All the Queen's Buys

Tulip Skirts

Inverted tulips or rather cheaply called “what-is-this-heap-of-cloth-called” or puff ball in common lingo is the new Tulip skirt. Best for wide hips and long legs, tulip skirts are the next best thing after cup-o-noodles. I’m sure you had a look at them at the Dries Van Noten and the Jean Paul Gaultier shows. But well, the reason they’re in the news is because they’re really comfy, like putty in your hands that you can recreate to fit into any style and very very chic for a big conference-cum-corporate event thing. Opt for satin ones for a stylish diva look, pinstriped for a corporate look and the black simple block-coloured ones for just about any event. High heels go well with them and give the wearer a very leggy look. Most of the times, wear them with cut-off blouses or tucked-in shirts and I promise you fashion nirvana is at your feet, nay hips.

New Nature's Mineral™ Make-up range from The Body Shop

Mineral makeup is another huge trend this month. Agreed the minerals give you a better sheen and look but what’s nicer is the fact that they are smooth and work very well with your skin. Definitely a must-have in the wardrobe. The body shop makeup was always easy on the skin and very discreet. Although I sit everyday and ponder why I should buy makeup from Body Shop, I am also admittedly swallowed by greed when I look at the clean compacts and the daisy shimmers and the lip balms. This time the new mineral makeup is simply astounding. Compact powders, loose ones, sleek eyeshadows, creamy blushes, foundations and super-sweet makeup brushes speaks for itself. If you’re against animal testing and want to contribute to some good cause, pick one up right now.

Bvlgari’s latest Noir

Jasmine, woody, faint citrus-y and more, Bvlgari’s new perfume Jasmine Noir is they say targeted at the prestigious lot. Noir says it all doesn’t it? Firstly, it’s freaking expensive- 30 ml is almost 3,000 Rs and a 100ml is for 6,000 Rs. While Jasmine makes it worthwhile, the bottle is a terrible let down. It looks similar to most of Bvlgari perfumes but its just not appealing in terms of the feminine style. It’s gold button top is almost excruciatingly gaudy while the black coloured bottle is simple laziness on the part of the manufacturer. ‘nuf said.

Pinky comes to town

Don’t assume it’s all about frivolous-ness before the name rolls off my tongue. Infact like Shakespeare said, a rose by any other name……And what if the above said is vodka. Yes, Pinky is the new pink vodka I wished I possessed when I saw it gleaming in a store at Lokhandwala. Priced at Rs 2,950, it’s a deal for all girlie parties.

Manna From Heaven or shall I say Mediahaven

Two things that made me wake up this month.

Farhan Akhtar : “ No one has ever stopped me from becoming a film maker. I was sitting on my ass and whiling away time hoping to become one. I think you’re the only one who is stopping yourself,” – Rolling Stone Magazine, September 2008

Arjun Rampal: “ Everyone goes up in life. And once you reach the pinnacle of your success, you come down too. But a lot depends on how you go up there and how you treat people when you are going up because that’s the way they’ll treat you too when you’re coming down,” – Headlines Today, 31st August

They tell you two things. How to get successful and how to stay successful with others. I guess that’s it.

New Resolution: To eat healthy. Lunch: Two chapattis and a sad cabbage oil-free subzi. Mood: Rained upon owing to the extreme sultry plus rainy feelings in Mumbai. Pet Peeve: Traveling in Mumbai Trains. Real Age: 26. Mental Age: 65. Looking to: Change my moodiness into something more productive.

You know you’re old when:

1. High Heels begin to annoy the fuck out of you when you’re dancing anytime after 2 pm. Ah, at one point, decades ago when I was in College, it was mandatory I wore heels and jumped till 6 am at the local disco. They were definitely good three-inchers and they neither pinched or bruised my feet or my ego. But yeah, now I will seriously claw someone’s face. But wedges, wedges that I bought recently from Nine West (pretty Mary Jane pink wedges) do make a good style statement and are also good for an all-nighter.
2. Conversations take over Loud Music while you’re trying out a new dinner place. Seriously! One of the best places I visited this week was this new small italian-village type place called Delitalia next to Mocha at Juhu Chowpatty. Excellent, Excellent stuff. The place is a picture perfect Italian joint with peachy-coral walls, old cotton Spanish grandma-type table cloths embossed in bright prints, cute bar, nice cocktail list, super cool old Italian pictures framed up on the walls and oh, nothing on the menu exceeds 350 bucks except the plate of assorted cold cuts. And the one single best thing I loved about the place? The background music that allowed you to talk. And you must try their Green Apple Martini, Tenderloin Steak with Porcini Potatoes, Sausage Risotto and their super yummy – Pannacotta with wild warm berries. If you’re not a chocolate person, and more of a cheesecake person, this is your best bet.
3. Going to late night parties is no longer as exciting as a nice Wong-kar-Wai picture your husband has gotten from Palador. It’s true. We have a deal, my husband and I. We want to watch one movie each everyday. Thankfully we are blessed with good friends in the movie business and other movie freaks who give us nice DVDs. So this week’s fare is Chinatown – hailed as the most amazing screenplay ever. Also, Dark Knight was watched with much enthusiasm and Heath Ledger simply rocks. Which brings back to me the sad fact of averages that only death can make you a big star. Ditto Shakespeare, Milton and all the Rennaissance Artists.
4. Drinking like a fish is replaced by Dinner at 7 p.m and fresh fruits at 9 pm. I heart eating healthy. Though this week has been an amalgamation of Red Box ( a nice little restaurant with the best chocolate brownies and beef steak and the loudest music), TGIF ( Cheese balls with fancy stuff called Dynabites and Happy Hour Beer), Appams and Chicken Curry at Rice Boat ( Mallu food, yummmm) with some Pazham Pori ( Banana Fritters, which I learnt to make this week), Dr.Oetzer’s Chocolate Mousse that can be made at home ( instant yummy dessert available at any supermarket). So the little time I got off from these, I ate healthy. Apples, Slim Milk, Soya Chips from Jain Biscuit Centre at Andheri Station (They have the best yummm soya chips in the land) and cabbage curry and soups.
5. You start betting on the word, classic. In terms of clothes, I had always been a bohemian or bling person. My style is totally bling type fashion and very quirky stuff which explains why I altogether ran away from anything classy and sophisticated. I am not, the demure little dame who wears pearls and dresses herself in black and virgin white. But now, with regard to the number of high-fashion dos I am attending and some more in the line, I am opting to go more classic. I know friends from school and college will do some extreme somersaults. This prelude is to let you know ladies and gentleman that I have finally invested in a classic piece called the tulip skirt from Forever New, a very very super cool new haunt of mine at Pheonix Mills. An add on: Raspberry Lip balm I bought at The Body Shop. God save me from going broke. I am the new desi Becky Bloomwood.
6. When parties full of booze and gossip and meeting new people begin at 8:30 pm. All my parties in Bangalore or Chennai when I was in my prime ( say 23) had invites stating clearly the time as post 12 midnight. And now, everyone’s making panic calls at 7:45 and talking about how everyone has to leave early on a week day. I get nostalgic about the times we had late night aprties and after parties and near-dawn parties. Everyone’s smoking up and I am passively inhaling the dope, cigarette smell on my hair from a certain date, lots of vodka shots, half-filled plates of food and midnight rides around the fields. Yesterday’s party was good booze, good companionship, steamy hot momos- in Mumbai, dominoes pizza, Pear Vodka, Wine and more Wine, Gulab Jamoon with Mango ice cream.

Life’s right now on a slow road when it comes to work. Certain personal family obligations are also trying to remove all kinds of sanity from me. There are heaps of of things to do and so little time. I guess fashion can't shield you from it all. :)

I THINK AM A VICTIM OF HAVING TOO MUCH

We all promise ourselves fairy tales. I got mine carefully wrapped up in musical notes, retro posters, scrabble nights and a handsome grin. But what after that? Riding into the moonlight and sunset etc are all fine, but what next I say?

Life is going on. With multiple work projects, an occasional night-out when we’re not really THAT tired, meetings with long-lost friends when they come down on office work, partying on weekends and guzzling up beers by the crate and checking out that new restaurant that opened on Link Road - there seems to be a monotony I can’t seem to shake right off me. There seem to be obligations from parents, the usual drunken conversation with friends and a late night HBO thriller. I need more than that. And I don’t know what that elusive something is. And oh, indulging in mind-blowing sex isn’t what I am talking about; I’m getting more than just that, thank you very much. It’s just ‘something’ and ‘nothing’, all bundled up in one strong shot, like an espresso!

For the sake of my beautiful memory, I shall put down things that made me happy this month. My little espresso shots:

1. Watched Blood Diamond finally. No, I don’t hate diamonds. I still want diamonds since De Beers did acknowledge that they won't work with 'conflict diamonds' but I think Leonardo Di Caprio simply made me sit up and take notice. I remember the time I had a big poster of his in my room, that stupid one with his arms stretched on Titanic I bought from Archies. I remember that night I brought and taped it carefully in my little hostel room and everyone from every room came to see and admire and give their two bits. I remember how all of us wore lipstick and kissed his pink lips. I remember how it felt to go watch that dreaded Titanic with classmates and hearing chaste Tamil sneers in the packed hall. Anyways, long way mister Di Caprio. Much appreciated and much grown-up – thanks for losing the stereotype of a loser drowning on ice.

2. Sammy Sosas – My new Mexican dinner place near Oshiwara Link Road, Malad, with its spicy salsa and yummy enchiladas. My pick: Try the Fisherman’s Catch. One restaurant in Mumbai that makes me go yummmmmmm. Ever since I came to Mumbai, I missed good ol’ Delhi food like anything. If there ever was versatility, Delhi had it with its yummlicious khana. Heck, it even has Andhra Bhavan. But yeah, I loved every city I lived in, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi but I think Delhi has the best food. But in terms of memories, I’ll stick to Chennai. But this is not to bitch Mumbai entirely out. You too have your perks darling.

3. Theobroma – Cupcakes, cupcakes and more cupcakes. Though am trying to lose a little weight a la working in a fashion magazine, I can devour these really cute cupcakes by a dozen. They’re irresistible and very popular, If you’re in colaba, you know where you need to go for nirvana then. If you’re into the usual orgasms, try the millionaire brownie, if you’re experimentative, opt for the Mango Tart with thin slices of Mango woven into the custard, and if you’re on the predictable side, chomp on the Raisin Bread and Chocolate Tart. If you’re looking for cheap love, bite into an orange slice.

4. Shine-a-light, a music documentary on The Rolling Stones by Martin Scorcese at The Blue Frog was an event I attended just because my husband was a part of it. Can’t say I enjoyed it because long periods of watching bands play does get me bored. Am an action type person, I constantly need to do things, not sit and watch bands play. Also in other news I must admit I found Mick Jagger rather hot (which I never did) with his sinewy muscles, Keith Richards with his stoned talk and that singer of White Stripes with funny teeth. The documentary at places sounded like a well-shot live show but yes, in places it was inspiring. For example: For example: A reporter asks Mick in 1970s if he will see himself still being on stage at 60, and Mick says yes without even flinching. Now how cool is that!

5. Shopping on Colaba Causeway: There’s a lone t-shirt guy on the causeway who has these excellent t-shirts that look like Top Shop rip-offs. Also has little tops for 100-150 bucks which emulate Pucci at its best with the busiest colourful prints. That apart, I love Colaba. The smells, the moods and the colours. The sights are simply amazing. An occasional firang getting ripped off, the sly smiles of an anklet seller while saying his price in dollars, the excellent short skimpy shorts I bought for 100 bucks that make my legs look like Crawford etc etc.

6. Going partying to Firangi Paani after looking for good drinking plus partying places in Mumbai. My husband and me are quite the opposites and no place better showcases this difference than a pub. My drink style is dancing all the time, moving hips and legs and singing loudly to every girlie song. My husband’s modus operandi is holding his beer and just merging into the background and occasionally surfacing when classic rock plays. And yes, I love him for that. Finally after a bit of jumping like a Duracell bunny, I went with girlfriends to the disco dance floor and started squealing to Madonna’s Like a Prayer. It was commercial retro night. I absolutely love it. Firangi Paani is definitely an upper when it comes to being in a trendy space in Andheri. Good food, reasonable booze, a lot of space to jump and celebrity value if you like Tanushree Dutta and a host of other hindi television actors.

7. Never been a foundation person ever. My makeup routine consists of eyeliner, blush, an occasional eyeshadow ( I love my Anna Sui Lime Green one that a good friend got me from Japan) and loads and loads of lip gloss. But this time I attended the Mickey Contractor for MAC new foundations review and I was so bowled. MAC came up with these new colour co-ordinated foundations made specially for olive and Indian skins. Simply amazing. When Mickey put the stuff on my face it coursed into my skin, into the pores and it was so light and not cakey or greasy at all. My ideal shade was 44.5 and I must tell you, foundation here I come!

On that note, I’ll say I did have a good time. Maybe its just the adage that if everything goes right there’s something wrong with it. And I’m suffering from the “too good to be true” or the “just because I get my way, it’s not exciting” syndrome.

I’ll get better by and by.

Directory:

Sammy Sosas, Shop No 18 Meera Co Operative Housing Society, Near Mega Mall, Oshiwara Link Road, Andheri W; Tel: 67307830

Theobroma, Shop No 24 Cusrow Baug, Colaba Causeway, opp Central Bank Of India, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Apollo Bunder; Tel: 67305363

T-shirt guy who sells on the pavement but you can easily make out his haven by the colourful display of tops, shorts etc right next to Bata on Colaba Causeway.

Firangi Paani The Pub, Fun Republic, Andheri West; Tel: 26735154 / 26744144

M.A.C, Kemp’s Corner, Melange, 33, Altamount Roadi; Tel: 2352 1836.
Dynamix Mall, Shoppers Stop, JVPD Scheme, Next To Chandan Cinema, St Dyaneshwar Marg, Juhu; Tel: 32549803

The Go Green Campaign

It’s green and it’s hot. Maybelline New York, my altogether favourite cosmetic giant has come up with a new play thing for all makeup addicts like me. This thing called DEFINE - A - LASH mascara is for the woman who wishes for clump-free long lashes. By far, my personal favorites have been L’oreal Volume Shocking – which really gives you gigantic lashes and stays through the night, Chambor Curl Plus – that gives you extra big lashes coupled with waterproof effects, Estee Lauder Magnascopic – extremely desirable, comes in pocket sizes and makes your eyes look big subtle-ly. But this new green thing is no joke in the makeup department, its attractive and super-glam new. Priced at Rs 280, its so cheap and yet damn neat for a quick brush-up on a glam date. And oh, its waterproof too. Perfect for the upcoming monsoons.

Loving Sex Can Never Make you a Slut and Other Truths

This morning, there was absolute chaos in the house. Working out, making breakfast and generally bathing and getting ready for work without getting into each others way. A normal weekday routine that my husband and I have followed. There are cries from the bathroom for a towel, breakfast and dressing up- our multi-tasking home sport and switching channels and music according to whoever is walking past the player. And the moment we got out of home, we had the argument.

It all started with a book I was discussing called Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti of feministing.com. For all those who think that feminism means anti-men, you must read it. It’s not available in India yet but I got it as a gift from the USA, and it’s one of my most treasured books. Yes, there are places where it falters, bores you with American outlook towards life and even discusses hairy women and lesbians. But what’s best about it is the way you look at feminism today. In 2008, what’s the relevance of feminism?

We seem to be a generation that has everything. It’s like a reality TV Show, you enlist, try your best and regardless of where you come from, who your parents and what you have been doing till now, you’re the star! We are a generation that makes its own rules and are still looking for ways to bend them. Conforming makes you boring and rebelling is so out of fashion. In an age like this, what does feminism mean? My husband thinks feminism is just a name given to women who are anti-men, at least a good majority of them advocate men-bashing and shouting out “vagina” a million times. He thinks anyone treated inferior or fighting for the inferior should be a humanist. Because we are all born equal. I agree to disagree.

As a girl who worked real hard to get where I am, I know just what it is to be treated inferior. I come from a small town, its name totally oblivious even to well-versed geographics. My parents love me, treat me equally with my brother and all that, but what’s funny is that society puts them in a hard place sometimes. Hence between understanding me and working with society, their lines were blurred in any case. So despite being a rebellious kid who questioned why property was only given to boys and why I can’t go out at night just like my brother, I resigned to Journalism in my later years. And oh, did I just commit suicide by doing that? No, but my folks and my relatives thought so. This is hara-kiri at its best. Who will marry her? What can she be? What about timings and working late hours with boys? But well, I fought and made it. But yes, I do know what it feels like to be treated inferior, to getting close to none of my potential unrealized by getting married to a doctor or an engineer as most Andhra families love to. I also know what makes me what I am now, and why being a woman had its limits and how far is too far and how tight is too tight. Don't worry am not gonna kill you if you're stereotyping women and talk about prudes, shopping, jokes etc etc, I'm all for fun. Getting angry over dumb blonde jokes, that's not the feminism am talking about.

I’m sure other than just professional hazards, there’s a lot more to being a woman. Rape, Eve teasing, abuses, being treated inferior, unequal rights, unqual paychecks, stereotypes, Not giving rights to live life her way as an individual and the constant “This is how you should be as a woman”, thing! And oh, I forgot, No sex absolutely, you can’t enjoy it, talk about it or deal with it. That’s for bad girls. Lovely!

And as for eve teasing, I’m sure you’ve been groped in the lifts, in buses and trains and I’m sure you shut up because you did not want to create a fuss. It’s just lamely taken for granted that if you’re a woman you’ve got to deal with all this, its common, or better, don’t wear skirts, go out in the dark and don’t’ bloody drink. Cause drinking apparently makes you easy and then if you get raped, it’s not anyone’s fault but your own. So many pieces of advice, and so little time to kill of them who advocate shit like this.

I believe there is a reason why feminism came into our lives. And if humanism is what we should be aiming at, we earnestly have to get to be good feminists and work for what we as woman need, as they too first have to be relegated to the human section. In my thoughts, feminism is the path to humanism when it comes to dealing with women being treated as inferior sex. And hating men, that’s not my prerogative. Nor any real feminist’s agenda, but if you’re a man and you abuse me, rest assured I’ll hunt you down and kick your ass to Neverland. That goes for any man, woman, aunty and cow.

And feminists are real women with real problems; they want no groping, no nonsense, equal paychecks and more. They are not hairy and they could be lesbian and otherwise. And they love sex and work towards fulfilling relationships based on equality and mostly, they respect who you are for what you do and what you can be instead of abiding dirty stereotypes that society advocates. They own themselves and live with choices they thoughtfully make.

Humanism or Feminism? Take your pick ‘cause both tell you not to treat anyone inferior. Both tell you not take shit from anyone just because you’re you.

Make it c) All of the above.

Animal Instincts on Sale

This really impressed me. Amrapali, the designer jewellery brand, is really something. It’s fascinating that whenever I have gone to the store I have found really funky and unique designs. Amrapali always symbolized unique craftsmanship for me. Whether it’s a 500 buck pendant or a 5 grand necklace, it’s good to have one special something in your wardrobe from Amrapali. The new collection is a mix of gold and silver, a mix of matt and burnished, a mix of rough and smooth and a mix of precious and non-precious stones. Inspired by animal skin textures, forms, fish fins, bird feathers etc, the cuffs, earrings and bracelets are something you’ll never see anywhere else. Team them with a boho shift or a bandini dupatta and you’re done. Range is all price on request. Last year we saw Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and even Brad Pitt sport some Amrapali. Save up for a signature piece now.

Addresses:

Amrapali, Phoolwari Cottage, Near Prithvi Theatre, Juhu Road, Mumbai. Tel: 2612 5001

Amrapali Jewels, 39, Khan Market, New Delhi. Ph: 51752025

P.S I miss Delhi so much. I want Khan Market and its pani puris, stationery, Puma Store, Good Earth and all those nice pet stores and cheap jewellery stores now!

Love, labels, lust, life, lingerie and more

Love’s like a runway but which one do I love more
No emotional baggage, just big bags filled with Dior

Love’s like a runway, so what’s all the fussing for
Let’s stop chasing them boys and shop some more

-Fergie

Things I loved about SATC:

The fashion. I mean, you can get away from every trouble and anxiety in life with fashion. No wonder its therapeutic in every way. And more so when you see the Oscar De La Rentas, the Bagborroworsteal.com’s exquisite Chanels or the Manolos in bright royal blue. Tears of fashion is a good feeling to have. It’s amazing how work stress, Relationship-stress and plain general stress refuses to give them any bad hair and wardrobe days. I guess after all, fantasy is thrilling than reality.

The friendship. The girlfriends and the heartbreak. It's so relatable especially if you’re away from friends, in a strange city, dealing with lows and highs and extinguishing all grief with one sugar free cappuchino from the nearby CCD. Which reminds me of my favourite saying, “Boys come and go, but girlfriends stay forever”. Here’s to all of my beautiful, wonderful pals who’ve made life more than just a rollercoaster ride.

The Happily Everafter. No matter what you are, no matter what you become and no matter how life goes, we all want that happy ending. And in our hearts, we know that we need love like a fish to water, we want to ride away into the sunset with the prince with a smile on our content faces. The glass slipper is where it all began. And where it will all end. Which also explains the shoe fetish that women have. Maybe it will be all that women are looking for, love and a pair of excellent dreamy shoes. I am a genius! I just explained a complicated theory on psychology and shoes.

Some labels are best left in the closet. So true. It tells me that labels are just there to tell you about the quality of workmanship and design-creativity and not here to add to your sense of self-worth. Self-worth comes from bigger things than just plain labels, it comes from being able to buy your own drinks and investing in real estate with your own hard earned money. And not to forget, handling breakups with the air of “fuck you, am fabulous”!

The obscure but really thought-provoking dialogues. For example, “Things happen only when you stop trying” or “You have tried to change yourself too much to suit the person you are with”. I heart nice dialogues. They become great subtexts for lessons in everyday life.

The biggest and best relationship as Samantha says is the one you have with yourself. And that's how life should be. No, am not advocating arrogance, selfish behaviour or eternal singledom. But to have a meaningful relationship with someone, you got to first tell yourself that you're really the best. You're fabulous and lovely, and if people have to be dragged to the altar to marry you then shove them away. And you gotta strive to keep your self-esteem intact. Afterall it's when you love yourself that you can love someone else.

Things I hated about SATC:

Product placement. I mean how much of a capitalistic onslaught can you take. They’re everywhere, the labels, the drama with a tinge of Vivienne Westwood and Vogue back to backs. Really! What do they take us for? A bunch of goldfish with the shortest memory span?

The drama. It’s true, its true, women love being drama queens but you could really cut us some slack. I mean, we cry sometimes but we don’t want to be forced to cry. You get it? A woman needs to know that heartbreak can be dealt with in a sensible, nice way and not by extensive copius tears thrown in for good measure just to show us some more Ralph Lauren bedsheets. No, I object! It’s like clichedom all over again.

The screenplay. It was long and unnecessarily inundated with weird sexual connotations. It ceased to be as carefree, comic and interesting as the series. It proceeded to make a mincemeat of every man, every wedding, every marriage and everything. I mean whatever happened to discretion. We like chick flicks but dumbing down just to get us to happily everafter in a contrived manner cannot be tolerated.

Big. I don’t want to see Carrie with a 50 above year old fat man who cannot commit to a sensible relationship and promise to stick to her forever. I mean, what does he have that he deserves so much? If the man can’t take you to the altar, your ideas of future are just different. And how can we deal or negotiate with that?

And I don’t care if the only label that matters is love and you want to wear a label-less gown but dude, you look terrible. It’s the single best moment of your life and you’re wearing label-less and ugly-looking stuff. How will your grandchildren feel?

The compromises. The excuses and the running after men. Somehow it made women look like they're willing to put up with anything just to get hooked. And you need not! You don't need to give excuses, feel for them, make compromises etc to land a man in your home. If you're 40 doesn't mean you're willing to die to get your man. Chill, they're other really handsome, good-in-bed fish who are willing to do anything just to 'be' with you 'forever'.

Whether it’s Charlottes smile and figure while she’s gymming in Mexico or Carrie’s toned arms while carrying shopping bags home, why does 40 mean having to choose between fat and ugly or bald and paunchy? Here are four women who are successful, hot and have good taste and all they get is hideous and one foot in the grave men? And no, one cannot propose with a Manolo diamante, you need a real diamond ring, you idiot.

And Carrie, I liked Aidan more than Big. He was a nice guy, loved you, followed protocol and was willing to do anything for you. And no, he was handsome, non-gay, non-metrosexual and not a wuss. So, why is it hard for you to have him? Does Big signify everything thats unreachable? does Big represent everything you wanted and could never get? Is that why you want him, just beacuse he's unavailable?

Hungry thoughts?

Why is it that we have heartbreaks and insecurities if we have Jimmy Choos and LV bags? No, I believe money is not enough, but it can sure buy you a holiday in Mexico and help you tackle unhappiness with opaque tights by Chanel? Innit?

Why should the mention of "marriage" rake in so much fuss? Why should we drag a man hook, line and sinker to make him yours forever? Why should we reassure a man so much to marry us, why should we convince him so much that we're worth the dough? I have married someone who did not make a big fuss about it. He just thought he wanted to be with me and if marrying is the way to do it, then so be it. So, there are others who want to marry and live with you wholeheartedly. So why do we always choose the ones on the other side? Is saying "marriage is bullshit, the new fashion fad?

That’s about it I guess.

Fantastic and Fabuloso,

Me

Wishful Pinking

It's not everyday you get labeled a dumb blonde. That too in India. But I have been there, been called that. No, not because I don't understand who the UPA and the NDA are. Not even because I can't place where Nandigram is. It wasn't even because I can't live it up in striped pants and a matching black shirt with a logo on the pocket.

It was just my pink nail polish. It must have been called "Rose Mist" or "Fuchsia Fantasy" or some such. You must understand that with the number of cosmetics I deal with on a daily basis, I usually do tend to forget the fine print at the back label. Coming back to my pink nail polish, all it got me was bad press. So what keeps this bright attractive traffic stopping colour on the judgmental pedestal? What makes it so unintelligent that one look at it on my twiddling thumbs and you mark my examination copies in binaries?

Some say it speaks of frivolity, some casually rub their hands in glee cause its nothing but a sign that am somehow not eligible for a masters degree. All I can tell the super intellectual stuffing is that it takes more than a colour to just mark your character. It takes more than nail polish and lipstick to push your point and make a difference. And what’s more, in the same way, a little lipstick and looking good while at it, can never hurt. It actually makes your personality more colourful and your mind is open to a lot more possibilities. If you think you’re too serious to bother about what you wear and how you keep yourself, then you’ll on the road yet again to finding nirvana in black. And you’re definitely monochrome, one-dimensional and boring. All because you didn’t try some pink nail polish. Trust me!

Anyways, I have decided to work on what I do best- fashion, beauty, boots, patent leather, books, creative things, inspiration and home décor on this blog. And pink is just the beginning. And pink is more than just my signature colour. Pink is what I am when I’m tickled with creativity, and pink is where I go to when I’m desperate for therapy. Pink was a regular song of mine till I hit mid twenties and it was aerosmith who understood that obsession very well. The man in my life only comes as close as Pink Floyd, but he understands pink is my passion. Pink is pizzazz, in my world.

I heard this somewhere. It says “I cannot control how I am perceived, I can only control how I am presented,” so here we are.

Fabuloso Honey, let’s get started then.