sunday we might not be able to go on holiday as we didn’t know how long the Nepal Bandh was going to last.

That afternoon I called AS and told him that I was going out of the valley for holiday and may not be in touch for a while. I gave my new mobile number and asked him to message me when his flight to Kathmandu was finalised.

That evening I was going through my old stuffs in my room when I stumble on a box from school and it had lots of old pictures and my memo book.

The old photos were so awesome, so many stories, so many memories and so much fun to look at. It felt like that it was just yesterday that I was enjoying going hiking, going to restaurants or just mocking around with my friends from school. It is true what they say that school days are the best time of your life.

Our old photos (2) Our old photos (1)

One of the things I did on the last week of school was made a memory book and asked all my friends to drop a few words for me. I knew it would be a great memory for future.

Going through that memo book was bringing back lots of memory. Most of my friends wrote few words or half a page but when I reached the page that AS wrote, I was surprised that he managed to write 3 pages. Seriously, I didn’t notice that much before but going through that I was feeling good. He always knew what to say. It felt really good to read it again.

 memo book

I had dinner and spend some time with my parents. Unpack stuffs from Australia and packed a smaller suitcase to take with me for our next holiday.

Next morning, as I was getting ready to go to the airport, AS call me on my phone.

AS: hello

Me: hello

AS: glad I caught you before you left for the airport

Me: Ya, just getting ready to go now. Waiting for mum to finish.

AS: Just want to wish you a great holiday. I know you’re gonna enjoy it

Me: I hope it will be fun as planned. Both my parents are excited to go and I am just happy that I will be with them 24 x 7 for the next 2 weeks.

AS: I think I can call you while you are still in Nepal but when you cross the border into India, I may not be able to.

Me: Let me see if I can buy a sim in India. Let you know if that is a possibility. Either way give me the good news when I return.

AS: Hope so .OK, take care and have a safe journey .What time is your flight?

Me: At 2pm

AS: OK have fun

Me: Thanks. Take care.

He hung up the phone. My parents were ready to leave so we went to the airport to board our flight to Bhadrapur airport. There we would be met by tour guide who would take us around Darjeeling and Sikkim in India and to Illam and Pashupathi Nagar in Mirik in Nepal.

It was a nightmare at the domestic airport in Nepal. It didn’t even look like an airport. It was chaos everywhere and we didn’t even know when to board the plane.  We just waited in the waiting area and hoped that we will hear the announcement for our flight.

I heard someone shout our flight number so told my parents to get ready to board. At that time, AS sent me a text,” Remember to enjoy your holiday. Have fun for me as well.”

It definitely brought a smile to my face and was thanking god for sending a good friend back into my life.

I replied “Thanks and I will have a great time 🙂”

We boarded the plane and took off for a nice holiday away from everyday life. It was my first time to Darjeeling and Sikkim and I was really looking forward to all the nice things the places have to offer.

I will write more about the journey to Darjeeling and Sikkim next so do come back for more. Till then take care.

XOXO

M from nepaliaustralian

Go to Part 8

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Recycling and reusing in Nepal

This article was published in +977 (a Nepalese Lifestyle Magazine in Australia) in April 2013 issue.

recycling post blog

My recent visit to Nepal has given me inside to many things and one of them is recycling and using anything and everything possible.

Recycling is very important, but even better is reusing. I was really impressed on reusing skill on people from Nepal. From old metal cans, plastic bags, old newspapers, packing containers and old clothes, Nepali housewives especially found ways to give second life for simple items around their home by reusing them.

I really think people living in west are spoiled and they really need to learn how to reuse and recycle than buying things that are use and throw. I have to admit, even though I am conscious about recycling and reusing, I have a long way to go to be anywhere near these housewives. I am going to remember from now on that not everything is destined for the rubbish bin. I need to think before I throw.

No matter how rich or how poor people are, most Nepali people reuse lots of thing and this is what I observe.

  • Plastic grocery bags used as small trash can bags.
  • Ziplock bags washed and reused.
  • Worn out clothes used as rags to clean floors and windows.
  • Margarine and butter tubs used as takeaway containers.
  • Everyone unwrap their gifts very careful so they can reuse the wrapping paper.
  • Shoe boxes used as storage containers for small items.
  • Old toothbrush used to clean hard to reach areas like around the sink, your drains, faucets and grout.
  • Newspaper used for cleaning windows and mirrors. Also it is used to clean up after pets.
  • Old glass bottles from tomato sauce or honey used as storage container for herbs and spices in the kitchen.It can be also be used as a stationary organiser.

  • Small jars from jams used as candle holders.
  • Old saucers used as soap dishes.
  • Mugs are used as utensil holders.

  •  Leftovers are put in freeze and used in fried rice the next day.
  • Any kind of boxes used as storage containers or organisers.
  •  Plastic milk jugs, juice containers, big coke bottles used to store water.
  •  Small plastic water or soda bottles used to take water with you while out and about.

If you are interested in any of the ideas, please Google and you will find heaps of ideas on how to turn your trash into treasure and you will be surprised how good they look. Also it will help you save some money and you are doing your bit to save the environment.

Do you recycle?

Till next post, take care.

M from nepaliaustralia

XOXO

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Holiday in Picture

I am currently on holiday on north coast of Sydney. The place is just beautiful so  sharing some photos.

Holiday (1)

Holiday (14) Holiday (12) Holiday (2) Holiday (3) Holiday (4) Holiday (5) Holiday (6) Holiday (7) Holiday (8) Holiday (9) Holiday (10) Holiday (11)  Holiday (13)

Till next post, take care.

M from nepaliaustralia

XOXO

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Seviya kheer (vermicelli kheer)

Yesterday AS felt like having Seviya kheer out of the blue so I decided to make one. Seviya is fried vermicelli noodles. I bought a packet of fried Seviya from an Asian grocery store. This was the first time I tried it and I have to admit, it was very easy.

Seviya kheer  (2)

Seviya kheer  (3)

Ingredients

  • 200gm vermicelli
  • 800 ml milk
  • 3 tablespoons sugar (add more or less according to your taste)
  • 2 tablespoons ghee/clarified butter
  • 7-8 roasted or fried unsalted almonds, chopped

Instructions

  • Heat ghee in a pan and when it is melted add vermicelli and fry till they become golden brown.

Seviya kheer  (4)

  • Pour the milk and let it come to a boil.

Seviya kheer  (5)

  • Add sugar and mix well.
  • Lower the flame and let the milk simmer for 5-7 minutes till the vermicelli gets cooked.

Seviya kheer  (1)

  • Add chopped almonds.
  • Serve the kheer hot, warm or cold.

Seviya kheer

  • I prefer mine cold :). Enjoy!