Baby Brother Love!

So this post is going to be dedicated to my brother. It's his Birthday today and I just had the urge to write this post. I know he won't appreciate it but I thought I would appreciate him. I don't know where I'm really going to go with this post, so be prepared it's going to be a rambley one.

His name is Vishal and he is my younger brother by 15 months.

I suppose I will start off with when we were little; I used to take care of him, not outrightly, I mean that was my mums job, but I was protective over him, although there is only 15 months between us I feel as though he is much more younger than me. We used to play games all the time, I treasure those moments. I used to stick up for him in school, not that he needed anyone sticking up for him because he didn't really get picked on as such, but if someone did and it was in front of me or he told me about it, lets just say that person should have been scared. lol.

On regular occasions, we would take so long eating our dinner, because I would be sitting there talking to him and making him laugh. I used to say that he was the only one that used to laugh at my jokes, they weren't even funny, we were like 8-9 years old.

He was a naughty bugger as well, he used to through his chapatis behind the fridge because he didn't want them, my dad had a lovely mouldy surprise waiting for him when he cleaned behind the fridge, lovely. He tried blaming me but that wasn't going to work! The cheek!

Don't get me wrong, we used to fight a lot, he even stabbed me with a pen, it was a minor scratch but I still have the scar on my arm. I used to (still do) feel so guilty when I upset him, so I used to run away and scream 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry' before he hit me, that's when he picked up the pen and saw red. I forgave him though, obviously.

I suppose the point of this post is to just tell you all how much I appreciate having such a lovely brother. All my friends have brothers and I think I'm the only one that complains about trivial things when it comes to moaning about their sibling. As we have grown up we've stopped fighting and screaming at each other, instead we gave each other space but still have long hearty conversations. If something is annoying me I am more than happy to moan to my brother, I suppose it's because he just sits there and listens lol.

I would do anything for my baby brother. He still hugs me (I know he is going to hate me for saying that), well I kind of force him to lol. He has grown up to be a man with good morals, a sensible head and strong mind.

We've been through a lot as a family and he could have ended up being a totally different person, but he has his head screwed on and is making his family proud. He still needs to grow up a bit but what 24 year old guy doesn't?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VISH! =)

♥ RP ♥

25 Random Facts about Me! (Part 2)

I don't cry, I get really emotion and shed tears when I'm watching TV but not in my real life. The only time that I MAY cry is during that special time of the month when mother nature calls.

I was obsessed (still am) with my eyebrows. My friend first tweezed my caterpillar brows when I was 13 to a super defined shape, I was so upset when I saw what she had done. It wasn't that it looked bad it was just a shock for me, but since then I am the only person that touches my brows.

My lovely glasses!

I used to wear glasses. I wore them from the age of 6 till 21 when I decided to get laser eye surgery done. I used to hate wearing them, especially when you're growing up. I'm so glad that I got laser eye surgery done though, don't look back one bit.

I don't like wearing all black clothing, the reason being I'm superstitious and I think it brings me bad luck, I know logically that believing that is stupid but I can't help it. Plus I love wearing colour. I'm not an all black clothing type of person.

I love flying/speed. The smile that I have on my face when I'm on a plane and we're about to take off is stupid. My friends think I'm mad! But I love when we're on the runway and the plane is building up speed! Such a thrill seeker. I'd love to sit in the cockpit with the pilots for a whole journey, that's a dream of mine.

I used to get really bad anxiety before the first day of school or if I had any type of appointment. I couldn't get to sleep, I would just be thinking about the next day and all the things that could possibly go wrong. My stomach used to do summersaults. Not a nice feeling when you're young. But in the past 6 years I've never really had that feeling for things like that anymore. I don't know exactly why it's stopped. Think it was my mind set, glad it has stopped though.

I drew this when I was 14 for Art, this still is my fav chocolate

I love drawing. It was my favourite pass time when I was younger. I always thought I would do something in art. As soon as I got a pencil in my hand I used to start drawing, I mean forget about papers, the walls were fine. Ohh the anger that I caused my parents. It's funny, even when I used to have paper in front of me I chose to draw on the walls instead.

I love documentaries; history ones, science ones, medical ones. I just love learning about things like that. I think I get it from my Dad, he loves those types of programmes too, he used to make us watch them when we were little to encourage to learn new things. It certainly stuck with me, explains why I know such useless trivia.

I want to own enough books to cover a wall full of shelves with them. That's been a dream of mine since…I don't know when. The idea is lovely, although I don't know about the practicality of it or if I'd even own a wall like that.

I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was 16, still have the designs that I did back them in a folder.

I used to look like my Mum when I was younger but now look more like my Dad. I think it's because I have a big head like him! lol!

Well, there you have it, 25 Random Facts about myself, hope you found that remotely interesting, link similar posts in the comments section. I love reading them.

♥ RP ♥

25 Random Facts about Me! (Part 1)

After seeing so many of these posts/videos around and being so entertained by them, I thought I would do a shorter version, because I couldn't think of 50 random (interesting) facts about myself. But my facts turned out a little long so I'm going to split this post into two because I don't think anyone will last till the end of the full post lol, so here we go:

I always sleep on my front. My friends think that it's so odd that I sleep on my front because I have rather large bosoms but I can't stand sleeping on my back, it's like my brain can't shut off when I sleep on my back and I have the best dreams when I sleep on my front! Maybe that's why I prefer it ;-)

As of this year I have started to fast on Monday's. It's a fast that I know quite a few Hindus do, it varies in the day's that people do it on, usually Mondays, or Thursdays. I can eat fruits, nuts and drink milk and water, so it's not like I'm starving myself and I have one main meal at the end of the day. I can't get up from the meal until I've finished otherwise it breaks the fast. I started fasting because I'm hoping it will help me 'spiritually'.

I'm a morning person, I'm up and perky just as soon as I have washed my face. My family kinda dislike my activeness at that time of the day, but I can't help it. At night I'm a lot more mellow, but when I'm in bed (like I said below) I KO!

The Dresses!

I hated wearing skirts! From about the age of 9 till I was about 21 I never wore a skirt or dresses (apart from school uniform, but when I was able to wear trousers, then I was wearing them!). I think I was partly traumatised by my mum dressing me up like a doll in cute dresses that put me off, although I appreciate it now. And when I was a teenager, it was more I didn't like my legs. I suppose it was partly due to me being a tom-boy as well. Alls changed now, I love wearing skirts now and love my legs.

Ok, this next one is going to sound so bad! But I always think I'm right. I generally speaking won't say something without believing I'm right. I'm not talking about people opinions, I'm very open with all that but I'm referring to specific topics and discussions. I suppose it's hard for me to describe, but if you know me then you will be mentally shouting at me about this point. It takes a lot for me to admit that I'm wrong, especially when the person makes a point of saying 'admit it! You're wrong'.

I didn't think that lipsticks suited me. Like at all! I preferred wearing nothing or a lip gloss, and even then the lip gloss would be clear. Even when I bought lipsticks I would wear them in front of the mirror, um and ah and then wipe it all off. I think it's safe to say that's not the case now.

I used to dislike the colour red when it came to my clothes. My mum was adamant that it suited me but I refused to believe such poppycock, I really didn't think it suited my skin tone, which is odd because Indians wear red for their weddings (I'm not going to lie this did slightly worry me about what I would wear) but obviously I love wearing red now and realise that I was thinking poppycock! lol!

Back to my sleeping habits, and some of you may hate me for this, but I am a super duper heavy sleeper. Like, an earthquake wouldn't wake me! I wish I was exaggerating, but when I'm out I'm out. My brother once forgot to take his keys with him on a night out, he rang me 63 times before I realised my phone was ringing. I think that says it all!

I love food and I love to cook. I find cooking a really easy way for me to zone out completely, I just put my headphones in and work away. And I love experimenting with food. I want to venture into sushi but I don't know if I'd get that quite right.

Contrary to the last fact, I am extremely fussy with fruit, I'll eat any vegetable or cuisine. But I am so particular about fruit, I don't know why my tastebuds just don't like certain flavours; like raspberry, watermelon or any melon for that matter, papaya, red apples, grapefruit, lychee..the list goes on! I think it would have been better for me to write the fruits that I actually like.

My Medals from the Dance Competition 

When I was in Primary school I loved dancing (still do, just not choreographed). Me and my friends took part in the competition which was in two parts; firstly in school and then with the rest of the schools in the borough. We were the first year 5 group to get through to the next stage and we then went on to get the Bronze after competing against the rest of the schools. The next year we done it again and we achieved the Silver. I think that was one of my proudest moments.

I love football, some of my female friends find it weird that I like football and know so much about it as I do. I wasn't really into it when I was younger, it's probably in the last 6-7 years I've really gotten into it. I'm not going to say I know every stat but I know enough!

I know how to knit. Only the most simple of techniques, I can't make any patterns but yh..there's that. My mum taught me because I wanted to make a scarf, which I still haven't finished (it's been years).

So that's it for now, I'll probably stick the next part up over the weekend. Hope you enjoyed the first half. Keep a look out for the second half, if you want! =D

♥ RP ♥

Beauties in Paris!

Obvious from my last post, I went to Paris! It was a brilliant getaway, although when we got back we were all so very tired.

Let me start off by saying how absolutely freezing it was -2, I was freezing my little patooti off! But hay ho you carry on, don't you! As soon as we got there we dropped our bags the hotel and left to explore the city.

Although my friend and I knew a little french we were lucky to find that most people spoke english, but having gone there I really want to learn French properly again. Reading french is ok for me but learning to speak it would be amazing.

D1 Anyway…having not eaten anything the first thing we did as eat there was a lovely little restaurant by the hotel, the food was amazing! Well, I thought it was, I had a salmon bagel with chips, I mean it was so cute…queue picture…

...attractive I know ;-) We then set out to go to see Notre Dame. This cathedral is absolutely incredible. The architecture both inside and out is so beautiful. We then walked down some little streets and found some cute souvenir shops and desert places, so without question we got some desserts and since we all wanted to try some we got macaroons, they were indeed delicious.

Next we stopped off at the Lourve, that place is huge! We only visited two wings and got to see the Mona Lisa, which was the main site to see obviously. That took us into the evening so we went back to the hotel relaxed and went out to dinner at a cute Moroccan restaurant called 404. The atmosphere in that place was so chilled and romantic. Definitely a place to check out if you like good Moroccan food.

D2 We went to the Champs Elysees and checked out their store. Nothing different to London, other than their humongous Sephora and the fact they had car dealerships in the middle of this high street! That was weird. At the end of the Champs Elysees is the Arc de Triumph so we kinda killed two birds with one stone.

Next was the Eiffle Tower. We got tickets to go right to the top! I loved it! We picked the perfect time of day to go just when it was turning dark so we got to see the city in both light and twilight.

D3 We to Laduree to get macaroons to take home with us. The queue for that was ridiculous, we wanted to go to the musee d'orsay but we had to skip that part because we also wanted to go to Angelina (a tea room) for my friends birthday. The queue fro Angelina was just as long as Laduree but it was totally worth it.

We got back to London at 10pm and back home at 11pm. We got a lot done in three days and if you haven't gone to France or Paris I would highly recommend it. It's a very different lifestyle compared to England, with their cute little pharmacies, cafés and restaurants. They don't really have chain retailers which is nice. They take their food seriously which is always a plus, but if you're a vegetarian you will find it super hard to find good food. If you are vegetarian then stick with the Italian restaurants they have.

Sorry this post is going up late but as soon as we got back home I fell ill with Norovirus! Not fun! I feel for you if you have/had it.

Hope you all have had a good week/weekend!

♥ RP ♥

2013 Will Be A Better Year For Me!

I'm not one to make new years resolutions, in fact I don't think I've ever done a new years 'resolution'. I find that I don't really want to 'stop eating cake' or 'start getting obsessed about my body', mainly because I'm happy with the way I live my life and/or I have no will power to stick to such restrictions. But this year I want to make a difference, not only with what I eat but the way I live my life. I'm now 25 and I want to make this year something to really remember. For the past three years I feel as though nothing exciting, different or invigorating has happened in my life, I feel stuck in a rut which I am desperate to get out of. The only way I can do this is with motivation and the push of the new year!

Although I am in my mid-twenties, I feel as though I'm 18 in my head, which in most ways is a good thing but I can't still live my life like I'm 18. I don't mean in terms of going out etc. but with regards to responsibility and general growing up (oh gosh this is starting to sound depressing). Basically, I still don't feel like a fully fledged adult.

Luckily I have a group of friends who want 2013 to be a more exciting year for them too so we are going to enjoy this year together. So here are some changes and enhancements I want to make in 2013;

I'm going to start with one that probably 90% of people are trying to do! Take better care of my body. I try and do regular exercise but I find I really have to force myself to do it, so I'm going to try and turn it into something fun. I started doing more exercise last year but it was very 'stop/start', I loved seeing the results, so I just need to stick to something more regular. As for my eating habits, well they aren't exactly the greatest. So I'm going to try and eat more fruit and greens. I think that I should really start thinking of my body as my temple and make it the best it can be.

The next one is something that I'm going to bring with me from 2012 and that is to go out more often and meet new people. I probably have been out more in the past 5 months than in the whole year prior to that! And I have been loving it! Just going out and enjoying my friends company, having a laugh and meeting new people has helped my confidence grow! I didn't realise how shy and reserved I was before then. This resolution is really going to be helped by my lovely friend who has a list of things that we need to do and places we need to go this year.

Third resolution is to be more productive and less lazy. This is with regards to my career/job. I want this area of my life to move forward and to achieve this I need to definitely do more. I have a lot of motivation to push this area of my life forward, so hopefully that motivation will translate to productiveness.

This next one is again something that I'm going to bring forward from last year and that is to be positive and put out good energy. I am a true believer of karma and I try to put out as much good energy as possible, that is; to be a nice person and treat others how I would like to be treated. I'm quite chilled person, I don't really take things too seriously and don't get wound up by little things so I know this will be easy to achieve. I think if anyone else is trying to do this in 2013 here are some tips:

Don't take things too seriously, whether it be things people have said or done, they probably didn't mean offence. I notice a lot of people take things to heart far too easily, it just builds this negative attitude that their life could probably do without.

Learn to laugh at yourself. If people are joking about you laugh it off, you'll find that you'll feel much better about it. They're probably just doing it because you take it so seriously in the first place. Trust me, I come from a family of male cousins who constantly take the piss out of me, but I just laugh and give it back. I know they love me, and it's probably the same for you.

Try not to talk about everyone and their mother. Gossip is not cool and likeliness is that it's going to come bite you in the butt. Concentrate on you as a person and give less unnecessary attention to those around you.

Try looking on the brighter side of things, life's too short. I know this is easier said than done but baby steps.

And my final improvement; to worry less about the future. I think this worry really kicked in last year and I don't think I've ever really stopped. I try to act like I'm not worried about anything like marriage, career etc. but to tell you the truth it really does scare me. Coming from an Indian family, there is a lot of emphasis on marriage for a girl, especially now I'm 25, but I want to fall in love, not have an arranged marriage. There is nothing wrong with an arranged marriage just I don't think it's for me, not yet anyway. I'm lucky to have the parents that I do, who haven't pressured me at all, but it doesn't stop others from saying things like; 'have you found someone?', 'do you want us to look?' and my favourite 'when are you getting married?' (I'll let you know when I do, just please stop asking!). Hopefully, rather than worry I will just live my life how I want and not worry about what all these other folk are talking about!

Well, that's it. That was a long one >< I hope you weren't too bored reading that if you did make it to the end (go you! And thanks! =D). Hopefully at the end of 2013 I can revisit this post and see what my life's like then. Hopefully better!

Have you made any 'resolutions'? What were they?

♥ RP ♥

Birthday!

It's official, I'm quarter century, contrary to what that 21st birthday card says…definitely don't feel it! Only hits me when I say it out loud. This post should have really got published over the weekend, but I have just wanted to chill out on my birthday weekend after a very fun night out on Friday.

I really wanted to share a proper picture of what I had worn on the night out, but that was a complete fail! My friends came down to my house and we headed out from here, but in true fashion we were running slightly late.

I wore this dress from Boohoo. It's got a lace centre which shows off a bit of skin. I bought a size 10 and the fit was perfect and it was £20, I know I will definitely wear this dress again. I wore my M&S black bow platform shoes. For jewellery I wore my new (birthday present, below) Jade stone ring from Accessorize, my peace ring from Boots and another ring that I can't remember where I got it from. My earrings were from Topshop in their sale last year.

For makeup I done a gold 'smokey' eye with red lips, using my trusty MAC viva glam I. I was going to leave the makeup at the eyes, but something was just missing. When I put the lip on it looked complete. On my nails I wore my Inglot polish in 955 with a Revlon glitter (340 Stunning) as a topcoat.

My friend and I were celebrating our 25th's together, his birthday is a week after mine, and we decided to go to a club called Guanabara in Covent Garden, it was such a brilliant night! I literally danced the night away, from 11.30pm - 3.00am with a 15 minute break! I'm going to say that this was my best birthday celebration, ever! It was such a good turn out, so a massive THANK YOU to those who came!

I've tried to use the best picture from the night but unfortunately my camera decided to die (even though it was fully charged!) so I've only got 28 photos in total, most of which are not flattering in the slightest. Below are a few gifts I received from my friends.

Hope you all had a good weekend! =)

♥ RP ♥

The Beginning Of The Rest Of Their Lives Together!

So, this weekend has been exhausting! But along with that it has been mighty special! One of my best mates, Nayna, got engaged! Well, she got engaged back in May, but yesterday was the day where her and her fiancé had their Indian ceremony (chandlo). It doesn't consist of a lot, a few gifts exchanged, a re proposal in front of everyone and A LOT of pictures! It was beautiful!

Myself, Bineeta and Aasha all wore Pink. We weren't asked to, but thought it would be nice for there to be a little theme between us three. We were there at the side of the stage helping whenever we could. We were there till the end, was really lovely to be apart of this special day as if we were family. =D

Nayna looked absolutely stunning in a cream outfit! I cannot express how beautiful she looked. Her mum bought the outfit from India, without Nayna being there and I think I say this on her behalf that she did a mighty fine job! Nayna looked like a princess!

The day started early, with going to Nayna's house to get ready at 6.30am. I was asked by Nayna's mum to do her makeup, so no pressure then! I went over on Saturday to do a little pamper session for Nayna's mum, did her nails and trailed her eye makeup, which she was happy with. She wanted something that was simple and not too much, so hopefully I managed that. Along with doing her makeup I did Aasha's and Bineeta's, oh and mine!

Bineeta's sari was a slight lilac pink so I used an old Estee Lauder palette which had a nice taupe (all over the eye) and deep purple (darken the outer corner) in it. On Aasha's I used MAC's 'paradisco' all over the lid with a deeper pink mixed with a pinky-brown in the outer corner from the 'oh so special' Sleek palette.

Mine in all honesty was a bit of a rush, i used MAC's 'all that glitters' on the first half of the lid and 'paradisco' and the cranberry colour from the Estee Lauder palette. I used Illamasqua's 'Dixie' cream blush and contoured. Unfortunately I didn't manage to take close up pictures of the make up I did because we were so busy. But there are lovely pictures of the happy couple and cake! (If/when I get a picture of all four of us I shall update this post)

Congratulations once again to Nayna and Kishan! Can't wait for the wedding! =D

♥ RP ♥

Hair Cut!

After a brilliant weekend, I got to spend another day with Bineeta yesterday. We had a such a girly day. We started off the day getting our hair cut. We went to Rush in Kingston.

I can't believe that I waited so long to get my hair cut. The lady that did my hair was so lovely, although slightly pushy when it came to selling me products. I'm a little ashamed to say that I bought a shampoo. I'm usually quite good when it comes to not falling for their sales pitch, but she was so insistent and I need a new shampoo anyway because I'm running out lol! (It's true I promise) I'm so glad she didn't ask me when the last time I got my hair cut was! That would have been awkward!

Binkz and Moi!

Water Feature in Ktwn Market

Famous Telephone Boxes in Kingston

This is the before and after. I asked to keep the length and just get lots of layers put in. Which she done amazingly but it looks a lot shorter because my hair is gone.

After the hair cut we went to "look" around the shops. I exchanged a dress I bought on Saturday for a top. (I'll do a separate "what I bought post")

We went for a much needed Girly lunch, with a good old bottle of wine! I promise I don't drink this much on a normal basis. We sat in slug and lettuce for a good 4 hours eating and talking! I love those kinds of talks! Just long and full of meaningful nonsense! Lol!

Sorry for the picture heavy post! Especially considering it’s mostly of food! What do you guys think of my hair cut?? Too short? =) x

Laughter and Friends...a Good Weekend!

This weekend has to have been one of the most amazing, laughter filled weekends I have had in a long time. After a stupidly long time I finally got to see all my lovely friends in a row! How lucky! Most of them having been slugging hard doing their exams for their professional exams to become accountants. So here is a massive Good Luck! I’m sure they have all done well because they are all nerds (plus they have been working hard)! Lol!

Bineeta/Binkz! This wasn't taken on the Thursday but it's a nice pic! ^_^

On Thursday I met up with the one and only Bineeta, I’ve known her since my first week at university…6 years ago! Yikes…That makes me feel old! She had her exam the day before and now she is finally free to let her hair down! We went to Oxford Street for a bit of shopping and then had dinner at Ping Pong. Has anyone heard of it? I hadn’t before that day. It’s a cute little restaurant which specialises in dim sum! It was gorgeous! Sorry no pictures of that…fail!

Aasha & Bineeta

Nayna & I

The much needed wine! ^_^

Nayna's lemonade

Friday was another day with Bineeta but also with my girls! These are the lovely ladies I had the pleasure to live with during one of my years at university and we have been BFF’s since then! I think we were lucky to get along so well because I have heard horror stories of flat mates not getting along, but we were instantly like a family and it hasn’t changed, even though we don’t see each other as often as we should. We just went to Pizza Express and shared a bottle of wine. Much deserved after a hard week! Lol!

Ling & Ray...Lovely couple!

Bineeta & Maral

Mehreen & I

The 5 Girlies!

Ling & Ray's His and Her's watches! How cute!!! ^_^

Saturday was the much delayed meet up with my Uni course mates (also known them for 6 years!) for Ling’s birthday (which was the 1st of June). HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY LINGO! Ling also had exams along with her bf! We went to Busaba Eathai…I had a pad Thai…although again no picture because by the time I realised I should have taken a picture I had wolfed down half of it…fail! These guys are the best…at one point I couldn’t stop laughing, even after the joke had finished…(forever alone…private joke!)

I did a spot of shopping which I will probably show in a separate post. I’m going to try and be a bit more regular with posting…got a list and everything. Lol! Hope you all had a brilliant weekend! =) x