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For so many youngsters, tension of gifting presents is a thing of the past as they pick up magic seeds and I-Pods for St Valentine’s Day, says Saurabh Malik after ambling through aisles lined with temptations. Let the plant of affection grow this Valentines. Forget all about buying those teddies and chocolates for your gal on February 14. The stuff is passé, actually. Go in for seeds that germinate into little trees with love messages on the leaves. Sounds confusing! Well guys, drive down to any card and gift shop in the city and find little seeds dazzling on the glass shelves under synthetic daylight. Spirited
blend COOL STUFF GREEN SPACE YOGA
FILM & FASHION
Michelangelo
in town
Get pampered INSIDE OUTSIDE MODEL SPEAK
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For so many youngsters, tension of gifting presents is a thing of the past as they pick up magic seeds and I-Pods for St Valentine’s Day, says Saurabh Malik after ambling through aisles lined with temptations. Let the plant of affection grow this Valentines. Forget all about buying those teddies and chocolates for your gal on February 14. The stuff is passé, actually. Go in for seeds that germinate into little trees with love messages on the leaves. Sounds confusing! Well guys, drive down to any card and gift shop in the city and find little seeds dazzling on the glass shelves under synthetic daylight. Imported all the way from Korea, they sprout only after you break open the shell and start pouring water in it. After about a week, love message appears on the leaves, courtesy bio-technology. “Magic seeds are hot-off-the-fire passion among teenyboppers looking for gifts of affection on St Valentines Day,” says Krishna Sahoonja of Dewsun in Sector 11. You can buy one for anything between Rs 75 and Rs 150. Just in case, the idea of buying the seeds is not growing on you, look for something nice and simmering like a heart-shaped wristwatch or a pendent. Always remember, you do not have be a prince to act like one. Project yourself as a lavish spender by purchasing four small gifts, instead of one big, after spending the same amount. If you have limited resources, do not buy a shining lycra top of poor quality. With the same amount, go in for cute little trinkets. Pick up a bouquet. Buy hair bands and clips, along with a nice folder for carrying notes. The more, the better — that should be your policy. Another thing! After you have selected with care the gifts of affection, do not forget to wrap up the souvenir in nice imposing paper. Show off sometimes is as essential as the gesture. Even if the stuff is good, no one is going to accept it unless the packaging is striking — that’s the basic principle of marketing. So make sure that the award is nicely wrapped up. Also, tie it up with a ribbon. It looks inspiring. Here is a comprehensive list of stuff you can pick for proving your love on the big day: Accessories Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. If you cannot afford to buy the real stuff, go in for American diamonds. They sparkle like the real ones and are not very expensive either. You can pick up heart-shaped pendants and rings specially designed for the occasion. Some of the jewelers in Sector 17 and 35 are even offering discounts up to 15 per cent. You can also buy faux-diamond studded watches designed specially for the occasion. An ideal gift for the two of you, it’s not very expensive either. Some of the imported ones can be purchased for as less as Rs 500. If diamonds do not brighten up your mood, pick up simple gold plated heart-shaped pendant. Cut in two with “love” inscribed on one portion and “you” embossed on the other piece, the pendant is worn separately by both of you. The inscription is complete only when you are together. Costing less than 20 bucks, you can also purchase tiny heart-shaped earrings in bulk for your lady love, says Raman of Jewels in Sector 11. Else, you can also go in for six-chain bracelets with dangling hearts as a love-you-forever symbol. The stuff can be procured for less than Rs 150. Beaded necklace with a sterling silver chain is another good gift. She will wear your love around her beauteous neck on special occasions. Gals can gift platinum-finish key rings to guys if they drive semi-limousines. Ebony in Sector 9 has a good collection. The stuff is costing less than Rs 100. Otherwise go in for cute little Uncle Scrooge and other Walt Disney characters. Sun-glasses for protecting eyes from ruthless UV rays make good gifts. Go in for the trendy ones. Remember to carry enough cash before shopping for good glasses. Perfumes and deodorants also make nice gift items for all those intimate moments when two of you are together away from the hustle and bustle of uncompassionate creation. Room stuff Prettify her pad with a pair of framed miniature paintings available in card and gift shops. You can also gift her twin photo frames with heart motifs. Oh yes, you will never be away from her eyes. She can keep his and your snap in the frame placed by the bedside. You can also consider Valentines-special photo frame that says “I love you”. Press the little button on the right hand side and the frame will utter the words on your behalf, day after day. Make her happy, buy posters of her favourite superstars. Let her glue some other guy’s poster instead of your snap. It may sound funny, but some of the shops in the city are selling Valentine special towel-sets in bright hues. It’s useful, undoubtedly. Buy her a nice CD, DVD or a MP3 player. You can take home the stuff for less than Rs 4,000. You two will be able to laugh, and cry, together while watching your favourite film. I Pods make good gifts. Make sure he doesn’t go astray in your absence. Buy him CDROM video games. You can pick up one by pulling less than Rs 500 from your purse. Exercise bike is best if he has a tendency of gaining weight. You too can lose a few calories at his residence. A workout together is fun, you can be sure of it. Party glad rags Let her feel the warmth of your relationship. Allow her to snuggle up in a nice pashmina shawl or a stole. Guys, gift her cotton shirt with pearl buttons. It looks simply gorgeous. Watch heads turn in admiration as she walks down the street to meet you. Okay guys, go in for a classic long city jacket in leather. It is available in some of the shops in Sector 17 at 30 per cent discount. Leather belts are trendy. Buy him one, pick another for yourself. The two of you will look simply bindaas. Go in for hand-woven hats, or even golf caps, for protecting complexion. A pair of sneakers is another good option. Girls can buy black leather shoes so that he looks formal in his trousers of matching hue while going for that big job interview. Bits and pieces Gift her album of love songs specially complied for the occasion. If she has a CD player, buy her a disc. Otherwise cassettes are there for you. Play love songs while going for a long drive. She can listen to the music in your absence too. For some gals, Valentines is just not complete without cute and cuddly teddies. Buy one with nice love quotes. She can hug him in your absence. A pre-paid cell-phone card is, perhaps, the best gift you can give her for the big day. Buy her a “lifetime connection”. The two of you will never be out of touch again. A box of cigars is fine if he is a heavy smoker. But give him one with a request to quit smoking by Valentine’s Day the next year. Convey love in different ways. Gift her 51 ways to say “I love you”. Tell her all about the deepest secrets of your heart through this handy booklet. So folks, what are you waiting for. Go ahead and exchange affection.
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Spirited blend As a few final year students of Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management showcased their artistry of making those delightful concoctions with innovative names like Kashish, Green Apple
Mojischka, Short Island Snow, Milky Way, Dark Angle and many more, we at Lifestyle decide to take a look at this new trend which seems to be gaining popularity with every passing day. Surprising indeed, considering the Punjabi penchant for hard drinks where there is no room for delicacy at all! “After brands like Baccardi popularised the drinking habit among women, cocktails have gained considerable popularity in town,” says R.P. Singla, General Manager, Hotel Mountview. The trend according to him is about three years old and gaining momentum with every passing day. “Call it fashionable or health consciousness, but cocktail it is for the city crowd,” he adds. Its one thing that our crowd is open for experimentation, but the entry of the hotshot hoteliers has really paved the path for them to indulge. “When we make those bright, colourful and tasty concoctions, we keep in mind that it not just appeals to a customer’s taste buds but the other senses too,” says Anil Malhotra, General Manager of The Taj, Chandigarh. So equal emphasis is given on the visual treat as well as its smell. So the juggling act which the bartender carry out while mixing he drinks is not just some show off act but an important part of the whole craft. Blending a good cocktail requires 20 per cent knowledge and 80 per cent skill, agrees Mayank Goyal, who has worked with swanky places like Le Meridian and now teaching at the Dr Ambedkar Institute of Hotel Management. Another thing, which is important in serving cocktails
“The timing plays a very important part in serving cocktails. If it’s before meal, the base should be citrus and with or after meal cocktails should be either chocolaty or mint base to suit the mood and the palette,” Anil informs. While the city bars are trying out innovative ones, they also like to stick to the classical ones like
Mojita, Irish Coffee, Pina Colada, Blue Hawaiian, Gin Fizz, Planter’s Punch, Screw Driver and Bloody Mary to be on the safer side. In our research we also learn from these experts that when it comes to cocktails, the personality of the client is the foremost on the bartender’s mind. So there is a new exciting world for you to explore, only if you have the spirit!
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COOL STUFF Knorr Soups, the leading soups brand of India, and Unilever’s largest brand worldwide has announced an all new look, taste and communication. The brand will now be available in an all-new look with a striking international design. Knorr in India has always been a provider of high quality international cuisine. Now along with this launch, Knorr has announced the launch of its new Thai soup variant. The brand is all set to empower young homemakers and enable them to make healthy, wholesome and delicious food options. All the Knorr soup variants contain real vegetables. With the
relaunch, there are some new offerings — Tangy tomato, Thai Lemony noodles, Chicken delight, Creamy Mushroom and Sweet and Sour noodles. The new Thai soup variant has a hint of lemon added to enhance the flavour. The soup, which comes in a 4-serve pack is priced at Rs 25 and is available at all leading stores across the country. The entire range includes fourteen exciting flavours — Thick Tomato, Tangy Tomato, Chinese Veg Tomato, Sweet Corn Veg. Hot and Sour Veg, Creamy Mushroom, Sweet and Sour Noodle, Thai Lemony Noodle, Mixed Veg, Sweet Corn Chicken, Hot and Sour chicken, Chicken Delight, Chicken noodle and Chinese Chicken and Mushroom. Funky accessories
The Spirit of AO’S, the young and peppy brand of the Oswal Group, comes alive this festive season with its wide range of accessories catering to the needs of today’s fashion conscious youth. The large array of the stylized collection is targeted both at the urbane young men and women gives them something to feel passionate about this season. Resplendent with new innovations AO’s accessories comprises of high quality, fund and funky trinkets and cool, hip. Colourful belts in various sizes and designs that suit every occasion, which are in sync with the festive and celebratory mood of the season. Crafted from a variety of exotic material, AO’S fashion designer belts are true pieces of fine craftsmanship. The range varies from beaded belts, fashion belts, designer belts, glass beaded belts, stone beaded belts, embroidered belts with laser engraved motifs, belts studded with metal rivets and offers ultimate style and class. The remarkable collection of belts compliments all the attires with its ultimate charm. They exude that panache to the dresses making one look smart and stunning. The funky and stylish trinkets are available in a palette of brilliant colours from red, green, yellow, blue. Interesting shapes, materials and sizes of beads are threaded together in various designs to match one’s attire, both for men and women. From the designer inspired collection AO’S offers stunning fashion at sensational prices with beaded bracelets and necklaces. Priced between, Rs 65 to Rs 225 for trinkets and Rs 299 to Rs 499 for belts, the festive collection is available in all the exclusive AO’S outlets. Moisturising lotion
If you hate the winters for what it does to your skin, making it dry, rough and dehydrated, Nomarks has launched a brand new product that will take all the winter time woes away! Nomarks Moisturising Lotion with its ultra hydrating power combines the advantages of Ayurveda with the Nomarks promise of blemish free fairness in a product that will keep your skin nourished, glowing and supple right through the harshest winters. Nomarks Herbal Moisturising Lotion is available for Rs 67/- for a 100 ml pack. The product is available at all general stores, chemists and retail outlets across the country.
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GREEN SPACE The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were always considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Not any more. The other day a friend invited us for dinner at a five-star hotel in Bangalore. The place is in the heart of town, surrounded by shopping malls, unbelievable traffic and eye-stinging diesel fumes. But we sat out on a thick, lush lawn, on the third floor and enjoyed a lavish meal under the magnificent fronds of a yellow palm, from where an owlet watched our every move with unblinking eyes. In this man made eco-system, the ambient air was cleaner and cooler. Traffic sounds could not be eliminated but in the prevalent atmosphere, they were ignored and almost forgotten. I once saw a partridge on the first floor of a house in Sector 11. It was 6 a.m. on a summer’s day and the bird was shrill and demanding in its invitational cries to a hidden mate. A few days later I realised that the bird was not a pet but a daily visitor to a very comfortable roof garden. With space restrictions, a garden of this kind seems a feasible option. To start such a garden, ask your architect if the roof can take the weight of your project; or better still, while building your home, factor in the garden. It is up to your builder to make the roof stronger, waterproof it, fit in many drainage pipes and add a tap for watering plants. Also ask him for a beam and wall plan of the rooms below so that heavy, tree containers are only placed over these strong spots. Some of the disadvantages of the roof area are wind and excessive sunlight. Both tax your plants, so I would recommend a lawn and hardy, tropical shrubs and trees. The soil should be light and therefore not clay or loam based but a mixture of peat, well dried cow dung, perlite and a lot of humus from dry leaves, wood shavings and lawn mowings. Terracotta pots and tubs are not recommended as they are heavy and very porous. Water retaining fibreglass and thin, stainless steel containers are the best choices. As sun and wind are drying agents, watering will have to be frequent- sometimes twice a day. As mentioned in earlier articles, watering should be confined to early morning and late evening hours. Don’t forget to spray the leaves and flowers too. During the monsoons, check and clean the drainage pipes every week.
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YOGA Long before psychologists or therapists, ancient yogis of India discovered the importance of sleep in a man’s life. Not the disturbed sleep of tension, or the stupor of the overworked labourer both of which does not relax the body totally; but conscious relaxing of the body completely, muscles, bones, skin, tissue and organs. As the physical body relaxes tension in the emotional and mental body also loosen their hold and the practitioner slowly enters a state of wakeful awareness. This state is considered superior to that of deep sleep by the yogis. The yogis believe that stress is held in various parts of the body as tension and as the level of stress increases those parts of the bodies get slowly diseased. Blood circulation to that area is effected so also the movement of electric currents in the nerves and in the subtler body the pran is restricted from easy movement. All this leads to starving the area from life giving nourishment both in the physical and subtler planes leading to problems in the respected regions of stress. Since the body is holistic relaxing the body at the physical level affects the emotional and the mental level too. As the practitioner circulates awareness consciously relaxing each part of the body cellular changes take place, chemicals in the body such as adrenalin, cortisone and insulin are regulated, the muscles elongate and relax, the organs of the body are able to release their toxins and rejuvenate themselves. With constant practice one can identify areas of discomfort to consciously release tension. At first it may start at the physical level as in feeling the muscle or limb that is tense then as awareness increases it will deepen move in to the organs recognising whether the liver, kidneys, pancreas or heart or lungs that is sluggish, it can be fine tuned to know if an artery is blocked or if the lung is atrophying due misuse. With further practice one can even see the thoughts as they are formed and rise to the surface before forcing one to action. There are many different exercises to train the body, mind and emotion in relaxation and as practice becomes deeper the practitioner gradually becomes aware of the subtler bodies that transcend this physical body. The person feels as if released from a constricting and limiting body to expand into a state of higher awareness. Yoga nidra 1: Lie comfortably on a mat. Lift your head to check if the whole body is aligned along a straight line. Rest the head in the centre at the back with the chin resting towards the base of the neck, hands are equal distance from the body on both sides. Without moving allow your awareness to caress your body from the toes upwards, gently feel the relaxation flowing upwards towards your head. The whole movement from the toes to the top of your head should take 20 to 30 minutes. Let the relaxation seep deep into your body through to the bones. Stretch luxuriantly before getting up.
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Saying it with roses Be it Valentine’s Day, Flower’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or the day of one’s marriage, roses continue to be exchanged throughout the year. A bouquet of roses by the bedside of a patient gives him a feeling of well-being. Keeping the rising demand for roses in mind (especially with V-Day being just around the corner), florists of City Beautiful start stocking these flowers well in advance. Seeing the demand, some of the farmers in the region have taken to commercial cultivation of flowers, especially roses. Florists say the rose finds a prominent place in the galaxy of flowers. The reason is simple: “It is the queen of flowers.” Its enchanting beauty, varied colours and, of course, fragrance are the main reasons for its attraction. It’s also known for a symbol of universal faith and love. Says Mr Rajan Sobti, a Sector 19-based florist, “ The demand for red rose buds increases on Valentine’s Day and during the marriage season. A major part of the supply comes from Bangalore. Dr Satish Narula, a Chandigarh-based horticulture expert, believes: “Keeping in the popularity of the roses, every landscaper includes roses in his plan. Be it a backyard or a lush garden of some corporate office, every person will like to have at least one bed of roses.” The selection of site for the bed of roses depends on the area available, topography and the
climate. The site selected for setting up the rose bed should receive sunlight at least six hours a day. The bed should be away from tall trees and shrubs and should have free movement of air. For a small garden, especially in house, the rose bed can be set up at the entrance of the garden. However, for big parks and gardens, a separate area may be allocated where a number of beds can be laid out. While planting roses, colour contrast and colour combinations should be kept in mind. Christian Dior, Super Star, Happiness, Papa Mainland and Kajal are some of the rose varieties that are more successful in Chandigarh and nearby areas. According to Mr Baljit Singh, a rose cultivator, the commercial cultivation of roses involves innovative practices that are different from the book. Unlike the backyard roses, the pruning has to be regulated in a way that the flowers are available at the time when these are in great demand. “Normally, the roses are pruned in the first week of October and take about two months to give first flush of bloom. Here we calculated and tried pruning at different dates to see that these are available at the crucial time. Such practices can fetch better price in the market.” “I took to rose cultivation in 1996 with the plantation of 700 plants. Within a year, the cost of the plants and planting was recovered. This encouraged me to plant more plants. Now, I have 3,600 plants in less than one acre. On an average one plant bears nearly 30 buds in a year, but at my farm some of the plants yield up to 50 sticks,” Mr Baljit Singh says. Never let the roots be exposed, says Dr Narula. Nothing could be more damaging for the plant than exposing the roots as the feeders that are confined to the upper layer of soil get damaged. This also shortens the plant life.
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FILM & FASHION “I know she’s certainly a dame most any of us would kill for!”, webmaster Harry Knowles exclaims, referring of course to the expected title of the sequel ‘A Dame to Kill For’. Jolie reportedly caught up with Rodriguez recently to discuss a part in the follow-up, which reunites most of the cast, including Michael Madsen, Rosario Dawson and Mickey Rourke, and characters from the first film. Jolie will be playing Ava, the sultry seductress who leaves Dwight (Clive Owen) for a rich bankroll of a husband. Year’s later, Ava shows up on his door, speaking seduction but secretly planning his corruption and downfall. — ANI Careless Beyonce
“I think the thrill has gone. I wear so many and I am careless and I don’t want to be responsible if I lose it. I’ve lost way too much stuff,” she was quoted. — ANI ‘Offending Angels’ biggest flop film A 200,000 pounds British film by director Andrew Rajan was named the biggest flop of all time when it managed to rake in a grand earning of only 89 pounds at the British box office. Rajan, who not only directed but also co-starred in ‘Offending Angels’ the story of two porn-loving lads finding love with guardian angels, said that everything had gone wrong in the making of the movie. “Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong,” The Sun quoted him, as saying. The movie’s bucket of woes seemed to overflow for critics ravaged it after it opened, and it managed to last just one week in British cinemas, with the usher and projectionist being the only ones to see the movie during its 14 screenings at one movie hall. — ANI Kate Moss books space flight It seems like as there’s no place on earth that supermodel Kate Moss can escape the glare of the media, she has decided to take off for outer space by signing up with Sir Richard Branson’s ‘Virgin Galactic’ space flight. According to Contactmusic, Bronson, who is selling seats on the mission, which will fly a few passengers 113 km into space to orbit Earth in 2010, has managed to persuade Moss to hop on. However, the price of escape doesn’t come cheap and the model, who recently signed a deal with Branson to sell her autobiography, will have to shelve out $200,000 to make the trip. — ANI Carmen likes bad boys The sexy brunette, who is currently married to rocker Dave Navarro, said she had always been attracted to dangerous men as she felt they were more exciting. “I’m attracted to people who are dangerous. But I’m a good girl. I just like being around dangerous people who get me into trouble,” Femalefirst quoted her, as saying. — ANI Christina sheds sexy image Fans of singer Christina Aguilera have been left groaning with disappointment after she revealed that she was toning down her sexy image. A friend of the singer revealed that Christina, who married to producer Jordan Bratman last year, is eager to tone down her image for she doesn’t want her children to be embarrassed by her videos. “Now that she’s married, she wants to come across as a more classy performer - she’s thinking about her future family. She and Jordan have been talking about having kids for a long time now and Christina doesn’t want to do any videos that could embarrass her kids in later life,” Femalefirst quoted the friend, as telling British magazine Now. — ANI
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Michelangelo in town
The famous Italian painter may have died centuries ago, but a jewellery designer with the same name is already in town, reports
Anandita Gupta Most city brands may be busy roping in celebs to do their launches, but here’s a jewellery hub that’s tried to be different. True, it’s given in to the temptation of inviting a public figure to launch its new collection. But, it’s not a glamorous celeb (and thank God for that). For a change, we had B.L. Sony, I.G., Chandigarh, as the guest of honour at Shivalik View. The occasion was the formal launch of a new jewellery collection by Dwarka Jewellers on this balmy Friday afternoon. But what radiated greater warmth was the glow of ‘Prima Vera’—Dwarka’s new collection. Celebration of spring
The spring collection called ‘Prima Vera’, is an Italian expression for spring, a season of freshness and colours. The collection draws inspiration from the free flowing forms of creepers and flowers that make nature so alive and beautiful. Precious and semi-precious coloured stones have been sculpted and used in a very unique way giving a classy look to the collection. The collection highlights exciting new gold jewelry design trends, including a notable eclectic blending of the opulence of the East with the refined elegance of the West. Three dimensional reality
And yes, the collection, designed by Italian designer Mike Michelangelo, heralds the end of dead and flat jewellery. Yes, the jewellery is three-dimensional. The collection comprises pendants, ear rings, pendant sets and necklace sets. A jubilant Mr. Mike Michelangelo expressed his delight, “I found a profusion of inspiration from nature, soft and sensual designs. It’s as if after a season of ostentation, it is time to move towards to a more feminine style.” Pastel all the way
Mention coloured stones and what instantly crowds our minds is an image of fiery Rubies and sparkling green Emeralds. There are others in the list, of course. But, the collection uses just pastel coloured stones—pink Tourmouline, yellow Citirine, pale blue Amythyst and blue Sapphires. “The demarcation from bright coloured stones is intentional. It brings out the feminine, spring like feel of the jewellery,” says Dwarka’s Chandigarh-based manager Nitin Thakkar. Moreover, the stones have been cut and shaped like flowers and leaves. Priced at Rs.70,000 to Rs.3 lakhs, the collection definitely calls for much more than just an admiration. Nothing less than a pure passion for this jewellery would suffice if you’ve to procure such expensive pieces!
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Get pampered ‘Mango Tango’, ‘Ebb Tide’, ‘Clear Water’ indeed the whole range gives off a whiff of crystal clear water! This international brand of skin-care is the leading developer of sea-derived skin care products from Chicago (their ‘maker’ Cindy Melk was tired of departmental store shopping and wanted a range of products that were oil-free!). Their range is derived from sea-water with over 500 formulations of sea minerals, vitamins, marine-derived extracts, enzymes and natural ingredients and make for bright and breezy bottles and jars full of hydrating treatment for the body from head to toe. Product Manager Garima Makkar believes their products are indeed worthy. “Seawater is nearly identical in physical composition to that of many human body components which allows water and sea ingredients to be easily absorbed by the skin.” The brand, “something between Estee Lauder and L’Oreal”, is a unique combination of skin care, spa and bath and body products for both men and women. “It is a brand that people can relate to for there is no clogging of the skin,” smiles Garima, making the women in the store take a closer look! With 8 to 10 exclusive stores planned all over Delhi, Mumbai and North India (Delhi and Mumbai already have a store each) H2O+ is all set to target a niche audience “that are quality conscious unmindful of the price.”
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INSIDE OUTSIDE In the pell-mell of modular kitchens, stained glass creations, flooring, even art-work with real flowers, ferns and grass, chick blinds and safes, two snug little alcoves stand apart for their ingenuity! Would you believe that sandstone handicrafts include a pergola or gazebo made from stone? ‘Nice and Natural’ from Jaipur have brought exactly this for the ongoing ‘Inside-Outside Mega Show’ complete with hand-crafted floor tiles, circles and squares on which sits a garden set with 4 stools and a table (Rs. 13000). “The first impression is wow,” says Senior Manager G. Poddar and that is understandable for the hues and shades are the colours of the desert from where the stone is picked up. Golden tints, fossil mint, brushed forest green, blush pinks even silver sprinkled stones—the byword is natural! The range from Rs. 25 to Rs. 125 per square feet with over 50 colours to choose from delights for the sheer wonder that nature put on show. Set in the midst of door handles and faux flowers is ‘Pioneer Paint Solutions’ who insist that they have “organised the safedi sector” in the city! Proprietors Pratibha and Karan Sood, provide you with the material, labour, design and colours and can paint up your entire home for you in the time that you desire—be in over 3 days or 3 months! “We have tied up with all major paint brands so the material comes directly without any middle-man involved and what is more the quality is not compromised.” What is more, all this comes with a 2 year warranty as well—how is that for professionalism!
— G.R. BACK TO NATURE The credentials are impressive; the interiors of former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s private study including the beds and a complete army mess in Srinagar in a classical style! The pieces combine an eclectic approach where traditional ingenuity mingles with a dash of contemporary exuberance or modern minimalism bursts forth in elegance. Interior designer Simmi Trivedi’s little niche at the ‘Inside Outside Mega Show’ is a whiff of things to come should you decide to take on her creative expressions while doing up your home and hearth! The furniture is pure grace with carved motifs and study wood blending with modern leather sofas. Gold and silver foil on wood, quaint mother-of-pearl inlay in teak with trays and coasters to complement the look, stone-tile mosaic encrusted side-tables with a glass top finish and mirrors, beautiful ornate ones in gold paint and foil, complete the look in this little space. Done up in cream and gold, Simmi admits to being partial to earth tones, cream and beige, the gold too is matte finish giving the nook a regal appearance.
— G.R.
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MODEL SPEAK
What is the secret to good skin notwithstanding these products? Pretty in pink model, Tina
Chatwal, who inaugurated the show, gives us her take. “Diet and good skin-care products, lots of water, fruits and hitting the gym at least four days in the week; eat everything but maintain your skin by exercising. Busy with ramp shows and lots of appearances, Tina also finds the time to travel, talk and collect funds for poor children suffering from cleft palate syndrome. How does she deal with the stress of it all? Tina puts her feet up by listening to music, indulging in foot massages (remember the product has to be H2O+!) and playing with her dog.
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Talk about cocktails and the immediate image that comes to mind is sparkling liquids blended by deft hands that tantalises not just one’s taste buds but also one’s aesthetic sense. Ask any bartender what makes his concoction so heady, the pride in his voice is unmistakable as he replies that making a cocktail is not just about mixing drinks but a work of art.
If rumours are to be believed then Hollywood beauty Angelina Jolie may star in the sequel to Hollywood blockbuster ‘Sin City’, as director Robert Rodriguez is keen to cast her in his new flick ‘A Dame to Kill For’.
It seems that some celebs hardly care about their possessions. While people like hotel heiress Paris Hilton are informed by the paparrazi about their lost things, ‘Bootylicious’ star Beyonce Knowles is at least aware of it when she loses expensive jewellery. The former ‘Destiny’s Child’ beauty, 24, has jewellers tripping over themselves to lend her sparklers but she is not excited about the idea of wearing expensive jewellery.
Former ‘Baywatch’ beauty Carmen Electra has revealed that she likes being around dangerous people, and that she had a ‘thing’ for bad boys.
The freshness of sparkling waters with the colours of bloom—bright crimson, aqua blue, bottle green—heralded the launch of H2O + in the city.