CULTURE

GLITZ & GLAMOUR
Offers to bowl over your Valentine
Smriti Kak

The denunciation of the Valentine’s Day by the Shiv Sainiks notwithstanding, it is the World Cup that poses a threat to the celebrations (if at all). For the cricket aficionados, it could be quite a trying time dodging the googlies that their sweethearts spin should they attempt to put cricket first.

However, for those who’d rather mark their calendar for a mushy evening, instead of watching Sri Lanka sweat it out with Bangladesh, the city as usual has lined up a cornucopia of events. From cakes that ooze romance to the flowers that communicate the message of love, it could well be a veritable smorgasbord for the cupid-stricken.

Here is a compendium of what you could do. NYC at the Radisson Hotel adorned in white and red will have a photographer to frame your moments of joy. At Italianni’s, the guests will be greeted with roses and chocolates besides savouring the Valentine special meal. If Garuppa Rolls on Ricotta Cheese and Symphony of chocolate mousse is what you are craving for, that is where you should head. A love buffet complete with a glass of champagne is on at Uppal’s Orchid.

Continuing the red and white theme will be Superstars, Noida, where an MTV VJ (Surprise!) will have the mushy couples play games, win prizes and “party till they can take no more”. Esprit, cashing in on the right time, has announced gifts from a ‘I Love U’ Teddy Bear to an Esprit blinking heart on purchase of their ware.

For the home birds, who’d rather stay home together, there is the ‘Love Seat’, from Pinnacle Saporiti (Italian furniture makers), a plush sofa chair, which allows you to sink in and soak in the love and warmth.

As for those who’d like the sparkles to do the talking, Swarovski has a special range for the ‘Day of love and romance”. The Valentine collection has jewellery and crystal tattoos, apart from a bouquet of pink crystal roses that promise never to die.

After offering fare for the weddings, Bholasons Jewellers has crafted a special line for the day. The collection has gold hearts and other knick-knacks for the “person who makes one’s life worth living”.

Wishing to make a lasting impact, you could shell out mega bucks and have figurines of Greek goddesses to present as mementoes. These figurines from d’Mart have been procured from Elisa, a Spanish brand that makes figurines in ceramics. Numero Uno has ‘Roll-the-dice-for-your-valentine’ offer. Couples can walk in to the store, play the special game of dice and walk away with prizes.

Buying presents is an art that eludes most. Tough men can tell you how their heart skips a beat for fear of picking the wrong thing. But this Valentine, Tanishq has come up with a smashing solution. Men can shop bravely without having to worry their heads about the consequences, for Tanishq promises to exchange the gift within a week should the ladies turn their noses up at the sight of the gift. For those of you who care more about the fiscal statements than the style statements, it’s time to save the moolah. Don’t blame us for not warning you, our florist predicts a major spurt in the prices. Forget the rose stalk that cost you an insignificant Rs 5, time calls for spending five times the price.

Standing out in the melee of freebies is Aptech’s offer for couples wishing to get IT savvy. As per the plan, one could enroll for the basic multilingual IT literacy course and offer one’s partner a 50 per cent scholarship on the course fee.

And if there are any still wondering about the threats, time to take a short recall. Valentine’s Day emerged from the slaying of Saint Valentine by Emperor Claudius II on February the 14th. And predictably rest is history.

Pitambari’s latest style statement

Elegant, yet stunning, is how Pitambari describes its latest collection. A combination of light colourful work, flowing fabrics in bright hues and seductive necklines makes the new style statement at Pitambari.

The collection, which comprises both bridal wear and formal wear, has shades of reds, yellows, blues and pinks embellished with coloured tara work, light embroidery, coloured stone work and antique gold work. While the saris and suits are in shimmering crepes and seductive georgettes, lehenga cholis are in elegant brocades and tissues.