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Luxury, its very definition says that its the enjoyment of expensive beautiful things; a very comfortable and enjoyable situation. Each to their own, the meaning of luxury varies to every individual's personal choices and experiences. However, in the current times, its connotation has become merely confined to just one word "expensive". Anything expensive these days is equivalent to luxury. I have different thoughts on this and for me luxury is something totally different than it's actually believed to be. Luxury for me isn’t just about designer bags, business-class flights, or staying in a five-star suite—it’s about having the freedom  to spend my time the way I truly want. We live in an age where “busy” has become a badge of honor. But what if the real badge of success is having slow mornings, spontaneous afternoons, and evenings spent with people who make your heart feel full? Well, I love these. For me, I can not trade in any kind of wealth or luxury with spending time with the people I love. Being with my parents, having coffee with my husband, travelling with my family, teasing my brother, remembering my childhood times with my cousins, going for walks with my husband, travelling with him, these are the luxuries that no amount of money can buy. The luxuries of today are mere wealth powered materialist commodities that are now just a symbol of presentation of affluence, irrespective of how much chaos they must be going through for those materialist luxuries. The uncertainties around the world today, especially after COVID definitely gave us a wake up call that nothing is permanent. Everyone is here for a limited time and we do not know the length of that time, not even ours, because age does not define that. We get caught up in running after the luxuries so very much that we discount spending time with the ones who matter, the ones we love, even us, we simply do not have time to spend with ourselves as well. And once we lose someone we love, all we have is the regret, to have spent some more time with them. A simple wish to talk to them on phone, a little video call and at times when we are even ready to trade in every luxury we have for that one hug, one call with that person. Sad but true! Now, for me, time is the most precious investment. I love to make time for people I love, people who mean to me. I love to spend occasions with them, go for little brakes, enjoy the little beauties of life. But in return, I also do not expect them to do the same for me. This is simply because how important they or their occasions are for me does not mean that I also hold that same importance in their life and for me this is perfectly fine and understandable. It never gets in between my relationship with them or love for them. If we do something in return of something, then its not love, its a transaction. I myself got this clarity after going through some of such experiences but now I am better and at a much happier place. This makes me feel content, at peace and works perfectly for me and I think it would do for a lot of people of they follow this consciously. I’ve stayed in gorgeous hotels, gone to beautiful places, and worn beautiful clothes—and yes, they bring joy. But the deepest feeling of abundance comes from things that are not materialistic, that money can't buy. In the end, luxury is the freedom to choose what to do with your hours —and the wisdom to spend them well and who to spend them with. 💭 Here’s my question for you:  If time were currency, how would you spend it differently starting today? Drop in your thoughts in comment box. Love, Shriya!

We currently live in an era of digital world. Internet, social media, trends and virality are the crux of what makes the existence and growth of digitization. Social media is a great platform for a lot of things. Business, expression of oneself, catering to fans or growing your visibility, social media has proved time and again that it indeed is a successful tool. With this also comes the role of influencers, who not only connect with their audience via their content but at times also create trends that get viral or follow a viral trend that gives it more and more visibility. Trends can be about anything. Fashion, food, makeup, skincare, dance, songs, motivational thoughts, anything. There was a time when I used to closely watch the trends and try and follow them, until one day I realized it was a total waste of time, energy and money. Trends are never forever, they come and go but what remains is how you are and what suits you. Here I am listing out a few reasons why I no longer follow trends anymore. Not Every Trend is Meant for Me Trends are attractive, fancy and pleasing but that does not mean that its for me. Something that looks good on someone or suits them does not mean that it will have the same effect on me. Certain kind of fashion wearables might work for someone with a certain body type but it might not just work for mine and that should be the differentiator. What suits me will leave a mark on my personality irrespective of it being trendy or not! Chasing Trends = Wasting Money With time I have realized that the cycle of trends is honestly exhausting and expensive. Following trends blindly is totally not my cup of tea. What I have learned is that personal style never expires. I am sure there might be a lot of clothes, jewelry, footwear, skincare products, cosmetics and much more stuff which is just lying around somewhere in your closets and what prompted you to buy them was the trend, the reels and the influencers. Well there is a reason they are called influencers. That is why, the more I focused on what truly suits me and works for me, the more I got rid of the unwanted. Now I like investing in quality over quantity, brand over local, versatility over trendy. Confidence comes with Authenticity For me, confidence is in being ME!! Not in what I wear or the brand I wear, its about how I feel when I am wearing it. When I wear what I love , regardless of trends, I automatically feel more confident. Trends are fun, but confidence is magnetic  — and that’s always in style. Something might be trendy but might not be for me and that's what I have learned and accepted over time. I don’t follow trends blindly anymore because not everything or every trend is meant for my consumption. Trends should serve  your style, not define it. And when you stop chasing everything new, you make room for something way cooler: your authentic self . Be you, now and always!! Love, Shriya!

Vibrant Coastal scene of Vietnam with fisherman wearing the signature Vietnamese hat and going for fishing. Recently, I travelled to Vietnam with my husband and it surely was a trip to remember! Vietnam holds a special spot for us and this was our second time there. We first travelled to the beautiful country in 2023 and even after our second trip, we are not done yet. The love for this little gem is absolute real!! We have been on our India trip from Canada since March 2025 and we thought of going around the country for a vacation. But the rain was playing havoc in all directions and we had limited to no options left. That's when we decided to take a trip to our ever favorite Vietnam. It was a super spontaneous decision and we applied for our E - visas. It took nearly 4 - 5 business days for our e - visas to arrive. Once we got our visa, we booked our tickets from Varanasi to Ho Chi Minh city, our very first stop. The flight from Varanasi to Ho Chi Minh was a long and tedious one. It was Varanasi - Kolkata - Ho Chi Minh with a 9 hour lay over at Kolkata. We reached Ho Chi Minh around 1:30 am (Vietnam time). It took us around 1 hour to clear immigration and collect our bags. After that we booked our cab (Grab app) and reached our hotel 30 minutes later. It was super late and we were starving. With all the eating joints closed and very few online vegetarian options available, we ordered a Vietnamese curry and rice and a margherita pizza for dinner. Post our very very late dinner, we called the day and went off to sleep. Next day we planned to go around the city but only after we had slept well. Stay tuned for more of the blogs on Vietnam series. I will also be sharing tips and tricks for travelling to the country and all the essentials details along with fun experiences and more about the different cities. Love Shriya!

Xin Chao!! Vietnam is a place full of colors, beautiful landscapes, delicious cuisine, nature and lots more. Let's say its a perfect amalgamation of tradition with modernity. It’s a country where the buzz of city life and the peace of nature live side by side. There's an energy, a vibe in Vietnam that's hard to describe but absolutely impossible to ignore. Once you visit there, this country is going to leave a lasting impression on your soul. With that thought, let's indulge in the travel tips before you visit this magical country. Check for Visa eligibility Before making any bookings or going about the pre - trip checklists, do check the entry requirements for the country you belong to. We were required to either get an E - visa or get a visa on arrival. We chose to apply online and get E - visa. It took 4 - 5 business days for the visa to arrive and the application form is easily available on their website. The form is also not too complex and its easy to submit. They charge a nominal fee depending on single entry and multiple entry visa. The website also includes the port and entry requirements for all the countries and you can check that as well. The website is https://evisa.gov.vn/ Don't go for a local sim at the airport We landed at Ho Chi Minh airport and once we were done with immigration and baggage, near the exit gates we saw the local network operators selling the plans. We went ahead and enquired about the packages. We specifically wanted Viettel network and that's exactly what we had told them. However, we were given MobiFone sims at the price of Viettel (which we realized later). Also, Viettel has better connectivity than MobiFone, especially on mountains and remote areas. The packages were also costlier than the ones available in local markets. Quick tip; once you get the sim activated, check the operator message you receive carefully and see for validity. I had asked for a month's validity but was given 20 days one initially and on pointing it out, they gave me a revised plan. Must have Applications/Platforms in Vietnam When in Vietnam, you should download certain applications beforehand to avoid struggles at the airport and in the cities. When it comes to apps, Grab is the king there. Grab is a go to app for cabs, food delivery, grocery and last minute essentials. The application has translation options, easy payment gateway and good options in restaurants and cabs (bike, hatchback, SUV, MUV, etc.). Klook is a platform that offers a wide variety of activities, tours, attractions and experiences. It allows users to book things like sightseeing trips, hotel accommodations, cultural experiences and more. So, with these two handy, you will be good in Vietnam! Cash is Queen!! Cards payments are now catching up in Vietnam but cash transactions are still the most favored ones. There are certain establishments that also charge a 2% - 3% fee for card transactions. The currency of Vietnam is Vietnamese Dong and there are lots of zeros for you to keep counting. Pack Smart! Vietnam is a country with nearly all weathers, depending which place you're at and at what time of the year. But its better to pack light, flowy, summery clothes along with water resistant jackets and super comfortable footwear (because, too much walking while exploring). Raincoats and umbrellas are a must, do not absolutely miss this one. If you are travelling to Sa Pa or the mountains up north, do keep a light puffer jacket which is water resistant as well and you should be good. This was my take on the tips for a fab trip to Vietnam. If you have more Vietnam questions or stories, drop them in the comments or dm me @livingtheshriyaway Love, Shriya!

During our growing up days, especially when we are in school, all we think of is, when are we going to be adults? Well, that's because we see the adults around us enjoying freedom (that is something we basically are kids), living their life, making decisions on their own and that was fascinating for us. Little did we know that childhood or till the time we do not get into the stepping out of the home phase, is apparently the best time of our lives. At the age of 17, I graduated from my school and joined a University in a different state, away from my parents, all on my own. It was primarily my parents' decision to send off my brother and I once we are done with grade 12 because they wanted us to be independent and get the exposure and confidence that we could not get if we lived under the protective shield of the family and I agree to this completely. I think, this was one of the best decisions my parents took for me. It made me better in so many ways and I can not be thankful enough to them for this. They supported me through everything but never ever overstepped my decisions. All they said was, you decide for yourself and if you face any repercussions, we will be there to help you out. Well, all of this worked in my favor and here I am. Now in my 30s, I realize that there are a lot of things that no one tells us about being in our 30s. This is why, I have listed out some of the things that I wish I knew! Suddenly you're an adult, like literally! No one tells you to do certain things, you just know that you have to do it. You become a responsible one. You are suddenly juggling work, family, chores, kids, relationships, outings, me times, and the list goes on. Some of the most weird things start happening to your body. A peculiar spot at the back of your shoulder will start aching out of no where. Back pain and leg pain is a constant. Your need for regular spa days increases to a new degree. Vitamin supplements are the newest additions to the cabinets. But somehow, you try and make yourself better and better each day and that's how it should actually be. Parents, the most important part of our lives, our pillars, our lifelines, suddenly start ageing very quickly. It shatters you from inside every time you see a new wrinkle on their face or the skin loosing its hold from the hand. You come to realize that you can't do much about it because life and age will take its course but you somehow want to stop this time, you just want to have that ever young parents always in your life because no matter how old you are, with parents you become just their little kid that you are used to being. :'( Friends drift apart. In your 30s, all of your friends are at different stages of their life. Some are married with kids, some are married, some are bachelors and most of the friends stay in different cities and countries. All of these lead to different priorities, different time zones and gaps in all means. This does not mean that you don't still love them or miss them, you still love them immensely and miss being with them or meeting them and they do too but when life happens, often friendships take a back seat and that's sad. I miss my friends way way too much but everyone is spread across the globe and life is happening to each one them like its with me. Sad but true! Career shifts and changes are a thought that come to your mind all the time! You constantly want to learn new things and get involved in new careers because you feel that this age and time is the one where you can work the most and have a good life later and I agree. But trust me, life will take its course like it has to. The control is not in our hands and its never too late to start something new or evolve something old. Its all about the determinations, goals and intentions. Well, I think this one's got too long. But this is what I feel in a nutshell. There is a lot that I'd like to share about my learnings, may be some blogs later. Till then keep looking up at the blogs and send me your love and feedback! Love, Shriya!

The Royals streaming on Netflix from 9th May, 2025 The Royals, released on Netflix on 9th May, 2025 was on my watchlist since the time I saw its teaser. My instant reaction to its first look, "I can't wait to watch this!" This weekend, I finally binged The Royals on Netflix and here is what I think about it. I will not call this a complete review of the series rather my opinion on it. The Royals depicts the existential crisis of a royal family in the modern day India and how a hospitality start - up, in an attempt to survive in the industry, aims to give the commoners a taste of the royalty via a bnb. Ishan Khatter is the Maharaja/ King of the kingdom and Bhumi Pednekar is the CEO/ founder of the hospitality start - up. They decide to work together wherein, Bhumi proposes a deal to Ishan to use one of the sections of his palace for the bnb and as much as he is opposed to it, he accepts it as the family is also going through a financial crisis and loads of debts. The visual appeal of the series is incredible. The sets are lavish, the costumes; extravagant, the styling; exceptional. Every thing in the series is extremely pleasing to the eyes and aesthetically remarkable. The performances of each of the actors is good, however, Ishan Khatter totally stole the show for me. His acting, dancing skills, charisma and performance is a perfect depiction of what a perfect act is about. The chemistry between the protagonists does lack that spark though. Zeenat Aman and Sakshi Tanwar are the breaths of fresh air in the series. The Royals is a light, pleasing watch and might be a try for you if you are looking for something less intense with a hint of drama, romance, comedy and extravagance. I feel a lot could be done in it and for me it did not meet my expectations and my excitement that was there after seeing the trailer did dampen after watching the entire series. Let me know how did you guys find it? Love, Shriya!

Hello my lovelies! Its here, Its here!! The time of the year when all one can think of is everything refreshing and cool, yes, Summer is here!! As summer sets in and the Sun showers its glory, it becomes absolutely necessary for us to keep certain things in mind and bring them to habit to beat the heat and not let it get on to our health. I am personally quite sensitive to heat and my body reacts in its own ways when exposed to the warmer temperatures. This is why, I have made a list of the top 5 essential things that I use and habits I follow to stay at best during the scorching heat. Hydration I can not emphasis enough on this one. Having enough water in summer is like oxygen to our bodies. Water, fruits and food with high water content are the best for the season. My recommendation, always carry a water bottle with you, weather you're at home or while stepping out. Sunscreen Sun protection for the skin is another crucial step that we often forget or do not give much importance to. Sunscreens are not just essential when we step out in the Sun but they need to be applied even while we are at home. This is because the ultraviolet rays from the Sun can penetrate through the walls of our houses and can literally damage our skin even at home. Clothing Breathable, flowy clothes should be the wardrobe must haves for the summer. Cotton and linen garments are highly absorbent and breathable fabric, ideal for hot weather conditions. They promote sweat absorption, air circulation, are gentle to the skin and reduce the risk of irritation and allergies. Bug Spray The rise in temperature directly gives an extremely comfortable environment for bugs and flies to survive, breed and be present in abundance. These small insects, at times can be harmless, however, being exposed to them can cause serious allergies, bug bites or rashes. To keep these conditions at bay, carrying a bug spray at all times is a must and applying them every time we step out is highly recommended. Food Food also plays a vital role in staying happy and healthy in summer. Try consuming foods that are not heavy on stomach. Avoid heavy, spicy, fried and sugary foods, instead replace them with options that are high in water content like watermelon, cucumber, coconut water. Leafy greens, smaller meals, yogurt, citrus foods and berries too should be included in the diet. That's my list for this summer my readers. Do let me know if you need more of these. Love, Shriya!

Staycation, Vacation, Holiday!! Every time we listen these words, all we can then think of is beautiful views, fun, good food, amazing rooms, lovely stay, Well, we too thought of something exactly the same when we planned to go to Delhi NCR for a few days. The story starts here. We decided on the dates when we wanted to go and the next thing we did was, started looking at places to stay. We looked at some hotels and since we knew it was going to be a longer stay and would want it to be more comfortable and homely than a hotel, we though of exploring some options on Airbnb! To our surprise, we found plenty of options on Airbnb in and around the areas we were looking for. After deep research and filtering through a numerous amount of reviews we finalized on an Airbnb. We booked it and thought it to be all sorted and started preparing for the trip, until the day came. After a 10 hour long journey to Noida, we landed at the Airbnb at around 10:30 pm. We reach the apartment complex and to our surprise we were welcomed with dingy entrance, under construction parking area and a weird vibe altogether. Not to mention, the hollows of the lifts that were to be installed at the parking area which had absolutely no taping or marking of any sorts to caution the visitors. Unsure and disappointed, we head to our apartment. We opened the lock and entered the place. Our first reaction, WHERE HAVE WE COME? WHAT IS THIS? That was exactly our reaction. We were shocked. The house was dirty, unkept, the restroom was unclean and unhygienic. The kitchen and all the appliances were filthy and the upholstery and the entire house was not live able. We called the host of Airbnb and requested him if he can provide us with any other property that is cleaner. He did not have any property available but he also refused to believe that the house was dirty and this was after we had shared the pictures and videos of the house and the dirt. When we asked him that the pictures online are different than they are in real so he very casually said that we enhance the pictures with editing before putting them online. Well, we knew that we were not going to be living there. We called up Airbnb requesting them for a refund and cancellation of the booking. To our surprise, yes, another one, Airbnb was inclined towards the host more than the customers. While on the call, we decided to leave the place and continue the discussion with Airbnb later. We started looking for a hotel around and finally got one at 12 am. And after days and days of back and forth of pictures, videos and all the proofs, Airbnb refunded us the booking amount but we somehow did not have a good experience with the customer service of Airbnb. Lesson learnt, always have a back up plan! Love, Shriya

The tools used for dental treatments Wisdom teeth — yes those annoying third molars that show up uninvited in your late teens or early twenties. But for me they showed up quite late than usual, in my late twenties. It started with severe pain to swelling around the gums to infections. Phew! Doses of antibiotics and pain killers later, they would get better. However, post extensive examination we got to know that all my 4 wisdom tooth were tilted, poking into my cheek causing the trouble. The only remedy to this pain was extraction. After years of pushing this procedure I decided to step into the bandwagon and go for the extraction. Within a period of 6 - 7 months, I got two of my upper wisdom tooth extracted. Finally! While I was healing and prepping for the lower wisdom teeth extraction, we received our paperwork to migrate to Canada and we pushed it to the time we visit India again. 1 year 4 months later, voila came the day for extraction. After a lot of mental preparation and anxiety, I went to the dentist. By the way, my dentist is the sweetest, kindest doctor I have ever come across. He started with the process of numbing my gums. There we go, he injected the regular 2 - 3 injections but my gums refused to numb. The 4th one too could not do it. This was surprising yet comical to us. However, another 2 injections later, finally they were numb. Yay! By the way, this entire process took good 45 minutes. Next starts the procedure of extraction. Well this was not a regular pull out extraction. The teeth was inside the gums, never came out so the flap had to be opened, the teeth had to trimmed and then to be taken out. All of this happened smoothly, thanks to numbing, and half an hour later, the stitches completed the process. The next couple of days need to be carefully dealt with for a smooth healing. Recovery is a 5 - 7 day process followed by removal of the stitches and cleaning. Hope this goes well too! 3 done, 1 more to go! Love, Shriya!

Cappuccino and Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake at Kokoy, Noida A good coffee, an amazing company and a great conversation is what makes my evening a special one. After the running around of the day, it was evening and all I wanted was a cup of good coffee, a cozy cafe and a little something to munch a long. After a little search on Google and review readings we landed at Kokoy in Noida. The moment you walk into Kokoy, you’re welcomed by a calm vibe and you immediately feel at peace. Earthy tones, soft lighting, cozy corners, and hints of greens was exactly what I needed to slow down after a long day. The interior is thoughtfully designed, with an aesthetic that strikes the perfect balance between modern minimalism and cozy comfort. A fair glance at the menu and I knew what exactly I wanted. I ordered a Cappuccino, medium roast (you've got to choose between medium roast and dark roast and we were advised to go for medium roast for best taste), a Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake and a Pesto Mediterranean Toast. The coffee was strong, tasty and an example of a perfect brew. The Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake was the start for me. It was a perfect balance of sweetness and sourness of the cheese, just how I like it. The Pesto Mediterranean Toast was appetizing as well. It was fresh, crispy and flavorful. Above the food was the hospitality and the quality of service. All in all a must visit in my opinion and I'd be going there again for sure. The menu is extensive with adequate options for vegetarians, non - vegetarians and vegans as well. Kokoy isn’t just a coffee spot; it’s an experience. Whether you’re in Noida or nearby, it’s worth the drive.