Book Review 6

My 3rd and the last Book Review for June 2012. I've read more books this month than i thought I will.. Well  I guess that's an accomplishment.. Don't you think so??

Here it goes:

Title : As the crow flies
Author : Jeffrey Archer
Published by : Harper Collins
Type : Novel
Genre : Fiction
Pages : 738 (original)
            234 (condensed)

My Review

This is my second read from Jeffrey Archer.. It was totally different from the first one.. No suspense or tortures but there was drama for sure..

The book starts off with the narrator telling a story about an innocent boy Charlie Trumper ( the main character), who lives with his grandfather and his 2 sisters, in the whitechapel area of London's East end. A talented boy who dreams of becoming an honest barrow boy who's best in the business of selling fruits and vegetables just like his grandfather.

When his grandfather dies, Charlie becomes the sole breadwinner for the family, he drops out of school before he hits his teens to handle his grandfather's shop and quickly turns out to be better and brilliant than him.

The story takes you through a journey of  Charlie's life from an eight year boy to a soldier fighting for his country in the World War II to becoming Lord Charlie Trumper, who owns a large empire consisting of shops and businesses from every walk.

The story moves through a span of 60-70 years(hence should be called a saga) of Charlie's life, including a feus with the Trentham's, friendships which grow into relationships.. As I mentioned earlier.. Drama at it's best!!

The author has written the book from a number of different viewpoints of the various characters in the story making it all the more interesting. It's like getting into the head of these characters and knowing what they are thinking..

The story has an interesting ending that brings a smile to your face and leaves you asking for more!!

P.S. Next up : Denim and Lace!!

Tribal Colors

This summer it's been all about colors.. So, when the InFB's VIBGYOR Challenge came along.. I thought to myself.. Why not??
I mostly don't wear a lot of colors in one outfit so, this time too I wanted to keep the look simple but still have color.. The challenge also included the option that the color could be in any form in the pic... So I went with the background of my own paintings..

You can check out more of my paintings here..
If you want to get something made for yourself just email me or drop in a comment.. :)

Here's the look :

What I'm Wearing: Top : Don't remember, Skirt : Forever21, Belt :  Love Cultur , Blazer : Love Cultur, Shoes : India

The Tribal Skirt 

My Jewels : Neon Ring: Forever 21, Maroon Ring : Gift from mom, Bracelet : From  India (gift from mom), Watch : Fossil

Gold tip nails..

Now for the latest on FabFitFun Challenge

Day 24 : Plan your snacks in advance

My snacks : Blanched almonds, watermelon and baby carrots

Day 25 : Shady Lady

They're big and I just love them..

P.S. Next up : Another Book Review... As the crow flies

Lost and Found!!

Last week I was going through my closet, looking for some of my old shorts and skirts when my eyes fell upon "them".. and I realized,  I already have a pair of "colored shorts"!! The first thing that came to my mind was It's so IN and I had no idea I already possessed it!! Has this ever happened to you??

I bought these about a year and a half back while shopping for my honeymoon and then completely forgot about them.. This is how I wore it then..

Taken on our honeymoon.. Jan 2011.. In Goa..

And this is how I wore it now..

I Love this pic!!

What I'm Wearing : Top : American Eagle Outfitters
Shorts : Old Navy

It combines two of the hottest trends this season :


- florals
- colored bottoms

let the sun shine through!!

Paired it with neutral flats, I love these shoes, I can wear it with any outfit.. They are so comfortable.. 
Do you own such a piece?? Do share.. Cause I'm all about comfort! 

I found this Jimmy Choo clutch at a thrift store and fell in love with it..  It had the perfect size and the perfect color!!

Clutch : Jimmy choo
Shoes : DSW

I tried to keep the look simple by not wearing a lot of accessories as there was already a lot going on..

My Jewels : Earrings : Gift from Aunt
   Watch : Fossil

I have just a eyeliner and a mix of two lip colors on for my make up!!

This is my new nail do!! Mint with a purple bling!! Do you like it??

FabFitFun Challenge :

Day 22 : Be a tree

Day 23 : Sweet crave craze

P.S. Many more outfit posts to come your way!!  Stay tuned....

Linking my post with the pleated poppy's What I Wore Wednesday and rolled up pretty's wednesday link-up..

Don't forget to check out all the other lovely ladies!! :)

Weekend Edition III

It's time for another Weekend Edition..

The weekend had a great start, with a movie, Men in Black. Well, IMDB has given a low rating for its newest sequel, however, we, the 3 musketeers : Me, hubby and brother liked the movie, it has those Will Smith funny moments as well as serious ones.. it did have some "yucky" ones too.. especially with those alien type creatures "ooozing" out stuff.. haha.. you made that face right.. the ewww one.. haha.. well we still enjoyed it!!

/our movie stubs

Hubby left these in the kitchen before leaving for work on Saturday!! Isn't he just the best!!
Love you soooo much!! :) :)

Saturday was a bit slow, with hubby on work all day and me and brother too lazy to do anything.... or for that matter make a plan as to what to do next!!
Do you ever have such moments??

trying to make funny faces!! yes! M wearing a Minnie Mouse top!! I love it!! :)

Boys : hard at work!!

Then came Saturday evening and the energy that we had been saving up the whole day was put into action with a great BBQ at our community BBQ pits.. Hubby and brother really enjoyed their hot dogs.. I, on the other hand loved my veggie BBQ with grilled veggies, sweet potatoes and tater bites (yummy)..

We did plan a grilled pineapple dessert but our tummies were too full for another round...

I had made a lot of plans for Sunday but it turned out that we are "lazy bums", got up late, lazed around on the couch, watched looney tunes while having breakfast, hubby wanted to have a tropical feel so he told me to top a beer mug with ice and put "powerade" in it with a straw.. weird right!! But we are that way.. Weird..

Tropical "Powerade"!! 

We finally got up around 1 in the afternoon to leave for another fun filled day.. as it would not have been completed without my trip to the mall and the discount book store to score another read..

Ready to go!!

My brother did his bit of the shopping and I did mine.. and hubby did his, paying the bill that is, heheh, sorry hubby just a joke. :P

Tried it on!! Loved it!1 No clue Why I DID NOT GET IT!! Somebody hit me on the head!!

We had a perfect late lunch at Islands with burgers on our plates before heading on for another movie, yea I know its the second one in 2 days.. I think it was a day for cartoons cause we saw Disney's new movie Brave!! The AMC Burbank theatres have the new Dolby Atmos sound system and if you haven't checked it out.. you should, it was an awesome experience. This sound system is specially designed to enhance your 3-D experience, with speakers installed overhead as well. You could hear and fell every sound of the movie..

Our drinks!

Yummy burgers and fries for the table!

We ended the day by skipping dinner and instead relieving our sweet tooth at yogurtland, it's my favorite place for dessert.

Dinner :P

Now for the FabFitFun Challenge

Day 19 : Make a meal memo

Day 20 : H2O yeah

Day 21 : Get Pedi Ready

P.S. Coming up next : Another Outfit post!!

Book Review 5 : A Matter of Honor by Jeffrey Archer

Starting with this one, I am giving my book reviews a little bit of a makeover.. Giving a bit of more details and making a little bit more "Nerdy".. but I kinda like it..

So, here we go..

Title : A Matter of Honor
Author : Jeffrey Archer
First Copyright date/year : 1986 ( I was born in that year)
Type : Novel

Genre : Fiction - Political thriller
Pages : 429

My Review


Jeffrey Archer has written a number of books including novels and short stories that topped the bestseller lists all around the world. This one however is my first read from the long list of books from him. It is a fiction novel set in mid 1960's and starts of in Moscow, Russia with a KGB officer being briefed about a mission. In the next chapter it turns to London and the "Hero" of the novel makes his entrance as Adam Scott, Adam and his family are gathered for the reading of his father's will. Adam is bequeathed with an envelope. According to his father it was up to Scott, whether to open the envelope or not, but if he chose to do open it he should never reveal the contents to anyone.

With curiosity and caution he reads and unravels the mystery written on the piece of paper he has inherited but not without KGB officer Romanov, the "villain", CIA and his own countrymen after him. Thus the chase begins, with every page giving way to new mystery and answers.

There is mystery,drama, action and even a detailed description of a torture by the Russians. You feel as if you are watching a James Bond movie. You can't help but turn page after page to know what happened next.

What did Adam discover?
Did Romanov come to know about it?
Who was that man listening to Adam's conversation?
Will Adam be able to escape?


There are two other interesting characters in the book Lawrence and Robin.
I love the way Robin's been described and the conversations between her and Adam as well as Romanov, it makes you laugh.


It is a great Political thriller, set 45 years back in time with an intriguing plot. It's an easy read with a balance of both imagination and reality


I'm onto my second Jeffrey Archer book and I must say his way with the written word is amazing!! :)


P.S. Next up : Weekend Edition III And a new Outfit Post


Linking my 2nd review with the BBC 2012 June Reviews

Recipe Time : The (W)hole Omlette

You must have seen the pic of my (W)hole Omlette in my Weekend Edition- II and I did get some requests for the recipe .. So, here it is....

This one was made with whole egg (white+yolk) especially for hubby!!

Ingredients:

1. Olive Oil spray
2. Garlic - 2 cloves (minced or finely chopped)
3. Onions - 1/2 if big 1 if small (finely chopped)
4. Mushrooms - 3-4 (finely chopped)
5. Baby spinach - a handful
6. Bell Pepper - 1 Big (Green/Red/Yellow) *
7. Egg white - 2
8. Salt - to taste
9. Pepper - to taste
10. Italian seasoning - 1/4 tsp
11. Cilantro - for garnishing
12. Ground roasted cumin - 1/4 tsp

Method

1. Whisk together egg white, salt, freshly crushed black pepper and Italian seasoning in a bowl and keep it aside let the flavors get mixed.
2. Cut the bell peppers so as to make rounds, remove the seeds.
3. Spray olive oil on a flat base pan.
4. Saute garlic, onions and mushrooms.
5. Add spinach.
6. Saute them to a point that they become soft but still have a bit of crunch.
7. Keep the bell peppers on the pan and divide the sauteed veggies equally in them.
8. Pour the egg white mixture into each bell pepper.
9. Let it cook, on low heat , cover for about 2-3 mins, so as to cook the veggies and the egg whites together.
10. With a flat spatula remove each bell pepper and serve it by garnishing with fresh cilantro and a pinch of ground cumin on each.
11. Enjoy it with freshly squeezed juice or a cup of coffee!!

* I personally like the green ones as they have a slight bitterness to it that goes pretty well for me.. but you can use any..
Red and Yellow ones give it a beautiful color!!

It's great healthy breakfast that you can enjoy with your family and friends and it takes just 15 mins to prepare!! So try it and temme how you liked it!!


MY RECIPE HAS BEEN FEATURED ON TASTY25 MAGAZINE.. /IT'S A MAGAZINE THAT FEATURES RECIPES FOR THE HEALTH CONSCIOUS PEOPLE..THEY HAVE A GREAT SELECTION OF HEALTHY RECIPES TO TRY... CHECK THEM OUT AT WWW.TASTY25.COM

For the FabFitFun Challenge :

Day 17 : Bikini/swim wear you would like to buy

Day 18: Hat Season

Ok!! I am not even close to those swimsuit models.. But I can dream right!!


P.S. Next Up : Book Review : A Matter of Honor by Jeffrey Archer

White.. All the way!!

Today is officially the first day of summer and it's bright and sunny outside.... and all my skirts and shorts are finally out and ready to be worn...

Which is your favorite go-to color for summers.. with all the pastels, floral prints, colored bottoms out there in the fashion world.. I still like the feel and the look of White in summers...

Why White??
1. It's soothing.
2. Can be worn with any color.
3. you can pair it with jeans,shorts, skirts.. A white button down shirt is a must have if you ask me..
4. accessorize it however you like..
5. tone up or tone down your outfit however which way you like!!

Enough reasons...???

Well I can go on and on... but I think you people get the point.. I Love White!!

So this is my first white look for summer...

What I'm wearing : Green tank : Hollister, White top : Forever21, Shorts : Levi's,  Shoes : from india. My  Jewels : Watch : Fossil, Bracelet : from India, Ring : Forever21, My beautiful earrings : A gift from my Maasi (Aunt), Bag : From an exhibition in India...

I gave white a little color by adding a green tank and green earrings ( A big thank you to my Maasi (Aunt) for the beautiful green gem stone set..) Right now I'm only wearing the earrings... you will be seeing the pendant as well in one of my upcoming posts!! And the hairstyle close up is for you Mom!! :)

Now for the FabFitFun Challenge :

Day 15 : Doing Lunges

Day 16 : My concoction for exfoliation

M linking up my post with  The Pleated Poppy  for What I Wore Wednesday, and  Rolled Up Pretty for Whatever Whenever Wednesday. Do check out all the other lovely bloggers and fashionistas out there!!! :)