Columbus Paczki Guide: Where To Find It?

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

It's funny how you come up with content for your blog. It's Fat Tuesday and as I was driving somewhere, this lady on the radio mentioned Paczki. And I had to find out what it was, how it looked like and most importantly, does Columbus have it.

Pronounced (Poonch-key, if it's many and Poon-chek, if it's single), it is a giant polish creme or jelly-filled donut. Areas like Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago that have a huge polish-american population, Paczki for Fat Tuesday is a tradition.

Here are the three places in Columbus if you want to indulge in Paczki before Lent begins:


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Oscar Winning Classic Romantic Movies List

Wednesday, February 22, 2017


Ahh.. The Oscars - these awards are so special because they encapsulate the universal emotions of love, betrayal, passion and hope. Sometimes, it does feel like all the oscar winning movies make you want to lock yourself in the bathroom and never come out. But, who says Oscar winning movies have to be necessarily sad and depressing. Here are my top 10 Oscar winning romantic movies. These are classics without an expiry date on them. Enjoy :)

It Happened One Night(1934)- Nominated for 5 and won all 5

The quintessential romantic movie made in 1934, it has everything a die hard romantic would want in a movie. Apparently, this movie didn't do so well financially in the early days, but caught up through word-of-mouth. Also, it has the iconic hitchhiking scene which was later replicated (along with the movie), in Bollywood with Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi.

TCM Fun Fact: For the rest of his career, Clark Gable would insist on wearing a trench coat in every picture, claiming it was his lucky coat because of the success of It Happened One Night

Gone With The Wind(1939) - Nominated for 15 and won 8

One of those few film adaptations that had the same quality as that of the book. I'm looking at you Gone Girl *ahem* Made into a movie in 1939, just three years after the book came out, this movie has everything, the effects of war, race, class and of course, love. I, personally love how imperfect and human Scarlett is. And of course, who can ignore Scarlett and Rhett's sizzling chemistry.

TCM Fun Fact: The iconic "Tomorrow is another day" almost didn't make it into the movie. Before Selznick wrote that speech, the film ended with Mammy comforting Scarlett with the line "He"ll come back. Didn't I say the last time? He"ll do it again. I always know. Mammy always knows."

Casablanca(1942) - Nominated for 8 and won 3

A classic war time romantic movie, it has stood the test of time. This movie has something for both men and women. Not to be sexist, but it has guns, gangsters, war and romance. I am not sure if Ingrid Bergman or Bogart ever did another movie together, but I am happy we"ll always have Casablanca. Come on, I had to use it somewhere ;)

TCM Fun Fact: Did you know that "As Time Goes By" wasn't an original song and was not even eligible to be nominated for Best Song in 1943? It was a much older song, written in 1931, for a Broadway Show called Everybody's Welcome.

Annie Hall(1977)- Nominated for 4 and won 1

Who can forget Annie Hall's clothes in this movie. So 70s and so effortlessly french! Question ..Are you even a Fashion Blogger if you don't make Diane Keaton's Annie Hall's references one in a while? Nope.

I love Woody Allen's movies because those are the kind of conversations I would like to have in real life too. It all seems so real and natural. Like, sometimes I wonder if  his movies have any real script at all? I digress. This movie is truly a romantic movies because the entire story is about this guy analyzing why his relationship with her failed. Seriously, go give it a watch.

TCM Fun Fact: Did you know that Diane Keaton was born with the surname Hall. She later changed it by adopting her mother's maiden name in order to avoid confusion with another actress named Diane Hall.

The Apartment(1960) - Nominated for 10 and won 5

Any movie that is set in NYC wins my heart. And this movie is no exception. Shirley Maclaine as Fran was in every sense the cliched Manic Pixie Dream Girl.This was before the term was even coined. After realizing that her boyfriend would never leave his wife for her, she overdoses and is taken care of by Jack Lemmon. He falls in love with Fran's carefree approach to life (Manic Pixie Dream Girl much?) and they live happily ever after.

TCM Fun Fact: Movie's Advertising Tag Line : There has never been anything like it - laugh-wise, love-wise, or otherwise-wise!


What are your favourite go-to classic romantic movies to watch?

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Best Chocolate Shops In Columbus,Ohio

Tuesday, February 7, 2017


Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I went around Columbus looking for the best chocolate shops, "trying" out chocolates because well, somebody had to do it! All four of these shops are locally-owned. So, these are as unique as they come. I love shopping local because it always leaves me with a good feeling and a happy smile, knowing that I am helping someone fulfill their dreams.

Here are my picks:

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How To Hygge Like You Know It

Monday, February 6, 2017


I love words. And especially words that encapsulate a feeling, like the inuit word "Iktsuarpok", meaning the sense of anticipation as you wait for someone's visit to your house. So, how could I let go of a beautiful word like Hygge without sharing it with everyone.

Hygge(n.) a Danish ritual of enjoying life's simple pleasures.

It's a Danish word. And as everyone knows, all things good and stylish come out of the Scandinavian countries. Think white interiors and minimal, uncluttered furniture. Yup! So, is it even a surprise that Hygge is a Danish concept?

Hygge is a lifestyle. Scandinavian countries have really long, cold winters and the Danes don't let that get them down. They just Hygge.

What is Hygge? Contentment. Happy thoughts. Watching TV under a  cozy throw. Reading a good book. Conversations with friends. That long phone call with your best friend, Hot cup of tea in the morning. It's that feeling of coziness, when everything feels right with the world.  Anything that gives you that warm, cozy feeling is Hygge. Encapsulating all these things is the concept of Hygge.


How To Bring In Hygge Into Your Life: 

  • GET RID OF YOUR PHONE
Less Technology = More Hygge. Play your favourite music while making dinner instead of having the TV on in the backgound. Hang out with friends, call someone, read a book.

  • BUY CANDLES, LOTS AND LOTS OF IT

                                                Buy candles and light them. The dim lighting helps to soften the home and the surrounding and gives you the right amount of coziness in your heart.

  • COMFORT FOOD
                        Going out to restaurants and eating food that you cannot pronounce is so overrated. Hygge is simplifying your life and finding joy in uncomplicated things.


  • INVITE FRIENDS OVER & DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE MENU
                           Hygge involves being with friends and family. Just enjoy the company by sharing a simple meal or just a cup of coffee.


Winter can be tough, do the things that bring warmth and joy to your heart. Slow down. 

Hygge is about finding the extraordinary in the mundane  ordinary things of life. And the Danes must be right. Isn't Denmark the happiest country, according to a recent survey? 

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Favourites Of The Week

Friday, February 3, 2017


Favourites Of The Week

Here are some of my favourites that I have curated for your weekend read. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy :)

  • Social Media is good, but sometimes, I have to admit, it takes away my designated reading time. But what if, you could read 200 books in the time we spend on Social Media each year. Would you do it? Read about it here.

  • Friday Nights at our home:
          Me: So, what do you want to watch?
          Him: What do you want to watch? 
          Me: Thriller? 
          Him: Nah..Let's watch an action movie?
          Me: Nah..Let's do horror?
          Him: Nah...
          Me: So, what do you want to watch?
          Him: What do you want to watch?

You get the drift...

And this, right here, is a life-saver. Not only does the website give you suggestions based on genres (it even has a 90s themed genre) and mood, it also tells you where it is currently streaming or where you can rent it from. Go, take a look. Seriously, you will not be disappointed. 
             
  • How american malls looked in 1989. Read here for a dose of nostalgia. 
"Malls are not the center of our cultural sphere anymore. They're not new and shiny. We've moved on, and now we have the Internet." - Michael Galinsky


Hope you enjoyed reading them!


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Granola: 4 Ways To Use It

Wednesday, February 1, 2017
You just found an awesome recipe online and made the awesome-st Granola at home. Well, now what? Here's a tried and tested recipe I love btw.  I, personally use it as a snack to kill  shoo away my late night cravings. But, it's still a lot of Granola left over. So, what do you do? Here are four ways to use your Granola goodness.



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