The Making of 'Moonlit Matinee'

So yes, there's a special news. Since I am still working on my second full fledged work, I thought of bringing this treat for you this Valentine's Day.

Do you like the cover?

Moonlit Matinee is an anthology of short stories comprising 11 prose, 1 poetry, 1 sonnet and 1 ballad. On New Year's eve, Pulkit approached me to associate with him for this book and I still can't believe that it's already coming out. The past 1.5 months have been extremely tiring not only becayse I had to edit this book but also because simultaneously, I had to pack and shift from Delhi to Gurgaon, adjust to a new life and workplace and also figure out the ways of a PG yet again which was extremely tough because for six months I had lived independently in a flat with my friend.

I clearly remember packing when Pulkit called up and said he needs the edited work early next morning. Ah! How could I? I was yet to finish my packing, I knew it'd take atleast 3 hours to complete everything and the loader was expected to come before 6 a.m. in the morning. "Oh! This couldn't be happening," I said to myself. But I knew, it was important and it was to be done because the typesetter wouldn't be available after that for a fortnight which would again delay the book's release. Thinking all this, I somehow finished off with my packing and also the final editing.

And that was not all. At the last minute, I didn't seem to be satisfied with my story so it was changed and 'Bon Voyage' came into light. That one week starting from 24th January to 31st January has been the most hectic time of my life. 27th January was my joining date at Ibibo Group. I had so much to learn here and also get the book done. I have simply forgotten the number of times I'd have read the book. I don't know how I did it but this book has seen me working the most in such a short span of time and has also taught me a lot about time management. I have sincerely put in all my efforts for the book and I do hope it reflects in my work.

Alongwith 11 other writers, Pulkit and I present before you 'Moonlit Matinee'. This is our gift for all our beloved readers on Valentine's Day. Spread love! Spread happiness!

Much love,

Harshita

P.S: If you wish to order a copy, do check out the link here.

For me every day is Valentine's Day, if my love is with me: Alok Vats

What better can it be when your boss agrees to write a guest post for you? Well, it certainly happened with me. I had been approaching a few bloggers to write their opinion and plans about V Day and I told the same to Alok Sir and he agreed instantly and here he is telling us all about his plans. For all those who do not know, I write for a self help website I News India and Alok Sir happens to be the owner of it.

Normally Valentine Day is meant for youngsters. When you hear Valentine day, you assume cards, candy hearts, chocolates, roses, etc. Frankly it all appears for new love, or for first date.

Being a married couple, it’s hard to imagine all that, especially when you just had a baby a few months back. Thinking about Valentine Day does not give the butterflies in the stomach feelings.

But, it’s not true for me. In my opinion all these factors won’t stop me to celebrate the VD with my love. Actually for me every day is the Valentine's Day, if my love is with me.

What’s my Plan to celebrate the Day?

I don’t have ordered bouquets of red roses for the day, don’t have booked dinner at some good place, I planned something new to celebrate the day. I planned something innovative, through which we can travel down the memory lane with my love. I ordered a Flipbook with all the best snaps of our baby, I am quite sure that I will get the same by tomorrow morning, and in the evening we three will visit to a nearby place where she can enjoy the south Indian dishes, as she loves eating them.

My effort is to spend the evening with my love and my little angel so that we can share some good moments together, and always remember the evening. 

A little about Alok Sir:

Alok Vats is presently working as an Online Marketing Manager at Koenig Solutions Pvt Ltd. He also runs two websites namely I News India, a self help website and Tech Acid, a technology blog. He resides in Delhi with his wife and daughter.

Each relationship is precious and sadly in most cases we realize it only when we lose it: Nimi Vashi

As I said yesterday there'll be a few more responses of bloggers in my network and today we have Nimi Vashi, a prolific book reviewer. I personally love the way she deals with book reviews and I generally pick up books suggested by her. And after I am done reading them, I find her views apt. Her honesty in writing has made her one of the best reviewers of today's times in our literary circle.
So let's get to know her plans on V Day.

First of all this is my first article wherein I have expressed my opinion (I have always written poems and book reviews), I would therefore thank Harshita for proving me an opportunity and everyone reading this article for their time, comments and suggestions if any. “Valentines Day” a day that most people in their youth look forward to! I too was fascinated by it as a naïve teenager, as it was the day you saw in movies people falling in love gifting each other, proposing and being together. Love was in the air. However, the maturation of my thoughts coincided with the emergence of westernization and with it the business giants like Hallmark and Archies, who cater to the market need “display emotions with style”. As their business goals went higher we had more days occupying our calendar viz. father’s day, mother’s day, daughters day, friendship day and every other thing day.  This made me ponder what I ask everyone who believes in these even today, “Why only a single day for love?” “Do you not love your partner or the better half or soul mate every day, every minute, every nano second of your life?”  Then why do you have to show it on one day in the entire year. Instead if we try to live each day considering it dedicated to love wont the world be a better place to live? 

Each relationship is precious and sadly in most cases we realize it only when we lose it. In the recent hard and fast life where one rarely has time for one self, spend five minutes with a loved one, talk to your grandparents at the end of the day, spend half an hour playing with your children and forget everything else, deadlines, meetings, exams etc. These are the moments that will be embedded in the book of your life. In short don’t wait for the valentine’s day to say “I Love You”!!!

Something about Nimi:

Nimi is a PhD Student in Biological Sciences at ICGEB , NewDelhi. She is a book lover which apparently shows on her blog 'The Readers Cosmos' where she writes everything related to books and authors. She is also into book promotion and advertising. So all the book lovers you should surely visit her blog. You may know more about her blog on her FB page here.

I totally agree with Nimi, love needs no day for its expression :) But then it is a special day that is celebrated all over the world.

How are you celebrating your V Day?
Do share
And there's another plan coming up from none other than my boss :) I am so excited about it :D 

Plans for Valentine's Day

With VDay just round the corner I got in touch with a few bloggers to know what they would be doing on 14th Feb. For today, we have two beauty bloggers who opened up their heart to share about this special day.
While Neisha has been into beauty blogging since over one year now and has been a regular reader of my works, Megha is a new addition to my blog friends. Over to you Megha and Neisha :)

I have already planned to give roses and chocolates to all my besties: Megha

This year I thought of celebrating my V-day with someone special but alas did not meet my valentine till now L. But no worries J, I am more happy that I will be celebrating V-day with my special friends and one thing is sure that we are going to have loads of fun. We are planning to wear pink and red to have a strong V-day feel. I am going to do a special V-day nail art on my nails.  As all of my buddies are working so we will celebrate in the evening to accommodate everybody’s schedule.

Our celebration will start in the evening with a visit to a mall for fun and purchase some special V-day items. After that we are planning to have dinner at some cool restaurant and lastly will finish the day by watching “Special Chabbis”.

But But But didn’t you feel that I missed out something ??? It’s V-day so how it can be complete without a ROSE and gifts. Don’t worry my dear friends, I have already planned to give roses and chocolates to all my besties J

Something about Megha:

Hi I am Megha Saraf. I am a big makeup, beauty and nail art fanatic. My love for makeup and beauty led me into blogging. I am a gold medalist (MBA) and always eager to learn new things. Apart from makeup and beauty, I  enjoy reading, exploring new places, playing with my nephew and chit chatting with friends and family. I  love my pet a lot and have a deep love for animals. You can check out my blog here.

Every regular day can turn into your day of love: Neisha

Valentine's day is very special for people who love someone or are in love. However, to feel, show or celebrate our love we should not restrict to a particular day. Every regular day can turn into your day of love. Still on my Valentine's day. I would like to spend my entire day with my Valentine, have good food and then tell him how much I love him. We say that almost everyday but when you look into someone's eyes and express your love then, it's altogether a different feeling.
I guess this is the one thing no matter how many times I have heard it before but it feels as if that's the first time.
Now, how can I forget shopping, girls can not have enough when it comes to shopping.
I will give him a card which i have made especially for him, while going back home so that whatever I have written he should read it at home.
Those were my plans for the Vday!! so, what are yours.???

Something about Neisha:

My name is Niesha, owner and editor of Indian Beauty Forever
I have done Master In Science and my passion for beauty and makeup, inspired me to create my blog where I share beauty and makeup product review, makeup tutorials especially eye makeup and nail arts with some online shopping.








I'd love to hear your plans as well. Do share.
I'll be sharing another post on the same tomorrow.
~Stay tuned~
Wishing you all a very happy Valentine Week
:)