Author: yachnaa

  • 36 Questions To Fall in Love

    36 Questions To Fall in Love


     

    What if dating was as simple as getting to know another person?

    Dating doesn’t have to be a game. It can be as simple as getting to know another person. Discovering the depths of another person is only possible when we show up as our true selves, but we must be willing to let our true selves be seen too. 

    How honest are your dating experiences, really? Lose the games. To make it easier, we’ve compiled 36 honest questions to fall in love 🫶

    Now, take turns answering and asking each question. How do you win? Stay honest. 

    Level 1 

    For what in life do you feel most grateful?

    What are you feeling a lot lately?

    Who in your life do you feel most yourself around? Why?

    What is something new you’ve learned about yourself recently?

    What part of your job energizes you the most? Leaves you the most drained?

    What about you has felt repeatedly misunderstood by others, if anything?

    What are you overthinking right now?

    What’s a non-negotiable in your life?

    What does friendship mean to you?

    What did the people who raised you teach you about love? How has that shaped your views on love today?

    Which one of your parents’ personality traits do you want to keep? Let go of?

    If you could change anything about how you were raised, what would it be? Why?

     

     

    Level 2 

    How do you define dating?

    Describe your worst heartbreak. What did it teach you?

    Has sex ever been a deal breaker in your past relationships? Explain. 

    Have you ever considered an open relationship? Why or why not?

    Do you have any unconventional opinions when it comes to romantic relationships?

    When was the last time you ghosted someone, and why?

    What was the worst date you’ve ever been on?

    What dating advice would you give your younger self?

    What’s the hardest part about dating you?

    How has your view on love evolved, if at all?

    What have you tolerated from others that you no longer have space for?

    What has being single taught you about yourself?

    I know I really like someone when (fill in the blank)

    Share something you typically wouldn’t do on a first date. 

    How emotionally available do you currently feel? 

     

     

    Level 3 

    What do you think I was like in high school?

    Just by looking at me, what do you think I do for a living?

    What was the first thing you noticed about me when we met in person?

    What are your three favourite physical features of me? Write them down and read them out loud. 

    What about me intrigued you besides my physical appearance?

    What do you think my type is? Describe in detail. 

    How many relationships do you think I’ve been in? How many times have I been in love? Explain.

    What do your friends know about me, if anything?

    For what in life do you feel most grateful?

     

    Share this with someone who needs it <3

     

    xx

    Yachna

     

    (Pics in the order they appear: Pinterest, ‘Hands’ by Tony Belobrajdic, Sundays are for lovers.)

     

     



  • City Food Guide: Calgary

    City Food Guide: Calgary

    Calgary! So many places to eat and so much time frozen in deciding where to go. To help, I asked my friend Vaibhav, who’s also an awesome photographer, to share his personal and detailed list of Calgary can’t-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. Whether it’s a delicious brunch spot, a cool old-fashioned cocktail bar that makes you feel like Don Draper, late-night munchies, or a cute spot for a date night. We’ve got you covered. 

    Bakeries

    Beebop Doughnut Shop

    Wow Bakery

    Glamorgan Bakery

    Pie Junkie

    Double K

    Breakfast/Brunch/Cafes

    Vendome

    MAVEN

    OEB

    Queens Breakfast Cocktails

    Brekkie Cafe

    ZCrew Cafe

    Manuel Latruwe

    Amaido Cafe

    Benny’s Breakfast Bar

    Regrub

    A Ladybug Bakery & Cafe

    Namo Cafe Bistro

    Chix Eggshop

    Yellow Door Bistro

    Park By Sidewalk Citizen

    Snowcapz

    MobSquad Cafe

    Brouhaha

    Flores & Pine 

    Treno Coffee & Prosecco

    And Some Flower Cafe

    Bubble Tea

    The Alley

    Bubblemania Cafe

    Yummy Q

    Jusfruit

    The Moon Tea House

    Don’t Yell At Me

    Tsujiri Japanese Tea House

    Gong cha

    Royaltea

    INCHA Tea House

    Burgers/Sandwiches/Fried Chicken

    Alumni Sandwiches

    V Burger

    Peters’ Drive-In 

    Zilford’s Fried Chicken

    Wow chicken

    Popeyes

    K Town Fried Chicken

    Lil Empire Burger

    Boogie’s Burger

    Briggs Kitchen+Bar

    Charbar

    Clive Burger

    Casual Eats & Drinks

    Craft Beer Market

    El Furniture Warehouse

    Loco Lous

    Free House YYC

    Avenida Food Hall

    The Banquet

    National

    Eighty-Eight Brewing Co.

    Cocktail Bars

    Proof

    The Wednesday Room

    Caesar’s Steakhouse x Cocktail bar

    Sub Rosa

    Winebar Kensington

    Leopold’s Tavern

    Lulu Bar

    Shelter Cocktail Bar & Lounge

    Betty Lou’s library

    Milk Tiger 

    Untitled 

    Ricardo’s Hideaway

    Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar

    The Nash

    Bar Annabelle

    Cleaver

    Escape 60- Escape Rooms & Cocktail Bar

    Sensie Bar

    Major Tom

    Different Restaurants From Around The World

    Afghani/Halal

    Deyar Kabob

    The Halal Guys

    Asian Bao

    iBaoza

    Chinese/HotPot

    Shangshangqian

    Diner/Delis

    Blue Star Diner

    Red’s Diner

    Grumans Catering & Delicatessen

    Diner Deluxe

    Belmont Diner

    Filipino

    Barrio Fiesta (MUST TRY!!!)

    Greek

    Greek Next Door

    Santorini Greek Taverna

    Grill/BBQ/Pub/Bar

    BBQ Chicken

    Indian

    Rasoi

    Indie Counterculture

    Royal Paan

    Italian

    Olive Garden

    Pacini

    Annabelle’s Kitchen

    Cardinale

    Bonterra Trattoria

    The Italian Farmhouse

    Lina’s Italian Mercato

    Mercato

    Luca

    Japanese 

    Shimizu Kitchen

    Ikemen Ramen Bar

    JINYA Ramen Bar

    Ajito

    Kim’s Katsu

    Koji Katsu

    Wami Ootoya

    Fusion Sushi

    Sushi BBQ Inn

    Ki Sushi

    Ke Charcoal Grill & Sushi

    Big Catch Sushi Bar

    Sho Sushi Bar & Kitchen

    Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

    Monsoon Izakaya

    Boom-Boom Ramen House

    Fuwa Fuwa

    Korean

    Stone Bowl

    Meshi Sushi & Ricebowl

    K Street Food

    Moon Korean BBQ

    Baekjeong Korean BBQ

    Mediterranean

    Kama

    Mexican

    Anejo 

    Blanco

    Native Tongues Taqueria

    Con Mi Taco

    Thai

    Tuk Tuk Thai

    Pad Thai

    Taiwanese

    Just BBQ

    Vietnamese

    Thai Tai Vietnamese Sub & Grill

    And, finally, ending the list on a sweeter note…

    Desserts

    Made by Marcus

    Village Ice Cream

    Snowy Village

    Cafe du Centre

    D Spot Dessert Cafe

    La Diperie

    Chapman’s Icecream

     

    Where do you love eating in Calgary? Please Share

     

    xx

    Yachna

     

     

     





  • Thrifty to Luxe: 4 Best Boutiques & Stores in Vancouver

    Thrifty to Luxe: 4 Best Boutiques & Stores in Vancouver


    There’s something about Vancouver that just feels so easy. Maybe it’s their cool art galleries, cinematic theatre experiences, splendid music scene, and the local food. And, don’t even get me started on their shopping scene. They don’t call Vancouver “the Manhattan of Canada” for nothing. 

    The last time I was there, in early September, I was lucky enough to check out some local shopping boutiques in the neighbourhood close to my hotel. 

    From unique vintage thrift stores to luxury boutiques that carry rare archives from iconic designers, here are the four best shopping places I wouldn’t want you to miss in this epic city. 

     

    1) Once More: Luxury for less

    A candy store for the ultimate fashion lover. If you’re short on time and only have the time to visit one store, then let it be this one. 

    What’s so special about this store, you ask? 

    You can find plenty of exciting vintage pieces from legendary fashion houses like Versace, Gucci, Comme des Garcons, Prada, Burberry, etc.  Everything about the store screams luxury at affordable prices, from classic and chic attire to their jaw-dropping shoe collection. I scored a steal deal on practically new red crystal-covered Valentino stiletto heels for half the retail price. 

     Melissa Dhu, the owner and the founder of the boutique, was so kind and welcoming. She took the time to explain the story behind every item in the store, most of which were from Melissa’s personal closet. In speaking with Melissa, I realized that the clothes, shoes, and bags we own have had a life before us, and if we take good care of them, they have a life after us. 

    Sharing with you some pictures that I captured while at the store-

     

     

    2) MINE & YOURS

     Dying for some red-soled little pieces of art or Jimmy Choo in your size? Voted as one of the Best Consignment Stores in Vancouver, keep Mine & Yours on your radar, and I promise you that you won’t leave disappointed. If you LOVE fine-quality things and don’t want to spend a fortune, then this is the store for you. I felt like I was in a fashion museum as some of the things at the store dated back to the 1920s. So cool!!

    As you enter the store, you can feel a high-end boutique’s warm and chic ambiance. The shop is filled with cool pieces from every iconic designer you can think of at affordable prices. Thanks to this iconic boutique, our closets have never looked better!!! <3 Sharing some pictures that I took at the store-

     

    3) Wildlife Thrift Store

    An iconic family-owned & operated, Wildlife Thrift is a breath of fresh air and a cult favourite among the locals. Chic, a picturesque thrift store in the middle of Vancouver, you are guaranteed to find a unique variety of things, including clothes, video games, furniture, books, art, and other trendy finds, at shockingly low prices. I can promise you will find treasures that you might not have expected.

    A brand with a strong philosophy of protecting and preserving mother nature for generations. In describing their brand values, they say, “we believe in one, single, simple concept: by recycling, we are not only able to preserve our environment but are granted the privilege of giving back.” 

    If you’re still not sold on it, they donate to local charities that help those experiencing Homelessness & Mental Health issues. So if you feel bad about spending money on retail therapy, at least you are giving back to people.

    4) Community Thrift and Vintage Frock Shoppe

    Founded in 2011, Community Thrift & Vintage Frock Shoppe is a not-for-profit thrift store based in Vancouver. I loved quietly browsing all the beautiful one-of-a-kind vintage clothing and jewellery, which made it impossible to leave empty-handed. 

    Even though prices on some items were high for a thrift store, it’s still worth checking out because you do find special and unique pieces that are hard to find in the malls.

    They employ women in need from the local community to work in the business. And, since all their profits go towards supporting at-risk women in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), shopping here felt so sustainable and fulfilling at the same time. 

     

    Are there any other stores that you would add to the list? Comment below I’d love to know and check them out on my next visit. 

     

    xx

    Yachna

     

     



  • My Beauty Cocktail: Mehaik Bhasin

    My Beauty Cocktail: Mehaik Bhasin

    Mehaik Bhasin. A strong independent boss babe, curious reader, travel fanatic, and a source of endless inspiration to empower women to be comfortable in their own skin. “Don’t dull your sparkle to fit in. Go out there, own your art and your voice,” she says. Today on Sidewalks, she shares the best beauty she ever received and the best career advice for women.

    What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from running a successful restaurant?

    The quality of food is more important than the presentation… for the long run. A restaurant is only good as its team. Not a single role is less important. If the dishes aren’t clean, we can’t serve our customers. 

     What have you sacrificed (both personally and professionally) at each stage of your career?

    Evenings and weekends socializing as that are the busiest time. I’ve missed family weddings or functions. I have to prioritize socializing and really ask myself, is it that important for me to attend every gathering, or can I skip some? Lots of sleepless nights, as creative ideas generally come to my mind at 3 AM, so I quickly take out my journal or laptop, so I don’t forget it the next day. 

    What’s the biggest learning experience in your career? 

    It’s best to learn and adapt to every role in the business to be truly helpful to your team. If someone is not feeling well – help them out and learn what they do in case you need to do it yourself. 

     When are you the most inspired?

    I’m inspired by authenticity, individuality and a person being themself!

    What makes you feel the most like yourself?

    I love and enjoy wearing Indian ethnic wear. I feel my best self in a suit or a lehenga.

     What’s the best career advice you’d share for women?

    Don’t dull your sparkle to “fit in.” Go out there, own your art and your voice. There is only one of you. And you are irreplaceable! 

    What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?

    I love to travel. I’ve booked a flight to Paris within a 24 hr window from when the flight took off – all because you only have one life to live! We work hard (whether that’s at home or in the office – it’s important to treat ourselves too =)

    What’s your current favourite piece of clothing that you own?

    My light blue ripped jeans! They are comfy, and it’s been a summer staple for me. 

    What’s the one thing you wish you knew at age 19?

    Take life one day at a time. Don’t stress out about where you’ll be in 5 years. Just do your best with the day ahead of you. Everything will fall into place. 

     Besides your phone or wallet, what are some of your must-have purse items?

    I carry the Black Opium Purse-sized perfume spray, Revlon’s Ultra HD Vinyl lip gloss, Tampon, Advil and Gum!

    Favourite piece of clothing you own?

    All my Indian clothing! 

    Must-have clothing item everyone should have?

    A white dress for women. And a crisp ironed white dress shirt for men.

     How do you like to start your mornings?

    Pray & say thank you to God, Read a page from the “daily meditations” Language of letting go by Melanie Beatle and make myself a cup of coffee (Coffee’s got to have hazelnut flavour with Oat milk) =) 

    What’s your go-to bed ritual?

    Drink Vanilla flavoured sleepy-time tea, write 3-5 things I am grateful for and listen to Jason Stephenson’s guided meditation to unwind and slowly drift off. 

    What do you do to relax?

    Play calming spa music at home & put on a face mask if I am at home. Or I’ll go soak in a hot tub at my gym. 

    How do you define beauty?

    How you behave when no one’s watching. It’s what on the inside that really matters.

     Best beauty advice you’ve ever received?

    Do what makes YOU feel confident and beautiful. Everyone has their own perceptions of beauty. Ignore the noise and just do you! 

     What did your mom teach you about beauty?

    Don’t compare yourself to anyone around you. Everyone has their own style!

    Let’s talk makeup. What’s your everyday makeup routine?

    I usually wear the Mac foundation as the base. Then, I blush my cheeks with Glow Play Blush from Mac with Revlon’s liquid eyeliner in the colour black on my top eyelid and finish it off with L’oreal’s Blackest Black Mascara. On the odd day that I’m feeling lazy – I’ll wear only tinted moisturizer from Nars and some blush.

    What about lips? Do you prefer lipstick or lip gloss?

    Matte Lipsticks for the camera & lip gloss for off-camera.

    What’s your favourite lipstick?

    I love Velvet Teddy from Mac. 

    What about lipliner? 

    My go-to is Spice from Mac. 

    Vintage or new?

    Vintage, no questions asked!

     Style-icon?

    Esha Gupta – Bollywood

    Blake Lively – Hollywood

    What’s your daily skin-care routine?

    I cleanse my face once in the morning using the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cleanser. After cleansing, I moisturize my skin with the Garnier Active moisture rescue. I cleanse twice in the nighttime (just to make sure my makeup is completely off) and moisturize. Most importantly – reminding myself to drink tons of water! (I’m still working on that).

    How do you care for your hair?

    I use Pantene’s Rosemary sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner. And I apply coconut oil once a week (usually Sundays). 

    Lastly, what’s your best advice for women?

    Learn to embrace change, don’t live in a victim mindset and say “I don’t know” when you don’t know.

     

     

    Thank you, Mehaik!!!

     

     

    P.S.

    More Beauty Cocktails, including a pastry chef, a travel fanatic, and a fashion stylist.



  • Lana Del Rey’s 20 Best Songs: Editor’s Pick

    Lana Del Rey’s 20 Best Songs: Editor’s Pick

     

     

    Hi Readers,

    This is our first music post. In the coming months, we will be going through different music artists that we love and adore around the world & telling you about their music in detail. We hope you enjoy these.

    Love,

    Sidewalks


    If there’s one word I could use to describe Lana Del Rey’s flawless discography, it’s poetic.

    Her music is a painting brush, and our minds are the canvases. Her voice, aesthetic vision, and lyrics take your mind into this dreamy unknown destination.  You keep walking until you’re lost but still feel found. Her intoxicating music makes me want to be a 1960s rebel girl.

    Today, we pick the 20 best Lana Del Rey songs whose beautiful, damned aesthetic changed the course of pop music forever. It was extremely difficult for me to make a limited playlist because I love ALL of her songs. Still, I made a playlist of the best Lana Del Rey songs that I could play on repeat forever.

    20. This Is What Makes Us Girls (Born to Die: The Paradise Edition, 2012)

    One of my all-time songs by the queen of melancholy. Through her lyrics, she portrays the complexity of women: the innocence, the heartbreak, the sexy, raw and dirty side all in one song.

     

    19. Venice Bitch (Norman Fucking Rockwell!, 2019)

    The magical blend of surf guitars and Lana’s voice. This song sounds like reading poetry under the cherry blossom trees. Not that I have done that. But that’s what I think it would feel like. 

     

     18. In My Feelings (Lust For Life, 2017)

    This track makes me never want to cry over a man ever again. When she says, “could it be that I fell for another loser,” I could relate to that deep in my soul. 

     

    17. Happiness is a butterfly (Norman Fucking Rockwell!, 2019)

    This Song is how poetry is written. It makes me sad in a strange way. I haven’t heard a more painful line: “if he’s a serial killer, then what’s the worst that could happen to a girl that’s already hurt? I’m already hurt.”

     

    16. Love Song (Norman Fucking Rockwell!, 2019)

    This song makes me want to write deeply melancholic romantic poetries and stories. If you have this song on your playlist, there’ll always be magic in the world. Lana is love <3

    15. Let Me Love You Like A Woman (Chemtrails over the Country Club, 2021)

     This song stirred something really strong within me. It taught me to embrace my soft and gentle femininity as a strength, not a weakness, and I love Lana for that.

     

    14. Brooklyn Baby (Ultraviolence, 2014)

     Without a doubt, Lana is the greatest storyteller ever. I lose myself in Lana’s fantasyland when I close my eyes while listening to this beautiful melody. My favourite lines from this song are: “well, my boyfriend’s pretty cool, but he’s not as cool as me.” ICONIC.

     

    13. Cherry (Lust For Life, 2017)

    I love the poetic style and lyricism of all her songs, especially this one. This song is so sexy, sultry and alluring. One of her best songs EVER!!

     

    12. Hope is a dangerous thing for a woman like me to have (Norman Fucking Rockwell, 2019)

    I keep coming back to this song like a moth to a flame. It’s simply divine. It’s such a heartbreaking song. It’s so raw and poetic. It includes some of her finest and most chilling writing. As a fan of the work of Sylvia Plath, I love how Lana incorporates Sylvia’s work into this song. 

    11.  Young and Beautiful (The Great Gatsby)

    I am pretty sure this song is where my love for Lana Del Rey started. The beautiful lyrics, how her beautiful voice flows with the lyrics and translates them into this exquisite art meaning that no other artist has ever done. 

    This song explains the inner longing of women: to be loved unconditionally by a man who will stick with them their whole life. This song makes me feel nostalgic for love I haven’t even experienced.

     

    10. Doin Time

    Fun Fact: This Song was initially released by the American ska punk band Sublime in 1997.

    Lana Del Rey’s version is technically a cover. Either way, this song is seriously hypnotizing. I listened to it a million times, yet it still feels new and fresh. And it feels better than the original. 

     

    9. Dark Paradise (Born to Die: The Paradise Edition,2012)

    There’s something so heartbreaking about this song. It puts me in such a painful feeling of nostalgia. Lana is singing on edge between depression and mysticism with this track. With the words like, ” all my friends tell me I should move on. I’m lying in the ocean, singing your song,” Lana knows that feeling of being stuck on somebody even when all our friends tell us to move on. This is a song about death, heartbreak, and grief all in one. 

     

    8. National Anthem (Born to Die: The Paradise Edition, 2012)

    This whole song is a masterpiece. There’s something so unique and captivating about this masterpiece. I am obsessed with the video. I keep coming back to it over and over again. I am yet to see such divine goodness anywhere else. It’s beautiful, sexy, and alluring, especially in the video. The monologue at the end is so heartbreakingly raw, vulnerable and poetic. 

    7. Video Games (Born to Die: The Paradise Edition, 2012)

    The fact that this is her first song, and she filmed herself on a webcam and created this video, is legendary. This is a pure poetic masterpiece and an instant classic like her entire discography. 

     

    6. Stargirl Interlude (Starboy, 2016)

    Lana and Abel’s voices love each other. When they sing, their souls are making love to each other. The way she says “starboy” gives me chills. 

    5. Groupie Love

    Unpopular opinion: This is one of the best Lana Del Rey songs. Her vocals in this song sound like silk and honey. I’d love to hear your opinions on groupie love. Am I the only one with elite music taste?

     

    4. High By The Beach (Honeymoon, 2015)

    The way her voice blends in so well with the melody of this song gives it a very hypnotic vibe.

    Lana has never been more relatable than when she was lounging around in her nightgown, saying all she wanted to do was get high by the beach. There’s something about this song that’s… haunting and mesmerizing. You can’t help but put it on repeat. 

     

    3. Summertime Sadness (Born to Die: The Paradise Edition, 2012)

    Did you know summertime Sadness was written about Lana’s best friend who committed suicide? It’s so beautiful, raw, and painful. It makes me feel less alone that I am not the only one who feels this strange and unexplainable sadness during summer. It gives me a feeling no other song can. 

     

    2. Lust For Life (Lust for Life, 2017)

     The best duet of all time. The Weeknd’s and Lana’s voice together is the sweetest harmony. Their voices are soulmates, especially with these notes. There’s something so tragic and dark in the tone and music, but at the same time, it’s so calming. It gives me the vibe that you only get one life, so f**k it and do all that your heart desires. 

     

    1. Watercolor Eyes (Euphoria Season 2)

    The words of this song dive deep. Lana sings about how loving someone feels so good even though the relationship in question is toxic. The line, “your love stings like blood and a lemon.
    Why do you leave me with watercolour eyes?” Watercolor eyes represent crying, a poetic way of expressing tears.

    Another line: “So what if you taste just like heaven? That don’t make it right,” saying that just because you love someone doesn’t mean you have to put up with the toxicity that comes with it.

     

    If you had to choose, what are your all-time favourite Lana songs?  I had no idea my personal list would be so Iong. I just love a lot of her music! 

    You can now listen to the playlist on Spotify.

    xx

    Yachna



  • 14 Self-Care Rituals To Nourish Your Sensuality

    14 Self-Care Rituals To Nourish Your Sensuality

    If you’re struggling to find time in solitude and stillness for yourself or desire to do more self-care- because, let’s face it, life can get real hectic sometimes- you’re not alone! You’re drained, overstretched, and life is too busy.

    And then you need to squeeze in time for dating and sex too? Ha! In your dreams!

    So what if I told you today’s post would guide you into deep bliss of sweetness that will boost your libido and desire to be intimate with your honey? What if I also told you that self-care could be deeply sensual and yummy too?

    Ladies! To make this accessible and easy for you, we’ve created a 14 day-challenge to dive deeper into your sensuality. We hope you find value in this just as we did. 

    Day 1

    Luscious Vulva

    Look at and feel your yoni and see precisely what your beautiful flower looks like. Find your outer lips, inner lips, and vaginal opening. Touch it with tenderness. Study the colours, shapes, and textures of your unique flower. Take time to appreciate your yoni’s unique beauty and her amazing potential. 

    Day 2

    Treat your yoni well.

    Make your yoni a chemical-free zone. No soap or feminine hygiene around the mucus membrane or inside the vagina. Soap and all forms of hygiene products are harsh for your yoni. Treat it with love, care, and lots of tenderness. 

    Day 3

    Blossoming Yoni

    Place your fingers firmly on either side of your vaginal opening and press down, feeling through the skin and fatty tissue to the muscles and the bulbs beneath them. Explore the different ways you can rub, squeeze, and stimulate them, discovering what inspires them to enlarge. Take a look in the mirror and notice how the whole shape of your vulva is altered. Enjoy!

    Day 4

    Be Here. Now. 

    Right now, our world is moving faster than it has ever before. We are navigating new technological spaces and connecting virtually more than ever; in between these spaces, we often plan one thing to the next without really being present in anything. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    When your body and mind are at ease when you are not planning for the future or thinking about the past, that is what is truly special; those are the moments we feel- in our body, with our mind, a pure connection. 

    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Day 5

    It’s okay to want to be alone. 

    It’s okay to say no to a gathering you do not feel like spending your time. It’s okay to need some space and take time to yourself, give yourself the gift of giving, and schedule it even if you have to. Permit yourself to take care of your soul.

    Day 6⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Listen to your body

    Communicate with your body to align with your needs and desires. Create a conversation with yourself and ask your body, the most intimate parts, what they have to say. Allow the parts of you that often go unnoticed a space to be heard. 

    Dedicated time for stillness in your body and mind. You’ll discover new ways of touch or old ones continuously hitting the spot. After all, this is the time to awaken and be in your most divine feminine truth and sensual power. ⠀

    Day 7

    Take the time to learn about your body.

    We do self-pleasure in secret by staying quiet, performing quickly, and taking as little space as possible. We rarely give ourselves the time to notice the small things about how we like to receive pleasure and want intimacy when we are not with a partner. 

     Connect with your desires. Set aside some alone time. Take a relaxing bath. If lighting up candles, playing relaxing music, and putting on sexy lingerie gets you in the mood, then do it. Make sure to turn off your phone, lock your door, and be present with yourself. 

    Day 8

    Breathe

    Focusing on your breathing helps build a deeper connection with your body and calms down the nervous system. It brings your awareness back to the present and helps you escape distracting thoughts. Just concentrate on deep inhaling and exhaling, and your body will take care of the rest. 

    Day 9

    Nourish 🌹⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Sharing with you this delicious recipe for Golden Rose Latte, my favourite thing to be sipping with a dose of adaptogen love and soothing colours as we transition to fall. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Brew in Milk:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    2 cups Organic Regular, Oat, Coconut or Almond⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    1/2 tsp turmeric, ground⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    1/2 tsp cinnamon⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    1/2 tsp ginger powder or fresh grated⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    pinch black pepper⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    1/4 tsp cardamom powder⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    1/2 tsp rosewater (add at the end) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    few strands saffron⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    pinch of rose petals to garnish⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    honey or maple syrup according to taste⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    xo

    Day 10

    Move those hips 🤸🧡⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Pelvic rigidity is a common condition affecting the free flow of energy in the spinal cord and throughout the body. The rigidity cuts off a direct flow of energy into the pelvis and creates stagnation and a lack of fluidity, emotion, and pleasure.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    This rigidity is commonly due to gender conditioning- boys are taught to control the sway of their hips as it’s too feminine, and women are condemned to swing their as it suggests being provocative and naughty.⠀

    No wonder there is such a massive gap in our connection to intimacy. It will feel weird at first if you are not used to it, but get a hula hoop, dance in your bedroom, practice making circles with your hips, and open the portal to what is your greatest power and pleasure source you have!

    Day 11

    Inhale ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Take a breath in through your yoni, and let it travel up your spine to your navel, all the way to your heart.

    Expand the ribs, drawing the breath up the throat. Exhale. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Release the breath out through the mouth. Let the breath flow like sweet, fresh waterfall water.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Repeat. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Until.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    Bliss.

    Day 12

    Let’s talk self-care!!

    Most women usually have some form of routine or nurturing, although it could always be more intentional, and we often forget key body parts. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

     Do you massage your breasts? Do you care for your breasts the way you rub your legs or spend time rubbing the suds out of your hair? Our breasts, located right around our hearts, serve as beautiful reminders of our femininity, and they love to be cared for. How do they like to be touched, held, and cupped?

     Rubbing in a circular motion towards your heart increases circulation, awakens the heart chakra, and softens your nervous system allowing for more pleasure and presence. ⠀⠀

    Day 13 

    Sacred space.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    It‘s essential to have a clean, inspiring, beautiful and inviting space to call yours, whether in your bedroom, a meditation corner, or a room where you can work out, pray or nap in the sunshine.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    This is key to also having the pleasure time that you want. Just like our mind when it’s full of things we can not center, we can not find the clarity to ground and sink into deliciousness. 

    Day 14

    What is Pleasure Mapping? How will it transform your sex life?

    Pleasure mapping is a practice, like yoga or meditation, to better explore your body on a deeper level and expand your ability to receive more pleasure. 

     It’s the practice of getting to know your body and how it responds to various touches, sensations, and potential emotional stories held in those areas. In pleasure mapping, we’re just noticing everything. 

    Where do we feel resistance? What do we enjoy the most? How can we change up our routine to experience more pleasure? It’s an incredible way to practise slowing down and savouring the journey. 

     

    Your friend cannot miss this.  Share it with your BFF right now <3

     

    This post was written in collaboration with The Pleasure Plus. I’d highly recommend you check out the courses and other services that are offered by Simone Farschi, the founder of the brand. 

     

    xo

    Yachna

     

    P.S. The ultimate guide to becoming a sexual goddess

     

    (Picture Credits from top to bottom- Pinterest, Fertility Awareness, Alexasha_zmi, Valeriya Komarova, Vintage Feeling, Badass Limited, The Pleasure Plus)

     

     

     

     

    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

    ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

     



  • 15 of The Best Quotes From Our Favourite Books

    15 of The Best Quotes From Our Favourite Books

     

    Hello Readers,

    Today, Aug. 9, 2022, is National Book Lovers Day. This unofficial holiday is observed to inspire book lovers to celebrate reading and literature. Today, as any other day, you are advised to put away your cell phones and every possible distraction and pick up a book to read. Here’s a list of books we are reading this year.

    In honour of National Book Lovers Day, here are the 15 best quotes from the most hauntingly beautiful books we’ve read-

     

    “That same night, I wrote my first short story. It took me thirty minutes. It was a dark little tale about a man who found a magic cup and learned that if he wept into the cup, his tears turned into pearls. But even though he had always been poor, he was a happy man and rarely shed a tear. So he found ways to make himself sad so that his tears could make him rich. As the pearls piled up, so did his greed grow. The story ended with the man sitting on a mountain of pearls, knife in hand, weeping helplessly into the cup with his beloved wife’s slain body in his arms.”

    ― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

     

     “Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”

    ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

     

    When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever.”

    ― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

     

     “I hate this life of the fashionable world, always ordered, measured, ruled, like our music-paper. What I have always wished for, desired, and coveted, is the life of an artist, free and independent, relying only on my own resources, and accountable only to myself.”

    ― Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

     

     “. . .sometimes one feels freer speaking to a stranger than to people one knows. Why is that?” “Probably because a stranger sees us the way we are, not as he wishes to think we are.”

    ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

     

    “Remember me, even if it’s only in a corner and secretly. Don’t let me go.”

    ― Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind

     

    “I don’t know what’s worse: to not know what you are and be happy, or to become what you’ve always wanted to be and feel alone.”

    ― Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon

     

    “Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”

    ― Khalil Gibran, The Prophet

     

    “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

    ― Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie

     

    “Then you must teach my daughter this same lesson. How to lose your innocence but not your hope. How to laugh forever.”

    — Amy TanThe Joy Luck Club

     

    “‎I know you’re still young but I want you to understand and learn this now. Marriage can wait, education cannot.”

    – Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns

     

    “You can be lonely even when you are loved by many people, since you are still not anybody’s one and only.”

    ― Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

     

    “If I have learned anything in this long life of mine, it is this: in love we find out who we want to be; in war we find out who we are.”

    ― Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale

     

    “Even though I’m often in a mess, inside me there’s still a calm, pure harmony and music. In the poorest little house, in the filthiest corner, I see paintings or drawings. And my mind turns in that direction as if with an irresistible urge.”

    Vincent Willen van Gogh

     

    “Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and being alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You have to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes too near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself that you tasted as many as you could.”

    ― Louise Erdrich, The Painted Drum

     

    Comment below if you have a favourite quote you turn to — whether it’s from a book, a famous person or someone in your life? <3

     

    P.S.

    What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever read?

     

    (Featured Image From Pinterest)



  • 12 Sexy Ques To Spark Your Date Night

    12 Sexy Ques To Spark Your Date Night

     

    Are you too guilty of spending too much time mindlessly scrolling through your phone? A few days ago, I went out for dinner at a restaurant and noticed so many couples out for dinner, sitting in silence, faces lit up by the screens of their phones. 

    I am guilty of doing the same with my family or friends. It made me realize that my phone addiction is taking so much time away from being present in my life. It’s easy to get lost in other people’s stories while forgetting to live and love our own.

    We are slowly losing the art of communication, creating deep loneliness within us. I miss my flip phone days. No mindless scrolling that often leaves me uninspired. Now, texting is much easier than picking up the phone and calling someone. I hate that I am guilty of it.

    We are all secretly craving time to slow down. To feel a lot more calmer and relaxed. To have more time to sit and read a book. Reconnect with your people. And to be creative.

    Conversations are so important. Whether you’re a couple or just “close friends,” spark up your date night with these 12 sexy questions- 

    1. If we were role-playing an intimate evening, what characters would we be?
    2. What part of my body do you like the most?
    3. What part of your body are you most proud of?
    4. What is something better than sex?
    5. What would you do if you could take off a month of work and responsibilities?
    6. What thing about me turns you on the most?
    7. Does size really matter?
    8. What does food porn mean to you?
    9. Tell me a time when you felt really close to me.
    10. What was your first impression of me?
    11. What song puts you in a sexy mood?
    12. Other than your lips, what is your favourite part of your body where you like to be kissed?

    Thoughts? Would you ask any of these? What are your tips to spark up a date night? I’d love to know in the comments. 

     

    P.S.

    14 questions to get to know your crush on a deeper level <3

     

    (Pic Credits Itzan Escamilla and Ester Exposito)



  • A Spiritual Poem About Loving What You Do

    A Spiritual Poem About Loving What You Do

     

    Hello Readers,

    I hope you are all doing well.

    As you may have noticed, I haven’t been posting regularly on the blog.  This is mainly because I have just started a new project that I cannot wait to share with you all very soon.

    Also- does anyone read The Prophet by Khalil Gibran? This book is absolutely amazing, and I am very inspired by it, especially this spiritual poetic essay that I am sharing with you today-

    Here goes-

    Then a ploughman said, Speak to us of Work.

    And he answered, saying:

    “You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth.

    For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.

    When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.

    Which of you would be a reed, dumb and silent, when all else sings together in unison?

    Always you have been told that work is a curse and labour a misfortune.

    But I say to you that when you work you fulfil a part of earth’s furthest dream, assigned to you when the dream was born, and in keeping yourself with labour you are in truth loving life, and to love life through labour is to be intimate with life’s inmost secret.

    But if you in your pain call birth an affliction and the support of the flesh a curse written upon your brow, then I answer that naught but the sweat of your brow shall wash away that which is written.

    You have been told also that life is darkness, and in your weariness you echo what was said by the weary. And I say that life is indeed darkness save when there is urge, and all urge is blind save when there is knowledge,

    And all knowledge is vain save when there is work, and all work is empty save when there is love;

    And when you work with love you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.

    And what is it to work with love?

    It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth.

    It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.

    It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.

    It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit, and to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.

    Often have I heard you say, as if speaking in sleep, “He who works in marble, and finds the shape of his own soul in the stone, is nobler than he who ploughs the soil.

    And he who seizes the rainbow to lay it on a cloth in the likeness of man, is more than he who makes the sandals for our feet.”

    But I say, not in sleep but in the over wakefulness of noontide, that the wind speaks not more sweetly to the giant oaks than to the least of all the blades of grass;

    And he alone is great who turns the voice of the wind into a song made sweeter by his own loving.

    Work is love made visible.

    And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.

    For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man’s hunger.

    And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine.

    And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man’s ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night.”

     

    Thank you so much for reading. Have an amazing, wonderful and magical day/ night everyone!

     

    xx

    Yachna

     

    P.S.

    If not now then when. 

     

    (Exquisite Artwork by Haylee Morice)



  • 10  Life Lessons I Learnt in My 20s

    10 Life Lessons I Learnt in My 20s

     

    When I turned 20, an older friend told me it was my time to explore. I had ten years to learn, grow, experiment, and push my limits. 

    In a few months, I turn 30. In the last ten years, I’ve travelled the world, quit my job, dated all the wrong ones, cried my heart out, suffered many losses, and created a career as a writer — something I could’ve never imagined. 

     It’s easy to forget that most of these changes didn’t happen overnight. We rarely ever wake up one day and suddenly notice these wild, life-altering changes in ourselves. 

    My 20s were a wild rollercoaster ride. Here are some ten life lessons I’ve learned:

     

    1) Without rain, nothing grows

    It’s inevitable to meet unexpected situations in life. Life rarely goes as planned. Even if you bring an umbrella, you’ll end up getting wet. So, dance in the rain. Embrace the storms of your life. 

    Remember, rejection is redirection. Keep moving forward and creating new doors. Preach your success from mountain tops. Because with hard work, determination and passion, the sky is the limit. 

     

    2) No one truly cares about you 

    I spent my early 20s chasing the people who didn’t care about me and giving no time to those who loved me the most- my family. Why do we ignore the people who care about us and care about those who ignore us?

     Most people do not care about you. As harsh as it may sound, it’s the truth. I learned this after my dad passed away. It doesn’t have to be sad but liberating, so we too can stop obsessing about what other people think.

     

    3) Be your hero

     Nobody is coming to save you. No one is coming to pay your bills, get you a better job, or fix your health. Wake up. Take responsibility for everything in your life. Be your hero. That’s where you start.

     

    4) Do it alone. Do it broke. Do it tired. Do it scared. Just do it!

    Six months ago, I quit my corporate job to pursue writing. The decision wasn’t an easy one. The only value that dreadful job provided me was financial comfort and safety. Now, I wake up excited and don’t dread Mondays. That, to me, is success. 

    One day, we are all going to die. Life is too short to be working jobs we hate. While your legs are strong and your mind is clear, it’s never too late to follow your interests, curiosities, and passions.

    Start a blog. Write a book. Share your voice with the world. Use your imagination to bring fresh and exciting things to the world. Do not leave it to others to choose your destiny. Make a plan, and work toward it. Take little steps every day, consistently. Never give up on your dreams, even if the whole world turns its back on you. 

     

    5) You’re going to be lonely

    When I look back at myself in my 20s, what I remember the most is being alone and lonely. Rarely, if ever, does anyone ask you, “how was your day?”

    You are no longer coming home to home-cooked meals. I wasn’t even coming home to anyone. I remember the frequent nights I cried in my room alone, staring at the depressing brown wall wishing I wasn’t feeling the way I was.

     Those lonely cold nights taught me to be strong alone. It made me wise, mature and fearless. 

     

    6) Most friendships don’t last

    Most friendships don’t last forever. There will come a time when you’ll naturally drift away from all your friends. You grow and evolve. You’ve moved on with your life, and so have your friends. It’s not their fault or that they are bad people. It’s just life. 

     

    7) You are going to feel lost

    For the longest time, I had my whole life figured out. In the last six months after quitting my job, I travelled. I met people who inspired me. I spent time reading and learning new things. 

    Of course, there were many days when I felt lost, not knowing what step to take next. But, not for a second did I regret having taken time off from my life in Canada to enhance my writing further. 

    This time to do nothing was essential for the journey I am embarking on. Have I achieved all that I wanted to do by taking this gap? No. Not even close. 

    None of this would have happened if I didn’t feel lost. We need to feel lost…to know there is a path to take…we learn in the dark..then bring in the light.

     

    8) Travel alone

    A few years ago, I wanted to go to Costa Rica. I asked all my friends. None of them could make it. So, I decided to go alone. I ended up staying in a beautiful villa deep inside a rainforest, sharing the space with other 20s-something travellers from Europe. It was so exciting to meet people from different cultures and live together under one roof. It was one of the best trips of my life. 

    Book that flight. Explore your favourite city. Don’t deny yourself the most memorable life experiences, even if everyone else says no. 

     

    9) Love yourself first

    No one will love you if you don’t love yourself first. It’s healthy to spend time alone. Take yourself out on dates. Schedule some alone time as much as possible because that’s the only way to get to know yourself on a deeper level. 

    Listen to happy/nostalgic songs, watch a funny film, make something, or take a walk. In other words, don’t wait for someone else to offer you the love you want and deserve. Start being intentional about how you love yourself. It makes all the difference.

     

    10) Honor yourself

    Listen to your mind, body and soul. Give it what it needs. Do the things that make your body feel good. Take your time moisturizing your skin every morning. Run. 30 mins a day. Stretch it out. Meditate. Here’s an app for meditation that’s been a game changer for me. 

     

    How old are you now? What life lessons have you learnt in your 20s? What advice would you give to your younger self? I’d love to hear in the comments below. 

     

    xx

     

    Yachna