When do you know it's "time"?

I cannot make a blanket statement and claim that everyone has been at “this” particular place that I was at, a few days ago – This is a place where you question your professional standing, if this is what you want, and what exactly do you want. Soon after I got married, I started falling in love with the “homely” life I had looked down at for my entire life. I wanted to be home, cook for N, look pretty at all times and be in the bed for at least 14 hours (sleeping, obviously).

Anyway, changing priorities had me distracted from work. And I finally said aloud (to N), “I am going to resign”. He looked at me… (No, you have to wait, he’s still intently looking at me)… and then says, “go to work”. Yes, the audacity!!! I mean, resignation (or the urge to do so) is a big deal!

We did have a serious discussion about it. Being the hub of rationale, he asked to write down all the pros and cons, and then finally concluded it is but a momentary feeling. I will be bored in no time, and will regret my decision. I had to agree. But I did wonder, how do you know if it’s time to call it quits? When is the right time to move on to another job, or leave the work force altogether? Before I say more, know that a credible study revealed that the average length of time millennials want to stay with a company is 4.7 years. So, no, don’t get ideas for the heck of it.

There are a number of reasons, however, that should definitely ring the alarm. Also, as Mr. N always insists, “never stop looking. You will either find something better or will at least be abreast market trends and what is being demanded by employers”.  That said, you must know why you want to quit/change jobs, and respective pros and cons. Do not get overly emotional - try being as rational as possible. Time shared reasons why you should, and shouldn’t change employers. Here they are:

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Change Employers:

Bill Gates Is World's Richest Man Once Again!

Thanks to a recent stock surge, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is once again the world's richest man, a title he hasn't held since 2007, according to Bloomberg.

Gates' fortune is now worth $72.1 billion, according to Bloomberg, putting him about $550 million ahead of the former No. 1, Mexico's Carlos Slim. Gates' wealth has jumped 10% this year as Microsoft's shares have risen.

On Thursday, the company's stock price hit a five-year high. Slim's wealth has fallen $2 billion this year as Mexico's Congress passed a monopoly-busting telecom bill that threatens his company America Movil SAB's commanding position in the market.

Since 2007, Gates and his wife Melinda have given more than $28 billion to charity. The couple plans to eventually give away 95% of their fortune.

The surge in Microsoft stock comes despite reportedly poor sales for Windows 8, the company's latest operating system. In a recent interview, Gates said he expects the OS to build momentum over time and that iPad owners are frustrated by the lack of a keyboard and Microsoft Office functionality. 

Source: Mashable

Angelina Jolie Undergoes Double Mastectomy - And Survives to Share her Story!

This beautiful woman, actress, director and philanthropist, pens down her story for the women worldwide. Here's Angeline Jolie's story of fighting cancer for her sake and that of her children.

World's most beautiful women reveals her medical condition, journey to wellness and a message for women world-over

 
Superstar Angelina Jolie has revealed that she underwent a double mastectomy after learning she carried the BRCA1 gene which leads to an increased risk in breast and ovarian cancer.

The 37-year-old, who lost her mother Marcheline Bertrand, 56, in 2007 after battling ovarian cancer, finished three months of medical procedures on April 27.

Jolie opted for the surgeries because the gene put her at an 87 per cent risk of developing breast cancer, reported New York Times.

"My mother fought cancer for almost a decade and died at 56. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex.

A 'real' family - bonded with love, acceptance and unquestioned loyalty

"On April 27, I finished the three months of medical procedures that the mastectomies involved. During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work," she said.

Jolie's surgery was a success and doctors say her chances of developing breast cancer are now less than five per cent.


The 'Salt' actress, who raises six children with fiance Brad Pitt, revealed her kids were one of the main reasons why she had the surgery.

"I can tell my children that they don't need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer. It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that's it. Everything else is just Mommy, the same as she always was.

One of the most gorgeous couples of Hollywood, still madly in love!

"I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition.

Brad was at the Pink Lotus Breast Center, where I was treated, for every minute of the surgeries. We managed to find moments to laugh together. We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has," Jolie added.

En Vogue Boulevard -- Online Fashion Store

I was on a hunt for some funky-chunky accessories, to shake off the I-am-recently-married look. A online-shopaholic friend of mine recommended a few Facebook stores that sell accessories the kind I was looking for. Amongst them all, I really liked what En Vogue Boulevard had to offer, and ordered four sets of earrings. This was yesterday. And I received them all today via mail!

This is what it all looked like:

In a shabbily packed postal bag came this pretty looking lavender box with sunny trimmings.

This unique piece looks much better in real (compared to the picture). Deep wood-brown can be paired with a lot of colors and I am really happy with this addition to my jewelry box!

It's almost edible! This off-white candy look alike dangling earrings can be worn just like this, or you can flip it for golden bling.

Copper meets gold - A friend has borrowed them already and paired it with her pale aqua shirt (that has subtle thread work in beige). It lifted her look instantly

I instantly wore them, to match my navy blue top with gold chain, black skinny and red shoes. It looked amazing - or so I was told!

The only downside was the price. I got the above 4 pair of earrings for Rs.1990. Inspite of myself, I didn't wince much for it saved me the trip, time and spending money in the mall on things I really don't need. So, I would suggest my dear readers to check En Vogue Boulevard out and see if you like anything.

Your comments and reviews will be welcome, like always!

In Honor of Mother's Day, Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn Share Their Favorite Beauty Memories

Kate Hudson didn't inherit just her girl-next-door looks and bubbly sense of humor from her mother, Goldie Hawn. The face of Almay also picked up a love of beauty products. We sat down with the duo before Mother's Day to talk makeup, scent, and the truth about their iconic blonde hair.

What is the first makeup memory you have of each other?
Hawn: "I made a lot of movies, and at three years old, my daughter would sit with me while I had my makeup done."
Hudson: "It's like going to work with your parents. The makeup trailer was where I had mom sitting for an hour and a half, which is always a nice thing."

Is that where your love for makeup began?
Hawn: "My makeup man had a box full of makeup and as she was watching him put it on my face, she wanted to be made up, too. She said, 'Can I go into your makeup box?' and he said, 'If you put everything back where it belongs.' She put on every color lipstick known to man all over her face—but she put everything back where it was. That was the beginning."
Hudson: "Any opportunity to get all girlie—I was all over it. I had a lot of boys around. We grew up on a ranch in Colorado, and it was all about going outside and running over big dirt mounds. I loved the girl stuff—clothes, makeup."

What is your favorite feature that you share?
Hudson: "The thing I inherited from my mom, which I think comes from being raised unconditionally loved, is optimism and learning to be the best person you can be. In terms of genetics, I have a lot of my grandma. I have my grandma's hands, and mom always talks about my eyes as being a lot like grandma's."
Hawn: "One of the great qualities Katie has carried on is her laugh. That is one of the biggest gifts I could have given her."

Kate, what's the best beauty tip your mom gave you?
Hudson: "I think it's more the stuff we eat. Like green juice—mom's been drinking green juice forever. And taking teaspoons of olive oil. We love products and we have fun with products, but in terms of the real stuff that I've learned from mom, it's her lifestyle. She was always healthy and active and drinking something green."
Goldie, has Kate taught you any makeup tricks?
Hawn: "No, I think we all know by now where the hollow of the cheek is, how to shade under the chin. We've been in this business, both of us collectively, a lot of years. We're not tipping each other off anymore."
Do you share any of the same favorite products?
Hudson: "I like the Almay lip balms. From the beginning, I said, 'When are we going to do the lip stuff?' And now they're here, the product is really good, and I'm really happy."
Hawn: "I love those."

How do you both care for your blonde hair?
Hawn: "I know it sounds strange, but I've never colored my hair. I just put a regular rinse on it because I don't have any chemicals on it."
Hudson: "Me, on the other hand, I don't know what my hair color is anymore. I've gone from red to dark to brown to really dark brown to blonde. My natural color is a darker honey blonde. One of my favorite treatments is the Kérastase black conditioning treatment. It's amazing for colored hair."

Is there a signature scent that reminds you of each other?
Hudson: "I put this oil in my hair the other day, and it had some musk in it and a mix of orange. It was a very exotic, sexy scent. And my son Ryder said, 'Mom, you smell like Gogo.' And I smelled myself, and you know what, I smelled like Gogo. When you have certain things you love and wear them and your children create a connection through scent, I think it's such an amazing thing."
Hawn: "Scent evokes a sense of memory and belonging to the people that you love. The scents we wear are the scents our children will remember us by. My choices of oils and colognes usually have very dark notes and high notes on top. I love jasmine and orange blossom and amber."

20 Reasons to Vote!

Pakistan is riding high on positivity and enthusiasm. It's the Election Day tomorrow, and we are almost vibrating with excitement. We cannot wait for the night to pass, and for the time to vote to arrive. Millions of people, way above 18, are going to vote for the first time tomorrow - because they want change, a better today for themselves and prosperous tomorrow for the children. We understand now that flying out of Pakistan, getting dual nationality and re-inventing ones-self is not a solution (not for everyone at least). We are becoming a responsible nation - finally.

This sums up 3 of the reasons you must, must, MUST vote. The other 17 are in the form of goodies you get when you vote! Eatries and retailers across the city are offering enticing rewards to voters, only to ensure maximum number of people go out and vote. Like ECP chairman said, if around 60% of the people of Pakistan vote, we can change the face of Pakistan for sure.

Once done with voting, you can cash in your reward for being a responsible citizen of Pakistan at the following places (offering freebies, discounts and more!):

Cluinary 101

I burn water. That's a universal fact and a testament of my culinary skills.

But behold! It is about to change.

Being a married girl, I have decided to undertake the challenge known as "cooking". I am no fan of slaving in the kitchen but the bliss on Nouman's face after devouring a good meal makes it absolutely worth it. Thus, the endeavor.

I have so far made paratha (out of yesterday's chapati and the frozen ones), fried eggs, omelet, nihari, chicken pulao, fries, tea, coffee (really bad one) and instant noodles. Most of tem were under strict supervision of my mom.

Post marriage, I have made fried potatoes, which were okay-ish. Tomorrow, I plan to make pancakes for breakfast (for the first time ever). I have my fingers crossed - let's see how they turn out. I shall keep you posted.

 Till then, adios!

Celebs are Going Blonde!

Stylists are always recommending lighter hues for hair during summer, and celebs are now seriously heading to this advice. Recently we saw quite a few of our darling stars opting for beach blond or bright platinum, giving sun a run for all its worth.

They may look "trendy" (saying that really hurt!) but CC would love to undo their transformation if we had a choice. Where blond adds age to Drew's starting-to-visibly-wrinkle face, it hides Oscar-winning Anne Hathaway enviable bone-structure and makes her look unattractively-pale. 

Miley Cyrus certainly doesn’t belong to the same league as before-mentioned celebs, but we must mention her new hair-do; it’s too-punk-for-its-own-good. Spikes, dirty blond hair and Miley’s face ->  certainly not our favorite combination!