SWEET MANGO TREE

IT'S A RACE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:08:00 +0000

Well, with the plethora of online shopping sites everyone are just plain confused. Which site is better than the rest and why??. I was confused too, so I did a mini research and ended up picking 4 online sites.

My purchases were basic drugstore cosmetics that included compact powder, sindoor, kajals, eyeshadows, mascara, eyeliner, lipbalms, lipgloss, lipsticks, blushes, nail colors , makeup remover, combs, hairspray, hair serum, makeup tools & brushes. I left out concealers, foundation and primers because I need to find the correct match to my skin colour.

The game rules:

The site that has maximum discount, safe packaging, delivers within a decent time frame and friendly customer care service would be the most preferred of the lot, right??
The mini marathon was held between four well known beauty online shopping sites.
All purchases were made on the same date 11th of March 2012 .
I made sure of exceeding the minimum order amount so shipping was free of cost for all the orders
My purchase was based on the lowest amount quoted for the product between the sites and/or availability of gift coupons.
All 4 were purchased by COD (cash on delivery)

The 4 sites were:
1) STYLECRAZE.COM

Stylecraze

2) MEDPLUSBEAUTY.COM

Medplusbeauty

3) HEALTHKART.COM

Healthkart

4. VIOLETBAG.COM

Violetbag

Good:
There were two winners actually. Two sites delivered my order within 4 working days

Bad:
One site did not even acknowledge my order until I called them up. Only after my little chat with their customer care did they even confirm my order. It was delivered within 7 working days.

Another site had actually confirmed my order and shipped it way before others. They even sent me SMS of its due arrival in the evening that too within 3 working days. But somehow their courier partners botched up and my status read "location cannot be found". I went on to send an e-mail in this regard on March 17th and within seconds I was contacted and my product shipment was put on priority basis. I received it within 8 working days. But it was the courier guy's mistake. So I would take that in to account.

I wanted to include URBANTOUCH.COM but I had made previous purchases with them and they had delivered the next day. But they did not have any sort of discounts like they used to. So I skipped them entirely.

Psst...I had placed my second orders with both the winning sites and both of them already delivered within 3 working days this time!.

So......do you want to know who the winners are??.

1st Place goes to Stylecraze & Medplusbeauty !!!. Yay!!

On-time delivery, safely packed, great discounts and good customer care service were the USP of these two sites. Oh and did I mention the variety :D

I will do a review of all products I purchased and the 4 sites in detail in my upcoming posts.

till then tada :)

Note: All the products were bought with my own money. I had used discount voucher of 100 Rs from Healthkart via another blog. I was not paid or influenced by anyone. These are entirely my views and experiences.

CLOSED!! Closet Voyage Favourites Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:10:00 +0000

Chococcuro is hosting the Closet Voyage Favourites Giveaway! I have joined it too...there are amazing products to be won

First Prize:
Dolly Wink No.10
Candy Doll Mineral Powder
Candy Doll Lip Gloss
Dolly Wink nail polish
Chameleon 24 Colour palette
Anna Sui Tote bag

Second Prize:
Diamond Lash Glamorous Eye
Almay three tone palette
Handmade Taiwanese lower lashes
Estee Lauder lipstick
EOS lip balm
1x NYC nail polish

Third Prize
Jealousness Top lashes
Eyelash Extension lower lashes
Lancome mini lipstick
1 x NYC nail polish

Fourth Prize
Jealousness top lashes
Eyelash Extension lower lashes
1 x NYC nail polish

Click here to enter...

Mango Pachadi

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:41:00 +0000

Mango pachadi or Mango Relish is a lip-smacking wonder. Sweet, tangy, salty, spicy, your taste-buds will definitely go crazy :D

Ingredients:

Semi-ripe mango - 1 medium size cut to bite size pieces
Oil - 2tsp
Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
Hing (Asafoetida) powder- a pinch
Curry leaves
Turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Chilli pwdr- 1/2 tsp (If using Kashmiri mirch- increase amount as per taste)
Grated Jaggery- 2 tbsps
Water 1 cup

Bubbling Mango relish in my earthen pot!!

Heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and allow to splutter. Reduce heat and put hing powder and curry leaves. Put the mango pieces and saute. Add turmeric powder, chilly powder and salt. Stir until the mango pieces begins to soften. Pour the water into the pan , it should be sufficient enough to immerse the mango chunks. Close with a lid and allow to cook on reduced heat. Remove lid and add the grated jaggery. Mix well until the jaggery has melted . Serve hot or chilled . Goes well with plain rice, chapathi and even bread.

Tips for you:

Amount of red chilly powder and jaggery shud be adjusted depending on the sweetness and ripeness of the mango.
the sweeter the mango the lesser the jaggery and more the chilly powder
Jaggery might have a little saltiness to it so adjust salt according to taste.
Desired consistency of the pachadi, either semi-gravy or completely dry can be achieved by letting the water evaporate.

CLOSED!! Beauty Through My Eyes New year Giveaway !!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:30:00 +0000

Heya folks,

Tapaswini of Beauty Through my eyes is hosting a wonderful giveaway this New Year. This is her first ever giveaway and she is doing a fabulous job of it. :)

Click here to be part of her joy and win some lovely goodies :D.

ENTER STYLE CRAZE COMMUNITY LAUNCH GIVEAWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:52:00 +0000

Heya everyone,

Join StyleCraze Community for the latest Updates & Advise from your favourite Bloggers @ www.community.stylecraze.com

Enter Stylecraze Community Giveaway and win
a. Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette - the World's most coveted Make up product

b. Max Factor Elixir Lipstick - Ruby Tuesday

c. Bourjois Rose Exclusif Lip Gloss

d. OPI Nail Polish - Blue My Mind

Join here.

WELCOME ABOARD

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Welcome to my world. Sounds of rain splashing, pots banging, a little girl running around in circles laughing, vivid colors of makeup & clothes, aroma of coffee...welcome to the sensory pleasures of my world