Laptop to Lipstick
Party, office or a day out with the girlfriends; there are zillions of chic, cool and classy bags up for grabs. Who needs arm candy?
Corporate culture, multi-national companies, long working hours, invasion at workplaces by the fairer sex — they are bound to trigger many a trends. And when we are talking about office trends, the first thing that comes to mind is bags. With considerable part of the day being spent at office, the options for women’s handbags are getting bigger and better. Given the need to carry the whole day’s paraphernalia, an ideal office bag would be the one that can accommodate right from lipsticks to a laptop. Something in which you can that can fit in not just the notebook for the Monday morning presentation, but your own mini beauty salon, just in case you need to rush for that important date after work. After all, a date is as important as a corporate meeting. The good news is that companies are getting sensitive towards our needs and as a result we, now, are spoilt for a choice. Photo by Pradeep Tewari

Clutch on to style
ALL set to sizzle in your little black dress? Before you leave, do not forget to get hold of a high-on-style purse. It makes all the difference. Designed to add pizzaz to the evening dress, these bags for women have never looked so appealing. Take your pick from ethnic potlis, stone-studded totes, oval, square shapes or clutch closures with a long chain handle.

New releases
Something for everyone
Money Hai Toh Honey Hai
Starring: Govinda, Aftab Shivdasani, Esha Deol, Celina Jaitely, Kim Sharma, Ravi Kissen, Upen Patel, Hansika Motwani
Director: Ganesh Acharya
THE film is a comedy brimming with stars. Govinda's (paired opposite Hansika) next release after the super hit of last year, Partner, is about his eventful and whirlwind journey as Bobby, a planner along with five losers – Lala Bhai (Bajpai), a failed businessman, Gaurav, an honest copywriter, Manik (Upen), a struggling model, Shruti, a struggling fashion designer, and Ashima (Hansika), a successful TV actress.

Hip & Happening
Game for a cheesy treat? Three rampscorchers from Mumbai teach us how to eat a pizza in style
Stories happen. This is how Pizza Hut people describe its transformation. As part of its fine-dine concept, they launched their new outlet in Sector-10, Panchkula. "We have popularised the concept of casual dining in this country and now we unveil our first restaurant in North India that will take it a step further," said Niren Chaudhary, managing director, Yum Restaurants India Ltd. With a new logo and tagline ‘Stories happen’, it promises to build strong bonds and create memories while enjoying a great pizza. Also present on the occasion were ramp models Mughdha Godse, Shamita Singha and Mashoom Singha.


Photo by Himanshu Mahajan

Get Branded
It’s the one fashion stop for all those who want to splurge on designer wear. And adding another feather to its designer cap, Samsaara outlet at Taj-17 has launched its two-day exhibition of hi-fashion garments and accessories. For the first time in the city, exhibiting the best of international luxury brands’ latest being, Aigner and Just Cavalli, the Samsaara outlet houses a chic looking collection of handbags, footwear, belts and casual wear for both men and women.

Object d’art
Commonplace objects that inspire painters
Buddham Sharanam Gatchami
WE had no idea that actor Vivek Oberoi had a sister before Episode-9 brought to the city a few of her works as part of an exhibition called Collector’s Corner recently. There we discovered upcoming artist Meghna Oberoi and along with her, we rediscovered Buddha. Because she painted Buddha in an unusual fashion — reclining — with the most serene eyes you had ever seen. As for the background, she used bright red.

Know me, know my space
AS he hands over a copy of Architecture, Life and Me — his latest book — we cannot resist but ask him in a lighter vein, ‘Are you not too young to write an autobiography?’ And young and dashing architect Sangeet Sharma — owner of a shy smile but lots of conviction — assures us that it is not the years, but one’s intensity of involvement with work that determines whether the person is eligible to write an autobiography or not.


Architect Sangeet Sharma’s life story coincides with that of the city. Photo by Pradeep Tewari

Rising Star
Like guru, like shishya
‘KHUSHBOO ko phailne ki tammana toh hai, magar mumkin nahin hawaon se rishta kiye bageir..." The essence of this Urdu couplet describes Nisha Thakur’s philosophy of life, the upcoming kathak dancer, who holds that no art and artiste can blossom`A0without the blessings of a perfect guru, a prestigious platform and a healthy critical appreciation by the audience.

Sidelanes
Anganwadis: Utopias on paper
THE pictures make good copy in all the local rags. Anganwadi women workers, braving the sweltering heat, protest before every bureaucrat they think will listen to their woes. They are pushed, prodded, hauled into police vehicles and then released, as there is little room for them in our jails overflowing with errant politicians. Within a few days they are back, protesting again as no relief has come forth. Talk to supervisors and heads of departments and one gets the impression that these workers are fussing over nothing. They say the anganwadi programme is working well. I am sure registers bear witness to the same.

Health Tip

TAROT TALK
What the cards say today...