How to make Easiest Nepali Pickle Ever with a twist of brinjal or eggplant !

It was just another day in my kitchen in those wee hours of morning, when i actually don't get any spare time even to attend my phone ! But daily enthusiasm was there at it's best and i planned to give our age old Nepali Tomato Pickle a twist. I had heard of mixing tomato with Brinjal (Eggplant or Aubergine) and always wondered, how the taste will turn out and what will it really look like ! But to my immense pleasure, it was delicious and tangy enough to lure other members of  my family. :-). It can be served for 6-7 persons with lunch, breakfast or dinner. Rice, Chapatis, breads are best to serve the tomato pickle with.

Here is my pictorial journey of the easiest Nepali pickle recipe.

Ingredients for regular Nepali Tomato Pickle:

1. 4 Big Tomato
2. 1 Normal sized Brinjal or eggplant
3. Black pepper powder (you can make your own by grinding 5-6 black peppers)
4. Salt as per your taste (1 small spoon for this recipe)
5. 2 dry red chilies
6. Coriander 2 spoonful (chopped)
7. 3-4 flakes of Garlic
8. Ginger (peeled)
9. Lemon juice (1/2 lemon)
10. Fenugreek seeds (3-4 seeds)
11. 1/2 tea spoonful mustard oil for seasoning

Things you will need:

1. Traditional Stone Grinder or Electrical Blender whichever you will like to use.
2. A chopping board
3. A knife

Steps:

# Wash the Brinjal, tomato, garlic and coriander. Chop the coriander and peel the outer layer of garlic and ginger.

# Roast the tomato and brinjal in your gas stove. Make sure it wont get burnt and set the medium flame on. Let them roasted evenly and keep turning its' side. When its' done, it should look like this.

# Peel its' burnt outer layer without getting them mashed.

#After the brinjal is peeled, it will look like this, tender and ready to be grinded.

 # Now, in a blender, or grinder; grind all the ingredients except fenugreek seeds and oil. Grind in a smooth paste. 
# Then add tomatoes and roasted brinjal.

# After it gets smooth and all the lumps are grinded, transfer to a clean bowl and set aside.

 # Now, its turn for extra seasoning. Heat 1/2 teaspoon mustard oil in a pan. When oil is heated, add fenugreek seeds. when it starts to splutter and turns little brown, its done. 


#Transfer the oil with fenugreek seeds to the pickle made, mix it and its done.

 

The pickle can be freezed and used for 3-4 days. Enjoy your tangy pickle and explore the unique taste. Remember, you can add salt and chilly powder as per your taste. 

Till next post, Take care. And Happy Id festival who are celebrating today. :-)

Style Diaries : OSCAR Red Carpet

A Gap must be for a purpose. That is what I feel for my Blogging activeness. Though it may sound an excuse for not posting a single post in a month!! Still, I don't have any regrets as this gap was for my precious time with family, as a doting mother. A Blogger took a backseat for a Mother, I would say. And I hope my readers know what family time actually means :-). So, here I am with some of the finest memories of OSCAR Award Ceremony that was held sometime ago.

Every Occasion has its own charm and OSCAR Red carpet has been remaining to be at it's excellence with each passing years, getting better of course. This time around, some classic silhouette and style were adapted by these celebrities that you probably don't want to miss at all. Take a Glimpse these are my favorite picks.

Bling Factor

There was a lot of Bling moment in latest OSCAR Red Carpet. Most of them were in nude shades and earthy, jewel tones. 

Angelina Jolie

Kate Blanchet in Floral Applique sequined sheer dress

Sally Hawkins

Jenna Dewan in Reem Acra

Emma Watson in Mettalic Black separates

Also, does aging means no fun? Not At all. What an example of wearing Emerald, a hit Jewel tone. Sheer Metallic, Bling and sequins with Appliqués and embellishments whatever you like. Take a chance. Bling is here to stay. Lessons learnt: Shine in your own Bling. :-)

June Squibb in Sequinned Emerald Dress

Black and White Classic

Have you read this post? I think these celebrities have read my post and wore accordingly (Just kidding)! Black and White are a cult classic and can be repeated year after year.

Meryl Streep

Anne Hathaway in Prada

Olivia Wilde

Black and White are combination best suited for almost any occasion, from party to office. Channel your inner vixen and mesmerize the world by your Black magic, that's what this OSCAR Red carpet was screaming.

Nude and Blush Babble

While we may feel brighter in color and love to explore, Nude and blush shades make us look somber and calm within. Best part of Nude shade is, you can find every shade of nude as per our complexion. 

Portia De Rossi

Lupita Nyong in Prada

Naomi Watts in Calvein Klein

Kate Hudson

Penelope Cruz

Nude is completely not Racist. There's no any restriction for use of Powder Blue, Blush Pink. These are certainly flattering to every woman of this world and OSCAR 2014 has proved it :-). Yes, Lupita, You've said " No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid !" Respect to you.

I am on serious envy mode (Clothes you see :-), Still we can manage with the hint of styling these shades and colors in our stride. What do you like the most in latest OSCAR event ?

Winter Layering Style and How to layer with Faux Fur

As the title suggests, it's FAUX, not real. But this is best because it makes you feel guilt free. Yes, Faux fur is a stylist's must have than being just a piece to layer on in winter. It can make you feel like you are in blanket, cosy enough to layer and you are on even in a most simple ensemble. And most imporatantly, Faux fur can make us look like we have layered without any effort !! Being my personal favourite which never ceases in oomph factor even in chilly winter and remains a Style investment over the years; You will feel what you were missing over the years after owning it. So, this post today is dedicated to our very know' FAUX FUR' and how to style it :-)               

# Perfect for Skinny pant to Graphic print dresses, faux Fur Vests are a rage as it can easily transform your very casual outfit to a plush and regal looking you.

                                                    

                                                

# Few of those pieces that can transform your look from casual to party ready to office friendly is the Faux Fur. It is simple yet stylish enough to attend in formal as well. Wear it as a Vest on your Plain Sweater, Top, or any winter piece you want to layer with.

                                         

It can jazz up your most simple outfit.

 # Wrap faux fur stole or outer around whenever you want to add hint of classiness to your ordinary looking outfit. It works wonders even in street, after getting out of flights and beyond.

 

# Belt on the Faux Fur Vest to feel more tidy and ladylike.

# Need not to shiver through wedding, parties and formal functions ion gowns, save yourself by teaming your dresses and gowns with faux fur.

 # Team your Faux Fur Coat, shearling, stole, shawl with fabric like Net, Velvet, Leather and Metallic. They are vintage and classy yet trendiest enough to make you fit in present world.

# Whenever possible in winter and early days of spring, wear faux fur in/as collar of jacklet, blazer and wrappers,or a hint of faux fur; they will instantly make you look uber stylish in your budget.

                                               

Without any doubt, I agree Faux fur has entire body of luscious softness that makes you tempted to sleep in it ! Whether it is in simple accent on collar or sleeves of your jacket or any outfit, it gives you a plush look in winter. A faux fur jacket, shearling or coat, they all are indulgent and practical, that's why this is in my lust list as well. So, if you are thinking about a key winter piece that blends with your existing outfits, Go buy a Faux Fur jacket, shealing or a coat and cuddle up. :-). It will be an investment piece in your wardrobe. If you already have one, how do you make it work ? Would love to hear.

Pantone Color of year 2014 : Royal Orchid

Pantone Color is back again! Pantone Inc.’s color of the year for 2014 is 'Radiant Orchid', succeeding 2013′s color Emerald. Royal Orchid has Pink hue in Purple accent. 

Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman has made the color decision for the past 13 years. She said in a statement that the color of 2014 is “an invitation to innovation” that “encourages expanded creativity and originality.” She also claims it’s a color that Michelle Obama often wears and notes designers like Max Mara, Marc Jacobs, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermengildo Zegnahave have been incorporating orchid hues into their collections in the past year.

Eiseman explains. "It's an invitation to innovation. The purple family offers (an) opportunity to do creative things."

Pantone officials have picked “radiant orchid” based on extensive interviews with industrial and fashion designers worldwide about what color they plan to use in upcoming seasons as well as sales of “color swatches,” according to the Wall Street .Journal

Like emerald, which was last year’s color of the year, this saturated hue is a rich jewel tone, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for fall and winter weddings. If you love bright colors then pair radiant orchid with teal or go simple and combine it with white for a fresh spring or summer palette!

Pantone sets color standards for commercial use by design industries. Pantone's pick for color of the year will certainly have a strong presence in fashion, beauty, home design and consumer products.

The color is very relevant for spring, but I think even going into next fall it can be very pretty. In ready-to-wear, Royal orchid color mixes beautifully with other tones like chocolate browns, and burgundy or Bordeaux makes for a deeper, richer tonal story.

As the experts predict, it will translate just as well into lip color and eye shadow, and in home furnishings. I would love it in velvet. It will certainly look so luxurious.

Experts believe all designers want everyone to have fun with their clothes and to enjoy what they are wearing, but there still needs to be a bit of practicality. Colors talk to the idea of optimism in fashion. The three most popular colors for spring 2014 are Dazzling Blue (the main blue shade featured on Facebook), Violet Tulip and Radiant Orchid. Rounding out the list, Celosia Orange, Freesia, Cayenne, Placid Blue, Paloma, Sand and Hemlock.

I think we will see purple furniture, pink poufs, fuchsia bedding frequently this year and perhaps Radiant Orchid gowns at this year's Oscars.

Jessica Pare in Royal Orchid colored Dress

So if there was ever a perfect time to buy orchids or sport the color, it is for this new year. personally I feel Royal Orchid is refreshing hue for home decor and interiors. Just paint a bland wall or dedicate a area rug for it, stairs or whatever space you have; Royal orchid is inviting and cosy. 

Image via : House Beautiful

By the way I wish all you readers and non readers a very happy new year 2014 ahead that will bring sense of prosperity and refreshing comparing to the past ones. Love, care, be happy.....and shine in your own inner light. :-)

Plus Size dressing Ideas and New Rules

Being a working woman means you always need to look presentable and being a plus size and means you have to think twice before making your sartorial choices. I can't just open my closet (gasp....I will love to have one), and wear 'Something' accordingly. Like many other ladies, I have to re-consider my outfit and judge my look even though I hate to.

So, does 'being presentable for a plus size' mean you can't wear what you love/like? I think otherwise. :-) After searching and window shopping most of the shops and stores, I've found it's difficult to find a perfect item for making a perfect outfit for plus size. You ask How to rock a plus size figure? Here we go.........

# Style Tip No. 1: Brighten Up Yourself

Don't cover yourself in black and brown though they are versatile. "Black lets you hide, but that's not always good! A bright piece with a slimming fit, like the red pencil skirt, will draw the right kind of attention" says Aimee Cheshire, the size-16 CEO of madisonplusselect.com (she is in the picture below).

Image via: MSN

If you think Red Skirt is vibrant for you and not versatile enough to blend with other pieces you already have, think about Maroon, Burgundy, Navy Blue.

 

Image via : Wardrobe oxygen

# Style Tip No. 2: Play with your look

This one is made for me literally. Every time I head to stores to purchase a new piece thinking of I'll explore my new look with it, I tend to get attracted in same old ones that have done nothing good in my present personality. They might have been good for my old body but now it's not acceptable to my body of a different size and shape! :-)  

Image via : www.outfitidentifier.com

Aimee Cheshire says again that if you think skinny jeans is not for plus size, then think again! She says to try ones in heavy denim with a lot of stretch; they will smooth us out and hold us in. A flowy top keeps our look in proportion or style it with your well tailored Blazer for sophistication.

# Style Tip No. 3: Be Bold with Prints

Many of us think large prints will make us look bigger. In many cases it certainly does. But according to new plus size rule, go for one with a graphic that's randomly placed," says Aimee. 

It keeps the eye moving, so it doesn't draw attention to one spot. Larger prints complement our body figure a lot better than tiny ones.

# Style Tip No. 4: Yes Horizontal Stripes!

Stripes are trending, they are classic and versatile for many other pieces we already have. But for plus size? Horizontal stripes can make plus size body wider than it really is, so the idea is to wear thin stripes on a dark background. 

Image via : Wardrobe Oxygen

They won't highlight problem areas like thick ones can. We can add layering pieces that will help to define curves.

# Style Tip No. 5: Embrace Layering

Stylists swear by it. Layering is one of the best ways to enhance the curves we have and getting those pieces in use.

Image via: www.Curvygirlchic.com

Either it's a cardigan, a short moto leather jacket or a blazer, layering them over and putting together will make us not only hide our problem areas, and it defines curves.

 

Image via: www.girlwithcurves.com

One point in layering, stay safe from adding bulk and define your silhouette. We can even define our natural waist with a belt; it will give a lean silhouette and cinches our waist where we have unnecessary flab.

# Style Tip No. 6: Get 1 outfit in Peplum

Peplum can actually be a great addition if we are trying to get one new piece. Besides being fun, peplum can also reduce width of the waist so we’ll appear curvier and can also hide flab around our belly area.

Image via : www.girlwithcurves.com

Peplum tops look best when worn with a curve skimming bottom. Skinny or straight leg jeans or a pencil skirt will give you a tailored, well put together look.

Image via : Kayla Taylor (www.Pinterest.com)

So, instead of getting frustrated, applying these measures will save us traumatic situation while creating outfits from pieces we already own. These are even called 'New Rules for Plus size' that will flatter most of the bodies.

I must say Forget the rules the magazines state you must follow, we can happily wear horizontal stripes, bright colors, and skinny. Just make sure they fit properly and go with your body style. And we should never forget no outfit is made for making us look thinner, it will only make us look put together. I've decided to create an outfit considering what I already own and then I should purchase further.

What do you do to enhance your curves and is this post beneficial for you? Will be happy to share. Thankx for the read.