thestyleschool

The Design Files: Nail Paints at Asos

2009-10-07T01:41:00.000-07:00

Asos.com is my darling. Seriously. It’s a website that caters to the high-street desires of my heart. And while at that, I admire the fact that they’re constantly improving, making better and re-inventing every product of theirs. Take for example these nice little paint pots and the little extravagances that maketh them, i.e the little bows. I heart.

The 19 Characteristics of Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualizer

2009-09-11T02:50:00.000-07:00

My favourite Brian Johnson of Philosopher's Notes sent this out today. I love, love, love it. So take a look very briefly, at the 19 Characteristics of Abraham Maslow’s Self-Actualizer:

Perception of Reality
These individuals tend to have a “superior relationship with reality” and are “generally unthreatened and unfrightened by the unknown.” In fact, “They accept it, are comfortable with it, and, often are even more attracted by it than by the known. They not only tolerate the ambiguous and unstructured--they like it.”

Acceptance
“Even the normal member of our culture feels unnecessarily guilty or ashamed about too many things and has anxiety in too many situations. Our healthy individuals find it possible to accept themselves and their own nature without chagrin or complaint or, for that matter, without even thinking about the matter that much.”

Spontaneity
The behavior of the self-actualizing individual is “marked by simplicity and naturalness, and by lack of artificiality or straining for effect.”

Problem Centering
Self-actualizers customarily have some “mission in life.”

Solitude
Self-actualizing individuals “positively like solitude and privacy to a definitely greater degree than the average person.”

Autonomy
“They have become strong enough to be independent of the good opinion of other people, or even of their affection. The honors, the status, the rewards, the popularity, the prestige, and the love they can bestow must have become less important than self-development and inner growth.”

Fresh Appreciation
“Self-actualizing people have the wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy, however stale these experiences may have become to others.”

Peak Experiences
It’s been called “flow” or “being in the zone.” Whatever you want to call it, self-actualizers tend to experience it more often than average.

Human Kinship
“Self-actualizing people have a deep feeling of identification, sympathy, and affection for human beings in general. They feel kinship and connection, as if all people were members of a single family.” “Self-actualizing individuals have a genuine desire to help the human race.”

Humility and Respect
All of Maslow’s subjects “may be said to be democratic people in the deepest sense...they can be friendly with anyone of suitable character, regardless of class, education, political belief, race or color. As a matter of fact it often seems as if they are not aware of these differences, which are for the average person so obvious and so important.”

Interpersonal Relationships
“Self-actualizing people have these especially deep ties with rather few individuals. Their circle of friends is rather small. The ones that they love profoundly are few in number.”

Ethics
“They do right and do not do wrong. Needless to say, their notions of right and wrong and of good and evil are often not the conventional ones.”

Means and Ends
“They are fixed on ends rather than on means, and means are quite definitely subordinated to these ends.”

Humor
“They do not consider funny what the average person considers to be funny. Thus they do not laugh at hostile humor (making people laugh by hurting someone) or superiority humor (laughing at someone else’s inferiority) or authority-rebellion humor (the unfunny, Oedipal, or smutty joke).”

Creativity
“This is a universal characteristic of all the people studied or observed. There is no exception.”

Resistance to Enculturation
“Of all of them it may be said that in a certain profound and meaningful sense they resist enculturation and maintain a certain inner detachment from the culture in which they are immersed.”

Imperfections
Actualizers “show many of the lesser human failings. They too are equipped with silly, wasteful, or thoughtless habits. They can be boring, stubborn, irritating. They are by no means free from a rather superficial vanity, pride, partiality to their own productions, family, friends, and children. Temper outbursts are not rare.”

Values
“A firm foundation for a value system is automatically furnished to self-actualizers by their philosophic acceptance of the nature of self, of human nature, of much of social life, and of nature and physical reality.”

Resolution of Dichotomies
“The dichotomy between selfishness and unselfishness disappears altogether in healthy people because in principle every act is both selfish and unselfish.”

So are you a self-actualizer, darling? Think about it and let me know.

Balancing the Hilton and the Hepburn in you

2009-09-03T04:51:00.000-07:00

Things haven’t been too good these days, what with many actress tantrums, beauty shoots and much much more. But what else is keeping me busy you ask? This book, called How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World. Honestly speaking, it made me think a lot on the whys and hows of making a perfect woman.

Much homework later, I realized that it just released in India and is already making waves. But since no one else will give you the right review (Trust me, I’ve read it online and in a one-page review in Mumbai Mirror), I will take a baton and give you the verdict. First things first, this is a good book, in terms of looks with all it’s nice charming classic black dress and the drapery of pearls. Look closer and you might even applaud the readable fonts, the little tips and the empowering notes. But what you don’t notice is the condescending tone, the 1950s guide to pleasing a man and a whole load of prim and propah-ness that is absolutely unnecessary in this world. It’s basically a whole load of lessons on how to live in a boring-classic-graceful style and that would be embracing the look-alike mentality in my opinion.

I’ve never been a big fan of Audrey Hepburn. All thanks to the lady for having a style of her own and commanding attention, but these days, the reason why we fall for many eccentric idols, is because we understand the meaning of being different. Not just different, but we’re looking for someone whose ideas of expressing themselves are totally unique. Once we identify those who pop our champagne, we will only take up a few of their characteristics and mix-match it with out own to altogether make a new cocktail. But no, this is exactly what the book dissuades you to do. It wants you to be a housewife with decorum, but make sure you do it in classic style, and making sure you’re respectable before your peers. That said, I must compliment the good things I learnt from the book. So, here we go:

Flashing, getting drunk and not knowing how you got a tweety tattoo on your butt is just NOT cool anymore

Self-respect is a much-undervalued gift. Keep it, don’t toss it around for everyone to trample upon it

You cannot, absolutely cannot, derive your value from what others think of you. Period.

Making a smart girl list. Make a list of all things that you want to do for yourself.

Hard work, good ethics and big dreams are non-negotiable.

Choosing friends who bring out the best in you. Not vice-versa.

You gotta stop playing mind games with the boys. Do your thing and he will come.

Dressing your age, it isn’t about other people but you. Dress smartly but choose what suits your bosy.

Less is always more. But sometimes more is also more when it comes to accessorizing.

That aside, Jordan Christy, the author of the book must understand that thongs, dancing on top of the bar table, facebook lives and outrageous behaviour is good as long as it’s not harming anyone.

Picture Courtesy: Manga art by Tamtamchan. I love Manga.

Retro in the Metro: The Design Files

2009-08-21T05:01:00.000-07:00

I’ve always been a very colourful person. If it’s not colour, it’s texture. Though design has never been my forte, I’ve always had an opinion on how graphics look like and work on a certain medium. Working in a fashion magazine does to a large extent prepare you for the design element. We are always fighting with the art and design team over where products have to be placed or where we need to make rearrangements. And over the years, I’ve somehow learn to appreciate the normal yet creative things that surround my work. My layouts that are almost fed into my psyche, the little details, the smallest of ideas, the design intrusions and the exuberant colours. Fonts, spaces and kerning is another call altogether. But while we sit here talking about design, I must give in that disclaimer that I’m not a pro when it comes to art and design. If not anything, I am a voyeur, a glimpse, an idea at the most. And today, as I glance upon things, books, magazines, ideas, and posters- anything, I know that they are the sum of a whole and the only thing that ties them closer is perhaps design. Which is why I was pleasantly surprised when Elle came up with this really nice design cover for their supplement. If design is my manna, retro is my flavour. And Elle, as a magazine has the best layouts, the latent design elements and a lot of consistency. And the August Issue with Katrina on the cover is good too, but this small little gift that came with it, is my idea of fun. In India, there are very few magazines that garner such a reputation. And while Elle remains a creative enigma, the supplement is my inspiration for the day. Note the flowy colours, the underlying passion and the pop.

Tell me, What makes your eyes pop these days?

Wishlist for the Week

2009-08-14T01:45:00.000-07:00

Picture Courtesy: Miss Dior Cherie L'eau print ad

Old cassettes are used to make iPod gadgets. Good Stuff, mate.

An entire book written without the letter 'e'. Fabulous idea.

DIY: FREE printable Mini File Folder & Labels for a nice party.

Why my 30s are better than my 20s. A fun report by Marie Claire.

Nikhil from work introduced me to this fabulous shit. Hail fun stuff in Wonderland magazine.

My editor mailed this to me. Still fearless at Vogue?

Plug-o-rama. Mission meets profession. Journalism dilemmas.

Polaroid Street Art. I love, I love.

Brad Pitts Make-It-Right foundation and the homes they are building. I like hot men doing good stuff.

Daily Good is an inspiring quote or a bundle of goodness that you get for free in your mailbox. Pass me some of that goodness.

Specially for those working in Fashion magazines. References galore. Courtesy Nikhil.

A series of screaming pictures from World Famous Design Junkies.

I love crochet. Though, outmoded and outdated, I still think it has old world charm.

Food Art by Nouar. Things that I could actually frame up in my home.

I like printable free stuff. I'm freeloader like that, but hey, these are printable Thank You cards.

Orange is the new Black. I want to include in every way in my wardrobe. My inspiration: Carolina Herrera's 2010 Resort Collection. Good, Ahoy!

MJ, MJ, How can we ever forget you? Agyness Deyn, my idol, does the ever fashionable Michael Jackson. Awesomeness.

Marie Claire finally starts their own Style.com. Lots of good pictures, good shopping and excellent fashion. Go, invade.

Linda Evangelista in a Galliano ad. Super retro stuff.

Beauty and the Balloon. See and enjoy!

Lastly but not leastly, I am more and more getting inspired to write my book. And once the right kind of encouragement comes your way, you are set. Here's my little gyan on the way.

It makes more sense to write one big book—a novel or nonfiction narrative—than to write many stories or essays. Into a long, ambitious project you can fit or pour all you possess and learn. A project that takes five years will accumulate those years’ inventions and richnesses. Much of those years’ reading will feed the work. Further, writing sentences is difficult whatever their subject. It is no less difficult to write sentences in a recipe than sentences in Moby-Dick. So you might as well write Moby-Dick.

ANNIE DILLARD

2009-08-05T01:03:00.000-07:00
Al Pacino's Inch By Inch speech from Any Given Sunday

I don't know what to say really.
Three minutes
to the biggest battle of our professional lives
all comes down to today.
Either
we heal
as a team
or we are going to crumble.
Inch by inch
play by play
till we're finished.
We are in hell right now, gentlemen
believe me
and
we can stay here
and get the shit kicked out of us
or
we can fight our way
back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.

Now I can't do it for you.
I'm too old.
I look around and I see these young faces
and I think
I mean
I made every wrong choice a middle age man could make.
I uh....
I pissed away all my money
believe it or not.
I chased off
anyone who has ever loved me.
And lately,
I can't even stand the face I see in the mirror.

You know when you get old in life
things get taken from you.
That's, that's part of life.
But,
you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game
life or football
the margin for error is so small.
I mean
one half step too late or to early
you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast
and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game
every minute, every second.

On this team, we fight for that inch
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone around us
to pieces for that inch.
We CLAW with our finger nails for that inch.
Cause we know
when we add up all those inches
that's going to make the fucking difference
between WINNING and LOSING
between LIVING and DYING.

I'll tell you this
in any fight
it is the guy who is willing to die
who is going to win that inch.
And I know
if I am going to have any life anymore
it is because, I am still willing to fight, and die for that inch
because that is what LIVING is.
The six inches in front of your face.

Now I can't make you do it.
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes.
Now I think you are going to see a guy who will go that inch with you.
You are going to see a guy
who will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
you are gonna do the same thing for him.

That's a team, gentlemen
and either we heal now, as a team,
or we will die as individuals.
That's football guys.
That's all it is.
Now, whattaya gonna do?

Freelancing for Magazines in India: Identifying the Route

2009-08-04T03:14:00.000-07:00

Working for a fashion/features women’s magazine for almost four years taught me a few things. Never to take anything for granted and always back your work and the magazine with articles from freelancers. Freelancing is a viable career nowadays as most magazines give out editorial work. The reason why we give out freelance work is because, we need a new voice or variety in our writing and help on certain articles we may never have time for, considering that we are busy with the features that are already sitting prettily on our plates. Sometimes it’s also about getting someone to do a full story of the topic that they most invariably specialize in, rather than get a regular features writer to write out a mediocre copy. More or less like expert opinion. Whatever it is, at times like these, a freelancer is a like a shining beacon of hope to a magazine, someone who will be regularly on the magazines radar if he/she delivers exceptionally. I get a sizeable amount of mails, queries and doubts from friends and strangers on writing for a fashion/features magazine and I've decided to post my views and thoughts here. Unadulterated,simple, easy and 'something from inside the industry'.

But first things first. The pressing questions about freelancing always linger in the background. Do magazines really need freelance? And I have to say, yes we do. At least a good 30% of the magazine can be given out for freelance. Let no one ever tell you that they don’t take any. But on the other hand, if the magazine editors don’t get back to you, it would mean that you need to work on your appeal, both work-wise and otherwise. I have worked with a few freelancers and I realize that there are many myths that comprise a worried freelancer. While their services are freelancers range from exceptional to mediocre, it’s important to know what makes a good bet for a national magazine that’s looking for quality work. And here are my rules for an ideal freelance writer. The things you should do, and the things you ought to do. And the myths that explode.

How do you choose the magazine you want to write for?

Slogging away on the workings of human rights in India if you’re a firmer believer/lover of those classic vintage necklaces found on Hill Road is futile. Stick to your strengths. Make a list of the ten things that you’re interested in writing about. Look into averages. For example, if there are more than two points on fashion and beauty, then you’re a fashion magazine material. If you’re always working on a good dose of socially relevant stuff, then you’re into the features and social magazines and if you’re heavily fuelled by Kitsch art then, Décor magazines it is. Identify your niche and you’re good to go. Once you identify your inner calling, go to the local newsstand and check out all the magazines that suit your taste and requirements. Never ever say, “I want to freelance” without doing the above. Being planned can get you more work than anything else. And ‘wanting to do ANYTHING’ isn’t a valid freelance request.

Who the Magazine is targeted at?

After you zero in on the magazines you want to write for, take a reality check. What is the magazine all about and who are its readers? I have spoken and written to many who walk in and demand freelance without knowing what the magazine stands for. And who is it for, is another important question. If it’s for college students, what kind of topics will work? Maybe, “What makes sex safe?” Things like that. Marie Claire, for example is a strong feminist magazine with a penchant for light yet relationship-type stories. Hence the story, "Why do single women fall for married men?” Do your homework. Keep a journal in place and just write down ideas and thoughts.

What is the content's value? What is the style?

Is it strong, academic or light and breezy? The style of a magazine is very important before you even look at story ideas. It’s important to be able to write in the way the magazine functions and works.

What can I offer that a regular writer/employee of the magazine cannot provide?

First Person Stories like "My husband slept with his Best Friend" will work. You can even look around and interview a friend and write it in first person. Just make sure it's contemporary and sensational. The unique-ness of this premise is that you, only you can tell the story, only you know the contact and any regular employee cannot. Sometimes, we can take a piece just because it’s written cleverly. A simple topic like “Why do women life about their age?” is unique, funny and isn’t done to death.
Other ideas that should be avoided, but can be written cleverly are in the departments of Fitness, Health and Relationships. Unless you can offer to write things like "My one week of endurance with Muay Thai", no one will give it out because going and checking out a good fitness fad is something the employee can do.

Who should I write to and how should I go about it?

Ask around. Cold call the magazine and try to get the features editors e-mail id. Unless you press for attention people will just keep you on the phone with an outdated Christmas song that goes on and on in between extensions. Another way of looking at it is through the mast head of the magazine and simply put in the first name or the name of the person with the company’s name. For example: vinay@newstoday.com, vinayshukla@newstoday.com. Call and let us know what you have sent us. Call, don’t pester.

In your covering letter to magazines, do write down ideas specific to the magazine and trust me, it will work. For example: "Can I write the ill-effects of Yoga for your Life & Style section?" People will give you work at once.

Narrow it down this way and you can practically write on most things under the sun. Also try to expand to writing on human interest stories, more or less first person stuff like I said. That's something every magazine is looking for and every employee can't provide.

Write an eye-catching subject line. “The workings of a happy marriage in India as seen through a stray man’s eyes” or “The Making of an item number in Bollywood” etc. This will make us open the document and read. And never, ever attach your work,just copy-paste it in the mail. Well, it’s true, am lazy to download. And so are many others in this industry. Write an excellent, funny, witty covering letter. Write your ideas, strengths and your best stories. Keep it super short. No long stories.

Additional Homework:

Check the last ten issues of the magazine before you write them a mail. If you can’t get the back issues, just google and find the website. Read and re-read

Its’ a myth that all mails sent by freelancers are sent straight to the trash bin. Infact, I’ve been looking for freelancers for a premium fashion magazine for years and am still yet to find someone who can write a decent copy.

It’s ok if you’re good at beauty, fashion or even silly relationship stories. Deep doesn’t only mean writing on socially relevant issues.

It’s a myth that big high-end magazines don’t take freelancers. All of us do. We just want better stuff in our inboxes.

Don’t recycle ideas and do a blanket call with every magazine. Just work on ideas that work for each magazine. For example: Cosmopolitan likes pieces like “ How to spot jealousy in a relationship?” and you can tweak it to, “ How jealousy ruined my relationship” and that will work with Femina. And, the “How jealousy can ruin relationships, a report” in Open magazine.

Never mail your exclusive contacts to a magazine. Name the names, but store the numbers and e-mails.

Wishlist: 3rd Aug 09

2009-08-03T02:55:00.000-07:00

Image by: Adrienne K.

There are many things this week that have made me think. Like they used to say in points to ponder, in an old Readers Digest. But the best part is the lessons you learn from the things that make you think. I have learnt that passion doesn’t a career make, school doesn’t make you a wholesome person and comparison to others isn’t a good trait. But then, here’s my manna for you. The best things I read this week.

Since fat has become a big part of me. This is what I'm aiming at, for a month. No Diet, but eat healthy.

Getting bored of the same workout? Try this.

Black Barbie and the Italian Vogue. Period!

The last emperor, Christian Lacroix.

The seven sins and the seven wine glasses. How cool is that? I like Lust.

Be Delicious by DKNY is one of my all-time favourite perfumes. Check out the packaging.

Roy Lichtenstein. Need I say more? I want his stuff all over my walls.

Flickr Cassette Inserts. Easy, interesting and kitsch.

Kickstarting your own business by Steve Pavlina. Old, but good.

The one place where you can get some awesome book recommendations. Sent by Sri.

Ultimate guides to Writers Block. A collection.

Wall Paper for Shoe Lovers. I dig this shit.

25 Things for a rainy day: What I learnt and what I know. (Bonus: 30 % More. Includes things I’m still getting the hang of)

2009-07-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

Picture Courtesy: Bourjois Paris Cosmetics

25. Working on Sundays doesn’t mean you’re passionate, It means you’re stupid enough not to finish your work on weekdays.

24. When in doubt, take a rain check.

23. You need not know everything. It’s ok to say, “I don’t know”.

22. Straight hair is nice. But that’s not the benchmark for pretty hair. Wild hair is natural and beautiful.

21. Make To-do lists. For work, hopes, dreams and goals.

20. Sing a peppy song in the shower everyday. It revs up the mind metabolism.

19. Frothy, dark, sugar-less coffee can be a great mind-awakener.

18. Train travel is still the most beautiful way to travel. Trees, Moving mountains, cars in a distance. And oh, clouds.

17. Marriage isn’t so scary. It is actually super awesome. But that means we need to work at keeping the magic.

16. Slow and steady doesn’t always win the race. Fast and furious does.

15. Being happy for someone from the bottom of the heart. That’s an exercise I need to do everyday.

14. Toothpaste? Check. Toothbrush? Check. Keep track of personal belongings while travelling.

13. Being faithful means working at it. Even if it’s hard, all the time. Love isn’t forever, but faith is.

12. Feelings come and go. But try not to be a feelings-based person. They can never give you a life. Because life is what you make of it.

11. Draw a sketch of who you want to be. Not just career-wise but personality-wise. And try being that. Even if you fail everyday.

10. Being jealous of someone is fine. But what you do with it, is important. Never let it get toxic.

9. Don’t let down your self-respect. It’s not patience if you take it, it’s cowardice.

8. It’s ok to not judge your lovers exes.

7. After every fight with your loved one, tell yourself that you need to move forward and work on it.

6. Love your girlfriends. They stick with you. Always.

5. Keep in touch with friends. Every relationship needs efforts.

4. Play in the rain.

3. Check out hot men. It’s fine at any age.

2. Try sticking to deadlines. People respect that.

1. Wear perfume everyday. It makes you feel super special.

Happy Journals from Designwallas

2009-07-28T01:08:00.000-07:00

Stationery makes me Jelly-kneed. Smooth paper, kickass graphics and pop art on stationery is my deal. Andy-Warhol-ish pictures are my undoing. But then, I picked up this really nice diary from Landmark on a whim and boy, am I glad. The exterior is pink, not just any pink but the orange-banging-onto-pink. And the interior is smooth, regular and eco-friendly pages in light beige. The zari borders are just enough to make it edgy yet Indian. Made by Designwallas, a really nice design website, this is just super killer. I can’t wait to extend my collection onto other things like their oriental journals and their mosaic folders. Starting from Rs 295, they’re the pick of my month.

Another excellent Journal and kitsch design site is Play Clan. They are an independent Fashion.Art and Design group who make the best Indian kitsch stuff. I am yet to get my hands on their journals. Truly, works of art. My inner designer is screaming out in joy.

Candies: The Eco Option

2009-07-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

It might be the most mundane places in the city, but I’m in love with Candies. Just for the sheer range of delicacies and bites that they have on display. The new Candies on a weekend is a Virar bus station but then, the cozy cute one at Reclamation is my favourite. The best thing I have ever tasted is the Steak Sandwich and their Beef Lasagne. But the pleasantest surprise was this cute bag I got with my takeaway. It’s simple, sweet and a really neat gesture. The cloth bag also has the green, Recycle-Reduce-Reuse thing written in nice font. I am a sucker for the teeniest details, and now, my takeaway will never be the same again.

I heart Networking Sites

2009-07-11T10:43:00.000-07:00
Twitter jokes are everywhere but what keeps them coming back is the fact that we all are exhibitionists. Putting out all the details of our lives is our generations' plus point. We document, we exhibit, we change profile pictures, we read everyone's status messages, we categorise, we file, we spew venom, we just talk about the "loo getting fixed up" on twitter.

Stalk his style: Michael Jackson

2009-07-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

Michael Jackson could have been a fashion designer. His genius, his ideas and his fashionable self were appealing both to men and women. His contributions to the fashion industry, his entertainment value, his performances that were wholesome-package deals with a lot of drama and dance thrown in- nothing could have been worth it, if it wasn’t for the sequined glove and more.

Though it’s flamboyant at its best, it is after all, excellent as hell, if we can subtly incorporate some wise fashion tips of his, into our wardrobes. Subtle is an understatement for him, but for you, it’s manna from heaven. A list of his contributions that have rocked the runways now and forever more.

Skinny pants
Sequinned tops, shirts, sequined anything
Gloves, white ones
Red, leather jackets
Military style Jackets
Aviators
V-necked white t-shirt
Fedora Hat
Sheer shirts with white tees

Team all, or one of them. Make your wardrobe a good mix of Red, Black and White. Dab a little glitter and you’re done for the day.

RIP Michael Jackson, may you live in our minds and wardrobes.

Cheaper Than Therapy Sessions

2009-07-01T00:25:00.000-07:00
Louis Vuitton- Madonna Fall-Winter 2009-2010 Collection of ads are shot by Steven Miesel and are photoshopped to death. Madonna reminds me of a character from Alice in Wonderland or Peter Pan give or take a few bows and ears. Compare it to their real people ads with Keith Richards, Gorbachev and Francis Ford Coppola and this is plain nonsense.

The Delete Key is on my wishlist as well. Cute. Sweet. Simple. Minimalistic office stationery is always delight-ing.

As usual, am a pop culture whore and this is my muse for the day. The Grafik Museum and it's loudmouth cuts are just applaudable.

Delhi isn't one of the safest cities but this just makes it so much better. The Bed and Breakfast near Friends Colony is an excellent place to chill and stay cozy I hear.

Ruiz and Company make such excellent packaging, my mouth is agape.

An article on a street style restaurant in LA. I heart nicely-made and though-out environs.

Lily Allen is the new Chanel Muse. I can't wait for the handbag ad to hit the shores in October.

Stalk Her Style

2009-06-21T19:42:00.000-07:00

Sonam @ IIFA in Anamika Khanna

Sonam Kapoor isn't afraid to be a fashionista. In Bollywood, where the term fashionista would probably mean a lot of bling and chiffon, she's crossed over to the avant garde side, bringing in fashion at it's best to the brocade-heavy award ceremonies. "Fashion to me, is art," she says to me everytime I question her fashion sensibilities. Her choices are very off-beat yet highly stylised, her choice of designers is a mix of both classic and avant-garde. Her room was filled with Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin and more. In an industry where actresses don't make it their business to know what they wear ( except for , hey is there enough clevage showing?) Sonam understands and reads a lot on fashion in turn keeping up with the times. At IIFA, her outfit spelt nothing but class and Anamika Khanna isn't the ideal Bollywood choice but see how Sonam rocks it. The jewellery, though traditional just adds the right bling to the outfit. Her style statement in one sentence: Traditional material, contemporary silouttes.

10 Statement Necklaces that Rock the Runway

2009-06-19T19:53:00.000-07:00
If there's anything that tops the list in the accessory department, it's the very stylish statement necklace. It's a one-off piece, one that guards and adds onto the entire dress making it more fashionable and unique. Statement necklaces are not made to make the outfit look more attractive, in fact they're made to overpower the outfit, overrun the fabric and to keep the eyes trained on the prize. The spring-summer has seen more statement necklaces than any other season, so go ahead, take a look at the catwalk choices. In a country like India where accessories are king, it's easy to find anything ethnic or chunky from the street shopping expeditions. It's all about catching the right neclace and teaming it with the right clothes. Caution one: Never go matching-matching. Pink dress with pink shoes, are a big no-no. Caution two: Try primary colours to show off your statement necklaces. Black, brown, blue.... Caution three: Be prepared to rest your chic-ness factor on the necklace, it can actually make or break an outfit.

Now here's a list of my favourite necklaces from the catwalks.

Show: Just Cavalli.
This ombre pink necklace isn't for the faint-hearted. It's my favourite piece in the entire gamut of catwalk trends. Wear it on blacks and neutrals are you're the star of the day.

Show: Moschino

Pearls in a cluster is what I call it. Very interesting, very bold and yet extremely subtle for a statement necklace. The white-ness adds to the classiness of the entire look. Definitely wear with any colour, the piece can pull off even a yellow.

Show: Lanvin

Utter minimalistic, yet glance-worthy, Lanvin has made sure they keep their style chunky and funky. The colour of the necklace doesn't dominate the outfit but yet, at the same time, the outfit can be called crap if it doesn't have an ounce of necklace in it. Such is subtlety.

Show: Catherine Malandrino
We have all seen this beauty strutted out on cardboard-made necks in silver and antique shops in Dilli Haat and Colaba, but we have not understood what it can do for your wardrobe. Wear it big, bold and brazen around your neck and stones always add that little matt glint here just so it doesn't take away the glam of the dress.

Show: Anna Sui
My favourite designer, Anna makes anything look good once the necklaces are on. In fact, her entire collection is made up of very tribal, very indian, very african pieces. I'm sure we see these pieces, with red stones or a wayward green on the pavement shops in Colaba, but we never bother picking up. The blue here, adds that dreaminess to the entire outfit.

Show: Ralph Lauren

Everyone who loves jewellery in India has encountered kundans, polkis and stone jewellery. But we, the modernists are scared of them. While the west embraces the craft, we dwiddle our thumbs and opt for the small tiffany-type chains. No more! Be bold and take on the wild side, with mom's custom-made jewellery. Wear in on a black dress and you're set for the day.

Show: DKNY

A show of metal might make your wardrobe this season. Try mixing a number of chains, a lot of coin junk, metal scraps and a healthy attitude, and lo, you're in statement necklace heaven.

Show: Chanel
Truly spring-summer in their looks, the Chanel necklaces can be recognised a mile away. The foliage with the enamel and the vibrant colours make you remember them long after they're gone into your jewellery box. Mostly a day necklace. Choose a darker one for the night.

Show: Louis Vuitton
Africa-inspired, woody and chunky, Louis Vuitton aced up a notch this summer with the ideal accessory for India. An accessory that can be bought anywhere in primary colours of red, black and brown. The look is mighty, smooth and highly compliment-worthy with minimal effort.

Show: Dries Van Noten
Shiny disco balls are what it is, when you look at it, the first time. But that's what keeps the eyes going back for more of it. The chunky necklace of metallic sheen is out to take over accessiory land, if you're not the one wearing it. So go and grab.

Easy, breezy and blue

2009-06-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

Comfortable, high and sexy. That just about describes this Fendi beauty. Straight from the spring-summer collection, it's easy, comfortable and technically well-heeled. Wear on corporate wear, maybe like a vibrant splash of colour on an otherwise boring monday or for a great weekend start on a friday.

Delicious Bites

2009-06-09T03:19:00.000-07:00

Oh the delight that is this piece of crockery. I can stare at it, buy it, and love it.

The pictures Sam Javanrouh takes, are worth all my time this week. Truly an artist of our times.

Crime Scene Fashion. How cool is she?

Manolo, Manolo, Manolo....hell, Manolo.

These bookcases are a bookworm's dream. I heart the earthquake one and the Tanagram one.

Want a pizza, a barbie or a jimmychoo....you can buy any painting you want, here. Some artists are damn smart.

This is the first thing on my wishlist. I want, I want, I want

The best thing invented after sliced bread.

I love dirty laundry. Excellent idea.

Lust to Must

2009-06-01T04:34:00.001-07:00

Sometimes there are things that wake you up as you're just about to take your chill pill. These lime-green Mango sandals aren't for the faint-hearted. Like black or red, the most primary colours one can wear on any outfit, joins another shade - electrifying lime. You can team it up with your favourite LBD or a really sheer nude skirt or just another white dress. Lime is the most versatile shade to acquire this spring. So go green with Mango: Rs 4,555.

Delicious Bites

2009-06-01T01:52:00.000-07:00

For all those looking to land that dream job, here's where you go for a trial run.

Retouching? A tid-bit for all those working in the fashion magazine slot.

The 10 worst foods in your fridge is an eye-opener of sorts. Who would've thunk?

This is exactly what I want for my birthday. Isn't it a dog eat dog day?

Newspapers obviously weren't the same circa 1970. Glad I'm not a part of that, but happy to discover this.

Brock Davis has a mind of his own. Look at his shattered ideas.

Forget dog eat dog day, what about dog eat shoe day? From Marie Claire France

A lecture on why Pepsi's new logo is the Da Vinci Code of Branding.

Change? How does one measure the evolution of the change that you desire?

All the Queen's Buys

2008-09-02T05:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-02T04:58:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-08-08T02:10:00.001-07:00

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

2008-07-24T02:33:00.000-07:00

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:

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

2008-06-27T02:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-26T02:55:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-10T01:31:00.000-07:00

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

2008-06-06T01:54:00.000-07:00

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.