Stationery Review 94: Classmate Octane Fountain Pen (INR 40)

Hi Friends, 

I bought this Classmate Octane Fountain Pen due to the neon colour it brings in but the writing experience is not good with this one. Bought the same for INR 40 but it's a waste amongst other pens available at the same price range. There is no fun in writing with this fountain pen. 

After using this pen, other than the attractive neon colours this pen comes in there is no benefit of buying and wasting your money on this fountain pen. There are much better pens available in the market from other brands by just spending Rupees 10 extra, especially the Unomax Executive Fountain Pen. This pen should be priced at Rupees 20-25 then it will make a little bit of cost sense otherwise, I won't recommend anyone to buy this pen. 

Link to video - https://youtu.be/0SuRQ7CH6yA - Your Views Are My Only Blessings!

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A Memoir - This Month Last Year - July 2013

Hi Guys,

July being my birthday month is always special for me. My birthday party gave me some great moments to cherish with my family and friends. I continue to receive some of the best goodies from twitter contest and posted a lot of blog posts for the same. Travel blog posts mainly took over due to Blogadda & Indiblogger travel related contests.

1. Product Review - Blogadda - ITC Ultramintz - Awesome Product- Blogadda chose 50 bloggers from India to review this awesome mint from ITC. I received Rs 2000 gift voucher for Wills Lifestyle for the same. It was really awesome feeling to be chosen amongst many to blog about this product.

2. The First Monsoons Rains in Gurgaon - A relief from the summers and I took some of the photographs using my Panasonic FZ5. This post is one of the top 10 posts on my blog. Rain is something which brings a lot of memories and freshness to our lives.

3. Blogadda Michelin Pilot Experience - A leisured trip to WALES, UK - Some of the travel posts and this one is the Top most post on my blog in terms of pageviews. Some other related posts -
A Perfect Road Trip in and around Scotland & UK  - Indiblogger contest
Another Perfect Road Trip to Wales, UK
My Best Drive Across UK

4. Twitter Goodies - Dell_IN Father's Day Contest - One of the best gifts for the twitter contest was sent by Dell India. Soundlogic bluetooth headsets are really great.

5. Usman Riaz Learned Music the Internet Way - Some of the TEDx inspirational videos and this one was Franklin Templeton and Indiblogger contest.Really loved watching all the videos and choosing some to write about them.

Received some other goodies from Superdry, Economic Times, Sony Music, Honda Amaze Garnier Men twitter handles and posts pictures of the same on my blog.

Cheers!!!

Contact me for Product Reviews on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com

A Memoir - This Month Last Year - May 2013

Hi Guys,

Last year May was one of the best months of my life, not only I moved into my own apartment but also I received the great news of winning a HP laptop from Indiblogger just one day before actually moving into the new home. Buying a home is the most important dream of our lives and seeing it getting fulfilled was the most grateful moment of Universe. 

My blog posts was random due to the Airtel broadband connection taking numerous calls to get it transferred and N number of calling everyone till the time they actually made it work going past all the reasons they had. 

1.Photo Walk - Khajuraho - A weekend trip in Pics- We had this lovely trip to Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh on Jan 26th and thought of sharing the beauty of temples and place with everyone. One of the most lovely trip with one of my friend from MBA days and his wife. My daughter enjoyed a lot. Also, it was my first long trip on Indian Railways since many years. Check it out!

2. Wimbledon, United Kingdom - On a walk - Wimbledon is one of the most beautiful places in London with a long tennis history. I did went to the place a month before the start of the actual tennis action so that I can reach the place real quick when I go for the match day. Try it!

3. 3 Things my daughter has taught me? - A blog post for the PARLE-G website where I shared my feeling about what I have learned from my daughter? It was posted on their website maintained by Kiran Manral. 

4. My Gourmet Indian Kitchen Party with ITC Chef's - Another Indiblogger contest with sure shot ITC's food packets and they did sent me some packets before just for reviewing purposes. I weaved a story around the same and ordered more stuff which I still use in the form of chutneys and rice masalas. 

5. WeChat with the people I admire - New way to Connect - Another contest by Indiblogger and I wrote about 5 persons whom I love and admire a lot. I really need to think a lot about to narrow it down to 5 people whom I really like. 

Other than these posts, I reviewed several books and goodies which I received or purchased earlier. 

Overall, May 2013 was worth all the efforts of setting up a new home, getting addresses corrected at all the places - bank accounts, internet, mobile connections etc etc. It was tiring but it was worth the effort of moving into your own abode where you don't need to pay rent other than EMI on loan. 

Cheers!!!

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com

Product Review - Blogadda - ITC Ultramintz - Awesome Product

Hi Guys,

I was a chosen one for the Blogadda & ITC Ultramintz program to be among the 50 bloggers who is going to review the product before it's launched in the market.

I was so happy to receive the news last week. Incidentally, this was the first news I came across after my birthday on 22nd July. As my blog is getting some popularity and I am winning some good contests, I felt great to receive the product.

The packing was suberb and I really felt great to receive the product this way. I was wondering how the product will be sent as it's a small metallic container, but this packing simply blew my mind.

 

This is the little container which took my breathe away....lol...this gonna take care of my breathe in the coming week as I review the product. Thanks ITC for venturing into a new segment. This definitely is a cool product idea and will really be a hit in the market.

ITC Launches mint-O Ultra Mintz to bring in Sugar Free extra strong mints in Peppermint flavour. This comes in a nice small package of Rs. 50/- with approx 60 tablets to go on for several days. The small mintz is very powerful and brings in a lot of freshness even if you had strong smelling drink or food or smoke. Really loved the way this small pallets takes away my bad breathes. The package is small and easy to carry always and easy on the pocket too. They will not be spilled out of the case they are in. These are secured inside this metallic case which is great in it's looks and keeps it dry even when it's raining.

 As soon as I started carrying it, it brought me a lot of new friends when we used to take a stroll after the lunch time in my office. The taste and the non-availability of the product in the market really makes me exclusive at the moment but then people will remember and look out for the product once it's everywhere in the market. It's a great effort from ITC mint-O to bring in these amazing pellets to the market which gonna really reduce the bad breathes we face. When we are talking to people who smoke and we are in a meeting where we can't even avoid them, we can politely ask them to have this one or we can carry it ourselves to share with everyone.

I tried and tested it after having raw Onion in my afternoon meals but it really did take away the smell onion brings. Kudos to the ULTRAMINTZ. 

I tested it with having a strong cup of coffee from the Vending machine and it really saved the day for me.

I ate strong garlic chilly chutney that my mom makes at home to be consumed with our dinner meals. I tried to challenge the ultramintz and thought this gonna definitely fail the same but it came out with flying colors. Hats off to the small yet powerful and beautiful pack of ULTRAMINTZ. I will recommend this one to each and every individual who wants something to keep them fresh throughout the day.  

Overall, it's something that has been missing from the market and now when it will be in the market this product is really going to pick up fast. ITC strong delivery network will make this a successful product. I wish all the very best to ITC and ultramintz to rule the market. 

Definitely, cool things and a Calm mind will always takes on the world. 

Finally, the best part of Blogadda, is this letter personally signed by the CEO. It has of great value than the product itself as the final product can be bought from the market, but this letter can't be generated ever after.

  

Thanks once again to Nirav, Blogadda team and the sponsors ITC for choosing me and my blog to review the product. I hope our association will build further... Cheers!!!

 I am reviewing mint-o Ultramintz as a part of the Product Reviews Program at BlogAdda

Contact me for your product's review on twitter @araijain or @thelifesway or email - thelifesway@gmail.com

My Gourmet Indian Kitchen Party with ITC Chef's

Hello Everyone, 

It feels great whenever you are invited to a party or you are throwing a party because it gives you a lot of time with your loved ones and helps you relax, unwind and enjoy the moments. I was too planning to throw one since my daughter's bday last year where we enjoyed a lot. There were some things which were missing in the bday party of my daughter and I wanted to improve upon them this time. This time the occasion will also is different. The time is to celebrate the new home and I am throwing a housewarming party for all my friends and relatives. Making a house is a lifetime achievement award and I feel great that with the help of my parents I got this reward. Thanks a lot!

Let's start with the planning that goes into making a party which includes setting up a place, food & drinks, decorations, Music, games and finally a good garbage disposal system.

Last time, the music was not properly programmed and there was no playlist saved. This time I have all the music set with the help of my laptop and pendrives. This music will be connected to the best  speakers I have with me. They are not loud enough to disturb the neighbours but will set the mood right to dance. Ipod/iPhone docking with aux in cable will be kept in a room if anyone wants to play his own music and wanting to turn DJ, he/she will be most welcome.

As this is a housewarming party the place will be drawing room, lobby, kitchen, balconies of my house. There needs to be plenty of seating arrangement that needs to be taken care of, for that I will be fetching extra chairs from neighborhood.

Ambience will be a lot of shadow lights in the form of table lamps and wall lights. With soft music on the play in the background, it will be soothing to talk to people around and enjoy ourselves also. All the kids will be given a bedroom with TV as they can watch their favourite cartoon characters like Doramon and Chhota Bheem. They will also be playing with my daughter's toys if she shares and allows them to. Otherwise, TV is the best option with chocolates in their small hands.

Before the food is served it will be time to play some general games like Tambola. Tambola prizes will be those which I have showcased on my website www.thelifesway.com . Some of the lucky people will surely get great goodies from tshirts, bags, music CD's & headphones/earphones. Whosoever will be the lucky winner will have to perform a dance on his/her favourite number to claim his/her goodies. This will be the added twist that will make everyone twist and swirl and bring in a lot of fun to the evening.

Finally coming to the food and drinks part of the party which is the most challenging part as it makes or brakes the party. This time instead of ordering food from local vendors I have chosen special ITC Chef's for my party. Kitchens of India is one the great products crafted by the ITC hotels Chef's. The variety of products available will break away or atleast bring flavors to the regular dal and paneer in a vegetarian party. To check the whole range of dishes available I checked the website http://shopping.kitchensofindia.com/  and narrowed down the following items for my party.

To make it more effective so that food don't spoil all the fun on the D day, I went to the nearest superstore to check the products before buying them in bulk for the party. I picked up Mirch ka Salan and Mughlai Paneer as my favourites to taste beforhand.

@araijain

Mirch ka Salan has a taste which was totally different from what we have ever eaten. This was the taste of Green chillies cooked in white gravy and will be great as an additional dish. So I will be buying 2-3 packets for my party. This is priced at Rs. 95/- for 285gms.

@araijain

Mughali Paneer is a great Paneer dish and that's maximum Vegetarians can do at their homes or order from the market so Paneer has to be included in all the parties in various dishes. I will be procuring 5 packets of the dish priced at Rs. 100/- per packet of 285 gms.




Dal is a compulsory item as many of the people don't like paneer and other dishes and what's better than ITC world famous Dal Bukhara. I will be procuring 6 packets of the dish for my party.

I will also be serving Vegetable Biryani Masala Mix – 3 Packs and Paneer Makhani Masala Mix – 3 packs as an added servings.

This will all be served with the Laccha Paranthas and tandoori roti procured from the nearby Dhaba or if possible will ask my maid to make roti's for the people who don't like both the above ones.

For the Desserts, Ice cream will be the first choice in summers & will be always available at my party, but then I will introduce people to Hazoori Petha Halwa – 3 packets and Jodhpuri Moong Dal Halwa – 3 packets.

So overall, I have a big list of Kichens of India products to buy from the market and need to find out any discount stores for the upcoming party. I am procuring around 25-26 packets of dishes and will cost me around Rs. 3000/- only.

For drinks we will be providing the basic cold drinks available in the market – all the three flavours generally sold in the market. I would love to add APPY Fizz as the welcome party drink because it will set the right taste on everyone's tongue. As a valedictory gift for their coming to our home and celebrating our happiness, I will give them a pack of sweets per family procured from best sweets shop in town. We can also think of gifting KOI desserts also if I get them at discount and if people like to break away from Laddoo's and Barfi!

Thanks all, I hope you will feel to come to my party...thanks for reading and enjoying! 

Cheers!!!

A good garbage system will save you from tension as you can push all the used stuff like paper plates, tissues, glasses and packaging in big black bags and keep them in a corner for ready throw early next day. 

More about KOI - Kitchens of India brings to you a wide range of Ready to Eat dishes and desserts, giving you a gourmet meal in the comfort of your home - just Heat and Eat ! Each of these recipes have been crafted by the Masterchefs of ITC hotels, from royal recipes guarded closely over the ages. You can also choose from exotic chutneys and conserves to add the perfect twist to any meal.