The Joy of Shopping online

Ok Ok, I know the first thing that would come up here is that Im from the e-commerce field.
Online shopping is something that I preach about, and hence should practice.

But for those who don't know me and my random shopping sprees, I'm a person who started shopping online just around three years back. It of course started with a book that I had purchased from www.flipkart.com. Before those days, I was as skeptical about shopping online as a lot of people still are. What would I do if my book did not reach, what if they took my money and sent me something else (there was no option of Cash-on Delivery where I was put up), what if the payment did not go through, what if this, what if that. There are a thousand doubts, but then its just like all the crap you hear about everything before you actually try!! The trick is that you just got to do it right! And its the most amazing experience you'll ever have.

                       A few purchases..:)

Oh the joy of seeing that your product is available, that it can be added to your "shopping cart' just by a click..Availing a coupon that strikes off 30-35% of the price..Can it get any better?? Apparently it can..with services like nest day delivery..same day delivery..the waiting period has been reduced to hours..probably the same amount that it would take you to get home in peak traffic hours after a day of shopping!

                                                   Always something on my wishlist :P

I once had my heart out on a pair of golden stilettos from Tresmode..found it on 3 different websites..chose the best deal..and ordered it on a Saturday night..Before I could wake up the next day..my shoes were delivered! Can you imagine the joy when you wake up with a package containing glittering new heels..waiting to be taken out and tried on!!

                                          I told you they were awesome!!!!!!!!!

I have come to a stage where I just cant shop at a retail store. I like a product, I try it on..fits great..the Fashion Consultant is cute and friendly..everything seems just perfect! But then that urge of checking on any online portal (Of course I have all the apps..DUH!! ) is just something I can't resist. And when I see it online..cheaper of course..how can I ever allow myself to shell out a full price for the same stuff!

For people who say that online portals sell fake stuff/ low quality products. Point taken..Of course some of them do! The intelligence lies in selecting and shopping at the ones that don't!

If the price is too good to be true..it probably is! Don't buy them!

My addiction has got to a level where now I have finally shopped from an international website! One thing off my bucket list!

                                            That's how my order list looks like! Always :P

Some points that might just help!! Atleast from my personal experience!

1. Always..always check reviews before paying outright when shopping at any portal for the first time..
2. Try and make your first purchase a Cash on Delivery. It reduces risk and helps increase your faith in shopping online
3. Compare!! Thats why you have multiple portals selling the same stuff. 
4. Read descriptions..Zoom into images..check..be satisfied before you buy.
5. Save purchases that you are sure of for the weekend. The best deals are available then.
6. Add the email ids of portals to your inbox list. You may get spammed with mailers..but you hit on great offers too.
7. Know your website and the products they sell.
8. Look for mobile app deals. Some websites offer brilliant deals just to make sure you download the app. Trust me..its faster and easy.
9. Take a risk once in a while. Its ok! The return policies are super customer friendly in most portals
10. Check coupon websites from time to time
11. Save shopping for the festive seasons, Amaxon shopping festival, Myntra and Flipkarts EORS and other special days like ladies nights, weekend sales etc. 

A few must try websites..

Myntra, Flipkart and Amazon are on the obvious go to websites for clothing, accessories, footwear and literally just about anything!

For some quirky stuff check out The Quirkbox, Indiacircus, Chumbak, The Souled Store, Propshop21 to name a few! This is a rapidly growing segment!

Women you absolutely need to check : Koovs, Femella, and 20dresses.

For sexy lingerie visit zivame.com!

For all you make up necessities: Nykaa is simply brilliant!

       On my to- purchase list!

Ok..Now I gotta go! I hear the door bell ring. It must be the delivery guy :)

Times change! A lot of times for the good!

March 19th, 2013 marked the start of a new tradition at The Oxford College of Science and Arts. We had our very first Alumni Meet! Invitations were received and personally, I was excited to go back..I knew it was a chance to meet batch mates, faculty and seniors.
Last year, the Alumni meet was in typical "Oxford" style. A classical dance, our Director's address, a short cultural program and a standard lunch! We had fun reliving the college days, catching up with people we knew and making new friends as well.

So this year, when I received the invite, I knew I would go..again to relive the same experience.
Undecided on whether to wear denims and a shirt or a suit, I settled in for something mid way, knowing that I could not possibly wear a dress!! Oxford afterall!

Some people I was sure of meeting, others quite no so! So wen my favorite senior turned up, it was not so much a surprise! But when I saw my own classmates, I was taken aback..I had not met them in years and seeing them again was a sweet walk down the memory lane. 

We were yet to witness a few surprises..So when we settled down to witness the cultural program..none of us could believe we were at Oxford! 

A super team of hosts and girls dancing to the tracks of Sunny Leone and Ishq wala Love duets is not what you expect at Oxford!

Neither do you expect that a girl is addressed as the "Beauty Queen" and when you hear " She can move, cant she! "..you know that things have changed! Visibly and for the better! It was a happy change, atleast for me.Nothing could have felt better than to see my juniors wear denims and dance with guys on stage! (no..Im not sarcastic!!) 

Then came another jolt! Our Director wanted the alumni to self nominate candidates for President ( I am the official President of the Oxford Alumni Association, Science & Arts) VP ( Devi Bhaiya, my super senior) Secreatry ( Prasenjit Dey, My fav Senior) and Treasurer ( Varun Gowda).

It was shocking but still satisfying to see that your faculty still has faith in you! That I can walk up to the stage that I love and speak! 

The memories are still fresh..and to see our college change, was unexpected but good!

Yes one thing was definitely from our memory..The food! I have been through the same food ever since my induction in the college..Its true..some things never change!

So here's to having a great many more alumni meets, positive change, new friendships and the same food!!

(My Fav lab..My Fav Senior)

( Meeting someone who stays 5 minutes away from my place, at College :P)

A trip to the Ravan Nagri!

It all started with a mail from our HR that this year PUMA's annual outbound is all set to happen in the capital city of Srilanka, Colombo. This mail was a precursor to months of preparation, saving up on new clothes and shoes..and the lunch time conversations of " acha kahan kahan jayenge, kya khareedenge.." " I hope I get a good roomie (which I eventually did).

After a lot of anticipation, the day finally drew nearer. Currency was exchanged (though honestly I was a bit disappointed when I received just 2 notes in exchange of the 20 I gave..bigger denominations :P) bags packed, tickets checked and beauty regime done.

After a sleepless night went by, in fear of not being able to wake up when the cab comes, the fateful morning dawned when we made our way to the airport to take our flight to Chennai!

Check in- Done, Boarding Pass- collected, Security Check- Done.

(At the Bangalore International Airport)

And then we miss our flight! Yes yes, I know it was stupid, ignorant, clumsy!! It was so chaotic..pleading to let us in did not work. Next flight all booked..Clueless about what to do..we reached out to our HR. Thanks to them and a certain member of my team, we were able to finally make it to the Crew Seats of the next flight!

Reached Chennai..determined not to miss the next flight, we did not budge from in front of the boarding gate.

An hour or maybe two later we arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Scuffiling for bags we headed out to look for the coaches that were to take us to our hotel!

Welcome to Srilanka! The Wonder of Asia! Finally!!

Our stay was arranged at the Cinnamon Lakeside which is "One of the ritziest locations in town"

(The Cinnamon Lakeside, Colombo)

Our rooms were nicely done, the view wasnt that great but nothing that we could complain about.

(Room Number 436!)

A tiring day ended in a good dinner and a great night out! We stepped out to check out Colombo city. Little did we know that we were in for surprises good, bad and funny!

RnR was the place to go- said some tuk tuk wala (That's what auto ricks are called in Sri Lanka). We took his advice and landed up at an ancient Dutch looking place with amazing drinks and a creepy bartender.

(took this off the internet, could not find a decent one on my phone :P)

Still having some time, we hired three tuk tuks and they took us to places, where we would have never imagined going [good or bad, I leave it to you ;-)]

Great company, a great night and we headed back to the hotel...looking forward to the Colombo Quest the next day!

The next morning, as planned was an interesting sounding event- The Colombo Quest! We had been divided into teams and had to locate certain 18 places in Colombo..Bonus activities meant more points..

It started off with a missing team captain, who took great charge later..so that was all good and a bunch of 

8 x 22 teams eager to solve clues..

We had 18 clues and 30 locations! We had to win this..That was all our team had our minds set on!

Scavenger hunting, sweating, clicking pictures, scrambling around, asking for directions, lots of water, an awesome tuk tuk wala and Nano car driver befriended..drinking King Coconut and flying kites at the Galle Sea Face. This should I think pretty much sum up the quest!

Oh except did I forget to mention our team won!! It was fulfilling and so totally worth the effort!

(The Seema Malaka Temple at Beira Lake)

(86 Buddha Staues in this area)

(The Smallest Buddha Statue in the world!!!)

(A Vintage Car)

A content lunch at KFC and then we were back at the hotel to prep up for some party fun!

( Off to some good fun!)

(A hand at Selfies)

(Posing Pretty!)

Apart from a few random strangers scaring a few of us..the night was a blast! Perfect dinner..again- Creepy waiters, and a good long hour of some discussion I cant remember a word of ended the night !!

The next morning, we decided to do some sightseeing, of the little time available and head out to visit the Gangaramaya and Seema Malaka temples and a few stores!

The stores were a disappointment and there was absolutely nothing I could thing of taking back home.

The temples were pure bliss! Serene, Oh! so pretty and enthralling! 

The ancient jewelry was jaw droppingly awesome! So were the thousands of Buddha statues around the place!

(The serene lake)

(The smallest Buddha resides in this)

(Some brilliant craftsmanship)

(Odel, Colombo)

(One of the many Buddhas)

(The realism caught my eye!)

(The Seema Malaka, Beira Lake)

The evening had in store for us the most awaited PUMA 8th Annual Awards Ceremony and Prom night!
This was the first time ever I witnessed the Men in tuxes and suits! The women wore dresses and flowy gowns and the whole environment was no less than a film award ceremony!

(Trying to figure out how I looked :P)

From events like Team performances ( We aced it again!! ) to awards being given away to the best performers of the year and an rib cracking comedy act..the night was a one to remember!

Tipsy me and tipsy every one else..made the best out of the music, food and the not so happening DJ!!

After all the fun, it was time to head back, to India..I awaited the taste of Maagi and spicy vegetarian food cooked in vegetarian oil!

While packing, memories of the trip flashed back. It was a healthy, no mishaps (except the flight! ) trip..and I could not wait to be back!

(A few last shots!)

Good bye Srilanka..till we meet again!