Favorites of the month March 2017

Damn! This year is passing too fast! We’ve hit the fourth month of the year already! I guess everyone in the northern hemisphere of the world is celebrating the arrival of spring and here we are in INDIA (and our neighbours) are being roasted in the sun and will continue for next two good months! With that, wish you a Happy Spring to everyone on the upper side, and all the best to take the harsh sun, on the southern side! With those lovely wishes to the entire world, let’s get started with my favourites of the month!

Favourite App – Tide

I recently heard of Pomodoro technique and I was impressed by the amount of work I get done with it! It happens to be one of the effective techniques to improve one's productivity. It consists of 25 minutes of continuous and focused work followed by 5 minutes break. To work in Pomodoro, you need an alarm clock or stopwatch. Yes, of course, you can use an alarm clock on your phone, but you have to set it to 25 minutes every time with 5 minutes break alarm. That takes half minute itself. (More about Pomodoro HERE). Tide allows you to set Pomodoro easily with a five-minute break. It also has peaceful background music. You can change the period of Pomodoro and breaks in the settings. Whenever I start working, I open Tide, press start and I am all set to get some real shit done! 

You can download Tide HERE

Favourite book- The Four Agreements

I have read this book once, and currently, I am reading it again. I think self-help or self-improvement books are something you should read periodically. With no doubt, The Four Agreements is one of them. These are the agreements one needs to make with themselves for a better life. Those agreements are:

Be Impeccable with your word

Don't take anything personally

Don't make assumptions

Always do your best

The best way to stick to these agreements is by knowing 'Why'. The Four Agreements gives an explanation of 'Why'. I am not going to reveal or spoil much by going into detail. But yes, definitely it helped me to become an understanding person. (and thereby much peaceful and happy human)

Favourite YouTube Channel – Marie TV

We get Many suggested videos on YouTube. Marie Forleo's YouTube channel was one of them. The reason that made me click on Marie TV among many suggested channels was the titles of the videos. If you are someone who is continuously looking forward to improving yourself, you will click on these videos too. I love the way she talks, presents herself and the way she understands people's problems. She never fails to look at the problem from all possible dimensions while providing a solution. Her solutions to a particular person's problem touch our lives somewhere for sure. So, this month, I am addicted to Marie TV surely!

Favourite drink to beat the heat 

I always heard about the flavoured water but found it pointless. I never liked the idea of putting fruit slices in my water. I'd rather eat fruits than putting them in my drinking water. But you know what? You can always put something that you don't like to eat. As we are approaching scorching summer in India, my mum suggested putting some Cumin seeds (jeera) and Basil seeds (sabja) in my water bottle. The Cumin seeds taste amazingly refreshing! Plus it takes away the body heat. (Another suggestion from my mum is to put Coriander seeds (dhania), but I haven't tried it yet.)

That’s it for this month Guys!! Hope you have a wonderful month ahead. If you find it useful, share with someone you love and care because Sharing is Caring!!

Much Love,

Chitra Takle 

XOXO 

Favorites of the month February 2017

It’s been a while I have posted on my blog or should I rather say, it’s been “quite” a while since I have posted anything on my blog. My Bad! After going through some crazy renovations at my place and getting everything in order again, I am back here to post my ‘Favorites of the Month!!’ If you are visiting this page for the first time, let me tell you, Favorites of the month is a section on my blog, where I post some useful things I have come across throughout the month, which my fellow humans can use in their life. It could be a song, an app, a book, a person and literally anything that made my life easy or made me happy. Since my goal is to share useful things on my blog, I started this section. So let’s get started!

Favorite Song: Middle of my mind by Tom Rosenthal

My friend suggested this song to me last month. Usually, I am someone who goes with the beats, but Tom Rosenthal’s voice brings a lot of peace to my mind.  I hear this song while I am travelling back home from work or at night or to beat the chaos of thoughts in my mind. Give it a try!

Favorite Person: Gary Vaynerchuk

I wish I could tell you that Gary Vaynerchuk is ‘This’ by profession. Nope! He is too many things to tell, seriously! I came across this dynamic personality through an article I read on MEDIUM (Worth following him). To me, he is a motivator. He puts his thought very meticulously and they reach your brain loud and clearly. His thoughts will leave you with no excuse to do what you aim for. I really would want you to know about him HERE, and read his articles HERE. I have also put a link to one of my favorite my videos in my previous post, which you can watch HERE. That’s a lot of ‘HERE’ LOL!

Favorite App: Pocket

I aim to read many articles and videos every day, of course, situations are not favorable every time. I always think that I will read it later and that ‘later’ never comes. I miss on so many things like this. I came across this App Last month; you just have to put that article/video in Pocket. At the end of the day or week, when I find some quite time, I open this App and I find all articles and videos in one place that too without internet connection! So I am able to read when I am travelling or whenever even when there is no connectivity at all! All you have to do is click on ‘Share’ button and in option you will find a way to put in your ‘Pocket’ and you are good to go!

If you are android user, download the App HERE. 

If you use IOS HERE is the Link.

Favorite Fitness people: Tone it up

I used to miss my power yoga classes all the time during the period of renovation, so I used to workout whenever I find time. Of course, I could do the same exercises I am being taught at the Power Yoga classes, but it was no fun to do it alone at home. So I needed a company. And who is better than these energetic bombshells? (I am talking about Katrina and Karena, founders of ‘Tone it up.com’) I had saved some videos offline in my YouTube and tune in whenever I want! You can also download a printable version of all workouts on their WEBSITE! Even guys can do these workouts. I am putting the link to some of my favorite workouts down below:

Pump It Up Quick Arm Routine!! #LookforLOVE: 

Burn It Up!: 

Total Body Tone Up! 

 That is it for this month! Comment below if you find my favorites useful and make sure to share with someone you care, because Sharing is Caring!

Much Love and Strength,

Chitra XOXO J

Favorites of the month : October 2016

Hello beautiful people! I hope you all are doing well! I certainly am, because my favorite season is coming! and it has already started to show signs of winter. Also, my vacations are nearby (wink!) So, don't forget to follow me on my Instagram to see what i am going to see! link to my Instagram is on the upper side of this page, so make sure to check out! 

Okay! so without chattering much, let’s get into the favorites for the month of October!

Favorite song: Hymn for the weekend by Coldplay ft. Beyonce:

I usually start my favorites of the month with a song because of the fact that, I LOVE MUSIC, well, we all do, don't we? Even though the song is old now, somehow it is stuck in my mind. Also, I love the video, so make sure to check out! Obviously it has to be everyone's favorite when two talented artists have collaborated.

Favorite Quote

Many months back, i read a book called, 'The Four Agreements'. The book is all about four agreements that you need to make to yourself, and one of the agreements was, 'Never take anything Personally' the idea behind this agreement was, when people comment about you, when they insult you, when they hate you or say mean things about you, It is the reflection of their own life. That hate or jealousy is coming out of their own struggles and not because they have something against you.

And this quote is on similar lines! I would strongly recommend reading the above mentioned book called 'the four agreements' by Don Miguel Ruiz. 

Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.in/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319

Favorite article: how buying a camera changed me by Deepti Asthana

I love travelling and of course I love photography too, because camera helps to capture wonderful structures, landscapes, moments, colors and patterns. and then I can relive all those moments through photographs later. Just when I was thinking about putting some travel posts on my blog (I have no experience how to blog about travelling) I decided to first checkout blogs of travel photographers. and I bumped into Deepti Asthana's blog And I fell in love with this post. It talks about her journey from being an amateur photographer to being a  famous travel photographer and pursuing that as her career and living her dream life. What I love the most about the article is that, she talks more about the emotional walls that she passed through and quite frankly many of us including me can relate to that post. I had to share her inspiring story with you all! Click HERE to see Deepti Asthana’s post.

Favorite Mobile Application: Patternator 

Patternator is a fun App to create Patterns of your favorite things. It has a large number of inbuilt images to create patterns. I have put few images down here. You can manage the background color, Decide the spacing and angle between two stamps, you can place them all in one direction or put it upside down and many more variations can be done to generate your favorite pattern. These patterns can be used as mobile wall papers, can be printed on mobile case or on a t shirt. you can also crop out your favorite shape and generate the pattern. And!! the App is free! So it had to make into my monthly favorites!

 
 

Favorite Routine: Five Minute Journal

I cannot believe I haven't Shared this yet! I have been practicing Five Minute Journal since 2 years and i love it!! It is not that I have done it each and everyday in last 2 years but yes! i feel the need to go back and start writing it because it helps you to stay focused and keep that positivity flowing effortlessly. Actually there's lot you can achieve on mental level through this journal and i have recommended it to almost everyone! Check out this link to know what it is exactly. Apart from that I am planning to post my experience about the journal very soon. 

So, I guess that’s it for this post! If you guys find out this post useful, make sure to press that G+ button! Hope you have wonderful month ahead. Share this with someone you love and care, because sharing is caring!!

Much Love,

Chitra Takle  XOXO 

Favourites of the Month September 2016

Hola Amigos! It’s been months I have posted monthly favourites, so I decided to post some for you so that you can try them too!!

Favourite Book: The Bingo Theory by Mimi Ikonn

It’s been 3 years I follow Mimi Ikonn on her social media and she’s been such an inspiration throughout! I have always looked up to her and I was very excited since I knew she is writing a book. Finally, she made her book available worldwide and I bought it without giving a second thought. Obviously, the book is awesome and had to make into my monthly favourites. I am going to write a book reading experience in my next post for sure, because the book has helped me a lot to know about myself. And so, it will help you, definitely!

Read what the book is all about HERE. Mimi’s YouTube channel and link for buying the book are listed below. If you read the book don’t forget to comment on this post and let me know what you think about the book! 

Mimi’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MimiIkonn

Buy the book here.

India:  https://www.amazon.in/Bingo-Theory-revolutionary-guide-relationships-ebook/dp/B01F0RCVQI

USA: https://www.amazon.com/Bingo-Theory-revolutionary-guide-relationships-ebook/dp/B01F0RCVQI#nav-subnav

Favourite Song

I have always put songs from international albums in my monthly favourites, but this time I couldn’t help! This song is stuck in my mind! If you aren’t Indian you will definitely enjoy the beat! 

You can listen Laung Gawacha ft. Avneet Khurmi HERE

I even love their album cover!! So, colourful, edgy and quirky!

Monsoon Essentials: CROCS

Since it is Monsoon here, in India, one of my favourites is a monsoon essential: a footwear! And without a doubt, CROCS it is! I have been using same pair since 5 years! Yes!! Literally F I V E years! These ones are comfortable, durable, affordable and never going out of style! Also, I have received many compliments. There are many varieties available at CROCS, Mine are shown below.

You can buy the similar ones HERE

Favourite Quote:

Quotes on Instagram and Pinterest are source of my inspiration and motivation (Literally!). Quotes help me to start off my day right and set the tone for the day!  I literally have a wall of quotes in my room, So yes! Here is my favourite quote for this month! When I read this quote, it reminds me that we should not hold ourselves back from doing what we want to do with our life and we should always take chances!

Favourite Video Tutorial for Painting:

Last month I wrote book reading experience for BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert, and Big Magic has inspired me to live a creative life (in short, to always create, or to live your life as a creator). You can read the book review HERE. It was quite a while I painted and I love painting!! But I stopped painting because I was waiting for an idea to paint. Months have passed by and THE IDEA never hit me. But after reading the book, I realized that I am doing it the wrong way, I was too afraid to paint something and ruin the canvas and that was the biggest mistake! So, I went ahead and searched for some tutorials to get started. I came across this useful tutorial on YouTube. It is very easy yet effective painting for those who want to start painting. So, watch and enjoy!!

How to Paint a Moon & Star filled Sky by Amy Pearse:

That’s it for this month Guys!! Hope you have wonderful month ahead, share this with someone you love and care, because sharing is caring!!

Much Love,

Chitra XOXO 

Favourites of the Month: February 2016!

Hi There!

I can’t believe days are passing by so quickly in 2016! Its end of February! 

My motive behind monthly favourites is to share good things that I came across throughout the month with every one of you so that even you experience the same things as I do! If you want to share your favourites, let me know in the comments, I would love to know yours! And if you like my favourites, please hit that G+1 button at the end of this Post!!

So, without any further due…. Let’s Get Started!!

Favourite Video

I am going to start with my Favourite video because this is the most inspiring thing that I have come across, and I want everyone to see this at least! I came across this video through a YouTuber.

Here’s the link:

https://vimeo.com/85040589 

Here's the actual video:

 

Ira glass is an American Public radio personality. If you want to know more about Ira Glass click HERE

Ira Glass talks about filling The GAP that we have between having a good taste about something and being awesome at creating that thing. Many times I feel like I am stuck at creating things like, painting, photography or I feel like I am just not able to bring that “wow!” factor in my work. And I feel I am just a beginner at everything and this is not working out anymore! If you feel the same, Please do watch this video! Because, it is all about overcoming that GAP between your field of interest and actually being an amazing creator of the same.

 

Favourite device

YEY! It’s definitely my gold 64 GB Nexus 6P!! Check out its specification HERE

Also check out my Instagram to see what I click using my new phone. 

Favourite Food

 

I have been coming across benefits of green tea since last year, and honestly I was trying to like green tea since then. But none of the green tea seems to please me until I came across PUKKA!

I picked this tea when I visited London last year. And I fell in love with the awesome flavours of PUKKA tea. It’s tasty, it’s healthy, it’s organic! Unfortunately, this brand is not available in India. (If anyone is landing in India from UK, please get me some PUKKA tea!)

Favourite Book 

I received “Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert” as a birthday gift. I haven’t yet finished reading it, but I think this book is amazing! Elizabeth Gilbert is the writer of my favourite book and movie, ‘Eat, Pray, Love’. The author talks about what do you require to live a creative life with courage, what keeps on holding you back from doing what you love and how to do it without affecting your routine. (Of course you need extra efforts!) But creative living is not about achieving goals, setting records or being famous for the thing you are passionate about, it’s about pursuing all the happiness you get from it! This book is very inspiring and that’s why it has made it into my monthly favorites!

 

Favourite Song

 

Listen and Enjoy the Song!

Roses-the chainsmokers Ft. Roses.

Favourite Relaxation Technique

Adult colouring book

 

I love everything that has to do with colours! Again, I bought this when I visited London few months back and it is so much fun to do! I think everyone MUST have one in the house or in the office! I did not believe at first, but it is really relaxing to colour the patterns given in the book. It takes your mind away from everything that is bothering you and concentrates on something fun and creative. If you had a rough day, it is definitely something you should do! Buy yourself one and beat the stress out of your brain!

 

So, that’s it for this month! Share your experience with me if you use any of my monthly favourites, I would love to hear from you! Share with someone you love and care, because sharing is caring!

Much Love!

Chitra Takle :D