Life on THE RIDGE SHIMLA

THE RIDGE, SHIMLA is actually a very large open street situated along the popular Mall road of Shimla. And when you are here, for a while you will not feel like you are in India. You would feel like you are in some other country like Europe or in London because the buildings here are of the British era. And you all must be knowing that Shimla had been the British summer capital once long back. 

You can see visitors spending a lot of peaceful merry time walking along the streets of the Ridge with their family or loved ones. The place is pleasant, the views are fantastic and the whole atmosphere is very happening. The day time look, the evening look, and even the night view is amazing. The most preferred timing for visiting this place would be during the sunset time as the view of the sunset from this view point at Ridge is simply mesmerizing.

Standing at the Ridge you can easily get a whole view of the beautiful Shimla town spread along the hills. And on one hill top you would find a big Hanuman statue right on top of the Jakhoo hills. That is the famous Jakhoo temple that you would see.

The place Ridge is something very unique. You wont find any rickshaw, auto, cars, buses, cycles or any form of public transport over here. And that is one the biggest reasons as to why and how people of all ages come and enjoy the beautiful walk here on the streets so peacefully. 

You would find a beautiful big sized Indian flag waving high right here with the cool winds. It looks really patriotic and beautiful. Apart from this you will find that here at Ridge you get a beautiful viewpoint for Shimla. So simply enjoy the view from here. You will of-course feel very much relaxed and rejuvenated as you walk along the streets of the Ridge and around this beautiful Indian flag waving high with the air.

Ridge is something like a central point for Shimla and it connects most of the major places of Shimla like the Mall, the Jakhoo hills, the Lakkar bazar, Snowdon , Christ church and many more. You can also find a statue of Dr. Y S Parmar, the Founder of Himachal standing right here at the Ridge.

The evening and night view of this place and Shimla is simply amazing and worth exploring at least once in your lifetime. The sparkling, twinkling light on the hills make The Ridge and overall Shimla such a beautiful place to explore and enjoy. 

The months of April to June are considered to be one of the most preferred seasons to visit Shimla or nearby places as during this time the weather is clear and cool. You would be able to see the clear lush green mountains all around you. The beauty of the green valleys and the cooling temperature during summers makes this place a preferred choice for spending your holidays at the Himachal. 

With love,

Simmi

How to Make Aloe Vera Gel at Home in 5 Minutes Using Fresh Aloe Vera Leaves

The scorching heat of summers are troubling our skin. We need to protect our skin, cool them down, and keep them healthy & hydrated during the summers while even ensuring to maintain that perfect glowing look. So here's a quick look on How to Make Aloe Vera Gel at Home in 5 Minutes using fresh Aloe Vera leaves:

Aloe Vera is being referred to as a wonder plant that is being used by generations to grow since thousands of years for its medicinal benefits to our skin, hair and health. 

There are several brands that are available in markets that sell Aloe Vera gel like Patanjali Aloe Vera gel, Lakme Aloe gel, Wow Aloe Vera gel, and many more. All of these gels are easy to use and very easy to apply. But the purest and the most beneficial of all these marketed gels are the homemade fresh Aloe Vera gels that can be prepared without using any artificial color or chemicals. 

Aloe Vera plants are very easily available in the markets and in nurseries. So we can easily afford buying 2 pots of Aloe Vera plant for our own skincare routines. And then its very easy to prepare Aloe Vera gels at home within minutes. Here's a quick process to make the gel at home:

How to Make Aloe Vera Gel at Home?

1. Take 1 big or 2 small sized fresh Aloe Vera leaves
2. Wash the leaves and let it dry in standing position for few hours
3. Remove the bottom part where you could see some yellowish sticky liquid as they may cause irritation to your skin
4. Cut the teeth, the side portions of the leaves using a knife
5. Tear the upper skin
6. Once peeled, then gently scrape out the gel from the leaves using a spoon and keep collecting in a bowl
7. Crush all the scraped gels in a mixer grinder to make it light and fluffy. You may even use hand blender of folk
8. Beat or grind until no chunks are left, and then transfer it into a bowl
9. Add 1 Vitamin E capsule to the blended gel
10. Add 2-3 drops lavender or orange or any other essential oil
11. Add 3 drops rose water
12. Beat them for 1 or 2 minutes using a folk such that it mixes up really well with the prepared gel
13. Your homemade Aloe Vera gel is all ready, now transfer the gel into a dry airtight container or tube
14. Refrigerate and store this gel for up to 3 weeks in your refrigerator
15. Apply it directly on skin as a moisturizer, or use it in your favourite face packs, or add it in your hair pack

Vitamin E and essential oils act as natural preservatives to the gel while also helps in improving your skin elasticity, smoothness and health. Both of these ingredients are very beneficial for your skin as well as hair. This method of preparing Aloe Vera gel at home is one of the easiest and the most simple way of preparing this gel like a market. This simple formula of preparing homemade gel can do wonders to your skin. So apply this home made fresh Aloe Vera gel on a regular routine basis to your skin and hair. Make Aloe Vera your favourite potted plant in the balcony this summer, and try utilizing its leaves for several health benefits apart from skin and hair care routines.

Thank You!

Simmi Shekhar

Refreshing Watermelon Skin Toner & Face Pack for Glowing Skin | Summer Special

During the summers, we all face skin hydration problems. Sunny hot wind storms are blowing outside that are dehydrating our skin and making them dry. The moisture content of our skin gets lost. So in such cases, it is really important that we take proper care of our skins and keep them hydrated and moisturized. We should never leave them dry and dehydrated. Watermelons are the coolest fruit during summer and they are great for your skin as well. Here in this video I have shared 2 easy watermelon DIYs to nurture your skin this summer

Watermelons are super rich in water content, they are full of vitamins, packed with amino acids and required antioxidants., thereby nurturing our skin and making them soft, supple, healthy and flawless. Watermelons are really a magical ingredient for our skincare routines during summers.

Benefits of watermelon toner and face-packs:

- Protects your skin from sun damages and harmful ultraviolet rays 

- Refreshes your dull skin

- Hydrates the skin and keep them healthy

- Helps in brightening your skin naturally

- Keeps it younger and glowing

- Helps prevent skin ageing

Watermelons are considered natural skin toners while also preventing your skin from sun damages. They give you a refreshed, hydrated, moisturized and a youthful look. So let us see how to make watermelon toner and watermelon face-packs.

How to Make Watermelon Toner:

1) Take  5 to 6 cubes of watermelon

2) Blend them completely in a mixer grinder

3) Transfer the blended watermelon crush into a bowl

4) Add 2 tsp homemade aloevera gel or use any herbal aloevera gel

5) Add 1 tsp rose water

6) Give a quick stir to mix them properly

7) Watermelon toner is ready. Now transfer the prepared mixture into a dry toner spray bottle

8) Store in refrigerator for around 3 to 5 days and keep applying after your summer day outs.

How to Make Watermelon Face-pack:

1) Take 1 tsp honey

2) Add 2 tsp watermelon toner

3) Mix them well using a spoon

4) Apply it all over your face and neck with the help of a cotton ball

5) Let it dry for at least 30 minutes

6) Wash it with normal cold water and feel the smoothing coolness in your skin instantly

Honey contains antibacterial properties that are essential for our skins. They helps in improving the quality of our skin texture. They are also very effective in getting rid of acne, pimples and blemishes. Honey and watermelon both are said to act as natural cleansers and they help in getting a clear glowing skin.

You may apply these watermelon face packs or watermelon toner after your hectic day out in the scorching heat. You may apply it after your walk, workout, outdoor shopping, gardening or any such event or activity. It will help in giving you an instant cooling effect to your skin while even toning it. Your skin will feel refreshed, hydrated and cool. Immediately after applying this face pack and washing your face you will be able to feel the refreshing glow in your skin, and you will find that your skin has has become even more softer and smooth. 

This was a real easy summer special skin care routine that can easily done at the convenience of your home with all natural ingredients. Watermelon skin toner and watermelon face-packs are a refreshing summer special homemade recipe for your glowing youthful skin that stays cool and hydrated this summer. So never stop pampering your skin, love you skin and take its care this summer. They need you. Retain there moisture contents and keep them soft, supple, refreshed, hydrated and of course healthy.

Keep Smiling!

With love,

Simmi Shekhar